Guyana Times Daily

Men blame stress, lack of jobs for beating women

Human Services Ministry honours outstanding women

Jury to hear closing arguments from defence, state

Local agroprocessors getting push to boost trade Manickchand expecting better CSEC results

monday, may 12, 2014| guyanatimesgy.com

Inquiry into NOC's sex allegations opens today

– four teenage girls transported to city

Human Services and Social Security Minister Jenifer Webster on Sunday confirmed that four teenage girls of the New Opportunity Corp (NOC) have been transported to Georgetown to facilitate a full investigation into the allegations of sexual assaults.

The Minister told Guyana Times that the teenagers arrived in Georgetown late Saturday and were taken into protective custody of the Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA) after she would have received reports from the parents of the alleged victims on Tuesday last.

She explained that the CCPA had to make an application to the High Court to have the four teenagers removed from the NOC so that a probe can be launched.

Webster disclosed that now the teenagers are in Georgetown, the probation officers and the Police will commence their investigation into the accusations today.

However, the subject Minister did not divulge any information with respect to the Government official who was implicated in the entire scenario.

“We have to wait until the investigations starts be-

fore we know who that person is… once the girls would have been drilled, I am sure that we will have an identity of the person involved.”

Guyana Times understands that one of the complainants has given a detailed account to her mother of the sexual abuse via a note that was slipped into her pocket when she visited the facility.

When contacted, Crime Chief Leslie James also confirmed that the Guyana

Police Force has received reports of the sexual assault, but ranks in Essequibo have not commenced an investigation.

He, however, was aware that the teenage girls who would have made the allegations are in Georgetown and will be questioned shortly once approval is given by the CCPA.

About a week ago, several allegations emanated from the NOC of teenage girls being sexually molested by caregivers and a senior Government official.

Officials of the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry have been tight-lipped about the incident, thus publicly calling for evidence to support the accusations.

Subject Minister, Dr Frank Anthony recently urged persons who are levelling the allegations against the NOC staff members to report the matter to the Police.

“If there is any case of wrongdoing… if a child can come forward and say this person has done them wrong like a staff of the institution, then we want to know that because we do not want such persons on our staff,” Minister Anthony said, as he pointed out that no report was provided on the claims made.

Guyanese stabbed to death in US

AGuyanese teenager was on Saturday evening stabbed to death in an alleged attempted robbery near his home in Maryland, USA.

Dead is former Covent Garden Secondary School student Akinleye Osafo Warner, 19, formerly of Lot 55 Samatha Point, Grove East Bank Demerara.

Guyana Times understands that three men are being questioned in connection with the murder. According to information received, the teenager who was employed at a supermarket in the neighbourhood was returning home after work when he was attacked, which resulted in a scuffle.

It was during the scuffle; Warner was stabbed several times in the region of his abdomen.

Allison-Edward Abrams, mother of the dead teenage told Guyana Times on Sunday that she received a telephone call from her husband in the US informing her that her son was stabbed to death.

The aggrieved woman said she was told that her son left home for work about 11:00h on Saturday and

about 20:30h, his father received a telephone call from the Police informing him that Warner was shot and killed.

She said that he did not divulge any addition information about the stabbing incident, but confirmed that three of her son’s friends were being questioned.

The teenager graduated from high school in 2012 and

started to work to pay his college fees. He left Guyana in 2010 after graduating from Covent Garden Secondary School.

He was described as a very quite person who was always focused on improving his education.

He leaves to mourn his mother and two brothers in Guyana and his father in the US.

Shipping body to be represented at CSA 2014 Think Tank

Chairman of the Shipping Association of Guyana (SAG), Desmond Sears, will represent Guyana and the Association at the Caribbean Shipping Association’s 13th Caribbean Shipping Executives Conference (CSEC) scheduled for May 12-14 at the Miami Marriott, Biscayne Bay, Florida.

The three-day conference this year is designed to offer participants deeper insights into the latest shipping industry trends along with information on recent developments in global shipping which are likely to affect maritime operations in this hemisphere. The Panama Canal expansion project is expected to come under

the spotlight. This expansion project (also called the Third Set of Locks Project) is intended to double the capacity of the 50-mile long Canal by 2015 by creating a new lane and allowing more and larger ships to transit. The Panama Canal links the Pacific with the Atlantic Ocean.

The Project was originally scheduled for completion in 2014, but was disrupted twice, firstly over a dispute involving some US$1.6 billion in cost overruns, then because of a workers' strike for increased wages.

These issues and the impact of the work delays on those Caribbean countries with deepwater ports, which are able to berth the mega vessels that are now plying the world’s seas and oceans, could take centre stage at the conference.

Modernisation of Demerara Harbour

Guyana is currently receiving its bulk, break bulk and containerised cargo from small Feeder vessels that transship from Jamaica for lack of a deepwater port here. For many years, the Shipping Association, terminal operators in the Demerara Port, and the local community of importers and exporters have been advocating for the dredging of the Demerara Navigational Channel to remove over three metres

of hardened silt that prevents large cargo vessels as well as cruise ships from coming to Guyana. The adverse effects on the business community and the end users of all imported products could not be overstated.

A Public/Private Sector Working Group was established in 2012 to source funding and facilities for the complete modernisation of the Demerara Harbour with new navigational aids, security accessories, and the acquisition of a Fire Boat. This issue is likely to also be discussed at the CSEC.

Also on the agenda are panel discussions on the new marine gas, the impact of the United States Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA), and Maritime Domain awareness. Guyana stands to benefit significantly from the proposals for advanced level maritime training for member countries of the CSA.

Shipping industry executives and key decision makers from Europe and North America, the Caribbean and Latin America are expected to attend and establish connections with Terminal and Port Operators, owners of Non-Vessel Operating Common Carriers (NVOCCs), Freight Forwarders, Shippers and Shipping Association administrators.

Men blame stress, lack of jobs for beating women

BY GOMATIE GANGADIN

WWind: East north-easterly between 4.47 metres and 4.91 metres per second.

High Tide: 02:40h and 15:04h reaching maximum heights of 2.55 metres at each high tide.

Low Tide: 08:38h and 20:54h reaching minimum heights of 0.63 metre and 0.65 metre respectively.

ith the growing incidence of domestic violence in the country each day, citizens are becoming alarmed and concerned and have begun to question whether there is a serious failure in the system for the protection of women and children.

However, while concerns mount for the victims of violent attacks and this is understood, everyone seems to have forgotten that it is not only the women and children who are affected, but the men themselves as something has to definitely be wrong for the them to simply ‘lash out’ and act in the manner in which they do. They can be described as victims themselves, just in a different sense of the word.

To find out what pushes men to violence and why they abuse their spouses, girlfriends and partners, Guyana Times spoke to several men who were in the past abusers themselves but are now on the road to recovery through rehabilitation and counselling.

Wrong medicine

During the course of the interviews with the men, the main factors which emerged as the main causes for the growing number of domestic violence, spousal murders and suicides were found to be mounting frustration from lack of jobs, low self-esteem and insecurity, uncontrollable jealousy and the inability to handle the pressures of life. It was related that this led to the abuse of drugs and substances and ultimately to the path of domestic violence.

The men said that it was a situation which had not started overnight, but it was a cycle which had started from years back, leading up to the eventual death and suicides of persons.

John Fitzpatrick, 42, a father of two, related that he was a caring, loving and patient individual up until the time he decided to try

crack cocaine because of rising stress levels. He related that because of frustration from not being able to amply provide for his family financially, he turned to drugs which helped him to cope with realities he was not yet ready to handle.

“Honestly, I have a problem facing reality. It’s very hard for me to face life’s storms you know. I would normally be in denial and I would know that something is wrong but because I do not want to admit it, I

when she can get better elsewhere and it drives me crazy. So I used to use the violence to threaten her so that if she ever thinks about leaving me, she is going to think twice and don’t bother leaving,” Fitzpatrick related.

Fitzpatrick noted that he had abused his girlfriend for approximately two years after a constant abuse of drugs, but one day realised the extent of damage he was inflicting and decided that it was time he got help before

would pretend that everything is okay because I can’t face the reality of it. And then my girlfriend too cannot face the reality of my state and the financial situation and so she would talk about it regularly but to us men, it seems like they are nagging and so with the drugs in my system, I get angry quick ‘cuz you know drugs got that effect on you. I would start lashing out and getting angry at every little thing, verbally abuse her and if she does not stop, I will get physical. Every little thing begins to trigger the violence in me once I use the drug,” the man said.

He related that he believes that everything stemmed from a low selfesteem and insecurity and consequently jealousy on his part and even other men who initiate and practice violence on their partners.

“I grow up real insecure, and so you know I have low self-esteem and when I cannot work and provide for my house, plus I using drugs, I does wonder what my girlfriend still doing with me

it escalated to a tragic end. He left the home and moved into the Salvation Army where he receives counselling and other forms of therapy to assist him in behaviour control.

Abuser

Another resident of the facility, Lewis Lancaster, told Guyana Times that he was an abuser up until four months ago. He related that while men often are at fault and are the first to initiate violence in the home, there is much more to the story that is not being told.

The man related that even though he was and is a patient man, there were many times when his girlfriend would provoke him so that he can get defensive and lash out. He is of the view that while the society holds men totally accountable for domestic violence and this is sometimes true in some homes, there are many other unreported cases where the woman initiate violence and thus aggravate them to the point where they are required to

become defensive and prove their manhood and send the message of who is really the head of the home.

“I know that we men are most times blamed for the violence and for starting it, but at the end of the day, not everything is true. Men are creatures that are aggressive and are born to command authority and if you are going to insult a man and belittle him then he is going to want to get defensive and prove himself. It is in the nature of men to do so and the quickest way men find to end conflict is by using violence,” Lancaster articulated.

He related that due to this and the increasing pressures he was faced with, he began to abuse drugs to escape the reality of the situation at home since he did not want to succumb to the practice of domestic violence.

Becoming addicted to cocaine, he began to practice what he vowed he never would do – beat his girlfriend. Lancaster confessed that the beatings often took place during the times he craved the drug and could not access it. He disclosed that he began to verbally and physically abuse his girlfriend after she began to insult him and belittle him and even ill-treat the child they share together.

“If was me and me alone I would have taken it, but when it comes to my child, it’s an entirely different matter. She cannot do as she likes with our child and ill-treat him. That is when I began to physically abuse her. I slap her across her face,” Lancaster confided. The man opined; however, that he soon began to realise that it was not a healthy relationship and it was becoming unfair to his child. It was on this note that he began to seek help and is today a different person, with a different perspective and different approach to relationship conflicts. Both men have made reparations and still maintain contact with their ex-girlfriends.

Editor: Nigel Williams

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

Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown

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

Editorial

The Central Banker

The untimely passing of Mr Williams, Governor of the Bank of Guyana (BoG), and his likely succession by his Deputy, Dr Gobind Ganga, raises to the fore, the role of the Central Banker.

While this role has traditionally been very low-key, with the collapse of the economies in the developed countries, especially in the US, UK and the rest of Europe, recent Central Bankers such as Ben Bernanke (US); Melvin King (UK); and Mario Draghi (EU) have been very visible, even in the popular press, because of their critical role in trying to return those economies to an even keel.

According to its founding statutory Ordinance, the Bank of Guyana spells out the deceptively simple-sounding but ultimately very complex task of Central Banks: “Within the context of the economic policy of the Government, the Bank should be guided in all of its actions by the objective of fostering domestic price stability through the promotion of stable credit and exchange conditions, as well as sound financial intermediation conducive to the worth of the economy of Guyana.”

More specifically, the Ordinance decreed the Bank to: “Have the sole right to issue and redeem notes and coins; act as banker to the commercial banks; act as fiscal agent and trustee of and banker to the Government; administer payment agreements entered into by the Government.”

The complexity of the Central Bankers’ role can be gleaned by the debate that is presently going on the world stage on their use (or non-use) of “Quantitative Easing” (QuaE) versus “Qualitative Easing” (QE), as mechanisms to stimulate their moribund economies, via the second task.

Without going into technical details, QuaE can be seen as the Government simply printing money to buy huge quantities of assets in an effort to drive down interest rates and revive flagging economies. Conversely, QE – very much in the news today, thanks to the decisions by Ben Bernanke of the US Federal Reserve (the US Central Bank) – rather than focusing on the amount of assets purchased, hones in on the type of assets bought. In 2009, for instance, riskier assets such as mortgage-backed securities were purchased to the tune of US$1.25 trillion.

But there is fierce debate as to whether this QE intervention by the Fed had the impact that was projected. Surprisingly, the normally staid and proper Bank of England has just issued a paper which rejects one of the fundamental shibboleths of Central Bank operations: What activity actually creates money?

The paper states that a “common misconception is that the Central Bank determines the quantity of loans and deposits in the economy by controlling the quantity of Central Bank money – the so-called ‘money multiplier’ approach.”

This “misconception” is obviously shared by the world’s policymakers, including the US Federal Reserve, the Bank of Japan and the People’s Bank of China, not to mention the Bank of England itself, that have persisted with a policy of QuaE.

The latter is in line with their view that Central Banks create currency for commercial banks to then lend on to borrowers and that this stimulates both asset values and also consumption, which then underpin and fuel the various stages of the expected recovery, encouraging banks to create even more money by lending to both businesses and individuals as a virtuous cycle of expansion unfolds.

The Bank of England paper now agrees with what was economic heterodoxy that the credit which underpins economic activity is not created by a supply of large deposits, which then enables banks to lend. Instead it is the demand for credit by borrowers that creates loans from banks which are then paid to recipients who then deposit them into banks. Loans create deposits, not the other way round.

With all that turmoil in the world of Central Banking, Guyana is fortunate in having a man like Dr Gobind Ganga ready to step to the crease.

Press freedom

Dear Editor, ‘Press freedom’ is in the air but I have not heard anyone pontificating on the abuse of press freedom and its negative effects on a democratic country. We know that if press freedom is abused, then the very word ‘freedom’ will become counterproductive to good governance and national security. A line must be drawn to avoid this occurrence.

A corollary to press freedom is the abuse of that freedom. Press freedom should not be executed in a deliberately reckless manner to destroy the rights of people. It would be revealing for the Reporters Without Borders to do a ranking on the abuse of freedom of press.

We in Guyana have our concerns about the deliberate attempt by certain private media houses to disrupt the smooth governance of our country, to stifle the truth and to peddle false and misleading information to the public and to destroy our fragile democracy.

Unfortunately, the PPP/C Government has not tried to influence or restrict the private media houses to carry out their agendas, although it is very much transparent that their agenda is to destabilise the functioning of a democraticallyelected Government. In this letter, I will use my personal experience to support my argument and I am sure there are many out there who will support it.

TV station

Every Saturday night on a TV station in Berbice, Berbicians are bombarded with lies, deceptive statements, misinformation and sometimes defamatory and scandalous statements. The hosts on these programmes would make direct personal attacks on Government officials and even the President, rather than dealing with factual issues.

On this programme, everything is bad and derogatory about the Government and the Government is to be blamed for everything, no matter how absurd and ridiculous it may appear to viewers. Yet at the Regional Democratic Council meeting held on April 3, an AFC Councillor was loud in praise for the massive works being executed throughout Region Six.

This highly positive achievement is never presented on the AFC programme even though another AFC Councillor would be on that programme. But the Councillor and the cohost would keep on attacking the Government on matters which were raised and resolved at those RDC meetings. Is this what press freedom is about? This AFC programme is aimed at poisoning the minds of Berbicians with distrust and animosity towards the Government and its officials.

On this very programme, when some callers make

pro-Government comments, they are rudely disconnected and the hosts would immediately deem them as “PPP/C diehards” and will begin to hurl insults and abuse at them. However, when callers are abusive to the Government, the hosts will hold them on the line for dear life and there will be a long and abusive interaction against the Government.

Gossip and rumours are treated by the hosts as the Gospel truth. As soon as something negative is said about any official, they latch on to it without any form of investigation to verify the truth. This is the press freedom given to them by the same Government they are attacking. This TV station would never have existed under the PNC Government!

Commentary

The above are the reasons why I embarked on producing a weekly TV programme entitled “Commentary”, which is aimed at dispelling the lies and misinformation foisted upon the people of Berbice who depend a lot on the TV for their information. My programme looks specifically at what is said on the AFC programme and I rebut the lies and misinformation with factual evidence and logical reasoning. This programme gives support to those who are not allowed to ventilate their views on the AFC programme and those who are rudely abused.

“Commentary” is a

15-minute programme which was refused air time on one TV station in Berbice and the owner of this station told me in no uncertain terms that my programme is political and the station will not air it. I explained to no avail that my programme is linked to the AFC’s programme which seeks to clarify certain issues therein. Yet the AFC’s programme is a one hour callin programme which is filled with lies, deceitful statements and misinformation, which are not only political but slanderous and defamatory as well! This is freedom of press in action! But is this not abuse of press freedom?

Abraham Lincoln said, “Let the people know the facts and the country will be safe.” I fear that if I allow these AFC strategies of destabilisation to destroy the democracy of this country, then this country will be condemned forever! Hence the need for my programme.

Newspapers

In early 2012, when I began my crusade against cronyism and corruption in the AFC, I wrote letters to two newspapers, but none of these were ever published. But before this when I wrote against the PPP/C Government, all were published with extreme haste and promptness. I then realised the biasness of these two newspapers.

Petition to GT&T for land lines along Potaro Road, Bartica

Dear Editor,

The Bartica United Youth Development Group (BUYDG) on April 30, on behalf of the residents that live along Potaro Road, One to Five Miles, Bartica in Region Seven, submitted a petition to Mr Radha Krishna Sharma, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Guyana Telephone ANDTelegraph Company (GT&T), along with a cover letter from the BUYDG.

The petition was for the urgent instalment of telephone landlines along the route and for the commencement of the installment to be done during the course of this month (May 2014).

And the BUYDG cover letter indicated as follows:

(1) The total amount of land line service requested,168.

(2) The number of persons who signed the petition, 157.

(3) A number of persons who signed the petition requested more than one landline, since they have more than one house on the same lot and more than one apartment.

(4) Location of the residents who requested the landline services is Potaro Road, One to Five Miles, Bartica in Region Seven.

(5) Some of the residents that live in the Potaro area already have telephone landlines installed in their homes, since GT&T has installations at One Mile.

(6) A large number of residents did not get the opportunity to sign the petition, due to the lack of human resources to

conduct the signing campaign, and because the residents urged the BUYDG to submit the petition on or before the April 30.

(7) It is the view of the residents who signed that, upon the arrival of the company, a large number of people who did not sign will complete the application to acquire the landline service, since it is a necessity to all.

We thank GT&T in anticipation of a speedy and favourable response. Based on requests made by residents, the petition was copied to Dr Roger Luncheon, Head of the Presidential Secretariat.

The residents said that over 10 years back they, made request also in the form of a petition and filled out GT&T landline application forms, requesting the implementation of the service and later received responses/letters from GT&T acknowledging their application. They were advised that the phones will be installed.

The residents further said that they paid $5000 for the instalment of the phone service, but to date, no phones are installed. A resident showed to the BUYDG her copy of the letter along, with a GT&T receipt in the sum of $5000.

The population has growing very fast and a lot of houses are being constructed over the 10 years since the residents made their first petition/application. At that time it was an average of 40 to 50 persons that signed that petition, but at that time the Four and Five

Miles schemes were not established. This year’s budget has provided for the surveying of a new scheme to be established between Four and Five Miles scheme.

Every week after late last year when BUYDG started the petition campaign, residents were continually calling, visiting my home and every time they met with me or other members of BUYDG on the road, they would keep asking how soon the telephone will be installed in their homes .

Base on the last meeting held between the BUYDG and the residents, the parties agreed that if M Sharma doesn’t give us a favourable respond or commence the instalment of the telephone landline, the parties will travel to Georgetown in front of his office and conduct a picket/protest excersie until the petition is approved/fulfilled

The members of the BUYDG are call on Mr Sharma to fulfil is mandate which is to provided the landline service to the residents and honour the promise/written commitment made by GT&T to the residents over 10 years ago.

That commitment was to have the phones installed and to act in the interest of the welfare of the residents consistent with the petition dated April 30.

Yours faithfully,

Micah Williams General President

Bartica United Youth Development Group

The CEO responded via post

Dear Editor, Thanks for providing us the opportunity to respond to Mr Micah Williams letter to the editor.

We wish to advise that Mr William’s letter dated

April 30 was received by the CEO’s office on May 6.

The CEO immediately responded to the letter via post, acknowledging receipt of the correspondence and informing Mr Williams that

the matter is currently engaging the attention of the company.

Sincerely,

Allison Parker PRO

Press freedom (con’t from page 4)

However, recently I once again got a rude awakening from these two media houses. On April 25, after I started my programme, the AFC became so agitated that the leaders held a press conference and submitted a press release to one newspaper, asking me to resign my seat as a Councillor.

In the evening I received a call from a correspondent who asked me what I had to say about allegations of me being a “PPP/C mole” in the AFC. After a brief explanation I submitted some emails between myself and the AFC leader, which completely dispelled that ridiculous allegation.

An hour later, the corre-

spondent called me to say that she wants to change the angle of her story. Why was she so hesitant to publish the truth? Is this responsible journalism? What transpired in the editor’s office is anyone’s guess! What if I had no evidence to refute that allegation?

Then almost immediately after my programme on May 2, a ghost writer wrote a letter headlined, “AFC Region Five rejects the outcast from the AFC”, in which he made many spurious claims which he attributed to my programme. I replied to that letter and rebutted his false attributions. Lo and behold, that letter never saw the light of

The AG was not silent

Dear Editor,

I refer to a letter written by Mr Carl Parker Sr, Regional Councillor, Region Nine, published on May 9 in another section of the press in which the gentleman requests that the Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister reply to certain statements made by APNU in relation to the Local Government Bill.

I wish to point out that the Attorney General has been far from silent on this issue. He spoke at length on it in his 2014 Budget presentation in the National Assembly. For the benefit of Mr Parker and those residents of Lethem whom he alleges “are discussing this matter,” I set out here under the relevant excerpts from the said speech of the Attorney General:

Many speakers on the opposite side have made reference to this Bill and criticised the Government for its non-assent, I want to express some reasons why the President withheld his assent from that Bill. The majority in the Select Committee made several deletions of clauses which were in the Bill tabled by the Local Government Minister and in most of the instances where these deletions were made; no amendments were inserted to fill the deficiencies created by the deletions.

In consequence, if the Bill is properly examined, one will quickly identify several structural and institutional deficiencies in the architecture of the Local Government structure which the Bill purports to create.

day in the two ‘Opposition’ newspapers. It is my right that my rebuttal is published. But this shows the biasness of these newspapers. Is this not abuse of press freedom?

I must compliment Guyana Times and the Guyana Chronicle for desperately trying to preserve our fragile democracy in the light of a hostile and venomous Opposition and some media houses which are doing their best to aid them.

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf AFC Councillor, Region Six

For example, many of the functions which the Regional Executive Officer is to perform including over sight, approval of financial transfers to NDC’s from Central Government and a whole host of other financial and executive responsibilities are the subject of a clause in the Bill.

This clause has been simply deleted, but nothing is substituted there for. So, currently, there is no one in this Bill to perform these important functional responsibilities.

The clause of the Bill which allows for certain officers such as the Environmental Health Officer, Environmental Health Assistants and other public health officials and public officers to institute legal proceedings or effect prosecution in the Courts in respect of violation of the law and by laws have been deleted.

Again there is no substitute. So a whole regime of bylaws and municipal related laws cannot be enforced by way of the legal process.

Another set of amendments of the Bill, laid by the Minister, relate to simply transferring executive powers from the Minister to the Local Government Commission by simply cutting out the word “Minister” and pasting in its stead, the word “Commission” without appreciating the impact that it will have on the Constitution. The effect is you have a transferral of executive power from the executive Minister to a non-executive Local Government Commission.

The Commission by

its very nature is not an executive agency but it is a Constitutional autonomous body like the other constitutional Commissions and cannot be charged with executive responsibilities. The powers of the Commission are set out in Article 78A of the Constitution, it provides as follows:

”Parliament shall establish a Local Government Commission, the composition and rules of which empower the Commission to deal with it as it deems fit, all matters related to the regulation and staffing of local government organs and with dispute resolution within and between local government organs.”

Clearly, it can be easily discerned that the Commission has the following functions to perform: regulation and staffing of local government organs and dispute resolution within and between local government organs. It has no other function. Therefore, whole regimes of functions which have been taken from the Minister and given to the Local Government Commission are simply ultra vires Article 78A of the Constitution. How can the President assent to such travesty?”

It is hoped that this letter assists Mr Parker and his cohorts in whatever quest they are engaged.

Yours sincerely, Dr Shyam Doodnauth Personal Assistant to the Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister

Page Foundation

Say what? A parent’s guide to forgotten literacy words

By Bekki Lindner

Here is a handy refresher for some of those words we haven’t thought much about since the fourth grade.

Have you ever sat down to help your child with a homework assignment or school project and felt like you needed a dictionary before you began? On occasion, a worksheet will come home with one of my children and I’ll find myself attempting to recall information I learned 20+ years ago. When we’re not using information on a regular basis, we tend to forget. I don’t know about you, but I don’t often discuss onomatopoeia or homophones in my everyday life. While we remember things like adjectives and verbs, we might find ourselves scratching our heads when it comes to things like dipthongs and digraphs.

Here is a handy refresher for some of those words we haven’t thought much about since the fourth grade.

Synonym – A synonym is a word that

has the same or nearly the same meaning as another word.

Example: Huge and enormous are synonyms.

Antonym– An antonym is a word that has the opposite meaning of another word.

Example: Wet and dry are antonyms.

Homonym – Homonyms are words that are pronounced the same and have the same spelling, but have different meanings.

Example: The tree is covered in bark.

My dog likes to bark.

Homophone – Homophones are a type of homonym. Homophones are two words that are pronounced the same but have different meanings.

Example: I love to buy things on sale.

Do you know how to sail a boat?

Homographs – Homographs are words that are spelled the same, but have different meanings.

Example: I went to the county fair. It’s important to play fair.

Dipthong – A dipthong is when two vowel sounds are connected in a smooth,

gliding manner. A dipthong is two adjacent vowel sounds in the same syllable. The vowels don’t necessarily make the sound of either vowel.

Example: oi in boil, ou in round, au in sauce

Digraph – A digraph is two adjacent letters that make one sound.

Example: ck in black, ea in reach Onomatopoeia – Onomatopoeia is the written representation of a sound.

Example: oink, crash, tweet

Predicate – The predicate is the part of the sentence or statement that tells something about the subject, and typically contains a verb.

Example: The baker made a chocolate cake.

Simile – A simile is a type of metaphor that compares two objects using the word like or as.

Example: sly like a fox, quick as a cat

Idiom – An idiom is an expression that cannot be understood from the individual words, but instead has a separate meaning of its own.

Example: You have a chip on your shoulder. It’s raining cats and dogs.

Hyperbole – Hyperbole is an exaggeration. It is typically used to make a point, and is not meant to be taken literally.

Example: I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.

Alliteration – Alliteration is when a series of words begin with the same sound.

Example: Baby Billy borrowed a bottle.

Preposition – A preposition is a word that comes before a noun in a sentence to show its relationship to another word in the sentence.

Example: The fox burrowed under the ground. (The preposition under shows the relationship between the words burrowed and ground.)

Pronoun – A pronoun is a word that takes the place of a noun.

Example: She, he, it (scholastic.com)

Ways to help your elementary school student with homework

Homework doesn’t have to involve a battle. Families shouldn’t have to dread daily homework. Here are six tips to help alleviate homework frustration, and make homework time a more positive experience for both children and parents.

Timing is everything

Imagine spending a full day at work, only to come home and be forced to immediately begin working again. Our children work hard at school, and need to be given time to decompress when they get home. Allow your child some time to play and relax after school.

After some designated playtime and a healthy afternoon snack, set aside a block of time that works with your family’s schedule. Be as consistent as possible, allowing flexibility for evening activities when necessary.

Create an environment for learning

Minimise distractions during homework time by turning off the TV and limiting phone calls. Choose a communal space where the family can work together – and where adults can be available for assistance.

Set an example by allowing your children to see YOU reading or working during this time. Honour any “no screen during home-

work” rules your family might have in place. If everyone in the house is going “screen free”, your children will be less likely to feel as though they are missing out by having to complete their homework. Pick up a book or catch up on work as your children study. Your example can set your children on the path towards life-long learning.

Provide breaks

Focused seatwork is a challenge for many children. Providing short breaks can help alleviate frustration, adjust attitudes, and allow your children to revisit more challenging problems or papers with fresh eyes. Work with your children’s abilities. Set goals that are reasonable for their age levels and unique learning needs. If your children cannot focus for 15 minutes, have them work for 10, and then allow a small break.

Don’t hover Be available to help without hovering. Allow your children space, and let them dictate when/if they need/ want assistance. Be present without being over-involved. While often well-intentioned, hovering can be interpreted as a lack of faith in the children and in their abilities. Your children need to know you believe in them.

Stay positive Point out what your children are doing well! Be quick to mention their improvements and slow to remark on their mistakes. A word of encouragement is far more motivating than a negative comment.

Remember that homework for elementary school students is typically about responsibility and practice. Homework is a way for students to work on developing skills. In many cases, perfection is not expected. Mistakes let teachers know what skills and subject areas need more classroom instruction.

Reach out

When your child is really struggling with a new concept, reach out to the teacher. Attach a note to your child’s homework letting the teacher know your child had a lot of difficulty completing a certain section, or that he/she isn’t comprehending how to do XYZ. While not all teachers will respond or take action, some will. If asked, some teachers are willing to give parents tips or tools to better understand the homework personally or offer additional help or support for the student at school.

(scholastic.com)

Four held for Seetahal’s murder

Four men have been detained at two houses in East Trinidad and Petit Valley in connection with the murder of Senior Counsel and former Senator Dana Seetahal.

A man Police investigators said may have “key information” with regard to Seetahal’s murder was held around 20:30h Saturday night at a house in East Trinidad.

Another man was also detained. Police raided another house in Petit Valley Saturday night and held two more men who they said may also have information about Seetahal’s murder.

Police said earlier Saturday they had identified one of the men who was involved in carrying out the hit on Seetahal at Hamilton Holder Street, Woodbrook as she was driving to her One Woodbrook Place home.

Images from CCTV cameras near where Seetahal was killed have been “cleared up”, resulting in Police being able to identify one of the suspects, they said. It was unclear what role the suspect played in the assassination, whether he was an occupant in one of the vehicles used to carry out the hit or the shooter himself.

They are also using the images to identify a second man who was one of the occupants of the white panel van used to carry out the killing. Investigating officers said they could not reveal much information on the evidence they have so far gathered, fearing it may compromise the investigation.

They said that key information has been uncovered so far and they were confident that those responsible will be arrested and prosecuted. There have been sev-

PPP demanding removal of Green from City Council

The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) said it is concerned over the state of affairs at the Georgetown City Council and recent alleged acts of illegality perpetrated against the administrative branch of the entity.

In a statement, the party noted the attempts by Georgetown Mayor Hamilton Green and his cabal to oust the legitimate and legally appointed Town Clerk Carol Sooba from office via illegal and backdoor manipulations.

rying out,” the party said in the statement.

The PPP said it is no secret that Hamilton Green is single handedly responsible for the demise and deterioration of Georgetown and its environment. The PPP re-

capital city.

The PPP has noted that the de facto Town Clerk has been unearthing many corrupt and self-enriching activities being carried out through the underground economy run by a

eral theories put forward by members of the public and some Police officers as to the motive behind the Senior Counsel’s killing.

One theory was that she may have been targeted because she possibly came into winnings at the Ma Pau casino in Woodbrook where she had left just minutes before the murder. This theory has since been ruled out as the video footage did not show Seetahal being robbed after she was killed.

Another theory was that her killing was a “hit” called from behind prison walls because of her involvement as a prosecutor in a number of matters before the courts. Homicide detectives said they could not confirm the second theory until those who carried out the murder were arrested and questioned.

The State has since offered an additional TT$2.5 million reward to anyone with information that could lead to the arrest, prosecution and conviction of those responsible for carrying out the murder. CrimeStoppers offered an initial TT$1 million for information.

Seetahal was an Attorney for 34 years. She was also a lecturer at the Hugh Wooding Law School, a former independent Senator, Express columnist and held various other portfolios during her career as a lawyer. She was cremated on Thursday night following a funeral service at Aramalaya Presbyterian Church in Tunapuna which saw an overflowing of mourners headed by President Anthony Carmona and including politicians, judges, magistrates and members of the public who came to say their final farewell to the vibrant and outspoken Senior Counsel. (Trinidad Express)

“The PPP condemns this latest act of desperation by the Mayor and his inmates who have brought the City Council into disrepute by his actions which smacks of racism and political bullyism, which can only hurt the Council and its service to the citizens of Georgetown. The PPP demands the removal of Hamilton Green and the entire City Council and its replacement by

an Interim Management Committee.

“No charade or theatrical performance put on by the Mayor will fool right-thinking Guyanese. Mayor Green would be well advised to put the resources and energies that he is using to advance his game of witch-hunt against Sooba into meaningful use rather than the divisive policies he and his ilk are currently car-

fuses to accept that the absence of Local Government Elections is exclusively responsible for the shortcomings being faced now in the

CIIP to enhance burial grounds, other community infrastructure

Some $484 million is to be spent this year towards the implementation of programmes that cater for rehabilitation and maintenance of community infrastructure.

This project, the Community Infrastructure Improvement Programme (CIIP) is provided for in Budget 2014, and is a step in advancing the Community Road Improvement Project (CRIP), which caters for the completion, construction and rehabilitation of community roads; the rehabilitation and construction of Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) buildings; and the institutional strengthening and capacity-building of NDC staff.

Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali said that CIIP, whose management will fall under the CRIP Implementation Management Unit, will lasts eight months.

“... all of us must be ashamed of the way the burial grounds are kept across the country. We (Government) have decided that we will bring dignity to our burial grounds, because we decided that this is an important aspect of community life,” he stated recently at the handing over of CRIP roads at Mahaica.

“So under the CIIP Programme, we are going to make an inventory of all the burial grounds with-

in the different NDCs and we are going to have persons employed, and part of the task will be to ensure all the burial grounds are clean and brought to a level that is respectable,” the Minister said.

He said issues such as proper entrances and exits for the grounds will be facilitated under this aspect of the programme. CIIP would also address improving the

environment of community infrastructure such as school grounds, playfields, health centre and the market compound, Minister Ali said.

He pointed out that “sometimes because of a lack of maintenance we cannot reap the full benefit or utilise the full service of these infrastructure...so the CIIP programme would have inside a component

where the workers would ensure these community infrastructure are kept in order,” he said.

He noted that this would, therefore, mean greater communication and collaboration among the NDC, residents and groups within the community.

The CIIP would also work towards improving drainage in the NDCs.

Reparations Committee report almost completed – Chairman Phillips

Guyana Reparations Committee Chairman, Eric Phillips said the committee’s report is near completion and should be submitted to the Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony and President Donald Ramotar by June 15.

During an interview with Guyana Times, Dr Phillips related that the research for the four key documents which are to be examined have been completed and at this point in time, the analysis and writings are being completed.

“The research for the first key document which was to create a detailed historical narrative of Indigenous genocide and African slavery has been completed. The report is almost finished. The other three which are to link the past discrimination to present day inequality; to define and prove the nature of modern inequality and to denote policies adopted by Europe to continue this process, those reports are being written as we speak. We are meeting on Thursday and he should be able to have a draft on that day of what the report will look like but rest assured that we will meet our deadlines. There is no doubt of that,” Phillips assured.

He noted that while a lot cannot be disclosed at this moment, the research has

proven to be very much beneficial and will be shattering several long held beliefs of history.

Insightful information

“The research has revealed, given some very insightful information. For example, history has it down that the Africans came around 1658; however, this is not so. They came to British Guiana and other parts of the Caribbean as early as 1621,” the Chairman related.

Phillips communicated that the Committee has given themselves up until June 1 to finish every aspect, including the executive summary of the report and while this seems very possible at this point in time, the report will only be sent to the President and Minister on the 15th as outside stakeholders with and without links to the research and report will be invited to peruse the document before it is finally sent off.

After perusal by Minister Anthony and the President, the report will then be sent to the Foreign Affairs Ministry and then subsequently off to Caricom.

According to the Chairman of the Committee, Caricom will be sending off the report to the monarchies of Great Britain, France and Spain by the first week in July; around

a time when the Caribbean will be celebrating Freedom or Emancipation Day as it is commonly known, to begin the process of seeking reparations.

The Guyana Reparations Committee was established under the Caricom Reparations Commission in October 2013 following the mandate of the 24th Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government held in Trinidad and Tobago last year.

Task

The Reparation Committee was established to seek compensation for the wrongs which were inflicted upon the indigenous people and Afro-Guyanese during enslavement by the Spanish, English and French.

The Committee had been tasked with the preparation of a report via research on four key areas. These are to create a detailed historical narrative of indigenous genocide and African slavery; to create linkages from past discrimination to present day inequality; to define and prove the nature of modern day equality; and to denote policies adopted by the European countries to continue this process.

In presentation of the report, the Caribbean countries will be seeking an apology rather than a Statement of Regret; an admission of

wrong doing; a commitment to reasonable reparation and a commitment of nonrepetition of the sin against mankind from the countries named.

It is expected that whatever reparations are given, it will be used for the development of citizens in the country, particularly the descendants of the people who were once enslaved.

If the governments refuse to follow the path of reparation, Phillips disclosed that Caricom is prepared to take the governments, in Guyana’s case, Great Britain to the International Court of Justice since they have built their economies from the enslavement of the descendants of the Caribbean people.

Mother weeps over killed suspected bandit … Police unlikely to charge security guard

As Mother’s Day was celebrated worldwide on Sunday, Karen Hazel who lost her 19-yearold son on Friday after he was shot during an alleged robbery is calling for charges to be instituted against the shooter.

Lloyd Hazel Jr was shot and killed on Main Street, Georgetown, on Friday by a private security guard after he allegedly attempted to commit a robbery.

The distraught woman on Sunday in a telephone interview with this newspaper said she was on the West Coast of Demerara when she received the news that her son was shot on Main Street.

The mother said as she arrived at the scene, her son’s body was already removed and at the Georgetown Public Hospital Mortuary.

The woman added that she later learnt it was a private security officer who killed her son, and as such, she is demanding that he be charged with murder.

“People who went on the scene tell me that the guard shoot meh son to his foot and when he dropped, he

went up to him and shoot him seven other times at close range… tell me if this is not murder.”

Claim

She also claimed that there was no bag containing money or gun that was found in her son’s possession so there is no evidence that he committed the alleged robbery.

The woman further stated that her son was the manager of her businesses, noting that she bought a car for him about a month ago so that he can run the business effectively.

The woman in tears told Guyana Times that this is the first Mother’s Day without her “baby” and she intends to fight for justice.

On the other hand, Crime Chief Leslie James in an invited comment stated that the guard would have seen a crime being committed and intervened like any other citizen would have.

James added that investigations are continuing into the shooting incident and the alleged robbery, but pointed out that he does not foresee any charges being laid against the security guard.

Police said Lloyd Hazel, 19, of Hill, Street Lodge, Georgetown, who was shot dead on Main Street on Friday, was not shot by Police, but by an armed private security guard in the vicinity.

Police Spokesman Ivelaw Whittaker in a release stated that about 16:45h on the day in question, two gunmen held up a salesman attached to the Fix It Hardware Store, Main Street, Georgetown as he was in a motor vehicle waiting at a traffic light in the area. The two men were on a motorcycle.

Money bag recovered

The perpetrators, the Police stated took away a bag containing close to $600,000 after which they were confronted by an armed private security guard nearby.

During the confrontation, there was an exchange of gunshots, resulting in Hazel being fatally shot, while his accomplice managed to escape.

“All the stolen money was recovered along with an unlicensed Luger 9mm Pistol and the motorcycle,” the Police added.

According to information received, Hazel and

his accomplice were riding a CG motorcycle and about 16:30h, they were seen parking the motorcycle in front of the old Customs Administration Building on Main Street. The motorcycle did not have a back number plate.

After they parked the bike, the men reportedly walked towards a restaurant and confronted the sales representative who was in a taxi, and relieved him of the bag with money.

The sales representative raised an alarm which caught the attention of the armed guard.

Eyew tness

Blowing smoke...

...up one’s a55

The Americans do have a way with words. No. Don’t be worried, we’re not about to go into a riff about them LEADing us into “democracy”. That’s on “hold”, thank you. We were reminded recently of that quaint American expression, “blowing smoke up your/my a55”.

Now, as you can see, we had to disguise one word that’s considered scatological by our Victorian sensibilities. The Americans are much more comfortable about body parts. Maybe it’s because they overthrew that loony ancestor of Victoria and didn’t have to suffer from her hangups.

To “blow smoke” up somebody’s derrière (see?) is to lay on the flattery so thick, they’d believe anything you say. Like if your Eyewitness were to say, “Hamilton Green’s the best Mayor of Georgetown since Forbes Burnham”; he’d be blowing smoke up Green’s a55, even as the Lord Mayor holds Council meetings on the Tarmac. (What? You didn’t know Burnham was Mayor of Georgetown? He was. And he didn’t have to rig elections for that job.)

Your Eyewitness was reminded of the expression when he read about the prisoner who was found with two four-inch canisters of ganja up his anus. (We assume that word is acceptable in a family newspaper, and give it to you, unexpurgated.) The prisoner fella probably didn’t even know about the American expression and was using the term quite literally. Seems that the expression originated back in the 18th Century when smoke was literally blown up the a55es of persons with respiratory problems. With a bellows. Ouch!!!

Obviously those that believed in the “cure” had to be very gullible...hence the American usage in the present. But there were aspects to the prisoner’s tale that passed unremarked that needs explication.

First the prisoner was said to have been subjected to a “routine search” by having him squat while he was naked. While we do suspect that the fella’s gait, occasioned by having two metal canisters with ganja up his a55, might’ve been affected (afflicted?) to such an extent as to arouse suspicions, your Eyewitness does hope this naked, squatting business isn’t “routine” at the prisons.

The other anomaly was that the prisoner had just returned from work-duty at the Home Affairs Ministry. Now this is where the hand-off (OK...OK...you know what your Eyewitness means) of the ganja canisters must’ve taken place. While the prisoner was fined and sentenced to three years for the crime of “possession” of ganja with intent to “traffic”, we didn’t hear anything about the person at Home Affairs who had to have procured and provided the ganja.

We wouldn’t want anyone to be blowing smoke up our a55es, would we?

...by wannabe SC’s

After a lot of whining and whinging by some in the second oldest profession in the world (who did you think argued Eve’s case?), the authorities have placed a call for lawyers who think they ought to be “Senior Counsels”. Because everyone admitted to the Bar thinks they’re suitable for silk...some criteria are in place to winnow out the wheat from the chaff.

The question is whether or not there is any wheat around. Of the chaff, as the lawyers say, “res ipsa loquitur” – the thing speaks for itself: the species abounds. The biggest bar in their way (pun intended) is the criterion that demands that “the prospective applicants must also have a reputation of honesty and integrity, particularly with respect to professional dealings with the court, clients and all other parties”. Don’t worry...your Eyewitness isn’t going to name any names as to who’d better not even think of applying. At this time.

...slyly

The Stabber News, which owns Moray House (or vice versa) just announced that readings by two individuals – Bhattacharya and Bahadur (a law firm?) – who wrote about for merely “silenced” people of Guyana, aren’t open to public. That is, the people silenced. Sly irony?

Human Services Ministry honours outstanding women

– launches magazine as well

Guyanese women who have contributed to the advancement and wellbeing of other women were on Saturday honoured for their services by the Human Services and Social Security Ministry.

They were recognised at a simple ceremony at the Guyana International Conference Centre, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.

During the ceremony, the Ministry launched a magazine entitled “International Women’s Day”, which provides details of the struggles of Guyanese women from 1955 to present, and the vision of the Ministry towards bettering the lives of Guyana’s children, women, elderly, homeless, as well as eliminating violence.

Present at the event were Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and Mrs Yvonne Hinds, Education Minister Priya Manickchand and other distinguished women who

have, and are still playing a role in Guyana’s development.

Speaking at the event themed “Celebrating the achievements of Guyanese women”, Human Services Minister Jenifer Webster said that it is not often that persons take time out to recognise the contributions of women, and the event was a significant one to reflect on the progress made to enhance the quality of life of women and to celebrate the courage and determination of ordinary woman who played an extraordinary role in the growth of Guyana’s economy.

Outstanding women

Women such as retired, Justice Desiree Bernard, the first woman to become the Chief Justice in Guyana and the first woman to have served on the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ); the late former President Janet Jagan; late former Education Minister Desrey Fox; and late Member of Parliament

Deborah Backer would have played a significant role in the country’s development. Today, women hold 33 per cent of the positions in the Cabinet, which Webster said is commendable. Women have access to greater services as a result of programmes and policies implemented by Government.

“Our women have secure economic independence, many of them have been able to access secure livelihood programmes… so today, as we embrace this opportunity to pay tribute to those women, we must recognise their roles, struggles and commitment to Guyana,” Minister Webster noted.

She pointed out that the recognition of these women speaks to Government’s unswerving commitment to the contributions that women have made to the development of the Guyanese society and the progress made towards the advancement of the status of women.

Receiving awards

were Mrs Patricia Benn, mother of Public Works Minister Robeson Benn; Presidential Advisor on Governance, Gail Teixeira; Member of Parliament Indranie Chandarpal; Human Services and Social Security Ministry Permanent Secretary, Lorene Baird; Human Services and Social Security Ministry, former Manager, Document Centre Yvonne Stephenson; Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA) Ann Greene; Women’s Affairs Bureau Administrator Hymawattie Lagan; and Assistant Chief Labour/Occupational Safety and Health Officer Lydia Green, who would have served the Labour Ministry for many years.

At the event, there were also cultural presentations in the form of dances and poetry by the National Dance Company, the National School of Dance, The Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha and the Classique Dance Company, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.

Sade Stoby murder trial

Jury to hear closing arguments from defence, state

Three weeks after the trial into the murder of nine-year-old Sade Stoby began, the 12-member mixed jury panel will today hear the closing arguments by the state and defence before giving its verdict.

Stoby was murdered on November 2, 2007 at Sixth Field, North Mocha, East Bank Demerara. The State has since charged 23-yearold Jevon Wharton and 21-year-old Colwyn Charles Cush, both of Mocha, with the murder of the nineyear-old, alleging that they raped her before killing her. At the time of the murder, Wharton and Cush were 16 and 14 years old respectively.

In the State’s case, presented by Senior State Counsel Judith GildharieMursalin, statements from the accused in which both of them admitted to the hor-

rendous crime were rendered.

Wharton reportedly said that he and Stoby went into the bush, where the young girl took off her clothes and they had sex while Cush said he, his co-accused and

another young man took the girl intp the bushes where the other two had sex with her. He noted that he “tried” but failed. Cush also stated that the three of them left after bracing the girl to a tree but the third person, Carlos Hubbard, had turned back.

The court was told that Hubbard was never charged since the Police had no evidence against him and his alibi checked out. During cross-examination by Cush’s Attorney George Thomas, it was revealed that the officer, who investigated the alibi, only did so after Hubbard was released.

Wharton and Cush were charged after they were examined by Dr Mohan Persaud, who found marks on their genitals that suggested they had engaged in sexual activities, but the doctor noted that the marks

could have been caused by several other factors. There were no marks found on Hubbard. However, Attorney Thomas told the court that his client was beaten by the deceased relatives, and as such, he sustained injuries on his penis.

Denied

During the trial, the parents of the young girl also testified about their daughter going missing and the horror of discovering her bloated body. She was found by her father, Eric, and a search party. The man told the court that it was as though she was calling out to him. The young girl’s body was in a drain with her uniform pulled over her head and her belongings were scattered nearby.

When called upon to lead their defence, both accused denied that they raped

or killed Stoby. Wharton, who is being represented by Attorney Raymond Ali, claimed on the day in question, he was at work and had called two witnesses to support his story, but they could have only accounted for his whereabouts up until he left work around 15:30h.

While the time of death was not established, State Pathologist Nehaul Singh has said that Stoby had died approximately 36 hours prior to when her post-mortem examination was done.

The young girl went missing on Friday, November 2 and was found the following Sunday. Cush, on the other hand, said that he did see Stoby on that day when he was at the Archieduck (Aquaduck) Bridge on a cane punt and she asked him for cane. He said that he left after giving her the cane.

The deceased'd cause of death was found to be asphyxiation due to submersion, compounded by blunt trauma to head. In addition, her body was bloated and was bleeding in several areas. There was blood found in her genital which indicated that her hymen was ruptured. Thick black mud was found in her trachea and stomach while there was blunt trauma to her head.

Among others to testify was Corporal Royston Blair, one of the investigating officers, who said that he had collected two swab samples of the deceased's genitals but did not tell his superiors since he was “too busy” with other aspects of the investigations. Photos of the scene were also tendered as evidence. The closing arguments to the jury, the judge will sum up all the evidence presented in the case and then the jury will have to deliberate on a verdict.

US urged to settle dispute

The Caribbean Community (Caricom) Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) has called on the US to honour a World Trade Organisation (WTO) dispute with Antigua and Barbuda with respect to Internet gaming.

De Mayor-fuhLife wanna be de Mayor even after he dead

One man wanna be a billionnaire so freakin bad that he sing a song bout it. Well, fuh sure that song writer know that a lotta other people wanna be billionnaire too. Plus nuff a dem wanna be a lotta others tings as well. In fact, Guyana got so many people who wanna be some ting that even dem people at G-Come gon have a hard time countin all dem wanna-bes.

De Mayor-fuh-Life had wanna be a billionnaire so freakin bad that he tell he wife not to pay all dem millions a dollars in taxes whah she had owe GT de garbage town. Now it gotta Stone Man who wanna be Town Clerk so freakin bad that he run a ad wid he name as Town Clerk.

That same Stone Man believe he can mek de Mayorfuh-Life be whah ever he wanna be. And of course de Mayor-fuh-Life wanna be de Mayor even after he dead real freakin bad.

Green Jah and Rum Jhaat wanna be de Prezzi fuh a long time. Dem wanna be de Prezzi so freakin bad that dem even behavin like dem is de Prezzi. De problem is that both a dem wanna be Prezzi at de same time. Dem gon end up bein two wanna-be Prezzis fuh life.

By de time de Rodney CoI done wid some a dem in de Yap-NU set up, dem ain’t gon wanna be alive. Will Yams not gon wanna be around de Gilbert people. Poop Narine not gon wanna be facin any body from de Rodney family. And dem House of Israel people gon wanna be in a far away place like Israel.

Adumb on de other hand gon soon wanna be free from de Big Mook. But that ain’t gon happen because de Big Mook never wanna be a man who gon do any ting or give any ting fuh free.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! And de Big Mook wannna be like a certain Prezzi so freakin bad that he can’t done call that Prezzi name.

New UG transportation arrangement takes effect today

TThe meeting urged the US to make additional efforts to reach a fair settlement.

“The Council acknowledged that the case was long outstanding and had the potential to undermine the credibility of the dispute settlement mechanism of the multilateral trading system,” the statement said.

Earlier this year, the Baldwin Spencer

A statement issued at the end of the COTED meeting on Saturday said the Council had noted that the US had so far failed to become compliant with the decision of the tribunal and had also failed to reach a settlement with Antigua and Barbuda.

Government announced that it was adopting a new strategy in a bid to end the long-standing dispute with Washington.

The Government said it would make changes to the copyright legislation after indicating that the once flourishing gaming industry had been ruined by US laws prohibiting and criminalising the provisions of remote gaming services from Antigua and Barbuda to consumers in the United States.

he University of Guyana (UG) has advised that from today, only buses registered with the United Minibus Union, Turkeyen Branch, will be permitted to commute on the university campus.

This arrangement is a pilot project aimed at ensuring that UG students and staff are guaranteed efficient public transportation service from Monday to Friday between 07:30h and 21:30h and on Saturdays from 07:30h to 17:00h.

This arrangement is in place for commuters travelling from UG and

Georgetown (round trip), and from UG to the East Coast. The new arrangement provides for an introduction of the bus service to the East Coast from 17:00h to 21:00h, especially for UG staffers Staff and students are hereby advised to use buses which bear the United Minibus Union stickers. On Wednesday, April 30, the university administration and the student’s society signed an agreement with the United Minibus Union, Turkeyen Branch, granting the bus union exclusive rights to the Turkeyen Campus.

Times Notebook

Time to forgive and move on; let Walter rest in peace (Part Two)

The truths we need to confirm are ugly and the nastiness of these truths created deep wounds that still affect our country. While knowing the truth will not give us back the time we have lost, the truth will allow us to remove the distrust that so deeply divide our country today.

Times Notebook is pleased to see the number of people who have volunteered to give testimony at the Rodney Commission of Inquiry (CoI). Guyanese of all walks of life are coming forward, without fear or favour. In spite of the boycott declaration by APNU/PNC, Guyanese are not afraid to come forward.

Ms Karen DeSouza is not a friend of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government, and her party is today an important part of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU). But she was not afraid to speak out and tell the CoI and Guyana what she knows. The Reverend Rueben Gilbert did not back down, even though the People’s National Congress (PNC) lawyer tried his utmost to discredit him. But Reverend Gilbert stood his ground and Times Notebook was proud of the patriotism on display so far at the Rodney CoI.

It is unfortunate that under the guise of watching out for the interest of the PNC, Mr Basil Williams is seeking to intimidate the CoI and

the citizens that have come out to tell what they felt and what they know. The strategy of discrediting volunteers who have come forward to tell what they know and to discredit the Commissioners will not work.

The truth will be told

The truth will be told and the nation will move on. It is time APNU/PNC accept that this is a nation that simply wants to know the truth and they ought to be part of a noble initiative. Their effort to block and to diminish the work of the Rodney CoI can only further discredit the PNC.

The position of the Alliance For Change (AFC) is disappointing. Their lack of support of the Rodney CoI demonstrates the dysfunctional thinking of the AFC leadership. If the AFC had any serious interest in the welfare of Guyana and our people, it would give its total support to the CoI.

We know that Mr Moses Nagamootoo of the AFC spent many years writing and speechifying about the death of Dr Walter Rodney and who was responsible for his assassination. Will he now come out and speak the truth of what he knows or would he now come out and say all those years of writing and speechifying about Rodney’s death were madeup stories?

The reluctance of the

Working People’s Alliance (WPA) leadership is stupefying. How can Dr Rupert Roopnaraine now be silent? Times Notebook understands that he has changed his mind and will now testify. This is the right thing for him to do. He must bring himself again to that moment when he found out about Rodney’s death and he must explain why he was so sure shortly after Rodney’s death that the PNC was responsible.

Milestone moment

The Rodney CoI is a milestone moment for Guyana. It is one of the few times that we have a

chance to tell the truth and to help heal the deep, deep wounds that have brought ruin to our beautiful country. It is a moment in our history when we can embrace each other in forgiveness and reject pointing our fingers at each other. We did wrong in our nation and this CoI is not about where our fingers are pointed, but finally for us to forgive and move on as a nation – as One People, One Nation, One Destiny. Readers are invited to send their comments by email or Facebook to times. notebook@gmail.com.

Local agro-processors getting push to boost trade

Afive-member team arrived in Guyana on Sunday morning from Canada to conduct a four-day Buyers Mission with local growers and producers in Guyana, with the aim of raising the bar in the quality and standard of local agro-processed foods.

The event was reportedly organised and funded by the Trade Facilitation Office of Canada (TFO Canada) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (MFATD).

It is expected that at least 10 business enterprises will be participating in the four- day workshop. Most of these businesses have been participating in the project since its inception in 2012.

In a release, it was disclosed that the facilitation and organisation of local buyers will be done by the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA), while activities for the local growers and producers in agro-processed foods will be organised and facilitated by the InterAmerican Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA). Prestige Bottling Enterprise, Original Juices, Jet’s Enterprise, Pomeroon Oil Mills, Sterling Products, and Nand Persaud Company are some of the major enterprises which are expected to take part in the four-day event.

Manickchand

expecting better CSEC results

BY SVETLANA MARSHALL

With more than 13,000 students writing the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination in Guyana, the Education Ministry is expecting a better performance from students.

In a recent interview with Guyana Times, Education Minister Priya Manickchand said, “If you look at the trajectory, our students have been enrolling for more subjects and are doing better in subjects that before… so I expect to see that trajectory continue.”

In the past, the cream of the crop emanated primarily from the capital city, Georgetown, but Manickchand said students from across the country are performing exceptionally well at the CSEC examinations.

“Schools around the country are doing better and better each year,” she boasted.

But like any other Caricom nation, Guyana continues to face challenges in key subject areas. Minister Manickchand said the results in mathematics and English continue to be a cause for concern.

These issues, she emphasised are not unique to Guyana, noting that the Education Ministry is working to improve students’ efficiency in these two core subjects.

From the grand total of 13,721 students, 12,366 will be sitting mathematics while 11,384 will be writing English.

Last year, the country’s performance at CSEC was just above average, the results in English and mathematics being unacceptable.

The pass rate for English A, Grades One to Three was 45.69 per cent while mathematics was 28.92 per cent.

The results in mathematics declined from 30.35 per cent in 2011 and 29.69 per cent in 2012 to 28.92 per cent in 2013.

However, students’ performance in English B, improved from 59.72 per cent in 2011 and 56.5 per cent in 2012 to 61.06 per cent in 2013.

Zimeena Rasheed and Yogeeta Persaud, both of the Anna Regina Multilateral School topped the country in the CSEC examination. Rasheed and Persaud had secured 18 Grade Ones with Rasheed gaining two Grade Twos. She is the first Guyanese to write 20 subjects at the regional examination.

Since the inception of this stretch of the TFO Canada Trade-related Capacity Building Project, local growers and agrifood manufacturers have been benefiting from several interventions by the Canadian agriculture and quality standards advisors.

Recent visits in August 2013 and then in January 2014 saw the operations in each of the producer’s facilities subjected to thorough examinations with the proprietors receiving direct technical assistance, keeping in mind the goal of improving their products’

exporting quality and capacity.

However, there are several other areas which are expected to be touched on during the visit by the team, including Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), the Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), product traceability, and acquisition of international certification, especially Organic and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) certificates.

To make this task possible, the Eureka Medical Laboratory has been brought onboard and is being made ready to conduct viable food and water analyses which are a necessary component for local growers and food manufacturers to qualify for international quality standards certification which will enable them to better access regional and international markets.

Further, it has been disclosed that the MFATD has made a commitment of financial help to assist the entrepreneurs in the process, which they have described as being too expensive so that they can achieve inter-

national standards in their operations.

Just two months ago, the Guyana Agro-Processors Association in collaboration with the Agriculture Ministry and by extension, the Guyana Marketing Corporation, hosted a forum at the International Conference Centre at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown to highlight the successes, failures and major challenges of agro-processors in Guyana.

At the forum, several concerns were highlighted, including the lack of international markets, lack of financial support and lack of technical support for farmers.

During the interactive session, the Agriculture Ministry's Permanent Secretary made the promise that the workshop will not be another talk shop, but will rather be the first step towards the building of the local agro-processing sector, since his Ministry through the various agricultural agencies will work strenuously to address issues, affecting the growth of their businesses.

Courts gives mothers a treat

Courts Guyana Inc on Saturday transformed their Main Street branch into preMother’s Day paradise. The store was decorated with balloons, ribbons and appliances that women would love to have.

It also facilitated cooking, sampling and beauty demonstrations by professionals from the Carnegie School of Home Economics.

However, the main attraction was the honouring of mothers, whether they were walking into the store to shop or just to have a look around, while there were those who were selected to be honoured as Courts’ Mother-of-theYear.

The Courts’ Mother Day Essay Competition was opened to children from the ages of eight to 13 years old and they were invited to tell Courts about their mothers and why they should be bestowed the title.

Courts stated that numerous entries were received from the length and breadth of Guyana; as far as Santa Rosa in Region One, Bartica, Region Seven and Berbice, Regions Five and Six.

The three lucky winners were Felisha Roopchand, whose daughter Shanya Sookoo wrote to Courts about her mum. Roopchand said that she was very proud of her daughter. The mother explained that her daughter would usually give her

a rose and a card; but she told her mum that she would write to Courts so that she can give her something bigger and better.

Hard working

The second Motherof-the-Year Award went to Shane Richards. Her daughter Shirka Richards stated in her letter that her mum is very hard working and even though they do not have much time together, her mom always makes sure that she is there for her.

The final award went to Liz Anderson. She was very happy to have received such an honour; however, she was very emotional because Courts also donated a wheelchair to her son Xavier Anderson, who is battling cancer.

Xavier has been unable to attend school because he only has one leg and therefore transportation is very difficult. A Courts representative emerged from behind the scene with Xavier in the chair, causing Liz to break down in tears of joy to know that her son can now return to school to continue his education.

The prizes that Courts Guyana Inc will be awarding these three lucky mothers include a gift from Courts and a voucher for the family to have fun at Fun City, Ramada Princess Hotel, Providence, East Bank Demerara.

The mothers also received $20,000 for a spa treatment at Healing

Waters located inside the Ramada Princess Hotel, and a $10,000 Book Voucher at Austin’s Book Store.

Courts also provided lunch for the family on Sunday.

Marketing Manager for Courts Pernell Cummings stated that Courts is proud to make Mother’s Day for these women extra special. Meanwhile, the Carnegie School of Home Economics also received a donation from Courts. The donation included two microwaves, a food processor and a washing machine.

Receiving the items on behalf of the school was Principal Penelope Harris, who stated that she is very grateful to Courts for their donation.

B Division striving to rid Berbice of drug dealers

“Ouronly aim is to eliminate drug dealers from our society and put an end to them destroying our community”, Commander of B (Berbice) Division Brian Joseph told Guyana Times in an interview.

Joseph assured that the drug eradication exercise which was conducted recently up the Berbice River will continue and the division will do their utmost in its attempt to wipe out this illegal practice.

On Friday last, based on intelligence gathering, a team of ranks attached to B Division, under the supervision of Superintendant of Police Stephen Mansell, second in Command of the division, with the collaborative effort of the Police narcotics squad from Eve Leary, conducted a very successful drug eradication exercise at Gatory which is situated about 62 miles up the Berbice River (two and a half hours by boat).

According to Joseph, approximately six fields, measuring 44 acres, of cannabis were raided and consisted of 144,000 plants ranging from one to 14 feet in height, 16 camps with 288,000kg of green marijuana and over 8000kg dried cannabis ready to be marketed.

Reports are that all of these were destroyed, however, because of the constraint of time, ranks were forced to forgo the destruction of other unearthed cultivated fields, since the more the ranks ventured into the surrounding areas, the more they discovered other fields under cultivation.

Therefore, the commander assured that there is a

pressing need to continue this drug eradication exercise as the smaller plants are allegedly yet to be destroyed as similar operations are planned with aerial recon.

Underlining the growing concern of the illicit drug becoming more accessible to our youth, Joseph said both crop eradication efforts and the counter-narcotics infrastructure would receive broad participation, so that society would be safe and schoolchildren drug free.

He stressed that the latest drug raid in Berbice demonstrated the division’s commitment to fighting the drug trade.

“We will spare no effort to free our peoples from the scourge of drugs... We will also seek to eliminate the dangers posed by weapons inclusive of unlicensed firearms,” Joseph posited.

According to inside sources, Police are on the hunt for two persons known as the “Mojo” brothers; one is called “Lion” and is allegedly the owner of an excavator worth

ranks from Georgetown, eradication exercises will be conducted shortly in those restricted areas.

According to reports, the drug trade is flourishing up the Canje River, specifically up the Torani Canal since raids are not carried out in that area and therefore more emphasis needed to be placed on that particular area.

In keeping with this, Joseph reiterated his commitment towards the fight of this scourge; however, due to

over $25 million that in currently somewhere up the Berbice River.

The source also disclosed that a wanted bulletin will soon be issued and that the recent eradication exercise is testimony to the Force’s dedication and will be conducted on a monthly basis.

Just a few days ago, a flyover operation was conducted over the Kwakwani area, where the next eradication exercise is expected to be conducted.

Additionally, it was also noted that the ranks in B Division only have jurisdiction covering certain areas up the Berbice River, however, with the input of the

the seasonal blockage of the Canje River, it is difficult to access the area.

Farmers up the Berbice River praised the ranks of B Division and the Government for their support in assisting in the much needed eradication exercise.

Information reaching Guyana Times indicates that one of the boats was loaned by a Government agency to render support to transport ranks during the exercise.

No final decision on UG tuition increases –outgoing Pro Chancellor

Outgoing University of Guyana (UG) Pro Chancellor, Dr Prem Misir on Friday said no final decision has been made on tuition increases at the institution, but acknowledged that several proposals were made.

He made these comments at a press briefing on Friday afternoon at his Pere Street, Kitty, Georgetown office.

Professor Misir noted that the learning institution understood that there were many prospective students who wanted to access the services offered by the university, and as such, the administration will not make a decision which will hamper the application process for entrance into the centre.

He said: “Nobody should be denied admission on the basis that they are not able to pay or cannot afford the tuition. We are aware that there are hundreds of other people who want to come to study at the university and we do not want to hamper this.”

Misir noted, however, that if it comes to the point where changes have to be made to the current tuition fees, it will not be an abrupt decision, but a decision which will be taken after the administration which includes him, would have held consultations with the student population.

and it will not be presented carte blanche to the students. There will be a consultation process with them where they can express their concerns and from that the administration, will make a decision,” the Professor related.

The Pro Chancellor told reporters that more than 19 years has passed since the university has adjusted or has made any changes to the tuition fees despite the depreciation in the Guyana dollar, and he believes it will prove to be beneficial to the institution if an increase is made at this time.

It was also alleged that the drug dealers were alerted via a landline telephone situated at De Veldt; a village about 50 miles up the Berbice River. B

Misir related too that the general public should stop their view of the changes as ‘increased tuition’ and more of an ‘adjustment’ given the rate of exchange of the US dollar versus the Guyana dollar.

“What we are trying to do is make some adjustments. It’s not an increase; definitely not an increase

“It’s perhaps a good move to make and I hope that the consultation outcomes could bring about this and that we have some reasonable realistic adjustment to our fees in relation to the currency rate of the US dollar,” he said. At the time of the finalising of tuition fees some 19 years ago, US$1000 was equivalent to $127,000 Guyana dollars. Today; however, that amount is equivalent to $200,000 or more depending on current exchange rates.

De Veldt farmers want govt's input to grow rice

esidents of De Veldt

RVillage some 50 miles up the Berbice River are hoping that a new intervention to help them plant rice on a large scale will help the community’s economic viability and the country, to a larger extent.

A new idea to plant rice on a large scale, residents claim, will do something new for the community, which has been on a downward spiral in its economic activities in recent times. A boat driver and farmer, Lucien Christopher sat with this publication on Saturday evening and dished out some ideas farmers in the community have to aid in their economic sustainability. He said several farmers in the community have come together to form a committee, which will be seeking Government’s sup-

port. According to him, if Government “catches on”, the plan will see both parties benefiting “The land in De Veldt is fertile land, if the Government assists us, they would not have any reason to provide manure and fertiliser and all those things. We have what you call “maiden land” in De Veldt there”, Christopher told this publication. And with the non use of fertilisers, Christopher said there will be no reason to spray the land for paddy bugs. He continued that if Government, through the Agriculture ministry, should become interested in the idea, transporting machineries to the area for land grading will not be a difficult task. “If they want carry up things like combine and so on, those things are not hard to go in, because there is the barge going up there, it’s nothing

If Government “catches on”, the plan will see both parties benefiting

hard”, he said. Christopher said that farmers came up with the idea, after many successes were had when done on a small scale. “Some of us planted rice, very small acres of rice just for our families, and we see how this thing works man. Rice in abundance and don’t talk about quality, it was real good, real good”, he

emphasised.

He said that rice millers themselves will benefit immensely.

Christopher plies the Berbice river route almost every week, since he is among the few large boat owners in the village. And while his job entails transporting cattle in and out of De Veldt, he claims there is a lot more that can be done

for the community. He noted that before the idea of rice cultivation came to the fore, pumpkin cultivation and exportation had become the main source of income for many families. However, recent incidents of cocaine found in pumpkins have seen a major reduction in the practice. He has again, on behalf of residents in the area, sought Government’s intervention. “The residents there now need new markets for the pumpkin. People are planting lots of pumpkin and not getting markets for it”. He said because of the type of soil and the growing market for the vegetable, pumpkin had become the main vegetable planted in the village. However, other food such as corn, pine, and banana have taken prominence. He said farmers are now suffering because of the

practice of those who market the product.

“It’s not the farmers you know, it is the exporters who put the cocaine in the pumpkin and because of that, the farmers are losing”. Christopher continued that the village, with its mixed culture and race, has been receiving insufficient attention from the Government.

He said the village is over looked by Government officials especially those representing the interest of Amerindians, and head up to villages where there is a higher presence of pure Amerindians.

“These villages like Sand Hills and Kimbia get all of the attention. And Kimbia, which is considered a very far village from New Amsterdam is just 25 miles farther from here”, Christopher complained.

Venezuela frees most students detained in camp raids

Venezuela said on Sunday it had freed most of the 243 youth activists arrested in raids last week on street camps set up to protest against President Nicolas Maduro’s socialist Government.

Although the Government hoped the demolition of four camps in Caracas would snuff out a three-month protest movement, activists vowed the measure had only strengthened their resolve to demonstrate against Maduro.

The students had been camping for weeks outside United Nations offices on a major highway, and in several other public squares.

The Venezuelan Public Prosecutor’s office said in a statement that 11 detainees had been kept behind bars, accused of a range of crimes including possession of arms and drugs.

Authorities freed 155 with cautions and orders to report to courts periodical-

TT:

AG

Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro speaks during his weekly broadcast ‘’En Contacto con Maduro’’ at Miraflores Palace in Caracas, in this May 6, 2014 handout provided by the Miraflores Palace

ly, and instructed 15 to undergo medical treatment for drug abuse, the statement added.

Anti-Maduro protests have been raging since February, with activists complaining about high inflation and crime rates, scarcities of basic goods,

Ramlogan not moving

Amid heated calls for the removal of Attorney General (AG) Anand Ramlogan, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar is denying any move to axe the AG. Pressure has been mounting steadily within the coalition Government since the prison litigation issue became public. The PM broke her silence following claims from party insiders that the AG was being offered the vacant post of Ambassador to London.

The Sunday Guardian was told that the London posting is now available as Garvin Nicholas’ term recently came to an end. Nicholas is back in TT and has already assumed his new duties. Insiders at Ramlogan’s Ministry said he told several of them and some Cabinet colleagues that his resignation was already in his back pocket and

he was not afraid to pull it out.

The call for a criminal probe into the prison litigation issue, as ordered by Director of Public Prosecutions Roger Gaspard on Wednesday, has placed the AG’s office under further public scrutiny and has intensified the need for action from the Prime Minister. Several calls were made and a text was sent to the Prime Minister.

The text to the PM at 14:38 on Saturday stated: “Madam Prime Minister, Renuka Singh @ Guardian. We got word that Anand Ramlogan is going to be reassigned as Ambassador to London. I was also informed that he has refused that offer but has been saying that he has his resignation in his back pocket. Is there any truth to any of this?” The PM responded at 20:17h: “No. Truth” (Excerpt from TT Guardian)

LIAT’s pilots threaten industrial action

Pilots employed by regional carrier LIAT are threatening possible industrial action if management continues to pay them late.

Several of them told OBSERVER media they are “fed up” with receiving salaries sometimes as much as nine days after they are due at the end each month.

During a recent meeting of the Leeward Islands

Airline Pilots Association, a motion was tabled and passed, allowing the executive to take the “strongest possible action” to reinforce the members’ frustration.

The company has blamed cash flow problems, exacerbated by the servicing of the US$165 million loan for the re-fleeting programme, among other things. (Excerpt from Antigua Observer)

and repression of opponents.

Maduro, the 51-year-old successor to the late Hugo Chávez, says the demonstrations are part of a wider, U.S.-backed “coup” attempt against him.

Maduro’s position in

power does not appear under threat, given that the protests have not spread far from middle-class opposition enclaves, and military chiefs are behind him.

In what has been the country’s worst unrest in a decade, at least 42 people have died in violence around the protests - with victims on all sides - and about 800 have been injured.

About 160 people remain in jail in total from roundups since February.

Demonstrators marched on Saturday to protest the breakup of the student camps, with masked youths battling riot police at the end of the rally in scenes that have become familiar to Venezuelans over the last three months.

Security forces again used tear gas to disperse the youths, who were throwing stones and petrol bombs.

(Reuters)

Mexico legalises vigilantes to fight cartels

Mexican authorities have begun handing out blue uniforms and assault rifles to vigilantes in the country’s western region, legalising a movement that formed last year to combat a vicious drug cartel.

Scores of farmers lined up at a cattle ranch on Saturday to receive the uniforms of the newly created rural state police force in Tepalcatapec, one of the towns that founded the self-defence militias in the lush agricultural state of Michoacan.

The units were also making their debut in the neighbouring town of Buenavista, which revolted in February 2013 against the cult-like Knights Templars gang because local police failed to protect them.

“With this we become legal,” said the white-bearded vigilante leader Estanislao Beltran, nicknamed “Papa

Smurf”, after slipping into his blue uniform. “We are part of the Government.”

The new rural police officers then sang the national anthem at a formal swearing-in ceremony in the town square.

The federal Government, which had tolerated the vigilantes, has warned that anybody found carrying weapons illegally after Saturday’s deadline to join the police will be arrested.

But vigilante leaders said they still had to hash out details on pay and who would be in command, though they would work alongside the regular state police.

The violence in Michoacan turned into one of the biggest security challenges to President Enrique Pena Nieto, who deployed thousands of troops to restore order last year and named a special security envoy earlier this year. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Brazilian border operation launched ahead of World Cup

Brazil has begun a massive military operation to secure its lengthy borders ahead of next month’s World Cup.

More than 30,000 troops from the army, navy and air force are taking part in what authorities said was Brazil’s “single largest mobilisation ever”.

There are still concerns over whether some venues for the tournament will be ready in time.

Authorities are also concerned about the recurrence of street protests against the cost of holding the event.

The border security operation – codename Agata –was first carried out in 2011 and usually takes place three times a year.

Brazil’s army will have to monitor a 16,900-kilometre (10,500mile) border

It targets illegal immigration as well as drugs and arms smuggling. Troops also monitor rivers and lakes as part of their operations in

Professor Harris to step down as UWI Vice Chancellor

University of the West Indies (UWI) Vice Chancellor, Professor E Nigel Harris is stepping down one year ahead of schedule. Harris was expected to serve in his capacity until April 2016, but has signalled his intention to make the move one year earlier. The Sunday Guardian spoke with Harris on Tuesday at the UWI’s launch of the Diplomatic Academy, where he confirmed the move to step aside. After one decade on the job, Harris said the time had come to let someone else step into his shoes.

“There are so many things I would have liked to do, but I know others would come to do,” Harris said. He said the international

search for his replacement had already begun. The letter to colleagues came just one day after he confirmed the decision to step down.

“I am writing to announce that I shall demit the office of Vice Chancellor in April 2015. By that time, I would have served for 10 years as Vice Chancellor, which is about the time I believe senior administrators of organisations such as ours should serve,” he said.

As Harris makes his move though, he said UWI was owed a massive US$100 million in fees from member country campuses. He noted that while the university’s revenue had been doubled in the past ten years, the debts of contributing countries had piled up. (Excerpt from TT Guardian)

Brazil’s dense jungle. They have not indicated when the operation will end, but previous operations lasted between one and two

weeks.

A border security operation mounted ahead of the Confederations Cup last year led to the seizure of almost 20 tonnes of drugs. More than 600,000 tourists are expected to arrive in Brazil for this year’s tournament, between June 12 and July 13.

Last month the BBC learned that Brazil had only trained 20 per cent of the private security guards needed at the 12 stadiums at which matches will be played. Authorities told the BBC that they would resort to using police or army personnel should the need arise. No-fly zones will be enforced over stadiums during the 64 games. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Antiguan PM calls on EU to provide funds for projects in Caribbean

Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer has called on the European Union to provide funds for two projects in his homeland and St Kitts-Nevis which he said will have an immense impact on the tourism sector.

Spencer said the projects -- the restoration of the St John’s Cathedral in Antigua, and the Brimstone Hill National Fortress in Basseterre -–had already been submitted to the Caribbean Forum (CARIFORUM) Directorate under the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) CRIP Multi-Country Programme.

“The project seeks to re-

store two important historical landmarks in Antigua and Barbuda and St Kitts and Nevis that have a significant bearing on both countries’ tourism product,” he told visiting European diplomats, telling them that the restoration project in Antigua is being financed through local fund raising efforts.

“However, the Cathedral restoration programme is in dire need of an urgent injection of donor resources to enable the first phase of the work to be completed. I, therefore, use this opportunity to call on the EU to look at the overall project and see how best it could be financed,” he added. (Excerpt from CMC)

Rebels talk of splitting Ukraine as East votes on self-rule

Pro-Moscow rebels expressed confidence eastern Ukraine had chosen self-rule in a referendum on Sunday, with some saying that meant independence and others eventual union with Russia as fighting flared in a conflict increasingly out of control.

Well before polls closed, one separatist leader said the region would form its own state bodies and military after the referendum, formalising a split that began with the armed takeover of state buildings in a dozen eastern towns last month.

Another said the vote would not change the region’s status, but simply show that the East wanted to decide its own fate, whether in Ukraine, on its own or as part of Russia.

A near festive atmosphere at makeshift polling stations in some areas belied the potentially grave implications of the event. In others, clashes broke out between separatists and troops, over ballot papers and control of a television tower.

Zhenya Denyesh, a 20-year-old student voting early at a university building in the rebel stronghold of Slaviansk, said: “We all want to live in our own country.” But asked what he

Nigerian kidnapping: David Cameron joins “Bring Back Our Girls” campaign

Prime Minister David Cameron has promised Britain “will do what we can” to help find more than 200 kidnapped Nigerian schoolgirls.

He made the comments as he held a sign bearing the “#Bring Back Our Girls” slogan on the BBC’s Andrew Marr show.

Cameron is the latest high-profile supporter of the social media campaign after US First Lady Michelle Obama was pictured with a similar poster.

The Islamist militant group Boko Haram has claimed the abductions.

During the programme, fellow guest Christiane Amanpour, CNN’s chief international correspondent, handed Cameron the sign and asked if he would like to join the campaign.

Taking it from her, he replied: “Happily.”

Cameron later tweeted: “Proud to support

#BringBackOurGirls.”

He told the BBC One programme: “I rang the Nigerian President to offer anything that would be helpful and we agreed to send out a team that includes some counterterrorism and intelligence experts to work alongside the bigger American team that’s going out there.

“We stand ready to do anything more that the Nigerians would want.”

He said it was unlikely Nigeria would ask for British troops to help, but added: “I said to President Jonathan where we can help, please ask, and we will see what we can do.” Cameron also spoke of the importance of tackling extremism around the world.

“This is not just a problem in Nigeria,” he said.

“We’re seeing this really violent extreme Islamism - we see problems in Pakistan, we see problems in other parts of Africa, problems in the Middle East. (Excerpt from BBC News)

thought would follow, he replied: “It will still be war.”

In the south-eastern port of Mariupol, the scene of fierce fighting last week, there were only eight polling centres for a population of

half a million. Queues grew to hundreds of metres in bright sunshine, with spirits high as one centre overflowed and ballot boxes were brought onto the street. (Excerpt

Iranian leader slams West’s “stupid” missile stance before talks

Iran’s Supreme Leader described as “stupid and idiotic” Western expectations for his country to curb its missile development, striking a defiant tone ahead of a fresh round of nuclear talks.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called on Iran’s Revolutionary Guards to mass produce missiles and said the nuclear negotiations were not the place to discuss Tehran’s defence programme or to solve the problem of sanctions damaging the Iranian economy.

“They expect us to limit our missile programme while they constantly threaten Iran with military action,” Khamenei was quoted as telling the IRNA news agency while on a visit to an aeronautics fair held by the Revolutionary Guards.

“So this is a stupid, idiotic expectation ... The Revolutionary Guards should definitely carry

out their programme and not be satisfied with the present level. They should mass produce. This is a main duty of all military officials.”

Iran and the United States, France, Germany, Britain, China and Russia will reconvene in Vienna on Tuesday to try to iron out differences over how to end a long standoff over suspicions that Tehran has sought the means to develop nuclear weapons.

While missiles are not at the heart of the talks over Iran’s nuclear work, which centre on the production of fissile material usable in atomic bombs, Western countries would like them discussed at the nuclear discussions.

Iran has one of the biggest missile programmes in the Middle East, viewing it as an essential precautionary defence against the United States and other adversaries such as Israel. (Excerpt from Reuters)

China: Waste plant protest in Hangzhou ‘injures dozens’

At least 39 people have been hurt and dozens of vehicles damaged in a protest against a planned waste incinerator in a Chinese city, state media report.

The violence broke out on Saturday in Yuhang district of Hangzhou city, in the eastern province of Zhejiang. The injured included 29 police officers.

Local authorities say the project will not go ahead

without public support.

Tens of thousands of protests are held in China every year, mostly against pollution, corruption, and land grabs.

Last month, state media reported that 18 people were detained after massive demonstrations against plans for a chemical plant in Maoming, in the southern province of Guangdong.

China’s citizens are increasingly conscious of the

health impact of environmental pollution, with many large cities smothered in smog - a by-product of the country’s rapid industrialisation and economic growth.

The state-run Xinhua news agency reports that the site for the planned waste incinerator in Yuhang was made public in April.

At the protests on Saturday, two police cars were set alight and dozens of vehicles overturned.

At least two people - a policeman and a protesterwere reported to have been seriously injured. A statement on the local government’s website, published late on Saturday, said that there would be no further work on the incinerator until the public had been consulted over the scheme. Similar protests in other parts of China have prompted the authorities to change their plans. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Dozens of migrants drown off Libya

At least 40 people have died and 51 have been rescued after a boat carrying migrants sank off Libya’s coast, the Libyan Interior Ministry has said.

Al Jazeera’s Omar Al Saleh, reporting from Tripoli, said there were conflicting reports on the date of the incident and the number of casualties.

“The Libyan Navy says at least 74 migrants are still missing, after 20 bodies were recovered on Sunday following Friday’s shipwreck.”

But the AFP news agency quoted a naval official as saying the boat carrying 130 migrants sank on Tuesday.

The boat capsized off Garabulli, 50 kilometres east of the Libyan capital Tripoli and was reported to have been en-route to

Europe.

On Saturday, Interior Minister Saleh Maziq threatened to help illegal migrants reach Europe if the European Union did not

to

A big election win for South Africa’s ANC

but results suggest future challenges

BY STEPHEN HURT

On the surface, 2014 appears to represent “business as usual” for the landscape of South Africa’s electoral politics. The African National Congress (ANC) has secured a fifth straight victory in the latest national election.

The ANC polled 62.1 per cent of the total valid votes cast. This represents only a slight fall of 3.8 per cent from its overall performance in the previous poll in 2009.

Despite the good result for President Jacob Zuma’s ruling party, deeper analysis, combined with some interesting developments in recent months, suggests that in fact the ANC faces a number of future challenges.

The ANC’s most recent victory has been achieved despite the deepening crisis of poverty, unemployment and inequality. Its election campaign, summed up in the slogan, “We have a good story to tell”, focused on its credentials as the party that overcame apartheid. There is an increasing tendency for the ANC to focus on past achievements to secure its contemporary legitimacy.

Nevertheless, a few significant figures within the ANC, including stalwart of the liberation struggle and former Government Minister Ronnie Kasrils, launched a “Vote No” campaign in the run-up to the election.

Their dissatisfaction with the performance of the ANC in Government led

them to urge South Africans to either vote for one of the smaller parties or spoil their ballot paper by writing the message “no” on it. The precise impact of this campaign is hard to measure.

Voter registration and turnout

Only 1.4 per cent of votes were spoilt (intentionally or otherwise) and the majority of smaller parties failed to secure even a single representative in the National Assembly. However, it is symptomatic of a rising tide of criticism of the ANC, reflected in both popular protest and discontent within parts of the labour movement.

Turnout of the electorate is one area that demonstrates the more partial na-

ture of support for the ruling party. The official figure this year was 73.4 per cent, down from 77.3 per cent in 2009. However, this only represents the proportion of the 25.4 million South Africans who registered to vote in the first place.

Based on recent population data for mid-2013, it is estimated that the current voting age population is approximately 32.6 million. The 11.4 million votes for the ANC in the national ballot therefore only represents 35 per cent of the voting age population.

Moreover, registration levels are particularly low amongst younger voters. Only 60 per cent of 20-somethings were registered, according to the Electoral

Commission, compared to 90 per cent of those over the age of 30. This disengagement from the electoral process may become even more of a challenge in the future.

The ANC’s support also varies on a regional basis. In 2009, its share of the vote fell in every single province except KwaZulu-Natal, Zuma’s home province.

This time the main Opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), achieved a stronger showing nationally and has repeated its 2009 success as the leading party in the Western Cape. The DA has also made progress in Gauteng (South Africa’s most populous province), where the ANC’s share fell significantly from 64 per cent in 2009 to 55 per

cent in 2014.

One noticeable result in 2014 has been the relatively strong showing (6.4 per cent of the national vote) of the recently formed Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). Led by former ANC Youth League leader, Julius Malema, their populist brand of black African nationalism, couched in leftwing rhetoric, has benefited from the continued absence of a more genuine left-wing alternative to the ANC.

The EFF’s focus on the nationalisation of strategic sectors of the economy and land redistribution without compensation clearly has some resonance with sections of the poor black majority.

2019: Room for a party of the left?

The ANC and DA are both committed to the broadly neoliberal, National Development Plan, as the solution to the deepening socio-economic crisis in the country. What are the prospects for a viable political alternative?

During recent months, tensions within South Africa’s largest trade union confederation, the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), have reached breaking point. As a result, it is becoming clear that the potential formation of a left-wing political movement is on the horizon.

Predictions of the ANC’s imminent electoral decline made prior to the 2014 elections have proven to be wide of the mark. There are a number of reasons, however, to suggest that things may look very different when South Africa holds its next national poll in 2019.

(Stephen Hurt is Senior Lecturer in International Relations and Programme Director for the MA Degree in International Studies. He joined Oxford Brookes University in September 2003. He has broad research interests in international political economy and development, especially with regard to Africa. More specific interests are in the political economy of post-apartheid South Africa, the trade and development policies of the European Union and critical international political economy. He has published a number of articles and book chapters on these themes.)

COSATU’s largest affiliated trade union, the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA), withdrew its electoral support for the ANC in December 2013. Since then it has begun the process of building a new political movement. The intention is to develop links beyond the organised working class by engaging with a number of the “new social movements” that have emerged since the late 1990s. Resistance in South Africa in the form of political protest has been on the rise and the very real challenge for NUMSA and others will be how to co-ordinate these actions, which at present remain localised and largely unconnected.

Weather, political tensions impact food markets

but cereal stocks remain adequate – FAO

Weather conditions in various countries and political tensions in the Black Sea region have made food markets more volatile, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) reports in the new Food Outlook.

In its first major forecast for 2014, FAO puts cereal production at 2458 million tonnes (including milled rice), down some 2.4 per cent from the 2013 record, though global output is still expected to be the second largest ever.

The decline is likely to be more pronounced for coarse grains. Still, inventory levels remain fairly good. Analysts say there is no cause for concern at this early stage before the main 2014/2015 seasons get underway -- assuming trade flows are not negatively affected by tensions in the

Black Sea region.

Overall, world cereal stocks are expected to remain at relatively comfortable levels, according to the report, a biannual publication which provides information on the short-term market situation and outlook for major food stuffs. Lower pricing and El Niño weather conditions may keep world rice production lower in 2014, especially in Asia. In Thailand, a softening of producer prices could be the main factor leading to a contraction in rice planting and production. While production may be lower, international trade could expand to record levels in 2014, sustained by ample supplies in exporting countries and increased purchases by traditional importers like Bangladesh, Indonesia and the Philippines. The 2014

global food import bill could stabilise at $1.29 trillion but animal product bills are set to increase, sustained by rising trade volumes and prices, the report says.

Meat and dairy

Meat and milk production are both expected to grow in 2014. World meat production is expected to grow modestly to 311.8 million tonnes, an increase of 1.1 percent over 2013, reflecting growth in the developing countries, which are mainly behind the rising global demand.

There are marked differences in projected trade among meat varieties, with bovine and poultry meat on the upswing and ovine products and pork on the decline. Poultry remains the main product traded, claiming 43 per cent of the total market, followed by

beef, pork and mutton, respectively. While international prices for meats have remained at historically high levels since the beginning of 2011, with no sign of an overall decrease, international dairy prices declined in March and April, registering levels close to those of a year ago.

Milk trade is forecast to rise 1.8 per cent, reaching 69 million tonnes, and driven primarily by increasing demand from Asia.

Fisheries

The economic recovery in traditional markets such as the US and the European Union is boosting overall demand for fish and fishery products, along with the already firm interest of emerging economies like Brazil and Mexico. This demand, coupled with supply shortages for a number of

farmed and wild species, has boosted overall price levels. Once again, weather may come into play as El Niño weather patterns could reduce some catches in South America.

The most popular species include salmon, shrimp, pangasius and tilapia from acquaculture, and shrimp, squid, octopus and herring from capture fisheries. Prices have softened somewhat for tuna, mackerel and cod.

Oils and meals

In 2013/2014, oil and meal prices moved upward, reflecting a tight balance in the US, slowed growth in palm oil production, and cuts in soybean production estimates. Global consumption of both oils and meals is set to continue expanding, stimulated by higher supplies and driven by

growing demand in developing countries in Asia, though consumption could grow less than expected, amid firm international prices and ample maize availability.

Sugar Sugar production was showing marginal declines but trade is expected to be higher amid increased demand from importing countries. The FAO also issued its monthly Food Price Index, which averaged 209.3 points in April 2014, down 3.5 points, or 1.6 per cent, from March, and 7.6 points, or 3.5 per cent, below April 2013. Last month’s decline was mostly caused by a sharp drop in dairy prices, although sugar and vegetable oil also fell. By contrast, cereals and meat prices were slightly firmer.

“Economic growth is not enough to close inequality gaps”

– regional conference told

“Economic growth is not enough to close inequality gaps. Our strategy has been to include in order to grow,”

Peruvian President Ollanta Humala said last week during the opening ceremony of the 35th session of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) held in Lima, Peru. The conference ended on Friday.

Guyana was represented by Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett.

“This strategy has borne fruit. We have increased social investment by more than 50 per cent in two years of Government, we have taken almost half a million Peruvians out of poverty,” the Peruvian Head of State said. Humala was accompanied by ECLAC Executive Secretary Alicia Bárcena, who thanked the Peruvian Government for its work in preparing the Commission’s meeting in Lima, while also agreeing on the need to prioritise growth with equality and environmental sustainability in the region’s countries.

Peruvian Foreign Affairs Minister Eda Rivas also participated in the ceremony.

The Peruvian President, who praised ECLAC’s legacy and contribution to Latin American thinking, indicated that “today, with a strengthened citizenry, we have the challenge of rebuilding a more modern and efficient state”.

In his speech, Humala stressed that it was necessary to create an ode to equality. “We are not the poorest region, but we are the most unequal. How can this challenge be under-

Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett attends the seminar “The Challenges of Regional Integration Cooperation” during the ECLAC 35th session in Lima

stood? We have made the mistake of confusing poverty with inequality, we have wanted to fight poverty without building social policies to fight inequality,” he said.

“Today, the region faces bigger challenges to continue along the uphill path towards equality – associated with the full entitlement of rights – and to expand into the different arenas in which that equality plays out,” Bárcena said in her speech.

Less favourable scenario

The senior official indicated that the change in the natural resources cycle, as well as the expected reduction of capital flows and global liquidity and the possible rise in interest rates, mean the region is facing a less favourable scenario in the future.

“To protect the social achievements already made it is necessary to promote, through a renewed set of institutional and political re-

forms, a new path for sustainable growth with rising degrees of equality,” Alicia Bárcena stressed. “Our conviction is clear: we must boost equality to grow and grow to boost equality or, as you have said, Mr President, grow to include and include to grow,” she added.

The biennial session is the most important meeting that ECLAC organises. It is attended by delegates from the Commission’s 40 member states, international officials, representatives of non-governmental organisations, academic personalities, and special guests. In this regional forum for debate, economic, social and environmental issues affecting Latin American and Caribbean countries are discussed and the Commission’s programme of work for the next two years is approved.

In this opportunity, ECLAC is presenting the document “Compacts for Equality: Towards a Sustainable Future”, the organisation’s latest stra-

tegic proposal aimed at boosting regional development, which completes the so-called “equality trilogy” published by ECLAC since 2010.

Long-lasting framework

The document poses the need to build broad national and regional accords on matters such as taxation and industrial policy, the working world, provision of public goods, and the governance of natural resources and environmental sustainability –as well as other areas that are key to development.

“The policies enshrined in compacts can offer a more robust and long-lasting framework for formulating medium- and long-term orientations within countries,” the ECLAC Executive Secretary explained. According to her, “betting on equality requires compacts, broad political agreements, with a strategic horizon and involving a wide range of actors who can guarantee their continuity and invigorate people’s exercise of their civic duties”.

As part of the activities of ECLAC’s 35th session, a seminar will be held on Wednesday on the challenges of regional integration, where the document “Regional Integration: Towards a Strategy for Inclusive Value Chains” will be presented. Another seminar about compacts for equality will take place on Thursday. In the closing ceremony, which will take place on Friday after a dialogue between senior Latin American and Caribbean officials, the resolutions from the gathering will be unveiled.

President saddened at passing of Basil Rodrigues

President Donald Ramotar said he is saddened at the passing of well-known hinterland educator Basil Rodrigues.

In a message, President Ramotar said as a nation, “we were all deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Mr Basil Rodrigues”. Uncle Basil, as he was popularly known, has made a sterling contribution to the education of Guyanese children, Ramotar said, adding that he taught for more than 40 years in Karaudarnau, Shea and Aishalton in the Rupununi. On returning to his native community

Moruca after his retirement in 1992, he rejoined the teaching service and taught at Santa Rosa Primary School.

The President said as a teacher, Uncle Basil promoted the holistic development of the child, by ensuring that there was a meaningful balance of formal schooling, sporting, and cultural activities.

“He was passionate about culture, especially Amerindian culture. He was the foremost advocate for the sustainability of

the Arawak language and has done pioneering research in collecting, documenting, and publishing stories of this culture. He also added to the Arawak literature by writing poems and short stories. As a musician, he was a proponent of the Banchikilli music. He himself contributed extensively to this genre of music by composing and writing new songs in his native Arawak language. So much so that they have become a staple in the annual Amerindian Heritage Month celebration.”

Uncle Basil was a national icon. In recognition of his sterling contributions to education, culture and community service, he was awarded the Medal of Service and later, the Golden Arrow of Achievement.

"This nation is richer and we are culturally better endowed because of Uncle Basil’s contributions. Posterity will forever hold him in this nation’s highest esteem," the President said. He will be sadly missed.

“On my own behalf, and on behalf of the Government and People of Guyana, our deepest condolences go out to the bereaved family and friends,” the President added.

Demerara Bank takes “Drive For Life” promotion to Berbice

Demerara Bank Limited (DBL) has taken its “Drive For Life” promotion to the Ancient County, giving Berbicians an opportunity to have their own vehicles.

Over the weekend, DBL launched the promotion with a road show, which commenced from New Amsterdam and culminated at their branch in Corriverton. Manager of the Corriverton Branch Mandrekar Khemraj said the promotion is expected to be an annual event.

“During this promotion, we are basically offering customers automobiles loans for both private and hire usage,” he said, while explaining that the hire aspect would only be offered during the course of the promotion.

Khemraj said DBL is in

partnership with several auto dealers in Berbice who will be offering massive discounts and giveaways during the promotion.

“Our expectation towards this exercise is basically to create awareness of our willingness to lend since it was not widely sensitised that DBL would extend loans to customers,” Khemraj noted.

The manager encouraged those desirous of purchasing a vehicle at this point in time to utilise the offer since relatively speaking, the bank has a very competitive and attractive package.

The “Drive for Life” promotion was officially launched at the bank’s Diamond location on May 3 and will be ongoing at all the branches countrywide until June 30.

All approved applicants

A customer inspecting one of the vehicles of A Ally’s and Sons

will also be given a token which is a Demerara branded item. Additionally, there is an incentive of $500,000 up for grabs for a winner at the end of the promotion.

Several auto dealers in Berbice are collaborating with the bank to make this promotion possible. These include A Ally and Sons, Danzies,

Tropical Auto Sales, Zakir’s and Pan American Auto Sales, among others.

Speaking at the launch,“Ron” (only name given) of Danzie’s Auto Sales said that as a dealer, their package basically offers attractive low prices in addition to a special care package to all customers who utilise the

DBL promotion. He encouraged Berbicians to take advantage of this offer as both the bank and the dealers are offering an “exceptional package”.

Meantime, A Ally and Sons Manager Gavin Moore told Guyana Times that all customers utilising the DBL’s “Drive for Life” promotion will be instantly receiving a $25,000 gift voucher upon approval of the loan at the bank. He also pointed out that the company has other special deals and discounts are offered to persons desirous in using another banking institution for business.

A Ally and Sons has a wide range of vehicle on offer including BMW, Toyota Rush, Allion, Voroso, Premio, X-Trail and Subaru, among others in the latest model. It

was also noted that unemployed persons can also own a vehicle, compliments of A Ally and Sons. According to the manager, all that are needed are proof of address, National Identification Card, Tax Identification Number, two references, a passport size picture and the required down payment. A Ally and Sons, he stressed, aims to make life better for everyone one day at a time. Those interested in the “Drive For Life” promotion are requirements to present to the bank a job letter or income and expenditure statement, copy of passport or National Identification Card, quotations/agreement of sale, purchase and photograph of vehicle, proof of address, a valid driver’s license and TIN Number.

SUDOKU

You will get ahead if you overcome your shyness. Others cannot help you until they know what you have to offer. Be selfassured and promote your assets and potential.

By Bernice Bede Osol

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

It’s important to clear up unfinished business and stay on top of small details. Do whatever it takes to prepare for obstacles that may stand between you and your goals.

Problems with your partner may require professional help. If you are not getting the honest feedback you need, get legal advice. Taking a casual “wait and see” attitude could be costly.

You can’t take things at face value. Someone may be stretching the truth. Rather than depend on others, you will need to do some independent digging to get the real story.

(Aug. 23Sept. 22)

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

Your partner may be trying to keep something from you. If you are getting conflicting information, keep the conversation going until you find out exactly what’s going on.

21-April 19)

Don’t be deterred by cynics. Be committed to your choices, and you will be able to forge ahead and get what you want in the end.

(April 20-May 20)

You are always ready to lend a hand, and it will win you many friends and valuable allies. An associate will provide the key needed to help you realise a professional opportunity.

(May 21June 20)

You will be admired for your creative talents. You may be in a mood to party, but don’t give in to excess. Overindulgence will lead to stress and weight gain.

This is not a good time to lend or borrow. Someone may try to take advantage of you. Steer clear of any loan requests, and keep tabs on your possessions.

(Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Concentrate on personal pleasures rather than group involvements. Take time to pamper yourself. It will help dispel the worry and uneasiness that are distracting you from your goals.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

It may be a favourable time to invest. Look into antiques, art or other objects that have the potential to increase in value. Choose items that also enrich your life.

(Nov. 23Dec. 21)

Don’t be deceived by a fast talker. Your trusting nature could cost you. Rely on your instincts. If something seems too good to be true, stay away.

President’s X1 beaten

after double collapse

Demerara retain three-day title

B y R ajiv B isnauth

The President’s X1 plummeted, in dramatic fashion, to a humiliating innings and 49 runs defeat against Demerara on the third and final day of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Inter-County three-day tournament at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground on Sunday.

Demerara entered the final day needing 11 points to win the overall tournament and comfortably achieved the points to finish with 62 points overall. Berbice finished with 49 points, while Essequibo and the President’s X1 ended on 21 and eleven points respectively.

The President’s X1, trailing by 192 runs, were asked to bat again and were bundled out for just 143 in 51.3 overs.

Pacers Keon Morris (4-32) and Sherfane Rutherford (3-46) sparked the President’s X1 collapse, claiming five of the

seven wickets to fall before the tea interval.

Upon resumption,

Ronaldo Mohamed (37) and Chavin Moriah (24) added 52 for the eighth wicket, before Morris, who was introduced for his second spell, accounted for both batsmen.

Daniel Lewis was the last man dismissed 19 minutes into the final hour of play.

Michael Shalim (23), Ryan Shun (21), Sunil Singh (14), and Matthew Shivtahal (10 not out) were the other batsmen to offer any resistance.

Steven Sankar and Tagenarine Chanderpaul also claimed a wicket each.

Resuming at 152-7, the President’s X1 were still trailing Demerara’s total by 255 runs. However, their tailenders rode their luck to add 63 crucial runs and frustrate the hosts’ hopes of wrapping up their first innings quickly before being bowled out for 215.

Overnight batsman

Ronaldo Mohamed (18) and Daniel Lewis (0), were dismissed in quick succession, but the last pair of Damion Waldron (38) and Chavin Moriah (21 not out) added 41 invaluable runs between them, mixing occasional strokes of adventure with resolute batting, after their side slumped to 174 for nine inside the first hour.

They were eventually dismissed 20 minutes before the first interval.

Pacers Keno Morris (3-31) and Sherfane Rutherford (3-36) emerged the leading wicket-takers. Steven Sankar was also steady with his leg-spinners, claiming two for 60, while Tagenarine Chanderpaul had 1-32.

Attention now turns to the one-day version of the tournament which bowls off on Tuesday, with Essequibo playing the President’s X1 at the Everest Cricket Club ground, while Demerara face Berbice at the Wales Community Centre ground.

Nets receive second- division trophy – GABA names Georgetown squad

The Republic Bank Nets received their first- place prize on Saturday evening for winning the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) second- division title earlier this month.

The Nets defeated the Trinity Grid Holding Pacesetters in the final to win the title and bragging rights as the best second division team in Georgetown.

President of GABA Michael Singh was happy with the tournament and called the winners a bit of a shock, “I think it was a good tournament despite we didn’t

get the turnout we wanted, but I think it was [a] tournament where the juniors could play with the seniors and everybody had a chance to raise the level of their play,” Singh told Guyana Times Sport.

Mortimer Williams was named the Most Valuable Player for the tournament as he led the Nets with the most points. Meanwhile, Singh also released the names of the Georgetown players that will be competing in the InterAssociation tournament commencing May 17 in Linden.

The squad will be headlined by the ‘Road to Mecca’

Most valuable Player in Akeem ‘The Dream’ Kanhai of the colts, who will have four of his team-mates joining him, namely: Ryan Stephney, Ryan Gullen, Rudy James and Jermaine Slater.

The other members making up the Georgetown side will include Shelroy Thomas, Dave Causway, Nikko Fraser, Jason Squires, Stephon Gillis, Haslyn Hooper, and Travis Burnett.

The team will also have a reserve list and headlining the that list will be Colts starting Guard Dominic Vincente, Nikkoloi Smith and Joyclyn Crawford.

‘Started pondering Test future after NZ series’ – Sammy

Darren Sammy, the West Indies all-rounder who announced his retirement from Test cricket yesterday, has said his decision wasn’t a fallout of his being replaced as captain by wicketkeeper-batsman Denesh Ramdin.

Sammy, whose decision to call time on his Test career came hours after he was axed as captain, said he had been thinking about it for a long time. “After the New Zealand series [which West Indies lost 2-0] I sat down with the team management and the selectors and then told myself that we cannot continue like this. Probably my career is on the line. I was very serious about it,” Sammy told ESPNcricinfo.

“It was a difficult decision. If you have been playing cricket as a kid, all you have been dreaming of is to represent your team in Test cricket and I have been fortunate enough to do it. But I thought it was the right time for me to move on. I feel it’s time the West Indies Test team continues to move in a new direc-

tion, under a new leader.”

Extending his support to Ramdin, who led Trinidad and Tobago into the semifinals of the regional four-day championship, Sammy had a word of advice for him as well.

“Denesh has been captaining regional teams with distinction but it (leading West Indies) is a difficult job,” he said. “Leading guys who come from different cultural backgrounds and getting the best out of them. I wish him all the best as he tries to the lead West Indies Test cricket forward into a new era.”

Despite marking his Test debut with a seven-wicket haul in the second innings at Old Trafford or having been heckled as perhaps the slowest-ever West Indies newball bowler, Sammy, the first cricketer from St Lucia to play Test cricket, will be most remembered for having led the West Indies when a player revolt marred Caribbean cricket in 2010.

“When I was asked to lead the team when it was in disarray, it was the most challeng-

ing phase for me,” Sammy said. “There was no way I could not have accepted the job. To get the bunch to play as a unit, earn their respect and then lead them towards a new direction has been a memorable journey. From what I have contributed, I hope I have done my bit and it’s time for somebody else to carry on.”

Sammy, who has had a moderate run in the IPL for Sunrisers Hyderabad this year, stressed that his best as a limited-overs cricketer was yet to come. “I am sure we all have a part to play to take West Indies cricket forward in whichever format we are playing in,” Sammy said. “I am pretty much available in one-day and T20 cricket and hope my services will be utilised. I have my best years of cricket ahead of me and look forward to contributing to West Indies cricket. I am still fit. Probably I might not look fit but I am fit. I wish I can keep on playing my role in West Indies cricket.” (ESPNcricinfo)

Nasri and Kompany fire Man City to title

Manchester City clinched a second Premier League title in three seasons with a 2-0 win over West Ham United on Sunday that sent their Etihad Stadium into raptures and condemned Liverpool to second place.

Blue and white ticker tape rained down and fans poured on to the pitch at the final whistle as City, who only needed a draw to win the trophy, finished two points clear of Liverpool whose campaign ended with a 2-1 win over Newcastle United.

Samir Nasri calmed City nerves by drilling them ahead in 39th minute and captain Vincent Kompany’s neat finish four minutes after halftime put the hosts in cruise control, round -

ing off a superb debut season for manager Manuel Pellegrini.

“It’s an amazing feeling. My second title in three years. It was an amazing league the whole year,” Frenchman Nasri told Sky Sports.

“There are no words to explain my feelings now.”

For Chilean Pellegrini it was a first league title since he won the Clausura with River Plate in Argentina in 2003 and a maiden success in Europe.

“I’m just so happy for the manager as well because it’s his first title in Europe, it’s amazing,” Nasri added.

The atmosphere at Anfield was muted as an own goal from Martin Skrtel put Newcastle ahead in the first half, but

goals from Daniel Agger and Daniel Sturridge ensured they ended with victory against opponents who had Shola Ameobi and Paul Dummett sent off.

Chelsea had to settle for third spot after coming from a goal down to win 2-1 at Cardiff City, ending a trophyless first season back in England for manager Jose Mourinho.

Tottenham Hotspur comfortably beat Aston Villa 3-0 to finish sixth and clinch a place in next season’s Europa League, meaning deposed champions Manchester United, who drew their final match of a terrible season 1-1 against Southampton, will not play in Europe next season for the first time in 24 years. (Reuters)

improving nadal to face Nishikori in Madrid final

Rafael Nadal

Rafa Nadal continued his serene progress in pursuit of consecutive Madrid Open crowns when he swept past Spanish compatriot Roberto Bautista 6-4 6-3 on Saturday and will face Japan’s Kei Nishikori in the final.

The world number one, chasing a 63rd career title and a 44th on clay, has not been on top form on his favored surface this year, suffering surprise defeats in the quarter-finals at Monte Carlo and Barcelona. However, he has shown glimpses of his dominant

nets cool Heat

Two losses in Miami didn’t faze Paul Pierce, nor did 16 quick points by LeBron James.

The postseason, Pierce said repeatedly, is no time to panic. And the Heat, apparently, are nothing to fear.

‘’We’re not scared of them,’’ Pierce said.

Joe Johnson scored 19 points, Andray Blatche had career playoff highs of 15 points and 10 rebounds, and the Brooklyn Nets handed the Heat their first loss this postseason, 104-90 on Saturday night in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Pierce scored 14 points,

Deron Williams and Kevin Garnett bounced back from awful offensive efforts, and the Nets withstood James’ 16-point first quarter and held him to two baskets over the final three quarters.

‘’Tonight was the type of urgency we’re going to need for the rest of the series,’’ Pierce said.

Dominant Spurs move to brink of Trail Blazers sweep

Guard Tony Parker scored 29 points as the San Antonio Spurs whipped the Portland Trail Blazers 118-103 on Saturday to move to the cusp of the Western Conference finals.

Forward Tim Duncan collected 19 points, seven rebounds and four assists for the Spurs, who took a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series that continues in Portland on Monday.

Five players scored in double figures for San Antonio, which again got great production from a bench that combined for 40 points, compared to six points from Portland’s reserves.

The Spurs, behind 20 points on 9-for-12 shooting from Parker, held a 60-40 edge at halftime after San Antonio shot 56 percent from the field in the first half.

Portland made a run after the long break, outscoring San Antonio 17-4 in the first five minutes of the third quarter to draw within 64-

Tony Parker

57, but the Spurs steadied the ship and pulled away for the emphatic win.

Portland has led for only 33 seconds over the first three games of the series, such has been the dom-

inance of the Spurs, who have won by a combined total of 56 points after being taken to seven games by Dallas in the first round of the playoffs. (The Sports Exchange)

mushtaq set to lose england role

best in front of adoring fans in the Spanish capital, where he is yet to drop a set, as he warms up for a tilt at a record-extending ninth French Open title starting at the end of the month.

Nadal’s victory against the unheralded Bautista ended the world number 45’s best run at a Masters event and secured a place in the final where he will play Nishikori, who edged past another Spaniard, fifth seed David Ferrer, 7-6 5-7 6-3.

The Japanese 10th seed, who won his first clay title in Barcelona last month, is through to his debut Masters final and will become the first man from the Asian nation to break into the top 10 when the rankings are updated on Monday.

Nadal, who has beaten Nishikori in all six of their meetings, said his semi-final performance against Bautista was further confirmation of his improving form after Friday’s fine win against sixth-ranked Czech Tomas Berdych in the last eight. (Reuters)

Confirmation is expected on Monday that Mushtaq Ahmed, the former Pakistan legspinner, has been the latest of England’s backroom staff to lose their job in the Peter Moores reshuffle but David Saker, the fast bowling coach, will continue with his current deal under the new set-up.

Mushtaq was recruited by Moores in 2008, dur-

ing his previous spell as England coach, after the pair had been together at Sussex when they won their first Championship title in 2003.

Mushtaq was involved in an era where Graeme Swann became one of England’s greatest ever spinners, but he leaves with English spin bowling in one of its leanest patches with the strong possibility that they will

not field a frontline spinner against Sri Lanka next month.

The decision, originally reported in the Guardian, will not come as a complete surprise for Mushtaq who has recently applied for a position with the Pakistan team which is also now under a returning head coach in Waqar Younis. It is understood he is in competition with Saqlain Mushtaq for the spin coach role.

Moores is keen to reduce the number of specialist coaches who are involved with England on match days so it is unlikely that Mushtaq will be directly replaced. Instead Peter Such, who looks after the spin programme at the academy in Loughborough, is expected to fill the role when required.

Mushtaq joins Graham Gooch, the former batting coach, and Richard Halsall, the fielding coach, in not retaining their roles under what is becoming an extensive restructuring exercise.

Saker, however, will be remain and will work with the young quick bowlers selected to play alongside the senior pair of James Anderson and Stuart Broad. (ESPNcricinfo)

YELLOW PAGES

monday, may 12, 2014

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Kings XI v Knight Riders, IPL 2014...

Calm Knight Riders secure big win

Gautam Gambhir’s third successive fifty anchored Kolkata Knight Riders’ chase and steered them to a ninewicket win over table-toppers Kings XI Punjab. The Knight Riders bowlers had pinned Kings XI down to 149 - the second time in the tournament they were kept to less than 150 - despite a swift 72 from Virender Sehwag.

The opening pair of Robin Uthappa and Gambhir - with two century stands in their last few games - set the platform for the chase, racing to 68 in seven overs. Uthappa’s fluency was evident early

on as he laid into Sandeep Sharma’s second over, taking three fours off him, before collecting another 18 off Mitchell Johnson. Uthappa’s 28-ball 46 brought the asking rate under control and put the chase firmly within Knight Riders’ reach. Conscious, perhaps, of the fact that another batting meltdown could end up becoming the symbol of Knight Riders’ campaign, Gambhir and Manish Pandey played mostly percentage cricket in their unbeaten 82run stand, which took the team home with two overs to spare. There were a few run-out chances but Kings

SCOREBOARD

ov), 8-149 (Patel, 19.6 ov)

Bowling: JH Kallis 3- 0-38 -0, M Morkel 4-0 -20-2 , UT Yadav 4 -0 -34-1, SP Narine 4-0-301, PP Chawla 4-0 -19-3, RN ten Doeschate 1-0-6-0

Kolkata T20 innings (target: 150 runs from 20 overs)

Miller b UT Yadav 13

GJ Bailey* not out 12

R Dhawan b Chawla 4

MG Johnson st †Uthappa

b Narine 14

AR Patel run out (SA Yadav/†Uthappa) 1

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

Total:(8 wickets; 20 overs) 149

Did not bat:P Awana, Sandeep Sharma Fall of wickets: 1-17 (Mandeep Singh, 1.3 ov), 2-48 (Saha, 5.1 ov), 3-87 (Maxwell, 10.3 ov), 4-112 (Sehwag, 14.3 ov), 5-120 (Miller, 15.2 ov), 6-127 (Dhawan, 16.6 ov), 7-148 (Johnson, 19.5

RV Uthappa†c Patel b Awana 46 G Gambhir*not out 63 MK Pandey not out 36

Extras: (lb 2, w 3) 5

Total: (1 wicket; 18 overs) 150 Did not: batJH Kallis, RN ten Doeschate, YK Pathan, SA Yadav, PP Chawla, M Morkel, UT Yadav, SP Narine Fall of wickets 1-68 (Uthappa, 6.6 ov)

Bowling : Sandeep Sharma 4-032-0, MG Johnson 3-0-33-0, AR Patel 4-0-20-0,P Awana 2 -0 -20 -1, R Dhawan 4 -0-32 -0, GJ Maxwell 1-0 -11 -0

XI did not have the best day in the field- George Bailey’s dropped catch off Gambhir in the 17th over was the best example of that.

Kings XI, who had opted for a seam-centric attack, would have felt the absence of a second spinner, especially after Akshar Patel kept Gambhir and Pandey quiet for a couple of overs in the middle. However, the biggest factor in the result was the stark difference between the two halves of the Kings XI innings.

Coming into this game, Knight Riders were the most economical team in the death overs in the IPL, giving away just 8.30 runs an over. In the UAE leg, they were also the team that managed to stifle Kings XI successfully. That control with the ball, especially in the latter half of the innings, set up the game for the side. At 10 overs, Kings XI were 85 for 2, but they made only

Royal Challengers v Royals...

64 for 6 in the next ten. One of Knight Riders’ chief contributors was Piyush Chawla, who was brought back in place of Shakib Al Hasan. In UAE against Kings XI, the legspinner had figures of 4-0-193 and he finished even this game with the same numbers. Chawla struck immediately with the big wicket of Glenn Maxwell, and then got rid of Sehwag and Rishi Dhawan in the 15th and 17th overs. Chawla, along with Ryan ten Doeschate and Morne Morkel, smothered any momentum Kings XI would have hoped to build. Narine came on at the end and choked the run flow and even the normally industrious Bailey found it difficult to push for boundaries. Between the 15th and 20th overs, Kings XI - who average 50 runs in this period of play - scored only three boundaries, and two of them were from Mitchell Johnson. (ESPNcricinfo)

Smith and Faulkner stun RCB

Till the 14th over of the Rajasthan Royals chase, it was the Yuvraj Singh show. He had shrugged off poor form with a pulverizing 83 off 38 to revive his side to 190 for 5 from 40 for 3. He had then taken four wickets to leave Rajasthan Royals reeling on 106 for 5. Royals needed 65 from the last four overs. Steven Smith and James Faulkner catapulted them home with an over and a delivery to spare. Mitchell Starc went for 21 in the 17th over, Ashok Dinda for 23 in the 18th and Varun Aaron for 21 in the 19th.

Yuvraj’s fourth wicket had been Karun Nair, whose 56 off 39 had given Royals a fine start but had ended as the innings started to lose steam. Aaron went for 14 in the next over as Smith pulled, lofted and flicked him for boundaries. But Royal Challengers seemed to be ending the possibilities of any scares as legspinner Yuzvendra Chahal ended his spell with just four runs in the 16th. What followed was so unexpected for them, Virat

Kohli could only grit his teeth in helpless frustration as every bowler disappeared for plenty. Starc bowled some length balls in the 17th, and Faulkner drove and swung him for four and six, an outside-edged slog bringing in a third boundary in the over. Dinda began the 18th with two full deliveries that were taken for four and six.

Dinda went wider now, and Smith responded by steering him to the deep point boundary. Just as it seemed nothing could go wrong further for Royal Challengers, Dinda overstepped and bowled it under the bat to be carted for a straight six.

Smith could not get anything off the free-hit but Faulkner took over in the penultimate over with 21 needed.

Only a single came off the first ball before Aaron sent one down the leg side and the batsmen also scampered a bye. Royal Challengers continued to crack as Aaron delivered a length ball which was powered for six over longon. A high full toss followed a wide full toss. Faulkner hit

Singh, 18.6 ov), 5-186 (de Villiers, 19.4 ov) Bowling: KW Richardson 4 -0 -43 -2, SR Watson 4 -0 -35 -0 , JP Faulkner 4 -0 -42 -1, PV Tambe 4 -0 -38-1, R Tewatia 3-0-17-1, R Bhatia 1 -0-13-0 Rajasthan T20 innings (target:

191 runs from 20 overs)

AM Rahane c †Patel b Chahal 24

KK Nair b Yuvraj

Marian Academy shuts down Charlestown

– GTI cruises past Bishops

By TreisTon Joseph

The Youth Basketball Guyana (YBG) regional school conferences tipped off with some captivating action on Saturday evening at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

The tournament, which is sponsored by Digicel,the Beharry Group of Companies and Banks DIH, saw the defending champions of the National School Basketball Festival (NSBF), Marian Academy, holding Charlestown Secondary to one of the lowest team totals in recent memory.

Marian Academy was tenacious on the defensive end and held Charlestown Secondary to just seven measly points while drop-

ping 45 points on their hapless opponents for the win.

Charlestown definitely did not help their cause, committing a number of unforced errors, gifting Marian some easy points on the offensive end of the floor.

Judah Stephney was the leading scorer for Marian’s with a game -high 14 points, missing out on a doubledouble by grabbing one rebound shy of 10. Jonathan Mangra dropped nine points to help lead Marian as well.

The Government Technical Institute (GTI) hammered Bishop’s High School 48-37 to pick up their first win in the Georgetown Conference.

GTI was hot early and quickly blew the lead open

after the resumption of the second half to distance themselves from a struggling Bishop’s High who have capable scorers on the team.

However, GTI took a mental break late in the final half and allowed Bishop’s to make a quick 6-0 run to close the gap in the game.

Darroll Williams had a game- high 18 points for GTI, while Carlos Edwards contributed 11 points to the win.

Marvin Durant had a team- high 14 points for Bishop’s, while Daniel Haynes had a relatively quiet night with 11 points and nine boards in the loss.

St. Rose’s High School routed Brickdam Secondary

66-32 to mark a stroke in the win column during the Georgetown encounter.

“Rose’s” run and gun style of offence had Brickdam playing catch-up from tip off and were never really able to play quality defence, which resulted in the lopsided score.

Nathan Saul dropped a game- high performance of 16 points, while Patrick Agrippa added 10 points to the team’s total.

Brickdam’s Joshua Lee had a team -high 12 points, while Michael Anderson netted 12 points in the blowout loss.

Meanwhile, in the first and only East Coast conference match-up of the evening, Plaisance Academy was able to hold off a troublesome President’s College (PC) 52-46.

Nduka Horatio dominated with his post game for Plaisance, dropping a gamehigh 18 points while grabbing 12 rebounds, to lead his East Coast side to the win.

PC’s Shakeel Garnett had a team- high 16 points, while team-mate Jaleel Duke contributed 13 points to the losing performance.

In the under-16 cross conference match-up, PC routed Bishop’s High School 35-13 to easily win their first game of the tournament.

Kadeem Peterkin had a game- high 17 points for PC, while no player on the Bishop’s side was able to reach double -digit scoring.

Games will continue in the tournament on May 17 at various courts around Guyana, as some other conferences will start their campaign to win their conference.

Way clear for Bravo – davis

Darren

Davis. Sammy, who led the Test squad for nearly four

years, was axed on Friday in favour of wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin. The St Lucian all-rounder announced he was quitting the longer format later in the day.

“I think Dwayne has been unfairly left out for the last four years. He was

injured and Sammy then took the decision that he would be the fast-bowling all-rounder,” the Trinidad Guardian quoted Davis as saying.

“With the selectors not wanting to play two fastbowling all-rounders, Bravo had to stay out.

“Bravo’s record speaks for itself, he belongs on the West Indies team, he has shown that he can bat with three Test centuries and his bowling is penetrative, as he is now closing in on 100 wickets,” added Davis, who played four Tests against Australia in 1965.

Sammy’s record

Sammy led West Indies in 30 of his 38 Tests, winning eight matches and losing 12, with eight finishing drawn. He made 1,323 runs at 21.68, with a single Test

James not focusing on 200 metres

Grenada’s Olympic 400 metres champion, Kirani James, has dismissed the notion he may take up the 200 metres in the near future.

The 21-year-old ran the half-lap at the Golden Grand Prix in Japan on Sunday, the second time in three races this season he will compete in the event. However, he said with no major global championships scheduled for 2014, running the 200m was just down to him having fun.

situation for what it is and move on,” he said.

Though Jamaicans Usain Bolt and Yohan Blake have ensured maximum spotlight for the sprints, James has brought plenty of attention to the 400m with his performances.

century against England at Trent Bridge in 2012, and grabbed 84 wickets at 35 apiece.

Bravo, meanwhile, who replaced Sammy as one-day captain last May, has scored 2,200 runs from 40 Tests at an average of 31 with three centuries. He has taken 86 wickets at an average of nearly 40. And while Bravo has not played a Test in three-and-a-half years, Davis believes this is where the strength of his game remains.

“He has been playing a lot of T20 cricket, but I think that he is actually a better Test bowler,” Davis contended.

“He is not his best when bowling defensively. With his ability to move the ball, I think he can be very penetrative in Test matches.”

(Jamaica Gleaner)

“My main event is always the 400m, and I think it will be for a long time,” James assured, after arriving here for the IAAF World Challenge meeting.

“But I also like the 200m, too, and I want to have some fun this year. I’m just happy that I have an opportunity to actually do it on a competitive level.”

Shot to global fame

James shot to global fame when he crowned himself World champion in Daegu as an 18-year-old back in 2011. A year later in London, he emerged as Olympic champion, and even though he surrendered the World title with a poor outing last year in Moscow, James said he is firmly focused on the future.

“That was out of my head since after the race. I just had a bad race, and I just had to accept the

And with a major rivalry developing among him; reigning World champion American Lashawn Merritt; World silver medallist Tony McQuay, also of the United States; and Olympic silver medallist Luguelin Santos of the Dominican Republic, the 400 metres is expected to take high billing at future events. more fun

“When you have competition like that ... it makes the event more fun. On the whole, it makes the sport more fun. We have the chance to make our event the most competitive, the most exciting, the most intriguing event for the next three, four years,” James said.

“As long as we can stay consistent, stay serious, stay competitive, I think it’s going to be a very great event to watch, and very interesting.”

In his two outings this season, James won the 200m in 20.64 seconds at the UTEP Invitational last month, and followed up with a second-place finish to Merritt in the 400m at the Drake Relays in Des Moines, a week later.

(Jamaica Gleaner)

RHTY&SC, DTV-8 honour outstanding Berbice mothers

Shelly Atwarnarine, 37, of Number Two Village, East Canje, was honoured as the Berbice Mother-of-the-Year when the cricket teams of Rose Hall Town Hall Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) and television station DTV8 hosted their sixth annual Mother-of-the-Year presentation.

Atwarnarine, a mother of two, was selected by a panel of judges after a Berbice-wide essay competition. Children between the ages of eight and 16 years were encouraged to submit an essay on the topic “Why my mother is so special.”

The two runners-up were Ghunwatie Kuldeep and Natidar Hussain. Secretary/CEO of the RHTY&SC, Hilbert Foster, stated that both the RHTY&SC and DTV-8 understand the important role a mother plays in the development of children, and as such, decided to host the competition.

Foster noted that mothers are God’s representa-

tives in the lives of their children and are the most important role models and mentors. He urged the three awardees to uphold their high standards of parenting as children in today’s modern world face a lot of problems, including drug abuse, peer pressure, teenage sex and pregnancy, lack of employment and false friends.

The veteran sport administrator stated that the RHTY&SC has been successful over the years because it was blessed to have members who were properly tutored by committed parents, who instilled discipline and dedication as virtues of success.

He also encouraged parents to make sure that their children are actively involved in the different places of worship they attend as faith in God is one of the most important foundations of a successful life.

Foster also expressed gratitude to DTV-8 for its continued cooperation in the activities of the RHTY&SC and specially mentioned Managing Director Anita

Rambarran for her support of the club and its numerous pro-education, public relations, charity and social programmes.

Atwarnarine expressed her delight at being honoured and stated that she was proud that her children viewed her as a role model parent.

The formula for being a successful parent, she stated, was trust, patience, hardwork and a willingness to engage children in honest discussions, while at the same time, leading by example for them to follow.

She congratulated both the RHTY&C and DTV-8 for their outstanding service to the Berbice community and wished them success in the future.

The RHTY&SC cricket teams that organised the competition were the Rose Hall Town Farfan and Mendes Under-15, Bakewell Under-17 and Second Division, Pepsi Under-19 and Intermediate, Metro Females and Gizmos and Gadgets Under-21 and Intermediate.

T&T Cricket Board hails

Ramdin selection

The Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) has welcomed the decision of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) to appoint Denesh Ramdin as the new captain of the regional Test team.

Ramdin, 29, a righthanded wicket-keeper/batsman replaces all-rounder Darren Sammy, who the WICB selectors have retained as the West Indies T20 team captain. Sammy on Friday also announced his retirement from Test cricket and wished Ramdin all success in his new role.

Yesterday, president of the TTCB Azim Bassarath said Ramdin’s appointment is justified as he has showed over the years that he possessed leadership skills.

“There can be no greater reward for a dedicat -

ed and passionate cricketer like Denesh Ramdin who, from very early in his developing career, was picked to become a Test team captain. His time could not have come any sooner and we are backing him to lead a revival of the regional team’s fortunes,” said Bassarath.

Ramdin, from the community of Preysal in central Trinidad, will get his first assignment at the helm when West Indies take on New Zealand in a three-Test home series next month.

Yesterday, Bassarath said the T&TCB was very appreciative of the contribution made by Sammy to the game and noted his leadership of the regional team when they won the ICC World T20 Championships in Sri Lanka in 2012.

Khan predicts success for skipper Ramdin

Former West Indies team manager Omar Khan believes new Test captain Denesh Ramdin has the qualities necessary to be successful in his new role.

Ramdin was appointed captain on Friday after the West Indies Cricket Board axed Darren Sammy, following a near four-year tenure.

“Denesh is a very good tactician and a student of the game. This to me is a plus in any leader. He also has great team- building capacity and this [is] sure to work for him at this time,” Khan told the Trinidad Guardian newspaper.

Khan, who has also worked with Ramdin in the Trinidad and Tobago national set-up as team manager, said one of the new captain’s most important tasks would be pulling the team together as a unit.

“The job is difficult because captains have to deal

with players from different cultures. He would have a challenge in getting players from different cultures to play with one purpose, but this is why the selectors have the faith in him by giv-

ing him the nod,” Khan explained.

“They obviously think he can achieve the goal of having the players play with a common purpose and now he has to repay that faith by achieving this.”

Ramdin has already led West Indies in one OneDay International and three Twenty20s, but has never captained in a Test.

He takes over a team ranked number eight in world cricket and who are coming off disastrous Test tours of India and New Zealand.

Khan, however, said he did not foresee failure for Ramdin.

“Ramdin has been around for quite a while in regional cricket, he has played with the current group all his career and has enjoyed good relations with them, so I think he will be good as captain.”

(Windiescricket)

Ramdin needs to command respect

West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) director Baldath Mahabir says that new West Indies (WI) Test captain Denesh Ramdin has inherited a “crown of thorns.” Mahabir said leading the WI is not an easy one and although he is in top office as far as regional cricket is concerned, it will not be easy for him. “I think that Denesh has inherited a ‘crown of thorns.’ He has inherited a crown that is not easy to wear and we think that he is capable and hence why he has been given the opportunity.”

T&T’s Ramdin was given the job as WI Test captain, taking over from St Lucian Darren Sammy who led the regional side for the last four years. We now have a unique situation in West Indies cricket where we have three

captains presently. While Ramdin takes care of the Test team, Dwayne Bravo is in charge of the one-day team and Sammy remains the man at the helm of the T20 team. Mahabir said: “It is never an easy job to lead men from different backgrounds. Ramdin has to command respect from the guys and the best way to do this is to go about his job in such a way, so as to earn it. “This is not going to be an easy assignment for him because in addition to being the leader, he has to keep wickets and also bat in the middle/lower order.” Ramdin’s first assignment will be against New Zealand in a threeTest series that starts on May 7 in Jamaica. The occasion will also mark the 100th Test match for hurricane opener Chris Gayle. “Ramdin would appreciate the fact that

his first assignment is against New Zealand. We have a good record against them in the Caribbean and he would want to get a win to start off his tenure as leader. “He would have to get the players believing in themselves and also buying into the fact that they have one common purpose.” Mahabir said Sammy did not do a bad job but the selectors thought that change was needed and this was the right time to bring in someone new to the position. “I would like to thank Darren Sammy for his contribution as captain of the team and to wish him all the best in his future endeavours. At the same time the selectors would have thought that a change in leadership was needed at this critical juncture and they recommended Ramdin to the board, who ratified the decision.”

“We believe that Ramdin has been knocking on the door for some time and now gets his chance to lead the Test[team] into a promising future. We are pleased to have had a front-row seat in his development from school cricketer to national, regional and international star.

Bassarath said the elevation of Ramdin was another clear vindication of the programmes instituted by the T&TCB.

“Cricket continues to offer hope and a secured future for our talented players. The T&T Cricket Board will continue to chart the course of the national game in a holistic manner to help each and every cricketer a chance to develop their full potential,” said Bassarath. (Windiescricket)

The Sagicor West Indies High Performance Centre team will host the Bangladesh ‘A’ team in a seven-match series in Barbados from May 26 to June 15.

The two teams will meet in two four-day matches, three 50-over matches and two Twenty20s at Kensington Oval, Desmond Haynes Oval, 3Ws Oval and Windward Cricket Club.

Below is the squad for

the two four-day matches.

The players will assemble in Barbados on May 12 for a camp leading up to the series.

FULL SQUAD: Sunil Ambris, Ronsford Beaton, Devendra Bishoo, Jermaine Blackwood, Carlos Brathwaite, Kraigg Brathwaite, Jonathan Carter, Sheldon Cottrell, Miguel Cummins, Assad Fudadin, Leon Johnson, Ashley Nurse, Chadwick

GCB Inter-county U-19 Tournament…..

President’s X1 beaten after double collapse

page19

Courts aboard with Independence Cup

Furniture giants Courts Guyana Inc. has once again joined hands with the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) and the Berbice Chamber of Commerce and Development Association

(BCC&DA) to host the Independence T20 Cup to be held on May 25 at the historic Albion ground. At a simple ceremony held recently at the New Amsterdam Branch of

Courts Guyana Inc., Branch Manager Stanley McKenzie, handed over the sponsorship cheque to Alisa Moonsee, one of the tournament secretaries, in the presence of other staff members.

He said his company was very happy with what it saw last year and readily renewed the sponsorship for 2014. McKenzie indicated that the entity believes in quality and saw quality in the way the tournament was conducted.

He wished the tournament success and was happy to learn that so many charitable organisations will benefit from the event.

Receiving the cheque on behalf of the tournament, Moonsee thanked Courts Guyana Inc. for its sterling contributions to charity in Berbice and Guyana as a whole. She thanked the establishment for coming on board once again and assured the management and staff that they will be satisfied with the mileage and the way the tournament will be conducted.

Transparency and accountability have been the hallmarks of the first two tournaments and this year

will be no different, she said.

Courts Guyana Inc. has joined a list of sponsors that includes Demerara Bank Limited; Hand in Hand Insurance Company; Raffik and Sons Construction ; Sunshine Supermarket; Furniture World;Balram Shane and Jayzee of the USA.

Format

This is the third edition and promises to be the biggest ever, according to the organisers. It is expected for the first time to be played under international quality floodlights, the same as the Guyana National Stadium.

There will be two semi-finals with Berbice ‘A’ taking on Berbice ‘B’ from 11:00h, followed three hours later by the Georgetown Cricket Association versus East Coast Jaguars. The winners will battle in the finals from 19:00h under lights.

Preceding the final will be a feature softball match be-

tween arch-rivals Memorex and Universal DVD.

According to the organisers, proceeds from the event will go to several charitable organisations. The two cricket clubs identified for assistance this year are Blairmont Cricket Club and Upper Corentyne Cricket Association. Last year, Albion Cricket Club and Bermine Cricket Club were given monetary assistance o to the tune $100,000 each.

Three orphanages, two schools and the host venue Albion are earmarked to gain from this year’s mega event. For the first time, funds will be budgeted for health reasons. The new shelter for homeless kids at Babu John, Bal Nivas, has been added to the list of recipients. The BCB and BCC&DA will share the balance equally to fulfil their respective mandates. This gala event will form part of the region’s independence celebrations .

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