Guyana Times Daily

2 News

Saturday, March 15, 2014|

Amid harsh criticism

APNU backpedals on closure of sugar industry

ess than a week af-

Lter calling for the closure of the sugar industry, the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has denied making such utterances, contending that it has no policy, nor intention to close the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo).

In a statement, the coalition in a volte-face, acknowledged that the industry has been built by committed, honest and hardworking Guyanese whose struggles, sacrifices and dedication created and sustained it, building their families and communities.

The cultural fabric and ways of life of much of rural Guyana are entwined with this industry built from the struggles of their fore parents, APNU, which have been severely criticised for its closure comments, said.

“There is no dispute that over the past 10 years the industry has declined calamitously and seems beyond the capacity of its current politically appointed Board of

Directors to address,” the coalition said.

According to APNU, it is enough to point to some glaring blunders: the awarding of the Skeldon Sugar factory to a Chinese contractor when an Indian or Brazilian contractor (sugar producing countries) could have done a better job at a much lower price; the failure of the People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C)

Administration to protect sugar workers’ interests through contractual arrangements regarding warranties and payment terms; the questionable arrangements surrounding this deal; and other opaque deals including the Enmore packaging plant and supply of pumps involving Surendra Engineering, the Indian company.

Appointees

“The placing of political appointees to top positions and the loss of its once competent engineers and middle management have put GuySuCo on life support. Only competent professionals can bring about a credible strategic turnaround of the sugar industry,” the coalition said.

It is calling for a restructuring of the Board of Directors with competent professionals as a first step in addressing the problems of the industry.

In addition, APNU is calling on the Guyana

Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU) and other unions in the industry and the workers they represent to demand urgent changes to GuySuCo’s management at all levels.

APNU said it stands ready to contribute meaningfully to the search for a solution.

“The sugar industry is our national patrimony and must not be treated as the exclusive preserve or property of any political party,” the coalition said.

Industry

At a news conference Tuesday, APNU’s Executive Member Joseph Harmon said that the industry is dying and the ruling administration was responsible for its decline. He said that the problems facing the sugar sector are all connected to the poor management of it. Harmon insisted that the Government’s turnaround plan is not working as he made references to scholarly articles written by University of Guyana Professor Clive Thomas.

He contended that the industry cannot be made viable if its chief officials are appointed in secret and there is an apparent failure to consult with key trade and work-

er bodies that represent its workers.

Echoing similar sentiments, People's National Congress Reform (PNCR Executive Member and sugar expert, Anthony Vieira who had initially resigned his parliamentary seat with the Robert Corbin led-PNCR, said that were the Skeldon Sugar Factory to enter into the production of ethanol, then it would become viable as it remains a white elephant.

Vieira repeatedly expressed the view that the industry is failing, has failed and will continue to fail under the stewardship of the

PPP/C. “It would be far better if Skeldon was producing alcohol, ethanol. I say that because the canes of Guyana are very vegetative and when you take a long time to harvest and grind, it is better that you produce ethanol because don’t matter how old a cane is, one ton of cane will always produce 10 gallons of ethanol...”

Callous

However, in a swift response, the PPP/C in a strongly worded two page statement said that the “callous” and “insensitive statements” made by the opposition grouping has shown “wanton disregard” for the livelihood of thousands of sugar workers and their dependents.

PPP/C Executive Member Irfaan Ali said the APNU’s statements clearly demonstrate the opposition party’s willingness to impose severe socioeconomic hardships on thousands of hardworking Guyanese. Ali said that the PPP/C would never allow the APNU to trample on the sugar workers who have made an invaluable contribution to the overall development of Guyana despite the current challenges facing the industry.

Solomon to hold consultations on AML Bill – says opposition parties "have not been doing a good job in educating people"

Region 10 officials are of the opinion that more needs to be done in terms of education and informing the masses on the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) (Amendment) Bill.

Region 10 Chairman Sharma Solomon said by next week, the Region 10 Democratic Council (RDC) will be hosting six consultations on the money laundering legislation. He noted that an approach was made by the RDC, which had invited the Government to provide full coverage of the AML Bill.

Last month, a team of Government officials had visited the Linden community and held a public consultation

on the Bill.

“I’m going to say this quite frankly, the political parties outside of the Government have not been doing a good job in educating people on

money laundering. It should not take for the region to initiate something like that, but the region in the interest of the people, believe that they should be given a full coverage,” Solomon said. He added: “Because we believe that everybody should have been given the opportunity to lay their case before the people so that they can have an opportunity to know exactly what is happening with this matter.”

Region 10 Member of Parliament Rennis Morian, who is also a Region 10 RDC Councillor, stated: “It’s very difficult for the common man to grasp the Bill. What is more needed is for the information to be broken down so that the man on the corner can understand because it is not easy to understand. It needs to be broken down into points because the Bill in itself is a very technical approach.” Morian added that it is the responsibility of the local government body to thoroughly explain aspects of the Bill in its simplest form so that the ordinary man can know what it is about.

Some RDC councillors including Vice Chairman Byron Lewis have expressed difficulty in comprehending the Bill, and contended that if he does not understand, he is left with no choice but to feel sorry for the ordinary folks of the region.

Parliament should not appoint FIU – Yesu Persaud

– says AML Bill must not be used as bargaining tool

2014

Businessman and Private Sector executive, Yesu Persaud has called for the passage of the anti-money laundering bill, contending that the vital legislation should not be used as a bargaining tool to satiate the demands of any political party.

Persaud in a letter to President Donald Ramotar, Opposition Leader David Granger and Alliance For Change (AFC) leader Khemraj Ramjattan, which was copied to the media, said the use of the legislation as a bargaining chip is a dangerous development, contending that it threatens the reputation of the country.

“Regardless of the positions we take locally, on the international scene, we are only seen as Guyana, irrespective of which party is in Government or Parliament.

"In this regard, the amendments required to be passed for the AML/CFT Act [Anti-Money Laundering/ Countering the Financing of Terrorism Bill] of 2009 should not be tied or made conditional on any other local political objective being accomplished.

"I am convinced that there are many other oppor-

tunities which exist for such negotiations to take place,” he said.

He explained that it must be noted, that in the financial sector, Guyana is already known as a high-risk and low margin market for international counterparts and any further deterioration of their margins or increase in risk may result in their withdrawal of service.

Compliant

The original amendments to the Bill have been approved as compliant to international standards.

However, the amendments by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) to have the House appoint the Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) as against the Finance Minister, and for the police to seize cash and jewellery in excess of $10 million, have been deemed as noncompliant.

With regard to the amendments proposed by APNU, Persaud said he believes in good faith that some compromises can be achieved.

He noted that the idea of having a Money Laundering Authority or Board is good, but its members should be

independent and appointed on technical and professional merit only. Persaud said the recommendation to have a parliamentary appointments committee select the Director of the FIU has several limitations and may impede on the objectivity and effectiveness of the unit.

“However, the authority mentioned above should serve as the Board of the FIU and will be responsible for the appointment of the Director as in the manner of the board of a company appointing a CEO [Chief Executive Officer].”

Oversight

The authority should be responsible for governance and oversight of the work of the FIU.

“It is my understanding that the FIU is not a law enforcement agency but an intelligence gathering agency supporting the police and the public prosecutors in their law enforcement and justice efforts.

“Cash seizures should only be done at the points of entry and exit of the borders as is currently allowed by the AML/CFT Act of 2009 and recommended by FATF standards.

"f cash seizures are nec-

essary for persons being investigated or under suspicion of money laundering within the borders, I recommend that the police or prosecutors obtain an Order of a Court issued by a Magistrate or Judge,” the businessman said.

Delays Persaud said he is deeply concerned about the delays in passing the amendments to AML/CFT Bill that are necessary for Guyana to comply with international standards.

“It is my understanding that non-compliance to these standards will bring significant burdens on local businesses and their customers if counter measures are applied by our international trading partners as a result of Guyana appearing on any ‘watch list’.

“I urge the parties addressed in this letter to pass the amendments necessary to comply with the legislative requirements of the FATF standards and to implement those standards rigorously to root out from our society the use of proceeds derived from criminal activities,” the letter concluded.

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

Mobile phone rights

March 15 is World Consumer Rights Day. The day, which is being observed under the theme, “Fix Our Phone Rights”, is used particularly to promote consumer rights around the world. This year the campaign focuses on issues affecting consumers of mobile services, including what many in Guyana have been complaining about for a long time now.

Mobile phones have become an indispensable part of our lives and can be found in almost every home, in every country around the world. Almost everyone owns a mobile phone or has access to one and users are also increasing dramatically.

In 2013, it was estimated that 6.8 billion people owned a mobile phone. In 2011 that figure was six billion and in 2010 it was 5.4 billion. Mobile services have transformed from just being telephones that enable us to talk and text, to mini computers giving us access to information and services crucial to livelihoods and health. They are increasingly important tools that empower citizens and consumers and having access to mobile connectivity is a necessity.

But as the number of consumers using mobile services nears seven billion worldwide, organisations representing the rights of consumers, such as Consumers International, are asking what sort of services are consumers receiving.

In some cases, consumers are ripped off or given an unfair deal, and there is hardly any redress. Consumers International, along with other national consumer organisations, has started a series of lobbying efforts targeting mobile phone service providers, where they are demanding better services for users across the globe.

In consultation with consumer groups around the world, Consumers International has drawn up an “Agenda for Fair Mobile Services”, which outlines what the consumer rights movement wants to see changed. It includes:

* Providing consumers with access to an affordable, reliable service. Consumers want to be able to have access to affordable mobile services in order to communicate and access information. It is only reasonable that they then expect those services to be consistent and of a high quality.

* Providing consumers with fair contracts explained in clear, complete and accessible language. Consumers often feel cheated by their mobile provider, either because of unfair contract terms and conditions or because they didn’t understand what they had signed.

* Providing consumers with fair and transparent billing. Consumers shouldn’t be billed for services they didn’t request.

* Providing consumers with security and power over their own information. Telecoms providers and regulators alike must protect the personal data that consumers give up in order to use mobile services. While giving consent to use personal data can enhance the experience of using a mobile phone, it can also compromise the consumer’s right to safety. Consumers must be able to set the terms of how this data is used.

* Listening and responding to consumers’ complaints. Telecom providers should have effective complaints systems in place, and if consumers are not satisfied, there should be redress mechanisms to ensure a fair outcome.

Guyana is currently in the process of fine tuning the Telecommunications and Public Utilities Commission (Amendments) Bills, which are both before a parliamentary Special Select Committee. The Telecoms Bill seeks to provide for the establishment of a telecommunications sector and for matters incidental thereto or connected therewith.

This is a landmark piece of legislation, which would place Guyana in the league of nations with modern legislation in the provision of telecommunication services. It will move Guyana from a nation with a monopoly provider to one where free and fair competition in all segments of service provision is allowed.

These are all very relevant issues raised by Consumers International in relation to mobile phone rights. Perhaps the authorities responsible for finalising the Telecoms Bill here would want to give some consideration to them in their discussion and debates. The time has come for mobile companies to be held more accountable for unfair, substandard services.

Opposition continues to misrepresent the PPP/C

Dear Editor,

Three weeks ago, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPPC) had cause to flay the Opposition parties for grossly misrepresenting, misinforming and misleading our people, just to discredit the PPP/C.

Then the issue was the allegations which were levied by the People’s National Congress (PNC)led A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the acolytes of the Alliance for Change (AFC) against the Regional Executive Officers (REOs) of Regions Seven and Eight. We have recently received the report from Region Nine on similar allegations made against the PPP/C administration of that region.

After the Opposition visited Sand Creek, where the Government built a secondary school where there was none before, there were allegations of food shortage in the dorms and beds that are unfit for students.

The Opposition continues to put negative spins on the good efforts of the Government and those who are making contributions to improvement our children’s education.

A total of 219 students attend the Sand Creek Secondary school – 45 students are from Region Eight. The Regional

Administration is not aware that there is a need for additional dietary supplies. The supplier is from Sand Creek and had there been a shortage of food, there would have been a big outcry, contrary to PNC propaganda this was not the call.

The region has all the bills and receipts for the supply of dietary items and they can be made available for guidance and confirmation.

Food for the Poor, a long established well-meaning non-governmental organisation (NGO) and a great contributor to our people in need had donated beds to the school.

The Amerindian Affairs Ministry facilitated the beds being transported to Sand Creek. The beds were found to be in need of some repairs and a contractor has been contacted to do remedial work on them. The administration has not and would not put our children to sleep on beds which are not fit for children.

Concerning the crack in the beam at the Sand Creek Secondary School, the Regional Administration is aware of the problem and has since contracted a contractor to do the remedial work.

The school has agreed that two columns will be mounted so as to secure the beam. There are other

visible signs of structural defects. An urgent request was sent to the Education Ministry for an engineer to check on same.

One must note that the contractor was a former top PNC member and long serving Member of Parliament. The Auditor General’s Report has words that question the supervising consultant for the project signing off on the shoddy work by the contractor.

Concerning the Sand Creek Bridge, that is 18 miles from Kurupukari. This bridge was repaired twice by MMC. Currently, the Regional Engineer continues to visit and monitor this project.

Materials are on site and work is ongoing. The contractor was recently in Georgetown to purchase additional materials and is working to ensure that this project is completed in a timely manner

The Opposition has made a blunder about the temporary electricity setback in Lethem during the second week of February, when they were well aware that Government is assisting the Lethem Power Company Inc to upgrade the electricity system.

At that time there were two mechanics in the region servicing the generators now in place while two new generators were

purchased for Lethem. The supply of electricity has never broken down in Lethem though the system was ailing for some time; however, Government since last year has been working with the company to modernise the entire network.

A new distribution system is now in place and a new generation site is being constructed. Some two weeks ago, the two new generators were installed and the people of Lethem have been receiving a 24hour supply of electricity.

The PPP/C Government is not about band-aid solutions which the PNC is historically famous for. Our administration makes strategic interventions aimed at producing solid solutions for sustained successes. What we find as dishonest is the raw politics of the opposition, who in spite of having the correct information, still try to mislead our people.

The PPP/C again commends the regional officials who have been advancing the developmental agenda for our people and who have taken valuable time to answer the wicked and malicious misrepresentation of the Opposition.

Public Relations Unit,

PPP/C

Freedom House

You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com

The AML Bill and the importance of its passage

Dear Editor,

Over the past two decades the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/Civic) Government has worked tirelessly to create a favourable and a stable environment for investment in Guyana.

Indeed, the gains made by Guyana under the PPP/C during that period have been widespread and have benefited all and that includes the very recalcitrant Opposition People’s National Congress (PNC) who left us penniless and highly indebted when the Guyanese public voted for change in October 1992.

Yes, I speak of the same PNC who almost destroyed Guyana and who now threaten to erode those gains which we have made.

It is for these and many other reasons that I am happy that a significant number of the Guyanese population, individually and in groups have been very vocal in calling on the Opposition to support the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Amendment Bill.

I join the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Caribbean Community (Caricom), trade unions, working class people – including the over 1000 Guyanese who were present at a public discourse at the Guyana International Conference Centre on March 13 – and who came forward and joined us in expressing concern about the adverse effects on the Guyanese economy and its people and, by extension, the Caricom region if the Opposition did not support the Bill.

I welcome them to this ever growing group of concerned and patriotic Guyanese. These meetings, my friends, must be viewed as providing you an opportunity to express your views, to seek clarifications, to offer your support and to let the Opposition know how you feel about their reckless, irresponsible and nefarious actions. It’s indeed a show of unity.

Last November we were blacklisted by the Caribbean Financial Task Force (CFATF) after being identified as a country with deficiencies in its AML/ CFT regime. We were given a series of deadlines by which to make ourselves compliant with

in the National Assembly

CFATF and Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards with February 28 being the latest such deadline. The deadlines for compliance are established by the FATF.

One would have thought that the political opposition, who claim to have the interest and welfare of the Guyanese people at heart, would see the negative impact and the imminent jeopardy in which they were about to place our country; since we will be subject to sanctions if we did not comply and put the required legislative reform in place.

To the contrary, the combined Opposition seems bent once again on taking us back to the epoch of the 1964-1992 era. That’s their political agenda. They want to demonstrate that they are powerful and that they can make Guyana ungovernable. We cannot allow that to happen!

The non passage of the AML/CFT Bill will negatively affect bilateral financial arrangements with other countries. Loans and grants to Guyana will suffer and so too will money transfers in and out of Guyana. The flow will be adversely affected.

Trade deals will be much more difficult as will import and export of goods. So if my brother in the U.S.A. wants to send me a few dollars, it will be more difficult for him to do so and more difficult for me to get it; all because the risk rating of Guyana will go up.

Also, money borrowed by investors will attract a higher interest rate. Already I have been told that some banks have been reporting delays in sending and receiving monies with mandatory measures now in place to verify the identities of the persons transacting business.

Our international image will be blemished and this may well make travel and investment more difficult to obtain. A citizen from a suspected “drug country” will be subject to much closer scrutiny. None of this is good for any of us. We should all be very worried.

What are the Opposition’s reasons advanced for not passing the Bill? It places too much enforcement powers in the hands of two ministers. The Bill must be cleaned up. What do

they offer as an alternative; as an improvement?

They tabled three amendments, but many including CFATF Financial Adviser Roger Hernandez expressed concerns that some of the proposed amendments to the Principal Act could land Guyana in danger zone.

Try as we may, though these risks were outlined, we have not to date succeeded in getting the Alliance for Change (AFC) and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) to recall these amendments, which include vesting police officers and customs officers with a power to seize currency from any person, anywhere in Guyana, if those officers have reason to believe that the currency is the proceeds of crime or will be used to finance crime.

The AFC wants the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) to be established before they support the Bill. But it is noticeable that neither Opposition party has actually objected to the provisions of the Bill itself. There is actually consensus on both sides with respect to the CFATF amendments.

The Opposition also wants the President to assent to Bills which they passed in the National Assembly using their one-seat majority even though we did not support them. Both Opposition parties are obviously enemies of progress and therefore of the Guyanese people.

The Guyanese people want progress; they want development. As I move around this Guyana people are asking questions: they want to know if the role of the Opposition has been redefined; they want to know what manner of people are these. Where is their patriotism? Where is their love for country and its people?

But the Opposition remains unnerved/unchanged. But our voices must continue to be sounded and to be heard. The Opposition must put our country and it’s people and their well-being first. It’s mind boggling.

Sincerely,

Norman Whittaker Minister within the Local Government Ministry

Knock, but please don’t knock out the sugar industry

Dear Editor,

For quite some time now, the media has been replete with knocks to the sugar industry. Most of these appear well founded, logical and sensible, but certainly not the recent call for the knock-out blow to an industry that still employs 16,000 persons and sustains the livelihoods of thousands more, including private cane farmers, among whom I include myself as benefiting from the sale of sugarcane to the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo).

The proposed alternative of converting the cane fields to fish farms does not seem to sufficiently take into consideration the real prospects of fixing the current ills of

the industry, which have proven its resiliency over and over in the past.

It certainly ignores the social dislocations and the attendant hardships that will ensue. Let us try to work together to revive the fortunes of this pre-eminent and previously bountiful industry, even if it means re-privatisation or semi-privatisation a la the Booker-Tate model.

For the proponents of conversion to aqua-culture, I wish to recommend that they seriously ponder an excellent recent letter in the newspapers, unfortunately by an anonymous writer, who made the brilliant suggestion that fish farms be

developed on the thousands of acres of available land currently lying idle in our coastal belt.

A casual drive from Georgetown to the Corentyne River will not only demonstrate the availability of more lands than currently sustain the sugar industry, but lands perhaps more suitable for fish farms. At least the exhilaration of the Mahaica, Mahaicony, Abary, Corentyne Coast will be worth the drive – a real joy which I look forward to as I do my weekly trip from the ‘ugly city’ to the invigorating Corentyne!

Yours sincerely, Nowrang Persaud

The sugar industry remains the nation’s largest employer

Dear Editor,

The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) has said that if the sugar industry fails, some 18,000 workers and their families will suffer, along with the industry’s suppliers of goods and services, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to 120,000 persons.

The industry remains the nation’s largest employer. It provides billions of dollars to employees in remuneration. Billions of dollars were spent in the redesigning and reinstalling of the outboard punt dumper and modification of the bagasse reclaim system to allow gases to be fed back to the boiler in a more efficient manner.

The corrective work done on the cane conveying system, a bore-hole well for

cleaner water supply to the factory, the condenser tank, a shredder, and the five-megawatt Warstila alternator as part of major repairs for the Skeldon Sugar Factory will be a huge loss.

GAWU should be concerned about the heavy financial losses in the operations in the industry and the defective Skeldon Sugar Factory. There was once a call on GuySuCo to close the factory and remedy the defects.

The corporation had been very livid to the union’s call, and continued to operate the industry at great financial cost. It was hoped that indeed the crucial defects of the industry would be remedied so that the industry's performance would be in keeping with the target, but

it was far from the production target. Sources also informed that the corporation would stand exposed, as it has once again failed significantly in its crop production, as was the case for the past several years. This loss is such a huge sum of money that the bulk of it could have been circulated in the economy. It is now a disaster to the nation and the industry keeps underperforming.

Indeed, GAWU and the nation should be concerned because the industry continues to play no small role in feeding, housing and clothing a sizeable portion of the Guyanese population.

Yours faithfully, Mohamed Khan

Page Foundation

The real changes of motherhood Ways becoming a dad changes you for the better

BY WAYNE PARKER

As I look back over now

26 years of being a dad, I can certainly see many ways I have become better by embracing the opportunity to be a father and to try to influence my children for good. What I have felt intuitively over the years is starting to be supported by solid research. So if you are pondering whether or not to become a father, or would just like some validation that you have made the right choice, this list of the top 10 personal benefits of being a father is worth your consideration.

Your personal health improves. Research shows that the structure that comes into a man’s life because of fatherhood helps him make better choices. Having a family to come home to and be responsible for helps fathers choose a healthier lifestyle.

Your activity level increases. Getting up at night, playing with your children, walking at the park – all these kinds of work and play make dad more active and thus feeling better about himself.

It reduces stress related ailments. The National

Institute of Mental Health found that men who are in healthy family relationships are less likely to have stressrelated health problems. Issues like chronic pain, insomnia, stomach problems and fatigue are less problematic for stable fathers than for other male subsets of the population.

Your nurturing side is enhanced. So often, we see boys and young men being pretty self-focused and selfabsorbed. The Minnesota Fatherhood Initiative found that men who succeeded as fathers became less inward-focused and developed a greater ability to nurture and care for others. And not just for their children, but for their spouses, friends and co-workers.

You have a lower risk for clinical depression. Men who live alone have a much higher risk of depression and suicide than married men with children.

Your job satisfaction improves. This may be a little counter-intuitive, but research shows that committed fathers feel more comfortable in their occupation and feel that they perform well at work more often than men who are not fathers.

You will cope better with daily life. Men who are fathers tend to have better coping skills with stress in all areas of life, not just at home.

Your children will learn better. The Early Childhood Longitudinal Study has found that the children of responsible and involved fathers learned life skills faster and better than children without an involved father in their lives. And a study of children in Barbados born to adolescent mothers found that children with an involved father had much better grades than other children.

Your sex life will improve. Again, this may seem a little strange to new fathers, but the research is clear. Committed fathers married to their children’s mother have more and better sex than men not in such a family relationship.

Your personal freedom is enhanced. Research shows that committed fathers are less likely to have encounters with the criminal justice system, fewer hospital admissions, fewer accidental and premature deaths and a decreased risk of substance abuse. (About.com)

BY JESSICA RASSETTE

Motherhood changes you, they say. You’ll never be the same.

It’s true. I took my baby to the doctor for his ninemonth check-up. Scottie is truly our baby, the youngest of three boys, forever the baby as much as it will make him cringe in future years. “Check his ribs,” I urge the doctor, “one of them feels funny.” The doctor nods and glides his hands over the top of smooth baby plump, feeling for the unevenness that keeps me up at night.

“One of them sticks out.” “I can feel that,” he says, “but it’s quite normal.”

“They’re not symmetrical...” I push him a little harder for an answer and he turns to face me.

“You know, a lot of things in our bodies are not symmetrical. A nose, a face, ribs... rarely are our bodies perfect. The rib will continue to change as he grows; it shouldn’t cause any problems.”

I smile and relax back into my chair, smoothing the hair on my three-year-old’s head as the paediatrician continues the exam. Scottie’s doctor was also my own as a child; he’s been easing my worries for 27 years now. Sometimes I feel like we’re talking as friends.

As he checks reflexes and shines light into nostrils, he continues, “Ribs are actually more flexible than you think.” He could have just dropped the subject but in-

stead chooses to casually chat with me about ribs: “They will bend and move as they grow. A lot of mothers even notice that their own ribs will change shape on the side they use to carry their babies.”

Now I’m really smiling. “I had no idea!” I gush, probably a little too overzealously, at this fact. I’m a lefty and I want to immediately stroke my left side searching for sunken ribs but I stop myself and instead keep smiling. Motherhood changes you.

I forget about ribs for a while. Somewhere between the diaper changing, meal burning, mail getting, vacuuming, school pick up, where are my mittens, phone blinking, please can you... I need some... why is the... my tummy hurts..., ribs slipped by silently to the quiet spots of my mind. The later spots. The oh yeah, I remember that spots.

Until a few days later I was getting in the show-

er, quickly weighing myself before jumping under the warm water, steam already filling the corners of the mirror in the bathroom. I pinch a little at my skin, tracing the stretch marks, sucking in just to remember what could have been if this belly hadn’t grown to entomb the growing bodies of three bumbling boys. And as I suck in I notice my ribs, like Scottie’s, not quite symmetrical. Then on the left side, my baby carrying side, without much effort at all I can feel the subtle but sudden indentation of bone. A perfect casting of baby thighs, wrapped tightly, lovingly, around mama’s middle. It takes my breath away. Motherhood changes you in so many ways. My sleep cycles are permanently damaged. The stretch marks are irreversible. Even the way I think, always about others before myself, is a mark that motherhood silently brushes over its canvas in permanent pigment. I am the canvas, at the mercy of motherhood. Humbly pouring myself into these little souls, knowing the toll it takes on tired, already sagging skin, but also knowing the honour of being called into this role. I know the joy of loving through bent-up ribs, with pent-up love that bursts through the cracks in the spaces in the bones that these babies bent up inside of me. And it is beautiful. My husband used to say “I can fix anything but a broken heart,” just to make me swoon when we were dating. He was being honest, though. We bring him busted toys and aggravating appliances and he returns them mended. But I can’t bring him my ribs. I won’t. It would be too painful to imagine them perfect again.

These babies are growing. One already in school, toting home homework and spelling lists to study. Another lounges lazily in bed on a cold afternoon, leisurely snacking and watching a favourite show and looking so much like his daddy it makes my heart gasp. There’s only one boy left who claims my ribcage as his own. It’s his stomping ground, literally. When I scoop him up off the floor or out of his crib, his fat excited legs squeeze tight around me as his feet stomp the air, so quickly, in enthusiastic bursts. My ribs are maybe even still moulding a little with each happy stamp. Motherhood changes you. Painfully, and beautifully, it changes you. I could be a smoother version of myself, less sleep-deprived, better dressed; my list of worries could begin and end only with me. But I’m at the mercy of motherhood, and I’d rather love through these bent rib bones. (Huffington

GRA condemns Kaieteur News editorial

– welcomes findings of GCCI survey

The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has welcomed the recent findings in the survey conducted by the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) on the performance of city businesses in 2013, but expressed condemnation of a Kaieteur News editorial on the matter.

The contentious editorial titled “The business community and declining fortunes” was published on Thursday.

The GRA in a statement said it would be more than pleased if the chamber were to share the findings with the authority for the purpose of analysis and possible actions based on the recommendations advanced by those who participated.

The revenue body said note has also been taken of the findings, in the article, as reported by Stabroek News, only a few respondents encountered obstacles when conducting business with the GRA as reflected by the 12 per cent that highlighted Customs inefficiency as a hindrance and three

respondents that identified the GRA for improvement.

The GRA said it acknowledged that there is room for improvement and would have been grateful for specifics on what improvements are needed and in what areas.

Improve efficiency

“The organisation remains open to the views of all stakeholders as it continues to put systems in place to improve efficiency and create a more transparent operation,” the release said.

It said among the steps already undertaken to fight the scourge of corruption, both in terms tax evasion by businessmen and women and with regard to collusion between staff of the GRA and business persons is the recent Random Selection of Imported Goods for Examination, which is now in the ownership of the public, and which came about as a result of scepticism by the public about the GRA’s goods examination process.

The exercise held twice weekly gives members of the

public, and not the GRA, the privilege and power to select import for inspection and witness such inspections at the various wharves and transit sheds. Members of the Private Sector and the media are continually invited to witness the selection and examination process.

Additionally, the GRA has a centralised processing system in which all declarations are profiled at Georgetown instead of different locations.

“More recently, the GRA has taken the initiative to introduce other means of paying taxes in terms of the Internet and tele-banking option and the overthe-counter facility of Bill Express to limit taxpayer interface with staff of the organisation, the release said.

It added: “The GRA has taken and will continue to take disciplinary action against staff found guilty of corrupt practices and deal condignly with businesses that seek to evade taxes. Indeed, the task of promoting transparency in the GRA

has not been smooth sailing and in the process, tough actions were required, oftentimes against some officers who were entrusted to execute the GRA’s mandate in accordance with the law.”

The online declaration checker is in GRA’s view, one of the most transparent measures in which the importer is privy to the various processes in which he/ she can track the progress of their declaration.

Based on the foregoing, the GRA said it finds it a bit disturbing that the Kaieteur News could pen statements, as appeared in the editorial of the aforementioned edition, to conflict with and water-down the findings of the survey and veil the strides made by the GRA in addressing the scourge of corruption.

“The GRA would prefer constructive criticism, which not only seeks to highlight flaws and weaknesses, but also equally highlight the successes and strengths while underling the areas for improvement,” the release concluded.

GRA takes tax education to Qualfon

Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) tax specialists spent two days with staff members of Qualfon Guyana Incorporated, educating them on the importance of completing and filing tax returns.

The awareness exercise was held during the period March 10 and 11, 2014, focusing attention on Individual Income Tax and Property Tax submissions.

Tax Advisory Services Division Manager Naresha Bobb-Semple and tax specialists Denise Samaroo and Joyette Garraway, who facilitated the sessions, also elaborated on the new Mortgage Interest Relief (MRI) initiative.

These sessions which are held regularly by the GRA, are usually heightened during this period for submitting the Individual Income Tax Returns (by April 30) which is fast approaching.

Participants of the workshop were enlightened on the requirement under the law for every taxpayer to file tax returns and more importantly to have a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) in their possession. They were also given clarity on the emolument (7B) slip, how to go about obtaining tax refunds, if entitled and penalties for failing to meet deadlines.

Toolkits containing samples of the different tax return forms along with written tax guidelines in the form of booklets were also provided during the sessions.

Beginning March 24, the GRA will open tax sites at various locations to facilitate the submission of tax returns.

One of those locations will be at the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) Beterverwagting

branch, which is located obliquely opposite Qualfon Guyana Incorporated.

The GRA will once again setup sites at N&S Mattai,

EU Delegation presents Irish film on Tuesday

The Delegation of the European Union (EU) in Guyana has made available to Castellani House an Irish film titled "Silence", which will be screened at 18:00h on March 18 at Castellani House, Vlissengen Road, Georgetown.

According to a release, the film follows documentarian Pat Collins who possesses a restless curiosity, coupled with a poetic eye for the small moments.

"Silence" boldly defies categorisation at every turn. The film has been described as both meditation and odyssey, tracing the psycho-geographical journey undertaken by an enigmatic soundman from his adopted city of Berlin to his native Donegal.

His undertaking is to

aurally document landscapes free from manmade noise, a journey that ultimately leads the protagonist inwards, as he finds himself drawn to his childhood home.

Navigating a unique path between fiction and documentary, this film is by turns haunting and utterly beguiling; reference points might include Kiarostami, Apichatpong and Terrence Malick.

“Ultimately, however, this is unlike anything else. You’ll see a deeply immersive experience from a major Irish filmmaker,” the EU release said.

The film is one hour, 24 minutes long and the public is cordially invited to attend this event. Admission is free.

City Mall and Republic Bank, Diamond. Persons are encouraged to check the press for times and locations for the operation of tax sites.

Stop playing games with sugar industry

– Cane Farming Committee urges Opposition

The National Cane Farming Committee (NCFC) is calling on the Alliance For Change (AFC) and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) to stop playing politics and political games with the sugar industry.

NCFC in statement said the sugar industry plays a pivotal role, both direct and indirect to thousands of Guyanese, and as such, it is very important that the sugar industry remain alive.

It said all stakeholders need to work closely, the union, workers, management, Opposition parties in Parliament, other stakeholders and more so the Government.

“Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) is in-

deed going through a difficult stage, but the committee remain upbeat that [it] wants all parties involve to work together as this will create a positive impact on the lives of many Guyanese,” the cane farming committee said.

The statement came in the wake of APNU's and AFC's call to cease sugar production and move into a direction of ethanol production and aquaculture.

The press statement further added that the arbitrary 36 per cent price cut in 2006 for local sugar sold to the European Union (EU) triggered the real challenge for GuySuCo, compounded with climate change and poor yields in the cultivation.

The 17 members NCFC

Board, which is made up of members from GuySuCo, public service, banking sector and cane farmers, is calling on Government to continue to invest in GuySuCo and cane farming and request that the Opposition support the role government plays so that the livelihood of thousands that are employed by cane farmers and GuySuCo should not be at the mercy of political parties.

Farmers at Skeldon, Wales, Albion and Rose Hall have invested billions into sugar cane cultivation, and as such, it important that it remain the flag ship of this country.

Both the APNU and AFC have denied calling for the closure of the industry.

Man sentenced to six months community service for possession of cannabis

Quacy Spellen of Lot 69 Freeman Street, East La Penitence, Georgetown was sentenced to six months community service on Friday.

The defendant appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’

Courts before Chief Magistrate Priya SewnarineBeharry. Spellen pleaded guilty to the charge after it was alleged that on March 13, on Middle Street, Georgetown, the defendant had in his possession four grams of can-

nabis. The accused claimed that he was advised to use the narcotic to cure his sickness. Prosecutor’s facts are as charged. The defendant was fined $3000, along with six months community service every Saturday.

Orlando Lawrence, a gold miner of Lot 634 West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, pleaded not guilty to the charges against him on Friday in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.

It is alleged that on March 12, in the vicinity of Stabroek Market, Georgetown, the accused armed with a knife robbed Shermaine Clark of $400. Police Prosecutor Michael Grant said the virtual complainant and the defendant are known to each other. He further noted that on the day in question, at approximately 22:45h the virtual complainant was behind the Guyana Fire Service when the accused came up from behind and robbed him of the above mentioned amount of money. A report was made and the defendant was positively identified and arrested.

The defendant was placed on $100,000 bail by the Chief Magistrate. The accused is expected to make another court appearance on April 11.

Gold miner charged with robbery under arms granted bail Restaurant thief sentenced to 12 months in prison

Aman was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment on Friday after admitting to the charges against him, before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry, in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Devon Rodney, 37, pleaded guilty to the charge after it was alleged that during the period of March 11-12, the defendant broke and entered the restaurant owned by Hugh October. It was also alleged that Rodney stole $108,740 in cash, $11,000 in gas cylinders and $33,400 in beverages; a total value of $153,140; all property of Hugh October.

Police Prosecutor Michael Grant said on the day in question, at approximately 19:00h, the virtual complainant secured his store and retired to bed. The following morning, October noticed a window broken on the side of the restaurant. He then discovered the said items missing. The virtual complainant checked the restaurant’s cameras and saw the defendant. A report was made and Rodney was subsequently arrested and charged.

Eyew tness Mamaguy...

...on Caricom

Ralph Gonsalves looks like a nice enough fella. He’s Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines and right now he’s in the rotating Chair of Caricom HoG. That’s “Heads of Government”, not the animal with a nose for garbage. Now we know the HoGs had tested the product before they made a decision on legalising ganja – and they passed the matter on to a Committee. This, of course, will present them with another opportunity to further test the stuff when the Committee submits its report. Ahhh...fidelity to the Caribbean cause!

But we thought he would’ve laid off the Mary Jane before addressing his fellow HoGs at the end of their meeting. He’d be giving them the “charge” so to speak, no? Well from what he said, he either couldn’t come down from the clouds fast enough or else, he was bent on mamaguying us. He couldn’t very well be mamaguying the other leaders since they know the score in more ways than one.

Gonsalves actually had the gumption to say that “agriculture is an area of accomplishment” for Caricom. Is he for real? Sure, we understand that at the end of these meetings in the sun, sand and surf locales, the leaders have to say something for the folks back home to think they’ve been putting their shoulders to the wheel and all that. But Jeez!! Why he had to mention the single greatest opportunity the Caribbean has missed since the days of Captain Morgan? Or, if you will, Captain Jack Sparrow?

Here we are, moaning and groaning at every Caricom meeting that we’re importing US$3-4 billion worth of food in the region – the numbers keep climbing –and agriculture suddenly becomes a “success”?? What really fries us is that a full decade ago, then President Jagdeo, with lead responsibility for agriculture, placed a plan for the resuscitation of agriculture in front of the selfsame HoGs. Dubbed “The Jagdeo Initiative”, responsibilities were assigned to the several territories on eight “constraints” identified.

The man even offered land in Guyana at giveaway leasing arrangements. But all we got was a deafening silence – and ever-increasing food imports. And, of course, more bitching and moaning about the said imports at the HoGs’ meetings. It’s enough to make any member of the long suffering Caribbean Community pick up a whip and drive these fellas from the temple called Caricom.

But, like we said, Gonsalves is a nice fella. Back in 1968 he led student protests at UWI when the Jamaican Government banned Walter Rodney. But maybe it’s time he lays off the grass.

...from Greenidge

One of the definitions of “insanity” is that when you do the same thing again and again and you expect a different result – it’s time to take you to the loony bin. Now Basdeo Panday is a politician who’s been around. The man goes back to CLR James taking on Eric Williams back in the day in the Workers and Farmers Party that was avowedly Marxist. His commitment to West Indian unity is unquestioned.

So, here is Panday, in the twilight of his years, suggesting that if we can’t muster the political will to make something of Caricom after 40 years, then maybe we ought to try something different. That maybe Trinidad, Suriname and Guyana get together and forge closer links as a bridgehead with South America.

And up jumps Carl Greenidge who ejaculates: “Panday’s proposal is ridiculous and twisted logic!” Now we know that Greenidge lived high off the hog for decades at Caricom, but if America can do an “Asia pivot”, what’s so “twisted” about us doing a South American pivot?

...on sugar

The AFC/APNU are struggling to get their feet out of their mouths on their “closing down of the sugar industry” policy statement. Vieira should advise Nagamootoo as to what happened to all the tilapia Burnham brought in to replace sugar.

Woman shot in police/ bandit cross-fire

Awoman was shot twice with pellets during an exchange between police ranks and a suspected bandit in 7th Field, Sophia, Georgetown on Friday.

“Dumb Girl” (only name provided) of Lot 264 7th Field, Sophia was reportedly shot in her back and behind. She was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where she was treated and sent away.

The alleged bandit, who was identified as Keron Cummings, 22, of 1128 “E” Field, Sophia was shot by police, and is a patient under guard at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

According to information received, Cummings was about to commit a robbery on the home of the injured woman when he was spotted by residents with a gun in his hands.

At the same time, a police mobile patrol was passing and an alarm was raised.

As the police mobile unit was making its way to the area, Cummings reportedly discharged several rounds at they, and in so doing, the police returned fire.

The woman, who was between the two parties, was shot.

Guyana Times was told that Cummings realised that he could not keep up with the police, and jumped a trench in the vicinity of

the Sophia Health Centre, during which he disposed of the gun, which was later retrieved by ranks.

The police, in a bid to stop him from escaping, discharged a few rounds in his direction. He was shot with pellets to his arms, legs and back.

Guyana Times understands that it was not the first time that Cummings made an attempt to rob the woman. Residence related that the man was seen entering the woman’s yard under the pretext of asking for

someone, but had a different motive.

As the woman opened her door, Cummings reportedly pulled out a gun and pointed it at her, but she managed to go back into the house and closed her doors.

She reportedly stayed indoors and only came out on Friday morning with the intention of going to work, when the incident occurred.

When Guyana Times made contact with the relatives of the injured man, a woman disconnected the call.

Police release woman suspected of TIP

Sharmilla Neermal, 33, a Lot 28, Grant 1804, Crabwood Creek resident was on Thursday arrested on suspicion of Trafficking in Persons (TIP), but was subsequently released pending a police investigation.

According to information received, ranks of the Springlands Police Station, acting on information, swooped down on the home of Neermal, and found three young girls in her home, who were reportedly held for the purpose of being taken to neighbouring Suriname for prostitution.

Guyana Times understands that a young woman told police that Neermal was holding several girls against their will to work as prostitutes in her husband’s bar. The complainant was reportedly a victim who managed to escape from Neermal.

The alleged human trafficker and the three girls were arrested and brought to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) headquarters in New Amsterdam for questioning, but were subsequently released pend-

ing investigations.

Ranks say they are using every available method to combat human trafficking.

Meanwhile, police have also arrested a teen for break and enter and larceny, noting that no perpetrator would be let off.

Reports are that Kiltroy Beckham, 15, a school dropout of Race Course Springlands, broke into the home of Thomas

and Shellon Kyte on March 6, and stole a quantity of articles valued some $258,000.

The teen on Thursday appeared before Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh at the Number 51 Magistrate’s Court, where he pleaded guilty to the offence.

He was remanded to prison until March19 when his case comes up for another hearing.

Clock ticking on Local Govt Elections – Granger

By Svetlana MarShall

APartnership for National Unity (APNU) Chairman

David Granger said “The clock is ticking” as he called on the Local Government Minister to set a date for the holding of local government elections.

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on Thursday announced that it is in a state of preparedness, noting that it is in possession of a work plan, which puts the timeframe for the conduct of elections at 180 days, commencing from the appointment of a date.

However, it was made clear that the setting of the date is primarily dependent on the Minister responsible for local government elections.

Based on the timely announcement, the Opposition Leader opined that Guyanese can go to the polls soon once the greenlight is given by the Donald Ramotar Administration.

He said too that the National Assembly has spoken with the passing of resolution for Local Government Elections to be held no later than August 1, 2014. “So the clock is ticking… the trigger has to be an Executive Order,” he said.

In February, APNU and AFC amended the Local Authorities (Elections Amendment) Bill 2014 to have the elections held by August. The Bill was taken before the House by now acting Local Government Minister Norman Whittaker with the intention of having the elections postponed for 2014.

Possible

Addressing the press at his Hadfield Street Office on Friday, Granger said the coalition strongly believes that when the Bill was introduced, it was possible to have local government elections by August 1.

“So we expect that if the government is serious, Local government Elections can be held in a reasonably short time.”

The Opposition Leader also stated that the appointment of Keith Lowenfield as GECOM Chief Elections Officer is a step in the right direction. “Mr Lowenfield goes into the appointment with 14 years of experience and with an unblemished record in the Elections Commission.”

While expressing confidence in Lowenfield, Granger said the coalition is confident that the new Chief Elections Officer will do a better job than his predecessor Gocool Boodoo.

“We look forward to cooperating with him and we look forward to having clean elections without controversy and mathematical errors.”

Hindrance

The APNU leader stated that Local Government Elections are essential for the encouragement of local development, contending that urban and rural development is being impeded because of the lack of major investment in public infrastructure.

He also accused the Local Government Ministry of micro-managing at the level of local organs, but unable to effectively execute its mandate to the public.

“Isolated, but potentially productive communities are heavily dependent on airstrips for services, supplies and the evacuation of med-

ical cases, yet an unwanted airstrip was constructed on Wakenaam Island,” he said

According to Granger, several dozen frequently used airstrips in the hinterland receive only marginal maintenance, an issue he linked to aviation accidents.

Poor infrastructure

He further contended that many bridges across the country are in dire need of repairs.

“Safe, sturdy structures are necessary for presentday, heavy-duty, vehicular traffic,” he said.

Reference was also made to the deplorable conditions of many roads in Guyana, in addition to dilapidated stellings.

“Traversing some roads is agonising and costly. Residents of Bartica, Sophia, Ituni and East Bank Berbice have frequently had publicly protest the poor condition of roads which have remained in a deplorable state for over a decade.”

According to the APNU, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic’s (PPP/C) damage to local democratic organs over the past two decades has severely hindered economic development of urban and rural communities. It also accused the Local Government Ministry of being unable to promote economic development at the municipal level. “APNU is convinced that the holding of Local Government Elections is essential for the restoration of local democracy and consequently the re-energising of local economies.”

It further suggested that the absence of a coherent infrastructure policy, the lack of a comprehensive plan and the failure to coordinate construction works have impaired economic development at the community level. Local government elections was last held in Guyana in 1994. Since then, the PPP/C Administration has dissolved many Neigbourhood Democratic Councils and replaced them with Interim Management Committees.

Some elements of Linden agreement not honoured – Solomon

– Texieira says not true, blames region for non-implementation

Region 10 Chairman Sharma Solomon has accused the Government of failing to honour certain elements of the August 21, 2012 Linden agreement and for being too slow in the implementation process.

The agreement, which was signed between the Region 10 Democratic Council and Central Government, brought an end to violent protests in Linden over an increase in electricity tariff. The tariff increase has since been put on hold.

In a letter written by Solomon, directed to President Donald Ramotar, dated January 14, 2014, he sought to remind the Office of the President of key aspects of the agreement which he noted, should have been taken into consideration.

In the letter, he addressed the issue of the technical team set up to investigate the electricity situation in Linden, the Economic Committee and programme which was agreed to by both parties to

sustain economic development in the town; a dish and transmitter for the establishment of a television station to be handed over to the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) and the Regional Land Selection Committee, which has so far been established.

The RDC said it continues to be frustrated over the slow movement of Government in honouring these aspects of the agreement. In a re-

sponse to Solomon’s letter, dated February 20, 2014, Presidential Adviser on Governance Gail Teixeira on behalf of the President, acknowledged the correspondence stating “His Excellency, the President is very aware of the status of the implementation of our agreement of August 2012, and, we have discerned the motive of your correspondence... since the... signing of the agreement, the GoG/Region 10 Committee has met 11 times... over 20 times as of November 2013 with over 20 occasions when the meetings were postponed and cancelled by you,” it stated.

Great significance

She went on to state that it is of great significance that Government agreed to and has maintained the budgetary allocation for the electricity tariff subsidy, exclusive to Region 10. The letter went on to state that the dish and transmitter were handed over to Region 10.

“... Irrefutable evidence re-

vealed that the TV assets of the bauxite company that you and others insisted were donated to the Linden community were actually paid for and acquired by the Government of Guyana... nonetheless, these assets, as you did indicate in the meetings, were handed over to the region in accordance with the agreement.”

However, Solomon is refuting the claims that both assets were handed over, saying that only the dish has been given to the region.

“While we are aware the (RDC) is in possession of the dish and has facilitated works to make the area habitable, the whereabouts of the transmitter is unknown. Thus, the claim by Texiera... that this equipment was given to the RDC when we have been advised the region has never received this equipment, is cause for concern.”

Teixeira also stated in her letter that the region’s ongoing failure to obtain a television licence “cannot by any means be attributed to any failure to act by the Government in accordance with the agreement”. In relation to the Region Land Selection Committee, the Presidential Advisor also blamed Solomon for delaying the process.

Unmet undertaking

“The minutes of our meetings keep reflecting the unmet undertaking by you, the Regional Chairman, to provide the head of the Presidential Secretariat with documentation that the meeting assessed as being useful which would assist the efforts which the HPS agreed to undertake in concluding the establishment of the committee.”

In relation to the two committees, the Presidential Advisor noted that it was unfortunate that the Technical Committee Chairman resigned after a few meetings, and since then, there has been no agreement by both parties on a successor.

She went on to state that there were nine areas of the agreement, three which were the responsibility of the Government, which she said were already implemented.

These include the Technical Committee, the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) drainage of West Watooka (Linden) and the handing over of the dish and transmitter. The two joint aspects, according to Teixeira in the letter, have been partly accomplished and include the establishment of chairpersons for the two committees.

The others, she said, notably the Regional Land Selection Committee, submission of projects for consideration while awaiting the Economic Committee’s report and the application for the television licence to the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) are the region’s responsibilities and have not been delivered.

Stony turn a sugar daddy

Stony Virus talkin like if he is a sweet man. He turn a sugar daddy, but that ain’t mek he sweet. And talkin bout talkin, Rum Jhaat does end up at 7-owe-4 before he start talkin bout de $7 whah he get from de East and de $4 whah get from de North. That is why de North had to close down.

Rum Jhaat still got a lotta connection$ in de East. And it ain’t de East Coast. Is only de building whah deh pun de East Coast. On de other hand, de Nagga Man does pick up a bottle before he even decide that he gon talk.

Some a dem boys end up talkin till dem end up in front a judge. In fact, that is more than one judge now – one deh right hey and another one far from hey. Soon dem boys gon fart fuh pay all dem court fees. And that ain’t include when de hammer gon fall pun dem behind.

And talkin bout hammer, de Hammer Man bruk down a man fence in Success pun de East Coast. But whah de man who fence de Hammer Man bruk down wanna know is how come dem other people fence ain’t gettin de hammer. And it can’t be that de hammer gettin old.

A neighbour seh that it musbe different hammer strokes fuh different folks. And a reporter seh it look like de Hammer Man and he son know which folks to give which hammer strokes to. But dem folks who de Hammer Man does give a lotta strokes to ain’t deh in Success, accordin to de reporter.

De reporter also seh she hope de Hammer Man know wha he doin, or he gon end up just like de other Minister who had de same kinda hammer problem. De reporter seh it look like de more dem minister hammer get old, is de more it wukkin good.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! But one day de hammer handle does bruk. And it look like that is wah happen to Stony mek he turn sugar daddy!

Venezuelans in military uniform rob Guyanese miners

Agroup of Guyanese miners were robbed of their gold in proximity of the Guyana/Venezuela border on Wednesday by men dressed in Venezuelan military clothing, Crime Chief Seelall Persaud has reported.

Persaud on Friday told Guyana Times that ranks have since been deployed to the area to conduct an investigation. He confirmed that the incident allegedly occurred at the Guyana/Venezuelan border.

Guyana Times understands that the incident took place at a shop in Five Star Backdam, North West District, where the men had gone to purchase groceries.

From reports received, the men would have crossed the border illegally and were armed with high powered rifles.

While shopping, the armed men reportedly held them at gunpoint and ordered them to hand over their gold and threatened to pull the trigger if they did not comply.

Less than a year ago, Orlando Fitzpatrick, 52, and his son, Jesse Fitzpatrick, 17, of Lot 160 Third Street Grove, East Bank Demerara, were robbed and killed along the Guyana/ Venezuelan border. After the shooting, police conclude that the crime was not committed in Guyana but in Venezuela; thus, foreign assistance was solicited. It was reported that the men were coming from the mines across the border with Venezuela when they were stopped by a group of men wearing what appeared to be Venezuelan army uniforms.

The men reportedly shot the teenager first then turned their attention on his father. The two men who were transporting Fitzpatrick and his son were disarmed and allowed to go.

Out of fear, the men reportedly handed over the gold that they earned over a twomonth period. They were held hostage by the men for more than two hours. The gunmen also took away the mobile phones of the miners. Miners in the area have renewed their called to the Guyana Defence Force to patrol Guyana’s borders.

Establishment of PPC is

not

only govt’s responsibility – Ramotar

The Government continues to emphasise the importance of its “no-objection” role in the procurement process, and the consequences of its removal as proposed by the political Opposition.

President Donald Ramotar said that contrary to the impression that is being created, the Government has no qualms about establishing a Public Procurement Commission (PPC), but maintained that the already miniscule role of no-objection must be preserved.

He was at the time speaking at the national stakeholder consultation on the Anti-Money Laundering Bill at the Guyana International Conference Centre (GICC), Liliendaal.

He reminded too, that Guyana is the only country in the Caribbean where the Cabinet does not award contracts.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh said that the matter of the PPC is not one that resides solely in the hands of the Government as the membership for the Commission is nominated by the Public Accounts Committee of the Parliament, which is chaired by Opposition front-bencher Carl Greenidge.

“Once that committee would have nominated members, the Parliament has to approve those nominations with a two-thirds majority. So the creation of the impression that the Government alone is responsible for the appointment of the PPC is a misrepresentation,” the Finance Minister explained.

The Minister further clarified that the preservation of Cabinet’s no-ob-

jection role does not in any way, limit, restrict, or divert from the constitutional powers of the PPC. The powers of the PPC are enshrined in the Constitution of Guyana.

Unquestionable

Therefore, there is no question that the PPC will be able to discharge its functions unimpaired by the Cabinet’s involvement.

The Minister explained that there is a reason Cabinet must play a role in the process.

“You cannot go to the Executive and say we are holding you responsible for the non-implementation of a project or a violation of a procedure when the Cabinet did not play a role in the process… if played no role in a process that generates a particular outcome then you cannot be held accountable for that outcome, you can only be held accountable and responsible for a process in which you have some involvement,” he said.

He added that if the Cabinet’s role is removed from the procurement process, then simultaneously, it would have to be absolved of any responsibility for the outcome of that process.

“What you have here is an attempt to remove the Cabinet from involvement in the process, but you still want to hold the Cabinet accountable for the result,” he said.

Last year, the Government tabled the Procurement (Amendment) Bill which was sent to a select committee. The Bill seeks to modify section 54 of the Procurement Act of 2003, by deleting sub-section six, which by doing so, will retain Cabinet’s involvement in the procurement process.

Region Two students showcase innovative projects at science fair – 55

schools participate

By IndrawattIe natram

Under the theme “Science, Mathematics and Technology: Providing Solutions for 21st Century”, the Region Two Mathematics, Science and Technology Fair 2014 was held at the Anna Regina Multilateral Secondary School on Friday.

The event, organised by the Department of Education, in collaboration with various schools, saw participation from 21 nursery schools, 22 primary schools, and 12 secondary schools in four categories: Nursery Open, Primary Open, Upper and Lower Secondary.

Thousands of schoolchildren from schools along the Essequibo Coast were on hand to view the educational exhibits, which were so creative that they left many dumbfounded.

Student exhibitors made oral presentations on their projects after which the 55 exhibits were judged. Projects focused on organic replacements for chemical fertilisers, technology to reduce furniture dust, uses for rice waste, vertical farming, flood reduction techniques, recycling floodwater, recycling paddy husk, the role of safe water in the promotion of child-friendly schools, uses of the bamboo plant, plastic shopping bags vs paper shopping bags, utilising wood waste, and the importance of insects to the ecosystem, among others.

Declaring the fair open

was District Education Officer (Primary) Deodat Singh, who said the event was momentous. The ceremonial cutting of the ribbon was done by Singh, Region Two Chairman Parmanand Persaud, Regional Education Officer Baramdai Seepersaud, and National Science Fair Coordinator Petal Jettoo.

In her remarks, Seepersaud congratulated the Regional Science Fair Committee for its excellent work in organising the event. She said the main objective of the science fair is to give learners the opportunity to use their knowledge and skills under the guidance of teachers to devise new and innovative ways to solve crucial and pressing problems in their environment.

She also announced that Region Two will be hosting the National

Science, Mathematics and Technology Fair, which will be held from April 22 to 25.

it was her hope that the knowledge and skills garnered in the preparation of these projects will be beneficial to the future of the country. Guyana is developing rapidly and this kind of experience augurs well for its future leaders who will facilitate its further growth and development.

In her address, National Science Fair Coordinator Jettoo said the Education Ministry is a Ministry that is there to serve everyone. She noted that the Education Ministry has brought home all the science prizes at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) level in the past. In highlighting the importance of innovative scientific thinking, she noted that climate change has

All of the 11 educational districts will have learners participating, with exhibits skilfully and innovatively crafted under the guidance of their teachers. She said the best of these projects will be submitted as Guyana’s national entries to the Caribbean’s Sagicor Visionaries Challenge Competition.

Nation-building skills

The Regional Education Officer said the science fair will allow learners to demonstrate their expertise in the areas of pure science, Information Technology and other technical and pre- vocational areas, including Agricultural Science and Home Economics. She said

destroyed unknown special species and called on all science teachers to teach science with love and the aim of finding solutions for the 21st Century. She pointed out that solutions to local community problems are presented in the many exhibits. Her vision is to translate the projects into realty to change the lives of everyone. She said if everyone can harness science and technology, Guyana will head towards greater national development.

Students said the event was truly educational and they gathered much information. Prizes were given to the schools who displayed the most spectacular and thought-provoking ideas.

saturday, march 15, 2014 | guyanatimesgy.com

Civil society urges passage of AML Bill Islamic theological institute begins classes today

BY SVETLANA MARSHALL

Aresolution was passed for the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (Amendment) (AML/CFT) Bill 2013 to be passed in the National Assembly without the Opposition sponsored amendments.

This symbolic gesture was made in the presence of President Donald Ramotar, Government Ministers, Parliamentarians and hundreds of Guyanese who attended the AML Stakeholders’ Consultation at the Guyana International Conference Centre, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.

Resolution

The resolution was passed, but was not a statement supported by all the persons who participated. Minutes before the two-and-half-hour consultation, Chontelle Sewett; a Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO) member said, “We the participants of this stakeholders’ meeting view with great concern the refusal of the Opposition in the National Assembly to support the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Bill 2013.”

She pointed out that the AML Bill before the parliamentary Special Select Committee has been viewed and approved by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF), in addition to the sitting members on the committee.

Sewett said Guyanese are concerned that the failure to pass the Bill can lead to Guyana being blacklisted. The tripling effect can be detrimental to the country’s economy – the commercial sector right down to the man in the street.

“We call on the APNU to withdraw their new amendments to the AML/CFT Act,

and support the amendment Bill, number 22 as approved in the committee. We the participants of this stakeholders’ consultation call on the Joint Opposition to support the passage of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering of Terrorism Bill, Number 22 of 2013.”

Minister within the Finance Ministry Bishop Juan Edghill, who chaired the programme, was convinced that Sewett’s statement had represented the views of the participants and called for it to be adopted.

Another participant, who identified himself as a member of the Private Sector, said the negative impacts of Guyana’s failure to comply with CFATF standards are already being felt. “Investors are already sharing concern as to whether this is a safe place to do business with. Monies are currently being withheld.”

Lengthy process

According to him, of recent, legitimate money transfer transactions involving foreign currency coming to Guyana, which normally takes three to four days, have taken three weeks. He reported that the money was stocked at a U.S. bank as inquiries were being conducted.

Another woman Jone Greene, who identified herself as a member of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), said the Donald Ramotar administration should stay strong at heart. She said: “Even the blind can see that the only purpose of the Opposition is to oppose and to overthrow our Government.”

However, Attorney Avette Richards, who spoke during the initial stage of the consultation, said the AML/CFT Act of 2009 appears to be very “draconian”, but yet no prosecution was made under the legislation. She alluded to the statements made by the Director

of Public Prosecutions, which indicated that only one report was submitted for recommendation, but lacked critical information that could have led to prosecution.

“That says to me, whatever the amendments are now cannot be too draconian. If we are really serious about replacing the image of Guyana.”

Opposition’s support

Another participant threw in her support for the Opposition’s proposal to have an Anti-Money Laundering Authority established by the National Assembly. She argued that leaving the powers with the Finance Minister can easily result in the process becoming highly political. Another man said the political parties have failed Guyana with regards to the passage of the Bill.

Member of Nation Builders Alvin Doris said the Opposition’s position with regards to the appointment of the FIU Director and the establishment of an authority is a reasonable one. However, he asked, “If the Opposition is holding the fiscal future of this country ransom as seems to be the theme here, what move would the Government take to rectify this problem? Is there not a consideration for a referendum in this country?”

Doris' questions were followed by loud rounds of applauds, but the President and his Ministers while responding to comments and questions raised by participants, did not respond to him.

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall; Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh; Education Minister Priya Manickchand and Public Works Minister Robeson Benn were among senior Government officials at the consultation. (svetlanam@guyanatimesgy.com)

Classes for Guyana's branch of Markaz Al Ihsaan of Trinidad and Tobago (TT), a theological institute providing higher Islamic education, will continue today at the Nooranie Madrasa, Anna Catherina Islamic complex (ACIC).

Guyana’s Sunni Muslim School, Madrasa Nooranie, (established September, 2003 at the ACIC) had formalised the establishment of the branch at the famed ACIC with Principal Maulana, Dr Waffie Mohamed. On the recent visit to Guyana in November last, by the World’s renowned Muslim Scholar, Maulana Dr Hisham Kabbani, the Guyana branch of the prestigious institution was formally established and classes commenced in December.

In recognition that many persons, due to several other commitments and time constraints, especially professionals and semi-professionals, are unable to attend the full days’ sessions for the certificate programme, the institute had designed and commenced last month, a special programme, compacting the courses of the certificate programmes into shorter times. However, the credibility of the programme will not be compromised.

This special programme will continue today and tomorrow from 18:30h to 20:30h at the ACIC and as usual, all course materials will be provided free of cost.

Markaz Al Ihsaan was established in 2000 and offers courses in some of the specialised areas of Islamic

knowledge. It is committed to the dissemination of Islamic knowledge and in assisting in the cultivation of a refined life for every individual, based on Qur’anic guidance and on the traditions of Prophet Muhammad.

Its courses are designed to help the individual to know, practise and preach true Islam. It has developed a band of competent, qualified teachers able to carry out this mission in order to be able to pass on the legacy of Islam at any level in the society.

It offers three levels: Certificate Course (a one-year course designed to make the participants aware of all that is required to be an enlightened practising Muslim), Diploma Course (a one-year course opened to students who have successfully completed the Certificate Course. It prepares participants to be able to present Islam at a national, meaningful and learned way to believers and non-believers alike) and Aalim Course (a threeyear course, which enables the participants to become qualified in Islamic theology, (Aalim). In the areas of specialised subjects on contemporary issues, Markaz al Ihsaan offers special subjects to each student, such as comparative religion, public speaking, Islamic sociology, Qur’anic psychology, Qur’anic philosophy, leadership course and religious sects in Islam.

The courses offered at the Guyana branch of the Markaz are being conducted by lecturers from TT,

who travel to Guyana on a monthly basis to conduct the classes. Students must be over 12 years. All course material, books, meals etcetera will be provided free of charge by the Markaz/ACIC.

Blessing

The Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) has given its blessings to the Markaz by endorsing the programme offered.

Free accommodation is provided at ACIC for out of town male students.

On their visit last month, the scholars were joined by internationally recognised and award winning Canadian journalist and TV producer, Toronto-based Guyanese Nazim Baksh. Baksh is employed with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. He has worked extensively in Afghanistan, Pakistan and recently reported from Guantanamo Bay. He has a master’s in journalism and is recognised for his production of the documentary – “Son of Al Qaeeda” about a Canadian youth Abdurahman Khadr. In 2007, he, along with two others, won an award from Canadian Association of Journalists for a segment entitled “The Mole”. In 2011, he and another journalist won a Canadian Association for Journalists award for “Death in a Community”. A Muslim scholar in his own right, he has travelled extensively and has been responsible for bringing some of the best scholars to Guyana and the Caribbean.

GPL completes successful engine overhaul at Anna Regina

The Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL) has applauded residents of Onderneeming to Supenaam and Devonshire Castle to Charity for their cooperation as the company successfully overhauled its Anna Regina Wartsila Generating plant.

From February 27 to March 12, the Number One Wartsila Unit at Anna Regina underwent a rigorous maintenance process. Cognisant of the electricity difficulties experienced in

Essequibo, GPL pledged its unwavering commitment to the residents of Essequibo to continuously work to provide quality electricity despite constraints.

“GPL’s longer term development plans for Essequibo extend beyond engine overhauls for existing infrastructure. In the latter half of this year, our company is proposing to complete the foundations for a new four MW HFO fired Unit at Anna Regina and the foundations for a new 3 x 2 MW

HFO fired power station at Bartica,” the company said in a release.

Also on the programme for this year is the installation and commissioning of two new 500 kVA generating sets at Leguan, and one new 500 kVA set at Wakenaam, with a view to providing a 24 hours, seven days per week service.

These development plans will work together to provide the residents of Essequibo with the best quality supply of electricity.

Roshana hosts appreciation dinner today

Katherina Roshana will be hosting an appreciation dinner for her fans and followers this evening.

The event will be held at the Events Centre, New Thriving Restaurant located at 216-217 Lamaha Street, Georgetown, beginning at 18:00h.

Sponsored by the Limacol brand of NEW GPC INC, the 22-year-old beauty was crowned Miss Guyana Universe, at the poolside of the Pegasus Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown. Roshana, whose platform was autism, represented Guyana at the Miss Universe 2013 pageant held on November 9, 2013 in Moscow, Russia but did not place in the semifinals.

Roshana is a graduate of oriental medicine in Long Island, New York. She hopes to become a doctor of oriental medicine. She attended the Georgetown International Academy in Guyana from kindergarten through her graduation in 2008.

100 participate in mental health workshop

Corentyne, Berbice last Friday

Some 100 residents recently participated in a mental health workshop at the Roadside Baptist Church Skills Training Centre, Number 68 Village, Corentyne, Berbice last Friday.

The seminar, which was the second of two, was led by Dr Latchman Narain, a mental health professional and volunteer from Canada.

The audience included social workers, religious and community leaders, health workers, family members of individuals who had committed suicide, and police officers.

Many locally-based individuals and village leaders expressed an interest in being trained as professional counsellors so that they can set up centres across the region.

On Monday, another mental health workshop was held, at the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) building in Main Street, Georgetown.

This event targeted social workers, representatives of non-profit organisations and religious leaders.

Dr Narain also delivered a very informative presentation on mental health issues. Both discussions were very lively and interactive.

Dr Narain holds a Bachelor of Science (BSc) Degree in Bio-Chemistry and Master’s and Doctorate

degrees in Counselling Psychology. He also has a Diploma in Cross Cultural Counselling (St John’s University, New York City).

He is a registered member of the Ontario Association of Consultants, Counsellors, Psychometrics and Psychotherapists (OACCPP) and an accredited Parent Group Facilitator (Positive Parenting Programme, University of Queensland, Australia).

Dr Narain has presented many seminars before, has facilitated many group discussions and counselled at-risk youth. Currently, he runs the Anger Management Centre of Toronto. Managing Director of the Guyana Foundation, Anthony Autar, explained that although mental health is a phase two programme for the foundation, it was brought forward for a number of reasons.

Countrywide programmes

According to him “as we travelled around the country to conduct our 2013 programmes, we heard so many persons voicing frustration and concern about the senseless loss of human lives. Then, 2014 began with so many reported cases of suicide that we could not sit back and do nothing and wait – watching the people around us sink into hopelessness and despair. We re-

Ali calls for unity, as CHPA staff celebrate Phagwah

Housing Minister Irfaan Ali called for unity as he celebrated the Phagwah Season with staff members of the Central Housing and Planning Authority on Friday.

Ali, who is also the acting Tourism Minister, said the message of overcoming evils needs to be reiterated daily so that persons can blot out evil from their minds.

alised that the needs were more urgent than we thought and that we do not have the luxury of time on our side. Every suicide is an irreparable loss – a tragedy for our country. We therefore had no choice but to launch our mental health programme in January of this year.”

He further explained that the foundation “recognises that there is no quick, easy fix to the mental health crisis in Guyana, but knows that it is a process that will take time. Our hope is that by raising awareness, through the social media and workshops, we can spark conversations about the issues and needs in this area and hope that other NGOs can be empowered to collectively pool their skills and resources to work together in this area. We have expressed our willingness to collaborate with the Ministry of Health in this area and remain open to doing so.”

The Guyana Foundation does not offer any counselling or treatment, but has created a database of local professionals in the field in order to connect persons in need with the resources available in communities.

Members of the public who would like to support the work of the foundation can make a donation by calling 225-4414, or by emailing guyanafoundation@gmail. com.

He further urged his staff and other persons gathered at the function to embrace and spread the message of peace.

“Use Phagwah as an instrument to spread the message of love, of togetherness… use it as a tool to bring our people peace,” urged the Minister. He also reflected on the beauty of the season and

Lowenfield promises

the significance of Holi to Guyanese.

The Minister said Guyana has a rich culture and is thoroughly showcased by events such as Phagwah through traditional foods and delicacies.

The launch saw several dances, and the Minister, who enjoyed the music, also took to the floor and joined the celebration.

to deliver on expectations

Newly-appointed Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chief Election Officer Keith Lowenfield said he is committed to the task before him as expected by the people of Guyana.

He made the comment at a recent function hosted by GECOM to officially announce his appointment. In his acceptance speech, Lowenfield revealed that he was very much grateful to the Chairman and commissioners, for having confidence in him.

“ I am conscious of the fact that the only way I can return the honour they have bestowed upon me is to live up to their expectations, the expectations of my colleagues and the entire Guyanese nation,” he told the gathering.

He continued: “I pledge to do this and commit myself to the high quality of service they expect of me as a consequence of my appointment as head of the GECOM Secretariat.”

He further noted that he would need the understanding and support of the Commission to carry out his responsibilities.

Lowenfield said that as

Newly-appointed GECOM Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield

Commissioner of GECOM, his primary aim will be to provide the Commission with sound, well balanced advice in the decision making process.

The new CEO said the strength of GECOM lies in the unity of its employees, noting that he looks forward to maintaining the good relations with staff.

GECOM, after months of waiting, on Wednesday announced the ex Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Major as the new head of the GECOM Secretariat.

He was also appointed Commissioner of National registration.

Lowenfield, along with three others: Jamaican Danville Davidson, U.S.based Guyanese Savitri Singh and Calvin Benn were selected from a list of 14 applicants by GECOM to be interviewed for the post which became vacant last year.

A release from the entity the same day stated that the Commission’s decision had brought an end to a “very lengthy and meticulous procedure associated with the matter including advertising the vacancy locally and overseas, short-listing suitable candidates, and conducting interviews.

Lowenfield has served the Commission for some 14 years, and according to Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally, he functioned in a managerial position since August 2000, notably as Assistant Chief Elections Officer.

He holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration, a Bachelor's Degree in Public Management and a Diploma in Public Administration from the University of Guyana.

Venezuela’s Foreign Minister calls Kerry a “murderer”

Venezuela’s Foreign Minister Elias Jaua lambasted U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Friday as a “murderer” fomenting unrest that has killed 28 people in the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) nation.

Since street demonstrations began against President Nicolas Maduro’s socialist government in early February, Venezuelan officials have been accusing Washington of stirring up the country’s worst political troubles in a decade.

U.S. officials say Venezuela is using them as a scapegoat, inventing accusations to distract from internal economic and political problems. In the sternest words during the crisis from Washington, Kerry said on Thursday the Venezuela government was using a “terror campaign” to repress its own citizens.

“Every time we’re about to isolate and reduce the violence, Mr Kerry comes out with a declaration and immediately the street protests are activated,” Foreign Minister Jaua said in a speech carried on state TV.

“Mr Kerry, we denounce to the whole world, you en-

courage the violence in Venezuela ... We denounce you as a murderer of the Venezuelan people.”

After tense relations during the 14-year rule of the late Hugo Chávez, there had been some hopes on both sides of a rapprochement between Venezuela and the United States.

Kerry and Jaua did actually meet in June last year, on the sidelines of a meeting of the Organisation of American States in Guatemala, with both governments saying they wanted better ties.

But the bitterness and

incidents have continued, with Maduro last month expelling three U.S. diplomats he accused of recruiting protesters. Washington responded in kind.

Lackeys

“In Guatemala, you said to me ‘you have to lower the tone’,” Jaua added in his speech. “We are not going to lower the tone to any empire until you order your lackeys in Venezuela to cease the violence against the people.”

Despite the harsh words, pragmatism has continued to trump politics when it comes to oil, with ship-

ments unaffected and the United States remaining Venezuela’s main export market.

Elected last year to replace Chávez who died of cancer, former bus driver Maduro has faced six weeks of protests led by militant opposition leaders and students.

As well as the 28 deaths during the unrest, more than 300 people have been injured. Security forces have arrested nearly 1300 people, of whom about 100 are still in jail.

Maduro says he has seen off a “coup” attempt, and he does not look in danger of being toppled by a “Venezuelan Spring”, with the military apparently still behind him.

But opponents and rights groups say he has used heavy-handed tactics against opponents, including unnecessary brutality from troops and police on the street. Several dozen detainees have claimed that they were beaten and subjected to other forms of mistreatment.

A hard core of mainly student protesters are vowing to stay in the streets until Maduro quits. (Reuters)

Jamaican police have communities under close watch after Kartel conviction

Jamaican police

Thursday night said sections of St Catherine, Kingston and St Andrew will remain under close observation for any possible developments after Thursday’s guilty verdict for entertainer Vybz Kartel and three co-accused in the Home Circuit court.

Pope Francis defends “slum priests”

On his first anniversary as pontiff, Pope Francis has defended “slum priests” from the accusation their advocacy for the downtrodden reflects a different, leftist church that is remote from conservative Vatican values.

“The work of the priests in the slums of Buenos Aires is not ideological, it’s apostolic, and, therefore, forms part of the same church.

“Those who think that it’s another church don’t understand how they work in the slums. The important thing is the work,” Francis insisted in an interview made public on Thursday, according to the Associated Press news agency.

As Argentina’s top Roman Catholic leader before he was elected pope, Jorge Mario Bergoglio assigned many priests to parishes in the crowded slums that grew up around the capital.

His support made him a cherished figure among the very poor who felt marginalised, especially during the bloody 1960s and 1970s, when military governments ruled the South American country.

“Francis is a slum Pope. It’s not a cliché. He was quite involved in this slum before he was elected Pope,” said Eduardo Najera, who directs the community radio station FM Bajo Flores that broadcasts from the Villa 1-11-14 slum across from the San Lorenzo soccer stadium, where the Pope’s favourite team plays.

The station interviewed the Pope two weeks earlier at his residence in the Vatican, and the dialogue was played for the first time in public on Thursday on a huge screen before a crowd gathering inside the slum’s gymnasium. The interview was warmly received. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Deal signed to end row over Panama Canal expansion

Assistant Commissioner of Police Winchoy Budhoo, who heads the Mobile Reserve, gave the assurance as he led a team of police assigned to maintain order on downtown Kingston’s busy streets.

and Andre St John for the murder of Clive “Lizard” Williams.

Of the four accused, only Williams was found not guilty.

Kartel, whose real name is Adidja Palmer, was charged jointly with fellow entertainer Shawn Campbell, also called Shawn Storm; Kahira Jones; Shane Williams;

Hours before the verdict, activities in sections of the commercial hub came to a virtual standstill as large crowds of Kartel supporters gathered on streets near the court shouting, “Free

TT citizens warned: African scammers targeting locals

Members of the public are being advised not to disclose any personal information over the phone to strangers. The warning comes after several text messages, claiming to be from the Central Bank and the Telecommunications Services of TT (TSTT) ,told local recipients they had won prizes and money and to seek to collect them. However, the texts proved to be a ploy by foreign-based scammers conning unsuspecting people

out of their money. In the case of the Central Bank, people across Trinidad Thursday complained they received several texts claiming they had won $50,000 and telling them to visit the bank for further information and to receive the money.

The phone numbers are 10 digits long and from various area codes. However, attempts to contact and text the numbers proved futile. Nevertheless, people Thursday visited the bank at Independence Square,

Port of Spain, hoping the messages were genuine.

The TT Guardian learned that the Central Bank was bombarded with more than 200 calls and visits by midday from people claiming to have won the money.

The TT Guardian later learnt that after complaints from citizens, TSTT quickly put a block on the numbers and traced the calls and texts and discovered they were coming from Somalia in Africa and being routed from TT. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

world boss”, one of Kartel’s monikers.

Police increased their presence in the area as the crowd threatened to grow unruly and on two occasions appeared ready to throw debris at the officers.

Riot police armed with helmets and shields were also placed at strategic locations to prevent disturbances. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has approved a deal to end a dispute over US$1.6 billion in cost overruns that had delayed work to widen the waterway.

The Spanish-led construction consortium and the ACP say each will invest an extra US$100 million in the project, due to be completed in 2015.

The consortium will also be allowed to claim US$400 million from the project insurers. Construction was halted for two weeks in February, but resumed after an initial agreement was reached.

The canal authority says the deal reached late on Thursday should

accelerate the construction works, aiming to finish the third lock by December 2015. It also extends up to 2018 a moratorium for the construction group – officially known as Grupo Unido por el Canal (GUPC) – to repay around US$780 million worth of cash advances. The dispute emerged late in 2013, when GUPC claimed it was owed US$1.6 billion. But the ACP said the demand amounted to blackmail. The new lock was designed to allow the passage of larger cargo ships in one of the world’s busiest maritime routes. More than 13,000 ships use the maritime shortcut every year.

Investigators focus on foul play behind missing Malaysia plane – sources

An investigation into the disappearance of a Malaysia Airlines jetliner is focusing more on a suspicion of foul play, as evidence suggests it was diverted hundreds of miles off course, sources familiar with the Malaysian probe said.

In a far more detailed description of military ra-

dar plotting than has been publicly revealed, two sources told Reuters an unidentified aircraft that investigators suspect was missing Flight MH370 appeared to be following a commonly used navigational route when it was last spotted early on Saturday, northwest of Malaysia.

That course – headed into the Andaman Sea and towards the Bay of Bengal in the Indian Ocean – could only have been set deliberately, either by flying the Boeing 777-200ER jet manually or by programming the auto-pilot.

A third investigative source said inquiries were

U.S. prosecutors again indict Indian diplomat

Agrand jury in New York has returned a new indictment against Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade for visa fraud, two days after a U.S. judge dismissed a similar indictment because she had diplomatic immunity.

Khobragade’s arrest in December and a subsequent strip search drew outrage in India, causing a major diplomatic rift between the United States and India.

The United States granted her immunity and then essentially had her expelled from the country in a flurry of diplomatic manoeuvres on January 9, the same day

she was indicted for the first time.

“Unfortunately, I can have no comment at this stage,” Khobragade’s lawyer, Daniel Arshack, said in an email. “The Government of India will respond in due course.”

The new indictment effectively returns the case to where it was before Wednesday’s dismissal.

U.S. District Judge Shira Scheindlin ruled on Wednesday that Khobragade, who was India’s Deputy Consul General in New York, had diplomatic immunity when she sought on January 9 to

dismiss the indictment, and thus could not be prosecuted for alleged underpayment of her nanny.

A spokesman for Preet Bharara, the U.S. Attorney in Manhattan, said at the time that the ruling did not bar prosecutors from seeking a new indictment based on the same charges, now that she has left the country.

Prosecutors have accused her of forcing Sangeeta Richard, her housekeeper and nanny, to work 100hour weeks at a salary of just over US$1 an hour, far below the U.S. legal minimum wage of US$7.25 an hour. (Excerpt from Reuters)

China: Knife attack in Hunan’s Changsha leaves six dead

Aknife attack in southern China has left six people dead, local police say. Five people were stabbed to death before the attacker was shot dead by police, in Changsha, Hunan’s provincial capital, on Friday, police said.

A dispute erupted between two vendors, and one killed the other with a knife, police said. The man then stabbed four passersby, police added.

China remains nervous after a stabbing spree in Yunnan province on March 1 left 29 people dead and 143

wounded.

However, an unnamed official in Changsha told AFP news agency: “I can assure you it’s not a terror attack. It happened in a market due to some dispute.”

The incident is currently under investigation, Changsha police said in a statement on their verified microblog.

The scuffle is believed to have broken out around 10:15h local time (02:15h GMT). Two of the passersby died at the scene, while the two others died later in hospital.

Earlier reports in Chinese media had said there were several attackers, with reports saying that three attackers had escaped. (BBC News)

focusing more on the theory that someone who knew how to fly a plane deliberately diverted the flight hundreds of miles off its scheduled course from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.

“What we can say is we are looking at sabotage, with hijack still on the cards,” said the source, a senior Malaysian police official.

One of the most baffling mysteries in the history of modern aviation remains unsolved after nearly a week.

The latest radar evidence is consistent with the expansion of the search for the aircraft to the west of Malaysia.

There has been no trace of the plane or any sign of wreckage as the navies and military aircraft of more than a dozen countries scour the seas across Southeast Asia.

Malaysian Transport Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said he could not confirm the last heading of the plane or if investigators were focusing on sabotage. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Paris court sentences Rwanda genocide suspect

AFrench court has jailed former Rwandan spy chief Pascal Simbikangwa for 25 years over the 1994 genocide.

In a landmark trial, Simbikangwa was found guilty of complicity in genocide and complicity in crimes against humanity. It was not immediately clear whether his lawyers would appeal.

Simbikangwa, 54, who is paraplegic after a car crash, was arrested in 2008 while living under an alias on the French Indian Ocean island of Mayotte.

He is the first man to be convicted in France in connection with the genocide in Rwanda 20 years ago. Some 800,000 people – mostly ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus –were killed over a period of about 100 days.

He had denied the charges against him. Prosecutors had asked for life imprisonment for Simbikangwa, branding him an ethnic “cleanser” who was radically committed to his work and a “man capable of the worst”.

Simbikangwa’s lawyers said the trial was politically motivated and described witnesses as unreliable and guided by spite.

The former spy chief was tried under French legislation that allows universal jurisdiction for genocide and other heinous crimes committed by foreigners abroad.

France – a former colonial power in Africa which had strong ties to the Hutu government – has long been accused of failing to rein in the Rwandan regime at the time of the genocide. (BBC News)

West prepares sanctions as Russia presses on with Crimea takeover

Dozens of Russians involved in Russia’s gradual takeover of Crimea face United States and European Union travel bans and asset freezes on Monday, after six hours of crisis talks between Washington and Moscow ended with both sides still far apart.

Moscow shipped more troops and armour into Crimea on Friday and re-

peated its threat to invade other parts of Ukraine in response to violence in Donetsk on Thursday night despite Western demands to pull back.

EU diplomats will choose from a long list of 120-130 possible Russian targets for sanctions on Sunday, as pro-Moscow authorities who have taken power in Crimea hold a vote to join Russia in the worst East-West confron-

tation since the Cold War.

Several diplomats dismissed a German newspaper report that said the list would include the heads of Russia’s two biggest companies, energy giants Gazprom and Rosneft.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said Russia would be guilty of a backdoor annexation of Crimea if its Parliament ratified the Crimea referendum, which is taking place after an armed takeover of Crimea and gives voters no chance to say “no”. He has warned Moscow that U.S. and EU sanctions could be imposed as soon as Monday if the referendum goes ahead, although U.S. officials said after Kerry’s marathon meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in London on Friday the door was still open for more talks. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Dozens of prisoners escape in Nigerian attack

Suspected Boko Haram fighters attacked a military base in the north-east Nigerian city of Maiduguri and freed dozens of prisoners from custody, Nigerian military said.

An anonymous military source told the AFP news agency on Friday that the rebels forced their way inside the barracks prison and “freed dozens of their members”.

Asked about the report, Defence Spokesman Chris Olukolade told AFP that “many insurgents are in

flight. Whether they were those who staged the attack or those who were held prisoner is not yet known”.

In a separate statement, Olukolade said Boko Haram attacked the barracks “to boost their depleted stock of fighters” after being hit hard in recent weeks by military bombardments.

The army has used Giwa to detain hundreds of people suspected of belonging to the Boko Haram. The barracks is the headquarters of a 10-month-old government offensive against the group

in north-east Nigeria. President Goodluck Jonathan said on Friday he expects “maximum cooperation” from neighbouring countries and warned their security could be affected by the uprising.

Nigeria last month closed hundreds of kilometres of border with Cameroon to prevent militants using it as an escape route. More than 2000 people have been killed in violence over the last six months, security sources say. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Caribbean & Latin America

The United States wants countries including TT to remove its subsidies on petroleum products, according to a high-ranking U.S. State official. In what is called a background briefing at the U.S. State Department in Washington, DC, the highranking official, who the media are not allowed to name, said it was U.S. Government policy that it remove subsidies from petroleum products and would like to see other countries follow. The official said: “Our position is in keeping with a de-

cision of the G20 that subsidies should be removed on energy products. It is not good for the environment, it allows energy to be used inefficiently and we think they should go. We are leading by example and we expect others to also implement this position.”

Only recently both energy economist Gregory McGuire and chief executive officer of Unipet Ronald Millford argued that unless Government removed the subsidies that kept gasoline and diesel prices cheap it would not get motorists to switch to com-

pressed natural gas. McGuire made similar arguments saying that the continued subsidy was leading to inefficient use of the country’s energy resources. The State Department official said in 2011 former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton set up a bureau in the State Department to focus exclusively on energy issues, including energy coorperation in the Americas. The official said the U.S. had been holding discussions with countries in the Americas, including those in the Caribbean, on helping meet their electricity needs.

(Trinidad Guardian)

Africa

Two aid workers from Germany’s GIZ are now nurturing start-ups in the Ethiopian capital – from a text messaging service for job seekers to bamboo ramps for skateboarders.

The offices of start-up hub iceaddis appear lifted from the set of a science fiction film and deposited in the leafy confines of Addis Ababa University.

Despite the futuristically edgy look of rust-red coloured transport containers stacked asymmetrically atop each oth-

er, iceaddis remains deeply rooted in the surrounding local communities. The prefix “ice” stands for innovation, collaboration and entrepreneurship.

Iceaddis encourages young Ethiopian entrepreneurs to invent and develop affordable and sustainable products and services. “We provide a space where you can go a little crazy, experiment, play around with that prototype and see if you might actually be able to turn it into a business,” said

38-year-old Oliver Petzoldt, one of iceaddis’ co-founders. This is the key to successful product development wherever your location may be, but many products often never get off the ground for lack of experimental opportunity, Petzoldt explained.

Iceaddis runs workshops covering a range of eclectic creative endeavours, from how to build mini skateboard ramps out of bamboo to how to develop mobile apps using the Android system. (allAfrica)

Consumer sentiment dipped modestly in early March, entirely due to reduced expectations for the future, a survey said on Friday.

The preliminary Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan overall index of consumer sentiment fell to 79.9 in March, down from the 81.6 final reading in February. That was below analyst expectations for a reading of 82 and the lowest level for that index since November.

North America Australia Europe

Traders at Swiss bank UBS made around 100 attempts to rig a key lending rate called Hibor, the region’s financial regulator has said. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) found internal chat messages which contained “change requests” between 2006 and 2009. The requests were made “with a view to rigging the Hibor fixing” HKMA said.

But the regulator said it found no evidence of collusion

The index for consumer expectations for future growth dipped to 69.4 in March from 72.7, also hitting its lowest level since November, the U-Mich survey said. By contrast, the assessment of current economic conditions brightened a bit, rising to 96.1 from 95.4 in February, with a slight improvement in current personal finances.

“Overall, consumers continued to demonstrate their resilience in the face of a long and harsh winter, and have

not recognised any implications for the domestic economy from the Russian incursion into Ukraine,” survey director Richard Curtin said in a statement. Consumers’ outlook on the future contained some contradictions, however. Those polled expected the highest rate of annual income gains since November 2008 while nearly half those polled expected their living standards to fall in the coming year.(Reuters)

Australia’s economy added 47,300 jobs in February – three times what many analysts had been expecting. The boost follows two months of disappointing jobs growth, leading many to worry about a slowdown in the country’s economy.

The unemployment rate held steady at six per cent as more workers said they were looking for jobs. Australia’s economy has been helped by

Middle East

the central bank’s decision to keep interest rates low to boost demand.

The country’s surprise jobs boom comes as New Zealand’s central bank announced an interest rate increase. That makes New Zealand the first advanced economy to increase rates after years of recession and anaemic growth.

New Zealand’s economy has been booming, helped by strong Chinese demand for its

dairy products, and rebuilding efforts in Christchurch, which was hit by a devastating earthquake in 2011.

“With inflationary pressures building, there is a need to return interest rates to more normal levels,” said the central bank in a statement. New Zealand’s currency strengthened on news of the hike – a sign that markets had been well primed for the news. (BBC News)

with other banks in the region to rig the rate.

Hibor stands for Hong Kong Interbank Offered Rate and is the rate at which banks lend to each other. The regulator found “material weaknesses” in UBS’s internal controls and governance in managing the Hibor submission process and “in other areas”, it said in a statement.

HKMA said that it was “unacceptable” that UBS had failed to report the misconduct to authorities. In a statement

UBS said: “We are pleased that the investigation of the HKMA returned the same results as our own internal investigation – no collusion among banks and no noticeable impact on the fixing of Hibor from any conduct occurring during the period in question.

“We have not been part of the Hibor fixing panel since 2010 and have taken appropriate steps to incorporate the HKMA’s suggested improvements into our operations.” (BBC News)

Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company is to open a regional office in Washington, DC to pursue new investments throughout the western hemisphere.

The office will be located in City Centre DC complex, Qatari Diar’s flagship North American development currently nearing completion.

Designed by Foster + Partners, City Centre DC is a 148,000 square metres urban redevelopment programme in the heart of the U.S. capital’s

downtown district.

In addition to City Centre DC, Qatari Diar is part of the joint venture developing Panama Pacifico on the site of the former Howard Air Force Base in the Republic of Panama.

Khaled Mohammed Al Sayed, Group CEO of Qatari Diar, said: “The success of the City Centre project, together with Qatari Diar’s project in Panama, have encouraged us to look for additional opportunities in the Americas.

“Qatari Diar’s new regional

Investors' guide

base will manage existing projects and explore other strategic investments within the region.” The Washington, DC office, due to open later this year, will be headed by Stephen J Pettit, Qatari Diar regional director –Americas. He said: “Qatari Diar’s new base in the Americas will bolster the company’s operations in the western hemisphere, allowing the regionally-based team to oversee the effective management of current and future projects.” (Arabianbusiness)

Valuation metrics for small businesses

Selling a business can be a hard decision for entrepreneurs, both emotionally and financially. The sad reality is that when it comes to gauging your company’ true intrinsic value, your start-up costs and incurred losses mean nothing when faced with cold, hard valuation metrics. As a small business owner, you should be familiar with these valuation metrics to understand how prospective buyers calculate your business’s worth.

EBITDA

EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and

amortisation) is the most commonly used valuation metric for businesses. These are simply your raw profits before all the messy accounting deductions muddle up your company’s true bottom line. EBITDA is considered the “gold standard” of private mergers and acquisitions. If your company is in a hot growth industry, you should expect a significant acquisition premium – a buyout offer that is several times your most recent EBITDA. Private equity firms have been known to pay multiples up to six to eight times EBITDA. However, even at these high valuations, you

might think that the buyer’s offer doesn’t account for your past expenditures and the future growth potential of your product. In fact, many tech firms end up sacrificing their EBITDA to pursue future growth – a strategy often used by Google, Microsoft and Amazon – which can negatively impact buyout offers based on EBITDA. Many deals fall apart for this reason – buyers claim that the sellers are being too greedy, while sellers claim that buyers fail to see the long-term potential of its expenditures or acquisitions. This is referred to as the “classic valuation gap”. (Business Dictionary)

Business concept – Maslow’s hierarchy of needs

Motivation theory which suggests five interdependent levels of basic human needs (motivators) that must be satisfied in a strict sequence starting with the lowest level. Physiological needs for survival (to stay alive and reproduce) and security (to feel safe) are the most fundamental and most pressing needs. They are followed by social needs (for love and belonging) and self-esteem needs (to feel worthy, respected, and have status).

Nandlall optimistic Legal Council will accede to Guyana’s request

Attorney General Anil Nandlall has expressed optimism that the Council for Legal Education will accede to the request of Caribbean Community (Caricom) Chairman, St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves.

Just before the culmination of the Caricom 25th intersessional meeting in St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr Gonsalves agreed to write the Council for Legal Education, stating that 25 Guyanese Law students should be admitted to the Trinidad-based Hugh Wooding Law School for the academic year 2014.

Earlier in the year, the Council for Legal Education indicated that it will not be guaranteeing any of the 25 places usually offered to Guyanese students at the end of the degree programme at the University of Guyana (UG), Turkeyen Campus.

On Friday, scores of law students gathered in the CBJ Lecture Theatre, Turkeyen Campus to express their concern over the apparent crumbling of the age-old agreement between the Council and UG, regarding the automatic placement of 25 students annually at the Hugh Wooding Law School.

Addressing the students, Minister Nandlall expressed the hope that the Council for Legal Education would accommodate the request of Dr Gonsalves, thereby allowing the top 25 UG law students to be admitted for the academic year 2014.

Anxiety

But from the tone of the students, the expression “hope” by the Minister during his initial deliberation was not enough. In response, Nandlall said: “I cannot conceive that a decision of the Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) under which the Council for Legal Education falls… (would) be disregarded by the Council.” He added: “To my mine that is inconceivable… so I can say with reasonable certainty… that the decision would be acted upon in a favourable manner.”

The Council for Legal Education meets twice a year with the next meeting set for July 2014, however, given the sensitivity of the issue with regards to

timings, Minister Nandlall, who is also the Legal Affairs Minister, will be meeting with Jamaican Queen’s Counsel (QC) Jacqueline Samuels-Brown during her visit to Guyana over the weekend. Samuels-Brown, who is part of the Inquiry Commission to investigate the death of Dr Walter Rodney, chairs the Council.

In addition to the request for the acceptance of the top 25 law students, Caricom had called for a review to be swiftly undertaken for the provision of legal education in the region with regard to the increased

Three suspected dead after man sets house alight

Awoman and her two children are believed to be dead, after her estranged husband allegedly set their house on fire.

Information on the incident is sketchy, but according to online reports, the incident reportedly occurred late Friday night in Port Kaituma, Region One. Reports say the perpetrator escaped after setting the building alight. The children were heard screaming in the home after the building was engulfed in flames, reports noted.

Asia-Pacific countries push toward goal of zero hunger

Minister Nandlall further expressed the hope that until the permanent mechanism is devised, that Guyanese students would continue to enjoy automatic entry into the Hugh Wooding Law School.

The agreement between UG and the Council expired in November 2012; however, it was extended until 2013 based on the request of the Guyana Government.

During the first meeting of the Council in February, the issue arose, but following heated debate, the majority on the Council

need for legal services in the Caribbean. It is intended to have permanent mechanisms in place to cater for Guyanese law students. This matter is also expected to come up for discussions when the Attorney General meets with the chair of the Council.

“We are hoping that whatever mechanism is going to be established is going to find a permanent fix to this arrangement... whether it will be done for the year 2015, I am not sure.”

voted against Guyana’s request for the extension of the agreement, which dates back to 1996.

Meanwhile, it was pointed out that during the Council for Legal Education meeting in February in Barbados, the Bahamian Law School extended an invitation to Guyanese students, explaining that it will soon have the capacity to facilitate more students with the commissioning of a new state-of-the-art educational institution.

However, Minister Nandlall said there was a major cost attached to the offer. It was explained that against the US$10,000 in tuition fees mandated by the Hugh Wooding Law School, The Bahamian Law School has a fee set at US$20,000. Then one has to consider another US$20, 000 to offset living expenses, he pointed out.

With the current situation facing UG’s Law Department, final year law student Sherod Duncan questioned why Guyana does not have its own law school. This move, he argued would solve many of the problems facing students.

Failure to materialise

The students were informed that Cabinet in the past had approved the establishment of a law school in Guyana, but the Legal Affairs Minister was unable to account for the failure of the project to materialise.

“But the establishment of a law school will take a number of years… secondly, it is a most expensive undertaking. If we are going to have a law school, it must be a school which we are proud of, a school of quality and one that will gain recognition and admiration.”

Speaking on his own behalf, Nandlall said if a law school is to be established here, he would prefer it to be a part of the Council for Legal Education. He pointed out that the Council enjoys good reputation and recognition worldwide.

“I believe it is important for us to tap into that goodwill… but of course, the Council is made up of many countries and they would have to agree on the establishment of a law school here,” he said.

Wife reportedly watches husband commit suicide

Aman only identified as “Vicky” but also known as “Camera Fowl” was found dead late Friday night at his Mon Repos residence. Reports are the father of two hanged himself in a room at his 4th Street, Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara

home after his wife had confessed to an extramarital affair.

According to eyewitnesses, the man’s wife had earlier told him she was involved in an affair when he confronted her with the accusation of infidelity. Subsequently, he allegedly told her he was go-

ing for a rope to end his life.

According to the shocked residents, the dead man’s wife allowed him to commit the act and only raised an alarm when he became motionless and suspected that he was dead.

A neighbour of the deceased related that the man

does not have any close relatives around, excepting for his wife and two children.

The man was said to be a maintenance worker at the La Bonne Intention Estate.

This suicide was the first for the month and eighth thus far for the year.

Governments from 41 countries across Asia and the Pacific on Friday concluded a fiveday regional conference on improving their responses to future food security challenges and efforts to end hunger.

At its conclusion, the Ministers and Heads of Delegations of the 32nd FAO Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific (APRC), with some 164 delegates, endorsed four FAO regional initiatives.

The conference was hosted by the Mongolian Industry and Agriculture Ministry.

In their final communiqué, the Government Ministers and heads of delegations said they were conscious of the magnitude of the challenges to achieve a food-secure Asia-Pacific region by raising agricultural productivity, in particular, the productivity of smallholder farmers, and alleviating poverty while protecting the region’s natural resources base.

The conference acknowledged that good progress had been made towards achieving Millennium Development Goal Number One, to reduce hunger by half in the region, which could be attained by 2015 if countries redoubled their efforts and worked together in close partnership.

Speaking during the ministerial segment of the APRC, FAO Director General José Graziano da Silva, had told delegates that FAO was “working much more closely with governments, with international and regional institutions,

with civil society and with the private sector to advance our goal of a food secure and sustainable world. The renewed FAO is swinging into action”.

The delegations said they recognised the positive effects and achievements of the transformational changes put in place under the leadership of the director general during the last biennium and noted that sustained efforts would be needed to achieve the desired outcomes.

The delegates further expressed their appreciation of the renewed efforts and actions being undertaken by the FAO through its strategic framework in supporting the members.

In the final communiqué, the conference supported the implementation of FAO’s four regional initiatives on: Zero Hunger Challenge in Asia and the Pacific, Regional Rice Initiative (Phase II), Blue Growth, and Developing Local Value Chains for food Security and Nutrition in Pacific Island countries.

The delegates expressed their confidence in and continued support to the new strategic direction of the organisation and underlined the necessity for continuity to achieve the full impact of these changes and appreciated the efforts made in support to family farming in the framework of the International Year of Family Farming 2014 and underscored that family farming constitutes an essential component of the region’s economies and societies.

SUDOKU

Follow up on any financial leads that manifest themselves. A profitable investment is likely if you play your cards right. Listen carefully to any complaints, and be honest about your feelings.

By Bernice Bede Osol

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

Positive changes are heading your way. Your talents and capabilities are gaining momentum and attention. Taking on too much at once will be your downfall. Pick and choose wisely.

You can make a valuable connection. The time is right to share your skills and ideas. Collaborating with an unusual partner will result in a new moneymaking venture.

There is no need to be confined to doing the same thing over and over again. Be inventive, use your imagination and be open to new experiences.

(Aug. 23Sept. 22)

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

An encounter with an old friend may open up past wounds. Get any issues out in the open and clear the air. Put history behind you, and move on.

(March 21-April 19)

You may feel that no matter what you do, you aren’t getting any farther ahead. Don’t expect others to be sympathetic. Rather than complain, plug away until you reach your goal.

(April 20-May 20)

There are many interesting events underway that won’t break your budget. Include the ones you love in your plans. Put aside any demands that are weighing you down and have some fun.

(May 21June 20)

Expect someone to break a promise or let you down. Even though you are disappointed, resist the urge to seek revenge. Chalk it up to experience and continue to do your own thing.

You need a change at home, but before getting started on an improvement project, you should consult those who share your space. You may end up undoing what has already been completed.

(Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Love is on the rise. Be alert to what is happening around you. Don’t reveal personal information up front. Someone may be trying to sabotage your plans.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Believe in what you do. There will always be someone who tries to change your opinion or criticise your ideas. Welcome any helpful advice and ignore the negative remarks.

(Nov. 23Dec. 21)

Stay close to home, where you feel safe and comfortable. Giving in to emotional vulnerability in social settings will lower your confidence. A minor disagreement can escalate rapidly.

Dentures provided in 72 hours from as low as $4500. Contact Dr B Stuart, 209B Charlotte St, Lacytown. Tel: 225-5034

Shalom Driving School. Lot 2 Croal Street. Call 227-3835, 227-3869, 622-8162 and enjoy 20% discount

Learn Portuguese in little time with beginners and advanced DVDs & CDs. Call 657-0482

Available: Fresh long-stemmed roses, fresh dried and silk floral arrangements, gift items, bridal boutiques and wreaths. Nesha’s Flowerland. 78 Church Street (opposite St George’s Cathedral). Tel: 227-3553/225-3315

FOR SALE

Agricultural tractors and machinery; single and 4-wheel drive: Massey Ferguson, Ford, John Deere, New Holland and Fiat. Also available spares parts for these machines. Phone: 6194483, 601-7883, 226-6325

Spare parts for 1-2-3-4 and 6 cylinder diesel engines for Lister, Pieter, Kobota, Perkins, Veutz, Fiat, John Deer, Case IH, Cummings, Bedford and Leyland Daf. Also all middles of diesel generators: super silence and open air from 3KVA- 600KVA. Contact Rams Auto Spares on telephone 226-6325, 2271454, 619-4483 and 685-3568

Chinese-made gas stoves. Call 2315866, 231-5857

Cheap earth delivered to spot on ECD and EBD. Call 627-9977 &698-0182

Clean garden earth and builders waste; our services also includes Bobcat rental, excavating, clearing and leveling. Call 616-0617 or 663-3285

Healthworld Holistic Centre offers clinical psychotherapy for suicidal thoughts, attempted suicides, depression, stress, mood disorders, psychotic disorders, homicidal thoughts, hallucinations, loneliness, conflicts, anger management, relationship & sexual problems, paranoia and much more. Call +592-6210552 and make that appointment now before it’s too late. 12:00PM – 6:00PM. Mondays - Fridays. Email: healthworldhc@gmail.com

- $3.2M (110x60ft), Parfaite Harmonie (with foundation 20x30ft) $1.5M, Parfaite Harmonie$1.4M, Schoonord - $2M. Call: 6757292

Indian Wells: Roger Federer and Li Na advance into semi-finals

Roger Federer moved into the semi-finals of the BNP Paribas Open at a windy Indian Wells after defeating South African Kevin Anderson 7-5 6-1.

It was the 10th win in a row for the Swiss, 32, who has put his poor form of last season behind him.

Two storey wooden building. Bare Root. Phone: 687-5653

Property for sale at 48 Light Street, Alberttown (between third and fourth streets) Contact Ram on telephone: 619-4483 685-3568 and 226-6325.

First Phase Good Hope, Anna Catherina, East bank Demerara (property with ongoing business). Call 6735546, 695-4382, 669-3313, 231-4586.

Silva’s Optical. For Your Eyes Only, Look Better See Better. Phillip A Da Silva OD, Shannon L Da Silva OD, Natalie Da Silva OD. 248 South Road, Bourda. Phone: 227-3529, Linden: 444-6376, Corriverton: 339-3536, Meten-Meer-Zorg: 275-0322, Grand Cayman Islands: (345) 943-1515 for the perfect trendy touch.

J Eastman & Associates. Taxation (VAT, income & Property), Cash Flow Projections, Business Development Plan, Personal Financial Adviser, Accounting & Consultancy. 190 Church Street, South Cummingsburg, Georgetown, Guyana (two buildings east of Austin’s Book Store. Phone: 223-2105, 662-7467

Quality Troweltex and painting work at guaranteed low cost. Phone: 687-0930

Suriname Astrology Palmist and Djuka Healing, the most powerful spiritualist in the world, are you suffering from the following problems (any religion) love, marriage, family, health business, husband and wife relationship, property, court, children, promotion, visa, pregnancy, education, depression, job, sexual, jealousy, enemy, money, drinking? Also you can have all evil forces destroyed such as black magic, witchcraft, voodoo, obeyah etc and give powerful protection. We also do upliftment for clearing of land, dredging operations strictly in the interior. For private and confidential service call 674-2112.

Get your home or business spiritually clean to enhance good luck and prosperity. Telephone: 687-5653

Cleansing of spiritual problems of all kinds. Powerful Ifá protection against evil. Get help to overcome problems with love, relationships, legal, sexual, pregnancy, business, sickness, jobs, enemies, work, money. Call 592-6901824 from 10:00-16:00h Email:anewlife@live.com

Dutch spiritual healing in removing evil spirit, bad luck, evil sickness, spells, reuniting lovers and prosperity to businesses. Call: 612-6417, 2200708, 687-5653.

Music is fun! Register now and learn to play the Keyboard, Guitar, Drums and do Voice Training. Call Foundation 7 on 225-1151, 617-4200. One furnished house in immaculate condition at Lamaha Gardens suitable for residence and office. US$2,500 (AC, hot & cold, parking

cases, US green card lottery, business class waivers, pardons, etc. Get your visa approved. High success rate. Balwant Persaud & Associates. Certified Immigration Consultants, 68 Sixth Street, Alberttown, Georgetown (Between Cummings & Lights Sts) Tel: 225-1540, 622-8308, 655-3105. Email: balwantpersaud@yahoo.ca TO lET

JUST ARRIVED: TOP QUALITY RECONDITIONED VEHICLES; TOYOTA NOAH; TOYOTA VOXY; TOYOTA IST (NEW SHAPE); SUZUKI SWIFT; DAIHATSU MOVE (660CC); MERCEDES BENZ C200 KOMPRESSOR; COROLLA AE100 WAGON; HONDA CRV RD4; LAND CRUISER (FULLY LOADED); MAZDA PROCEED 4WD EXTRA-CAB PICKUP; TOYOTA HILUX 4WD EXTRA CAB PICKUPS - 3RZ, 5L, 3L SOLID DEFFERNTIAL; MITSUBISHI CANTER TRUCKS 4 TONS FREEZER; 3 TONS OPEN TRAY; 2 TONS 4WD; 3 TONS DUMP TRUCK; NISSAN ATLAS 2 TONS OPEN TRAY TRUCK. PRE-

ORDER YOUR UNITS EARLY AND GET THE BEST PRRICES. FULL AFTER SALES SERVICES AND FINANCING AVAILABLE. DEO MARAJ AUTO SALES, 2 CHIMNEY ROAD, CHATEAU MARGOT, ECD. 624-0762, 2205177. A NAME AND SERVICE YOU CAN TRUST.

4x4 Nissan Titan fully powered Immaculate condition $3.5M. No reasonable offer refused. 622-7740

Full & part time security guards. To arrange an interview, call 231-5866, 231-5857

“There is a sense of calmness to my game now,” said the world number eight.

Li Na, 32, reached the semi-finals of the women’s competition for the first time since 2007 with a 6-3 4-6 6-3 victory over Dominika Cibulkova.

Federer will face Alexandr Dolgopolov - who knocked out Rafael Nadal in the third round - after he beat Andy Murray’s conqueror, Milos Raonic, to reach his first Masters series semi-final.

After also winning in Dubai two weeks ago, Federer, a 17-time Grand Slam winner, admitted his recent improvement had taken him by surprise.

“That grit and wanting to win badly feeling is out there, which was hard to find at times last year,” he

said.

Dolgopolov, 25, clinched a 6-3 6-4 victory over Raonic and is returning to the form that took him to number 13 in the world two years ago.

Li Na will play Flavia Pennetta after the Italian beat Sloane Stephens 6-4 5-7 6-4 in a dust storm.

Pennetta said: I’m happy because I got through this match, but I don’t have a good feeling right now.

The

‘Organise more Tests for Tests to survive’ – Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar believes the ICC needs to organise more Tests, if it wants the format to survive Sachin Tendulkar believes the ICC needs to organise more Tests, if it wants the format to survive. At the same time, he feels, no player can be forced to play a Test match, because it is the format that will always catch you out if you are not mentally and technically prepared.

each other. If you want more guys to follow cricket, T20 is an ideal format to introduce people to cricket. Gradually they can progress to one-day cricket and Test cricket.”

and I looked towards point, I thought, ‘Point is catching so there’s a gap.’ But later I realised, ‘No, no there’s deep point already too’. With time, your style of play too changes. Today the kinds of shots played by batsmen are incredible.

Speaking at the seventh annual ESPNcricinfo awards night, in Mumbai, where he was named Cricketer of the Generation, Tendulkar also pointed out how the game has evolved in recent times, in large part due to the influence of limited-overs cricket. Twenty20 cricket, he said, complements Test cricket.

“The ICC should take notice of it and organise more Test matches if they want Test cricket to survive,” Tendulkar said, while accepting his award. “[But] I still believe Test cricket is in good hands, players are producing unbelievable cricket. If you see around the world, most matches have results, very few are drawn, which is probably due to T20s, so the formats are complementing

There’s no point forcing Test cricket down throats, Tendulkar said, since that would only eat into the quality of the game. “When it comes to players though, you cannot force someone to like Test cricket. If you are passionate about Test cricket, it has to be from within. And if it doesn’t exist in some cases, don’t force him, leave him, let him play one-day and T20 cricket. Test cricket is the ultimate format and it’s one format where the bowlers are always going to get you out. In Tests, you require planning, vision and execution. It doesn’t happen that much in T20 cricket, where you can be a hero in three balls.”

The game changed, especially in the second half of his 24-year career, Tendulkar said. He pointed out innovations in field placements, batting and bowling styles. Some of those changes, Tendulkar said, resulted in him curbing his aggression as his career progressed. “The field settings were different. Later on in my career when I walked in to bat

“I saw [Zimbabwe batsman] Andy Flower play the reverse sweep consistently in a Test, he was 1012 years ahead of his time. Twelve years down the line, it has become quite a common shot: [England captain] Alastair Cook was [in the 200s] at Birmingham, and he, of all people, reverseswept Amit Mishra. The game has changed.

‘In Tests, you require planning, vision and execution ... In T20 cricket, you can be a hero in three balls’

“Now consistently you see 300-plus totals, which is because of the rule changes and also due to T20 cricket. Batsmen are prepared to take chances, bowlers have to develop more variations. In the 90s, I don’t think anyone bowled the slower ball bouncer like [South Africa pacer] Shaun Pollock did in the latter stage of his career, now it’s a regular variation. So maybe 20 years down the line, who knows how the game will be.” (Cricinfo)

Strikers sign Guyana’s international midfielder Nurse

The NASL’s Fort Lauderdale Strikers have announced the signing of Guyana international midfielder Chris Nurse, 29, for the 2014 campaign.

“Chris is an experienced player who has already won a championship in this league and is going to help us in many ways,” said Strikers Head Coach Günter Kronsteiner. “He’s a solid player and a leader both on the field and in the locker room.”

Nurse, a 6’ 2” midfielder, was born in London, England of Guyanese descent. He was named captain of the Guyana national team for the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification match-

es. He has 47 national team caps with Guyana, scoring five goals.

Nurse made his NASL debut in 2010 with the Puerto Rico Islanders and joined the Carolina RailHawks on loan in 2011/12 before returning to the Islanders later in 2012. He spent the 2013 season with FC Edmonton, where he scored three goals during the season and was named North American Soccer League Player-of-the-Month for the month of August.

Nurse is the fifth new player to join the Strikers for 2014. The club has also re-signed 14 players from last season’s roster.

Indian Wells: Novak Djokovic wins in straight sets to reach semi-finals

WNovak Djokovic beat Julien Benneteau 6-1 6-3 to reach the semifinals in the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells.

The Serbian broke the unseeded Frenchman twice in each set without facing a break point of his own.

Djokovic, 26, will play the winner of American John Isner and Latvia’s Ernests Gulbis in the semifinals.

Seventh-seed Roger

Novak Djokovic

Federer faces Ukrainian Alexandr Dolgopolov in the other semi.

Djokovic, who took just 68 minutes to wrap up his victory, is seeking his first title of 2014 after reaching the quarter-finals of the Australian Open and Dubai in his only prior outings.

He said: “I had to stay focused. Today he made a lot of unforced errors. I tried to make the most of those opportunities when they were presented.” (BBC Sport)

Uli Hoeness resigns as Bayern Munich president after court case

Uli Hoeness has resigned as Bayern Munich president and chairman in the wake of his conviction for tax evasion.

The 62-year-old, who played for Bayern from 19701979 before retiring through injury aged 27, will not appeal against a three-and-ahalf year jail sentence.

“Tax evasion was the biggest mistake of my life,” he said in a statement. “Bayern Munich is my life’s work and will also remain so.”

Bayern have appointed Adidas chief executive Herbert Hainer as the club’s new chairman.

Hainer, 59, was previously deputy chairman at the German champions and his

appointment was unanimously approved by the Bayern board.

“Uli Hoeness has always devoted his leadership qualities, great personal commitment and outstanding lifelong effort to the best interests of Bayern Munich,” said Hainer.

“He is very largely responsible for Bayern becoming one of the most successful and attractive clubs in the world both in sporting and financial terms. We offer him heartfelt thanks and gratitude for this.”

As a player Hoeness won the 1972 European Championship and the 1974 World Cup with West Germany and three successive European Cups with

Bayern.

Following his retirement, he was appointed general manager at German giants Bayern, who have reached three of the last four Champions League finals and won the tournament last year at Wembley.

He was elected Bayern president in November 2009.

He was initially charged with evading £2.9m (3.5m euros) in taxes but then admitted to another £12.5m (15m euros) and was found guilty of “seven serious counts of tax evasion”.

In a statement on the Bayern Munich website he said: “After discussing the matter with my family I have decided to accept the judg-

ment. This corresponds to my understanding of integrity, decorum and personal responsibility.

“Evading tax was the biggest mistake of my life. I accept the consequences of this mistake.

“Furthermore I hereby resign the offices of president and chairman with immediate effect. By doing so I wish to avert further damage to my club.

“I will continue to be associated with this magnificent club and its people in other ways for as long as I live. I wish to thank from the heart my personal friends and all followers of Bayern Munich for your support.” (BBC

Lewis Hamilton heads Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg in Australia

ewis Hamilton head-

Led Nico Rosberg to a Mercedes one-two in second practice at the seasonopening Australian GP. Their performance underlined their status as favourites for this year’s championship as Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso took third. Despite Red Bull’s troubled pre-season programme, Sebastian Vettel was fourth from McLaren’s Jenson Button.

Vettel’s team-mate Daniel Ricciardo was sixth from Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen and Williams’ Valtteri Bottas. Raikkonen, whose partnership with Alonso is one of the most eagerly anticipat-

ed aspects of the new season, was 0.7 seconds slower than

the Spaniard.

Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali said Raikkonen had had a problem with his car, without defining what it was.

Hamilton was 0.157secs clear of Rosberg despite missing the whole first session when the car stopped with an oil sensor calibration problem on his first serious lap.

“I went out a lot later than when the others did their option [tyre] running so the track would be faster,” said Hamilton. “It didn’t feel like a particularly good lap. I still have a lot to improve on, a lot to find.

“P2 was good but it doesn’t make any difference whether

South Africa v Australia, 3rd T20, Centurion

All-round Australia seal 2-0 triumph

Australia 129 for 4 (Finch 39, Tahir 2-21) beat South Africa 128 for 7 (De Kock 41, Starc 2-16) by six wickets.

Australia ended their South African tour as they started it: with an emphatic win in Centurion. They overwhelmed the hosts in the longest and shortest format at the venue to claim both trophies on offer in their month-long visit and winning the T20 series by a 2-0 margin.

In conditions that offered swing and seam movement, Australia’s bowlers restricted South Africa to a below-par total. Their batsmen, sans David Warner who was rested for the final game, chased it down like a team in a hurry and they are - to get to the World T20 in Bangladesh.

Australia will go there far more prepared than South Africa after a clinical performance that exposed South Africa’s vulnerabilities, especially without their two pace spearheads. Neither Dale Steyn nor Morne Morkel were included in the XI as they complete their rehabilitation from hamstring and shoulder injuries respectively but even they may have found it difficult to defend this total.

South Africa fell significantly below the average first innings score at this ground of 197. That number does not take into account the sluggish nature of the surface given the unseasonal wet weather but Australia showed run scoring was not as difficult as South Africa made it look. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

you’re at the top of the time sheets in practice. The big thing was to just feel the car. Missing P1 was a big backwards step but I felt we recovered most of it.”

Rosberg was in turn 0.35secs quicker than Alonso, who was fastest in the first practice session.

That is a smaller margin than was expected after a preseason in which Mercedes and their customer team Williams were believed by their rivals to have a significant advantage over the rest of the field.

Red Bull’s performance proved they have made significant progress since the final pre-season test two weeks ago.

BCB launches second annual Carib 20/20 tourney

Buoyed by the success of the inaugural edition in 2013, Ansa McAl Trading has recommitted to sponsoring the Carib Beer 20/20 cricket competition, set to start soon for teams in Berbice.

The competition is one of two the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) has planned for 2014- the other sponsored by Universal DVD Club.

Public Relations Officer of the BCB, Hilbert Foster, said “there can be no doubt that 20/20 cricket is the most popular form of the game and the success of the Limacol Caribbean Premier League has only served to build the passion even

more.”

During the launch on Thursday at the NCN Studio on Homestretch Avenue, Foster explained the format of the upcoming tournament, which will feature more than a dozen teams from the Ancient County.

“The tournament would be contested by Bush Lot, West Berbice, Blairmont, D’Edward, Edinburg, Bermine, Police, Young Warriors, Albion, Rose Hall Town Gizmos and Gadgets, Port Mourant, Skeldon and Upper Corentyne. The tournament would be played with the teams divided into two zones and playing each other on a round-robin basis

before the knockout stage begins,” Foster highlighted.

He added, “The semifinals would be played on the same day at one venue while the final would also involve the third-place playoff match. The winning team would receive $80,000 and the Carib Beer trophy; the runner-up would carry home $40,000 and the man of the final $10,000.”

Foster posited that Berbice has always produced outstanding 20/20 players, who always perform in tournaments such as these “and crowd attendance is always very high.”

He said, “While [defending champions] Albion and

[last year’s runner-up] Rose Hall Town would start as favourites, they would be challenged by several others who are determined to be crowned 20/20 champions.”

Public Relations Officer of Ansa McAl Trading, Darshanie Yussuf, said her company was enthused by the success of last year’s competition, and was elated to once again come on board.

She pointed out that Ansa McAl Trading and Carib Beer are pleased to aid in the development of cricket in the Ancient County and would continue to offer such support in the future.

(Avenash Ramzan)

Tendulkar voted cricketer...

The jury for the performance awards included Mark Butcher, Sanjay Manjrekar, Daryll Cullinan, Russel Arnold, Ian Bishop, Rahul Dravid, and a number of ESPNcricinfo’s senior writers.

A new category, the Debutant of the Year, voted on by ESPNcricinfo users, was won by India’s Mohammed Shami, who took 17 wickets in his four Tests in 2013, and 30 ODI wickets. Shami beat the likes of Kusal Perera, Ashton Agar, Kyle Abbott, Sohail Maqsood and Jason Holder to the title.

Also new this year, the Contribution to Cricket Award went to Tarak Sinha, head coach of the Sonnet Cricket Club in Delhi, who has been involved in the development of a remarkable number of Indian Test and first-class players, among

them Aakash Chopra, Ashish Nehra and Manoj Prabhajar. Sinha, who was nominated for the award by Rahul Dravid, has coached Ranji Trophy-winning Delhi and Rajasthan teams, and was the coach of the India women’s team the first time it won a Test series overseas.

South Africans AB de Villiers and Dale Steyn dominated the Statsguru Awards, which are adjudged based purely on statistical data. De Villiers won Batsman of the Year, Best Test Batsman, and Most Consistent Batsman. Steyn was the Bowler of the Year and the Best Test Bowler. The ESPNcricinfo Awards are now in their seventh year. Past winners have included Dale Steyn, Kumar Sangakkara, Virender Sehwag and Lasith Malinga. (Cricinfo)

GT&T supports Karate College

Georgetown lads continue to blow away their opponents in the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) Under-15 Inter-zone competition, this time thumping East Coast by 142 runs at the Enmore Community Centre ground in their second round matchup on Friday. Georgetown took to the crease first and finished on 234-6 off the alloted 50 overs. Opener Joshua Persaud recorded Georgetown’s second century in the competition. He scored 106, while their first match centurion, Alphius Bookie, was also among the runs with 43. Bowling for East Coast, Pradesh Balkishun and Ramdeo Basdeo accounted for 2-35 and 2-57 respectively.

The East Coast innings finished in the 40th over when they were bundled out for 92. Only Pradesh Balkishun and Anil Singh reached double figures with 17 and 13 respectively.

The Georgetown bowlers

had a feast; Alphius Bookie took 4-21, Khenchandra Hardyal 3-19, and Stephon Wilson 2-15.

Joshua Persaud was adjudged man of the match for his brilliant century.

The third and final round of the competition will be held today with East Coast and West Demerara clashing at the Wales Community Centre ground, and East Bank taking on Georgetown at the Everest Cricket Club ground.

GKC dojo construction at financial standstill

– second International Food and Drink Festival planned

By Rajiv Bisnauth

The second phase of construction for the Guyana Karate College’s (GKC) $100 million dojo at Liliendaal is currently delayed due to financial constraints, Public Relations Officer of the GKC, Wayne Orderson disclosed on Friday.

Orderson said the work on this phase is stalled because the GKC could not afford funds to offset the remaining expenses

“Phase two entails the fabrication and erection of the steel frame; what I can say is that the steel frame is already fabricated by Industrial Fabrications Inc

(Infab), but the responsibility is ours at the GKC to complete the payment in order for the frame to be delivered and installed on site,” Orderson related.

He added: “An International Food and Drink Festival is planned for April 19 at the Everest Cricket ground, and once the remaining amount is raised that phase will be completed.”

During mid-2012, Infab was given the $15M contact for construction of the frame. The GKC has made a down payment of $8M, but the remaining $7.5M must be paid in order for the second phase of construction to commence.

Fundraiser

Therefore, in an effort to generate funds, the GKC has planned the second International Food and Drink Festival.

The event, endorsed by the Tourism, Industry and Commerce Ministry will ensure patrons have an opportunity to indulge their appetites on various foods from countries such as Argentina, Barbados, Brazil, Cuba, Canada, India, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, Russia, Suriname, the United States of

America, Venezuela and of course Guyana .

There will also be other attractions such as Latin dance performances, music of countries represented at the festival, a chef’s cookoff, a bartending contest, a farmers’ market, and beer, wine and spirits tasting.

The top beers from different countries will be on display. There will be some of the world’s best dark beer, flavoured beer, lager,

pale beer, sour beer, specialty beer, stout and porter and wheat beer from Asia, Europe and the Americas.

Patrons will also be treated to famous cocktails, including the martinis, highballs, lowballs shoot-

ers and tropical drinks such as the Margarita, Mai Tai, White Russian, Caipirinha, Martini, Daiquiri, Mojito, Tom Collins, Pina Colada, Cuba Libre and Sea Breeze.

And for the children, young adults and adult teetotallers, there will be the most extensive array of nonalcoholic beverages available, including smoothies, spritsers, sodas and mocktails.

For food lovers, this festival is a celebration of both local and global foods, including cheeseburgers, kebabs, lasagne, seafood and spicy Indian curries, which

will all be apart of a spectacularly varied menu.

The architectural design for the facility includes four main training areas, an administrative office and dormitory for students.

The plans for the facility also projects a Japanese garden and fish pond in its roofless centre and sliding doors to enclose all training areas so that training sessions can be visible from nearly any part of the facility.

The college, which is currently housed at the Malteenoes Sports Club, offers a variety of courses in martial arts. Apart from the

DDL seals sponsorship deal for today’s cycling

Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), through its Diamond Mineral Water beverage, has confirmed its sponsorship of today’s 11race cycling programme, billed for the inner circuit of the National Park.

The event, in its ninth year and sponsored under the Diamond Mineral Water banner, will pedal off at 09:00 hrs.

In sealing its support for the day’s activities, DDL’s Marketing Assistant, Trishwantie Doodnauth, on Thursday afternoon presented the sponsorship cheque to national coach and organiser, Hassan Mohamed, at his Middle Street office.

She also handed over a quantity of Diamond Mineral Water, which will be used to rehydrate the cyclists during the races.

“The company has used its Diamond Mineral Water brand to support these races for each of the eight years that it was held and is very pleased with the way in which the events are planned and executed,” Doodnauth related.

She added, “This partnership has had an indelible impact on the sport since it has provided our cyclists with opportunities to compete and enhance their skills. Diamond Mineral Water is also proud of its contributions toward the spectrum of sports in Guyana and is committed to the development and promotion of

DDL’s Marketing Assistant, Trishwantie Doodnauth, presents her company’s sponsorship package to national coach and organiser of today’s event, Hassan Mohamed

sports as a healthy form of entertainment.”

Doodnauth concluded by wishing the riders “a competitive, safe and successful race.”

Mohamed, in accepting the sponsorship package, thanked the company and its representatives for their unwavering support over the years, noting that sponsorship is critical to the development of the sport.

“DDL has been on board with cycling for close to a decade now and I want to thank

them very much for providing an avenue, so that our riders can have competitive action,” Mohamed said.

Competitive programme

The Mohamed-organised event will pedal off at 09:00 hrs and should be completed by 13:00 hrs with the conclusion of the feature 35-lap School Boys and Invitational race, which will see the country’s senior riders in action.

According to Mohamed, the

cyclists are expected to bring their ‘A’ game as they prepare for the Essequibo leg of the Cheddi Jagan memorial race on March 23.

“We can expect a very fast and competitive race, because the riders will be looking to get into top shape for next Sunday’s race in Essequibo,” Mohamed related.

The prolific Raynauth Jeffrey, riding for Team Coco (Guyana), is the defending champion of the feature 35-lap race, having won last year’s event in a time of one hour, 15 minutes, 0.1 seconds (01h:15m:0.1s).

However, he will have a tough task on hand this time around, as the likes of Alanzo Greaves, fresh off victory in the Jagan race last Sunday, Paul deNobrega, Geron Williams, Marlon Williams and others will look to get some confidence ahead of next Sunday’s race.

A new champion will be crowned in the junior division since last year’s winner Raul Leal has since graduated to the senior ranks. Junior Niles is the defending champion of the veterans category, while Ozia McUally in the mountain bikes and Alfie Soonaram in the 1214 Boys and Girls were also winners.

Marketing representatives of DDL, including Doodnauth and Larry Wills, are expected to witness the races and assist in the presentation of prizes at the conclusion of the event.

(Avenash Ramzan)

regular coloured belt courses, the college offers first to seventh Dan black belt courses as well as courses in self-defence. Winning strategies, CPR and First Aid, conflict resolution and nutrition and health, international instructors, examiners and judges’ courses are also on the college’s curriculum.

The aim of the college is to help young people find direction in life and break the cycle of crime and violence in Guyana through karate.

The college acquired a99-year lease for the acre of land from former president Bharrat Jagdeo in 2010.

George misses medal stand in 400 finals

Olympian Winston George barely missed the medal stand in the final of the South American Games men’s 400 metres on Friday, currently in progress in Chile.

Geogre clocked in with a time of 46.15s to finish 0.29 of a second off of the bronze position, while the race was won in 45.3s.

George qualified for the final with the third fastest preliminary time of 46.55s on day one (Thursday) of the track and field action.

Wayne Harlequin was unable to make the final of the 400 metres in his heat, running a time of 49.19s, while sprint ace Alisha Fortune finished eighth in her preliminary round of the women’s 100 metres with a time of 12.29s. Meanwhile, George will be competing in the 200 metres today when action in the championship continues.

WICB Regional Four-day tournament…

Windward Islands seize advantage despite Fudadin’s 82

By Avenash Ramzan

They say when it rains, it pours.

But precipitation was nowhere in sight on Friday, as the sun shone brilliantly- a word that could not quite describe Guyana’s batting on day two of the third round match against the Windward Islands.

Plagued by injudicious shot selection and a lack of partnerships during the first two rounds, much of the same prevailed as the home team batters chased down the islanders’ first innings 307.

When bails were lifted, Guyana had reached 187-7, still in arrears by 120 runs with the lower half of the batting tasked with ensuring first innings points.

That total has so far included two partnerships valued 132 runs, a clear indication of how frequently wickets have fallen.

Had it not been for a fighting 81-run stand between left-handers Assad Fudadin and Shivnarine Chanderpaul and a backto-the-wall 51-run partnership by Anthony Bramble and Devendra Bishoo, first innings honours could already have been decided.

Disastrous start

The innings got off to a disastrous start when teenaged left-hander Tagenarine Chanderpaul (00) edged ex-West Indies fast bowler Nelon Pascal to keeper Lyndon James and fellow opener Sewnarine

Chattergoon (01) was caught at second slip off Delorn Johnson with just a solitary run on the board. At lunch,the Windward Islands were sitting pretty with the home side 26-2.

Upon resumption, Fudadin and the diminutive left-hander Vishaul Singh tried valiantly to repair the early damage, but with the score on 36, the latter was trapped leg before by seamer Kenroy Peters for 14.

With addition to the score, Test bastman Narsingh Deonarine attempted a suicidal run off the first delivery he faced, but succeeded only in find -

ing Alston Bobb at midon, who threw down the stumps at the non-striker’s end with Deonarine short of his ground.

It was the fourth time this season Deonarine has failed to get off the mark, and the third in succession.

His swift demise brought the evergreen Chanderpaul to the crease, and his presence clearly lifted the confidence of Fudadin, who was starting to time the ball sweetly.

The pair combined to defy the opposition bowlers, picking the gaps with consistency and finding the occasional boundary.

Fudadin took the

GPF joins rugby

The Guyana Police Force(GPF) is now an official affiliate of the Guyana Football Rugby Union (GFRU), after launching their club on Wednesday at the Police Sports Club, Eve Leary.

Senior Superintendent of the GPF, Paul Williams, will head the new club as president while local junior coach Troy Yip will be the coach and the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the club.

fight to the bowlers as Chanderpaul was content on playing the supporting role, an approach which worked well for Guyana on either side of the tea break.

At 108-4 at tea, the Guyanese were slowly crawling back into contention with Fudadin eyeing his fourth First-Class hundred, unbeaten on 70, and Chanderpaul as solid as ever on 23.

However, three quick wickets after the break swung the momentum in Windward Islands’ favour.

Skipper and off-spinner Liam Sebastian removed both Fudadin and Chanderpaul, before left-

arm spinner Bobb acounted for Christopher Barnwell (13) as the Guyanese slipped to 136-7.

Fudadin’s 82 spanned 225 minutes and 184 balls and included nine fours and a six, but his dismissalcaught at short mid-wicket pulling a short deliveryepitomised Guyana’s batting this season.

Chanderpaul produced one of his usually dogged innings, grinding it out for 107 minutes and 73 balls for his 26.

With all the top order batsmen back in the pavillion, Sebastian and Co. were probably hoping to bag first innings points before the end of the day, but their aspirations were thwarted by a buoyant, unbroken partnership by

Bramble and Bishoo.

The Berbicians took Guyana to stumps without further loss- Bramble unbeaten on 29 and Bishoo on 22. Sebastian has so far picked up 2-68 from 28 testing overs.

Earlier, the Windward Islands’ tail was mopped up quite quickly with the last four wickets tumbling for just 17 runs. Sebastian, who resumed on 60, failed to add to his overnight score, falling to off-spinner Deonarine. Kenroy Peters (05), Delorn Johnson (04) and Nelon Pascal (00) all fell cheaply to leave Bobb not out on 13. Seamer Barnwell finished with 4-54, left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul 3-69 and Deonarine 2-54.

SCOREBOARD

Fall of wickets: 1-65, 2-78, 3-78, 4-107, 5-263, 6-263, 7-290, 8-299, 9-304, 10-307 Bowling: Deonarine 28-1054-2 Joseph 7-0-52-0 (3-nb), Barnwell 20.4-5-54-4 (1-w), Permaul 25-5-69-3, Bishoo 218-44-1, Fudadin 1-0-12-0 Guyana 1st innings S

Yip also revealed that more than 30 members of the force have already signed up for the club, which will make its on-field debut during tournaments scheduled closer to the end of the year.

Meanwhile, Senior VicePresident of the club will be Berkley Wickham, corporate service manager of Demerara Mutual Life

According to Yip, the club will be the first rugby club in the long history of the force, as they are looking to make an impact on the local rugby scene.

Insurance Co., while the junior vice president with be former president of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) and Deputy Superintendent of the GPF, Colin Boyce.

Petal Adams will be the secretary, Corporal Mark George the treasurer and Sergeant Fiona Fredericks the Assistant Treasurer.

The committee members of the new club as elected are, Keith Whyte, Richard James, Frederick Joe and Nyron Hassan.

GABF approves YBG challenge series

The Youth Basketball Guyana (YBG) has been granted approval from the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) for the hosting of its Sprite Challenge Series set to begin today at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

A letter made public by the GABF was sent to the YBG notifying the youth organisation and the personnel involved, that once any personnel is affiliated to the GABF and works in the YBG series in any capacity,they are

liable to be sanctioned. This is due to the YBG’s failure to seek approval from the federation, along with the fact that YBG is not an affiliated member of the GABF.

However, since the publication of the letter, the YBG wrote the GABF who in the form of another letter has granted YBG permission to host their series.

The YBG’s letter also notified the GABF that they are willing to work through a process to be affiliated with or attached to the structure of the GABF.

Meanwhile, the challenge series that will run into the night on Sunday may have to conclude earlier than planned, since the GABF will be having their Road to Mecca national club championships on Sunday evening from 18:00h, according to their letter granting YBG approval for their challenge series. GABF also wished the YBG a successful series as the two factions look to build a better relationship for the development of the sport.

WICB Regional Four-day tournament…

Windward Islands fielder Romel Currency watches on as Shivnarine Chanderpaul (backing camera) congratulates Assad Fudadin on reaching 50

By Avenash Ramzan

TWindward Islands seize advantage despite Fudadin’s 82

hey say when it rains, it pours. But precipitation was nowhere in sight on Friday, as the sun shone bril-

liantly- a word that could not quite describe Guyana’s batting on day two of the third round match against the Windward Islands. SEE

23

Tendulkar voted cricketer of the generation

Jury picks Indian legend over Warne and Kallis. Johnson, Afridi, Rohit, Dhawan win performance awards for 2013

Sachin Tendulkar has been voted the cricketer of the generation by a 50-member jury of current and former cricketers and journalists.

Tendulkar beat strong competition from Shane Warne and Jacques Kallis to win the award, presented to mark the first generation of the existence of ESPNcricinfo, which has been online since 1993.

The jury that decided on the award included Michael Holding, Ian Chappell, Martin Crowe, Mark Taylor, Younis Khan, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Barry Richards, John Wright and Jeff Dujon, among others.

Mitchell Johnson’s seriesdefining 7 for 40 in the Ashes Test in Adelaide won the Test bowling title for 2013 in the annual ESPNcricinfo Awards, over performances from Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander, James Anderson, and Johnson’s own Brisbane four-for in the Ashes opener, which kicked off a scarcely believable streak in which he took 59 wickets in eight Tests at a little over 15 runs each.

Shahid Afridi won the ODI bowling award with his 7 for 12 against West Indies - a match he also dominated with the bat, making 76 off 55 balls. It was Afridi’s second ESPNcricinfo Award; he won in the same category for 2009.

“I remember this game because I was not picked for the Champions Trophy, and that was my comeback

and that was my first game in Georgetown,” Afridi said about the award, “and [I produced an] awesome performance in batting and bowling as well, so I am very happy for this.”

Indian players took the two batting prizes. Shikhar Dhawan won the Test batting award for his rollicking 187 on debut against Australia in Mohali last year. Rohit Sharma’s ODI double-century in Bangalore, also against Australia, was picked as the ODI batting performance of the year.

“It is really a special award, and it was a very special performance, and it is very close to me,” Rohit said about winning. “I am very happy that ESPN has recognised this performance of mine. Getting 200 every day is not easy. More than anything else it was a match-winning performance and it helped us win the series. It was a decider game, we wanted to win the game and win the series, so I am happy that it came at the right time and we won the series.”