Guyana Times Daily 12th January 2014

Pregnant woman injured as aircraft veers off Ogle airport runway

Husband allegedly beats wife, forces her to drink poison

ABlack Bush Polder (BBP), Berbice, Region Six couple is calling for an investigation into the death of their 18-year-old daughter. Tarawattie Parsaram of Johanna, BBP died almost a month after she was allegedly forced by her husband to drink gramoxone.

The eight-month pregnant woman was allegedly beaten with a stick and then forced to consume the deadly substance before having her belongings thrown out of the house.

She was then put out of her home, refused entry and had to spend the wee hours of the cold morning in the yard. At day light, the pregnant woman was taken by her husband to the Mibikuri Hospital on a bicycle.

Her grieving parents are now calling on the police to take necessary action. According to them, between October 16 and November 18, when the teen was hospitalised, the police did not seize the opportunity to speak with her.

The mother of the now dead woman Seelochan Gopie gave a graphic explanation of her daughter’s final hours at home. “There were two friends over at dem house drinking wid she husband an was late an he wan she come an sid doun wid he,” she said. But her daughter reportedly refused, her mother said, noting that an argument ensued and her sonin-law’s guests invited him to go on the road to continue the drink and offered him some advice.

Beating

The woman said the story was revealed to her the following day as the pregnant woman was in an ambulance being transported from the New Amsterdam Hospital to the Georgetown hospital.

Some days after the incident the baby was born and considered to be a full-term delivery, but sadly the infant only lived for 10 minutes.

According to the

dead girl’s father Mahil Parsaram, although his daughter had not recovered she was discharged from the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Parsaram said efforts were made to get personnel from the Mibikuri Police Station to visit the teen, but no one went to her to take a statement.

Tearful

With tears in his eyes, the father told Guyana Times that the medical certificate was only uplifted after the teen died. “I go back to the station after she dead and is then they go fo the medical,” he said.

He said five reports were made to the Mibikuri Police Station and one to the Whim Police Station before his daughter died.

“The day that she dead ah go an make another report at Mibikuri and is den dem hurry an go an get the medical from the doctor,” he said

According to his wife, the police at Mibikuri seemed to have closed the case. “The day that she dead an when we go, they tell we say that dem can’t do nothing about it cause dem suppose to get a statement from this girl and now she dead…,” she explained.

However, the grieving father is still of the view that the police can still gather evidence and take appropriate actions.

He said he has already provided information on the whereabouts of his son-in-law.

Pregnant woman injured as aircraft veers off Ogle airport runway

One woman is seriously injured after a Cessna 206 aircraft belonging to the Fenix Airlines veered of the runway of the Ogle International Airport (OIA) minutes after taking off on Saturday morning.

The injured passenger has been identified as Shenika Munroe, 23, of Cane Grove, East Coast Demerara. She was admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital. The woman, who is said to be five months pregnant, is being carefully monitored by a gynaecologist.

The pilot, Raul Seecharran and another passenger, Zoreena Alli of Mahdia received minor injuries and were being treated at private medical institutions.

Another passenger, whose name was not immediately available was reportedly treated at the St Joseph Mercy Hospital and sent away.

Press conference

Moments after the accident, the OIA summoned an emergency press conference with its Public Relations Officer Kit Nascimento. He disclosed that the accident occurred about 09:30h.

He confirmed that the aircraft with registration number 8-RMML as usual taxied from the western end of the runway and took off but soon after it landed obliquely opposite the control tower, veered off the runway, flipped and ended up on its back. Almost immediately, he added that the emergency response team went in aid of the passengers, followed by the fire brigade.

Nascimento further explained that upon arrival at the scene, the passengers along with the pilot were assisted out of the wreckage.

The pilot as well as a male and female walked to the terminal but Munroe, he added, was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital by an ambulance that was at the airport at the time.

The OIA spokesman said none of the passengers received life threatening injuries. He added that Fenix Airlines is a member of the Private Aircraft Association and offers interior flights for passengers and goods. At the time of the accident, he acknowledged that the aircraft was also carrying goods.

Passenger Zoreena Alli, who was traveling to Mahdia,

explained that she boarded the single engine aircraft about 09:00h and soon after doing so, she attempted to get some sleep as she was not feeling well.

"Upside down”

The woman said that as the aircraft started to taxi, she felt as though the plane was going through a rough road and when she opened her eyes, she realised that the plane was off the run way and she was “upside down”.

Alli went on to say that by the time she realised what had happened; persons were already assisting them out of the flipped aircraft.

The woman, who was treated at the Dr Balwant Singh Hospital, said she is suffering from a swollen face and other pains about the body. She was subsequently sent home, but has to return today to see an optician.

Alli explained that the officials from the airlines were very cooperative and met their obligations. “They took care of the bills and assure me that they will stand other medical expenses that might be needed,” the woman noted.

The airline’s Administration and Finance Manager Eddie Doolal in a release confirmed that there was an incident involving one of its aircraft, a Cessna 206 bearing registration number 8R-MML. Doolall said onboard the aircraft were three passengers, some cargo and the pilot.

He said two of the passengers were treated at the Dr Balwant Singh Hospital for minor injuries and were discharged.

“The other passenger, a female, encountered some injuries to her back. She was taken away by the ambulance to the Georgetown Public Hospital Inc, and is presently in a stable condition.

“The pilot is also in a stable condition and is expected to be discharged from the Mercy Hospital tomorrow.

“The company sympathises with all the affected persons, especially the passengers and express our sincere gratitude to the personnel at the Ogle International Airport Inc for their assistance.

“Investigations are presently being conducted by the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority and the company is awaiting the results,” the

release concluded.

Meanwhile, the cause of the accident is unknown, but according to Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) Director Zulficar Mohammed, a preliminary investigation has been launched into the incident.

In addition, he disclosed that the aircraft was destined for Kato, Region Eight and is registered to Fenix Airlines, a company that has been in existence for a number of years.

Mohammed confirmed that there were three passengers and a pilot on board, but after being briefed, he was made to understand that there were no serious injuries or fatalities.

At this time, he added that it too soon to say what may have resulted in the incident but believes that it might have been an engine issue.

When Guyana Times visited the scene moments after the accident, several members of the Guyana Civil Authority (GGCA) were examining the wreckage, but this publication understands that there were no reports to the air traffic controllers.

A report of the initial findings is expected to take some time to prepare.

Previous accident

Last April, the founder of Angiel Enviro Safe Incorporated, Pierre Angiel, 71, of Miami, Florida, U.S.A. and crew member Nick Dmitriev, 54, of Toronto, Canada, met their demise after a Piper Aztec twin-engine aircraft crashed into a house at Plaisance, East Coast Demerara and exploded minutes after it took off from the OIA.

It was reported that prior to the crash, the pilot had reported to the air traffic control tower at Ogle that he had “lost an engine” and was encountering difficulties.

Moments later, a loud explosion was heard in the East Coast Demerara village as the aircraft crashed into a three-bedroom wooden house that subsequently went up in flames.

From all indications, the plane may have encountered mechanical problems upon taking off, resulting in the pilot losing control of the aircraft. The report on this accident has not yet been made public by the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on Sunday, January 12 from 14:30h-16:00h

The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on Sunday, January 12 from 13:50h-15:20h.

WEATHER TODAY

Countrywide: Thundery showers can be expected during the day, with partly cloudy conditions in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 23 degrees and 27 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East north-easterly between 3.13 and 4.02 metres per second. High Tide: 13:59h reaching a

All illegal structures on govt reserves will be demolished

–

transport minister warns

ublic Works Minister Robeson Benn has put errant persons on notice, declaring that all illegal structures on government’s reserve will be demolished.

Speaking with Guyana Times in a recent interview, Benn said “They either remove the stuff or we will come and move it,” noting that his ministry will be moving “aggressively”.

His comments come following the end of a seven-year conflict between the Public Works Ministry and BM Soat over illegal structures on public land at Success, East Coast Demerara.

Proprietor of BM Soat Bhashir Mohamed through his lawyer, Khemraj Ramjattan on Monday, January 6 filed a Notice of withdrawal and discontinuation on the matter in the Court of Appeal.

Court decision

He had appealed a court decision made by acting Chief Justice Ian Chang, who squashed a conservatory order that prevented the Public Works Ministry from demolishing structures on government’s reserve.

But with Mohamed’s most recent decision to abandoned the court matter and adhere to the Public Works Ministry’s stipulated boundary guidelines, Benn said the coast is now clear for the continuation of the road expansion project on East Coast Demerara.

As the expansion project progresses, all infrastructures that have surpassed the 1973 property boundary line would be cleared, paving the way for the completion of

the project by the first quarter of 2014. Minister Benn indicated that warning notices were sent out to defaulters; however, Mohamed was the only individual who had taken the Public Works Ministry to court, as he sought protection.

In a press statement, the Public Works Ministry said “BM Soat’s intransigence in this matter severely delayed the much needed road widening works for up to two years and placed an enormous burden on taxpayers.” The nonremoval of the fence has cost the Guyana government $40 million.

New fence

“It is hoped that the turnaround in Mohamed’s attitude will be an object lesson for all those who are illegally occupying government lands. Guyana’s development cannot be held hostage for the selfish interest of a select few,” the ministry said.

When Guyana Times visited the BM Soat

Success branch, East Coast Demerara, on Saturday, BM Soat employees were in the process of constructing a new concrete fence in keeping with the 1973 property boundary line. Attempts to contract Mohamed, however, proved futile.

In 2007, notices of violation were issued by the ministry to Mohamed, but no corrective steps were taken. BM Soat had subsequently moved to the court for protection.

Acting Chief Justice Ian Chang had subsequently granted a conservatory order which prevented the Public Works Ministry from demolishing structures on government reserve.

However, Chang subsequently found that the redress sought by Mohamed to prevent the government from dismantling his property was “legally misconceived”; hence, the 2012 conservatory order was thrown out.

Mohamed had promised that the structures would have been removed by

December 27, 2013 but at the 11th hour, he reneged, forcing the ministry to take stern actions.

Court order It was while the Public Works Ministry was demolishing the fence and two other structures said to have been on government reserve, the ministry was served with a court order. BM Soat owner had appealed Chang’s decision. On the same day of the demolition, he had erected a makeshift fence in the controversial area.

However, Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall said following the first court hearing in the Court of Appeal on December 31, he was contacted by Mohamed on January 2, who indicated his willingness to withdraw the appeal. According to Nandlall, Mohamed admitted that he was in default. Mohamed had exceeded the 57,934.80 square feet vested to him by 7797 square feet.

Sunday Times Editor: Tajeram Mohabir

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

Mailing address:

238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown

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

Editorial

Guyana’s sovereignty

There are some who would have us believe that the present unfortunate strain in relations created by the U.S. with Guyana has to do with “democracy” rather than “sovereignty”. But it is nothing of the sort: the issue of sovereignty forms the basis of the very agreement that the U.S. claims it negotiated and signed with the government of Guyana. In international law, there can only be agreements between sovereign states.

If it is accepted that Guyana is a sovereign state, then it matters not a whit whether, as a point of fact, the government did or did not agree to the LEAD programme with the U.S., for a “democratisation” project to be executed in this country. The moment the Guyana government made the U.S. government aware that it was not in favour of the programme, that should have been the end of the matter. If nothing else, the concept of sovereignty means that the state of Guyana is absolutely sovereign over all matters within its territory.

But sovereign authority also has a crucial “external” dimension. International law is based on the concept of the state which, in turn, is based upon the foundation of sovereignty – defined as “supreme power especially over a body politic; freedom from external control”. This idea of state sovereignty dates back as far as the notion of the state itself, going back to the Treaty of Westphalia of 1648.

By definition, outsiders have no authority to interfere with the sovereign’s governance. The concept of sovereignty in international law most often connotes external sovereignty and in fact, most commentators view this as constitutional independence: a state’s freedom from outside influence upon its basic prerogatives.

These norms of sovereignty were enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, the supposedly “supranational organisation”. Article 2(4) prohibits attacks on “political independence and territorial integrity,” and Article 2(7) sharply restricts even UN intervention. In the mid-1960s, two covenants – the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights — legally bound most of the world’s states to respecting the human rights of their people.

Again, the signatories’ constitutional authority remained largely intact, since they would not allow any of these commitments to infringe upon their sovereignty. Subsequent human rights covenants, also signed by the vast majority of the world’s states, contained similar reservations.

After the end of the Cold War, there has been some movement towards intervening in the domestic affairs of states but even the last standing superpower, the U.S. has conceded that such interventions needed the imprimatur of the UN’s Security Council to be legitimate as for instance in Bosnia and Kosovo.

The most ambitious explicit call to revise the concept of sovereignty so as to allow for internationally sanctioned intervention arose with The Responsibility to Protect (R2P). This was a document written and produced in 2001 by the International Commission on Intervention and State Sovereignty, a commission that the government of Canada convened at the behest of the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.

The document proposes a strong revision of the classical conception by which sovereignty involves a “responsibility to protect” on the part of a state towards its own citizens. But even this stipulates that this is a responsibility that outsiders may assume only when a state perpetrates massive injustice or cannot protect its own citizens.

Even by the wildest stretch of imagination can either the Guyanese opposition or the U.S. assert the latter claim, so the question remains as to the basis for the latter’s willingness to violate Guyana’s sovereignty?

Guyanese are aware, unfortunately, that the normative ideal of “external sovereignty” has always been honoured more in the breach by the U.S. in the Western Hemisphere, including in Guyana. But at least it then had the self-created fig leaf of preventing “outside intervention” under its Monroe Doctrine. Quo vadis, USA?

The affairs of the Caribbean Press are fully transparent

Dear Editor,

I kindly request space in your publication to make the following clarification, regarding a matter of grave importance. When in our midst, we harbour persons of malicious spirit bent more on destroying public trust and goodwill, we must engage in order to restore in the public eye, a sense of decency, sensibleness and good order.

Our nation can only move forward when we learn to build trust, develop goodwill and engage in sensible cooperation among ourselves, first as Guyanese citizens, then as leaders of a fast developing society. It, therefore, behoves me to respond, with great sadness of heart, to the irrational, malicious, divisive, distrustful, illwilled and nonsensical ranting of Ruel Johnson, who insists on writing delusional letters to the media against my person.

The man has become my lone critic, his voice ringing loud with malicious discontent against my work. I cannot recall any incident where I would have occasioned such hatred in this man’s heart, but I must engage to let the public know of his delusional diatribe.

I hereby publicly respond to his concerns out of respect for him as winner of the Guyana Prize for Literature, and for his talents as a national man of literature. But his senseless personal attacks upon my person, my office as minister of culture, and the Caribbean Press, demonstrate his misplaced sense of social justice.

One of Johnson’s blatant and disgusting rants states that he “… can personally attest to the fact that neither the minister nor his government has absolutely any interest in working with willing stakeholders towards the development of the literary arts in Guyana”. This is what he wrote in one of his misdirected letters to the press.

That statement reeks of malicious hatred and wicked intentions on behalf of Johnson, as many international “stakeholders… of the literary arts in Guyana” would attest to my cooperation, willingness to work with them, and openness to their sound, work-

able ideas. Some of these people volunteered to serve on the Advisory Editorial Board of the Caribbean Press.

Stakeholders who cooperate with myself on the literary and arts scene include Al Creighton, Guyana’s representative to the Inter-Guianas Cultural Festival (a section of the festival dealt with literary arts), and Petamber Persaud, who worked on the Carifesta X Anthology. This anthology was compiled by Persaud and published during Carifesta X. Copies were distributed free of charge to persons during and after Carifesta X.

My ministry secured the wide participation of the literary and arts community in Guyana’s involvement in Carifesta XI; thus for Carifesta XI, Guyana sent 171 persons. The national contingent was made up of 61 persons and others who went privately, and had to be accredited, as part of the national contingent. The 110 persons were represented as follows:

17 – National School of Theatre Arts; one – designer (Sonia Noel); six – National Steel Orchestra; two – singers (Whaul Sisters); 14 – Culinary Arts (Carnegie); 20 – craft personnel (Main Street Craft Guyana and Arts and Craft Association); one – Literary Arts (Ruel Johnson); 30 –Guyana Deaf Association; two – film (New York-based); nine –The Colin Klauky Amerindian Group; and eight – media personnel. From the official Carifesta XI delegation, the following persons participated in the literary section of the festival: Al Creighton (head of delegation), Karen Roberts-Luke, Liza Hope, Michael Khan, and Grace Chapman. These are all outstanding stakeholders of the literary and arts community of Guyana. Their tremendous contribution and willing cooperation with my ministry in participating and leading literary and arts events belie Johnson’s irrational rant. In terms of the Caribbean Press, an entity that is still in its setting up phase, currently there is a voluntary Editorial Advisory Board, with partici-

pation depending on the specific book project. Persons with the relevant subject expertise have been coopted. Professor David Dabydeen has coordinated these efforts.

Some of the persons who have assisted include: Sister Noel Menezes, Dr Janette Bulkan, Ameena Gafoor, Professor Trevor Burnard, Professor James Walvin, Professor Clem Seecharan, Dr Chris Campbell, Dr Letizia Gramaglia, Dr Lynne Macedo, Professor Peter Nazareth, Dr Mariam Pirbhai, Dr Dimitar Angelov, Dr Harold Leusmann, Dr Brinsley Samaroo, Dr Amar Wahab, Dr Gemma Robinson, Dr Lucy Evans, Dr Anne-Marie Lee Loy, Dr Mark Tumbridge and Dr Michael Niblett, to name a few.

Again, these are all stalwarts of the literary scene, who have willingly worked along with my ministry to get work done, contrary to Johnson’s wild and wicked tantrums in the national media. It seems as if Johnson insists on seeing delusional shadows, as he has repeatedly maligned my name and good character in letters to the national media.

Many of these I ignored as just the juvenile rants of a delusional person, but upon advice from embarrassed associates and family members, I opted to send Johnson a legal letter of warning to desist from his personal attacks and vengeful anger vented towards my person and my public service.

In fact, the Stabroek News published an apology to me after I pointed out Johnson’s delusional accusations. His rants are self-evidently those of a determined hater, as the Caribbean Press has published more than 60 works since its launch in 2009. Johnson’s reference to Parliament scrutinising the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry is nothing short of wicked and vile. Every ministry in government is accountable to Parliament.

The affairs of the Caribbean Press are fully transparent and open, and have been dealt with in the National Assembly with satisfactory results. Two members of Parliament were

particularly interested in the Caribbean Press, following vocal criticism by Johnson. One of them had sent a detailed list of questions, these were answered in a comprehensive manner in Parliament, and he was satisfied that all is well with the Caribbean Press. No minister is answerable to Johnson. Instead we are answerable to Parliament, and there we are open, transparent and do our job with efficiency and professionalism, always open to the Guyanese nation in our affairs before the House. Most of Johnson’s angry tirade seems self-absorbed, pointing out ad infinitum that he feels personally slighted by the Culture Ministry.

He may want to recognise a singular fact of human nature: no leader in any society would be subjected to a personality that is unpleasant, unworkable and insists on juvenile rants and angry outbursts in self-righteous indignation. As minister, I cannot spend all my time babysitting a juvenile literary figure who thinks the world revolves around his contributions. Many others with saner temperaments, workable spirits and open minds are available for the work that we must engage in.

I refuse to engage Johnson in his other various accusations and rants, and would suggest that he rest assured that everything I set out to do regarding the Caribbean Press will be done. As to issues he raised about the University of Guyana (UG), I kindly point him to that institution, as the minister of culture is not an overseer of that entity.

I note Johnson’s mention and his boast of his European engagements on Guyanese literature, and I wish him well, on behalf of the ministry and government. As much as I cannot, and refuse to, indulge his juvenile crassness, I am honoured that our nation’s literary merits are receiving such acclaim from him.

Sincerely, Dr Frank Anthony Culture, Youth and Sport Minister

You

send your

Ramjattan must apologise to the U.S. embassy

Dear Editor,

In the high days of European imperialism when all of Africa was being divided up among European nations, this colonialism was given a moral justification by the claim that European control and dominance, and even enslavement (as in the case of the Belgian Congo), was improving the lives of the Africans by bringing them good government, efficient administration, law and even democracy.

In those high imperial-

ist days, this was termed the "Civilising Mission" and the “White Man’s Burden”. Western governments, including the United States of America, have long abandoned this old imperialism of controlling and dominating other countries and subjugating their governments so as to carry out a “Civilising Mission” and bring them democracy.

Khemraj Ramjattan, in his widely disseminated public statements, boldly claims that the U.S. embassy is not

ignoring the will of the government and a substantial proportion of the Guyanese people, both locally and abroad, and instead is perfectly right to do so and impose its Leadership and Democracy (LEAD) project as a colonial style “Civilising Mission” to bring democracy.

Ramjattan was entirely engrossed in his personal and political interests and did not care a whit that he was deeply embarrassing the United States and its embassy, since that great country always em-

phatically asserts that it does not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries under any guise.

This American position is very often adumbrated within the Organisation of American States (OAS). But Ramjattan only embarrasses the United States and its embassy.

Ramjattan needs to exculpate himself and to publicly apologise to the U.S. embassy and its officials.

Yours sincerely, V Redman

Dr Pastor will be remembered for the role he played in the restoration of democracy

Dear Editor,

On behalf of our General Secretary Clement Rohee, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) expresses its condolences to the relatives and friends of Dr Robert A Pastor, who passed away on January 8 at his home in Washington, USA.

Dr Pastor will be remembered for the role he played, along with the Carter Centre, in the restoration of democracy in Guyana after 28 years of People’s National Congress (PNC) dictatorial rule.

He also played a key role in the Haitian elections of

1990 which saw the election to office of President JeanBertrand Aristide in democratically held elections.

In 1994, he again travelled to Haiti with President Jimmy Carter and other senior state officials which eventually led to the reinstatement of President Aristide after a military coup.

His role in the transfer of control of the Panama Canal from the United States to the Panamanian people despite pressure from conservative forces in the U.S. is also one of the high points in his illustrious career.

He continued working

with President Carter long after the president left office, becoming director of the Latin American and Caribbean programme at the Carter Centre.

Apart from his strong advocacy role in the promotion of democracy and human rights, Dr Pastor has a distinguished stint in the field of academia having held senior teaching and administrative positions at Emory University in Atlanta, Harvard University and the American University.

His death is indeed a loss to all those who cherish the ideals of a free and democratic society. In the words

The state of affairs with LEAD project should never have occurred

Dear Editor, I have lived in the United States for several years.

This state of affairs with the Leadership and Democracy (LEAD) project, the government of Guyana and the U.S. embassy should never have occurred over a matter which is so marginal and peripheral to Guyana and the U.S.’s interest and policies.

This project is worth a mere million dollars and the scenario it has evoked is incomprehensible. And the op-

position parties, regrettably, keep assiduously stoking the fires with some top brass in these parties boasting of how they have the highest embassy officials in the palm of their hands.

They have a callous unconcern at the unjustified odium and embarrassment they are bringing down on the embassy and its officials and are only concerned with what they consider their own interests.

This ragged unpleasantness could be checked forth-

with if the government of Guyana and the embassy immediately announce that they would be entering into serious discussions on reworking the project and making it acceptable to all.

The warm and happy U.S.Guyana relations would again be restored and those responsible for U.S. and Guyanese diplomacy would savour the glory of their achievement.

Yours truly, V Redman

Kudos to CJIA security team

Dear Editor, When I heard the news of a Canadian man arrested by the Police Narcotics Branch at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) with a large quantity of cocaine in his possession on January 7, I was elated. What was more outstanding was that this man was not Guyanese, but was in transit from Trinidad, on his way to Toronto, Canada. The fact that the airport security team was able to nab this man after he had already passed through screening at the Piarco International Airport, Trinidad is quite remarkable. Congratulations on a job well done!

This most recent incident

will help to elevate the confidence of passengers passing through the airport, letting them know that a stringent security team is on duty. Over the years, I have read about CJIA heightening security checks, enhancing their profiling techniques and improving their intelligence gathering and this most recent drug bust is testimony to that. As the drug traffickers get wiser, the security team of the airport and all other ports of entry in Guyana are challenged to become even better at what they do. It is most assuring to see that they are stepping up to that challenge.

I have read stories in the newspapers of persons traf-

ficking drugs in eggplants and ochroes, pumpkins, cabbage, star apple, fried rice, rum, cosmetics among others. This is very worrying to me. It leaves me asking, what next?

As these incidents increase, security teams at the airport should begin to look into more innovative ways to better their procedures and detection system. The security team of CJIA must continue to be shrewd and firm in the execution of their duties in a professional and efficient manner as the country strives to combat this international problem of drug trafficking.

Sincerely, Marvin Blackman

Wastewater treatment plant augurs well for Guyana

Dear Editor, Thumbs up for what I think is a very good initiative. The Housing and Water Ministry and a major manufacturing company in Guyana are set to go into a wastewater treatment plant.

sources, or the ground, and harming people as well as plants and animals. So at the level of health, the idea is very great and we must gun for the plant.

of President Carter, because of his vision, boundless energy and political skill, the Western hemisphere is more democratic and developed today.

The PPP/C and indeed the Guyanese people as a whole are indebted to Dr Pastor for the contribution he made to the restoration of democracy in Guyana.

Regards, Zulfikar Mustapha Executive Secretary PPP/C

Wastewater is just about anything, from water that flows down the sink or toilet to runoff from snow and rain that enters storm drainage systems. The important thing is that wastewater treatment processes remove a variety of contaminants from water to make it usable again.

The benefits of such treatment depend on the nature of the contaminants in the water and the end use of the water treated. The treatment processes can contain and remove potential disease-causing contaminants through a filtering system that blocks their path and further treatment that kills harmful organisms.

This then keeps potential diseases and bacteria from entering other water

I think of jobs that are created by wastewater treatment and not only at the physical level, but in terms of research and processing. Treatment facilities require regular maintenance and human operation.

The deeper aspect is all about research at the microbiological level and advanced technology. Bringing a treatment plant here then means a whole new sector will be opened to the people of Guyana in the area of education and employment.

I have a caution though and it stems from my general way of doing things. We should not hurry this project. It is new to Guyana and we should think and think and think, then make it happen. It is too important to hurry along.

Sincerely,

Parmanand Sukhai

Page Foundation

Resolutions?

“His resolve is not to seem, but to be, the best.” – Aeschylus, The Seven Against Thebes

The new year is well and truly underway.

Many of us marked the New Year with resolutions to change some of the things we weren’t quite happy with last year. Unfortunately, (but most likely) most of us haven’t managed to keep all of our resolutions. The mind is willing but the flesh is weak!

I know I usually have the habit of being overly ambitious in my goals – planning to complete huge amounts of things in one day that realistically, I probably won’t be able to complete in a week. It’s like stacking the odds against you and setting yourself up to fail. I hereby resolve to ease up in this department!

I know most schools have opened and homework’s being hurled at students from all angles. But it’s really not

too late to sit down and methodically plan out how you want to use your time for the new semester. Better yet, for university students, the semester hasn’t even begun yet. We still have a couple more days to plan out our semester. If anything, our grades from the first semester that are slowly filtering out (osmosis?) should pretty much be enough motivation to spur us on to want to do better than last semester. For my high school readers, I know from (bitter?) experience, that in fifth form, being on this (wrong) side of January 1st, you’re kind of propelled faster and faster to your first exam date. Somewhere between the mounds of SBAs, past papers, and frantically trying to cover what’s left of the syllabus, time slips away. And before you know it, it’s the

morning of your first exam. So take the time now, before you get swept away in the whirlwind of the days up ahead and plan, set goals, get more organised than you were last semester.

It’s going to take some time, a lot of thinking, and a lot of self-evaluation to make sure your goals are realistically achievable. But it’ll be worth it, because a couple of months from now, you won’t be in a panic over not covering everything, or not working enough papers because you would have already covered those things according to your plan.

Panic is probably one of the most dangerous emotions to have during exams. Your mind can literally go blank and you can find yourself unable to remember things like the names of the 20-something poems you covered for

English B. Deep breaths and taking some time to collect your thoughts can prove to be incredibly helpful. It’s not for nothing panicked persons are advised to take a deep breath – it actually works! Oxygen getting to your brain and all that!

It’s the 12th day of the new year, and one week of school is already over. Don’t let procrastination get the best of you this year. We’re all guilty of procrastination at some time or the other, some of us much more than others. And it’s usually the crushing regret afterwards, when we realise we could’ve done so much better (if only!!!) that brings us to our senses.

So don’t end off 2014 with regrets, it’s early enough to make realistic goals. Stick to your goals and don’t give up on those resolutions just yet.

Could my child have sleep apnoea?

“ Caleb was two when we first noticed his loud snoring,” said Scott, Caleb’s father. “We were alarmed but didn’t really start to worry until we began hearing him gasp for air between the snores. That made my wife and me very uneasy.

Nine-year-old Matthew was significantly overweight. “We tried to exercise with him every day, but just walking to the park made him so tired that he could hardly stand let alone play once he got there,” said Claire, Matthew’s mother.

“He struggled just putting on his shoes in the morning.” Matthew told his doctor that he felt like he could never get enough sleep. “He snores louder than my grandfather,” Claire added.

Both Caleb and Matthew were given sleep studies, and they were diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). A surgeon removed Caleb’s tonsils, and Matthew was given a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device with a child-sized mask. After his surgery, Caleb stopped snoring. Now the only noise from his room is the occasional laughter in his sleep. These days, Matthew leaps out of bed in the morning and has lost 25 pounds. “He’s the child I always knew he could be,” said Claire.

If your child is exhibiting symptoms of sleep apnoea, talk to your paediatrician.

Undiagnosed and untreated sleep apnoea may contribute to daytime fatigue and behavioural problems at school. According to

a recent study in CHEST, the official journal of the American College of Chest Physicians, children who snored loudly were twice as likely to have learning problems. Following a night of poor sleep, children are more likely to be hyperactive and have difficulty paying attention. These are also signs of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Apnoea may also be associated with delayed growth and cardiovascular problems.

Sleep apnoea

symptoms in children

During the night, a child with sleep apnoea may:

* Snore loudly and on a regular basis

* Have pauses, gasps, and snorts and actually stop breathing. The snorts or gasps may waken them and disrupt their sleep

* Be restless or sleep in abnormal positions with their head in unusual positions

* Sweat heavily during sleep

During the day, a child with sleep apnoea may:

*Have behavioural, school and social problems

* Be difficult to wake up

*Have headaches during the day, but especially in the morning

* Be irritable, agitated, aggressive, and cranky

* Be so sleepy during the day that they actually fall asleep or daydream

* Speak with a nasal voice and breathe regularly through the mouth. (sleepfoundation.org)

Caribbean Press releasing republished editions of Kyk-Over-al

– in observance of 100th birth anniversary of AJ Seymour

There is no doubt that Guyana is bestowed with brilliant masterminds in the literary arts, and beyond. Not only do these masterminds exist today, but there existence in the past has permeated the present literary culture.

Over time, many have made, and are still making tremendous contributions that are recognised constantly.

One of the greatest contributors to Guyana’s literary culture is Arthur James Seymour, whose 100th birth anniversary will be observed on January 12, 2014. To honour his work, the Caribbean Press will be releasing the republished one through 13 editions of KykOver Al

Born in 1914, Seymour was well known as a Guyanese, poet, essayist, memoirist, and founding editor of the literary journal KykOver Al which featured the work of many leading Guyanese and Caribbean writers.

It was in 1945 that Seymour founded the Kyk-Over-Al journal, and over a 16 year span, 50 issues of the magazine was published.

Anthologies

Additionally, Seymour also edited and published An Anthology of Guianese Poetry (1954); The Kyk-Over-Al Anthology of West Indian Poetry (1952 revised, edited 1958); and the Miniature Poets Series (1951–53) of pamphlets, which included work by Martin Carter, Wilson Harris, Ivan Van Sertima, Trinidadian Harold Telemaque, Barbadian Frank Collymore, and Jamaican Philip Sherlock.

Later anthologies include My Lovely Native Land: An Anthology of Guyana (Longman, 1971), co-edited with Elma Seymour, New Writing in the Caribbean (Georgetown: National History and Arts Council, published after the Caribbean Festival of Arts in Guyana in 1972) and A Treasury

of Guyanese Poetry (1980). Starting in 1976, Seymour also wrote five volumes of autobiography.

In 1984, with the help of poet and novelist Ian McDonald, Seymour revived Kyk-OverAl in 1984. McDonald assisted Seymour with the revival of KykOver Al after it had been in absentia for a period of time. McDonald became the sole editor of the journal after Seymour died in 1989.

In 1936, Seymour began writing poems, and one year later he had completed his first collection, Verse; followed by More Poems in 1940.

The title poem of Over Guiana, Clouds (1944) was a landmark in the development of Seymour’s poetic style. Suns In My Blood (1945) contained at least three poems that have come to be considered classics: Sun Is a Shapely Fire, There Runs a Dream, and The Legend of Kaieteur. The latter poem was later set to music by Guyanese composer Philip Pilgrim.

Seymour’s later major collections include Leaves from the Tree (1951), Selected Poems (1965), Patterns (1970), My Lovely Native Land (1971) and Selected Poems (1983). A tribute volume called AJS at 70 (1984),

edited by Ian McDonald, contained a selection of 15 poems under the title The Essential Seymour, chosen by Seymour himself.

Seymour died on December 25, 1989, a few weeks shy of his 76th birthday.

In 2000, Seymour’s Collected Poems, 1937-1989 was published and edited by Ian McDonald and Jacqueline de Weever.

In his early days, Seymour attended the Collegiate School and the Guyanese Academy before entering Queen’s College, British Guiana’s most prestigious boys’ school, on a Government Junior Scholarship in 1928. Later, he married Elma Editha Bryce, a teacher, on July 31, 1937. They had three daughters and three sons.

Volunteer

After joining the British Guiana Civil Service as an unpaid volunteer, working in the Postal and Income Tax Departments before joining the Bureau of Publicity and Information in 1933; Seymour obtained the position of head of the Government Information Services in 1954.

His accolades include the post of information and cultural collaboration officer of the Caribbean Organisation, based in Puerto Rico, community relations officer and then public relations officer at the Demerara Bauxite, literary co-ordinator for the first Caribbean Festival of Arts (Carifesta), held in Guyana; and deputy chairman of the Department of Culture and Director of Creative Writing.

During his career, he was also honorary secretary of the British Guiana Union of Cultural Clubs (1943–50), deputy chairman of the Guyana National Trust (1974–75), president of the British Guiana Music Festival Committee, and president of the International PEN Club’s British Guiana Centre.

Nizam Ali and Company denies preparing Guyana Stockfeeds interim report

Responding to an article headlined, “Guyana Stockfeeds did not pay dividends”, in the Saturday edition of the Guyana Times, accounting firm Nizam Ali and Company said it did not prepare the January-June 2013 Interim Report for the Guyana Stockfeeds Inc.

This newspaper stated that the report was prepared by Nizam Ali and Company. The reporter spoke briefly with Co-director of Guyana Stockfeeds Robert Badal Jr via telephone.

The Guyana Securities Council (GSC) disclosed in advertisements published over the past two days in local newspapers that Guyana Stockfeeds did not pay out dividends to its shareholders as purported in a previous report.

In doing so, the council effectively exposed Guyana Stockfeeds for what appears to be erroneous information about the payment of more than $80 million in dividends to shareholders, when this was not actually done.

The council also warned sharehold-

ers to protect themselves by seeking legal advice.

Guyana Stockfeeds is owned by Robert Badal Sr, owner of Pegasus Hotel and a key backer of the minority opposition party, Alliance For Change (AFC). Meanwhile, several shareholders reported that they have not received any money from the company as stated in the January-June Interim Report 2013 for the Financial Year 2012.

When contacted by Guyana Times on the issue, Badal Jr initially declined to comment. He nevertheless obliged to say that Robert Badal Sr was unavailable. A staff member at Guyana Stockfeeds said Badal Sr was in fact out of the country.

Badal Jr then invited this publiction to call again later in the day, saying he was driving at the time. However, all the later calls went unanswered.

This publication tried in futility throughout Saturday to contact Badal Jr for more information pertaining to who prepared the report.

Pomeroon women putting

dropped plantains to good use

By IndrawattIe natram

Pomeroon farmers are converting plantains that drop from sucker tress to plantain flour for baby porridge.

Guyana Times on a visit to farmers in the Pomeroon district saw many housewives putting the provision to good use.

One farmer from Grant Best, Lower Pomeroon, said picking up dropped plantains in good condition is part of her daily chores. Theodor Lindor said the process is very simple and entails less work.

The mother of three said on a daily basis, she would visit her farm where she picks up rejected plantains and puts them in buckets. When she is finished

with her household chores, she will sit with her children and peel and chip the plantains and put it in the sun to dry.

When the plantain is dried, it is sold to a farmer Takoor Deen, who refines the commodity into plantain flour.

According to Lindor, she earns much for the business as she is able to provide for herself and family.

Deen sells the plantain flour at Charity and has a good market as the commodity is purchased by mainly young mothers. Another farmer, who is into the trade, said Pomeroon farmers are innovative and are constantly finding new ways to improve their standard of living.

GOIP calls for speedy trial for murderer of indigenous student

Guyanese Organisation of Indigenous People (GOIP) is calling for a speedy trial of the murderer of 17-year-old Moraikobai student Theiana Andrews, who was recently arrested.

The GIOP in a statement congratulated the police, but expressed concerns about the murder rate in the country as a high percentage of young indigenous females are the victims, and they may joined the list of unresolved crimes in Guyana.

Condolences

The GIOP in extending condolences to the family of Andrews on their tragic loss contends that the violation of the victim’s right to live points to a level of insecurity as it regards children’s safety in indigenous communities.

More than a week after brutally killing his teenage lover at Moraikobai

Village, the alleged perpetrator was last Sunday afternoon arrested by public-spirited citizens and handed over to the police.

According to a police source, Chris (only name given), a tractor operator, was reportedly evading police ranks ever since he committed the act on Boxing Day.

The father of two allegedly shot 17-year-old Andrews of the Amerindian settlement after she requested that he leave her home and never make contact with her again.

Andrews was shot once at close range to her left chest with a shotgun by the man who is originally from Corentyne, Berbice.

Chris was apprehended in Mahaicony Creek, some 75 miles from the main road and was brought out of the community late last Sunday evening.

He is expected to be charged with the capi-

tal offence of murder. The suspect first met the now dead teenager while working some distance from Moraikobai Village.

A post-mortem examination performed on the body of the teenager proved that she died as a result of shock and haemorrhage due to the gunshot wound.

Gun pellets

Guyana Times understands that close to 21 shotgun pellets were recovered from the teen’s body. It was reported that the teenager ended the relationship seven months ago after she found out that he was married and had children.

He refused to accept that the relationship was over and continued to make contact with the teen on several occasions, but she would most times ignore his calls.

On the fateful night, it was reported that everybody was asleep when the

man unexpectedly visited the teen’s home and asked her father to see her.

His wish was not granted and instead, he was asked to leave. The stubborn man was left standing nearby as the teen’s father went to purchase cigarettes.

Andrews’ father explained that after buying the cigarettes, he was heading home and suddenly heard a loud explosion emanating from the house and saw the frantic suspect with a gun in his hands.

The father attempted to retrieve the gun but he was threatened and out of concern, he ran into the house only to find his daughter lying on the floor in a pool of blood.

The injured teenager was picked up and rushed to the Mahaicony Cottage Hospital, but unfortunately, she succumbed on her journey to the medical facility.

Six companies interested in setting up recycling plant

Local Government and Regional Development Minister Ganga Persaud said the ministry has received six expressions of interest from firms that are willing to come on board with the government to establish Guyana’s first solid waste recycling plant.

The minister said that these expressions of interest are at present at the stage of evaluation, and the public will be informed on what decision is taken.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Local Government and Regional Development Minister and Natural Globe Incorporated on November 11, for the establishment of recycling plant in Region Four, however, in the wake of certain revelations, government withdrew the MoU with the firm and the contract was later readvertised.

The recycling investment is seeking to address the issue of solid waste management, as well as the construction of five transfer stations in Region Four, three on the East Coast of Demerara, and two on the East Bank Demerara.

Eyew tness

Exporting...

...coups?

Today, to show he’s not paranoid, your Eyewitness presents an eyewitness account of the U.S. “democratisation” programme in Africa. It’s by Mukoma Ngugi, political correspondent for BBC, “Focus on Africa Magazine”, where the article first appeared.

“Some of the most important threats to democracy in Africa are the International Republican Institute (IRI) (founded and funded by the National Endowment for Democracy), USAID and other international NGOs that are directly funded by the U.S. Congress. These are U.S. foreign policy institutions that masquerade as philanthropic organisations of good-will all the while furthering American foreign policy.

The IRI and USAID are the most active in the promotion of a world safe for U.S. Democracy.

USAID states that U.S. foreign aid helps in “furthering America’s foreign policy interests in expanding democracy and free markets while improving the lives of the citizens of the developing world.” Through what NED terms “Consolidating Democracy”, democratic principles and sovereignty are being violated.

The NED, IRI and USAID attempt to unify opposition against a target government. They provide strategic and monetary support to the opposition. They also infiltrate university student organisations, women’s and youth groups, trade unions, teacher associations and other sectors of civil society, which they then turn into supporting the opposition parties that they have effectively turned into a coalition. Worse than instigating a coup (a top down mechanism of change), the IRI and USAID infect the very blood lines of the country by affecting “regime change” through civil society.

Consolidating Democracy was successfully used in what the IRI refers to as the colour revolutions in Ukraine (Orange), Georgia (Rose) and Kyrgyzstan (Tulip). In Haiti, democratically elected Aristide was overthrown using the same methods of unifying a rag-tag opposition and then mobilising civil society behind it. But some countries such as Venezuela remain a failed target. (Insert: the IRI was also the 2009 coup in Honduras.)

President Mbeki has in the past questioned to what extent South African civil society makes independent choices. This concern can be extended to the continent.

For example, a Boston Globe survey “identified 159 faithbased organisations that received more than $1.7 billion in USAID prime contracts, grants and agreements from fiscal 2001 to fiscal 2005” as part of President Bush’s Faith Based Initiative. The implications here are obvious.

The IRI and USAID don’t have to win every African election they participate in – each parliamentarian and each political organisation that gets a seat in the government becomes their lobbyist. In effect, they become shareholders in the new government. And as the American proverb says, “whoever pays the piper calls the tune.”

To understand the absurdity of what Africans have accepted as a norm, imagine African countries financing a third party in the United States. And in addition they also train student leaders, trade unionists, journalists and the rest of American civil society how to oppose or overthrow the U.S. government.

Americans wouldn’t stand for it.”

...vetoes?

For years the opposition’s been whining that the government wasn’t confirming the (permanent) appointment of the chancellor and chief justice. Opposition wags snickered they’d been acting longer that Shahrukh Khan and Jackie Chan. (Your Eyewitness, is, if nothing, ethnically sensitive! No?) The reason for not confirming them? Well, the opposition claimed the government kept them on a string so they’d know which way the wind was blowing, when they arrived at decisions.

We really never blamed the opposition for thinking this way. It’s the only way they knew – and one they practised diligently – during their (infamous) 28 years at the helm. Only thing...they didn’t bother using the fig leaf of “acting” appointments – they flew their party flag over the Appellate Courts to show in which way the wind OUGHT to be blowing!

And now the government wants to confirm the gentlemen – who’ve been scrupulously impartial – the opposition, which must agree, balks.

It has to be their way...or the highway. What’s new?

Dharmic Sabha to pay special attention to training

The Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha recently celebrated 40 years of existence and as the month-long celebrations continue; the organisation said special focus will be placed on training to preserve Hinduism and its art forms.

Embarking on another year of dedicated service to the country, the Sabha will continue to expand the Dharmic family through its praants in Essequibo; Upper, Central, East and West Berbice; East and West Coast Demerara; and East Bank Demerara.

Its goal is to maintain and strengthen relationships with all Hindu organisations and other religious bodies as it seeks to be helpful to all.

The Sabha is committed to serving with distinction and is pleased to announce that this year it will offer free classes at its Kendra headquarters, Prashad Nagar, commencing this month.

The classes include lessons in harmonium, tabla and dholak. These sessions will be conducted by teachers from India certified

by an Indian Music Academy.

The Sabha will also launch a comprehensive pandits’ programme in Hindi, conduct teachings on the Ramayan, Bhagavad Gita, counselling, public speaking, mantras and pujas, which will be taught by local and overseas instructors.

In addition, there will be males and females classical and folk dance classes. Classes in Hindi will be taught by Sahadeo Heyland while Sanskrit and Gita classes will be imparted by another teacher.

Children’s Ramlila

The Sabha will also be launching the Children’s Ramlila dramatic presentations in April.

The organisation also recognise the need to continue to build on the rich legacy bequeathed by Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud, the founder of the Sabha, and to maintain the Hindu value system, cultural norms, festivals and art forms, so that it can be passed on to generations to

come. Some of the outstanding works of the Sabha over the past 40 years include the Phagwah Mela and Bazaar, Chowtaal Samelaan, Holi Utsav, Deepavali Motorcade, Naya Zamana, Kala Utsav (Festival of Art) and Indian Arrival Day celebrations.

In addition to the thousands trained since the Dharmic Kendra opened its doors in 1991 as the first recognised Hindu Academy in the Caribbean by the Indian government, the Sabha has spared no efforts to offer training opportunities around the country to affiliated mandirs, and Kendras in Berbice and Essequibo.

Strong advocate

The Sabha has actively advocated against alcohol abuse, domestic violence and suicide and supports efforts in bringing awareness in the field of HIV/AIDS. Youths have played an integral role and have been trained as peer educators in all

of these areas, and recently as educators in a new parenting programme.

The Dharmic Naujawaan (the Sabha’s youth arm) has over the years been immersed in countrywide charity drives and blood donations and other youth programmes.

Mahila Mandalee, the women’s arm has been engaged in a literacy campaign and annually presents bursaries to outstanding students across the country.

The Sabha’s newest programme, “Voices against Child Abuse” which started in 2009, has today resulted in the construction of “Bal Nivas”, a home for children who are victims of abuse, in Ankerville, Berbice.

Training facility

It will also serve as a counselling and skills training facility in the drive to empower women and work with youth. The shelter has been primarily financed from concerts featuring legendary singers Sonu Nigam, Shreya Ghoshal, Alka Yagnik and Udit Narayan.

Construction of the shelter commenced in February 2013 and is ongoing.

In celebrating 40 years of existence and the 176th anniversary of Indian Arrival in Guyana, the Sabha will be bringing back, by popular demand, the immensely talented Sonu Nigam and troupe to perform at the National Stadium on May 4.

The organisation was launched on January 8, 1974 at the Shri Krishna Mandir, Campbelville, Geogetown when the Hindu community was in need of leadership.

Founder, Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud’s visionary style and direction and the unswerving support of men and women throughout the length and breadth of Guyana contributed magnificently to the impressive track record of the Sabha.

Taxi driver claims police harassment over iguana

ACorentyne taxi driver has asked

The appeal was made by Ron Duff of Alness, Corentyne on Friday when he appeared in the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court to answer to a charge of failing to conform to a road sign.

Duff pleaded guilty to not conforming to a stop sign at New Street, Strand, New Amsterdam on January 8.

Police Prosecutor, Inspector Grace Bristol told the court that the 24-yearold Duff failed to conform to the notification given on the sign as he approached Strand.

The taxi driver, who was fined $10,000, told the court that the officer who implemented the charge had been harassing him for some time.

“I use to give him guana, but I don’t go in the backdam anymore because ah driving hire car. But since ah stop giving he guana, he always harassing me. Your worship, please tell dem police to stop harassing people on the road…”

On hearing Duff, Bristol rose and informed Duff that if he had a complaint, he can lodge it with the Police Complains Authority.

“Is the magistrate ask me if ah have anything to say, so is she ah telling, not you,” he said to the prosecutor.

Duff was given an alternative to pay the fine or spend one week in prison for failing to comply with the stop sign.

AIB celebrates two years of service in Guyana

The Australian Institute of Business (AIB) and Nations University (NU) will mark the two-year anniversary of the delivery of the master’s of business administration (MBA) programme in Guyana.

Nations University Director, Dr Brian O’Toole said, “Nations University has been delivering the AIB MBA for two years now and the programme is highly recognised by employers and students of Guyana. A few months ago, NU hosted its first AIB graduation ceremony which was a big success.”

The AIB Marketing Director Joel Abraham added: “The MBA is the world’s most popular post-graduate degree which is often seen as a passport to a management career. AIB’s 12 month MBA is tailor-made for the busy professional and is successfully delivered all over the world.

The programme allows professionals to work and study at the same time and apply their knowledge to the workplace immediately. AIB has stringent quality control procedures in place to ensure all our teaching centres adhere to Australian

standards and practices. All exams are set and marked in Australia and the course content is vetted by Australian academics and delivered in Guyana by an Australian-approved panel of lecturers.”

The AIB MBA can be completed at NU within 12 to 15 months and is one of the most affordable MBA programmes available in Guyana. In 2013, the programme was ranked 10th internationally and third in Australia by the CEO Magazine (UK).

AIB is a 25-year-old Business School based in

Australia, offering business degrees, undertaking research and providing consultancy services globally. AIB is committed to delivering courses which are work-applied, accelerated, accessible, affordable and fully accredited.

For more information about the AIB MBA programme, interested persons are invited to attend a free MBA information session conducted by an AIB representative on Friday, January 24 at 18:00h at the Tower Hotel. For further details, call 22 54516 or 22 74623.

When it rains...

Satiricus was pleased to see his niece Leewattie, maid to the opposition. She hadn’t been by for the holidays, and Satiricus had missed the black cake she was famous for. Satiricus had also missed the sneaky peeks into the diaries of the opposition fellas, which she filched, when she cleaned up their offices. Served them right for voting themselves all these perks now that they control Parliament!

So he gleefully scanned the latest entry of Rum Jhaat...leader of the KFC, his favourite politician. Man of the people (well, SOME people...his family hadn’t deserted him yet) and son of the soil (being a heavy drinker, he regularly soiled his pants)...how could the fella go wrong?

Dear Diary,

Well it’s a new year, and I was kinda hoping it was gonna be a better year than last year. How bad was it, you ask, Dear Diary? You doan have enough pages fe me to tell you everything. Ah doan know where fe start...

(Ah had to tek a drink fe steady me haan..OK, Dear Diary? El Dorado.)

People think me biggest jhanjat was when deh catch NoGel playing double role like de scamp-man Praan. Ha! He shoulda learn a thing or two from de master of scamp-man, double role – me! Look how me tek millions from the chap from India who bin want fe build de hospital! Dat was de lawyer role. And den Ah turn around and play MP and argue fuh stop de man who win de contract fuh build de hospital!

Nobody recognise me! Double Role, Dear Diary! And all Ah had to do was tek off me glass and nobody know was me who tek millions in de other role. When Ah was a lil bai in Berbice, Ah larn dat if Ah tek off me glass like Clark Kent, nobody could tell was me. Something fe do wid me eyes.

(Sorry Dear Diary, Ah had fe tek another shot....)

But NoGel head bin getting too big. Like he fuget two man crab cyaan live in de same hole. He still in shock and he cyaan even talk. He shame. Fuh be a leader yuh got fe have no shame...like me.

But look wha happen now, Dear Diary. Me biggest supporter (Well, is me client too. Ah does play double and triple role.) Just get ketch. He seh he pay $100 million in dividends...when he na pay nuthing. Is me and he buss the $100 mill down de middle.

Ah wonder if Ah got fe pay me share back?

(Ah done fe de day, Dear Diary. Me hand shaking too bad. Ah got fe finish de bottle.)

World-recognised kayaker leaves Guyana’s shores

World recognised kayake Freya Hoffmeister departed Guyana’s shores early Thursday morning to continue her circumnavigation of South America.

Only moments before her departure, the German business owner and athlete expressed excitement at beginning this leg of her journey.

“This is the last leg of my circumnavigation of South America and I am going to start over after two months break at home over Christmas. I am ready to go and I am heading to Suriname, it will take six days to get to the border and then keep on going to French Guiana, Brazil, Uruguay and then to Buenos Aires,” she explained.

With the tide in her favour, Hoffmeister made last minute preparations to her kayak and with the help of the Coast Guard officers, readied herself for the arduous journey ahead.

but it should be alright. I faced a lot of dangerous situations and I survived, thankfully I am still in one piece for the next leg of the journey.”

Thanks

During her short stint in Georgetown, Hoffmeister was treated to a city tour, compliments of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA); she also thanked everyone including Cara Lodge for their assistance in providing accommodation and Germany Honorary Consul to Guyana Ben Ter Welle, for his unwavering support.

Circumnavigating openwater crossings and hundreds of miles of sheer cliffs without any landing zones for several days sometimes, Hoffmeister has mastered the art of dealing with tropical heat, cyclones and the challenges of obtaining drinking water and food – not to mention the physical toll of averaging upwards of 60 km per day.

warmly welcomed by a team of Tourism Ministry officials, as well as Welle.

The 49-year-old business owner from Husum, North Germany is scheduled to set another world record

Hoffmeister was born on

As to her expectations, she was optimistic about what lay ahead and exuded the confidence befitting a career athlete.

“My muscles are a bit stiff

Having completed the second leg of her journey which she begun in Buenos Aires, Argentina, two years ago, she arrived in Guyana in November, where she was

Aires, Argentina. This was done in stages, commencing in Valparaiso, the main harbour just off Santiago de Chile eight months later. She then returned home for four months. She resumed her adventure in September 2012, paddling north past Venezuela, before ending the second 8000km leg in Georgetown, Guyana. She then took a break to return in January 2014.

First woman

In 2009, she completed a solo circumnavigation of Australia unassisted, becoming the first woman and only the second person to do so. On August 30, 2011, she began her attempt to become the first person to solo circumnavigate the continent of South America, intending to complete the trip before her 50thbirthday.

In 2007, she and Greg Stamer completed the fastest-ever sea kayak circumnavigation of Iceland. They did so in 33 days.

Hoffmeister has made distinguishing marks in other sporting careers, given that she participated in 10 years of competitive gymnastics, five years of competitive body building and 10 years of skydiving with 1500 jumps.

She was the first German female tandem pilot with 500 passenger jumps, and part of many huge record formations. Her most exotic place to skydive was over the North Pole, getting washed out of a Russian jet plane with 300 km, with a racing bike passenger strapped to her chest.

May 10, 1964 and is a German business owner and athlete, who holds several sea-kayaking endurance records. She started her journey in Buenos

The Tourism Ministry and the GTA are proud to have accommodated, facilitated and hosted this acclaimed athlete as she prepared for another recordbreaking journey.

Surveillance cameras for markets, municipalities

Local Government and Regional Development Minister Ganga Persaud said the ministry is moving to install surveillance cameras in municipalities and large markets.

The cameras, he said will be under the control of the neighbourhood democratic councils.

Persaud pointed out that cameras have already been installed at the Bartica Market, but did not give a timeframe when same will be done at other markets and municipalities.

Closed-circuit cameras are universally used in supermarkets, banks and other places where business is frequently conducted.

The cameras would not only serve as a deterrent

to criminal elements, but could also help the police in their investigations to crack down on illegal activities conducted in the markets. This initiative would be welcomed by stallholders as many of them have suffered at the hands of vandals.

The cameras can also serve as an early alarm system in the instance of a fire. Markets fires are not uncommon and have caused some businesses to suffer major losses in the past. Since the introduction of these cameras into the Bartica Market, officials there have record a 100 per cent decrease in break and enter. In the past, the Bartica Market suffered at least two break-ins per week.

Adverse weather conditions a grave discomfort for travellers

– Minister Benn reiterates need for CJIA expansion project

Adverse weather conditions continue to pose tremendous discomfort for travellers and it is a startling reminder of why the airport expansion project, especially a new terminal building, is vital.

Public Works and Transport Minister Robeson Benn made this disclosure during a recent stakeholders meeting at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).

“Passengers on Caribbean Airlines Limited (CAL) 0605, TravelSpan and Surinam Airways were wet and uncomfortable, and another CAL aircraft had to return to Trinidad since it could not land,” he told the group that comprised of airline officials, cargo operators, customs and immigration officers.

A longer runway would have allowed for larger planes to land, likewise the passenger boarding bridges would have alleviated such discomfort experienced by the wet passengers, the minister pointed out.

Funding

However, the future of the project is in free fall because of the opposition’s refusal to approve funding. In 2011, the government of Guyana inked a US$150 million contract with China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) for the transformational venture.

In light of this, an appeal was made to stakeholders to “have their voices be heard on why the airport expansion is important for them”. And if the project does

not go forward, there will be heavy liabilities, said CJIA Board Chairman Ramesh Dookhoo. US$20.7 million was approved by Parliament in 2012 as mobilisation advance.

“… discontinuing the project will not only affect passengers and the economy, but also the taxpayers as the government of Guyana will have to pay compensation to the contractor for reneging on the agreement,” he pointed out.

In addition, head of customs at the facility, Stanley Phillips, pointed to the long wait passengers experience in the baggage area.

However, it was pointed out that due to the small, confined area and the burgeoning passenger arrival –it is virtually impossible to load luggage in a timely fashion.

According to Dookhoo, the long waiting period of collecting luggage has been a thorny issue – one that he has experienced himself firsthand.

“I have received a copious amount of complaints of persons having to wait 30

minutes or more to collect luggage, their second piece. It is unacceptable. Our passengers should not have to endure that,” he added.

Squatters

There are over 350 individuals illegally occupying the airport lands and despite the number of requests via correspondences for them to remove – they have blatantly refused and are demanding financial compensation.

However, Minister Benn noted that the use of the term compensation has implications, adding that persons cannot claim money from government for trespassing. He, however, stated that his ministry is not opposed to offering assistance to the squatters.

To this end, Roraima Group of Companies Director Gerry Gouveia described those fuelling the squatters’ defiance as “unspeakable and unpatriotic”, while Laparkan Director Oscar Phillips stated that such a development will change the face of Guyana.

Gouveia was also in high praises of the airport man-

agement for transforming the facility over the years “to one we can feel proud of”. Despite the capacity constraints, the airport management has been doing a tremendous job, he lamented.

New airlines

CJIA Chief Executive Officer Ramesh Ghir told stakeholders that the airport is currently in talks with a number of new airlines. In fact, he is optimistic that during the first quarter of 2014 – a new airline will announce its intention to ply the Guyana route.

Over the past

An overview of airport expansion

The project entails the following:

* The extension of the runway has to be constructed to category Code 4E to accommodate the Boeing 747-400 aircraft. The runway will be extended from 7500 feet to 10,800 feet.

* The installation of the Runway End safety Area (RESA). RESA is a safety feature of runways that allows aircraft to slow safely in the event the aircraft overruns the runway end. It results in reduced damage to the aircraft and less injury to aircraft occupants.

* Construction of a new terminal building measuring 16,000m3

* Doubling of aircraft position from four to eight.

* CCTV system with approximately 300 cameras.

* Eight passenger boarding bridges. The bridges will improve safety by eliminating the mixing of passengers and ground support vehicles as currently obtains on the apron.

* Elevators and escalators – two of each.

* Departure control system offers the conveniences for an airline to manage their passengers throughout the terminal.

* Security screening information management system consists of the message collection device, message treatment and storage control device and network device.

* Flight information display system provides flight information for passengers in and outside the terminal.

fuel farm that would reduce fuel cost significantly – making it more competitive and attractive to airlines.

Security

“I know this is a constant battle, but I am encouraging stakeholders to be vigilant and to report all security matters to the [airport’s] CEO,” Dookhoo appealed to the group. His sentiments were echoed by Minister Robeson Benn, who acknowledged that “we have to be more responsive, intuitive to the issue of drugs passing through the airport. We have seen over the years that those perpetrating these acts have become very innovative and are using the most inconceivable method to try move drugs through our main port of entry.”

Against this backdrop, Gouveia

three months, CONVIASA, Fly Jamaica and TravelSpan commenced operations in Guyana, and according to Dookhoo, travellers have more choice and destination to choose from.

“I have recognised a shift of the interest of people from traditional North American route and the board is very

excited about this,” he added.

TravelSpan officials were also encouraged to exploit not only the Christmas season, but other scheduled flights as well.

Another burning issue for some airlines executives was the cost of fuel. However, Dookhoo assured them the government of Guyana will soon set up a state owned

emphasised the necessity for all security agencies, including CJIA’s unit, to be trained continuously and maintain impressive records of satisfying the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) and the U.S. Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) high standards for aviation security.

Upgrade

Ulric Ceres of Amerijet indicated that he is willing to explore more advanced security options, after being the target of burglars several weeks ago. Over $1 million in office equipment was stolen from his bond by person(s) residing in north Timehri. Meanwhile, the director of Laparkan’s bond drew to the group’s attention the need for a dedicated area to scan cargo and suggested that part of the existing terminal be used for that purpose when the new terminal is completed. According to him, it will play a key role in security since “an estimated 400 million pounds of cargo move through the airport”.

Truth Simply the Gender-based violence (Part II)

In Part I, we took a look at oft-ignored forms of gender-based violence and violation. We in no way diminished the brutality of physical violence, but sought to demonstrate that there are equally deadly forms of gender-based violence. Let us look quickly at three stories.

In Malaysia, I was approached by a female university student. Let us call her Noor (Arabic for “Light”). She approached with a story – not because I was one of the few associate professors around at the time, but because I was a foreigner. She could speak without being stigmatised.

Noor was raped from the time she was EIGHT to the time she was 14. By her father – an imam. Then he turned his attention to Noor’s younger sister.

He derived pleasure by putting out cigarettes on and around her genitalia. And with the innocence of an injured child, she asked me: “You want to see, Sir?” and made to lift up her baju kurung (the female Malay dress). I stopped her. She was wounded and emotionally unstable, understandably.

One year before, she was made to see a lecturer in the psychology department. She told him the story of the rape and burning. He became excited. He raped her. She came to me, a known foreigner. She talked. I listened. After two hours or so, she gave me a plastic bag full of pills (maybe 500); they were capsules, red and black. She asked me to keep them so that she would not be tempted to swallow them all.

She came to talk to me three or four times per week – scheduled visits in my office. Noor started calling me at home. She spoke in different accents, and sometimes in Mandarin. Different genders too. Dissociative Personality Disorder.

Simply, the mind splits into different personalities under the pressure of trauma. Those wounds will never heal, although Noor got better.

At the University of Guyana Berbice Campus

(UGBC), a mother came to see me. She brought bloodstained clothes and photographs. Her daughter of FIVE had been raped. The beast, a neighbour, was out on bail, passing up and down the road. The law failed that woman; it failed that baby. That was a woman of extraordinary strength; the child drew from that mother’s strength. But survival does not mean being healed. The wounds are raw. Each time I see the mother and child, I am careful to hug them as would a father. I looked upon them, and I became stronger. At UGBC, there is an employee. He is a well-known wife beater. The wife, beaten and bruised, came to me to complain. I sent the complaint to Turkeyen, to people with power. Nothing was done. Nothing at all. I was told that they will form a committee. Nothing happened.

Later, he used a cutlass and chopped a boy within an inch of his life. The violence in this UG employee lurks just beneath his skin. He was proud, this fellow. A man! Soon after, he threatened violence to an official of UGBC.

I sent, once again, pictures and video evidence to the “authorities” at Turkeyen. I followed up with calls, insisting that this fellow be fired forthwith. Some kind authority figure asked me during one of my many follow-up calls: “Man, Director! This happen on de campus?” I said no. She said: “Den is not UG busi-

ness!”

There you go! I could chop you to bits and beat my wife whenever I want and how badly I want, but if it is not done on the campus, “is not UG business!”. I could do this just outside the gate, in full view of people. The laws of the Republic of Guyana do not apply. Moral laws are irrelevant.

This is why we have become a nation that continues to victimise victims, and we find new ways to do so. If those who are beaten and broken have nowhere to turn with confidence, then they continue to be victims. The beasts win because they know there is no penalty for crimes committed. Because those who could and should take action refuse to do so.

One does not solve gender-based violence in this way. We solve nothing with this attitude. Noor had somewhere to run and someone with whom she could speak. In Guyana, what do we have?

Logger injured after gun trap goes off

APort Kaituma man was on Saturday morning air-dashed to Georgetown and was admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital nursing two gunshot wounds to his thighs after he came into contact with a gun trap in the mining community.

Ian Poon, 37, of Canal Bank, Port Kaituma, North West District, Region Nine was initially taken to the Port Kaituma Hospital on Friday afternoon but was subsequently transferred to Georgetown on Saturday morning.

An official at the Port Kaituma Hospital explained that the bullet struck Poon to his left leg and went into his right leg. The bullet was extracted and according to the official, his condition is stable.

An official at the Georgetown Public Hospital confirmed that the man was brought to the medical facility sometime after 10:00h on Saturday. The official also

related that he was treated and admitted to the Male Surgical Ward, where his condition is being monitored by doctors and nurses.

A sister of the injured man, Samantha Poon, disclosed that the incident occurred about 08:00h on Friday at an area called Anibisi, some four miles from Port Kaituma Central.

Her brother, a logger, she explained, went into the area along with another worker to cut an order and as they journeyed through the bushes, he came into contact with the trap.

She explained that after the incident, his colleague contacted the family via telephone and related the news. Poon went on to say that her relatives immediately rushed to the area, but due to the location, they took some time to reach the scene.

“With boat and engine they, had to travel up a creek and then they had to

go to where he was and fetch him out….He had lost a lot of blood by afternoon; he reached the hospital where he was treated”

The sister stated that at the Port Kaituma Hospital, he told her that he was cutting bushes and suddenly heard an explosion and immediately dropped to the ground. “He said that he wasn’t feeling on his foot and when he looked down, he saw he blood.”

The father of six, the sister noted, received injuries to both of his legs and was treated at the Port Kaituma Hospital but due to the injuries, the doctor recommended that he be transferred to the city to seek further medical attention.

Guyana Times was told that gun traps are usually set by hunters in the area and sometimes, used by businessmen to protect their property. Police have launched an investigation into the matter.

Cuba: U.S. "very open" to new relationship Jamaican ministry hails tanker driver, firefighters

Asenior American official has said the United States is “very open” to building a new relationship with Cuba.

However, Edward Alex Lee of the U.S. State Department stressed that any improvement should go hand-in-hand with more political freedom on the com-

munist-run island. He said the two countries had held “very constructive” talks on migration and other issues this week.

But he declined to give any details of what he called “substantial progress”. Lee, who has been on an official visit to Cuba, added the two nations would seek to continue these rare negotia-

tions.

“Despite our historically difficult relationship... we have been able to speak to each other in a respectful and thoughtful manner,” he told a news conference in Havana. But he added that the U.S. wanted a “fundamental change” in the Cuban government’s attitude towards its own people.

“We want to have that opening reflect – from the Cuban side – a respect for Cubans to express themselves freely, to be able to petition their government with grievances without the danger of arrest.” Talks between the two historic enemies were suspended in 2011 but resumed last July.

The main focus of the latest talks was migration: discouraging Cubans from risking their lives at sea to reach the U.S., by ensuring that there were safe and legal alternatives. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Trinidad: 16-year-old pregnant for dad

Afather awaiting trial on three incest charges involving his 16-year-old daughter appeared in court Friday on another charge of having sex with the same child, who is now pregnant.

Princes Town Senior Magistrate Debra Quintyne denied the 51-year-old father of five bail as she questioned why the girl was allowed to stay in that environment. “Society is failing our children. She ought to have been

removed from that environment,” the magistrate said.

Legal officer for the Southern Police Division Ramdath Phillip, who is prosecuting the matter, said that issue was the subject of a separate inquiry.

“She is placed back in the environment to suffer further abuse. That is heartwrenching, that is a life destroyed,” Quintyne said. The father, a mason, was arrested on Wednesday night and charged by WPC Woods.

The charge alleged that on a date unknown between September 1 and September 30, 2013, the father had sexual intercourse with a girl, 16 years of age, knowing her to be his blood relation.

The offence allegedly took place at the father’s Barrackpore home. He was not called upon to plead to the charge, which is strictly indictable. Objecting to bail, Phillip said the victim is the daughter of the accused and is 16 weeks pregnant. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Bahamas party leader calls for public flogging, castration

Democratic National Alliance (DNA) leader Branville McCartney on Thursday doubled down on his tough stance on crime in The Bahamas, calling for criminals to be publically whipped and for sex offenders be castrated.

In his new year’s address, McCartney urged the government to wage an all-out war against crime and said criminals must know there will be “severe penalties and lasting consequences” for their actions.

The Local Government Ministry Friday praised the bravery of tanker driver Dennis Butler, as well as the work of firefighters, who averted a possible major disaster in the way they dealt with Thursday’s explosion of a tanker carrying petrol.

Firefighters were quick to respond to the scene of the blazing truck and extinguished the inferno, which had spread to engulf a number of houses nearby, preventing the loss of lives and further damage to other

properties, the ministry said in a release.

“The ministry would also like to recognise the brave actions taken by the driver of the gas tank truck that caught fire.

"Butler’s quick thinking and response also resulted in the saving of lives and properties, and it would be remiss of us not to extend sincere gratitude and appreciation for what he did,” said Colin Fagan, state minister in the Local Government Ministry.

Fagan said he was confi-

dent that the Jamaica Fire Brigade will continue in its efforts to provide great service to the citizens of this nation, despite the challenges they face.

“The Jamaica Fire service is often faced with heavy criticism from the public, but notwithstanding these criticisms, members of the Jamaica Fire Brigade remain strong, committed individuals, dedicated to providing great service to this nation and as such they must be applauded,” said Fagan. (Excerpt from

Frail Manning returns to House

Limping and thinner but looking strong, former prime minister and San Fernando East MP Patrick Manning returned to Parliament Friday after a two-year extend-

ed sick leave. With his wife Hazel at his side, Manning was greeted at the entrance to Parliament, Tower D, Port of Spain Waterfront by a small group, comprising mostly women, wearing red

People’s National Movement (PNM) jerseys with his name printed on the front.

Kirk Waithe of Fixin’ TT and two or three protesters stood nearby with placards calling for an immediate general election. Manning, who suffered a stroke in January 2012, did not speak to members of the media outside Parliament but went straight inside, lifting his left foot and dropping it as he walked with much effort. “Allyuh see about him eh,” a supporter, poking her head inside the door, told police in the lobby.

A round of desk-thumping from the PNM benches greeted him as he entered the chamber minutes before the 13:30h session began. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Provisions made for laid off Barbadian drainage workers

“It is more than obvious that this administration is afraid to make the hard decisions to ensure that the criminal elements respect the law and that they know that there will be definite consequences for their criminal actions,” McCartney said.

Noting that innocent blood continues to be shed and the international com-

He said the government is “clueless as to what to do” about the vexing problem, which is threatening The Bahamas’ social, democratic and economic stability.

munity is highlighting crime, McCartney said the time has also come for the government to request advice from independent foreign law enforcement agencies.

He said if the government is serious about addressing crime it would stiffen the penalties for serious and even basic offences.

As an example, McCartney said people charged for illegal firearms possession should be immediately prosecuted and sentenced to a minimum of seven years. (Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)

Gunmen kill Brazilian church’s pastor

Police in Brazil say two gunmen have fatally wounded an evangelical pastor at his church in the city of Belo Horizonte. The gunmen reportedly entered the city’s Universal Church of the Kingdom of God, and shot the pastor in the head before fleeing by car.

Police said there was no evidence the men were rob-

bers. They said the pastor, Charles Vidal de Souza, died shortly after arriving at hospital. It is not clear whether the pastor, who was 34, was the intended target of the assault.

He was found in an office in the church where there were signs of a struggle, according to police. The killing happened in a middleclass neighbourhood of Belo

Horizonte, the state capital of Minas Gerais. The populous city is around 700 km (400 miles) south-east of the capital, Brasilia.

Gun violence is high in Brazil, but attempts at banning the sale of guns have failed in the past. A 2005 referendum on the issue was defeated by a clear majority. (BBC News)

Some of the laid-off workers of the National Environmental Enhancement Programme (NEEP) receiving their green papers Saturday from staff of the Environment and Drainage Ministry

The workers who were let go from the Drainage Division’s National Environmental Enhancement Programme (NEEP) have received their “green papers” to qualify for unemployment benefits, and the assurance is being given by Prime Minister Freundel Stuart that they will also get separation packages.

According to Prime Minister Stuart, those packages are in the process of being quantified by the ministry,

and that matter is expected to go before Parliament once it resumes from the annual Christmas recess.

“The computations are being done; the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of the Environment, Edison Alleyne has explained that.

Once we get a grand total, that would have to engage the attention of Parliament by way of supplementary requests; and once we pass that hurdle, all of the workers will get their entitle-

ment,” he said. His comments came as he spoke to the media at Ilaro Court, minutes after he, along with Minister of Environment and Drainage, Dr Denis Lowe; Labour Minister, Senator Dr Esther Byer Suckoo and Social Care Minister, Steven Blackett, participated in a meeting with the affected workers at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, which lasted for three hours.

Israel’s ex-PM Ariel Sharon dies

Former Israeli Prime

Minister Ariel Sharon has died aged 85 after spending eight years in a coma following a stroke. He was a giant of Israel’s military and political scene, but courted controversy throughout his long career.

The head of the Sheba Medical Centre near Tel Aviv said Sharon had died on Saturday afternoon of heart failure. President Shimon Peres said he had built Israel but a senior Palestinian said his path was war and aggression. Peres, who joined a unity government with Sharon in 2001, said he was “an exceptional man and an ex-

ceptional commander who moved his people and loved them and the people loved him”.

Palestinian political figure Mustafa Barghouti said while no-one should gloat at his death, Sharon had taken “a path of war and aggression” and had left “no good memories with Palestinians”.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama spoke of a leader “who dedicated his life to the State of Israel”.

The BBC’s Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen said he had shaped the current state of the West Bank and Israel’s relations with the Palestinians more than any other Israeli politician in recent years. (Excerpt from BBC News)

NSA makes final push to retain most mass surveillance powers

The National Security Agency and its allies are making a final public push to retain as much of their controversial mass surveillance powers as they can, before President Barack Obama’s forthcoming announcement about the future scope of U.S. surveillance.

Security officials concede a need for greater transparency and for adjustments to broad domestic intelligence collection, but argue that limiting the scope of such collection would put the country

at greater risk of terrorist attacks.

In a lengthy interview that aired on Friday on National Public Radio (NPR), the NSA’s top civilian official, the outgoing deputy director John C Inglis, said that the agency would cautiously welcome a public advocate to argue for privacy interests before the secret court which oversees surveillance. Such a measure is being promoted by some of the agency’s strongest legislative critics.

Inglis also suggested that

the so-called Fisa court have “somebody who would assist them with matters of interpreting technology”, which also has the potential to recast the court’s relationship with the NSA.

Currently, the judges on the panel rely entirely on the NSA to explain how the agency’s complex technological systems work, an institutional disadvantage that judges have highlighted in secret rulings bemoaning “systemic” misrepresentations by the powerful surveillance agency. (Excerpt from The Guardian)

Are cheating politicians now fair game for the French press?

Atabloid maga-

zine on Friday claimed to have caught President François Hollande having an affair with a famous actress. It was an unprecedented move in France, where the press have traditionally turned a blind eye to politicians’ romantic escapades.

Hollande quickly slammed the report as an attack on his right to privacy, and said that he was “looking into possible action, including legal action” against the French tabloid maga-

zine that published the photos. But Hollande, who lives with his partner, former political journalist Valérie Trierweiler, did not specifically deny the allegations.

Exposing leaders’ infidelities and trawling through their private lives may be commonplace in the United States and Britain, but in France such stories have largely remained a no-go area for the media, even the tabloids.

French law strictly protects the individual’s right to privacy and the French

public are largely in agreement with this position. However, in recent years, the French media has shifted in its policy on reporting on politician’s private lives.

By targeting Hollande so openly this week, the taboo appears to have been completely shattered.

Matthew Fraser, a lecturer at the prestigious Science Po University in Paris and who has widely written about the media industry, believes that the magazine is engaged in an interesting test. (Excerpt from France24)

Russia says militants seized with bomb in south

Five members of a banned militant group were arrested in southern Russia on Saturday and a homemade bomb packed with shrapnel was defused, in another security scare weeks before the Winter Olympics in Sochi.

Islamist militants have threatened to attack the games and suicide bombers killed at least 34 people last month in Volgograd, also in southern Russia.

President Vladimir Putin, who has staked his political and personal prestige on

the success of the Olympics, has ordered safety measures beefed up nationwide after the attacks.

Russia’s National Antiterrorism Committee (NAC) said the latest arrests were in Nalchik, a town about 300 km (190 miles) from Sochi in the Caucasus region, where insurgents want to carve out an Islamic state.

“Security forces have detained five members of a banned international terrorist organisation,” the NAC said in a statement received by Russian news agencies.

Pakistan honours teen who died foiling attack

APakistani teenager who sacrificed his life to stop a suicide bomber, saving the lives of hundreds of students, will be honoured with the country’s highest award for bravery.

Aitzaz Hassan, 15, a student in Hangu district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, has become a national hero after tackling the

bomber who came to attack his school on Monday while hundreds of students were inside.

Hassan died in hospital after the bomber blew himself up at the school gates. No one else was wounded or killed in the incident. The office of Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said it had advised President Mamnoon

Hussain “to approve the conferment of Sitara-e-Shujjat [star of bravery] to Shaheed [martyred] Aitzaz Hassan. “Shaheed Aitzaz’s brave act saved the lives of hundreds of students and established a sterling example of gallantry and patriotism,” it said in a statement issued late on Friday.

An official from the prime minister’s house told AFP news agency on Saturday that Hassan’s family is expected to receive the posthumous award on March 23, Pakistan’s national day, following the president’s ceremonial approval.

News of Hassan’s act led to an outpouring of tributes on social media. Pakistani newspapers, TV channels and social media sites demanded recognition for Hassan’s bravery, calling him a hero who should receive the nation’s highest award. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

U.S. could have avoided "mini crisis" in Devyani case, India says

India on Saturday blamed the United States for a “mini crisis” over the arrest and strip search of an Indian envoy, and said more work was needed to repair ties a day after the withdrawal of diplomats seemed to draw a line under the row.

Devyani Khobragade, 39, who was India’s deputy consul-general in New York, was arrested in December on charges of visa fraud and lying to U.S. authorities about what she paid her

housekeeper. Khobragade’s arrest and strip-search provoked protests in India and dealt a serious blow to U.S. efforts to strengthen ties.

Foreign minister Salman Khurshid said the United States should have warned senior officials visiting Washington a day before Khobragade’s arrest by state department security in December.

“It wasn’t even mentioned,” Khurshid told the CNN-IBN television network. He called the row

a “mini crisis” and said India should have been given the chance to withdraw Khobragade before she was arrested. He said the core of the U.S.-Indian relationship was very strong and that he didn’t expect lasting damage from what has turned into the biggest rift in years.

“I think we’ve found that at least the immediate, immediate concerns have been addressed,” Khurshid said. “But there’s a lot more still to do.” (Excerpt from Times of India)

Fukushima radiation reaches 8 times govt standards

An NAC spokesman confirmed the statement to Reuters.

“The anti-terrorism operation discovered and seized ammunition, grenades and a homemade explosive device packed with shrapnel ready for use,” the statement said.

The weapons were discovered in the course of searching the addresses where the arrests took place, it added. Nalchik is 100 km from the town of Beslan, the site of a 2004 guerrilla attack on a school which killed 331, half of them children. (Excerpt from Reuters)

This handout picture taken by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on November 27, 2013 shows review mission members of the IAEA inspecting the crippled Tokyo Electric Power Co (TEPCO) Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant in the town of Okuma in Fukushima prefecture

Nuclear radiation at the boundaries of the stricken Fukushima power plant has now reached eight times government safety guidelines, TEPCO has said. The firm has been struggling to contain radioactive leaks at Fukushima since the onset over the crisis in 2011.

The levels of nuclear radiation around Fukushima’s Number One plant have risen to eight millisieverts per year, surpassing the govern-

ment standard of one milliseviert per year, reports news site Asahi Shimbun citing Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO).

The Nuclear Regulation Authority held a meeting on Friday aimed at curbing the rising levels of radiation to the south of the plant, which has long been a problem area.

TEPCO told press that the predominant reason behind the sharp increase in radiation at the plant was

X-rays coming from storage tanks holding radioactive water that has been leaking from the Fukushima facility. The water in the tanks contains traces of radioactive strontium along with other substances that react with the materials the tank is composed of, producing X-rays, said officials. Strontium-90 is a radioactive isotope of strontium produced by nuclear fission with a half-life of 28.8 years.

(Excerpt from RT News)

Illegal sand mining will not be condoned – natural resources minister

Natural Resources and Environment

Minister Robert Persaud said his ministry will strengthen enforcement regulations so as to ensure that sand/loam operators work within the confines of the laws

He made the announcement during a meeting with operators on Saturday in the conference room of the Splashmins Fun Park and Resort, Linden-Soesdyke Highway

During the meeting, presentations were made by officials from the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC), the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and the Environmental

Protection Agency (EPA), reminding sand mining operators of the necessary procedures regarding permits and authorisation as well of their responsibilities under the relevant legislative provisions.

The meeting was held at the Splashmins Resort, Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara.

One of the issues the minister focused on was the proper management of sand mining activities. He said “We would have to enhance our abilities and our capabilities of monitoring what is taking place.”

He explained that there is a significant disparity in the number of sand mining activities that are actually

taking place from what is captured in the ministry’s data. This, he said, is a total misrepresentation of the actual situation and emphasised the need for proper monitoring and tracking.

The inability to carry out proper monitoring results in the state and the citizens of Guyana being denied the royalty of $15 per tonne, especially when the end consumers pay as much as $18,000 per truck load of sand.

Royalties

As it stands, sand miners owe the state $132 million in royalty arrears. Minister Persaud said that through the GGMC, they have been encouraging stakeholders to settle these outstanding amounts.

“We don’t want to be hard, people are making money, but if you are engaged in an activity that is not making you money then give up the activity, give up the resources for somebody else to benefit, don’t come and complain that I am not making money so I'm not going to pay the royalties. It is your duty to pay the royalties,” Minister Persaud said. He rubbished the no-

tion that operators working on government contracts are automatically entitled waivers in royalty and reminded that this is not stated anywhere in the bills of quantities. There is a mechanism in place for waivers to be granted and this can be activated administratively.

“We want to work with you, so if you have outstanding arrears… the approach we have taken is to accept whatever payment plan you have provided, we haven’t given you a deadline, but you have to recognise that we have an obligation to fulfil in this regard,” the minister said.

Environmental management

Last year, a Compliance and Enforcement Unit was set up in the EPA tasked with ensuring more stringent monitoring of authorisations that were granted. In this regard, enforcement regulations are now being drafted in keeping with the EPA Act.

“We have seen that some of the sand mining activities are being carried out in a way that is being disruptive to the environment and persons are not doing what they are supposed to do at the end of the operations… we are putting these things in place, not to make life difficult for you, but to ensure that your activities are consistent with the laws of Guyana,” the minister assured.

Minister Persaud spoke of the competing land use interest and informed that the ministry has just completed a national land use plan and is currently working on developing regional land use plans. In these plans, specific areas will be earmarked for different types of activities.

He lamented that there are instances where persons apply for agricultural lands and upon acquisition, approach the GGMC for a permit to engage in sand mining activities in the said area.

A lot of complaints

were made by sand miners against officers of the relevant agencies, particularly the GGMC.

Minister Persaud urged the miners not to take the actions or inactions of a view and pin it on an entire organisation. He noted that the problem of public officers not towing the line is not unique to the GGMC; but rather its one that exists in many other public agencies.

The commission has received the green light to recruit 25 additional persons who will be tasked with dealing with matters that have not received much attention in the past in terms of sand, bauxite, quarry and other mining resources.

Cooperation needed

“If there are inconsistent or irregular actions by some officers, we need the cooperation of people to deal with it,” he said. Many land issues have escalated into disputes that have engaged the attention of the courts. On many occasions, there have been court rulings that are not in favour of the Natural Resources Ministry or its agencies, and as such, there are several appeal cases that are pending.

“We feel that that our hands are also tied by court actions in enforcing the regulations… in a democracy when you have the separation of powers, those decisions are in a way corrosive and sometimes harm our ability to do our work, but we still have to abide by it,” the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported the natural resources minister as saying. The minister also spoke of the importance valueadded production; looking at opportunities whereby sand can be extracted and packaged in a way that it becomes an additional product. He also urged miners to diversify their operations. In 2012, more than 146,000 tonnes of silica sand was exported.

Exploitation of immigrant labour in Italy and U.S.

By Vishnu Bisram

Arecent trip to Italy evoked my empathy and sympathy for migrant labourers and undocumented immigrants. The experience of a harsh life among immigrants brought back memories of early life of Guyanese in America and our ancestors who came from India and Africa to toil on the sugar plantations.

Because of persecution, tens of thousands of Guyanese fled the land of their birth during the 1970s through 1990s to look for greener pastures (U.S., etc) only to find themselves in situations that they never anticipated – providing slave like labour so that others (in U.S. and Guyana) could live a better life. The same is true of immigrants in Italy and elsewhere in Europe.

I have long been aware of the abuses of immigrant workers in America, having studied the subject and penned numerous articles on it. But I was not aware that immigrants are so abused in Italy and other European countries where I had expected they would obtain “fairer” justice and empathy of leftist governments and sympathisers.

Immigrants in Italy and Europe are of all colour, nationality and ethnicity and are not as in the U.S. mostly non-Whites. In fact, most immigrants in Europe are from other European countries. But the focus is on nonWhites – those from Asia and Africa – because somehow, Italians feel non-Whites are the ones who are responsible for lowering their standard of living, a feeling not dissimilar to that in America. There are also some immigrants in Italy from Latin America but virtually none from Guyana although I did come across some

get employment). Like early Guyanese in America, they accept second class status in Italy.

Stigmatised

As in America and elsewhere, in Italy, immigrants (especially those from Asia and Africa) are stigmatised as being involved in crimes (only a handful of immigrants are implicated in crime and they are mostly from Morocco, Tunisia and Romania), drug trafficking, creating shanty towns, taking away jobs from natives, and lowering the standard of living of Italians, etc. This has led to increasing xenophobic sentiments from the general public – send them back home.

As in the U.S., Italians say the nastiest things about immigrants and are against open immigration but at the same time, as in America, they cannot do without immigrants. Immigrants provide cheap labour and perform tasks that locals shun – like farm labourer, domestic servants, hotel cleaners, unskilled factory workers, etc. They work for dirt cheap which locals reject and they are frequently abused. Italians want high paying jobs just like native Americans (regardless of race and background and their qualification).

The workers of sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa and Asia are mostly employed in low-skilled, often seasonal or

temporary jobs like the agricultural sector. There are, however, some South Asians (Sri Lanka, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Nepal), who are very technically skilled (electricians and computer specialists – superior to Italians) and those who work as nurses or health aides. But all of them are underpaid relative to Italians similar to the U.S.

In a study of migrant labourers, Amnesty International found instances of widespread labour exploitation, with wages below the minimum agreed upon between unions and employers, delays or non-payment of wages and long working hours. The workers could do nothing about the violations – accept the conditions or be terminated and or deported.

Need the money

Because they are foreigners and need the money to provide for their dependent families back home, they do not make any fuss about salary – similar to Guyanese illegally in America during the 1970s and 80s (and even today) – they accepted any salary to pay the bills and the debt that was acquired to pay for the fare to Italy or America. Besides, whatever they earn in Italy is much more than what they would make in their home countries (if they

Migrant labourers play a critical role in Italy’s farming industries. For example, they pick the grapes and work in the wineries. The spirit industry is a critical part of the country’s economy. (Incidentally, one in four bottles of wine exported around the world is Italian and a lot of it is produced by immigrant labourers. The finest brands of champagne, wine, martini, and brandy are from Italy and they are relatively cheap).

Immigrant farm labourers earn less than half the minimum wage of US$5 per hour – much less than in the U.S. and similar to the underwage earnings of sweathshop labour of early Guyanese in America. Given low wages, many workers cannot afford a room and so several of them share one room – as Guyanese used to do in New York during the 1960s and 1970s.

During the warm months, many are reduced to living in

tents on farms – conditions that Guyanese may be familiar with in Louisiana and Florida during the cane growing season. Some are without proper shelter. The lack of housing has led to the formation of shantytowns in some areas. And as early Guyanese experienced in the U.S., if you are injured on the job, there is no compensation and if one is sick and does not report to work, there is no pay.

Earning a living

In Italy, those without jobs are seen peddling goods in the streets. The South Asians are into selling cheap items that would not land them into trouble; police do not really enforce the law against unlicensed peddling because they know these workers need funds to survive so they commit pickpocket crimes like some of the North Africans or Gypsies.

The Africans south of the Sahara take big risks in selling fake name brand leather bags. Whenever I went out in

the mornings, I took snacks for those peddling goods in the streets or the homeless knowing their meagre financial conditions to afford food. I know what poverty was, having lived under the Burnham dictatorship and during my early years as a student in America. So I was moved to help immigrants selling in the streets.

The problem of illegal immigrants in Italy is similar to that in America. There is no doubt that immigrants play a vital role in the economy, especially in the agricultural sector and in low skilled jobs in the U.S. and Italy. Most migrant and undocumented workers are being treated as semi slaves. The authorities are fully aware of the conditions but do nothing.

Italy, like other countries, needs to overhaul policies which contribute to the exploitation of immigrant labourers and ensure that employers pay the contracted wages and fulfil health related obligations.

(Dec. 22Jan. 19)

Don’t feel obliged to do things differently or to give in to someone’s demands. Concentrate on what you can do to improve your life and your future.

(Jan. 20Feb. 19)

(Feb.20March 20)

Dealing with authority figures, institutions or government agencies will pose a problem, particularly if travel is involved. Demands will not be met, and your reputation must be protected. Stick close to home. Take part in a cause you believe in to impress someone who has something to offer. You must be honest where your intentions and motivations are concerned. Don’t let anyone get the wrong impression.

(March 21-April 19)

Consistency will be a deciding factor when it comes to your future relationships with friends, family and peers. Listen carefully and be willing to compromise.

(April 20May 20)

Relax and enjoy the day. Take time to be with the people whose company you most enjoy. Live fully and make love a priority.

(May 21June 20)

Thoughts followed by actions will bring good results. High energy and quality intentions will prove to be your ticket to the winner’s circle. Get ready to celebrate your good fortune.

By Bernice Bede Osol

(June 21July 22)

A makeover will prepare you for future endeavours. Getting involved in someone else’s cause won’t satisfy your needs. Do what makes you feel good, not what someone else wants you to do.

(July 23Aug. 22)

You won’t get all the facts, but you should still head in the direction that beckons you. You can’t please everyone, so it’s best to please yourself.

(Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Timing is everything. Mixing business with pleasure will allow you to grab the support needed to pursue future endeavours. Don’t donate money just to impress someone. Offer solutions, but don’t offer cash.

(Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Don’t be afraid to voice your opinion. You may raise eyebrows, but in the end, you will get your point across and feel good about your progress.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

An emotional financial matter may cloud your vision. An idea of yours must be deemed sound before you decide to invest in it. Romance should occupy your time, but not break your budget.

(Nov. 23Dec. 21)

Look at the past and consider what has brought you the biggest return. Establish how to incorporate what you do best into a marketable service and revenue stream.

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Opposition misbehaved terribly in the House last year – Nandlall

Legal Affairs Minister and Attorney General Anil Nandlall has described 2013 in the National Assembly as having one singular characteristic trend, that is, a relentless attempt by the opposition to trespass into the province of the executive.

Speaking on the television programme, Roundtable, Minister Nandlall noted that though the Constitution has outlined the role and functions of the executive and the legislature, what is discernible since the opposition has had control of the legislature, is “a constant attempt to increase those functional responsibilities, to extend the powers and to extend the jurisdiction of the legislature way beyond that which is contemplated and provided for by the constitution.”

Budget cut

He noted that this extension of the role of the legislature manifested itself when the opposition cut the 2013 budget despite the court ruling after the 2012 budget that the opposition in the National Assembly has no power to reduce expenditures put forward by the finance minister in the form of the national budget. The court also ruled that it was the role of the finance minister, being a delegate of the president to present those national estimates.

Minister Nandlall said that “when the opposition

cut, (the budget) they not only cut, but they put forward their own estimates of a $1 in the instances where they have cut... and they passed those estimates. So in essence, not only have they performed an act of reduction of the estimates, which the constitution forbids them to do, but they have arrogated onto themselves, an executive function, which essentially is the presentation of the estimates”.

No-confidence motion

There is also the case of the opposition passing a noconfidence motion against Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, which the court and the Speaker of the House later ruled that they had no power to so do.

The opposition also attempted to gag Minister Rohee from speaking in the

National Assembly in an effort to censure him, for what they termed incompetent performance of his duties as minister.

“Again if we refer to the Constitution we see that the minister of home affairs is an executive officer, he is a delegate of the president, appointed by the president, and the functions which he performs in the discharge of his ministerial responsibilities are executive functions. If he defaults, or if he is incompetent in the performance of those functional responsibilities, then it is the president who appointed him, who must recall his appointment or censure him. It is not open to the legislature to censure an executive officer in respect of the performance of his executive functions,” Minister Nandlall pointed out.

Majority of big beasts in decline

Three quarters of the world’s big carnivores including lions, wolves and bears – are in decline, says a new study.

A majority now occupy less than half their former ranges, according to data published in the journal, Science

The loss of this habitat and prey and persecution by humans has created global hotspots of decline.

The researchers say the loss of these species could be extremely damaging for ecosystems the world over.

The authors say that in the developed world, most carnivorous animals have already succumbed to extinction.

When they looked at 31 big meat eaters, they found that they were under increasing pressure in the Amazon, South East Asia, southern and East Africa.

“Globally, we are losing our large carnivores,” said lead author Professor William Ripple from Oregon State University.

“Their ranges are collapsing. Many of these animals are at risk of extinction, either locally or globally.”

The researchers say their work highlights the important ecological role of many of these carnivores.

When they looked at wolves and cougars in

Yellowstone National Park in the U.S., they found that having fewer of these big predators resulted in an increase in animals that browse such as elk and deer.

Damaging impacts

While this might seem like good news, the researchers found that the rise of these browsers is bad for vegetation and disrupts the lives of birds and small mammals, leading to a cascade of damaging impacts.

Similar effects were seen all over the world.

The rise of olive baboons in Africa has been linked to the decline of lions and leopards. But the baboons now pose a bigger threat to farm crops and livestock than elephants.

The scientists say that much of the problem comes from an old fashioned no-

tion that predators are harmful and just a threat to other wildlife.

The authors say there needs to be a rapid recognition of the complex roles these carnivores play and how much they are worth in economic terms.

And when people try to replicate the services provided by these animals, they aren’t as effective. “Human tolerance of these species is a major issue for conservation,” Professor Ripple said.

“We say these animals have an intrinsic right to exist, but they are also providing economic and ecological services that people value.”

Among the services of value that have been documented in other studies are carbon sequestration, biodiversity and disease control. (Excerpt from BBC)

Pakistan v Sri Lanka, 2nd Test, Dubai, 4th day…

Pakistan take fight into final day

Pakistan’s leader Misbah-ul-Haq batted with limitless patience and rookie Sarfraz Ahmed punched his way to a maiden half-century to give their side a glimmer of hope of saving a Test that once seemed lost. Pakistan painstakingly accumulated 198 runs on the fourth day but lost only four wickets, and with some rain forecast in Dubai on Sunday, Sri Lanka could get nervous if Sarfraz and the tail extend the lead much beyond 107.

It requires tremendous confidence in one’s skills for a batsman to remain scoreless for a long period and then plod along unperturbed at his own, unattractive pace. Not many in the modern game have the mental strength to bat like Misbah does. He resumed on 53 off 119 balls, and then stayed scoreless during the first hour, mak-

ing his first run off his 37th delivery. When he was dismissed for 97 shortly before tea, Misbah had taken 129 deliveries to score 44 on the fourth day and ensured Sri Lanka would have to bat a second time.

After Misbah’s vigil came to an end, Sarfraz upped Pakistan’s tempo in the company of two-Test old Bilawal Bhatti. They played shots on a pitch that had become unresponsive for the bowlers, and though Sri Lanka’s attack did not err, the runs came faster. Pakistan scored 65 runs in 21.3 overs after tea, after making 133 runs in 53 overs in the first two sessions.

Though Sri Lanka’s breakthroughs were few and far between, each strike set Pakistan back a long way because of their sedate scoring. And whether Misbah’s stagnation in

the morning had an impact on his more experienced partner Younis Khan is arguable. With Pakistan trailing by 91 at the start, Younis had made the early play against Sri Lanka’s seamers, driving with the fluency that had brought him a half-century the previous evening.

Sedate approach

He had been standing outside his crease to negate the swing though, and when Suranga Lakmal sent down a short and wide ball outside off stump, the extra bounce resulted in a top edge as Younis tried to cut and Prasanna Jayawardene took his fourth catch. With no runs coming at the other end, perhaps Younis had felt the need to hack at the deficit whenever he could. The fourth-wicket stand had produced 129 and Younis was gone for 77. Only after the first drinks break did Misbah get going, by flicking Lakmal to long leg for two. Maybe that brought on a little adrenalin surge for Misbah as he pushed hard at the next ball and edged to collect a boundary to third man. And after that he was struck on the pad by one that seamed in, but the lbw appeal was turned down because the impact had been too high. Misbah subsequently slowed up again and only turned aggressive when Rangana Herath was brought on late in the session, slogsweeping the spinner’s first ball to the boundary.

Misbah’s partner in a 52-run stand for the fifth wicket, Asad Shafiq, also batted cautiously, but with flashes of colour. When Shaminda Eranga or Nuwan Pradeep gave him width, Shafiq flayed his bat to cut to the point boundary. He also drilled Herath hard down the ground but between those shots, he was measured.

Shafiq countered Eranga’s reverse swing with the old ball by getting his front outside off and defending confidently. When the new ball was taken, however, Eranga began to

seam the odd delivery away and Shafiq was less sure of his footwork. He ended up prodding at an away-going delivery and edged to second slip. Pakistan were still 23 behind.

Brisk batting Sarfraz was the most brisk of Pakistan’s batsmen. Sri Lanka always felt they had a chance when he was on strike but Sarfraz made crisp contact with his shots. His 45-run partnership with Misbah came at more than three runs an over and gave Pakistan the lead. In the last half hour before tea, however, Herath drifted the ball into the right-hander from round the wicket, pitched on middle, and spun it past the outside edge of the bat offered in forward defence to hit off stump. Misbah had been dismissed on 97, leaving some in the Pakistan dressing room in shock. They were only 22 ahead.

If Sri Lanka had hopes of a four-day finish, they were squashed by Sarfraz and Bhatti, who continued their enterprising alliance in the final session by playing busily. Sarfraz brought up his 50 off 73 balls, and enjoyed a let-off on 51 when Lakmal could not hang on to a return catch.

As the lead grew closer to a 100, Angelo Mathews spread his catchers and it needed an inswinging yorker from Eranga to break the partnership on 67. Bhatti did extremely well to jam his bat down on the ball, but it snuck through to clip leg stump before he could swat it away.

Sarfraz became more careful in the company of the first tailender Saeed Ajmal, and played for stumps as it grew darker and began to drizzle. With the umpires checking their light meters often, Sri Lanka gave Kumar Sangakkara a bowl for only the fourth time in Tests in the absence of any proper part-timers in their wicketkeeper-laden XI. His only over cost seven and took Pakistan’s lead past 100. (Cricinfo)

Man Utd returns to winning ways

Adnan Januzaj

Manchester United’s poor run of form was brought to a convincing end as Adnan Januzaj inspired them to a 2-0 victory over Swansea.

The 18-year-old did not start last weekend’s FA Cup third-round defeat by the Welsh side but proved his undoubted value by helping to create second-half goals for Antonio Valencia and Danny Welbeck. His contribution returned David Moyes’s side to winning ways as they avoided the ignominy of losing four consecutive games for the first time since 1961.

It also ended a wretched run of four defeats in their past six home games as United finished a forgettable week on a positive note.

Following their defeat by Michael Laudrup’s side last Sunday, United lost in the Capital One Cup at Sunderland, with Moyes charged by the Football Association for comments about the referee after that loss.

But this was a much improved performance by the Scot’s team, who moved back to within four points of fourth-placed Everton.

They are still nine points behind Premier League leaders Chelsea, whom they face a week on Sunday, but with Welbeck and Shinji Kagawa also impressing in the absence of the injured Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie, there was at least a sense that a Champions League spot is well within their grasp. (BBC Sport)

Ronchi, McCullums set up...

Guptill still managed to hit a short delivery through mid-off for four, but Best finally got the better of him when he cramped him up.

A slow period followed during which New Zealand lost Jesse Ryder and Ross Taylor. Brendon McCullum put his head down to make sure they didn’t lose too many wickets, in the process going at under a run a ball. At 70-3 after 10 overs, they needed a push, which Munro provided with an 18run over from Nikita Miller. Best, though, came back and removed him and Corey Anderson with aggressive short-of-a-length bowling.

After 14 overs, Brendon McCullum was still only 28 off 30, and a low total loomed. Ronchi, though, began the turnaround with an onslaught on Andre Russell, whose first over was the 15th of the innings. To balls pitched up, all you needed was a decent swing of the bat, and they were flying into the stands. Sunil Narine got a quiet 16th over in, but he wasn’t accorded such respect in the 18th when Ronchi slog-swept him for a six, and then read a carrom ball to late-cut it for four.

With the score at 175 after 19 overs, it was down to Best again. Best began well, bowling quick and short of a length, conceding just one run off the first three balls. This is when Brendon McCullum took the calculated risk, charging him, making sure the short ball was now in his swinging arc, and sending it over longon. With the next ball he guessed right, got under a low full toss, and ramped it way over fine leg for six. The two shots just pushed a gettable total into the realm of improbable for a weakened batting line-up.

Lendl Simmons fell to the pace of Adam Milne, who would later go on to touch 153.1 kmph. Johnson

Charles swung a few, but he is a low-percentage batsman, and soon inside-edged James Neesham. With the openers gone, it was always going to be down to Dwayne Bravo and Andre Russell, but by the time they came together, the required rate had crossed 13, and there were 10 overs to go.

Playing his 50th Twenty20 international, having led the side out,

Nathan McCullum was enjoying the hole-outs from the frustrated middle-order. It took Russell two balls to try to hit a six, but the tall Guptill pulled out a stunner at the longon boundary. In Nathan McCullum’s next over, Bravo found Ryder at longoff. If the game hadn’t been over already, the last rites were now performed. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

New Zealand innings

M Guptill c Charles b Best 25

J Ryder c Charles b Miller 22 Brendan McCullum not out 60

R Taylor c Bravo b Miller 5

C Munro c †Fletcher b Best 22

C Anderson c Powell b Best 0

L Ronchi not out 48

Extras: (b-5, w-1, nb-1) 7

Total: (for 5 wickets; 20 overs) 189 Fall of wickets: 1-38 (Guptill, 3.5 ov), 2-56 (Ryder, 6.4 ov), 3-66 (Taylor, 8.6 ov), 4-103 (Munro, 12.2 ov), 5-104 (Anderson, 12.5 ov)

Bowling: S Badree 4-0-25-0, T Best 4-0-40-3, S Narine 4-0-46-0, N Miller 3-0-26-2, Dwayne Bravo

4-0-24-0, A Russell 1-0-23-0

West Indies innings (target: 190)

J Charles c Ronchi b Neesham 16

L Simmons c Ronchi b Milne 0

A Fletcher c Ryder b Nathan

Cooks stays clear of Pietersen issue

Captain Alastair Cook has refused to be drawn on the future of England batsman Kevin Pietersen.

Following the recent 5-0 Ashes whitewash, Pietersen stated he had no intention of quitting Test cricket.

But asked whether he wanted the 33-year-old to help regain the Ashes in 2015, Cook said: “It’s a hard thing for me to answer at this precise moment.

“A lot of thinking needs to be done on the way we go about our cricket and the way we want to go forward.”

He added: “We’ve all had a very tough time. We’re going to have to let the dust settle on everything. If I gave one player reassurance there could be [up to] 10 players who want that... it’s unfair for us to do that.”

England coach Andy Flower this week issued a statement denying he had given an ultimatum over

Pietersen’s future.

It followed reports he would resign if Pietersen remained part of the England set-up.

Cook, who remains a loyal supporter of Flower, wants to continue their partnership.

“He’s a fantastic coach with a very good record,” said Cook.

“He has to really want to carry on and, just seeing what he’s said in the media, he desperately wants to do that, so that’s great news for us - we’ve got a lot of hard work ahead of us.”

Rebuild Any immediate decision about the future of Pietersen - or any other player - seems unlikely, however, as England seek to rebuild following Graeme Swann’s retirement and Jonathan Trott’s early return home from Australia with a stress-related illness.

“It’s very important the leaders of this side take

their time to make the right decisions because knee-jerk reactions are not what’s required,” said Cook.

“It needs a lot of thinking and most importantly we need to get English Test cricket back on track.

“We have been a good force for five years, we’ve had a tough three months - that’s hard to take - but we’ve got a lot of good cricketers in England and you have to start looking to the future as well.”

This summer England take on Sri Lanka in a twoTest series, beginning on June 12, before five Tests against India.

Before then, Flower may want England’s leading players to fight for their international places by performing well for their counties.

This may conflict with Pietersen’s ambitions to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

While he has been released by the Delhi Daredevils, he will be a free agent for the players’ auction on February 12 where he could attract a lucrative contract.

This year’s IPL tournament runs from April 8 to May 30.

The agreed cut-off date for IPL players to return to England is May 13, which would give Pietersen - who has only played in nine one-day internationals since February 2012 - seven days to prepare in home conditions for the oneday international series against Sri Lanka. (BBC Sport)

McCullum 23

K Powell c Guptill b Nathan McCullum 12

Dwayne Bravo c Ryder b Nathan McCullum 10

A Russell c Guptill b Nathan McCullum 0 C Walton c Munro b Neesham 9 N Miller not out 15

S Narine c Milne b Neesham 0

S Badree not out 14

Extras: (lb-2, w-7) 9

Total: (for 8 wickets; 20 overs) 108

Fall of wickets: 1-11 (Simmons, 1.4 ov), 2-31 (Charles, 4.3 ov), 3-53 (Powell, 8.3 ov), 4-59 (Fletcher, 10.1 ov), 5-64 (Russell, 10.6 ov), 6-75 (Bravo, 12.5 ov), 7-77 (Walton, 13.3 ov), 8-77 (Narine, 13.5 ov)

Bowling: T Southee 4-0-36-0, A Milne 4-0-15-1, J Neesham

4-0-16-3, Nathan McCullum 4-0-24-4, C Anderson 4-0-15-0

Mohamed resigns from senior selection panel

– questions omission of trio from Super50 squad

Former national wicketkeeper/batsman

Sheik Mohamed has resigned as a selector from the Senior Selection Panel of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) with immediate effect.

Mohamed, along with Chairman Rayon Griffith and Adrian Amsterdam, formed the three-man panel tasked with selecting the 14-member Guyana squad for the upcoming West Indies Cricket Board’s NAGICO Super50 tournament.

Mohamed claimed that when the time came to select the final 14, he was invited to join a panel that included Griffith, Amsterdam and Guyana head coach Esaun Crandon at the Everest Cricket Club ground.

He informed this publication that he left immediately upon learning that Crandon was part of the group that would be selecting the final squad, since he [Crandon] is not a selector.

Thereafter, Mohamed proceeded to the GCB office to submit his list of 14 players and was told by president Drubahadur that the next step should be to meet with Griffith and defend his [Mohamed] selection.

“This never materialised. I was watching football on television one evening when I saw the final squad scrolling across the screen,” Mohamed indicated.

Mohamed also revealed that a similar situation occurred last year when the panel invited GCB executive Colin Europe to be part of the group to select the senior female national team.

Selection criteria

He also questioned the selection criteria used for the Super50 squad, noting that he was surprised by the omission of all-rounder Zaheer Mohamed and leg-spinner Amir Khan, who were oustanding for Demerara in the Guyana Cricket Board’s GT&T/ Hand-in-Hand Intercounty competition, and all-rounder Jonathon Foo, who was the leading batsman in one-day cricket in Berbice during the last year, notching up five centuries.

“I don’t want to be a culprit of gross injustice being served to the innocent Guyanese cricketers whose

Jumbo’s New Year’s sweet stake set for February 16

Top horses from across the country will throw down the gauntlet on February 16 when Jumbo Jet Auto Sales in partnership with the Port Mourant Turf Club (PMTC) stages what is dubbed the “New Year’s sweet stake” at the PMTC.

performances are being neglected due to the mindset of the other selectors. At the same time, I have an image to protect at the expense of my reputation,” Mohamed said.

Speaking to this publication on Saturday, Mohamed, who appeared in 19 First-Class and 14 List A games for Guyana between 1987 and 1999, also queried the inclusion of all-rounder Royston Crandon, who did not participate in the Inter-county one-day competition as he chose to remain in Canada where he is playing for a club.

During the Inter-county, Z. Mohamed emerged as the top all-rounder with 70 not out and match-figures of 10-53 against Essequibo, while Khan grabbed 6-69 against Berbice, 5-66 and 3-44 versus Essequibo and 6-17 against the GCB President’s XI.

“It begs the question ‘what more do you need to do to make the team?,” Mohamed queried.

Independent personnel Mohamed, who also resigned as a member of the Junior Selection Panel in 2009 owing to similar issues, said on several occassions persons not part of the panel would have a say in selection, something that did not sit well with him.

“I strongly believe that unless the board finds independent personnel suitable to be selectors, players who know their selection is on the line will start making approaches to selectors and offer bribes since the sport has become very lucrative,” Mohamed explained.

He added, “It’s unfortunate that my tenure has to end so abruptly, but I simply cannot be part of a process that lacks professionalism, transparency and inclusiveness.”

Back in 2009, Mohamed was part of the junior panel that included Michael Franco Hyles and Faizul Bacchus. He claimed he was not consulted on the composition of the national Under-15 squad at that time, hence his resignation back then.

In tendering his resignation from the senior panel on Saturday, Mohamed also challenged executives of the GCB to “bring an end to discrimination and favouritism” when it comes to the selection of teams.

According to the provisional programme issued by coordinator Nasrudeen Mohamed, seven exciting races are carded for the day with action set to gallop off at noon.

The feature race for horses classified D1 and Lower, which will go for a distance of 1500m, fetches a winner’s pocket of $1 million with the runner-up, third and fourth placed finishers collecting $500,000, $250,000 and $125,000 respectively.

The Three-year-old Guyana and West Indies bred, covering 1200m, will see the champion receiving $600,000, while the winners of the Four-year-old

Guyana and West Indies bred (1500m) and the E1 and Lower (1200m) will be $500,000 richer.

The G1 and Lower (1200m) winner is guaranteed $400,000, with the winners of the I and Lower (1000m) and I and Lower (1200m) collecting $250,000 and $200,000 respectively. According to the organisers, the day’s activities will be hosted under the rules of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority, and the deadline for submission of entries is February 8. No late entries will be accepted.

Interested horse-owners, jockeys and grooms are asked to contact Chandu Ramkissoon on 624-9063 or 232-0633; Kris Jagdeo on 624-6123 or 322-0396; Rajendra (Jim-Jo) on 6187278; Sacho on 690-0569; Ramnauth on 337-5311 or 697-1979; or Romell Jagroop on 624-1798.

Kanden re-elected president of

Lloyd Kanden was reelected unopposed as president of the Albion Community Centre Cricket Club, when that entity held its Annual General Meeting last Thursday at the Albion Community Centre’s Main Hall.

Kanden, a pastor by profession, will serve his 13th consecutive term and will again have Imtiaz Baccus, a former Senior Factory Laboratory Technician at GuySuCo’s Albion Estate and Grievance Officer attached to NAACIE, as his Vice-president.

Former Berbice and Guyana youth team manager and current Human Resources Manager of GuySuCo’s Albion Estate, Vemen Walter, returned as Secretary, while Executive Secretary of the National

The organisers of the Kennard Memorial Turf Club (KMTC) rescheduled Boxing Day horse race meet have made several changes from the original programme.

The meet is scheduled for January 26 at Bush Lot Farm, Corentyne, Berbice. It was slated for January 19 after the original Boxing Day meet was postponed due to the inclement weather.

President of the KMTC, Cecil Kennard, told this publication on Saturday the programme has been reduced to a seven-race meet. He further indicated that while the feature race remains for A and Lower horses, the prize money for the winner has been reduced to $1 million.

Kennard disclosed that

Albion CC

Cane Farming Committee, Muthusammi Permaul, will continue to serve as Treasurer. Former Guyana Under-19 and Berbice Senior Inter-County offspinner Orvin Mangru is the Assistant Secretary/ Treasurer.

Five Committee Members

were also elected, namely former West Indies Test opener Sewnarine Chattergoon, former Berbice Under-19 wicketkeeper/batsman and University of Guyana student Andy Mohan, Totaram Harichand and new faces Dhanraj Singh Budhu and Muniram Lalbeharry.

Budhu, a retired GuySuCo Human Resources Manager, and Lalbeharry, a former Albion captain and Berbice senior Inter-County fast bowler, are the only two changes from the previous year’s executives, replacing Puran Mangal and Threrbhowan Jagdeo.

The new executive will be meeting shortly to name the club captains, Vice-captains and managers of the respective teams, together with the club’s sub-committees for the 2014.

the co-feature race will now be for horses categorised F1 and Lower for $400,000 over six furlongs.

Other events billed for the day are the G3 and Lower for a $300,000 winner’s purse over six fur-

longs. The H and Lower and the Three-year-old race from Guyana bred horses will run over seven and six furlongs respectively. Both races carry a winning tag of $250,000.

Rounding out the roster is the J3 and Lower and J1 and Lower over six furlongs.

The winners will be collecting $150,000 and $200,000 respectively.

Kennard indicated that the deadline for the submission of entries is January 19. No late entries will be accepted.

The race is being conducted under the rules of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority and, according to Kennard, the rules of the local governing body would be rigidly enforced. (Rajiv Bisnauth)

Mayor’s Inter-ward football concludes today at Den Amstel

Keen competition will be the order of the day today when the Mayor Hamilton Green 79th birth anniversary seven-aside Inter-ward knockout football tournament concludes at the Den Amstel ground on the West Coast of Demerara, starting from 14:00 hours. Several West Demerara teams are into the latter stages and home fans are expected to come out in their numbers.

The quarter-final games will commence with Sara Lodge battling North Sophia from 14:00 hours, while Pouderoyen will clash with North East La Penitence in the second quarter-final game, which is set for 14:30 hours. At 15:00 hours Uitvlugt and South Sophia will collide in another quarter-final encounter and Den Amstel will entertain Kitty at 15:30 hours.

The winner of quarterfinal one will play the winner of quarterfinal three in the first semi-final match, which will get underway at 16:00 hours, and the winner of quarter-final two will take on the winner of quarter-final four in the second semi at 16:30 hours.

The final will get cracking from 17:00 hours. The champion team will take home $100,000 and the runner-up will receive $50,000.

Confident Bishoo eyeing Windies recall

By Rajiv Bisnauth

The highly rated legspinner Devendra Bishoo is eyeing a recall to the West Indies line-up. However, in order to get the attention of the West Indies selectors again, Bishoo must first stamp his authority during the upcoming West Indies Cricket Board’s NAGICO Super50 tournament, starting January 30 in Trinidad and Tobago.

The 28-year-old, who is a part of the national 14-man squad, insists that once he bowl to his best and takes wickets regularly he will have a good chance of catching the eyes of the selectors once more.

“Right now I’m concentrating hard on my bowling because I know all I need to do is to continue taking wickets. I just have to be consistent during the upcoming regional tournament and once that has been achieved it’s up to the selectors,” Bishoo said on Saturday during an exclusive interview with Guyana Times Sport.

The ICC 2011 Emerging Player-of-the-Year, who played his last international game in 2012, has been pushed down the pecking order by the emergence of off-spinner Sunil Narine and fellow Guyanese, leftarm spinner Veersammy Permaul, as well as Shane Shillingford, who was suspended from bowling in international crick-

Tucville giant Fruta Conquerors FC will be hosting a fundraising exhibition match between past and present club players today at the Tucville community ground.

The match, which will commence at 19:00 hours, will be used to reunite all past and present players of the club under friendly conditions in an effort to raise funds for the upcoming 2014 football season.

Coached by Calvin Allen and managed by Marlon Cole, the old guard will be represented by the likes of captain Lebert Stephenson, Neville Stanton, Jomo Hinds, Devon Forde, Elroy Parks, Lennox Arthur, Walter Moore, Anthony Abrams,

et by the International Cricket Council (ICC) last December.

However, rather than rolling over and playing dead, Bishoo, who has represented the West Indies in 11 Tests, 13 One-Day Internationals, and four Twenty20 Internationals, is working feverishly to improve his game.

He responded the best way he could by being the leading wicket-taker in the recently concluded Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T)\Hand-inHand senior four-day Intercounty tournament, claiming 25 wickets.

“I must say I have been in good bowling form,” he said.

The leg-spinner indicated that like most other cricketers he went through a bad patch, but remains confident of his return to the regional side.

Kevin Grimes, Anthony Nelson, Dexter Bentick and Julian Harry.

Suiting up for the younger brigade will be playercoach Vurlon Mills, Trevon Lythcott, Delon Williams, Sheldon Shepherd, Kacy John, Shawn Samogan, Odel Williams, Kishawn Lovell, Oswald Cornette, Kieano Lagado, Eon Alleyne, Dwayne Lawrence, Joshua Browne and Lumumba Hinds. The manager will be Duncan Saul.

In the opening match at 17:00 hours, Fruta Conquerors will oppose archrivals Sunburst Camptown in a battle of the juices Under-17 affair. Entrance to the venue will require a simple monetary donation.

The Albion spinner was dropped from the West Indies 13-man squad for the final Test against Australia in Dominica in April 2012.

Bishoo has so far taken 40 Test wickets with a career best 5-90 coming against Bangladesh and 20 wickets in ODIs, including 6-34 versus England. He has

also claimed six T20 scalps with a best of 4-16 against Pakistan.

Bishoo has taken 175 wickets from 45 First-Class games, snaring nine fivewicket hauls, and ten in one match. He has also claimed 53 wickets in 29 List A games and 41 wickets in 31 T20 matches.

Golden Jaguar Cort returns to Rowdies for 2014 season

The NASL’s Tampa Bay Rowdies has announced the re-signing of forward Carl Cort to a one-year contract through the 2014 NASL Season.

Cort will be entering his third season with the club, originally joining the Rowdies in August of 2012. Cort featured in 11 matches in 2013, starting in four. His goal in stoppage time against the Strikers on October 5 was one of the nominees for NASL Goal-of-

the-Year. In 2012, Cort played eight matches after joining the club in the later part of the season. His most important goal with the Rowdies was in the second leg of the 2012 NASL Championship Series against Minnesota on October 27. This goal helped the Rowdies come back from a two-goal deficit and win the 2012 NASL Soccer Bowl. Cort is from London, England, and is most known for his five seasons with Newcastle United F.C. of the English Premier League. The forward saw action for the Wolverhampton Wanderers over the course of four seasons from 2004-07 and tallied 32 goals. In the 2004–05 season, he notched 16 goals in 40 appearances and the following season added nine goals in the first 11 matches for Wolverhampton. He also played for Guyana’s Golden Jaguars during the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in 2012.

Ronchi, McCullums set up emphatic win Mohamed resigns from senior selection panel

– questions omission of trio from Super50 squad

Former national wicketkeeper/batsman

Sheik Mohamed has resigned as a selector from the Senior Selection Panel of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) with immediate effect.

Mohamed, along with Chairman Rayon Griffith and Adrian Amsterdam, formed the three-man panel tasked with selecting the 14-member Guyana squad for the upcoming West Indies Cricket Board’s NAGICO Super50 tournament.

Mohamed claimed that when the time came to select the final 14, he was invited to join a panel that included Griffith, Amsterdam and Guyana head coach Esaun Crandon at the Everest Cricket Club ground. See

Luke Ronchi and Brendon MCCullum turned a flagging New Zealand innings around with an unbeaten 85-run partnership in the last 7.1 overs, which gave them a comfortable total to defend given West Indies’ weakened batting. On a slowish pitch and short straight boundaries where mis-hits sail for comfortable sixes, Tino Best pulled New Zealand back twice, but Ronchi and Brendon McCullum smashed seven sixes and five fours in the last six overs to take the game away from West Indies. Brendon McCullum scored 32 off the last 15 balls he played, and Ronchi, the man who provided New Zealand the first turn of momentum, took 48 off 25. It could have been much worse for West Indies had it not been for the intervention from Best when he stopped the rampaging Martin Guptill at the top of the innings and Colin Munro in the middle. Guptill just pushed and smacked down the ground everything pitched in his arc. The last three balls of the second over went for six, four and four. Best got another over at the top, and showed he had realised you couldn’t pitch up at Eden park.

Jumbo’s New Year’s sweet

set for February 16

page 22

Hinds is new GABF president

Former national player Nigel Hinds is the new president of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Association (GABF), which held its elections on Saturday at the Guyana Olympic Association headquarters, High Street, Kingston. Hinds, who was running against current president of the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA), Micheal Singh, won the elections nine votes to two. "I’m honoured; I know we have a lot of work to do...I have a really good executive and we plan to meet with all the stakeholders

such as the Ministry of Sport and [Director of Sport] Neil Kumar,” Hinds said moments after being elected. He added, “We have a team that [is] suppose to leave on July 12 and we plan on having a national league. We know we have a lot to do to revitalise the sport, but I’m enthused by the support of the general council.”

Meanwhile, Singh will be a part of the new executive as one of the Vice-presidents, along with president of the Linden Amateur Basketball Association, Haslyn Graham.