UGSSA President calls on govt to “fix” UG urgently
GDF officer
Million-dollar
mid an increase in the deforestation rate linked mainly to mining activities, the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) said its contribution to Guyana Gross Domestic Product (GDP) can compensate if the country loses a percentage of the Norway funds.
Guyana is currently at risk of losing US$20 million of the US$250 million from the forest conservation fund due to a 0.025 per cent increase of deforestation. Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud made this disclosure on Friday at his Brickdam office. His pronouncement followed the completion of the 2013 National Deforestation Report. This is the third report to be completed under the Monitoring Reporting and verification (MRV) System for REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation), in keeping with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the governments of Guyana and the Kingdom of Norway.
According to the report, Guyana would have experienced a change from forest to non-forest at an estimated 14,655 hectares during the period January 2012 to December 2012, with a total deforestation of 0.079 per cent. Minister Persaud said the increase is greater than year two, which was reported as 0.054 per cent.
Relatively low
Based on the Interim Measures MRVS Report, Guyana has maintained a relatively low deforestation rate between 0.02 per cent and 0.079 per cent per annum. But in accordance with the Norwegian agreement, Guyana at this current stage should have had a deforestation rate below 0.070 per cent as against 0.079 per cent. With Guyana surpassing the threshold, the country could lose millions.
“If we say what we have
is accurate... it would be in the range of US$20 million,” Minister Persaud told media operatives.
But despite acknowledging this high possibility, he said the situation is not alarming since Guyana’s year three deforestation rate is still low when compared to the rest of South America, pointing out that the combined reference level is 0.275 per cent.
A number of factors are responsible for the increase with mining activities standing out as the main driver. According to MRVS Report, in year two, it accounted for 94 per cent of all recorded deforestation.
“This continues to be the case in year three, with the area of deforestation attributed to mining increasing to around 13,516 hectares from 9891 hectares.” Minister Persaud said the actual increase is just a “meager” 3600 hectares as against 18.5 million hectares. “This is approximately 93 per cent of all recorded deforestation in 2012.
It should be noted that the driver of mining accounted for 1434 hectares of infrastructure development in the hinterland, which is part of the total 13,516 hectares.
“The 94 per cent of the area that you would have had forest change, is as a re-
sult of mining activities, and that ought not to surprise anyone of us, because we know there was increased mining activity, and this is not pointing to any lawless-
ness or lack of regulations or lack of organisation, this is mining primarily being done,” he said in defence of the mining industry.
Editor: Nigel Williams
Tel: 225-5128, 231-0397, 226-9921, 226-2102, 223-7230 or 223-7231. Fax: 225-5134
Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown
Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com
Consumer rights and related issues in one sense can be traced back to March 15, 1962, when President John F Kennedy gave an address to the U.S. Congress, in which he formally addressed the issue of consumer rights.
Since then, a number of other things have happened. Consumers International (CI) is currently urging its members and supporters to use the occasion of World Consumers Day to expose the very real damage caused by poor or nonexistent consumer protection around the world.
Acting Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Irfaan Ali is all buzzed up about “consumer justice now” and his ministry is currently working on a hire purchase bill that will protect the rights of consumers in a growing credit-driven sales economy.
Guyana is not the Guyana of yesteryear. Business, even at the personal level, is quite massive at times. That is why, consumers must be provided with the right legislative framework through which they can be protected, thereby making the Hire Purchase Act most indispensable.
That is all legal talk and too many times people do not understand this kind of information as it involves too many jargons. The common man wants to know where he stands, even if it is a single item that is purchased. The Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission is joining in this battle to ensure that their subjects are well taken care of.
World Consumer Rights Day was celebrated under the theme, “Consumer justice now”, suggesting that consumer justice is not accessible in its entirety. So there is now the urgency to call for action so that each individual, buyer and seller, will be able to be cognisant of their roles, privileges and responsibilities.
The important caveat to grasp here is that protection of consumers does not mean an attack on the providers of goods and services, or a resistant movement against them. The perfect analogy is that of having police officers patrol our streets. This is not tantamount to eroding the rights of anyone, but ensuring them as such. We are talking here about ensuring that there is fairness and some level of equity.
Coming into this kind of framework is the voice from bottom up. The Guyana Consumers Association president, also caught up in this fever, recently said that the organisation will be moving soon to re-introduce its weekly columns in one of the four daily newspapers. This column, which focuses on consumer concerns, had recently fallen into a state of lapse.
On the one hand, we have the forces that tell us what and how things are. Then from the consumer’s objective, there must be education. The association has been doing a lot of work to make representation for consumers countrywide. If a resurgent association can start informing the public via radio and television broadcasts, then consumers’ concerns will be put in proper perspective. They will not be from one side only. We all know that those who are privileged to make the laws are also obligated to uphold them.
In Guyana, it must be noted that though not often reported in the media, consumers continue to be affected by a number of issues, be it from the purchase of simple to complex items. What the consumer protection legislation will do is to address these shortcomings in a meaningful way by proving a framework that will give the authorities the legislative strength to ensure buyers get value for money.
It therefore goes without saying that consumers are entitled to and deserved satisfaction of basic needs, including safety to be protected against products, production processes and services that are hazardous to health or life; information about items to be able to make informed choices; redress in the case of settlement of just claims, including compensation for misrepresentation, shoddy goods or unsatisfactory services; and a healthy environment to do business.
safety is everybody’s business
Dear Editor, I am overjoyed at the news that the opposition adviser Lallbachan Christopher Ram and the Kaieteur News owner and publisher Mohan “Glenn” Lall were slapped with lawsuits for millions of dollars owed in rates and taxes. The amount of money they owe is staggering – put together it runs to over 15 million.
People must know that tax evasion is a crime in just about every country. When defaulters are convicted, they are liable to fines and/ or imprisonment. When I think of Lallbachan Ram, he is very close to Transparency Institute of Guyana Inc (TIGI), and he talks big about integrity and honesty. Yet he is very shady.
He wants political clout and cannot even practise basic transparency.
As for the Mohan Lall, he likes to think that he can expose people, yet he has been hiding a lot. I am still puzzled that he has not been investigated for his alleged backtracking. I hope that their blind followers and listeners are now getting that wake up call.
These two hypocrites always like to champion the rooting out of corruption, so it should start right in their own homes. The idea and practice of zero-tolerance by the acting town clerk must continue. If people are going to aspire to lead this land, then they must come clean.
Yours truly, Devonish Cameron
Dear Editor, Recently, a man allegedly snatched a gold chain from a teenager’s neck as she was walking, but quick reaction from a police officer led to the capture and arrest of him. He is now in some serious trouble, and rightly so. Is it worth it?
A few Monday nights
ago, a similar incident occurred right before my eyes. It was the twilight hour and this mere lad just rode up and ripped off a lady’s chain and rode off. One villager, with his licensed fire arm, took his car and tried to trace him, but he was not successful.
Look here at what we
must think about. For these thieves, they need schooling. If and when they are found guilty, they need to be counselled and not just punished.
They must face reality that without work there is no money. Work is a normal part of life.
I think that a few plain
clothes police officers should be loitering around for these chaps and also I ask that a few decoys be planted. Guyanese must have the privilege of enjoying their country. We all want to walk free.
Yours truly, Clairmonte Blair
Dear Editor,
The recent need for protest at the National Toshaos Council (NTC) has disappointed me. For as long as I can remember, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government has copiously provided and invested in the indigenous people of our land. However, the interest of the public sees it necessary to have international negotiations involving indigenous organisations redressed.
Amerindians have by far, for quite some time, been a fortunate and respected
group of people. 1993 was deemed the International Year of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. Then during the period 1995-2004 as the International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People. These times were used to focus on issues and concerns of the indigenous people.
Since 1995, Guyana celebrates the International Day of the World’s Indigenous People on August 9. Not so long ago, the government of Guyana once again contributed to the well-being of Amerindians. The president
recently disclosed at a previous NTC that toshaos can expect a 25 per cent increase in their monthly stipends.
Additionally, approximately 50 Amerindian villages in the hinterland have been identified to benefit from the One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) programme. The various village councillors are expected to be endorsed with funds specifically allocated for the upgrading of buildings to be used as a hub. In the event that new buildings are needed, the necessary arrangements will be made.
I recall a member of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) declaring the party’s concerns and support for the Amerindians of Guyana. I have now seen firsthand what it means to put faith in people who have no intentions of living up to their words. Any dissatisfaction that our indigenous brothers and sisters are facing is totally unmerited and should be addressed as quickly as possible.
Sincerely,
Iqbal Kasim
You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com
Dear Editor, Just recently, a mother of three was beaten to death by her reputed husband at their Lusignan home. The woman has for sometime been a victim of physical abuse but never found the need to leave her abuser or take other precautions. Many individuals including the woman’s neighbours and her sister were well aware of what the woman endured but never found it necessary to report it to relevant authorities.
In an incident prior to the one that brought the woman to her demise, her sister had promised her that she would
have escorted her to the hospital. The immorality and seriousness of the incident appeared to have no weight for her to see the need to involve the police or other relevant authorities.
The woman’s husband has over sometime established a reputation; a violent one at that. He’s known for being a habitual drinker and abuser. Less than a year ago, he was charged for physically assaulting his wife but was soon released on bail. She suffered broken legs and arms and had to be hospitalised. I can’t help but wonder if this man’s account of charge
had been more severe, then this woman may have still been alive. Under what circumstances she decided to stay was surely unfair to her.
I urge the relevant authorities to take the necessary initiatives to minimise physical abuse, particularly against women and also to provide awareness, guidance and counselling to women who need it.
Sincerely, Lusignan resident Name withheld by request
Dear Editor,
The stray catching method was an attempt to minimise the number of animals on the roadways in Guyana. Unfortunately, this approach has proven itself to be unsuccessful and there is now need to further address the matter by targeting irresponsible animal owners.
Just recently, a number of goats and sheep were caught during a stray catching campaign held in the Essequibo Islands. They were subsequently impounded at the Anna Regina Police Station.
Regrettably, the accommodating of these animals often creates another problem. The facilities available cannot sustain these animals for long durations.
Additionally, the maintenance that these animals require is not often available and this further results in the buildup of an unpleasant atmosphere. A few days ago in Better Hope, an impregnated cow was struck and killed. Shortly after, a police officer was seen cordoning off the area and in a matter of time, the carcass was removed. The owner of this animal is indeed irresponsible, particularly considering that the cow was possibly worth at least $200,000.
The approaches that we take to address the matter of straying animals need to be simple, but yet effective. It is highly illogical to impound animals that were taken off of the road; only
to have them released some short time after to make their way back out.
As it relates to animals on the roadway, they pose a serious threat to commuters. These animals often cause fatal accidents, particularly since they aren’t always visible during the night. They are most times left to decompose, leaving an unpleasant stench in the vicinity.
It is time to launch a campaign that will directly target the owners of these animals and further provide an ultimatum for them.
Sincerely,
Better Hope resident Name withheld by request
Late responses by police must be investigated and corrected
Dear Editor, A crime surge is truly on. I am happy for the police SWAT team idea, but I also think that the Guyana Police Force must sharpen up. I recall as far back as 2009 in the U.S. how a senior judge warned of a rise in vigilante crimes, all because of slow police response times.
His words proved true too, as citizens started taking matters into their own hands, citing lack of confidence in the forces of law and order there. This judge had to sentence a father and his sons for attacking a man they thought had vandalised their car – all because the cops took forever to show up.
Just this past July, an Edmonton local fitness instructor filed a for -
mal complaint with the Edmonton Police Service after two men barricaded her and seven others inside a south-east community league building. It took four 911 calls and more than an hour for the police to arrive and, by then, the suspects fled. They have not been found up to this moment.
What we have here in Guyana recently is that a Hampshire, Corentyne businessman was shot dead and his wife, and father-in-law wounded after bandits attacked them. The Rose Hall Town Police Outpost, Whim Police Station and Albion Police Station all said that they didn’t have anybody at that time and that they were without vehicles.
Are we saying that as a nation we have a crip -
Dear Editor, I refer to an article captioned, “PPP/C sets up integrity commission”, on October 22. Such an integrity commission should ideally be an autonomous body that allows for parity amongst the government and the opposition.
The existence of the commission will indeed be a boost for Guyana, given that all matters of corruption are addressed accordingly. However, much more emphasis needs to be placed on dealing with corruption on a long term basis.
Corruption at all levels needs to be addressed accordingly. The issues need to be pinpointed before corrective actions can be identified and further implemented to curb the problem.
In Region Two, government had constructed a tarmac at Charity for vendors. However, its recent transformation into a minibus and hire car park has created a traffic hazard to the residents of the community.
According to the vendors and residents of Charity, the decision for the transformation was taken by the Charity/Urasara Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) and the Regional Democratic Council (RDC). Also, farmers in the Pomeroon River are being deprived of the use of a pontoon and now have to find other means of transporting their produce to the Charity Wharf.
Regional officials are reported to have given instructions for an excavator to be
used to carry out urgent work in the farming community of Charity/New Road to avoid further flooding of their rice and other crops. But farmers in the area are alleging that some officials bypassed orders and transported the excavator to a friend’s farm.
The level of corruption in Region Two is appalling. It is quite evident that the region is facing tremendous challenges regarding the overriding of decisions, and unless these matters are dealt with by the respective authorities, corruption will continue to hamper the lives of people in Region Two.
Yours faithfully, Mohamed Khan
Dear Editor,
The thing about gun crimes is that when they go haywire they drive a paralysing fear into the society. I will never forget the days of the kickdown-the-door bandits. People were so petrified, they were afraid to go anywhere and they got jumpy at the sight of the police and soldiers.
What was terrible was that the security sector, a place of supposed refuge, had quickly descended into a place of fright. I am very relieved that this is not so these days. I know that we are not fully on top, but we are getting results. Making headway against these criminals can be enhanced too, but many are not cooperating or contributing to the
pled police force? If indeed that was the response, it can and should be investigated. Honest and hard-working businessmen are at the mercy of criminals. Something has been going wrong recently and it is time to put an end to it.
I think that people will soon revert to armed vigilantes. And who can blame them? The Guyana Police Force must have a response time requirement so that members will have to answer for not showing up promptly at a crime scene. The cry of late has been all about a late and delayed response. It is time this should end.
Yours truly, Ryan Sommerset
cause.
To date, all I am hearing from some sections in the society is the call for the “head” of the home affairs minister. This was what was happening during the Linden protest in August of last year. Yet the man was vindicated by an independent panel. I cannot see how this kind of antagonism can help crime fighting.
Also, many human rights activists and groups were at the forefront at that time, but I am not seeing or hearing from these now. We have had so many innocent people gunned down and to date these same elements have not uttered a word. That is why I back the chief cop when he said that we have to
declare war against these killers and destroyers of our society. They have been emboldened by the silence of these critics of the government. The society needs to be purged of these elements and the sooner this happens, the better it will be for those who are positive and productive citizens.
At the personal level, I think that people should watch carefully where they go and what they do. It pays to be cautious. At any wee hours I am at home. My home is not impregnable but I am safer there than on the streets.
Yours respectfully, Mohammed Ali
(CONTINUED FROM FRIDAY)
BY ANNA WARREN
Inspirational learning environment
Take a trip to our school and you’ll find classroom environments that inspire adults and children alike. Not only is the children’s work displayed creatively, but there is a range of learning prompts to inspire and support all pupils. We want to encourage our children to discover new texts, genres and authors, so our reading areas are inviting, well resourced and highly organised. Pupils can choose from an exciting array of reading material: newspapers, classic texts, reference books as well as the children’s own published stories are just some examples of what book corners might offer.
Drama to engage and inspire
The use of drama is such a powerful tool. Taking the lead from our drama specialist, all teaching staff use a range of techniques to promote the exploration of characters, situations and his-
torical events. This process expands the pupils’ imaginations, and provides them with the ideas they need to give
(CONTINUED FROM FRIDAY)
BY BARBARA ROWLEY
Ethat extra spark and flair.
Rigorous teaching of spelling and phonics
In infants, phonics is streamed, so all children can benefit from tailored teaching, making maximum progress as a result. All phonics and spelling activities are fun, multisensory and as physical possible, the aim being to
meet all learning styles in the class. In the juniors, we try to make homework lists as personalised to the child as possible to ensure that the spelling patterns stick in a meaningful way.
Grammar concepts taught creatively Grammar cannot be taught as a ‘stand alone’ activity. What’s the point of that? Children begin to understand grammar concepts, and start to apply them in their own writing, when they start
to read with a writer’s mind. Punctuation rules and techniques are drawn from shared texts; texts which the children have already been immersed in and have a good understanding of. Exploring these, and embedding them creatively is how the learning takes place.
Peer and self-assessment
What child doesn’t love marking somebody else’s work? With a clear marking key, success criteria and purpose in mind, children set about assessing either their own, or a partner’s piece of writing. Modelled through the teacher’s own formative marking, pupils know what the expectations are. They are well trained in searching for successful examples of the learning intention, articulating their responses to the work, checking the writing matches any targets and giving constructive feedback. Seeing the children learn from each other in this way is hugely positive; you know you’ve done your job well. (The Guardian)
ven when your child can read on his own, listening to books read aloud radically improves vocabulary, attention span, and love of literature by exposing him to higher-level books than he could comfortably manage on his own. It’s usually not until eighth grade that a child’s reading level equals his listening level, says Jim Trelease, author of The Read-Aloud Handbook.
Think outside the book-and-bed box
Reading time can be at breakfast, in the afternoon, whenever works for your schedule. Then get creative. Cozy up under the shade of a tree, in a backyard tent, on the porch after dinner, poolside during a swim break.
Keep fidgety children busy while they listen with a hunk of clay, a piece of knitting, or a colouring book.
Choose a book that you remember reading as a child or that interests you as well.
Let your child draw what she’s hearing as you read. She can illustrate a character or a place in the book.
Listen to an audiobook. These are available
at public libraries or bookstores, or you can download them on services like Audiblekids.com, where you can listen to samples before buying. Experts say that exercise can boost thinking skills. Plus, research suggests that simply being outside near something green and growing can improve attention span, creativity, mood – even IQ. So round up a posse of children and play these classics with zero guilt: They’re practically like homework. Kick the can. Whoever is “It” stands next to a soda can (taped up at the top, with a few pebbles inside), shuts his eyes, and counts to 100. All other players run and hide. “It” then goes off in search of the hiding players. If he finds someone, he can tag her and put her in “jail.” Meanwhile, players try to run from their hiding spots to kick the can: If they make it without being tagged, they’re safe (and get to be “It” next time). If not, they’re out.
Capture the flag. Define a large playing area with a centre line and a jail area. A varied geography (including trees) is helpful. Create two teams, and place a bandanna at the far line of each team’s territory. To play, teams try to sneak over the centre line and steal the other team’s flag without getting caught. Caught players stay in the other team’s jail until they are rescued by being tagged by a teammate. The game’s up when one team has both flags on its side of the dividing line. Summer olympics Train for, and then host, a family olympics. Include these events, or make up your own: yo-yo, jump rope, rock skip, hula-hoop, and water-balloon toss. Elaborate medal ceremony optional. (Parenting)
Guyana Times has been reliably informed that Mohan Lall, aka Glenn Lall, may also owe rates and taxes to the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) for the multimillion-dollar four-storey shopping complex located at the corner of Regent and Wellington streets, Georgetown.
The Regent Multiplex mall was officially declared open in 2008 just in time for the Christmas season, making it almost five years since it opened its doors to the numerous businesses which operate within. At the time, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds addressed the opening ceremony.
Lall was very much present at the opening and even chaired the proceedings, telling the gathering that he was a “very good friend” of Ganesh Ramlall, aka “Boyo”, the purported owner until now. At the time, Lall vehemently denied that he and his wife Bhena Lall had anything to do with ownership of the Regent Street proper-
ty, dodging questions from many reporters immediately after the ceremony.
Apron
Ramlall still sells clothing at a tiny stall in Stabroek Market, Georgetown and is more than likely being used as an apron to cover for the Lalls’ ownership. The mall, in the meantime, has had more than 40 businesses operating within since the opening.
Meanwhile, a 300KVA
Guyana Power and Light Transformer (GPL) transformer was stolen and installed at the building as part of the power supply system. Persons in the retail fraternity said that Ramlall was the “fall guy”.
Ramlall, along with two others, was charged in connection with the stolen transformer in November 2009. They were all placed on $400,000 bail after they made their court appearances before Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson-Ogle. As a person who the U.S. embassy in a WiliLeaks document accused of consorting with criminals, Lall would have had access to items such as stolen transformers.
Lall, a widely accused backtracker, has been suspected of purchasing numerous other properties in Miami, Florida and New York, paying for each of them to the tune of hundreds of thousands of U.S. dollars in cash. He is believed to have also put those under different people’s names to stay under the radar of U.S. law
enforcement agencies.
In Guyana, he was reported as having purchased another building on Regent Street, and turning up to pay for it in the United States with four suitcases of US$20 bills to the value of US$1.3 million.
The funds were suspected to have been obtained
from payments made by hundreds of poor Guyanese, whom he would have allegedly assisted with backtrack arrangements to the United States – some of whom have been deported and are now demanding their money back.
Other legitimate business owners are hoping the
authorities will rip the corporate veil from the various shell companies that may have been established to hide the true owner of the Regent Multiplex mall – who is Lall – and that the taxes will be paid so that Georgetown could get on the way to once again become a Garden City.
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds has acknowledged that more needs to be done as it relates to enforcing the use of the breathalyser test, noting that since its implementation, no progress has been made.
He made the observation while addressing the launch of Road Safety Month 2013. “Comrades, we put in the
breathalyser testing. We have to put it up there in front of all of us. We have to be consistently applying our laws.”
He said the enforcement of these laws has to be applicable to all Guyanese, noting that persons in authority should lead by example.
The prime minister also lauded Transport Minister
breathalyser long, but maybe we’ve done no more than that. The facts show that we’ve done nothing further than put the law in place,” he said.
This, he believes is unsatisfactory as the breathalyser needs to serve its purpose, that is, to clamping down on errant drivers, thereby reducing the number of cases of driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol.
“We should come out with a campaign for vigorous and widespread enforcement of our rules/laws, our
Robeson Benn for implementing the use of life jackets on boats, which was culture that was never embraced
The Guyana National Road Safety Council (GNRSC) on Thursday raised concerns that the police traffic department does not have sufficient tools and equipment to rein in errant drivers.
West Demerara Road Safety Association Chairman Shahab Hack said, “We have recognised that they (the Guyana Police Force Traffic Department)
are ill-equipped to do the job. For instance on my side – West Demerara, the police, they don’t have flashers, they’re stopping traffic in the night with their hands, they’re not visible, they don’t have vests, they don’t have cones, they don’t have enough breathalysers.”
Acting GNRSC Chairman Norman Mc Lean also believes that there are not enough breathalysers countrywide, but acting Traffic Chief Kevin Adonis doubted the veracity of this claim.
“Breathalysers are being placed right through the country. I think what the prime minister said is just endorsing what we’re doing and we will be committed… We have enough (breathalysers) to deal with the situation at all stations.”
The Evidence and Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic (Amendment) Act of 2008 assented to by then President Bharrat Jagdeo on May 22, 2009, was put into effect in June 2009.
The law authorises any member of the Guyana Police Force to prosecute a person driving or attempting to take charge of a motor vehicle on the road, with an alcohol level exceeding 35 microgrammes (the equivalent of two bottles of beer).
A driver, who, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with this requirement, commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not less than $20,000, or an alternative of a prison term of no less than three months.
saturday, november 2, 2013| guyanatimesgy.com
University of Guyana Senior Staff Association (UGSSA)
President Dr Patsy Francis has said there is an urgent need for government and other parties to fix the current state of the tertiary institution.
Dr Francis said a policy change is necessary, especially as it relates to the retention of students, who would have completed studies there, but eventually leave for greener pastures.
She believes that special focus should be placed on having a meaningful conversation with all stakeholders on the way forward for UG. Dr Francis told Guyana Times that UG needs to regulate and improve its finances at all levels.
She said the UG administration needs to take a more
concerted effort to develop a sustainable financial plan that will take the university to higher heights.
Dr Francis also made reference to the loan agency at the university, calling for it to be reformed, in such a way that encourages students to repay their loans.
University of Guyana Student Society (UGSS)
President Richard Rambarran also stated his concerns, calling on the university administration to work towards improving its standards by having its programmes accredited.
Rambarran said he is looking forward to the university to accredit at least some of its programmes.
Rambarran told this newspaper that while there is a need for more to be done to improve the overall deliv-
ery of education at the tertiary institution; he also believes that some efforts are being made in this regard.
He added that from his assessment, there is a compe-
tent team of lecturers at the university, despite there is a need for a few of them to upgrade their level of qualification to a master’s and doctoral degree.
At present, most of the programmes offered at UG are not accredited. In some parts of the Caribbean, a UG degree or diploma is not recognised and for most parts of North America and Europe, persons wishing to continue their education would most time have to re-do many exams before they can continue tertiary education in those countries.
The university has also been highly crticised for the lack of qualified lecturers. The entity comes to grapple with these problems which many consider teething issues in the academic world, even as it turns 50.
Educator and former headteacher of the Helena Primary School, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara, Anoopwattie Veeren died on Friday at aged 68, after a brief period of illness. In an invited comment on her passing, Labour Minister, Dr Nanda Gopaul expressed sadness at her passing. He opined that Veeren was a role model for teachers, students and women throughout Guyana.
“She has shaped the lives of numerous children through her teachings, and helped to empower women and citizens through her relentless advocacy for women’s rights and community development work.”
Dr Gopaul noted that Veeren has served well as a member of the Teaching Service Commission, and was always keenly interested in community development.
Minister Persaud said the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, GGDMA and his ministry continue to monitor mining activities to ensure that operations are in keeping with laws governing the country. Despite the current situation facing Guyana, the natural resources and environment minister said the mining industry’s contribution to the country’s development cannot go unnoticed, positing that it contributed 11 per cent of the GDP and continues to create much needed job.
It was pointed out that already the industry has
achieved approximately 415,000 ounces of gold when compared to the same period last year, which stood at 344, 000; an increase of 20 per cent. However, he acknowledged the need for closer monitoring in the industry, positing that illegal mining might be a contributing factor.
But while Minister Persaud was mild about the situation as it relates to the impact of the mining industry on the Guyana-Norway agreement, GGDMA President Patrick Harding spoke frankly.
He told reporters that if Guyana loses millions, the
At the time of her death, she was a leading member of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), Region Five group and served in various positions in the Women’s Progressive Organisation (WPO). Veeren was also the chairperson of the Unity/ Veereniging Neighbourhood Democratic Council, and the Upper East Coast Local Board of Guardians. She was a justice of the peace and commissioner of oaths to affidavits.
In 2000, Veeren retired as graduate headmistress of Helena Primary School after serving the system for 40 years as a teacher. The Education Ministry in 1989 had given her the Teacher of the Year award for Region
Four. Another award that she gained (in 1999) was the Bahai Woman of Distinction for Laudable and Sacrificial Service to Society. Veeren had also served during her working years as a member of the Central Board of Health, a regional democratic councillor for Region Four, and chairperson of the Guyana Women’s Leadership Institute. She was the mother of four children, three daughters and a son.
The PPP/C administration extends sincere condolences to the relatives, family and friends of Anoopwattie Veeren, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.
mining industry can cushion the impact of such losses. Hypothetically speaking, Harding said “we stand maybe to lose 40 per cent of the Norway funds. Forty per cent of the Norway funds is like US$25 million, the mining industry will give the government foreign exchange of about US$1 billion. Just let’s play with numbers and see the role of the mining industry in the development of Guyana.”
Nevertheless, he maintains that the GGDMA remains committed to the mining industry, encouraging miners to operate with the environment in mind. But, he said in
an effort to facilitate development, the natural order must be shifted in this case; deforestation would most likely occur, but in keeping with regulations.
The Guyana REDD+ MRVS interim measures report is the third of its kind, with the first two released in 2011 and 2012. These reports have been released for review by the general public, including but not limited to the government of Guyana, the Kingdom of Norway, the private sector, civil society, communities, non-government organisations, policymakers and scientists.
...like it is
They say we usually save the best for last. So, at the end of September – which, in case you missed it was Education Month – the Education Ministry honoured all of the best performers in the educational system. There’s lots that’s good about this practice...not the least being that our kids need good role models. And this year there were some superb models.
For any whining kid who complains that there are some “hard subjects” they don’t want to do...parents can point to those “girls – all the way in Essequibo” – who did all those subjects... hard and soft. And got Grade Ones. So it was rather pleasant to see all those fresh young faces... smiling and basking in the well deserved accolades.
However, there are some who complained that Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and Education Minister Priya Manickchand brought an unnecessary element of politics into the occasion. The prime minister lauded the performance of the government in several areas of national life, while the minister bemoaned the opposition’s studied silence in the face of the extraordinary performance of the Guyanese students.
Well, we do know that sometimes politicians don’t know “time and place” and they can’t resist milking an audience for a vote or two. But in this case, we don’t have a problem with what the two officials said. Let’s take the prime minister’s statements. Students need to be reminded that it took a whole lot of people (and money) to deliver the education they enjoyed and which will equip them for success in life. In other words, it didn’t “drop from tree”.
A child might not be “reared by a village” any longer –but the COUNTRY still deploys a heck of a lot of resources to make us who we are. This is ignored at our peril. We see the result every day and everywhere: a lack of patriotism and willingness to serve the country. After enjoying free education for 13 years, in some instances, too many students still want to go abroad and never set foot again in Guyana.
Then there were the minister’s comments. In the wake of Opposition Leader David Granger claiming there’s an “apartheid” system in education, isn’t his silence and that of the Alliance For Change (AFC) a clear indication that they feels the present crop of high flyers don’t deserve their plaudits? After all, how can you praise some people if their accomplishments were achieved by oppressing others.
Shouldn’t the students be made aware of how they are seen by the opposition? Knowledge, it is said,will set us free.
... lightly
While your Eyewitness might be of a different persuasion, he does enjoy the lights of Diwali. So he’s looking forward to ambling around the neighbourhood tonight. But he’ll be enjoying, with even more gusto, the assorted sweets he’ll be collecting.
The story of Diwali, of course, is too well known, to need repetition. But what bears repetition is that the story line keeps being repeated so often in so many situations in the present. It’s like everyone forgets how the story ends – the bad guys ‘gets it’ in the end. (In more ways than one). Take the opposition. The people gave them some power: they get to control the National Assembly.
But as soon as that happened, they started acting as if they controlled all power in Guyana. Never mind the people had also chosen a president and executive to run things in the country. The opposition started cutting budgets, protesting in the streets refusing to obey the courts and generally getting on bad...like the Diwali villain.
Maybe someone should tell them how he was felled and the hero got the girl.
...straight
Prime Minister of St Lucia Dr Kenny Anthony repeated what we’ve been saying in this column for a long time. Most of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) countries are broke, but are living in la-la land, pretending otherwise.
By Svetlana MarShall
ovember 8 marks
Nthree months since the Local Government Reform bills were debated and passed in the National Assembly; however the bills are yet to receive the assent of the President Donald Ramotar, much to the disappointment of the diplomatic community.
During an exclusive interview with Guyana Times, the United States Ambassador D Brent Hardt and British High Commissioner Andrew Ayre expressed concerns over the delay. The Municipal and District Council’s Bill, the Fiscal Transfers Bill, the Local Government Commission Bill and the Local Government (Amendment) Bill passed in the National Assembly and were sent to the Attorney General’s Chambers by the Clerk of the National Assembly Sherlock Isaacs, for scrutiny. It is currently unclear how long the AG’s Chamber will take to scrutinise the bills before they are sent to the president for his assent.
“We see the AG saying on one hand he is reviewing the bills, and then he said he was waiting to hear from the Office of the President as to whether he should pass on the bills,” the U.S. ambassador observed.
Hardt said he is a strong believer that “the legislative process should follow its normal constitutional process.” The British High Commissioner echoed similar sentiments, stating that based on his understanding there is no reason why the president should not assent to the bills: “Let’s get on with the elections early next year, and let’s have a new start for Guyana Local Government,” Ayre said.
The envoys agreed that local elections could have a “transformational impact on the country by reconnecting people with their government,” adding that this is an extraordinarily positive development for the people of Guyana. “Effective local government elections can bring government closer to the people, foster greater inclusion, and promote civic re-
sponsibility, empowerment and participation,” the ambassadors. The ambassadors said too that they are pleased that the diplomatic community has been able to encourage parties to move forward in passing the bills in the House in August, but emphasised the vital importance for Guyana to move beyond this stage to assent and, most importantly, the holding of local government elections. They have reportedly been in contact with President Ramotar on the issue.
In January this year and again prior to the bills being passed in the National Assembly, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and the European Union had collectively advocated for the staging of the long awaited Local Government
Election. Ambassador Hardt explained that the diplomatic community has sought to “offer encouragement” to political parties, who in their manifestos and in public statements have all supported local government elections, to “come together in the national interest” to hold such elections. “It is long past time for the people of Guyana to enjoy democratic and effective local governance,” Hardt concluded.
But 19 years after waiting for local government elections, the Local Government Minister Ganga Persaud said the bills are not a prerequisite, noting that it can be executed under the Local Authorities (Elections) (Amendment) which was assented by the Former President Bharrat Jagdeo in 2009. This particular legislation clears the way for GECOM to carry out the mandate of hosting local government elections through the introduction of a new system of conducting local government.
He had said that “the ministry has all that is required for the holding of local government elections... and based on that premise if we have everything in readiness, we should go ahead.”
Nevertheless, Minister Persaud said Guyana could expect the holding of local government election will be staged in either the second or third quarter of 2014.
The ministry is currently monitoring the movements of the Elections Commission (GECOM).
GECOM has conducted approximately 7000 transactions ahead of the closing of its 5th cycle for continuous registrations on November 23.
Additionally the Local Government Ministry has given its green light for GECOM to commence its public awareness programme. Next year will be 20 years since local government election was held in Guyana.
Old people got a way dem does seh some tings, that no matter how yuh young yuh does never fuhget once yuh hear dem talk it. Nowadays, de old people most times wiser than de young people. No matter how much de young people tink dem got more sense. Old people always got more wisdom, and young people should always try to learn from dem.
It got a Mook bout de place who tink he more smart than everybody else, just like how de young people does tink. But de Mook not supposed to have that problem because he not young. De Mook hold birthday party and tell people he deh in 50. Maybe he not countin dem years whah he been smugglin people outta Guyana. That 50 musbe de years whah he gon soon spend in jail when de EfB-I ketch up wid he.
De Mook tell he soup drinkin, bamzee lickin headitor fuh write bout other people some a de same tings whah de Mook involve in. That is whah old people call tekkin yuh s*it and rubbin it pun somebody else, and it was a very Mookish ting to do. De Mookness ketchin on to de headitor now so he fall fuh it just like how he does fall pun dem boys who seh dem is boys waist.
It gotta be that de headitor lime wid de Mook so much that he turnin just like de Mook. De headitor head like it end up in he bamzee so he ain’t see that de Mook apron too small. In fact, one a dem boys who does send out de Mook photos seh de Mook need apron fuh he front and fuh he back. And de one he got now at de mall pun Regent Street too small.
Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! And wid de Mook back gettin bigger and bigger and he front gettin smaller and smalller, he gon need plenty old people advice. But since that ain’t got cure, soon no apron gon can’t cover he back. Not even de headitor gon be able to help!
Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Lieutenant, Ronald Gonsalves died and two other officers are injured following an accident Friday afternoon on Mandela Avenue, Georgetown.
The injured men have been identified as John Flores, of Station Street, Kitty, and Antonio Eastman of Well Road, West Ruimveldt.
They are currently at the Georgetown Public Hospital receiving medical attention.
When Guyana Times visited the hospital last evening, family members declined to comment on the accident, saying they will do so at a later time.
According to reports, Gonsalves, 31, was among three other officers in motor car PPP 2210, which allegedly attempted to swerve out of the path of another car and
slammed into a lantern post, ending up in a nearby trench on Mandela Avenue. The pole fell on another car, but none of its occupants were injured.
Eyewitnesses said Eastman, the driver of the badly damaged Spacio, was not in the wrong. They contended that he managed to avoid a vehicular collision, noting that had he not made a turn in a different direction, the situation could have been more serious.
Gonsalves reportedly died from a punctured lung.
Only Friday, the Guyana National Road Safety Council (GNRSC) expressed concerns about the vast influx of vehicles on the roadways, even as road space remains limited. This situation, acting GNRSC Chairman Norman Mc Lean said, creates higher risks for accidents to occur.
The A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) said it remains firm on its position, not to support the passage of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (Amendment) Bill.
This was disclosed by APNU’s leader David Granger during a media conference on Friday. Granger confirmed that come next week, his party will not be supporting the amendments to the bill, due to their absence in the entire process and the need for it to be properly done.
He said that the coalition has no-confidence in the amendments made to the bill and its readiness for final reading set for November 7.
The opposition leader reiterated that government
had the bill for four years and was looking to have it passed through the National Assembly in a mere four months. He noted that it is 21 days since Parliament reconvened on October 10 and there has not been a single sitting, while accusing the government of wasting time.
“I do not think that the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force or the other financial institutions are going to be moved simply by the passage of a law, they look at enforcement and they have crticised Guyana over the last four years,” he asserted. The opposition leader also noted that the taskforce has even moved to send a team to Guyana and has noted that the Financial Intelligence Unit has failed to provide a report or moved to prosecute persons found in breach of the law.
Granger noted that the government should return the bill to the parliamentary select committee, where it spent the last few months so that the amendments can be completed. He also expressed a belief that it will be difficult to make amendments to the bill, on the
There is a multi-milliondollar sex slave trade taking place between Trinidad and Tobago (TT) and South America, where persons are being held against their will, forced into prostitution and threatened with death.
This was disclosed on Thursday by TT and Venezuela ministers who met to discuss initiatives to crack down on the illegal trafficking of humans, drugs and guns and protecting the borders of both countries.
TT National Security Minister Gary Griffith and Justice Minister Emmanuel George engaged in two hours of talks with the Venezuelan team – People’s Power for Defence Minister, Admiralin-Chief Carmen Teresas Melendez-Rivas and Interior Relations, Justice and Peace Minister, Major Miguel Rodriguez Torres.
The meeting took place at the Justice Ministry’s office at Tower C of the International Waterfront Complex, Port of Spain.
Prostitution
At a news conference following the meeting, both Griffith and Torres, when questioned, disclosed that humans were being trafficked into the country for prostitution.
Griffith said there were 14 cases where people were trafficked from Venezuela, Colombia and Guyana.
Questioned on whether people from this country, [Trinidad] were trafficked to Venezuela, Torres said there were cases of Trinidadians being forced to work in ice cream companies for low wages to the point of slavery.
“In Venezuela, we have seen some incidents where Trinidad and Tobago citizens arrive who basically work in
ice cream distribution companies in Venezuela without knowing the language and without documents, undocumented workers for very, very low pay, and work there many hours almost under conditions of slavery. We’ve been talking with the ministries, once we have appropriate information and studies, we will forward them to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Trinidad and Tobago,” he said.
Inhumane work
He said the Venezuelan authorities are aware of Venezuelans being brought to the country under false pretences and being forced into prostitution and inhumane work.
Both Torres and Griffith disclosed that the human trafficking ring was on the rise.
As such, a representative from this country’s human trafficking unit will visit Venezuela and assist in the joint crackdown operation.
Griffith said Venezuela was used as a trans-shipment point where Colombians, guns and drugs were trafficked to TT.
He said the trade was on the rise and efforts will be intensified to clamp down on it and, in doing this, the illegal entry of drugs and guns will also be curbed as they are all
coming in on the same vessels.
The minister said through joint collaborative work and the sharing of intelligence, TT’ s law enforcement and Venezuela’s national guard will crack this slave trade.
(Excerpt from Trinidad Express)
floor. He also stated that the Alliance For Change’s (AFC) support for the bill, is not a concern for APNU.
Scare tactics
Meanwhile, APNU Member of Parliament (MP) Joseph Harmon said the “scare tactics” being used by certain parties have painted a picture that if Guyana fails to meet the deadline for the passage of the anti-money laundering bill, it could affect people from receiving remittances.
“I want to say to all the people in Corriverton, Port Mourant, Rose Hall, New Amsterdam, Georgetown, Linden and Anna Regina markets – all those hard working people who invest their money to do business that you are not going to be affected unless your business has to do with money laundering.”
APNU also reiterated suggestions made by renowned local economist Dr Clive Thomas, who has written extensively about this bill. Dr Thomas has said that should Guyana fail to pass the amendments, the
country could face increased surveillance of financial activities, but non-launderers would have nothing to fear.
Dr Thomas also said he does not believe that small businesses will be affected as their income would be relatively small, but it is really the large firms that are being pursued.
The economist said government has a political interest in making it seem as though it will be an impediment to business, but he does not know of any small business that is involved in money-laundering.
While the ruling party is contending that the work of the committee has been completed, Granger said this is not so, noting that the opposition has not received a formal notification that the work of the select committee was completed.
Caribbean Community (Caricom) and the Caribbean Forum of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (CARIFORUM) Secretary General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque on Thursday urged CARIFORUM ministers to ensure projects agreed upon address challenges faced by member states.
He was speaking during the 21th meeting of the CARIFORUM Council of Ministers held in Grenada on October 31.
Ambassador LaRocque said the meeting was happening at a time when some CARIFORUM member states were still recovering from the global economic crisis. He noted that most member states, while facing these challenges, also had seen a decline in concessionary funding due to graduation or differentiation.
The secretary general further outlined that due to dif-
ferentiation now being applied by the European Union (EU), the national indicative programmes of many member states had been reduced, even though the Regional Indicative Programme had increased. He said it was therefore important that programming of resources be informed by the Joint CARIFORUMEU strategy.
Ambassador LaRocque said CARIFORUM should welcome the idea of the introduction of multi-country programming, which would allow two or more member states to have a common programme that would qualify as a regional programme.
“I believe that we must welcome this innovation since it provides the scope for our member states to secure direct benefits from the regional programme. We must, however, ensure that the value of resources to be allocated to multi-country programmes
within each priority area is determined by this council,” he said.
Speaking to priority areas for financing, the secretary general said human capacity development within the public and private sectors must be specially considered. According to him, without human capacity, CARIFORUM as a region could not achieve global competitiveness or build sustainable economies.
Secretary General LaRocque said further, that by the end of December, the region would have completed, well ahead of other ACP regions, the programming of the entire amount to be allocated under the 10th European Development Fund (EDF). He said every effort must be made to draw down the 10th EDF resources in a timely manner so that the region’s implementation record could be improved, the Caricom Secretariat reported.
BY: SABATINI DANIELS
President Donald Ramotar handed over the keys to a number
Bank (IDB), aimed at providing affordable, sustainable housing in Region Nine.
The communities which benefited are Kwatamang,
Meanwhile, in Apoteri, six of 12 roof replacements are completed and nine of 11 houses are under construction. Sixty per cent of labour for the project was provided by beneficiaries while it provided employment opportunities for 40 per cent of residents.
The president lauded the project as a great beginning, noting that it will expand from village to village until everyone in the hinterland has a better quality of life.
Ramotar said he knows the housing conditions in the hinterland are not always good, pointing out that he hails from a hinterland village and has travelled extensively. “One of the main things in having an improved quality of life is hav-
of houses to residents of the North Rupununi District, Region Nine on Friday, an initiative spearheaded by the Housing and Water Ministry through its second Low Income Settlement Programme (LIS2). Under the programme, the roofs of some houses were also refurbished. The project is a collaborative effort of the Housing Ministry’s Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) and the Inter-American Development
Katoka, Massarra, Central Annai and Apoteri. In Kwatamang, some 35 households benefited: 23 from roof replacements and 12 for houses while in Katoka, 10 household benefited from roof replacements and 12 houses were built. In Massarra, seven roof replacements were completed, but seven of the 12 homes are completed thus far. The four roof top replacements in Central Annai were completed; however, two of 12 houses are completed.
ing better housing for people to live in,” he said.
The president said government wants to do much more for hinterland residents, and much focus is being placed on hinterland education. “I have seen for myself, having the opportunity to travel to the parts of the hinterland, the transformation that is taking place and that gives me immense joy in many ways to see our people grasp at education, grasping at opportunity and developing themselves.”
and Water Minister Irfaan Ali said the project is a great accomplishment and a symbol of the government’s commitment to ensure a better quality of life for
its people, describing the day as a day for celebration for the beneficiaries. “These are all investments that we are proud to make on your behalf, these are all investments we think that
you so richly deserve… for us, we are all equal and we all deserve equal opportunity and equal treatment,” he declared. He told the gathering that the government wants to work with them guarantee they deserve. ment, there will ensure treated
Cellular coverage on the Guyana Telephone and Telephone Company (GT&T) network has been further enhanced with the launch of another cell site in the West Coast Berbice region.
According to a release, the new cell site at Bush Lot will strengthen coverage between the Cottage and Bath sites and provide seamless mobile voice and data services along that corridor.
The Bush Lot site is the most recent to be turnedup in 2013, with the previous sites being Aranaputa Valley in Region Nine, which was commissioned
in June and Kurupukari, Region Eight, which became operational in August. Since the launch of the GSM service in 2004, the company has turned-up more than 100 cellular sites in the 10 administrative regions, investing millions of dollars in Guyana every year. GT&T, Guyana’s premier telecommunications provider continues to offer the most reliable and affordable telecommunication services, including landline, mobile and data services.
Works are in progress on another cell site in the Berbice area.
BY ThE CArIBBEAN
Guyana’s shown strong 2013, according the Caribbean Tourism The country tourist arrivals August, an increase so far this year. Guyana, one porters in the looking in recent its tourism sector, tourism.
Last year, 176,642 tourist cent increase year. That was crease of any destination than 100,000 visitors, Mexico.
for us, all deopportunity and declared. gathering that to work with them hand-in-hand to guarantee they obtain what they deserve. “In the government, there is a partner that will ensure you are equally treated every single time.”
Ali acknowledged the quality of work done by persons who worked on the project, disclosing that his ministry would like to work with them to take their skills to another level. “Maybe, we can take you to build some of the homes in housing schemes for the low income families so that we can build off of the learning experiences of this project.”
Ali said his ministry did not want the project to just be the building of the homes, but rather for it to be an experience that would improve the livelihoods and skills of the persons who worked on them.
development partners.”
Sukhai said the project provides a model which can be replicated in many of the poor developing countries. “It lends experiences and lessons to these countries that they could follow and implement… for their people.”
The involvement of the Amerindian Affairs Ministry and the respective Amerindian village councils and residents of the pilot communities were integral to the success of the programme. Vulnerable families were identified for the project.
Some 209 houses are ex-
environment
“This government will ensure we create the right environment, the right incentive and condition to allow you our brother and sisters to explore your best possibilities in these communities.”
Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai said the project mirrors an approach which the government promotes, which is, equal housing for all Guyanese.
“It teaches... that collaborating will move mountains and the government’s credibility and image, which we have created over the last two decades to promote Guyana and its credibility in working with
pected to be covered under the housing programme.
Among them are 122 full houses, measuring 20 by 25 feet and 86 thatch roofs are identified to be replaced with zinc sheets.
Some $200 million has been budgeted for the hinterland housing programme and will complement the investments made to bring potable water into the communities.
On Thursday, 23 households in White Water, Region One received keys to their new homes while 27 others had their roofs refurbished.
In Region One, the communities which benefited were White Water, Manawarin and Oronoque.
By the CariBBean Journal Staff
Guyana’s tourism sector has shown strong growth so far in 2013, according to data from the Caribbean Tourism Organisation.
The country received 117,517 tourist arrivals from January to August, an increase of 12.4 per cent so far this year.
Guyana, one of the leading exporters in the Caribbean, has been looking in recent years to ramp up its tourism sector, with focus on ecotourism.
Last year, Guyana received 176,642 tourist arrivals, a 12.6 per cent increase over the previous year. That was the second fastest increase of any destination with more than 100,000 visitors, after Cancun, Mexico.
As expected, the income tax threshold is being lowered in Grenada as the country prepares to usher in a home grown structural adjustment programme, part of broader plans to revamp the economy.
Meanwhile, the government of Grenada became the latest beneficiary of the Caricom Development Fund’s (CDF) Country Assistance Programme (CAP) this week when an agreement for EC$15.74 million (US$5.83 million) was signed to provide support in
the areas of tourism, agriculture and manufacturing.
In a national address on Wednesday evening, Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell announced that residents earning EC$36,000 (US$13,333) will now have to pay income tax, but at a reduced rate.
At the moment, only those residents earning more than EC$60,000 pay 30 per cent income tax on the excess.
Mitchell said this category of taxpayers will continue to pay the 30 per cent rate. However, the Grenadian
leader said the income tax rate will be reduced by half to 15 per cent on the excess for residents earning between EC$36,000 and $60,000 a year.
“As a consequence, government has asked all local banks to be sensitive to this situation. The banks have assured government that it will work with its customers where necessary. I hereby make a similar appeal to our credit unions. Our government is very concerned about job layoffs at this time,” Mitchell said. (Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)
Awoman died on Monday after she collapsed at the Constant Spring tax office in St Andrew, while waiting on her application for a new driver’s licence to be processed.
A reliable source told the Jamaica Observer that the woman, whose identity has not been ascertained, was waiting “downstairs” when the tragedy occurred.
The application process for driver’s licences at
the Constant Spring tax office starts in the general payment hall where the fees are collected, following which applicants are directed downstairs to have their photographs taken and wait for their new licences.
“From what I gather, she was downstairs waiting when she fainted. People were trying to revive her, but nothing happened,” the source told the Observer.
The source said frantic efforts were made to search
the woman’s cellphone to find relatives, following which an attempt was made to rush her to hospital.
“I’ve been told that she died in the building, but others are saying she died in the car on the way to the hospital. But the fact is, she died,” the source disclosed.
It was not clear for how long the woman was waiting or whether she had preexisting medical problems.
(Excerpt from Jamaica Oberver)
Dominica’s Legal Affairs Minister Ian Douglas has applauded the Dominican populace for the level of support shown thus far towards adopting the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).
The CCJ was established in 2001, to replace the London-based Privy Council as the region’s highest court. The government of Dominica, through its Legal Affairs Ministry, has over the past months been hosting sensitisation meetings and other public awareness programmes across the country with a view to educating the public on important aspects of the CCJ. Douglas told parliament earlier this week that he is encouraged by the overwhelming support of nation-
Trinadad and Tobago women dominated the awards segment of the Police Service’s passing-out parade on Thursday with the majority awards being given to female police constables. Even though less than half of the 153 officers who participated in the parade were women, they still managed to cop 12 out of the 15 prizes that were up from grabs with the prize for most outstanding recruit being given to WPC Corban.
Corban also shared the top prize for the highest marks in the behavioural science component of the raining exercise with two other female constables. While addressing the newly-appointed officers at the function at the Police Training Academy, St James, acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams encouraged them to use their training to assist citizens. “You are highly trained to deliver excellent policing service to TT,” Williams said. He advised the officers to remain strong and focused and told them to live by the Police Service’s motto: “To Protect and Serve with Pride”. He noted that Thursday’s parade was the largest in some time and was part of the service’s tradition of “a large batch passing out”. Williams said while policing may be regarded as one of the most challenging professions in TT, the service would support all of its officers. (Excerpt
Caribbean countries need to face reality of global economic crisis – St Lucia PM
St Lucia’s Prime Minister, Dr Kenny Anthony said some Caribbean countries are refusing to face up to the impact of the global economic
crisis.
“The tragedy of the times is that we are in the throes of a major crisis like the Caribbean has never ever experienced before, but we are refusing to face the reality that confronts us and all of us are engaged in one form or another of self-denial,” Anthony said while delivering a lecture at the University of the West Indies earlier this week.
Speaking on the theme “Education in the Caribbean – Challenges and Opportunities Facing Small Developing States”, the St Lucian prime minister challenged his regional colleagues to be honest about
the hard and unusual decisions that must be made because of difficult global economic conditions.
“It is costly business to tell your people that things are hard, things are difficult and precisely because things are hard and things are difficult, that you have to take unusual measures to deal with it. But it is necessary that we do so.”
But, he acknowledged the region often closes its ears to frank and honest talk.
“We don’t like frank talk. We don’t like open talk. We don’t like honest talk,” he said. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)
The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) in collaboration with the governments of Grenada and St Lucia and the World Bank will host the official launch of the Eastern Caribbean Energy Regulatory Authority (ECERA) Project in early November.
OECS Economic Affairs
Director Randy Cato said the project will attract energy sector policy makers from across the OECS, renewable energy project developers and private sector representatives, including electricity consumers.
“The key objectives of the launch are to give visibility and awareness to the ECERA Project, including
Priest sought over abuse
als towards the appellate court.
“I would really like to commend the Dominican populace for the support they have shown and given towards the implementation of the appellate jurisdiction of the Caribbean Court of Justice. The support has been tremendous around the country. Every single community that we went to, Madame Speaker, people asked questions to educate themselves,” he said.
Douglas noted that “generally the population of Dominica is in agreement that we must move forward and implement the Caribbean Court of Justice in all its forms.” (Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)
the objectives and benefits of the ECERA to the development of the energy sector, foster information sharing as well as begin the process of sensitising the populace about the ECERA Project and the ECERA as an institution and act as a vehicle to promote greater participation of the other OECS countries in the ECERA project.”
(Excerpt from Caribbean360)
Prosecutors in The Dominican Republic have asked their attorney general to extradite a Polish Roman Catholic priest on child-abuse charges involving thousands of pornographic images.
The priest, Reverend Wojciech Gil, is accused of abusing seven children.
Authorities say they also found more than 80,000 inap-
propriate images and videos of children on his computer.
In phone calls to reporters in The Dominican Republic, he has denied the accusations, saying he has been framed.
The priest was in Poland on holiday when the allegations first surfaced earlier this year and has not returned to the mountain town of Juncalito, where he led a parish for eight years.
Polish police announced last month they had located the priest, but he was not detained, since an Interpol warrant asked only for his location.
Now, Santiago Prosecutor Luisa Liranzo told a news conference he was being indicted on charges of abusing seven children.
One of the complaints against the priest alleges he promised children he would take them to the beach and to Europe if they dressed in revealing underwear and appeared in videos and photos.
Another alleges he abused one boy for as long as three years.
The case is complicated by the lack of an extradition treaty between the two countries.
AU.S. drone strike in Pakistan has killed Hakimullah Mehsud, the head of the Pakistani Taliban, Pakistani sources have told Al Jazeera.
“We can confirm Hakimullah Mehsud was killed in the drone strike,” said the source on Friday.
Four security officials confirmed his death to Reuters news agency. His bodyguard and driver were also among the dead, they said.
“Among the dead, who are in large numbers, are
Hakimullah’s personal bodyguard Tariq Mehsud and his driver Abdullah Mehsud, two of his closest people,” said one intelligence source, adding at least 25 people were killed in the strike.
Al Jazeera’s Kamal Hyder, reporting from Islamad, said that Pakistan’s Taliban has also confirmed Mehsud’s killing.
As leader of the Pakistani Taliban, Mehsud was the most wanted man in Pakistan and the U.S. had a $5 million bounty on his head.
Mehsud, who had been reported dead several times before, became the leader of the Pakistani Taliban in August 2009 after a drone strike killed the previous leader, his mentor. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
Agunman opened fire with a high-powered rifle inside Los Angeles international airport on Friday, killing a security agent, injuring at least seven people and causing disruption to flights across the United States. A man named as Paul Anthony Ciancia, said to be in his early 20s, used an assault rifle to cause chaos in Terminal Three before being shot and captured by airport police.
The victim who died
was an employee with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), which administers security checkpoints at U.S. airports. The TSA said a number of its agents were injured. At least one was in critical condition.
Ciancia’s condition was not immediately known but he reportedly had multiple gunshot wounds. The Los Angeles fire department said seven people were hurt, of whom six were taken to local hospitals. The Ronald
Reagan UCLA Medical Centre said it received three male casualties, one of whom was in a critical condition. Patrick Gannon, the airport police chief, told a news conference that the gunman entered Terminal Three, home to airlines including Virgin America, Virgin Atlantic and JetBlue, at 09:20h local time. He took an assault rifle out of a bag and began shooting at the screening area, where security agents check passengers’ travel documents. (Excerpt from The Guardian)
Four Palestinian fighters were reported killed in clashes with the Israeli military in Gaza early Friday as the Israelis destroyed what they said were two “terror tunnels” there.
Four fighters with the al Qassam Brigades – the military wing of Hamas, which controls Gaza – were killed in the incidents, the militant
group’s website said. Israel said five of its soldiers were injured.
One of Israel’s targets was a tunnel, discovered on October 7, that the Israeli military said reached from Gaza into Israel and might have been intended to help Palestinian militants kidnap Israelis.
Israeli military engineers early Friday detonat-
ed a segment of that tunnel, which it said stretched 1.7 kilometres (1.06 miles) from Gaza into Israel, near Israeli communities.
As that happened, Hamas fighters detonated an explosive, injuring five Israeli soldiers, the Israeli military said. Israeli soldiers then opened fire and “directly hit a terrorist,” it said. (Excerpt from CNN)
Bankrolled by powerful outside interests, what began as a dispute aired in the pages of a town’s local newspaper next week moves to the U.S. Supreme Court where justices could potentially roll back legal precedents that limit the role of religion in public life.
The battle pits two residents of an upstate New York town, backed by a civil liberties group advocating for the separation of
church and state against a town supervisor supported by a prominent, evangelical Christian organisation.
Both groups – Americans United for Separation of Church and State and the Alliance Defending Freedom – have multimillion dollar budgets and litigate on a variety of related issues, often against each other.
Linda Stephens, 70, an atheist, and Susan Galloway, 51, who is Jewish, are both long-term residents of the
conservative-leaning town of Greece, a Rochester suburb of around 100,000 people located about 300 miles north-west of New York City. They filed a lawsuit in 2008 against the town objecting to the public prayer that precedes town board meetings, claiming it violates the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment prohibition on government establishment of religion. (Excerpt from Reuters)
Investigators in Bosnia have uncovered a mass grave thought to contain several hundred bodies of victims of the conflict that followed the breakup of the former Yugoslavia two decades ago.
The remains are believed to be those of victims of Bosniak and Croat ethnicity from Prijedor and its
surroundings, killed in the summer of 1992, according to the Prosecutor’s Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The site, at Tomasica in Prijedor municipality, is one of the biggest mass graves found in Bosnia and Herzegovina since the conflict, said Boris Grubesic, a spokesman for the prosecutor’s office.
As of Thursday, 231 complete bodies had been exhumed, as well as the body parts of another 112 people. But, he added, the number found goes up by the day or even the hour.
More than 30 personal items have also been found, he said.
Excavation of the mass grave, which goes to a depth of 10 metres (33 feet), began in early September and is expected to continue into next week.
The remains are being taken to an identification centre in Sanski Most, where they will remain until the forensic analysis and identification process is completed, the prosecutor’s office said. (Excerpt from CNN)
Secretary of State John Kerry admitted on Thursday that the U.S. surveillance programme had in some cases “reached too far”, as he sought to ease tensions with European allies and other countries who have rebuked President Barack Obama over reports of widespread electronic spying and phone tapping.
“In some cases, I acknowledge to you, as has the president, that some of these actions have reached too far, and we are going to make
sure that does not happen in the future,” Kerry told a conference in London via videolink from Washington.
Kerry was responding to a question addressed to both him and British Foreign Secretary William Hague about government surveillance.
Leaks by National Security Agency whistleblower Edward Snowden have revealed a massive spying operation orchestrated by the United States, sometimes with the cooperation of other countries.
Thursday’s admission that the Obama administration had overstepped limits in surveillance was unprecedented, but Kerry justified his country’s actions as part of a global effort to fight terror since the September 11, 2011 attacks.
“We have actually prevented airplanes from going down, buildings from being blown up, and people from being assassinated because we’ve been able to learn ahead of time of the plans,” he said. (Excerpt from France24)
heard.
The Old Bailey jury saw a transcript of the message left while the prince was at Sandhurst military academy.
The 2005 document was one kept by former NoW royal editor Clive Goodman, who denies misconduct in public office.
He is one of eight people who deny a series of charges. Five are former News of the World journalists.
Goodman was jailed for phone hacking in 2007 and subsequently dismissed from his job. (Excerpt from BBC News)
Supporters of ousted President Mohamed Morsi are holding a fresh wave of protests across Egypt, days ahead of his trial, with clashes being reported between his supporters and opponents. On Friday, security forc-
es fired tear gas to break up protests in Alexandria and arrested at least 60 protesters. Protests also took place in the cities of Cairo and Giza.
Morsi’s supporters have called for daily protests starting on Friday until the oust-
ed president stands trial on Monday, urging crowds to gather outside a police institute near Cairo’s Tora prison, where Morsi is believed to be held.
Egypt’s Interior Ministry officials have said that 20,000 policemen will be deployed on Monday to guard the south Cairo academy hosting the trial and to secure Morsi’s transport to a makeshift court room. He has not been seen since the military ousted him on July 3, and charged him with inciting the murder of protesters outside his palace in December 2012.
Morsi is to be tried along with 14 other defendants. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
ConocoPhillips saw its third-quarter profit rise 38 per cent, largely due to the sale of assets. Net income would have risen just five per cent if not for the sales related to undeveloped oil sands in Canada and a property in TT, the company said on Thursday. In August, ConocoPhillips closed a transaction with the National Gas Company of
he U.S. manufactur-
Ting sector expanded at its fastest pace in years in October despite a partial government shutdown during the first half of the month, according to one industry report, though a separate reading cast doubt on the strength of factory activity growth.
The Institute for Supply Management said on Friday its index of national factory activity rose to 56.4 in October, its best showing since April 2011. Financial
TT Ltd (NGC) for its wholly owned subsidiary Trinidad and Tobago Holdings LLC (TTH) for TT$600 million. ConocoPhillips made the initial decision to pull out of TT in late-2003.
The company’s latest financial report shows that overall production from ongoing operations was flat compared to last year, at 1.47 million barrels of oil a
day. The company reduced its full-year production estimate to 1.505 million to 1.515 million barrels of oil per day. It had previously said it might produce as much as 1.53 million barrels. The company earned US$2.48 billion, or US$2 per share, up from US$1.8 billion, or US$1.46 per share, during the same period last year. (Trinidad Guardian)
data firm Markit said its final U.S. Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index stood at 51.8 last month, beating the preliminary October reading but notching the worst final showing since October 2012.
Both figures indicated expansion in the manufacturing sector and ISM’s figure beat expectations of a slight slowdown in the growth rate. The two surveys use some different methodologies, including one related to seasonal adjustment.
Treasuries prices sagged after the ISM data, while the U.S. dollar extended gains against both the euro and the yen. On Wall Street, stocks initially held on to early gains but were trading slightly lower midday.
“The underlying components were a little mixed, but for the most part, this report continued to point to strength in the factory sector,” said RBS analysts in a note about the ISM figures. (Reuters)
Germany’s Volkswagen posted a small increase in group auto sales in October, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters, keeping Europe’s largest carmaker on course for record deliveries this year.
The multi-brand VW group started off well into the fourth quarter, the person said, declining to
be identified because official sales data won’t be released until mid-November.
Volkswagen declined comment.
VW, which posted a 20 per cent gain in thirdquarter operating profit on record sales of premium brands Audi and Porsche, recorded a seven per cent rise in September sales to
856,900 vehicles, excluding the MAN and Scania truck divisions.
The Wolfsburg-based manufacturer has a goal of boosting global group deliveries to about 9.5 million this year from 9.3 million in 2012. Nine-month group sales including MAN and Scania trucks were up 4.8 per cent at 7.18 million units. (Reuters)
India’s main stock index, the Sensex, has hit a record high, propelled by an increased inflow of foreign capital. The index reached 21,293.88 early on Friday, surpassing its previous high of 21,206 set during the stock market boom of 2008, before closing at 21,196.81.
The rise marks a remarkable turnaround from two months earlier, when foreign investors were pulling out money from the country amid worries over growth.
However, some analysts doubted whether the current rally was sustainable.
“I am not too pleased with the way fundamentals are shaping up,” said Phani Sekhar, a fund manager of portfolio management services at Angel Broking.
He added that the rally was being driven by only a handful of stocks “which are hopelessly expensive despite fundamentals”.
“The liquidity rush is making people accumu-
late stocks. If fundamentals don’t improve or liquidity tapers, then this rally won’t have many legs,” he said. Investor confidence has also been boosted after the country’s new central bank chief, Raghuram Rajan, took charge in September and promised tough action to boost growth. Rajan has unveiled a series of measures aimed at propping up the currency and liberalising the country’s banking sector.
Du, the UAE’s secondbiggest telecoms operator, remains at odds with rival Etisalat over the terms of a network sharing deal to open up fixed-line services in the country.
Du’s CEO Osman Sultan voiced frustration at the impasse more than four years after talks between the companies began. Both are majority-owned by state-linked institutions.
Du ended Etisalat’s domestic monopoly in 2007 and both offer fixed-line broadband and television
packages in the UAE, but not in the same districts, with du confined to newer areas of Dubai.
“It’s clear we are disadvantaged because of the limited geographical zone where we can connect customers. Opening this to the entire nation, it’s clearly a game changer,” Sultan told reporters on a conference call.
The companies have solved technical issues to allow network sharing but remain at odds over the financial terms, Sultan said.
“We should only go with a healthy economic equation and this is why we have a divergent position,” he said.
Du’s desire to launch nationwide fixed services comes as its mobile subscriber growth slackens, with the firm now claiming a 46.4 per cent share of UAE mobile subscribers. Nationwide competition in fixed services would also support du’s mobile business because it could offer packages including both to all residents, Sultan said. (Arabianbusiness)
Profitability is returning to the wine industry after several years of grape oversupply, says the local boss of one of the world’s biggest wine firms.
Fabian Partigliani, New Zealand managing director of Pernod Ricard Winemakers, whose brands here include Brancott Estate (formerly Montana) Stoneleigh and Church Road, said supply and demand had finally come back into balance.
“From 2008 to 2011 we were in oversupply and the good news is that underneath that, demand has continued to grow steadily and supply has slowed down,” Partigliani said. ‘We’re in balance, which is really good, and therefore we’re seeing value growth instead of volume growth. It’s a value story, which is really important for New Zealand because we can’t compete on volume – we’re never going to be a
scale producer.” A bumper vintage in 2008 resulted in a 27 million litre glut that eroded wine, land and grape prices and led to a surge in exports of cheaper bulk wine. Partigliani, an Australian whose father emigrated from Italy in the 1950s, said that while Brancott Estate’s volumes had increased only three per cent in the past financial year, profit had lifted by eight per cent. (NZ Herald)
Having already attracted Hollywood’s attention with the 2010 movie “Social Network”, loosely based on the Facebook story, the saga continues developing with the company’s upcoming IPO. What does the future hold for Facebook as it makes the significant transition from private to publicly held company?
Facebook’s meteoric rise from its birth in a Harvard dorm in 2004 has already affected its 845 million customers, and with its IPO, the company’s performance will begin to affect a whole community of investors. According to its
S1 IPO filing with the SEC, the company made a profit of US$1 billion last year and will probably earn more after its IPO. Significant changes for Facebook after the IPO
Some analysts foresee Facebook being less innovative as the company opens itself up to the scrutiny of its new shareholders. Also, due to the expected exodus of its brightest talent as employees and managers cash out and leave the firm, the company will be challenged to remain ahead of its competitors in retaining its talent.
Furthermore, Facebook
employees – many of which came from other large firms such as Google – who cash out and leave the firm, may move on and use their newly acquired wealth to start up their own companies, creating additional competition for Facebook.
Once Facebook goes public, the company will be pressured to show increasing revenue. Presently, Facebook’s revenue comes primarily from advertising, with US$3.8 billion made in 2011, and apps selling products on the Facebook platform for which the company takes a 30 per cent cut. (Business Dictionary)
By Samuel Sukhnandan
As the University of Guyana (UG) celebrates 50 years of existence, there is much to be proud of, but yet there are still many areas which need serious attention for the institution to develop into one that meets international standards.
The “Jagan Night School”, as it was previously called, churns out approximately 2000 students yearly. This number is likely to grow, as the Guyanese economy continues to expand, thereby creating more job opportunities for a growing population.
The demand for higher education is also likely to increase as well. These are all reasons for the university to constantly improve, to meet the demands of the 21st century.
Touching on the positive achievements made by the university, there is no doubt that some improvement has taken place over the years that has helped to improve the university’s status. The most evident of these examples is the move to strengthen certain progammes, especially in the Social Sciences Faculty.
Study
Besides this, there are many programmes being offered at the university that do not attract a large number of students and are not relevant to Guyana’s changing economy. These and other issues were identified as part of a study done by Trevor Hamilton and Associates, an international management consultant firm, which carried out a study in 2012.
The study focused on
enhancing the regulatory framework and operational procedures systems and structures at the university.
The consultants found that government’s financial contribution is declining as a percentage, and in real terms, mainly due to extremely limited fiscal capacity.
In its review of effectiveness and the possibilities for improvement, the firm found that there are currently no policy mechanisms to encourage private investment in educational services at UG.
It was also noted in the report that the governance regime of the tertiary institution is primarily government bureaucracy, with 42 per cent of the council members being politically and government appointed.
The more damaging of these findings is that the legal and governance structures inhibiting private investment. Added to that, it found that UG can ill-afford to recruit and retain staff because salaries are determined by government wage containment policies.
The study also found that UG is not exploiting
the opportunities to operate profit centres and its potential network of connections with employers, mainly in the private sector, as well as the Guyanese diaspora, professional organisations and its alumni.
It also found that UG does not have enough legal provisions to effectively mobilise income from non-tuition and non-government resources.
Further, the consultants found that there is no rigid accountability for performance and productivity, with its viability threatened, because it over concentrates on high school graduates and only 0.6 per cent of the student population are foreign students, mainly because UG is not a high tech labour market oriented institution.
Crisis
UG Council member, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine told Guyana Times that it is generally recognised that there is a crisis as it relates to finance and governance operations of the council, faculty and department.
A special committee that will oversee the appointment of a new council that will work to transform UG is being chaired by Dr Roopnaraine.
The committee will be resuming work during the next sitting to look at appointing a new, fully constituted council to ensure that UG has a governing body that has the capacity to transform the institution into a truly national asset.
The committee will also be looking at recommendations that relate to the amendments to the laws and statutes of the university.
The University of Guyana Student Society (UGSS) has moved to implement a new financial management system, following a recommendation from the internal auditor at the institution.
UGSS President Richard Rambarran told Guyana Times recently that this system will ensure that there was no recurrence of the situation in which immediate past UGSS President Ganesh Mahipaul found himself after he was accused of misappropriating $800,000 of the organisation's funds.
Rambarran explained that the new structure would create a more sound, transparent and accountable financial system for the society. Reflecting on Mahipaul’s incident, he said that the previous system was too porous. He explained that the incident occurred as a result of the insistence of a few members of the society on being allowed full access to all available funds from the UG administration.
He revealed that the new system requires that executives of the UGSS provide a list to the internal auditor, before funds can be disbursed.
He said this was the best means by which the society’s funds could be better managed, as it would make everyone accountable and give a clear indication of how and why monies are spent, and in
Guyanese national Rosinda Nicholson, who was deported along with her ailing twoyear-old son on Monday, is seeking legal advice to have her son return to Trinidad for medical treatment.
Little Elijah Harris, who was diagnosed with autism, was born in Trinidad.
Nicholson, 22, has written to Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Health Minister Dr Fuad Khan for assistance.
Her sister, Errolyn Pierre, said, “My sister was interviewed by several media houses in Guyana, after the story appeared in the Express. She is seeking legal advice. She wants
her son to come back to Trinidad. When he left Mount Hope and was sent back to Guyana his hand was damaged by the (intravenous fluid). They have to fix that. We will take legal action.”
Concerned citizens have also contacted the Express offering assistance through legal representation to the mother and child.
“We will accept any assistance we get. It was unfair for them to just deport them to Guyana as soon as the child left the hospital. They had no compassion for them,” Pierre said.
Nicholson and her son are staying with relatives in Berbice, Guyana.
Pierre said her sister arrived in Trinidad five years ago to visit relatives. “Then, she met someone and got pregnant. The baby born and the father walked out a year later. She had to raise a sick child on her own. She was being treated at Mount Hope. She went for public assistance and that was when immigration came in,” she said.
Nicholson was offered voluntary departure to return to Guyana to have her passport and other documents renewed, she said.
The mother and son returned to Trinidad on October 10. But they were detained at the Piarco International Airport.
“They said she was being deported back to Guyana on the next available flight. They remained in the airport until my nephew collapsed with a seizure. They were taken to Arima District Hospital and transferred to Mount Hope,” Pierre said.
Nicholson was allowed to remain at her son’s bedside, guarded by an immigration officer.
The little boy was discharged from hospital on Monday night. He and his mother were immediately taken to the airport and placed on a flight to Guyana.
“The child is a Trinidadian and he is sick. They should have at least allowed him to continue his therapy and treatment here. His condition was improving,” Pierre said.
She said relatives in Trinidad were also seeking legal advice on the matter.
(Trinidad Express)
what amount. According to him, this was one of the main issues he promised to address if elected to office during his campaign for the post of UGSS president.
In April, then UGSS President Ganesh Mahipaul was accused of embezzling $800,000 of the student body’s funds and admitted to borrowing the money to offset personal expenses.
Mahipaul explained that contrary to reports of misappropriation, the $800,000 was borrowed under the correct procedure as stipulated in the constitution governing the society, noting that several executive members were aware of the loan.
He had claimed that owing to the fact that he failed to receive the full support of the executive committee, repayment was demanded. Mahipaul, who was sent on leave as president pending the audit and investigation, repaid the money in full to the university several weeks later.
Ahandyman was on Friday remanded to prison after he appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer to the charge of armed robbery.
Kerwin Estwick of Amelia’s Ward, Wismar, Linden pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that on October 29 at MacKenzie,
Linden, being armed with a gun, he robbed Sharda Timal of several items valuing $419,000. According to the prosecution’s facts, on the day in question, Timal was confronted by Estwick who pretended to be a customer and ordered some bananas. After which he pulled out the gun, attacked and robbed her. The matter was reported and the defendant
was subsequently arrested and charged.
Prosecutor Bharat Mangru objected to bail on the grounds of the seriousness and prevalence of the offence.
Bail was refused and the matter was transferred to Christiansburg Magistrates' Courts where it will be heard before a magistrate there on November 12.
Man remanded for cannabis possession
On Friday, a man was brought before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts where he was slapped with a narcotics charge.
Christopher Reid pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that on October
28 at Georgetown, he had in his possession 443 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.
According to the facts, on the day in question, he was seen on a pedal cycle with a Banko carton in his hand. He was stopped and searched during which the cannabis was found. Reid was cautioned about the offence and was subsequently arrested and charged.
Chief Magistrate Sewnarine-Beharry refused bail and he was remanded to prison. The matter is set to return to court on November 15.
By Bernice Bede Osol
(June 21July 22)
Everyone will bend to what you want, but you must be careful to keep everything transparent and out in the open. Keep your record clean. You have too much to lose and everything to gain.
20Feb. 19) (Dec. 22Jan. 19)
You will have to remain focused if you intend to do your own thing and avoid interference. Be ready to make an unexpected change that will throw anyone challenging you off track.
20-March 20)
If you can dream it, you can get it right now by using your intuition, imagination and determination. The sky is the limit, so shoot for the stars.
21-April 19)
Sign up for something with the intent to win. Your heart is ready to explore any avenue that promises equality. A personal gain is based on what you have to offer.
Being forthright and ready to take action will show your strength and courage, moving you into a position of control. A partnership will help you appreciate unfamiliar traditions.
(May 21June 20)
Base what you do next on what motivates you the most. Refuse to take care of demands and responsibilities that don’t belong to you. You will call the shots and reap the rewards.
If you take part in an event that teaches you something, it will encourage you to engage in activities with people who will enrich your life. An opportunity will begin with friendship.
23Aug. 22)
Your emotions will spin out of control if you let little things get to you. Leave your routine behind and enjoy the company of someone who is fun to be with.
23Sept. 22)
You will learn something valuable if you observe others. Attending a conference or lecture will lead to an informative discussion with someone who can help you restructure an idea with successful results.
23Oct. 23)
Don’t give in to aggressive behaviour. Set your own strategy and move in a direction that allows you to use your skills and to enjoy life’s more toothsome moments.
24Nov. 22)
Stay on top of any situation that has the potential to run amuck. Extravagance or overindulgence could interfere with your progress. Keep it simple and within your budget.
(Nov. 23Dec. 21)
Look for openings to present what you have to offer. Following through on your promises must be your intent, or you will damage your reputation. If you make a pledge, keep it.
saturDay, november 2, 2013
Dentures provided in 72 hours from as low as $4500. Contact Dr B Stuart, 209B Charlotte St, Lacytown. Tel: 225-5034
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Anew United Nations report has spotlighted what it describes as the high rates of teenage pregnancies in the Caribbean and other developing countries.
The report, released on Wednesday, has called on governments to help girls achieve their full potential through education and adequate health services.
“The State of World Population 2013”, produced by the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), notes that out of the 7.3 million births, two million are to girls who are 14 or younger, many of whom suffer “grave long-term health and social consequences from pregnancy”.
The report says that an estimated 70,000 adolescents in developing countries die each year from complications during pregnancy and childbirth. “Too often, society blames only the girl for getting pregnant,” said UNFPA Executive Director Babatunde Osotimehin.
Not deliberate choice
“The reality is that adolescent pregnancy is most often not the result of a deliberate choice but rather the absence of choices, and of circumstances beyond a girl’s control,” he added. “It is a consequence of little or no access to school, employment, quality informa-
tion and health care.”
In the Caribbean, the countries with the highest rate of teen pregnancy are Belize, Guyana, The Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and St Vincent and the Grenadines. The report seeks to offer a new perspective on teenage pregnancy, looking not only at girls’ behaviour as a cause of early pregnancy, but also at the actions of their families, communities, and governments.
In addition, it says a country’s economy is also affected by teenage pregnancies as adolescent mothers are prevented from entering the workforce.
Besides funding, the report stresses that in order to tackle teenage pregnancy, “countries must adopt a holistic approach, which does not dwell
on changing girls’ behaviour but seeks to change attitudes in society so girls are encouraged to stay in school, child marriage is banned, girls have access to sexual and reproductive health including contraception, and young mothers have better support systems.”
While teenage pregnancy is a much bigger challenge in developing countries, the report also found that it is a significant issue in developed ones. In the United States, for example, the report says only about half of the girls who become pregnant as adolescents complete high school by 22, compared to nine out of 10 girls who do not become pregnant. The report says teen pregnancies harms the U.S. economy as a whole, costing taxpayers nearly US$11 billion. (CMC)
The challenge of insecurity makes it essential to promote social covenants for equality, with initiatives that recognise citizens as autonomous but also as vulnerable subjects, who depend on others to realise their life plans.
This is according to Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) Executive Secretary Alicia Bárcena. The senior United Nations official delivered this message on Monday as she took part in the commemoration of the 10th Anniversary of the Declaration on Security in the Americas. The event was held at the headquarters of the Organisation of American States (OAS), in Washington DC, and was also attended by the group’s secretary-general, José Miguel Insulza.
During her speech, the most senior representative of the UN regional commission stated, “For ECLAC, the region’s great challenge is to guarantee security that is ‘legitimate for everyone’, whereby the state regains its central and monopolistic role to narrow the inequality gaps in this area”.
Bárcena added that “Insecurity is another gap in the region that needs to be narrowed to achieve development”, and declared that in recent years, Latin America has achieved constant growth, lower poverty rates and – in some countries – even a re-
duction in inequality.
However, such macroeconomic changes do not always have an effect on values and criminal behaviour. She underlined that in the fight against insecurity, the state’s presence is “essential”.
Public good
The executive secretary advocated for “a stop to the privatisation of security” and called for the “promotion of security as a public good”. She emphasised that “the privatisation of security paradoxically leads to greater overall levels of insecurity. Security for the few always means insecurity for those excluded”.
In Latin America, the growth of private security businesses has skyrocketed and in Chile, for example, there are now more than two private guards for every one police officer. Bárcena pointed out that “in ECLAC, we believe that Latin American and Caribbean countries with high income inequality are more likely to be affected by violent crimes than more equitable societies”. Economic growth, better income distribution, and greater transparency all help to avoid violent crime.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has estimated that the costs of insecurity represent more than five per cent of annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in most countries, with striking differenc-
es among countries – ranging from two per cent in Chile to 11 per cent in El Salvador (this corresponds to state security spending and the costs borne directly by citizens). These estimates are similar to ECLAC calculations for Central America (Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica). Based on information available for 2006, ECLAC estimates that the economic cost of violence is 7.7 per cent of subregional GDP. These costs consisted of health losses; institutional costs; public security, justice, and private security spending; and material losses.
According to ECLAC, between 2007 and 2010, public spending on defence, security, and justice in Central America as a whole grew slightly but steadily, both in nominal terms and as a percentage of GDP. In 2010, that figure ranged between 1.7 per cent and 3.3 per cent of GDP.
According to UN, the Latin America and the Caribbean region has one of the world’s highest rates of crime and violence, accounting for almost one third of the world’s murders but only eight per cent of the global population, with an average of 25.6 murders for every 100,000 inhabitants (compared with 8.9 murders in Europe). The main direct and indirect victims of the region’s insecurity situation are women, children, and young people.
Aseemingly below-par score was defended for the second time in the series as Pakistan outspun and out-thought South Africa to level the rubber on Friday.
Mohammad Irfan continued to impress with his pace while Saeed Ajmal, Shahid Afridi and Mohammad Hafeez shared six wickets among them on a surface which facilitated more turn than expected and against a line-up whose technical weaknesses against the art were exposed yet again.
In a battle of the two attacks, South Africa’s would have been satisfied with their work when they limited Pakistan to a total below the first-innings average of 228. Their seamers did the job through Morne Morkel, who generated extra bounce and used the short ball well, and Ryan McLaren, whose changes of pace worked. Those two took seven wickets together and conceded 72 runs in the 20 overs they bowled. Their efforts went in vain as the batsmen collapsed, with no-one managing a score over 30.
Colin Ingram’s miserable run continued. If not for overthrows, his streak of three ducks from three internationals would have extended to four. He was bowled by a Sohail Tanvir inswinger and will certainly be replaced in the line-up by Hashim Amla, who will be back from the next game.
Graeme Smith and JP Duminy spent 74 balls grafting for 36 runs to put South Africa on track. Duminy was the more comfortable, cutting and driving with relative ease while Smith struggled. Pakistan reviewed an lbw appeal against the former captain when he was on 10 but the umpire’s call stood. He persisted with moving across his stumps to defend, though, and was bowled when he missed
the sweep. Five balls later, Duminy was caught at slip off Irfan to expose South Africa’s soft middle-order.
Ajmal generated sharp turn and with his sublime control, it seemed a wicket would fall off every ball. Faf du Plessis edged one which fell short off slip, AB de Villiers had an lbw appeal turned down - which replays showed should have been given out - and almost offered Ajmal a return catch.
For five and half overs, with Ajmal and Irfan in operation, Pakistan gave away only 17 runs. South Africa were strangled and by the time Afridi was brought on, at the start of the 23rd over, their frustration had reached breaking point.
Du Plessis got on the back foot to defend a flipper but was trapped on the pad with Afridi’s first ball. By the time he wanted to
review, it was too late although it would have been wasted because Hawk-Eye revealed he was as out. In Afridi’s next over, de Villiers tried to cut and was caught behind. At 73 for 5, it was only a matter of time before South Africa unraveled.
Wayne Parnell and Ryan McLaren put on 35, South Africa’s second-highest partnership, but when Irfan, whose ability to pitch it up continues to earn him praise, had Parnell caught behind, South Africa were waiting to be finished off. Ajmal became the joint highest ODI wicket-taker of the year when Lonwabo Tsotsobe was given out lbw and Afridi took the final wicket to complete a second consecutive three-wicket haul.
In the end it seemed it was Pakistan, rather than South Africa, who could lay claim to de Villiers assertion that only four wickets were needed to dent their opposition. De Villiers’ bold statement was justified, though, when Pakistan were batting, because their last six put on just 92 runs in 21 overs.
After Ahmed Shehzad, who scored his third consecutive ODI fifty, was dismissed, Pakistan struggled against the discipline of the South Africa attack. The bowlers set the tone in the first two overs, which ended with Nasir Jamshed, for the second time in the series, top edging an attempted pull. Lonwabo Tsotsobe completed a well-judged catch at fine leg to enhance his opening passage of play in which he also troubled Hafeez. On seeing the left-armer cause problems, de Villiers introduced Wayne Parnell at the other end but the hero from the first match could not find his length and offered Pakistan relief. (Cricinfo)
Pakistan innings Nasir Jamshed c Tsotsobe b Morkel 1
Ahmed Shehzad c & b Imran Tahir 58
Mohammad Hafeez b McLaren 26
Misbah-ul-Haq* c Miller b McLaren 25
Umar Amin c †de Villiers b McLaren 14
Umar Akmal† c Ingram b Morkel 18
Shahid Afridi c Smith b Morkel 26
Sohail Tanvir run out
(Smith/†de Villiers) 9 Wahab Riaz c du Plessis b Parnell 18
Saeed Ajmal lbw b McLaren 0 Mohammad Irfan not out 0
Extras: (lb 4, w 9, nb 1) 14
Total: (all out, 49.4 overs) 209
Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-52, 3-112, 4-117, 5-148, 6-148, 7-170, 8-198, 9-200, 10-209
Bowling: M Morkel 10-0-383, L Tsotsobe 8-1-39-0, W Parnell 7.4-0-49-1, Imran Tahir
10-1-28-1, R McLaren 10-034-4, JP Duminy 4-0-17-0
World Cup holders
New Zealand made it two wins out of two in Group B with a comfortable victory over France in Avignon on Friday.
Half-back Shaun Johnson proved a key figure for the Kiwis, scoring two second-half tries and kicking 16 points.
Sydney Roosters forward Frank-Paul Nu’uausala touched down twice.
Krisnan Inu, Bryson Goodwin, Greg Eastwood and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck also crossed for the New Zealand side.
Even without dual-code star Sonny Bill Williams and not always playing the most fluent rugby, the Kiwis were too good against a determined France outfit who beat Papua New Guinea in their opening game.
Victory, which came five days after their 42-24 win over Samoa, gave New Zealand a two-point lead at the top of the group.
After four minutes they took the lead through Inu, who rose uncontested to claim Kieran Foran’s crossfield kick and touch down, with Johnson adding the extras.
The Kiwis looked to have extended their lead four minutes later but Frank Pritchard’s try was
disallowed by video referee Shayne Hayne, before Jason Nightingale was denied by some tough defence from Cyril Stacul and JeanPhilippe Baile.
However, after 25 minutes the Kiwis’ kicking game undid the French when Johnson’s punt was grabbed by Goodwin.
New Zealand extended their advantage just before the break as Issac Luke’s flat pass found Nu’uausala, who twisted and turned over the line to put them 18-0 up.
Luke took advantage of France’s fatigue after the interval with some smart skill to get the ball out to Johnson, who scored and kicked the extras to put the Kiwis further ahead on 51 minutes.
Luke proved a constant thorn in the France side and five minutes later found the space to escape from a couple of tacklers and set up Johnson for his second try. The half-back continued his perfect kicking record, making no mistake with the conversion from in front of the posts.
Former Leeds forward Greg Eastwood then went over for a converted try on 66 minutes.
But the biggest cheer of the night from the
17,000-strong crowd came eight minutes from time when France full-back Morgan Escare raced down the wing only for opposite number Kevin Locke to pull off a try-saving tackle.
Nu’uausala competed his double in the closing minutes before Tuivasa-Sheck had the final say, scoring in the corner with the final play of the game.
New Zealand’s next match is against Papua New Guinea next Friday, while France will take on Samoa in a key game on November 11.
The top three teams in Group B go through to the quarter-finals.
New Zealand coach Stephen Kearney: “I thought it was a pretty sound performance in the areas I wanted us to improve on.
“We had a real focus on defence and I thought that was pretty good. But I take my hat off to the French, who threw everything at us. We were very determined in defence and it took a good performance to get us a result. “We still have things to work on; there were a couple of areas in attack I could recognise. We scored some good tries, have still got improvements in us and some guys really put their hands up.”
(BBC
ASouth Africa innings
G Smith b Saeed Ajmal 14
C Ingram b Sohail Tanvir 4
JP Duminy c Hafeez b Mohammad Irfan 25
AB de Villiers*† c †Umar
Akmal b Shahid Afridi 10
F du Plessis lbw b Shahid Afridi 12
D Miller lbw b Mohammad Hafeez 11
R McLaren not out 29
W Parnell c †Umar Akmal b Mohammad Irfan 21
M Morkel b Mohammad Irfan 5
L Tsotsobe lbw b Saeed Ajmal 4 Imran Tahir st †Umar Akmal b Shahid Afridi 3
Extras: (lb 1, w 3, nb 1) 5
Total: (all out, 40.4 overs) 143
Fall of wickets: 1-7, 2-43, 3-49, 4-66, 5-73, 6-83, 7-118, 8-126, 9-131, 10-143
Bowling: Mohammad Irfan
10-0-53-3, Sohail Tanvir 5-015-1, Mohammad Hafeez
10-1-25-1, Saeed Ajmal 8-115-2, Shahid Afridi 5.4-026-3, Wahab Riaz 2-0-8-0
lexis Sanchez’s second-half winner helped leaders Barcelona beat neighbours Espanyol and stretch their unbeaten La Liga start to a 12th game.
Barcelona dominated possession and territory against their city rivals, but did not make a breakthrough until Sanchez tapped in Neymar’s low cross.
Dani Alves hit the Espanyol post, soon after he almost gifted Victor Sanchez a firsthalf goal for the visitors.
Barca are four points clear of Atletico Madrid, who host Bilbao on Sunday.
Under new boss Gerardo Martino, the Catalans have won 11 of their opening 12 matches, including last weekend’s 2-1 home win over arch-rivals Real Madrid.
But the Spanish title holders were not at their most fluent against an Espanyol side that started the game in eighth place.
Despite their control, Barca rarely forced Espanyol goalkeeper Kiko Casilla into a first-half save and were fortunate not to fall behind after 38 minutes.
Brazil right-back Alves failed to deal with a hopeful through ball and it allowed Espanyol midfielder Sanchez to poke goalwards. But the ex-Barcelona player saw his effort blocked by home goalkeeper Victor Valdes.
Alves almost made amends for his error in the final moments of the first half when
Alexis Sanchez
his low shot, following a neat one-two with Sergio Busquets, struck the base of Casilla’s right-hand post.
And Barcelona’s dominance continued after the break. Espanyol goalkeeper Casilla kept his side level by diving low to his right to push out Lionel Messi’s header, but he was powerless to stop Chile forward Sanchez netting the opener.
Barca’s £50m summer signing Neymar drilled a low cross through a body of Espanyol defenders and an unmarked Sanchez, who also scored against Real Madrid on Saturday, was waiting at the far post to tap in.
Second-placed Atletico have won 10 of their opening 11 games, while third-placed Real Madrid, who visit Rayo Vallecano on Saturday, are a further five points behind.
(BBC Sport)
LOS ANGELES - The Clippers finished nine games ahead of second-place Golden State last season to win the franchise’s first division championship. That margin would have been larger had the Warriors not beaten them three times.
The teams renewed their intense rivalry Thursday night as Chris Paul scored 42 points and had three of his 15 assists on consecutive alley-oop dunks by Blake Griffin during a 30-second span of the third quarter, helping lead Los Angeles to a 126-115 victory in the Clippers’ home opener.
‘’Those three plays started with defense, and that’s what got us going,’’ Griffin said. ‘’That’s a positive thing, and we have to learn from that. We have to know that we can extend a lead and put the game where we need it to be with our defense.’’
The Clippers, coming off a club-record 56-win season, began their 30th season
in Los Angeles on Tuesday with a 116-103 loss to the Lakers, that night’s home team in the shared arena.
This is the first season in which the Lakers’ championship banners and retired numbers will be covered up during Clippers home games by banners depicting some of their players in actionan innovation by new head
coach Doc Rivers. Griffin had 23 points and 10 rebounds before fouling out with 3:53 remaining for the Clippers. Reserve Jamal Crawford added 17 points and DeAndre Jordan had 17 rebounds and nine points.
Golden State’s Stephen Curry, who set an NBA single-season record with 272 3-pointers last season made
nine 3s against the Clippers and finished with 39 points and nine assists. David Lee scored 22 points before fouling out with 4:10 to play, and center Andrew Bogut had 17 points.
Warriors guard Klay Thompson, who had a career-high 38 points on 15for-19 shooting in a 12594 rout of the Lakers on Wednesday night, did not attempt a field goal against the Clippers until he was awarded a basket on a goaltending call against Jordan with 5:04 left in the half. Thompson finished with 10 points.
Meanwhile, in Chicago Derrick Rose connected on a baseline floater with 5.7 seconds left to lift Chicago to an 82-81 victory over the New York Knicks in his first home game since he injured his left knee 18 months ago.
‘’That’s what builds your resume,’’ Rose said. ‘’Leaves a mark on your legacy.’’
The 2011 NBA MVP had 18 points on 7-of-23 shooting and committed four
turnovers. But there was no doubt who was getting the ball after Tyson Chandler went 1 for 2 at the line to give New York an 81-80 lead with 10.8 seconds remaining.
Rose, who was a gametime decision for Chicago’s home opener due to an achy neck, got the ball on the wing, drove to the baseline and lofted a wellplaced floater over the 7-foot Chandler and Raymond Felton for the go-ahead bas-
By AvenAsh RAmzAn
Four teams will be going hard at each other today when semi-final action in the Courts Pee Wee Under-11 football competition is staged at the Banks DIH ground, Thirst Park.
The competition, which started in the final weekend of September with 24 Georgetown schools, has boiled down to four teams battling for championship honours, with the other 20 tussling for positions 5-24.
Tournament favourites St Pius, East La
Penitence, last year’s runner-up Tucville and West Ruimveldt have advanced to the semi-finals, and given the high quality of play these teams have exhibited during the past five weekends, fans are sure to be in for a treat today as they hunt a place in next weekend’s championship game.
The first semi-final at noon will bring together two unbeaten schools- St Pius and East La Penitence, while Tucville and West Ruimveldt will trade skills at 13:00h.
The competition is collaborative effort of Courts
unbeaten 40. Chathram Gagadin was the best bowler from the winning side with 3-14.
Over at the Everest Cricket Club ground, East Coast Tigers defeated West Coast Demerara Seals by 62 runs. After winning the toss, West Demerara elected to field and gave the East Coast Tigers the opportunity to score 128 for 6 in 20 overs.
Mark Malone stroked four boundaries in his knock of 34 and was supported by Jagdesh Persaud (30) and Khemraj Chanderpaul (13).
Asgar Ali, with 2 for 10, and S. Seetaram, 1 for 18, were the wicket-takers.
In reply the West Demerara team were restricted to a painstaking 66 for 9 with Linden McCoy (12) and Orville Blacks (12) being the batsmen to reach double figures.
Jacob Persaud’s 2 for 6 was the best bowler for the East Coast side.
Meanwhile, at the
Demerara Cricket Club ground East Bank Colts recorded a seven-run victory over the Georgetown Buffaloes.
After tallying 83 for 6 in a 12-overs contest, the Colts managed to finish with a seven-run victory. Sudesh Latchman topscored with 26; he was later adjudged Man-ofthe-Match while Otis George contributed 23. Georgetown Buffaloes’ Linden Lyght grabbed 4 for 7 from two overs.
Buffaloes kept the game heated as they challenged the target to the end. They were eventually bowled out for 76 in the 12th over. Roy Mahadeo accounted for two wickets.
Meanwhile, the fourth game between West Bank Mavericks and East Bank Lions, slated for the Wales Community Center ground was washed out after heavy rains left the venues waterlogged and ruined any chance of play.
The first round of the tournament was also washed out on Wednesday.
(Guyana) Inc., Banks DIH Limited and the Petra Organisation, whose co-director Troy Mendonca said this year’s tournament has produced a high level of play among the schools.
He said the four semi-finalists are deserving of their places in the ‘final four’, but stated that such was the competitive nature of the tournament, at least another four other schools were worthy candidates since they displayed a similar level of play but did not receive the desired results.
Today’s proceedings will
kick off at 10:00h with Ketley Primary playing Redeemer and last year champions Marian Academy tackling South Ruimveldt.
The 11:00h games will pit J.E. Burnham and St Ambrose and St Stephen’s and North Georgetown, while the other match at noon will see F.E. Pollard facing St Margaret’s. The final game at 13:00 hours will involve Enterprise and St Gabriel’s.
At the end of the competition, the top four schools will each receive a 32-inch television set to aid visual sessions
in the classroom. In 2012, the four top schools were recipients of a laptop each.
All 24 teams will be given stationery vouchers and participation trophies from Courts (Guyana) Inc., while they have been provided with two footballs each and playing bibs, compliments of the Petra Organisation. The champion school will also receive a complete set of uniforms.
ket, drawing a standing ovation from the delirious crowd of 22,022. Chicago had just two field goals in the final period - both by Rose - and committed six turnovers in the last 12 minutes. But it still managed to equal a franchise record with its sixth consecutive win in home openers. Luol Deng had 17 points and Carlos Boozer finished with 14 as the Bulls beat the Knicks for the sixth straight time. (AP)
A new champion will be crowned this year as last year’s winner Marian Academy’s poor performance has relegated them to the last half of the tournament, where they will compete for positions 9-16.
KOLKATA, India –West Indies bowlers got a boost of confidence in unforgiving conditions before relative unknown Parvinder Singh crafted a stylish half-century to lead an Uttar Pradesh fight-back in their tour match on Friday here.
Veerasammy Permaul has taken 2-61 from 17 overs and there was one wicket apiece for Darren Sammy, Sheldon Cottrell and Tino Best, but Singh was unbeaten on 78, as UP reached 206 for five, replying to the Windies’ first innings total of 466, when bad light stopped play about 25 minutes before the rescheduled close with 12 over remaining on the second day of three in the match at the Jadavpur University Complex.
The visitors would have felt reassured when Uttar Pradesh stumbled to 96 for four about 10 minutes before tea, but Singh struck 11 fours and two sixes from 101 balls in just over 2 ¼ hours and featured in a half-cen-
tury, fifth-wicket stand with Prashant Gupta to ease the home team’s pain.
The followed Permaul being the feature attraction in a half-century, ninthwicket stand with Tino Best that extended West Indies’ first innings to lunch, after Shivnarine Chanderpaul expectedly completed his 68th first-class hundred, Narsingh Deonarine failed to reach his 10th, and the Caribbean side stumbled to 383 for eight.
Permaul was not out on 46, Best made 35, Deonarine finished with 94 and Chanderpaul ended with the top score of 112, as the Windies batting took shape ahead of the first Test against Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s side, starting this coming Wednesday at Eden Gardens on the other side of this eastern city.
It was a comforting sign for Caribbean side’s head coach Ottis Gibson and accompanying chief selector Clyde Butts, although fast-medium bowler Imtiaz
Ahmed threatened to spoil the fun, taking 5-117 from 25 overs to be the most successful UP bowler, and
West Indies 1st innings (overnight 333 for four)
C. Gayle b Imtiaz Ahmed 18
K. Powell b Alam 64
D.M. Bravo b R.P. Singh 61
M. Samuels c wkpr Amir Khan
b Imtiaz Ahed 12
S. Chanderpaul lbw b Imtiaz Ahmed 112
N. Deonarine lbw b Imtiaz Ahmed 94
+D. Ramdin b R.P. Singh 2
*D. Sammy c R.P. Singh
b Imtiaz Ahmed 10
V. Permaul not out 46
Best c Imtiaz Ahmed
b R.P. Singh 35
S. Cottrell run out 6
Extras (lb5, w1) 6
TOTAL (all out, 103.3 overs) 466
Fall of wickets: 1-33, 2-145, 3-149, 4-163, 5-360, 6-367, 7-367, 8-387, 9-454
Bowling: R.P. Singh 24.3-4-863; Rajpoot 6.3-1-29-0; Imtiaz
Ahmed 25-5-117-5 (w1); Chawla 24-2-134-0; Gupta 7.3-0-38-0; Alam 16-2-57-1 Uttar Pradesh 1st innings
T. Srivastava b Cottrell 23
M. Dagar b Best 42
M. Kaif c Powell b Permaul 16
Parvinder Singh not out 78
A. Alam c wkpr Ramdin b Permaul 0 P. Gupta c wkpr Ramdin b Sammy 39 +Amir Khan not out 0 Extras (lb5,nb3) 8 TOTAL (5 wkts, 53overs) 206 *P. Chawla, R.P. Singh, Imtiaz Ahmed, A. Rajpoot to bat Fall of wickets: 1-41, 2-71, 3-93, 4-96, 5-203 Bowling: Best 10-3-441 (nb1); Cottrell 9-0-371 (nb2); Sammy 10-2-33-1; Permaul 17-4-61-2;
By TreisTon Joseph
It’s November and the Guyana Teachers’ Union/ Ministry of Education National Swimming, Cycling and Track & Field Championships are in the air.
Junior athletes from all across the country are preparing for what is arguably the longest running and biggest sporting spectacle in Guyana’s history.
The event, entering its 53rd year, has been dominated for the past 33 years by North Georgetown (District 11) and Upper Demerara/ Kwakwani (District 10).
The past 33 years have seen both districts combining for a total of 26 championship titles with the two rivals splitting the wins evenly. The last six years have seen District 11 coming out on top four times and are the defending champi-
ons while the last nine years have seen District 10 taking five of the titles.
So what will happen this year when the two titans clash at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence from November 18, especially since the defending champions have already thrown down the gauntlet? The champs have stated that they can easily win the championships according to an article in
After utilising the inner circuit of the National for a decade and a half, the organisers of the annual Troy Humphrey memorial cycling race will now take the event to the seawall bandstand circuit, starting at 10:00h on Sunday.
The 16th edition of the event, which is once again being sponsored by Humphrey’s Bakery and Farm Products of Ketley Street, Charlestown, and organised by the Roraima
Bikers Club, will bring together cyclists competing in eight categories.
The feature event, the Category 1-4, will go for 30 laps with the top six finishers receiving cash incentives, while the leading four riders in the Junior/Juveniles 20lap race will be handsomely rewarded.
Ten prime prizes will be on offer in the Category 1-4, while six would be at stake in the Junior/Juveniles.
The top three finishers in
the BMX Open (three laps), Mountain Bikes (five laps), Veterans Under-50 (six laps), Veterans Over-60 (six laps) and Team Time Trials (four laps) will be given cash, while the leading two females will also be receive cash for the five-lap event.
Last year’s event held in the National Park took the form of an 11-race programme, with Linden’s Rastaff O’Selmo winning the feature 25-lap School Boys and Invitational.
Friday’s Chronicle Sport.
However, Manager of District 10, Renaldo Crawford, told Guyana Times Sport in a telephone interview on Friday that his team is not focusing on their rivals, but more on winning.
“We don’t have no focus on them (District 11) or any other team, to be honest we just want to have good competition and we are coming to compete and may the best team win,” Crawford told
this publication.
The Upper Demerara/ Kwakwani team, according to the manager, revealed that their team is already picked and is in training for the championships and should have no problems competing.
“We are coming with a full complement in all the aspects and so far the training is coming along well; the athletes are out and training hard,” Crawford noted.
The manager also related that the successful district has not been facing any issues in preparation for the meet as he indicated that everything for the team’s success is on stream.
Therefore, with District 10 looking to wrest the title, District 11 will no doubt come out as hard as they always have to keep the title in Georgetown when the championships concludes on November 22.
By Avenash Ramzan
Close to 100 local and foreign golfers will converge on the Lusignan Golf Course this weekend for the annual Guyana Open golf tournament, sponsored for the first time by Digicel (Guyana).
Due to the large number of entries, the organisers have opted to tee off from as early as 05:45h today when the Chief Executive Officer of Digicel, Gregory Dean, will perform the ceremonial swing to set the golfers on their way.
The tournament will conclude Sunday afternoon when the Men’s and Ladies’ champions are crowned.
In an invited comment on the eve of the two-day event, Vice president of the Lusignan Golf Club, David Mohamed, said the tournament has attracted over 30 overseas participants, drawn from the U.S.A., Canada, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago.
“Everything is in place as we speak. The fairways are generous and the greens are extremely fast
so we can expect a very good tournament over the next two days,” Mohamed said moments after making a visit to the course on Friday afternoon.
He reported that the course is in excellent condition, despite the few days of rainfall earlier this week.
Mohamed also informed this publication that extensive refurbishing was done on the interior and exterior of the club house so as to provide a comfortable experience for spectators this weekend.
When the tournament tees off this morning, defending champion Avinash Persaud will be the man to beat in the Championship Flight (0-9 handicap).
Persaud, who lives a stone’s throw away from the course at Lusignan, will put his title on the line against overseas golfers Roger Rajkumar of Canada, Jaipaul Suknanan, Seupaul Suknanan and Anwar Shafi of New York, as well as local counterparts Mohanlall Dinanauth, Alfred Mentore, William Walker,
Patrick Prashad, Imran Khan and Munaff Arjune.
Persaud pipped Rajkumar to the title last year, after a perfect chip on the final hole, but the Canada-based Guyanese said he has learnt a lot from 2012 and is
confident of going all the way this time around.
The golfers will compete in four categories- the Championship Flight (0-9 handicap), B Flight (10-18), C Flight (19-28) and Ladies Flight, which was won in 2012 by another Guyanese, the phenomenal Christine Sukhram.
Sukhram, Guyana’s most decorated female golfer with seven successive titles, will face opposition from an all-local cast, comprising perennial rival Joann Deo, newcomer Shanella Webster and Juliana Prince.
Another player who can potentially challenge the more established golfers over the next two days is Avinda Kishore- the younger brother of Persaud. The 18-year-old shot a record 69 gross a few weeks ago, catapulting his ratings ahead of the Guyana Open.
Meanwhile, Persaud and Sukhram have expressed confidence of successfully defending their titles and continuing their dominance of the sport.
Persaud, who has won four
Guyana Open titles (2006, 2009, 2010 and 2012), said he is eagerly looking forward to the tournament, since he feels he is peaking at the right time.
“I’m really looking forward to it. My brother is also playing really well at the moment, so it will be an interesting two days,” Persaud said.
Sukhram, who has made the title her own, winning the Ladies Flight for seven consecutive years (2006-2012), is equally optimistic of copping her eighth straight title.
“They [the organisers] have changed the format this year for the Ladies- it’s a net competition and not a gross competition as was the case over the years. That would be a challenge for me, but it’s also one that I’m gearing myself for because the other three players would be coming hard at me,” Sukhram pointed out.
Following the Digicel Guyana Open, local golfers will engage in battle for the MACORP, Wartsila, ECI and King’s Jewellery World Open tournaments.
By AvenAsh RAmzAn
They were the first champions in 2011 and were booted from the 2012 competition on poor net run rate, but Cotton Field Wild Oats (CFWO) are coming harder this year to regain the Open 20/20 category when the Guyana Softball Cup III is staged from November 8-10.
When action bowls off next week Friday, CWFO will be one of the favourites to lift the title, but will have to contend with red hot defending champions, New York Cricket League All Stars, and 10 other teams for the $800,000 top prize and a massive trophy.
The successful captain from 2011, Travis Simon, is still at the helm of the team made up of Essequibo players, and during an interview with this publication he expressed confidence in his team lifting the title once again.
Inaugural cup
“After winning the inaugural Guyana Cup in 2011, the players has become much more accustomed and confident playing with the “big ball”, as is used in the Guyana Cup, and after being knocked out of the second edition on net run rate after only one defeat to the eventual champions out of New York, myself and the boys were very disappointed. We now set out to make that right in this the third edi-
tion, starting on November 8 by trying even harder to reclaim our title,” an assured Simon pointed out.
The skipper revealed that in order to go all the way and lift the title on November 10, CFWO will be entering the competition with a more experienced and stronger team than previous years.
“For this year’s tournament our first goal would be to get to the semis and then we take it from there. The team for this year’s tournament is much more experienced as oppose the other teams we would have taken,” Simon boasted.
Strong batting
He added, “We know pretty well that all the other teams would be coming at us very hard and so we have to be very prepared and focused for everything and anything they will throw at us. The team’s batting is very strong and include some very experienced campaigner at this level led by the very versatile Ramesh Narine. The bowling department may be a little short.”
Preliminary action in the competition will take place on November 8-9 with the grand finals of the two categories- the Open 20/20 and the Masters 20/20- set for November 10 at the GCC ground, Bourda.
During the two days of preliminary action, which will comprise 36 games, the venues will be the GCC,
Police, Sport Ministry, Demerara Cricket Club, YMCA and Education Ministry grounds.
In the Open 20/20 competition, the teams will battle for a first prize of $800,000 and a massive trophy, with the runner-up team carting off $200,000 and a trophy.
The Man-of-the-Match in the final will be the recipient of a trophy, while the player of the tournament will receive a gold bracelet, compli-
ments of Steve’s Jewellery.
In the Masters 20/20 segment, of which Savage XI of Guyana are the defending champions, the participating teams will vie for the coveted prize of $600,000 and a trophy, with the losing finalist having to settle for $150,000 and a trophy. Like the Open category, the Manof-the-Match in the championship game and the player of the tournament will receive a trophy and a gold
bracelet respectively.
On November 10, prior to the two category finals, there will be three female exhibition games, featuring four of the leading teams on the distaff side.
Two semi-finals will be followed by a grand final, with the winner pocketing $50,000 and the loser $25,000. The MVP will collect $5,000 and a trophy.
While admission to the venue for the first two days
is free, a fee of $500 will be charged per patron on the final day, with the first ball set to be bowled at 10:00 hours.
Top teams
In the Open 20/20 category, New York Cricket League All Stars will look to defend their title against South Florida Softball Cricket League, Ontario Softball Cricket League, Regal XI, Cotton Field Wild Oats, Berbice Titans, Trophy Stall, Wolf’s Warriors, Memorex XI, Smith’s XI and Farm XI with one of Corriverton or Speedboat XI to be confirmed.
In the Masters 20/20, Savage XI will put their title on the line against Floodlights XI, New York/ Better Hope, New York Softball Cricket League Legends, New York/Sea View, Brooklyn Legends, Ontario Softball Cricket League Masters, Industry Super Kings, Regal Masters, Parika Defenders, SCI Miami and New York President’s XI. The standby team is Success XI. The event has attracted corporate support from Top Brandz Distributors, the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company, Trophy Stall, Survival Supermarket, Mike’s Pharmacy, Nauth’s Motor Spares, Rohan Auto Spares, Clear Waters, Steve’s Jewellery, Guyana Beverage Company, Rubis (Bel Air), Metro Office and Computer Supplies and Motor Trend.
race added to programme
By RAjiv BisnAuth
Preparations are moving apace for the Bush
Lot United Turf Club horse race meet set for next Sunday at the club’s entity at Sea View Park, West Coast Berbice.
The race was originally scheduled for September 30, but organisers were forced to shelf the event due to the Guyana Police Force’s inability to provide adequate security at the time.
The Guyana Police Force had withdrew its presence from the event, citing its commitment to the Police Gymkhana that was also set for the same day at Hope Town, West Coast Berbice.
However, coordinator of the event Lakeram Sukhdeo told Guyana Times Sport on Friday that the club has already put most systems in place for the event. He said that repair works to the pavilion has been completed,
but extensive works are ongoing on the fence. He, however, anticipated that works will be completed shortly.
The coordinator further said that the track is in an excellent condition, adding that an exciting day of racing is anticipated.
Further, organisers of the meet have added the K Class race to the programme, making it an im-
pressive eight-race programme with over $7 million already invested in the event. The feature race will be for horses classified C and Lower and will run for a mile for $1.2 million.
Other events billed for the day are the E and Lower for $600,000 over a distance of one mile, the Three-yearold race for animals bred and born in Guyana and the West Indies for $500,000, Two-year-old Guyana and West Indies bred horses, also $500,000, the race for the G3 and Lower for $400,000, the I and Lower for $200,000 and the J, K and L Class for $150,000.
On the other hand, a number of top animals have been imported to participate in the race meet.
The F and L Syndicate of Hopetown leads the way with Money in Return and Some Legend, while the Jumbo Jet Connections has reportedly flown in Jack is
my Style.
This publication understands that a number of other new imports will be re-
vealed during the coming week.
Conversely, an after-race party will be staged with the
popular 71 Sound System providing the entertainment; there will also be attractions for children.
Berbice Educational Institute (BEI) and Vryman’s Ervin Secondary (VESS) recorded their first wins in the second annual Wilbur Hope Memorial Inter-Secondary Schools football tournament when action continued on Thursday at the All Saints ground in New Amsterdam.
lone goal off of the boot of Jamal Benjamin in the 51st minute.
BEI registered a 4-1 win over School of the Nations (SON). Scoring for BEI were John Ikel in the 4th and 58 minutes, Akeem Haynes in the 59th minute and Osafo McDonald in the 59th minute. SON got their
Berbice High School (BHS) however had to depend on a defense error in the 28th minute to claim victory over Canje Secondary School (CSS). Meanwhile, in scores
from earlier matches BHS on Monday recorded a 2-0 win over SON in the opening game of the competition. Scoring for BHS were and Derrick Taylor in the 17th minute and Mustapha Nicholson in the 38th minute. In the second match
Tutorial Academy Secondary (TASS) inflicted a 2-0 defeat on arch-rivals BEI. The goalscorers were Joshua Butts and Lamar Reid in the 18th and 45th minutes respectively.
On Tuesday at the same ground NATI overpowered VESS 2-1. Scoring for NATI were Darrel Walters in the 10th minute and Anthony Weeks in the 18 minute. VESS got their lone goal off the boot of Roy Hinds. The competition continues on Monday with two matches at the All Saints ground. The first game starts at 15:30h. (Andrew Carmichael)
Raj Singh inSuRance BRokeRS/TRophy STall oveR-40 cRickeT
ast Coast Bulls, East Coast Tigers and East Bank Colts recorded victories in the second round of the Raj Singh Insurance Brokers/Trophy Stall Over-40 T20 competition played on Friday at three separate venues in Georgetown and East Coast Demerara. At the Lusignan Community Centre ground on the East Coast Demerara, East Coast Bulls rode on a fine half-century from Vishwinauth Gobin and a disciplined bowling effort from their bowlers to beat the Georgetown Bears by 69 runs.
Gobin slammed 72 to lead his side to 191 all out in 19.4 overs. He received support from Baldeo Persaud with 42. In reply, the city side could only manage 122 for 7 when the allotted 20 overs expired. Vijay Gangaram topscored with
