Essequibo young people share input on youth policy
Fuel subsidy cut will not affect CAL, says senior official SMILE service station robbed
Nine-yearold crushed by tractor on birthday U.S. medical mission on 17th tour here Guyana’s economy today more robust than ever –finance minister
As thousands of Guyanese make their way into the Sophia Exhibition Complex over a four-day period, the technology booths appear to be the highlight of GuyExpo 2013, attracting a swarm of visitors.
High
Low
0.31 metre respectively.
On the second night of Guyana’s biggest exposition and trade fair, exhibitors have upped their game and are offering Guyanese the best of technology gadgets and services.
One of such services that will benefit Guyanese tremendously is the launch of Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company’s (GT&T) “Mobile Money” service, which allows customers to use their phones for a wide range of financial services, including paying bills and transferring cash.
GT&T Sales Coordinator Allison Dundas explained that with the technology, consumers handsets become their wallets. She said customers who wish to sign up for the service only have to provide proof of address and a valid identification card.
Dundas also disclosed that there is no minimum amount of money that one has to put in their phone, but there is a limit of $200,000 a day. Dundas reiterated that customers with any GT&T sim card will be able to transact business.
This service, she hinted will be most welcomed by the working class population, who finds it difficult to pay their bills or more so, to send cash to love ones.
The official also stated that persons have been visiting the telephone company’s booth and are getting on board with Mobile Money. She also explained that the new promotion, “After 2 be-
longs to U” has been working well and reiterated that GT&T will continue to be a customer-oriented company.
High definition channels Over at the E-NETWORKS booth, Customer Services Manager Tara Lopez explained that recently, the company launched several new services, including a deal with HBO which allows E-Networks to access high definition channels and premium content such as HBO On Demand and HBO Max. Lopez said ever since the launch, there has been an overwhelming response from the public.
She said to date, E-Network services are available on the East Bank Demerara, ending at Craig and on the East Coast Demerara, ending at La Bonne Intention. The company also provides services at West Bank Berbice, certain villages on the West Coast Berbice and at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport.
She was also elated to give a demonstration on the newly-introduced Control 4, an automated home system which enables the owner to manage all connected electronic devices in the home. This service, she noted provides top quality security services.
Gizmos and Gadgets is offering a new product that works as a tablet and a phone, and it has been going like hot cakes. The company has also introduced its fitness department at the expo, with a personal instructor at hand to give advice.
Digicel Guyana has also been on top of their game, offering a number of deals during the event. Persons have a chance to buy a phone and get back the cost price in credit.
Digicel Marketing Executive Ramesh Roopchand said the company is offering smartphones at very competitive prices, catering for everyone’s pocket. He added that there are smartphones from as low as $30,000. With every purchase of a smartphone, the buyer gets a free data plan. GuyExpo 2013 wraps up today.
Sunday Times Editor: Tajeram Mohabir
Tel: 225-5128, 231-0397, 226-9921, 226-2102, 223-7230 or 223-7231. Fax: 225-5134
Mailing address:
238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown
Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com
There was great euphoria in the air when free and fair elections were finally returned to Guyana 21 years ago, on October 5, 1992. But the violent attack by partisans of the People’s National Congress (PNC) on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) headquarters and the necessity to have troops restore order were sobering reminders that there were elements in the society supportive of the old and discredited status quo.
When senior executive of the PNC Hamilton Green (the present mayor of Georgetown) openly criticised departing President Desmond Hoyte’s decision to accept the verdict of the voters, it demonstrated that such sentiments were confined not only at the mob level.
Since then, our fledgling democracy has repeatedly been tested by various combinations and permutations of such forces. During the 1990s, the major threat came from bandits such as the notorious Linden “Blackie” London, who terrorised the business class on which economic recovery depended.
The end of the decade witnessed the reversal by the then Opposition Leader Hoyte of the PNC: he refused to accept the 1997 elections results. The threat to democracy now returned directly into the political arena, as street protests and urban arson became the “order” of the day.
The democratically elected government was forced to truncate its term of office by two years as the president resigned, ostensibly for “medical reasons”. But this only whetted the appetite of those unwilling to abide by the tenets of democracy: confrontation became endemic.
Under the overarching PNC’s “slow fyaah, mo’ fyaah” strategy, direct armed attacks were launched on the state and perceived supporters of the governing party. Dozens of policemen were murdered as well as scores of civilians, yet the opposition’s concern was solely about the response of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to the clear and present dangers presented to democracy by the armed gunmen holed up in Buxton.
The police and army collaboratively defeated the major armed gangs in firefights by 2008 and most citizens hoped that at long last, democracy would be given an opportunity to sink its roots into our Guyanese soil.
However, while the armed threats receded (but Guyanese are always reminded of its possible recurrence through spikes in armed robberies and murders), new threats manifested themselves immediately during and after the 2011 elections. In an almost eerie replay of 1992, opposition partisans marched against GECOM when the results were being released.
But it was ironically the opposition’s reaction to those results, which vindicated the democratic path – they emerged with a one-seat control of the National Assembly – that presented new threats to the deepening of a democratic order. Traducing the traditions that are the glue binding formal institutional rules into workable mechanisms, the opposition used the letter of the law to seize absolute control of the Speaker’s chair, as well as every other committee in Parliament.
Not satisfied with this arbitrary arrogation of parliamentary powers, the opposition then embarked on a two-pronged strategy, which is still being executed, to also seize executive powers. The first prong of the strategy was to use their parliamentary majority to act in areas patently outside their remit.
For instance, they insisted they could cut and trim the government’s budget at will. When the government followed the constitutionally democratic route of having the courts pronounce on the opposition’s act, the latter has refused to accept the ruling that the budget is the executive’s prerogative.
Showing that their appeal is perfunctory, this week, Opposition Leader David Granger signalled their unchanged stance: “APNU believes that the national Budget is so important that the three parties – A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Alliance For Change (AFC) and People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) – must sit down and actually design the budget.”
Not “contribute suggestions” but “design”. We can then expect that the second prong, contrary to their protestations, will now be deployed: street protests. As occurred with their protests in Linden, these can always careen out of control. Democracy is still under threat on its 21st birthday.
Dear Editor,
The world’s energy crisis is not only taking a toll on the Guyana Power and Light (GPL), but is also threatening the very economic vitality of the entire electricity supply industry in Guyana, which is based on fuel. This fuel has to be imported at abnormally high prices. Thus, GPL is reluctantly compelled to invoke the fuel purchase and an anticipated fuel bill escalation.
Recognising the fact that the total electricity supply capability of the country is below what is required, there is need to enhance the overall economic viability of the electricity supply industry. There will also be a standardised frequency of 60 hertz, and this is neces-
sary for large scale conversion of both consumer and utility equipment.
The hydro project will be large enough to cater not only for the normal anticipated load increase, but also for the development of the aluminium smelting and wood pulp industries. Guyanese will also have an improved standard of living and the necessity for widespread and systematic load shedding, which is a regular feature, will no longer exist.
The previous deficiencies which now exist in the electricity supply industry will not be there any longer, and the grave financial problems facing GPL which will be over.
Despite some measure of
progress, the current system in place does not adequately provide for the needs of the nation. The government through GPL has embarked on a programme, which will not only cater for increasing demands, but also for the physical expansion and establishment of the other systems in rural areas.
It is hoped that the first hydro project scheme will be achieved by 1982 and that Guyana will embark on a major programme of expansion. This programme embraces the establishment of national links through the many stations, thereby inter connecting the majority of the existing and the isolated systems.
These connections will enable the establishment of
central generating stations, permit us to use larger generating units, reduce the amount of total reserve capacity required and enable the achievement of higher efficiencies, and generally promote in terms of how far we have yet to go. By completing the hydro project, Guyana will make maximum use of it in its development. This achievement will also serve as a step for greater efforts and greater success in the future.
Editor’s note
This letter was an essay written in 1980 by a student teacher who was preparing for teachers’ examinations. Name and address of the sender was provided.
Dear Editor, Have we allowed Moses Nagamootoo to elude the fundamental parameters of public trust? Perhaps, then the Guyanese public needs to be reminded of what transpired in the National Assembly on January 25, 2013.
Nagamootoo, an executive member of the Alliance for Change (AFC), audaciously lied on his endorsement of 2009 legislation for incumbent benefits to the former president Bharrat Jagdeo. He strenuously stood with the temerity, uttering to the honourable House and members of Parliament that he did not vote for the bill.
Nagamootoo, being a public official and a decorated politician, one may have concluded that his words held some trueness. After all, this is an executive member of the opposition
with high presidential ambitions. This entails a great degree of significance as to the structure of the AFC party. One would expect an individual of such calibre would not act impudently to mislead the National Assembly and the Guyanese public.
In rebuttal, Legal Affairs Minister and Attorney General Anil Nandlall unveiled the records of the voting on the legislation. Nandlall, in his exposition, elaborated on the names that voted for the bill among those read, “Moses Nagamootoo”.
Conclusively, this revelation was shocking. Guyanese would have just witnessed something in the House that defines our livelihoods, democracy, and the institution for our legislation. Are these the people we want to entrust our lives and country with? The answer is unequivocally “no”
– an oppositional legislator that cannot embrace facets of his actions? How would that person address other intricate issues?
The repercussions of the revealed records left Nagamootoo astonished and speechless. He tried refuting his actions although these records were obtained for the clerk of the House.
As minister Nandlall exclaimed, when we speak and we catapult ourselves upon pedestals we must ensure the records support us.
Thence to date, Nagamootoo’s claims that he did not vote for the bill is in contrary to the records preserved in parliament.
Undoubtedly, Nagamootoo’s actions are in contravention of public trust and his credibility is questionable. Does AFC’s codes of conduct permit deceit and lying? These are veritable bases to dissect the facts recorded in the par-
liament in contrast to the misleading and duplicitous words from Nagamootoo.
In the interest of a better Guyana, I write with conviction to express the concerns of many Guyanese. We are requesting that the AFC and Khemraj Ramjattan reexamine the configuration that governs their codes of conduct and to say whether lying is permissible in their administration without any repercussions.
Hence we call on the leader of AFC to immediately address this departure from ethics. We objectively feel Nagamootoo has violated his oath as a parliamentarian and seek his resignation. Guyanese should be able to rely on their legislators to be trustworthy and speak with veracity.
Yours respectfully, Mahendra Hariraj
Dear Editor,
Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee must be commended for maintaining his calm and composure in the face of relentless and sustained attacks by opposition elements with obvious political agendas. These attacks are politically motivated aimed at casting blame on Minister Rohee and by extension the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration over the crime situation in the country.
Having failed in their attempts to have him removed from office by way of a parliamentary motion, the opposition has resorted to all manner of subterfuge to discredit the performance of Rohee in the discharge of his ministerial duties.
It would be recalled that an attempt was made to link
the minister to the Linden fiasco which resulted in the unfortunate deaths of two persons following protest actions by opposition parties but a commission of inquiry set up on the insistence of the opposition found no evidence of ministerial involvement in the operational work of the police force.
The attacks on Minister Rohee are unreasonable, unfounded and without merit. These attacks have nothing to do with the competence of the minister in the execution of his ministerial portfolio as is being claimed by the political opposition.
Indeed, the minister is doing an excellent job having regard to the new and changing dynamics of crime and criminal activities which are posing problems to governments all over the world. It
is unfair to blame the minister for operational deficiencies outside of his ministerial remit.
The fact of the matter is that there is no silver bullet that can solve the problem of crime in the country. It requires the support and collaboration of each and every Guyanese, more so the parliamentary opposition in order to create an environment which would make it difficult for criminals to operate.
The failure of the opposition parties to support legislation to curb the illegal flow of weapons and money laundering activities is clearly not in the best national interest especially from a security perspective.
Yours sincerely,
Hydar Ally
Dear Editor, I would like to express my shock at the recent revelations by Haseef Yusuf a member and Councillor of the Alliance For Change (AFC). The most shocking for me, and I guess, for most members of the AFC, and certainly the public, is the fact that the son-in-law of David Granger – Dominic Gaskin – is the treasurer of the AFC.
It is interesting to note that the AFC is the party most vocal about full and frank disclosures. However, non-disclosures seem to have become the AFC’s trade mark.
Not only did Cathy Hughes fail to disclose her conflict of interest position with the Amaila Falls Hydro Project; not only did Nigel Hughes deliberately fail disclose his client/lawyer rela-
Dear Editor, Please allow me a space in your newspaper to air my extreme dissatisfaction as a letter writer.
On October 1, I sent a letter to the editors of the local newspapers to be published. This letter aimed to voice my opinion on the position taken by the Guyana Bar Association (GBA) and the Guyana Women Lawyer’s Association (GWLA) in response to statements made by the Attorney General Anil Nandlall.
On October 3, my letter was featured in the Chronicle newspaper, and October 5 in this section of your daily but to date has not been published in either the Stabroek or the Kaieteur newspaper! It is most significant to note that the same Stabroek and Kaieteur both publish letters about and statements issued by GBA and the GWLA and as such they would have a duty, more than any other newspaper, on the principles of fairness to letter writers, to give them
the opportunity to respond to letters they publish.
This is not the case with Stabroek and Kaieteur News!
If it is their policy to publish letters or statements on issues of importance to the country, why then was mine not published? Is this fair? Are my views not important too?
It would seem that the only letters that are published are those offering criticisms of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic
(PPP/C) administration and the government. Supporters of the government are not allowed a voice in these newspapers!
This unfair and unprofessional journalistic strategy seems to be the new way of dispensation of news. While they may consider it their right to do so, the nation must know what is happening in this land of ours. They must state their position.
Yours truly, Faruk Mohamed
tionship with the foreman of the jury that acquitted the Lusignan massacre murder accused and that he was company secretary of Amaila Falls Hydro Project Inc; not only did Moses Nagamootoo fail to disclose that the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) was a client of his; and not only did Khemraj Ramjattan, leader of the AFC, fail disclose that Fedders Lloyd was his client…
As regards the son-inlaw of being the AFC’s treasurer, why this important fact was not disclosed before or during the elections? Was it because it would have confirmed what the
People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) was saying all along that the AFC and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) are one and the same?
If this fact was known I could only guess how many would have believed the PPP/C and not voted for the AFC. This leads me to wonder how many more non-disclosures are there to be discovered.
It is very deceitful of the AFC to hide this information from its members. The public is entitled to this information.
Yours faithfully, Sundar
Nauth
Yesterday, October 5th, was set aside as World Teachers’ Day. Teachers are the persons who pass on knowledge, mould us and prepare us for the future. A teacher’s job is never easy, and it doesn’t end when they step out of the school compound. There are exam scripts to be marked, assignments to be graded, lessons to be planned out. Like surgeons, teachers are always on-call because most of them give us their numbers or email addresses to contact them at anytime.
As a student, I can safely say that we’re not always the easiest group of people to deal with. We complain about course-work, we gripe about difficult exams, we blame the teachers for not covering the material with us well. We talk in class, pass notes, applaud each other for ‘standing up’ to the teachers, when sometimes all we’re really doing is mouthing off the teacher to look cool. But we don’t do it be-
“Those who educate children well are more to be honoured than they who produce them; for these only gave them life, those the art of living well.” – Aristotle
cause we’re malicious. We do it because we’re thoughtless. We don’t really consider how our actions in the classroom might impact our teachers. We don’t consider the teachers who actually care about what they’re doing – how’d you think they feel when we decide that their homework wasn’t as important as some other subject’s?
That’s what days like World Teachers’ Day are supposed to get us to consider. They’re supposed to make us start thinking and step out of our own personal little bubbles for just a little while and put on someone else’s shoes for once.
Because it’s not easy trying to get 30 students to all understand the same concept. Everyone learns at different paces – how do you strike that perfect pace? How do you get students to get enthusiastic about poultry and cattle when they have all of the entertainment of the Internet just a click away on their phones?
Students have to acknowledge Teacher’s Day
and show their teachers that they appreciate the dedication of their teachers, in whatever big or small way that they can. I’m not a teacher, but I do know that for me personally, even a small compliment goes a very long way in making me feel better about myself and about what I’m doing.
At QC, we do things a bit differently – we have our teachers’ day in February. And the Prefect Body is usually in charge of getting the entire school involved in putting on a show in honour of our teachers. And in planning the show earlier this year, we had to do a lot of thinking about our teachers. And we all did a lot of self-reflection and most of us were struck by the enormity of the impact our teachers have had on us.
Teaching truly is a noble profession. If knowledge is power, and one of the most precious things in life, then teachers are the ones who get to spread that knowledge to millions of schoolchildren every day.
BY SHARON M TISZA
The child should be placed in time-out for one minute for every year of life (for example a five-year-old would sit in time out for five minutes) up to a maximum of about 10 minutes. A small portable timer should always be used to remind the child when the time-out is over. Once the timer rings the child will be asked why they went to time-out. Once they produce the answer the parent drops the issue and goes about their daily activities as usual. Time-out is not designed to make a child feel bad or humiliated.
Scolding is a common form of mild punishment used by parents. When scolding a child for bad behaviour it is important to move close to the child, maintaining good eye contact, being stern, and expressing your feelings while naming the undesirable behaviour. It is important to be brief and calm, showing disapproval for the behaviour not the child. Another type of mild punishment is natural consequences. This is an event that would naturally occur after a child does a bad behaviour. Some examples include not wearing an appropriate outfit to school and getting sent to the princi-
(CONCLUSION)
pal’s office or being careless in not packing a lunch and being hungry at lunchtime. Logical consequences occur for behaviours that do not have natural consequences. Some examples include not eating all of your dinner and then not having any dessert; or riding the bicycle in the street and having the bike taken away for three days.
There are several ways in which parents can accidentally increase bad behaviours or decrease good behaviours. Once parents become aware of these common mistakes, avoiding them will be easier and promote a healthier parenting style. These errors include failing to reward good behaviour, accidentally punishing good behaviour, accidentally rewarding bad behaviour and failing to punish bad behaviour. A parent can fail to reward good behaviour by not praising or recognising that their child cleaned their room or brought home a great report card. Parents accidentally punish good behaviours by not being satisfied with a job well done and commenting that they could have done more or better. Some parents accidentally reward bad behaviour by giving in to child who is
whining and making unreasonable demands. Finally, parents can fail to punish bad behaviour by ignoring it and saying something like “Oh well, boys will be boys”. Common behavioural problems are challenges that all parents and caregivers face. Some caregivers have more difficulty than others in managing their children.
Parents will often come to the paediatrician with questions about behavioural problems. It is important to listen to these parents, take them seriously and offer suggestions as to how some of these problems can be remedied.
It is essential to praise the parents for the things that they are doing correctly and gently try to shape some of the less helpful things that they are doing in a positive way. Most children will show great improvements if the strategies in this chapter are followed. For those children with more serious behavioural problems, these strategies may not be enough and this is when the paediatrician may consider referral to a psychiatrist, psychologist or other behaviourally astute professional. (Hawaii.edu)
The Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry in partnership with the Commonwealth Youth Programme Caribbean Centre and the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) on Wednesday met with Region Two youths for their input on the drafting of the National Youth Policy (NYP).
According to Commonwealth Youth Programme, Barbados consultant Cleve Hunte, the NYP will serve as a positive guide on how young people operate in society.
Most Caribbean territories have a national youth policy but Guyana is among those that are behind. As such, consultations are being held throughout Guyana to get young people involved in an effort to draft one.
Hunte explained that the views solicited via questionnaires and open youth forums, will aid in the drafting of the policy.
He said traditionally
young people are often criticised by older folks as inexperienced, but many persons need to recognise that young people can contribute equally to the development of their country.
He said the policy will ensure that young people get due right and contribute meaningfully to the development process. According to him, the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry does not want the policy to be approved with limited input, hence, it has embarked on broad consultation.
“The views of youths are important and youths need to take the lead and make things happen,” Hunte said.
Region Two youth officer Herald Alves thanked the youths for their participation in the consultation and urged them to speak out.
Interaction sessions were done with youths from the various secondary schools and technical institutes in Region Two.
Questionnaires were dis-
tributed to each participant to ink their views and opinions. Youths, during the interaction, were asked for their input on prevalent problems affecting them. Some of the social ills they spoke about were teenage pregnancy, the need for more civic education, suicide, unemployment, negative influence of the media, low self-esteem, juvenile delinquency, parental neglect and child labour, among others. Solutions to the issues were also given and discussed at length. Some of the solutions given were need for family planning, better parental control and a more aggressive approach to tackling drugs and crime.
The consultation team included Youth Steering Committee members Malisa Balkarran, Deon Johnson and Umadevi Bux. A similar consultation was held at the New Opportunity Corp, Region Two, and in Regions Four and Six.
The Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU), Upper Corentyne branch in collaborations with the Education Ministry conducted their second annual “Teachers’ Day” march and rally in Corriverton on Friday, amid calls for more dedication to work and better results from students.
More than 340 teachers from 41 nursery, primary and secondary schools from Wellington Park to Crab Wood Creek enjoyed a day away from school to reflect on ways to improve the education system and to meet and greet their colleagues from other schools.
The three-kilometre march started at the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) building, New Amsterdam at 10:00h, to the Skeldon High School, where the teachers assembled for a rally and cultural programme.
During the programme, the best teacher of each school was awarded, while respect was paid to two teachers who passed away. Two teachers who will soon retire were also recognised for their outstanding contribution to the education sector.
The programme featured several cultural items, poems, and songs with presentations from the GTU General Secretary Coretta Mc Donald and Region Six education officials. Mc
Donald called on the teachers to take the lead in raising the standard of education.
Skeldon Primary School Headteacher Dollice Johnson told Guyana Times that she was satisfied with the participation in the event this year.
“I am happy to see all of our teachers out today, this rally is by far bigger and better than last year’s
event; World Teachers’ Day was a success.”
Region Six education officials encouraged teachers to work to improve students’ performance and reminded them that teachers the world over are the key to ensure the success of future generations.
World Teachers’ Day has been celebrated on October 5 every year since 1994.
September has seen another significant stride for Texila American University (TAU) towards playing a major role in promoting education tourism. TAU has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with heritage old Concordia College, New York, U.S.
This agreement will see Concordia and TAU offering a highly focussed premedical programme on Concordia College campus in New York, a duration of two years, where students will earn an associate degree in biology.
On completion of the associate degree, students will gain automatic entry into the four year doctor of medicine (MD) programme offered at TAU Campus in Guyana.
This unique programme allows the students to complete the pre-medi -
cal coursework within two years at an accredited U.S. college. The traditional method involves completion of a bachelor’s degree for acceptance to any New York MD programme. This two year pre-medical and four year MD programme offers outstanding high school graduates a rare opportunity to attain a MD degree within six years –straight out of high school.
After completing two years of pre-clinical (basic sciences) at TAU-Guyana, the students can also choose to do their clinical rotations in the U.S. in TAU affiliated sites in the U.S. or complete the entire four years in Guyana.
The students will benefit with a prestigious degree, amiable faculty-student learning, societal centred curriculum, best in-class infrastructure facilities, modern ap -
proach and more, at the best competitive fees compared to other medical universities in U.S. TAU also provides training assistance to the students to prepare for the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) and the residency programme in U.S.
USMLE assesses a physician’s ability to apply knowledge, concepts, and principles, and to demonstrate fundamental patient-centred skills, that are important in health and disease and that constitute the basis of safe and effective patient care.
TAU was established in September 2010 on its first Woolford Avenue Campus and has recently developed an extended campus in Sparendaam, East Coast Demerara with modern learning facilities for its
classrooms, library, labs for anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, microbiology, pathology, and multimedia among other stateof-the-art facilities.
Another unique initiative of TAU to accomplish its mission of going beyond borders in the field of research and academics has now has seen the launching of the South American Journal of Public Health and the South American Journal of Medicine.
The first of its kind published by the universities in the South American region, the two medical journals, authored by scholars and subject matter experts in the field, are expected to play major roles in the scientific research and studies of public health and medicine and can be viewed or downloaded at www.eijasr.com
...on Wall Street
Everyone’s transfixed by the impasse between the executive and the congress in the U.S. that’s resulted in a “lockdown” of parts of their government. But this is just a sideshow. And, as always, it’ll be resolved with some good old-fashioned pork-barrel politics. Known in other jurisdictions as “sell outs” or “buy outs” – take your pick.
The real question is “what’s happened to the bipartisan promise to clean up Wall Street after they brought the U.S. to its knees in 2008?” And not so incidentally, also forced the rest of the world into that undignified posture.
With a great deal of fanfare, not to mention hullabaloo, the “Frank-Dodd” Act was passed in 2010. This was going to reign in those “Masters of the Universe” on Wall Street with all their fancy-schmancy financial “innovations” that promised to spin gold out of paper.
They’d already convinced all and sundry – from both sides of the political divide – that “regulation” was a dirty word. Especially regulation of finance. Why! Even that homespun good-ole-democrat from Arkansas, Bill Clinton, had been the one to remove the wall between investment and commercial banks.
Well for those clamouring for an executive oversightfree procurement board as the solution to prudential use by the government of our money – it might be instructive why three years down the road, over 60 per cent of Frank-Dodd is still not enacted. By a congress goaded by a populace fed up with Wall Street bulls, feeding at the public trough.
And it’s not that the evidence of the perfidy of Wall Street in the crisis has been disproved: in fact there are new scandals breaking almost daily. Goldman-Sachs, the most prestigious and largest investment house in the world, had to pay a fine of half-a-billion dollars for some hanky panky or other.
And you can bet your bottom dollar (better you, than your banker, who does it all the time) that it would’ve been 10 times as large if not for the revolving door between the firm and the U.S. Treasury. Two of its last six secretaries have come from Goldman...and dozens of its top executives.
Well, let’s cut to the chase. Forget even the regulatory bodies, of which the “cognitive capture” by Wall Street is the least of their undoing. If the lawmakers in the U.S., who’re supposedly interested in self-preservation, can buck public opinion, what about the wankers controlling our Parliament, who’re already festering in conflict-ofinterest scandals? And they want a procurement board free of executive oversight!
It’s good overseas Guyanese are getting even positions with stipends. But we wish when they comment on their native land’s business, they wouldn’t be so naive. And if they aren’t, then we’d have to conclude they have axes to grind. Take this Tamanisha John’s “Research Associate, Council on Hemispheric Affairs (COHA)” letter.
She emphasises the need not to pander to racial sentiments, by quoting approvingly from an article: “Moses Nagamootoo accuses People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) of race-baiting”!! That’s like quoting a paedophile to warn against child molestation. We mean, who’s done the most damage in Guyana recently from race baiting, than the Alliance For Change (AFC) and Nagamootoo? And we’re not talking about just waving pamphlets.
In 2012, as soon as A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) worked out a quid pro quo with the government on raising old age pensions, while gradually equalising Linden’s electricity rates with the rest of the country, Nagamootoo and Khemraj Ramjattan rushed to Linden, told the mainly African Guyanese that the PPP/C was “racial” and APNU “betrayed” them.
Result? Three dead, millions lost in arson, the interior locked off. And they’re not race baiters? Pleeeease!
...lies
Trying to mock Guyana Power and Light (GPL), the MuckrakerKN said they had to haul the new generator “50 miles” from Georgetown to Parika. We thought Mook Lall, who’s from Wakenaam, would’ve known Georgetown isn’t even half those miles away.
The voluntary medical team that spearheaded the first successful kidney transplant in Guyana and performed over 100 different types of surgeries is conducting its 17th tour of duty here.
Joining the team of doctors, surgeons, physicians and nurses this year is Dr Rakesh Kumar, a professor and chair of the Department of Bio-Chemistry and Molecule Medicine from the George Washington University. His visit to Guyana focuses specifically on the establishment of a Genome Centre in Guyana that can serve as a model for the promotion of personalised treatment for cancer.
He met President Donald Ramotar in the company of the team of medical experts who have been travelling to Guyana each
year through the auspices of a successful public-private partnership sponsored kidney transplant programme.
Leading the team has been George Subraj, founder of Zara Realty Holding Corp, whose generous support to specialised health needs in Guyana, he regards as a way of giving back to the place of his birth.
After the first tour of duty in 2008, the initiative, which began with Guyana Watch, has seen medical teams visiting Guyana four times per year with the gamut of medical personnel to execute successful missions.
One hundred different types of surgeries inclusive of three kidney transplants are usually done on every visit. Additionally, through a SEVAK programme the teams
visit remote areas to examine patients for diabetes and hypertension; chronic ailments that can determine the risk of kidney failure.
As the mission progresses, the team decided to examine root cause analysis, conduct background checks of patients and initiatives that will improve the capacity of the experts to make correct predictions of cancer patients.
The delegation that visited President Ramotar included transplant surgeon Dr Rahul Jindal and Dr Stephen Guy.
A public-private partnership of a similar nature has also influenced the establishment of the Doobay Medical Centre on the East Coast of Demerara that offers dialysis at a reasonable cost and at times free to those genuinely in need.
Satiricus had a headache. These financial articles always gave him a headache. It was all those numbers...he could never keep them straight. At home, it was for this reason his wife handled all the bills.
Satiricus was sure she was slipping something weekly to that lazy, goodfor-nothing brother of hers, but he let that go rather than dealing with numbers.
So he avoided most of those stories where Suspenders Ram claimed BrassTon was giving away NICIL’s store with the Marriott deal. He had nothing against Suspenders: a man his age had to keep up his pants by any means necessary.
It was just too many numbers. But the man just wouldn’t go away. So Satiricus decided to discuss the matter with his cane cutter buddy, Cappo.
“Look man, Cappo,” began Satiricus, as the bar owner served up two beers, “is what Suspenders mean when he say, BrassTon giving away the new Marriott to some friend?”
“Budday...tell me wha you hear? Is every day, Ah hearin’ a new story from Suspenders,” grinned Cappo. “Ah think when StabberNews throw he tail out, Muckraker payin’ he to mek up news. De fella gat fuh live.”
“Well, he said the investor only putting in US$8 million and he getting 67 per cent of a US$58 million hotel,” said Satiricus. “It does sound like a giveaway to me.”
“So when he pay down de US$8 million he done own the hotel?” asked Cappo with wide open eyes.
Satiricus skimmed the newspaper in front of him. “Not really. NICIL put in US$4 and they own 33 per cent.”
“So if de two a dem put up US$12million, dem get a US$58 million hotel. Deh get US$46 million free?” Cappo eyes were still wide open.
Satiricus looked though the paper again. “Nah...they borrowing the US$46 million from a bank and other people.”
“So how de investor get anything free and he gat fuh pay back?” asked Cappo. “When you bin put down $1/2 million and buy you $3 million house, da bin free?”
Satiricus thought a while. He scratched his head. He looked at the paper again. “Well, not really. But how come NICIL put in another US$15.5 million and still only get only 33 per cent of the Hotel?”
“Wha you mean, “put in”? Me hear was a loan and dem gon get it back wid interest,” said Cappo with a smile.
Satiricus read the paper again. This time much longer. “You right,” he conceded. “And they will get interest three times more that they get if the money was in a bank.”
“Sato me friend, Ah tell you na listen to Suspenders. The only thing dat man learn from he own history is how fuh mek new mistake.”
Narine Dat Sookram, who was recently named one of the most “Famous People of Guyanese Heritage” living abroad, is a social activist, radio host, community builder and an author for the book, “The Teenage Years”. He is the recipient of over 100 awards/recognitions, some of which include: World of Difference 100 Award, 2013; Who’s Who in the World, 2013; The Canadian Encyclopaedia Inclusion 2013; The Caring Canadian Award 2013; Canada’s Top 25 Immigrant Award, 2013 (the only Guyanese to receive this nationwide award this year) and many more.
He is now among some of the most famous faces like pop singer superstar Rihanna and Dr Deborah Persaud, who heads the research team that made headlines around the world with curing a baby of the AIDS virus.
Narine gained fame through his community radio show “Caribbean Spice Radio”, the only programme on 100.3 Sound FM to win the People’s Choice Award for Favourite Caribbean Music and Favourite World Music. The show airs live every Sunday from 19:30-20:30h on 100.3 FM on the dial, 946 on Rogers TV and worldwide on www. soundfm.ca.
The Guyanese native who grew up in a small village close to the Number 63 Beach in Berbice, Guyana, is also known for producing the “Caribbean Dreams” concert in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, where new and young artistes get the opportunity to show-
case their talent through the performing arts. Since the inception of the show, many artistes have gone on to perform professionally, all because of Narine’s effort. He has become a cultural icon and has received the prestigious Denny Statue – A Waterloo Region Arts Award in the open category, making him the only Guyanese to date to win in that category.
Narine is more known for his philanthropic work through his non-profit organisation ACTIVE VISION Charity Association (www.activevisioncharity.com), where the purpose is to help aid schools in Guyana with textbooks and other school supplies, providing the opportunity for a better education.
Leader
Narine has a passion for social service work where he plays a lead role at Opportunities Waterloo Region as an education outreach coordinator, mobilising solutions to poverty, specifically targeting families with children to empower them to take the first step of free funding available to them from the government of Canada for their post-secondary education. Narine believes that the youths are the pillars of tomorrow.
His mentorship role includes mentoring internationally
trained professionals and empowering business women to become self-sufficient worldwide. It was for that reason he received the World of Difference100 Award, 2013 by The International Alliance for Women (TIAW), which will be presented to him in Washington DC, U.S. at the Canadian embassy. Each year, the TIAW World of Difference 100 Award recognises women and men who have advanced the economic empowerment of women, whether on a small scale in the developing world, or effecting change in the boardrooms of the business capitals of the world.
Established in 2008, the TIAW World of Difference 100 Award has garnered worldwide attention for the high calibre of achievement and change leadership demonstrated by its recipients.
The awards celebrate the inspiring, courageous, tenacious and creative achievements of the extraordinary champions of women’s economic advancement, and of course, Narine excels with those qualities.
He has become a role model both locally and internationally and has continued to make Guyana and his fans around the world proud. He is very deserving of the “Famous People of Guyanese Heritage” inclusion.
The Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA) has taken issue with a Stabroek News article published on September 15 entitled “The world beyond Georgetown” with sub head “Bath Settlement”.
The CHPA in a release said on page 4B under the caption “Housing Scheme”, the writer contended that of the 16 core houses constructed in the area by the CHPA, “just about seven families are occupying them permanently… some of the houses are rented out and some owners would just come and check the place and go away”.
The CHPA said it is aware that 12 of the 16 houses are occupied by the beneficiaries of the Core House Pilot. The national housing agency said it conducts regular checks with regard to occupancy of the core houses in Bath, as well as all other housing developments, where core houses have been constructed and handed over to beneficiary households.
It explained that in the case of Block D Bath, Phase One, the authority’s investigations revealed that four of an initial six families are still not occupying their core homes; though
letters were issued to them since at the beginning in 2011, urging the defaulting beneficiaries to occupy these homes, in accordance with the agreement signed between the beneficiaries and the CHPA.
“Further, the CHPA commenced legal action against the beneficiaries of the four homes that remain unoccupied, earlier this year, with a view of repossessing the houses and the lots on
which these buildings have been constructed, and re-allocating same to eligible applicants who satisfy the criteria for participation in the Core House Pilot,” the release said.
The CHPA further said, while it is unclear as to which area within the housing scheme is being referred to when the article stated that “In another section of the scheme that was later developed, residents, especially vehicle owners, decry the deplorable condition of the road, which is still to be pitched,” the CHPA said its approach in developing housing areas is to first install a fair weather road, then upgrade the infrastructure to a paved surface, provided that 75 per cent of the persons allocated house lots in that area have constructed homes and have occupied their house lots.
“The CHPA wishes to emphatically register its disappointment that, Stabroek News did not seek clarification from the authority prior to having this article published. Had all relevant stakeholders been consulted, such a flawed report would not have been offered for public consumption,” the release concluded.
The Central Islamic Organisation (CIOG) and the Zakaat House of Kuwait on Saturday hosted their annual Orphans and Vulnerable Children Fun Day on the lawns of the Muslim Youth Organisation, Woolford Avenue, Thomas Lands, Georgetown.
The children were treated to lunch and snacks and a variety of games. The activity, which started in
1993, has been an annual feature of the CIOG.
Some 365 children benefited from this programme. Each child receives a monthly stipend, school clothes, gears, textbooks, medical examinations, vitamins and financial assistance for extra lessons and exam fees.
These are sponsorship by the local business community, Guyanese in the diaspora and the Zakaat House of Kuwait.
Guyanese-Americans join in Hindu unity celebrations
BY VISHNU BISRAM
Several Guyanese joined Hindus from other nations residing in America to showcase their unity at a luncheon reception held on Long Island, New York on September 30. The event was organised jointly by the Hindu Temple Society of North America and Indian American Intellectuals Forum (IAIF) in New York.
The audience included representatives of Hindu organisations from the Caribbean and professionals. Former Harvard Economics Professor Dr Subramaniam Swamy was the feature speaker with popular yoga guru Baba Ramdev as the chief guest.
Several Guyanese pandits were featured at the reception. Hindus from Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago posed several questions to Swami Ramdev and Dr Swamy, who debunked the Aryan and Dravidian theories that argues about
different kinds of Indians. He said such theories are mischievous and designed to create a rift within India. He asserted that all Indians, regardless of where they are located, have the same DNA. “The DNA tests conducted in many universities in the U.S.A have conclusively established that all Indians from the north to the south have the same dominant DNA composition,” he said.
Dr Swamy, who visited Guyana and Trinidad some years ago, said Hindus must become a formidable force on the global level for Vedic Dharma. He urged Indians to learn Sanskrit, as “it is the most perfect language for computers”.
In addition to speeches, there were also cultural presentations, while Natarian Kataria of the Hindu Intellectural Forum moved the vote of thanks. Guyanese Patanjali Rambrich was praised for his work among Hindus and for promoting the event among Caribbean Hindus.
UN counter-terrorism experts to visit Guyana on Monday
The Home Affairs Ministry has announced that seven United Nations Counterterrorism Committee Executive Directorate experts will be visiting Guyana from Monday to Tuesday to conduct an assessment of Guyana’s efforts in the implementation of the United Nations resolution, AntiTerrorism: Calling for Suppressing Financing, Improving International Cooperation.
According to a release, the team comprises of United Nations Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED), Deputy Director Weixiong Chen; CTED Coordinator of delegation, Section Chief
Elisabeth Joyce; CTED Senior Legal Officer Sue Takasu; Committee Expert from ‘1540 Committee’ representative Enrique Ochoa; Maritime Security and Facilitation, Maritime Safety Division, Associate Professional Officer Henrik Juhl Madsen; Interpol Officer Yuen Chi-Kin Luke; and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, terrorism prevention expert David Alamos Martinez.
The two-day itinerary will commence with an opening session at 09:00h on Monday at the Guyana Police Force Officers Training Centre. The team will meet with senior government officials as well as officials from the law enforcement agencies.
Some 94 buildings have been destroyed by fire so far this year and 19 others severely damaged, Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee said.
The minister made the disclosure in a message to mark Fire Prevention Week 2013, which is being observed under the theme “Be alert, be committed, make fire safety your priority”.
Three schools were affected by fire for the year, one of which was completely destroyed and another severely damaged.
“Of the total number of fires for the year, 44 were the result of acts of arson, resulting from domestic disputes, property disputes or wanton destruction to property, through acts of criminality and other nefarious acts. Six hundred and twenty nine were the result of rubbish or vegetation fires. Additionally, 12 precious lives were lost –of that amount, four were children. Two hundred and ninety seven persons were left homeless.
“The causes of most of these fires stemmed from
unsafe practices such as carelessness, leaving children unattended, unsafe use and stealing of electricity and acts of arson. Let us rededicate ourselves to preventing tragedy before it strikes and practise fire safety in our homes and workplaces. Every effort should be made to teach your family about fire safety. All of us can take meaningful steps to reduce the risk of fire in our homes,” Rohee said
He noted that dry season “seems to be upon us now”, and as such, there is a likelihood that there will be an increase in grass/bush fires, which can occur through spontaneous ignition or deliberate setting by a few who shows no regard for the well-being of others.
Warning
“We must be reminded that rubbish and bush fires are often unpredictable, which is why it is essential for people to practice proper fire prevention. It must be remembered that these fires can become uncontrollable and spread to buildings. If there is a need for persons to dispose of rubbish and vegetation, it should be done by means other than the use of fire. Citizens must be cognisant of the fact that these fires can affect your neighbours as well as the environment and also damage public properties.
“I implore you parents and guardians, do not leave small children unattended and always keep matches and lighters out of their reach. As far as possible, refrain from leaving elderly or sick persons alone in the
Revon Austin, the man involved in Tuesday’s motorcycle accident along the One Mile Public Road, Wismar, Linden, continues to cling to life as he remains in critical condition at the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC), Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
Austin sustained major bodily injuries in the accident which occurred about 21:45h on Tuesday.
The accident claimed the life of minibus conductor
home,” Rohee urged.
The Guyana Fire Service has embarked on the reintroduction of the ambulance service into the department. This is necessary, especially in instances where the fire service is summoned to the scene of a fire, rescues are performed and transportation of victims is required. In many cases the fire appliances are used to carry out this function, much to the discomfort of the persons affected and the ranks of the fire service, due to the fact that the fire trucks are not designed for that purpose.
The Guyana Fire Service’s responses to road traffic accidents have increased to 26 to date. This department has been equipping its appliances to deal with extricating and rescuing victims of such emergencies. However, appropriate transportation is essential to complete the rescue process.
The Guyana and Trinidad Mutual Group of insurance Companies (GTM) on Friday opened Samlall’s Agency in Montrose, bringing its services closer to East Coast Demerara residents.
GTM representative Peter Fraser said the company is conscious of the fact that many Guyanese live outside of Georgetown and transportation to and from the city is
very time consuming, because of the increase of motor vehicles on the roadways.
The establishment of the Samlall’s Agency, he said will cater for these persons.
GTM has 20 offices in four countries, and the new establishment is its 15th in Guyana.
Fraser said the offices are strategically located so that customers can have easy access to their services and the
development of Samlall’s Agency is the renewal of the company’s commitment to continue its client-oriented service.
Samlall’s Agency Manager Mohan Samlall began his speech with an anecdote which told a story of a woman’s life without insurance after her husband died.
He said he had put great thought into his decision before choosing GTM, adding that one of the many reasons he chose the insurance group is because the company is always finding ways of improving its services, and the fact that from his research, he found that more persons knew about the company.
“We are fully aware at Samlall Agency, of our legal responsibilities and that we are now associated with an insurance giant in the country,” said Samlall. He said the agency’s goal is to replicate the same level of service customers receive at the Georgetown head office.
Neberne “Challo” Charles, of One Mile, Wismar, Linden.
Reports are that Austin, who hails from Canvas City, Wismar, was at the said time racing with another motorcyclist along the One Mile Public Road when he lost control of the motorcycle after he swerved to avoid hitting a dog.
He, however, came in contact with Charles, who was standing in front of a wash bay located at “Sodom Corner” along the said roadway, and struck him down from behind. An eyewitness said that Charles, who was a well known minibus conductor in the area, was flung some distance away and upon impact, and hit his head on a concrete curb.
Both Charles and Austin were admitted to the LHC ICU in an unconscious state but Charles succumbed to the injuries he sustained on Wednesday.
President Donald Ramotar has strongly defended several professionals who are working for his government after the opposition and their critics intensified what he deemed a “personal” attack on them.
Speaking at the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) 50th anniversary on Wednesday evening, the president dubbed the attacks on Winston Brassington, who heads a number of development projects; Dr Mahender Sharma, who heads the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) and the Clerk of the National Assembly Sherlock Isaacs as “obscene”.
“I don’t think that those things would do any good for our country. We need to create an atmosphere where people will do their work and where people will not be afraid to serve in their country,” President Ramotar said.
The president told the gathering that the attacks
were “unjustified, unethical and unprofessional”, as he criticised those who constantly level accusations against public sector professionals.
Ramotar said if the opposition wanted answers about the projects undertaken by his administration, they should approach him as he is capable of explaining himself and policies.
Confidence
The head of state said he will stand by all the professionals under attack since he has a high level of confidence in their work.
The president also chastised the political opposition for withholding legislative support for the Amalia Falls Hydro Project, which will enable cheap energy and be of immense benefit to the manufacturing sector.
Meanwhile, in light of the constant attacks on these professionals in public offices recently, Finance Minister
Dr Ashni Singh also defended their contributions to the development of Guyana, adding that they should be commended not castigated. “In the face of high global demand for skilled personnel, we in Guyana need to support and encourage those who remain here to contribute to our country’s development and not attack them and render them collateral damage in the contest for political mileage.”
Distasteful
The minister believes that the opposition has been displaying a most distasteful move to discredit the professional competence of a number of technical, non-political persons working in government, with the aim of derailing the projects and tasks on which those persons are engaged.
“The competence and professionalism of persons like Winston Brassington and Mahender Sharma have
been under constant attack by the opposition. This begs the question, ‘why’?” asked the minister.
Dr Singh said these individuals have chosen to remain in Guyana and serve their country, and have been doing so with distinction. “This is highly commendable and should serve as a source of encouragement for others to remain, or return home and to aid in the further development of Guyana.”
The minister contended that the recent attacks on professionals who work for the government are aimed at intimidating and discouraging other qualified personnel from joining the public sector.
Both Winston Brassington and Dr Sharma have been serving the country for 19 and 14 years respectively, and have shown commitment and dedication to the respective offices in which they serve.
– airline plans to increase seating capacity by 30 per cent during Christmas season
Caribbean Airline Limited (CAL) Airport Manager Carl Stuart said the recent move by the Trinidad and Tobago government to cut the airline’s fuel subvention will not affect the company’s operations.
He expressed the view in a recent interview with Guyana Times, in which he pointed that the airline is striving for efficiency and effectiveness at all level of its operations.
According to Stuart, CAL’s chief executive officer and chairman recently met with officials here in Guyana and one of the company’s plans is to come up with a strategy that can sustain the airline at all ends.
He also contended that the airline’s operations will not be affected by the recent decision taken by the U.S. Department of Transport to stop CAL’s local carries from having direct flights from Guyana to the U.S.
The company also offers flights twice daily to the Caribbean, London and Toronto.
“It’s not that they are not in favour, but pertaining to our operations, Caribbean Airlines schedule has not been affected and will continue to have regular flight out of Guyana,” Stuart said. He also said that CAL is still in the process of reviewing its airfares to offer customers more choices.
“We have been reviewing fare status and we will be offering more choices and much more comparable fare that any other carriers that fly into this part of the region,” he added.
He said CAL is not threatened by new airlines operating in Guyana, but focuses on offering comparable fares to other airlines here.
“CAL welcomes competition… We serve a common interest, our fare status is unique and one that most of our competition will attempt to match,” he said,
The airline said it will be increasing its seating capacity by 30 per cent to meet customers demand during the Christmas season.
Three gunmen on Friday evening about 21:00h held up two pump attendants of the SMILE service station at 876 Bachelor's Adventure Public Road, East Coast Demerara and relieved them of an undisclosed sum of money and personal belongings.
Prior to the robbery, the three gunmen went into the minimart, purchased two beverages and left, but were later seen talking among themselves a short distance away.
Within a few minutes, the two men returned, pulled out their guns and held up the two pump attendants while the third took away the bags containing the money. As the men made their way in a southern direction, they discharged a few rounds into the air.
At the time of the rob-
bery, there were no security guards on duty, but the action was caught on the gas station’s surveillance cameras.
Danika Daley, one of the pump attendants who was robbed, was still shaken by the incident. The young lady disclosed that she was sitting on a bench next to
the gasoline pumps when one of the three men approached her and requested a $1000 in changed.
She told the young man that she did not have change, but instead of leaving, he went into the supermarket and bought a few beverages. The shaken woman thought that some-
Over the past few weeks, there have been several cases where cutlass-wielding bandits terrorised and robbed Berbicians, a phenomenon which is on the increase.
There were two such robberies on Friday evening.
In the first incident, three men attacked Lalauie Lallbharrat, 42, of Lot 205, Number 64 Village, Corentyne, Berbice in her house and carted off one gold bangle valued $90,000 and four gold bands valued $170,000.
One of the men was reportedly identified as “Navo” and is said to be a relative of the victim. He is currently in police custody. The other two robbers who escaped after the incident were masked and armed with cutlasses.
Based on reports received, about 19:00h on Friday, Lallbharrat was at the lower flat of her home preparing meals while her son Rakesh, was in the upper flat resting.
After preparing the meals, the woman reportedly went up stairs wrapped in towel when she was confronted by the bandits. One
of the robbers reportedly grabbed her on the mouth and ordered her not to raise an alarm.
He then choked her and dealt her a cuff in the back and took away the gold band that she was wearing at the time, while another lashed her in the head with an object and relieved her of her gold chain.
After committing the act, they left the house but were spotted by the victim’s son in the yard and he raised an alarm. Neighbours responded and gave chase and in the process discharged a round in the men’s direction, but they manage to escape, but Navo was subsequently caught and arrested.
In the other incident, bandits armed with cutlasses and a gun attacked and robbed the owner of Belvedere Inn located at Lot 1, A Campbell Street, Belvedere Settlement, Corentyne, Berbice of $32,000. The incident occurred about 23:00h on Friday evening.
The three men were all masked and had on black toques, black long sleeve shirts and black handker-
chiefs, partially covering their faces. Two of whom were armed with shot guns and the other with a cutlass.
According to information received, Martin Seepersaud of Lot 29 A, Nigg Settlement, Corentyne, Berbice was in his bar attending to customers when he was confronted by the three masked men.
The bandit armed with the gun reportedly ordered the two customers in the bar to lay face downwards on the floor, while the bandits who had cutlasses entered the bar. One of the bandits placed his cutlass to the Seepersaud’s neck and demanded that he hands over all his cash and jewellery.
During the ordeal, one of the bandits inquired about the businessman’s wife and threatened that he will return to “chop off her neck”. He then placed his hands into the man’s pockets and relieved him of the cash mentioned. They all made good their escape.
The police were contacted and searched the area, but came up empty-handed. They are continuing their investigations.
thing was amiss since two of the men first walked into the supermarket and then a third followed.
After spending sometime in the supermarket, they left and were seen “ganging up” on the public road, she added. The pump attendant said that she turned to her colleague,
telling her of her suspicions.
After a few minutes of relating her suspicions, an elderly woman came into the gas station to purchase kerosene oil. The woman stated. “I get up to sell the woman and I see one oh them coming from over the road and push he hand in he crutch… I see he action and I start to back to back and then he pulled out de gun and tell me not to run.”
She further explained that the man who was wearing a striped shirt, a blue pencil bottom pants and a stocking on his head, placed the gun on her neck and took away her bag while the other ran up to the other attendant and also held her up with a gun and took away her bag.
“Me bag had like $18,000 from gas money; $16,000 from kero sales; $10,500 of my personal
money; BlackBerry cellular phone and a bunch of keys… the other attendant had monies for gas, diesel and she money personal money.”
Daley added that they would normally keep the sales on them until it reaches a certain amount before it is handed over to their boss.
After committing the act, the men reportedly ran into a cross street where they shot at a car as it passed by. There were also a group of children and persons in the supermarket purchasing items when the robbery was committed.
The police have launched a hunt for the three men who are most likely not from the area. They were not masked. The business was opened about seven weeks ago and it is owned by Cecil Skeete.
The bodies of the two fishermen who were allegedly thrown into the Corentyne River in the vicinity of Coopernaam, Suriname, during a piracy attack on Tuesday, were recovered in Suriname waters early Saturday morning.
A senior rank of the Guyana Police Force B Division stated that the men were reported spotted by Surinamese officials and were retrieved. The bodies, he noted, are in the neighbouring country as investigations continue.
The source added that there are certain protocols that must be followed before the bodies are handed over to Guyanese officials.
While he could not verify whose body was fished out, Guyana Times understands that a third person might be missing as a result of the attack. The man was subsequently identified as “Buckie” of Number 77 Village, Corentyne, Berbice.
When contact was made with the relatives of the missing men, they claimed that the men were spotted in the Corentyne River, but in Suriname’s waters.
Seerojanie Persaud, a rel-
ative of one of the men stated that by the time they received the news and went out into the river, the bodies disappeared.
Nevertheless, they are optimistic that the bodies of Rakesh Persaud called “Pork Soup”, 42, and Rajin Ramsammy, 22, also called “Keshan”, both from John's Settlement, Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice will be recovered.
However, Derek of Number 68 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, who was reportedly held hostage by the pirates and later allegedly rescued at Red Light, in Suriname, has returned and
is assisting with investigations.
After the attack, Adolphus Holder, 30, of Number 65 Village, Corentyne; Karran Singh, 22, of John's Settlement; Ravin and Ravi, both of Number 65 Village, Corentyne; “Smack” of Tain Village, Corentyne; and Avanda Rampersaud, 46, of Number 79 Village, Corentyne were rescued after they were seen drifting in the Corentyne River.
Guyana Times understands that on September 25, about 07:00h, Holder and his crew members Ravin, Ravi and “Smack” departed the
Number 66 Fisheries Co-op onboard the Oly 5 to go fishing in Suriname waters.
On September 28, Derek and his crew members Rampersaud, Karan Singh, Rakesh Persaud, Keshan departed on the Tara No 1
However, on October 1, about 13:00h, Derek and his crew were fishing at Coopernaam when the suspected bandits pulled up alongside their boat and started to physically assault them with cutlasses. The pirates then proceeded to tie the men and throw them into the river, but held Derek hostage.
After a while, the bandits left with Derek in his boat, but not before retrieving Rampersaud and Singh from the water, leaving the others behind.
On the same day, about 19:00h, the pirates then attacked the Oly 5, ordering the captain and the crew to remain calm as they removed their catch and placed it in the Tara No 1
During the ordeal, the bandits demanded that Derek hand over his boat and engine but he refused, and they held him hostage and drove off.
The other men were reportedly left in Holder’s vessel and were subsequently rescued.
Latin America, Caribbean countries among world's best global microfinance environments
The Latin American and Caribbean region continues to perform well in the 2013 edition of the Global Microscope, a comprehensive report on the world’s microfinance business environment produced annually by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), with support from the Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF), a member of the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) Group.
As they did in 2012, Peru and Bolivia held the top two spots among the 55 countries worldwide. Colombia (six), El Salvador (eight) and the Dominican Republic (10), joined them in the report’s top 10. Peru has held the Microscope’s number one position for six consecutive years.
According to the 2013, Microscope, the microfinance business environment has improved globally in the past year.
More countries improved their scores than worsened: of the 55 countries included in the 2013 index, 30 improved their overall scores, 19 declined, and six were unchanged.
The study assesses countries across three major categories: regulatory framework and practices, supporting institutional framework, and political stability.
As in previous years, the EIU completed interviews and conducted an online survey to incorporate the views of an expanded community of microfi-
nance specialists. The EIU consulted microfinance institutions, networks, regulators, consultants, and investors to gather insights from all relevant stakeholders.
The 2013 Microscope includes an “In Focus” section that explores the broadening scope of financial services offered by microfinance institutions.
“Financial inclusion is no longer led by a few specialised institutions and products,” said Senior MIF Specialist Sergio Navajas. “New business models and services, technological advances, and better regulatory environments are changing the landscape for financial markets.”
Highlights in this year’s report related to Latin America and the Caribbean include: governments in several countries, including the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Panama and Uruguay, improved regulation of financial agents, creating opportunities for further innovation in correspondent and mobile banking, but implementation of these new services is still at the pilot stage; The Dominican Republic rose into the global top 10, due to improvements in pricing transparency, financial transactions through agents, and regulatory capacity in the country; new regulations in client protection increased pricing transparency in El Salvador and enhanced consumer rights in dispute resolution in Honduras.
Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh, upon reflecting on the 21 years of the People Progressive Party/Civic (PPP) returning democracy to Guyana, said the country’s economy today is more robust than any other time in its history.
He said under the PPP/C government, growth took place in all sectors despite the dilapidated state inherited from its predecessor and the global economic slowdowns of 1997 and 2008.
“The PPP has engaged in true and dramatic rebuilding from bold economic, constitutional and legislative reforms to infrastructural and social development,” said the minister in a press release.
“The constitutional and legislative reformations undertaken by the PPP administration are remarkable accomplishments that are indicative of the party’s efforts to be transparent, accountable, inclusive and responsible,” he said.
The finance minister
pointed to the multiple economic reforms that were undertaken by the PPP/C, sitting among them: the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act, the Procurement Act of 2003 and the Anti-Money Laundering & Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act of 2009.
Legislative reforms
“Other key legislative amendments have greatly improved the lives of small business owners through the Small Business Act, the Amerindian people
through the Amerindian Act of 2006,” the release stated.
Minister Singh also pointed to the many constitutional changes that moved beyond finance, but to the protection of Guyana’s children through the Protection of Children Act of 2009 and the Sexual Offences Act of 2010, which he said would benefit “all Guyanese, regardless of education, economic standing or gender”.
The finance minister also announced that Guyana is celebrating its seventh consecutive year of uninterrupted real growth.
“The country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the second quarter of the year has already grown 3.9 per cent, which transcends to more spending power for the average Guyanese,” he said.
It was further announced that the major pillars of economic activity for Guyana which in-
cludes rice, bauxite, sugar and gold, have all shown remarkable growth over the 21 years of PPP/C rule.
The release noted that rice production in 2012 was at its highest since 1991while bauxite production almost doubled during the same period.
“The sugar industry was also prosperous with 218,054 tonnes in 2012 compared to 162,484 tonnes produced in 1999,” the minister noted, adding that “Gold declarations vastly increased from 1991 with only 59,252 ounces compared to 438,645 ounces declared in 2012; it was the highest level of declarations by small and medium scale operators.”
Other signs of economic progress under the PPP/C administration was also noted, notably the raise in the minimum wage.
“When the PPP took office, the average minimum wage was US$23, today it is approximately eight times that lev-
el at US$184,” explained Minister Singh.
The release also explained that inflation, “which is the rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services raises, and, subsequently, purchasing power falls, has also shown economic stability across all sectors.”
Inflation contained
It was noted that inflation was contained to single digits over the last 15 years of PPP/C leadership with the exception of 2007, which saw a sudden rise in fuel and food prices, compared to the 90 per cent inflation rate in 1991.
“Even with the above noted changes, the reach of the PPP/C government further extends into massive infrastructural achievements that have opened the gateway to investment and broader commercial activities,” Dr Singh said.
Infrastructural projects, which include
Guyana’s first national stadium located at Providence, built to a tune of US$25 million, was noted for the opportunities it created by attracting international games such as the recently concluded Caribbean Premiere League (CPL) tournament and other international artistes who might not have been able to perform in Guyana had it not been for the international quality of the stadium. The minister also pointed to other infrastructural projects such as the Berbice River Bridge and the Takatu Bridge between Guyana and Brazil that opened in 2008 to facilitate bilateral trade.
“Looking back over the past 21 years of the PPP government, the physical infrastructure of the nation’s schools, healthcare and community services has given this nation much to celebrate, where each and every Guyanese can live, work and believe that anything is attainable,” concluded the minister.
The Humanitarian Assistance Programme (HAP), in collaboration with the Health Ministry and the Linden Care Foundation, conducted a medical outreach and humanitarian donation in Ituni and Kwakwani, Region 10.
A release from the embassy said the participation of outstanding volunteers at both medical facilities – the Linden Care Foundation and the Georgetown East Medical team led by D Errol Bassoo – ensured the success of the medical engagement.
Deputy Chief of Mission
Bryan Hunt, who accompanied the HAP team during the outreach, visited with patients and pledged con -
tinued support from the embassy.
During the two-day event, medical personnel
were able to treat 80 residents from Ituni and 112 residents from Kwakwani. The outreach provided
care to the residents in the form of dentistry, HIV testing, counseling and general medicine.
Upon the conclusion of each outreach, the HAP team donated unused over-the-counter medication, antibiotics, and pain medication to both medical facilities.
The donations will enable the clinics to provide better medical treatment to these outlying communities during their daily operations.
The HAP team also donated over 200 pairs of shoes, clothing, and cleaning supplies.
The donations were made possible with the support of Food for the Poor, based in Georgetown. Kwakwani chief doctor, Cerdel McWat, expressed his gratitude to the embassy and HAP for their efforts to bring much needed resources to the area. According to HAP Director Kevin Plewniak, the outreach programme is part of the embassy’s ongoing commitment to work with government,to provide medical assistance and other humanitarian needs to the people of Guyana.
(Dec. 22Jan. 19)
You can raise your profile and your reputation by offering a little help, guidance and loyalty. Romance is recommended, and socialising with other contributors will be conducive to love.
(Jan. 20Feb. 19)
(Feb.20March 20)
Keep life simple and avoid interactions that can lead to arguments or emotional upset. Protect your health, your emotions and your reputation. Budget wisely and invest in you. Enjoy different forms of entertainment. Mingle and discuss plans with people you find inspiring. There are profits to be made and ideas to exploit. A financial gain is heading your way.
(March 21-April 19)
Uncertainty and indecision will pose a problem for you. Back up and don’t allow anyone to pressure you into something that you feel unsure about. Focus on personal change and self-improvement.
(April 20May 20)
Get back to basics. Alterations at home will improve your relationship with someone you love. Express your thoughts, ideas and plans for the future. Make a promise and keep it.
(May 21June 20)
Get the details concerning a job you are asked to do before you take on the task. You may not want to follow through. Make positive changes to your surroundings and personal appearance.
By Bernice Bede Osol
(June 21July 22)
You’ll be drawn to unusual people, as well as to destinations you have never visited before. An open mind will lead to new friendships, philosophic beliefs and lifestyle changes.
(July 23Aug. 22)
Check out what everyone else wants. Consider what works and allows you to stay within your budget. Fixing up your home can be stressful and lead to family feuds.
(Aug. 23Sept. 22)
Travel plans, romantic destinations and nurturing what’s important to you will make your day. Express your thoughts and offer attention, affection and a promise for a bright future to someone special.
(Sept. 23Oct. 23)
Refuse to let anyone bully you around. Take advantage of changes that take place in your community. Altering the way you earn a living will allow you to use your creative talent.
(Oct. 24Nov. 22)
Expand your awareness, embrace new experiences and consider what you can do to improve your home life and surroundings. Romance will lead to interesting alternatives. Express your feelings. Creative suggestions will be well-received and help you secure a spot in an organisation that interests you. A change in how or where you live should be considered.
(Nov. 23Dec. 21)
Tourist villa apartments 1, 2 & 3 bedroom, long & short term, and car rental service. Phone: 227-2199, 227-2186
Dentures provided in 72 hours from as low as $4500. Contact Dr B Stuart, 209B Charlotte St, Lacytown. Tel: 225-5034
Electronics course - hands-on training, starting October 2, Abdul Electronics. Phone: 226-6551, 225-0391.
Learn to play the guitar, keyboard, drums, and train your voice at Foundation 7. Phone: 225-1151 or 617-4200.
Available: Fresh long-stemmed roses, fresh dried and silk floral arrangements, gift items, bridal boutiques and wreaths. Nesha’s Flowerland. 78 Church Street (opposite St George’s Cathedral). Tel: 227-3553/225-3315
Mixed breed pups. Phone: 2533114, 692-0126
One 320CL Excavator located at Mahdia; excellent working condition. Owner migrating, call 6820365 or 614-1669
Gold Land, excellent investment. Priced to sell, call 682-0365, 6141669
Wine vessel (jue) Shang dynasty, old Chinese painting, old Ming prints, Ming dynasty Chinese painting on bamboo, Qi Baishi orginal painting, rare bowls and pots, all Chinese antiques. Phone: 592-623-7029
Pure bred American Akita puppies for sale $200,000. Phone: 639-8924, 227-4674
Mercury in large quantities 99.9999% purity. Call: 679-1985, 219-4535, 693-5004
1 Canon copier (Image Runner 6020) with finisher. Call 647-5150, 694-5738
Cheap earth. Delivery to spot, ECD and EBD. Phone: 627-9977
Clean garden earth & builders waste. Also bobcat rental, excavating, clearing & leveling done. Phone: 6160617, 663-3285.
Cellphone accessories and spares for all smart phones: Blackberry, Samsung, Nokia, Motorola, HTC, iPhone, Sony Ericsson, LG at Halema’s Fashion 104 Regent Street, next door to the Multiplex Mall. Call 622-7740/696-4008
One music set with three power amps with a total of 5,500 watts, etc. for more information please call, 682-3481. Price negotiable.
Healthworld Holistic Centre: Psychotherapy available for all types of abnormal behaviors – addictions, emotional, suicidal, anger, relationships and sexual problems. Treatment of stress disorders, depression, fear, low self-esteem, insomnia, trauma, psychosomatic sicknesses and children's disorders. We also conduct IQ evaluations and behavioral assessments. By appointment only. Clinic hours: 11:00 - 17:00h. Tel: 592-621-0552. Email:healthworldhc@gmail.com
Ayurvedic herbal treatment for all chronic genetic/none genetic diseases, including HIV, Cancer, diabetic, pregnancy, sexual (weakness), etc. Phone: 685- 3220.
Are you pouring on pounds? Then call Raul /Carol Wilson: 660-6818, 641-5923, 216-3016, 216-3601 for your healthy eating package.
Stay healthy and flexible with yoga. Phone: 693-2233
Immigration & Visa Services We handle all Canadian, USA and UK immigration and visa matters. Self sponsorships, holiday/visitor’s visas, work permits, students visas, family, class, immigration forms, embassy enquiries, appeals for refused cases, US green card lottery, business class waivers, pardons, etc. Get your visa approved. High success rate. Balwant Persaud & Associates. Certified Immigration Consultants, 68 Sixth Street, Alberttown, Georgetown (Between Cummings & Lights Sts) Tel: 2251540, 622-8308, 655-3105. Email: balwantpersaud@yahoo.ca
U.S. Green Card Lottery 2013. We are now accepting entries for the Annual Green Card Lottery sponsored by the U.S. Government. Enter now for a chance to become a permanent resident of the USA. Closing date November 2, 2013. Contact Balwant Persaud Immigration and Visa Services 68 Sixth Street, Alberttown, Georgetown (Between Cummings and Light Sts.) Tel: 2251540, 655-3105, 622-8308
Professional Key Shop, 125 Carmichael Street, Georgetown. Phone: 225-3923, mobile: 6213249. We cut any type of key, service and repair all types of locks. Get your extra key today.
Gas station land. Size: over one acre Phone Ms Liverpool on 625-7582, 681-9293.
Gas station. Phone: 625-7582, 6445128, 681-9293
Cellphone repairs, unlocking & spares of all smart phones: Blackberry, Samsung, Nokia, Motorola, HTC, iPhone, Sony Ericsson, LG & any brand you own. Installation of BBM on Samsung and iPhone. Halema’s Fashion 104 Regent Street, next door to the Multiplex Mall. Call 622-7740/696-4008
Tattoo & body piercing by professional artist with best prices; visit Halema’s Fashion 104 Regent Street, next door to the Multiplex Mall. Call 622-7740/6964008
Dutch healing and upliftment, for clearing of land, dredging and ground work (strictly interior operation). Phone: 6621247.
J Eastman & Associates Financial Services: Taxation, VAT Compliance, Accounting & Consultancy, and Cash Flow Projection. Address: 190 Church St, S/Cburg (East of Austin’s Book Store) Phone: 662-7467, 223-2105
Lethem – Rupununi Heritage Month event September 27-29. Visit: Iwokrama, Rock View Resort, Bonfim - Brazil, Moco Moco & Kumu Falls, St Ignatius - Lethem. Package $150,000. Phone: 662-3665
House plans starting at $9,000 Phone: 674-0725, 266-2154.
The birthday of a nineyear-old child ended tragically on Saturday after he was run over by a tractor while assisting his grandfather at a rice field at Number 64 Village, Corentyne, Berbice. The accident reportedly occurred about 13:30h.
Guyana Times could not confirm the child’s name up to press time, but he was commonly referred to as “Rocky”, of Lot 96 Number 64 Village, Corentyne.
According to information received, the child lived with his grandfather Harry Dharmachand and, on the fateful day, he accompanied the elderly man to the rice farm to plough the land in preparation for the next rice crop.
They were doing great until a heavy wind hit the area, causing Rocky, who was sitting on the tractor’s fender, to lose balance and fall off. As he fell, the lad reportedly ended up between the wheels and the plougher and was severely chopped about the body.
Parfaite Harmonie $1M and $1.2M phone: 675-7292
46 houselots in residential area between Charles & Peter Streets, Parika, EBE. Phone: 622-6971/6612289
Learn transcendental meditation and reduce stress and anxiety, develop full brain potential, increase focus and memory, be healthier & happier, increase energy, vitality and longevity, enjoy more success in life, improve relationships and develop higher states of consciousness. A technique that works for everyone. For next introductory lecture on October 10, contact Ashoke (certified TM teacher) Phone: 233-6921, 609-3701. Email kashokejp_68 2yahoo.com askgeneration
Da Silva’s Optical. For Your Eyes Only, Look Better See Better. Phillip A Da Silva OD, Shannon L Da Silva OD, Natalie Da Silva OD. 248 South Road, Bourda. Phone: 227-3529, Linden: 444-6376, Corriverton: 339-3536, Meten-Meer-Zorg: 275-0322, Grand Cayman Islands: (345) 943-1515 for the perfect trendy touch.
Retired Engineer aged 66 would like to know a single female over the age of 50. Phone: 604-7022 L AND FOR SALE
One business property, Lamaha Street. Phone: 669-3313, 231-4586, 695-4382.
Properties for sale. Phone: 642-2116 2-storey concrete house 32’x 55’, 4 bedrooms, block 8 Mon Repos, ECD, $35 million. Phone: 642-2116
EXECUTIVE TWO STOREY BUILDING 3 BEDROOMS WITH ALL MODERN CONVIENCES, MEADOW BROOK GARDENS, MR NARAINE. PHONE: 696-8230
Suriname astrology palmist and Djuka healer. The most powerful spiritualist in the world. Are you suffering from the following problems? (any religions) love, marriage, family, health, business, husband and wife relationships, property, court, children, promotion, visa, pregnancy, education, depression, job, sexual, jealousy, enemy, money, drinking, also you can have all evil forces destroyed such as black magic, witchcraft, voodoo, obeyah, etc, and gives powerful protection. Private and confidential. Phone: 6742112.
Dutch Spiritual work. Unite lovers, get rid of evil, enhance prosperity, good luck baths and charm bowu guards, etc. Phone: 220-0708, 612-6417, 6875653
Divinations and cleansing of spiritual problems of all kinds. Powerful Ifá and Khemetian spiritual guards, pendants, crystals and rune stones to help you overcome problems with love, relationships, legal, sexual, pregnancy, business, sickness, jobs, enemies, work, money and many more. Call 10:00-16:00h on: +592-690-1824. Email: anew-life@live.com
Cleansing of spiritual problems of all kinds. Powerful Ifá protection against evil. Get help to overcome problems with love, relationship, legal, sexual, pregnancy, business, sickness, jobs, enemies, work, money. Call 10AM4PM. Tel: 592-690-1824. Email:anewlife@live.com
Are you suffering from abnormal behaviors, addictions, stresses, or psychosomatic sickness? Feeling suicidal, low self-esteem, loneliness, unloved, anger, conflicts and relationship problems? For appointments call 592 621 0552. 12:00PM –6:00PM Email: healthworldhc@gmail.com
3 bedroom bottom flat for rental situated on the ECD. Phone: 669-9384, available for viewing after September 27 after 4:00pm.
WITH ALL MODERN CONVIENCES FURNISHED/ UNFURNISHED, MEADOW BROOK GARDENS, MR NARAINE. PHONE: 696-8230 Two-bedroom self contained apt. Caneville, Grove. PHONE: 669-1954
One customs clerk with at least three subjects CXC including English Language, mathematics. Applicant must be computer literate. Please submit application before the October 11, 2013 to email: windsortechhomes@ gmail.com or call 669-6874 or 682-3481
One Honda Cappa (Yellow) ideal for taxi or private use. Leather seats and roof, alarm, reverse camera, DVD/TV/CD player, mag rims. Also Motorola Base Radio with Antennae. HC series; immaculate condition; give away price $1M. Call 647-2491.
One new Yamaha R1 Motorcycle 1000cc (candy red & black) recently registered 2013. Latest double exhaust, bug lights, immaculate condition. Give away price, call 647-2491 Titan (hardly driven) $3.5M neg. Phone: 691-9984
JUST ARRIVED: TOP QUALITY RECONDITIONED VEHICLES; TOYOTA PREMIO; TOYOTA SPACIO; TOYOTA VITZ (NEW SHAPE); TOYOTA NOAH; SUZUKI SWIFT; MERCEDES BENZ C200 COMPRESSOR; BMW 318i; COROLLA AE100 WAGON; LAND CRUISER (FULLY LOADED); MAZDA PROCEED; TOYOTA HILUX 4WD EXTRA CAB PICKUPS - 3RZ, 5L, SOLID DIFFERENTIAL; MITSUBISHI CANTER TRUCKS 3, 3.5 TONS OPEN TRAY; 2 TONS 4WD; 3 TON DUMP TRUCK. PRE-ORDER YOUR UNITS EARLY AND GET THE BEST PRICES. FULL AFTER SALES SERVICE AND FINANCING AVAILABLE. DEO MARAJ AUTO SALES, 2 CHIMNEY ROAD, CHATEAU MARGOT, ECD. 624-0762, 220-5177. A NAME AND A SERVICE YOU CAN TRUST.
1 Bedford truck. Phone: 616:0617, 663-3285.
One Bedford truck Phone: 627-9977
Vacancy exists for two cashiers/ office clerks and two porters, cashiers/clerks must be literate, apply in person with written application to May’s Shopping Centre, 98 Regent Street, Georgetown. Urgently needed! One plot of land in Parfaite Harmonie, Herstelling and Eccles. Phone: 675-7292
From all indications, the grandfather did not realise the child fell off the vehicle until he heard screams and upon checking, he saw his grandson lying on the ground.
The elderly man panicked, but managed to call out to persons in the area for assistance, but it was too late. The child reportedly received a huge gash to his right hand. His also suffered chops to the face and legs.
The child was picked up and rushed to the Skeldon Hospital, also on the Corentyne, where he was pronounced dead on arrival by the doctor on duty. His body is now at the mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination.
The grandfather is in police custody assisting with investigations.
Apost-mortem performed on the remains of Orin Wayne Anastace, 34, of Lethem, Central Rupununi, whose partially decomposed body was fished out of the Abary River, Region Five on Monday last, was inconclusive. The post-mortem was performed by Dr Vivikanand Brijmohan on Thursday.
As a result of the findings, DNA and other samples were collected and are expected to be further tested to determine the cause of death of the Lethem resident.
The partially decomposed body of Anastace was fished out of the river after he was seen floating by residents in the area. It was reported that he was a heavy drinker. He is suspected to have drowned. Anastace was employed with Anthony Marques, an overseasbased Guyanese, as a labourer.
Based on reports received, the man was last seen two Saturdays ago imbibing with three other men at a popular drinking spot in the Abary River. About 10:00h on Sunday morning, residents reportedly saw the body floating in the Abary River and alerted the police.
Kraigg Brathwaite went ahead and brought up the only hundred of the match on a final day when everybody just went through their motions. The match was called off at 3.30pm, the earliest it could have been, and the teams travelled to Hubli, waiting for a more interesting contest.
There wasn’t even an outside chance of a result after 20 wickets had taken three days to fall on a slow and flat pitch. The only matter of interest left was to see how Zaheer Khan would bowl. He tested the batsmen with some short-pitched bowling, but had only a wicket to show for his eight overs bowled on the final day to take his innings figures to 13-4-27-1.
Zaheer began the day with a concentrated shortball barrage at Kieran Powell. The pitch didn’t offer much bounce, but
Kraigg Brathwaite scored 82 and 104* in the match
Zaheer’s accuracy meant he hit the batsman on the forearm twice, and made him fend too. Powell managed to punch him for a four, but was eventually caught on the back foot when Zaheer
Aboundary studded half-century from opener Owen Grannum powered Banks DIH to a commanding eight-wicket win over Enmore in a feature tapeball match on Friday evening at the Banks DIH ground, Thirst Park.
Chasing what turned out to be a woefully inadequate 126 after Enmore posted 125 from the allottment of 15 overs, the hosts raced to victory at 130-2 in 8.5 overs.
The right-handed Grannum belted seven sixes and a similar number of fours in a blistering 80 that effectively sealed the victory for the Banks boys. Eustace Hinds support-
ed with an unbeaten 27, which included four towering sixes.
Earlier, Enmore, sent in to take first strike, found the going tough, collapsing after a solid start of 43 by openers Bheemraj Ramkellawan and Hemraj Pillay.
The in-form Ramkellawan was the only batsman to reach doublefigures, batting deep into the innings to score a fighting 64. His innings included six sixes and two boundaries.
Bowling for Banks, Terry Liverpool bagged 3-24, while Hinds and Otis George picked up 2-15 and 2-22 respectively.
bowled one full and outside off. The edge was taken, Zaheer’s plan had worked, but that was the last success he got in his first first-class match of the year. (Cricinfo)
2
N Deonarine lbw b Bhatt 93
AB Fudadin not out 3
Extras (b-2, lb-3, w-1, nb-1) 7
Total (3 wickets; 81 overs; 297 mins) 223
Fall of wickets: 1-34 (Powell, 16.6 ov), 2-43 (KA Edwards, 17.6 ov), 3-187 (Deonarine, 62.3 ov)
Bowling: Z Khan 13-4-271 (1-nb), Mohammed Shami 8-4-25-0 (1-w), Parvez Rasool 27-10-39-0, BA Bhatt 27-1104-2, AM Nayar 1-0-120, VA Jagadeesh 5-1-11-0
Dwayne Smith and Sachin Tendulkar provided the searing start that set Mumbai Indians on course for a second Champions League T20 final in three years, a final which will now be an all-IPL affair. Smith bludgeoned 59 from 38 as the pair made 90 together in 11 overs, in pursuit of T&T’s middling 153-5. Though the openers’ demise in the space of an over comprised a stutter, they had done enough to ensure the middle order could see out the
dangerous Sunil Narine, and complete a straightforward victory.
Nathan Coulter-Nile had earlier been instrumental in subduing T&T, who had their own blazing start courtesy of Evin Lewis’ 46-ball
62. Coulter-Nile conceded only 20 in his four overs, in which he also took one wicket, while both Kieron Pollard and Pragyan Ojha also took one apiece and gave away less than a run a ball in their three-over spells. (Cricinfo)
Trinidad & Tobago innings (20 overs maximum)
LMP Simmons c Smith b Harbhajan Singh 0 E Lewis c & b Pollard 62
DM Bravo st †Karthik b Ojha 14 KYG Ottley not out 41
D Ramdin*† b Johnson 9 N Pooran c Rayudu b CoulterNile 15
ND Stewart not out 2
Extras (lb-5, w-5) 10
Total (5 wickets; 20 overs) 153
Fall of wickets: 1-13 (Simmons, 1.4 ov), 2-61 (Bravo, 8.1 ov), 3-93 (Lewis, 13.1 ov), 4-111 (Ramdin, 15.3 ov), 5-148 (Pooran, 19.2 ov)
Bowling: MG Johnson 3-031-1 (2-w), Harbhajan Singh 4-0-35-1, R Dhawan 3-0-30-0 (1-w), NM Coulter-Nile 4-020-1 (1-w), KA Pollard 3-0-161 (1-w), PP Ojha 3-0-16-1
The national rugby sevens team faces the possibility of an early elimination from the North America and Caribbean Rugby Association (NACRA) Championships set for the Cayman Islands in November due to financial constraints.
President of the Guyana Football Rugby Union (GFRU) Peter Green revealed at a press briefing in the National Park on Saturday that due to the GRFU’s inability to pay down on tickets for the team they were unable to submit their flight schedule to NACRA on Friday, which was the deadline for submission.
“Our single problem right now that we are faced with is financial constraints; we haven’t been able to pay down a cent on the tickets and the deadline for the flight schedule was Friday gone and we are very worried that we might be axed from the tournament because of the flight schedule,” Green stated at the press briefing.
The budget for the men’s team, according to Green, came up to 6.4 million dollars, while the female team budget came up to 5.4 million dollars.
Green also noted that subsidies from NACRA were stopped due to the amount of teams entering the tour-
nament, which amounted to 15.
“NACRA would subsidise us, but due to the high entry of teams… 15 in all we have to find all the money up front and it is very critical that we take part this year if we are to participate in future international tournaments,” Green stressed.
Guyana will be grouped with Jamaica and Barbados for the NACRA championships providing they make it to the tournament and will have a new head coach in Canada’s Spencer Robinson who has already made programmes to guide the team until he meets with them for tactical training in November.
By Avenash Ramzan
Witnessed by another large turnout of teachers, parents and enthusiastic young students/footballers, the Courts Pee Wee Under-11 football competition continued on Saturday at the Banks DIH ground, Thirst Park, with nine teams ending the day in winner’s row.
All 24 schools were in action on day two of the competition, which has attracted the leading young school footballers in the Georgetown-based primary institutions.
It was not a goal spree by any stretch of imagination, as only 22 goals were scored as the goalkeepers had a good day between the uprights.
In the opening game, Teon Forde provided the winner in the 24th minute, as St Gabriel’s needled Stella Maris Primary 1-0.
Game two, which produced the most goals for a single match on the day, saw F.E. Pollard edging St Angela’s 3-2.
Dominick Fields (11th), Keyambo Jervis (22nd) and Cordell Charles (30th) were the goalscorers for F.E. Pollard, while Devon Haywood was on target for St Angela’s with a double in the 13th and 26th minutes.
East La Penitence secured the most comprehen-
The Enmore Community Centre Cricket Club (ECCCC) in partnership with the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GT&T) will bowl off its 35-over knockout cricket competition today with one game at the Enmore Community Centre ground.
The tournament was originally slated to commence last Sunday, but had to be pushed back by a week, due to heavy rainfall which erased any chance of play getting underway.
Hosts ECCCC will take on Mahaica in the opening
match with action set to bowl off at noon.
Six other teams are part of the competition, with the four winners from the first round advancing to the semi-finals.
The other games of the first round are Fairfield versus Duch Four, Cane Grove versus Helena and Perseverance versus Strathavon. These matches will be played during the coming weekends.
The competition, which is being organised by the ECCCC, is aimed at giving clubs from Enmore to Mahaica much needed competitive exposure.
The champion team will receive $30,000 and trophy, with the runnerup set to collect $20,000 and a trophy. Among the individual awards are trophies for the Man-of-theMatch in the final, most runs, most wickets and most catches.
The ECCCC squad reads: Bheemraj Ramkellawan (captain), Shiek Mohamed, Chetram Ramlall, Vishwanauth Ramlakhan, Mark Malone, Ranjeet Hiralall, Satesh Jainarine, M. Persaud, N. Persaud, N. Ganesh, D. Peters, N. Gobin, Javed Mohamed and S. Ali.
Keen competition is expected today when the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport (MCY&S) stages a one day volleyball competition in Berbice. The event will be held at the Port Mourant Community Centre ground, and is slated to commence at 10:00 hours.
According to organiser Omeshwar Sirikishun, six teams have already regis -
sive victory of the day, breezing past Redeemer Primary 3-0, on the back of goals from Leroy Yaw (ninth), Gabian Botters (25th) and Andre Hope (28th), while St Sidwell’s beat Winfer Garden 1-0 with a strike from Miguel Stall in the 23rd minute.
St Pius got a similar result against last year’s runner-up Tucville Primary, with Beveney Mark finding the back of the nets in the seventh minute.
A Jermin Padmore double (18th, 19th) accounted for St Ambrose’s goals in their 2-1 victory over Green Acres, whose consolation strike came off the boot of Rawle Williams in the 27th minute, while West Ruimveldt got the better of St Stephen’s Primary 3-1.
On target for West Ruimveldt were Leandre Gilbert (10th), Ryan Archer (13th) and Michael Oie (29th), with Jaiheim Taylor scoring for St Stephen’s in the 19th minute.
In the other games, Ketley and Success played to a nil-all draw, defending champions Marian Academy gained a walkover from Sophia, J.E. Burnham and South Ruimveldt failed to score in their drawn encounter, North Georgetown captured full points without breaking a sweat after West Field failed to turn up and Redeemer Primary gained a
walkover from Sophia. St Margaret’s and Enterprise played to a 2-2 stalemate, with Diego Britton (sixth) and David Scott (27th) scoring for St Margaret’s and Rashead Evans (ninth, 14th) netting for Enterprise.
Prizes At the end of the competition, which is a collaborative effort of Courts (Guyana) Inc., the Petra Organisation and Banks DIH Limited, the top four schools will receive a 32-inch television set each 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 will also be provided with two footballs each and playing bibs, compliments of the Petra Organisation. The champion school will also receive a complete set of uniforms. Under the tournament format, the teams have been divided into six groups of four teams, where they will contest a round-robin. The top two teams from each group, along with the four best third place finishers will advance to the Round of 16, after which the teams will battle for positions 1-16.
tered for the event. They are Port Mourant Training Centre One and Two, Port Mourant Jaguars, Port Mourant Invaders, Rollers and Albion United.
At stake will be trophies for the top two teams, while trophies will also be presented to the best setter, best spike, the first team to arrive and the best dressed team. Sirikishun said special prizes will also be given to the most disci -
plined team and most organised, and to the captain who displays the best leadership qualities. Teams are asked to turn up with their uniforms and balls. The one day competition is open to all teams, clubs, villages and organisations playing the game. Teams have up to the starting time to register. Interested teams can call Sirikishun on telephone numbers 627-5786.
By Rajiv Bisnauth
Bangladesh Under-19 team produced a disciplined effort to notch up a convincing 111-run victory over hosts Guyana in a
50-over warm-up game on Saturday at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground, Bourda.
The match was organised to give the tourists some practice ahead of their seven limited-over matches against
Bangladesh Innings
Sadman Islam Anik b Shameer 33
Joyraj Emon c Sankar b Shepherd 0
Nazmul Hasan Shanto c wkpr
Savory b Shameer 43
Mehedi Husan Miraj c Ramcharran b Greene 8
Mossadek Hossain Saikat c Sankar b Mohammed 75
Uddin Jashim not out 65
Yasir Ali Chowdhury Rabbi not out 07
Extras: (nb-2, w-6, lb-3) 11
Total: (for 5 wickets; 50 overs) 242
Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-79, 3-90, 4-95, 5-217
Bowling: Shepherd 8-0-541 (nb-2, w-2), Paul 4-0-170 (w-3), Ramcharran 10-233-0, Mohammed 4-0-21-1 (w-1), Shameer 10-2-36-2, Greene 6-0-26-1, Pereira 6-0-39-0, Sankar 2-0-13-0
Guyana innings
M. Pestano-Belle run out (Likhon) 14
R. Shun c Miraj b Nahid 27
R. Peters lbw b Rabbi 1
K. Yadram c Shanto b Rabbi 0
S. Ramcharran run out 33
K. Savory c Shanto b Miraj 11
R. Shepherd b Likhon 4
S. Pereira b Likhon 8
S. Shameer c Rabbi b Nehad 17
K. Paul not out 8
S. Persaud c wkpr Jashim b Likhon 4
Extras: (w-1, nb-1, b-2) 04
Total: (all out; 44.3 overs) 131
Fall of wickets: 1-25, 2-30, 3-30, 4-44, 5-63, 6-72, 7-93, 8-105, 9-122, 10-131
Bowling: Abu Haider Rony
6-2-13-0, Rabbi 6-0-19-2 (nb1), Nahid 4-0-12-1, Rahattul 6-0-23-0 (w-1), Miraj 3-0-121, Likhon 8.3-3-19-3, Nehad 7-2-22-1, Saikat 4-1-9-0
the West Indies Under-19, slated to begin on Monday in Guyana.
Led by a disciplined show by the bowlers, Bangladesh dismissed the Guyanese for 131 in 44.3 overs. Batting first, the visitors posed a challenging total of 242-5.
Half-centuries from Musaddek Hossain Saikat and Jashim Uddin guided the touring team to the respectable total after they suffered an early blow.
Joyraj Emon was dismissed in the first over by Romario Shepherd-DeJonge without scoring, but Sadman Islam Anite and Nazmul Hasan Shanto revived the innings in a measured second wicket stand of 77 runs.
However, off-spinner Shailendra Shameer struck when the stand was emerging, dismissing the dangerous looking Shanto for 43.
Skipper Mehedi Hasan Miraj contributed eight runs to the total, before he was skillfully caught by Martin Pestano Bell at cover off leftarm spinner Herry Green.
Shameer (2-36) completed
a fine spell with the wicket of Islam Anite (33), who dragged onto his stumps at 95-4, halfway through the innings. The innings then got a late boost from Saikat and Uddin through a fifth wicket stand of 122 runs.
Saikat slammed a top score of 75, inclusive of four boundaries and five sixes, while Uddin was left unbeaten on 65, with seven boundaries.
The Guyanese then lose the plot in their run chase
of 243 runs for victory when they kept losing wickets at regular intervals.
Sharaz Ramcharan (33), Ryan Shun (27), Shailendra Shameer (17), Martin Pestano Bell (14) and Kemol Savory (11) reached double-figures.
Spinner Zubair Hossain Likhon was the best bowler on show with 3-19. Yasir Ali Chowdhury also chipped in with two wickets for the visitors.
Bangladesh will play the West Indies junior team on
October 7 at the Guyana National Stadium; October 9 at Bourda, October 11 at Guyana National Stadium, October 14 at Everest, October 16 at the Guyana National Stadium, October 19 at Albion and October 21 at Everest.
The games for the Guyana National Stadium are day/ night fixtures and will start at 13:30 hours. The other games scheduled for Bourda, Albion and Everest will begin at 09:00 hours.
By Rajiv Bisnauth
Over 80 of the country’s top horses will be in action today when the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), stages its grand horse race meet at the Rising Sun Turf Club, Arima Park, West Coast Berbice.
The meet will be held in collaboration with Rising Sun Turf Club and is part of the ruling administration’s celebration to mark 21 years in power.
According to coordinator, Dennis DeRoop, 83 entries are confirmed for the nine-race card. Some of the top jockeys from Canada, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, U.S.A. and Barbados are expected to compete with their local counterparts from noon.
The organisers have also added a substantial amount of cash and other attractions
to the day’s activities, totaling over $8 million.
The feature race will be for horses classified A and Lower and they will run a mile for $1.5 million and the President’s Cup.
Other events billed for the day are the Three-year-old race for animals bred and born in Guyana and the West Indies for $600,000, over a distance
of one mile; the D3 and Lower race also carries a price tag of $600,000 and will run over 1100m.
The race for the F and Lower animals has a winning target of $500,000 with the animals covering a distance of 1400m; the Two-year-old race for Guyana bred horses and the Two-yearold race for West Indies bred horses will run for 1100m with the winners collecting $300,000 and $400,000 respectively.
The other two 1100m races are for the G3 and Lower and J and Lower animals. The winning tags for those races are $400,000 and $150,000 respectively. The final race of the day is for animals classified I and Lower for $200,000 over a distance of 1300m.
Race time is 12:30 hours and admission to the venue is $1000 for adults and $500 for children.