Fight racism with every ounce of P breath – Jagdeo urges youths
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– as PYO reflects on Dr Jagan’s life Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana Issue No. 2433 guyanatimesgy.com
THE BEACON OF TRUTH
March 15, 2015
PRICE
Chancellor maintains judicial backlog not unique to Guyana
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WHAT'S INSIDE:
PYO celebrates life of Cheddi P6 Jagan
Page 10
...father of the nation; inspirer of youths
APNU/AFC launches campaign in Linden ... 'busses' supporters from Georgetown
Rescheduling CXC, CAPE exams…
Education Ministry receives estimated P9 cost
Page 14
The motorcade leaving Square of the Revolution on Saturday heading to the mining town of Linden for the unity rally
AFC’s Ramayya Nabacalis still to apologise to man shot PPP/C’s Mustapha dead over old ...could be jailed for grievance contempt of Court Page 18
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Mahaicony farmer crushed to death in P15 Hururu Mother P16 pleads for help to keep son alive ...details struggle raising funds for urgent surgery
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NEWS
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BRIDGE OPENINGS
The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Sunday, March 15 – 12:30h-14:00h and Monday, March 16 – 13:30h-15:00h The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Sunday, March 15 – 11:55h-13:25h and Monday, March 16 – 13:05h-14:35h
FERRY SCHEDULE Parika and Supenaam departure 08:00h and 14:00h daily
WEATHER TODAY
Light rain showers can be expected throughout the day, with partly cloudy conditions in the early evening hours. Clear skies can be expected in the late evening over coastal regions and near inland locations. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees and 28 degrees Celsius. Winds: North-easterly between 4.47 metres and 6.25 metres per second. High Tide: 12:05h reaching a maximum height of 2.27 metres. Low Tide: 05:30h and 18:17h reaching minimum heights of 1.06 metres and 0.89 metre respectively.
Fight racism with every ounce of breath – Jagdeo urges youths – as PYO reflects on Dr Jagan’s life
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ormer President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo has urged a group of young people to stand up vociferously against racism and any other attempts to create division in Guyana. Speaking at an event 'Night of Reflection', organised by the Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO) to commemorate the life of the late Dr Cheddi Jagan, Jagdeo said to do this would be to live up to the philosophy on which the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) is formed under Dr Jagan’s stewardship. “We must fight it (racism) with every ounce of breath that we have and every drop of blood to ensure that this time they do not divide our people. They do not divide the people of this country. The country deserves better. We must condemn it every single day,” he passionately explaimed, referring to recent reports in the press about comments he made regarding the PPP/C and race. “That’s not what the PPP is about. The PPP is about people, progress, development, working together and changing this country.”
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Meanwhile, the former President made a swat at what he said was a ‘70’s mentality displayed by Presidential Candidate of the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change coalition, noting that Guyana needs 21st century leadership. “I wasn’t critical of Granger’s age when I spoke at Babu Jaan, but I was saying it is the nimbleness of the mind that matters most. And if you are stuck in a philosophy when everything you talk about is from the era that you have come from, and that you think that those solutions of the 70’s are relevant in a 21st century context. Different era, Granger! Totally, differ-
Former President Bharrat Jagdeo addressing PYO members and other young people at Red House
ent era!” The former President also reiterated the fact that those policies have failed. For him, the appointment of three Vice Presidents is an expression of ‘outdated’ thinking. “What are you going to do with all those VicePresidents, use them as bait to catch fish is the Demerara River?” he expressed, while questioning the rationale of the decision. According to Jagdeo, this is more an expression of ‘extravagance' than the claims levelled against the People’s Progressive Party today. At Babu Jaan, he had pointed to the fact that a government with three Vice Presidents was ripped right out of Burnham’s playbook, once again showing the ‘Burnhamistic’ mentality that Granger and the coalition espoused. “A party that is condemned to that kind of outlook can’t lead this country, cannot lead young people. We need a fresh philosophy,” he exclaimed. Jagdeo said the Opposition has no track record to run on and has settled for race based politics in an attempt to segregate the people of Guyana. He believes that the PPP/C has what it takes and has manifested this competence to lead Guyana on a
modern development path. It is for this reason that the Government in the last several years has placed emphasis information communication technology (ICT). “The PPP wants to ensure every Guyanese is connected to the World Wide Web and has access to a computer,” he noted.
Life blood
Addressing the young people, Jagdeo said his heart soars to see the scores of youth in the audience, referring to them as the party’s ‘life blood’. “You have to prepare yourselves to take over this party, guided by these philosophies that we are a party open to everyone, we are a party about progress, we are proud of our history, we are proud of our founding father, we are proud of where we want to take this country,” the former Head of State expressed. He encouraged the group to themselves for leadership in the future. “The only way you can prepare yourself for leadership in the future is if you make an effort. Be fearless, this country is free. Do not be afraid to contest people’s ideas. But
the only way you can contest it is if you are prepared, if you have the facts. If you know our history, you know the challenges; you know how we’ve responded to them… that’s the only way you’ll make a difference,” Jagdeo informed “So I expect all of you to be that change in Guyana. We have been the change. We continue to be the change and we will keep change alive on May 11,” Jagdeo said to a cheering crowd. In reflection, Jagdeo said his greatest achievement is having served as Finance Minister under Dr Jagan, a legend. Addressing the youths was PPP/C General Secretary Clement Rohee who described Dr Jagan as a man of incredible intelligence. Wanting to be much like him, Rohee recalls being encouraged to “apply yourself” in order to achieve that goal. This was the very message the long time politician left with those gathered on the lawns of the Red House. He encouraged them to read as much as possible, since this is the means of unlocking knowledge. In keeping with the theme of reflection, PYO Chairman Irfaan Ali described Jagan as a man of great intellect, simplicity and honour. He also stated that Jagan was never static in his thinking ad would have been proud of the PYO today as it comprises members from all strata of society. The hosted its ‘Night of Reflection’ on Friday on the lawns of the Red House focusing on the life and teachings of the ‘Father of the Nation. Also at the event were Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and PPP Member Shirley Edwards.
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SunDAY, march 15, 2015
Views
Sunday Editor: Michael Younge Tel: 225-5128, 231-0397, 226-9921, 226-2102, 223-7230 or 223-7231. Fax: 225-5134 Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com
Editorial
Disquiet on the Western Front
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s the Opposition continues to beat the drums of racial war following the unfortunate killing of Courtney CrumEwing, matters are hearing up on our western front with Venezuela. The situation is eerily reminiscent of the situation in the 1960s when riots were instigated in Georgetown. And out in the west, Venezuela suddenly decided that the 63-year-old Arbitral Award fixing our boundaries was "null and void" and suddenly started rattling sabres. Declassified documents now show that the US and its CIA were behind both actions, stemming from their fears of Castro spreading communism in the region – Jagan's PPP in Guyana and MIR in Venezuela. It was not a coincidence that Venezuelan Rómulo President Betancourt took on the Castroinspired communist revolutionary MIR and claimed Essequibo early in 1962. JFK had followed the 1959 visit of Castro to Venezuela with his in December 1961. At the time, many analysts speculated that the US acquiesced in the Venezuelan move as a second option in the event that the electoral "fiddling" by the British did not remove the leftist PPP Government. In the present, it would appear that the shoe is on the other foot. The US has been trying for more than a decade to dislodge the leftist Hugo Chávez and now his successor Maduro in Venezuela. They have supported the right-leaning Opposition in actions that range from a coup d'état to violent street protests that only last year claimed 43 lives. The Maduro Aadministration recently issued a statement claiming that the US is engaged in a "running coup" against it, with the latest action being the US declaration that Venezuela presents a "security threat" to its interest and using a recently enacted law to impose sanctions against seven Venezuelan officials. From a Guyanese perspective, the Chávez Administration and his successor, proved to be a boon. The border controversy since 1962 had become part of the Venezuelan folklore and raises serious nationalistic passions there which cannot be ignored by any administration. Chávez and Maduro, however, downplayed its practical relevance and unlike administrations in the 1970s, did not raise objections to the hydro-power development at Amaila Falls in which the IDB was involved. In 2009, then President Bharrat Jagdeo signed an agreement with Chávez in which Guyanese rice and paddy are essentially bartered for oil under the already concessionary PetroCaribe Initiative. Following the Treaty of Geneva in 1966, several mechanisms had failed to find the "practical and satisfactory solution" as stipulated by its terms, and ended up in 1989 with the UN Secretary General "good offices" to facilitate forward movement. There it hung like a sword of Damocles over Guyana, notwithstanding the good intentions of Chávez and Maduro. The Venezuelan Opposition has consistently accused them of being "soft" on the border controversy, to which they have to periodically respond. It would appear that through a confluence of forces, matters may be coming to a head. In October 2013, the Venezuelan navy had seized an oil research vessel owned by a US company in waters off Essequibo. While the original border controversy was land-based, this had implications for sea boundaries and both countries maintained the area was theirs. A subsequent agreement by the Foreign Ministers of the two countries to settle the demarcation question was never consummated. The arrival this month of an oil drilling ship by the US firm EXXON off the Essequibo Coast had the Venezuelan Government sending a protest note to the company, which replied that they were operating on behalf of the Guyana Government. The Guyana Government quickly issued a note verbale to Venezuela and this has now elicited Venezuelan ads in the local press stressing their position on the issue and a reiteration of its position by Guyana. We support our Government's recent signal that the controversy may be moved from the UN good offices towards a judicial settlement to achieve finality.
Blessings from above! The clouds start to give way to the sun over the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception on Brickdam, Georgetown (Shantanand Anude photo)
Granger needs to come clean Dear Editor, I want to congratulate the PPP/C on the launching of its 2015 elections campaign. I am sure that as the political parties contesting the elections begin their countrywide campaign, the Guyanese people will have the opportunity to hear and see for themselves which party is best suited to run the affairs of the country in the best interest of all Guyanese. There will be a smear campaigns by the Opposition coalition. The camouflaged APNU+AFC will buy votes as to gain power. The coalition’s empty promises that they bring to the campaign is nothing new to the people and has no basiss.
Condemning the massive progress made by the PPP/C Government and not showing the Guyanese people how they intend to deliver on their promises is like giving a basket to fetch water. Well, the Guyanese people went down that road before under the PNC. Guyanese had suffered decades of injustice under the same PNC regime which is now trying to paint it’s face in a different color, but the distinguishing marks are still visible on all of them. David Granger needs to come clean to the Guyanese people. Guyana needs a leader with integrity and if Mr Granger at the bottom of his toes believes that he has
any of that, then he should be man enough to submit himself and testify to the Walter Rodney COI. But Mr Granger knows that doing so will open a can of worms and derail any chances of him becoming Guyana’s next President. I don’t think anyone needs to be reminded that it was Mr Granger who was in control of the army when Guyanese people were deprived of free and fair elections. It was under Granger that army weapons disappeared and ended up in the hands of PNC thugs, and it was under the same Mr Granger’s watch that the army was sent to seize ballot boxes, destroyed them, and then produced fake box-
es with fictitious ballots all in favour of the same PNC (APNU+AFC) for which Mr Granger is now the Presidential Candidate. Guyana and Guyanese have come a far way and do not need to backpedal, as the campaign picks up steam and the heat that will be emanating from the PPP/C melts away the masks from the faces of APNU+AFC. The people will see that it’s the same old PNC which wants to be at the control and take Guyana back to the old days. Let’s not fall for the fake promises. We must preserve what we have, and remember “a bird in hand is worth millions in the bush". Suresh Silas
Crum-Ewing’s death needs widespread civic response Dear Editor, The shooting to death of Courtney Crum-Ewing on the night of March 10 has sent a shock-wave through the Guyanese society, finetuned as it is to detect political violence. Had he been physically attacked and his loud-hailer thrown into the trench, the matter would have caused a tremor, condemned as the work of lowlevel party zealots. His assassination is another matter, challenging all Guyanese who believe in the right topeacefully express their opinions. The perception of killing as a political act is encouraged by the fact that at the time of his death, Mr CrumEwing was using a loud-
hailer in the Diamond community on the East Bank Demerara, exhorting people to come out and vote in the upcoming general elections of May 11. Moreover, Crum-Ewing had come to the attention of the public in recent months by virtue of his 80-day oneman vigil, calling for the resignation of the AttorneyGeneral. The murder has provoked extensive disgust because Crum-Ewing’s political activism, while singular, reflected widespread public repugnance over constant revelations of political sleaze, corruption and drugtrafficking. Mr Crum-Ewing was murdered because he took
freedom of expression seriously. When his persistent calls for the resignation of the Attorney-General extended to exhorting others to also express themselves freely by casting their ballots. Those who felt threatened were provoked to murder. All of which reveals dangerous levels of political intolerance at large in the society. The murder of CrumEwing might also be seen as the beginning of a process of manipulating ethnic insecurity aimed at people voting for race, rather than for their political convictions. These tactics have distorted Guyanese elections for the past 60 years. For the above reasons,
the murder of Mr CrumEwing must be met with public condemnation from all corners of the society. Civic, business and religious opinion needs to find its voice again. However, all expressions of disgust and condemnation should respect the spirit which imbued the actions of Courtney Crum-Ewing, namely passionate, but also peaceful and non-violent. Expressing ourselves freely is the only way to establish and protect freedom of expression: it cannot be gifted, authorized or need permission from others. Guyana Human Rights Association
NEWS
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Rigged elections – Part 4 (1980 and 1985)
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ollowing the death of Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham in August 1985, his successor Desmond Hoyte instituted certain changes in the electoral process – overseas voting was virtually abolished, proxy voting was restricted and postal voting was abolished. These reforms taken at face value can be mistaken that the PNC will now embark on the process of a free and fair election. However, it is critical to understand these measures within the context of the realisation that 1973 overseas voting, proxy voting and postal voting had not been necessary for the PNC to create elections result of their choice. In a memorandum of the Patriotic Coalition for Democracy (PCD) highlighted that: “The institutionalisation of the seizure of the ballot by the security forces and the secrecy of their safe keeping for many hours before the start of the official count has relegated list rigging and other practices, such as multiple voting, from the status of essential measures to that of being merely convenience. This explains why the Government has consistently refused to agree to the counting of ballots at the place of poll immediately after the end of polling, which had been demanded since the rigged 1968 election, and which was included in the list of electoral reforms in a letter of Dr Cheddi Jagan of February 26, 1985 to the then Prime Minister Desmond Hoyte and in a subsequent letter of November 13, 1985 sent to the elections commission by Dr Jagan.”
Manipulation
It is instructive to note that Desmond Hoyte dismissed the proposal as a “red herring and an irrelevance” and as something that is logistically difficult and unacceptable. The PNC deliberately subverted the powers of the Elections Commission and they were also orchestrated actions by the Government to frustrate the Opposition parties. It was impossible for Opposition monitors to determine whether multiple voting by members of the security forces occurred as voters list for the security forces not list of proxies were not supplied to the Opposition parties. The padding of the voters list was concentrated in the supplementary list
People were concerned about the rise in prices of essential goods
which amounted to approximately 44,000 names. Supplementary lists totaling 17,000 for nine of the 10 regions were given to the PPP on December
meddlers by the PNC. The PCD writes that the December 9, 1985 election contrary to the hopes of many Guyanese did not reveal any departure from
were very visible in intimidating voters and eventually seizing polls of the ballot boxes when the poll closed. There was an incident at Haslington (which receive some international publicity) was of such seriousness that British journalist Anthony Jenkins thought he was ‘in danger of being lynched’ when he and Dr Cheddi Jagan were mobbed by gun toting PNC thugs. Because of the forceful ejection of many Opposition polling agents from polling stations, the PPP announced at 17:00h that it was withdrawing from taking any further parts in the elections. It was not until December 12, 1985 three days after elections the final results was announced, according to these results
Citizens protest for free and fair elections
8, 1985; one day before election. But the supplementary list for Region Four totalling 27,000 was not supplied thus the Opposition parties had no opportunity to check these names for errors.
International observers
The PNC strategy was to take full control of the electoral machinery as they did in 1968, 1973 and 1980. Its planned strategy included the expulsion of polling agents and the stuffing of ballot boxes with fictitious ballots and the intervention of the military. Desmond Hoyte and the PNC Government refused to allow an international team of observers drawn from the International Commission of Jurist, The America’s Watch and the British Parliamentary Human Rights Group to visit Guyana for the election. The Caribbean Council of Churches was also not allowed to observe the election. Its Secretary General was abused and this body was referred to as foreign
the patterns of behaviour from the 1973 and 1980. The Army was out again in full battle array seizing boxes in many parts of the country particularly in the rural areas. Thugs once more had the run of polling stations in urban areas and at some places in the country side as well. Countless violation occurred in and around the polling station which were at worst committed and at best ignored at elections officials and the Police. The boxes once again vanished into the secret backrooms for many hours. One can go on and on, indeed the 1985 elections were in many ways even worse. Very early on voting day many presiding officers all of whom were PNC activist began ejecting Opposition polling agents from the polling stations. Armed thugs were also assisting in throwing out Opposition agents. Most of the ejections occurred in the rural Opposition stronghold and on the other hand the armed forces
294,801 or 73.8 per cent of the electorate turned out to cast their ballots. The PNC announced a massive landslide victory with 228,718 or 77.6 per cent of the vote cast. The result of the election (an official vote of 228,718 for the PNC on an official turnout of 294,801 of registered voters) has in Guyana been claimed as fair and free by the PNC but totally rejected as fraudulent by a wide cross section of Guyanese opinion. The Bishops of the Catholic and Anglican Churches along with other representatives of trade unions, the Bar Association and the Human Rights Association expressed their “profound disappointment” over the way (the) 1985 election were held and recorded that “… the familiar and sordid catalogue of widespread disenfranchisement, multiple voting, ejection of polling agents, threats, intimidation, violence and collusion by Police and Army personnel characterised the poll…”
AFC’s Ramayya still to apologise to PPP/C’s Mustapha ...could be jailed for contempt of Court
PPP/C Executive Secretary Zulfikar Mustapha
AFC Executive member Veersammy Ramayya
By Andrew Carmichael
each word correctly, much as a primary school teacher will do with a slow student. What he was to read was headlined "Apology" and read as follows: "On a television program aired on November 19, 2011 I Veersammy Ramayya, Executive member of the AFC (Alliance For Change) alleged that Zulfikar Mustapha who was Regional Chairman for Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) at the time and a prominent member of the PPP/C, was corrupt and dishonest. "I Veersammy Ramayya unreservedly hereby withdraw all implications made by me on the character, conduct and good name of Mr Zulfikar Mustapha. "I acknowledge that the statements made where holy unfounded. I which to express my deepest regret to Mr Zulfikar Mustapha and wish to apologise to him and family, friends, the Regional Administration of Region Six and the RDC (Regional democratic Council) and for any embarrassment which this may have caused him.” However, the Kaieteur News in an article dated March 15 and under the headline "AFC Ramayya publicly apologises to PPP/C Executive", referred to what Ramayya said on air as carrying out the Judge’s order. The article loosely said, "As mandated by the High Court in Berbice, Alliance for Change (AFC) Parliamentarian and Executive Member, Dr Veerasammy Ramayya, issued a public apology on the live television on Saturday evening on Dave’s Television Channel Eight." Meanwhile, Mustapha said that Ramayya has not complied and neither he nor his family have been apologised to. He also said that Ramayya has not paid the sum of $250,000 to Mustapha, which the politician says he will donate to charity. Legal sources close to Mustapha says that they will be filing contempt proceedings during this week. The source noted that even if Ramayya went on air last night and did what he was ordered to do, he will still be in contempt because he had seven days to make the apology and to pay the money and this he failed to comply with.
I
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was ordered by the court, and I am not very comfortable with what I have to do or say. On behalf of myself and TV Station, we want to apologise to Zulfi Mustapha for the allegation that was made on this television programme. So that ends the episode with a very big full stop.” Those were sentiments expressed by AFC Executive, Veersammy Ramayya as he commenced a television programme aired on March 7. He made that statement after he was ordered by the court to publicly apologise by reading a specific crafted statement by the court to Executive Secretary of the People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Zulfikar Mustapha for libel in 2011. Sources close to Mustapha’s legal representatives say what was said on television was not an apology. Both Ramayya and the owner of the television station DTV-8 Gregory Rambarran were slapped with a libel lawsuit in 2012. The charges claim that Ramayya made libelous claims regarding Mustapha during the height of the elections campaign in 2011. The duo was represented by AFC Leader and Attorney Khemraj Ramjattan while Mustapha was represented by Attorney Adrian Anamaya before Justice Nareshwar Haranand at the New Amsterdam High Court. After losing the court case against Mustapha, Ramayya will have to publicly apologise via print and electronic media. He had seven days in which to do so. What was said on television on March 7, by Ramayya while speaking on the program, ‘Alliance on the Move’, is being deemed a Contempt of Court by sources close to Mustopha’s legal camp. “It was not what he was ordered to say on the television programme,” the source told this publication. Justice Nareshwar Haranand at the New Amsterdam High Court had given Ramayya a printed copy of what he was to say on television, and at the High court in New Amsterdam had him read it several times, ensuring that he pronounced
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Foundation
Informed consent
“He is not deemed to give consent who is under a mistake” – Anon
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Anu Dev
very day, at some point, we usually have to make decisions – whether it’s a decision about what we’ll wear, or what we’ll eat or what TV show we should start binge-watching. And despite those being seemingly not very ‘serious’ decisions, most of us still take time to weigh our options and make a decision based on all of the facts we have at our disposal. IMDB anyone? Basically, what I’m getting at is that we all like to have all of the facts before we make a decision or commit to something – that’s just being rational. But there’s one area in our lives that many times, we’re kind of shoe-horned into making decisions without having all the facts, or understanding all of the facts. And those are decisions that we make when we come into contact with the
guyanatimesgy.com
medical profession: when the question might literally be one of life and death. One of the things that I've noticed when I've gone to hospitals (as a patient), doctors often don’t take the time to explain fully to their patients exactly what’s wrong with them and precisely why they’re suggesting a particular method of treatment. In the little that I've heard about conditions in the US, there's much more sharing of information there. And it’s extremely ironic that it’s the area of our life that’s the most “lifeor-death” that we’re the least informed about when making decisions. Can we still call them "consent"? I wonder, if we’re just going along with what the doctor decides? For consent to be valid it must be "informed consent" and we have a big role to play in "informed consent" also. Think about it, "informed consent" must be given voluntarily (with no coercion or deceit), by an individual who has capacity and by an individual who has been fully informed about the issue. Interestingly what we're being taught at school is
that obtaining informed consent is a legal and ethical necessity before treating a patient. It derives from the principle of autonomy – one of the four pillars of medical ethics: Autonomy, Beneficence, Non-maleficence and Equality. The ethical principle of autonomy requires that patients should accept or reject treatment based on a true understanding of their situation and on their personal philosophy. But numerous studies have suggested that patients are giving consent based on misconceptions. There is a failure of communication: doctors are not doing a good job of providing accurate information and/or patients are failing to process that information. I suspect it is a combination of both.
While "informed consent" is great...how many of us can digest what the doctor might be talking about?
So it’s important to trust your doctor – they’ve take an oath to ‘do no harm’ (principle of Nonmaleficence) to their patient so their decisions aren't made to hurt pa-
tients, but rather to help them. But at the same time, many times there’s more than one way to go about helping the patient. A surgeon might be more likely to recommend a surgical intervention – not because they want to cut you open and make money off of you, but because that’s their specialty and those interventions are what they know work. A medical doctor would probably suggest going a more medical route, treating the patient with drugs. Second opinions can help in this area. As a patient, you have the right to ‘informed consent’ which means that if you need treatment, your healthcare provider must give you the information you need to make a decision. You shouldn’t have to blindly go along with treatment – you have a right to know exactly what it is you are agreeing to. Consent means nothing if the patient doesn’t know what they’re giving permission for. It’s like those times kids try to get their parents to sign a blank piece of paper so that they can write an excuse to their teacher for missing school.
PYO celebrates life of Cheddi Jagan ... father of nation; an inspiration to youths
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds stands with Former President Bharrat Jagdeo and PPP/C General Secretary Clement Rohee moments after being recognised by the PYO at Red House, Kingston
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utgoing Prime Minister Samuel Hinds has been recognised for the significant contribution he has made to Guyana’s advancement by the Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO). In a moving and ceremonial expression, the youth of the party with which Hinds had joined forces in 1992, handed over a plaque as he attended the group’s Night of Reflection in memory of the late Dr Cheddi Jagan Friday evening. PYO Chairman, Irfaan Ali labelled Prime Minister Hinds a man of dignity and honour who is deserving of recognition for the sterling contribution to Guyana. “Your hard work and commitment to Guyana and the mining town of Linden remain vibrant today as the day you joined Comrade Jagan on the Journey to progress and development,” expressed Ali. Ali said the youth arm and by extension the party has great appreciation for Hinds’ 22 years of public service with honesty and decency. “Your solid contri-
bution will serve as a monument of your sacrifices,” read the plaque. In brief remarks, the outgoing Prime Minister said while he is not looking for honours, when it comes he is greatly appreciative. He encouraged the youthful audience to take up the challenge of building Guyana on the backs of those who came before. Hinds, an Engineer has served as Prime Minister since 1992 and briefly as President in 1997. Prior to this Hinds worked for Alcan, as the head of Chemical Engineering. By education, Hinds is a licensed and qualified Chemical Engineer, having graduated from the University of New Brunswick. Recently, the People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) announced a new Prime Ministerial Candidate in the person of Elisabeth Harper, a candidacy Hinds has supported. Harper, a Career Diplomat will run alongside Donald Ramotar when the PPP/C contests the May 11 General and Regional Elections.
NEWS
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Plaisance home Bauxite industry firmly on its gutted by early feet again – President ... at commissioning of RUSAL’s Kurubuka mines morning fire A
The completely razed house after the blaze on Saturday morning
A
s a Plaisance family morns the death of a loved one, a fire suspected to be electrical in origin completed razed their home on Saturday morning. The fire reportedly started in one of the bedrooms of the Lot 102 Prince William Street, Plaisance, East Coast Demerara home leaving little time for the lone occupant of the house at the time to salvage any household items. The fire came at a time when the family was preparing for the funeral of Charlie Pickette, the owner of the house. He reportedly died earlier in the week and was laid to rest on Saturday. When Guyana Times visited the scene, no one was at home as they were at the funeral service of the elderly man. This newspaper was told that the fire started at about 07:30h while the man’s niece,
Nonette was in the house but she managed to escape unhurt. Based on information gathered, the family held a wake on Friday evening that went into Saturday morning. Persons in the area recalled seeing smoke billowing from the upper flat of the house which quickly turned to flames. Neighbours reportedly formed a bucket brigade but the heat was too intense hence they were forced to retreat. The fire fighters, according to information, arrived at the scene about an hour after the blaze started, but by that time, the entire wooden structure was engulfed. While information is sketchy, this newspaper saw several illegal electricity connections leading to the building. The Police and the fire service have launched an investigation into the fire.
mid calls for the bauxite industry to be shut down, the People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration refused to go that route, and today, President Donald Ramotar says the industry is standing firmly on its own feet. The comments were made as the Head of State and other senior members of his Cabinet were at the commissioning ceremony for the Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc, Kurubuka Mining and Production Complex in Region 10. The Kurubuka mine is located immediately adjoining to the Berbice River. Among those who were present for the opening ceremony were Works Minister Robeson Benn, Minister within the Ministry of Finance Juan Edghill, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Robert Persaud, and others. The President said the event marks another milestone in the project of saving Guyana’s bauxite industry. “When we came to Government, many of you will recall that the industry was in a very bad state. At the time there were a lot of predictions from pundits and others that the industry was uneconomical, it should have been closed.” Amid these predictions and calls from various sections of society, President Ramotar said his administration insisted that it will not be closed. It was however, after a long and hard struggle, President Ramotar said, that Minister Robeson Benn and National Industrial and Commercial and Investment Limited’s (NICIL’s) Winston Brassington and others did all they could to save the industry and restore it to its glory.
President Donald Ramotar and Chief Executive Officer of RUSAL Vladislav Soloviev, Ministers Juan Edghill, Robeson Benn and Robert Persaud, and other officials during a tour of the facility
“Indeed it was these two gentlemen who journeyed to Russia to open discussion and to stimulate the interest of RUSAL in Guyana, and today we can say that the first part of the mission has been accomplished.” President Ramotar also expressed his pleasure of having RUSAL in Guyana as this also represents the strength and determination of the Russians. The President also spoke of Guyana being a small country, but still being able to make contribution to ensuring that history does not repeat itself. “… And one of the ways in which we see we can do this is by improving the economy, making life more prosperous and devel-
oping the different aspects of our life, we want to see that the wealth that is created in the country is shared by all the people of our country.” The Head of State added that this investment would certainly benefit riverain communities of Region 10 including Hururu, Kwakwani and others as the foundation is being set for a better life for all Guyanese. He also pointed out the importance of being able to sustain the quality of life for years to come. The possibility of adding value to bauxite was a topic of discussion between Government officials and RUSAL and the President noted that it is his hope that
this can be further explored. “I hope it will continue, that we can add value to the bauxite right here in Guyana that we can begin to think about moving once again to the production of aluminum. It has benefits for all of us, all of us will benefit – the investors and our country.” This move, the President said, will also allow the Government to offer more goods and services to its people. RUSAL was lauded by the Head of State for this bold step, having shown such confidence in Guyana’s economy. He stated that he will be looking forward to working closely with Russia in other areas. turn to page 15
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Granger to scrap Rodney CoI if he becomes President BY ALEXIS RODNEY
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pposition Leader, David Granger says he would consider scrapping the investigations into the death of renowned Guyanese Historian, Water Rodney should he be successful in becoming Guyana’s President after the May 11 elections. Granger, who is the Presidential Candidate for the Opposition coalition, made the statement during an invited comment on the work and progress of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) which was set up by President Donald Ramotar to bring closure to the concerns over the manner in which Dr Rodney died and who was actually responsible for his death. Granger told Guyana Times that it is unlikely that his Administration would support the continuation of the inquiry set up by
Eyew tness
Venomous... A
Commissioners attached to the Rodney CoI take notes during testimony
President Ramotar, since almost a year into it, “no one has become the more wiser”. Granger alleged the investigation, which commenced last April, has so far failed to achieve its objective of determining who was responsible for the death of the historian. Rodney was killed on the evening of June 13, 1980 when an explosive device, said to have been planted in a ‘walkie talkie’ exploded in
his lap. He said the investigation has been ongoing for close to a year and the information coming from witnesses have no evidential basis. According to him, there is only one known witness to the explosion, continuing that the senior Police Officer, who had carried out the investigation, Cecil “Skip” Roberts, although he had come into the country, was not given the opportunity to
testify. The Opposition Leader contended that over US$1 million have already been expended during the investigations; however there still has not been any headway. At the commencement of the investigation last year, the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) had raised several objections including concerns about sections of the Terms of Reference. turn to page 14
...reptile
rizona is home to the Gila Monster – it's pronounced "hee-law" – but it's nature is anything but "hee-haw", which its name may suggest. It's a tubby, multicoloured lizard with beady eyes – but most pertinently, it's the only poisonous lizard in the US. Arizona's also home to David Hinds. This Eyewitness won't make comparisons on physical characteristics – too odious – but would draw attention to the recent warning issued by the Police on Hinds' poisonous pen. Hinds' been living and teaching African Studies going on for some 20+ years in Arizona. But even though the State's one of the most racist in the entire United States on race relations, immigrants – going so far as even prohibiting critical race studies, a part of Hinds' curriculum – the wanker has uttered nary a squeak. What he's done, like the Gila Monster, is to slink out every now and then (in his case – school breaks) to unleash his racist poison pen in Guyana. For years he went on and on about "African marginalisation" by the PPP/C here. But when confronted with facts, conceded sheepishly that whatever "marginalisation" African Guyanese experienced had to do more with internal structural factors rather than PPP/C actions as he'd initially claimed. But by then damage had been done: to ordinary African Guyanese the PPP/C was at the root of all his problems. We fast forward to the present – and leave for another day all his other racist provocations – to his present warning from the law. Seizing the unfortunate murder of Courtney Crum-Ewing to continue his racist slanders, he immediately wrote to the press: "The PPP, already with the blood of the Linden martyrs on its hands, have now claimed another innocent victim." Now the reference to Linden shows how Hinds can twist the truth. There, a Commission of Inquiry demanded by the Opposition declared – after evidence by a ballistic expert supplied by Hinds' co-conspirator Nigel Hughes – that the Police weren't responsible for the shootings – much less the PPP/C!! Hughes tried every which way to show Minister Rohee was "directing" the Police action – and was embarrassed in the refutation of his wild claim. But here you have Hinds blaming the PPP/C for the Linden deaths – and with the same absolute absence of evidence doing the same for Crum-Ewing's murder. What the Police did, in fact, was to call him in Arizona to ask what evidence he had for this assertion. Conceding he had none he was warned that he was engaged in incitement to violence – a crime in Guyana. But we all know that Hinds won't stop – until the Opposition seizes power. By any means necessary – including racial riots.
...on race
But Hinds' call to action against the PPP/C wasn't just a incitement to violence – it was incitement to RACIAL violence. Hinds makes his argument by leaping across some formidable logical chasms. He claimed former President Jagdeo’s comment to his successor Ramotar's response to the Opposition's obstructionism – he should've "kicked some asses" – provided the context for political violence! But suddenly Hinds segues from "political violence" to "racial violence". "When this (Jagdeo's comment) is coupled with the clearly expressed ethnic identity of the PPP/C, the battle lines around the upcoming elections are clearly drawn." The PPP/C's "ethnic identity" of course, is "Indian" and the violence for Hinds thus becomes "Indians killing Africans". Therefore, he says, "I am compelled to appeal to African Guyanese, in this moment of murder, the murder of another Black brother, to remain focused. Let us not be drawn into any form of ethnic revenge or tit for tat....Let us not touch one East Indian man, woman or child". But for Indians, "responsibility for Crum Ewing’s murder" will be theirs unless they "join us on May 11 to deliver our country from the depths". No guilty race??
...tit for tat
Crum-Ewing's funeral is scheduled for Wednesday. There will be a viewing at Parade Grounds in the city. After Hinds, the fire next time?
NEWS
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Guyanese vote “race” – Henry Jeffrey ... but media should not exploit issue – Ramotar
P
olitical Commentator, Dr Henry Jeffrey says Guyana’s elections are essentially determined by ethnic loyalties and politicians must not shy away from raising the issue responsibly on the campaign trail, with a view of fighting it. Dr Jeffrey, who is a former Government Minister, said that political parties must come up with plans and workable mechanisms to fight all forms of racism as they continue to take an anti-racist stance on the campaign trail. He opined that the issue of racism in Guyana is not a “new” phenomenon but has been recognised since the early 1950’s. He said the political parties want to keep their own supporters, but are still seeking to grab from the other. To be successful, he said, they must advocate for peace, and seek to encourage the electorate to fight against racism. Jeffrey’s comments come after concern was raised by the Opposition coalition group APNU+AFC after the
Kaieteur News misreported claims by former President Bharrat Jagdeo at Babu Jaan last weekend. Jagdeo had said the Opposition was “whispering” to its supporters “let us throw out these coolie people”, but the Kaieteur news turned this on its head and reported that Jagdeo said “PPP is a coolie party”.
Ramotar’s plan
They also come on the heels of a commitment given by incumbent President Donald Ramotar that his new Government will be pursuing all the possible avenues to prevent media houses and their representatives from spewing racism and hate messages to the public. It was obvious that the Kaieteur News blatant misrepresentation on race triggered his riposte. The Head of State, in an interview on Thursday, blasted sections of the media, whom he said are bent on dividing the country through racial incitement. He said should his administration get back into office after the
May 11 Regional and General Elections, it will strengthen laws and explore every legal mechanism to address the ongoing excesses. “I think we will need to look at what measures need to be put in place from a legal and moral point of view to try to prevent persons from distortion and lies and deal with the abuses that have been taking place and the incitement of racism”, Ramotar told a group of Journalists at the Office of the President. The Head of State, who was at the time addressing the issue of racism, said that while the Constitution provides for the freedom of expression, persons have no right to abuse that privilege. “While you have a right, you don’t have a right to incite violence, you don’t have a right to preach racism, you don’t have a right to practice racism in this country. People don’t have that right”, The President stressed. He said if someone tries to persistently create problems among the people of dif-
ferent origins in the country, then they do not deserve to have that media outlet. “So we will be examining this and seeking out what are the best practices and see legally what are the best practices other countries use to prevent this type of abuse and see if it could be implemented here and also study our situation to see what could be done here”. Meanwhile, the President told Journalists that his Administration has always had a non-racial policy and has been focused on improving the economic and social conditions of all Guyanese, regardless of race. According to him, the party, since its formation under former President, Dr Cheddi Jagan, has always taken a position against the hostility racism evokes. He said the party was founded as a national political body and has never had any policy which favoured one race at the expense of another. He said while the party may be guilty of fighting
a little more for Guyanese of Amerindian origins, it is his Administration’s overall policy to advance the cause of every citizen. “The PPP was founded as a national party and has remained a national party. It never had any policy that favors one race at the expense of another. We do have a programme to try to give some priority to the native Amerindian because that community has been left back by colonialism and the last PNC regime. According to him, the country back in the 1960’s has had a swelling crisis over racism, recalling that there were even clashes within the party. “We had quite a bit of racial clashes during that time, but even in those circumstances our party came out in the fight against racism. The party had a minor split after the 1964 elections because there was a body of views of some people that the party should continue to fight against the PNC regime that had taken the line of colonialism”.
He said Dr Jagan had however concluded by then that the independent struggle against racism had deteriorated into clashes, noting that if party executives had heeded to the request on those divided “we would have been much more difficult to bring back racial and national unity in our society”. Weeks after leaving office in 1965, Dr Jagan had begun writing extensively on the issue of racism and its nasty effects. “He wrote an article to the PPP supporters, condemning racism completely and which he declared that anyone who practices racism will not only an enemy of the country and the enemy of the himself”. And in April of the same year, he again wrote an article where he wrote against racism, now that is the party I came from, the party of which I have been the general secretary of for some 16 years, that is the tradition and direction we have followed”, Ramotar said.
Rescheduling CXC, CAPE exams…
Education Ministry receives estimated cost
T
he Education Ministry has received the estimated cost of the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) Examinations: Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE). This was confirmed by Education Minister Priya Manickchand who said only a provisional for the rescheduled examination was received and not the final confirmed cost. Minister Manickchand de-
Education Minister Priya Manickchand, CXC Registrar Glenroy Cumberbatch and Chief Education Officer Olato Sam engage Guyana Times Reporter Devina Samaroo during a media encounter
clined to disclose the amount when questioned by Guyana Times on Friday. “We’re in the process of the working out the details with CXC… there are some provisional costs so far but I wouldn’t want to disclose as yet,” the Minister told this publication on Friday last. The examinations were rescheduled after it was realised that they clashed with the date for the General and Regional Elections on May 11. The examinations that were initially set for May 11
and 12 were rescheduled for June 15 and 16 respectively. Officials noted that the decision made was in keeping with the best interest of the students. It was reported that there were no other possible dates for elections that would not have clashed with one of the sittings for the CXC examinations. Manickchand explained that the Guyana Elections Commission had submitted a list of possible dates, all of which were schedules during the examination period, not-
ing that the clashing of dates was inevitable. Therefore, the only option available was to reschedule the CSEC and CAPE in Guyana. CXC Registrar Glenroy Cumberbatch explained that the Council wanted to provide students with the same conditions and environment for the sitting of their examination as any other candidate on any other day, and as such, allowing them to write their examinations on Elections Day would place them at a disadvantage.
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News
Chancellor maintains judicial backlog not unique to Guyana BY VAHNU MANIKCHAND
C
hancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Carl Singh is maintaining that the judicial backlog of cases, which continues to be an area of concern for rights groups and legal practitioners, is not unique to Guyana but is a phenomenon that is faced in several parts of the Caribbean, Latin America and further afield. Singh, speaking during an interview with the Guyana Times on Friday, said efforts are continuing to address the problems caused by the backlog and the backlog itself within the local justice system. He declared that there is no judicial system in the world without a backlog of cases. “The Chancellors before me had this situation and for decades to come; there will always be an accumulation of cases waiting to be heard. There is no court in the world where the courts are current – only hearing cases as fast as they are filed,” he noted. According to Justice Singh, there is nothing unusual about having cases waiting to be heard. He explained that the cases wait-
Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Carl Singh
ing to be heard, constitutes the backlog. In October last year, University of London Law Professor Jenny Hamilton had expressed similar views, stating that the challenges which arise as a result of having to deal with a backlog of cases in the judiciary and a relatively slow justice system are not unique to Guyana or the wider Caribbean. Speaking exclusively with this newspaper, Dr Hamilton said “I think this is an issue that is not peculiar to Guyana. It affects just about every other country in the world. In the United Kingdom, there are similar issues about access to justice, the speed of
the courts and there was a very influential reforms programme which commenced in the UK to address these”. But the acting Chancellor pointed out that Guyana has made significant inroads over the years as it relates to the rate of hearings and disposal, especially for criminal matters. He noted that judges work at a level pace according to their performance and capabilities but some display greater capacity to complete cases in record time than others. The backlog of criminal cases number hundreds. On the other hand, the Chancellor outlined that the backlog of civil cases stands somewhere around 3000 to 4000.
Dead cases
“The figure being previously was much more significant than that and one of the reasons for that was that we discovered that when we did a physical check, a greater number of the cases were dead and were never heard. They were there just lying in the system being considered a statistic, which contributed to what was perceived to have been this large number of cases in the civil jurisdiction,” he dis-
closed. Justice Singh told Guyana Times an assessment was done by the Registrar of the Supreme Court and it was found that from about 12,000 cases, only a mere 3000 were active cases or had the potential for hearings. “Roughly eight to nine thousand were dead and had to be weeded out of the system and the judges have a consistent programme of throwing them out,” he mentioned, while adding that there is an ongoing exercise that rid the judicial system of “dead” cases.
More judges needed
Asked whether there will be any special systems put in place to address this, Justice Singh opined that consideration will have to be placed on putting more judges to preside over the Criminal Assizes in order to make an appreciable and significant dent in the backlog of cases. At present, three judges preside over each Criminal Assizes Session in Demerara while one sits at both the Berbice and Essequibo sessions, since the backlog in those two districts are not as high as Demerara. “That is perhaps the answer, to have more judges to tackle the load because the judicial manpower is not there right now. The problem we have is that Government has increased the statutory complement of judges from 12 to 20 but the problem is we can’t appoint now because we don’t have the accommodation, that is courtrooms and chambers for the judges,” he explained. Additionally, he revealed that the judicial sector was given an amount of money to expand the High Court and create more accommodations and courtrooms so that more judges can be appointed. During 2014, some 140 criminal cases were disposed of by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Chambers; however, of this amount, only 103 cases received attention in court. The other 37 cases were nolle prosequi by the Chamber. Of these 103 cases, 75 were presented from the Demerara Assizes, from the Berbice Assizes and 13 from the Essequibo Assizes. There were 69 cases of murder, three cases for the offence of manslaughter, 14 cases for rape, four cases for rape of a child under 16 years, six cases for carnal knowledge of girl under 15, one case for the offence of sexual activity with a child family member and two cases for the offence of attempt to commit murder. The DDP Chambers succeeded in getting 30 convictions but there were some 54 acquittals, 10 hung juries, one quashed committal and two aborted trials.
Mrs Nagga Man
S
atiricus had just celebrated International Women’s Day with his wife, mother, daughters and sisters and was feeling very sensitive. He had cooked and served all the significant females in his life… and was quite in touch with his feminine side. So when he got back to his newspaper desk and saw how Nagga Man had been silenced since the marriage of the APANU and the KFC, he was furious. What was next?? Nagga wearing a veil?? Jeez this was the 21st Century!! Just because Nagga Man didn't get to be on top when the union was consummated shouldn't mean he couldn't have an opinion, no?? But Satiricus blamed the Rum Jhaat for Nagga Man's lowly position and being silenced. Rum Jhaat was so...yesterday...when it came to how "man and wife" were seen nowadays. Imagine Jhaat had proposed they give up their names when the marriage was consummated!! He wanted "Partnership Alliance National Trust - Yes!!" (PANTY!!). Nagga threw a fit!! People thought he had a problem with PANTY...but he loved PANTIES...it was just that he didn't want to give up his name. And so while he didn't to be on TOP, he got to keep his name. But as soon as the paper was signed - GrainJa ordered him to "shut yuh so and so mouth!!" Nagga Man had gasped! He didn't know GrainJa could speak like that - even though he had seen GrainJa in short pants at school in Whim. Since those days, Nagga Man (he was then called "Nagga Boy") had developed a crush on GrainJa. He moved out of Berbice to "town" the first chance he got, and started to "round up" his mouth when he spoke. That was why he had been so hurt when GrainJa rejected him to run the House and picked Trot Man. GrainJa had told him in private that it wasn't that he couldn't "round up" his mouth when speaking. That Nagga Man had picked up. But GrainJa just couldn't stand it when Nagga Man picked his nose and the rubbed it between his thumb and forefinger. Nagga Man had immediately started to work on this and had made so much progress. He didn't rub his boogers between his fingers anymore. But now Nagga Man saw that GrainJa was just like all those fishermen he knew from Whim - not only with cussing. They insisted they were "the boss" and the wife had to cook, clean and be quiet. Satiricus vowed to start a campaign: "Free Nagga!!"
Auto company launches promotion to win Mazda RX-8
The car that is up for grabs in this year’s “Deals on Wheels” promotion
A
lucky customer who shops at Tony’s Auto Spares (TAS) will have a chance to win a fully loaded RX8 motorcar in its second annual “Deals on Wheels” promotion. This was revealed by the company’s representative Troy Edmondson at the launch of the promotion on Saturday at its Le Ressouvenir, East Coast Demerara, head office. Edmondson explained that the promotion is part of TAS’ 25 years in business celebration and comes on the heels of last year’s promotion which saw a West Coast Demerara man winning a car worth $2.4 million. He further explained that the promotion which commenced on Saturday will
run until August 28 with the grand drawing which will see a lucky winner driving away with the motor car worth over $3 million. He explained that customers basically have to spend $8000 and will be eligible for a coupon to enter into the promotion. Apart from the grand prize, there will be 20 consolation prizes. The coupons for the promotion can be dropped off at any of the company’s two locations, Le Ressouvenir, East Coast Demerara or Light Street, Georgetown. Since its formation in 1991, Tony’s Auto Spares has grown into one of the leading wholesale/retailer of world renowned auto parts, tubes, tyres, and batteries in Guyana.
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SunDAY, march 15, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com
Help us fight social ills – Rohee urges CPGs – as 39th anniversary celebrations observed in Region Two
Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee is joined by other officials as he observes the march past by Community Policing Officers in Region Two BY INDRAWATTIE NATRAM
H
ome Affairs Minister, Clement Rohee has called on members of the Community Policing Group to work closely with the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and Government of Guyana fight the social ills that are weakening the moral and social fabric of their communities. Rohee was at the time delivering the feature address at a ceremony and rally organized to mark the 39th anniversary of Community Policing which was held on Saturday at the Anna Regina Community Centre ground in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam). The rally was held under the theme, “Community Policing: Supporting the fight Against Domestic Violence, Suicide and Promoting Road Safety” and attracted six divisions (A, B, C, D, E, and F) with more than 500 members from various administrative regions. Rohee along with Region Two Chairman, Parmanand Persaud and other officials observed the march past by the six participating divisions and their CPG members. The parade began at Reliance village and proceeded to the Anna Regina Community Centre ground. The parade was also joined by youth groups from the various community policing groups. The programme featured poems, calypso and addresses by various persons from the Community Policing
Groups. Minister Rohee said that domestic violence continues to rear its “ugly head” in the country as he urged community policing groups to exhibit a zero tolerance plan aimed at fighting the social ill. The Minister insisted that Guyana’s future depends on the adaptation of this posture which will deter perpetrators from engaging in such heinous acts. Meanwhile, he explained that the Community Policing Groups compliments Police Force, pointing out the force cannot execute its job alone. Rohee lauded the commitment shown by the Community Groups towards all aspects of their service explaining that they are setting a very good example for other like-minded groups to follow. “I want to thank and express our greatest satisfaction to all of you, today marks 39 years of positive achievement” Rohee said. In commending the efforts of the groups, Rohee said Guyana has the best and most organised, Community Policing Organisation in the region. During his address he pointed out the Government has invested millions of dollars on community policing as he admitted that there would be chaos if there were no Policing Groups. “I believe that community policing has a bright future in Guyana and as it grows then Guyana will continue to be prosperous” Rohee said. The Minister said that
Sergeant collapses, dies in Police Station
A
sergeant attached to the Imbamadai Police Station mysteriously collapsed and died on Saturday morning while performing duties at his post. The dead man has been identified as Conrad Richards of a nearby village in Imbamadai, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni). According to information received, the now dead Police Officer was
seen during Friday evening consuming alcohol with friends at a nearby shop. It was after he returned to his post that he collapsed and died. Guyana Times understands that Richards has been in the force for quite some time and was described as a heavy drinker. The Police Force has reportedly launched an investigation into the matter.
youths play an important role in community policing and called on the National community policing executive and divisional commanders to form more youth groups within the CPG.Deputy G Division Commander, Walter Stanton said that Community Policing Groups throughout of Guyana play an integral role in supporting the work of the GPF. Stanton said that the groups already help to build stronger partnerships with communities in fighting social ills but conceded that more can be done. The Deputy Commander said that Guyana Community Policing Group was formed in Guyana in 1976, under the late Commissioner, Henry Frazer. He said from 19762015 the need evolved for community involvement. Region Two has 33 active groups with 389 persons enrolled and Region
Two Chairman, Parmanand Persaud congratulated the groups for their years of achievement. The Regional Chairman
said from since 1992 the county of Essequibo has been developed tremendously thanking the present PPP/C Administration.
He said that the community policing groups are very important and commended the various groups for their excellent works.
Ranks of A Division Community Policing Group as they march through the streets in Region Two
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Younge’s Take
Sheer hypocrisy
O
n Tuesday evening, ex-GDF solider Courtney Crum-Ewing was shot dead in Diamond, East Bank Demerara, while he was reportedly urging Guyanese there to vote for the recently formed opposition coalition group. The Government reacted quickly and sternly condemned the shooting as it understood the opportunistic nature of the Opposition and the fact, that coalition group will stop at nothing to unseat the PPP/C even if it means using the shooting to whip up tensions both racial and political. As expected, the coalition group responded in fine style with Attorney at Law and AFC Executive Nigel Hughes alleging first on social media that Crum-Ewing’s murder was linked to politics. The APNU+AFC grouping then officially released a statement condemning the man’s murder in which for the first time it admitted that Crum-Ewing was being used to carry out activism work against the Government on their behalf. The statement said the grouping had “lost a tremendous asset and for many a good friend” before it sought to link the statements made by a top PPP/C Executive to the man’s death. After this, hiding behind the veil of concerned non-governmental and rights activist groups, the Opposition used its string of provocateurs and wanna-be independents such as Freddie Kissoon, Ruel Johnson, the Blue Caps and Mark Benschop to mount a vigil and protest in Ewing’s honour outside the Office of the AG. President Ramotar, understanding the politics being played by the Opposition grouping, immediately called a media briefing and further condemned Ewing’s killing while also instructing the Police to thoroughly probe the man’s death. Some very important points must be made because of the potential of this incident to spark violence, create unnecessary divisions in our society and engineer political unrests. There is a deliberate attempt being made by some politicians to paint a “dooms day” picture of the state of affairs in this country and the national security status quo to Guyanese within the Diaspora in the region and further afield. It is hypocritical of the David Granger-led Opposition grouping to even talk about seeking justice on behalf of Crum-Ewing when it could not find the time of day while he was alive to stand with him on the protest line. A closer look at Crum-Ewing’s Facebook posts on March 3, 2013 and January 11 this year will confirm his concerns about being abandoned and having to beg for support while he took a position against the Government. Some politicians have dubbed the former GDF Sslider as a “hero” and “martyr”, now that he is dead. They painted a picture that Crum-Ewing was a man who was struggling for a better Guyana and against the excesses of the State but fall short in telling the truth behind lifestyle he lived. Again, a glance of his social media profile who reveal that he was apparently engaged in promoting racial divisions in the country while promoting harm against key officials of the Government including the President. Posts between November 29, 2012 and February 27 this year confirm the extent of his hatred for the Government and the PPP/C. Guyanese must not allow themselves to be fooled by the Opposition propaganda that the man’s death was political unless those political parties have information that would that could prove so and stand the test of judicial scrutiny. This the elections season and while it is expected that politicians will make such statements, there must be a limit because of the harm and uneasiness that they generate which sometimes is lasting. The Police should be allowed to probe the man’s death fully without the pressure from politicians to steer their investigations in any particular direction. Until such time an initial probe is done, politicians should be careful about the statements they are making on the campaign trail and elsewhere as history is taking notes. Something is a mess here and someone is playing a game of Chinese checkers with the Guyanese people in the lead up to these elections.
Health Ministry recognises Diaspora’s contributions
H
ealth Minister, Dr Bheri Ramsarran has recognised the massive contributions of the Guyanese Diaspora towards the local health sector throughout the years. During his presentation at the simple ceremony to mark the remodeling and extension of the maternity ward of the Georgetown Public Hospital on Friday, the Minister not-
stated. He pointed out that various teams from the Diaspora have been accumulating their own resources to invest in the sector through various means. As a result, the Health Ministry has to establish a new system to achieve the dovetailing of the mushrooming support from the Diaspora with the already ex-
Health Minister, Dr Bheri Ramsarran
ed that it would be remiss of him to not acknowledge the Diaspora’s significant contributions towards the development of Guyana. “The Diaspora has matured over the years, the USA, Canada and the UK to a lesser extent, has responded fast and furious in the last few years,” Dr Ramsarran
isting local support. “We’ve had to ask the wider administration to give us an international desk to deal with all the offers… We had to set up a system to stop collisions,” the minister stated. In verifying his point, Dr Ramsarran, acknowledged the great work of Guyanese born Professor Narendra
Singh who heads the Guyana Help the Kids Foundation (GHKF). The organisation is working with the University of Guyana, the Ministry of Health and the Georgetown Public Hospital to develop a paediatric postgraduate residency programme. Additionally, they have raised funds in Canada to purchase equipment to open a 24-bed Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the GPHC. Dr Ramsarran noted that the GHKF is currently working on doing the same for all the regional hospitals in Guyana. This organisation has been able to help change the lives of countless of Guyanese children in their need for medical care. The Health Minister also emphasised the existence of many other patriotic Guyanese and other organisations that have been contributing heavily to ensure Guyana has more to offer to its people. “This job is not a job for any one partner. It’s not the job of the Ministry of Health alone…It’s everybody’s business,” he noted. In particular, Dr Ramsarran acknowledged the impressive work of the Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO) and the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA). In fact, he disclosed that UNFPA has decided to recruit more gynecologists to work at the GPHC.
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SunDAY, march 15, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com
APNU/AFC launches campaign in Linden ... 'busses' supporters from Georgetown
By Vahnu Manikchand
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cores of A Partnership National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) supporters gathered at the Square of the Revolution, Georgetown on Saturday to participate in the grand motorcade to Linden, where the coalition launched the “It Is Time” campaign with its first unity rally. Speaking to Guyana Times shortly before departing on the motorcade, APNU Executive Member, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine disclosed that the coalition decided to host the launch in Linden since the campaign is about healing and the mining town has had a lot of distresses, so it is the perfect location to start the “healing process”. “Our campaign is about healing. We want to heal the divisions of society and we are campaigning for a
Some APNU/AFC supporters who were 'bussed' into Linden for the coalition’s “It’s time” campaign launch Government of national unity and reconciliation. Guyana is crying out for reconciliation and peace, and we believe that the APNU campaign is aimed at healing the divisions of society and bringing people together with one national goal. This is our goal,” Roopnaraine stated.
In Linden, the rally was addressed by Opposition Leader David Granger, Prime Ministerial Candidate for the coalition Moses Nagamootoo, along with AFC Chairman Nigel Hughes and Chairman of Region 10 Sharma Solomon among others. There were also presentations and per-
formances by other persons. According to Dr Roopnaraine, ahead of the rally, the coalition members intended to talk about key matters that are worrisome to them and to the welfare of the Guyanese public. “Inevitably, we have to raise the issue of
the complete collapse of systems of accountability and systems of responsible financial management. These are the heart of the institutional crisis that we are facing and of course we will be raising all of that. We will be raising the general degradation and deterioration in the institutions around us and what plans we have for the revitalisation of these institutions,” Dr Roopnarine highlighted. In addition, the APNU Executive stated they will not only layout their intentions for the town and the country but will also listen to the people and what they need. He added too that in spite of the turnout, the unity rally in Linden will give direction to the rest of the coalition’s campaign. The Unity Caravan left the Square of Revolution around 15:00h with several bus loads of supporters.
Persons also joined the motorcade to the mining town with their private vehicles. Meanwhile, in Linden, two other motorcades departed from Wismar and Millie’s Hideout and assembled at the rally location. The Unity Rally, a first of a series of national rallies to come, was held at the Linden minibus park. Following this public launch, the APNU+AFC Coalition is expected to have a high energy and widely acclaimed official launch. Furthermore, the coalition will also be hosting national unity rallies in Essequibo, Berbice and Georgetown. Additionally, regional unity rallies will be held in all the 10 administrative regions. The rally in Berbice will be held on March 28; in Essequibo on April 4; and in Georgetown on April 7 and May 9.
$2.5M community kitchen, pavilion commissioned at Karawab
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The newly constructed Pavilion at Karawab
all administrative regions, as well as Hinterland communities. Speaking about the community kitchen, the Chairman said that the kitchen will serve as a hub where single mothers, school dropouts and other residents can be trained in a life skill programme, as well as to cook for the schools.
He called upon the village council to make full use of the facility, pointing out even catering can be done for special events. Toshao of the community, Kenrick Lewis expressed his gratitude to the relevant authorities for the projects. The Toshao said it is his desire for his community to be developed further.
esidents in Karawab, Upper Pomeroon River are now able to enjoy the same facilities as those available on the coastland after the Region Two Administration commissioned a state-of-the-art community kitchen and pavilion there. The community kitchen and pavilion cost $2.5 million and were commissioned by Regional Chairman for Region Two Parmanand Persaud. They were funded by the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry after it benefited from the Presidential Grant Programme. The community is located some 75 miles from Charity and Persaud said that the projects aim at improving the overall livelihoods of residents there and its youth populace. In addressing residents and school children, the Regional Chairman said the Ministry has embarked on a massive drive to promote sporting activities in
The new community kitchen constructed at Karawab, Upper Pomeroon River
Granger, during an interview with this publication had said the content is very much unfair and prejudicial as it suggests that persons within the disciplined forces at that time were involved in Rodney’s assassination. The APNU leader explained that the ToR should be primarily concerned with finding out the truth about Rodney’s intention during the time he died. Granger, the leader of the PNC, under whose administration Rodney was killed, is also seen as a key witness in the incident. It was widely alleged that then President Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham used GDF Sergeant Gregory Smith to hand Rodney a bomb which
exploded in his lap while he was sitting in a car outside the Camp Street Prison. But while denying this allegation, Granger said the establishment of the Rodney Inquiry might have very well be a political move by the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) to tarnish the reputation of the PNCR. The PPP/C, however, has been issuing calls on the opposition leader to cooperate with the investigation and had also urged the CoI to summon him to address the inquiry into Dr Walter Rodney’s murder. The party had said from all indications, Granger and the PNC must have a wealth of information that would be useful to the Commission’s
Granger to scrap...
from page 8
work. “The PNC and Granger should not be ashamed that their past record will be revealed to the hundreds of thousands of Guyanese, especially the youths of Guyana,” the PPP/C had said. The party said too that it is very concerned that the PNCR, while stating that it will not participate in the inquiry, is now going to all lengths to “discredit and disrupt the Commission from executing its constitutional mandate”. “The PNC continues to use their non-participation in drafting the Terms of Reference (ToRs) as a red herring for their non-participation in the Commission of Inquiry,” the PPP/C stated.
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Mahaicony farmer crushed to death in Hururu
Suspended GuySuCo Skeldon worker…
Colleagues hold vigil as worker’s house foreclosed A
Mahaicony farmer was crushed to death after he reportedly fell off a moving motor lorry on Friday in the mining community of Hururu, Region 10. The dead man has been identified as 49-year-old Lyndon Madray of Lot 15 Recess Mahaicony, Region Five, (Mahaica-Berbice). According to the Police, Madray was travelling in the tray of the lorry at 3 Miles, Hururu, when he reportedly fell off and was run
over by the vehicle. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Kwakwani Hospital. A sister of the dead man when contacted told Guyana Times that he left home on Thursday. He worked with one of his sister who operates a trucking business in the interior. The aggrieved sister could not say the circumstances surrounding the man’s death while noting that a brother has travelled up to the location to gather
information and make arrangements for his body to be transported to the city. The woman also stated that they would have received information about the death of her brother on Friday at about 13:00h. The father of eight would have been working in the interior for several years and was extremely careful hence his sudden death is shocking. The driver of the ‘low bed’ lorry was taken into police custody assisting with investigations.
Bauxite industry firmly on... from page 7
Some of the workers who were part of the vigil held in solidarity with Stephen Daniels By Andrew Carmichael
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orkers attached to the Skeldon, Corentyne Sugar Factory are demanding that the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) complies with a decision it took last year to reinstate sacked Mill Dock Operator Stephen Daniels. The workers who gathered outside the factory at Skeldon, Corentyne, Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) on Tuesday night, held a candle light vigil as they pressed for their demands to be met. The heightened action by the workers come in the wake of the sacked worker being thrown out of his house along with his family as a commercial bank foreclosed on his property. The sacked worker has been unable to pay his mortgage. On September 19, 2014, Daniels was dismissed by GuySuCo after an altercation with Estate Manager Davenarine Kumar. Workers backed by their union – Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) – took strike action which escalated and resulted in fire being set to approximately 34 hectares of un-ripened canes, after the estate refused to rescind on its decision. In the days that followed, other estates joined in on the strike calling for a proper investigation to be launched into the matter and for Daniels to be reinstated. On September 24, 2014, GuySuCo and GAWU signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Terms of Resumption for striking workers. The two parties agreed that the strike by workers attached to the Skeldon and Rosehall Estates will be called off immediately and that the dismissal of Stephen Daniels will be amended to suspension without pay until the end of either conciliation of arbitration.
Suspended Mill Dock Operator Stephen Daniels whose house was foreclosed
The following day, GuySuCo issued a letter to Daniels which was signed by the Corporation’s Human Resource Manager, Kim DeFreitas which said in part, “This letter therefore confirms that your dismissal has been recalled and you shall still remain off the job as suspension…” However on December 29, 2014, former Chief Labour Officer Mohamed Akeel ruled at the Arbitration Tribunal which was set up to resolve the dispute between GuySuCo and GAWU, that the worker would remain dismissed. On January 15, GAWU filed an ex-parte application by way of affidavit for an interim injunction to stop GuySuCo from dismissing Daniels as was determined following arbitration by Akeel. Both GuySuCo and Mohamed Akeel were named Plaintiffs in the court document. The injunction was granted and Akeel is expected to appear before the Judge on April 17 to explain his ruling. The concerned workers at the Skeldon Estate are worried that with the crop about to commence, there may be other ‘Stephen Daniels’. At Tuesday night’s vigil, the workers lashed out at the fact that Daniels re-
mains off the job and yet another crop is about to commence. The workers argued that GuySuCo has been spending millions of dollars behind the matter and recently did not have money to pay workers attached to the Rose Hall and Albion Estates their bonus for passing the projected targets. Meanwhile, at a GAWU Branch Conference held on February 8, the union pledged its full support to Daniels. A bank account has also been set up to solicit funds for the sacked worker. At the February conference workers called on authorities to ensure that the matter is resolved without delay and to end the court proceedings. They also directed GAWU to forward information to all relevant persons in Government, GuySuCo, all other branches of unions and related organisations. The vigil lasted for about two hours and was also attended by the Stephens family and union officials.
He noted that the country has great potential and other areas which can be further explored including, technology, hydro and micro hydro. Meanwhile, Minister Robert Persaud also took the time to hail the company for the initiative as it had been several years in the making. This investment, Minister Persaud said, truly reflects confidence on the part of the company as they have expended $4.6 billion on it. He too noted that the surrounding communities stand to benefit as hundreds of Guyanese are currently employed by the company. “We have always ensured that when foreign investors come that they are given the necessary support, that there is an enabling environment, but we also ensure that they adhere to our national laws, and at the same time ensure that they give back to the community to ensure that the contribution to the country especially in the development in the utilisation of our natural resource.” BCGI, a subsidiary of RUSAL (successor to AMC/ Bermine), was founded in December 2004 under an agreement between RUSAL
and the Government of Guyana, and started its operational activities in 2005. RUSAL owns a 90 per cent stake in the company while the remaining 10 per cent belongs to the Government of Guyana. In 2013, BCGI commenced a project to develop a new deposit Kurubuka-22, located in Aroaima which encompasses the construction of the mine, service road and comprehensive production complex to crush, dry and on-load commercial bauxite. Minister Persaud said that from 2005 to 2014, the company directly invested US$96 million (G$19.2 billion) into the Guyanese economy, of which, it spent locally US$65 million (G$13 billion) in buying local materials and procuring services available. Meanwhile, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer Vladislav Soloviev thanked the Guyana Government for creating a favourable investment climate, and all the necessary support for such an investment. “Our business cooperation with Guyana is developing in the context of strengthening connections between Russia and Latin America.”
In this regard, he said Guyana has rich mineral resources, while Russia possesses the knowledge, experience and technology required for mining; hence working together to implement projects in this area is a vital point of growth for mutual economic cooperation. Persaud said that total bauxite production for 2014 amounted to 1,601,747 MT of which BCGI produced 79 per cent. With the expansion of its operations by the commissioning of the Kurubuka 22 Mines, the company expects to increase their annual production to a capacity of 2,300,000 tonnes per year in 2015, which equates to a 30 per cent increase. Today, despite facing challenges in the commodities market, bauxite investors remain committed to the development of the local bauxite industry, Persaud stated. Government, he said, can take some comfort that 10 years ago, facing challenging fiscal times, and conditions to cease subsidising the industry; it made the appropriate changes that today have seen the survival of the industry for the development of the local communities.
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SunDAY, march 15, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com
PPP/C takes early lead in May General Elections – NACTA
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n opinion poll conducted by the North American Caribbean Teachers Association (NACTA) in mid-February gave the ruling People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) an early lead over the Opposition APNU (PNC)-AFC combination for the May 11 General Elections. However, the lead is too close for comfort for the ruling party, not falling outside of the margin of error, with a large percentage of voters undecided. In effect, the election is a statistical tie. The poll’s findings revealed that the voters are racially polarised with most Africans and Mixed supporting the alliance and most Indians and Amerindians supporting the PPP/C. The findings of the poll are obtained from interviews with 620 voters representing the demographics of (42 per cent Indians, 31 per cent Africans, 17 per cent Mixed, nine per cent Amerindians, and one per
cent other races) of the population. The poll was conducted in face-to-face interviews and was coordinated by New York-based pollster Dr Vishnu Bisram. The results of the poll were analysed at a 95 per cent significance level with a statistical sampling error of plus or minus four percentage points. According to the findings obtained from the poll, a majority of people do not trust the APNU (PNC)-AFC combination expressing a fear of a return of the type of abusive governance (that resulted from the PNC-UF alliance) that characterised Guyana between 1965 and 1992. Voters made reference to racial discrimination and victimisation, dictatorial rule, massive corruption, political murders, banned goods, and criminalisation of consumption of basic foods, among other ills. Almost everyone said they did not want to go back to the kind of hardship and suffering that people experienced under PNC
Guyanese crowd polling places in several communities across East and West Berbice on Election Day 2011
rule. Indians, Amerindians, and Portuguese, in particular, and a large number of Mixed, are uneasy about a return of the PNC (APNU) to power; they oppose the AFC forming an alliance with the PNC. But many voters, including traditional supporters, are also displeased with the PPP/C complaining about perceived corruption and arrogance of some officials at various levels of governance including the bureau-
cracy. Voters express widespread disenchantment with several Ministers, Regional Chairs, parliamentarians, and Regional Councillors. They also complain about having to grease the hands of corrupt Police and public servants in order to get things done. Dissatisfied with both major parties, many voters plan to stay away from the polls. But many of those who do not plan to vote because of their disenchantment with the
PPP/C and AFC say they will reconsider casting ballots if the PPP/C replaces several of its candidates for Parliament, the regions and ministerial berths. The PPP/C could find itself in serious political trouble, much like the 2011 elections, if traditional supporters do not vote. The findings reveal
that Africans and Mixed are very enthusiastic and highly motivated to vote while Indians and Amerindians do not express an equal degree of enthusiasm to vote to keep the PPP/C in office or to keep out the PNC as in the recent past. However, the fear of a return of the PNC to power may motivate planned non-voters to go to the polling booths. Some former AFC supporters say they plan to show up at the polling stations to punish AFC for linking up with the PNC, hurting the alliance’s chance of wresting power from the PPP/C. Queried how they plan to vote, 44 per cent said PPP/C, 40 per cent APNU-AFC, less than two per cent others, and 14 per cent undecided. With a four per cent margin of error, the election is a statistical tie. With the election still two months away, opinion could change by then.
Mother pleads for help to keep son alive – details struggle raising funds for urgent surgery BY ANASTACIA CLEMENTSON
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26-year-old man has two months to accumulate $6 million to facilitate a life saving operation or else his mother, Kaytee Hardyal, would be burying her first son. As a result, the man’s family is pleading with the public for assistance to save Kiran Hardyal’s life. Speaking with Guyana Times on Saturday, the man’s mother said it is extremely difficult to watch her son in such a state. She explained that he was usually active with cricket, which he enjoys and his work at the Guyana Sugar Worker’s Corporation (GuySuCo) before his health took a turn for the worse. Kaytee told this publication that the family realised that Kiran was sick last January when he complained of head pains and high blood pressure. He was taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital with the expectation that he would simply need vitamins. However, this was not the case as the young man was diagnosed with kidney failure. The family was told that Kiran needed to be treated and eat healthier. After being hospitalised for sometime at the West Demerara Regional Hospital, he was later transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC). At GPHC, Kiran’s family got more bad news that his kidney could not repair itself as it was failing. The young man stayed at the hospital for over a month getting dialysis, which made him a lot better but did not take away the fact that her son needed a kidney to save his life. However, the Hardyal family did not crack under
Kiran Hardyal needs help to live in good health
this new set of bad news, they mobilised the family and everyone went and subjected themselves to all types of unpleasant tests in attempt to save the life of brother, son and nephew. Kaytee said it almost broke her heart when she found out that she was not a match for her son. Of all the relatives tested, only the young man’s father was a match; however, he was not healthy enough to donate his kidney as he was diabetic. Luckily, an aunt volunteered – Kaytee’s sister in law – Satyam Inardeo and was confirmed a match. The woman is quite relieved that her son has a chance but she pleads with the public to ensure that her son does indeed get a new lease on life. She told Guyana Times that the lack of $6 million is preventing her son from receiving the kidney he very much needs to survive. That is the cost for the operation which is only done at the Dr Balwant Singh Hospital. If anyone wishes to make any donations to Kiran’s surgery they can do so to the Republic Bank account 776371-7 in the name of Kiran Hardyal or to a GBTI account 007532389012 in the name of Kaytee Hardyal and/or Kiran Hardyal. Their telephone numbers are 2691185 or 622-2882.
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SunDAY, march 15, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com
Nabacalis man shot dead over old grievance BY BHISHAM MOHAMMED
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mason succumbed to his injuries while receiving medical attention at the Georgetown Public Hospital after he was shot at Golden Grove, East Coast Demerara on Friday evening. Dwayne Kennedy, 28, of Lot 40 Nabacaslis, East Coast Demerara, received at least three gunshot wounds to his body after he was shot at by the suspect, Royston Morrison who made good his escape. From reports received, Kennedy was with a few friends when the suspect approached him and an argument ensued. During the argument, Morrison reportedly whipped out a handgun and discharged three rounds at the man who subsequently fell to the ground. He was shot to his head, neck and abdomen and took his last breath at about 05:00h on Saturday despite desperate attempts by the doctors to save his life.
His mother, Cheryl Berkshire recalled the last moments of her son’s life. She explained that her son left home at about 18:00h to find a spot for her to sell at the Golden Grove Market after he realised that she was having difficulties selling her products in front of her home. The aggrieved woman stated that he left with his girlfriend and sometime after, he telephoned her stating that he had gotten a spot for her but she changed her mind at the last minute. She remembered packing up her stand at about 21:00h and went into the house. At that time, she added that he was not at home but while she attempted to contact him, she reconsidered after taking into consideration that it had been a while since he had gone out with his girlfriend. At about 00:15h, she heard someone calling loudly at her gate, who informed her about the shooting. Initially, she was in disbelief, so her two younger
Dwayne Kennedy
sons rushed to the scene to verify. There they were told that their sibling was rushed to the hospital by a friend. The woman stated that as she arrived at the hospital, she saw her son lying on a bed in the Accident and Emergency Unit and broke into tears. The doctors, she added, were trying their best
to save him. “His eyes were closed and I asked him if he could hear me, give me an indication… he held onto my hand tight and I know he had life… the doctor say it was a delicate case, one of the bullets was lodged in his brain and it was too dangerous to operate”. As tears streamed down her face, the distraught mother stated that family members stayed at the medical facility with the hope that he would make it but just after 05:00h, they received the devastating news. The motive for the shooting, she disclosed, stemmed from an old grievance about two years ago. “About two years ago, my son and the suspect Royston Morrison had a lil hard talk and he went to Buxton and bring some boy… they meet my son at the Golden Grove Market and beat him with a gun to his head… took away his jewels and left… my son was in hospital and despite we make a report to the Police, nothing came out,” the mother related. Another
day, she recalled sitting in front of her yard with her now dead son when the suspect passed in a white car and shouted out that he will kill her son. Here again, she added, they made a report to the station but nothing came of the matter. “Now he killed my son… and nobody will tell me anything… people at the market claim that they see Royston earlier in the day with two guns… one I get to understand he hide under his mother house and the other he had in his haversack… is that one he took out and kill my son”, she cried. The devastated mother stated that her son was weak since he recently underwent a surgery. The suspect, Guyana Times understands is a known character to the Police and might be wanted for several robberies in the interior. The Police have since launched an investigation into the murder. Kennedy is survived by his mother and seven other siblings.
Concrete walkway, new stelling West Rumiveldt commissioned at St Monica miner found dead in NWD
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West Ruimveldt man was found dead on Friday evening along the Five Star Backdam, North West District (NWD). Anthony Lewis, 40, of West Ruimveldt Housing Scheme was found at about 20:30h by his colleagues with a gunshot injury to his head. Based on reports, the
man was last seen walking around his mining camp earlier in the afternoon. His body was later found by colleagues after he was not seen for some time. Several persons have been questioned by the Police in connection with the murder but no one has been arrested. The Police are continuing their investigations.
A child assists with the cutting of the ribbon for the projects at the commissioning ceremony in St Monica, Region Two
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he Region Two Administration has commissioned a new concrete walkway and a Stelling for the Amerindian Community of St Monica located some 60 miles in the Upper Pomeroon in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam). During the commissioning ceremony, Amerindians expressed their gratitude to the Government for the worthwhile investment.
Region Two Chairman Parmanand Persaud, addressing a gathering at the commissioning of the projects said that the concrete walkway and the new stelling are a glaring testimony of the Government’s investment in improving the life’s of Amerindians. School children attending school on the hill top will benefit from the venture. Previously, children had no choice but to walk though wet
muddy grasses to access an education. Community Development Officer for Amerindian communities in Region Two Melrose Henry said the projects were constructed with the intention to ensuring that all benefit in the St Monica Community. The projects were constructed under the Presidential Grant.
The new concrete walkway to the village office that was constructed under the Presidential Grant Programme at St Monica in the Upper Pomeroon River
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sunDAY, march 15, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com
MMU alerted about racial incitement in Kaieteur News, DTV
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he People's Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Executive Secretary Zulfikar Mustapha has informed the Media Monitoring Unit (MMU) about two instances where the media, particularly the Kaieteur News and DTV Channel 8 blatantly violated the Racial Hostility Act. In an email to the Guyana Elections Commission’s (GECOM) MMU and the Guyana Human Rights Association, Mustapha highlighted what he termed as the “most glaring infringements” of recent in the local media. It was pointed out that on a programmed titled “Alliance on the Move” which was aired on DTV Channel 8, Berbice, on February 28, Veerasammy Ramayya, who is an Alliance For Change (AFC) Executive Member, made statements labelling the PPP/C as an “IndoGuyanese Party” and indicated that it was conducting a campaign against
PPP/C Executive Zulfikar Mustapha
Secretary
Afro-Guyanese. According to the Mustapha, Ramayya then proceeded to make statements that peddled untrue information of a racist nature. Only recently, Ramayya lost a libel case against Mustapha where he had to publicly apologise for spreading false information about the PPP/C and its General Secretary. On November 19, 2011, Ramayya had spread lies about the PPP/C official via a television pro-
gramme called “Issues of the People”, aired on the same DTV Channel 8. Similarly, Mustapha also highlighted that the Kaieteur News, on the March 10 edition, had as its headline “Rohee endorses Jagdeo statement that PPP is a ‘coolie people’ party”. Mustapha pointed out that there was no corresponding article to that headline. Then, on March 11, the former president of Guyana Bharrat Jagdeo had complained to the Editor of that publication, Adam Harris about that particular headline. As outlined in the email, Harris replied explaining that he had a different headline for the publication but the owner of the Kaieteur News, Glenn Lall, intervened and directed that the headline be changed to the one that was published. Mustapha then called on the MMU and the Human Rights Association to investigate those circumstances with the view of preventing a further breach of the leg-
GECOM Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally (sitting) and staff of the MMU
islation. Meanwhile, the Racial Hostility Act Chapter 23:01 states that “a person shall be guilty of an offence if he wilfully excites or attempts or excite hostility or ill-will against any section of the public or against any person on the ground of their or his race(a) by means of words spoken by him in a public place or spoken by him and
transmitted for general reception by wireless telegraphy or telegraph; (b) by causing words spoken by him or by some other person to be reproduced in a public place from a record; (c) by means of written (including printed) matter or pictorial matter published by him. (2) For the purpose of this section, the propri-
etor, printer, publisher or editor of any newspaper, or the printer of any other printed document, in which any particular matter has been published, shall be presumed himself to have so published that matter unless he proves that such publication was made without his authority, consent or knowledge and did not arise from want of due care on his part.”
Bartica IMC receives $14.7M in assets under Clean-up My Country programme
Permanent Secretary of the MLGRD Collin Croal hands over the equipment to Chairman of the IMC Ovid Benjamin as Regional Executive Officer Peter Ramotar looks on
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nder the Government of Guyana Clean-Up My Country Programme, which was implemented by the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development (MLGRD) in 2014, the Bartica Interim Management Committee (IMC) received equipment for the sustenance of the cleanup programme within the Bartica and its environs. On Friday, Permanent Secretary of the MLGRD Collin Croal, on behalf of the Local Government Minister Norman Whittaker, handed over one mini excavator, one tractor and trailer, and 25 solid waste receptacles. Croal in his address said that “the mini excavator will be in the custody of the RDC and it is intended to be used in the confines and space of the NDC and the neighbouring communities”. Mr. Croal also
informed the representatives that “the tractor and trailer will assigned to the Bartica NDC” and “it is expected to aid in infrastructure support for the NDC” while “the solid waste receptacles must be utilised to help to address the issue of littering in the community”. The Permanent Secretary acknowledged the challenge which the community is faced with as it relates to the disposing of solid waste after collection, and assured the representatives that under the Solid Waste Bill which is likely to pass in the next sitting of Parliament, measures will be put in place to address these challenges in Bartica. The mini excavator was procured at a cost of $8.9 million, while the tractor was procured at a cost of $4.4 million and the trailer at a cost of $1.2 million.
Croal emphasised that the equipment which were handed over should be managed by a Management Committee comprising representatives of the RDC, NDC and MLRGD and a work plan should be developed to ensure that the people and Bartica and its environs are the beneficiaries of the equipment. Permanent Secretary further informed the representatives that a tripartite meeting between MLGRD, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Regional Solid Waste Contractor for Bartica will soon be held to discuss the progress of the environmental plan to be submitted to EPA to gain approval of the operation of the new landfill site. Under the Regional aspect of the Clean-Up My Country Programme, Bartica benefited from a massive community programme in December 2014 which gave residents the opportunity to get rid of bulk waste stored in their premises as well as a massive clean-up of the water front and removal of road side/illegal garbage piles. The Chairman of the IMC, Ovid Benjamin welcomed the assets and expressed his gratitude towards the Government of Guyana and the Local Government Ministry, and assured that the equipment will be used for what they are intended to. The Regional Executive Officer, Peter Ramotar also thanked the Government for the mini excavator and said that the people
of Bartica welcome the gesture and assured the
Permanent Secretary that a plan will be designed and
implemented to ensure the efficient usage of the asset.
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UAE puts on minor fight against aggressive Windies
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est Indies seemed on their way to creating an easy target to chase by snapping United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) first six wickets for 46 in their final Group B match in New Zealand on Saturday. However, some resistance from Amjad Javed (56) and Nasir Aziz (60) ensured that UAE got beyond the
SCOREBOARD
150 mark before West Indies struck again. Captain Jason Holder led from the from picking up 4-27 off his 10 while Jerome Taylor up to press time had figures of 3-36 off 8.4 overs. Andre Russel created to late breakthroughs to end his bowling spell with figures of 2-20. *Scoreboard as of press time
SCOREBOARD United Arab Emirates innings (50 overs maximum) Amjad Ali lbw b Holder 5 AR Berenger c †Ramdin b Holder 7 Krishna Chandran c Smith b Holder 0 Khurram Khan b Taylor 5 Shaiman Anwar b Taylor 2 SP Patil† b Holder 6 Amjad Javed b Russell 56 Nasir Aziz c Holder b Samuels 60 Mohammad Naveed b Russell 14
Starc’s 4 dismantles Scotland
Mohammad Tauqir* b Taylor 2 4 AM Guruge not out Extras: (lb 4, w 10) 14 Total: (all out; 47.4 overs) 175 Fall of wickets 1-13, 2-16, 3-17, 4-21, 5-26, 6-46, 7-153, 8-167, 9-167, 10-175. West Indies Bowling: JE Taylor 8.4-0-36-3, JO Holder 10-127-4, KAJ Roach 8-0-54-0, AD Russell 8-3-20-2, MN Samuels 10-4-25-1, DJG Sammy 1-0-40, DR Smith 2-0-5-0.
Michael Clarke made 47 while opening the batting with Aaron Finch
M
ichael Clarke opted to bowl in the final Group A game. The first halt in play lasted half-an-hour, but by then Australia had dismissed eight batsmen for 130. Two Mitchell Starc yorkers were enough to wrap up the innings after resumption, taking him to 4 for 14 from 4.4 overs and made him the most successful bowler of the World Cup - 16 wickets at an average of 8.5, strike rate of 13.8 and economy of 3.67. Australia’s batsmen, though, had nothing tying
them down. Clarke opened the batting for the first time in nearly six years and produced a breezy 47 - a marked positive since historically the team feels more menacing with their leader in form. Scotland’s medley of medium-pacers got the new ball to dart past his outside edge but when the swing faded away, Clarke found his timing. It took a stunning onehanded catch on the square leg boundary from Leask to deny the Australia captain a first fifty since August 2014.
Scotland innings (50 overs maximum) KJ Coetzer c Smith b Starc 0 CS MacLeod c Warner b Starc 22 MW Machan c Faulkner 40 b Cummins PL Mommsen* c Starc 0 b Watson FRJ Coleman c Clarke b Johnson 0 RD Berrington c Warner 1 b Maxwell MH Cross† c †Haddin 9 b Cummins JH Davey b Starc 26 RML Taylor c †Haddin 0 b Cummins MA Leask not out 23 I Wardlaw b Starc 0 Extras: (lb 1, w 8) 9 Total: (all out; 25.4 overs) 130 Fall of wickets: 1-8, 2-36, 3-37, 4-50, 5-51, 6-78, 7-79, 8-95, 9-130, 10-130.
Australia Bowling: MA Starc 4.4-1-14-4, PJ Cummins 7-1-42-3, SR Watson 3-018-1, MG Johnson 4-1-161, GJ Maxwell 4-0-24-1, JP Faulkner 3-0-15-0. Australia innings (target: 131 runs from 50 overs) MJ Clarke* c Leask b Wardlaw 47 AJ Finch c Coleman b Taylor 20 SR Watson c †Cross b Davey 24 JP Faulkner not out 16 DA Warner not out 21 5 Extras:(lb 2, w 3) Total:(3 wickets; 15.2 overs) 133 Did not bat: SPD Smith, GJ Maxwell, BJ Haddin†, MG Johnson, MA Starc, PJ Cummins Fall of wickets: 1-30, 2-88, 3-92. Scotland Bowling: I Wardlaw 5-0-57-1, RML Taylor 5-029-1, JH Davey 5-1-38-1, A Leask 0.2-0-7-0
Raina, Dhoni ensure clean slate for India
(Cricinfo)
Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni shared an unbroken 196-run stand to lift India to a six-wicket win
B
rendan Taylor was given one final reminder of how frustrating it can be to play for Zimbabwe: in his final match before he goes Kolpak, Taylor scored an excellent century to rescue Zimbabwe from 33 for 3, then saw five wickets fall for 52 after him; with the ball Zimbabwe had India down at 92 for 4, but then the fielding let his side down to lose with eight balls
to spare. This was India’s biggest test so far. Taylor’s 138 off 110 balls, only the first time a Zimbabwean has scored back-to-back hundreds in a World Cup, set India their highest chase, the top order failed, but then Suresh Raina was dropped on 47 at a stage when the game was in balance. Raina and MS Dhoni then proceeded to take their winning streak in World Cups to 10.
(Cricinfo)
SCOREBOARD
Zimbabwe innings (50 overs maximum) CJ Chibhabha c Dhawan b Mohammed Shami 7 H Masakadza c †Dhoni b Yadav 2 SF Mire c †Dhoni b MM Sharma 9 BRM Taylor*† c Dhawan b MM Sharma 138 SC Williams c & b Ashwin 50 CR Ervine c & b MM Sharma 27 Sikandar Raza b Mohammed Shami 28 RW Chakabva c RG Sharma b Yadav 10 T Panyangara c Yadav b Mohammed Shami 6 T Mupariwa not out 1 TL Chatara b Yadav 0 Extras: (lb 2, w 7) 9 Total: (all out; 48.5 overs) 287 Fall of wickets: 1-11, 2-13, 3-33, 4-126, 5-235, 6-241, 7-276, 8-285, 9-286, 10-287. India Bowling: Mohammed Shami 9-2-48-3, UT Yadav 9.5-
1-43-3, MM Sharma 10-1-48-3, R Ashwin 10-0-75-1, RA Jadeja 10-0-71-0. India innings (target: 288 runs from 50 overs) RG Sharma c Sikandar Raza b Panyangara 16 S Dhawan b Panyangara 4 V Kohli b Sikandar Raza 38 AM Rahane run out (Sikandar Raza/†Taylor) 19 SK Raina not out 110 MS Dhoni*† not out 85 Extras: (b 1, lb 2, w 12, nb 1) 16 Total: (4 wickets; 48.4 overs) 288 Did not bat: RA Jadeja, R Ashwin, MM Sharma, Mohammed Shami, UT Yadav. Fall of wickets: 1-21, 2-21, 3-71, 4-92. Zimbabwe Bowling: T Panyangara 8.4-1-53-2, TL Chatara 10-1-59-0, T Mupariwa 10-0-61-0, SF Mire 5-0-290, SC Williams 5-0-31-0, Sikandar Raza 8-0-37-1, H Masakadza 2-0-15-0.
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Inter-county softball cricket set for today
sunday, march 15, 2015
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Richard Latiff
this year. This Inter-county tournament is being coordinated in collaboration with the National Sports Commission, Guyana Softball League and its following affiliates in Berbice Softball Alliance, Essequibo Softball Cricket League and the Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc (GSCL). This is the first leg being played and is being hosted by GSCL and includes a number of incentives and trophies with the top team earning $50,000 and a beautiful trophy and the runners up gaining $25,000 and a trophy. In addition to the above mentioned prizes, the man of the match for the series will
earn trophies and medals and each leg will carry a similar amount of incentives, with the next two legs of the series being played in Berbice and Essequibo, culminating with the grand finale. For today’s encounter, Berbice will be sponsored by Vickram Seubarran and they have named a 20 man squad to begin training immediately with a view for selection, led by Darshan Charitar and include some very explosive players in David Looknauth, Michael Ramdial and Troy Kippins. Essequibo has reportedly invited its top players to assemble for trials last Wednesday, led by the experienced Latchman Rohit and includes the likes of Patrick Rooplall. The two Demerara teams who will be on show in this leg, is being sponsored by Regal Stationery who will look after the ‘A’ team, which will be led by the experienced Richard Latiff and include the likes of Chien Gittens, Timur Mohamed and Safraz Esau. Wolf’s Furniture Store will be sponsoring the ‘B’ team which will be skippered by the exciting Amrit Rai and will include Vishnu Tamenchandra and Ricardo Adams among others. The man in charge of selecting the Demerara teams is veteran softball player Lance Adams along with a three man addition to the panel and for Berbice, Omeshwar Shrikishun is charge of their selection, while the Essequibo selection panel will be in the hands of Brian Christiani and Ramnarine Ragubar. The head of the selec-
Amerith Rai
tion panels of all three counties will accompany their respective teams for Sunday’s matches, while the umpire panel for the matches has already been put in place with the top umpires from all three counties being on show. The tournament is being held with the view of showcasing the top players in each county and vilifying the top county in softball cricket, while at the same time enabling the players to raise the bar in terms of competition. This will also give fans an opportunity to see the level of softball cricket being played in each county and to support their favorite players performing against the top counterparts from the other counties. Meanwhile, the dates for the other clashes will be finalised today when all three bodies meet additionally a master’s tournament will also be played with West Coast taking on Georgetown who is using this as a benchmark for selection of a team to participate in the Florida Cup this month end month.
Milo under-20 school football tournament…
Defending champs Lodge Secondary looking strong heading into quarterfinals By Treiston Joseph
D
efending Champions, Lodge Secondary sent a strong message to their opponents on Saturday with a 6-1 drubbing of Bishop’s High School at the Ministry of Education ground. Led by a double from Jarel Grannum in the 10th and 62nd minutes, Lodge Secondary seemed unstoppable with their attacking style of play running full throttle all over Bishop’s High School to advance to the quarterfinals. Keoma Crawford scored the opening goal for the defending champs in the eight minute as the obvious game plan was to attack. Ryan Hackett, Shamar Dover and Stephan McLean all got into the action with a goal apiece in the 24th, 58th and 75th minutes respectively. The solitary goal for Bishop’s came from Joel Morrison in the 26th minute. In the day’s first game, St Mary’s Secondary School also displayed their attacking power with a 7-1 whopping of Kingston Secondary School. The teamwork of St Mary’s undid Kingston as six different scorers registered goals for St Mary’s.
Some of the action between North Ruimveldt and South Ruimveldt during their Round of 16 match (Treiston Joseph photo)
Curtis Kelman started the goal scoring fest for St Mary’s in the 17th minute while Rafael Bollers (49th), Kareem Caines (59th), Colin Denny (61st) and Rafel Charles double in the 63rd and 71st minutes were receipts of crisp passes during the match. Kingston’s lone goal came from Terrence John in the 52nd minute. Dolphin Secondary School sneaked by Mae’s Secondary in the second game of the evening with a 2-1 win to advance to the quarterfinals. Joshua Perreira wrote his name on the score sheets early in the game with an eight minute goal before Hilbert Lawrence equalised easily in
the 32nd minute for a halftime score of 1-1. However, Kester Grante right footed strike in the 54th sealed the deal for the Dolphin plaers as well as a place in the quarterfinals. In the last game of the day, North Ruimveldt Secondary held on to defeat South Ruimveldt Secondary 4-1 on penalty kicks after a 1-1 draw. North Ruimveldt struck first in the 32nd minute with a goal from Carl Griffith while South Ruimveldt answered in the 50th minute with a goal from Levi Canterbury as the game ended in a stalemate before North Ruimveldt’s penalty win.
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guyanatimesGY.com
sundAY, march 15, 2015
Berbician Crawford wins Mineral Water feature race By Avenash Ramzan
C
yclists and their supporters from the Ancient County of Berbice had reasons to shout and celebrate on Saturday when one of their very own, Jeban Crawford, emerged champion of the main event in the 10th annual Diamond Mineral Water 11-race pro-
bell for the final lap, Paul DeNobrega was gaining some grounds on Crawford and Burrowes, but he could not connect with the duo to spark a sprint finish. Eventually, Crawford crossed the line comfortably in a time of one hour, 17 minutes, 10 seconds (01h: 17m: 10s), leaving Burrowes to settle for sec-
The respective category winners pose with their trophies on Saturday
Jeban Crawford crosses the finish line to win Saturday’s race
gramme at the inner circuit of the National Park. On a day blessed with glorious sunshine, Crawford of Trojan Cycle Club battled the heat and the staunch resistance of his competitors to chalk up his maiden victory in the National Park. Crawford and Horace Burrowes commanding proceedings during the final stages of the gruelling 35-lap School Boys and Invitational race, pulling away from the pack to assume a sizeable lead. When race official Joseph Britton sounded the
ond and DeNobrega third. Akeem Wilkinson, Christopher Griffith and Paul Choo Wee Nam took the remaining three top six positions in that order. Burrowes took three of the eight prime prizes, while Choo Wee Nam copped two, and Crawford, Orville Hinds and Mario King took one each. Earlier in the day, Brighton John won the 1214 Boys and Girls race, with Marica Dick and Daniel Perriera finishing second and third respective-
ly. Junior Niles, Wilbert Benjamin and Turhan Harris were 1-2-3 in the Veterans Under-50, while Linden Blackman was the top Over-50 rider. Jamal John was the top Juvenile cyclist, with Andrew Hicks second and Christopher Griffith third, while the Mahaica trio Sean Budhan, Kelvin Andrews and Junior Benjamin made a clean sweep of the Mountain Bike race in that order. The BMX Boys 6-9 race was won by Alexander Leung, who beat off the challenge of Esau Jaisingh and Che Sue Hang in second and third spots respectively. Sherwin Sampson continued to be the brightest star in the other BMX races, winning both the 9-12 and 12-14. Jonathon Jagdeo was the runner-up in the 9-12, while Adelia Hodge and Jagdeo were second and third respectively in the 1214.
Kashif and Shanghai, DCC forms partnership
T
Members of the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation and Management of the DCC Ground
he management of the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) formed a partnership with the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation, which will return football to the venue after nearly 40 years of absence. DCC ground, known for its cricketing history, was chosen to be one of the venues for this year’s Kashif and Shanghai Tournament. While the opening is set for March 20 at the DCC ground matches will also be held on March 25, 27 and 28.
The likes of George Yarde, George Hyles, Clive ‘Wolly’ Forde, Orin Comberbatch and Colin Bevaney; all of whom were standout players for Guyana in the early 1970’s, are just some of the big names who played on the DCC Ground during the venue’s peak years in football. “We’re happy to team up with the DCC Management to help bring back football to the venue” Co-Director Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ Major stated. In addition Major noted,
“the DCC management is so far very accommodating. We have done work on the fence, raising it a little because before, you could’ve stand on the road and look directly into the venue, so now, we changed that. Both Kashif (Muhammad) and I believe that this is one of the better venues in Georgetown presently and we’re glad to bring back the game here (DCC)”. The 25th Kashif and Shanghai football tournament will run from March 20 to April 5.
Feature race winner Jeban Crawford receives his trophy from Devica Jhagdeo, Marketing Assistant of Demerara Distillers Limited, in the presence of National Coach Hassan Mohamed
At the presentation ceremony which followed, the top performers were presented with their trophies by Devica Jhagdeo, Marketing Assistant of Demerara Distillers Limited. National coach and or-
ganiser of the event, Hassan Mohamed, lauded the company for sponsoring the race for the 10th year in succession. He also congratulated the winners. The riders will be in action again this week-
end when the Star Party Rental 11-race programme is staged on Saturday at the National Park and the third and final leg of the Cheddi Jagan memorial road race is held on Sunday in Essequibo.
Big money at stake in KMTC post-Phagwah horse race meet By Rajiv Binsauth
C
lose to 70 of the country’s top horses will be in action today when the post-Phagwah horse race meet is being stage at the Kennard Memorial Turf Club (KMTC) the club’s track at Bush Lot Farm, Corentyne. Information reaching Guyana Times Sport on Saturday revealed that an impressive line-up of animals have entered for the day’s event. The meet was originally planned for last Sunday but was rescheduled for today in order to facilitate the People’s Progressive Party’s annual ceremony to celebrate the lives of PPP co-founders and late Presidents Cheddi and Janet Jagan, which was held last Sunday Babu Jaan, Port Pourant. President of the KMTC, retired Chancellor of the Judiciary Cecil Kennard, told this publication on Saturday that all arrangements are in place for today’s event, which will
KMTC President Cecil Kennard
be conducted under the rules of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority (GHRA). Six races are slated for the day, and as usual, there will be lots of excitement for turfites and lucrative prize packages for top horse owners. Several changes have been made from the original programme with the D3 Maiden and E and F Lower being removed to facilitate
the D3 and Lower animals. The winning tag remains at $400,000. The race for K and Lower handicap horses has replaced by the J3 and Lower. Further, Kennard stated that the top prize for the feature A1 and Lower race has been increased to $1M. The prizes for the second, third and fourth place finishers in the seven furlongs race will also depend on the amount of entries. The other seven furlongs race is the G1 and Lower for a winning prize of $300,000. The remaining four races will all run over five furlongs. The K1 and Lower and D3 and Lower races will see the owner of the winning horses taking home $120,000 each. The final race for J1 and Lower has a top prize of $180,000. Race time is 12:30h, and admission to the venue is $1,200, while children will pay half that amount. Access to the car park is $500, while programmes cost $300 each.
sundAY, march 15, 2015
guyanatimesGY.com
23
NSC salutes sportsmen, women in style
– Guyana Times/TVG/RGI’s Avenash Ramzan is 5-time Sports Journalist of the year (non-print) By Treiston Joseph
T
he National Sports Commission (NSC) pulled out all the stops in honouring their sportsmen and women of 2014 with a classy ceremony on Friday evening at the National Culture Centre. Rugby, after the ceremony can be deemed as the most successful sport of 2014, capping the most im-
Minister of Sport Dr Frank Anthony who noted the benefits sports can have on a community with relation to a healthy lifestyle as well as the government’s significant investment in sport, revealed the aim of the Government going forward. “The government wants to work with all national and regional bodies to ensure the development of
Guyana Times/TVG/RGI Sports Journalist Avenash Ramzan receives his award
proved as well as the best association of the year. The coach of the year in Theodore Henry also came from Rugby while the male sports official of the year was awarded to the President of the Guyana Football Rugby Union (GRFU), Peter Green. To add to Rugby’s success they were also named as the 2014 sports team of the year. While track athlete Cassey George and cricketer Veerasammy Permaul were named sports woman and man of the year, Evening News anchor and Guyana Times sports journalist, Avenash Ramzan capped the non print Sports Journalist of the year award. Meanwhile, Director of the Sport Neil Kumar during his address noted that it was the investment by the Government in facilities that allowed Guyana’s athletes to perform. “Ladies and gentlemen there is no doubt that all of us are aware that since the government has facilitated all these facilities and more our athletes have shown unprecedented development. “This has manifested itself in the form of outstanding performances on the international scene and will continue to do so,” Kumar stated.
sport and to ensure everyone is involved in sport, that every child is involved in sport. “We want the parents get their children involved and more the community and I cannot emphasize any more on how important this is,” Anthony stated. President of the Guyana Sports Shooting Federation, Vidushi Persaud who was named the female official of the year made the response on behalf of the awardees and thanked the government and the NSC for their continued support. Other awardees were, Emmerson Campbell Sports Journalist of the year (print), Orlando Charles, Sports photographer of the year, Jason Yaw male junior athlete of the year, George female junior athlete of the year, outstanding athlete with disability, Calvin Thomas, runner-up male junior athlete of the year, Shemron Hetmyer, runnerup female junior athlete of the year, Akeila Wiltshire, runner-up male athlete of the year, Kristian Jeffrey and runner-up female athlete of the year, Alisha Fortune. The night ended with the awardees’ mingling with guests as well as government.
The successful Rugby Association members with their awards (Treiston Joseph photos)
sundAY, march 8, 2015
Sports is no longer our game, it’s our business
guyanatimesgy.com
NSC salutes sportsmen, women in style Page 23
– Guyana Times/TVG/RGI’s Avenash Ramzan is 5-time Sports Journalist of the year (non-print) All the awardees along with a number of Government officials pose after the conclusion of the award ceremony (Treiston Joseph photo)
WICB PCL 4-day tournament…
T&T Red Force 173-4, in reply to Guyana Jaguars 291 By Rajiv Bisnauth
T
rinidad and Tobago Red Force, responding to Guyana Jaguars’ first innings of 291, were 173-4 at the close on the second day of their ninth round match in the West Indies Cricket Board’s (WICB) Professional Cricket League Four-Day tournament at the Guyana National Stadium on Saturday. Yannic Cariah was unbeaten on 71 and Yannick Ottley on 15 when rain brought a premature end to the day’s play. The 22-year-old Cariah faced 187 balls and batted for 249 minutes, which featured five fours. Bowling for the Guyana Jaguars, Davendra Bishoo, Veerasammy Permaul, Narsingh Deonarine and Christopher Barnwell each claimed a wicket.
Yannic Cariah
Anthony Bramble
Resuming under overcast condition, Vishual Singh reached his halfcentury off 152 balls before rain intervened for a short period. However, when play resumed, Marlon Richards was the main destroyer, claiming three out of the last four wickets, slicing through the lower order to finish with 3-46. He removed both over-
night batsmen, the diminutive Singh for 52 and Anthony Bramble for 63. Both wickets fell in the 102 overs, with Singh faced 171 balls and hitting four boundaries in 304 minutes at the crease, while Bramble knock consumed 131 balls, 226 minutes and eight fours. Devendra Bishoo (0) was then bowled by Shannon Gabriel (1-73)
before Richards wrapped up the innings when he also bowled Veerasammy Permaul for nine. Leg-spinner Imran Khan (3-55), off-spinner Jason Mahammed (2-44) and Rayad Emrit (1-25), led the Red Force attack on the first day. The run chase started in dispiriting fashion for the Trinidadians when Jeremy Solozano fell for three in Barnwell’s first over, edging a low catch to Vishual Singh at second slip. At lunch the visitors’ were 25-1, with Imran Khan on 14 and Kjorn Ottley on two. Concentration seemed to wane again on resumption and the Red Force lost Khan (18), who was taken at the wicket off Deonarine at 33-2. Yannic Cariah joined K. Ottley and added 79 for the third wicket before leg-spinner Bishoo provid-
ed the vital breakthrough. Ottley was caught on the long on boundary for 34. Cariah then registered his half-century from
115 balls but soon after Permaul removed Jason Mohammed for 13. The Red Force enters the third day with 118 runs behind.
SCOREBOARD GUYANA 1st Innings (overnight 264 for six) R Chandrika c Charles b Emrit 51 A Fudadin c & b Jason Mohammed 44 *L Johnson c Ottley b Imran Khan 49 N Deonarine lbw b Imran Khan 0 V Singh c Richards b Cariah 52 S Chanderpaul lbw b Jason Mohammed 2 C Barnwell lbw b Imran Khan 14 +A Bramble c Emrit b Richards 63 V Permaul b Gabriel 9 D Bishoo b Gabriel 0 K Joseph not out 0 Extras: (lb4, w1, nb2) 7 TOTAL:(all out, 104.5 overs) 291 Fall of wickets: 1-74, 2-138, 3-138, 4-165, 5-167, 6-186, 7-282, 8-283, 9-283, 10-291.
Bowling: Gabriel 21-5-72-1, Richards 19.5-5-46-3, Emrit 10-2-25-1, Y Ottley 9-1-390, Jason Mohammed 226-44-2, Imran Khan 21-455-3, K Ottley 1-0-5-0. T&T RED FORCE 1st Innings J Solozano c Singh b Barnwell 3 Imran Khan c wkpr Bramble b Deonarine 18 K Ottley c Chanderpaul b Bishoo 34 Y Cariah not out 71 J Mohammed lbw b Permaul 13 Y Ottley not out 15 Extras: (b4, nb15) 19 TOTAL: (4 wkts, 61 overs) 173 Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-33, 3-112, 4-(N/A) Bowling: Joseph 6-0-35-0, Barnwell 6-2-16-1, Deonarine 13-6-29-1, Permaul 195-47-1, Bishoo 15-5-351, Johnson 2-0-7-0.
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