Guyana Times Daily - March 12, 2015

Tune in every Monday and Thursday to TVG Channel 28/12 for

@ 07:30h Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 2430

Thursday, March 12, 2015

Jagdeo warns about Opposition’s whisper campaign Page 7

– stands by commitment to fight racism

April 7 is Nomination Day

PRICE

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Brother of known criminal wanted for Agricola P6 shooting GECOM to spend $51M on rentals

– Cabinet awards P10 other contracts

Culture P10 Ministry to trademark Mashramani

Page 3

Public P13 outrage over AFC’s Mark Ross comment

– GECOM calls for decorum from political parties while campaigning

660 errant drivers charged P16 with several offences

Page 3

Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Dr Steve Surujbally shares a light moment with A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Executive Member Amna Ali and another party representative at its meeting for political parties on Wednesday (Carl Croker photo)

Police intensify investigation into Diamond murder Page 6

– groups hold silent vigil

Granger claims Amerindians want change Page 11

Family Court to be operational by mid-year – Chancellor P17

2 news

thursday, march 12, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

Jagdeo calls for improved regional economic strategy

By Janelle Persaud

F

ormer President of Guyana Bharrat Jagdeo has heavily criticized the Caribbean for its failure to craft a strategy of alternative economic advancement given global realities, saying the region is losing its way.

Speaking to Guyana Times in his first interview since demitting office in 2011, Jagdeo said he remained connected to such issues affecting the region and is concerned that countries have failed to even start the conversation on their future.

“Our tourism is mature and the new destinations are more exciting and competitive price wise… oil and gas in Trinidad and Tobago is taking a beating too so what is this region going to pro-

Former President of Guyana Bharrat Jagdeo

duce its wealth from,” Jagdeo questioned, pointing to the 2008 global economic crisis that had shrunk the region’s financial sector.

He noted that a plan must be created for an important

group within these countries.

“What are we doing for the young people so that when they finish university and even schools, they can say these are the sectors I can go in because these are creating the wealth of the future,” he pointed out, lamenting that “our region has not thought through these issues as yet,” he asked.

According to Jagdeo, despite the importance of the traditional sectors, Guyana has developed an economic strategy that could see the changes to which referred.

He noted that for any effort in the region to be effective, new sectors must be explored.

“In Guyana we did just that, we established seven new growth poles...we said our wealth of the future will not necessarily come from

rice, sugar and bauxite; those are important sectors and we need to ensure they remain competitive, keep them alive and thriving because a lot of our people their lives depend on these sectors but if we want to create a modern economy.

"If we want to ensure every child is going to get comparable income with North America or somewhere else in the world so they don’t have to migrate, we have to stimulate those sectors,” he explained.

The political Opposition and social commentators have expressed concerns to the contrary despite this assertion by the former President, who served for 12 years, after serving as Finance Minister.

“We have had a setback,” he said after expressing the

belief that the strategy has been effective. “There have been three years of sloth largely because of the dissipation of our energies to focus on a Parliament that fed on itself,” he said in response to the question of the efficacy of the Guyanese strategy.

“Where are we taking our economies, how are we going to ensure we take our people along with us and are we going to ensure they have a sound quality education,” are questions Jagdeo believes that need to be answered in any discussion.

Education reform

“We have lost in a comparative sense the high standard of education in the region with the rest of the world. We do not even have a single university in the top one thousand in the world,”

“We should be opening up our universities, creating new programmes, trying to ensure education exports become a new service area for the region… The law school is just one but there are hundreds of other programmes that put our approaches to education in the Middle Ages,” he said.

Jagdeo believes that education in the region should be reformed, adding that the University of Guyana (UG)needs to undergo similar changes as well. He indicated that current Vice Chancellor, Professor Jacob Opadeyi is attempting to institute such reforms.

Whether the approach is incremental or radical, Jagdeo has opined that it must be done from a very early stage in the education system and principally encourage ‘critical thinking’.

“What are we doing for the young people so that when they finish university and even schools, they can say these are the sectors I can go in because these are creating the wealth of the future… our region has not thought through these issues as yet.” lamented Jagdeo, who has in recent years, guest-lectured at universities in the United States, Canada and the University of the West Indies (UWI). “We need to make changes and it can be done as a region.”

He made reference to the issue surrounding limited space at the Hugh Wooding Law School which could have left scores of Guyanese aspiring attorneys stranded. The former President pointed out that universities around the world recruit students and treat the entire undertaking as a business.

“Do we teach our students to learn rather than give them a stack full of notes or do we give them a set of analytical tools that they can apply in any situation, because information in the modern age becomes obsolete so quickly, that without the ability to analyse you will get lost,” he added.

“The people who promote reform at a technical level need to ensure that they do not become a humbug to progress…they themselves have not been exposed to those tools so how do they propagate them,” said Jagdeo.

Campbellville resident remanded for stealing granny’s TV

A

2 3 - y e a r - o l d Campbellville resident was quite upset that he was remanded on Wednesday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts for stealing what he calls his own 32” television.

The defendant, Seon De Freitas, was brought before Magistrate Annette Singh in Court 11 where the charge was read to him. It is alleged that he broke into his grandmother Janet De Freitas’s home on February 25, and removed a 32” television valued $340,000. The matter was indictable thus the defendant was not required to plead.

However, Police Prosecutor Adduni Inniss wished that the case be tried in Court 11 and the Magistrate granted the request.

With this, the defendant entered a not-guilty plea asking the Magistrate for a few minutes to explain.

Magistrate Singh granted the defendant’s request and he thus stated that the television was his.

He said that his grandmother had purchased the television from Courts in her name, but he had provided the money for her to do so for him.

Also, the defendant told the court that he did not break into the Virtual Complainant’s home to take the television as she had let him into her house.

He told the Magistrate that he had never been in trouble with the law before, had a six-month-old son and worked very hard as a mechanic. He was remanded until March 25.

news

3

thursday, March 12, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, March 12 – 08:30h-10:00h and Friday, March 13 – 09:30h-11:00h The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, March 12 – 07:50h-09:20h and Friday, March 13 – 08:55h-09:25h

FERRY SCHEDULE Ferries will be departing the Parika and Supenaam stellings at 06:00h and 13:00h

WEATHER TODAY Light rain showers are expected to dominate throughout the day with clear skies expected in the evening over coastal regions and near inland locations.

Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees and 28 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-easterly between 5.36 metres and 5.81 metres per second.

High Tide: 08:27h and 21:03h reaching maximum heights of 2.46 metres and 2.32 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 02:00h and 14:31h reaching minimum heights of 0.82 metre and 0.77 metre respectively.

wednesday, MARCH 11, 2015

LOTTERY NUMBERS J

04 08 09 19 26 27 17 Bonus Ball

FREE TICKET

Daily Millions

02 03 04 11 13 LUCKY 3

8

6

0

Draw De Line 04

07

13

14

16

18

20

DISCLAIMER: WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ERRORS IN PUBLICATION. PLEASE CALL THE HOTLINE FOR CONFIRMATION - TEL: 225-8902

April 7 is Nomination Day – GECOM calls on political parties to maintain “campaign decorum”

P

olitical parties desirous of contesting the May 11 General and Regional Elections will be given an opportunity to cement this intent when they present their List of Candidates to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on April 7, Nomination Day. This was revealed on Wednesday when several of these parties met GECOM officials to discuss procedures and expectations for that day and during the election season. Speaking at the event, GECOM Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally revealed that the Code of Conduct for political parties will be immediately available after Nomination Day for endorsement.

On this day, the parties through their respective Representative and Deputy Representative will present their List of Candidates.

According to a GECOM advisory, the Representative or the Deputy in submitting the list to the Chief Elections Officer must ensure that it is submitted in the prescribed form, ascertain that the list is accompanied by a Statutory Declaration for each candidate and for the President named in the National Top-List.

GECOM says no person on the list could be on more than one Geographical Constituencies’ List. The Representative must also ensure that the necessary corrections are made and submitted to the Chief Elections Officer not later than the 29th day before Election Day if the List of Candidates is in any way defective; make an application in writing to the Chief Elections Officer for the allocation of a symbol not later than the 32nd day before Election Day. This symbol must be approved by the Elections Commission.

“Every activity that GECOM undertakes, it is within the consonance and the spirit of the Constitution…” expressed Dr Surujbally in an attempt to inspire the trust of the political parties in the work of the Commission. He noted that

GECOM Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally in conversation with representative of political parties

the Commission executed its mandate within the spirit of the Constitution.

“If you believe that elections represent one of the most important tiles in the mosaic of democracy, then you have to show that respect to the purveyors, management and organisers of those elections,” he added.

According to the GECOM Chairman, the body is constantly appraised by other Electoral Management Commissions within the Commonwealth, many of whom seek advice as well.

“We have gained this respect because of the Secretariat’s conviction to doing what is right and perhaps following the directions of the Commission,” he further stated.

Campaign decorum As the political campaigning intensifies, Dr Surujbally is urging parties to ensure that they maintain a clean campaign in keeping with the expectations enshrined in the Code of Conduct.

“I’m appealing, since I cannot dictate, to combatants within the realm of the respective political parties to ensure that they maintain campaign decorum and political speeches and rhetoric would remain respectful at all times,” he petitioned, while noting that such respect should not be shown only to parties and voters but the

Commission as well. “I want to believe that the days of ‘bradarism’ in the political campaign had ended.”

Dr Surujbally’s expectation is that given the maturity with which the parties had come together to sign on to the Code of Conduct, certain daring political gestures would be miniscule.

He informed those gathered that the intent was to strengthen the 2011 document for use this time around, with their contribution.

According to the Code of Conduct, the endorsing political party “recognises that peace and public order, freedom of political campaigning, and compliance with electoral laws and regulations are essential and of paramount importance to the conduct of free, fair and credible elections”.

And to achieve the abovementioned goal, the parties will have declared and affirmed their belief in the sanctity of human life, and the abhorrence of taking human life and as such, denounce the violation of anyone, because of that person’s political allegiance.

The parties must express opposition to and rejection of the use of vi-

olence and intimidation or plans of this nature by any of the candidates, agents, members or supporters as a means of expressing political support or furthering political objectives. There are rules governing the actions of parties on Election Day, as well as it relates to polling agents and others.

As it relates to campaigning, in the 2011 Code of Conduct, parties committed to contribute in every way to the goal of a peaceful election process by forbidding the use of threats, harassment or tendency to violence that might cause disruption, whether at political rallies or elsewhere, or any other form of intimidatory behaviour.

Similarly, the participating political groups are expected to forbid the use of abusive, slanderous or threatening language, or language which could incite people of one group to violence against any candidate, agent, member or supporter of any other group and the publication of any pamphlet, poster, cartoon or any other material containing text which could offend or incite people to cause public disorder.

4

guyanatimesgy.com

thursday, march 12, 2015

Views Editor: Nigel Williams Tel: 225-5128, 231-0397, 226-9921, 226-2102, 223-7230 or 223-7231. Fax: 225-5134 Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com

Editorial

A time for reflection, not provocation

T

here has been too much rhetoric spouted in the wake of the "execution style" gunning down of Courtney Crum-Ewing in Diamond, East Bank Demerara Tuesday night.

Crum-Ewing first came to public notice when he staged a one-man picketing exercise in front of the AttorneyGeneral's office. He felt that the AG should resign in the wake of a call by the latter to a Kaieteur News reporter, intercepted and recorded by Glenn Lall, publisher of the that newspaper.

Crum-Ewing made it clear that he was protesting the unprofessional language of the Attorney General.

Ironically, in view of that paper's boast that it is "the largest selling newspaper in New York", Crum-Ewing, the father of three daughters who recently returned to Guyana, lashed out at it: “I have a problem with the press coming out of Guyana (in NY). I am so embarrassed to say that I have never brought my kids to Guyana. Every time I have a conversation about bringing my kids to Guyana I have to answer to something negative pertaining to crime, health and the ugly things that are happening. That’s what they get from the press coming out of Guyana. I have a tough time convincing them that Guyana is a beautiful place.”

Crum-Ewing was continuing with his civic-mindedness, using a "crowd hailer" to encourage residents of Diamond to vote when he was gunned down, according to the Police bulletin, by "four men in a car".

Within two hours of the killing the Ministry of Home Affairs issued a statement denouncing it "in the strongest possible terms" and expressing condolences "to his family and friends".

It continued, "Though it is early yet to draw any specific conclusion or motive in connection with the perpetration of this dastardly act, the Ministry of Home Affairs wishes to alert the general public to be vigilant in respect of any act of violence provoked or unprovoked, that might be possibly initiated by those who may have a political agenda."

The Police statement came an hour later since they had to complete their investigation of the crime scene.

The men had fled the scene in their car, but the Police recovered several .32 shells which should assist in their investigations.

There could have been no greater effort made by the forces of law and order of Guyana, but very sadly, the reaction from the Opposition has been very opportunistic and inflammatory. It appears designed to provoke racial hostilities at this very sensitive moment in our political history - a very closely contested election due within three months.

Claiming Crum-Ewing as an "asset", the APNU+AFC on one hand made "appeals for calm in this trying time", but then most insidiously claimed that "human rights abuses are carried and condoned under the PPP/C" and called on its supporters to "resist this dastardly and cowardly act of provocation".

The APNU+AFC is placing the responsibility at the feet of the PPP/C without a shred of proof and based in the history of past eruptions of violence in Guyana, could precipitate another.

David Hinds, an Executive of the WPA, a key member of APNU+AFC was even more provocative in his statement: "The PPP/C, already with the blood of the Linden martyrs on its hands, have now claimed another innocent victim."

This is nothing more than a call to arms and must be condemned by every well meaning citizen of this country.

If without any evidence, the Crum-Ewing's murder can be blamed on the PPP/C, then even more credibly, based on past PNC's plans such as the X-13, it can be claimed that the murder was committed by APNU+AFC so as to either rally their support base for the elections, or even worse, to precipitate chaos and confusion in this country.

We call on APNU+AFC to allow the Police investigation to proceed without further provocations.

Schoolchildren wearing padded hoods to protect them from falling debris sit on running tracks during an earthquake simulation exercise at an elementary school in Tokyo March 11 (Reuters/Issei Kato)

Public clarification needed about notorious Kaieteur News headline Dear Editor, I write to register my deepest concern over the exercise of editorial control of the Kaieteur News newspaper and media house.

Immediately after the conclusion of the press conference with former President Bharrat Jagdeo in the media room at Freedom House, I was present during a conversation between the Editor of the Kaieteur News

Adam Harris and Jagdeo, when Jagdeo questioned Harris as to how such headlines could be printed in the (Kaieteur News) newspaper, when they had the transcript and video of his speech at Babu Jaan, which would have revealed that he (Jagdeo) never said that the PPP/C was a “coolie people party”.

Harris’ response was that he was not there (at

Babu Jaan), but in any event this was Glenn Lall’s doing.

If this is indeed the truth as Harris has asserted, and I hope it is not, then questions need to be asked about Harris’ exercise of editorial control and power at the Kaieteur News newspaper and the underlying motive of pursuing an objective with the inherent risk of racial and political unrest

that our country must assiduously avoid to maintain a course of collective national development.

I am, therefore, seeking a public clarification on the accuracy of Harris’ statement and his role and knowledge, if any, in the publication of the notorious headline.

Charles S Ramson Attorney at Law

Freddie did not serve democracy Dear Editor, Freddie Kissoon asked whether he served the cause of democracy, in which he launched a scathing attack against my integrity, questioning my honesty in opinion polling in another section of the media. My response was not published in the other paper.

Eusi Kwayana, Vassan Ramracha, Satyadeo Sawh, Chuck Mohan, Ravi Dev and a few others, served the cause of democracy, not Freddie. He has undermined democracy by attacking others who promoted democracy and for penning inaccurate information.

Freddie’s Publisher and Editor chastised him for his inaccuracy and for attacking people’s character.

Eusi has served the cause of democracy. And whenever he makes a claim, he provides evidence. He has been on a crusade for democratic causes. And he partook in numerous protest rallies and seminars about democratic governance. Freddie did not.

In Toronto while he was a student, Freddie never supported the struggle for the restoration of democracy. Sawh, Raj Singh and others led that struggle,

even against Freddie’s opposition.

While others were involved in the struggle for free and fair elections, Freddie was wearing his big coat in 100 degrees temperature doing what he did best until the university deported him. Freddie was silent against Burnham because he depended on the cheque coming from Guyana. Money silenced his mouth and his activism.

Others were not bought out.

In New York, Arjune Karshan, Mohan, Mel Carpen, Ramracha, Baytoram Ramharack, Dev and I, among a handful of others, served the cause of democracy. We were in the front lines of fighting for free and fair elections, sacrificing our education and spending our personal money to liberate Guyana, lobbying the US Government and engaging in protest actions.

I wrote hundreds of artciles on rights abuses and spent countless hours in political activism. I organized and promoted seminars in which Kwayana, Tchaiko Kwayana, Ralph Gonsalves, Cheddi Jagan, Joey Jagan, Janet Jagan, Prof Chaitram Singh, Brinsely Samarro

and Kem Ramchand, among others spoke at CCNY and community events. I was an officer in the student undergraduate and graduate Government. Chuck and Prof Samad Maragarita Matias can affirm my claims.

In addition, Eusi spoke at gatherings in Jamaica and Richmond Hill organized by Dev, myself and others, and we spent our own money. At one of our protest movements against Ptolemy Reid in Brooklyn during the early 1980s, a consulate security agent pulled a gun on us outside of a church.

When Ramharack, Vassan and I complained to the Police, the officer said he couldn’t do anything as the consulate security agent had diplomatic immunity.

The agent also threatened to “deal with us” when we land at Timehri. Chuck can attest to that fact.

Chuck counter threatened to deal with him if anything should happen to us when we visit. As activists, we visited Guyana regularly to support the local movement for the restoration of democratic rule.

And speaking of activism in Guyana, when he

was a student at high school or at UG, Freddie did not speak out against rights abuses and election rigging. He was interested in a Burnham scholarship to study in Canada.

He was a rank opportunist as money closed his mouth. Drs Chaitram Singh and AK Jagnandan can affirm I was a student leader at Corentyne High School speaking out against lack of democracy – even when the soldiers and Police came to arrest the student leaders, and even when the Chief Education Officer threatened us with expulsion from school. Also, Ravi, Vassan, Ramharack and I engaged the WPA activists regularly up to 1992 when we spent our summer and spring vacations in Guyana. Eusi, Clive Thomas, Dr Rupert Roopnarine, Wasim and Wazir Mohammed, and Nigel Westmaas can attest to this fact.

We never saw Freddie as he was busy doing what he did best in his big coat. He was not even at the protest movement held outside of Pegasus against Sir Shridat Ramphal and the Caricom Regional Commission on furthering integration.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

guyanatimesgy.com

thursday, march 12, 2015

5

Fidel’s ROAR should be invited correspondence to join the PPP/C with Maradona Dear Editor, Yesterday I gave details of my encounter with the five compatriots who received the honorific title of Hero of the Republic of Cuba and the prestigious Order of Playa Girón. Seventy three days had passed since the arrival of those recently freed to the country.

To me, the priority was the reunion of these compatriots with their families, and the rigorous health check and medical attention for the brave compañeros who arrived from the depths of the odious imperial prisons, where they endured unjust and criminal sentences for preventing terrorist attacks which could have taken the lives of any boy, girl, man or woman, young people, adults or elderly people.

My fundamental interest was in the time that would be needed to exchange ideas and revolutionary experiences, which are the raison d'être of our lives. Other details prolonged the meeting to a certain extent. The three missing compañeros, arrived to the homeland on December 17, 2014.

On January 11, Diego Armando Maradona spoke of the letter that I had sent him and demonstrated the document which had provoked cu-

riosity, but on that occasion he didn’t reveal the details.

Last weekend, he once again referred to our exchange on Telesur. In order that everything be clear, I have included the full texts of the change I held with Maradona himself: Fidel to Maradona I was very happy to hear that you would be in Cuba during the first weeks of January, 2015, with the outstanding compañero who has shared with you the adventure of a fascinating sport.

I have at hand a list of oil producing and exporting countries, arranged by their production capacity and export policy, at a time when the latter gravely threatens the future of humanity.

Others do so for reasons of a different kind.

(Saudi Arabia 11,730,000 barrels per day; the United States 11,110,000; Russia 10,440,000; China 4,155,000; Canada 3,856,000; Iran 3,594,000; and United Arab Emirates 3,213,000.)

The rest, through number 20 on the list, the United Kingdom, extract in their respective territories more than one million barrels per day.

These are the countries which occupy the top positions according to their production ca-

pacity, although not for their proven reserves.

Learning of your visit to Cuba in these days made me very happy; thanks to my conversations with you during the most exceptional years of our unforgettable friend Hugo Chávez, I gathered that the encounter in Mar del Plata could not be forgotten. Hugo reminded the United States there was another America.

For my part, just a few minutes ago I watched, for the second time, the interview with Gerardo, Antonio and Ramón. Did you know that I still haven’t been able to greet them? Although I was able to send flowers to little Gema.

What a beautiful name!

I heard that you would be on the plane at 17:30h tomorrow (January 12). Is that true? In the recent Central American and Caribbean Games, in a discipline as important as football, a referee imposed an arbitrary penalty against us; it wasn’t even moderately fair. Money for the rich and penalties for the poor.

As you can see, I want to be impartial, but I can assure you, it’s difficult. A strong embrace, Maestro!

Fidel Castro Ruz January 11 continued on page 18

Freddie did not...

And supporting democracy, I gave financial donations to and or attended fundraisers of all of the then opposition parties (WPA, TUF, DLM, PPP, URP, NRP, PCD). Westmaas, Manzoor Nadir, Paul Tennassee, Moses Nagamootoo, Vishnu Bandhu and Kwayana among others can affirm my claims. Freddie accused me of fictional polls. I challenged Freddie on numerous occasions to provide evidence and even committed to giving him my home in NY if he submits credible evidence. He has come up empty. Can Freddie show the deviation of my polls from the actual results and if they were not within the margin of error?

On fictional information, Freddie claims he hired the CIA and the New York Times to do research on me and both institutions said I don’t teach anywhere. Is that not fiction?

Here is a man who manufactured data and information and was assailed for such acts by his own boss, and yet has the audacity and gall to accuse others of engaging in fiction. Here is a man whose writings are recognized as falling under the fictional genre, but who accuses others of mak-

ing up information. Almost all of Freddie's claims have been debunked by others as myths.

Freddie applauded the polls conducted by Dick Morris and Cadres showing the AFC winning the elections in 2006 and 2011.

Maxwell described those polls as bogus. Freddie got vexed with Maxwell. My polls showed PPP/C winning both elections – which were the actual outcomes.

So whose work was fictional? In 1992, Freddie said PNC would get 10 per cent and PPP/C 25 per cent, with the WPA winning the elections.

My poll showed PPP/C winning and WPA out of the race. The actual results showed PPP/C 53 per cent, PNC 42 per cent and WPA one per cent. So whose poll was fictional?

In his writings, Freddie has not penned a balanced, objective piece. And he has yet to provide accurate data or cite compelling facts to substantiate his arguments and claims.

Which academic of integrity would write the foolishness that Freddie pens?

Therefore, he has not served the cause of democracy. He has abused democracy.

from page 4

Vishnu Bisram

Dear Editor, Elections fever is in the air again and parties are jockeying for positions. In addition to exposing their policies via the various media outlets, one party, APNU (PNC) is attracting the smaller parties to its fold.

The most recent has been AFC joining the APNU. This movement of the AFC is in keeping with its voting record in Parliament as a united Opposition to the PPP/C. If the last election is any guide to the future voting patter of the electorate, then this does not bode well for the ruling PPP/C. This situation leaves only one other significant party unaccounted for, and that is ROAR. ROAR and Ravi Dev have been quiet for the last couple of years. Some call it the wilderness years. Others are claiming that Dev has gone to Himalayas to seek the counsel of a higher author-

ity.

Be that as it may, inquiring minds want to know if the PPP/C is going to persist with their policy of “you don’t fit the profile”?

ROAR’s core leadership gathered in New York the week leading to the Phagwah celebration to analyze the latest development in Guyana and made recommendations as to its commitment to the Guyanese people.

Positive commitments have been made by the members and ground work has been laid as to moving forward.

The PPP/C should at this critical juncture issue a clear and certain invitation to Ravi Dev and ROAR to shear their platform. Can the PPP/C afford to take the chance and risk ROAR and Ravi Dev campaign against them?

I think not. Are they going to be true Jaganites and issue an invitation to

Ravi Dev and all democratic forces to come and join the PPP/C to preserve democracy?

I have attended numerous meetings addressed by Moses and he never failed to indicate the scars he suffered under the PNC. Moses and the AFC is a means to an end and will be jettisoned to the dust bin of history if the PNC wins the election.

You have a legacy and you are now committing hara-kiri. I felt your pain and have endured some of it myself. But this lesson should be remembered equally by Moses and the PPP/C. History as they say has a way of repeating itself.

Latchman Mohabir Editor’s note: Writer requested that this letter be publishedc, as edited version was published in the Stabroek News

Congratulations to Ryhaan Shah and Ruel Johnson Dear Editor, I wish to extend congratulations to Ryhaan Shah and Ruel Johnson for the recent duel in the media and exchange of views intelligently on the nomination, selection and awarding of prizes for the Guyana Prize for Literature.

I really enjoyed the exciting debate and representation of their respective arguments as Mr Johnson clearly

showed his political preference.

Both writers were very articulate in presenting their views and both have presented justification for their individual positions.

This is very admirable and

ought to be practised and adopted by like minded, talented individuals in Guyana.

Congratulations guys! I am proud of you both.

Nazar Mohamed Letters continued on page 18

6news

thursday, march 12, 2015| guyanatimesGY.com

Elections 2015

Police intensify investigation Donald Ramotar Administration says into Diamond murder no to bullyism, racial incitement – groups hold silent vigil

By Alexis Rodney

G

overnment has taken note of the usual trend of racial incitement being portrayed

by Opposition parties during special periods and has warned that the “bullyism, intimidation and repression” against Guyanese will not be tolerated.

Head of the Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon at his postCabinet media briefing on Wednesday, said the Opposition People’s National Congress (PNC) has been using its age-old method of inciting racial agitation during the election period.

“An ethnically diverse population, with less than ideal political culture often becomes subject to racial incitement. And this occurs particularly during special periods such as elections.

Cabinet has rejected the resurfacing of this phenomenon of racial incitement by politicians during the 2015 elections campaign,” the Cabinet Secretary said.

Dr Luncheon said the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) has been what he described as the “arch enemy” of racial incitement and its main protagonist

Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon

in Guyana, which has used that tool to achieve its objective.

“The PNC has used it to complement its age-old embrace of bullyism, intimidation and repression against Guyanese, particularly those in opposition to them when they were in office and those today who are in support of the current of the PPP/C governments,” Luncheon retorted.

He said racial incitement continues to rear its ugly head despite the constitutionally, statutory and community based positions against the “reprehensible practice”.

Meanwhile, Dr Luncheon said Cabinet cannot fathom the silence of the Prime

Ministerial nominee of the new A Partnership for National Unity-Alliance For Change (APNU-AFC) coalition, Moses Nagamootoo, even after he had written extensively against the practice.

“In another time and era not so long ago, he spoke and wrote eloquently on the subject of racial incitement as practised by the PNC, and his subsequent embrace of the same detractors that he reviled in his not-so-distant past. The PPP maintains its age-long position to reject entirely racial incitement and it indicts APNU, and any successor of the PNC, and all who embrace and support racial incitement as a practice that should be extinguished in Guyana.”

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo had on Tuesday said the issue of race was one that needed to be extensively addressed and not swept under the carpet as per normal.

He explained that a huge taboo still existed on the topic, noting that the purest condemnation of those who are racial can be taken out of context.

Consequently, he urged all Guyanese to be alert during the various campaigns in order to detect which politicians were guilty of invoking racial politics.

Protests outside the Legal Affairs Ministry

P

olice have intensified their investigations into the executionstyle killing of an ex-Guyana Defence Force (GDF) member Courtney Ewing Crum whose body was riddled with bullets on Tuesday evening at Third Street, Diamond, East Bank Demerara.

A senior Police rank told the Guyana Times that investigators revisited the scene on Wednesday to conduct further investigations and to take additional statements from persons in the neighbourhood.

He also stated that based on preliminary investigations, Crum was shot at least three times with a 9mm pistol, as he was urging residents to come out and vote on Election Day. The now dead man grabbed attention some months ago after being a lone protester outside the Legal Affairs Ministry calling for the resignation of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil

Nandlall, after the taped conversation between the Minister and Kaieteur News reporter Leonard Gildharie went viral.

Peaceful vigil

Meanwhile, a group of about 20 persons gathered outside the Legal Affairs Ministry at the spot where the late Ewing stood alone in protest.

They called for justice to be served. In very ironic fashion, they staged a silent protest with banners like “We will not be silenced” and “I will not be silenced”. An individual holding a sign which said “My voice matters, I will not be silent”, refused to voice his opinion on the matter.

One of the protesters, Diana Barry, said: “We have our youths; we have to look at our youths. If we do this as adults, what are we saying to our children in school?

It is okay to do this to each other and you can get away with it? This is what we are saying with adults. We are not teaching our youths the

right thing,” the teacher said as she expressed her disgust at the actions of the killers.

Another protester, Roxanne Mayers, stated that she came out to the protest to show she was not afraid of the people who silenced Courtney Crum Ewing.

“We will continue to take a stand in this country,” said the member of Partners for Peace and Development.

She stated that right now no one knew who silenced him and she wanted to tell whoever silenced him that she was not afraid of them.

She said: “We want change” without stating a reason as to why.

Most of the protesters claimed that they were in no way related to the activist.

The protesters claimed the protest was spontaneous and they got to know of the incident on social media. They said they came out to show support for the dead man’s family and what he stood for.

It is uncertain whether the protests will continue.

Brother of known criminal wanted for Agricola shooting

T

he brother of a well known criminal is being hunted by the Police for the execution of Randy Persaud which occurred on Tuesday evening in front of his three-yearold daughter and other relatives at Agricola, Greater Georgetown.

A senior Police rank told Guyana Times on Wednesday morning that investigators are hunting the man who pumped six bullets

into Persaud’s body in front of his home at Lot 83 Second Street, Agricola.

The rank told this publication that based on information received, Persaud and the wanted man had a misunderstanding some time back and the shooting might have stemmed from that issue.

Nevertheless, he stated that the Police will do everything in their power to find the suspect, while noting Dead: Randy Persaud

that a .9mm pistol was used to carry out the attack.

However, Debbie Persaud, mother of the dead man during an interview told media operatives that she was not sure of the motive behind the shooting but called on the Guyana Police Force to find the culprit who made good his escape after committing the act.

“Since Sunday night, they shooting at me son… meh son and them nah got no story because he done mix and mingle with them… they can’t go behind the people who and them got story but they come behind me son to take advantage,” she cried.

She went on to say that her son went to Cayanne, French Guiana and she requested for him to return home to which he agreed.

Persaud came back about three weeks ago but planned on returning to Suriname.

She encouraged him to look

after his papers so that he can “come and go anytime”.

“He got a friend who is a prison officer went by he on Sunday drinking so they decide to go out… same day was Sophia Mash so they went there… After I lock up shop, me and he daughter went in the house but about 20 minutes after, meh hear they come back”, she noted.

Upon enquiring the reason for them to return in such a haste, she was told that someone at the Mash celebrations, shot at the officer’s car hence they left.

Nevertheless, on the night of the shooting, she was in the house looking at television when she heard gunshots in front of her home and as she looked out she heard her son screaming for her.

As she ran towards the street, she saw her son in a nearby gutter and the suspect with a gun in his hands pulling the trigger. After the shooting incident, she said that the suspect, whose name was given as Jomel, was seen fleeing the scene. The suspect reportedly resides at Cross Street, Georgetown.

The dead man’s relatives are calling on members of the Police Force to investigate the matter thoroughly and are hopeful that the culprit is brought to justice. The dead man leaves to morning his reputed wife who is pregnant with his second child, his three year-old daughter, mother and siblings.

news

7

thursday, march 12, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

Jagdeo warns about Opposition’s whisper campaign – stands by commitment to fight racism the drums, it happened in South, and to go to homes and say let’s throw out these coolie people,” he said.

BY MICHAEL YOUNGE

“W

e have no apology to make for fighting racism.

I am a son of this soil and I will fight racism every single day. I made it clear at Babu Jaan that this country cannot develop if its benefits are felt by only one group of people.

It cannot have a long term future and I believe in that.”

Those were sentiments of former President Bharrat Jagdeo as he addressed a press conference at Freedom House, Robb Street, Georgetown to respond to a report in the Kaieteur Newspapers, deemed "sensational and scandalous" about statements he made at the Cheddi Jagan Memorial Ceremony held in Berbice.

Jagdeo said that that newspaper was probably being paid by the Opposition to carry the report under the headline, “Rohee endorses Jagdeo statement that PPP/C [People's Progressive Party/ Civic] is a ‘coolie people’ party”.

But the PPP/C Executive dismissed the newspaper and its financial backers’ attempt to twist and distort the content, context and spirit of his presentation to thousands of PPP/C supported at Babu Jaan.

He argued that these claims are “absolutely untrue”

Not tolerated in PPP/C

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo

as he reminded reporters that he has continuously encouraged PPP/C supporters and Guyanese by extension to take a stance against racism and its perpetuation in political campaigns.

Jagdeo said he was raised to respect and execute the philosophy of the PPP/C’s founding leader Cheddi Jagan which dictated that members should not pay attention to people’s gender, religion or race.

“We must fight racism.

Most of the people when I say this….They know what took place in the Opposition at the last election…they know that people were deployed and (Joseph) Harmon knows this too. That they were deployed to go to some villages and beat

GuySuCo to benefit from GGMC transfer

BY DEVINA SAMAROO

F

ormer President Bharat Jagdeo says the $3 billion loan from the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) to the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) could possibly lift the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) out of its current financial crisis.

This declaration was made during a press conference on Tuesday at Freedom House where Jagdeo explained that the money will be used to purchase 1000 acres of lands from the sugar corporation for the development of house lots.

He added that the loan will help to resolve two problems; increased demand for house lots and GuySuCo financial need, resulting in a wide cross-section of Guyanese benefiting from the business deal.

“There is no Parliament now and we know that GuySuCo needs help…the account now earns less than 2% so they (GGMC) are getting a commitment investing this money that will bring greater return to GGMC, we then help GuySuCo to get over their difficult period,” he said.

Jagdeo also reiterated that the loan is provided for in the GGMC Act. He clarified that the money will go directly towards the development of approximately 5000 house lots which in return will benefit the Guyanese public.

“Not a cent of this $3B will go to Ashni Singh, or to Robert Persaud or to Irfaan

Ali,” he pointed out.

Earlier efforts by the GGMC and others to justify the loan’s constitutionality were unacceptable for sections of society. Chief Justice Ian Chang had called for transparency following attempts by City Councillor Ranwell Jordan to file a motion in the High Court challenging the constitutionality of the loan.

A similar motion was filed

by Executive Member of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) Desmond Trotman.

Since the Chief Justice’s instructions, the government cancelled the initial $3B loan to the GGMC and has since ordered the funds to be directly transferred.

Meanwhile, Jagdeo expressed shock over the controversy the loan has attracted.

“I’ve seen this hullabaloo about the GGMC running a parallel treasury. But the GGMC Act allows you to get an account outside the consolidated fund,” Jagdeo maintained.

He made reference to past situations where similar loans were applied without controversy. GGMC had issued a statement highlighting instances where loans were granted to other government agencies for various projects unrelated to the GGMC. These include the rehabilitation works to the Bartica Pavilion; the improvement of electricity supply at Mahdia, Port Kaituma, Matthew’s Ridge and Moruca and the reconstruction of the Environmental Protection Agency.

He said if any member of the PPP/C acted in such a manner they would be kicked out because the party is committed to fighting racism.

Responding to what some have described as the theatrics of the Opposition and their opportunism, Jagdeo said that no attempt to stir up controversy or spread misinformation about the statements he made would go un-

challenged.

He reasoned that “they will try to make wild accusations because they want to hide from their track record. They will do everything so that we do not focus on Granger’s record….and their lack of plans for the future of this country….that we do not point out the inconsistencies of their policies over the past three years”.

Whisper campaigns

Jagdeo said that he has noticed that the Opposition parties were slowly embarking on their old whisper campaigns which were used to spew lies about the Government and paint it as racist, labeling the

tactic “spent” and “weary”.

“I raised the issue of race because it is the only tool that the opposition used in the last elections and they are back at using it again. I want Granger to go to platform where he has a PNC [People's National Congress] crowd where they have one of their rallies and say what I have said. Say we will depart from Burnham’s vision if we do not fight racism….It would send mixed signals to the people because what they say publicly often differs from what they say privately”, he alleged further.

He told the media that “they (Opposition) uses the whisper campaign well. I am proud of what I did; raising

the issue…I do not sweep it under the carpet”.

He opined that the whisper campaign usually starts on Facebook and then spills over to others including the mass media.

Asked what evidence he had to support his accusations, Jagdeo said that he was willing to provide people who witnessed the execution of the campaign during the last elections and he was willing to stand by their accounts of the beating of the drums and racist remarks made by some during the 2011 elections.

“I am not coolie and so I take offence at some saying let’s get these coolie people out,” he said.

8 NEWS

thursday, march 12, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

AFC supporters returning to PPP/C in large numbers Eyew tness – Rohee tells groups, organisers to reintegrate them into ranks

R

uling People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) General Secretary Clement Rohee has cautioned party groups and organisers against turning away scores of persons who voted for the Alliance For Change (AFC) at the 2011 elections, but are now expressing a desire to rejoin the ranks of the party.

Rohee, in a letter seen by the Guyana Times said: “It has been brought to our attention that a large number of supporters who voted for the AFC in 2011 are expressing support for the PPP/C.” He said that “a number of these former AFC voters have pointed out some level of difficulty in being reaccepted into our ranks by our activists”.

The General Secretary then instructed the party groups and organisers to “facilitate and allow these former AFC supporters to be reintegrated and support party campaign activities in their

PPP/C General Secretary Clement Rohee

respective areas”.

He argued in the letter dated March 2, 2015 that while the rejection of these former AFC voters was understandable, “many now are better aware of their mistakes and see the PPP/C as their genuine choice and for this we should all welcome their reintegra-

tion”.

The letter is seen as perhaps one of the first signs that the Cummingsburg Accord signed by the AFC and the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) on Valentine Day this year has left the former at the bitter end of the political scope.

In fact, since the AFC’s decision to ink the agreement and enter into a coalition with the People’s National Congress (PNC)-led APNU, the AFC has been facing significant internal challenges which has seen a number of its core Executives and grassroot support base resigning their membership.

The party’s leader, Khemraj Ramjattan, has been having an uphill task justifying the decision of his Executive and trying to sell the coalition to thousands of AFC supporters who believed that the AFC should have remained a third force and option to both the PPP/C and PNC-dominated APNU. Reports reaching the Guyana Times show that scores of AFC supporters have rejoined or are in the process of rejoining the PPP/C and the Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO) groups in several regions around the country.

The truth...

I

...on race making waves

n Guyana, while everybody moans and groans about “race” being the bane of our politics...it’s not only not politically correct to say the PNC plays the race card it’s verboten!! Just look at the media reports on former President Jagdeo’s speech at Babu Jaan.

All Jagdeo said was that the PNC - masquerading as APNU - does their “race” thing under the bottom-houses - beating their drums and advising to “throw out those coolie people” - and suddenly he’s a “racist” of the highest order!

The PNC and APNU, Stabroek and Kaieteur News can preach to their heart content that the PPP/C is preaching “race” under the bottom houses of Indian Guyanese that’s not “racist”.

But one PPP/C leader says the same about the PNC preaching under the bottom houses of their African Guyanese supporters and he’s the Indian equivalent of Adolfo Hitler!! The PNC, it appears, is “above racial mobilisation”!

But that’s nothing new... it’s been like that ever since Indians arrived in Guyana. Only when Indians talk about “race” it’s “racist”. For others it’s “sociology”!! After Nagamootoo and Ramjattan joined the PNC in their (unholy) matrimony, they’re having it both ways.

They could never call the PNC/APNU “racist” when they were on their lonesome - but now?? They can do so to the PPP/C with gusto. And even invoke the founder of the PPP/C Cheddi Jagan to boot!!

Well, this Eyewitness has something to tell them Cheddi Jagan never shied away from making the point that Jagdeo did...because he knew the “keep the coolie out” cry wasn’t a personal thing. It was part and parcel of how people like Burnham and Granger see Indian Guyanese. Jagan’s on record: “The Black middle class, which had emerged earlier historically, was generally content with their ‘junior partner’ role (the British/Coloured elite) and saw the emergent Indian middle strata as a threat. They perceived the lower rungs of the colonial administrative ladder as their preserve. In Trinidad, Marxist historian Dr Gordon Lewis referred to them as “the white collar proconsuls of the colonial structure.”

With the arrival of universal franchise in 1950, all Indian Guyanese - “coolie” to Burnham and Granger’s class - became “a threat”. While a whole lot of folks have berated Jagan and his successors for holding on to a Marxist world view...this forbids any PPP/C member from preaching a “racial” line.

No one doubts that opportunistic PPP/C members may do so...but it’s grounds for their expulsion. And Jagdeo also said this.

Ramjattan, Nagamootoo - and now their Whim colleague Ramayya - should confess about the racist, opportunistic actions they took in Berbice in 2011. But now that they’ve joined the PNC, their own rhetoric will destroy them. Payback’s a bitch!!

...on living

Another fallacy exposed by Jagdeo at Babu Jaan is that the father of the nation Dr Jagan wanted members of his party to “live in logees”. Or, in the Bibical language of Granger and Nagamootoo, “wear sackcloth and ashes”.

That to be a socialist was to grovel in poverty. What nonsense. Wasn’t Marx’s closest collaborator in Marxist theory - Engels - the son of a wealthy industrialist??

As Jagdeo pointed out, didn’t Jagan himself have a very posh home (for that time) in Bel Air, when most of his supporters were living on sugar estates?? Didn’t Jagan send his son - now praising the Opposition - to school in Canada? Did that make him less caring for the poor??

The fact of the matter is that the privileged bunch that dominates the PNC - and to which Nagamootoo went to law school in his dotage to join - can’t stand the fact that Jagdeo bested them!!

How dare that “coolie” from Unity do that??

...about Lalloo Ram

And guess who wrote the first letter denouncing Jagdeo for the PNC’s “coolie” charge?? Lalloo Ram, that’s who. Lalloo so doesn’t want to be a “coolie”.

Wanker even changed his name and wears suspenders as disguise!

news

9

thursday, march 12, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

Continuous heavy downpour affecting rice harvesting

F

A plot of rice land at Golden Fleece, Essequibo Coast

armers from Region Two (PomeroonSupemaan) on Wednesday complained that the continuous heavy downpour is affecting their livelihoods and their ability to harvest this year’s rice crop.

Guyana Times understands that scores of farmers along the coast are affected

by the unpredictable weather patterns and the negative impact it is having on their ability to continue working on their rice farms.

Some Golden Fleece farmers when contacted reported that their rice lands have been under water for several days despite efforts to pump the water off the land.

“I am peeved over the situation and I have called several top regional officials but nothing has been done to date”, a female farmer from Golden Fleece reported.

She expressed hope that the situation takes a turn for the better while expressing the belief that if it does not then her crop which is sub-

merged could be lost.

The farmer also expressed concern over the poor state of some of the drainage apparatus in her community which needs urgent attention from the requisite regional officials.

Meanwhile, other farmers stated that they are looking at the weather patterns before making a decision to harvest their respective crops.

They shared that the continuous downpour, which started last week, has left some dams that lead directly to fertile rice lands inundated.

In some cases the combine machines at some dams are waiting to enter the rice fields but due to the heavy rainfall, harvesting is not possible. These Farmers are worried about losing their crops.

Region Two Chairman

Parmanand Persaud said that he is aware of the situation at Golden Fleece and will explore the options available to his administration to provide assistance to farmers there.

Persaud said he is concerned too over the heavy rainfall and the harvesting of

the rice crop.

He reminded farmers that several dams in various areas were rehabilitated to assist them during the harvesting time.

Over 32,700 acres of lands are under rice cultivation.

Almost every household has a plot of rice land.

Two combine machines waiting to enter the rice fields on the Essequibo Coast

Caricom Rice Mill Courtney Crum-Ewing murder Home Affairs Ministry orders detailed probe recommences buying paddy F ollowing the death of former Guyana Defence Force solider Courtney Crum-Ewing on Tuesday evening, the Home Affairs Ministry has disclosed that stringent orders have been given to Commissioner of Police Seelall Persaud and the Guyana Police Force to conduct the most comprehensive investigation into the matter with immediate effect.

Crum-Ewing, 40, was executed at the end of Third Street, Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD) around 20:00h.

Reports indicate that a vehicle approached him and several shots issued from it at him, before it fled the crime scene.

Several hours after, the

The Caricom Rice Mill Company located in Region Two (Pomeroon Supenaam)

T

he Caricom Rice Mill Limited on Wednesday recommenced purchasing paddy from rice farmers in Region Two. The company is doing even as investigations are ongoing into an incident which left a young employee dead.

It made the decision to recommence purchasing paddy following the outcry from farmers who were affected because of the closure of the mill and the ongoing probe being conducted by the Labour Ministry after the death of 18-year-old Threeson Gittens.

Scores of farmers had vented their frustrations over the mill not accepting their paddy. Farmers

in the close neighbouring community of Anna Regina, Henrietta, Bush Lot, Cotton Field and Three Friends were predominately affected.

Farmers had stated that the mill is in close proximity to them and those who harvested early in the crop had to incur additional expenses to transport their paddy to millers outside of their district.

The company is presently paying $2,700 for a bag of extra “A” paddy, $2, 500 for “A” grade paddy and $2400 for a bag of “B” grade paddy.

As the Caricom Rice Mill reopened its doors for business on Wednesday, several trucks filled with paddy were cued outside.

Ministry issued a press release stating that the authorities were ordered to take immediate action in order to get to the bottom of the execution-style murder.

Further, the Ministry expressed strong condemnation against the incident as it extended sympathy to the family and friends of the deceased while pledging to support the Police in their investigations in order to bring the perpetrator(s) to justice.

The Home Affairs Ministry also urged anyone with information surrounding the circumstances and motive of the shooting to give their full support to the Police in their investigation.

Notwithstanding the misfortune of the incident, the Ministry also noted with “deep coincidence”

Dead: Courtney Crum-Ewing

that the fatal shooting follows the earlier swearing in of Persaud as the new Commissioner of Police.

In addition, while the Ministry admitted that it was premature to draw any specific conclusion or motive

in connection with the perpetration of the incident, it strongly advised the general public to be vigilant in respect of any act of violence provoked or unprovoked that might be possibly initiated by those who may have a political agenda.

Crum-Ewing became known to the general public after he staged a one-man protest outside the Legal Affairs Ministry for several months, calling for the resignation of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, following an illegally taped conversation between the Minister and Kaieteur News’ senior reporter Leonard Gildharie.

Publisher Glenn Lall was believed to have been the mastermind.

10

guyanatimesgy.com

thursday, march 12, 2015

News

APNU/AFC coalition uses exsoldier’s death to campaign T

he recently formed A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Alliance For Change (AFC) coalition group on Wednesday used the execution style killing of ex-Guyana Defense Force (GDF) solider Courtney Crum-Ewing to campaign for the upcoming elections urging Guyanese to vote for Change.

The coalition group while expressing its condemnation of the ex-soldier’s death said

it demands a full and impartial investigation into his murder along with independent observation of the postmortem.

“The longer his killers escape justice, the greater an indictment of the PPP/C’s failure to keep this society secure”, the statement read before it stated “on May 11 Guyana will be delivered from this evil which stalks Guyana. Vote for change”.

The coalition group also sought to lay blame for

Ewing’s death at the feet of PPP/C Executives arguing that the man’s death should be considered with the context of the increasing attacks on the rights of citizens to freely express themselves.

The coalition group then admitted that Ewing was being used to do their activism work.

Crum-Ewing was engaged in anti-Government protests outside of the Attorney General’s chambers for months calling for his

resignation following the release of an illegal recording.

“APNU+AFC has lost a tremendous asset and for many a good friend”, the statement said as it rejected the nexus created by the Home Affairs Ministry and the swearing in of the Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud on Tuesday.

But it argued that CrumEwing was allegedly subject to harassment, threats and unreasonable detention by the Guyana Police Force.

Culture Ministry to trademark Mashramani

D

uring the Mash 2015 Prize Giving Ceremony, Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony expressed his desire to have the event trademarked.

The ceremony was held on Tuesday at the National Cultural Centre.

The Minister made the declaration in his feature address.

At this event, he expressed the interest of the Ministry to make Mashramani more marketable and self-sufficient.

Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony

The Minister stated that companies were posting advertisements about Mashramani, but were not contributing to the festival.

He described this act as ‘pirating of the event’ and ‘ambush marketing’.

He also spoke of similar practices being used in the build-up to the Cricket World Cup. The Minister said that steps were being taken to eradicate ‘ambush marketing’ in a move to ensure that contributors to the event gets the maximum benefit.

Dr Anthony lamented that the fact that the event relied heavily on the support of the Government.

The Minister said: “We are registering the word Mashramani, we are going to patent it and anybody who wants to use the word Mashramani would have to get permission to use it.”

This means that the word Mashramani would become exclusive property of the Ministry and other entities would have to gain special permission or licence to use it. This licensing will aid the Ministry in obtaining funding. Dr Anthony said that sponsors of the event would have right to use the name Mashramani.

The Minister pointed out that one of the main issues plaguing the event is participants not coming on board early enough. He stressed the need for participants to come on board earlier to ensure that the process of planning is smoother.

The trademark will protect Mashramani against ‘false advertising’ and would force companies to licence the name in order to use it. This plan is expected increase corporate involvement in the festival. He believes that this mechanism will allow the event to be more self-sustainable in the coming years and hopes that the event will be able to attract more support locally and overseas.

Freedie gotta smile nowadays

T

his country gotta bunch of hyprocrites and skalligwags.

And in case people fuhget, a hypocrite is some body who does pretend as though dem have principles and virtues and morals and all that kinda ting.

Lalloo fuh instance does talk bout principles and virtues and morals. But if yuh check de car whah he driving and check a court document, yuh gon find another story bout de car and another story bout principles and virtues and morals.

Plenty of dem hypocrites like Lalloo does be church people too. Old people seh that kinda people is two-face people. Dem does be one ting in church and another ting at Seeta’s and 7-owe-4. Well, even some of dem pastors, pandits and majees does get on bad.

Just ask dem folks by de Cathedral and some of dem same lil boys and gyals who does go to church wid de same pastors, pandits and majees. But it got nuff hypocrites in politics too. Dem know when to talk and when to keep dem mouth shut, except Freedie de Man Kisser of course.

When Lil Johnny call out Uncle Rafeel, yuh woulda tink that Red Thread and Burger Smith and every body else outta de country. But when a Minister phone call get tape by a man who want not one but two Lexus duty free, all of dem was back in de country.

When Nagga Man talk bout Indian votes no body ain’t hear any ting. But a former Prezzie talk bout de same ting and some how every body ears suddenly get clean.

When Rum Jhaat was haulin people ass, no body ain’t seh nutten. Nagga was quiet. Joe de Hard Mouth play like he was sleepin. And Green Jah claim he was in Linden tryin to mek up wid de Kiss Woman, who was at de time tryin to beat up a Minister.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie!

But when another man talk bout kick ass, all of dem hear and who hear tell who nah hear. Now de whole country talkin bout ass. No wonder Freedie gotta smile nowadays!

GECOM to spend $51M on rentals – Cabinet awards other contracts

One of the buildings rented by the GECOM in Kingston, Georgetown which was barricaded during a dispute

T

he Guyana Elections Commission has procured some $51.1 million for the rental of buildings for its offices across the 10 administrative regions across Guyana, Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr Roger Luncheon on Wednesday disclosed.

Cabinet on Tuesday granted it’s no objection to the sum which will provide for the acquisition of some 20 buildings across Guyana, for the elections body to carry out its mandate in the lead up to the May 11 General

and Regional elections.

Cabinet has also granted it’s no objection to an award of $977.5 million to the Guyana Revenue Authority, for the design and implementation of the digital excise stamping program for alchoholic beverages and tobacco products.

The Cabinet Secretary announced another allocation to the Ministry of Housing and Water of some $20.5 million for the procurement of 12 inches of pipes in Eccles East Coast Demerara.

news

11

thursday, march 12, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

Granger claims Amerindians want change

P

residential Candidate of the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/ AFC) coalition, David Granger claimed that his recent visits to several hinterland communities reaped great success, noting that he received a “hearty welcome” from the villagers.

Over the past weekend, Granger noted that he and several members of the alliance conducted campaign visits to the Rupununi where the residents strong-

ly expressed that they want “change”.

Granger revealed these sentiments during a telephone interview with the Guyana Times on Tuesday.

The Opposition Leader noted that there was noticeable need for change in those districts, something he intended to deliver once elected into office.

Granger disclosed that while the Amerindians revealed that they voted for the incumbent administration, the People’s Progressive

Party/Civic (PPP/C), they expressed disgust with the way things were and the conditions of living.

“They understand the need for change and I’m sure they will make the right choice,” Granger said.

When prompted for transparency on what “change” he intended to deliver, Granger noted that during the visits, he extensively elaborated on his plan for a better lifestyle for the residents.

Recently, political com-

CIIP erects, repairs 12 more bridges bridges component of CIIP. The NDCs to benefit were: Seafield/ Tempie; Rosignol/ Zeelust; Profit/ Rising Sun; Unity/ Vereeniging; Golden Grove/ Diamond Place; Gibraltar/ Fyrish; Lancaster/ Hogstye; Hague/ Blankenburg; Best Klien/ Pouderoyen; Greenwich Park/ Vergenoegen; Hydronie/ Good Hope; and Stewartville/ Cornelia Ida.

The timber footpath bridge linking the communities of Kaneville and Samatta Point, East Bank Demerara

T

he parents of children attending Samatta Point Nursery School, East Bank Demerara could now breathe a sigh of relief since the construction of a footpath bridge which now provides safe access to the school. It has replaced an old derelict unsafe makeshift bridge, which was previously used.

Construction of the timber structure linking the communities of Kaneville and Samatta Point was made possible via the Ministry of Housing and Water under the Community Infrastructure Improvement Project (CIIP), which is geared towards assisting Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and targeted Municipalities to improve access and beautify communities.

This bridge is one of 12 footpath bridges constructed and rehabilitated in Regions Three, Four and Five under the second phase of the bridges component of CIIP. The NDCs which benefitted from this component are: Golden Grove/ Diamond Place, Beterverwagting/ Triumph, and Mocha Arcadia in Region Four; Bath/ Woodley Park, Profit/ Rising Sun, Union Naarstigheid in Region Five; and Canal’s Polder, La Grange/Nimes, La Jalousie/ Nouvelle Flanders, and Mora/Parika in Region Three.

Head Teacher of Samatta Point Nursery, Charlene Michael said she is pleased with the construction of the bridge linking the two communities since 90 percent of the school’s student population resides in Kaneville and have to cross the bridge dai-

ly to get to school.

Michael explained, “the previous bridge had no rails and was unsafe…the children were scared to cross but parents had no other option…persons in the community used to do self-help to keep the bridge going…I am relieved that there is a new bridge now.”

She noted that the concrete walkway constructed near to the bridge by CIIP has proven effective during the current rainy weather.

“Usually whenever it rains the place would be muddy but during the past couple days of rain the children were able to walk the piece without getting mud on their footwear,” the Head Teacher said.

The bridge is also helping small businesses in the community of Kaneville to grow.

According to Viola Melville, a shopkeeper, since the construction of the bridge the number of persons buying groceries from her small business has increased. She believes the additional customers are residents of Samatta Point.

Melville stated that her husband was one of the few persons who assisted to maintain the old bridge, which was actually made up of planks nailed across two broken timber utility poles. “Every now and then my husband would nail the loose planks and sometimes he get old wood and put on it but as you see for yourself it had no rails and had space…I am happy that a new bridge with rails was built,” she added.

Eighteen footpath bridges were constructed under the first phase of the

APNU/AFC Presidential Candidate David Granger visiting a hinterland community

mentator Dr Henry Jeffery noted that the representatives of the coalition did not give details of their plans to effect the change they keep promising Guyanese.

However, Granger contended that anyone who was attentive during its campaign outreaches would recognise that APNU/AFC had a plan to transform the hin-

terland regions.

Meanwhile, aside from the grand rallies the coalition has planned leading up to elections on May 11, Granger said he has always been reaching out to communities and listening to their concerns and cries for change.

Moreover, the APNU/ AFC coalition is expected

to officially launch its public campaign with a massive rally in Linden on Saturday.

Sources indicate that a unity motorcade will leave the Square of the Revolution, Georgetown at 14:30h before heading to the mining district where a massive assemblage is expected at the minibus park.

12 news

thursday, march 12, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

Cheddi Jagan memorial event

PYO condemns Opposition for peddling “half-truths” T

he Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO) has lashed out at the newly-formed coalition for peddling half truths and misinformation about what took place at Cheddi Jagan’s memorial event at Babu Jaan, Berbice on Sunday last.

Following the event, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) General Secretary Joseph Harmon, through selective media outlets, reportedly claimed that former President Bharrat Jagdeo promoted racism and ethnic division during his speech.

However, in a statement, the PYO strongly condemned those com-

ments made by Harmon and other affiliates of the coalition, noting that they were entirely false.

“In fact, he [Jagdeo] said that ‘anybody from our party who uses that sort of language, we’ll kick them out’. How can this be interpreted as promoting racial incitement or racial divisions? Clearly, Harmon and his media cohorts are attempting to deceive the Guyanese public about both the spirit and context of Jagdeo’s speech.”

Further, the PYO is of the view that Harmon made a “major political mistake” when he decided to use the media to promote such statements

without verifying the context in which they were meant.

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) youth arm also lashed out at the media outlets that “put words in the mouth” of the Party’s General Secretary, Clement Rohee.

According to the Organisation, Rohee had simply clarified that the PPP/C’s support base is predominately East Indian despite the multi-ethnic composition.

“He never made any admission that the PPP/C was only a ‘coolie party’ and was engaged in acts that appealed to race.”

That aside, the PYO

called on journalists to be mindful of the principles of fair, unbiased and accurate reporting, especially leading up to the General and Regional Elections, slated for May 11.

It also called on all right-thinking Guyanese to condemn Harmon’s “dishonesty” and that of “his media provocateurs”.

Meanwhile, the PYO vouched its commitment to expose the “crass and vile nature” of some persons within the APNU/ Alliance for Change (AFC) coalition.

In fact, the Organisation noted that it has already begun compiling to information for an expose.

Rice Producers’ Action Committee bogus – Seeraj

President Donald Ramotar

By Erica Williams

W

eeks after the Rice Producers’ Action Committee (also abbreviated to RPA) called for total control of the rice industry, Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) General Secretary Dharamkumar Seeraj has called the Committee bogus.

During a telephone interview with the Guyana Times on Wednesday, Seeraj said Jinnah Rahman and Turhane Doerga of the Committee are not associated with the industry.

“Doerga is a confusing guy, at one point he says he is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Alesie Group and other times he says he is the Consultant or former CEO. We do not know who he is,” Seeraj said.

The GRDB General Secretary discredited the committee by stating that he was made to understand that the two men appear on television programmes pur-

porting to be in support of members of the rice community, but he believed that Doerga, more specifically, has been involved ‘underhand’ practices within the industry.

“I wouldn’t listen to what they have to say. It’s only two of them in that committee,” Seeraj said while adding that at present there was a court matter against Doerga for monies owed to rice farmers after he leased a rice mill and did not keep to the contractual agreement.

He said that members of the Action Committee have stated that they were a breakaway faction of the Rice Producers’ Association (RPA), but claimed that there was no breakaway faction of the Association.

Seeraj made these comments when asked to highlight a marketing strategy to sell the bumper rice harvest expected in 2015.

He said the rice industry was totally privatised and following the increased rice

production, the Government intervened to aid in sourcing additional rice markets, and “made arrangements with Venezuela and Panama”.

“The Government got involved in transactions with the Venezuelan market.

The GRDB is the contracting party in the industry,” Seeraj said.

Seeraj explained that the Government of Guyana was deeply concerned with the well-being of the millers and farmers and as such, thought it was necessary to lend a helping hand.

“I have not heard any miller complain about being excluded from the Venezuela happening,” Seeraj pointed out.

He said because of the private nature of the industry, farmers would normally seek their own buyers. In addition, he stated that in 2014, of the 635, 000 tonnes of rice produced, 501,000 tonnes were exported.

at present there were the Government and Private Sector markets in Panama available to Guyanese rice farmers.

While farmers have stated that they were not happy with the prices offered by markets outside of the preferential markets namely the Caribbean, Venezuela and Europe, President Ramotar said in these markets, the prices being offered would be negotiated.

Action Committee Chairman Rahman and

... discussions at initial stages, Dr Luncheon confirms

Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon

H

ead of the Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon has said the Donald Ramotar Administration was currently having discussions on the formulation and implementation of a new health policy for Government Ministers.

His comments come in wake of revelations by former President Bharrat Jagdeo, who informed reporters on Tuesday that Ramotar is seeking to implement a new policy that will prevent Government Ministers from accessing monies from the Consolidated Fund for medical assistance.

Jagdeo said the Ministers will instead be offered an insurance premium to offset their medical expenses.

The revelation by the former Head of State comes on the heels of stringent criticisms by sections of society over leaked medical assistance to several Government Ministers in the years 2012 and 2013.

Amerindian Minister

Affairs Pauline Sukhai had received assistance of some $2.1 million while Human Minister Services Jennifer Webster received $1.3 million to cover their dental expenses over a one year period.

Luncheon told Guyana Times that Government was seeking to ascertain how the new policy would be funded.

He said there was some consensus about changes to be made to the model.

“I think the discussion has clearly identified the preservation of access to these conditions of service,” he said, noting that he did not believe that there would be an actual withdrawal or diminution of access to the medical service.

Ramotar told the former President that while he could not take away benefits from persons holding constitutional offices, including the Leader of the Opposition, he will move mainly to a policy of insurance so that the charges against the Consolidated Fund will be limited.

Mon Repos man on bail for buying stolen bus

A

Progression

President Donald Ramotar told this newspaper on Wednesday that his Government will continue to fight for the progression of the rice industry.

He reiterated that so far the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government had managed to secure a market in Venezuela but that market had dwindled.

The Head of State said that in the past, Venezuela bought two-thirds as opposed to one-third of Guyana’s total rice production. He then highlighted the progress made so far in the industry, stating that

New health policy for Ministers underway

GRDB General Secretary Dharamkumar Seeraj

Alesie Group CEO Doerga have both declared that the rice industry was in an unfolding state of crisis.

They were adamant that access to the lucrative markets was not readily available and as such, small-scale farmers were suffering. In addition, Doerga feels he has been continuously attacked by the Government.

Fourth Street, Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara resident was placed on bail on Wednesday after he was accused of buying a stolen RZ minibus.

It is alleged that Manoj Arjune received the minibus BRR 9494 at the JB Singh Road in Georgetown on September 26, 2014 knowing that the item had been stolen from Elisabeth Mandassar.

Presiding Magistrate Annette Singh told the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts that the charge was an indictable one and thus the defendant was not required to plead.

Nevertheless, Police Prosecutor Adduni Inniss

asked that the case be tried at the Magistrates’ Courts.

Magistrate Singh granted this request, which was acceptable to the defendant’s Attorney, Peter Hugh.

Hugh told the court that his client has been very cooperative with the Police in recovering the bus and answering the relevant questions. He urged the court to grant his client bail, stating that he was a father of two children, married and held a steady job as a mechanic.

The prosecution had no objection to bail, thus this was granted in the sum of $50,000. The defendant was told that he needed to return to court on March 25.

news

13

thursday, march 12, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

Public outrage over AFC’s Mark Ross comment M

embers of the public are now expressing outrage over a recent comment made by Alliance For Change (AFC) controversial member Mark Ross that he is awaiting word of the President’s and his affiliates’ deaths.

It was following the news of the death of Coordinator for the Rural Enterprise and Agricultural Development Project at the Agriculture Ministry, Vimala Balgobin, in an accident in Lethem that Ross took to Facebook and posted that he was awaiting similar news of the “President and his escorts”.

His comment sparked a debate on the social media with many condemning the words of the AFC member.

Labelling the comment as “‘inhumane”, “insensitive” and “total-

ly uncalled for”, many called out Ross on his words, noting that they did not befit any human being and more so, someone who was part of a political party and was claiming to have the people’s interests at heart.

One Facebook user, Savitri Warnauth, who first expressed utter disgust with the comment made by Ross questioned what kind of human being would deliberately wish such a tragedy upon another, and more so the President of the country.

“I don’t understand how a man can actually think like this of another human being. My sympathy to the deceased,” Warnauth said.

Bissoondyal Singh Sr also expressed similar sentiments.

“What a tragic loss....

Sincere condolences to the bereaved family.....and as

AFC Member Mark Ross

per Ross comments.....is this a human being?” Singh Sr asked.

Ross also came in for a reality check from another user, Nicholas De Castro, who stated that it was only a ‘sad’ person who would venture to make such statements in light of the tragic circumstances in which

Balgobin met her demise.

Balgobin, who was also a member of the Guyana Marketing Corporation’s Board of Directors, was conducting training on women’s empowerment in remote locations.

She and her husband were in the vehicle when it crashed along a bridge. Her

husband was medevacked to the Georgetown Public Hospital late last evening.

Ross has been a controversial figure over the years.

He has taken to his Facebook page chastising and making crude remarks at the Government and the ruling party, even going as far as calling out Ministers and tagging them in his posts in an attempt to engage them in a debate and to attract attention.

More recently, explicit vulgar conversations surfaced on social media between himself and Johnny Welshman, the man who had accused the Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman of sexually molesting him when he was younger.

Ross shared the conversations much to the disgust of many on his Facebook page.

According to a source, soon after these conversations had surfaced on the Internet, AFC’s leader, Khemraj Ramjattan had called Ross on his actions, lamenting that he was a member of the AFC and his behaviour did not befit the behaviour of a member of that party.

He was urged to ‘get his act together’, but it would appear that those warnings have fallen on deaf ears.

When contacted, AFC General Secretary David Patterson refused to offer a comment on the matter. He disclosed that the AFC was in the process of issuing a public statement and that the Guyana Times would have to wait until that was done. Up until press time, that release had not been received or seen by this publication.

UG violated Terms of Resumption – Unions allege

The University of Guyana

T

he University of Guyana Senior Staff Association (UGSSA) and the University of Guyana Workers Union (UGWU) on Wednesday contended that the University of Guyana (UG) bluntly violated the clauses laid out in the Terms of Resumption (ToRs) agreement which was signed earlier this month to facilitate the resumption of classes and the restoration of normalcy at the University.

According to the agreement, if parties fail to resolve their differences

by June 30, the Labour Ministry will conciliate the matter. If the conciliation fails within seven days, the parties will go to arbitration under a tripartite arrangement where the Labour Ministry will appoint the chair.

Following the meeting, the Unions have indicated to the Labour Ministry, that staff members were under no obligation to honour the Terms of Resumption since UG initially failed to do so.

Feeling significantly insulted, the Unions have promised to sharply respond. They noted that

they would soon be meeting to discuss their next course of action and whether or not they will restart their protests.

Following the meeting on Wednesday, the Unions expressed their utmost dissatisfaction with the outcome of the first round of negotiations with UG’s negotiating team.

“To say the meeting was farcical and insulting would be a massive understatement. The University’s team, led by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academics in the absence of the Vice Chancellor essentially responded to all the items contained in our memo of demands that 1) the University was unable to afford the demand at this time; 2) the practice/benefit remains as is, or 3) the policy is being reviewed. This was no negotiation,” the Unions said in a press release shortly after the meeting.

“Bad faith” According to them, they were not given a proper opportunity to discuss with the UG Administration their concerns. In fact, they described the proceedings as a monologue rather

than negotiations.

In further venting their discontent, the Unions disclosed that the UG has exhibited “bad faith” since lecturers resumed work.

“We were paid late versus immediately as the ToR stipulated and clumsy attempts were made to make some staff work back time without coming to an agreement with the Unions.”

For nearly five weeks, the Unions have been protesting on the grounds of the University, demanding better working conditions and salary increases.

These series of protests caused massive disruption of classes, much to the annoyance of the University of Guyana Student Society (UGSS) which also took to protesting to fight for the resumption of classes.

The protests finally ended about a week ago following the signing of a Terms of Resumption agreement between the Unions and the UG Administration.

The Terms of Resumption Agreement clearly states that upon the recommencement of classes, there shall be no victimisation or harassment by either side such as dismissals, demotions, transfers, among others.

It also states that there shall be no loss of pay for strike days and no loss of work for the University.

Arrangements will be made for staff to work back the time spent on strike in order to complete the backlog of work and meet the various deadlines.

Some of the other terms and conditions include the right for salaries withheld for strike action to be released upon the signing

of the agreement and resumption of negotiations within seven days of resumption of duties.

The first issues to be addressed, as outlined in the agreement, will be allowances and other conditions of work according to the demands of the Unions.

Subsequently, the multi-year salary agreement negotiations will commence.

The UG Administration

is also expected to broker agreements with the management of the Guyana Revenue Authority; National Insurance Scheme (NIS); credit unions; and all other loan agencies paid through the University to prevent penalties to staff members for outstanding payments.

Some of the other demands made by the Unions are for projectors to be installed in all large class-

rooms, well-refurbished blackboards and whiteboards to be available in all classrooms; sufficient markers, chalk, whiteboard and blackboard erasers, among other teaching material must be available as well as an adequate internet supply, and for computers to be supplied for the desks of all Deans, Directors, Heads of Departments, Heads of Sections and Coordinators.

14

guyanatimesgy.com

thursday, march 12, 2015

News

AG exposes illegal nature of Cummingsburg Accord and alliance

A

ttorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall has affirmed that the newly formed A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition never addressed issues and policies on the governance of Guyana.

In his estimation, the AG detailed that APNU and AFC were more into power-wrestling, in a battle for power-sharing, even as they were attempting to inform the public that they were in ‘discussions and negotiations’. In his view, the Minister deems this kind of tussle as no different from what obtains on the battlefield when potentially victorious armies would plan for the ‘sharing of the spoils’ of victory.

On exposing the actual agreement, the Minister highlighted that the very document is fraught with a number of worrying concerns for the Guyanese electorate.

He stated that the “Cummingsburg Accord”, based upon what has been made public, is essentially an agreement between the two political parties, but that it has no foundation in law, as “it is not grounded in

the Constitution”. This, he said, makes for a number of huge potential problems, irrespective of what obtains from the upcoming General and Regional Elections.

He proposed that whether or not the merger will bear expected and ‘planned for’ fruits is based on two main factors: first, its nonconstitutional terms and conditions; and secondly, the actual nature of those who are part of it.

The first worrying aspect is the flippant manner, in which the two parties have come together and decided that they will by-pass the Guyana Constitution.

AG Nandlall explained that the Accord itself, and the way that it distributes powers and shares Cabinet responsibilities are anti-constitutional, and it is the very Constitution which actually prescribes “what the powers of the President are, and what the powers of the PM are, and how persons are appointed to the Cabinet”, and not some ad-hoc arrangement.

Nandlall opined that the document was more “intended to be a farce on the population”, adding that of itself, it declares that the Presidential Candidate will

vail against any agreement or statue, so what we have is something that is void ab initio and unconstitutional, and, therefore, of no legal effect.

Rewriting the Constitution

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall

only and limitedly enjoy, if he becomes the President, reduced executive powers, and the Prime Minister, if the elections are won, expanded powers.

In light of this, he noted that the “Constitution of Guyana provides very clearly that the President is the Supreme Executive Authority of Guyana, that he is the Head of State, and that he is Commander- in- Chief of the Armed Forces.” This, he detailed, means that the alliance, with its accord, is seeking to foist on

the people, something that is not based on the actualities and realisations of the laws of the country.

Nandlall pointed out that the Guyana Constitution vests in the President the express freedom to appoint Ministers of his choice, and also the Prime Minister and Vice President if he so wishes. Therefore, according to him, “these constitutional provisions have all now, been made redundant, as they collide with the Constitution, (and we know that) it is the constitutional law that must pre-

Minister Nandlall further expounded on a topic of great relevance and importance, as he pointed out a few pertinent issues in the event that the alliance did win the elections.

He detailed that even so for the accord to work, it then has to rewrite the Guyana Constitution, and this cannot be done in any easy and quick way.

The Minister delineated that legally for the alliance to have its way, “it will require a two-thirds majority at a minimum, for anyone of those provisions they have conjured up to be made a reality”. He went even further, showing that “some of them may require a referendum.”

The AG stated that he has “not seen in the agreement, any reference to constitutional amendments, so as to give effect to this accord, and in any event, one cannot predict that assuming that they, the coalition, should win the election, that

they will enjoy a two-thirds majority (the required conditionality to make amendments to the Guyana Constitution).”

This all-important question, according to the Minister, has not been considered in the accord, and “it means that the Presidential Candidate, in the form of Mr David Granger, and the Prime Ministerial Candidate, Moses Nagamootoo, have essentially publicly declared, that they are the two most powerful, intended constitutional office holders, and they have declared to the nation an intention, a willingness, and a preparedness to violate, flout and to subvert the constitution.”

In this vein, the AG touched on the seriousness and sacredness of the Guyana Constitution, as “beginning with the President, he will be required to take an oath of the office, should the alliance win the election, and that oath of office binds him (and any other taking the oath), to uphold the Constitution of the land, but (he sees that) they have all bound themselves to another agreement that is violative, contrary, and in conflict with the Constitution.”

Colombia President’s bombing halt on rebels Argentine Pilot in slammed by Inspector General helicopter crash had

T

he decision by Colombia’s President Juan Manuel Santos to suspend the bombing of Marxist FARC rebel bases came under fire from the country’s powerful Inspector General who accused him of paralysing the armed forces while guerrillas prey on civilian targets.

Inspector General Alejandro Ordonez, who has long opposed Santos’

approach to ending a 50year war with the FARC, said the month-long halting of aerial attacks announced on Tuesday was a de-facto bilateral cease-fire Santos said he would never allow.

“This announcement means the paralysis of the armed forces against the FARC while that group continues impacting the civilian population with a range of crimes,” he said in

a statement on Wednesday.

“It’s evident the Government has decided to accept the FARC’s imposition of a bilateral ceasefire before the signing of an agreement for the end of the conflict,” he added.

Ordonez heads the judicial body that holds public servants to account and ensures the Government acts in accordance with the Constitution, a role that

empowers him to remove any public official from office except the president.

In December 2013, he ousted the leftist Mayor of Bogota from his post, a decision later reversed by a local tribunal.

In his statement on the bombing halt, Ordonez said Santos needed to make clearer whether he was also ordering a halt to on-theground offensives. (Excerpt from

Reuters)

US, Cuba re-establish Venezuela’s Maduro seeks decree powers to direct phone link

T

he United States and Cuba have re-established a direct telephone link, the Cuban state telecommunications company said Wednesday, in the latest step toward normalising ties between the onetime Cold War foes.

“A direct interconnection has been established between the United States and Cuba, initially for international voice calls,” the company, Etecsa, said in a statement carried by the Cuban media. The telephone link between the two countries have been interrupted and restored numerous times since the 1960s, but this is the first time the connection has been resumed since

1999.

Previously phone calls between the US and Cuba had to pass through a third country, making them extremely expensive. Etecsa did not immediately announce new rates. It is the first agreement signed between Cuban and American companies since the announcement last December that they would renew diplomatic ties after more than 50 years of hostility. “The reestablishment of direct communications between the United States and Cuba contributes to providing better infrastructure and better communications quality between the people of our two countries,” Etecsa said.

(Jamaica Observer)

face US ‘imperialism’

V

enezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Tuesday asked Parliament for decree powers in response to new US sanctions, in a move Opposition critics slammed as a power-grab.

If as expected the Government-controlled National Assembly approves his request for an “Enabling Law”, it would be the second time the 52-year-old successor to Hugo Chávez has gained these expanded powers since winning election in 2013.

“I’ve come to ask for an Enabling Law to confront the aggression of the most powerful country in the

“vast experience”

world, the United States, against this beautiful nation,” Maduro told parliament. “This is a law that will prepare our country, may we never be caught off guard.” His adversaries say he is using the worst flareup with Washington during his nearly two-year rule to justify autocratic governance, sidetrack Parliament and distract attention from a shrinking economy and chronic product shortages.

“Nicolas, are you requesting the Enabling Law to make soap, nappies and medicines appear, to lower inflation?” satirised Opposition Leader Henrique Capriles. “ (Excerpt from Reuters)

Experts are trying to determine the cause of the crash

T

he Pilot who flew a helicopter involved in a deadly crash in Argentina on Monday was “vastly experienced”, his partner has told the BBC. Eight French nationals, including three sports stars, and the Argentine pilots died when the two helicopters collided. Experts are investigating the accident, which happened in good weather in La Rioja province.

The sports stars were taking part in the filming of French TV reality show Dropped. The partner of Pilot Juan Carlos Castillo told the BBC’s Wyre Davies that Castillo was a war veteran who had more than three decades of flying experience.

Azucena Aguero said

her partner had flown many times with the TV production company producing the show. She said she had “no idea” why the two helicopters had collided in such ideal conditions near the town of Villa Castelli in northern Argentina.

Video of the accident shows the helicopters flying close to each other in clear conditions, before one appears to fly into the other.

French air investigators will join Argentine experts to probe the causes of the crash, in which Olympic swimmer Camille Muffat, boxer Alexis Vastine and sailor Florence Arthaud died.

French President Francois Hollande said their death was “a cause of immense sadness”. (Excerpt from BBC News)

thursday, march 12, 2015

guyanatimesgy.com

Around the World

Nemtsov murder suspect “coerced into making confession”

A

former Chechen Police officer who admitted taking part in the murder of Russian Opposition activist Boris Nemtsov “likely confessed under torture”, a member of the Kremlin’s human rights council has said.

Zaur Dadayev allegedly confessed and was charged, but has now insisted to the Council’s Andrei Babushkin that he is “innocent” and only made the admission under duress.

“There are reasons that lead us to believe Zaur Dadayev confessed under torture,” Babushkin told the AFP news agency on

15

Zaur Dadayev, a former Deputy Commander in a special Chechen Police unit, was charged by a Moscow court on Sunday [Reuters]

Wednesday after a visit to the suspect’s Moscow prison cell.

“We cannot confirm that he was tortured as we are not investigators, but we did find numerous wounds on his body,” said Babushkin, who was swiftly rapped over the knuckles by investigators for meddling in their probe.

The shooting of Nemtsov, a former Deputy Prime Minister who became an outspoken critic of President Vladimir Putin, just yards from the Kremlin was the highest-profile killing of an Opposition leader during Putin’s 15 years in

charge.

Dadayev, a former deputy commander in a special Chechen police unit, was charged by a Moscow court on Sunday with the murder alongside Anzor Gubashev who worked for a private security company. The two men and three other suspects were remanded in custody.

Babushkin said Dadayev claimed he had made the confession under duress after being arrested in the North Caucasus region of Ingushetia last week, alleging that he spent two days manacled and with a sack over his head.

Robbers steal jewels worth millions in France heist loot, and disappeared down a side street in one of the most lucrative jewellery heists ever. (Al Jazeera)

UN resolution on regional force to fight Boko Haram pending

T

he 54-nation African Union has approved the creation of a West African force of up to 10,000 troops to fight Nigerian Islamist group Boko Haram and has asked the United Nations to endorse it urgently, after attacks by the group in north-eastern Nigeria and neighbouring Chad, Niger and Cameroon as it seeks to carve out an Islamic state.

The United States supports the force, a US defence official said on Wednesday.

US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for African Affairs Amanda J Dory said on a visit to Cameroon that Washington, one of five veto-holding members of the UN Security Council, would back a UN resolution.

“The US is providing diplomatic support in terms of engagement in the UN Security Council for the awaited resolution authorising the deployment of a

Multinational Joint Task Force by the African Union against Boko Haram,” she told state radio.

If approved, the new force would receive UN funding and would be likely to result in a bigger and better resourced operation than the offensive currently being mounted against the militants by Nigeria and its neighbours.

Boko Haram has killed thousands of people in north-eastern Nigeria in its six-year insurgency and last week pledged allegiance to the Islamic State which has created a self-declared caliphate in parts of Iraq and Syria.

However, a perception that Nigeria was failing to deal with the militants alone, and a growing number of cross-border attacks, prompted Nigeria, Chad, Niger, Cameroon to launch their existing operation to try to contain the militants.

(Excerpt from Reuters

IMF approves US$17.5B loan programme for Ukraine

T

The robbers held up the trucks at a toll payment station in the Yonne area before driving off in four cars [AFP]

M

ore than a dozen armed men stole millions of dollars worth of jewels from two high-security trucks on a motorway south of Paris overnight, a French Police official said on Wednesday.

The robbers held up the trucks at a toll payment station in the Yonne area and drove off in four cars.

Local media said the jewels were worth US$9.5 million and that the gang used gas to force security

transport personnel out of their vehicles.

Nobody was injured in the attack and the trucks had been found burnt out, the Police official said.

France has seen repeated jewellery thefts. In November, two gunmen robbed a Cartier jewellery boutique in a tourist-filled Paris neighbourhood, fled a Police chase across the Seine River, took a hostage and then surrendered.

Last month, eight peo-

ple were convicted in connection with a spectacular 2008 jewel theft at a Harry Winston boutique in Paris, when three cross-dressing gunmen stole about $92 million in goods.

In 2013, southeast France was hit with a spate of jewellery thefts, including two in Cannes during the city’s famed film festival. In one, a gunman walked into a jewel show at the Carlton International Hotel, stole $136 million in

he International Monetary Fund’s Board signed off on a US$17.5 billion four-year aid programme for Ukraine on Wednesday, the second attempt in less than a year to pull the country’s economy back from the brink of bankruptcy.

The programme includes an immediate payment of US$5 billion for general budget support to help stabilise Ukraine’s listing economy.

The IMF is expected to release details of the programme as soon as today.

In a statement, IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde said the aim was to provide “immediate economic stabilisation”

to a country beset by conflict.

“The programme is ambitious and involves risks, notably those stemming from the conflict” with Russia, Lagarde said. “With continued firm implementation, there is reasonably strong prospect of success.”

The IMF loan is expected to unlock further credits from other donors. Ukraine will also pursue debt restructuring talks with existing bondholders.

The combined package of assistance is estimated at US$40 billion, the IMF has said.

Prime Minister Arseny Yatseniuk in a televised statement said the IMF programme would let Ukraine

tap US$7.5 billion in other loans. Another US$15.4 billion is expected in debt relief according to sources familiar with the IMF programme.

The money “will enable us to stabilise the economy and the financial sector. It will be used to stabilise the currency. It will enable the Ukrainian economy to grow from 2016”, Yatseniuk said.

The IMF last year already approved a US$17 billion, two-year loan to Ukraine, but deemed the funds and agreed program duration insufficient to support economic reforms while the Government continued to battle pro-Russia separatists in eastern Ukraine.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Saudi Arabia recalls its Sandblasting still being used ambassador to Sweden in Chinese jean factories

C

hinese factories are using the potentially deadly sandblasting process to manufacture jeans for popular fashion labels, a year-long investigation by Al Jazeera has found.

In 101 East programme “Denim Blues”, Al Jazeera uncovered evidence of poorly ventilated, dusty and dirty factories at Xintang in China’s Guangdong province, where an estimated 260 million pairs of jeans are produced each year.

The undercover investigation found that some of the factories used sandblasting, a manufacturing

process which can lead to a fatal respiratory disease known as silicosis.

Sandblasting involves fine sand being channelled into an air gun and then sprayed at high pressure onto denim in order to make the fabric look worn. It is a fast, cheap and dangerous way to manipulate garments into certain styles.

Al Jazeera found jeans bearing the label of Hollister inside the sandblasting unit at a factory in southern China. In another part of the factory, Al Jazeera found jeans with the labels American Eagle Outfitters and Abercrombie and Fitch,

the company that owns the Hollister label.

Factory managers refused to discuss the process, but workers speaking on the condition of anonymity confirmed the controversial practice continues.

One worker told Al Jazeera: “The main problem with sandblasting is the dust.

This means you risk getting silicosis if you are not properly protected.”

Some workers say they suffer not only from lung problems but also from allergies caused by dyes and other chemicals used in the making of denim. (Excerpt from

Al Jazeera)

Sweden’s Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom said she was barred from giving a speech to the Arab League this week [EPA]

S

audi Arabia has recalled its ambassador after Sweden ended a weapons deal between the

countries on Monday.

Sweden acted after Saudi Arabia blocked a speech by the Swedish Foreign Minister to the Arab League.

On Wednesday, the Saudi Foreign Ministry described Margot Wallstrom’s remarks as “offensive” and a “blatant interference in its internal affairs”.

The decade-old defence deal was worth millions of dollars in Swedish arms exports and was due to expire in May. The Swedish Foreign Ministry confirmed that Saudi Ambassador Ibrahim bin Saad Al-Ibrahim was being withdrawn due to the country’s criticism of the

Kingdom’s record on “human rights and democracy.”

Wallstrom is an outspoken critic of the Gulf state, previously describing it as a “dictatorship”.

On Monday, Wallstrom posted online a copy of the speech she was due to give to the Arab League in Cairo.

In the wide-ranging speech she highlighted Sweden’s commitment to international human rights.

She also advocated the benefits of democratic progress, and called for members to “focus attention on women’s rights.”

She described freedom of religion and expression as “fundamental rights”. (BBC

News)

16 news

thursday, march 12, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

660 errant drivers charged Teenager remanded for alleged armed robbery with several offences A T he Guyana Police Force on Wednesday in a release stated that 660 errant drivers were charged for several offences with a whopping 454 charged with speeding.

Another 50 were charged with driving under the influence of alcohol while 70 were in breach of their road service licence and 20 for careless driving.

In addition, 15 drivers were charged for dangerous driving, four for failing to wear safety helmets while 47 were slapped with charges for not wearing seatbelts.

Ten were caught using mobile phones while driving and eight people were placed before the court for touting.

As the Police Force continues with its traffic enforcement, unto Tuesday, March 10, 2015, there has been a total of 21 road fatalities compared to 22 for the corresponding period last year.

The latest road fatality was Andrew Budhram Sukwah, 29, of Zeeburg Public Road, West Coast Demerara who died after the vehicle he was driving collided with a minibus at Farm, East Bank Essequibo.

According to reports, the

Dead: Andrew Budhram Sukwah

accident occurred around 21:40h on Monday evening at Farm Public Road. A release from the Guyana Police Force detailed that Sukwah was driving a Suzuki Vitara motor vehicle, bearing registration number PGG 4474, at a fast pace when he reportedly lost control and collided head on with a minibus.

Further reports revealed that upon impact, Sukwah’s vehicle spun around before coming to a halt. Persons from the area rescued the man from the wreckage and

rushed him to the Leonora Cottage Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The driver of the minibus, bearing registration number BPP 2212, was also taken to seek medical attention after he sustained minor injuries to his shoulder and stomach. He was treated and discharged.

Meanwhile, Police stated that it has recognised that many drivers seem to be always in a hurry and show little or no regard for other persons using the roads.

Drivers either blow their horns continuously for the motorists in front to move, even though there may be some obstruction ahead hindering the movement of traffic, or they move to either side of the vehicle ahead in an effort to force their way through the traffic, in some cases infringing on the pedestrian footpaths or crossings.

The Traffic Department is appealing to all motorists to always consider the five Cs in defensive driving – care, courtesy, caution, common sense and consideration; to drive within the speed limit; and to not drink and drive.

Mother of 3 fined for lying at Immigration Office

A

mother was fined $40,000 on Wednesday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts after she was found guilty of lying to Immigration Officers about who she was.

It is alleged that on June 18, 2012, Sita Munroe went to the Central Immigration and Passport Office to obtain a passport and lied to do so. It is stated that Munroe signed a declaration stating her name was Ellen Bacchus, knowing that to be false.

In tears, the 35-yearold mother told the court that she was guilty but explained that she had lied

Sita Munroe cried bitterly as she was read her charges at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Wednesday

to give a better life to her children as she was slated to go to Barbados today (Wednesday). She said she was not getting a job and

thought migration may help.

She was fined $40,000 or three months imprisonment if unable to pay. The defendant stated she will pay.

n 18-year-old young man was remanded on Wednesday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts for allegedly stealing a $175,000 Jialing motorbike, property of Sheldon Mars.

Eon Godfrey Lynch, who boldly told the court that he resided at 16 Cow Dam, Second Street, Diamond, East Bank Demerara, is alleged to have stolen the motorbike from Dexter Richards, with the help of accomplices on February 7, at Agricola, Greater Georgetown.

A gold ring valued $50,000 that was on Richards’ finger at the time was also stolen by Lynch.

However, this appears to be the least of Lynch’s offences as he was also named in a sexual assault charge.

The Virtual Complainant (VC) for that charge was, of course, not disclosed, but it

Eon Godfrey Lynch

was stated that when the defendant was brought in for this charge that he was officially charged for armed robbery of Richards.

He was identified by Richards as the man who robbed him.

Police Prosecutor Michael Grant elaborated more on the robbery. He stated that the VC was en-

tering Agricola when the motorbike stopped owing to a mechanical problem. The defendant (who was on the road at that time with others) approached the VC and placed a gun at his side and proceeded to take the articles. The VC then reported the matter and the defendant was rounded up and positively identified.

The Prosecutor said the charge of sexual assault against the defendant was presently being investigated by the Police as well as the possession of the firearm which were not found on him.

Presiding Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry ordered the statements for March 25 for the case to be heard in Court Three. The defendant was told that he will be expected to appear in court at that time and was remanded.

Cocaine pusher gets 3 years in jail

F

orty-one-year-old Daro Peters was sentenced to three years in jail on Wednesday for being in possession of two grams of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking after being tried at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Peters was caught with the illegal substance on February 2, in the Georgetown Magisterial District. He was found behaving suspiciously by a Police Officer who searched the defendant and uncovered the cocaine strapped to his shoulders. Peters was arrested and charged with drug possession for the purposes of trafficking.

Peters’ trial commenced on February 17 and he maintained all through that he was not carrying the substance on his person. Presiding Magistrate Judy Latchman in summing up the case said the defendant had given a sworn statement to the Police which stated that he did not have any narcotics on his persons when he was detained by

Daro Peters was found guilty of being in possession of two grams of cocaine for the purposes of trafficking

the officer.

However, the Magistrate stated that Special Police Constable Jessiah, who found the defendant with the substance, testified to removing the cocaine from the convict’s shoulders and taking it to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to be tested.

Thus, Magistrate Latchman said that she believed the witness and puts weight on his testimony and

the result of the tests done on the creamy substance found on the convict’s shoulder. He was found guilty of the charges.

The Magistrate sentenced the defendant to three years imprisonment for the offence with a fine of $30,000. She stated that the sentence was decided upon after considering the offence, the trial and in an effort to deter persons from committing such an offence.

Charlotte Street man remanded for cocaine possession

Latin America, Caribbean countries to promote decent housing

43-year-old dreadlocked male was remanded on Wednesday after running away from Police who found 120 grams of an illegal drug in his home.

Paul Campbell resides at 164 Charlotte Street, Georgetown, where he was found that day by the Police.

He ran away from Police Officers who had gone specifically in search of him in Charlotte Street.

It was reported that the Police had been given information about the defendant

he public, private and civil society housing sectors in Latin America and the Caribbean will meet May 6-8 in Monterrey, Mexico at the second Latin American and Caribbean Forum on Adequate Housing.

The Forum seeks to promote adequate and accessible housing in a region where, according to UNHabitat, one out of four people in urban areas live in slums. In total, it is estimated that 113.4 million people in Latin America live under these conditions.

A

and his home so they were acting on this information.

They searched Campbell and turned up empty handed then searched downstairs where he lives but still found nothing. It was when the police searched upstairs of the building that they found 80 grams of cocaine and 40 grams of cannabis sativa (marijuana).

Campbell’s Attorney Marl Waldron told the court that he believed that the Prosecution’s case against his client was all circumstantial as the defendant

lives in a two-storey apartment with other occupants.

He detailed that none of the drugs were found in his defendant’s apartment but in his neighbour’s, who is a Security Guard.

However, Police Prosecutor Michael Grant put the defence Attorney on spot by asking why his client ran from the Police in the first place. He objected to bail for the defendant.

The defendant was remanded to prison and is to return to court on March 31.

T

Over 600 participants from across the continent will engage in topics such as land, housing and territory; housing and resilient communities; housing and healthy, inclusive and sustainable settlements; and financing and market development models.

Also, during the Forum, participants will be able to share successful and innovative housing experiences, and to contribute in developing a regional agenda on adequate housing and human settlements, ahead of the UN Conference

on Sustainable Housing and Urban Development, Habitat III, to be held in October 2016.

“This Forum will be a great opportunity for dialogue and a common vision among three sectors that usually do not have a space to meet. In Monterrey, we want to help promote innovative solutions and sustainable investment models for adequate housing and human settlements,” said Habitat for Humanity Latin America and the Caribbean Vice President, Torre Nelson.

17

News

thursday, march 12, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

AFC/APNU electioneering PNC/APNU/AFC ignores World Bank recommendations going well – Patterson T on Infrastructure ...will focus only on repairs

P

residential Candidate of A partnership for National Unity/ Alliance for Change (APNU/ AFC), David Granger said the coalition has ‘big plans’ for development of infrastructure, if elected on May 11.

Speaking with Guyana Times on Wednesday, Granger said first and foremost, the coalition plans on repair all the main airstrips in the administrative regions across Guyana.

“We want to up these airstrips in all the regions, when you travel to the interior some of the airstrips are really badly deteriorated,’ Granger said.

Under the administrative of a Government of National Unity, all Stellings will also be upgraded.

Recounting a recent visit to Kumaka, Region one (Barima Waini), Granger said “I observed severe soil erosion on the main water front road and that is one road we want to tackle.”

The Opposition leader said as he trekked further into the village he noticed roads such as the main access road in Barabina that were also in deplorable condition.

“The main road is sunken and the Government attempted to repair it time and time again and eventually they just give the people a boat,” Granger said while adding that he strongly believes the

APNU-AFC Leader David Granger

people of that community deserves a proper roadway.

He explained that with the use of a boat, cost of living has tremendously increased. “Everything is so expensive now there, children have to go to school and persons have to purchase items and it very costly for them to use the boat,” Granger said.

Because of poor roads in the area, Granger said minibuses are charging as much as $100,000 from Port Kaituma to Mathews Ridge while from Aishalton to Lethem, the cost is $5000 for a one way trip.

“We have a great countrywide plan; we see infrastructural development as an investment. This is not antiGovernment talk, it is a fact,” Granger posited.

Over the years residents in a number of communities across the Hinterland have complained of poor roads. In Port Kaituma, there have been endless complaints on the state of the Catwalk access road.

However, Government Minister Irfaan Ali pointed out that Mr Granger appears not to understand the recommendations on expansion of infrastructure as a prerequisite for moving developing countries into the ranks of developed countries by the World Bank and other IFI’s.

The PPP government has followed these recommendations in initiating the Amaila Falls HydroElectric Project, the CJIA Modernisation, the Deep Water Harbour and All weather road to Brazil etc.

“The APNU and AFC have done their best to derail these projects and from their plans we can see that they are focusing on repairs - which we have doggedly carried out following the PNC’s wrecking of our infrastructure,” the Minister said However, President Donald Ramotar said his Government has awarded some 1000 contracts for the rehabilitation and construction of roads. The President admitted that the issues of infrastructure are problematic especially since contractors are not delivering in a timely manner.

he newly formed A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNUAFC) coalition says its elections campaign is progressing well and has been well received by the Guyanese people.

This is according to the General Secretary of Alliance For Change (AFC) David Patterson who told Guyana Times on Wednesday afternoon that the party is excited and ready for the public launching of its elections campaign on Saturday in Linden.

The two parties are campaigning on one platform in keeping with their ultimate goal and theme of a government of national unity.

Patterson related that the parties have been fanning out into most of the regions across the country including the Rupununi Savannahs, Berbice, and Essequibo among others; engaging in a series of public meetings, walkabouts and bottom house meetings.

These he said, are churning out large numbers of supporters.

“We are working as an alliance. All the members are contacted according to the regions we are visiting and so far we have had no problems in that regard,” he said in response to questions on membership support.

This is even after two of its members, former General Secretary Sixtus Edwards and Balwant Persaud following the announcement of the coalition with APNU. Patterson’s counterpart, Joseph Harmon previously told this publication that the

Family Court to be operational by mid-year – Chancellor

A

cting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Carl Singh, has disclosed that the much anticipated Family Court is expected to be operationalised by mid-year.

In an exclusive interview with the Guyana Times on Wednesday, Singh said “I would believe by mid-year we ought to have the Court up and running”. According to the acting Chancellor, training sessions are currently ongoing to prepare the staff for the work they will be doing.

He disclosed that only last weekend a training programme for the staff at the registry was concluded and another such session will be held today for the reminder of the staff at the registry.

Additionally, he told this newspaper that there will be more training programmes in the future to target members of the Bar and this will be followed for a finally session for the all the judges of the High Court.

The Chancellor of the Judiciary pointed out that the Rules of Law to govern the practices and procedures of the Family Court has been completed.

However, he pointed out that some necessary amendments had to be made. Justice Singh further stated that when the 11th Parliament is convened, the revised rules

will be presented for approval and this will have to be done before the Court commences operations.

On the other hand, while two judges have been appointed and there are two court rooms at the facility, it has not been decided as yet which two judges will be presiding at the Family Court, Justice Singh stated. “All of the judges have been receiving training, refreshing programmes- in areas of law and procedures relating to the Court so I would think basically all of our judges are competent to preside in the Family Court,” he outlined.

Asked whether any of the current judges are specialised in the area of Family Law, the Chancellor explained that while there are no such persons, there are judges who are knowledgeable in the area.

He named Appeal Court Judge Justice Yonnette Cummings-Edwards and High Court judge Justice Roxanne George-Whiltshire, both of whom, he stated, have a mass of considerable experience in the area but ruled out any suggestions that these two would preside at the new facility.

The Judicial Service Commission (JSC), of which Justice Singh is the Chairman, has appointed two more female judges and they are expected to be sworn-

in soon. Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry and Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Jo-Ann Barlow are the new additions to the complement of Puisne judges.

Guyana Times was told that the two new judges are expected to be placed at the High Court while two existing judges will be transferred over to preside over the Family Court.

It has been almost five years since the building was completed and handed over to Government for the operationalisation of the Family Court. Works were ongoing for about seven years to have the Family Court, which is located in the Compound of the High Court in Georgetown, established.

At one stage, the opening of the court was stalled as furniture for the facility was being acquired; however that was subsequently done. Then Legal Affairs Minister and Attorney General Anil Nandlall had disclosed that there a few things that need to be put in place in order for the facilities to be operationalised. He had pointed out that the ongoing Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry (CoI) is delaying the opening of the court.

The Rodney CoI is currently being held on the lower flat of the building, which houses the law library. While

the CoI is presently on break, the next session is expected to commence on March 23 to 27.

The building was also used in September 2012 to February 2013 for the Commission of Inquiry into the killings of the three Lindeners in July 2012 during the protest in the mining town.

Guyana Times understands that the upper flat of the building will accommodate the courtrooms, the judges’ chambers, and a children waiting facility, while the lower flat, where the inquiry is being held, will be the Family Court’s Registry.

In 2010, then Human Services Minister Priya Manickchand had said the establishment of such a court was prompted by observations that Guyanese family units are affected by societal demoralisation. It is expected that the services of the Family Court would be mostly sought by the Human Services and Social Security Ministry, through the Child Care and Protection Agency (CC&PA).

The court was established to address problems arising from the dysfunction of the family unit, and to give special attention to child rights issues. It will handle issues such as divorce, division of property, domestic matters, adoption, guardianship, and custody.

coalition has been receiving overwhelming support as it takes its campaign across the country.

He added that even the citizens who had vowed not to head to the polls again and those who had given up hope of a change have been coming on board with the coalition, in strong belief that change was coming for the country.

“It is excellent! Excellent!

Man, everywhere we go, people are enthused. The dormant are proceeding to become alive. It is going to be a

AFC General Secretary David Patterson

great campaign; it is awakening the spirit of the people.

Alluding to the recent

Mashramani Float Parade in which the parties took part, Harmon noted that the support which was shown by the Guyanese people as the coalition entered the National Park was indeed a reinforcement of the confidence which the Guyanese people have in the grouping.

As such, he believes that when the campaign hits the road, the task of encouraging people to come out and show their support will not be such a difficult one after all.

He said the party was utilising every available tool at its disposal which included social, print and electronic media, ground walks and bottomhouse and public meetings to ensure that its message of change is spread throughout the length and breadth of the country.

APNU-AFC will host its grand public launch of the ‘IT IS TIME’ campaign on Saturday March 14 in Linden with the first Unity Rally.

This public launch will follow the high energy and widely acclaimed official launch on Wednesday March 4 at the Guyana Pegasus.

National Unity Rallies will also be hosted in Essequibo, Berbice and Georgetown while there will be Regional Unity Rallies in all ten administrative regions.

Wrong plea lands first time offender in jail

A

first offender was sentenced to 3 years imprisonment at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts after pleading guilty to having in his possession 0.8 grams of cocaine.

The stunned Teraj Prince mumbled a few times to the court before he was able to coherently ask presiding Magistrate Judy Latchman the reason for such a huge sentence. He stated that he had been expecting community service instead, hence his plea, to get the matter resolved quickly.

It was then that he explained to the Magistrate that he washes a stand of some persons who sell around the North Road area and that was where he had found the item but had no intention of using it.

The details of the charge state that the Police were given information on March 9 and had thus acted on such information which led them to Prince at North Georgetown.

It was stated that the defendant was sitting by a building with others with a container in his hands, which he threw to the ground when he saw the Police Officers approach.

This was picked up by an officer and opened where the white substance was discovered. Later analysis of the substance showed that it was indeed cocaine.

However, the defendant insisted that the cocaine was not found on his person. Magistrate Latchman informed the convicted felon that he had already pleaded guilty and sentenced and thus

Teraj Prince before he knew of the three-year sentence

nothing can be done in this case. She reminded him that the laws of Guyana state that drug possession has a minimum sentence of three years and a maximum sentence of five years. The Magistrate further explained that he had gotten the minimum due to the amount he was charged with and the fact that it was his first offence.

The Magistrate explained that the community service sentence would have been the minimum sentence given had he pleaded not guilty to the charge. However, she explained to the convict that he can appeal the case if he is so concerned about it.

Nevertheless, Prince remained disturbed. He was taken back to his cell at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to await his place of abode for the next three years – the Camp Street prison.

18

guyanatimesgy.com

thursday, MARCH 12, 2015

Youths of PPP/C, rise and be heard on Facebook!

Dear Editor, I appeal to the youths of the PPP/C to rise up and be heard on social media and more specifically Facebook.

There is a move by the Opposition to intentionally, strategically and deceitfully create a false sense of hope in the minds of young people of Guyana via Facebook.

They are using the youths to achieve their plans of backward and vengeful politics, filled with anger, hate and vendettas. They want to tell us not to speak of the past (pre 1992) and that we should move forward, but I say only wise ones with vision reflects on the past to guide their future.

And if we did not, then they would have fooled us now with their sheep’s clothing. How can I look the other way, when I am looking at the wolves that destroy our country? How can any logical young person choose to

forget their past, when they are the ones who have to create our future?

APNU/PNC (the past) must be transparent with their young supporters and explain that their actions with the PNC have set this country back 30 years and it is the PPP/C and their relentless effort for development that is moving us forward.

Jamaica, Trinidad and Barbados had 30 years head start to develop, so how can we compare ourselves to them? Do we really think that waving a magic wand or simply saying “move forward” will achieve what you want?

Young people of the PPP/C, it is because of the above-mentioned, why I say it is your duty to rise up! And take a stand on FacebooK and be heard. Because this time, your mom, dad, aunty and uncle cannot win this

one by themselves. You are the true heroes of this election and on May 11 your vote will be the most important vote for this country’s future.

No longer can we go on quietly with our daily lives and expect our elders to bring home the cake, you have to earn your keep this time. So join me and your fellow comrades on Facebook and: Rise up! For the ability to own your own home before you reach the age of 30. It is very rare for young people in many parts of the world to own a home and receive affordable financing. Yet this is and has been happening with the PPP/C, where thousands of house lots and easy financing for building your home is offered every year.

Rise up! For the ability to become young business men and women from Skeldon to Georgetown, to Kwakwani

and back to Bartica and Lethem. Young people are “setting up shop” in computer repairs, mechanical and electrical engineering, construction, trade, transportation, entertainment, catering, local produce, farming and ICT to a level never seen in this country’s history.

We use less foreign consultants today because the PPP/C have fostered an environment for young Guyanese to become specialists for doing the things that foreign consultants would do in the past.

Rise up! For your right to choose various forms of entertainment and fashion.

Whether its cable TV, social media, and going to a concert; we have the spending power to do so and many options to choose from.

Affordable fashion is everywhere and every one can look great when they go out. Gone are the days of

“Sunday best” everyday has a different best now, where rich and not so rich alike can all look and feel great.

Rise up! For the ability to freely express your selves, it is ironic that it is this very freedom of expression that the PPP/C has fostered; we see APNUAFCPNC (huh?) using to build their propaganda.

But freedom of expression do not belong to them alone, we who fight the PNC for freedom also have the right to freedom of expression, so Facebook and other platforms belongs to us too.

As I write this, there are young supporters of the PPP/C fighting for their rights to hear my views on a Facebook group that says it is for all to express themselves, but yet they blocked me and deprive the PPP/C followers on their page from reading my messages, because unknowing to

the members, it is run by APNUAFCPNC (this confusion). A clear sign of their past is still showing now.

Rise up! and be heard, sign up on Facebook; join groups, follow pages and say why you are PPPC and defend it.

Start by joining our Facebook group, “We for President Donald Ramotar” and we will show you the rest. Join PYO groups and be engaged. Click like and comment on posts you agree or disagree with.

We will send a strong message to this confusion we call an opposition that we are not blind and we see the past in them. I applaud those who are already in the fight on social media.

Hardwork + PPP/ C = Success Malcolm Watkins

Kaieteur News headline Many drivers seem to always be in a hurry was product of sick, twisted, devious minds

Dear Editor, The Kaieteur News headline March 10 screams, “Rohee endorses Jagdeo statement that PPP/C is a “coolie people” party. That screaming headline gave three small columns to the accompanying report.

That very story reports former President Jagdeo as telling PPP/C supporters that the “Opposition” whispers to its supporters “let us throw out the coolie people” and that at the last elections the Opposition went to villages populated by AfroGuyanese and beat drums while urging them, “Let us throw out these coolie people. Get up and go out and vote.”

Decent minded and right thinking Guyanese would find nothing in the statements attributable to former President Jagdeo which can lead to the conclusion that he was saying that the PPP/C is a “coolie people” party.

Clearly, former President Jagdeo was conveying to PPP/C supporters the mindset and perception of the opposition and its members who were making the call to throw out these “coolie people”.

When I indicated that I agreed with former President Jagdeo, it was an agreement on his disclosure of the Opposition whisper campaigns and the drum beating and exhortation to “throw out these coolie people” as being information available to the PPP/C. I was not expressing agreement with any statement that the PPP/C is “a coolie people party”.

Indeed, I could not be expressing any said agreement because it is absolutely untrue and false to say that

former President Jagdeo made any such statement and the Kaieteur News report confirms this.

It is my view that former President Jagdeo was fortright to make the disclosure and that the significant non Indo Guyanese supporters of the PPP/C could not be affected by former President Jagdeo’s disclosure because the disclosures could only serve to heighten an awareness of the Opposition’s clandestine appeal to racist polarization to garner electoral support. I am a disciple of Dr Cheddie Jagan and a fierce advocate of national unity, which has been one of the pillars of Cheddie Jagan’s vision of a cohesive Guyanese society. The PPP/C has always been from in its birth a party of mass appeal to all the ethnicities which make up the mosaic of our society.

The PPP/C has in its membership Guyanese of all ethnicities who are seen by all in the party as welcomed members of the family. The PPP/C has always been and continues to be a party for all Guyanese irrespective of race, colour or creed who support its vision for Guyana, its programmes and its policies.

The Kaieteur News headline referred to earlier is nothing more than calculated mischief. It is the product of sick, twisted, devious minds intended to sow the seeds of discord and disunity amongst the people of Guyana. It is journalism at its malicious, wicked and divisive best and must be condemned by all right thinking members of our society.

Clement Rohee General Secretary, PPP/C

Dear Editor, It has been observed that many drivers seem to be always in a hurry and show little or no regard for other persons using the roads.

Drivers either blow their horn continuously for the motorists in front to move, even though there may be some obstruction ahead hindering the movement of the vehicles, or they move to either side of the vehicle ahead in an effort to force

their way through the traffic, in some cases infringing on the pedestrian footpaths or crossings. The Traffic Department is appealing to all motorists to always consider the five (5) Cs in defensive driving – care, courtesy, caution, common sense and consideration to drive within the speed limit and not to drink and drive.

As the Police Force continues with its traffic enforcement, unto yesterday

Tuesday March 10, 2015, there has been a total of twenty one (21) road fatalities compared to twenty two (22) for the corresponding period last year.

During the period March 01 to 08, 2015, a number of cases have been made against motorists for breaching the traffic laws.

These include speeding (454); driving under the influence (40); breach of condition of Road Service Licence (70); careless driv-

ing (20); dangerous driving (15); failure to wear safety helmet (four); failure to wear seat belt (47); and prohibition of the use of hand held mobile phone (10).

Eight persons were charged for the soliciting of passengers (touting).

Ivelaw Whittaker Police Public Relations and Press Officer

Political shock therapy?

Dear Editor, I note with profound disdain the blatant attempt to impugn the integrity of Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandall.

Mr Nandlall's meteoric rise within the leadership of the incumbent PPP/C is a worry for many people, especially those sitting on the opposite side in last Parliament.

Grounded in the grassroots of the party, technically astute and ever so popular in the public domain, he has been a thorn in the side of the obstructionist opposition, given the political opposition many sleepless nights.

The killing of the lone protester is saddening and even more so that his death is being used for political mileage. Moments after this senseless act, opposition cynics via social media launch a searing assault on the government and allegations that the AG was somehow involved in the killing.

While the leaders of the PNC try to dupe unsuspecting simpletons, we must ask ourselves some

basic questions: Was this act politically motivated? If it was politically motivated, who/which side stand to benefit from this senseless act?

At a time when the Opposition has great aspirations, having made promises grandeur to its constituency, it is battling

significant descent within its ranks, declining support where their partner in obstruction, the AFC, has promised to deliver and rejection by its supporters.

They surely need some stimulus, something to enchant disenchanted supporters, political shocktherapy.

Any person with an iota of intellect will see there's only one section of the political divide that can benefit from this dastardly act.

I urge all to consider, after all, it’s the PNC we're dealing with.

Stephen Kissoon

Fidel’s correspondence from page 5

Maradona to Fidel This past January 11, I left Havana with the joy of knowing that you were well and the pride of being the bearer, once again, of your message, your eternal friendship and your concern for the problems of the world.

It was the piece of happiness I was lacking to complete the beginning of the second season of the programme De Zurda, broadcast by Telesur, which had a special kick-off in Havana, on route to the Copa América, in Chile.

As I am a privileged witness to your concerns that Venezuela be able to continue on the victorious path

outlined by that other great friend of ours, the unforgettable Comandante Chávez, I inform you that on February 28 and March 1 “De Zurda viajero” will be aired from Caracas, Venezuela. They will undoubtedly be two very moving programmes, in which we will not only talk about football.

Fidel, if there is something I have learned from you over all these years of sincere and beautiful friendship, it’s that loyalty has no price, that a friend is worth more than all the gold in the world, and ideas are not negotiated. That’s why De Zurda is a tribute to our friendship.

Accustomed to your

“historic” goals, I wanted to thank you for the letter which made me spokesperson for your happy existence.

More than a month has passed and many people are interested to learn the content of that letter.

With the graciousness that characterizes you, you assured that it would only be published if I decided so.

I not only want for the content to be known, but I also want to share my response with everyone.

With a strong embrace,

Comandante friend.

Diego Armando Maradona Dubai, January 16

thursday, march 12, 2015

19

Mahabir expects unity with World will stop on May 2, says WICB elections over T

rinidad and Tobago Cricket Board executive Baldath Mahabir does not expect any negative fallout from his recent failed bid for the West Indies Cricket Board’s vicepresidency.

Mahabir unsuccessfully challenged Emmanuel Nanthan for the post of vice-president at elections in Kingston last weekend, losing 8-4.

He was the running mate of legendary former West Indies fast bowler and Barbados Cricket Association president, Joel Garner, who lost his bid to unseat WICB president Dave Cameron, by the same

margin.

“I don’t think our relationship will change at all. I don’t think there will be any victimisation,” the Trinidad Express newspaper quoted Mahabir as saying.

“It is a small cricket community and I think the president understands that it is a democratic organisation and that he could be challenged. He is on record as saying he would welcome the challenge.”

Despite heavy criticism for his handling of the abandoned tour of India, Cameron received widespread support from territorial boards in the election.

Baldath Mabahir

In fact, the only two boards not to declare their support for Cameron was Garner’s BCA and Mahabir’s home board, the TTCB. However, Mahabir said this would not have an impact on either board and their relationship with their other regional counterparts.

“I think the election is over now and we (TTCB and BCA) will be treated as equals going forward like the other cricket boards,” he noted. “We share an equal footing just like everybody else and I see no reason why that should not continue.”

Mayweather

Milo football knockout round starts this weekend F

The pair met face-to-face for the last time before the fight

T

he action will heat up this weekend when the knockout stage of the annual Milo Under-20 secondary schools football competition gets cracking at the Education Ministry ground, Carifesta Avenue.

A total of eight games are slated for the two days in what is dubbed the Round of 16 Knockout.

On Saturday, the first game will kick off at 11:00h with Kingston Secondary versus St Mary’s High, followed by Mae’s against Dolphin Secondary from 12:30h.

Bishop’s High and Lodge Secondary will square off in match three from 14:00h, while South Ruimveldt Secondary and North Ruimveldt Secondary will trade skills in the final game

It’s win or go home for the schools this weekend

of the day, set to start at 15:30h.

On Sunday, Queens College and Morgan Learning Centre will have

Good results always...

The core group in training at the moment comprises Derrick Carter, Joshua Brown, King Solomon Austin, Colin Nelson, Dwain Jacob, Clive Nobrega, Les Charles Critchlow, Vurlon Mills, Dwayne Lawrence, Kris Camacho, Calvin Shepherd, Daniel Wilson, Sheldon Holder, Manasseh Primo, Dorville Stewart, Amos Ramsey, Konata Mannings and Eon Alleyne.

The players will go into camp on Friday.

With the aim of affording the Golden Jaguars every opportunity to play

the honour of setting the tone for the remainder of the day, with the opening clash at 11:00h.

Queenstown Secondary

from back page

Jamaal Shabazz

competitively ahead of the

2018 World Cup Qualifiers, set to start in June, the Normalisation Committee of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) finalised the international friendly against St Lucia late last month.

The match will be played at the Guyana National Stadium, marking the return of international football to the venue after a brief hiatus. The game will be the Golden Jaguars’ second international friendly of the year, following their 2-2 draw with hosts Barbados on February 1.

will then throw down the gauntlet to East Ruimveldt Secondary in game two from 12:30h, while St Joseph’s High and St George’s will tackle each other in the penultimate match-up from 14:00h.

The final game of the weekend will bring together Chase Academy and Richard Ishmael Secondary, with the first whistle set to be blown at 15:30h.

The winners from this weekend will progress to the quarter-finals, set for March 21. The semi-finals are fixed for March 26, while the final and third place playoff are slated for March 31.

The tournament, coordinated by the Petra Organisation, is being sponsored exclusively by Beepat’s Trading, the local distributor of Milo. (Avenash Ramzan)

loyd Mayweather said "the world will stop" when he fights Manny Pacquiao on May 2 as they were face-to-face for the last time before the weigh-in.

Mayweather, who has won all 47 of his fights, told Pacquiao at a press conference in Los Angeles on Wednesday that he was not ready to taste defeat.

Pacquiao had earlier said that he would beat the American for the good of boxing.

The Filipino fighter has a record of 57 wins, two draws and five losses.

"May 2 - the world stops.

Mayweather v Pacquiao is the biggest fight in history," Mayweather said.

The fight, which has been the subject of on-off contract negotiations over six years, is expected to generate as much as £162m ($250m).

In low-key speeches in front of about 700 media, both fighters spent more time talking up the fight than aiming barbs at their opponent.

Mayweather, 38, suggested that his unblemished record may give him a psychological advantage over Pacquiao, claiming that "if you lose, it is always in your mind", but also praised the Filipino's camp for making the fight happen.

"I have to be thankful that we have all come together as one to give the world what they want to see," he added.

Pacquiao, who made several references to his Christian faith in an unremarkable address at the news conference, had tweet-

ed criticism of Mayweather's lavish lifestyle earlier in the day.

"Beating Floyd is good for boxing. When athletes have great success, their success goes to their head. That is bad for boxing," he wrote.

"I'm here to prove that I can easily beat the undefeated."

The fight is expected to boil down to whether Pacquiao's speed and power can ruffle Mayweather's supreme defensive skills.

Pacquiao was in no doubt he could win, referencing his victories over heavier-hitting fighters than Mayweather.

"My footwork and hand combinations will be my advantage. I tell you Miguel Cotto and Antonio Margarito punch hard. This is boxing and its about punches," he added on Twitter.

It was left to Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach to deliver the usual pre-fight bombast.

"We're fighting the best fighter in the world - but we're gonna kick his ass," he told the media, drawing smiles from Mayweather.

Earlier, on the red carpet at a Nokia Theatre venue that is more used to hosting the Emmy television awards, he told BBC Sport why he was confident Pacquiao, 36, could inflict Mayweather's first defeat.

"My guy is too fast, he hits too hard. I think Floyd's legs are shot," he said.

He says he wants to stand and trade more and entertain the fans more, but I don't think that is true. He has to say that." (BBC Sport)

20

guyanatimesGY.com

thursday, march 12, 2015

Scotland v Sri Lanka, World Cup 2015, Group A, Hobart...

Sangakkara, Dilshan tons set up big win K

umar Sangakkara is retiring from oneday internationals at the end of this tournament. You have to wonder

have become one of cricket's most consistent doubleacts and this was their 20th century stand in ODIs; only Sourav Ganguly and Sachin

in their only previous ODI meeting in 2011. The slow, shaky start continued when Calum MacLeod was bowled

by Nuwan Kulasekara for 11 and Matt Machan was trapped lbw by Dilshan for 19.

But Mommsen and Coleman took their lead from the SangakkaraDilshan example earlier in the day, finding the gaps, rotating the strike, picking up boundaries. When they came together Scotland needed 320 at more than eight an over, so their efforts were unlikely to affect the outcome of the match,

time.

For 75 minutes they worked together before Mommsen drove on the up off Thisara Perera and was caught by a juggling Lahiru Thirimanne for 60 off 75 balls. Coleman followed four overs later when he holed out to long-on off Kulasekara for 70 from 74 balls, but his maiden ODI half-century which had come off 44 balls - showed his class.

Coleman had been dropped on 54 when Kusal Perera somehow contrived to grass a simple chance from a slice to deep cover, and it was indicate of a Sri

Tillakaratne Dilshan acknowledges his second century of the World Cup

why. But regardless of how far Sri Lanka progress, Sangakkara will at least go out in personal glory. At Bellerive Oval, he became the first man in ODI history to score centuries in four consecutive innings, and the first to make four hundreds in one World Cup, and together with Tillakaratne Dilshan he ensured a comfortable win over Scotland.

The 148-run victory should mean Sri Lanka finish third in Pool A, assuming Australia beat Scotland and New Zealand defeat Bangladesh. Scotland showed some fight with the bat, but the 195-run partnership compiled by Sangakkara and Dilshan was the difference. To cap off his outstanding day, Sangakkara also moved past Adam Gilchrist to top the all-time World Cup wicketkeeping dismissal tally.

Sangakkara and Dilshan

Tendulkar have combined for more. Sangakkara finished with 124 and Dilshan made 104; Angelo Mathews later added the second-fastest fifty of this World Cup, off 20 balls, but a series of late wickets meant Sri Lanka missed the opportunity for a 400-plus total.

Scotland's target was 364 and perhaps on 364 days of the year it would be an unrealistic aim against a Full Member. This was one of those days, although Freddie Coleman and Preston Mommsen ensured respectability. Throughout the tournament Scotland have shown enterprise and resolve, impressed observers while coming up short. It was the case once again.

When Kyle Coetzer sent a return catch to Lasith Malinga in the first over, Scotland might have had flashbacks to their being routed by Malinga for 101

Kumar Sangakkara drives fluently through the off-side

but they at least made Sri Lanka work for it.

Coleman, brought in for his second match of the tournament, took the lead and struck seven boundaries, including a beautiful straight drive off Dushmantha Chameera. Mommsen cover drove well and pulled when the opportunity arose, and both men frustrated Sri Lanka, bringing up half-centuries in reasonably brisk

Lanka that seemed happy enough to go through the motions in the field, knowing that victory was inevitable. In the end it was: Richie Berrington hung around for 29 but, the lower order fizzled out in the 44th over.

Sri Lanka's batting had been just too strong. As usual, Sangakkara's runs came all around the wicket as he picked the gaps or cleared the field with ease. His

only half-chance came on 84 when he crunched a full

Dilshan's coming from his 97th delivery with a single

SCOREBOARD

Sri Lanka innings Thirimanne c Mommsen b Evans 4 Dilshan c MacLeod b Davey 104 Sangakkara c Cross b Davey 124 M Jayawardene c MacLeod b Davey 2 Mathews c Coleman b Machan 51 K Perera c MacLeod b Taylor 24 T Perera c Coleman b Berrington 7 Prasanna c Coleman b Evans 3 Kulasekara not out 18 Malinga c Leask b Berrington 1 Chameera not out 12 Extras: (10-w, 3-lb) 13 Total: (for 9 wickets; 50 overs) 363 Bowling: Taylor 10-0-46-1, Evans 10-0-72-2, Davey 8-063-3, Berrington 6.1-0-31-2, Leask 7-0-63-0, Coetzer 4.50-39-0, Machan 4-0-46-1 Fall of wickets: 21 (Thirimanne), 216 (Dilshan), 244 (M Jayawardene), 244 (Sangakkara), 289 (K Perera), 326 (Mathews), 328 (T Perera),

toss from Machan and a diving MacLeod at midwicket got his left hand to the ball on its way to the boundary.

Otherwise, Sangakkara was clinical, and struck 13 fours and four sixes.

After reaching his hundred, he plundered 24 off an over from Alasdair Evans during the Powerplay, his footwork and touch allowing him to place the ball wherever Mommsen left a gap. A six slashed over point and a scoop to the fine-leg boundary were especially appealing.

Dilshan and Sangakkara had brought up their centuries from consecutive balls,

331 (Prasanna), 336 (Malinga) Scotland innings Coetzer c and b Malinga 0 MacLeod b Kulasekara 11 Machan lbw b Dilshan 19 Mommsen c Thirimanne b T Perera 60 Coleman c T Perera b Kulasekara 70 Berrington c Kulasekara b Chameera 29 Leask c Sangakkara b Kulasekara 2 Cross c Sangakkara b Chameera 7 Taylor c T Perera b Malinga 3 Davey c Thirimanne b Chameera 4 Evans not out 1 Extras: (1-nb, 6-w, 2-lb) 9 Total: (all out; 43.1 overs) 215 Bowling: Malinga 9-0-292, Kulasekara 7-0-20-3, T Perera 7-0-41-1, Dilshan 5-0-15-1, Prasanna 8-0-570, Chameera 7.1-0-51-3 Fall of wickets: 0 (Coetzer), 26 (MacLeod), 44 (Machan), 162 (Mommsen), 189 (Coleman), 192 (Leask), 200 (Cross), 209 (Taylor), 210 (Berrington), 215 (Davey)

to fine leg off Coetzer, and Sangakkara's arriving next ball with a two edged to third man off Coetzer from his 86th delivery. They were parted in the next over, but had provided plenty of entertainment.

Dilshan's hundred was his second of this tournament and he struck 10 fours and one six, and was powerful square of the wicket on both sides. He pulled Josh Davey with disdain, including for a six over square leg off one knee. Dilshan finally fell on 104 when he was caught at mid-off, giving Davey the first of three wickets. (Cricinfo)

Rubel accuser ‘drops’ charges, law may differ

R

ubel Hossain’s matchwinning performance against England may fetch him an unexpected pay-off – a Bangladeshi actress says she will drop the charges under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act against him that saw him spend three nights in jail in January.

But Bangladeshi law does not allow such charges to be dropped unilaterally, and the entire legal process is usually drawn-out and complicated.

The actress, Naznin

Akhtar Happy, told a private TV channel in Bangladesh, in the aftermath of the England match on Monday, that she was moved enough to drop the charges.

“I’ve forgiven him. I am not going to continue the case against him,” Happy told Channel 24 television on Tuesday.

“I am not going to give any testimony or evidence against him. And if I don’t carry on with the case, then there is no case.”

Her statement came a day after her lawyer Cumar

Rubel Hossain’s case has not yet been concluded

Debul Dey said he wouldn’t represent Happy. A few hours after Bangladesh’s

win over England, he wrote on his Facebook page: “I am withdrawing myself as

Happy’s lawyer in light of Bangladesh and Rubel’s success. In future, if any other lawyer is appointed to deal with this case, I will not have any problems.”

On January 8 Rubel was sent to jail by a Dhaka court in a case filed under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act. Dhaka Metropolitan magistrate Muhammad Anwar Sadat passed the order after Rubel surrendered before the court and pleaded for bail. Rubel had, on December 15, been granted

four weeks of anticipatory bail in the case.

This came two days after the complainant, an actress, had filed the case against Rubel with Mirpur police station on charges of making false promises of marriage.

Three days later Rubel was granted bail pending the police submission of the charge sheet to the court. He was also allowed to travel abroad, excusing him from appearing before the court for further proceedings.

(Cricinfo)

21 Sanga not reconsidering retirement sports

YELLOW PAGES thursday, march 12, 2015

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

Driving School Shalom Driving School, lot 2 Croal Street, Stabroek. Enjoy 20% discount. Phone: 227-3869, 622-8162, 644-7052, 227-3835

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

FOR SALE For sale by lot: Lot (1): 2 bath tubs, bathroom fittings and fixtures & toilet set; shower fittings - $150,000 and Lot (2): 1 Dell desktop computer and HP scanner - $25,000. Call 2252676 or 601-5285.

Caterpillar parts sale! Sale! Sale!

Genuine parts for all caterpillar machines. Navparts. Tel # 642-5439.

Email: navpartsgy@gmail.com. www.facebook.com/navparts

immigration Immigration & Visa Services We handle all Canadian, USA and UK immigration and visa matters. Self sponsorships, holiday/visitor’s visas, work permits, students visas, family, class, immigration forms, embassy enquiries, appeals for refused cases, US green card lottery, business class waivers, pardons, etc. Get your visa approved. High success rate. Balwant Persaud & Associates. Certified Immigration Consultants, 68 Sixth Street, Alberttown, Georgetown (Between Cummings & Lights Sts) Tel: 225-1540, 622-8308, 655-3105.

Email: balwantpersaud@yahoo.ca

KEY CUTTing Professional Key Shop, 125 Carmichael Street, Georgetown.

Phone: 225-3923, mobile: 6213249. We cut any type of key, service and repair all types of locks. Get your extra key today. optician

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

MEDITATION “Positive Mysticism” Sunday 8th March @ 4;00 pm – 6:00pm Monar Educational Institute, 192 Lance Gibbs and Oronoque Streets, Georgetown. Contact # 698-0582 Science of Spirituality www.sos. org Science of Spirituality Guyana on Facebook Love, Unity, Peace

services Khemraj & Son -landscaping & plant nursery. Lot 77 Independence Street, La Grange, West Bank Demerara. Landscaping, planting grass, weeding, killing wood ants, killing roaches, rats & mealy bug,

treat plants, coconut trees and flowers, cleaning ceiling, grafting coconut plants: 18 months bearing period, treating land, grass & spraying grass, grafted papaya plants: 6 months bearing, grafted cherry plant, sour sop & sapodilla, cutting big trees & removing, treated mould for sale & flower plants for sale. Tel 627-5969/ 603-1134

taxi services GR Taxi, 24 hours. Phone: 2257878, 219-5000 or 227-2100

TO let

S

Kumar Sangakkara has been prolific in this year’s World Cup Two bedroom downstairs apartment $35,000 monthly call 6584478 Fully furnished 3 self contained bed room house to rent. 643-8292 Two bedroom upstairs apartment. $60,000 monthly with parking.

Couples preferable. Tel 233-2607 / 644-7089 Two Self contained single bedroom furnished apartments for rental.

Self contained 7 bedroom bungalow idea for family/ guests/ students local or overseas long/ short term rental. Contact # 622-7097 / 624-7111

spirituality Help Available for all problems bad luck, evil, blockages business etc.

Also religious and beauty items for sale call 669-1662 or 670-4692.

For person with stroke and physical disabilities we have herbal baths and spiritual massage medicine call 220-0708, 687-5653, 6126417 Surinamese spiritualist. Resolving all problems. Money, love, blockage etc. Call 223-6834/600-7719.

We can help you- remove evil spirit, bad luck, blockage, reunite family and lovers, money problems, jobs, pregnancy, uplift business, skin problems, sexual problem, legal matters and much more. Call today for tomorrow may be too late. Call 674-5317/ 683-5228/ 612-1975 Dutch spiritual healing in removing evil spirit; bad luck; evil sickness; spells; reuniting lovers and prosperity to business etc, Call 612-6417, 220-0708/687-5653.

CAR RENTALS Need a car to rent? Then call 6111018 for the best cars at great prices.

VEHICLES FOR SALE JUST ARRIVED: TOP QUALITY RECONDITIONED VEHICLES; TOYOTA NOAH; TOYOTA VOXY; TOYOTA IST (NEW SHAPE); SUZUKI SWIFT; DAIHATSU MOVE (660CC); MERCEDES BENZ C200 KOMPRESSOR; COROLLA AE100 WAGON; TOYOTA HIACE MINIBUS RZ; PITBULL-STYLE FREEZER VAN; LAND CRUISER (FULLY LOADED); MAZDA PROCEED 4WD EXTRACAB PICK-UP; TOYOTA HILUX 4WD EXTRA CAB PICKUPS - 3RZ, 5L, 3L SOLID DEFFERNTIAL; MITSUBISHI CANTER TRUCKS 4 TONS FREEZER; 3 TONS OPEN TRAY; 2 TONS 4WD; NISSAN ATLAS 2 TONS OPEN TRAY TRUCK. PRE-ORDER YOUR UNITS EARLY AND GET THE BEST PRICES. FULL AFTER SALES SERVICES AND FINANCING AVAILABLE. DEO MARAJ AUTO SALES, 2 CHIMNEY ROAD, CHATEAU MARGOT, ECD. 624-0762, 220-5177. A NAME AND SERVICE YOU CAN TRUST

ri Lanka batsman Kumar Sangakkara will not reconsider his decision to retire from ODI cricket after the World Cup despite his record-breaking form.

Sangakkara hit his fourth successive ODI hundred as Sri Lanka beat Scotland at the World Cup on Wednesday.

The 37-year-old confirmed to BBC's Test Match Special that he would play no more ODI cricket after the tournament.

"Retirement is not about form, it is about time and place and whether it feels right," he said.

Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews said after the 148-run Pool A victory at Bellerive Oval, Hobart that he had been "on my

knees begging" Sangakkara to continue his limited-overs career after the World Cup. However, when asked if his current run of form would prompt a re-evaluation, Sangakkara said: "No. It is never about whether you can play or not."

The Sri Lanka wicketkeeper, who made his ODI debut in 2000, says the physical effects of the game are starting to take their toll.

"I've been batting and keeping for a long time, it's getting harder and the joints are creaking and aching, but I consider myself lucky to be part of a great team," he said.

Sangakkara recorded his fifth World Cup century, one behind the record of six held by India's Sachin

Tendulkar, as Sri Lanka confirmed their place in the quarter-finals of the World Cup with an emphatic victory over Preston Mommsen's side.

He has now scored 14,189 ODI runs and only Tendulkar (18,426), who retired in 2013, has more runs for their country in the 50over format.

After Sangakkara's fourth successive century, ex-Australia wicketkeeperbatsman Adam Gilchrist, who saw his record for the number of World Cup dismissals overtaken by the Sri Lankan, tweeted: "I scored four 100s in a row once... shame it was on the golf course! @KumarSanga2 congrats on 500+, WC record and runs, runs, runs #legend." (BBC Sport)

Scotland send home Majid Haq

WANTED Laborers and forklift operators/ helper must be hardworking and able to work flexible hours. For more information call 231-8344

Cleansing of spiritual problems of all kinds. Powerful Ifá protection against evil. Get help to overcome problems with love, relationships, legal, sexual, pregnancy, business, sickness, jobs, enemies, work, money. Call 592-690-1824 from 10:00-16:00h Email:anew-life@ live.com Suriname’s Astrology, Palmist and Hindustani Spiritual Healer, solve all purpose problems, 100% confidential guaranteed. Phone: 6794672 HEPHZIBAH MINISTRIES 24 hrs Prayer Line 322-5081,3374510,337-4259,337-4583,3373070,337-5103. For healing, deliverance, financial difficulties, marriage issues call now. Jesus Cares.

Classified Ads

$5+VAT per word Call: 226-9921

S

Majid Haq was dropped for the game against Sri Lanka

cotland's all-time leading wicket-taker Majid Haq has been sent home from the Cricket World Cup after posting a race-related tweet.

After not being selected for his side's 148-run defeat

by Sri Lanka in Hobart, he tweeted: "Always tougher when you're in the minority! #colour #race" The post has since been deleted.

Off-spinner Haq, 32, has taken 60 one-day international wickets and also holds his country's appear-

ance record with 209 caps.

Born in Scotland of Pakistani descent, he also scored three ODI half-centuries and opened the batting during the 2007 World Cup. However, Haq has struggled to make an impression at the 2015 tournament, which is taking place in Australia and New Zealand.

He has collected just three wickets in four matches, while his best score with the bat is 31, made against fellow associate nation Afghanistan.

Scotland have lost all five of their matches – against New Zealand, England, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka – and have just one game remaining, against Australia in Hobart on March 14.

Haq took a flight home from Melbourne on Tuesday.

In the last 24 hours, he has also posted the following message on his Twitter account: "Make sure everybody in your 'boat' is rowing and not drilling holes when you're not looking. Know your circle." (BBC Sport)

22

guyanatimesGY.com

thursday, march 12, 2015

Sport awardees to be honoured Friday T

op sport teams, athletes and journalists will be recognised for their contribution to the disciplines in 2014 when the National Sports Commission stages the annual award ceremony on Friday at the National Cultural Centre in Georgetown.

Director of Sport Neil Kumar confirmed on Wednesday afternoon that all systems are in place for the ceremony, which is expected to commence at 19:00h sharp. Awardees are expected to be seated by 18:30h.

Kumar will be one of several speakers during the ceremony, which is being held annually to honour the country’s top sportsmen and women, officials, administrators and journalists.

His Excellency President Donald Ramotar has been confirmed to deliver the fea-

Flashback! Top awardees of 2013 pose with their accolades at the function last year

ture address, while Sport Minister will also take to the podium.

When the esteemed panel voted on February 20 last at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, the discipline of rugby emerged with the lion’s share of the awards. At the end of it all, rugby copped

five of the six awards it was nominated for. Leading the way was the national Men's team, which copped the Team-of-the-Year prize.

The Guyanese created history in 2014, winning both the North American and Caribbean Rugby Association (NACRA) 15s

GCB Inter-County U-17 tourney…

Commanding wins for Demerara, GCB Select U-15s

Timothy McAlmont (right) and Gavin Boodwah scored halfcenturies for Demerara

D

emerara whipped Essequibo by 158 runs, while the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Select Under-15 team defeated Berbice Select XI by four wickets on Wednesday when the GCB Inter-County Under-17 tournament commenced with two matches.

At the Police Sports Club ground, Eve Leary, Timothy McAlmont and Gavin Boodwah hit contrasting half-centuries to guide Demerara to 302-8.

McAlmont and Boodwah came together at 151-4 and featured in a fifth wicket stand of 69 to further frustrate the opposition.

McAlmont struck five fours and a similar number of sixes before he was dismissed for a top score of 67.

Boodwah mixed aggression with defence before he went for 62, which included five fours and two sixes.

Bhaskar Yadram (34), Ramnarine Chatura (26),

Raymond Perez (21) and Joshua Persaud (20) were the other meaningful con-

tributors. Joshua Jones claimed 2-55.

The Essequibians were then restricted for 144-8 in 50 overs in reply. Sagar Hathiramani snared 3-26 and Ronaldo Mohamed 2-28.

Over at Everest, the Berbice Select XI were bowled out for 98 in 34 overs, batting first.

Matthew Hardial scored 17 and Chris Ramnarine 15.

Kevin Omroa captured 3-17, Kelvin Anderson 2-37 and Ashmead Nedd 2-9.

The GCB Select Under-15 team replied with 99-6 in 41.5 overs. Junior Sinclair cracked 22; Nedd 20 not out and Anderson 11 not out. Asif Ally took 3-10 and Kevin Sinclair 2-5.

and 7s titles. It was the first instance of a Caribbean country winning both competitions in the same year.

The Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) won the Sports-Associationof-the-Year and the MostImproved-Association awards, while Theodore

DDL supports KMTC’s post-Phagwah horse race meet D

emerara Distillers Limited (DDL), under its Ivanoff Vodka brand, formerly handed over its sponsorship package for the D3 and Lower race at the Kennard Memorial Turf Club’s (KMTC) post-Phagwah horse race meet, which will be held on Sunday at the KMTC track in Bush Lot Farm, Corentyne.

The winner will walk away with $400,000 and a trophy, while the second to fourth place finishers will receive $200,000, $100,000 and $50,000 respectively, a total prize package worth $750,000.

The simple presenta-

Williams wants consistent performance against UAE C

oach Stuart Williams says West Indies will be focused on delivering a consistent performance when they face United Arab Emirates in their crucial World Cup fixture on Saturday.

The Caribbean side are battling for a spot in the quarter-finals and need to beat UAE convincingly and hope other results go their way, in order to qualify for the next round.

However, the Windies have been erratic throughout the competition and Williams hopes they can put that behind them against UAE. “For us, it is about consistency, it is just for us to

Stuart Williams

get it right. Once they get it right, we are quite comfortable,” Williams said.

“The bowlers are getting into their own now [so] it’s sad that the batters have dropped off a lit-

Henry was named Coachof-the-Year and GRFU President Peter Green clinched the Male-SportsPersonality-of-the-Year award.

Captain of the national Men's rugby team, Ryan Gonsalves, was nominated for Sportsman-of-the-

Year, but lost out to cricketer Veerasammy Permaul, who won that category, with motor-racer Kristian Jeffrey being the runner-up.

Athlete Cassie George won the Junior and Senior Sportswoman awards, with fellow athlete Jason Yaw being voted the Junior Sportsman. President of the recently-formed Guyana Sports Shooting Federation, Vidushi Persaud, copped the Female Sport Personality accolade.

Guyana Times journalist and TVG News Anchor Avenash Ramzan copped the Sport Journalist Non-Print award for the fourth year in succession and fifth time overall, while the Stabroek News duo Emmerson Campbell and Orlando Charles were adjudged Print Sport Journalist and Photographer respectively.

tle bit. For us now, it is about getting our total ‘A’ game for Sunday [Saturday Caribbean time].”

West Indies lie fifth in Group B on four points and as it stands, could be heading out of the competition unless results go in their favour in the other Group B fixtures.

Unbeaten group leaders India have already qualified on ten points, but South Africa, Pakistan and Ireland are locked on six points, with a game to play.

The Proteas are likely to beat UAE on Thursday and seal their berth in the next round, leaving West Indies, Pakistan and Ireland to vie for the last two spots.

KMTC President Cecil Kennard (left) accepts the sponsorship cheque and winners’ trophy from DDL’s Ivanoff Brand Manager, Maria Munroe

tion ceremony was done on Wednesday when the company’s Ivanoff Vodka Brand Manager, Maria Munroe, handed over the trophy and cheque to Justice Cecil Kennard, the Honourary President of the KMTC. In brief comments, Munroe said what a pleasure it was to be associated with the KMTC again.

“We have been supporting Kennard for the past 36 years and this year is no different as we always have no hesitation whenever that call comes from Mr. Kennard in connection with his horse meet. It’s our way of giving back to the sporting community in Guyana,” Munroe said.

Kennard thanked the sponsors for coming forward

and said that he would love to see the working relationship between the two parties continue.

“Over the many years we have enjoyed a good relationship with DDL through its various brands,” Kennard pointed out.

Six races are billed for the day with the A1 and Lower race slated to be the feature event. Other races billed for the day are: D3 and Lower, the J3 and Lower, the G1 and Lower, the K1 and Lower, D3 and Lower and there is a race for J1 and Lower animals.

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.

guyanatimesGY.com

thursday, march 12, 2015

23

Garnett joins TT Pro League AAG shortlists Carifta team side, Caledonia AIA T

he career of Grove Hi Tech striker, Domini Garnett, moved another rung up the ladder, as he recently became the latest player to join the professional ranks in Trinidad and Tobago.

The prolific footballer has signed a two-year deal with Caledonia AIA of the TT Pro League after spending two months on a trial in an arrangement between the East Bank Football Association and the T&T based club.

Garnett said: “The feeling of signing for a professional club is great and I am very excited knowing that I would be playing at the high level of the game.

My intention is to work hard day to day to improve in every aspect of the football world, including educating myself on the game more.”

Caledonia's Head Coach Jerry Moe felt that Garnett is a player for the future and is impressed with how he has fitted into the team.

"Domini is quite an ambitious youth who though soft spoken is not shy. I am impressed with his focus and commitment. At first we just allowed the trial to facilitate a request from our

Domini Garnett receives his shirt from Caledonia AIA General Manager, Ricarda Nelson

owner Jamaal Shabazz, who is working with the Guyana team. So we gave him the opportunity and he has held it with both hands."

A goal in the TT Pro League Reserve Division and injuries to senior players saw Moe give Domini his first ‘First’ team appearance in the TT Pro League.

The aggressive 19-year-old striker returned the compliment by scoring in a 3-1 win over St Ann’s Rangers.

To date, Garnett has scored three goals for the ‘first’ team and has start-

ed in four matches. "With some work and more playing time I think this kid can make it. He has a good attitude towards working hard and that is so important. His three goals so far were well taken and once he keeps his head right I think he can achieve something in the game,” Moe observed.

Garnett commenced his football career locally with the number one club in the East Bank Football Association, Grove Hi Tech, as a nine-year-old and has played at the Under-13,

Female ruggers observe International Women’s Day

A

The national female ruggers pose for a photo on International Women’s Day

s the world celebrated International Women’s Day last Sunday, the country’s women rugby players marked the occasion in fine style on the field. The national squad, which is currently preparing for the North American and

Caribbean Rugby Association (NACRA) Championships, slated for June in North Carolina held several practice games among themselves at the National Park on Sunday.

The event saw over 30 young ladies, playing 7s style rugby .Guyana female

ruggers are the three-time Caribbean champion and will be making a return to the championships after a twoyear absence.

The national squad will continue to train everyday leading up to the event in the National Park.

15, 17, 19 and senior levels. Garnett represented Guyana at Under-15 (Suriname), Under-17 (Dominica) and Under-19 (Dominican Republic).

In the EBFA’s Stag Beer sponsored Division One League last year, which was played over two rounds, Garnett ended as the leading goal scorer with 21 goals and was also the tournament’s MVP. He also ended as the joint top scorer in the inaugural Stag Super XV1 KO Cup with nine goals, including all five in the final, which his side won 5-0.

While expressing gratitude to the management of Caledonia AIA, Garnett also thanked the East Bank Football Association, James Herbert and family, Franklin Wilson (EBFA Secretary) and Clive Matthews (Grove Hi Tech Manager).

His mother, Kay Ann Padmore, and father, Mark Anthony Garnett, also came in for high praise by the young Garnett as did coaches Gordon Braithwaite, Jermaine Alves (Grove Hi Tech) and Sampson Gilbert among others.

T

Brenessa Thompson

he Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) has shortlisted nine athletes for the upcoming Carifta Games, set for April in St Kitts and Nevis.

The team is made up of eight local athletes and one America-based Guyanese.

The two males on the team are sprinter Compton Caesar for both the 100 and 200 metres, while Matthew Mackenzie has been shortlisted for both the 1500 and 3000 metres.

The females on the team are USA-based sprinter Brenessa Thompson, triple

Carifta gold medalist Cassey George (1500m), sprinter Kenisha Phillips (200m), Claudrice McKoy (3000m), Chantoba Bright (long and triple jump) and Natricia Hooper (triple jump).

No Under-20 athlete has been selected for the event.

However, Under-20 athlete Ornesto Thomas is under consideration for the 1500 metres due to his strong performances, coming close to the qualifying times.

Yvonne October was named as manager of the team, while a coach will be announced at a later date.

Sports is no longer our game, it’s our business

thursday, march 12, 2015

Good results always a priority, says Shabazz

By Avenash Ramzan

W

hile the Golden Jaguars will be using the upcoming international friendly against St Lucia to expose the young crop of footballers, Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz said “good results” are always the top priority in the long-term development of the team.

Shabazz made the comment prior to the squad’s first training session on Wednesday afternoon at the Police Sports Club ground, Eve Leary, ahead of the March 22 clash in Guyana.

The candid coach briefly shared his long-term plans for the team, starting with the game against the islanders.

“Of course we want to have good results; a good result is always the first priority on the agenda, but we also want to build a national team over a period of two years that will brand itself back to the kind of

team we had in the past and even try to do better,” Shabazz explained.

He continued, “Of course, a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step and it’s not going to be an easy process. Always giving players international exposure is a tedious process and we’ve got to be mindful, because the results don’t always come the way we would like.”

Shabazz pointed out that Wednesday’s session was to get the players in the frame of mind in preparation for two international friendlies, the second of which will be held on March 29 against Grenada.

The squad for the St Lucia game is primarily local based players, including several Under-23s, while overseas players, including Brandon Beresford and Jamaal Smith from North America, and a few from Trinidad and Tobago will link up with the unit for the Grenada clash. turn to page 19

The Golden Jaguars players going through training on Wednesday at the Police ground (Photo: Avenash Ramzan)

Everest teams leave for Suriname today E

verest Cricket Club’s Masters and Junior teams will depart Guyana today to face their Surinamese counterparts in five matches this weekend, while the club will also participate in the Duck Curry competition in the Dutch-speaking nation on Sunday.

While the Masters will play two games, the Juniors will be involved in three matches, as they look to gain valuable experience playing in different conditions. The matches will be played in Nickerie and Paramaribo.

First Vice-president

of the club and captain of the Masters team, Rajesh Singh, said he is confident the teams will do well, noting that the executives are grateful to the individuals and entities that have assisted in making the trip a reality.

The Masters squad reads: Rajesh Singh (Captain), Saeed Khan, Hemraj Garbarran, Shaheed Mohamed, Rabindranauth Seeram, Basil Persaud, Rohan Sarjoo, Ronald Jaisingh, Dennis Mangru, Johnny Azeez, Lennox Cush, Anwar Rahaman and Rakesh Gangaram.

Upcoming World Cup matches (with Guyana time) Today: 37th Match, Pool A- New Zealand v Bangladesh, 21:00h Today: 38th Match, Pool A- Afghanistan v England, 23:30h Friday: 39th Match, Pool B- India v Zimbabwe, 21:00h Friday: 40th Match, Pool A- Australia v Scotland, 23:30h Saturday: 41st Match, Pool B- UAE v West Indies, 18:00h Saturday: 42nd Match, Pool B- Ireland v Pakistan, 23:30h

Members of the Everest junior team fully geared and ready for the trip to Suriname. At extreme right is club captain and coach, Shaheed Mohamed (Photo: Marceano Narine)

The Junior squad reads: Zacharia Mootoo, Vishal Persaud, Kishan Bhola, Yudister Persaud, Andre Boyce, Brandon Ramnarine,

Ariel Tilku, Saif Ali, Joshua Rampersaud, Joshua Gardner, Pravish Singh and Nyron Bissu.

The trip has been

made possible with support from Trophy Stall, Assuria Insurance, Friends of Everest, JGS, Business Services, Aircom, Superior

Woods, Carib Food Distributors Inc., Rockaway Auto Sales- New York and Drubahadur and Associates Accounting Firm.

GUYANA TIMES - www.guyanatimesgy.com, email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, Tel: 226-9921, 226-2102, 223-7230, 223-7231, Fax: 227-0685 - SALES AND MARKETING - sales@guyanatimesgy.com PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY GUYANA TIMES INC.