Guyana Times Daily - June 5, 2015 by Gytimes

Concerns grow over ‘hasty’ P10 dismissal of torture cops, others Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 2514

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Friday, June 5, 2015

PRICE

Promoter shot dead at night club

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE: City schools sex scandal

Ministry to strengthen P2 sex education programmes

Page 3

PSC presses Govt on revamping of NIS, GO-invest Page 15

US-based Guyanese killed 2 P9 weeks after marriage

BRHA illegal, has no P10 authority to hire, fire – Norton

…says issue of bribery must be addressed President David Granger met with the Private Sector Commission on Thursday. From left are: Captain Gerry Gouveia, Eddie Boyer, Ramesh Dookhoo, PSC President Ramesh Persaud; President Granger, Finance Minister Winston Jordan and PSC Executive Manniram Prashad

PPP/C will go to Parliament on own terms – Rohee Page 15

Interim Management Committee to run GuySuCo Page 15

… PM says IMC “holding” for team to undertake forensic audit

Sub-machine gun found in East P11 Ruimveldt Woman critical after setting self ablaze P13

2 News

friday, june 5, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

City schools sex scandal

Ministry to strengthen sex education programmes …GRPA calls on parents, teachers to intervene

By Devina Samaroo

t is no secret that sex scandals in secondary schools are not an un-

common issue yet every time a video is leaked of schoolchildren engaging in sexual activities, the entire nation appears to be sent

into a state of shock and disbelief. Education Minister Dr Rupert Roopnaraine believes one of the best meth-

ods that can possibly reduce the number of cases in which schoolchildren get involved in underage and unprotected sex is through

GRPA Director Patricia Sheerattan-Bisnauth

Education Minister Dr Rupert Roopnaraine

the implementation of better sexual education programmes in schools. A recently leaked video of four Charlestown Secondary School students engaging in sexual acts caused much stir in the Guyanese society and has once again opened the floor for discussions on the grave matter. Sections of society, particularly individuals within the same age range of those students caught in the sex scandal, have taken a hostile approach to the situation by name-calling and unconstructively attacking the four students for being “stupid to do something like that”. Social media, especially, is exploding with statements aimed at shaming those individuals, shunning them from society and making fun of the issue. But Dr Roopnaraine underscored that the matter is far from funny and all of society should take a more proactive approach to help curb this troubling situation. “It is a terrible abuse of the school, of its premises; it is not encouraging to see young people in this manner. It is very worrying,” he said. The Minister said one way to reduce the occurrences of these situations is by putting more effort into strengthening programmes aimed at educating young people so they can make wiser choices. He indicated that the existing programmes are not detailed enough or at least are not executed to their full potential in such a way that students can really comprehend the elements of sex.

ple are exposed make these simple discussions appear impossible. She highlighted that in several households, children are exposed to sexual abuse, whether through experiencing or witnessing it. Other circumstances include where parents are unequipped with the knowledge, time, or patience to have detailed discussions with their children regarding their sexuality; some parents are extremely uncomfortable having these discussions; and some parents may be battling their own wars as it relates to their sexuality and, therefore, are not the best advisers to their children. Therefore, the intervention from the school system and civil society groups are critical in filling the void parents sometimes fail to address, SheerattanBisnauth said. In fact, she said there should be more support systems in place to help children during their transitioning phases from childhood to adolescence. These systems, she explained, would help an individual to understand his/ her body, to develop selfcontrol and to train their mind to make wise and rational decisions when it comes to engaging in sex.

More discussion

Similarly, Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA) Director Patricia Sheerattan-Bisnauth said parents and teachers need to have more open and extensive discussions about sex with their children/students. However, SheerattanBisnauth acknowledged that sometimes, the circumstances in which peo-

Abandon abstinence approach

Sheerattan- Bisnauth strongly believes that parents, teachers and guardians need to abandon the abstinence approach if they want to urgently address the issue of sex scandals among secondary school students. She justified that by saying children would naturally be curious about sex; therefore, the better approach would be to advise them on safe and healthy sexual practices rather than encouraging them to abstain. This method, she guaranteed, will allow children to make their own decisions and naturally, if they are exposed to extensive and authentic information, they will make wise decisions.

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friday, june 5, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, June 4 – 05:00h-06:30h and Friday, June 5 - 05:00h-06:30h The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, June 4 – 05:10h-06:40h and Friday, June 5 – 05:55h-07:25h

FERRY SCHEDULE

Ferries will be departing the Parika and Supenaam stellings : Thursday, June 4 and Friday, June 5 – 05:00h, 11:00h and 16:00h

Promoter shot dead at night club few friends, but never returned home. Attempts to solicit a comment from the dead man’s immediate family proved futile. Durant was a promoter who brought in several regional artistes to perform at shows in Buxton and other villages along the East Coast of Demerara. Police in a release stated that they were investigating the murder of Durant. Back in 2008, Police had issued a wanted

WEATHER TODAY

Heavy rain showers interrupted by thundery showers can be expected in the morning, with thundery showers expected in the early afternoon afternoon. Heavy rain showers are expected to return in the late afternoon, giving way to thundery showers in the evening over coastal regions and near inland locations. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees and 28 degrees Celsius. Winds: Easterly between 3.57 metres and 4.91 metres per second. High Tide: 05:23h and 17:53h reaching maximum heights of 2.76 metres and 2.62 metres respectively.

Dead: Manu Durant

Low Tide: 11:25h and 23:39h reaching minimum heights of 0.44 metre and 0.62 metre respectively.

ell-known promoter Manu Durant, 40, of Atlantic Ville, East Coast Demerara, was fatally shot about 04:00h in the Baroombar Club, North Road, Georgetown. According to information received, the now dead man and another patron of the night club had an argument over an old grievance which led to a scuffle. During the scuffle, Durant reportedly whipped out a gun from his waist and discharged a round at the patron, but missed. The suspect, who was also in possession of a firearm, then discharged several rounds in the direction of Durant, hitting him once to his chest, and then walked out of the strip club. He is yet to be arrested by the Police. The injured man was taken to the Dr Balwant Singh Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries about 09:00h. When Guyana Times arrived at the private hospital, several of the man’s friends were seen milling around, but did not offer any comments.

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The night club where Manu Durant was shot once

One man who claimed to be a relative of the dead man stated that he received the news of the shooting about 07:00h and immediately rushed to the hospital. As he arrived, he saw several other relatives and was told that Durant was in critical condition. He stated that after some time, they received news that the man did not make it. The father of four reportedly left home on Wednesday evening to meet with a

bulletin for Durant for the alleged kidnapping of Buxton teen Tenisha Morgan, who was at the time the girlfriend of Rondell “Fineman” Rawlins. It is believed that it was the abduction of the teen that triggered Rawlins’ rage causing the Lusignan and Bartica massacres. Durant later survived a shooting incident in July 2009 outside a night club.

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friday, june 5, 2015

Views Top global landmarks 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

Governing the environment

overnment has announced that flood waters have almost totally abated all across Guyana. According to a GINA press release, Cabinet also approved a total of $75M to be used for works being done to quickly restore the affected areas to normalcy. It was acknowledged that the current work is not the final solution, but will suffice in the event of another flooding within the next four to six weeks. But little has been said of government’s national and international policies on the environment. How much of a priority the new administration has placed on the notion, and what if any plans it has for governing the environment is as yet unknown. It is not an unimportant subject, nor, in light of the increasing flooding of the country, should it be allowed to be considered unimportant. While we presume to blame previous administrations for the countrywide flooding, we must also consider the fact of climate change affecting our environment. We must also consider our role in creating the devastating floods each time there are unusually heavy downpours. The list of how much climate change and we ourselves are creating the apparently inevitable disaster is a long one that the government – and ourselves – appear to be ignoring. With little to no strict enforcement of existing building laws, and no updated laws that take into account recent climate change, Guyanese continue to build buildings and roads in haphazard and environmentally destructive and unsustainable ways. In some communities, entire expanses of water-absorbing earth are concreted and no suitable drainage substituted; the result is rainwater build up with nowhere to drain along our flat coastlands. The recent flood has also exposed the lack of thought and environmental planning when canals are cleaned. In one neighbourhood, piling the canal mud high on one side without removing it, has forced excess water from that canal to overflow into the other neighbourhood on its other side. That neighbourhood already is inundated from another canal at its other extreme end, so one can imagine the increased level of floodwaters in that community. To whom can members of that community approach for compensation? It is clearly the fault of some administration responsible for the clean-up, and not solely the so-called act of god. We have continuously seen the arbitrary, sometimes official, sometimes unofficial use of government reserves whether for personal use by community residents or by city official dictates, which demonstrate a lack of sufficient knowledge of environmental factors, and in the long-term create more harm than good. There is a reason the country’s early builders created wide earth reserves between what are now communities. Then it was to prevent flooding of the sugar estates, today it should be to prevent flooding of homes in the communities that replaced the sugar estates. These reserves of earth and grass absorb much rainwater, and their low levels - lower than the roads built - catered to hold excess water before it overran roads and neighbourhoods. When authorities or community members decide to raise the level of government reserves for reasons known only to themselves, the result is that now excess waters run off to flood roads and homes lying alongside, with increased water levels. Guyana is in dire need of officials that understand the necessity for environmental awareness not just in the short-term but long-term if we want to control flooding in the capital city and indeed around the country. Our unique geography cannot deny or continue to ignore the fact that our climate is changing and bringing heavier and/ or prolonged periods of rainfall upon us. We need appropriate plans to approach this event but, tragically, we apparently have not given a thought to it. For while we insist on proving our increasing development by building new homes and communities, and laying down new roads, we ignore our environment. This can only lead to our destruction of these very monuments to our successes, and our own self-inflicted miseries as we complain of existing in flood conditions.

The Taj Mahal in Agra, India is third on the TripAdvisor list (Reuters/Stringer)

The new dispensation following the 2015 elections Dear Editor, There are those who rejoice in the new dispensation in Guyana, following the 2015 elections. The government has stated often times that there would be no witch hunting. This is most commendable, except that the reality is a vicious witch hunting that has seen dozens of people who have lost their jobs already and a number being sidelined and placed in uncomfortable situations that is forcing them to leave. Some of the people who have lost their jobs have not been given notice and they are being dismissed or forced to leave without any of their contractual benefits. Others are being sent home with minimum benefits. The latest to lose his job is the CEO of GuySuCo. He has been asked to leave with immediate effect with no honoring of his benefits. There are others who are being humiliated. Ms Ann Greene is a professional. I do not know who she usually voted for. I do not know who she voted for in the 2015 elections. I

do know that she served in her capacity during many years of the PPP/C administration, not because she was a PPP/C supporter, but because she was a qualified professional. Her treatment must bring dismay to all decent people. There were many people who served as professionals and who might have supported the PPP/C or who might never have supported the PPP/C. It was never our criteria for employment. Indeed, many persons were even candidates for the opposition. They continued in their professional capacity and were never discriminated against. The present situation is very different – people are afraid and are being terrorized. Their jobs are important to them, but now their livelihoods are being threatened. They are forced to go out of their way to display loyalty to their new masters. Their dignity is being compromised. The local newspapers and news channels seem oblivious to the truth. No one is reporting these matters. I raise the issue, not as regular political criticism, but as a matter of

good governance. I raise the issue because the truth must be told. People must know about it. Even if some of us believe the dismissals and marginalization are acceptable and the right thing to do, we must at least report it so that people know what is happening. Some displacement is expected. It should not shock us that some people are being asked to leave. But the blatant displacement of lives is not acceptable as political fallouts. We must be a mature nation that can see political changes in administration without jobs and livelihoods being threatened. The truth is the present spate of dismissals and marginalization is at levels that constitute a full scale witch hunting. Some people will see this as a political statement. Some will naturally want to defend the present situation. But none of us should condone the present wanton dismissals that are happening while at the same time insisting that there is no political with hunting. There is a vi-

cious political witch hunting and it must stop. Those of us who would want to defend the present situation should know that this is not what real democracy is about. Any political party deserving of serving as a government cannot be a political party that would dismiss people simply because they are known to or suspected of being supporters of another political party. Before May 11, many international representatives in Guyana felt compelled to pronounce on affairs in Guyana. Transparency International and the Guyana Human Rights Association were most active in pronouncing on affairs in our country. All have gone silent on the issue of with hunting in Guyana. I reject the witch hunting that has been the most prominent action taken by the new government. Nothing useful has been done so far by the government. They have spent most of their time with hunting. That is no way to govern. Dr Leslie Ramsammy

Ramjattan should not pursue revengeful policies Dear Editor, I congratulate Khemraj Ramjattan on his appointment as Vice President and Minister of Home Affairs. It is a sort of poetic justice for the former respected central committee member of the PPP/C who was expelled from the party a dozen years ago. I advise that he does not seek revenge on former PPP/C colleagues (and supporters) now that the tables have been turn around in which PPPites have to come to him for service. Ramjattan was a committed and dedicated member of the PPP/C, putting in years

of yeoman service to help organize and build the party among the youths especially during the darkest days of the dictatorship. But unfortunately, Ramjattan was sidelined in the PPP/C hierarchy and subsequently expelled from the party. A decade after being expelled from the PPP/C, the tables have been turned as he is now a Vice President and a Minister of government. Khemraj is advised to treat his former colleagues with respect and humility and fairly. Ramjattan was expelled from the PPP/C allegedly

for interacting with the US Embassy about goings on in the party – what could be so secretive about the affairs of that party that warranted expulsion as a punishment for speaking about its internal matters? Almost everyone else spoke about the party’s internal affairs – there was hardly anything secretive about its discussions and policies. What was not stated publicly or reported in the media about party’s business was revealed privately in conversations. So there was hardly anything secretive about the party’s affairs.

I should note that even Moses Nagamootoo did not openly speak out against Ramjattan’s expulsion. Ralph Ramkaran, as Speaker, could not openly voice an opinion against the decision to expel Khemraj. Reconciliation was suggested as the way forward for the PPP/C. But the party would have none of it. The party made some strange inexplicable decisions. Few within the PPP/C spoke out against a perceived injustice and the party has paid dearly for its blunders. Vishnu Bisram

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friday, june 5, 2015

How could you live with yourself! Dear Editor Christopher Ram has filed a lawsuit against former President Bharrat Jagdeo stating that comments he made at Babu Jaan were inflammatory and could lead to racial divisiveness and violence. I cannot quote the exact text of his litigation because these nonsensical political jargons are vexatious and a waste of the court’s time to put it in the most simplistic of terms. But suffice it to say Ram filed this trash of a lawsuit with the expressed intention to embarrass and humiliate the former President. From times immemorial, this has been a route used by the party, wherein the Judiciary is programmed to make certain rulings for their own narrow political ends. Be that as it may, let us analyze the case concocted by Ram. In his submission, Ram suggests that Jagdeo’s statement will cause racial divisiveness and an incitement to violence. Well, he couldn’t have been more wrong because the result should have seen racial violence. Even more revealing is the fact that Jagdeo, in that statement, predicted that this would happen. He was just repeating what the opposite side said they will do. His words are ever so true because PPP/C supporters suffered immensely before, during and still continue to suffer, after the elections campaign.

You see, the problem with Ram’s theory is what he anticipated did not materialize. In actuality, quite the opposite took place. Almost on a daily occurrence PPP/C supporters are suffering. They suffer in their homes, on the street, just from a city bank, nowhere is safe as they are targeted for their hard earned money. Since Jagdeo’s remarks, statistics reveal the gruesome findings. In eight days, there were eight armed incidents and six murders. What more do we need to see? As we speak, Guyana is gripped in the spell of ongoing fear and intimidation. Then, I must put this question to Ram, what›s your point, where›s your case? What evidence is there that you can honestly rely on to support your cause? Sir, you have no case! Sir, when people who look like you are dying on a daily basis due to violent attacks it behooves me to believe that you are clearly out of your mind. How could you live with yourself! This lawsuit is indeed frivolous and vexatious and should be thrown out at the earliest opportunity. I am counting on the defense capabilities of our local legal luminary Mr Mursalene Bacchus, a man of great talent when it comes to the interpretation and dispensing of the law, to bring this nonsense of a case to a successful conclusion. Neil Adams

Guyana 2015 elections: An inside job? Dear Editor, In 1997, Hoyte demanded a recount of votes for the 1997 elections. Janet Jagan and the PPP/C immediately complied. There was no change in the results. In 2015 the PPP/C was denied a similar request by GECOM. Additional requests, including presentation of all the SOPs and the specific 22 ballot boxes were also denied by GECOM and its CEO. Denial of a recount to validate the results of the May 11 elections would indicate that the result is accurate or inaccurate. If it is accurate, then GECOM and the CEO should gladly carry out a recount and have nothing to fear. However, if the published result is inaccurate, then

GECOM and the CEO have something to fear. Just to mention that the PNC claimed that the results for the 1968, 1973, 1987, 1980 and 1985 elections were all accurate. This leads to the next question. Was GECOM and the CEO acting independently or being pressured by an outside force to deny a recount? All requests by the PPP/C including presentation of all the SOPs, recounting of all the ballot boxes, especially the specific22 listed, were denied (repeat). The CEO of GECOM has a lot of explaining to make to the Guyana people. Do not hold your breath because none will be coming. DS

Checks and balances were What criteria were used necessary to ensure high in selecting this MP? standards Customhouse Brokers exam Dear Editor, Please permit me space in your newspaper to respond to a letter which appeared on June 3. The letter captioned, “Those who passed customsbroker exam in October 2014 still waiting for licences”, highlighted the plight facing persons who would have written and successfully completed the Customhouse Brokers exam in October 2014. First off, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) takes this opportunity to thank the letter writer for raising the issue and sincerely apologizes to all successful candidates for the unusual delay which was as a result of several internal and external checks and balances that were necessary to ensure the high standards of the exam and by extension the integrity of licence holders. The applicants may not be aware, but their exam sheets were marked and several internal processes followed to ensure that only suitable, upright candidates were selected in keeping with the provisions of Section 204k Of the Customs Regulations. Further, in keeping with the GRA’s established Standard Operations

I am offended by these articles (I read the one in the Kaieteur News and Dem Boys Seh) and am of the opinion that any reasonable person would read it the same way: Whittaker mismanaged the funds and the recent 'arson attempt' was an attempt to conceal whatever documentation there is at the Ministry. I ask you all to random-

Procedures (SOP) and as the letter writer underscored, all relevant documentation and information were then sent to the GRA’s Law Enforcement and Investigations Division for routine background and verification checks as well as to authenticate the information provided by the applicants to the GRA. Undoubtedly, the issuance of licences has been delayed as a result of these necessary investigations. The findings of these investigations are now complete and the GRA has commenced the process of making contact with the successful applicants to have them visit the agency and pay the relevant fees. Persons who have not yet received any correspondence from the GRA, for the reasons stated above, are assured that they will be contacted by the GRA’s Training Division shortly, since we are now in a position to do so. It should be noted that in order to be issued with the requisite licence, the successful candidates will first be required to pay the $5000 annual fee. Khurshid Sattaur Commissioner-General Guyana Revenue Authority

Indian-American in contention for FIFA top job Dear Editor, Indian American media is reporting that an Indian American Sunil Gulati, age 55, will be a strong contender to replace Sepp Blatter, should he have an interest in the position. Gulati is head of the US Federation of Soccer. NBC Sports is also suggesting that Gulati would be an ideal choice for the post. Born in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh where most Guyanese Indians trace their roots, Gulati has played a key role in the development of American soccer since the early 1980s and has been intimately involved in the rise of the US team to prominence. He served as the US soccer’s Executive Vice President from 2000 to 2006 before stepping into his role as President since then. Blatter was re-elected last Friday (May 29), but he resigned on June 3 after a corruption scandal implicated some top FIFA officials who

Transparency, accountability under the clean-up my country programme Dear Editor, Recent newspaper articles on the above subject matter have created the perception, real/imagined, that the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development which I headed may have been guilty of mismanagement of the funds made available by the PPP/C Government for the country wide clean up.

ly interview any staff of the Ministry on this matter and if you come across even one who can speak of "former Minister Whittaker's dishonesty"; bring me in guilty. I am upset, and so too is my family with the content of these articles. The authors did not even seek my comments. How sad! How unfair! Norman Whittaker

were his aides. Gulati welcomed the resignation of Blatter as the President of FIFA. He stated: “I commend him for making a decision that puts FIFA and the sport we love above all other interests. This is the first of many steps towards real and meaningful reform within FIFA.” In the elections for FIFA President on May 29, Gulati backed Prince Ali Bin AlHussein. Gulati and the US have been opposed to Blatter. Various sports reports say Gulati is in a strong position to gain support within the CONCACAF confederation that governs soccer in America and the Caribbean. Various soccer groups in the New York area and Indian Americans, including IndoGuyanese Americans, are supportive of Gulati for the position and recommends that he places himself into contention for the position. Vishnu Bisram

Dear Editor, On April 15, just prior to the May 11 general election, I was pleased to read an article saying, “Deviant parliamentarians will be thrown out for unacceptable behaviour – APNU+AFC.” At a public forum held at Theatre Guild two days earlier, a question was posed to APNU+AFC senior member Cathy Hughes and the then Presidential candidate Brigadier David Granger on the party’s position on the treatment of members or agents when they break the law or abuse their office/power. According to the article, senior officials of the APNU+AFC coalition pledged to get rid of party members who break the rules and do not conform to the laws of the country. I am appalled that after

making this promise to supporters, the list of APNU-AFC Members of Parliament again includes John Adams. Over the last 15 years, opposition parties and the independent press have been relentless in accusing the PPP/C as corrupt. But what is good for the goose, is also good for the gander. I call upon Granger to explain to the Guyanese people and more so to those he addressed on April 13 at the Theatre Guild, what criteria was used in the selection of this MP to represent APNU+AFC in the National Assembly at the expense of the more youthful Aseef Balmacoon, James Bond, Trevor Williams and Christopher Jones who were all omitted from this list. Harry Gill

Watch out for improperly packaged foods Dear Editor, The Government AnalystFood & Drug Department is advising consumers on the purchase of improperly packaged, unsealed and unlabelled foods, example, flour, milk powder, powdered spices and seasonings and salt. Please be informed that according to the Food and Drugs Regulations of 1977, Chapter 34:04, Section (18): (1) “No person shall sell a food unless a label is applied to the food in compliance with these regulation”. (2) (a) On the main panel (iii) a correct declaration of the net contents in term of the weight, volume or number, in accordance with the usual practice in describing the food”. (b) On any panel (i) a complete list of ingredients in descending order of the proportion or quantity of each ingredient is stated in terms of percentage. (ii) the name and address of the manufacture of or the person preparing the food and its country of preparation or origin”. The absence of a label on the product clearly eliminates the unknown manufacturer or repackager from any liability in the event that the food is found to. be contaminated and/or hazardous. In addition there is no guarantee that the premises where the product was manufactured or repackaged was

approved or inspected by this department or that the personnel handling the food are knowledgeable about the tenets of good manufacturing practices. A product that is repackaged at the retail level is usually unsealed and also stands a greater chance of becoming contaminated with physical and/or chemical matter, whether by deliberate means or accidentally. Contaminants could include cleaning compounds e.g. soap powder, insecticides, rodent droppings and/or air borne particles. The failure to ensure that the product is properly labeled could result in a mix up of commodities at the time of purchase, for example, salt may be mistaken for white sugar or Epsom salts for monosodium glutamate (aji). Consumers who fail to heed this advice run the risk of purchasing foods that maybe adulterated, short eight, expired and more importantly ,contaminated with disease producing and spoilage micro-ganisms as a result of poor hygiene practices during handling, preparing, packaging and storage of commodity. For any additional information kindly contact the department on 222-8857 or 2228859 . Govt Analyst Food and Drug Dept

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Foundation

International Day of Yoga, June 21â&#x20AC;Ś

Submitted by the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh-Guyana (Hindus for Selfless Service)

here is a little bit Yoga in every one of us. Yoga has never been alien to us. It's a way of our life. We have been doing it since we were a baby! Whether it is the Cat Stretch that strengthens the spine or the Wind-Relieving pose that boosts digestion, you will always see kids do some form of yoga throughout the day. Yoga works for everyone from people engaged in desk jobs to professional cyclists to

runners to people looking for weight loss to housewives to students. This section mostly explains some types of yoga and how it can improve the quality of life for everyone who adopts the practice. Ananda Yoga: Ananda Yoga classes focus on gentle postures designed to move the energy up to the brain and prepare the body for meditation. Classes also focus on proper body alignment and controlled breathing.

Anusara Yoga: is a relatively new form of yoga (1997), which pairs strict principles of alignment with a playful spirit. Postures can be challenging, but the real message of Anusara is to open your heart and strive to connect with the divine in yourself and others. Ashtanga Yoga: This style of yoga is physically demanding as it involves synchronizing breathing with progressive and continuous

series of postures-a process producing intense internal heat and a profuse, purifying sweat that detoxifies muscles and organs. Bikram Yoga: is the method of yoga that is a comprehensive workout that includes all the components of fitness: muscular strength, muscular endurance, cardiovascular flexibility and weight loss. Hatha is an easy-to-learn basic form of yoga that has become very popular in the United States. Hatha Yoga is the foundation of all Yoga styles. It incorporates Asanas (postures), Pranayama (regulated breathing), meditation (Dharana & Dhyana) and kundalini (Laya Yoga) into a

complete system that can be used to achieve enlightenment or self-realization. Integral Yoga: This traditional type of yoga combines postures, breathing exercises, selfless service, meditation, chanting, prayer, and self-inquiry. ISHTA: Developed by South African teacher Mani Finger and popularized in the States by his son Alan, ISHTA (Integral Science of Hatha and Tantric Arts) focuses on opening energy channels throughout the body with postures, visualizations, and meditation. Kali Ray TriYoga: A series of flowing, dancelike movements was developed by Kali Ray in 1980. The practice also incorporates pranayama (breathing exercises) and meditation. Kripalu Yoga is called the yoga of consciousness. This gentle, introspective practice urges practitioners to hold poses to explore and release emotional and spiritual blockages Viniyoga: This is commonly used as a therapeutic practice for people who have suffered injuries or are recovering from surgery. It is a gentle, healing practice that is tailored to each person's body type and needs as they grow and change. Yin Yoga: Sometimes referred to as yoga for the joints, not the muscles, it directs the stimulation normally created by the asana into areas deeper than the superficial or muscular tissues. Yin Yoga works the connective tissues of the ligaments, fascia, joints and bones. There are other types of yoga-asanas practice by many worldwide. We are sure there is one for you. Do not overdo the asanas or try to compete with others. Take it easy and enjoy. Join us tomorrow for explanation and techniques on other asanas. See you on the 21st June for our grand event!

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FRIday, june 5, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

Ramjattan vows end to police harassment ...keen on ridding force of rogue cops By Vahnu Manikchand

ewly appointed Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, has stated that there will be a zero tolerance policy against any wrong doings by law enforcement officers as he vows to put an end to police harassment. “I want the Police Force out there to know that it will be zero tolerance for any harassment of any sexual type, harassment of people’s rights (and) harassment to the extent of bullyism,” he told media operatives during a press briefing on Thursday. Over the years, persons have been complaining about the unprofessionalism of some Police Officers in dealing with citizens. Most of the complaints surround the fervent harassment by certain officers. On his appointment as Top Cop in March, Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud had stated that the Force is trying to prevent the routine “traffic stops” in order to put an end to the frequent complaints of harassment. “So ranks are instructed not to make traffic stops unless they would have seen an offence being committed; so no more routine stops for traffic,” he said but added that the Police will continue the routine checks as it relates to crime. Persaud was questioned about his plans to address those reported incidents of Police brutality, the Top Cop pointed out that since he assumed the post last year he has been working on this issue.

Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan

He had disclosed that the Office of Professional Responsibility is now doing unannounced visits to Police Stations to check what is happening, give feedbacks and take actions as necessary. However, Minister Ramjattan has warned that there will be no place for rogue cops in the Police Force under his administration. He was at the time commenting on his decision to instruct the Top Cop to fire Corporal Mohanram Dulai and have his co-accused Inspector Narine Lall’s services reviewed by the Police Service Commission. The two cops were accused back in 2009 of dousing methylated spirit on the genitals of 15-yearold Twyon Thomas during a probe into the murder of former Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) Chairman Ramenaught Bisram. The Minister expressed his satisfaction with the fact that at least one of the cops who burnt the gen-

itals of a 15-year-old young man some six years ago has been punished. Ramjattan told media operatives that justice has been severed, even though it has been so many years after. The Minister pointed out that the Police Force under his watch must not have any rogue cops, who burns persons genitals. “All rogue cops must go especially where judicial officers like judges have pronounced on their wrong doings, even those cops who would have had serious allegations. If internally there are investigations and we find them culpable, they are going to go too and there will be criminal prosecutions,” he sternly added. Ramjattan went onto say that while he is ousting such characters from the Police Force, his Ministry will simultaneously work on improving the relationship between the public and the Police Force so that the Police can benefit from public cooperation. “I have seen over the years, members of the public do not trust the Guyana Police Force. How do we win back support? How the Police Force is going to do the things necessary for them to win back the respect by members of the public? That public-Police relationship is vital for moving and advancing this Police Force. If we were to just see one of them as a bully and the other as a subject rather than a citizen, we are not going to go anywhere. We have to see them as partners looking after our interests,” the Minister highlighted.

UG unions want Vice Chancellor Opadeyi booted

he University of Guyana Senior Staff Association (UGSSA) and the University of Guyana Workers’ Union (UGWU) have reiterated their lack of confidence in the current Vice Chancellor Professor, Jacob Opadeyi, and are calling on the new Government to ensure that his contract is not renewed when it expires next year. According to the UG Acts and Statutes, the Vice Chancellor is the “Executive Head” of UG and is “responsible for the general administration” of the university. The Vice Chancellor is also tasked with “maintaining and promoting good order” at UG. “As such, the Vice Chancellor is the key university officer with much authority and responsibility for good governance, financial management and control,“ the unions stated. However, they are of the view that Professor Opadyei, has failed to deliver in these areas of his authority and responsibility. “We further believe there can be no transformation of the university under his leadership.” The unions believe his contract must not be renewed because of the following: his misconception of the role of

Vice Chancellor Jacob Opadeyi

UG in National Development, and consequently failure to fulfil the mandate of the university; his failure to prioritise the teaching and learning environment, and consequently there has been virtually no improvement in that environment despite increases in student fees, and student action to demand such improvement; his alleged dictatorial, vindictive micro-management style that has led to him presiding over demoralised and demotivated staff; his untrustworthiness, as exemplified by his countless broken promises

and the currently stalled negotiations process among other complaints. “In other words, the Vice Chancellor has failed to maintain and promote ‘good order’ at UG by dominating or disregarding all the university structures and committees. This generalised ‘system override’, ensures that only his priorities, plans and whims are accommodated. The UGSSA and UGWU therefore reiterate our lack of confidence in Professor Opadeyi as he does not possess the required skill set and therefore cannot be trusted with the task of positively transforming the university.” In light of the preceding, the unions therefore called on Education Minister Dr Rupert Roopnaraine to review the uncritical support of the Vice Chancellor he displayed as a member of the UG’s Council. “We pledge to work with the Minister and Ministry of Education staff to ensure that the university becomes transformed into the tertiary institution our students and nation deserve - one that produces innovative, nationally relevant and ground breaking research and offers the highest quality education to our students.”

Caribbean accountants meeting in Guyana … to brainstorm ways to improve performance

Some of the regional participants at the PKF business development workshop

everal Caribbeanbased accounting firms under the umbrella of PKF North America were engaged in a two-day workshop in Guyana aimed at fostering business development throughout the Region. PKF North American has partnered with its local counterpart PKF, BARCELLOS, NARINE and CO to host the workshop, which is being held at the Marriot Hotel. Approximately 20 persons from some nine partner firms from countries across the Caribbean, referred to as PKF Caribbean, participated in the workshop, which ends today. Speaking to Guyana Times on Thursday, senior partner of PKF, BARCELLOS, NARINE and CO, Vish Ramnarine, disclosed that the workshop is an annual feature that seeks to improve partners’ performance to better serve their clients and to attract new ones. “This year, the topic is business development, trying to gear partners more or less to increase their business, increase their firms,

better provide for their existing clients while attracting new ones,” Ramnarine stated. He further explained that annually training sessions are provided to staff of various levels from partner-firms throughout the Region. The senior partner noted too that different partner countries also take turns in hosting the workshop. Meanwhile, Vice President of PKF North America, Job Dieleman, told this publication that his organisation has over 100 member firms in Canada, the United States of America and the Caribbean. The PKF official stated that his firm focuses on providing support to its partners so that they can be more successful.”We provide resources and support to our member firms to help them manage their firms, become more profitable, to get to that next level to remain competitive. One of the ways we help our members increase their competitiveness is by helping them to enhance business development skills and capabilities,” he outlined.

Dieleman disclosed that the training is being conducted by US-based accounting expert, Larry White. He added too that the training courses have been customised to suit the Caribbean environment. Some of the specific areas that the workshop will address includes: building stronger business development culture within the firms, how to develop cross cultures, how to develop relationships, how the partner firms can provide the best services for their clients. PKF North America is an accounting firm association that helps its member firms be more successful. It is a partner who is responsive and visionary, providing the resources and connections that will help your firm advance to the next level. The value of membership with PKF North America comes from a broad array of resources and support that is unsurpassed in the world of associations. Currently, PKF has about 11 partner firms in the Caribbean. It is also part of a global organisation called PK International.

8 NEWS

friday, june 5, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

India seeks greater bilateral trade relations with Caricom

ilateral trade relations between the Caribbean Community (Caricom) and India have much room for growth with current figures in the region of US$1 billion. This is the view expressed by India’s Vice Minister and Special Secretary of the External Affairs Ministry of India, Ramachandran Swaminathan, at the opening of the inaugural meeting of the Caricom-India Joint Commission at the Caricom Secretariat in Turkeyen,

Greater Georgetown. The Vice Minister said that his country’s investment in Latin America and the Caribbean was approximately US$20 billion, while bilateral trade with the two regions amounted to US$16 billion. Against this backdrop, he lauded the opportunity the Joint Commission presented for strengthened bilateral trade arrangements particularly between Caricom and India. He envisioned a business forum in the near future, simi-

lar to the one held in Trinidad and Tobago in 2005, for business entrepreneurs from India and the Caribbean to engage in dialogue to enhance investment and trade opportunities. Swaminathan told that meeting that India attached very high importance to its relations with Caricom, as was evident through the Joint Commission meeting, which purpose was to reinvigorate relations. Noting that India also

enjoyed very strong relations with individual member states, he called for the liberalisation of movement of Indian nationals within, for those who possess Caricom work and resident permits, United States or Schengen visas. Increased mobility of Indians through the Caricom Region, he posited, would go a long way in increasing Caricom-India engagement in business and people-topeople contact.

man on $3000 bail Caricom extends sympathy WBD for cannabis possession to US Vice President

n behalf of the Caribbean Community (Caricom), the Secretary General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, has extended sympathy to United States (US) Vice President Joe Biden on the loss of his son, Beau Biden. “Mere words are scarce comfort to a parent who has lost a child. However, the knowledge that the child has had a fulfilling life, brimming with achievement, can be of solace in this difficult time,” Secretary General LaRocque said in a condolence message to the Vice President. The message went on to say, “Mr Vice President, please accept on my behalf and on behalf of the entire Caribbean Community, our deepest condolences at your loss and be certain that we

are with you and your family in spirit as you grieve.” Joe Biden is the 47th and current Vice President of the United States, serving as part of the Democratic party under the Obama administration. The Vice President had four children, Robert Biden, the late Joseph “Beau” Biden III and Naomi Biden, who died in a car accident at the age of one along with his first wife, and Ashley Biden from his second marriage. Joseph “Beau” Biden lll was the former Delaware Attorney General and was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2013. He lost his battle to cancer when he passed away this past Saturday. His funeral took place on Thursday, where numerous family members and friends said their goodbyes.

Labourer charged for market row

labourer was on Thursday released on his own recognisance by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine- Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts after he appeared before her charged with insulting a Police Officer and using indecent language. Paul Harry of 30 Main Street, Georgetown, pleaded not guilty to the charge which read that on June 2 at Bourda Market, he insulted Unella Pollard, a female Police Officer. The man also denied the allegation that on the same occasion he made

use of indecent language. According to the Police Prosecutor, on the day in question, the defendant, who is known to the Police as well as the market vendors as he is in the habit of causing conflict, made use of insulting language directed at the officer as well as a string of expletives. The prosecution made no objection to bail. The Magistrate released the man on self-bail and placed him on a bond to keep the peace. The matter was then transferred to Court 10 for July 17 before Magistrate Alex Moore.

West Bank Demerara resident was on Thursday placed on $3000 bail by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts after he appeared before her charged with possession of narcotics. Twenty-two-year-old Ulrick Headly pleaded not guilty to the charge which read that on June 3 at Barrack Street, he had in his possession three grams of cannabis. According to Police

Prosecutor Bharat Mangru, on the day in question, the defendant was driving motor car PTT 2373 along North and Camp Streets when ranks observed him and pulled him over to conduct a search. During the search, a yellow Ziploc bag was discovered in the glove compartment of the car which contained the illicit substance. The prosecution made no objection to bail, which the Magistrate granted. The matter was then transferred to the joint courtroom of Courts Eight and Nine.

Taxi driver denies ‘weed’, ammo charges, says being set up

taxi driver was on Thursday remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Priya SewnarineBeharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts after he appeared before her charged with narcotics possession and unlawful possession of ammunition. Thirty-four-yearold Mark Prince of 169 James and Curtis Streets, Albouystown, pleaded not guilty to the charge which read that on June 3 at his home he had in his possession 1269 grams of cannabis sativa for the purpose of trafficking. The defendant also pleaded not guilty to the charge which read that on the same occasion, he had in his possession six live rounds of.32 ammunition without

being the holder of a firearm licence. According to the facts presented by Police Prosecutor Shawn Gonsalves, on the day in question, ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) raided the defendant’s apartment. During the raid, the illicit substance, along with the ammunition, was found concealed in the flooring of the apartment. Prince was then informed of the offence and subsequently he reportedly told one of the officers – “Officer, I done with crime, is only lil’ weed I hustling with now”. He was then taken into custody and charged with the offence. The Prosecutor objected to bail based on the nature of the offence. In addressing the court, Prince said that he had no knowledge of the narcotics or the ammunition. The defendant informed the court that the apartment complex is home to over 46 other residents and on the day in question, the officers barged in and began dismantling his apartment. He claimed that he neither used nor sold drugs, and believed that he was being set up. After reviewing the facts of the charge, Magistrate Beharry refused the defendant bail. The matter was then transferred to Court Two where Magistrate Ann McLennan scheduled the matter to return to court on June 15.

Eyew tness

Giving Jack... T

...his Jacket

his Eyewitness is convinced that even his political opponents across the aisle wouldn’t break a lance over calling former Prime Minister Sam Hinds a “decent man”. And it’s from that sense of decency that he penned a recent letter to the press about former President Bharrat Jagdeo. We hope that some in the present government have even a smidgen of Hinds’ decency to feel even slightly ashamed. What Mr Hinds asked was what would it have taken for the organizers of the Presidential inauguration to mention that the venue was largely due to the efforts of Jagdeo? Sure we all know that politics is waged in Guyana with a rare intensity...but surely it would’ve added a touch of class - not to mention pushing the oft-mentioned desire for “national unity” - if the celebrants could acknowledge that perhaps...just perhaps ...Jagdeo and the PPP/C left Guyana even in a slightly better position that it found it in? Mr Hinds also mentioned the Convention Centre and the Caricom HQ ...but there are so many more. We know there are some folks who’re predisposed to only seeing the glass half empty ...and these increase exponentially when you’re evaluating your political opponents who kept you out of office for 23 years - in free and fair elections! But it has to take a most jaundiced mind not to concede Mr Hinds’ point that the previous administration went a long way in bringing us back to international respectability. Does this Eyewitness have to count the ways? They say that all comparisons are “invidious” - and we agree. So we won’t compare - but simply state some facts that can’t be swept under the carpet. Let’s just talk about feeding, clothing and housing the nation. Sure statistics can be whipped out to show that we have “poverty”. But even the US - to which 4000+ of us flock annually - has poverty and homelessness. Has anyone visited their inner cities after the 2008 crash and the millions of foreclosures? By and large in the entire history of the Caribbean - even after the abolition of slavery when our freed forefathers rushed off the plantations - has there been a greater housing boom than in Guyana during the past decade and a half? But what goes around will come around. The government is only setting themselves for a fall which comes to all incumbents. Their “invidious comparison” with then be done by citizens who’ve been assured that “nothing was done” by the departing government. When they can’t match that then they will find out to what are the consequences of “less that nothing”!!

...a push?

Jack Warner became a larger than life figure over in Trinidad. As a free-wheeling member of the FIFA family, he exposed the land of carnival to a new way of playing politics. Using your own money to win friends and influence people. Well, everyone but his bookkeeper thought it was his own money - and it turned out that even that fella might’ve been in the dark. The US is presently inviting Jack (and he’s called “Jack” by EVERYONE - never even “Mr Warner”) to discuss the exact source of his money. But more interestingly for us in Guyana - in this winter of our post election discontent - is that Jack did what everyone thought was impossible in an ethnically divided society: he won an election in a constituency that was dominated by the folks from the “other” ethnic group! And he didn’t do this on anyone’s ethnic coat tails, or in this case, skirts. At the time everyone thought this might herald the end of “ethnic politics” in Trinidad. We hope he returns to test this happy hypothesis.

...a chance

Well, the “young” post-Chanderpaul WI team didn’t do as well as the selectors hoped, did they? So does he get a chance in the last test? We hope so.

news

friday, june 5, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

US-based Guyanese All set for opening of 11th Parliament killed 2 weeks P after marriage resident, Brigadier (Ret’d) David Granger has officially proclaimed that the 11th Parliament will convene at 14:00h next Wednesday at the Parliament Chamber, Public Buildings, Georgetown. The proclamation is in keeping with Article 69 (1) of the Constitution, which stipulates that each session of Parliament shall be held at the place within Guyana and begin at the time that the President appoints by proclamation. In a release, the Parliament Office said that the business of the sitting will include the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House, and the swearing-in of all Members of Parliament. The sitting will then be suspended to facilitate the arrival of the President who will in-

Murder suspect, Miguel Pichardo

Dead, Yollanda Gonsalves

Guyanese cosmetologist was stabbed to death on Tuesday morning by her husband of two weeks at their 102 Precinct Station House, 134th St, Queens, New York Home. The dead woman has been identified as 27-yearold Yollanda Gonsalves formerly of Lot 14 Seaforth Street, Campbellville, Georgetown. She was reportedly stabbed multiple times by the suspect, Miguel Pichardo, who escaped after committing the act. He was subsequently arrested after he revisited the murder scene the day after the fatal stabbing. At the time of his arrest, he had a bloody towel draped over his shoulder, and was not wearing shoes or a shirt. Guyana Times was told that after committing the act, he wrapped the woman’s body in the rug and left it in the house. It was reported that the couple had a heated argument on Tuesday morning, and it was at that time

that he collected a knife and dealt Gonsalves several blows. The landlord reportedly telephoned 911 after hearing the commotion. However by the time Police had arrived at the scene, the woman was already dead and the suspect had escaped. When arrested, he was charged for the murder of his wife, criminal possession of a weapon, and tampering with evidence. A friend of the dead woman told the Guyana Times in telephone interview that Gonsalves left Guyana in February last to meet her fiancé in the United States. She stated that the couple got married about two weeks ago and was not sure of motive for the murder. The friend received the dreaded news on Wednesday morning after one of the dead woman’s sisters contacted her. She recalled speaking to Gonsalves about a week ago, but at no point did she complain of having problems. “The last time we spoke, she said that they were happily married…I don’t know what happened…all he is telling the Police is that he looked into her soul and saw that she was ready to die,” the friend stated. The friend also said that Gonsalves’s mother passed away a few years ago while her dad reside in Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara. After reaching Miguel in 2012, Gonsalves reportedly told her friend that she has found the right man with whom she wanted to spend her life. With the murder, the friend is left speechless and thought that something terribly wrong has happened for the suspect to commit such a gruesome murder. She also confirmed that Pichardo was a jealous person. Gonsalves did not have any close relatives in the United States except her aunts and uncles who are now keeping in contact with the detectives investigating the case. The woman leaves to mourn her father and siblings in Guyana.

Parliament Building

spect the Guard of Honour, in the forecourt of the Public Building compound, and then address the National Assembly. Additionally, the Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs, will meet with the new Members of Parliament on Monday, June 8, to brief them on parliamentary practices and procedures and to discuss their privileges and entitlements.

Meanwhile, Parliament Office has put in place special arrangements for the media to cover the opening session. Accordingly, the Office has arranged to have a control room set up in Committee Room Number One where media houses can connect and receive a live feed from the National Communications Network (NCN). Media operatives not seated in the Chamber will

be able to view the proceedings via a large flat-screen set up in this room. Additionally, only one reporter and one cameraman will be allowed in the Chamber at any one time. The Parliament Office’s security personnel have been advised to ensure that all media houses comply with this measure. Media houses are advised to employ a rotation system, having reporters take turns in the Chamber at relevant times. Persons covering the presentation will be required to provide proof of their status as accredited media personnel. However, the NCN has been granted permission to have four cameras in the Chamber, in addition to their newsroom camera, to facilitate their live coverage of the opening ceremony.

guyanatimesgy.com

friday, june 5, 2015

News

BRHA illegal, has no authority to hire, fire – Norton P

ublic Health Minister, Dr George Norton says the current Berbice Regional Health Authority (BRHA) is an illegal entity and has been operating for the past decade without the relevant legislation in place. His comments came on Wednesday after a meeting with the authority’s board in New Amsterdam, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne). Following the high level meeting which was also attended by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry Leslie Cadogan and other top health officials, the Minister told this publication that efforts will soon be made to legalise the BRHA but there might have to be some changes in terms of personal. “I am glad that we had this meeting because once again in no uncertain manner it was demonstrated to us there is so much to do with regards to legislation which guides these different health institutions whether it is the Georgetown (Public) Hospital Corporation which legally should be called the Georgetown Hospital Board. It is the same thing with the Linden Hospital Complex; they did not even know that they had no power to hire or fire, and here again we found that the Berbice Regional Health Authority is not an established body. It is practically illegal because of that

CEO of BRHA, Dr Vishwa Mahadeo briefing Minister Norton and other health officials at Thursday’s meeting

we found, the system might be described as a stillborn” Minister Norton said. The Minister added that while there may be good inten-

tions in terms of legislation, it might not be any different to what existed in other regions with a Regional Health Officer.

“We have decided here that we will look at the legislation once again, we will do that which was supposed to happen by the written order

by the Minister to make it effective, which was not done and we will also have look at it again to see where we can make necessary adjustments so that when we do make it a legal entity it can function without any limitations which are currently experienced, and of course giving the authority to hire and fire or we can probably learn from the Georgetown Hospital where you have the CEO [Chief Executive Officer] of the hospital being an ex officio member of the board.” Norton said his Ministry will consider whether some of the BRHA’s polices can be improved. “We don’t want to go throwing away the baby in the bathwater. We think

that it can function but there might be some changes that we have to make in the personnel because you can have the best system in place but if you don’t have the right person there it can be a failure.” Norton said Cabinet will be advised to put in place, as early as possible, the process of revising and putting into effect the legislation which governs the Berbice Regional Health Authority. The legislation became an act in 2005 but was never signed by the subject Minister. “There was no order from the Minister to make it effective,” he said, while referring to the meeting with the board as being really helpful.

Concerns grow over ‘hasty’ dismissal of torture cops, others By Alexis Rodney

here have been mounting concerns over the handling of protocols by the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition with regards to the dismissal of several senior public officials some three weeks into its Government. Several public officials have been sacked from the positions they held under the Ramotarled People’s Progressive Party/

Civic (PPP/C) Government, and while outcries continue to grow over the “indiscriminate” action of the Government, the calls seem to be falling on deaf ears. Over the last couple of days, several officials were sent home on administrative leave. Early last week Head of the Child Care Protection Agency (CCPA) Ann Greene was arbitrarily sent on leave by the new Social Protection Minister (formerly Ministry of Human Service and Social

Security) Volda Lawrence, for allegedly having an exchange of words with Minister within the Ministry Simona Broomes. The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) had condemned the move, labelling it “intolerant”. Greene’s written explanation did not serve to redeem her. Earlier this week, longstanding political advisor and former Local Government Minister Clinton Collymore was sacked. He said he was worried about his benefits as outlined in his contract. Guyana Times understands that Collymore, who had been employed since 1996 at various levels within the Local Government Ministry, which has now been renamed Ministry of Communities, was sent packing by the Deputy Permanent Secretary (DPS) following the instruction of Senior Minister Ronald Bulkan. That same day, the Regional Executive Officer(REO) of Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) Claire Singh was also instructed to take her 42 days outstanding leave, by the Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Communities. She was ordered to hand over all the items in her possession to a non-official of the regional administration. Similar concerns were raised about the move to dismiss two Police Officers, who were accused of torturing a teenage boy six years ago, who were promoted by the previous administration. Recently appointed Minister of National Security Khemraj Ramjattan had asked the Police Chief to dismiss Corporal Mohanram Dulai and the Police Service Commission (PSC) to revoke the appointment of Inspector Narine Lall. The Police Chief is barred from firing anyone above the rank of Sergeant. They were accused of dousing Twyon Thomas with alcohol and setting him ablaze while investigating the killing of a Government Official. The officers were freed after no witnesses testi-

Former Legal Affairs Minister and Attorney General Anil Nandlall

fied against them. Former Legal Affairs Minister and Attorney General Anil Nandlall told Guyana Times on Wednesday that he holds no “brief” for the officers in question as he is not concerned about the personality involved. According to him, he is more concerned about the law, due process and good governance. “Ramjattan is quoted as saying that he wrote to the Commissioner of Police, instructing that the officer be dismissed. He said he received a report that Dulai was dismissed by the Commissioner… he indicated that he would write the Police Service Commission to dismiss the other”. But according to Nandlall, the Police Act bestows onto the Commissioner superintendence over the Guyana Police Force and gives the Police Commissioner the sole authority over the day to day management of the force. He said the Minister only has a power under the act to give general policy direction. “It is clear, therefore, that the Minister has no authority to direct the Commissioner of Police or request him to dismiss any member of the force,” Nandlall stated. He said Ramjattan’s intervention is a “vulgar violation” of the letter of spirit of the Police Act. “It is usurpation of the sanction and authority of the Commissioner of Police.” Quoting from Article 226 of the Constitution, Nandlall said, “In exercising its functions under its Constitution, a commission shall not be

subject to the direction or control of any person or authority”. He said that provision in the Constitution applies to all commissions, including the PSC. “Ramjattan’s direction, therefore, to the PSC already collides with that constitutional provision and constitutes a naked attempt to interfere with an independent constitutional body,” Nandlall remarked He continued, noting that the action by the Executive was a “smack at authoritarianism”. He said, while in the opposition, the Minister had regularly accused the PPP/C Government of having “control freakism”, but only a few weeks in the same position “we see Ramjattan clearly guilty of the most blatant form of legal constitutional interference”. He also spoke on the demotion of several Presidential Guards to the Tactical Service Unit (TSU), which also saw a reduction in their remuneration by over $30,000. He stated these employees have not committed any breach of their contract. “All they may be guilty of is the perception, real or apparent, that they have supported the PPP/C. That is not the basis for termination of the contract.” He said the Constitution guarantees each citizen the fundamental freedom to hold political views. “These widespread dismissal and transfers are therefore manifested as improper, unlawful and unconstitutional. These are the very things that the coalition, in opposition, promised that they will never do,” Nandlall went on to say. He said the fact that it is being done in such a large scale and “with apparent ease” by a three-weeks-old administration, should be a worrying phenomenon even to its most “avid supporter”. “If this, in its embryonic stages we are witnessing such gross violation of the law, the Constitution and worker’s welfare, one can only imagine what will happen as the administration gets older”, the former Attorney General told Guyana Times.

friday, june 5, 2015

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UG unions urge swift removal of political appointees on Council

ist; and (b) a mere four academic members of the 26 member Council, the academic purposes of the university are not being realised. Instead, the Council is dominated by partisan political appointees who act in the best interest of their political parties. This has been the status quo for 50 years and must change! The union said it is instructive to note that both President David Granger and Education Minister Dr Roopnaraine supported the unions’ bid to change the statutes while in opposition.

Education Minister Dr Rupert Roopnaraine

he University of Guyana (UG) Senior Staff Association and the University of Guyana Workers’ Union said that they have welcomed and are ready to work with the new Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, but reiterated their call for the depoliticisation of the UG Council and urged the new administration to swiftly move to correct this. “As Dr Roopnaraine accurately surmises, the university has been starved of finance critically needed to maintain its physical plant and ensure the availability of needed material supplies for effective instruction. We therefore expect that the verbal commitment enunciated by Dr Roopnaraine will be matched by an adequate financial one,” the bodies said in a joint statement. They added that faculty, staff and students look forward to the day when classes will be held in wellequipped lecture rooms rather than the “stables”. “When snakes, horses, cows, stray dogs and other animals are not regular visitors to our walkways and environs and, when visits to faculty and university offices to get basic tasks completed are not met with apologetic shrugs because ‘there is no ink, pa-

per, white board markers, ’ or ‘the printer, photocopier isn’t working’,” the statement went on to say. In addition to the funding crisis, the unions urge the Minister to simultaneously address an equally critical problem, namely the governance crisis at the university. They said grave deficiencies currently exist at two levels; at the level of the University Council and at the administrative/management level. “The University has always suffered from a dictatorial, authoritarian structure that gives the ruling party excessive influence through the University Council.” In April 2012, the two staff unions, along with the Students’ Union (the UGSS), petitioned Parliament requesting a review and urgent change in the UG Acts and Statutes to ensure the depoliticisation of the Council. The UG Acts and Statutes give sole discretion to the sitting Education Minister to determine eight members of the Council, this constitutes a quorum. With (a) the absence of four nominees from overseas university associations, who are never appointed due to either insufficient funds to pay for their attendance at meetings or to the fact the organisations no longer ex-

Sub-machine gun found in East Ruimveldt

ne man was arrested on Thursday morning following the discovery of an UZI Submachine gun with 14 matching rounds of ammunition. The search was conducted at a house in East Ruimveldt, Georgetown. In addition, the suspect had one .38 revolver with six live rounds. He was also

found with 482 grams of cannabis. The man is expected to be slapped with the illegal possession of guns, ammunition and cannabis when he makes his appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts today. Police are continuing their investigation into the discovery.

“In fact, Dr Roopnaraine introduced the petition on our behalf in Parliament and he chaired the parliamentary select committee that was established to examine the UG Acts and Statutes. The unions, through Dr Roopnaraine petitioned for Council members to be appointed with significant experience in academia and who are chosen via an open, inclusive and participatory process involving the Minister of Education, the UG Academic Board and the National Assembly.” The UG unions said they

expect Dr Roopnaraine to speedily ensure that UG’s Acts and Statutes are changed to ensure that those appointed to serve on the Council have the adequate qualifications/experience to contribute in a meaningful manner in light of the following: the Select Committee conducted hearings and received both oral and written submissions and much of the work on the revision has already been completed by the parliamentary select committee during the 10th Parliament; and Dr Roopnaraine, who submitted the petition and

chaired the parliamentary Select Committee, is now the Education Minister under whose purview the university rests. “Even as the process to change the statutes is in train, the unions further urge Dr Roopnaraine to quickly withdraw those distinctly politically partisan appointees on the Council and, following consultation with the varying interest groups they ought to have represented, replace them with individuals whose sole agenda is the development of UG.”

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friday, june 5, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

President Granger hails Substandard goods, security dedicated Bishop Moss priorities for Chinese businesses – signs Book of Condolence

Book of Condolence has been opened at Austin’s House, Kingstown, Georgetown, which was once home to the late, Anglican Bishop of Guyana, retired Reverend Cornell Moss. Among the first to sign the book, was Head of State David Granger early on Thursday morning. Describing Reverend Moss as “a breath of fresh air in the Diocese of Guyana”, the President said he departed far too soon. President Granger said Moss was a Caribbean man who adopted Guyana readily, “and easily faced the challenges of this large Diocese with determination and dedication.” Moss died on Saturday in Miami, Florida where he was recuperating from heart surgery, reports suggest. The retired Reverend Moss, who is a native of The Bahamas, died mid afternoon after suffering a relapse. He was born on December 31, 1959, and educated at Codrington College, Barbados and Nashotah

Members of the Guyana-China Business Council meeting

Head of State, David Granger signing the Book of Condolence at Austin House, Kingston, for the late Anglican Bishop of Guyana, retired Reverend Cornell Moss

House, Wisconsin. He had been the Bishop of Guyana since December 2009. Moss was ordained a Deacon on January 5, 1983, and Priest on January 5, 1984 by Bishop Michael Hartley Eldon, 11th Bishop of Nassau, The Bahamas, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. The retired Reverend was appointed Curate at Christ the King Parish, Ridgeland Park,

Nassau, Bahamas, and Rector of St John the Baptist Parish on Marsh Harbour, Abaco in September, 1986. After six-and-a-half years, he was appointed 2nd Rector of the Church of the Ascension, Freeport in March 1992. In 2000, he became Archdeacon of the Northern Bahamas and was elected Bishop in August, 2009. (GINA)

embers of the Guyana-China Business Council (GCBC) are looking forward to working with the new A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC)-led administration, and are eager to continue playing an integral role in creating jobs and contributing to the Guyanese economy. Under the current chairmanship of Clinton Williams, a founder member of the Council and development enthusiast, GCBC held a special meeting on Thursday, May 28, as a precursor to the impending engagement with President David Granger. More than 16 companies operating in Guyana were present at the meeting as well as representatives from the Chinese Embassy and the Chinese Association. Of interest to the companies represented at the meeting was the need to engage the new administration on its policies towards investment and trade with China. Companies also expressed several concerns including those related to security, immigration, taxation, dumping, internet fraud and substandard imported products. While acknowledging some of the challenges that exist, the general consensus was one of optimism that,

going forward, relationships can be strengthened to the mutual benefit of investors and the people of Guyana. Williams indicated that steps would be taken to establish a security mechanism with the hierarchy of the Guyana Police Force in order to address the security concerns of the Chinese entrepreneurs and businesses. The introduction and implementation of a continuous education campaign to inform Chinese businesses and contractors of their responsibilities with respect to Guyana’s laws and regulations as regards to environmental management issues and regulations, taxation laws and statutory requirements, employment practices and labour laws of Guyana will also be pursued. The GCBC was established in 2006 and represents the interest of both Chinese and Guyanese entrepreneurs and investors. The Council led a large delegation to the 3rd China– Caribbean Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum in Trinidad and Tobago back in 2011, where it was established that a strong bilateral relationship with the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) was of utmost importance to China and Caribbean. According to a recent

publication by political analyst Sir Ron Saunders, China enjoys a huge trade surplus in its relationship with the Caribbean in that, in 2012, China’s exports to the Caribbean amounted to US$4.2 billion, more than double the US$1.88 billion value of its imports that year. On the other hand, the US$3.0 billion loan pledged by President Xi in 2013 to Caribbean countries was less than China’s trade surplus for the year 2012 alone. This indicates that China recycled its trade surplus within the region for one year to finance its loans to regional countries in return for interest payment and possible political influence. It is partly for this reason that both the local GCBC body and its regional counterpart, ChinaCaribbean Business Council (CCBC), need to develop strategies and programmes to address this imbalance by advocating for non-reciprocal trade, market access and promotion of added value manufacturing and services industries. Williams has been a strong advocate for business development in Guyana for many years, playing an integral role in entities such as the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association and the Shipping Association of Guyana, among others.

Ministry launches probe into impregnation of teen allegedly by father

he Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs has launched an investigation into the matter where a 14-year-old Wakapoa girl has been allegedly impregnated by her father. An official from the Ministry said statements are presently being taken from the teenager. A report was also sent to the Child Protection Agency and, to date, nothing has been done about the matter. The report was filed in Georgetown since Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) does not have any Child Protection Officers. It is almost two weeks since the matter was reported to the Child Protection Agency and no investigation was launched. “They always claiming they do not have fi-

nance and they out of money to travel at the Child Protection Agency,” a source disclosed. The teen has been discharged from the Suddie Public Hospital in Region Two, however she is being kept to facilitate the interviews by Police and Ministry officials. This newspaper was informed that the mother came to collect the child, but the hospital refused to release her due to ongoing investigations. “It appears as if the mother is pressuring the child; covering up the story. She is insisting she wants her daughter to take her home,” the source disclosed. The father remains in custody at the Charity Police Station. When investigations are completed, Guyana Times was told

he will be charged accordingly. According to information, the 14-year-old is five months pregnant allegedly for her father. After the discovery of the pregnancy within the home circle the father then went and purchased the abortion pill “cytotec” for the teenager to use. The teen apparently used the tablet but the procedure did not work. She was then rushed to the Wakapoa Health Centre. There nurses started to investigate and it was revealed that the teenager was pregnant. Only recently a 13-yearold from Wakapoa delivered twins at the Suddie Public Hospital after she was raped by a close relative. One of the twins died, however the mother is said to be doing well.

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friday, june 5, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

Accomplished jeweller, businessman …Gaskin says he wasn’t handpicked by Granger By Devina Samaroo

ewly-appointed Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin has clarified speculation that his father-in-law, President David Granger had a role in his appointment as a Minister. During an exclusive interview with the Guyana Times, Gaskin dismissed those allegations as ludicrous. “I think it’s public knowledge that we are a coalition and that the party to which I belong is not the party to which President Granger is leader of within that coalition; so I think it should be clear to anyone that I would have had to have been proposed by the

sponsibility and that I demonstrated sufficient reliability and a fair amount of competence during my work as Treasurer of the Alliance For Change and as Executive Member of the party. So I assumed that those were the factors taken into consideration,” he asserted. Gaskin added that his own experience in the Private Sector boosted his eligibility of being the ideal person for the post. The Minister, who is the owner of several businesses in the country, opined that he was suited to the ministerial portfolio, because he understands the nature and needs of the local business community. Before Gaskin entered the entrepreneurial

a new and upcoming jewellery contracting firm. “They took me on and, when you do this trade, you start from the bottom, you sweep the floors, you do the messenger job and that’s how you learn so I did that for a number of years,” he reflected. After garnering experience at different levels in the trade during his time overseas, Gaskin returned to Guyana to start his own manufacturing and retail operations. Gaskin, who is trained in all aspects of jewellery making, noted that he had to resign from managing his businesses in order to facilitate his new job as a Government Minister. “This is a full-time job and it requires me to give up my business which I have done. I handed that over to my wife (Han Gaskin),” he said.

Digicel relaunches My Digicel App loaded with extras – exclusive offers available in-app

igicel on Thursday in Kingston, Jamaica, unveiled its new look My Digicel App that boasts dozens of cool new features like managing your Digicel account, access to social media newsfeeds and a customer feedback portal – making it the go-to place for all things Digicel. In addition, the app is free to use meaning customers are not using a single MB of their data to access the information and content available on the app. The newly-designed app introduces a user-friendly interface that comes with a whole host of new features such as allowing customers to send top up to any Digicel phone, locally or internation-

ally, view account information, opt in and out of plans and see the latest promotions and offers – all of which is available 24 hours a day, free of charge to customers. The app also includes social media feeds so that customers can connect with Digicel through Twitter and Facebook and take advantage of exclusive offers that are only available through the app. Digicel Group Chief Commercial Officer Claudio Hidalgo said, “We are excited to be introducing our newlydesigned My Digicel App that makes it easier for customers to access all of our services free of cost at any time using their smartphones. The new app boasts all the

great features that customers have come to know and love, as well as a host of new ones such as sending credit to friends and family at home and abroad and accessing Digicel’s social media newsfeeds for the latest updates.” “We wanted to create one place where our customers could access all things – from sending and receiving top up, to activating plans, accessing special offers and getting the latest news - the new My Digicel App does just that. The app also includes a feedback feature where customers can share their views on the app and its functionalities so that we can work to improve it on an ongoing basis,” concluded Hidalgo.

Canadian envoy pays courtesy call on Minister Bulkan

The Ministry of Business

Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin

AFC (Alliance For Change) and not by the APNU (A Partnership for National Unity),” he clarified. In the Cummingsburg Accord, signed between APNU and the AFC: the two entities were to divide the pie in a ratio of 60:40- meaning that 40 per cent of the ministers would come from the AFC. Meanwhile, Gaskin explained that he never applied for a ministerial post and that in fact, he was selected as a candidate for the position. “I think I was selected because it was felt that I was capable of the re-

world, he was a jeweller and gradually got promoted to a managerial position. “I started off at the very bottom, I did it from a kid because my father was in the business, so at a very young age, I was working with him in his workshop – well, I thought I was working, he probably thought I was just fooling around,” the Minister reminisced. His career expanded when he became exposed to the international world of jewellery making. In the United States, Gaskin did an apprenticeship with a jewellery enterprise there until he branched off to work with

Gaskin pledged his commitment to dedicate all of his energies and efforts to ensuring the responsibilities of his Ministry are carried out in an efficient and effective manner. Under the APNU+AFC Government, the Ministry of Business is a new agency under which the Ministry of Commerce and Industry is subsumed. The office is located at 254 South Road, Georgetown in the Ministry of Tourism building. As Minister of Business, Gaskin said he now has responsibility for the Department of Commerce, the Department of Industry, the Small Business Bureau, and general investment. Gaskin said he was currently in the process of familiarising himself with existing policies and programmes so he can better understand the environment in which he will be working. Gaskin said the Government has a great vision for Guyana which will see the entire country developing through a progressive business community.

Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, and staff of his Ministry meeting Canadian High Commissioner Dr Nicole Giles and officials of the Commission

anada’s High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr Nicole Giles, on Monday paid a courtesy call on the Ministry of Communities. High Commissioner Giles was accompanied by Carleen Langford, Foreign Policy and Diplomacy Officer, and Krysta Bisnauth, Development Officer. Present from the Ministry were Minister Ronald Bulkan, Permanent Secretary Emile McGarrel and Research Assistant Mark Da Costa. High Commissioner Giles expressed the High Commission’s desire in working with the new administration to further advance Guyana’s development and the shared interests of both

countries. Dr Giles iterated Canada’s foreign policy focus, which is geared towards providing developmental assistance with the objective of creating sustainable economic growth. In particular, the meeting was briefed on Canada’s current activities in the communities sector. Among these are the Caribbean Local Economic Development Project programme which has completed phase 1, catering for initiatives and interventions relating to economic activities and developments in Regions Two, Three, Four and Six. Other initiatives include two food security projects based in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), where Canada will be provid-

ing over CA$188,000 to establish and maintain a modern cassava processing and farine storage facility, where Woweta village is expected to process and store 10,000 pounds of farine. Similarly, Moco Moco Village in Central Rupununi will be able to process and store 20,000 pounds of farine for use during and after disasters. Minister Bulkan thanked the High Commissioner for Canada’s support to the people of Guyana over the 51 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, and looks forward to the High Commission’s ongoing support to the Ministry of Communities.

Man held for sexually Woman in critical state Decomposed body of assaulting 7-yr-old girl after setting self ablaze man found floating

man has been arrested for sexually assaulting a seven-year-old girl of Onderneeming, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam). He is presently in custody at the Suddie Police Station. Information received revealed that the mother of the seven-year-old child is a vendor and sells around the community and the market. She usually takes her three children, but on Sunday last, May 31, she left them at home. The neighbour, seeing that the three children were left unsupervised, subse-

quently went over and sent two of them to the shop to buy cigarettes. He then took the seven year over to his house and had forced sex with her. The girl then ran home. When the other siblings returned, they saw their sister crying. They immediately called their mother, who later came and rushed the child to the Suddie Public Hospital where she was admitted. The neighbour was subsequently arrested and taken into custody.

ashodra Mangru, a 58-year-old domestic worker and mother of two, is now in critical condition at the Georgetown Public Hospital, after she attempted suicide on Wednesday evening by setting herself ablaze. Mangru, of 118 Courbane Park, Annandale, East Coast Demerara, upon arrival at the hospital, was immediately rushed into the operating theatre due to the extent of the burns she received. According to reports, the woman had been living with her younger daughter for the “longest while”. However,

the older one moved in several weeks ago and this resulted in conflict between the sisters. On Wednesday evening, a heated argument ensued between the two girls during which Mangru reportedly pleaded with them to stop. Despite her pleadings, the two continued and it was during this that the woman picked up a jar of kerosene, went to her bedroom, poured it on her body, and set herself ablaze. She was picked up by a Community Policing Group Patrol which was in the area at the time and rushed to the hospital.

in Cozier Canal

he decomposed body of an unidentified man in his mid 30s was found on Thursday morning floating in the Cozier Canal in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam). The gruesome discovery was made by farmers in the community of Cozier. A post-mortem conducted on the decomposed body on Thursday revealed that the man died as a result of drowning. The autopsy was performed by Government Pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh at the Suddie Funeral Home.

According to information, the man was highly intoxicated and was attempting to cross the canal bridge when he slipped and fell in. The man was wearing a white shirt and short pants, with a key around his neck and two batteries in his back pocket. Police said if family members do not come forward to identify the man, they would be forced to bury the decomposed body. Persons are calling on family members to come forward and identify the body.

guyanatimesgy.com

Friday, june 5, 2015

News

Chinese businesses

Dodging of VAT payment to be raised with new Govt

he business community in Guyana is set to raise several pressing concerns with the newly, appointed Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin, including allegations of Chinese retailers being exempt from paying Value Added Tax (VAT). For quite some time now, there has been widespread belief that certain businesses, particularly those owned by Chinese, are exempt from paying taxes, thus creating unfair competition in the market. Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) Commissioner Khurshid Sattaur, during a previous interview with the Guyana Times, had explained that unregistered Chinese-owned businesses pay VAT at the time of import of the goods. Normally, VAT is added to the price of goods as a straight 16 per cent and is visible on the receipt upon purchase of the item. The perception of unfair competition with the Chinese, therefore, was born from public knowledge that some businesses are exempt from charging VAT. Also, due to inadequate law enforcement by the relevant authorities, many businesses are crying out about the unfairness that exists in the market. Well aware of this situation, the representatives of the local business community are insistent on raising these concerns with the Minister of Business. Private Sector

PSC Chairman Ramesh Persaud

Commission (PSC) Chairman Ramesh Persaud told this publication that there were persistent allegations that certain businesses are involved in unfair and unlawful practices, but there was never a formal complaint of such because of the lack of evidence to support those claims. “People have been accusing, but there is no evidence, that’s all that’s happening ... there is a perception that a lot of businesses are flouting the law; a strong belief and a strong suspicion but never any proof. However, we intend to have discussions with the Minister of Business to ensure there is a level playing field,” Persaud noted. He said too that one of the reasons why people constantly cry out about unfair treatment is because of the weak enforcement systems in place. On this note, he is calling on

the relevant authorities to strengthen the systems. Similarly, Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) President Lance Hinds acknowledged that there are complaints circulating, but he has observed that they were not as frequent as they were before. Nonetheless, he assured that once a formal complaint is made to the GCCI with supporting evidence, he would transfer the matter to the Ministry of Business for necessary intervention. Previously, PSC’s Trade and Investment Sub-Committee Chairman, Ramesh Dookhoo had noted that the situation cannot be addressed until the relevant authorities intervene.

Speculation

Gaskin, during an exclusive interview with the Guyana Times, acknowledged that there were rumours circulating about unfair competition in the business sector, particularly as it relates to Chinese owned operations in the country, on account of unfair business practices presumably allowed by authorities. However, Gaskin said that the circulating information was merely speculation and if the issue was to be addressed at the ministerial level, a formal complaint must be made and adequate evidence must be provided to support any such claim. “My response to this as Minister of Business would be to ask that

GRA Commissioner Khurshid Sattaur

instead of speculating, we start examining, so, I would prefer for this to go beyond a sort of ‘rum shop gyaff’ and to probably be considered and looked at a higher level and for that to happen, it needs to be brought formally to my attention,” he highlighted. He explained that after a report was filed, the next step would be to launch an investigation into the matter and then the necessary steps will be taken to remedy the situation.

Fair play

Gaskin assured that considering the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government is fairly new, it has absolutely nothing to hide, therefore, if there was a genuine breach of the law, then the Administration will waste no time in remedying

the situation. “We have nothing to hide when it comes to how businesses operate ... if there is indeed any favourable treatment given to sections of the business community, then I think that that has to be addressed,” he said. Meanwhile, addressing the non-registration issue of the Chinese businesses, the PSC had previously said there was a voluntary registration system that was open to all businesses. It is, however, compulsory for a business to become registered if it is making in excess of $10 million per year. The onus is, therefore, on the GRA to ensure that all businesses are appropriately registered, the PSC said. The PSC maintained that it has nothing against the Chinese nationals, wanting only that they comply with the law, and added that if the freedom was being given to any other nationality, the organisation would have been just as vigilant and concerned. GRA Commissioner General Sattaur explained that Chinese businesses which are not registered for VAT may be in fact “under pricing” the other businesses they compete with as a result of trading in “substandard” goods that are relatively inexpensive as stock in trade. “That is, because the cheap, substandard goods they import, on which the GRA collects VAT, coupled with the minimum amount of overhead, make the retail selling

GCCI President Lance Hinds

price very competitive and other businesses are unable to match the selling price,” explained Sattaur. This can be addressed, for instance, by a consumer bureau of standards ensuring that minimum standards on all goods are maintained. He said many may even argue that since it is a known fact that many Chinese businesses do not issue receipts, they altogether escape the payment of income tax. But Sattaur had indicated that he was not too concerned with the situation since the Chinese owned entities are still required to pay import tax on their goods. Also, he noted that unlike other businesses in Guyana, the unregistered Chinese companies do not benefit from GRA in terms of the billions of dollars that are refunded to local businesses.

UG and Russia sign Cooperation Agreement – academic staff to get training in Russia

FPUR First Vector, Professor Evgeny L Shchesnyak with UG Vice Chancellor, Professor Jacob Opadeyi as they sign the Cooperation Agreement

he University of Guyana (UG) is expected to benefit enormously from a five-year Cooperation Agreement that was signed on Thursday between the University of Guyana and the Cooperation Agreement with the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (PFUR). The agreement was signed between the Vice Chancellor (VC) of UG, Professor Jacob Opadeyi and the First Vector of PFUR, Professor Evgeny

L Shchesnyak while at the Education Lecture Theatre (ELT) at the university’s Turkeyen Campus. The signing was a brief ceremony where the Vice Chancellor and the First Vector spoke on the advantages of the cooperation agreement and what it means for Guyana-Russia relations. Professor Opadeyi explained that the agreement involves an exchange of lecturers, students and even

publications as learning and the quality of this is given much emphasis in the agreement. Opadeyi further stated that “the broad scope of the agreement (is being considered) as it gives the opportunity to transform our university where we want it to be.” Other than the chance for UG’s students to learn a new culture and language, the VC stated that the FPUR will be translating several textbooks in the studies of Agriculture, Mathematics and other Sciences for the students. The agreement will be upheld by continuous meetings between the parties through a joint organisation of conferences and internships. Presently, Professor Opadeyi informed that both the FPUR and UG are looking to send lecturers from Guyana to fulfil their PhD studies. This will be a tremendous move upwards in the standards of the university. One such progress is the expected improvements to be made in the studies of agriculture production and engineering. He qualified stated that the agreement is simply a general lay out of the plans of the two universities. However,

from this agreement “we will develop a concrete agreement of what will be implementing this year.” The First Vector of the FPUR called for everyone to work along with the two universities to enable the success of the cooperation agreement. He stated that the agreement has the capabilities of a “bright future” for Guyana. The Russian Federation Embassy released that the agreement is quite welcomed as it will give “professors and lecturers as well as students the opportunity to enhance their skills, apply to exchange programmes, exercise joint research activities in the fields of agriculture, mining, geology and etc”. In addition to the many advantages that UG will benefit from the cooperation agreement, the business community will also be getting a boost. Professor Opadeyi said that that initiative is expected to be quite exciting as Russian businessmen will be able to liaise with Guyanese business men on how they can help each other. Guyana Times understands that financing for the agreement will be coming from the pockets of both the

universities, with donations from national and international agencies. The cost specifically for international transportations

Agreement which will nonetheless correspond with the duration of the specific project programme. The Cooperation

A section of the attendees of the signing of the Cooperation Agreement to facilitate the going and coming of the lecturers from Guyana and Russia will be determined by the considering the conditions of the specific exchange or assignment. This was not elaborated upon, however. Financing for the work programme on the other hand is subjected to a Special

Agreement will last five years, becoming effective at its signing on Thursday. It states that each party can withdraw from it by giving a six-month prior written notice of its withdrawal for the next year before November 15 of the preceding year, provided that ongoing activities would not be affected.

friday, june 5, 2015

guyanatimesgy.com

News

PSC presses Govt PPP/C to go to Parliament on revamping of on its own terms – Rohee T NIS, GO-invest …says bribery must be addressed

President David Granger greets Executives of the Private Sector Commission

hairman and Executives of the Private Sector Commission (PSC) met on Thursday with President David Granger to discuss a range of issues of interest to the private sector. The discussions covered topics which ranged from legislative matters to infrastructural needs of the country. In a statement, the Commission said it emphasised the need for a reorganisation of the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) and GO-Invest, as well as, for telecoms liberalisation and tax reform. The urgent need for legislation to address money laundering, the financing of terrorism and the issue of bribery was underlined. The Commission reiterated its support for a Public Procurement Commission and an Integrity Commission. The President was also presented with a copy of the United Kingdom anti-bribery legislation for his consideration by the Commission. The business leaders also highlighted the issue of high crime rates in the country, which President Granger has pledged to address. Solid waste management and the need for improvement of tertiary institutions were also on the agenda. The infrastructural needs of the country were also discussed with the President, in particular the need to expand the main airport and achieve category one status for Guyana, the requirement for capital dredging of the Demerara Channel were reviewed. The Commission endorsed their support for the Amaila Falls Hydroelectric Project and the completion of the Marriott Hotel. The new Government’s plans to hold the long-awaited Local Government Elections were actively supported. The private sector, consistent with its tradi-

tion of collaborating with Government, and the role it played in supporting the Economic Recovery Programme, the National Development Strategy, the Poverty Reduction Strategy, National Competitiveness Strategy and the Low Carbon Development Strategy pledged its continuing support for the Government’s development agenda. The Commission explained that, through the Competitiveness Strategy, Public-Private Dialogue Bodies had been established, which provided a useful

mechanism for guiding government policy and decision making, and suggested that these could be reconstituted. The Commission also indicated that it would be willing to collaborate with the Government to organise an Economic Forum at which priorities for the economy could be distilled through dialogue. The President supported this suggestion and mandated the Commission to commence planning a Forum, which would include the views of all stakeholders from civil society, labour and religion.

he People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) will be participating in the 11th Parliament whenever it is conducive for them to do so. This was disclosed by General Secretary of the party Clement Rohee during a telephone interview with Guyana Times on Thursday. Parliament is set to be convened on June 10 at 14:00h and the new A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government is all geared up and ready to participate this time around as the Executive Arm of the National Assembly with the majority of 65 seats. Asked specifically whether the party will participate when Parliament opens on June 10, Rohee said he cannot be sure at this stage – five days before it is slated to be convened. Nonetheless, from all indications, the PPP/C will be participating but just under its own terms and when it deems it appropriate to do so. Rohee had previously stated at a press conference that there have been periods in Guyana’s history where political parties settled on their parliamentarians but did not go to Parliament. The General Secretary reminded that both the PPP and the People’s National Congress (PNC), which is

PPP/C General Secretary Clement Rohee

one of the parties that formulated the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) coalition, have in the past selected their Members of Parliament (MPs) but never went to Parliament; only when the party saw it fit to do asked. Asked about the risks involved in not participating in Parliament, Rohee indicated that the PPP/C will participate when it strongly feels its constituency, which makes up some 200,000 Guyanese, is being misrepresented by the governing Administration. If the PPP/C does not fully participate in the 11th Parliament, it will not cause any interference because basic Bills can be passed with-

out their interjection. However, for major amendments to the Constitution, the National Assembly would require at least a two-third majority vote before the change can be legal. Meanwhile, the PPP/C has not yet submitted its List of (MPs) to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). According to Rohee, the party is still in the process of consulting and deliberating on which candidates would be best suited to fill the posts of MPs. Their failure to submit the list has been delaying GECOM’s gazetting of the election result 2015 but as of recently, reports indicate that the elections body may very well go ahead and gazette the results without PPP/C’s information. Thus far, the APNU/AFC Government already submitted their list of MPs to GECOM. The election results are expected to be gazetted before Parliament reconvenes. Asked whether the PPP/C can participate in Parliament even if the list of their MPs do not appear in the official gazette, Rohee replied in the affirmative. The GECOM is expected to gazette the elections result by the end of this week.

Interim Management Committee to run GuySuCo … PM says IMC “holding” for team to undertake forensic audit

n Interim M a n a g e m e n t Committee (IMC), is soon to be put in place at the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), replacing the sacked Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Rajendra Singh and the members of the board who were asked to resign. Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo told Guyana Times on Thursday evening that the IMC will be “holding” for the team that will undertake the forensic audit of the Corporation. While he could not at the time say what the full complement of the committee is, he identified two known members – Former Chief Executive Officers (acting) of GuySuCo Roy Hanoman and Paul Bhim, who was also the Finance Director of the Sugar Corporation. Nagamootoo said the selection process of the other members of the committee will have to cater for the requirements of the committee, particularly in areas of financing and auditing. The termination of the CEO was made on Wednesday afternoon.

The statement read that GuySuCo had been suffering increased losses over the years, noting that in 2014, the Sugar Corporation received a $6 billion bailout. For this year, the Corporation has requested a $16 billion bailout package. “On the directive of Cabinet, Agriculture Minister Noel Holder issued the letter of dismissal to Dr Singh and it takes immediate effect. In addition, members of GuySuCo’s Board of Directors have been instructed to send in letters of resignation with immediate effect,” the statement added. The Board was chaired by former Government Minister Shaik Baksh and included Dunstan Barrow, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Linden Enterprise Network (LEN); Dr Dindyal Permaul, Chief Executive Officer, Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA); Keith Burrowes, Executive Chairman, Board of Directors, Guyana Office for Investment (GOInvest); Badri Persaud, Managing Director, Guyana Oil Company (Guyoil); and Geeta Singh-Knight, and

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

Dr Raj Singh who sat on the Board as an ex-officio member. According to Government, over the years, GuySuCo has been “sinking further into debt due to ineffective operations, both at the financial and production levels”. It said to ensure that the Corporation continues to survive, the Government will be putting in place an Interim Management Committee that will take effect from today and which will oversee the Corporation for at least six months.

“Before the end of this month, the Government will establish a Commission of Inquiry to look in to the operations of GuySuCo and chart a way forward. The Government wishes to assure workers of GuySuCo that they will be paid and there will be no closing of the Sugar Corporation.” Guyana Times reported earlier this week of Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan assuring Berbicians that the Government has committed itself to the full recovery of the sugar industry in Guyana and will be working towards this no matter how long it takes. Ramjattan, who is also Second Vice President, made the promise when he appeared on a live television programme in Berbice last Saturday evening. “The recovery of the sugar industry will take forever, but whatever time it takes to save the industry, we are going to do it and we are going to do it by making the right decisions. We have to make the right decision, because it is a set of bad decisions that have caused the

industry to be in the state it is,” he said. Just last week, GuySuCo reportedly told workers’ unions – the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) that it was unable to pay sugar workers for the month of May. The news got worse when reports surfaced that the already cashstrapped entity had failed to account for some $154 million of employees’ Credit Union savings owed to GAWU. The Union had to make a “regrettable, but unavoidable decision” advising GuySuCo to cease deductions from workers’ earnings in this regard. GuySuCo has received the sum of $400 million which will allow the company to continue its operation for the remainder of this week. The Corporation has received the money from the National Commercial Bank of Jamaica. As part of that loan arrangement, the Bank holds GuySuCo’s receivables from the sale of sugar.

friDAY, june 5, 2015

guyanatimesgy.com

n less than a month, Hits and Jams Water Park, aback Princess Hotel, East Bank Demerara, will be buzzing with activities as the entertainment group plans to create a heatwave during the August vacation. The group has already disclosed that there will be three massive events during the Caricom weekend celebrations. One of the main attractions is the “Soaka Pon De Beach” Fete

which will undoubtedly be the highlight of the weekend. This event is set for Caricom Day, July 6. Thus far, Hits and Jams Entertainment has released the names of several top soca artistes from Trinidad and Tobago including Lil Rick, Destra, Shal Marshall, Kerwin Dubois, 5 Star-Akil and Fadda Fox. The local line will see Jackie Jaxx; reigning Carib Soca Monarch,

Jumo Primo; and Kwasi “Ace” Edmondson. With the lineup promised, patrons are expected to have a blast. Soca junkies, be prepared for one of the maddest shows featuring the best in soca rhythms. Tickets for the event cost $2000 and $3000 and will be available shortly. Ticket locations will also be announced soon.

Gospel artiste releases debut single

onnick Lugard Adolph was born on May 20, 1992 in the mining town of Linden, Guyana. His musical career as a young Christian Producer started out about five years ago under one of Guyana’s best Producers, Delon “Keyz” Gilbert. Starting out as a musician at 11, he emerged into a studio producer, recording and mixing engineer at the Paradigm Studios. He then developed his song writing skills by coming up with simple chorus melodies from his own tracks. Although he is a third year Electrical Engineering student at the University of Guyana, the young Producer has hopes of a successful musical career. With experience from working with other developed artistes such as Samuel Medas, Allan Petty, Renwick Duesbury and S h a w n English, he is optimistic a b o u t working with

other new singers. The now emerging g o s p e l artiste has been signed by The

Comfort Zone Entertainment from where his album “The Beginning’’ will be released. Lugard’s music is his signature. The song is a fusion of colourfulness, with direction from the Holy Spirit. The young artiste expresses his self in reggae, gospel, dance-hall gospel and pop. His talent is evident from listening to his first single release “My Strong Arm’’. The single from the Guyanese gospel artistes sends the message of Christ being our strength and protector. “Whenever you are in your weak moments, remember that Christ is our source of strength and it is He who makes us strong to overcome anything we face, He lifts up a standard on behalf of us when the enemy comes in like a flood. He is my Strong Arm,’’ the songwriter said. The single was written by the talented gospel singer, produced, mixed and mastered by Jamel Newton of Barbados, recorded at Paradigm Studios and is published under the Comfort Zone Entertainment Brand. Links to d o w n l o a d this song are available on Facebook (The Comfort Zone’s page and on Yonnick Adolph’s page) and to be the first to witness the release of two other singles, follow him on YouTube, twitter, and Facebook. He is also Upcoming Gospel working on another single that Artiste, Yonnick will be released in a matter of weeks. Lugard Adolph

he Sonia Noel Foundation for the Creative Arts (SNFCA) is pleased to announce the launch of “Bridging the Gap” – Caribbean style. The major fashion event will be launch as part of the Caribbean American Heritage Month at the prestigious Brooklyn Borough Hall, in New York on June 12. US President Barak Obama had proclaimed June 2015, a month for National Caribbean-American Heritage. “Bridging the Gap” is an excellent platform to connect new world style coming out from both the cross-cultural Caribbean backdrop and the dynamic Diaspora nexus of Brooklyn, New York. Because of a long history of interrelated synergies spanning more than a century, it is fitting that SNFCA proclaim to the world, recognition of our similarities while still acknowledging our differences. The world shares a multiethnic, multicultural identity which informs the creative arts and our fashion, in particular, with a versatile edge that is alive, appealing and above all, alternative. Our creative arts identity would connect the world, in style. It would be heartening to experience the networking opportunities and the merchandising advantages of this kind of collaborative Endeavour. With such a platform, it is believed that designers can create elements that

are brewed in a melting pot of diversity and cosmopolitanism. The Caribbean region has been known for its white sandy beaches, fresh winds and blue seas, but against that backdrop lays a culture embedded with a rich history of art. Music, food, and fashion have played a very important role in the development. Its unique style of island colours, cuts and costumes, largely influence our fashion and creative arts industries. Sonia Noel believes in collaboration and bringing awareness through fashion to things that affect in society. SNFCA will collaborate with Music Brings Life effort that brings the worlds of fashion, music and charity together. Music Brings Life is a profit organisation that educates young people in the black, Latino and Caribbean communities about the importance of donating blood. “I feel very blessed to have this opportunity to lead the team to produce a fashion event to showcase Caribbean designing talent to the world and at the same time I am a part the heroes give blood campaign”, Noel noted. This event will feature a plethora of designers from the French, Dutch and

English Caribbean region and New York, including young emerging designers and a few veterans. The team to “Bridging the Gap” include Guyanese fashion icon, Sonia Noel, Richard Young, Donna Thompson, Phillipa Morrish, Steven Cutting, Joslyn Mendez, Jacques Graham, Marisca Fiedtkou Jordan, Rudiana Bumbury, Lorna WelshmanNeblett, Karen Gray and Christine Neblette.

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friDAY, JUNE 5, 2015

Personality profile

New audition dates set for

Princess

his week for personality profile, we present to you the young lady behind the steering wheel of her Honda CRX also called “The Pink Beast”. She is no other than Sharima Khan, known as “Speed Queen” who was born 20 years ago to Haroon and Angela Khan at Grove, East Bank Demerara. She has five other sisters and one brother. Her childhood days were spent outdoors, mostly on her little shifter kart, her all terrain vehicle and her bicycle. Khan described those says as most healthy childhood a girl could have. She attended Campbell’s Trust Nursery, Grove Primary and Covent Garden Secondary where she completed her secondary education. Motor racing was always a part of her as she grew up, since her father was a race car driver. She grew up around fast cars and in the mechanic shop. That was when she decided that someday she will be behind the wheel of a race car. After convincing her father that she can race among the guys, she was give the green light. But this was not an easy task since having a girl on the race track was a strange occurrence. This time around, she had to prove to the guys that she was capable of

competing with them. After a while, she became one of the best drivers at the South Dakota circuit. Competing with some of the

represent Guyana to the best of her ability. “We could never predict the future though, but I am sure I will be prosperous”, she stated.

best drivers gives her a high adrenaline rush that cannot be easily expressed with words other that it always feels amazing to accomplish what she worked so hard to achieve and that itself motivates her to be the very best she can be. Over the next five years, Khan plans to improve her skills enough to be in a formula one race car, while at the same time, continuing to

Her greatest inspiration and role model is one of the world’s greatest formula one race car drivers who ever lived, Ayrton Senna. He has inspired her tremendously with his way or life, his way of driving and his way of understanding racing. As an inspirational quote from the great Senna, she recalled “when you love what you do, you convey that feeling,

Wayne Wonder for live performance at Gravity Lounge on June 13

amaican reggae fusion artist Wayne Wonder is slated to perform live at the Gravity Lounge on June 13 for one of the biggest parties featuring music of “yesteryear”. The event will feature the wildest old school styles as the Jamaican artiste is expected to shell it down. T h e yesteryear artiste fo c u s e d on reggae fusion but his early recordings were dancehall and reggae. He later moved towards hip hop and rap.

Among his achievements, he toured the UK in 1992 along with other Penthouse stars Marcia Griffiths, Tony Rebel, and Buju Banton. He also recorded “Bonafide Love” with Buju Banton, and wrote several early hits for him, including the controversial “Boom Bye Bye”. He toured again with Banton in 1994 as part of the Penthouse Showcase. Wonder formed the band Alias along with Kelly, Baby Cham, Frisco Kid, and Frankie Sly, and later Entourage. In 2000, Wonder launched his own record label, Singso, and his 2000 album Da Vibe saw him begin to incorporate hip hop into his sound. He collaborated with several other major artists, including Jason Dalyrimple of Soul for Real, Foxy Brown, and Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, and the move towards hip hop increased with his 2001 album Schizophrenic. His career really took off internationally when he signed to Atlantic Records, achieving worldwide success with the song “No Letting Go” in 2003. The song is based on the Diwali riddim, which was also used by several other artistes that year, such as Sean Paul, Lumidee and Missy Elliott. Those who wish to see Wayne Wonder Live will be admitted free until 23:00h. There will be Carlsberg Beer specials all night. It’s going to be crazy! To keep the vibes going, DJ Shizzle, Selector Diamond and DJ Blaxbee will be on the console thus creating the right atmosphere. The event is sponsored by Carlsberg Beer and Caribbean Airlines. Pic saved as Wayne Wonder

that attitude, that resolve, that love to all around you”. Her advice to young aspiring racers especially girls is “it does not matter what people say or whatever measures they take to break you, it is all up to you to be brave, work extremely hard and never give up on what makes you smile”. When she is not on the race track, she helps out at her parents Halaal Restaurant and in the garage finding something to do on the race car. She recalled her first race, which was an endurance race in 2012 where both her father and she took top honours in their respective categories. Her first short circuit race was in November 2013. She praised her immediate family members and friends as her biggest supporters who have been the motivational factor behind her success and more so, for the person she is today. And yes guys, she is single and loves the colour red.

s the date for the first audition for the “Princess Star” Reality Show draws near, the excitement is surely mounting among amateur singers who are all gearing for the Saturday, June 13, showdown. The first audition for singers from the East and West Demerara District will be staged inside Club Next (Princess International Hotel) commencing at 20:00h. To date, over 25 singers have shown interest in the competition but only a lucky 10 will be shortlisted from the lot. Auditions for Berbice and Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara, are slated for Wednesday, June 17 and interested persons are asked to call telephone number 699-6156 for further details. Those shortlisted will be allowed to choose their own songs for the first leg of the competition, but the selection of songs will be at the judges’ discretion as the competition continues. The “Princess Star” show will run for a three-month period before the eventual winner is declared. During that time, contestants will make courtesy calls on some of the elite members of society, and of course organisations. At the end of the competition, the eventual winner will take home whopping cash prizes, bragging rights and a recording deal with one of the top recording studios, plus an all expense paid weekend for two at a top resort in Guyana. The competition is only open to amateur singers. Promoters have not placed an age limit for person desirous of entering the competition.

guyanatimesgy.com

friday, JUNE 5, 2015

AZZ

Tickets for Clash of the Titans, Berbice & Essequibo shows released

ickets for the most anticipated Clash of the Titans super concert slated for Caricom weekend in Essequibo and Berbice are now available and are going like hot cakes. The first concert is slated for July 4 at the Anna Regina Community Centre ground, while the second is set for July 5 at the Rose Hall Canje Estate ground. Slated to perform are reigning International Chutney Monarch, Ravi B and his entire band featuring Nesha B and others; former International Chutney Monarch KI and the JMC 3Veni Band comprising Neval and Nishard M; onetime Trinidad and Tobago Chutney King Raymond Ramnarine; emerging star Avenash Maharaj; young heart throb Veekash Sahadeo; Savita Singh and others. The local line-up includes the Shakti String Orchestra Bank led by key pianist, Avinash Roopchand; Steven Ramphall, Mahendra Ramkellwan and others. Emcee for the evening will be no other that Wonder Boy WR Reaz and television personality, Joel Ganshaam. Tickets for show cost $1500 for general admission while the VIP tickets cost $3000. Tickets for Berbice s h o w are availa ble at

Donna & Rakesh, Public Road, Canefield; G Kumar, Cumberland Public Road; Little Rock Suites, Main Street, New Amsterdam; H&M Variety, No 2 Village, Canje; Rite Choice Supermarket, Corriverton Berbice; Shabina and Sons Grocery, Belvedere Roadside; NTN Berbice; La Grill Hotel, Restaurant and Car Rental, Springlands and Nezam CD&DVD Shop, D’Edward Village. In Essequibo, tickets are available at Wd’s Hotel, Charity; Wongie’s Rest And Bar, Anna Regina; Jai Gobin Supermarket, Henrietta; Caribbean Heat Hotel, Anna Regina; Lall’s General Store, Anna Regina; Cell Phone Plaza, Anna Regina; Payless General Store, Reliance and Elton Snackette, Supernaam. The event is sponsored by Top Brandz Distributor, The Garage Bar, Guytrac, Comfort Sleep, Park Vue Hotel, Star Party Rentals and Team MMR among others.

POETRY & on a

STOOL returns to Julian’s Bar

n an effort to foster the growth and development of poetry and spoken word talent in Georgetown, the organisers of “Jazz and Poetry: On a Stool” are pleased to announce their return with bang. The first was held on May 2 under the promoter “Bow Jay”. This evening, poetry and Jazz lovers can be a part of the action at Julian’s Restaurant and Bar, Cummings and Sixth Streets, Alberttown. Among the talented persons slated to perform are Randolph Critchlow, Ester Osbourne, Jenell Pierre, Bella Wilburg and host Jaime “SURU” Mayers. If you are looking for a relaxing venue to spend your Friday evening while being entertained by some refreshing local talent, be sure to check out this event. “Jazz and Poetry on a Stool” begins at 19:30h. Admission is $1000 at the door.

uyana’s leading gospel singer Cherlyn Maloney is set to launch her new hit single “Give the Praise” at a power packed concert on June 20 at the National Cultural Centre. Apart from the songstress, the concert will feature some of Guyana’s best including Dionne Willis, Enea Benjamin, Sherian Nunes, Melissa Vandeyar,

Trice Anointed, Amelia Bajit, Second Coming Band and many others. In addition, there will be a special appearance by a 76-year old woman who has a powerful voice that is guaranteed to make hearts melt during her performance. The “Don’t Give Up” singer explained that it is always difficult to organise a gospel concert in Guyana due to the limited market

and support. “We need more copyright laws, lots of our artistes here in Guyana do not get the protection they need because there is no law to protect their work and they lose a lot because it’s costly to make music,” she highlighted. Nonetheless, Maloney said she is grateful for her success in the industry as she thanked all her fans for

their support throughout her career. Tickets for the event cost $1500 and $1000 and are available at Giftland OfficeMax, Matt’s Record Bar, Nigel’s Supermarket, Kester D Music Centre and the National Cultural Centre. The concert starts at 20:00h.

ith Caricom weekend fast approaching, promoters are making sure that they capitalise on the long weekend as they plan to hosts the wildest parties to entertain their supporters. This time around, West Bank Demerara residents will not be left out of all the jam sessions as Promoter Suga and Avinash present the 8th Annual Village Day on Sunday, July 5. One of the main attractions for the village day is the Car Sound Off which will see the winner walking away with $50,000 and a trophy. Other features include the King Dominoes Competition with a stake of $30,000 and trophy for the winner and the most anticipated double wicked cricket competition with over $100,000 up for grabs. The children, however, will not be left out since there are lots of games and fun activities for them. These include merrygo-round, face painting, bouncy castle and others. T h e r e will also be a segment of juggling among deejays from Power Sonic, TRS and Big Life Sound. The action starts at 09:00h. Tickets are presold for $500 but more will be charged at the gate. Remember to mark that date on the calendar and not miss this grand affair.

friday, june 5, 2015

Primary Schools Wind Ball Cricket DCB calls up female players for moves to Central Corentyne trial on Saturday

Some of the students who participated in the day’s activity

ports Officer Alistair Munroe is challenging Corentyne students to be good ambassadors of their school and family. The challenge came as he addressed students from the Central Corentyne Zone of the 18th Annual Ministry of Education Department of Sport /Al Sport & Tour Promotions’ Primary Schools Wind Ball Cricket Champions Trophy at Bush Lot Farm Ground on Tuesday. “It is once again good to be here as an officer from

the Sports Department based in Georgetown to ensure that this sport continued to have students from the coastland regions competing and I can see that you all are excited to compete in sports at a competitive level.” He noted that as the tournament commenced in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), two persons who had worked very hard for it to become a reality were Marsha Wong and Delon Clarke. Munroe also reminded the students that school at-

June Ogle

tendance will be mandatory for students to participate in the tournament. “Education and sports must not be far from each other; they both must be very good friends,” he declared. Meanwhile, results of the day’s play in the boys’ category are as follows; Wellington Park Primary scored 39-4 off five overs. Auchlyne Primary replied with 40-4. Auchlyne 57-8, with Ezikel Persaud making 15 and Tamesh Persaud 14. In reply, Alness Primary made

60-5. Devendra Sahadeo and Saddique Thomas grabbed two wickets each. In the girls’ category, Auchlyne made 35-0, with Vanita Seeram scoring 13 and Sohanna Sanichar, 10. Alness in reply 36-1. Number 36 Primary chalked up 36-1, with Anastacia Leitch hitting a top score of 15. Auchlyne were restricted to 33-1 when their allotment of five overs expired. Mc Gowan Primary Girls and Boys are the defending champions. (Andrew Carmichael)

FIFA crisis ‘worse’ than IOC’s Salt Lake City scandal − Pound T he crisis currently engulfing FIFA is far worse than anything the IOC had to face after its Salt Lake City scandal, according to the man who led reform of the Olympic organisation in the late 90s. Dick Pound has claimed it will take far longer for FIFA to turn itself around compared to the IOC's reformation in 1998, which came after allegations that some members had accepted illicit gifts and bribes from the organisers of the 2002 Winter Olympics. FIFA is currently embroiled in a corruption scandal that has seen its president Sepp Blatter resign after US and Swiss prosecutors opened investigations into a host of top officials and the awarding of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. While Pound refused to draw parallels between FIFA and the Olympic al-

legations, he said the footballing world could learn a lot from the swift way in which the IOC dealt with the Salt Lake affair. "Fifa, that's a lot more serious," Pound told The Times. "The needle is a lot further to the right. As you can see from the charges, this is corruption, moneylaundering, bribery, criminal offences. The Salt Lake City experience for the IOC was not criminal. Tacky beyond belief and it did a lot of damage but it certainly wasn't criminal. "The thing we did was take it seriously right away. We 'fessed up as it were and said: 'This is not acceptable, we will deal with it.'" However, Pound said FIFA may not be capable of executing such a strategy, due to the complex nature of the investigations it faces. He added: "The US Congress certainly would

have got involved [with the Salt Lake allegations] but we said, 'No, we'll get it done' - our disciplinary, our reforms. Whether Fifa is capable of reforming itself, I just don't know." Pound also claimed that Blatter should remain as FIFA president rather than step down as planned either later this year or in early 2016, as soon as FIFA is able to organise a fresh elections. Blatter will leave after 17 years at the helm of FIFA, but Pound insisted there is no one better placed to initiate reform in world football's governing body than the long-serving Swiss. He said: "I think the knee-jerk reaction would be [that Blatter must go] but he's been there for almost 20 years as president, a number before that as secretary general, so he knows

what's going on and ought to know where you put in the acupuncture needle." Former IOC president Juan Samaranch faced scrutiny during the Salt Lake affair, but Pound said he was kept in place because his experience within the organisation made him the person most likely to bring about real change. "We made a decision that even though there were all sorts of calls for Samaranch's resignation, that we were better off having him in place rather than someone new without background or experience or political savvy to get all this done," Pound said. "It was less than a year when we went back to Congress with Samaranch and they were forced to acknowledge that we had done enough. I doubt very much that FIFA can get to the bottom of this so quickly." (ESPN)

he Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) is calling the following female players to trial on Saturday at the Gandhi Youth Organisation (GYO) Ground for 09:00h. The trial is to select an Under-19 team and a senior team to represent Demerara in the Guyana Cricket Board intercounty female competitions. Those called to the trial are: Akaze Thompson, Kavita Yadram, Tanesha Johnson, Nalini Sumintra, Latoya Smith, Hema Singh, Leana Harris, Lashauna Toussaint, Natasha Archer, Candacy Richmond, Amanda Shoepersaud, Juanita Hooper, Reakha Roopnauth, Kristal Lee, Mitra Rajaram, Mandy Mangru, Shirley Boyce, Shamica Mingo, Amanda

Joann Vansertima

Kavita Yadram

Persaud, Priya Kishun, Cynthia Rampersaud, Yogeeta Balkishun, Bibi Rafeek, June Ogle, Hema Singh, Haseena Mohamed, Joann Vansertima, Odessa Oneil, Katana Mentore, Jennetta Daniels and Jocell Jophest.

Gatlin clocks 9.75 to win 100 meters at Golden Gala

Juston Gatlin

ustin Gatlin came within 0.01 seconds of his world-leading time in the 100 meters, clocking

9.75 at the Golden Gala on Thursday. With the wind in his favor, Gatlin finished several strides ahead of the rest of the field then flexed his biceps for photographers in the finish area. European indoor champion Jimmy Vicaut crossed second in 9.98, and Gatlin’s fellow American, Mike Rodgers, was third with the same time. Gatlin clocked the yearbest 9.74 last month. Olympic champion Sally Pearson of Australia was injured after hitting the fifth obstacle in the 100 hurdles. She was carried off on a stretcher after getting attention to her left wrist area.

(ESPN)

guyanatimesGY.com

friday, june 5, 2015

Blatter may want business as Djokovic still faces rocky road usual, others say ‘go now’ T

o Sepp Blatter, it would seem to be almost business as usual as he sits at his presidential desk at the headquarters of embattled world football governing body FIFA. Certainly, there are no obvious signs that the Swiss, who rocked the world of sport this week by announcing he is relinquishing his grip on global football, is ready to walk just yet. Growing numbers want him to leave now, as claims of corruption point at the highest levels of the organisation. On Thursday, though, he was still in Zurich. Still in his office. “His position is untenable and he should walk immediately,” says English FA chairman Greg Dyke. “In any big organisation once the man at the top says he is leaving, he should go.” But Blatter doesn’t see it that way. It is hardly surprising. This is a man who former colleagues say is always first at his desk in the morning, last to leave at night. He routinely sits alone, deep into the evening, reading reports alone. When contacted over the growing claims for him to step away at once, his office simply reiterated his stance. “The President clearly explained in his speech that he will lay down his mandate at an extraordinary elective FIFA Congress,” a FIFA spokeswoman said. “As he said, he will use the freedom of not being a presidential candidate to push through much-needed reforms.”

Business as usual

So, in some respects, business as usual. A day after Tuesday’s surprise announcement he addressed the more than 300 staff at FIFA headquarters -- most of whom, insiders say, he knows by name.

Sepp Blatter

Carry on your great work, he told them. Stay strong, he said, reportedly close to tears. The same building in which he had announced his resignation reverberated to a 10-minute standing ovation, reports say. Shock after shock has juddered the 111-year organisation in the last week since police raided FIFA delegates at the Congress and arrested a number on suspicion of corruption. But perhaps the biggest shock of all must be that Blatter remains comfortably behind his desk. Blatter is intent on staying in office until that extraordinary congress finds his successor some time between December and March. Prince Ali bin Al Hussein of Jordan, who lost to Blatter in last week’s presidential election in Zurich, wants to explore if he can replace Blatter without the need for another election.

“Cling on”

David Bernstein, a former English FA chairman who quizzed Blatter at the 2011 Congress during a votes-for-cash scandal that swept Mohamed bin Hammam out of FIFA, agreed with Dyke that Blatter should go. “It reminds me of the film Alien -- you could not get

the alien out of that spaceship no matter how hard you tried. And when, in the end, they did get it out, they found it was clinging on the outside,” he said. “This man cannot help himself. He will cling on to the last moment. It is partly for him to control what comes after him, which is the last thing we need.” But what, or who, comes after him is unclear. FIFA’s statutes do not cover what should happen if a president resigns suddenly, apart from stipulating that the senior vice-president, now Issa Hayatou of Cameroon, should deputise if the president is absent. The confusion has arisen because Blatter is the first president to effectively abdicate office in FIFA’s history. Previously, men like Jules Rimet who ruled for 33 years, and Joao Havelange, for 24, announced they would retire at the end of their terms on age grounds and the next Congress duly replaced them. But Blatter was only four days into his fifth term of office, and quit just days after saying he was “the president of everyone” and had no intention of stopping now. Prince Ali, Dyke and Bernstein are not the only ones who think Blatter will do more harm than good by sticking around.

Newly elected FIFA executive committee member Kozo Tashima of Japan says Blatter should step down before a successor is decided. “He cannot be allowed to leave things as fuzzy as they are, and it’s a kind of a farce now for him to stay in office for the next six months or however long it takes to decide the new president. “There is no reason for him to resign if there’s nothing on him, but if there is something on him then you could make the argument that he shouldn’t be allowed to stay on a moment longer.”

Rotten head

Damian Collins, the British MP who founded the ‘New FIFA Now’ pressure group to try to influence those entitled to vote for the president, said he was delighted Blatter had resigned. He told Talksport radio: “The whole of the FIFA organisation became rotten under Sepp Blatter’s leadership and so his removal is good as we have got rid of the rotten head but we have to deal with the rest of the body now. “I think Sepp Blatter should go straight away. There should be an interim president, someone not tainted by the mistakes of the past. “What would be wrong now is for him to continue to March next year and still be president so that the reform process he says he wants to bring in would be led by people who have been part of the organisation’s failure over the last 10 years.” Meanwhile Dutch coach Guus Hiddink called for a complete overhaul of FIFA. “The whole organisation needs a shake-up and it will be better if it is not led by an established football man,” he said. “We need someone fresh with no links to any existing organisations.” (Reuters)

Williams reaches French Open final despite illness S

erena Williams fought back to beat Timea Bacsinszky and reach the French Open final despite struggling with illness. The top seed took 10 games in a row to win 4-6 6-3 6-0 and set up a final against Lucie Safarova on Saturday. Williams, 33, has been unwell throughout the tournament and struggled as temperatures soared in Paris. The American world number one is trying to win her third French Open and 20th Grand Slam singles title. “I’m not sure how I did it,” Williams said on court afterwards. “I just thought I didn’t want to lose without a fight.” Earlier on Court Philippe Chatrier, 13th seed Safarova

Serena Williams

fought back to beat Serbia’s Ana Ivanovic and become the first Czech woman to reach a Roland Garros final in 34 years. Williams claimed her

fourth victory in this tournament from a set down, something she has never managed before at a Grand Slam. She looked down and out

to French glory

for the first set and a half against Bacsinszky, with the Swiss 23rd seed showing no nerves on her major semi-final debut. Williams, meanwhile, wrapped herself in ice towels at the changeovers, shuffled slowly between points and looked close to breaking down at times. Bacsinszky, 25, cracked a backhand return winner to go 3-2 up and served out the set, before moving a break up in the second after converting her sixth break point. Williams had kept herself in the contest thanks to her mighty serve, but finally broke the Swiss for the first time to level at 3-3 and then smacked away a backhand drive-volley for a decisive 5-3 lead. (BBC Sport)

Novak Djokovic

ovak Djokovic’s muted celebrations after ending Rafa Nadal’s reign as claycourt king were partly out of respect for his Spanish victim but mainly due to the fact the his French Open mission is far from accomplished. In beating nine-times champion Nadal, Djokovic scaled what had previously been an insurmountable barrier at Roland Garros. It earned him only high praise, though, not the title he craves to complete his collection of majors. Andy Murray, his opponent in the semi-final, perhaps poses an even greater threat to the rampant Serb who is on a 27-match unbeaten streak in Tour matches. The way Murray dispatched David Ferrer in the quarter-finals, and the way he beat Nadal to win the Madrid title, suggests that he can wreck Djokovic’s dream. Even if Djokovic wins, there would still be the small matter of beating either Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga or Swiss eighth seed Stanislas Wawrinka in the final. Tsonga shoulders the weight of a nation on his shoulders as France awaits its first men’s winner at the home slam since Yannick Noah in 1983. For Djokovic, the pressure all comes from within as he tries to become only the eighth man to win all four slams. He extended his claycourt run this season to 15-0

when he swept aside Nadal on Wednesday, but Murray has won all 15 claycourt matches he has contested this season -- evidence that the surface no longer messes around with his head. “He’s been playing some really good tennis. He’s moving better, serving very well, and he always had a touch, one of the best groundstrokes in the game for the last 10 years since he’s been playing,” Djokovic said of Murray. Murray, trying to become the first British man to reach the French Open semis since 1937, said he feels confident, but dismisses suggestions that Djokovic may have peaked too early. “I don’t think there are any negatives that you can have from winning against someone that has won this event nine times and beating them in straight sets,” Murray, who is coached by French former women’s number one Amelie Mauresmo, said. “I’m not buying that that can be negative in any way.” Tsonga’s run to the semifinal has been a surprise. “Nothing to lose, I think. Not much to lose,” Tsonga, the only one of the four men left without a grand slam title, said when asked about the confrontation. Wawrinka was also not a hot-tip although he did reach the semi-finals in Rome. He said he will not worry about overwhelming support for Tsonga on Friday. “It doesn’t matter for me. I’m going to play my tennis. That’s it,” he said. (Reuters)

Pearson suffers wrist injury in hurdles fall

lympic champion Sally Pearson suffered a painful wrist injury after falling in the women’s 100m hurdles at the Diamond League meeting in Rome. The 28-year-old Australian was one of three fallers in the race, won by

USA’s Sharika Nelvis in 12.52 seconds. British athlete Tiffany Porter finished third in a time of 12.69. Britain’s Shara Proctor was second in the women’s long jump with a leap of 6.85 metres, narrowly behind Russian Darya Klishina’s 6.89m. (BBC Sport)

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Fifa ‘paid FAI to stop legal action over Henry’s World Cup handball’ F

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AI chief executive John Delaney said the association believed it had a legal case against Fifa after France’s win. Delaney said a “legitimate agreement” was made to drop the claim after Ireland missed South Africa 2010. Henry handled the ball in the build-up to William Gallas’s decisive goal. The Republic of Ireland were 16 minutes away from a place in the 2010 finals before Gallas’s extra-time equaliser in the second leg of the play-off in Paris. The result sent France to the 2010 tournament, where they were knocked out of the group stages amid a player strike. A Fifa spokesman confirmed the payment, but said a loan was granted for “the construction of a stadium in Ireland”. The Aviva Stadium was the only major ground redeveloped during that period. It reopened in May 2010. The spokesman added that the FAI were to repay

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of how the World Cup playoff hadn’t worked out for us with the Henry handball,” he said in a radio interview with Ireland’s national broadcaster RTÉ. “Also the way Blatter behaved, if you remember on stage, having a snigger and having a laugh at us. “I told him how I felt about him, there were some expletives used. We came to an agreement”. (BBC Sport)

Bishoo’s 6 wickets not...

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the money if Ireland qualified for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, which they failed to do. Fifa wrote off the loan on 31 December 2014. Delaney said he and Fifa president Sepp Blatter “came to an agreement” after Blatter publicly dismissed the country’s appeal to be made a “33rd team” at the tournament. “We felt we had a legal case against Fifa because

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West Indies seemed unable to find the intensity they needed to finish the Australians off: the seventh-, ninth- and tenthwicket partnerships were Australia’s best of the innings. They were six down when Voges nudged them past West Indies’ total of 148 but Johnson, Lyon and then Hazlewood all offered vital support to Voges, who never looked flustered as wickets fell. For a while it looked like Voges might be denied the chance to reach his hundred: he was on 77 when Hazlewood joined him at the wicket. But Hazlewood proved himself a worthy partner, defending capably as Voges kept the scoreboard ticking along and then moved to 98 with a six slammed down the ground off Jerome Taylor. Voges was still there on 130 when Hazlewood was bowled by Marlon Samuels for 39, completing Australia’s innings at 318. It was a wonderful recovery after Bishoo threatened to skittle them cheaply. During the morning, he turned the ball sharply but also varied his degree of spin, and found enough drift to deceive the batsmen. In the morning session, Bishoo claimed the three key wickets of Steven Smith, Shane Watson and Brad Haddin, and after the break he added Johnson and Starc. Smith (25) added eight to his overnight score before he was hoodwinked by Bishoo, advancing down the pitch only to see the ball drop short of him, spin past his edge and Denesh Ramdin complete the stumping.

If it is rare for Smith to be outflighted by a spinner, it is not so uncommon for Watson, who on 11 drove hard and had his thick edge well caught at second slip by Jason Holder. Haddin showed some intent by launching a Bishoo wrong’un back over the bowler’s head for six, but Bishoo had his revenge by bowling Haddin for 8. It was a beautiful piece of legspin that fittingly came 22 years to the day after Shane Warne’s ball of the century tricked Mike Gatting. Bishoo similarly drifted the ball in and pitched it on leg stump, turning it perfectly past Haddin’s bat to clip the top of off stump. Johnson’s 52-run stand with Voges ended when Johnson top-edged a sweep and was caught at short

fine leg for 20. Starc lasted only two balls, bowled for a duck when he tried to slog Bishoo, and a quick finish appeared possible. However, Bishoo had to go off for some treatment to his hand, and Lyon’s temperament was what Voges needed at the other end, quiet and unperturbed. Lyon managed 22 from 50 balls before he walked across his stumps and was trapped lbw by Shannon Gabriel, but Hazlewood was able to offer even greater support. Bishoo looked like having a seven-for when he trapped Voges lbw on 127, but a review suggested the ball would have turned past off stump and Voges was reprieved. It was just one more frustration on a disappointing day for West Indies. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD WEST INDIES 1st Innings 148 AUSTRALIA 1st Innings (overnight 85 for three) D Warner c Blackwood b Taylor 8 S Marsh c Bravo b Holder 19 S Smith st Ramdin b Bishoo 25 *M Clarke c wkp Ramdin b Bishoo 18 A Voges not out 130 S Watson c Holder b Bishoo 11 +B Haddin b Bishoo 8 M Johnson c Samuels b Bishoo 20 M Starc b Bishoo 0 N Lyon lbw b Gabriel 22 J Hazlewood b Samuels 39 Extras: (b9, lb3, w1, nb5) 18 TOTAL (all out; 107 overs) 318 Fall of wickets: 1-13 (Warner), 2-38 (Marsh), 3-61 (Clarke), 44-97 (Smith), 5-112 (Watson),

6-126 (Haddin), 7-178 (Johnson), 8-178 (Starc), 9-221 (Lyon), 10-318 (Hazlewood) Bowling: Taylor 20-0-72-1 (nb3), Gabriel 15-3-38-1 (w1, nb2), Holder 14-3-30-1, Bishoo 33-10-80-6, Samuels 22-271-1, Blackwood 3-0-15-0. WEST INDIES 2nd innings K Brathwaite b Starc 15 S Hope c Clarke b Johnson 2 D Bravo not out 3 S Dowrich not out 1 Extras (lb4) 4 TOTAL (2 wkts, 11 overs) 25 Fall of wickets: 1-21 (Hope), 2-21 (Brathwaite) Bowling: Johnson 3-0-111, Starc 3-1-6-1, Hazlewood 3-1-4-0, Lyon 2-2-0-0. Position: West Indies trail by 145 runs with eight second innings wickets intact.

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friday, june 5, 2015

Dr Phillips replaces May on Normalisation Committee

Incoming Normalisation Committee member Dr Eric Phillips (centre) addresses journalists in the presence of outgoing member Stuart May (left) and Chairman Clinton Urling

ith Stuart May bowing out for personal reasons, the Normalisation Committee of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) on Wednesday welcomed Dr Eric Phillips as a new member of the FIFA appointed body. Chairman of the Normalisation Committee, Clinton Urling, addressing local journalists at a press conference on Wednesday at the GFF office in Campbellville, welcomed Dr Phillips to the post, and also used the opportunity to thank May for his contribution to the body. Both Dr Phillips and May were present at the press conference. Dr Phillips, an academic, business manager, consultant, social activist and sportsman, said he was looking forward to working

with the other members of the committee to help regularise Guyana’s football. “It’s my pleasure and honour to become a member of the Normalisation Committee,” he said. “What I hope to bring to this team, because football is a team sport, is support the normalisation process. I hope that Guyana becomes more prominent in football and I plan to bring my management skills, my access to corporations – funding is critical – and I look forward to also bring other leadership skills that I have gained experience with over the years.” Dr Phillips, who is also the only Caribbean educated person to have served as a White House Fellow, is also a lecturer at the University of Guyana and the Executive Director of the African Cultural and

Development Association (ACDA). He also represented Guyana in cricket, football and table tennis, and is a third-degree black belt. May, in brief remarks, said he was honoured to have served on the Normalisation Committee. He wished the body well for the rest of its tenure, which ends in September, and thanked all those persons and organisations who have supported the committee and its mandate. May had responsibility for corporate sponsorship, and was chairman of the women’s football committee. May was part of the Normalisation Committee since its induction by FIFA in October 2014. The other members of the Committee are Dr Karen Pilgrim, Rabindranauth Chandarpal and Tariq Williams.

AAG aiming to fill VP void soon – Hutson disappointed with missed flight catastrophe By Treiston Joseph

ith both Vice President positions of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) vacated, the organisation is aiming to fill the void soon. AAG President Aubrey Hutson, in a phone interview with Guyana Times Sport, expressed his disappointment with Vice President Gavin Hope’s resignation, but was optimistic of finding a replacement for Hope and for second Vice President, Dr George Norton who is now the Public Health Minister in the recently-installed coalition Government. “Currently, it is one of the things that is top priority with filling the two spots and we are currently in consultations,” Hutson noted. When asked for a time span and names of possible viable candidates, Hutson was cautious with the possibilities. “We are talking to a few people and I won’t give a time or names, but what I can say is that the person

Aubrey Hutson

will not be green ‘downs’ … we are looking for persons that have experience in the sport and are willing to work for the development of the sport,” Hutson related. Meanwhile, Hutson expressed his disappointment with the youth team that missed their flight to Colombia on Friday. “When I heard what happened, it was difficult for me. I can’t fully say what took place because I’m still awaiting a report from the coach (Sham Johnny)

and the Team Manager (Carlotta Rodney),” Hutson mentioned. The youth team arrived late to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), while one of the athletes had to wait on their passport since it was left in Linden. When asked if possible punishment might be handed out to the athletes, coach or manager in order to showcase the seriousness of the issue, Hutson replied: “What I can say is that if a federation does something like this whereas they provide names for the Olympics and the team fails to show, then that federation has to provide for a possible refund of the tickets. Will we have to do something that harsh? Maybe, but I’m still awaiting the report and the council will have to decide on it,” Hutson stressed. On the other hand, the junior squad arrived in Ecuador and a report on the results of the events is yet to come in, according to Hutson.

Colour and splendour as National Schools Physical Display opens By Avenash Ramzan

olour, splendour and athletic brilliance were on show on Thursday as the country’s primary and secondary school students put on a magnificent display to kick start the two-day National Schools Physical Display Championship at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. The country’s premier indoor facility on Homestretch Avenue was packed to its rim as students gathered to witness their colleague compete in the 16th annual event, which has attracted participation from schools in the 10 administrative regions, as well as Georgetown. Recently-appointed Education Minister Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, who was given a standing ovation as he entered the arena, witnessed the march pass of the various partici-

Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine delivered feature remarks at the event

youth and sport also fall, related that corporate Guyana will be approached to support events such as the National Schools Physical Display Championship to ensure it is held more than just once yearly.

dents and teachers; display the talents of children of primary and secondary schools from all regions; and celebrate Guyana’s 49th Independence anniversary through the expressive arts.

Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine and other officials of the Ministry look on appreciatively during the march pass

pating districts, before delivering feature remarks at the event for the first time. Dr Roopnaraine told the gathering that while classroom sessions are vital, equally important is what takes place on the outside, hence his appreciation of the activity, which is being coordinated by the Unit of Allied Arts at the Education Ministry. “What goes on in the classroom is vital of course, but this activity here I believe is very crucial to the children’s development. It teaches them all kinds of things: discipline, working together, and these are essentially the instruments through which we are going to unite the country and build it. So what I’m seeing here – this display of energy, coordination, discipline – it’s a wonderful metaphor and if the rest of the country can relate to what’s happening here today then we’re in for a healthy Guyana,” Dr Roopnaraine posited. The Minister, under whose purview culture,

“I’m going to be looking for sponsors to keep helping us with this, and I would like to see it going on throughout the year and more than that, I want to expand it. I know there are a number of corporate sponsors who are interested in this, and one or two of these sponsors you know produce things that are not all that good for our health, but nevertheless I hope they would come onboard,” Dr Roopnaraine outlined. The Physical Display Championship includes competitions in five categories, namely Jump Rope and Combination for primary schools and SkipBe Fit, Pyramids and Combinations for secondary schools. Approximately 500 students from across the country are participating in the activity, which is being held for two days for the first time in its history. The objectives of the exercise are to expand the scope of physical education in schools; promote good sportsmanship among stu-

This year, the coordinating team from the Unit of Allied Arts, Ministry included a new competition branded “Skip-Be Fit” for secondary schools. This new competition is sponsored in part by Banks DIH under the Coca-Cola brand. The Ministry will award trophies and prizes to the first-, second-, and third-place winners in the various categories. The National Schools Physical Display Championship began as a part of the Children’s Mashramani events in 1992. The competitions involved a display of acrobatic movements put together for its aesthetic expression. Over the years, schools displayed a growing interest in this aspect of the programme, making it difficult to manage during the busy Mashramani season. Thus, in 2005, it was separated from the Children’s Mashramani programme and made an individual national event to be held during the Independence anniversary.

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friday, june 5, 2015

Warner threatens to BCB congratulates Bishoo implicate Blatter, FIFA on career-best performance

Jack Warner

ndicted former FIFA official Jack Warner unleashed a startling attack on the governing body on Wednesday. Jack Warner threatened to implicate FIFA in involvement in the Trinidad and Tobago elections in 2010. The former FIFA vicepresident was one of 14 people indicted by the United States Department of Justice last week in a move that preceded Friday’s FIFA elections in Zurich - which later proved futile, when re-elected Sepp Blatter revealed his decision to quit four days later. Warner, in an ad-

dress televised on TV6 on Wednesday night, said he has evidence of “a link between FIFA, its funding and me, the link between FIFA, its funding and the United National Congress and The People’s Partnership Government in general election 2010”. The 72-year-old also indicated his documents directly implicate Blatter. “It also deals with my knowledge of international transactions at FIFA, including its president Mr Sepp Blatter and, lastly, other matters involving the nation’s current prime minister,” he continued.

Warner claimed he protected FIFA from his allegations, but now that he is implicated in corrupt activity, he is turning on his former employer. “I have, in these circumstances, decided that I will no longer keep secrets for them who now seek to actively destroy this country in which I live,” he said. “I have decided that I will no longer keep secrets for those persons who now seek to actively destroy this country’s hard-won international image, this country’s fate. “I have no intention of allowing them to deprive me of my freedom. “I reasonably and surely fear for my life. “I have, as promised compiled a comprehensive and detailed series of documents, including cheques and corroborated statements, and placed them in different and respected hands. “I have, in effect, placed the outcome of those matters beyond even my own reach. Retracting them is now an impossibility. There can be no turning back.” (Digicel

Devendra Bishoo claimed 6-80 on day two against Australia in Dominica

he Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) has offered congratulations to leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo on his career-best figures of 6-80 on day two of the first Test against Australia in Dominica. Despite his effort, Australia remained in control by stumps on day two. Below is the full text of the congratulatory message. “The Board is always in support of Bishoo, just like

all other cricketers, and was confident that whenever he is given another chance, he will do well. He is a hardworking and committed cricketer. He is also a very humble person and an excellent role model for our young cricketers. The Board feels that in the first place Bishoo should have never been dropped from the West Indies team, but is happy that the selectors now

see it fit to give him another chance. The BCB calls on the selectors to include his spin partner Veerasammy Permaul in the next Test match. They bowl well together for Albion, Berbice and Guyana and [the Board] sees no reason why they would not do the same at the Test level for the West Indies. The selectors missed a trick in dropping Permaul for the first Test.”

National Senior Track and Field Championship set for this weekend De Villiers named SA’s T Cricketer of the Year

AB de Villiers

B de Villiers was named South Africa’s Cricketer of the Year for the second successive year at Cricket South Africa’s annual awards on Wednesday. He was also awarded the ODI Cricketer of the Year, Player’s Player of the Year and Fans’ Player

of the Year. De Villiers has scored 1610 runs in 28 ODIs at an average of 80.50 since the start of 2014, including four centuries, and has had a sensational 2015. He set the record for the quickest century in ODIs (100 off 31 balls

Sportsmax)

against West Indies in Johannesburg), followed by the fastest 150 in ODIs - off 64 balls - decimating the same opposition during a World Cup game in Sydney. He has also scored 779 runs in nine Tests at an average of 55.64 in the same time period. Hashim Amla, who won South Africa’s Cricketer of the Year twice in 2010 and 2013, was awarded Test Cricketer of the Year. Since January 2014, he has scored 801 runs in nine Tests at an average of 66.75. Rilee Rossouw, who made his ODI debut in August 2014 and has already notched up 626 runs in 20 matches in the format, was named South Africa’s Newcomer of the Year. Haroon Lorgat, CSA’s chief executive officer, was delighted with the progress that South Africa and de Villiers had made over the past year. “This has been another great year with truly wonderful achievements from our top players,” he said. “AB is just so special and surely he must be the best all-round cricketer in the world. “De Villiers has modestly taken limited-overs batting to a new level and he has done it with style and panache that is simply beyond the reach of most. He is a true batting genius. He now holds the world records for the fastest 50, 100 and 150 in ODI cricket.” (Cricinfo)

he National Senior Championship will run off this weekend at the National Track and Field Centre at Leonora, West Coast Demerara. The event will be a two-day meet spanning Saturday and Sunday with Guyana’s top ath-

letes vying for national honour. According to the President of the Athletics Association of Guyana, Aubrey Hutson, the association is expecting a good turnout especially since the races will have monetary prizes attached, with first

place receiving $10,000, second $6000 and third $4000. The event will also mark the first exclusive competition for seniors in Guyana for the 2015 calendar as the season continues to roll towards the World Championships in August.

Sports is no longer our game, it’s our business

friday, june 5, 2015

Bishoo’s 6 wickets not enough to slow down Australia A

dam Voges became the oldest man to score a century on Test debut as Australia took control on the second day in Dominica. It was a day of frustration and missed opportunities for West Indies, who had the chance to run through Australia but allowed the tail to wag and found themselves facing a 170-run first-innings deficit. They then lost both their openers cheaply late in the afternoon. Devendra Bishoo had given West Indies the perfect start by spinning out three batsmen before lunch and he finished with 6 for 80, but Voges remained a calm presence at the crease throughout Australia’s innings. The 97-run stand that he and Josh Hazlewood compiled for the last wicket could prove to be the difference, although Mitchell Johnson and Nathan Lyon also provided useful support. By stumps, West Indies

Devendra Bishoo is congratulated after dismissing Brad Haddin

were in an even bigger hole. Shai Hope edged Johnson to second slip and was sharply taken by Michael Clarke, and next ball Mitchell Starc swung one in to rat-

tle the stumps of Kraigg Brathwaite. It left West Indies on 25 for 2 at stumps, still 145 runs behind, with Darren Bravo on 3 and Shane Dowrich on 1.

A mountain of work remained for them on day three. For Australia, it was a day to celebrate the achievement of Voges, who at 35 re-

placed Zimbabwe’s David Houghton as Test cricket’s oldest debut centurion. Patience is no problem for Voges - he has had to wait 160 first-class matches for

this opportunity - and he displayed impressive concentration throughout this innings, bringing up his hundred from his 187th delivery. Having made a brisk start on the first afternoon, Voges took a more steady approach on the second day, waiting for his opportunities to work runs through gaps and taking few risks. Rarely did he play a loose shot, although just after reaching his half-century he pulled Marlon Samuels and a diving Jermaine Blackwood at midwicket put down a tough chance. It was an example of the difference in fielding between the two sides: Australia grasped nearly everything in West Indies’ first innings, but West Indies let opportunities slip. Voges received another life on 104 when Hope dropped one at gully off Taylor, and Hazlewood was put down on 33 as the afternoon wore on. Turn to page 21

Colour and splendour as National Schools Physical Display opens

Pg 22

Instructors keep a close eye as some students go through their paces

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