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INSIDE Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana Issue No. 1780 guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

May 26, 2013

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Let’s build a Guyana prosperous for all – Ramotar

Essequibo Coast rice farmers P8 dogged by snail infestation

See story on page 4

President Donald Ramotar

... differences must not be roadblock to progress

Jagdeo to join environmental panel in Toronto See story on page 3

In observance of Guyana’s 47th independence anniversary, these little lads of St Gabriel’s Nursery School dressed up in cultural wear during a pre-celebration on Friday (Carl Croker photo)

A successful privatisation: NEW GPC INC Guyana to chair CDB board of governors See story on page 12

See story on page 17

Top Islamic official to P10 visit Guyana to promote economic coorporation Hindu P11 SwayamSevak Sangh celebrates Vaarsha Pratipada OPLF opens learning horizon for visually P13 impaired persons

BK Int’l gets clearance P15 for Yarrowkabra sand mine Four feared P19 dead after boat capsizes in Matope Fall

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NEWS

BRIDGE OPENING

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on Sunday, May 26 from 05:30h to 07:00h.

The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on Sunday, May 26 from 05:00h to 06:30h.

WEATHER TODAY Countrywide: Thundery showers are expected during the day, with clear skies in the evening over coastal regions and near inland locations. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 and 28 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly to east south-easterly at 2.68 to 2.23 metres per second.

High Tide: 11:31h reaching a maximum height of 2.24 metres.

Low Tide: 05:01h and 17:33h reaching minimum heights of 1.01 metres and 0.93 metre respectively.

saturday, may 25, 2013

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

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Jagdeo to join environmental panel in Toronto

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ormer President Bharrat Jagdeo will be featured on an environmental issues panel organised by the Trent Centre for Biomaterials Research on June 3, in Toronto, Canada.

The Carbon Conversations: Charting a Sustainable Future discussion series, now in its second year, addresses the core of the planet’s crisis – carbon and the world’s dependence on carbon by-products. The Trent Centre for Biomaterials Research engages a broad spectrum of thinkers in Carbon Conversations – from students and scientists to philosophers and consumers – to generate discourse about carbon-related sustainability issues and the future of the world. The panel will be focusing on the question: “Environmental sustainability and avoided climate change: mutually exclusive to development and for-profit commercialisation?”

According to a release from the centre, joining Dr Jagdeo on the distinguished Carbon Conversations panel are David Patterson, a Trent University alumnus and current chair and chief executive officer of Northwater Capital, a company that has invested significantly in green and clean energy technologies; and Annette Verschuren, a member of the Order of Canada, former president of Home Depot Canada and Asia, and chair of the

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo

Clean Energy Task Force for Ontario. Verschuren’s company NRStor is focused on storage of clean and green energy.

“Our planet’s dependence on carbon is interwoven into literally all aspects of our lives: energy, materials, culture, security, geopolitics, trade, development, and ultimately, our existence. How we manage it is therefore not a question that must be answered by a few isolated facets of our society, but frames a discussion for all hierarchies of society,” said Dr Suresh Narine, director of the Trent Centre for Biomaterials and moderator of the carbon conversations panel.

“This panel is particularly exciting because it brings together a third world leader who has emerged as a global leader advocating that avoided deforestation can and should be linked to economic

development, along with two captains of industry whose for-profit companies have found growth opportunities in reduced carbon and cleaner energy technologies.”

Jagdeo was named president of Guyana in 1999, taking on the role as one of the youngest heads of state in the world. He was re-elected twice, serving the maximum number of terms.

During his presidency, Jagdeo led Guyana as the country embarked on one of the world’s most ambitious low carbon development strategies, while maintaining 99.5 per cent of its rainforest. Guyana is on track to become the world’s number one user of clean energy by 2017. Recognised as a global champion of the environment, TIME magazine named Jagdeo a “Hero of the Environment” in 2008.

In 2010, he was a recipient of the United Nations Champion of the Earth Award, and was asked to serve on the UN Secretary General’s High Level Advisory Group on Climate Finance. From 2005 to 2006, Jagdeo was chairman of the board of governors of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank. In 2012, the International

Union for the Conservation of Nature appointed him high level envoy for sustainable development in forest countries and a patron of nature. Currently, Jagdeo is president of the Global Green Growth Institute.

Hosted by the Trent Centre for Biomaterials Research, Carbon Conversations is a recurring discussion about climate change, environmental stewardship, economic development, culture, ideology and the consumption of resources.

The Trent Centre for Biomaterials Research (TCBR) at Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada is on the cutting edge of research and technology development that is changing the world. With the aim of creating a more sustainable future, the TCBR brings together the social sciences and humanities with science to develop and examine biomaterials within an ethical framework, focusing on agricultural utilisation and geographical, environmental and commercial impacts, one of only a handful of programmes of its kind in the world, the TCBR is a leader in this life-changing realm of research.

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guyanatimesgy.com

Views Sunday Times Editor: Tajeram Mohabir Tel: 225-5128, 231-0397, 226-9921, 226-2102, 223-7230 or 223-7231.

Fax: 225-5134 Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com

Editorial

LCDS for independence

I

ndependence Day. The dream of all colonial people had been to break the yoke of foreign rule that had compelled their subservience in what was often their own country.

The model for freedom for most of them was the U.S. War of Independence in 1776, in which settlers fought their “home government” to become masters of their own fate. In that war, the colonialised people were descended from the same stock as the rulers, but in a cruel twist of fate, determined that their African slaves were only three-quarters of the worth of a white colonist.

This twist complicated the fate of most of the other colonies, such as Guyana, where the “natives” were nonwhite. Using an analogous logic, the colonial power announced without any irony that the natives had to undergo a period of tutelage, before they could become “independent”. Other white settler colonies such as Canada and Australia, of course, were spared this step since, being white, they had no need of tutelage.

The process of tutelage was, not surprisingly, intended to produce natives who would serve the interests of the “mother” country and continue to do so when the latter had to depart. There was never any question that the colonial power intended to remain in place ad infinitum: their focus was not to leave until they could be assured of loyal tokens at the helm of “independent” countries. After World War II (WWII) when it became obvious, even to Britain, that it could no longer muster the force to keep the Empire as a going enterprise, independence was announced in 1947 for India and Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) in Asia, and a decade later, for Ghana in Africa.

The plan for their oldest colonies in the West Indies, but now not so economically attractive, was to cobble them together in a West Indian Federation in 1958 that would be subservient to Britain. The contraption collapsed by 1962 and Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago became independent that same year because their leaders were considered “suitable”. Guyana, never a member of the federation, had been promised independence around the same time – under “whichever party won the 1960 elections”. But the victorious People’s Progressive Party (PPP) was deemed extremely “unsuitable” by the new super-power – the U.S. – which replaced Britain on the world stage.

So we endured 28 years under a regime that was installed into power by U.S. manoeuvres that included racial riots and arson. The People’s National Congress (PNC) under the “more suitable” Forbes Burnham later tried to assert its independence from the U.S. but was always tied to it through the dialectic of being maintained in power because of the latter’s fear about the PPP. The fear was that the PPP would become “another Cuba in the hemisphere” and an ally of the U.S. Cold War enemy, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). The dialectic allowed the PNC to rig all elections between 1968 and 1985 without sanctions being imposed on it – even from the Caribbean Community (Caricom). Guyana could never be independent under such a scenario: it was just that the lines of control were changed.

During the period of PNC’s “independent” line of “cooperative socialism” in the 1970s, the control was exerted through extension of credit by the multilateral institutions controlled by the U.S. and Europe. By 1988, the PNC under Desmond Hoyte had to return to the fold of orthodoxy under International Monetary Fund (IMF) “conditionalities”. There was very little independence under the ministrations of that institution. Unlike the complaints against “austerity” today in Europe, the retrenchments and downsizing in Guyana and other Third World countries then were sold as “salutary”.

That regimen was inherited by the PPP in 1992, but fortunately through the disciplined ministrations of Bharrat Jagdeo, Guyana emerged relatively unscathed. Today, we have an opportunity to start with a clean slate and craft a truly indigenous path to achieve independence. The Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) is as good a place as any to begin this journey.

In observance of Guyana’s 47th Independence anniversary, these little lads of St Gabriel’s Nursery school dressed up in cultural wear to celebrate (Carl Croker photo)

Let’s build a Guyana prosperous for all – Ramotar ... differences must not be roadblock to progress

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resident Donald Romotar has called on all Guyanese to be united in the fight to end poverty, and to build a society that is peaceful, democratic and prosperous to all.

The president threw out the challenge during his address to a packed gathering at the National Park to mark the country’s 47th independence anniversary on Saturday.

“Regardless of the exogenous challenges we face and which we will confront in the future, I have no doubt that all Guyanese share the desire for an end to poverty and for us to build a modern country.

“I believe that at this time when our economy is doing better, we are well positioned to move closer towards achieving this vision. We should not let this moment pass; we should not squander this opportunity.

I implore all of our political leaders to join me in working to build a grand future for all of our people.

“In any society, there will be differences of opinions and differences in approaches to various issues. These differences, however, should not be used as a roadblock to

stymie progress nor is to jeopardise Guyana standing nationally, regionally or internationally.

“I wish to remind you that even when in opposition, the PPP always put Guyana first despite the differences it had with the then government. That is why we evolved a strategy of critical support to demonstrate our determination never to put our country in harm’s way even at the most difficult time in the relationship of our parties.”

Need for patriotism

Romotar said there is a need to demonstrate this patriotism even when consensus is absent on all the issues.

On May 22, the president took an unprecedented step to send a message to the National Assembly calling on the parliamentary political parties to complete its examination of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (Amendment) Bill so that Guyana would not lose its good standing in the regional and international bodies, and therefore be listed as a non-cooperation jurisdiction.

He urged that the par-

ties reconvene in the parliamentary special select committee and bring the bill to the House on May 28, with a view to passing it.

“Regrettably, this gesture has been rebuffed and the opposition in that committee meeting refused to entertain any date for a meeting before June 12, 2013, disregarding the negative consequences that could follow.

“Now is the time for us to show more maturity in our body politics, it is a time to put Guyana first; nothing should be done to jeopardise the welfare of our people and country.

“On this, the 47th anniversary of that glorious night when our Golden Arrowhead was hoisted for the very first time, I appeal to our political leaders to join me in creating conditions of improved political trust that would allow us to work together, in spite of our differences, to build this country of ours and to make it truly great so that we can take a bigger part in resolving regional and global issues.

“I am ready to engage with all stakeholders in pursuit of these goals,” the president said.

Ramotar said Guyanese can proudly

hold their heads aloft and say that they are assuredly on a trajectory towards a better future.

Over the past seven years, Guyana has enjoyed an unprecedented run of sustained economic growth, with an average growth rate of 4.5 per cent to five per cent per annum.

This growth path, the president said is expected to be maintained in the coming years. The International Monetary Fund anticipates that for this year, Guyana will register a 5.5 per cent increase in its Gross Domestic Product and for next year six per cent.

“The stellar performance of Guyana’s economy and the excellent prognosis for the future speaks volumes about the resilience of our economy, the soundness of our economic planning, and the industriousness of the Guyanese people.

“Tonight, I once again commit the government to working towards a brighter future for our motherland, one in which we can all live in peace, freedom, harmony and unity, and one in which our children can enjoy the promise of a fulfilling future. Long live the Republic of Guyana!”

guyanatimesgy.com

sunday, may 26, 2013

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You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com

An example to follow in giving The running sore of minibuses Dear Editor, I have noticed many times how the rich and fortunate simply waste their resources. Many things they discard can be used to help the less fortunate. All that it takes is a little time and effort. In fact, many benevolent societies are always most willing to come and do the collecting in cases when the donor does not have the

time to take his gifts to these institutions.

A team from the U.S. embassy’s Humanitarian Assistance Programme (HAP) went ahead and donated school supplies and reading materials that were provided by the Spirit of America and Food for the Poor. The less fortunate and even the handicapped people are not less on intelli-

gence. So enhancing and facilitating their academic growth are really workable ideas.

I do applaud this effort.

It is a bit easy to help after all: pool the resources and then give to the organisation involved in helping the less fortunate.

Yours truly, Maria Summers

Teach standard English as second language

Dear Editor, This idea of teaching standard English as a second language is being touted in Guyana, and I have a feeling it will gain currency.

The headline of this letter is straight out of Trinidad and Tobago: “Teach Standard English as second language,” at the country’s schools, in a “systematic way.”

This is the view of Merle Hodge, retired senior lecturer in the Department of Liberal Arts at the University of the West Indies (UWI), St Augustine, who said, that since the 1970s, linguistics pioneer, Lawrence Carrington, a former University of Guyana (UG) vice chancellor, had “worked out a curriculum and methods of teaching English for speakers of Creole.”

Guyanese fit right into this category of speakers.

In Trinidad, the ministry has begun to treat English as a foreign language and has already introduced an oral component to English Language in Form Three. In fact, the ministry there was considering using techniques used for teaching foreign languages to teach English.

According to Hodge, the revered educator, Creole was treated as English with mistakes or somebody attempting to speak English. And this is not the case. The two languages are very different and operate on a number of different systems at every level. This fact is taking educators too long to accept and deal with. That is so in a number of places where a similar language situation exists.

Nigeria is suffering now because of a plethora of pidgin English radio stations.

Creole and English, when side by side, can pose problems. They must be studied separately, and the one that is given more currency will naturally rise to the top.

Hodge knows what she is talking about – she was in charge of foundation courses, when the bachelor of education degree course was introduced at UWI and observed that teachers could not write English and generally did not know “English construction of what they need to say.”

Hodge said teachers need to be trained to know the difference between Creole and

English and how to go about teaching children. In the wider society, she observed that most people do not understand subject-verb agreement. This was evident in what is read or written as “news,” people assume that it is in standard English, but this was not always the case.

We should now become more cognisant of the different theories of teaching language. We need to bear in mind that one of the things in a culture like ours – the Caribbean as a whole – is that students are coming from Creole into a school system where they have to write and talk in Standard English.

It is time for some kind of language policy to be established. Children must be exposed to appropriate and correct language at both the aural, oral and visual level.

We are experiencing a paucity of professionals who evince clean, clear and grammatically correct usage of the English language. The redress must begin now.

Yours faithfully, Monty DeFreitas

Dear Editor, Am I being cynical? I think not. You see, as I am reading of the troubling issue of minibuses in Guyana, I tend to just shrug and say, well whatever. Look at the plethora of problems that we have become adjusted to: speeding, overloading, loud music, sudden stops, blocking traffic to solicit passengers and harassment from touts. So what is new?

The vice chairman from Region Two is turning his attention to what is happening on the Essequibo Coast.

He is assuring people that he will do something to put an end to the many minibus breaches that are ongoing on the roads there in Essequibo.

He plans to have discussions with the G Division commander in relation to the many issues that are getting out of control.

The battle is going to be arduous and lengthy to restore law and order to the

many minibus infractions in any part of Guyana and not just in Essequibo. The very passengers allow for these drivers and conductors to operate the way they do – these commuters request the music and even bring along their CDs or flash drives.

Many passengers may want to voice objections or even report some drivers and conductors. However, these know that they will be marked and then left stranded. These potentially good people cannot run this kind of risk. We need to realise that drivers and conductors must not discriminate, but who can prove such a breach?

Can the law, as it is known and applied now, really work for some of these

things? Maybe, by enforcing a dress code, some visible changes can come about. As for the noise, this is easy to fix – just strip the vehicles of all devices that allow for the playing of music.

There should be no adjustment for vehicles that are used for public transportation of people. The issue here is that of safety and not entertainment. This will go a long way in turning things around. Currently buses compete where these stereo sets are concerned. Then also, loud music and speeding have a correlation. So get rid of these sets and see where this takes us.

Yours sincerely, Satrohan Doobay

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Page

guyanatimesgy.com

Foundation

Independence for me F

Anu Dev

or me, “Independence” is more of a personal concept than anything ‘national’. Sure I understand that on May 26, 1966 we received independence from Britain. But as far as my Caribbean Studies have shown, it was more the adopting of a flag, a constitution, a motto and a pledge than anything else.

I mean, when I look at our economic standing (I

dare not call it ‘economic development’) we’re just about where the British left us back in 1966. Is that what being independent is all about? When my parents and grandparents wax nostalgic about the “old days”, they seem to feel things were much better then. I don’t know about that. Their bases of comparison were obviously quite limited. Today we have access to information 24/7 streaming into our consciousness about how far ahead other countries

are.

And we have to stop insisting that we’re not to be compared with the ‘developed nations”. Why not??

We’re weaselling out. Look at South Korea. When we received independence we were far more developed than they were. Somehow they were able to get their act together and get on with the business of creating wealth for their people and they’re as developed as you want to get.

Surely you can’t get more developed than Samsung.

It’s South Korean. Well, maybe Apple can (I’m the ultimate Apple fan-girl)... but look where they make all those lovely iPads and iPhones.

China...which was even more backward than us back then. And now South Korea and China produce almost everything you can think about ...and then some. Through that achievement they’ve lifted most of their people out of poverty. Now that’s inde-

pendence!!

Look, I’m not saying it’s

There’s garbage everywhere!!! How can we call ourselves “independent” when we have to allow an American diplomat to start cleaning up our capital?? Have we no shame???

So I return to independence being a personal notion at this time.

I believe that we just can’t depend

e a s y .

I’m sure it wasn’t a breeze getting those economies to where they are today.

Recollecting (rather dimly, if the truth be told) my snippets of history, there was a whole deal of struggle waged. Even at my age I know that nothing is achieved without struggle. Wasn’t it Fredrick Douglass, the U.S. exslave, who said that even crops can’t grow without the earth being rent apart?

But it seems to me that “independence” is just a word to a lot of our leaders and another reason to have a party for most others. I mean, I have to come to Georgetown five days a week to get to school.

on those who are getting paid to “develop” the country. You and I – and all of us – are the country. If we promise to do our best to develop ourselves, our country will eventually be developed. Provided we remain here, of course.

And that’s what I’m recommitting myself to do on this Independence Day: to remain in this country until death do us part. My family could’ve been living in the U.S...probably at a much higher standard of living. But I’m proud they’ve made a decision to be here. I don’t have a green card, and don’t intend to get one.

Happy Independence Day!

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International Financial and Economic Report

SUNday, may 26, 2013 | guyanatimesGY.com

Chairman, Guyana Americas Merchant Bank

O

n Wednesday morning, Dr Ben Bernanke said in his testimony to the Joint Economic Committee of Congress that the U.S. economy remains hampered by high unemployment and government spending cuts as well as that the U.S. recovery would be endangered by rising interest rates or reducing asset purchases too soon.

But, once the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) released its minutes of the April 30-May 5 meeting that afternoon where the message was more nuanced, the stock market became considerably more worried about the possible ending or reduced asset purchases and fell by 80 points.

Clearly, there are members of the FOMC who want to stop the US$85 billion a month of asset purchases immediately, those who think that the purchases should eventually be reduced and others who are worried about modest growth and the lack of inflation in the economy. The 30-year bond has risen from 3.09 per cent last Thursday to 3.20 per cent a week later despite Dr Bernanke’s

views about the economy.

The Bank of Japan affirmed its existing stimulus plan on Wednesday after a two day meeting but waited to do more as it already has pledged to expand the supply of money in the economy by US$60 trillion to US$70 trillion yen a year.

The Bank of Japan’s export index rose by 2.1 per cent in April after rising by 2.8 per cent in March while real imports fell. In yen terms, exports to China rebounded by 0.9 per cent for the fifth consecutive month while exports to the U.S. maintained its clear upward trend for the sixth consecutive month.

This is most likely due to the impact of the devaluation of the yen now running at over 30 per cent for the last year which is very good for growth but bad for Japan’s neighbouring countries. China has gained over 37 per cent in the exchange value of its currency since the yen started to fall and the Malaysian ringgit a similar amount which translates into lower exports and higher imports.

The euro zone continues to remain in recession with Bank of America forecasting 0.5 per cent drop

BY GEOFFREY BELL

in output this year and JP Morgan a 0.7 per cent fall.

More countries are giving up their bank secrecy laws with the latest being Luxembourg which has agreed to provide information on offshore accounts to overseas supervisors.

The Swiss franc continued to fall until this morning sinking to a two year low against the euro this week and 0.97 against the dollar.

In the U.S., existing home sales rose 0.6 per cent in April from the March figures which were revised up. Purchases increased to an annual rate of 4.97 million while sales of new homes in April rose 2.3 per

cent to an annualised rate of 454,000 and with the median selling price rising 14.9 per cent from a year earlier.

Initial jobless claims dropped 23,000 to 340,000 in the week ending May 1.

Durable goods orders rose 3.3 per cent in April which was more than forecast.

However, excluding transportation equipment new orders increased 1.3 per cent.

In overseas news, China’s May purchasing managers index fell to 49.6 from 50.4 in April which was the first contraction in seven months. On the other hand, a euro-area ser-

vices and factory gauge increased to 47.7 from 46.9 in April which was more than forecast and Germany’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth was confirmed at 0.3 per cent annual rate in the first quarter.

Ten-year U.S. treasuries rose to 2.01 per cent this morning, exactly 10 bps higher than a week ago and 30-year bonds rose from 3.13 per cent to 3.17 per cent. The increase was bigger after Dr Bernanke took questions on Wednesday morning and following the FOMC minutes but have since dropped a little.

Interest rates at the 10-year and 30-year level have increased only about 30 bps in the last month.

Japanese bonds recovered today (Friday) from yesterday’s (Thursday’s) fall with the 10-year bond yielding 0.82 per cent this morning as compared with 1.0 per cent which it touched yesterday (Thursday).

The euro rose slightly to US$1.29 from US$1.28 as did the Japanese yen to

101 from 103 and the Swiss franc to 0.96 from 0.97. The pound sterling fell from US$1.52 to US$1.51 and the Australian dollar from A$1.00 to A$0.97. Oil prices fell from US$95 a barrel last Friday to US$94, while gold moved up a little from US$1370 an ounce a week ago to US$1387. The Dow Jones index was down 0.9 per cent over the week and the Nikkei fell 3.5 per cent.

There is little doubt that the U.S. economy is doing better and growing at two per cent to 2.5 per cent, but the European economy is in recession. The jury is out on Japan which grew rapidly in the first quarter but the stock market fell over seven per cent largely on the news the Chinese economy was slowing down.

If the Chinese economy were to slowdown to seven per cent or below because the government is shifting its focus from exports to consumption, this would be serious for commodity prices, exports from other developing countries and Japan.

8 news

SUNday, may 26, 2013 | guyanatimeSGY.com

Essequibo Coast rice farmers dogged by snail infestation – GRDB says it has situation under control

A

team consisting of a scientist and extension officers has been dispatched to Region Two to put mechanisms in place to stave off a snail infestation in rice fields on the Essequibo Coast.

Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) General Manager Jagnarine Singh said the team consisted of Chief Scientist Dr Mahindra Persaud and Extension Department Manager Kuldip Ragnauth, along with officers from the Anna Regina GRDB branch office have already visited the fields of a number of farmers.

Singh said after the inspections were done, interactive sessions were conducted with individual farmers and pamphlets pertaining to the control of snails were distributed. He said officers from the Region Two Extension Service Department also met with

The GRDB says it has put measures in place to check the advance snail infestation in rice fields on the Essequibo Coast

farmers and advised on ways to rid themselves of the pest.

The top GRDB official explained that control measures were recommended and follow up visits were done by field officers.

Singh said although the infestation is not a sore issue,

farmers are affected. Farmers at Golden Fleece, perseverance and Cullen were mostly affected.

The general manager said farmers have not suffered major damages with the infestation and a snail powder will be used to check the advance of

the slow creatures.

Singh said he can safely say that the snail outbreak in rice fields on the Essequibo Coast is under control and the Extension Services Department of the Agriculture Ministry is working assiduously to ensure that farmers are given the right control advice.

Farmers are advised to closely monitor the situation. Singh said when farmers visit their fields and notice anything usual; they should make a report to the GRDB offices. Farmers who suffered from the infestation said they are very thankful to the GRDB for its prompt action in bringing the situation under control. They told Guyana Times that they are satisfied that the infestation was noticed at an early stage and efforts have been made to address the problem.

Eyew tness Shifting independence ...on finance ith all the hijinks the opposition has been up to recently with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) on money laundering, your friendly Eyewitness has been thinking a bit about the “independence” we’re supposed to be celebrating today.

No...we’re not going to be beating up on the People’s National Congress (PNC) and Forbes Burnham for giving away the store back in 1966. The fellow’s been dragged over the coals so much over the Tambo Award, that it’ll be like kicking a bum when he’s down and out.

What we’d like to talk about is this unseemly haste we’ve been caught in to change all our regulations on money transfers and other similar transactions via legislative dictat. Now if we have to ask “how high?” when an organisation says “jump!!”...that doesn’t sound “independent”, does it? Back in the day when Cheddi Jagan and Burnham were agitating for independence (see, we didn’t say a word about Burnham selling out!) their buddy over in Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah had warned about the dangers of “neo-colonialism”. That is, the old colonial powers pulling the levers from behind the curtains.

He was right on target. Even before World War II (WWII) was over, and the bodies had been buried, the U.S. and her western allies (the ones that had empires – even tiny Belgium, which had the Congo, hundreds of times its size) had worked out the mechanism. They were the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. The latter was supposed to lend you money for “development” while the former called the shots if you didn’t play by their rules. Even a staunch U.S. ally, like the now disgraced Hosni Mubarak of Egypt, dubbed the IMF, the “International Mother F***er”.

Once a country passed through the hands of the IMF, it was more violated than the Rape of the Sabines. And in the last 50 years there’s not a country in the Third World that hasn’t been violated. But it’s a changing world and the IMF has had to start treating the “developed countries” – the smaller ones up to now – while China and the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) pile up the foreign reserves.

How in the world the old bigshots’re going to keep their neo-colonial enterprise going – and us in line?

That’s where the FATF comes in. This supra organisation gives the Old Guard the power to enter and rape your country even more thoroughly than the ship-rider clause of the War on Drugs ever did. But we’re independent, aren’t we?

W

...on food Have you stopped to think how we’re measuring progress – and by default – “independence” today? The number of U.S. fast food joints that’s opening in our country. Forget Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Gross National Product (GNP) and Gini...that’s all old hat. Today, the in-thing is your country’s PCFFO (Per Capita Fast Food Outlets).

We’re so proud of this development that the folks out in Essequibo and Berbice now have a new way to whine about their discontent: “How come Georgetown have a greater PCFFO than us??” Now the country can’t do a thing about getting some of those iPad or computer factories to relocate here. But the fast foot dives are coming fast and furious in droves What’s going on? Glad you asked. It’s pretty much what happened in the cigarette industry two decades or so ago. The U.S. and other rich countries discovered that cigarettes caused cancer. But if you banned cigarettes, how would the makers make profits to pay off the politicians. The answer? Sell cigarettes to the Third World. Profits went through the roof. Now that the rice countries discovered fast foods make them fat and sick, the present strategy was a no-brainer. And we’re begging for it, cause we’re independent. ...on cricket Since we didn’t seem to have learnt anything from the Stanford episode in our 20/20 cricket, the Indian Premier League (IPL) has reminded us about what the new game’s all about. Gambling. Bring on the Caribbean Premier League!!!

news

New York mayoral candidate John Liu impresses Guyanese

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sunday, may 26, 2013 | guyanatimesGY.com

CIOG extends independence greetings to all Guyanese

By Vishnu Bisram

C

ity Comptroller John Liu, who is running for mayor, impressed the Guyanese gathering that turned out to listen to his plan for the city and what he will do for the large Guyanese-New York community.

Attorney Kawal Totaram introduced Liu as “a friend of the community” at a public forum hosted by the Richmond Hill Democratic Club. Liu visited the community several times when he was running for comptroller as well as after he was elected. He reminded the audience that he never turned down an invitation from Richmond Hill Guyanese and he has hired members from the community to work in his office.

Liu, who is seeking the mayoralty, said he was pleased to visit Richmond Hill and that he was there to discuss issues affecting the community. He reminded listeners that this is a big year in the politics that will result in deep lasting changes from the harsh climate of the last decade. He said working people have had a difficult economic environment under the Bloomberg administration. He also said people

City Comptroller John Liu

have been made scapegoats of what has gone wrong in the city.

Liu said Bloomberg gave a lot of subsidies to corporations, but he said “the businesses created virtually no jobs in the process. In the meanwhile, the working class got no subsidies and privileges”.

Flat tax

The mayoral candidate said he is opposed the tax system. He said New York City has a flat tax and if elected, he will “introduce a progressive tax so that the wealthy will pay more while the middle class and the working class will pay less taxes”. He said “if the tax system is fixed, people will have more disposable income and everyone

will be better off with people spending more and jobs created.”

Liu said his priority is to fix the school system. He said he is a product of public school and will pump resources to improve public education.

Liu said he is in favour of the immigration amnesty and of allowing legal residents to vote in the city for city offices. “I am proud to be an immigrant.” He said politicians say they are proimmigration, but offers no financing for programmes for immigrants.

He plans to change that.

He said it was a long time since an immigrant has been elected mayor. He said immigrants from Italy and Ireland served as mayor, but no Asian has been elected as mayor. “But that is not why I am running. I want to make a real difference in peoples’ lives.”

Liu said better times are ahead for the city and “we need a long sustained economic recovery. I need your support to become mayor.

The polls are underestimating my support. I can win once you come out and vote for me. When I become mayor, I will change the city.”

Merit

Liu fielded several questions, including one on what the composition of his administration would be like and whether anyone from the community would be included. He said he would hires people based on merit and competency and that his administration will represent the diversity and look of the city.

In response to a question on educational policy, Liu said there will be dramatic change with greater community involvement in how schools are run. He said right now education is run like a corporate business, but is not producing desired results. He said the school system has changed, but in the wrong direction.

It is failing instead of succeeding.

On support for small business, Liu said he will provide incentives for small businesses to grow because they are the backbones of the economy, noting that property taxes should be pegged based on value. At the conclusion of his presentation, many Guyanese said they were very impressed and plan to support Liu for mayor. The audience was treated to dinner and drinks.

T

he Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) joins with all Guyanese at home and in the diaspora in celebrating yet another milestone in the country’s history.

The GIOG in a release said as individuals, community, religious, social and political leaders, it must be an undaunted task to pay homage to the several generations of ancestors who made great sacrifices to build the Guyana today.

“We are inspired by their journey, and ever faithful to their bequest, it is our abiding duty to continue the work they started and re-

alise a Guyana beyond their dreams.

“We must continue the struggle to establish an atmosphere that would bring prosperity and social justice to all our people and continue the struggle to forge happy and harmonious communities on the tapestry of our inherited multiculturalism.”

The CIOG said, 47 years later, these struggles are still being fought, notwithstanding “the challenges before us, we must foster unity across the spectrum of our beautiful county. A happy and prosperous 47th independence to all Guyana with God’s richest blessings.”

10 news

SUNday, may 26, 2013 | guyanatimeSGY.com

Top Islamic official to visit Guyana to promote economic cooperation

O

rganisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) General Secretary Dr Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu will arrive in Suriname today for a historic first visit of its only two member states in the Americas – Suriname and Guyana – to bring them into the fold of cooperation under the OIC projects, particularly in the field of economic development.

The OIC is a multilateral organisation of 57 countries from mainly Africa, the Middle East and Asia. The OIC includes many rich nations such as Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Brunei Darussalam, Gabon, Turkey, Malaysia and Indonesia. The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) is an organ of the OIC of which Suriname is also a member.

Guyana’s ambassador to the OIC, Dr Odeen Ishmael said, “The forthcoming visit of the secretary general of the OIC to Guyana and Suriname is of great significance since it will place both countries in the spotlight in all the member states of the organisation.”

Ishmael added that the secretary general’s visit will receive wide coverage in OIC countries, and par-

OIC General Secretary Dr Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu

ticularly the Arab region, and that both Guyana and Suriname “can make use of this visit by promoting their economic development strategies and needs, while at the same time show that they are open to investment from the rich OIC member states”.

There is growing excitement about this long anticipated visit to Suriname, since President Desi Bouterse officially invited Ihsanoglu a year ago.

Suriname’s ambassador to the United Nations, Henry MacDonald, who has been instrumental in putting together the trip, flew to Suriname last week to iron

out every aspect of the visit and to receive the OIC delegation at the Johan Pengel International Airport.

Suriname will use the visit to showcase its multiethnic and religious diversity, its economic growth and trade and investment opportunities.

MacDonald said, “The visit of the secretary general of the OIC to its ‘only two’ member states in the Americas once again proves that the Surinamese government is serious in intensifying the notion of south-south cooperation in its overall foreign policy. Suriname and Guyana should approach this visit as an exceptional opportunity to make themselves and the business opportunities that both countries have to offer OIC member states in general and the Arab region particularly known.”

MacDonald added, “I am confident that this visit will further cement the Suriname-OIC relationship for generations to come. I am very satisfied the OIC secretary general will also meet with the members of the Inter-Religious Council of Suriname, since inter-religious cooperation, tolerance and celebrations are principles that we proudly promote nationally and internationally.”

Both Guyana and Suriname have considerable Muslim communities that arrived from West Africa during the period of slavery, from the Indian sub-continent and from the largest Islamic country, Indonesia, which make up about 15 per cent of Suriname’s population.

Head of the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG), Al Haji Fazeel Ferouz, in response to Ihsanoglu’s visit to Guyana, said, “This is one of the most important visits of a high ranking official of the Muslim world to Guyana and Suriname and our governments should try their best to capitalise on this for the benefit of the respective countries.”

Ihsanoglu and his delegation which includes OIC ambassador to the UN Ufuk Gokcen; director of the cabinet, Amanul Haqq; director of protocol, Bilal Sasso; and press officer Oktay, will hold meetings with Suriname’s Vice President Robert Ameerali and Foreign Minister Winston Lackin, as well as meet with members of Suriname’s Inter-Religious Council.

The presidents of Guyana and Suriname will be out of their respective countries during the visit of the OIC secretary general. Both will be in Trinidad to meet with U.S. Vice President Joe Biden during the U.S./Caricom Summit.

(Caribbean News Now)

Naga Man jumps ship

S

atiricus was getting worried. He was a man of routine and order. And when things bucked the routine, Satiricus fretted.

Now Satiricus had a soft spot for the Naga Man. He looked like such a son of the soil...heck, he looked like he lived in the soil! But for over a month now, he hadn’t been sighted. Suddenly all you heard from the KFC quarters was from the Jhaat.

The Jhaat on trafficking (he thought the build up on the East Bank Highway was too dense)...the Jhaat on money laundering (he thought there were already too many Chinese in Guyana in the laundry business)...the Jhaat on sugar (he liked his tea sweet – five spoons). And so on. The man was everywhere.

Satiricus knew that Trotman, the Jhaat’s old rival, was now out of the way. NoGel was being comforted after his heart affairs. But what about the Naga Man? Did goat bite him suddenly? Satiricus missed hearing the old Naga Man cussing out his “so and so” grandson. Or telling how the king had promised him the kingdom but no one else heard. But luckily Satiricus had just been handed the Naga Man’s diary. Courtesy of his wife’s niece – maid to the opposition.

Dear Diary, Ah tell you, Dear Diary, this jumping ship business ain’t easy.

When Ah was a young man, Ah jump from Just-Ice Party to PPP. No!! Not de Short Man Party. Ah don’t mess with things like dat! Dis was de old Just-Ice in de old days. Dem fellas in de PPCEE never let me forget dat. Dem never trust me. Ah lie and tell dem Ah was too young.

Ah do everything fuh mek me de leader...but deh never forget the Just-Ice thing. Ah skin me teeth and seh “Ah is a party man”. Same thing. But when de Jhaat tell me he gon mek me vice chairman, I finally jump the PPCEE ship fuh KFC. But de problem is Ah never ask the Jhaat, “vice chairman” of wha?

(Ah had fuh drink me rum, when Ah remember how schupid Ah schupid.)

De fust thing he do is fuh back de Trot Man fuh de Speaker wuk.

Ah coulda do a better job. Ah know more big words dan Trot Man. So Ah had to sit wid all dem lil bais on the floor. But at least Ah get fuh talk. And you know how Ah like fuh talk.

But Dear Diary, guess wha? De man suddenly decide is only he gon talk. He seh Ah shouldn’t bak de hospital. He tek big money on the hospital business. Ah doan even mind de money. But Ah getting old...I might need de hospital.

He suppose to let somebody else run fuh de president next election. But he decide he gon be de man. But Ah gon show he who is man. Is me who get all dem seat fuh KFC. Ah gon jump ship again.

(Ah gat fuh finish out de bottle, Dear Diary. Is Independence Day)

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news

SUNday, may 26, 2013 | guyanatimesGY.com

Hindu Swayam-Sevak Sangh Prompt action by NDIA celebrates Vaarsha Pratipada saves rice cultivation at La Union

I

Students of the Hindu Swayam-Sevak Sangh (HSS) going through their paces

n their quest to secure the independence of their country, many Guyanese have used their cultural and religious heritage to create institutions that work for the improvement of the society.

One such organisation is the Hindu Swayam-Sevak Sangh (HSS), which is translated as Hindu volunteer organisation. Its work can be summarised as “Hindus for selfless service”. It is composed primarily of young men from all walks of life.

HSS is a voluntary, non-profit, social and cultural organisation. It is known for its aim in the Hindu community to preserve, practice and promote Hindu ideals and values. In its regular programmes of athletic and academic activities, which develop strong character and leadership skills in its members, HSS emphasises self-discipline, self-confidence and selfless service for humanity.

Some of its regular activities include “shakha”, which emphasises the physical, intellectual and spiritual growth of individuals, yoga and intellectual activities (baudhik), which include interactive sessions, and songs which aid in intellectual development and at the same time increase cultural awareness.

HSS is inspired by the idea that the whole world is one family and conducts

activities across Guyana. It has been doing so since 1996. HSS conducts daily and also weekly programmes known as shakha, which includes members (known as swayam-sevaks for men and swayam-sevikas for women) participating in games, songs, discussions and lectures on Hindu culture. There is a variety of games played in shakha, which enhances the ability to work as a team, stamina, physical strength and strategic skills.

Vaarsha Pratipada is the first day of the national calendar of India which marks the Hindu New Year. This day falls in the beginning of spring and was observed on the April 18. It is a day which fills the human spirit with optimism and hope about one’s future and injects into him courage and confidence in facing the trials of life. On this occasion, in some parts of India, leaves of neem and jaggery are mixed and distributed which the neem signifies bitter and the jaggery sweet and delicious.

This, however, signifies the two conflicting aspects of human life – joy and sorrow, and success and failure.

The occasion was celebrated by the HSS on April 20. It was observed by conducting a programme (shakha), which included various activities such as games, songs, lectures and discussions. It was held on the lawns of

the Cornelia Ida Mandir, West Coast Demerara.

The programme was successfully completed by all members taking part and having a responsibility, which is two of the things HSS emphasises – teamwork and cooperation. During this programme, there were senior members along with junior members leading in discussions and songs. The involvement of junior members to take on leading roles enhances leadership skills in individuals. Lectures were given on the significance of Vaarsha Pratipada, how it is celebrated in India, and how it was first started. There were also songs and inspiring quotes being recited which has had an impact on the minds of the youths.

The HSS has reached out in the community on this day to involve the youths in this occasion. The programme was structured with activities to have members use their leadership and teamwork skills. There were activities such as games and discussions based on the Hindu culture which helped individuals on culture awareness. Members (swayam-sevaks) have left this programme (shakha) with a lot added to their self-confidence and with more courage to take on the trials of life, both individually and nationally.

P

rompt action by the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) and the Region Two administration has managed to save approximately 5000 acres of young rice plants in the La Union area on the Essequibo Coast.

Heavy rainfall over the past weeks has resulted in the sluice channel being clogged. The blocked sluice caused a high build up of water in residential areas and rice fields.

Region Two Vice Chairman Vishnu Samaroo said after receiving several calls from farmers in the area, swift action was taken to curb the problem. Samaroo said the region’s Drainage and Irrigation Department has acted promptly in rectifying the problem.

According to him, due to the excessive rainfall the region has experienced, there has been a high build up of rain water in the canals and rice fields, causing inundation. Samaroo said an excavator was deployed to the area in an effort to clear the

Region Two Vice Chairman Vishnu Samaroo (pointing) on his visit to La Union on the Essequibo Coast

sluice channel which was discharging water into the ocean at only 20 per cent capacity.

He said a mobile pump was also put into operation to assist in draining the excess rain water accumulated.

Meanwhile, a delegation comprising of NDIA Chief Executive Officer Lionel Wordsworth, Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) General Jagnarine Singh, Deputy General Manager Mandanlall Ramraj and an engineer attached to the Region Two Drainage and Irrigation Department Jafaun Permansingh inspected the pump and the area.

Wordsworth said the NDIA and the Region Two administration will work hand in glove in clearing all the outfall channels on the Essequibo Coast, and the NDIA has assigned a pontoon with two excavators to Region Two in order to help with the clearing. Several pumps will also be re-deployed to several areas to assist in getting the excess water of the land.

12 news

sunDAY, may 26, 2013 | guyanatimeSGY.com

A successful privatisation: NEW GPC INC (Part IV, conclusion)

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he Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation (GPC) started out as part of the Bookers Group of Companies, which apart from owning most of the sugar industry in colonial Guyana, also had wide commercial interests.

Not without much truth, the common name for the colony, “BG”, was said to be an acronym for “Bookers Guyana”.

In the 1920s, Bookers Drug Store was formed to manufacture medicines, which, up to then, had all been imported into then British Guiana. It expanded to encompass a wide range of over-the-counter drugs, such as Limacol and Ferrol, which earned wide brand recognition in the Caribbean.

After the parent company was nationalised in 1976 – and renamed the Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation Limited – it became the major supplier of pharmaceuticals to the government of Guyana and the health sector. But as with all the other commercial enterprises, the government had nationalised, the company was run more on political rather than commercial lines. Like the others, it inevitably began to shrink and lose money.

a practical plan to counter an outbreak. On this point, it is useful to highlight the importance of having a vibrant pharmaceutical producer in Guyana. In the event of an emergency, the NEW GPC has expertise and inventory that could make a big difference. This was made clear a few years earlier, during the floods of 2005, when the company manufactured Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) and a number of critical medicines to bring relief to those affected.

Pharmaceutical supplier

NEW GPC INC, Farm, East Bank Demerara

porated under the Companies Act 1991. In addition, onto the NEW GPC was foisted “loans” extended to the old GPC by the New York financier Warburg Group to the tune of some $200 million. The PNC government had used this “loan” facility to cover all sorts of secret deals made by their political directorate.

According to the IMF Report of 1997, the total GPC asset base

Anti-RetroVirals (ARVs)produced by NEW GPC

Privatisation

As part of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme imposed on Guyana under the People’s National Congress (PNC) in 1989, the GPC was scheduled to be privatised in the second phase – under the new People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government as it happened. Unlike those conducted by the PNC in phase one, the sale of the GPC was advertised locally in 1999.

The PPP/C had moved very forcefully to make the privatisation process more transparent.

According to the Privatisation Unit, “of the six bids received, three were shortlisted for further evaluation.

The other three were eliminated due to the failure to respond and submit much of the required information. Overall, the one bidder who has been consistent and the most honest in the submission of all information was Queens Atlantic Investment Inc (QAII).” The company was headed by a local doctor, Dr Ranjisinghi Ramroop.

Privatised in parts

The sale was consummated in December 1999 when QAII paid $458 million for 60 per cent of the shares of the company, which it renamed NEW GPC INC, and incor-

was valued at $706 million, but what is often overlooked is that, as the latest report by the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) concedes, “GPC was privatised in parts”. The GPC property at 201 Camp Street, Georgetown, which housed Sijan Plaza, was sold to what became Citizens Bank for $247 million.

The GPC’s head office at Ruimveldt Public Road, Georgetown, which had manufacturing facilities for Limacol, among other products, and most importantly a shipping wharf, were also stripped from the company and sold to the Guyana National Shipping Corporation (GNSC) for $344 million. It was clear in retrospect that the new company had bought a “pig in a poke”.

It is ironic that when the government sold a further 30 per cent of the company for $200 million to the NEW GPC, which exercised its first option clause, there were some complaints. Based on how the assets were stripped, the NEW GPC should have received a refund. The remainder of the 10 per cent shares is held by the government in trust for the employees.

But unlike what some others have done with their privatised companies, the NEW GPC owners buckled down to create one of the most successful private companies

in Guyana. It demonstrated that a well run private enterprise company can be successful here.

Building a NEW GPC: people

The NEW GPC was given six months to vacate the Ruimveldt property, which necessitated immediate huge capital injections at the Farm, East Bank Demerara Plant to install a new manufacturing line, a warehouse as well as offices for staff. Three new buildings had to be constructed, as well as every one of the older ones, refurbished.

Overall, the new owners were to inject some $600 million after it acquired the company.

In making the move from Ruimveldt, the company used the opportunity to rationalise its structure. One of the problems with government-run enterprises is their top heavy management structure with numerous levels of executives and line staff. The NEW GPC reduced the overall staff, especially from the management strata at Ruimveldt, for example through retirements, from 300 to a present 200, approximately. Very interestingly, however, the overall salary scales and total labour costs have increased due to profits generated from increased productivity.

The company was able to increase its productivity by focusing on visionary human resource practices. Training of staff at all levels is paramount and salaries and fringe benefits offer incentives for staff to become trained and remain with the company. Staff receive up to four weeks vacation – six in some instances – annually with pay after just four years employment.

Less than four years vacation is graduated based on number of completed years. Staff also receive leave passage, meals, uniforms, bus transportation for employees in East Coast Demerara, West Coast Demerara and South Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

Safety gear and other equipment are standard. The relations with the unions, Clerical and Commercial Workers Union (CCWU) and Guyana Labour Union (GLU) are, not surprisingly, excellent.

Through these and the overall atmosphere of creating a collegial environment, the NEW GPC has been able to buck the trend of migration of qualified Guyanese and retain its staff. The corporation maintains one of the largest internship programmes with the University of Guyana (UG) for students of chemistry and pharmacy.

Flumavir

within two years of its acquisition when it started to produce generic HIV/AIDS Anti-RetroVirals (ARVs) in 2001 at below US$360 annually to treat one patient – compared with the US$5000-10,000 then being charged by U.S. companies.

It was able to do so by partnering with Indian companies such as Matrix. This facility allowed the government to treat Guyanese AIDS patients free. The company remains the only Caribbean company to produce ARVs. Another pioneering venture, which earned the country international accolades, was its partnering with the Children Hospital of Toronto, Canada and the InterAmerican Development (IDB) to develop the “Sprinkles Programme” to deal with the major problem of micronutrient deficiencies among children and women in Guyana.

The programme reduced overall cases of anaemia by around 30 per cent among pregnant women and children under five years old. The IDB was presented with an award by the U.S. Treasury for its role.

In addition, when the threat of bird-flu arose, the company manufactured “Flumavir” (Oseltamivir Phosphate) and that made Guyana one of only a few countries that had

Building a NEW GPC: products

Since it took over the original company in 1999, the NEW GPC has added over 60 new products to its line. The most famous was launched

Sprinkles

The NEW GPC was able to retain its old position as the largest supplier of pharmaceutical products to the government’s health sector. In recent years, this has been criticised by some with short memories who forget that very few of the dozens of companies privatised by the government in the 1990s survived, much less prospered.

The NEW GPC continues its bequeathed Guyanese tradition. The NEW GPC invested billions into the most extensive and modern warehousing facility for the government’s pharmaceuticals, which it offered free of charge to them. It is not appreciated how complex was the infrastructural network to man the pharmaceutical supply chain for the government.

With the announcement that the government has constructed its own warehouse, it shall have a basis of comparison. No other private pharmaceutical company and in our estimation, the government, is in a position to offer the services of such a facility.

Export

Another major problem with the old regime under which GPC operated and which helped to kill it was its protected market that eschewed competition and its attendant productivity gains.

The NEW GPC is not only forced to compete locally against global producers, but has pursued a vigorous export-led strategy which forces the company to lift its products to the highest international standards.

The NEW GPC is “good manufacturing practice” compliant – the gold standard in the highly regulated pharmaceutical industry and has been able to compete with the best in Caribbean as well as U.S. and Canadian markets. Its packaging and other marketing demands have been met – including the ones where most other local companies flounder – on time deliveries.

In short, the NEW GPC has very well been the most successful privatised company in Guyana and is registered with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is poised to go on to make the country and its shareholders proud.

13 OPLF opens learning horizon Guyana has demonstrated for visually impaired persons resilience – PPP/C G T news

SUNDAY, may 26, 2013 | guyanatimesGY.com

overnment continues to work through its One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) initiative to ensure that every Guyanese become imbued with Information Communication Technology (ICT) skills to contribute to the socio-economic development of themselves and Guyana as a

Human Services and Social Security Minister Jenifer Webster presents a laptop to one of the 34 visually impaired recipients at the OLPF distribution exercise at the Guyana Society for the Blind

Visual impaired persons at the OLPF distribution exercise at the Guyana Society for the Blind

whole. Such an opportunity was on Friday provided to 34 visually impaired persons.

They were supplied with user friendly laptops appropriate to their disability when the OLPF Secretariat continued its Region Four distribution drive at the Guyana Society for the Blind (GSB) at St Phillip’s Green.

The laptops possess the computer software; Job Access with Speech (JAWS) that allows for the visually impaired user to read the screen of the laptop using either a text-to-speech output or a refreshable Braille display. A keyboard and a headphone each were also given to the beneficiaries.

Human Services and Social Security Minister Jenifer Webster was present during the distribution. In 2012, during the first phase of the OLPF countrywide distribution, the GSB was supplied with just over 20 laptops.

Minister Webster said the provision of a second round of laptops to the GSB showed, “Government’s commitment to ensure that all

those persons in our society who are vulnerable, have access to facilities that we are offering.”

“I think that it is time that vulnerable persons have more exposure, and this is an area where I feel there are more training opportunities being provided to the vulnerable to be able to do a lot more. We are happy, and we are proud to be providing, and to be given these opportunities through the OLPF project to the Guyana Society for the Blind,” she said.

She challenged the recipients to make good use of the opportunity afforded to them, and pledged the government’s commitment to working in whatever ways possible to support them, and other vulnerable people in the society.

She said the ministry will be looking at other innovative ways of working with the GSB and committed to support financially its literacy programme.

“I feel that it is one of the programmes that we can further help those vulnerable persons, to be able to contribute to our society,” she said.

The GSB has been asso-

ciated with the OLPF initiative since its inception and the President Cecil Morris said that the collaboration has made the work of the organisation much easier and more successful.

Spin-off

As a spin-off from the laptops supplied and the training provided, the GSB began offering Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) classes in various subject areas for visually impaired students. This relationship also supports their literacy programme.

These recipients will be provided with 30 hours of training (two hours per day) instead of the normal 10-hours mandatory training.

Ganesh Singh of the Guyana Council for Persons with Disabilities will conduct the training in the use of the laptop. He explained, “The reason that it is more than the mandatory 10 hours training is that we would teach them the keyboard so they learn to touch type, so we take about six hours to teach them the key board, then we get into Microsoft words and Internet use,” he said.

“Once they know the keyboard, which they have to know by memory, that is, when we move on to the oth-

er steps. If you cannot memorise the keys, it is very difficult to teach a blind person anything else after, you cannot just tell them look at F and look at G, they have to know it by feel,” he said.

Among one of the recipients is Desiree Noel Harniss, who expressed her pleasure at being supplied with the laptop and the opportunity to gain the skills to use it. “I am happy to be here and to receive my laptop. I was born blind, and I think this would be good for me, I never went to school, that is why I am happy to receive it.”

Another recipient, Rudolph Andrew Wickham expressed similar sentiments. “What I am actually glad about is that I would get to learn how to use a computer. I ‘m glad about getting to chat with friends abroad and here in Guyana,” he said.

On May 21, the OLPF Secretariat commenced the rolling out of a massive distribution exercise, targeting Region Four – Demerara/ Mahaica during which over 1500 laptops were presented to recipients on the East Coast, East Bank and Georgetown.

This current, OLPF Region Four distribution drive is expected to span a few weeks, and a total of 6000 laptops is expected to be distributed.

he People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) has extended best wishes to all Guyanese on the occasion of Guyana’s 47th anniversary of independence.

The party in a release said Independence was the ultimate conclusion of the struggles of slaves and indentured labourers for freedom.

“At the very beginning of the People’s Progressive Party, we had placed as one of our important objective, the wining of independence and May 26th, 1966 saw us achieving this milestone. At the early stage of our independence, Guyana had fallen into an undemocratic state due to massive fraud at elections. That action undermined the freedom which generations of our people fought and sacrificed for.

“The PPP/C, under the leadership of Cheddi Jagan waged an uncompromising struggle to re-establish the basic democratic rights to our people. The PPP/C always felt that social and economic progress would not be possible without political democracy. The party was proved right.”

The release said since returning to office in October 1992, the PPP/C government has transformed Guyana.

Even in the face of one of

the world’s most serious financial and economic crises, Guyana’s economy has demonstrated resilience and has been constantly growing.

“Our physical and social infrastructures have been restored. Our students are excelling at school and at work. The PPP/C administration has been working overtime to ensure more rapid economic growth and greater quantity and quality of education. Our young people are excelling in all aspects of life. Today, we are no longer known for negatives but for the many important areas that we are leading the way in the world. The Low Carbon Development Strategy is becoming a model of economic development for other countries as well,” the party said.

It said today as Guyanese celebrate, they must not lose focus on the many challenges ahead. Now, however, they are more united and better equipped to deal with the challenges ahead.

“We are confident that a free and democratic Guyana will achieve greater heights in the period ahead.

Once more, the PPP embraces all the people of Guyana and extends best wishes for a peaceful and prosperous Guyana. Long live Guyana!” the PPP/C statement concluded.

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SUNday, may 26, 2013 | guyanatimeSGY.com

Senior citizen killed in East Bank accident

A

journey by bicycle from Bagotsville to Georgetown on Friday ended tragically when senior citizen Helena Jones was fatally struck down by a minibus in the vicinity of Houston, East Bank Demerara.

Jones, 80, of Bagotsville, West Bank Demerara was pronounced dead at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

The news of the death of the mother of five sent shockwaves through the community on Friday afternoon.

According to reports, the woman had been travelling the route for the past 25 years on a daily basis.

The elderly woman operates a drink cart at Regent and Alexander streets, Georgetown, and was heading there when she met her demise. The driver of the

minibus bearing registration number BKK1948 was detained by the police and explained that he was driving along the roadway when Jones made a sudden u-turn in front of him.

The popular Helena received multiple injuries about her body, including a gaping hole in her head and several broken bones. Her cycle was damaged and is currently in police possession.

Based on information, the driver of the minibus had taken his mother-in-law to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and was returning to the city when the accident occurred. The woman’s son Andrew Jones last saw his mother about 13:00h on Friday when she visited his vulcanising shop at the Bagotsville Public Road.

He said his mother loves to ride to her vending spot and saw it as a means of keeping fit. Roxanne Jones, the eldest daughter of the dead woman told Guyana Times reporter Bhisham Mohamed that she was at home when she received the telephone call informing her that her mother has died in an accident.

At the hospital, she had the opportunity to see her mother’s body which was badly bruised. She described her mother as a self-motivated person who took care of her children with pride and dignity. Her body is at the Georgetown Public Hospital’s mortuary awaiting a postmortem.

She leaves to mourn her five children, grandchildren and siblings.

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news

SUNDAY, may 26, 2013 | guyanatimesGY.com

BK Int’l gets clearance for Yarrowkabra sand mine

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he Environmental Assessment Board (EAB) has upheld a decision by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to issue a "No Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Required" status for BK International Inc's proposed sand mine at Yarrowkabra on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway area.

The EAB had conducted a public hearing on May 9 for the appeal by Bulkan Timber Works against the EPA’s decision to issue a ‘No EIA Required’ status to the proposed BK International sand mining facility at Yarrowkabra, which was in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act (1996).

A special meeting was convened by the EAB on May 15, with representatives from Bulkan Timber Works and Superior Shingles and Wood Products Inc, BK International Inc and EPA. The EAB, in its deliberations, took various issues and documents into consideration, including statements made at the public hearing and at the special meeting.

According to the Natural Resources and the Environment Ministry, in rendering the decision for the appeal, the EAB considered the Environmental Protection Act (1996). While not explicitly defining the size of a project as a determining factor, the act states that projects which will not

significantly affect the environment are exempt from the requirement for an environmental assessment.

The act also vests in the EPA, the right to use its judgment in deciding whether a project will significantly affect the environment and therefore require an EIA.

No EIA required

The EAB considered that the proposed sand mine is approximately 7.8 hectares (19 acres) and is considered by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and the EPA to be small scale. It also took into consideration that it is the established practice of the EPA to assign a No EIA Required status for sand mines of less than 60 acres.

This precedent is based on Section 1:2 of the Code of Practice for Sand and Saprolite (loam) Mining on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway, which states that all sand/loam mines of over 60 acres must obtain environmental authorisations from the EPA prior to being issued licences from GGMC. Additionally, the EAB said the area where the proposed sand mine is located has been zoned for such activities with many smallscale sand mines already in operation in the approximate environments. There is sufficient distance/area between the appellant’s property and the proposed sand mine to allow for the establishment

of a buffer that would mitigate against the issues of airborne sand, noise and vibration.

Mitigation measures

The EAB said although the project is extractive in nature, the impacts associated were evaluated by the EPA and found to be low risk, reversible or controllable through mitigation measures. The project will not require major infrastructural works, or the storage of fuel on-site. Further, the project would use front-end loaders to remove and load the sand.

The EAB said it is cognisant of mitigation measures that could be applied to such a development and monitoring would be mandatory.

It also said the basis of the appeal was the health risk to the workers of silicosis, ground water contamination from heavy machinery, and dangers to nearby structures from sand mine collapse triggered by distant seismic events were thought to be real concerns, but not sufficiently evidenced to warrant the requirement of an EIA. “It is therefore the decision of the EAB to uphold the EPA’s decision to issue a No EIA Required status for the BK International sand mine, located at Yarrowkabra,” the ministry said.

The EAB said it recognises that there are measures, some of which arose during this appeal, that need to be taken to regulate the

29 Linden youths benefit from SKYE project

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wenty-nine youths from Linden recently graduated from a work readiness programme organised by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Skills and Knowledge for Youth Empowerment (SKYE) project.

The six-week training programme was geared towards equipping youths with the relevant knowledge and training for the world of work.

On March, 16 young men from Linden also graduated under the programme. In

her address to the graduants at the Linden Constabulary Hall, SKYE Juvenile Justice Specialist Fiona Wills urged them to be focused since it is a necessary ingredient in achieving their goals.

“Don’t ever lose sight on what it is that you’re deciding... keep in mind that goals and dreams change as time goes on. I trust that you would take all that you have learned with you and be successful in whatever job it is that you would find, whether it is that it’s your own business that you’re embarking on, I trust

that you would always strive for success,” she noted.

The SKYE project also caters for job placement support and loans for participants to start and expand their own business for a select group of youths who qualify. The project also supports the re-integration of youth offenders into society and alternative sentencing for youths within the justice system. At risk youths, including school drop outs and others between 15-24 years also benefit from training under the programme.

sand mining sector in its entirety. In this instance BK International Inc would have to meet a number of set requirements before it can commence operations.

Sand mining

M e a n w h i l e , Commissioner of Lands and Survey Doorga Persaud told Guyana Times that the particular area at Yarrowkabra is one of the areas that were designated as being feasible for sand mining operations a long time ago. He explained that the Lands and Survey Commission had determined that the area was suitable for this type of activity, using a number of methodologies outlined in the rules and laws governing operations.

Persaud maintained that any move by BK International Inc to establish

sand mining operations in the Yarrowkabra area could not be seen as illegal, unlawful or out of the ordinary. He stated that, previously, there was even the establishment of a glass factory in the area, specifically because it would need sand and the other resources available in the vicinity to conduct its operations.

“The land there was available for sand mining,” insisted Persaud during the interview.

BK International Inc has also said that construction of baffle mounds, mufflers and controlled working hours will allow for smooth operations and zero impact on the community. The company noted that there is no major water course adjacent to the proposed area and fuel will not be stored on site, nor will

there be any placement of piles within 10 metres of any nearby water source.

BK International Inc emphasised that the operations will contribute directly to the infrastructural development of the country, and most importantly, the nearby community.

The company has assured that any possible impact will be mitigated and addressed through various means, including periodic watering of the site to prevent airborne dust. It also said the trucks being used to transport the sand will be covered and their speed will be controlled at all times.

The ownership of Bulkan’s Timbers is reportedly closely linked to Ronald Bulkan, an A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament.

16 NEWS

SUNday, may 26, 2013 | guyanatimeSGY.com

Anti-money laundering bill 2013

Guyana stands to lose significantly if opposition continues delay tactics – Ali

By Michael Younge

I

ndustry and Commerce Minister Irfaan Ali has said Guyana stands to lose significant if the opposition does not “make haste while the sun shines” and pass the proposed amendments to the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act. Ali was at the time speaking during an interview on the Current Issues and Analysis Show aired on Television Guyana Channel 28. He was adamant that businesses, the private sector, and other corporations ranging from banking institutions to cambios could see their operations coming under intense scrutiny were the combined opposition to continue to adopt a mode of procrastination over the passage of the critical amendments.

“It is not the government who would lose. The opposition has no political victory to secure here as the entire country could feel the impact of Guyana being blacklisted,” Ali said. He said the amendments were designed to ensure compliance to some critical recommendations made by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF).

Major blow

Minister Ali explained that the assets and other properties of businesses could also come under intense scrutiny abroad, noting that Guyana’s economic ranking internationally could suffer a major blow in the areas of business, foreign investment and being a lucrative destination to visit.

The minister was particularly concerned about the opposition’s insistence on seeking to score political mileage through the use of all sorts, of what he

called “fanciful” distractions aimed at delaying the passage of the amendments.

He was particularly disappointed over the move by the Alliance For Change (AFC) and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), both of which, throughout the consideration of the amendments at the special select committee, created “bottle necks”.

Minister Ali strongly disagreed that government is to be blamed for any oversight or delay in bringing the amendments to the house, explaining that the administration has done its part with “zeal and urgency” to ensure that the timeline is met.

Tragic

Meanwhile, a Government Information Agency (GINA) release quoted Attorney General (AG) and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall as saying that it is tragic AFC leader Khemraj Ramjattan has allowed his vexatious spirit to prevail over the spirit of national interest. The AG was at the time speaking during a discussion forum on the National Communications Network (NCN).

“Ramjattan stated that his ‘spirit is vexed’, whatever that means, because the president withheld his assent to the bills. The nation cannot be held at ransom. This nation cannot be exposed to perils because Ramjattan has some spiritual upheaval,” said Nandlall.

“It is Guyana that will be condemned, and the opposition party in the Parliament must accept full responsibility for this, while the government may be exonerated. It is Guyana that will take the blame,” the AG noted.

The parliamentary opposition has deliberately prolonged

the passage of the amendments to the bill, and the government is left with no choice but to seek an extension to the initial May 27 deadline. However, the possibility seems bleak, GINA said.

Extension

If the requested extension is granted, government will still have to negotiate with the oneseat majority opposition in an effort to successfully conclude this matter, and in so doing, save the country from serious international sanctions.

A workshop was organised in collaboration with the monitoring agencies and the diplomatic community to which members of both the opposition and government were invited.

The opposition had then indicated their support for the bill; as such non-support was not anticipated when the bill came up in the National Assembly.

Further, the opposition was aware of the bill’s importance, and as such, it was inconceivable that they would use it to engage in petty politics. Unfortunately, the opposition parties took the irrational position of withholding support to the bill, Minister Nandlall lamented.

The claim that they did not have time to read the bill is not valid, said the minister, explaining that the bill was before the House for six weeks and is only four pages long.

Nandlall is heading Guyana’s delegation at the CFATF meeting from May 2630 in Nicaragua. At this forum he will be presenting Guyana’s case and will be seeking an extension to fulfil the stipulated requirements needed to ensure Guyana’s financial and legislative compliance with international regulations.

17

news

sundAy, may 26, 2013 | guyanatimesGY.com

Guyana to chair CDB Lighted lamp may have board of governors caused Sophia fire – Dr Singh urges bank to scale up lending activity to borrowing member countries

G

uyana’s Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh has been elected to chair the board of governors of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) over the next year, the Government Information Agency (GINA) has reported.

In his capacity as chairman elect, Dr Singh addressed the closing ceremony of the CDB’s 43rd annual meetings, just concluded in St Lucia. He commended the bank for its contributions to the cause of Caribbean development and to improving the lives of the people in the region since its earliest years of existence. To sustain and increase the impact of this historical contribution over the years, he called on the bank to work to increase the rate of loan approvals and disbursements for borrowing member countries in the year ahead.

The minister said the bank must immediately arrest and reverse the recent decline in approvals and disbursements by taking all actions necessary to “rapidly” scale up and “accelerate” project identification, approval, and implementation in collaboration with all borrowing member countries.

In addition, Dr Singh said the bank must reverse the phenomenon of negative net flows to its borrowing member countries which occurred in 2012 for the first

Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh

time in several years.

The finance minister urged the CDB to accelerate efforts to broaden its membership, stating that it is important that efforts be made to widen the bank’s membership in the interest of growth and expansion for a bigger and better institution. He specifically identified Suriname and Brazil as hopefully the next members of the CDB. “It should come as no surprise that I eagerly await the opportunity to welcome these two South American neighbours of my own country to membership of our own Caribbean bank, priding ourselves, as we do in Guyana, as the bridge between South America and the Caribbean,” said Dr Singh. “I trust that we can

conclude the processes involved to secure full membership by these two countries before the current year is over, and that we can advance discussions with other potential new members, both within the region and from beyond.”

Dr Singh emphasised the importance of the bank reversing recent downgrades to its credit rating. He said the bank must ensure a restoration of its credit rating and continue to guard “jealously” its credibility among the lending and rating community.

“Specifically, the removal of the negative outlook, at the very least, should be a specific target for this year, while we still aim at a return to the higher rating of recent times,” he said.

The minister also called on the CDB in the coming year to ensure implementation of all aspects of the reform agenda it has set itself within the timelines identified, thereby, securing a more effective development institution.

Dr Singh succeeds St Lucia’s Prime Minister Dr Kenny Anthony as chairman of the CDB’s board of governors. The finance minister also previously chaired the Commonwealth Finance Ministers Meeting in 2007 and the Commonwealth Ministerial Debt Sustainability Forum from 2008 to 2009.

T

he fire which left five persons homeless, including four minors, on Friday evening at North Sophia, Georgetown, may have started from a lighted lamp in the sitting area of the house.

According to fire officials, while all evidence points to a kerosene lamp, they are still investigating the matter. By the time firefighters arrived, the wooden structure was almost destroyed in the blaze.

Fire officials have been pleading with persons to be very careful when they retire to bed by making sure that all electrical appliances are turned off and no candles are left alight.

Candice Peters who lost her son after he fell into a bucket of water a few months ago was not at home when the fire started, claiming that she was “hustling” at the Stabroek Market area. She normally sells phone cards to sustain her family.

The fire started about 20:35h while the four children were asleep. The eldest child, Nickel Witter reportedly woke up as a result of the heat and quickly raised an alarm.

The fire rapidly spread to the other parts of the house, but the other children Antonio and Rohania Witter and Daniel Duncan were pulled from the inferno by public-spirited citizens.

A distressed Kandyce Duncan, who is now taking refuge at her mother’s home, said she was informed of the fire by her brother while she was selling phones cards. She added that by the time she arrived at her house, it was already reduced to ashes.

She stated that she lost a bed, gas stove, television set, wall divider and other household appliances in the fire. The distraught woman said she is frustrated and is contemplating her next move.

An uncle told media operatives that he had re-

turned to his home after his nephews had dinner and went to bed.

The man said shortly after, he heard neighbours shouting that Duncan’s house was on fire.

The man, along with neighbours, rushed to the scene and rescued the children.

They then formed a bucket brigade and attempted to put out the flames using water from a nearby canal, but the heat was too much, leaving them with no alternative but to retreat.

Just five days after he celebrated his first birthday, Akeem Peters of Lot 192 Pike Street, Block F North Sophia, Georgetown, was discovered with his head in a bucket of water by his teenaged aunt, who was left in charge of him and his other siblings while his mother was out.

The teenager explained that she fell asleep and when she woke up, she did not notice Peters on the bed, so she got up and went looking for him. He was not seen with his other siblings, but she continued to search and eventually found him upside down in a bucket of water.

18

guyanatimesgy.com

sunday, may 26, 2013

thursDAY, march 11, 2010 | guyanatimesGY.com

By Bernice Bede Osol

archie

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19) Companions will find you especially appealing, if a bit mysterious. You won’t be aware of your charisma, but this will only add to the appeal.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19) The secret to getting people to do your bidding is to make a direct appeal to their emotions. Even though they might appear to resist, your friends really want to help.

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20)

dilbert

When dealing with a new acquaintance, try to evaluate what lies beneath the surface. Still waters run deep.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) Some days, you conduct yourself so well that people can’t help but take notice. It could be one of those days, so be prepared to be in the spotlight.

CANCER (June 21July 22) You’ll get the chance to adjust a troubling situation. You’ll take the initiative to turn it into something acceptable.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22) Your financial picture should start to look more encouraging. Conditions are shifting in your favour, though you’ll have little control over them.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22) Find an acceptable way to make your feelings known to someone you fancy. The allure might be mutual.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23) To take control over a frustrating matter, you need gumption and grit.

It’s time to step up or step off.

Calvin and Hobbes

Peanuts

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

SCORPIO

Don’t inhibit your imagination, because your ideas could have wonderful, far-reaching effects.

You’re bringing your ‘A’ game.

A firm that you’ve been doing business with for quite a while might offer you a deal that you could better elsewhere. Don’t feel obligated.

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

You will be adept at advancing your interests and those of others. This will be due to the unusually sharp nature of your perceptions.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21) Your competency and flair in financial matters can be remarkable, if you put your mind to it.

Several opportunities will arise today.

YELLOW PAGES

sunday, may 26, 2013

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Four feared dead after boat capsizes in Matope Fall

F

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19

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our miners are feared dead after a boat called Black Angel capsized in the vicinity of Matope Falls, Lower Cuyuni River on Saturday after it encountered mechanical problems.

Transport and Harbour Minister Robeson Benn confirmed the mishap and stated that initially seven persons were missing, but three were rescued including the captain of the boat who is now in police custody assisting with investigations.

He added that the Maritime Administration (MARAD) has established a search and rescue operation headed by Captain Stephen Thomas.

The minister also confirmed that a Guyana Defence Force helicopter has also joined the search to find the four missing persons. He also disclosed that the boat was heading to Bartica with miners when its engine reportedly failed and the vessel went down due to the rough waters.

So far, those indentified missing are Shawn Robinson, William Patwa, David Prass and Junior Bandu.

Three persons, including the boat captain Maurice Hopkinson of Hopkinson Mining are among the survivors. The boat is owned by Severn Williams. Guyana Times understands that heavy rains in the region has affected the search and rescue mission, but the officials continued their search until late Saturday evening.

In January, 10 persons perished when the boat they were travelling in collided with another boat at Crab Falls, Mazaruni River, Region Seven.

According to reports, two boats were travelling in the opposite direction just below Crab Falls, 25 miles upstream from Bartica when tragedy struck. All of the passengers onboard the two vessels were tossed into the deep waters.

The boat was travelling out of Puruni and had 12 passengers, 10 of whom were discovered dead. The boat was propelled by a 200 horsepower outboard engine and was reportedly split in two.

Those who perished in the boat collision were Deon Moses, Kevon Ambrose, Olivera Alves, Christopher Ramnarain, Zahir Baksh, Jewan Seeram, Ulrick Grimes, Jermaine Calistro, Ricky Bobb and Kenau Amsterdam.

Those who survived the accident were Aubrey Bowen, Donita Daniels, Devon Thomas, Juliet Webber and Francisca Helena.

In December 2012, six persons met their demise after two passenger boats collided in the middle of the Pomeroon River.

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may 26, 2013

guyanatimesGY.com

National Guinness in the Streets off to a wet start

By Avenash Ramzan

D

espite heavy and persistent rainfall on Friday evening, the Guinness in the Streets National Championship got underway at Demerara Park (Banks DIH Parking Lot) with a total of eight exciting games.

The inaugural national competition is being contested by eight teams, which are the winners and runners-up of four zones – Linden, Georgetown, Bartica and East Coast Demerara.

In the opening game of the night, Silver Bullets of Linden defeated Hard Core of Bartica 3-1, while Victoria Church Yard United of East Coast defeated Leopold Street of Georgetown 2-0 in game two.

In the curtain raiser, Nigel Benette (fifth), Robin Adams (11th) and Terry Gilbert (25th) were on target for Silver Bullets, while Andrade Stoby scored Bartica’s consolation goal in the 14th minute. For Victoria Church Yard United, Ryan Morrison and Keron Simon were on target in the 13th and 16th minutes respectively.

Silent Assassins of Linden edged Plaisance of East Coast 3-2 on penalties after they played to a one-all draw, and Back Circle trounced Millenium of Bartica 3-0.

Collie Hercules scored for Silent Assassins in the third minute, while Kester Green equalised four min-

Two records fall on third day of Independence swim meet – Roberts opens account with three wins

Part of the action on the opening night at Demerara Park

utes later. Back Circle got their goals from Andy Duke (sixth and ninth) and Wayne Wilson (fourth).

Match five saw Silver Bullets of Linden edging Victoria Church Yard United of East Coast 2-1 on penalties after a goalless draw, while Silent Assassions of Linden got past Millenium of Bartica 2-1.

Hercules was again on target for Silent Assassins, scoring both their goals in the seventh and 14th minutes, with Jermaine Christian netting Millenium’s lone goal in the 19th minute.

Leopold Street of Georgetown needled Hard Core of Bartica 1-0 with Kenny Fraser converting in the sixth

minute, while Plaisance got the same result against Back Circle with Warren Gilkes’ 23rd minute strike proving the difference.

The competition was slated to continue last evening at the same venue, but due to heavy rainfall the organisers have opted to play the games this evening. The final is billed for Monday evening.

The winner will receive $400,000; runner-up $250,000, third place $150,000 and fourth $75,000.

The champion team will also represent Guyana at the second annual Guinness Street Challenge scheduled for June 21-23 in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

N

Part of the action during the third day of the swim meet

aomi King continued her winning ways, this time breaking a national record in the 100 metre Girls’ nine to 10 age group category when the Independence Day swimming meet continued Saturday at the National Aquatic Centre.

King clocked 1:34.71s to rewrite the record books before proceeding to win the 50 metre breaststroke in 54.83s.

Riley Nurse took down the second record of the meet thus far, breaking the Girls’ Eight and under 50 metre breaststroke, clocking a time of 1:12.40s to set the new mark.

Meanwhile, Olympian Nail Roberts opened his account on day three of the

competition with three wins.

He captured the Boys’ 18 and over 50 metre freestyle, 50 metre breaststroke and 100 metre butterfly events in times of 58.32s, 33.01s and 1:05.30s respectively.

Sarah King continued her dominance at the event as well, winning the 100 metre Girls’ freestyle 11-12 age category in 1:23.08s. She also won the 50 metre breaststroke in a time of 51.31s.

Athena Gaskin was also successful, swimming alone to win both the Girls’ freestyle 15-17 and 50 metre breaststroke in times of 1:10.30s and 43.35s respectively.

Meanwhile, the competition will conclude today at the National Aquatic Centre with action set to start at 15:00h.

may 26, 2013

guyanatimesGY.com

21

Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians, IPL final, Kolkata

A final fight for relevance

T

he IPL final takes place in Kolkata today, but all the news surrounding the tournament is about events off the field.

As Indian cricket and its fans grapple with the dismaying allegations of the past week, the old Apartheidera slogan – No normal sport in an abnormal society – comes to mind.

However, despite the formal charges of corruption against top Super Kings official Gurunath Meiyappan, the 2013 season will reach its scheduled end, when Chennai Super Kings play their fifth IPL final in six seasons, against Mumbai Indians at Eden Gardens. An assertion of the game being bigger than the individuals that comprise it, no matter how abnormal the environs.

Super Kings have had an outstanding season, finishing top of the league with 11 wins out of 16 games, and blazed through the first qualifier to seal their finals berth.

They are the only team to have won more games than they lost away from home this season; they have the tournament’s highest runscorer and joint top wicket-taker.

Their fielders have set standards not matched by most competitors.

They have been the IPL’s most formidable franchise since its incep-

tion, and have the opportunity to enhance that reputation by winning a third title. To do that, however, not only do MS Dhoni’s men have to deal with, and overcome the turmoil caused by Meiyappan’s arrest, but they also have to deal with a tough opponent, Mumbai Indians. Their habit of buying the flavours of the season, and of tinkering constantly with their line-up, produced largely disappointing results in IPLs past.

This season began the same way, but they took tough decisions – dropping Ricky Ponting and appointing Rohit Sharma as captain – and hit upon a balanced and successful combination earlier than usual.

They delighted their home crowds

Bayern Munich win Champions League

A

Bayern Munich defeated Borussia Dortmund 2-1

rjen Robben’s late winner exorcised the demons that have haunted him and Bayern Munich in the Champions League as they won a pulsating all-Bundesliga encounter against Borussia Dortmund 2-1.

The tournament’s recent history has offered little other than unrelenting misery

for Robben and Bayern – but the agony is over after a colourful, enthralling final that confirmed Germany as the new power base of European domestic football.

Bayern had lost two finals in three years, including defeat on penalties to Chelsea in their own Allianz Arena 12 months ago, but on this occasion they cast

off the tag of losers to claim the crown for the fifth time.

Only Real Madrid (nine) and AC Milan (seven) have won this tournament more times and the taste of victory was even sweeter for 29-year-old Robben and veteran Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes, who steps aside to hand over to Pep Guardiola at the end of this season. (BBC Sport)

by winning all eight matches at the Wankhede Stadium, but the final is at a neutral venue, and they lost five league games away from home.

They are the best franchise to never win the IPL, but that accolade is a slight to the millions that have gone into making the team.

Team news

Unless Sachin Tendulkar has recovered from his arm injury, Mumbai have little reason to change the combination that beat Royals in the qualifier. Mumbai coach John Wright said Tendulkar was unlikely to play. Pragyan Ojha, however, could also be in doubt after the leftarm spinner hurt his shoulder while diving during the first innings on Friday and had to leave the field.

Mumbai Indians: 1 Aditya Tare, 2 Dwayne Smith, 3 Dinesh Karthik (wk), 4 Rohit Sharma (capt), 5 Kieron Pollard, 6 Ambati Rayudu, 7 Harbhajan Singh, 8 Mitchell Johnson, 9 Rishi Dhawan, 10 Lasith Malinga, 11 Pragyan Ojha/Munaf Patel.

Barring any last-minute fitness problems, the Super Kings should also field the same team that beat Mumbai in the first qualifier in Delhi.

Chennai Super Kings: 1 M Vijay, 2 Michael Hussey, 3 Suresh Raina, 4 MS Dhoni (capt & wk), 5 S Badrinath, 6 Ravindra Jadeja, 7 Dwayne Bravo, 8 Albie Morkel, 9 Chris Morris, 10 R Ashwin, 11 Mohit Sharma. (Cricinfo)

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may 26, 2013

guyanatimesGY.com

Second independence T20 Cup…

Fireworks expected at Albion today

By Rajiv Bisnauth

C

ricket fans are expected to fill the Albion Sports Complex today where intense battles are promised in the second Guyana independence T20 Cup. The tournament, which forms part of celebrations to mark Guyana’s 47th independence anniversary, is a joint fund-raising venture by the Berbice Cricket Board and the Berbice Chambers of Commerce and Development Association.

The four teams that will be battling for supremacy are Universal DVD Berbice Titans, Karibee Rice Tigers,

BK International East Coast Jaguars and Georgetown Lions.

National captain Veersammy Permaul will lead the Berbice Titans, while Rose Hall Town Gizmos and Gadgets first division captain Shawn Pereira will lead the Karibee Rice Tigers.

The Georgetown-based team will be led by national middle-order batsman Leon Johnson, while all-rounder Zaheer Mohamed will lead the East Coast-based team.

The first game between Universal DVD Berbice Titans and Karibee Rice Tigers will commence at 10:00h, followed by the BK

Veerasammy Permaul

Shawn Perriera

Leon Johnson

International East Coast Jaguars versus Georgetown Lions clash from 13:30h. The winners will meet in the final

under lights from 18:30h.

The proceeds from the event will go towards assisting with the development of sports in the region as two first division clubs are earmarked for allocations.

In addition, contributions will be made to two orphanages and two schools in Berbice and the rehabilitation of the pavillion at Albion Sports Complex, while the remainder will go towards the social obligations and community work plans for the two organisations under the Power to Change Programme.

Admission to the venue is $500 for adults. Gates will be opened at 09:00h and tickets will be sold only at the venue.

Below are the four teams.

Universal DVD Berbice Titans: Veerasammy Permaul (captain), Richard Ramdeen, Shimron Hetmeyer, Sewnarine Chattergoon, Assad Fudadin, Narsingh Deonarine, Gajanand Singh, Jonathan Foo, Rajiv Ivan, Delbert Hicks, Devindra Bishoo, Eon Hooper, Keon Joseph, Yogendra Harrinarine and Clinton Pestano.

Karibee Rice Tigers: Shawn Perriera (captain), Romario DejongeShepherd, Arthley Bailey, Joemal LaFleur, Stephen Latcha, Keith Fraser, Kevin Ramdeen, Renrick Batson, Jason Sinclair, Gudakesh Motie-Kanhai, Raun Johnson, Michael Newland, Keon DeJesus, Dineshwari Prashad and Dominic Rikhi.

Georgetown Lions: Leon Johnson (captain), Trevon Griffith, Andrew Lyght Jr, Robin Bacchus, Shaquille Williams, Christopher Barnwell, Troy Gonsalves, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Chien Gittens, Paul Wintz, Terrence Forde, Seon Daniels, Jason Heyliger, Keon Morris and Derwin Christian.

BK International East Coast Jaguars: Zaheer Mohamed (captain), Rajendra Chandrika, Brian Sattaur, Krishna Deosarran (vice-captain) Somnauth Bharrat, Vishnu Ramjit, Christopher Pattadin, Clive Andries, Surujpaul Deosarran, Emran Khan, Videsh Lall Rohit Dutchin, Ryan Musa and Anthony Ifill.

guyanatimesGY.com

may 26, 2013

23

Barnwell relishes IPL experience T

he sixth Indian Premier League will come to an end today with the crowning of a new champion, as Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians go head-on in the grand final in Kolkata at 10:30h.

Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders did not make it to the playoff stage of the league this year, as did Chris Gayle’s Royal Challengers Bangalore – the only franchise to have bought a Guyanese player.

The all-rounder Christopher Barnwell was bought for US$50,000 by the franchise at the auction earlier this year, but warmed the benches for the entire tournament.

Guyana Times Sport Journalist Avenash Ramzan sat down with the Demerara Cricket Club and West Indies cricketer, who shared his experience of being part of the largest T20 league in the world.

Avenash Ramzan (AR): “Welcome back home and thank you for granting us this interview. Briefly, tell me about your experience in the Indian Premier League.”

Christopher Barnwell (CB): “It was a wonderful experience, being in India. I didn’t get a chance to play, but I did make the most of the opportunity, being around the senior players, learning a lot from them, picking their brains and learning more about the game that could make me better. It was a wonderful experience all in all.”

AR: “You must be disappointed not to have played a game.”

CB: “Well, that’s the game of cricket, you know. You could only play four overseas players per game, so although I wanted to go out there and showcase my ability, at the same time everyone cannot play, so I had to just go out there and support the team and wish the guys well.”

AR: “You were sharing the dressing room with some modern day giants of the game: Chris Gayle, AB deVilliers, Muttiah Muralitharan, Tillekaratne Dilshan, Daniel Vettori and the list goes on.

That must be an experience you’d cherish for the rest of your life.”

CB: “Yes, it was a wonderful experience. Growing up and watching those players on television and now actually being there with them at the same time was a wonderful feeling for me.”

AR: “I’m sure you would have used the opportunity to get some tips from these players. How did that go?”

CB: “Well, basically I asked them how to go about the game. One thing all of us have in common is to play basic cricket. In T20 cricket you have more time than you think; just look at Michael Hussey, he’s a perfect example…just pick the balls to hit and he goes about Test matches, one-days and T20 in the same manner. [As a batsman] I learnt that you must play it as you see it and don’t put yourself under too much pressure…as bowlers you have to be on the ball all the time because T20 is a game where one [bad] over and your whole spell could go wrong, so it’s im-

portant you concentrate on every spell.”

AR: “RCB’s batting was clearly the strength of the team, consistently putting up huge totals, but the bowling was a major letdown…did you at any point put your hands up and say “I think I can do the job”, because you’re the type of player who can contribute to both departments.”

CB: “Well you know that’s not my call whether I should be playing or not; that’s up to the coach and captain to come up with the best eleven to go on the field. I don’t think we bowled bad either, it’s just that we didn’t execute our plans, because some of the games the bowlers did a fantastic job and brought us back in the game.

But then again they were not as consistent as they should be.”

AR: Earlier this year you had the privilege of watching Chris Gayle blast 122 against Guyana in the Caribbean T20… a few months after you’re in India, Chris Gayle 175 not out. Tell me a bit about that innings.

CB: “(Chuckles) That was a very good innings. When I went to the ground that afternoon and Chris started to bat

Caribbean connection! Christopher Barnwell shares a moment with teammate Chris Gayle and Dwayne Bravo (www.royalchallengers.com)

and after the second over he struck two fours and the rain came, I turned to one of my teammates and said ‘I think Chris is going to give us a hundred today.’ He did give us a hundred, but at that point I didn’t realise it would turn out to be a big hundred. It was fantastic the way he stroked the ball and it was just one of those days as batsman when the ball comes right out of middle of the bat, and that was a special innings to watch.”

AR: “What was the mood like in the camp when Sunrisers Hyderabad were playing and the equation was if they won, it would effectively

end RCB’s campaign? Darren Sammy, as it turned, out won the game for Sunrisers with consecutive sixes and that was the end of RCB’s run in the IPL. It must have been a terrible feeling.”

CB: “Yes. Coming down towards the end there we knew the situation, we didn’t have our fate in our hands. We were depending on Sunrisers to lose and it didn’t happen.”

AR: “What went wrong for RCB this year, six tournaments now without a title?

CB: “I think in some of the games we lost key moments and as you can see towards the end there we had to pay

for those mistakes.”

AR: “In the midst of the IPL, there was a very damning story about three Rajasthan Royals players – Shantakumaran Sreesanth, Ankeet Chavan and Ajit Chandila – being involved in spot-fixing. What was your initial reaction when you heard that story?

CB: “Well, I was quite surprised. Before the IPL started the Anti-Corruption and Security Unit spoke to the players, so I was surprised that some players, knowing what happened previously with the Pakistan players, still got involved in something like that.”

AR: “Did the management of RCB at any point warn the players about the possibility of being approached?

CB: “The RCB management didn’t really say anything, but the Anti-Corruption people had a meeting with us so I think that should have registered to every one of the players, what we should do and what we should not do.”

AR: “Thank you very much Chris and all the best in your future endeavours” CB: “Your welcome, cheers!”

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

may 26, 2013

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CRICKET: ENGLAND 337-7 VS NEW ZEALAND; FOOTBALL: BAYERN MUNICH 2-1 VS DORTMOND

Britton rewrites the record books

By Treiston Joseph

S

Shemar Britton (left) plays a shot during the Men’s final against Edhino Lewis at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue

hemar Britton on Saturday became the youngest player to win a Men’s table tennis title at the Independence National Table Tennis Tournament, which concluded at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue.

The 14-year-old did it in dramatic fashion as well.

The teenager came from two games down in the match to defeat seasoned national men’s champion, Edinho

Lewis 4-2.

Lewis, who won the first two games 12-10 and 11-7, was comfortably on his way to a third straight win, as he had the youngster on the back foot at 7-2.

However, Britton showed tremendous heart, using his speed and delicate spin shots to counter the aggression of Lewis, who faltered to lose the third game 12-10.

It was the beginning of the end for Lewis, as Britton went on to capture three straight games at 11-9, 11-6 and 11-7 respectively to close out the best-of-seven match.

Meanwhile, Britton also stamped his name in three other categories to create

some more history by capturing the under-15, under-18 and 21 and under divisions. Along with the Men’s singles title, Britton walked away from the championship with a grand slam of wins.

Chelsea Edghill, who featured in the final of the 21 and under category, but lost to Britton, won the Women’s category by amassing the most points (four) to win the category as she never lost a match during the round-robin format.

The presentation ceremony for the tournament will be held next weekend to salute the winners of the categories for their efforts.

Jamaican sprinters steal spotlight in New York

J

amaican sprinters stole the spotlight in the sprint events at the Adidas Grand Prix, New York Diamond League meet at Icahn Stadium on Saturday.

Veronica CampbellBrown romped to victory in the 200 metres in 22.53 ahead of a fast finishing Anneshia McLaughin (22.63) also of Jamaica.

Sherone Simpson finished in fourth place with 22.96.

Aleen Bailey sped to victory in the womens 100 metres in 11.37 seconds ahead of Americans Mikele Barber and Lekeisha Lawson who finished second and third respectively.

Jamaica’s Olympic 200 metre bronze medallist Warren Weir made light work of the field to clock an effortless season’s best 20.11 with Panama’s Edmond Alonso (20.38) in second.

Jeremy Dodson of the U.S. (20.65) was third.

Jamaicans Ramone McKenzie and Kevin Thompson finished fifth and seventh respectively.

Meanwhile, America’s Tyson Gay raced to an easy win in the 100 metres clocking 10.16 seconds with his country man Ryan Bailey second.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Ketson Bledman secured third spot in 10.16 seconds, while Jamaica’s Nesta Carter was fourth.

Jamaica’s other finalists Jacques Harvey, Nickel Ashmeade and Kemar Bailey Cole finished fifth, sixth and seventh.

Veronica Campbell-Brown

Also, Jamaica’s national record holder Allison Randall threw a season’s best 57.85 metre in the discus in rainy and windy conditions.

Randall who started slowly had two throws over 57.00 metre finishing strongly with 57.66 metres.

Croatia’s Sandra Perkovic won in a World Leading and meet record 68.48m.

Two hundred metres specialist Mario Forsythe won the Men’s 400 metre B race in 46.65 seconds beating three other Jamaicans to the line – Dewayne Barrett – 46.85 seconds, Allodin Fothergill – 47.01 seconds and Nicholas Maitland – 47.05 seconds.

Former world champion Barbadian Ryan Braithwaite also shared the spotlight for the Caribbean by winning the 110 metre hurdles in a season’s best 13.19.

Cuba’s Orlando Ortega (13.24) finished second.

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