Guyana Times Daily

16 hit with vomiting, P15 diarrhoea after eating pickled gooseberry Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 1779

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Saturday, May 25, 2013

Yarrowkabra was designated for sand mining

PRICE

WHAT'S INSIDE:

See story on page 14

– Lands and Surveys commissioner

$60 vat included

Doorga Persaud

Guyana ripe with investment – Ali tells Florida forum opportunities

See story on page 17

Vacationer P7 dies mysteriously in Charlestown Private P9 contractor takes over management of NA waste 13 lawmen being P10 trained by FBI in TT

"Don’t beat up on our P11 teachers," Bynoe tells PTA meeting

Acting Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Irfaan Ali with a number of delegates at the forum in Florida

PSC wants swift set-up of procurement, integrity bodies

See story on page 2

APNU questions postponement of parliamentary sitting See story on page 3

DPP orders second P19 suspect in Cleto’s murder released

2news

saturday, may 25, 2013 | guyanatimeSGY.com

PSC wants swift set-up of procurement, integrity bodies – urges extra-parliamentary meeting to discuss issues

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he Private Sector Commission (PSC) on Friday called on the government and the parliamentary parties to convene an extra-parliamentary meeting to move swiftly to address the establishment and operationalisation of the public procurement and integrity commissions.

The issue about the setting up of these two constitutional bodies has been a subject of much public debate in recent times. In a statement, the PSC said in February this year, it

wrote President Donald Ramotar expressing its serious concerns over the growing perception of corruption in the country.

The commission referred Ramotar, in particular, to the Public Procurement Commission, Integrity Commission and Financial Intelligence Unit and urged that the president take the necessary action to have these institutions fully operationalised.

“These are matters of grave public and national interest, but, unfortunately, we are not as yet

being heard. The commission believes that the time has come for an end to the procrastination on these matters. The time has long passed for the government and the political opposition to respect and put the national interest before their political agenda and give effect to the constitutional commitment they have made to the electorate and the nation on the setting up of these commissions,” the statement said.

The body noted that it is precisely this procrastination which has led to

Guyana and the well-being of its people being placed at grave risk by the delay of the National Assembly in passing the Antimoney Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (Amendment) Bill The Alliance For Change (AFC) has made the setting up of the Public Procurement Commission a precondition to the party supporting the passage of the anti-money laundering bill; while A Partnership For National Unity (APNU) said it has

Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali

submitted its nominees for the commission.

On Monday, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) said government remains open to discussing with the opposition the setting up of the commission.

Speaking at the party’s news conference, PPP/C executive member and Housing Minister Irfaan Ali said while the opposition is concerned about the establishment of the commission, it must take into account President Ramotar’s position on the matter. He said the party by itself has given its support to ensuring that the commission is established. According to him, the president has invited the opposition and his door is always open.

Minister Ali said the concerns of the president are many, given the current situation in Parliament. He referred to when the government held a majority in the National Assembly, stating that chairmanship of almost all of the standing

PSC Chairman Ronald Webster

committees in Parliament was rotated between the government and the opposition.

“Look at the situation now; you have a special select committee for a particular sector and the minister is not even the chair of that committee. They took all the chairmanships and are taking the majority in the committee,” he said.

Ali argued that the opposition has been bullying its way into managing almost everything, in Parliament and outside of that, creating chaos about things that will help to bring about change. He said the opposition continues to display double standards.

The minister said the PPP/C remains committed to ensuring that the procurement commission is set up as soon as possible, with the support of the opposition. The Procurement Act of Guyana stipulates the role of the commission, but the establishment of the commission has been in discussion for almost 10 years.

News

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saturday, may 25, 2013 | guyanatimesGY.com

bridge openings

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on Saturday, May 25, from 14:00h to 15:30h.

The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on Saturday, May 25, from 16:40h to 18:10h.

Weather

Workshop to prevent child labour closes

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 27 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East north-easterly at 3.57 to 3.12 metres per second.

High Tide: 04:19h and 16:50h reaching maximum heights of 2.88 metres and 2.74 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 10:22h and 22:38h reaching minimum heights of 0.31 metre and 0.50 metre respectively.

Primary and secondary school students who participated in the prevention of child labour workshop

wednesday, MAY 22, 2013

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he Human Services and Social Security Ministry in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the School Retention and Child Labour Prevention Programme, on Friday hosted a closing ceremony for its SCREAM Training.

The ceremony was held at the Dora Secondary

School auditorium, Kuru Kuru, Soesdyke/Linden Highway. Reflecting on the achievements of the project over the training period, Human Services Ministry Permanent Secretary Lorene Baird said the training is designed to mould the future generation, as she noted that “Today’s children are tomorrow’s future”.

APNU questions postponement of parliamentary sitting

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LUCKY 3

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Students’ artwork depicting what they have learnt about child labour

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The programme is intended to prevent child labour through literacy and numeracy programmes, parenting workshops and psychosocial support.

“Disciplined and educated children are more likely to make better individuals which lead to improvements in family units and communities and consequently contribute to the success of the nation,” Baird pointed out.

She noted that government is committed to fostering a regulatory and legal framework which provides a safe environment for the development of children.

The School Retention and Child Labour Prevention Programme, she noted, is one such initiative that will continue until July this year. According to teachers, trainers and coordinators, the programme has realised significant results, includ-

ing improved attendance, enhanced performance and positive behavioural change.

The programme was taught to the children through the use of art, which they used to form a collage to display what they have learnt through the training.

Education Ministry, Allied Arts Unit, Visual Arts Coordinator Rawle Franklin said the collage captures the horrors of child labour.

“When we look at what children would have expressed, we’re seeing from the orientation that we would’ve given them on what is child labour and how to collaborate their thoughts based on the theme ‘No to child labour’; when we see that, we realise that these children know what is child labour,” Franklin posited.

Meanwhile, Allied Arts Unit Coordinator Desire Ogle said art is an interesting means in which children can learn to be academically involved through creativity.

They were educated through art and drama.

Kuru Kuru Primary School Headmistress Marilyn Williams and Dora Secondary School Headmaster Garfield Morris expressed gratitude to the ministry for the programme, noting that it augurs well for the children and the overall performance of children. The training is held in partnership with community members, PTA members and counsellors to stem the source of child labour in Guyana.

he A Partnership for National Unity on Friday questioned why government has asked for a postponement of next Tuesday’s sitting of the National Assembly to June 13.

The Parliament Office in a release Friday afternoon said that the sitting, which was scheduled for Tuesday, May 28, has been postponed to Thursday, June 13.

In a terse statement, APNU said the party whips had agreed that the next sit-

ting of the National Assembly would be on Thursday, May 30. However, the leader of government business, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds announced that the sitting would be on Tuesday, May 28.

However, by a letter, dated Friday 24th May 2013, from Mr Clement Rohee on

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds

behalf of the prime minister and leader of government business, to the Speaker of the National Assembly, the government is now, by way of a most ingenuous reason, requesting that the next sitting of the National Assembly be held on Thursday 13th June 2013.

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saturday, may 25, 2013

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

Editorial

Nested paradigms

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ur very erudite and hard-working Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh just delivered to the Caribbean Development Bank, a stirring defence of the proposition that the Caribbean must “diversify or perish”.

Over the years we have had several other economic strategies suggested to us by the global financial organisations, ranging from the vent for surplus and capital deficit through the import substitution programme and finally the one we are finally enmeshed within – neoliberalism. Unless we factor in the impact of the ideological premises, our local efforts can be subverted to our cost.

The present crisis in the developed economies, which has crippled the Caribbean tourism industry, is rooted in the neoliberal economic paradigm that has guided economic policy since the late 1970s. Before this, after World War II, the economies of the U.S., Western Europe, Japan and Brazil, among others, were characterised by a “virtuous circle” Keynesian model built on full employment and wage growth tied to productivity growth. Productivity growth drove wage growth, which in turn fuelled demand growth and created full employment. That provided an incentive for investment, which drove further productivity growth and supported higher wages. Guyana, of course, chose to buck the above economic model that was followed by most of the Caribbean countries and devised the disastrous “cooperative socialist” model.

After 1980, the virtuous circle Keynesian model was replaced by a neoliberal growth model that severed the link between wages and productivity growth and created a new economic dynamic. Before 1980, wages were the engine of U.S. demand growth. After 1980, debt and asset price inflation became the engine. The new model was rooted in neoliberal economics and can be described as a neoliberal policy box that fences workers in and pressures them from all sides. Corporate globalisation put workers in international competition via global production networks supported by free trade agreements and capital mobility. The “small” government agenda attacked the legitimacy of government and pushed for deregulation regardless of dangers. The labour market flexibility agenda abandoned the goal of full employments and consequently created employment insecurity.

This model was implemented on a global basis, in both North and South, which multiplied its impact. The Washington Consensus which was enforced in Latin America, including Guyana (1989), Africa, and former communist countries by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank by making financial assistance conditional on adopting neoliberal policies. The new model created a growing “demand gap” by gradually undermining the income and demand generation process. The role of finance was to fill that gap. Within the U.S., deregulation, financial innovation, and speculation enabled finance to fill the demand gap by lending to consumers and spurring asset price inflation. U.S. consumers in turn filled the global demand gap. Luckily this has not fully developed in the Caribbean as yet, with some notable exceptions.

The policymakers in Guyana and the Caribbean have to be very careful as to what their policy response to the different perspectives will be. They could take the strong neoliberal position and further deregulate financial and labour markets; deepen central bank independence and the commitment to low inflation; and further limiting government via fiscal austerity. A watered down response might be to tighten financial regulation, but continue with all other aspects of the existing neoliberal policy paradigm. That means continued support for corporate globalisation, labour market flexibility, low inflation targeting, and fiscal austerity.

A more radical approach would be to overthrow the neoliberal paradigm and replace it with a “structural Keynesian” paradigm that repacks the policy box and restores the link between wage and productivity growth.

The goal would be to ensure that corporations and financial markets are regulated so that they are made to serve the broader public interest. That requires replacing corporate globalisation with managed globalisation, such as capital controls; restoring commitment to full employment; replacing the neoliberal anti-government agenda with a social democratic government agenda; and replacing the neoliberal labour market flexibility with a solidarity based labour market agenda.

I have seen alligators and turtles together in ponds before, but never like this! I was at Bluebill Pond in Harris Neck NWR when I saw what I thought was an alligator sunning itself on a stump. As I got closer I realised that it was actually perched on the back of a turtle!

I wish I had been there to witness how this surprising esprit de corps had came to pass! (Mary Ellen Urbanski/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest) (The Atlantic)

Freddie exposed again

Dear Editor, The Chief Executive Officer of Mario’s, Terrence Campbell, exposed Freddie Kissoon as a stranger to the truth, as is his wont (see May 23 edition of the Kaieteur News) to undermine confidence in the restaurant sector. When will this columnist ever tell the truth?

Apparently, Kissoon did not expect Campbell to respond to him. So he figured he would get away

with his boldfaced lies and was shocked that Campbell exposed these lies.

Kissoon (in the Kaieteur News on May 21) suggested that the staff at Mario’s didn’t have name tags. But Campbell disputed this assertion and Kissoon did not rebut Campbell’s claim.

Kissoon suggested that he did not get a refund for an incomplete delivery of pizza but Campbell said Kissoon was compensated above and beyond what

he paid. In his response, Kissoon did not dispute Campbell’s claim.

Kissoon misled readers by not telling them he was insulting and aggressive to Mario’s staff, accusing them of drug trafficking and money laundering, among other things. Now he admits he was “aggressive”, calling names and making unreasonable demands.

Kissoon challenged Campbell to a bet saying

he would put up his daily column as the wager.

Kissoon lost numerous similar bets to myself, Joey Jagan, Annan Boodram, Ravi Dev, Albert Ramdin, and others, and he still has not given up his column.

The man needs the column to pen fabrications for a living, as he has attained mandatory retirement at the University of Guyana.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

The mangrove project is most impressive Dear Editor, Guyana was able to impress the Norwegian Ambassador to Guyana, whose recent visit ended with a strong confirmation of what the mangrove project is all about and how well executed it is. We must not take for granted this project, even at the physical level. It should be noted that there have been many failed mangrove restoration projects over the years, invariably wasting both time and money.

One case study from

North Sulawesi, Indonesia shows that the government planted the same disused shrimp pond area five times over a period of eight years.

Seedlings were planted without regard to ecological requirements and resultantly died within a year after each planting.

Nonetheless, project money was continually made available for re-planting without addressing the cause of the failure. So it is more than the mere physical, and repeated failure, without proper analysis did

not deter the Indonesians.

The ambassador had expressed an interest in visiting the reserve to meet the women producers who make up the Mangrove Reserve Women Producers (MRWP) group, now operating as a cooperative along the East Coast Demerara.

The ambassador toured the Mangrove Reserve and met the women involved in the production of agri-products in mangrove-forested areas.

Restoration and rehabilitation of existing or former mangrove forest areas

is extremely important today. In fact, given the importance of mangrove forest ecosystems, and the current threat to these coastal forests, this is an unavoidable imperative. Actual planting of mangroves must be carefully managed, as mangroves annually produce hundreds or thousands of seeds or seedlings per tree.

But these have to be controlled via proper hydrologic conditions.

Yours faithfully, Lennox Joseph

Spelling competitions should be encouraged Dear Editor, Whenever I follow spelling competitions, I am always intrigued. English spelling is not that easy to master. In every single language, there are many cases of incongruence between orthography and phonology, that is, there is not a one-

on-one correlation between letters of the alphabet and the sound they represent.

At the last spelling competition, the Amelia’s Ward Primary School was awarded first place in the Linden Town Week (LTW) primary schools’ spelling bee competition, which was held

at Lichas Hall, in collaboration with the Region 10 Department of Education.

A total of 110 words were circulated among the schools. However the students were not given the opportunity to view them before the competition.

As a teaching tool, and

one with fun, I am wondering why teachers, especially at the younger level, do not use more spelling games.

We should encourage the use of crossword puzzles as well.

Yours sincerely, Linden Willoughby

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

More police searches will help curb illegal activities Dear Editor, Anything to do with illegal firearms must be dealt with severely. This is how police work must be. I am against sitting and waiting for things to happen. Most people in a neighbourhood know who the criminal elements are. All they need to do is to get the police involved.

At times, it is difficult,

even impossible, to pin evidence on criminals, even though their wrong doing is most obvious. So if preemptive moves, such as searching for weapons are routinely engaged in, there will be a big difference.

For sure, it will put the potential law breaker on the defensive. The criminal elements cannot outnumber good people, so if

there is some kind of goodwill cooperation, the long and steady arm of the law can do the rest.

Many times there will be political interpretations to police raids. However, it should be noted that most times in the recent past it was the voice of nation eroders who spoke on behalf of criminals.

I cannot see anything

right in youngsters ganging up at street corners and especially in the dark hours. Our police men and women must be serious about their sworn promise to protect. I call for more raids and searches. The general populace will be in support.

Yours sincerely, Rishi Mangal

The police need to solve cellphone thefts Dear Editor, A 20-year old man had to appear before the magistrate, as he was charged with stealing a cellular phone. Ask anyone with a fairly expensive phone, and that person will explain the fear of moving around with the gadget. Some crook is always eyeing up to snatch the equipment, sell it for a small raise and run around and

keep doing the same. The thing must be investigated from a different angle.

We all know that there are many hot stuff cellphones on the road, and going for next to n o t h ing too.

I have asked many people how

much they paid for their phones and where they got them. I get the shock – sometimes, a $50,000 phone is sold off for $15,000.

Well the snatcher got it for free. I blame the

buyers too, as they could have reported the matter.

The sellers would have then had to explain from where and whom he got the phones.

Imagine if our police should do this kind of thing on a very frequent basis, how much of a change the society will experience.

Yours faithfully, Tricia Sukhai

The value of dancing Dear Editor, I am very pleased with recent movements in the arts in Guyana, especially when it comes to actual performing arts. A while back, the director of the National School of Dance was encouraging parents to enrol their children in the school, as it was one sure way to keep them out of trouble. This is definitely so and in a sense, it is just like sports. However, with dancing, it can become a very personal thing and be totally independent of anyone or anything, say a competition or so.

I see a lot of keep fit programmes on television. I hope that parents would encourage their children to participate more in dancing, since it is of immense value, and this we need to be informed about.

I quickly ask readers to ponder the following, as regards dancing: social value – interacting with other people; cultural value – exploring various traditions; emotional value – expressing self; recreational value – doing it for pure pleasure; and physical value – as a form of keeping fit. A healthy allround person is naturally

strong in academics most times.

Years ago I saw the movie, “Jewel Thief”, and I was stunned. The dance by Vyjayanthimala was most breathtaking. That performance alone can be used to stimulate support for beginners where dancing is concerned. It had everything: flexibility – which is an important part of being healthy; strength – defined as the ability of a muscle to exert a force against resistance; and endurance – as dance is physical exercise and exercise increases endurance. Maybe it is time to sell the gymnasium idea with a good dose of trained dancing.

An International Dance Day was introduced in 1982 by the International Dance Committee of the International Theatre Institute (ITI), a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) partner non-governmental organisation. The day is celebrated on April 29 every year.

Yours truly, Veron Hinds

More carnage on the roads Scrabble competitions should be encouraged

Dear Editor, Right on the heels of a week of special emphasis on road safety, I am reading the aftermath of a weekend of carnage on the road involving several deaths and injured persons.

What is a parked trailer doing on the road? I see this all the time. Between Mon Repos to Good Hope, East Coast Demerara and heading east, there is always a precariously parked trailer on the left hand side of the Railway Embankment

Road.

Old discarded vehicles are now assembling rapidly on the public road, just before the Lusignan Community Centre, left hand side as you head towards Georgetown. If we are serious and are keeping informed, via the press, these two areas should be cleared.

As for the latter case, I shudder at possibilities – crooks can hide in these vehicles and waylay people. If an accident should

take place there, then it is worsened by the secondary damage and injuries these wrecks can cause.

The other thing is that people do not lose control per se. The loss of control when driving has reasons – too fast, bad vision, maybe some hidden obstacle, or the glare from on-coming bright lights, driving under the influence, paying attention to getting the music right-selection and volume, and maybe more. The fact remains that accidents can be avoided to a large degree.

It is time we all got together and change the road culture here in Guyana. The traffic police should be on an intense and prolonged campaign – seek to nab drivers who are using the bright beams; track down vehicles that are blaring away loud music; visit and stake out drinking spots; and lead the traffic in peak hours and when the weather is hostile to easy driving. These things are so easy to do.

Yours faithfully, Thomas Heyliger

Dear Editor, I love anything that enhances intellect, and especially that which deals with words and language as a whole. In fact, universities in France will soon move toward offering classes in the English language. So it is time for us here, who are not naturally immersed into our national language, English, to really hone in on some language work.

I see that this is so, whether by default or not, as some of the country’s top Scrabble players will take to

the East Coast of Demerara on Monday to participate in a Scrabble tournament.

Scrabble is not just about words – it has a mathematical aspect. Scrabble takes for granted a person’s lexical storehouse, that is, that person’s library of words that he/she can or must conjure up at the right moment.

It calls for some quick think-

ing. However, in cases of being able to create more than one word, it is the value of letters, their points as such, that can determine actual winners.

On the day of competition, there is room for anyone from any age category to participate. I advise those who think that they are word inclined to make a go for it. It is fun, and all losers still get to gain a few new words. Hopefully, there will be more Scrabble competitions countrywide.

Respectfully, Zamir Baksh

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Foundation (Continued from Friday)

Keeping in touch While many children have close relationships with at least one grandparent or set of grandparents, this doesn’t necessarily happen. Children may have only limited contact with their grandparents for a variety of different practical and financial reasons. * Geographical distance may make it hard for children to have regular and meaningful contact with their grandparents if they live a long way away in this country or in another country. * A grandparent may be frail, with emotional and physical needs of their own. * Both parents, or the lone parent, may be working flat out to pay the rent or mortgage, with little time, space or money for keeping up regular contact. * The grandparents may be at the peak of their own careers, with little time or energy to devote to grandchildren or childcare. * Conflict within the family or a rift between family members, may limit contact and affect how children view their grandparents.

Grandparents are really important for the children themselves. Through their relationship with their grandparents, a child can feel another level of support and care. For children of any age, it makes all the difference if somebody has time for them.

A child can gain not just a reliable and interested caregiver and babysitter, but someone who is their confidante and friend. Children who get extra attention from grandparents (or people who act as grandparents to them) are likely to

do better at school.

A bridge to the outside world Grandparents can create a bridge for children to move between life at home with their parents and the outside world. * Growing children who visit their grandparents may discover that time away from home can be safe, interesting and enjoyable – not just a last resort in times of trouble. * In adolescence, close relationships with older adults who are at a step removed from the dramas of the immediate family can help to defuse the tensions that have built up.

A link to other worlds Children may enjoy sharing the particular skills, interests and ideas offered by grandparents that are different from their parents.

Grandfathers may have a special interest which neither of the parents share. If he talks to his unmotivated teenage grandson about what he missed by leaving school at 16, he may have far more impact than an anxious parent.

Grandparents might be able to offer a sense of history to their grandchild – for example, bringing the ‘swinging sixties’ to life or talking about life ‘back home’.

Young people who spend time with their grandparents and step-grandparents learn how to adapt to different ways of doing things. They can learn the val-

ues of respect and care for older people.

Understanding family relationships Knowing their grandparents can help children to see their own parents in a new light. Seeing their own parent as a child to somebody can help children to understand how relationships change over time and to develop a sense of themselves.

They may have heard their parents expressing mixed feelings about their grandparents and criticising them. But they can see that, in spite of that, their parents and their grandparents love and care for one another.

Learning about ageing and bereavement Children learn about the reality of getting old from their grandparents. They may observe and share their own parents’ experience of having the parents who used to be the carers now needing care themselves.

For many children their first experience of death i s

when a grandparent or greatgrandparent dies. Though painful and upsetting, this is an important and valuable experience.

The extended family Within some cultures, it is traditional for grandparents to play a central role in the lives of their grandchildren.

In some circumstances they may feel that they have to take this on. In this situation, the child’s main emotional attachment may well be to their grandmother.

It is not unusual for grandchildren to stay with their grandparents while their parents work or travel overseas to establish themselves in another country, or for grandchildren to be sent to the grandparents ‘back home’ while the parents try to make their way.

The children’s response to this experience this will depend on many things, including: * the nature of their attachment to their parents and their grandparents * how well the arrangement is explained to them * the quality of the relationship they develop with their grandparents.

When it works well, the whole family gains from the experience.

However, complex emotions are likely to arise. For example, when some children a r e

‘sent away’ and others stay with their parents, or children are reunited with their parents at a particular stage of development. Imagine what it must it be like for a 12-yearold who joins the family in England from a home overseas with her grandparents. She has to adjust to a new country, a new school, possibly a new language, parents she hasn’t seen for a long time, and maybe even a new younger brother or sister she’s never met before – quite apart from being separated from her beloved grandmother ‘back home’.

Grandparents as parents Some grandparents find themselves acting as parents for the second time around.

If a mother is not in a position to look after her own children, the grandparents may find themselves taking fuller responsibility, possibly with a heavy heart. If the only alternative is to see their grandchildren taken into care, grandparents may feel that they have no choice.

Each of these situations carries with it a highly charged story, which will have emotional repercussions for the children as well as the grandparents. It may mean there has been a crisis in the family such as illness, abuse, neglect, or death.

Grandparents who find themselves in this situation may love and care for their grandchildren deeply.

Nevertheless, they are likely to find it an uphill struggle to summon up the emotional as well as the physical energy required to be good ‘parents’ in this situation, and may feel resentful and pressured. (www.understandingchildhood.net)

How to teach your children to respect their grandparents

BY KAREN HOLLOWELL

Y

our children are fortunate if they have a positive relationship with their grandparents. In most cases, your children can go to them for advice, a sympathetic ear and unconditional affection. It’s important that you teach your children to respect their grandparents. From a young age, children need to know that elders are due their respect, especially those in their family. Additionally, knowing how to respect authority figures will help children later in school and in their careers.

Step one

Explain the importance of grandparents. Tell your children that grandparents are a part of their history and can tell them stories about great-grandparents and other relatives. Help them understand that grandparents are not just old people who don’t understand children. Remind them that their grandparents were children once and have experienced many of the same things and can be a good source of help when they need it.

Step two

Teach your child the meaning of respect.

Children may think of grandparents as either benevolent people who will always give them what they want or grim, old-fashioned critics who have to be endured during occasional visits. Hopefully, their relationship is meaningful and loving. However, you need to teach your child that respect means “to honour.” This includes considering others before themselves, submitting and treating people courteously. Children can show respect even if their grandparents don’t fit their ideal image.

Step three

Show respect yourself.

Even if your own relationship with your parents has been strained, respecting them is an important example to set for your children. It helps them realise that even if they don’t always agree with their grandparents, they should still respect them because of their position in the family.

This may even improve the relationship between you and your children.

Step four

Encourage communication between your children and their grandparents. If you live near each other, frequent visits are an option.

Fortunately, however, even long distances don’t have to be a barrier to a quality relationship. Besides the traditional letters, there are emails, texts and online instant messages.

Preschool-age children will need your assistance, but older children and teens will soon become technologically adept. (www.everydaylife.globalpost.com)

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Vacationer dies mysteriously in Charlestown

GT&T makes donation to CIOG, rehab centre

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n overseas-based Guyanese collapsed and died mysteriously at his lover’s residence at Adelaide and Princes streets, Charlestown on Friday after complaining of difficulty breathing.

The dead man was identified as Matthew Small, 45, of the United Kingdom and formerly of Agricola, Greater Georgetown. According to information received, the man experienced breathing problems around 15:00h and died a few minutes later. Reputed inlaws of the man bitterly complained that despite several calls to 911, to solicit medical attention they were instructed to phone the police.

One woman, whose name was given as Alicia, explained that Small was consuming alcohol earlier in the day and went to bed to get some rest and soon after he started to pant for breath.

She added that none of the persons who were at home at the time has any medical knowledge, so they were not sure what to do.

In tears, the frustrated and grieving woman slammed the system in Guyana, claiming that 911 should have rendered assistance when called upon.

The police were contacted and turned up at the house to find Small dead on the bed. They were told that no medical personnel were around and that the body will have to be taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where doctors would make a pronouncement.

The police believe that the man may have committed suicide but are not ruling out foul play. Some persons thought that he might have succumbed because he took medication (a few tablets) before consuming a few bottles of Guinness.

A friend of the dead man explained that they were drinking on Friday morning, but he had to leave for work.

Upon returning home, he received the dreadful news. He went on to say that Small had been drinking heavily for the past two days. “I even stop he from drinking more… He de want send me to buy rum this morning

GT&T Public Relations Officer Allison Parker presents the cheque to Port Mourant CBR Centre Chairman Mark Adams

GT&T Public Relations Officer Nadia De Abreu presents a cheque to CIOG executive member Zakir Khan

he Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) last week made a monetary contribution to the Region Six Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) Programme for an initiative aimed at empowering the women of Berbice.

In a release, Port Mourant

nity for more than 20 years and this year the focus is on women with disabilities and those with children living with disabilities and other special needs. With the support from GT&T, the Region Six CBR will embark on a craft programme for its female members.

Meanwhile, GT&T

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Dead: Matthew Small

(Friday), but I tell he that he had enough but he get some other person and send them to buy,” he added.

Relatives suspect foul play

Relatives of the dead man are holding out that foul play was involved. A niece of the man, Tunisia Crum-ewing said she attempted to contact her uncle on a number of occasions, but did not get through.

She said that she grew more worried after she called the landline number of the place he was staying to no avail. “I decided that after work, today (Friday), I would have checked him out, but at about three o’clock, I received a call saying that my uncle had difficulties breathing and died soon after,” she explained.

She added that her uncle reportedly found out that his lover was having an affair with another man and he started to ‘take it on’.

Small’s niece explained that her uncle arrived in Guyana on April 26 and was due to return sometime later this month. His wife, as well as his two daughters and a son, also live overseas.

Guyana Times also understands that woman with whom he was having an affair is also married and her husband lives in the United Kingdom. The man’s body was taken to the Lyken Funeral Home to await a post-mortem examination.

Apart from his immediate family, Small leaves to mourn his four siblings.

CBR Centre Chairman Mark Adams said the organisation caters for the “disabled, handicapped and people with special needs”. “The centre offers educational programmes, care and general upliftment of their social welfare and personal well-being.”

The centre has been serving the Region Six commu-

has also supported efforts of the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana to participate in the “Annual Islamic Cultural Event” to be held in Trinidad in August. The Guyana team is expected to comprise a total of 40 persons: qaseeda singers, quranic reciters, judges and officials.

Plans in train to rehabilitate San Jose Bridge

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he Local Government Ministry will be approaching the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board shortly to commence the tendering process for rehabilitation and construction works on the Kumaka San Jose Bridge in Moruca.

This is following an investigation which was launched by the ministry based on complaints received from residents and political activists on the state of the bridge.

Necessary steps are already being taken to rectify issues associated with the construction of the San Jose Bridge in Region One. Permanent Secretary Colin Croal made this announcement at a press conference held on Thursday at the ministry’s Kingston, Georgetown office. He said the contractor who was awarded the project has since tendered his resignation.

“Subsequent to those complaints that were made by residents and even politicians, we sent in another regional engineer who would have prepared his report and at the same time, it became of interest to the Office of the Auditor General and they also did

an investigation and submitted a report to us,” he stated.

He said the major concerns which came out of the investigation were the need for rehabilitation, construction and revetment works “The approach that will be taken will focus on the fact that one end of where the bridge is being constructed is swampy and given the rainy period, it is now a major issue,” he stated.

Croal said Cabinet has given a no-objection for the proposal which was submitted by the ministry to replace the current revetment that had already

commenced.

The investigations conclude that there were errors with the technical works for both the design and revetment.

“An analysis from the report showed the lengths of the piles recommended which were too short and revetment of the current design is not correct and will not be able to support the bridge,” he explained.

The permanent secretary has assured that the materials that were purchased since the contract was awarded in 2012 would not be wasted.

He said the residents have indicated that the wood and other materi-

als will be used to undertake other project within the sub-region. The ministry had previously received a number of complaints about the $28.5 million project in the Region One (Barima/Waini), sub-region.

According to him, a stop order was placed on the works being done there and an independent engineering team went to visit, after which a report was provided to the ministry and it was studied. Croal said it has been reported that the bridge rails were rough and an examination of the bill of quantities indicated that the use of dress wood was required.

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saturday, may 25, 2013| guyanatimesGY.com

‘I was high and did not know what I was doing’ – felony accused says

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labourer was charged with intent to commit a felony when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Friday.

Elroy Edwards, 20, of Craig, East Bank Demerara pleaded guilty to the charge, which stated that on May 23, he broke

and entered the dwelling of Carol Joseph, with intent to commit a felony.

According to the facts, on the day in question the defendant went into the virtual complainant’s yard around 18:30h but left after the VC chased him out. Joseph, along with her children, went to bed around 08:30h, and was awakened by a noise

in her house. She got up and went to the bedroom where her children were asleep only to find Edwards with his hand around her eight-year-old daughter’s waist. Joseph raised an alarm and Edwards made his escape.

Investigations were carried out and he was later arrested.

The defendant in his

defence stated that he was high and did not know what he was doing.

Prosecutor Ramsahoye Rambajue objected to bail, citing the seriousness of the offence and nature of the crime.

The chief magistrate remanded Edwards to prison and he will be returning to court on May 29.

Tout shattered police vehicle’s window – court hears

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man was charged with unlawful and malicious damage to property when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on Friday.

Dextroy Smart, of Lot 17 Leopold Street, Georgetown, pleaded guilty to the charge, which states that on April 23, he

damaged a Guyana Police Force vehicle.

According to the facts of the case, the police were on traffic duty when the defendant was seen touting, so they arrested, and told him of the offence. While in the vehicle, he resisted arrest and tried to escape by kicking the window out.

The defendant, how-

ever, alleged that he was picked up and while in the police vehicle, the officers became aggressive, dealing him several blows across his body.

During the scuffle, he rammed into the window of the vehicle which subsequently broke.

The prosecutor objected to bail, stating that if the

defendant was granted his pre-trial liberty, he would not return to court.

The chief magistrate entered a not guilty plea on the defendant’s behalf and overruled the prosecution’s objection.

Smart was granted bail in the sum of $100,000 and he is to return to court 10 on May 30.

Armed robbery accused remanded

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man charged with robbery appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Friday.

Seon Davis, of Durban Street, Lodge, pleaded not guilty to the charge, which states that on May 20 at Stabroek, Georgetown he stole one Republic of Guyana passport valued $15,000, two perfumes valued $4000, one Alcatel phone valued $20,000 and other articles worth a total of $83,500, property of Sandra Deopersaud.

According to Prosecutor Ramsahoye Rambajue, around 20:15h on the day in question, the virtual complainant (VC) was walking west of the Stabroek Market with a haversack containing the articles. The defendant then sprayed a substance in her face, which caused a burning sensation and made good his escape with the articles mentioned in the charge.

Based on information, the police subsequently arrested and charged the defendant.

Davis was remanded by the chief magistrate and is scheduled to return to court on May 30 for report and fixtures.

Eyew tness

The cycle of…

...rehabilitating Burnham ell, well, well! Look who just jumped into the “Give Forbes Burnham the Tambo” project: Kean Gibson.

That’s right. The wild-eyed fascist who’s convinced that those sly and devious Guyanese Hindus who make up the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) are genetically programmed to hate African Guyanese. You got that right again. The multiracial President Donald Ramotar, Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee, Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr Roger Luncheon, and others are all Hindus.

Gibson has a sinecure to teach at University of the West Indies (UWI) Barbados Cave Hill Campus and is part of a blog that’s rabidly anti-Guyanese Indian. They’d like to drive them into the (Caribbean) Sea. She doesn’t distinguish between Hindus, Muslim and Christian Indians in her hate campaign. But then, if their fatal defect is genetic...changing their beliefs doesn’t do anything for them, does it?

Anyhow Gibson takes on Professor David Johnson from the City University of New York (CUNY), who’d merely pointed out to Jeffrey Thomas, a journeyman Burnhamite minister, that South Africa doesn’t have the one-man rule he might’ve been used to under Burnham. As such, President Jacob Zuma had to respond to internal pressures to rescind the award to Burnham. For an award to Burnham, Professor Johnson suggested, partisans of Burnham might do better if they approach the “Equatorial Guinea; its president’s style of governance will warm the heart of the late Burnham.”

Equatorial Guinea, of course, is ruled by Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, who declared he’s “the country’s god” and has “all power over men and things”. Sounds familiar?

And Gibson’s point to counter Johnson’s? Well, that individuals she considers “dictators” – Egypt’s Gamal Abdel Nasser and Indonesia’s Kusno Sukarno – were also recipients of the Tambo Award. Is this lady for real? Who in the global “South” haven’t honoured these fathers of non-alignment?

Has she forgotten there are even busts of them in front of our St George’s Cathedral? Please...now that the promise of Bandung is finally being realised through BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Arica) – where South Africa has a seat at the table – even more praises to Sukarno and Nasser.

Gibson appoints herself a one-woman commission of inquiry (CoI) and declares conclusively and dismissively: “First the excuse was that Burnham murdered Dr Walter Rodney. That does not hold water.” Well now that’s settled, let’s move on!! She finds the idea that Dr Rodney might be honoured by South Africa for being “liked”, risible.

Lady, did you hear about the “pen” and the “sword”? It isn’t just about being “liked”. Dr Rodney’s work How Europe Underdeveloped Africa liberated more than South Africa.

Ask, say, his student Yoweri Museveni, president of Uganda.

W

...bruised egos We’re enjoying the catfight going on between the socalled “Writing Fraternity”. See? We’ve capitalised the name to give them official recognition. It’s a lot better than worrying about what’s going on (or, what’s not going on) in Parliament. The actions of the politicians, unfortunately, are real in their consequences for us working stiffs. We’ll now have to sign over our firstborn, to collect our remittance from foreign.

The fall out from this catfight? At worse some bruised egos. And with the evident size of these fellas’ egos, they could withstand not just some bruises but some serious excisions without suffering any damage. For us? Some well deserved diversion. Anyway, this slacker Ruel Johnson replies to the bitch-slap delivered by Professor David Dabydeen and accepts that all the former’s points were on the mark.

The professor did buy him a laptop; did get him a workshop which he couldn’t fulfil all the requirements; and so on and so forth.

But what caught our eye was his parting shot: he is going to be among the “arbiters” of change in Guyana.

Knowing this slacker, he can’t even be the arbiter of his pocket change!!! ...gluttony Our kudos to the Muckraker’s Freddie Kissoon. After 20 years of writing about his sponging of meals from everybody and their uncles...he claims he refused a free pizza from Mario’s. WOW!!! That’s quite an accomplishment for a fella who’s never met a meal he didn’t like.

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saturday, may 25, 2013 | guyanatimesGY.com

Private contractor takes over Local Government Ministry closely management of NA waste monitoring regions’ budgets

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he town of New Amsterdam in Berbice will by the end of June become beneficiaries of affordable and reliable waste disposal services through private contractors.

According to Region Six Chairman David Armorgon, the people of Region Six will gladly accept the initiative with open arms given the current situation of the waste disposal surrounding the region.

He noted that the move to take the waste management in New Amsterdam to the private sector is a smart one by the government because the municipality is failing in this area.

However, Armorgon stated that he hopes that the contractors stick to the regulated prices for the disposal of waste because some businesses are complaining that the price for collection is high.

Speaking with Guyana Times, Advanced Environment Solutions Managing Director Zaheer Osman stated that the company has been given the greenlight for the disposal of solid waste around the New Amsterdam area. He noted that the contract was signed between his company, the Local Government Ministry and the regional democratic councils.He noted that there was also a 10-year lease on the land that was issued for the dumping of the garbage. The company will begin its work on the landfill site during the first week of June. Osman also noted that the residents will ben-

efit from a mere $300 per barrel of residential waste, while the commercial prices will vary on volume and frequency of pick-ups. According to Osman, Advanced Environment Solutions will not only be deemed as a waste management disposal company, but will also seek in the near future to venture out to recycling and waste separation. “Advanced Environmental Solutions will soon be implementing a segregation process when the waste arrives at the landfill. This process will take place at a sorting station and will involve the removing of plastic, glass, Styrofoam and electronic components from the waste. The biodegradable waste will be sent on to the landfill while the non-biodegradable items will then be recycled,” said Osman.

The Local Government Ministry had earlier in 2012 moved to open landfills outside of Region Four toward managing and addressing the culture of solid waste disposal in the regions. To date, the ministry has identified and awarded contracts for the development and management of all the identified sites, excluding the one in Region Eight which is still to be awarded following the Environmental Protection Agency’s approval of the site. In the past, the New Amsterdam Town Council usually expends some $3 million on the collection and disposal of garbage per annum.

The budgeted figure is approximately $8 million, but

Cabinet to fan out to spread independence message

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s Guyana celebrates its 47th Independence anniversary, as is customary, a minister of the government will be in attendance in each region as the Golden Arrow Head is hoisted to mark the occasion.

This was reiterated by Local Government and Regional Development Minister Ganga Persaud on Thursday at a news conference. Two weeks earlier, head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr Roger Luncheon made similar announcements.

Minister Persaud will be in Region One, Matarkai subdistrict, Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee in Region Two, Legal Affairs Minister and Attorney General Anil Nandlall in Region Three, Public Service Minister Jennifer Westford in Region Four and Human Services and Social Security Minister Jenifer Webster in Region Five.

There will be two celebrations in Region Six: one in Corriverton and the other in New Amsterdam. Labour

Minister Dr Nanda Gopaul will be in attendance at Corriverton and advisor on community development, Odinga Lumumba will be at New Amsterdam.

Junior Local Government Minister Norman Whittaker will be in Region Seven, Public Works Minister Robeson Benn in Region Eight, and Presidential Advisor Gail Teixeira in Region Nine.

Junior Finance Minister Juan Edghill will attend the celebration in Kwakwani, Region 10.

“This year, as we seek to once again emphasise and reflect on the journey which was started some 47 years ago, that journey to an independent nation, I am certain that we will do so with pride, because as a country, we have really come a very far way… our achievements and the astronomical leaps that we would have made as a nation can be recorded as far beyond our expectations,” Minister Persaud stated.

Guyana achieved independence status on May 26, 1966 from Great Britain.

due to poor rate and tax collection, this sum cannot be realised. However, according to concerned resident James Allen, the non-payment of taxes by many also contributes to the limited manpower, since property tax collection is the main source of income for the council. It was noted by residents that in the entire municipality, there are limited labourers and drivers and with low remuneration packages, the rate of absenteeism is high, and the garbage collection and disposal are affected. Another factor in the solid waste battle is malfunctioning vehicles.

The tractor/trailers, which are used for the collection and disposal of garbage are years old and experience several mechanical problems. A survey which was spearheaded by the New Amsterdam Action Group (NAAG) sometime ago revealed that New Amsterdam produces 12 tonnes of solid waste daily. The tractor/trailers available at any given time can only remove 50 per cent of the entire amount.

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he Local Government and Regional Development Ministry is closely monitoring the regions’ implementation of the projects and policies covered under the 2013 national budget, according to the ministry’s Permanent Secretary Collin Croal.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday at the ministry’s Kingston office, Croal said the ministry will be scrutinising to ensure the regions’ adhere to the projects timelines.

“We are monitoring our regions, in terms of the implementation to ensure that we stick to our timelines, because we are cognisant that we are approaching the middle of the year already, so the window period for implementation is reducing, and hence we are ensuring that our regional executive officers, the accounting officers of the regions, in a timely manner ensure that they at the regional tender board, ensure that those awards

Local Government Ministry Permanent Secretary Collin Croal

are done quickly,” he said.

Cabinet has mandated that the ministry, as well the regions, is required to have

by May 31 all their projects being tendered to be advertised for award in June.

Croal said that as a result, the regions have commenced advertisement for their capital, as well as their current projects, particularly as it relates to maintenance pro-

grammes.

He said that to date, for Region One, 60 per cent of their capital and as of this week 60 per cent of their current projects have been advertised. Region Two has advertised 100 per cent of its capital and 45 per cent of its current projects; Region Three, 65 per cent of its capital and 50 per cent of its current projects; Region Four 100 per cent of its capital and 70 per cent of its current projects; Region Five, 50 per cent of its capital and 70 per cent of its current projects; Region Six, 90 per cent of its capital and 50 per cent of its current projects; Region Seven, 85 per cent of its capital and 70 per cent of its current projects; Region Eight, 80 per cent of its capital and as of tomorrow, 60 per cent of its current projects; Region Nine, 80 per cent of its capital and 50 per cent of its current projects; and Region 10, 65 per cent of its capital and 45 per cent of its current projects.

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guyanatimesgy.com

saturday, may 25, 2013

News

TVET institutions to prepare for Caricom audit C

ouncil for Technical, Vocational and Education Training (TVET) Director Sydney Walters said the relevant local institutions must prepare for an imminent audit required by Caricom before year-end.

At a recent TVET workshop hosted by the Education Ministry and organised by the council, Walters noted that the qualification of the institutions would satisfy one of the requirements for the free movement of artisans as a condition of the Caricom Single Market and Economy.

Walters disclosed that the national policy on technical, vocational and education training requires that the council take the lead in ensuring that strategies and programmes are successfully implemented that will enable Guyana to be recognised by Caricom as eligible to award the Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ).

According to Walters, to achieve this status, there are several requirements to be satisfied including the establishment of a National Training Agency under legislation achieved in Guyana in 2004.

He said there must be in place the use of regional occupational standards for the development of the curriculum of each institution involved in the process of implementing competency-

Sydney Walters

based programmes for recognition to award the CVQ. This, he said, requires the mandatory use of approved regional occupational standards and is a crucial requirement that must be endorsed by local TVET organisations.

Walters also advised on the establishment of an assessment strategy and training of evaluators to conduct assessment including internal evaluators, internal verifiers and external verifiers.

According to the director, TVET organisations must also ensure the training of instructors and lecturers to deliver competency-based modularised training programmes.

Training

Training institutions must also have in place training for administrators and line-management func-

tionaries to monitor the delivery process.

“If competency-based programmes are to be delivered efficiently and effectively, then line management functionaries must have a clear understanding of their role on a day-to-day basis and practice clinical supervision,” Walters highlighted.

He added that the acquisition of adequate facilities to deliver the practical programmes has also been a subject of discussion for quite some time. He urged organisational heads to match their current inventory with the facility standards for the various occupational areas and development, and implement a certification strategy for both the national and Caribbean Vocation Qualification.

Guyana’s recognition by Caricom also hinges on the development and implementation of a system for the storing and retrieval of records and the development and implementation of a strategy for the effective monitoring and evaluation of the system.

“Some persons are currently working on the projects to record students’ performance on a daily basis. These 10 areas of concern are critical to us as we move towards gaining recognition to award the CVQ.” Walters revealed that the council for TVET over

the last three years has addressed these procedures by preparing post-secondary institutions under the Education Ministry so that Guyana is recognised to award the CVQ. Other institutions in both the private and public sectors, including the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) and the Kuru Kuru College are also being prepared for recognition to award the CVQ. Walters pointed out that among the documents that are being used in the implementation of the procedures to be recognised to award the CVQ is the manual on quality assurance criteria and the guidelines for the CVQ as published by the Caribbean Association of National Training Agencies (CANTA).

The TVET director noted that the council has already conducted audits at all post-secondary institution that will be audited by CANTA later this year.

“Consequently, we are working with all the training institution to satisfy the facility standards requirements as far as practical before the audit,” Walters said.

The workshop on quality assurance requirements for the delivery of the CVQ is timely and serves to remind institutions of their responsibility and the need to discharge those responsibilities efficiently and effectively.

13 lawmen being trained by FBI in TT

U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, D Brent Hardt poses with some of the local lawmen attending the course

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hirteen Guyanese law enforcement officials are attending a series of training courses spanning from May 13 to June 28 in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, at the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) Police Academy.

According to a U.S. embassy statement, in these courses, participants developed their skills relating to criminal gang and organised crime investigations, intelligence gathering for law enforcement and crime scene investigations.

This was the first time

Guyana has sent students to the Trinidad-based academy.

Instructors from the United States Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) conducted the training course.

U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, D Brent Hardt toured the TTPS Police Academy and met with the first group of Guyanese law enforcement officials participating in the training as part of a recent visit to Trinidad and Tobago.

The ambassador expressed appreciation to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Academy leadership for facilitating Guyana’s participation in the

training.

The ambassador pointed out that the expansion of regional training programmes and regional centres of excellence is a primary goal of the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) – the ongoing security partnership between the Caribbean and the United States. Such training allows for more capacity building training to be delivered at lower cost.

More importantly, it helps build personal connections among Caribbean law enforcement agencies that are essential to combating

transnational criminal activity. The ambassador told participants that “criminals operate across borders, and law enforcement agencies must be equally nimble if they are to remain effective in combating criminal activity.”

CBSI partners agreed on the importance of expanding regional training and developing regional centres of excellence. This FBI-provided training reflects the U.S. commitment to implement the CBSI and develop region’s capacity to enhance training in a broad range of areas for law enforcement officials throughout the region.

This partnership exemplifies the regional cooperation that is at the heart of the CBSI’s success and sustainability.

The CBSI partnership with the Caribbean was launched by U.S. President Barack Obama at the fifth Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago in April 2009 and is a cornerstone of an integrated, multilateral hemispheric security strategy that seeks to enhance citizen security, promote social justice, and combat illicit trafficking.

Freddie want a bigger pizza

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ong before Freddie Kissmansoon was a book thief, he was a bummer. And long before he was a Man Kisser, he was a bummer. Now that de man is a kisser and bummer, he would even kiss fuh whatever he bummin.

A former UG student who was in one of Freddie Kissmansoon class seh de Man Kisser used to always be bummin sumting from somebody whenever he was on de campus, and even whenever he was in de classroom babblin like he teachin.

De student admit that she never see de Man Kisser drink and smoke, so she never see he bum anybody fuh a beer or a cigarette. But de Man Kisser used to go up in de canteen to sit down and pretend as though he readin a book at lunch time when everybody else eatin.

De Man Kisser always had late afternoon classes to lecture, but he used to be in the canteen sharp at lunchtime. That was when all de students who didn’t finish dem assignments does go up and buy de Man Kisser sumting fuh eat. One of dem seh de Man Kisser belly never full because he never refuse any ting yet!

Since de Man Kisser resign after he get fired from UG, he can’t go back to de campus and go to de canteen anymore. But he does still go and bum at dem shops along UG road where some of de students does go fuh lunch. That is why de Man Kisser had always want house and land near UG. Now that de Man Kisser goin to Mario’s he realise that de people there don’t tek no bummin… so he gotta pay fuh what he want. De other day he want a bigger pizza and he didn’t want to pay.

When he couldn’t get what he want, he cuss up everybody.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! But de Man Kisser gon want another big pizza again and so he beggin de owner Mr Camp Bell fuh go back again!

Emergency maintenance leaves Cummings Park residents without water

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he Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) has advised that the service disruption affecting customers of Cummings Park, reported in the Thursday, May 23 edition of the Kaieteur News, resulted from emergency maintenance at the Cummings Lodge Well Station, which commenced last week.

Emergency maintenance at the Cummings Lodge Well Station also resulted in reduced levels of service

in Sophia (A to E fields), Liliendaal and Turkeyen.

The company said it had issued an advisory last week, via all available sources of media, informing customers of the emergency work and the subsequent consequences.

“Guyana Water Incorporated apologises for this service disruption and wishes to assure all affected customers that normal service will be restored in the swiftest manner possible.”

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saturday, may 25, 2013 | guyanatimesGY.com

“Don’t beat up on our teachers,” Bynoe tells PTA meeting

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uyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) president Colin Bynoe is calling on the Education Ministry to put systems in place so that teachers who fall victims of abuse by students and parents are given some form of counselling to keep them motivated.

He said the union is not only there to defend the rights of teachers. “Our goal is to work hand in glove with the Ministry of Education in order to bring about the type of motivation needed in schools in Guyana.”

According the GTU president, the time has come for the union to back teachers who are being abused at the hands of parents.

He added that there was once a time when parents would approach teachers seeking to have the teacher write a letter for the parent.

That has long changed with the improvement of the educational system in Guyana since the early 1990s. “We are not asking the parents in the community to go to teachers and ask them to write a letter, but that the folks in the community must respect the teachers so much so that they will not go into the schools and beat up on our teachers.”

Bynoe said that he is looking forward for the tabling of legislation which

U.S. embassy, UG hosting journalism workshop

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he University of Guyana Centre for Communication Studies (UGCCS) will be hosting a journalism training workshop from Tuesday, May 28 to June 1, at Moray House Trust. The workshop is being held in collaboration with Ohio University’s Institute for International Journalism in the Scripps College of Communication and the United States embassy, Georgetown, under the theme “Democracy, Journalism, and Responsibility: Expectations for an Informed Society”.

According to a U.S. embassy release, two distinguished former foreign correspondents will facilitate the workshop, which will focus on investigative reporting, political communication, political campaigns and democratisation and advocacy journalism and social responsibility.

The worship will feature presentations from Ohio University, Institute for International Journalism Director Dr Yusuf Kalyango and Andy Alexander, a former Ombudsman of the Washington Post with extensive international journalism experience.

University of Guyana, Deputy Vice Chancellor Phillip Da Silva and U.S. Ambassador to Guyana D Brent Hardt will lead the launch of the workshop.

will make such offences carry a mandatory jail term.

Bynoe noted that abused teachers are on many occasions traumatised and is calling on the ministry to work hand-in-hand with the GTU in motivating not just those teachers, but all in the system. The GTU president was at the time addressing a group of PTA representatives in New Amsterdam on Thursday. In recent times, several teachers have been assaulted at the hands of parents, some even at the hands of students.

Recently, a teacher was assaulted at the Vrymans Ervin Secondary School by the parent of a student.

While the teacher had to

receive medical attention at the New Amsterdam Hospital, the matter was not recorded in the school’s log book.

President Donald Ramotar earlier this month said government is considering raising the penalty for students who beat teachers, with mandatory jail time and hefty fines being two of the options. Ramotar made the comments while interacting with teachers at the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) headquarters on Labour Day. The teachers had raised a number of issues with the president, among them being the methods to deal with the growing levels of indiscipline in

the nation’s schools, and the growing debate about corporal punishment.

The teachers, in referring to the recent incident at a Linden school which left a teacher hospitalised with a cracked skull and several students suspended, expressed the need for stiffer penalties to be applied to students, particularly those who hit or attack staffers. A few even called for the jailing of students who attacked teachers and for their parents to be fined or otherwise penalised, as is done in other countries.

Some with decades of experience added that unless proper alternatives are found for corporal punish-

ment, then it must remain in the school system. After listening to their concerns, Ramotar in response said the government will do its utmost to see a return of discipline and order to the nation’s schools. “We have to raise the penalty, we haven’t decided as yet, but we are considering many things, mandatory jail, raising the fines etc. People should not be hitting teachers.” He also urged teachers to do their part and always give of their best, when on duty. In a recent interview, GTU General Secretary Coretta McDonald had called on the Education Ministry to address the high level of indiscipline among students in schools across

GTU President Colin Bynoe

Guyana. McDonald told Guyana Times that there have been a number of incidents recently where teachers suffered injuries.

12 news CICAD meeting on OAS Early promotion of drug report concludes creativity a necessity – COHSOD hears S T saturday, may 25, 2013 | guyanatimeSGY.com

ecretary for Multidimensional Security of the Organisation of American States (OAS), Adam Blackwell on Thursday concluded the 53rd regular session of the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD) with a call for participants to seize the opportunity provided by the newly delivered report on the drug problem in the Americas and “contribute to the debate and discussion” on the subject.

The CICAD meeting focused on analysing the report prepared by the hemispheric organisation, which was presented to the OAS Permanent Council on Monday. Ambassador Blackwell asked participants at the meeting, and in general, the governments of the hemisphere, to make an effort to ensure that the report forms the basis for a discussion of ideas that con-

cludes with a definition of policies that are truly effective in addressing the problem.

The secretary for Multidimensional Security urged those present “to read the report and provide comments and suggestions. We are always open to contributions to ensure that this report adds to the debate and discussion”. The drug problem in the region “is a very human issue”, said Blackwell, who drew attention to the fact that the next opportunity for discussion will be at the upcoming OAS General Assembly to be held in Antigua Guatemala, from June 4 to 6.

The report on the drug problem in the Americas was delivered, by the OAS Secretary General, José Miguel Insulza, to the Colombia President Juan Manuel Santos on Friday, May 17. The document is composed of two parts: the

Analytical Report, which explains the reasons that lead society to worry about drug consumption and to try to control its effects on human health and the Scenarios Report, an examination of the paths that the phenomenon could take in the coming years in the region.

For his part, the CICAD Chair and Costa Rica Public Security Minister Mario Zamora Cordero closed the session by stating that “more judges, more prosecutors and more police will mean more people arrested but not fewer crimes committed. In this report, we have the key to how to address the issue of violence associated with drug use”.

On the closing day of the 53rd session, participants approved the draft CICAD annual report for 2012, and it was agreed that the next session will take place from December 10 to 12 in Bogota, Colombia.

he Caribbean Community (Caricom) has been challenged to begin fostering creativity and innovation from the earliest levels of education as a deliberate strategy for the sustainable development of the region.

At the opening ceremony of the 24th meeting of the Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD) that focuses on education and culture, speakers honed in on the necessity of such a strategy to mould the ideal Caribbean citizen.

The tone of the meeting themed “Fostering innovation through education and culture” was set

by Trinidad and Tobago's Tertiary Education and Training Minister Fazal Karim, Guyana's Culture, Youth and

Sport Minister Dr Frank Anthony and Caricom Assistant Secretary General, Ambassador Colin Granderson.

The common thread of their presentations was the crucial role that education and culture could play in encouraging innovation, and the necessity for a new skill sets for competitiveness and development.

Key components For Minister Karim, whose address was made via video, what was clear was that “in the increasingly complex global environment in which we operate with economic, social and environmental challenges, the only sustainable path to development is grounded in our ability to be creative, innovative and competitive, implying commitment to knowledge development to all its spheres”. Among the key components he identified in the quest towards competitiveness was a greater focus on entrepreneurship, an examination of the educational and pedagogic techniques to ascertain whether it was relevant in the current digital milieu, and the development of “muscles” within national education systems for creative and innovative thinking.

In his remarks, Ambassador Granderson said the region’s capacity to achieve the levels of competitiveness required for success in the global economy, was, in large measure, dependent on its capacity for innovation in all spheres.

“Capacity for innovation is fuelled by creativity.

Fostering creativity from the earliest stages must therefore be a deliberate strategy of our human resource development systems,” said Ambassador Granderson.

The COHSOD, he said, would turn the spotlight on this imperative which was recognised by the conference of heads of government of Caricom in 1997.

That meeting devoted a special session to education and human resource development and outlined the vision of the ideal Caribbean citizen.

Ideal Caribbean person The ideal Caribbean citizen is someone who, among other things: is imbued with a respect for human life since it is the foundation on which all the other desired values must rest; is emotionally secure with a high level of selfconfidence and self-esteem; sees ethnic, religious and other diversity as a source of potential strength and richness; and is aware of

the importance of living in harmony with the environment.

That person should also have a strong appreciation of family and kinship values, community cohesion, and moral issues including responsibility for and accountability to self and community; an informed respect for the cultural heritage; demonstrate multiple literacies, independent and critical thinking, questions the beliefs and practices of past and present and bring this to bear on the innovative application of science and technology to problem solving; demonstrate a positive work ethic; value and display the creative imagination in its various manifestations and nurture its development in the economic and entrepreneurial spheres in all other areas of life; develop the capacity to create and take advantage of opportunities to control, improve, maintain and promote physical, mental, social and spiritual well-being and contribute to the health and welfare of the community and country. In addition, the ideal Caribbean person nourishes in him/herself and in others, the fullest development of each person’s potential without gender stereotyping and embraces differences and similarities between females and males as a source of mutual strength.

Relevance Ambassador Granderson pointed out that the two-day COHSOD meeting would revisit and review that vision to determine its relevance and the extent to which education and cultural policies, strategies and actions had been geared to addressing the achievement of that goal and offer new directions to deal with emerging challenges and imperatives.

Dr Anthony acknowledged the need for the community’s education system to promote innovation and creativity. The region, he stressed, needed to address the relevant skill sets for the knowledge economy to prevent marginalisation or exclusion in the current times. Another dimension to the creation of the ideal Caribbean citizen on which Dr Anthony touched was the promotion of healthy lifestyles. He called for more action on non-communicable diseases and sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV/AIDS, even as he recognised that dwindling donor resources could undermine previous efforts. The opening ceremony was chaired

by Human and Social Development Directorate, Officer-in-Charge Myrna Bernard.

13 Fisher Primary School wins National Reading Competition F news

saturday, may 25, 2013 | guyanatimesGY.com

By: Indrawattie Natram

isher Primary School on the Essequibo Coast has emerged as the winner of the National Reading Competition hosted by the Demerara Lions Club in collaboration with the National Centre for Education Resource Development.

The Fisher Primary School, which is located at Golden Fleece on the Essequibo Coast, won the National Reading Competition after defeating Two Miles Primary of Bartica, Region Seven by five points. The final was held on Friday at the Region Two, Department of Education, Learning Resource Centre.

The school managed to make it to the final leg of the competition held under the theme “Enhancing literacy through oral language”.

Fisher Primary School grabbed the best school prize with the overall best reader being Begum Somyah Baksh. Baksh won the hearts of the judges when she read a comprehension passage, spelt two words and answered questions pertaining to the comprehension. The students who entered the competition from the various schools were required to read a passage, spell two words and answer questions based on the passage.

Meanwhile, when students of Two Miles Primary School took the stage, Milly Reid read her passage very eloquently and answered most of her questions. Her spelling words were nervous and property.

However, at the end of the competition, the Chief Judge Parikhan Ram, an English specialist at NCERD, said the two schools came in very close with Fisher Primary scoring 58 points and Two Miles 53 points. He dubbed the competition as very successful, but noted that pro-

First Lady Deolatchmie Ramotar with the teacher and students of the Fisher Primary School which emerged winner of the reading competition

nunciation of words and proper eye contact are areas which must be improved.

Ram called on teachers of the various schools to spend more time with the children and help to develop comprehension skills.

Partnership First Lady Deolatchmie Ramotar, who graced the final, called on businesses to partner with education stakeholders in promoting literacy in Guyana through sponsoring similar competitions in the future. The first lady, who said she was impressed with the competition and the number of schools participated, highlighted the importance of reading in one’s life.

Ramotar commended the efforts of the Demerara Lions group in promoting literacy across the region as well as boosting children’s confidence level. She said it is her desire for the reading competition to become an annual feature which will give students the opportunity to build their confidence.

She encouraged those students and teachers present at the competition to read

and read more. Ramotar emphasised that reading is important and should be practised daily. The first lady advised students to read beyond studies and to develop

a love for reading. She noted that there is nothing “old fashioned” about reading and urged children to develop a passion for such.

The schools that participated in the reading competition were Two Miles Primary, Holy Name Primary, Batavia Primary, Agatash Primary, Itabali Primary, Karau Primary, Kartaba Primary, Makouria Primary, River Primary, Huist Diren Primary, Queenstown Primary, Limas Primary, 8th May Primary, Fisher Primary and Better Hope Primary. An impromptu speech competition was held also with participating secondary schools being Johanna Cecilia, Aurora, Cotton Field, 8th May and Charity.

Johanna Cecilia copped the best prize for the impromptu speech with student Shellon Mitchell being the overall winner. Also

First Lady Deolatchmie Ramotar with pupils of Two Miles Primary School, the second-place winner of the reading competition

in attendance were Region Two Chairman Parmanand Persaud along with officers from the Region Two

Education Department. The Demerara Lions group operates under the motto “To serve selflessly”.

14 news

saturday, May 25, 2013| guyanatimesGY.com

Yarrowkabra was designated for sand mining Drivers complain about short measurement of gas – Lands and Surveys commissioner

By Michael Younge

L

ands and Surveys Commissioner Doorga Persaud said Yarrowkabra on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway is one of the areas that were designated as being feasible for sand mining operations a long time ago.

Speaking with Guyana Times on Friday afternoon, Persaud 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 to establish sand mining operations in the Yarrowkabra area could not be seen as unlawful or out of the ordinary.

Sand mining 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.

Asked to what extent was the agency involved in the granting of permission for BK International to establish the sand mine, Persaud said the commission confirmed the availabil-

ity of the land for such purposes, but the rest was left to the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC).

Persaud also disclosed that the licensing and other arrangement for the use of the land and other such matters would have fallen under the responsibility of GGMC. He urged persons to familiarise themselves with the rules governing the usage of the land in question at Yarrowkabra.

Persaud’s comments came on the heels of a demonstration orchestrated by Bulkan’s Timbers Limited, a company which has been unreasonably resisting the attempts by BK International to commence operations in the community, despite the fact that permission was granted by all of the relevant legal and statutory bodies.

The Environmental Assessment Board (EAB), through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), on Monday stated that there is no need for an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to be done on the BK International proposed sand mine.

According the EAB Chairman Veetal Rajkumar, the decision was made only after in-depth deliberations and assessment of all the information provided by both parties. “We have considered all the operational aspects and arguments from both parties and though the board thought there were some is-

sues to be addressed, there was not enough justification to embark on an EIA,” said Rajkumar.

Evaluation He noted that when the decision was taken the scale of the mining operation and consultations with the GGMC and the EPA were considered.

The EAB has said it was aware of the issues that will arise with the operation, but there are ways of mitigating such, given the small scale of the mining activity planned

by BK International. Despite this, Bulkan’s Timbers has continued to pursue protest actions.

The EPA noted that despite the recommendation made by the EAB, the entire process will still have to be followed, and it is not automatic that permission will be given to BK International for the operation of a sand mining pit.

“We have received the recommendations of the EAB, but the process still has to go through its entirety and it is not automatic. So far, the EPA will still have to meet and consider all the documents,” said Environmental Health Division Director Geeta Singh.

BK International has fully acknowledged that adverse effects such as dust nuisance, noise, vibrations, and water pollution are possible.

Assurance However, the company has assured that these impacts can be mitigated and addressed through various means, including periodic watering of the site, by ensuring that the trucks used are covered with traps to prevent dust, and limiting the speed of the vehicles to and from the site.

BK International has also said that construction of baffle mounds, mufflers, and controlled working hours will allow for smooth operations and zero impact on the community. As it relates to water pollution, the company noted that there is no major water course adjacent to the proposed site and fuel will not be stored on site, nor will there be any placement of piles within 10 metres of any nearby water source. The company emphasised that the sand mine will contribute directly to the infrastructural development of the country and the nearby community.

The EPA received the proposal on May 18, 2012 from BK International to operate a small-scale mining operation and the EPA conducted the necessary physical evaluation of the site. It was noted during the hearing that due to the small scale of the project, an EIA is not necessary.

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

T

he Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) said it has received numerous complaints from motorists complaining about alleged short measurement of gas purchased at gas stations.

However, the agency said its own investigations have proven that no such fraud might be taking place.

In a release, the GNBS said divers have been claiming that they received less fuel from some service stations when compared with others for a specified sum of money paid. Investigations conducted by the GNBS at service stations against which complaints were made revealed that all the fuel pumps were verified and were within the accepted tolerance. Further, the security seals placed on the meters by the GNBS to prevent tampering were checked and found to be intact. “… the GNBS is confident that the fuel dispensed by these fuel pumps is accurate and therefore the inaccuracy of the pumps is not the factor that is responsible for the short measurements drivers claimed to have received.”

However, based on further investigation carried out by the GNBS, it is highly probable that the varia-

tion in amount of fuel provided to drivers is directly linked to the variation in the “price per litre” of fuel sold by gas stations. The higher the “price per litre” a “lesser quantity” of fuel would be supplied for a specified sum of money, and vise versa.

“For example, if gasoline is sold at $200 per litre at one gas station and a driver purchases $1000, he would receive five litres; but if he purchases from a station that sells the same product at $250 per litre, he will only get four litres.

Please note that the GNBS has no control over the price at which products are sold.”

The agency said motorists should pay attention to the price per litre which is displayed on all fuel pumps or on pricelists at gas stations where purchases are made.

“The GNBS recommends that petroleum products be purchased by volume instead of money value to avoid any misconception.

The GNBS will continue to conduct the verification of all fuel pumps countrywide to maintain accuracy, which will ensure that drivers get exactly what they pay for and proprietors do not loose due to the over-delivery of their petroleum products.”

GPL retro payout put off to next week − NAACIE frets over delay, wants CEO sacked

By Samuel Sukhnandan

T

he National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) is again calling for the removal of Guyana Power and Light Chief Executive Officer Bharat Dindyal, after he failed to deliver on his promise to pay employees their back pay this week.

NAACIE General Secretary Kenneth Joseph told Guyana Times on Friday that it was about time that Dindyal remove himself from the management of GPL, based on the number of failed promises he has made and his mismanagement of the company.

“I support all calls for him to be removed from GPL.... Actually, I am calling for the same removal and that is not, because I want him to lose anything.

What I want is the company to gain and the nation to gain from his separation from the company,” Joseph stated.

The NAACIE executive said he was not informed about the decision to have workers paid by this week, but read that the CEO

NAACIE General Secretary Kenneth Joseph

made this promise through media reports.

Joseph said in light of this, he enquired from GPL’s Human Resources and Finance Department about the issue and was informed that it was highly impossible for workers to receive their back pay this week. Joseph argued that this is not the first time that the CEO has promised something that never came into effect, especially since his statements are made without consultation with the board of directors of the company.

Several workers expressed their disappointment with the move made

GPL CEO Bharat Dindyal

by the CEO, saying that they are hoping that it could be addressed.

He explained that the other GPL executives also questioned the reason for the CEO’s statement, since they too were aware that no arrangements were put in place to have workers receive their retroactive payment.

Arrangements will be put into place

CEO Dindyal when contacted told Guyana Times via a telephone interview that while workers will not receive their back pay this week, arrangements will be put into place to have them

receive it by next week.

He acknowledged that the workers were not paid, and said he will address the issue. When asked whether this is a definitive decision, so workers will not be met with the same situation next week, Dindyal said that “GPL has never had a problem paying and workers will be paid”.

Joseph accused the CEO of making decisions based on his own personal views, saying “GPL is not Dindyal…. He is an employee of GPL”. The NAACIE general secretary believes that the CEO is not aware of this and said he must understand this important fact.

He also referred to comments made by Dindyal in the past that he will make workers redundant. Joseph in disputing this said that workers cannot be made redundant, but only jobs can.

He noted if that were to happen, then GPL would have had to send home staff and pay them off for their services.

Proper investigation

He emphaised that “the time is long gone for proper investigation into GPL and its CEO and Dindyal

should not be allowed to do the things he does”. While NAACIE did not receive reports on this issue, Joseph has decided that if workers are not paid as promised, then they will take action. He said the union has always been kept in the dark and if this continues, it will only encourage bad management and strikes, among other things, that will hinder progress and development for both staff and the power company.

Additionally, Joseph said that the board of directors and the government should be blamed for Dindyal’s action, because they are the ones responsible for putting him there.

According to him, the CEO has also requested an increase in his salary, even as he works for a substantial amount and is aware of the financial issues the company is currently experiencing. Joseph noted that the matter should be taken seriously and workers who were promised their retroactive payment should not be fooled into thinking they will receive it soon, rather they should be given a definitive time when they could access their monies.

Some time needed to process the payments

One senior employee of GPL’s finance department who wishes to remain anonymous said that the CEO should not go about making such promises, when he knows that it would be impossible to have employees paid the monies owed to them based on the arbitration ruling. The employee noted that quite a lot of employees are to benefit from the retroactive payment, so it will take some time to process the payments. The staffer also believes that it will be impossible for workers to be paid next week, unless the finance department put in extra time.

An arbitration panel recently awarded a maximum of six per cent in salary increases for workers at GPL, ending a protracted bitter dispute between the power company and the union.

The arbitration tribunal said the power company’s grade one workers will receive an increase of six per cent, while the other categories will receive an increase of 5.5 per cent retroactive to January 2012.

15 News

guyanatimesgy.com

saturday, may 25, 2013

16 hit with vomiting, diarrhoea Taliban attack international after eating pickled gooseberry compound in Afghan capital

S

ixteen children of the Sophia Care Centre were struck with bouts of vomiting and diarrhoea after eating pickled gooseberry.

On Friday morning, several of the students were rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital to undergo treatment at the accident and emergency unit.

According to officials at the hospital, the 16 children were being treated and three of them are likely to

be admitted for overnight observation, so as to ensure that their state of health was back to normal.

One source at the Sophia Care Centre related that on Thursday, May 23, one of the students brought in some gooseberries with salt and pepper and shared it with several of the other students. The same evening at dinner they were treated to bake and salt fish, along with their usual tea, in an attempt to help assist with

the stomach aches that some of the children reported that they were experiencing. However, Friday morning some of the students began vomiting and several others reported that they too felt similar stomach pains.

They were taken to the Sophia Health Centre where the nurses treated and observed them, and the students were subsequently sent to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Mom dies, gives birth, then recovers

T

hree-month-old Elayna Nigrelli has redefined what it means to be a miracle baby. She was born while her mother was technically dead.

In February, Erica Nigrelli was teaching at a high school in Missouri City, Texas, when she walked into a co-worker’s classroom.

Nigrelli said she felt faint, placed her hands on a table to steady herself and then passed out.

Three teachers immediately grabbed a defibrillator and also began performing CPR. Children in the class-

room ran out, yelling for help.

Nigrelli’s husband, Nathan, also a teacher, was just two doors down. He rushed into the room. “Erica was lying on the floor, she was foaming and making gurgling sounds and just staring up,” he told CNN affiliate KPRC. He called 911.

“My wife is pregnant,” he said, his breath heavy with panic. “She’s having a seizure! The baby’s due in three weeks!” “Oh my God!” the 911 operator exclaimed.

By the time paramedics rushed the 32-year-old to the hospital, doctors could not

find a pulse. Her heart had stopped. Doctors delivered the baby by emergency cesarean section. Technically, it was a post-mortem delivery because Erica’s heart was not beating. But then something remarkable happened.

The doctors turned to Erica, and soon her heart started beating again. Over the next five days, she remained in a medically induced coma, she told CNN, and doctors diagnosed her with a heart defect she did not know she had − hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. (Excerpt from CNN)

TT man with two pardons killed in car accident

A

60-year-old former member of the Jamaat-al-Muslimeen and murder accused, who received two presidential pardons, was killed in a car accident on Wednesday afternoon. According to police reports, shortly after midday, Kirkland Paul, of Malabar, Arima, was crossing the Priority Bus Route

(PBR), near Caura Junction, when he was struck by a car travelling east. Police said Paul was seriously injured in the crash and later was pronounced dead on the scene by a district medical officer (DMO). Investigators said the accident happened metres away from a zebra crossing at the junction.

The driver of the car was

questioned by police but was not detained. Assistant Superintendant of Police Hosein of the Northern Division is probing Paul’s death. In 1975, Paul and Andy Thomas (Abdullah Omowale) were convicted of the murder of PC Austin Sankar, who was shot dead at Crystal Stream, Diego Martin. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

A wounded Afghan policeman (C) is helped away from the site of an explosion in Kabul, May 24

T

aliban militants launched a large-scale attack involving the United Nations in the centre of the Afghan capital Kabul on Friday, sparking a fivehour battle with security forces.

A plume of smoke hung

over Kabul after the attack was launched, with the sound of .50 caliber heavy machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades and sniper fire clearly audible throughout the city centre as night fell.

An Afghan police offi-

cer was killed and 10 other people were wounded during the attack, which began at 14:00h (1130 GMT) with a suicide car bomb outside a compound used by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), Afghan police said.

While the IOM is not part of the United Nations, it is affiliated with it in Afghanistan.

The attack came eight days after six American soldiers and civilians and nine Afghans were killed in a suicide car bombing in Kabul.

The Taliban, fighting to expel Western forces and establish Islamist rule in Afghanistan, claimed responsibility for Friday’s attack, saying a “rest house” used by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) had been attacked. (Excerpt from

Reuters)

TT: Dr Rowley faces possible expulsion from House of Representatives

O

pposition Leader and Diego Martin West Member of Parliament (MP) Dr Keith Rowley faces possible expulsion from the House of Representatives over allegations that he this week misled the parliament, Government Chief Whip Dr Roodal Moonilal said on Wednesday.

Rowley was referred to the parliament’s disciplinary committee, called the Privileges Committee, on Wednesday night by Speaker Wade Mark who found that a first instance case of contempt of the House had been made out against him and

he referred the matter to the committee for consideration and report.

That ruling came after Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar raised a matter of contempt against Rowley.

She said the documents circulated by Rowley on Monday in Parliament – purporting to be emails suggesting offences including a conspiracy to murder – were obviously fake.

“An examination of the documents reveal that they contain numerous obvious errors, inconsistencies and major discrepancies which sug-

gest that it is a wholly sham document, created for the sole purpose of causing mischief and to maliciously lay false accusations against members of the government,” PersadBissessar charged.

She said Rowley had, “deliberately and willfully misled this House; and recklessly abused the privilege of freedom of speech in this House thereby bringing this House into public ridicule and odium.”

The issue will now fall before the Privileges Committee where Rowley faces a range of possible sanctions, including suspension and expulsion.

(Excerpt from Trinidad and Tobago Today)

16

saturday, may 25, 2013

guyanatimesgy.com

Caribbean

Africa

JNBS touts ‘financial bridge’ Developing and managing the mineral wealth of Zimbabwe for tomorrow in London

A

s the Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) kicked off celebrations in the UK to mark 25 years of operations there, General Manager Earl Jarrett has affirmed that the organisation has remained true to its original mission of building a financial bridge between Jamaicans in England and Jamaica, and creating channels to address the need, both locally and overseas, for savings and investments.

This strategy, he said,

has driven the growth of the organisation to its present position as one of the largest Jamaican entities operating in Europe. The JNBS Representative Offices and JN Money Transfer (UK) serve over 30,000 people, processes over two million transactions per year and employs approximately 100 workers in Britain.

Jarrett was speaking at the church service held at the Methodist Central Hall in Westminster, London, which

launched JNBS UK’s series of 25th anniversary celebratory activities. He noted that the 25 years of doing business in the UK had not been without challenges.

“In the 1990s, JNBS was in the front row of the worst economic crisis in the Jamaican financial sector,” he reflected, adding that the success of the company was due in large measure to the indomitable spirit and continued commitment of Jamaicans in the UK diaspora. (Jamaica Observer)

North America

Yahoo joins growing list of bidders for Hulu

Y

ahoo Inc has submitted a formal proposal to buy Hulu, joining a growing list of bidders for the video service owned by News Corp and Walt Disney Co, two sources with knowledge of the bid told Reuters on Friday.

Yahoo just this week announced a US$1.1 billion acquisition of blogging service Tumblr. It now joins rival bidders for Hulu, includ-

ing Time Warner Cable Inc, DirecTV, former News Corp president Peter Chernin and Guggenheim Digital Media, sources have said.

It is unclear how much the Internet company bid.

Sources have said Chernin is bidding US$500 million, excluding an additional sum to cover Hulu’s debt and programming commitments. But a source close to the bidding told Reuters his offer was too

low, that Hulu could be worth as much as US$1 billion to US$2 billion.

Time Warner Cable’s bid was fashioned as an equity investment, another person said, as the cable operator hopes to set up a joint venture with other cable companies to operate Hulu.

Yahoo did not respond to requests for comment. Its shares closed up 1.2 per cent at US$26.33. (Reuters)

Europe

Germany reports sluggish firstquarter growth of 0.1 per cent

G

ermany’s economy barely grew in the first quarter of 2013 as exports and investment shrank, figures show. But higher domestic consumption – thanks to rising wages – helped offset the declines in foreign trade and capital investment, raising hopes it will help drive a sustained recovery.

Gross domestic product rose 0.1 per cent from the previous quarter, but contracted 1.4 per cent compared with

a year earlier. The figure showed the economy narrowly avoided falling into a recession.

In the previous quarter, Germany’s annual economic output shrank by 0.7 per cent. A recession is defined as two consecutive quarters of economic contraction. In the latest GDP data, which confirmed a preliminary estimate, only household spending was positive, growing 0.8 per cent. Imports fell by 2.1

per cent and exports dropped 1.8 per cent, “Germany’s consumers ride to the rescue,” said Christian Schulz, senior economist at Berenberg Bank.

“In 2013, Germany will have to rely largely on domestic demand for growth. With consumption showing signs of strength and some bounceback in investment after the long winter, the outlook for domestic demand is brightening,” he said. (BBC News)

Market statistics Cambio Rates

Gold Prices – Guyana Gold Board

Bank of Guyana

Fixed as at January 7, 2013 Calculated at 94% purity

Buying

Selling

U.S.

GBP

$310.58

$344.58

Cambio

CAN

$161.50

$181.42

Gross

$312,663

USD

$198.42

$205.58

Net

$290,776

Selling

$322,632

Cur

$1645.25 $202.17

Indicators as on May 23, 2013 Live Spot Gold

Indicators

USD Per Once

Bid/Ask

$1369.70

$1370.70

Low/High

$1354.00

$1416.00

Change

-6.30

-0.46

May 23 USD GBP EUR May 17 USD GBP EUR

London Gold Fix AM 1385.25 917.75 1071.43 AM 1376.75 903.62 1069.15

Crude Oil Price Silver Platinum

US$ per barrel

Change %

$102.60

+0.12

USD per Ounce

Change %

$22.27

-0.16

$1465.00

+4.00

PM 1408.50 930.44 1084.88 PM 1368.75 901.50 1068.00

T

he mining sector in Africa constitutes one of the largest industries in the world. Africa is the second biggest continent, with 30 million km² of land, which implies large quantities of resources. For many African countries, mineral exploration and production constitute significant parts of their economies and remain keys to economic growth.

The continent is richly endowed with mineral reserves

and ranks first or second in quantity of world reserves of bauxite, cobalt, industrial diamond, phosphate rock, platinum-group metals (PGM), vermiculite, and zirconium.

Gold mining is Africa’s main mining resource.

However, in spite of this rich mineralisation African countries are still wallowing in poverty. The primary problem has been the racist and colonial natural resource laws in Africa which empower the

investor at the expense of the citizenry who are the bona fide owners of the resource.

Based on this flawed framework most of the mining deals and activities on the continent have been opaque and detrimental to Africans.

Corruption by both public sector and private sector players has compounded the malaise.

Secondly, mining in Africa has been largely extractive without beneficiation or value addition. (allAfrica)

Asia Rosy China growth forecasts fade on further signs of slowdown

A

s evidence mounts that China’s economy is losing momentum, economists are fast abandoning their rosy recovery forecasts and bracing for what could be the country’s slowest growth rate in 23 years.

In the space of five months, analysts have swung from confidently predicting a modest pick-up in the world’s second-biggest economy to pondering the chance that China will miss its own 7.5 per cent

growth target this year.

Concerns that Beijing’s growth target may be under threat came to the fore on Thursday, when a preliminary survey of Chinese factories showed manufacturing activity shrank for the first time in seven months in May after both new domestic and export orders fell.

“Yes, the 7.5 per cent target is under threat,” said Ken Peng, an economist at BNP Paribas in Beijing. “China

does not have a recession, but there will not be a recovery.”

Unlike previous years when any wobble in the Chinese growth engine was countered with heavy government intervention to stabilise activity, economists are counting on things being different this time. There will be no big-bang stimulus like the 4 trillion yuan (US$652 billion) package unveiled after the 2008/09 financial crisis to spur growth, analysts say.

(Reuters)

Middle East Qatar GDP growth set to reach seven per cent in 2013 − Fitch

G

DP growth in Qatar is expected to reach seven per cent this year, Fitch Ratings has said in a new report. The rating agency said public sector would drive credit growth related to the US$95 billion of planned infrastructure spending between 2011 and 2016.

Fitch added that it expects Qatari banks to remain well capitalised. Most benefit from high Tier 1 ratios assisted by capital injections by the Qatari authorities.

“Large capital buffers

provide capacity for loan growth and for absorbing unexpected losses,” it said in the report.

Fitch also said it expects healthy profitability and margins to continue in 2013.

However, margins are increasingly being pressured

due to the low interest rate environment and competition, it added.

“Spreads for government-related lending may provide narrower margins than private sector lending, and banks are looking to higher-yielding business opportunities such as projectrelated contracting activities,” Fitch said.

It added that the primary concern for asset quality is rapid credit growth, although strong governmentrelated borrowing and finances offset some concerns.

(Arabianbusiness)

Investors' guide

Low-cost business start-ups

(Part three)

Landscaping and lawn care

Taking care of your yard is a chore that takes a lot of time and is dependent on the weather. It might rain on the days you have time to do work in the yard, and be sunny when you’re too busy to set foot outside. Many families use basic lawn care services. All you need to get started are a mower and a vehicle to transport it.

You don’t have to start out with the massive truck and

the riding lawnmower; you could easily mow another yard by folding up your push mower and putting it in the trunk of your car.

Freelancing your best skill

The best – and easiest – way to start a company with low investment costs is to take a skill you are great at and that is valuable in the marketplace, and to sell it to those in need of the skill.

You might freelance your

ability to write articles, to build websites, or to teach music lessons. Having specific skills limits your competition and increases your chances of charging a livable rate. How many expert French horn players live in your city? A lot fewer than the number of people that can watch children or mow yards. The more specific and unique your skills, the easier time you will find differentiating yourself in the marketplace. (Business Dictionary)

Business concept – Amortisation

Last: 15307.17

Changes: -80.41

% Change: -0.52

Open: 15388.04

High: 15542.40

Low: 15265.96

% YTD: +16.81

52Wk Hi: 14887.51

52 Wk Lo: 12035.09

Accounting: Preferred term for the apportionment (charging or writing off) of the cost of an intangible asset as an operational cost over the asset’s estimated useful life. It is identical to depreciation, the preferred term for tangible assets. The purpose of both terms is to (a) reflect reduction in the book value of the asset due to usage and/or obsolescence, (b) spread a large expenditure proportionately over a fixed period.

NEWS

17

saturday, may 25, 2013 | guyanatimesGY.com

Guyana ripe with investment opportunities – Ali tells Florida forum ality, the cost of business would be reduced dramatically. He also reported that Guyana has one of the lowest wage rates in the Caribbean and Latin America, with a workforce that is highly literate and trainable.

By Michael Younge

S

cores of business executives, investors, and other trade officials converged in Miami, Florida to be part of the Caribbean Trade Centre’s “Invest Guyana” Forum held on Thursday, with acting Tourism, Industry, and Commerce Minister Irfaan Ali telling them that Guyana is ripe with countless investment and unexplored market opportunities.

Ali, who was the feature speaker at the event, explained that Guyana remains one of the strongest economies in the Caribbean and Latin America, boasting on average a 4.5 per cent annual growth rate between 2007 and 2012, along with stable fiscal and macroeconomic policies.

The minister stated that the Guyanese economy has outshone others in several areas, specifically in the creation of a conductive labour, trade, business as well as corporate environment. He emphasised that notwithstanding the rapid expansion of the economy, government has been able to maintain single-digit inflation rates as well as stable exchange rates through carefully crafted and implemented macro-economic policies.

Fiscal incentives Ali argued that the country has been deemed one of the most attractive investment locations because of a myriad of measures inclusive of its fiscal incentives, access to regional and international markets, adequate and expanding infrastructure, as well as the availability of a wide range of natural resources.

“Given the buoyancy of the domestic economy and conducive macroeconomic environment, it is not surprising that the country has attracted unprecedented foreign direct investment totalling US$1326.4 million between 2006 and 2012,” said Ali. “Domestic investment also expanded exponentially over the same period, as reflected by the growth in credit to the private sector which increased from G$30.6 billion in 2006 to $82.6 billion during 2012.”

He said the fiscal incentives available in the country are aimed at attracting investment in the manufacturing, agriculture, Information and Communications Technology (ICT), tourism, and oil and gas sectors, while highlighting that investors can see themselves benefiting from zero cus-

Acting Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Irfaan Ali listens to a delegate at the forum

toms duty and consumption tax on most plant machinery and equipment, zero customs duty and consumption tax on raw and packaging materials used in the production of goods by manufacturers and small businesses, and unlimited carryover of losses from previous years.

Minister Ali told the Florida forum that investments can also have access to specific incentives and benefits in various sectors depending on the venture they wish to undertake, listing the fisheries, forestry, tourism, mining, housing, ICT, and agri business as examples. He said the consumption tax waivers and tax holidays are also part of the country’s investment regime.

Market access In terms of accessing markets and the availability of cheap inputs, Ali said Guyana has easy access to markets in Latin American and Caribbean – 33 countries with a collective population of 580 million individuals. He said the regional Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is estimated at US$ 4.9 trillion (at current prices), while its annual merchandise trade bill is approximately US$ 1.6 trillion – six per cent of the world’s total merchandise trade.

By participating in the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME); bilateral and regional trade agreements with countries such as Brazil, Colombia, the Dominican Republic and other countries, the country receives preferential treatment from the U.S., Canada and European Union (EU), Ali noted. Approximately 75 per cent of Guyana’s exports receive duty-free treatment, with a significant proportion of the remainder enjoying reduced

duties, explained the minister.

Market opportunities The minister told the forum that even as some countries in the world continue to fight for competitive market access, Guyana still has a wealth of unexplored opportunities which investors should seek to maximise. He assured that billions of dollars could be garnered by businessmen with the right concepts and attitudes towards maximising profits.

Some US$2.5 billion in unexplored export potential exists for Caricom’s private sector in Cuba.

Over US$7.2 billion of untapped trade still exists for Caricom exporters in the Dominican Republic – in areas such as the gold, iron, steel, plastics, salt and perfume industries.

Almost US$8 billion in untapped export business exists in Costa Rica for Caricom exporters. More than US$13 billion in untapped export business exists in Canada in sectors such as ships and boats, beverages, sugar, fertilisers and rice, while the untapped export potential in the U.S. market was some US$ 5.6 billion.

Doing business Minister Ali said the cost of doing business in Guyana is also relatively low, while citing a recent report from the Caribbean Electric Utility Services Corporation, which dubbed the prices for domestic electricity in Guyana was the fourth lowest in the Caribbean.

He also shared details about Guyana’s move to construct the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project, which would be the flagship of its Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), while explaining that with its commissioning and function-

Infrastructure expansion “Over the past two decades the government invested significant sums to upgrade the country’s infrastructure, given its recognition that key infrastructure, such as roads and facilities, are necessary for supporting the business sector. There are also numerous plans to modernise and expand the country’s infrastructure in order to enhance the ability of businesses to access markets in South and North America,” he said.

He noted that an important component of this plan is the paving of the Linden-Lethem road, which will facilitate integration and sustainable development of the hinterland, and will stimulate trade with Brazil by providing a suitable road link between Boa Vista and Guyana’s Atlantic Coast.

Minister Ali stated that the improvement of the existing port facilities in Georgetown and the development of a deepwater port would cater for future international shipping requirements and to provide connections between the Brazilian state of Roraima and international markets. He also spoke of the planned expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, which would enhance the export of goods.

“The government is also currently involved in developing two new indus-

trial estates to cater for manufacturing activities, such as food-processing, furniture manufacturing, metal fabrication, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, wood-processing, cement and block-making, electronics, electronic printing.

Businesses will be able to access these facilities at G$1 per square foot or approximately US$0.004 per square foot,” he said.

Guyana Times understands that they will also benefit from investment concessions for materials, vehicles, plant and machinery. Further, one of these estates will be located in Lethem and would be an attractive hub for businesses which are interested in gaining access to the Brazilian market.

Action plan Minister Ali said that notwithstanding the remarkable progress made by the country in terms of encouraging investments over the past two decades, the government, in its effort to stimulate growth in all the major sectors, has developed a comprehensive action plan aimed at improving the business and institutional environment.

“This plan consists of more than 60 competitiveness and efficiency-enhancing reforms and will be implemented in a coordinated manner across 10 targeted policy areas,” he said. These include reforms on starting a business, dealing with construction permits/licences, getting electricity, registering property, getting credit and protecting investors. The minister said some of these measures merely requires streamlining or modernising existing procedures, while

others involve the adoption of new pieces of legislation that are currently being drafted to cope with the new technology-driven global economy.

The action plan, which will be implemented over two to three years, is aimed at ensuring that Guyana be regarded as a top reformer by the World Bank.

Once selected as a top reformer, this would consolidate the existing attention Guyana is receiving from foreign investors, as well as signal to potential investors Guyana’s robustness as an emerging destination for business and investment.

Currently, in terms of the competitive advantage of local companies compared with the rest of the world, Guyana is ranked 44, compared with a ranking of 51 for Jamaica, 112 for Suriname, and 128 for Trinidad and Tobago based on the Global Competitiveness Report 2013.

Government has also recently launched the Micro and Small Enterprise (MSE) Development and Building Alternative Livelihood for Vulnerable Groups project to assist with collateral guarantees, interest subsidies, grants, and technical and management skills training. While this scheme is intended to assist small enterprises generally, it also provides for businesses in the priority sectors.

The forum, which focused on trade opportunities, was held in partnership with the Consulate of Guyana in Miami. More than 150 business executives attended the event.

Corporate sponsors included Seafreight Agencies, Laparkan Shipping and Caribbean Airlines.

Community programme launched to help Linden youths

S

everal secondary schools in Linden are set to benefit from a number of motivating educational programmes under the Mackenzie National Service, coordinated by Calvin Mackenzie.

The Christianburg Wismar Secondary School (CWSS) is already onboard with the new initiative, which according to Mackenzie, will equip the youths with basic guidances which will help them to function efficiently and effectively in today’s society.

He said the project is currently in its initial stage and the entire community is expected to benefit over time since the aim is to take the initiative to all

secondary schools throughout Linden. He said the information that students receive will teach them to be focused on their goals, how to be disciplined, dedicated, motivated and committed, which will in turn assist them in playing an integral role in the community.

“The project that I am embarking on deals with restoring morals back to society, and as such, this is the point of importance that I’m working with,” he noted. CWSS headteacher Cleveland Thomas said the initiative is a good one since it teaches life skills that students will benefit from.

“This programme is a very good one as students

will be exposed to some amount of information that would help them in their walk through the school.

I fully endorse the programme and I think that all schools should be a part of this particular venture because it would help in the long run,” he said.

Mackenzie said the programme which commenced on May 13 will see him working along with students until all necessary goals are accomplished.

The students are also provided with meals, and as such, Mackenzie noted that he is appealing to corporate entities within the community to assist in making the initiative a continuous one.

18

guyanatimesgy.com

saturday, may 25, 2013

thursDAY, march 11, 2010 | guyanatimesGY.com

archie

By Bernice Bede Osol

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19) Some of your best ideas are likely to come when you are off by yourself, free from all distractions. If you are in need of some fresh thoughts, try solitude.

dilbert

(June 21July 22) Discard your present procedures if they haven’t been working and implement a fresh approach. Be resourceful, and obstacles will melt away.

AQUARIUS

LEO

(Jan. 20Feb. 19)

(July 23Aug. 22)

Conditions in general look to be quite hopeful. Maintain an optimistic outlook at all times, even when it appears you are stuck in a rut. Things could change quickly.

Calvin and Hobbes

CANCER

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) Don’t hesitate to use your ingenuity and resourcefulness to advance your financial and career situations.

Things are breaking in your favour.

A spur-of-the-moment invitation could lead to a rather interesting encounter. At least consider the offer, because chances are it’ll never happen again.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22) Some unexpected changes could enable you to finalise a situation that has been difficult to resolve. If an opening should occur, move swiftly.

Peanuts ARIES

LIBRA

(March 21-April 19)

(Sept. 23Oct. 23)

You have your own unique way of handling certain things. Use it today, regardless of how strange or unusual it may seem to others.

You’ll quickly realise that your mind is working better than your muscles at present. Stick to matters that require brain, not brawn.

SUDOKU TAURUS (April 20-May 20) There is a good chance you could become involved in an unorthodox commercial matter. Its unusual nature will yield a hefty profit.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22) Your financial trends are on the upswing.

Chances are you find some good ways to both make and save money.

Friday's solution GEMINI (May 21June 20) Unusual benefits are likely to be derived from a rare partnership arrangement. Each of you is likely to have what the other wants.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21) You should quickly take advantage of a pleasant social surprise. This particular opportunity presents itself far too infrequently to be ignored.

news 19

YELLOW PAGES

saturday, may 25, 2013

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Affordable rates Call: 227-2199, 227-2186, 227-2189

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Phone: 335-3347.

car rental Journey Inn Apartments & car rental. Rooms & car to rent from $3000 Premio, Vitz. Phone: 6896668, 639-4452.

dentistry Dentures provided in 72 hours from as low as $4500. Contact Dr B Stuart, 209B Charlotte Street, Lacytown. Tel: 225-5034

EDUCATION Electronic course- practical, beginning June 3, limited space available, Abdu l Electronics. Phone: 226-6551.

WHERE CAN YOU GET A BOOK FOR $40? THE MASSIVE BOOKSALE, NOW ON AT BOOKLAND, ABOVE MATTS RECORD BAR (226-2874).

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flowers Available: Fresh long-stemmed roses, fresh dried and silk floral arrangements, gift items, bridal boutiques and wreaths. Nesha’s Flowerland. 78 Church Street (opposite St George’s Cathedral). Tel: 227-3553/225-3315

FOR SALE Clean garden earth 7 builders waste also bobcat rental, excavating, clearing and leveling phone: 6160617 or 663-3285.

Cummins currency counters , used by banks wordwide and in Guyana specifically programmed to detect counterfeit Guyana currency, world imports, sales & service phone: 227-4983.

immigration Immigration & Visa Services We handle all Canadian, USA and UK, Immigration and Visa matters. Self Sponsorships, Holiday/Visitor’s Visas, Work Permits, Students Visas, Family, Class, Immigration Forms, Embassy Enquiries, Appeals for Refused Cases, U.S Green Card Lottery, Business Class Waivers, Pardons etc. Get your Visa approved. High Success Rate. Balwant Persaud & Associates. Certified Immigration Consultants 68 Sixth Street, Alberttown, Georgetown (Between Cummings & Lights Sts.) Tel: 2251540, 622-8308, 655-3105. Email: balwantpersaud@yahoo.ca

KEY CUTTing Professional Key Shop, 125 Carmichael Street, Georgetown.

Phone: 225-3923, mobile: 6213249. We cut any type of key, service and repair all types of locks.

Get your extra key today.

optician Da Silva’s Optical. For Your Eyes Only, Look Better See Better. Phillip A Da Silva OD, Shannon L Da Silva OD, Natalie Da Silva OD. 248 South Road, Bourda. Phone: 227-3529, Linden: 444-6376, Corriverton: 339-3536, Meten-Meer-Zorg: 275-0322, Grand Cayman Islands: (345) 943-1515 for the perfect trendy touch.

services Setting up of point sales services, for only $12,000. Phone: 669-9342 Cheap earth , delivery to spot ECD & EBD. Phone: 627-9977, 698-0182.

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Call 9AM – 4PM. Tel #: +592621-0552.By appointments only.

Email:healthworldhc@gmail.com.

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VEHICLES FOR SALE One Toyota mini bus for sale. Front slightly damaged. Working condition. $700,000 neg. Tel: 220-0708, 6875653 JUST ARRIVED: TOP QUALITY RECONDITIONED VEHICLES; TOYOTA PREMIO; TOYOTA SPACIO; TOYOTA RUNX; TOYOTA VITZ (NEW SHAPE); TOYOTA NOAH; SUZUKI SWIFT; MERCEDES BENZ C200 COMPRESSOR; BMW 318I; CALDINA WAGON; COROLLA AE100 WAGON; LAND CRUISER (FULLY LOADED); MAZDA PROCEED; 4WD EXTRACAB PICKUP; TOYOTA HILUX 4WD EXTRACAB PICKUP 3RZ & 5L; MITSUBISHI CANTER TRUCKS; 3; 3.5; TONS OPEN TRAY; 3 TONS WITH TAILGATE HOIST; 2 TONS 4WD; 3 TONS DUMP TRUCK. PREORDER YOUR UNITS EARLY AND GET THE BEST PRICES. FULL AFTER SALES SERVICE AND FINANCING AVAILABLE. DEO MARAJ AUTO SALES, 2 CHIMNEY ROAD, CHATEAU MARGOT, ECD. 624-0762 , 220-5177. A NAME AND A SERVICE YOU CAN TRUST. Toyota 212 in excellent condition $1.2m neg. Phone: 661-3525.

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Join a winning team.

One female cook for interior.

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DPP orders second suspect in Cleto’s murder released

R

egan Anthony Rodrigues, 34, also known as “Grey Boy” of River View Ruimveldt, Georgetown, who was arrested for the murder of Police Corporal Romain Cleto, was on Friday released from police custody.

Rodrigues was arrested on Monday last and the file was sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions Bibi Shalimar Ali-Hack, who on Friday afternoon instructed that the man be released based on lack of evidence.

Guyana Times understands that there were some loose ends and there was no substantial evidence to warrant a charge for the murder of the police corporal.

Rodrigues was reportedly identified during a recent identification parade held at the police headquarters, Eve Leary, Georgetown by an eyewitness.

The recommendation by the DPP now leaves doubts in the minds of the public that the police are sure who really killed the police rank. On Monday last, Shaka Chase, 26, of East Ruimveldt was arraigned with the murder of the dead police corporal.

Police Corporal Romain Cleto

From the inception, he had maintained his innocence and claimed that he was tortured, thus him signing a confession statement. At the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Monday, his lawyers Nigel Hughes and James Bond made a submission before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry, who ordered that the file be sent to the DPP for legal advice.

The file returned on Thursday with the recommendation for the murdered accused to be released with immediate effect and more so, instructed that all

charges be dropped against the suspect. Chase was released on Thursday.

Now that both prime suspects were released, it is not sure who will be charged with the murder of the policeman.

Nevertheless, investigators are continuing their probe into the murder.

Cleto was shot and killed on Avenue of the Republic and Regent Road, Georgetown, after a police mobile patrol came under fire by occupants of a white car. Two other police ranks were injured and hospitalised, but were subsequently discharged.

The CCTV footage from the Bank of Baroda proved futile since the cameras were pointing towards Regent Street. Several patrons who were at the Upscale Restaurant were arrested, but were later released.

This publication understands that minutes after the police rank was shot and killed, his locker in the Brickdam Police Station was ransacked and a number of the man’s personal belongings were missing.

This issue has not been addressed by the police force since it was dubbed mysterious.

Guyana ‘up against it’ to meet MDG Five – Health Ministry official

H

ealth Ministry Permanent Secretary Leslie Cadogan has disclosed that the country is facing challenges and gaps with respect to meeting Millennium Development Goal (MDG) Five − maternal health and mortality.

He was the time speaking at a maternal and child health stakeholders’ meeting, hosted by the Health Ministry on Friday, at Grand Costal Inn, Georgetown, under the theme “A promise renewed for safe motherhood”.

Cadogan said despite this, Guyana has made significant strides in addressing child morality and health care. He stated that rapid decline in child and infant mortality over the years have been achieved through the government’s implementation of several key initiatives, making reference to the integrated management strategy, immunisation programme, new vaccines being introduced against pneumococcal disease and rotavirus diarrhoea.

He noted that it is also due to the boost in health-care workers, adding that, “we have intro-

Health Ministry Permanent Secretary Leslie Cadogan

duced the residency programme in paediatrics at the Georgetown Public Hospital for our young doctors in Guyana, trained health-care workers in neonatal resuscitation and have opened up intensive care units in two of our main hospitals.”

Moving his attention to issues of maternal mortality and health-care, he said Guyana has seen a decline in deaths, but not at the rate it would have expected to reach its targets for 2015. He highlighted that some of the challenges of maternal health-care are specialised obstetric care in terms of human resources, remoteness of such communities to access care on a timely basis and en-

hancement of the community to support and advocate for early enrolment in antenatal care.

He said the ministry has also undertaken a number of initiatives to address this issue. “We are continuing to train health workers in emergency obstetric care programmes with the collaboration of our UN agencies… we have introduced two maternity waiting homes so mothers who live in remote areas can stay close to the hospital.”

Meanwhile, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Guyana and Suriname representative Dr Suleiman Braimoh said despite the challenges being faced with the support of its partners, Guyana will meet the goal. The objective of the workshop was to provide the basis for partnerships and consultation with organisations in order for the country to reduce maternal and infant mortality with the aim of meeting goal five. It was also held to address how Guyana can improve the quality of health-care offered to women and children in the country.

20

guyanatimesGY.com

saturday, MAY 25, 2013

Mumbai in final after Taylor to appear at Atlanta T20 tense finish H

alf-volleys hit straight to hand. A fielder found perfectly with a long hop. Crazy wide balls. A dropped catch to finally lose the match.

Another night in the life of IPL. After which Mumbai Indians made it to the finals.

Chennai Super Kings have already made it to the final. Chasing 166, which was thanks to Lasith Malinga’s profligate last over, Mumbai were on their way with Dwayne Smith and Aditya Tare strolling through, but a spate of poor shots made for some late drama on Friday.

Mumbai were 70 for 0 after nine overs when Tare played a chip straight down long-on’s throat. It was not an attempt at hitting a six. It was not an attempt to keep the ball along the ground. Nor was it a mis-hit.

He was caught comfortably at long-on. While Smith continued to bat solidly, Dinesh Karthik cut a short and wide delivery straight to point.

Mumbai were now 125 for 2 at the start of the 15th over, and Rohit Shamra was soon to make it 128 for 3 with a slog down the wrong line.

In the 17th over, Smith timed a half-volley a bit too well and found deep midwicket to fall for 62 off 44. In the next over, the 18th, Pollard did the same, and this walk had now become treacherous. Ambati Rayudu was the last of the recognised batsmen, and he responded with a six to cow corner to make it 16 off 10 balls. Two balls later, keeping with the spirit of the match, Rayudu mishit a full toss, Brad Hodge ran in from deep square leg, got under it, but dropped it.

In the last over, Shane Watson, who had had an ordinary time with the ball thus far, produced a moment of inspiration, an accurate legcutter to knock back Rayudu’s off stump.

With six required off four balls, and two new batsmen at the wicket, it was game on again. Rishi Dhawan, the young Himachal Pradesh allrounder, produced the other moment of inspiration, ramping a length ball over short fine leg.

Dhawan was one of the inspirational men for Mumbai with the ball.

Brought in to replace Munaf

Patel, who was ordinary when replacing the injured Dhawal Kulkarni, bowled ahead of Malinga, and kept it quiet. Harbhajan Singh came on and broke the sizeable but slowish opening stand when he bowled Ajinkya Rahane behind his legs. Harbhajan found a way to stay in the match. Of the six wickets that fell, he either took or caught five.

The biggest of those wickets was Watson, who top-edged him to square leg. Royals kept losing wickets until Dishant Yagnik gave them a total to defend with an innovative 31 off 17.

Unsettled by that, Malinga bowled two sets of big wides and conceded 18 runs in the last over. That was not to be the last bit of ordinary cricket on the night. (Cricinfo)

SCORE BOARD

Rajasthan Royals innings R Dravid* c Sharma b Harbhajan Singh 43 A Rahane b Harbhajan Singh 21 S Watson c Sharma b Harbhajan Singh 6 S Samson c Harbhajan Singh b Malinga 0 S Binny c Harbhajan Singh b Pollard 27 B Hodge not out 19 K Cooper c Smith b Pollard 4 D Yagnik† not out 31 Extras: (lb 4, w 8, nb 2) 14 Total: (6 wkts, 20 overs) 165 Fall of wickets: 1-44, 2-60, 3-64, 4-87, 5-104, 6-108 Bowling: M Johnson 3-023-0, R Dhawan 4-0-30-0, P Ojha 4-0-36-0, Harbhajan Singh 4-0-23-3, L Malinga

4-0-43-1, K Pollard 1-0-6-2 Mumbai Indians innings D Smith c Samson b Binny 62 A Tare c Samson b Cooper 35 K Karthik† c Rahane b Cooper 22 R Sharma* b Trivedi 2 K Pollard c Cooper b Faulkner 11 A Rayudu b Watson 17 Harbhajan Singh not out 6 R Dhawan not out 4 Extras: (lb 6, w 4) 10 Total: (6 wkts, 19.5 overs) 169 Fall of wickets: 1-70, 2-125, 3-128, 4-132, 5-141, 6-160 Bowling: V Malik 4-0-260, J Faulkner 4-0-36-1, S Watson 2.5-0-34-1, S Trivedi 4-0-23-1, K Cooper 4-033-2, S Binny 1-0-11-1

Gurunath Meiyappan arrested in Mumbai

G

urunath Meiyappan, a top official of the Chennai Super Kings franchise and son-inlaw of the BCCI president N Srinivasan, has been formally arrested by Mumbai Police on charges of cheating, forgery and fraud.

The development, late on Friday night, is the most serious setback to the IPL in its six-year history and has serious implications for the BCCI as well given the names involved.

As of early Saturday morning there was no news of an emergency BCCI meeting but it is expected that events will move fast through the day, to discuss the issue of leadership – though Srinivasan insisted he would not step down – and also Chennai Super Kings’ participation in the IPL final on Sunday.

Gurunath had been summoned to Mumbai for questioning over betting and links to bookies and flew in on Friday evening.

“We have interrogated Mr Gurunath after he arrived here at the crime branch headquarters,” Himanshu Roy, the joint commissioner of Mumbai Police, said. “We have gone through questioning with him in detail and after due deliberation, we have arrived at the conclusion there is evidence of involvement in offence we are investigating

Gurunath Meiyappan

and therefore he has been placed under arrest. He will be produced in court within 24 hours as per law.”

Reports suggest Gurunath’s interrogation in Mumbai will continue through Friday night, and he will also be confronted with Virender “Vindoo” Dara Singh, the actor arrested earlier this week for alleged contact with bookies. Police investigations suggested that Vindoo and Gurunath were in frequent telephonic contact. Vindoo was also seen in the CSK box at IPL matches.

Gurunath’s lawyer PS

Raman said: “We are exploring all legal possibilities. We are waiting for the remand report before reading the charges against him.”

Srinivasan had not commented in public since the reports first emerged on Wednesday that his son-inlaw was linked to the IPL scandal, but after the arrest he maintained he would not resign as BCCI president. “I have done nothing wrong,” he told NDTV. “I am not resigning, the board is largely supportive of me.”

Gurunath’s connection to Super Kings was the subject of dispute through the day.

He was the public face of the franchise, his Twitter handle said he was the “team principal”, he was seen as Super Kings’ representative at auctions and at IPL owners’ meetings. Yet on Friday evening India Cements, the owners of the franchise and of which Srinivasan is the managing director, said Gurunath was only an honorary member of the team management.

The implications of Gurunath’s arrest involve both Super Kings, who have qualified for the final to be played on May 26, and Srinivasan.

His arrest brings into question Super Kings’ participation in the final – under IPL rules, the BCCI-IPL can terminate a franchise agreement “with immediate

effect if: c) The Franchise, any Franchise Group Company and/or any owner acts in any way which has a material adverse effect upon the reputation or standing of the League, BCCIIPL, BCCI, the Franchise, the team (or any other team in the League) and/ or the game of cricket.”

More importantly, and with wider implication, Srinivasan’s position within the BCCI is likely to be under serious threat – not only because Meiyappan happens to be his son-in-law but because Srinivasan heads India Cements, who are owners of the Super Kings.

The conflict of interest that arises from Srinivasan’s dual position as BCCI president and de facto owner of an IPL franchise now has a serious immediate implication: he will, as board president, have to oversee any disciplinary action against either Gurunath or the franchise.

An IPL insider clarified that Meiyappan’s change of designation was not likely to have any impact on the action that needs to be taken.

“The moment you’re a team management member, irrespective of the designation, the anti-corruption code applies to you. And nobody can deny the fact that he is a part of the ownership group and team management.”

(Cricinfo)

A

tlanta, GA – Georgia Women Cricket Association (GWCA) on Friday announced that Stafanie Taylor, the West Indies’ hard-hitting batswoman will be the West Indies Cricket Board’s (WICB) Women’s Cricket Ambassador at the 3rd Annual Atlanta Women’s T20 Tournament.

Taylor’s presence at the tournament is being made possible through the kind courtesy of Atlantis Cricket Club – New York.

The American Cricket Federation (ACF) is the title sponsor of the USACA approved tournament being staged this Memorial Day Weekend (May 25-26) in Atlanta, GA. The four participating teams are defending champions Atlantis, Atlantic Region Lady Eagles, a Cayman Islands Women’s club XI, and host team Atlanta Pearls.

Ms Taylor is the International Cricket Council (ICC) 2012 ODI Women’s Cricketer of the Year. The 22-year-old made her ODI debut for the West Indies against Ireland in 2008 at age 17. In 64 ODI appearances, she has scored 2444 runs at an average of 43.64, including four centuries and sixteen 50s, while in 44 T20s she has amassed 1161 runs at an average of 33.17 per appearance. The all-rounder has also captured 80 ODI and 48 T20 wickets, in 64 and 44 matches respectively.

According to tournament organiser, Petal Samuels, “GWCA is delighted to have Ms Taylor at the tourna-

Stafanie Taylor

ment. I have no doubt that her participation will be a plus for all the competing teams and the tournament, and it will serve to help develop women’s cricket in the USA. I am inviting women and men to come out to see Ms Taylor in action on Saturday, May 25 at Creel Park, 2775 Creel Road, College Park, Georgia.”

The WICB, as a kind gesture, has graciously agreed to Taylor’s participation in the tournament and as its Women’s Cricket Ambassador. Earlier this year the Jamaica-born batswoman unleashed a remarkable 171 off 137 balls against Sri Lanka women in Mumbai, India, as the West Indies women crushed their Sri Lankan counterparts by a whopping 209 run margin.

In an invited comment, Taylor who is currently vacationing in the USA said that she was looking forward to the tournament and doing whatever is possible to help women’s cricket grow in this part of the world. (First

published on Dream Cricket)

Rain washes out day one at Headingley

P

ersistent rain washed out the first day of the second Test between England and New Zealand at Headingley.

On a wet and windy day, rain delayed the scheduled start and although there were sunny intervals between the showers, they never lasted long enough for the outfield to be drained.

Play was abandoned for the day shortly before 16:00 BST. With an improved forecast for the weekend, the match should now start at 11:00 BST on Saturday.

It was the first time since 1980 that the entire first day of a Headingley Test had been lost to the weather. England lead the twomatch series 1-0 after a 170run victory in the opening Test at Lord’s.

Alastair Cook’s men are playing their final Test before the Ashes series against Australia, with several players looking to cement their places. The positions of opener Nick Compton and batsman Jonny Bairstow are both under scrutiny, while pace bowler Steven

Finn is under pressure from Yorkshire’s Tim Bresnan.

New Zealand have been forced into a reshuffle by injuries to wicketkeeper BJ Watling and spinner Bruce Martin.

Veteran left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori failed a fitness Test on an Achilles injury, meaning the Black Caps will field a four-man seam attack, with Doug Bracewell replacing Martin.

Skipper Brendon McCullum will keep wicket and bat at number seven, one place below batsman Martin Guptill, who comes in for Watling.

England: Alastair Cook (capt), Nick Compton, Jonathan Trott, Ian Bell, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Matt Prior (wk), Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, Steven Finn (or Tim Bresnan), James Anderson.

New Zealand: Peter Fulton, Hamish Rutherford, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Dean Brownlie, Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum (capt & wk), Tim Southee, Doug Bracewell, Neil Wagner, Trent Boult.

(BBC Sport)

saturday, MAY 25, 2013

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Confident Group is West Indies team CT sponsor S

t John’s, Antigua – The West Indies Cricket Board on Friday announced Confident Group as the West Indies Team Sponsor for the ICC Champions Trophy in England next month and ICC World Twenty20 2014 in Bangladesh.

Confident Group, is an Indian conglomerate, headquartered in Bangalore with interests in infrastructure, hospitality, aviation, entertainment, education and health care.

Confident Group is the largest owner and operator

of hotels in Bangalore.

“We welcome Confident Group as our team sponsor for these two mega world cricketing events. The West Indies Team, having won the World Twenty20 in 2012 is one of the most attractive teams for a sponsor to be associated with in international cricket at the moment and we are delighted to have the Confident Group on board for the Champions Trophy and the World Twenty20 in 2014 when the West Indies will defend our title,” WICB Chief Executive Officer Michael Muirhead

said.

“This association of the West Indies Team with another major Asian company is significant from the point of view that we are able to attract some of the most high profile companies from a dynamic and wide-ranging cricket market to our portfolio and it

is a demonstration of the confidence of the corporate sector in West Indies cricket which remains a strong brand on the global cricket stage,” Muirhead added.

Dr Roy CJ, chairman and managing director, Confident Group said “As a group, we see and believe that there exists tremen-

dous value in being associated with a talented, high profile and lively team like the West Indies. We will be partnering with them as the lead sponsor of the team for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy and the 2014 ICC World Twenty20.

The West Indian team boasts of cricketing legends from time immemorial and the confidence the current team exudes is surely something that energises us as a brand as well. Cricket has undergone a sea change over the years and the sheer reach of the game forms a perfect

fit in our business expansion plans as well.”

Tuhin Mishra, vice president, sales and marketing of Total Sports Asia (which facilitated the sponsorship) said: “It has been an honour and privilege to work with the West Indies Cricket Board and Confident Group. This is yet another landmark deal from TSA’s stable and the very first for any Indian brand like Confident Group who is reaching out to a global audience through West Indies cricket sponsorship.“ (WICB)

Champions League: Dortmund boss Klopp relishing Bayern clash

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Jurgen Klopp

orussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp believes the all-German Champions League final at Wembley will be a “special” occasion.

Klopp’s team face Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich today.

The match will be the first time two German clubs have contested the final of either the European Cup or Champions League.

“This is a special game.

It is the perfect place against the perfect opponent,” said Klopp.

“If this is my only final and I die in 60 years, it won’t have been so bad.”

Dortmund midfielder Mario Gotze, who will miss the final with a groin injury, is to join Bayern this summer but Klopp has backed his club to deal with their best players moving on.

Japan international Shinji Kagawa left Dortmund for Manchester United in June 2012 for an initial fee of around £12 metre, while Gotze will go to Bayern for 37 metre euros (£31.5 metre).

Klopp, 45, said:

“Football is a religion in Dortmund. Bayern may have won a lot of fans and a lot of trophies because of the incredible number of good decisions they have made, but now there is another story. Along has come another club that is pretty good as well.

“We do have money to get good players. But there are other clubs who can spend more money. We have to take a different position.”

That is because in 2005, just eight years after their only Champions League success, Dortmund almost went bankrupt, a situation Klopp knows will not be allowed to happen again.

“The club could have ended as a fiasco,” he said.

“The stadium might have been turned into a monument. Instead, it has risen from the ashes.”

After being drawn in what was regarded as the toughest group in the Champions League, alongside the Spanish, English and Dutch champions, Klopp’s men progressed as group winners, leaving Real Madrid in second spot, relegating Ajax to the Europa League and knocking Manchester City out of European competition altogether.

Dortmund beat Shakhtar Donetsk and Malaga in the knockout stages before Robert Lewandowski inspired their victory over Real Madrid in the semi-finals, his four goals in the first leg giving them an unassailable advantage.

Bayern’s Thomas Mueller accepts his side will face strong opposition, but is confident his team can win the Champions League a year after losing last season’s final on penalties to Chelsea. The Bavarians also lost in the 2010 final, 2-0 to Inter Milan.

“Borussia are a complete team,” said Mueller.

“That is harder to deal with than a group of individual players, even though their individuals are also very good.

“But I don’t believe we

have any weaknesses. We have played a lot of games, scored a great deal of goals and not conceded many. I have a really good feeling.”

Bayern progressed

from a group also featuring Valencia, Bate Borisov and Lille before ousting Arsenal on away goals in the round of 16.

They then beat

Juventus and Barcelona by a combined 11-0 aggregate score, netting seven without reply against the Spanish champions alone.

(BBC Sport)

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saturday, MAY 25, 2013

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CPL announces player draft details B

RIDGETOWN, BARBADOS – Details of the upcoming Caribbean Premier League player draft, the names of the remaining international players and the West Indies elite players and the CPL television ads was just some of the information revealed in a press conference held in Barbados by CPL officials on Friday.

The event was streamed live around the world on the tournament’s website, and attended by the West Indies Cricket team who are in a camp ahead of the Champions Trophy League.

With presentations made by CPL Operations Manager, Carlisle Powell, Kieran Foley, Digicel Group marketing operations director, CPL Commercial Director Jamie Stewart and CPL Event Director Rhonda Kelly, members of the media were told that the player draft will take place on June 5 in Jamaica, and the draft process was clarified.

Powell explained that each team will have a selection committee consisting of the head coach, assistant coach, the West Indies Franchise Player and the International Franchise Player, and that together these four members of the

team selection committee will plan and formalise their strategy and picks for each round going into the official draft.

Attendees also learned that there are three pools of players – A, B and C – who will be a part of the draft. Pool A players are those who have played international cricket, and are considered top players based on their current form while Pool B players are cricketers who play mostly regional cricket although they may have also played at the international level. Pool C consists of developing, talented under-23 players from across the region.

Powell announced the West Indies Pool A players as Andre Russell, Darren Bravo, Denesh Ramdin, Dwayne Smith, Fidel Edwards, Johnson Charles, Kemar Roach, Kieran Powell, Lendl Simmons, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Ravi Rampaul, Samuel Badree, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Tino Best.

The International Pool A players are confirmed to be Aaron Finch (Aus), Albie Morkel (South Africa), Daniel Vettori (NZ), Dirk Nannes (Aus), Luke Pomersbach (Aus), Shakib al Hasan (Ban), Shaun Marsh (Aus), Shoaib Malik (Pak),

Franchise players Marlon Samuels and Herschelle Gibbs

Steven Smith (Aus), Tamim Iqbal (Ban), Umar Akmal (Pak) and Vernon Philander (South Africa).

International Pool B players will be Elton Chigumbura of Zimbabwe, Davy Jacobs (South Africa), Justin Kemp (South Africa), James Franklin (NZ), Mark Guptil (NZ) and Kevin O’Brien (IRL) while the West Indies Pools B and C are some 200 players strong, and listed on the CPL T20 website (www. cplt20.com).

“We have secured a broad selection of cricket talent that we feel will appeal to cricket fans everywhere,” said Jamie Stewart, CPL commercial director. “The variety of players, from the experienced and well-established to the

Ramdin happy with “valuable preparation” ahead of Champions Trophy

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AVE HILL, Barbados – West Indies wicket-keeper Denesh Ramdin says he is looking to get the most out of the preparation period as he and team-mates get ready for the ICC Champions Trophy next month.

The 28-year-old, who has kept wicket for the Windies in 97 One-Dayers since his debut in 2005, believes it is vitally important that the team uses the build-up time wisely as they bid to win the Champions Trophy for the second time.

The team is a camp which started on Monday and will end on Friday. They will depart from Barbados on Saturday and have another camp in Cardiff, Wales from May 25 to June 2 as they try to get acclimatised to the foreign conditions.

“A tour to England or a tournament in England ...it is always important to get there early to get used to the conditions. The weather is always unpredictable. You have to go there early and get accustomed to the outdoor conditions. Two and a half weeks is good time to get ready. We have two matches before our first match of the competition so that will be very good for us,” Ramdin said.

“We have two new balls now [in One-Day Internationals], not just one. It’s very challenging in England at this time of the

year so having the right kind of preparation is great and should do the team a world of good.”

The ICC Champions Trophy will feature eight teams: Australia, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and West Indies. The tournament will be played across three venues – Cardiff Wales Stadium, Edgbaston and The Oval – from June 6-23.

The Windies have been drawn in Group B alongside the Indians, the Pakistanis and the South Africans. They open against Pakistan on Friday, June 7 at the Oval and return to the famous venue on Tuesday, June 11 to take on India. The final preliminary match will be against the Proteas on Friday, June 14 in Cardiff.

“Hopefully we can get that in this tournament and get the chemistry right. The first game is very important.

Once we can overcome in that game, it will give us some form of confidence,” Ramdin said.

“Pakistan is a team, you know, where anything can happen on the day with those guys. India is one of the best teams in the world along with Australia and South Africa.

Those teams are playing really good one day cricket but with the conditions you never know.

“If you win the toss and

put in a team, it’s two new balls that you’re using now so if you pick up four or five wickets in the first 20 overs you can set up a match...we have a good bowling unit as well.”

Ramdin outlined that he has been working overtime in his batting and glovework with Assistant Coaches Toby Radford and Andre Coley.

“I was making some mistakes with my technique but I have worked to correct that.

I have been looking at footage and I have worked with the coaches. Going to England, I have done well there, so I will look to get it right,” he said.

He backed the team to be ready for 50-over format.

“The guys are professional cricketers and they have the ability to make that transition – the Chris Gayles, the Dwayne Bravos, the Kieron Pollards, those guys – they can sit down and bat and play long innings,” Ramdin added.

“They’ve been doing well in the IPL so that will be good for their confidence going into England. I’m sure they’ve done well in England before so it’s just about gelling together and the batters batting long in the middle.

“Fifty overs are a lot of balls so we’re not going to bash it around. We have a strong middle and lower order so if we get a good start with Gayle and the other guys at the top of the order we can capitalise lower down.” (WICB)

rising star on the cricket scene should make the inaugural CPL an exciting tournament that showcases the best of the best.”

CPL Event Director Rhonda Kelly announced that the marketing and advertising campaign would begin in earnest across the region, inviting everyone to come and play in July and August. A number of teaser ads were shown to the audience which were met with applause.

Digicel’s Kieran Foley says that as CPL’s major sponsor, the company is pulling out all the stops to create major buzz and excitement around the CPL T20 tournament, and have made a significant investment in

a marketing campaign that will include advertising, public relations and promotional activities.

“We have lots of competitions and promotions to bring the fans as close as possible to the CPL T20 experience,” said Foley. “We will be complementing CPL’s marketing efforts by bringing Carnival T20 to the host markets and adding to the in-stadium spectacular with the best of music, dancing and entertainment that the Caribbean has to offer.”

Digicel will also be providing prizes by way of promotions on its Digicel Cricket website www.digicelcricket.com and tying in with the CPL website, Foley shared. Fans can win the chance to present the CPL Man of the Match award or participate in the coin toss. They will also be able to text to win the CPL Party Pass with smart phones and limo transfers to the stadium; win a trip to the CPL finals; participate in the “Name the Mascot” competition on CPL’s social media channels; and win a meet and greet with the stars of CPL. Powell also took the opportunity to update the media on his recent visits with the six cricket boards, the

venue owners and operators and the ministers of sports and tourism in each country.

“I have had an opportunity to tour each venue to assess what each facility has to offer and what will be needed from a CPL standpoint to meet our goals and objectives for the tournament,” explained Powell. “I feel confident now that all of the cricket boards are better informed and more aware of all our preparations. The foundation for a solid working relationship has been established and I know I can call on each of them to assist us with the operations and logistics in their respective countries.”

Powell said that CPL is also working with the West Indies Cricket Umpires Association to secure regional umpires who will work alongside a group of international umpires. The majority of umpires will be from the region, which Powell says is a testament to the calibre of cricket knowledge and talent that is present in the West Indies.

Kelly says that the team names, the assignments of franchise players to franchise countries and the results of the player draft will all be announced soon. (WICB)

McIlroy and Donald miss PGA Championship cut

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orld number two Rory McIlroy and defending champion Luke Donald missed the cut at the PGA Championship in cold, wet conditions at Wentworth.

Donald, seeking a third successive PGA title, started at six-over and dropped three shots in his first three holes before ending on plus six after a 72.

World number two McIlroy finished five-over after a 75 and Graeme McDowell and Ian Poulter also failed to qualify.

Francesco Molinari leads by one shot at six under after seven birdies in a 68.

Lee Westwood is three shots off the pace with a oneunder-par 71.

Westwood dropped shots at the first two holes but birdied two of the three parfives on the back nine, and was joined at minus three

by Open champion Ernie Els, who masterminded the course alterations in 2010.

The 43-year-old South African, winner of seven Match Play titles at Wentworth but never this event, carded seven birdies and four bogeys in an eventful 69.

McIlroy, who was threeunder after 12 holes in the opening round before dropping shots at five of the last six holes, mixed five bogeys and three birdies on the

Rory McIlroy

front nine in round two.

The 24-year-old has had an inconsistent start to the year, missing the cut in his first tournament in Abu Dhabi, losing his opening match at the WGC Match Play and walking off the course midway through the Honda Classic citing wisdom tooth pain.

His recent form has been more encouraging, with four top-10 finishes in his last six events on the PGA Tour in the United States, including a second place at the Texas Open last month.

But he drove out of bounds to double bogey the 17th, before closing with a birdie.

“It was tough to really make any ground,” said the Northern Irishman. “It was a grind and I didn’t play particularly well, I didn’t give

myself many chances.”

Donald, who has had two top-four finishes in six events on the US PGA Tour this season, said: “When I missed fairways, I missed the green and then I wasn’t getting up and down.”

The former world number one, now ranked sixth, added: “My problems were just kind of compounding.

“Not one part of my game is really firing at the moment.

“It’s not like I am a million miles away. It’s about doing the things Luke Donald usually does well being tidy around the greens and making the putts when I need to.

“I’m not too worried. It’s never nice to miss the cut here, a place I’ve played well, but failure is a much bigger motivation for me than successes.”

There was better news for another Ryder Cup player, Justin Rose, who got up and down from a greenside bunker to birdie the last and finish with a 74 for a twoover halfway total.

The last two European Ryder Cup captains, Colin Montgomerie and Jose Maria Olazabal, plus the next one Paul McGinley, also qualified for the weekend on two-over.

The cut for the final two rounds is projected to fall at two-over 146.

saturday, MAY 25, 2013

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Dorado dominate independence swimming championships on opening days A

fter two days of competition Dorado Speed Swim Club has dominated the long course Independence swimming championship at the National Aquatic Centre, Liliendaal.

The club has only lost three events since the championships started on Thursday. On Friday Dorado continued their dominance as Naomi King won the 200m individual medley (IM) in a time of 4:19.00s.

Nathon Hackett of Silver Shark took the final event of day, winning the 100m breaststroke ahead of Dorado’s Daniel Scott in a time of 1:37.79s while Scott finished with a time of 1:44.38s.

Sarah King returned to her winning ways on day two, topping Nurse in the 100m 11-12 age group breaststroke event in a time of 1:59.56s; Nurse finished with a time of 2:07.41s.

Athena Gaskin

Athena Gaskin then won the 15-17 100m breaststroke easily asince there were no other competitors, causing her to compete with the boys. She recorded a time of 1:35.44s. Gaskin also won the 200m IM on Friday to cap off a treble of wins with a time of 3:02.00s.

Part of the action on day one of the national swimming championships

Meanwhile, on day one saw N King dominated in the 9–10 age category, easily winning the 200m in 3:43.44s to defeat club mates Deborah Scott and Donna Carter who clocked times of 3:59.34s and 4:08.22s respectively for the sweep.

Further, King won the

50m backstroke easily in 49.91s to top her teammates Carter and Scott who finished with times of 54.47s and 57.19s respectively for yet another Dorado top three sweep.

S King, Naomi’s older sister, delivered for Dorado in the 11-12 category, winning

her 200m freestyle event in 3:09.25s to top Amy Grant of Silver Shark who finished second in 3:10.62s.

However, Grant exacted some revenge by winning the 11-12 50m backstroke in a time of 44.63s while S King fell to third in a time of 50.46s. Alyssa Nurse was sec-

ond from Dorado in a time of 47.71s.

In the 15-17 category, Gaskin won the 200m freestyle event easily in 2:36.38s while Hannibal Gaskin took the male 50m backstroke event in 34.35s. The competition continues today from 15:00h at the same venue.

Pro-Am golf tournament set for Sunday

David Patterson

Brian Hackett

he fourth annual Guyanese style Safeway Security ProAm pairs’ golf tournament will tee off on Sunday with some of the country’s leading players and several bud-

ding golf enthusiasts competing for top prizes at the Lusignan Golf Course, East Coast Demerara.

Last year’s winning pair, Banking Executive Brian Hackett and Parliamentarian

T

David Patterson, is expected to be in action once again, while Safeway Security Chief Executive Officer and sponsor of the tournament, Eon Caesar, will be teaming up with seasoned golfer, Ian Gouveia.

Business Executive Ramesh Dookhoo is reported to be returning to the course after a long absence and will be teaming up with his son.

Chatterpaul Deo, Lugisnan Golf Club captain, said that the “professionals” are the members of the club, while the “amateurs” are their guests.

The other club members lined up to compete are William Walker, Kassim Khan, Fazil Haniff, Imran Khan, Joaan Deo, Vijay Deo, Orlando Deo, Wesslin Matti,

Idowu to return at New York Diamond League

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ritish triple jumper Phillips Idowu is to return to competition at Saturday’s Diamond League meeting in New York.

It will be the first time the 34-year-old has competed since being eliminated from the men’s triple jump competition at London 2012.

The 2009 triple jump world champion will face world and Olympic champion Christian Taylor at the Icahn Stadium.

Fellow Briton Christine Ohuruogu will also compete alongside reigning Olympic 400m champion Sanya Richards-Ross.

The competition will be GB pole vaulter Holly Bleasdale’s first test since winning the European Indoor Championships as

Phillips Idowu

she comes up against world indoor record-holder and reigning Olympic champion Jennifer Suhr, and reigning world champion Fabiana Murer.

Eilish McColgan makes her first steeplechase ap-

pearance of the season, while Andrew Osagie faces world record-holder David Rudisha in the 800m.

Reigning world 100m champion Carmelita Jeter goes up against United States compatriot Tianna Madison and Trinidad and Tobago’s Kelly-Ann Baptiste.

Meanwhile, American 100m record holder Tyson Gay, whose 9.86 seconds is the fastest time in the world this year, will face Jamaican two-time Olympic gold medallist Nesta Carter.

Gay, who says that he hopes to compete through to the 2016 Olympics in Rio, said: “I’m looking forward to running great. “I believe if I take care of my body the next few years are going to be good to me.” (BBC Sport)

Patrick Prashad, Troy Codogan, Mike Gayadin, Gavin Todd, Alfred Mentore, Brian Glasford, Lakeram Ramsundar, Carlos Adams, Alfred Semple, Mike

Mangal, Kishan Bacchus, Dr Ram Singh, Maurice Solomon and “Mighty Raja.”

Caesar said that there will be very attractive golf prizes to encourage players

to return to the course after Sunday’s exciting event. The tournament will be played over nine holes and tee off is at 09:00h.

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saturday, MAY 25, 2013

TOP SCORES

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

Mumbai Indians 169-6 (Smith 62) beat Rajasthan Royals 165-6 (Dravid 43, Harbhajan 3-23) by 4 wickets

Mumbai in final Dorado dominate after tense independence swimming finish championships on opening days See story on page

23

nho

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er nd

a nd

ile Dwayne Smith scored 62 off 44 (BCCI)

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ps.

Nathon Hackett swims his way to victory in the 100 metres breaststroke event on day two of the Independence Day championships (Treiston Joseph photo)

INSIDE TODAY'S SPORTS

Champions P21 League: Dortmund boss Klopp relishing Bayern clash

alf-volleys hit straight to hand. A fielder found perfectly with a long hop. Crazy wide balls. A dropped catch to finally lose the match.

Another night in the life of IPL. After which Mumbai Indians made it to the finals. Chennai Super Kings

have already made it to the final. Chasing 166, which was thanks to Lasith Malinga’s profligate last over, Mumbai were on their way with Dwayne Smith and Aditya Tare strolling through, but a spate of poor shots made for some late drama on Friday.

See full story on page 20

Banks DIH supports independence half-marathon B anks DIH Limited teamed up with the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) as a cosponsor of the Independence Day half-marathon road race billed for Sunday from Jerrick’s Funeral Home, Paradise, East Coast Demerara, to Main Street, Georgetown.

The local beverage giants presented Powerade sports drink and Aqua Mist Water to the organisers of the race during a presentation ceremony at Banks DIH Special Events outlet, Durban Street on Thursday.

Neil Kumar, Director of Sport, who received the beverages from Banks DIH representative, Lakerani Sukram, expressed gratitude to the beverage com-

pany for contributing to the race which will attract over 100 athletes.

Mortimer Stewart, Banks DIH Outdoor Event Manager, Gervy C Harry, Administrative officer of the National Sports Commission, Banks DIH employees Jusset McDonald and Niranjan De Abreu were also present at the handing over ceremony.

The race will start at 05:30 hours in front of Jerrick’s Funeral Home at Paradise Village and will proceed along the East Coast public road to finish in front of the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry office on Main Street. The race is organised by the AAG, the Sport Ministry and the NSC and is being held to coincide with Guyana’s 47th independence celebrations.

Director of Sport Neil Kumar receives Banks DIH donation to the independence half marathon from Lakerani Sukram in the presence of Banks DIH staff and officials of the NSC

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