Deplorable wages and working conditions at Bai Shan Lin Linden operations
Agri Minister insists that the company has to comply with occupational health and safetystandards
By Neil Marks
Workers employed by a Chinese forestry company in Linden are complaining bitterly about the poor wages and deplorable safety conditions under which they have to work.

The poor working conditions for workers were evident yesterday when the new European Commission (EC) Ambassador to Guyana Mr Geert Heikens, accompanied by the local media visited the sawmill operations of the company, which earlier this year announced massive investment plans.

A young woman, paid $1000 a day, fetches wood with no gloves, no respiratory mask, and without safety booths or helmets – and the reality is much the same for the other workers of the Coomaka, Linden operations of Chinese owned company Bai Shan Lin.

The workers said they are not happy with their low wages and the poor working conditions, but they have nowhere to turn to.

According to Earl Julian, the onsite manager, workers safety and rights is of paramount importance to the company, but this was hardly evident.

The female workers are paid $1, 000, while the male workers are paid $1, 500. Julian said safety gears, such as helmets, are not being provided, because in the past the workers have carried them home and never returned them.

Some workers disputed this. One young man said for him to get a respiratory mask, he has to “bully” to get one, but some of the workers did had on masks.

The company employs 46 Guyanese workers, all of whom Julian said are from Linden, where jobs are hard to come by. The sawmill operations also employs 38 Chinese nationals. The Chinese workers live in dorms on site.

A notice in the sawmill meant for for Guyanese workers only, states that they would be dismissed immediately if they fail to inform their superiors when leaving the job for the day.

The workers say they are not sure of how their concerns are being addressed since the manager, Julian, speaks Chinese and English, so when he converses with the Chinese bosses they are left in the dark as to what is being said.

During the visit yesterday it was observed that the workers were having lunch amidst the dust and floor boards which are processed from logs. The workers said they would like representatives of the Ministry of Labour to inspect the site to see their plight.

Minister of Agriculture Mr Robert Persaud, who oversees the forestry sector, said every company is expected to comply with minimum occupational health and safety regulations of the country and if there are violations ‘we would take appropriate action”.

“We expect every company to respect workers rights,” Persaud said.

Persaud earlier this year refused a request by Bai Shan Lin to export round logs for a period of 12 months.

In discussions between the government and the company, the management of Bai Shan Lin emphasised their interest in promoting value added activities in the forestry sector, and a commitment was made not to engage in the export of round logs.

“Unfortunately, Bai Shan Lin did not comply with its commitment not to export round logs. After observing requests for the exports of round logs by the company, it was advised that this was in breach of their commitment. No further export of round logs would be allowed by the company and all relevant agencies have been so advised,” the Ministry of Agriculture said in April.

The EU Ambassador’s visit to the site followed the fact the Linden Economic Advancement Project (LEAP) assisted the initial investors in accessing the site and obtaining investment incentives and in the recruitment of personnel for the company.

The operation was previously owned by a Chinese investor – Karlam South America Timbers, but Bai Shan Lin took over the company that is a joint venture with the China Uni-Construction Group which has 49% ownership.

Combating Counterfeit Medicines
- A Challenge for Guyana
By Mark Ramotar
THE prevention of counterfeit drugs and pharmaceuticals being sold on the Guyana market is heavily dependent on the swift establishment of a Drug Control Authority and the strengthening of existing legislation.

This is according to Director of the Government’s Food and Drug Analyst Department, Ms. Marilyn Collins.

She noted that while there is no information or evidence to support the belief that counterfeit drugs is being sold on the Guyana market, the absence of stringent measures would only allow the growing global scourge to be a major national problem here.

Alluding to the fact that the problem is known to exist in both developed and developing countries, Collins contended that the supply of counterfeited drugs is more pronounced in countries where the manufacture, importation, distribution, supply and sale of medicines are less regulated and enforcement weak.

However, the true extent of the problem is not really known since no global study has been carried out, she told those gathered at a ‘business luncheon’ hosted by the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) at the Le Meridien Pegasus Hotel yesterday.

Collins, who was the guest speaker at the function, gave a comprehensive power-point presentation on the topic ‘Combating Counterfeit Drugs: Regulatory Procedures of the Food and Drug Department’.

“We have to work together at this, we have to join forces and we have to be vigilant to ensure that Guyana is free from the sale and use of counterfeit drugs,” Collins declared.

“The counterfeiting of currency and consumer products are common problems that plague governments and manufacturers around the world, but the counterfeiting of medications is a particularly insidious practice,” Collins declared.

“Drug counterfeiters not only defraud consumers, they also deny ill patients the therapies that can alleviate suffering and save lives,” she contended.

“In some countries the counterfeiting of drugs is endemic - with some patients having a better chance of getting a fake medicine than a real one (and) in many more countries, counterfeit drugs are common,” Collins told the large gathering.

In most cases, she said counterfeit drugs are not equivalent in safety, efficacy and quality to their genuine counterparts.

Even if they are of the correct quality or contain the correct amount of active substance, their production and distribution are not within the control of the drug regulatory authority of the country concerned, she offered.

According to her, this means that any associated defects and adverse reactions will not be easily recognised or monitored and, if needed, an effective product recall would not be possible.

“Counterfeit drugs are dangerous and can even result in death,” she warned.

Collins pointed out that where legislation and regulations do not exist for proper control of medicines, the otherwise criminal activity of counterfeiting of medicines is not treated as ? crime.

“Currently, only ? few of the WHO (World Health Organisation) member states have enacted special national legislation addressing the issue of counterfeit drugs,” Collins said.

“Moreover, sanctions imposed on counterfeiters are in most cases no deterrent (and) the absence of deterrent legislation encourages counterfeiters since there is no fear of being apprehended and prosecuted.”

Collins also lamented that the efficiency of personnel is adversely affected by corruption and conflict of interest resulting in laws not being enforced and criminals not being arrested, prosecuted and convicted for their crimes.

“Governments need to develop strategies to reduce corruption (and) one approach could be to empower public interest and consumer groups to participate in drug regulation and to make regulatory authorities accountable and their decisions transparent,” she suggested.

In situations where demand for medicines exceeds supply, Collins said the criminally-minded people tend to profit out of crime by manufacturing and distributing counterfeit medicines as ? substitute for genuine medicines.

NO SILVER-BULLET SOLUTION:
She also stressed that there is “no silver bullet solutions to counterfeiting” due to the technology that is available now which allow for most if not all anti-counterfeiting measures that are implemented to be defeated.

Collins also believed the general public should be encouraged to become involved in the fight against drug counterfeiting.

“Education and information campaigns directed at the general public should be established and the public should be advised to buy medicines from legitimate sources rather than from peddlers and hawkers or from market places and streets,” she said.

“Consumers should also be encouraged and advised to report to their prescribers or physicians any lack of improvement in their health status inspite of the treatment or any adverse reactions experienced,” Collins said.

Collins also said Guyana needs to foster stronger international cooperation in the control of pharmaceuticals and entering into bilateral and multilateral agreements with other governments and with international organizations such as WHO, Interpol and the World Customs Organization (WCO).

She suggested that adequate training and powers of enforcement against counterfeits should be given to personnel from drug regulatory authorities, the judiciary, customs and the police, while the necessary financial and other resources should be made available.

Collins also recalled that the appearance of counterfeit medicines in international commerce was first mentioned as ? problem at the WHO Conference of Experts on Rational Drug Use in Nairobi, Kenya, in 1985.

Since then, she said public awareness of the problem of counterfeit drugs has grown exponentially.

“Both government authorities and manufacturers have been concerned with efforts aimed at preventing the problem, and WHO has received reports related to counterfeit drugs from some of its member states on ? voluntary basis,” she said.

Collins also declared that based on current information, the problem is known to involve both developed and developing countries.

Touching on the extent of the problem of counterfeit drugs, Collins pointed out that up until April 1999, of the 771 cases of counterfeit drugs reported to the WHO, indications about the quality of the active ingredients contained were supplied only for 325 cases.

Of these, she said about 59% contained no active ingredients, 7% contained the correct amount of active ingredients, 17% contained the incorrect amount of active ingredients and 16% contained different active ingredients.

Collins also said the period between January 1999 and October 2000, there were 46 confidential reports on counterfeit drugs received by the WHO from 20 countries. 

About 60% of these reports came from developing countries whereas the remaining 40% were reported by developed countries.

Collins said although the reports received have not been validated and may not be useful for quantitative purposes, the information clearly shows that the problem exists.

The data also reflects that only ? few countries are willing to provide information about cases detected.

Due to the nature of the problem, Collins said countries like Guyana need to forge relationships at all levels so that it can collectively work on this problem to combat counterfeiting drugs.

She said one of the recommendations coming out from discussions at the regional level is to have a harmonized drug registration system, something that has been on the cards for a number of years yet no moves at its possible implementation.

“This is not just a national problem or a regional problem; it’s a global problem and we need to fight it collectively and fight it together,” Collins posited.

Fresh fruits and vegetables sector soaring
In keeping with government’s drive towards diversification in the agriculture sector, significant strides have been made in the cultivation, promotion and marketing of Guyana’s non-traditional crops, most notably in the area of fresh and processed fruits and vegetables.

Records from the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) show that exports increased from a meagre 1,902 tonnes in 1992 to a whopping 5,219 tonnes in 2006, an increase valued at more than US$7M.

Major commodities exported during 2006 included heart of palm (1439 tonnes), crude coconut oil (488 tonnes), copra (1546 tonnes),pineapple chunks (76 tonnes), pineapple puree (22 tonnes), watermelons (223 tonnes), pumpkins (417 tonnes), plantains (236 tonnes) mangoes (192 tonnes), dried coconuts (55 tonnes), eddoes (52 tonnes), peppers (hot) (48 tonnes), pineapples (24 tonnes), limes (35 tonnes), oranges (23 tonnes) and bora (12 tonnes). This represents a 11 percent or 500 tonnes increase over 2005 exports.

Regional markets included Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, St. Lucia, Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda, while extra-regionally, produce was exported to France, Canada, Switzerland, Lebanon, USA, Italy and England.

Additionally, 2007 promises further increases, with higher demand for several variety of produce, including squash; butternut, acorn and spaghetti, and honeydew-melons, cantaloupes and string beans. This demand will require an average of four 40ft containers being exported per month.

A wide array of investment opportunities also exist in this sector, such as increasingly lucrative markets for citrus fruits such as oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, and limes, as well as exotic fruits such as mangoes, sapodillas, papayas, pineapples, and passion fruit.

The introduction of modern technologies and new techniques to farming activities such as drip irrigation, as well as continued inputs from government, and the expert marketing facilitation services and technical support being offered by GMC, will continue to play a role in propelling the non-traditional agriculture sector forward.

Nineteen-year old girl drowns off Essequibo Coast
A 19-year-old girl drowned yesterday after being swept away by tidal waves of the Atlantic Ocean at Devonshire Castle, Essequibo Coast while having a swim.

Dead is Kamini Mohabir, of La Grange, West Bank Demerara.

According to the woman’s uncle, Ramchand Mohabir, she was visiting the Essequibo Coast and had gone out with friends and relatives to the seawall for a picnic.

At around 16:00 hours, she reportedly went out to swim with four others, but when they came out she went back into the water.

Her friends said with her said she encountered difficulty in the water and as they panicked a boy tried to unsuccessfully to rescue her,.

Those who were with the young woman sought assistance from passersby, but by that time, she had disappeared from site.

Her body was recovered two hours later between some rocks.

Murder suspects in police custody
Police arrested two persons in two separate incidents of suspected murder which took place last Sunday.

With respect to the first incident reports said that pork-knocker, John King called “Ragga”, 37, of Supply, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara, was shot dead by a man to whom he allegedly owed money.

Police said about 08:30 h at 14 Miles Issano, King was approached by a suspect who owns a shop and was asked for the money during which an argument ensued.

King was shot in the head by the suspect who fled the scene and is still at large up to press time.

He was rushed to the Bartica Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Meanwhile, in the other incident police said that a cash-crop farmer, Shabeer Mohamed called “Bhairo”, 34, of Affiance, Essequibo Coast, who with two employees working on his farm at Little Alliance Backdam when he was shot in the right side by a suspect who was standing on a dam nearby.

Mohamed was rushed to the Suddie Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Quick police action by ranks led to the arrest of the suspect who is a licensed firearm holder at his Queenstown home in Essequibo.

Police found his firearm and a number of matching cartridges at the house of a female relative who is also in police custody.

Region 5 Grade six exams top performers honoured by RDC
Thirteen students in Region 5 (Mahaica/Berbice received gifts and prizes from the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) in recognition of their exemplary performances at the National Grade Six Examinations of 2007.

The presentations were handed over to the achievers at a ceremony held in the Boardroom of the RDC at Fort Wellington West Coast Berbice Friday last.

Prior to the presentations it was disclosed that Jamien Cambridge of Latchmansingh Primary School (LPS) who scored 549 marks was the best performing student in the Region.

Ms. Daenia Ramjit also of LPS and Rameshwari Dharamdat of Novar Primary School (NPS) shared the honours of being in the top three with 538 and 529 marks respectively.

Others who received prizes and gifts for being in the top ten were Jordon Narayan (LPS) 527; Shaun Bacchus LPS 526; Chetna Sitaram Bath Settlement Primary Scool (BSPS) 526;Jowel Munieeram NPS 526; Rebecca Ganesh Blaimont Primary School (BPS)523; Asheni Gossai BSPS 521; Roheni Harilall BSPS 520; Bibi Afeza Rozario LPS 520; Renita Singh Cotton Tree Primary School (CTPS) 519; Veresia Hiralall (CTPS) 518; Mahendra Mentore # 29 Primary School 518 and Donetra Sullivan Hopetown Primary School (HPS) 517.

The prize giving initiative for the top ten performers was ratified by the RDC at its statutory meeting in July and Regional Chairman – Harrinarine Baldeo; Regional Vice Chairman- K.P. Deokarran; Regional Executive Officer- Floyd France, Chairman of the Regional Education Committee- B Bisnauth and Staffers of the Regional Education Department and teachers parents and guardians were among those present.

The awards were handed over by members of the RDC including the Regional Chairman, Regional Vice Chairman and the Chairman of the Regional Education Committee during a programme spiced with poetry and singing.

Baldeo urged the students to be disciplined and not to become complacent.

He challenged them to become the next doctors or lawyers from Region #5.

The Regional Executive Officer encouraged the achievers to continue to give of their best and to continue studying.

Top student Jamein Cambridge who gave the vote of thanks, expressed the appreciation of her peers to the Regional Democratic Council for taking time out to recognise and honour them.

She also expressed gratitude to parents and teachers who had ensured that they had worked hard enough to be successful at the examinations.

Hydrophonic facility for West Berbicians
By Clifford Stanley
Members of the Trafalgar/Union Community Development Council (CDC),

West Coast of Berbice are about to set up a soil less agricultural facility within the CDC for both commercial and demonstration purposes.

The facility is a greenhouse/hydrophonic and organic farm and is being funded by the Canadian-based Caribbean and African Self-Reliance International (CASRI) and the Inter-American Institute for Co-operation in Agriculture (IICA) .

Spokesperson for the CDC, Ms. Lloyda Angus disclosed that the group recently received some US$700 from IICA and has used this sum to build a fence around the location of the farm.

Further funding is expected and the project should begin in earnest within the next few weeks, she said.

Apart from commercial production, the main aim of the facility is to use it as a micro- demonstration farm which can educate visitors and encourage them to adopt these forms of agricultural production.

A spokesperson for CASRI recently disclosed that he had seen hydrophonic also known as soil less farming methods in use in Puerto Rico and was convinced that the same methods can be utilized to enhance food security at the household and community level locally.

A spokesperson for CASRI had disclosed that the Organisation works actively with partners in the Caribbean and in Africa and among peoples of Caribbean and African heritage in Canada, the Americas and Europe to promote self-sustaining and equitable development among them.

“We are about helping people and communities building themselves up from the ground; about people taking initiatives, taking responsibility for making things happen and having the courage to make things happen “even against all odds” to transform their communities and their lives,” the spokesperson said.”

Co-ordinator of the Trafalgar/Union CDC Mrs. Sandra London said that she had made contact with CASRI through her involvement with other NGOs.

She said that she had eventually obtained the assistance of CASRI for the CDC on the basis of these initial contacts.

CASRI and IICA had been meeting with members of the CDC in recent weeks and work on the construction of the greenhouse and hydrophonic and organic facilities should begin at Trafalgar also known as No. 28 village, shortly.(END).

Minister Benn visits road rehab projects in Region 6
Minister of Transport and Hydraulics Robeson Benn accompanied by his Technical Adviser Walter Willis and Chairman of the Region Zulfikar Mustapha visited Region 6 last Saturday to assess rehabilitation works which the Ministry of Public Works and Communications has undertaken on several roads.

The team surveyed roads in Stanleytown and New Amsterdam which are under consideration for repairs and visited the New Amsterdam Ferry Stelling which is being rehabilitated. It is scheduled to be back in operation by this Friday.

Minister of Transport and Hydraulics Robeson Benn inspecting roads during a visit to Regoin 6
The Ministry’s Works Services Group is in the process of resurfacing a long strip of road from Rose Hall to Gangaram, in East Canje , which according to the Regional Chairman, will cost over $75M and follows a visit made by President Bharrat Jagdeo in March last. Rehabilitation works are also ongoing at Reliance.

Benn said that works on the East Canje road while having a good start was delayed by bad weather and minor problems with equipment. Within a short while the asphalt surfacing process will begin and it is hoped that by the end of August it should be completed.

He discussed with the Regional Chairman the need for an extension of the East Canje road by converging works undertaken by the Ministry with those by the Region. Following the completion of these works, the Ministry will proceed to refurbish roads along East Bank of Berbice.

He also disclosed that the Ministry will begin reviewing all of Guyana’s highways to identify critical areas for enhancement. One consideration was the placement of rails and other barriers at bridge locations.

This contemplation was prompted by Benn’s visit to Golden Fleece and neighbouring Weldaad, West Coast Berbice where four persons died after the car in which they were travelling plunged into a canal on August 9.

He said while Government will be giving priority to this area, commuters have an obligation to drive carefully.        

Government with support from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has commenced works on the Berbice River Bridge approach road which begins at Palmyra , East Coast Berbice and will proceed to the Berbice River .

Minister of Transport and Hydraulics Robeson Benn inspecting preparatory work for construction of the Berbice River Bridge approach road
Works ongoing include excavation of drains and preparation of formation levels for placement of the first layer of sand. The construction caters for 3.1 kilometres on the eastern side of the bridge and 700 metres on the western bank of the Berbice River.

In March the US$8.78M contract for the road was sealed between the Ministry and Dipcon Engineering Services Limited. Its completion deadline should be September 2008.

While visiting the site and interacting with workers, Benn expressed optimism with the works being undertaken but noted concerns with the bad weather hampering completion deadlines.

Construction of the Berbice Bridge will start this year and will be operated under a Build, Own, Operate and Transfer (BOT) arrangement for 21 years after which it will be transferred to the Government.(GINA).

Soesdyke/Linden farming areas in line for expanded agriculture
- Minister Persaud
Farming areas located along the Soesdyke/Linden Highway are strategically positioned for further agricultural advancement and government is committed to making the necessary investments that will realise the potential in these areas.

This assurance was given by Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud during his address to farmers and residents of Kuru Kururu and Lalunilast Sunday. The minister’s meetings in the two communities are part of his ongoing countrywide outreaches to engage farmers in discussions on agricultural development.

Persaud said farming activities along the Soesdyke/Linden Highway have attracted the attention of several foreign investors, some of whom are interested in establishing semi-commercial farms for cultivation of ground provisions, fruits and vegetables. This interest is stimulated by the location’s proximity to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri, which can facilitate easier export of agricultural produce to both regional and international markets.

“They want their cargo to get quickly to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport; so you are sitting right here and to them, this becomes a prime area,” the Minister said.

The government with support from the United States government is investing in the construction of a cool-storage facility at the CJIA to cater for agricultural export. A contract has already been awarded for the project and works are scheduled to start shortly.  Additionally, a firm operating in the US and Trinidad and Tobago is exploring the possibility of daily flights to Canada or North America depending on the base-load, starting at 96, 000 pounds of produce while a local aircraft operator has expressed interest in a similar arrangement with smaller quantities of fresh produce.

Farmers were urged to look forward to these opportunities which can benefit them, the community and the country’s agricultural sector. They were told that they can explore the possibility of forming joint ventures with the investors which will give farmers the opportunity to be exposed to advanced technology and improved practices. They were also advised to form groups through which they will be empowered to make their own investments and work collaboratively to develop their communities’ agriculture.

Government’s focus on further agricultural development in the Soesdyke/Linden has resulted in extensive work being done by the Guyana Lands and Survey Commission on developing a land-use plan.

Farmers were given the opportunity to express themselves during which they highlighted various issues of concern, including the availability of planting material, focus on bee-keeping and the introduction of improved technology. They were told that investments are currently being made to expand the National Agricultural Research Institute’s (NARI) plant nursery while 40, 000 citrus plants will be made available this year. However, farmers were advised that the establishment and operation of plant nurseries should be done privately by farmers themselves while NARI will provide the necessary assistance.

The establishment of demonstration plots to introduce new technology is another activity that could be organized by farmers with help from NARI. These activities could be done by farmers as part of the ‘new agriculture’ which takes into account a business-like approach, Persaud told the gathering.

He pointed out too that apiculture or bee-keeping has been identified as one of the potential growth areas that could stimulate agricultural diversification. A national committee has been established and has formulated a programme to lead the industry’s development. 

Residents also spoke about the need for the upgrading of roads in both Kuru Kururu and Laluni. Regional Vice-Chairman of Region Four, Mohamed Khan, said a contract for the Kuru Kururu works will be re-tendered shortly while the Regional Democratic Council will review the situation in the other community.

The need for enhanced drainage and irrigation was raised at both meetings and a follow-up meeting was arranged with residents and officials of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) and the Regional Democratic Council, Region Four, for discussions on an appropriate work programme.

Mostly cherries and peppers are cultivated in Laluni while ground provisions and citrus are grown in Kuru Kururu. (GINA)

Other $60M Berbice robbery accused also denied bail
JUSTICE Yonette Cummings-Edwards yesterday refused to grant bail to Terrance Azore who is charged with a $60M robbery committed last year.

The remanded prisoner is alleged to have robbed Imran Saccoor at Rose Hall town on August 11, 2006.

But, in his petition to the judge at New Amsterdam High Court, also in Berbice, he proclaimed his innocence and said he was in no way connected with the crime.

Through atttorney-at-law Mr. James Bond, the petitioner, of Lot 17 Leonora, West Coast Demerara and Lot 227 Melanie Damishana Housing Scheme, East Coast Demerara, said he lives with his mother, aged 67 and his 16-year-old daughter, who depend on him financially.

Azore said he is a dray cart operator and has never been charged with any offence but his application for pre-trial freedom was previously denied on August 17, 2006.

However, in an affidavit in answer, filed through State Counsel Satyesh Kissoon, Police Inspector Joel David said, on investigations conducted so far, there is sufficient evidence to support the charge against Azore, including a confession.

The policeman said the heist was well planned and Azore was a party to the plan and the commissioning of it.

David pointed out, too, that the offence charged against Azore is prevalent in the society and he may commit others if allowed liberty.

David also said there is no certainty where the petitioner will be residing, given the absence of a fixed place of abode and the nature of his employment can easily facilitate a flight risk.

The Police Inspector stated that a number of high-powered guns were recovered from other members of the gang allegedly involved in the robbery and the weapons are part of a larger cache which was stolen from the Guyana Defence Force in February 2006 and have not been recovered.

The answering affidavit said, as well, that the disappearance of those arms are deemed a threat to the security and stability of the nation and, as such, ongoing investigations to recover them are being treated with utmost priority and urgency at the national level.

The deponent added that ballistic tests are currently being conducted on the recovered guns to ascertain if they may have been used in other robberies or murders to which Azore might be connected.

David said a large sum of money that was stolen from Saccoor has not yet been retrieved and the probe is continuing to identify and arrest the other robbers still at large and considered armed and dangerous.

David revealed that Azore was charged together with Harlon Lepps and Henry Lindie who confessed to the crime but whose petitions to the High Court were also rejected on August 24, 2006.

Inspector David said the Prosecution has given priority to the case, hearing of which has already commenced and would have been near completion if there were not frequent changes of Defence Counsel and/or requests for adjournments.

Woman in quartet charged with Chesney murder hospitalised
ALL three men and the woman in the quartet arrested, after the body of cane harvester Brian Chinapen was discovered last week, have been charged with his murder at Chesney, Corentyne.

Hardat Singh, 20, Kapaldeo Singh and Rajendra Lall, both 21 as well as Roopdai Sukhram, 41, all of Lot 50 Chesney, appeared before Principal Magistrate Krishendat Persaud at Whim Court, another part of Corentyne, where they were remanded to prison until August 28.

However, housewife Sukhram complained of feeling unwell and was taken to New Amsterdam Hospital, also in Berbice, where she was admitted a patient.

The prisoners on remand were held last Thursday, after two alleged eyewitnesses reported to Police that the victim had been beaten following a drinking spree.

The corpse of the deceased was found partially submerged in a drain at Chesney, hours after his wife had last seen him lying motionless on the landing of a house in which two men lived.

Mother of six jailed for marijuana trafficking
PRINCIPAL Magistrate Krishendat Persaud, last Thursday, sentenced Alice La Fleur, of Lot 24 Alexander Street, New Amsterdam, to three years imprisonment for drug trafficking.

The mother of six was also fined $20,000 for being in possession of 1,206 grammes of cannabis (marijuana).

Imposing the punishment on the convicted trafficker, after a trial at Springlands Court, Corentyne, also in Berbice, Magistrate Persaud added the alternative of 20 more days imprisonment if the monetary penalty is not paid.

La Fleur, 30, had pleaded not guilty when she first appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court last December 22.

But Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) Prosecutor Oswald Massiah led evidence that, on December 16, 2006, at Number 53, Corentyne, ranks from that agency were carrying out an exercise when La Fleur disembarked from a mini-bus and her suspicious action prompted a search of a red handbang she had in her hand, in which portions of the prohibited plant were found.

The woman also had an 11 months old baby in her hands when the illegal parcels were unearthed and she said a man named ‘Flats’ had given them to her for delivery to his home.

Food For The Poor feeds River View children
FOOD For The Poor (Guyana) Inc fed 150 children, of River View, Georgetown, each with a hot, nutritional meal last Saturday.

A press release said it was part of the Nutritional Enhancement Programme through which approximately 6,000 children and 200 senior citizens and shut-ins, between Belladrum, West Coast Berbice and Corriverton, Corriverton, Corentyne, Berbice, benefit.

The release said a spinoff of the project is that, on the first and third Saturdays of every month, the meals would be prepared with some additional ingredients and taken into other communities.

Such places as Albouystown, Alexander Village and Sophia, also in the city, have benefited as well as Mocha/Arcadia on East Bank of Demerara, the release said.

Food For The Poor Executive Director, Mr. Leon Davis pladged that his charitable organisation will continue the outreach to more places in need.

The release said the non-governmental organisation (NGO) is currently assisting a number of vacation Bible schools with stationery and food items.

Speeding main cause of road fatalities and accidents
-Traffic Chief
By Michel Outridge
Traffic Chief, Mr Ronald Alleyne has attributed speeding as the leading cause of road fatalities and accidents disclosing that some 117 persons died during 99 road accidents this year alone.

Mr. Alleyne yesterday briefed Divisional Heads of the Traffic Department on the current traffic situation at Traffic Headquarters, Eve Leary, Georgetown. He said daily exercises are hampered because there is a lack of radar guns, but ranks are on motor cycle patrols to reduce the high incidences of speeding on the roadways.

“Some 617 persons were charged recently for various traffic offences including speeding during a campaign,” he said.

The Traffic Chief told the Guyana Chronicle that 54 persons were killed on the roads as a result of speeding this year.

However, he assured that the police have been aggressive in their education campaign on television programmes on various traffic concerns including speeding

He is imploring drivers to stay within the speed limit at all times so that they can be in control of the vehicle they are driving regardless of the situation.

Recalling the recent early Saturday morning fatal accident at Lamaha Street, Georgetown, where proprietor of Graham’s Bakery, Mr Albert Watson who ended up in a trench and a similar accident at Golden Fleece, West Coast Berbice, where four persons including two children lost their lives, Mr Alleyne said that both drivers were not alert.

He explained similarly, most road accidents are caused by speeding and drivers not being alert. He emphasises that alertness is of utmost importance especially in the Cuyuni/Mazaruni area there the roads are uphill and mostly wet.

On the issue of the newly installed traffic lights in the city, the Traffic Chief is urging all drivers and pedestrians to obey the basic traffic signals and markings.

He is reminding the public that the red light means stop, while the green light which has arrows indicates the lanes and the directions the traffic should be followed to ease congestion at traffic lights.

“However, when the green man figure appears it means it is safe to cross the road and when the red man figure comes on pedestrians must wait,” Mr Alleyne pointed out.

He is also imploring drivers to stop at the yellow markings on the road near traffic lights to signal the sensor so that the lights can change for them to proceed and prevent a backup of vehicles.

Alleyne also explained that pedestrians who wish to cross the road urgently must approach the traffic light where there is a button and push it and release then the green man figure will come on and allow them to cross especially at intersections.

“Drivers of route 50 minibuses are asked to heed the traffic signals on the Rupert Craig Highway at Ogle and divert to their respective lanes because it causes a big build up of traffic,” he explained.

Some people especially minibus drivers were of the opinion that the some of the traffic lights were taking too long to change and were not synchronising but Mr Alleyne yesterday reaffirmed that the traffic lights are functioning perfectly.

“Drivers are always in a hurry and they know that they have to wait but they don’t want to, so they blame the traffic lights,” he asserted.

Touching on actions taken by the Traffic Department by motorists who violate the traffic regulations and laws revealed that over 40 drivers were recently charged and fined $40,000 each for breach of the red light and cutting across lanes at traffic lights.

The Traffic Chief said that some drivers were also placed on one-year bond for various traffic offences and as the police is clamping down on drivers who deviate from regular minibus routes to avoid the traffic lights.

“I am appealing to all drivers and road users to use the roads with care because 21 persons lost their lives involving pedal cyclists accidents this year alone,” he explained.

Mr Alleyne added that some 1,284 unlighted bicycles were lodged at stations during a recent campaign and a further 1,800 did not have bells and brakes and accessories.

“The traffic departments are doing their best to curb what is happening on our roads today,” he said.

He also urged motor lorry drivers to stay within their speed limit and to safely secure builders waste/materials/sand when traversing the East Bank road in the mornings as they have contributed to 22 accidents this year because of not using the roads with care.

“We have also noticed a growing number of animals on the roads especially when it rains and we are asking drivers to look out for these animals during the night,” Mr Alleyne added.

He called on drivers to stop at a safe place and rest for a while if they are feeling tired or unwell and strongly condemned drinking and driving yesterday.

Bandits escapes with $10M from Pure Diamond
During a second robbery attack by bandits on Pure Diamond located at Lot 332 East Street, South Cummingsburg, Georgetown, a security guard was shot and injured when four gunmen escaped with $10M in cash on Monday morning.

Fitzroy Whyte, 59, was shot in the groin as he was about to open the gate to the premises about 10:45 hours and is listed in a stable condition at Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH).

Police said driver attached to the business, St. Clair Mohabir, 63, had just returned from a city bank when he was attacked by four gunmen who drove up behind him in a beige coloured motor car Toyota AT 190 bearing a false number registration number.

Mohabir was held at gunpoint by one of the bandits who smashed the left side window and grabbed the bag with the cash which was on the front seat in the vehicle and escaped.

The police statement said that they are very concerned that Pure Diamond was targeted for the second time within a matter of days.

Man dies from poisoning after strange behaviour
MARLON Kunjell, 35, of Lot 102 Onion Field, La Bonne Intention (LBI), East Coast Demerfara, the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GUYSUCO) employee hospitalised since ingesting a poisonous substance on Sunday, has died.

He succumbed at Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) Monday morning to the poisoning which occurred at his home.

Relatives said Kunjell started behaving strangely on Sunday, prompting his wife to summon his mother, Sakaldai Hukumchand, of Bel Air, Greater Georgetown, who arrived at her son’s home and was disturbed by his conduct.

The woman said Kunjell appeared not to be fully aware of what he was doing and saying and she took away, from him, a bag containing a bottle of rum and a cup.

She said she cannot recall seeing him with any other liquid but he apparently drank the poison when he left the house and went out onto the road where he collapsed.

Hukumchand said Kunjell was taken back into the yard and his wife smelt what he had consumed while giving him a bath.

Kunjell was hurriedly taken to GPH where he received emergency treatment and was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) where he remained until his death.

Boy in ICU, five others hurt in accidents
SEVEN-YEAR-OLD Malcolm Welcome, was in a critical condition at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) yesterday, after being hit by a truck at Coverden, East Bank Demerara.

The accident occurred about 14:45 h and doctors at the institution were battling to save his life.

The boy, who had been staying at Lot 3 Coverden, was rushed to the Accident and Emergency Unit in an unconscious state, bleeding profusely from injuries to his face and head, a broken leg and abrasions.

Tracy Benjamin, a cousin who accompanied the injured boy to the hospital, said, shortly before 15:00 h, Malcolm was playing with other children in the Coverden yard but he ventured out onto the roadway and was struck the passing vehicle.

Benjamin said Malcolm lives at Sand Hills along Demerara River but recently travelled to Coverden to spend the August holidays, together with his siblings and their mother, Leslyn Welcome.

Also still in the ICU at GPH is Mohammed Rasheed, 2 years 7 months old, who, two weeks ago, was injured by a sand truck in front of his grandparents’ Anna Catherina, West Coast Demerara home. He remains on life support.

Meanwhile, five more persons were injured and had to be treated at the GPH following an 11:45 h collision between a route 40 mini-bus and an ambulance at the junction of Lamaha and Albert Streets, Georgetown.

At the time of the accident, the ambulance was on an emergency mission, transporting patients who are reportedly out of danger.

Their names were not made available. (Shirley Thomas)

The growing suicide trend
The Health Minister disclosed at the recent launching of the National Suicide Prevention Committee that there is a growing trend of suicides, particularly in the County of Berbice and to a lesser extent in Essequibo. This, indeed is a worrisome problem but is not one that can be handled easily because of its complex psychological/emotional and sociological nature.

To address the suicide problem in-depth studies have to be conducted by experts in the field of which unfortunately we have an acute shortage. Therefore, we need to be proactive and perhaps recruit experts from abroad and work collaboratively with international organisations such as the UNDP, WHO and others to tackle this delicate issue.

In alluding to the acute shortage of psychiatrists, the Health Minister disclosed that there are only four such specialist doctors in the local health care system.

However, he indicated that his Ministry plans to recruit foreign psychiatrists and have out reach programmes implemented. While this is certainly welcome it only a stop gap measure, as a longer term programme is necessary because of the complex nature of the problem and in this regard the launching of the National Suicide Prevention Committee is a step in the right direction. Such a move is perhaps long overdue. But unfortunately the trend in Guyana is that we wait until the pot bubbles over before we take action.

Nevertheless, one of the major problems facing the populace in developing countries like Guyana is that they cannot afford to be engaged in recreation and vacation which all health experts agree is an imperative for the well being of both mental and physical health.

Most Guyanese are so busy eking out a living that they do not have the time for leisure activities and if they do have the time the question of costs is a prohibitive factor because the earnings of many are so meagre that having a family vacation or weekend outing is an impossibility. It is because of economics that perhaps more foreigners have visited our world famous Kaieiteur Falls than Guyanese living here.

The point here is that economic pressures and lack of leisure could contribute to depression which the Health Minister identified as the major cause of suicides in Guyana.

Therefore one of the issues that thenewly established Committee could focus on is how to provide some form of affordable recreational and leisure activities, particularly, for the poverty-stricken sections of society.

We are losing too many of our people in the prime of their lives in so many avoidable circumstances, in addition to those who migrate.

It is time that we work together as a people to stem this tide which could sweep away this wonderful nation of ours.

We should always remember those pertinent words of our revered poet Martin Carter: “All are involved. All are consumed.”

Accused armed robber of taxi driver remanded
MAGISTRATE Hazel Octave-Hamilton yesterday upheld a Police objection and refused bail to Seon Forde, of Lot 84 Breda Street, Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown, who is charged with robbery under arms.

Police Inspector Desiree Griffith, prosecuting, who successfully objected to pre-trial freedom for the defendant, said he was positively identified on a parade and, if allowed, might interfere with witnesses.

The Prosecutor said Forde hired a taxi but, along the journey, he requested the driver, Patrick Boston, to stop and allow him to urinate.

At that point, two other men joined Forde and they proceeded to rob Boston, Griffith said.

But the defendant pleaded not guilty to the August 9 offence, particulars of which said he robbed the virtual complainant, at gunpoint, of a cellular phone, a silver ring, a wrist watch and $8,000, making a total loss of $50,500 to the victim.

Force was remanded to prison until August 27.

Vendors stage protest against Anna Regina Market closure
SCORES of vendors now selling at Anna Regina Market yesterday morning protested the decision to close it down when the refurbished one opens at Bush Lot, also on Essequibo Coast.

Armed with placards, they began their noisy protest in front the Anna Regina Town Hall before moving to outside the Regional Administration Office in Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam).

After demonstrating at the second location for some time, the protesters, led by Mr. Hakim Khan, headed to State House, in the same township, where the statutory meeting of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) was in progress.

There, the demonstrators shouted and, when the noise got louder, Regional Chairman Alli Baksh, who was presiding inside, went outside and appealed for them to stop disturbing the caucus.

Mr. Baksh advised the vendors to protest peacefully and they went back to the vicinity of the Town Hall.

Some of the slogans on the placards read ‘Anna Regina Market needs facelift’, ‘We do not want Anna Regina Market to close down’, ‘Stop idea to close down Anna Regina Market’, ‘Don’t take away our daily bread’ and ‘Mayor of Anna Regina Town must go’.

The Anna Regina Town Council has taken a decision to officially close the market on September 17 and Town Clerk Ganga Persaud said all vendors must remove their stocks and other belongings from there by September 15.

Mr. Persaud said letters to the effect were dispatched to the vendors, most of whom expect to occupy the Bush Lot facility that cost $112M to rehabilitate.

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Mr. Kellawan Lall, while on a visit to the Region last week, told the vendors they will have to adapt to changes.

Suspect held in Capoey shooting murder probe
POLICE have arrested a man in connection with the shooting murder of 34-year-old Shabeer Mohamed at Capoey backdam on Sunday.

The suspect detained was found hiding in a clump of bushes aback of Queenstown, also on Essequibo Coast.

Reports said the deceased farmer was discovered with gunshot wounds in the Amerindian community about 18:00 h.

Another farmer, who was in the area, told Police investigators he heard gunshots and, upon checking, saw Mohamed lying dead.

The murdered man had been at his farm with two employees when the shooting took place.

At Berbice Assizes…
Attempted murder trial postponed after juror falls ill
THE trial of attempted murder accused Dave Munroop did not continue at the Berbice Assizes yesterday because a member of the jury was reported ill.

As a consequence, Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards adjourned the case to today.

Juror number five suffered bouts of vomiting and diarrhoea and sought medical attention, the foreman told the judge, who advised the accused that he should consider whether his trial would proceed in the absence of one of the jurors or await the return of the absentee.

Justice Cummings-Edwards explained that the law allows for 11 jurors to deliberate in cases other than murder and treason when a full complement of 12 is required.

The judge deferred her expected ruling yesterday on arguments, previously advanced by Munroop and State Prosecutor Satyesh Kissoon in the absence of the jury, on the admissibility of a caution statement attributed to the accused.

Munroop also known as ‘Radesh’ and ‘Jankee’ is indicted for causing Lakeram Basdeo grevious bodily harm with intent to maim, disfigure or disable him, on April 10, 2006, at Bush Lot, West Coast Berbice.

Basdeo spent seven weeks at New Amsterdam Hospital, also in Berbice, after being set ablaze while in his employer’s house.

Kissoon should reveal proof to show democracy is not transparent
Freddie Kisssoon’s column of August 14, 2007, claimed that he had evidence to prove that “democracy as a transparent process” is not present in Guyana.

Mr. Kissoon has once again used his column as a blatant attempt to spread distortion and fallacy. We all can agree that democracy is more than just free and fair elections, even though it is a crucial element in a democratic society, but there must be consolidation as well. The PPP/C in its 15years of leadership reinstated and legislated structures and laws that facilitate democracy which by definition was obviously on the missing list as Guyana experienced a PNC dictatorship between 1968-1992.

The PPP/C reintroduced competitive elections; political parties can now contest elections with the assurance of knowing that the election would not be rigged. Since 1992, elections are endorsed by local and international observers. Also, the PPP/C introduced political inclusivity., and it is evolving .Political participation is at its highest in Guyana; to name a few, there were the Jagdeo-Hoyte Joint Committees and the Parliamentary Standing Committee for Constitutional reform. These systems were not in place during the PNC dictatorship.

If this is not evidence of transparent democracy, then what is? .Kissoon should reveal his proof that democracy is not transparent. The public is waiting with bated breath.
Sharon Williams

Illogical accusations against the PPP/C
People make the most illogical accusations against the PPP/C administration just to find something to say against them no matter how untrue it is.

Take the letter by Makek Cave for example who describes himself as leader of the liberal Democrats published in Stabroek News of Monday August 13, 2007 and which is headed “The time has come for our leaders to define a path to progress”.

He claims he is a patriot and is “becoming weary of government’s interventions in preserved areas of the constitutions and the courts of law”.

Both the constitution and the courts of law are available to all citizens including the main and other opposition political parties which we have observed they are pretty doing. These avenues of interventions are not solely reserved for the government.

This government unlike the previous administration does not use thugs and goons to enforce their will against the population.

The writer also falsely claims” that there are no major investments so that there are no new jobs and areas of investments.

There have been several major foreign direct investments as well as large local investments to expand existing industries and businesses. It is just that the writer and others like him refuse to acknowledge them so that they can peddle their negative propaganda.

The writer also claims that this government should do better than Burnham because they have the support of the United Sates and Europe which Burnham did not have after the 1970s, but surely this administration would not want to cause or increase the damage which Burnham had done to Guyana.

Every school boy knows that it was the direct intervention of the United States and the United Kingdom that helped to place Burnham in power and to keep him there. Burnham also had control of 80% of the economy and still amazingly was not able to improve the lives of the people because of his dictatorial and authoritarian rule which shrunk the economy and destroyed the infrastructure until we became the poorest country in the Western hemisphere and one of the most Highly Indebted Poor Countries, from which category we have now been removed as a result of the PPP/Civic government.

The writer also indulges himself in the propaganda that Africans are marginalized and discriminated against, contrary to the facts.

All opportunities are open to all Guyanese regardless of race or political affiliation and this can be seen everyday.

The unfounded resort to race claims is always made when no other argument against the government can be legitimately made.

This government prefers to act within the provisions of the constitution and the rule of law and has been making remarkable progress in the light of the dismal legacy inherited from the PNC and in the face of new and serious challenges arising from globalization and trade liberalization.
Dwayne Narine

Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria
Trade Unions are playing a very big and important role in the fight against this scourge throughout the world: a fight in the workplace as well as outside the workplace.

It is of great pleasure to be a part and to talk about this incredibly important subject. I think we all know the statistics: Forty (40) million people in the world today living with HIV” 5 million people new infections which occurred in 2006 and 3 million deaths from HIV/AIDS in 2006. All those numbers are rising inexorably in every country around the world, with very few exceptions. HIV/AIDS is nothing less than the greatest disaster in recorded human history. The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria was crated to finance the counter- attack, not only against HIV/AIDS but also against TB and malaria.

Today already, the global Fund is supporting 300 programmes in 130 countries and the value of those programmes is U.S$8 billion. I refer to the role of the trade unions. The investments that are now being by the global fund, alongside increased investments from other sources and other organisation, we believe bringing hope in many countries.

Prevention is scaling up and treatment, which has a long way still to go, is beginning to become more widely available. But we have a long and difficult road ahead of us and a long journey to travel together before we begin to contain the pandemic of HIV/AIDS. The role of the trade unions, their members I believe are critical I would like to congratulate the trade union movement fir its leadership in this area and for focusing attention on the challenge of HIV/AIDS. But I believe there is much more than we can do. Let me make four suggestions:

First mobilize to demand and support workplace programmes of the prevention and treatment.

Some companies in our country have such programmes of prevention and treatment in place for their workforce and the families. Some of those programmes are exemplary, but the vast majority of companies do not have such programmes. There is a long way to go and I would call on the trade union movement to both demand and support the development of the workplace programme which are in the interest of the companies concerned as well as those who are employed by those companies.

Secondly, I would encourage trade unions and organisation of trade unions to press for membership of the Country Co-ordinating Mechanisms, the CCM’s, 130 countries, are the organisation which have a relationship with the Global Fund. Our relationship is not with the government. It is with CCM’s which Multi-sectoral stakeholder bodies created in order to interact with the global and to channel global fund investments. I may be wrong but I am aware of no trade union that is a member of any CCM in countries today. Guyana is the only country trade union s are a member of CCM.

Thirdly and partly through this membership of the CCM, please seek finance from the global fund in order to expand and develop the work that we do and the work that we can do of in the future among our own members. We stand ready to financially support the work of the trade unions among our members be it in education, prevention, care and support possibly in the treatment in some cases. Wherever our comparative advantages lies, please seek the financial support that we may need through the CCM’s and we will be very happy to accept that finances.

Fourthly, trade unions must ensure that national legislation prevents and penalizes discrimination on the ground of HIV status such legislation should also encourage employers to adopt policies for the management of HIV/AIDS in the workplace, in collaboration with trade unions. At the centre of such workplace policies should be measures to combat discrimination to encourage awareness and provide treatment for workers across all occupations.

We know that this is a priority business for unions because three quarters of the peoples living with AIDS go to work every day. Workers are loosing their health, their income, their rights and their very lives to this disease. We can use tools the collective bargaining lobbying, partnership with NGO’s at the national level. We have done a lot, we can be proud of what we have done. We need to take up the challenge to become members of the CCM’s in our nation to make sure our workplace education programmers, along with other good initiatives are funded.
Sherwood Clarke
Trade Unionist

Media should help educate and be more responsible
Media houses are assisting in hyping up reportage of criminal activities rather than disseminating issues that would serve to educate and make Guyanese aware of what is taking place in the country and internationally.

Guyanese do not need to be greeted daily by criminal activities. In other countries, crime is also being reported but it doesn’t take primacy and then on front pages!

Please media houses, let’s be more responsible, report crime but be tactful.

It is my perception that serious crimes have declined in Guyana but due to the undue coverage through splaying across newspaper pages, it is hyped up.

I noticed in the media too, that Guyana and the UK are into a huge security agreement. I feel that this could only augur well for our beloved country. The agreement from what I garnered caters for intelligence gathering which is a major factor in crime fight. So it could not have come at a more opportune time and I hope that my fellow Guyanese would see it as a step further in the fight against criminal activities.

So let’s put our shoulders to the wheels and give our two cents bit in the efforts to tackle crime.
Celina Watson

Another distortion by Ramsaroop
Guyana has fundamental freedom of expressions and people like Peter Ramsaroop are cherry picking and twisting things to suit their own ends.

In his column in the August 13, Kaieteur News, Ramsaroop distorts what the IDB president said about Guyana in relation to agro energy development. But this is no surprise as the man has a tendency to do so in all his pieces.

Ramsaroop, said the president must have been taken aback to hear Moreno say that he was without vision, but at no point did the esteemed bank president say that. The man did not say the President has no vision. He surely was speaking of a future plan!

What the IDB president said, (in relation to the Guyana and developing ethanol) is that it has the available land, the climate and the sugar-cane expertise necessary to replace all its gasoline consumption with ethanol.  All it needs is visionary planning, investment capital and new equipment. 10 years from now, if it also adopts the flex-fuel vehicles that now dominate the market in Brazil, Guyana could become the first country to meet virtually all of its transport fuel needs with home-grown ethanol and bio-diesel.

Guyana is not producing bio-diesel as yet on a large scale, it is experimenting with it and I am sure that the plan that is being crafted for this sector will be one which will enable it to thrive and sustain itself.

What is important to note here is that Moreno praised the Head of State for his leadership which has created an enabling environment and maintained a stable macro-economic environment which qualified our country for the debt-relief it received.

The Guyanese public should pay attention to what people like Ramsaroop are feeding them. Distortions!

Beware Guyanese.
Martin Benn

Environment does not support stagnation claim
I recently saw a letter from someone claiming that there has been no development in Guyana for the past 15 years…that means that we have been stagnated. But the environment does not support this claim as everywhere across the country some amount of development is visible.

There has been progress in all the social sectors, perhaps more progress can be seen in some sectors while there are some areas which need more work, but to say that there is no progress is a blatant lie.

Fifteen years ago, the average Guyanese could not dream of owning a piece of property that he can construct a home for his family. The only way he had any hope of having a lot of land with a title in his name was if it was a piece of property passed down through generations. Today, Government has made it possible for persons to own their own homes, particularly young people and there are arrangements with the banking institutions where persons can access loans and mortgages.

The transport sector is much better off now with the construction of proper roads and

bridges across the country with street lights and proper road signage. Soon persons travelling to Berbice will do so in ease when the Berbice River Bridge is completed. This will cut out the wait times at the New Amsterdam and Rosignol Ferry Stellings. So in some cases where the developments haven’t fully taken place, plans are afoot to have them developed. 

The Health and Education sectors have seen many changes as significant emphasis has been placed on these two areas by this Government. Proper facilities have been constructed and more persons are being trained annually to deliver better services.

Recently, we have seen many significant investments by the private sector which is serving to improve Guyana’s landscape and the economy. With these new investments more jobs are being created for the population as well. 

Clearly the developments in Guyana show that the population is much better off.

Some critics say Government is preoccupied with debt relief but I do not think that these persons really know what this means for Guyana.

Since there was a huge debt-burden, a lot of money was being spent annually to service these debts which meant that we had to rely heavily on the good graces of lending institutions which set out a lot of conditions that had to be met before we could qualify.

Some of these conditions made it difficult for our own people since they stipulated that international consultants and others be employed to implement various projects.

Being granted debt relief of that magnitude says that indeed good things are happening in the country as players on the international scene are recognising that Guyana is worthy of such a gesture.

Today with all the debt write-offs that we have been granted, things will only get better since Government will be able to spend more money internally on social services. This also means that more persons will be able to gain employment and better themselves.

With the enhanced social services already being provided persons are able to own their own homes and have access to better education and health services.
Observer

Leaking GWI pipeline in Cumberland
For the past two weeks there has been a leaking Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) pipeline at the corner of New Street, Cumberland , East Canje .

There have been numerous reports the local GWI office at Chesney, Corentyne but to no avail.

To compound an already dire situation, there is a GT&T utility pole inches away from the breakage. There is water seeping out of the pipeline to the road surface. Water can also be seen bubbling around the damaged area. Once the area becomes too saturated, the soil will no longer be able to sustain the GT&T pole; hence it will fall on the persons which live around the area. Guyana Power and Light (GPL) power lines will also be affected due to the domino effect of the falling GT&T pole. Dozens will be without telephone services for God knows how long. Hundreds will lose power instantly for God knows how longer.

Meanwhile, customers of GWI in the affected area have been receiving smelly, stink water out of their taps.

I watched the other night on the GWI programme on NCN how the engineer who was giving a tour of the Eccles Water Treatment Plant drew water right from the tap into his glass and drank. When will customers in East Canje be able to do that? When will GWI redesign this very populated area so that customers can enjoy treated water like most customers do across Guyana ?

I do hope GWI will react to the above- mentioned situation before a catastrophe occurs.
Leon Jameson Suseran

Fraser, Pooranath inspire Berbice to first innings lead
By Faizool Deo
ONE did the damage early with the ball, the other batted himself to the highest score of this year’s competition. Together they provided the catalyst that placed defending champions Berbice in the driver’s seat against Essequibo in the second game of the 2007 CLICO U-17 two-day inter-county cricket competition.

When bails were lifted at stumps at the Everest cricket ground, Berbice had an important 59-run lead with five wickets including their leading scorer Manuj Pooranath (not out on 71) in hand.

This morning they will have four overs of the mandatory 65 to increase their lead with the intention of claiming a comprehensive victory.

Earlier yesterday when the Essequibian side batted, they were faced with some hostile bowling from pacer Keron Fraser who snarled four wickets to restrict them to 110 in 47.1 overs.

One such instance saw Jermain Hohenkirk fend off a short ball to Pooranath at short cover in the first over. Fraser also dismissed the danger-man in the first match, Rovindra Parsaram, who was caught low down at second slip by Harrinarine Chattergoon.

The leading scorer of the innings, Rovie Harris, who continues to improve in the batting department, managed to score 39 runs before he was bowled playing forward to Fraser.

The other wicket the West Berbice Sports Club player took was that of the skipper Royston Alkins, who was caught brilliantly at mid-wicket by Eon Hooper. Fraser, though, was not flawless in his bowling as he finished with 19 no-balls. Supporting Fraser was Albion’s off-spinner Chattergoon who spun three lower order batsmen into his web.

As in their opening game, Essequibo again failed in their batting department. The only resistance was a 28-run sixth-wicket stand between Harris and Greyson Paul (12).

Early in Berbice’s innings, the bowling team were pumped up since they had the Ancient County on 54-3 with danger-man Chattergoon back in the pavilion.

They employed an attacking field with a silly mid-off and a silly mid-on in place for Anthony Bramble but Pooranath and Bramble batted sensibly to carry Berbice to 103 before the latter became the second victim of pacer Hohenkirk, edging a ball (fine edge) to wicketkeeper Navin Singh.

Pooranath, also from Albion Cricket Club, took his team forward through a 53-run sixth-wicket unbeaten stand with Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club Pepsi team player Naresh Mahadeo who played well for his 22 unbeaten runs.

Hohenkirk and Alkins had two wickets each to lead the Essequibo’s attack which included nine bowlers.

The entire day saw six boundaries, three from each side, not even Pooranath reached the boundary as the ground had a heavy outfield. If Berbice defeat Essequibo comprehensively today their match against Demerara will be a thrilling final match.

SCOREBOARD
ESSEQUIBO first innings
J. Hohenkirk c. Pooranath b Fraser 1

H. Green b Somai 10

R. Parasaram c Chattergoon b Fraser 9

R. Alkins c. Hooper b. Fraser 1

M. Seepersaud lbw Joseph 0

R. Harris b Fraser 39

G. Paul run-out Mahadeo 12

N. Singh c. wkp. Bramble b. Chattergoon 2

F. Henry c. Madramootoo b. Chattergoon 0

R. Mohabier not out 8

B. Lallbachan lbw Chattergoon 4

Extras: (b-1, lb-2, nb-21) 24

Total: (All out in 47.1 overs) 110

Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-23, 3-26, 4-31, 5-46, 6-74, 7-83, 8-87, 9-99.

Bowling: Fraser 7-0-40-4 (nb-19), Joseph 6-1-14-1, Somai 15-4-28-1, Mahadeo 13-6-14-0, Chattergoon 6.1-1-10-3.

BERBICE first innings
H. Chattergoon c. Parasram b. Lallbachan 9

A. Khan b. Hohenkirk 7

E. Hooper lbw Alkins 20

M. Pooranath not out 71

A. Bramble c wkp. Singh b Hohenkirk 24

I. Latif lbw Alkins 2

N. Mahadeo not out 22

Extras: (b-9, lb-1, w-2) 12

Total: (for five wickets 61 overs) 169

Fall of wickets: 1-18, 2-20, 3-54, 4-103, 5-116.

Bowling: Hohenkirk 12-2-29-2, Harris 4-0-15-0 (w-2), Lallbachan 7-1-13-1, Parasram 8-1-21-0, Mahabir 6-1-21-0, Alkins 14-2-32-2, Henry 6-1-12-0, Seepersaud 3-0-13-0, Paul 1-0-3-0.

Guyana, Windwards play to thrilling tie
(From Ravendra Madholall in St Kitts in association with DDL (Pepsi), GT&T, Peter Lewis Construction, Trophy Stall, Peter Ramsaroop, Kris Jagdeo Construction and RHTY&SC).
GUYANA and Windward Islands played to a thrilling tie yesterday in a rain-interrupted second round match of the 2007 TCL Group regional Under-19 one-day cricket competition at the Cayon Sports Complex in St Kitts leaving the competition interestingly poised after Trinidad and Tobago also tied with Barbados.

Windward Islands were set a revised target of 172 from 42 overs after Guyana had earlier made 187 all out in 45.5 overs with Duck/Worth Lewis came into play. Windward Islands batted responsibly throughout the initial part of their innings but a couple of injudicious shots left them now without a win in the competition.

Guyana in a must-win situation now will face defending champions Trinidad and Tobago at the Conaree Sports Club tomorrow.

Windward Islands’ opener Lyndon Lawrence fashioned a superb 64 with seven fours and a solitary six while his skipper Lauran Francois chipped in with 40 to almost take their team to victory but clever bowling from medium pacer Kellon Carmichael (3-43) and left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul (3-42) pinned their hopes of a fine victory.

Windward Islands lost their first wicket when the score was on 21 after Keddy Lesporis was leg-before to left-arm spinner Eugene La Fleur who again used the new ball effectively while Lawrence and Donwell Hector posted an entertaining 65-run second-wicket stand which threatened the Guyanese competitive total.

However, Hector’s 28 which lasted for 47 balls inclusive of three fours probably inspired his skipper Francois who joined the aggressive Lawrence and they two saw their team to 110 in the 26th over before Lawrence, who faced 91 deliveries with seven fours and a six, was caught by Chris Patadin at long-off off Permaul to signal a collapse.

Johnson Charles (8), Joel Mingo (3), Salton Polius (1) fell in quick succession as the Guyanese fought back gallantly. The Windward Islands needed 12 runs from 18 balls with four wickets in hand but the nippy Carmichael had Mike Narine caught behind without scoring and was on a hat-trick.

In the last over, Windward Islands required four runs from one over and S. Jacobs bowled with good control and had Delorn Johnson pushing a ball to cover and Andries finished off the job in style via a run-out.

Earlier, Guyana, buoyant by a brilliant 89 from opener Rajendra Chandrika garnered a competitive total after some irresponsible shots from the top order again.

The national youth team, who were beaten in their first engagement against Leeward Islands, rebounded nicely after the right-handed Chandrika fashioned his maiden half-century to see Guyana reach a respectable 187 all out in 45.5 overs.

Windward Islands won the toss and invited Guyana to take first strike on a perfect batting track in absolutely glorious sunshine and the Guyanese plunged into early trouble when aggressive left-arm pacer Johnson quickly accounted for Chris Patadin bowled for one and won the verdict of an umpire decision against Robin Bacchus without scoring at 22 for two in the third over.

It was a fine knock by the experienced Chandrika at this level who occupied the crease for 126 balls, stroking ten elegant fours. He was there when his skipper Steven Jacobs (4) departed at 29 for three as Guyana wobbled, but the in-form Vishal Singh and Chandrika carried the score to three figures in the 26th over.

The diminutive left-handed Singh who hit an accomplished century against the same opponents in the just concluded three-day version and at the same venue, again showed a liking for the bowling but he was soon dismissed for a 45-ball 23 which comprised of four fours.

The fluent Chandrika, mixing occasional aggression with tight defence found a useful ally and that of debutant Seon Hetmyer who came in for the badly out-of-form Jonathan Foo. They progressively set up a fine 70-run sixth-wicket stand before Hetmyer was caught and bowled by Dawnley Grant for 27 at 171 for six in the 41st over.

Hetmyer faced 47 deliveries and reached the boundary two times while Chandrika in his second and final year, batted with easy and fluency, reaching his fifty from 79 balls simultaneously caressing seven fours.

At 171 for six with nine overs remaining, one would have thought that the Guyanese could have scored some where in the vicinity, but the fragile lower order was exposed and the last four batsmen went for 17 runs. This included the prized wicket of Chandrika who easily lofted a catch to Grant at short mid-wicket off Johnson, who ended impressively with four for 33 from 7.5 overs.

Supporting him were pacer Grant and medium pacer Mike Narine with two for 32 from eight overs and two for 32 from seven overs respectively.

Guyana left out Foo, Leon Scott and Totaram Bishun while Windward Islands omitted Joey Welcome, Andy Alexander and Vaughn Polius from their 14-man squad.

According to the Meteorological Office at the Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport in the capital city of Basseterre a tropical storm is expected over the next two days, and the Guyanese who will be looking to beat Trinidad and Tobago to advance to the semi-finals, will want to win in a convincing manner.

Coach of the Guyana team Hubern Evans told Chronicle Sport that the guys showed good commitment but there is still a lot of work to be done.

“It was a good thing to at least get a tie which opens the competition now but I think our opening batsmen need to put a foundation because it will obviously put added pressure on the middle-order. Hopefully we can get our act together and beat Trinidad and Tobago in our next match which is very crucial,” Evan asserted.

T&T, Barbados tie in tense last-over thriller
BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CMC) – Arch-rivals Barbados and Trinidad & Tobago played to an exciting tie in their second round TCL West Indies Under-19 Challenge limited overs encounter, at the Conaree Sporting Complex here yesterday.

Set a revised target of 239 runs in 47 overs after rain intervened, T&T scrambled to 238 for nine in a tense last-over finish.

Needing four runs from the last over for victory, T&T could only muster three, losing the wickets of Azarudin Mohammed (5) and Vishan Ramroop (0) with the penultimate and final balls of the intriguing contest.

Mohammed was trapped in front to Ashley Nurse while Ramroop was run-out by the same bowler, to send the Bajans’ supporters into frenzy.

Ashley Nurse ended with figures of three for 35 from 10 overs.

Setting up T&T’s valiant effort for a win were Kjorn Ottley, Darren Bravo and Kavon Cooper, the trio making solid contributions with the bat until their team stumbled in the final over.

Ottley hit a patient 77 off 126 balls with five fours while Bravo contributed 43 from 53 deliveries with three fours and two sixes. Near the end, Cooper stroked 33 off 23 balls with one four and two sixes.

Earlier, Barbados rattled up 246 for seven behind fine half-centuries by Kyle Hope (66 not out), Kyle Corbin (57) and captain Shamarh Brooks (51).

Barbados’ openers Kyle Corbin and Rashidi Boucher (34) gave their team a solid start, as they posted 80 in 14 overs.

They were separated when Corbin (57) was stumped by wicketkeeper Anthony Balgobin off Kjorn Ottley.

The right-handed Corbin, who made an unbeaten 68 in the opening match of the limited overs competition against the Windward Islands at Molineaux, faced 55 balls and struck six fours and three sixes in his entertaining innings.

All-rounder Simon Steele (1), joined Boucher but did not last long as he was run-out backing up too far, to leave the Bajans on 100 for two.

Boucher departed with the score on 107, caught at the wicket by Balgobin off Ottley after facing 61 balls and hitting two fours.

Brooks and Hope consolidated their team’s position with a fourth-wicket partnership of 76 in 68 minutes.

After hitting five fours off 53 balls, Brooks was caught in the deep by Jervon Charles off Kavon Cooper with the score on 183 for four after 40 overs.

At 196 for the six, T&T seemed poised to wrap up the innings but Hope played superbly, his knock coming from 90 balls with five fours and one six.

Part-time off-spinner Ottley was the best bowler for T&T with two for 41 from his 10 overs.

The result gave T&T team a lifeline in the tournament but they will have to beat Guyana in the final round match tomorrow.

In contrast, Barbados are virtually assured of a semi-final berth after moving to six points.

Jamaica earn hard-fought win over Leewards
BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CMC) – Jamaica earned a hard-fought victory when they defeated the Leeward Islands in their second round TCL West Indies Cricket Challenge Limited Overs match at the Edgar Gilbert Sports Complex yesterday.

Set a revised target of 179 runs in 42 overs under the Duckworth-Lewis method after a rain interruption, Jamaica reached their target with 19 deliveries remaining to chalk up their second victory.

The base for their victory was an inspiring opening stand of 72 between Horace Miller (42) and Christie Jones (24).

Earlier, the Leeward Islands, asked to bat first, got 197 all out from 44 overs thanks to half-centuries by Devon Thomas (78) and Terrance Ward (54).

Chasing a relatively easy target, Miller and Jones set off at a frenetic pace treating the Leewards new-ball bowlers with little or no respect. They became more circumspect with the introduction of the spinners who eventually brought about their demise.

Miller was the first to go leg-before-wicket in the course of the 14th over as he tried to hit spinner Trevier Smithen (2-37) out of the ground, with dark rain clouds looming overhead. His 47-ball knock contained three fours and two effortless sixes.

Two runs later, Jones fell in a similar fashion as he misread and played over a well disguised slower ball from Chesney Hughes. His was a more patient innings containing five fours from 42 balls.

Shacoya Thomas (32) and Robert Weir (29) steadied Jamaica’s middle order with a 62-run partnership for the fourth wicket after a slight wobble.

When the pair was dislodged, the Leeward Islands made an attempt to exert some pressure but by then it was too little too late.

Earlier, Thomas and Ward hauled the Leewards around from 83 for five in the 25th over with a 45-run stand.

Thomas struck nine fours and one six from the 75 balls and was sixth out while Ward faced 69 deliveries with three fours and three massive sixes.

Fast bowler Jason Dawes snatched three for 25 while Christie Jones (2-12) and Jason Hoilette (2-31) provided well-needed support.

TCL UNDER-19 ONE-DAY SCOREBOARDS
GUYANA v WINDWARDS

GUYANA innings
C. Patadin b Johnson 1

R. Chandrika c Grant b Johnson 89

R. Bacchus lbw b Johnson 1

S. Jacobs c Polius b Naraine 4

V. Singh c Audain b Hector 23

E. Le Fleur run-out 10

S. Hetimyer c & b Grant 27

C. Andries c Audain b Naraine 2

K. Carmichael lbw b Grant 0

V. Permaul c wkp. Lawrence b Johnson 3

D. Jacobs not out 5

Extras: (lb-5, nb-1, w-16,) 22

Total: (all out, 45.5 overs) 187

Fall of wickets: 1-12, 2-22, 3-29, 4-61, 5-101, 6-171, 7-175, 8-177, 9-186.

Bowling: Grant 8-0-32-1, Johnson 7.5-0-33-4, Naraine 7-0-32-2, Hector 10-37-1, Polius 10-2-35-0, Audain 3-0-13-0.

WINDWARD ISLANDS innings
L. Lawrence c Patadin b Permaul 64

K. Lesporis lbw b La Fleur 8

D. Hector c wkp. Jacobs b Permaul 28

L. Francois c & b Jacobs 40

J. Charles c & b Permaul 7

D. Polius b Carmichael 1

M. Naraine c wkp Jacobs b Carmichael 0

D. Grant c Jacobs b Carmichael 2

D. Johnson run-out 3

A. Audain not out 0

Extras: (b-2, w-16) 18

Total: (all out, 41.5 overs) 171

Fall of wickets: 1-21, 2-86, 3-110, 4-141, 5-151, 6-158, 7-158, 8-168, 9-171.

Bowling: Carmichael 8-0-40-3, La Fleur 10-0-42-1, Jacobs 3.5-0-17-1, Andries 10-0-28-1, Permaul 10-1-42-3.

Points: Guyana 2, Windwards 2.

BARBADOS v T&T

BARBADOS innings
R. Boucher c wkp. Balgobin b Ottley 34

K. Corbin stp. Balgobin b Ottley 57

S. Steele run-out 1

S. Brooks c Charles b Cooper 51

K. Hope not out 66

S. Cooke c Barath b Ramroop 0

R. Arthur c Samaroo b Charles 5

Ashley Nurse c Cooper b Bravo 12

S. Gooding not out 3

Extras: (lb-3, w-11, nb-3) 17

Total: (seven wkts, 50 overs) 246

Fall of wickets: 1-80, 2-100, 3-107, 4-183, 5-185, 6-196, 7-222.

Bowling: Charles 7-0-48-1, Bravo 5-0-44-1, Ottley 10-1-41-2, Samaroo 10-1-30-0, Ramroop 10-0-37-1, Dookeran 2-0-20-0, Cooper 6-0-23-1.

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO innings
A. Barath c wkp. Arthur b Hoyte 7

S. Maraj b Cooke 13

K. Ottley c Brooks b Gooding 77

D. Bravo c Brooks b Ashley Nurse 43

A. Balgobin c wkp. Arthur b Ashley Nurse 7

K. Cooper b Hoyte 33

V. Samaroo b Gooding 11

M. Dookeran not out 3

A. Mohammed lbw b Ashley Nurse 5

V. Ramroop run-out 0

Extras: (b-5, lb-12, w-11, nb-11) 39

Total: (nine wkts, 47 overs) 238

Fall of wickets: 1-28,2-52, 3-125, 4-149, 5-195, 6-223, 7-229, 8-238, 9-238.

Bowling: Marshall 6-0-31-0, Hoyte 5-1-16-2, Cooke 10-0-55-1, Gooding 8-0-53-2, Nurse 10-0-35-3, Brooks 8-1-31-0.

Points: T&T 2, Barbados 2.

LEEWARDS v JAMAICA

LEEWARDS innings
K. Powell c Miller b Hoilette 6

C. Hughes b Dawes 0

S. Peters b Garvey 5

D. Thomas c Jones b Merchant 78

M. LeBlanc c Bonner b Hoilette 6

K. Tyson run-out 0

T. Ward b Jones 54

K. David c Green b Dawes 18

T. Smithen not out 8

K. Walters b Dawes 1

C. Morton lbw b Jones 0

Extras: (lb-5, w-13, nb-3) 21

Total (all out, 44 overs) 197

Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-12, 3-52, 4-76, 5-83, 6-128, 7-178, 8-190, 9-196.

Bowling: Dawes 8-2-25-3, Garvey 6-1-30-1, Greene 1-0-13-0, Hoilette 8-2-31-2, Merchant 8-0-34-1, Bonner 5-0-31-0, Jones 5-0-12-2, Thomas 3-0-16-0.

JAMAICA innings
C. Jones lbw b Hughes 24

H. Miller lbw b Smithen 42

N. Bonner c LeBlanc b Smithen 11

S. Thomas run-out 32

R. Weir stp. Thomas b Ward 29

D. Green c Hughes b Walters 10

M. Hoilette not out 16

J. Merchant not out 1

Extras: (b-3, lb-1, w-6, nb-4) 14

Total: (six wkts, 38.5 overs) 179

Fall of wickets: 1-72, 2-74, 3-87, 4-149, 5-157, 6-178.

Bowling: Walters 9.5-0-56-1, Morton 2-0-22-0, Smithen 10-0-37-2, Hughes 10-1-39-1, Ward 7-0-21-1.

Points: Jamaica 4, Leewards 0.

Archer double pilots Alphonso's selection to victory
SEVERAL hundred fans came out to see the football masters’ clash between the Alphonso's Invitational Side and their Berbice counterparts at the Scots school ground in New Amsterdam and surely they were not disappointed.

On the small field the visiting sons of the soil, Gordon and Roger Alphonso were pivotal in their side's win as they recaptured flashes of their past artistry and knowledge of the game that provided scholarships for them to the USA in the seventies.

In one such play younger brother Roger deftly and skilfully flicked on a corner kick taken short and the unrushing defender handled the ball for former national captain, Terrence Archer to convert from the penalty mark.

Inspired by the advantage Roger then produced the play of the match as the former national youth and senior player easily and sweetly scooped the ball over the head of his opponent just inside the byline on the left, much to the delight of the crowd.

On the resumption the much younger Berbice selection went in search of the equaliser but stout defending, led by Gordon Alphonso at right back, broke down the attacks.

Midway into the second segment Archer increased the lead when he calmly scored from close up after the Berbice defence was caught flat-footed.

It was a solid all-round performance by a team which also included former nationals Vibert Butts, Gordon Braithwaite and  Adrian Forde, as well as seasoned Masters Allan La Rose and 'Natty' Wiltshire.

Police Cavaliers of Barbados make 8th visit to Guyana
… open tour against Maltenoes today
OVER the last two decades the Royal Barbados Police Cavaliers cricket touring team have made annual visits within the Region and beyond to play matches.

Although they have also toured T&T, Grenada, USA and Canada during their 20-year existence, Guyana seems to be a special destination.

Since their inaugural visit in 1987, right here in Guyana, this is their eighth trip to the South American country.

Station Sergeant, Steve Yearwood and Vincent Springer are the men who prompted the establishment of the Cavaliers team which is also endorsed by the Commissioner of the Royal Barbados Police Force.

“The main reason for so many visits to Guyana has to do with the level of competition we get here. I think the cricket in Guyana has always been competitive. We experience and feel the passion of the Guyanese players whenever we meet.” Yearwood told Chronicle Sport.

Since their arrival in the country last Friday for their ten-day five-match tour the rainy weather has limited their activities on the field of play and even forced the cancellation of one of the games.

“Despite the weather we are very much happy since outside of cricket there are other means of meaningfully occupying ourselves as Guyana is considered our second home,” Yearwood stated.

The club was established to mainly accommodate the quality players who just could not make the Police first class team and now the membership is extended to our sons.

Cavaliers are primarily a touring cricket team offering exposure and experience for travelling and playing cricket outside of Barbados,” Yearwood added.

Today they play their first game against Malteenoes Sports Club, beginning at noon. The 40-over affair will be played at the Malteenoes ground and will showcase seven players who are on their first tour with the Cavaliers.

Rising Sun bright on Sunday
THE Rising Sun Turf Club will on Sunday stage a grand horse race meeting at the club’s track on the West Coast of Berbice. The meeting has eight races carded and is being dubbed a `Sprinter’s Day’.

Manager of the club Fazal Habibulla told Chronicle Sport the meeting will be the fourth for the year to be run off by the club. “It is a meeting for sprinters.

All the races will be 1 300 metres or under,” Habibulla said.

Of the eight races three are classified as feature events. The C and Lower and Three-Year-Olds Open will be contested over a distance of 1 300 metres while The Two-Year-Olds Open is of a distance of 1 100 metres.

The Three-Year-Olds Open and C and Lower events carry first prizes of $150 000 and $200 000 respectively while $100 000 will be awarded to the winner of the Two-Year-Olds Open.

Powell eyes world record on arrival in Japan
OSAKA, Japan (Reuters) - Jamaica's Asafa Powell set his sights on lowering his own 100 metres world record upon arriving in Japan for the world championships yesterday.

The world's fastest man arrived in fighting form ahead of his showdown with American Tyson Gay, declaring that his world record of 9.77 could be under threat.

"It's a fast track in Osaka," Powell told reporters ahead of the August 25-September 2 world championships.

"If conditions are right I could set a new world record."

Gay has clocked a season's best 9.84 this year and his much-hyped clash with Powell is set to be the highlight of the championships.

"I'm looking forward to (racing him)," added Powell, whose arrival in Japan had been delayed by visa problems.

"But the most important goal is to win the gold medal.”

Nigel’s Supermarket sponsors Junior Classic Tennis tournament
NIGEL’S Supermarket will be sponsoring the Guyana Lawn Tennis Association’s biggest junior tennis tournament which serves off on Friday August 17 and runs until August 26.

Nigel Johnson, Managing Director of the supermarket committed to this event four years ago and has ensured that it is run off each year as the feature July-August break event for juniors.

The tournament which usually attracts all the advanced junior players will run daily from 08:00 h to 15:00 h and will feature the following categories: Boys Under-10, U-12, U-14 and U-18 and Doubles & Girls’ Under-10, U-14 and U-18.

In the Boys’ Under-18 category, both power baseliners 15-year-old Anthony Downes and 18-year-old Ezra Sue-Ho will create an atmosphere of excitement for their rematch, as they have both improved tremendously since their last encounter in the 2004 Skinners Tournament where Ezra emerged as the winner.

Another exciting match will be the sharp newcomer 12-year-old Shauna Gentle who will most likely come up against the seasoned 18-year-old Alice Alli.

A high level of tennis is expected from our top juniors but there will also be great match-ups between intermediate level players from the National Park Players Club.

Tournament Committee Chairperson Ms Debbie Bunbury and Junior Development Chairperson Nicole Correia in their planning discussion with Christopher Franklin of Nigel's Supermarket stated their appreciation for the tournament as they both are tasked with ensuring that junior competitive events keep the junior players motivated.

The tournament coordinator will be national coach Shelly Daly-Ramdyhan who can be reached at 227-7735, 642-5672 for information if necessary.

Fraser for world senior judo championships
BLACK BELT Bruce Fraser has been selected by the Guyana Judo Association (GJA) to represent the country at the 25th World Senior Judo Championships to be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, September 8-16.

Fraser and overseas-based athlete 4th Dan black belt Eddie Delima will compete at the championships. The actual travelling delegation from Guyana includes the association’s president, Geoffrey Sankies, B. Charles as coach and Fraser.

The GJA will also be sending a 10-member team to a regional competition in Trinidad from November 23 to 26.

Seven persons in the delegation are athletes while the three others are officials. Selection for this competition would be based on the performance of the judokas at the national judo championships which is scheduled for September 30.

Former players, media hail India series win
By Sanjay Rajan
MUMBAI, India (Reuters) - Former players and the media hailed India's Test team after they clinched a first series victory in England for 21 years on Monday.

Rahul Dravid's side drew the third and final Test at the Oval to win the series 1-0 after recording a comprehensive seven-wicket win in the second Test at Nottingham.

Rain had saved India from defeat in the opening Test at Lord's.

The series victory was India's third in England after triumphs in 1971 and 1986, and came a year after Dravid had led his country to their first series victory in the Caribbean for 35 years.

"To beat England in England is not easy," Ajit Wadekar, who led India to their first series victory in England and the West Indies, told Reuters yesterday.

"The conditions are testing for visitors. They may have been without (Andrew) Flintoff and (Steve) Harmison but every England bowler knows how to exploit the conditions.

"Our batsmen put up an extremely good show and Zaheer (Khan) and the other bowlers adjusted quickly to the conditions."

England's defeat ended a six-year unbeaten streak of Michael Vaughan's team at home.

FOLLOW-ON
Kapil Dev, who led India to their last series win in England, hailed the series win but felt a victory in the final Test would have enhanced the side's reputation.

Dravid did not enforce the follow-on despite a first innings lead of 319 and his safety-first approach was subject of heated debate.

"If you want to blame, you can blame the entire team, they would have taken a collective decision," he told Aaj Tak channel.

"Once he has decided to bat, India should have attacked and tried to win the match, not draw," he said.

"I just don't understand why there was the need to rest the bowlers."

Chief Indian selector Dilip Vengsarkar, however, backed Dravid's decision not to enforce the follow-on.

"We were 1-0 up. We had the series in the pocket. There was no reason to take the risk," he was quoted by the Indian media yesterday.

"Why would we want to bat on the fifth day?"

"Draw at Oval, win in England," screamed the lead headline in the main sports page of national daily Times of India with a five column picture of the team rejoicing.

‘The wait is Oval ...’ ran the headline in Hindustan Times, while Mumbai daily DNA's said ‘India draw a win’.

The Indian board also announced a cash prize pool of 10 million rupees ($245 616) to the team for the series victory.

India move to third in ICC Test rankings
LONDON, England (Reuters) - India have moved up two places to third in the International Cricket Council's (ICC) Test rankings following their series win in England.

India won the three-match series 1-0 after the final Test at The Oval was drawn on Monday. Rahul Dravid's side drew the opening Test at Lord's and won by seven wickets at Trent Bridge.

They became the first India team to win a Test series in England for 21 years, emulating Kapil Dev's side in 1986.

England, who lost a first series at home since 2001, maintained second place behind Australia.

Test rankings: Rating

1: Australia 141

2: England 111

3: India 107

4: Sri Lanka 107

5: South Africa 102

6: Pakistan 99

7: New Zealand 99

8: West Indies 72

9: Bangladesh 4

T&T Under-17s arrive in Korea for Youth World Cup
CHEONAN, Korea (CMC) – Trinidad and Tobago’s National Under-17 players arrived Monday afternoon for this weekend’s start of the FIFA Under-17 World Championship.

The players, with head of delegation Christopher Gouveia and team coach Anton Corneal, were met by a small delegation before being police-escorted on a bus ride to Cheonan, a two-hour drive from the airport.

T&T, contesting their second -- they hosted the tournament in 2001 -- FIFA Under-17 Youth World Championship, play their opening Group E game against African giants Ghana next Monday.

Cheonan will host T&T’s first two games -- against Ghana and Colombia. The young Soca Warriors will also face Germany in first-round play.

Coming from a preparation stint in the Netherlands in the past week, the 21 players went through a 45-minute training session on arrival.

“It’s been a long wait to be here after we qualified in Jamaica in early May and this is what we have waited for … just getting here and getting a feel of things as a team before we play our first game on Monday,” Corneal told TTFF Media.

Also on Monday evening, each member of the T&T staff headed by manager Gouveia and head coach Corneal also signed forms for FIFA regarding non-betting, proper ethics and fair play during the tournament.

In May, Trinidad and Tobago beat home team Jamaica 1-0 to snatch third place in the CONCACAF Final Round Group B series behind the USA and Costa Rica for a spot in the FIFA world event.

Of course, the USA and Costa Rica, also advanced to the Youth World Cup.

Those three Group B qualifiers joined Haiti and Honduras from Group A as the five CONCACAF teams to the FIFA Youth tournament.

With their victory over Jamaica, T&T became only the fourth Caribbean country – after Jamaica, Cuba and Haiti – to qualify for the FIFA Under-17 finals.

T&T appeared in the 2001 tournament but did not have to qualify since they earned automatic entry as hosts.

The tournament starts Saturday with hosts Korea facing Peru.

de Grooth ton boosts Netherlands
BERMUDA are staring a three-day defeat in the face following another abject performance in the Intercontinental Cup at Amstelveen. Netherlands racked up 410 and then reduced them to 51 for 3 by stumps, still 176 in arrears at the end of the second day.

Scores: Bermuda 183 I. Romaine (103) and 51 for 3 trail Netherlands 410 (de Grooth 196) by 176 runs.

Tom de Grooth moved on from his overnight 70 but could not make a double-century, falling for 196. Still, he will be content with doubling his previous first-class best of 98 in his tenth first-class match. Alexei Kervezee, however, could not add to his 69, but their opening stand was worth 155.

He then watched his colleagues pass the 400-mark, although de Grooth's was the only sizeable contribution. Nevertheless, there were two fifty-run stands.

It's been a miserable match for Bermuda, but none more so than for the opener Steven Outerbridge. He made a pair - adding a golden duck (the first ball of the innings) to his three-ball effort first up; this time he was lbw to Edgar Schiferli.

Netherlands used very attacking fields, which paid dividends when Dwight Basden was caught at third slip for eight.

James Celestine, though, had a let-off on four when dropped by third slip, and he had eased into double figures by stumps, but not before Jekon Edness became Schiferli's second victim.

On Monday, Irving Romaine hit an unbeaten century but Bermuda’s batting failed on the opening day of the four-day Intercontinental Cup match against The Netherlands at the VRA Ground.

The 35-year-old, who led Bermuda to their first-ever Cricket World Cup in the Caribbean earlier this year, played a captain’s knock of 103 to lift his side to 183 after they were put in by The Netherlands. (Cricinfo)

FIFA adds prize money and extra team to World Club Cup
ZURICH, Germany (Reuters) - FIFA has added a million-dollar prize money and one extra place to this year's World Club Cup in Japan, the world governing soccer body said yesterday.

Japan was also awarded the 2008 competition with the bidding to host the 2009 event scheduled to start in November.

"The organising committee decided to increase the prize money by one million dollars for the 2007 event, putting a total of 16 million dollars up for grabs in Japan," FIFA said in a statement.

"The champion will take home five million, the runner-up will net four million, and third place 2.5 million, fourth place will get two million, the two fifth-placed teams will receive one million and seventh place will earn $500 000."

Seven teams instead of six will take part in the competition starting on December 7.

In the three previous tournaments, known then as the World Club Championship, six continental club champions qualified, but from this year the champions of the host country will receive a spot and play the Oceania winners in the first match.

"The committee decided to recommend to the FIFA executive committee that Japan should host the 2008 event and an open tender for the bidding process for the 2009 edition should be launched in November 2007," FIFA said.

Four clubs have already qualified for this year's competition -- Italy's AC Milan, Argentina's Boca Juniors, Pachucha of Mexico and Waitakere United from New Zealand.

All three previous tournaments were won by Brazilian sides with Corinthians winning in 2000, Sao Paulo in 2005 and Internacional in 2006.

Lazio hopes in balance after 1-1 draw with Dinamo
By Kevin Fylan
BERLIN, Germany (Reuters) - Nine-man Lazio had to settle for a 1-1 draw at home to Dinamo Bucharest yesterday, leaving their hopes of a return to the group phase of the Champions League in the balance.

Valencia made all but certain of their ticket to the main event with a 3-0 win over Swedish champions Elfsborg but otherwise the home favourites had to work hard in third qualifying round, first leg games.

Benfica snatched a 2-1 win over FC Copenhagen in Lisbon when Rui Costa scored his second of the night four minutes from time.

Rangers left it even later to grab a 1-0 victory at home to former European champions Red Star Belgrade, with Nacho Novo pouncing on a loose ball to supply the winner in the last minute.

The other 12 first leg matches in the third and final qualifying round are being played today. The second legs are set for August 28 and 29.

The match between Lazio and Dinamo Bucharest was marred by clashes between fans before kickoff. Two Dinamo fans were stabbed and three more injured, the ANSA news agency reported.

Lazio, trying to get back into the group stage for the first time since 2003-04, fell behind to a 22nd minute header from Ionel Danciulescu.

MISSED PENALTY
Tommaso Rocchi missed the chance to equalise from the penalty spot in the 38th minute but Lazio got a deserved equaliser when Massimo Mutarelli headed home a Lorenzo De Silvestri cross early in the second half.

Lazio finished the game with nine men after Valon Behrami was sent off for a dangerous two-footed challenge and Mutarelli received a second yellow card. Dinamo's Lucian Goian got a red card for a second booking in added time.

Benfica, twice former European Cup winners, were heading for a similarly disappointing result at home to Copenhagen before Costa's late second goal.

Costa had given his side the lead with a 25-metre shot midway through the first half only for Atiba Hutchinson to equalise 11 minutes later.

Four minutes from the end Costa delighted the 56 000 supporters at Luz stadium with another shot from outside the area to give Benfica victory from a match that saw American teenager Freddy Adu make his debut as a first-half substitute.

Valencia took an early lead in a much easier game against Elfsborg with a close-range shot from Vicente.

The Champions League runners-up in 2000 and 2001 gave themselves breathing space in the 59th minute when Joaquin swept a fine curling cross in from the right and David Silva got between two defenders to nod home.

Joaquin repeated the trick 19 minutes from time -- this time supplying the cross for Fernando Morientes to head in.