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Norway commends Guyana’s climate change leadership
-- International experts back MRV framework
NORWAY has commended Guyana on its climate change leadership role and expects to conclude an agreement soon with this country that could result in funds to help its avoided deforestation and forest degradation model that is winning greater international recognition and endorsement.
International experts have also supported the framework for establishing a Guyana Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) system for Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation Plus (REDD+) with the Clinton Foundation and other groups helping to advance the process.
The developments emerged from workshop sessions Monday at the Guyana Forestry Commission and yesterday at the International Convention Centre, Liliendaal. The workshop was organised by the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) and the Office of Climate Change with support from the Government of Norway and the United Nations Development Fund.
Two senior advisers from the Norwegian Ministry of the Environment, Ms. Inger Naess and Ms. Marte Nordseth, joined experts and representatives from the World Bank, the Clinton Foundation, the Australian Government and others at the sessions that ended yesterday.
They commended Guyana for its thrust towards a Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) with Nordseth saying the process has been “very positive” and “impressive”.
Naess told the Guyana Chronicle that Norway expects to conclude the agreement with Guyana before the United Nations climate change summit in Copenhagen, Denmark in December.
She noted that globally, deforestation and forest degradation represent almost 20 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions and that Guyana is a country with huge forest cover and a very low deforestation rate.
“It’s important that your country conserve or sustainably manage the forest that you have. That’s an important contribution to the global climate for all of us. But I also think it’s important for Guyana to protect the forest for the livelihood of your people, for water resource management and for biodiversity”, she said.
She said the draft LCDS is “a good start and we are really looking forward to have a positive process. I think it’s very important to have this LCDS. It’s really going into the future to meet the new challenges of climate change – the need to have a low carbon energy supply.”
TREMENDOUS LEADERSHIP
Nordseth told the session yesterday that Guyana has demonstrated tremendous leadership in the deforestation model and is doing a lot of good work nationally.
Norway is working with Guyana to operationalise the cooperation agreement and the two sides are trying to create a REDD mechanism, she said, noting that it’s important for forested countries to get incentives to preserve their forests;
She said too that within the World Bank’s Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF), the two countries are working on how funding for REDD compensation can be structured.
Nordseth pointed out that there is not yet a REDD mechanism and Guyana and Norway are hoping they can set a global standard for this.
Dr. James Baker, Director of the Clinton Foundation’s Climate Initiative, Global Carbon Measurement Programme, said the organisation is working with the Guyana Government to help reduce deforestation and forest degradation through the development of an MRV.
“We are focusing on helping the Government of Guyana working with the Office of Climate Change and the GFC to put together a plan for that MRV to be in place. We are at the point of discussing that. We had an expert meeting review Monday; the experts agreed on a framework to move forward and we are now taking the next steps to make that happen”, he explained.
Baker said the Copenhagen summit will be an important step for all governments to make decisions about how climate change can be mitigated to try to reduce emissions.
“All the issues about climate change will be discussed in Copenhagen but there will be a major focus on reducing deforestation and forest degradation which is a large part of the problem and something that can be addressed, particularly in tropical developing countries”, he said.
He commended Guyana as a major leader for having an LCDS, adding that President Bharrat Jagdeo “is the only world leader that has come out (and) made a major speech that a country should have a national LCDS; and part of that is dealing with forest in the right way – reducing deforestation and forest degradation.”
“And that is an important part of the LCDS. The GFC has developed a Readiness Preparation proposal and that has been accepted by the World Bank so that will be an important piece and our work is to help support the GFC in making that happen”, he said.
Mr. Gary Richards, also with the Clinton Foundation, said that based on discussions from the workshop on Monday, it was recommended that a carbon accounting technical team be established in Guyana.
Mr. Shyam Nokta, Head of the Office of Climate Change in the Office of the President and Chairman of the National Climate Change Committee, said the two-day meeting brought together some of the leading global experts and specialists in climate change to provide advice and guidance on how to design and implement a REDD+ MRV System for Guyana.
Also at the meetings were officials from the U.S. Forestry Service, the Canadian Forestry Service, Winrock International, the World Resources Institute and the Meridien Institute.
Nokta said their presence here was an assurance of the international recognition and support for Guyana and its climate initiatives.
GUYANA CHALLENGE
He pointed out that in the context of climate change and forests, the MRV refers to forest carbon but can also include land use and forest cover change and other parameters.
“The MRV system will be the mechanism through which Guyana will be monitored for compliance as part of any agreement for receiving payments for avoided deforestation, whether from international partners such as Norway, or through the international carbon market as part of a REDD Mechanism”, he said.
Nokta said that globally, the design and development of an MRV system for REDD and REDD+ is relatively new and there are few examples to look to.
“While this could be seen as a challenge, it presents an opportunity for Guyana to engage in model building and to set the standard, especially as it relates to countries with High Forest Cover and Low Deforestation Rates.
“Clearly, we need to develop an MRV System that is transparent, accountable, and in accordance with international best practice and guidelines. But at the same time, we need to develop a system to suit our national circumstances, and one which is robust, cost effective, utilising existing technology, and one we can manage, improve and sustain over time”, he stated.
CHARTING NEW COURSE
Nokta said Guyana has been working for several months with the Clinton Climate Initiative on how to proceed with an MRV system and with support from Conservation International and World Wildlife Fund, the GFC has started some of the technical and fieldwork towards developing such a system.
The work done so far has benefitted from this expert review which has provided the guidance for further development of Guyana’s MRV, he said.
He said it was important that the development of Guyana’s MRV system be seen within the context of its current climate change initiatives.
Guyana’s LCDS, he noted, sets out the overarching strategic framework of the approach to climate change and an integral element of the strategy is the implementation of an internationally-accepted MRV system.
The MRV system, he said, is a key component of Guyana’s Readiness Preparation Proposal to the World Bank’s Forest Carbon Partnership Facility.
Guyana is one of three countries that had its Readiness Preparation Proposal approved by the bank earlier this year.
Over the coming months, Guyana will continue to advance its efforts towards finalising the LCDS based on the feedback from the national consultations and awareness, Nokta said.
“Concurrently, we will also continue to move forward with the development of the MRV system. We recognise that we are engaging in a model-building exercise which will have challenges. We are in a sense, charting a new course.
“There is no formula or blueprint to follow; rather we are developing this to suit our needs and conditions but at the same time bearing in mind the opportunities to replicate this model in other countries.
“Indeed, as has been said over the last two days, this is an opportunity for Guyana to take the lead, to set the standard and to establish a working model of a functioning and credible MRV System which we can present to the world”, he said.
BURROWES REPORT PROVIDES ANSWERS FOR CITY’S DILEMMA
-Commissioner cites mismanagement as primary cause for municipality woes
By Parvati Persaud-Edwards
COMMISSIONER of Inquiry, Keith Burrowes, has identified the endemic internal bickering of administrative protagonists, as well as the chronic insubordination of junior employees, which allows for manipulation of the former by the latter, and institutionalized ‘factionalism’ in the M&CC as primary factors that have contributed to the deterioration of the functionality of the agency.
Mr. Burrowes, who has an equable temperament as a norm, has been moved to anger and disgust at the state of affairs at City Hall, where it seems that accountability is a stranger, commitment to work ethics is non-existent, and passing the buck seems to be the general rule, which has inexorably led, over the years, to the once former ‘garden city’ of yesteryear to evolve into the ‘garbage city’ of today.
At a press conference held in the Rupununi room at the Tower Hotel on Friday 1st July, the Commissioner pulled no punches when he ascribed the current situation at City Hall to the lack of pride and integrity of persons majorly responsible for the management of the city’s affairs.
This was during his delivery before formally handing over the three bound volumes containing the Report of Findings and Recommendations to Local Government Minister, Mr. Kellawan Lall.
The Commissioner, a man of absolute integrity and commitment to best practices in his various endeavours, was overwhelming angry at his discovery of the amoral and immoral practices that seem to have become endemic in the M&CC, with accusations and counter-accusations being made by the top brass against each other as layers of culpability and dishonesty were exposed by the investigations of the Burrowes Commission.
The Burrowes Commission’s investigations has validated the Auditor-General’s Report, according to the Commissioner, who said that the Commission’s findings did not differ fundamentally from the AG’s report.
Among the several key recommendations made by Mr. Burrowes was that the Council demonstrates its commitment and efficient functionality in discharging its core functions before embarking on other non-revenue/core activities.
In effect, Mr. Burrowes is contending that the mandate of the Council extends to areas, the management of which utilizes municipal funds without compensatory mechanisms – such as the Dorothy Bailey and other daycare centres, which entails much expenditure with no corresponding generation of income.
Mr. Burrowes also recommended that the zoning system, as formerly existed, should have been re-established, which would have made management of the city’s affairs easier.
According to Mr. Burrowes, if the major players in the M&CC were serious about efficiently managing the City’s affairs and coherent, workable methodologies to rationalize the city’s business and to find workable solutions were suggested to the Government, instead of constant demands for bail-out money that continues to drain the national exchequer and divert monies away from the social and infrastructural sectors, then no doubt the support would have been provided.
However, providing money to the policy-makers at City-Hall is like pouring water into desert sands, with no visible returns. The Mayor is angry that the Government seeks an account of the $500 million it is disbursing to City Hall, but therein lays the problem. His track-record – as part of the past Government and as Mayor, does not create a basis for the generation of trust – of neither governance nor money-management.
Within the limited time-span the Commissioner made detailed study of wards and completed a database which reflects information on 67 wards.
Using this baseline information he suggested a number of targets for the various delivery areas.
In all the years of the M&CC management no comprehensive study has been done to facilitate a streamlined approach to service-delivery in the city, something that Mr. Burrowes has managed to do within a matter of months of intense investigations and studies, during which Green continually harassed him for the Report.
However, the Commissioner, who is currently seeking medical attention overseas, worked indefatigably, uncovering chaos, confusion, and dirt enough to cover the Augean stables many times over, and refused to be intimidated by Green into providing a “cosmetic report”.
Burrowes has unequivocally stated that, with the current administrative structure and council in place his recommendations would have no merit, and advised that only with a change of this status quo should the recommendations be implemented, because the exercise would only be cosmetic at best if implemented within the extant framework.
The Burrowes Report has provided detailed recommendations to address the following: (1) adequate zoning (2) improved governance (3) enhanced debt-recovery, which will lead to a reduction of arrears (4) establish a comprehensive database to ensure that Council is able to determine the various services it offer, among others.
Mr. Burrowes says that many taxpayers who have defaulted are not necessarily recalcitrant, but may have lost trust in the current council, and until this equation has changed this will continue to be a problem.
Making allusions to positive statements by members of the private sector on the Government’s fiscal strategies as “buttering up” is in his normal bad taste and vindictiveness against those who would not join the opposition cabal and “bad-mouth” everything in Guyana and every effort by this Administration to advance the interests of Guyanese.
He cannot recognize that the members of the private sector who have been making positive statements about the entrepreneurial dynamics in Guyana are not traditional PPP supporters but are merely businessmen whose interest merely lie in the variables that would create the enabling environment that would make their investments profitable, and their acknowledgement of the Government’s input in no way constitutes “buttering-up”, because these are very proud and savvy businessmen who do not need to sell their souls, but are merely committed to endeavour – something that Green is incapable of.
Green is blaming the Government for the state of the city, claiming that the Government is punishing the citizens for not voting the PPP in power.
However, the city was in an even worse state under the PNC administration, with a PNC-dominated council, with Green one of the primary leaders of the then administrative body. So what was the PNC administration punishing the citizens of Georgetown for then?
In subsequent articles we will trace the history of the City council and its functionality, or lack thereof, with little changes in its management-style over the years, and, except for the period of the Interim Management Committee, the continuous deterioration of the city either directly or indirectly under Green’s management.
Another suspect held in Berbice armed robberies
The improvised rifles and other equipment unearthed by the police. |
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Another suspect was arrested yesterday following the apprehension of five others who, police believe, perpetrated several armed robberies in Berbice.
The group committed many robberies using the improvised home-made guns they fixed from scratch.
Following up on investigations into several robberies committed in Police ‘B’ Division, Berbice, diligent enquiries coupled with sound intelligence led to the arrest of five suspects and a cache of arms about 14:30h September 14, 2009.
Investigators were taken to an area on the Port Mourant foreshore where one 12 gauge single barrel shotgun, three improvised 12 gauge shotguns and face masks were dug up and lodged in Police custody.
One of the suspects was shot in his leg on September 8, during a robbery committed on two fishermen at Albion.
In that incident, Police said that one of five bandits who robbed a Berbice fisherman and held three others hostage may have shot himself during the robbery.
At about 20:30h Tuesday, five men, four of whom were armed with guns and cutlasses, robbed Brijanand Carpen, called “Rakesh”, 35, a fisherman, of Chesney Front, Corentyne, of a fishing boat, an engine and other articles at Albion foreshore, Corentyne, Berbice.
Police said the victim and a crew member came in from sea with their catch when the suspects held up and robbed them.
Three other fishermen who were in the area were held hostage by the bandits who took them all to another location where they were subsequently freed.
Charges will be instituted shortly as investigations are continuing.
Fireman chopped to death at Land of Canaan
By Shirley Thomas
Dead: Patrick Daly
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A long-standing dispute between occupants of an apartment building at Land of Canaan yesterday led to the brutal chopping to death of a member of the Guyana Fire Service, stationed at the Timehri Fire Station.
Dead is 30-year-old Patrick Daly, of 28 Esau Street, Land of Canaan, and formerly of 102 Canterbury Walk, Better Hope, who, relatives said, was “literally minced”, by his assailants at his Land-of-Canaan home. .
The incident reportedly occurred around 05:10h yesterday, a police report said, as Daly was in a toilet facility in his yard. Police said Daly was surrounded by three male suspects with whom he had a recent misunderstanding. The men confronted and threw a corrosive substance on him then inflicted several chops about his body and fled the scene. He reportedly died before receiving medical attention.
Relatives said the house in which Daly and a female companion lived was also occupied by three male tenants in an adjoining apartment on the ground floor of the two-flat building.
Police said Daly’s body is awaiting a post-mortem. At press time, the suspects were still being sought by the police.
A female with whom Daly shared the apartment was said to have run out to intercede in the attack, but was warned by one of the assailants brandishing a weapon. On seeing this, she hastily retreated, neighbours said.
Meanwhile, despite his agonising wails as he was under attack by the men, neighbours failed to venture outside to offer the wounded man any assistance for fear of being harmed also. It was not until he had dropped dead and the perpetrators had fled that neighbours came outside and surrounded the corpse lying on the ground. Meantime, the man’s female companion summoned the Timehri Police and cops arrived at the scene later.
Barker’s son Tyrese and his mother Marcia Kelman
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The dead man’s father, Paul Barker of Beterverwagting, said that early yesterday morning he was at his home when he heard wails coming from the home of Marcia Kelman, the mother of Patrick’s eight-year-old son, who lives across the road from him. She had just received the message of the killing. On enquiring, the Barkers were told that Patrick had been chopped and killed at Land of Canaan.
Simultaneously a telephone call was received from a cousin who confirmed the story.
When the Guyana Chronicle visited the Barkers’ home yesterday, Paul Barker, the dead man’s father, was inconsolable and literally shook as he spoke. Anguish best describes the mood that prevailed in the home as the elder Barker and family members huddled together, trying to come to terms with the shocking news of their loved one’s death. Paul Barker said what intensified the agony was that when he and other family members arrived at his son’s home, they were restrained from entering, because, as they were told, “it was a crime scene.” Further, he said they were told they could not view the body until after the post mortem would have been performed.
Distraught, he proceeded to the Timehri Police Station where he said he was met by two police ranks whose attitude was most callous and uncooperative. He said when he enquired about his son’s death, the men literally ‘looked through him’ as though nothing had happened.
And at the home of Marcia Kelman at Beterverwagting, Patrick’s son and child-mother wept uncontrollably, with her fainting occasionally even though she tried to console the child.
Over the last three months, she recalled the father and son had been spending time at Patrick’s mother at Kuru Kuru on the Soesdyke Linden Highway. “It was just yesterday that he returned to his Land-of-Canaan home, and he promised he was going back to see her today,” Marcia recounted dolefully.
This newspaper understands that the rift between the murdered man and the suspects (known to him and his female companion), came about over their occupancy of the building her grandmother had given over to her.
Relatives said that after Daly’s persecution at the hands of the men, he had made a report to the Timehri Police Station. Again on Monday he made another report, but got no redress.
On realising that the matter was getting ‘out of hand’, Patrick Daly sent a text message to one of his brothers, asking him to “come to Land-of Canaan” for he wanted to discuss it with him. Unfortunately, the brother never managed to get there on time.
From all appearances, death was calling Daly, those close to him surmised, for he had a wonderful time at Kuru Kuru, but decided that he should return to the Land-of Canaan house.
Meanwhile, Patrick’s son recalled that he had cherished memories of time spent with his father on the Highway during the August holidays: “We played ball games together, fished, and planted greens at the backdam. But now that daddy is dead, I think granny might have to reap the greens and provisions,” he said.
Patrick Barker is survived by his parents, six brothers and three sisters, one son, one daughter and other relatives
Dr. Ramsahoye, ex-policeman charged for abduction and assault
Dr. Walter Ramsahoye and ex-policeman Clairmont Marcus, a well-known photographer, have been charged with the abduction and assault of Girdharry Surujdei, 39, of Chateau Margot, East Coast Demerara.
The duo appeared at the Mahaica Magistrate’s Court yesterday where they were jointly granted bail in the sum of $1M each for abduction and $50,000 each for assault.
Surujdei, 39, said that on Monday, about 17:00 h, he was forcefully taken from his home by two men who claimed that his sibling owed one of them $10M for a quantity of gold which was supposed to be sold in Suriname.
Surujdei was conveyed to a house on Church Street, Georgetown, the doctor’s residence, where he was beaten before he managed to escape through a window.
He was observed by a passing police patrol and taken to the hospital for medical attention and his abductors were arrested when he reported the incident to the police.
Surujdei sustained a broken leg, lacerations, and bruises about the body.
Minister Persaud reiterates call for deep emission cuts
- during special CARICOM Ministers Meeting on Climate Change
Minister Robert Persaud addresses the CARICOM Ministers meeting on Climate Change and Development, St. Lucia.
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As the Caribbean region embarks on the road to the new climate change agreement to be reached in Copenhagen, Guyana’s Minister of Agriculture Robert has reiterated the call for CO2 reductions of at least 45 percent by 2020 and 95 percent by 2050 among Annex 1 (developed countries).
The Agriculture Minister was at the time delivering an address at a special CARICOM Ministers Meeting on Climate Change and Development in St Lucia.
Minister Persaud, speaking on behalf of President Bharrat Jagdeo, underscored the importance of the upcoming 15th Conference of Parties (COP15) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), noting that it has potential to go down in history as the agreement that enabled the global community to change course from the destructive path it has taken. He noted however, that the negotiations lack agreement on important matters.
“The UNFCCC negotiations remain in a deadlock due to a lack of consensus on critical issues. Unfortunately, even at the level of the geographical groupings such as G77, disagreements persist. Within CARICOM, we must not let differences of opinions weaken our cause,” Minister Persaud said.
As the region prepares ahead of the new ambitious climate change agreement, Minister Persaud made reference to the consensus that was reached at a recent Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads of Government meeting.
“Our deliberations at this important meeting must give specifics to the broad outline and serve as a useful and uncompromising guide for our negotiators.
The primacy of the Liliendaal Declaration on Climate Change and Development cannot be overstated in this process and our positions must be consistent,” Minister Persaud said.
Adaptation to the climate change phenomenon which is evident by sea level rise and its implication, particularly to those living below sea level, was highlighted by the Minister as the region’s priority.
Minister Persaud said small island and low-lying coastal developing states are highly vulnerable to the effects of rising sea levels and cautioned that efforts must be made to intensify the lobby for adaptation and related capacity building.
“Our level of vulnerability must be a key criterion that is to be taken into account. A multi-window insurance facility, as well as adequate and predictable financing for adaptation, must be made available to us as soon as possible,” the Agriculture Minister said.
He also argued for intensification in the call for enhanced investment and action in research and development, diffusion and transfer of technology for adaptation, including the removal of barriers that exist in overly stringent intellectual property rights.
“Highly vulnerable and still developing countries, such as ours, should be exempted from patent protection of climate-related technologies for adaptation and mitigation,” the Agriculture Minister said.
The call for deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions, based on scientific evidence that climate change is accelerating faster than originally predicted, was another reason cited by Minister Persaud for the region to be steadfast.
With deforestation and forest degradation accounting for almost one fifth of all greenhouse gas emissions, the Agriculture Minister underscored the importance of a forest based solution to mitigation.
He made reference to Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), a vision of President Bharrat Jagdeo through which Guyana can avoid deforestation.
The Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) programme, which offers the opportunity to utilise funding from developed countries to reduce deforestation in developing countries, can only be effective if “significant” financial resources are available, Minister Persaud said.
Gov’t in process of bridging coastland, hinterland development gap - President
- Jagdeo tells Region Nine residents at Lethem Hospital opening
President Bharrat Jagdeo and Health Ministry officials in the state-of-the art theatre at the Lethem Hospital.
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The multi-million dollar Lethem Hospital in Region Nine was Monday commissioned by President Bharrat Jagdeo, another in a series of modern institutions recently built to offer a wider range of health services.
The Head of State took the opportunity to remind residents that the indigenous people matter to the administration, and that it always had as its vision bridging the gap in the level of services offered on the coastland and in the hinterland. Hence, he indicated the huge investment in education in hinterland areas, especially in Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine, at both the primary and secondary levels, as he disclosed that another secondary school will soon be built at Sand Creek.
With respect to bridging the development gap, the Head of State told them of the works ongoing on the Linden to Lethem road and of the focus on village activities that are sustainable.
Food security in the hinterland was another area the President touched on, and in this regard, he informed of expansion of agricultural activities to ensure food security for the indigenous people.
“We are going to invest in that vision (better healthcare); it is not something that we just came up with yesterday; the PPP government when it got into office made a deep commitment to do this and we may have taken longer than we wished, but we had many hurdles along the road,” he said. These included inheriting a bankrupt and undemocratic country and political difficulties, among others.
He reminded that the government has a strong political commitment to moving the country forward for its entire people, and in a manner that is equal.
“We have a clear vision of where we want to take healthcare, how much we are going to spend on it, and what are the services our people should benefit from,” the President said.
He spoke of government’s huge investment in the health sector, noting that from 150 doctors a couple of years ago, Guyana will in five years’ time have 750 more.
“It will be a strain on Government, but I don’t think investing in our people’s health is a wasted investment, as is investment in education.”
The Head of State promised that as the country progresses, its financial capacity will grow and facilities will therefore increase.
“I hope this hospital will extend a much needed service to the people in this community and …that you embrace it and see it as your own, so you can sustain it over a long period of time.”
The Lethem hospital will be the leading health institution in Region Nine as it is outfitted with modern equipment and facilities, including theatres, in-patient and out-patient facilities, a pharmacy and laboratory, and will be offering a wide range of services.
The new hospital will be initially manned by staff from the old hospital and the Ministry of Health will periodically send in “roaming visiting teams” to complement its staff.
The administration at present continues to train hundreds of nurses at the three nursing schools in Georgetown, Linden and New Amsterdam. Among the lot are students from Region Nine who will return to Lethem to serve. (GINA)
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Takutu Bridge to benefit CARICOM goods, service providers – President Jagdeo
Apart from the benefits of trade and other opportunities which the newly commissioned bridge across the Takutu River will provide for both Guyana and Brazil, it also gives CARICOM producers of goods and services easy access to Brazil through Guyana.
During his address at the commissioning of the bridge in Bon Fim Monday, Head of State Bharrat Jagdeo said the structure will, in a very significant measure, “open new vistas to be explored”.
The President described the past trade activity between Brazil and the Caribbean as small, recalling that in 2004 Brazil’s exports to CARICOM were valued at US$744M, while CARICOM’s export to Brazil were US$38M in the same period. In 2008, Brazil’s exports to CARICOM averaged US$1.2M, while exports from CARICOM were US$91M.
Similarly, in 2004, total trade between Guyana and Brazil amounted to a mere US$9.7M, with Guyanese imports from Brazil accounting for virtually all of this activity.
“Since then, total trade between Guyana and Brazil has almost doubled to US17.8M in 2008,” President Jagdeo said.
President Jagdeo said despite Guyana’s close geographic proximity to Brazil, the modest level of trade activity between the two countries has been striking.
For Guyana, the new bridge will aid in the promotion of trade in items under the Guyana/Brazil Partial Scope Agreement which President Jagdeo said is yet to be fully taken advantage of.
The Partial Scope Agreement refers to the exchange of tariff preferences on specific products among signatories to the agreement.
The bridge was opened to the movement of vehicular traffic, passengers and cargo on July 27, and Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva testified to the benefits which are already serving several frontier communities in the areas of goods supply, health and education.
The Brazilian President however highlighted the need for reduction in the imbalance in trade relations between the two countries, and as Guyana joins the competitive import institution programme, exports to Brazil will be boosted.
Optimistic about the future benefits which the bridge will bring to both countries, President Lula said his government is eyeing the opening of banks in the district to accelerate the integration agenda.
The Guyana Government, through the Agriculture Ministry, has already begun structuring its short and long-term plans to capitalise on these opportunities which the Takutu river bridge will bring.
Only recently, the Guyana Government finalised an arrangement with the Brazilian Agriculture Research Agency (EMBRAPA) for upland rice production, corn production, aquaculture and forestry.
The arrangement allows the Agriculture Ministry to work through the EMBRAPA office in Boa Vista instead of Brazil’s capital. (GINA)
Rose Hall Town begins 39th anniversary celebrations Sunday
ROSE Hall town, at Corentyne, Berbice, will celebrate its 39th anniversary with a week of activities, under the theme ‘Much refined at 39, in 2009’.
The seven-day programme was organised through a collaborative effort involving the Town Council, the Anniversary and Development Committee and the business community.
Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the municipality, Mr. Andrew Griffith told the Guyana Chronicle the celebrations will begin on Sunday, September 20, with a fitness walk against domestic violence.
The procession, starting at 06:30 h, will be from the University of Guyana (UG) Tain Campus to Rose Hall.
Three hours later, a softball cricket competition, with four teams from Corentyne Coast, will be engaged in a six-over match and, at 16:00h, Guyana Defence Force (GDF) paratroopers will display their skills at Area ‘H’ ground.
The following day, there will be an inter-faith religious service at the Independence Arch in the township and a spelling competition, amongst grade six pupils of four primary schools, is scheduled for September 23.
Five teachers will be awarded, on September 25, for their outstanding performance and, the next day, a street fair would allow invited persons to showcase their products and services and the Georgetown City Council Steel Orchestra will be in attendance.
The celebratory calendar culminates on September 27 with a beach party at Rose Hall, Griffith said.
The first Rose Hall Town Day was staged in September 2004 under the leadership of then Mayor William Hendrax.
The municipal affairs are now being run by an interim management committee (IMC).
Autopsy on dead public convenience attendant process inconclusive
By Michel Outridge
Nigel Brutus’ body at Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) mortuary yesterday. Looking on in disbelief are relatives of Brutus. (Cullen Bess-Nelson photo)
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AN AUTOPSY, performed Monday on the remains of Nigel Brutus proved inconclusive and Police have since taken his body samples for further testing.
He was an attendant at the public convenience on Stabroek Market tarmac, where he was found dead in the toilet Sunday.
Brutus, 36, of Lot 156 Better Hope South, East Coast Demerara, had left home for work about 19:00 hrs the previous evening but did not complain of feeling unwell.
Relatives said he was his usual jovial self, even singing soul songs that were being broadcast on television.
The unmarried father of three had worked the night shift and was expected to be relieved of the duty the following morning when the discovery of his demise was made.
Brutus is one of three persons who died unexpectedly the past week.
Early Wednesday morning, Instant Security Service (ISS) guard Nancy Chester, 40, of North Sophia, also in Greater Georgetown, succumbed at her Sophia Digicel site workplace.
DEAD: Nigel Brutus
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Her family said the mother of three had felt sick and went for a blood pressure and heart test before going to her post.
Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) Business Planning Director Eustace Abrams, 54, of Lot 85 Granville Park, Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara, collapsed and passed away while doing his exercise routine, on Wednesday morning, too, on a roadside parapet.
The Private Sector Commission (PSC), in a statement, joined with the immediate family and so many others who knew its Council member Abrams, to offer deepest sympathy on his passing.
The PSC said: “Although it is little comfort at this sad time, it should be of some satisfaction to know that in his passing, you can celebrate the end of a very long and productive person, who has contributed significantly to the development of the communication sector and Private Sector in Guyana.”
The statement concluded: “May the blessing of God be showered upon his soul and strengthen his family and friends to cope with this sudden death.”
GONSALVES' BIG POLITICAL GAMBLE
Referendum bill for parliament today
By Rickey Singh
--in Barbados
THE Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, will today present in parliament a bill to pave the way for a national referendum to significantly change the image and content of constitutional governance in that Eastern Caribbean state.
Basically, the "Referendum Bill" requires two thirds majority of the voting electorate to either endorse or reject fundamental changes to the nation's constitution.
These amendments have already been approved by a two thirds (12 to two) majority in the 15-member House of Assembly on September 3.
They provide for a simple 'Yes' or ‘No’ vote to authorise, or reject, the plan of Gonsalves' current second-term Unity Labour Party (ULP) administration to proceed with overhauling the constitution inherited by Vincentians from Britain 30 years ago next month.
This move by Gonsalves, a crafty political scientist and lawyer, is viewed as a huge political gamble that comes within 15 months of fresh general election (by December 7, 2010), for which the ULP is optimistic about a third consecutive term.
Win, or lose, Gonsalves and his ULP seem destined to be chronicled in CARICOM's political history for displaying courage and vision in choosing to go against the wind in allowing Vincentians to be the final arbiters of the sweeping constitutional changes that have been overwhelmingly approved by the House of Assembly.
The X for a 'yes' vote will result in at least ten substantive changes.
Among them, the following developments:
** A post-independence constitution that terminates monarchical governance with the Queen as Head of State and the emergence of a Vincentian national as non-executive President--similar to what exists, for example, in Trinidad and Tobago and Dominica.
** Scuttling of the prevailing colonial relationship with Britain's Privy Council in favour of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) as the country's final appellate institution;
** Scrubbing the powers of a Prime Minister to call a "snap" general election - a weapon available to so many in CARICOM under existing constitutional arrangements. He/she cannot do so any time BEFORE four years and nine months the expiration of a five-year term.
** Increasing the powers of the parliamentary Opposition Leader, notably in the Public Accounts Committee where, in addition to retaining the position of chairman of the PAC, he/she will now have majority support by a proportion of 80 to 20 percent.
** The introduction of a mixed electoral system for an expanded parliament of 17 elected MPs by the current first-past-the-post policy and ten primarily by proportional representation (PR).
Currently, the House of Assembly comprises 15 elected MPs, 12 of these at present are ULP; and the three others NDP. The ULP had won 55 percent of the valid votes to the NDP's 44.06 percent at the December 2005 poll - a virtual repeat popular response for the incumbent at the previous election
NO CHERRY-PICKING
Since there could be no cherry-picking on provisions/issues in the referendum, then in contrast to what's being sought in a 'yes' vote, it means that the NDP faces the unenviable task of mobilising Vincentians to cast their ballots to, for instance:
** Retain the Queen as Head of State; say 'no' the CCJ in preference for the Privy Council; ignore the need for a mixed electoral system; keep the powers of a Prime Minister to call a ‘snap' election, at anytime, during his/her five-year term;
** Further, maintain the status quo in relation to the Public Accounts Committee and avoid the creation of four new Commissions under the proposed new constitution---Integrity Commission; Human Rights Commission; Parliamentary Commission and a Teachers Service Commission.
Yesterday, the NDP was scheduled to formally launch its "no" campaign for the national referendum, for which the Supervisor of Elections is being authorised by the bill to be presented today in the House of Assembly, to conduct in accordance with arrangements for a general election.
Former four-term Prime Minister, Sir James Mitchell, has been invited by the NDP's and Opposition Leader, Arnhim Eustace, to join him in the campaign for which at least 65,000 voters may be eligible to make the decisive X for 'yes' or 'no'.
For Gonsalves, who continues to show a brave face for victory, the challenge the voters face is to participate in "the amazing dynamic for an alive constitutionalism and evolving best practices which the new constitution will unleash..."
GDF condemns Kaieteur News’ yellow journalism
- Army labels KN article as “patently false” and “unadulterated poppycock”
“Kaieteur News’ attempt to heap calumny on the GDF by engaging in scurrilous journalism continues a pattern of yellow journalism where they resort to muckraking to boost sales. This latest article comes on the heels of one where they incorrectly asserted that a Coast Guard rank was involved in operations at Lindo Creek. In both instances no less than the Chief of Staff debunked the allegations but the newspapers still felt compelled to report on them.”
THE Guyana Defence Force said it notes with utter consternation, the Kaieteur News article of (Monday) September 14, 2009, which reports the GDF is investigating the loss of AK 47 magazines and bullet-proof vests from its base at Morawhanna.
This article is patently false and has no basis in fact; it is unadulterated poppycock as no “top brass” were slated to visit that location and no member of the Intelligence unit was dispatched to conduct any investigation. An investigation was never contemplated since there was not even a hint of items missing.
“Kaieteur News’ attempt to heap calumny on the GDF by engaging in scurrilous journalism continues a pattern of yellow journalism where they resort to muckraking to boost sales. This latest article comes on the heels of one where they incorrectly asserted that a Coast Guard rank was involved in operations at Lindo Creek.
&#xWhy should Kaieteur News seek to whip up unnecessary fear and hysteria in the nation when there now exists a relatively stable and secure security climate? This newspaper should hold fast to the time honoured journalistic adage and be responsible in its reporting by not falsely shouting fire in a crowded theatre,” the Army chided.
In both instances no less than the Chief of Staff debunked the allegations but the newspapers still felt compelled to report on them,” the Army said in a scathing statement of condemnation.
“Why should Kaieteur News seek to whip up unnecessary fear and hysteria in the nation when there now exists a relatively stable and secure security climate? This newspaper should hold fast to the time honoured journalistic adage and be responsible in its reporting by not falsely shouting fire in a crowded theatre,” the Army chided.
The GDF said while it cannot dictate how Kaieteur News gathers and reports the news, “we can observe that their continued resort to a journalistic mercenary approach to newsgathering will always leave them open to being duped. Persons attracted to the lure of money will continue to pander to Kaieteur News’ perceived editorial philosophy and serve up journalistically salacious offerings not rooted in accuracy.”
Noting that it will always fess up to its shortcomings, the GDF said: “To support and defend the state requires openness to the nation. However, Kaieteur News got it plain wrong this time.”
“They owe it to the nation to unreservedly retract the article,” the GDF said.
The army also urged Kaieteur News to be bold and not obfuscate its retraction as, contrary to harming its credibility, it will in fact boost it.
Children Community Care Point Programme launched in Region 3
THE Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security in collaboration with the Regional Democratic Council of Region Three (West Demerara/ Essequibo Islands) on Monday launched the Children Community Care Point Programme with a two-day workshop.
The workshop, funded by UNICEF, was held in the boardroom of the Regional office, Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara.
Addressing participants at the opening ceremony Regional Chairman, Mr. Julius Faerber, exhorted “Children are valuable assets…we must ensure that they are given constant and consistent support. If we leave them unattended they will be subjected to abuse…they need care, love and attention.”
He added that parents have a sacred responsibility to ensure that children’s potentials are developed in a structured way.
Faerber commended the organisers and said the workshop is a timely gesture that reminds us of our moral, social and cultural responsibility.
He urged the participants to impart the knowledge gained from the workshop to orphans and vulnerable children in their respective communities.
Giving an overview of the programme, Ms. Sandra Hooper, Consultant with UNICEF, explained that the two main objectives are:
* To mobilise regional personnel to partner with service providers; and
* To develop awareness programmes which provide service to orphans and vulnerable children in communities.
Hooper added that she is optimistic that the formation of a regional committee will oversee and monitor the programmes in various communities.
Present at the workshop were over 12 women from women’s organisations in the region.
With new Kingston plant…
GPL would meet Christmas electricity demand
- Dindyal
By Priya Nauth
GPL workers erecting the light poles yesterday along the designated route from Sophia to Kingston.
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CHIEF Executive Officer (CEO) of Guyana Power & Light Inc. (GPL), Mr. Bharat Dindyal has reported that work is moving apace on the new power plant in Kingston, Georgetown.
The first commissioning of it is expected later this month, he told a press conference last Saturday in Duke Street, Kingston, where he gave an update on interventions to ease the electricity interruptions being experienced by residents of West Demerara.
Dindyal said, when completed, the 20.7 megawatts (mw) facility will have the capacity to meet current demands.
“Things are moving. We had expected to be a little ahead of schedule at this time but, from where we are, we see the commissioning starting later this month,” he told reporters about the project.
Dindyal expressed his hope that, by next month, the utility would have achieved what is called substantial completion in which the performance test of the station would be finished and make it available for commercial use.
“…at that time of course, there will be little things to fix around the place but the capacity would be available to us,” he assured.
Dindyal said it would be commissioned in phases and explained that it will be serving different purposes, such as a cooling, fuel, lube oil, low voltage, medium voltage and control systems.
“And all these systems, basically, will be gone through individually and commissioned and when all are finished then you are actually ready to start up the units,” he stated.
Dindyal said, when those units have started, then GPL runs what is called ‘offline’ tests where the pressures and temperatures and such are checked.
“And when that is completed, eventually, then they are ready to come online and do various load checks and, if we are satisfied that there is nothing unusual, then we prepare for a five to seven-day performance run,” he outlined.
Dindyal said, during those few days, the units are online running at full load and a test will be carried out to establish any deficiency.
BENCHMARKED
“That is benchmarked in our agreement with Wartsila,” he noted.
“So the plant has to meet certain efficiency standards and, of course, if those are achieved, essentially, you have achieved substantial completion,” Dindyal added.
About capacity availability at the upcoming Christmas season, he acknowledged that the biggest challenge would be generation.
“As you know, we have had to take emergency action on a number of occasions to bring in mobile sets to supplement capacity. We are fortunate, this year, to have 20 mw of new base load coming online before Christmas,” he stated.
Dindyal said that should ensure that there is more than adequate generating capacity available.
In relation to the connection between Kingston and Sophia plants, he said it is not complete but is likely to be by this month-end.
“All the polls are up except for three in Water Street. That is, from Cowan Street to the plant site, there are three to be planted. We have to shift some of our existing feeders out of the way to plant those structures,” Dindyal said.
The plant will consist of three of the latest Wartsila engines and about 95 per cent of its operations will make use of heavy fuel oil (HFO).
The 60 hertz generator will be interconnected to the 69 kilovolt (kv) sub-station at Sophia using transmission lines that will run along the Lamaha railway embankment.
Construction at Kingston commenced in February and squatters living along the embankment were relocated to pave the way for the installation.
The switch to HFO is seen as necessary because it is cheaper and will significantly reduce the cost of production, Dindyal confirmed.
Instead of 60 gallons of dieselene only 55 gallons of HFO is required for the production of 1,000 units of electricity, he said.
GWI implementing three innovations for improved efficiency, revenue
- Minister Ali
By Priya Nauth
GUYANA Water Inc (GWI) will be implementing three major pilot programmes next year, in its quest to improve services to customers countrywide, Minister of Housing and Water, Mr. Irfaan Ali disclosed last Friday.
But he said, in an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle, that, as the utility betters delivery, one of the main issues is the collection of revenue and he announced that the first related initiatives is an ‘Early bird discount’.
Ali said GWI has introduced quarterly billings and facility is being considered for persons who complete their payments within the first two weeks of the quarter.
SELF READING
The second intervention has to do with difficulties in terms of estimated bills and actual readings.
“What we have found is that our inability to do 100 per cent reading greatly affects our billing system. That is, in a lot of cases, we actually do estimated billing and this creates conflict between the customers and GWI,” Ali said.
He said GWI is introducing, in January, another scheme in which a pilot area will be used and, for the next three months, 100 per cent reading will be done, giving a fair understanding of the consumption patterns there.
Ali said GWI will then initiate self-reading, where the customers will read their meters themselves and report the results from which the bills will be generated.
He said this move is aimed at reducing the issue of collusion between meter readers and the customers, improving efficiency, creating customer confidence in the billing process and sustaining a healthy relationship between GWI and the users.
Ali said the other innovation is related to leaks, breakages in pipelines and GWI’s ability to respond to such reports in an effective manner.
“We have, initially, set ourselves a target of 24 hours to repair minor leaks and 72 hours to repair major leaks and breakages,” he said.
“In an effort to have a more community-based approach and involvement, where ownership and responsibility is placed in the hands of the community and its leadership, we have selected another pilot which is the employment of two rangers in every Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC),” he revealed.
Ali said the rangers will police the system on a daily basis, to identify and fix leaks and breakages within as well as look for illegal connections and other illicit activities and report and take immediate action on them.
The rangers will be recruited from within the NDCs, also from January and would operate using bicycles, eliminating the need for leak repairs contractors and should result in a more cost effective and productive way of managing the pipe distribution and network, he anticipated.
Their recruitment will start in Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice) and, at the end of the first half of next year, all three innovations will be evaluated to determine their effectiveness and success, Ali said.
Following WHO expectation…
Guyana continuing vigilance against H1N1 virus
By Vanessa Narine
THE Ministry of Health is continuing its vigilance, although there are no more reported cases of H1N1 in Guyana according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), an upsurge is expected soon, Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy said yesterday.
He added that, to date, Guyana has seen nine patients suffering from the novel influenza strain and 120 specimens have been sent to the Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (CAREC) for testing.
Ramsammy said the Ministry will continue to send samples for tests as part of its consistent H1N1 alert.
Guyana is presently working with a basic index of suspicion system that allows health workers to check for a number of variables and he explained that, once an individual can be eliminated as a possible H1N1 patient, it will be done.
Recourse to CAREC is the alternative but Ramsammy said, currently, this country is in a low peak season for influenza outbreaks, which could be a factor influencing the spread of the H1N1 virus, that is happening in the same way as seasonal flu.
H1N1 is a virus with symptoms similar to that of seasonal flu, such as fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.
Like seasonal flu, severe illnesses and deaths have occurred as a result of sicknesses associated with H1N1.
Flu viruses are contracted mainly through person to person contact with influenza affected persons coughing or sneezing.
ADVISORIES
Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it before touching their mouth or nose and Guyanese are advised to continue their adherence to health advisories that include:
* covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throwing it in the trash after use;
* washing one’s hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol based hand cleaners are also effective;
* avoid touching the eye, nose or mouth as germs are easily spread that way;
* trying avoid close contact with sick people and
* stay at home if sick for seven days after symptoms of the illness begin or until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer. This is to prevent you from infecting others and spreading the virus further.
Meanwhile, Ramsammy said steps are being taken to acquire equipment, as previously promised, to boost Guyana’s capacity for analysing H1N1 specimens.
He said the $8M expenditure will facilitate local DNA tests of specimens on an open platform, meaning for a variety of things.
Ramsammy assured that it should be possible before year end, by November when samples can be sent to the National Public Health Reference Laboratory from the different health care delivery institutions.
As to the vaccine being developed to combat H1N1, he said his ministry is following the development closely and Guyana will add it to its programme as soon as it is available.
Boy puts penis in ants nest to make it bigger
KINGSTON - A teen had to seek medical attention after he pushed his penis in an ants nest in a desperate attempt to get it larger.
The 13-year-old boy from Shewsbury is said to have resorted to that measure after he was told that his member was too small.
Reports are that the youngster tried to solicit the services of a woman who lives in the same community. It is said that the woman ignored his approach and told him his "member" was too small for her.
The woman was reportedly sweeping just in front her home when she was approached. A number of residents who were having a chat close-by heard the argument and began laughing.
It is said that the youngster boasted that he could go elsewhere while the woman ordered him to find ways to enlarge his member before returning.
Mocking
"Everybody a laugh afta him and di woman tell him fi go beat it pon a tree (papaya) or push it inna ants nest to mek it swell . . . ," a witness named Della said.
She said the boy left but approximately half an hour later he and his mother had to rush from their home to seek medical attention.
"When wi si him again him a run beside him madda a look fi taxi . . . Him a cry and a hold up him pants front," Della said, explaining that the teen had placed his member in an ants' nest.
Residents further said that the boy returned later that same evening and his mother held nothing back as she argued with a handful of residents as well as the woman with whom he had the encounter earlier.
The mother later made a report to the police claiming that the woman had tried to have sexual intercourse with her son.
Corporal Troy Wesley of the Westmoreland police confirmed that such a report was made, however, he said that it was discovered that there was no truth to it.
‘Murder at Giuseppe’s’ at NCC tonight
Giuseppe Poster
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Fun … Fright … Food and now exciting prizes! This is the promise of the Rotary Club of Georgetown when Murder at Giuseppe’s hits the National Cultural Centre stage tonight.
The first prize is a Return Trip to Trinidad, compliments of Caribbean Airlines; second prize is $10,000 food hamper, compliments of C&F Supermarket; third prize is a Swedish massage compliments of MOKSHA, Center for Holistic health Therapy; and the fourth prize is a food blender, compliments of Shamdas Kirplani. One lucky person will win a door prize of a large hamper from Ansa Mc Al.
The play which is touted as an exciting “Who dun it?”, is set in an Italian restaurant. A murder will take place which will have all the plays characters pointing at each other. The play is directed by Gem Madoo- Nascimento and produced by Mr. Pradeep Samtani.
Samtani said that he wanted to give something “different” to the Guyanese public. “The concept is our own, this could be the first time something like this is done in Guyana”, said the producer in a recent interview with the Guyana Chronicle did in the midst of a rehearsal as the cast was throwing themselves into their respective roles.
Samtani praised what he called his “brilliant” cast which consists of professional actors as well as a selection of “Rotarians” and “Friends of the Rotary”.
Intended for mature audiences, the play is not only a mystery, but is funny, spicy and sexy as well.
The cast of ten includes actors Mr. Derek Gomes, Mr. Nasim Hussain, Ms. Dimple Mendonca, Ms. Priya Singh and Mr. Hashim Alli; and Rotarians Mr. Laurie Lewis, Mr. Kit Nacimento, Mr. Derry Harry and Ms. Bernadette Yassin.
The show is billed for the National Cultural Centre tonight at 20:00h.
Parents must keep tabs on their children at school
By Tajeram Mohabir
Pupils in their early transition from primary to secondary school often encounter various disciplinary problems which can be avoided if parents pay keen attention to their activities in school.
This view was expressed by Assistant Chief Education Officer (CEO) Ms. Melcita Bovell in her address to parents of students from nursery, primary and secondary schools in Central Georgetown in the first “face the community” meeting at St. Angela’s Primary on Thomas Street, Georgetown, as part of activities for Education Month 2009.
Bovell said this simple but effective approach will significantly help teachers in moulding disciplined students in the school system.
She pointed out that parents are their children’s first teachers and should not neglect listening to the views of their children at secondary school, as their failure in this regard can negatively affect them in some of the decisions they make.
Bovell urged parents to gauge the diverse views of their children and provide counselling that will point to practical, workable and reasonable solutions.
These regular “check-ups”, she said, can reveal the reason for students’ poor performance, poor punctuality, and lack of discipline, as well as ways to get around these shortcomings.
Bovell stressed that for a child to perform at his/her best, that individual must be disciplined and be regular and punctual at school.
Bovell lamented that when students are absent, the curriculum does not freeze to accommodate them, and as a result they miss vital lessons.
Bovell encouraged parents too to ensure their children keep and adhere to a study timetable as one of the goals of the Ministry of Education is that every child leaving secondary school should have at least six Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) subjects.
She noted that the Ministry, in an effort to realise this goal, has introduced 40 Sixth Forms in secondary schools this term, catering for the poor performers at the National Grade Six Assessments (NGSA).
The senior education officer said unlike the established Sixth Form secondary schools, the new Sixth Form schools will dedicate the Form One level to bring unsatisfactory performers at the NGSA on par with normal secondary school students.
These classes, she pointed out, are being taught by experienced teachers who will, apart from improving the students grades, will focus on building their morale and self-esteem.
Acting CEO Primary, Mrs. Bibi Ali, who also spoke at the meeting, emphasised the importance of reading, noting this is a responsibility which does not rest only with teachers, but requires the involvement of parents as well.
She reported that the results of a reading survey conducted by the World Bank on Grades Two, Three and Four pupils last year showed that 60 per cent cannot read simple passages and pronounce simple words.
Ali appealed to parents to encourage their children to read more and look at television less, stressing that the TV is their major distraction.
She also urged parents to tell their children stories with good moral values and set high standards for them to emulate.
She contended that parents drinking and using indecent language in the presence of their children will send the wrong signal to them, as they have a habit of adopting their parents’ behavior.
Education Minister Shaik Baksh, at the recent launching of activities to mark World Literacy Day at the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD, urged teachers to resuscitate their school libraries.
He warned head teachers who failed to do this will be sanctioned.
Meanwhile, NCERD Director, Mr. Mohandatt Goolsarran, said that the Ministry of Education has received some $US5M worth of text books from overseas, and these have been distributed to schools throughout the country.
GWI addressing water woes in Bare Root
By Michel Outridge
Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) yesterday addressed recent reports in the press regarding the water supply in the community of Bare Root, East Coast Demerara.
Through the Government of Guyana, GWI has initiated a programme which seeks to provide all residents of Bare Root with an adequate water supply, at the cost of approximately $40M.
The company is currently engaged in laying new pipe-lines which are being installed to required standards. According to Project Manager Sunildatt Barran, “The installation of the transmission and distribution system is expected to be completed next Monday.”
He said in addition to the replacing old pipelines in Bare Root, GWI is also installing new connections in streets where there were previously no pipelines.
The Company is urging all beneficiaries of the project to visit the GWI Bachelor’s Adventure Divisional Office to regularise their service. Residents are reminded that the cost of a new connection is $1,000.
The Project Manager offered assurances regarding scheduled completion.
“The project has progressed as planned, and residents of Bare Root can expect water flowing through their taps by next week, provided they have applied. Those who have not applied are urged to do so immediately. Full installation of the distribution system will be completed by Monday, and following this GWI will be in a position to install new service connections,” he said.
According to the Chief Executive of GWI, Yuri Chandisingh, “GWI has a proactive approach to dealing with areas affected by water supply problems, such as Bare Root. We have a programme focused on identifying all problematic areas and the correct intervention needed to provide relief to residents in the swiftest manner possible.”
The CE) stated that the mandate of GWI is to provide potable water to all of Guyana. “This is a responsibility we take very seriously,” stated Mr. Chandisingh .
“It is important for our customers to understand that GWI’s primary objective is to provide relief in areas where old pipelines or inadequate delivery prevents customers from receiving a sufficient water supply.” He further explained that after problematic areas are identified, GWI then devises a plan of intervention which will also require a partnership with various stakeholders, including the Neighbourhood Democratic Counsels (NDCs).
To report incidents of wastage, leaks or water supply disruptions, customers are asked to contact GWI’s Customer Service Call Center on 227-8701. For information on affected areas, customers can call the GWI Public Relations Department on 225-0477, or e-mail pro@gwi.gy
Gunmen rob Agricola rum shop owner
Police are investigating a robbery under arms carried out by two gunmen on Sunday in Agricola, Greater Georgetown.
The victim, Clifton Shackle, 52, of Second Street, Agricola, was robbed by two men armed with handguns about 20:15 h Sunday at his rum shop which is housed at his home.
Police reported that Shackle was in the establishment with his wife when one of the suspects confronted them, making them lie face down on the floor.
The men robbed them of $600,000 in cash, which was in a drawer under the counter, and grabbed a gold chain from the woman’s neck.
Then they made good their escape.
MESSAGE ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY
FOR THE PRESERVATION OF THE OZONE LAYER
By United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon
SUSTAINABLE development depends, in large part, on the implementation of agreed environmental goals, targets and objectives.
Among the considerable number of multilateral environmental agreements agreed between states over the past 40 years, the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer and, in particular, its Montreal Protocol stands out.
The manner in which this instrument for repairing and recovering the Earth’s protective shield has been financed and implemented serves as an inspiring example of what is possible.
This year’s observance marks yet another milestone, with the deposit of the instruments of accession to the Convention and the Protocol by the youngest democracy in the world, Timor-Leste.
Until today, it was the only remaining State outside the ozone protection regime. Now, the Convention and Protocol have achieved universal participation – unique status among the hundreds of treaties deposited with the Secretary-General. Timor-Leste’s action sends a strong signal of global solidarity, not only for addressing ozone depletion but for tackling other pressing multilateral challenges, of which climate change is pre-eminent.
Accumulating evidence indicates that the phase-out of substances known as chlorofluorocarbons or CFCs has, since 1990, alleviated the progression of climate change by as much as 12 years. International cooperation on CFCs is a timely affirmation that, through unity of purpose and concerted action, we can minimise risks to our planet and build a safer world for future generations. It is a lesson we must take to heart as we prepare for the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December.
Some weeks ago, experts from the Montreal Protocol and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Kyoto Protocol met in Geneva, Switzerland to chart a strategy on a group of chemicals that cause climate change. Hydrofluorocarbons, or HFCs, which are broadly used as replacements for ozone-depleting substances in foams, refrigeration and air conditioning systems, could, if widely used, contribute significantly to climate change by 2050, thereby undermining efforts to reduce the better-known greenhouse gases, principally carbon dioxide and methane from fossil fuel burning and deforestation.
By working together, the ozone and climate treaties can multiply their impact for sustainable development. Other benefits are likely to include improved energy efficiency in industrial and household processes and appliances, and spin-offs for the wider chemicals agenda, including in the areas of waste management and human health.
The International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer comes some 80 days before the Copenhagen climate conference. Governments must use that occasion to seal the deal on an ambitious, comprehensive and equitable new climate agreement. Without action on climate change, the world faces profound social, economic and environmental disruption. The example of the Montreal Protocol sends a powerful message that action on major global challenges is not only possible, but that the financial and human benefits invariably outweigh the costs.
Seckle family loses $600,000 in second gun robbery
POLICE are investigating an armed robbery committed on shopkeeper Clifton Seckle, 52, of Second Street, Agricola, Greater Georgetown, on Sunday night.
He was attacked by two men with handguns about 20:15 h. while he and his wife were in the business place.
One of the gunmen ordered the couple to lie face down and robbed them of $600,000 which was in a drawer under the counter.
A gold chain she wore was also taken from the woman before the robbers escaped.
It was not the first time the Seckles family suffered an attack by bandits.
On January 13, 2003, at approximately 20:25h, businesswoman Roxanne Seckle, 39, was shot dead in her home.
She and her son, Clifton (Jr), also known as Floyd, who sustained gunshot wounds to the neck, hands and chest, together with two other children, were in bed when two gunmen entered the premises through an open door.
The intruders proceeded to the bedrooms and fired several rounds, one of which fatally wounded the businesswoman.
A male customer, who had just made a purchase, was also shot in one leg but her husband, Clifton Seckle (Snr) and a niece, who had been attending customers, were unhurt. (Wendella Davidson)
GUYSUCO Estates continue to record positive gains during the 2nd crop
Optimism is high that the second crop target for GuySuCo will be achieved.
This optimism comes as several estates recorded positive gains, beginning with the fact that for the fourth consecutive week production exceeded 10,000 tonnes of sugar. Albion, Rose Hall, Blairmont, Enmore and Wales estates workers earned an additional day’s pay each for exceeding their target for the week.
This trend was not realised since mid 2000.
Chief Executive Officer of GuySuCo, Mr. Errol Hanoman in acknowledging the achievement, remarked that it is a tangible milestone as the Corporation accelerates its drive towards a sustained improvement in overall production.
He also cited the workers and management’s high morale as a significant factor in achieving the target.
The CEO disclosed that the Corporation has acquired a molasses storage facility that is the first of its kind in the Caribbean. The geo-membrane facility has a capacity for 15,000 tonnes and is currently being installed at Skeldon Estate.
The performance trials on the punt dumper at Skeldon commenced yesterday. The design capacity of the dumper caters for 350 tonnes of cane per hour and the tests will be undertaken over two eight-hour periods.
Meanwhile, over at the Enmore Estate on the East Coast of Demerara, pile driving and civil works have commenced on Project Gold, and designs which were recently submitted by the Contractor are currently being reviewed.
The multi-million dollar project aims at establishing GuySuCo’s second sugar packaging facility which will have four times the capacity of Blairmont.
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Takutu Bridge a true demonstration of South-South cooperation
With the continuous decrease of development aid by the rich North to the developing countries and increased reluctance to transfer technology, no doubt intended to keep the latter within the realm of the dependency syndrome and subjugation, the concept of South-South cooperation was a brilliant innovation which today is increasingly pushing socio-economic progress among the less developed world.
According to experts on international relations South-South Cooperation is a vital force in world economic development today. India and China, long considered net recipients of aid, are now emerging as net donors, focusing their aid efforts on southern nations. South-South trade is growing at an estimated ten percent annually. U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan noted last December that over 40% of developing country exports are themselves headed to other developing countries. Some economists predict that economic growth rates in southern countries will outpace those of the north for the next several years - from five to eight percent a year, compared to 2-3% in the north.
This newfound economic power could alter the balance of political power as well. As they grow less dependent upon northern markets for their economic well-being, southern states are emerging with new power and a stronger voice at the bargaining tables of multinational organisations. Future agreement on important international and multilateral issues in areas of trade, environmental protection, and human rights will require broader outreach to achieve true international consensus. Northern nations, accustomed to leading on the international stage, may see their priorities counterbalanced by those of the South.
Indonesian Ambassador-at-large Mr. Nana S. Sutresna, at the South-South Conference on Trade, Investment and Finance in San Jose, Costa Rica January 1997 made some pertinent disclosures and observations on the South-South cooperation concept.
“Since the mid-1980s when the first signs of a global recovery became discernible, South-South cooperation in Trade and Investment has been gaining momentum. The decline in intra-regional South-South trade during the late 1970s and early 1980s has begun to be reversed with substantial gains in the volume of such trade being registered in almost all the sub-regional groupings of the South during the 1985-1990 period. As reported by UNCTAD in 1993, the intra-regional trade among developing countries in Latin America increased by 75 percent; in Africa, by 60 percent; and in Asia by almost a hundred percent. This high growth trend in intra-regional trade has continued in the 1990s. As a result of such high rates of growth, the value of sub-regional and intra-regional trade in nominal terms has achieved levels two to three times higher than the peaks reached at the end of 1970s, from US$ 17 billion to US$ 28 billion in the case of Latin America, from US$ 2.2 billion to US$ 4.3 billion in the core of Africa, and from US$ 18.2 billion to US$ 41 billion in the case of Asia.”
He added that despite these encouraging trends in sub-regional and intra-regional trade, it is important to note that the volume of South inter-regional trade remains relatively small although it shows an increasing trend. In 1992 total Latin American exports to Africa and Asia stood at US$ 1.9 billion and US$ 9.2 billion respectively; while Asian exports to Latin America totalled US$ 16.4 billion and Asian exports to Africa reached US$ 12.6 billion. African exports to Latin America and Asia were US$ 1.2 billion and US$ 3.5 billion respectively.
“Considering these statistics, it is important for the South to find ways of further intensifying inter-regional trade. This, in our view, should become one of our primary objectives. The expansion of South inter-regional trade will require a major effort to remove impediments to the diversification and strengthening of production capacities and complementarities, to improve infrastructures such as transport, communications, information, and marketing facilities as well as the reduction of trade barriers across regions. In this regard, we are heartened to observe that a number of South sub-regional groupings in three regions have been conducting inter-regional dialogue and consultations for the purpose of exploring possibilities for increasing economic cooperation in various areas, including trade and investment. These beginnings hold the promise of significant growth in cooperation. We believe that prospects for inter-regional trade will continue to improve as developing countries continue to enjoy high rates of economic growth and as their economies diversify and become more complementary. In this context, the importance of the involvement of and active participation by private sectors can not be over emphasised,” Mr. Sutresna asserted.
Closer home we are seeing the ample and mutual benefits of South-South cooperation as evidenced by the completion of the Takutu Bridge which will facilitate and stimulate increased movement of goods, services and people between the two South American neighbours bringing economic benefits to both countries. And this is only the beginning as the South American giant also plans to help Guyana with several other important projects including the Linden/Lethem road, the deep water harbour and building of a hydropower station.
In fact, the Takutu Bridge was one of 335 projects identified by the Integration of Regional Infrastructure in South America (IIRSA), an initiative by South American governments to build a new infrastructural network for the continent, including roads, waterways, ports and energy and communications interconnections.
In addition President Jagdeo has noted that the bridge opens the way for CARICOM, through Guyana, to one of the top 10 economies of the world, the President pointed out.
“The message is clear”, he said, adding that despite recent improvements, there is vast room for improvement in trade between Guyana and Brazil and between Brazil and CARICOM, describing the two sides as indispensable partners.
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At Berbice Assizes…
Judge aborts wounding trial after suspicious conversation
By Jeune Bailey Van-Keric
THE Berbice Assizes trial of three cousins, indicted for wounding Deodat Ramoutar on March 25, 2006, ended abruptly on Monday.
Justice Winston Patterson, presiding, aborted the proceedings after it was reported, to him, that persons were seen talking with some members of the jury.
State Counsel Fabayo Azore, in her opening remarks, said the victim was involved in an argument with Indira Ragubeer when he was beaten by the trio near her Rosignol Stelling snackette.
Imran Ally, Ameer Ally and Chetraj Ragubeer were the accused in the dock.
After the judge halted the case, Senior Counsel Bernard De Santos pointed out that neither he nor his wife, Pamela, for the Defence, were involved in what caused the ending.
The end had been expected today after the judge’s summation but, following the report of the suspicious conversation, Justice Patterson conducted an inquiry in his chambers and, at the resumed hearing, the jury foreman sought permission to relate what happened.
The judge disallowed his request but cautioned all the jurors that they need to be careful when sitting as judges of the facts.
Directing his remarks to the accused Ragubeer, Justice Patterson told him: “Your demeanour has left much to be desired. You ‘stewed your teeth’ when questioned. That was contemptuous. I did not pull you up in chambers. I decided to do so now, as we all have to learn from this. It must never be done, especially before a judge.”
Last Thursday the judge upheld legal submissions by Senior Counsel De Santos and directed the jury to formally return a verdict of not guilty in favour of the accused, with respect to the count of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to murder.
But they were called upon to lead their defence with respect to the charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to maim, disable or cause actual bodily harm.
Eight witnesses for the Prosecution and two for the Defence had testified.
Meanwhile, four days ago, the mother of Imran Ally and grandmother of Ameer Ally and Chetraj Ragubeer died.
Drug trafficking, armed robbery, burglary defendants all remanded
By Nathalene DeFreitas
FOUR defendants, on different charges of drug trafficking, armed robbery and burglary, were all remanded to prison yesterday by Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson.
Of the prisoners on remand, Hughvel Frawklyn, 38, of Lot 78 Roxanne Burnham Gardens, pleaded not guilty to having trafficked one gramme of cocaine on September 11.
It was alleged that he attempted to sell the narcotic to a policeman.
Frawklyn will make his next appearance on October 20.
Another prisoner, Troy Stephen, 25, of East Ruimveldt Squatting Area, faced a robbery under arms charge.
The allegation against him is that, last August 22, being armed with a piece of broken bottle, he robbed Jason Aaron of a gold chain valued $182,500 and other valuables worth a total $438,500.
That case was postponed to September 25.
Guy Murell, 34, one of the two charged with break and enter and larceny also denied the accusation, which said on September 12, he broke into Alexis George’s shop and stole merchandise priced at $70,000.
The defendant claimed he had sold the virtual complainant two dresses and she owed him $5,000, which he had gone to collect from her and she told him he can sell her television and take the money.
Police Corporal Kevin London, prosecuting, who successfully opposed bail for Murell, said the latter gave different addresses when arrested.
Murell has to be back in Court September 28.
The other burglary defendant, Jeffrey Thomas, 21, of Lot 209 West La Penitence, also in Georgetown, is alleged to have broken into the dwelling house of Leroy Grosvenor, on September 11, and carted off a $200,000 laptop computer amongst booty worth $341,000.
Prosecutor London reported that some of the loot was recovered from the house in which Thomas lives.
After his not guilty plea, Thomas had his case transferred to another Court for October 1.
KFC Security Guard who allegedly shot handcuffed robber, freed
- Judge Bovell-Drakes accepts no-case submission
AT the Demerara Assizes yesterday, KFC manslaughter accused security guard David Chesney, who was on trial for unlawfully shooting to death robber O’Neil Adams while he was allegedly handcuffed on February 25, 2005, was yesterday freed by the jury on directions of the trial judge.
Justice James Bovell-Drakes had accepted a defence no-case submission that there was no case for the accused to answer.
State Prosecutor Miss Prithima Kissoon who had set out to prove that the accused had used more force than was necessary by shooting the robber while he was handcuffed and unarmed, was let down by her witnesses. Of 12 witnesses, none of them identified the accused as the shooter.
About three of the 12 witnesses testified that they heard gunshots that day but could not tell who the shooter was and could not say whether a handcuff was on the deceased.
Evidenced had disclosed that on the day in question, the 20-yearold robber had snatched a roll of notes from a cambio dealer and had kicked a glass door of the KFC open in a bid to escape from persons who were after him.
There he was cornered by the accused who was the security guard at KFC. According to the accused, the robber had attempted to disarm him when the gun went off, accidentally killing him.
But the prosecutor who was in receipt of other information had attempted to lead additional evidence at the jury trial by calling a witness who did not testify at the preliminary inquiry. The witness did not give the expected evidence.
At the close of the prosecution’s case, Attorney-at-Law Mr. Vidyanand Persaud, who in association with Miss Prabha Persaud appeared for the accused, elected to make a no-case submission in the absence of the jury.
Mr. Persaud had submitted that there was no case for his client to answer, but prosecutor Miss Kissoon had contended that the prosecution had made out a case against the accused that was based on circumstantial evidence.
In his ruling, the judge agreed with the defence that there was no case for the accused to answer and directed the jury to return a formal verdict of not guilty of the crime, in favour of the accused.
The freed man was subsequently discharged by the judge.
In his remarks, the judge said that there was no evidence that the crime of manslaughter had been committed by the accused.
According to the judge, taking the prosecution’s case at its highest, no jury, properly directed, could convict the accused.
The judge commended the prosecutor and told her that the police did not help her by their preparation of the case. ȁYou have tried and that is commendable,” the judge said.
The judge also complimented leading defence counsel Mr. Vidyanand Persaud for the research he had done in he case and the many authorities he had cited and made available to the court. Such authorities, the judge said, would be of help to him in the future.
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Libel and Freedom of the Press
By Dr Randy Persaud
MUCH has been said about the free press in Guyana over the past few years.
In fact only yesterday Peeping Tom wrote about the issue in an article titled “Newspapers Without Government (KN, 9.15.09). A good deal of the article voiced concerns about supposed encroachment on freedom of the press in Guyana, and specifically about the number of libel suits against Kaieteur News.
Peeping Tom quoted extensively from a document produced by the Government of Jamaica. According to P. Tom the document was intended to “facilitate greater openness and transparency in governance with a view to empowering the Press to do more investigative journalism (KN, 9.15.09).
Mr. Tom then quoted the Jamaican Prime Minister who apparently said the December 2007 decision was made to “review the libel and slander law to ensure that it cannot be used as a firewall to protect wrongdoers” (KN, 9.15.09).
In addition to the Jamaican document, Peeping Tom also invoked Thomas Jefferson who had said “Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a Government without newspapers or newspapers without Government, I should not hesitate to prefer the latter (KN 9.15.09).
These are indeed impressive resources to draw on in commenting on the issue of the free press in Guyana. Unfortunately for Peeping Tom, it is far from adequate. Let us take a careful look.
The Jamaican document clearly made reference to ‘investigative journalism’, something that is indeed valuable in any dynamic society.
It is difficult to understand though, how this applies to Kaieteur News, since, as a matter of fact, that newspaper does not engage in proper investigations.
The Jamaican document did not say we need to protect irresponsible journalism, sensationalism, misinformation, and the right of a newspaper to openly engage in aggressive anti-government propaganda.
But there is more to this. Let us take the Peeper at his word, namely, that Guyana’s media laws need to be updated. The Peeper referred to Jameel Vs. The Wall Street Journal Europe “whereby the Courts made it clear that if a media (sic) can show that a matter is of public interest and a product of responsible journalism, the plaintiff cannot receive damages for libel” (KN, 9. 15. 09).
The keen reader would note the ‘responsible journalism’ in the last quotation. It apparently escaped the Peeper. Nonetheless, let us move on.
Now, in 1964 the U.S. Supreme Court (under Justice Earl Warren) in NEW YORK TIMES Co. v. SULLIVAN rendered a decision that shifted the burden of proof from the defendant to the plaintiff in libel cases. Further, willful and actual malice must be proven. The ruling was intended to protect newspapers from ‘public figures’ that might use lawsuits to ‘chill’ “uninhibited, robust, and wide open” debates on issues of public concern (Meyer, 1987: 14). The ruling according to noted media specialist, Philip Meyer, “…removed some inhibitions from newspaper and broadcast reporting, and it helped news organisations become more aggressive in their investigative reporting where public figures were concerned” (Meyer, 1987, 14).
In 1974 – in GERTZ v. ROBERT WELCH INC. the Burger Court ruled that only public figures had to meet the 1964 (Sullivan) standard.
In effect this was a clarification of the original SULLIVAN ruling, that, in some ways, strengthened the hands of reporters. Again - the crux of the ruling, you see, was that the burden of proof was shifted from the reporters to the public figures.
But in 1979 the Burger Court in HERBERT v. LANDO ruled that the press must open its files “for a libel plaintiff suing under the SULLIVAN case, in order to enable the plaintiff to prove actual malice” (Finfleman, 201).
Here is how Professor Meyer put it – “If plaintiffs were forced to prove knowing and reckless falsehood to win a case, they had to have some means of getting at the facts. And how do you prove a reporter knew he or she was telling a falsehood?
You can’t read the reporter’s mind, but YOU CAN ASK THE REPORTER TO TELL UNDER OATH what he or she was thinking about and what was in his or her notes and what was said in STAFF CONVERSATIONS about the story in question (Meyer, 1987: 15).
Is Kaieteur News willing to open its files and disclose the contents of staff conversations about the sensational stories that are on its front pages everyday? We await the answer.
Readers must understand that the freedom to impart truth must be accompanied by the necessity to discover truth. Assumptions and speculations will not suffice. When these latter are combined with a political project, the press by its own doing is undermining its ability to impartially investigate and report.
Finally, it must be noted that Kaieteur News journalists consistently refer to “the two independent” newspapers in Guyana, meaning itself and Stabroek News. Let me respond to this by quoting Prof. Meyer who noted – “It’s hard to be a humble journalist.”
The Parrot
Brazil, akui vou eu!
The Parrot is taking a crash course in Portuguese; the language that is. The reason? Well, as if that needs an explanation.
The language will enhance my capabilities to communicate with my fellow Parrots from our neighbours to the south.
Ah, not my friends in South Ruimveldt.
Hammie has restricted any social interaction within the wards of GT. People are not travelling unless it’s from home to work. Some not even travelling back home after work. The reason? The place stinks! It’s garbage all over!
Hammie has indeed transformed the city; from garden to garbage. He claims he has no money to pay the collectors.
Not those who collect rent from the market vendors on the pave; the garbage collectors. They said how long they don’t collect from Hammie, they not collecting. While they not collecting, the garbage compiling.
So to avoid the stench, the Parrot traversing further south; Brazil south. It is now easier to traverse into the territory of Lula’s land.
No longer feet have to be drenched and trousers soaked while crossing the expanse of water that separates Guyana and Brazil.
That expanse, the Takutu River has been bridged. It’s official. An official port of entry from Region 9 to Roraima; not the mountain nor the Captain; the state of Roraima in Brazil. The Parrot can now proceed in the comfort of its vehicle across the bridge; the bridge over the River Takutu. Of course, crossers (not related to dress) will experience the warmth and hospitable treatment of immigration officials from both banks (not commercial); the River Takutu banks.
The opening was historic. Many gathered, including Uncle Bharrat and Tio Lula. Tio is the Portuguese word for Uncle. The course is on course, right? Good.
Other “big ones” from both sides gathered too. From Guyana, Manny, Carolyn, Pauline, Ashni, Bheri, Kellawan, the Donald and the man whose Ministry has responsibility; the Son of Robe; Robeson. Even Captain Roraima was present.
From Brazil, the Governor of Roraima and the Minister of Defence, just to name two. Uncle Bharrat and Tio Lula cut the ribbon to symbolically officially open the spanking new bridge.
And spanking it is. Our waters are now being bridged. The Kabaka started with Canje and the LFSB; the longest floating steel bridge across the River Demerara.
Uncle Bharrat followed with the one over the River Berbice and now the River Takutu. With Uncle Bharrat’s pace in developing this land, soon there will be a shortage of rivers to bridge!
It will be first time that a shortage of something will be good. They were bad in Forbes’ days; shortages that is. Remember? With bridges, land masses basically become one fostering the opening of new lands and development. Guyana’s potential will be tapped.
With this “tapping”, Lethem will be buzzing with traffic.
Lethem will be the place to be! Rodeo fans from the city can now extend their vacation and head further south into Brazil.
Tio Lula has pledged to aid in the development of hydroelectricity. This will be big, real big for Guyana. The “icing on the cake” will be oil. With Uncle Bharrat winning the maritime boundary case over Suriname, the potential for oil is not very far from being realised. This land of plenty waters and bridges will be the magnet for the Region. Soon they will want to come here. Just wait.
Everything takes time. Even Hammie’s removal of the garbage takes time; much longer than anything else.
But knowing Hammie, he takes his own time, despite the discomfort to others.
So while he takes his time, Hammie that is, and plenty people in the city walking around with respiratory mask like when the swine flu hit China to avoid the unpleasant aroma that emanates from the overflowing garbage bins, the Parrot flying south.
The aroma there is refreshing. So across the Bridge over the River Takutu I go. Brazil, akui vou eu! (That’s Brazil here I come!) See this course really wuking.
Bye Hammie. Squawk! Squawk!
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Distortionists not considering challenges
THE World Bank’s Board of Directors earlier this year approved the new Country Assistance Strategy (CAS) for Guyana between 2009 and 2012 to sustain the country’s development agenda. And Yvonne Tsikata, the World Bank’s Country Director for the Caribbean noted that “Guyana has made significant progress in laying the foundations for macroeconomic stability and higher pro-poor growth. The CAS continues this partnership and supports the country in areas where the Bank's support could strategically complement other donors’ areas of engagement.” Many so-called critics still do not get it – this country can boast about macroeconomic fundamentals.
It’s clear, too, that Guyana did not suffer as much from the devastating onslaught of the international financial meltdown as other countries endured. And only yesterday, Brazil’s President Lula Da Silva and Guyana’s President Bharrat Jagdeo officially opened the Takutu Bridge linking Guyana and Brazil, opening up a new frontier for progressive and sustainable development. Let us not forget, too, about the potential economic impact of the Berbice Bridge. Sometimes in our haste to pan this Government, we exclude significant developmental aspects in our fabricated equations.
But as we cherish these historical moments, let’s not forget, too, the challenges that the entire Caribbean, including Guyana, continue to face; challenges that include the erosion of the preferential market for sugar and bananas and therefore, the need to restructure the economies; challenges requiring higher productivity levels; challenges to improve the fiscal status and reduce the public debt; challenges to do with oil price increases in the 1970s and periodic increases in the early years of the 21st century; challenges to do with a deceleration in the global economy and the debt crisis; and challenges to do with globalization, bringing the following: increasing pressure to liberalize multilateral trade; the economic stranglehold that the World Trade Organization has on poor, small, and vulnerable economies; and constant migration of skilled professionals.
Guyana’s response in the early years was to seek multilateral adjustment assistance from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government in the 1992 inherited an external US$2.1B debt (now about US$700M); it took Guyana about 10 years to reach financial viability. And so clearly in the 1990s especially at a time when financial viability was not yet attained, balancing debt service payments and meeting the needs of the poor constituted a great challenge.
Let us not exclude, too, in our discussion of Guyana’s development the National Competitiveness Strategy (NCS), initiated in 2006, comprising 122 actions and activities to enhance national competitiveness; and this NCS contains 10 Action Teams. The expectation is that the NCS will increase productivity, leading to higher investment returns, and sustainable growth rates for the economy. The NCS is a work in progress.
And I hope that the people who spend their time distorting the history and economic achievements of Guyana would contextualise these challenges, before making ludicrous comments grounded in rhetoric. Nitpickers must realize that policies today must consider the global challenges of the world in order to survive and effectively sustain progress and development of any country, and their writings should reflect this.
Instead, what we have in this country are people strongly committed to living off distortions, not acknowledging the challenges Guyana endure.
PREM MISIR
An amazing gesture by School of the Nations
SCHOOL of the Nations recent press release of offering classes to its new neighbourhood children is indeed an amazing gesture and this is also an ideal practice of community development.
I view it as a once in a lifetime opportunity for the selected candidates to garner personal self development, become role models and ambassadors for their community which has on many occassions in the past came under a lot of negative outlook.
The elders of this community also need to display their input in supporting the young ones in every way possible especially with encouragement. The end products will be a representative of all in the community and I am also confident that if the selected participants produce unbelievable results, the institution might eventually consider offering to some, the opportunity of attending full time classes.
Change is good because I believe it brings about progression and positive image development and I now wonder if the community would consider participating in a discussion with a government official, a representative of the institution and support a name change of the community from "Tiger Bay" to "Nation's Bay."
If the answer is yes, it would be an awesome decision and this in many ways can be a perfect example of community upgrading.
Take it from here and have the project executed.
T. PEMBERTON
Elections would have cleaned up the entire City Hall
I have now come to realise that Uncle Freddie is a mad man.
He wants us to take a look at everything that is in the two daily newspapers with regard to Rohee and President Jagdeo.
No sir we must not take a look at those two men but must keep a very watchful eye on Uncle Freddie the madman.
I now ask Uncle Freddie “de madman” to take a long look at himself and ask other than the sliced and diced government, what has he done for the country he so much claims to love?
Ask who stand to lose most if local elections were held today.
Uncle Freddie must be reminded that Rohee and Jagdeo stand to lose absolutely nothing at this point and time.
If the President says GECOM squandered opportunity and money then you ought to better believe it. Some powerful forces are behind this not holding local elections but Uncle Freddie won't tell you who those forces are. It is not Rohee nor is it Jagdeo.
Had local elections been held long ago the entire City Hall would have been cleansed by now starting with the mighty Mayor.
Uncle Freddie if you want to blame someone for this debacle then blame yourself for not writing the entire truth about this topic.
GECOM chairman fell hook, line and sinker for the PNC trap of delay and more delay.
I now ask Uncle Freddie to write the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth on this subject matter at hand, if not, then take a good long look at yourself in a mirror and you will see nothing but a liar / trouble maker / mischief-maker and one that hates his own government, which was elected freely and fairly by its people for the people.
T. KING
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Champions Trophy…
ICC hoping Windies send `revised’team to SA
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, (CMC) – Media reports indicate that the International Cricket Council (ICC) has been putting pressure on the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) to send their elite players to the Champions Trophy in South Africa.
A news report on the Cricinfo website indicated that the ICC seems willing to accept a “revised” line-up if the industrial relations dispute between the WICB and the players is resolved.
The website reported that the ICC has advised the WICB it would consider the revamping of the squad exceptional circumstances, and allow the revolting West Indies players to take their place in the competition.
Both the ICC and its broadcast partner, ESPN STAR Sports, have impressed upon the WICB their desire for a full-strength West Indies team to take part in the competition in South Africa.
“We would be disappointed if the best team is not taken to South Africa, but we understand the complex situation that exists,” ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat told Cricinfo. “The West Indies have the unfettered right to select whomever they choose.”
Both the ICC and ESPN STAR Sports were desirous of having the best players available from all the teams because of the lack of interest in the Champions Trophy over the years.
West Indies have already sent the depleted squad to South Africa, where they have played two practice matches against provincial sides, winning one and losing one.
It would logistically be a nightmare for West Indies if they have to recall the side that has already travelled to South Africa under the leadership of Floyd Reifer.
Apart from the costs and the arrangements that would have to be put in place, it would also prove to be a psychological blow to the returning players.
But an agreement between the two sides still seem far away, after WICB director Dave Cameron seem to suggest that the regional governing body may fail to cosy-up to the recommendations of CARICOM’s Prime Ministerial Sub-Committee on Cricket.
“The first line in CARICOM’s communiqué is something I’d like to emphasise,” said Cameron on a CBC Radio talk show in Barbados.
“The management of West Indies cricket is the prerogative of the WICB. I commend CARICOM for having that foresight. . .Recommendations are just recommendations.”
CARICOM intervened in the bitter contracts dispute between, when it rolled out a six-point plan in a bid to end the long-running feud that has crippled the regional game.
The move comes following the breakdown last week of mediation talks headed by eminent Caribbean diplomat Sir Shridath Ramphal.
Under the CARICOM proposal, players will be expected to “make themselves available for selection in accordance with normal WICB requirements, in particular, participation in the regional tournaments”.
Secondly, the WICB is “to agree to the television/image rights fees (sponsors’ fees) traditionally paid to players pending the special arbitration on this issue to facilitate the signing of retainer contracts by October 1, 2009”.
Thirdly, the WICB and WIPA are to agree on the implementation of the “special arbitration process provided for in the mediator’s draft agreement, i.e. on team rights and the India tour”.
Additionally, the two bodies are to agree to the “best efforts by the CARICOM Secretariat in the first instance to facilitate the resolution of the other outstanding issues proposed by WICB and WIPA, or the pursuit of arbitration if necessary, such arbitration not to delay the return of West Indies cricket to normalcy”.
Also, CARICOM will convene a Stakeholders meeting “at the earliest practicable date to discuss the future of West Indies cricket, taking account of the WICB’s Development Plan, as well as the Report of the Patterson Committee established by WICB”.
CARICOM also indicated that the WICB would be expected to inform cricket’s world governing body, the International Cricket Council of “the action taken by Caribbean Governments with the object of returning West Indies cricket to its accustomed place in world cricket in consonance with the highest traditions of the sport as upheld by the ICC”.
Finally, the PMSC on Cricket said it would “monitor compliance with the above agreed measures based on periodic reports from the CARICOM Secretariat.T.
Mackeson/English/K&S Knock-Out Futsal
Four more teams book places in round of 16
FOUR more teams have booked their places in the round of 16 in the 6th Annual Mackeson/English/Kashif and Shanghai Knock-Out Futsal tournament which continued on Monday evening at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
Those teams are; Black Pearl, Plaisance, Sunburst Camptown and Alpha United.
Another four teams will advance to the round of 16 stage tonight when action in the competition continues at the same venue with another four official matches and two exhibition games.
Black Pearl progressed to the round of 16 with a 3-1 win against Milerock.
Jomell Johnson, Tychius McAlmont and Mark Carter scored for Black Pearl in the 2nd, 11th and 12th minutes respectively while Steve Brewley replied for Milerock in the 13th minute.
A Stellon David hat-trick in the 14th, 18th and 20th minutes, failed to save GDF from suffering a 4-5 loss at the hands of Plaisance United whose winning goals were scored by Troy Charles (26th and 33rd), Cris Cox (7th), Kevin Richards (22nd) and Morris Younge (34th.
GDF’s other goal came off the boot of Marlon Benjamin in the 35th minute.
Sunburst Camptown brushed aside Mahaica Determinators 4-2 through a double strike from Rishawn Sandiford in the 11th and 23rd minutes and one goal each off the boots of Tito Adams and Norris Carter in the 8th and 16th minutes respectively.
In the final match of the evening, Alpha `The Hammer’ United made light work of Victoria Kings, winning by a 4-0 margin with one goal each coming off the boots of Alpha Sylvester (18th), Shawn Bishop (23rd) and Gordon Henry (26th). The other goal came via a defence error in the 27th minute.
The competition will continue this evening at the same venue with another six matches which includes two exhibition matches.
The opening encounter which is scheduled to get underway from 19:00h brings together Albouystown and Media United while game two will see Upper Level tackling Tiger Bay. Both are exhibition matches.
Game three will involve Leopold Street and Turning Point while the final three matches of the evening brings together Uprising and Riddim Squad; Beacons and Winners Connection and Brazilians and Fruta Conquerors.
Van Tull and Scott are the new faces on Demerara squad
-Sarwan tipped to lead team
By Calvin Roberts
MALTEENOES Sports Club’s (MSC) left- arm spinner Damian Van Tull and Everest Cricket Club fast bowler Leon Scott are the two new faces on the Demerara team which was selected to contest the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) four team Inter-county tournament that is set to commence next Tuesday.
While no official word was forthcoming from the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB), West Indies middle order batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan who is included in the 13 man squad, would be the perfect candidate to lead the team in the tournament, which will have a break after the first round until 10th November.
Scott, who recently returned from Scotland where he took 43 wickets from 21 matches in time for his team’s Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA)/Cellink Plus three day final against Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC), took 5-63 as GNIC were scuttled out for 137.
He had ample time to put his foot up and cheer on his teammate whom he will be joining on the Demerara team, Rajendra Chandrika struck an authoritative and unbeaten 150 as Everest took first innings points in the rain ruined encounter.
Van Tull, who hails from the Ancient County of Berbice, was wreaking havoc with his orthodox bowling to be amongst the leading wicket takers in the two day format of the GCA competition, as his team, who shared the title with GNIC last year, once again retained the League format of the competition.
Like chairman of selectors on the West Indies Cricket Board Clyde Butts has been demonstrating before him, Sarwan showed local batsmen susceptibility to spin when he claimed 6-13 against Nandy Park in a GCB/Neal and Massy competition last Saturday.
The Demerara batting will be hinging on the shoulders of the in form Chandrika and Shemroy Barrington who both recorded centuries within the last two weeks, Steven Jacobs who demonstrated his ability to play swashbuckling innings against GNIC when he struck 81 from 33 balls, and Zaheer Mohammed all being batsmen in form.
Added to the fray are, Sarwan, Leon Johnson, Krishna Deosarran, Gajanand Singh, Troy Gonsalves , the talented all rounder Christopher Barnwell and Van Tull who proved he is no rabbit with the bat in MSC’s first innings also against GNIC. Certainly, the executives of the DCB who will be meeting this afternoon to select the skipper, his deputy along with the manager and coach, will be looking forward to having the trophy in their cabinet after 20th November.
The bowling which is a spin based one with Scott and Barnwell taking care of the new ball, will see Mohammed, Gonsalves, Van Tull, Jacobs and if the need arises, Sarwan, Singh and Johnson taking care of things.
As was expected, national wicketkeeper batsman Darwin Christian who lost his place to Everest’s Joseph Perry in this tournament two years ago, once again find himself on the reserve list as Perry will be executing duties behind the stumps.
West Indies Under-19 selectee Trevon Griffith, along with national Under-19 fast bowler Seon Daniels, Ryan Ramdass, Wasim Haslim, Vishal Singh, Dion Ferrier and Christian have been recommended for a place on the Rest Team, who will be competing against the three counties for supremacy.
Demerara play their first game against the perennial whipping boys of local cricket Essequibo at the Anna Regina Community Centre ground from the 22nd to 25th September and following the announcement of the skipper and his deputy along with the manager and coach, practice sessions will be held on a date and at a venue to be named.
The 13- man squad reads: Rajendra Chandrika, Shemroy Barrington, Christopher Barnwell, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Leon Johnson, Krishna Deosarran, Zaheer Mohamed, Gajanand Singh, Stephen Jacobs, Joseph Perry, Leon Scott, Troy Gonsalves and Damian Van Tull.
The Rest Squad nominees are: Ryan Ramdass, Wasim Haslim, Trevon Griffith, Vishal Singh, Dion Ferrier, Derwin Christian and Seon Daniels.
GFA/Cellink Plus Premier League…
Camptown to tackle Tigers, Pele face GFC tonight
SUNBURST Camptown will tackle BK International Western Tigers while Pele faces GFC when the Georgetown Football Association’s/Cellink Plus Premier League continues this evening with a double- header card at the Tucville ground.
The Camptown versus Tigers fixture is scheduled for a 20:00h start while the opening encounter between Pele and GFC is set for 18:00h.
Sunburst Camptown is currently third in the points standing with 25 points to their name and will be seeking a victory this evening to enhance their chances of winning the League, while Western Tigers with 11 points and fifth in the points standing will be aiming to improve that position and as such, football fans and supporters are assured of a keenly contested affair.
Pele with seven points to their name and currently placed sixth in the points standing will also be seeking victory over seventh place GFC who has five points and currently occupies the penultimate spot in the points standing.
Taking this into account, this game is also expected to be keenly contested.
For the feature game, Camptown’s attack is expected to be spearheaded by strikers Telson McKinnon and Lance Raulston and they will be expecting valuable support from midfielders Troy Prescod in tandem with Kwame LaFleur. Rishawn Sandiford and Leon Muir will lend support in the defence with custodian Richie Richardson performing duties between the uprights.
The West Ruimveldt based Western Tigers are expected to respond with the upfront combination of Devon Millington alongside Nedd Fraser, with midfielders Philip Rowley and Ryan Thomas providing useful support.
Marshalling the defence will be the experienced pair of Dillon Fraser and Shermon David, while Devon carter will be on duty between the uprights.
A win for Camptown will see them taking over the second place in the points standing from GDF who also has 25 points, but who has a better goal difference at the moment.
As it is right now, both teams have completed 11matches, but the soldiers has so far scored 23 goals and conceded eight for a goal difference of plus 15,while Camptown has so far registered 20 goals and conceded eight for a goal difference of plus 12.
Meanwhile, O’Kenny Fraser, Calvin Shepherd, Travis ‘Zorro’ Grant and Dirk Archer, all capable goal scorers, will be spearheading Pele’s lineup, while GFC’s response will come from Peter Parks, Shad Fernandes, Gregory Denny and Clayton McCloud among others.
Play in the competition will continue on Friday at the same venue with the replay of the match that was abandoned last Friday and which featured Pele and Alpha United.
In addition, a GFA/ Western Union Division One League match will also be played.
COURTS two-day golf tourney gets $200,000 sponsorship cheque
Jerome Khan receives the sponsorship cheque from Pernell Cummings of COURTS Inc. in the presence of Troy Peters.
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COURTS Guyana Incorporated yesterday presented Jerome Khan, captain of the Lusignan Golf Club, with a cheque for $200,000 and trophies toward sponsorship for the ‘COURTS Golf Tournament’ that will be played at the club on Saturday and Sunday.
The 36-hole tournament will be played in the upgraded two-day format for the first time this year.
Khan repeatedly expressed his gratitude to courts for the sponsorship effort. He related that in the past Courts has been an avid supporter of Golf and he is also glad that they signed on to the 2-day aspect.
“We are extremely grateful to courts for sponsoring the golf tournament, they have supported us before with the one day tournament and we are glad for their continued assistance” Khan said.
Khan disclosed that 36 of the country’s best players including seasoned veterans as well as the young players will be competing for top honours.
Troy Peters Public Relations Officer of the Lusignan Golf Club also acknowledged the change in length of the tournament this year, he said that the competition is usually stiff and last year’s champion Clifford Reis will be defending his title.
“The tournament has been elevated from last year but the competition is always stiff,” Peters related
Pernell Cummings who is the acting Public Relations Officer at COURTS said that this is just another tangible fulfillment of COURTS’ corporate responsibility. Cummings said that his company continues to support sporting activities because it keeps with the company’s goal of developing the community through developing its youths.
Regional one-day tourney to bowl off October 26
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, (CMC) – The regional limited overs championship will bowl off on October 26 in Guyana, and will feature the West Indies Under-19s who are gearing up for next year’s Youth World Cup.
The championship, which will conclude on November 4, will be divided into two groups and will be played under a round-robin format, with the group winners qualifying for the final.
This year, the Young Windies team has been included in the tournament as the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) have decided to use the competition as part of the build up for next January’s Youth World Cup in New Zealand.
The start date for the limited overs championship has been set for three days after the final of the inaugural Champions League that will be played in India, and which involves regional Twenty20 kings Trinidad & Tobago.
Should T&T reach the final, they will go straight into action in the regional tournament on their return home.
There are no currently no sponsors for the regional tournament but CMC Sports understands the WICB are working feverishly to acquire one in time for the start of the competition.
If the WICB are unsuccessful in attracting sponsorship, it will be the second year running that the region’s premier one-day competition would have failed to get corporate backing.
Last year, the WICB was forced to foot the expenses for the tournament.
BCB/Republic Bank Under-17 cricket
NA/Canje and Lower Corentyne clash in final today
WEST Berbice defeated Upper Corentyne on first innings to clinch third place in the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB)/Republic Bank Under-17 Inter-zone cricket tournament at the Area “H” Ground, thanks to the efforts of off spinner Renalto Grovesnor (5-32) and medium pacer Claude Marks who took 4-15.
Batting first after winning the toss, Upper Corentyne were dismissed for 94 in their first innings with only Tyrone Edwards 17, Tarrick Chaitram 24 and Marvin Harvey 17 reaching double figures against the bowling of Grovesnor and Marks, with Grison Grant taking the other wicket to fall for 21.
In reply, West Berbice were in deep trouble at 44-5 before Devindra Lalsa (26) and Grovesnor who completed a brilliant all round performance with an aggressive 30 (2x6; 2x4), carried them to 103 all out against the bowling of Marvin Harvey (4-27) along Permanand Narine and Chaitram Naurang who took two wickets for 12 and 27 runs respectively.
Batting a second time with a nine runs deficit, Upper Corentyne reached 36-2 when the game ended with Trevor Thomas making 16 and Charles Bowlin who was left unbeaten 17. Bowling for West Berbice, Rajin Kishun took 2-14.
Public Relations Officer of the BCB Hilbert Foster at the presentation ceremony hailed both teams for a well played game and for their commitment despite not making the finals. He congratulated West Berbice for winning the third place prize and challenged Upper Corentyne to lift their game to win the tournament in 2010.
Special thanks was extended to the management of Republic Bank for their investment in Berbice cricket at the junior level while the Bank’s Credit Officer at the Rose Hall Town Branch Mr. Troy Mosley assisted in sharing out the educational and hygiene prizes to both teams.
The finals of the tournament will be played today between New Amsterdam/Canje and Lower Corentyne at the Albion Community Centre ground from 09:30h.
Lower Corentyne’s batting is strong on paper with former National Under-15 player Dominic Rickey who scored 91 in the semi-finals, Veerapen Permaul, Surujnarine Kandasammy, Rajendra Dasrat, Kellon Sinclair, Lionel Lewis and wicket keeper Andy Mohan.
Added support will come from all rounder Sharmendra Hardial, Lloydel Lewis and Shawn Perreira, with their bowling attack being led by pacers Hardial, Lionel Lewis and Hugh George while national Under-15 player Gudakesh Motie will lead the spin attack with support from Berbice off spinner Lewis, leg spinner Perreira and Permaul.
New Amsterdam/Canje is a good all round team led by skipper Jamally Odle who leads the batting with support from Tregon Henry, Davendra Jainabi, Shalim Sattaur, Joemal La Fleur, Kevin Ramdeen and Linden Austin.
Pacers Mark Jackman and Kashan Harry will spearhead the attack with support from off spinners Linden Austin, Joemal La Fleur, Kevin Ramdeen and left arm spinner Odle in a match which will be played on a one day two innings format.
Umpires for the match are Zaheer Moakan, Mahendra Singh and Jai Hardeo while the Republic Bank, Rose Hall Town Branch Manager Leon Mc Donald would meet the team before the match and later share out the prizes.
Teams for the match are:
Lower Corentyne: Dominic Rickey, Surujnarine Kandasammy, Rajendra Dasrat, Bisham Persaudie Mohan, Veerapen Permaul, Lionel Lewis, Sharmendra Hardial, Andy Mohan, Gudakesh Motie Kanhai, Surendra Kissoonlall, Shawn Perreira, Lloydel Lewis, Hugh George, Shailendra Shameer, Davendra Pottaya, Hemchand Kallo and Kellon Sinclair.
New Amsterdam/Canje: Tregon Henry, Davendra Jainabi, Shawn Sattaur, Linden Austin, Kevin Ramdeen, Joemal La Fleur, Flynn Reid, Mark Jackman, Kashan Harry, Udesh Imrit, Jamal Henry, Jamally Odle, Malvern Williams, Kwesi Kendall and Kelvin Leitch.
Superb Ponting century downs England
A superb century from Ricky Ponting gave Australia their fifth consecutive one-day international victory against England by four wickets at Trent Bridge
Captain Ponting thumped 126 in 109 balls as the visitors eased to their target of 300 with 10 deliveries to spare at Trent Bridge.
Australia, who again lost the toss, will now target a clean sweep in the sixth and seventh games in Nottingham tomorrow and in Durham.
Ponting's side hit 302 for six, Mitchell Johnson clinching victory with a six over long-on from a full toss by seamer Ryan Sidebottom.
The win was set up by a well-paced third-wicket partnership of 133 between man- of- the match Ponting and Michael Clarke (52), who led the team in the first three matches of the series while the skipper rested at home in Australia.
Ponting's 27th century in his 317th one-dayer was the highlight of the match. The first of his three sixes, off Sidebottom in the 12th over, went into the third tier of the stand behind the bowler's arm at the Radcliffe Road End.
His other sixes came in consecutive balls off leg-spinner Adil Rashid.
Ponting was eventually caught on the long-off boundary as Stuart Broad grabbed his second wicket of the over.
Earlier, several batsmen made solid contributions in England's 299 all out but yet again in the series no one was able to go on to a three-figure score.
Number six Eoin Morgan struck 58 from 41 balls, including three sixes, while opener Joe Denly added 45.
Last month England regained the Ashes with a 2-1 victory in the test series against Australia. (Eurosport)
ENGLAND innings
A. Strauss lbw b Hauritz 38
J. Denly c Hussey b Johnson 45
R. Bopara c Hauritz b Watson 18
M. Prior stp (wkpr) Paine b Hauritz 37
O. Shah c wkpr Paine b Johnson 31
E. Morgan C Siddle b Bracken 58
D. Mascarenhas c Johnson b Watson 19
S. Broad run out (Ponting) 22
A. Rashid run out (Paine) 18
T. Bresnan c Bracken b Siddle 4
R. Sidebottom not out 3
Extras: ( lb-1, w-6, nb-2) 9
Total: (all out; 50 overs) 299
Fall of wickets: 1-61 2-95 3-105 4-165 5-192 6-230 7-267 8-272 9-278 10-299
Bowling: Siddle 10-1-50-1 (1nb, Bracken 8-1-43-1, Johnson 10-0-80-2 (inb, 3w), Watson 10-0-60-2, Hauritz 10-0-54-2 (1w), Clarke 2-0-11-0.
AUSTRALIA innings
S. Watson c Mascarenhas b Bresnan 36
T. Paine c Rashid b Bresnan 16
R. Ponting c Shah b Broad 126
M. Clarkec Shah b Rashid 52
C. Ferguson lbw b Braod 17
C. White not out 24
M. Johnson not out 18
Extras: (b-1, w-6) 7
Total: (six wickets; 48.2 overs) 302
Fall of wickets: 1-45 2-76 3-209, 4-226, 5-255,6-261
Bowling: Broad 9-0-57-2 (2w), Sidebottom 9.2-0-43-0 ( 1w), Bresnan 10-0-76--2 ( 1w), Mascarenhas 10-0-49-1 Rashid 7-0-55-1 (2w), Bopara 3-0-21-0.
GHB/Banks DIH Night Hockey underway tonight
DEFENDING champions and three-time winners Hikers will be seeking to make a successful defence of their title when the Guyana Hockey Board/banks DIH Night Tournament gets underway tonight at the Thirst Park ground from 18:30h..
Hikers are coming off their fine form of winning this year’s Farfan and Mendes First Division League and will prove difficult to beat.
The team’s star striker Jerazeno Bell will lead the charge with stalwarts Devin Munroe, Timothy McIntosh and the speedy Robert France adding to their powerful attack.
Another Three-time winner GCC coming off their tour to Barbados last month is likely to pose a strong challenge, however, with their formidable defence led by Dwayne Scott at full-back and the skillful midfielders Kevin Spencer and Orlando Semple who are sure to give spectators lots to cheer about.
Gifted Old Fort striker Aderemi Simon will lead his team’s charge and is expected to get good support from Dwight Sullivanin defence along with stalwarts Dexter Wyles and Wayne St. Jules.
In the second Division competition, defending champions Old Fort are favoured to repeat last year’s performance as dribbling sensation Jason DeSantos and the rock solid Michael Jack will compliment the blistering pace of Dwayne Allen to produce a team with few weaknesses.
The talented Western Dragons side which includes the Sampson brothers along with Deon Bradford and Corbin Forbes forms one of the most lethal attacks in the game, making them worthy challengers for this year’s crown.
The Degenerates have strengthened themselves this year with reinforcements in the form of Rawl Davson and Marcus Fiedtkou being added to deceptive striker Timothy Jonas and midfielder Tristan Gomes.
The Stuart Gonsalves and Shad Fernandes led GCC cannot be overlooked neither can the youthful Hikers side led by up and coming stars Shaquille Assanha and Ryan Primo.
Two ladies teams will be contesting the second division category this year and they are the GCC Tigers who are fresh off their recent success in Barbados and will be led by Sonia Jadine and the genius of Alysa Xavier in goal, are likely to create headlines against the men teams as will the evergreen Hikers ladies with their superstar attack that includes Cora Towler, Amanda Garnett and Maria Munroe.
WEST INDIES
A Fletcher c Kgamabi b Mazibuko 52
K Powell b Bhayat 0
T Dowlin b Naicker 57
*F Reifer c Lazenby b Mostert 79
D Bernard c wkp Schoeman b Mazibuko 4
R Crandon lbw b Mazibuko 0
+C Walton b Mazibuko 69
D Sammy c wkp Schoeman b Mazibuko 44
N Miller not out 9
K McClean run out 6
G Tonge run out 1
Extras (b1, lb12, w8, nb3) 24
TOTAL (all out, 50 overs) 345
Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-102, 3-131, 4-140, 5-271, 6-295, 7-329, 8-343, 9-345, 10-345.
Bowling: Campher 8-0-73-0, Bhayat 8-0-44-1, Mostert 10-1-53-1, Mazibuko 10-0-54-5, Pelser 1-0-6-0, Naicker 9-0-66-1, Kgamadi 4-0-36-0.
NORTH WEST DRAGONS
A Agathageloy b Bernard 29
J Kgamadi b Sammy 44
M Akoojee c Powell b Sammy 2
C Jonker c Sammy b Crandon 51
R Bhayat b Crandon 17
B Pelser b Tonge 43
M Lazenby b Tonge 27
C Schoeman c Powell b Sammy 9
T Mostert b Miller 6
V Mazibuko not out 5
K Naicker not out 5
Extras (lb2, w1, nb1) 4
TOTAL (9 wkts, 50 overs) 242
Fall of wickets: 1-70, 2-76, 3-80, 4-143, 5-150, 6-214, 7-223, 8-231, 9-236.
Bowling: Tonge 10-0-54-2, McClean 6-1-48-0, Sammy 8-1-33-3, Bernard 6-0-35-1, Miller 9-1-21-1, Crandon 8-0-32-2, Dowlin 3-0-17-0.
Lewis blames SA federation for Semenya row
By Ori Lewis
TEL AVIV (Reuters) - Retired American track and field star Carl Lewis has blamed South African athletics authorities for the predicament of the nation's world champion Caster Semenya, whom a report says is a hermaphrodite.
The IAAF, athletics' world governing body, said last week medical experts were examining the results of gender tests on Semenya, who won the women's 800 metres at last month's world championships in Berlin.
No decision is expected until late November but the IAAF has declined to confirm a report last week in Australia's Daily Telegraph newspaper which said the runner had both male and female sexual characteristics.
Lewis said he was upset by the handling of the affair.
"Here is an 18-year-old young woman, because that's what she feels she is, let down every step along the way... the South African federation should have dealt with it and I think the federation let her down," Lewis said on a visit to Tel Aviv on Monday.
"It is your fault," he said accusingly to the South African athletics federation. "She is your athlete in your country and you didn't deal with this before.
"To put it out in front of the world like that, I am very disappointed in them because I feel that it is unfair to her."
"Now, for the rest of her life she'll be marked as 'the one'."
South African President Jacob Zuma has decried the invasion of Semenya's privacy and what he called the violation of her rights.
Some South Africans have accused the IAAF of racism for ordering the gender tests on Semenya, saying her broad shoulders and imposing musculature were common in women's athletics.
Lewis said he thought Semenya, who destroyed the field in Berlin to win in one minute, 55.45 seconds, the year's fastest time, a personal best and a national record, should be allowed to keep her gold medal.
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