Flood disaster:
Guyana appeals for boats, canned food
GUYANA yesterday appealed for boats, canned food and inflatable dinghies as the government intensified a relief programme for thousands hit by floods spawned by the heaviest rains in more than a century.

The government Tuesday declared disaster zones in Region Three (West Demerara/Essequibo Islands), Region Four (Demerara/Mahaica) and Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice) and President Bharrat Jagdeo yesterday announced the release of $200M for emergency relief.

At his official State House residence which has been transformed into a relief control centre, Mr. Jagdeo kept up a hectic schedule of meetings with key officials spearheading the flood relief programme.

The President said he had instructed the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) to ensure that by last evening, at least 15 more temporary shelters were set up along the East Coast Demerara to accommodate the growing influx of affected persons who need shelter.

Schools are church buildings are being used as temporary shelter and these are being manned by GDF personnel.

More trucks are also being mobilised to take food supplies into the affected areas.

President Jagdeo said 500 mattresses will be sent to the shelters on the East Coast while 100 more will be sent to the West Coast Demerara and some will remain for shelters in Georgetown. Some 1,000 blankets will also be sent to the shelters, he said.

Head of the Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon and Director General of the Foreign Ministry, Ambassador Elisabeth Harper yesterday met members of the donor community to discuss what role they can play in the relief effort and what assistance they can give in the crisis.

He said items on the list include canned food, boats and inflatable dinghies, generators, outboard engines and drainage and irrigation pumps.

"…the donor community is being briefed and they are being mobilised," he told reporters.

The President also said that he had not requested help from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) since some other member countries are also facing crises.

He, however, said that if any member of CARICOM wanted to offer assistance, it was free to do so.

"CARICOM as a body has not been contacted but CARICOM is free to join this effort."

Mr. Jagdeo also noted that President Ronaldo Venetiaan of Suriname had contacted him and expressed his solidarity and Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer of Antigua and Barbuda was trying to contact him earlier yesterday.

In a letter to President Jagdeo, Mr. Spencer said the situation here was cause for concern to the government and people of Antigua and Barbuda, among whom a large number are Guyanese born or of Guyanese ancestry.

Spencer pledged his government’s solidarity with the government and people of Guyana at this time.

Acting Grenada Prime Minister Gregory Bowen also sent a message of solidarity and support to President Jagdeo.

“The Government and people of Grenada join me in expressing sentiments of solidarity and wishes for a speedy recovery from the severe floods that have engulfed certain regions of Guyana, causing major distress to residents, businesses, missions, road users and motorists”, he said.

“We in Grenada are very cognisant of the damage that the wrath of nature can cause to the physical environment, having recently experienced Hurricane Ivan, following which Guyana extended and continues to extend a well-appreciated hand of assistance to Grenada. Rest assured that our thoughts and prayers are with you as you recover”, he added.

Mr. Jagdeo yesterday reported that the national relief effort was on track but he had reservations at the low pace of the efforts.

Mobility and communication were two factors significantly affecting the pace of the relief programme, he said.

The army had to use boats to get food and other supplies into affected areas along the coast yesterday.

The President also reported that based on feedback from the health committee visiting and working in flood-hit areas, there was no reported case of an epidemic or water-borne diseases due to the flooding.

The health workers are doing some preventative work and this will continue in a larger way when the flood waters recede, he said.

He said there were adequate supplies of drugs to deal with fungal infections and water-borne diseases such as diahorrea and cholera.

He noted that many persons have sent their families to other parts of the country due to the flood crisis.

In some areas there have been reported vandalism and thefts and this has caused people to worry about leaving their homes and going elsewhere, he said.

The President also lamented that some people are using this crisis situation to capitalise on others and said some sections of the business community were doing this blatantly.

Some shop-owners are raising their prices for certain items due to the flooding, he said. (MARK RAMOTAR)

Your flood guide
Rain, high tide expected today
THE Hydrometrological office has advised that the weather forecast for today is expected to be partly cloudy with occasional showers and possible rain over most of Guyana.

Cloudy overcast conditions with moderate/heavy showers and possible thunderstorms may occur over eastern Guyana during the late afternoon.

Fishermen and other marine users are advised not to damage or interfere with the ocean platforms whose data are vital to the provision of weather information and warning for the safety of the marine community.

Tides will be relatively high and persons living along the coast are advised to take precautions against flooding. (GOVERNMENT INFORMATION AGENCY)

Items, equipment needed
THE Government of Guyana is calling on persons to donate or lend the following items to assist in the flood relief efforts:

* Complete drainage/irrigation mobile pumps with a capacity for 80-100 cubic feet per second and hydraulic head of 16 feet with 250 horsepower diesel driven engines and assorted pipe works including 100 feet legs of pipes and brackets

* 4 x 4 trucks with and without trays and engine capacity of 3000-45000 cc
* Generators (150-300 kva)
* Inflatable dinghies

* Small flat bottom aluminum boats, 15-20 feet long
* Retractable bridges

* Food (canned meats, vegetables, soup and stews for adults and babies)
* Forklifts

* Outboard engines (8-25 hp)
* Wet weather wear (rubber boots, raincoats etc.)

* Shelter goods (bed, mattresses, small kerosene stoves)
* Plastic water tanks which can hold 600-1,000 gallons and smaller containers for carrying water with the capacity to hold 2-5 gallons

Persons who are able to provide any of these items are asked to take them to the Civil Defence Commission on Thomas Lands, Georgetown, or contact the commission on telephone numbers 226-1119, 226-1117, 226-8815, 226-1027 and 225-0486. (GINA)

** Persons who have drainage pumps are asked to contact Chief Executive Officer of the National Drainage and Irrigation Board Ravi Narine on Tel # 624 -9028.

Where to get water
MINISTER of Housing and Water Shaik Baksh advised that by 13:00 hrs yesterday, 50 water tanks would have been put along the Railway Embankment on the East Coast Demerara.

GWI and private sector companies are also providing water to affected communities.

Evacuation hotline
PERSONS who need to be evacuated from flood-hit areas can contact the Joint Operations Centre on telephone number 227-4650.

Need food, shelter?
** Persons who are in need of food and shelter can call # 225-3081 or 225-3681.
** For flood relief information call 227-6876

** Medical attention- Ministry of Health - 226-1560
** Water - Guyana Water Incorporated - 225-0471

** Emergency information on pumps, sluices and kokers - National Drainage and Irrigation Board (Ravi Narine) -624-9028

Food distribution
** The food distribution team will be on the mains roads of all flood affected communities distributing meals. Persons are urged to be on the lookout.

Shelters
THE Regional Democratic Council of Region Four is advising persons on the East Coast and East Bank Demerara that the following school buildings are available for those in need of temporary accommodation:

* The Plaisance School (near the Police Station)

* Rosignol Secondary School
* Annandale Secondary School

* Paradise Primary School
* Golden Grove Nursery School (at the back)

Drug eradication exercise intensifies
THE Community Drug Eradication Initiative which commenced on January 14, 2005 is being intensified, according to a press release from the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

It stated that an appeal is being made for members of the public to provide information relating to narcotics evils to the Guyana Police Force (GPF) or the Customs Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU) on telephone numbers 227-3507 and 225-1111.

The press release stated that no identification or personal information from the callers will be required and all information will be treated with strictest confidentiality.

It added that the initiative, which was alluded to by President Bharrat Jagdeo in his New Year’s message to Guyanese, is a task force comprising of members of the GPF and CANU.

It said several areas in Georgetown have been targeted and exercises have been conducted in nine drug houses, resulting in the arrest of 26-year-old Gary Singh of 6th Street Alberttown.

Police nabbed him with 50 grammes of cannabis and 13 grammes of cocaine.

Singh subsequently appeared in the Georgetown Magistrate to answer the charges and pleaded not guilty. He is scheduled to go to trial on January 24.

Armed bandits rob two Corentyne residents
POLICE in Berbice are investigating a robbery under arms committed on two men of King Street, Belvedere Corentyne last Tuesday morning around 00:30hrs.

A police press release stated that the victims, Narie Chinapen, 42, and Arjune Arjuane, 40, were walking home when two bandits, armed with handguns, held them at gunpoint.

It added that Chinapen was robbed of $50 US and $5,000 while Arjuane lost $93,000 worth of jewellery and $33,000 in cash.

Private sector joins relief efforts
THE local private sector has come on board to assist in the national relief efforts.

"I indicated to them where we have gaps and they will be working towards preparing some hot meals too and trying to get these out to people, among other things," he said.

He said he was happy that the "private sector is on board".

He also expressed satisfaction at the support given by the main Opposition People's National Congress Reform (PNC/R).

"The opposition has been very supportive," the President said, pointing out that he had earlier yesterday briefed Opposition Leader, Mr. Robert Corbin, on the status of the national relief efforts.

"I know that people are worried but I want them to know that with the limited capacity that we have, we are trying our best to get help to everyone in an equitable fashion."

The Private Sector Commission (PSC) announced that it has set up a flood relief committee headed by Mr. Yesu Persaud, President of the PSC.

A press release from the group said members of the committee are Persaud; Mr. Eddie Boyer, President, Georgetown Chamber of Commerce; Ms. Doreen de Caires, President, Guyana Manufactures Association; Mr. Christopher Ram; Mr. Chris Fernandes and Mr. Kit Nascimento.

It said the committee will seek to mobilise and coordinate support from the private sector to supply prepared meals, dry food, bedding and blankets and transportation for distribution through the government agencies coordinating flood relief.

It announced that in view of the widespread and immediate need for flood relief, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce has decided to utlilise the funds donated by Guyanese for the Grenada and Asian Tsunami relief in support of Guyana’s flood relief effort.

Craig family, shop owner robbed by gunmen
POLICE on the East Bank Demerara are investigating two robbery under arms committed on a Samantha Point shop owner and a Craig family.

A police press release said Coretta Brown was in her shop at Samantha Point around 21:55 hrs on Tuesday when two men armed with handguns, walked in and asked for three items.

It added that when Brown asked the men for the money, one of them whipped out a gun and discharged two rounds.

No one was wounded but the men escaped with the items.

Meanwhile, the police release said investigations are continuing into another robbery committed on Lakram Satrohan and his family yesterday morning.

Four men armed with guns broke open a door and entered the family’s First Street, Craig, East Bank Demerara home around 03:15 hrs and held up the occupants, the release said.

They assaulted a female and escaped with jewellery.

Police said the bandits fired six bullets, one grazing Satrohan on his right thumb.

Regular power supply being maintained

- GPL
GUYANA Power and Light (GPL) announced yesterday that it is making every effort to maintain regular supply of power to customers despite the floods.

Apart from the temporary shutdown of the Versailles station, West Bank Demerara on Tuesday, because of flood water, all the other power generation stations continue to function normally, the company said in a press release.

It added that the Versailles station was back on stream and thanked its staff members who worked beyond the call of duty to keep the system functional.

The company said it is taking all necessary precautions to keep the transmission and distribution networks stable while equipment on the low and high voltage networks are being closely monitored.

“In the interest of safety and preservation of the system, some transformers that are ‘pad-mounted’ at ground level were disabled on Tuesday. This is a precautionary measure to avoid unnecessary damage to consumers’ electrical appliances and equipment.

It is also a means of preserving lives since in Cummings Lodge and other areas where there is a proliferation of illegal connections, residents have reported feeling electric current in the flood water,” the release said.

The areas affected by the disabling of transformers include Dazzell Housing Scheme, Bachelor’s Adventure North and South, Good Hope South, a section of Mon Repos, Block ‘C’ Enterprise, Friendship North, sections of Vigilance, Lusignan and Annandale, Beterverwagting and Coldingen Industrial Site, Cane Grove and the University of Guyana campus.

In Georgetown, power supply to the Stevedore Housing Scheme and a part of East Ruimveldt were interrupted yesterday and other areas including Tucville and North East La Penitence were isolated on Tuesday because of localised problems that cannot be remedied immediately because of the presence of water, GPL stated.

It said technicians could only conduct a full assessment of the transmission and distribution system when the waters recede.
The affected areas will be re-powered as soon as possible, GPL assured.

Floods postpone National Assembly sitting
CLERK of the National Assembly, Mr. Sherlock Isaacs announced yesterday that today’s sitting of the National Assembly has been postponed due to the severe flooding.

The sitting was scheduled to be held at Public Buildings in Georgetown, after sittings were held at the Ocean View Convention Centre, Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara for more than a year, to allow repairs to the Parliament Chambers.

Issacs said the session had to be put off because of the flood in Regions Three (West Demerara/Essequibo Island), Four (Demerara/Mahaica) and Five (Mahaica/Berbice).
The sitting will be on a date yet to be fixed.

Some Georgetown stores reopen
THE shopping centre in Georgetown limped back to some degree of normalcy yesterday with some stores in flood-hit parts such as Regent Street opening their doors after several days of heavy rains.

Proprietor of King Footwear at Regent and King Streets, Mr. Gopaul Singh told this newspaper that business "drowned" in the rains since Friday.

He said although this is a natural disaster, the situation is frustrating.

He said the store was closed since Friday and business was down to zero.

He said that as the days go by, he keeps counting his losses.

Damaged items have been placed in a special section of the store, he said.

At the Alim Shah store further up Regent Street, the situation was much the same as it relates to sales, which dropped significantly.

However, proprietor Mr. Shah told this newspaper that he did not suffer much since they had moved goods to higher grounds.

Manager of Beepat and Sons, Mrs. Hazeline Blackman said the store was one of the few that opened on Tuesday when the floods hit the hardest.

She said they were not affected since the store floor is high.

However, there were severe losses at the bonds at Ogle and Success on the East Coast Demerara.

Villages along the East Coast including Golden Grove, Haslington, Victoria, Paradise, Enmore, and Non Pariel have been under water for several days.

Other stores opened for business yesterday were The Discount Store, Broadway Fashions, Gobin's Variety, May's Shopping Centre, Best Buy Pharmacy and Thrifty's.

All stores on Upper Regent Street, including Gafoor's, The Net Library and the Beauty Nook were closed yesterday, since the water in those parts have not yet receded.

Although the Bourda Market was closed because of the water, there was a buzz of activity outside where vendors were doing business.

On Tuesday, President Bharrat Jagdeo declared Regions Three (West Demerara/Essequibo Islands), Four (Demerara/Mahaica) and Five (Mahaica/Berbice) disaster areas because of the severe flooding. (SHAWNEL CUDJOE)

Water points set up
PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo yesterday ordered that at least fifty 400-gallon water tanks were to have been deployed to various communities along the East Coast and West Demerara and parts of the city by afternoon to enable flood-affected persons to get access to potable water.

He said the tanks would be stationed in these villages and constantly refilled for residents to get water at any time of the day.

He said the army had collected the 50 tanks and was deploying them to the affected locations.

Before yesterday, water tankers in the flood relief effort were moving up and down the East Coast and residents were complaining that they did not get enough time to come out and collect water before the tankers moved on to other communities.

GWI flood advisory
GUYANA Water Incorporated (GWI) is urging members of the public to avoid illness by boiling all water for drinking and food preparation.

It said water distributed in sealed bottles need not be boiled but water from all other sources should be boiled.
Areas being served by mobile tankers

GWI is using nine mobile trailers and tanks to deliver water to:
* Albouystown and La Penitence on Sussex Street, James Street and Punt Trench Dam

* Better Hope to Montrose on Embankment Road
* Mon Repos

* Annandale to Strathspey on the Embankment Road
* Cummings Lodge – south of the Railway Embankment

* Sophia – Dennis Street and Cummings Park Road
* Industry to Happy Acres along the public road and the Embankment Road

* Kaneville, East Bank Demerara
* Prospect, East Bank Demerara

Areas being supplied by community standpipes
Standpipes have been fitted in the following areas:

East Bank

* Grove Pumping Station (for residents of Kaneville and Samatta Point
* Covent Garden

West Bank and West Coast Demerara
* Pouderoyen
* Fellowship

* La Grange
* Belle West Scheme (2)

* Goed Fortuin Squatting Area
* Canal Number One Scheme

East Coast
* Triumph on the Embankment Road
* Plaisance on the Embankment Road

* BV on the public road
* LBI on the public road

* LBI on the estate road
* Haslington pump station

* Melanie GWI office
* Mon Repos pumping station

Georgetown
* Central Ruimveldt pumping station

* Shelter Belt pumping station, Vlissengen Road

Linden
* West Watooka

Additional standpipes are being fitted during the day
Community leaders are advised that they can phone GWI on 223-7263 to report areas that require deliveries of water.

Pumping stations out of operation
Due to flooding and GPL problems, GWI has been unable to supply water from the following stations:

* Enterprise
* Friendship

* Better Hope
* Vryheids Lust

* Clonbrook
* Amelia’s Ward

GWI said it hopes that supplies will be restored to the areas identified above.

The company also said that supplies from pumping stations at Leguan Island, Goed Fortuin, Mibicuri, Adventure, Village 47, 57, 63, 69, 75 in Berbice, Adventure, Mibicuri, Lusignan, Coldigen, Victoria, Enmore, Kuru Kururu and LPC at Linden have been restored.

To assist consumers, pumping stations, which are operating within affected areas will not be pumping water for 24 hours daily until further notice.

Reminder about boiling water
Water should be boiled vigorously for three minutes and containers of boiled water should be left to cool, and covered when not in use. Care should be taken to avoid accidents when boiling water.

Customers are also advised to take care not to swallow unboiled water whilst bathing and washing.

The boiling of all water for potable use should continue until further notice. GWI will be updating its information to the public regularly.

Additional advice
Customers are advised to conserve the water they have available to them and to collect rainfall for drinking purposes where possible. Non-essential use, such as washing vehicles, should be avoided. To prevent the contamination of supplies, customers are asked to turn off taps and faucets when not in use, and to attend to any broken pipes and leaks in their yards.

Government condemns road blocking
THE government is urging persons or groups to desist from blocking roadways and paths to communities.

The Government Information Agency (GINA) last night said that such behaviour was witnessed yesterday at Bagotville and Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara, where Minister of Home Affairs (ag), Gail Teixiera was dispatched to pacify persons.

The agency noted that President Bharrat Jagdeo has made repeated appeals for residents to be understanding and patient as flood relief is being distributed.

There was a massive traffic jam on the West Bank Demerara road up to late last night after residents blocked the road at Bagotville.

Police were also called out to clear the highway at Meadow Bank, Georgetown after residents there blocked it with planks.

There have been several protests from residents who blame officials in their areas for the flood that has affected many.

More bad weather expected
WEATHER officials say more heavy rains are expected over the next five days.

"Although we've had a bit of reprieve (yesterday), the forecast does not look good," President Bharrat Jagdeo told reporters at State House yesterday.

He said that based on advice he received, the weather forecast for the next five days is for more heavy rains.

The heaviest rains in more than a century have lashed the Guyana coast since Friday night and there was some ease yesterday.

The President reported that at least 32 pumps were working to drain water along the East Coast Demerara.

Two more have been brought from Berbice and four others were procured from private persons to help get rid of the flood waters.

The President is also appealing to those persons who have pumps to contact the Ministry of Agriculture so that these can either be rented or borrowed to help with the relief efforts.

He also dispelled reports that there were breaches along the East Coast Demerara conservancy dam, saying that no such breaches were found by the teams monitoring and working on the dam.

The President, however, admitted that the conservancy dam is under threat with the huge amount of water but said efforts are being made to ensure that there is no breakage.

If the dam breaks, “we would be faced with a much bigger crisis”, he said.

Mr. Jagdeo said a Joint Operations Committee (JOC) staffed by personnel from the GDF, the Police, the Fire Service and the Prison Service is working round-the-clock to get relief to persons affected in the various communities.

President visits Albouystown
PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo yesterday afternoon visited Albouystown in Georgetown which is badly affected by the floods.

At the problem-prone Sussex Street koker (sluice), he was greeted by a large crowd that was on hand looking at an excavator dismantling structures on the government reserves next to the koker.

The dismantling of these structures will pave the way for the clearing of the clogged Sussex Street canal, officials said.

This will see a channel through which the huge build-up of water in that area can be drained giving relief to residents who have been under water since last week, they said.

Residents of Albouystown and areas along the Sussex Street canal were relieved with this action being taken by the government and the City Council and lauded President Jagdeo for his hands-on approach to helping them.

There was also drama at the site as a brand-new BMW car (PJJ 4006) which was parked next to the structure being dismantled had to be removed.

Onlookers claimed the owner was not around to move the vehicle.
There were other reports which indicated that the car keys could not be found.

A time to reach out
IN DISASTER situations such as the severe flooding across three regions on the Guyana coastal belt, there is need for people to bond together and look out for each other.

This is a time when everyone should ‘chip in their lot’, as old people would say, and lend a helping hand.

Instead, there are disturbing reports that some are trying to fleece the vulnerable and those who need essential services.

The flood waters have led to severe suffering by those affected, particularly in the Demerara areas.

Many do not have a place to sleep and dwell because of the depth of the flood waters.

The need for basics such as shelter, food and water is great, yet there are reports that those who can provide groceries and food items have started to increase their prices.

Why should this happen in this time of need? Why can’t we be our brothers’ keepers?

In any crisis situation, those who are affected the most are the ones who are vulnerable.

And even as relief efforts are under way for the flood victims in the three administrative regions the government has designated as disaster zones, there are those who are waiting for the opportunity to grab for themselves and leave others who may be in dire need to suffer.

Special care, in times like these, has to be given to old people and children, the sick and the poor who could have barely survived on a regular day prior to the flood.

This crisis should be seen as a way of bringing all Guyanese together and as the President said during a visit to flood-hit villages on the East Coast Demerara on Tuesday afternoon, he understands the suffering of those affected since he too is affected by high flood waters.

It may be hard for those who are not affected and are seeing the images and scenes of the floods on television to know the stark reality.

But the suffering is real for those whose lives have been uprooted by flood waters spawned by record rains.

Guyanese have seen television footage of people who survived the December 26 tsunami and the effects of that flood disaster.

Many of them are being treated for water-borne diseases and malaria, spread by mosquitoes may soon become a threat to the lives of those survivors.

Their experience is monumentally different to that of Guyanese being affected by floods, but there are similar health threats here.

There are reports of damage to household articles, crops and livestock and the rebuilding effort will be great for many.

Guyanese mobilised to help Grenada after the September hurricane disaster and our troops are still there helping to rebuild that island.

They rallied to calls to help donate funds for the tsunami survivors and many are reaching out to their brothers and sisters in need now that disaster has struck at home.

Many Guyanese overseas are asking how they can help in this hour of need and the government should set up arrangements to channel assistance from the diaspora.

All this make the efforts of the human carrions in the current crisis here all the more dastardly and every effort should be made to deal with those trying to prey on those who are now at the mercy of the elements.

Yesterday Court Stories
ACTING Chief Magistrate Cecil Sullivan on Tuesday last issued an arrest warrant for Linden Ralph who is charged with two others with robbery with violence.

The other two defendants, Trimane Waldron and Ronald Stephens pleaded not guilty to the joint charge and have to be back in Court on February 10.

Particulars of the offence the trio is charged with, said they used personal violence to rob Joseph Harry of $86,000 last Saturday.

Police Inspector Kevin Adonis, prosecuting, said the defendants pounced on the virtual complainant as he was leaving a Beer Garden in Longden Street, beat him about his body and robbed him then made good their escape.
But they were later arrested when Harry pointed them out to the police, Adonis added.

MORE...
TWO confessed chain thieves were on Tuesday last sentenced to six months each imprisonment by Acting Chief Magistrate Cecil Sullivan on separate charges.

Twenty-year-old Brian Heywood, of Lot 1 Pike Street, Sophia, Georgetown, admitted to the Court that he snatched Simeon Buchoon's $30,000 cellular phone and his gold chain worth $10,000 last Sunday, as he was about to board a mini-bus.

The other defendant, Patrick Clarke (no address given) admitted to snatching Seeta Khemraj's gold chain valued $10,000 on Friday.

Police said the virtual complainant was at the East Coast bus park when Clarke went up to him and pulled his chain off his neck and ran away.

MORE...
A BUXTON woman who was alleged found with illegal ammunition last Thursday, appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Cecil Sullivan on Tuesday and was refused bail on the indictable offence.

Michelle Baird, 32, of Lot 125 Cummings Street pleaded not guilty and was remanded to prison until January 28, when the case will be called at Vigilance Court, also on East Coast Demerara, where it was transferred to.

Particulars said Baird was in possession of thirty-four live 12 gauge cartridges when she was not the holder of a licence.

Police Inspector Kevin Adonis, who prosecuted in the case, said cops acting on a tip-off went to Baird's home where a search of the premises yielded the illegal ammo hidden in her wardrobe.

MORE...
POLICE have brought before the Court an African national who had evaded arrest for the last three years on a drug charge.

Emmanuel Mensah, a citizen of Nigeria, is charged indictably with the offence which alleged that he trafficked in 2.5 kilogrammes of cocaine on March 9, 2002.

Police Inspector Kevin Adonis, prosecuting, said the accused visited the Fed Ex offices, located at 125 Barrack Street, Kingston, Georgetown, to post some glass top tables to a friend in Spain, where he gave his name as Matt King and produced a Guyanese identification card with photograph, but when the tables were taken to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), cocaine was discovered in the hollow legs of the tables.

Adonis added that the identification of King was traced to Mensah, and several attempts being made to arrest him, but in vain. The Immigration Authorities were notified and Mensah was subsequently apprehended at Lethem trying to leave the country.

Acting Chief Magistrate Cecil Sullivan had originally set the accused's next Court appearance for February 9 as the prosecution was uncertain as to the correct amount of drugs Mensah is alleged to have had and had needed it to be amended by CID officials.
But defence counsel Mark Waldron, who was absent on the first occasion, made an appearance before the Court yesterday and argued that the police had adequate time to get the charge straight and asked for an earlier date, as his client should not be denied his lawful right to a speedy trial.
His request was granted and Mensah has to be back on January 28.


Today's Stories
Vickram Sewdyal, driver of the mini-bus that on Monday last slammed into a wooden fence killing one man on the spot and later another, appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Cecil Sullivan yesterday charged with causing death by dangerous driving.

Sewdyal, 49, of Mon Repos East Coast Demerara, who is also the owner of bus BJJ 728 plying the Georgetown/Mahaica route, was released on a $200,000 recognizance pending a March 31 trial.

Particulars said at Public Road, Kitty, Georgetown, the accused drove in a manner dangerous to the public causing the death of Totaram Ganpat and an unidentified male.

Prosecuting in the case Police Inspector Kevin Adonis had argued for bail to be refused on account of the fact that two lives were lost and the apparent disregard for his passengers lives that was displayed.

The unidentified man was killed on the spot when a part of the fence flew through the bus wind-shield and pierced his head, Ganpat who had been injured at the scene of the accident was rushed to Georgetown Public Hospital, but subsequently died, police said.

MORE...
TWENTY-YEAR-OLD Winston Blair, of Lot 134 Richmond Housing Scheme, Essequibo, was yesterday refused bail for allegedly having carnal knowledge of a 15-year-old girl.

Particulars of the indictable offence charged against him said at Henrietta village,, Blair committed the act without the teen's consent and against her will Monday last.

Acting Chief Magistrate Cecil Sullivan heard that the accused pulled the victim into an abandoned house as she was returning home from a Chinese restaurant.

Blair was remanded to prison and the case has been transferred to Anna Regina Court, in Essequibo, as well, for January 25.

MORE...
MARK Henry, 38, of Lot 94 Pineapple Street, East La Penitence, Georgetown, yesterday pleaded not guilty to two burglary charges and was remanded to prison.

Particulars of the first offence read by Acting Chief Magistrate Cecil Sullivan, said on January 15, the defendant broke and entered Donna Ramdhan Freeman Street, East La Penitence home and stole $200 United States (U.S.) currency and G$14,000.

He is also alleged to have stolen three pairs of gold bracelets valued a total of $40,000, at the same time, belonging to Vanessa Cato.

Police said Ramdhan woke up and saw Henry removing the jewels from her daughter's hand, an alarm was raised and the alleged thief escaped with the jewels, and she later discovered that her money was missing.

Protection is the highest priority
IT IS vitally important that messages regarding proper sanitation reach those most affected by the massive flooding.

The last thing we need now is an outbreak of water-borne diseases. Government officials have admitted difficulties in getting necessary supplies to certain areas most affected by the rising water and all efforts should be made not to turn what is already a disaster for some into a medical emergency for all.

The press, chiefly the electronic media (radio and TV) together with the Ministry of Health must ensure that messages about how to deal with exposure to untreated sewage and other contaminated bodies of water are clearly understood by the public.

Protection is the highest priority.
Water-borne diseases, which commonly follow extensive flooding, include cholera, which causes diarrhoea and dehydration, botulism, which causes paralysis, typhoid, hepatitis A, giardia, dysentery, and cryptosporidiosis, which causes severe diarrhoea.

All these diseases are life threatening if left untreated.

As a necessary precaution, the government should ensure that we have adequate supplies of the drugs needed to combat these diseases in the event of an epidemic.
Overseas aid may do little to alleviate the rainfall but can be effective in providing monetary assistance and specific medical supplies.
The government should not delay in requesting that help now.
JUSTIN DEFREITAS

Set up relief fund
IT IS very heartrending to read about the devastating results of the torrential rainfall affecting Guyana.

Our hearts go out to those gravely affected by the floodwaters and possible evacuation from their homes.

To the family of Chatterpaul Persaud who reportedly drowned as a result of the floods, we extend our sympathies to you.

We pray that there will be no additional casualties and that the stagnant floodwaters would recede, as there are concerns of possible health risks.

The government, the communities, the churches and military must be commended on the measures being implemented to deal with this calamity, though a dire need exists for more relief efforts for those severely affected by the floodwaters.

It is evident from local newspaper reports that there is cohesion among Guyanese as they struggle to get through this critical time and that ahead in rebuilding.

I recall the recent generosity of Guyana to the tsunami relief efforts and I hope that the international community would do the same to assist Guyana.

The government should establish a fund at once where monetary donations can be made by those willing to assist with its relief efforts.
SHARMILA K. SADIK

Use more boats on East Coast
MY HEART goes out to all those people living along the East Coast Demerara who have been dreadfully affected by floodwaters that have even claimed their homes.

I applaud President Bharrat Jagdeo for spearheading the Herculean task of sending relief to them all, and coordinating the teams himself.

It is understandable, given the rising waters and the many dangers that pose, that persons along the East Coast would fear leaving their homes and belongings.

However, it is critical in the coming days for these persons to be taken to shelters and dry ground to avoid sickness and further discomfort, especially among the children, pregnant women and the elderly.

Also, there are currently very few means by which people can abandon these badly hit East Coast areas, now inaccessible to buses and cars.

I imagine the risk of drowning and accidents is foremost in the minds of many, at this point.

Unfortunately, even in these times, private boat owners may also demand exorbitant fares to take passengers from one place to the next.

The challenge before us now lies in getting drinking water and food items to hungry and thirsty people waiting out the floodwaters for several days.

Since it is apparent that persons are unwilling to leave their homes, I suggest that several boats be deployed by the army or special teams into the flooded areas so as to distribute food relief and, especially take people to shelters.

Using boats in this exercise may be the sensible solution to reaching more people in need and rescuing those who desperately want to get to shelters.

The use of more boats by the army and teams identified by the President could speedup the relief exercise and allow it to fan out into more East Coast villages.
JOHN KAY

Approaches to consider
IT IS with much regret that I read of the impact of heavy rainfall on almost the entire populated and farming communities in Guyana.

I am a Guyanese residing and working in the engineering consultancy sector in Ontario, Canada, providing service both at the municipal and provincial level.

In addition, I am a school colleague of President Bharrat Jagdeo.

It is not by any surprise that Guyana experiences severe flooding, especially along the coastland and more so in the city. One would expect flooding along the coastline to result from sea defence breaches or heavy tidal waves.

For a country that lies historically and geographically within the heavy seasonal precipitation zone, one would expect that at some point in its development, the issues of effective management of surface runoffs would be addressed.

I would assume that this responsibility falls under the Georgetown municipality and more so the Engineering Department of the Mayor's office.

However, having an understanding of the political rivalry that exists between the Mayor's office and the government, not very much is expected.

It is very disappointing to read of the very indigenous approach and ideas coming out from the different committees with regards to dealing with this problem once and for all.

I cannot go into the details and engineering logistics involved at this time but in brief I would like to offer real approaches that the President should consider:

** assign the task of obtaining aerial photos showing the main discharge routes for surface runoffs in the city

** establish in order of priority, the trenches and canals that require desliting and widening

** award the contracts based on engineering capability in storm and waste water management and not based on political affiliation, lowest bidder, or any form of incentive to receive a contract

** storm trenches should be temporarily diverted in order to execute effective desiltation then the bottom should be lined with rip rap size stone

** sloping sides should be as such to promote rapid movement of water flow and exposed sides should be sodded in order to prevent future erosion

** culverts should be cleaned and maintained and damaged and broken culverts should be replaced

** sludge and slurry removed from the water ways should be sampled and chemical analysis should be done to determine the leachates and the ministry of environment should determine its suitability either as landfill or as a contaminated fill and direct its appropriate disposal

** a system of maintenance of the cleaned trenches and canals should be rigorously adhered to and FINES SHOULD BE IMPOSED ON ANYONE OR ANY COMPANY FOUND TO BE DISPOSING OF ANY GARBAGE INTO THE SYSTEM.

I am aware of the impossibility of implementing an organised system of managing our surface runoffs in a culture that has little or no civic responsibility and utilises the construction project budgets for functions other than performing a job under rigid quality control and engineering accountability.

Unless we address our issues in our backyard we would be unable to stand up and face a developing world.
PAUL DAYARAM

Outsider looking in
I AM an American who is following the flooding situation.

I recently visited Guyana and spent time with a close friend there.

First, I would like to express my sympathy with the people of Guyana. The flooding must be quite difficult to cope with.

However, the people of Guyana have great strength and will persevere through this immense challenge.

I have been contemplating the situation with water drainage in Georgetown, especially during high tide, ever since I visited about four weeks ago.

Forgive me for my ignorance, but I wonder if a simple solution might be possible. I understand that the entire coastline is very low and below sea level in many places.

Ocean levels have been steadily rising and will continue to do so due to global warming. In the coming years, a new solution must be reached to alleviate current problems.

If I may be so humble as to propose a plan that could aid the current situation, I wish to offer an idea.

In the continent of South America, the Andes Mountain Range is the continental divide, meaning all water on the east side of the mountain range flows east back to the sea. All water in the vicinity of Guyana naturally wants to flow toward the coastline and back to sea.

However, at high tide it cannot and only backs up into the city and populated areas. Rather than the entire coastline being some feet under water, I wonder if the water could be drained to an area somewhere east and away from the city and be collected there.

A manmade canal could take the water in this direction and the result is that the coastline east of the city would be intentionally flooded.

This might sound like a drastic action, but desperate times call for desperate measures. I would call the present predicament a desperate situation that must be averted for the future.

Under a plan like the one I described, only part of the coastline will completely be lost while the remaining areas in and around Georgetown can be saved from this backup of water. Thus, some area miles east of Georgetown could be designated as a flood overflow region and be evacuated of people.

The manmade canal would flood this area during intense periods of flooding such as the one that is being experienced.

When this vast region of flood overflow land cannot be fed any more water, perhaps a series of emergency dam/walls could stop up the canal to prevent water from flowing back into Georgetown.

A plan like this would allow all the water that has blanketed the city in feet of water to flow far away and allow the city to go on with business as usual.

Perhaps there are details that I am unaware of, that make a plan like this impossible. That could very well be the case, but I want to help any way that I can, even if only through an idea.

Sometimes even a bad idea can help another think of a better one. I know that the leadership of Guyana can handle even the strongest of challenges so that these serious flooding problems can be averted in the future.
Thank you and God bless.
PETER SCHUMACHER

Adopt a disaster family
IT IS true that the rains came down is not within our control.

However, that the floods came up, that is controllable and needs more of our help than that of God.

Certainly, we will beat up on politicians and other leaders later. But for now, we must all, both as individuals or groups, come forward and help our fellow Guyanese any which way we can.

As I speak, I am sure that overseas-based Guyanese are already helping their relatives, or planning to do so.

For others, I ask that they either send help through the designated government agency or non-governmental organisations. Additionally, overseas Guyanese may want to consider "adopting" a disaster family and help directly with clothing, food and money.

Our foreign ambassadors and consul generals should already be busy coordinating such relief efforts. Let us show that we can help ourselves too as we call upon God's help and that of the International donor community.
This is our hour to show our forgotten human compassion.
SHAWN MANGRU

Ready to assist
FOR the Guyanese who are living in the United States and elsewhere, what can we do to help those who need it the most?

Every day I keep reading the papers hoping that things are going to get better, but instead it seems to be getting worse as the days go by. (I must say thank God for your newspaper because this is the only way that we in America are able to get updates.)

I will be looking forward to more news from Guyana on the flooding.

Also, please let all concerned Guyanese who are overseas know what we can to help the government.
S. LIVINGSTONE

Overseas groups can help
GUYANESE overseas are trying to understand by using our imagination based on information being fed us over the phone and through the Internet what is happening to Guyana with flood waters in Georgetown and some parts of the East Coast and West Coast of Demerara.

The more information, along with pictures, I see on the 'Net, is the more I feel a sense of hopelessness hitting the nation and perplexing the authorities, because no one has control over the tap that opens in the sky to produce a deluge. It is as if Guyanese did not expect this and, therefore, do not seem to have a readymade solution.

I read in another daily where one city resident said she was asleep and dreaming of water surrounding her bed, only to wake up and discover the harshest reality. After reading that, I asked myself if this wasn't some sort of supernatural message being sent seeing dreams have spiritual significance?

I know many are blaming this person and that agency for not cleaning and clearing the drainage system, but I have to wonder if anyone is looking at this situation as a signal from God that the nation needs to clean or purge itself of things that are blocking its ability to properly relate to God?

I have come to recognise from biblical accounts, as well as personal experiences, that God has often used life situations to speak to people, and this may well be more than just a natural disaster, even if confined to sections of the country's coastland.

That apart, I have been thinking about a "Flood Disaster Relief Fund" being set up in overseas Guyanese communities. Just as the world, including Guyanese, rose to the task of financially helping out tsunami victims, we can also rise to the occasion that now hits a little closer to home.

If established Guyanese leaders of communities in Brooklyn or Queens, New York, can organise such a fund, I am prepared to do whatever I can to help.

When I read that the government has set aside $20M to help with the alleviation process, I wondered if it was in US or Guyana dollars, as 20 million Guyana dollars seem adequate for cleaning up the mess alone.

When I imagine ground flats with furniture and appliances, among other possessions and forms of livelihood, which have been literally destroyed, I am forced to conclude that the true cost of this entire restoration and preventive exercise could well reach, if not surpass, the billion dollar mark.

Meanwhile, the brethren of my church spent some time in prayer last Tuesday night for our fellow Guyanese. God knows this struggling nation is barely moving forward to be now forced to slow down, let alone stop, because of floodwaters.

Hopefully, everyone in decision-making positions and at the grassroots level would take stock at how helpless life can sometimes render us, thus forcing us to look up and receive much needed help.
EMILE MERVIN

We have earned the right
THE subject of overseas voting is once again engaging the attention of the Guyanese people.

From the start, I wish to voice the strongest support for the implementation of overseas voting.

Guyanese residing in other countries have certainly earned the right to vote in Guyana's general elections.

Hundreds, nay, tens of thousands of the Guyanese Diaspora rallied behind the late Dr. Cheddi B. Jagan and the People's Progressive Party (PPP) in 1991 and 1992.

Overseas Guyanese correctly believed that Dr. Jagan was the only one to save Guyana from becoming a failed state. History has backed us too.

Overseas Guyanese donated countless hours of their free time to organise support for and to demand free and fair elections in Guyana, thousands upon thousands of dollars to the political parties and canvassed the overseas media to publicise the sad state of affairs in Guyana prior to the 1992 elections.

Overseas voting can have a two-fold purpose: 1 ) to elect the President and members of Parliament and 2 ) having voted, to lure overseas Guyanese to invest in Guyana independently or in partnerships with local counterparts.

Either way, democratic Guyana can only benefit from this exercise.

It is not fitting to compare previous overseas voting to that being recommended now. There are no comparisons here.

Rigged elections cannot be compared to democratically held elections. It is as simple as that!

Ever so often, some letter writers mentioned that they stayed in Guyana and fought in the trenches against the previous government.

I challenge anyone to be specific of what exactly he did in this respect. Did he work with or support Dr. Jagan in 1991?

Let him share the facts of any community activity in which he has engaged.

Right now the nation needs some help against the drug barons. I invite these stay-at-home patriots to assist President Jagdeo in his struggle against those who tarnish Guyana's image overseas by concealing drugs in so many of Guyana's exports.

Yes, the nation needs you in this struggle to keep her exports free of drugs.
BALWANT PRASAD

Frustrated Lara lays down the law to Bravo
By Fazeer Mohammed
BRISBANE, Australia, (CMC) – He may be hailed as the first genuine all-rounder to emerge from the West Indies for almost 30 years, but Dwayne Bravo is paying the price for neglecting the strongest aspect of his game, at least in his captain’s eyes.

“I would like to state that he is a batting all-rounder, not a bowling
all-rounder,” said West Indies captain Brian Lara emphatically in the

wake of the Caribbean side’s six-wicket defeat to Pakistan in their second match of the VB Series on Wednesday at The Gabba.

Anticipating questions from the media over the omission of the talented 20-year-old, Lara elaborated: “He is not helping us with the bat at all He’s got to work in the nets as much as possible and he’s got to understand that he’s got to make a contribution with the bat. If you look back in the matches that we’ve played on this tour so far, he wasn’t able to get
among the runs.

“We need guys to understand that even though they’re coming in at seven or eight (in the batting order) they have to contribute with the bat,” a clearly peeved Lara added.

“Consideration (for the next match) will be given to him as well because he’s bowled well and also he’s a decent fielder, but we must get guys
understanding -- like Marlon Samuels and Bravo -- that when it gets down to them, we need to get runs as well.”

Having made his international debut in the one-day series against England in the Caribbean last year, Bravo enhanced his reputation as a quality all-round cricketer despite the West Indies being whitewashed in the subsequent return four-Test series in England.

His tally of 16 wickets included a six-wicket second innings haul in the Third Test in Manchester while he scored half-centuries in the last two mTests of the series.

These encouraging returns were complemented by sharp, aggressive
out-cricket, but clearly in the mind of his captain and fellow-Trinidadian, he is not working hard enough at his game.

Lara also found himself on the defensive facing the Australian media
After the loss to Pakistan, qualifying his criticism of the top-order batting by saying there was little he could do in his time at the crease.

“I got out with seven overs to go,” the West Indian captain said in responding to a question about the manner of his dismissal for a 30-ball 39.

“I was scoring in excess of a run-a-ball. I had to try to keep it up because I knew we were short of runs and had to try to get as many as
possible, knowing that we had batsmen and big-hitters still to come. With 42 balls left, you needed to get another 70-80 runs. I was only trying to
get on with it.”

Charging at medium-pacer Rana Naveed-ul-Hassan, Lara was cramped by a short-pitched delivery and lobbed a simple catch to backward-point.

Another 64 runs were added by Ramnaresh Sarwan and Shivnarine
Chanderpaul in the remaining deliveries, but a total of 273 for five on an excellent

Batting pitch was easily surpassed by Pakistan with three overs to spare.
The captain also hinted at yet another shuffling of what remains a less than menacing bowling attack.

“We need to look for the right combination,” he admitted, while adding that the loss of Gayle’s brisk off-spin because of a shoulder injury in
Melbourne last Friday was a significant blow.

“But today was not a bowler’s problem. We did not maximise the runs we should have gotten on such a surface in 50 overs.”

Yet amid the gloom, Lara promised a much-improved performance in the
day/night duel with Australia tomorrow (tonight Caribbean time) at The Gabba.

Without that improvement, any realistic hope of advancing to the
best-of-three finals could be gone within the next seven days.

Pakistan cruise to victory after Akmal’s 124
By Fazeer Mohammed
BRISBANE, Australia, (CMC) – Yet another aspect of the glaring inadequacies in West Indies cricket was cruelly exposed yesterday as

Pakistan made re1atively light work of a target of 274 runs at The Gabba,
cruising to a six-wicket victory with three overs to spare to leave the Caribbean side anchored at the bottom of the standings after two matches of the tri-nation VB Series.

Despite 82 from Chris Gayle and 76 by Ramnaresh Sarwan, skipper Brian Lara lamented the inability of his top order to make the most of an ideal batting pitch.

Their total of 273 for five, while a considerable improvement from being dismissed for 185 in their opening match against Australia in Melbourne
last Friday, was put in perspective by Kamran Akmal when Pakistan set about their target.

The little wicketkeeper-batsman registered his maiden One-Day
International century, a run-a-ball 124 that proved the foundation of his team’s

Pursuit of what could have been a challenging target, particularly as pacer Mervyn Dillon struck two early blows to give the West Indies the early advantage.

But with Shoaib Malik (60) joining Kamran in a 123-run third-wicket
partnership and captain Inzamam-ul-Haq ensuring there was to be no
catastrophic collapse with an unbeaten 62, the Pakistanis effectively

toyed with Lara’s array of ordinary back-up bowlers when the midweek crowd in excess of 10,000 was expecting a tense finish. With all three teams now having played two matches each, Australia sit
at the top of the table on 11 points, followed by Pakistan on six and the
West Indies on one, the point earned by virtue of at least preventing the
opposition from romping to an even swifter victory.

Coming less than 48 hours after this latest setback, the ICC Champions’ Trophy holders’ second encounter with Australia tomorrow (tonight Caribbean time) is now critical to the Caribbean side’s survival in the
tournament.With a greater appreciation now of the enormity of the task ahead of them, new head coach Bennett King and the rest of his technical staff face as much of a challenge in lifting the morale of the West Indian players as with attending to any technical details before this third fixture in front of a sold-out crowd of 34,000.

“A total of 273, with five wickets still in hand, was not the right sort of total on a track like that,” was Lara’s frank assessment of his team’s
batting performance.

“I think we were at least 30 to 40 runs short of where we should have been.There was a period in the middle overs where there were, consistently, Two to three dot balls every over against the bowling of (Shahid) Afridi
And (Mohammad) Hafeez.

“We talk about being a good chasing team, but the weakness we have is we don’t understand what is a winning total,” he added.

“The Pakistani batsmen showed what it was really like out there. Our
part-time bowlers went for a lot today.”

Hampered by the loss of fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar with a slight
Hamstring tear in just his third over, Inzamam was indebted to Afridi’s ten-over Spell of leg-spin which cost just 39 runs while the part-time off-spin of Hafeez cost 54 runs with the bonus of the wicket of Wavell Hinds (29) to end an opening partnership of 86 with Gayle.

In contrast, the trio of Marlon Samuels, Sarwan and Hinds were
plundered for a combined 128 runs in just 17 wicketless overs.

Like Dillon, Ian Bradshaw picked up two wickets but the pair, along with Pedro Collins, could not maintain a consistently disciplined line and length to build pressure on the batsmen.

After Hinds’ dismissal in the 19th over, Gayle and Sarwan added 63
runs in 15 overs – underlining Lara’s point about a critical failure to
accelerate – before the big opening batsman skied a catch to Malik at cover 18 runs short of a tenth ODI century.

Recognising the need to increase the scoring rate, Lara’s urgency
almost cost him his wicket via the run out route before he was undone by a short ball from medium-pacer Rana Naveed-ul-Hassan, lobbing a straightforward catch to backward point to depart for 39 off 30 deliveries.

In his first match since arriving in Australia just over a week earlier, Ricardo Powell was caught behind to the first legal delivery he faced, and although the ever-reliable Shivnarine Chanderpaul (25 not out) stayed
with Sarwan to add another 62 runs before Sarwan fell to the last ball of
the innings, the feeling even then in the West Indian camp was that they
had sold themselves short.

That discomfort was briefly eased when Dillon, making amends for poor
bowling in Melbourne where the West Indies lost badly last Friday,yorked Salman Butt and then had Hafeez caught by Gayle at first slip to reduce

Pakistan to 36 for two in the eighth over.But Malik’s aggressive strokeplay and Kamran’s fluent supporting role put Pakistan firmly in control.

An edge to wicketkeeper Courtney Browne off Bradshaw ended Malik’s
entertaining knock, but any lingering West Indian hopes of a Pakistani
capitulation faded with Inzamam’s nonchalant accumulation of runs while
at the other end, Kamran reached a deserved hundred off 107 balls with
nine fours.

Lara’s catch at cover to end the diminutive right-hander’s
match-winning innings failed to spark any celebrations among the West Indian players, for in strode vice-captain Yousuff Youhanna to formalise a victory with his captain that looked on the cards halfway through their innings.

“Nowadays no total is safe in one-day games, especially on such a good
batting pitch,” was Inzamam’s sympathetic assessment of Lara’s plight.

He also revealed that Akhtar will stay with the squad in the hope that
He could regain fitness and still be a factor if Pakistan advance to the best-of-three finals.

Should the West Indies slide to a third defeat in a row under the
lights of The Gabba against Australia, and Pakistan defeat the hosts on Sunday in Sydney, it is difficult to see how the Caribbean squad can avoid an early flight home.

Huge incentives for CAC Cha