A NIMBLE, Chaplinesque right-hander, Ramnaresh Ronnie Sarwan was yesterday confirmed by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) as the man to take over as captain from Brian Lara, who quit international cricket last week. Being entrusted with the arduous task of taking West Indies cricket forward, `Sars’, as he is familiarly called by team-mates and close friends, becomes the seventh Guyanese cricketer to captain the West Indies.
Sarwan is following in the footsteps of his illustrious compatriots Maurius `Pacheco’ Fernandes, Rohan Bholalall Kanhai, Clive Hubert Lloyd, Alvin Isaac Kallicharran, Carl Llewellyn Hooper and Shivnarine Chanderpaul.
Brought up in Wakenaam, Essequibo, Sarwan made his first-class debut for Guyana at age 16 and his Test debut in 2000 against Pakistan at age 19. After Sarwan’s his first Test innings of 84 not out against Pakistan, the former England captain Ted Dexter was moved to predict a Test average of more than 50 - an unfair millstone to hang around any young player's neck. But on his first tour, to England in 2000, Sarwan lived up to the hype by topping the averages. His footwork, which seemed to require no early trigger movements, was strikingly confident and precise. It was a surprise when he then produced a horror run of three runs in five innings in Australia, but against India in 2001-02 he was back to his composed best.
Sarwan, who took over as Brian Lara's vice-captain in March 2003, required 28 matches and 49 innings to post his maiden Test century, 119 in December of 2002 - and even then it came against the less-than-mighty Bangladeshis. But, as the likes of Graham Gooch and Steve Waugh can testify, the first time is often the hardest, and since then, his batting has achieved a greater level of consistency.
A dream series against South Africa in 2003-04, where he averaged nearly a 100 runs a Test, was followed by a lean run against England. But he battled on, and returned to form in a stunning manner with an unbeaten 261 against Bangladesh in June. Then came the England tour in 2004 where he began and ended the tour on a low note, but was prolific in the middle. However, West Indian fortunes were on the ascendency in one-dayers as they reached the finals of the NatWest Series and then won the ICC Champions Trophy with Sarwan playing a big hand in both tournaments.
However, he was one of the players involved in the contract dispute between with WICB and missed the first Test against South Africa in 2005. On his return he scored attractive runs, but was again overlooked for the captaincy when it was handed back to Brian Lara. He didn't fare well with the bat in the 2006-07 season, averaging just 25.90 in 13 games he played till the end of the Champions Trophy. In a shocking gesture, he was dropped from the second Test against Pakistan in the away series in November. He returned for the third Test and sustained a foot injury which kept him out of the one-dayers against Pakistan and the tour of India.
More misery was in store when he was sidelined for three weeks after suffering a hand injury in February 2007 while batting for Guyana.
Wooo hooo...something to celebrate...finally !!!
Although I think we should really drop the name 'Sars' just incase people get the wrong idea. Like..."The West Indies team is coming to England with Sars"...or..."Sars has been a big factor in the West Indies team over the past few months".
Monday 30 April 2007
GMC holds ‘pineapple’ affair (GC + GINA)
Established to help boost the country’s local products, the Guyana Marketing Corporation’s new facility, the Guyana Shop and Marketing Information Centre Saturday held a pineapple promotion. The Robb and Alexander streets Centre is aimed at facilitating and coordinating development of non-traditional agricultural produce and products for export and improving on services offered by the GMC. Its ‘pineapple affair’ was held to highlight the many products and delicacies made from the succulent fruit. Farmers showcased and sold their pineapple jams, jellies, wine, and other delicacies, as well as rubbing alcohol all made from pineapple.
According to General Manager of GMC Nizam Hassan, “Through this activity we hope that more persons will be aware of the agriculture products and produce in Guyana.” Hassan said that this is the first external activity since the new shop was launched last month and noted that several other promotions are planned for the months ahead. He explained that since its launch, the new facility has been doing very well. “We saw lots of overseas Guyanese, tourists and visitors during the Cricket World Cup period.”Farmers expressed satisfaction at the initiative by the GMC, noting that it is an activity which must continue. They also urged Guyanese to support the local agriculture sector and subsequently the growth of the country’s economy.
The Guyana Shop currently has more than 400 varied local items for sale to the public. It will make market information and contact more accessible to guide clients on current market trends and demand at the global level. Market agents will provide guidance for possible linkages between farmers and prospective buyers/exporters. “This Guyana Shop initiative aims to promote only products made and grown in Guyana, and will also conduct retail sales as secondary focus. Officers will do whatever is necessary to promote export and the facility will provide information to curtail market failures,” Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud said at the shop’s launching in March. GMC plays an instrumental role in the export of non-traditional produce to Barbados, Antigua and St. Lucia. The corporation is currently working to develop a similar link with Trinidad and Tobago. It was through the GMC that market linkages were formed with buyers from the United States for peppers, plantain and corn flour.
According to General Manager of GMC Nizam Hassan, “Through this activity we hope that more persons will be aware of the agriculture products and produce in Guyana.” Hassan said that this is the first external activity since the new shop was launched last month and noted that several other promotions are planned for the months ahead. He explained that since its launch, the new facility has been doing very well. “We saw lots of overseas Guyanese, tourists and visitors during the Cricket World Cup period.”Farmers expressed satisfaction at the initiative by the GMC, noting that it is an activity which must continue. They also urged Guyanese to support the local agriculture sector and subsequently the growth of the country’s economy.
The Guyana Shop currently has more than 400 varied local items for sale to the public. It will make market information and contact more accessible to guide clients on current market trends and demand at the global level. Market agents will provide guidance for possible linkages between farmers and prospective buyers/exporters. “This Guyana Shop initiative aims to promote only products made and grown in Guyana, and will also conduct retail sales as secondary focus. Officers will do whatever is necessary to promote export and the facility will provide information to curtail market failures,” Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud said at the shop’s launching in March. GMC plays an instrumental role in the export of non-traditional produce to Barbados, Antigua and St. Lucia. The corporation is currently working to develop a similar link with Trinidad and Tobago. It was through the GMC that market linkages were formed with buyers from the United States for peppers, plantain and corn flour.
Ivanoff Blue Vodka launching at Charity
Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) is set to launch its Ivanoff Blue Vodka today at Charity along the Essequibo Coast. A press release from the company said the vodka, which was introduced last year, was introduced to the 'Cinderella County' last Monday and it hopes that the coming launch will attract "vodka drinkers" all the way from the Pomeroon. The event will be hosted at the Purple Heart Hotel and Bar at 3 pm.
DDL said the premium vodka has grown in the Demerara market since last year and is expected to hit the shelves in the two new areas shortly. This vodka is the latest product the company has manufactured. The company said the drink is a "clear, triple distilled spirit with the smoothest of taste with more clarity than other vodkas." It added that the vodka has "an impeccable nose and a very pure fineness with a soft palate, it swirls beautifully on the rocks or as a mixture" with orange juice.
So what their really saying is..."We've used all this fancy language to describe the vodka".
What we should say is..."It will cost you more"
DDL said the premium vodka has grown in the Demerara market since last year and is expected to hit the shelves in the two new areas shortly. This vodka is the latest product the company has manufactured. The company said the drink is a "clear, triple distilled spirit with the smoothest of taste with more clarity than other vodkas." It added that the vodka has "an impeccable nose and a very pure fineness with a soft palate, it swirls beautifully on the rocks or as a mixture" with orange juice.
So what their really saying is..."We've used all this fancy language to describe the vodka".
What we should say is..."It will cost you more"
No VAT on milk, except flavoured - GRA
The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) is calling on importers, wholesalers and retailers not to charge VAT on milk, regardless of the brand and added vitamins, except where the milk is flavoured. The GRA reiterated in a press release on Friday that only unflavoured cow's milk and milk powder are not liable to the Value Added Tax (VAT).
Schedule 1, paragraph 2 (q) (v) of the VAT Act zero-rates "cow's milk and milk powder, but not including other milk such as flavoured milk."
The VAT department has re-emphasised that no VAT is to be charged on cow's milk whether in boxes, cans or bags, once it is not flavoured milk (strawberry, banana, chocolate etc.). The position adopted by the GRA is that evaporated milk, liquid cow's milk inclusive of Ultra High Tempera-ture (UHT) milk and fully or partially skimmed milk are forms of cow's milk and, as such, along with powdered milk (skim and full-cream) are zero- rated. The department stated that while most milk including evaporated and UHT milk go through a process to reduce the fat content, prolong shelf-life or in some instances, where naturally occurring vitamins (A,D,E and K) have been lost through the reduction of fat, to reintroduce such vitamins, they are essentially cow's milk. Condensed milk, on the contrary, falls into the category of flavoured milk and is therefore subject to VAT.
"Importers, wholesalers and retailers are being urged by the GRA not to charge VAT on milk, regardless of the brand and added vitamins, except where the milk is flavoured."
The GRA added that it remains committed to working with stakeholders to ensure VAT is effective and that there is maximum compliance with the law so that Guyanese can enjoy the real benefits of VAT. Persons who have VAT queries may write to the Commissioner, VAT and Excise Tax Department, for clarification. Distribution Services Limited (DSL) in a letter in the April 28 edition of Stabroek News said it had written to the GRA on the matter of certain milks since January 4 and had not gotten a response. DSL said it had been forced to pay VAT in the meanwhile on certain non-flavoured milks and had protested over this.
Schedule 1, paragraph 2 (q) (v) of the VAT Act zero-rates "cow's milk and milk powder, but not including other milk such as flavoured milk."
The VAT department has re-emphasised that no VAT is to be charged on cow's milk whether in boxes, cans or bags, once it is not flavoured milk (strawberry, banana, chocolate etc.). The position adopted by the GRA is that evaporated milk, liquid cow's milk inclusive of Ultra High Tempera-ture (UHT) milk and fully or partially skimmed milk are forms of cow's milk and, as such, along with powdered milk (skim and full-cream) are zero- rated. The department stated that while most milk including evaporated and UHT milk go through a process to reduce the fat content, prolong shelf-life or in some instances, where naturally occurring vitamins (A,D,E and K) have been lost through the reduction of fat, to reintroduce such vitamins, they are essentially cow's milk. Condensed milk, on the contrary, falls into the category of flavoured milk and is therefore subject to VAT.
"Importers, wholesalers and retailers are being urged by the GRA not to charge VAT on milk, regardless of the brand and added vitamins, except where the milk is flavoured."
The GRA added that it remains committed to working with stakeholders to ensure VAT is effective and that there is maximum compliance with the law so that Guyanese can enjoy the real benefits of VAT. Persons who have VAT queries may write to the Commissioner, VAT and Excise Tax Department, for clarification. Distribution Services Limited (DSL) in a letter in the April 28 edition of Stabroek News said it had written to the GRA on the matter of certain milks since January 4 and had not gotten a response. DSL said it had been forced to pay VAT in the meanwhile on certain non-flavoured milks and had protested over this.
'Old Higue murder'
Up to press time, the woman who was beaten to death in the village of Bare Root on the East Coast Demerara after residents said she was an 'Old Higue' was still unidentified and three persons are now in custody over the murder.
Stabroek News understands that while a woman who was arrested by the police following the murder was released two other persons were taken into custody. A man had been held on Saturday. The incident demonstrated how deeply held superstitious beliefs could result in murder and yesterday many residents pondered and quarrelled over the incident.
The woman was found at the corner of a road on Saturday morning and police said that there were marks of violence about her body. A post-mortem examination is expected to be done. Stabroek News was told on Saturday that the woman was beaten with a manicole broom (made of fronds from the manicole palm) and left at the side of the road and the body was later removed by the police. There were conflicting reports as to why and how the woman met her death but one report said that residents believed that the woman had sucked blood from a baby leaving a mark on the child's chest. Another report said that two men had called out to the woman as they thought it was a person they knew and instead of an answer they were greeted by a snarling sound. The men then called residents out. Residents surrounded the woman and threw rice around her while some threw kerosene and tried to burn her.
When Stabroek News visited the village yesterday none of the residents whom this newspaper spoke to reported seeing any of the above. They also said they did not witness how the woman met her death as by the time they arrived on the scene she was already dead. Some residents did not want to speak to this newspaper on the issue. What was apparent from those persons speaking to this newspaper was that many persons believe that 'Old Higue' exists and there are deeply held superstitious beliefs.
One young man told this newspaper that he has seen 'Old Higues' many times before. He said before the village became so populated he would see these things. "But I can't really seh wah happen hay yesterday (Saturday) because I wasn't deh suh I can't comment. But I know `Old Higue' deh," he said. Another woman, who was with her two children, told this newspaper that she is a firm believer that 'Old Higue' is a part of the world. "Me mother always tell we about it, and she use to tell we when `Old Higue' sucking you girl child you does know", the woman said as she held on to the hand of her daughter. She said since she moved into the area she has never had an encounter but she knew it was around because of what was happening with her child. She said she was not at home yesterday morning but when she returned she heard of the incident and feels that it was the same 'Old Higue' that has been sucking her daughter. "`Old Higue' have to dead and I believe if she was an `Old Higue' she had to dead," the woman said firmly.
One young man said no one gives life so they should not take it. "But you think about it this way if you wake up and see a `Old Higue' sucking you baby what you go do? You have to do something you ent go stand up and watch it do dat to you child." But when it was pointed out to him that the woman was not killed in a house but rather on the road corner he declined to make any further comment. He said his cell phone had just alarmed when he heard noise in the street and upon investigating he saw people in the street running towards the back. When he decided to follow he saw the woman lying on the street. Yesterday, the house where the child, who was reportedly attacked, lived was locked up and no one next door would comment on the issue. One woman who lives not far from the house said she did not come out until in the morning and she saw the woman dead. She does not believe in `Old Higue' but pointed out that "all kind a thing" exist in the world. She is not afraid of what transpired about a stone's throw away from her home but said her daughter is scared. A woman, who said she is of the Rastafarian faith, said she would not have gone to see the body as the woman is unclean and she wanted no unclean being next to her. "If she is a `Old Higue' she had to go, we don't want dem kinda a thing in this place," she said while eating her bowl of chowmein with a piece of chicken on top.
An elderly woman in the area was the only person who was not in agreement with what transpired. She was very angry at the way the woman met her death and said she did not believe in the existence of `Old Higue'. "If deh say she suck a child then where is the child? Bring the child out and let we see," the woman said. She said as far as she is concerned the woman must have been of unsound mind and she may have wandered into the village. She could not understand how people in the village could have pounced upon such a hapless person and beat her to death. "I don't believe in that and I don't believe she was any `Old Higue'. They were wrong, they should not have killed the woman. They could have chased her out of the village," the woman said. She said she did not investigate the issue but was told about it.
As this newspaper was leaving the village a youth shouted, "Stabroek News, tell dah story good you know she was a `Old Higue' and she had to dead." Some of the older folks in the village refused to speak to this newspaper and even dissuaded some younger ones who were inclined to speak from doing so.
The police are continuing their investigation.
According to local legend, an `Old Higue' is an evil spirit, usually a woman, who changes into a ball of fire and sucks the blood of people.
She must remove her skin in order to perform this act. She can be stopped by grains of rice, which she is apparently forced to count and by being beaten with a manicole broom.
Stabroek News understands that while a woman who was arrested by the police following the murder was released two other persons were taken into custody. A man had been held on Saturday. The incident demonstrated how deeply held superstitious beliefs could result in murder and yesterday many residents pondered and quarrelled over the incident.
The woman was found at the corner of a road on Saturday morning and police said that there were marks of violence about her body. A post-mortem examination is expected to be done. Stabroek News was told on Saturday that the woman was beaten with a manicole broom (made of fronds from the manicole palm) and left at the side of the road and the body was later removed by the police. There were conflicting reports as to why and how the woman met her death but one report said that residents believed that the woman had sucked blood from a baby leaving a mark on the child's chest. Another report said that two men had called out to the woman as they thought it was a person they knew and instead of an answer they were greeted by a snarling sound. The men then called residents out. Residents surrounded the woman and threw rice around her while some threw kerosene and tried to burn her.
When Stabroek News visited the village yesterday none of the residents whom this newspaper spoke to reported seeing any of the above. They also said they did not witness how the woman met her death as by the time they arrived on the scene she was already dead. Some residents did not want to speak to this newspaper on the issue. What was apparent from those persons speaking to this newspaper was that many persons believe that 'Old Higue' exists and there are deeply held superstitious beliefs.
One young man told this newspaper that he has seen 'Old Higues' many times before. He said before the village became so populated he would see these things. "But I can't really seh wah happen hay yesterday (Saturday) because I wasn't deh suh I can't comment. But I know `Old Higue' deh," he said. Another woman, who was with her two children, told this newspaper that she is a firm believer that 'Old Higue' is a part of the world. "Me mother always tell we about it, and she use to tell we when `Old Higue' sucking you girl child you does know", the woman said as she held on to the hand of her daughter. She said since she moved into the area she has never had an encounter but she knew it was around because of what was happening with her child. She said she was not at home yesterday morning but when she returned she heard of the incident and feels that it was the same 'Old Higue' that has been sucking her daughter. "`Old Higue' have to dead and I believe if she was an `Old Higue' she had to dead," the woman said firmly.
One young man said no one gives life so they should not take it. "But you think about it this way if you wake up and see a `Old Higue' sucking you baby what you go do? You have to do something you ent go stand up and watch it do dat to you child." But when it was pointed out to him that the woman was not killed in a house but rather on the road corner he declined to make any further comment. He said his cell phone had just alarmed when he heard noise in the street and upon investigating he saw people in the street running towards the back. When he decided to follow he saw the woman lying on the street. Yesterday, the house where the child, who was reportedly attacked, lived was locked up and no one next door would comment on the issue. One woman who lives not far from the house said she did not come out until in the morning and she saw the woman dead. She does not believe in `Old Higue' but pointed out that "all kind a thing" exist in the world. She is not afraid of what transpired about a stone's throw away from her home but said her daughter is scared. A woman, who said she is of the Rastafarian faith, said she would not have gone to see the body as the woman is unclean and she wanted no unclean being next to her. "If she is a `Old Higue' she had to go, we don't want dem kinda a thing in this place," she said while eating her bowl of chowmein with a piece of chicken on top.
An elderly woman in the area was the only person who was not in agreement with what transpired. She was very angry at the way the woman met her death and said she did not believe in the existence of `Old Higue'. "If deh say she suck a child then where is the child? Bring the child out and let we see," the woman said. She said as far as she is concerned the woman must have been of unsound mind and she may have wandered into the village. She could not understand how people in the village could have pounced upon such a hapless person and beat her to death. "I don't believe in that and I don't believe she was any `Old Higue'. They were wrong, they should not have killed the woman. They could have chased her out of the village," the woman said. She said she did not investigate the issue but was told about it.
As this newspaper was leaving the village a youth shouted, "Stabroek News, tell dah story good you know she was a `Old Higue' and she had to dead." Some of the older folks in the village refused to speak to this newspaper and even dissuaded some younger ones who were inclined to speak from doing so.
The police are continuing their investigation.
According to local legend, an `Old Higue' is an evil spirit, usually a woman, who changes into a ball of fire and sucks the blood of people.
She must remove her skin in order to perform this act. She can be stopped by grains of rice, which she is apparently forced to count and by being beaten with a manicole broom.
Saturday 21 April 2007
Machine readable passports closer
Four officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Immigration Department of the Guyana Police Force would be heading to Canada this weekend to finalise arrangements with Canadian Bank Note (CBN) for the printing of the country's Caricom machine readable passports.
Some 500,000 are expected to be printed initially under a US$3 million contract by CBN.
The four officials, to be led by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs Angela Johnson, would include Deputy Chief Immigration Officer George Vyphuis, an information technology expert from the Guyana Police Force and an immigration officer.
According to Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee the machine readable passports would be in the country by July.
On the return of the officials, Rohee said, the Ministry of Home Affairs would embark on a massive public awareness campaign to alert the public on the phasing in of the new passports and the phasing out of the old ones and what would be expected of them in relation to acquiring the new passports.
Though he did not say what the price for a new passport would be when asked, Rohee said it was expected that the cost of procuring one would be much more than for the current passports in use. The new passports would also not be renewable.
Last December President Bharrat Jagdeo had told the media that the equipment for the machine readable passports was only a part of a larger project that would involve an integrated, secure system of record keeping.
The other parts of the contract would include records of births and deaths, Guyana Elections Commission data, as well as having licence and revenue and criminal records in one integrated system.
This system, Jagdeo had said, should help the government to better administer the country, to cut down on corruption and to track down criminal elements through an integrated module for fingerprint matching.
CBN has printed machine readable passports for Jamaica and Suriname.
Some 500,000 are expected to be printed initially under a US$3 million contract by CBN.
The four officials, to be led by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs Angela Johnson, would include Deputy Chief Immigration Officer George Vyphuis, an information technology expert from the Guyana Police Force and an immigration officer.
According to Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee the machine readable passports would be in the country by July.
On the return of the officials, Rohee said, the Ministry of Home Affairs would embark on a massive public awareness campaign to alert the public on the phasing in of the new passports and the phasing out of the old ones and what would be expected of them in relation to acquiring the new passports.
Though he did not say what the price for a new passport would be when asked, Rohee said it was expected that the cost of procuring one would be much more than for the current passports in use. The new passports would also not be renewable.
Last December President Bharrat Jagdeo had told the media that the equipment for the machine readable passports was only a part of a larger project that would involve an integrated, secure system of record keeping.
The other parts of the contract would include records of births and deaths, Guyana Elections Commission data, as well as having licence and revenue and criminal records in one integrated system.
This system, Jagdeo had said, should help the government to better administer the country, to cut down on corruption and to track down criminal elements through an integrated module for fingerprint matching.
CBN has printed machine readable passports for Jamaica and Suriname.
Star names pay tribute to Lara
Cricket's leading figures have paid tribute to Brian Lara as he prepares to play the final match of his illustrious international career against England on Saturday.
The inspirational left-hander will play his final innings in the World Cup Super Eight match at the Kensington Oval to bring his glittering career to a close after scoring 11,953 Test runs and 10,387 one-day international runs.
New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming is a self-confessed admirer of Lara's talents and reflected: "He's been a wonderful player and a wonderful ambassador to the game as well, I think. He's played the game in a very good spirit but done it in an entertaining way. I heard him say he wanted to be an entertainer - he was all that and more."
He added: "He was a player who created interest in New Zealand and around the world, so he brought more players to the game. For a left-hander (like me) he was inspirational to watch and play against and it's sad to see him go."
Australian captain Ricky Ponting believes Lara's achievements have been all the more remarkable for having to carry an under-performing West Indies side virtually single-handed over the last five years.
"The thing a lot of people don't think much about with Brian Lara, is that he's basically had the weight of that whole team on his shoulders for the best part of 10 years now and had to carry their batting and win them games almost by himself," said Ponting.
"That sort of pressure going into every game, for him to be able stand up and perform is something that should never be overlooked. I've always thought he and Sachin (Tendulkar) have been the two greatest batsmen I've ever played against, probably for different reasons.
"Brian has got the ability to turn it on when he wants and take an attack apart and Sachin has been the most technically correct player I've seen."
During Lara's career he has claimed the individual Test world record twice, hit 34 Test hundreds at an average of 52 and 19 one-day international centuries.
About time too. Time to hand over control to the Guyanese !!!
The inspirational left-hander will play his final innings in the World Cup Super Eight match at the Kensington Oval to bring his glittering career to a close after scoring 11,953 Test runs and 10,387 one-day international runs.
New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming is a self-confessed admirer of Lara's talents and reflected: "He's been a wonderful player and a wonderful ambassador to the game as well, I think. He's played the game in a very good spirit but done it in an entertaining way. I heard him say he wanted to be an entertainer - he was all that and more."
He added: "He was a player who created interest in New Zealand and around the world, so he brought more players to the game. For a left-hander (like me) he was inspirational to watch and play against and it's sad to see him go."
Australian captain Ricky Ponting believes Lara's achievements have been all the more remarkable for having to carry an under-performing West Indies side virtually single-handed over the last five years.
"The thing a lot of people don't think much about with Brian Lara, is that he's basically had the weight of that whole team on his shoulders for the best part of 10 years now and had to carry their batting and win them games almost by himself," said Ponting.
"That sort of pressure going into every game, for him to be able stand up and perform is something that should never be overlooked. I've always thought he and Sachin (Tendulkar) have been the two greatest batsmen I've ever played against, probably for different reasons.
"Brian has got the ability to turn it on when he wants and take an attack apart and Sachin has been the most technically correct player I've seen."
During Lara's career he has claimed the individual Test world record twice, hit 34 Test hundreds at an average of 52 and 19 one-day international centuries.
About time too. Time to hand over control to the Guyanese !!!
Friday 20 April 2007
Caricom Single Domestic Space visas in place till May 15
Caricom says the Single Domestic Space visas issued for the Cricket World Cup (CWC) matches will remain in place until May 15.
In a press release Deputy Prime Minister of Barbados and Chairman of the Caricom Security Sub-Committee Mia Mottley said "The Caricom visa has been an effective mechanism that has played a great role in helping us feel more at ease while the world looks on at USA" The visa is one of the key measures put in place to ensure a safe and secure environment during the CWC 2007. Air and sea passengers travelling between Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago now do so with minimal delays at the immigration counter.
Yeah...dream on...coming from Guyana ???
Expect queues, Barbados doesn't like Guyanese...remember !!!
Caricom said as of Sunday 37,664 visas have been issued to persons after stringent screening procedures. As a result, 732 applications have so far been denied. The issuance of visas has been done in concert with an Advance Passenger Information System which has helped in the close monitoring of visitor movements into and within the region.
With heightened interest in the closing phases of the CWC 2007, Caricom diplomatic missions have been mobilised to respond promptly to visa applications and the Help Desk at the Port-of-Spain based Caricom Implementing Agency for Crime and Security remains open 24 hours per day every day.
In a press release Deputy Prime Minister of Barbados and Chairman of the Caricom Security Sub-Committee Mia Mottley said "The Caricom visa has been an effective mechanism that has played a great role in helping us feel more at ease while the world looks on at USA" The visa is one of the key measures put in place to ensure a safe and secure environment during the CWC 2007. Air and sea passengers travelling between Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago now do so with minimal delays at the immigration counter.
Yeah...dream on...coming from Guyana ???
Expect queues, Barbados doesn't like Guyanese...remember !!!
Caricom said as of Sunday 37,664 visas have been issued to persons after stringent screening procedures. As a result, 732 applications have so far been denied. The issuance of visas has been done in concert with an Advance Passenger Information System which has helped in the close monitoring of visitor movements into and within the region.
With heightened interest in the closing phases of the CWC 2007, Caricom diplomatic missions have been mobilised to respond promptly to visa applications and the Help Desk at the Port-of-Spain based Caricom Implementing Agency for Crime and Security remains open 24 hours per day every day.
No water this weekend !!!
Guyana Water Incorporated is advising all Georgetown customers of a service disruption during the upcoming weekend.
This is due to critical maintenance works at our Shelter Belt Water Treatment Plant, a notice from GWI said yesterday.
The period of disruption is from 8 pm tomorrow, April 21, to 9am on Sunday, April 22.
GWI apologises for any inconvenience that may occur, the notice said.
This is really taking the mickey now...cutting the water for a weekend !!! Don't GWI know to carry out maintenance work when Guyana is sleeping that way not affecting too many people. Do it little by little not all in one great big chunk.
The land of many waters without a supply...great !?!
This is due to critical maintenance works at our Shelter Belt Water Treatment Plant, a notice from GWI said yesterday.
The period of disruption is from 8 pm tomorrow, April 21, to 9am on Sunday, April 22.
GWI apologises for any inconvenience that may occur, the notice said.
This is really taking the mickey now...cutting the water for a weekend !!! Don't GWI know to carry out maintenance work when Guyana is sleeping that way not affecting too many people. Do it little by little not all in one great big chunk.
The land of many waters without a supply...great !?!
Systems in place to deal with heavy rainfall predicted for May-June
By Mark Ramotar (Guyana Chronicle)
CABINET Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon yesterday assured that the Government is fully prepared and have systems in place to deal with a possible flood situation during the upcoming May-June rainy season.
This assurance came in the wake of projections there might be higher than usual tides and a 40% upsurge over the average rainfall during the May-June season.
Speaking at a post-Cabinet media briefing at the Office of the President, Luncheon said the most recent projections on the weather conditions in the Western Hemisphere, based on likely events in the Pacific, suggest an increased intensity and duration of rainfall.
He said the impact of this on Guyana could see “as much as 40% upsurge over the average rainfall patterns in the May-June season”.
“Also to be anticipated are higher tides than usual,” Luncheon said, adding that these projections were brought to the attention of Cabinet at its meeting this week by Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud.
He said Minister Persaud also advised Cabinet about the “heightened attention” being paid by state agencies and departments in response to these revelations.
“Cabinet monitoring bodies remain activated and based on the results of the recent rehearsal exercise, surveillance activity of the most vulnerable areas have been strengthened mostly through improvements in communications, observations and measurements,” Luncheon told reporters.
He said work is also continuing apace to advance the operational and the response capabilities of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC).
In this regard, he said the Timehri Warehouse is fully staffed and up-and-running with supplies and equipment for emergencies, evacuations and shelter management, while the Thomas Lands Hatchery now maintains a small stock of supplies as it houses the staff of the CDC.
“Thanks to support from the United States Government, the regional body CEDERA and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), a well trained national complement of disaster-response functionaries have been put in place,” Luncheon assured.
Luncheon said, too, that the Government is awaiting the report from the Venezuelan team that carried out a technical study here a few months ago with regard to the dredging of the Pomeroon, Mahaica, Mahaicony and Abary rivers .
Luncheon acknowledged that the lessons learnt from the 2005 and 2006 floods in Guyana have forced the government into “making better preparations”.
He noted that while there is still a “small window to do quite a bit more preparatory work, a tremendous amount of preparatory work has already been done.”
In January 2005, torrential rains caused serious flooding along the coastal region, the most densely populated area of Guyana.
As a result, the Government declared Regions 3 (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara), Region 4 (Demerara/Mahaica) and Region 5 (Mahaica/Berbice) disaster areas.
The coastal stretch between the capital Georgetown and Mahaica on the East Bank of the Demerara River was particularly hit.
The flooding affected around 290,000 people, around 39% of Guyana’s population, and was described as the greatest disaster to hit Guyana in the last century.
CABINET Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon yesterday assured that the Government is fully prepared and have systems in place to deal with a possible flood situation during the upcoming May-June rainy season.
This assurance came in the wake of projections there might be higher than usual tides and a 40% upsurge over the average rainfall during the May-June season.
Speaking at a post-Cabinet media briefing at the Office of the President, Luncheon said the most recent projections on the weather conditions in the Western Hemisphere, based on likely events in the Pacific, suggest an increased intensity and duration of rainfall.
He said the impact of this on Guyana could see “as much as 40% upsurge over the average rainfall patterns in the May-June season”.
“Also to be anticipated are higher tides than usual,” Luncheon said, adding that these projections were brought to the attention of Cabinet at its meeting this week by Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud.
He said Minister Persaud also advised Cabinet about the “heightened attention” being paid by state agencies and departments in response to these revelations.
“Cabinet monitoring bodies remain activated and based on the results of the recent rehearsal exercise, surveillance activity of the most vulnerable areas have been strengthened mostly through improvements in communications, observations and measurements,” Luncheon told reporters.
He said work is also continuing apace to advance the operational and the response capabilities of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC).
In this regard, he said the Timehri Warehouse is fully staffed and up-and-running with supplies and equipment for emergencies, evacuations and shelter management, while the Thomas Lands Hatchery now maintains a small stock of supplies as it houses the staff of the CDC.
“Thanks to support from the United States Government, the regional body CEDERA and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), a well trained national complement of disaster-response functionaries have been put in place,” Luncheon assured.
Luncheon said, too, that the Government is awaiting the report from the Venezuelan team that carried out a technical study here a few months ago with regard to the dredging of the Pomeroon, Mahaica, Mahaicony and Abary rivers .
Luncheon acknowledged that the lessons learnt from the 2005 and 2006 floods in Guyana have forced the government into “making better preparations”.
He noted that while there is still a “small window to do quite a bit more preparatory work, a tremendous amount of preparatory work has already been done.”
In January 2005, torrential rains caused serious flooding along the coastal region, the most densely populated area of Guyana.
As a result, the Government declared Regions 3 (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara), Region 4 (Demerara/Mahaica) and Region 5 (Mahaica/Berbice) disaster areas.
The coastal stretch between the capital Georgetown and Mahaica on the East Bank of the Demerara River was particularly hit.
The flooding affected around 290,000 people, around 39% of Guyana’s population, and was described as the greatest disaster to hit Guyana in the last century.
Why do we not have simple banking ?
Over the past year there have been several high profile robberies in Guyana.
Why is it that we are unable to put a simple bank payroll system in place and halt all the millions going missing ?
Employees should be offered simple "cash card" accounts to get them started and on a nominated day or date every month wages are transferred from the employer to the employee. Raise the amount of ATM's around the city (and believe me, there are not enough) and bob's your uncle, we drive away from a paper source economy (cash) towards a safer banking and plastic economy (accounts and cards).
If Demerara Bank can bring in such a big thing like internet banking for it's customers, why is it even government ministries are being held up ?!?
The list just keeps getting longer and these are just the ones we know...
Demerara Oxygen Company Limited (DOCOL), yesterday, $5M in cash, along with cellphones and jewellery.
Ministry of Human Services on Tuesday, $4M.
Toolsie Persaud in December 2006, $10M
Muneshwer’s Hardware Ltd, in June 2006, $30M.
We want to attract the "big boys" to Guyana, if they hear that they would have to pay employees cash they would run a mile. The ministry of finance should be on top of of the banks to put a system in place and if they need help just ask.
Why is it that we are unable to put a simple bank payroll system in place and halt all the millions going missing ?
Employees should be offered simple "cash card" accounts to get them started and on a nominated day or date every month wages are transferred from the employer to the employee. Raise the amount of ATM's around the city (and believe me, there are not enough) and bob's your uncle, we drive away from a paper source economy (cash) towards a safer banking and plastic economy (accounts and cards).
If Demerara Bank can bring in such a big thing like internet banking for it's customers, why is it even government ministries are being held up ?!?
The list just keeps getting longer and these are just the ones we know...
Demerara Oxygen Company Limited (DOCOL), yesterday, $5M in cash, along with cellphones and jewellery.
Ministry of Human Services on Tuesday, $4M.
Toolsie Persaud in December 2006, $10M
Muneshwer’s Hardware Ltd, in June 2006, $30M.
We want to attract the "big boys" to Guyana, if they hear that they would have to pay employees cash they would run a mile. The ministry of finance should be on top of of the banks to put a system in place and if they need help just ask.
Sunday 15 April 2007
Buildings At Providence Stadium
Outside the Stadium by the North West Stand
Left to Right
1. Players Pavillion
2. Cameras, Third Umpire and Match Ref
3. VIP's at the Bottom and Sky Boxes at the Top
Media Centre
Score Board/Grounds Keeper Building with Temporary Screen for Replays and Third Umpire Desisions
Stands at Providence Stadium
North West Stand
(Best place to sit...you can avoid the sun here)
South West Stand
(Gets sun mostly in the Morning)
South East Stand
(Gets sun mostly in the Afternoon)
North East Grass Mound
(No shade, not the best place to sit)
Party Stand
(No shade again, not very big and no party)
Saturday 14 April 2007
Boo Hoo...I'm back !!!
Well ladies and gents around the world, I am finally back to boring old London.
The past three and a half weeks in Guyana have been brilliant. Didn't want to come back and even shed a tear or two as the plane was leaving. (Big softy aren't I ?).
Watched cricket in the stadium till I got fed up...seem to back the under dogs and they seem to keep losing. (One team coming to mind as well...WASTE INDIES).
The past three and a half weeks in Guyana have been brilliant. Didn't want to come back and even shed a tear or two as the plane was leaving. (Big softy aren't I ?).
Watched cricket in the stadium till I got fed up...seem to back the under dogs and they seem to keep losing. (One team coming to mind as well...WASTE INDIES).
Sunday 1 April 2007
Let down at Providence Stadium !!!
Today was not about the cricket in Guyana. Today was all about making MONEY from those people who do not have it !!!
For the past TWO matches I went into the stadium with my big Guyana flag nailed to a mop stick. For both matches I was on the big screen and went on TV around the world representing Guyana as the only person flying the Golden Arrowhead.
Today for the West Indies match verses Sri Lanka the guy at security said that I wasn't allowed although I did see people with BIGGER poles than I had. I went only to fly the national flag and to watch some cricket. How can it be one set of rules for some people and another set of rules for others ???
For the past TWO matches I went into the stadium with my big Guyana flag nailed to a mop stick. For both matches I was on the big screen and went on TV around the world representing Guyana as the only person flying the Golden Arrowhead.
Today for the West Indies match verses Sri Lanka the guy at security said that I wasn't allowed although I did see people with BIGGER poles than I had. I went only to fly the national flag and to watch some cricket. How can it be one set of rules for some people and another set of rules for others ???
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