Kaieteur News

Saturday January 04, 2014

Kaieteur News

Page 3

Jilted man stabs reputed wife to death A jilted and jealous 27year-old man fatally stabbed the mother of his three children to death at her mother’s house located at 932 Second Street, Paradise, East Coast Demerara.

Around 19:00 hours yesterday, 24-year-old Monica Adams reportedly met her demise in the presence of her six, four and one-year old children at the hands of their father, Paul Scotland, whom her 16-year-old brother, Charles Elliott, claimed had barged in their house and proceeded to kill his sister.

And about an hour later, the police arrested the killer who was identified as Paul Scotland.

The young man who witnessed the incident recalled that his sister, her children, a cousin and him were watching television at

their Paradise residence when Scotland walked in the open front door, grabbed Monica by her hair and dragged her to the back of the yard.

“He walked in the house and dragged her by her hair.

He pulled her through the mud and carried her to the back of the yard where he stabbed her up with a small knife,” the distraught young man said.

He explained that Scotland stabbed his sister about her face and upper body. He said that as soon as the man grabbed his sister he rushed to grab a metal pipe and joined the melee which was unfolding at the back of their yard.

In an effort to save his sister from her abusive exboyfriend he dealt the man two lashes with the metal pipe.

At this point the man turned

on him and in a fit of rage chased after him with the said knife in hand.

The young man recalled that he ran towards the house which at that time was in a state of confusion. “I had a metal pipe which I hit him two times with. Then he turn to me and stated running me through the house and he catch me one time with the knife.”

According to the brother, amidst the screaming of the terrified children, Scotland abandoned his attempt to injure him and fled the scene of the incident.

The 16-year-old said, “Everyone was surprised to see him cause he don’t usually come there. He just walk in and just went straight to her. The door was open cause my cousin had just come in.”

Elliott recalled that he urgently went to the neighbour and called his brother who immediately arrived on the scene.

They solicited the assistance of neighbours and the woman’s body was escorted to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

According to the young man, the last time he saw Scotland was about three weeks ago when he visited his children. He said that the couple used to live at Helen #1, Mahaica but later moved to the mother’s residence in Paradise.

When Kaieteur News arrived at GPHC, relatives of the woman were in a state of disbelief. They related that they had received a call from Adams’s brother who had

SWAT Team to begin training by mid-January - Rohee A forensic laboratory, training of a SWAT team and the acquisition of an aircraft for the Guyana Police Force are some of the projects that the Home Affairs Ministry plans to get off the ground this year.

“The year 2014 promises to be one of opportunities and challenges for the Ministry of Home Affairs and I strongly believe that the Ministry…is poised to make a meaningful contribution to the safety and well-being of the citizens of Guyana,” Home Affairs Minister, Clement Rohee, said yesterday.

Outlining some of these plans, Rohee disclosed that 14 applicants from the Guyana Police Force were interviewed and identified for training at the Aeronautical Engineering School at Ogle, East Coast Demerara. They are expected to commence training this year.

“In respect of the Aeronautical Branch for the Guyana Police Force, efforts are underway to develop the structure of the Branch and to source a Fixed Wing Aircraft for its operation,” the Minister said.

Regarding the setting up of a Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) team, to confront special types of violent crime, Rohee revealed that an Organizational Needs Assessment for the Unit has been completed while training should commence by mid-January.

The Ministry has signed a contract with The Emergence Group (TEG) of the United States of America to train ranks for the Unit.

He also stated that the Guyana Forensic Science Laboratory should have been completed last April, but this goal was not realised due to

delays experienced by the primary Contractor.

“The project which is approximately 90 percent completed is now expected to be completed by February.”

He said that equipment for the laboratory has already been procured and the installation will commence this month, after uninterrupted power supply is installed in the building.

Staff members for the laboratory have already been recruited and are becoming au fait with their individual and collective responsibilities.

“The Director of the Forensic Laboratory was recruited in October 2013. That officer is now developing an Operational/Activity Plan from the Laboratory’s Strategic Plan,” Rohee said.

Meanwhile, the Minister also said that Rehabilitation works in the sum of $4,490,325 were conducted at the Marine Wing of the Guyana Police Force and four aluminum boats and one 500HP Work boat were procured at an

overall cost of $64.9 million.

In addition, two training courses for coxswains for command of Territorial Sea Patrol Boats were conducted from last August 1, to August 30, 2013, and from November 16, 2013 to November 29, 2013 respectively at the Guyana Police Force Officers Training Centre.

He said that these measures “will go a far way to ensure that the water transport and human resource capacity of the GPF Marine Wing to combat piracy and other crimes committed in our territorial sea and the internal waterways of Guyana.

And Rohee also noted that work has already commenced on the modernization of the Guyana Prison Service.

A Standing Orders Committee has been established to compile Standing Orders for the Agency and various Boards, all of which include civilians have been established to assist the Agency in fulfilling its mandate.

Cabinet has also approved a name change for the Guyana Prison Service to ‘Guyana Prison and

Correctional Service’.

The Ministry has approached the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs requesting that the Bill for this name change be tabled in Parliament.

In addition, $122M of the budgetary allocation of $129M for Capital works in 2013 was spent on projects, including the Construction of the Brick Prison ; Construction of Lusignan Prison; Rehabilitation of Trade Shops and procurement of Cell Locks According to the Minister, these projects are intended to provide a more secure environment for officers and inmates.

Work is apace to overhaul the Lusignan Prison to transform it into a modern facility in keeping with the Ministry’s thrust for the Guyana Prison Service to evolve into an institution with a “Correctional” focus.

informed them that Monica Adams was at the hospital.

They were oblivious to the fact that she had already died.

Relatives recalled that earlier today, the man had been placing several calls to the woman who kept insisting that she was finished with him.

Her aunt, Beverly Peters said, “They broke up last year and he always saying he gonna kill her.” She stated that the two shared a relationship from since Adams was around 16.

Peters recalled that the relationship had terminated since she was constantly battered by him continuously.

“She leff he cause they used to live at the mother house and

he used to want beat she in the house. She just get fed up and done with he.”

“I see she today, she was alright but he been calling she phone all day. When I answer he stay quiet but he then block he number and kept calling and calling,” Peters said.

The aunt recalled the last phone call between the two.

According to Peters, her niece told the man, “I done tell yuh one thing. I done and that’s it.”

She said that man was “molesting” her niece despite having started a new relationship. “He living with someone in Mahaica but we don’t know what’s he (continued on page 12)

Con artist slapped with five charges Hemant Silchan, the 42year-old con artist, of Champagne, Mahaicony was on Thursday remanded to prison by Magistrate Sunil Scarce after he appeared at the Suddie Magistrate’s Court to answer to charges relating to false pretence and simple larceny.

Silchan was slapped with five false pretence charges and one simple larceny charge. He entered not guilty pleas to those charges.

Police have reported that Silchan took advantage of a number of Essequibians by fleecing them of some $1M, while posing as a senior welfare officer operating on the Essequibo Coast. Silchan targeted primarily persons who were experiencing marital problems. Added reports suggest that Silchan skillfully

carried out his scheme on vulnerable Essequibians throughout the Coast and also from persons living at Capoey Mission.

On December 29, 2013, Silchan was eventually apprehended by the police at Bush Lot, Essequibo. He was identified by the mechanic, whom he conned of almost $120,000 in cash.

The mechanic acted on a tip he received and duly informed the police at Anna Regina, who accompanied him to Bush Lot where Silchan was apprehended and placed into custody.

Silchan apparently ventured to the Essequibo Coast after committing similar activities in Mahaicony and Sophia.

Victims said that Silchan was always neatly clad.

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Kaieteur News

Saturday January 04, 2014

Letters... Where your views make the news Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana.

Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

The 911 reservations Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee’s reported frustration about the efficiency of the 911 emergency system is enough to have even the least discerning among us attaching themselves limpet-like to the panic button.

But looking at Mr. Rohee’s 911 qualms, one may be forgiven for wondering if the GPF has really noted that the minister’s misgivings is a stark reflection of the almost constant complaints we hear about the lack of response to citizens’ call for assistance.

Will the police administration examine what is the actual response time to a 911 call from any given location in a division to a scene, taking into consideration road condition; volume and category of road traffic in terms of time of day or night; day or night of the week; volume and frequency of calls?

Is there any working relationship between the police and the Ministry of Public Works with regard to the notification of deteriorating roadways which have negative implications for police response time and ultimately on public perceptions of the force’s reliability?

There should be a review of the type and conditions of police vehicles in light of the fact that many police vehicles are a disgrace especially since ordinary members of the public are expected to have roadworthy vehicles. These are but a few of the issues that any serious police force considers as normal in the general scheme of things.

However, it would not be surprising if these matters are not being attended to with the necessary dispatch in light of the political insularity which have for decades inhibited the practice of professional policing in this country.

Leaving aside for the moment the minister’s professed lack of a university degree one cannot in all good conscience question his good intentions in the absence of evidence to the contrary. What should be of concern to everyone including civil society and the political opposition, is the seeming incapacity of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) for self-evaluation. This is perceived through the force’s apparent failure to review initiatives with the ultimate objective being public satisfaction through efficient and effective service and protection.

A likely scenario is that the minister is not being provided with the requisite level of professional and technical law enforcement support and guidance, but is simply being left to stew in his own juice of self-confessed ignorance.

The GPF has not been left behind over the years in terms of its members achieving a tertiary level education.

However what is significant is the possibility that among its graduates might well be some whose certification is based more upon influence than by any knowledge above a fundamental grasp of their studied discipline.

This view is supported by the practice of loud public pronouncements about interventions without the commensurate public notification about their efficacy reflecting a methodology that bespeaks higher learning.

For example it is no use saying that crime or road traffic accidents have increased or decreased without pointing to the variable factors over which the GPF had, or did not have control. There must be some concrete measures that the police can use to define operational success or failure. The force needs to remove itself from being reactive and combative in response to criticism, to a more proactive body which has an appreciation for the intelligence of the public.

This is achievable in an enabling environment characterised by diligent research of issues, and whose findings are presented for public consumption and empathy from a problem-solving perspective.

Among the aspects that the police administration through a process of self-examination can inform on are: the image that a reformed and strategic-thinking GPF expects to project in terms of its administrative and operational skills; projected significant institutional accomplishments; conflict management and ethics thrusts; its awareness of the importance of coaching and mentoring personal and careers objectives with a focus on ability, competence and achievement.

These are very important issues which if left unaddressed could lead to further stagnation of critical thinking skills which are sorely needed at this juncture.

PROFESSIONAL SOLDIERS ALWAYS FOLLOW CIVILIAN AUTHORITY DEAR EDITOR, Mr Aubrey Retemyer, a former soldier takes Dr Roger Luncheon to task because “Dr Luncheon also questioned the politicalmilitary relationship which has been in existence from the nation’s independence up to now.” Mr Retemyer, former soldier, writes in the SN of 31 December 2013 titled ‘Soldiers should remain professionals” that ”The soldier is not and would not be a slave to political dogma nor is he/she driven by the avarice and excessive greed which seems to characterize the PPP.” Mr Retemyer, former soldier, no rank given, then seeks to remind the Head of

the Presidential Secretariat (HPS) that “when all is said and done, if activities in that (New River Triangle) region should develop at a rapid pace and it becomes a lawless frontier, it would be the ordinary (sic) poor soldiers who would be required to correct the mistakes of this incompetent cabinet”.

Not yet done, the same former soldier also says “It should be stated here that the professional soldiers’ abiding interest is the safety and security of the state”!

Mr Retemyer then advises the HPS that “He should not try to distort the civilianmilitary relationship in this country.” Is he aware that

civilian authority always direct its military? Why is the insubordinate retired soldier so incensed at Guyana’s elected civilian leadership?

Mr Retemyer is very bothered and tells us that Dr Luncheon’s “spin on this whole arrangement in my opinion is disingenuous and extremely troubling.

Like a true PPP spin doctor, he once again attempted to confuse and bamboozle the Guyanese public and even the international community with the idea that the military is becoming too assertive.

His whole line of argument amounts to a load of nonsense.

For decades now, every soldier and especially the officer corps

of the Guyana Defence Force, knows how sensitive that area is.” Mr Retemyer’s tirade can only underscore the urgency for racial balance of the armed forces.

Slavery has been very deleterious and dehumanizing and its effects still are evident. Many have, like Madiba, moved on having shed the inhumanities imposed by their oppressors. Not so Mr Retemyer who uses it as a badge and shield.

Does he speak for himself or all in Guyana’s armed forces? In fact, Mr Retemyer writes: “As a former soldier, I spent many days and nights in that (sic) hostile but yet pristine environment. Many (Continued on page 5)

Is Guyana about to repeat its tragic past?

DEAR EDITOR, It boggles the mind why all those lawyers in the Opposition, including leader of the AFC, Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan and Christopher Ram who, as part of their legal studies would have studied a fair amount of Public International Law, would support the American Ambassador’s public declaration that he will ignore a decision of Guyana’s Cabinet of Ministers.

In that course, they would have learnt about the principles of national sovereignty and noninterference in the internal affairs of a country.

They would have learnt that those are two of the most fundamental principles of Public International Law. They would have learnt that no foreign diplomat can challenge the authority of a democratically-elected government.

Why then does the US ambassador, who certainly knows that his public challenge to the authority of the Guyana Government is against all established diplomatic rules and conventions, continue to ignore a decision of a legitimately elected government? And most importantly, why is the Opposition so strong in its support of the US Ambassador in his blatant act of disregard for Guyana’s sovereignty?

Those who are old enough or are knowledgeable enough about Guyana’s political history would not find it difficult to answer the questions posed above. It is simply the beginning of a replay of the US intervention into Guyana’s internal politics in the 1960s. The difference may lie only in the purpose of the intervention.

The Geopolitics of South America has changed. The two largest countries of South America, Venezuela and Brazil, are no longer governed by puppet regimes of the US. Any attempt to install such regimes in these two countries, as was recently demonstrated in Venezuela, will not only be hugely expensive but also doomed to failure. This is where the strategic importance of Guyana to the US comes in.

Get it? Guyana is uniquely and strategically placed between these two countries.

How else then can the Americans ensure that they regain a firm foothold on the border of these countries without making Guyana a pawn in their geopolitics?

The answer is a simple one. Go back to their old and trusted friends – the PNC now baptized APNU and the cashstrapped AFC who is willing to play the role of the long disintegrated United Force (UF). Over the past few years the world has witnessed this sort of intervention in quite a few countries in the Arab

world, democratizing them.

The results of those interventions are seen every day on televisions worldwide. The American Government has converted stable and prosperous societies into war zones and living hell for tens, if not hundreds of millions.

All of those countries have been thrown back decades in terms of their development.

The methods used in those countries are similar to those currently being used by the US Ambassador to Guyana, that is, supporting and building the capacity of reactionary opposition forces which cannot gain power through the ballot box.

Don’t forget that APNU and the AFC, whose capacities the US Ambassador wants to build, are the ones who for two consecutive years cut from the national budget all major infrastructure and investments projects that were designed to lay the foundations of a bright and prosperous Guyana.

We Guyanese for the most part are intelligent people who want to live in a peaceful, democratic society governed by the rule of law. We must, therefore, guard against a few power-hungry individuals who are willing to sell whatever it takes for the sake of political power.

Such selling out is nothing strange to those individuals. When the PPP was in power in the early ‘60s they betrayed their mother (Guyana) for the sake of political power. We are yet to recover from the effects of that betrayal. The PPP is once again in power and those very individuals are at it again.

If we cannot stop a replay of this tragic episode our history Guyana would be destroyed forever.

Do we want Guyana to be the Egypt, Tunisia, Libya or Syria of South America?

The people of Guyana, through a democratic process elected a President to make decisions on their behalf. His name is Mr. Donald Ramotar not Mr. Brent Hardt.

Faruk Mohamed

Antagonists should not deviate from the crux of the matter DEAR EDITOR, Though I’ve never met Mike Persaud, I’ve always appreciated his insights, and the salt that he has injected into the (ethnic) conversations over the years.

I particularly have appreciated his repeated emphasis on the need for the main (ethnic) political parties in Guyana to be radical and go ‘overboard’ in transforming themselves to be ‘non-ethnic’.

His letter, “The PNC should elect an Indian leader, the PPP an African one” (SN, Aug. 18, 2009) is a case in point. However, I am disappointed by Mr. Persaud’s response, “Bisram’s falsely attributed “kaka or looney talk” quote” (KN, Jan. 1), in replying to Vishnu Bisram’s latest missive on the subject of ethnic voting/cleavage.

I read Mr. Bisram’s SN (Dec. 21) letter, “Ethnic conflict in other societies does have relevance in Guyana”, and am impressed with the utterance - loaded with premises to back his point (that there is evidence of “ethnic voting” in the U.S.).

Mr. Persaud has, unfortunately, taken a page out from a (famous!) columnist in Guyana to knit-pick on a response, and/or attack the protagonist personally, or highlight an issue to deviate from the crux of the question in the conversation – rather than addressing head on the salient points of the combatant.

It is also unfortunate that these learned gentlemen feel that they need to include crude and smutty expressions (virtual cuss words) to underscore their points.

Devanand Bhagwan

Saturday January 04, 2014

Kaieteur News

Letters... Where your views make the news

Acting against corruption DEAR EDITOR, I have previously written about the numerous and variety of allegations about public sector corruption in Guyana; but I am forced to return to the topic, because of (a) a recent report that has been issued by Transparency International; and (b) the recent observance of International Anti-Corruption Day (which the government, reportedly, did not take part in).

What bothers me is the stubbornness of the present administrative regime in Guyana to just address (a) the contents of the Transparency International report; (b) allegations being advanced by Interest Groups in Guyana; and (c) filling oversight commissions with recommended personnel.

Instead of addressing the contents of the Transparency International report, Dr. Luncheon, for example, seems to prefer to blame “the wicked Guyanese media” for influencing those contents, while the President, Mr. Ramotar, prefers to blame questionable

research methods and methodologies for the Transparency International findings.

Within the global village that Guyana and other countries now find themselves located, the regime is obligated to respond to Transparency International’s rating, and prescriptions for improvement, or face international penalties and sanctions.

As a reminder, Guyana has been ranked by the 2013 Corruption Index of Transparency International - 136 out of 177 countries; in terms of the Americas, Guyana has been ranked 28 out of 32; while for the Caribbean, only Haiti scored lower than Guyana.

I urge the PPP/C regime to give urgent attention to allegations of public sector corruption in Guyana, because such corruption is unethical and immoral; it fosters greed; it robs the marginalized masses of scarce financial resources; it undermines investor confidence; and it causes qualified and qualitative personnel to exit the country.

Morris Wilson

Life is all about responding to challenges DEAR EDITOR, It is customary for everyone at the dawn of a new year to make New Year resolutions.

Some popular resolutions are to lose weight, cut down on consumption of alcohol, quit smoking and spend more time with family and friends.

Needless to state, few if any of the resolutions are fully or even partially realized and we sooner find ourselves doing the same things we had hoped to dispense with at the beginning of the year.

This is not an unusual situation and there is no point beating up on ourselves for our failure to live up to our resolutions. We are all creatures of habit and it takes an enormous amount of restraint and willpower to change our habits.

This is not to suggest that we should give up on our efforts to improve our lifestyles. I know of several people who were at one time or the other alcoholics and ‘chain’ smokers, but they successfully kicked off those bad

habits and are today much better off for so doing. The important thing is never lose focus on your goals in life and always remain positive and optimistic. Always see the glass as being half-full and not half-empty.

I firmly believe that despite our challenges both at the individual and national levels, things are looking up in Guyana. We have done reasonably well, especially when compared to other countries in the region and beyond.

A lot depends, however, on our own outlook and attitude to life and living. We need to stop blaming others and move on with our lives. We need to shed some of the baggage of the past and reach out to opportunities whenever they present themselves.

Life is all about responding to challenges.

It is the way in which we respond to challenges that define our success or failure in life. One important ingredient is to embrace principles of honesty and integrity and avoid the get rich syndrome. As the saying goes, honesty is always the best policy.

Hydar Ally

PROFESSIONAL SOLDIERS...

From page 4 men and women of my generation were prepared to protect this country, and provide stability for its development.”

The rope for his bile couldn’t have been more easily and transparently wrapped into his own noose. In a democratic country where civilian authority always outranks any military, Mr Retemyer is yet to recognize the foolishness and absurdity when he then bombastically gives the HPS: ‘My advice to Dr Luncheon is to simply let professional soldiers remain professionals!”

Unable to separate the difference with regard to the civilian democratic mandate acquired by governing authority, he substitutes his confusion to be policy by advice. So whilst he is correct that ”Most democratic countries around the world do rely on the advice of their military on a

whole range of issues” he is most out of his league to incorrectly claim “including national policy or national development.” That is the prerogative of the civilian government fully empowered to solicit it, or not, as an option, not a requirement.

Retired from more than active service, Mr Retemyer’s ambiguities couldn’t be more obvious. Unlike PNCaligned Police Commissioner Mr Winston Felix, now an MP who has freedom of speech to make policy, Mr Retemyer has not come out of the political closet .He too can make his advice policy if the PNC leader’s military rank means nothing to him as well.

For Mr Retemyer to chastise the HPS Dr Luncheon because some are ”not and would not be a slave to political dogma nor … behave like robots” tells more who remains mentally

shackled, but ever more so how misguided he is in asserting military discipline makes “robots”. Let’s assume he is not AWOL. How heroic and professional was his record when the GDF were unrobotic in historic rigging of elections or Dr Walter Rodney’s assassination under the PNC? Prophetic or not, Mr Retemyer’s reflection that: ”I have often contended that in years to come when Guyanese in another dispensation can look back with some clarity of thought they will arrive at some unpleasant conclusions.

There will also be a list of persons whose behaviour would have done a disservice to this country.”

Advanced and be recognized soldier! That was last year wasn’t it? Today begins a new future for Guyana if Madiba means anything. Happy New Year!

Peace and Happiness to all.

Sultan Mohamed

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Kaieteur News

Saturday January 04, 2014

Possible closure looms over Woman among three shot at ‘Ghetto Flex Bar’ Caribbean Press - Culture Minister The controversial Caribbean Press will face a possible “shut down” if the proposal for money for the establishment of an editorial board is not approved.

This is according to Culture Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony. The Minister made this declaration at a press conference yesterday after he was questioned about possible changes to be made to the Press.

The Caribbean Press is a nonprofit organization which was established to publish the work of Guyanese writers.

Dr. David Dabydeen is the current editor and manager of the Press. The Minister in an interview last year with this publication had explained that the Press is short of staff. “Everything that is being done for the Caribbean Press is done voluntarily. No one gets paid and it should be noted that it

The Ghetto Flex Bar where the three persons were shot

Nikita Glasgow, a 20-yearold woman, is among three shot at the Ghetto Flex Bar on James and Albouys Streets, Albouystown around 01:45 hrs yesterday by a group of men.

Injured alongside Glasgow of East Ruimveldt are Randy Bharrat, 39, of Albouystown and Courtney Sandy, 28, of Light Street, Georgetown.

Police in a statement, said that Bharrat and a group of men got involved in an argument at the bar during which they pulled out firearms and discharged several rounds.

The 39-year-old man was shot to his back while Glasgow and Sandy were both struck by stray bullets to their feet.

The 20-year-old woman has been hospitalized in a stable condition at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). She declined to speak to the media but claimed that she does not know the injured men.

Bharrat is a patient in the Intensive Care Unit at a private hospital. His father, Egbert said that he is in a stable condition at the hospital.

“The doctor didn’t remove the bullet. He (doctor) say it’s not life threatening

Courtney Sandy

and they will monitor his condition within the next 24 hours.”

The father told Kaieteur News that he does not know anything about the shooting.

“I just know my son was shot.”

Meanwhile, Sandy, a patient at the GPHC said that he had just purchased a Lucozade drink at the bar and was about to leave when he heard about seven gunshots.

“I didn’t see anyone. I just buy the drink and was about to leave when I hear the gunshots and everybody start running. I trying to run through a small pathway but everybody gathered up

there,” the injured Sandy stressed. He added that in his bid to escape, he was shot to his foot.

“When I was trying to run, I suddenly started to feel a numbness in my foot and I throw down myself on the ground and when the shooting finished, I took a taxi and come to the hospital.”

He told Kaieteur News that he didn’t know two other persons were shot until he reached at the hospital.

“When I come here then I see the girl at the hospital and I hear another person was shot. I don’t know any of them.” Investigations are ongoing.

is funded by the government.”

So far, the Press has published 60 books, 36 of which have been distributed to schools, libraries and Austin’s Book Services.

However, there have been several accusations of mismanagement of the Press and its funds. This has been highlighted by several social and cultural activists. One such person, who has been very outspoken on this issue, is two time winner of the Guyana Prize for Literature, Mr. Ruel Johnson.

In light of the string of accusations, the panel of persons working at the Caribbean Press has supported the move for the implementation of an editorial Board. The Minister said, “The people have been unhappy with the bad press they have been getting and as such we have sought to

David Dabydeen get the editorial board in place. This will cost money.

We have no problem if this is what people want in the name of transparency but if it is n o t approved then the Caribbean Press can face a total shut down.”

Procurement of drugs a national scandal - Harmon A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament and shadow Minister of Public Works and Communication, Joseph Harmon, has said that President Ramotar’s recent comments on the issue of shortage and wastage of drugs are totally unacceptable, and a belated recognition that corruption abounds in the health sector.

“I do hope that we are picking the right people for the right jobs… We spend billions of dollars every year to buy drugs yet we are confronted with shortage of drugs at health facilities nationwide…millions of dollars of expired drugs are written off and dumped in large quantities this is totally unacceptable,” President Ramotar had said.

“The statement by President Ramotar coming at the end of the year echos what we in the opposition have been saying for over two years - that the procurement of drugs is a national scandal.”

Harmon said that it is clear that the President has

Attorney at law Joseph Harmon come to the realization that this type of corruption can no longer remain a national secret. “Unless Executive attention is placed on corruption the perpetuators remain emboldened to continue this practice which has the effect to gut the natural resources and the energies of its people of Guyana. The onus is now on the President to take action against the gutter men of

Guyana.”

“Now that he has picked up the cudgel, the President will be well advised to examine closely the award of contracts in the mining and construction sectors of Guyana,” said Harmon.

The Member of Parliament articulated his hopefulness that in 2014 the Executive can work with the Legislature to ensure that the resources of the country are utilized for the benefit of all Guyanese and not just a few.

“We have no right to be ranked as the second poorest nation in CARICOM (Caribbean Community and Common Market) by the World Bank.

This government has brought us all to shame not only in Guyana but abroad.

“It is my further hope that all Guyanese in the public and private sector, workers all join with the opposition in fighting for a better life for all and that the heart of the few in the obscenely rich cabal will be motivated to free up some of the wealth to the benefit of the majority of poor Guyanese.”

Saturday January 04, 2014

Kaieteur News

Letters... Where your views make the news

Why is the President allowing these things to happen?

DEAR EDITOR, Clearly there are many challenges and issues that face those who govern for the New Year. However, as we move around the capital, two things must be a cause of worry.

First is the traffic congestion in the central business district in the capital and the buildup of garbage i n almost every block, including, believe it or not, to the East of the Mayor’s Office in the City Hall Compound, under the watchful eye of the administrator identified by the Honourable Minister.

I comment on the latter, since it constitutes a serious health hazard.

The garbage crisis in Georgetown is a direct responsibility of the Government and their appointed Town Clerk of Georgetown - between the Government and the Town Clerk, they are one hundred percent responsible for this mess. I give the following briefly: 1. Government has failed to properly implement an agreed IDB public education program to deal with Solid Waste.

2. When I raised this matter in the presence of Ministers Whittaker and Edghill at a session at Haags Bosch last year, neither would give a satisfactory answer as to what has happened to the money and the program.

They both seemed more concerned with giving out bicycles to the litter-pickers at the Haags Bosch Landfill Facility. Yet another PPP political gimmick.

3. The Government has failed to put sufficient thought and resources into this question of waste collection, disposal and generation nationally. By its very nature this has to be a national effort.

4. At City Hall we have a Public Relations Division with one Public Relations Officer, no secretary, no staff, no typing and printing facilities.

5. The new holding facility

at Haags Bosch is eight miles out of Georgetown, and in spite of our pleadings, is restricted to the opening hours of 8:00a.m to 5:00p.m.

6. The government must say why the Haags Bosch facility is not available on a twenty-four-hour basis. (Not the responsibility of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council) 7. The Town Clerk, without discussing with the Mayor and Councillors, unilaterally transferred the Street Orderlies to work with the two compactors, which were put in operation after being idle for several months.

The Street Orderlies normally picked up waste in the Regent, Robb and High Streets business areas.

8. In direct conflict to decisions by the Mayor and Councillors, the Town Clerk, with the obvious support of the Minister, dispensed with its services of two Solid Waste contractors, Cevons and Dartmouth, so that the following areas (West and East Ruimveldt, North East L a Penitence, Lamaha Springs, Lamaha Park, Jeeboo Landing area, Independence Boulevard, Middle Road La Penitence, Kingston, North and South Cummingsburg, Alberttown and Queenstown) are left to Council’s Solid Waste Department, which only has one truck and one trailer, and an earlier dictum by the Town Clerk of no overtime.

We understand that from today (Saturday, January 4, 2014) she has authorized the Director of Solid Waste to permit some overtime.

Next, the Government has done little to restrict importation of used tyres, and after my pleadings, since 1996, to ban nonbiodegradable food boxes

etc; we hear that this would be done this year. Let us hope it happens. The above are some of the raw facts which contribute to the sorry state of Georgetown, all now beyond the control of the duly elected Mayor and Councillors. Garbage buildup puts at risk every citizen, in particular our infants and children. I shall deal with parking congestion and bush trucks, the role of the Central Housing and Planning Authority in the destruction of Georgetown.

In a normal society, the action by the Minister and the Town Clerk could be considered criminal and deserving of punishment.

But then this is Guyana, where a Minister of Local Government said he would welcome a health crisis in Georgetown.

This is Guyana, where an unqualified strange person has been imposed on to the Mayor and City Council to manage the important Municipal affairs of the Nation’s Capital. Believe it or not, but this is Guyana.

According to one media entity, it is as dangerous as putting a night nurse to perform a surgery.

My question is when will decent citizens demand that the Government puts an end to this (confounded nonsense) and allow us to breathe fresh air in a healthy environment?

Finally, if allowed and given the appropriate resources and authority, 2014 can see Georgetown restored as a Garden City.

The big question is why the President who calls for cooperation in his New Year message is allowing these things to happen?

Hamilton Green, J.P.

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Kaieteur News

Saturday Januray 04, 2014

Guyanese-born top UN official Taxpayers have reached says multiple emergencies test their limit, says JLP leader global humanitarian system and the Jamaican taxpayer is Jamaica Observer UNITED NATIONS – CMC - The Guyanese-born United Nations humanitarian chief says multiple emergencies pose a great test of the global humanitarian system as an unprecedented number of people are beginning 2014 either internally displaced, as refugees, driven from their homes by violence and bloodshed, or uprooted by devastating natural disasters.

“2013 was a real test of the global humanitarian system, and there is no indication that 2014 will be any different,” said UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Valerie Amos.

“It is clear that the United

Valerie Amos Nations and its partners will be needed more than ever,” she said, noting that just a little more than two weeks

ago, the organization had launched its largest ever funding appeal – nearly US$13 billion – to reach millions of people with lifesaving aid in 2014.

Amos’ remarks come as three Eastern Caribbean islands – St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Lucia and Dominica – seek recovery from devastating floods on Christmas Eve that left, in its wake, nearly 20 dead, hundreds displaced and a trail of destruction.

In St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves said the country suffered estimated damages in the region of

Bermuda court drops drug charges against Health Minister’s son HAMILTON, Bermuda CMC — Drugs charges against the teenage son of Health Minister Trevor Moniz have been dropped after the Crown offered no evidence in

the Magistrates’ Court.

Thomas Moniz, 19, had been charged with possession of 2.1 grams of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

But the Crown offered no

evidence against Moniz when he appeared in Magistrates’ Court on Thursday alongside his lawyer, Saul Froomkin, for mention.

LEADER of the Opposition Andrew Holness said Thursday that the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) will not support the imposition of additional taxes at this time.

Holness, who was responding to recent reports that the Government was looking at additional tax measures this year, including placing General Consumption Tax (GCT) on petrol to plug an approximately $9-billion revenue shortfall, said that after last year’s pre-budget tax measures taxpayers have now reached their limit.

“The tax package imposed by the Government in February 2013, which was designed to raise $15.9 billion, has so far been unsuccessful and, in the present fiscal context, the recently reported tax revenue shortfall of $8.13 billion for the eight-month period, April to November

Andrew Holness 2013, is very worrying, but a predictable consequence of poor policy and ineffective implementation.

“The Government must realise that taxpayers in any economy have a taxable limit,

now at that limit,” said the Opposition leader.

Holness pointed out that the finance minister, by his own admission, has conceded that the Government is pursuing a contractionary fiscal policy.

“It should, therefore, have been clear to the Government that additional taxes and increased tax rates would not yield sustainable increases in tax revenues to meet their fiscal targets,” he argued.“The Government cannot, on the one hand, shrink the economy while, on the other hand, expect to get more taxes out of it,” Holness added.

He said that the only solution to the country’s fiscal dilemma is to grow the economy, and has called on the finance minister to set out the Government’s strategy for achieving growth.

Government wants entire population to have access to internet KINGSTON, Jamaica – CMC - The Jamaica government says it wants the entire population to have access to the internet and has appealed to local providers to ensure that is achieved.

“We need Internet access to all the nooks and crannies of Jamaica, to where the more than 1,100 public schools are by 2015, and we really have to challenge everyone involved in this regard, “Education Minister Rev. Ronald Thwaites told the official launch of the Caribbean Virtual Academy (CEVA). A virtual learning platform accessed through the website CaribbeanExams.com, CEVA is geared at providing online tutoring and exam preparation

assistance to high school students.

The aim is to help students in Jamaica and across the region achieve greater success at the Caribbean Secondary Examination Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) levels.

Rev. Thwaites, who endorsed the programme, said it was in line with the government’s mission of attaining greater student achievement. He said that the expectation was that the programme would result in significant improvement in student achievement, and also provide employment opportunities for local teachers.

He said that the whole arena of virtual education was a powerful tool for transformation of the system and CEVA is a decisive step in that direction.

“At the Ministry, we regard CEVA as complementary, not competitive, to classroombased teaching and learning, as it provides the opportunity for students to learn at their own pace, and not to hamper those who are capable of managing the curriculum at a quicker pace.”

Rev. Thwaites said he would be meeting with representatives from the Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining (STEM), to access the progress of the E-learning programme and the roll out of the pilot.

Optimistic about future economic growth ST. JOHN’S, Antigua CMC – The sub-regional Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) says it remains optimistic that as the global economy continues to improve , the nine-member grouping will also record economic growth in the future.

“There are growing indications that growth is slowly but steadily returning to key economies such as the United States and to the global economy in general.

The picture that has been emerging is one which should provide encouragement and hope,” said OECS Chairman and Antigua and Barbuda

Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer. In his 2014 New Year message to citizens of Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Montserrat, St. Kitts-Nevis, Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands, Spencer said the global economy may finally be experiencing the turn-around which the sub-region has been anticipating But he said 2013 had served as a constant reminder of the sub-region’s own vulnerability making reference to the death and destruction caused in three OECS member states by the

low level trough that dumped caused widespread flooding.

“The timing of these events could not have been worse, coming at a time when the general and public expectation was for joy, peace and good cheer, but also at a time of severe economic and fiscal distress for our member states,” Spencer said, adding that he was re-assured by the “indomitable spirit” of the people of those affected countries “ that the future of our region remains full of promise.

“I am confident that ours is a resolve that cannot be broken, whether by man or by nature. We will prevail.

Saturday January 04, 2014

Kaieteur News

Page 9

Youth unemployment is a guessing game We were having some drinks over the holiday season. I looked up and saw a young man approaching. I recognized him as the son of a couple I knew. I was glad to see him. When I asked him what he was doing, he said he was not working but was looking for a job.

I then asked him what type of job. He replied that he wanted an “office” job. I then queried as to his qualifications. He said that he had five subjects at the school leaving examinations.

These were not however impressive enough for him to compete with other graduates.

He made it clear that he was not interested in being a labourer. He refused to consider learning to drive so that he could hold down one of the many driving jobs that are advertised almost daily in the newspapers.

I asked him whether he would work as a sales clerk or

even a cashier in one of our many stores or supermarkets.

His face took on contortions that indicated to me that such work was beneath him.

The representatives from both of the two parliamentary opposition parties, the Alliance for Change (AFC) and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) have expressed concern over youth unemployment in Guyana. But the encounter with the young man made me wonder if the problem is the lack of jobs or whether it is the shortage of clerical jobs.

National statistics on unemployment is dated and unreliable. The government often uses a proxy measure to determine the number of new jobs created. This measure, the increase in NIS registrations, is equally unreliable. An increase in NIS registrations does not necessary mean an increase in jobs; it can indicate an

Dem boys seh...

Donald bruck up GuySuco Board De year come and gone. Dem business people tekking stock. Some of dem still thinking how much dem use to mek when Christmas come and now de profit reduce. Dem now thinking if dem should pay de VAT money over to Khurshid.

De government also counting wha it do. It had to look at wha it do fuh sugar. When de year start de government talk but how much sugar it gun get out of Skeldon. De Shaat crook call a figure when he present de budget. Is now dem boys know that he try a thing. He had plans fuh de money that parliament woulda vote.

But Donald had more plans., He did mean to show Bharrat that he could get more out of Skeldon than Bharrat heself coulda get. Bharrat did seh that he gun mek Skeldon wuk even if he got to lift de sugar factory wid he bare hands.

Dem boys seh that he think he coulda pick up de Skeldon factory and run away.

That is how Donald get fuh seh wha he seh. After de elections and he tun de big Sahib he seh how he gun get a board fuh tun round de sugar industry. Well dem boys seh that it had to be scrubbing board and it was away. It nearly carry Donald wid it because he use to sit pun de same Board.

But he fall off when it bruck up.

De new board that Donald talk bout was probably a piece of wood that he was hoping to get from Jettoo Lumber Yard. De problem was that dem didn’t pay Jettoo suh dem couldn’t get that board. Dem boys seh that Donald tell Jettoo that de money wash away wid de board.

Donald don’t have luck wid dem sugar board. Ali Baba did mek a serious move pun de same board but he back off when he realize that is only one. He like things in five.

Dem boys seh that he does tek things in five and that is how he give out dem radio frequency in fives, how he tek five property pun Main Street, how he tek five house lots at Pradoville, and how he tek five million fuh pay off he wife.

Talk half and help Donald get a new board.

increase in those registering for social security. The true picture regarding employment creation remains distant.

No statistics also exist on youth unemployment. The Ministry of Labour says any pronouncement on unemployment will have to await the findings of last year’s census.

This is however not the best way of determining the state of Guyana’s labour market. What is needed is a reliable system of tracking developments in the labour market, including the number of and types of new jobs created and the rate of unemployment in the various professions.

However, in Guyana there seems to be an aversion to collecting data on an ongoing basis. This is unfortunate because collection of data will allow for better policy planning.

The absence of reliable statistics means that the true state of youth unemployment is not known. And this is all the more so when one considers that within the sugar industry, the turnout on workdays is around fifty per cent. Where are the other workers? They surely are not

at home twiddling their thumbs. And how come there is not a mad rush to fill the vacancies created by half of the workforce absenting from their jobs?

The AFC has raised the issue of the economy not creating sufficient diversified jobs. But if the argument is that former sugar workers no longer want their children to engage in the laborious task of cane-cutting, then one would have expected that in alternative sectors in the economy such as the construction sector, there would have been a large reserve army, that would have pushed the price of labour downwards.

But this is far from the case. One of the main reasons why labour has to be imported in the construction sector is because of the high cost of local labour and the undependability and unproductive nature of that labour. The cost of construction work is prohibitively high. Even a painter these days is demanding in excess of six thousand dollars per day and sometimes higher.

A carpenter wants the

same and labourers are increasing their demands for higher pay.

In other sectors the problem is no different. If you need a domestic in the home, you will find problems in finding one and more problems in finding one that is affordable.

There are numerous opportunities for persons to work in the stores and in light manufacturing but the employees do not remain long enough on the job. Why the high turnover if jobs are so scarce?

The problem with youth unemployment therefore needs to be better assessed. It is not just a problem about numbers or the lack of clerical jobs.

Technical changes have seriously reduced the number of office jobs. Long ago an accounts department would have to have about four to five persons doing different jobs from one writing up cash book to another entering sales and expenses in journals.

Today those jobs are redundant.

From the point- of-sale, computers post the various entries electronically and automatically to the journal, thereby cutting out three or

four layers of jobs.

Then there is the situation whereby some persons refuse to take certain jobs. They would rather sit all day in the elements hustling a few sweets rather than take a job as a sweeper or cleaner because they look down on such employment and want to be their own boss.

But when they leave Guyana, these idiosyncrasies seem to disappear. The same persons who turn up their noses at working in a store in Guyana, go and clean toilets in foreign lands.

The job market in Guyana is therefore intrinsically complex.

To unravel this complexity requires reliable and up- todate labour market statistics.

Until such time as the data is available, the true situation as regards youth unemployment will be based on informed hunches and a guessing game.

Police to have direct access to CCTV camera footage - Rohee The Guyana Police Force will soon have direct access to the CTV (Close Circuit Television) cameras that have been erected around the city as a crime-fighting measure.

Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee made this disclosure yesterday, while reviewing the Ministry’s activities for 2013 and outlining its goals for the New Year.

Addressing an audience at the Police Officers Training Centre, Rohee said that the Defence Board has approved the establishment of ‘a direct feed’ from the CCTV system to the Headquarters of the Guyana Police Force at Eve Leary.

“As an integral member of the Defence Board, the Ministry has constantly supported the view that CCTV cameras in the City be used on a real time `basis to detect and fight crimes”, Rohee said.

“In furtherance of this objective, the Defence Board has approved the establishment of a direct feed to the Headquarters of the Guyana Police Force at Eve Leary.

“It is the objective of this Ministry to facilitate the Guyana Police Force with additional requirements to ensure that effective crime fighting takes place in service and protection for our people,” he added.

Government had promised in 2005 to introduce the CCTV cameras to help counter rampant crime, and had allocated $11M in the 2011 national budget to purchase the equipment.

It was revealed that footage gathered will be monitored and archived at the National Intelligence Centre which is being set up in the Castellani compound.

But in July, 2013, Deputy

Police Commissioner (Law Enforcement) revealed that the police did not have access to footage from the cameras, and could only access the feed from the cameras upon request.

This had prompted APNU Parliamentarian and former Police Commissioner Winston Felix to suggest that police at all stations have access to the footage from the

cameras.

Felix had also questioned the effectiveness of the cameras, while pointing out that the cameras were apparently failing to record the many robberies that were being committed around the city. Several daylight robberies were committed recently in central Georgetown without any suspects being apprehended.

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Kaieteur News

Body with “suspected” gunshot found Detectives yesterday at the scene

The body of an unidentified male with a suspected gunshot to the face was found yesterday afternoon in a clump of bushes behind Project Dawn, Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara. The man, who appeared to have dreadlocks,

was clad in a stripe jersey.

A pair of black suede female shoes was found beside the body. There was a bloodied jersey and a large rock near the body too.

“The body was not decomposing so we believe he was killed probably

around Thursday,” one police source explained. There were bruises about the body also, which could suggest that he was probably beaten too.

Kaieteur News was told that the body was discovered by workers at the Amerindian Hostel, which is not a far distance away from Project Dawn. The police were quickly summoned to the area. Up to press time last night residents and police were yet to identify the man.

Last week the body of Pegasus Hotel taxi driver, Rudrinauth Jeeboo, was found in a clump of garbage on Cane View Avenue, South Ruimveldt Gardens, early Saturday morning. Relatives identified the body at the Lyken Funeral Home.

Up to last week detectives were reviewing the surveillance tapes at the hotel. Jeeboo had picked up a male and female at the hotel.

That was the last time that anyone there had seen him alive.

Cane View Avenue is desolate at nights and several people have been slain there over the years. In the late eighties, the decomposing bodies of two unidentified women were found in the canal at the southern side of the street.

On November 21, last, the decomposing remains of 43year-old Dexter Baveghems, a homeless man, was found wrapped in a tarpaulin on Cane View Avenue, between Purpleheart Street and David Rose Avenue. The body bore marks of violence.

Saturday January 04, 2014

Missing fishing crew...

Maritime extends search to Venezuela A team of Maritime officials has been deployed to neighbouring Venezuela in search of the six missing fishermen who are believed to be stranded on an island in that territory which is inhabited by the Warrau Indians.

This is according to Rajendra Narine, owner of the vessel which capsized in the Atlantic Ocean, just off the northern coast of Guyana, sometime during the recently concluded Christmas season.

Following a meeting with Maritime officials yesterday, Narine said that the relevant agencies have been responding to their calls, but should they not be able to locate the missing men, he will be seeking the assistance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Narine said that tension has been building since days have passed and there is no definite word on whether the men are alive.

However, the vessel owner told this newspaper that he will be working closely with the relevant authorities to ensure that the men are located.

He noted that although he has not been contacted by the families of the missing fishermen, he knows that they are extremely worried and are hoping that their loved ones return home safe and sound.

“And we are working on finding them,” Narine assured.

Kaieteur News was told

that contact with the crew has been non-existent since Boxing Day, hours after their boat ‘Invincible 3’ reportedly turned over in the Atlantic.

The crew, under the supervision of Captain Nathan Bacchus, left shore on December 12, and was scheduled to return to Guyana on Christmas day.

Initial reports had suggested that following the mishap, only two of the crew members had survived, having been rescued by some Spanish-speaking sailors.

Subsequently, a concerned boat owner who gave his name only as Mahase, told Kaieteur News that he received information that the men were spotted on an island a few miles from the Orinduik River in Region Eight.

“People get info that they on shore on a beach, but Venezuela is a big place. They were spotted among some Warao people who don’t speak English,” Mahase said.

He related that a text message was received from one of the men via a Venezuelan-registered cellular phone on Boxing Day. “We have been trying to make contact with that phone ever since, but we are not getting through.”

He added that “I am quite sure that they are alive and well…it is just that where they are, no Guyana phone can make contact with them. They are all on a beach…people pass and see them…but we need help,” Mahase told this

newspaper.

Narine had told Kaieteur News that the matter was reported to the police at Charity, Essequibo Coast, but ranks there appear to be disinterested in the matter.

“The police (man) there deh pon he cell phone all the time when I go to make the report. He tell me if was anything serious, they woulda get a call,” Narine said.

“Me ah study this thing bad…ah six man life deh out deh,” he added.

In speaking with Kaieteur News last evening, Angela Vieira, Captain Bacchus’s wife, said she has not heard anything about her husband’s whereabouts, and that his family is extremely frustrated.

She noted however, that while reports are that the men may be stranded in Venezuela, she last heard on the news that the crew may be in Suriname.

On Tuesday, Vieira expressed slight optimism that her husband and his crew were safe, and had appealed to the maritime authorities to mount an aerial search in an effort to at least locate the overturned boat, with the aim of ascertaining the vicinity in which the tragedy occurred.

“Everybody just tensed.

Nobody nah know where these men deh, and we all worried and stressed out.

Right now me nah gat life in me body. Everything just deh at a standstill,” the woman lamented.

Saturday January 04, 2014

Kaieteur News

Page 11

Renovations on National Cultural Centre may cost as much as $80M -Members of staff who are underperforming will be removed from NCC - Culture Minister The Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony disclosed that the National Cultural Centre (NCC) is facing a lot of challenges and that the modernization of the building may cost up to $80M. This declaration was made at his “End of the Year” press conference, yesterday, at his Ministry on Main Street, Georgetown.

Last year at the award ceremony of the National Drama Festival, Mr. Godfrey Naughton, Director of the NCC, said that the high rental costs of the National Cultural Centre is literally chasing producers away.

Dr. Anthony was present at the event and was challenged by Naughton to take serious action in this regard.

Naughton had said that while students are trained at

the National School of Drama which is housed at the National Cultural Centre, he insisted that more needs to be done to improve the platform upon which they use to exhibit their talents and to practice the art form which is also a critical aspect of their course.

Naughton had made reference to the poor lighting facilities and the sound system which he deemed to be outdated.

He had said that for over two years the processors which produce lighting at the events and during most of their plays was malfunctioning even throughout the drama festival last year.

“We only had four major productions for the year, and that cannot sustain the Cultural Centre. The light bill is extremely high and we are unable to pay it with just that.

We are up to our neck with expenses and we continue to plead with the Minister (Dr. Frank Anthony) to help us with subsidies as other companies are assisted.

“The high cost to rent the

centre is chasing people away, especially producers of plays because they would have to pay 20 percent tax on even the tickets.”

When this was put to Dr. Anthony yesterday, he firmly

deceased. He pleaded with the court to allow his client pre-trial liberty and relayed that despite the crime being committed some five years ago, no wanted bulletin has been issued for him.

In addition, he said that his client is a married man who resides with his pregnant wife and two children at Lot 64 Freeman Street, East La Penitence. The lawyer added that his client has been a youth advocate who places effort through the “Say No to Drugs Campaign” into discouraging the young people in “Ras-Ville” from using abusive substances.

The prosecution team led

by Corporal Seon Blackman challenged Bond’s bail application saying that his charge is a serious matter.

Blackman related that

Cumberbatch was apprehended on December 31, 2013 and was positively identified whilst at the East La Penitence Police Station. He added that despite having escaped once, while being held in police custody at the city police station, he attempted to flee once again.

He said that the man is clearly a flight risk as he has been on the run for such an extended period of time and even tried to escape a second time. In his objections to bail, he also called for the court to consider the nature of the offence as well punishment attached.

The Magistrate upheld the objections of the prosecution and denied bail.

The matter will be called again before the Chief Magistrate, Priya Sewnarine Beharry.

Rocky Cumberbatch

Dr. Frank Anthony

The National Cultural Centre

After 5 years on the run, man faces manslaughter charge After almost five years of being a fugitive, a 29-year-old man who is accused of manslaughter was brought before the court to face two charges.

Rocky Cumberbatch, foreman attached to the Drainage and Irrigation project of the Ministry of Agriculture, was remanded into custody at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court until a hearing before the Chief Magistrate on Monday.

Decked in a white shirt and black jeans, Cumberbatch who is also known as ‘Rocky Alexander’, stood with his eyes fixed on the presiding Magistrate Faith McGusty, as she read the charges of manslaughter and escape from lawful custody to him.

The prosecution claimed that on January 22, 2009 at Tamakay Landing, Mazaruni River, Cumberbatch killed Marvin Charles. The court heard that on January 24, 2004, merely two days after being held in lawful custody at the police station, he managed to escape from Corporal Eugene Hunt.

Cumberbatch was not required to plead to the charge as it was deemed indictable at this point and submitted an application for reasonable bail through his lawyer, James Bond. Bond said that his case is one of mistaken identity since on that day his client was nowhere close to the

asserted, “While producers may complain about how much it costs to use the centre, we are actually subsidizing the centre and I think people should understand that. We have difficulties at the cultural centre and one of these includes the Air Conditioning.

“When you turn on the Air Conditioning in the National Cultural Centre to cool that entire place it is costly and sometimes the $80,000 or $70,000 that we charge has to be spent again on the electricity bills. People don’t take this into consideration and if we are to implement market rates I don’t know how many of the producers will be able to afford it.”

He added, “We have to retire the old AC system and put in new ones. We had some advertisements out for invitation for bids from contractors to replace the AC System. We had one contractor who came in and the estimate was too high so we have nullified that bid and we went to the tender board and asked if we can do selective tendering. We did this and we gave several companies a timeline. So far, we got two bids and we are

evaluating those.”

As it relates to lighting, he noted that the ministry is in the process of replacing the current lights with an improved digital system.

He said, “We also had difficulty with staff at the centre and we will now be changing the staff that has been underperforming. And the sound system will also be improved.”

“We have to fund all these things. If the centre was making money we could have been able to invest this money. We have to now find money from our budget to do this and to do all this that I have spoken on we would be spending close to $80M on the centre.”

With regard to the Drama School, the Minister said that the centre has been in existence for over 30 years and no one thought to establish the School. He said, “When the school started it was done so without a budget. We started small. We have demonstrated that this initiative is viable and we know that improvements have to be made because we have had an overwhelming response. We know it is not perfect but we will continue to work towards improving this area.”

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Kaieteur News

Saturday January 04, 2014

Mining body threatens to APNU dubs 2014 boycott price-gouging suppliers Year of Workers - urge operators to implement cost-cutting measures

David Granger

GGDMA has urged miners to cut costs amidst a steep price drop on the world market.

The country’s largest mining body has warned its members and other operators to reduce costs amidst a steep 30% drop in gold prices on the world market.

The price drop has left the gold mining industry on shaky grounds.

The warning comes even as President Donald Ramotar is set to meet with members of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA). The Head of State is expected to unveil plans for the industry this year during that meeting on Monday at the Regency Hotel, Hadfield Street.

According to the mining association yesterday, figures indicate that 481,000 ounces of gold were declared at December 31st- about 19,000 shy of the 500,000 targets set by the miners.

That figure, not made official yet, would represent the highest ever declaration of the country, more significant in face of the fact that there is no large scale operation in place. Gold

production rose steadily from 260,387 ounces in 2008 to 438,645 ounces in 2012.

With prices reaching as high as US$1,900 per ounce before falling to a lowly US$1,100 mark last year, the declared gold earnings could equal 2012’s of US$725M, which also included diamond production as well.

That would spell good news for the Government which has been banking heavily on gold to buoy the economy further. Rice, because of the PetroCaribe deal with Venezuela, has also been a golden child for the country.

According to GGDMA, gold declaration from 2008 to 2012 was 1,675,729 ounces with total foreign currency earnings of US$2.2B. The steep 30% price drop has been a worrying one for miners, the association said yesterday. It noted that this year there is no guarantee about prices. The price has been inching upwards standing at just about US$1,236 per ounce yesterday

on the world market.

GGDMA urged miners to change their method of operation to ensure viability.

“Pay all categories of your workers based on production, not on a fixed monthly rate. This in particular extends to excavator and other heavy machinery operators. Doing so will ensure that care is taken of your machinery and will ensure that all staff work together to keep the operation functional and profitable.”

Over the past few years, as gold prices soared to highs, local miners took the plunge, investing heavily, borrowing from the banks to buy excavators and fund operations.

The association also urged miners to examine ways to ensure overhead costs, like transportation is reduced.

“We must demand that there is a reduction in the unreasonable prices charged by certain transporters, fabricators, and equipment and spare parts distributors.

Their prices have gradually

increased over the years as the price of gold had escalated.”

GGDMA complained that now that world prices are on the decline, there is the expectation that suppliers and other players will also respond to this changing tide by reducing their prices.

“If they do not make the necessary adjustments in their pricing, we should not support them,” GGDMA threatened.

The association also recommended that operators spend more time planning, setting production targets and budgeting in the coming months to ensure profitability.

“Work on cost saving measures, such as stocking up on spare parts on site so that you are not forced to expend excess funds by chartering trips on a regular basis to transport spares into the interior. Apply planned and preventative maintenance measures to your operations to avoid crisis maintenance.”

Jilted man stabs reputed wife to...

From page 3 problem.” Additionally, her brother echoed the words of her aunt as he recalled that there had been unwanted phone calls to the woman earlier that day. “He call she this morning and she tell he to leave her alone that she ain’t want nothing to do with him.” “He was very annoying

to her cell phone. He was very possessive and so on. The two of them used to fight all the time,” the young man recalled. Her brother also said that his sister was a very fun person but described her ‘child father’ as argumentative and abusive.

At the murder scene, blood stains trailed through

the house. That was all that reflected what transpired that night. The house was empty but the door was left open.

A neighbour who resides oblique to the murder scene said that when he had returned home, someone called out to him so that he could transport Adams to the hospital.

He said, however, that at

that time a bus had already arrived on the scene to transport the woman. He recalled, “I see when they fetch her out but she done look dead already.”

Other neighbours recalled hearing loud screams emanating from the home. Adams was described as a quiet and cool person by few known to her who were at the hospital.

A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has dubbed 2014 as the Year of Workers since it believes workers’ efforts would facilitate the economic turnaround that Guyana needs.

This is according to David Granger, Leader of the Opposition, yesterday at the APNU’s first press conference for 2014, whilst commenting on Guyana being the second poorest country in CARICOM. Emphasizing the correlation between the labour force and economic growth, Granger pointed to the low production of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) and its low labour turnout for the year 2013.

At present, GuySuCo’s labour turnout is less than 50 per cent.

That has contributed to the company’s churning out one of the lowest levels of productions in recent history, Granger said.

He added that in 2013 the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) protested largely for better wages and salaries.

While nurses are not allowed to strike many of them “sicked out” leaving health facilities vulnerable.

“We in the APNU have decided not to put ourselves in the place of the Union…We know that the GPSU has what is called a basket of goods …We are looking at a significant increase in wages for workers,” Granger said.

He added that APNU is aware that Government has implemented a new minimum wage but wants to see a reduction in the Value Added Tax, lowering of the Berbice Bridge Company tariff, reduction in cost of living and increase in workers’ salaries.

“We see the increase in workers’ salaries as investment…if workers are paid more they will produce more…. there would be reduction in corruption so we have not set ourselves a figure… But I feel the demand of the GPSU is something the Government should consider,” he added. According to

APNU’s Member of Parliament Basil Williams, Guyana is said to be the second poorest country in CARICOM despite “they say each person earns US$3,000 plus”. Alleviation of extreme poverty is one of the Millennium Development Goals which countries are expected to satisfy by 2015.

However, Guyana’s status shows that Government has failed dismally to alleviate extreme poverty. “It’s a failure you won’t hear them talking about,” Williams said.

“So we are concerned because Gross National Income (GNI) measures income whilst the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) measures production, but the GNI is a reflection of the low levels of productivity and low levels of income going to workers and that is why we have named the year 2014 for workers,” Granger said.

Granger stressed that the Opposition wants to sit at the negotiating table with the Trade Unions, employers’ Organization including the private sector, and Government to discuss Guyana’s development.

In 2016, Guyana will be celebrating 50 years as an independent country and APNU is very concerned.

“We do not want to go to the floor of the National Assembly to have a collision with the Government…We want the Government to sit down with us and work out how this country would be governed…We want President (Donald) Ramotar to assent to the Bills the National Assembly has passed…We want President Ramotar to implement the resolutions of the National Assembly, and we want good governance… that is what we are fighting for,” he emphasized.

According to Granger, APNU is very concerned about Guyana’s economic state and income adding that the country’s affairs would not improve unless political parties and civil society bodies work together.

Saturday January 04, 2014

Kaieteur News

Page 13

Police to stakeout bars in clampdown on road fatalities Police have vowed to stake out nightclubs and bars across the country in an allout war to clampdown on road lawlessness.

With more than 100 killed in accidents last year, the Ministry of Home Affairs would be more than worried.

On Thursday, the Ministry of Home Affairs convened a meeting involving the Guyana National Road Safety Council, the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Minibus Association and the Ministry of Home Affairs to discuss especially the deadly accidents and find ways to reduce the incidences.

“The meeting was informed that the main causes for fatal accidents for 2013 was speeding, inattentiveness and driving under the influence of alcohol,” the statement from the Home Affairs Ministry said yesterday.

The main victims are pedestrians. Investigations have found that accidents involving private vehicles occurred between midday and evening hours and evening hours to midnight on

Sundays and Fridays. The drivers are mainly between 16 and 33 years old.

“Special programmes are to be organised for young drivers in particular. Night clubs are to be closely monitored by ranks of the GPF and greater use is to be made of CCTV footage to address delinquent drivers and road users.”

The police, the Ministry said, will be working to set realistic targets with a view to reducing fatal accidents and road accidents in general.

Between 2010 and 2013, it was pointed out that the Ministry of Home Affairs purchased and delivered 18 breathalyser machines with printers and 400 mouthpieces as well as 29 radar guns.

Meanwhile, the Ministry said that it is studying several proposals from the main Parliamentary Opposition, A Partnership For National Unity (APNU).

“The meeting analysed several recommendations recently advanced by APNU and found them agreeable and implementable in principle.

These recommendations were

The Ministry of Home Affairs has announced an aggressive stance on road lawlessness after more than 100 persons including a senior police officer died last year. assigned to various stakeholders for further consideration as regards implementation having regard to their respective capacities and competencies to do so.”

The Ministry is now aiming to convene a National

2013 a most successful year - Dr. Frank Anthony The Ministry of Culture is off to a pleasant start for this year, as its plans this time around will be built on a very sturdy foundation since most of its projects were successful last year.

This is according to Culture Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony who declared 2013 to be a successful one for the Ministry. He added that he is very pleased that his Ministry was able to execute most of its plans successfully which were aimed at improving its trinity; Culture, Youth and Sport.

While the Minister did not negate that there were some challenges last year, he did disclose at the end of year press conference yesterday which was held at his Ministry on Main Street, Georgetown that the Ministry will be striving for much more improvements this year.

The Minister gave a lengthy presentation on its successes for 2013. He also highlighted that some of the projects which started in 2013 and have rolled over into this year without being completed will definitely be at the top of their “to-do list.”

Some of these include the Synthetic Athletics Track at Leonora, West Coast Demerara, and the 25-meter warm-up pool at the National (continued on page 14)

Alfred King, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture (left) with Culture Minister Dr. Frank Anthony

Conference on Road Safety early this year, and involve stakeholders in the campaign to uphold road safety throughout Guyana.

On Christmas Eve’s Day, the tragic death of Guyana’s Chief Librarian in a road accident shocked the Guyana Police Force and the Ministry

of Home Affairs.

Former Commissioner of Police Henry Greene was killed in 2012 while Assistant Commissioner Derrick Josiah passed away in December from injuries related to a road accident.

The Ministry of Health’s National Rehabilitation

Services Strategy 2009-2013 revealed that road accidents were among the top 10 leading causes of death and account for the greatest number of disabilities.

A total of 1,563 persons have been killed in traffic accidents between 2002 and 2012.

Page 14

Kaieteur News

Saturday January 04, 2014

RK guard devoid of NIS benefits Celebrating one's 60th birthday should be a happy time. However it may not be so for a poor security guard employed by the Roshan Khan (RK) Security Service in New Amsterdam who cel-

ebrated that milestone yesterday.

When some employers shower their workers with gifts and other benefits and some go into retirement being showered with lavish ben-

efits. A poor security guard is fighting for what should be his and is contemplating his next move after taking his story to the media, because he feels he might be victimized.

Surendralall, who was 60 yesterday and has been working at the RK's Security Service for the past four years, is upset over the treatment he has received from the Company in relation to his claims for the National Insurance Schem's (NIS) sickness benefit on two occasions.

The man who works as an armed guard also served as a Supervisor with the company from 2009 to 2012. He stated that being a senior employee once with the company, he cannot understand the distasteful treatment he is receiving.

Explaining his plight, Surendralall stated that in 2010 he took ill with his eyes.

He underwent surgery and was given 30 days sick leave by the doctor at the New Amsterdam Hospital at the completion of the procedure.

He subsequently forward his relevant documents to RK's Head Office to be processed and dispatched to the NIS so that he could receive his benefit, but to this date, has not received a cent for his sickness benefits despite his many efforts.

The hapless Surendralall stated that he took sick on October 3, 2012 (last year) and was hospitalised for 11 days.

He said that upon his dis-

charged from hospital; he prepared a claim and took it on October 17, to the RK's Office to be processed for his necessary benefits.

He gave the form to the Area Manager, who claimed that she forwarded it to the Georgetown Office for the necessary follow up procedure and payments. However, to his horror he has not received a word much less a cent. Upon investigation the man stated that he found out that the documents were never sent to the NIS. His shock did not end there. The man said that when he enquired from the New Amsterdam Area Manager about the situation. He was told by the manager that when she enquired from the authorities in the RK's head office in Georgetown she was told that when workers are close to the age of 60, they are not entitled to NIS benefits. This, he stated, is unbelievable and awful.

This latest revelation has caused Surendralall great distress and agony to know that all the years he has been working and contributing to the NIS scheme that he was being robbed by the company and needs some explanation.

Surendralall wanted to

celebrate the big day in a relaxed manner. However, he has to spend the day contemplating what may be. He is fearful that he may be robbed again due to the uncaring attitude of the relevant personnels.

He said that he doesn't have much confidence in the system. There seems to be something fishy going on at both the NIS and his head office. He even called the General Manager who promised to look into the matter but, to date hasn't even responded.

He is not too sure where the underhand activity is taking place, but is calling on the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr. Roshan Khan, to launch an immediate investigation. He feels that there is a high level of incompetency in the operations of the RK Security Service.

Area Manager of RK's, Ms. Amelia Roopnarain, stated that the matter is out of her hands since all claims are usually sent to RK's Headquarters for processing. She said that she did what she had to do and it is for the head office in Georgetown to explain.

The hapless man stated that he doesn't know what to do next, but will be seeking further advice.

2013 a most successful ...

From page 13 Aquatic Centre at Liliendaal, Turkeyen.

The Minister said that there will be moves to start the work on the 25-meter warm up pool which will serve as a compliment to the 50metre swimming pool at the

National Aquatic Centre at Turkeyen, which he says is recognized internationally.

He also made reference to the fact that moves have already been made to continue works on the Synthetic Athletics Track. Some of the work on the track will be done by the con-

struction giant, BK International.

As it relates to the development of Youth, the Minister highlighted some of the 217 community projects that they were able to successfully complete. The projects entailed the distribution of almost $1M to communities in an effort to help them develop certain facilities.

He also stressed that much effort will be placed into supporting the Sport discipline. He added that works will be done on the resource centre on Woolford Avenue in an effort to develop a system where information can be readily available for those who wish to become certified in the field even at the CXC level.

It is against this background that the Minister explained that he will continue to work feverishly towards ensuring that an institution is established to facilitate accreditation in the area.

In addition, Dr. Anthony also stated that there were 250 persons who graduated from the Kuru Kuru Training College with passing grades and added that there is already a plan in place to further develop the institution.

He said that with the assistance of a Canadian professor, a plan is being crafted on how to effectively develop the learning facility in every aspect. The first draft of this initiative has been submitted to the Minister already.

Saturday January 04, 2014

Kaieteur News

Page 19

Agro-processors groups to participate in Regional Entrepreneurship Awards Regional agro-processors will join two local groups in the finals of the Accenture funded “Making Markets Work” project’s Entrepreneurship Awards ceremony.

The event will be held in Lethem during the latter part of this month. This is according to CUSO International in a press statement yesterday.

CUSO is implementing the Making Markets Work project in Guyana in collaboration with Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO).

The project targets six women’s agro-processing groups belonging to the Women’s Agro-processing Development Network (WAD Network).

The two local groups selected are Pomeroon Women’s Agro-Processors Association of Region Two and Waini Naturals of Region One. The aim of the project is to promote market led approaches that increase the

incomes of poor and marginalised groups and people. One of the primary goals of the project is to improve the ability of rural and indigenous producers to access, participate and influence market activities by understanding and influencing the dynamics of their respective value chains.

The groups selected were assessed at the country level, where there were seven local competitors.

The top three local applicants were placed in a regional pool comprising Bolivia, Nicaragua and Peru.

Subsequently, four finalists were selected to compete for the top prize of US$2,500 at the Entrepreneurship Awards Ceremony to be held in Lethem this month. The two other finalists are from Peru.

The Accenture funded award scheme was designed to reward outstanding entrepreneurship ventures that have also contributed to poverty alleviation and

improved livelihoods.

Similar events have been held in Africa and Asia where VSO and CUSO works.

The Pomeroon Women’s Group is noted for its products which are branded “Pomeroon Delight” and include the award winning Virgin Coconut Oil, Hot Pepper Sauce, Green and Brown Seasoning, Mango Achar and Fruit Mix. Meanwhile, Waini Naturals produces Crabwood oil, soaps and creams.

They have an arrangement with Sterling Products that is assisting them to distribute their products to mainstream supermarkets in Guyana.

Each year, CUSO sends hundreds of volunteers to work on collaborative development projects in more than 40 countries in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

CUSO International (formerly CUSO-VSO) was created in 2008 from the merger of two development agencies: CUSO was founded in 1961, originally as Canadian

Pomeroon Women’s Group GuyExpo 2013 University Service Overseas.

CUSO International is the North American strategic alliance partner of VSO, a worldwide federation of

voluntary service overseas organizations based in the UK, the Netherlands, Kenya and the Philippines.

Volunteers are also recruited

Thousands benefit from GWI’s quality service Nearly 100,000 Guyanese have benefited from improved water service and quality from the Guyana Water Inc for 2012.

This was according to Housing and Water Minister, Irfaan Ali. According to Ali, approximately $2.7 billion was invested in the water sector under the capital programme.

Some 20,000 residents, the minster noted, have benefited from new services on the coastland, Linden and the hinterland. The ministry also recorded a reduction in the complaints relating to sewage system in Georgetown.

The upgrade of the main sewage system in central Georgetown which caters for about 50,000 residents started, last year. The project was dubbed the Georgetown Sanitation Improvement Programme. Funding for the project which was around US$10M, was through a loan from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Government of Guyana.

Investments made in the hinterland area have improved, according to the

- Minister Ali

Minister Irfaan Ali

Minister. Ali noted that the programme resulted in the creation of 1600 jobs and a rise in the demand for local and imported construction materials.

Moreover, Minister Ali explained that the provision of new services for residents, the increase and more access to portable water along with sewage disposal were some of the areas that were given more attention in 2012.

Ali said that over the years GWI has made a concerted effort in removing

backlog in their financial reporting requirement. The financial statements were ready for submission to the National Assembly within the statutory deadline in 2013.

While reflecting on Linden, the Minister said that there was a per capita investment in excess of $25,000 per person. He said that works on the two new water treatment plants are scheduled to be completed in 2014.

There has been an upgrade of 1500 service connections and installation of in excess of 20km

transmission and distribution mains and the continuation of a non-revenue programme to reduce wastage are all expected to come on stream in the New Year.

Meanwhile, in Georgetown, the Minister said (continued on page 20)

from the United States (through Cuso), India (IVO), Ireland (VSO Ireland), Uganda (VSO Jitolee) and Australia (AVI), and from several developing countries with VSO programs.

Approximately onequarter of Cuso and VSO volunteers are from the developing world.

These VSO agencies make up the world’s largest nongovernmental development network that works through volunteers.

Collectively, the members of VSO International have placed over 45,000 volunteers since 1958.

Page 20

Kaieteur News

Health Ministry to launch Fitness Camp

Immigration INFO: Immigration News For Our Community

By Attorney Gail S. Seeram, Gail@GailLaw.com Through this “Question & Answer” column, our goal is to answer your immigration questions. We appreciate your comments and questions.

If you have a question that you would like answered in this column, please email: Gail@GailLaw.com.

Question #1: If someone has a holiday/tourist visa and travel before and their permanent residency is in process, is it possible for them to travel at the moment?

Answer #1: With a permanent resident petition pending, there is the possibility that the U.S. Embassy can revoke or deny renewal of a holiday/tourist visa.

Remember, with a holiday/ tourist visa, you must not have an intent to emigrate or remain in the U.S. If you have a valid holiday/tourist visa and chose to travel with a permanent resident petition pending, you may have problems at the port of entry in the U.S. If the officer at the port of entry discovers you have a pending permanent resident petition then he/she may deny your admission into the U.S.

Question #2: I was in the U.S. unlawfully and took voluntary departure back to Guyana. I am since married to a U.S. citizen and we had an interview at the U.S. Embassy.

My case was in administrative review and now the U.S. Embassy is asking for me to file waivers. What is your advice?

Answer #2: It sounds like you need to file two waivers, Form I-601 and Form I-212. Note, by simply completing the required forms is not enough to get you an approval.

You and your husband must submit additional evidence to support the waiver that will show the extreme hardship to your spouse if the waiver is not granted. This is a tough burden and there is specific evidence that the law requires.

Contact our office for more information.

Question #3: M y grandfather petitioned for my father and the visa is available.

My parents are now divorced and I have a new sibling that was not included in the original filing. Should we tell the U.S. Embassy about my parent’s divorce and what about the new child?

Answer #3: Yes, you should tell the U.S. Embassy

Saturday January 04, 2014

Gail S. Seeram about your parents’ divorce.

It is easy for the U.S. Embassy to search records in Guyana and find out about the divorce so try to be truthful. Also, give the U.S. Embassy the birth certificate of your new sibling and he/she will be included in the visa application once the visa fees are paid.

Question #4: M y grandfather had originally filed for both my father and his brother, and their families.

If one member of either party’s family gets rejected for one reason or the other, is it possible that everyone will be rejected?

Answer #4: No. Your father’s case and his brother’s case are two separate cases.

If one is denied for whatever reason, it is not automatic that the other case will be denied.

Note, a denial can be issued due to lack of income of the petitioner, unable to prove family relationship, misrepresentation to the officer, fraud, etc.

In keeping with the National Health Strategy for 2014, the Ministry of Health will be launching a health and wellness Camp.

According to Minister of Health, Dr Bheri Ramsaran, land has been allocated for the construction of a wellness park/playfield. The initiative is part of the health sector’s plan to fight Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).

Dr. Ramsaran explained that throughout the year, the health sector will place more emphasis on physical activities as a key method of combating NCDs. “We will be fixing the empty plot of land opposite Square of the Revolution that is the property adjoining the Ministry of Health.

This area will be used to create a wellness Camp and Promenade at the centre of Georgetown, convenient for citizens from the heart of the city, students in school, employees of Government agencies and businesses around the area along upper Brickdam.”

“The Public Works Ministry had donated truckloads of mud towards developing the area and the heavy duty machinery had started to clear the area.”

The Minister deemed the location as symbolic since hundreds of cars and

minibuses passengers use the area every day.

“The mini playfield/park will be used to promote a series of robust activities, where our Wellness Warriors will be able to challenge each other to exercise…for example, to a volleyball game between a team of Cuban doctors and their Guyanese counterparts.

NCDs are diseases which is not contagious. Cancer, diabetes, hypertension, chronic pulmonary diseases, which includes asthma, and bronchitis are all considered to non communicable illnesses.

Risk factors such as a person’s lifestyle and genetic background are main contributing factors of such illnesses.

According to Dr. Ramsaran four main categories of NCDs threaten the economy of Third World countries by attacking the able-bodied work force.

“We will be focusing on combating four categories of NCDs, including diabetes which leads to a lot of health complications, hypertension, which leads to cardiac events, Cancers, including breast cancer and cervical cancer; and chronic pulmonary diseases like asthma.

“These four NCDs have plagued the economies of many developing countries burdening the administration of supporting and assisting with NIS and hospitalization for a population that is generally not healthy,” Ramsaran added.

He said that the issue of non communicable diseases will be highlighted in the

Health Ministry’s five-year Strategic Plan.

Dr. Ramsaran explained that lack of exercise, a poor diet, and abuse of alcohol and tobacco contribute to a high incidence of NCDs. “The fight against Non Communicable Diseases will be integrated in the Ministry’s plan for the next five years.

Stress and excess salt intake, which is common in Guyana, are major attributing factors that contribute to the developing of NCDs. “The park will benefit the whole population. We are contributing to the development of this part of the City.”

The project is a joint effort between the Ministry of Health and the Government of Guyana.

Thousands benefit from GWI’s quality service From page 19 rehabilitation of 24 sewer stations is expected to begin in the New Year.

A water dispensation system will also be built in Port Kaituma, Region One, where residents would be able to access water free of charge.

The Housing Minister stated that the drilling of wells in Port Kaituma to improve the quality of water supply will also take place in 2014.

Commencement of an

e x p l o r a t o r y d r illing at Mabaruma for access to underground water so as to improve the quality of service upgrade of water supply systems will also be undertaken.

According to the Minister, similar works will be done in Matthews Ridge, Ituni, Region Ten; Purina, Region Seven; Akawaini, Region One; Kumu, Region Nine; and the Rockstone region, among several other locations.

Saturday January 04, 2014

Kaieteur News

Page 21

Guyana’s nursery intake likely Victim of police to increase with revised entry age shooting seeks answers

The Ministry of Education’s move to revise the nursery entry age of children; is likely to see close to 3,000 more children being able to enter the school system this year.

Previously a child had to be three years old

by March 31 in order to enter Nursery School in September of the same year. However, with the revised undertaking by the Ministry, children will from this year, be able to enter the Nursery level in September even if they would have turned three in June.

But although attending Nursery School here is not compulsory, Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, informed that there is a high percentage of “our nursery age cohorts in Nursery School...That is more than 85 per cent of our children who can attend nursery are in Nursery (School) and we expect that will raise a little.”

In fact, Minister Manickchand speculated that “we probably have the highest percentage in the Commonwealth Caribbean regarding the number of children we have enrolled in schools and we are envied throughout the Region for our early childhood education.”

Nevertheless, she insisted that “we will be unhappy with nothing more than perfection.”

The Minister’s remarks were forthcoming as she deliberated at her end of year press conference, Monday last, which was venued at Cara Lodge, Quamina Street, Georgetown.

At that forum she disclosed that as part of efforts to do even better, the Ministry last year conducted a study which was aimed at ascertaining what children know when they enter into the Nursery Programme, as oppose to what the literature say they should know.

The findings of the study according to the Minister will be published shortly along with a massive advertisement campaign.

The campaign, she explained, will be strategically designed to inform parents of what their children should know; how it is that parents and guardians can teach those children these things using the materials they have at home prior to them entering the formal education system. “We hope not to impose on parents the additional burden of trying to acquire materials that will cost them (so) that is something that we are presently working on and we hope to introduce,” said Manickchand.

In the fervent quest to improve education delivery, the Minister disclosed that the Ministry had last year wrote what she described as “an incredible series” - Roraima Readers, which will be launched shortly. The venture was piloted in September 2013 as an entire new series of books and work materials to use in the country’s nursery schools.

These, according to Manickchand, include: readers, workbooks, writing books, writing skills workbooks, flashcards, charts and assessments that were created by persons within the Ministry. “The reviews

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand have been excellent and have led us to believe that the product is excellent...we are constantly reviewing but given what we have learnt so far, we believe that this is something which, with minor adjustments, we will be able to introduce in 2014 September all across the country’s nursery system,” said the Education Minister.

She is optimistic that the official introduction of the series would in fact “save us the trouble of having to purchase textbooks that are not ours at incredible cost.”

The past year also saw the Ministry conducting another study in the primary sector – Grades One through Six – in an attempt to assess what children in those Grades know as far as the literacy standards are concerned.

And according to Minister Manickchand, at the moment the Education Sector is in conformity with international literacy standards. “We created tests across the Grades and administered those tests across the country to determine where it is our children are regarding meeting the international literacy standards,” she disclosed.

“I believe this is one of the first studies that have been done in the country that addresses the issue of literacy frontally and frankly...” said the Minister as she informed that the findings will be published in the near future. The findings, she noted, are currently being processed with a view of having it published. And according to the Minister, the Ministry is using the results that are obtained in the sector, as a critical measure of its progression.

She pointed out though that “while we know that results are not the only indicator, we certainly cannot discount results as an indicator...we are doing the best that we have ever done as a country,” she confidently asserted.

Huckster denied bail for attempted murder Bail was yesterday refused to a 51-yearold Diamond Squatting Area resident who appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court charged with attempted murder.

Lall, also known as ‘Boyo’ and ‘Corilla’, was accused of maliciously wounding Hubert Jerry on December 30, last, at Diamond Squatting Area with intent to murder him. The man who was not represented by counsel was not required to plead since the charge was indictable.

The prosecution which was headed by Lance Corporal Renetta Bentham told the court that the victim is currently hopitalised. She said that he sustained damage to his

intestines. Though investigations are ongoing, it was reported that “Corilla” allegedly used a knife and cutlass to wound the victim. Prosecutor Bentham objected to bail. She stated that he is a flight-risk who would not return to face the charges.

Lall did not apply for bail but told the court that he is self-employed. When the Magistrate asked for clarity, the accused described himself as a “flat-foot” hustler. He explained that he buys clothes and walks and sells them.

Magistrate Azore refused bail and he is now a remand prisoner awaiting his next court date. The matter is scheduled to be called before Magistrate Leron Daly on February 14 at the Providence Magistrate’s Court.

22-year-old Devon Harry is seeking answers after allegedly being shot by police ranks due to a wrongful accusation.

Harry, a mason, of Lot 11 Grove Public Road, East Bank Demerara, is seeking justice after the shooting incident that left him seriously wounded for the past three months.

“Me ain’t really understand how de police come fuh shoot me but all I know is that I de walking on de street where the lumber yard deh with me friend and the police come and start harass we. I never had no confrontation with the police before.”

“Two of them claim say how dem suspect we go for rob somebody but we only went to buy chicken. Till now we don’t know what de police talking about.”

The injured man’s sister, Vilanda Gordon, said that she recalled when the incident occurred on October 14, last, during a stop and search police exercise.

“A neighbour came at my house and told me that my brother get shoot. I rushed to the scene and see him lying

Harry displays his injuries in de grass in blood. He was there for almost two hours and people crowd de place.

The police claim that he had a gun and till now them ain’t find the evidence.”

“My brother went to buy chicken and after they start rough he up and accuse he of some robbery, he go fuh run and dem shoot he in he left side foot and the bullet shatter the bone.”

Gordon said that her brother was incarcerated at the Grove Police Station for three days before he was

placed on bail. “Police gave him $10,000 bail but when I finding out about the police who shoot my brother the officer tell me that the rank is not even from Grove Station.”

“We want answers cause my brother could have died.

The matter is supposed to be under investigations. We want to make sure that this ain’t happen again.”

Gordon says that the matter is currently being handled by the Brickdam Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

Page 22

Kaieteur News

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3 Bedrooms @ 20th Street Diamond- $17M & Luxury House @ 5th Street Diamond - $38M. Tel: 661-0180 Ogle - $90M, AtlanticVille $54M, Atlanic Gardens $40M, C. Margot - $32M, La Grange – $40M – Resouvenir - Contact :231-2199; 618-7483 2 Family house @ 6th Street Diamond - $28M, 2 family house @ 2nd Bridge Grove $14M & 3 bedrooms @ Herstelling - $22M - Tel:6610180 3 Storey 17 rooms hotel @ Broad St – Tel: 654-4939; 6984700 CAKES & PASTRIES: Courses for cakes and Pastries: Cake decoration, bridal accessories, floral arrangement, cookery- Call Sharon: 672-8768;223-3303

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Apply @ Fortune House Restaurant, 98 Sheriff Street.

1 experienced cook for interior, male or female, also jet man, marack man. Call 8am-5pm – Deo: 655-7991 Urgently needed 1 plot of land to buy in Parfaite Harmonie, Herstelling & Eccles -Tel: 218-5591; 675-7292 Attractive live in waitress Call: 604-8277; 228-5129 One experienced excavator operator to work in interiorContact:681-6044 One experienced female shop attendant to work in interior – Contact: 681-6044

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VEHICLE FOR SALE ALYEA AUTO SALE: PREMIO 2004, ALLION 2008 NEW SHAPE & CARINA 212 @ 40 CROAL STREET STABROEK – TEL: 231-7284; 622-3823 Unregistered Toyota Sienta (2004) 1500cc and 7 seater – Tel: 617-5536 New ATVs: Introductory price $1,199,000 (Duty Free)Call:691-0234 New 2014 Isuzu: D-Max single & double cabs - Call: 691-0234 Toyota Raum with TV, Rims & music - PRR series - Tel: 662-2569 2008 Fielder – unregistered Tel: 617-2891

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Spare for washing machine, microwaves,fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, pumps, etc call: 225-9032,647-2943

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One foreign used Massey Ferguson 290 Tractor for sale Tel: 696-5997 Soluble fertilizers, Calcium Nitrate, Potassium and much more – Tel:611-6478 Fishing boat Length- 30" , Width- 6½ & Depth- 3½ with 15HP Tohatsu engine - $1.4M Tel: 690-7231; 697-0648 1 smoothie machine,2 ice machine- Contact:2310655,683-8734

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Tel: 227-1830

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Apply @ West Shore Plaza, 15 Public Road Ruimzeigt W.C.D - Tel: 269-1524

FOR SALE

One 210 Hyundai Excavator with one complete 6" Dredge and also 4" Dredge Contact: 650-2391

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LEARN TO DRIVE Soman & Sons Driving School , First Federation Building Call 225-4858, 6445166,622-2872,615-0964

Saturday January 04, 2014

1 HP office jet pro printer, 1 6 Light Chandelier, 2- 6 Cylinder Cummings engine with turbo, 1 AC Energy saver Lg– Tel: Tel:673-9501 1 RZ longbase mini-bus.

Excellent Condition – Price: $1.2M. First Owner!!– Tel:666-4999 or 698-6898 1 Fishing vessel fully loaded, 15 Yamaha, ice-box (650Lbs) Nylon 5" Seine (2.8M) – Tel:660-1825; 695-2679.

Price Negotiable!

FOR SALE Fluffy Terrier pet puppies – Tel:645-0240 Cheapest iPhones - $40,000 Tel: 626-2771 Dell Laptops, touch screen - $230,000 – Tel:695-2679 1 Dewalt miter saw, 1 Dewalt circular saw, 1 Dewalt Saw-saw, 1 Milwawkee band Saw and 1Makita hammer drill - Tel: 673-9501 Large plucked chickens, wholesale only $300 per lb – Contact:266-2711, 609-4594 (Continued on page 23)

Saturday January 04, 2014

Kaieteur News

Page 23

Failed predictions, Lower Corentyne still floods The Ministry of Agriculture had predicted unprecedented rainfall over the last 24 hours in Berbice.

This did not materialise and even though residents may state that the Ministry of Agriculture got it wrong again by predicting the wrong weather pattern, a number of villages in the Hogstyle – Lancaster NDC on the Corentyne have been flooding.

Residents now say there is no knowledge when the problem will be remedied. All of this is despite the several assurances by the relevant authorities that systems were

put in place in case there was heavy rainfall to avoid flooding.

Most affected is the village of Liverpool.

Residents say that it is due to neglect and are laying the blame squarely at the feet of the relevant authorities, including the NDC, the Regional Administration the NDIA and the Government, including the Ministry of Agriculture.

The residents say that whenever it rains the village will be flooded. They also stated that this set of water has been on the land since before Christmas and there is

no indication when it will subside because whenever the rain falls again the water will rise and the land will be flooded.

They state that water from the backlands, especially from the Black Bush Area will flow into the village causing more flooding.

What is also disconcerting for the more than 2000 residents of the village is that most of the water from the Central Corentyne areas will flow down to their area to be drained through their village, simply because that area is low and sit in a basin.

Resident, Charles Smart stated that he has been living in the village for more than 20 years and the situation seems to be getting worse. He is a livestock and cash crop farmer and has suffered tremendous losses.

Another resident, Patricia Bledman, stated that she suffers a lot because she has to wade through the water whenever she has to leave her home.

Retired headmaster O’Neil Leitch is of the opinion that the entire scenario is the result of negligence. He stated that although there used to be flooding before the

Boast of economic growth is meaningless …in the midst of rampant injustices - GTUC The Guyana Trade Union Congress (GTUC) has expressed in its New Year missive that the government’s “boast of economic growth is meaningless in the midst of rampant injustices, inequities and pervasive poverty.”

According to the GTUC, the widening gap between the haves and have-nots and decline in a real living wage must be a matter of national importance. The GTUC stated that as the government remains in contempt of the Rule of Law, the strong and mighty confiscate wealth while justice for those aggrieved remains non-existent.

“In 2014 Guyana stands isolated in the Region as the nation where its government carries out an active policy to transgress citizens’ rights.

Workers are expected to give their best in an environment

of hostile employers, including the government who is not only a violator but also aids and abets local and foreign employers” said GTUC. According to the GTUC, the “15-year agitation by retired workers of the telecommunications industry to resolve their retirement income begs attention from government who not only has premier responsibility to the elderly but more so, this matter has its genesis in the formerly state-owned Guyana Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n Corporation.”

The Union body also expressed that government’s refusal to address years of grievances of bauxite workers employed by the state and foreign owned Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated (BCGI), citing the “12 year imposition of wages and salaries in the

Miner badly stabbed, left arm almost severed

STABBED: Alex McPherson A twenty-three-year-old miner is now a patient in the Accident and Emergency Unit of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) after being stabbed and chopped multiple times about the body. His left arm was reportedly almost severed.

The man was identified as Alex McPherson, called ‘Batchie’ of 169 East

Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

According to a relative, the episode that led to the man being injured occurred around 18:00 hours last evening in the vicinity of Avocado Square, East Ruimveldt.

She said that McPherson had left home to make a purchase at a nearby shop just minutes before she received a call notifying her that he was attacked and was taken to hospital. According to her, the still conscious McPherson was transported to the health facility by a taxi driver whom he gave the phone numbers to alert his relatives.

She added that McPherson has named his attacker as ‘Jamal’. However, other than the name, the family has no lead about what might have caused the attack.

A report was lodged at the Police Outpost in the hospital compound.

public service are violations of ILO Conventions 87 and 98, and Article 147 of the Constitution are too noted.”

The GTUC said that it stands in solidarity with the Guyana Local Government Officers Union’s (GLGOU) over “the Local Government Minister appointment of the Town Clerk to the Georgetown municipality in usurpation of the Council’s authority to identify and recommend the person to fill the vacancy” and is optimistic that a member of the Union has brought the issue to the Court’s attention.

The Trade Union Corporation said that it is encouraged by the appointment of Attorney-atlaw Winston Moore as Ombudsman and “calls on the administration to ensure the office gets the needed resources to ensure functionality, because any appointment absent requisite resources is tantamount to making the office ineffective/ vacant.”

The GTUC also calls for the appointments and proper funding of all constitutional offices “which is a critical component to good governance. Notable among them are the Public Procurement Commission, Integrity Commission, Ethnic Relations Commission, Human Rights Commission, Public Service Appellate Tribunal and the Police Service Commission.”

According to the GTUC, the Leader of the Opposition is a constitutional office yet

General Secretary of the GTUC Lincoln Lewis it continues to be denied state funding to carry out its duties “even as the nonconstitutional foundation created by the First Lady is given state funding to manage its interest.” These injustices must be corrected said the GTUC. GTUC said it takes note of President Ramotar’s New Year’s Message and “expects him to comply with the said things he asked of others. As the nation’s Chief Public Servant and Head of State, the President is expected to set the tone by which the society will operate.

“Guyana faces problems of epic proportions and solving them requires all hands on deck to repel the forces trampling workers/ citizens, violating laws, manufacturing divisions among groups for selfserving end, and denying the people what’s rightly theirs.

“Guyanese deserve better and must refuse to settle for less!” said the Trade Union Corporation.

situation was not so dire.

There were better systems in place; the drains were cleaned regularly and the various drainage sluices were operational. Now the drains are not cleaned, water is allowed to flow in from the Black Bush Polder areas into the villages in front and there are no proper outlets.

Most of the drainage sluices are not functioning, thus causing a major problem.

He also feels that the sluice at Liverpool is not functioning and being monitored properly .The sluice at Alness which was commission with much fanfare is hardly functioning and has not worked since last Wednesday despite the area being flooded.

One of the reasons is that the channel is silted up with ‘Sling Mud’ and needs to be clean as often as possible, but this is not done.

Mr. Leitch stated that he made contact with the Regional Chairman, the Regional Vice Chairman and the Overseer of the NDC and was given the assurance that all systems will be put in place to avert any threats of flooding.

The residents are wondering what would have been the situation if the Minister’s predictions had come through and there was heavy rain fall in the area.

(From page 22)

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WANTED Salesgirls for shop on ECD age 17-24 years – Text or Call:615-8121 Marack man, jet man & cook Call: 622-9833 Workers for land dredge Tel: 694-2310 Porters on W.C.D - $20,000 weekly – Tel:684-8231 BOND CLERK FOR WHOLESALE FOOD COMPANY.ATLEAST3 CXC ENGLISH&MATHEMATICS. EXPERIENCEDONLY,VALID POLIC CLEARANCE & REFFERENCES - TEL: 231-8529 Skilled grill workers, fabricators & labourers - Tel: 227-1830 Experienced hire car drivers at Gems Taxi Services - Tel: 226-1200; 225-5075

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Page 24

Kaieteur News

Saturday January 04, 2014

Opposition Leader offers government “Social Contract” With 2014 just beginning, A Partnership For National Unity has proposed to government, a new ‘social contract,’ which according to party leader David Granger, would promote national unity,

ensure human safety and foster economic development.

Granger at the party’s weekly press briefing yesterday said that the People’s Progressive Party/

Civic administration has demonstrated that they are incapable of solving the country’s current crisis single handedly.

“The economic crisis has lowered workers’ standard of

living…protests by two of the country’s largest trade unions, the Guyana Public Service Union and the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union have demonstrated how labour relations between the state and its workers have degenerated. The ranks of the unemployed young people are increasing” Granger told the media.

Granger noted that with poverty in the country being rampant, the World Bank in its 2014 World Development Report has rated Guyana as the second poorest country in CARICOM. According to Granger, the report has showed that with a gross national income (GNI) of US$3,410 per capita, Guyana compared unfavourably with The Bahamas at US$21,280 per capita, Suriname at US$8,480 per capita and, indeed, with all other Caricom states except Haiti.

He said that the security crisis is also another unfavorable issue with the

government. According to Granger, security has disproportionately hurt the poor.

Granger noted that there has been a seven per cent increase of reports of robbery under arms. There was an increase in the number of armed robberies involving the use of firearms by 16 per cent.

Other serious crimes – including banditry in the hinterland, murder, piracy, fatalities on the roads and interpersonal violence – proliferated.

Granger said that the new ‘social contract’ which his party proposes would seek to bring major sections of society – including the government; political opposition; trade unions; private sector and civil society together, and seek agreement on a broad national programme to move the country forward.

He explained that the ‘social contract’ could be the main means of combining the talents of a wider constituency and of creating

the conditions for social cooperation and economic progress. The three-fold purpose of such a contract would be to reach a broad consensus on the goals of national development; to establish a sustainable institutional architecture and to create effective policy instruments for the achievement of the objectives of the ‘contract.’

Granger called on the PPPC administration to honour its obligations to undertake and continue tripartite consultations with workers’ and employers’ organisations in order to promote increased production and productivity in accordance with The Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas .

Granger also called for the strengthening of mechanisms for tripartite consultation in accordance with the ILO Convention on Labour administration, 1978 that provides for an effective system of Labour Administration.

‘Retarded’ man jailed A self-proclaimed ‘retard’ was yesterday jailed for 18 months after he pleaded guilty to a malicious damage to property charge which was read to him at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

Murtland Lawson yesterday admitted to damaging the door to Republic Bank Limited on Republic Drive, Mackenzie, Linden on December 29, 2013.

The door is said to have cost $94,000 and was described as the movable property of a private nature which belonged to the bank.

As is customary with indictable charges, a Magistrate would inform the defendant that they are facing a charge that would not require them to plead. This is before an application for the matter to be heard and tried in the said Magistrate’s Court as opposed to the High Court is proposed by the prosecution and upheld by the Magistrate.

Should this application be granted, the Magistrate is required by law to re-read the charge and inform the accused that he would be

required to enter a plea.

As the presiding Magistrate attempted the first reading, the man interjected with grumbles of his own.

“You telling me not to plead and I pleading guilty with explanation. They tek ma father money,” Lawson complained However, after having read it the first time, the Magistrate continued but Lawson was reluctant to let the Magistrate re-read the charge.

He insisted that he had heard her the first time and that he doesn’t need to listen to the charge again. He maintained that he is guilty with explanation and began grumbling again.

The Magistrate during the process also had to inform the man that she is required by law to do that, much to his displeasure.

However, the man was adamant in his claims that “Republic Bank” owed his father money and that he has documents to prove same.

Corporal Seon Blackman, representing the Prosecution, related that on the day in question, the accused went to Linden’s Republic Bank

Murtland Lawson on his way to prison Branch armed with a cutlass which he allegedly used to smash in the door of the bank.

The entire episode was reportedly witnessed by the security guard on duty who reported the matter to the Mackenzie Police Station.

Lawson was subsequently arrested. The police said that whilst in custody he admitted to the offence hence the charge was instituted against him.

The man who had been grumbling during the court hearing, then proclaimed that “I’m retarded, very, very retarded. I need Berbice Mental Hospital.”

In response, Magistrate McGusty sentenced the man to eighteen months imprisonment.

Saturday Januray 04, 2014

Kaieteur News

Page 25

PM says to step down, backs Rahul as successor NEW DELHI (Reuters) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh ruled out yesterday serving another term after an election due by May and threw his support behind Nehru-Gandhi dynasty scion Rahul Gandhi to lead the country if their party wins the vote.

Singh, a soft-spoken economist, was unusually scathing about opposition leader Narendra Modi, who is ahead of Gandhi in several opinion polls, saying it would be “disastrous” if he were to become prime minister.

The 81-year-old Singh has presided over India for a decade at the head of coalitions led by the Congress party.

As finance minister 22 years ago, he deftly ushered in reforms of a state-shackled economy that helped launch years of rapid growth.

But yesterday, with growth at a decade-low, he conceded that the government had failed to generate employment in manufacturing, to control inflation and combat corruption.

Those problems will make it a difficult election for Gandhi, who has largely failed

to win votes for his party when campaigning in state elections, if he is chosen to lead the Congress into the vote.

“In a few months’ time, after the general election, I will hand the baton over to a new prime minister,” Singh said at a rare news conference, adding a “new generation” would guide the country.

Singh, who was widely expected to step down after the vote, said Gandhi, 43, should be the Congress party’s prime ministerial candidate.

“Rahul Gandhi has outstanding credentials to be nominated as the ... candidate and I hope our party will take that decision at an appropriate time.”

The Congress is due to hold a top-level meeting on January 17 and is expected to announce its candidate soon afterwards.

Gandhi used to head the Congress party’s youth wing and is the party’s vice president. His mother, Sonia Gandhi, is party president.

Whoever gets the nod will face off in the election against Modi, of the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata

Party (BJP), who is campaigning on a platform to end the red tape and graft that have bedevilled the Congress-led coalition.

Compared with the relatively untested Gandhi, Modi has years of experience as the chief minister of Gujarat, where he has built a reputation as a businesssavvy and investor-friendly administrator.

But he has been unable to fully shake off allegations

over anti-Muslim riots in Gujarat in 2002 in which at least 1,000 people were killed, most of them Muslims.

Modi denies wrongdoing and a Supreme Court investigation found no evidence to prosecute him.

Yesterday, Singh made a pointed reference to the riots under Modi’s watch when dismissing a suggestion that he had been a weak prime

(Reuters) - Thirteen people were shot dead as supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood clashed with police across Egypt yesterday, defying an everwidening state crackdown on the movement that ruled the country until six months ago.

Islamists opposed to the army’s overthrow of President Mohamed Mursi in July have been holding daily demonstrations, even since the army-backed government declared his Brotherhood a terrorist group last week, increasing the penalties for dissent.

The government is using the new classification to detain hundreds of Brotherhood supporters.

Thousands more, including top leaders of the group, have been in jail for months, arrested in the aftermath of the army takeover.

The crackdown has reduced but not entirely broken the ability of the Brotherhood to mobilise protests. It has lately been relying on students to sustain momentum against what it refers to as the “putschist regime” governing Egypt.

In the Cairo district of Nasr City, riot police in bulletproof vests fired teargas

at protesters throwing fireworks and stones. Similar clashes erupted across the country, as has become commonplace after midday prayers on Friday, which is not a working day in Egypt.

The Health Ministry said five people were killed in different districts in Cairo.

A security source said they died from bullet wounds.

One of the five was a man who was shot dead by the protesters after he yelled insults at pro-Brotherhood demonstrators marching near his house, the source said.

A male protester and a woman were shot dead in the coastal city of Alexandria, medical and security sources said. It was not clear whether the woman was a protester or an onlooker.

Two were shot dead by police in the Suez Canal city of Ismailia after a march set off from a mosque after midday prayers, medical sources said.

In the rural province of Fayoum, southwest of Cairo, three protesters, including a student, died from bullet wounds to the chest and head, local Health Ministry official Medhat Shukri told Reuters.

Another university

student was shot dead during clashes in the southern town of Minya.

The Health Ministry said 58 people were wounded nationwide.

Police arrested 122 Brotherhood members for possession of weapons, the Interior Ministry said in a statement. The Brotherhood says its supporters are unarmed.

The power of the Brotherhood - the country’s oldest and best organised Islamist movement - has been dramatically eroded by the arrests, the freezing of its leaders’ assets and the designation of the group as a terrorist organisation.

A new constitution to be voted on at a referendum on January 14-15 will also ban religiously based political parties and give more power to the military.

The army-backed authorities say the constitution will pave the way for a return to democratic rule by mid-year.

It would be a further step toward the complete removal of the Brotherhood from public life after winning every election in Egypt since autocrat Hosni Mubarak was overthrown in 2011.

his administration’s push for an extension of emergency unemployment benefits on Tuesday with an event at the White House attended by people whose benefits have expired.

Obama, who is on vacation in Hawaii, and his advisers have been pressing Congress to extend the federal aid to help out-of-work Americans who are searching for jobs and avoid damage to the economy.

“The president will talk about the toll that allowing unemployment benefits to expire has had on 1.3 million Americans, and he’ll warn of

Manmohan Singh

minister.

“If by strong prime minister you mean that you preside over the mass massacre of innocent citizens in the streets ... I do not believe that sort of strength this country needs. Least of all in its prime minister,” Singh said.

BJP leaders were quick to condemn the comments.

Spokeswoman Nirmala Sitharaman said on her Twitter account she was “utterly disappointed” by Singh’s remarks and a senior party leader Arun Jaitley said Modi’s three election wins to become chief minister of Gujarat proved he had voter support.

Many Congress members, particularly younger legislators, are calling for Gandhi to be made the prime ministerial candidate quickly as they hope that will rejuvenate the party’s image and deflect public anger with current leaders.

Gandhi has in recent months tried to style himself as a maverick and make clear he condemns corruption. In September, he denounced an executive order from the

government allowing convicted lawmakers to stay in office and stand in elections.

India’s electorate is increasingly dissatisfied with the traditional subsidies and handouts that have helped Congress win previous elections and is looking for an end to corruption, a strong economy and a firm hand on inflation.

The anti-corruption Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has just trounced Congress in Delhi elections and come in a close second to the BJP, barely a year since it was created, proving that graft is firmly on the agenda.

Yesterday, Singh endeavoured to salvage the image of his leadership and government, touting welfare measures and saying it was “for historians to judge” his record.

“I have every reason to believe that when history is written of this period, we will come out unscathed,” he said.

The news conference was only the fifth Singh has held as prime minister, according to his office, a statistic that

Obama to speak on unemployment Thirteen killed in Brotherhood benefits extension Tuesday (Reuters) - President priority,” the White House clashes with police in Egypt Barack Obama will ratchet up said in a statement.

Barack Obama the negative consequences for the broader American economy if Congress fails to act quickly on this urgent

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Democrat, has vowed to bring to a vote a bill extending federal unemployment insurance benefits as soon as Congress returns from its holiday recess on January 6.

The federal jobless aid has been renewed every year since 2008.

Many Republicans oppose an extension of jobless benefits, arguing the program was always intended to be temporary. They have also said an extension would add to the federal deficit unless it is offset by spending cuts elsewhere in the budget.

Name me PM now, Czech election winner urges president (Reuters) - Czech Social Democrat leader Bohuslav Sobotka urged the president to move quickly to name him prime minister, as the two men ready for talks on forming the country’s next government.

Policymaking in the Czech Republic has been paralysed since last June after the collapse of a centre-right cabinet in a spying and bribery scandal triggered an early election in October. Sobotka, who narrowly

won that vote and is looking to return the Social Democrats to power for the first time since 2006, is due to present proposed cabinet nominations to President Milos Zeman on Monday, after he completes coalition talks with two partner parties.But the pair are long-time rivals, and Sobotka’s allies fear Zeman could delay appointing him as premier to force him to alter the cabinet’s make-up in the president’s favour.

Bohuslav Sobotka

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Saturday Januray 04, 2014

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Adverse Weather hampering Ivanovic beats Flipkens, to meet Venus in Auckland final Super50 preparations From page 31 Deonarine, who is on West Indies limited overs duty in New Zealand, missed yesterday’s session. “Test spinner Veerasammy Permaul led the bowlers and Shiv Chanderpaul spearheaded the batsmen at the Chetram Sight Centre of Excellence at LBI, while Ramnaresh Sarwan, Leon Johnson and Christopher Barnwell were among the batters at GYO where they had sessions playing the short ball,” Griffith added.

Territorial Development Officer (TDO) of the Guyana Cricket Board

(GCB) former West Indies pacer Colin Stuart informed that yesterday’s first practice session for the encamped players was shifted to the GYO ground due to soggy condition of the Everest ground.

GYO is the only venue in the City equipped with two outdoor concrete ‘nets’ and this according to Stuart, influenced the batsmen using that facility for practice where a pair of batters could hone their Skills at the same time.

It was also disclosed that the three-hour conditioning session

yesterday morning from 07:00hrs was attended by former West Indies Captains recently married Sarwan and Chanderpaul who recently returned from the Test series in New Zealand.

Stuart added that two practice matches have been fixed for Sunday and Tuesday at Everest, weather permitting, while if the weather is fine today middle wicket practice will be conducted at Everest from 13:00hrs.

This morning another conditioning session will be conducted at the Sports Hall from 07:00 hrs. (Sean Devers)

Saturday January 04, 2014 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You have a keen mind, Aries, and are always absorbing new bits of information. What is amazing is how much of it you manage to retain. Today, however, even your considerable brain may be taxed beyond its limits.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Take care not to take on too much today, Taurus.

Your intentions are certainly good and your motivation pure, but even you are limited by the fact that there are a mere 24 hours in a day.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Don't take anything at face value today, Gemini, especially if it involves money. It's likely that a friend or colleague will approach you with a deal that is too good to pass up.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) You may find yourself overwhelmed with information today, Cancer.

By midday both your voice mailbox and your email box could be full up. It seems everyone needs a piece of you today.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Even though you might have to work today, Leo, you should still try and take things fairly easy. You're just not ready to embrace your workload with your usual vigor.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) There may be some worries nagging at you.

Perhaps you have a financial concern or minor health complaint.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) You may be feeling a bit overwhelmed with the combination of professional and social obligations. If you're doing any entertaining tonight, see if you can drum up some extra help.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You could be feeling the push-pull of internal desires versus external demands today, Scorpio. As much as you want to stay in bed today, with covers pulled tight to your chin, the world is clamoring for your attention.

SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) When it comes to home improvement, there is something to be said for immediate gratification.

Today you could find yourself heading out to do some necessary shopping.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) You really don't need to prove anything to anyone, Capricorn. You may be feeling under a bit of pressure to get a lot of work done.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) You have so many talents and such a range of abilities, Aquarius, that sometimes it's hard for you to know where to devote your efforts. Today, don't make your usual mistake of trying to do everything.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) It seems that you're ready for a major change in your life, Pisces. But take care that you don't implement change merely for the sake of change.

Think carefully about what you really want to do.

(Reuters) - Serbia’s Ana Ivanovic overcame a second set resistance to beat Belgium’s Kirsten Flipkens on Friday and set up an Auckland Classic final against former world number one Venus Williams.

The tall American was given a walkover to the final after her compatriot, fifth seed Jamie Hampton, was forced to withdraw from their semi-final after suffering a right hip injury in practice.

The Australian Open, the first major of the year, starts in Melbourne on January 13.

Ivanovic, also a former world number one and 2008 French Open champion,

stormed through the opening set against third seed Flipkens without dropping a game but the Belgian took her all the way in the second.

The 26-year-old prevailed in the tiebreaker, though, to win through 60 76(3) and inch closer to a first WTA title since winning in Bali at the end of 2011.

But 33-year-old Williams, a seven-times grand slam singles champion, holds an eight-one record over Ivanovic in past matches and will be aiming for her 45th WTA singles title and first since Luxembourg at the end of 2012.

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Serena continues to haunt Winners blank Milerock Sharapova, Federer breezes through UDFA/GT beer Christmas Football C/ship

2-0 to capture title, $1M

Winners Connection blanked Milerock 2-0 to capture their first Division one title when the two teams clashed for the Upper Demerara Football Association/GT Beer championship on Wednesday night at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground in what was an enthralling final.

It was played in front of a an appreciative crowd which had come, despite rain in spurts, to witness a final which had enveloped the communities of Mackenzie and Wismar as yearend football returned to the bauxite mining town after approximately three years.

The game was exciting and while Milerock seemed to be the more technically sound team Winners Connection were there every step of the way matching their opponents in every department. However, the difference came to the fore as early as the 28th minute in the first half and the pressure was taken to the Milerock defence and it cracked as a foul was

Topp XX beat Shattas for third committed against striker Marmalaque Davidson, who was darting through the middle just outside the top of the circle above the 18 yards box.

The experienced former Milerock central defender, Marlon ‘Cross-eye’ Maxius, was called upon to take that free kick. He blasted it through the wall and netted the first goal of the final as Winners Connection went up 1-0.

Milerock showed their determination and Winners Connection continued their offensive play, but neither team were able to trouble the 1-0 score going into the second half. The game continued to be one of flashes of brilliance and counter play, but Milerock would find themselves down by a 2-0 score-line as their goalkeeper Taurus Franklin blundered, coming off his line in an effort to clear a ball from the corner taken. He was late and up went two Winners Connection players to receive

the soaring ball with striker Rawle ‘Boney’ Gittens getting his head for a glancing header which was directed into the goal and scored to the amazement of the Milerock camp. This saw the tempo being raised and while Milerock continued to play well at midfield, their finishing left much to be desired. As expected Winners Connection by now had grown in their confidence and were not letting anything go in Milerock’s favour. Similar to the first half, Winners Connection goalkeeper, Orlando Carew, was there with some brilliant saves to thwart any positive intent by the Milerock forward line. This coupled with some stout resistance from the eventual winners saw Milerock being unable to reduce the score.

In the supporting third place playoff game, Bakewell Topp XX took the $500,000 prize with a 2-1 win against Silver Shattas who earned $250,000.

Letter to the Sports

Time to put Basketball first DEAR EDITOR, I was told that with great power comes great responsibility. As a basketball ambassador and coach I am inclined to recognize the following organizations for their contribution to basketball, specifically during 2013.

The Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation for affording me and other aspiring coaches, the opportunity to be exposed to FIBA level two coaching certification course held in October.

While the turnout was less than perfect I was delighted to be a part of this wonderful experience.

Outside of everything learnt at the sessions, I recognize the importance placed on planning, discipline and passion as prerequisites for development of this wonderful sport.

The second organization is the Youth Basketball Guyana for the opportunity given to students of various schools.

I do believe the concept captured by this organization is fundamental for basketball in Guyana. School basketball

sets the stage for the direction of future professional basketball players and inculcates a sense of discipline in these youngsters. For this, we ought to thank Youth Basketball Guyana.

The third organization is the Guyana Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) for keeping club basketball alive in this challenging time.

I am impressed by the resilience and effort demonstrated by GABA towards keeping the sport of basketball active at the club level.

Finally Ansa McAl for lending corporate support through sponsorship for almost all basketball tournaments.

While there are other corporations that contributed throughout the year, I believe Ansa McAl has led the way through its financial support to the sport.

The burning question for most basketball fans, enthusiasts, coaches and players is: “Why is basketball in a state of decline in terms of support, interest and participation?” I believe

synergy on the part of the fraternity and administrators is absent from this lovely sport. My recommendation for positive change is “Let us put aside egos, personal ambition and more importantly our differences and get to work by talking and agreeing on putting basketball first and selfsecond. People don’t care how much you know, until they see how much you care.

If basketball success is about results and relationship, we will have to take a few rational risks along the way.”

As a coach, I always tell my players: ‘effective communication and trust is necessary for success.’ In closing, members of the fraternity should be willing to embrace the acronym of SERVE: See the Future; Engage and Develop Others; Reinvent Continuously; Value Results and Relationship; and Embody Values.

They should be prepared to SERVE or WALK away, it’s that simple.

Best regards, Junior Andrew Hercules Coach of the Plaisance Guardians Basketball Club

BRISBANE (Reuters) Serena Williams extended her winning streak over Maria Sharapova to 14 matches following a 6-2 7-6 (9-7) win in the semi-final of the Brisbane International on Friday.

In a match which involved poor serving and high-quality groundstrokes in equal measure, Williams maintained her hold over Sharapova to set up a final showdown with second seed Victoria Azarenka.

Roger Federer, who like Williams will be chasing an 18th grand slam title at the Australian Open later this month, breezed through to the men’s semi-finals with a 6-1 6-1 thumping of Australian Marinko Matosevic.

Williams and Sharapova played down their animosity before the match but there was no eye contact during preliminaries and on a steamy night in Brisbane their body language remained distinctly frosty throughout.

The result was a match with an intensity scarcely seen outside of a grand slam, something Williams feels is of great benefit to her. “(I) feel like I’m being pushed into the deep end straightaway,” she said. “I

think it’s a good thing.

“In Melbourne if I have to face Maria again I’ll know a little bit more what to expect.

I really didn’t know what to expect today.”

Williams secured the first of the 10 service breaks in the match in the fourth game and though Sharapova broke straight back, she lost her serve twice more as the American ran out a comfortable first set winner.

IN HER FACE The Russian responded well to hold a 2-1 lead after three consecutive breaks of serve in the second set, before calling her coach Sven Groeneveld to courtside. His words illustrated the match held far more importance than a normal grand slam warm-up.

“You’re letting her know you’re in her face,” he said, adding that she “must commit” to her serve.

Sharapova did win the ensuing service game, but lost the next one to restore parity.

In the tiebreak Williams’ brutal groundstrokes gave her the advantage but consecutive double faults kept her opponent in it and she needed three match points before sealing victory with an ace.

Azarenka secured her

place in the final with a seesaw victory over Serbia’s Jelena Jankovic 1-6 6-3 6-4.

Top seed Williams feels the match will be a good barometer of where they are ahead of the f i r s t g r a n d slam. “I think it’ll be a really good match to see where we both stand as the two most consistent players of the last year and a half,” Williams said.

Federer, however, is unlikely to gauge much about where his game stands up against the likes of rivals Rafa Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray after enjoying yet another easy workout in Brisbane.

He was 0-40 down on serve in the first game against Matosevic but survived and did not face another break point as he eased to the most comfortable of victories. He will now meet eighth seed Jeremy Chardy in the semifinal after the Frenchman beat Australia’s Sam Groth 7-5 64.

There is local interest in the other semi-final as Lleyton Hewitt faces number two seed Kei Nishikori of Japan.

Hewitt beat Romania’s Marius Copi 6-4 6-2, while Nishikori topped Croatian Marin Cilic 6-4 5-7 6-2.

NBA roundup: Raptors, 76ers, and other winners Wednesday From page 31 meetings with Toronto, including four straight north of the border. Danny Granger scored 11 points for Indiana.

76ERS 114, NUGGETS 102 DENVER — Evan Turner scored 23 points and Thaddeus Young added 17, helping the 76ers beat the slumping Nuggets.

The Sixers had seven different players score in double figures en route to their second straight win away from home. Philadelphia halted a 13-game road losing streak in Los Angeles against the Lakers over the weekend.

J.J. Hickson had 19 points and 11 rebounds for the Nuggets, who dropped their eighth game in a row. It’s the team’s longest skid since losing the final eight games of the 2002-03 season.

Denver also has lost some of its Mile High mystique under first-year coach Brian Shaw, losing a fifth straight at Pepsi Center. The Nuggets were a franchise-best 38-3 at home last season.

CLIPPERS 112, BOBCATS 85 LOS ANGELES — Blake Griffin scored 13 of his 31

points in the final 7:05 and Jared Dudley got 11 of his 20 points in the third quarter, leading the Clippers to the victory. Chris Paul had 17 points and 14 assists for the defending Pacific Division champions, who beat the Bobcats for the sixth straight time and sent them to their 17th straight road loss against Western Conference opponents. Al Jefferson and Kemba Walker each scored 14 points for the Bobcats, whose previous six losses all were decided by five points or fewer. Dudley jump-started the Clippers in the second half with a 3-pointer and a 22footer, and they pulled away to a 75-62 lead on DeAndre Jordan’s tip-in with 6:19 left in the third quarter.

MAVERICKS 87, WIZARDS 78 WASHINGTON — Monta Ellis scored 23 points, Vince Carter had 13 and the Mavericks held the Wizards scoreless for more than 4 minutes late in the fourth quarter. The Wizards led 7470 with 4:58 to play, but the Mavericks scored nine straight points on a 3-pointer

by Carter, a hook shoot by

Brandan Wright, two free throws by Carter and a jumper by Ellis. Washington didn’t score again until John Wall, who led the Wizards with 22 points, made two free throws with 46 seconds to play. Trevor Booker had 10 points and a career-high 19 rebounds for Washington. It was Dallas’ fourth straight win on the road and their eighth straight over the Wizards (14-15), who failed in their attempt to rise above .500 for the first time since Oct. 31, 2009.

TIMBERWOLVES 124, PELICANS 112 MINNEAPOLIS — Nikola Pekovic had 22 points and seven rebounds and the Timberwolves led by as many as 30 points in cruising to the victory. Kevin Love had 21 points and six rebounds and Ricky Rubio had 14 points, nine assists, eight rebounds and three steals for the Timberwolves. Minnesota shot 55.7 per cent, attempted 35 free throws and forced a season-high 18 turnovers from the Pelicans.

Ryan Anderson had 25 points and Tyreke Evans added 16 points and seven boards for New Orleans.

Saturday Januray 04, 2014

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Fifa president wants time Builders Lumber Yard renews sponsorship with D’Andrade for 2014 penalty for diving in football Builders Lumber Yard yesterday renewed its sponsorship with distancerunning athlete, Lionel D’Andrade ahead of the 2014 Competition Season as the athlete opens with an attempt to defend his Bigi Broki Waka 10k title in Suriname.

Builders Lumber Yard has assisted the Trinidad and Tobago-based, D’Andrade over the past five years in an effort to continue his development. The athlete expressed his gratitude for

- to defend Bigi Broki Waka 10k title in Suriname tomorrow continued support from the company to further his career.

“We have been supporting him as one of his major sponsors because I believe that he is talented and has a good career,” proprietor of the Lumber Yard, Mahammad Salim told Kaieteur Sport at his Lombard Street business place. Salim said he has known D’Andrade a while and has

watched him grow into a regionally superior athlete.

“I want to continue to support him because I believe this will enable him and encourage him to be the best that he can be,” Salim said.

D’Andrade has won the last two editions of the race in the neighbouring Suriname, winning last year in 34 minutes 10 seconds.

National Paralympics Committee to host workshop today As officials of the National Paralympics Committee of Guyana (NPCG) continue to address the mandate t o w a r d s t h e development of their charges, they are s c h e d u l e d t o host a workshop under the theme ‘Child Protection and Safeguard in Sport’ at the Guyana Olympic Association,

76 High Street, Kingston, today. Activities will be conducted between 09:00hrs13:00hrs.

Directo r of the Caribbean Sport and D e v e l o p m e n t A g e n c y, Andre Collins, is the facilitator and he will aspire to establish some concepts around the protection of children and vulnerable

communities in sport.

Participants are asked to be at the venue in time for an early start.

Additional information can be had from any of the following persons; President Wilton Spencer (623-4673), Secretary General Beverly Pile (226-4566), Vice President Keith French (223-4345), Treasurer, Anand Mangru (681-9367) or Assistant Secretary, Arthur Lewis (6455322 ; 2192738).

Michael Schumacher ski helmet camera...

From page 32 the resort of Meribel last Sunday.

His helmet cracked on impact when he hit a rock while skiing off-piste.

He remains in a stable but critical condition after two operations to remove blood and pressure from his brain.

Doctors confirmed on Tuesday that Schumacher had shown signs of improvement, but was still “not out of danger”.

They ruled out giving a prognosis for his condition in the coming days and months.

But it is medically possible for someone to spend several weeks in an induced coma and make a full recovery.

‘FIGHT OF HIS LIFE’ News of the camera’s existence emerged late on

Friday afternoon.

AFP said Schumacher’s family had handed both the device and helmet to the authorities for investigation.

It remains unclear whether the camera was switched on at the time of the accident.

The news comes after members of Ferrari clubs in France and Italy travelled to Grenoble to mark the birthday of the most successful driver in Formula 1 history.

Fans on why they wanted to mark the F1 star’s birthday at the hospital Ferrari - the racing team with which Schumacher had 72 of his 91 F1 wins - said in a statement that it wanted to send him very special wishes for his birthday as he tackled “the most important fight of his life”.Spokesman Renato

Bisignani said people had been encouraged to dress in red and bring flags, as “a sign of closeness to Michael Schumacher, done in a very respectful way”.

Michael Schumacher retired from F1 for a second time in 2012.

He won seven world championships and secured 91 race victories during his 19year career.

The driver won two titles with Benetton, in 1994 and 1995, before switching to Ferrari in 1996 and going on to win five straight titles from 2000.

He retired in 2006 but made a comeback in F1 with Mercedes in 2010.

After three seasons which yielded just one podium finish, he quit the sport at the end of last year.

Cristiano Ronaldo: Real Madrid star receives Portuguese honour BBC Sport - Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo has been awarded one of Portugal’s highest honours by the country’s president.

Ronaldo, 28, will receive the Order of Prince Henry from president Anibal Cavaco Silva at a ceremony on Tuesday.

“He is a worldwide symbol of Portugal, making the country better known

internationally and an example of perseverance for younger generations,” said a presidential statement.

Ronaldo said it was an “indescribable feeling of pride and honour”.

In November, the Portugal captain became the nation’s all-time joint record goalscorer.

He scored a hat-trick in the World Cup play-off win

against Sweden to move level with Pauleta on 47 goals.

The former Manchester United player is also third on the nation’s all-time appearance list, winning 109 caps since his debut in August 2003.

Ronaldo, who moved to Real for a then world-record fee of £80m in 2009, is one of a three-man shortlist for the 2013 Ballon d’Or.

BBC Sport - Fifa president Sepp Blatter has proposed the use of a time penalty as a deterrent to diving in football.

Blatter feels players who get treatment but are not badly injured should have to wait longer before rejoining play. “I find it deeply irritating, when the half-dead player comes back to life as soon as they have left the pitch,” said Blatter, 77, in a weekly Fifa column.

“The referee can make the player wait until the numerical disadvantage has had an effect on the game.”

Blatter, the head of world football’s governing body, added: “In practical terms, this is a time penalty and it could cause play-actors to rethink.

“The touchline appears to have acquired powers of revival which even leading medical specialists cannot explain.”

Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher agrees simulation is an issue in the game, but feels penalising players in Blatter’s proposed way may not be feasible. “You’re going to need a very, very brave referee to say a players wasn’t really injured, I’m not sure it’s a real solution,” said Gallagher.

Blatter’s comments come two days after Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho criticised one of his own players, Oscar, for diving in their victory at Southampton.

Mourinho also urged referees to “kill the situation” after his Brazilian attacker was

Sepp Blatter (AFP) cautioned for appearing to dive in the the area after rounding Southampton goalkeeper Kelvin Davis.

Blatter is intent on ridding the game of simulation, which has prompted 13 yellow cards in the Premier League this season.

“Even though simulation is incredibly unfair and looks preposterous when viewed in a replay, some people regard it as smart or in the worst case as a harmless misdemeanour,” added Blatter, who has been reelected three times since becoming Fifa president in 1998.

“The longest breaks in the game nowadays are almost exclusively the result of dives, simulation and play-acting to feign injury. “This kind of thing is treated with scorn in other sporting disciplines but it has become a normal and accepted part of football nowadays.”

Manchester United attacker Adnan Januzaj, 18, has received three of his five yellow cards this season for simulation.

United fanzine Red Issue, via its Twitter account, called on manager David Moyes to speak to the youngster as well as Ashley Young, who has been booked for diving this season.

Fifa’s vice-president Jim Boyce has previously proposed the use of video evidence to help take retrospective action against divers, a move which Gallagher would still welcome. “I think most people in this country would adhere to retrospective action,” added Gallagher, who was a Fifa listed referee for eight years.

“For me, I think an exreferee, an ex-manager and an ex-member of PFA could look at video evidence and if all three agree on a dive, it’s a three match ban.”

As part of his proposals to clamp down on cheating within the game, Blatter emphasised Fifa’s stance on whether the ball should be put out of play if a player is injured. “The ball is in the referees’ court,” added Blatter.

“The instructions are now clear on this matter: if a player is lying on the floor, the opposing team are not required to put the ball into touch. “The referee should only intervene if he believes a serious injury has occurred.”

Ski-suited Putin launches Olympic inspections MOSCOW (Reuters) Russian President Vladimir Putin began inspecting Winter Olympic venues in the Black Sea resort of Sochi on Friday, five weeks before the start of an event that has been dogged by human rights criticism and security worries.

In footage shown on state TV channel Rossiya-24, Putin, 61, was shown gliding down a ski slope wearing dark glasses and a helmet. He and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev also met surprised athletes and inspected hotels in the city.

Putin’s spokesman said he would check out all venues “in detail” in the coming days and watch a rehearsal of the opening ceremony.

The success or failure of the Olympics will form a big part of Putin’s legacy. He has closely identified himself with the $50 billion project, ever

Russian President Vladimir Putin since flying in person to Guatemala in 2007 to persuade Olympic chiefs to award the Games to Sochi.

When the ski-jump venue fell behind schedule last year, Putin not only fired a senior official but publicly humiliated him on television.

The recent build-up to the

event has been troubled: two suicide bombings killed 34 people this week in Volgograd, some 700 km (400 miles) northeast of Sochi, highlighting the threat from Islamist insurgents who have vowed to disrupt the Games.

The International Olympic Committee has said it has no doubt Russian authorities will be able to provide security.

Moscow has also drawn heavy criticism of its human rights record and a law banning the spread of “gay propaganda” among minors, which activists and Western governments say violates basic freedoms.

In a move to disarm critics before the Games, Putin last month freed several of the country’s best known prisoners: former oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky and two members of the female punk group Pussy Riot.

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Steve Smith and Brad Pollard dedicates Slingerz FC’s win to club owner Haddin punish England BBC Sport - Steve Smith’s second century in three matches and yet another brilliant Brad Haddin counterattack punished a weary England as the first day of the fifth Test followed a familiar script. For the fourth time in these Ashes, England made big early inroads, reducing Australia to 97-5 having put them in to bat on an overcast, sweaty morning in Sydney.

But the next three wickets put on 228 runs as Australia advanced to 326 all out to move closer to a second whitewash in three series down under.

England then lost the sorry Michael Carberry for a duck as they limped to 8-1 at the close under a ferocious assault from Mitchell Johnson.

Only figures of 6-99 for Ben Stokes - the first fivewicket haul of his young Test career - brought England cheer as Smith’s 115 and Haddin’s 75 pulled the day from their grasp.

On a day when three new caps were given their debut, one of them - Boyd Rankin - limped out of the attack with a hamstring injury while the second leg-spinner Scott Borthwick - went for seven an over.

It was symptomatic of a winter when only Stokes’ selection has gone right for England, as almost everything they have tried has backfired or failed.

Their day, having begun in unprecedented fashion for

this series when Alastair Cook won the toss for the first time in five matches, kicked on in promising fashion for England before taking a familiar path.

David Warner fell for 16 when he played all round a fine Stuart Broad inswinger, and Stokes then saw Chris Rogers play on for 11 as he tried to pull.

Stokes got rid of captain Michael Clarke with a fine delivery that took the outside edge through to Ian Bell at second slip, and when Shane Watson was trapped lbw to the last ball before lunch England’s first lbw of the entire series - Australia were teetering at 94-4.

Straight after the interval that became 97-5 when the hapless George Bailey - his side’s only true failure of this almost totally successful Ashes - edged Broad to Cook for just one.

However, as in Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Melbourne, that was merely the green light for another clattering fightback from Haddin, England’s happy torturer throughout the series.

With Rankin limping off and Borthwick under assault - his first three overs went for 21 - Haddin raced to his fourth halfcentury of the series, off 70 balls, with Smith in eager support.

England were guilty of bowling too short, feeding the wicketkeeper his favourite diet of pulls and

slashing cuts, and runs came at pace as the Australia pair tucked in.

It was a surprise when Haddin became Stokes’ third victim - he edged to Cook for 75 with the partnership worth 128 - but Smith continued to pillage with England a bowler short.

A spiralling slog from Johnson brought Borthwick his first Test wicket, the first for an England leg-spinner since Ian Salisbury dismissed Inzamam-ul-Haq in Faisalabad 14 years ago.

Smith, happy to profit from the many short balls and full tosses, silenced any celebrations as he crashed a six and four in consecutive deliveries to move to his third Test century.

Ryan Harris followed suit against a weary attack, smashing James Anderson for four on both sides of the wicket before driving Stokes to short extra-cover for 22.

Stokes then saw off Peter Siddle and Smith in the next three balls to finish with an admirable 6-99, while Borthwick recorded 1-49 off seven overs on a testing debut. Carberry, surprisingly preferred to Joe Root, then fended Johnson to the diving Nathan Lyon at leg slip for a tortured nine-ball nought before Cook and nightwatchman Anderson clung on until stumps.

Scores: England 1 for 8 (Cook 7*, Anderson 1*) trail Australia 326 (Smith 115, Haddin 75, Stokes 6-99) by 318 runs.

Swedish striker Samuel Aziz wanted

by English football league clubs Sky Sports - Sky Sports understands Swedish youngster Samuel Aziz could be closing in on a move to English football with several League One and Two clubs interested in the striker.

The 22-year-old, who impressed Stoke City while on trial last summer, is a free agent following the conclusion of his deal with lower league club Limhamn Bunkeflo.

Aziz had a trial with Arsenal and Juventus earlier in his career and he has also learned from the best having been mentored by Swedish great Henrik Larsson.

“Samuel Aziz has been very well developed in Sweden and is a lad who fits many attacking formations and systems,” said his agent Faizal Khan, who is Guyanese born but now a British citizen.

Samuel Aziz (left) with agent Faizal Khan (right)

“Samuel already did well when on trial at Stoke City and has been on the radar of British clubs since he burst onto the scene as a teen at Helsingborg.

“He’s exceptionally quick with or without the football, a great

first touch, tall and always knows where the goals are.

“Samuel Aziz in my eyes is the closest thing Swedish Football has to Theo Walcott and I personally back this lad to make a big impact in England in 2014.”

Slingerz Football Club is still in jubilation following their 3–2 win over Santos in the final of the Georgetown Football Association (GFA) Banks Beer Cup that took place on Wednesday last at the Guyana National Stadium, but head coach Charles ‘Lilly’ Pollard dedicated the team’s victory to the club’s owner and financier Javid Ali. The genesis of the club is a dream in which Ali had and it was to simply create Guyana’s best football club.

With the advice from experienced and well qualified personnel within the football fraternity, Slingerz FC was create with the name (Slingerz) already being well known and vastly popular within Guyana’s entertainment realms.

“Without a doubt, we had to win this tournament for Mr. Javid Ali. He’s what I call a Mr. Everything where money is concerned for the club. He makes it all happen and therefore winning is the least we could’ve done to make him and his efforts feel appreciated,” Pollard said.

“I think the win,” Pollard further added, “will encourage him to invest a bit more into the programme, but more importantly, I hope it would also encourage other businesses and people to do the same.” Pollard is one of Guyana’s most decorated player, having won basically everything local football has

Slingerz FC owner Javid Ali to offer, while also doing the same in the Twin Island Republic Professional League.

This is his first stint since turning coach last June and apart from winning the West Demerara Football Association (WDFA) League November last.

“This, personally, is a major accomplishment. It’s an entirely differently feeling now that I’m a coach. I think also though, I need to say thank you to the guys. I played with most of them on the national team and I was their captain, so I think from the beginning we had a high level of respect and understanding for each other, which makes it easy for me to impart my knowledge and set up a game plan,” the former National captain said.

Looking ahead, Pollard pointed out the club will be

taking two weeks off to rest and enjoy a holiday, given the fact that they have been busy all year.

He also made mention of the club’s youthful approach to the 2014 season while noting that competing within the Caribbean is also atop his agenda. “We want to invest in the youths this year, bringing some fresh faces to the club,” Pollard said, while further stating, “It’s always important to have a youth structure as well. I think it would go well for what we have plan. Also, we want to compete out of Guyana, maybe as far as CONCACAF but as it is right now, this is not the end, it’s just the beginning of what Javid (Ali) looking for and that’s to be the best club in the country.

It’s not going to be easy and I think we are prepared to work hard.”

Mathews ton hands SL...

From page 32 and midwicket. Along with Chandimal, he laid the foundation for Sri Lanka’s revival.

Pakistan had assumed a dominant position on the third day after earning three wickets in the last session, and needed similar intensity today from Bhatti and Junaid Khan to restrict Sri Lanka’s lead. They opened with the same pair in their search for quick wickets, but both bowlers lacked the zip that had brought them success the previous day.

That made Sri Lanka’s job easier. Chandimal and Mathews collected 24 runs, without being troubled, in the 8.3 overs of Bhatti and Junaid’s first spell.

They defended solidly and mainly focused on turning the strike over, choosing only once each to stamp their authority with powerful pulls. The two bowlers had to eventually be pulled out of the attack by Misbah-ul-Haq to keep them ready for the second new ball.

That gave Sri Lanka more

breathing space.

They slightly upped the rate in the last 10 overs with the old ball to accumulate 39 runs as the three bowlers used in that block - Ajmal, Rahat Ali and Mohammad Hafeez failed to create even a minor flutter. Chandimal reached his fifth Test half-century in the 79th over with a glance to the fine leg boundary, and Mathews smashed a six that illustrated the two batsmen’s growing comfort.

Misbah asked for the new ball straightaway and pressed his two best bowlers - Junaid and Bhatti - into service.

However, it didn’t have the desired effect as Sri Lanka switched to a measured approach once more.

Chandimal stayed fluent, easily picking up singles and maintaining a strike rate of over 50 throughout his innings. In the first over after lunch, he used his feet to drive Ajmal to the cover boundary to register the partnership’s century stand.

In the next over though, bowled by Bhatti, Chandimal, on 71, was reprieved by

Ahmed Shehzad at second slip after the fielder misread a thick edge which moved to the wrong direction.

The relief on Shehzad’s face was palpable when, 10 overs later, Chandimal was sucked in to a hook by Junaid to be caught at deep fine leg.

He could only add 18 after being dropped and missed his third Test century by 11 runs, becoming Junaid’s 50th Test victim in the process.

Pakistan had an opening after 47.3 overs of toil, but Mathews kept his focus and ensured Sri Lanka kept turning the wheel of fortune decisively towards them.

Prasanna Jayawardene proved to be the ideal foil, handling Ajmal’s variations with aplomb and keeping the seamers at bay with ease. By the end of the day, the two had batted for 39 overs, and are likely to push the match away from Pakistan’s reach on the last day.

Scores: Sri Lanka 204 and 420 for 5 (Mathews 116*, Chandimal 89) lead Pakistan 383 by 241 runs.

Saturday Januray 04, 2014

Kaieteur News

Page 31

Injured Sammy to BCB convene successful AGM miss rest of series - administrators Hall of Fame approved

CRICinfo - Dwayne Bravo, the West Indies captain, has remained optimistic about his team’s chances to bounce back after a comprehensive loss to New Zealand in the third ODI but will have to do so without the services of the experienced allrounder Darren Sammy. Sammy, the West Indies’ Test and T20 captain, will be out for the remainder of the ODIs Bravo confirmed, following a hamstring injury which prevented his participation in the last ODI at Queenstown.

“It’s a big loss. Darren is out for the entire series,” Bravo said. “We haven’t decided on what changes to make yet and we’ll do so when we look at the pitch. We have a couple niggles in the camp but with Darren out, he brings so much to our team, especially in the depth. His experience and positivity will be missed. It’s a tough time for us but our newer players will have to step up. Our players have a good work ethic so I’m confident in them.”

He reiterated that despite their inexperience, there was a hunger he wanted to bring

out in this Nelson fixture to silence critics. After Corey Anderson pummelled West Indies’ bowling attack with a record ODI 131* off 47 balls, Bravo admitted that they were coming up with new tactics for him, as well as Jesse Ryder, who smashed a whirlwind 104 from 51 balls.

“Our bowlers were disappointed. It was a great knock from Anderson but we’ve been analyzing footage and studying the size of the ground. It’s going to be a different ball game. We will not be making the same mistakes twice. We’ll be going back to basics like we did in the first ODI and be disciplined. Bowling to one side of the wicket is important and we didn’t do that in the last match.”

He added that he felt Anderson’s cavalier knock was due to the fact that it was a shortened match as he would not be that swashbuckling in a 50-over fixture. Bravo stated that if the weather didn’t interrupt, his bowlers would fare better.

The captain contended that while this chilly weather placed them out their comfort

zone, he needed more from his charges. “We’re looking forward to this game. It’s only 1-1 and we’ve said to ourselves that with two games to go, it can go either way,” he said. “We feel like we’re still in with a good chance. The last game is gone and out our minds. We’re fully focussed on the job ahead.”

He also dispelled rumours that Chris Gayle or Kieron Pollard could return for the T20 fixtures later this month.

“There’s no Gayle to come.

No need to rush him or Pollard. Their health is important and comes first. We have a T20 World Cup to defend and they’re going to be big parts of this. No risk needed. We want them to return fit and stay on the park as long as possible. We’ll be using another young squad for these New Zealand T20s.

“But right now, let’s see if our bowlers have the guts and courage to bounce back.

That second one-day was just one of those days. But it’s going to be tough to repeat that again. I’m not saying it can’t happen again but we’ll be ready to make sure it doesn’t.”

Adverse Weather hampering Super50 preparations

The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) on Sunday December 29 last convened their 2013 Annual General Meeting (AGM) at its Cheddi Jagan Street, New Amsterdam office and despite the rainy weather, it was deemed a resounding success.

Attending representatives came from Young Warriors, Bermine, Whim, Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, Berbice River Cricket Association, Mt Sinai, Chesney, Upper Corentyne, Bush Lot and Police.

Members present received a comprehensive Financial report for 2013 and Annual reports from President Keith Foster, Secretary Angela Haniff, Junior Selection Chairman Leslie Solomon, Senior Selection Chairman D. Somwaru and Competitions Committee Chairman Carl Moore.

Re-appointed Chairman of the Special Events Committee and the BCB 75th Anniversary Committee, Hilbert Foster, sought and received the blessings of the board members for the committee’s 2014 proposals.

The work of the Special Events Committee this year would be centered on countywide coaching, education, charity, personal development of cricketers and donation of cricket equipment to clubs.

Among the programmes approved for the BCB Diamond Jubilee celebrations in September this year are the publication of a special 75th anniversary magazine, InterFaith Religious Service,

Keith Foster Cocktail Reception and Panel Discussion on Berbice cricket, Hall of Fame for Administrator, Essay and Quiz Competitions, Television Programme, Music Festival with the Guyana Police Force Band, donation of TV set to a Children’s Home, Printing of Souvenirs, Primary School Coaching Programme and the unveiling of a billboard featuring the photograph of Berbice’ Greatest Cricketer.

Board Members expressed great disappointment at the non selection of Shemaine Campbelle and Tremayne Smartt for the GCB Female player of the year despite superior overall performances at all levels during the year.

They also voiced disappointment at the non recognition of Campbell’s achievement of becoming the first Guyanese female cricketer to score an

International century.

The Executive Committee was also mandated to review the performances of the Selection Committee and to also take corrective steps to improving discipline among the county’s senior players.

Special emphasis would be placed on school cricket this year at the Under-15 and female levels, while all junior cricket at the Inter-Zone levels would be played over two days.

The AGM also took the decision to have fast bowlers bowling at least one third of the overs at the junior InterZone levels. Another major decision of the AGM was for the BCB to seek the assistance of former West Indies Coach Roger Harper to assist several players to develop their game. These players would include discarded Test players Brendon Bess and Devendra Bishoo.

The Motion to establish a Hall of Fame for Administrators was also passed and the first inductees would include Duncan Stuart, Leslie Amsterdam, Victor Omrow, Lennox Phillips and Ancel Hazel.

BCB Members also voted to debar all players in the GCB Senior Inter County squads from playing at the Berbice Second Division level.

President of the BCB at the conclusion of the meeting expressed gratitude to all for the fruitful discussions, while urging them to recommit themselves to the development of cricket in Ancient County.

NBA roundup: Raptors, 76ers, and other winners Wednesday

Leon Johns

Chris Barnwell

Trevon Griffith

Chairman of the National Cricket Selectors, Ex Guyana Fast Bowler Rayon Griffith, yesterday revealed that the adverse weather continues to hamper preparations by the Guyana training squad preparing for the 2014 Regional Super50 cricket series scheduled to commence month end in Trinidad and Tobago.

Griffith, who turns 35 next

Thursday, explained that especially the Fast bowlers are being affected due to the rain although there is in indoor facility at LBI on the East Coast of Demerara.

“We have to make the best of what we have. But the pacers have to use shortened run-ups because the indoor facility is not long enough. I am fairly satisfied with the fitness level of the players

after the break for Christmas,” Griffith, who took 56 wickets in 22 First-Class matches between 2000 and 2007, disclosed.

Griffith said that cricket related drills in addition to speed and agility were focused at yesterday morning’s session at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, adding that only Narsingh (Continued on page 25)

The Associated Press TORONTO — DeMar DeRozan scored 26 points, Kyle Lowry had 13 points and a season-high 14 assists and the Toronto Raptors extended their season-best winning streak to four games, beating the Indiana Pacers 9582 on Wednesday night.

Terrence Ross scored 18 points and Jonas Valanciunas had 13 points and nine rebounds as the Raptors (1515) snapped Indiana’s fivegame winning streak and improved to .500 after 30 games for the first time since Jan. 6, 2010.

The Raptors have won eight of 10 games since Dec. 13, when the majority of the players acquired from Sacramento in the Rudy Gay deal made their Toronto

Philadelphia 76ers forward Thaddeus Young, right, battles for position for a rebound with Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried in the third quarter of the Sixers’ 114-102 victory in an NBA basketball game in Denver on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2014. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski debuts.

Roy Hibbert fouled out with 16 points and Paul George had 12 for the Pacers,

who recorded a season-worst 23 turnovers. Indiana had won nine of its previous 12 (Continued on page 28)

Page 32

Kaieteur News

New date for GFRC Raffle drawing The Guyana Football Referees Council fundraising Raffle which was scheduled to be drawn on January 1st, 2014, will now be drawn on January 17th, 2014.

Tickets are still available and can be uplifted from any member of the GFRC. The first prize is a 125cc Honda Motor Cycle, second prize a trip to the

United States compliments of Caribbean Airlines, third prize - a trip to Barbados (LIAT), fourth prize a Blackberry smart phone (GT&T).

There are consolation prizes of a day trip to Arrow Point (Roraima Group of Companies, a food hamper (Neal and Massy) and a Microwave (New GPC).

Tickets cost $100 dollars.

Saturday Januray 04, 2014

Bakewell and RHTY&SC donate Signboard to BCB

KMTC race meet now set for January 26 The Kennard Memorial Turf Club Xmas horserace meet has now been set for January 26 at Bush Lot Farm Corentyne, Berbice.

The meet was originally scheduled for Boxing Day but was postponed due to the inclement weather.

The races will be run under the rules of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority and entries will be closed on January 19. No late entries will be accepted.

Events slated for the day are F 1 and lower W/A, J 3 and lower W/A, 3 yearsGuyana Bred, G 3 and Lower W\A, J 1 and lower W/A, H and lower W/A and A and lower allotted WTS. The H and lower race will go for 7 Furlongs, while the A and lower WTS which is the main event on the cards will be one mile with the winner set to collect $1,000,000. The other races will cover a distance of 6 Furlongs.

Doctors still tight lipped on Schumacher GRENOBLE, France (AFP) — Formula One legend Michael Schumacher turned 45 yesterday while lying comatose in a French hospital after suffering critical head injuries in a ski accident.

Doctors and family members were tight-lipped Thursday about the condition of the German racing great, who has been hospitalised since Sunday, when he slammed his head against a rock while skiing in the French Alps.

There have been conflicting statements about the speed the seven-time world racing champion was

going when the tragedy befell him in the Meribel ski resort, where he has a property. The rock impact split the helmet Schumacher was wearing in two, according to a source close to the investigation.

The Ferrari F1 team where Schumacher spent many years announced it would today hold a “silent gathering” in front of the Grenoble hospital to mark the birthday of the retired sportsman, who is being kept in an induced coma.But Schumacher’s fan club in his childhood town of Kerpen said any celebration of the birthday would be in bad taste.

Michael Schumacher ski helmet camera ‘examined’ BBC Sport - Investigators in France are examining a camera which had been fixed to the ski helmet of injured Formula 1 driver Michael Schumacher, media reports say.

Authorities were hoping the device may reveal clues about the circumstances of his skiing accident in the French Alps, a source told the AFP news agency.

Police also interviewed Schumacher’s teenage son, who witnessed the crash.

Fans earlier held a vigil outside the French hospital

treating the F1 legend, to mark his 45th birthday.

Ferrari supporters gathered at the clinic in the city of Grenoble and held a one-minute silence on Friday afternoon.

Schumacher’s family said in a statement they had been moved to tears and “utterly overwhelmed” by the “incredible sympathies” shown by the fans.The German champion, who retired in 2012, is in a medically induced coma after suffering head injuries during a fall in (Continued on page

RHTY&SC Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster (right) hands over the signboard to executives of the Berbice Cricket Board.

The Cheddi Jagan Street, New Amsterdam Office of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) would now be easily located by visitors following the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club (RHTY&SC) and one of its official sponsors, Bakewell, donation of a signboard.

RHTY&SC Secretary/ CEO Hilbert Foster said that his club was totally dedicated to the overall development of the game in Berbice and because of this, has invested heavily in the development of talent in every area.

In the history of cricket in Guyana, Foster stated that no club has assisted in the

development of a cricket board or sister clubs like his club has done over the past two years.

They {Club} has raised millions of dollars for the BCB to conduct off the field programmes and cricket tournaments and has also assisted over 100 young players and clubs with gears, equipment and educational materials among other items.

The veteran cricket Administrator used the opportunity to call on other established clubs to stop their criticism of Berbice cricket and to start assisting less fortunate clubs and players in an effort to develop the game.

Foster, who was recently re-appointed Chairman of the BCB Special Events Committee disclosed that the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club would assist Berbice cricket in a massive way during 2014 and over thirty clubs would receive assistance during the year as Guyana’s leading youth and sports organisation was determined to assist others to be successful.The 8 feet x four feet signboard was described

by BCB Secretary Angela Haniff as a welcome gesture by the donors who expressed gratitude to Mr. Rajin Ganga, General Manager of Bakewell for his assistance while also

hailing the RHTYSC as a true friend of Berbice cricket.

Ms. Haniff expressed pleasure that the BCB Office would now be easily identified via the very impressive signboard, while also stating that the ‘Say No to Drugs and Yes to Life Message’ on the signboard was well thought out.

The BCB, she stated is very firm on its anti-drugs stance for youths and the signboard would assist to spread that message.

RHTY&SC and the BCB will later this month join hands again to distribute coaching kits and other items to several clubs.

Mathews ton hands SL advantage ESPNcricinfo - Angelo Mathews scored a careerbest 116 to fashion a remarkable turnaround for Sri Lanka in the Abu Dhabi Test after they had conceded a 179-run lead to Pakistan in the first innings. He added 138 for the fifth wicket with Dinesh Chandimal, who missed out on his third Test century, and a further unbeaten 96 with Prasanna Jayawardene to transform a delicate situation on the fourth morning into, possibly, a match-winning one. Only thrice before have Pakistan been able to chase down a target in excess of 241, which is Sri Lanka’s current lead.

The Pakistan bowlers managed a solitary wicket in the entire day and, for most parts, appeared innocuous with the pitch hardly providing assistance to the seamers or spinners. Saeed Ajmal’s figures of 42-10-96-0 - the most overs he has

bowled without picking up a wicket - highlighted the bowlers’ misery.

Mathews, though, stayed compact throughout the day, and apart from a brief period against the new ball, was largely untroubled. Unlike his counterattacking 91 in the first innings, he kept the lid on his aggressive instincts, choosing the slow and steady approach. His half-century came off 113 deliveries. His next 50 took even longer as he slowed down as he neared his first Test century as captain, taking 24 balls to score his last four runs.

Mathews did pounce on loose deliveries, scoring a six and 11 fours, six of which came against Bilawal Bhatti.

He was quick on the pull the moment the seamers pitched it short, but otherwise preferred playing in the V, with a few of his fours coming in the region between mid-on (Continued on page 30)

Dinesh Chandimal and Angelo Mathews thwarted the new-ball challenge comfortably, adding 138 for the fifth wicket © AFP

Saturday January 04, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 33

Is Elle’s Vision a mystery horse or a class act destined for the top

By Samuel Whyte Is Elle’s Vision of the Jagdeo stable a mystery horse or is it a class animal that is being handled in the right way, destined for the top. Two wins, two last places from four starts is enough to ask questions.

Owner and trainer Mr. Tribuwhan Jagdeo has attempted to explain and put things into perspective. The man with a number of aliases ‘Turbo’, ‘Gingo’ or ‘Mac’ is one of the younger brands of horse owners and trainers, but with a serious look on his face the young man says whenever you are into something you must be fully involved.

The racehorse Elle’s Vision, classified C1, a Kentucky Bred animal which was sourced directly from the USA and shipped straight to Guyana, is presently one of the top horses in the Land of Many Waters. In fact it is being

touted in some quarters as the best in the country, after its shattering performance in the last Guyana Cup 2013.

This was after its stunning performance in the Guyana Cup 2012, which gave it back to back victories. With the two wins in the last two Guyana Cups and being the only animal to have achieved such a feat, Elle’s Vision must be in for some special accolades. However what is of note it that it’s other two races on Guyana soil has seen it failing to place and running out of the race.

A virtually unknown until it won the Guyana Cup Event in 2012, in fact it was not even known before the start of the race by most horseracing pundits in Guyana. One factor being, it had touched down in the country less than a week before the race. Was that a co-incidence, not really according to young Jagdeo, It was strategic and a chance

taken which worked to perfection. What was more mysterious was that after that first victory the animal did not participate again until a few weeks before Guyana Cup 2013 at the same Port Mourant venue when it ran out and failed to place. Only to return mere weeks after to win in convincing fashion needs some explanation.

Jagdeo said the animal by itself is a class act, is a known sprinter, but could go any distance.

He made contacts with his connections in the USA and said that he wanted a good.

The animal was selected by Jim Perry, one of the top trainers and grooms in the USA. The horse, which was born in 2008, is a product of the Marablue Farm LLC and Pegasus Stud LLC with a good blood stock. Its father being Pollard’s Vision and it mother Fine Fashion, both

GMR&SC extends condolences to late Stewart Stevenson family The Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club (GMR&SC) extended its condolences to the family of Mr. Stewart Stevenson who passed away on January 1 in Miami, USA following a brief illness.

According to a release from the entity, Stevenson was a long standing member of the club for over 40 years and was also a hard working member at most race Meets until his brief illness forced him to miss the recent event.

Stevenson was an ardent club member and competed in club events and even represented Guyana as a motor cyclist in the 70’s.

He is best remembered as the chief mobile marshal at local and international racing events here in Guyana and the expert in the “Blue Spads Pickup” for the group 3 and 4 rolling starts.

The release added that the club will be holding a memorial service at its Headquarters on Albert Street in Thomas Lands when his ashes are returned to Guyana at a date to be announced. May he rest in

top animals in the USA circuit.

Continuing his narration, Jagdeo stated that an animal when it comes to Guyana, especially from North America, must take time to acclimatize. He reckoned that for an animal of such stature to be acclimatized would take a long time. He took the chance to bring her in a few days before the Guyana Cup race 2012 and let her run with her raw form and after flying for thousands of miles, the rest is now history.

After that, there was a long layoff and according to Jagdeo, this was due to the fact that like human beings, the animals have to get acclimatize before performing. The horse took sick and suffered from the change of climate, the change of surface; it developed sore feet and other problems from running on the harder surface. It had to be treated and took some time to recover. By that time it became sick again, suffering from ‘Tick Fever’ and had to be treated again.

By then it was Christmas time and it started to grow a lot of hair (Winter Coat) which according to Jagdeo is a custom in the cold North American region.

He said that horses seldom race in the Winter Season.

Tribuwhan Jagdeo (right) collects his winnings for Elle’s Vision victory in the Guyana Cup 2013 race.

He raced it in July to give it a decent run before the Guyana Cup, but that did not go down too well. The place was muddy and the animal which never performed in such conditions before, did not place in the race. Even with that performance he knew that his horse would have been ready for the big day and won the Guyana Cup 2013. He said his racehorse is a class act and has to be taken care of properly. He gives credit to

Dr. Dwight Waldron, Dr. Ali and Dr. Griffith among others.So far the horse has only raced at the Port Mourant Race Track and the mystery continues. Its last race which was expected to be a mouthwatering encounter against the likes of Scores Even, Settle in Seattle and Grande De Roja turned out to be a damp squib with Elle’s Vision being badly beaten and failing to place.

Only time will tell what is next for Elle’s Vision.

Khan is GSSC cricketer of the year

The late Stewart Stevenson seen at one of the racing events sometime ago. peace.

Meanwhile, Kaieteur Sport would also like to

extend sincere condolences to the family of the late Stewart Stevenson.

Imran Khan copped the cricketer of the year award when the Good Success Sports Club (GSSC) of Wakenaam held its annual awards ceremony recently.

Khan, a former national U-15 player amassed 136 runs and picked up 23 wickets, also claimed the best bowler accolade.

Jaggernauth Manbodh with 146 runs took the best batsman award, while Nazeer Mohamed, who bagged 18 wickets and made 90 runs, grabbed the most outstanding all rounder prize.

The most improved player trophy went to Loakram Narine, while Vickram Ramnarine and Latchman

Mustak Mohamed Dindyal were voted the most discipline players.

The club captain Mustak Mohamed and Secretary Jaidat Persaud were also rewarded for their outstanding services.

Nazeer Mohamed Speaking at the ceremony captain Mohamed lauded the awardees and thanked the supporters for their input. He also urged the young players to take the game seriously.

t r o Sp Builders Lumber Yard renews sponsorship with D’Andrade for 2014

Injured Sammy to miss rest of series P.31

- to defend Bigi Broki Waka 10k title in Suriname tomorrow

P.29

Proprietor of the Builders Lumber Yard, Mahammad Salim (right) hands over the sponsorship to Lionel D’Andrade yesterday.

Steve Smith and Brad Haddin punish England

Darren Sammy strained his hamstring during training. (WICB)

Steven Smith counter-attacked with 115 © Getty Images

Serena continues to haunt Sharapova, Federer breezes through P.28

P.30

Serena Williams of the U.S. reacts as she defeats Maria Sharapova of Russia during their women’s singles semi-finals match at the Brisbane International tennis tournament in Brisbane, anuary 3, 2014. REUTERS/Jason Reed

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