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Kaieteur News
Kaieteur 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
Jagdeo’s volte face and his credibility Two weeks ago, former President Bharrat Jagdeo met with the press to restate his conviction that he had had enough of political office. In fact, even before he demitted office back in 2012, at a press conference in Trinidad he said that when his term as President came to an end, he would be walking away from political office. This question about him seeking a third term was to haunt him throughout the rest of his presidential life. In fact, the question continued even after he left office. Then came the campaign for the May 11, 2015 elections. Speaker Raphael Trotman suggested that Guyana had not seen the last of Bharrat Jagdeo in political office. So two weeks ago, Jagdeo met with the press to say, “Just to assure my friends in the opposition that some of their concerns and some of their worries will not materialize. The first is that, Trotman said, that I should stay out the race... I know that they are worried about that. I am not on the ticket; I said that before, I am not interested in a constitutional post... I will not be on the ticket. “They are still worried about it, that somehow I will spring a rabbit out of the hat and appear on the ticket on April 7 in some capacity; No. That is not going to happen. I will not be on the list. The last time I did not go on the list because I have no intention of going into parliament.” Well it turns out that Jagdeo did spring a rabbit out of the hat; he is on the ticket despite his conviction that it is not going to happen. One is now left to consider whether anyone could take Jagdeo’s comments seriously. How serious is he when he says that he is not interested in any constitutional post? One is hard pressed to name any President outside of Russia where Vladimir Putin played musical chairs with the presidency to find any former President returning to office. In the United States when a President leaves office he does not even return to either Congress or the senate. Jagdeo appearing on the list now casts doubt on every statement he would have made about his political ambition. He attracted controversy during the latter part of his tenure in office and from appearances he presided over corruption. He said that he would deal condignly with anyone whom he finds to be a corrupt officer. He never caused the prosecution of anyone and for certain, he intervened when any of his friends was fingered. One recalled when Secretary to the Treasury Nirmal Rekha was said to be the signatory to a number of forged documents authorizing duty free concessions; Jagdeo soon caused Rekha to return to the job. He then spearheaded a number of projects among them, the Amaila Falls hydroelectric project, the expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, the construction of the Marriott Hotel and the construction of the Skeldon sugar project. He spoke of getting the best possible deals but one must now question those comments. When he selected the Chinese company ahead of the Indian company to construct the Skeldon sugar factory at an even greater cost, people believed that he was acting in the best interest of Guyana. Now it would not be unfair to suggest that the comments on the funding for these projects, as announced by Jagdeo, were not necessarily the truth. Even Jagdeo’s staunchest supporter should now take offence when people insist that he is making another run for the presidency. His actions suggest deceit. The question being begged, now, is why does Jagdeo think that people would accept him after his volte face about appearing on the list of candidates for the People’s Progressive Party/Civic? He might have had some impact on the campaign trail since he has the support of some young people. Now he could be a liability and one who’s very utterances do not mean anything.
Thursday April 09, 2015
Letters... Where your views make the news
Election reports must include Crum-Ewing’s assassination DEAR EDITOR, During and after this election campaign in Guyana, international observers will submit their pre- and post-election assessment of the general elections to be held on May 11. Those reports will cover, among other topics, the question of whether there had been any electionrelated violence. While the observer teams often try to be fair, there are times when they have gotten it wrong. Perhaps the most memorable example of this was the Carter Center’s assessment of the 1989 general elections in Panama under the dictator (Maximum Leader) Manuel Noriega. I remember watching a breaking news story showing the bodyguard of a vice presidential candidate being shot at point blank range in front of television cameras. Shortly after, the Carter Center held a press conference where they declared that the election was relatively free of violence. This position by the Carter Center may have emboldened Noriega, as he later declared the election results ‘null and void’. To support him, he invited several friends from Latin America and the Caribbean to stand with him to condemn American
interference in his country’s internal affairs. Fortunately for the Panamanian people, that show of support did not deter President George HW Bush from ensuring that democracy prevailed in Panama. Today, Panama is a vibrant democracy and a major financial hub in this hemisphere. Election observer teams have become critical to ensuring free, fair and transparent elections, particularly in countries like Guyana where some of the other requisites of democracy such as independent judiciary, free and independent media and Government transparency are not fully in place. While most Guyanese have some level of confidence in the Guyana Elections Commission and Chairman Surujbally, there is an acknowledgement that GECOM alone cannot ensure that the elections are free. The presence of I n t e r n a t i o n a l observer/monitor teams is therefore crucial, providing they are perceived by all parties as being impartial. For this election cycle, Guyana has invited several organizations and countries to send observer teams to monitor the elections. Perhaps the most notable of these is the Organization of American States (OAS). During the 2011 elections,
the OAS deployed a team consisting of 25 members from 14 countries including Venezuela. In its final report, the OAS made no mention of election-related violence. As a matter of fact, the OAS offered praise stating “It is especially commendable, in light of the ethnic and racial nature of Guyanese politics, that this, along with the other electoral processes dating back to 2001 have been carried out in an environment of relative peace and mutual respect.” The killing of Courtney Crum-Ewing has changed this, and now we do not expect the same praise from the OAS or any other observer mission reporting on this year’s election. Crum-Ewing was found shot
to death shortly after he had been using a public address system to encourage residents to vote against the ruling party. His body was found in the streets riddled with bullet holes, his bullhorn a few feet away. The Police are yet to solve this case. Courtney Crum-Ewing was a political activist. He was killed during the election campaign season. He was shot execution-style. Could somebody have ordered this assassination? If so, who? Whatever the answer, one thing is for sure. This killing must be noted in the electoral observation missions’ final reports. Without this, those reports cannot be given credence. Max Mohamed
Foreigners and the National Assembly DEAR EDITOR, I was very happy to see you publish the lists of candidates for the two major political parties (APNU+AFC and PPP/C) for the National Assembly. Having perused these lists, it was quite interesting to see several individuals who I personally know are holding foreign passports. I am fully aware of Article 155 1 (a) of our
Constitution which states as follows: No person shall be qualified for election as a member of the National Assembly who - is, by virtue of his own act, under any acknowledgment of allegiance, obedience or adherence to a foreign power or state; Could GECOM shed some light on this critical issue? Dharshan Singh
The PPP does not embrace change, it is about the past, not the present DEAR EDITOR, We a r e a b s o l u t e l y convinced that Guyana had reached rock bottom as the people grimaced in pain under the venom of invectives hurled at Brigadier Granger and Moses Nagamootoo by Jagdeo who upstaged Ramotar at Babu Jaan and at the rally in Kitty. It was like a diabolical edict issued from on high to savage the good name of the leaders of the Coalition at all costs. The depth to which Jagdeo and the PPP leadership descend leaves nothing to the imagination. It was grossly ugly and deceitful for them to distort the facts and soil the reputation of a future President and Prime Minister. It is pathetic to know that the PPP cannot campaign on their poor track record of 22
years. Instead, they have continued to drag the late Forbes Burnham’s name into the mud as they have done in previous elections. This election should not be about the era of Burnham who died 30 years ago. But the PPP is about the past and not the present, and this is why their campaign is about the 1970s and not since 1999 to the present when Jagdeo came to power. Faced with the inevitability of defeat at the polls on May 11, the leaders of the PPP, especially Jagdeo, have desperately catapulted to raking and scraping every molecule in or out of sight in the most unsavory manner to brutalize the unblemished character of two distinguished sons of the soil in whom all the patriotic citizens in particular, and Guyanese in general, are
irresistibly pleased. T h e P P P ’s n a k e d exploitation of the most vulnerable men and women in society is a clear sign of desperation. The people saw their vicious attacks on the leaders of the Coalition as the straw that broke the camel’s back. It is deplorably dehumanizing for them and even for some members of the PPP to see the hatred and racism being spewed by Jagdeo, who did not even spare the deceased Courtney Crum-Ewing. It is as if they are about to destroy the leaders of the Coalition by invoking the race card and their malicious vendetta against them. During the Jagdeo/Ramotar reign, national priorities have been subordinated to unfettered parochialism. Graft and corruption poisoned the land.
Nepotism, cronyism and corruption infected the institutions of government. Instability and insecurity run amok as crime, especially armed robbery and murders, have escalated, and the institutions of governance have disintegrated beyond recognition. Morality and integrity are held in arrogant disdain as the unscrupulous leaders have stealthily superimposed themselves upon the people and the nation’s resources and finances. They have become the dictatorial masters and not the servants of the people, defended the indefensible, discriminated against their political opponents, marginalized a large section of the population, and abandoned the noble tenets of principles of fairness and good (Continued on page 23)
Thursday April 09, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Letters... Where your views make the news Letters... Where your views make the news
Contrasting experiences We deserve a new Guyana, and it will begin on May 12th endured at the Immigration Office DEAR EDITOR, Congratulations are in order for the Elections Commission, City Hall, the media, the political parties who have submitted their lists, and indeed the Guyanese people for an excellent Nomination Day. However, it never seems to amaze anyone of the political dynamics in Guyana. Going through the list of candidates of the PPP revealed that 11 persons on the list are children of the leadership of that party. If one is to do a simple analysis of this fact, it would reveal that the number of children on the list represents 17% of the 65-seat parliament. If one is to consider the last parliamentary seat allocation, the number of children of party leaders on the list represents 34% of that allocation. When one considers that the PPP has been in office for 23 years, it is hard to believe that they could not get persons of quality to be on their list. It’s either the PPP thinks that the leadership of the party must remain in the family of current leaders, or it’s animal farm all over again. Is the PPP incapable of getting competent, qualified, trail-blazing Guyanese to be on their
list? Or does the party only want the children of the leaders in the new leadership positions because they believe that all Guyanese are fools and will vote for them regardless of their plot. Do they really believe that Guyanese will continue to satisfy their thirst for power and that of their children? The leadership of the PPP firmly believe that they and their children deserve whatever they want, and the rest of us will have to fall in line or be cast to the dogs. This nonsense will come to an end, and it will end on May 11th. I am calling on all Guyanese to please send a clear and strong message by voting firmly for the opposition alliance. I will continue to join in the call for a free Guyana for all Guyanese. I will also ask the new government after May 11th, to ensure that all elected parliamentarians give way to new faces in the next elections. I will also work with our new government to train Guyanese who are desirous of becoming future parliamentarians and for other official offices. We deserve a new Guyana, and it will begin on May 12th after the votes are counted and the new government is elected to office. Charles Sugrim
Here’s How to Judge a Presidential Candidate! Be a SMART Voter DEAR EDITOR, In the wake of the preelection excitement, it is important that we be reminded that our selection of the right Presidential Candidate and Party to govern our country should not be based on touted political propaganda and distortion techniques such as name-calling, rumourmongering, passing the blame and evading real issues by politicians, but rather, the ideology and manifesto of parties. This will help you to select the right Candidate and party which will benefit the entire nation. Elections present voters with important choices. Whether it is a local race that will affect your community or a national race that could change the direction of the country, it is a time to consider the issues which you care about and decide which Candidate you support. Candidates can be judged in two ways: the positions they take on issues and the leadership qualities and experience they would bring to office. Both are important, so your first step in picking a Candidate is to decide on the issues you care about and the qualities you want in a leader. Find out which Candidates are running in the race by checking your newspapers, reading online
news sites and, watching the news on television. Compile this information so that you can create your very own library of information about the Candidates. Some other sources of information from which you may choose include: • Campaign literature, including campaign Web sites • Direct mail letters • Press reports (newspapers, television, and radio) • Radio and television advertisements • Candidates speeches • Candidate debates Interviews with the Candidates can also be helpful in making your selection. For incumbents, a look at their voting records on issues that you have listed as important can tell you the Candidates’ positions on those issues. You may also want to look at the Candidates’ background and their experience. This will help give you an idea on how well prepared they are for the job. Be sure to observe the Candidates’ campaigns, this will help you analyze the content of their speeches and if they accept speaking engagements before different groups, even those groups that might not be sympathetic. Do any of the Candidates accept invitations to debate?
Perhaps an elections debate would be beneficial to help you make the right decision come May 11, 2015. Review materials used in campaigns so that you will know if campaign materials emphasize issues or just images. Remember to also check if the information is accurate. Further to the accumulated information from campaigns and other sources, chat with other people to hear what they have to say about the Candidates. Their opinions can help to clarify your own views, but do not discount your own informed judgments. You may be the most careful observer of all! Finally, use all the information acquired to make your evaluation. This is not an overnight process and should begin from now until the day of elections. After elections, citizens should continue to scrutinize the winning Candidate and Party so as to ensure transparency and accountability which are crucial elements to Good Governance. Marissa Lowden
DEAR EDITOR, On most occasions the scene at the immigration office is quite chaotic. Persons can be seen venting their frustration by the slothfulness of the process and enduring long hours in the line. I went to renew my passport recently and therefore I had to travel from Essequibo to the city to have it done. Even though I travelled early on the eventful day, I reached the immigration office at around 09:15 hours. By then the lines were swelling to capacity. It would have been a miracle for me to complete the process on the day and return to Essequibo. My next course of action therefore was to enquire from the staff whether I could have been preferentially accommodated, since obtaining a number to join the line would have been useless. They didn’t offer much,
but advised me to meet a Senior Male Officer which I did. To my astonishment and surprise he was totally dismissive, impatient and insisted that I return and join the line, since his claim was that if he assisted me, he would have to do the same for others. Why then do persons have to see him as stated by the junior staff? In fact, should persons travelling from far and outlying areas not catered for in such circumstances? At that point I had given up all hope and was planning to return home with the thought of incurring unnecessary expenses, time and energy to travel for long hours. My day was however saved by a pleasant, understanding and courteous Female Senior Officer. In fact she was very sympathetic of my situation and quickly instructed that I receive prompt assistance.
I wish to publicly commend this officer for her tactfulness and wisdom since I believe that the other Officer couldn’t care a damn if I came from Moruca or the Pakaraimas! I am therefore appealing to the relevant authorities to implement innovative and effective measures that will humanely assist those persons travelling from far distances to do business at the office. There must be a workable plan and while that may be so, the Senior Male Officer is making it quite difficult to work. Notwithstanding, the immigration office is an important public institution which should be geared towards delinking and transforming its services to the various regions. I was told that it would be quite expensive, but it should be a priority for the next Government. Elroy Stephney
It’s a shame the people’s efforts to identify their representatives were ignored DEAR EDITOR, Mr. David Granger, when asked why Ms. Vanessa Kissoon was off the list, said she served two terms. If Ms. Kissoon is not on the list because she served two terms, where does that leave Amna Ally, Basil Williams, Volda Lawrence, George Norton, et al, who are on the list and have served more than two terms? One cannot help but question whether Ms. Kissoon is paying the price for breaking ranks with the political leadership by standing for and with the people of Linden against the 2012 proposed imposition of electricity charges that was announced in parliament, and later pulled back after the people protested against it. If this is the price for delivering leadership to one’s constituents then Ms. Kissoon must be heralded as the victor in the people’s quest for representative leadership. Clearly, she
delivered selfless leadership for her constituency. She must continue to walk proud after this experience, recognising that the position she has taken in representation of her constituency has allowed her people to keep the lights on for their children to study, among other things. It is a shame efforts made by the people in the Region to identify their representatives through a system of involving groups in the decision-making process were ignored to arrive at a list that is personal and not representative. This is a blow to democracy and undermines empowerment of the region to identify the geographic representative(s), which came out of the constitutional reform process. The Region was kept in limbo until the list was presented and reported by various sections of the media. This is no way to treat young
people, young women and hard-working supporters who you rely on to put you in government. It is discouraging to youth, particularly those who have worked hard for political change. This high-handed behaviour will alienate young people and those who are looking in. As we watch Ms. Kissoon’s issue play out, it confirms how the List System can be abused to deny grassroots democracy and the regions being denied representation by their choice of elected officials to represent them. One gets the feeling in this era of politics that there is very little difference between the incumbent and challenger. Minette Bacchus
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Jagdeo’s Babu Jaan remarks racially divisive After reviewing a broadcast of the speech made by former President Bharrat Jagdeo at Port Mourant last month, the Media Monitoring Unit (MMU) of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) says the remarks he made were racially divisive. The MMU, on Tuesday made public its first report on the media’s coverage of the election campaign where it addressed the public outcry over Jagdeo’s delivery at a Memorial Ceremony held for former President and founder-leader of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Dr. Cheddi Jagan. Noting that Jagdeo’s delivery at the Corentyne, Berbice memorial site on March 8, last, had been broadcast on national television, National Communications Network (NCN), the MMU said that this opened the way for it to address the matter. The report on the March 1 to March 31 period, focused
on part of Jagdeo’s speech which it noted stirred significant negative public reactions. The controversial part of the speech it focused on reads “…but they consistently, they shout about racism of the PPP, but they practise racism. They whisper campaigns. In the last elections they went to some of the AfroGuyanese villages and beat some drums at 6 o’clock in the morning and say let us throw out these coolie people. Get up, go out and vote, throw out the coolie people. That’s the kind of language they use. Anybody from our party who uses that sort of language, we will kick them out. This is our approach.” The MMU said that this was sourced from NCN TV which broadcast Jagdeo’s entire speech the following day. After reviewing the remarks made, the Unit took the position that it was obvious that Jagdeo was
- Media Monitoring Unit
Former President, Bharrat Jagdeo using a racial mobilization incident that allegedly occurred during the 2011 elections to make the point that racism will not be tolerated by his political party, the PPP/C. For the record, the MMU said that Jagdeo’s speech was the first time such details were ever publicly disclosed by anyone from the ruling PPP/C, the opposition
political parties, local civil society, international elections observers, or the media. The body noted that on the face of it, this is salutary. “However, what was palpably disconcerting about the remarks made is where they were uttered, the occasion on which they were stated, and the immediate receptors of the message.” The MMU is of the view that it would be counter intuitive to view Dr. Jagdeo’s comments in isolation from the environment in which they were uttered. “At close up, he was speaking in a known PPP/C stronghold, before a predominantly East Indian audience, and, to boot, in a highly-charged political and ethnic environment,” it said. “Taking into consideration the historically and politically influenced
divisions that persists up to now between Africans and East Indians in this c o u n t r y, a n d w h i c h a r e usually more pronounced during elections periods, the Unit came to the conclusion that the anecdotal illustration used by Dr. Jagdeo to make his point about racism, boomeranged disastrously, since it came over as a calculated exploitation, for political purposes, of the known fears and insecurities of one section of the population – East Indians.” The Unit added that it is within the foregoing context, that it concluded that the remarks made by Jagdeo “were racially divisive and should have been edited by all sections of the media that broadcast or printed the remarks verbatim. The media was reminded that the airing/publication of
the comments as is, was a breach of Section B (1) of the Media Code of Conduct (MCC), which among other things state, that the media should “…refrain from publishing or broadcasting any matter with the potential for, or likelihood of promoting or inciting hatred of any kind (including ethnic and political hatred)…” The unit said that it observed that two television stations aired Jagdeo’s speech in full, while one newspaper and some online news sites carried only the excerpted part. It noted that many media houses from both the state and private media shied away from reproducing the full speech or the contentious part thereof. “The actions of these media houses should not go unmentioned, hence,` we unhesitatingly take a quality time out to commend them for their nous and adherence, in this instance, to the MCC,” the body ended.
Men’s Affairs Unit targets law enforcement officers in Gender-Based Violence campaign Given the important role of police officers tackling Gender-Based Violence, (GBV) the Ministry of Human Services Men’s Affairs Bureau (MAB) has been working to ensure training and sensitization of law enforcement officers, who in their various capacities interface with the public on a daily basis Thousands of reports of GBV reach the Guyana Police Force on annual basis. According to statistics released in 2012, of the more than 60 percent of women who were involved in a relationship or union, 27.7 percent reported physical abuse, 26.3 percent had experienced verbal abuse and 12.7 percent experienced sexual violence. Some of the matters were
A section of the gathering at a recently concluded exercise offered by the MAB
successfully prosecuted in the courts, while others were referred to the Family Welfare
Department of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, for further intervention and counseling. However, the incidence of GBV have reached alarming proportions in Guyana and many concerned bodies have been at the forefront of tackling the issue with
heightened awareness campaigns and methods of intervention aimed at bringing an end to the scourge. One such, group is the Men’s Affairs Bureau, within the Human Services Ministry. Last month, the group targeted some 250 police officers at the recently
concluded GBV seminars, held in Region Four. According to MAB administrator, Deigo Alphonso the participation of law enforcement agencies is integral to ensuring they are equipped with the knowledge and skills to adequately handle the issues and effects of GBV. The officers, he said are trained and given valuable information on aspects of conflict resolution and anger management. Alphonso explained that given the sensitive nature of GBV, it is important for police ranks to show a certain level of consideration as well as professionalism, when dealing with complaints of such nature. He noted that as part of
the training, officers are encouraged to show consideration and be more accommodating especially to those making the report, whether male or female. In effect, Alphonso said that officers are urged to take reports seriously no matter since,” If someone should make a report about being abused by his spouse and it is not dealt with properly at the level of the police, that matter can evolve into something much more serious.” He noted that the objective is to make members of the public confident enough to reach out to the law enforcement agency, under whichever circumstance. The MAB Administrator said that a husband must be confident enough to lodge a complaint with the police against his wife, instead of taking matters into his own hands. The MAB Administrator said that seminars also targeted members of the faith based communities and discussions encompassed highlighting the importance of fathers in the home and encouraging young men to become positive role models. The meetings were held in collaboration with the Ministry of Health’s Gender Based Violence Unit and included the Guyana Police Force; Community Policing Groups, representatives from the main religious organisations and other stakeholders.
Thursday April 09, 2015
Kaieteur News
Obama to Discuss IMF Deal With PM The Gleaner - Details of the high-level talks to be held between United States President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller have been revealed by the White House in a press call with members of the media. The conference call, facilitated by Ben Rhodes, deputy national security adviser for strategic communications, and Ricardo Zuniga, senior director for Western Hemisphere Affairs in the National Security Council, previewed the president’s travel to Jamaica and Panama ahead of the Summit of the Americas. Rhodes indicated that the president’s visit to Jamaica was motivated by Jamaica’s performance in the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme through its extended fund facility. “In Jamaica, the president will have an opportunity to speak with Prime Minister Simpson Miller about our strong support for Jamaica’s work to deal with its debt and fiscal crisis,” he said. He also said that the IMF programme would take centre stage. “The country’s strong performance over the last two years in working with the IMF, the World Bank, and others to address that (the
Portia Simpson Miller
debt crisis) will also be discussed.” Responding to questions from The Gleaner regarding observations that the Obama presidency has not shown much interest in the Caribbean, Zuniga noted that the president’s visit affirms that the region is of strategic importance to the US. “We feel that the CARICOM region does deserve greater attention from the United States. That is why we are focusing on energy because when looking at the region, we saw that a number of CARICOM countries have significant energy needs,” he said. He added: “There are enormous familial connections; there is a significant immigrant population here in the US; and there is shared interest on issues such as immigration, energy, economic growth, climate change, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.”
Zuniga also made note of the fact that the president’s focus on hosting a youth town hall meeting in Jamaica is indicative of the fact that the US is investing in the youth of the Caribbean. This, he said, sends a signal about Obama’s personal commitment to the region and the growing importance of the Caribbean to the United States. When pressed on whether there would be any major announcements or trade deals, Zuniga declined to reveal details but indicated that the meeting with the Jamaican prime minister and other CARICOM leaders would focus on a wide range of issues. “We would anticipate that we will have an agenda that covers security and energy, among other items. There will be a number of concrete outcomes within that agenda,” he said.
Former St Kitts-Nevis administration ran dual economy, says PM
BASSETERRE, St Kitts (WINN) — The former Denzil Douglas Labour administration in St Kitts and Nevis has been accused of having run both a formal and an informal economy. Prime Minister Dr Timothy Harris made the allegation at his news conference last week, during which he condemned some of the practices alleged to have been engaged in by the former administration. Harris was at the time responding questions about the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). “The CPL, like CARIFTA, represents in my view, something about the way the past government did things. We went into government, and found that two critically important events that could impact the country and impact its external relations with others, there was nothing provided in the budget. Nothing in the budget in the ministry of sports with respect to CPL, nothing in relation to CARIFTA,” he reported. “Did the outgoing administration intend to host them, and is there another that would have dealt with them? Because we have come to believe that the government operated in ways, you have a formal economy and an informal economy, and there are times when you look at the government, it was that kind of informal creature that seemed to have been controlling the government,” Harris said.
According to the prime minister, there was a telling lack of accountability that has to be corrected. “A lot of things that ought to go through the formal system of government don’t go there, so [the] financial secretary can’t help you when you’re having a particular conversation. Nothing like that in her budget. Maybe somebody else’s budget. Maybe a slush fund like SIDF. Maybe that would become the creature, and that was the part of the challenge of accountability that we sought to press on the minds of the people that the people will lose when the government does not respect systems procedure and protocol,” Harris continued. The prime minister said his government has discovered that there is great need for discipline and control, based on the manner in which the former administration operated. “I could tell you a lot more commitments that have been made on behalf of the people, on behalf of the government for which the citizens of this country know nothing about. The citizens do not know that their lands have been committed, that special exclusive arrangements have been made in their name, and a callous and irresponsible government refused to bring them to the public. In the fullness of time we will have that conversation,” he noted.
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AFFORDABILITY IS NOT THE ISSUE It would surprise you how modern and forward- thinking the colonial authorities were when it came to education. One area in which they are far ahead of the present PPPC regime is the manner in which they rewarded the country’s top students. Before independence, there was the Crown Colony Scholarship, the symbol of academic excellence. This allowed students to study in a country of their choice and in a field of their choice. At Independence, this scholarship was replaced by the coveted Guyana Scholarship. Under this scheme, the country’s top performers (not just top performer) were afforded the opportunity to study at foreign universities of their choice. Affordability was never a concern. It is true that the PNC government sent Guyana Scholars to study at universities of their choice. But it is also true that it was the PNC that was forced to abandon many of these students when the foreign exchange crisis hit. The PNC left many of these students high and dry because despite the country being awash with local dollars, there was an acute scarcity of foreign exchange. As such the country
could not find the foreign exchange to pay for the many students who were studying abroad. Not just the Guyana Scholars were affected. Many other government scholarship beneficiaries were forced to terminate their foreign studies or find a way to pay their own way. It was never a question of affordability. It was always a question then of not having foreign exchange. As a result of this development, the PNC was forced to downgrade the Guyana Scholarship. It decided that the scholarship was only tenable at the University of Guyana. This destroyed the standing of the Guyana Scholarship. Very few of the country’s top scholars took it up and the scholarship disappeared completely. Rather than allowing the country to retain its trained and skilled scholars, having the Guyana Scholarship tenable at the University of Guyana had the opposite effect. The top students did not take up the scholarship. They migrated. As a result of this disinterest, the Guyana Scholarship disappeared all together. This was quite unlike other countries in the Caribbean, such as Trinidad,
Dem boys seh ...
Guyanese mek St. Peter cry Nomination Day come and gone and lef nuff people surprise. One old man, who was 99, dead in Guyana de same day when he hear that Jagdeo, that scamp, gone back pun de list. Before he dead, he call two friends, one in Haiti who is 98 and another one in Obama country, who is 97. When he done talk to dem is all three of dem drop dead. Dem end up before St. Peter at de Pearly Gates. Dem see couple people on de way—dem see Burnham, dem see Cheddi, dem see Janet and dem see Hoyte. When dem meet de gate dem tell St. Peter that dem think dem see Brassingtan, that fat crook. Peter tell dem that he can’t come nowhere close to this gate. In fact, he can’t put he foot on de road to de gate. That is how de American ask Peter when he country gun done wid de recession. Peter tell him 200 years and de man start cry. Me children and grandchildren wouldn’t live to see that. De Haitian ask Peter, “When will my country be prosperous.” Peter tell him 100 years. He start cry too. He seh same thing wid me. Me wife and children can’t live to see that happen. De Guyanese walk up to Peter and ask, “When will Guyana be corruption free?” Peter start cry. Then he seh to de Guyanese, “I will not be around to see that day.” De Guyanese then tell Peter that he learn five things that he always use to remember in life. One was to forgive you enemy but remember de bastard’s name. Another was to remember that money can’t buy happiness but it more comfortable to cry in a Mercedes Benz that on a bicycle. Jagdeo and he friends learn that so good that now-adays dem does behave like dem ain’t care. Dem does cry nuff but none of dem don’t cry pun a bicycle. And as fuh deh names? De whole of Guyana gun forgive dem but will always rememba dem bastards names. Talk half and don’t forgive these bastards.
which continued the timehonoured and wise tradition of offering to its students places at universities of their choice and in their own chosen fields. Trinidad rebranded its scholarships as the President’s Scholarships, in accordance with the prestige and importance it wished to accord to the prize. It was only recently, under President Donald Ramotar, that the Guyana Scholarship was reintroduced. Like the equivalent in Trinidad it was re-titled the President’s Scholarship. By its recent decision to offer to the country’s top CSEC student a scholarship tenable in Guyana, China and Cuba and in only three areas of study, the Public Service
Ministry has effectively downgraded the scholarship. It has recycled gifts from Cuba and China and passed this off as the President’s Scholarship. Cuba and China offers free scholarships to Guyana. It is disingenuous for the Guyana Government to take this freeness and rebrand it as the President’s Scholarship. This change in policy cannot be justified. There is no issue with cost. There is no issue with affordability. There can be no issue also with foreign exchange. After all, if indeed there has been the progress that the PPPC boasts about there can be no issue with affordability. After contending that it has reversed the economic crisis that the PNC left this nation
in, it is retrograde for the PPP to downgrade a scholarship issued in the name of its President. If you do a basic calculation and take the most costly university, you will find that on a per capita basis it will not cost more than US$1 per citizen for a one-off payment. This is not a pension that is being paid. Most scholarships run for a few years and then ends, unlike pensions which have to be continuously paid until the beneficiary died. If after all the progress the PPPC likes to boast about it should now contend that affordability is an issue, then the PPPC should not boast about its economic progress and about restoring the
viability of Guyana’s finances. Affordability cannot be the issue. In fact, as suggested, if Guyana is serious about preserving a system of meritocracy and distributive justice; if Guyana is serious about retaining its best brains and training them for the sort of future that the PPPC says it has in store for the country, then the issue is not whether we can afford to send our top students to study overseas but whether we can afford NOT to do so. ( To be continued)
NIS to implement online system to check contributions The National Insurance Scheme (NIS) Computer Operations Manager for Software, Nigel Carter, yesterday introduced members of the NIS Board and the media to the prototype for a website, designed to allow persons to check their contributions. The demonstration took place in the Patrick Martinborough MultiPurpose Complex Board Room, Carifesta Avenue, Georgetown yesterday. Once approved by Board Members, insured persons will only be one click away from checking and tracking the history of their contributions to the Scheme on their computers. Each person will be allowed to create an account on the website, and will have individual passwords. This prospective system would allow insured persons to contact NIS if they discover any error/inaccuracy with their information. It was described as a web interface which connects to an offline version of the database used by the NIS and prints contribution details. NIS General Manager, Doreen Nelson explained that the idea behind this new electronic system was to reduce the number of people
who are normally forced to join long lines at NIS offices countrywide, just to get an update on the status of their contributions. “… We are now trying to implement an electronic system, so instead of having people come in, they can find out for themselves online.” This, Nelson said, would make the organisation’s job much easier, since they now have over 120,000 insured persons on screen. Once the page is up and running, insured persons can visit the website by typing contributions.nis.org.gy into any search engine and selecting the “Create New Account” link. The insured person will then have to complete and submit a registration form online, which the NIS webmaster will review. Once he is satisfied that it is in fact the individual, the user account will be approved. The onus is then on the webmaster to send an email with login details to the user. The user will then be required to use the new password, thereby permitting them to log in and access their contribution records by selecting the “Check NIS Contributions” link. Carter compared the simple and easy nature of accessing
and learning the website to that of Facebook or “any other social media”. The user will also be able to check their bio data by selecting the respective option in the Contribution Information screen. The system was said to be an in-house design, as it was created and designed by the NIS Information Technology department. “It was designed on an existing framework….separate from NIS database, just to prevent any malicious movement”, Carter stated. According to information presented, the online system was built on an existing and secure framework which powers hundreds of thousands of sites. The Computer Operations Manager of Software assured the board members that proper security measures were implemented to protect the website from cyberattacks. “We tried to take security into consideration, so we try to ensure that our database is kept out of harm’s
way…” as part of the presentation, Carter related that the data used to service online requests will be extracted from the organisation’s live NIMS (National Institute for Materials Science) database, and displayed in a read only format.” In his presentation, Carter related that in terms of access control, “no user will be allowed to view the contributions of another.” This is the case since, as long as a National Insurance number has been assigned to an account, no other account can be used to gain access to its information. He noted that the website will not be limited to the checking of contributions. He explained that since it is in its initial stage, much more work is to be done to ensure that it expands and can serve other functions to users. He added that the IT department envisions that there will be an application (app) that can be downloaded on smart phones, so that insured persons can check their status from their mobile devices’ rather than using a computer.
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Kaieteur News
Thursday April 09, 2015
=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===
The things Bharrat Jagdeo and Donald Ramotar couldn’t do In my opinion, during his tenure, Bharrat Jagdeo appeared closer to certain strongmen in the power structure than he was to Donald Ramotar. Many reasons explain this but there is a space constraint. During his reign, Mr. Jagdeo seemed to have been closer to Kwame Mc Coy, Gary Best among others rather than Donald Ramotar. It may be correct to say that during the era of the PPP in opposition and during the administration of the two Jagans until the passing of Dr. Jagan, Ramotar was never impressive. The Jagans came to see people like Rohee, Luncheon and Teixeira as more politically astute than Ramotar so state power was not put in his hand but rather the affairs of the PPP. So while the Jagans were shaping state power after 1992, Ramotar was left out of that process. It didn’t take too long for President Jagdeo to see that the Jagans were right about
Ramotar and he agreed that he would keep Ramotar where the Jagans first placed him – in the office of the PPP to overlook the party. Jagdeo had twelve years in power and not for a moment did he think of a Cabinet or high state sector post for Ramotar. When it was time to select a presidential candidate for the 2011 General Elections, Jagdeo knew the most eligible person in his eyes was Ramotar because given Ramotar’s political mediocrity in the PPP, Jagdeo could continue his hegemony. This was a tragic blow for Ramkarran but Jagdeo knew that a Ramkarran presidency meant the end of Jagdeo in power; a Ramotar presidency meant a continuation. As so it has been since 2011. When Jagdeo told the press that he had spoken to Ramotar about changing the policy of medical benefits for high state and party officials and that it would be reshaped, Jagdeo had committed a Freudian blunder. He gave it away. He
showed that he is the major mover and shaker in the government. Jagdeo informed Ramotar that he, Jagdeo, would take the reins of the 2015 election campaign. It is against this backdrop that Ramotar appears foolish when he makes promises to the electorate, two of which at the Kitty rally made the country laugh at him. First, Ramotar guaranteed that if re-elected, a call to the police station would see the presence of the police within half an hour of the call being made. If Ramotar’s benefactor, Jagdeo, had twelve years in power and Ramotar three and the police couldn’t come even within a hour (unless a rich business called because of the perks involved), why would they come in half an
hour’s time in 2015? In this election campaign, the media has to be on the ball. What the press needs to do is to ask Ramotar why it didn’t happen in Jagdeo’s twelve year old hegemony and during his three-year stint. Surely there has to be an explanation and Ramotar has the obligation to offer one. Next, Ramotar declared that there would be a better UG. If the President of the country promised improvements at UG, then that is an admission that more could be done for UG. But as in the police arrival, the question must be asked about Jagdeo from 1999 to 2011 and Ramotar from 2011 to 2015. Why the deterioration the past fifteen years when Jagdeo and Ramotar were in power? There is only one
explanation for Ramotar’s promises at the Kitty rally-— rulers who didn’t perform and pledge to do fantastically better if re-elected have a very low opinion of the IQ of their citizens. One has to be a fool or have the low thinking resembling a donkey to praise a head of government that has neglected to fill a colossal crater across a road that made life miserable for its users then come election time he/she fills it. Are there people like that? Yes there are but they are a tiny minority among the seven billion souls that inhabit Planet Earth. Humans have their faults but surely one has to be below the level of a human to believe that there is no
Frederick Kissoon connection between an upcoming election and the fixing of a bridge that after twenty-three years in power the government couldn’t repair. I will leave you with a sad story. On Wednesday, April 1 at 11PM, the cousin of Rawle Welch of the Kaieteur News called me at home. Since morning, Rawle’s cousin explained, he was at the Accident and Emergency of the Georgetown Public Hospital, waiting for a specialist to arrive to treat his critically sick relative.
CJ further restricts Govt from using IBD funds An order handed down in the High Court has further blocked the government from making any disbursements from the recently obtained US$32.16M Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) loan. The matter was heard in the Chambers of Chief Justice Ian Chang at the Georgetown High Court, yesterday. Following the proceeding, Attorneys representing A Partnership for National Unity (APNU)’s Shadow Minister of Finance, Carl Greenidge, confirmed that the injunction was granted to further prevent the government from making any disbursement from the sum obtained under the IBD loan agreement.
According to the lawyers, the order is enforced until further determination by the court. Last month, the APNU Shadow Minister of Finance brought the legal challenge against Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh, following an announcement that Government signed loan agreements with President of the IDB, Luis Alberto Moreno, for US$32.16M. The agreements comprise two loans targeting police and prison initiatives as well as the environmental management sectors. The amount totaled US$32.16M -– US$15M for the Citizen Security Strengthening Project, and US$17.16M in support of policy reforms in the sector. However, with elections set for May 11, the Opposition has been warning that it would not honour any new transactions, and has also expressed concerns over the unfair use of state resources – including money –
APNU’s Shadow Minister of Finance, Carl Greenidge to do campaign work. Greenidge subsequently filed the court action asking that the proceeds under the loan agreements signed between Dr. Singh and the IDB be paid into the Consolidated Fund.
The Opposition member based his argument on the fact that the monies could be spent without adequate due process from the National Assembly, given that the Parliament has been dissolved. According to the writ which was filed last month, Greenidge asked that there be no withdrawal of the proceeds of the said Loan Agreements, except by an Appropriation Act as directed by Article 217 of the Constitution, which deals specifically with management of finances in the Consolidated Fund. Greenidge specifically argues that the defendant or other Ministers designated by the President or any other member of the Executive of Guyana cannot lawfully spend or authorize the spending of monies received under the said loan agreements with IDB unless there is explicit authorization of the National Assembly. According to the document, the applicant also requested that the monies remain in Consolidated Fund until a final determination of the matter. Last week, the Chief Justice granted attorneys representing the Finance Minister and Attorney General (AG) Anil Nandlall, is also named as a respondent in the case, time to file an affidavit in response to the action. Yesterday, Justice Chang granted an additional 10 days for the lawyers, who requested more time to file the response. The matter has been adjourned until April 15.
Thursday April 09, 2015
Kaieteur News
GuySuCo demands respect from Kaieteur News …but fails to address burning issues Following a number of reports on the state of affairs at the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), the Corporation through its hired public relations expert, Kit Nascimento, has issued a statement attempting to clear the air. However, GuySuCo steered clear away from a number of burning issues including the decision to spend more US$30M to hire a Chinese contractor over an experienced Indian firm for the troubled Skeldon factory. GuySuCo also did not address the fact that more than five years later after the factory was handed over by the Chinese contractor, it is badly underperforming requiring more than double the cane needed at other, older factories to produce sugar. GuySuCo did not say how much it is producing a tonne of sugar for, nor how much it is making when it sells the sugar. It did not also address questions in a subsequent article on Friday why the contractor despite failing on the Skeldon factory was handed another contract in excess of US$40M to run new power lines along the coast and why no one has been held responsible for the troubles at US$200 Skeldon modernization project. Kaieteur News, as part of its responsibilities to inform Guyana, was asking a simple question- What is the average price of sugar that GuySuCo is producing for and what is it selling at. The nation needs to know. GuySuCo and its Board of Directors and Management did not have to waste monies to hire a public relations expert to tell the people of Guyana something as simple as this. Below is the full text of GuySuCo’s press statement issued by Nascimento yesterday. Kaieteur News, on 26th March, 2015, published a report on the sugar industry headlined, “Skeldon set for disastrous first crop after late start” which was replete with misinformation on the industry’s first crop production figures and with regard to the prices received by Guysuco for its sugar. On 27th March, 2015, Guysuco issued a substantial rebuttal providing the facts. Kaieteur News withheld publication of Guysuco’s response which pointed out that “the industry has
Kit Nascimento
increased its yield to 4.1 Tons of Cane per Hectare (TCH) while, at the same time, maintaining its projected Tons of Cane per Tons of Sugar (TCTS) at 11.9 tons. On 3rd April, 2015, Kaieteur News publishes yet another sugar article with further inaccuracies headlined “Guyana produces at US$800 per ton, sells for US$300”, painting a misleading and unfair picture of the company’s marketing and trading arrangements for the price it sells its sugar. In its 26th March, 2015 report, Kaieteur News wrongly claimed that the company had “failed to enter into a three year agreement to lock in the high prices (of 2014) and instead opted for a one year contract” with Tate & Lyle, “leaving the country at the mercy of the international market”, a completely false statement. In spite of Guysuco, in its 27th March, 2015, Press Release, pointing out that a three year agreement” with Tate & Lyle, “was never on the table” Kaieteur News repeats this nonsense again in its 3rd April, 2015, article. Kaieteur News, referring to so-called “industry experts” claims that “Guysuco will only be able to rake in around US$325 per ton for its premium Demerara Gold from the Enmore packaging plant”. Kaieteur News is seemingly determined to ignore the facts and mislead its readers. While market prices for sugar on the open market are depressed, Guysuco is now marketing an increasing range of value added sugar products from which roughly forty percent (40%) and growing of its sugar income is derived and is sold at well above the price quoted in the Kaieteur News. Guysuco, for instance, as well as its bulk sugar sales,
sells value added products ranging from Demerara Brown, through Demerara Regale, Genuine Demerara to Demerara Gold, sold in a variety of packages and weights, all earning prices well above, and, in some instances, over twice the US$325 per ton quoted by Kaieteur News. Guysuco, of course, sells its sugar and its value added sugar products in a very competitive market and is not, therefore, in a position to disclose the actual price at which it sells its products. In our Press Release of 27th March, 2015, we noted and acknowledged that “with the prevailing world price for raw sugar, in order to be competitive the industry must change going forward” and that the industry’s Business Plan, shortly to be made public, addresses the cost of production and increasing harvesting efficiency. The Kaieteur News, however, carefully censored this from their article. The Kaieteur News is quick to demand respect. Guysuco demands the same particularly with regard to fair, balanced, accurate and truthful reporting.
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Four more arrested in connection with dismembered body Police have detained four more persons, including a mechanic, as they widen their probe into the murder of United States-based Guyanese, Samantha Benjamin. Yesterday’s arrests bring the total number of persons in police custody for the brutal murder to seven. This is in addition to another suspect, Imran Ramsaywack, who was placed before the court on Tuesday for the murder and remanded to prison. According to reports, Ramsaywack has already implicated two other suspects, but the Director of Public Prosecution has advised that further investigations be conducted in the matter before any further charges could be instituted. A source close to the investigation has indicated that all the men in police custody have given different and conflicting reports of what might have taken place at the Middle Walk, Buxton,
East Coast Demerara house where Benjamin was murdered and her body subsequently dismembered. A post mortem examination performed on the body of the 39-year old Benjamin gave the cause of death as asphyxiation due to multiple facial fractures and brain haemorrhage. The post mortem report confirmed a statement given by one of the suspects, who had told investigators that the woman was struck in her head with a piece of wood, during a robbery. The dismembered body of Samantha Benjamin was found on the Annandale Foreshore, East Coast Demerara, on March 26, last. Investigators were told that the mechanic had seen blood dripping from the floor of the house while he was repairing the suspects’ motorcycle. He had expressed his suspicions but was told that Benjamin was storing some of the suspicious liquid in her room.
Samantha Benjamin
He subsequently left the premises without telling anyone what he had seen. Investigators are hoping to gather more information soon so that they could institute charges against other suspects before time runs out.
After two years ...
Govt. yet to secure contractor for Kato hydro project After two years, the government is yet to commence building of the micro hydropower plant and irrigation facilities in Kato, Region Nine. This project, which was touted at the time as promoting sustainable and climate friendly energy use, was expected to receive funding from the European Union (EU) to the tune of over $600M. Government had announced back in 2013 the impending construction of the 330 kilowatt microhydro power station, at Chiung River head waterfall, near the village of Kato. The project was being implemented by the Hinterland Electrification Unit of the Office of the Prime Minister.
The Government had announced securing the funding back in 2012 from the EU. According to the arrangement, under the 10th European Development Fund, the EU would contribute $460M while the Guyana Government would contribute the remaining $155M. The plant was proposed to use the 36-metre waterfall in the Chiung River as its primary energy source. The hydro project was to also involve the erection of a pump station to supply water for the irrigation of neighbouring farmlands. In June 2013, bids, divided into two lots, were invited for the construction of the Kato hydropower plant. Lot one was allocated for the Kato hydropower plant
and lot two, for the irrigation infrastructure. Three contractors, BK International Inc., Dynamic Engineering Inc. and Farmex Technologies, vied for the project. To date no one has been contracted to get the project underway. Mersha Johnson, head of the Hydro power plant project, said that there is no current contractor involved in the project, due to the fact that none of the contractors were deemed ‘qualified’ for the task. According to Johnson, the three companies did not fulfill the prerequisite of having experience in hydropower projects. There is no word yet on whether there will be a retendering process.
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Kaieteur News
Thursday April 09, 2015
GECOM praises staff for TIP task force at odds with Broomes over labour violations Nomination Day operation The Ministry of Home affairs has reported that during a visit to Region Eight in March, a team of representatives from the Ministerial Task Force on Trafficking in Persons (MTFTIP) found labour violations which led to charges being made against the person involved. In a press release issued today, the Ministry said that the team visited Mahdia, as well as surrounding areas, from March 27 to March 29, 2015, to conduct surveillance on suspicious business establishments and other locations in the area. The visit was conducted as part of the implementation of the National Action Plan for 2014-2015 of the task force. The release added that the team did encounter labour violations involving two women, one under-aged and one adult, who were employed at a shop. The owners of that shop were charged with employing a child on a premises; selling intoxicating liquor contrary to Section 52 of the Protection of Children Act No. 17 of 2009 and placed before the Courts. The Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security commenced the provision of psychosocial support to the under-aged female. While in Mahdia, the team made extensive efforts to obtain information from Police Officers, Mines Officers, villagers, shop owners and Toshaos in and around the community about suspicious activities in the area. It also surveyed several night entertainment spots in
the area, inclusive of those that demanded special attention as a result of information received by the Task Force. While women were witnessed frequenting these locations, investigations revealed that patrons of the aforementioned business premises were above the age of 18 years. The Task Force also visited 17 business establishments in Central Mahdia, St. Elisabeth, Pamela Landing, Jumbie Creek, 35 Backdam, Konawaruk Junction and Micobie and questioned the owners and other individuals present on the premises. At each of the locations, shop owners were requested to produce their business registration documents and state their number of employees. Employees were requested to produce their identification cards for name and age verification along with work permits. Employees’ interviews were not conducted in the presence of employers. All buildings were inspected by the team inclusive of the shops and domestic quarters. The findings of the Task Force on its visit to Mahdia are in sharp contrast with sentiments attributed to Simona Broomes, the Head of the Guyana Women Miners Organisation (GWMO) in an article featured on page 3A of the February 15, 2015 edition of the Stabroek News titled ‘Child Care Agency rescues girl being pimped by her mother’. The release noted that it is evident that members of the GWMO seek to automatically apply the term ‘trafficking in
persons’ in all instances, when they encounter minors or young adult females in interior regions. The Task Force has repeatedly sought to distinguish between terms such as ‘child labour’, ‘prostitution’ and ‘trafficking in persons’ in its awareness sessions and workshops as they are respectively unique in nature. In addition to the activity in Region Eight, and in keeping with the aforementioned National Action Plan, the Task Force from January 2014 to date has conducted community and secondary schools trafficking in person’s awareness activities in Regions Two, Four, Six, Seven, Eight, and Nine. The Task Force also deployed its ‘Surprise Inspection Framework (SIF)’ in business establishments, including shops, night spots and other locations in Central Georgetown, East Bank and East Coast Demerara in Region Four; Mahaicony, Rosignol and Blairmont in Region Five; Corentyne Coast in Region Six; Bartica, Tamakay Landing and Backdam, Itaballi and 14 Miles Issano in Region Seven; Lethem in Region Nine and Linden in Region Ten. The release concluded that in light of the foregoing, it must be noted that the Ministerial Task Force on Trafficking in Persons respects the right of nongovernmental organisations to operate independently, but wishes to reiterate its willingness to collaborate with any such organisation to reduce the incidence of trafficking in persons in Guyana. (GINA)
As political parties flocked to City Hall last Tuesday to officially enter the campaign race for the May 11 Regional and General Elections, staff of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) were praised for their accurate handling of the Nomination Day activities. This positive view of the day’s events came from the GECOM Chairman, Dr. Steve Surubally, who commended those staff members at City Hall for being “very exact in what they do” in relation to the electoral process. The Chairman informed media operatives on Nomination Day that staffers were capable of picking up discrepancies in the submission of their Lists of Candidates to GECOM officials. “In one of the lists they (GECOM staffers) noticed that four signatures seemed to be from the same person. They will have to call that person or the party back in to deal with the matter,” explained Surujbally. “And that was four names out of hundreds.” The GECOM official added that these discrepancies will be dealt with in a timely manner before the official list of parties is released. He credited the staffers’ precise handling of such matters to the intensive training process that the Commission has implemented in preparation for this year’s elections. Dr. Surujbally commented that the GECOM staff has been “trained, retrained and further trained” to avoid any questioning of the Commission’s capabilities. The Chairman expressed
Kuru-Kururu motorcycle accident victim shows major improvement Dora Secondary School student, Richard Paramdeo, 15, is now recovering in the male surgical ward of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. He had earlier been a patient in the Intensive Care Unit, in the same hospital for a few weeks. Paramdeo was rushed to the hospital in an unconscious state, after the bicycle he was riding collided with a motorbike ridden by 24year-old logger, Travis Simeon. Simeon who suffered internal bleeding and a broken jaw was a patient in the hospital for just under a week. He was subsequently discharged after undergoing surgery to repair his visibly deformed lower jaw. According to the
… the power of faith can bring miracles relatives, Paramdeo remained in the ICU, in an unconscious state, connected to a life support machine. Kaieteur News reporters were told that the teen suffered a few broken bones and severe head injuries. While the child was in the ICU, one relative related that although he has been responding to touch, there is still a 50/50 chance that the youth will not make it. His visibly upset mother kept saying, “He deh real bad”. Hopes of the child’s survival were minimal; the mother said that she was still hoping and praying for the best. There were rumours in the Kuru-Kururu community
about Paramdeo’s demise. These were assumptions made due to the severity of the child’s injuries and relatives’ accounts of the child’s progress. Many may not believe in miracles, but for both families—the victim and the motorcyclist, the power of faith in God and prayers are real and powerful. A source close to Simeon told Kaieteur News that after the logger’s discharge from the hospital, he made frequent visits to the teen as they were familiar with each other. The child remained unconscious. Despite being shut out on the development of the teen, Simeon who is
now recovering well at home with relatives, remained optimistic for the recovery of the child. A medical practitioner at the ICU had informed that Paramdeo has been transferred to the Male Surgical Ward. Paramdeo can only be visited by family members. On March 5, while on his way home from school, Paramdeo was riding a bicycle when he and Travis Simeon, the rider of the motorcycle slammed into each other. They were both rushed to the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) medical outpost, Timehri, and then transferred to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre before being taken to GPHC.
GECOM Chairman, Dr. Steve Surujbally his general satisfaction at the overall organisation and outcome of Tuesday’s events. “We have traversed many parts of the world and observed many elections. We have seen people in those parties fighting and become so polarised that they would not ‘share a gaff’. “But here (Guyana), you would have noticed the camaraderie, the friendship, and there seems to be no animosity. That’s great,” said Dr. Surujbally when asked to comment on the activities of Nomination Day. He highlighted that the order of the day was civility
and he hopes that this manner of behaviour will continue until Election Day and beyond, until the release of results. Meanwhile, Dr. Surujbally made mention of the international observer groups which Cabinet Secretary, Roger Luncheon, was eyeing to arrive by Nomination Day. The Chairman confirmed that the Organisation of American States (OAS) had indicated that it would be sending a precursor group by this week. He noted that the Commonwealth has already sent its precursor group. Dr. Surujbally said that the group must compile a report and then decide whether it will be participating as an observer group along with the number of personnel they will be sending. According to him, he is yet to receive response from other foreign observer missions such as the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) as to their observer missions. However, the GECOM official noted that a lot of local observers taking part in the electoral process is another positive indicator for the country.
Plastic city murder trial set for conclusion The murder trial of Michael Powley will likely be summed up on Friday. Yesterday, Attorneys representing both the defence and prosecution submitted their final arguments in the case, which commenced on February 22 last. Powley, a resident of Plastic City, West Coast Demerara, is accused of fatally stabbing his neighbour, Visnauth Narine, called ‘Buddy,’ during a squabble almost three years ago. According to the indictment, the accused murdered Narine called ‘Buddy,’ on June 8, 2012. Reports indicated that Narine lived next door to Powley at Plastic City, and on the day of the incident, they were allegedly engaged in an altercation during which the victim sustained stab wounds in the region of his chest. The incident reportedly stemmed from a disagreement over a cooking gas cylinder. Following the confrontation, Powley fled the scene, and Narine was rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where he died while receiving medical attention. The accused was
Murder Accused: Michael Powley subsequently arrested and charged with the offence. He is facing Justice James Bovell Drakes and a mixed jury at the High Court in Georgetown. Yesterday, State Prosecutor Narissa Leander and Defence Attorney, Basil Williams, submitted their closing arguments before Justice Bovell-Drakes adjourned the matter to tomorrow. On that date, the Judge will likely sum-up the trial before handing it over to the jury for deliberations on the outcome of the matter.
Thursday April 09, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Surinamese woman dies in One remanded doctor’s operating theatre for $42M post The tales of the horrifying death of a Surinamese woman’s in a Private Doctor’s clinic while undergoing the procedure for an abortion in Berbice is the latest scandal to rock the country. This is even as the government continues to boast of its improved health care in Guyana. Dead is KamiliArjune, called ‘Shellica’, 22, of Louis Strat, Goveia St No. 96, Blow Ground, Paramaribo, Suriname. The woman, a mother of four aged two, three, five and seven, died Friday morning while undergoing procedures at Dr. Rahaman Clinic at Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice. This clinic is located opposite the Port Mourant Hospital. The woman who was born in Suriname to Guyanese parents, Kowsilla Arjune and Ghansham Permaul, called “Roger”, was a regular visitor to this country. What should have been a happy weekend of festivity, marriage and reunion turned into a weekend of mourning at the family home at Lot 22 First Street, Whim, Corentyne, Berbice. According the woman’s stepmother, Drupattie Seeram, Arjune left Suriname on Thursday to visit Guyana for a wedding last weekend. She said that from what she was told by the woman’s husband, Sunil Rodrigues, she had decided to take a ‘five year stop’ since her four kids were still very small. The woman decided to visit the doctor’s clinic on the same
- family accuses doctor of murder
Suriname national Kamili Arjune day to make an appointment for an abortion. She went with her aunt, Valley Permaul, called “Valita”, and was told to return on “Good” Friday. According to Permaul her niece asked her to accompany her to the doctor to undergo the procedure since he had done one about five months ago. They arrived at the clinic around 08:00 hrs. The doctor was not at home, but subsequently arrived after being called. She said that her niece went into the clinic accompanied by the doctor. She said that her niece and the doctor remained in the room for more than one hour. She said that she began to become worried since the
procedure should not have taken so long. After some time Dr. Rahaman emerged from the room and held on to her shoulder. She said that the doctor asked her if the girl was her daughter. She replied that the young lady was her niece. The doctor told her that he did the abortion, but that the girl was not “catching herself.” The woman stated that she immediately started to scream; she took her phone and called her aunt and told her “to come over now something happen to Shellica”. The doctor then told her not to scream outside and that if she wanted she should go inside and scream. Then doctor then told her that the girl died of a heart attack. The woman said they were told to get rid of the dead. The doctor then made arrangements without their knowledge with Ramoo Funeral Parlour to collect the body and take it away. The family was not present neither were the police informed when that was done. In the meanwhile the rest of the family was on the way from Suriname when they got the dreaded news. They travelled straight to Dr. Rahaman’s clinic, but found no one. The woman’s body was at the funeral parlour, where they observed a lot of blood. The doctor gave them a paper on which he wrote “Died of natural causes at the Port Mourant Hospital.”
They have since visited the police and the paper has been lodged there for further investigation. What is more baffling is that the Post Mortem examination which was conducted on Tuesday by Dr. Vivikanand Brijmohan gave the cause of death as inconclusive. They were not given a death certificate. The doctor gave them a piece of paper on which he wrote “specimen taken for microscopy.” The family is not happy how things have unfolded and is sensing a cover up. They want a thorough investigation to be done. They are also accusing the doctor of murder. They are enquiring, what will happen to the woman’s four children. The family also wants to take the woman’s body back to Suriname, but cannot afford the cost since according to her father, Ghansham Permaul, to embalm the body and take it the Moleson Creek Stelling will cost US$6,500; another US$3000 will be required to take the body over to Suriname. They are calling on all the relevant authorities including the Chief Medical Officer, The Minister of Health the Prime Minister and President to intervene and help them get some clarity on their loved one’s death.
Bangladesh offers medical, engineering, agri expertise help to Guyana Bangladesh has offered Guyana skilled manpower like physicians, engineers and agriculturists to play an important role in utilising its resources. The commitment was made yesterday when Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali met with Ronald Gajraj, newly appointed non-resident High Commissioner of Guyana to Bangladesh. Guyana, officially the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, is a sovereign state on the Caribbean coast of South America. During the meeting, the Guyanese envoy recommended that the two countries set up a joint commission for the benefit of the two nations. Minister Ali proposed that the two countries identify areas of cooperation and explore new areas through holding regular Foreign Office Consultations (FOC). The High Commissioner,
office robbery
…stolen G3 recovered from trench Just a week after the brazen multi-million-dollar robbery outside the Bourda Post Office, a father of one was brought before the court yesterday to answer a series of charges relating to the robbery. Stravo Evans, 31, who gave his address as Lot 169 Middle Road, La Penitence, Georgetown, was not required to plead to the charges after they were read to him by Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. The first charge alleged that on April 1, at Regent Street, Evans and others, while armed with a gun, robbed Andre July of one G3 rifle and 20 rounds of 7.62 ammunition, property of the Guyana Police Force. Late yesterday, the police stated that the G3 rifle and 20 rounds that were taken away from a police rank during the robbery were recovered by police ranks in a trench in the East La Penitence area, Georgetown. Particulars of the second charge stated that on April 1, at Regent Street, he robbed Andre July of $42,522,000, property of the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC). It was further alleged that on the same day at the said location, he robbed July of one cell phone valued $10,000. Evans was also accused of robbing Darwin Hinds of one Pit Bull minibus valued $3.5M, while he was in the company of others and armed with a gun. The minibus is the property of the GPOC. The defendant was charged with wrongfully
restraining and abducting Andre July and Darwin Hinds on April 1, at Regent Street. According to police prosecutor Corporal Simone Payne, the defendant and five other men stormed the minibus which had brought cash to the Bourda Post Office. One of the men placed a gun to the driver’s head while another confronted the police guard and relieved him of his weapon. One of the bandits pushed the driver from his seat in the bus and took possession of the vehicle, while his accomplice forced the policeman into the back of the bus and they drove off with the cash inside. Their four other partners followed behind in a white car. When the bus reached Cemetery Road, it stopped and the men in the white car pulled up alongside and cash was transferred from the bus. The bandits then abandoned the bus with the two victims. The matter was reported and based on diligent investigations; Evans was arrested and subsequently charged. Evans has retained Attorney Peter Hugh, who arrived too late to make a bail application on his behalf. Earlier, the prosecutor objected to bail, citing the prevalence and penalty that the offence attracts if the defendant is to be convicted. She also argued that an alleged firearm was used to execute the robbery. Bail was refused and the defendant was remanded to prison until April 13.
Bartica Hospital plagued ...
High Commissioner, Ronald Gajraj, meeting with Bangladeshi Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali yesterday. based in New Delhi, accepted the idea and said that his country would soon begin the FOC, a structured system for annual dialogue at the foreign
secretary level. Gajraj, based in New Delhi, presented his credentials for Bangladesh to President Md Abdul
Hamid on Tuesday. Rich in ecology, the foreign minister said Bangladesh could help Guyana to tap its resources.
From page 19 doctor opined. He added that he had heard similar claims made by other Barticians. “It's just not acceptable but then again the doctors here have been known to practice unethically.” The doctor highlighted a number of faults in the hospital including what he deemed as poor management. He explained that the hospital is often lacking necessary medications. “The doctors know the hospital doesn't have some medicine so they're taking advantage of that fact and referring patients who go to the hospital to their own private clinics,” the doctor said.
He said, too, that even though the hospital has a “state of the art” ultrasound machine, doctors would still refer to their clinics. The doctor emphasised that there is need for pressure to be placed on the Regional Health Officer to clamp down on the mismanagement of the hospital. He said too that the healthcare system in the Region is particularly substandard, especially when one considers that the hospital is meant to cater to a number of areas. “Their job is so important yet the doctors shirk their responsibilities; it's plain unprofessionalism and laziness,” the doctor opined.
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Kaieteur News
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SALON
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SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.–CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620 Advertisements; Guyana Passport & Visa Forms Application, USA, Canada and England. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. Repairs & spare, fridge, freezer, A/C, washers, stoves. Contact Nick: 683-1312, 627-3206 Permanent & Visitors Visa Applications, Professional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building visadocumentsgy@yahoo.com Call : 225-6496, 662-6045 Mahadeo Construction for all construction, carpentry, masonry, pluming, painting etc. Free estimates and plan Contact # 669-7376 Accounting & Taxation Services: tax returns, compliances, financial statements. Avinash Persaud Tax Consultancy, 163 Parika, EBE - Call: 260-4762. GIVE YOUR RIDE THAT SHOWROOMFINISH!PAINT CORRECTIONTOREMOVE SWIRLS, SCRATCHES, WATER SPOTS, WAX – TEL: 610-7108 Your Dream Yard Today! Stunning designs, Assortment, colourful plant choices, Professional Landscapers Tel: 219-0468/ 648-1821 We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer Call Omar: 2310655, 683-8734 Balloon decorating for birthdays, weddings, anniversary etc, make your event extra special! Tel Maya: 642-6664 For the best deals on tents – Call Vicky Rocky: 276-0548; 276-0299. Enjoy our special prices for weddings Eagle’s fridge re-gas - $8,000 & washing machine repairs. Phone: 697-2969, 646-0966
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Houses & land available for sale in Non- Pariel, Enmore, Providence & Diamond Contact: Pacific Development Inc # 223-6035; 231-8480 Two storied concrete house, two bedrooms upstairs, two bedrooms downstairs $20Million @ Block “8” Mon Repos, E.C.D- Tel:625-1514 Continued on page 23
Thursday April 09, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 23
Chilean president rocked by corruption allegations against family members (theguardian) Amid a series of political corruption scandals which have upended the Chilean political establishment and delivered a critical blow to her popularity, President Michelle Bachelet yesterday dismissed rumours that she is considering resigning. “I haven’t resigned and am not even sure what the process would be,” a bemused Bachelet told reporters. Bachelet insisted that “corruption in Chile is not widespread” despite stating that an investigation into powerful businessmen and her “family member” were under way. The president’s comments came as Bachelet’s son Sebastian Davalos was to be questioned by prosecutors yesterday about his role in a controversial and possibly illegal real estate transaction. Davalos and his wife, Natalia Compagnon, stand accused of using their political connections to obtain a $10m bank loan which they allegedly used to flip a property in order to earn millions of dollars in a matter of weeks. Last month, Chilean prosecutors seized computers, cellphone records and $4m as they continued to
investigate the business dealings of both the president’s son and her daughter-in-law. While Compagnon testified yesterday, Davalos cancelled his appearance on the advice of his lawyers, fueling speculation that he has something to hide. The Davalos case is focused on a proposed change to municipal zoning that would have sent real estate prices soaring. But the suspicion that a Bachelet family member was involved in illicit business has come to symbolize a widespread malaise in the Chilean body politic. In February, Davalos was forced to leave his government job directing the president’s sociocultural agenda. While Bachelet denies any knowledge or involvement in the real estate transaction, a majority of Chileans don’t believe her. Public opinion polls in March showed the president’s approval ratings fell to 31%, down drastically from the 84% with which she finished her first term in 2010. Over the past year the percentage of Chileans expressing disapproval with Bachelet’s leadership jumped
President Michelle Bachelet
from 20% to 61%. Long a champion of Chile’s poor, Bachelet is now battling to maintain her ambitious social reform agenda amid massive public criticism. “There is an important crisis of confidence,” the president said, “But it is a tremendous opportunity to fill the legal loopholes so this doesn’t happen again.” Over the past 12 months, Bachelet has had multiple legislative victories, including an increase in corporate tax rate to finance free or heavily discounted higher education for tens of thousands of
students. The president, a pediatrician, is also pushing to build thousands of free day care centers throughout Chile. The collapse in public support for Bachelet has been trumped by an even more spectacular fall by Chile’s rightwing UDI party – the nation’s largest – with an approval rating that fell to 11% in recent months. But Bachelet’s government crisis has been accompanied by wider public discontent centered on highprofile financial scandals, in which powerful businessmen have been caught laundering
money or donating to political candidates. Soquimich, a billion-dollar Chilean mining company run by Julio Ponce Lerou, former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet’s former son-in-law, is facing multiple criminal charges after tax authorities found the company used fake invoices to funnel hundreds of thousands of dollars to politicians across the political spectrum. Soquimich is now facing intense scrutiny from Chilean prosecutors and several dozen US law firms are preparing to file lawsuits against the publicly traded company. The amount of money in the Soquimich political campaign cases is thought to be less than a million dollars, minuscule when compared to corruption scandals in Argentina and Brazil where hundreds of millions of dollars in government funds are alleged to have been siphoned off by corrupt officials. “We can’t shut our eyes, corruption has arrived,” said Ramiro Mendoza, the Chilean comptroller general on Tuesday while stressing, “We have institutional measures to prevent the growth of this scourge.
Half of countries miss 2015 goal of primary schooling for all: UNESCO
LONDON (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Only half of countries have achieved a global target of getting all children into primary school by 2015, some 58 million youngsters are still getting no education at all, but more girls are going to school, the United Nations said today. Just one-third of countries have met a 2015 deadline for six key educational goals agreed by governments in 2000, the U.N. educational arm UNESCO said in a report. Niger, Chad, Pakistan, Nigeria and Ethiopia are among those which are way off target. Three-quarters of countries have also failed to reach the target of halving illiteracy, UNESCO research showed. An extra $22 billion a year is needed to ensure countries reach new education targets now being set for 2030, according to the UNESCO report, Education for All 20002015, which showed 50 million more children are enrolled in school today than in 1999. Countries singled out for
praise include Afghanistan, Nepal, Sierra Leone, Rwanda, Tanzania and India. Nepal has achieved universal pre-primary and primary education, despite recently emerging from a conflict in which schools were attacked. It has also made huge strides in getting girls into class. Afghanistan was considered the worst place in the world for schooling in 2000 following years of civil war and a ban on girls’ education by the hardline Taliban then in power. But by 2012 the country had boosted the proportion of girls in primary school from 4 percent of the total to 87 percent. It has also seen one of the biggest rises in secondary school enrolment. Government initiatives to increase the number of female teachers and build schools in remote areas have been instrumental in this success, UNESCO said. By contrast, Nigeria has the highest number of children out of school and one of the world’s worst
education systems thanks to a combination of corruption, conflict and lack of investment. “We know when we work together and invest in the future the sky is the limit for young people,” U.N. Secretary-General Ban Kimoon said before the report was launched. “Let us harness the power of education to build a better future for all.” TEACHER SHORTFALL The Education For All (EFA) goals are the best indicator of progress toward educational targets set as part of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which also have a 2015 deadline. The greatest progress has been in getting girls into school, but child marriage and early pregnancy continue to hinder progress, UNESCO said. Gender parity will be achieved at primary level in 69 percent of countries by 2015, but only 48 percent will reach the goal at secondary level. The report shows 52
percent of countries achieved universal primary education, which is also one of the eight MDGs. Ten percent are close, but 38 percent have a long way to go. It also reveals that almost 100 million children who start primary school do not finish. UNESCO called on governments to make at least one year of pre-primary education compulsory and ensure education is free.
It also urged the international community to help meet the $22 billion annual shortfall needed to pay for new schools, teachers and text books. Some 4 million more teachers are required to get all children into school. The report will feed into discussions on new education targets under the Sustainable Development Goals which will replace the MDGs.
U.S. soldier killed in possible Afghan insider attack
(Reuters) - An Afghan man dressed in the uniform of local security forces opened fire on U.S. soldiers in eastern Afghanistan yesterday, killing one American and wounding several more before the shooter himself was killed, a U.S. official said. Many details surrounding the incident were still unclear. The Pentagon and U.S. State Department only confirmed an exchange of gunfire between U.S. and Afghan forces, saying an investigation was ongoing. “I can confirm that one American soldier was killed today,” Colonel Steve Warren, a Pentagon spokesman, told reporters. Asked whether this was an insider attack by an Afghan soldier turning his weapon against NATO forces, Warren said: “It’s a little early to tell. Indications are leaning that way.”
(From page 22)
TO LET Alberttown (Apt) - $55,000, Light Street (Business) $65,000, Campbellville (house) US1000- Diana: 2272256; 626-9382 Kitty two bedroom apartment, Cable TV, parking, Internet, Security Cameras -$100,000 monthly –Tel: 645-0247 Furnished 2 bedroom apartment with AC Available for long/short term rentalCall: 665-2548 Rooms – Tel: 225-3234 Nandy Park house $600USD, South -$35,000, Winter Place -$80,000, Diamond, Kitty -$80,000, E.C.D furnished - $500USD – Tel:231-2200; 618-7483 (1) Three bedrooms house in Second Avenue Diamond $70,000- Call:603-3724 (1)One bedroom apartment @ Campbellville- Call:2231051, 650-0716, 667-7836
The PPP does not embrace... From page 4 governance. Threats to life and limb know no boundaries, as the Freedom House gang stripped the people of their naked rights to speak out and protest against wrongdoing. They have coveted the country’s best lands, actually gave the nation’s resources to their rich friends, sold state properties to their relatives and friends at far below the market value, pawned Guyana’s pristine forests to foreigners and destroyed the sugar and rice industry. They seek no interest other than to devour the wealth of the land to which they owe no allegiance or loyalty whatsoever. Despite the devastating and horrifying attacks and criticism heaped upon the leaders of the opposition by the delinquent cabal, the people have conscientiously and lovingly embraced Granger and Nagamootoo and the change they seek if elected to office on May 11. As the poor masses cry out for salvation, the feet of wisdom, understanding, intellectualism and integrity shall lead them graciously to the Promised Land. It is time for change. Asquith Rose Chandra Deolall Dr. Merle SpencerMarks
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Kaieteur News
Thursday April 09, 2015
Salim Bacchus free on charged for killing police Norco detective On second day of trial following no case submission Murder accused and alleged narcotics dealer, Salim “Black Salim” Bacchus, 54, of 139 Line Path 'D', Skeldon, Corriverton Corentyne, Berbice, walked out of the Berbice High Court a free man on Wednesday. This followed the defence no case submission. Salim was on trial in the Berbice High Court before Justice Franklyn Holder and a mixed jury for the murder of Police Narcotics Detective 20682 Jirahan Diananand. Bacchus was indicted for the murder of Diananand which occurred on September 14, 2012. The latest development occurred when defence star witness Azam Shivgobin, who is Bacchus's nephew turned up in court and changed his story from what
Police Narcotics Detective 20682 Jirahan Diananand
Azam Shivgobin
was said during the preliminary inquiry in the Magistrate's Court. The prosecution which
was being led by Attorney at Law, Natasha Backer, then deemed Shivgobin a hostile witness.
DPP advises retrial for Sam ... From page 3 evidence and called two witnesses, his fiancée Sonia Herbert and the teen's grandmother, Pamela Knight. The evidence, she said, was reviewed bearing in mind the standard of proof required. The Magistrate said that as the witnesses gave their evidence, she had the opportunity to observe them and found the teen to be honest when accounting the abusive
assault she suffered. Magistrate ChandanEdmond told the Court that she had addressed and fully considered the statement of Hinds and his two witnesses, but found that she “did not accept their account of what transpired.” “I find beyond reasonable doubt that I feel sure that as a result of the defendant's actions, the victim was wounded,” the Magistrate had remarked. The court, she
said, had also considered the content of the medical certificate issued to the teen after the attack. Hinds was found guilty as charged. But the very day Chandan-Edmond was expected to sentence Hinds with the aid of a probation report, the Probation Officer did not show and the former Magistrate was dismissed. Since then her matters were heard by Singh.
Halt transaction, reduce GPL rates From page 15 transferring the risk to the poor workers of Guyana to facilitate payment to PPP insiders just before the collapse of CLICO?” The businessman said that the cozy relationship of the PPP Government and its
officers like Brassington with contractors, suppliers of equipment, inputs and services and creditors are well known to the Guyanese public. “The sale of GuySuCo’s power generation just prior to the election to pay creditors
is too familiar and anyone who wants evidence of corruption should direct their attention to deals like these.” Badal believes that if GPL has excess cash, it should have extended a loan rather that disrupt the efficiency and low cost power generation at GuySuCo with long term increases in its cost. “ýMr Brassington and the PPP Government must be reminded that any excess cash held by GPL belong to the people of Guyana who have been overcharged for electricity for many years and that cash must be returned by means of lower rates rather than being used to cover their incompetence.” He criticized the cost of electricity from GPL which he said is too high. As a matter of fact, the savings came as a consequent of lower fuel prices on the international market and should have resulted in a 30 per cent reduction in electricity rates. ý “The private sector and all Guyanese must demand a 30 per cent reduction in the price of electricity.”
Shivgobin, 18, who was 15 at the time, took the witness stand in the High Court under oath and related a different story. He admitted to giving evidence during the Preliminary Investigation in the Magistrate's Court and that the story was different. He said, however, that the story that he is telling now is the truth. He told the court that back then he was forced by the police to say that his uncle shoot the policeman and he had seen what occurred. The witness had stated during the PI that his uncle had told them that he had to meet the police man at Molson Creek, after he had to settle a million dollar deal with him. He had stated that he had seen when his uncle shot the policeman who was sitting in a car. He was cross examined by defence counsel Attorney at Law, Mark Waldron. He related how he was forced to lie during the Preliminary Inquiry. It was after the witness finished his evidence that Prosecutor Natasha Backer told the court that the prosecution would close their case. Defence Attorney Mark Waldron
then made a no case submission which was upheld by Justice Holder. At the conclusion of the trial as Shivgobin was leaving the court, he was arrested by the police following a brief struggle. He was taken into custody pending investigation and is expected to be charged with perjury among other charges. The murdered policeman was found slumped in his car, parked on a desolate stretch of road at Jackson Creek, Upper Corentyne with two bullet wounds to his head sometime between September 13 and September 14, 2012, at Jackson Creek. Bacchus was accused of murdering detective constable Jirahan Diananand. The story came to light when three men were arrested following a carjacking incident at the same Jackson Creek on the Upper Corentyne. Two of them were arrested by the police on West Coast Berbice. The men who are the nephews of Bacchus implicated another youth and subsequently admitted to the crime. After intense grilling by investigators they also admitted to knowing about the kill-
ing of Detective Diananand in which they implicated Bacchus as the gunman. They allegedly told investigators that Bacchus shot Diananand twice in the head after a prearranged deal went sour. A wanted bulletin was issued for his arrest and Bacchus accompanied by Attorney at Law Rajkumar, turned himself in to the CID office at Central Police Station. During the trial prosecution star witnesses Azim Seegobin and Azam Bacchus two nephews of Bacchus, gave their evidence in chief and related the sequence of events of what transpired on the fateful night and after. Bacchus was committed to stand trial at the conclusion of a preliminary inquiry which was conducted by Magistrate Krisendat Persaud at the Springlands Magistrate's court Bacchus who is the brother of Azad Bacchus also known as `Ak 47', who was killed in a shootout with the Berbice Anti-Smuggling Squad (BASS) in 2001, was previously charged with possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.
Minibus driver charged with causing death of four-year-old The man responsible for the death of four-year-old Jayden Charles made an appearance yesterday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. Paul John, 31, of North Sophia was remanded to prison until April 13, on a charge of causing death by dangerous driving. Charles, a student of the Starter’s Nursery School, was struck down on Saturday, while he was making his way to his Water Street, Georgetown home. According to reports,
John, who was the driver of minibus BPP 1702, had just pulled off after dropping off two passengers at Giftland O ff i c e M a x , o n Wa t e r Street, when he ran over the child. After Charles was hit, the driver started to drive over the injured child’s body. It was only when a social worker raised an alarm; the driver picked up the child’s body and took him to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). The young lad died while receiving treatment.
Dead: Jayden Charles
Guyana gets PAHO support to ... From page 20 capabilities, she added that “we would also be able to diagnose other fungal diseases in the future.” A Technical Cooperation Agreement was established in 2012 among the Guiana Shield with the goal of reducing the burden of AIDS related deaths. Some specific objectives of the Technical Cooperation are to measure the true burden of Histoplasmosis in Suriname, Guyana and French Guiana with the preparation of a detailed situation analysis and to ensure there are adequately trained laboratory and medical professionals
who can diagnose and treat histoplasmosis. Once this is completed it is expected that strategies would be developed to control histoplasmosis in HIV infected patients. It is also expected that increased awareness of histoplasmosis would be created in the entire region of the Americas following the findings, according to Dr. Singh In addition to the donation, two physicians, Dr. Ruth Ramos and Dr. Grace White from the National Care and Treatment Center and the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) respec-
tively, were trained in the clinical diagnosis and management of patients in French Guiana. Additionally, two laboratory technicians attached to the National Public Health Reference Laboratory and the GPHC Central Medical Laboratory were trained in laboratory diagnosis of Histoplasmosis. Because of the forthcoming support to boost its capacity, the Health Ministry has signaled its appreciation to PAHO, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and all stakeholders what it has described as an “important initiative”.
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Obama Visits Jamaica as U.S. Helps Caribbean Quit Venezuelan Oil Bloomberg - As President Barack Obama arrives in Jamaica yesterday, governments across the Caribbean are looking for alternatives to their energy dependence on an outspoken U.S. critic: Venezuela. The first sitting president to visit Jamaica in 33 years, Obama will seek to boost U.S. influence in the region as Venezuela, which has used as much as $50 billion in subsidized oil over the past decade to win allies from St. Lucia to Cuba, struggles with a shrinking economy and 69 percent inflation. Obama arrives ahead of a trip to Panama tomorrow to Saturday for the Summit of the Americas, where he is expected to cross paths with Cuban President Raul Castro. White House officials say discussions will include energy use and production, a key issue in a region that pays some of the world’s highest rates for electricity. A 50 percent decline in crude prices over the past year has made Caribbean reliance on Venezuela’s oil programme, PetroCaribe, less
Barack Obama critical to some governments in the region. “For the last year plus the U.S. government has become incredibly interested in the Caribbean and looking for ways to step in to help transition countries away from PetroCaribe and cloaking it in the admirable goal of reducing petroleum products,” said Alexis Arthur, an energy policy analyst at the Institute of the Americas, a California-based think tank. Venezuela has cut back shipments to members of PetroCaribe, a pact in which countries in the Caribbean and Central America receive
petroleum and refined products, paying only about half the bill up front and financing the rest for 1 percent or 2 percent interest for the next 2 1/2 decades. Venezuela’s state-owned oil company, PDVSA, has reduced shipments to members of PetroCaribe by as much as 50 percent since 2012, according to a report by Barclays Plc. The fear of a reduction in shipments from the South American nation, and the opportunity to pay off debt cheaply, has hastened the transition away from petroleum for some members of the PetroCaribe pact.
Thursday April 09, 2015
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We are looking to play well... Cumberbatch takes Draughts title From page 30 aspect of our training.” While noting that this level of football is much higher than what they are accustomed to here, Thompson related that he has developed a new system of play which would be used in this tournament. “We are playing a different type of system that we developed that would suit the quality of players that we have. We have basically moved from the 442 and we will play 4141. It is a system nobody has ever seen in this country. We play this way to secure the centre of the area.” The team has been playing on a bigger square than is the norm in Guyana since Thompson is of the view that the fields they will encounter would be larger than in Guyana. The sessions have been going well according to the former Senior National Coach, who informed that the hard physical, integrated sessions are now over and they are now fine tuning, automatizing and stabilizing the endurance level of the players whilst getting them to enjoy the game. GDF is an all local based team Thompson pointed out: “I’m happy for my local guys, because let me
say, this team, not that the opportunity wasn’t there for it, but, I want to produce local players, I believe in producing local players.” Commenting on what goal (s) he is setting given that this is their debut at this level, Thompson stated, “We are looking to play well when we go because we trained for it, we worked hard for it and we owe it to ourselves and we don’t think no one should deprive us of it.” The GDF Technical tactician believes that while W Connection is a top T&T Pro League side, his charges have been trained to adapt to
the challenges they will encounter in the Twin Island Republic. “We are going to play well because we are ambassadors of Guyana.” The GDF and Guyana’s top club side, Alpha United, the other competing team in the CFU Club Championship will be engaged in a warm up game today at the GDF ground from 16:00hrs ahead of next week’s matches. Alpha will host Group 1 at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence and will welcome as their opponents, Central FC of Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname’s Inter Moengotapoe.
Berbice take 1st innings... From page 31 had Rotesh Umroa (9) taken at second slip at 74-5, while Samel Kishnasammy (21) fell to Looknauth, who continues to operate with a suspect action although his Coach Gavin Nedd was one of the better off-spinners produced by Guyana in the last three decades. At 116-6 Ramdhan and Khan steadied the ship with an unfinished stand with Ramdhan being especially severe on Mohamed thumping him for consecutive fours
before repeating the dose in Mohamed’s next overs. He rubbed salt into wounds by disdainfully dumping Mohamed back over his head for a six as the Skipper began to show signs of frustration. Kallicharran provided some tips to the young cricketers during the lunch break and reminded that he does not like to see both teams bat on the same day of a threeday game and emphasized the need for patience by the batsmen. He is assisting Nedd with the U-17s.
Thursday April 09, 2015 ARIES (MAR 21 - APR 19): For today at least, you might feel as if you have had too much of a good thing when it comes to socialising. ************************************ TAURUS (APR 20 - MAY 20): It’s difficult to understand why, but you are finding those around you, especially those you work with, to be a bit contrary. ************************************ GEMINI (MAY 21 - JUN 20): The end of the working week should be a good time to reflect on recent decisions made. Consider how these might affect your long-term future. ************************************ CANCER (JUN 21 - JUL 22): In financial affairs and important business matters, it’s no use relying on second hand advice. ************************************ LEO (JUL 23 - AUG 22): You will feel most comfortable in situations where you are in charge but be diplomatic about it. ************************************ VIRGO (AUG 23 - SEP 22): Don’t give up if you find it difficult to get hold of your boss, or a colleague in order to pass on some important information.
LIBRA (SEP 23 - OCT 22): The desire to have a little fun has been with you all week and continues to grow and grow. ************************************ SCORPIO (OCT 23 NOV 21): Loved-ones are in a particularly lively frame of mind and they may make your day seem extra bright with the news they have to tell you. ************************************ SAGITTARIUS (NOV 22 - DEC 21): After a mentally exhausting few days, you might not be in the mood to consider any new ideas this Friday. ************************************ CAPRICORN (DEC 22 JAN 19): Someone close who doesn’t share your good money sense may squander cash that had been put aside for necessities. ************************************ AQUARIUS (JAN 20 FEB 18): You’re full of energy, enterprise and enthusiasm but it won’t be easy to stir up the same kind of fervour in others. ************************************ PISCES (FEB 19 - MAR 20): Keep your thoughts to yourself today and don’t trust anyone who tells you your words won’t go any further.
Lindener, Floyd Cumberbatch took a commanding lead to win the National ‘A’ class Draughts competition over the weekend at the National Gymnasium. He amassed 21 points over his rivals Jiaram and Khemraj Pooranmall who both ended on 16 points. However, a walk over from Michael Francis gave Pooranmall two extra points to place him second while Jairam had to be contented with the third spot. Aubrey Straughn the most senior ‘A’ class player, who was out of competition for a number of years, placed fourth with 15 points, while newly appointed ‘A’ class player Steve Bacchus with 14 points finished in fifth position, proved that the ‘bigger boys’ life would not be that easy. This is the first win in any tournament for Cumberbatch
Floyd Cumberbatch (centre) is flanked by Jiaram (right) and Khemraj Pooranmall after the presentation. and the first three finishers received trophies from the National Sports Commission (NSC). The Open International game on the 100
square boards is set for Sunday and the top two finishers will collect monetary awards sponsored by Pygon from America Street.
EBFA U-13 League KICKS OFF... From page 33 Herstelling Raiders at 12:00hrs. Opening the action at 10:00hrs will be Mocha Champs and Craig Primary with the main supporting contest between Agricola Red Triangle and Diamond United. The other club competing will be Kuru Kururu Warriors. While Grove dominated at every level last year (U13, 15, 17, senior), Herstelling Raiders, the newest club on the block already has one in the bag having won the U-11 Pee Wee league. All the clubs have been improving with every game which no doubt will translate into some exciting matches in the games that will be for one hour with two equal periods of 30 minutes and a 10 minute rest period. Only players born on or after January 1st, 2003 are eligible to play. Clubs are reminded that copies of player’s birth certificates must be submitted in order for players to be allowed to play.
PRIZES WILL BE DISTRIBUTED AS FOLLOWS: First Place - Trophy and 16 Medals Second Place - Trophy and 16 Medals Third Place - Trophy and 16 Medals Fourth Place - Trophy Most Valuable Player - Trophy Best Goalkeeper - Trophy Highest Goal Scorer - Trophy Fair Play Team - Trophy
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Thursday April 09, 2015
Latiff maintains lead in Schumacher’s son tests amid call for calm President’s 9-Hole Golf League
Mick Schumacher
(Reuters) - Michael Schumacher’s manager called for calm and realistic expectations as the seven-times Formula One world champion’s son Mick stepped into the media spotlight with a Formula Four test on Wednesday. “My message is to be realistic with expectations,” Sabine Kehm, who is also managing the 16-year-old’s first steps on the motorsport ladder, told Reuters from the Oschersleben circuit in Germany. “This is Mick’s very first year in a formula series. He has to learn a lot of new things and make a lot of new experiences because the difference between karting and formula cars is quite big,” she added. “Give him time, don’t over-react in terms of expectations and just have him go step by step. Of course he will try and do his very best but he also has to learn a lot. This is really just the start of it.” Mick Schumacher has joined the Dutch Van Amersfoort Racing team in the eight race German Formula Four series that starts up later this month. His team mate will be Harrison Newey, 16year-old son of multiple championshipwinning Formula One’s designer Adrian Newey. A large number of reporters and television crews were present on Wednesday, with some reports suggesting as many as 100 had sought accreditation for the test session. Michael Schumacher, the most successful Formula One driver of all time, suffered severe head injuries in a 2013 skiing accident in France and is continuing his rehabilitation at home in Switzerland.
RONALDO SCORES 300TH GOAL IN WIN Cristiano Ronaldo is congratulated by his teammates. (Getty Images)
BBC Sport - Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 300th competitive Real Madrid goal as they beat Rayo Vallecano to stay four points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona. Real had goalkeeper Iker Casillas to thank for being level at the break after being outplayed. Gareth Bale’s diving header was just wide after the break for the improved visitors before Ronaldo was denied a clear penalty. Ronaldo finally headed home before James Rodriguez curled in a second. The Portuguese’s 300
Real goals have come in 288 games since joining from Manchester United for £80m in 2009. He is the third player after Raul (323) and Alfredo Di Stefano (307) to reach 300 goals for Real. His rivals needed 741 and 396 matches respectively to reach that mark. The 30-year-old scored five goals for the first time in Real’s 9-1 hammering of Granada at the weekend but things were a lot nervier for the European champions on Wednesday night. Until Ronaldo headed home Dani Carvajal’s right-
wing cross, Real looked in serious danger of being upset by their battling city neighbours and falling seven points behind Barca. Ronaldo earlier had a blatant penalty appeal waved away after a clear foul by Antonio Amaya but he wasn’t to be denied as he took his league tally for the season to 37 goals. Colombian Rodriguez gave the scoreline a flattering look with a cool curled finish late on as Real responded to Barcelona’s earlier 4-0 win against Almeria.
Thursday 2nd April saw The President’s 9-Hole Golf League in good play as 3 more golfers turned out to play in this exciting programme. In the top positions after the first day’s play (March 26th) were golfers R. Haniff, A. Kishore, P. Prashad, D. Mohamad, S. Webster, M. Solomon and B. Harry. As is to be expected there were some changes at the end of the 2nd week but Richard Latiff held onto the lead. Golf Club President, David Mohamad expressed pleasure at the enthusiasm of those golfers who sacrificed the time to participate and hopes that others will be able to make the time, at least for the next League. Golfers would not be able to join the current League after today’s play. For Golfers willing to join the League at this time, please note the following specifics. (i) Participation is confirmed by League fee of $4,000, paid before you play. (ii) League fee is non-refundable as long as golfer plays in one competition. (iii) Competitions will be held every successive Thursday starting on March 26, 2015, for six weeks. (iv) Tee-off time is 3:30 p.m. (v) Competition played under the Medal Play format. (vi) Front Nine holes would be played. (vii) Winners are determined by golfer’s total performance over the 6 weeks. (viii) No player will be awarded more than one prize. (ix) Prizes will be awarded to the 1st and 2nd Best Net and 1st and 2nd Best Gross scores. (x) Golfers’ weekly scores will also be held on a tally sheet on display in the Club House. Penalty and Disqualification: (i) More
The table shows top positions in terms of cumulative Best Net and Best Gross scores after 2 days’ play. than 2 absences disqualifies the golfer from further play in the League. (ii) For each day’s absence, a penalty of +5 points (strokes) is awarded to the golfer. (iii) If the Executive considers any golfer’s conduct relating to play inimical to the interest of the Club, it may disqualify the golfer from this League. The public is invited to view the play free of charge.
Phelps to compete next week in Arizona as ban ends (Reuters) - Michael Phelps will return to competition next week in Arizona after serving a sixmonth suspension following a drunken-driving conviction, USA Swimming said on Tuesday. Phelps will be joined by Olympic gold medalists and world-record holders Katie Ledecky and Ryan Lochte at the April 15-18 Arena Pro Swim Series at Mesa. “My suspension is finally up! Time to get back in the pool and race again! Looking
forward to #mesa !!” Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time, said on Twitter. It was at Mesa in 2014 where Phelps returned to competition after his two-year retirement. His latest absence from the sport, however, was enforced when he was arrested last September after speeding, crossing the double-lane lines inside a Baltimore tunnel and subsequently failing a Breathalyzer test. Phelps, 29, checked into a rehab facility following the
arrest and is still serving 18 months of probation. As part of the sanction from USA Swimming, Phelps was also told he would be not be able to represent the United States at the August world championships or July PanAmerican Games. However last month, USA Swimming executive director Chuck Wielgus told ESPN.com that the 18-times Olympic gold medalist may yet to be allowed to participate at the worlds in Russia.
Michael Phelps swims 1:58.74 in a 200m individual medley heat to advance to the final in the 2014 USA National Championships at William Woollett Jr. Aquatics Complex. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Thursday April 09, 2015
Kaieteur News
RHTY&SC Silver Jubilee 1990 - 2015...
A. Ally & Sons on board The Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) continues to attract the support of corporate Guyana as it forges ahead with plans to achieve 200 programmes/activities for its Silver Jubilee Anniversary year, 2015. The club has already completed 55 of hose programmes/activities for the first quarter of the year and during the month of April would be hosting the final of the Busta Champion of Champions, a Spelling Bee Competition for Primary Schools, launch the Edward B. Beharry Anti-Drugs/AntiSuicide Campaign, Tribute to Retired Teachers Programme, Tribute to Outstanding Teachers and a Cricket Development Clinic for its members among others. The Management of A. Ally and Sons, Main Street, New Amsterdam donated a bicycle for the club’s Tribute to Members programme and also contributed financially to the Silver Jubilee Magazine. Also contributing financially to the Magazine were New GPC Inc, H.A. Snacks Co. Ltd of John Street, Werk en Rust, Georgetown. New GPC Inc. and H.A. Snacks Co. Ltd also donated a large quantity of hampers towards the Tribute to Members Programme. John Lewis Styles of Waterloo Street donated two designer watches and Starr Computers of Brickdam donated a tablet for the programme where the club would be honouring outstanding members for their contributions over the last 25 years. The Ministry of Sports, the Berbice River Bridge Company and Farfan and Mendes Ltd all donated several trophies for the club’s Cricket Development and Tribute to Members programmes, while overseas based Guyanese Bobby Deonarine of Tenelec and Ms. Karen Rapheal of USAID also made donations towards the Cricket Development Clinic currently being hosted at the Area ‘H’ ground. Mines Services Ltd, an arm of long serving official sponsor, Farfan and Mendes contributed financially to provide each player of the club with a Silver Jubilee cap. Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster in accepting the donations said that the yearlong celebrations is going according to plan and the club expects to surpass the target of 200 activities by midSeptember. The long serving Secretary/CEO stated that special emphasis is being
A representative of A. Ally & Sons hands over a bicycle to Hilbert Foster.
RHTYSC Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster receives trophies from Bibi Khan of the Berbice River Bridge Company.
placed on the cricket development of its members, assisting other sports clubs, education, development and anti-suicide in 2015. Foster praised the confidence and support of corporate Guyana to the RHTY&SC and even noted
that numerous companies are calling into the club to get on board, despite not being approached by them. This he stated is due to the track record of the club and the mileage that businesses enjoy from being associated with the club.
Floodlights and Karibee... From page 30 CWC/Scotsborg batting first made 172 for 9 in their allotted 15 overs, with skipper Popo Chalitar topscoring with 61 and J. Garnett 42. Richard Latiff and D. Parches took 2 wickets each, while Imtiaz Mohamed took 3. Floodlights All Stars blazed the trail, winning in 13 overs with only 2 wickets down. Man of the match, Lennox Marks top scored with 77not out, while Richard Latiff made 44. In the female game, Karibee Girls were in early trouble losing some key wickets, but eventually reached a commanding 153 for 8 in their allotted 15 overs. Player of the match Katana Mentore made a brilliant 82 not out. Trophy Stall Angels lost skipper June Ogle early and fell short. They
eventually made 147 for 9 when their 15 overs finished. Spectators at Crabwood Creek were given a treat by the Floodlights teams. They won 22 prizes, which include Internet Tablets, DVD, groceries and pharmaceutical hampers, T-Shirts and Karibee Rice. There were also 50 giveaways of kites, umbrellas etc. The Crabwood Creek Baba Grant Mandir also received a donation of $200,000 from The Guyana Floodlights Softball Cricket Association. These 3 matches were sponsored by Ago Gopaul & Family, Nand Persaud & Co. Ltd, Ganesh Singh and Brothers Sawmilling, Survival, Trophy Stall, 4R, Mike’s Pharmacy, Rohan Auto Spares, Bel Air Rubis, Motor Trend, Vishnu Super Store and Ramchand Auto Spares.
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Teams ready for start of Busta Soft Shoe Football Tournament - Regional Brand Manager presents teams with jerseys By Rawle Welch Some in the media strongly believe that the Petra Organisation led by its chief principals Troy Mendonca and Marlan Cole has the Midas touch, but there are many who know that without the requisite organisational acumen many projects fail. The large turnout of teams’ representatives at the handing over of jerseys and fixtures to those confirmed to participate in the inaugural Busta Soft Shoe Football Tournament is indicative of the above stated characteristic of the Group and the harmonious relationship it enjoys with clubs, players and communities by extension. On Tuesday evening in the Spice Garden Restaurant of the Bransville Hotel on Pike Street, Prashad Nagar, teams representatives listened attentively to remarks made by Guyana Beverages Inc General Manager Robert Selman, whose Company is the platinum sponsor, Regional Busta Brand Manager Christine Kellawan and Petra Organisation Troy Mendonca. Selman, who was instrumental in inking the sponsorship to the tune of $4 million under the Busta brand spoke of his personal inspiration to support the request made by Petra Organisation for assistance, citing his own struggles during boyhood to afford the amenities to play traditional football due to the family’s hardship. The long serving Manager who is originally from Trinidad and Tobago, but has been associated with the local Company for the past twenty-two years, implored on the teams to play with discipline and fairness, promising to do it again should the tournament be played without controversy
and disruptive behavior. The affable, but stern Selman told the gathering that the main purpose of his Company’s involvement is to get the youths off the streets and be constructively engaged in meaningful activities. He was however quick to point out that should the tournament be drawn into disrepute he could then pull the plug on the sponsorship to protect the good reputation of Company. “I want to make it clear Guyana Beverages Inc. will not be responsible for any act of indiscipline or any other issue that may bring the game into disrepute. Our involvement is as the title sponsor and nothing else so I don’t want anyone to approach me or the Company to make any complaint,” Selman said. He stated that the aim is to spread the tournament to all parts of the country where Busta products are supported, adding that both the local and parent companies believe that sport is one way of investing in the development of young people. Selman pledged to give the Most Disciplined team an additional $25,000, while each team will benefit from monetary prizes for their participation providing they complete the round of matches. Kellawan, whose visit is specifically linked to having a firsthand look at the staging
of the tournament, told the gathering that it is, ‘an exciting time’ for Guyana Beverages Inc., informing that they will continue to be customer first and open to new ideas. She spoke of the huge investment that the Company is making, adding that the brand is extremely popular in all twenty-four countries that it is exported to. Kellawan added that it is all about building relationships and keeping a positive partnership with all their customers. Mendonca in his remarks echoed the sentiments expressed by Selman, urging the teams to exhibit good discipline throughout the competition. “I am in support of the call made by Mr. Selman for all of you to demonstrate discipline which will then give a good reflection of your respective communities that I’m sure will be embraced by us as the organizers, fans and more importantly the sponsors,” Mendonca said. Mendonca extended thanks to the Busta Company for its steadfast commitment in ensuring that the tournament is a success and expressed optimism that it will be very exciting. He then gave the teams’ reps a synopsis of the tournament rules and what is expected from them. Each team was presented with ten jerseys apiece and the tournament kicks off today at the GFC ground.
GCA/NBS second division tourney concludes this weekend Transport Sports Club (TSC) will clash with Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) on Saturday at Malteenoes SC ground from 10:00 hrs for the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA)/ New Building Society (NBS) second division 40-over title. A keen contest is anticipated and the umpires are Cyril Garnath and Hortence Isaacs. Meanwhile, the Noble
House Sea Foods second division two-day competition will continue on Saturday at 10:00 hrs. Gandhi Youth Organisation (GYO) will host Diplomats (Daniel Richmond and Heuvel Cunha), Everest will journey to GNIC (Clyde Layne and Reginald Grant), Third Class will play Ace Warriors at UG (Leyland Liverpool and Randolph
Rose) and Muslim Youth Organisation (MYO) will stay at home to Sophia (Shannon Crawford and Linden Matthews). The Brainstreet semi final commences today with TSC travelling to GYO (Rose and Grant) and Demerara Cricket Club hosting MSC (Richmond and Cunha). The final will be played on Sunday.
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Thursday April 09, 2015
KKR begin title defence with win at home ESPNcricinfo - We will be reminded time and again via highlights reel how the IPL is the breeding ground for the best fielding in the known universe, but what will not be mentioned is that on the opening night of its eighth edition seven catches were dropped. Kolkata Knight Riders let three slip, Mumbai Indians outdid them, and fittingly the defending champions got their campaign off to a victorious start. Morne Morkel was the one outstanding player on a night of otherwise unremarkable cricket, bowling four overs in one go for 18 runs and two wickets. That start from Morkel meant Mumbai were stifled for more than half of their innings, and despite the 88 they scored in the last six overs they were about 20 light. Helped by the sloppy fielding and ineffective bowling, Knight Riders were efficient in the chase with Gautam Gambhir scoring a fifty, and Manish Pandey and Suryakumar Yadav chipping in with forties. Knight Riders, especially at home, have relied on their superior bowling if not necessarily to take wickets but at least to restrict sides and force them into making mistakes. Rohit Sharma, who scored 98 not out, was fluent right from the start, but Knight Riders were all over the rest of the top order. This was Rohit’s 10th fifty-plus score
in an IPL defeat, the most by any batsman. Aaron Finch top-edged Morkel to put a brake on the runs. Aditya Tare chipped Shakib Al Hasan straight to long-off, neither looking to keep the ball down nor looking to hit a six. This wouldn’t be Tare’s last mistake on the night. Tare’s wicket in the fifth over was a cue for Gambhir to go all out looking for wickets. Morkel bowled the sixth over with slips in place for Ambati Rayudu. Two balls in, Rayudu obliged, edging a short-of-alength delivery straight to first slip. The wicket-maiden made it 37 for 3 after six. This is usually time when Knight Riders drive the nail in. They went to the returning Sunil Narine. He might not have looked as effective as he did with his old action, but this might be too early to pass judgement on that. His four overs still conceded only 28, playing an important part in keeping Mumbai down to 80 for 3 after at the end of the 14th over. In the 15th over Rohit opened up, punishing some gentle length bowling from Umesh Yadav. Anderson had already been dropped at deep midwicket by Andre Russell. Rohit would soon be let off by wicketkeeper Robin Uthappa. In all the two batsmen would add a total of 60 runs since being dropped, but that was about to be
Rohit Sharma struck 98 off 65 balls, Kolkata Knight Riders v Mumbai Indians, IPL 2015, Kolkata, April 8, 2015 ©BCCI
overshadowed in the chase. If Mumbai carried any momentum from their finish, they lost it immediately with Tare dropping Gambhir for 1. Uthappa was dropped too, but Anderson made sure he didn’t cost Mumbai much. When Anderson next dropped somebody, it proved costlier. With Pandey chipping Harbhajan Singh down long-off, Anderson misjudged, rain in too far, and managed to get just one hand to it. Knight Riders were 74 for 1 in nine overs, this was the time when Mumbai would have hoped to sneak back in, but they kept letting it slip. Gambhir kept hurting Mumbai, punishing every error with the ball, of which
WICB reschedules Australia Tests
The tour match and the two Tests between West Indies and Australia have been advanced by two days © AFP ESPNcricinfo - The West Indies Cricket Board has announced changes to the dates for the two-Test series between West Indies and Australia, with the matches being advanced by two days. The first Test will now start on June 3 in Dominica, while the second Test will be played from June 11 at Sabina Park in Jamaica. The three-day tour game, originally scheduled to
begin on May 30 at North Sound, will now be played from May 27 to 29. “We are fully aware that there are a number of fans planning to travel around and to the Caribbean for the Australia tour, and we want to explain to them that the change was absolutely necessary, due to a number of logistical challenges beyond our control,” WICB Manager, Cricket Operations Roland Holder said.
there were quite a few with bowlers other than Lasith Malinga and Vinay Kumar failing to stretch the batsmen. By the time Gambhir was dropped next, a tough chance off his own bowling by Harbhajan, the ricochet took him to a four that brought up his fifty. They needed just 57 off 40 now, and if there were any nerves Suryakumar settled them with some clean
Gautam Gambhir hits over deep midwicket, Kolkata Knight Riders v Mumbai Indians, IPL 2015, Kolkata, April 8, 2015 ©BCCI flicks off the pads, two of them went all the way for six. Scores: Kolkata Knight Riders 170 for 3 (Gambhir 57,
Suryakumar 46, Pandey 40) beat Mumbai Indians 168 for 3 (Rohit 98*, Anderson 55*) by 7 wickets.
CFU Club Championship - Phase 1, Group 2
We are looking to play well, GDF Head Coach Thompson By Franklin Wilson Head Coach of the Guyana Defence Force Football Team making their debut in the Caribbean Football Union Club Championship says they have put in lots of work over the past 6-8 weeks and will be going to T&T to play well. The GDF will leave Guyana on Monday for the Twin Island Republic where they will compete in Group 2
which would be hosted at the Ato Boldon Stadium with Direct TV W Connection FC as the host team. SAP FC of Antigua and Barbuda and Waterhouse of Jamaica are the other two clubs that will contest this group, only the winner will advance. Some aspects of the rigorous training over the past weeks would have taken the form of endurance, strength
(gym) and speed strength which are all important for football players according to Thompson. “We also did some integrated physical training, aerobic lactic training and a lot of work in the hills on the Linden Soesdyke Highway on three occasions, doing speed strength and cross country training and this completed the physical (Continued on page 27)
Thursday April 09, 2015
Raj Singh Inter-County U-19 cricket
Kaieteur News
Page 31
BERBICE take 1st innings lead against National U-17s
Renaldo Mohamed gets himself into a tangle against Daniel Lewis at Wales yesterday.
Both teams along with former Test pacer Colin Stuart pays rapt attention to Kallicharran at Wales yesterday. By Sean Devers On a slow, low turner at Wales, Berbice under-19s dismissed the National under-17 team for 94 and then reached 136-6 by the close of day one of the opening round of the Guyana Cricket Board’s Raj Singh Insurance sponsored InterCounty three-day cricket tournament yesterday to take a 42-run lead with four wickets in hand. In steaming heat, the National U-17s, using this tournament as preparation for the Regional U-17 tournament in T&T, won the toss and elected to bat on the straw colored track and fast outfield but soon found themselves in deep trouble as Pacer Grisean Grant induced Raymond Perez (3) to edge a catch to the keeper with just four runs and off-spinner Balchand Baldeo sent back Joshua Persaud (7) as the National colts slipped to 12-2. A small crowd, which included former Guyana and West Indies left-hander Alvin Kallicharran, watched in dismay as the Renaldo Mohamed led U-17s lost four wickets with score on 20. Timothy McCalmont (4) was stumped off of Baldeo, Adrian Sukhwa (0) was dismissed by Grant, Steve Deonarine (0) fell to Kassim Khan and Ramnarine Chatura was sent packing for a duck by Daniel Lewis as Berbice ripped apart the middle order with ‘tight’ bowling which exposed the lack of temperament and proper shot selection by the young batsmen, who struggled badly on a track which made playing through
the line, a difficult task. When Mohamed, a National U-19 player, clipped a ball to short mid-wicket off Khan for nine, the Guyana youth side were wobbling on the ropes on 34-7. But Kevin St Clair and Richie Looknauth, on his home turf, bobbed and weaved and managed to
evade the knock-out punch with a steady if slow eightwicket stand to see their to 647 by Lunch from 38 overs. After the interval, St Clair and Looknauth took their partnership to 43 before St Clair was trapped LBW to Parmanand Ramdhan to leave the Guyana U-17s on 77-8. St Clair’s fighting 30
included three boundaries. Looknauth, who played some enterprising shots, reached the boundary four times before he ran out of partners and was left unbeaten on 27 when last man Silas Tyndal was run out for a duck. Grant (2-35), Baldeo (213), Khan (2-9) and
Ramdhan (2-4) did the damage with the ball for Berbice who also found the going difficult against some quality fast bowling on the placid track. Clifton Linde (5) was removed at 8-1 by Tyndal who bowled with lots of aggression, beating the batsmen for pace while Baldeo (2) was taken off
Mohamed at 32-2. Both pacers were given extended runs and when Leon Andrews, who struck four fours and a six, edged McCalmont to the keeper at 53-3 and without addition to the score, Brandon Persaud fell to McCalmont for a duck. The lively Tyndal soon (Continued on page 27)
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Kaieteur News
Scrabble player, William Michael laid to rest
Thursday April 09, 2015
Floodlights and Karibee Girls record victories at Crabwood Creek last Sunday
F
Pall Bearers carry the body the late William Byron Orlando Michael out of the Central Assembly of God Church yesterday following a Funeral Service.
T
op scrabble player, William Byron Orlando Michael, was yesterday cremated after his Funeral Service at the Central Assemblies of God Church. Michael, who was an avid member of Guyana Association of Scrabble Players, died on March 30. He was 58 years old. Michael held his own among the best players in the game. Most of those players and colleagues from the photography and video community attended the Service
yesterday where Michael was described as a “respectable� human being, who was always well-mannered. Tributes poured from the Scrabble Association, People National Congress (PNC), Pan African Movement and the Guyana Institute of Historical Research among others. Pastor John Smith was the officiating Minister while cremation took place at the Good Hope Crematorium.
loodlights and Floodlights All Stars recorded victories against Corriverton M a r k e t Ve n d o r s a n d Crabwood Creek/ Scotsborg respectively, while their female counterpart Trophy Stall Angels were not so lucky against Karibee Girls last Sunday at the Crabwood Creek Sports Complex. In the first match, Floodlights scored a challenging 196 for 5 wickets in the allotted 20 overs with Richard Persaud making 56, Greg DeFraca 40, Imtiaz Mohamed 41 not out and Ricky Deonarain 22no. Ravi Lutchman and Fabie Dan took two wickets each. Corriverton responded strongly initially, scoring over 10 runs per over in the first 10, but were then checked with some good fielding, catching and bowling by the 2014 Guyana Softball Cup Masters Champion. Corriverton M a r k e t Ve n d o r s w e r e eventually all out for 171 in 19.4 overs. Vishal topscored with 51, Ravi Lutchman 25 and Buie Ramo 26 being the principal scorers. Mike Singh, Wayne Jones, Richard Kellawan, Ramchand Ragbeer and Man of The Match Imtiaz Mohamed took 2 wickets a piece. In the second match, (Continued on page 29)
Imtiaz Mohamed collects the Bier & Prakash Singh memorial trophy from Ganesh Singh.
Karibee Girls captain Erva Giddings collects the Nand Persaud Memorial Trophy from Romeo Deonarain.
Thursday April 09, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 33
GCB/ Raj Singh Insurance Brokers Inter-County U19 Three-Day Tourney
Harry grabs 7-66, Imlach, Hubbard hit half centuries By Zaheer Mohamed A seven-wicket haul by Essequibo’s Keano Harry and half centuries by Tevin Imlach and Malcolm Hubbard highlighted the opening day of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB)/Raj Singh Insurance Brokers Inter-County U19 three-day tournament between Essequibo and Demerara yesterday at the Everest Cricket Club. Left arm spinner Harry extracted considerable bounce and turn to finish with 7-66 from 31 overs as Demerara were bowled out 15 minutes before time for 261 in 105.2 overs after they were inserted. Imlach and Ronaldo Renee gave the home team a bright start with a first wicket stand of 78 in favourable sunshine. Offspinner Looknauth Chimkoo gave Essequibo the breakthrough by removing Renee for 29 (3x4). Imlach who struck six fours in his 51 then added a further 26 for the second wicket with Sherfene Rutherford (16)
before Harry struck. He first uprooted the stumps of Rutherford and trapped both Harry and Travis Persaud (01) lbw to leave Demerara in a spot of bother at 114-4. However, a fifth wicket stand of 66 between Ashkaya Persaud and Malcolm Hubbard steady the home team’s batting. The pair gradually grew in confidence and played a number of lovely shots on both sides of the pitch. Persaud hit fours and one six before he was lbw to Harry for 27. Hubbard continued to time the ball well, but just after reaching his half century off 82 deliveries with nine fours before he was bowled by Harry. The left arm spinner continued to befuddle the batsmen and had Ershad Alli (11) caught before disturbing the stumps of Daniel Basdeo (00) leaving the score at 219-8. Chimkoo then had Tariq Dharanlall (03) lbw five runs later, but a last wicket partnership of 37 between Vivian Albert and Carlton Jacques propped up Demerara’s total. Albert
EBFA U-13 League KICKS OFF TODAY - three matches to be contested Youth football which is the focus of the East Bank Football Association (EBFA) is set to continue at the Grove Playfield today when the association in conjunction with Lens Craft Optical kicks off an Under13 League. This competition follows closely on the heels of the MCYS sponsored Under-11 Pee Wee league which concluded last month and was won by Herstelling Raiders. Managing Director of Lens Craft Optical, located on Croal Street in the City, Mr. Allister Parris in brief comments on his entity’s association with the EBFA said that they have been following the progress of youth football in the association over the past two years and are pleased to get
on board since the future of the sport rests with the youths. “ W h e n t h e E B FA Secretary Mr. Franklin Wilson approached me to get involved I had no hesitation since we are well aware of what the association has been doing in trying to promote youth football. We wish all the teams every success and know that this level of investment will do Guyana well in the future.” Wilson, on behalf of the EBFA extended gratitude to Mr. Parris and Len’s Craft Optical for partnering with the association to bring off this tournament which will see seven (7) clubs competing. Defending Under-13 champions Grove Hi Tech, will play the feature game today against old rivals (Continued on page 27)
stroked three fours to remain unbeaten on 30, while Jacques was caught off Akieni Adams for 20 with a solitary boundary. Chimkoo supported Harry with 2-53. Essequibo opening pair of Satesh Latchana and Nathan Persaud safely negotiated the remaining two overs as their team closed the day on one without loss; both batsmen are yet to score. Play continues at 09:30 hrs today.
Malcolm Hubbard (left) and Tevin Imlach
Keano Harry
t r o Sp CFU CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP - PHASE 1, GROUP 2
We are looking to play well, GDF Head Coach Thompson
WE ARE READY FOR BATTLE! The Guyana Defence Force Football team posing for Kaieteur Sport following their practice session yesterday at Camp Ayanganna ground.
Teams ready for start of Busta Soft Shoe Football Tournament Busta Regional representative Christine Kellawan hands over one of the jerseys to one of the teams’ Captain in the presence of players and Guyana Beverages Inc and Petra Organisation officials.
- Regional Brand Manager presents teams with jerseys
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