Kaieteur News

Wednesday April 29, 2015

Kaieteur News

Thousands of police descend on Baltimore to enforce curfew after riots

Police and National Guard troops fanned out to enforce a new curfew and prevent further violence in Baltimore (Reuters) - As night fell on Baltimore yesterday, thousands of police and National Guard troops fanned out to enforce a new curfew and prevent further violence as the mayor fended off criticism that she responded sluggishly to a night of rioting, looting and fires. More than 3,000 police from Maryland, New Jersey and the District of Columbia, and National Guard members in helmets, took up posts in front of businesses and hospitals in Baltimore a day after the worst rioting in the United States in years. Shops were looted, buildings burned to the ground, 20 officers injured and police arrested more than 250 people in the violence that erupted following Monday’s funeral of a 25-year-old black man who died in a hospital on April 19 a week after sustaining injuries in police custody. The death of Freddie Gray gave new energy to the public outcry that flared last year after police killings of unarmed black men in Ferguson, Missouri; New York City and elsewhere. For nearly a week after Gray died from a spinal injury, protests in Baltimore had been peaceful and Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said she acted cautiously on Monday because she wanted to avoid a heavy-handed response that would incite more violence. “It’s a very delicate balancing act, when we have to make sure that we’re managing but not increasing and escalating the problem,” said Rawlings-Blake, 45, an African-American and Democrat who grew up in the city 40 miles (64 km) from Washington, D.C. Maryland Governor Larry Hogan said he had called Rawlings-Blake repeatedly Monday but that she held off requesting the National

Guard until three hours after looting started. “The mayor of Baltimore had the city of Baltimore police on the ground. Quite frankly, they were overwhelmed. All the rest of the (boots) on the ground came from us,” the Republican governor said the day after declaring a state of emergency in the largely black city. Rawlings-Blake imposed a one-week curfew but stressed the need to respond in a way that did not incite more violence. Bars and restaurants were shutting down early since they did not expect clients due to the 10 p.m. curfew for all adults, which will last the rest of the week. “We have no exceptions other than for medical or coming and going from work. We will be stopping people who are out after curfew. We are taking that seriously. We don’t want to engage in any forceful action,” Police Commissioner Anthony Batts told reporters. Peaceful protesters marched through some Baltimore streets yesterday, but there was no sign of the rockand brick-throwing that set off a night of looting and arson that burned 19 buildings and left one person in critical condition. “They tore the city down

last night, and today we’re trying to rebuild it again,” said Perry Hopkins, who formed a line of men from the community separating police from the crowd in the afternoon. Volunteers armed with brooms cleaned up debris from burned out and looted buildings in the city of 620,000 people, where schools, many businesses and some government offices closed until security improved. The security crisis disrupted the city’s daily routines. In a rare move, the Major League Baseball game between the Baltimore Orioles and Chicago White Sox will be played as scheduled today but closed to the public. Acrid smoke hung over the streets and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said it was sending two teams to Baltimore to investigate the multiple blazes on Monday night. Gray was arrested on April 12 while running from officers. He was taken to the police station in a van, with no seat restraint and suffered a spinal injury. Six officers have been suspended, and the U.S. Justice Department is investigating possible civil rights violations.

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Wednesday April 29, 2015

Govt. gifts US$40M Brazil fibre optic cable to contractor …also grants: - tax holidays - tax exemptions - remissions - incentives - tax waivers The US$40 million fibre optic cable from Brazil is no longer to be the property of the taxpayers. Cabinet Secretary Dr Roger Luncheon, literally gave the cable away when he entered into a contract with a small contractor, Dax Contracting Services Ltd owned by Faisal Mohamed on March 16, last. This same contracting service owned by Mohamed was one of the five contractors hired to lay the cable from Lethem to Georgetown. The cable programme started in 2011 and remains incomplete to this day. It should have been completed by 2013.

The contract signed between Luncheon and Faisal Mohamed has been described as the most generous give away package, worse that the Sanata Complex in the run up to the 2011 elections. It also mirrors the giveaway of the radio frequencies in Jagdeo’s last days as president. Kaieteur News exposed the plot to steal the communication sector two years ago. This expose is still on the Kaieteur News website as the ‘Media and Telecommunication heist of Guyana’. The agreement between the government and Faisal Mohamed is for the repair, use and maintenance of the fibre

- duty free concessions on vehicles etc.

optic cable from Brazil. This agreement is for an initial 25 years with an option to extend it for a further 15 years. It says that the government will provide Mohamed with the necessary support to receive and transmit data by way of the cable after granting the company an operating licence. This means that Mohamed will be equal to Guyana Telephone and Telegraph company and Digicel. And for free, Mohamed will be able to use all the Government-owned fibre optic cables and structures including, roads, the poles, access to repeater stations and other

things. Dax Contracting Services would also be provided with tax exemptions and incentives, including but not limited to tax holidays, remissions, tax waivers and duty free concessions on equipment, spares, tools and vehicles. The vehicles would be two SUVs, and three fourdoor pick-ups, renewable

three years for the next 40 years. The government insists that it will retain possession and use of the bandwidth, as agreed to between Dax and the government. As the owner of the cable, Faisal Mohamed can invite and sign with any company or entity to use the cable to transmit and receive data and information from any part of the world in the same way that today’s telephone companies operate. To add insult to injury, the government has agreed to pay Dax for specific emergency maintenance. In exchange for the oper-

ating licence, Mohamed will accept the risks involved in accepting and using the operating licence even before the legislation is passed. And in the event of the United States voicing objections to the illegal move which could lead to the shutting down of GT&T/ATN, Dax will front for the government and so prevent the government from being penalised. At present the taxpayer is paying Brazil US$76,000 per year on that same cable. The country is also paying some hefty salaries in US dollars to people who are doing nothing on the project.

OP seeks $1M credit limit increase from GT&T for Advisor A leaked request from the Office of the President to the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company has revealed that an increase in credit limit of one million dollars has been sought (letter dated April 20, 2015) for a cellphone as-

signed to Advisor to the President on Governance, Gail Teixeira. Kaieteur News believes that taxpayers, whose dollars are being spent, would be more than glad to be told of what communication necessi-

tates this government functionary having a US$5000 credit limit increase. Note well, the correspondence (number redacted by KN) gives the impression that the figure will be added to the existing limit.

Minister’s ‘slap and strip threats’... “A decent president would have sacked him immediately” – Legal Community The recent verbal assault unleashed by Minister of Health, Dr Bheri Ramsaran, on Women’s Rights Activist, Sharlina Nageer, has not only been described as abusive, insulting, threatening and obscene but a joint statement issued by a faction of the l e g a l c o m m u n i t y, h a s outlined that “a decent M i n i s t e r w o u l d have resigned by now.” In fact the statement from the Guyana Bar Association, Guyana Association of Women Lawyers and the Justice Institute Guyana,

lashed out at President Donald Ramotar, pointing out that “a decent President would have sacked him (Dr Ramsaran) immediately.” Moreover, the group is calling upon the President to prove his decency by sacking Dr Ramsaran not only as a Minister but also as a member of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C). It was pointed out in the statement that “Dr Ramsaran’s threats to “strip and slap” a young woman would be disgusting conduct by any man. They are particularly

reprehensible coming from a Member of Parliament and a Minister of Government.” The legal group’s statement also went on to underscore that it is unacceptable for Dr Ramsaran to seek to excuse his behaviour by saying that he was “provoked.” Dr Ramsaran was recorded last week Monday hurling threats and very abusive words at the activist who had confronted him on his purpose outside the Whim Magistrate’s Court. Continued on page 30

Wednesday April 29, 2015

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WHEN IS A THREAT MADE IN LAW? The Minister of Health did something that he regretted. He said something after he claimed he was provoked. He apologized for his outburst. The matter however did not end there. He has been reportedly reprimanded by his government and his party. He

is now the object of protest demonstrations, this despite the fact that he apologized. It does seem as if justice involves more than just the offering of an apology Minister. It seems that the only satisfaction that will be brooked in this case is the resignation of the

Minister. This is what some of the protestors are demanding. The apology offered by the Minister has not been accepted and from reports in the media, we are told that a criminal complaint has been filed with the police. I recall a criminal complaint was also

Dem boys seh...

De US$40M cable get thief through de back door Some people really bareface and presumptuous. Jagdeo was always a bareface and pompous Pee. Donald now get sucked in to this way of life that he don’t know he head from he foot, or he hass from he helbow. Dem mekking rings around him. He tunning sod and de rest of dem tunning up Guyana fuh demself. He tun sod fuh Sun and Sand and that look moon and mud. De other day he go and tun de sod fuh de American university. De people know he blight suh dem mek sure that he alone ain’t tun de sod. Whatever he touch does die an instant death. Dem boys want know how come he nah touch Jagdeo, Brassington, Ashni and de powder poose. All of dem get

together fuh tun up Guyana. Dem got dem tentacles in every major sector of the country. It was a greedy plan that Jagdeo hatch since he tun president. If people think dem boys lie just name one sector wha dem ain’t got dem tentacles in. Banking and telecommunication was de last two that dem didn’t have dem tentacles in to complete de takeover of de country. That’s why dem get Donald fuh announce more bank on de way and Luncheon fuh sign away de communication sector. De next bank will be owned by dem and will give de banking industry a run fuh dem money and de next telephone company would got GT&T and Digicel

dancing Daka Dalay. Dem boys seh if you don’t know Daka Dalay it is a Indian wedding house sang like Bangalee Baboo. De powder poose done sink he claws in Marriott. He mekking sure that when cricket come to Guyana de hotel get all de business. He and dem vagabonds set a terrible example fuh Guyana, especially de young people. And that is how dem boys remember a big man tell dem one time, “We talk so much about leaving a better planet for our children that we forget about leaving better children for the planet.” Jagdeo and Berry Berry ain’t even leffing children fuh de planet. Talk half and watch who you gun pay you phone bill to next.

filed in the matter involving another Government Minister and the statements that he made in a taped telephone conversation. In that instance the Director of Public Prosecutions had indicated that no threat was issued because the establishment of such a criminal offence requires that the threat be made directly to the person concerned. Another legal luminary had argued that under the common law, there is no known offence of threatening behaviour. Despite this we have an opinion piece suggesting, but not establishing, that a criminal offence may have been created by virtue of the Minister’s remarks. When opinion makers say such things they must prove their case by providing arguments in favor of their positions. To simply say that a criminal offence was done and not to adduce grounds for this conclusion is most unfortunate. Against this background, it would be interesting to see what conclusions will be drawn from the police investigation. For one, the evidence has to be tendered and the recording was purportedly made by a third party. That third party would have to come forward and indicate that the recording on the tape was done by him or her and

that the Minister did speak the words recorded. But the issue also goes beyond this. On the recording, the Minister is heard speaking to someone and indicating in a clearly provoked manner what he can do and what he can have others so do. I do not think any reasonable person would say that the Minister was saying that he would actually do the things that he said he can or have others do to the person with whom he had an issue. But even if one were to conclude that the Minister was saying that he would do those things or have others do those things, it is clear from the recording that the Minister was not addressing the complainant because he was referring to her as “she”, that is in the third person. Given what the DPP had said in relation to threats having to be made directly to the person concerned, and using that precedent, it

would be hard-pressed for a case of threatening behaviour to be established. But that of course is a matter for the police and a matter for the Director of Public Prosecutions. In terms of civil proceedings, I have noted that no civil charges were filed in the previous matter involving another Minister of the government who was accused of leveling threats against this newspaper and its publisher. But it would be interesting to examine this whole issue of the civil offence of threatening behaviour. This I propose to do in a subsequent column since my views are not necessarily in accordance with that legal luminary who had argued that there is no known offence of threatening behaviour under the common law.

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday April 29, 2015

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

When I arrived, I saw just ten persons When I arrived at the market tarmac at Lusignan on Monday afternoon, there were about ten persons. My role was to introduce Sandra Granger, the wife of David Granger at the public meeting of APNU-AFC. It didn’t look good but I wasn’t surprised. I explained to Raymond Hall of the AFC, and Bevon Curry of APNU, that there are strongholds of the PPP that may be more enduring than Berbice, Lusignan and Annandale are two of them. Whereas Berbice has suffered from PPP’s incompetence over the sugar industry, some PPP enclaves in Region Four remain firmly in the PPP’s grip because of certain circumstances.

In the case of Annandale, the PPP has ensured continued support through the racial demonization of Annandale’s neighbour, Buxton. PPP leaders go to Annandale and engender fear in citizens by invoking stories of violent Buxtonians. It is the same with Lusignan. Every year the PPP and its political sidekick, the Indian Arrival Committee, observe the massacre that took place there. The PPP fan the flames of hatred against the PNC at that annual ritual. Guyana is in the midst of an Indian renaissance. Last week Moses Nagamootoo drew a mammoth crowd in Annandale. On Monday I saw the transformation for myself

on the Lusignan market tarmac. I drove onto the tarmac and went over to speak to Raymond Hall. If you minus the APNU-AFC officials, the attendees were about ten. By the time it was my turn to go on stage and introduce Sandra Granger; ten heads had become a mini-rally. Within two hours the crowds and vehicles had taken over the tarmac. This was in Lusignan, an Indian village where the PPP feel invincible. Is it possible that in 2015 we are seeing the liberation of the East Indian mind? Surely, those people could not have come just to listen then go home and return to their PPP embrace.

My take is that, those people came out there to support the alternative to the PPP that is being offered to them. I believe those people came out to see Moses Nagamootoo. I am an academic and therefore I have to do analysis and my analysis of what I saw in Lusignan on Monday, tells me that PPP support has dwindled in the parts of Guyana where Indians predominate and such constant diminution has cost the PPP the election. In newspapers around the world where there are general elections, commentators predict the results and they offer their analyses. Right now if you pick up the Guardians, you will see the columnists giving their take on the outcome of the British elections to be held just days before our own. Most commentators are saying there will not be a majority government. In Guyana, there are no third parties (I mean this; this writer is totally dismissive of the small parties in our election). There is a straight fight between two Leviathans. After what I have seen at the

public meetings in predominantly Indian areas like Annandale, Black Bush Polder, Goed Bananen Land, Tuschen, Zeelugt, Industry, I would posit that the coalition is going to win a majority on May 12. During an election, analysts have two sources on which to base their predictions. One is polls. We do not have polls being done here. There isn’t money to get UWI academics to do an election survey. But even so, we know polls can be seriously misleading, the reason being that just days before an election, things can happen to make people change their minds. The latest example of that was the Scotland referendum. All the surveys had a close voting. It turned out that the Independence loss the election badly. The other source is the kind of support people give the parties during the campaign. In each stronghold of the PPP, its rallies have been huge. In each stronghold of APNU, the rallies have been huge too. But the AFC’s presence in Indian areas has

Frederick Kissoon to be taken into the equation. AFC personnel, particularly Moses Nagamootoo are making inroads. The comparison is Bartica with Lusignan, Berbice with Georgetown. The PPP did poorly in Bartica but the coalition brought out seven thousand in Bartica and Bartica has six thousand voters. That is phenomenal. The PPP did superbly at Albion but the coalition did well in Whim. In Georgetown, the women rally of the coalition was overwhelming but the PPP showing in Georgetown is abysmal. The point is, if you go by numbers at rallies and public meetings, the coalition is attracting multi-racial support, the PPP is not. Based on that configuration, my prediction is a coalition victory.

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Deepwater Harbour another venture to cart off millions -- Tony Vieira Political activist, Tony Vieira says that considering G o v e r n m e n t ’ s “unquenchable greed” which is already “destroying the nation,” the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/ C) “cannot be trusted with the pursuit” of the deep water harbour project. The former Member of Parliament insists that it is “another hidden agenda to cart away millions of taxpayers’ monies as is the case with all the other development initiatives the government has pursued.” Government had announced in mid March of this year that it was going to move ahead with its 2011 plan to have a deep water harbour established. This very harbour is said to be one of the major requirements for the economic viability of the controversial Marriott Hotel. In fact, Prime Minster Samuel Hinds had announced that a preliminary study was already underway at no cost to the Government of Guyana. The PPP/C had also stated that the Chief Representative of the Overseas Operations of China State Construction Engineering Company Ltd (CSCECL), in the Latin American and Caribbean Region, Zhile (David) Zhang, would be in Guyana to follow up on a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) it

Political activist and advisor to the APNU, Tony Vieira entered into with the Government of Guyana. The MoU allows for CSCECL to carry out a preliminary (prepre-feasibility) study of a Deep Water Harbour in Guyana in the area of the mouth of the Berbice River and with an associated Development Park/Export Processing Zone. Vieira has no qualms with this development. In fact, he posits that Guyana “badly” needs it. He stressed however, that his contention has to do with the project being pursued by the PPP/C

who he said would only do things with its cronies and friends” in mind. In one of his recent commentaries on this blog (Tonyvguy.com), he explained, “Everything we buy from abroad costs an estimated 30 percent more in transportation costs, and everything we export “ rice, sugar, bauxite “ also costs more since they have to be transhipped somewhere to the larger ocean going vessels, leaving less foreign exchange for the national purse. This situation is about

Guyana Red Cross seeks donations for Nepal disaster victims In response to the humanitarian needs following the 7.9 magnitude earthquake that struck Nepal on the 25th April, the International Federation of Red Cross and the Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has launched a major emergency response operation appeal to provide vital services including food, shelter and water and sanitation assistance for 75,000 vulnerable people. Authorities report over 5,000 and counting persons have been killed and many buildings have collapsed in the Capital city, Kathmandu. As such, IFRC is calling on public spirited citizens to show their support to the organization’s initiative. Red Cross supports this appeal by reaching out to the local Guyanese population to donate monies in response to this appeal. Persons can donate directly using the

following link. https://www.ammado.com/community/ 154728/donate For more information, or to set up interviews, interested persons can contact: At Guyana Red Cross, Mrs. Dorothy Fraser, Director General, Mobile # 624-02528 Email: dorothya.fraser@guyanaredcross.org.gy Or Mrs. Anna Lisa Phang, Resource Mobilization Officer Mobile # 623-8763 Email: rmo@guyanaredcross.org.gy Or Mr. DeVaughn Lewis, First Aid Coordinator / Disaster Management Assistant Mobile # 692-4362 E m a i l : devaughn.lewis@guyanaredcross.org.gy

to become worse since the Panama Canal is currently being expanded to accommodate ships with a draft of 50 ft which is the new standard.” The agriculture advisor for the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) said that the PPP/C did not have time to address this important national issue in a most transparent and accountable manner with certain stakeholders because they were too “busy building a Marriott Hotel, a Hopeless Canal, a Skeldon Sugar factory to which they cannot deliver cane, and spending millions of dollars on Guyana Power and Light which does not get better with the expenditure.” Vieira asserted that those projects give the Guyanese people a false sense of achievement, when in fact “they are just ways to put money into corrupt pockets.” He recalled that in March 2013, a very large delegation of Brazilians met with a

contingent from Guyana to discuss the building of a deep water harbour, a hydroelectric dam and the road from Brazil to the Guyana coast. He reminded too that during that same period, he had penned a letter to this newspaper saying, “I however hold no delusions that this recent initiative by the Brazilians will finally bear fruit, and at the end of the process, Guyana will be left out and the Brazilians, fed up of begging us for all of the 20 years the PPP has been in office to help them get the badly needed access to the Atlantic, will take their business and development to Suriname, and Guyana would have lost once more. We have been given an ultimatum; if by June (2013) we don’t agree to this path to certain development, the Brazilians will take their business to Suriname.” The political activist said that the Brazilians were proposing to spend their dollars in partnership with

Guyana for the mutual benefit of both countries. “It’s not like the Chinese who are lending us money to do non-productive national projects which are riddled with corruption to control us, when the time comes when we owe them too much to pay it back doing these uneconomical projects. After thinking on the matter for some time, I am convinced that the PPP government does not want these developments with Brazil...If this were to happen, there will be no money to be made on corrupt contracts. With the money which is lent to us by China there is very little accountability,” said Vieira. On that note, the APNU advisor insists that while the deep water harbour is necessary, Guyana must beware of the PPP/C’s vociferous appetite for the nation’s wealth and those it partners with to ensure that its “corrupt” objective is achieved.

Procurement of supplies for the Ministry of Home Affairs Under the Ministry of Home Affairs, bids were opened yesterday at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board for the procurement of stationery, dietary and miscellaneous supplies for the Ministry. The bids are as followed:

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday April 29, 2015

Businessman shot in head out of hospital

Fyuse Hussain

Shot in the head by robbers last Friday, businessman Fyuse Hussain appears to be making a full recovery and has been discharged from hospital. Relatives said that 64year-old Hussain, who was being treated at the Woodlands Hospital, was allowed to go home on Monday. However, a relative stressed that he is still not well enough to accommodate visitors. The bullet that struck Hussain reportedly exited through one of his cheeks. The Good Hope, East Coast Demerara rice farmer and contractor was shot in

the head at around 14.15hrs last Friday by bandits on a CG motorcycle, who appeared to have trailed him from a City bank to Church Street, Georgetown. The attack occurred in full view of his wife, 11-year-old son and passersby, with the bandits fleeing with $2.5M. Hussain’s wife said she had driven her husband to Scotiabank’s Carmichael Street branch at around 14.00hrs to uplift a sum of cash. They then went to Church Street to pay a phone bill. After that, the couple, with their son,

headed to Water Street, with the intention of p a r k i n g n e a r F o g a r t y ’s General Store. But after finding no place to park, she drove to Church Street and stopped in the vicinity of Guyana Stores Limited. She had just parked when two men on a motorcycle rode up to their vehicle. One of the men, who had a handgun, went straight to her husband, who was sitting in the back seat with his son and ordered Mr. Hussain to hand over his money-bag. After her husband r e f u s e d t o c o m p l y, t h e robber struck Hussain repeatedly on the head with

his gun. She said despite her screams, no one came to her assistance. The woman recalled hearing a single gunshot but said that she was unaware at the time that her husband was hit. After shooting Hussain, the robber snatched his victim’s bag and escaped with his accomplice east on Church Street. Hussain’s wife took her wounded husband to the Woodlands Hospital. Mr. Hussain was also robbed about three years ago shortly after uplifting cash from another Scotiabank branch. The robbery last week occurred about 100 meters

from the Police Outpost in Water Street. Only a policewoman was on duty at the time. Kaieteur News was unable to ascertain whether anyone has been apprehended. At least one of the government-installed Closed Circuit Television Cameras is located near Church and Main Streets, where the gunmen fled. Security cameras at the Bank of Guyana are also likely to have recorded the attack. The cameras are manned by staffers at the National Intelligence Centre, located in the Castellani House compound and by police ranks at the CID headquarters, Eve Leary.

Father, son charged for illegal West Berbice man burns guns, ammo possession wife’s house in tit for tat

Michael Sipindhino and Ashel Sipindhino Two men were brought before the court yesterday to answer to a charge of unlawful possession of firearm and ammunition. Father and son, Michael Sipindhino and Ashel Sipindhino, 21, denied the allegation which stated that on April 23, at Nappy Village, they had in their possession two 20 gauge live cartridges and three 16 gauge live

cartridges, without being the holders of firearm licences. It was further alleged that on the day in question at the same location they had one rifle and a shotgun in their possession, without being the holders of firearm licences. The prosecution told the court that on the day in question, the police were on patrol when they conducted a search on the defendants’ home. It was during the search that the illegal guns and ammunition were found. Attorney Peter Hugh, who assisted the men with their bail application, told the court that both accused are farmers and further stated that the house is occupied by nine other persons. Police Corporal, Sean Gonsalves objected to the father being released on bail. During his submission, he informed the court that the man admitted to owning the illegal gun and ammo under caution. Subsequently, the father was remanded to prison while his son was ordered to post bail in the sum of $100,000. The matter will be called again on June 1, at the Lethem Magistrate’s Court.

The engulfed house.

It was a case of tit for tat. First Sharon Bassoo, 37, called ‘Sharon Stone’, a housewife, and her husband, Hilton Bacchus, lived at Golden Fleece, West Coast Berbice. But when the two lived at Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara, where they had a domestic fallout and it is understood that the woman torched the house. On Sunday her husband burnt her house to the ground. After the problems at Mahaicony the two subsequently reunited and lived at Golden Fleece, West Coast Berbice. According to the police the woman

reported on Sunday that she was being assaulted by her husband. She reported that he pelted her with cell phones. The police subsequently the scene but the man escaped. According to the woman she subsequently left the house and went to her sister’s house in the same village. She was at her sister’s home around 7:00 hrs when she was informed that her house was on fire. She quickly hurried to the scene where she saw her house on fire. Her husband was seen running away from the scene. He has not been arrested as yet.

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Port Kaituma man blames son’s death on doctor’s negligence A young Port Kaituma couple, Robin Albert and Onica Atkinson, is mourning the loss of their almost oneyear-old son whose death they believe was the direct result of negligence on the

part of the attending doctor. The young child, Reuel Albert, who was born on May 15, 2014, passed away yesterday, after suffering for close to one week, from what the doctor said was a heavy

— calls for swift investigation cold. Speaking to this publication yesterday, Albert, the child’s father, said that his

son first took ill over the Easter holiday weekend while he was away on work detail in the interior. He disclosed

Robin Albert and his now dead son Reuel. that upon his return his reputed wife, Atkinson, told him that his only child had a severe cold and she had taken him to the hospital for treatment. Atkinson, who is also the mother of an older child, had taken her sick son to the Region One, Port Kaituma hospital, after observing that he had a runny nose, red eyes and was constantly sneezing. Both Atkinson and Albert are adamant that they administered the medication prescribed for the child as ordered by the doctor. But instead of improving, the child’s condition became worse, recalled Albert, who noted that he paid especially close attention to his son. “He started wheezing like he couldn’t breathe,” recalled Albert who is still coming to terms with the death of his son. Although he was required to return to work, Albert said that he hadn’t the heart to leave his son in his ailing condition. By Friday April 17, he said that he and his reputed wife decided to again take the child to the hospital for further medical attention. The same doctor was on call and, according to Albert, upon seeing the child’s worsened condition, a decision was immediately made to admit him. “They started treating him; they gave him an antibiotic injection and something else...that’s what the doctor tell me,” said Albert who noted that his son was hospitalised for five days before there was any sign of improvement. “The cold was still there and very heavy but the wheezing eased,” recalled Albert who added that “everybody wanted to know why they discharging him because he wasn’t strong, he still had this bad cold.” Albert however, noted that the doctor had advised him and his reputed wife to return with their sick child on Monday April 27 for followup attention, but advised that

Distraught mother of the dead child, Onica Atkinson. they could have returned ahead of the appointment date if the child’s condition worsened. The day before the appointment the couple was forced to rush their child back to the hospital as his condition became worse, complete with a high fever and his left shoulder visibly swollen. At the hospital last Sunday, the weakened child was again admitted and administered an antibiotic injection which seemed to alleviate the fever and wheezing symptoms. However the child’s swollen shoulder was still very evident. The doctor, according to Albert, concluded that the swollen shoulder “look like is some abscess or something.” “I kept going to the hospital...I know I had to go to work but I couldn’t bring myself to leave with me son in the hospital...I spend most of my time at that hospital,” said the troubled Albert during an interview with this publication yesterday. The following day, the man said that he kept checking with the doctor to get an update on his son’s condition. “I kept waiting for the doctor to run the ward...is not like it had plenty Continued on page 30

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Police ordered to “go light” on Demerara Bank half year profit passes $900M Speeding and Drunk Driving

These radar guns have become useless now. The Guyana Police Force has gone light on traffic offenders in what is being described as a misguided attempt to halt “harassment” by traffic officers. The move has resulted in the drastic reduction of charges in certain categories of traffic offences, one of which is the major cause of fatal accidents on Guyana’s roads. Recent figures from the Traffic Department has lent credence to reports reaching this newspaper that ranks were instructed to “go light on traffic offenders”, following a directive from a senior government functionary. This newspaper was able to confirm from ranks that two weeks ago, they were ordered to ease up issuing traffic tickets for speeding and charges for drivers who are found to be over the legal limit of alcohol consumption, which according to police figures account for threequarter of the fatal accidents. Figures released yesterday show that from an average of 500 speeding cases per week, the police traffic department recorded no such case for the period

Breathalysers will no longer be necessary. April 19 to 25. There were also no recorded cases of driving under the influence of alcohol, a noticeable reduction from the high figures previously recorded. And this is despite the recent acquisition of radar guns and breathalysers, at a significant cost to taxpayers. Another area where ranks are instructed to forego prosecution is Failure to Adhere to Siren. The decision to relax action on the areas mentioned has not gone down well with some traffic ranks as well as very

Police probing murder of Jamaican at Kimbia The Guyana Police force has dispatched a team to the Kimbia, Berbice River area following reports that a Jamaican man has been slain there. Police say that details of what transpired at the one-time Guyana National Service farming area are sketchy, and they are hoping that by the time the team arrives at the location they will be able to gather the necessary information. According to a source, police received information that the man was murdered and his body was still lying at Kimbia. “What we’re hearing is that this thing happen like two days ago. We don’t have a name or any information on who kill him,” the source told this newspaper yesterday. The source said that the police team left yesterday for the area and it would take them close to a day before they reach their destination. “People hardly live there… most people planting ganja there,” the source added.

senior officers, some of whom were taken aback by its suddenness. Kaieteur News understands that the police were instructed to issue a warning to persons committing the offences. “Could you imagine the lawlessness that we are condoning? Our professionalism is under threat these days. We are being asked to turn a blind eye to the law,” a disgruntled senior police officer told this newspaper. Since the directive was issued however, there has been only one road death, but the traffic department is hoping that the situation does not get out of hand. “This is the only country where the police force is being asked to allow persons to break the law,” the officer said. A press release from Police Headquarters, Eve Leary yesterday revealed that there have been a total of 32 road fatalities, compared to 35 for the corresponding period last year. The release also listed the amount and category of cases made during the period April 19 to 25, 2015. These include: 26 for Driving under the Influence; 81 for Breach of Condition of Road Service Licence; 12 for Careless Driving; 13 for Dangerous Driving; 3 for Failing to Wear Safety Helmet; 31 for Failure to Wear Seat Belt and 15 for Prohibition of the Use of Hand Held Mobile Phone. Earlier this year Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud had announced that there should be no more routine traffic stops. He advised that traffic ranks are to stop motorists only if they observe an offence has been committed.

Demerara Bank, Camp and South Road branch. Demerara Bank Limited (DBL) says it has recorded an 18.6% increase in profit for the first six months of the year ending March 31, 2015. The net profit of the bank has gone up to $901.9M against profit of $760.6M in the corresponding period of 2014, according to officials. The bank’s gross profit also increased by 17.6% to $1.383B. The deposit base of the bank rose from $40.4B in March 2014 to $47.5B as on March 31, 2015, reflecting an increase of 17.6%. “This compares favorably against the total deposit of the banking sector which saw an increase of 6.6% for the corresponding period of 2015.” DBL said that significant improvements are also reflected in the areas of loans and advances and investments. “Total Loans & Advances increased to $23.3B from $19.7B, registering a rise of 18.3% when compared to the corresponding year 2014 whilst investment increased by 11.5% to $21.4B.” Demerara Bank’s total net assets for the half year totaled

$57.6B compared with $49.5B at the end of March 2015. Interest earned on income for the period under review totaled $1.8B on both loans and advances and investments. “This shows a rise of 12.5% over the previous half-year. As a result of the bank’s solid performance for the first half of the year, shareholders’ earnings per share increased by 18.3%, to $2.00 per share; on a half yearly basis.” According to Demerara

Bank, this financial year has started off well. During the first half, it launched the VISA Credit Card services. “At present, the Bank has a network of six (6) branches countrywide, and will soon expand its network to include a spacious corporate office in 2015. The outstanding achievement of the Bank over the last financial year is testimony to the commitment, dedication and vision of our Chairman and Directors of the Board, management and staff.”

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Kaieteur News

WANTED 1 Inventory clerk, apply @ Technical Services Inc, 18-23 Eccles Industrial Site, EBD. 1 Shop assistant to work in the interior and 1 live I maid Tel: 691-6260 LEARN TO DRIVE

VEHICLE FOR SALE

Shalom Enterprise @ Lot 2 Croal Street, enquire about an international drivers permit “join us on facebook” Tel: 622-8162; 227-3869

Toyota Prado, Price$4.7M Neg. Call: 643-2403 Smart Choice Auto Sale: Premio, Allion, Spacio, Fielder, Bluebird, Carina 212, IST –Call: 652-3820; 665-4529 1 Toyota 212 (New Model) in hire, was never register in private, A/C & Leather interior $1.1M Contact #670-0382, 651-3021

FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Vacant land space at Supply East Bank Demerara –Tel: 227-1744 or 657-9237 GT TOOL RENTALS: COMPACTOR; CHIPPING HAMMER RANSOM & FLOOR SANDER, , JACK HAMMER, CONCRETE SAW & MORE - CALL: 675-0767, 627-5098 Apartments to rent @ 70 Bent Street Wortmanville $3,500 & $4,000 per day – Contact: 226-3309; 674-5760; 648-7154 & (218-1033 Saturday & Sunday only) One bedroom self contained apartment, Shell Road, E.B.D -$30,000 monthly –Tel: 6004823 1 Bottom flat 3 bedrooms apartment @ Grove Housing Scheme, 4th bridge, E.B.D -$40,000 –Tel:619-4490 1- 95X50 business place for rent located at Mon Repos Public Road E.C.D -Tel: 6276789; 656-0602 Two Storey house to rent at First Bridge Grove E.B.D. Tel: 698-1134

One Toyota Allion 2004 motor car for sale, Unregister Call: 623-1615 Prado Land Cruiser TZ, Automatic Diesel, PHH Series -$5.2M, fully loaded – Tel: 233-2546; 688-5554 1 L-Touring Wagon, flair kit, remote start- $1.450,000, 1 Honda CRV, $1.850, 000, 1 AT192 - $850, 000. All in good condition, price negotiable –Tel: 626-2884 One Toyota VIOS (Black) model – PMM series, price negotiable – Tel: 688-0868 One Mitsubishi Canter, Good condition, 2.5 ton, has dumper $2.5M- Tel: 219-0468 Toyota Corona, stick shift wagon only $150,000 –Tel: 642-1141 Toyota Sienta; excellent condition, PRR Series -$1.7M – Call: 626-1165 Madza Axela, PNN Series, price $1.650M negotiable – Contact:610-4663 Toyota AT212, AT192, Runx, Fielder wagon, 4 Runner, Tundra, Premio, RZ, Nissan Bluebird & Cargo small bus. Tel:644-5096; 697-1453 One 290 Tractor with plough and cage wheel –Tel: 6686976; 675-5575 Bedford Model M 4X4 truck – Tel: 693-2237

One 2 bedrooms apartment @ 35 Howes Street- Contact Pet Boy Shop, between the hours 11am-6pm - $45,000 monthly.

3 Ford F350 2006 model, extended cab 4X4, 6" lift kit, 35" tyres, diesel, auto, excellent condition –Tel:6105370

One apartment on E.C.D for single or couple –Tel:2203353

1 Toyota RZ mini bus supercustom, BSS series, fully A/C, excellent condition -$1.950M neg. Tel:223-6059; 654-4219; 645-3619

Furnished two bedrooms apartment with AC available for long/short term rentalCall:665-2548 Bagotstown Public Road: 2 Storied Commercial property next to Rays Auto) 3,500 sq.ft –Tel: 2332546; 233-5859 One two bedroom apartment bottom flat $40,000 @ Norton Street –Tel: 694-5583

AT192, 212, Allion, unregistered Premio, Hilux Surf, BNN, RZ & Pit-bull, 7 seater super custom. Cash / terms- Call: 680-3154 We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 Tacoma- Call: 680-3154

Wash bay attendants –Tel: 646-8748 One truck driver & bobcat operator preferably from E.B.D; 3 yrs experienced – Tel:648-1588; 663-8639; 6090766 Experienced rock driller, must know about Furukawa, Tamrock or Atlas Copco Hydraulics Machines – Call: 665-3959 or matiasorellana@exploservice. com.ar Canter driver $5,000 daily, cleaner to work on W.C.D $12,000 weekly –Call:6848231; 629-4236 Urgently need land in Parfaite Harmonie, Eccles, Herstelling, Schoonord, Waterloo & Hope (West Berbice) –Tel: 675-7292; 6893339 Domestic maid @ Diamond H/Scheme –Contact: 6268003; 227-8529 Live in waitress to work in bar –Tel: 604-6606 Live in home aid/domestic, needed in Republic Park $13,000 weekly, must be over 45yrs old – Call:675-0767; 667-2535 1 Male or female or couple to look after layer in the interior – Tel: 691-6260

Wednesday April 29, 2015

SALON

VACANCY

Make Up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, Black Opal and Sacha cosmetics. Call: 647-1773/660-5257

24 Hour East Coast Guyoil needs night pump attendants, salesgirl, office assistant & handyman Call: 695-9880; 669-4755 Hotel Manager for Xenon Hotel @ Essequibo: experience, good communication skill Send application & resume: rtilak@adamantiumholdings. com Experienced chef/restaurant manager, kitchen assistant and counter staff –Contact: 668-7660; 629-8048, between 8am to 4pm Cashier & office assistant @ Shell Service Station Providenc e E . B . D s h i f t work – (6am-3pm & 3pm-12pm) - email: shellramsburg@gmail.com.

WANTED 1 Cashier for supermarket on the East Coast, computer knowledge a plus – Call: 6013679 General maid to work at Hilton Crest Hotel, shift work, experienced –Tel: 223-6284. Apply in person. 1 salesperson / cashier to write bills in cosmetics & variety store on the East Coast –Call: 601-3679 Experienced female driver wanted for more informationContact Marcella: 617-4091 Experienced jetmen wanted for land dredge – Call: 6813801 Jet + Marack men to work in the interior –Tel: 694-2310 1 Maid, 40years and older to work in Suriname- Contact: (+597) 322-5442; (+597) 6516666

1 cook for family in the interior – Call:691-6260 1 Experienced driver- Contact Sarah: 225-8066 Investor for large scale poultry farm operation, land & duty free concession available –Tel: 692-1398; 6665634 Porters to work in Grocery Stall, experienced is an asset @ Stabroek Market. Tel: 683-9500 Top soil from Mahaica Area, please Call: 219-0468 Business/Economics Writer, email application to snow198390@hotmail.com Live in waitress age 20 & older with Secondary Education @ Diamond Gate Liquior Restaurant, Lot 18-19 Belmont Mahaica - Tel: 228-5013 Senior Accounts Clerk, 5yrs experienced, CAT or equivalent. Email: snow198390@hotmail.com 1 OFFICE ASSISTANT: Must have motorcycle, car/ van license, able to work flexible hours, from E.B.D. Email: snow198390@hotmail.com Girls for waitress job at a sports bar on the E.B.D $18,000 weekly –Tel: 6936304

CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVE AUTO RENTAL:CARS&SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 643-5122, 2193900, EMAIL: PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM Aidan’s Car & Pickup rental, cheap rate, low security - Tel: 698-7807

International Cruiselines, receptionists, cooks, waitresses, carpenters, cleaners, storekeepers, electricians, welders Contact Professional Recruitment Agency - 2316296, 650-9880 One responsible couple to live/work as caretakers at private resort in Present Hope Parika. Tel:231-0363. Mon-Fri 9-4pm Experienced handyman and female shop/bar workers for Ekereku. Tel:231-0363. MonFri 9-4pm Work from home, earn $5,000$20,000 daily Call MondayFriday 9am-5pm #233-6517, 6 3 8 - 0 5 9 5 www.jobfairworldwide.com Exist for cashier & supermarket helpers apply in per with written application at NIRVA supermarket –Tel: 227-5771 One hotel cleaner - Contact 223- 5273/4 Male supervisor for housekeeping dept.- Tel:2250198 or visit 233 South road, Lacytown Diva Hair Salon, Tortola BVI seeking professional Hairstylists & Nail Technicians, 5+ years experience. Call: 284-543-1410 Email bvisalonowner @gmail.com SECURITY GUARDS FOR LAND OF CANAAN BUSINESS, POLICE CLEARANCE REQUIRED. PART TIME WELDER/ FABRICATOR. 266 4427

LAND FOR SALE Concrete fenced land in high income area in Continental / Republic Park –Phone: 2330570; 629-7426 From $1.3M to $5M Parfaite Harmonie, Eccles, Herstelling, Schoonor, Waterloo & Hope (West Berbice) –Tel:675-7292; 6893339

Manager for Xenon Hotel & 704 Entertainment Complex in Georgetown. Send application and resume to rtilak@adamantiumholdings. com Room attendants, security guards, handyman & Desk Staff- Tel:225-0198 or visit 233 South road, Lacytown Full time legal computer clerk – Call:662-8732 (Urgent)

FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. Cummings complete genset generator 4CYL 30KVA, 2011 Ducati 1198’s superbike, pearl white, CH series original –Tel: 684-2838 Male Enhancement - Tel: 638-1627 1 Mini marine tanker capacity 11,500 Gallons – Tel:227-1744 or 657-9237 1 Wardrobe, gas stove & cylinder, blender, microwave, chest of drawers, chair set. Tel: 619-1510; 227-3120 3 Storey building 12 offices upper flat, established business @ 220 South Road. Contact: 601-3369; 218-2029 10 Acres Roadside land at Kuru Kuru for resort/ business- Contact: 6013369; 218-2029; 227-1042 1- 318 BMW and register, cash 3.2 M, down payment 1.2 M- Contact # 616-0429 Rottweiler and German shepherd mixed puppies, one month old – Contact:641-1771; 601-5500 King size bed frame, LG set with surround system, 2 big carpets, cabinet set –Tel: 619-1510; 227-3120 Mixed bred pit-bull –Call: 618-5220 JUST ARRIVED!! 18" BRUSH CUTTER BLADES WHOLESALE & RETAIL QUANTITIES - CALL: 6148564/ 639-3675 Solar 12V lighting kit, battery, three 5M cables with bulbs & phone charger included, brand new – Call:693-1752; 226-7742 AMERICAN BULLY PUPS GOTTILINE REMYLINE CALL: 220-7933; 6674845; 610-0068 House and land @ Diamond Housing Scheme E.B.D – Call: 687-9107 152 Lavarda combine, excellent condition, grain cart, 165 Tractor, block machine small rice mill & paddy cleaner – Call: 6834104 12X8 good caravan with 3 table top fryers, glass door fridge, class case & 1 (5) compartment food warmer – Tel:610-770 1 RT58c Grove Crane ,l $10 Million- Contact 650-0402 PEN PAL Guys & Dolls; meet your match single only! 1 Hour link –Tel: 592-223-8237; 6486098; 8:30am-5pm (both phones same hours). Continued on page 31

Wednesday April 29, 2015

Kaieteur News

Page 29

Letters... Where your views make the news... Letters... Where your views make the news

We need to know and apply more than history DEAR EDITOR, Much of the Guyanese population and the Guyanese diaspora is inordinately concerned, some to the point of obsession, about history of the behaviours, practices and policies of previous governments. Yes, it is perfectly right for Guyanese to be fully aware of history, especially past misdeeds of political parties in order for them to decide from whom they should vote. Indeed, history is important. Without knowledge of the past we cannot chart the

future. Any party that advocates that we ignore history is foolish. However, in order to move into the future it is not enough to use history as our only compass. Understanding politics and planning the future is more about governance of the polis – the citizenry of the city-state, economic and social development, and a wholesome cultural and moral development of the citizens, and involves more than knowledge of the past. History, while a necessary

prerequisite in understanding the past in order to chart the future, is not an adequate tool in understanding the dynamics of society. It does help us to avoid the mistakes of the past, but if we were to rigidly follow it, we would vote for none of the parties. Basically therefore, we need the best choice from a list of parties, none of which is perfect. Planning for the future is about goals, objectives, aspirations and dreams of the people, for the people and by the people; and giving

support to a party whose manifesto and honest intentions come closest to making these goals, objectives, aspirations and dreams a reality, is what elections are all about. For us to make a rational choice we need to know and apply more than history. We need to know about politics also. There is one particular tool in politics that helps us to come to a clearer understanding in order to make a decision. Modern politics, Marxian as well as non-Marxian, make

The disrespect for women in Guyana has gotten out of hand DEAR EDITOR, I am not surprised at all by Minister of Health Dr Bheri Ramsaran’s crude and violent remarks towards Ms. Sherlina Nageer. If President Donald Ramotar, who is the Head of State, can essentially threaten a teacher that if it was Mr. Jagdeo he would have slapped him, Guyanese have enough confirmation that the PPP has within its midst leaders who only know one form of public engagement abuse. Dr. Bheri Ramsaran had no right to threaten Ms. Nageer for asking honest questions about the crisis in the healthcare system. As a minister, a public office holder, he had a right to conduct himself with dignity

and respond to the young lady in a respectful manner. Ms. Nageer posed direct questions which needed honest answers; instead the young lady was abused and threatened by the Minister. Even after the Minister made an apology to Ms. Nageer he continued to threaten her. What an unhealthy state of affair this is. Dr. Bheri Ramsaran, whose name is on the Election List as a Candidate for the 11th May 2015, should be removed for the health of this nation. He should also resign as minister. Mr. Donald Ramotar, as President and Leader of the PPP/C List should see to it that Dr. Ramsaran goes. Dr. Ramsaran should also be charged and

placed before the court like any other citizen. He must not be above our judicial system. More than half of Guyana’s population is women and if Mr. Ramotar does not do the decent thing and remove this menace from public life the women of the PPP must not vote for the party. Dr. Ramsaran has to be made an example, so that any man out there who wants to hold or holds public office will know such treatment towards women is unacceptable. Men who hold public office also have to set the example for men who do not hold. The disrespect for women in Guyana has gotten out of hand. I can testify while I was with two presidents, namely

Mr. LFS Burnham and Mr. Hugh Desmond Hoyte, women were highly respected. I can also testify that Dr. Ramsaran’s conduct would never have been tolerated by Presidents Burnham and Hoyte. The PPP leadership has a record for ill-treating women. It represents everything Guyanese must shun and distance themselves from. As a woman I say to my fellow women, the PPP does not deserve another term in office. The PPP leaders have no respect for us. A vote for the PPP is a vote for PPP leaders to continue abusing us. On Monday 11th May, women must join hands as one and vote the PPP out! B. Beniprashad Rayman

We demand the immediate dismissal of Dr. Ramsaran DEAR EDITOR, The disrespectful and abusive behaviour of persons in position of leadership in Guyana has been a feature of politics in Guyana for many years. Dr. Bheri Ramsaran’s threats of physical violence to and his verbal abuse of women’s and social activist Sherlina Nageer is however a new low and demonstrates that abuse of women by our decision makers is alive, and well, and can be made with virtual impunity, as evidenced by the responses from the President Donald Ramotar and others. Dr. Ramsaran’s ‘defence’, that he was “provoked” by Ms Nageer is the same excuse given by many perpetrators of domestic and sexual violence. There is a name for this, and for the education of the president, Dr. Ramsaran and all others clinging to the justification of “provocation”, it is called VICTIM BLAMING.

And who, upon hearing of the further derogatory and libelous remarks made by Dr. Ramsaran the day after his ‘apology’, would believe that the apology had even a scintilla of sincerity. Those of us who have been working to reduce gender-based and sexual violence and sexual harassment for years know from experience and extensive research that unless the offender takes full responsibility for his or her actions there will be no progress, and that the behavior will continue to manifest itself and likely escalate. Just as alcoholics, who blame the bottle for their physical, sexual and psychological abuse, Dr. Ramsaran and his supporters are on slippery ground in trying to use provocation as a defence. Dr Bheri Ramsaran’s behaviour cannot be excused, condoned or

tolerated because of service or good deeds. If this is so then many of those found guilty and convicted of domestic violence, murder, femicide and other crimes would have been forgiven, this is not an acceptable defence. We do not know if race played a part in Dr. Ramsaran’s response to Ms. Nageer ’s questions and comments, but there has been enough evidence in Guyana of increased insults and hate speech when those considered to be our ‘matti’, break cultural and ethnic rank and join those who are perceived as the enemy. As to class, Dr. Ramsaran’s response contained a clear implication that someone who is neither his peer nor from the affluent or ruling class does not have the right to question his record or remind him that as Minister of Health he is answerable to all Guyanese, especially poor women who

use the public medical services extensively. The language used by Dr. Ramsaran to denigrate Ms Nageer is chillingly like that used by perpetrators to their victims. Worse yet, the threat of stripping mirrors the worst kind of behaviour used to shame and debase women. Let us remind Dr. Ramsaran that his threats to use “his women” to strip Ms. Nageer, if carried out, would have constituted a sexual assault under the Sexual Offences Act, as using others to carry out any sexual offence is treated as if one had carried it out oneself. If the president and the PPP women of the WPO are genuine in wishing to stamp out domestic abuse, femicides and sexual violence in Guyana, then they have no other option than to dismiss Dr. Ramsaran from the government. His actions cannot be wiped away by apologies, much less victimContinued on page 31

full use of the scientific tool of historical and dialectical materialism. This concept alone distinguishes the difference between history and politics. It rests on the principle that the world, the universe, everything is constantly changing. Nothing remains the same. The basic concept in historical and dialectical materialism is the existence of a thesis which is confronted or presented with an antithesis. Out of this fusion comes the synthesis. This principle is scientifically universal and especially applicable to the physical world. I am certain the PPP dialecticians Clement Rohee, Roger Luncheon and Gail Teixeira will (however reluctantly) agree with me. Everything is changing, including PPP and PNC. Nothing is static. We cannot therefore derive a conclusion by comparing one static situation to another and apply that conclusion to the future. To be fair, we cannot compare the history of PPP with a history of the Coalition. The Coalition has no previous history of governance. We can compare

(or contrast) PPP with PNC. But the AFC is equally important. This is the catalyst in the equation, and that is what makes all the difference. And what is important is that the AFC has put all the checks and balances in place to make sure they do not go the way of the United Force. Which brings me to the second important tool to use in our decision-making. And that is, because everything is changing – in particular, the subjective and objective, local and interna t i o n a l conditions, and because there have been drastic changes since the sixties and seventies, things will not be the same in the future. I can assure Guyanese that Burnham will not return. And sadly, neither will Jagan. Both major parties have changed, especially the past ten years or so, and whether for the better or worse, the Guyanese people must be the judge. This, to me is the bone of contention. It is good to know the past; to reminisce, reflect and grieve and to avoid pitfalls. But grieve we may; move on we must. Gokarran Sukhdeo

Opposition not paying attention to padded list DEAR EDITOR, The figure of 570,786 eligible voters on the list is indeed a cause for concern. In no previous elections have we seen the voters’ list jump so dramatically, so why now do we have this increase of 75,000 voters? It is just not possible. Is there some sinister reason why GECOM is not addressing this problem? The opposition parties seem to be “asleep at the wheel” but they are going to awaken if they see droves of Chinese, Brazilian and Indian nationals turning up to vote on polling day. By then it’s going to be too late. The EAB’s failure to run a test on the list, blaming GECOM’s slothful cooperation, is also a reason for suspicion. Michael Anthony

Bharrat Jagdeo is... From page 5 matters worse, it is Jagdeo who indebted the nation with the US$208 million white elephant Skeldon Sugar factory, a semi-completed Hope Canal project which cost the taxpayers an arm and a leg, missing public monies and dilapidated infrastructure in need of serious and urgent repair. Finally, under Jagdeo, health care, education, social welfare, electricity and provision of potable drinking water have declined. Simply put, Jagdeo is the jumbie of the PPP political campaign. The current PPP minority Government is corrupt and devoid of any economic strategies to develop the economy. They have marginalized a large section of the population, used the country’s resources to benefit themselves, relatives

and friends and have distributed homes to relatives, friends and supporters of the party. In this election, the electorate must stop electing leaders along racial lines or according to how rich they are. Voters must pay more attention to the PPP’s inept policies, corrupt practices, empty promises, lies, propaganda, immorality and lack of compassion for the poor. But if the people fail to change their way of thinking and method of selecting future governments they will not only be doomed and condemned to a dismal future, but they will also end up having more of the same from the PPP for decades to come. It’s time for change! Dr. Asquith Rose Chandra Deolall Dr. Merle SpencerMarks

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Kaieteur News

Guyanese ‘Casanova’ shot dead in Trinidad Trinidad (Trinidad Newsday) -LENNOX ‘CHIN’ GIBSON it seems, was a Trini Casanova...a loverman. On Monday, his three girlfriends met each other for the first time outside the Forensic Science Centre in St James, where they had gone to collect the autopsy report and death certificate for the man each woman thought, was her one and only. The women, who at first shied away from being interviewed, were seen in amicable yet sombre discussion, no doubt consoling each other on their loss after Gibson was shot dead on Sunday. Police sources confirmed to Newsday that Gibson was last seen alive at the Lodge Place, East Dry River, Port-ofSpain home of one of his girlfriends. Police said that at about 8.40pm on Sunday, Gibson who was working towards establishing his own gypsum ceiling installation business was shot dead by unknown assailants after being lured out of his female companion’s home. According to reports, Gibson went outside the house after he heard his name being called by a man. Moments later, gunshots were heard, followed by silence. His girlfriend peered through a window and saw him lying motionless in the front porch bleeding from gunshot wounds. The woman contacted the police.

SHOT DEAD: Lennox Gibson Officers arrived but Gibson was already dead. Newsday understands that Gibson was a father of five, with four of his children living overseas. He originally hailed from Guyana but lived in Trinidad for many years. Gibson’s youngest child lives in Trinidad with his mother Michelle Lamorell, who was one of the women present at the Forensic Science Centre on Monday. According to the three women, their grief on hearing of his murder turned into shock when they met each other for the first time. “We just found out that he was coming by each of us...making the rounds unknown to any of us,” said Lamorell, who said she was in a relationship with Gibson for over seven years. Another woman, who gave her name as Tonya Gibson, said she did not know there were two other women in Gibson’s life

Woman drowns after epileptic attack The relatives have recovered the body of 28-year-old Ramona Thomas, in the Lower Pomeroon River. The woman reportedly fell overboard and died by drowing. She had been washing clothes when she suffered an epileptic attack. Her body was recovered after relatives discovered her missing and only saw the clothes that she was washing. A search was launched and her body was recovered and transported to the mortuary at the Oscar Joseph Hospital, at Charity. Thomas was the mother of two young children. A few weeks ago, a 21-year-old miner drowned after he was involved in a two-boat collision. The young man fell into the Pomeroon River and died. His body was recovered three days after.

when he began a relationship with her a year ago. “ I got a call from a friend who told me about the situation and said that a friend of his wanted to know what was going on so she could pass and view the body. “When we finally met I mentioned that I was his girlfriend. His friend said, ‘no, that can’t be because this is his girlfriend’,” Gibson said as she pointed at Lamorell. “And from there, everything came out. I must say, it was a complete shock to me,” she said. The third girlfriend, who refused to give her name to Newsday, said Gibson left her home in Diego Martin at about half past four on Sunday morning telling her he had two more stops to make before he went to work. “I remember telling him he would kill himself out if he kept working so hard. He was always coming back and forth,” said the third girlfriend. As she was being interviewed, both Gibson and Lamorell listened intently. After leaving the third girlfriend’s house, Gibson arrived at Miss Gibson’s house at five o’clock on Sunday morning. According to Miss Gibson, the last conversation she had with her boyfriend was a jovial one. Despite her shock at him having two other women, behind her back, Gibson only had kind words for the dead man. She said he was a hard working and loving person, a sentiment which was shared by the other two women. “To be honest, I would never expect to hear that something like this would happen to the ‘Chin’ I knew. The man I knew was a good, loving and giving person. The way he treated people, I would never believe something like this would have happened to him,” Gibson said. Up to press time, no arrest was made and a motive for Gibson’s murder was not established. His death is the 123rd murder committed this year. Besson Street CID officers are continuing investigations.

Wednesday April 29, 2015

“A decent president would have... From page 8 He was at the time reportedly leading a team of protestors as a matter involving former President Bharrat Jagdeo was being called inside the court house. Angered by the activist’s line of questions, Dr Ramsaran not only called her an “idiot” and “a little piece of s***” but even threatened to “slap her ass just for the fun...” and added that “I can have some of my women strip her here...” After the recording of the exchange between the Health Minister and Nageer was widely circulated on social media, the Minister, the following day issued an apology by way of a statement which however, failed to clearly state that it was intended for the women’s rights activist. The Minister in his apology claimed that “it is unfortunate that I was provoked into anger and uttered harsh words at her for which I now regret.” He was subsequently recorded berating the woman at an official health forum. Nageer has since officially filed a police complaint against the Minister. According to the legal

community’s statement, Section 141 of the Summary Jurisdiction Act prohibits threatening, abusive, insulting or obscene language, gestures or behaviour. Moreover, committing such acts constitutes a crime that carries a sentence of up to six months in jail. As such the statement adds that “President Ramotar’s failure to sack Dr Ramsaran sends a clear message to the people of Guyana that this Government believes it is above the law. That is a very dangerous message which undermines the rule of law.” It was pointed out too, that the Health Minister’s intolerable conduct was a response to being asked about his record as a Minister. However, it was stressed in the statement that it is the right of every citizen to call a Minister to account for his actions. “Sovereignty belongs to the people. We exercise it through our representatives. Their accountability to us is the foundation of democracy. That is why our Constitution requires political parties to respect the principles of national sovereignty and of

democracy.” As such, it was noted that the lack of accountability to the citizen is not democracy but the tyranny of the executive. “It does not matter how awkward, ill-times or inconvenient the questions, public office carries with it the duty to respect every citizen,” added the statement. According to the statement too, the Constitution as well as the international conventions which Guyana has proudly signed, guarantees political and civil rights. “But our freedom begins to wither when a citizen is threatened and abused by a Minister and when a President does nothing. This time it was a young woman. Who is next?” In emphasising that the Health Minister’s action has been reported across the globe, the legal group has asserted that the situation has become a national as well as an international embarrassment. For this reason it was reiterated that “if President Ramotar will not sack Bheri Ramsaran for the sake of the voters of Guyana, he must do so for the sake of Guyana’s international standing.”

Port Kaituma man blames son’s... From page 14 people...it had one pregnant woman and another woman that just get baby,” recounted Albert. He also disclosed that he was troubled by the fact that not even a nurse had administered his son’s treatment by the designated time. According to him, by lunch time previously, his son was given the injection but on Monday this did not occur. He noted that it wasn’t until the doctor arrived sometime around 15:00 hours (3pm) that attempts were made to attend to his son. The attempts however almost caused the 30-year-old Albert to have an emotional breakdown. “They bore my son up about 20 times trying to get a vein...even the doctor boring and boring and the

nurses boring and boring and can’t find a vein...it was hard to watch what they do me son,” said Albert who disclosed that the inability to find a vein seemed to frustrate the doctor. “He started saying he ain’t even know what wrong with this child and how he gon transfer him to Mabaruma (hospital),” added the man who said that he instead asked the doctor to transfer his child to the Georgetown Public Hospital. The man said that while the doctor eventually agreed to transfer the child to Georgetown, he however noted that the case was not being treated as an emergency. It wasn’t until the child developed a breathing problem Albert noted, that the child was administered oxygen and his case deemed an emergency. “Suddenly the doctor say prepare to medevac the child...he couldn’t breathe,” disclosed

Albert. Atkinson, who was too distraught yesterday to speak, with her child in her arms, was accompanied by the doctor as they headed for the Port Kaituma airstrip to board a plane for the medical evacuation. However, it was while on the airstrip yesterday Albert disclosed that his son stopped breathing altogether and was pronounced dead by the doctor. The man is convinced that had the doctor transferred his son earlier he could have still been alive. “If he know he couldn’t handle the case he could’ve simply say so; don’t kill people’s children out. These people need to be more alert, because it is not the first time things like this happen,” said the saddened man who is calling for swift action to be taken by the relevant health authority concerning the death of his son.

Post Office robbery accused... From page 15 the police guard of his weapon. While one of the bandits took possession of the vehicle, his accomplice forced the policeman into the back of the bus and they drove off with the cash inside. Four others followed behind in a white car. The bus stopped in Cemetery Road 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 prosecutor objected to bail citing the nature and penalty attached to the offences if the defendants should be found guilty. He also argued that a firearm was used to execute the robbery.

Wednesday April 29, 2015

Kaieteur News

Page 31

GPL still trucking fuel to new PPP manifesto fails... Vreed-en-Hoop Power Station Almost three months after commissioning a spanking new US$36M power plant at Vreed-en-Hoop, West Bank Demerara, fuel is still being trucked across the river to the location as an adjoining wharf is still not in operation. According to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GPL, Bharrat Dindyal, a team is expected to inspect the wharf facilities and pipelines this week before fuel vessels can pull alongside. The 26-megawatts power plant was commissioned in early February, reportedly demanding up to 1,000 barrels of oil daily. With the wharf incomplete, GPL was forced to hire trucks to transport fuel from Kingston, across the aging Demerara Harbour Bridge, to the new power plant. Reportedly, almost 20 truck-loads, carrying about quarter tank of oil because of weight restrictions on the bridge, are taken to Vreed-enHoop daily to keep the power plant running. In February, amidst questions, GPL did not rule out the application of liquidated damages against BK International which had the contract for the $242M fuel and pipeline component of the power plant. The US$36M Wartsila plant was commissioned by

A truck pumping fuel into GPL’s Vreed-en-Hoop Power Plant. President Donald Ramotar without the critical component of the fuel lines operational. Dindyal said in February that it may be six weeks before fuel lines become operational allowing boats to dock alongside the wharf. The entire project was delayed by almost two years sending costs up to US$36M. GPL had signed a US$26M contract with Wartsila, a Finnish company that has several engines across the country, since entering the Guyana market in the 1990s. GPL was responsible for the foundation, fuel lines and wharf.

The company, which has been criticized for its high losses and costs, had admitted that the cost of trucking fuel is significant. As a matter of fact, Loris Nathoo, Divisional Director (Finance) of GPL, says that the company is spending about US$1 more per barrel. The power plant requires about 250,000 barrels of Heavy Fuel Oil annually to operate. Government has hailed the Vreed-en-Hoop plant as a major boost to GPL’s generating capacity. In the inter-connected network of Demerara and Berbice, the company has about 130

megawatts being produced by its engines. The demand is about 110 megawatts. Another major plus, says the officials, is the fact that Demerara, because of a new power cable link in the Berbice River, has been supplying around 10-12 megawatts of power, stabilizing the systems there. It is much cheaper than Berbice actually generating power. GPL has been under scrutiny as consumers complain of blackouts and increasing costs. The business community has been calling for cheaper, more reliable power.

Letters... Where your views make the news

Urgent clarifications demanded of GECOM DEAR EDITOR, Please permit me to seek some urgent clarification from the Chief Election Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Mr Keith Lowenfield, on a few critical issues. Polling Day Staff (Presiding Officers, Assistant Presiding Officers, Poll Clerks, Ballot Clerks and Information Clerks) were all told that if they are employed to work in one electoral district but are registered in another (for

example, if I am registered in District 10 but living in District 4 and working as a Polling Day staff in District 4); 1. They will NOT be given Certificates of Employment; and 2. They will NOT be able to vote as proxies. Subsequently, some Deputy Returning Officers have told a few Polling Day staff that they will be allowed to vote as proxies, but this revelation is kept almost classified. Other Deputy Returning Officers are telling

their staff that such persons will have to either forfeit their vote for the Election Day job, or just commute to wherever they are registered to vote, and forfeit the Election Day job. These realities require urgent addressing. The Guyana Elections Commission has a mandate to enfranchise every citizen who is of age to vote, and if Polling Day staff are required to forfeit their voting at the behest of the Guyana

We demand the immediate... From page 29 blaming ones. The “proud record” of the PPP in defending women’s rights has been badly tarnished by the likes of Dr. Ramsaran and Attorney General Anil Nandlall. Let us not forget that when the latter was heard trying to secure the sexual ‘favours’ of a young female reporter for the pleasure of his uncle, no action was taken against him despite numerous calls for his dismissal. Dr.

Ramsaran must therefore have felt no small measure of security that his abuse of Ms. Nageer would be tolerated and even defended. Let us be clear: we are not defending or condoning similar abuse meted out to women by members of any political administration, either in or out of office. All abuse of women is unacceptable, should never be tolerated and should be punished if we are to ensure that women’s rights and

justice for women become a reality. We demand the immediate dismissal of Dr. Ramsaran. He presents a threat to the wellbeing of Guyanese women and is a disgrace to his profession, the government and peoples of Guyana. Josephine Whitehead Joy Marcus Leila Jagdeo Pat Sheerattan Bisnauth for GRPA Wintress White Danuta Radzik

Elections Commission, then the Commission is operating in contravention of its own reason for being. This is untenable, and it renders the Commission unfit to hold elections. Considering the fact that proxy applications and appointments must be made no later than 10 days before Election Day, you must address this issue immediately, Mr CEO! And if Polling Day staffers are unable to apply to vote as proxies before the deadline, you and your Commission will have to relax that deadline to facilitate these persons. After all, it is your Commission’s rule that makes it clear that persons employed by the Commission on Election Day qualify to vote with Certificates of Employment and as proxies. So for the memo to have been in circulation informing such persons that they would not be able to vote as proxies is already an untenable blunder on your part. Now fix this immediately! Thank you. Tabia Drakes

From page 15 shares in BBCI at face value of $950M since 2013 but never received any dividends because the company claimed that it made no profits. NIS had bought those shares from NICIL. Ram said that his clients are concerned about the decision to make investments since Dr. Luncheon would have been aware that NICIL, the previous owner of the shares had to forgo the dividends. His clients are also concerned that no independent valuation was done before a decision was taken on acquisition of the shares. Also, Ram's clients are concerned that as Chairman of NIS board, Dr. Luncheon appears to have been in a position of conflict of interest since he is also the Director

of NICIL, the seller of the shares. Ram wants to know the date of acquisition, the price paid for the shares and whether it is cum dividends or dividends. He also wants a copy of the valuation report based upon which the decision was made to buy shares and evidence that the directors, in making the decision, took account of the potential or actual loss of approximately $5.5B which the scheme incurred but is still on its books in relation to the investment in CLICO. The lawyer is also seeking extracts of the minutes from both the NIS and NICIL confirming that Dr. Luncheon excluded himself from participation in the relevant meetings of the two companies on the issue.

(From page 28)

PROPERTY FOR SALE Grove Public Road property -$19M – Tel: 613-5645 Transported two flat concrete property Block “8” Mon Repos E.C.D - $20M Tel: 625-1514 One three bedroom two storey concrete house @ Parfaite Harmonie 24X57 feet, Price $13M negotiable – Call: 622-1782; 658-5803; 269-0642

TO LET Kitty two bedroom a p a r t m e n t , C a b l e T V, parking, Internet, Security Cameras - $100,000 monthly - Tel: 645-0247 Two bedroom bottom flat at East Bank Demerara -$40,000 monthly –Call:666-5114 Two bedroom furnished apartment in Nandy Park, Each with toilet and bath, covered parking for cars – Call: 682-9371; 233-5560 SERVICES Balloon decorating for birthdays, weddings, anniversary etc, make your event extra special! Tel Maya: 642-6664 We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer Call Omar:231-0655,683-8734

SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. – CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 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: 6831312, 627-3206 Permanent & Visitors Visa Applications, Professional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building visadocumentsgy@yahoo.com Call : 225-6496, 662-6045 Accounting & Taxation Services: tax returns, compliances, financial statements. Avinash Persaud Tax Consultancy, 163 Parika, EBE - Call: 260-4762. Your Dream Yard Today! Stunning designs, Assortment, colourful plant choices, Professional Landscapers Tel: 219-0468/ 648-1821 REPAIRS AT LOW COST: FRIDGES, AIRCONDITIONERS, WASHING MACHINES, TVS, MICROWAVES, FREEZERS - CALL: 6294946 OR 225-4822

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday April 29, 2015

Wednesday April 29, 2015

Kaieteur News

Kamla calls for Rowley’s suspension from Parliament over “Emailgate” scandal P O R T- O F - S PA I N , Trinidad - CMC – The coalition People’s Partnership government says it is moving towards having Opposition Leader Dr. Keith Rowley suspended from the Parliament after accusing him of providing false information to legislators in the so-called “Emailgate” scandal. Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar addressing the 26th anniversary of the ruling United National Congress (UNC) in Couva, Central Trinidad, on Sunday night, said that the so-called emails that Rowley read out in Parliament suggesting that she and senior members of her government were involved in a plot to undermine several state institutions including the judiciary were a hoax. “These are the facts, three sources have now shown that the e-mails have no substance, there is no truth, there is no basis for the fake e-mails Dr Rowley read in Parliament,” she told supporters, listing among the sources, the United States Justice Department. “We will deal with him in Parliament…I’ve already advised Dr (Roodal) Moonilal, based on these documents and others which we will deal with in the Parliament, we will file a motion of censure again against Dr Rowley on emailgate, but we will not stop

Kamla Persad Bissessar

Dr. Keith Rowley

there…we will also call in the House for Dr Rowley to be suspended from the service of the House,” she added. In 2013, Rowley told legislators that he had received in December the previous year, a total of 31 emails, from a “whistle blower” indicating how operatives within the government had sought to undermine those institutions including the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) and the media. He said he had passed them on to the Office of the President. Rowley said the emails, dating back to September 2012, were from people concerned with the government’s defence of the early proclamation of Section 34 of the Administration of Justice (In-

dictable Proceedings) Act that had the effect of allowing people, whose trial has not started after a 10-year period to walk free and a verdict of not guilty entered against their names. Critics say that the clause was aimed at supporting businessmen Ish Galbaransingh and Steve Ferguson, who have been described as financiers of the ruling United National Congress (UNC), the biggest partner in the four-member coalition government. The two are facing fraud and laundering charges relating to the re-development of the Piarco International Airport in 2001. They are also wanted in the United States on a number of related charges.

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Antigua wants another stay on free movement of domestic workers ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) – Antigua and Barbuda is seeking another five-year exemption to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Single Market and Economy (CSME) regime that allows for the expansion of the free movement of people, particularly domestic workers, a senior diplomat said. The CSME allows for the free movement of goods, services, skills and labour across the 15-member regional grouping. Regional leaders have agreed to allow university graduates, artistes, musicians, sports persons and media workers free movement. However, some countries are yet to fully implement the measures to allow nurses, teachers, artisans with a Caribbean Vocational qualification, as well as holders of Associate Degrees or comparable qualifications and household domestic workers to move freely. Ambassador Clarence Henry of the National Authorising Office (NAO) told the Observer media in Antigua Tuesday that the island had argued its position at the 40th meeting of the Council of Trade and Economic Development (COTED) that was held in Guyana last weekend. “When a country is un-

Clarence Henry able to finance its own institutions and continue to owe international and regional institutions, the country’s constraints must be taken into consideration. And the region, through its different organs and institutions, must find a way to assist member states that are challenge. “So, COTED agreed with Antigua and Barbuda that the matter ought to be sent up to the (CARICOM) heads,” he said. Henry said that while the Gaston Browne administration had made the request to COTED, the decision has to be made by the regional leaders who meet in Barbados in July. “It is our position the prime minister should be allowed to make an appropriate representation at the forth-

coming heads of government meeting for its continuance. “The national free movement committee in the ministry of labour and immigration met with myself and were apprised of the situation, the issues and ramifications since November last year,” Henry said, noting that Antigua and Barbuda has always had a very liberal immigration policy which extended beyond the CSME free movement categories. He said there is already a very large immigrant labour force here and there would be serious ramifications if Antigua and Barbuda were to be asked to adopt an even more liberal system at this time. In 2009, Antigua and Barbuda was granted a fiveyear exemption. The island also has exemptions on the movement of teachers and nurses under the CSME. When the first exemption on domestic workers was granted, it was agreed that a study would be done on the then immigrant labour situation and the impact of adopting the free movement policy. But the findings of the study were later rejected by Antigua and Barbuda, with island questioning the method used and the accuracy, efficiency and validity of the information/data contained in the study.

Nepal quake victims still stranded, PM says toll could be 10,000 (Reuters) - People stranded in remote villages and towns across Nepal were still waiting for aid and relief to arrive yesterday, four days after a devastating earthquake destroyed buildings and roads and killed more than 4,600 people. The government has yet to assess the full scale of the damage wrought by Saturday’s 7.9 magnitude quake, unable to reach many mountainous areas despite aid supplies and personnel pouring in from around the world. Prime Minister Sushil Koirala told Reuters the death toll could reach 10,000, as information on damage from far-flung villages and towns has yet to come in. That would surpass the 8,500 who died in a 1934 earth-

quake, the last disaster on this scale to hit the Himalayan nation. “The government is doing all it can for rescue and relief on a war footing,” Koirala said. “It is a challenge and a very difficult hour for Nepal.” Nepal told aid agencies it did not need more foreign rescue teams to help search for survivors, because its government and military could cope, the national head of the United Nations Development Programme told Reuters. Experts said the chance of finding people alive in the ruins was slim more than four days after disaster struck. “After the first 72 hours the survival rate drops dramatically and we are on day four,” said Wojtek Wilk of the Polish Center for International Aid, an NGO which has six

medical staff and 81 firefighters in Nepal. “On the fifth day it’s next to zero.” In a rare glimmer of hope, a Nepali-French rescue team pulled a 28-year-old man, Rishi Khanal, from a collapsed apartment block in Kathmandu after he had spent around 80 hours trapped in a room with three dead bodies. In Jharibar, a village in the hilly Gorkha district of Nepal close to the quake’s epicentre, Sunthalia was not so lucky. Her husband away in India and with no help in sight, she dug for hours in the rubble of her collapsed home on Saturday to recover the bodies of two of her children, a 10-year-old daughter and eight-year-old son. Another son aged four

miraculously survived. HUNDREDS KILLED IN LANDSLIDES In Barpak, further north, rescue helicopters were unable to find a place to land. Yesterday, soldiers had started to make their way overland, first by bus, then by foot. Army helicopters also circled over Laprak, another village in the district best known as the home of Gurkha soldiers. A local health official estimated that 1,600 of the 1,700 houses there had been razed. Helicopters dropped food packets in the hope that survivors could gather them up. In Sindhupalchowk, about 3.5 hours by road northeast of Kathmandu, the earthquake was followed by landslides, killing 1,182

people and seriously injuring 376. A local official said he feared many more were trapped and more aid was needed. “There are hundreds of houses where our people have not been able to reach yet,” said Krishna Pokharel, the district administrator. “There is a shortage of fuel, the weather is bad and there is not enough help coming in from Kathmandu.” International aid has begun arriving in Nepal, but disbursement has been slow, partly because aftershocks have sporadically closed the

airport. According to the home (interior) ministry, the confirmed death toll stands at 4,682, with more than 9,240 injured. The United Nations said 8 million people were affected by the quake and that 1.4 million people were in need of food. Nepal’s most deadly quake in 81 years also triggered a huge avalanche on Mount Everest that killed at least 18 climbers and guides, including four foreigners, the worst single disaster on the world’s highest peak.

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday April 29, 2015

Wednesday April 29, 2015

Kaieteur News

Phillips urges G20 to fulfill promises made to Caribbean WASHINGTON, CMC — Jamaica’s Finance Minister Dr Peter Phillips says that the Caribbean continues to feel the impact of the global economic crisis, which is impeding its capacity to grow. Phillips said he welcomes the opportunity for the Caribbean to engage with the powerful G20 countries to highlight and address some of the peculiar challenges that are impeding their progress. “This first contact, I think, is important and it will be the first of a number of contacts. We are grateful to the Turkish authorities, who are President of the G20 this year and the Chinese, who will preside next year. During these engagements, we’ll have to collaborate with the G20 to examine some practical solutions to the issues facing the Caribbean,” Phillips said as he addressed the first Caribbean Regional Dialogue with members of the G20 Development Working Group. “We should also be grateful to the Trinidadian authorities, who took an active part on behalf of the Caribbean in this regard. This dialogue will continue and there are specific areas in which practical solutions can be brought to the table to benefit the Caribbean,” he added. The meeting on Monday formed part of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Spring Meetings now underway. The meeting will end on Sunday, and while in Washington Phillips will meet with representatives of the IMF, World Bank, and the US Treasury. Jamaica was asked to cochair discussions on the challenges confronting Caribbean countries at the meeting with the G20 Development Working Group, and Phillips, in his remarks, said the session would be of great value to the Caribbean, because it is the first time there has been engagement between the Caribbean and the G20 in an organised fashion. He said dialogue of this nature allows for the opportunity to bring to the attention of the G20 countries and the Development Working Group, the specific condition of the Caribbean region, which he identified as low growth and high debt. He noted that the Carib-

Dr Peter Phillips bean is still suffering the effects of the crisis of 2008-09, pointing out that the consequences of that crisis are impeding the region’s capacity to grow, particularly because of the high debt. Last October, the Jamaica Finance Minister urged the G20 countries to make good on their promise to assist the Caribbean region to mitigate the effects of the financial recession of 2008. Speaking during a Caribbean breakfast and caucus meeting here, Phillips expressed concern that the group of major economies has not kept its promise to provide financial support to assist the region. “We continue to suffer because the expectations that were generated in 2008, coming ou t o f t h e f i r s t meeting of the G20 nations, for resources to alleviate the plight of

the region that was hardest hit by the crisis, have been unfulfilled,” he stated. Phillips said there is urgent need for the G20 to fulfil its promise, citing the region’s high debt burden, climatic vulnerabilities, along with energy insecurities. The G20 Development Working Group was established in 2010, and is responsible for implementing the G20 Development Agenda, which includes increasing financing for infrastructure investment in developing countries. The G20 is a forum for the governments and central bank governors from 20 major economies. Its membership includes Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States and the European Union.

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Muhammad Ali reminds Mayweather, Foreman who’s the greatest Yahoo Sports – (Sean Wagner-McGough/Boxing Writer) It wasn’t a direct reply, but we might as well consider it one. Muhammad Ali has most likely heard the chatter, and he has probably heard the opinions of Floyd Mayweather and George Foreman, who both believe that Mayweather is a better fighter than Ali. Ali’s response was pretty simple and he didn’t need more than a sentence to convey his message. Make no mistake about it, Ali still believes he’s the greatest to set foot inside the ring. To recap, this is where we’re at so far. Last week, Mayweather revealed to Stephen A. Smith that he

Muhammad Ali (Getty Images) thinks he’s a better boxer than Ali. “No one can ever brainwash me to make me believe that Sugar Ray Robinson and Muhammad Ali was better than me,” Mayweather said at the time. “No one could ever

brainwash me and tell me that.” Of course, the backlash began brewing immediately. But Foreman sided with Mayweather,telling TMZ that “Pound for pound, Floyd is better than me and Muhammad Ali ever were.” And now, it appears Ali has finally gotten himself involved in this debate. We can’t necessarily prove that he was referring to Mayweather ’s best-ever claim when he sent out that message, but the timing does seem to suggest that Ali was responding to those who think Mayweather is a better fighter than Ali. And as expected, Ali didn’t back down from the challenge.

Wednesday April 29th 2015 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) It could be that you see mirages, Libra, most notably in the environment around you. You may have the impression that people are lying to you or hiding something from you. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Your goal for the day seems to be to enchant your mate. There's no reason not to try. Indeed, today is excellent for love. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You're in splendid shape today, Gemini! Did a fairy godmother conjure away all the little difficulties of the past few weeks? Enjoy this moment of relief from your worries. CANCER (June 21–July 22) It's certainly clear that you have faith in your actions, Cancer! You feel no fear or doubt as you progress toward your goals, cruising along on calm seas under clear skies. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) This is a moment to start being creative in your life and stop being afraid of not having any talent. Who's to say what talent is? And in the romance department, the love of your life might be right in front of you. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You may be a bit unclear about your professional direction today. Your motivation has disappeared without warning. What happened? It may be that you need to become involved in projects that have more universal resonance.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) It could be that you see mirages, Libra, most notably in the environment around you. You may have the impression that people are lying to you or hiding something from you. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Hold tight to your money, because you may have some strange {though noble) impulses to give it away or spend a large amount on something completely useless. SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) Today isn't a good day to sign contracts or make any substantial purchases. Go to the grocery store, by all means, but buy hamburger not tenderloin. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Are you certain that you can't modify your current situation, Capricorn? Are you a prisoner of a lifestyle that isn't of your own making or that may be a throwback from the past? AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) The forecast for you is excellent, Aquarius. You can rely on today's aspects to restore your confidence, which has been sorely tried in the past few days. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You may have some trouble communicating today, Pisces. It's as though something is distorting your perception. Don't be surprised if, once evening comes, you feel like forgetting about all of your responsibilities and traveling to the other end of the world.

Wednesday April 29, 2015

Letter to the Sports Editor

RETRACTION

Dear Editor, Please allow me space to retract my endorsement of a letter to the editor. In the April 18, 2015 edition of Kaieteur News I endorsed an article titled; Journalistic errors continue to irk umpires.

I hereby retract my endorsement of the article which suggested that Mr. Sean Devers is ignorant of the laws of cricket. I wish to make it clear that the contents of the article was never intended to be libelous or defamatory

or to in anyway besmirch Mr. Dever ’s good name. Any inconvenience caused to Mr. Devers is hereby wholly regretted and most unfortunate. Professional Umpire Ryan Banwarie.

RHTYSC Cricket teams... (From page 39) Management of the Berbice River Bridge Company especially the Chief Executive Officer, O.D. Samaroo for his continued confidence in the RHTYSC by sponsoring the Tribute to Retired Teachers Programme for the 3rd consecutive year. The RHTYSC since 2001 has honoured a total of 72 retired teachers under the programme. Speaking on behalf of the Awardees, Ms. Cicely

Javed Mohamed slams 115 for... (From page 40) Abdool Sattaur 2 for 21. Guysuco Training Centre 123 in 34.2 overs with Chavah Arnachalam 38, Akeem Bollers 31, Mahendra Maynard 2 for 19, Winston Smith 2 for 22. At Lovely Lass in West Berbice, Bush Lot Challengers beat Achievers by 3 wickets. Achievers 92 in 23.4 overs with Kris Ramnarine 31, Asif Khan 4 for 16, Brandon Balkissoon 2 for 7. Christopher Bissoon 2 for 22. Bush Lot Challengers 94 for 7 in 21.1 overs with Rendell Bobb 2 for 16, Rennison Mitchell 2 for 20 and Delon Yearwood 2 for 28.

Crawford and Marcia Fyffe expressed gratitude to the RHTYSC for honouring them. Both of them traced their teaching careers history and stated that they would do it all over again if given the opportunity. Mrs. Crawford stated that teaching is a special responsibility as you are responsible for the molding of someone’s mind. She expressed her delight that during her teaching career she was able to nurture the

minds of several of the nation’s top leaders. Each of the awardees received a trophy, Certificate of Excellence and a special collection of gifts. The programme was organized by the Rose Hall Town Farfan and Mendes Ltd. Under 15, Pepsi Under 19 and Intermediate, Bakewell Under 17 and Second Division, Gizmos and Gadgets First Division and Under 21 and the Metro Female Teams.

Wednesday April 29, 2015

Kaieteur News

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Bhagwandin and the Beaconites dominate Scotiabank’s Annual Golf Tourney As usual it was an awesome day of goodwill and healthy competitiveness as the Scotiabank’s 18th Annual Golf Tournament and 5th Charities Tournament got underway at the Lusignan Golf Club ground on Sunday 26th April. With some 51 golfers registered and a smiling sunshine and cool temperature just excellent for golfing, the golfers teed off at about 12:00 noon, each hoping to carry off the tantalizing prizes offered by Scotiabank. Mahendra Bhagwandin – net 65 off handicap 24 was the clear champion, followed by Shanella Webster of Beacon Ministries – net 67 off handicap 22, followed by Dr Philbert London, also of Beacon Ministries, with a net 67 off a 27 handicap. Best Gross for the day was Patrick Prashad - 80/9, while Most Honest Golfer was won by Robert Hanoman 81/26. Near-

In picture the winners and 3 Scotiabank representatives. L to R: I. Gouveia, Country Manager – R. Smith, Dr P. London, J. Cipriani, M. Bhagwandin, S. Webster, P. Prashad (partly hidden) and P. Budhu. est to the Pin was Ian Gouveia. Of note to the highly competitive play was the fact that there were four other competitors who could have been vying for a fourth Best Net prize; these were – Carlos Adams 70/26, Maurice

Solomon 70/23, Joaan Deo 70/ 20 and Ian Gouveia 70/15. A delighted Bhagwandin said, “It was a good all round game for me. With significantly improved driver skill, I played one hole at a time, and thanks to my experienced c a d d y,

Harrichand‘Babyboy’Dhanai, I was able to stay calm and focused after any bad play. Also, the clubs he selected were just right for the job! This is the second tournam ent I have won, and both times he was my caddy!”

John Fernandes Insurance and Woodpecker Products Hockey Leagues commence The John Fernandes Insurance Men’s Second Division hockey League and inaugural Woodpecker Products Ladies League both got off to thrilling starts this past weekend at the St. Stanislaus College ground. The action started on Saturday afternoon when the stars of yesteryear, All Greys took on a GCC team packed with stars of the future. Despite starting the game without their full compliment of players, All Greys used every bit of their experience to play a counterattacking style of hockey which saw them get out to a 2-0 lead, through goals from Damon Woodroffe and Timothy Jonas in the 21st and 28th minutes, respectively. As the game wore on in the hot afternoon sun the experienced legs began tire and GCC slowly took control of the match through their midfield duo of Andrew Xavier and Stuart Gonsalves. However, it was the clinical finishing of forward Leonard George that earned the Bourda Boys a share of the points, when he dispatched the ball into the back of the net in the 36th and 53rd minutes, after some excellent midfield buildups. Defending champions Hikers sounded early warnings to their would be challengers when they tore through an undermanned but resilient Old Fort side 6-0 in the feature match of the Saturday double header.

Hikers would return on Sunday to inflict similar punishment on a GCC side plagued by injuries and the unavailability of several of their key players, taking the victory by a 5-1 margin. Earlier in the day, Saints recovered from conceding an early goal to an Old Fort side, again short of several of their key players, to run away eventual winners 5-1. The highlight of the weekend however was the return of women’s outdoor league hockey to Guyana, when Hikers and Old Fort took to the field in the opening match of the inaugural Woodpecker Products Ladies League. After several years of declining numbers in the women’s game due to migration, retirement and the loss of several, once powerful, teams such as GDF and Police the Board sent out a plea to clubs to focus on the development of female hockey. This plea was answered by the likes of Ivor Thompson and Dwayne Alleyne who, mainly through an after school programme at the North Ruimveldt Multilateral School, recruited and developed a young crop of outstanding talents which now form the core of the Old Fort women’s team. This, along with the outstanding achievements of the women’s national team, who were supported by a Guyana Olympic Association women’s development grant, have revitalized the sport and

caused the numbers in women’s hockey quadruple in a matter of years. Although Hikers dominated possession through their vast wealth of former national players, Old Fort compensated for their inexperience with work rate and determination. Despite taking the early lead through goals from Nicole Eastman and Maria Munroe, Hikers would be frustrated by a stout Old Fort defence for the remainder of the match. As the game wore on, Old Fort grew in confidence and managed to break free of the Hikers high press to force the Hikers goalkeeper into action on several occa-

sions through Carolyn Dean and Bushani Kaladeen led counterattacks. Hikers would have to work to hold onto 2-0 lead until the final whistle. The action continues this holiday weekend when All Greys take on Saints at 2:30pm and GCC take on Old Fort at 16:00hrs on Labour Day. Saturday’s matches will see All Greys taking on Old Fort at 14:30hrs followed by Hikers versus Saints at 16:00hrs, while on Sunday GCC take on Saints at 14:30hrs followed by All Greys against Hikers at 16:00hrs. All matches will be played at the St. Stanislaus College ground, Carifesta Avenue.

DCB ELECTIONS TO BE... (From page 38) Attorneys – at - law to bring Sudesh Persaud to justice. The membership of the DEMERARA CRICKET BOARD is therefore advised to ignore and disregard the notice signed by Sudesh Persaud and published in the national newspapers on Sunday April 26, 2015 since he is NOT an Executive member / Officer of the DCB nor is he duly authorized. As instructed by the meeting of the members held on Friday 27 March 2015 at the GNIC Sports Club, the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Demerara

Cricket Board will be held on 30th April, 2015 commencing 5.00pm at the GNIC pavilion, Woolford Avenue, Georgetown. The agenda of the AGM of the DCB remains the same as was published on Sunday March, 29 2015. The entire membership of the DCB is invited. It must be noted that this would be the first free and fair elections of the DCB in four (4) years and IT IS TIME for democracy in our Cricket Administration, thereby allowing for cricket to be truly the winner. Majority of the Membership of the Demerara Cricket Board

3rd place winner Dr London was pleased with his game, noting that his score increased when he had to take a drop on his penultimate hole because his ball was not found in the rough! On hand to do the presentations for Scotiabank – Canadian international bank, and a leading financial services provider in over 55 countries - were Country Manager, Mr Raymond Smith; Marketing Manager, Ms Jennifer Cipriani; and Manager of Treasury, Mr Parmeshwar Budhu. Mr Smith indicated among other things, “I am very pleased to be here at this 18th year of Scotiabank’s association with golf in Guyana. A very central part of Scotiabank’s current sponsorship is the $325,000 that is given back to the community to children charities of the top three winner’s choice.” Under its Global Bright

Future philanthropic programme, Scotiabank channels funds and employee volunteer hours towards initiatives that benefit children in the areas of education, health, social well-being (arts and culture) and sports. Scotiabank has contributed on average some $50 million annually to community causes around the world over the last 5 years. Mr Smith congratulated the winners and all golfers for supporting the Scotiabank tournament, adding, “I am aware that some of my predecessors played the game very often, but though I have not played golf before, I have already secured a coach and assistant coach to bring me into the game.” Scotiabank’s Robb Street Branch Manager and veteran golfer Brian Hackett was also on hand to assist with the distribution of prizes and the raffle that enabled almost all players present at the closing ceremony to leave with a gift.

GCUSA half-early meeting set for May 28 The Georgetown Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association (GCUSA) half-yearly meeting is set for Police Sports Club, Eve

Leary at 17:00 hrs on May 28. Members are asked to make a special effort to attend.

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday April 29, 2015

‘Golden Jaguars is about our Country’ says Coach Shabazz

Guyana to clash with old nemesis Suriname tomorrow By Sean Devers Coach Jamaal Shabazz is well known for hard work as a Football Coach. The Trinidadian is also known for his colorful speeches at Press Conferences and yesterday was no exception as he met the Media ahead of tomorrow’s International Friendly between the Golden Jaguars and their old nemesis Suriname in the neighboring Dutch Country from 19:00hrs Guyana time. After Faizal Khan, who is a part of the eight-man support staff which leaves Guyana tonight along with the 18 players on the flight to Suriname, provided a brief update on the team’s departure, Shabazz stated, “I begin as always in the name of Allah the Beneficient the Merciful. The timing of this game is really a mercy from Allah since it comes during the election period when the society is very charged, as people are

so occupied with their (political) party,” the garrulous Shabazz said. “It’s a mercy because at this time people sometimes put party before country. When we come to understand that our country is greater than any party. So the Guyana Golden Jaguars is about the country....... Our country against Suriname..... It’s so important at this time to keep Country uppermost in our focus,” added Shabazz, who has been appointed National Coach for the third time. “So we ask that people from all the parties to travel to Suriname together to support your country, Guyana. And in so doing you demonstrate your allegiance to Guyana in the same way when you support the Rugby team, the Cricket team, the hockey team and all the other sports that’s brings our people together. We are one Guyana ….And this is not a

paid political announcement,” concluded Shabazz. Shabazz explained that when the GFF got the offer to play Suriname he felt that Guyana based players needed more International match minutes ahead the game against St Vincent in the 2018 World Cup Qualifiers. St Vincent and Guyana both made it to the third round of the 2014 World Cup Qualifiers, but only one will progress this time around. “If, Allah forbids, anything unforeseen happens, if a key player is injured, if a club does release a player, if a player changes his mind….if any of those things happen, we will still have replacement players with International match minutes and they will not be too nervous since they would have had experience at that level,” Shabazz explained. Shabazz said tomorrow’s game is very important for his charges since it severs as a great rehearsal for June, add-

Eight Guyanese shooters in West Indies team for US tourney Eight Guyanese shooters have been named in the West Indies team to compete at the World Long Range fullbore Rifle Shooting championships billed for August in Ohio, United States of America. Guyana’s fullbore captain Mahendra Persaud has been named vice captain of the team which will include compatriot and reigning regional individual champion Lennox Braithwaite, Ransford Goodluck, Dylan Fields, Leo Romalho, Ryan Sampson, Sigmund Douglas and John Fraser. Douglas and Fraser are based in the United States. Experienced marksman Jamaican John Nelson is the non-Shooting Captain.

ACP retired Paul Slowe was also appointed Main Wind Coach with the other officials travelling with the team being Adjutant David Dumont of Bermuda and Dennis Lee of Jamaica, assistant Wind Coach. The remaining shooters named are from Trinidad and Tobago – Norris Gomez, Michael Perez, and Ezekiel Joseph (Antigua/Barbuda) – Anderson Perry, Thomas Greenaway – from (Barbados) Marlon King and Shelly-Ann Hinds and (Jamaica) Dwayne Forde. The World Long Range Championships will take place at Camp Perry, from August 1st to 14th in Ohio. The Championships called The PALMA Match will be

shot at 800, 900 and 1,000 yards. Most of the world’s leading shooters representing hosts United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Kenya and Continental Europe are expected to compete. The West Indies Fullbore Shooting Council (WIFSC) had shortlisted a squad following the regional championships last year in Jamaica. Fifteen other shooters from the Caribbean are expected to make the trip to compete in the Individual competition and provide support for the team in the United States, while a few others will travel to Canada to compete in the Canadian Rifle Championships.

ing that this was a ‘big moment’ for the team which will be captained by Dwain Jacobs, since the laws which now allows players from Holland to represent Suriname making the Dutch side a very formidable one. From November 2012 to October 2014 Guyana failed to play any International football due to off-field problems and Shabazz was high in praise for Normalisation Committee which he said was very brave in spending so much money on getting these matches for the Golden Jaguars. The Golden Jaguars is one of three South American nations to be a member of the Caribbean Football Union of CONCACAF alongside Suriname and French Guiana and Shabazz lamented that the only thing he is not satisfied with since he returned here in January to prepare the National team for their clash against Barbados, is the level of support from Corporate Guyana. “They want to jump on the band wagon after the team is successful but we need their support at this

time,” the outspoken Shabazz declared. In 2011 the second round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers saw Guyana grouped alongside a strong Barbados side, Bermuda, and Trinidad and Tobago, the undisputed favourites of the group containing talented players such as Kenwyne Jones in the line-up. But Guyana managed to top the group and qualify for the CONCACAF semi-finals of World Cup qualifying for the first time ever. This saw them drawn with Mexico, Costa Rica and El Salvador. The Golden Jaguars’ first group game was against Mexico at the famous Azteca Arena, where Guyana lost 31 in June 2012. A 2-2 draw against El Salvador was the only point Guyana managed to gain in the group, but the performances during the games against tough opposition suggested there was lots of potential for the future within the team. “The pool is larger now and we have players who could step in at anytime we need them to,” Shabazz

pointed out. Skipper Jacobs, making his debut as National Captain at any level, said he and his team are going to Suriname to get positive results and thanked the staff for giving an opportunity to the home grown players. Jacobs, who is a defender, says as long as the team executes the Coaches’ plan they should at least get a point and this match could be a stern test for the players to get the experience of what to expect in June. The Golden Jaguars 18man Squad: Dwain Jacobs (captain), Vurlon Mills (V/ Capt), Derrick Carter, Akel Clarke, Jamaal Smith, Colin Nelson, King Solomon Austin, Joshua Brown, Adrian Butters, Kris Camacho, Daniel Wilson, Konata Mannings, Clive Nobrega, Eon Alleyne, Amos Ramsey, Sheldon Holder, Pernel Schultz, Kevin Beaton Staff: Jamaal Shabazz (Head Coach), Wayne Dover (Asst Coach), Trevor Burnett Andrew Hazel, Anson Ambrose, Beverly Nelson, Mark Xavier, Faizal Khan

Letter to the Sports Editor

DCB ELECTIONS TO BE HELD TOMORROW Dear Sports Editor, We refer to a notice in your Sunday Newspaper dated 24th April, 2015 where it appears that one Sudesh Persaud is once again impersonating a functionary (Assistant Secretary) of the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB), a Corporate Body. We hereby reject all statements expressed in the said notice as fictitious, libelous, malicious, mischievous and misleading. There exists no lawful Executive Committee of the DEMERARA CRICKET BOARD We believe that Sudesh

Persaud’s continuous deception and pretense of being the Assistant Secretary of the Demerara Cricket Board (a Body Corporate), when he is not, constitutes a serious criminal offence. The Cricket Administration Act No. 14 of 2014 on page 28 clearly identified the Georgetown Cricket Association, the East Coast Cricket Board, the East Bank Cricket Association, the West Demerara Cricket Association and the Upper Demerara Cricket Association as the only legally recognized members of the DCB. Sudesh Persaud and any-

one acting in concert with him may be required to produce all documents / information to the Guyana Police Force, the Director of Public Prosecution and other relevant authorities including a Magistrate court to verify his claims, as to how and when he was installed as Assistant Secretary of the DCB, including who voted, and who are his fellow Executives. It is a criminal offence to impersonate an Executive Member of a corporate body and as such the membership of the DCB (AS PRESCRIBED BY LAW) has instructed their (Continued on page 37)