Kaieteur News
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Tuesday April 19, 2016
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
By their fruits we shall know them Recent revelations over the Tiwarie and the Bai Shan Lin scandals involving the Minister of State have shown that it is more difficult to govern than being in Opposition. Hence the saying “all that glitters is not gold.” The campaign promise of change, good governance and to provide significant increases wages civil servants were the quintessential game-changers in the General Election. Guyanese, especially the poor and the working class, have constantly been under financial pressure to make ends meet, but the inducement to vote for change and the promise of significant increases in salaries was all about improving the well-being of the workers. But it is not the responsibility of the workers to figure out from where the Government would get the money to increase their salaries. As it became clear that there is going to be no easy route to redeem this promise without making the workers angry, the government appears to have been scratching around for excuses, even accusing the former government of bad governance. But it was also bad governance for the Minister of State to secretly appoint a businessman as a business advisor to the government without cabinet approval. It is bad governance not to give significant increases in wages to the workers as promised, but at the same time the government is prepared to spend $300 million to celebrate Guyana’s 50th independence while the economy is struggling and unemployment, poverty and the national debt are increasing. It is bad governance for the government to tout the promise of foreign investments to the nation, but after spending millions of dollars on travel expenses for ministers, with nothing materialising which means that the taxpayers are not receiving value for their money. Rather than continuing this exercise, someone ought to do a thorough study of the business investment model for low income countries such as Guyana. If the government is serious about foreign investments, it should reduce the crime rate, improve the reliability on electricity and water supply. Except for sugar, rice, bauxite and gold, which prices are falling on the world market, there is not much else to invest in Guyana. GOINVEST has been a failure and so is tourism. The sugar industry is bankrupt and it is bad governance to appoint the same individuals who presided over its collapse to run it. The closing of the Wales Sugar Factory without a solid alternative plan is also bad governance. It means that over 1,550 sugar workers will lose their jobs and many more in nearby villages will be impacted, directly and indirectly, as a consequence. These are not mere numbers. These are living, breathing Guyanese. No one needs the Greek mathematician, Euclid, to calculate the impact on the economy. Bad governance by any other name is just that; bad governance. The current scenario cannot be a comfortable one for the Government. It should remind that there is a distinct difference between being in Opposition and being in Government. The people voted for change and an end to corruption. Finally, it is bad governance for the government to remain silent on the current scandals and there is apparently no great haste to establish, in a binding and transparent way that such practices will not be repeated. As the good book says, by their fruits we shall know them. Recall that just under a year ago the PPP lost power mainly because of corrupt practices. A wise person said: “Conscience is a man’s compass, and though the needle sometimes deviates, though one often perceives irregularities when directing one’s course by it, one must still try to follow its direction.”
CITING A WHITNEY HOUSTON HIT TO MAKE A POINT DEAR EDITOR; The lyrics to a wellknown song by Michael Messner & Linda Creed and performed by the late Whitney Houston goes thus: “I believe the children are our future. Teach them well and let them lead the way.” If any part of this song holds true then currently in Guyana it is either the belief that does not hold true, or that the children are not being taught well. Yes, Guyana has found itself plunged into a sub culture where the children are the oppressors, and school compounds and playgrounds are being converted into battlefields with real life and death battles being played out. Point in question is the recent chopping attack on Auburn Campbell by another classmate. Both the victim and the perpetrator were high school students; the attack with a deadly weapon took place on school premises. During Education Month 2015, Minister of Education Rupert Roopnarine along with the Chief Education Officer Olato Sam outlined activities aimed at curbing the escalating school violence, and implored parents to play a more active role in the lives of their children. Such a plea has actually not found root in the maternal soil of the perpetrator, based on both her behavior and her utterances,” wha he gun get he look for”. On a humane
note of advice she should be looking help for her precocious offspring with a proclivity for violence. But then again children learn what they see. Last year, two teenage students, one from Queenstown Secondary and the other from St George’s High School - were rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital nursing injuries following a scuffle. One teenager broke a bottle and dealt the other a blow, causing injury to his shoulder.The truth served in pill form may be somewhat difficult to swallow, or at best coated in incomprehensibility. Nevertheless, the truth must be told if we are to see and be set free. The real issue that needs addressing is not violence control so much as
it is character control. Instead of focusing on the aftermath we should instead confront the causes. The real debate should be what do we put into the minds of the young? Instead of putting security guards in the of special relativity and in its place created their own brand and kind of moral relativism. Somehow or other relativity became confused with relativism. In basic language relativism is the belief that there no absolutes in law, government, morality or values. Einstein believed there was a god, and it was he who created absolute law and order. In the Good Book, the book of Isiah is considered an end- time book, but it is so applicable today. Isiah
records many crucial prophecies, even showing that our time is to be a violent time. Note that Isiah specifically shows that our children would cause a portion of the violence affecting our nation. Isaiah 3:12King James Version. “As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths”. Get it straight, but as I have afore said in previous articles education is much much more than reading, writing, math and science. It must also focus heavily on morals, values and virtues. Education has a duty to show young people how to live. The cold stark reality is that we are not teaching our children right from wrong, (Continued on page 23)
WPA given six copies of the Walter Rodney Report DEAR EDITOR; WPA wishes to express our sincere thanks to you for the act of publishing in part our press statement, albeit in the form of a letter. We note the liberties you took in editing out important portions of the statement. Even though we recognize your right to exercise editorial discretion we do believe that those aspects of the statement which you omitted from the public view may have contributed significantly to a diminishing of the message we sought to convey. Another concern of the WPA in relation to what was published is located in the caption “The WPA is awaiting the Walter Rodney Report” which conveyed an impression that is totally false.
Nowhere in the issued statement has WPA made the claim that it is awaiting the Walter Rodney Report. If Kaieteur harboured doubts as to whether or not we were given copies of the report all that was needed to clarify the position was a call to any of the WPA leaders who would have told you that His Excellency, President David Granger had, via Mr. Ronald Backer, delivered six copies of the report to the WPA. It is as a result of being given the report that WPA was able to offer our comments. WPA hopes that this letter will be published in an effort to correct the misrepresentation that was contained in your caption. Desmond Trotman For WPA Executive Committee
TRAFFIC WOES IN LINDEN DEAR EDITOR: Where traffic in Linden is concerned traffic cops ought to have no problems whatsoever. If you asked me they are a bunch of lucky guys short on work. So then why is the little to be done not being attended to? Is it they don’t know what has to be done or they haven’t noticed? There are as I have noticed and as have been observed also by other members of the community some reckless, irresponsible, mostly young drivers who ought to be on traffic cops’ radar constantly until they are in conformity with rules/law, seeing to it that vehicles are in healthy and fit condition all for the safety of self and members of the community. All well and proper with that, but traffic cops duties should not appear to be confined to lurking and tracking down drivers, issuing tickets for violation or otherwise as the case maybe and which is known to be not uncommon.
It’s good to see some roads around Linden that have been done, but why can’t we have a job done thoroughly, completed to the end. Now the idea of having humps placed at various points across the recently done roads is very thoughtful since many drivers behave as if they are on a racing circuit. But why leave these humps unmarked, aren’t they supposed to be marked with yellow/white reflecting paint or whatever so that they are noticeable from a distant both day and night. It seems so ironic that while the humps were in the first place placed with the concern for the safety of citizens, leaving them unmarked equally poses another danger: Highlight them so that all are aware – unmistakable. Dageraad Ave. which is a one way street has a blind side turning left into Sir. David Rose Ave. caused by a large clump of bamboo trees obscuring any proper vision, making that left turn or going straight across into the
Constabulary Compound spells danger, for not until one is dead centre of Sir. David Rose before one can see clearly the on-coming traffic, it’s a matter of taking chances until something terrible happens. Don’t traffic cops take notice, they run that route every single day. This is what is referred to as dereliction of duty or simply underperformance. Also, what is so wrong in putting up a “keep left” sign at that round about by the Linden Library taking one into and out of “Speight Land” and Retrieve, it had been without a sign for a number of years, why take things for granted, assuming that by now everyone ought to know, why can’t we just do the right thing – replace the signs. And finally, the saying “a stitch in time saves nine” still holds, it’s a truism that the wise heed to but it seems as if it has been discarded by some, for all the tea in China I cannot comprehend why it is a road has to be broken in half before any attention is paid to it - damn! Beats me! Frank Fyffe
Kaieteur News
Tuesday April 19, 2016
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IDB needs to be more forthcoming with information DEAR EDITOR; I refer to Onika SmithNarine letter in the Kaieteur News (Tues, April 12, 2016) captioned “Using the IDB for the PPP’s narrow ,political agenda”. The letter writer’s response to my letter is somewhat three weeks late and it does appear to be a dictated response. The writer also appears to be doing IDB’s bidding or the APNU/AFC bidding under a mysterious name(Alias) What would have been helpful is an official response from the IDB. However the letter opens more questions rather than providing a response and doing the IDB justice. How did Narine obtain such confidential information like contracts being issued or not issued to a specific person and knowing about the appointment of Shyam Nokta at the office of Climate Change (OCC) Narine also knows about the projects Nokta bid for at IDB
and the projects he was implementing and other confidential information accessible only from the IDB. Ms. Narine seeks to convey that the IDB did not employ the persons I mentioned about in my letter but the government and the IDB’s only role is to ensure transparency. It therefore seems that the employment of post-may 2015 staff at OCC and the facilitation of payments are above board with the exception of transparency. Ms. Narine you should know that IDB has to give no objection to all contracts and hence would have had to review the procurement process to give its no objection to the employment and payment of the staff in question at the OCC. Furthermore, all procurements are usually past of an approved procurement plan by the IDB. So in essence what you are saying is that the IDB
approved the contracts based on a flawed procurement process. Again this is worrying and opens the question, what more is IDB hiding and how many more suspicious transactions have been done contrary to transparent procurement practices? It is those at the IDB office who should visit their website and familiarize themselves with their own policies as they are the ones who are flexing themselves partially. Further, therefore was nothing secret about Mr. N o k t a ’s a n d K a p i l Mohabir’s appointments at OCC. In addition Mr. Mohabir was not head of the OCC, but head of the project management office (PMO). In those days the OCC /PMO had in place a multistakeholders steering Committee (MSSC) which comprised a board representation including members of parliament from the then opposition .All information and projects were tabled at the monthly
The Prime Minister’s rented office in a former cinema DEAR EDITOR; I wish to respond to a claim by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo that the Office of the Prime Minister has rented the building in Port Mourant that was once Roopmahal Cinema. That building actually consists of upper floors for cinema and other entertainment purposes and a lower or ground floor that has 15 offices. The Office of the Prime Minister, Region 6 (East Berbice /Corentyne) occupies only one of these ground floor office spaces. Besides me, I have two persons working in the office: one is a clerk and the other a cleaner. Both have been employed not on the basis of their origins but on their competence . The idea behind my office is to work with the public on matters of concern and issues which could be addressed through the Office of the Prime Minister Since taking up this responsibility I have been consistently liaising with the farming and business population and assisting them with solutions which bring relief to them, whether in Black Bush Polder, or No 52-74 or the Crabwood Creek local government area and of course more
gratifyingly in the recent case of mitigation of flooding in the Hogstye /Lancaster NDC. Needless to say my interventions in assisting persons to resolve their issues have been highly appreciated and this office is becoming increasingly popular for citizens in Region 6 who could use some help to get their problems addressed. Accordingly I am not surprised that Mr. Jagdeo is now taking an interest in the work of this office, since it nails his lie that this Government is not concerned about the problems or the welfare of some people.
Sorry to negate your propaganda Mr Jagdeo, but the Office of the Prime Minister is concerned and its presence in Region 6 really and truly takes the Office of the Prime Minister beyond Georgetown for the benefit of all the residents, I repeat, ALL the residents of Region 6. Gobin Harbhajan, Office of the Prime M i n i s t e r, R e g i o n a l Representative, Region #6 & RDC Councilor
meetings of the MSSC. Can you Ms. Narine find out when the last time the OCC convened the MSSC? Why secrecy of operations of the OCC with massive funding from the IDB and yet its silence on disclosed requirements in the interest of the public? The IDB seems to want to play politics rather than being objective, impartial and transparent .I am dumbfounded as to why two
simple requests for information from the IDB cannot be answered in simple disclosure to the public rather than going around in a vicious circle .If they are willing to give information on Nokta then why can they not give information on the Post-May 2015 staff appointments at the OCC. Finally, Ms. Narine in her letter commends the APNU/AFC government for
its transparency which was alien to the PPP/C. Is Ms. Narine therefore saying as a defender of the IDB that the level of transparency of the IDB is simple to the APNU/AFC government which appointed 34 political advisers but is ashamed to disclose their names in the public domain? And that the PNC the main coalition partner when it was in government prior to 1992 (Continued on page 23)
Walter Rodney Commission Report sent to his family DEAR EDITOR; The Working Peoples Alliance Overseas Associates welcomes the comprehensive statement issued on Friday April 15, 2016 by the Working Peoples Alliance (WPA) in Guyana regarding the report of the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry. We are encouraged that in its statement the WPA recognized the importance of the inquiry to the process of national reconciliation which should unfold in the society. The WPA is the second major political party to express opinion on the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry (WRCOI). Earlier in the week, one of the main coalition partners in the APNU+AFC coalition government, the AFC issued a call to President Granger for the report of the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry to be sent to the family and for it to be released to the public. We have been reliably informed that contact was made with the family and the report is apparently on the way to them. We are glad that the government is now doing the morally correct thing by sending the report to the family of Walter Rodney. There
can be no reason, nor explanation for the delay in sending the report to the family of Walter Rodney. Now that the parties have spoken and the report has apparently been sent to the family, we expect the President to follow-through with his most recent pronouncement on this matter. That is to lay the report before parliament and release the report to the public. It is incumbent on the President to make arrangements immediately for the report to be sent as professional courtesy to all the lawyers who participated in the inquiry, to announce the date when the report will be laid before parliament, and to release the report to the public. These are important and necessary steps. As the WPA statement outlined “the inquiry fortifies the moral base for intensified investigations,” which must be carried out by the new administration into the “unexplained and under-investigated killing spree allegedly masterminded by elements of the security forces and in the ruling political directorate in the last two decades.” Moses Bhagwan, Coordinator WPAOA
Kaieteur News
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Tuesday April 19, 2016
Guyana moves to develop alternate minerals sector - Trotman T
he Ministry of Natural Resources, recognizing the drop in the world price for gold, is embarking on a drive to refocus emphasis on other minerals produced by Guyana- the development minerals and to create an enabling environment for this extractive industry to thrive. This was communicated by Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, during the launch of the fourth in a series of workshops carried out by the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) and European Unions’s (EU) development minerals programme yesterday. Participants at the workshop were drawn from representatives of the extractive industries in Guyana, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Tr i n i d a d a n d To b a g o , Jamaica and Suriname. Also in attendance at the launch, which was held at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre, were Ambassador Jernej Videtic, EU Head of Delegation; Dr. Douglas Slater, Assistant Secretary General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat and Khadija Musa, United Nations (UN) resident representative to Guyana. Trotman acknowledged that a dependence and focus, both institutional and extractive wise, had been brought to bear on Guyana’s most recognized mineralsgold, diamond and bauxite. According to Trotman, while gold was the largest foreign
FROM FAR LEFT - Programme Manager, Geologist Daniel Frank; Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman; Khadija Musa; UN Resident Coordinator; Ambassador Jernej Videtic of the European Union; Natural Resources Permanent Secretary Joslyn McKenzie and Assistant Secretary General Dr. Douglas Slater exchange earner in 2015, when planning priorities for the industry in 2016, they missed out key mining areas. According to Trotman, there have been deaths in the quarrying industry, but with the workshop, specific aims will include field visits, sector assessments and working out initiatives for promoting the sector which include but are not limited to technology exhibitions, business fairs, investor guides, networking events and geo data. “The regulations governing the sector need strengthening. It affects productivity,” Trotman stated, adding his appreciation for it being addressed in a frontal manner now. However, he added that the momentum had to be maintained. Trotman also spoke on the merits of these minerals from another direction. Pointing out that gold has become associated with several unpleasant side effects such as
environmental damage, pollution of the waterways and armed conflicts; he used the adage “gold is so pure, it brings out the impurities in others.” According to Minister Tr o t m a n , G u y a n a ’s economy is projected to grow by more than four percent in 2016, with some of this growth being attributed to construction. However, he noted that there is a marked lack of skills, working capital and relevant technology among operators. He noted that the Guyana Geology and Mines is involved in mapping and qualifying areas with semiprecious stones. Ambassador Videtic also addressed the gathering, p r o m i s i n g t h e E U ’s continued support for the initiatives. He noted that the European Development Fund (EDF) aims to assist Caribbean countries, as it has assisted in core issues such as sustainable energy and arresting climate
change. He said that prices for nickel, copper and other metals have declined, with a further slope by 11 percent projected for 2016, due to the fall in demand the economic slowdown in China. According to Videtic, with the global decline for metal, neglected development minerals have a chance to take on new significance. He also pointed out that local and economic determinants drove the extraction of these minerals, rather than international prices which drove gold. Assistant Secretary General, Douglas Slater, in his presentation noted that a higher level of productivity could be garnered by diversifying the extractive i n d u s t r y, c r e a t i n g a n effective workforce and ensuring better regulations are in place. Douglas, who hails from S t . Vi n c e n t a n d t h e Grenadines, noted that there is recognition for the need for infrastructure. He stated
that roads, ports, irrigation and drainage are dependent on Government ensuring the sectors keep up the necessary supply of the industrial minerals. In addition, he stressed the need for market access to be maintained. Douglas said that in his c o u n t r y, s a n d f o r construction is imported from Guyana and is an important commodity. That said, he too acknowledged that the quarry industry is still dangerous and operators have a responsibility to look out for workers, visitors to the sites and communities. He stressed the need to train workers in order to reduce accidents. For that, Douglas stated that the programme and workshop is important so that participants can make the necessary improvements at the national level. First launched in July 2015, the initiative is known as the “Capacity development of mineral
institutions and of smallscale private sector operating in low-value minerals in ACP countries”. It is a three-year, €13.4 million initiative and was initiated by the ACP Secretariat, financed by the European Commission and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and implemented by UNDP at the request of ACP Group of States. It aims to help the sector reach the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). In addition, it works toward the ACP framework of action on the development of the mineral resources sector, which was endorsed by the ACP Committee of Ambassadors in 2011. The programme is expected to support the small-scale, private sector mining; public institutions and communities in the ACP Group of States that work within the low value mining and materials sector. It is also planned that knowledge which can i n c r e a s e t h e s e c t o r ’s productivity, help better manage mining operations to keep in line with national and international environmental and health standards, and prevent conflict through promoting community relations. While the local mining sector is primarily focused on gold, bauxite and diamonds, Guyana also contains deposits of semiprecious stones, laterite, manganese, kaolin, sand resources, radioactive minerals, copper, molybdenum, tungsten, iron, and nickel among others.
Tuesday April 19, 2016
Kaieteur News
Ecuador quake toll rises to 413; rebuilding to cost billions
Red Cross members, military and police officers work at a collapsed area after an earthquake struck off Ecuador’s Pacific coast. (Reuters/Guillermo Granja) The death toll rose to 413 yesterday from a devastating earthquake that hit Ecuador at the weekend, as rescuers hunted for survivors, victims clamored for aid and looting broke out in the Andean nation’s shattered coastal region. More than 2,500 people were injured in Saturday night’s 7.8 magnitude quake, which ripped apart buildings and roads and knocked out power along the Pacific coastline. “Reconstruction will cost billions of dollars,” said President Rafael Correa, as survivors begged him for water, adding later yesterday the impact on economic growth “could be huge.” The normally upbeat socialist president looked deeply moved as he chatted with victims during a tour of the destroyed town in the South American OPEC nation, which was already suffering from the global slump in crude oil prices. One U.S. citizen is confirmed to have died in the quake, the State Department said yesterday, and Britain’s Guardian newspaper said Sister Clare Theresa Crockett, 33, a missionary nun from Derry in Northern Ireland, also died. It has been decades since such a strong quake struck Ecuador. In 1979, a magnitude 7.7 quake killed at least 600 people and injured 20,000, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. In other parts of Portoviejo, people stole clothes and shoes from wrecked buildings as police tried to control crowds. Armed men robbed two trucks carrying water, clothes and other basics to quake-hit beach lo-
cality Pedernales from the city of Guayaquil, authorities said, as fears of looting spread. To the north in Pedernales, survivors curled up on mattresses or plastic chairs next to flattened homes. Overnight, soldiers and police had patrolled the hot, dark streets while rescuers searched for survivors. Earlier, firefighters entered a partially destroyed house to look for three children and a man apparently trapped inside, as a crowd gathered to watch. “My little cousins are inside. Before, there were noises, screams. We must find them,” pleaded Isaac, 18. Tents sprang up in the intact stadium to store bodies, treat the injured, and distribute water, food and blankets. Bruised and bandaged survivors wandered around while the more seriously injured were evacuated to hospitals. GLOOM FOR ECONOMY The quake is doubly disastrous for Ecuador as economic growth was already forecast near zero this year due to plunging oil income. The energy industry appeared largely intact although the main refinery of Esmeraldas was closed as a precaution. However, exports of bananas, flowers, cocoa beans and fish could be slowed by ruined roads and port delays. Michael Henderson, at risk consultancy Maplecroft, said Ecuador was less well equipped to recover than Chile, where a 2010 earthquake caused an estimated $30 billion in damage. “Whereas Chile’s economy was rebounding strongly from the global financial crisis ..., Ecuador has been slowing sharply recently as
lower oil prices depress activity,” he said. “But total damage to assets in dollar terms may be quite a bit lower than in Chile due to the smaller magnitude of the earthquake and the fact that Ecuador is a much poorer country.” The quake could also play into political dynamics ahead of next year’s presidential election. The government’s response seemed relatively speedy, with Vice President Jorge Glas - a potential candidate in the February 2017 vote - flying into the disaster zone within hours and Correa coming straight back from a trip in Italy. But some survivors complained about lack of electricity and supplies, and aid had still not reached some areas. PRISONERS ON THE RUN Over 300 aftershocks rattled survivors huddling in the streets, worried their already cracked homes could topple. “We’re scared of being in the house,” said Yamil Faran, 47, in Portoviejo. “When ... the aftershocks stop, we’re going to see if we can repair it.” Some 130 inmates climbed over the collapsed walls of the town’s low-security El Rodeo prison, although more than 35 were recaptured. Yesterday, people swarmed into the middle of Portoviejo in search of materials of value among destroyed buildings. “I have to take some advantage from this horrible tragedy. I need money to buy food. There’s no water, no light, and my house was destroyed,” said Jorge Espinel, 40, who works in the recycling business.
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It Is Time! Public confidence in the coalition government has been seriously dented. It is now at an alltime low. No one needs an opinion poll to confirm this fact. There is resentment out there over recent revelations in the media about the actions of the government. The coalition government continues to make mistake after mistake. Its mishandling of matters of State has cost a loss of public support for the coalition. Some of that support has been permanently lost. People have decided they have had enough of the government. The PPP, unfortunately, does not benefit from this loss of confidence. People have become apathetic at what they see as the pathetic performance of the administration. The apathetic will not vote for the PPP. They simply will not vote. The PPP will not get any crossover votes from those who are disappointed with the coalition. But people have simply been turned-off by what they see happening with the coalition government. The coalition is in a mess. There is infighting taking place and this infighting is being done through the media with parties issuing
statements instead of sitting down and renegotiating the Cummingsburg Accord. The coalition needs to clear up its mess but not by press statements. It needs performance, not travelling salesmen to correct this mess. Those who believe that the coalition has performed well over the eleven months in power should ask each Minister to name two things that they are most proud of achieving over the past year. Not twenty things, just two things and then determine how well the coalition government has performed over the past year. Name two major achievements of the government over the past year which were not part of the pipeline of PPP projects. Rice markets have disappeared. The jail has become unmanageable. Bandits are on the prowl. SOCU is peeping into people’s business. The Georgetown Hospital has gotten worse since the coalition got into office. There seems to be no coordinated information flow from the government – too many cooks are spoiling the broth. Social cohesion has become a talk shop. Decisions in the local government sector are being
Dem boys seh... Former Minister get charge fuh dumping garbage Things level off in de Camp Street jail. Last week dem prisoner tek over de place after dem terrorise all de prison wardens. Dem go to wuk and tek one look at de prisons that particular morning. That is when dem realize who was de boss. De next thing is that 40-something of dem send in sick leave papers same time. Fuh de prisoners, life was never so good. That is when dem cook wha dem want. Dem decide who eat and when; dem also decide who sleep and when and wid who. Dem boys seh that dem see prisoners cooking everything except pepperpot and metem. Who never use to get milk start to drink it by de gallon. Was fun. But milk is a thing that once you stomach ain’t accustom to it is runnings and more runnings. Dem didn’t have enough water in de system by de time de first day done and was more of de same in de second day. Soulja Bai couldn’t tek this lawlessness and he tell SeeAll to lend de prison some police. Dem boys seh that dem never know that de prisoners got so much speed. From de time de first policeman enter de yard, de place get like when children who was behaving bad suddenly see dem mother wid a belt in she hand. That is de situation de Bishop Ten Edghill nearly end up in. He tek lead up from Jagdeo. Soulja Bai spending nuff money to mek de place clean and green. That is something Jagdeo can’t tek suh he call a meeting and ask people who can halt de cleanup. Old people always seh that de most hignorant people is dem who does holler ‘Lawd. Lawd” when de Sunday come. Ten Edghill tek a junk car and decide to park it pun de road side. He woulda get away wid de action except that de place wheh he put de car was just cleaned by Soulja Bai himself. Ten Edghill end up in front de magistrate so fast that he head spin. Is a food thing he was dizzy. De magistrate send him home and tell him to come back tomorrow. Talk half and wait fuh de next court day.
challenged in the courts. There are tensions in the housing ministry. UG students are dissatisfied. Parents are worried about subjectivity in making the Common Entrance examinations. No major investment has come the government way in one year. The list is endless. The disappointment of supporters of the coalition has been too much. They expected better. They may be able to convince themselves that the coalition inherited a mess from the PPPC. But they cannot accept the coalition will behave like the PPPC. They anticipated greater consistency from the coalition. This is an area of great concern. The coalition has not been consistent when it comes to its preelection policies. When it was trying to woo the votes from its supporters, it was highly critical of the investments of certain Chinese companies in Guyana. It promised certain things. It promised change. Imagine how hurt, how devastated must be the supporters of the government to discover that
the officials of the government have become very close to the very persons and companies which were being highly criticized when APNU and the AFC were in opposition. People turned a blind eye to what they saw as attempts by certain business persons to latch on to the coalition. This was a mistake by the people. It was also a mistake by the coalition. They should have picked their friends carefully. They should have decided early who they were going to be close to and who they would keep a distance from. Instead, the coalition began accepting donations from certain persons and they should not be doing this period. The government does not need to be accepting any donations for anything from private persons. This was a bad move because it creates the wrong impression in the minds of the public that these persons from whom these donations were accepted could end up being favoured. Why is the government cavorting with persons whom they
were highly critical of when the parties that now form the government were in opposition? How does the government explain this closeness? Guyanese voted for change. They wanted change from the lousy deals made by the PPP/C when it was in government. The people do not want to see the very forces which were being criticized now in bed with the government. This is unacceptable. The issue is one of consistency. If the coalition cannot be consistent about what it stood for before the elections, how can it be expected to enjoy the continued support of the people who voted for change? The APNU+AFC came to power on a platform of change. They said, “It is time” for change from the PPP. The people are now saying that “it is time” for a change in direction from the coalition.
EAST DEMERARA ESTATE INTEGRATION…
No. of redundant workers will be determined after filling vacancies at Enmore -GuySuCo
The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) yesterday stated that the number of workers that will be made redundant after the East Demerara Estate Integration, will be determined after filling the existing vacancies at the Enmore Estate. GuySuCo and the two Trade Unions representing the workers – the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU) and the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE), are in discussion to have this process completed by the end of May, 2016, GuySuCo stated yesterday. In a release issue by the company yesterday, the La Bonne Intention (LBI) factory was closed in March, 2011; which would have been an attempt to integrate the LBI and Enmore Estates
into one production entity to optimize the use of the limited pool of labour. The factories at both estates, the company stated, at the time, were significantly under-utilized as a result of the shortage of field labour. “For the integration of the two estates into one production unit to make sense, the duplicated activities should have been rationalized in the same year but this was not done and resulted in further deterioration in the economics of the East Demerara operation. “The East Demerara Estate’s cost of production increased from US0:26 cents to 30 cents per pound prior to the closure of the LBI factory to US0:41 cents per pound after the closure, peaking at US54 cents in 2013,” the release stated. “It behooves the current management to expedite the
completion of the integration of the Enmore and LBI Estates into the East Demerara Estate to try and prevent sugar production in East Demerara from going out of existence in the near future.” The Mill Dock operation is only necessary where there is a factory. However, the closure of the factory rendered the Mill Dock redundant. “Retaining it for the past five years represents keeping approximately 58 persons on the payroll with no productive work to do and transporting canes from the LBI cultivation to the Enmore factory in a more costly manner. The LBI section,
GuySuCo continued has 846 employees— 710 Field Workers and 136 Junior Staff. Of this total number, approximately 125 are duplicating functions which are currently being undertaken at Enmore. These include 58 personnel in the Mill Dock, 38 workers in the Field Workshop; the remainder of the 125, in the Field Laboratory, Field Office and Stores categories. “The numbers that will be made redundant will be determined after filling existing vacancies at Enmore. GuySuCo, GAWU and NAACIE are in discussion to have this process completed by the end of May, 2016.”
Kaieteur News
PAGE 10
Tuesday April 19, 2016
=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===
Carnivalesque violation of propriety P
eople have been telling me about the nocturnal escapades of Ministers and high state officials in the tradition of the age of the PPP behemoths. Happily this is not David Granger’s style. And Guyanese should jump so high with joy that they shouldn’t mind if they get stuck while climbing down. Mr. Granger cuts a figure of somber yet inviting deportment. They say never say never but I can never see President Granger doing what Presidents Jagdeo and Ramotar and Prime Minister Rowley did – back ball in public.
One cannot and should not stop high state officials, important bureaucrats and their ministerial bosses from painting the town but context is everything in life. In the context of what we have just been through, it is not politically wise to emulate the profligate lifestyle of the Jagdeoites. It is simply too early for canivalesque enjoyment by those who inherited Jagdeo’s power. It is for reason of context that the Joe Harmon Zeppelin has generated national disappointment A picture paints a thousand words and I have seen more photographs of the Guyanese delegation led
by Joe Harmon enjoying its trip in China. These photographs do not portray an expression of an emerging new political culture. This is Guyana’s perennial problem – how to transform our depraved, suffocating political culture. My Sunday and Monday columns were on this subject so some might say there is no need to belabor the point. But why not? At the heart of the Harmon scandal is the story of this culture. Every step along the way, the APNU-AFC bandwagon after May 2015 practised this old culture. I wrote about the Parliament cordons so many times that readers may say; “Not again.” But is there a connection between the Coalition’s dismissal of its own principles early in the life of its government and Harmon’s excessive latitude? I am referring to the steel barriers around the streets that surround Parliament Building that in 2012 the APNU and AFC voted to remove. Every Guyanese citizen in the entire world except the TUC’s General
Secretary, Lincoln Lewis either ignored that violation of principle or simply saw it as too petty to worry about. This is where the lay person invites his/her own oppression. Governments take an improper inch, when the nation remains silent they take two feet. When the population continues with its reticence, a yard is chewed up, then a mile then the entire country. The average citizen treats the small indiscretions and the tiny illegalities of their government with no attention. But it is this nonchalance that allows state power to go in unwanted directions. My question is, if the population and the media had picked up on the steel barrier hypocrisy and made it a sustained national issue, could we have prevented the salary increase scandal and the Harmon imbroglio? My answer is yes. Once the Coalition saw that the society was not prepared to tolerate aberrations and excesses no matter how small, the Coalition big-wigs would have been more
discerning and learning. They would have been forced to be cautious. This is the tragic mistake the post1992 leaders in the PPP including Cheddi Jagan made. What Jagan and the PPP did after 1992 was to use the outpouring of national goodwill as a screen to mask their opportunistic use of state power. As Jagan undertook the ethnic and party proselytization of the civil service and wider public sector, Guyanese were still in the give-Jagana- chance mood. It was only after Hoyte saw the writing on the wall and started slo fyaah/mo fyaah that the PNC constituencies woke up. Are we seeing a repeat of the Jagan 1992 Government with the 2016 Coalition? There was widespread embrace of the Coalition because of the Herculean dirty stables that Jagdeo left. Both Granger and Nagamootoo contributed to this euphoria. People were glad that Nagamootoo as a former leader in the PPP reached out to the PNC.
Frederick Kissoon And Granger was generally seen as the new, decent, clean President that Guyana has cried out for since the Desmond Hoyte presidency. Jagan and his wife, Janet, who became President after Cheddi Jagan died, failed to sustain the embrace they got from Guyanese after 1992. Are we seeing the same here? The similarities are uncannily stark. Months after Cheddi Jagan came to power he began to topple African heads in the public sector. Months after the Coalition came to office it secretly offered itself a huge pay rise with the justification coming from the mouth of Joe Harmon that you have to pay Ministers for their talent. Now the very Joe needs that talent to keep him aloft in the rough waters he is in.
Tuesday April 19, 2016
Kaieteur News
PAGE 11
Westford trial delayed by High Court ruling T
he trial of PPP parliamentarian, Jennifer Westford, and her former Personal Assistant, Margaret Cummings, which was scheduled to start yesterday, has been adjourned until May 6 on request of their Attorneys. The lawyers say that they are awaiting the ruling in a High Court matter. That action was filed in relation to the matter. Westford and Cummings are facing charges for the alleged attempted larceny and forgery of documents for the purchase of eight state vehicles However, Police Prosecutor, Corporal Bharrat Mangru indicated that no High Court proceeding was filed with the prosecution or the court. The prosecution was ready to commence with the trial and had three witnesses present in court. Last August, the former Minister was placed on $800,000 bail after she pleaded not guilty to the charges. The charges alleged that between July 17, 2014 and June 23, 2015, Westford attempted to transfer eight state vehicles to four persons. Margaret Cummings was also slapped with four counts of forgery. Cummings pleaded not guilty to four charges which alleged that she forged documents for the purchase of the eight motor vehicles. She has been released on a total of $1.2M bail. According to court facts, Westford was employed as Minister of Public Service from 2001-2015, while her co-accused was the Principal Personnel Officer of the Ministry. Cummings was also in charge of the Ministry’s accounts department. It was discovered that on 24 occasions Westford signed a memoranda amounting to $639.4M and sent it to the
Office of the President for approval. Approval was granted and cheques were prepared and encashed by the Bank of Guyana. It was revealed that the monies were requested to carryout various activities throughout the 10 Administrative Regions. But personnel from the various Regions were contacted and denied ever receiving the cash. Investigations were carried out and no money was recovered. Westford of Lot 55 ‘AA’ Victoria Avenue, Eccles, East Bank Demerara (EBD) and Cummings, a mother of three, of 709 Section A Diamond EBD are being represented by a team of Attorneys Rexford McKay (S.C) and Mr. Neil Boston, Keisha Chase, Eusi Anderson, Bibi Shaddick, Brandon Glasford and Dexter Todd. Last year June, Minister of State Joseph Harmon, had told the media that it was brought to his attention that some documents were sent to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), purportedly signed by Permanent Secretary of the Public Service Ministry, Hydar Ally. This was done under Ally’s letterhead, but signed by someone else. “He had no knowledge of this transaction,” Minister Harmon had stressed. It was Ally who directed Harmon to the discrepancy in the paperwork forwarded to GRA for the transfer of eight vehicles. In light of the overwhelming evidence, the vehicles were returned to the government. In February, Westford and Cummings were each released on $4.8M bail after denying a total 24 charges which allege that they stole over $639M, while being employed in the Public Service.
Margaret Cummings
Dr. Jennifer Westford
Kaieteur News
PAGE 12
Tuesday April 19, 2016
No shortage of drugs at GPHC T
he Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) is not experiencing a shortage of medical supplies, according to June Barry, the institution’s Drugs Bond Manager. During a tour of the facility, yesterday, the manager in a response to an article in last Saturday’s Kaieteur News, said, “There is no shortage of drugs at the facility.” She noted that this type of fabrication can impact the facility negatively because patients may not want to seek care at the facility due to the misconception of not being able to receive the treatment
…as media operatives tour pharmacy bond they may require. G P H C ’s A d m i n i s t r a t i v e Manager, Yvonne Bullen, also pointed out that the facility does not have a shortage of drugs; the 70/30 insulin for adults is in short supply. However, there is enough 70/30 insulin for emergency cases. An order has been placed for new supplies which are expected to be delivered shortly. Bullen added that apart from the GPHC Bond, there are several other storage facilities to which the hospital has access. These include the Ruimveldt Bond and the
pharmacies at Campbellville, Kitty, Industry and Enmore Health Centres. Permanent Secretary of the Public Health Ministry, Trevor Thomas, recently advised health care providers at a meeting that before saying there is a shortage of drugs at a facility, management should check with the other facilities in the region, because “there may be a shortage of drugs at a facility, but not in a region, because one place might have a shortage, while another might have the same drugs in excess quantity.” The Pharmacy Bond staff took
media operatives on a tour of the facility, identifying all of the medical supplies which were said to be in short supply in the Kaieteur News article. The newspaper stated that patients were being asked to purchase basic medications due to the shortage of critical drugs such as panadol, aspirin, lanoxin injection and 70/30 insulin. The Ministry is undertaking a new procurement system for medical supplies. This will see each region receiving an allocation for the procurement of drugs and medical supplies. However, an agreed sum will be returned to the Ministry along with a list of
required drugs, which will then be pooled and used to procure the drugs. However, Dale Andrews an Assistant Editor of this newspaper, who is a patient at the hospital’s Medical Clinic, is adamant that the facility is out of stock with regard to certain drugs. Andrews said that he visited the pharmacy twice within the past two months and was told that there were out of certain types of pharmaceuticals. “The last two times I was there, they told me that there was no Aspirin and no Lasix. I had to source them from private pharmacies. These are basic drugs that every hypertension patient has to get,” Andrews informed.
Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC)’s Administrative Manager, Yvonne Bullen along with the Pharmacy Bond staff looking through the list of available medications.
Kaieteur News
Tuesday April 19, 2016
PAGE 21
COI now investigating takeover of prison by inmates
M
embers of the Commission o f I n q u i r y, (COI) into the March 3, disturbance at the Camp Street Prison have launched an investigation into the latest riot at the prison. The riot resulted in the death of 18 prisoners and left several others injured. But given the recent tension at the prison facility Commissioners tasked with investigating the March 3, disturbance has launched a new investigation. The Guyana Police Force was ordered to assist Prison Officers in manning the Camp Street facility and the
Guyana Defence Force to assist in guarding the outer cordons of its precincts. Yesterday, armed ranks were patrolling the compound; the prisoners had retired to their cells and a semblance of order had returned to prison. On Friday, 12 soldiers were seen guarding the four points of the prison, along with police. This continued yesterday. An official close to the ongoing Commission has confirmed that due to the new developments at the State Penitentiary, the tribunal has launched a probe into the incident. According to the official, these efforts are in keeping
Members of the COI established in the March 3 fire at Camp Street.
with the Commission’s mandate. The COI is expected to investigate, examine and report on the causes, circumstances and conditions that led to the disturbances on March 3, 2016, that resulted in the death of prisoners and any other subsequent disturbances at the Camp Street Prisons; the nature of all injuries sustained by the Prisoners, and any other subsequent disturbances. On Thursday tension at
the prison rose to another level, after some inmates allegedly gained access to the prison keys. The prisoners were allowed to roam free in the jail yard. Forty-two prison officers have since sent in sick leave certificates in fear for their lives. Since the deadly prison unrest in March, the committee heard that inmates have become brazen. They are exposing their weapons, while behaving much more aggressively toward prison wardens. Thus, the officers, being fearful for their lives, have decided to stay away President David Granger had ordered that a COI be
established following last month’s deadly riot. The President appointed Justice James Patterson, Merle Mendonca and retired Director of Prisons, Dale Erskine as Commissioners to oversee the work. According to the rules of procedure, the panel is expected to render its report, findings and recommendations to the Minister of Public Security. Stakeholders whose views will be considered by the commission may include staff of the Prisons and their representative unions, members of the judiciary, prisoners accommodated within the Camp Street facility, functionaries in the Ministries of Public Health
and Social Protection and any other stakeholder whose input would be deemed appropriate. Following Thursday‘s incident, President Granger subsequently ordered security to be beefed up at the prison during an emergency meeting of the National Security Committee at the Ministry of Presidency. He called for the police and the army to secure the jail. The Head of State had instructed that the outer cordons of the prison be extended to include D’Urban, John and Bent Streets, which will be blocked off to the public except for persons residing within those areas, as is done on Camp Street.
PAGE 22
SALON - Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. - Cosmetology Courses: $120,000 - Technician Course: $45,000. Call: 647-1773/660-5257 SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. – CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Guyana passport application. Graphics design, advertisement. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. Building Construction: house plans & estimates, floor sanding, lacquering & painting, boat for Santa Mission –Call: 650-4362 INNOVATIVEMARKETING & PUBLISHING INC –TEL: 600-4212: We create A/ works, logos, business cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. Passport, permanent & visitor visa application, Professional Immigrant Consultant – Sabita Immigration Services. Call: 225-6496; 662-6045 Repairs to LED, Plasma, LCD and all other electronic equipment. Ordering of circuit boards. Abdul Electronic- Call: 225-0391 Rupo Arch Welding, Fabrication & Construction Services @ Soesdyke E.B.D. Call: 658-4334 or 603-9633 for genuine & reliable service Divine Diva’s , Independence Special! Flatter Stomach in 1 week or money back guarantee. Call: 684-9409
WANTED Drivers. Call: 227-1720, 2271721 or 674-3800 Canter Driver & Porter to work on water truck on W.C.D -$5,000 per day. Call: 684-8231
Wanted Accounts Clerk and Pump Attendants. Call/Text or Whatapp: 627-2550 Porters wanted to work @ Grocery Stall in Stabroek market, experienced is an asset. Call: 226-9800 We seriously pay cash for land on La Parfaite Harmonie, Eccles, Herstelling, Uitvlugt, Farm, Zeelugt. Call: 603-6224; 611-7223 Attractive live in waitressCall: 327-0252/674-4665 Experienced driver/dispatchers with mini bus hire car license- Call: 645-0025 Live in waitress to work in a bar @ Berbice- Call: 6046606; 692-4649
FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Apartments for rent @ Nandy Park with free WiFi, recently renovated, 2 bedrooms - $70,000. Call: 6413318 New Grandville Park furnished from bedrooms house to rent, all modern amenities. Call: 332-0115; 663-9289 One prime business place to rent at Mon Repos Public Road. Call: 220-6168; 6181754; 681-1508 1-2 Bedrooms bottom flat apartment located 1 Nouvelle Flanders W.C.D. Call: 674-4929; 662-0187
LEARN TO DRIVE
CAR RENTAL DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS& SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 643-5122, 6560087 , EMAIL: PRO_ AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO. COM
Afro-Guyanese seeks 4044yrs single, adventurous, woman, desirous of exploring, remote places. Call/Text: 672-8844
Aidan’s Car & 4WD Vigo pick up, cheapest rate, low security- Call: 698-7807 Wing’s Car & 4WD Vigo pick up rental- Call: 690-6494 Reliable rentals: Cars, SUV – low rates & security deposits, special rates for long term. Call:227-2322;601-2622
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. 1-80CC Yamaha (Chappy) $200,000 negotiable. 1-5L RZ minibus -$1.2M negotiable. Call: 642-7555; 220-6385 24ftX8ft & 250HP Yamaha Engine with turn system. Parika to Supernaam, excellent condition- $5.2M. Call: 683-8989 Spare for washing machine, microwaves, fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, motors, etc. Call: 225-9032;647-2943;6045198 Sheep! Sheep! A flock of sheep (Texana), foreign blood line. Call: 699-6499; 665-2139; 442-0299 Mazda RX8, in immaculate condition -$2.8M negotiable. Call: 602-6024 (11am-5pm) Semi automatic stationary hydraulic hollow block & paver machine. Specificationhydraulic pump, vibrator conveyer belt. Call: 220-6168; 618-1754; 681-1508
Magic Chef, gas stove, and like new kitchen aid, toaster, cuisinart food processor. Call: 658-1097 One XE limited vintage sprinter, very good condition, female driver. Call: 223-0654
French Muscovy Ducklings. Call: 670-2608
TO LET 4 Bedrooms House @ Bel-Air Gardens with modern conveniences- $3,200USD monthly .Call during working hours: 231-7839; 227-2322. No agents 3 Bedrooms house @ Bel-Air Park with modern conveniences -$2500 USD monthly- furnished. Call during working hours: 2317839; 227-2322. No agents
VEHICLE FOR SALE Smart choice Auto: 08&06 Premio, 08&06 Allion, 212, Runx, IST, Fielder. Call: 6523820; 665-4529 One Toyota IST 2007 Model, PRR series, female driven, in excellent condition. Call: 6736250 One Toyota Hilux 4X4 pickup 2L diesel engine, in excellent condition. Call: 6480111 or 645-0240 One Toyota Fielder in excellent condition, dark interior, seven months oldCall: 611-6632; 664-3488 1 Toyota Premio PNN series with AC, alarm, CD Deck, 17" Mag rims, price negotiable – Call: 618-5509 AT192, 212, Allion, Premio, Hilux Surf, BRR, RZ & Pitbull,Pajero Junior: 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
PROPERTY FOR SALE Flat house in Grove, (corner property) 1 Block from main road, price negotiable. Call: 1905-626-2572 Brand new 2 storey concrete building in 5th Avenue, Diamond, E.B.D, all modern amenities –Call: 662-9335; 612-3244
$20 per coconut without peeling- Call: 677-7626
Property @ Cummings Street; 4 storey building, club, 8 self contain rooms. Call: 628-0016; 667-2536
150cc Elite motor cycle$150,000, 2" water pump $35,000 (new). Call: 261-5389; 678-3848
House for sale in West Ruimveldt -$9M & South Ruimveldt Park. Call: 6624975
MS 310 Chainsaw Sthil $50,000, 400 watt plant, grow lights -$25,000. Call: 2615389; 678-3848
Transported property @ Grove $16M negotiable. Call: 625-5461
One driver Expediter must have a lorry license- Contact # 223-5273
Buddy’s House Scheme E.B.D: 6 six bedrooms -$36M, Diamond A.A -$27M, New Hope, Swimming Pool -$35M. Call: 225-1017; 623-6136 Two storey concrete building @ Schoonard, owner migrating within 3 weeks (42X26). Call: 625-4052; 6175004; 643-8069
4 Bedrooms house @ BelAir Park with modern convenience -$2500USD monthly furnished. Call during working hours: 2317839; 227-2322, No agents.
TAXI SERVICES
4 bedrooms apartment $80,000 monthly rental. Call James: 609-3426
GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 225-7878 (24HRS)
One bedroom apartment single person or couple$30,000 monthly @ Howes Street Charlestown. Call: 622-8306
West Demerara Cabs: Base # 1- Tel: 253-3600; 6563872; Base #2 – New Road V/Hoop. Tel: 254-0578; 696-6709
VACANCY Exist for 1 entertainment manager to work @ Club on Essequibo Coast, must have PR skills. Call: 226-9768 1 Female cleaner apply @ Technical Service 18-23 Industrial Site, Eccles. Exist for cashiers and sales clerks at Nirva Supermarket. Apply in person with written application. Call: 227-5771 Experienced bartender and cleaners. Call 225-8572 between 7am-9am Admin assistant, CXC Grades 1-3 Computer literate. Apply @ HR Supervisor, Survival 173 Sheriff Street, C/Ville, GT. ACCOUNTS CLERK, qualification CXC Accounts Grades I/II, familiar with QuickBooks POS & Accounts. Email application:info@guygas.com Security - apply in person to Alabama Trading Georgetown, Ferry Stelling, Stabroek Male site engineer with 2yrs experienced and above, road & bridge. Call: 261-2280
33.6 Acres farm land @ Linden Soesdyke Highway; one garden tiller. Call: 6791151; 225-7794
One truck chassis without axle for sale. Call: 618-9010
Soman Son & Outar Driving School at Maraj BuildingTel:644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997
US Citizen seeks Single professional Health care female as a partner. Name, age, profession, addressText only to 611-9970
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Repairs at low cost: Fridges, air- conditioners, washing machines, TVs, microwaves, freezers- Call:6294946 or 225-4822
PEN PAL
Tuesday April 19, 2016
Kaieteur News
Male construction engineer, 28-40yrs: 3 project experience; know auto cad and prepare method statement, quantity survey. Call: 261-2280 One driver Expediter must have a lorry license- Contact # 223-5273 1 Female clerk -$25,000 weekly. Call: 231-8053 Food Distribution Company looking for salesperson with driver’s licence, experience & police clearance. Call: 2318344 or 231-8529
LAND FOR SALE 1 House lot in Crane Housing Scheme & 1 house & land in La Parfaite Harmonie. Call: 622-4841 Land at La Grange Race Dame W.B.D 37’X780’. Call: 661-9111 La Parfaite Harmonie -$1.2M, $1.3M, $1.4M, & $3M, Eccles $5.5M, Herstelling Cornerlot (100ftX50)-$3M.Call:603-6224; 611-7223
Property @ Lot 87 Albert Street- Call: 669- 8701
Titled 70’x100’ land @ Eccles, E.B.D for sale at $4.5M Tel : 624 2857
EDUCATIONAL
TO LET
I.A.E Classes for CSEC January/June 2017: Mathematics, English A, Business & Science Subject for Students, Adults & repeaters. Call: 683-5742
Three bedrooms lower flat apartment in Bougainvillea Park and one two bedrooms house in Eccles. Call: 616-7635 (Continued on page 23)
Tuesday April 19, 2016
PAGE 23
Kaieteur News
Flooding threatens Essequibo farmers Not much to show for 50
While no severe damage has been attributed to sporadic flooding on varying parts of the Essequibo Coast due to hours of intense rainfall overnight, residents, especially those living in Queenstown Housing Scheme on the Essequibo Coast have complained of being affected. One such resident is Joyce Grant, a poultry farmer. Grant said that the situation developed years ago under the previous government when advice was given to residents to block a particular drain in the scheme. This, Grant argues, allowed for flooding every time it rains. “It just has to rain and we are affected by threatening water”. Grant said, what is needed is for the drainage structures in the scheme to be properly
restructured to facilitate the efficient flow of water off the land. The pensioner, whose backyard has been inundated, said that she is desperate for it. Grant said that last year when the floods came she lost a number of poultry. She said she recently purchased a lot of chickens and as such, had to extend her pen size. “All of my duck eggs start to get water.” Last year on several occasions, residents in Queenstown experienced flash flooding due to poor drainage structure and clogged up trenches in that area. Grant has since forwarded a complaint about the situation to the Regional Executive Officer. He however was not in office to take the official complaint. (Yannason Duncan)
Linden resident jailed for 1000 grams of marijuana A construction worker who police said was found with 1000 grams of marijuana was remanded to prison yesterday when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan. Andel Solomon, 27, of Yarrowkabra, Kuru Kuru, Soesdyke- Linden Highway shifted his weight as his charge was read to him. Solomon denied that on April 14 at Kuru Kuru Soesdyke he had in his possession 1000 grams of cannabis sativa. No facts were stated in court. Prosecutor Dinero Jones said that the analysis report is still incomplete. The Chief Magistrate then remanded Solomon to prison until May 12 for statements.
years of Independence
DEAR EDITOR; 50 years of Independence and what do we have to show? An country of ¾ million people, 83, 000 square miles of land and an abundance of resources and still the average person is living below the poverty level. Throughout the years different administrations due to greed and gross mismanagement, have made a mess of my “beautiful” country. Guyana is supposed to be the bread basket of the “Caribbean” and other countries with our various mineral wealth and our dollar should never be in such a deficit as
$200GYD to 1USD and looking in the future it doesn’t show any signs of recovery. Are we supposed to sit and allow our country to be looted and plundered by various sources? What should we leave our future generations, we are responsible in making a brighter future for them. So I’m appealing to all Guyanese to get up, throw away all our differences being racial, political or whatever and make this country a brighter and better place, please, so that our future generation would be glad to come and embrace our beautiful country. Derick Bacchus
CITING A WHITNEY HOUSTON... From page 4 and they are not learning by example either as adults are behaving as if they themselves are morally adrift. The solution for this rising school violence is to teach right from wrong God’s way. Recognition must also be given to the fact that effective moral teaching starts in the home. As displayed in the case of the perpetrator’s mother, she like many others lack the will and the understanding to train and discipline what they have brought into the world. Parents who fail to train and properly discipline their offspring should be in danger of being legally prosecuted for doing so. Today due to
divers reasons, among them economic, many parents are unable and in some cases not willing to expend the time necessary to raise a law abiding citizen. Moral training when executed properly will last a lifetime. A secondary contributory factor to the problem is the existence of our broken families. The majority of teens are from single- parent families, consequently it is no wonder why moral values and absolutes are not being taught. In conclusion it can clearly be seen that in order to combat our rising school violence, society as a whole, individual parents and our youth must do some serious self-examination. Plainly
IDB needs to be more forthcoming... From page 4 never produced sector accounts and reports and when voted out form office the PPP/C inherited an empty treasury? But when the PPP/ C departed governmental office, the APNU/AFC coalition inherited a healthy treasury. Ms. Narine has a
Andel Solomon
flawed conceptualization of transparency and her response to my letter as a result was not relevant since my request for two bits of information from the IDB was not answered. Her response was therefore a miserable failure .Try again IDB. James Cornelius
stated and painstakingly calculated, our school violence is a result of our adult failings. Let us unashamedly return to absolutes. Let us teach and in addition by example show the young what is right from what is wrong. When we do these things we will solve our school violence problem. The sooner the better! Yvonne Sam
From page 22
TO LET Executive apartments @ Queenstown -$1000US; Prashad Nagar -$1000US, LeRessouvenir -$2300US, office spaces. Call: 2251017; 623-6136
TOURS Suriname Tours: Labour Day Weekend April 29, 2016May, 2nd 2016 & Indian Arrival Weekend May 5th8th, 2016. Call: 663-5171; 6927270; 639-2663; 223-0056
PAGE 24
Tuesday April 19, 2016
Kaieteur News
Linden driver charged with Former Minister Bishop Edghill causing death of traffic cop charged for dumping vehicle Parliamentarian Juan Edghill was yesterday charged for dumping a derelict vehicle on a parapet. He appeared at the City Court. Police said, Bishop Edghill, a former junior Finance Minister denied the charge which said that on April 17, last, at South Ruimveldt, Georgetown, he blocked the southern parapet of Sugar Cane Street by parking motor vehicle PFF 527, in breach of city government by-laws. The court heard that the vehicle was in a neglected state with deflated tyres and overgrown grass surrounding it after it had been parked there for some time. Prosecution evidence indicated that a city officer warned Edghill and gave him two weeks to remove the vehicle but he did not. Magistrate Moore placed the parliamentarian on self-bail and ordered him to return to court on April 25 for statements.
Ron Cole
DEAD: Nkosi LaFleur The driver who is alleged to have struck down and killed an on duty traffic rank yesterday, appeared in court to answer a charge of causing death by dangerous driving. Ron Cole, 40, of 215 Blueberry Hill, Linden, was not required to plead to the indictable charge which stated that on April 11, last, at Eccles Public Road, East Bank Demerara, he drove motor pick-up GRR9355 in a manner dangerous to the public and caused the death of Nkosi LaFleur. According to reports, LaFleur who was stationed at the Providence Police Station was directing traffic at Eccles when he stepped back to allow a vehicle to pass in front of him. That was when the pick-up hit him from behind. The 25-year-old policeman died three days after the accident at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). He was initially
treated and sent away, but was rushed back to the hospital after complaining of severe pain. Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan remanded the defendant to prison after bail objections were made by Police Prosecutor, Corporal Deniro Jones. Jones pointed out the gravity of the charge and the penalty attached to the offence. The Prosecutor told the court that at the time of the officer’s demise he was directing traffic when he was struck from behind by the vehicle. He added that a post mortem examination revealed that LaFleur’s died of haemorrhage. Jones indicated that the police file is still incomplete. Thereafter, the Magistrate suspended the driver’s licence of the accused and adjourned the matter until May 6.
Juan Edghill
City cop and suspected accomplice remanded Robbery with Delmar Booker to the left and City Constable Seon Isaacs to the right.
Haslington murder trial…
Accused baby killer to know fate today
The case against accused murderer, Kevin Rankin, is set for summing up today before Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the High Court in Georgetown. Rankin is charged with the murder of his two-year-old niece, Kamini Phillips. Phillips was allegedly sodomised by the accused at Haslington, East Coast Demerara, (ECD) on October 21, 2013. Initial reports had indicated that the toddler was left in the care of her uncle (Rankin) when she passed away. According to reports, Diane Graham, the mother of the accused had left him at a relative’s home with the toddler, while she conducted errands. The woman returned some time later and learnt of the baby’s demise. The child was initially taken to the CC Nicholson Health Centre at Nabaclis, East Coast Demerara, before she was pronounced dead at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. Rankin called “Lil Man,” of Lot 46 South Haslington South, ECD has been on trial for the murder before the judge and jury at the High Court. Following weeks of evidence, State Prosecutors Narissa Leander and Tuanna Hardy as well as Defence Attorney Sandil Kissoon submitted their closing addresses. Yesterday, Kissoon argued that the prosecution‘s case is flawed. The lawyer noted that no photographs of the home or alleged crime scene were produced to the court. He further stated the police never took any statements from eye witnesses or neighbours. However the State has maintained that their case is compelling in that there is evidence which indicates that the accused inflicted the injuries on the toddler and caused her demise. The prosecution noted that the evidence is that the accused pressed down on the vic-
tim and also penetrated her in process; this caused severe injuries to the child’s chest cavity. Today the trial is expected to be summed up by Justice Sewnarine-Beharry and thereafter handed over to the jury for deliberations on the outcome. Last week, while leading his defence Rankin told the court that he had nothing to do with the death of his two year old niece. The accused claimed that he did not harm his niece in any way but that she was taken to a relative’s home to play when she became sick. According to Rankin the child complained about chest pains and became unresponsive. The accused said that the child was not breathing and his cousin, Kimani Primo, administered Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) on her. During the trial, State Pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh revealed that an autopsy carried out on the body of the two-year-old indicated that she had suffered sexual penetration to her anus. He said that Phillips had fresh blood in her rectal area, in addition to abdominal trauma inclusive of internal bleeding to her liver and spleen. According to Dr. Singh, the toddler also suffered concussions to the head and neck which are consistent with a hit or fall. He noted that the child could have been pressed down, which restricted her breathing and the flow of blood in her chest cavity. However under cross examination by defence counsel, the doctor admitted that the damage to the infant’s chest cavity could have been caused during administration of Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) by an untrained individual. Dr Singh was among seven witnesses called to testify in the trial by the State.
A City Constable and a Tower Tech Construction worker were both remanded to prison yesterday for allegedly robbing Electronic City Store in Stabroek Market on Wednesday. Appearing before Magistrate Alex Moore, City Constable Seon Isaacs who was stationed at the Stabroek Market Outpost and Delmar Booker, of 15 Jackson Dam, Mandela Avenue, Georgetown are now facing charges of Break and Enter and Larceny. The duo is alleged to have broken into Stabroek Market
stall, Electronic City, between last Wednesday and Thursday and stole a number of cell phones and electronic items to the value of $2,968,000. They were not allowed to plead to the indictable offence because the prosecution did not apply the Administration of Justice Act (AJA). According to the prosecution, the two accused are currently being investigated in a matter of a similar nature at La Penitence Police station. Based on reports Isaacs, of lot 21 West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was on duty
dressed in a white shirt and black pants when he was seen with Booker pilfering the items out the building. Bags were seen outside of the stall. The matter was subsequently adjourned until April 29 and they were remanded to prison. According to police reports Booker was shot in his leg after he refused to surrender his weapon at the scene. He was later arrested and a haversack containing a number of stolen items was retrieved as evidence along with tools used in the break-in.
Drunken getaway driver nabbed after hit and run accident 12-year-old in serious condition in hospital A 12-year-old child is in a serious condition in the New Amsterdam Hospital after he was struck down by a car driven by a drunken driver in a street in the Fort Ordnance Housing Scheme. The driver subsequently fled the scene. Injured is 12-year-old Vishkar Sookhu of Fort Ordnance, East Canje Berbice and a student of the Sheet Anchor Primary school. The man, Yuvraj Singh, 20 of Adelphi Village, East Canje Berbice, who was driving motor car PGG 271 fled the
scene after he struck the lad off his bicycle. According to information around 12:50 hrs the lad who is due to write his SSEE within a week’s time was sent on an errand to the shop. The lad was returning home when he observed the car driven by Singh approaching at a fast rate of speed along the narrow streets through the much populated housing scheme. Even as the lad tried to take evasive action he was struck by the car. The injured lad was picked up and rushed
to the New Amsterdam hospital where he remains warded with lacerations about his body. After striking the lad off his bicycle the drunken man fled the scene. However public spirited citizens gave chase and nabbed the man some five miles away at his home even as he tried to conceal the vehicle. Singh was arrested and taken into custody, tested and found to be above the legal alcohol limit. He is in custody and charges are likely shortly.
Tuesday April 19, 2016
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Harmon’s jet ride gift a violation of proposed code of conduct - Goolsarran
Embattled Minister of State, Joseph Harmon
Managing Director of BaiShanLin, Chu Hongbo
Anti-Corruption advocate, Anand Goolsarran
By Abena RockcliffeCampbell Despite the fact that it is still in draft, one would have expected Ministers to still strive to abide by the code of conduct proposed by their own Administration. So said former Auditor General and anti-corruption advocate, Anand Goolsarran yesterday. Addressing Minister of State Joseph Harmon’s recent trip to China, he said that Harmon violated several aspects of the Code of Conduct. However, Goolsarran zeroed in on one aspect, to wit, the acceptance of gifts. Harmon is still to face the press since revelations were made about his trip to China, his interference in the official business of the Guyana Revenue Authority and his appointment of Brain Tiwarie as Ministerial Advisor on Business development. In his press release about the China trip, Harmon said, that the Ambassador of China to Guyana, who was in China at that time, made arrangements for me to meet officials of four companies, which had signalled their intention to make significant investments in Guyana. These companies are located in Beijing, Shanghai, Hebei and Heilong Jiang Provinces…Because of the significant distances involved and the limited time available on that trip, the Ambassador made arrangements for these companies to provide transportation, both air and land, for me to travel to their respective Head Offices. Goolsarran is saying that that is no justification. Just five months after taking office, the new administration released a longawaited Code of Conduct that is supposed to govern how Ministers behave in office. The Code has been released for fine-tuning.
The draft document speaks to disciplinary actions or terminations for Ministers, Parliamentarians and other public office holders who are in the breach. It also addresses the acceptance of gifts of more than $10,000, conflict of interests, accountability and even gambling. The code was considered crucial for the David Granger administration which campaigned for the May 11, 2015 General Elections on promises that it will be making sweeping changes to improve behaviour of public officials. When it comes to accepting gifts, the code mandated public officials to report gifts or other forms of reward valued at more than $10,000 to the Integrity Commission. It is being recommended that public officials should consider declining such gratuities if the acceptance of same could be perceived to have an effect on their objectivity and lead to complaints of bias or i m p r o p r i e t y . ”Ministers, Members of Parliament and public office holders should…avoid compromising themselves or their office which may lead to an actual or perceived conflict of interest. Failure to avoid or declare any conflict of interest may give rise to criticism of favouritism, abuse of authority or even allegations of corruption. The code of conduct also said “Public officials should also desist from accepting lavish or frequent entertainment from persons with whom the government has official dealings- including from suppliers or contractors, clubs and persons to which the state may allocate resources or job assignments. Goolsarran told Kaieteur News that he was indeed impressed when he saw the release of the draft code of con-
duct; but that was soon washed away when he read about the Harmon saga. The anti-corruption advocate said that the arrangement in place to not accept more than $10,000 in gifts is a good one as it is the same measure used at the level of the United Nations. “Persons accepting gifts of more than US$50 would have to declare it and surrender it to the Secretary General. You only took the gift if it was actually necessary as in the case if someone gives you a bottle of wine or Vodka worth more than the accepted limit.” Goolsarran said that Harmon’s going to China and accepting the gift of jet rides to different provinces paid for by the Chinese companies is a clear violation of the code of conduct. “Although it is draft one would have accepted the Ministers to abide by it. Harmon had a right to decline those trips, as it can be viewed by the public as a measure that will taint his judgement, influencing his decisions favorably to the investors he spoke about. Further, Goolsarran stated that if Harmon was made aware of persons in China that wanted to invest he should have advised the company to come make a proposal to Go-invest or go through the Embassy. “It is wholly inappropriate what Harmon did, one can say he compromised himself. There is a procedure to be followed and in any case there is a Minister of Business. The companies should simply have been made to follow the right procedure,” said Goolsarran. The former Auditor General said, “This is the exact thing the previous government did and this is what we were all against.”
Rice farming couple burnt to death in home -cops probe possible murder Police were up to last night questioning several people in connection with the death of an elderly rice farming couple, who were burned alive in a fire that may have been deliberately set by intruders in their Good Hope, East Bank Berbice home. The charred remains of Mohamed Munir, 75, and his wife Bibi Jamila Munir, 69, were retrieved from the debris of the two-storey property after the fire was finally extinguished. Reports indicate that the victims were trapped in their heavily-grilled home. The blaze reportedly started in the upper flat Eyewitnesses said that the entire flat was engulfed within minutes. Residents, and a passing family who were among the first on the scene, could only stand by helplessly, listening to the elderly couple’s screams, which eventually ceased as they were overcome by the flames. While some residents said that they had heard gunshots, post mortem performed on the victims showed that they had died from severe burns. Investigators from the Force’s Major Crimes Unit, along with ranks from the Leonora Police Station have taken statements from a close family friend who alleged that the wife, Bibi Munir, had telephoned him on Sunday night to say that bandits were in the house. Neighbours also claimed to have heard the elderly couple’s frantic screams of “Bandits”, before the property was engulfed in flames. At least one resident also said that she saw two people on the verandah, even as the couple shouted to neighbours for assistance. Shamiza Khosial told Kaieteur News that she was up at around 23.00 hrs, when her son told her that there were people fighting at the Munir’s residence. On peeping outside, Mrs. Khosial said that she saw two people on the couple’s verandah. She also heard the Munirs screaming for help. “The place was dark and
Mohamed Munir and his wife Bibi Jamila Munir I see two persons on the verandah and then I started to hear they (the couple) shouting that bandits were in the house,” Khosial said. The woman said that she also heard Mrs. Munir apparently calling their family friend, businessman, Shiraz Ali, to tell him that bandits were on the property. Khosial said that shortly after, she saw “a ball of fire” in the living room area and within minutes the entire property was engulfed in flames. The woman said that the victims were trapped in their bedroom, since the window, like other areas in the house, had grill-work. “If that grill on the room window had come out then they could have been saved. They couldn’t have exited the building any other way because for them to get out of the room, they would have had to go into the hall, but the hall was on fire.” Shiraz Ali said that Bibi Jamila Munir had contacted him by phone to say that bandits were in the house, while pleading with him to help. Ali said he arrived in about seven minutes, but by then the entire property was in flames. There was nothing he could have done but to stand on the road and look at the blaze as it destroyed the house with the elderly couple trapped inside. Among those first on the scene was a family that was heading to Parika, East Bank Essequibo by bus on Sunday night. One family member recalled that they were passing Good Hope when they saw
flamed emanating from the upper flat of a house. “We started blowing the (vehicle’s) horn, but nobody looked out. We start shouting ‘fire, fire,’ and knocked on the gate, and finally, the next door neighbor looked out and two other people came to us.” He also recalled that the Munir’s front gate was not bolted, and two young men climbed over the gate. Seeing that the flames were spreading to the neighbour’s house, the man and others helped the family to remove their valuables from the property. “I asked them if anyone was at home in the other (Munir’s) house. “ Another young man from the family said that he entered the Munir’s yard and it was then that he heard someone screaming in the top flat. Kaieteur News was told that Mr. Munir, who was in his bedroom, flung some keys through the bedroom window and told them to drive one of the tractors out of the yard. After a neighbor had removed the tractor, Mr. Munir began shouting for the neighbours to use a second tractor to pull down the grill from the bedroom window. The young man said that he suggested that they hitch a length of chain to the tractor and to the grill, but by then the flames had begun to engulf the entire upper flat and the heat was immense. “Then he (Mr. Munir) say that his wife not breathing anymore, and after awhile he (Contiued on page 25)
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Syria peace talks near collapse as opposition declares pause (Reuters) - Syrian peace talks came close to collapse on Monday, with the mainstream opposition announcing a pause in talks at the United Nations headquarters in Geneva, although it agreed to keep its negotiating team in the city. The Western-backed opposition High Negotiations Committee (HNC) said in a letter to rebel fighters that government military advances meant a ceasefire was effectively over and it was calling a postponement in the talks. Rebels, who accuse the government of breaking the ceasefire to try to recapture the northern city of Aleppo, announced an offensive of their own, launching an assault against government forces in Latakia province on the Mediterranean coast. Opposition fighters made separate advances further east in Hama, while heavy government air strikes took place in Homs province to the south. There was “no way” the opposition could resume formal talks amid a military escalation and a worsening humanitarian situation, senior opposition negotiator Mohammad Alloush told Reuters. “We want real negotiations, not farcical ones,” he said, adding that the opposition had not decided whether it would continue to meet U.N. envoy Staffan de Mistura. “When there are 70 airstrikes, and when there is mobilizing of troops, when Iran sends further armed men and Russia sends a large group of rockets and unmanned planes, all this tells us that there is no real will for a political solution that ensures the safety and stability in the country,” he said, naming countries that back Assad. Nevertheless, de Mistura played down the decision by the opposition delegation to stay away from his headquarters, saying his team would continue to meet the delegates elsewhere as long as they were still in town. He acknowledged that violence had become “worrisome”, particularly around Aleppo, and said he would call on Moscow and Washington to meet urgently if the situation did not improve. The United States also urged Russia to use its influence to make the government stop its attacks immediately. These threatened not only the partial ceasefire but also the talks in Geneva, a U.S. State Department official said. Last month de Mistura convened the first peace talks attended by the warring parties since the conflict began
UN special envoy Staffan de Mistura attends a meeting on Syria at Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland (Reuters/Xu Jinquan/Pool) five years ago. He has come further than any envoy so far in getting President Bashar alAssad’s government and its opponents to negotiate, with the United States and Russia sponsoring a partial ceasefire since Feb. 27 to allow the talks to take place. So far all sides have committed to some kind of political transition that would follow the war. But they still differ fundamentally on what that means, including whether it would require Assad to leave power. Assad’s opponents say they cannot participate in talks as long as fighting goes on. But they are also under strong pressure not to quit altogether. “If they walk away, they will be held responsible and it will be difficult to return soon,” a Western diplomat said. De Mistura said the opposition delegation had told him it would “postpone” its “formal participation” in negotiations at the U.N.’s headquarters, known as the Palais. “It is one way for them to display their displeasure and concern for what they perceive to be a substantial deterioration of the humanitarian situation and a deterioration of the security environment, particularly in Aleppo,” he said. “They told us however their intention to remain in Geneva, in their hotel, and possibly at my own suggestion, to pursue technical discussions with myself and my team.” His team would continue to meet all sides “in the Palais or anywhere else”, he added, describing the format of proximity talks, in which the sides negotiate in separate rooms, as “very flexible”. Both sides were “not yielding a comma” on their political demands, he acknowledged, but said that was normal in a negotiation. He would take stock of progress on Friday. HALF-SOLUTIONS
The opposition considers government attempts to recapture Aleppo as a violation of the ceasefire. The government says it is trying to capture areas held by Islamist militants who are not covered by the truce. A letter signed by unspecified “armed revolutionary factions” expressed dissatisfaction within the opposition ranks, including towards de Mistura himself: “We follow with great concern and outright rejection the moves of de Mistura, some of which show a total bias towards ... the demands of the regime and its allies.” The opposition’s coordinator at the Geneva talks, Riad Hijab, also said it was unacceptable for talks to go on if the government and its allies pushed on with sieges and bombing civilian areas. Only three delegates met de Mistura for talks on Monday, instead of the usual 15. One senior Western diplomat said de Mistura needed to reassure the opposition by criticizing the government for violating the truce. “He needs to make a public statement putting pressure on the government. It’s in his interest to keep the talks alive. He needs to say that the regime isn’t listening.” NEW BATTLE The Latakia and Hama assaults appeared to be part of a new battle announced by rebel groups early in the day, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group said. A Syrian military source confirmed intense fighting in the area. “Today they attacked in the northern Latakia countryside in several areas, in violation of the cessation of hostilities agreement, and also in the northwestern Hama countryside,” the military source said. The Observatory reported that in northern Homs province heavy government air strikes killed four people, and said the death toll was expected to rise, with more people wounded.
Tuesday April 19, 2016
Ethiopians sweep Boston Marathon
BOSTON (Reuters) Ethiopian runners vying for a place in the summer Olympics dominated the Boston Marathon on Monday, taking the top three spots in the men’s division and the top two among the women. Lemi Berhanu Hayle won for the men in a dramatic late surge against defending champ and fellow Ethiopian Lelisa Desisa, covering the notoriously hilly course in two hours, 12 minutes and 45 seconds, as thousands of spectators cheered him. On the women’s side, Ethiopian Atsede Baysa won in 2:29:19, overcoming a 37second deficit in the last five miles (8 km) of the race against training mate Tirfi Tsegaye. It was the 120th running of the world’s oldest continually run annual marathon, and the third since a pair of ethnic Chechen brothers killed three people and injured more than 260 with a bomb attack at the finish line. Most top U.S. marathoners sat out Boston
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to train for the Rio Games in August. But Ethiopia and Kenya - whose runners dominated the lead packs - have yet to pick their teams for the Olympics and will consider the Boston results. The 21-year-old Hayle won the race by pairing off with Desisa to break from the mainly East African pack late in the course. He then drafted off his countryman before surging past him in the final two miles. Hayle’s finish time was slower than the personal best of 2:04:33 he posted in Dubai earlier this year. The Boston marathon record of 2:03:02 was achieved by Kenyan Geoffrey Mutai in 2011. Among the women, Baysa, 29, is among the world’s most prolific marathoners and has posted top four finishes in five world marathon majors, including wins in Paris and Chicago. Kenyan Caroline Rotich, who was defending her 2015 win in Boston and was widely seen as a favorite in
Monday’s women’s race, dropped out early after appearing to hobble around mile four. In total, about 30,000 people attempted the worldrenowned course, which brings out crowds of spectators holding signs, cheering, drinking beer and barbecuing. “It’s always been a dream of mine to run Boston,” said David Harris, 42, of Atlanta, who qualified for the race. Harris said the 2013 bombings motivated him. “That whole thing made me want to do this race even more,” Harris said, echoing the feeling voiced by many other runners. “As tragic as these things are, it makes us want to come together and show what we can do.” American Meb Keflezighi won Boston in 2014 on the anniversary of the bombings. The men and women’s winners this year will receive $150,000.
Tuesday April 19, 2016 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) A temporary separation from a love partner might have you in a very gloomy mood, Aries. Attempts to reach your friend by phone might prove fruitless. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Expect to be frantic if you have to take care of something that's time critical today, Taurus. People and situations aren't in your favor. Everything will seem like a challenge. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Generally you avoid politics in any group you belong to, Gemini, but today you might get caught up in the fray in order to support a friend. This goes against your grain. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Changes you're making at home might necessitate your planning extra time, Cancer.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) A business or romantic partner might be in a foul mood and not very likely to tell you why, Libra. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Have you been exercising beyond your fitness level, Scorpio? If you have, you're probably feeling very tired, sore, and out of sorts. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) A goal you've recently been on the verge of attaining may suddenly hit unexpected setbacks, Sagittarius. However major or minor they are, it's going to be disheartening. CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) You could be introduced to a new person today Capricorn. He or she may be someone who will play a very important role in your life at one point.
LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Are you involved in a search through every store for a particular item, Leo? You might be looking for a long time.
AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Is there a secret you're obsessed with unveiling, Aquarius? Something strange could be going on in your neighborhood, or it might be an intellectual puzzle.
VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) If you've given up on something you've lost, Virgo, you might get a real surprise tonight when a dream sheds light on where you might find it.
PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Various intellectual or humanitarian subjects you've been reading about have changed your value system, perhaps subtly, Pisces.
Rice farming couple burnt to ... (From page 07) (too) stopped talking.” The family members recalled seeing a resident in the area with a shotgun, but said that they saw no one else on the property. They said that they only later heard residents saying that bandits had invaded the victims’ house. Up to yesterday, some of those who had tried to rescue the couple remained tramautised. “I keep hearing the guy hollering,” one woman who was with the group said. One of the couple’s next door neighbours said that a little before 23:00 hrs Sunday night, her husband got up to use the washroom and heard noises over at the Munir’s residence. “From the talking, we
started hearing like bottles falling…but then we get a call that bandits were over in the house,” the woman said. Shortly after, she noticed “a bright light” at her bedroom window. This was followed by a loud explosion. “When we realize it was a fire, I tell my husband to get our passport and some documents. While we hurrying to come out the house, we heard gunshots but we don’t know if it was the bandits firing or neighbours trying to scare the bandits away,” the woman said. She also heard an explosion, and within minutes, the two-storey property was engulfed. And a male relative of the couple recalled receiving a call from someone who said that the Munir’s house was
on fire and that bandits were inside. The man said that he immediately rushed to the scene but there was nothing he would have done to help. “How this house is situate, it has three rooms and all the rooms are connected by an inside door. The middle room has a trap door which leads straight to the downstairs. Their bodies were found in the back room, so this means that they couldn’t get to the middle room,” the man said. He suggested that the bandits had already gained access to the middle room, and this prevented the victims from reaching the trap door. Some of the couple’s children arrived from overseas yesterday.
Second day Essequibo, U-17s washed... (From page 30) playing Football and Tapeball cricket throughout the afternoon even though the sun
BEI are T&T Guyana Outreach... (From page 31) most goal award was shared jointly between Tyrese Ogleton (VESS) and Keron Hamilton (BEI) with three goals each. They all received trophies as well as a jersey, a pair of hoses and a pair of shin pads. The most promising player award went to Jamal Lyte of VESS and he received a medal as well as hose, shin pads and jersey. The competition was sponsored by Isaac Daniel a resident of Trinidad and a regular visitor to Guyana who started to organise the activities over a decade ago. The coordinators were former national players Neil “Grizzly” Humphrey and Kenrick Bowry along with Gandy “Blades” Sears of the Hearts of Oak Masters football club. (Samuel Whyte)
came out in all its glory for the final session. The ground staff claimed that if the bowler’s run-up was covered as is mandated in the playing conditions of the GCB the game would have started before Lunch. With the game between Demerara and Berbice having some action yesterday,
Essequibo who beat Berbice by an innings at Enterprise in the first round, will hope that the GCB can send more covers to the venue so as to give them an opportunity to get at least first innings points today to stay in contention of playing Demerara in what would be a deciding final round from Thursday.
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Guyana Wado-Ryu Karate Association to honour Sensei Dunbar in 50th celebrations The Guyana Wado-Ryu Karate Association (GWRKA) has planned a series of activities in honour of its chief instructor Sensei Winston Dunbar who celebrates 50 years as a martial arts practitioner and the celebrations will coincide with Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary. The programme will kick off with a Fitness Walk on Sunday April 24th from the National Cultural Centre to Banks DIH Sports Club at Thirst Park starting at 07:00 hours. Members of the (GWRKA) and well-wishers will participate in the event sponsored by Banks DIH Limited. The next event will be a National Youth championships billed for May 8th at the Banks DIH Sports Club starting at 10:00 hours. The championships will be opened to students six years to 15 years old from karate clubs at Mae’s School, Banks DIH and Farm, East Bank Essequibo. There will also be a fund raising Bar-BQue to the hosted by the Association. Sensei Dunbar, a 7th Degree black belt (Shian) started practicing martial arts in March 1966 at Lithographic Karate Club and later became
Tuesday April 19, 2016
Kaieteur News
-World Cup champs, Campbell, Smartt to play Trophy Stall yesterday announced its support of the Boyce and Jefford Softball Cricket Contest that will be played as a part of the Organisation’s Relay Festival and Family Fun Day on Sunday at the Police Sports Club Ground, Eve Leary. Apart from the relay rivalries, the day will see Guyana’s top two female softball cricket teams, Trophy Stall Angels and Mike’s Well Woman battle in a much-anticipated match that features Guyana’s West Indies World Cup Champions, Shemaine Campbell and Tremayne Smartt. Smartt is scheduled to play for Trophy Stall Angels while Campbell makes an ap-
Sensei Winston Dunbar
one of the founders of the Guyana Wado-Ryu Karate Association and the Guyana Karate Federation along with Frank Woon-a-Tai, Alex Waithe and Steve Monasingh. He attended the World championships in Los Angeles, USA in 1975 and among his many achievements was a 2007 International Olympic Committee (IOC) award in recognition of his contribution to the development of karate
Trophy Stall sponsors Boyce/ Jefford Softball Cricket Contest pearance for Mike’s Well Woman in what should be a humdinger of a game. According to Proprietor of the Trophy Stall, Ramesh Sunich, Smartt will also be honoured on the day. “We plan to make a presentation to Smartt for her outstanding contributions to the sport and to our team for all these years,” Sunich said, adding that he anticipates the match to be a good one since both teams are very good cricket teams. He said that he was happy to be associated with the Boyce and Jefford Organisation since “they have always produced good sport events”. The winner of
the female softball match will pocket $50,000 and trophy while runner-up gets $25,000. In addition, there will also be prizes for the ‘Best Batter’ and ‘Best Bowler’ of both teams. The male softball contest will put the Boyce/Jefford Select XI against Trophy Stall XI, which will be a combination of players from Floodlights XI. The winner of the male game will walk away with a trophy while there will also be an award for ‘Player of the Match’. The respective teams are expected to be named later this week. The day is to also feature Football, Athletics and Dominoes.
in Guyana. He was also awarded the status of Technical advisor for Wado Ryu for the Caribbean and Guyana by Grand Master Hironori Otsuka. Sensei Dunbar has expressed gratitude to Banks DIH Limited for supporting the work of the (GWRKA). Sessions are held weekly at Mae’s School in Subryanville, Banks Sports Club and Farm, East Bank Essequibo.
Chairman of the Boyce/Jefford Committee, Colin Boyce (left) receives some of the trophies that will be up for grabs Sunday from Proprietor of the Trophy Stall, Ramesh Sunich yesterday.
Tuesday April 19, 2016
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Kaieteur News
Yvonne Murray rebounds from loss to retain scrabble accolade Yvonne Murray rebounded from a crippling loss to Michael Benjamin (43) and eventually retained the Goodwill trophy when scrabble players convened at her Nandy Park residence for their monthly showdown last Sunday evening. Murray and Benjamin both amassed 4 points each but the former player prevailed by dint of a larger spread (284 as against 129). In a previous release Kaieteur Sport had inadvertently reported that Ulric Harris was the defending champion when in fact it was Murray that had clinched the accolade when the group had last met. Celebrating 20 years of marital bliss to another top seed, Carlton Murray on competition day, Yvonne commenced her trek with a decisive win over her husband (76) before taking care
of Ruby Cummings in the second round (77). She stumbled somewhat in her third game against Benjamin, losing by 43 points before reasserting herself with wins in the final sets to Maurice Munru (144) and Ulric Harris (87) to finish the day on 4 points and a positive spread of 284. Benjamin was also in top form and started his trek to championship honours with a crushing victory over Cummings (101). In a keen competition of wits, he then managed to edge out Ulric Harris by a slim spread of 12 in his second game and continued his rampage with a decisive win over Yvonne Murray (43) before the players went off to lunch. Munru then checked Benjamin’s progress in the first post lunch game with a crunching defeat by a spread of 73. Benjamin then re-
Michael Benjamin hands over the winning accolade to Yvonne Murray shortly after the end of the tournament. bounded to eke out a close win over Carlton Murray (10) but was relegated to second place by dint of a lower spread (129).
This group is scheduled to convene again next month end to resume its rivalry just before the Guyana Association of Scrabble Players cel-
ebrates its 20th anniversary with a huge tournament dubbed ‘GASP 20th Anniversary Fun Day’ at Herdmanston Lodge, 65 Peter Rose & Anira Streets, on Sunday, April 24 from 15:0020:00hrs. Yvonne will also intensify efforts to initiate a secondary school scrabble programme and so far has made remarkable progress towards its realization after conducting orientation sessions among teachers at the Carmel School, Charlestown earlier this year. Officials of GASP have since committed to embrace these efforts during the new dispensation and top seed James Krakowsky, said that the incoming executives will further examine other ways of broadening and popularizing the sport. He cited the formation of
local clubs under the umbrella of GASP even as the governing body aspires to have the sport on the schools’ curriculum. “The pivotal aim is to eventually stage a Secondary School Scrabble championship while broadening on the support base,” Krakowsky intimated. He also said that the players would recommence the weekly informal gettogethers, training sessions and frequent scheduling of competitions. Abigail McDonald won the national championship after defeating Moen Gafoor, some three years ago, in a showdown, after these two players had emerged as the best in the GASP National Champions h i p s , M c Donald had represented Guyana t w i c e a t t h e Wo r l d Scrabble Championships in Malaysia and the Czech Republic in 2014.
Changes made to Mayors Cup football programme Coordinator Lennox Arthur has disclosed that several changes have been made to this year’s Mayor’s Cup Football tournament due to some challenges with obtaining the full sponsorship to stage the event. Arthur informed that the lack of sponsorship has forced him and the organising committee to reduce the number of teams participating to 20 from the planned 32, while the prize money has also been reduced. The prizes will now be $700,000, $300,000, $200,000 and $100,000 for the top four finishers. The prizes were reduced from $1,000,000, $500,000, $300,000 and $200,000 respectively for the first to fourth place finishers. The Coordinator, who is a former National footballer
Lennox Arthur and Coach and has been behind this event for all of its 22 years, had indicated that this year’s cup will form part of the 50th Anniversary Jubilee celebrations. The action kicks off on
Sunday May 1 at the Victoria Ground on the East Coast of Demerara with Mahaica of the East Coast facing Eagles United of Linden and home side Victoria Kings playing Milerock, another Linden team. Play continues Monday May 2 at the same venue with Golden Grove versus Federal Winners Connection and Ann’s Grove against Grove Hi Tech of the East Bank. Action moves to the Den Amstel ground on the West of Demerara on Thursday May 5 with Police vs Winner of Match #1 and Den Amstel vs Winner of Match #2. The tournament concludes on May 29. Arthur is still hopeful of sponsorship and is encouraging potential sponsors to come on board. In-
D’Andrade, Johnson on podium again in Trinidad Trinidad based Lionel D’Andrade wrote his name in Sagicor’s history books, as he placed 2nd in 11:29 around the savannah. Trinidadian Matthew Hagley stopped the clock at 11:26 to win while D’Andrade’s team-mate, Kelvin Johnson (11:33) placed third. “This is my best One Lap (11:29 PB) so far, as my last one lap was completed in 11:42. Earlier, Saturday morning, I ran the Domestic Violence Survivors 5K and placed third in 16:22. I didn’t
go all out for the morning race, because I knew the one lap is speed. So I’m pleased with today’s performance and looking forward to the upcoming Nestle 5K next two weeks,” D’Andrade said. The Sagicor Phoenix Walk/Run One Lap had approximately 3000 participants and the initiative is in keeping with Sagicor’s continued support of charitable causes, which donated part proceeds to the LIFE Centre (Autism Society) and the Friends of the Blood Bank Association.
Lionel D’Andrade
terested persons or Companies can contact the Coordinator on telephone 626-9351. The games will be of 90 minute duration and if no result is derived after this period then 20 minutes of extra time will be contested. No further result
of deadlock will be determined by penalty kicks. Players involved in this tournament must be affiliated to their respective associations where the invited clubs are drawn. No entry fee is required. The tournament is governed
under the rules and directives of the Guyana Football Federation. Players with double yellow cards or red cards will be penalized in accordance with the rules of the competition and the GFF. Listed below are the full fixtures of the tournament:
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Tuesday April 19, 2016
Kaieteur News
Corona Beer Beach Soccer League
Royal Youths are inaugural champions; KK Warriors beat champs to end on a high By Franklin Wilson Royal Youths of Linden emerged as the inaugural champions of the Corona Beer sponsored Guyana Beach Football Association (GBFA), Beach Soccer League which concluded in exciting fashion on Sunday night last at the Bayrock Beach Soccer Park, Bayrock, Linden. In the final game of the league which was witnessed by Top Brandz Distributors / Corona Beer Marketing Representative M s L i s e L e wis and President’s of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Wayne Forde and GBFA Rollin Tappin, Kuru Kururu Warriors, the lone East Bank Football Association representative team, upstaged the new champions in a thriller, 7-6; spoiling their previously unblemished record. The match, which saw end to end action in all three 12 minute periods, was dubbed ‘The Thriller at the
Basin’ given the nature of excitement it created for the very appreciative dozens of fans who were on hand to witness what was a fitting end to this historic league. It was the Linden Soesdyke Highway based lads who would score the first and last goals to stun the home team. Executing the honours was one of their lethal forwards, Ryan Scott (hattrick) who has established himself as the spoiler having come to the rescue of his team in the dying moments of many matches, Sunday night’s being no different. As a matter of fact, the scores were tied 6-6 with less than one minute remaining. Wa r r i o r s ’ g o a l k e e p e r, Ethan Sparman passed the ball directly to Scott who was deep in the Royal Youths half. Very aware of his position which was in close proximity to goal, Scott, with a glancing header sneaked past the surprised Royal Youths goalie Trevon Miller to seal a memorable win
Shane Luckie receives the Highest Goal Scorer prize from Top Brandz, Corona Beer Representative, Ms Lise Lewis. whilst securing the second place overall for the Warriors even as the winner avenged a first round loss. The fans and players erupted in wild celebrations on the final buzzer and the
DJ appropriately spun Dwayne Bravo’s hit song, Champion. Even the fans joined in as they performed the trade mark dance that goes along with it. Scott was ably assisted
by strike partner Cordel Johnson who netted one, along with Kevon Walker, Michael Carrington and Christopher Fraser. Royal Youths got their goals from Shane Luckie (2). Kurd Johnson (2) with one apiece from Tshekederi Whitehead and Allan Haley. Luckie ended as the league’s Highest Goal Scorer netting a total of 24 goals and received the Germans Restaurant sponsored trophy, while teammate Marvin Sullivan was adjudged the competition’s Most Valuable Player. Coach of the champion team, Michael Baird was named the Best Coach of the tournament while his opposite number from the Warriors, Dale Roberts received the Fair Play trophy as the most Disciplined Team on behalf of his team, while also being rewarded by the GBFA for exceptional service rendered towards the success of the league. Cool Runnings was also victorious on the night de-
feating Silver Bullets 4-3 to claim the third place trophy. Jermaine Grandison netted a brace for the winners along with one each from Denzil Fordyce and Rodwyn Fraser. Silver Bullets got their goals from Gishawn Freeman, Tony Gilbert and Jermaine Daniels. In two exhibition matches, Linden Lucas trounced B Harry Lumber 7-3 while Bernard’s Variety All Stars edged Boss 6-5. The top four clubs will be receiving cash incentives of $250,000; $150,000; $100,000 and $40,000 respectively at a ceremony shortly. Meanwhile, GFF President Wayne Forde in brief remarks before the presentation of trophies complimented the participating clubs for their combined efforts which made the league a success in its first year. He also thanked Top Brandz Distributors for partnering with the GBFA under the Corona Beer brand to deliver a memorable league.
Preparations ongoing for Bush Lot United Turf Club, Jumbo Jet Horserace meet Preparations are continuing as race day draw nearer for the much anticipated one day horserace meet organised by the Jumbo Jet Auto Sales and Racing stables in collaboration with the Bush Lot United Turf Club. The event is slated for
Sunday 1st May at the club’s Sea View Park, Bush Lot, West Coast Berbice venue. With race day less than two weeks away, the venue has become a hive of activity as the organizers get down to the task of getting it in the best of shape for
the mouth watering event. Six races are carded for the day and with over $4M in cash, trophies and other incentives up for grabs the event is taking on jumbo like proportions. All the top runners in the
country, barring Score Even and CP Got Even, are slated to participate. New sensations and recent winners such as King Night, Golden Blue Echo along with Because I Say So, Climate Change and American Boss are expected to thrown down the gauntlet against the likes of Spit Fire, Just Call Me Boss, Lady Budapest, Plum Plum, Unsettled, Princess She Not, Strom Mark among others. The feature event is for animals classified D1 and lower for a top prize of $800,000 and trophy over one mile. The three year old 1400M even is for three year old West Indies bred horses that never earned and Open Guyana Bred horses for a winning prize of $350,000 and trophy. The G1 and lower 1200M event is for the winner’s take of $350,000 and trophy. The H3 and lower race is over 1400M and will see the animals running for a winning pocket of $250,000 and trophy. Animals classified K and J and lower will be racing for a winning pocket of $200,000
and trophy over 1200M. The final event will be for animals classified L and lower over 1000M for a pole position taking of $150,000 and trophy. Apart from the exhilarating horserace meet expected to unfold on the day a number of other attractions and give- a-ways will be a part of the day’s activities. The events will be held under the rules of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority.
Interested persons can contact Chandu Ramkissoon (624-9063 or 232-0633), Irshad Mohammed on 664-1650, Ramnauth on 337- 5311 / 6971979, Campton Sancho on 690-0569 and Lakeram “Buddy” Sukhdeo on 6720810 for any detail on the event. The coordinator is Nazrudeen Jumbo Jet Mohammed Jr. Race time is 12:30pm. (Samuel Whyte)
Preparation work is ongoing at the Bush Lot Race track to make it ready for a promised exciting event.
Kaieteur News
Tuesday April 19, 2016
PAGE 33
RHTYSC, MS 26th Awards Ceremony
Mahadeo handsomely rewarded as top awardee; Campbell also cashes in Former Guyana’s Under-19 middle order batsman Khemraj Mahadeo walked away with close to $200,000 worth of prizes as the Cricketer of the Year (2015) for the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, MS at their 26th Awards Ceremony which was held on Sunday last at the St. Francis Training Centre, Rose Hall Town, Berbice. West Indies Female T20 player Shemaine Campbell, who was named the Female Player of the Year, was also handsomely rewarded. Both Mahadeo and Campbell received their prizes from Club Patron, His Excellency President David Granger who delivered the feature address and charge to the awardees which numbered over 40. Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster delivered a comprehensive report of the club’s activities and programmes for the period, January 2015 to March 2016 where he stated that Campbell’s involvement in the 2016 ICC T20 Female World Cup winning West Indies team was the club’s proudest moment for the period under review. The long serving CEO revealed some major plans for the remainder of 2016 which include the construction of a Family Recreational Park, Region 6 Traffic Education Campaign, the 2nd edition of the Edward B. Beharry Say No to Drugs, Crime and Suicide programme and the hosting of a Career Day Fair for Youths. Club President Keith Foster in
Cricketer of the year Khemraj Mahadeo receives one of his prizes from President Granger as Worker of the Year Simon Naidu sets up Mahadeo his remarks highlighted the contribution of their numerous sponsors and noted that their success has been built on team work and desire to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Other speakers at the event included recently elected Mayor of Rose Hall Town Vijay Ramoo, Immediate Past Patron Ms Beverly Harper, Marketing Executive of DDL Larry Wills, Gizmos and Marketing Manager Earl Gomes
and Metro Office Supplies CEO Ms Avie Lindee. Three representatives of the Club’s official sponsors stated that their companies were delighted to be associated with Guyana’s top youth and sports organisation and pledged to work along with the RHTYSC, MS in the future. Wills congratulated the RHT Pepsi Under-19 team for being outstanding ambassadors for the international soft drink brand while
Gomes expressed pride in the performance of the Gizmos and Gadgets first division team during 2015 and early 2016. Ms Lindee posited that the success of the club needs to be emulated across Guyana, while Mayor Ramoo pledged his total support for the Club and its work. Several donations to organisations including the Rose Hall Town Primary School were also handed out. The Club also honoured Major James Fraser of the Guyana Defence Force with its Lifetime Achievement Award. The Club also honoured Keith
Hicks and Ravindranauth Kissoonlall (25 years) and Terry Pike (15 Years) for long and faithful service as Executive Members, while Elizabeth Brusch, Joyce Wiggins, Mark Papannah, Felisha Archer and Lucy Pike were honoured for outstanding work as members during 2015. Each of the awardees received medals, trophies and food hampers. Among the prizes shared out were bicycles, gold medallion, designers watch and clothing, footwear, microwaves, electric fans, electric blenders, cosmetic hampers, electric irons and airline tickets.
STAG ELITE LEAGUE – FINALE
10 goal blitz characterize latest play as Alpha and Pele restore some pride Alpha “The Hammer” United and Pele recorded their fifth and third wins of the Stag Elite League – FINALE when round 9 play concluded on Sunday evening last at the GFC ground, Bourda. Both sides have been struggling in this second and final stage of this inaugural competition but might very well have turned a new page with wins against Georgetown Football Club and Monedderlust, respectively. Alpha, led by their most prolific scorer, Delon Lanferman who netted a hattrick and elder statesman, Anthony ‘Awo’ Abrams with
a brace, blanked the home team 5-0, their eight loss of the season. Lanferman opened his account with the match a mere two minutes old but then gave way to Abrams who was on target 4 minutes later then on 30 minutes; Alpha going into the break with a comfortable 3-0 cushion. Lanferman converted his second goal three minutes into the second half whilst completing his three in the 3rd minute of added on time, 90+3. Pele notched just their third win in 9 matches via a 4-1 score line over West Berbice’ Monedderlust.
Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson who missed a few matches due to red card issues was on song as he led his team with a double in the 40th and 64th minute. Colric Beckles opened Pele’s account in the 38th minute while K o n a t a M a n n i n g tucked in one of his own in the 53rd minute. Monedderlust got their consolation g o a l compliments of an own goal from Pele in the 61st minute.
Round 10 matches will commence tomorrow at the same venue when Alpha United match skills with Monedderlust from 18:30hrs to be followed by Pele taking on Buxton United.
Delon Lanferman (right) and Anthony Abrams - Alpha United.
Kaieteur News
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Tuesday April 19, 2016
Renee Renee (89*), (89*), Perez Perez (64*) (64*) put put Demerara Demerara in in control control
Raymond Perez hits through the off-side.
Ronaldo Renee straight drives. Openers Ronaldo Renee and Raymond Perez struck contrasting half centuries to put Demerara in command when the second round of the Guyana Cricket Board/Hand-in-Hand U19 three-day inter county tournament continued yesterday at Everest. Rain delayed the start of
play until 15:00hrs, nevertheless Renee and Perez frustrated the Berbicians with mixed stroke play as Demerara closed on 179 without loss, 28 short of first innings points. Both batsmen timed the ball well in hazy conditions and their running between
the wickets was exceptional. Renee was the more aggressive- he struck offspinner Asif Ally and Joshua Harrichand for boundaries, while Perez was content to rotate the strike. Renee continued to accumulate his runs with little hiccups and brought up his fifty off 97 balls in 126 minutes.
Perez played more aggressively as his innings progressed and reached his half century by hitting Brandon Prasad to the midwicket boundary; his fifty came off 122 balls in 180 minutes. Berbice tried desperately for the breakthrough, but didn’t succeed as Renee
Hand-in-Hand 3-day U-19 cricket
Second day Essequibo, U-17s washed out
The inadequately covered pitch and the players playing Football and cricket at DCC yesterday morning. By Sean Devers Overnight and early morning rain in the City yesterday and inadequate covers resulted in the second day of the second round of the GCBs Hand-inHand three-day cricket match between front runners Essequibo and the National U-17 select being washed
out without a ball being bowled at DCC. Essequibo, hunting their first ever U-19 three-day title, would have been the more disappointed of the two teams since they were 72 without loss in reply to the U-17s 244 at the end of the opening day. Mark Williams was looking
very good on 56 with nine fours, while Nathan Persaud played an excellent supporting role on 14. At the scheduled 10:00hrs start yesterday the ground was in a damp state but dried out nicely but uncovered bowlers run up at both ends remained uncovered during a persistent drizzle which
lasted for about an hour but made little impact on a ground baked by the sun during the prolonged El Nino dry season. It was a frustrating time for both teams and their officials as the game was officially called off at 15:35hrs although the players were (Continued on page 25)
drove Ally to the cover boundary and tickled him to fine leg for yet another four while Perez took boundaries off Ally and Joshua Wade. Renee has so far struck eleven fours to remain unbeaten on 89 while Perez hit four fours in his 64 not out.
Play continues at 09:30hrs today and Demerara skipper Travis Persaud will hope that his batsmen accelerate to give his bowlers much time for an outright victory. Berbice bowlers must improve if they are to restrict the home team. (Zaheer Mohamed)
Guyana to play both CFU Men’s Caribbean Cup matches overseas – GFF Guyana’s Golden Jaguars will have to play their intended home game in the second round of the Caribbean Football Union Men’s Caribbean Cup against Curacao in that island. The original fixture had the match scheduled to be played here but due to lack of facilities here, the game has been shifted. Following is a statement from the Guyana Football Federation in relation to the shift: ”The Guyana Football Federation (GFF), in collaboration with the Curacao Football Federation and the United States Virgin Islands Football Association have come to an agreement as it relates to their respective fixtures of the Second Round of the Scotia Bank Men’s Caribbean Cup Championship. This decision was made due to the unavailability of an appropriate venue in Guyana to host the matches and was agreed to by the two other Regional Associations and the Caribbean Football Union. The Guyana National Stadium, the original venue of the games slated for Guyana, is unavailable for use due to an international cricket engagement. The National Track and Field Facility, Leonora was considered as an option however, following a site visit by a team from the GFF, will require a significant amount of work to ensure its readiness. The new schedule also includes a date change from the 7th to the 4th June for Guyana’s second fixture and reads as follows: Game 1: Guyana vs Curacao, to be played in Curacao on 1st June, 2016 at Ergilio Hato. Game 2: Guyana vs USVI, to be played in USVI on 4th June, 2016 at Adelita Cancryn Playing Field. Game 3: Curacao vs USVI, to be played in Curacao on 7th June, 2016 at Ergilio Hato.
Kaieteur News
Tuesday April 19, 2016
PAGE 35
Bunbury returns to update on ABSAA -Urges local fans to support Canada U-23 game Perhaps troubled by some negative feedbacks, Guyana born Canadian footballer Alex Bunbury held a Press Conference at the Guyana Football Federation to update on the Alex Bunbury Sports and Academics Academy’ (ABSAA) and to clear up any misconceptions about the initiative. B u n b u r y, w h o w a s inducted into Canada’s football Hall of Fame, returned to the country of his birth for a nine-day visit during which time he intends to continue to engage the Government and prospective stakeholders with the aim of investing in the proposed Academy which according to him will offer more than football opportunities, but academics as well. The former Canadian striker, who also held a profesional contract in Portugal, was accompanied by his brother and Senior Adviser Sam and President
of the GFF Wayne Forde and he sought to quell an anxiety pertaining to whether the intended Project will become a reality. According to Bunbury the Project is for the people of Guyana and while he conceded that he does not have all the answers he believes that the country is full of potential and yearning for a chance to showcase it. “Football will benefit from the initiative, it is my first passion, but more importantly so the future of Guyana,” Bunbury told the gathering of reporters. He said his intention is to make football much more than a game, a life lesson and a situation where we create jobs and give kids a safe environment to exist. Bunbury informed that they intend to provide top notch coaches and educators for the Academy, notng that it is his way of giving back to the country of his birth. Prompted for a response
Canadian Hall of Famer Alex Bunbury (centre) seen at the Press Briefing with GFF President Wayne Forde (right) and his brother Sam yesterday. on the state of the discussions, Bunbury responded by saying that he will not do anything to jeopardize the talks, but offered to say that it has been positive. Bunbury, whio is also the International Ambassador for football, disclosed that he was instrumental in the negotiations that will see
Canada Under-23 play the Guyana ‘Golden Jaguars’ right here in Guyana. He thanked all those who’ve playe a part in helping to promote and sell the initiative. Meanwhile, Forde in his comments commended Bunbury for his efforts to bring Guyana into the 21st century of football, adding
BEI are T&T Guyana Outreach U13 Inter school football champions Defending Champions Berbice Educational Institute (BEI) made a sterling second half comeback to defeat Vryman’s Erven Secondary (VESS) 3-2 to take top honours and win the final of the Annual Trinidad and Guyana Outreach U13 Inter school football competition in Berbice which was played in collaboration with the Hearts of Oak Masters Football club. The final was played at the All Saints Scott Church ground, New Amsterdam, Berbice which was the venue for all of the matches. The lads from BEI staged a major comeback in the second half after being 2-0 down at half time. They being champions in 2014, since the tournament was not held in 2015, the BEI team were outplayed in the first half as VESS came out attacking as Tyrese Ogelton and Cion Johnson found the back of the net. In the second half it was a different story with BEI changing strategy and it was soon evident that the script would have been different.
Prize winners pose with their prizes and donor Mr Isaac Daniel (2nd left back row) and organisers. Attacking relentlessly the lads from BEI soon had three goals in the back of the nets as they completely dominated the tiring and hapless VESS team for the 32 win. The players on target for BEI were Daniel Welcome, Keron Hamilton and Shamar Clements. In the third place playoff
Canje Secondary School (CSS) edged out Berbice High School (BHS) 3-2 on sudden death penalty kicks after full and extra time ended 0-0. In the presentation ceremony that followed, BEI collected the T&G trophy and 15 gold medals, while VESS collected a trophy and 15 silver medals. Third place
CSS and fourth place BHS also received trophies. In the individual category Denilrick Griffith of VESS was the adjudged the best goalkeeper on show. The best defender award went to Nicholas Chase also of BEI, while the best midfielder was adjudged to be Shamar Clements. The (Continued on page 25)
that the Project is a huge one which he hopes will not intimidate potential stakeholders, but rather will be able to attract them. He referred to it as “bold and ambitious, but doable.” Sam Bunbury in his remarks echoed the sentiments expressed by his brother when he stated that the Project is for the people of Guyana. He spoke of the loss of two family members, a brother and sister within the space of five weeks and according to him, while the
initiative is the primary focus, the deaths have made them even more determined to add a new dimension to their plans. He said they now intend to add spotlight to health care, noting that even footballers need to stay healthy. All three gentlemen urged the Guyanese football community to come out and support the national team when they play against a strong Canadian U-23 team, at the National Stadium.
t r o Sp
Corona Beer Beach Soccer League
Royal Youths are inaugural champions; KK Warriors beat champs to end on a high
Royal Youths Captain Marvin Sullivan proudly collects the trophy from Ms Lise Lewis of Top Brandz Distributors, local agents of Corona Beer in the presence of teammates.
STAG ELITE LEAGUE – FINALE
Renee (89*), Perez 10 10 goal goal blitz blitz characterize characterize latest latest play play (64*) put Demerara as as Alpha Alpha and and Pele Pele restore restore some some pride pride in control Guyana to play both CFU Men’s Caribbean Cup matches overseas – GFF
Pele’s Gregory Richardson is flanked by teammates Konata Mannings (right) and Colric Beckles.
Bunbury returns to update on ABSAA
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