Kaieteur News
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Friday April 22, 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
Meeting future DEMANDS In Guyana, the supply of electricity is dominated by Guyana Power and Light (GPL), the state-owned vertically integrated utility. Although the country has significant potential for hydropower, and wind-generated power, most of its electricity is generated by inefficient thermoelectric diesel-engine driven generators. As a result, reliability and efficiency are very low, due to technical and institutional deficiencies, with total losses said to be close to 40%. This low reliability has led several medium and large companies to self-generate. Self-generation of electricity is not necessarily widespread in Guyana; it is done by mostly private companies. But the self-supply in the corporate sector has helped to ease the demands on the GPL, especially in the urban centres of the country. And GPL must be congratulated for reducing the electricity rates for its customers who are its ultimate stakeholders. In a careful review of the rates of electricity by its Board of Directors, GPL, on April 1, 2016 announced a 10 percent net reduction on electrical bills for its consumers due to lower prices for oil on the world market. While lowering the rates, GPL is also actively engaged in addressing some of its major problems, primarily power outages. It was a great relief to the consumers, many of whom believed that the tariffs should have been reduced even further. But GPL is constrained by its high level of operating costs, technical and commercial losses in the transmission and distribution of electricity due to old infrastructure and the continued theft of electricity through meter tampering and other means. In 2014, GPL lost a total amount of 32.7 percent of its dispatched power and in 2015, it lost 29.8 percent. Its goal is to reduce its total losses to 15.4% by the year 2020 and to less than 10 percent by 2025. Over the years, the consumption of electricity in Guyana has increased substantially due largely to the construction of several new housing schemes, however its generation and distribution capacity has increased at a relatively slower pace. Obviously, self-generation has played an important role to fill the gap between consumption and generation of electricity. Also the low income in the country, high cost per kilowatt hour and the lack of low electrification in the rural areas have led to the usage of kerosene, wood and charcoal cooking, thus reducing electricity demand in those regions. Access to electricity is usually constrained by the country’s level of income, however this indicator appears lower than in other Caribbean countries. It is estimated that the electricity system in Guyana services only about 60 percent of the population, well below the level achieved by many countries in the region. However, electrification is higher in the urban areas with a high industrial concentration compared to rural parts. Electricity rates in Guyana are among the highest in the hemisphere due to the country’s reliance on expensive imported oil. Reduction of the country’s reliance on imported oil and the improvement of energy efficiency will require huge investments in hydropower, wind, biomass and bagasse that will impact on the fiscal stability of the country. The World Bank estimates that an increase in electricity in Guyana at a level comparable with peer Caribbean countries would require investments over the next ten years of between US$805 million and US$1,497 million. Guyana has an estimated capacity of 7,600 MW of hydropower, which is more than 30 times the current capacity in the country, but this potential remains untapped due to the considerable capital investments required to finance it. GPL deserves kudos for its recent actions, but it must end the blackouts; upgrade more rapidly and expand its power grids to meet future demands.
Shortcomings of the Aurora Post Office DEAR EDITOR; On Monday 4th April, 2016, I left my work place, braving the weather travelling about eight miles to get to the Bartica Post Office, having arrived there they were about fifteen persons, most of them pensioners. So with the limited staff there I understand that I had to spend some time, so as to send some money to the Aurora Post Office for someone to receive and to conduct some urgent business for me. But having paid nine hundred dollars which a receipt was issued and with the expectation that the receiver on going to the Aurora Post Office would have access this money, I was subsequently told by both post mistress
and the receiver that the Office (Aurora) do not have any money, and the receiver would have to wait until the following day Tuesday 5th April, for same. I then requested from the Postal Clerk that my money be returned to me so that I can use some other money transfer agency. To my uttermost surprise, I was told that the only way this refund can happen is that I would have to pay a further eleven hundred dollars. The only thing I said to the Clerk is this is robbery without violence. I then left the Bartica Post Office and thankfully I was in a position to have another set of money sent through another money transfer agency. It is important to say that the Aurora Post
Office was not in a position to complete the transaction (paying the receiver) until at 14:00 hrs. on 5th April, 2015. This system at these post Offices need to be looked at. On a related issue the Minister, the Honourable Volda Lawrence, shortly after swearing, visited some post Offices, and as expected made some observations regarding the long time that pensioners have to spend at the Post Offices and most of them standing for them to get their money. Her comments would have inspired a lot of hope for changes to happen. Months after I am not sure if anything was changed. Archie W. Cordis
SOME PEOPLE DIDN’T FIGHT FOR ANY FORM OF JUSTICE
DEAR EDITOR; I am forced to reply to an editorial in the Guyana Chronicle of April 20 in which I was named (the State newspaper). One of the things I have learned in my years of activism is never to complain too much about my personal experiences of discrimination and harassment by the government and the State-and there have been numerous. There are two reasons for that. First, most citizens are frequently discriminated against and harassed by the powers that be; it’s the story of their daily lives. So my experiences should not be more important. Second, whenever you complain the government either dismisses your charge as having no “basis in truth” or label you a troublemaker. But there comes a time when one has to speak out to draw attention to what is hidden. The recent revelation of censorship of my columns by the Chronicle is a case in point. The Office of the Prime Minister dismissed the charges as baseless and labeled me a troublemaker who wants to “damage the image of the Coalition government.” (Office of the Prime Minister April 18). I find it quite appalling that the PM’s office would make such a pronouncement. Did they mount an investigation? If so, did they speak with me? Did the PM sign off on the statement? The Chronicle went further. Its editorial of April 20snidely suggested that I was guilty of sowing racial discord by “litigating a past that readers in this Information Age can access easily and at their convenience engage in comparative content analyses among the different political administration.” (Guyana Chronicle April 20).So one may conclude that the Chronicle has no interest in history and that it used editorial latitude to censor me because “in our historically polarised and fractured society, the state media brings with it a duty of welding the people together in keeping with our motto, ‘One People, One Nation, One Destiny’ and as far as possible eschewing internecine conflicts.” (Guyana Chronicle April 20). For the record, neither article dealt
with race or ethnicity. I suppose opposing the inclusion in the government of those tainted with political degeneracy and expressing disappointment at remarks by the president are tantamount to sowing racial discord. I challenge the Chronicle to send the two articles in question to the police for investigation into whether I violated the Racial Hostility Act. My personal view is that there is need for a major intervention at the Chronicle by the leaders of the government. The newspaper is fast becoming an embarrassment to the government. At least one Board member has publicly complained that the Board’s hands are tied given the fact that the editors seem to be taking directives from other sources. If you have a Board that is not empowered to serve as an oversight and whose broad policy directives are ignored, then you should not boast about a reformed newspaper. The Chronicle Board of directors must be properly empowered if the newspaper is to progress. I do not believe that what is happening at the Chronicle is the policy of the Government; it seems to be the
policy of a tiny cabal located in the Office of the Prime Minister and maybe elsewhere. And some in leadership positions at the paper appear to be wittingly and unwittingly carrying out directives or are acting based on what they think the bosses would want. Remember just the other day the president had to rebuke another section of the State Media which declared that it was not duty-bound to cover the Opposition. The time has come for the government to come out with that clear media policy which Minister Harmon had promised some time ago. We cannot continue like this. Let me end with this subjective note. There is something obscene about a scenario whereby those who never lifted a finger or a placard or their voices in the struggle for justice and against injustice in Guyana would be lecturing soldiers of that struggle about damaging the image of the government and about our national motto. Photo shopping, censorship, antiintellectualism and anti-history do more damage to the image of the government than my critique of the government David Hinds
Criminal rampage in Guyana DEAR EDITOR; The brutal burning to death of a rice farming family (Munir and Jamila) on Sunday night, April 17, 2016 at Good Hope East Bank Essequibo is a grim reminder of the degenerated culture of brutality and people on people violence which has evolved to become epidemic in Guyana. Munir and Jamila though unassuming to many at the upper echelons of Guyanese society, were among the small group of large rice farmers that emerged in the rice industry since 2000. Jamila was a prominent member of the Rice Producers Association, and is well-known in rice farming circles across the country. The inhumanity and depravity demonstrated by this heinous act by persons so far not named, and unknown will undoubtedly send shock waves across the country, especially in the
Indo-Guyanese farming communities. The Working Peoples Alliance Overseas Associates urges the authorities in Guyana, and its policing agencies to act with urgent haste to investigate, get to the bottom of this crime, and bring the perpetrators to justice. The scale and terror of the criminal rampage in Guyana demand that every community, social political religious, cultural labour organization subscribe to a national effort to curtail crime and that the issue be depoliticised. F u r t h e r, w e c a l l u p o n t h e government to engage in the broadest possible consultation in creating a viable policy and expedite reform in the security forces to enhance their professionalism and capacity to make our country safe and secure. Keith Boyce WPA Overseas Associates
Kaieteur News
Friday April 22, 2016
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Opportunists have taken over COTED is insincere and Paradise sporting facilities hypocritical DEAR EDITOR; I was born in the village of Bachelors Adventure on the East Coast of Demerara, where I lived and played as a youth. From the age of sixteen I began teaching at the Paradise Primary school (1970) , and functioned as an athlete, cricket and soccer coach for the school’s teams, having received coaching in cricket under West Indies opening batsman the late Roy Federicks, soccer coach Mr August Wootar of Suriname and a female Canadian athlete coach who were all assigned to Buxton Government Secondary School which I attended at the time(1965-1970). Arriving at Paradise Primary I was rearing to share my new found knowledge with children in my community. The success was phenomenal, because, out of those children aged 9 years and over that I worked with, I have seen John Joseph representing Guyana in the 10000 meters at the PANAM games 1976; Earl Haley at the Olympic games in 1980 and Donald Jackman who eventually played for Police and represented Guyana in international football matches. Today to name a few of the players I worked with in their childhood years are national football players Quincy”Adams, Dwight Peters, and under 17 goalkeeper Ryan Harris who represented Bachelors Adventure Paradise F C on Saturday in the under 17 finals versus Buxton Stars and was adjudged the most outstanding goalkeeper not conceding a goal in the tournament. It took him less than two years ago, he not knowing anything about goal keeping to becoming one of the finest under 17 goalkeeper in Guyana today. I have worked with the National Sports Development Council under the guidance of the late Mr Deryck Whitehead the Director at the time, functioning as a National Sports Organizer from 19761979 forming, sports clubs and sports Associations, organizing coaching clinics etc. I have coached soccer in
summer camps in Barbados, Florida USA and here in Guyana nonstop in my community for over 40 years. Today I see opportunists peeking out through their seeming political affiliation to the ruling APNU/AFC coalition, some were sauntering under the PPP and today come seeking to take control of the playfield at Paradise on the East Coast of Demerara. These senior citizens having never been involved in sports suddenly are dictating to the East Demerara Football Association that our club the Bachelors Adventure Paradise Youth Culture and Sports Club should not be allowed to register to be able to participate in competitions run by the Association. The executive members of the association for whatever reason has agreed to this and indicated that such action will be taken. This is a decision that is seriously flawed and violates the foundation of democracy. The young people of Paradise, Bachelors Adventure, Bare root and Melanie Damishana all use this ground; one football club to cover these communities is sorely inadequate. Those geriatrics have suddenly found a life, these persons over the last 23 years have locked youth groups out of the PARBAMEL community center building, laying claim to the building and only renting it for dances, and who knows what they are doing with the money. A few years ago, a
group that I founded (1999) in New York USA to give support to the PARBAMEL c o m m u n i t y, s e n t s i x computers and hundreds of books to this inefficient local chapter to be used by young people in the community. Those computers and books were locked away in a room and left to be destroyed by rodents and wood ants. Members of our youth group cleaned them and wanted to use those books that were good. They were again taken from us by these uncaring and selfish individuals motivated by an opportunistic agenda. When I found this out, it was at a time when I began work to prepare about 25 young persons for a play that would have depicted the 1823 Demerara Revolt. The same year President David Granger in opposition at the time visited and encouraged our group to do well and presented a painting that was done by Mr. Barrington Braithwaithe. A few days later we were again locked out of the PARBAMEL community center building at Bachelors Adventure and that ended our efforts. I decided that we will use the stands in the Paradise playfield. These people who were never elected by the residents of the community have now arrived on the playfield and claiming management committee status and ground control. We have never had an election to put these people in office. To date this (Continued on page 31)
DEAR EDITOR, The Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) is currently holding its meeting in Guyana. Normally their meetings would be hosted at the Pegasus Hotel. This time around, it is being held for some reason at the Marriott Hotel, a US brand of hotel which is operating in Georgetown, Guyana. It is important to note that the purpose of COTED is to encourage interregional trade within Caricom and to remove all irritants and barriers to such trade so that the Caricom region as a whole, benefits economically.
With this in mind, I find it difficult to understand why the Caricom office in Guyana would move its meetings from the Pegasus Hotel, a local brand that has supported these meetings for many years to the Marriott hotel, which is a foreign brand. I dare say that this goes against the spirit of regional integration, against the goal of intraregional trade and against the region as an economic bloc. I am asking governments in the region and the Caricom secretariat to reexamine their choices and their sincerity and commitment to the goal of regional integration and intraregional trade. Robin Johnson Former Caricom employee
I am so glad I left Guyana DEAR EDITOR; When I read of the horrifying experience of the four women, confronted by burglars who gained entry “by prising out a grill from a window in the bottom flat of the two-storey property”, I got goose pimmples, as I realised I could have been facing something similar when I spent my 4+year period in Guyana in the late 1990s - without a telephone! A carpenter/builder, recommended to me by someone who was a regular client, charged me G$100,000 to mend a leak in the roof. He collected his ‘materials money’ and went off, leaving a ladder leaning against the back wall for over 3 days and nights, eventually reappearing to finish the job. He performed his own
‘parlour tricks’, and had a young helper, who seemed to have ideas of his own. A week or two after finishing the job and ‘signing off ‘, I noticed along the ledge of the grilled kitchen, a huge, heavy file. It made no sense to me - until recently. It was probably left to “prise the grill”, to gain entry to the house during the night. I have always believed that everyone has a guardian angel, and mine is very active and benevolent. Fortunately, for me in Guyana, I was up most of the night, with lights on, and there was an all-night watchman at a house across the road at the back, who had a clear view of my kitchen. So whoever left the file on the kitchen ledge was thwarted from mischief-making. When I read of what
Guyana is going through today, I count my blessings that I left when I did, mainly because I could not get a telephone, without delivering a G$10,000 backhander! I recall the poem which details how “a kingdom was lost all for the want of a horse-shoe nail”. My case in reverse, perhaps. Geralda Dennison.
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Friday April 22, 2016
Kaieteur News
‘Child father’ confesses to ‘Maid - murder stemmed from of Honour’ killing jealousy, custody fight He reportedly plotted the killing carefully, even travelling back to the interior to give himself an alibi, but this was not enough to stop detectives from implicating Clevon Hamilton to the brutal murder of his reputed wife, Simone Hackett. Police yesterday revealed that Hamilton, who was detained on Wednesday at Mahdia, has admitted to slitting Hamilton’s throat and dumping her remains in a trench at Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara on Saturday night. Kaieteur News understands that the suspect, known as ‘Quarter’, has said that the killing stemmed from jealousy and because of Hackett’s refusal to give him custody of their son. Police yesterday escorted the alleged killer back to the scene, where he pointed out the area where the murder occurred.
Prime suspect: Clevon Hamilton
Dead: Simone Hackett
Detectives have taken statements from a bus driver and conductor, who had transported the suspect from Mahdia to Georgetown on Saturday. “We also have phone records, which we will be using against him to further strengthen our case,” Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum said. Police are also seeking to contact a taxi driver who took
Hamilton to and from the East Coast of Demerara. Simone Hackett’s fate was sealed on Saturday, when she allegedly received a call from Hamilton, who said he was sending out a package, containing cash and gold, from Mahdia. Hamilton allegedly instructed her to collect the ‘package’ from an associate of his called ‘Dexter.’ Relatives told Kaieteur News that she left to meet “Dexter” at the Mahdia Bus Park, but the meeting place changed and instead she went to the Railway Embankment at UG Road. They last heard from her while she was waiting there. During his interrogation yesterday, Hamilton
reportedly told detectives that he travelled out of Mahdia by bus on Saturday morning. He then stayed at a hotel and when night fell, he contacted a taxi driver, who took him to Cummings Lodge. After asking the driver to wait, Hamilton, who had a cutlass in a haversack, then met Simone Hackett. The suspect allegedly said that the two had a heated row over custody of their son. He was also jealous and angry over some of the things she was doing, and “couldn’t take it any longer.” The suspect allegedly stated that he sneaked up behind his ‘child mother,’ then choked his victim before inflicting the fatal wounds. Leaving the murder weapon near the body, Hamilton allegedly then returned to Georgetown in the same taxi. He then returned to
Mahdia. Hackett’s mother had said that she last received a call from her daughter at 22:10 hrs, but her daughter wasn’t saying anything and she heard background noises as though the daughter was in a moving vehicle. Relatives tried calling her cell phone continually, but kept getting voicemail. They were particularly concerned, since she was scheduled to be the Maid of Honour at her sister ’s wedding on Sunday. It was also the day that her son was celebrating his third birthday. The relatives managed to contact Clevon Hamilton in the interior, and they questioned him about Hackett’s whereabouts. Hamilton then went to the Mahdia Police Station where he professed innocence about Hackett’s fate. He was
released after providing the police with a statement. On Tuesday, two boys on their way to school spotted Hackett’s partially decomposed body in a trench at Fourth Field Cummings Lodge. Her throat was slit and she had been stabbed three times to the back and neck. She was clad in the same outfit she had left home with and her jewellery was intact. Police retrieved a blackhandled cutlass from near the body. On Wednesday, police apprehended Hamilton at Mahdia and escorted him back to Georgetown. Relatives had alleged that a week prior to her death, Simone Hackett had received threats to her life over the continuing child custody dispute. Police are to seek legal advice on the case today.
CH&PA management skips press conference It was somewhat strange that a press conference which was held yesterday by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA) was missing the presence of management’s top members. With the exception of CH&PA’s legal officer, the only representatives who were present at the briefing were Chairman of CH&PA, Hamilton Green, Engineer Bert Carter and a few members of the CH&PA Board. Several important questions were asked by members of the media on the irregularities within the housing sector and a number of “suspicious” projects which should have been under the watchful eye of the management team. But it appears that the media and
the CH&PA Chairman are in the same boat. He told the media that many of the questions were put to the management team and he is still awaiting the answers along with a full report. Kaieteur News challenged the Chairman to explain why the management team was not present to answer several critical questions. He subsequently sent an official to locate members of the management team, but they were not in the building. The CH&PA Chairman was asked to say whether there was some disconnect between the board and management, and if he is receiving some level of cooperation. He said, “We receive cooperation at a certain level. I have not experienced any truculence from any member
CH&PA Chairman, Hamilton Green but sometimes, just sometimes, that does not mean anything...” Green promised that the Board is going to get to the bottom of all matters of concern within the housing sector.
Friday April 22, 2016
Kaieteur News
White House concerned by Russia’s military moves in Syria Reuters - The United States said yesterday it was concerned about reports that Russia is moving more military equipment into Syria to bolster President Bashar alAssad, with a truce in tatters and peace talks in meltdown. Asaad Zoubi, chief negotiator for the main Syrian opposition, the High Negotiations Committee (HNC), said all its members will leave the peace talks in Geneva by today, with little prospect of a resumption unless the situation on the ground changes radically. U.N. special envoy Staffan de Mistura will decide today whether talks to end the five-year war that has killed at least 250,000 people can go on without the HNC, and with combatants accusing each other of breaking a February ceasefire deal. Two Western diplomats said it looked like de Mistura would continue the talks until next Wednesday given the late arrival of the Syrian government delegation. “The HNC stayed the course, including through extended technical discussions on real substance,” one said. “It’s natural that the special envoy may continue discussion with those still in town who have yet to offer any real ideas, to press them to do so.”A second diplomat said some experts from the HNC would remain for technical consultations. HNC spokesman Salem al-Meslet suggested de Mistura might be better off preparing for the next round of talks and ensuring the government was serious. A U.S. official told Reuters yesterday that Russia has been repositioning artillery to northern Syria — a move that may suggest the Syrian government and its allies are preparing another assault on the divided city of Aleppo. “It’s understandable that the opposition felt unable to stay further given sustained regime attacks on Syrian civilians and continuation of siege and starvation tactics,” said one senior Western diplomat. “Those who back the regime need to get a leash on them.” The arrival of Russian reinforcements would risk driving the war into an even higher gear. Russia’s defense ministry did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed concern over a “serious degrading of the situation” at the
Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) attends a meeting of the Security Council at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, yesterday. Mikhail Klimentyev/ Sputnik/Kremlin via Reuters peace talks, a Kremlin spokesman was reported as saying. The HNC, which is backed by Western nations and key Arab states, had this week urged more military support for rebels after declaring the truce was over and said talks would not re-start until the government stopped committing “massacres”. The talks aim to halt a conflict that has allowed for the rise of the Islamic State group, sucked in regional and major powers and created the world’s worst refugee crisis. “I’m saddened and believe it’s a mistake,” said a Western diplomat of the opposition’s decision. “It will be very difficult to find a pretext for them to return given the situation on the ground and now the regime knows that a bombing will ensure they stay away,” he said, referring to an air strike this week that killed dozens. France, which accused the government of rushing “headlong” into violence and showing its refusal to negotiate a political solution, said it would consider with other European powers and the United States the idea of convening a ministerial meeting of major powers in the next two weeks to work out what to do. “If the regime insists on stubbornness, obstruction and rejection of international resolutions, we will continue our revolution,” Abdullah Othman, head of the politburo of the Levant Front rebel fighting group, told Reuters. “Our only option is to realize the revolution’s goals.” The crushing in March
2011 of pro-democracy protests in the southern city of Deraa triggered demonstrations across Syria that ignited into widespread unrest and a multi-sided civil war. Syria is now a patchwork of areas controlled by the government, an array of rebel groups, Islamic State, and the well-organized Kurdish YPG militia. Far from the main frontlines between government forces and rebels in western Syria, Kurdish groups were fighting one of their most serious battles yet with government forces in the northeast. A Syrian Kurdish official said more than 21 proDamascus militiamen had been killed in two days of battles in Qamishli, near the Turkish border. It was a rare confrontation between sides that have mostly left each other alone since the start of the conflict in 2011, and underlined growing Kurdish power that has alarmed neighboring Turkey. Syrian government officials could not be reached for comment. With violence escalating, Syria’s fragile peace talks might not resume for at least a year if they are abandoned, one senior Western diplomat warned.
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Kaieteur News
Friday April 22, 2016
Kaieteur News
Friday April 22, 2016
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THE NCN CONTROVERSY T
he controversy surrounding the appointment of a Chief Executive Officer of the National Communications Network (NCN) raises three important questions which will be discussed within this column. NCN had advertised for a new CEO and there were interviews conducted by the Board of Directors, which is ultimately responsible for the appointment. The person selected to be appointed apparently a long time ago – more than fifteen years – had an issue of alleged forgery at a previous place of employment. This has become a lightning rod of controversy, with one Board member reportedly not pleased with the selection on the basis that the alleged offence was of such a nature that the person should have been disqualified. The three questions raised by this entire controversy are: 1. What are the skills
needed for the job? 2. How long does one hold an offence against someone? 3. Are some offences of such a nature as to disqualify someone for a specific appointment regardless of the time since the offence was committed? First, let us examine the issue of the skills that should have been required for the job. There seems to have developed a tendency that if an agency is providing a specific service, then the person who is selected to manage that agency should be an expert in that specific field. The world, however, is moving away from that sort of thinking, and this is no more so than in cricket which is now managed not by cricketers, but by professionals skilled in marketing and international management. In the case of the NCN, the Board has gone for someone who is qualified in
communications, but who is also qualified in management. This shows that the Board is moving away from the traditional thinking and is looking for someone with the right balance – both marketing and management skills. NCN is not a small company. It is a mediumsized company which has to be managed properly. It brings together both radio and TV. Its transmission reaches, or is supposed to reach, across many communities in Guyana. Marketing is a major aspect of the work of NCN. Ideally, therefore, a broad range of expertise will be expected of anyone that is appointed to head NCN. The issue of qualifications is, however, not the only factor to be considered. There is the issue of experience. Ideally, the NCN should be looking for someone with the experience and with a track record of managing a
company of the size of or even bigger than NCN. NCN should therefore be examining what the candidates for the job bring to the job. What have they achieved in their previous jobs? What have been their successes and what have been their failures? In the modern world, employers are looking to recruit the best persons for the job and they assess the best person not just on qualifications but on experience and achievements. The second question concerns how long should a wrong that someone did be held against them. This is not a legal question. It is a moral issue. You cannot in this modern world hold an offence against someone indefinitely. If you do, it means that a person who has committed an infraction will never get a second chance. Some of the most successful executives in this country have been persons who got a second chance. In
law, there is a concept called a statute of limitation. In employment, there has to be a similar parallel. You cannot morally disqualify someone for something that was done a long time ago. That is simply not fair, and if that rule is applied it will lead to many persons never being eligible for reemployment. NCN itself has reemployed someone who was once charged but never convicted for an offence before the Courts. There are of course some offences that go beyond the pale and effectively disqualify someone from being appointed to certain positions. You do not expect a murderer or a convicted rapist or a pedophile to be appointed to a position of authority within any organization, much less one where image is important. Whether fraud is one of those offences is up for discussion. It all depends on the seriousness or gravity of
the offence. But a person should not be punished twice for an offence. A person who has paid his dues should not have to suffer permanently because of an infraction committed a long time ago. The important considerations are to what extent that infraction will stand in the way of the employee gaining the confidence of the staff and stakeholders, and to what extent the person’s infraction will sully the image of the corporation. NCN has made its choice. It has given reasons for its choice. The person will be on probation and that person should be allowed to do his job to the best of his ability.
Kaieteur News
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Friday April 22, 2016
= = = Freddie kissoon column = = =
Granger and Nagamootoo have to be careful who and what they defend I n politics, friendship runs deep. It is a w o r l d w i d e behavioural pattern. Presidents and Prime Ministers cannot bring themselves to openly criticize people that they swam with in murky waters and with whom they roamed the world over the long years in search of support. But there are established institutions and norms to save presidential and prime ministerial colleagues when they transgress in older countries, institutions and
norms that a nation like Guyana does not have. One of those institutions is private income. When an American, Japanese, Indian or European state official embarrasses his/her governmental leader, they save the day by resigning so the leader can continue to shower high praise on the departed official, but the storm dies down right away because the person is no longer in the government. Two examples should suffice. It is generally accepted in political analysis that Peter Mandelson was the chief tactician that brought the British Labour Party, under Tony Blair, back to power in the late nineties after a long journey in the wilderness. Naturally Mandelson
became a Minister in the Blair Cabinet. But when his ministry conducted an investigation into indiscretions by another Minister, it was revealed that Mandelson had borrowed a huge sum from the very Minister he was investigating. He resigned to save the Prime Minister’s name from being soiled. Mandelson secured several consultancies in the world of high business. He didn’t starve. The second example is from the US. Generally credited with the strategies that led to the presidential success of George W. Bush, Karl Rove found himself in many scandals, including naming a CIA agent whose husband had embarrassed President Bush over the
issue of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. Rove resigned and there was no shortage of lucrative employment, including contracts with the Wall Street Journal and Newsweek. In Guyana, the world of politics is vastly different. Prime Ministers and Presidents in Guyana stick with their defaulting colleagues because if dismissal comes about, where would they find an income? If a big state official is a historian, where would he/she find an attractive salary in Guyana if he/she is removed from office? How many business places in Guyana will award substantial remuneration to a person with a history degree? It is against this background that Presidents and Prime Ministers tend to not want to accuse close colleagues of conduct unbecoming. Another very important reason, which is too crucial to an understanding of Guyanese society to be left out of the discussion, is that we do not have a morally accountable culture in this country. We never did and I doubt we will have one in the foreseeable future (see last Wednesday’s column on this
topic). Lacking such an endowed principle, ruling politicians carelessly and shamelessly come to the rescue of their friends when misconduct becomes grave and unacceptable. It was Roger Luncheon who openly extolled the behaviour of Priya Manickchand when she misbehaved at the home of the US Ambassador. The PPP condoned, fervently, as if its life depended on it, the totally unacceptable misconduct of Kellawan Lall. Both the President and the Prime Minister have to tread carefully in such a sensitive situation in a country like this. I am somewhat nonplussed that Prime Minister Nagamootoo could defend his appointees at the Chronicle over the continuation of political partisanship which virtually killed the Chronicle market over the past fifteen years under the PPP. The senior editors should not have even for a moment contemplated dropping two columns by Guyanese icon, Dr. David Hinds. We left that world behind after May 11, 2015. I read the two columns and I didn’t see even a line of defamation or scandal. The Chronicle also refused to
Frederick Kissoon carry the press release Transparency Institute of Guyana Inc. (TIGI) sent on the Harmon fiasco. One would have expected both the President and the Prime Minister to come out swinging against the senior editors at Chronicle and also the Board chairman. The senior editors for their censorship and the board chairman for her interpretation that the Hinds column and the rejection of the press release of TIGI, were matters for the editor. The President did not offer a comment on the Chronicle’s censorship, but the Prime Minister’s office did. In a press release, there is absolutely no reference to the two banned columns and the non-appearance of the TIGI press release I don’t believe even for a fleeting moment that the President or the Prime Minister knew about these two forms of censorship. But this is where their silence becomes confusing. Why would they not want to castigate Chronicle’s senior editors for returning to the road of censorship?
Dem boys seh...
Tennis Roll mek Rambo talk good things on TV An old pastor tell dem boys ‘You may not be able to control someone’s attitude/behavior but you can control how long you participate in it.” That is so, so true. A man name Rambo like a hurricane. He destroy nuff thing. He nearly destroy de Pee Pee Pee until that scamp Jagdeo chase him like a dog. This was de same man who nearly destroy GPL when ee nearly knock off everybody and lef heself and ee son fuh run de place. Anything he put he hand pun he destroy. From GPL he go and wuk wid a doctor and de man nearly dead. Then he go and wuk wid Bee Kay. Ee nearly mek Bee Kay run bankrupt. Subsequently Bee Kay give him de marching order. Nobody ever hire him back so he was hungry. Govt change and ee stretch ee tongue out. Joe ShanLin and Bee Kay snatch it because dem know he like run wid he tongue. De other day dem boys hear he get
some tennis roll and salara from dem two that snatch him. Everybody know wha does happen when you belly full. Some people does drop asleep, while others does talk out dem nonsense. Rambo is one who is known to talk out he head. Imagine wha does happen when he belly full. He been pun TV and he cuss de Waterfalls paper because de boss refuse to buy salara for him. He sit down wid de Ram, cuss Goolsarran, cuss Rum Jattan, and talk nice things about Bee Kay and Joe ShanLin. Nobody ain’t got to explain nutten else. He who pays de piper calls de tune. He who full Rambo belly control ee BT (Bathroom Toilet). He talk so much that people began to think that Joe ShanLin is a pastor and Bee Kay is a pandit. Dem boys seh don’t be surprise if you hear Rambo tun lead adviser to Soulja Bai or he tun manager fuh Bee Kay business. Talk half and open keep some food Rambo
Kaieteur News
Friday April 22, 2016
Drug addict kills 75-yr-old mom Residents of Good Faith, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara, are trying to come to grips with the gruesome murder last night of a 75-year-old woman, allegedly by her 53-year-old son. Cecelia Madray was discovered lying on her blood-covered floor with a wound to the head at around 20:00 hours, by members of the area’s Community Policing Group (CPG). Her son, who is said to be a drug addict, was also in the house and he was promptly taken
into custody. Reports reaching this newspaper stated that the CPG members were contacted after neighbours heard a commotion in Madray’s house. When the CPG members went to the house and called out for Madray’s son, they got no answer. They were left with no other alternative but to break the door to get in. Once in, they made the shocking discovery of the elderly woman lying on the floor covered by a mosquito net.
Man fatally struck down at Diamond
T
he East Bank Demerara roadway has claimed yet another life. Its latest victim has been identified as Sew Persaud. While little is known of the man and what transpired that lead to his demise, staff at the Diamond Diagnostic Hospital, revealed that the man was brought in by three individuals in an unconscious state. It was late yesterday afternoon that information was provided to this publication confirming the man’s fate. A police source later revealed that the driver of motor vehicle, PFF 6802, said that he was heading north along the Diamond Public Road when Persaud ran into the path of his vehicle.
Kaieteur News understands that when questioned, the dead woman’s son told the CPG members that she fell on the steps on Tuesday. However, the CPG members found no trace of blood on the stairs to support the man’s story. They observed that the woman’s body was still a bit fresh. While news of Madray’s death, allegedly at the hands of her son, was shocking, it
came as no surprise to many, since she had suffered repeated physical and sexual abuse. According to a police source, Madray’s son was arrested and spent four days in the Mahaicony Police Station lock-ups after it was alleged that he had raped his mother. However, the source said that the woman refused to give the police a statement so that he could be charged and placed before the court.
Corrective works...
From page 3 those residents no longer suffer. Some residents claim that they are paying rent and mortgage, and it is frustrating. We will pursue measures with the cooperation of the minster.” Green revealed too that CH&PA's Board was at a loss for words when they discovered that soil tests
were not done on the lands that were used for construction of these homes. He noted, however, that with a new methodology and approach, soil tests will be done. With the help of experienced engineers like Bert Carter, Green promised homeowners that the issues will be addressed and rectified.
PAGE 11
PAGE 12
Kaieteur News
Friday April 22, 2016
D’urban Park Project for May 12 completion M
inister of Public Infrastructure, An aerial view of the Durban Park Project yesterday. David Patterson, revealed at a press conference and tour of the incomplete D’urban Park P r o j e c t y e s t e r d a y, t h a t contractors will be required to work double shifts so as to ensure the scheduled competition, for May 12. Just recently, the project was moved from the Ministry of the Presidency and assigned to the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI). The reason for this move, Patterson said, was because the Ministry of Infrastructure has the capacity, expertise and resources to ensure that the product is ready for the hosting of the golden jubilee approaching, he declared that he WORKS TO BE COMPLETED anniversary celebrations. has full confidence in his team’s Coordinator of the Works “It is a national project. It is for ability to deliver. Services, Geoffrey Vaughn, was the nation. The jubilee celebration “As you know it will be a push asked to make a presentation where is not a singular activity. It is an because there are two things; a fear he provided a scope of the activity, which will be celebrated of the rains and floods, and we have outstanding works which includes, by all Guyanese and at this stage, somewhat tackled that, and then roofing and remedial works for the because of time constraints and there are some issues in the media spectator bleachers; completion of mobilisation of equipment and of safety. the superstructure, walls and roof resources, it was felt that it (will) be “But all of that will be addressed in for the VIP stand; electrical wiring, better handled now under the time for the jubilee celebrations. lighting and power supply; Ministry (of Public Infrastructure), We have examined the site and we completion of access driveways which has the resources to so do,” have met all the persons so that and bridges; sanitary facilities; and the Minister said. there is an orderly handover and we drainage works. While Patterson acknowledged have developed a plan,” the Va u g h n s t a t e d t h a t t h e t h a t t h e d e a d l i n e i s f a s t Minister said. completion of the bleachers would
include the replacement of damaged members (beams, columns, decking), the installation of additional structural members and the installation of roof and guttering. There are 27 stands and it is expected that four contractors (seven stands per contractor) will be asked to work on these and to pull double shifts so that the deadline can be met. The number of contractors will most likely increase, since there are some stands yet to be completed. In keeping with the rules and
regulations of the National Tender and Procurement Board (NTPB), Minister Patterson said that the contractors, who were prequalified by the Ministry earlier this year, during the opening of bids for infrastructural works, will be asked to make submissions. “We usually prequalify contractors at the beginning of the year, so we would have had a list. We would have selected 13 to 15 contractors and then ask them to submit…they have to show that they [can] fulfil these requirements; that they h a v e t h e c a p a c i t y, t h e manpower and financial capabilities, because we are working double shifts so that would mean a double wage bill at the end of the week,” Patterson said. The Minister added that the completion of the access ways, tarmac and parking area: paving of the VIP parking area, preparation of the finished surface in general parking area, paving of an 18-foot wide access way for parade vehicles and the preparation of the tarmac area, are all expected to be completed within the next three weeks. The Ministry will be collaborating with the Ministry of (Continued on page 29)
Friday April 22, 2016
Kaieteur News
Gunmen drink milk, coconut water during one-hour home invasion Six gunmen early yesterday stormed the home of a popular rice farmer/miller at Toevlugt, West Bank Demerara. At the end of an almost hour-long ordeal, the masked invaders, who were armed with three guns and three knives, escaped on foot with six laptops, eight cell phones, gold, diamonds, televisions, medical instruments and two firearms. The robbery occurred around 02:00 hrs and the
bandits used the heavy rain to their advantage as they broke one of the windows at the home and then ripped open the grillwork. The victim, Deo Rupee said that the ordeal has left him and his family traumatized, but he is thankful that the men made no attempt to harm anyone. “When I came out of my room, they greeted me with guns and knives. The first thing they said to me was that they wanted my guns and I
told them that I will give them everything, but they can’t hurt anyone,” Rupee said. He explained that he gave the men his two weapons and then called out for his children and parents one at a time from their rooms. “They put us in the master bedroom and one of them with a gun was in the door. They were searching the house. They took everything that is valuable,” the man said. The rice farmer said that the men took their time and
Bulletproof vest saves disarmed cop during arrest attempt An officer attached to the Guyana Police Force received injuries following a confrontation with an alleged bandit. According to Commander of ‘B’ Division, Assistant Commissioner Ian Amsterdam, police ranks were conducting routine patrols in the Rose Hall, Corentyne area when the suspect, Keon Thompson commonly known as “Mad Dawg,” of Canje, was proceeding on the public road, and began acting in a suspicious manner. The ranks then attempted to search the man who began
resisting arrest. A scuffled ensued between the alleged bandit and one Constable Clarkson, and the suspect managed to disarm the rank of his .38 revolver and began firing several shots. One of the shots reportedly struck the Constable, but luckily he was protected by his bulletproof
vest. The man then made good his escape into the Reef backlands area on foot. Unconfirmed reports revealed that Thompson is wanted for questioning in connection with a number of robberies in the Corentyne area. Investigations are currently ongoing.
thoroughly searched the property. “They tumbled all the rooms and everywhere.” Rupee said where he is living; he does not have any neighbours. “I told them (the bandits) from the start that I will cooperate, I even told them that I had money in my pants pocket,” the man said. “These men had time. They were even drinking coconut water and milk while searching,” the rice farmer said. He added that the men locked their maid’s door from outside so that if she heard any strange sounds, the woman wouldn’t be able to investigate. The woman is residing in a structure adjacent to Rupee’s home. The rice farmer’s house does not have surveillance cameras, but the man is in the process of setting up such facilties. According to the businessman, he has already supplied the names of two persons to the police whom he suspects were a part of the robbery. Investigations are ongoing.
PAGE 13
Police deny Attorney was ordered from station The Guyana Police Force says that at no time was Attorney-at-Law Patrice Henry ordered out of the Sparendaam Police Station and denied his client the right to his attorney. The police were responding to an article published in yesterday’s edition of this newspaper under the caption “Missing Bridesmaid: ‘Child father’ apprehended in Mahdia,” in which it was stated, that the lawyer was denied the right to speak to his client who was in police custody at Sparendaam Police Station by Deputy Superintendent Ludovick Scotland. In clarifying what took place, the Force said that during Wednesday night, Deputy Superintendent Scotland went to the Sparendaam Police Station to conduct an interview of murder suspect Clevon Hamilton. The man was held earlier that day in connection with the murder of Simone Hackett, whose body was discovered on Tuesday in a trench parallel to the University of Guyana Access Road in Cummingslodge. According to the police, on arrival in the Enquiries Office of the station, on his way to the CID Office, Scotland saw both Attorney-at-law Patrice Henry and Clevon Hamilton. The police said that at no stage did Scotland engage in any conversation with Patrice Henry, nor did Henry make any attempt to speak to him. At the CID Office, Deputy Superintendent Scotland sent a rank to escort Hamilton to the office where he proceeded to conduct the interview. While doing so, Attorney-at-law Patrice Henry and Constable Robin, who was on duty in the Enquiries Office, entered the CID Office. The police said that at this stage, Deputy Superintendent Scotland enquired of Constable Robin as to why he had allowed the lawyer to come into the CID Office during the interview, whereupon Constable Robin informed Patrice Henry that he should leave the CID Office, to which he complied. The police said that at no time did Deputy Superintendent Scotland order Attorney-at-Law Patrice Henry out of the Sparendaam Police Station, as alleged.
PAGE 14
Kaieteur News
Friday April 22, 2016
Friday April 22, 2016
PAGE 15
Kaieteur News
CH&PA unaware how Providence lands end up in Lumumba’s hands
The plot of land controlled by Mr. Lumumba that CH&PA says it has no idea about.
In 2011, a huge plot of housing land at Providence, East Bank Demerara, was allocated to former Parliamentarian of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), Odinga Lumumba. However, it appears that the transaction was never seen by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA). It is unclear who authorized it and which entity handled the transaction and whether any monies were paid. Yesterday, Attorney-atLaw for CH&PA, Hannifah Jordan, at a press conference hosted by the CH&PA Board of Directors, said that she is unaware of any agreements entered into between the authority and Lumumba. She was also unaware of anything signed with Elaine Ville Development Inc, a company Odinga Lumumba owns and controls 200 acres in Providence. The Elaine Ville transaction would be significant, as it falls in the middle of several hundred of acres of housing lands between Eccles and Little Diamond, East Bank Demerara. These lands were controversially sold by the previous PPPC Government to more than 20 private developers. Those lands were supposed to be under the control of CH&PA, after being transferred from the Guyana Sugar Corporation. How it was parceled off without CH&PA knowledge is now the big question. CH&PA Chairman of the Board of Directors, Hamilton Green, who chaired the press conference yesterday, said that it is apparent that there is a lot of skullduggery in the question of this allocation of lands to “certain” people. The CH&PA board has asked management to provide details of the transactions of the lands sold to private developers. The allocations had angered
CH&PA’s attorney-at-law, Hannifah Jordan
Odinga Lumumba citizens as there are over 25,000 applications for house lots on file, with little lands on the East Demerara area left to be opened for development. Many of the developers have failed to build homes or install roads, drains and utilities, something that they agreed to. They had a specific timeframe in the contract to do so. CH&PA board has been investigating several projects and initiatives that were started by the previous administration, and which would have involved billions of dollars in funding from the state. Management of CH&PA has been under scrutiny, with Green admitting yesterday that questions are being asked. Save for the lawyer yesterday, there was no CH&PA management official present at the press
conference to discuss complaints about another project -- the 1,000 homes project at Providence. In recent years, housing development across the nation and gold mining became two of the biggest drivers of the economy. With a huge demand for house lots and even turn-key homes, the spin-offs have created thousands of jobs for contractors, hardware suppliers, surveyors and financial institutions to the tune of billions of dollars, annually. However, the housing sector slowed significantly in the last two years. More than 25,000 housing applications exist on file across the country. In East Demerara, there are no more lands available, housing officials and Government say. A vast number of those 25,000 applications are for the Demerara area. It appeared that the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), under former Minister of Housing, Irfaan Ali, was not properly managing the lands it had under its control. Worth billions of dollars, large swaths of lands, especially on the East Bank of Demerara, between Eccles and Diamond, were parceled off to several private developers, including Chinese companies. It involved several hundreds of acres of prime lands, including the areas behind Republic Park, at Providence, Herstelling, and even in the Golden Grove area. The lands were sold for between $500,000 per acre to up to $9M per acre, with no clear indications what impacted the price difference. Some of the developers were even barred from selling new homes to citizens who already owned property. However, there are indications that many Guyanese were allowed to purchase a second home or
invest in land. The developers, according to agreements, only paid part of the monies that were demanded by CH&PA, pending the construction of infrastructural works and submissions of designs, among other documents.
Today, it has been more than four years for many of the 20-odd developers. For many of them, very little has been done in terms of infrastructural works. Some of the lands are overgrown with bush. There are reports that some of the developers who
have started work have, in breach of the agreements, sold house lots instead of building homes. One developer even sold his entire parcel, some 100 acres of it, to a Chinese investor, for at least US$8M, a few months after receiving it.
PAGE 16
Four years after alleged Benschop assault…
Mark Benschop near his damaged vehicle
Friday April 22, 2016
Kaieteur News
Kwame Mc Coy on station bail as cops seek legal advice
Four years after his alleged assault of political activist Mark Benschop, exPresidential Information Liaison Kwame McCoy will soon know if he will face the court. Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum confirmed yesterday that Mc Coy was placed on station bail after being questioned this week about the alleged March 2011 incident. “Police put the allegations to him yesterday (Thursday) and the file has been sent for legal advice,” the Crime Chief said. Following an appeal by Benschop last February, police had reopened investigations into the incident in which Benschop claimed that he was assaulted and his vehicle vandalized by McCoy and his associates. However, police were unable to locate the file and were forced to take statements again from individuals linked to the case. Benschop made the request to have the case reopened after police arrested and charged Mc Coy, Jason Abdulla, and Sean Hinds for the May 2010 assault on columnist Freddie Kissoon. Benschop has identified Mc Coy and Abdulla as two of the individuals who assaulted him, smashed his vehicle windows, and made off with items from the vehicle. That incident occurred outside McCoy’s Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara home, while Benschop was attempting to take photographs of McCoy’s mansion. Benschop estimated his damage and losses to be at least $1M. Despite evidence of extensive damage to Benschop’s vehicle, McCoy
Kwame Mc Coy was neither detained nor charged, though he did give a statement to police. Benschop was detained at the Brickdam Police Station lockups, after McCoy alleged that the activist had damaged a window on his property. He was eventually released on $25,000 station bail. It was on March 5, 2011, that Benschop had visited Diamond New Scheme to take photographs of McCoy’s residence. The Political Activist had stated that he ran an online radio and a website, and was investigating reports that McCoy was building a house worth $100M, with a swimming pool worth $20M– $30M. He alleged that while he was taking the photographs, McCoy drove up and confronted him. According to Benschop, McCoy “charged” into him. He said that two other individuals came from McCoy’s home and tried to take his camera. According to Benschop, he was forced to flee for safety after McCoy and his associates surrounded his vehicle. He eventually returned to discover that the windows of his vehicle were smashed and his computer
and other valuables were missing. A resident who said he witnessed the attack, had recalled seeing Benschop’s pickup stop near to McCoy’s property. He said that Benschop began “videoing” the house from the roadway. The eyewitness alleged that shortly after, McCoy drove up in his vehicle, and Benschop turned the camera on McCoy. According to the man, McCoy then attempted to snatch the camera. He alleged that McCoy then exited the vehicle and grabbed Benschop, who wrested himself free and fled the scene on foot. He told reporters that after Benschop left, McCoy picked up a cement block and smashed the windscreen of the pickup. McCoy allegedly then entered Benschop’s vehicle and removed a bag and other articles, which were allegedly taken into McCoy’s home. The eyewitness alleged that two men then came out of the premises with hammers and smashed the other windows of the pickup. Kaieteur News was present when Benschop repeatedly pleaded with police ranks, who eventually arrived, to search McCoy’s premises for the items that were taken from his vehicle. However, the ranks made no attempt to search McCoy’s home. But the eyewitness claimed that after the police and media left the scene, individuals emerged from McCoy’s premises with a bag similar to the one taken from Benschop’s vehicle. The bag was then allegedly handed over to the occupants of a black car, who then drove away.
Friday April 22, 2016
PAGE 25
Kaieteur News
Defendant maintains was at home when Land Court judge robbed
Damien Millington, one of the five men accused of robbing Land Court judge Nicola Pierre, has maintained that he was at home at the time of the robbery which occurred in the gated community of Felicity, East Coast Demerara on July 9, last. Millington, Anthony David, Warren Mc Kenzie, Premnauth Samaroo and Nicholas Narine are jointly facing three charges - two for robbery under-arms committed on Pierre and her husband Mohamed Chand, and another for discharging a loaded firearm at security guard, Ron Peters. Millington who is unrepresented, chose to give an unsworn statement when he was called on to lead a defence at the continuation of the trial in the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court. The defendant told Magistrate Zamilla AllySeepaul that during July 2015 he was at his home located at Lot 118 Caesar Street, Agricola - all the time up until July 13, 2015, when he left to attend a party at a house in Craig, East Bank Demerara.
Damien Millington While at the party, Millington said that he was arrested by two police officers who took him to the Diamond lock-ups for questioning. The defendant told the court that he had no interaction with the officers and was later taken to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters, Eve Leary. At CID, he stated that he was further questioned by police, but never responded to them. Millington recalled that he was subsequently escorted to the Sparendaam Police
Station and was then taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital for tablets. “I was then taken back to the Sparendaam Police Station when the police received a call from CID headquarters. They (the police) carry me on an identification parade, but I was never pointed out.” The defendant related that he was told by an officer that he would have been released after 72 hours had expired. However, Millington said that he was taken to a city court the following day where he was charged and remanded for armed robbery. The defendant’s sister, Vanessa Millington, was called as a witness. She testified that her brother was
at home sleeping when the robbery occurred. The sister stated that on July 13, 2015, her brother left the house to go to a party in Craig. Vanessa Millington pointed out that she told her brother not to go to the party, because her mother did not want him out of the house after 21:00hrs. She recounted that despite her efforts, her brother still insisted on attending the party and assured her that he would return home. The witness added that a few hours after her cousin called informing that her brother was in the lock-ups. She recounted that she took food for her sibling. Under cross examination by Special Prosecutor Nigel
Hughes, the sister was asked if her brother had left the home prior to July 9, 2015. In response, she said that she could not recall, because she was busy with work. Hughes questioned the witness as to why she specifically remembered her brother being home on July 8 and July 9, 2015. The young woman explained that her work shift had changed on July 7, 2015 and that she was not pleased with it. She stated that she left home on July 8, 2015 at noon for work and returned home around 22:00hrs when she saw her brother sleeping in a chair. The prosecutor went on to ask the witness why she did not report to police that her brother was home when
the judge was stuck up and robbed. The witness claimed that she was not aware that she had to do so, and that she does not like police environment. Vanessa Millington told the prosecutor that she suggested to her mother who works at the Leonora Police Station and other family members to relay the matter to the media, but they refused. She recalled that a few months after her brother was charged, she informed an officer at the Agricola Police Outpost about her brother’s whereabouts that night, but never gave a statement. Another sister of the defendant will testify today when the matter continues.
Friday April 22, 2016
Kaieteur News
PAGE 27
Friday April 22, 2016
Teaching students with disabilities is sometimes “a thankless task”
Kaieteur News
PAGE 29
Water levels no longer critical The Shelter Belt waterway, Georgetown.
- Education Official
Chief Planning Officer, Ms. Evelyn Hamilton
D
elivering special needs education is sometimes a thankless task. This assertion was on Wednesday made by Chief Planning Officer within the Ministry of Education, Ms. Evelyn Hamilton. Moreover, Hamilton, in complimenting the instructors of students with disabilities, said “I am always grateful to those teachers who are willing to work with children with disabilities because it is not an easy task. It is sometimes a thankless task; it is not something that they are paid particularly well to do.” In fact the Chief Planning Officer shared her conviction that “every single child deserves a quality education.” In so announcing she highlighted that the world currently has 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) that have replaced the United Nations’ declared Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which are geared at transforming the whole world. Number Four of the SDGs is one that speaks specifically to the need to ensure inclusive and quality education for all even as lifelong learning is promoted. During the latter part of last year, at a world forum on education in South Korea that was attended by some 200 (Continued on page 31)
For the first time in the past three months, the water levels at the Guyana Water Inc. Shelter Belt, and East Demerara and Boerasirie Conservancies, are above the critical line. In these facilities, there is adequate water for agriculture and human consumption, the Office of the Prime Minister said yesterday. This good news came after heavy showers brought the near drought situation on the coast to an end. Agriculture Minister Noel Holder has reported, however, that the MMA Conservancy and the Tapakuma Conservancy are below ‘dead’ level, but this is not critical at this time, as crops ready for reaping are
not affected. In the Rupununi Region, Vice President Sydney Allicock, just back from a tour of the Deep South, reported that three new wells have been dug and eight others are being pursued to provide potable water for residents. According to Minister Holder, with the May –June rains setting in, the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) pumps are being returned to their original locations. NDIA has also explained
that activities are currently ongoing in Regions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 10. The Authority noted that the clearing and
desilting of outfall channels, repairs to sluices, and the excavation of drainage are among works being done.
PAGE 30
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Kaieteur News
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One driver Expediter must have a lorry license- Contact # 223-5273
$20 per coconut without peeling- Call: 677-7626
1 Sales clerk between 2125yrs, living on the West Coast/ West Bank must have at least 5 CXC subjects. Call: 623-7914 1 general domestic, must know to prepare Indian & English dishes to work in BelAir. Call: 227-0373
Three bedrooms flat on 347 East Street for rent, residence or business. Call: 223-4565; 672-3161
Honda CRV: lady driven, PLL series, good condition, $1.8M negotiable. Call: 2205580/ 681-2995
1 Domestic Cleaner able to repair vegetarian meal. Apply in person @ Alabama Trading, Georgetown Ferry Stelling, Stabroek.
Two bedroom apartment $40,000 monthly-Call: 6873017
Land in Diamond-Call: 6987807
Wanted land to buy: La Parfaite Harmonie, Tuschen, Providence and Eccles. We pay cash! Call: 604-6724 Wanted to buy land: house & land countrywide, also we buy & sell use vehicles. Call: 604-6724
1 Bottom flat for rent- Call: 615-5833
FOOD DISTRIBUTOR COMPANYLOOKINGFOR SALES PERSON WITH CAR FOR BERBICE, ESSEQUIBO, BARTICA & GEORGETOWN. CALL: 231-8529 OR 231-8344 Experienced cashier, counter servers, roti/puri cook, curry cook, waiter boys. Apply at Hack’s Halaal, 5 Commerce St. Contractors to build 2 bedrooms flat concrete houses in the shortest time and of the lowest cost. Call: 611-7223
TOURS
Republic Park family needs an experienced caregiver, live in, 1 week on 1 week off$13,000. Call: 667-2535
Suriname Tours: Labour Day Weekend April 29, 2016May, 2nd 2016 & Indian Arrival Weekend May 5th8th, 2016. Call: 663-5171; 6927270; 639-2663; 223-0056
1 Domestic worker to work @ Star Guest House; 60-61 Hadfield Street Werk-enRust. Call Donald: 227-1131; 664-7412/ Sheik: 621-9759
150cc Elite motor cycle$150,000, 2" water pump $35,000 (new). Call: 261-5389; 678-3848 MS 310 Chainsaw Sthil $50,000, 400 watt plant, grow lights -$25,000. Call: 2615389; 678-3848
Newly opened! Rooms to rent @ Guest House-$35USD per night, overseas guest. Call: 261-6454; 676-9283 Three bedroom apartment, B Field Sophia -$45,000. Call: 600-0036
PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS& SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 643-5122, 6560087 , EMAIL: PRO_ AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO. COM DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM Aidan’s Car & 4WD Vigo pick up, cheapest rate, low security- Call: 698-7807 Wing’s Car & 4WD Vigo pick up rental- Call: 690-6494
Food Distribution Company looking for salesperson with driver’s licence, experience & police clearance. Call: 2318344 or 231-8529 One Trainee A.C, Refrigerator, Technician - Call: 231-0655 Cashier for supermarket-Call: 624-0033 & in store securityCall: 680-3863 Cook/baker for the Interior location, applicants must be experienced. Call: 618-2020
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 Transported property @ Grove $16M negotiable. Call: 625-5461 Property @ Lot 87 Albert Street- Call: 669- 8701 New Road V/Hoop-$70M, $17M, La Parfaite Harmonie -$6M, $4M, $5M, $20M, CI $6.5M, Rice land (5 acres) $16M. Call: 604-6724 1- flat 3 bedrooms property @ Diamond, 19th Avenue $12M. Serious enquiries only. Call: 697-0036 One newly built two storey three bedrooms concrete house in Eccles New Scheme for -$22M. Call: 6755618; 644-9356 Brand-new flat house @ Republic Gardens: 3 bedrooms self-contained, selling as is -$22M negotiable, owner migrating, quick sale. Call: 639-8182 Brand new 2 & 3 bedroom flat concrete houses in La Parfaite Harmonie and Herstelling-$8M & $14M Call: 611-7223
PRODUCTIONASSISTANT, GTI or GITC graduates preferred. Resident of E.B.D. Tel. 676 6700 1 Female cleaner apply @ Technical Service 18-23 Industrial Site, Eccles.
LAND FOR SALE 1 House lot in Crane Housing Scheme & 1 house & land in La Parfaite Harmonie. Call: 626-4841 La Parfaite Harmonie -$1.2M, $1.3M, $1.4M, & $3M, Eccles -$5.5M, Herstelling Cornerlot (100ftX50) -$3M. Call: 6036224; 611-7223
CAR RENTAL
Admin assistant, CXC Grades 13 Computer literate.Apply @ HR Supervisor, Survival 173 Sheriff Street, C/Ville, GT.
1 Week Sale! Dell/HP computers with 19" flat screens -$45,000, lap tops $55,000 @ Future Tech. Call:231-2206; 644-6760
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 seamstress/tailor to work. Call: 641-5720; 223-1599
VACANCY Hair, nail, barber stations for rental; (experienced persons & clients) all rounder hairdressing – Glam & Go Beauty Salon. Call: 638-1106 Experienced bartender and cleaners. Call 225-8572 between 7am-9am
Eccles -$5.5M, 430 Acre of faming with 20,000 fruits trees and three houses-$1.5M USD. Call: 604-6724 La Parfaite Harmonie-$1M, $1.2M & $1.6M, Tuschen$2.5M & $3M, Providence $5M, $4M, Eccles-$5.5M, terms available. Call: 604-6724 La Parfaite Harmonie-$1.6M, $1.3M & $1M, Tuschen -$3M & $2.5M, Sandpit -$85M, Kitty -$19M, Providence $5M & $4M. Call: 604-6724 EDUCATIONAL I.A.E Classes for CSEC January/June 2017: Mathematics, English A, Business & Science Subject for Students, Adults & repeaters. Call: 683-5742
Housekeeping staff, male desk staff and male security guard- Call: 225-0198 or visit 233 South Road, Lacytown Cook to work in the interior & one ex-forestry officer, excellent salary offer. Call: 231-8053 1 PORTER LIVINGAROUND DIAMOND/GROVE AREA. CALL: 677-6620 VEHICLE FOR SALE 1 Toyota Premio PNN series with AC, alarm, CD Deck, 17" Mag rims, price negotiable – Call: 618-5509
TO LET 4 bedrooms apartment $80,000 monthly rental. Call James: 609-3426 4 Bedrooms House @ BelAir Gardens with modern conveniences- $3,200USD monthly .Call during working hours: 231-7839; 227-2322. No agents 3 Bedrooms house @ BelAir Park with modern conveniences -$2500 USD monthly- furnished. Call during working hours: 2317839; 227-2322. No agents
AT192, 212, Allion, Premio, Hilux Surf, BRR, RZ & Pitbull,Pajero Junior: Cash / terms - Call: 680-3154
4 Bedrooms house @ BelAir Park with modern convenience -$2500USD monthly furnished. Call during working hours: 2317839; 227-2322, No agents.
Toyota Will VS, price negotiable. Call: 639-5577
FOR SALE/RENT
We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 Tacoma- Call: 680-3154 Mazda RX8 in immaculate condition-Call: 602-6024
Snackette for sale/rent. Call: 638-1119 (serious enquiries only) TAXI SERVICES GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 225-7878 (24HRS)
Friday April 22, 2016
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Kaieteur News
City Council officer who travels often to China DEAR EDITOR; Over the last few weeks, there has been quite a brouhaha about Minister Harmon’s trip to the People’s Republic of China and his association with some Chinese companies and investors here, and quite understandably so. But no one is making a comparable fuss about the frequency, purpose, and timing of the numerous and recurrent trips being made to the same
DEAR EDITOR, The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) are perplexed by the highly misleading statements and comments which have been made by the Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc (GuySuCo) with regards to the closure of the LBI Sugar Factory in May, 2011 and the Corporation’s planned closure within this year of the existing LBI operations. Those operations consist of:- the field workshop, mill dock, field lab, stores and administrative offices. The Corporation’s spokespersons are struggling to portray to the public that the two (2) Unions since 2011 have agreed to address the closure of LBI’s current operations. GuySuCo’s CEO, Errol Hanoman, according to the April 19, 2016 edition of the Guyana Chronicle, said:- “We wish to emphasise that GAWU and NAACIE were fully involved in these activities, and must have been aware that the process will have to be completed; so why the objection now? The unions should have clamoured for the integration to be completed properly since 2011, as this would have reduced cost and improved the chances of securing employment,” Hanoman said. “So, apart from closing the LBI factory, nothing else was done.” The decision to close the LBI sugar factory was a fait accompli when GuySuCo invited our Unions in February and March, 2011 to discuss the effects of the closure of the factory as it pertained to the future employment status of the workers who were engaged in the factory. GuySuCo’s invitation to our Unions dated February 07, 2011 read inter alia “the Corporation has decided to merge the LBI factory with the EHP factory after the closure of the current crop at LBI”. It should be noted that the invitation was specific
t o the LBI factory as distinct from the other operations at LBI. The Unions were engaged in meetings with GuySuCo’s officials on February 22, March 04 and March 11, 2011. GuySuCo was represented by the General Manager of Agriculture, Raymond Sangster; General Manager of Technical Services, Yusuf Abdul, and its then Human Resources Director, Jairam Petam. GAWU and NAACIE were represented by Seepaul Narine and Kenneth Joseph, respectively, among others. The meetings addressed the fate of the one hundred and thirty-seven (137) workers falling within the bargaining unit of GAWU and fifty-six (56) who were represented by NAACIE, a total of one hundred and ninety-three (193). GuySuCo and the two (2) Unions interviewed every one of these workers resulting in seventy (70) workers deployed to the Enmore Sugar Factory and the then newly-constructed Packaging Plant at Enmore. Seventeen (17) workers opted for early retirement. The remaining one hundred and six (106) workers between GAWU and NAACIE were approved for deployment right at LBI to work in the field workshop, mill dock, field lab, stores and administrative offices. The Corporation was questioned about the LBI Field Operations and the
People’s Republic of China by the City Engineer of Georgetown, Mr. Colvern Venture. The citizens of Georgetown ought to be told why the City Engineer has to travel to the PRC so often, how these visits will benefit the capital, and why so suddenly. Now that there is a new Council in place, and with the calls for accountability and transparency being constantly made, then the public should be informed of the trips both overseas and overland being undertaken by the Mayor, Councillors and Officers of the Georgetown and other municipalities. Mark Roopan
other activities at LBI within the compound and at the meeting of March 04, 2011, the Human Resources Director and his team clarified that “It is a company’s decision that no other job will be affected. LBI agriculture will remain as is. The power house will continue to function to provide power to GuySuCo Agricultural Research Unit, the other head office annexes at LBI, the residential compound, the administrative offices and the pump stations”. It was further made clear that no one in agriculture will be affected and that the future of the East Demerara Estate is not uncertain. The only difference is that the LBI canes will go to Enmore. The General Manager of Technical Services provided the details on the deployment of workers from LBI to Enmore factory/packaging plant, those that will be retained in the LBI powerhouse and those that will be considered for early retirement. In all the discussions with the Corporation there was no mention of the clerical and supervisory staff in the local accounts office, since there was a clear understanding in the preliminary meeting that only the factory employees - rank and file, supervisory and senior management will be affected. It is worthy to note that the cultivation of LBI was not closed nor miniaturized. Hence the retention and enhancement of the LBI operations. To this day the large size
of the cultivation of 2,800 hectares remains under cane cultivation. Anxiously, we ask at this time: Is the closure of the LBI operations signaling the closure of the LBI cultivation? GuySuCo also said in that “the Enmore factory manning levels were inflated to accommodate the LBI factory workers”. This is a baseless assertion. The seventy (70) workers sent to Enmore Estate were based on vacancies which existed especially within the newlyconstructed Packaging Plant. The claim that the LBI workers also work at Enmore Estate is not incorrect. It is not unusual for workers from one Estate do assist in the work of another Estate. In such cases the itinerant workers receive a disturbance allowance. That allowance is presently received by the LBI workers whenever they are required to work at the Enmore Estate. Coming on the heels of the blundered decision to close Wales Estate which employs some 1,700 workers and crushes the canes grown by about 800 farmers, the expected jeopardy of the work status of 800 LBI workers, the sugar industry will be, clearly, further affected. It is also clear to us - the Unions - that GuySuCo is not giving the public all the relevant facts and also seeking to cover another misguided step by attempting to denigrate the Unions. Kenneth Joseph (NAACIE) Komal Chand (GAWU)
Opportunists have taken... From page 5 PARBAMEL Guyana chapter is under investigation. These folks are out to deceive the young people and community as a whole, and we will not sit idly by and watch it happen. This Government must be aware of the opportunist who will only bring discredit to the coalition, it happened in the past with people arriving with a political cloak and it can happen again. I am surprised that after having discussions with the
players who will be representing our club ,and indicating our intention to participate in future EDFA competitions, we have been told by executives of the EDFA that our application for registration will not be accepted. We are prepared to fight against this injustice because these persons were never elected as office-holders by the young people that they are seeking to dominate. None of them has ever played football , cricket or we do not even find them walk-
ing or jogging on the playfield. Whenever they are present it is to sow seeds of disunity among the y o u t h s , h o w e v e r, i t i s known that they will reap the fruits of their labor. RAS Aaron Blackman Secretary
Teaching students with disabilities is sometimes... From page 29 countries, a statement emerged that inclusion and equity in and through education is the cornerstone of a transformative agenda. Moreover, Hamilton noted that the countries that attended the forum in South Korea (including Guyana) committed to addressing all forms of exclusion and marginalisation, disparities and inequalities in access, participation and learning outcomes. Hamilton therefore emphasised that “no education target should be considered met unless it is met by all. We therefore commit to making the necessary changes in education policies and focusing our efforts on the most disadvantaged, especially those with disabilities, to ensure that no one is left behind,” said Hamilton. And according to her too, “I think in the Ministry of Education we have recognised this in our 20142018 (Strategic) Plan. One of the outcomes that we have set for ourselves, an indicator of it, is the percentage of students with special education needs who meet the standards of each grade.” But Hamilton underscored that “in the Ministry we are now convinced that students with disabilities can meet the national standard for each grade.” She, however, noted that in order for children with disabilities to reach the recommended standards, there are measures that must be implemented within the Ministry of Education including the facilities, equipment and the
trained teachers. Added to this, she stressed that support from many organisations must be forthcoming. The Chief Planning Officer’s disclosure was forthcoming even as she addressed a forum to launch a Deaf Curriculum at the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD) on Wednesday. It was then that she emphasised that in the Ministry’s operational plan for Special Education Needs, efforts are made to direct particular focus on the importance of collaboration with organisations. In that context, she acknowledged the Ministry’s collaboration with the Deaf Association of Guyana (DAG) in the delivery of deaf education. According to her, “the Ministry values that collaboration and hopes that in the future it will be strengthened...the Ministry is very eager to work with organisations for persons with disability and support the work they are doing so that we can achieve the goals that we have set ourselves.” Another key supporter of the Ministry’s effort to deliver inclusive education has been the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF). “They have given us funds to work with the blind, they have given us funds to work with the deaf,” related Hamilton, as she pointed out the crucial role of workshops which commenced on Wednesday at NCERD for instructors and assistant instructors of deaf education following the launch of the curriculum.
D’urban Park Project... From page 12 Communities, Patterson said. The Mayor and City Council (M&CC) will be onboard to ensure that the cleaning and clearing of the drainage systems are carried out. GRANT BEING PURSUED As it relates to funding, Patterson told media operatives that a grant is “actively” being pursued, however Cabinet has approved $150M under the Infrastructural Development Line Item for the Ministry of Public Infrastructure. “The funding in the initial stage is under a Line Item at our Ministry, which is for Infrastructural Development that can be used. There are alternatives, but has not [yet] been concluded, a grant funding, which has been earmarked for such development.
Cabinet has made available the sum under this Line Item and I can expend as much as $150M. However at this initial stage, we do have to get this finished before, so there won’t be need for any Contingency. The Grant funding can be used to fund the remainder of the works,” the Minister said.
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Friday April 22, 2016
Kaieteur News
US lawmakers push for closer Caribbean ties
Eliot L. Engel (L) and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen WASHINGTON, USA — The ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Eliot L. Engel, together with Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, a former chair of the committee, have introduced bipartisan legislation in the United States Congress to prioritize the US-Caribbean relationship. Among the expected outcomes are ramped-up efforts to improve citizen security and reduce drug trafficking; improve energy security; and increase access to diverse, reliable, affordable and sustainable power. The bill, HR 4939, would require the secretary of state and the administrator of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) to submit to Congress a multiyear strategy focused on outreach to the countries of the Caribbean and diasporic communities in the US, improving energy security, countering violence, ramping up diplomacy and other priority areas. Requirements The legislation requires the State Department and USAID to: • Identify agency efforts to prioritize US policy toward the Caribbean; • Outline an approach to broaden outreach to the Caribbean diasporic communities in the United States; • Outline an approach to
partner with governments of the Caribbean region to improve citizen security and reduce drug trafficking; • Establish a comprehensive, multi-year strategy to improve energy security and increase access to diverse, reliable, affordable and sustainable power; • Outline an approach to improve diplomatic engagement with governments of the Caribbean region; and • Develop an approach to assisting Caribbean countries in the diversification of their economies. In addition, the bill requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to produce two key reports: an evaluation of the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) and a breakdown of CBSI assistance provided to each country; and an evaluation of US diplomatic engagement with the Eastern Caribbean. Engel, a Democrat, said the bill makes it clear that Congress will prioritize USCaribbean relations for many years to come, while RosLehtinen, a Republican, asserted that the US is “redoubling its efforts to remain engaged in the Caribbean to enhance our diplomatic and economic ties”. Engel said the countries of the Caribbean are profoundly important to the United States, and particu-
larly to the many CaribbeanAmerican citizens in the United States. “With so many crises around the globe that demand US attention, we can’t lose sight of our long-term interests closer to home but should instead strengthen and expand ties with our Caribbean neighbours. This legislation makes it clear that Congress will prioritize USCaribbean relations for many years to come,” he said. Meanwhile, Ros-Lehtinen, noting that she represents South Florida and a large number of individuals from the Caribbean diaspora, spoke to the “unique importance of the Caribbean and a strong US-Caribbean relationship”. “Now that the Caribbean should be less dependent on a deteriorating Venezuelan economy, this bill will go a long way in improving those strategic relationships and show the region that the US is redoubling its efforts to remain engaged in the Caribbean to enhance our diplomatic and economic ties. It’s also more important now than ever that we increase coordination and cooperation on security related issues, especially in conjunction with our leaders at SOUTHCOM,” RosLehtinen said. (Caribbean News)
Venezuela to ration power four hours a day for 40 days CARACAS, Venezuela (AFP) – Recession-hit Venezuela will turn off the electricity supply in its 10 most populous states for four hours a day for 40 days to deal with a severe power shortage, the government said yesterday. “Each user will have a temporary suspension of four hours a day. The plan will last approximately 40 days” to alleviate pressure on the country’s largest hydroelectric dam, said Electricity Minister Luis Motta. It is the latest drastic measure to alleviate a severe electricity crisis which President Nicolas Maduro and his government blame on the El Nino weather phenomenon that causes drought. Critics say it is the result of years of economic misman-
Nicolas Maduro agement by his leftist administration. Maduro is under growing pressure from the centre-right opposition, which vowed to oust him when it took control
of the legislature in January after winning a landslide election victory, blaming him for the crippling economic crisis. Venezuela’s economy has plunged along with the price of the oil on which it relies for foreign revenues. Shortages of medicines and goods such as toilet paper and cooking oil are widespread. Maduro blames the collapse on an “economic war” by capitalists. Last week, his government said it was shifting its time zone forward by 30 minutes to save power. Other measures include giving government workers an extra day off each week for the next two months, and Maduro has urged Venezuelan women to stop using their hairdryers.
Despite Problems, Jamaica Can Meet Its Sugar Obligations For 2016 - Karl James The Gleaner - Chairman of the Sugar Association of the Caribbean (SAC) Karl James says despite the problems facing the local sugar industry he is confident that Jamaica will be able to meet its local, regional and international sugar obligations. James says Jamaica has until the end of September to supply 12,570 tonnes of sugar to the US. But he says Jamaica is hoping to meet the US quota by the end of next month. James also says Jamaica will make its first shipment of some 24,000 tonnes to the European Union by the end of this week. He says after Jamaica meets its local quota of some 50,000 tonnes, the island will be able to sell some sugar to CARICOM. Jamaica’s sugar industry
Karl James
has been facing many problems in recent times forcing the government to craft an intervention strategy for the Long Sugar Pond factory in Trelawny and the Monymusk factory in Clarendon. Last week, Agriculture Minister Karl Samuda an-
nounced that the ministry is looking to sell sugar to CARICOM countries, as a means of safeguarding the island’s sugar industry. According to Samuda, one Jamaican sugar company has already started to export to the CARICOM region.
Latin America to redouble climate efforts America will flock to the internal procedures to in New York ofsignLatin the Paris Agreement, in approve it. NEW YORK, United States - IPS – The countries
what will be a simple act of protocol with huge political implications: it is the spark that will ignite actions to curb global warming. More than 160 countries have confirmed their attendance at the ceremony scheduled for today in New York by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. And eight have announced that they will present the ratification of the agreement during the event, having already completed
The countries of Latin America, with the exception of Nicaragua and Ecuador, promised to participate in the collective signing of the historic binding agreement reached by 195 countries on Dec. 12 in the French capital. Experts consulted by IPS stressed the political symbolism of the ceremony, and said they hoped Latin America would press for rapid implementation of the climate deal.
Friday April 22, 2016
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Kaieteur News
Who bought the GTT shares? Obama reaffirms U.S. to deter aggression against Gulf Arabs Reuters - President Barack Obama pledged to “deter aggression” against Gulf Arab allies increasingly concerned about Iran’s influence in the region but did not shy away from raising sensitive issues in talks aimed at addressing recent strains in U.S.-Gulf ties. Obama’s visit to Riyadh to meet Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) leaders was aimed at allaying fears in Saudi Arabia and its neighbours that Washington’s commitment to their security had diminished. The president also hoped to use his fourth and probably final trip to the kingdom to dispel some of the frustration felt by Gulf countries toward his administration, in what one senior U.S. official said was a chance to “clear the air”. “I reaffirmed the policy of the United States to use all elements of our power to secure our core interests in the Gulf region and to deter and confront external aggression against our allies,” Obama said after the summit yesterday. However, he also raised the issue of sectarianism, for which he has chided Gulf states in the past on grounds it fuels Islamist militancy, saying “the prosperity and stability of the region depends on countries treating all their citizens fairly and ... sectarianism is an enemy of peace and prosperity”. Saudi Arabia’s King Salman lauded the summit as “constructive and fruitful”, according to the Saudi Press Agency, and pledged the “desire and commitment” of GCC countries to continue developing their ties with the United States. Footage and photographs aired on state media showed the leaders at a large circular table under a chandelier, with Obama sitting with King Salman on his left and the Abu Dhabi crown prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahayan on his right. The Middle East is mired in a contest for influence be-
tween a bloc of mostly Sunni countries, including the conservative, pro-Western Gulf monarchies, and revolutionary Shi’ite Iran and its allies. Most of the GCC states, which include Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Oman, have been bitterly disappointed in Obama’s presidency, during which they believe the United States has pulled back from the region, giving more space to Iran. They were also upset by Obama’s remarks in a magazine interview that appeared to cast them as “free-riders” in U.S. security efforts and urged them to “share” the region with Tehran. In his remarks after the talks, Obama acknowledged the strains that have afflicted ties between Washington and its Gulf partners, even as they have worked together on shared concerns such as the wars in Syria, Iraq and Yemen. “What is true between the United States and the GCC, as is true with all of our allies and friends, is that at any point of time there are going to be differences,” Obama said. But he also said: “I think that a lot of the strain was always overblown”. Ben Rhodes, Obama’s deputy national security adviser, said a two-hour meeting with King Salman on Wednesday was the longest the two leaders had shared and included a “very open and honest discussion” that included issues which were a source of tension, without specifying them. “I think they both agreed that it was good to essentially have this opportunity to clear the air,” he told reporters at a briefing in Riyadh. The American president has said he wants Gulf allies to offer more democratic reforms and improve human rights, and he discussed that with King Salman on Wednesday. Adding to tensions is a bill proposed in U.S. Congress to lift Riyadh’s immunity if any Saudi officials are found to have been involved in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
…Datang or Hong Kong Golden Telecom? More controversy now surrounds the sale of the 20 percent shares that the Government of Guyana held in the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT). There are now claims that Government did not sell the shares to Datang Telecom Technology and Industry Group as was announced before. In fact, former President Donald Ramotar in a statement issued yesterday, reported that the shares were sold to Hong Kong Golden Telecom Limited for US$30M. This name is contrary to what Winston Brassington, head of National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited, announced soon after the sale in 2012. He announced that the shares were sold to Datang Telecom Technology and Industry Group. He said that Datang still owed US$5M which it promised to pay over a two-‘year period. In the statement yesterday, former President Donald Ramotar said that the new government is hiding the truth on this issue in order to distract Guyana from the controversy surrounding the recent trip the embattled Minister of State Joseph Harmon made to China. Ramotar said that he is “very suspicious” about the timing and “sudden claim” that the US$5M owed to the Government of Guyana for its sold shares in GTT was paid to entities/persons other than the National Industrial and Commercial Investment Limited (NICIL). He said that the claim by the APNU/AFC Government that the US$5M was received by the previous government “is a lie.” The former President challenged the Granger administration to present the purported “documents” it has received—”under suspicious and questionable circumstances—so that the veracity of the evidence can be tested and authenticated.” Ramotar said that Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, lied when he told the media on Wednesday that the balance of US$5M was paid, “conveniently, prior to the May 2015
Former NICIL CEO, Winston Brassington
Former President, Donald Ramotar
Minister of State, Joseph Harmon
elections.” “This is not true! Under my presidency, the 20 percent GT&T shares sale transaction was executed between NICIL and Hong Kong Golden Telecom Limited for the total price of US$30M. “It was never hidden that the US$25M was received and that the purchaser was given two years to pay the balance of US$5M. It was also publicly disclosed by NICIL that efforts were being made to pursue legal recourse in the UK to collect the outstanding balance,” said Ramotar. The former President said that the PPP/C administration never had any reason to doubt the “NICIL’s competent technical staff when they said that the amounts were outstanding and every effort was being made to pursue.” On Wednesday, Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman told the media, “What I can say is that Mr. Harmon has been able to retrieve some documents which tell a different story. That story being, of course, that the US$5M was paid so we are trying to track down to whom, how and where and when… That is before May 16, 2015,” Ramotar said yesterday that any claim that amounts were paid, would not be hard to prove. He said that the only
entity that was and is authorized to receive any monies from the purchaser for this transaction was NICIL. “One would assume that had NICIL received this money then there would be a receipt or some form of banking documentation to show its payments. Any claim that some other entity or person received this money would also be easy to prove or disprove.” Ramotar is contending that the government’s “insinuation” that the money was paid, but not to NICIL, and that this was done before the change of government “is a distraction from the real issues.” The PPP stalwart said, “Its (APNU+AFC) belligerent claims of massive corruption under the PPP/C administration have yet to be proven...This latest claim is an expected APNU/AFC political ploy to appeal to peoples’ emotions rather than seeking the truth.” Ramotar said that the claim is designed to digress from answering the people’s demands for explanations on issues surrounding Harmon’s trip and to avoid the “naming of the ‘honorific’ advisors and party contributors.” Harmon upon his return from China had said, “The
purpose of the visit was to engage in discussions with regard to the payment of the said US$5 million owed for the 20 percent of GTT shares by Chinese company, Datang Telecom Technology and Industry Group from NICIL in 2012. Harmon’s statement reflected that indeed the money was outstanding. In the audit report he conducted into NICIL, Anand Goolsarran said nothing about Datang. He said, “NICIL sold the Government’s investment in GT&T in 2012 to Hong Kong Telecom for US$30 million of which the sum of US$25 million was received. The balance of US$5 million was to be paid within a period of two years. As at 31 December 2014, this amount remained outstanding.” (Abena RockcliffeCampbell)
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Kaieteur News
Friday April 22, 2016
Friday April 22, 2016
Kaieteur News
Brazil electoral court poses further legal challenge for Rousseff SAO PAULO (Reuters) A judge from Brazil’s top electoral authority has instructed police to start collecting evidence of irregularities in President Dilma Rousseff’s 2014 re-election campaign, adding to her legal woes since last Sunday’s impeachment vote. Maria Moura, of the TSE electoral court, said evidence in the case over whether Rousseff and Vice President Michel Temer abused their power while in office to run the campaign would include testimony from a massive corruption investigation into kickbacks from construction companies. Two local papers reported yesterday, however, that at least some of the seven TSE judges supported separating the cases against Rousseff and Temer, a move that could ensure Temer’s survival if Rousseff is ousted from office through impeachment or if the TSE votes to annul the 2014 election. Estado de S. Paulo said at least two TSE judges were sympathetic to not holding Temer responsible, while O Globo said four of the seven judges agreed with the separation. Temer’s party broke with Roussseff’s Workers’ Party earlier this year as the country’s worst political crisis in decades deepened. The lower house of
Dilma Rousseff Brazil’s Congress, many of whose members are themselves under investigation for corruption, voted last Sunday to impeach Rousseff on charges she manipulated budget accounts. If the Senate agrees to put her on trial next month as expected, Rousseff will be suspended for up to six months and would be unlikely to return to power, leaving Temer as president. TSE judges have vowed to continue their own investigation, regardless of impeachment, but the TSE case is expected to take much longer and witnesses are unlikely to be called until August or September. Executives from several construction companies
have said in plea deals they made undocumented donations to Rousseff’s 2014 campaign, local media have reported. The companies are accused of forming a cartel to overcharge state-run oil firm Petroleo Brasileiro SA for work and using excess funds to bribe executives and politicians, and make potentially illegal donations to political parties. Rousseff is not under investigation for receiving bribes herself. Further muddying the waters in Brazil’s political crisis, a Supreme Court judge has ordered Brazil’s Congress to start impeachment proceedings against Michel Temer, an order that is subject to appeal.
Quake-hit Ecuador announces drastic economic measures Pedernales (Ecuador) (AFP) - With hope of finding survivors fading yesterday, Ecuador began shouldering the cost of its devastating earthquake, announcing drastic economic measures to clean up the ruins of a tragedy that killed at least 570 people. Under the measures announced by President Rafael Correa, Ecuadorans with assets of more than $1 million will have to fork over 0.9 percent of their wealth to help fund the recovery. Correa, who estimates rebuilding will cost $3 billion — or “two to three percent of GDP” — also announced new income taxes, a sales-tax hike and a one-time levy on utilities in an address to the nation Wednesday night. Last Saturday’s 7.8-magnitude quake was the worst to hit the South American country in nearly four decades, crumpling hundreds
Rafael Correa of buildings and damaging roads and other infrastructure in tourist areas. The official death toll rose to 570 yesterday, with 5,733 injured. Scores of people are still missing. Aside from the staggering human cost, the quake comes as a big economic blow to oil-
producing Ecuador, which has already taken a hit from the drop in global crude prices. The quake devastated resort towns along Ecuador’s Pacific coast just as Correa’s government was launching a major push to attract more tourists.
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Friday April 22, 2016
Kaieteur News
St. Rose’s dominate DVA Inter... (From page 33) Mr. Robert Millington, who spoke on behalf of the entity basically, shared the same sentiments, encouraging the students to stick to the game and one day they may see themselves representing Guyana at the International level. He went on to speak of Guyana ‘ s participation at the upcoming under 19 and under 23 South American Cham-
pionships and urged them to set their eyes on possible selection to those teams. President of the Demerara Volleyball Association, Mr. Trevor Williams spared no effort in thanking the sponsors who made this tournament a reality and went on to tell the schools that his association intends to make them and school volleyball a focal point of his administration’s mandate.
Don’t let politicians... players are philosophically congruent - conceptually laissez-faire and marketoriented. Unlike, perhaps, Patterson, cricket for them falls in no large sociopolitical frame. The elite cricketers demand money, which Cameron wants to pay and believes he is structuring West Indies cricket to do. There may be need for a new, serious conversation about cricket’s role in the Caribbean. But the answer to the problems is not the multi-
BCCI waives... (From page 37) Bravo led the players’ boycott, the team returned home after the fourth ODI against India in Dharamsala. The tour was meant to comprise five ODIs, one T20I and three Tests. Calling the abandonment a “monumental disaster”, the then BCCI administration slapped punitive damages on the WICB, and also suspended all bilateral tours between the two parties till the issue was resolved. The first signal that the relationship between the two boards was on the mend came last December when Cameron issued a media release stating India would honour the commitment to play a four-Test series in the Caribbean in JulyAugust 2016, as listed in the ICC’s Future Tours Programme. Cameron did not mention anything about the punitive claims, though. Last month, Cameron sounded positive when asked about the BCCI’s claim. “We will do a joint media release for you as soon as both boards are ready,” Cameron had told ESPNcricinfo during an interview days before West Indies triumphed in the World T20. (ESPNcricinfo)
tiered, overarching management monstrosity. Dave Cameron may not be the man; you have to watch those politicians and their appetite for control.
Williams promised that in the near future the DVA will be rolling out a plan to assist schools with technical development through their physical education teachers who he also praised for the evident work they have put in to bring their students to the level they currently are. He further explained to the students that coming out of this tournament, DVA will be selecting a Demerara school team to represent Demerara against Berbice on May 7th in the GVF, intercounty school championship. At the end of the event, a list of about 18 players was short listed and will join with a selection from the West
Side and Linden zones to compete for selection to the Demerara School Team. The leg was sponsored by Indesco Trading, while the West Zone was sponsored by Ancam Marine Supplies. Talk is Cheap Travel Agency is the sponsor for the Linden zone which will serve off today at the Mc Kenzie Sports Club Ground. Digicel and the Guyana Volleyball Federation are also major sponsors for the tournament and the DVA wishes to extend special thanks to their efforts as they continue to foster good relationships for the development of Volleyball in Demerara and Guyana at large.
Friday April 22, 2016 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Romance may be likely if you travel. You need to spend less time daydreaming and more time accomplishing. Your tendency to dramatize may be a little much for your partner to take constantly. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) You will be prone to carelessness that could result in accidents. You can't lock your partner up and if you keep restricting their freedom you may be left out in the cold. Do not push your opinions or try to reform your emotional partner today.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Be careful not to exaggerate when interacting with your lover. Keep calm. Someone around you is bouncing off the walls. Underhandedness regarding legal matters or contracts must be counteracted. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Groups and organizations that indulge in social events to raise money will be conducive to meeting new and exciting lovers. You must make them stand on their own two feet regardless of how much you want to make things better for them.
GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Look to a close friend for advice. Organize your day to avoid any setbacks that might ignite temper flare-ups. Regardless of your first reaction, the outcome will be favorable.
SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) It might be time to shake a leg and do a personal makeover. Put aside any decisions concerning your position at work. Concentrate on spending quality time with children.
CANCER (June 21–July 22) Don't gossip. You may be tempted to spend too much on entertainment or luxury items. Someone you care about may let you down or criticize your methods.
CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) Tempers will mount if you're too pushy at work or at home. Mishaps due to preoccupation will be upsetting. Don't let criticism upset you. Hassles will delay your plans.
LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) This will not be the day to lend money to friends or family. Be careful what you consume today. Your charm will attract members of the opposite sex.
AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Physical activity will help defuse your frustration. You are apt to meet someone special on your journey.
VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Don't bother retaliating, just walk away. Difficulties with your mate may lead to estrangement. You may be emotional and quick to judge others.tential new clients.
PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Organize all the responsibilities that have to be attended to and make sure everyone knows what to do. Your health may have suffered due to neglect or abuse.
Friday April 22, 2016
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Kaieteur News
Don’t let politicians expropriate cricket – Editorial (The Gleaner-Jamaica)
St. Rose’s dominate DVA Inter-Schools Tournament Linden segment serves off today
West Indies stars Dwayne Bravo, Captain Darren Sammy and Chris Gayle lead celebrations after their seven-wicket win over India during the recent ICC World Twenty20 tournament in India. This newspaper continues to be deeply concerned about the continuing efforts about Caribbean governments, despite their protestations to the contrary, to expropriate the m a n a g e m e n t o f We s t Indies cricket from a private institution and cede it to an organisation that is likely to have the characteristics of one of those overburdened public enterprises that drag down regional economies. In the latest move to hand the oversight of the sport to an unwieldy body of the kind conceptualised a decade ago by a committee headed by former Jamaican Prime Minister P.J. Patterson, Keith Mitchell, the prime minister of Grenada and chairman of the Caribbean C o m m u n i t y ’s (CARICOM) committee on cricket, has co-opted legendary former Test players, including Sir Garfield Sobers, Wes Hall, Viv Richards, and Andy Roberts. At a meeting in Grenada this week, these legendary cricketers demanded that the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) acquiesce to the call made late last year by another CARIC O M - a p pointed body, for the board of a corporation whose shareholders are the territorial associations to disband itself, to be replaced by some interim group, while new arrangements are put in place. We are hardly surprised that the cricketers have rallied to the cause of the politicians, hoping to unravel a polyglot of complex issues that affect the sport in the Caribbean. Generations of West Indian Test players have long nursed grievances against the WICB and its predecessor for matters ranging
from disputes over pay, perceived absence of sensitivity in the handling of their retirement, and matters of respect in their retirement. It has not helped that the West Indies, once the dominant team among Test-playing countries, has languished near the bottom for two decades. Indeed, there runs deep in the West Indies an anti-establishment culture that leads to the knee-jerk stance against the WICB in any and every dispute as has been the case recently with the quarrel between the board and the region’s handful of elite players over compensation. A year and a half ago, a West Indies Test squad walked out of a tour of India because their union, the West Indies Players’ Association (WIPA), negotiated contracts that did not include the payment to them of nearly all the board’s earnings from sponsors. The bulk of that money went to financing a regional semi-professional league, which, for the first time, allowed the bulk of W I PA’s m e m b e r s , w h o are not among the elite few, to make some money from the game in the region. More than 90 players got contracts. The team to the recent T20 World Cup was in the balance until nearly the eleventh hour as the players held out for more money. The players complain more and perform worse in Tests at a time when they are being paid more. PHILOSOPHICALLY CONGRUENT The ironic twist to all this is that the WICB, under the current president, Dave Cameron, and the agitating (Continued on page 32)
Scraping past Marian Academy in the most exciting match up so far in the Demerara Volleyball Association (DVA), Inter -Schools Championship, a well oiled unit from St. Rose’s High School who turned in an unblemished performance in the Georgetown leg of the competition walked away with top honours and earned themselves the top spot for the GT teams heading into the regional finals. Led by 6’4" Akil Vaughn, who once again put on a dominant performance, St. Rose’s High School volleyball team treated their fans to the level of excitement fitting for the very boisterous home court crowd they were. Wrapping up yesterday’s play with a fighting 15 - 14 victory over Marian Academy and a dominant 25 - 8 victory over St. Stanislaus College, the lads from St. Rose’s completed the two leg event unbeaten. Queen’s College, who booked the second spot in the finals, having only lost to the eventual winners began their day by brushing aside Saints 25 – 10, before they too ran into Marian Academy, led by their Brazilian star player, 16 year old Alexandre de Paiva Almeida and had to pull out all the stops to eventually triumph by a narrow 17 - 14 margin to take home the Digicel sponsored trophy. Playing in what was the match to determine the final team to book a spot in the finals, Marian Academy and Bishop’s High School entertained the spectators to a game with excitement fit to be a finals. Trading the lead on numerous occasions in the 10 minutes, timed game, Marian Academy eventually booked the final spot practically in the last minute of play despite a valiant effort from National U-18 Table Tennis champion, Shemar Britton, who demonstrated that he not only is dominant on the tennis table, but also has a good understanding of volleyball and can become just as dominant given the right guidance. In their other game of the day, Bishop’s High, who barely missed a spot in the finals made light work of Guyana Trust College by a 22 - 15 margin. GTC who won their only game against Saint Stanislaus College by a 18 15 score line in a bottom of the table match up, wrapped
up the day’s play with one win and one loss after failing to record any victories in the first leg of the tournament. Saint Stanislaus College, who turned out to be the punching bag of the tournament despite a much improved performance from the first leg, ended the tourna-
ment without any wins going down to Trust College and St. Rose’s. At the presentation of awards and addresses by sponsors and hosts of the tournament, the representative from Indesco who is the primary sponsor for the Georgetown leg expressed her
excitement with the level of commitment the players demonstrated and encouraged them to continue making strides to become better in the sport and possibly become national athletes. General Secretary of the Guyana Volleyball Federation, (Continued on page 32)
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Friday April 22, 2016
Kaieteur News
Bhuvneshwar, Warner flatten Gujarat Lions David Warner ’s third half-century of the season paved the way for Sunrisers Hyderabad’s ten-wicket win over Gujarat Lions in Rajkot. Warner, who slammed 74 off 48, combined with Shikhar Dhawan, who struck a fifty of his own, for an unbroken 137-run opening partnership after his bowlers, led by Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s 4 for 29, kept Lions to 135 for 8. Warner began the chase with two fours off Dale Steyn, who was playing his first match of this IPL, and kicked into high gear with three fours off Praveen Kumar in the fourth over. Spin didn’t stem the run-flow either as Warner cut and pulled Suresh Raina to the boundary. The Sunrisers captain brought up his half-century in 29 balls, by which time his team needed less than runa-ball for victory. Dhawan, at the other end, took the opportunity to bide his time and recover some of his form. He wasn’t always fluent, but a paddle sweep off Dwayne Bravo in the 12th over changed that. At one point 25 off 24, Dhawan completed his halfcentury in 40 balls and though he didn’t indulge in much celebration, he had to a couple of balls later. Warner sealed the victory with six overs to spare and time was ripe for a twirl of the ‘tache. That Lions were tied down, despite Raina’s 75 off 51, was Bhuvneshwar’s do-
David Warner gets into an awkward position for a pull ©BCCI
Bhuvneshwar Kumar ©BCCI ing. He swung the new ball handsomely, as Aaron Finch found out in the first over when his stumps were splayed by an indipper, and when he couldn’t get movement through the air, his mixture of slower balls were hard to put away on a large outfield. Bhuvneshwar took three wickets in the final over of the Lions innings, including Raina’s, to cap Sunrisers’ strong comeback. Mustafizur Rahman played a hand in Li-
ons’ slowdown as well. He was saved for the final six overs again and still gave away only one boundary when Warner misfielded at long-on. The Bangladesh seamer finished with 1 for 19, the mystery of his cutters no closer to being solved. Sunrisers also benefited from part-time offspinner Deepak Hooda and left-arm spinner Bipul Sharma rushing through five overs and picking up two wickets.
Lions, who had raced to 50 for 1 in the Powerplay, would have been disappointed that they could only manage 85 runs in the remaining 14 overs. Raina eased his way back to form, scoring his first T20 fifty in 31 innings. On display were his typi-
cal shots: lofted drives with the bent knee, firm pushes through cover and wristy flicks off the pads. But the other Lions batsmen struggled for timing. McCullum mis-hit a slog sweep to deep midwicket and fell for 18 off 17 balls, Dinesh Karthik was dismissed for 8
off a full toss and Dwayne Bravo, also on 8, picked out deep square leg after being deceived by a slower ball. Bhuvneshwar’s triple-strike in the final over meant Lions lost seven wickets for 79 runs, and slipped to their first defeat. (ESPNcricinfo)
Sunburst Juices continue partnership with Stephen Vieira Continental Group of Companies under its Sunburst Juices brand signaled its continued support for Superbike racer Stephen ‘Valentino Rossi’ Vieira after Office Manager Chaitnarine Brijmohan handed over a cheque for an undisclosed sum to the racer at the Company’s Head Office in Industrial Site yesterday. Witnessing the presentation was Marketing and Sales Manager Avalon Jagnandan, who noted that the Company through its lead brand Sunburst Juices was pleased to continue its partnership with Vieira as one of its Sunburst Brand Ambassadors. He added that over the years, Vieira has truly embraced the slogan of Sunburst, which is branded ‘Juice of Champions’ with his inter-
national and domestic achievements. Jagnandan noted that over the years Continental Group of Companies through its Sunburst Brand has supported sports in Guyana in a wide array of areas, these being Motor Racing, Badminton, Football, Table Tennis, Karate, Hockey, Golf and Horse Racing just to name a few. He added that Sunburst Juice remains fully committed towards the growth and development of youths and sports in Guyana. Jagnandan also thanked patrons for their support towards the locally manufactured juice, which is made in Guyana by Guyanese, since it’s through the consumption of Sunburst Juice by consumers nationwide
that Continental Agencies Ltd is able to give back to the development of youth and sports in Guyana. He extended best wishes to Vieira who will be competing in the upcoming Caribbean and International racing Meets as he gears to regain the CMRC Superbike Championship later this year. Vieira in his response thanked the Company for showing the faith in him over the years and promised to do his best to make the Company proud. He extended thanks also to all those who’ve supported him during his career as a Superbike racer and assured them that he is doing everything in his power to regain the title.
WADA suspends Beijing anti-doping laboratory Beijing’s National AntiDoping laboratory was suspended for a maximum of four months by the Wo r l d Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) yesterday after failing to comply with international standards. ”The suspension, which takes effect immediately, prohibits the laboratory from car-
rying out any WADA-related anti-doping activities including all analyses of urine and blood samples,” WADA said in a statement. The laboratory has 21 days to appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. (Reuters)
Friday April 22, 2016
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Kaieteur News
Rio Games countdown starts Rafeek ton hands Superior Woods victory with Olympia torch lighting Mohamed Rafeek struck an unbeaten 101 to give Superior Woods a 31-run victory over Floodlights when the Wolf’s Memorial Softball tournament continued on Sunday. Rafeek got support from Dennis Mangru with 59 as Superior Woods posted 202-3, batting first at Carifesta Sports Complex. Floodlight were limited to 171-8 in reply. Ricky Deonarine made 31 while Imtiaz Mohamed and Rabindra Singh made 30 each and Yunnis Yusuf 28; Rudolph Mayers claimed 428. Wellman overcame Wolf Warriors Masters by nine wickets. Wolf Warriors took first strike and were bowled out for 81. S. Narine got 20; Greg De Franca snared 4-12 and Lakeram Singh 2-10. Wellman responded with 82-1 in 9.5 overs. De Franca made 37 not out and Latchman Kallicharran an unbeaten 24. Tropical Springs beat Enterprise Legends by five wickets. Enterprise Legends took first knock and scored 165-7. Narine Roopdeo struck 57 and Nirmal Singh 34; Rahaman Khan snared 3-16. Tropical Springs got to 166-5 in 18 overs in reply. Baldeo Muller made 43; Sahadeo Budhu contributed 39 not out and Lalta Gainda 22. S. Mohamed took 2-23. Regal Masters thumped Parika Defenders by 129 runs. Regal posted 211, taking first strike. Eon Abel slammed 59 not out while Mahase Chunilall made 58. Parika Defenders were skittled for 82 in reply. Tony Singh bagged 5-38. Wolf Warriors triumphed over Untouchables by 94 runs. Batting first, Wolf War-
Eon Abel (left) and Mahase Chunilall (File photo) riors scored 137 all out. Safraz Karim stroked 85; Asif Illahi took 2-44 and Sadique Yusuf 2-44. Untouchables were sent packing for 73 in response. Narine Bailey had 2-9, Diaram Ramnauth 2-12 and Ricky Sergeant 2-17. Speedboat defeated Regal by 105 runs. Speedboat rattled up 181 all out in 19.4 overs. R. Persaud made 41 and Anand Bharat 27. Regal were bowled out for 76 in 12.4 overs in reply. Greg Singh had 3-15. Albion Masters beat Fisherman Masters by 13 runs. Albion scored 194-8, taking first knock. Veerapen Moonsammy made 40, John Sumir 30 and Jaga Bojh 24; Ishwar Singh had 3-28 and Lionel Persaud 2-30. Fisherman fell for 180 in reply. I. Persaud got 29; Moonsammy had 3-30 and Bojh 2-23. H S Masters trounced Savage Masters by nine wickets. Savage were bowled out for 87, taking first knock. Ricky Persaud had 39 and Eddie Barlow 2-16. H S Masters replied with 88-1 in nine overs. Danny Mohanram scored 40 and Barlow 39 not o u t . In the female category, Wellwoman beat Blue Divas by seven wickets. Blue Divas
managed 80 all out in 14.1 overs. Haseena Mohamed snared 3-22 and Susan Davanand 2-12. Wellwoman responded with 81-3 in 7.1 overs. Joan Vansertima struck 43 not out. 4R Lioness overcame Enterprise Divas by 75 runs. 4R Lioness amounted to 177-3, taking first turn at the crease. Tenesha Trotman struck an unbeaten 80 while Tamica Wilson scored 62 not out. Nafiza Mohamed had 3-8. Enterprise were restricted to 1026 in reply. Ashley Singh made 1 7 . The competition continues on Sunday with Regal facing LOL Woodworking at 09:30 hrs and Wolf’s Warriors playing Regal at 12:30 hrs on pitch one at CPCE ground. On pitch two Regal Masters will take on Wolf’s Warriors Masters at 09:30 hrs and Parika Defenders will battle Enterprise Legends at 12:30 hrs at the said venue. At the Carifesta Sports Complex ground, Superior Woods will face H S Masters at 09:30 hrs and Savage will play Fisherman at 12:30 hrs on pitch one. Speed XI will take on Speedboat at 09:30 hrs while Untouchables will play Speed XI at 12:30 hrs on pitch three.
The official countdown to this year’s Rio de Janeiro Olympics began with the lighting of the torch at the site of the ancient Games yesterday and organizers hoping to shift attention away from Brazil’s political and financial turmoil. On a glorious spring day with the sun burning hot above the ancient stadium in Olympia, an actress playing a high priestess lit the torch from the rays of the sun at the temple of Hera, using a parabolic mirror. Greek gymnastics world champion Lefteris Petrounias started the domestic relay after receiving the flame, handing the torch over to Brazilian double Olympic volleyball champion Giovane Gavio. A refugee will also carry the torch during the Greek leg of the relay in a symbolic move to highlight the plight of refugees before Brazilian organizers receive it in a handover at the Panathenian stadium on April 27 in Athens, site of the first modern Olympics in 1896. Brazil will start its relay on May 3 in the capital Brasilia with the first of 12,000 runners, carrying it through 300 cities and towns in the 26 Brazilian states and ending in Rio on the day of the opening ceremony on Aug. 5. Preparations, however, for the first Games in South America, have been plagued by problems and a shortage of cash for organizers as the country is experiencing its worst recession in decades. ”(The torch lighting) brings a message that can and will unite our dear Brazil,” Rio Games chief Carlos Nuzman said in his speech. Brazil President Dilma Rousseff, who canceled her
Badree out of IPL, Tabraiz Shamsi in for Royal Challengers Samuel Badree, the West Indies and Royal Challengers Bangalore legspinner, has been ruled out of IPL 2016. Badree had injured himself during the World T20 final on April 3 and has not played a game since then. He will be replaced by chinaman bowler Tabraiz Shamsi, who plays for South African franchise Titans. Shamsi, 26, previously played in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) after catching the eye of the touring West Indies in South Africa in 2014-15. He enjoyed reasonable success at the CPL, claiming 11
Samuel Badree had injured himself during the World T20 final on April 3 © IDI/Getty Images wickets in seven games at an average of 13.27 for St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in 2015, while conceding 6.79 runs an over. In the 2015-16 edition of South Africa’s domestic T20 competition, the Ram Slam T20, he picked up nine wick-
ets in ten games for Titans. Allan Donald, Royal Challengers’ bowling coach, said he would add variation and “mystery” to the franchise’s attack. “Meet our new mysterious spinner,” Donald was quoted as saying by the
Royal Challengers website. ”I’ve seen him bowl for Titans. He is very successful with what he has done in the past couple of years. Look out for a lot of mystery balls in there.” Badree appeared to have hurt his shoulder while diving to take a catch in the World T20 final, when England’s Liam Plunkett sliced the ball towards him at short third man. Badree hustled to his right and dived, and came up clutching his right shoulder. He left the field soon after, holding on to his wrist possibly to support his shoulder. (ESPNcricinfo)
Greek actress Katerina Lehou (R), holds the Olympic flame Reuters/Yannis Behrakis trip to ancient Olympia, is facing impeachment and federal prosecutors are investigating Olympic projects for corruption. Asked if organizers were concerned about a possible change of government, Nuzman told Reuters: I’m not a politician and I don’t know. We know what we need to do, and we’ll do (it).” CORRUPTION SCANDAL The crisis has paralyzed the country’s ability to revive its economy from recession in the midst of a huge corruption scandal involving staterun oil firm Petrobras. ”Despite the difficulties that Brazil is facing today, the flame is a timeless reminder that we are all part of the same humanity,” International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach said in his speech. ”We are now in the operation phase and we see the great progress the organizing committee has made in the last year. 98 percent of all in-
frastructure is ready,” Bach told reporters later. “You see us very confident in general and on a day like this you see us more confident and more emotional about these Games for Brazil.” Brazil’s interim sports minister, Ricardo Goncalves, echoed Bach’s confidence, telling Reuters authorities were very happy because Brazil is ready. “The Olympic Park, the venues are ready. Everything was done, so no impact,” he said. Yesterday’s ceremony marked the 80-year anniversary since the relay, which did not exist in the ancient Greek Olympics, was introduced by the Nazi organizers of the 1936 Berlin Games. ”Brazil will start telling the world a different story from the one we usually see in the news lately,” 2016 Olympics Ceremonies producer Marco Balich told Reuters. “The story about the celebration of humanity and the joy of life.” (Reuters)
Mike’s Pharmacy supports Boyce/ Jefford Relay Festival Mike’s Pharmacy has offered support to Sunday’s Boyce & Jefford Relay Festival and Family Fun Day scheduled for Police Sports Club Ground, Eve Leary with Proprietor, Lakeram Singh stating that the company is a proud sponsor of sports. “We continue to support local sports because we have a lot of supplements that are used by the athletes,” Singh said on handing over his contribution. Chairman of Boyce/ Jefford Committee, Colin Boyce thanked Singh for the support. Each relay race carries a
total purse of $40,000 with $20,000 for the winner; $12,000 for second and $8,000 for third place. The Football, Cricket and Domino Competitions will also carry cash prizes. The top clubs and athletes in Guyana will be competing in the Relay Festival that includes events such as (male and females): 4x100, 4x200m 4x400, Sprint Medley Females (100m, 100m, 200m, 400m), Sprint Medley Males (100m, 200m, 400m, 800m), Distance Medley Females (400m, 600m, 600m, 800m), Distance Medley Males (400m, 600m, 600m, 1200m).
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Friday April 22, 2016
Kaieteur News
RHTYSC, M.S honours WI players Shemaine Campbell and Tremayne Smartt The Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, M.S on Sunday last specially honoured West Indies T20 female players Shemaine Campbell and Tremayne Smartt for being members of the victorious World Cup Squad. Club Patron President David Granger, along with immediate Past Patron Beverly Harper joined members of the Club to honour the duo of making the ancient county of Berbice proud. Campbell received an airline ticket to the United States of America compliments of Caribbean Airlines and also received a Gold Medallion from the RHT Female team Official sponsor, Metro Office Supplies. Smartt, a member of the Tucker Park Cricket Club received along with Campbell both received trophies while Smartt was also presented with a ticket to the USA compliments of a Berbice Businessman, who wishes to re-
main unknown. Ansa Mcal Chief Executive Officer, Ms Beverly Harper presented special hampers to the two Champions and also disclosed that the duo would be unveiled shortly as the official faces of the company’s “Act as a Girl” promotion on billboards and TV advertisements. Harper encouraged the attentive cricketers to remain focused and to always strive for excellence. Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster praised Campbell and Smartt for being perfect sport ambassadors and stated that the club was proud to honour them. Female cricket, the veteran cricket administrator noted needs special attention from all administrators across Guyana since too few are involved in the game at the club level. Foster praised Caribbean Airlines and the other donor for of the USA tickets which is a contribution in
recognising the female cricketers. The Secretary/CEO whose work at the Club was praised by Club Patron, President David Granger urged the two players to maintain discipline at all times and to remain humble despite how successful they become in life. President David Granger congratulated Campbell and Smartt on their personal achievements of being World Champions and stated that Guyana was proud of them. The Head of State also complimented RHTYSC, M.S for honouring the duo as it is important to recognise our heroes. Both Campbell and Smartt in invited comments after the ceremony expressed gratitude to the Club for honouring them and stated that the presence of President Granger made the event more special for them. Campbell presented a
STAG / EBFA Senior League
Grove Hi Tech down Diamond; KK Warriors and Herstelling Raiders draw Defending champions Grove Hi Tech has restored their quest to retain championship honours with a 4-0 win over a game Diamond United when the STAG sponsored East Bank Football Association (EBFA) Senior League continued on Sunday last at the Grove Playfield. The opening match saw Herstelling Raiders squandering a spot kick early in the second half as they settled for a draw with Kuru Kuru Warriors. Diamond though, with their young guns kept Grove at bay for the entire first half whilst creating a few chances but could not convert the few opportunities they created. Grove on the other hand were patient knowing that once they cracked the Diamond defense, it would have
opened the flood gates that that is exactly what occurred. Denzil Crawford opened the champion’s account two minutes into the second half while the advantage was doubled in the 62nd minute compliments of a Delroy Dodson effort. As the home team continued their grind, Nickolai Matthews increased the advantage in the 73rd minute while the sealer came five minutes later through a John Matthews goal; Grove taking back sole leadership at the top of the points table. Herstelling Raiders continued their dream run but spoiled the chance to register yet another upset win, this time against another formidable opponent, Kuru Kururu Warriors. The Raiders, already with
eth scalps of Soesdyke and Agricola via similar 2-1 margins drew first blood against the Warriors when Eric Williams netted in the 13th minute. But the Warriors which handed Grove their first and only defeat to date bounced back in a matter of minutes to draw level. One of their most reliable scorers, Cordel Johnson it was who pulled KK Warriors back when he slotted home in the 21st minute. Back and forth exchanges continued until the Raiders were awarded a penalty early in the second half which was subsequently missed by Seon Alfred much to the dismay of himself and teammates. Both the Warriors and the Raiders had to settle for a point each.
Caribbean Airlines Marketing Executive Dion Inniss presents Campbell with airline ticket in the presence of President Granger and Tremayne Smartt souvenir cricket bat with the signatures of the West Indies female T20 team while Ms Harper and Ms Avie Lindee received a West Indies
player’s Tee Shirt. The club is expressing gratitude to Caribbean Airlines, Dion Inniss, Colin Bynoe, Ansa McAl, Ms
Beverly Harper, Ms Avie Lindee, Manoj Singh and Metro Office Supplies for their role in honouring the Champions.
RAN 15s’ Championship
Rugby squad named to take on Barbados tomorrow
The Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) released the names of the squad that
will take on Barbados in the opening fixture of the South Zone Division of the Rugby
Americas North (RAN) 15s’ Championship tomorrow, at the National Park Playfield.
Kaieteur News
Friday April 22, 2016
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Sterling Products, Mohamed’s Enterprise and Starr Computers support Rifle Team Jubilee Shoot set for Sunday
As the Guyana National Rifle Association (GuyanaNRA) continues to piece together finances to ensure it is present in Antigua and Barbuda next month to defend its Caribbean Short Range and Individual titles at the West Indies Full Bore Shooting Championships, three more corporate entities have presented cheques. Association Secretary Ryan Sampson has disclosed that Mohamed’s Enterprise, Sterling Products Limited and Starr Computer have all contributed towards the Caribbean champions being present. ”We are very grateful to the management of Mohamed’s Enterprise, Sterling Products and Starr Computers for their support. We wish to also thank Minister Nicolette Henry for assisting the Rifle Team to acquire the requisite tax waivers from the Guyana R e v e n u e A u t h o r i t y, ” Sampson stated. Gratitude was also extended to Caribbean Airlines and LIAT for assisting with procuring flights for the team. Meanwhile, the
GuyanaNRA as part of Guyana’s 50th Jubilee Anniversary celebrations will be hosting a Jubilee Pairs Match which will be the first of its kind in Guyana and possibly the Caribbean. This format of shooting which is used at the Commonwealth Games will see competitors also coaching whilst competing in turn. The pairs are: Lennox Braithwaite/Ryan Sampson; Mahendra Persaud/Dane Blair; Ransford Goodluck/Sherwin Felicien; Dylan Fields/Peter Persaud, Leo Romalho/Terrence Stuart. According to National Captain, Mahendra Persaud, the names of the five X-Class shooters were put into a bag with each of the five junior shooters pulling one of the X-Class names to be their partner on Sunday. This format Persaud said would enhance the abilities of the junior marksmen as wind coaches since the senior shooters would not be shooting with scopes. ”They {seniors}would be depending on their counterparts to read the wind efficiently which should be
BCCI waives $42m penalty on WICB BCCI President Shashank Manohar has said that the $41.97 million claim imposed by the p r e v i o u s B C C I administration on the WICB for abandoning the 2014 tour to India mid-way has been waived. West Indies, he said, will tour India in 2017 to complete the “unfinished” matches from the 2014 series. According to Manohar, the issue was “sorted out” when the WICB agreed to tour India to play the pending games. The decision was taken, he said, when the BCCI’s top officials spoke with the WICB late last year, before clearing India’s tour to the West Indies scheduled for this summer. This is the first time the BCCI has clarified
its position on the matter. ”That is now sorted out because they are going to come back and play here next year,” Manohar told ESPNcricinfo. “They have to complete those [unfinished] games. That was a claim raised by the board. [We] would be satisfied by them coming and playing here.” Manohar said the schedule will be finalised by the end of May. He said no other conditions were laid out by the BCCI during the talks with the West Indies board. WICB president Dave Cameron, without elaborating much, said: “We stand by whatever Mr Manohar says.” In October 2014, when West Indies captain Dwayne (Continued on page 32)
an interesting scenario as the pairs seems evenly matched on paper,” Persaud noted. Persaud also noted that with the winds switching left to right rapidly over the past
few weeks of practice, Sunday’s match would test the skills of the best wind coaches. The first sighting shot will be fired at 10:30hrs from
the 300 yards range; the 500 and 600 yards ranges are also of the competition. The Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Brig. Gen. Mark Phillips is
expected to be on hand for the presentation ceremony as well as Mr. Trevor Williams of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports who will represent the Minister.
Kaieteur News
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Friday April 22, 2016
Rain ruins play between E’bo Hand-in-Hand U-19 Inter-County First-day and Demerara at Bourda No play was possible on the opening day of the third and final round game of the Guyana Cricket Board/Hand-inHand Inter County U19 three-day tournament between Essequibo and Demerara yesterday at Bourda. Heavy rainfall and not having enough covers caused seepages leaving a large section of the square soggy, and despite the efforts of the ground staff the umpires were forced to call-off play after lunch. Essequibo needs an outright victory to win the tournament since they are in second spot on 16.8 points; Demerara are atop on 20. The Select Under-
17 team is on 6.3 ahead of Berbice on 4.1. Essequibo skipper Keemo Paul said his boys are disappointed but they are hoping that the conditions improve to facilitate an early start today since they are in a must win situation. “We really need to win this game, but we have no control over the rain, the players are hoping to get some play in the second and third days,” he stated. Home team captain Travis Persaud explained that although his side is leading the points table, his players are looking forward to match skills with the Essequibians. Play is set to start at 09:30hrs today.
washed out at Wales
The Berbice team Bus about to depart the flooded Wales ground yesterday.
A section of the square which prevented play yesterday
Heavy overnight and early morning showers at the Wales Community Centre ground resulted in flooded areas on the Western and Eastern boundaries and bowlers’ run up that were left uncovered in contravention to the tournament’s playing conditions. This resulted in the opening day’s play of the third and final round in the GCB’s Hand-in-Hand three-
day Inter-County U-19 being called off at Lunch. The Koker had been opened from as early as 08:00hrs yesterday, the sun never came out and conditions remained overcast with large pools of water remaining on the playing area well into the afternoon. A prompt 09:30hrs start today looks bleak especially without a water pump being available to the ground staff.
‘India to host daynight Test against New Zealand’ India is set to host a daynight Test during New Zealand’s visit later this year. Anurag Thakur, the BCCI Secretary, said on Thursday that the BCCI would use the pink Kookaburra ball for the Test match. ”We have decided that we will play one day-night Test match with pink ball against New Zealand later this year,” Thakur said. “Before that, Duleep Trophy will act as a dress rehearsal for the daynight Test match.” There have been widespread concerns over the pink Kookaburra particularly its durability and its visibility - and the A d e l a i d e Te s t l a s t November, the first ever to be played under floodlights, was played on a grassierthan-normal surface to ensure the ball lasted 80 o v e r s . S o u t h A f r i c a ’s players, including their Test captain AB de Villiers, have expressed their reluctance to play a day-night Test during their 2016-17 tour of Australia.
The pink ball is yet to be trialled in India, where dew could be a concern under lights, and Thakur said the Duleep Trophy would serve as a trial run before the Test. ”While we have not zeroed in on the venue, there are lots of factors that need to be taken into account,” Thakur said. “Things like dew factor, how the spinners bowl with the pink Kookaburra on Indian pitches. These things we will get an idea [of] during the Duleep Trophy.” Given the need for India’s players to acclimatise to playing with the pink ball, it is expected that all the major names from the Test team will feature in the Duleep Trophy. SG manufactures the red ball normally used in India’s Test matches. Thakur said a pink SG could be a possibility in the future. “We may ask SG to manufacture pink balls later but that has to be of the quality of pink balls that Kookaburra produces.” (ESPNcricinfo)
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t r o Sp
Sunburst Juices Rio Games countdown continue partnership starts with Olympia with Stephen Vieira torch
lighting
Olympic flame second torch bearer, former volleyball player Giovane Gavio from Brazil (L), passes the torch to third bearer Dimitrios Mougios as they attend the Olympic flame lighting ceremony for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games on the site of ancient Olympia, Greece, yesterday. Reuters/Yannis Behrakis
Olympic flame second torch bearer, former volleyball player Giovane Gavio from Brazil (L), passes the torch to third bearer Dimitrios Mougios as they attend the Olympic flame lighting ceremony for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games on the site of ancient Olympia, Greece, yesterday. Reuters/Yannis Behrakis
St. Rose’s dominate DVA Inter-Schools Tournament
Linden segme nt serves off t oday
Winners of the Georgetown Zone of the Demerara Volleyball Association school league, St. Rose’s High School pose with the Indesco trophy.
BCCI waives $42m penalty on WICB Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Limited, 24 Saffon St.Charlestown, Georgetown.Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/ 226-8210