Wednesday April 02, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Letters... Where your views make the news... Letters... Where your views make the news
GuySuCo and the challenging times
DEAR EDITOR, Professor Clive Thomas in his column titled “GuySuCo’s underperformance: The explosion of costs” published in the March 16, 2014 Sunday Stabroek, among other things, spoke to the high employment costs in the sugar industry. Naturally, in any company in which labour costs absorb in excess of 60 per cent of revenue, concern and alarm ought to be expressed. It is well-known that the last few years have been among the most challenging in GuySuCo’s 38-year history. Many factors, including poor management, have influenced low levels of production in recent times and, therefore, serve to diminish revenue levels. Any discussion of the sugar industry’s employment cost, however, has to be placed within some context. The multi-billion-dollar employment expenditure while absorbing a large proportion of GuySuCo’s
revenue, at this time, must be juxtaposed against the low and below capacity production being recorded as well. Without a doubt, the industry has the capability to produce, at this time, in excess of 300,000 tonnes of sugar taking into consideration its field and factory capacities. Such levels were realized in the not-toodistant past. Certainly with dedicated efforts higher production levels are achievable within a short timeframe. Higher production obviously will lend to the emergence of economies of scale and, therefore, cost of production will decline and logically will see employment cost as a percentage of revenues declining. Low revenues have also eroded the ability of the industry to pay acceptable rates-of-pay. Today, GuySuCo has to contend with unfair competition for its workers from many quarters including
the construction and mining industries, among others. Although the playing field, in some instances, is not level as many employers do not comply with statutory deductions — NIS and PAYE — GuySuCo, unless it is able to offer competitive pay rates notwithstanding its grandiose plans and initiatives, would not be able to maintain a reliable and adequate workforce. We have seen especially in the area of cane cutting there is a lack of adequate labourers. The industry to this day remains largely labour intensive and hence the present labour. Certainly, higher production levels will lend to a proportional decline of employment costs and make available additional monies for various activities. However, such achievements rest on the ability of the Corporation to grow an adequate quantity of good quality canes to yield satisfactory production levels. Walter Sundar
A LOT IS WRONG AT THIS SCHOOL DEAR EDITOR, Please allow me to view some serious problems that are affecting problems at the J.C Chandisingh Secondary School. I am hoping that the relevant authorities would address these concerns urgently. Two of my children are attending this school. I am also a former student of this school. The following are my concerns: - One senior administrator is frequently absent and always late to work. As such, it is very difficult to make contact with her. - This administrator is always in her office and the door to the office has been locked for over two years. - The school is always out of finance and fund raising is being held very often. - Lots of time, some teachers are absent, or they are late or not going to their classes. Many days I would check my children’s books only to find out that they do not do any work for the day due to teachers’ absence, or the teacher being late or teacher having not gone to class because he/she is in the Head Mistress office attending to some matter. Shouldn’t there be some sort of system in place for the students to be taught in the
absence of any teacher? I am working very hard to send my children to school and it pains my heart when they waste a whole day not doing anything in school. Another problem is that one Head of Department encourages students to copy old SBAs instead of having these students to do the experiments and write their findings. Also, the Head of another Department expects the students to bring their own tools to work with in the garden. This head should be responsible for providing tools to the students. It has been one month now since the Information Technology Department is not functioning because the IT teacher migrated and there is no electricity in the laboratory. How can the IT students be
prepared for their CSEC examination which is months from now? The teacher that is in charge of the Social Studies department is always late for work. How can the department function with such a head? Students are habitually late for school. I am working on the road so I can tell you this. What are the teachers doing about student lateness? Last but not least, the school environment is very untidy and there seems to be an absence of bins which is contributing to the deplorable state of the compound. I suggest that the transfer of the recalcitrant to schools closer to their homes. Concerned Parent EDITOR’S NOTE: A copy of this letter is forwarded to the Education Ministry
Jail the noise makers
DEAR EDITOR, Repetitive loud noise from any quarter, be it music, sawmill, factory or revs of motorcycle and boat engines, can be destructive to health and mental stability of individuals. Noise level is measured by units of decibels. Anything over 85 decibels can lead to hearing loss. Most dangerous is loud noise to the ill and to children whose hearing nerve is extremely tender. Sadly some parents leave children near loud speakers to harden their hearing, not realizing the destruction to the children’s hearing, and the possibility of speech impairment. I know one top city jeweler involved in loud drumming, and even has his grandchildren involved with the noise, thinking that he is doing a good for society— create loud and repetitive pungent noise that creates health hazard to his own grandchildren and those he tries to entertain. Otherwise this is great gentlemen and human being. Unlike the human muscles which grow with stress exercise, it is the opposite with the hearing muscle and nerve. It gets weakened, and with the destruction of the hair cell, which never regrows, deafness is the result. Ears pain is second only to toothache in severity. While the EPA is known to assist with investigating and recording, it does not have any form of enforcement arm, and depends heavily on the Guyana Police, which is
also known to have prosecuted scores of individuals, and even getting convictions. Sadly the magistrates do not use the imprisonment arm provided by the law, and usually institute fines of between $7000 and $20,000. I challenge the Judiciary/ magistrates to try an experiment. Start imprisoning people for noise nuisance, and witness how the noise complaints will be reduced. With this, the promoters of shows and owners of bands or dancehall, escape with a slap on the wrist, the fines being a mere joke to some of them, they do not realize that it is a criminal offence on their records. Some believe that it is their democratic right to play their music regardless of how ugly the music might be to others. Some intentionally play useless loud noise to irritate neighbors, and when they complain, they are known to irritate them even more. I know one lady is now a virtual lunatic because of the constant noise, night and day in Garden of Eden. Some citizens could be so cruel to their neighbours, it is a down right shame. Some people are made suicidal because of excessive noise, and having no one to turn to, especially since they fear the noise maker. At times some hard headed police refer to the music and noise as ‘culture’; obviously that is what they know of culture. The more professional police blessed with leadership, and uncorrupted greed, and
intelligence will perform their duties to help the aggrieved. I met several at the Sparendaam Police Station Station who took action at Starlite Drive In, which eventually closed down. But another friend who lives not far from the Sparendaam Police complains that when he calls the police about late noisy shows at the Community Centre near Goedverwagting, the police will tell them that it is ‘culture!’ Just opposite the Police Station in Springlands is a major noise culprit that sends the neighbourhood mad with uncontrolled hideous noise, but the people in the area are afraid to complain as they say the Police frequent the place; they are friends with the owners and they eat and drink regularly there. People have to stop fearing and realize that the Police are there to serve them; they pay the police as taxpayers, and hence, have the right to demand service. The Police must fear the honourable citizens. Only criminals should fear the Police. Occupational noise has been the most frequently studied along with its negative impact on society and persons. But now social noise has the focus. Not only is hearing loss, temporarily or permanently possible, sleep deprivation is another, along with proven serious health issues such as cardiovascular (heart) function, community annoyance, hypertension, creation of stress syndrome, inability to study, Continued on page 23
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Kaieteur News
Swiss House Cambio boss murder…
State calls witnesses as PI begins The Preliminary Inquiry (PI) into the death of former Swiss House Cambio Managing Director Farouk Razac, yet again commenced at the city court yesterday and four civilian witnesses were called to offer sworn testimonies on behalf of the State. For a second time, Razac’s wife, Carol Ann Lynch, is charged with murdering him on May 7, 2007 at their Lot 106 Ireng Place, Bel Air Park, Georgetown residence. The post mortem examination showed that the businessman died as a result of “asphyxiation (suffocation) due to possible ligature strangulation.” Four days later, Lynch was charged with his murder but in 2008, the first Preliminary Inquiry (PI) ended when the then Magistrate Gordon Gilhuys had discharged the accusations, citing that insufficient evidence had been provided to establish a case of murder
DEAD: Farouk Razac against her. Ever since the 2008 discharge of the matter, the charge, which in 2010 was ordered to be reinstituted to Lynch by the Director of Public Prosecutions, was only read to her on January 22, last, as she had evaded the police for the three years. The pre-trial matter is before Chief Magistrate Priya
Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. Lynch is being represented by Attorneys Peter Hugh and Latchmie Rahamat. At yesterday’s hearing, Sharon Sanmogan, the couple’s friend, was the first to take the stand and offer a testimony of what occurred the night before the murder. Next to give evidence in the matter was the couple’s fitness trainer, Karan Dutt. His testimony was followed by that of technician Joseph Chung who explained to the court the role he played in installing a surveillance system at the couple’s home. The final witness was Robert Lynch Jr., the brother of the accused, who under oath related what he had done during the investigation of the murdered man. Lynch related the part he played during the
Post Mortem examination. All except Robert Lynch Jr. were cross examined by Lynch’s lawyer. A total of ten civilian witnesses were expected to be present at yesterday’s hearing, but only seven presented themselves before the court. Four of the seven, were called to take the stand and by request of Corporal Bharat Mangru, who prosecuted, the other three will testify today. Arrest warrants have been issued for the other witnesses who failed to appear in court. Hugh, however, beseeched the court to refrain from issuing an arrest warrant for Lynch’s 14-year-old daughter who failed to present herself because of her school examinations. The PI is scheduled to continue today. A total of 21 witnesses are expected to testify on behalf of the state.
Eight-year-old raped at Port Kaituma Police at Port Kaituma have detained a man who allegedly lured an eight-year-old girl with a sweet and then brutally raped her. The incident reportedly took place last Friday at a place called Barama Log Pond, while the child was on her way to school. According to reports, the child’s mother noticed that her clothes were covered with blood, and upon enquiring, the woman was given the gory details of the child’s ordeal at the hands of the suspect, who residents described as a stranger to the community. “I don’t know him. He’s a strange person,” a source at Port Kaituma told this newspaper. The suspect is said to be a labourer who works at the waterfront discharging cargo from boats. The badly injured child, who hails from an area called Oronoque, was taken to the Port Kaituma Health Centre where she was examined and treated. Kaieteur News was informed that the Child Care and Protection Agency has been engaged in the matter, while the suspect awaits his day in court.
ACCUSED: Carol Ann Lynch
Wednesday April 02, 2014
Radio/TV announcer remanded for assaulting girl, 13
Ossie Rogers leaving court yesterday.
Popular radio announcer, Ossie Rogers, yesterday exited the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court as a remanded prisoner after appearing there in relation to accusations made by a 13year-old girl that he barged into her yard and assaulted her. Behind closed doors, Rogers who is attached to the National Television Network (NTN), was indicted before Magistrate Alex Moore on assault causing actual bodily harm and threatening behaviour charges. Rogers is accused of dealing the teen several slaps moments after barging into her Industry, East Coast Demerara yard and confronting her about text messages she sent to a mutual male friend’s phone. He allegedly accused her of being “too close” to his friend. Rogers was charged too for threatening behaviour towards the teen’s mother, Indramattie Ramdhayal, who reportedly rushed to the teen’s aid. When the charges were read to the accused, however,
he refuted all claims and submitted a bail application through his lawyer, Dexter Todd. The case is being prosecuted by Inspector Anthony. While both offences are bailable, Ramdhayal during the one-hour-long court hearing, explained that she now fears for her life since Rogers has been making other threats to her and her family. Magistrate Moore, in response, opted to remanded Rogers to prison. He will make his next court appearance on April 8. Last November, the said Magistrate found Rogers guilty of resisting arrest and failing to comply with a lawful direction by a police officer. Rogers was pulled over by a police rank for his heavilytinted car, but refused to cooperate with the police. He was fined and ordered to complete 53 hours of community service. An arrest warrant was later issued for him by Magistrate Moore when he did not show up. Rogers later moved to the High Court to appeal the Magistrate’s decision.
Wednesday April 02, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Brazilian Association peeved over delayed work permits A number of Brazilian nationals are reportedly converging on available hotel rooms across the country, anxiously awaiting permission from the Guyana Government to begin working here. During a press conference yesterday, the Brazilian Mining and General Association lashed out at Guyana’s Ministry of Home Affairs over 140 outstanding work permits. According to the Secretary of the body, Antonio Szala, the work permits have been approved of by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) since January, but are still piled up at the aforementioned Ministry, awaiting the final authorization. Szala said that as a result
of their long wait, many of the Brazilians have run short on finance, and are being assisted by the association, mostly in the area of getting accommodations. He explained that the Brazilians do not have the required money and time to spend locked up in hotel rooms, as they have invested in coming to Guyana for jobs. “They came here to work and they have families to maintain just like Guyanese,” Szala said. He said that he does not know why the approval of the permits has taken so long, but pointed out that “Every time the association calls (the Ministry), we’re told that the permits are still in process.” Szala said that while he understands that the Minister may be busy, the head of the relevant
…addresses issue of its citizens being “exploited”
Antonio Szala (right), in the company of two colleagues, addresses the media on issues related to Brazilian nationals living and working in Guyana department should be able to speak on the issue. “We’ve asked several times to speak with the
March session of Demerara Criminal Assizes commences - Highly anticipated cases listed for trial Three Judges have been selected to preside over the March session of the Demerara Criminal assizes, which opened yesterday at the Georgetown Supreme Court. During this session, several cases are expected to come up for trial before Justice Navindra Singh, Justice William Ramlall and Justice Dawn Gregory. The matters will be selected from a total of 225 cases listed for trial. Among them are several cases of murder, manslaughter, attemp t e d m u r d e r, wounding with intent to commit a felony, forgery, carnal knowledge, rape, incest, buggery, arson and illegal possession of firearms. The case against Jarvis Small called ‘Barry’ and his girlfriend Bibi Shareema Gopaul, who were jointly accused of the unlawful killing of 15-year-old Queen’s College student, Neesa Gopaul; the Carnal Knowledge case involving, former President of the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU), Colwyn King and the case of popular promoter, Colin Mack, who is facing charges of rape, assault and forcible abduction of a female are among the highly anticipated cases listed for this session and Michael Assanah, who was charged with seven counts of causing death by dangerous driving is
expected to come up for trial. Assanah was the driver of the minibus ‘Red Rat’ that was involved in the horrific smash on the East Coast of Demerara, killing seven people. Those killed in the accident are Sewsankar Sewdat, Pamela Yaw, Sharon Lall, Sharo n S i m m o n s , Cheryl Primo, Leslyn Boucher and Leyland Prince . In addition, a number of cases which ended in a hung jury verdict during the last criminal assizes are scheduled for retrial. These matters include that of Cyon Collier called ‘Picture Boy’ who was on three separate murder charges, Collier is charged with the September 30, 2006 murder of 34-year-old businessman, Chandrapaul Persaud, called ‘Kero Man’ of Non Pareil, E a s t C o a s t Demerara and for the murder of brothers Ray Walcott called ‘Sugar’, and Carl Andrews, called ‘Alo’ which occurred back in 2006. His second retrial concluded last December, with a hung jury verdict. Murder accused, Charles Anthony Woolford, is also awaiting his second retrial. Woolford was charged with the murder of his wife, Festival City beautician, Latoya Conway Woolford. The incident allegedly took place after the couple had a heated argument on February 8, 2009 at their Lot 2041
A mini health check is the first step to donating blood
Hummingbird Street, North Ruimveldt, home. Shawn Thom and Orin David, called ‘Plait Hair’ or ‘Malik’, are expected to face a Judge and Jury for retrial for the murder of Mahaica farmer, Lakhram Bishundial, who was allegedly killed on August 20, 2010 at Hope, East Coast Demerara, while the matter against, Hoosman Khan, and his sisters Bibi Shamiza Khan and Bibi Farida Khan called ‘Pum’, is also scheduled to come up for retrial. The trio was indicted for the murder of US-based Guyanese, Motilall Singh. Singh was allegedly murdered in September 2009 at Windsor Forest, West Coast Demerara. The three accused – Singh’s stepchildren, were implicated in the crime after police investigations indicated that they had paid a hit man to kill their stepfather. A fourth person, Bishoondial Mahadeo was also charged for the murder but he was acquitted last January. The proceedings began yesterday with the trials of Renwick Alexander and Albert Andres, who are both facing the court for murder.
coordinator of the immigration section, but all we are told is that he is in a meeting and will call us back, but he does not do so,” Szala claimed. He said that the Brazilians would often visit the Ministry to get the status of their permits, but are usually given telephone numbers and asked to call other persons. Szala said that while he agrees with the Ministry’s move in wanting to omit a third party, there still needs to be effective communications between Guyanese officials and Brazilians. He said that as a result of poorly translated communication, many Brazilians are unsure of what their next move should be. Szala is of the opinion that the natives of the neighbouring country are being “exploited” here in Guyana.
He told reporters that this is especially prevalent in the areas of Parika and Bartica, by persons who demand large sums of money as fees from Brazilian nationals to pass through the areas in order to arrive at Georgetown. The secretary of the Brazilian Mining and General Association explained that in order to qualify to apply for a work permit in Guyana, Brazilians have to be sponsored by persons who are licenced to operate in the mining industry here. Szala said that more often than not, the sponsors would usually demand hundreds of thousands of dollars from the Brazilians, as an exchange for their supporting signatures. To this end, he called on the relevant authorities to consider putting in place, a system where the Brazilians can work directly with the
A child is now dead after she allegedly drowned in a drain on Sunday, sometime between 10:30 hrs and 17:00 hrs. Seventeen-month-old Carmella Amsterdam of lot M 541 Levi Dam, Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam, was found floating in a drain not too far from her home a few hours after she went missing. According to information, the child, whose parents hail from the Canje River, was with her grandmother Maria Sampson a greens vendor who resides at the above address. The grandmother reportedly went out and left
the child in the care of her 21year-old daughter-in-law Lydia Mendonca. The woman told investigators that after the child was left in her care she (the child) went to sleep in a room while she went and slept in another room. The woman stated that sometime after when she woke up she did not see the child where she should have been. She began searching, but there was no trace of the child. An alarm was raised and a search party was mounted. The child was eventually found some hours after in a nearby drain. It is understood that the
Ministry of Home Affairs, instead of having to go through sponsors who usually rip them off. Meanwhile, Szala said that as a result of the current delays in the work permits, the dozens of Brazilians waiting in Guyana are becoming extremely frustrated. “They want to get the legal documents. The Brazilians do not want to come to Guyana and work illegally, they want to do it the right way, so that they don’t have to go hiding in the bush and running from the police and so.” Szala stated. Asked about assistance from the Brazilian Embassy, Szala told reporters that there seems to be a detachment with the Embassy in Guyana, noting that representatives were invited to yesterday’s press conference, but did not show up. Szala claimed that he is in receipt of a legal document highlighting a number of agreements between Guyana and Brazil, and that there have been many glaring breaches. He advocated that Brazilians usually contribute a great deal to the local economy, as their spending is “three times higher than Guyanese”. Essentially, Szala said that the aim of the Brazilian Mining and General Association is to support Brazilians and help them to benefit from proper systems where they can peacefully live and work in Guyana, free to go home whenever they wish.
One-year-old drowns in drain child after waking up, wandered out of the house and attempted to access the street using a narrow bridge that runs across the drain. She is believed to have lost her balance and fallen into the drain. After she was found she was eventually taken to the New Amsterdam hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival. No marks of violence were found on her body. Her guardians were taken into custody, questioned and released. The body is at the New Amsterdam Hospital awaiting a post mortem examination. Investigations are still continuing.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday April 02, 2014
The budget is a series of unfortunate events - APNU MP A Partnership for National Unity Member of Parliament, Christopher Jones, examined the deficiencies of the 2014 budget during yesterday’s debates and said that Government’s attitude of nonconsultation can best be described as “a series of unfortunate events” transcending beyond the setting up of the tripartite budget committee. He reminded the House that Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh, under the caption “Education Grants” had stated, “Government will provide this year, a cash grant to the parents of every child attending nursery, primary, or secondary school in the public education system in the amount of $10,000 per child for the year 2014. This grant can be used to meet such costs as transportation, and will provide added impetus to raising enrolment and attendance rates” Jones said that this sum, calculated to $40 per day for those living on the coast, is not even a short drop via public transportation. “What about those students living in the hinterland and riverain communities? A case in point is the village of Hackney on the lower Pomeroon River,
Region Two, where students travelling via boat are forced to pay as much as $1,000 per day per child from Hackney to Charity.” The unfortunate event here, Jones said, was that the Government did poor consultation or had no consultation with parents. “If they did, they would have been told that in riverain communities, a school boat would be their first choice and for those on the coast, school buses are their preference, so the ten thousand dollars will be better put into the wages and salaries of the parents.” UNEMPLOYMENT Jones noted that what is also absent in the Minister’s 2014 Budget presentation, “like his 2013 and 2012 presentations”, is “Jobs.” “One would have expected that when the Government boasts about how much moneys have been spent to train youths, it would have been proud to shout on the mountain top that ‘we the PPP have created thousands of jobs for our young people and this year we are expected to create even more.’” He added that over the years, it was noted that five government ministries – Amerindian Affairs; Culture,
Youth and Sport; Education; Home Affairs and Labour – “continue to jostle each other to offer a variety of glamorous, short-term, ad hoc, training courses for young people. They all promise but do not provide the long-term careers that youths desperately seek.” The Amerindian Affairs Ministry, for example, in 2013 launched $200M Youth Apprenticeship and Entrepreneur Programme (YAEP). The Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport conducts the Youth Entrepreneurial Skills
Training (YEST) programme. The Ministry of Home Affairs offers training in what it calls “life skills” and vocational pursuits under its Citizen Security Programme (CSP). Also, The Ministry of Labour, through its Board of Industrial Training (BIT) conducts a two-year apprenticeship programme now called the National Training Project for Youth, Empowerment (NTPYE) All of these programmes, Jones said, attracted millions of the taxpayers’ dollars to be spent, yet “the Minister of Finance can’t even report to
“What’s new?” This was the first question put to the government side of the house when A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) representative Desmond Trotman rose to address the National Assembly as the 2014 budget debate continued yesterday. He concluded his presentation with a warning to the government, that, together with the Alliance for Change (AFC), “the 2014 budget will go nowhere, if the government does not rethink and re-work the country’s financial focus”. Trotman was alluding to what he described as a budget lacking comprehensive and objective criticisms. “The criticisms provide us (opposition) with an opportunity to reflect on and
to reformulate some of the proposals and to re-present them in a more acceptable form.” He stressed also that poor governance was contributing to some of the ailments faced, after taking up two specific issues relating to governance. Trotman highlighted 10 requirements of good governance including; the timely sharing and disclosure of information, compromising, transparency and accountability, before pointing out that in terms of the Anti-Money Laundering Bill, “nothing is agreed until everything is agreed.” After relating that the 2014 budget is a regurgitation of issues addressed in the first and second year, Trotman expressed that corruption, drug funds and
money laundering was playing a major role in the functions of the economy; specifically in the area of construction. “Drug proceeds have been pouring into Guyana, and construction and other commercial activities have been the beneficiaries without any major arrests of the money launderers.” This assertion was however met with disagreement from Tourism and Housing Minister Irfaan Ali, who requested House Speaker Raphael Trotman demand evidence from the APNU member to support his statement. The Speaker however ruled that the statement would be accepted since it was a general statement that attacked no one, adding that in light of
data and statistics, the statement is quite true. APNU’s Trotman stated also that while much praise comes to the five percent growth of the economy, this would have probably doubled had it not been for , “bad governance, poor project choices, corrupt contracting of incompetents; distortion of economic decisions, and cronyism among other things. He charged that the receipt of workers’ remittances declined significantly, while international foreign exchange reserves at the end of last year, “only amounted to US$776.9million, equivalent to 3.9 months of import cover, compared to five months of import cover that obtained in the previous years.” The APNU MP also noted that the Anti-Money Laundering legislation may have reduced illicit funds, while Guyana has not seen the establishment of a Stabilization Fund; that would boast the country’s
APNU MP Christopher Jones
the National Assembly on how many jobs have been created…Four out of every ten youths face a jobless future and the PPP/C Administration is still to announce a plan to deal with this crisis of youth unemployment.” NATIONAL CULTURAL CENTRE The APNU Member of Parliament then brought to the National Assembly’s attention the state of affairs at the National Cultural Centre (NCC). He said that over the past few months, the NCC has been described as a “hot mess” with its broken AC unit, poor lights, weak audio system, etc. “We note, however, in this year’s Budget, there is an allocation of $55 million to replace the AC units, lights and audio system. The Minister of Culture, Youth a n d S p o r t , D r. F r a n k A n t h o n y, a t a p r e s s conference, complained about the Centre losing money and that it cannot sustain its operations because, he claims, of its low rentals. Here are a few facts as recently reported by the producers of the popular Link Show.” Jones said that Mrs. Gem Nascimento of Gems Theatre
Productions stated that the NCC charges an $80,000 flat rental for the entire building. “In addition to the basic rental, the producer pays a surcharge of 20% on all ticket prices, rental of bars, for the printing of tickets, a charge for the use of the producer’s own video camera to film that very producer’s show, for rehearsals, for ushers, for front of house staff and security. “Calculated on ticket prices of $2000, $1500 and $1000, once there is a full house, a total sum of $2,947,500 is realized. The producer then pays approximately 26% of the gross income to the NCC or a sum of $766,350 plus 16% VAT to the GRA or $471,600. Altogether, 42% of each night of the producer ’s gross income is paid over to the Government.” Jones then said that the amount paid to the Ministry of $766,350 per night for eight nights at minimum amounts to $3,183,300. “One therefore wonders if the Honourable Minster was misinformed when he said that the NCC is unable to sustain itself or if he was simply being creative with his remarks.”
APNU’s Trotman hits hard on good governance and corruption
APNU MP Desmond Trotman resilience. “One means of bolstering the country’s resilience is ensuring that all economic and social actors are involved,” Trotman urged, just before moving on to the issue of local government elections. He emphasised that there
is a great need to empower citizens, which can only be achieved by strengthening municipalities and neighbourhood democratic councils, and revitalizing economies in depressed communities with income and employment generation. Trotman said that the Central Government has “waged war” against the local government organs, “by displacing, dismantling and disembodying same; refusing to make available expected fiscal subventions and declining to give permission for revenue-raising measures.” With support from the opposing side of the House, Trotman demanded Presidential assent to the Local Government reform legislation for its completion and called for local polls this year. Trotman stressed that his views have, “nothing to do with vindictiveness, but are formed out of the desire to take Guyana beyond where it is presently.”
US Ambassador to India resigns The US ambassador to India has resigned and will leave her post by the end of May, the embassy in New Delhi has said. Nancy Powell has been ambassador since 2012, after postings as ambassador to Uganda,
Ghana, Pakistan and Nepal. The state department said she would retire to her home in Delaware and had planned the move for “some time”. The move comes after a row between the US and India over the arrest and brief jailing
of an Indian diplomat in New York on a visa fraud charge. Devyani Khobragade, an official in the New York consulate, was accused of underpaying her housekeeper and lying about it on immigration forms. She has left the US.
Wednesday April 02, 2014
Kaieteur News
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THE DOCTOR COMES FIRST Most of our people belong to one religious order or the other, and thus subscribe to a faith. Most of the faiths in Guyana share a belief in the existence of good and evil. Thus, most Guyanese believe that there is both good and evil existing side by side. It therefore becomes quite easy for citizens to believe that an act or a sickness or something ill that has happened to them has roots in somebody wishing or inflicting a bad omen on them. Since they believe that there is both good and bad in the world, they may falsely assume that they are victims of some bad spirit. This is why it is very easy for persons to fall prey to fortune tellers, bogus astrologers, fake spiritualists and quack medicine. They are easy game, because they feel that they cannot dismiss the idea that they are victims of evil spirits, for to do this, may imply that they question the duality of good and bad in this world. It is hard for a
believer who has sought help from a “quack” to deny that there is not evil. Having had a victim accept the idea of good and evil, it is then easier for a bogus spiritualist to convince physically or mentally sick persons that their illness is due to some evil omen. A person therefore suffering from some disease can fall victim to the overtures of fraudsters who try to convince them that their problem is not medical but spiritual, and that somebody, one of their enemies, has cast an evil spell on them and thus is responsible for the problems they are having. Some persons are often so frustrated with the problems they are experiencing that they actually seek out the help of persons who they believe can help them spiritually, with the result that they end up being put through a regimen which leaves them feeling spiritually stronger but financially weaker. They are open to being fleeced by the bogus spiritualists.
There are cases in which well-intentioned persons end up misleading persons by themselves, actually believing that the person who is consulting them is really afflicted by an evil omen. Instead of encouraging the person to seek medical attention, they actually view their client as someone who needs their help and often the result is tragic. It is time that things are put in their proper perspective. Persons who have problems should at all times seek help, but the first call should be on trained and competent medical professionals. If you are sick and seeing a doctor, you should insist that the doctor explain fully your condition and if after receiving treatment you are still not satisfied, do not revert to the spiritualists. Instead, go and see a specialist medical practitioner who may offer a second opinion which may be entirely different from the first one. If someone shows signs
Dem boys seh
Dem kantractas extras dry up since Jagdeo gone A strange thing happening in de parliament. When de session start some people don’t even deh in dem seat, but by de time de Speaker announce that he adjourning fuh a short while all dem seat does full. That is de time when de snacks does share. Dem boys can understand if people does do this one and far, but this thing happening all de time. Is like if dem same Member of Parliament can’t afford to live pun wha de same Finance Minister claim is a living wage. Even Ash Knee don’t miss de free food. Dem boys want know if he and all feeling de pinch. But then again is de taxpayers paying, and de people in parliament don’t like nutten better than have de poor people pay fuh dem entertainment. Dem boys notice that one man ain’t go by de parliament this year. Brazzy know that he ain’t got no money to get in de budget. Nobody ain’t vote money fuh de Marriott; dem ain’t voting money fuh de Amaila road and fuh sure dem ain’t voting no money fuh he friends who planning fuh mek money.
Ralph is de man who really talk ‘bout how this thing happen. He tell de world how Jagdeo collect couple businessmen and give dem government contract knowing that dem can’t do de wuk but that dem gun go way wid de money. De Auditor General run into this problem. He find out some of dem kantracta get more money than dem should. And when he try fuh collect he hear that some of dem dead. De others don’t even try fuh pay back and nobody don’t fight dem down. Is things like that mek de opposition always cutting de budget. Ash Knee does always put in more money than a project need. Ralph expose how nuff ah dem get rich using de people money. Ralph also talk how some of dem same businessman now looking to a new feeding trough. Dem looking to de opposition, because dem know that Jagdeo ain’t got no more say; that he can’t give dem nutten no more. And that is why dem boys seh that Donald sit down too long while de corruption been going on. He get some of that paint pun he skin. Talk half and help Donald wid he crosses.
of being ill, do not take that person to any spiritual healer. The persons should be taken to a doctor not a faith healer. The first call should be on trained and qualified medical personnel, not some elder in the community who everyone believes has the solutions to all ills. There are some elders who cannot cure themselves, much less others. If on the other hand the person is suffering from emotional trauma or any other emotional problem, the first call should be on a psychiatrist, not a spiritualist. This person first needs
professional help and should not become a guinea pig to be experimented on by some bogus spiritualist. The first course of action should always be a qualified medical practitioner. The last option should be to seek the help of spiritualists, because most of the problems which people encounter are medical in nature and can be treated by a qualified person. This does not mean that persons should cease believing in good and evil. At the centre of most religions is that duality of good and evil. And having faith and strong
convictions has been shown to improve spiritual help. But there has never been a study which has demonstrated that going to a fortune teller or astrologer is a better option than being treated by a doctor. So if you are sick, check with a doctor, even if you have to wait a few hours at the clinic. It is much better than spending tens of thousands on some snake oil peddler.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday April 02, 2014
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
I repeat; Rickey Singh is the most shameless journalist in the world On July 11, 2012, I did a column with the above caption (minus the words “I repeat” of course). It was about the dishonest and sickening journalism of a man nearing his eightieth birthday – Guyanese journalist Rickey Singh. There is an old reflection that obtains throughout the world. It is about people growing old and by old, I mean getting into their eighties and nineties. As you look at them
doing nasty things, you would say, “In his old age, should he not make peace with his maker? It means the world expects when you are at that advanced age, you should be a peaceful person seeking a peaceful pathway for those you will leave behind. When I look back at my young days, I wonder what makes people change so badly when you so admired them for their youthful
courage and wonderful beliefs. I grew up admiring people like Forbes Burnham, Cheddi Jagan, Rickey Singh. They were Guyanese heroes to young teenagers. But look at the flawed creatures they turned out to be. Rickey Singh lived next to my sister on Norton and Haley Streets in Wortmanville. He was very sympathetic when my sister ’s lover violently abused her. Then he became
a national figure of admiration after he began to criticize the authoritarian direction of Burnham. He fled Guyana in the mid-seventies and took up residence in Barbados where he has since lived. Since 1992, he has been a paid columnist with the Guyana Chronicle, writing a Sunday column. He has also served as a consultant to the Chronicle, is a consultant to the Guyana Times and was an advisor to the PPP on its
election campaign in 2001. Mr. Singh is a blatant hypocrite, in that the things he castigated the Burnham Government for, the Jagdeo cabal and to a lesser extent the Ramotar regime practice in more depraved modes. I stopped reading Singh a long time ago. I even penned a column criticizing UWI for awarding him an honorary doctorate. In this world any fool can be given a monarchial title as the one the champion got from the UN. Last Sunday, I was on my way to West Bank Demerara when I had to return to Georgetown because the Harbour Bridge was closed. I was going to the symposium on the state of African Guyanese people. To kill time until the bridge was open to traffic, I stopped in at Kaieteur News offices. I asked Mike Baptiste for the Guyana Times and Chronicle, newspapers that I haven’t laid eyes on for years, and I mean years. I occasionally read them on the internet but very infrequently. Baptiste suggested I go to the desk of Gary Eleazar for the newspapers. The Rickey Singh column for that Sunday was extremely nauseating. I suggest to avoid invocation of anger don’t read it. The column is a sarcastic critique of the opposition after what Singh describes as a poll the opposition did that shows that Bharrat Jagdeo would win the elections by a majority. Singh is the only man in the world that believes the opposition parties did such poll and factored into the questionnaire a variable on Mr. Jagdeo. Not only is Singh a
Frederick Kissoon hypocrite, but an incompetent propagandist. Even the PPP has cast doubt on the existence of such a survey. How can Singh be a commentator on Caribbean affairs and he does not read about the things that go on in Guyana. Yet he writes about Guyana. That poll was so clumsy and stupid that no one in this land believes that the opposition undertook such a survey. But wait! There is more to come from the comical pen of this eighty-year-old PPP propagandist. He said the poll results are identical to those done by NACTA? Only two persons in this world know that an organization named NACTA does polling. The two are Rickey Singh and Vishnu Bisram. Of course the two know each other very well, but I will reveal a secret about Singh at the end of this column. Only Singh does not know that no one from NACTA can tell the newspapers who or what is NACTA, so the Kaieteur News and Stabroek News have refused to carry the results of the surveys done by this bogus organization named NACTA. Singh tells us that because the opposition poll shows that Jagdeo would win, the PPP is now inclined to hold a snap election. Singh puts the date in November. Why is Rickey Singh so sycophantic over the PPP all these years? A few years back, the Jagdeo regime did an immense favour for Singh. Do you know what it is?
Wednesday April 02, 2014
Kaieteur News
Bids tendered for NDIA stationery supplies
Page 11
Toilet bowl thieves caught
The National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) was the lone agency yesterday to receive tenders at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), Ministry of Finance, Main Street. Bids were opened for the procurement of stationery.
Bids were also opened for the procurement of printer ink for NDIA.
Shawn Peters yesterday after being cornered by ranks.
Numerous broken promises for Region Ten - MP Vanessa Kissoon - says $3.2B electricity subvention is not a “favour” By Latoya Giles While government continues to boast about this year ’s budget being the largest ever, many persons do not see this, nor does it have an impact on their lives, says APNU Member of Parliament Vanessa Kissoon. Kissoon made the assertion during her budget debate presentation to the House on Monday evening. She spoke of numerous “broken” promises which the government has made to the people of Region Ten. She also highlighted several instances where government had found itself fighting off corruption allegations. “That measly top up of $625 to Pensioners and to the Public Servants whose wages and salaries were not budgeted for because of some flimsy excuse is nothing but a gimmick.” Kissoon said that the rising inequalities are affecting all Guyanese. “Those who voted for the government also view the big talks of spending, promises of building and improving infrastructure as more opportunities for corruption.” She said that to date the August 21, 2012 Agreement between Central Government and the Regional Democratic Council of Region Ten is yet to fully convince anyone that “honesty is the best policy” and will present none of the preponderance of external sourcing on corruption. Kissoon noted that the $3.2B which Finance Minister
Ashni Singh boasted about for the electricity subsidy for Linden and Kwakwani should be placed in its proper perspective. She said that the people of Region Ten do not see the subvention as a “favour” or one borne out of compassion but as a responsibility of a government who had dismantled the electricity infrastructure without regard for its history. Kissoon stressed that the region has taken note of Minister Singh’s statement about his desire to expand bauxite output. According to the APNU MP, it was the Late President Dr. Cheddi Jagan who reminded the nation that “development must carry a human face” and as stated in the new Global Order, “human rights must embrace the civil and political rights”. She also chided the administration for “…bauxite expansion or rather the exploitation of renewable resources to the enrichment of foreign oligarchs and their few local counterparts creaming the wealth of this
Member of Parliament Vanessa Kissoon nation and violating the rights of workers by disregarding the laws.” Kissoon said that people in Region Ten witness this daily, “in almost every infrastructure the government touches”. She told the House that there continues to be substandard works in Phase 3 of Amelia’s Ward, where so far 80 percent of the completed road shows signs of deterioration. Kissoon alleges that some $69M was misused through sloppy patch works done on the Linden/Soesdyke Highway which sees a heavy traffic flow.
Quick action by police has led to the capture of two men who were caught stealing a toilet bowl set from an abandoned Ministry of Health building on Princes Street, Georgetown around 11:00 hrs yesterday. The men in custody have been identified as Shawn Peters, 32, of 182 Calendar Street, Albouystown, and Lloyd Butler, 43, of 3365 South Ruimveldt. According to a police source, they received a telephone call that two men, one wearing a mask, were in the deserted building, and were in the process of ripping out a toilet bowl from the location. “When we arrived, they were in the building, so we surrounded it and we caught Butler. Peters ran from the location and we
gave chase and caught up with him at Charles Street, Charlestown,” the source added. Kaieteur News was told that both men are labourers, and they were planning to steal the toilet set to sell it to a contractor. However, their efforts to make a living by stealing were thwarted by ranks on patrol. At the scene, Peters gave a different version of the story. He said that he and his wife had a fight early yesterday and he walked out of the house. He claimed that it was while walking on Charles Street, the police arrived and opened fire on him. “Dem beat me in meh head. Me just went walking and dem beat me,” Peters cried. Butler and Peters are now in police custody.
Page 12
Five years later… The negative effects of Guyana’s handling of the collapse of the Colonial Life Insurance Company (CLICO) and its subsequent impact on the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) are continuing to be felt some five years later. In its take of the National Budget 2014, chartered accountants, Ram and McRae, made it clear that the collapse remains very relevant to Guyanese. One of the biggest impacts for Guyana is the fact that the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) had almost $6B (US$30M) invested in CLICO Bahamas, a sister company of the insurance group. With CLICO Bahamas in winding-up proceedings, it is still unclear whether Guyana will ever get back that money. Government has remained largely silent on this investment with criticism still lingering over the manner in which the money was invested in the first place. This year, Government has plugged $226M into NIS to
Kaieteur News
Wednesday April 02, 2014
CLICO’s collapse impacting NIS help fund studies that will help in charting its future, more than the $100M-plus allocated last year. The Opposition, too, is concerned and has reportedly has intentions to even ask for more funding to ensure the scheme remains viable. NIS is worrying Government, with falling contributions resulting in 2013 being the first year in its history that expenditure was in excess of its revenue. Government has said that NIS has about $30B invested in, among other places, the Berbice River Bridge. However, the fund is looking at raising its revenues and increase collections on the long term. According to Ram and McRae in its analysis, “Focus on Guyana’s National Budget 2014", history will remember the rise and fall in Guyana and the Caribbean of CLICO, the insurance giant, as the US equivalent of Enron. At the end of 2012, the active population of employed contributors for
- details still shrouded in secrecy NIS numbered 117,219 while the active population of the self-employed was only 8,791. “The difference is that in the USA, those responsible were convicted and imprisoned,” the report released this week and published on Ram and McRae’s website stated. The audit firm pointed out that in neighbouring Trinidad and Tobago, the former Central Bank Governor described the financial debacle which engulfed the CLICO parent as a massive fraud on the people. The Central Bank took action to have persons charged for fraud. “In Guyana, no one has been held accountable, no doubt because the then President was part of the violations of the law that cost billions to the country’s Treasury, the workers’ National Insurance Scheme and the company’s policy holders.”
Ram and McRae said that five years after the collapse of the company, no one knows who were treated preferentially in having their monies returned to them when financial disaster seemed imminent. “That information is secured closely among a handful of people while the persons who most suffered in the CLICO fiasco have had to suffer in silence. Not least among them is the National Insurance Scheme that is still owed more than five billion dollars by the company.” Efforts to ascertain basic information about the management and financial affairs of the company leading up to its demise were seen as high treason. It has been reported and speculated that as news of the CLICO group collapse started to gain momentum, a number of persons, mainly businesses, were able to pull out their investments, pointing to a possibility that insiders’ knowledge may have been involved. Ram and McRae, through its Managing Partner,
Former President, Bharrat Jagdeo Christopher Ram, said it was prevented by no less a person than the then President of Guyana, Bharrat Jagdeo, from asking a question at a meeting of policy holders of the company. “That meeting set in train a further pattern of conduct that violated the Insurance Act, the Companies Act and possibly the country’s criminal code. Perhaps because the process was led by the country’s President, the law was ignored. Or perhaps it is the impunity with which the Government
Ram and McRae’s Managing Partner, Christopher Ram operates. The truth or the law it seems was of no importance to policyholders or creditors faced with the possibility of a complete loss of their money.” The Ram and McRae report said illegalities have continued even under a liquidation which by law must be supervised by the Court which ordered the appointment of a Liquidator. “Guyana is the only Caribbean country affected by CLICO that took not a single step to protect its integrity and reputation and the financial interest of the public. Ram & McRae can only wonder whether there is anyone who is interested in addressing the lawlessness that has happened so far or in preventing the further debasement of the laws.” One of the main principals in the CLICO debacle was initially transferred as a senior personnel at the Berbice River Bridge, a project that the insurance giant had also invested in, before its collapse.
Wednesday April 02, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 21
Guyana’s annual energy consumption accounts for five million barrels of oil - IDB
Guyana’s annual energy consumption accounts for approximately five million barrels of oil, equivalent from a variety of energy sources – diesel, fuel, gasoline, avgas, LPG, kerosene, bagasse, fuelwood, charcoal, solar, biodiesel, biogas and wind, according to InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) researchers. However, Guyana is shaping up to set a gold standard for the Caribbean in implementing a national energy efficiency strategy to curb greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels. “Energy efficiency is the main method of fighting climate change and its impact [is global] since unclean energy is the main contributor,” the associate director of the Energy Resource Institute (TERI) of India, Dr. Rudra Narsimha Rao, told Inter Press Service (IPS). “While inefficiencies in the energy sector are a global challenge, Guyana’s efforts can better position it to battle the devastating impacts of climate change,” added Rao, whose group is helping the country to reduce energy costs in its sugar and rice sectors. TERI is collaborating with the government under the framework of its Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) to carry out an energy audit of the industrial agricultural sector. Findings and recommendations were handed over to key stakeholders on March 24. According to the World Bank, energy efficiency measures can reduce carbon emissions in some cases by as much as 65 percent. Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) researchers estimate that the region could reduce its energy consumption by 10 percent over the next decade and save tens of billions
of dollars by adopting existing technologies to increase efficiency. IDB-financed projects have proven that the return on investment for efficient lighting and electric motor programmes, for example, is higher than building new energy capacity. Now, the Bank is helping specific sectors - such as biofuels and water utilities - to reduce operating costs through investments in more efficient technology. It is financing programmes that will boost the electricity output and prolong the life of existing hydroelectric complexes by upgrading their turbines. And it is underwriting programmes to reduce electricity transmission losses and build smarter power grids within countries and across borders. Rao warned that ignoring the potential of energy efficiency will result in greater risks, in particular for developing countries. Over the past few months, TERI has been spearheading a two-phase project which gives technical support to the government in the areas of climate change and energy. This second phase of the project was aimed at improving the output of the rice, sugar and manufacturing sectors. Agencies which participated in the project include the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) and the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA). Rao said that the studies were conducted with rice mills, sugar estates, sawmills and manufacturing agencies to promote energy management and conservation and increase outputs.
This alleged chain snatcher was caught by the police yesterday morning at Drysdale and Ketley Streets, Charlestown.
Busted!!! Justify request for $6B GuySuCo... (From page 20) 25 per cent production and no electricity as boasted about from the inception.” He stressed that it was poor management and administrative conduct that has sunk the sugar industry. Dr. Ramayya reminded that in 2011 the House was told that more than $10B had been injected into the industry, but despite that, it continues to struggle. “He (Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh) now has the audacity to now come and tell the nation that after spending all this money in the sugar
belt, that sugar production contracted 15 per cent.” According to Dr. Ramayya, the Skeldon Sugar factory remains the principal reason behind the expensive cost of production and no one is being held accountable. “I challenge them to call the local government elections so that the people in the sugar belt can speak directly to them,” Dr. Ramayya said. The AFC parliamentarian told the House that the current Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy was “given a basket to fetch water” when he assumed the
portfolio, “but he cannot come here and ask for a further $6B without a clear and detailed plan on what this money will be used for.” According to Dr. Ramayya, “the AFC in principle stands with the sugar workers and their families and we shall vote for any funds for the sugar belt once there is a clear justification for the request.” He said that the AFC has always stood with the workers in the sugar belt, “but we are not pagalee,” to provide billions for Government to squander.
Page 22
Kaieteur News
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754.
FOR SALE Toyota Forklift - Excellent condition, 4,000lbs capacity, 117" Lift, Solid Wheels, Automatic Transmission, 4 Cylinder LPG Motor. Call: 604-6108.
Spare for washing machine, microwaves,fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, pumps, etc call: 225-9032, 647-2943 Live/pluck chicken call: 6504421, 220-9203 One Perkins 6-Cylinder, 1Perkins 4236, 1 Berkeley 8-6 Pressure pump, 1 Cummings 6-cylinders, 1–Perkins Roll Royce 330 HP – Tel:650-5040 Fishing boat, 5" nylon Seine, 40 Hp Yamaha - $1.6M - Tel: 267-1563; 691-3501 / 4162667627
One 210 Hyundai Excavator with one complete 6" Dredge and also 4" Dredge Contact: 650-2391
Tractor Massey Ferguson: MF135 - $1.3M, MF165 $1.9M, MF265-$2.1M, MF285 - $2.5M & Ranger Pick-up - $1.7 M – Call: 6825230; 628-9596 1 Black Lexus 470 SUV Tel:656-0878; 225-5334 One Mobile Food Caravan Contact: 675-5448 1 Stall @ Stabroek Market – Tel:658-0115; 718-757-8031 1 Canon Image runner #2525 – Contact: 652-0709 Cooler chest/fridge 15 cubic, good for shop use $100,000Call:683-4803, 225-9871 Barge 200ft in length as is – Call:623-4045 Household Items: Stove, bed, sofa, dishwasher, antique tables, wicker chairs, closet, dresser – Call:2239719 or 227-1028
Top Quality concrete spindless, post, crowns, etc, etc. No weak mixture Call:621-2200 Land with foundation, Curb walls, infill and columns @ Tuschen, Middle Income, H/ Scheme E.B.E - $7M – Call:682-7220; 602-0268 Premio – Price: $2.5M, Carina AT212 – Price: $2M – Tel:2265473 Beverage cooler, industrial oven, hot dog machine, coffee dispensers - Call:2239719 or 227-1028 Energy Saver Bulbs, Tacoma/ Tundra, lights and parts, power tools & 1 Toyota Funcargo Van - Call:680-6374 Labba available in wholesale quantity – Call:261-5663 or Cell#670-6122
DAF Engines, Cummings engine, axles, springs, gear boxes, etc - Contact:6159332; 641-0932;695-0023 Two pools table (slate) $850,000, bar stool, disco lights, fridge, freezer, etc. Owner leaving country – Call:601-8083 One RZ minibus - BJJ Series Call: 667-6045 Parts by order: Tundra, Titan, Tacoma F-150 Tel:226-5473 Toyota 4-Runner grey. Great condition – Call:227-1028; 223-9719
LAND FOR SALE House lots in Friendship. Tel: 692-8513
FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620
One upper flat @ 6th Street Cummings Lodge ECD - Call: 622-3580
VEHICLE FOR SALE
One four bedrooms house located at Grove, EBD Contact:682-4493, 646-1403
1- 2007 Toyota 4X4 Tacoma for sale Call: 670-3328 for more information.
House at Lot 109 Block AA Eccles Fully Furnished with A/C, 4 rooms, yard space. Good Price. Call:671-7687; 622-2531
1- AT 192 Carina (Private) automatic, fully powered, mags, A/C - Price$1.2M Contact Rocky:621-5902 or 225-1400
Three Bedrooms upstairs, 1 Self-contained: Newly renovated: Yard space: Located in Diamond H/ Scheme- Call: 613-0028 Secured Concrete bond 87’X32’, lots of yard space suitable for CarMart Public Road McDoom: Tel: 233-0570
1 Freight liner hauler with sleeping cab, 1 -48ft trailor with treated wood – Call: Rakesh 613-6979
Promising mining blocks, already prospected – Tel:6839910 LEARN TO DRIVE Ultravoilet Driving School. Contact: 2312372; 602-2583;658-4015
MASSAGE
Shalom Driving School @ 2 Croal street. Fee $16,000Call:227-3869
CAR RENTAL Dolly’s Car Rental - Call: 225-7126/ 226-3693 dollys autorental@yahoo.com/ www.dolly sautorental.com
TO LET Wings Two bedrooms apartment - Tel: 643-1131; 225-3234 2 Bedrooms furnished apartment in Linden for short term local & overseas guest. Tel:614-4415 or 4444704 Fully furnished apartments - $4,000-$6,000 per night - Call:223-0994
. TOURS Lethem Rodeo - Tour to Bonfin Moco-Moco Falls 17th to 21 April - Call:639-2663;6440185; 665-5171;227-8290
EDUCATIONAL Practical Electronic courses begining 7th April @ Abdol Electronics - Tel: 226-6551; 225-0391
One two bedrooms bottom flat at Grove Public Road, E.B.D. Call:648-9726 1 - 3 Bedrooms bottom & top flat front house near hospital vicinity @ East Street, fully grilled, AC, parking - Call:2253756; 678-1913
DRESSMAKING Jean is Offering courses in dressmaking, curtains, floral and cake decoration Contact:670-2653 or 618-1706
Make Up Courses, Artist T rained & Certified in Trinidad. Call: 660-5257, 647-1773
House in Diamond/Grove Tel:692-8513
3 Acres Land @ Parika Backdam E.B.E Call: 617-4837
Neisha Massage Therapy Services – Call:674-8147
SALON
Salon Station to in Vreed-EnHoop W.B.D – Contact:6783077
Games PS2 $900, PSP $900, X-Box 360 $2600 & PS3 $2600 & Original Games Call: 6722566
One unregistered – 65 CF 210 flat bed, one 50 160 Recovery DAF- Contact:615-9332; 6410932; 695-0023 Plough - New 2 pan dish plough; Made in India; excellent quality. $220,000 (neg). Call 257-0212 or 6288487.
PROPERTY FOR SALE Two bedrooms transported property located at 3rd Avenue, Diamond, New Scheme, E.B.D. Price:$12M – Call:652-5601 Property for sale.Call:6275416 Double Lot with house - Tel: 220-9961 Sophia ‘C’ Field - $3M - Call: 618-7483; 665-3499 Prime Business property, huge land space, 200'X50', next to Police Outpost @ Mc Doom 233-0570 Property for sale located at Windsor Forest, W.C.D – Tel:644-6066 3 Bedroom two storey Concrete House Parafaite Harmonie $16M. Contact 6221782, 264-0042 or 658-5803.
Wednesday April 02, 2014
Soman Son & Outar Driving School at Maraj BuildingTel:644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997
1 Toyota Raum, excellent condition, PNN series, price:$1.150M negotiable – Call:646-9417 or 646-6440 One registered Allion 2003. Colour: Silver, In excellent condition - Call: 665-4529; 652-3820 Smart Choice Auto Sales: Unregistered: Premio, Allex, IST, Spacio, Allion - Call: 652-3820; 665-4529 One RX-8 Mazda fully air conditioned, stick gear, wheel lights, fog lamps, power windows - Tel: 653-2477 BKK Minibus, stick gear in good working condition Call:693-2174; 234-0706 1 AT 212 Carina (private) automatic, fully powered with AC, alarm - New Model Price:1.3M. Contact Rocky: 621-5902 We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 TacomaCall:680-3154
VEHICLE FOR SALE Toyota Hilux Solid axle pickups, gasoline & diesel. Unregistered, excellent condition - Call:691-2077 One Extra Cab Toyota Hilux. Call: 685-6199 One 8,000 Ford Tractor, one 450 Ford Towing Truck & one pair 38 Tractor Wheel Contact Floyd: 694-5599 P&A Auto Sales: Premio, Spacio, Raum, Rush, IST, AT 212. Call:661-9651 or 6818474 1 Toyota Verossa 18” Chrome rims, excellent condition, low milage Price:$3,000,000 - Tel:6823396; 665-7206
SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, G R A D U AT I O N , W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. – CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Repairs, sales & spares air conditioning, microwaves, washer, fridges & stoves. Ultra Cool, call: 225-9032, 6472943 COOL TECH: Repairs Services & Installation of all types of home appliances: Air Condition & Refrigeration units - Tel: 233-2008; 675-4959 Permanent & Visitors Visa Applications, Professional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building Call Sabita: 225-6496, 6626045 Guyana Passport & Visa Forms Application, USA, Canada and England. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. Repairs to Fridge, Freezer, AC, Washers, Stoves: Call 683-1312,627-3206 (Nick) HOUSE PLAN DRAFTING FOR ONLY $10,000CALL:694-9843/227-2766 B R I D G E WAT E R CONSTRUCTIONS - CO: NEWHOMESREMODELING, NEWBATHROOMS,TILE& M A R B L E INSTALLATION, FREE ESTIMATES- CALL: 6606935; 676-9660; 269-094 We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer call:2310655,683-8734 Omar Smart Tech Solutions: Security cameras, computer repairs, maintenance, sales & installation – Call: 652-5668 Technicians available for appliance repairs - washers, dryers, microwaves, stoves, deep fryers, etc - Tel: 6190793; 218-0050
AT192, 212, Allion, Premio, Hilux Surf, BNN & RZ & Pitbull buses, 7 seater super custom. Cash / termsCall:680-3154
VACANCY
1 Toyota Will VS fully loaded, drop springs, etc. 1 Toyota Auris Fully loaded Call: 623-2999
Vacancy exists for a Pharmacist and a Pharmacy Technician. For Enquiries Call: 644-6077
1 Suzuki R1 wagon (Jeep) Automatic, Fully Powered with A/C, hardly used – Price:$1.3M Contact Rocky: 621-5902/ 225-1400 Spacio- Body kit, TV/DVD, camera, dark interior, unregistered, price starting $2.1M - Call: 617-2891
DRIVER TO DELIVER COOKING GAS IN GEORGETOWN AND SECURITY GUARDS FOR LAND OF CANAAN, A C C O M M O D AT I O N AVAILABLE. 266 4427 Urgently Needed! Professional Seamstress, experienced heavy duty machine operators and floor girls. Apply @ Roxie’s Fashion – Tel:622-4386
Pit bull 19 seats Grand Cabin $3.8M - Call: 652-5668 Unregistered Toyota Raum Year 2004 – Tel: 617-5536
Continued on page 23
Wednesday April 02, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Letters... Where your views make the news... Letters... Where your views make the news
Socialism and its effects on Guyana and its people DEAR EDITOR, Long before the Burnham era, Mr Cheddi Jagan and Mrs Janet Jagan were referred to as Marxist Communist, who were said to have connections to the Russian Communist Regime, Mr. Forbes Burnham joined the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) on his return to British Guiana after he had completed his studies overseas. The PPP was established and identified as an organisation fighting against Imperialism
and for the rights of workers and other things. Mr. Winston Churchill, then Prime Minister of England, in one of his great speeches said, “Great Britain will not allow another Communist regime in Latin America.” With his skilful manoeuvres of the Central Investigation Agency (CIA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) we saw first, the division of the PPP into two factions, the PPP Jagan and the PPP Burnham. Not long after, the PPP
THE TORMENT OF EDITING DEAR EDITOR, I met someone who was a bit disturbed at the way his letter to a newspaper was edited. “They seh wha I seh yes, but ah don’t like how deh put it” he said a bit scornfully, obviously displeased. Like it or not, editing is a must; it is part and parcel of the writing trade. I remember a certain doctor being so highly annoyed at the way his letter was mangled that he promised never again to deal with that publication. He said had it not been for his name printed below he would have had much difficulty identifying with it. One of the most annoying things one can experience is reading an article with your name attached as the author and feeling lost, not having the same sensation or the passion as when you first penned it: omissions and newness of arrangements of words-and I’m not saying that it is not at times helpful-but it sure causes some discomfort when it doesn’t fit on and convey what you (the writer) had in mind; when after reading it “yuh suck yuh teeth”- don’t like it and not sure whether you are pleased with it being published or not. From my little comprehension, editing
among other things ought to allow for the refining of one’s contribution like the pruning of a plant-no fight here. Edit as much as is required but try not to strip the plant/material of all its flowers, its expression of radiance leaving it listless. Remember this is not straight forward reportage, so it is not always a simple question of correction, prolixity, libel etc. sifting and collecting basic points; the gist of the text so that nothing else matters, every other thing irrelevant rendering the article kind of cut and dried. Why should that be, there are times when one’s language is couched in a particular way for a reason and not merely playing around. Many times you struggle for a type of effect you desire for the reader to grasp; sometimes in a funny way, other times a serious way, to create an impression on his/her mindwanting them to picture things through your mind’s eyes--forcing your thoughts into them if you like; to see the point and beyond in all its nuances, even a repetition as you would know, at times is for effect and not a mistake. Fact is, you just don’t always just state the point! Frank Fyffe
The fate of crucial... From page 4 swing of the long arm of the law there was a rush to have the photographs of a witness taken, and by one of the defence counsel. And that came from the mouth of this defence counsel. He seemed to be elated by his photographic skills. He was quite ably supported by an employee of the other defence attorney. I would like to ask all those who are reading this letter how they should view this big photo shoot in the halls of the high court —of a key defence witness by an attorney of one of the defendants. Were I that witness I would have been shaking in my pants just wondering and wanting to know why my photograph was being taken by persons closely associated to the accused. Should that not be deemed an act of intimidation of the witness? And especially when one has knowledge of who were taking the photographs? Should this witness be protected? Should a proper and very thorough investigation be launched into theses unheard of actions during a murder trial? I am just curious and also appalled at these happenings in the middle of a murder trial. Charrandass Persaud
Burnham was renamed the People’s National Congress (PNC). Elections were held and Mr Jagan became Premier of British Guiana. In the year 1963, the national budget was rejected and that brought a general strike and riot which lasted for eighty (80) days and the political unrest started. The year 1964, saw a bloody racial riot skilfully masterminded by the CIA and the FBI in order to divide our people. British Guyana became independent in 1966 under the leadership of Mr Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham. British Guyana became the Co-operative Republic of Guyana in the year 1970 and severed links with the British Colonial rulers. After Guyana gained republican status, it was said to be following the path of socialism or having socialist links to Russia, China and other socialist countries. The government of Guyana began the process of nationalising foreign companies and the gradual and systematic implementation of the socialist ideology. Guyanese began to rebel or resist the new system, which was somewhat hard and
stiff, which resulted in frequent strikes, protests, long lines to obtain food items and many other adverse conditions. The feed, clothe and house the nations (FCH) drive was one of the many good things introduced by the Burnham regime and there were many others, but people weren’t prepared to go through such drastic changes. They were not prepared for the shortage of basic food items. Guyana became caught up with the system of socialism which started to crumble internationally and due to that situation, we had to cut and cut until we couldn’t cut anymore. Our two main foreign exchange earners, sugar and bauxite declined. The political, economic, social and foreign pressures continued. Guyana was singled out for physical and verbal abuse by our Caricom. neighbours. Under President Desmond Hoyte’s regime, we were unable to purchase enough fuel to keep our lights on in Georgetown and other places, and the IMF was there to make sure socialism was dead. It was no fault of President Desmond Hoyte for
some of the things that took place during his reign. The system of socialism has done some harm to Guyana, but I love the system of socialism. It makes people work hard and find other good ways to survive. It brought out the innovativeness of people who were fixed on one thing. We made carambolla fruits, salted fish of all description, clay bricks were produced locally, charcoal was plentiful, local drinks were in various flavours; there was the introduction of breadfruit chips, various peas. On the other hand, Capitalism sucks the blood of the poor as much as those politicians who pretend to love and care for the needy. I’ve said so much for the benefit of young Guyanese and the not so young. Before I conclude, allow me to explain my thoughts on the issue of sugar and bauxite. It must be told to all Guyanese, that sugar is a foreign exchange earner and if it is not sold externally, it can be eaten locally. On the issue of bauxite, if it is not sold, it can be eaten also, but who is prepared to do that? B. Winslow Parris
Jail the noise makers From page 5 concentrate, and several other medical ailments possible, including stroke. Noise can lead to performance reduction, due to lack of sleep. Even violence is possible as people become disorientated and lose control easily, which could create social havoc in a nation. Sometimes Government may not understand why there is o much insanity, violence and instability. A study conducted by Cornell University of the USA found that people working in a noisy environment can be less cognitively motivated. Children growing up near airports tend to lose their hearing. Sound pollution can trigger the body’s stress response, causing a disruption is sleep cycles, among others, causing a loss of productivity and ability to perform, and hence, employers, government or private sector suffer. Chronic stress, which is caused also by noise, can lower immunity to all diseases, and hence, more people will fall ill, creating pressure on the medical budget and medical centers in a nation, no wonder why we are having so many sick people in our country. Noise pollution is a general threat to health and wellness. My call to the police is be most effective in prosecution, and the
magistrates to start enforcing the imprisonment facility provided within the law. This needs to be publicized and some warning be given. But all of it become an exercise in futility if the people affected do not develop bravado, have the courage and patience, to make the report, and give statements, attend court, which could be a bit slow, fear no noise criminal, regardless, and also complain on their threats if any are made, until they are closed down or go to jail. Having a licence for any show or any dance hall or barbecue gives no one the right to disturb another. They can still be closed down, licence or no licence. The National Commission of Law and order, on which I sit as a Commissioner, take Noise Nuisance and all Criminal and Law issues extremely serious. It is chaired by no other than the Hon. Minister of Home Affairs, the Hon. Clement James Rohee. The Ministry has a hotline, and is known to publish all complaints, and instructs Commanders in all Divisions through the print media to take appropriate action. Some people, Churches and some Mandirs, and noisy Mosques which blare the Azaan (call to prayer) are all illegal. The Muslims need to use the ordinary voice, their minarets and the wind to
share their call to prayer. Their Holy Prophet never used a loud speaker, and he instructed how to do the Call without disturbing people. After the shows, the promoters, go home, count their money, get their sleep, and the citizens are left in a daze, impossible to produce with disrupted sleep cycles, and maybe temporary or permanent deafness. Magistrates please jail the criminal noise makers, or it means you are not fulfilling your mandate to the nation. Roshan Khan Commission Member National Commission of Law and Order
Sales clerks / Casheirs, commitment to customer services required. Apply : Kards Plus Gift Centre @ City Mall, Camp St. Call:227-1846 Vacancy for Sales Representative in a vehicle /spare parts company. Apply Within Nagoya Trading 137 Grandsville Park B.V. 220-2104 Semi-skilled or skilled joiners to work in Trinidad. Call: 868-738-8419
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WANTED One professional costmetologist to work in Eccles - Tel: 639-7672; 658-4429 One pastry maker, must be able to cook and work in the interior – Call: 664-5199 or 675-7043 Land to buy in Parafait Harmonie, Herstelling, Tuschen, Grove, Diamond, Eccles, Non Pareil – Tel:6757292 ARMED SECURITY GUARD WITH EXPERIENCED, MUST HAVE REFERENCES AND POLICE CLEARANCE – TEL:231-8344 OR 2318529 CHAINSAW LUMBER: Kabukalli, Shibadan, Silverballi, Simarupa, etc – Tel:653-9752 One live in Domestic between age 40-60yrs - Call: 220-9873 Live in waitress- Call:6439007/ 697-2978 Shop Assistant to work in the Interior. Salary - $80,000 Call: 664-5199 or 675-7043 Urgently needed live in waitresses to work in Bar. Offering reasonable salary. Tel: 259-0574 1 general domestic to cook, experienced cashier, counter servers, pastry makers, handy-boys Apply @ Hacks Halaal, 5 Commerce St. Live out domestic & live in babysitter: Call: 225-0188 or 225-4492, Monday Saturday (8:15am-4:15pm) One Domestic – Call: 6144358. 2 Bedrooms house to rent on East Coast Demerara or in Georgetown – Price:$25,000 to $30,0000 – Call:673-8887 One hire car driver, 35years and older, preferably from W.B.D or W.C.D – Contact:616-0111 Sales representative for the distribution of groceries/ beverages. Send application to Maya @ Lot 24 Saffon Street Charlestown One Trained Carnegie/ Home Economics Cook. Four (4) times per week - Call: 6144358 One Handyman to work in the Interior - Call: 681-6044 One Live-in domestic and one part-time domestic. Must be between 18 years and 25 years. Apply in person. Phone 610-9493
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday April 02, 2014
CDB set to sponsor YCGCut the budget and you will coordinated ‘Photo Story Challenge’ Budget debates…
cut your votes and seats – Labour Minister tells Opposition Labour Minister Dr. Nanda Gopaul during the debates yesterday at the National Assembly warned the Opposition, “Cut the budget and you will cut your votes and your seats.” Of course this was met with much disapproval and comments of disgust by members of the Opposition. The Member of Parliament made the comment following his declaration that the “ailing sugar industry” will make a great turnaround before year end. Gopaul noted that the Opposition has been saying that they will not lend their support for subventions to the sugar industry. He said that if they are supposed to be the government-in-waiting then they should act objectively and not move forward with that course of action. Gopaul stated that as it relates to the poor
performance of the Skeldon Sugar Factory, it is largely due to the People’s National Congress Reform, who employed an incompetent management board during their time. The government, he said, is to date still paying for the effects of that decision. Heckling came down heavily from both the Alliance For Change (AFC) and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) as he continued with this presentation. Gopaul then reminded the members of the AFC that they came from the bowels of the People’s Progressive Party Civic and the late President Cheddi Jagan would “turn in his grave” if they did not support the subvention for the ailing sector. He appealed to the members of the Opposition to work together in the interest of the people. “As politicians we have
Labour Minister Dr. Nanda Gopaul to work together and do what is in the interest of these people.” But it was here that APNU members then advised him that if he cares so much about the interest of the people then he should lobby for the local government bills to be passed. While he did not respond to this remark, he charged at the conclusion of his presentation, which was based on his 2013 report of his Ministry that the government will continue to work feverishly to build a better Guyana and work in the interest of the country. “Another election will not solve the issues in Guyana… Opposition, as you cut the budget you will cut your votes and you will cut your seats.”
With funding from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), Youth Challenge Guyana (YCG) is finalising plans to host a public seminar on ‘photo story telling’ for youths, with a particular focus on the environment. The forum, which comes as part of the CDB Vibzing Outreach Programme, is slated to be held on Friday at the Regency Suites/Hotel, Hadfield Street, Georgetown. It is expected to attract the attendance of approximately 100 youths between the ages of 16 and 29 drawn from Regions Three, Four, Five and Six. The edification forum, which is being offered at no cost to participants, will be facilitated by lectures of the University of Guyana’s Centre for Communication Studies. According to YCG’s Executive Director, Dmitri Nicholson, “it is intended to introduce youths to the basic concepts of photo storytelling and such skills in addition to information about climate change, so that youths can participate in the youth for climate change contest.” The contest, he explained, is the ‘Vibzing Guyana Photo Story Challenge’ organised and sponsored by the CDB with collaboration from both YCG and the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs. The challenge will require that contestants produce a collection of related photos organised in sequence that tells a story. It is expected that those involved in the challenge will mainly utilise smart phones or handy digital
YCG Executive Director, Dmitri Nicholson cameras. Nicholson disclosed that although the planned seminar will reach a selected number, there are plans to have a production made whereby others could be introduced to the concept of photo storytelling as well. “The intention is once the youths acquire the skills of photo story-telling they will be able to tell their own stories or highlight the issues in their own communities,” said Nicholson. And since the seminar is designed to help prepare youths to tell stories about the environment, it is expected to see them embracing the theme “Youth Voices for Climate Change.” Moreover, the Challenge, Nicholson said, will give
youths the opportunity to use their creativity in producing a photo story which is aimed at raising awareness on climate change resilience and adaptation through the message of stories created with photographs. He pointed out that the main purpose of the preparation is to help the youths be able to set themselves apart, ahead of the challenge, which is arguably a new venture for Guyana. And since the challenge will be characterised by a competition, the entrants who exhibit the best photo story-telling skills will be eligible for prizes ranging from as much as a US$500 Visa gift card to a US$100 Visa gift card. The Challenge was officially launched on Monday last by CDB and is expected to come to an end on May 9, 2014. The competitors will develop photo stories that address one of five climate-related categories including: Climate Change and Agriculture, Climate Change and Forest Resources, Climate Change and Renewable Energy, Climate Change and Waste Management and Climate Change and Water. According to Nicholson, those desirous of participating in the preparatory seminar can easily do so by contacting YCG on telephone numbers: 225-0129, 223-7884, 227-5779 or by sending an email to seminar@ycgi.org.
A mini health check is the first step to donating blood
Wednesday April 02, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday April 02, 2014
Man gets 25 years for trying to kill Obama (CNN) — An Idaho man who admitted trying to assassinate President Barack Obama by shooting at the White House received a 25-year prison sentence on Monday. Oscar OrtegaHernandez, 23, appeared in federal court after pleading guilty in September to terrorism and weapons charges. He had been originally indicted on 17 criminal counts. Prosecutors had charged Ortega-Hernandez with firing a Romanianmade assault rifle out of the window of his car the evening of November 11, 2011. After sending a number of rounds toward the White House, he sped away toward a bridge l e a d i n g t o t h e Vi rg i n i a suburbs, but crashed his vehicle and fled on foot, officials said. The government said O r t e g a - H e r n a n d e z ’s fingerprints were found on
ammunition magazines left in a 1998 Honda, but not on the weapon itself, which also was left in the car. Neither the President nor his family were at home at the time of the incident. “This man drove cross-country to launch an assault rifle attack on the White House from C o n s t i t u t i o n Av e n u e , ” said U.S. Attorney Ronald Machen, whose office prosecuted the case. “He was motivated by hatred for the President and the desire to start a revolution against the federal government. “We are very fortunate that his bullets narrowly missed the U.S. Secret Service officers guarding the White House that night. This 25-year prison sentence demonstrates that anyone who comes to t h e n a t i o n ’s c a p i t a l planning to use violence should expect to spend decades behind bars.”
Ortega-Hernandez was captured at a Pennsylvania motel five days after the incident. In court documents, prosecutors argued Ortega-Hernandez was dangerous and planned out his alleged crime over a period of months. According to the FBI, O r t e g a - H e r n a n d e z ’s friends reported that he made anti-government statements beginning in 2010. Officials said he believed the federal government was trying to control Americans through GPS, fluoride and aspartame. He was also angry at what he believed was U.S. bullying of other countries, including in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and claimed that the President was the “anti-Christ” and told friends he was “on a mission from God to take out Obama.”
Wednesday April 02, 2014
Kaieteur News
Man washed out to sea during baptism A California man remains missing a day after he was swept out to sea during an ocean baptism. Benito Flores, 43, was among several people helping his cousin, Pastor Maurigro Cervantes, baptise a man near the Guadalupe Dunes Preserve north of Santa Barbara. Two others were swept out by a huge wave but were able to swim to shore. The US Coast Guard says
the search for Mr Flores was called off at midnight on Sunday. The baptism was just finishing up at 10:00 local time (17:00 GMT) on Sunday when the church members were hit by the wave. “A big wave came and took Benito,” Mr Cervantes told local broadcaster KEYT. “I tried to take him out, he was heavy and then another big wave came.” The US Coast Guard as well as local rescue
officials were involved in the search but there are no plans to resume it. Santa Barbara Fire Captain David Sadecki said it would be difficult for anyone to survive more than 30 minutes in the cold water. Mr Cervantes, who leads the Jesus Christ Light of the Sky church in Santa Maria, said his church performed such ceremonies two or three times a year, according to the Santa Maria Times.
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Not much about missing Malaysian aircraft Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (CNN) — After three and a half weeks, the search for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 has come down to this: a lot of floating rubbish, hundreds of heartbroken relatives and, now, quibbling over words all acknowledge offer no clues into what happened to the doomed plane. Malaysian authorities on Tuesday released the transcript of radio chatter between air traffic controllers
and the plane in the hour or so before it vanished while flying from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to Beijing on March 8 with 239 people on board. The transcript shows the last voice transmission from the doomed p l a n e w a s “Good night Malaysian three-seven-zero” — not the “All right, good night” transmission authorities had previously used. The comments are “exactly what you’d expect” in a cockpit, airline safety expert John Gadzinski told CNN’s “The Lead.” Still, even if this new transcript offers no clues
about the plane’s mysterious disappearance, the discrepancy has provided fresh fodder for critics of Malaysia’s handling of the investigation. That authorities gave one version and let it stand uncorrected for weeks undermines confidence in the investigation, air accident investigation experts told CNN. And Michael Goldfarb, a former chief of staff at the Federal Aviation Administration, added that people following the investigation “haven’t had a straight, clear word that we can have a lot of fidelity in.”
Obama Care reaches 7 million target on schedule Washington (CNN) — A last-minute enrollment surge enabled the White House to meet its original sign-up target for the Affordable Care Act, a surprising victory for the Obama administration after a rocky rollout of the program that has become a political hot potato for Democrats and a rallying cry for Republicans. President Barack Obama said on Tuesday that 7.1 million people had signed up on federal or state exchanges for coverage under the health care law now often known as Obamacare. The enrollment period began anemically in October with a faltering federal website and ended with a crush of people trying to beat Monday’s deadline to get coverage. Not everyone who has selected a health plan has paid for it yet, officials said. Nevertheless, Obama claimed victory at a White House ceremony, saying the programme approved by Congress in 2010 — with no Republican support and vilified relentlessly by the
GOP as government overreach — has been a force for good. He said it wasn’t perfect, acknowledging the early difficulties in selecting a policy on HealthCare.gov, and he predicted more hurdles in carrying it out. But the overall goal of starting to narrow the gap between those with health coverage and those without it has begun, and millions of Americans are embracing it, Obama said. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office originally projected the 7 million enrollment target for the October through March period, which was adopted by the administration. Expectations plummeted throughout the fall and into this year after the early website problems, which Obama called “several lost weeks.” But signs of a pickup began in late January and continued into February and early March despite a fierce campaign by Republicans to demonize the law as unworkable.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday April 02, 2014
Massive quake rocks Chile, tsunami warning goes out SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — A powerful magnitude-8.2 earthquake struck off Chile’s northern coast Tuesday night, causing landslides that blocked roads and setting off a small tsunami that forced an evacuation of coastal areas, but the region apparently escaped major damage and casualties. In the city of Arica, 86 miles (139 kilometers) from the quake’s epicenter, minor injuries were reported and some homes made of adobe were destroyed, officials said. The quake shook modern buildings in nearby Peru and in Bolivia’s high altitude capital of La Paz. The U.S. Geological Survey initially reported the quake at 8.0, but later upgraded the magnitude. It said the quake struck 61 miles (99 kilometers) northwest of the Chilean city of Iquique at 8:46 p.m., hitting a region that
has been rocked by numerous quakes over the past two weeks. Psychiatrist Ricardo Yevenes said he was with a patient in Arica when the quake hit. “It quickly began to move the entire office, things were falling,” he told local television. “Almost the whole city is in darkness.” The quake was so strong that the shaking experienced in Bolivia’s capital about 290 miles (470 kilometers) away was the equivalent of a 4.5magnitude tremor, authorities there said. At least 10 strong aftershocks followed in the first few hours, including a 6.2 tremor. More aftershocks and even a larger quake could not be ruled out, said seismologist Mario Pardo at the University of Chile. Some roads in northern Chile were blocked by landslides, causing traffic
jams among people leaving the coast. But coastal residents remained calm as they head inland while waves measuring almost 2 meters (6 ½ feet) struck their cities.
Evacuations also were ordered in Peru, where waves 2 meters above normal forced about 200 people to leave the seaside town of Boca del Rio. But there were no injuries or major damage, said Col. Enrique Blanco, the regional police chief in Tacna, a Peruvian city of 300,000 near the Chilean border. “The lights went out briefly, but were re-established,” Blanco said. A tsunami alert was issued by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center for all of Latin America’s Pacific coast. Chile’s Emergency Office warned that a large tsunami wave was expected to hit Robinson Crusoe island and others in the Juan Fernandez archipelago, hundreds of miles off Chile’s central coast. Residents there evacuated ahead of the first waves. Chile’s Easter Island, much farther off in the Pacific, was expected to get hit after midnight Wednesday. Authorities in the U.S.
state of Hawaii were on alert, but no tsunami watch was issued. The tsunami center said any higher waves would hit Hawaii starting 3:24 a.m. Hawaii Standard Time. Chile is one of the world’s most earthquake-prone countries because just off the coast, the Nazca tectonic plate plunges beneath the South American plate, pushing the towering Andes cordillera to ever-higher altitudes. The latest activity began with a strong magnitude-6.7 quake on March 16 that caused more than 100,000 people to briefly evacuate low-lying areas. Hundreds of smaller quakes followed in the weeks since, keeping people on edge as scientists said there was no way to tell if the unusual string of tremors was a harbinger of an impending disaster. The last recorded big quake to hit far northern Chile around Iquique was a devastating magnitude-8.3 in
1877. It unleashed a 24-meterhigh (nearly 80-foot-high) tsunami, causing major damage along the Chile-Peru coast and fatalities as far away as Hawaii and Japan. A magnitude-8.8 quake and ensuing tsunami in central Chile in 2010 killed more than 500 people, destroyed 220,000 homes, and washed away docks, riverfronts and seaside resorts. That quake released so much energy, it actually it shortened the Earth’s day by a fraction of a second by changing the planet’s rotation. The strongest earthquake ever recorded on Earth also happened in Chile — a magnitude-9.5 tremor in 1960 that killed more than 5,000 people. Chile is the world’s leading copper producing nation, and most of its mining industry is in the northern regions. Top mining companies said there was no serious damage to their operations so far..
Aircraft makes emergency landing in Jamaica KINGSTON (Reuters) Jamaica airport authorities on Tuesday were investigating the emergency landing of a Florida-bound JetBlue airliner that was forced to return to the Caribbean island on Monday night after reports of a smoke odor onboard. The flight was headed to Fort Lauderdale from Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston but returned to Jamaica 15 minutes after takeoff, JetBlue officials said on
the airline’s website. Alfredo McDonald, an official with Jamaica’s Airports Authority, said authorities were looking into reports that smoke was detected in one of the plane’s engines. The plane, an Embraer E190, was carrying 98 passengers and four crew members, McDonald said. “Six customers were taken to the hospital for precautionary reasons and
they have been released,” JetBlue spokeswoman Gina Recine said. “Right now all we have is smoke odor and we’re looking into that today.” One passenger told a Kingston radio station that an engine caught fire. A JetBlue spokeswoman told Reuters there were no reports of fire. McDonald said one passenger suffered a broken leg while exiting the aircraft. The airport was closed temporarily, and officials said the aircraft would remain on the ground until mechanical checks were performed.
Wednesday April 02, 2014
Kaieteur News
Bangladesh women pull off heist Bangladesh Women first scored their highest Twenty20 total, then upended Sri Lanka’s Women’s steadily progressing chase, to steal a three-run win - their first in the World T20. This was the two teams’ last match of the tournament, and Bangladesh chose to bat. They tended to lose wickets in pairs all through the innings, but with Rumana Ahmed - who came in the seventh over - holding up
one end in a brisk, unbeaten innings of 41, they were able to make their way to their record total.
However, when Sri Lanka were 67 for 2 and needed just about a run a ball, it looked like even that would not be enough. That’s when the set Yasoda Mendis was run out, and Bangladesh didn’t let the opening go to waste. Medium pacer Panna Ghosh struck twice in the 15th over,
and with the required rate rising, Bangladesh applied the squeeze, striking in every over from the 18th onwards. Sri Lanka managed only two boundaries in these last overs, and Bangladesh held their nerve to pull off the heist. Scores: Bangladesh Women 115 for 9 (Rumana 41) beat Sri Lanka Women 112 for 9 (Mendis 33, Ghosh 3-18) by three runs.
Wednesday April 02, 2014 ARIES (March 21 April 19): A business or romantic partner may seem a bit preoccupied with some very serious matters today, Aries, and not be likely to share them with you. ******************* TAURUS (April 20 May 20): Some rather extensive and annoying paperwork might need to be dealt with, Taurus. It will probably require all your attention, so if you can, take care of it first thing in the morning when you're still fresh. ****************** GEMINI (May 21 June 20): A fascinating article you read in the newspaper could inspire you to try to create a mystery story of your own, Gemini. Today your mind is perfectly suited to devising plot twists and interesting but complex characters. ******************** CANCER (June 21 July 22): An important lost object, perhaps a paper of some kind, could command the attention of your entire household, Cancer. ********************* LEO (July 23 - Aug. 22): Someone or something has disappeared, Leo. Gossip could spread like wildfire as everyone imagines the worst. Listening to rumors probably doesn't appeal to your sense of fairness; nonetheless, you're wondering, too. (mostly) solved! ******************* VIRGO (Aug. 23 Sept. 22): You could have some paperwork to do today, Virgo, which could make a big difference to your financial future. This could be a contract, settlement, or agreement of some kind.
LIBRA (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22) : The study of psychology might be especially appealing today, Libra. Some new discoveries that you may have heard about in the media could have piqued your interest and might propel you to the library to find books on the subject. ********************* SCORPIO (Oct. 23 Nov. 21): Occult sciences, such as alchemy, phrenology, and astrology, could be singing their siren song to you, Scorpio. ******************** SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21): A group activity could lead to discussions of famous unsolved mysteries, Sagittarius. Jack the Ripper, the Black Dahlia, the truth about O.J. Simpson, and other intriguing problems might capture the interest of everyone present, and might lead to some animated debates over possible solutions. .********************* CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19): A young colleague could leave your place of employment under strange circumstances, Capricorn, and this could come as a shock to you. ******************** AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 Feb. 18): Spiritual occurrences could lead to a very powerful healing experience, Aquarius. Repressed past traumas could come to the surface and be processed and released. ********************* PISCES (Feb. 19 March 20): Do you like detective stories, Pisces? If so, you may find them useful today as you play the role of Sherlock Holmes. A missing object, intellectual problem, or mystery of some kind could have you curious enough to search for the truth.
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Noble House Seafoods 2nd division cricket
UG teach Everest a lesson with 9 wicket win The University of Guyana (UG) got the better of Everest by nine wickets last weekend at the UG ground when play in the Noble House Seafoods two-day second division cricket competition continued. Everest won the toss and elected to bat and were all out for 205 off 61.2 overs; Kemraj Ramdeen hit 52 and Dwayne Perreira 49. Bowling for the home team, Dennis Heywood had 3-47 off 19.5 overs and Suresh Dhanai 3-32 off 12 overs. UG in reply declared at 255 for 9 off 60 overs. Leon ‘Boo’ Williams hammered 11 fours in an entertaining even 100. Dhanai chipped in with
30 and Royan McAl scored an unbeaten 24. Left-arm spinner Javid Rasheed grabbed 5-66 off 20 overs for the Camp Road side. Facing a deficit of 50 runs Everest were bowled out for 121 off 44.4 overs in their second innings. Three batsmen got into double figures. Mohan Ramdeen topscored with 51 not out while Raphael Singh (24) and Randir Persaud (18) offered token support as four batsmen made ducks. Omesh Dhanram had 4-20 off 8.3 overs Set 72 to win, UG reached 72-1 with Dhanai hitting 36 while Williams followed up his first innings ton with 29.
Leon Williams
Organisers revise prize... From page 34 Jets. The final game of the night will be a replay of the National Championships Final between Georgetown’s Dyna’s Ravens and Linden’s Retrieve Raiders. The tournament is aimed at giving Lindeners an opportunity to see what they may have missed at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall on March 23 when the National Championships Final was held. It features the rematches with Linden having home advantage.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday April 02, 2014
West Indies dish out thrashing on Pakistan to enter semis
Guyanese boxers return with two gold medals..
- Bravo, Sammy, Badree and Narine shines West Indies scored 84 runs in their first 15 overs. They nearly doubled their total after that, smashing 82 off the last 30 balls of the innings. No Full Member team had ever conceded so many in the last five overs of a Twenty20 game. It remained to be seen which part of West Indies’ innings, the first threequarters or the final quarter, would make a bigger impact on the result as Pakistan began their chase, in a knockout game to determine who would take on Sri Lanka in the first semi-final on Thursday. In the end, West Indies could have declared after 15 overs and still won. The timing of the assault by Dwayne Bravo and Darren Sammy - they put on 71 in 32 balls, having come together at 81 for 5 in the 14th over was a knockout blow to Pakistan. You could tell by the way Sammy pumped his fists after pounding Saeed Ajmal for a straight six in the 19th over. It wasn’t arrogance or bravado. It was adrenaline. It surged through the entire West Indies team, and some of it was still coursing through Krishmar Santokie’s blood when he pinged Ahmed Shehzad’s front toe plumb in front of middle stump with an inswinging yorker, first ball of the chase. Shehzad, an unbeaten centurion in his previous game, was out for a duck. Pakistan never recovered. They were yet to take a run off the bat when Kamran Akmal faced up to Samuel Badree for the start of the second over, and two more dot balls provoked a scoop straight into wide mid-off’s hands. The pressure, in Badree’s next two overs, got to Umar Akmal and Shoaib Malik as well. Both were stumped, one foxed by a googly, one getting
nowhere near the pitch of a legbreak. Pakistan were 13 for 4, and slipping to a painful defeat. It had started so well for Pakistan. Their bowlers were on target, their fielders were buzzing, and West Indies were barely switched on. As usual, they weren’t rotating the strike. Before this match, singles and twos - they hadn’t yet taken a three - had constituted 32% of West Indies’ runs in the tournament. Their percentage wasn’t just the lowest among all the Super 10 sides, but an outlier as well. Eight of the teams had scored 40% or more of their runs by actually running them. The Powerplay brought West Indies the first three of their tournament, and four singles. Not all of their 24 dot balls, though, were the result of hitting to fielders. Some of them came via Sohail Tanvir’s awkward angle across the right-handers, exaggerated by some late away-swing. Having been beaten three times in a row - the last two balls of the second over and the fourth ball of the fourth, when he came back on strike - Dwayne Smith tried to run the ball to third man and only managed an edge to the keeper. By then, West Indies had already lost Chris Gayle, who came hesitantly down the pitch and thrust a hesitant bat at an offbreak from Mohammad Hafeez. After that stumping, Hafeez’s T20 record against Gayle looked like this: six balls, one run, three wickets. At some points, it appeared as though West Indies were better off not taking the singles. Lendl Simmons, who kept the innings going in the early stages with a 29-ball 31, was out twice to the same ball. He wasn’t given when he was struck on the back pad trying
to cut a skidder from Shahid Afridi, but the third umpire had an easier decision to make when Umar Gul’s direct hit caught him short as he tried to sneak a leg bye. Gul nearly had another run-out when Bravo cut Afridi straight to him and took off for a quick single. His throw just missed the stumps at the bowlers’ end. Either side of that, West Indies had lost Marlon Samuels and Ramdin. West Indies were five down, Pakistan were on top, and their spinners were rushing through the overs. West Indies took 23 from the 16th and 17th overs, but their run rate had only just gone above six an over. Pakistan were still in control. When Bravo hit the first two balls of the 18th over for six, though, something seemed to change. Gul had sent down two poor balls - length and back-ofa-length - and followed up with a wide as he tried to compensate with the yorker. That over went for 21. Even Ajmal was rattled. The pair in the middle was powerful and seemingly irresistible, but Ajmal, trying to hurry them by bowling quicker and flatter, completely lost his length. Bravo smashed him for two big sixes, and Sammy hit him over his head for another before drilling one surgically between extra cover and the sweeper for four. Four years ago in Gros Islet, Michael Hussey had taken 23 runs off five balls from Ajmal to send Pakistan hurtling out of the 2010 World T20. This over cost Ajmal one more run, and sealed Pakistan’s fate in the same way. West Indies 166 for 6 (Bravo 46, Sammy 42*) beat Pakistan 82 (Badree 3-10, Narine 3-16) by 84 runs. (Cricinfo)
Scotiabank/Pepsi Schools... SPSFA. He said that DDL and Scotiabank believe in excellence so they have to display same, both on and off the field. This Academy represents the heart of what should be happening in school football and he urged all teams to play fairly. Lindley Langhorne, representing the Ministry of Education, congratulated the GSDF for pulling off this annual school programme. He assured those present that the Ministry of Education will continue to work hand in hand with the GSDF and also establish a data base. He was also happy to see female and male teams being involved
and praised the Scotiabank/ Pepsi School Football Academy for being the only School Football Tournament that caters for women and that is a plus. Langhorne also took the opportunity to thank DDL and Scotiabank for their resilience and support in making the Academy a success. Brenda Harmon, member of the Organising Committee gave the vote of thanks and thanked Scotiabank, DDL, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Culture Youth & Sport, GSDF, the Referee and Coaches Association, the Schools, the Heads of School, the teachers, parents, children,
participants, supporters, referees, coaches, the press and the owners of the venue for all of their contribution in making this venture a success. In the opening match Mackenzie High School males defeated Harmony Secondary 2 nil as Leon Grenville in the 24th and Joao Dias 43 sealed Harmony’s faith. In the second match, a female encounter, MHS completed the double by beating Harmony 2 nil as female player of the match, Niomi Alsopp, hit a double in the 49th and 51st minutes to maintain MHS’s dominance. The competition continues Friday with two more matches.
From page 33 several clouts that sent him reeling. The ‘third man’ instituted the mandatory eight count before ordering the duo to resume combat. Charles attacked venomously and soon had his man on the canvass compliments of a welltimed one two combination. Capron rose and bravely re-entered the fray but a no nonsense Charles attacked and for the second time in that round, dumped him on port canvass with a wicked volley. Capron rose on wobbly legs and the referee decided that he was too hurt to continue and waved off the bout. Smith commenced his journey with several crisp jabs that pushed his man on the back foot and followed through with a wicked straight right that dumped him to the canvass. Capron refused to say die, rose and bravely re-entered the fray. It proved to be an act of folly as Smith waded into him with a vicious right cross and he crashed to the canvass. The Martinique boxer’s mind appeared to still be in the fight as he struggled to an upright position but his legs refused to cooperate and the referee decided that he had seen enough and waved the proceedings off. Braithwaite and Marcellin had had earlier battles; the St Lucian prevailed in the first of the Olympics box off in Brazil while Braithwaite evened the score in the TriNation Goodwill series in Guyana in February. The trilogy in the St Lucia ended in favour of Marcellin 3-0 but the gap of defeat failed to tell a true tale of what transpired. Indeed, while the verdicts are ‘done and dusted,’ only those at the venue could have assessed the worth of both stalwarts and eventually agree that both performed way above par. In all fairness to Braithwaite, he was required to battle against Marcellin, a hostile crowd and at times, the referee, who delivered some questionable verdicts. Braithwaite took them all in stride and delivered the most courageous display witnessed by a local boxer for some time. After losing by close shaves in the two preceding bouts, one would have expected his spirits to be daunted but Braithwaite is a member of the Guyana Defence Force and the ‘soldier’ in him rose to the fore and he launched a venomous attack on Marcellin at the start of their third encounter.
The St Lucian proved that he was no slouch and stood his ground while dishing out a healthy portion of power punches. Undaunted, Braithwaite pressed on and before the first round was through, had amassed a slight lead. The bout resumed at a hectic pace in the second stanza and though Marcellin turned up the heat, Braithwaite refused to wilt and matched his every blow. The two were then engaged in a delightful session of close combat when the referee tore them apart and inexplicably instituted a mandatory count on the Guyanese. More surprised than hurt, Braithwaite resumed combat and both pugilists went after each other with vicious exchanges right up to the bell. The first two rounds were the storm; the third was the tsunami as both boxers went after each other with such force that the venue shook. The screams of Marcellin’s supporters drowned out those of Braithwaite’s but failed to affect his enthusiasm; several wicked punches slammed into Mercellin who took it like a man and returned the favour. The pace was furious yet neither boxer wilted. Braithwaite lashed out with a left jab and a chopping right while the southpaw Marcellin shuffled forward delivered a wicked volley. It was truly a no retreat, no surrender affair and it was amazing that the medical specialists were not called in. When the final bell eventually sounded both warriors respectfully acknowledged the other’s performance in warm embrace, uncharacteristic when the details of the trilogy unfold. Usually a slow starter, Smith uncharacteristically commenced the bout with David in an aggressive mood with crisp jabs and pin point right crosses. He then slammed in a wicked straight right and gravity took over as the St Lucian tumbled to the canvass. He bravely rose and tried to make a fight out of it but Smith relentlessly pursued him and connected with a one two combination and David fell full length on the canvass where he was counted out. Charles is a class act and his approach in the opening stages of his bout underlined this. The Guyanese pugilist sized up his man in the early stages of the first stanza before dominating the round with sharp jabs and crisp combinations. Capron rose from
his lethargy in the second round and unleashed several body and head shots but Charles wisely changed tactics and resorted to a jab and move ploy. The contest boiled down to who was the fitter and Charles ‘fitted’ the bill with a flurry of punches that pushed his opponent on the back foot. An especially quick right cross exploded on Capron’s temple and he fell to the canvass with a resounding crash. He struggled to rise and when he eventually achieved an upright position, he was on wobbly legs forcing the referee to wave off the proceedings. Meanwhile, President of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), Steve Ninvalle, was among the crowd egging his boxers to victory even as he assessed their performances. Mr Ninvalle said that he was heartened by those displays and feels vindicated with his decision to focus heavily on the young brigade of pugilists. He said that he owes a debt of gratitude to members of the corporate community whose input has made the difference in the lives of the boxers. Ninvalle also had kind words for Manager of LIAT Airlines, Orin Walton, the proprietor of Trustees Pawn Shop, Monty Bovell (not Braithwaite as was inadvertently published earlier) and the Permanent Secretary (MCY&S), Alfred King, for their unstinted support towards the development of the sport. The GBA boss also held discussions with his St Lucia Amateur Boxing Association (SLABA) counterpart, David ‘Shakes’ Christopher on strategies to lift the fortunes of the sport in the region and by extension, improve the lot of the boxers. They have since tabled a number of initiatives while identifying several international tournaments for future participation. Mr Christopher also conformed to an interview with Kaieteur Sport, for a later publication, where he elaborated on his projections and ideas for the advancement of the sport. The team was coached and managed by Cuban, Francisco Hernandez Roldan and returned home Monday evening last. Benjamin’s coverage of the championships was facilitated through the kind courtesy of Mings Products & Services, Vizion Sounds and LIAT Airlines
Wednesday April 02, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 31
2.57 million tickets already allocated to fans Petra Organisation thanks A total of 2,577,662 tickets for the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ have already been allocated through all sales phases and channels to date (including the hospitality programme and other constituent groups). The second period of the second sales phase closed yesterday with a total of 301,929 tickets allocated for the circa 345,000 tickets originally available, which went primarily to residents of Brazil, USA, Colombia, Australia, Argentina and England (in this order). Across all general public sales phases, 1,591,435 tickets have been allocated to supporters: 65% to Brazilians and 35% to international fans. Brazil remains the country with the most tickets assigned (1,041,418 so far), followed by the USA (154,412 tickets), Australia (40,681), England (38,043) and Colombia (33,126). 261,988 tickets were sold at a discounted rate in all categories (to Bolsa Familia, elderly and students). Fans who are entitled to receive a discount must bring their proof of eligibility to the Ticketing Centre in order to pick up the tickets. For students, this is the Brazilian National Student ID card, for Bolsa Familia beneficiaries this is the Bolsa Familia ID card, while the elderly must bring any document displaying their
CPF and/or RG number. Disabled customers must bring a medical certificate that includes their doctor’s CRM as well as an ICD code, a parking pass for disabled people or people with limited mobility, a national “Passe Livre” or municipal transportation card for disabled people or a disability pension letter from the Ministry for Social Security and Welfare. All buyers must carry their ticket purchase confirmation and the photo ID/passport used for the purchase. The FIFA Venue Ticketing Centres (with exception of Brasilia and Porto Alegre – opening dates to be communicated in due course) open on April 18, 2014 at 12:00
Linden was a hive of activity on Saturday 29th March as the SPFSA train rolled into the mining town. The occasion was the opening of the Linden leg of the Scotiabank/Pepsi Schools Football Academy organized by the Guyana Sports Development Foundation at the Wisburg Secondary School Ground. Spectators witnessed a colourful march past of participating teams followed by remarks from Region 10 Chairman Sharma Solomon. He was high in praise to the sponsors, Bank of Nova Scotia and DDL (Pepsi) being
associated with this programme, which is testimony to the companies’ faith in youth development. The Regional Chairman said that Region 10 is proud to be a part of this venture and was pleased when the referees and coaches were trained before the commencement of the tournament and it is evident in the improved performance that was displayed by the teams in last year’s tournament. Victor Wright, Secretary of the GSDF reminded all that the Academy is about learning, hence the use of the name (Continued on page 29)
stakeholders for support
Brazilian Football fans
local time for ticket collection only (for the first three weeks, the centres operate only on weekends). For a complete list of addresses and opening times please visit FIFA.com/ tickets. As of early May, about 540,000 tickets will be delivered for Brazilian and international fans who opted for this service. “The interest in the 2014 FIFA World Cup is amazing. Teams will have a strong fanbase in Brazil, as people are coming from all over the world for the tournament which will make history for sure,” said Thierry Weil, FIFA Marketing Director in charge of ticketing. “Whoever wants to be part of this event may still be able to buy tickets later this month.” The Last Minute
Sales phase starts on April 15 at 12h00 CET / 07h00 BRT via FIFA.com/tickets and runs until the end of the tournament. The availability per match is constantly updated in the relevant chart directly on FIFA.com. From the beginning of the Last Minute Sales, Brazilian fans will only be able to pay by payment card. Visa is the preferred payment method of the 2014 FIFA World Cup™. Cash payment will be accepted for over the counter sales, which only start on June 1. All spectators, including children of all ages, require a ticket to access the stadium. FIFA would like to reiterate that FIFA.com is the exclusive sales platform for 2014 FIFA World Cup™ tickets.
Scotiabank/Pepsi Schools Football Academy Linden leg kicks off
MVP of the female game Niomi Alsopp receives a prize from Roland Tappin.
The two principals behind the Milo / Petra Organisation Schools Football Competition The Milo / Petra Organisation Schools Football Competition continues to break new ground and this is all due to the resolve and good nature of Co-Directors Troy Mendonca and Marlan Cole, who’ve been in the forefront of helping to keep students in school, while at the same time forging partnerships with various stakeholders to help minimise or even eliminate some of the scourges that plague the society. The Petra Organisation this year decided to work together with the Ministry of Health and the Centre for Disease Control to assist in disseminating information on Gender-based Violence and this partnership saw them host a two-day workshop for the twentyfour participating teams where teachers were educated on how to deal with and detect manifestations of the scourge as well as being apprised of some of the
misconceptions of the behaviour. It was deemed an overwhelming success by the participants and the hosts. The organisation then got the Government of Guyana to award three scholarships to the three lucky players to attend the University of Guyana coming out of the tournament and they will have the opportunity to study in any area other than Medicine and Law providing they obtain a minimum of five subjects at the CXC level. Speaking with the media at a Lunch briefing at the Bransville Apartments, Mendonca disclosed that Chase Academy has also offered two scholarships to attend the institution and the conditions and other related information will be forthcoming shortly. The final of this year’s competition is set for Saturday at the Ministry of Education ground on Carifesta Avenue, commencing at 16:00hrs.
Please send your letters, comments and suggestions to: 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown. Email us at: Kaieteur_Kaieteurgy @yahoo.com, or fax us at: 225-8473 or 226-8210
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday April 02, 2014
Global stars including Afridi, Sangakkara, Vettori join Pietersen in CPL draft (CPL) - Kingston, Jamaica: The Limacol Caribbean Premier League yesterday confirmed a stellar line-up of cricketers registered to take part in this year’s competition. Yesterday’s announcement includes the six International Franchise Players (IFPs) chosen by the teams, and all of the players entering the 2014 Draft, which takes place tomorrow in Kingston, Jamaica. The six IFPs will include three returning stars and three newcomers to the CPL. International cricket’s most successful bowler ever, Muttiah Muralitharan (Jamaica Tallawahs), CPL 2013’s leading run-scorer, Shoaib Malik (Barbados Tridents), and New Zealand’s Ross Taylor (Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel) will all return to their 2013 teams, while the top wicket-taker in T20 Internationals, Saeed Ajmal (Antigua Hawksbills), recordbreaking New Zealander, Corey Anderson (Guyana A m a z o n Wa r r i o r s ) a n d Australian T20 specialist, Brad Hodge (St Lucia Zouks), will all make their CPL debuts. Vying to join the six IFPs in the Biggest Party in Sport
will be global stars like Shahid Afridi, Kevin Pietersen, Kumar Sangakkara and Daniel Vettori, as well as more than 100 Caribbean players, who will all enter the 2014 Draft. Big-hitting Afridi will feature alongside 26 of his Pakistani compatriots, including Umar Gul, World T20 centurion, Ahmed Shehzad, and test and ODI captain, Misbah-ul-Haq, while 13 New Zealanders, including James Franklin, Martin Guptill and Jesse Ryder, join former Black Caps skipper Daniel Vettori in the Draft. 11 Sri Lankans will go into the Draft, including former captains, Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene and Tillakaratne Dilshan, as well as hard-hitting all-rounder, Thisara Perera, and mystery spinner, Ajantha Mendis. Australia has the largest overseas contingent in the draft, with 32 players, including prolific batsmen, David Hussey and Adam Voges, pace bowlers, Shaun Tait and Dirk Nannes, and spinners, Brad Hogg and Xavier Doherty. South Africa seamer, Vernon Philander, who tasted CPL success last year with
Jamaica Tallawahs IFP Muttiah Muralitharan. (IPL) the Jamaica Tallawahs, is hoping to return to the competition for a second year alongside Herschelle Gibbs, who played for St. Lucia Zouks in 2013. 23 South Africans in total will go into the Draft, including current Proteas stars, Robin Peterson and Lonwabo Tsotsobe. England internationals, Simon Jones, Dimitri
Mascarenhas and Owais Shah, will line up alongside former teammate, Kevin Pietersen, in the Draft. They will be joined by Bangladesh pair, Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal, Zimbabwe spinner, Ray Price, Irish World Cup hero, Kevin O’Brien, Netherlands World T20 star, Tom Cooper, and Afghanistan captain,
Mohammad Nabi. CPL 2014 will give cricketers from across the Caribbean the opportunity to play with and against some of the best players in the world. Up and coming cricketers, such as Nicolas Pooran and Jason Holder, will enter the Draft alongside Windies test stars like Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Tino Best, and current World T20 players, Samuel Badree, Dwayne Smith and Krishmar Santokie. Muttiah Muralitharan, IFP for Jamaica Tallawahs said: “I loved every minute of the Limacol Caribbean Premier League last year. It’s always fun playing with Chris Gayle, and the crowds were brilliant, so I’m really looking forward to coming back to the Tallawahs to defend our title.” Krishmar Santokie, West Indies bowler and Player of the Tournament, CPL 2013, said: “CPL gives Caribbean players the chance to make their name against some of the best cricketers in the world and prove that we have what it takes to play at the highest level. I can’t wait to be involved again.” Shahid Afridi, Pakistan all-rounder, said: “I’ve heard great things from everybody who took part in CPL last year so I jumped at the opportunity to enter the Draft. The Caribbean has always been home to some of the biggest
hitters in the world, so I think I’d fit in well!” Damien O’Donohoe, CEO, Limacol Caribbean Premier League, said: “I’m thrilled by the quality of the players in the Draft this year, which includes a great mix of established international stars, T20 specialists and exciting Caribbean talent. Word has obviously spread about CPL, and with the high standard of cricket and the unique Caribbean carnival atmosphere, this year’s competition will be, without doubt, the Biggest Party in Sport.” The Draft takes place at Chris Gayle’s Triple Century Bar in Kingston, Jamaica, on Thursday 3rd April (tomorrow) at 2:30pm (Central) (7:30pm GMT), and will be streamed live at http:// cplt20.com/draft. Each Franchise team will have a squad of 19 players, and each squad will comprise of two pre-selected players one West Indies Franchise player (WIFP) and one International Franchise Player (IFP), to be selected by the Franchise. Each Franchise must have one WIFP and one IFP in their squad of 19 players, and a maximum of three additional overseas players. Six players from each team must be registered to the local cricket board for the home territory or country of the Franchise, and be nationals of that country.
Kaieteur News
Wednesday April 02, 2014
Page 33
St Lucia Tri Nation Goodwill Boxing Extravaganza
Guyanese boxers return with two gold medals and one silver
Marcellin (left) and Braithwaite thrilled the crowd with three exciting bouts in the championships By Michael Benjamin The three local amateur boxers that represented Guyana at the Tri Nation Goodwill Boxing Extravaganza in St Lucia returned to Guyana with 2 gold medals and 1 silver after performing creditably at those championships held March 27-29 last. Were it not for the fact that boxers are given special reprieve to ‘assault’ their opponents devoid of legal proceedings, two of those pugilists, Ron Smith and Delon Charles would have been placed before a St Lucia court and pronounced guilty of inflicting grievous bodily harm to their respective opponents and sentenced to lengthy terms in jail after pleading ‘guilty as
David Christopher charged’ while Bert Braithwaite and his St Lucian nemesis, Lynden ‘Russian’ Marcellin, would have been arraigned and prosecuted on several counts of a similar charge.
Subsequently, Marcellin was adjudged the unanimous winner and best boxer of the tournament while his country won the championships after amassing 17 points with 3 gold medals, 2 silvers and 4 bronze. Guyana finished in the 2nd place with 8 points after clinching 2 gold medals and one silver while Martinique finished in the cellar with 6 points after winning 2 silvers and a similar number of bronze medals. These principals were engaged in brutal warfare when the curtains were drawn on the 3 nights, Tri Nation Goodwill boxing extravaganza at the Vigie Multi-purpose Complex, St Lucia, Friday evening last and the situation was further amplified when it was noted that even an officer of the St Lucia Police Force, Constable Yatil Roberts, was among those ‘sharing blows.’ Charles and Smith emerged champions of their respective divisions after brutal displays that resulted in knockout victories while Marcellin and Braithwaite closed off their trilogy with a similar performance that left fans agape at such resilience. Roberts ‘assaulted’ Gregory Heloise (Martinique) on the inaugural night and forced the referee to call a halt to their 81kgs (Novice) bout in 1:25secs of round three and as though that was not enough, returned on Sunday, March 31 to repeat the offence, this time by a majority verdict. Charles took all of 2:34secs of the third round to dispose of Gervais Capron of Martinique after a clinical display in his 56kgs elite bout while Smith closed off St Lucian, Nyran David in
2:13secs of the first stanza of their 69kgs elite affair. Bert Braithwaite and his St Lucian nemesis, Lynden ‘Russian’ Marcellin resumed their rivalry and though Marcellin won that bout and registered clean sweep (3-0), both pugilists finished the trilogy worst for wear after the final three rounds of unadulterated brutality. The final night card had the frills of several all local
matchups but the real action commenced when Charles faced off with Capron in the first international engagement. The two were locked in delightful exchanges in the early stages of the first stanza but it was the Guyanese that stamped his authority after delivering sustained combinations to his opponent’s body and head in the latter part of that round.
Charles continued where he had left off in the first round and advanced to his man at the start of the second stanza but was met by an aggressive Capron who matched his blows pound for pound and set the scene for an interesting final round. The chimes of the bell for the third round were still resonating when Charles rushed out and dealt Capron (Continued on page 29)
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Kaieteur News
India v West Indies, Women’s World T20, Group B
Mithali, Raut guide India to consolation win Half-centuries from Mithali Raj and Poonam Raut g a v e I n d i a Wo m e n a consolation nine-wicket win over West Indies Women in Sylhet. A win would have meant West Indies finished top of the Group B table. Instead, they finished behind England by virtue of net run-rate, and will therefore face Group A toppers Australia in the first semifinal tomorrow. Having chosen to bat first, West Indies lost Kycia Knight to the first ball of the match, lbw to Shubhlakshmi Sharma. Stafanie Taylor then steadied the innings in Deandra Dottin’s company before she was out for 17 after a 61-run second-wicket partnership. Dottin was next to go, for a 51-ball 54, with West Indies’ score 87 in the 15th over. From there, the innings failed to gather any momentum, and West Indies lost four more wickets to finish on 117 for 7. Seamers Shubhlakshmi, Harmanpreet Kaur and Jhulan Goswami shared four wickets between
Deandra Dottin
them, while spinners Poonam Yadav and Archana Das took a wicket each. The target proved far too easy for India to chase down, and they nearly did it without losing a wicket. Raut was out for a 52ball 56, having struck seven fours, with the scores tied. Mithali, India’s captain was
unbeaten on 55 off 52 balls, with six fours, when Smriti Mandhana came in and struck the winning boundary with 14 balls remaining. Scores: India Women 121 for 1 (Mithali 55*, Raut 56) beat West Indies Women 117 for 7 (Dottin 57, Harmanpreet Kaur 2-12) by 9 wickets.
Compton Primo King Dominoes competition concludes The Compton Primo King Dominoes competition was contested recently at Smash Hideout, Pink Shop, Sophia. Chetwin Moriah (6 games) won the opening encounter with Dan Braithwaite placing second with 5 games and Sharon Primo third on 3 games. Primo won the second encounter with 6 games, sharing the first love of the
competition. Dan Braithwaite was second (5) and Moriah third (3). The third and final encounter saw Neville Taylor (6) emerging the winner followed by Moriah (5). Players were rewarded with trophies from the Primo family, Trophy Stall, Johnny Barnwell and Chetwin Moriah, along with medals f r o m J o s e p h
Harmon.Meanwhile, play in the Johnny ‘Overseas’ Barnwell birthday Dominoes competition will take place tomorrow at Smash Hideout, Pink Shop Sophia. Teams from A, B, C, D Field Sophia and East Coast players will be in action. Entrance fee is $500 per player. Trophies are at stake for the outstanding performers.
Wednesday April 02, 2014
Elizabeth Styles U-19 50 Overs
Hetmyer and Sietaram hit 50s; Kassim Khan snares 7-30 Play in the Elizabeth Styles Under-19 50 overs cricket competition continued last weekend with West Indies Under-19 batsman Shimron Hetmyer hitting a polished 77 (10x4 1x6) to spearhead Young Warriors to 240 in 30 overs against Goed Bananen Land. Hetmyer’s teammate, pacer Kassim Khan then collected 7-30 from 7 overs to help bowl out Goed Bananen Land for a paltry 53 in response. Also scoring a half century was Joel Seitaram who hit 69 for Tucber Park. Backed up by knocks of 49 from Hakeem Hinds and 42 from Martin Singh, Tucber Park notched up 241- 7 in their allotted 33 overs against Edinburgh who were then knocked over for 42 in reply. Singh picked up 4 for 5 from 4 overs with his offspinners while pacer Nial Smith had 3-11 and left arm spinner Sietaram 2-0 from 1.2 overs. Leg-spinner Viendra Gooniah captured 5-3 from 5 o v e r s a n d o ff - s p i n n e r Thameshwar Kumar 3-10
Kassim Khan
Joel Seitaram
from 3 overs to help No.70 Young Star knock over No.58/59 Combined for 37. Young Star went on to win by 7 wickets. Collated scores: At Goed Bananen Land Young Warriors hammered Goed Bananen Land by 187 runs. Young Warriors 240 in 30 overs; Shimron Hetmyer 77, James Persaud 26, Randy Balchan 3-40, Roberto Britton 2-10, Parasram Sobhai 2-32. Goed Bananen Land 53 in 12.2 overs; Kassim Khan 7-30, Zachery Persaud 2-1. At Edinburgh -Tucber
Park outclassed Edinburgh by 199 runs. Tucber Park 241 for 7 in 33 overs; Joel Sietaram 69, Hakeem Hinds 49, Martin Singh 42; Sanjay Singh 3-29, Wally Latif 2-30. Edinburgh 42 in 16.2 overs; Martin Singh 4-5, Nial Smith 3-11, Joel Sietaram 2-0. At No.59 - No. 70 Young Star took care of No.58/59 Combined by 7 wickets. No 58/59 Combined 37 in 12 overs; Viendra Gooniah 5-3, Thameshwar Kumar 3-10. No.70 Young Star 38 for 3 in 4 overs; Thameshwar Kumar 24 not out.
Organisers revise prize structure for “Mecca to Mackenzie” - Basketball Playoffs set to re-ignite rivalries in Linden The organisers of “Mecca to Mackenzie” Basketball Playoffs, Sports Management Inc., revised the structure of awarding the prize money following their consultation with the Guyana Amateur Basketball
Federation (GABF), which has sanctioned the event. Initially, in an effort to motivate teams to put everything on the line, $50,000 was up for grabs in three games, winner-take-all, at the Mackenzie Sports Club
(MSC) Court in Linden Saturday night, but that has since been revised to include monies for the losing teams. Kaieteur Sport learnt yesterday that the winners in each of the three games will pocket $50,000 while the losing teams will get $25,000 each, raising the prize monies from an initial $150,000 to $225,000 for the single night of competition in Linden. In addition, the winning teams will receive trophies while comedian Chow Pow hosts halftime giveaway shows, which is a bonus for patrons and fans. The organisers confirmed that a total of $300,000, including the prize monies, will be given away. The “From Mecca to Mackenzie” Basketball Playoffs begins at 7pm with Linden’s Kings seeking to defend its throne against Georgetown’s Pacesetters. The night continues with Georgetown’s Colts taking on Linden’s Amelia’s Ward (Continued on page 29)
Kaieteur News
Wednesday April 02, 2014
Quantum Leap for Guyana’s Volleyball Guyana’s volleyball is expected to catapult to new heights with help in several Technical areas from the International Volleyball Federation {FIVB}and the South American Volleyball Federation {CSV}in the very near future. With renewed relations and new developments taking place in the sport, the Guyana Volleyball Federation{GVF}will be working much closer and collaborating with the FIVB and CSV on several fronts with the aim of enhancing and developing G u y a n a ’s s p o r t i n g infrastructure, exposure of players, coaches and referees to world class training. The construction of a new Volleyball Gymnasium is one of the major initiatives along with a new Beach Volleyball Court and training in beach volleyball, referees courses, and coac h ing will all be facilitated. Guyanese athletes are asked and encouraged by the new GVF President Mr. John Flores to intensify their training and to start thinking of tougher competitions to come as early as next year. The CSV is very much anticipating Guyana’s involvement at several of these competitions and hopes Guyana will soon be a proud host of one of these tournaments. The GVF and CSV are engaged in talks to execute
Top racing bike mechanic laid to rest
John Flores
some of these plans very soon. As part of the commitment by CSV to assist Guyana, first on the agenda is a Referees Training course which is set for May 16 - 22, 2014 .Guyana will soon be a recipient of a brand new playing surface for volleyball and measures are being put in place to accommodate this. President, Captain John Flores is very optimistic for Guyana’s volleyball after fruitful discussions with key members of FIVB and CSV at the 68th Congress in Brazil. At that forum he had presented G u y a n a ’s v o l l e y b a l l programme for 2014 and highlighted the areas where assistance is most needed to progress and fast track the local programme. According to Flores, he made a commitment to CSV to give Guyana one year to prepare for re-entry
UG Inter-Faculty T20 cricket
Natural Sciences defeat Health Sciences by one run The University of Guyana (UG) Inter-Faculty T20 cricket competition continued yesterday at the UG ground, Turkeyen with Natural Sciences defeating Health Sciences by one run in an exciting finish. Natural Sciences fell for 106 in 14 overs, Trevon Henry (35) and Michael Shalim (18) led the way with the bat. Rajendra Singh, Dorian Best and Kwame Vieira had two wickets each. Health Sciences ran out of overs and also fell one short of the opposition’s score with their last pair at
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the crease in a thrilling climax to contest. Fiaz Mustapha was the top bat with 52 and was supported by Vishal Kanhai who made 15. Shamar Muntu returned figures of 3-18 off 3 overs while Anthony Divar and lone female player Divya Hemraj captured two wickets each. The defending champions are Faculty of Social Sciences and the competition is scheduled to continue today with two matches. Monday’s matches were washed out.
to competition in South America. The Presidents of the FIVB and CSV are very keen on visiting Guyana later this year and plan to bring Brazilian national players for exhibition matches against Guyana. It is anticipated that the beach facility will be completed in time for their visit to Guyana and a beach tournament will be held. Other exciting activities on the agenda for Guyana’s volleyball will be the launching of several local second and third division beach volleyball competitions by the DVA and BVA. L a t e r i n t h e y e a r, teams will be travelling to Lethem, Bom Fin and Boa Vista to challenge teams there. A secondary schools programme will be held towards the end of the school term.
The remains of late Paul Sobryan are taken from the Church yesterday by family members and friends. He would have been 54 next month but veteran motorbike mechanic Paul ‘Subbo’ Sobryan would never see his next birthday. The top mechanic for over 30 years was testing a bike at the South Dakota Circuit on Phagwah day when he crashed, eventually succumbing to his injuries last Wednesday at the Georgetown Public Hospital.
Over the years Sobryan built a solid reputation as only one of a handful of racing bike mechanics. He was involved in the repairs to the overseas bikers’ machines for the Bikers Fest at the National Park in addition to all of the ‘big bike’ riders for local and International motor racing events. Sobryan, who was also
involved in repairing Grass Track Motor Bikes, was laid to rest at the LeRepentier Cemetery yesterday after a well attended and moving funeral service at the St. James-theLess Anglican Church on David Street, Kitty. Sobryan is survived by his only daughter Precilla Sobryan and three brothers.
t r o Sp
West Indies dish out thrashing on Pakistan to enter semis
-Bravo, Sammy, Badree and Narine shine Darren Sammy and Andre Russell congratulate Samuel Badree © AFP
Dwayne Bravo does a jig after catching Kamran Akmal, Pakistan v West Indies, World T20, Group 2, Mirpur, April 1, 2014 © Getty Images
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Quantum Leap for P.35 Guyana’s Volleyball 2.57 million P.31 tickets already allocated to fans
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