Kaieteur News

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April 13, 2012 - Vol. 4 No. 15

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Military ties to local telecoms investors...

This presents ominous implications - Dr. Roopnaraine Pg. 3

The revetment at New Hope, E.B.D, has finally been completed and cappng of the roadway has commenced

Guyana to finally cash-in on Norway Funds Pg. 13

La Parfaite fatal fire…

Candle in plastic container caused blaze Pg. 15 - Fire Chief

Miner fatally stabbed in Five Star Backdam

Pg. 3

Brazilian company to develop ethanol plant at Albion Estate Pg. 9

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Kaieteur News

Friday April 13, 2012

Friday April 13, 2012

Kaieteur News

Military ties to local telecoms investors….

This pr esents presents ominous implications – Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine

By Gary Eleazar The fact that the two Chinese companies that are heavily investing in Guyana’s telecommunications industry both share links with the Chinese military namely the Peoples Liberation Army, is a very ominous revelation.

This is according to A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Parliamentarian Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine, who was at the time responding to reports that the Datang Telecom Technology & Industry Group, which has bought 20 per cent of the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) and Huawei Technologies Ltd which is installing the Government’s LTE state-ofthe-art telecommunication network, both have links to the Peoples Liberation Army.

Moments b e f o r e t h e APNU f r o n t b e ncher delivered his presentation to the 2012 Budget debates, he told this publication that in light of the revelation, the coalition of parties will be placing the issue under greater scrutiny.

Datang and Huawei had raised eyebrows in October, 2011 when a US Pentagon report fingered both companies as being linked to the Chinese Military as well as a Chinese Government ‘Espionage’ Ministry.

See Washington Times

report http:// www.washingtontimes.com/ news/2011/oct/11/chinesetelecom-firm-tied-to-spyministry/?page=all According to a 2011 Washington Times Publication, “A U.S. intelligence report for the first time links China’s largest telecommunications company (Huawei Technologies Ltd.) to Beijing’s KGB-like intelligence service and says the company recently received nearly a quarterbillion dollars from the Chinese government.”

At the time of the report the Huawei Technologies Ltd was attempting to break into the US market and had been blocked on three previous occasions.

The revelation that the two Chinese companies are linked to the PLA, coupled with the fact that there has been a deafening silence on Guyana’s own Intelligence Agency, Dr Roopnaraine said, “has brought to mind some fairly ominous implications.”

He said that greater attention must be paid to the due diligence of the companies, “and to see to what extent they represent in any way a threat to Guyana’s security and sovereignty. We should check it out.”

Dr. Roopnaraine downplayed any concerns of an ideological tandem with the Guyanese politicians in

APNU Executive Member, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine the seat of power, many of whom are Russian-trained with the Chinese Communist practices.

“It has to do less with any affinity to their Communist ideology and more to do with the fact that we are like a lot of developing countries now, essentially the victims of a new kind of Chinese imperialism. We are seeing it in Africa, we are seeing it in Latin America, and we are certainly seeing it in Guyana.

As it relates to Huawei Technologies Ltd which the government has engaged to undertake the establishment of an LTE network and is currently expending more than US$40M, Britain’s domestic intelligence service, MI-5 had warned that equipment installed by Huawei in British Telecom’s networks could be used to disrupt critical services like power and transportation.”

More GT&T cables vandalised Representatives from the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) yesterday visited Sophia, following yet another act of vandalism on its service cables.

Specific areas targeted in Sophia recently were Plum Park, where 63 metres of the 200-pair cables, along with 310 metres of 100-pairs and 111 metres of 50-pairs were stripped and removed from utility poles, while 100 metres of 200-pairs and 63 metres of 100 pairs were also stolen in ‘B’ Field.

While speculation surrounding this recent dilemma suggests that the copper is being stolen to facilitate the scrap metal trade, Security Manager Edgar Blackman in addressing media operatives yesterday, called on the government to review the scrap metal trade so as to assist not only GT&T but persons in communities affected by these malicious acts. Residents in the area also vented their anger on the issue, stating that they are worried that if something bad were to happen, there will be

no telephone connection to call for help.

“What if there was a fire or somebody got to go to the hospital or something?

People can’t call de fire service or the ambulance or taxi. That is very troubling,” said Maylene Grant, a resident. She added that the area’s residents are being put at a great inconvenience due to the damage which has resulted in the telephone lines being down. Repairs for these damaged cables have amounted to hundreds of thousands of dollars.

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Miner stabbed to death in Five Star Backdam Another murder has rocked Guyana’s gold mining interior, this time it is the death of 21-year-old Lennox Haywood, who succumbed to stab wounds early yesterday morning.

Haywood, called ‘Dog Food’ of Pitt Street, Golden Grove, East Coast Demerara, was stabbed around 22:00 hours on Wednesday during an argument at Lima, Five Star Backdam, in the North West District.

He died almost nine hours later while receiving treatment at the Matthews Ridge Hospital. Kaieteur News understands that the police have detained a woman and are hunting a male miner in connection with the murder.

News of Haywood’s death has left his relatives and neighbours in a state of shock, with his grandmother, Myrna Bacchus, probably suffering the most.

Speaking with this newspaper via telephone last night, she revealed that

Haywood had left for the gold fields since September last year. She disclosed that she last heard from him last monthend when he informed her that he would have been home for the Easter holiday.

However, for some reason, Haywood never came home.

Bacchus recalled that around 04:00 hours yesterday she received a telephone call from a man who told her that he had just brought her grandson out from the backdam to take him to the hospital.

Bacchus said that she enquired from the man what was wrong with Haywood and she was told that something had happened to his neck.

“I thought was the malaria and it must be affect he neck,” she told Kaieteur News.

But a few hours later, she received another telephone call, this time from a woman, who she assumes is a nurse.

After telling the woman

that Haywood was her grandson, Bacchus was informed that the young man was critically injured.

“She say he at the hospital and he not looking good, she don’t think that he could make it. She left her number with me, though,” Bacchus said.

It wasn’t too long after that the family received news that Haywood had succumbed.

Bacchus said that she does not know for sure what happened, but she was told that Haywood had returned to his camp and found a man and a woman lying in his hammock.

“I don’t know how he spoke to them, but that is what I was told happened,” the woman stated.

Haywood’s body is expected to be brought to the city sometime today.

The Five Star Backdam has been the scene of many of the serious crimes in the interior within recent times.

Relative concerned over prisoner’s denial of health care Although being imprisoned means that an individual has been relieved of his/her right to freedom, it certainly does not extend to the relinquishment of requisite medical care. In fact, according to the World Health Organisation, “prisoners are entitled to the same standard of health as all other members of society.”

However, this crucial right has for months been reportedly withheld from 33year-old Basil Andre Morgan.

Morgan was incarcerated on December 10, 2010, having been found to be associated with criminal elements.

Reports are that he was responsible for transporting a gang of individuals involved in the arson on the Ministry of Health buildings, arson attempt on the Supreme Court and shootings at the Brickdam and East La Penitence Police Stations.

A close relative of the man related to this publication yesterday that since the beginning of this year, Morgan has been

suffering from a severe toothache. The relative claims that on numerous occasions the inmate has revealed his condition to prison officials, but to date he has received no medical attention.

The matter was even brought to the attention of a Magistrate during one of his court appearances, and assurance was given that the father of two would have been given the necessary medical care.

It was revealed to this publication that the Prison Medex had been approached on a number of occasions about the matter and had

made several empty promises to address Morgan’s problem.

Morgan made his most recent court appearance yesterday at the Providence Magistrate’s Court but was suffering from increased pain due to the lack of medical care.

According to the distraught relative, who dubs the dilemma a “very disturbing situation within the prison service” persons who are confined to serve time in prison “they are not animals or some sort of waste (Continued on page 14)

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Kaieteur News

Friday April 13, 2012

Letters... Where your views make the news Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana.

Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

Unprofessional teachers No one would question the importance of education in the modern world. Whether we are speaking from a perspective of ensuring that citizens are trained to improve our national economic performance or from a social perspective of ensuring that we produce a more cohesive society, education will have to be the driving force. And when we speak of ‘education’, we are speaking of teachers who will have to deliver that education.

There has been much ado about delivering education through the new Information and Communication Technology (ICT), but this will simply augment the roles of teachers – not replace them. One of the pluses of the PPP’s administration is that they have allocated a credible segment of their annual budget to the education sector. This year, $8.2 billion has been proposed - representing a 9.4% increase over last year’s spending.

Coincident with the presentation of the budget in parliament, the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) held their elections. Emphasising the importance of the teaching profession, President Ramotar was in attendance at their Third Biennial Conference and reiterated his administration’s support for their needs. The newly elected president, Colin Bynoe, later enumerated the challenges confronting teachers and highlighted the GTU/Ministry of Education multi-year agreement that had not been completely implemented to date.

However, in a refreshing departure from the usual rhetoric, he candidly expatiated on the concomitant responsibilities of teachers towards fulfilling their contractual and moral duties. First was the refusal of some teachers to dress in a ‘professional’ manner. Teachers are authority figures to their young charges, and they ought to set an example of proper dress and decorum to them. We agree with him that all too often, teachers dress as if they are on a catwalk with their plunging necklines and bared chests. We expect head teachers to insist on a dress code for teachers in all schools.

On a related matter, Bynoe noted the number of dismissals of teachers for inappropriate behaviour with students – descending into sexual relations. This, of course, has been a perennial problem – and not unexpected, because of the number of comparatively youthful teachers entering the system annually. Here again, head teachers have to establish monitoring systems, to nip this betrayal of trust in the bud.

Then there was the problem of absenteeism and tardiness – not on account of attending UG or Cyril Potter which also create hardships to the students –but teachers just not showing up for classes. There is not a single school in Guyana where on any given day, a large number of children are not taught two or more of their assigned subjects.

A new abuse is for teachers to be in school but to get onto social networks like Facebook – either from phones or computers in staff rooms. From what the GTU president revealed, the content of the teachers’ postings on these sites are totally inappropriate towards fostering respect in their students towards them and by extension, the entire educational programme.

But sadly, Bynoe did not mention one of the most insidious practices that have almost degutted the entire education system from delivering its most laudable goals: teachers giving private lessons. President Ramotar did, however. We recognise that there will always be students that need extra tuition. We recognise that there will always be parents that want to give their children an ‘edge’. We recognise that teachers being human, would always want to earn some extra discretionary income – especially when, while teachers’ salaries have risen exponentially over the last decade, it is still below that of their peers in neighbouring countries.

But what we do not recognise is the right of those teachers that do not complete their curriculum in the classrooms to ‘offer’ lessons to do so. Like the ‘offer’ of the Godfather which couldn’t be refused, it is a form of blackmail that is more reprehensible given that it extorts from minors.

And it occurs from Grade 2 to Grade 13 – especially in the ‘elite’ schools.

Pity those students that cannot afford the lessons.

Employee performance appraisal revisited DEAR EDITOR, Nowrang Persaud’s Letter (K.N. March 28th 2012) followed

by Geralda Dennison’s (K.N. March 29, 2012) both on the subject “Employee Performance Appraisal” attracted my attention and they have caused me to revisit this very subject on which I did some research, taught and published on (June 26, 1980) when I resided in Ontario, Canada.

Both gentlepersons are to be commended for highlighting with factual clarity some of the obligatory responsibilities of managers and supervisors within the work environment and should encourage a good and timely discourse here in Guyana.

Please permit this seventyfour year-old executive retiree to share with your readership a few definitions which I feel should be introduced in today’s parlance before presenting my (1980) publication First of all appraisals apply to real-estate and to motor vehicles, etc.

Evaluations however, apply to human workers.

Performance evaluation is therefore more appropriate for in excess of twenty-five years I have been a Canadian licensed real estate agent who moonlighted in the real-estate boom (1980-1990) especially in Toronto; so appraisals in the workplace should be avoided forthwith.

Secondly, that I wore the title Chief Executive Officer of an institution we refer to as (G.P.H.C) without a medical degree or nurse/midwife training implies that I provide healthcare to patients.

The position I held was more appropriately Chief Health Service Officer whereby I commanded all services and all healthcare workers within the G.P.H.C. Thirdly, in a letter published in (S.N 01/07/2001) I declared that “Time-frame given to hospital by Inspectors is absurd”

because the quality of care, hospital standards, rules, regulations, patient/staff relationship and strategic plans, cannot be inspected.

The appropriate measure is “Accredited”, a practice that was introduced since the late sixties/early seventies.

Fourthly, a Personnel Manager is really a Human Service Officer.

Fifthly “Customers Complaint Department” should be an enclosed area the door on which should proclaim “Client Relation Office — Welcome” Sixthly, “Quality Assurance” should be renamed “Total Quality Management”.

Finally, should we not admit that hospitals are hotels for clients in need of secondary and tertiary health care?

Now here is my abridged publication (1980) “Personnel Evaluation — a Must” It is my experience that many managers and supervisors approach performance evaluation with a degree of hesitancy because they view it as an unnerving and sometimes unpleasant test of their managerial skills.

Some find it an exercise in futility, claiming that weaknesses are pointed out to their subordinates on an on-going basis and that for them it is a matter of routine to reward a job well done.

So there is no point in waiting six months or a year to tell an employee of his/her performance levels.

Others see evaluations as a means of isolating for upgrading specific staff members who are measured against their peers since merit went out the door with the advent of unions whose collective agreement package includes progressive wage increases for all grades, on specific dates, and all permanent employee flaws must be documented in writing and also discussed and signed by the employee.

Evaluations are used by some as a disciplinary

A most unfair letter from Red Thread DEAR EDITOR, I refer to a letter written

by Karen De Souza and others of the Red Thread organisation which appeared in your issue of Friday 6th April last. I would have expected that a comment would have been sought of my office by your newspaper before the publication of the letter.

The actual situation however, is that the letter by Karen De Souza and others was received by this office on Friday 30th March and a reply thereto was sent out by post on Wednesday April 4, 2012.

Was it the expectation of

Red Thread that I should have dropped whatever I was doing and reply immediately to their letter? March 30 was a Friday and the following two days were the weekend, (non working days).

My reply was posted out on Wednesday April, 04.

Surely, therefore, there was no undue delay on my part.

I consider the letter by Karen De Souza and others as being most unfair to this office as the impression might have been created that no attention was being given to their letter.

C.C. Kennard Chairman

procedure bearing in mind recent local arbitration settlements where it is emphasized that an employee who has never been apprised of expected standards could not reasonably be measured against those standards.

Further, it is held that it is incumbent on the managers and supervisor to systematically provide skills training for the employee — especially a long term employee — to improve upon identified weaknesses. Some of us use evaluations to boost sagging morale.

This exercise will consist mainly of praise and exhortations to do even better. Others even say that with current economic restraints morale boosting is the last carrot they can offer employees.

There are those who would use evaluations to arrest declining discipline and to correct flagrant breaches of rules and regulations.

A few managers and supervisors use them to demonstrate power or to force employees to change specific attitudes or work habits, or to encourage further education.

The listed reasons for which I have indicated we use evaluations are by no means complete. Whatever our approach, I am sure for many of us evaluations are somewhat challenging and we would sometimes wish someone else do them. Many of us never get around to doing them and often neglect the subsequent reviews.

In many institutions, either through vacillation or inexperience, evaluations have never been implemented.

Some managers and supervisors are even afraid relationships will drastically alter after evaluating employees.

To my mind, the purpose of performance evaluations is that given established and specific standards, given measurable statements on what is acceptable and what is unacceptable, employees are regularly measured against those standards and statements of acceptability.

In the process, performance weaknesses are highlighted, strengths are amplified, counselling is offered and expected improvement is emphasized within a given time frame.

In the final analysis, we must all recognize that no evaluation form or process is perfect. Those that are tailor made for our respective institution must be constantly reviewed and updated, preferably by a panel of senior managers.

It must be clearly understood by all, evaluations are desirable and must be put to work for a specific purpose, and they should apply equally to all department employees and should be subject to annual or biannual review.

With measurable standards in place and with practice, we as managers and supervisors could quickly come to view evaluations as necessary and healthy nutrients for the growth of all employees, including ourselves. For those who have not yet started, there is no better time than to Do It Now, for apart from the inevitable rewards in terms of improved performance levels, subordinates will always know what is expected of them and how they measure up to those expectations.

George L Munroe Executive Member Canadian College of Health Service Executives

Blatant disrespect for pensioners THE EDITOR, I am appalled at the recent statement by the Minister in the Ministry of Finance, in relation to the entitlement of Old Age Pensioners.

As a pensioner who has served this my country proudly, starting from the British Guyana Volunteer Force and until recently, the Ministry of Agriculture, I find that those are the most disrespectful and irresponsible words ever uttered in a long time by a man who alleges that he represents the workings of our Lord God. It brings back to my memory statements made in relation to the same issue of pensions, some time ago by a former Minister of Social Security during the former administration.

The Junior Minister has,

in his capacity as a Minister of Government, brought shame and disgrace to the Guyana Legionnaires, the various Pensioners Associations, and all pensioners living in this nation, from Crabwood Creek to the Pakaraimas of our beloved nation.

I believe that our sister nations of Caricom would be shocked to hear of such a statement coming from a Government Minister, especially after his Party promised this nation, and especially the senior citizens, a better way of life in this nation of ours.

I respectfully suggest that all citizens should send a strong message of zero tolerance now to this disrespect shown to us pensioners.

Pensioner David Noel

Friday April 13, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 5

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

Is the Annual Mayor’s Cup This is not an approved event coming to an Inglorious End? DEAR SIR, I have not read or heard of the APNU-youth Arm calling for a boycott of the Annual Mayor’s Cup Knockout Football Tournament, which in my estimation is quite rightful since I, as a concerned parent and mentor, was among the handful of spectators that dotted GFC on the ill-fated evening of March29, 2012.

Much to my surprise the match between Campbellville and West Ruimveldt Estate failed to materialize due to the former being a no-show. With no apology or explanation forthcoming over the P.A System, offering some degree of satisfaction for the $500 entrance fee. Is this InterWard held in Mayor, Hamilton Green’s honour annually, not attracting public condemnation as a rip-off?

Where is the voice of the APNU Youth Arm

denouncing the filthy words of the tournament’s executive coordinator, towards youngsters? I do hope that His Worship, Mayor, Hamilton Green provides frequent doses of “ moral and spiritual revival “ to the individual, who with his slanted eye and permanent limp, realizes that with the possibility of Local Government Elections this year the Annual Mayor’s Cup K.O may become a tournament of the past.

Over the years, the organizing of the tournament. instead of improving, has got worse. Balls are inadequate and whenever one is kicked out of the ground at times it would take as long as five minutes for another to enter the playing area, much to the annoyance and frustration of teams and the paying public.

Last but not least, does the GFF play an integral role

towards an efficient coordination of the tournament? Where are stretcher and physiotherapists in the event of an injury, as is evident in the Annual Kashif and Shangai K.O tournament?

Where are the visible ball boys? And how would the GFF allow football on Good Friday evening with the semifinals, where is the morality?

At the end of the day, it is not all about collecting levy fees only, but rather ensuring that contractual obligations are upheld. And the paying public gets value for its money and not the regular cuss down scenario.

As a father and parent I would urge others to keep their sons furthest from the predator, since myself and children would be keeping our distance.

Easton Canterbury

Where did the profit come from?

DEAR SIR, I would like to make some observations on NBS accounts for the benefit of its members. The Board has announced record profits of $772 million for the year 2011 but this achievement was made against declining revenues of $123 million for 2011 when compared with 2010.

Income on mortgage loans declined by $16 million although there was record lending of $4.2 Billon for the year.

Income on its

investments and its cash resources also declined.

So how come the profits increased by a whopping $194 million for the year against this background? It is because the members received $352 million less in interest on their hard earned savings for the year in review.

As I understand, NBS is a mutual company and the members have always benefitted from a fair return on their investments since they do not participate in the

‘Feel the Beat’ should not have choreographers DEAR EDITOR, A dancer feels the music, and a true dancer can choreograph any beat in their heads. If the mere point of the Feel the Beat competition is to expose young talents and have persons explore their dancing horizons, then why the choreographers?

Let the dancers choreograph for themselves, they are the ones competing; they are the ones showing their talents, and it is not fair that they are being sent home because of someone else’s screwed up choreography.

I say drop the choreographers and give the

dancers peace of mind at least, knowing that they are being dismissed because of their own screw up and not someone else’s.

A real dancer can choreograph anything and no disrespect to the choreographers but they are not the ones competing for the million dollars, and they are sure as hell not the ones performing an embarrassing choreography.

I take this opportunity to commend GT&T for this entertaining initiative. I wish all the contestants good luck.

A true dancer

profits of NBS. The record profits were thus made at the expense of the Saving Members.

S Alli

DEAR SIRS, It has come to my attention through news media reports that a businessman and the Essequibo Cricket Board are organizing a 20/ 20 cricket tournament.

Please be advised that this tournament has not been organized within the framework for Approved Cricket in accordance with the Regulations on Approved and Disapproved Cricket and Domestic Cricket Events of the ICC which came into effect on June 1, 2009.

Applications for approval of a cricket match or event – outside of what is detailed in the List of Approved and Pre-approved cricket – must be made in writing to the WICB at least 30 days prior to the start of the event.

The List of Approved and Pre-Approved Cricket along with a document outlining the Responsibility and Approval for Cricket in the West Indies are available and for viewing and download on the WICB website.

I strongly urge you to seek the approval of the Guyana Cricket Board for this event and ask us to facilitate your request with the WICB, failure obtain approval of this event, will entail grave consequences for participating boards, players and officials.

Please do not hesitate to contact me for any further clarification you may require.

Robin Singh Cricket Operations Officer

This view differs from the Chief Justice’s

DEAR MR. EDITOR Following the publication of a letter under my hands in the Kaieteur daily newspaper on April 10, 2012, I was accosted by a very good friend of mind expressing his conviction; the Commissioner of Police is innocent of the allegations leveled against him. Let me say that, I am also aware that few other Guyanese share the same view.

Thus I will like to say I respect their opinion and I hope they respect mind to think otherwise, since I am of the view the commissioner did not need a gun to force

the young lady against her in order for this sordid affair to qualify or seen as rape.

The fact is, given the circumstance under which she met the Commissioner of Police and the pending threat to her liberty given the power of his office and the penalty for the allegations leveled against her which was the subject of an ongoing investigation, her consent would have been acquired under duress Therefore it is my respected view that if the Chief Justice had taken a

holistic view of the facts of the case, rather than evaluating the character of the victim, humiliating her in the process, he would have been hard pressed not to conclude that the DPP’s decision to advise that a charge of rape be laid against commissioner was reasonable and logical.

Bevon Currie EDITOR’S NOTE: Even the investigators out of Jamaica concluded, “When the circumstances leading up to, during and after this allegation are examined, the action of tejh complainant is questionable.

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Kaieteur News

2012 Budget Debate…

28th General and Regional Elections, said that no amount of statistical juggling would hide the reality that in fiscal terms, Guyana is like a dog chasing its own tail.

“We are once again in the middle of the vicious debt circle. There is no comparison between the effects, impact and miseries caused by the old debt and the new debt, amortization of which has not started to kick in. But there is no pride in boasting about our debt stock either. And with borrowing expected to exceed $26 billion this year alone, we will set a new record high national debt ceiling.”

“With Guyana’s population standing at 750,000, the figures would represent a sad caricature of debt tragedy. What is worse yet is that Guyana is boasting one of the highest per capita debts in the world.”

This figure Nagamootoo described as “the unholy trinity”.

“Each child born in the Jagdeo-Ramotar era would henceforth carry a debt tag at birth of $333,333.”

The AFC official went further.

“The Minister (of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh) who likes comparisons, may be interested to note that the deficit in the Consolidated Fund in 1987 was $6,558,700,000. Today, it is (before grants) $42,693,100,000, and (after grant) $26,463,800,000.”

Nagamootoo slammed the

Place more emphasis on R egion Fi ve Re Fiv

By Latoya Giles

- Moses Nagamootoo Guyana is more indebted than it was 20 years ago.

At least that is what Moses Nagamootoo, the Alliance For Change (AFC) Parliamentarian, expressed in his presentation during the Parliamentary debate on the $192.8B National Budget on Tuesday.

In a fiery presentation, Nagamootoo insisted that Guyana’s debt is now about a $1B more than it was in 1992.

In that year, when there was a change of government to the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), the debt stood at US$2.1B. “In pure Guyana dollars terms, without looking at percentage of GDP or other factors, at the then prevailing rate of G$125 to US$1, the 1992 debt was $252,500,000,000. Today, 20 years later, and in spite of write-offs, cancellation and rescheduling, our national debt stands at US$1.2 B which, at the current buying rate of G$207 to US$1, amounts to G$253,400,000,000 - nearly $1B more over 1992,” he told the National Assembly.

Nagamootoo, a former senior executive of the PPP who moved over to the AFC shortly before the November

Friday April 13, 2012

Moses Nagamootoo attitude of government. “The same impetus that drove those who mismanaged the economy in the past, is driving us again today, that is, a little borrowing is not bad. So, again, this year, like the addict hooked on morphine, we continue to ease the pain of deficit financing with external borrowing in the sum of $26B, and domestic borrowing, at almost $1.5B.” This could be more, if Guyana fails to draw down on the US$250M “Norway Funds”.

“Debt servicing in 2012 will be $6,707,500,000. In 2010 and 2011, it was in excess of $7 Billion and $8 Billion respectively - over $20 Billion in three years. This speaks to the mismanagement of our economy, not to its dynamism, if we have to live on borrowed moneys and, like a mendicant, we walk the globe with a begging bowl in our hands.”

The ruling PPP/C is facing an unprecedented situation since taking power in 1992, as it will be the first budget where the party does not have the 50-plus per cent it needs to hold the majority.

APNU Member of Parliament Jennifer Wade has called for more focus to be placed on key development issues in Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice) which she represents. Wade in her budget presentation said that the purpose of any government is to sustain the welfare and well-being of all its people, “whether rich or poor, old or young”.

As such she said that the budget is not in isolation, but is part of a design to bring happiness and comfort to the greatest number of citizens.

According to Wade, prior to the budget she had embarked on a series of consultations with several stakeholders in society to solicit their views on issues regarded as important in their lives, and how they felt the issues should be addressed.

Wade listed their concerns as the crime situation, lack of proper health facilities, absence of a regular supply of drinking water in certain areas, lack of electricity, bad or nonexistent roads, high prices in food items, poor drainage and unemployment.

The APNU MP told the House that these matters require urgent attention, but government “continues to ignore the needs to the people”. Wade said that it is her sincere hope that this year’s budget will fulfill promises made.

In the area of agriculture, she urged the government to tell farmers why an agricultural development bank is not provided even though several requests have been made by small farmers. Wade said that farmers are challenged by timely and unaffordable land preparation services, and she noted that the government needs to tell farmers why it isn’t reducing the cost of agricultural input such as chemicals and fertilizers.

In relation to housing and water, Wade said that the

- MP Jennifer Wade administration has been repairing the same houses every year and wasting taxpayers’ money. According to her, this is so because they fail to have the houses occupied although there are officers in need of accommodation. She said that the police houses at Fort Wellington and Blairmont, as well as the houses at the MMA/ADA compound are all in a deplorable state and no effort is being made to renovate them.

Wade further stated that taking into consideration the fact that some $1.8 billion was spent in the water sector, facilitating the construction and upgrading of distribution and transmission mains in the region, no consideration was given to families who cannot produce documentation of ownership.

She emphasized that for years now Ithaca and Burma have serious problems with the quality of water they receive.

“These residents have to purchase water for drinking and cooking purposes. These residents are drawing their own conclusions. There is always the problem of unreliable electricity supply to the region and the power outages affect the flow of water for long periods. It is time that generators are placed at these pumping stations to bring relief to the residents, especially the ones who cannot afford to buy water tanks.”

With respect to youth and sport, Wade told the House last night that “young people should be the priority of any Government. The Budget declared that all things are bright and beautiful, but

billions are being spent and yet the problems still remain.

The unresponsiveness in which issues are being handled indicates that the Government is not ready to work constructively for the good of the Guyanese people. Guyana needs a business-competitive environment to create jobs for our jobless young people.”

“In Region Five, Government needs to establish a pathway that will create healthy lifestyles for our promising youths. All youth organizations need to benefit from an improved Youth, Sports and Culture system. They need a platform for Drama, Music and Arts as well as care for kids with Special Needs. Upgrading and developing of all the sports facilities throughout the region must be done so that our young people can occupy their time meaningfully.”

Wade said that she hopes that the Region will benefit from the $160 Million that has been allocated for the upgrading of sports grounds countrywide, mentioned on page 49 in the Budget.

And on the issue of the disposal of solid waste, Wade emphasised that this should be done in a safe and efficient manner.

“It is supposed to be everybody’s business in ensuring that the health and well-being of our nation is preserved. It should be noted that all environmental issues must be given equal treatment, and emphasis must be placed in the regions also, so as to bring an end to the indiscriminate dumping of garbage.”

Friday April 13, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 7

Cuba and drugs debate Expect cement bags labelled to spice Americas Summit in Spanish - Carib Cement CARIB Cement is advising its customers that out of necessity, the company has been forced to pack its 42.5 kg Carib Cement Plus in bags labelled in Spanish with the Carib Cement OPC brand; bags labelled with the TCL Premium Plus brand; and bags labelled with the Carib Cement OPC brand.

This became necessary because of the strike action at Trinidad Cement Limited (TCL) and the company’s inability to receive bags from its supplier Trinidad Packaging Limited (TPL), a subsidiary of TCL, the company said.

Carib Cement is assuring its customers that

this is just an interim measure until the situation at TPL has been resolved. The company is also assuring that it has an adequate supply of bags to fill the needs of the domestic market for at least a few weeks.

Additional information will be printed on these bags in keeping with local standard specifications, inclusive of the date of manufacture and batch number as customary, the company said.

Flyers with information on the safety tips and general information will also be made available at points of sale. (Jamaica Observer)

REDJET ALLY Presidents of Colombia, Juan Manuel Santos (front L) and Chile, Sebastian Pinera (front 2nd L) walk with their respective wives Maria Clemencia Rodriguez (R) and Cecilia Morel to a plane, yesterday.

REUTERS/Andres Piscov-SIG/Handout CARTAGENA, Colombia (Reuters) - Leaders from North and South America will mix perennial controversies over Cuba and the Falklands with trade tensions and a new look at the war on drugs at a weekend summit in Colombia.

The 33 nations at the Organization of American States’ sixth Summit of the Americas in the seaside city of Cartagena are, however, unlikely to bring big changes on the major issues facing the hemisphere.

Although not quite the star act he was at the last OAS meeting in Trinidad and Tobago in 2009, U.S. President Barack Obama remains a focus for many Latin American leaders who hope he will pay them more heed if he wins a second term in November.

Many Latin American countries would like the United States to ease its policy of ostracizing Cuba and begin a debate on legalizing some drugs. But Obama, facing a tight reelection contest, is expected

to maintain the U.S. hard line.

“Those are politically radioactive issues for Obama.

There’s no way he can fulfill Latin American expectations,” said U.S.based regional expert Michael Shifter.

Though the summit’s official agenda ranges from technology to poverty reduction, Cuba was once again shaping into the No. 1 hot potato for those gathering in the Caribbean port city.

Cuba was kicked out of the OAS shortly after Fidel Castro’s 1959 revolution, and efforts by Latin American allies to have it invited to Cartagena failed. Ecuador’s leftist president, Rafael Correa, is boycotting the summit because of that.

“I hope this is the last summit without Cuba,” said host and Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos. He has built good relations with the leftist ALBA bloc of Latin American nations, despite being a U.S. ally and a conservative politician.

Argentine President

Cristina Fernandez has wide support in Latin America for her demand that Britain abandon its “colonial” occupation and negotiate sovereignty of the islands.

Though heads of state meet on Saturday and Sunday, two parallel events begin earlier: a social forum for non-government groups and a “CEO summit” for businessmen who will have a parade of high-profile visitors from Obama to Colombian singer Shakira.

Obama remains enormously popular among Latin Americans, especially in contrast to his predecessor Bush, who drew ferocious protests at one OAS summit in Argentina.

The most interesting debate in Cartagena may be over drugs.

There are growing calls from around the world for a fresh look at how to combat a violent, multibillion dollar illegal trade which decades of hardline policies against producers and consumers have failed to curb.

Grounded low-fare carrier REDjet is getting moral support for its recovery from an unexpected source – British airline Virgin Atlantic.

Regional manager of the Sir Richard Branson-owned carrier, Nick Parker, expressed regret at REDjet’s struggles and warned of significant fallout if it doesn’t get off the ground again.

“As an airline that thrives on competition, Virgin Atlantic is disappointed to see the current difficulties

REDjet [is] experiencing,” Parker said in a statement issued Wednesday.

“The existence of REDjet brings much needed competition to the Caribbean aviation market which will in the medium- to long-term help strengthen their competitors in addition to growing the total passenger market, both intra-regional and international connecting traffic, to everyone’s benefit.

(Barbados Nation)

Top US officials make unannounced trip to Haiti CARACOL, Haiti (AP) — Top State Department officials have made an offthe-record visit to northern Haiti, where they met with local leaders and toured an industrial park being built in part by U.S. taxpayers.

The group yesterday’s

trip included Cheryl Mills, chief of staff to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, U.S. Ambassador Kenneth Merten and Thomas C. Adams, the State Department’s special coordinator for Haiti.

After flying to Cap Haitien, they visited the

Nick Parker Caracol Haiti Industrial Park.

Its Canadian manager, Nicolas Stein, says Mills pressed him to increase the number of women working there to 30 percent.

Construction began at the park in November. It is currently an empty shell of a facility, but construction is under way.

The entire trip was unannounced and journalists were barred.

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Kaieteur News

Friday April 13, 2012

North Korea’s rocket launch Call for today protests is first test of ends in failure - South Korea Syria truce SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea’s much hyped long-range rocket launch earlier today ended in apparent failure, South Korean officials said, dealing a blow to the prestige of the reclusive and impoverished state that defied international pressure to push ahead with the plan.

North Korea said it wanted the Unha-3 rocket to put a weather satellite into orbit, although critics believed it was designed to enhance the capacity of North Korea to design a ballistic missile deliver a nuclear warhead capable of hitting the continental United States.

A spokesman for the Defence Ministry in Seoul told journalists that the rocket had broken up and crashed into the sea a few minutes after launch.

Officials from Japan confirmed the mission had failed, while ABC News cited U.S. officials saying it had failed, although there was no

immediate indication of where it fell.

The rocket’s flight was set to take it over a sea separating the Korean peninsula, with an eventual launch of a third stage of the rocket in seas near the Philippines that would have put the satellite into orbit.

This was North Korea’s second consecutive failure to get a satellite into orbit, although it claimed success with a 2009 launch and there was no comment on the launch from North Korea’s official media.

The Unha-3 rocket took off from a new launch site on the west coast of North Korea, near the Chinese border.

The launch had been timed to coincide with the 100th birthday celebrations of the isolated and impoverished state’s founder, Kim Il-sung, and came after a food aid deal with the United States had hinted at an easing of tensions on the world’s most militarized border.

Pakistan parliament backs recommendations on U.S. ties ISLAMABAD (Reuters) Pakistan’s parliament yesterday unanimously approved recommendations from its national security committee on ties with the United States, including a demand to end drone strikes.

Action on the recommendations has yet to be decided by the government.

Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani said in a live televised speech to parliament that the government will attempt to implement them “in letter and spirit”.

He did not say whether Pakistan would reopen overland supply routes to U.S.-led NATO forces in Afghanistan. They were suspended after a November 26 cross-border NATO air attack killed 24 Pakistani soldiers and plunged already troubled ties to their lowest point in years.

Yusuf Raza Gilani When asked whether Pakistan would re-open the supply routes to Afghanistan, Information Minister Firdos Ashiq Awan did not specify a course of action.

“Parliament has given us some guidelines and principles. Keeping them in mind, and the will of the

people, we will soon take an appropriate position on the matter,” she told reporters outside parliament after Gilani’s speech.

Gilani reiterated Pakistan’s call for the United States, the source of billions of dollars in military and economic aid, to respect the South Asian nation’s sovereignty.

A halt in drone strikes and an unconditional apology for the NATO attack were the national security committee’s main recommendations.

In Washington, State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said the United States would look forward to discussing the parliamentary recommendations with Pakistan’s government.

“We respect the seriousness with which parliament’s review of U.S.Pakistan relations has been conducted,” Nuland said.

“We seek a relationship with Pakistan that is enduring, strategic, and more clearly defined.”

BEIRUT (Reuters) Syrian opposition activists called mass protests for today to test a fragile, day-old ceasefire by President Bashar al-Assad’s forces, and international pressure mounted for Damascus to fully comply with a U.N.backed peace plan.

Anxious to build on a truce between the armed forces and rebels which brought an eerie calm to Syria yesterday, after more than a year of clashes, the U.N. Security Council worked on a resolution authorising U.N. observers to monitor it.

World leaders welcomed the halt in fighting which had threatened to spill over into neighbouring countries and U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said the situation looked calmer.

“The world is watching, however, with skeptical eyes since many promises previously made by the government of Syria have not

Kofi Annan

been kept,” he told a news conference in Geneva.

Along with the withdrawal of forces from population centers, U.N.-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan’s six-point plan calls for talks with the opposition aimed at a “political transition”, the release of political prisoners, access for humanitarian aid and journalists, and for the authorities to “respect freedom of association and the right to demonstrate peacefully”.

Burhan Ghalioun, head of

the opposition Syrian National Council (SNC), said he did not trust the authorities to allow the renewal of protests after Friday prayers, a feature of the uprising that has been subdued by violence in recent months.

The authorities, he said, had their “hand on the trigger”.

“While we call on the Syrian people to protest strongly... we ask them to be cautious because the regime will not respect the ceasefire and will shoot,” he told Reuters.

Shooter of Florida teen Trayvon Martin pleads not guilty SANFORD, Florida (Reuters) - A handcuffed George Zimmerman, charged with killing unarmed black teenager Trayvon Martin, appeared in court for the first time yesterday and his lawyer said a not guilty plea was entered on his “frightened” client’s behalf.The neighbourhood watch volunteer’s lawyer, Mark O’Mara, also said he wanted Zimmerman to be released on bond, but not until he could secure a safe place for him to stay while he faces murder charges in the February 26 killing of 17-year-old Martin in a quiet gated community in the central Florida town of Sanford.

Zimmerman, hands

George Zimmerman shackled, head shaved and wearing a close-clipped goatee, addressed a judge via teleconference from the John E. Polk Correctional Facility.

He said “Yes sir” twice during the five-minute hearing in a small jailhouse courtroom.

Judge Mark Herr set formal arraignment for May 29 and agreed to seal some of the case file.

“It was a very standard procedure. A not guilty plea was entered. We have an arraignment set for the 29th.

We’ll attend to a bond motion between now and then,” O’Mara told reporters after the hearing.

He said he chose not to ask for bail immediately because it might “only arouse the fervor” around the case.

Zimmerman, 28, whose father is white and mother Hispanic, has received death threats and was in hiding for weeks. Arrested Wednesday, he could face life in prison if convicted.

Friday April 13, 2012

Guyana does not have a foreign debt problem.

Though the external debt is close to US$1.2 billion, Guyana’s ability to service this debt is what matters.

The size of the debt does not always tell the right story.

A man can owe the bank tens of millions, but once he continues to adequately service that debt without his business contracting, then the debt itself does not pose an onerous burden.

It is very much like a man who owes the bank a lot of money. If the increase in the man’s debt was due mainly to interest payments being capitalised, then it can be said that the servicing of the debt represents a problem.

Guyana’s debt servicing is within manageable limits. In fact, Guyana’s debt situation

Kaieteur News

has never been as manageable as it is today.

There are many who would like to believe that the PPP is about to make the same mistakes that the PNC made by chalking up a huge debt.

These persons are mistaken and are raising an old bogey.

The problem with the PNC was not how much they borrowed, but how incompetently they ran the economy. They mismanaged the economy to the point where they couldn’t satisfy debt servicing.

Guyanese do not need any Hansard to educate them about the hard times. There are still thousands who lived through that period when our citizens were humiliated and demoralised because of the harsh economic situation.

One of the main

contributors to the pressures that faced the Guyanese people at the time was the growing foreign debt. Interest payments accumulated upon interest payments, which when capitalised, placed Guyana in the unenviable position of being one of the most highly indebted countries in the world.

The debt that accrued under the PNC sucked the life out of this country and was a major economic bottleneck for years.

One of the most remarkable economic turnarounds ever was, however, achieved under the PPP, when it was able to reduce the debt and still find the resources to change Guyana’s economic fortunes.

This fairytale recovery is attributable to one person and

Brazilian company to develop ethanol plant at Albion Estate Guyana is embarking on a deliberate task to develop biomass to support a large scale bio-energy industry, as the country seeks a place in the growing sector.

This is according to Agriculture Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, who during his Budget 2012 debate presentation outlined the government’s policy of moving the agriculture sector away from just food production.

“In 2012, we will finalise Guyana’s agro-energy policy; a prototype ethanolproducing plant…as a pilot, is being developed at the Albion Sugar Estate,” said Ramsammy.

He told the National Assembly that government is collaborating with a Brazilian firm to develop the plant as part of an Inter-American Development Bank technical grant support programme.

This is in addition to a Memorandum of Understanding that government has signed with Ansa McAl to carry out a feasibility study for a largescale ethanol production enterprise in Guyana.

The Agriculture Minister also disclosed that several other investors have approached the government expressing interest in similar ventures.

“We will pursue these opportunities,” Ramsammy asserted.

He said that the efforts of government over the past decade in pursuing a bio-fuel industry are beginning to take shape.

“Agriculture must not be seen only as a producer of food for local consumption or for export. Agriculture in Guyana must be developed

Agriculture Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy beyond food.”

Ramsammy stressed that Guyana has the opportunity to create biomass for the production of bio-fuel, thus “satisfying needs other than feeding our people; needs that ensure a sustainable and affordable fuel source”.

Guyana is already using agricultural products such as bagasse to produce energy on a small scale, but according to Ramsammy, now is the time for the country to aggressively pursue production of the commodity in commercial quantities.

Critical to such a venture is a successful sugar industry and the Agriculture Minister is optimistic about the future of GuySuCo, since according to him, the company is successfully confronting the many challenges it is currently facing.

The Agriculture Minister in his presentation - that was sometimes interrupted by sporadic heckling from the opposition side of the House - dismissed the suggestions of many who have placed the

blame solely at the feet of the management of the sugar company.

He said that no one has sought to analyse the impact of the European price cut on the industry, resulting in an approximately $8B loss per annum.

Ramsammy pointed out that the industry’s revenue increased by $6.4B last year and there is a projected increase of $1.2B in 2012. This, he said, is due to price negotiations, and an increase in value added products, to ensure a profitable and competitive industry in the long run.

Despite its problems, the Minister revealed that, in 2010, the sugar industry recorded a production of 220,000 tonnes of sugar, which was increased to 237,000 last year.

“We hope to attain a target of 250,000 tonnes in 2012, a far cry from the 129,000 tonnes in 1990.”

Ramsammy admitted that the US$200M Skeldon factory is still a major concern.

“There are remedial works to be done and these will be done this year,” Ramsammy said, adding that work has begun on modification of the design of the bagasse feed conveyor and the ploughs and feed shoots, among other things.

The Agriculture Minister said that the administration expects that most, if not all of the defects, will be remedied by the end of this year.

He also spoke of the Enmore Packaging Plant, which he said is now working effectively.

“As long as we can supply the sugar it can reach its capacity of 40,000 tonnes per year,” Ramsammy stated.

Page 9

one person alone: former president Bharrat Jagdeo.

Under him, Guyana moved from being one of the most highly indebted countries in the world on a per capita basis to a position of debt sustainability. For this feat alone, this country will forever be indebted to the former president. He saved this country from drowning in debt.

It is true that lifebuoys were thrown by the developed world in the form of debt forgiveness, but the remarkable thing was that Guyana’s economy did not falter during the greater part of this restructuring contract.

Guyana can today pay its debt because of Bharrat Jagdeo. Guyana is now the top economy in the Caribbean, and that too, is because of Bharrat Jagdeo.

Those who are today raising the bogey of debt nonsustainability are raising a red herring. They are doing so because they can find very little else to condemn the

government on.

There have been problems under his rule of course, and these relate to some major controversial contracts, but every man deserves his due, and Bharrat Jagdeo deserves his for the work he did in making Guyana’s economy the strongest it has ever been.

Guyana is not going to go back to the days when people could only afford two meals a day. Guyana is not going to go back to the days of long lines for basic food items and for petrol. Guyana is not going to go back to the days

when you were given a mere US$40 to travel with when going abroad. Guyana is not going to go back to the days when six-hour blackouts were an almost daily feature.

Guyana may have its problems, but it has come a far way. It is not going back downhill.

Page 10

Kaieteur News

Friday April 13, 2012

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

Paradox of insult: Brunei and brunelia It is budget time again, and the refrain is being played out – Guyana has done well over the years, with growth rates that exceed the rest of CARICOM. Every year when it is budget time, Guyana becomes another Brunei, a small, wealthy oilproducing nation. Of course the people singing the Brunei song are the President and his Ministers. The rest of the nation looks around while the song is being done and they don’t see what the singer is crooning about.

In this year’s budget, pensioners are given a twenty-dollar increase on their daily income and in the face of this moral outrage,

speaker after speaker from the Government bench continue with their political masturbation of a growing and glowing economy.

No one could have shaped a better response to this twenty-dollar depravity than Moses Nagamootoo when he said that if you give $20 to a derelict on the street, he/she will refuse to take it.

I have had several experiences where homeless people frown on that amount.

If they don’t reject it, they implore you to give them more. Outside of the DDL supermarket on Sheriff Street opposite the Guyoil outlet, I had the misfortune of seeing my $20 thrown to the ground

after it was given, and the guy walked away. Our needy, aged folks have to contend with the final insult of an extra twenty.

Where are the benefits from the long cycle of growth that began with President Jagdeo? This writer is yet to expand on the failed legacy (for want of a better sentence construction) of Mr. Jagdeo, but on examination of this mediocrity, one sees the mirage of development.

We will leave an assessment of Mr. Jagdeo’s fictional accomplishments for another column, and for now, look at the benefits that came the way of a majority of Guyanese from the

“sustained period of growth.”

Before we do that, we need to point out that Professor Clive Thomas has consistently argued that official statistics coming from the Government are not reliable. He first made his allegation in 2006, when substantial growth rates were produced for 2005, and when in that year the Great Flood devastated Guyana.

So the yearly refrain is that Guyana has been outdoing its CARICOM partners, and in a world plagued by recessions, Guyana has been insulated from the international financial collapse. If this is so, then Guyanese have been living inside the paradox of an insult. Where is the

Pension increase is just one taxi fare “Becoming a pensioner is a frightening experience, except if you are a former president and will be guaranteed millions in pension and benefits despite your age.”

This was the assertion of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) backbencher Joan Mabel Baveghems, during her presentation in the debate of the National Budget 2012 last Wednesday night.

Baveghems described the budget as the worst of its kind in all her years of existence in independent Guyana.

According to Baveghems, the government’s boast of several increases to pensioners and the income tax threshold is idle, since it is so miniscule. “It is not worth the paper it is printed on,” she opined.

Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh announced in this year’s budget that old age pension has been increased by $600 per month

- APNU MP - a figure Baveghems said can only pay one taxi fare.

“This increase represents just one taxi fare, since most minibuses refuse to transport the elderly in their vehicles.

That money will only pay one side of the fare for them to pick up the measly pension,” the APNU Member of Parliament stated, adding that sometimes the pensioners have to travel two or three times to the post office before they can receive the payment.

She urged that instead of just the $600 increase, the administration should consider giving pensioners a monthly hamper with basic foodstuff.

Baveghems said that in most cases, pensioners only receive the attention they deserve when they attain the coveted age of 100 years old.

“They are showered with gifts, hampers and attention, and this may be the reason why they die shortly after.

They are not accustomed to

all the fuss and attention,” she said to much laughter from both sides of the House.

On the question of social security, Baveghems told parliament that many persons continue to suffer, even though they are recipients of the government “stipend”.

She described a scenario involving a single-parent mother who has to employ strange methods to ensure that her children receive a meal on a daily basis.

“She looks at the TV programme of death announcement and goes to the wake nearest to where she lives. She then is able to get food from the wake for herself and children for the next couple of days.

Sometimes this is a nightly activity for her,” Baveghems explained.

She spoke of the country’s nurses, whose plight she said is worrying.

The opposition Member of Parliament is of the view that if Guyana continues to pay meagre salaries to its nurses, it will continue to lose

them by the dozens and the health care system in Guyana will remain in a deplorable state.

“Perhaps some of the members of the government side of this House should go to the emergency section of the Georgetown Hospital in disguise and they will experience firsthand what Guyanese citizens experience daily,” Baveghems said.

According to Baveghems, so serious is the situation, that some private hospitals have resorted to recruiting nurses from overseas.

“One hospital has imported some from India and they can’t speak proper English, so the patients are at the mercy of these nurses who can’t communicate properly with them,” she noted.

Baveghems said that while the Finance Minister boasts how much money he has allocated to the health sector, there is still a lot that needs to be done to bring it up to an acceptable level.

distribution of the wealth that the economy acquired for all the years while the Champion of the Earth was championing economic growth?

Guyana’s teachers must be the worst paid in the region, and maybe our nurses too. Our only university, we are told, may not survive.

And who said that? The retiring Vice-Chancellor, who comes from Trinidad, and has not an ounce of antigovernment poison in him.

We are promised the benefits of this stupendous growth rate, but GuySuCo is cutting back horribly and cane cutters are taking home less in 2012? Something must be terribly wrong with a country that has money yet most of its school buildings are in a dilapidated shape. Go and visit any school – nursery, primary, secondary or even tertiary – anywhere in Guyana, and the outer face of the structure tells a sad story of hard times.

Strange, we seem to be getting wealthy while our neigbhours stagnate, but our carpenters, joiners, masons, labourers and clerks, among other categories, are heading for the shores of any CARICOM territory that will accept them.

One of the most depressing moments I had over the past two years was when I visited Ithaca. I first

Frederick Kissoon went there with Walter Rodney and a WPA contingent in the late seventies and didn’t go back until 2010. Ithaca is the same – there are no street lights, no signs of development.

If Guyana got wealthier during Mr. Jagdeo’s twelve years of hegemony, then the earth stood still in Ithaca under the Champion. Now I heard in the budget debate that the drinking water the people of Ithaca are getting is darker than amber.

So where did the money go the past twelve years?

There hasn’t been a year in which public sector workers went beyond seven percent increase. Not to be deterred, the Ministers and the PPP Parliamentarians, as the budget debate continues, will look into the NCN cameras and tell the nation how rich we are and that we are the Brunei of the Caribbean.

What they mean is that we are the brunelia of the Caribbean.

In botany, brunelia is a flower whose capacity to reproduce is extremely difficult.

Dem boys seh...

Jagdeo ain’t got shame Some people get ketch and is de hydroclave mek dem get ketch. Dem claim how dem spend US$1.5 million and how because de World Bank check everything clean. Dem boys know that de World Bank people crookish too.

De hydroclave contract was fuh US$950,000. De Georgetown Hospital tell we that but dem also tell dem boys that dem didn’t know nutten bout de whole hydroclave programme. Dem lie because when dem get ketch dem release some information that only people who know bout de thing coulda talk.

Is suh people hear how de contract was fuh how much.

But de story get more sweet. When de boys look dem see thiefing all round. De hospital talk how it build a shed fuh $60 million. When dem look at de shed it couldn’t cost even half of that. Leslie was de Minister and he had nuff friends in de Hospital. De contractor and de people at de hospital was friends too.

Well de things getting hot because all of a sudden people running and hiding. Dem stop answering questions and one of dem trying fuh mek up de books.

De thing is that all this happen when de Rat was President. Money share. But dem boys seh that wha sweet in people mouth does be bitter in dem tail. Dem talk sweet and dem clapping hydro pun people. Jagdeo giving old people hydro too. He got dem drinking water when dem hungry. Every old people is now a mini hydro because dem full of water.

Wha mek dem tun hydro is de $13 a day wha dem get while he tekking $100,000 day. Guyana is full of hydro. It got hydroclave, and nuff old people wid hydro seed. Jagdeo ain’t got shame though. He walking proud but de amount of money he got to fetch can mek he and all get a hydro.

That is when dem boys gun pelt he and not fuh knock he anywhere else suh that he must always remember that old people got to get respect. Every brick gun mek he remember.

Talk half. Respect de other half.

Friday April 13, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 11

Guyana Law Association (UK) presents UNDP amplifies winning more books to AG’s Chambers environmental sustainability strategy

Brian Horne of Guyana Law Association in the UK (far left) and Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General Anil Nandlall (second left), with other officials following the presentation.

The Attorney General’s Chambers of the Ministry of Legal Affairs received a quantity of legal texts from the Guyana Law Association in the United Kingdom.

Brian Horne who made the donation on behalf of the Association said, “It is my privilege to be here and to be able to hand over these books to the Attorney General…I hope that I might be in the position to do more than this in due course…the association undertakes and will continue to support Guyana in any way.”

The books contain information which provides extensive knowledge about the legal practices in the UK, and as such, Guyanese practitioners will be able to have updated guidance on

varying aspects of law.

Horne said that the book donation resulted from a meeting with then Chancellor Justice Desiree Bernard some ten years ago.

Since then law books valued at more than £2M have been donated to Guyana, either to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions or to the AG’s Chambers.

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall in receiving the donation remarked that it is an invaluable one.

“It is a well known saying that a lawyer’s most important asset is his books…we have received a number of very important volumes which we are grateful for. This is not their first contribution and I

hope that it will not be their last. We have been the beneficiary of several donations over the years of very important books which have been a welcome addition to our library, and have been of tremendous help to the lawyers working in the Chambers,” Minister Nandlall said.

The engagement was started by the then Chancellor of the Judiciary Desiree Bernard several years ago.

Nandlall also recognised the input of the Guyana High Commissioner in London who plays a pivotal role in organising the donations and lends his offices to the Association for them to host meetings to plan ways in which they can assist Guyana. (GINA)

Concerns that girls vaccinated against the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) would not safeguard themselves during sexual intercourse, against other sexually transmitted diseases, owing to inadequate public education about the vaccine, were raised last Tuesday in the National Assembly.

According to A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament, Dr. George Norton, “Lack of proper public education about this vaccine can cause persons to believe that the vaccine protects them from other STDs and they will not use the appropriate protection or get the necessary testing to safeguard themselves.”

Dr. Norton in his presentation said there are serious issues with regards to this vaccine and the vaccination campaign, which was launched on January 10

at East La Penitence Health Centre.

The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine was introduced to arrest the potential impact of women contracting cervical cancer.

According to Dr. Norton, the Health Ministry should provide the Guyanese public with sufficient information so that they could weigh the risks and benefits associated with the vaccine.

“This must be done, even if it means taking up the offer made by Dr. Chowdhury, Dean of the Greenheart Medical University here in Georgetown, who said he is prepared to work with the Ministry of Health to educate the nation.”

He noted that the Director of Maternal and Child Health had related that from since 2001, the Ministry began information-sharing and discussions with parents and guardians of the targeted

schools.

“But the questions are asked.What kind of information has been provided? Has prior and informed consent been sought? When and where were public discussions held?”

The introduction of this vaccine was picketed by a number of women, including a vibrant non-governmental orrganization, to halt the campaign. However, their calls were not heeded.

Health Minister, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran, called the group “a political fringe masquerading as an NGO”.

Dr. Norton enlightened that there are some who believe that the vaccination is unnecessary and could be dangerous to life and are openly opposed to its use in Guyana. It was suggested that the Ministry should promote preventative (Continued on page 12)

APNU urges more public education on HPV vaccine

A winning strategy for the environment that can lend to human development is one where governments, civil society, private sector actors and development partners are able to create approaches that integrate environmental sustainability and equity, while at the same time promoting human development.

This notion has been amplified by the United Nations Development Programme through its Human Development Report 2011.

It has been outlined in the report that effective solutions must be context-specific.

However, the report notes that it is important, nonetheless, to consider local and national experiences that show potential, and recognise principles that apply across contexts.

At the local level it was noted that “we stress the need for inclusive institutions; and at the national level, the scope for the scaling up of successful innovations and policy reform.”

In recognition of the fact that the policy agenda is vast, the report speaks of the need to inspire debates and actions, even as it alludes to access to modern energy.

In fact, it has been noted that while energy is central to human development, some 1.5 million people worldwide

– more than one in five – lack electricity. Among the multidimensionally poor, the deprivations are much greater, that is, one in three lacks access. The report outlines too that there are many promising prospects for expanding access without a heavy environmental toll.

Among these are off-grid decentralised options that are technically feasible for delivering energy services to poor households and can be financed and delivered with minimal impact on climate. It has been deduced, too, that providing basic modern energy services for all would increase carbon dioxide emissions by only an estimated 0.8 per cent.

The report reveals that global energy supply reached a tipping point in 2010, with renewable energy accounting for 25 per cent of global power capacity and delivering more than 18 per cent of global electricity.

However, it has been noted that the real challenge is to expand access at a scale and speed that will improve the lives of poor women and men, now and in the future.

According to the report, the large disparities across people, groups and countries

that add to the large and growing environmental threats, pose massive policy challenges. However, there is cause for optimism, as the Report adds that in many respects the conditions today are more conducive to progress than ever, given innovative policies and initiatives in some parts of the world.

“Taking the debate further entails bold thinking, especially on the eve of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development and the dawn of the post2015 era. The Report in fact advances a new vision for promoting human development through the joint lens of sustainability and equity.

“At the local and national level, we stress the need to bring equity to the forefront of policy and programme design and to exploit the potential multiplier effects of greater empowerment in legal and political arenas.”

At the global level, we highlight the need to devote more resources to pressing environmental threats and to boost the equity and representation of disadvantaged countries and groups in accessing finance.”

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Page 12

Kaieteur News

Friday April 13, 2012

APNU’s Backer urges recall of Lall, Gajraj

By Gary Eleazar In her first presentation as Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs Minister, Deborah Backer, of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), has urged the government to immediately recall Kellawan Lall and Ronald Gajraj, its Ambassadors in Brazil and India respectively, and replace them with “competent, highly skilled and experienced diplomats,” taking into account the importance of the two nations in the global trade arena.

There was particular reference to the economic significance of the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa).

Backer said that as it relates to the preparedness of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its pursuit of Trade and Investment, “given the global economic rearrangement that has seen the emergence of the BRICS

…laments Rohee’s systematic destruction of Foreign Service countries and other emerging nations, APNU believes that it is imperative that our missions in Brazil and India be headed by our most accomplished and highly qualified diplomats who can take a lead role in encouraging trade and investment in Guyana.”

The Attorney and Former Shadow Home Affairs Minister, Backer told the Speaker in her address that, “Sir, by no stretch of imagination can the words accomplished and highly qualified’ be attributed to either High Commissioner Kellawan Lall or Ronald Gajraj.”

As such she said that APNU is demanding that the government quickly remove and replace the envoys at the two missions which she said “are too critical to be used as

rewards for party loyalists who performed poorly in Guyana.”

She said that in the Finance Minister’s Budget presentation, Dr Ashni Singh spoke of the promotion of trade and industry which is listed as a priority focus of the government’s foreign policy, with the primary strategies being the strengthening of bilateral relations with countries with whom we have had traditional ties and are fostering new strategic alliances, with some focus on enhancing economic and social links with our neighbours.

She said that upon hearing this from the Minister the question that immediately springs to mind is “has our Ministry of Foreign affairs through our overseas missions and its staff at

Ambassador to India Ronald Gajraj

APNU’s Deborah Backer

Takuba Lodge been prepared for this most critical task?”

Backer said that it is an undeniable fact that when the PPP/C took office in October 1992, the Mi n i s t r y o f Foreign Affairs was staffed w i t h h i g h l y q u a l i f ied diplomats at the overseas missions and Guyana ‘s Foreign Service was “the envy of our CARICOM sister

countries and those further afield.”

The Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister as she made her presentation said that while it is not her intention to dwell on the past, it is worthwhile to note “the removal by the PPP/C administration of 69 Ministry of Foreign Affairs staff, including High

Ambassador to Brazil Kellawan Lall Commissioners and Ambassadors within months of assuming office, resulted in the near destruction of this most important ministry.”

She said that this purge or beheading was conducted by none other than the then Foreign Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, and called it a systematic destruction of the Foreign Service.

APNU urges more public...

(From page 11) measures that take into account nutrition and socioeconomic conditions and lifestyles.

However, Dr. Norton’s comments did not go down well with Government’s side of the House. People’s Progressive Party/Civic Parliamentarian, Dr. Vindya Persaud during her maiden presentation, on Wednesday evening, shot back at Dr. Norton, accusing him of “presenting Guyana with half truths and distortions”.

Dr. Persaud pointed out

that as a female and a medical doctor she totally disagrees with Dr. Norton’s standpoint on the HPV vaccine. She confided that she would hate to have to tell her daughter and countless young women in the future “when they reach in their 30s and have cervical cancer, that it happened because this (vaccine) was stopped”.

Dr. Persaud stated that cervical cancer is the second most common cause of death among women in the world and is one of the leading causes of death among

women in Guyana.

She argued that if Dr. Norton researches various literature, he would see reputable health entities listing the benefits of the HPV vaccine, Gardasil, which Guyana uses to cover four strains of the HPV. According to Dr. Norton, the money utilised for this ambitious campaign could have been invested in “so many other pressing public health issues such as mental illness, alcohol and drug abuse, and domestic violence”.

Friday April 13, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 13

Regent Street fire ‘highly Guyana to finally cash-in suspicious,’ probe almost complete on Norway Funds

By Gary Eleazar More than three years after signing a Memorandum of Understanding for support in the form of some US$250M with the Kingdom of Norway, the Guyana Government is now on the threshold of accessing and spending the delivered tranches of this money.

Now that Guyana has satisfied the rigid criteria - the money deposited by the Kingdom of Norway, some US$70M, of which US$30M has been deposited into the Guyana Redd Plus Investment Fund (GRIF) - the country now has an access that once proved elusive.

Minister Robert Persaud yesterday during his 2012 Budget debate presentation announced that Guyana is on the threshold of spending on projects from this account.

Persaud said that his colleague Minister of Finance Dr Ashni Singh, was on the cusp of inking an agreement for expenditure from that GRIF Fund.

This publication has been reliably informed that the two projects that have been approved related to Institutional strengthening project (OCC, GFC, PMO) and a Micro and Small Enterprise and building an alternative livelihood project.

“We are on the threshold,” said Persaud even as he announced that other projects are destined for the GRIF Steering Committee for approval.

The MOU was signed on November 18, 2009 but

Guyana was never able to access the money to spend.

This angered former President Bharrat Jagdeo and on several occasions he had choice words for the World Bank.

Jagdeo was even labeled the “cuss down” President after he had verbally attacked the World Bank for refusing approval to access monies placed in the account.

In July last year, Jagdeo said that it has been a “nightmare” to unlock the funds from the World Bank.

The “tools” being used by the banks do not allow for easy disbursement, he added.

According to Jagdeo, a committee was set up to see how the World Bank is managing the so-called Guyana REDD Investment Fund.

The World Bank and the IDB are treating the money as grant financing, and “grants come in dribbles” and a lot of the money goes back to pay consultants, etc, Jagdeo had said.

“This is our money that we earned,” he declared. “It’s not the World Bank’s money; it is not the IDB’s money.”

The election of Donald Ramotar as Head of State fostered some optimism, as was repeated by Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr Roger Luncheon, who had said that there is a renewed sense of hope for an acceleration of the process under Ramotar’s Presidency.

He said too that there is a commitment on the part of the administration to have a transparent and accountable

mechanism put in place for accessing the funds.

Dr Luncheon lamented that the collaboration between the partners in ensuring that a proper mechanism is agreed to has not been properly defined to bring closure in order for Guyana to start spending the money.

The partners that Dr Luncheon spoke of are the World Bank, Inter-American Development Bank and the United Nations Development Fund.

“There are still outstanding issues, it is an annoying, frustrating exercise and has caused us not to access money that is Guyana’s money.”

Dr Luncheon said that the administration is on record as saying that, the normal engagement between governments, donors and grant providers does not apply in this case as it relates to the expenditure of the money from the Kingdom of Norway.

He said that the regular rules that apply should not be allowed to determine the nature of the engagement, when in this case, the money belongs to Guyana.

Dr Luncheon said that as it relates to grants and loans, the Guyana Government accepts that there must be certain stipulations and criteria attached.

“But this is our money…we have earned this money and we have difficulties in continuing to see frustration along the way.”

Investigators are close to compiling a report concerning the fire which ravaged a Regent Street business property two Saturdays ago, with a top fire official hinting that the probe team suspects arson.

“This one is highly suspicious; we will close the file shortly,” Chief Fire Officer Marlon Gentle told Kaieteur News yesterday while declining to go into details.

The fire destroyed the Jaigobin Building, which housed several businesses, including Dalip Variety, Akash People’s Variety Store, Prakash Discount Store and Monty Smart Choice Store.

Kaieteur News had reported that persons linked to the building were at the centre of a High Court case over ownership of the property.

One relative explained that there is a “rift” between the four siblings—three sisters and a brother—-who own the property.

But the relative insisted that none of the siblings had any ill feelings over the proceedings, and stated that the matter is before a High Court judge merely to ensure that the will is properly probated.

Fire Chief Gentle said that the Fire Service received a telephone call around 05:35hrs two Sundays ago, from a male stating that he saw flames in the building. Gentle said that the units responded immediately, two from the Central Fire Station and one from Alberttown.

He said that when the units arrived, thick smoke and

- Chief Fire Officer flames were seen in Dalip’s Variety Store, which is located on the upper floor of the building.

According to the Fire Chief, the building was heavily grilled and contained shutters, which initially hampered the work of the fire fighters.

He further told the media that the building had a variety of items inside, such as batteries, aerosols, plastics and clothing, all of which would have fuelled the blaze.

The Fire Chief said that it took very little time for the flames to consume the wooden structure.

Gentle said that as the fire threat was raised, a second alarm went out and two other units were dispatched to the scene, one from West Ruimveldt and the other from Campbellville.

He explained that firefighters used the heavy capacity hose-laying lorry which brought up water from the North Road Canal to the building.

Gentle added that the Fire Service had to put up with two security barriers which caused a delay.

He said that he could not risk sending men into a building which had heavy smoke, adding that one needed to take the firefighters’ safety into account before they committed to entering the site.

Owner of Dalip’s Variety, Dalip Murjani had told

Kaieteur News that he received a call sometime after 05:00 hrs. He said that he brushed off the call as a “joke”, but nevertheless went to his store.

He had blamed the firefighters for what he described as a poor job of containing the fire and estimated his losses at millions of dollars.

Kaieteur News was told that several bags containing money were also found in the stores.

Another store owner, Vivekanand Gansham, told Kaieteur News that he too received a telephone call sometime after 05:00 hrs and immediately went to the store.

“The building was on fire….the smoke was really thick.”

He told Kaieteur News that the original owner for the property died several years ago, but his sister Vidoushi Ramkarran rented out the building. This newspaper was told that none of the businesses had any insurance policies.

Page 14

Eighteen-year-old Osafo Johnson was yesterday back in court, this time before Magistrate Allan Wilson to answer to two counts of robbery with an offensive weapon.

The teen who has already made several court appearances pleaded not guilty to robbing two women at knifepoint while they were on Water Street in Georgetown. The charge alleged that on April 9 at the said location, Johnson used a knife to rob Ormi Roberts of a Nokia Cellphone, cash and a hand bag – a total value of $29,500.

He was further charged for a robbery committed against Marcel Roth, from whom a BlackBerry cell phone, cash and a hand bag was stolen, valued at $165,000.

Defence Attorney George Thomas made an appearance for Johnson who he said was 18 years old and had no previous convictions.

Thomas said that Johnson lives at 708 East La Penitence.

Georgetown, and he made a bail application for the teen and submitted that his client was prepared to accept any conditions imposed by the court and that he was not a flight risk since he is ready to ventilate the charges laid against him.

Kaieteur News

Osafo Johnson Police prosecutor Gordon Mansfield did not object to bail, but requested conditions from the court.

The Magistrate then ordered that Johnson report to the Brickdam Police Station every Monday. He was also granted bail to the tune of $15,000 for the alleged robbery of Roberts while for the alleged offence against Roth, bail was set at $25,000.

Johnson was given May 3 to return to court.

In 2010 Johnson was shot twice in the back by police ranks who subsequent to that, tossed the teen into the lock ups. The man was fingered as an affiliate of then wanted man ‘Cobra.’

The police said that as

Relative concerned...

(From page 3) that you just put somewhere and leave them, these are people just like me and you...”

Reports emanating from persons close to the prison service have indicated that this is not an isolated situation as there are a number of other inmates who are not afforded essential medical care.

“I am asking anyone to put yourself in such a situation...when you are free you have many options to get a toothache taken care of, but when you are in prison you are at the mercy of the prison officials,” the relative lamented.

As such, the relative, who is fearful that Morgan’s pain will develop into an unbearable and untreatable condition, is calling on the relevant authorities to direct attention to the situation.

“I know there are still some persons working right at the prison with a heart, so I am begging that they do the good, humanly thing, and help the inmates who need medical attention.”

they tried to apprehend the man, he opened fire on them and sought to escape resulting in the police’s use of force.

Prior to yesterday’s matter, Johnson had made other appearances at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court where he faced charges of wounding and other petty robberies. When Johnson was shot by the police they had claimed that the man was wanted for a number of armed robberies and that he was further needed for questioning in relation to a murder.

Johnson’s father, Dexter Johnson, had also suffered from gunshot wounds where he was reportedly shot by two young men as he pushed his motorcycle along a dam in East La Penitence. Twenty seven-year-old Shaka Chase and 18-year-old Keon Niles were both asked to post bail in the sum of $300,000. The matter was however put on hold when Johnson senior reportedly refused to give evidence against the two accused. The matter is still to be completed.

Coupled with that, in late December, Johnson’s mother Sandra Williams was fined $100,000 for shoplifting 1800 grams Milex powdered milk from Nirva Supermarket, Sheriff Street. She had appeared before then Magistrate Fazil Azeez who had fined the woman $25,000 more than her accomplice since the Magistrate said “I remember you”.

Azeez had told the woman that it was not the first time that she had been coming to the court for matters of that nature. She was charged jointly with Amanda Duncan who was fined $75,000 for the crime.

Williams had hidden the large tin of milk underneath her skirt while her accomplice had her tin in her hand bag.

The women sought to escape via a waiting taxi. They were nabbed by the security guard and a Guyanese born, exmarine officer from the United States.

Friday April 13, 2012

…akin to Granger dangling ‘Sword of Damocles’ - Teixeira

James McAllister

Gail Teixeira

David Granger

Presidential Advisor on Governance and Chief Whip for the People’s Progressive Party /Civic Gail Teixeira says that the independence of the ranks in the 10-party coalition of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) will be muzzled by the Opposition Leader.

She was at the time expounding on the fact that the Leader of the Opposition David Granger holds the proverbial ‘Sword of Damocles’ over the Members of Parliament from the other nine parties and that they will have to ‘toe the line’ when it comes to their presentations in the House.

Granger emerged as the Presidential Candidate of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) in the run up to the 28 Regional and General Elections, but was also made presidential candidate of the 10-party coalition, APNU. It was pointed out that each of the members of the APNU coalition would have entered with an individual ideology but will have to stay true to the PNCR’s agenda or be subject to the recall legislation which leaves a party at the mercy of its list representative.

Teixeira reminded that the recall legislation is based on political party unity, and hinged on the Proportional Representation (PR) system.

She said that in the absence of a PR system which resorts to ‘first past the post’ then it would be up

to the electorate to recall a Member of Parliament, “because it’s the individual going up even on a party name.”

Teixeira told this publication that in Guyana’s case where there is the PR system there is the recall option.

This, she said, is something that the People’s Progressive Party had been advocating for, given the high rate of persons “jumping ship” and crossing over to the PNCR while it was in power.

She said that it is ironic that when the PNCR began to have its internal problems “they were very anxious to bring recall legislation.”

Teixeira opined that any alliance, such as in the case with APNU, “will have those issues to confront…it is the head of the list that calls for the recall.”

She drew reference to a point which was raised by former Speaker Ralph Ramkarran on the issue of recall.

Raphael Trotman is the speaker of the House and he is also the list representative for the Alliance for Change, meaning that in the current configuration, should the AFC want to recall one of its MPs, then Trotman as leader of the list will essentially have to indicate the move to himself as Speaker of the House.

She says that in terms of muzzling, each party has its own way of addressing

discipline, but it is even more complicated in an alliance such as APNU. “Yes I think it can (muzzle) especially if you are dependent on the alliance for your seat in Parliament.”

Teixeira reminded that individually some of the parties in APNU’s alliance would not have been able to secure a seat in the House.

She did caution that while muzzle might be a strong word to describe the potential of the recall legislation “at least it would keep them in line.”

The Alliance for Change is on record as saying that had it won the Executive Presidency it would have repealed the recall legislation supported by the PNCR and PPP/C. The Party leader touted greater accountability of the Parliamentarians to his constituents.

To date, James McCallister, formerly of the People’s National Congress Reform, has been the only victim of the recall legislation after the then Opposition Leader Robert Corbin had declared that the party had lost confidence in McCallister and asked that the seat be vacated.

While the PNCR constitutes the largest bloc of APNU, there are members from other parties such as Keith Scott of the National Front Alliance and Maipaul Sharma of the Justice For All Party and Desmond Trotman of the Working People’s Alliance among others.

Friday April 13, 2012

La Parfaite fatal fire…

Kaieteur News

Page 15

Candle in plastic container caused blaze - Fire Chief What remains of the upper flat of the building

Fire officials (at right of photo) conducting investigations yesterday

A

burning candle in a plastic receptacle c a u s e d Wednesday night’s fire which claimed the lives of two small children at La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara.

C h i e f F i r e O ff i c e r Marlon Gentle made this disclosure yesterday, while revealing that the candle was placed on a bookshelf in the children’s bedroom.

“The candle was resting in a plastic receptacle and the flames caught the books,” he said.

According to the Fire Chief, investigators were told that one of the children lit the candle because the bulbs in the room had not been working for about two weeks.

Reports indicate that one of the children had put out the candle, but another child lit it again. Gentle lamented the fact that no adult was at home at the time to supervise

them.

“We forever preach ‘don’t leave children at home’.”

Ten-year-old Andrea James and her six-year-old cousin, Alonzo Douglas, perished in the fire which consumed the property located at Lot 689 Middle Dam, La Parfait Harmonie.

Delon Douglas, eight, Brian Douglas, 10, and sixyear-old Andre Douglas escaped by smashing windows and jumping from the burning building. They sustained minor burns, bruises and scratches.

According to initial reports, the five children were home alone when the fire started in the upper flat of the three-bedroom structure on Wednesday night.

Kaieteur News understands two of the children were in a bedroom when the fire started while another was in the bathroom.

One of the children said the

flames spread quickly, leaving them with no time to open the doors to the side stairs leading to the yard.

“I break the windows and tell them to jump through,” said a still-shaken Delon Douglas recounted.

However, only the three boys managed to jump to s a f e t y. A n d r e a J a m e s panicked after the flames kept her away from the broken window and she retreated to the rooms.

“She was on the verandah and at the time only a lady was in the yard when the fire started and the lady keep telling she jump and she just run back inside the house and she never come back out,” a neighbour said.

Six-year-old Alonzo Douglas, who was set to celebrate his birthday next month, was also trapped in the blaze.

One fire tender was on the scene but there was not much that could be done.

Fire Chief Gentle said that the fire service received their first call at 20:22 hrs.

He said that firefighters from the West Ruimveldt Fire Station were “the closest” and were the first to respond.

“They got there within 18 minutes, but by then it was all over,” Gentle said.

When Kaieteur News visited the area yesterday, Roxanne Douglas, the home owner, was still in shock as she tried to grapple with the deaths of her nephew and niece and the loss of her property.

Ms. Douglas and her

three nephews were forced to spend the night at a friend.

She disclosed that the Guyana Relief Council is offering her shelter, and added that she has received tremendous support from family members and persons in her community.

This publication was also told that A Partnership for N a t i o n a l U n i t y representatives visited the family and offered assistance. Douglas said that she has been caring for her niece for the past ten years, after her mother died and left the girl and her

brother. She said that the nephew who perished had been living with her for the past two years. There have been six other major fires within the past 11 days.

They include the April 1 blaze which razed a Regent Street building housing several businesses; a second at Berbice, two on the East Coast of Demerara; another at Agricola caused by a child playing with matches; yet another which destroyed stalls at the Stabroek Bazaar, and the sixth which razed a home at Latchmansingh Street, Tucville.

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Kaieteur News

Friday April 13, 2012

Friday April 13, 2012

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Friday April 13, 2012

Caribbean sustainable tourism conference opens here this weekend

T

he 13th annual Caribbean Conference on Sustainable To u r i s m D e v e l o p m e n t opening here this weekend will expose tourism industry stakeholders to considerable expertise from Caribbean and international organisations, companies and institutions.

The April 15-18 event has an impressive line-up of speakers from across the Caribbean including Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Bermuda and the host country, as well as international experts from several countries.

Close to 200 tourism specialists and media representatives are expected to participate in the threeday forum organised by the C a r i b b e a n To u r i s m Organisation (CTO). With the theme “Keeping the Right Balance: Sustaining Our Resources” the Conference is a forum for discussion on how to design

and implement sustainable tourism policies and programs.

CTO Secretary-General Hugh Riley says the organization has been using more Caribbean expertise at the annual forum because there is a wealth of knowledge and experience in the region.

Among the presenters at the three-day conference is Leonard Nurse, who is the current chairman of the board of governors of the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre, headquartered in Belize.

He is a former director, Coastal Zone Management Unit, and permanent secretary in the Barbados Ministry of the Environment.

Nurse, who is also a senior lecturer in the Centre for Resources Management and Environmental Studies (CERMES) at the University of the West Indies Cave Hill campus, will serve on the panel in the general session

of the conference on “Climate Change Adaptation, Reducing the Vulnerability of Caribbean Tourism Infrastructure”.

Another Barbados-based speaker at the sustainable tourism forum is Ena Harvey, who will lead the workshop on “Agro and Culinary Tourism – Getting to the Next Level”. She is the management coordinator of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation in Agriculture (IICA).

Harvey is passionate about linking agriculture with tourism and over the past ten years, she has been s p e a r h e a d i n g I I C A’ s initiative in Agrotourism linkages while serving as the representative of IICA’s office in Barbados and the hemispheric specialist in agrotourism.

Also participating in STC 13 here is Charles Brown, director of the Department of Sustainable Development in Bermuda’s Ministry of the

Environment, Planning and Infrastructure.

For the past four years, he has been building a platform for the government and people of Bermuda to effectively implement the recommendations contained in the government’s fiveyear sustainable strategy and implementation plan.

Guyanese specialists involved in the conference include Shyam Nokta, adviser to the president and head, Office of Climate Change (OCC) in the Office of the President, Guyana.

The OCC is responsible for coordinating Guyana’s response to climate change and implementing Guyana’s low carbon development strategy (LCDS).

The list of presenters includes Annette ArjoonMartins, who chairs the Mangrove Restoration Project, which seeks the commitment of Guyanese towards the protection and development of sustainable mangrove forests. The threeyear project focuses on administrative capacity development, research, community development and capacity building, mangrove restoration (replanting), and monitoring and awareness and education.

Arjoon-Martins has also become synonymous with the Guyana Marine Turtle Conservation Society, one of the first and most successful conservation NGOs established in Guyana. She will be a panellist for the workshop on “Climate Change Adaption Educating and Innovating for Tourism Sustainability.”

Another specialist leading this session is Dr Maya A Trotz, an associate professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of South Florida.

Former director of the Guyana Tourism Authority, Donald Sinclair, who is now the coordinator for tourism, transport, infrastructure and communication at the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization, headquartered in Brasilia, will also, be sharing his experience at STC 13.

Delegates to STC 13 will also benefit from the expertise of Antonio del Rosal, executive director for Latin America of Adventure Tr a v e l A s s o c i a t i o n i n Mexico. He will be conducting a workshop on strategic marketing for sustainable adventure travel.

Friday April 13, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 19

Budget needs to be reworked

A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) parliamentarian, Ronald Bulkan, has pointed out that while the Government continues to implore that this year’s whopping $192.8M national budget be passed, there is much work left to be done by the opposition parties.

During day two of the budgetary debates (Wednesday), Bulkan explained that although many Government officials are/will continue to “regale” the opposition with much data suggesting that the country is on the right path and that much progress has been achieved in recent years, the opposition will not sit idly by and allow such an exuberant sum to be passed without their involvement.

He alluded to the speakers who “sought to lecture” during their budget presentations and stated that Member of Parliament, Reverend Kwame Gilbert, was the most pointed.

“According to him we must put aside political posturing and pontification and pass the budget. He urges passage in its entirety.

This is not what we, members of the opposition are here for and this is not what the majority of citizens who voted at the last general elections want.

“We were not sent here to be appendages, to rubber stamp any and everything presented by the Government…So regarding the budget, it will have to be reworked, we will have to bring out the scissors to excise inappropriate spending, cut out waste, etc,” said Bulkan.

The APNU Parliamentarian continued to say that while the Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, made his budget presentation he lacked the “self assuredness” that was usually displayed in earlier sittings of Parliament.

“I was also told of that very quality being characteristic of his previous budget presentations and that was noticeably missing.

This is instructive and it tells a story I believe. It suggests to me that the Honourable Minister at heart does not

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believe the optimism he sought to project in his presentation,” Bulkan explained.

He posited that there were many valid and underlying reasons which would be responsible for the lack of belief in many of the “rosy statements proffered” however, Bulkan suggested that it was the “illegitimacy” of the process itself that caused the Minister to lose the conviction which is usually present in his contributions.

“The illegitimacy to which I refer has to do with the Government’s rejection of the will of the people as expressed in the elections

Regional Development, Bulkan stated that the total budgetary allocation for Region Eight (Potaro/ Siparuni) is $823,688,000 with current expenditure amounting to $681,425,000 while the capital expenditure was $142,263,000.

The Opposition representative compared this figure to a number of projects undertaken by Government that have been suggested as a waste of large sums of money.

“Let us ignore for the time being the fact that the paltry sum of $142M is allocated for total capital expenditure in this entire Region, a sum that is less than 1/3 of what has

“We were not sent here to be appendages, to rubber stamp any and everything presented by the Government” 28th November, 2011 which calls for consensus Government. While it is true that we, the combined opposition, now have the opportunity and the power to agree to or to recommend modifications or to reject outright individual measures, how much better it would have been if consensus was sought before bringing these proposals to this House.”

While focusing on

been spent so far on a building a few corners due south of where we are, a building that threatens to be decrepit and derelict before it has ever been used and we get a sense of the misplaced and cruel priorities of this Government.”

He stated that the opposition is aware that the sum of $310M (Capital project number 31) is being sought for modification of a

- APNU’s Bulkan building, purchase of furniture and equipment and provision for institutional strengthening for the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).

The total project cost is given at $654M and according to the documents, apart from the modification of a building which location has not been given, the project provides for a diagnostic study of the trade transaction environment in Guyana in order to implement the single window automated processing system, said Bulkan.

“Another $300M is to be set aside for the Skeldon Sugar Factory and this is apart from the $4B injection, $60Mfor upgrading of playgrounds (Capital project 33) with the executing agency being Ministry of Finance and not local democratic organs, and another $100M for capital project 34, for which all we are told is that it is for strengthening public financial management and financial sector reform.”

According to Bulkan, the $142M total capital expenditure for Region Eight is less than half of what has recently been announced to be spent to repair roads in Mocha, East Bank Demerara.

“I hope the repairs are not like the repairs to roads in

Lusignan that were done on the eve of last November’s elections. Recently I was in Lusignan and these very roads are back to being full of craters and potholes. Waste, incompetence, corruption.”

He explained that the point he wished to make was that $823M is the total allocation for Region Eight and of this amount, the sum of $172M is for health services, made up of $137.6M for current expenditure and $34.5M for capital expenditure.

In his address, Bulkan further explained that much work is to be done in reviewing this year ’s budgetary presentation to ensure that the country as a whole benefits.

In some regions, the health services are limited and there is even a lack of drugs due to the small allocations, meanwhile in some areas, too much money is being spent and wasted.

“There is a lot of tomfoolery in this budget. $235 million is budgeted for something called the Competitiveness Programme.

The total project cost is given at $1.8B, of which $891M has previously been spent. This project we are told is designed to improve the competitiveness of

APNU’s Ronald Bulkan businesses and to enhance exports “The forestry sector is in shambles, having regressed to primary production. Very little value added production… log exports now dominate the sector. In manufacturing it is no different, and it is the same in the sugar industry. Fishing is down 5.3%, therefore the economy is structurally unbalanced and it remains driven by primary production.”

While Government has themed this year’s budget to begin with the words ‘Remaining on Course”, Bulkan deems a more appropriate title to be “Cash for Cronies and Contractors.”

Page 20

Kaieteur News

Friday April 13, 2012

Arti Cameron is almost ready for Miss World 2012

T

he Miss World Pageant is slated for Ordos, Inner Mongolia, China on August 18, 2012 and Guyana's Beauty ambassador, Arti Cameron, is preparing with each pasing day to make history this time around.

As part of her preparation Cameron will be part of a tour to promote the upcoming Bikini Under the Bridge 2012 Fashion Show slated for July 8, 2012.

That event has featured creation from Guyanese designer Roger Gary who has been rubbing shoulders with scores of International Designers.

This year it will include Arti wearing a red outfit designed by Guyanese Michelle Cole of

COLEFACTS. The event dubbed Irie Fashion Rave takes over New York City with the host being Sports illustrated swimsuit Cover Model Carla Campbell on April 22, 2012, where the baddest international Models are slated to take over the runway and the special Guest Model, Oraine Barrett, will be in attendance and patrons are being promised a taste of the Caribbean tropic!

When queries were made of her USA based team regarding their communication with the local committee regarding the way forward they reported that Arti is in communication with Aletha Shepherd since Mr. Carwyn ( Miss Guyana world local coordinator) made a big announcement that he had handed over Arti's preparations to Aletha.

The preliminary documentation has started for the Miss World. However we understand that Arti is not on the Miss World website as yet. The last time she was but still ended up not going.

Explaining Arti's participating in the Bikini Under the Bridge 2012 event, an inside source says it provides the opportunity for her to make a bit of money through ticket sales.

It should be noted that any sum she makes goes directly as a contribution to her wardrobe for Miss World but she is still a far way from having enough cash for that wardrobe which is largely being done by Michelle Cole.

Cole will be expanding the line items and efforts would be made to ask persons to sponsor pieces for Arti.

Amidst all this, Arti is holding strong and continues her physical preparation-gym work.

She is a few lines lighter than when she did the Miss Guyana World pageant and her team is now shifting her body shaping from nice strong muscles that kept her in good health to more lean muscles as the pageant nears.

For the one month she will be spending in China-- as against the much shorter period the Miss World contestants spent in London last year -the rough estimate for her in cost is currently US$10,000 according to Michelle Cole.

She will be working towards cutting this down the best way she knows.

Anyone wishing to sponsor a particular piece of Arti's wardrobe can contact Michelle Cole through Facebook.

Boat Cruise from Parika to Bartica J Stress Boat Cruise is around the corner and this time it is going from Parika to Bartica. od On Sunday 29th April, the DJ Stress Bollywo M 9A at tly romp p e v a le ill w e is u r Chutney Boat C n a h p e St DJ em, Syst d Soun 71 re and will featu and DJ Anand. tail There will be Banks DIH bars, Special Cock s i e n o y Ever e. cruis he bar and Food Bar on t allowed to walk with the own food baskets and small coolers with their own drinks if they wish.

REE Gizmos & Gadgets is giving back $200 in F your buy you when e phon Credit to your GT&T

D

ticket at that location. mos Tickets cost $2000 and are available at Giz ar, B d r Reco h p e s o J , store uper S s t e g d & Ga s Suresh Grocery (Stabroek Market), Jai Sign t rs i (F ry le Jewe 's (Independence Blvd), Tony st Street, Alexander Village), Doc's Jewelery (Fir ce i N & ty augh N , lage) il V r ande Street, Alex Boutique (CrossStreet, Alexander Village), M&M ar Snackette (Harbor Bridge), Dave's Sports B ie Aunt , oop) H d-en Vree ( (Grove), Joseph Junior ub l C VD D n Avo , ) d a Ro #1 l Pam (end of Cana n (City Mall, Uitvlugt & Camp Street), America Closet (Parika Mall).

Friday April 13, 2012

Page 21

Kaieteur News

“King of Playback”

Sonu Nigam

Sonu Nigam

to perform at National Stadium Along with the golden voice of India, Sonu Nigam, television serial's very own Manasi Verma, better known for her role as Bani's sister, Piya, in popularly watched Indian soap in Guyana, Kasamh se will be here.

Described as the “King of Playback”, the “Golden Voice of India” and “Lord of the Chords” renowned playback singer, Sonu Nigam, an epitome of live entertainment will be at the National Stadium on April 28h in celebration of the 174th Anniversary of the Arrival of East Indians to Guyana.

The Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha is hosting this mega concert, and the King of Playback will be bringing his entire troupe to perform for the first time in Guyana.

Coming with Sonu for the Concert will be his father, Agam Nigam, a recording artist particularly recognized for his rendition of hits from yesteryear, and talented singer, Gunjan Singh.

They will be accompanied by Sonu's full band of

Manasi Verma

outstanding musicians and technical personnel, all from Mumbai, India.

All proceeds of this event will be dedicated towards the construction of a Shelter which will house children who are victims of abuse. The building will be based in Berbice, where the Sabha has already secured land.

In addition to performing at the concert, Sonu will attend a special event hosted by the Sabha on Friday April 27, to launch the building plan for the Shelter.

Sonu is equally known for his rendition of the popular songs of the legendary Mohammed Rafi, as he is for his own Bollywood Hits, his role as television host for the musical talent show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, judge on X-Factor and his non-filmi albums.

He has sung in approximately 54 different voices and has sung with international artists such as Britney Spears and Jermaine Jackson. He has won numerous awards for his songs including those in popular films Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham, Kal Ho Na Ho, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, Om Shanti Om, Saathiya and Main Hoon Na. Indeed he has been the voice of many Bollywood stars such as Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Amir Khan, Abhishek Bachchan and Govinda.

Sonu has performed not only all over India but in almost every Continent. He has toured America, UK, Europe, South Africa, France, Germany, Pakistan, Dubai, Afghanistan, Africa, Singapore, Bangkok, New Zealand, Fiji Islands, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Nepal, Kenya, Mauritius, Australia, Sri Lanka, Trinidad and Egypt. Sonu's excellent rapport with the audience and his energetic acts have bowled over the audiences all over the world and the magic continues. The concert in Guyana on April 28 will be Sonu's first in South America.

Tickets for the much anticipated Sonu Nigam concert are on sale at various locations across the country.

Prices to see this iconic performer in concert for the

first time in Guyana are $2000 for General Seating and $5000 for VIP Reserved Numbered Seating. A limited number of all-inclusive VVIP tickets are also available. Call 227-6181 to book these from the Dharmic Kendra – Prashad Nagar, Red Mango – Robb Street, Bhagwan's – Water Street, Harinarine & Sons – Regent Street, E-Networks – Camp Street, Ashmins – High Street, NTN – Brickdam, M & M Snackette and R. Gossai & Sons – East Bank Demerara, Murti Shop – West Coast Demerara and Spready's Snackette – Berbice.

Beauty queen motivates second chance seekers M

iss India Worldwide, Alana Seebaran, recently made her first motivational speech to students of the Kuru Kuru Training College, as part of her charitable work.

The event was organized by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport.

She encouraged the youths to never leave room for obstacles to pursuing their dreams.

The only obstacles they are likely to face are doubt and fair of failure. “Leave no room for doubt and overcome fear with perseverance and confidence,” Guyana's first International beauty queen said.

Speaking to an attentive gathering, Seebaran assured the

students that each of them serves a purpose. “It is so admirable that even through misfortunes and difficult circumstances, they have decided to put their best foot forward and pursue dreams and careers that were once lost to them.”

“Life is all about second chances and I felt so honored to be a part of the Kuru Kuru Training College experience for that one day, to witness greatness being exercised… These moments of strength amongst my fellow Guyanese makes me feel so proud to be a recent ambassador for this country,” Seebaran said.

She applauded the good works of the staff of the Kuru Kuru Training College.

Alana Seebaran addresses students

Friday April 13, 2012

Kaieteur News

Family ventures off to sea in search of missing fisherman - still clinging to hope that he is alive The family members of 32year-old Lakeram Bagwandin, who allegedly fell off a fishing vessel on Tuesday last, had yesterday ventured out to the Pomeroon River where the accident occurred, in search of him.

Hoping that her son is somehow strong enough to have survived the raging waters without a life jacket, Margaret Bhagwandin told this publication that she does not believe that her son would just jump off of a boat in the middle of nowhere.

However, Kaieteur News was made to understand that the man had been “tripping out” and got involved in an argument after which he was taken to rest in a cabin. He disappeared a little while after.

It is still unclear as to whether or not someone

witnessed Lakeram actually jumping off of the vessel.

The incident occurred some 17 miles off Charity and about 25 miles from the mouth of the Pomeroon River.

The man’s brother, Bisram Bhagwandin told Kaieteur News that his brother is a taxi driver who has only been out to sea only two to three times before.

“This was the first time he gone on a trawler though,” the brother said.

The family explained that the owner for the vessel has been helpful, and provided them the opportunity to partake in the search for their loved one.

The Foulis Enmore resident’s family is clinging to hope that he would still be found alive, as the young men from the tug mishap did. They however, had been kept afloat

Missing: Lakeram Bhagwandin with the use of life preservers.

After hours of failed attempts were made by crew members to find Bhagwandin, the incident was reported to the Maritime Rescue Coordinating Centre (MRCC).

They are also coordinating search and rescue efforts.

NAPS begins preparation for 2012-2020 strategic plan Staff of the National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS) and stakeholders yesterday assessed the findings of an evaluation of the National Strategic Plan 2007-2011 and to commence planning for the new plan the HIVision 2020 that is a nine-year strategic plan which will take the secretariat through the period 2012 2020.

NAPS Programme Manager, Dr. Shanti Singh stated that she was pleased to report that the secretariat has achieved what it has set out to in that plan.

“I think from an impact level we have seen the impact we have made, the prevalence has reduced from the

inception of the plan from over two percent to approximately one percent at the end of 2011,” she said.

Dr. Singh noted that in the area of care and treatment, the findings indicate that persons with HIV are living longer lives, have a better quality of life, less morbidity and, they are back in the productive workforce. She explained that as the planning for the new plan commences there are several things that need to taken into consideration; firstly, new evidence state that treatment is prevention.

“Across the world as we all begin to rethink prevention, it is important that we place treatment as a priority in addressing prevention

issues,” Dr. Singh emphasised. Dr. Singh noted that while there has been a reduction in HIV/AIDS prevalence, it has been recognised that the more ‘at risk’ populations are coming out as one of the main drivers of the epidemic, and as prevention tactics are being reorganised, strategies that address the general population must now move towards more intensively catering for the more at risk population.

Page 23

Dead teen’s mother unimpressed with lawmen’s “lack of sensitivity” A mother yesterday expressed anger at what she described as the inaction and lack of sensitivity towards citizens of this country by members of the Guyana Police Force.

The woman, Emily Durant, is the mother of 21-year-old Giovanni Leitch called “Jo Jo” who succumbed three Sundays ago after being hit several times in an apparent execution-style shooting that took place a short distance from the Plaisance market.

The mother in a telephone interview with Kaieteur News criticised the police, whom she said made no contact with her or launched any investigation that she is aware of, since her son’s shooting.

In a desperate and distorted tone the woman asked, “was my son a dog, a cat or a bird that his life is just allowed to go down the drain.

Wasn’t his life worth anything that the police should feel the need to say something to me about my child’s life?”

Leitch along with his friend, 22-year-old, Devon Agard, called ‘Chucky’, were shot by unknown assailants a short distance from the market as they were heading to a nearby barber shop.

Eyewitnesses claimed two men opened fire on the friends as they walked through a narrow street not far from their home.

The teens were taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where they were treated for multiple gunshot wounds, with the younger of the two suffering the more serious wounds. Leitch had to be placed on life support

as he battled in the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital.

Durant said that since her son’s shooting she has been unable to eat or sleep and her days are no longer productive. On top of that, the woman said that the actions of the country’s protectors have sent her into a deeper state of dismay “because they are treating the incident as if my son’s life was worthless.”

Durant said she has since buried her son and “nothing from the police. Not a word.

Nothing to say well we working on the matter or we are following leads….. nothing.”

“What am I to do, my heart cannot rest,” the woman lamented.

While Leitch was being treated at the hospital, it was reported that the suspects presented themselves at the institute making threats against the teen. The persons reportedly came to ensure that the youngster did not survive the ordeal.

A licence plate number was however given to the police and a report was made

by Leitch’s family in connection to those making

the threats at the hospital.

Emily Durant stressed that the police to her understanding had reported that her son was a criminal and a known character to them. Durant has since challenged the police to produce their evidence and to state what crimes her son had committed.

“How could they tarnish my son’s character without the proof,” Durant asked.

“They say he was a criminal and have provided no proof.

Instead of finding my son’s killers they are presenting false news against him.”

At the time of the shooting, eyewitnesses stated that by all indications Leitch was the target since after being shot, the shooter walked up to him, kicked him in the face, and shot the man for a third time.

Reports had also said that Leitch had robbed the mother of one of the shooters and thus it was an act of revenge.

The dead teen’s family has since and is still denying that the youngster was involved in such activities. Instead Durant insists that her son was shot wrongfully.

Page 24

Kaieteur News

Friday April 13, 2012

APNU calls for old age pension GNBS to seize devices not requirement to be revisited approved for commercial trade

The main opposition party, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), is calling on the Government to revisit the requirement for a person collecting old age pension.

APNU Parliamentarian Volda Lawrence highlighted this in the National Assembly on Wednesday during the budget debate.

“Madam Speaker, the number of persons seeking Old Age Pension and Public Assistance is alarming and the facts representing longevity cannot be ignored.”

Quoting a World Bank report, Lawrence said that the aging index was nearly eight elderly persons to every 100 children in 1970, while by 2002, it had risen to 12 elderly persons, accounting for an annual growth rate of 0.82 percent.

“In contrast to a decrease of 16.3 percent in the number of children aged less than 15 years in 2006, the number of people aged 65 and over increased by 26.3 percent.”

She added that Guyana like other countries must, therefore, review its age of retirement and look at the emerging picture of the elderly group.

“With the increase in the number of elderly people, our pension schemes would be unable to support the large number of pensioners who make demands on them.”

According to Lawrence, the discourse on the review of the age of retirement in Guyana has been going on for too long.

She pointed out that currently, the typical retirement age is 55 years in the public sector and 60 to 65 years in the private sector.

Yet, she noted, this does not entitle one upon retirement to receive pension from the two main state institutions. She stated that a person must acquire the age of 60 to receive pension from the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), and 65 for Old Age Pension.

“What happens in the interim? Given the increase in the number of persons living above sixty-five years, the strain on our pension schemes, and the inability of families to cope with the cost of taking care of their elderly relatives, it is imperative that the situation be brought to an end, and a firm decision is made to increase the retirement age in the Public Service to sixty-five years.”

Alternatively, Lawrence said, there may be the need to reduce the age of eligibility for NIS pensions, to coincide with the age of retirement.

She added that it is lamentable that nothing has been forthcoming from the

APNU MP Volda Lawrence Government regarding the report from the Committee, which was put together by the Government for the review and reform of the NIS. “There is urgent need for the restructuring of this pension scheme,” she emphasised.

Lawrence further pointed the Assembly’s attention to the fact that in November 2007, the committee produced its final report, which entailed several recommendations. She stated that at the time the PNCR had some reservations over some of the recommendations made, particularly one which suggested further raising the age of eligibility.

“On March 3, 2008, the Hon. Member Ms. Manickchand, told this Honourable House “It is presently engaging the attention of Cabinet, where these recommendations that were examined and considered, are going to be looked at, with a view to making the scheme, as the Terms of Reference said, more financially viable and efficacious.”

She pointed out that “the retirement age of 55 years indeed places a greater strain on the ability of the NIS to meet its obligations to the large number of persons who are forced into retirement”.

Lawrence said that apart from support of family members at home or remittances from those abroad, the elderly depend to a large extent on the NIS for financial support.

“The NIS, we have been told for some time now, cannot withstand the pressure to provide benefits for the large number of pensioners in our midst.”

She added that despite a Stabroek News article by Professor Clive Thomas last April, under the caption, “Downside Risks & the Upside Potentials Facing the Economy’, the Minister’s 69-

page presentation made absolutely no mention of the government’s intentions for this institution.

Lawrence stressed that according to Prof. Thomas, “The National Insurance Scheme is at risk of turning to the state for bailouts with which to fund its outstanding liabilities”.

“This institution which helps to bridge the gap between the ability of pensioners to meet their survival needs and living in poverty, did not find favour in the distribution of any of the revenues which the Government raked in the last year. Instead, the NIS management is left to face the many complex problems, including but not limited to resources tied up with the Clico/Stanford debacles, an aging work force, humongous and burdensome financial arrears, over abundance of bureaucratic and administrative problems and high administrative costs.”

In concluding, Lawrence stated that despite comments

by Minister Manickchand, “the Government’s reluctance to act on the recommendations put forward for this institution is another blatant disregard for the many pensioners and workers, who by compulsion, must continue to have their earning paid into this scheme”.

“Is this not another deprivation of the rights of the workers, who on retirement, expect to receive a pension for their hard years of service, only to be faced with another Clico fiasco if nothing is done in the near future to secure their benefit?”

Lawrence emphasised that the Government must recognise that many of the contributors to NIS gave a mandate to APNU and AFC on 28 November 2011 to represent them and address their concerns in the House.

Though government does not directly fund legal aid in Region 10, its advocacy at UNICEF, and recommendations, resulted in Linden’s Legal Aid Centre receiving funds to provide free legal services to residents.

This assertion was made to the National Assembly on Wednesday evening by Human Services Minister Jennifer Webster, who emphasised that residents of Region 10 have access to legal aid services like the rest of the country.

She stated that

The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) has completed its weighing and measuring surveillance exercise for the first half of this year, and according to the entity, 3023 scales, 6815 masses and 53 weight bridge scales, primarily used in the rice industry and Ministry of Public Works, have been verified.

Head of the Standards Compliance Department, Shailendra Rai, pointed out that his branch is also involved in the verification of petrol pumps used at service stations and bulk meters used at petrol terminals.He explained that there are complaints of consumers and petrol dealers receiving short measurement from petrol terminals.

Adding that 771 petrol pumps were verified, Rai revealed that out of that amount, 197 were adjusted and calibrated for under delivery.

“Once they are inaccurate they are adjusted on spot, and the adjusting mechanism would be sealed by the GNBS to prevent tampering in the future. We also place an approval seal on the outer section of the petrol pump, and the date the pump is verified, in order to provide guidance to consumers purchasing.” In addition, 66 bulk meters were verified and used at various petrol terminals that deliver products to the gas stations.

Rai further disclosed that 25 storage tanks and 54 tanker wagons were verified to ensure their accuracy, “so when deliveries are made to dealers they can cross check to guarantee that the quantity purchased is received”.

He underscored that vendors and shop keepers are purchasing unapproved devices in the retail sector for commercial trade.

“The Bureau of Standards cannot limit the types of

Head of GNBS’ Standards Compliance Dept., Shailendra Rai, explains why a dial scale is not approved for commercial trade

scales imported into Guyana, because there are scales used for domestic use and scales imported for commercial use.

But what we find is that vendors and shopkeepers are purchasing the domestic scale for commercial trade, and when that happens consumers are cheated, because of continuous usage over a period of time. The internal mechanism of the scale…when weight is placed on it, the scale would show extra weight,” Rai explained.

“These scales are not designed for commercial use, which is constant usage. One such is the dial scale. which is not approved for commercial trade and the bureau would be seizing and removing such devices.”

Rai further advised store owners and dealers to educate the consumers and shop owners on approved and non-approved devices, since the approved devices would be verified by the GNBS and would carry a bureau sticker.

He also noted that in 2012, the GNBS intends to further expand its services and find

- Minister Webster Government is supportive of the services being offered in Region 10 by the Linden Legal Aid Centre (LLAC), a Non-Governmental Organization.

“Had the Government not advocated for and approved the expenditure on behalf LLAC by UNICEF, funds for the LLAC would never have been disbursed under the Government of Guyana/ UNICEF Country Programme,” Webster said.

She stressed that funding

was provided to the Centre from August 2008 to August 2009, to the tune of $6.7M, and $6M from December 2009 to December 2010.

Meanwhile, during the period April 2011 to December 2011, $9M was provided to meet operating costs.

A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) parliamentarian, Vanessa Kissoon, during her presentation to the National Assembly on Tuesday evening had stated that, “It

new ways of improving the Weights and Measures Programme, to better meet the needs of stakeholders.

Inspections are also conducted by the Bureau at sale outlets to ensure commodities comply with national standards and quality requirements.

Products found not to be in compliance during surveillance exercises are either placed on hold, or are seized and removed. This is done to ensure that commodities which are not examined by the Bureau, or smuggled into the country, are in compliance with the relevant standards.

The Metrology and Standards Compliance Department plays an active role in consumer protection and equity in trade. It is responsible for three main programmes namely Standards Compliance, Weights and Measures and Consumers Complaints Investigation.

These programmes are intended to protect consumers and facilitate local, regional and international trade.

is obvious that the Government does not intend to give any of the taxpayers’ money to Region 10.”

“As far as Government is concerned, the company will have to be satisfied with what the aid agencies give to them, since they approve it…But apparently taxpayers’ money is too good for Linden. This Government doesn’t care that the continuation of legal aid in Region 10 can only be guaranteed with taxpayers’ money,” Kissoon argued.

She stressed that if this is not the case, the Centre (Continued on page 25)

Friday April 13, 2012

Kaieteur News

The Abigail Column Unfaithful husband searches for way out of his marriage

DEARABIGAIL, I have been married for nine years, but I cannot stay faithful to my wife. I’ve had a few affairs, on a regular basis and feel my wife deserves better. I want to walk away from our marriage.

We have kids who will be affected, and it will hurt us financially, but I don’t feel right staying in a marriage I

can’t be faithful to. I haven’t told my wife about this, but I believe she knows because we haven’t been intimate in months.

We had discussed divorce several times in the past, but that was before the kids.

Living a Lie Dear Living a Lie, Feeling and behaving as you do, it would have been better for you to have divorced before you had

children. However, now that you do have kids, it’s time that you level with your wife.

As you stated, she probably has a good idea that something isn’t right. She may prefer to remain married to you until your children are out of the house.

Or she may feel that her chances of finding someone else are better if you separate now.

You’ll never know until you talk to her - and she deserves to know the truth.

Friday April 13, 2012 ARIES (March 21 - April 19): Do not be afraid of embracing all of your opportunistic tendencies -- sometimes, they are your best defense against falling into a lousy routine or succumbing to a rather boring life. ******************* TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): You have a deep understanding of a friend or coworker's current issue, because you have been in the same boat yourself in the past. ****************** GEMINI (May 21 - June 20): Today, selecting the best partner is extremely important if you want any kind of real success. Even if you're just picking a buddy for a lab experiment, a seatmate on the bus or train, or someone to help you lift something that's heavy, you'll need to make sure you choose the best person for the task, not just someone you like a whole lot. ******************** CANCER (June 21 - July 22): It might feel like you're being told 'no' an awful lot lately, but what makes you think that you should be hearing 'yes,' anyway? You may need to deal with something that you don't want to deal with -- a teeny tiny failure in the self-discipline department! ********************* LEO (July 23 - Aug. 22): If you are trying to help a friend who has been going through a rough time, the only thing you need to do is listen. Right now, they just need to get it all out. ******************* VIRGO (Aug. 23 - Sept.

22): Having a healthy ambitious streak is a good thing.

But, as we all know, there is such thing as too much of a good thing. Right now, you are running the risk of biting

off far more than you can chew. ********************* LIBRA (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22):Sure, it might make you feel a little weird to bare your soul to someone in authority today, but full disclosure is warranted right now. They need to understand what makes you tick if they are going to entrust you with bigger responsibilities. ********************* SCORPIO (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21): Your friends and coworkers are flexible enough to accommodate whatever it is you need, but you will have ask them to. ******************** SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 Dec. 21): Someone's honest words might sting a little bit when you hear them today, but you should be flattered and grateful for this person's directness. .********************* CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 Jan. 19): Your plans are definitely working! Incontrovertible signs of success will be coming your way before the end of the day, so you had better have some sort of celebration in the wings! ******************** AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18): The restrictions you have put on yourself recently might have been too stringent, and it might be time for you to loosen up a little bit. You don't have to be so hard on yourself to achieve your goals. ********************* PISCE S ( F e b . 1 9 March 20): When a powerful person asks for volunteers today, raise your hand! Take on as pivotal a leadership role as possible. If you always let others step into leadership positions and resign yourself to sitting in the back seat, you will miss out on all the action!

Page 25

Govt. advocacy enabled legal...

(From page 24) would eventually close, clients would be abandoned and staff sent home.

Refuting the APNU MP’s statements, Webster said “It is unfair to say that taxpayers’ money is not good for Region 10. No one in Region 10, or any other Region, who cannot afford legal services, will ever be denied access to those

services.”

According to Webster, from 1993 to 2008, the sole legal aid provider in Guyana was the Georgetown Legal Aid Clinic, which provided resident services in Georgetown and its immediate environs, as well as nonresident service in Region 10.

The Minister noted that to satisfy Government’s manifesto promise in 2006 to

expand legal aid services, former Human Services Minister Priya Manickchand had launched legal aid services in Essequibo in June 2008 and in Region Five in October 2008.

“This Government has always been supportive of legal aid services, and that is why in the 2012 Budget the sum of $32.338M is being provided,” Webster noted.

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Presents Durga Bhajans 08:00hrs - Indar Singh & Sons Rice Milling Complex Presents Durga Bhajans 08:15hrs - NTN This Morning Live with Reyaz Husein 09:30hrs - Indian Soap - Ram Milaayi Jodi 10:00hrs - Indian Soap Yahaan Mein 10:30hrs IPL5 RAJASTHAN ROYALS v KOLKATAKNIGHT RIDERS 14:00hrs - Indian Soap - Choti Bahu 14:30hrs - Indian Soap - Pavitra Rishta 15:00hrs - Indian Soap - Punar Vivaah 15:30hrs National Geographic 16:30hrs - Devotional Time 17:00hrs - Drying Tears Live

with Pastor Edson 18:00hrs - Ganesh Parts Presents - JAI DURGA MAA Serial 18:15hrs - Birthday Greetings/ Deaths Announcement & In Memoriam 18:30hrs - Investigation Discovery 19:30hrs - Timeless Melodies Live with Frederick Rampersaud 20:30hrs - New Life World Outreach 20:45hrs - Headline News 21:00hrs - 15 Minutes for Allah 21:15hrs - TBA 22:15hrs - Forgotten Melodies Live with Frederick Rampersaud 01:00hrs - Sign Off with the Gayatri Mantra

NTN CHANNEL 18/ CABLE 69 05:00hrs - Sign on with the Mahamrtunjaya Mantra 05:10hrs - Meditation 05:30hrs - Queenstown Masjid Presents Quran This Morning 06:00hrs - R. Gossai General Store Presents Durga Bhajans 06:15hrs - Jettoo’s Lumber Yard Presents Durga Bhajans 06:30hrs - Muneshwar Limited Presents Durga Bhajans 06:45hrs - Double Standard Taxi Presents Durga Bhajans 07:00hrs - RRT Enterprise Presents Hanuman Bhajans 07:15hrs - M & M Snackette Presents Raja Yoga Discourses 07:30hrs - Dr. Balwant Singh’s Hospital Inc Presents Durga Bhajans 07:45hrs - The Family of the Late Leila & David Persaud

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Page 26

Kaieteur News

SERVICES Permanent &Visitors Visa Applications Professional Immigration Consultant Room E-4 Maraj Building 225-6496/662-6045.

WANTED Technical series Inc Industrial Site Eccles, 1 accounts clerk, Tool room clerk, 1 Industrial electrician, apply in person. Call: 6144358 1 male or female to look after layer birds in the interior.

Tel: 688-0197 East Coast Guyoil wanted day & night pump attendants, washman, manager, office assistants & sales girls. Call: 684-2838, 671-3983 Watchman/ handyman. Call: 225-0188, 225-6070 One live in waitress age 1825 yrs salary $40-50,000 monthly. Call: 222-4890 Carpenters to work with limited supervision with own tools 225-0188, 2256070 One male or female to work in Interior; 1 Shop Assistant.

Call: 663-4476 1 handy boy to work, living accommodation and meals free. Call: 228-5655, 628-1756

PROPERTY FOR SALE Property in Pomona, Essequibo Coast, two storeys -30x50. Price negotiable. Call: 690-4673 1 Two storey house Ave ‘A’ Diamond HS, Asking price $20M. Call: 643-5161, 2160968 McDoom $23m, Industry $80m, Blankenburg $20m, P/ Nagar $36m, Carmichael Street $50m, Campbellville G$52m, Agricola G$21m, BB Eccles G$27m, CC Eccles G$23m, 609 2302/645 2580/ 233 5711 Lot 9 Johns St. Port Mourant Berbice house with 12 rooms, on 16 Acres Land. Call: 3371500 Craig Street, Campbellville, $42M; Bel Air Pk $48M. Phone: 621-6888 Fully furnished home in Diamond ‘A’ neg. Call:6194682, 687-2806 East Bank-$12M, East Bank (Public Road) 15M-45M, Kingston-16M, Bel Air-45M. Diana: 227-2256, 626-9382

Live-in domestic and waitress salary $50,000. Call: 610-5043 Pooran Sanchar General Constructing Services, 4 able bodied labourers, 1 driver. Contact us on: 2653586, 665-3550, 617-8369

MASSAGE American style massage services. Call: 609-4036

Carpenters, masons, labourers, bulldozers& excavator operator, truck drivers. Call: 681-0685, 6263644 1 graphics artist, 1 clerk, 1 cashier, apply at 51 Jarrods .

Main Street, Georgetown.

Call: 226-1058 One live in domestic.

Contact:658-9495 / 627-2550 Female workers needed 3 subject or sound secondary education. Age 18-28yrs.

Call: 225-7307 Taxi drivers. Call: 225-3234 Maid/Helper cosmetologist.

Tel: 227-4799, 223-5451.

Cleaners Handy boys & kitchen assistants apply Hack’s Halaal Restaurant, 5 Commerce ST, 9-11am.

Excavator Operator, Mechanics (Caterpillar, Perkins & model M Trucks) Jetmen, Marrack, sailors.

Call: 223-5273-4 P.S.G.C.S workers in farm at Yarrakabra. Apply at Lot 122, Covent Garden Island E.B.D. Call:265-3586

ONLINE SHOPPING NO COMMISSION, WEEKLY S H I P M E N T S , AFFORDABLE RATES, FREE PRIVATE MAILBOX T E L # 2 3 1 - 5 7 8 9 FREIGHTLINKEXPRESS@ GMAIL.COM WE FILL OUT PASSPORT & VISA FORMS:USA, UK & CANADA TEL#231-5789 We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer. Omar:231-0655,6838734 We refill HP cartridges for $1,800. Call:650-7699 Trinidad work permit enquires.

Call: 614-4705/675-8352

Repairs, sales & spares, air conditioning, microwaves, washer, fridges & Stoves.

Ultra Cool: 225-9032, 647-2943 Custom brokerage. Call: 6613043 Looking for a Job? Office, domestic & need assistance.

Contact: Angela:694-0096 Modern electronics offers home service of all electronics equipment TV, stereo system, other household appliances.

Call:625-1203, CRS automativeparts@gmail.com 6 weeks Dressmaking course. Morning & evening.

Call Sharmela: 225-2598, 6410784

WANTED Drivers for car/van/canter, 3 years experience. Call: 2250188, 225-6070

One skilled lathe operator attractive rates. Call:613-3091 One live in or out maid & experienced sales girls. Call: 264-3356, 253-3149, 668-3985 Mason, painter, security guard, maid. Call: 225-3234 Girls to work in bar as waitress. Age 18 to 25. Call: 265-4096 E & N Beck 3 Princess & Ketley Sts, Charlestown, Machinist/Crankshaft, Machine operator. Apply in person.

One live in maid. Call:2235324

EDUCATIONAL Princeton College Forms 15 CXC Adults Lesson for students. S.A.T.-Phonics etc. Call: 690-5008/611-3793

FOR SALE Dell computers complete with LCD from $49,000, Dell.

Future Tech. Call:231-2206, 644-6760

Learn Spanish. Call: 6731232

Roofing shingles $5,995 per bundle. Call: Mr.Skepmire: 227-5195

Register now for full time & adults CXC classes. Call: 6835742, 227-7627 Professional tutoring in designing & dressmaking.

Call: 627-3257 Easter computer classes all ages-$6,500, Micro Graphics Technology Vreed-enHoop/ Grove Public Road.

Call: 264-3057 Easter computer classes all ages &6,500, Micrographics Technology Parika Highway (Bollywood Building). Call: 670-5734

SALON Make up courses, artist trained & certified in Trinidad: 660-5257,647-1773

LAND FOR SALE Transported- Land of Canaan. Tel: 266-0014/6698139 Lot 20 St. John’s street and Savannah Road, New Amsterdam, 85’x60’. Call: 232-0417, 615-2085 Land V/Hoop 2 acre school, housing, factory etc. Call: 658-0115 Soesdyke Public Rd 437’ X 104’ US$300,000, Land of Canaan Wharf 140’ X 50’ on 11.88 acres US$2.5m, Grove H/S 86’ X 50’ $4.5m. 609 2302/ 645 2580/233 5711 Forshaw Street Q/Town 240’ X 62’ WAS US$560,000 NOW US$525,000,Eping Ave B.A.P 150’ X 100" US$500,000, Carmichael Street 100" X 62" US$500,000,609 2302/645 2580/233 5711 Ogle Seawall Rd 140’ X 100’ $45m, Sophia Seawall Road 130" X 86’ US$550,000,Ogle Railway Corner 200’ X 78’ US$750,000, Yarrowkabra 50 acre & house $15m. 609 2302/645 2580/233 5711

TO RENT One Bobcat Skid Loader for rent. Please contact: 610-3575 HEALTH HIV/AIDS you can still have a second chance. Call: 639-6054

PS2-PS3-PSP-WII- Games, consoles, controls. Call: 6666661

Spares for washer, microwaves, fridges, stovetimers, gear boxes, pumps etc. Contact:225-9032, 6472943

NARS lipgloss, eyeshadow & Clinique lipgloss. Tel: 6698374.

Satellite phone with minutes.

Call: 614-4705/675-8352 One CG 125 HOADB Series CG 1549. Price $140,000 negotiable. Call: 697-0296

Progressive auto rental, cars from $3,500 per day. Call: 6435122, 656-0087, www.progressiveautorental.com

House keeper at Land of Canaan E.B.D, shift system.

Call:266-5243 General workers Georgetown location. Call: 225-6337 PEN PAL Single Indian male, 43 seeking Indian female 35-42 for companion. Call: 6182782

FOR SALE Household articles beds, fridge, freezer, TV, Washer, gym equipment & lots more.

Call: 233-5251, 662-2595 Assorted brands, ladies, gents & kids clothing, footwear, Victoria Secret – wholesale. Call: 233-5251, 662-2595 New blackberry Torch (9800) Black/White/Red available, $90,000.

Accessories included. Call: 680-1722

New Dell laptops, Mp3/Mp4, car music transmitter, card reader. Call: 642-6664

Proactive sets $25,000, with skin test. Call: 233-6631, 2336517, 622-1957

One 2002 Tundra, low mileage and one welder 4 cylinder with Perkins engine 400amps. Call: 685-8962, 6115114

Club seating brand-new 10 full leather (metal security detectors) forsale $10,000 each. Call: 233-6631, 2336517, 622-1957

Titan parts, engine DIFF etc.

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Official Movie Cinema Projector for home or business, 3D/HDMI/Blu ray.

Call: 233-6631, 233-6517, 6221957 2 American 8ft Slate pool tables, business complete setup, 3 freezers, 22 Cubic ft.

Call: 233-6631, 233-6517,6221957 Sony video camera & music set. Call: 266-1969, 682-8380 Going cheap UK used truck engines Perkins 1006 series.

Call: 661-3043

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Call: 675-1168 CAR RENTAL

VACANCY Have an interest in customer service? Then be apart of Q! Call:220-0401, 225-6466

1 overhauled & repainted Ford 5000 tractor with Boughton Winch. Call:6619318

One 330 Bedford engine excellent condition. Call: 6874490

Cosmetology courses. Tel: 225-6026, 682-2604 Quality yourself in Cosmetology or nails, make up, Register, Limited spaces.

Call Abby: 216-1950, 6197603, 666-5241

Games for PS2-$900, PSP$900, PS3-$2600, Xbox 360$2600, Xbox 1-$2000, WII$1600.Call: 672-2566, 265-3231

Toyota Starlet 2 E Turbo engine with gearbox and ECU: Call: 624-7155.

For all general construction, carpentry, masonry, printing etc, affordable cost. Call: 6487013, 231-0821

Get your US Non-Immigrant Visa application process.

Contact:643-0855

Live in/live out babysitter/ clerk/domestic. Call: 2250188, 225-6070

Friday April 13, 2012

Gold detector water proof, headset & battery charger.

Call: 216-0160, 609-7625

Al’s Car & Pick up Rental.

Call:698-7807

HP Laptops-500 GB, HRD 4 G Rom 15 inch, window7 $150,000. Torch blackberry16 GB Memory card $6000.

Call: 667-3772, 648-1602

Premio, 110 Corolla. Call: 6797139

RX7 2002 Model, price negotiable. Call: 223-5273-4

Stationary supplies $200,000 for only $100,000, Toyota Allion $2.8M, (New) never registered. Call: 233-6631, 233-6517, 622-1957 Nissan Titan 4Million D6 Bulldozer $1.5Million as is.

Call: 233-6631, 233-6517, 6221957 Pit-bull pup, top breeds $100K, $150K. Call:233-6631, 233-6517, 622-1957 Nikon 5100, DSL Camera $300,000 price. Negotiable.

Call: 233-6631, 233-6517, 6221957 Complete club music 10 set up 51 Million as is. Call: 2336631, 233-6517, 622-1957 Bluray player $30,000, Pioneer, food warmers, glass & aluminum, cheap $100,000. Call: 233-6631, 2336517, 622-1957 One brandnew playstation 3 $100,000. Call: 233-6631, 2336517, 622-1957 (Continued on page 27)

Friday April 13, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 27

Coe predicts China will top medals table in London LONDON (AP) Sebastian Coe predicts China will outperform the United States to win the medals race at the London Olympics. Coe, the two-time 1,500-meter Olympic champion who heads London’s organizing committee for the games, said China has expanded its sporting prowess beyond its traditional strengths and should take home the most medals this summer. ‘’I think it will be China, U.S., and then Russia,’’ Coe said in an interview Thursday

(yesterday) with The Associated Press ahead of next week’s 100-day countdown to the games. ‘’I just think if you look at it, in its entirety, (it will be) China.’’

The Americans led the overall medal count at the 2008 Beijing Games with 110 10 more than China. The Chinese won the most gold medals with 51, while the U.S. was second with 36. ‘’Look at the way the Chinese have ranged far wider than some of their staple sports like gymnastics,’’ Coe

Wladimir Klitschko hands Tony Thompson rematch in July Wladimir Klitschko will defend his WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight titles against American challenger Tony Thompson on July 7 in Berne, Switzerland.

Thompson, 40, was knocked out by Klitschko in their first match in 2008.

However, the 36-year-old Ukrainian maintains Thompson gave him “one of the toughest challenges in my career”. The bout will be

Klitschko’s 21st world championship fight and his first appearance since a knockout win over Jean-Marc Mormeck of France in March.

Klitschko, who beat Britain’s David Haye in 2011, has 57 wins (50 KOs) and three defeats since turning pro in 1996. Southpaw Thompson, who has won all five bouts since the defeat by Klitschko, has a career record of 36-2 (24 KOs).

said. ‘’They have strength in the pool, women’s football.

It’s going to be a truly global games.’’

Luciano Barra, a former Italian Olympic official who projects Olympic results, recently predicted that China would win 103 total medals, including 43 gold, in London.

He projected the U.S. winning 82 total medals, including 35 gold, with Russia third with 76 and 30.

Coe said the fight for fourth place in the London medals ‘’is going to be as tough as it’s ever been.’’

Britain finished fourth in Beijing with 47 medals and is targeting the same position on home soil, but Coe said Germany, France and Australia will be pushing hard. ‘’The Germans are probably going to bring the strongest team they’ve ever brought to a games,’’ he said. ‘’The French are very, very strong this time, and the Australians will think fourth place is very much up for grabs. We (Britain) could end up with more medals than we got in Beijing and maybe not finish fourth in the medals table.’’ Coe singled out two star names that will stand out

More World Cup workers go on strike in Brazil SAO PAULO (AP) - A strike by workers in Brazil has stopped construction at a World Cup stadium in Salvador, the third host city affected by strikes this month.

Work was halted at the Fonte Nova stadium Thursday (yesterday), a day after workers voted to remain on strike in Fortaleza and Natal, two other World Cup venues in the northeast part of the country.

The strike in Salvador also affected

some of the infrastructure work needed for the 2014 World Cup. The union said the construction workers want better salaries and benefits, but failed to reach an agreement with the local government despite ongoing negotiations since January.

There have been strikes in the past at other World Cup venues in Brazil, including in Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte and Recife.

Teams yet to score points...

From page 31 and full points in their first match and another win will almost guarantee them a place in the last eight.

Constab Warriors and Coomacka United clash should see the latter favoured to score their second victory in as many matches.

Coomacka United looked composed and efficient in their opening game and seems well adept to the shorter version of the game, while Constab Warriors will have to improve dramatically since their previous encounter to register an upset.

The Attackers and TrainLine Warriors engagement could go either way with both teams exhibiting lackluster performances in their previous matchups, but with Trainline Warriors yet to enter the points standing, they may be the hungrier of the two

and could nail the win.

Wisroc and 1/2 Mile/ 1 Mile clash is another encounter that could be anyone’s game, judging from their earlier performances, but with the latter scoring a win and gaining full points that might be enough consolation for them to raise their level to duplicate the prior feat.

Wisroc on the other hand will be looking to record their first victory and that in itself should provide enough determination for them to do so.

Amelia’s Ward Russian, a team that engaged in the early bragging delivered on their boast and coming up against a team that lost their first game could give them the necessary impetus to continue on the path of success.

However, South Stars’ early loss could be a wake up call and when a team’s back is against the wall they tend to

come out firing on all cylinders and they may still be the case in their matchup.

Pepper Skull and HI-Stars clash is a battle among the lowly placed teams fighting to make their way up the points ladder and these types of games are always crowd pleasing and exciting so fans you have to be there. Predicting a winner is a difficult task.

In the final game of the night, Retrieve Unknowns versus Sheriff Squad is a virtual feature and so it is billed.

These two teams played magnificently in their previous matches and exhibited a high quality of skills and spectators and supporters alike are in for a futsal treat come tomorrow night as promised by the teams.

They both gained maximum points in their previous matches so it will be a battle of the unbeaten sides.

CAKE & PASTRIES

(From page 26)

Baking courses West Coast Demerara, Saturdays’. Call: 276-4018, 693-6335

TOUR Suriname vacation shopping seeing 26th April-1May, trip.

Contact Matthew:639-2663, 665-5171,644-0185, 227-8290

Sebastian Coe in London - Usain Bolt, the Jamaican who won gold medals in the 100 and 200 meters and sprint relay in world-record times in Beijing, and U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps, who captured a record eight golds in China. ‘’Clearly, in my own sport, Usain Bolt is Muhammad Ali,’’ Coe said. ‘’It’s what all the kids talk about when I’m in schools. And Michael Phelps is a massive, massive name.’’

Coe, who won gold medals in the 1,500 at the 1980 and 1984 Olympics, believes new names will emerge to grab the spotlight. ‘’The Olympic Games has a very unhealthy respect for reputation,’’ he said. ‘’Any athlete thinking they’re sailing into London with an Olympic gold medal nailed on (is making a mistake). The great thing about the games is that it will throw up people who are going to absolutely rip up the form book and they may not even realize it.’’

Coe, who has traveled around the world in the buildup to the games, senses athletes are primed to excel in London. ‘’They are talking about these games in a way I’ve never heard athletes talk about games in the past,’’ he said. ‘’I think by the very nature of those conversations, we’re going to see athletes participating at an extraordinarily high level.’’

Coe said no decision has been made on who will light the flame at the July 27 opening ceremony. British bookmakers list Britain’s fivetime rowing gold medalist Steve Redgrave as the oddson favorite, with Kelly Holmes, Roger Bannister and Daley Thompson among other favorites. ‘’I love speculating about it as well,’’ Coe said. ‘’None of us have had any conversations about it. There have been no formal conversations about it, at all.

What I can confirm is that it won’t be me. I’m going to be pretty hands-full that week.’’

VEHICLES FOR SALE 99 Honda Civic Leather interior. Call:648-2075 Just arrived: Allion and Premio, tel: 624-2000, 6221610 Unregistered Tundra, Tacoma and interstate batteries. Call: 265-2103, 6459860 Unregistered Premio, Allion, with TV & rims. Call: 6098188, 602-6307

TO LET Short term apartments Eccles. Call:679-7139 Short term apartments. Call: 667-1549 Fully furnished 3 bedroom top flat US$950, unfurnished top flats, 3 bedroom $100,000, 2 bedrooms $65,000, 609 2302/645 2580/233 5711 Ground floor business, $85,000 & US$1,500, two flat residence/business US$1,200, 2 bedroom apt $45,000, 609 2302/645 2580/ 233 5711 One two bedroom house by itself Haslington E.C.D. Call: 220-2940, 663-9816 Building-16000 sqft , yard50000 sqft, can be used for Bond, factory etc.

Contact:225-7643, 225-7493 1 bedroom apartment, 24,000 monthly at Charlestown.

Call: 678-1364 or 223-3958 Lot 10 Area “G” Ogle. Tel: 683-6666, 650-6450 Journey Inn apartments & car rental (short term), Eccles.

Call: 679-7139 Property for Rent Sheriff for viewing. Call:697-6893, strictly between 4:30pm to 7:30pm Clean and Spacious rooms in the centre of the city $4000/ day. Call: 227-4311, 227-8360 1 Bottom flat for couple.

Contact: 265-4867

UNREGISTERED ALLION, PREMIO, ALEX, RUNX, SPACIO, 2 TON CANTER. CALL: 677-7666,610-7666 Hilux 4x4 solid Def pick up, Diesel, long base, excellent condition. Call: 623-0243 3 Ton enclosed canter, unregistered.Tel: 617-2891 3 Ton 4 wheel drive canter, unregistered. Tel: 617-2891 1-2RZ Mini bus, reregistered. Call: 617-2891 Unregistered Black Spacio, Silver Premio; reverse camera, Cerisor. Call: 6970294, 220-9514 Toyota Diesel Prado Excellent Condition Diplomat Vehicle. Call:6246702 1 long base Canter for sale.

Contact: 265-4867 1 RZ Mini bus BGG Series $800,000. Call:627-3343 AT 212- $1.350, AT192$850,000, AE 100 $700,000, Lancer-$1.1M, Camry$1.2M. Call: Shawn-2312200, 618-7483 1 Toyota pickup V6 SR5 4WD. Call: 642-4779 1 Bedford 500, 1 Mazda Titan, 1 Nissan Atlas, 1 Nissan Diesel. Contact Keith:642-6234 1 RZ Minibus E.F.1 BKK Series in good condition, 1.1M neg. Call:265-3694

Apartment for rent fully grilled, spacious 2 bedroom, in section A Diamond parking available. Call: 216-2363, 6834700 Unfurnished newly built apartment W.C.D. Call:6986496 South -$100,000, Lamaha Garden-$90,000, Prashad Nagar-US900, Regent StreetUS1200. Diana: 227-2256, 626-9382

LEARN TO DRIVE B&C Driving School pick up & drop off: 225-0150, 6806826, 229-7258 Soman & sons Driving School. First Federation Building Call: 225-4858, 6445166, 622-2872, 615-0964

Page 28

Kaieteur News

Friday April 13, 2012

Jamaica aim to maintain unbeaten Chennai stun Bangalore in a record Face Barbados in WICB 4-Day final from today high-scoring thriller For Jamaica and Barbados, the two most successful sides in the modern West Indies firstclass championship (from 1966), the final of this year’s Regional 4 Day Tournament, starting today at Sabina Park, will have extra-special meaning.

Jamaica are seeking to become the first Rsegional territory to solely win five straight Regional 4 Day titles in the modern era. It would be their 11th Regional 4 Day title overall, second only to Barbados, the most successful side in the Regional 4 Day Tournament with an unmatched 20 titles.

So it is fitting that they face Barbados, who also hold the record of four straight titles between 1977 and 1980, although this can be stretched to five, when considering they shared the title with Trinidad & Tobago in 1976.

“This is a final, and finals have always been highpressure games, but we are just looking to go out there to do what we have been doing over the last few weeks: play good, consistent

cricket,” said Jamaica coach Junior Bennett at a media conference on Wednesday.

“I believe once we go out there and remain focussed and play good cricket, we will get the desired result.”

Tough-talking Barbados coach Hendy Springer said his side had a proud tradition and record to defend, and expected them to play that way.

“We just need to stick to the basics and play a stronger, more intelligent type of cricket than we did when the two sides met in the [preliminary] round,” said Springer. “We have come here to be worthy opponents and the confidence level is high.”

When the two teams met in the preliminary rounds, Jamaica secured a 120-run victory at the same venue, as they went on to play unbeaten, earning the right to host the Final, which was delayed by one week because of a scheduling conflict.

The two sides are playing for the Headley/Weekes Trophy, which is named after two icons of the game in their nations.

The late George Headley

was the first true West Indies batting hero, starring with the willow between the 1930s and 1940s, when he was dubbed “Atlas” because it was felt he carried the fortunes of the West Indies batting on his back.

Now aged 87, the evergreen Sir Everton Weekes is the only surviving member of the famous West Indies batting triumvirate of the 1950s that also included compatriots Sir Clyde Walcott and Sir Frank Worrell, affectionately known as the Three Ws. Jamaica: Tamar Lambert (Captain), Dave Bernard Jr, Jermaine Blackwood, Odean Brown, Sheldon Cotterell, Danza Hyatt, Xavier Marshall, Donovan Pagon, Jamie Merchant, Horace Miller, Nikita Miller, Brenton Parchment, Andrew Richardson.

Barbados: Shamarh Brooks (Captain), Sulieman Benn, Tino Best, Carlos Brathwaite, Rashidi Boucher, Jonathan Carter, Shane Dowrich, Justin Greaves, Kyle Hope, Omar Phillips, Javon Searles, Dwayne Smith, Jomel Warrican.

Lamont Peterson says Amir Khan can only fight one way Lamont Peterson says Amir Khan is incapable of altering his game-plan for their May rematch and that his British rival is mentally “all over the place”. American Peterson beat Khan on a split decision last December, after which Khan claimed he had been robbed of his WBA and IBF light-welterweight belts.

And Peterson added that Khan’s pronouncements had only succeeded in piling extra pressure on himself. “He’ll do what he always does, he always fights the same,” said Peterson. “He’s either straight forward or straight back. That’s the way he fights, he’s not going to change it.

“The way the fight went the first time, I was pretty comfortable with it. I won the fight so I really don’t want to change anything.”

Khan’s trainer Freddie Roach has promised his charge will employ different tactics for the return bout at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas on 19 May. In the first fight, Khan found himself fighting off the ropes for sustained periods, allowing the challenger to work to the body and eventually leading to a two-point deduction for pushing.

But while Peterson admits the choice of referee could prove crucial, he is confident he is versatile

Lamont Peterson (left) and Amir Khan enough to adapt whoever is chosen. Veteran official Joe Cortez, who has a reputation for preventing inside fighting, is widely expected to take charge of the rematch.

Peterson, 28, told BBC Sport: “His strategy [in the first fight] was to hit and move and I didn’t allow him to do it. It won’t be any different this time. He’ll hit and move and I’ll stay close and smother him.

“If the ref knows the difference between a foul and a push, then I’ll be OK with that. But if he doesn’t know the difference between a push and an elbow, I’ll have a problem with that. “The referee we had [Joe Cooper] allowed me to fight out of clinches, and I liked that, that tends to favour my style.

“If he calls break every

time we get on the inside, then I’ll have to change my strategy and do something different, anything I need to do to win the fight. “The referee will be key but I’m not worried about it either way, I’ll win the fight, I’ll do what I have to do.

“I’ll be relaxed like I always am in the ring, but he’s putting a lot of pressure on himself, saying he won the last fight, saying he’s going to change this and that for the next fight. “He’s still out there saying he’s the champ, but he’s not. He’s all over the place. Really, I don’t know what to make of him.

“If he fights on after he loses to me, he’s going to lose to average fighters, not just world champions. People need to see what you can do, not just hear what you can do.”

Chennai: Defending champions Chennai Super Kings pulled off a miraculous last-ball victory over Royal Challengers Bangalore after being on the backfoot for a majority of the contest at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, on Thursday (yesterday), and proved yet again that they’re to be underestimated on their home turf at one’s own peril.

Daniel Vettori elected to bat and Bangalore piled on a mammoth 205-8. Chennai began their chase in a hurry, as Faf du Plessis (71, 46b, 5x4, 4x6), Suresh Raina (23, 14b, 3x4, 1x6) and M.S. Dhoni (41, 24b, 1x4, 2x6) kept them in the hunt, with the asking rate surging beyond the initial ten runs-per over mark.

Bangalore gradually tightened the screws and the equation read 43 to get in two overs when Dhoni got out. The visiting team were rank favourites as Virat Kohli came on for the 19th over. Albie Morkel, who had walked in at the skipper ’s dismissal, changed the complexion of the match in the space of six deliveries. Kohli’s over read 4,6,4,6,2,6, as Morkel massacred the part-timer for 28 runs, bringing the requirement down to 15 from the last over, to be bowled by Vinay Kumar.

Vinay conceded a single on the first ball, dismissed Morkel on the second, and once again the momentum swung Bangalore’s way.

But with 14 to get in four deliveries, Dwayne Bravo, now on strike, did not disappoint. He top-edged a waist-high no-ball to the fence, clubbed a six off a full-toss and stole a single bringing Chennai to within one hit of the target.

Ravindra Jadeja faced the last ball of the match with his team needing a couple, and the $2 million purchase edged a chancy boundary to third-man to deliver an unlikely five-wicket win from an almost impossible position. It was unfortunate that Muttiah Muralitharan, who bowled his four overs for just 21 amid the destruction and also cleaned up Chennai’s top three batters, ended up on the losing side.

Earlier, a 109-run stand in 11 overs between Chris Gayle and Kohli took Bangalore to 205.

This rematch of the 2011 IPL final began with Mayank Agarwal making clear his intent. He took boundaries off R. Ashwin - who had opened the bowling- and Bollinger. Agarwal was dropped on 16 by the left-arm paceman off Ashwin and he made Chennai pay for the lapse, striking sixes off Ashwin and Bollinger as Bangalore raced to 50 in the fifth over.

Agarwal totally outshone Gayle in their 53-run opening stand, as the West Indian

Ravindra Jadeja celebrates his team’s winning shot contributed just six to the association. Having begun the season with two losses in three matches - as against Bangalore’s one apiece record - Chennai would have hoped for its battery of spinners to choke the flow of runs and give them an opening in the game. As it happened, the bowlers failed miserable.

Agrawal top-edged Morkel to mid-on, leaving the stage to Gayle and Kohli. The West Indian, who had at that stage scored a boundary-less 11 in as many balls, went berserk when Suresh Raina was introduced.

Three sixes, all over long-on, ruined Raina’s first over, and then it was the turn of Shadab Jakati, who was also despatched right over and beyond the leg-side, the second hit bringing up Gayle’s fifty in 27 balls.

The grin that spread across Gayle’e face each time he clobbered a bowler indicated how much he was enjoying batting. A century looked on the cards, but Ravindra Jadeja came on to bowl and got rid of the West Indian.

Kohli, who had struggled with his timing, got into the act in the 18th over - bowled by Morkel. A pull over mid-wicket, a scampered two - to bring up his fifty - and another savage heave over the boundary, and Kohli had brought Bangalore to the brink of 200.

The final over, however, was anti-climactic. The visitors lost four wickets - three to Bollinger, one to a run-out - and it took Vinay’s last-ball six to heave Bangalore to 205, the highest total of IPL-V, which proved insufficient in the face of Morkel’s unbelievable hitting at the fag end of Chennai’s chase.

East West Entertainment 5-a-side Football Fiesta

The inaugural East West Entertainment 5-a-side football fiesta is set to continue tomorrow at Hopetown Ground, West Coast Berbice from 18:30hrs.

Eight of the 16 teams in the competition will be on show as they seek top honors, those on show today will be New Amsterdam United ‘A’, Courtland United, Manchester ‘B’, Courtland Invaders, New Amsterdam United ‘B’, Manchester ‘A’, TBN and Unknowns. Matches will be played for 40 minutes.

Courtland Invaders will try to invade NA United ‘A’ in the first match setting an exciting atmosphere for the

remainder of the evening.

Manchester ‘B’ will next face Courtland United, NA United ‘B’ oppose Manchester ‘A’ while Unknown engage TBN in the other matches slated.

A top prize of $100,000 is up for grabs with $50,000, $25,000 and $10, 000 set aside for 2nd to 4th place. Also to be rewarded is the highest goal scorer of the competition which commenced on Easter Sunday at the Rosignol Tarmac.

In those opening matches, Hopetown ‘B’, Hopetown ‘A’, Young Ballers and No. 5 Bay were all winners. Romel Campbell netted a brace (8, 15) that propelled Hopetown‘B’toanexciting 2-1 win over Bus Drive.

Hopetown ‘A’ romped to an east 2-0 triupmh over Ithaca Bay. Young Ballers edged Rosignol ‘B’ by the odd goal in three. Travis Edwards opened the scoring account in the 8th minute with the second added by Trsydel Allen in the 19th minute.

Rosignol ‘B’ got their consolation goal off the boot of Shawn Brutus in the 20th minute.

No. 5 Bay crushed Rosignol 4-1 in the final match. Orwin Johnson (5, 12), Arthley Bailey (9), and Stayan Frank (15) were the players on target for the winners. Delroy Fraser netted the lone effort for Rosignol ‘A’. The final is slated for May 5.

Friday April 13, 2012

Kaieteur News

Dexter ‘The Kid’ Marques to battle Barbadian as ProAm boxing extravaganza resumes

The boxers at yesterday’s ceremony seen affixing their signatures to their respective contracts.

ProAm boxing returns to the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) and Dexter ‘The Kid’ Marques will be required to pull off all the stops if he is get past Barbadian Ricardo Blackman when the two pugilists face off over 8 rounds in the main attraction of the April edition of the Friday Night Fights slated for Friday April 27 next. The card will also feature 8 amateur boxers battling for honours in four fights.

Mandessa Moses, a thrilling lightweight pugilist, will also engage in an 8 rounds bout against Trinidadian, Tiana Sosa following the abortion of an earlier bout between the two while Trinidadian based Guyanese, Iwan ‘Pure Gold’

Azore returns to fistic duty after conceding a loss to Simeon ‘Candyman’ Hardy in an earlier edition of the Friday Night Fights.

He challenges Jermaine King in a 4 round catchweight bout and that fight would be preceded by a clash of debutants David Thomas and Anson Greene in the Jnr/ welterweight division.

The respective boxers convened at the Avenue of the Republic offices of Abdool and Abdools Insurance Brokers yesterday afternoon where they consummated the deal with the signing of contracts.

None of the overseas based fighters were present as they are still to fly into the country. However, Kaieteur

Sport was reliably informed that they are engaged in stiff training at their respective gyms overseas.

As has become the norm those fighters present at the signing ceremony all exuded confidence with each committing to hard work during the preparatory sessions. For now, the locally based boxers would operate at gyms around the city while the overseas based pugilists would arrive soon to open camp, also at city gyms.

Moses will be at the Andrew ‘Sixheads’ Lewis Boxing Gym while King and Marques would be honing his skills at the Forgotten Youth Foundation (FYF) Boxing Gym, also in Albouystown. The amateur

boxers to appear on the card would be announced later after officials of the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association (GABA) would have convened sometime this week.

The ProAm affair is a Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC) initiative in collaboration with the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association (GABA) and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.

Activities would be recorded for future showing one week after the card has concluded.

The admission price remains at $1000 for adults while children pay half that amount. The first bell sounds at 20:00hrs sharp.

Page 29

Five-star Mascarenhas stars as Kings XI thrash Pune Warriors MOHALI: Dimitri Mascarenhas’ five-for set up Kings XI Punjab’s first win of IPL-V as they beat Pune Warriors by 7 wickets at the PCA Stadium, yesterday. The victory was Punjab’s first over Pune across the short history of the league.

Punjab elected to field and bundled out Pune for 115 in 19 overs on a track with a little something for the seamers, and then chased down the requirement with 14 balls to spare. Although the home team lost an out-of-sorts Paul Valthaty first ball to Ashok Dinda, and had to tide over a tight Rahul Sharma spell in the middle of the innings, the low target was never going to be any trouble once Shaun Marsh dug in at one end.

Pune might have tested Punjab further had they held their chances, but two dropped catches and a missed run-out of Marsh didn’t do them any favours and in the end, the Aussie’s solid unbeaten 64 (54b, 7x4, 1x6) brought Preity Zinta’s outfit their first points of the season.

But really, the seeds of the win were sown when Pune took strike and Punjab put in the hard yards. Praveen Kumar and Parvinder Awana started their spells tidily and the first breakthrough came

about when the dangerous Jesse Ryder was run out by David Hussey. At 28-1 in the sixth over, there was no cause for alarm for Pune - just yet.

The introduction of Mascarenhas’ medium-pace changed all that. The English all-rounder accounted for captain Sourav Ganguly in his first ball, a leading edge that lobbed comfortably to Marsh at point. Two deliveries later, a struggling Marlon Samuels was clean bowled and put out of his misery.

Mascarenhas removed Robin Uthappa just as the Bangalorean was finding his feet, as Pune lost half their side for 75 in the 13th over, and returned for another double-wicket burst – in the 18th over. Mithun Manhas (31, 28b, 3x4, 1x6), who provided the only resistance against disciplined Punjab bowling, heaved Mascarenhas for six over long-off to begin the 18th. The bowler got his own back in the very next ball, as Manhas tried to sweep, missed, and saw his stumps scattered. Mascarenhas wasn’t finished.

He added Rahul Sharma to his bag of scalps and concluded with figures of 40-25-5, leaving Pune tottering at 110 for nine – at the point of no return.

GABA receives boxing equipment from NSC

Dr. Frank Anthony hands over the equipment to President of GABA, Steve Ninvalle in the presence of NSC Director, Neil Kumar (left), GABA General Secretary Sean Richmond (right) and Terrence Poole, Technical Director.

The National Sports Commission (NSC) yesterday donated a quantity of boxing equipment including two sledge hammers to President of the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association (GABA), Steve Ninvalle, during a simple ceremony which also had in attendance other members of the Body, at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, Homestretch Avenue.

The equipment was presented by Minister of

Sport Dr. Frank Anthony and according to the President was recommended by Cuban Coach Francisco Hernandez Roldan to assist in the further

development and preparation of the team selected to vie for qualification for the London Olympics.

The two hammers will be

used to strengthen the boxers’ arms by way of hitting them against large tyres during training.

Ninvalle revealed that Guyana has not been represented at the Olympics since 1996 and informed that a team will depart Guyana on May 2 for Brazil where the boxers will attempt to qualify for the Olympics set for London in July.

The team of which the President did not give a head count is currently encamped at the Andrew ‘Six Head’ Lewis Gym in Albouystown for almost one week.

Asked about the team’s preparation, Ninvalle said it is going smoothly and was glad that the Cuban Coach is here to share his experience and expertise

- Minister says more equipment to be donated with the local coaches for two years.

He expressed his pleasure with the equipment donated by the NSC in his brief speech and hinted that an U-16 Boxing Tournament will be hosted to give the Cuban Coach an opportunity to examine the nursery level of the sport.

Dr. Anthony, who spoke of the donation in relation to assisting in the transformation of boxing in Guyana, said that the gift was an initial one to support the boxers’ development as they undergo training with Roldan.

He added that once the

budget is through more equipment will be bought for the sport since he believes that boxing is one of the areas that could win more medals for Guyana.

GABA, General Secretary, Sean Richmond disclosed that a dynamic programme will be put in place for boxers to further aid in the development of the sport country wide.

“The boxers will be in touch with all gyms in Guyana as a spin off strategy to be employed by the coaches. We are drawing from the Cuban Coach, techniques and strategies to upgrade our system.”

GCA FITNESS SEMINAR SET FOR EVE LEARY ON MONDAY The Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) will be hosting a Fitness Training Seminar on Monday April 16 at Police Sports Club Ground, Eve Leary, from 16:00hrs for Coaches and Net

Session Leaders from its member clubs.

According to the GCA, the main aim of the seminar is to enhance the ability of the Club Coaches/Net Session Leaders in conducting

improved fitness programs in their respective clubs.

The seminar will be conducted by Linden Wilson who is a former Police fast bowler and an I.O.C Qualified Physical Trainer/Athletic

Coach. Participants from the Association’s Member Clubs are asked to register with Neil Barry (609-9310) not later than Sunday 15 April 15.

The GCA would also like

to advise all Member Clubs that it will be implementing a minimum fitness standard for all the cricketers (male & female) selected to represent the Association from July 1,2012.

Page 30

Kaieteur News

Elizabeth Styles U19 50 overs tourney...

T. Ramoutar slams 117 for No.70 Young Star; Edinburg’s W. Latiff takes 6 for 13

Akshay Homraj

Thameshwar Ramoutar

Omar Weatherspoon

The inaugural Elizabeth Styles Under-19 50 overs cricket competition, organised by the Berbice Cricket Board got cracking recently in the Ancient County.

Thameshwar Ramoutar of No.70 Young Star blasted 117 to help his team amass 321 for 8 in their allotted 40 overs against Crabwood Creek Rising with 106 of his runs coming in boundaries (19x4 5x6).

Ramoutar and Naeem Yacoob (48) put on 175 for the second wicket in just 17 overs.

Also joing the runs party was Akshay Homraj who hit 53 (10x4); Young Star won by 192 runs.

Edinburg’s right arm legspinner, Wahab Latiff grabbed 6 for 13 from 4 overs and along with pacer Jamal Henry’s 2 for 9 from 4 overs, they routed Sisters Warriors for a meagre 40. Edinburg won by 9 wickets.

Khemraj Dhanraj of No.7 Silver Park also scored a half century while pacer Omar Weatherspoon took 5 for 22 from 9 overs for Police in a losing effort against Tucber Park.

Collated scroes from the matches played: At No.70 - No.70 Young Star hammered Crabwood Creek Rising by 192 runs.

No.70 Young Star 321 for 8 in 40 overs; Thameshwar Ramoutar 117, Akshay Homraj 53, Naeem Yacoob 48, Mohamed Deochand 20*, Yashendra Angad 3 for 43 and Ganesh Ramdihal 2 for 55.

Crabwood Creek Rising 129 in 20 overs; Anthony Khedaroo 26, Naresh Deo 26, Azad Mohamed 3 for 15, Trevor Thomas 3 for 36 and Kamesh Sugrim 2 for 23.

At Edinburg - Edinburg thumped Sisters Warriors by 9 wickets. Sisters Warriors 40

in 12 overs; Paul Ali 21, Wahab Latiff 6 for 13 and Jamal Henry 2 for 9. Edinburg 43 for 1 in 5 overs; Jamal Henry 29 not out.

At Bush Lot - Bush Lot New Generation defeated No.7 Silver Park by 7 wickets. No.7 Silver Park 117 in 18 overs; Khemraj Dhanraj 51 and Kris Ramnarine 3 for 1. Bush Lot New Generation 118 for 3 in 14.2 overs; Mahendra Mahadeo 24 and Brandon Balkissoon 22.

At the Berbice High School Ground in New Amsterdam - Tucber Park beat Police by 48 runs. Tucber Park 153 in 43 overs; Akeem Hyles 20 not out, Omar Weatherspoon 5 for 22 and Martin Singh 3 for 24. Police 105 in 31 overs; Sherwin McKenzie 21, Quacy Mickle 21, Kevin Pellow 4 for 13, Romario DeJonge 2 for 14 and Aryton Adams 2 for 18.

Bakewell/MYO Inter Jamaat 15-over Softball Cricket

Play in the Bakewell sponsored, Muslim Youth Organisation ( MYO) InterJamaat softball cricket competition bowled off with exciting games at the MYO Ground, Woolford Avenue & Albert Street on Sunday last.

In the first game, Blankenburg thrashed Belle West from Canal # 2 by 10 wickets. Belle West batted first and were bowled out for 87 in 11 overs. Haniff Khan did the damage with 5-15 with Imtiaz Alli taking 3-15.

Blankenburg reached the target without losing a wicket in six overs. Naveed Ali

blasted 44 not out from 14 balls which included three sixes and four fours. Brother Trotz was among the runs as well with 29 from 17 balls which included three fours.

In the second game, Farm ‘B’ demolished La Bonne Intention ‘B’ by 8 wickets.

LBI ‘B’ took first strike and were bowled out for a paltry 48 in 11.1 overs. Zaman Ally 3-6 and Asif Elahi assisted with 2-16 the main wicket takers.

09:00hrs 11:00hrs 13:00hrs 15:00hrs

Farm ‘B’ raced to the target in 4.3 overs; Ameer Khan made 24 from 11 balls (2x6) while Avinash Singh blasted 22 from eight balls (1x6 3x4).

Twenty teams are in the tournament which is being played in a Four Zones using the Round-Robin format, five teams in each Zone. The top two teams in each zone will advance to the quarterfinals.

Matches will continue on Sunday at the same venue.

LBI ‘A’ vs Windsor Forest New Mosque vs Queentsown Land of Canaan vs Mocha Arcadia Grove vs Annajm

GFF Inter Association Female League gets under way tomorrow Female players will finally get the opportunity to get their competitive game going when competition in the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Inter Association League kicks off tomorrow at the Blairmont community Centre Ground.

Hosts Berbice will entertain West Demerara from 13:45hrs in a game that

promises lots of fireworks with a number of young aspiring players expected to be on show as they seek to start on a winning note.

Defending champions, Georgetown, will take on West Demerara the following Saturday (April 21) at the Uitvlugt Community Centre Ground from 16:00hrs.

Friday April 13, 2012

Deonarine delivers with ball, wants to do it with bat West Indies all-rounder Narsingh Deonarine made a successful return to International cricket with the ball, as he played a crucial role in his team’s fight-back against Australia on the final day of the first Digicel Test on Wednesday.

Deonarine, recalled to the team for his first Test in two years, took career-best figures of four wickets for 53 runs with his off-breaks, as the West Indies tried gallantly to defend the 192 they set the Aussies for victory on the final afternoon at Kensington Oval in Barbados.

He came on midway in the final session and got the key wickets of Shane Watson, Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke to bring West Indies right back into the contest. In the end, the Aussies reached the target for seven wickets, as the game came to a thrilling climax with shadows lengthened across the historic venue.

“When I was bowling, I felt I could bowl them out,” he said. “I believed I could do the job and win us the match. I was confident. . .I was thinking positive.

“When the captain gave me the ball he asked me to keep it tight and look to bowl into the ‘rough’. We had an idea that would trouble the batsmen. That worked really well and I got the wickets we were looking for at that stage.”

Deonarine added: “We needed someone to step up to the plate and I was happy I could do the job. I got the full support of everyone around me and everyone was encouraging me.

“I ended up with four wickets, but I kept looking for more and tried to help us to win.

We didn’t get the result we wanted, but played some hard cricket and we will take that spirit with us and be ready for the second match.”

The left-hander made 21 in both innings – he batted enterprisingly in the first innings and played resolutely in the second innings.

Narsingh Deonarine His aim is to dig in when he gets the chance in the second Digicel Test, beginning on Sunday at Queen’s Park Oval.

The Windies arrived in Port-of-Spain on Thursday afternoon, as they prepare for the second match of the three for the Frank Worrell Trophy.

“I feel really good to be back in the team and I am really comfortable in the environment,” he said.

“Everyone has welcomed me back and I am clear about what is my role in the team.

“I want to get some runs in the next match.

I will be looking for a big score and to help push the team forward.

We didn’t play bad cricket in Barbados, but we just let it get away from us on the fourth day, so we have to fix that.”

RHTY&SC to host Gala Annual Awards Ceremony on Sunday Guyana Senior 20/20 selectee Rajiv Ivan would receive the prestigious Cricketer of the Year Award for 2011 when the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports club hosts its 22nd Annual Awards Ceremony this Sunday at the Annexe Restaurant in Rose Hall Town.

Ivan, performed outstandingly for the Club’s Gizmos & Gadgets First Division team with both bat and ball and was one of the main reasons for the team playing unbeaten for the entire year.

A total of 40 club members will be honoured and would receive a total of $3M worth of trophies, medals, prizes and gifts.

The Club would also honour over one hundred of its sponsors, journalists and friends of the club. Chairman of the Interim Management Committee for cricket and former West Indies Captain Clive Lloyd would deliver the feature address on the topic “Discipline is important for success in Cricket”.

Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster is expected to

give a comprehensive report on the Club’s activities while other speakers will include Patron Beverley Harper, President Keith Foster and Regional chairman Permaul Armogan.

Some of the other awardees are Runner-up Cricketer of the Year Khemraj Mahadeo, Clinton Pestano, Assad Fudadin, Dominic Rikhi, Moonish Singh, Nicholas Cameron, Jacquelin Singh, Shemaine Campbelle, Erva Giddings, Nermala Sewdat, Devin Baldeo and Eon Hooper.

‘Screw’ Richmond Memorial Football Competition...

New Silvercity, Wisburg latest to register wins New Silvercity Secondary School squeezed past Mackenzie High School by a 3-2 margin in a pulsating encounter on Tuesday as play in this year’s Edward ‘Screw’ Richmond Memorial Football Competition continued in the Mining Town of Linden.

On target for the winners were Jonathan Fredericks

(12th), Delon Younge (15th) and Michael Richmond, who netted the decisive goal in the 50th minute to separate the two teams.

Damion Williams lashed in a double in the 7th and 9th minutes of play which had given Mackenzie High the lead initially.

In the opening game, Wisburg Secondary gained a

walkover from Marcia Craig Educational Institute.

Matches continue today with two more games scheduled for the LTI ground starting at 15:00 hrs.

Teams will be battling to book their spot in the semifinals which is scheduled to be played next Tuesday and Thursday, at the MSC Ground.

Friday April 13, 2012

Kaieteur News

Current and former nationals on show in Mayor’s Cup semis today

D

evon Millington and Nedd Fraser o f W e s t Ruimveldt; Pernell Schultz, Jahall Greaves and Eon Alleyne of Worthmanville are among the cast of promising players who will be on show today in when the Annual Mayor’s Cup Inter Ward football fiesta semi finals are contested at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) Ground from 18:30hrs.

The best teams in this format {Inter Ward}of the game will further showcase their worth with the top two from each semi earning a place in the grand final which has as the top prize, $500,000 cash.

The first match, anticipated to be a mouth watering cklash will be contested between West Ruimveldt and Bourda.

Dwayne Alli, Devon Millington, Philip Rowley, Nedd Fraser and Sherman David will lead West Ruimveldt’s challenge for victory.

Bourda, will be aiming to carry the attack to the West Ruimveldt side led by striker Roy Stanton, Keshawn Blackman, Keon Solomon, Allan Spence and Ronell McClean.

Spectators are in for another treat when the feature game kicks off at 20:30hrs between Wortmanville and West Ruimveldt Estate with more seasoned players spearheading both teams.

In the quarter-finals, Worthmanville proved that they were a force to be reckoned with after crushing Alexander Village 4-0 earning their place in the final four. in the forefront for Wortmanville are Junior ‘Jaguar’ Pernell Shultz

Page 31

CARIFTA team did well in conditions - Boyce, Edmonds conclude

Devon Millington

Pernel Schultz

along with Fruta Conquerors teammate and Captain Eon Alleyne along with Colin Edwards, Dellon Williams, Joshua Brown, Paul Daniels and Royan Morrison.

The talented Shultz netted a hat-trick and along with Daniels’ goal guided Wortmanville through to this stage easily. Alleyne will lead the attack in midfield for Wortmanville.

Not to be outdone, West Ruimveldt Estate is expected to come out blazing in ‘A’ game mode seeking to turn back the challenge of a talented Wortmanville line-up.

Leading West Ruimveldt’s quest for a place in eth championship game will be the Pedro brothers, Hubert and Micheal, Michael Oie, Stellon David and Randolph Morrison. Whatever the outcome of today’s semis, fans can look forward to two exciting duals.

Tonight’s winners will face off on April 21 in the final with the top prize of $500,000 and losers reward of $250,000 at stake. The losing semi-finalists will clash for cash prizes totalling 150,000 and $100,000, respectively.

The competition’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) will

earn the Keishars’ Gift Shop voucher worth US$100.00 along with a trip to Kaieteur Falls, compliments of Roraima Airways.

The player to score the most goals will also be US$100.00 richer, compliments of Hector Stout Jr. In the running for the highest goal scorer prize are Anthony Sancho (4), Michael Henry, Hubert Pedro and Pernell Shultz with three (3) each, but Sancho and Henry’s teams are not in the running any longer so it will be ahead to head battle betweem the other two players to be clinical in their finishing this evening.

Sponsors of the top four prizes in order of 1st to 4th are Banks DIH Ltd, Digicel, M Beepat & Sons and the Guyana Beverage Company.

Several other corporate entities have also contributed to the success of the tournament including MACORP, John Fernandes Ltd, Nazar Mohamed of Mohamed’s Enterprise Lombard Street, CIDI, General Equipment Guyana Ltd, New Thriving Restaurant, Sterling Products and Courtney Benn Construction Company.

AAG President Colin Boyce (centre) addresses the media in the presence of Coach, Julian Edmonds and Team Manager, Pamela Phillips.

By Edison Jefford President of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG), Colin Boyce, and Guyana’s CARIFTA Games Coach, Julian Edmonds both concluded that Guyana did well in the unfavourable weather conditions they competed in last weekend at the Games in Bermuda.

They were both conducting an autopsy of the team’s performance in the presence of the media at the Guyana Olympic Association Headquarters.

They concluded that given the cold conditions of Bermuda and Guyana’s failure to acclimatise, the team did well.

“While we expected more medals and I would have had high hopes from the team, I will not nail them to the cross. We are not here to take any positions on the athletes that represented us.

We’ll have an assessment done for the future,” Boyce told the media.

“I keep saying to our athletes at home and will continue to say to them that they need to continue to set high standards for themselves and I believe those high standards are International standards and

this is where they need to do a lot of work,” theAAG head added.

Guyana returned with one bronze medal in the Under-17 Girls 1500m from A n d r e a F o s t e r. Te v i n Garraway made both U-17 100m and 200m finals as did Stephan James in the U-20 400m for the second consecutive year. Samuel Kaiton was fifth in the 5000m.

The other two athletes on the team, sprinters, Chavez Ageday and Davin Fraser did not get to the finals in t h e i r e v e n t s . F o s t e r, Garraway, Kaiton and Fraser all made their debut for Guyana at the Caribbean’s most prestigious junior Track and Field competition.

T h e t e a m ’s c o a c h , Edmonds, was taken aback with the weather conditions in Bermuda when the team arrived one day before they went into competition.

Edmonds informed that the athletes did not have enough time to adjust to the cold and windy weather pattern.

“Given the conditions and factors, I believe the team did well,” he said, adding that some athletes could have barely managed to feel their legs during warm-up and in their events.

Edmonds noted that the local

Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Futsal Football ...

Teams yet to score points aiming to do so tomorrow

By Rawle Welch The teams in this year’s Linden segment of the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Futsal Football Competition who’re yet to register points will be aiming to do so tomorrow evening when action returns to the Wisroc/Amelia’s Ward Bus Park where eight matches are scheduled to be played, starting from 18:00 hrs.

In the opening game, Mini Bus tackles $100 Car and the latter will be looking to

climb into the positive index in the points table after dropping their first game, while the former, who salvaged a draw in their opening encounter, will be seeking full points from this game to stand a chance to make it to the quarter-finals.

Classic Six then takes on Wash Boyz and this too should be an interesting affair since the former has just one point, while their Part of the action in an earlier opponents managed to gain a positive result match of this year’s competition (Continued on page 27) which is being played in Linden.

athletes were not prepared for consistent chilly conditions.

Asked to assess the performance of James, who was listed as a definite medal contender after his exceptional performance last y e a r, E d m o n d s s a i d “Stephan did his best on the day, but his best is not enough to get him a medal this time around”. James was competing in his final year U-20 the year after he made every international final with a bronze at South American juniors.

And on Ageday, whom the AAG has expressed a lot of confidence in exposing Internationally, it was expected that he, as a senior member of the team, also return with a medal.

However that did not materialise, but Edmonds believes Ageday has improved.

“Ageday trains 90 percent on the road and he did 10.69 in the 100m. Only Quinse Clarke has run faster than him on a rubber track for the last two years with his 10.68 in Venezuela (at the ALBA Games). So while he did not make the final, he improved,” Edmonds said.

Boyce interjected and reminded the media that Ageday was running the best times in the country before he departed for the CARIFTA Games. Boyce said that he forced them to select him when he easily thrashed the qualifying times they had set at their trials.

However, Boyce said that the association will have an analysis done of the pool of junior athletes they now have in their inventory, which he referred to as the best they have had, and a plan to get them into development camps will be created to enhance their future.

XXVII Carifta Swimming Championships...

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t r o Sp Jessica Stephenson swims to gold in 200m breast; van Lange in action today

uyana’s top female swimmer Jessica Stephenson has continued her dominance of the region at the Carifta level when she swam to another gold medal and the first for Guyana this year in the 200m breatstroke at the XXVII Carifta Swimming Championships which started yesterday in Nassau, Bahamas and continues through Sunday.

Headlining Team Guyana’s chances is Stephenson along with another promising Guyanese, Britany van Lange, team Coach is Shyka Gonsalves.

The team arrived in the Bahamas on Tuesday, April 10th with both swimmers eager to improve their chances of representing Guyana at the London 2012 Olympic Games by attaining new Personal Best Times and rising in the FINA points rankings.

Immediately, however, Jessica is defending her historic gold medal sweep of the breaststroke events which she achieved at Carifta 2011 in the

land of the Flying Fish, Barbados.

Stephenson was the first Guyanese in the pool yesterday, swimming her best event - the 200m breaststroke. She went into the preliminaries seeded second with an entry time of 2:43.32 and swam well within her capability to earn a place in last evening’s final seeded third.

When the waves of the final had settled, Stephenson had a firm grip on her first gold medal with a time of 2:42.20 - more than two seconds ahead of 2nd placed Breanna Roman of Jamaica, who finished in 2:44.36. This swim earned Jessie 644 points on the FINA scale.

Today, van Lange swims her first event of the Championships - the 200m Freestyle - in which she is seeded 13th with an entry time of 2:15.88.

Both Stephenson (breaststroke) and van Lange (freestyle) are swimming in the 15-17 age-group and both are swimming 50m, 100m and 200m events.

Jessica Stephenson (left) and Britany van Lange.

NGRC hosts another successful Race Meet Peter Tulsi is overall leader with 3 Meets to go

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he National Grasstrack Racing Club (NGRC) of Guyana held another successful Race Meet, the second of the year o n E a s t e r S u n d a y, a t Strathavon Cricket Ground, Cane Grove, East Coast Demerara.

A total of 11 events were completed with the 12th and final one of the day having to

be abandoned due to an accident which involved overall point’s leader Peter Tulsi, who sustained a broken leg. The Executive of the NGRC is wishing Tulsi a speedy recovery.

Following are the results of the races: Event 1 – Novice G. Da Silva, Vickey Persaud, Raj Rajkaran Event 2 – Pro Riders

Part of the action at Sunday’s NGRC Grasstrack Meet held at the Strathavon Cricket Ground.

Peter Tulsi, Andy Rajkaran, Junior Da Silva Event 3 – Chappy Sohan Kisson, Zalim Mohamed, Javid Ali Event 4 - 80cc bikes Avo Ramcoomar, Nandram Mohamed, Shafeek Abdool Event 5 - Novice V. Ramcoomar, Marlon Baksh, Raj Rajkaran Event 6 – Pro Riders Peter Tulsi was the only rider to compelet the race Event 7 – Chappy Zalim Mohamed, Reza Mohamed, Sohan Kissoon Event 8 - Pro Riders Peter Tulsi, Andy Rajkaran

Event 9 – Novice V. R amco o mar, H as el Baksh, Raj Rajkaran Event 10 - 80cc bikes A. Ramcoomar, Nandram Mohamed, Shafeek Abdool The big overall prize at stake for the Pro Riders is a brand new 2012 Yamaha bike and Tulsi is in the lead, depending on the rate of his recovery, the other riders will be sensing that their chances are just as good.

Tulsi has so far accumulated 58 points and is followed by Andy Rajkaran with 46 points, Andrew Wong 30, Abi Rahman 14, Vassie

Barry 8 and Junior Da Silva 6.

Three more Meets are slated for the year with the next event set for Anna Regina on July 1 under lights.

The NGRC is extending sincere thanks to all who came out and supported the event especially their sponsors; DDL, Ansa Mc al, Ashmins Trading, Trans Pacific Motor Spares, Rohan Auto Sales, Sundar & S. Nauth Motor Spares, Jailing, Dons Motor Cycle Spares, RPM Motor Cycle Spare Parts and Dereck Auto Spares.

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