Kaieteur News

Thursday Edition April 19, 2012 - Vol. 5 No. 15

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Ministries' workers protest AFC proposed budget cuts - fear that they stand to lose their jobs or get a lower salary

Pg 14

Old age pension hiked to $10,000

Ministers and workers protest

Pg

…following Granger, 3 Ramotar meeting at OP

Battered woman comes forward to protect attacker

Pg 11

... hopes to clear boyfriend's name

Linden shutdown in face of electricity protest Lindeners Pg 6

Grove/Diamond residents attack government for corruption cover-up Pg 17

protest

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Thursday April 19, 2012

Kaieteur News

AFC will not seek cuts from the ordinary worker - Ramjattan

Government Ministers and their parliamentarians along with scores of contract workers took to the streets in uproar after the Alliance For Change (AFC) Chairman, Khemraj Ramjattan, in parliament recently outlined some $3B (US$15M) to be placed on the chopping block when he made his presentation in Budget Debates.

The protest was held at various sections of the streets around Public Buildings.

Most of the protestors were however in the vicinity of Brickdam and Avenue of the Republic.

“It is not the objective of the AFC or Ramjattan or a n y o n e o f t h e parliamentarians to do something that we feel will oppress workers more. And the propaganda machinery that is NCN, Chronicle and GINA, heavily scandalizing what we are doing,” Ramjattan emphatically said yesterday at a press conference held at the Sidewalk Café.

Ramjattan had recommended that cuts be made for allocations to the Ministries of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Housing and Water, and Culture, Youth and Sport.

However, according to Ramjattan, 24 hours notice had to be given to the

- Super salaries being exclusively targeted

Some of the contract workers who turned out to protest outside Parliament yesterday. government for the proposed cuts in the budget, and government used the occasion to twist the AFC's intentions, he said.

He explained that one of the major cuts pertained to contract employees that earn super salaries. Adding that he communicated with the Minister of Finance Dr Ashni Singh the need for information on the top 25 contractual workers in the government Ministries, Ramjattan said “that the information I had wanted for purposes of being more clinical in the scissors

exercise…We didn't cut the entire budget for contract employees. We made certain cuts to those that we are being informed by insider information in these Ministries as to who are getting top jobs, and who are getting special salaries and allowances.”

He further said that the AFC will not seek cuts from the ordinary workers but the favorites of the Government who earn hundreds of thousands of dollars.

“All we are asking is that the relevant Ministers of the various Ministries, is who

are the top earners, and once they give proper explanations we can then make the cut or if the explanations are perfectly in order we are going to approve,” Ramjattan explained.

Adding that politics is being played with a financial matter, Ramjattan said the AFC wants to see old age pension go up to $10,000, and social assistance to $7,500.

He said the two items when calculated will be $750M. “We want to see the rate of VAT reduced immediately by two percent in 2012 and another two percent in 2013.

The cost for the reduction of VAT by two percent will be $4.2 billion and this can be less costly if Government can enforce tax collection,” Ramjattan noted.

“We want to see the rate of personal income tax reduced from 33.3 per cent to 30 per cent in 2012, and a further 3.3 per cent next year bringing it down to 25 per cent in 2014. We want the suspension of the decision to increase electricity tariff since this cost the government $2.9 billion.

“We also want the establishment of a

procurement commission not later than May 31 of which will cost $100M annually which will save billions in overpayments to contractors.”

Underscoring that the AFC total cuts came up to $3.8 billion, Ramjattan noted that other than the cuts this sum can be found in static accounts in the various bank accounts. He pointed too to the GT&T shares which were recently sold for US$30M and will be placed into NICIL's account. This money he said is government's property and (continued on page 17)

Thursday April 19, 2012

Kaieteur News

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AFC’s Budget cuts target Old age pension hiked to $10,000 “Fat Cats with Super Salaries” … following Granger, Ramotar meeting at OP … Combined Opposition hammers Govt. deception

By Gary Eleazar Wednesday, April 18, 2012 will forever go down in the annals of Guyana’s history as the day that an Opposition Member challenged the Budget Estimates with a view to making cuts but this recognition by the Speaker came after the combined opposition thoroughly lambasted the government for what it called deliberate deception.

Parliament got underway some three hours late due to several impromptu meetings, believed to have been spurred by a motion in the name of Alliance for Change (AFC) Chairman Khemraj Ramjattan, proposing cuts to the budget in excess of US$15M. The proposal attracted a lively protest by hundreds of employees attached to the various affected Ministries but the government’s argument that the opposition was looking to make job cuts was quickly dispelled.

One of the affected Accounting Heads that Ramjattan had proposed for cuts was for ‘Contract Employees’.

Moses Nagamootoo of the AFC, in clarifying the motion, stated that the cuts were meant for the “Fat Cats with Super Salaries,” and not the average workers that the government had impugned.

At the beginning of yesterday’s session, Minister of Labour Dr Nanda Gopaul used the opportunity provided for under the Parliamentary Standing Orders, for him to make a statement.

Gopaul proceeded to inform the House, that as Labour Minister of Guyana, he represents the interest of employers and employees and further it is his duty to ensure a level playing field.

He drew reference to the motion that had been presented by Ramjattan which he said was of particular importance given that it alludes to the

APNU’s Amna Ally termination of hundreds of employees. He proceeded to then inform the House of the Legal parameters involved in terminating an employee.

Dr Gopaul said that if Ramjattan’s motion was to be approved then Government will be force to fire hundreds of workers and such an action will result in the flagrant violations of their terms of employment and would breach the Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Act. The Labour Minister then informed the House that this is the first time in history that an opposition party has proposed such sweeping and immediate termination of workers.

“I never would have expected such a crass approach for the perusal of estimates, particularly the employment,” said Gopaul even as he urged APNU to intervene.

GOVERNMENT DECEPTION/ DON’T BE MISLED APNU’s Chief Whip and senior Parliamentarian Amna Ally attempted to move a motion dismissing the Government assertions and condemning their actions by

AFC’s Moses Nagamootoo forcing Ministry workers to protest the Parliamentary session.

The motion was not allowed but the Speaker, guided by precedent set by his predecessor, Ralph Ramkarran, allowed her to make a brief presentation.

Ally proceeded to inform the House that she had received numerous calls to the effect that senior Government officials and Ministers were instructing the Ministries’ staffers to go and protest at Parliament “because the opposition want to see them out of their jobs…they were threatened that if they don’t come out they will be fired.”

Several telephone calls were directed to the Kaieteur News also where Ministries’ staffers related that they were being forced to go and protest or be terminated.

“APNU condemns the callous act,” said Ally even as she called on all concerned Ministers to “stop the distasteful act and don’t involve our professionals with the politics of the day.”

She implored on the House, “We must not put our (continued on page 13)

By Gary Eleazar Following an early meeting at Office of the President between Head of State, Donald Ramotar and Opposition Leader David Granger, prior to yesterday’s round of sessions in the House, it was agreed that the old age pension increase as announced by Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh will be increased further.

Dr Singh reported to the House that following the meeting for which a range of proposals was put forward by Granger, the Government agreed to make the increase payable from May 1.

The Finance Minister told the House that a delegation from A Partnership for National Unity had put forward a number of issues for discussion with the issue of old age pension increase gaining immediate favour with the President’s team.

Dr Singh said that Government will in the coming days be examining how to effect the necessary adjustments to fund the increase for the old age pensioners.

On Friday March 30, 2012, the Minister of Finance had announced a $600 increase for old age pension but despite his trumpeting the increase it was slammed as an insult to pensioners by the Combined Opposition.

Dr Singh in his budget presentation had said that the government would have increased the payable old age pension from $7,500 to $8,100 — a $600 increase that was scoffed at.

Following the first session of the House yesterday Granger explained what had transpired.

The Opposition Leader explained that at the end of the debates aspect of the 2012 Budget sessions APNU was invited to a meeting at the

behest of Speaker of the House Raphael Trotman where both the Alliance for Change and Government were represented.

AVOIDING GRIDLOCK Granger said that at that time it was recognized that there would be grave difficulties as it relates to Budget consensus as the legislators were about to sit in the Standing Committee of Supply where any cuts could be made to the budget.

This, he said, was unless some changes were made and drew reference to his budget presentation as well as the presentation of the AFC where it was expounded on that “there were some aspects of the budget which were not acceptable. It was in this regard that the speaker convened the meeting.”

Granger said that arising from that meeting certain decisions were taken with one such being to “seek a negotiated way out to prevent a collision which would delay the passage of the budget.”

The former brigadier in the Guyana Defence Force turned politician told this publication that “all we wanted to see was that some of the concerns that had arisen during the campaign and the interest which we were committed to ensuring were given representation in the budget and taken on board.”

Granger said that the meetings outside of the House were aimed to ensure that the Budget satisfies the will of the people and their interest. “This meant that concerns about old age

pension, concerns about employment of public servants and concerns about the University of Guyana would be reviewed by the government side so that we wouldn’t attempt to proceed with a budget which left these important issues out.”

Granger said that this resulted in the meeting with President Ramotar yesterday morning, “and these matters were put on the table.”

Speaking directly to the figure of $10,000 for the old age pension effective May 1, Granger told this publication that “in politics and economics you never get total satisfaction about the things you asked for.”

Granger conceded that APNU is aware of the overall budget and “we do not feel that it is possible to increase the size of the budget, so we are looking to see what parts of the budget could be modified to provide funds for the items we feel are of much greater importance.”

He conceded that there can be no total satisfaction and that another critical agenda to be dealt with, was that of an increase in wages and salaries for public servants.

“We are looking for a negotiated settlement which means that we have to give and take; we have to compromise…We are satisfied that in our discussions we are representing the interest of the old age pension, of the public servants,” said Granger even as he alluded to some of the other concerns raised by the opposition which are still to be addressed.

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Kaieteur News

Thursday April 19, 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

Targeting the fat and incurring objections The 2012 budget is perhaps one of the most scrutinized given that the government for the first time in its history cannot pass this budget carte blanche. In the past the budgets would be passed without any amendment despite the protestations of the opposition. The government would listen to the objections in the committee of supplies and simply vote for what it had put in the budget.

The Hansard is replete with objections and arguments to support those objections but the government prevailed because of its parliamentary majority. Today the situation is different. The opposition parties have zeroed on certain aspects that they say represent instances of the government padding accounts to facilitate “the boys”.

One case that has come under scrutiny is the budgetary allocation for the Government Information Agency and the National Communication Network. These are two media agencies that compete with the private media on the local market. NCN has a distinct advertising advantage because businesses are more prone to support the radio station for fear of government victimization.

Member of Parliament of the Alliance For Change, Katherine Hughes, in her budget debate noted, “GINA received $111.496 million last year and has been allocated an increase to $130.398 million in this year’s estimates.

“In addition to GINA, NCN in the estimates who received $70 million last year has now been allocated $81 Million.

“I have in my possession a letter from the CEO of NCN who boldly points out in a letter to the AFC dated March 19, 2012, that NCN is registered as a company incorporated under the Company’s Act 29 of 1991 and receives over 90 per cent of its income from advertising. “ The message is clear. If one were to recognize the subvention as revenue then that sum represents ten per cent of what NCN earns from advertising. And that is an awful lot of money.

The government need not subsidise these entities. The private media entities are out there challenging, and more often than not, doing a better job that the government-owned media without the hundreds of millions of dollars in subvention.

The government should not be annoyed that the opposition now wants to see these media entities operating under conditions to the others who are doing better than surviving and tapping into the same advertising market.

Another objection has to do with the contract workers.

The government has been in the habit of contracting out jobs and paying what the late President Cheddi Jagan once described as super salaries. These people are paid their pensions and gratuities even as they remain on the job.

The opposition parties contend that some of these jobs are in effect public service jobs and the positions should be occupied by public servants. They are challenging the number of contract employees.

Needless to say, for the first time in its history the government has taken to the streets to protest in support of its own budget. Surely, with the majority of the people in Guyana voting for the opposition the government must operate in the interest of those people.

But there is a sad episode. The government had no objection or no compunction about using its public servants to take to the streets. Some of them even reported that the government threatened them with dismissal if they did not turn up outside Public Buildings to demonstrate a protest against any move to cut what the opposition sees as “fat” from the budget. And indeed there is a lot of fat.

None can deny that there are people who are paid fat contracts to do little or nothing. In some cases these are rewards for political work well done. The parliamentary opposition has zeroed in on these people and wants to see them trimmed.

But the government says that the opposition demands are threatening jobs. And even if they do, some of the people are making no contribution to the national economy outside of the taxes deducted from their salaries and wages.

But this situation is going beyond cutting money from the budget; it is about diverting funding to the poorest of the poor—the senior citizens and the infirm. That, in the opposition view, would make it more socially acceptable.

That $300 million waste disposal project: Incompetence or dishonesty?

DEAR EDITOR, I have been following the Kaieteur News’ disclosures on the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC)’s waste disposal project.

We discover, thanks to the Kaieteur News, that a project which we paid 300 million for, now looks like one which should cost half this amount. It’s disgraceful and wasteful.

Here on the one hand we have Nadir telling us that our old age pensioners will receive three pensions, without having regard to the sizes of these pensions; 3$2000 pensions cannot be better than one $10,000 pension, Nadir, so quit the shenanigans and deception and give the people a more realistic pension.

But we probably can’t give them more, since occurrences like this one at the GPHC are going on dozens of times every single day in this country, i.e. incompetence and in many cases, theft.

It was incompetence or dishonesty which allowed the Health Sector Development Unit to initiate a project without doing due diligence, as was their responsibility to the citizens of this country, to determine how much it would cost.

Also, the World Bank does not just give money for these projects.

They are supposed to look into them and make sure that they are feasible and that the price being asked for is reasonable.

If they are not, then they are not doing the jobs for which we are paying them a lot, since a significant amount of these loans go to paying the World Bank for investigating and processing the loans.

They therefore have an obligation not to waste the money of the Guyanese people by financing this clearly inflated loan. Also, the following is extracted from the mission statement of the World Bank at website: h t t p : / / www1.worldbank.org/ publicsector/anticorrupt/ corruptn/cor04.htm 4.

Controlling Corruption in Bankfinanced Projects “The Bank has a responsibility under its Articles to ensure that the funds it lends to borrowers are used for their intended purposes and with due attention to economy and efficiency.

The Bank is also interested in the development effectiveness of its projects and sees loans as a vehicle for the transmission of best

practice in project management to borrower governments. Central to the management of Bank-assisted projects are the Bank’s procurement and loan disbursement procedures” This World Bank charter tells us clearly that they will protect us from these shenanigans. But in this case they clearly have not.

To develop this matter of dishonesty and incompetence that is so prevalent in this country, I would like to address something which I saw in the actual 2012 budget estimates Volume 1 on page 14 at section 31: Ministry of Public Works: we see that the total capital budget allocation for the Ministry of Public Works is G$17.706 billion.

The allocation to administer this huge amount of money to pay for numerous construction projects countrywide, is only G$89 million.

In 2011, when the ministry’s capital allocation was G$13.152 billion, the staffing cost was G$90.3 million. i.e. they are projecting to spend less to manage the expenditure of G$17.706 billion than the previous year’s G$13.152 billion.

Today, as distinct from the past, all of the ministry’s work is contracted out, so there is need for even more experienced and knowledgeable staff to ensure that the people’s money is being well spent.

This means qualified and knowledgeable engineers and managers of all kinds; civil, quantity, construction etc., are needed to administer

the spending of G$17.706 billion in capital works.

How can such a small and weak engineering/managerial staff which only costs $89 million a year ensure that the Guyana taxpayers are getting value for their money? The fact is that they are not. We know that there is one super engineer at the ministry, but given the shoddy and failed works we have seen, he is just not enough.

I now list the staff which this ministry requires to design, quantify and supervise G$17.706 billion by contractors: - 7 administrative staff; 2 senior Technical; 14 other technical and craft skilled; 18 clerical, 14 semiskilled operatives and unskilled and 27 Contracted employees. Well first of all we seem to have 7 administrative staff to administrate 82 people, i.e. roughly one administrator for every 11 persons! The “other charges” to help these 82 staff members perform their duties is more than G$1.4 billion!

Also, we have no idea what these contracted employees do, some could very well be engineers, but since we do not know I am forced to disregard them.

But looking at the established staff, those who are skilled and who have responsibility for making up the estimates of each of these numerous projects and supervising the process of monitoring them through all of their stages to completion, we have 7 administrative staff and 16 technical and craft skilled employees, a total of 23 staff members to physically supervise the

G$17.7 billion for Capital projects all across this country. This is patently ridiculous!

This is why we have such poor quality work in our projects. The contractors do practically what they want to do, without a care for the people of this country and their taxes.

No one is watching them properly and it must stop.

And they will have to start here at the Ministry of Works.

They must employ a consultant immediately to tell them how much staff they need to properly monitor how our money is spent, and to evaluate what sort of administrator is required to look after 10-11 people.

Now we come to another matter of even greater importance, we are told that the estimate which is nearly double what was required for doing this project was approved by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board - a wholly illegal body, since the constitution requires a Procurement Commission which would be made up by persons from across the political spectrum to make sure that this sort of tomfoolery does not occur.

Surely these people cannot be so naive as not to understand that this is an unacceptable response to the people of Guyana, as exposed by the Kaieteur News and those responsible should either be removed from all government positions for their incompetence or charged for being a party to these irregularities.

Tony Vieira

Ramotar’s prolonged silence on Commissioner Greene’s fate is sending a wrong message

DEAR EDITOR, On April 3rd, 2012, President Donald Ramotar told the Guyanese people, via local media reports, that a decision on embattled Police Commissioner Henry Greene will be made in ‘a few days time’.

It has been more than two weeks since this statement by the president and to date the nation is still waiting for that decision, the obvious question then would be; what is a few days time?

It has been almost three months since the Commissioner essentially admitted to engaging in grave professional misconduct.

A Jamaican team, identified by the government, investigated the allegations of rape against Commissioner Greene and recommended that action be taken against Mr. Greene, as they found that he in fact committed acts which can be justly deemed unprofessional, unethical, and I dare say highly immoral.

The facts of this case are known and so I will not attempt to restate them here. However, I must say that it is most contemptuous of the decent people of this country for President

Ramotar to continue to treat this matter as a minor issue, for which he might be hoping that the people will forget.

The President takes for granted the fact that how he and the government deal with this particular case may in fact affect how we, as a people, might be viewed around the world.

It will obviously question our moral and ethical standards as a people.

So far, the government and particularly the president have displayed a dangerous disinterest in dealing condignly with this matter, and the fact that they are apparently continuing to treat with this most important issue as inconsequential, or of no great concern, is an affront to the decent people of this country.

However, this posture, the world and in particular our Caribbean brothers and sisters must know, is not reflective of the people of Guyana, and in no way should be construed as a means by which the moral and ethical standards of Guyanese should be judged.

It is true that any government who prides itself in protecting the image of its country (Continued on page 5)

Thursday April 19, 2012

Kaieteur News

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

The AFC must stop this vote-pandering nonsense DEAR EDITOR, The AFC must stop this vote-pandering nonsense.

Stop playing stupid political games.

Kaieteur News reported AFC Parliamentarian, Cathy Hughes, suggesting that the NCN’s budgeted $81M be removed and used to subsidise electricity for Linden. I suspect the PNC/ APNU will support that idea too.

This is high class nonsense. While I condemn the vengefulness of the PPP’s decision to stop subsidising electricity to Linden, the decision itself was always a fundamentally proportional and fair thing to do. Now, the PPP decided to do it because they got hammered in Linden and outrightly rejected by Lindeners. But beyond the vindictiveness, the decision itself is a sound one.

Taxpayers all around this country, including Lindeners, cannot be bailing out this cake shop known as GPL with its yearly US$720,000 rental of generators that cost US$900,000 when only Lindeners can obtain subsidised electricity rates.

That is unfair. Either all get subsidised or none get subsidised. There are many other pockets of this country in more dire economic circumstances than Linden and they do not get subsidised. Why should Linden?

S t u p i d i t y , disproportionality and inequality by the opposition should not be the response to vengefulness, when behind that nasty act, this is a truly fair decision.

In fact, the PPP should have cut this lifeline a long time now. Let Lindeners pay their fair share of electricity cost like Georgetowners.

I am all for taking away NCN’s and GINA’s funding or slashing that funding while opening up the media

business to more independent operators. It is high time these jokers parroting government propaganda while being paid by taxpayers for cheap trickery, are put out to pasture.

But don’t take taxpayers’ money from one bad decision and choice and throw it at another.

You cannot remove or reduce the gross inequality enjoyed by GINA and NCN and give that money to another group to enjoy a gross inequality such as subsidised electricity rates.

There are poor people all over this country thieving electricity because they cannot afford to pay GPL’s asking rates.

The majority of them don’t live in Linden. If you can’t subsidise them, you can’t subsidise Lindeners.

End the gravy train.

How does the AFC think this would appear to the more than 700,000 Guyanese living outside of Linden when they give Lindeners a break on their electricity rates while that more than 700,000 suffer with regular ridiculously high electricity tariffs? Who is making decisions in this political organization to think it is a good measure to appease a small minority while potentially making stark raving mad the massive majority who are peeved at not getting the same relief?

Which political organization could see capital in such a dumb decision?

M. Maxwell

Ramotar’s prolonged silence on...

From page 4 and people would have acted swiftly to ensure that the moral and ethical values which identified us as a people are protected.

This brings me to the current scandal with President Obama’s Secret Service agents who went to Colombia as his advance team a few days ago. In that situation, it was reported that prostitutes were seen, apparently, leaving the hotel rooms of some of the agents.

Before the President could have arrived in Colombia, for his official visit the next day, those agents were recalled to the United States and another group sent to replace them, and an investigation commenced immediately.

I have listened to two female members of the United States Congress - one a Republican and the other a Democrat - commenting on this matter on international television and stating that the

matter is serious and must be thoroughly investigated.

They agree that while it is not yet known whether the agents committed any illegal acts, the US must act swiftly, to ensure that the high moral and ethical standards on which the country prides itself is protected. For them, it was all about protecting the values, ethics and morals of the people of the United States.

This ‘Secret Service Sex Scandal’ has now become the subject of much debate and a massive investigation. Eight of the eleven agents under investigation have already had their security clearances revoked. All this has happened less than three days after the incident occurred.

We, in Guyana, are waiting months for the president to relieve the Top Cop of his duties, even after this most senior law enforcement officer has, himself, admitted to engaging

in acts largely deemed highly improper, unethical and unprofessional, while holding the office of Commissioner of Police.

Many Guyanese, scores of citizens and organizations from all sides of the political spectrum, came out boldly and protested and/or denounced Commissioner Greene’s action, but to date the government, and the president, have refused to recognise the legitimate concerns of the people, on this matter.

It therefore begs the question as to whether in this democracy, it is the executive that is the government, and not the people. It also begs the question as to whether the President and government believe that this scenario represents their own moral and ethical standards, since clearly this situation does not sit well with Guyanese.

While any reasonable

person would have expected Mr. Greene to act honourably and resign, he remains in his position. I am, however, now convinced that this episode is now beyond Mr. Greene and has raised serious questions regarding the President and the government’s stance on issues that matter to the people of Guyana. It also suggests that there might be other ‘squirmy’ reasons, unknown to us, as to why the government seems to treat this matter as one of no great concern to the people of Guyana. Who therefore, will look out for the people of Guyana, and protect their values, morals and ethical standards when those in authority relinquish this most basic responsibility?

Lurlene Nestor

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Kaieteur News

Thursday April 19, 2012

Linden shutdown in face of electricity protest Economic activity, including the ferry services in the mining town of Linden yesterday halted, as citizens took to the streets to protest the impending increase in electricity tariffs for the town.

The protest which is the fifth one to date was dubbed one of the largest ever in Linden.

Stores were unopened as were offices and the commercial banks.

Residents on the Wismar shore turned out in droves and marched down Burnham Drive in Wismar, crossed the Mackenzie Wismar Bridge and wended their way over to the Mackenzie shore where they converged with their counterparts at the Mackenzie market square.

Throughout the peaceful protest the people chanted, “No increase in electricity; Ashni eyes pass we,” “No increase in electricity, Sam Hinds eyes pass we!” And “Let dem tek back de laptop and gi we electricity”.

At the Mackenzie market square several speakers, including APNU’s Aubrey Norton; Trade Unionist Lincoln Lewis; Regional Chairman, Sharma Solomon; and Charles Sampson, and a board member of the Linden Utility Services Cooperative Society, addressed the

gathering.

APNU Member of Parliament, Vanessa Kissoon, who played a pivotal role in organizing the protests, addressed the gathering before leaving to attend parliament in Georgetown.

Kissoon said, “We got to get University like Berbice, and more TV stations like Berbice; and more jobs like Berbice. We got to send a strong message to Sam Hinds and Robeson Benn, because they doing this thing because we voted APNU. No more one TV station , no more mauby water, no more chippy roadswe will deal with the issues.”

All of the speakers condemned the proposed hike, with Charles Sampson calling the decision “punishment’ for Linden, for being a community that shows a lot of resistance.

“But this community will not pay one cent more for electricity. Sam Hinds said that the subsidy is $3 billion.

Now what we have to ask him, is where we gon find $150 million per month to pay increased electricity? This is the beginning of the strugglewe have to prepare for the long haul.

“We live in a mining town and all the things we supposed to enjoy, we must

The residents of Linden shut down the mining town

continue to enjoy. We cannot afford to pay not even a penny more.”

Sampson said that Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, who

is behind the whole idea of increased tariffs, has never paid for electricity in his life-stretching back from the days when he was employed with the bauxite company. “Sam Hinds has no shame,” he declared.

His words were echoed by trade unionist Lincoln Lewis, who went on to say that when Hinds would have retired as a past president the state will pay his electricity bill.

“So what he would have done over the years is live on the backs of the people of Linden and the people of this country.”

Lewis further stated that when the government privatized the bauxite company, what they did was take away the “sweat equity” of the people.

“When you understand the genesis of this (subsidy) you are not being subsidised.

The people who came here to work and build this Townyour foreparents- they accepted low wages for a future investment in electricity, water and other community services- and because of that it (electricity) is not being subsidised!

“What has been happening here is that what is being paid towards electricity by the government is because of what they did-take away your sweat equityyour sweat and blood. This is what it is. It is not about subsidy.”

Lewis described the issue as a burning and passionate one, and urged residents to stand up for their rights.

“They will not go to Port Mourant, which they won

and arbitrarily increase electricity, but they will come to Linden.”

APNU’s Aubrey Norton declared that Lindeners have to rally around their elected leaders, as they cannot deliver otherwise. “Don’t worry with Sam; Sam will come again and you shouldn’t even talk to him in the streets.

This is a man who will deny you your rights.”

Norton described Hinds as a failure who even though he was employed with the bauxite industry as director of research never came up with one new product.

Norton alluded to the current state of affairs as it relates to GPL, and suggested that the whole electricity sector should be put on hold and that an independent inquiry should be established to look into the electricity sector inclusive of the Amaila Falls that they want to burden you with.”

“That is the reason why Sam wants to do it (increase rates).They draw down already-- under the table as usual— and saddling the citizens of this country with a burden they cannot face. Are we going to leave a burden to our children?”

He emphasised that until such time that people could get decent and well paying jobs no increase of electricity should even be considered.

In reference to monies accrued from state lands sold

by NICIL and which have purportedly been Unaccounted for Norton declared.” So when we are going to commence the talk on the question of electricity in this country, first and

foremost we must be on the agenda- they must put the money from NICIL in the Consolidated Fund; we must put the money from Lotto into the Consolidated Fund, and the money from the forestry commission.

“These are the monies that built Pradoville and other places. What they have been doing is riding on the backs of the underpaid and overtaxed. It is time that you people stand up for what is just and fair.”

Regional Chairman Sharma Solomon was adamant that the people of Linden must pay no increase.

Yesterday’s protest came on the heels of a rally held at the old Palm Tree Cinema last Saturday. At that rally several prominent persons, including Mr Carl Greenidge and Christopher Ram, sought to sensitize the people of Linden to the ramifications of the increased tariffs.

The rally saw hundreds of Lindeners turning out, and many vociferously condemning the impending increase, which they said is ‘unconscionable”, considering the economic ‘stagnation’ of the town.

Regional Chairman, Sharma Solomon, maintained that the budget has done absolutely nothing for Linden or Region Ten. And to increase electricity tariffs on top of that is to deliver a ‘double whammy’ of economic strangulation.

The Regional Chairman contended that the budget 2012 reflects a level of vindictiveness against the people of Region Ten. “This (continued on page 18)

Thursday April 19, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 7

Amerindians have a better life today

By Latoya Giles Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai has said that in order to achieve its goals for this year, the Ministry must work in partnership with the village leaders to further support development in Amerindian villages.

Sukhai made this disclosure during her budget debate last week.

According to the Minister it must be done in consonance with the National Poverty Reduction Strategy and the Low Carbon Development Strategy.

The Minister said it has become more cognizant of the need for multi-level, multisector, and multi-stakeholder approach in fomenting development in the Amerindian Villages.

Since the start of the y e a r, S u k h a i s a i d , h e r ministry has taken a leap forward to define its strategic direction for 2012.

In the next five years, she says that the country shall see a more programmatic approach as they become more cognizant of the complex

- Minister Sukhai systems that affect IP’s general welfare.

She said the Ministry intends to complete the titling of lands for all communities and for all extensions, thereby empowering Amerindian communities and providing them with economic and political benefits through the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIF).

Further, they will promote a sustainable living and food security and reduce poverty for Amerindian people by intensifying income generation projects in accordance to the objectives of the Low Carbon Development Strategy; and by improving economic infrastructures such as water and electricity.

Emphasis will be placed on developing human capital through strengthening the National Hinterland Scholarships Programme and ensuring that graduates pursue gainful employment.

The Minister said that they will ensure the preservation

of Amerindian heritage especially through mechanisms that reinforce the conservation and promotion of Amerindian Languages.

Enhancing transportation and communication in Amerindian communities through improved road networks, and river and air transportation, telephone and radio and internet services is another initiative.

The Minister further stated that her Ministry will fully implement the Amerindian Act by providing training to Amerindian Leaders and officials and assisting communities to develop their village rules and regulations with the aim of establishing best practices in governance. Assisting and encouraging villages to advance their natural resources management plans particularly those that are forested in anticipation that they will desire to opt in to the LCDS, is also on the ministry’s “to do list”.

Most importantly Minister Sukhai said her

Ministry will be empowering women and youth through capacity building towards better participation in decision-making and nation building; and protect their rights and welfare.

“Consolidate and enhance the Ministry’s healthy lifestyle programme in collaboration with the MOH and other stakeholders…strengthen wider collaboration and cooperation with core stakeholders to achieve the strategic goals of the Ministry” is yet another important feature we intend to take up this year.

Sukhai said that these gargantuan tasks that are aligned with Guyana’s strategy and with the MDGs are recorded in the manifesto of the ruling People’s Progressive party Civic.

Notwithstanding the challenges, Sukhai said Amerindians today enjoy greater and improved services and opportunities, resulting from the enhanced economic status the Government was able to realize through its prudent management of the economy.

‘America’s oldest teen’ Dick Clark dies Los Angeles (CNN) — Broadcast icon Dick Clark, the longtime host of the influential “American Bandstand,” has died, publicist Paul Shefrin said. He was 82.

Clark suffered a heart attack while at St. John’s

Hospital in Santa Monica for an outpatient procedure, his publicist said Wednesday.

“Attempts to resuscitate were unsuccessful.”

The family has not yet decided whether there will be a public memorial service for the multifaceted Clark,

Govt. to appoint National Commission on the Family Government plans to appoint the National Commission on the Family at a time when domestic violence is increasing. This would be done shortly as Government seeks to place greater emphasis on the role of the family, this year.

This assertion was made

by Human Services Minister, Jennifer Webster, during her recent Budget debate in the National Assembly.

Webster emphasized that the Commission will be tasked to address issues affecting families in Guyana.

Special focus would be placed on parental skills, health and family life education. “…The bond of the family inevitably strengthens our bond as a nation,” she said.

According to Webster, Government has demonstrated its commitment to the provision of human services, through the passage of several key pieces of legislation in this National Assembly in areas of Child Protection and sexual and domestic violence.

She added that the supporting institutional framework has been strengthened to enable the efficient provision of services in these areas.

Guyana’s first Family Court, which was completed in 2010, would commence sitting shortly. It would allow adults and children to seek redress in family related matters, adoption, guardianship and custody.

Webster said that the rules of the court, comprising rules and regulations to create and govern a child friendly environment for the judicial address of family matters are being finalized.

To decentralize child protection services throughout Guyana, officers will be housed permanently in Regions to create a stronger and more interactive link with the public.

She assured that more community outreaches would be conducted this year to inform parents and children about the harmful effects of abuse and its impact on society.

although Shefrin said, “There will be no funeral.”

Clark suffered what was then described as “a mild stroke” in December 2004, just months after announcing he had been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.

That stroke forced Clark to cut back on his on-camera work, including giving up the hosting duties for the “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” specials. He returned as a co-host with Ryan Seacrest on December 31, 2005.

Clark anguished each year over whether to continue appearing on the annual show because of limitations on his speech from the stroke, U.S. Rep. David Dreier, a longtime friend, told CNN Wednesday.

“But then he would get deluged by people who were stroke victims and other people who had infirmities and they were such admirers

Dick Clark of his fighting spirit,” said Dreier, R-California.

Clark’s “American Bandstand” work, which he began when it was a local TV show in Philadelphia in 1956, earned him the nickname “America’s oldest living teenager.” The dance show was picked up by ABC and broadcast nationally a year later.

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Kaieteur News

CCJ grants Jamaican leave to have case against Barbados heard by regional court BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - CMC - The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) yesterday granted special leave to 24-year-old Jamaican, Shanique Myrie, to commence proceedings against the Barbados government after she alleged she was sexually assaulted by a female Immigration officer, insulted, and then denied entry to Barbados on March 14 last year.

The five-member CCJ panel, headed by its

President, Sir Dennis Byron, approved the application during a special sitting in Barbados, the first time the regional court, which was established in 2001 to replace the London-based Privy Council, sat outside its Trinidad-based headquarters.

Court officials said that as a result of the ruling, attorneys for the Jamaican will now 21 days to file the necessary documents.

Thursday April 19, 2012

Regent Street stores are not disabled friendly - M&CC says structures are illegal

Steady growth for Caribbean economies WASHINGTON - CMC The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says Latin America and the Caribbean is “on a glide path to steady growth” as the global economy picks up pace.

But the Washingtonbased financial institution is warning that “dangers remain”. In its latest World Economic Outlook report, the IMF said the swings in risk aversion in global markets over the past six months have

had significant effects on Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) forecasting “moderate” growth of 3.75 per cent in the region this year and four per cent in 2013.

Specifically, the Caribbean economy is expected to grow by 3.5 per cent.

“High public debt and weak tourism and remittance flows continue to constrain the outlook for the Caribbean.

The outlook for Central America, like that for Mexico,

is closely tied to developments in the United States,” the IMF said, noting that “spillovers to the region, both real and financial, from renewed crisis in Europe are likely to be limited”.

The IMF said that among commodity exporters in LAC, strong domestic demand growth moderated, as tighter macroeconomic policies began to bear fruit and the external environment weakened.

And while economic activity in LAC is still subdued, strong real linkages with the United States “offer some upside prospects as the United States slowly recovers,” according to the report. “Spillovers to the region through trade, financial, and banking channels were active during recent months but with only limited effects on activity,” the report said.

This reads ‘watch your step’, but what about those who can’t walk?

Many businesses, particularly those on Regent Street, are not disabledfriendly.

With steps and reasonably high stumps being erected at the entrance of most businesses located on that street, persons in wheelchairs are finding it very uncomfortable, and unfair that they are being refused the right of being independent.

At most of these stores, managers and staffers alike revealed that since those in wheelchairs will have to be lifted into most of the buildings, many opt to stay outside. Some even boldly stated that those with disabilities and beggars are to remain outside.

“People in wheelchairs don’t need to come down to town. Why would a person in a wheelchair want to do shopping?”

These are the opinions of some vendors even as the National Commission on Disabilities struggles to sensitize the public to various issues affecting persons living with disabilities.

Maneuvering around Georgetown is one of the main issues that is preventing differently-abled persons

from being independent.

Some vendors noted that it is the poor drainage that compels them to erect such structures, since every time it rains, the street is flooded and many are at a loss.

“M&CC should clean the drains, or pay we every time the flood damage we things, because is we and we staff suffering,” one man said.

The Mayor and City Council of Georgetown yesterday issued a statement that the constructions are unauthorized by the M&CC, further describing these structures as “conspicuous” in Regent and Water Streets.

“The arbitrary elevation of portions of the pavements, in front of business places, bridges and placing of barriers on the parapets are particularly conspicuous in Regent Street, Water Street and other areas in central Georgetown”.

The document further stated that “such actions by businesses have resulted in an uneven and untidy arrangement disrupting the aesthetics of certain parts of the city and affecting the general business environment”.

“This state of affairs appears to be injurious to the health of those who are

visually impaired and those who are living with other disabilities. The council has been receiving steady reports from citizens, who are using wheelchairs, and other physical supports such as canes and walkers, of the difficulties they continue to experience in their effort to conduct outdoor actives in the city”.

The same statement also shared the view of some who say that they have raised the level of the pavements in front of their places to prevent flooding of their premises during heavy rains.

It did however, state that “some of the very businesses are involved in improper disposal of their garbage, which eventually gets into the drains and canals and facilitates overtopping of their premises.

“Others pay those persons, who have veered off the normal side of society, to dump their garbage any where away from their business places. Again, that kind of unfriendly environmental action affects the health of the natural environment and local communities”.

“On any given morning, staff attached to stores on Regent Street and Water Street, could be seen sweeping dust and other small wrappings, and pieces of paper, into the street drains. This dust and refuse block the drains and restrict the flow of waste water in them” it added.

In light of this, the Mayor and City council is calling on all businesses and citizens to desist from illegal construction works and related activities.

According to the law, anyone who wishes to carry out building works would need to obtain prior permission from the city engineer, in writing, to begin such works. Under the same law, the city engineer is authorized to dismantle all illegal construction works in the city of Georgetown.

Thursday April 19, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 9

BULLS IN A CHINA SHOP Millions of persons will this year fulfill their lifelong ambition of attending an Olympic Games. For many in the stadiums in London later this year, it may be their only chance ever of witnessing live an Olympic Games.

For four billion others scattered around the globe, this once in a lifetime opportunity will not be theirs. But they will still be happy to view the many events on television.

Among the four billion viewers keen on seeing this year’s Olympics will be tens of thousands of Guyanese in Guyana who hope to be glued to their television sets to witness Usain Bolt sprinting again into the record books and towards legendary fame.

The Jamaican sprinter has already signaled that he would like to lower the world record for the 100 meters race to 9.40 seconds, a phenomenal feat if achieved.

Tens of thousands of television viewers will be hoping to be around to cheer him right across the finish line from the comforts of their sitting rooms. Or so they hope!

There is now the real possibility that tens of thousands of ordinary Guyanese may not be able to see the Olympic Games on television. If the AFC has its way, the National Communications Network (NCN) will see a cut in the

subsidy provided by the government and this will mean no Olympics on television.

In fact, they are not going to be able to see more than the Olympic Games. The coverage of the Indian Premier League and other international cricket coverage is likely to be affected since without a government subsidy, the state-owned television network will be unable to afford the cost of bringing coverage of the Olympics Games, the Indian Premier League or coverage of international cricket.

Corporate sponsorship is not sufficient to bring live telecast of these major sporting events. The only reason why Guyanese have been able to afford these events is because of the significant outlay that is provided to NCN by the government.

As such, if the AFC has its way and chops the subsidy for NCN to the point whereby the corporation has to make a choice between workers and coverage of international events, NCN is likely to side with its workers and therefore coverage of international sporting events will not be aired.

This will affect mainly ordinary Guyanese who cannot afford cable television. The rich and those in parliament who have cable and dish services in their

Dem boys seh ...

Some lawyers tun down Jagdeo When people tek way sweetie from baby is nuff noise and crying. Prak announce that he tekking way some of de money that de budget put aside fuh a hustle and was nuff noise. De people come out like wood ants and dem bring out some workers.

Well dem boys still laughing. Some of de chief wood ants threaten all of dem that if dem don’t protest dem gun lose dem wuk. Some of dem owe Courts and some still owe rent suh dem decide that dem gun protest but that dem gun walk wid umbrella fuh hide dem face.

Berry Berry walk round all dem hospital and clinic and tell de staff that dem got to go pun de road fuh an exercise.

He didn’t tell dem what. Then he tell dem that he sending a bus and that dem going to Ohh Pee. Instead de bus drive to Parliament and one of dem holler Ohh Sh**.l Dem nearly had fight because de stinker from Ohh Pee try fuh tell some of de people that dem can’t protest because dem ain’t wukking wid Government and dem wearing green shirt.

Priya bring out she crew and Jenny Long Hair bring out she own. Dem two women claim how dem never get fuh collect from de kitty and this is dem turn. Nutten like Prakash gun stop dem. But is Irfaat who talk de loudest.

He claim that when dem cut de budget people gun lose wuk. Dem boys know that if he just stop ducking he hand in de kitty dem gun got money to pay everybody and couple more. He know if de budget cut he share cut too.

Rob Bert was nowhere around and dem boys seh that he didn’t care because he craw full. He done get he share left, right and centre. He was one of de wheel and deal people fuh de Rat. But is de same talking that cause problem.

Jagdeo, who de Waterfalls boss man call a thief, go to three lawyers fuh sue de Waterfalls paper. All three lawyers tun he down because dem and all know that he does thief.

One of dem tell he that de whole country know he does thief.

Dem advise he fuh get another lawyer. He still got Ah Nil. And dem boys notice that all dem finance Minister short.

Dem had Greenidge. He was short. Now dem got Shaatie. He stand up near Greenidge yesterday and dem look like buddy.

Dem shaat and dem story lang.

Talk half and let de budget bring out de other half.

homes are not going to be affected. They will see the Olympic Games because they can afford to pay for cable and dish rights, but for the small man who either cannot afford such services or has no access to such services, there is no reprieve.

There will be no coverage because the cost of television rights for most of these events is so prohibitive that corporate sponsorship cannot cover this cost and without the subsidy from government, there can be no coverage.

When the people in some areas complain about the programming of NCN, they must appreciate that NCN programming also includes coverage of major sporting events which private television stations would not be able to bring to them because sponsorship simply cannot cover the cost.

So while some persons in some areas are worried about being bombarded with government produced programmes, and therefore would want to see an end to the state-owned monopoly in their areas, the reality is that it is this very state monopoly that allows them to see IPL free, test cricket free, World Cup Cricket free, 20/20 World Cup free, FIFA World Cup football free and hopefully the Olympic Games free.

Without NCN, they would not be able to see all these major sporting events as well as certain sitcoms free.

Ideally it would be good if NCN did not require a government subsidy. Ideally, it would be good if NCN can be run strictly on a commercial basis with the sale of airtime and advertisements covering its expenses, future expansion

plans and still allow the company to make a small profit.

The reality however is that this cannot happen because almost every month there is some major sporting event which the public wants to see. And to bring these sporting events requires the government sinking millions each month into the NCN. This year, a little more will be required because the rights to the Olympic Games do not come cheap.

Ironically the opposition itself wants greater coverage of parliament and particularly more coverage of the presentation by opposition members. This too has to be subsidized because who is going to sponsor the parliamentary round-up? No company is going to sponsor the debates in parliament. If the government subsidy is removed, then GINA will not

be able to pay NCN to air coverage of the parliamentary debates.

The opposition therefore has to cease its wildness and reckless actions. It is behaving like bulls in a China shop, proposing cuts without seriously considering the consequences, especially for the poor man.

Television is the poor man’s entertainment. And to deny the poor man the right to see international cricket, international football and the forthcoming Olympic Games is a slight that the poor man will never forget.

Government meets APNU delegation on Budget The scheduled meeting between the government and the opposition convened on a cordial and productive note, preceding the consideration of the Estimates of Expenditure in the National Assembly, yesterday.

President Donald Ramotar who led the government side did not disclose much detail about the meeting except to say that there are plans to continue the engagement. The meeting at the Office of the President included Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr. Roger Luncheon, Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh and Presidential Adviser on Governance Gail Teixeira.

The Opposition delegation comprised A Partnership For National Unity’s Leader and Opposition Leader, Mr. David Granger, and members, Mr. Rupert Roopnaraine and Mr.

President Ramotar and Opposition leader David Granger after discussing pension hike Carl Greenidge.

The meeting followed a previous one that was held Tuesday evening at the conclusion of the heated debate in the Parliament on the 2012 National Budget of

$192.8B and the fulfillment of a commitment given by Minister Singh to APNU Member of Parliament Mrs. Volda Lawrence.

Lawrence had asked whether there was willingness

on the government’s side to meet with the representatives of APNU and the Alliance For Change to address concerns regarding the 2012 estimates to provide for its smooth passage in the House.

Minister Singh told the Government Information Agency (GINA) about the assurance he gave at the last meeting of the economic subcommittee established under the inter-parliamentary party dialogue forum that government will be willing to consider any written submissions it received in relation to the budget.

At that meeting he said that the government had made clear its willingness to meet with appointed representatives of the opposition parties providing that their concerns are documented in advance to aid productive discussions. No such submissions were received subsequent to that invitation. (GINA)

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Kaieteur News

Thursday April 19, 2012

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

Realpolitik versus “mo fyaah-slow fyaah” The term “realpolitik” originally had a negative connotation. In the 19th century, it meant a type of political attitude based solely on what the policy-maker sees as serving his/her interest to the exclusion of everything else – moral or ideological etc.

After the Second World War, mostly in the postcolonial period, the term underwent a more modern meaning. It can best be described as a situation in which a government, leader or political player finds itself or himself/herself in an

advantageous position in relation to its powerful enemy and for all practical purposes need to make demands that will safeguard its, his/her political longevity.

After the death of Desmond Hoyte, Robert Corbin bowed to powerful interest groups who had no further use for the PNC once “mo fyaah - slow fyaah” was extinguished. Corbin failed to understand the intricate contents of realpolitik and the consequences of this limitation were tragic for both the PNC and the vast

constituencies that it serves.

The PNC may have turned a corner since then, as many believe, with the formation of APNU but the jury is still out on that.

The new kid on the block, AFC, from 2006 to 2011 showed complete naivety of what realpolitik was. Led by the immature politics of a decent but yet misguided politician, Sheila Holder, the AFC came across to the citizens of Georgetown where a substantial amount of voters live, as either being soft or supportive of the Jagdeo regime.

This columnist knows for a fact that Gail Teixeira had undue influence on Mrs. Holder.

Both APNU and the AFC have a chance to redeem themselves in the eyes of the Guyanese population as they watch the PPP drown in the vortex of a budget that cannot swim. The PPP wants to open discussion with APNU and AFC on the opposition scissors. Only

during the era of “mo fyaahslo fyaah,” has the opposition been `presented with a more favourable climate of realpolitik.

The PPP wants to pass its budget. It does not want to see NCN die. Mr. Jagdeo will lose countless sleepless nights if his Marriott project sinks off the Kingston jetty.

The PPP wants to save its budget and it will perform two acrobatic performances to preserve it. One is to concede trimming. So NCN will get far less money among other decapitations that the PPP will do. The PPP will also put more resources into what the opposition demands. But this should not be the nature of the engagement.

What APNU and the AFC should do is drop the label of “mo fyaah- slow fyaash” in its budget confrontation with the regime because it may not go down well with certain sections of the society.

The replacement of “mo fyaah-slow fyaah” has to be realpolitik. Let me issue a

personal clarification before I continue. This columnist here has no fundamental or political objection to “mo fyaah-slow fyaah” as a strategic methodology invented by Desmond Hoyte.

I argue for its replacement as a political method at the present time because I feel the AFC would not accept any course of action that resembles “mo fyaah-slo fyaah” or even the name itself.

APNU and AFC should throw away their scissors and borrow Rohee’s water cannon vehicles. If he refuses to loan them then take the things. The intention is to clean the dirty stables that are still around.

Wash them away completely.

The AFC and APNU should use the opportunity of realpolitik to demand real changes in governance. Even though APNU won the two regional seats in Region 10, the AFC is quite popular in Linden.

Both parties have to demand the immediate implementation of more television signals to Linden before any budget negotiations begin.

Both parties have to insist that as an act of urgency the radio application by the two

Frederick Kissoon leading media houses, Kaieteur News and Stabroek News, be granted. The AFC is in a tight position. It hosted a seminar on the budget last Sunday at the Pegasus in which it conceded to former Auditor-General, Anand Goolsarran, that all monies existing outside of the Consolidated Fund (as in the Lotto funds, money from NICIL etc) must now be put into the Fund or the AFC vote down the entire budget.

Against this background, it would be wise for both opposition organizations to get into overdrive and organize town hall meetings to hear what their supporters want - the scissors or Rohee’s water cannot vehicles. Both parties stand to lose their own individual existence if they mess up this phenomenal moment that lies in front of them.

Thursday April 19, 2012

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Kaieteur News

Battered woman comes forward to protect attacker ...hopes to clear boyfriend's name A

lthough still exhibiting signs of a severely battered woman, Eureka Garraway yesterday insisted that reports of a recent attack she suffered at the hands of her boyfriend have been grossly misrepresented in the media.

She is pointing fingers at one of her relatives, claiming that the individual exaggerated the truth.

Reports published extensively by this newspaper and other sections of the media earlier this month revealed that the 38year-old woman was severely beaten with a hammer by her boyfriend, Joseph Taylor.

Reports are that relatives found her in an unconscious state in a relative's Non Pareil, East Coast Demerara home.

It is alleged that in addition to being beaten with a hammer about her head by the perpetrator, he also inflicted wounds with a knife.

Garraway was rushed to St Joseph Mercy Hospital where she remained a patient for four days during which time she was disoriented and

Eureka Garraway

appeared to have been suffering from memory loss, one relative said.

Police subsequently issued a wanted bulletin for Taylor who is said to be a vendor and has had associations with the local and regional sports fraternity.

In fact, in 2009 he was given a special award for his contribution to the off-thefield entertainment, compliments of the Guyana Cricket Board when it held its annual Awards Ceremony.

Yesterday, Garraway said

that her intention was to testify to the fact that the man is not guilty of doing what was portrayed in the media.

“I want to clear him out of this problem...because, to be honest, is 12 years I living with he and he never put a hand on me.”

While admitting that she was attacked by the man on the day in question, Garraway said that it certainly was not with a hammer. She said that she suffered no broken fingers as was reported by one of her relatives.

Recounting her version of the incident, Garraway said that she had upbraided Joseph about drinking too much which may have triggered his reaction to push her, causing her to slam into a refrigerator and fall.

She further claimed that because of the fact that she has malaria it may have contributed to the fall since according to her “my body li'l shaky still.”

She claimed, too, that unlike the details of the article she was never unconscious at any point.

She recalled that the man had armed himself with a knife after she threatened to throw some hot rice on him because of his evident drunken state.

Prior to the assault, the woman, who said that she is currently staying with a sister in Sophia, Georgetown, said that she was a cook in the North West District.

She is currently incapable of working.

“When I feel better I will go back to work.”

She was insistent that no one forced her to clear her

boyfriend's name. Garraway said that it was only a few days ago that she became aware of what was published in the media.

“Is one of me nieces tell me how a set of things get published in the newspaper and so I decide to come and clear up the situation.”

Her appearance at Kaieteur News came after the police issued a wanted bulletin.

According to the bulletin the man is wanted for questioning in relation to the

attempted murder of Garraway on April 4, last.

It also notes that anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of Taylor should contact the police on telephone numbers: 229-2557, 229-2702, 2261326, 225-8196, 225-6411, 911 or the nearest police station.

For his part, Taylor had said that he would turn himself in to the police when the woman was discharged from hospital. However, he is yet to do so.

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Kaieteur News

Thursday April 19, 2012

Thursday April 19, 2012

Kaieteur News

Region Eight Chairman claims non-cooperation from REO

Region Eight Regional Chairman and Alliance For Change Councilor, Mark Crawford, says he is at his wits end with the attitude of the Regional Executive Officer, Ronald Harsaywack.

According to Crawford, he feels that his efforts for development in the Region are being sabotaged.

Crawford said that since he ook up office he has been rying to hold a meeting with he REO, but to no avail.

According to the Regional Chairman, since he ook up office he has been rying to reach the REO by elephone but his calls go unanswered. Further, on the few occasions when he does see the REO all he is given are promises that he will attend he meeting.

Crawford said on more than one occasion he has requested he RDC’s excavator to do some clean up works around Mahdia but his efforts to get the equipment are frustrated.

“The garbage problem is becoming overbearing and in one instance I requested the excavator but was told that it was n use.”

Crawford said that when he made inquiries he found out that the equipment was doing work for a resident.

He added that he is becoming worried about the garbage situation since the piling up of garbage is a breathing ground for mosquitoes that transmit malaria.

He added that a resident has indicated his willingness to assist with the removal of garbage and he invited the REO for a discussion but again to no avail.

Crawford also pointed out that a vehicle which has been assigned to the NDC can be found parked under the house of the REO and the other staffers are not getting the benefits.

He added that since his appointment he has not been issued with a vehicle to use for his work purposes.

Crawford said that when he enquired about an All Terrain Vehicle which was being used by the former Regional Chairman he was told that it was a personal gift to the Chairman by the then President Bharrat Jagdeo.

The Regional Chairman also made mention of another instance when he requested the services of the excavator to assist GWI engineers but that request was blatantly turned down.

Crawford added that

AFC’s Budget cuts ...

From page 3 workers at risk.”

Ally said that they are alerting all (workers), that hey must not be misled by he drama being pursued by he Government saying that APNU will continue to champion rights of workers.

“We have called for mproved wages …We call on he Government to desist from misleading the workers and let professionalism prevail.”

TARGET FAT CATS WITH SUPER SALARIES Following the presentation by the Labour Minister, Moses Nagamootoo who has since risen to the top of the ranks in the AFC told he House that it was most disappointing to hear Gopaul giving that amount to “clearly a distorted view on the position taken by the AFC with regard to Contract Employees.”

Kaieteur News was reliably nformed that a challenge to the estimates has never been done before and as such, the AFC did not want the opportunity to slip by where the budget would be passed in its entirety because of a technicality.

COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY

The House did eventually get down to work and undertake a perusal of the estimates at which point in time the now controversial topic of ‘Contract Employees’surfaced.

The Housing and Water Minister, Irfaan Ally when asked to detail the top five persons in the category of contract employees pointed to the Permanent Secretary and some civil and chemical engineers’.

Ally told the House that the Permanent Secretary who is an employee on contract earns just about $600,000 per month with another $14,500 for allowances. He divulged also the salaries for the engineers to the tune of $151,000 with an additional $9,000 for allowances.

This publication understands that the majority of persons employed in the Ministries under ‘Contract Employees’ fall in the category of cleaners, office assistants and drivers among others and attract a salary commensurate with their employment requirement however there are exceptions to which Ramjattan alludes.

These exceptions, he said, represent the instances where friends and cronies of the administration are rewarded with super salaries.

without his consent the REO went ahead and changed around the entire staff at the NDC office.

The Chairman said that he was placed there to serve the Region and that is what he will do irrespective of who he has to work with.

To this end Crawford said he has penned letters to the relevant authorities calling on them to look into the matter and he is currently awaiting a response. Crawford said it is his humble opinion that the REO is trying to sabotage his e v e r y e ff o r t t o b r i n g development to the region.

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Thursday April 19, 2012

Kaieteur News

Ministries' workers protest AFC proposed budget cuts - fear that they stand to lose their jobs or get a lower salary

H

undreds of employees of Government Ministries and other agencies yesterday protested a proposal by the Alliance for Change to slash monies allocated for the payment of contract employees.

Some of the protestors explained that while they were not forced to protest they were encouraged by their colleagues who announced that they should “stand up for their rights.”

A few nurses explained that they were “urged” by coworkers to protest because they would be losing their jobs if the AFC succeeded in cutting the budgets for the various Ministries.

Yet some staff from the Ministries quietly told this newspaper that they were “ordered” to gather in front of the Parliament Buildings by their superiors.

“I don't know but I didn't really want to come but my friend in the office told me that our boss said if we didn't come then we would be losing our jobs faster. I don't know if it was the Minister them or Permanent Secretary who order it but we had to come,” said one health worker.

On Tuesday the AFC sought in Parliament some $3.824B in budget cuts from programmes under three Ministries; the Ministry of Housing and Water, the

Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce.

A notice of a Motion in AFC Member of Parliament, Khemraj Ramjattan's name, which was circulated in the National Assembly on Tuesday evening, calls for amendments to be moved in the Committee of Supply to reduce allocations for expenditure under the above mentioned Ministries.

The respective Ministers hastily called a press conference shortly after and stated that should this Motion be passed, it would result in almost half of their contracted employees losing their jobs.

With this threat looming over their heads, the large crowd of contracted employees at these Ministries gathered in front of Parliament Buildings yesterday, to protest against such a proposal.

Staff from the Ministries of Housing and Water, Culture, Youth and Sport, Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Education, Foreign Affairs, Local Government and Regional Development, Agriculture, Public Service, Public Works, Human Services and Social Security, Health and Labour turned up in numbers for fear of being sent home due to job cuts. Staff from the Parliament Buildings and other agencies also supported the protest.

But there were some who contended that they were ordered to join the protest line or face dismissal.

Minister of Housing and Water, Irfaan Ali, who is also responsible for the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, stated that such a proposal by Ramjattan was far from expected, especially since the AFC chastised the Government for not creating enough jobs to meet the local market. He said that more money should be pooled into tourism.

“In the debate they said they wanted more money for tourism yet Ramjattan and Cathy Hughes who stood up in Parliament like a hypocrite and say they want more money for tourism suggested that we cut tourism by 53 per cent.

“This is the type of hypocrisy that we have to deal with; we are going to stand with the workers, we are going to fall with the

AFC Member of Parliament, Khemraj Ramjattan workers and we are going to stay with the workers,” stated Ali. If this Motion were to be passed for the Tourism Ministry, it would see over 65 persons being rendered jobless, he added.

He alluded to the fact that there are many multi-year contracts therefore resulting in a number of litigations.

“What about the hundreds of contractors who got 50 to 60 people working with them, hundreds of people working with them, and these contractors have invested in machinery, in equipment, building up their capacities, what will become of those companies?

They want this country to be destroyed, they want to take away the jobs and create an erosion of the economy.

But they are not spiting the Government they are spiting the workers and going against the workers is not spiting the Government, it is harming the lives of these people.”

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, explained that the proposal by the AFC in actuality means one of two options;

either pay all of the staff until June and then send them home or cut the staff numbers in half and continue paying them until December.

A c c o r d i n g t o Manickchand, for her Ministry, many of these contracted workers are employed as typists, clerks and teachers. Also staff at the National Centre of Educational Resource Development (NCERD) and more would be affected.

“These are people who develop all the training for teachers and students, the entire placement unit, learning channel. How will they eat, pay their rent, feed children, how will the exam papers be marked, how will we set it? Who will put our children in school? Who will ensure that system continues? If you cut the staff out of the Government then you cut the services of the Government.”

Manickchand added that she was told by Public S e r v i c e M i n i s t e r, D r.

Jennifer Westford, that at present there are 6,000 contracted employees.

While commenting on the willingness of these workers to protest, she emphasised that she did not force her staff out to protest.

“I explained to workers what was happening because they were very, very worried.

I explained what I will be doing; I will be joining the other workers who are set to be cut today in solidarity, standing in front of Parliament and I made it very clear if they wanted to go they will get time off.

However if they didn't want to go that's fine.”

Attorney General Anil Nandilall, who was also present, told this newspaper that the attempt by the AFC to cut the Ministries' budget is an act that he deems “reckless” and one that is “highly irresponsible.”

Speaking about the (continued on page 19)

Thursday April 19, 2012

Kaieteur News

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Page 15

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Call:682-8236 Eggs for sale. Call:682-8236 (Continued on page 20)

Page 16

Kaieteur News

Thursday April 19, 2012

Kitty taxi driver murder…

Government should have created ‘Eyewitness’ says more jobs for youths - APNU says he saw suspect near

In his first presentation at Parliament on Monday evening, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) official, Christopher Jones, has accused Government of being unwilling to confront the question of the country’s growing unemployed population.

During the debate yesterday, Jones stated that while Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, boasted of the successes in the education sector, he failed to mention how many of these fortunate students were able to secure jobs in their respective fields of study.

Jones acknowledged that government has trained over 2,900 out of school youths and other young vulnerable people under various programmes for last year. It is the responsibility of the ruling party to ensure such achievements occur.

“It is the responsibility of the government to ensure that the nation has a well trained cadre of youth equipped with

the necessary skills and knowledge to function effectively in the work force.

Since that matter has been cleared the question that remains now is; where are the jobs?”

He continued to question, if detailed studies were conducted to ascertain whether the training these persons received and are receiving is relevant to the current job market or whether the jobs are readily

University of Guyana.

Last year there were 545 graduates from the Government Technical Institute (GTI), 461 from the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE), 134 from the Guyana Industrial Training Centre (GITC) and 78 from the Carnegie School of Home Economics (CSHE).

“Some 2,794 from just five institutions coupled with the

“One believed that the Government would have grasped at the opportunity to ensure that all of the political parties, represented in this House, play a meaningful role in the putting together of this 2012 budget. This did not happen. So much for United in Purpose.”- APNU’s Christopher Jones available for the new trainees?

Minister Singh, he said, stated that more than 400 jobs will be created this year. The APNU Parliamentarian emphasised that Government reported that last year there were thousands of students who graduated and are in need of jobs with 1,576 graduates from the

2,900 from the various training programmes as highlighted by the Honourable Dr. Ashni Singh, is a figure of 5,694 per year.

This represents but a small fraction of persons placed on the job market every year,” emphasised Jones.

According to Jones, a Tripartite Budget Committee

would have addressed such issues as much could have been accomplished if the Opposition parties were included from the inception.

“One believes that the government would have grasped at the opportunity to ensure that all of the political parties, represented in this House, play a meaningful role in the putting together of this 2012 budget. This did not happen. So much for United in Purpose.”

He deems the budget as one which provides great difficulty for persons to see where or to whom this prosperity goes and yet can assure that it is certainly not towards pensioners, those receiving public assistance or members of the police force, army, nurses or teachers.

APNU leader, David Granger, had issued a call for the establishment of a TriPartite Budget Committee before the convening of the 10th Parliament.

The Committee would have also been responsible for the collaboration with the Bank of Guyana, Statistical Bureau and other departments in presenting an accurate and detailed picture of the economy.

It would have also identified all sources of funds, an examination of potential sources of new funds and proposing tax reform measures, including the lowering of the Value Added Tax (VAT) and personal income tax, with their likely impact on revenue and economic growth.

victim’s home Police have questioned a man who claims that he saw the prime suspect in Balram Jadoonauth’s murder near the taxi driver’s home shortly before he was gunned down.

A police official said that they had initially planned to release the suspect, but are now keeping him in custody due to the new information.

He has been in custody since Sunday.

Kaieteur News understands that forensic tests revealed no traces of gunpowder on the suspect’s hands.

Police had said on Tuesday that checks on the man’s movements seemed to confirm that the man, who is also a taxi driver, was at home when Jadoonauth was slain.

An official said that the East Coast Demerara resident did not work last Saturday night, and that he went to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport the following day to pick up a relative.

Investigators still believe that Jadoonauth was killed because of an affair he was having with the suspect’s wife.

Police said the 36-year-old man admitted that he had threatened to kill Jadoonauth but denied that he had committed the act. Police have also detained the man’s wife.

Checks of the man’s phone records reportedly showed that he had contacted Jadoonauth on numerous occasions.

A female relative of the detained man said that the man was at home the entire Saturday. She said he left for the airport at around 06:30 hrs on Sunday to pick up a cousin who had arrived on a 07:30 hrs flight.

Jadoonauth, also known as “Sanjay”, was shot dead in front of his Lot 25 Dennis Street, Campbellville, home in the wee hours of Sunday morning.

Teen dies after falling from truck Lloyd Prince, 18, of Port Kaituma North West District, was pronounced dead on arrival at the regional hospital after falling from a truck.

Reports are that Prince was sitting on top of the cab of a motor lorry which was proceeding up a hill, when the

vehicle suddenly stalled and began speeding backwards.

Lloyd Prince fell and sustained injuries. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Police investigations are continuing into the young man’s death.

GT&T donates DVDs to Learning Channel

(From left) – Dr. Sita Shah-Roath, Ms. Allison Parker and Ms. Nadia DeAbreu.

The Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) donated DVDs of the just concluded ‘Know Your Stuff ’ Literature Quiz Competition to the Guyana Learning Channel, last Thursday.

From the first broadcast from February to March 2012,

will now be re-broadcasted on the said channel (Channel 80) at the somewhat fitting time when students are in preparation of the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations of 2012.

Dr.Sita Shah-Roath of the

Learning Channel accepted the gift and expressed her gratitude on behalf of the students who would benefit from the teaching aid.

Presenting the set of 16 DVDs were Ms. Allison Parker and Ms. Nadia DeAbreu, Public Relations Officers of GT&T.

Thursday April 19, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 17

Canada constructs Grove/Diamond residents attack guest house at Capoey government for corruption cover-up The newly built Guest House

Canadian High Commissioner, David Devine, recently visited the Essequibo Coast and duly commissioned a guest house at Capoey. The building represented a donation from stakeholders in Canada.

The guest house, which has three rooms, a balcony, kitchen, living quarters and toilet facilities was completed at a cost of $7.7 M. High Commissioner Devine, in his address to residents of the Amerindian community, said that the project is a classic example of partnership. He emphasised that the Canadian Government has indicated its support in sustainable community development in Guyana.

The project, Devine said,

is primarily aimed at impacting the livelihood of the indigenous people. The High Commissioner added that the project was made possible through the Canadian Fund for Local initiatives (CFLI) and the Guyana Environmental Capacity Development project 11 (GENCARD) programmes.

Devine added that the Canadian Government is elated to be partnering with members of Capoey, especially the village council, along with GENCAPD 11 project. The involvement of the Inter American institute for Cooperation in the completion of the project was also a source of satisfaction.

The High Commissioner further stated that the guest house was built with the

intention of boosting tourism in the Amerindian community and he implored on the Toshoa to work with nongovernmental as well as governmental agencies to explore advantageous ways of promoting sustainable tourism activities.

“Your venture here is a good example of the types of initiatives that help the government to achieve its objectives by promoting sustainable Eco-tourism and Agro-tourism in Guyana.”

The delegation consisted of Ann-Geer, Canada fund coordinator; and Anand Herilall, CIDA Development Officer.

Region Two chairman, Parmanand Persaud, and Toshao, Valerie De Young ,also hailed the project as a success.

AFC will not seek cuts from the ordinary...

From page 2 would help with the cuts but government refuses to accept.

He said that the accounts should be placed in the Consolidated Funds along with the lottery monies, NICIL, Wildlife, Forestry, GNCB debt collection unit along with other monies which can facilitate necessary cuts in the budget, “we are cutting the fat from contract employees.”

Adding that the Government is constantly bailing out GPL with billions of dollars, Ramjattan said the Chief Executive Officer receives US$12,000 along with $500,000 in allowances a month for a company that creates 40 per cent losses and constant power outages.

GOVERNMENT PROTEST Cabinet Ministers who collectively protested the move by AFC had their supporters and contract employees waving placards that read; “Heartless AFC leave workers alone,” “AFC no humanity,” “Vote for jobs not unemployment,” “save our jobs.”

Public Service Minister, Dr. Jennifer Westford noted that there are more than 6,000 contract workers who earn between $38,000 and $400,000.

“These people over the years have been contending that contracted workers are getting multimillion dollars. It's not so.

“Contracted workers are public servants who opted to be contracted workers. If this is what they are doing now imagine if they get into government.”

Minister of Housing Irfaan Alli said that 1,000 prospective house lot earners will be facing the squeeze if the AFC gets its way to slash $1B from the Ministry of Housing and Water. “They want to take away jobs and erode the economy.”

Minister of Transport Robeson Benn said the AFC's action will prevent young people, who are contract employees from working, and as such the proposals seek to stymie development and prosperity.

“We see provocateurs dressed in green in the midst of this demonstration trying

to provoke an incident, and we want to return to peaceful, normal productive work…Those who want to stop progress and development will fall on their own swords.”

Attorney General Anil Nandlall said that the opposition is trying to cut the budget especially as it relates to the contract workers, and as such if this is done dozens of employees will be sent home.

Minister of Education Priya Manickchand said that the AFC's position is immoral and the AFC in a wild move is really threatening the country and moving it toward an ungovernable position.

Minister of Health Bheri Ramsarran said that the AFC has bitter people who are unaware of the works of government and who are trying to make cuts that are anti-worker.

“The argument is that they are contract workers. The benefits are that the persons will be getting a gratuity and those employed in the regular service will be waiting on a 'nest egg.' They are using this thing as if it is not normal.”

Several residents of the Grove and Diamond villages, East Bank Demerara have written beverage-giant Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) to hold off on rates and taxes payments amidst allegations of corruption at their Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC).

These residents have put together a dossier of a list of grievances and cases of corruption and mismanagement which they supplied to this newspaper.

In a letter penned to the DDL Finance Department on April 13, 2012, a number of these residents requested that the company cease payments of its rates and taxes that are due to the Grove/ Diamond NDC. They implored DDL to do so until further notice, citing that there is a lot of corruption and mismanagement of funds at that NDC. “This request is due to the ongoing corruption and mismanagement by the said NDC. We also like to bring to your attention, that we are waiting for the budget to be presented, approved and published in the official gazette and newspaper that is required by the law,” stated these residents.

Many of these residents are of the opinion that accountability seems to be the major concern at the Grove/Diamond NDC office.

One man referred to the matter in which the said NDC’s former overseer, Balraj Budwah, was placed in a difficult position after millions of dollars went missing from the council’s funds under his tenure.

“He agreed to pay back the missing money but we don’t know what happen to

the story except when the newspapers bring it out. We wrote both Ministers of Local Government concerning these issues and to date it proves futile. We call on the Minister(s) to hand this matter over to the police.”

Kaieteur News understands that Budwah accepted the responsibility for repaying the large sum of money that was discovered to be “missing” on or before October 26, 2011 yet this agreement was not honoured.

“With reference to the investigation carried between the Minister of Local Government and the Local Government Department of the Region Four Democratic Council, please be informed that I am in agreement with the facts presented in the report.

“I will refund the sum of Two million six hundred and fifteen thousand and twenty four dollars ($2, 615, 124) to the council’s account on or before 26th October, 2011", stated Budwah in his letter to the Local Government Ministry.

The said Ministry has stated that Budwah has repaid some of this money, however; residents are questioning how much of the money was paid and more.

“What is the audit finding during the time he was in charge and the total sum of money? How much did he repay? Did Mr. Balraj Budwah prepare an inventory and hand over all assets before he resigned as required by the law?” questioned these affected residents.

It was also alleged that two motor cycles were purchased and registered in Budwah’s name and another individual.

Another man explained to this publication that some time last January, there was another case of missing funds, this time totaling $405,000.

“We are calling on the Commissioner of Police to start laying charges and place the guilty men before the court since this money is not from the PPP Headquarters. It is money collected as rates and taxes from residents.”

Another major issue which has residents riled up is that a rates and taxes collector was placed at the said NDC, without being appointed by the Ministry of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC).

“This said individual is a foreman for Drainage and Irrigation (D&I) working within the NDC. He is supposed to be with the D&I workers to see that the forefoot work is up to standard but he is sitting in the council office and collecting two salaries, one from the D&I and the other from the NDC.” Further, the residents opined that the system at the NDC has been neglected and Council statutory meetings are being conducted without minutes being taken. This has been the case for the past few months, they said.

“The PPP took the Council business for a cake shop where accountability is concerned…Officials from the Ministry should advise them that without minutes the meetings are null and void.

T h e m i n u tes are the legality of all Council businesses which means that all of these meetings held were deemed illegal,” added one NDC member.

Children detained during Linden protest Residents of Blue Berry Hill, Linden are furious at the police for detaining a number of small children during yesterday’s protests in the community.

Ms. Abiola D’Andrade, a teacher, said that the actions by the police have left her seven-year-old daughter traumatized.

She said that police also detained two of her sisters, who are also teachers, after one of the siblings recorded the arrests on her mobile phone.

She alleged that the children, including at least one eight-year-old, were kept in custody for at least two hours and were only released after several of the protesters went to the Wismar Police Station.

Contacted last night, a police source confirmed that some children, aged between

nine and 13, were taken into custody.

However, the rank said that they were picked up in connection with a break and enter and simple larceny investigation.

Ms. D’Andrade told Kaieteur News that the arrests occurred around 11:00 hrs after police saw a number of tyres on the One Mile Public Road.

The ranks removed the tyres, but someone put them back. She said that some children who were playing in the area spotted the police ranks returning and ran away.

Some of them were promptly apprehended and placed in a police vehicle.

Ms. D’Andrade alleged that she was informed that police ranks also ordered her seven-year-old daughter to go into the vehicle, but the child sought refuge in her

grandmother’s home.

According to the teacher, two of her sisters were nearby and one of them used her mobile phone to video-tape the children in the police vehicle.

Kaieteur News was told that on seeing this, one of the ranks ordered the sister to go into the vehicle. The woman then gave another sister her phone and the ranks promptly detained both sisters.

They were all taken to the Wismar Police Station.

However, on learning of the arrest s , s e v e r a l a n g r y protesters also turned up at the station.

Police eventually released all the residents.

H o w ever, Ms. D’Andrade says that her little daughter is so traumatized that she has been vomiting and is fearful to sleep alone.

Page 18

Kaieteur News

Thursday April 19, 2012

Lions Club assists La Parfaite Family blames GPHC for Harmonie’s fire victims discharging injured teen - victim re-admitted to private hospital with head injuries

Making the presentation on behalf of the club - Lion Duane Chase, Sherwin Felicien and Maxine Fredericks. Receiving on behalf of the family was Ms. Roxanne Douglas who expressed her sincere thanks to the club.

The West Demerara Lions Club in collaboration with La Parfaite Harmonie’s Community policing Group, recently donated cash and building materials to the surviving family members of a fire that struck a home at La Parfaite Harmonie, last week. Two children died in that fire.

Dead are eight-year-old, Andrea James and six-year-

old, Javid Alonzo Douglas.

Three other children managed to escape. The children were reportedly left in the care of an older cousin, while their aunt went out.

Twelve-year-old, Adaru James said that he awoke and saw heavy smoke emanating from the bathroom.

James noted that he tried to wake Andrea and Javid, however the blaze got worse

and he was forced to evacuate the building.

The two other survivors received minor burns and were taken to the hospital for treatment.

The club acknowledged contributions by Wartsila Operations Guyana Inc, Sterling Products Guyana Ltd and all other individuals who donated to the recovery effort.

British High Commissioner makes donation to Health Ministry

The British High Commission yesterday donated 50 assessment kits, containing supplies and equipment for occupational, speech and physiotherapies, to the Ministry of Health’s Rehabilitation Division.

The kits are to be used by the rehabilitation assistants to assess and treat children and adults with disabilities.

Emphasis was placed on remote areas such as Regions One, Two, Eight and Nine.

Kaieteur News understands that the donation was a response to a call for assistance made by Ms. Fiona Craven, Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO)

speech and language therapist attached to the Ministry of Health.

An estimated 7000 children in Guyana are living with some form of disability, and there is also a significant under-referral of people with disabilities to service, especially in regions outside of Georgetown. Factors such as reduced access to transportation, awareness of services amongst the public, and stigmatization impact on the gross under utilization of the services.

Using picture-based manuals, the trained Rehabilitation staff has also been carrying out school

screening projects which have been playing a vital role in identifying children with difficulties, as well as in helping them get early treatment, in those regions.

Kaieteur News understands that the assessment kits form an essential part of the tools used in the screening processes and emphasize the rehabilitation division’s strategic objective to promote community based rehabilitation as part of its national strategy.

This project is being carried out jointly by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education.

Family members of a 19year-old boy, who was involved in an accident late Saturday night, have accused staff at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) of discharging the teen although he was badly injured.

They said that the teen, Hussanni Vanlewin, had to be readmitted to a private hospital with a broken shoulder and head injuries.

He is said to be in and out of consciousness and will be undergoing surgery for his shoulder as soon as he is stable.

Family members claimed that the doctor at the private hospital told them, after reading the report on the teen’s CT-Scan that he is suffering from internal bleeding around the brain and swelling of the brain.

A GPHC official said that it is normal procedure for staff to treat accident patients and judge whether they should be admitted.

The patient and relatives would then be told to return to the hospital if the patient seems to be having a relapse.

Reports are that around midnight Saturday last, Vanlewin was heading out of David Street, Kitty on his

Vanlewin at a private hospital motor cycle when a route 40 mini bus struck him.

Vanlewin was rushed to the GPHC. Relatives alleged that although Vanlewin was unconscious when he arrived, one of the nurses said, “Wake him up; nothing wrong with him.”

Kaieteur News understands that he arrived at the GPHC shortly after midnight but was not seen by a physician until around 03:00hrs.

Relatives alleged that the hospital staff strapped Vanlewin’s shoulder, gave him some painkillers, and told him to return for surgery

within a week.

But his grandmother said that after Vanlewin continued to complain of headaches and was incoherent, she decided to take him to a private hospital.

She said that he was promptly admitted.

She also claimed that when the doctor at the private hospital saw her grandson he questioned the reason for the GPHC sending away such a sick patient.

“We want the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to investigate this matter. We will not leave this just like this.”

Early morning rider collides with car An 18-year-old West Coast Demerara lad is at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), nursing a broken right foot, injuries to the spine and bruises to his skin. The teen, Graeme Edwards, was struck down on his pedal cycle by a car near Evergreen Street on New Road, Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara, Tuesday morning.

The car has since been impounded at the Vreed-enHoop police station and the driver, Raul Welshman, is in police custody.

The teen’s mother, Joy Edwards, told Kaieteur News that her son would normally leave home at 05:15 in the morning for a “normal riding routine” and would return exactly one hour later.

She added that she would frequently warn him to be careful when he is riding.

“He and he brother like to ride a lot and every time they go for a ride I does always warn them,” the distraught mother added. She said on that particular morning she had asked him to be extra careful. The mother explained that she became worried after she noticed it was almost 11:00hrs and her son had not returned home.

Fearing the worst, she went to the Vreed-en-Hoop police station and after there was no information on her son, she visited the West Demerara Regional Hospital.

There, she said that she was greeted with the most painful news of her life.

“I had the worst experience in my life when I went there,” the mother stressed. She said she was told that her son was involved in an accident and that he will be transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Yesterday, his mother claimed that he was incoherent. The driver’s wife, who was also present at the

hospital, said that she wishes the teen well and hopes that he recovers soon.

She added that she was at home when the police informed her of the accident.

“My husband is at the station and they ain’t want loose him. I beg them to put him on bail so that he could at least work and assist the victim’s family but they ain’t want do that,” the wife claimed.

She added that she was told that her husband was coming out of the street when the teen collided with his car.

“His whole windscreen break and the bicycle fold up,” she stressed.

Linden shutdown in ...

From page 6 Government in the 2012 budget instead of giving to poor people, instead of taking VAT away from poor people, or reducing it, instead of giving pensioners and recipients of public assistance more, what they have done is give a b s o l u t e l y n o thing to Region Ten,” he laments.

Solomon recently suspended the standing order of Council at the last RDC statutory meeting, in

order to address the electricity issue.

“There is absolutely no matter in Region Ten that’s more important than this right now, and we are going to suspend the standing order and deal with this,” he had stated emphatically.

Councillors had later condemned the proposed electricity hike, and many contended that it was a vengeful act against the people of Linden.

(Enid Joaquin)

Thursday April 19, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 19

The Abigail Column Comment turns bedroom into deep freeze

DEAR EDITOR, My boyfriend and I have been dating for a year. When we got together he had just gotten out of a three-year relationship.

He says he loves me, but he recently told me that she was better in bed than I am! I have lost confidence in our relationship and don’t enjoy

making love with him now, knowing I don’t measure up.

His ex was better looking than I am, but I don’t understand why he would say that. I have told him he hurt my feelings, but he doesn’t care. What do I do now?

Hurt Dear Hurt, Now you ask yourself whether you want to continue a relationship with someone so tactless that he would drop a bomb on you like that one. It’s telling that

when you let him know you were hurt, he let you know he didn’t care.

There are diplomatic ways for partners to communicate what they prefer when they are intimate. One of them involves positive reinforcement when their partner does something right.

Another is simply saying in plain English what feels good.

It appears that your boyfriend is insensitive to the max, my dear. But what you do about it is something no one but you can decide.

Thursday April 19, 2012 ARIES (MARCH 21 APRIL 19): You will tend to have rather intense encounters with other people for a few days. They may not be confrontations in the sense of a flare-up. But no one seems willing to give way or co-operate as much as you had hoped. ********************************* TAURUS (APRIL 20 MAY 20): Maybe flaws and inadequacies in one relationship either at home or at work are beginning to show up.

This will not make you feel comfortable, but at least what you know cannot cause so many problems. ********************************* GEMINI (MAY 21 - JUNE 20): Influences around today have a habit of making you dig down into the depths of every situation because you want to know exactly how it works. But that can make you see only the difficult side of life. ********************************* CANCER (JUNE 21 JULY 22): Maybe you are feeling down because you think things aren't going to hold together. Just remember you are almost certainly magnifying things out of all proportion. ********************************* LEO (JULY 23 - AUG. 22): Whatever has become confused or delayed around you needs a sensible strategy to get it rolling again. You may feel puzzled initially about how best to tackle it all but keep persevering and the answers will come. ********************************* VIRGO (AUG. 23 - SEPT. 22): You've got to tackle everything with thoroughness now, leave no stone unturned.

On the other hand don't get too obsessive.

LIBRA (SEPT. 23 - OCT. 22): Cut your losses, clear out what needs to be got rid of, but do understand that your life is moving in a healthy and positive direction. Out of your experiences at the moment which may be a little stressed, you will emerge as a stronger personality, with better relationships. ********************************* SCORPIO (OCT. 23 NOV. 21): You will see the benefits of standing your ground in one situation. The evidence may not come through for a few days but you will be glad that you rose to the challenge and did not lose your cool. ********************************* SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22 - DEC. 21): If you feel you are wading through treacle and that a great deal of perspiration seems only to be bringing minimal results, then blame it all on Pluto. ********************************* CAPRICORN (DEC. 22 JAN. 19): If there are sulks or broody silences around at home or at work, don't give in to them. The silent treatment can be very effective but only if you allow it to continue. ********************************* AQUARIUS (JAN. 20 FEB. 18): It may not be obvious at the moment but soon you will become aware that you have made strides ahead.

There will be positive changes in your immediate environment, maybe at work or maybe with close partners. ********************************* PISCES (FEB. 19 MARCH 20): Turning your back on certain situations or burying your head in the sand ostrich fashion will not work.

You have to get yourself into reforming mood.

NTN CHANNEL 18/ CABLE 69 05:00h - Sign on with the Mahamrtunjaya Mantra 05:15h - Meditation 05:30h - Queenstown Masjid Presents Quran This Morning 06:00h - R. Gossai General Store Presents Krishna Bhajans 06:15h - Jettoo’s Lumber Yard Presents Krishna Bhajans 06:30h - IPL 5 - DELHI DAREDEVILS v DECCAN CHARGERS 10:00h - Indian Soap - Choti Bahu 10:30h - IPL 5:- IPL5 CHENNAI SUPER KINGS v PUNE WARRIORS 14:00h - Indian Soap Yahaan Mein 14:30h - Indian Soap Pavitra Rishta 15:00h - Indian Soap - Mrs. Kaushik Ki Paanch Bahuyien 15:30h - Indian Soap - Punar Vivaah 16:00h - 2012 Budget Debate Summary by Hon. Priya Manickchand MP 16:15h - 2012 Budget Debate Summary by Hon. Clement Rohee MP 16:35h - 2012 Budget Debate Summary by Hon. Dr. Frank Anthony MP 17:00h - Drying Tears Live with Pastor Edson 18:00h - Ganesh Parts Presents -BHAGAVAD GITA ( Discourses in English) Serial 18:15h - Birthday Greetings / Deaths Announcement & In Memoriam 18:30h - 2012 Budget Debate Summary by Ho. Anil Nandalall MP 19:00h - Buddy’s Housing Development Project Live with Joel Ghansham 20:00h - INSIGHTS presented by the CIOG 21:00h - Indian Soap - Choti Bahu 21:30h - Indian Soap Yahaan Mein 22:00h - Indian Soap Pavitra Rishta 22:30h - Indian Soap - Mrs. Kaushik Ki Paanch Bahuyien 23:00h - Sign off with the Gayatri Mantra DTV CHANNEL 8 08:55hrs. Sign On 09:00hrs. Live! With Kelly 10:00hrs. Spice Goddess 10:30hrs. Everyday Exotic 11:00hrs. The View 12:00hrs. Prime News 12:30hrs. The Young and the Restless

13:30hrs. The Bold and the Beautiful 14:00hrs. The Talk 15:00hrs. Boy Meets World 16:00hrs. Beverly Hills, 90210 17:00hrs. The Wayans Brothers 18:00hrs. World News 18:30hrs. Nightly News 19:00hrs. Greetings and Announcements 21:00hrs. Movie: The Roommate 23:00hrs. Sign Off NCN CHANNEL 11 02:00 – NCN Late Edition (R/B) 02:30 – Late Nite with GINA 03:00 – Movie 05:00 – The Path of Forgetting Part 1 05:30 – Newtown Gospel 06:00 – NCN Late Edition News(r/b) 06:30 – IPL#24 Deccan

Chargers vs Delhi Daredevils 10:00 – Cricket 1st Test West Indies VS Australia Day 5 12:00 – Lotto’s Cricket Info & Quiz 12:35 – NCN Newsbreak 12:40 – Cricket Resumes 17:00 – Anderson 18:00 – NCN News Magazine – Live 18:30 – GT&T 10/10 Tournament 19:00 – Al Jazeera 19:30 – NIS & YOU 20:00 – 3d/daily millions/ play de dream/lotto draw 20:05 – Feature 20:35 – Miners’ World 21:05 – Ravi D Show Essequibo 22:05 – NCN News Late Edition 22:35 – IPL#25 Chennai Super Kings vs Pune Warriors (Delayed)

Ministries' workers protest...

From page 14 legality of such actions, the AG noted that a contract gives certain rights to these employees and the severance pay legislation guarantees them certain legal benefits.

“The third dimension is that Government has several projects, contracts with contractors to do these. These contracts have been signed and some are underway and if they cannot be completed it means Government will be liable for the several breaches

of contract because Government will be unable to discharge the contractual obligations.”

Labour Minister, Nanda Gopaul, stated that slashing employment costs will in effect mean terminating the services of hundreds of workers.

Such contemplated actions would be seen as a violation of the employment terms and conditions of the workers and a violation of the Termination and Employment Severance Pay Act.

Guides are subjected to change without notice

Page 20

Kaieteur News

Thursday April 19, 2012

Kobe showing “progress” with injury TO LET Short term apartments Eccles. Call:679-7139

(From page 15)

Short term apartments. Call: 667-1549 Three (3) office spaces with kitchen C/Ville. Call: 6500716, 223-1051 Building-16000 sqft , yard50000 sqft, can be used for Bond, factory etc.

Contact:225-7643, 225-7493 Lot 10 Area “G” Ogle. Tel: 683-6666, 650-6450 Furnished 2 bedroom apartments in linden, for short term guests’; internet available. Call: 614-4415, 4444704 Eccles-60,000-US1100, Nandy Park-US800, Hotel & Bar US3500, Apartments Bonds etc. Diana: 227-2256, 626-9382 New 2&3 bedroom apartment, prime location Diamond AA block X. Call:682-3483

VEHICLES FOR SALE 99 Honda Civic Leather interior. Call:648-2075 Just arrived: Allion and Premio, tel: 624-2000, 6221610 Unregistered Premio, Allion, with TV & rims. Call: 6098188, 602-6307 UNREGISTERED ALLION, PREMIO, SPACIO, RUNX, ALEX, 2 TON CANTER, AVENSIS, VEROSSA, 212.

CALL:677-7666/ 610-7666 Hilux 4x4 solid Def pick up, Diesel, long base, excellent condition. Call: 623-0243 Verossa PNN. Call:665-3067, 228-2609 1 RZ minibus parts for sale at the lowest price. Call: 6684573, 644-5264 AT 212 $1.350, AT 192 $850,000, AE 100 $700,000, Lancer $1.1M, Camry $1.2M. Call Shawn: 231-2200, 6187483

PROPERTY FOR SALE Fully furnished home in Diamond ‘A’ neg. Call:6194682, 687-2806 Two story wooden and concrete building located at 14 ‘A’ Kersaint Park, L.B.I., E.C.D land measuring 75ft, by 75ft, kitchen cupboards, window grills, 6 bedroom, alarm, system,concrete fence and drains, large storage bond adjoining property price 21 Million (negotiable). Call: 643-2403, 227-2712 Hotel for sale on the Essequibo Coast Fully Furnished. Contact: 7715388, 680-1198 East Bank-12M, Prashad Nagar-40M, Republic Park25M, Sheriff Street-150M. Diana: 227-2256, 626-9382

Unregistered Black Spacio, Silver Premio; reverse camera, Cerisor. Call: 6970294, 220-9514 Toyota Diesel Prado Excellent Condition Diplomat Vehicle. Call:624-6702 One EP 71 Starlet Auto, 1 Pajero JR, 1 AE 91 Sprinter.

Call: 644-5069, 697-1453 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 Unregistered Mitsubishi enclosed canter. Call: 6229123, 679-8056 One private RZ minibus immaculate condition. Call: 649-1290 Galant $1.1M low miles, excellent condition. Call: 6479520

TOUR Suriname vacation shopping site-seeing 28th April-1stMay, trip. Contact Matthew:639-2663, 6655171,644-0185, 227-8290 Santa Mission 22nd April.

Joy: 218-1285, 657-0825

Unregistered Cedia Lancer, Allion, Spacio, Buses, IST, Wagon, AT 192. Cheapest.

Call: 616-7635 DATING SERVICE Immediate link-Singles 1880yrs. Confidential: Tel: 2238237,648-6098. (No -text) 8:30am-5:00pm Mon-Sun (Both phones same hours).

(NBA.com): Trying to turn a negative into a positive, as if he has another choice, Lakers Coach Mike Brown said the shin injury that has cost Kobe Bryant six games and counting is beneficial because it gets Bryant muchneeded rest in a season with an unusually heavy work load.

What Brown did not say is that he is the reason Bryant needs the rest–only Luol Deng and Kevin Love were averaging more minutes per game than the superstar shooting guard. Bryant never should have been at 38.4 minutes an outing in the first place and especially not in a season with a condensed schedule that allowed less time for rest than usual.

So of course Bryant can use the breather.

“I agree,” Brown said.

“That’s kind of what we’ve been alluding to the whole time is that at this point in the season, especially with the minutes that we’ve played him and the various injuries he’s had, it’s a great time for him to take a little bit of time

- says Coach Brown

Kobe Bryant and Mike Brown shares a moment during the Lakers 112-91 loss to the Spurs at the Staples Centre Tuesday night. before going into hopefully a long playoff run.

“We’re taking our time with it. We want to make sure it’s right. He’s made progress.

I see the progress he’s made,

and we’re happy about the progress that he has made.

It’s just a matter of us wanting to be cautious about it and make sure that he’s back at full strength when he does

come back and he doesn’t go into the playoff with any nicks and bruises, if possible.”

Bryant is not expected to play last night at Golden State, Brown said. Only three games remain in the regular season after that—Friday at San Antonio, Sunday against Oklahoma City at Staples Center and next Thursday at Sacramento—for Bryant to use to regain lost rhythm.

Whether that is enough time to get him at 100 percent for the start of the playoffs soon becomes the central issue.

“It’s just a guessing game,” Brown said. “We can say it’s three (games), we can say it’s zero, we can say it’s one. It’d be a guessing game.

I don’t think there’s an exact science to it. But the one thing you do know about Kobe is he’s been around this thing a long time and is extremely intelligent and he can seamlessly fit in with any group of guys, in my opinion.”

The Lakers are 4-2 during the absence, including a 11291 loss to the Spurs Tuesday night.

Walker walks away with Club tourney In a tidy round of golf, William Walker took first place in last Saturday’s Lusignan Golf Club Tournament.

Walker shot a near impeccable front nine of 36one over par-then proceeded to bogey the next six holes.

However, an inspired four iron from 200 yards on the number 15 landed a mere foot from the cup for a tap in birdie.

Then on the par five number 16, pressing too hard for another birdie, he pulled his fairway drive badly only for

the ball to fortuitously hit a tree and land in the fairway bunker.

He went on to par the remaining three holes for a back nine 39 and a gross 75, net 68. It was enough to secure victory over Ramesh Amrud’s 81 gross, net 69, who had a better back nine than Patrick Prashad’s 76 net 69 which included 11 pars in a row.

This week’s tournament is sponsored by Torginol Paints and this is followed by Scotiabank on April 28.

President of the Lusignan Golf Course, Brian Hacket (left) presents the winning spoils to William Walker last weekend.

Thursday April 19, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 21

Clinical Kolkata trounce Punjab Ansa Mc Al partners with GFF for World Cup Qualifiers

By Juanita Hooper In supporting Guyana’s national football team, Golden Jaguars, in their historic participation in the Third Round of the FIFA 2014 Brazil World Cup Qualifiers, which commences in June, Ansa Mc Al Trading Ltd., under their Stage Beer brand, has collaborated with the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) to assist with the team’s preparation.

The collaboration was announced yesterday during a press conference at the company’s local headquarter at Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara.

Acting President of GFF, Franklin Wilson in his brief remarks during the conference stated that the GFF and Ansa Mc Al are in the belief that it will be possible for the Golden Jaguars to go all the way in their World Cup qualification bid.

Wilson said that Guyana could be among the finalists in Brazil in 2014 with the synchronized efforts and support of Corporate Guyana, all Guyanese, the football fraternity and those in the Diaspora. He singled out the continued determination and high quality performances of the Jaguars’ Staff and Team on and off the field.

Wilson, who was not surprised with Ansa Mc Al’s contribution revealed that the partnership was a significant source of satisfaction to them as it will assist in the sustenance of the team, which does not only includes the payment of bills.

“It is not only their contribution to the payment of the bills, which we can assure you are quite substantial and will require much more than what Ansa Mc Al is giving to take the Golden Jaguars through to the next the round, but it is the willingness of Ansa Mc Al to provide leadership in the support of sport generally and football in particular,” Wilson said.

Ansa Mc Al’s intervention signified a vote of confidence in the Golden Jaguars Football Team, which has been producing superb performances.

Wilson expressed his gratitude for Ansa Mc Al decision to collaborate with football in Guyana on more than just a financial level.

“It demonstrates patriotism and an interest in partnership with the GFF for the quantum leap needed for the sustained development of our sports. We are further gratified that the Company has agreed to also partner with the GFF for the promotion, advertisement and development of our local competitions and tournaments,” he added.

Beverley Harper, Managing Director of Ansa Mc Al, stated that the development of football is close to their hearts and their collaboration with GFF and football would not be their first as they we were involved in football for quite a couple of years. She said that football has usually been associated

E/Coast U-15 squad commence preparations EECB Elizabeth Styles cricket set for this weekend

The East Coast Cricket Board (ECCB) selectors have named a strong under-15 squad and four stand-bys to prepare for the InterAssociation Under-15 cricket competition, which is scheduled to commence shortly.

According to the EECB, a Captain will be named this week and the squad read: Camroul Hookumchand, Shariz Alli, Gavin Boodwah, Darren Roberts, Mark Baiehu, Akean Hiles, Vishwanauth Ramlakhan, Ramnarine Chatura, David Wilson, Rajpaul Gopaul, Bhaskar Deodat, Elijah Vancooten, Naresh Persaud, Sahadeo Ramkhellwan.

The stand-bys are: Mootelal Chatura, Zaman Rashid, Shivnarine Gobin, Beesham Khemraj.

Meanwhile, action in the Elizabeth Styles 40-overs First and Second Division competitions are set for Saturday April 21 from noon and Sunday April 22 from 10am.

On Saturday LBI play Buxton at the Buxton Ground and Lusignan face Enterprise at Lusignan on Sunday in the Second Division League Strathave battle Dundee at Dundee, Persevarance face Mahaica Sports Club at Perseverance, Farfield face Alliance All Star at Faifield and Helena 1&2 come up against Canegrove at Helena.

with the Stag Beer brand.

Harper, who disclosed that it is their 20th anniversary since being in Guyana, revealed that the company is extremely proud of the Golden Jaguars.

“We are happy that we have now been able to put together an agreement that we will be able to help them more than we have. We have always supported them through good times and bad; let’s face it they need the support,” Harper told the media.

Harper even discussed an unfortunate event, which occurred in the Guyana football history, to highlight how far the sport has come ever since.

“Trust me, I was here in the eighties when half of our team absconded on their way to Mexico and I know that at that stage, some of the Managers and fellow supporters had to make up the team or we would have been heavily fined. At that time, I remember it was a great team and all of Guyana was behind them and since then it has been a hard time trying to get everybody back on board,” Harper informed.

In closing she added that Ansa Mc Al was happy that under a different dispensation they can find it possible to come into this venture. “We do so with open hearts and relatively open pockets. We believe that Guyana is on the course of being able to do well and bring great credit and honour to this country that we all love so dearly,” she concluded.

Guyana’s Golden Jaguars are scheduled to play at least three warm-up games before the third round of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers begin in June. The first of those warmup fixtures will be on May 18 against Jamaica’s Reggae Boys.

(ESPNCricinfo): In one of the more one-sided games of the tournament, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) breezed to an eight-wicket win and made amends for fluffing a chase against the same opponents, Kings XI Punjab, three days ago. A deflated Kings XI limped to 124 on their home surface after winning the toss, but there were no twists as Knight Riders, led by Gautam Gambhir, attained the target with a risk-free approach.

The pitch had a layer of grass and offered movement off the seam, but it didn’t have the kind of moisture that gave the bowlers an edge in the previous Mohali game, against Pune Warriors.

Nevertheless, the batsmen didn’t have the freedom to hit through the line-a staple fare in the plenty of games so far in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

None of the Kings XI batsmen could bat through.

Adam Gilchrist kept the momentum going with a couple of boundaries through the on side, but pulled a hamstring while completing a quick single. He had to retire, and his untimely departure in the sixth over dented the run-rate. Kings XI were going along at 7.50 but post-Gilchrist, it had declined to as low as 5.93.

The Knight Riders bowlers didn’t allow any big partnerships to develop, nothing higher than 24.

Much depended on Shaun Marsh to give the team momentum, but he departed for 33, albeit in controversial circumstances. He chased a wide delivery from Brett Lee shaping away and got a thick outside edge which dipped to the wicketkeeper, but Manvinder Bisla immediately claimed the catch.

The umpires conferred and took Bisla’s word, but replays couldn’t confirm if he had his gloves underneath the ball. Marsh accepted the ruling, but the team owner

KKR’s Captain, Gautam Gambhir led by example with an unbeaten 66 to lead his team past Kings XI Punjab yesterday.

(AFP Photo) Preity Zinta didn’t appear too pleased with the decision, querying one of the match officials before Gilchrist stepped in to restore calm.

It triggered off a steady collapse as David Hussey fell shortly after due to bad calling, before Dimitri Mascarenhas and Paras Dogra perished going for the big shots. Gilchrist returned in the 17th over to pick up the pieces and he struck the only six of the innings, in the final over. That Kings XI managed only three boundaries in the last ten overs showed how Knight Riders tightened the noose.

Brendon McCullum got the chase off the blocks with forceful pulls to the on side, but ironically fell to an embarrassing shot in the same region. Piyush Chawla bowled a long hop way down the leg side but somehow, McCullum contrived to find short fine leg, prompting a disbelieving grin from Chawla.

Gambhir remained strong square of the wicket on both sides, cutting when given width and nudging away deliveries on the pads.

Bisla launched Harmeet Singh for a six over mid-off but was bowled dragging one on to his stumps just before the halfway stage.

With a paltry target to defend, Kings XI could have attacked more, kept a slip or a couple of men in close catching positions to force a mistake.

Gambhir had the freedom to use his feet against the spinners, getting to his halfcentury off 36 balls.

Gambhir had earlier demanded more application from his middle order. Today, he led by example.

Kolkata Knight Riders 127 for 2 (Gambhir 66*) beat Kings XI Punjab 124 for 7 (Gilchrist 40*, Lee 2-26, Narine 2-24) by eight wickets

Page 22

Kaieteur News

CFU CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS...

Thursday April 19, 2012

UEFA Champions League Semi-Final...

Alpha, Milerock face the axe Chelsea beat Barcelona 1-0 in first leg

Anthony Abrams

Andrew Murray

Wayne Dover

After producing lackluster performances on Tuesday, Alpha United and Milerock FC will have to lift their game immensely today if they are to qualify for the next round of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Club Championship.

In the opening fixture, Linden’s Milerock will entertain Suriname’s InterMoengotapoe from 4pm and that will be followed with the feature clash between Georgetown-based Alpha United and Curacao’s Hubentut Fortuna at 6pm.

Milerock, losers to Fortuna, on opening night will have to bury their chances when they create them unlike their first match.

The locals fashioned numerous chances, but poor finishing saw many go to waste and they will have to take advantage of their opportunities if they are to score a win against a Dutch team that is disciplined and willing to captilise on the slimmest of chances provided

to them.

They totally looked more superior tactically and technically against one of Guyana’s leading clubs, Alpha United, so Milerock will have to play way above that level if they are to stand a chance against them.

InterMoengotapoe seems to be a well-drilled unit and played like a real professional team and will start as favourites to win and put themselves in a solid position to advance to the next stage.

Alpha United’s clash against Fortuna should see the locals gain their first points, but that will depend heavily on what sort of improvement Coach Wayne Dover was able to orchestrate in the 24 hours since their loss to the Dutch side.

They looked way below their best, uncharacteristically creating few chances to score goals, while those that came their way saw some extremely poor decisions and lacked the clinical efficiency usually

associated with the team that made it to the third round of the previous tournament.

Alpha’s opponent looked like a team that is not up to their level of play, but as we all know, the stronger team on paper is not the decisive winner in some cases, but rather what occurs on the field of play usually determines the winner.

Dwain Jacobs and Andrew Murray Jnr. both missed glaring opportunities, and they will have to lift their game to provide the team with the platform to win, while Fortuna did look threatening in midfield, but lacked the potency up front and coming up against a strong defensive unit like Alpha could prove to be a daunting prospect for them.

However, they must be brimming with confidence after securing full points against Milerock, and that could be the little inspiration that they needed to produce a better performance.

Today is D-Day for both local teams and fans are being urged to come out and offer their support for the locals in their crucial engagements.

The Stadium was a disappointment with the sprinkling of fans that witnessed the two games, but with more support, it could very well be the ingredient that was lacking to help push Alpha and Milerock over the line this time. Admission is $500 and children free.

Chelsea’s Didier Drogba celebrates after scoring the lone goal in his team’s 1-0 win against FC Barcelona yesterday at Stamford Bridge, England. (AP Photo) (BBC): Didier Drogba gave Chelsea a precious lead to take to the Nou Camp for the Champions League semifinal second leg as his goal beat holders Barcelona at Stamford Bridge.

The Catalans dominated possession as well as creating a succession of chances-but Drogba struck in a first-half injury time goal to give interim manager Roberto di Matteo’s side an advantage to protect in Barcelona next Tuesday.

Chelsea were forced to mount a resilient rearguard action in the face of Barcelona’s famous passing “carousel”, but Drogba converted their one clear chance to reward the outstanding defensive work of Gary Cahill, Ashley Cole and captain John Terry in keeping Lionel Messi and company at bay.

Barcelona produced evidence of the huge threat they will pose in front of their own supporters as they enjoyed 72% of the possession, but Chelsea will be elated at not only claiming the victory but also keeping a crucial clean sheet.

Alexis Sanchez hit the crossbar for Barcelona early on and Pedro hit the post in the dying seconds-while Cole cleared off the line from Cesc Fabregas. Goalkeeper Petr Cech also saved well from Messi and Carles Puyol as Pep Guardiola’s team tried

every avenue in an attempt to break Chelsea down.

In the end, Chelsea’s organisation and discipline was rewarded but Di Matteo knows they will have to produce the same - and more besides - in the Nou Camp to confirm a meeting with either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich in the final in Munich next month.

Di Matteo clearly saw Drogba’s power as a potential threat to a Barcelona defence stripped of Gerard Pique-but he barely caught sight of goal in a first 45 minutes in which the Catalans exerted their technical superiority.

Chelsea were riding their luck as early as the eighth minute when Andres Iniesta played in Sanchez. The Chilean’s lob left Cech stranded but his effort bounced back to safety off the bar.

Fabregas was the guilty party when Chelsea had another escape soon after.

Messi was the creator to set up Iniesta but when Cech could only push out his shot, the former Arsenal captain miscued his finish from eight yards.

Messi was the next to test Cech with a header from Sanchez’s cross, the Chelsea keeper gathering the effort comfortably as Barcelona once more failed to produce the final touch to accompany their artistic approach work.

As half-time approached

Fabregas had another chance to give Barcelona the lead. He collected an incisive Messi pass and this time beat Cech, who required Cole to scramble back and clear the ball off the line.

Chelsea, at this point, would have been happy to reach the interval on level terms - but instead they produced the wonderful bonus of a goal in first-half injury time.

Messi was caught in possession by Frank Lampard, who released Ramires, and the reliable Brazilian served up the perfect cross for Drogba to sweep a left-footed finish past Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes.

Drogba’s main contribution prior to his goal was to go through his full range of theatrics but this was an example of exactly why Di Matteo made him his choice.

As is their style, Barcelona continued as if almost failing to recognise they had fallen behind - but also in the same vein of wasting the openings they created as Adriano saw a shot pushed away by Cech and Sanchez was unable to apply the finish to Fabregas’s scooped pass.

Chelsea were pushed right back into their own territory as Barcelona probed and passed for an opening.

They were able, however, to survive without too many serious alarms until the closing moments.

Cech dived away to his right to save Puyol’s header from Messi’s free-kick then escaped again in the final seconds as substitute Pedro struck the base of the post, with Sergio Busquets lifting the rebound wildly over the bar.

And after clinching a place against Liverpool in the FA Cup Final with victory against Tottenham on Sunday, Chelsea can now contemplate the possibility of reaching their second Champions League Final in five years.

Thursday April 19, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 23

Jamaica dominate CARIFTA Swimming C/ships

K&S donate over $200,000 trophies for Linden - Stephenson remains Guyana’s only medalist Town Week activities Members of Jamaica’s Carifta swim team at the 2012 Carifta Games in The Bahamas.

Jessica Stephenson

Aubrey Major Jnr (left) and Sharief Major (right) presents the trophies to Lindley Langhorne of the Town Week Organisers on behalf of the K&S Organisation.

J

amaica wrapped up their campaign at t h e X X V I I C A R I F T A Swimming Championships at the Betty Kelly Kenning Aquatic Centre in Nassau, Bahamas, on Sunday night, securing four gold, six silver and two bronze medals.

The Wendy Lee-guided team, therefore, completed the four-day championships with 32 medals —10 gold, 16 silver, and six bronze to dominate the CARIFTA Swimming Championships on the heels of their dominance two weeks ago in the CARIFTA Athletics Championships.

Apparently saving her best for last, Breanna Roman reaped gold in the Girls 1517 100m breaststroke in a new meet record of 1:14.48 minutes.

The 16-year-old Campion College girl erased the previous CARIFTA mark of 1:14.57 set four years ago by The Bahamian McKayla Lightbourn.

Trinidad & Tobago’s Alexandria Donahue grabbed the silver in 1:14.64 and Guyanese Jessica Stephenson ensured bronze in 1:14.65. Danielle Boothe was sixth in 1:17.97.

Roman also earned a silver when she, Danielle Boothe, Stefani Webley and Kendese Nangle swam 1:50.93 in the Girls 15-17 200m freestyle.

Aruba won in 1:50.01 and Guadeloupe the bronze in 1:51.31.

Matthew Lyn, meanwhile, latched on to gold in the Boys 13-14 200m backstroke when he posted 2:23.95, trumping Dionisio Carey of The Bahamas, who was second in 2:25.25, with Vi r g i n I s l a n d e r To n y Hendricks clinching bronze in 2:25.56.

Timothy Wynter handed Jamaica their third gold of

the night winning the Boys 15-17 200m backstroke clocking 2:08.85. Dylan Carter of Trinidad & Tobago gained silver with 2:10.56 and Martinique’s Karl Contout the bronze in a time of 2:15.31.

Jamaica captured their fourth and final gold Sunday when Angara Sinclair, Anjuii Barrett, Tiara Myrie and Annastazia Chin registered a meet recordequalling 1:57.60 in the Girls 11-12 200m freestyle relay.

Aruba (1:59.04) and The Bahamas (2:00.37) were second and third.

Ivana Chang, Diana Martschenko, Leanne McMaster and D’Agaene Clarke added silver in the Girls 13-14 200m freestyle after posting 1:56.14.

The Bahamas won gold in time of 1:54.30 and Aruba bronze in 1:56.35.

Sinclair, earlier, obtained the silver in the Girls 11-12 50m freestyle when she swam 28.90 seconds, after Trinidad & Tobago’s Amira Pilgrim, who won in 28.84 s e c o n d s . M a r t i n i q u e ’s Clarisse Janvier was third also in 28.90 seconds.

Nangle swam 24.40 seconds for third in the Girls 15-17 50m freestyle won by Aruban Ally Ponson, 26.97 seconds, ahead of The Bahamian Bria Deveaux, 27.09 seconds.

Seventeen-year-old Nangle, a multiple medallists, later earned silver in the Girls 15-17 200m backstroke won by Guadeloupe’s Caroline Marinette in 2:21.95 Nangle logged 2:25.66, while Thalie Carmigniani of Martinique finished third with a time of 2:26.38.

Chin collected the silver

in the Girls 11-12 100m breaststroke in a time of 1:25.22, as Albury Higgs of The Bahamas won in 1:22.17 with Suriname’s Suelenn Graanoogst taking the bronze in a time of 1:25.72 minutes.

In the Girls 13-14 100m breaststroke, Ivana Chang logged 1:20.44 for silver, as Suriname’s Candis Pigue won in 1:20.43, while

Barbadian Kimberley Willoughby took third in 1:20.62.

Kevaughn Campbell held on for bronze in the Boys 13-14 100m breaststroke after timing 1:12.55. Mikel Schreuders of Aruba snatched gold in 1:10.48, beating Drew Bastian of The Bahamas, who was second with 1:11.21.

Terrance Clarke (2nd left) presents some of the gear to Sensei Dunbar at the Banks DIH Sports Club

T

wo United Statesbased former students of the Guyana Wado Ryu Karate Association recently presented training equipment to the local body in their quest to promote the sport.

Michael Demendonca and Terrance Clarke made donations of karate mitts and headgears to the

Association.

C l a r k e a n d Demendonca’s son Dhillon made the presentations to Chief Instructor Sensei Winston Dunbar during a simple ceremony at Banks DIH Sports Club.

Sensei Dunbar expressed appreciation to Demendonca and Clarke for their continued assistance to the Association and assured

The Kashif and Shanghai (K&S) Organisation have donated over $200,000 in trophies to the Linden Town Week Organisers for the event, which gets underway on Sunday in the Mining Town.

The bulk of the trophies will be presented to outstanding athletes involved in the sports programmes and also for special awards to notable individuals giving yeoman service to the community.

The Wismar Night activity will see a number of the trophies being presented.

Aubrey Major Jnr. and Sharief Major presented the trophies to Lindley Langhorne of the Organisers at a simple presentation ceremony this week on behalf of the K&S Organisation.

Guyana Wado Ryu Karate Association gets training gear them that the equipment would be used for the development of its members.

Demendonca last year presented 30 medals to the Association for the Annual Wado Ryu Club Championships.

“We look forward to similar assistance from donors to improve the work of the Association and affiliated clubs,” said

Dunbar.

Sensei Dunbar said three dojos are affiliated to the association; they are Banks DIH Sports Club, Mae’s School in Subryanville and Eccles Primary School on the East Bank of Demerara.

Sensei Dunbar said interested persons can contact any of the centres to register or telephone 6506836.

t r o Sp WEST INDIES VS. AUSTRALIA, 2ND TEST, PORT-OF-SPAIN, 4TH DAY...

Roach fires out top order but rain intervenes (ESPNCricinfo.com) Heavy rain on the fourth day of the second Test Match between Australia and the West Indies in Port-ofSpain, Trinidad and Tobago, severely reduced the chances of any positive result as Australia closed 127 ahead following a hostile spell from pacer, Kemar Roach who removed the top of the visitors’ batting.

Ricky Ponting was threatening to play his first major innings of the threetest series to keep West Indies at bay before the weather closed in early during the afternoon and did not allow the players back.

Roach has been the stand-out fast bowler during a match dominated by spin and added another impressive collection of scalps to his first-innings five-wicket haul.

Australia had wrapped up West Indies’ innings four balls into the day, to earn a 54-run cushion, and Roach

Kemar Roach removes Shane Watson’s off-stumps for his second wicket in an over that had also produced the wicket of David Warner. (AFP Photo) had to wait for his opening spell when Shane Shillingford started the

attack alongside Fidel Edwards. Roach, though, wasted no time in making an

impact when his turn arrived. Starting from round the wicket, a line that has

Ansa Mc Al partners with GFF for World Cup Qualifiers Pg. 21

Acting President of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), Franklin Wilson (right) receives the sponsorship arrangement from Managing Director of Ansa Mc Al, Beverly Harper while Noel Adonis share the moment.

troubled Australia’s lefthanders, he drew an edge from David Warner, which carried low to Darren Bravo at first slip. Warner had flirted with the catching cordon during his stay although he had started with three crisp boundaries.

Then, three deliveries later, Roach beat Shane Watson for pace with a ball that perhaps kept a fraction low and took out the off stump to leave Australia tottering on 26 for 2. It meant that another head-tohead between Roach and Ponting, which the former won in the first innings, was imminent. Ponting did not find life easy and could have been run out by Edwards from mid-off when he had given up the chance of making his ground only for the throw to miss and Carlton Baugh had not reached the stumps. A second chance was offered an over later when he lunged at Shillingford and an inside edge carried low to Adrian Barath at short leg, who could not hold on.

Ed Cowan had also been

offered a life before he had scored and it was the simplest of the lot when he edged Edwards to Darren Sammy in the slips but it went to the ground. He was made to battle for his runs, his one release coming when he swept Shillingford for four although the off-spinner caused him, and Ponting, plenty of problems and unveiled his doosra during a probing unbroken 15-over spell.

At the start of the afternoon session, West Indies spurned another opportunity for a run out, this time to remove Cowan, when Baugh could not produce a good throw to the bowler. Cowan, having once again forged a base for his innings, fell in a very similar fashion to the first innings when Roach speared one into his pads from around the wicket which the batsman tried to work to leg. For the second time in the game, Cowan tried the DRS (Decision Review System), but there was no escape.

Earlier in the same over, West Indies had used up their first review when Roach jagged a delivery into Ponting, which brought a massive appeal. Sammy trusted his paceman’s instincts and asked for the TV umpire, but, as has often been shown, the bowler is often the least reliable person to ask.

Although Ponting was far from fluent-few batsmen have been on this surface-he was beginning to tick over more comfortably and moments before the rain, flicked Shillingford through midwicket with timing that has not often been seen during the match. The contest was at another fascinating stage, but was not allowed to progress any further owed to the intervention of rain.

(Australia 311 and 73 for 3 (Ponting 32*, Clarke 3*) lead West Indies by 127 runs)

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