Kaieteur News

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April 20, 2012 - Vol. 4 No. 16

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More TV licences to be granted Pg. 3

...as Granger, Ramotar continue Extra-Parliamentary Budget talks Colombian calls at Port G/T after rowing solo across Atlantic

Brazilian Pg. 14 woman shot in bar - ‘Mother Cat' in custody

In a bid to raise funds for cancer studies, Nicolas Carvajal Uribe (inset), a Colombian national, last evening completed a 3,000-mile solo rowing trip across the Atlantic Ocean at Port Georgetown.

Uribe was unassisted over the 80-day voyage which began in the Canary Islands.

APNU, AFC part ways on Fire destroys budget cut for Housing two more properties Ministry's security Pg. 23

Pg. 6

Police top brass take umbrage at Rohee’s ‘kick ass’ statement Pg. 12

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Kaieteur News

Friday April 20, 2012

Friday April 20, 2012

Kaieteur News

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More TV licences to be granted ...as Granger, Ramotar continue Extra-Parliamentary Budget talks * Linden Electricity Tariff increase to be gradual * access to business financing for Lindeners to be re-activated

By Gary Eleazar Extra-Parliamentary talks/ meetings between A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Head of State Donald Ramotar, continue to bear fruit as was reported to the House by Prime Minister Samuel Hinds.

The Leader of the Government side of the House yesterday disclosed even as the Members of Parliament were about to continue perusal of the budget estimates in detail that Brigadier (rtd) David Granger and his APNU delegation had met with Ramotar to “avoid unnecessary collisions in the exercise we are engaged in.”

According to Prime Minister Hinds, the Government has since agreed to, upon application, issue several more televisions licences for the people of Linden, as well as the remainder of the country.

“In relation to television stations which exist in Georgetown and the coast, being available in Linden and across our country, our government will shortly be granting, on application, additional over the air television broadcast licences all over Guyana including Linden.”

On the issue of the increase in electricity tariff for Lindeners, Hinds reported that while the streamlining of the tariff with that of GPL is inevitable, Government has agreed to have the increases effected in a more gradual manner.

“It was agreed that alignment with the GPL tariffs and elimination of the electricity subsidy was necessary. It was also agreed that the tariff adjustment would proceed from 2012 guided by the principles of gradualism and selectivity with the transition to aligned tariffs being introduced in a

President Donald Ramotar, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr. Roger Luncheon, Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh and Presidential Advisor on Governance Gail Teixeira in discussion with leader of A Partnership for National Unity, David Granger, and members Rupert Roopnaraine and Carl Greenidge (GINA Photo) differentiated manner that cushions the impact on the most vulnerable consumers.”

Prime Minister Hinds reported to the House also that coming out of the meeting between Granger and Ramotar, the Government has agreed to explore ways in which small business activity could be encouraged in Linden.

Hinds said that it is in this vein that “government undertook to re-activate the post LEAP/LEAF facility now known as LEN (Linden

Region’s R.C. Bishops convene here for significant confab Sixteen (16) bishops and archbishops who head the Roman Catholic Church in the English, French and Dutch speaking Caribbean countries from Bermuda and Bahamas to Cayenne and Curacao will be in Guyana from tomorrow (April 21) to next Friday (April 27) to participate in their annual general meeting. This group known as the Antilles Episcopal Conference (AEC) will be joined by the Papal Representative to the Antilles region, based in Port of Spain, Italian Archbishop Nicola Girasoli The event will be officially inaugurated with a Mass at Brickdam Cathedral at 1600 hrs on Sunday.

Following an old tradition, the most recently ordained bishop in the AEC, Bishop Kenneth Richards of St. John’s, Antigua, and Basseterre, St. Kitts, will deliver the homily. The meeting will also welcome two other recently appointed bishops, Archbishop Joseph Harris of Port of Spain, and Bishop Jason Gordon of

Bridgetown, Barbados and Kingstown, St. Vincent.

With these appointments and the upcoming ordination of an auxiliary bishop in Belize, only one of the 19 dioceses in the AEC do not have a Bishop resident in their territory.

The inaugural Mass will be preceded by a retreat on Bishops’ Spirituality and followed by a Study Day on Collegiality and cooperation among Bishops, both of which will be led by US Emeritus Archbishop of New Orleans, Alfred Hughes.

On Monday, April 23, the President of the Bishops’ Conference, Archbishop Patrick Pinder of Bahamas and Bishop Francis Alleyne of Georgetown, will pay a courtesy call on President Donald Ramotar.

Archbishop Girasoli will present his diplomatic credentials as Vatican Representative to the Government of Guyana on the same day.

That afternoon there will be a meeting of the Bishops with the local Church

leadership and diocesan organization representatives at St. Paul’s Pastoral Centre at Better Hope on the East Coast of Demerara.

The working sessions of the Bishops will also include a review of plans by the AEC to sponsor the training of a Caribbean team of Psychologists, Social Workers and Counsellors in (Continued on page 9)

Enterprise Network) aimed at promoting affordable access to financing by small businesses.”

He also disclosed that the Government has undertaken to engage the Financial Services Sector, on the possibility of establishing small business financing facilities in Linden along the lines of the WOW (Women of Worth) programme “also aimed at promoting more affordable access to financing.”

The Prime Minister prefaced his announcement by reminding the House that following the request by APNU’s Volda Lawrence on working together on Budget 2012, the Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh “confirmed government’s continued availability to receive views from stakeholders and to consider these, provided that the matters to be discussed were documented and that the

schedule for the consideration of the estimates was adhered to in its entirety.”

Hinds said that “the Government believes that these meetings have been useful in creating a wider and better understanding of the inevitable, specific trade-offs in the fashioning of our nation’s budget and in avoiding unnecessary collisions.”

On expanding on the electricity situation, the Prime Minister told the House that the special historical circumstances surrounding the subsidy for the people of Linden was fully taken into account.

He said that the discussions also surrounded the considerable allocations to the electricity sector in the form of a $6B bailout of Guyana Power & Light Inc. (GPL).

According to Hinds, the

discussions on Linden focused on what can be done to ease and make the “good” transition of Linden into a regular town, “and the greater inclusion and participation of all of Region 10, into the programmes and fortunes of Guyana as a whole.”

The Prime Minister also stated that “it was further agreed that the first stage of the tariff adjustment this year, would be implemented along the lines outlined in a manner that would ensure adherence to the allocation provided in Budget 2012 bearing in mind applicable budgetary constraints.”

The announcement by the Prime Minister came one day after a protest in the mining town where the activities of the community were severely curtailed as a reaction to the proposed electricity tariff increase, along with a perceived neglecting of the community.

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Kaieteur News

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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

Politics and Reality Many Guyanese were quite pleased with the outcome of the last elections. The major reason was that they believed with the opposition controlling the purse strings in Parliament, the government would have to involve them in the budgetary allocations for one.

And to the man in the street, and (more importantly) the average voter, the budget looms very large. Tax rates, community and national improvement, are only two of the thousands of ‘line items’ that will affect his quotidian life.

The Opposition – especially the major partner – while they actually believed they could win the election outright – could not also have been displeased with the result.

They actually won a toehold in the governance of the country. The populace watched with some bemusement, however, as the government and the opposition jockeyed for ‘advantage’ in the allocation of power in the ‘new dispensation’. They were now being exposed to the minutiae of how the government actually functions.

One of the myths that have been clarified is that the government can actually run on auto pilot. While an exemplar of bureaucratic organisation, the rules are never so explicit as to address every contingency.

There are always ambiguities and grey areas that must be explicated for time, place and circumstance. What all of the ‘back-and-forthing’ exposed, consequently, is that those who wish to become involved in the governance of our country must become intimately familiar with the rules of the game, so to speak.

While on the campaign trail it had become customary for opposition ranks to simply promise anything under the sun to garner support. Not having the burden of actually having to ‘put their money where their mouth was’, they could get away with it.

For this reason, in most jurisdictions when the opposition assumes power, their supporters invariably accuse them of “selling out”. Faced with the practicalities of exercising power they have to adopt a more pragmatic posture. Obama’s present falling out with the left wing of his party in the US is a good example of this phenomenon.

But in Guyana, the Opposition no longer has the luxury (such as it is) of offering ‘pie in the sky’ rhetoric – at least not now. They have to become responsible, based on what is permissible under the constraints that all governments operate. We saw this necessity rise to the surface in the allocation of seats to the Committee of Selection in parliament, which unfortunately had to end up in front of the courts. Now once again we see it in the handling of the Budget by the House now that it has been constituted into the “Committee of Supply” (CoS).

Here the rules dictate that the Opposition cannot propose initiatives that place a burden on the Consolidated Fund – meaning increased spending - but by implication can suggest cuts in spending. But it does not end there: cuts have implications on employment rules etc. which cannot be violated with impunity. The AFC, during the campaign, had made a central issue of alleged governmental inflated spending.

As the rules dictated, they gave the requisite notice for cuts one day before the CoS was supposed to meet. And all hell broke loose. Government workers that would be affected by the cuts protested in front of parliament; the government exploited the sentiments against the AFC’s proposals and the latter ended up with egg on its face. APNU, on the other hand, more conversant with the ground realities, accepted the government’s offer to discuss written proposals before the CoS. And came out smelling of roses.

The government accepted APNU’s suggestion to raise the Old Age Pension to $10,000 (and so place a further burden on the Consolidated Fund) and the latter abstained when the AFC called for a vote on just one of the cuts they had proposed. They had not done their homework to hone in on specific ‘fat cats’ they accused the government of harbouring. The government’s budgeted spending on all three Ministries was passed.

Justice Chang’s ruling may have opened doors DEAR EDITOR, The ruling by Justice Chang has truly created a magnitude 8 earthquake in a legal environment in which we are accustomed to getting a few level 2 to level 6 shocks.

We, the citizenry, not being lawyers ourselves, must not abdicate our right, based upon some kind of notion that only lawyers can understand the implications and impact of a ruling.

That is like saying that only a musician can understand a great piece of music. I may not know a quaver from a crescendo but I know I like the music.

This ruling and its aftermath have left a bitter taste in the mouth of most of us. But what seems to be happening is that some of us are confusing the court of public opinion with a court of

law, the one in which Justice Chang made his ruling.

Since legal practitioners, including QC Seetahal of Trinidad and Tobago, have joined the unrelenting criticism of Justice Chang I will certainly not attempt to match wits with those learned people.

Now, either Justice Chang was right in his assessment of the evidence being legally inadmissible and irrelevant or he was not. If he was right, then any judge looking at the same issue on appeal should find similarly.

But if he was wrong, the implications are truly serious.

It would mean that (a) someone who is occupying the position of Chief Justice and who was a DPP himself cannot recognize what statements are legally admissible as evidence and what statements are not; (b)

that this learned judge was so confident in a wrong assessment that he did not even feel a need to recheck and confirm, but most amazingly (c) sought to admonish the person who knows what is correct , and (d) he did all this knowing that he would have to document his ruling for posterity.

To my mind, this is the fulcrum around which an appeal will turn. Chang did not only say that the charge based upon the statements cited was irrational. He used the words ‘unlawful’ and ‘illegal’. Where are you placing your bets? I know where I’ll place mine.

There is another question that we non-lawyers should ask, now that we know of this magical mechanism summoned like a genie and unleashed on an

unsuspecting public, called a ‘judicial review’, (at least the kind of judicial review before the case is tried is said to be new). The question is the following. Is the decision of the DPP in the negative also susceptible to judicial review?

In other words, if the DPP should decide in a particular case that the evidence does not support a charge being laid, can an interested member of the public challenge her decision similarly? The CJ hinted that it was but he did not expand.

(That was not relevant to his presentation).

Or does the answer to this question have to await a test in court? I believe there are a more than a few high profile cases (in which the DPP or police decided not to (Continued on page 7)

DEAR EDITOR, Elections in Independent Guyana occurred in 1968, 1973, 1980, 1985, 1992, 1997, 2001, 2006 and 2011.

Throwing out the official election results by assuming that election results from 1968 to 2011 were won by the PPP; based on their public statements and propaganda.

Guyana would now be in its 44th year of domination by the PPP hierarchy and their elite supporters.

Essentially a one-party rule of one ethnic group over another ethnic group, the likes of Forbes Burnham’s intellectual power, scholarship and vision that has been the cornerstone of

Guyana’s development – no longer a factor.

Great Guyanese such as Walter Rodney, Mohamed Shahabuddeen, Desmond Hoyte, Eusi Kwayana, Clive Thomas, Haslyn Parris, Noel Blackman, Winston Murray, David Granger, Carl Greenidge and Vincent Alexander, among many others would not have seen the benefits to Guyana of their mastery of History, Politics, Economics, Medicine, Law, Finance and Administration, and the accompanying strengthening of Guyana’s Social and Economic development for all Guyanese.

Instead, these great

Guyanese would have lived on the periphery as PPP used its slim voting plurality supposedly gained in the nine national elections to systemically and structurally ostracise and disenfranchise non-supporters of the PPP to second class status; while the inner circle of the PPP exploit and rape Guyana of its cultural and economic wealth using nepotism and cronyism to embed their control and supremacy over the public and private sectors of Guyana under the pretext of “law” and “democracy”.

It is apt to note that the “law” in the U.S. recognized African Americans as threefifths of a person to a whole

person as recently as 1865. As Thomas Paine noted in his seminal work Common Sense (1775) a pamphlet seen by many historians as the rallying call for rejection of British island rule over the U.S. continent: “First: That it is the interest of America to be separated from Britain.

Secondly: Which is the easiest and most practicable plan, reconciliation or independence?… But it is the independence of this country from Britain or any other which is now the main and only object worthy of contention, and which, like all other truths discovered by necessity, will appear clearer and stronger every day.

First: Because it will come to that one time or other.

Secondly: Because the longer it is delayed the harder it will be to accomplish.”

John Milton in his poem Paradise Lost published in 1667 noted “never can true reconcilement grow where wounds of deadly hate have pierced so deep.” This is clearly evidenced by the deceptive, discriminatory and injurious conduct of the PPP over the period from 1992 until now, during which the PPP have been in control of the Presidency and the Executive.

The use of arson, (Continued on page 7)

Cotton Tree Primary School compound was finally cleaned THE EDITOR After several years of neglect by the management, teachers, Region Five Democratic Council the Cotton Tree Primary School is finally cleaned. The entire school compound was in a deplorable state, with high grown bushes and garbage being scattered all over.

There were running vines aback of the sanitary block, grown weeds at the entrance to the front gate facing the public road; garbage filled one side; tall grass; a broken billboard facing the public road and a disgrace.

The inter lot drain aback of the school back fence which was filled with garbage and high bushes,( just in front the Rosignol/Zeelust NDC works chairman house) , were finally cleaned by the Regional Department of Education officials. Prompt action taken by two AFC regional councilors, Cindy

Sookdeo and Herman Anthony, who visited the school on Friday April 13, 2012 caused this transformation.

The AFC councilors took pictures of the unpleasant school compound and environment and posted them on the electronic media (facebook) .

They also interviewed the individual that is responsible for cleaning the school, who said that “they nah give me no gloves and long boots to clean the blocks. The school is very nasty all over, and they paying me $15,000 a month to clean it every day”.

It is my observation, since I am not living far from the school, that it is only after the AFC councilors left the school compound that the regional officials came the afternoon to examine the unhealthy school compound.

It is indeed sad to say thatthe ineffectiveness and

unawareness of the RDC of Region Five is evident, since it had been history that the school was in a terrible state.

I made repeated telephone calls to the Department of Education to address the problem but all went down the pillows of sleeping dogs.

What a shame! Once again praise must be given to those two AFCcouncilors.

Rabindranauth Harrigopaul.

Someone must be jailed DEAR EDITOR, Wow what a hole!! I read that the Minister of Works was quite outright when he said that if it can be proven that he was wrong about the Sea Defence Works then ‘jail me!’ If this is any help, what should be done with the Minister for the ‘definitely wrong works’ and

millions of dollars wasted on the Waterfront revetment works at Kumaka, Mabaruma.

This project was under his supervision. He so wanted this project to succeed that a relative of his was overseeing the works.

The Minister must now emphatically say who should be jailed?

Concerned Resident

Friday April 20, 2012

Kaieteur News

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

A recommendation Breaking a lance with Ralph Ramkarran DEAR EDITOR: for GuySuCo I refer to an article in the Mirror newspaper by Ralph Ramkarran captioned improvement “Uncontrolled Money

DEAR EDITOR, I refer to a letter “A new model for GuySuCo operators” (KN 14/4/20). The letter is a disguised attack on GuySuCo and its management wherein it sources all of GuySuCo’s woes to the ineptitude of management. The solution the writer proffers is that GuySuCo leases all its cultivable land to private cane farmers.

Such a “solution” would make matters worse for a number of reasons. Among these are the following:1. Government has just made a subvention of $4B to the industry. Handing over to private cane farmers would be handing most of these billions of dollars of public funds to private individuals.

2. The annual investment of hundreds of millions of dollars has to be made by the private cane farmers and may not be forthcoming.

3. Sugar cultivation requires continuous research and knowledge of the kinds of improvement which occur in the industry worldwide. It requires the maintenance of proper laboratories and employment of scientists.

Private cane farmers may not continue this level of research and improvement which currently exists.

4. To cultivate sugar successfully on the Guyana coast requires centralized drainage and irrigation.

Hundreds of private cane farmers would never be able to run and maintain a centralized drainage and irrigation system. Failure would undertake this responsibility the industry within a few years could find itself in serious problems.

5. The writer’s proposal fails to address the fate of GuySuCo’s thousands of workers who are employed in various cultivation tasks.

There are many other factors against handing all of GuySuCo’s cultivable land to private cane farmers.

I fully agree with the letter writer’s fundamental assumption, that is, that the industry has not been successful over the last several years and that faulty Management must be largely blamed.

A better solution would be the following:A. Divide the industry into two segments so that each would enjoy the benefits of specialization and optimized performance. One segment would have the industry’s factories remaining under GuySuCo’s control and

management. The next segment is cane cultivation and this would be the responsibility of the industry’s thousands of field workers.

B. The field workers would group themselves into productivity units. Each “Productivity Unit” would consist of a number of field workers who could be mobilized to work cooperatively together. They would agree on the quantum of acreage they are able to work successfully within the specified time cycles of the Industry.

The members will comprise the tillers, planters, weeders, fertilizers and harvesters, and will also include supervisors, foremen and charge-hands who are experienced in the production of sugar cane.

C. GuySuCo will provide the Productivity Units with the necessary inputs; such inputs will include wages, fertilizer, herbicides, etc. Strict accountability has to be kept of all GuySuCo inputs since the productivity units will have full responsibility for the “payback”.

D. The Productivity Units would be responsible for their production of canes and handing it over to GuySuCo. The GuySuCo costs of inputs would be deducted from the revenues of the sugar produced and the profits will be distributed to the members of the respective units.

E. The development of a successful model for GuySuCo field operations would require a commitment to improve the social profile of sugar workers. The personal growth of each worker must be enhanced through training to ensure they develop their ability to self-manage the production of cane.

The involvement of the respective sugar unions is paramount for ensuring a successful transformation.

I have prepared a detailed description of this model explaining the economic and social benefits for GuySuCo, the field workers and the unions and how it could be executed.

Copies have been dispatched to GuySuCo and GAWU for their inputs and implementation.

Jodha Samaroo

Supply is Inflationary and Harmful.” I could not find the empirical evidence to support his arguments; thus by his own action, he has rendered his words into mere hearsay.

He claimed the following: 1. Calls by the opposition for relief to the workers and pensioners will have negative impacts on the beneficiaries.

2. There was a spike in inflation in the early 2000s after the large wage increases awarded by the Armstrong Commission.

Let me take this opportunity to put these hearsays from Ramkarran to rest by presenting the facts below (see table) by way of the Official Statistics on the Inflation rate vs. the Wage Increases during the Jagdeo regime.

If one is to look carefully at the facts, one would be advised that the highest rate of inflation during the rule of Jagdeo from 1999-2011 occurred in the years 2007 and 2008; not 1999 and 2000 when the Armstrong Commission instructed that 31.6% and 26.6% be paid out as wage increases.

In the year 2000, when the workers secured wage increases of 26.6%, the inflation rate was 6.1% and we must factor in that the wage increases in the previous year was 31.6%. If one is to compare this to the years 2005 – 2008, the average inflation rate was 8.5% when the average wage increase was 6.5%.

So whom is Mr. Ramkarran trying to fool with this political pomposity?

What Ramkarran is failing to tell the Guyanese public is that his party has committed the taxpayers to some $9 billion on the Fiber Optic Cable Project; moneys that could have been better spent by the private sector. The AFC remain committed to privatizing this project in compliance with its philosophy that the private sector is the engine of growth

and job creation.

What Ramkarran is failing to tell the Guyanese public is that if the Public Procurement Commission was established and put it into the hands of honest people like Dr Anand Goolsarran, then over a period of time, some $20 billion per year according to a World Bank Study, can be saved by capping the financial leakages in the Treasury. Clear example of this financial waste includes a company that secured a single source pharmaceutical contract for close to $1 billion a year from a friend with no guarantee to the people on both the quality and quantity.

Another example is the loss of some $600 million on the Amaila Falls Road, $40 billion on the Skeldon Factory and the list can go on and on.

What Ramkarran fails to tell the Guyanese public was that the old Skeldon factory took 12 or13 tonnes of cane to produce 1 tonne of sugar, but that his Government spent $40 billion on a socalled state of the factory and according to the PPP, the most modern sugar factory in the Caribbean but when it was completed it consumed 20

tonnes of cane to produce 1 tonne of sugar. If this decline in efficiency by some 53% after spending G$40 billion is not an uneconomical spend then what is?

The savings from unnecessary public projects and from cutting the corruption on the special contracts to friends of the PPP cabal would have been properly applied by the AFC; to fund all the financial measures in the Party’s Action Plan.

Let me assure Mr. Ramkarran and others of his mindset that the campaign is over and in the interest of compromised and delivering the goods to the people ASAP; the AFC has modified its expectations to recognize

that to best help the people, we have to work with both APNU and the PPP to move Guyana forward. Thus as Cathy Hughes said, we are not in the opposition for the save of opposing, we got better things to do with our time.

The history books will remember Cde. Boysie Ramkarran as an honest, witty and jovial politician, well known as a fighter for the working class. If Cde. Boysie were alive today; the AFC would have been the only political party to represent his views and principles. I ask the goodly gentleman to think deeply on the question – “How would history remember Cde. Ralph?”

Sasenarine Singh

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Kaieteur News

Friday April 20, 2012

APNU, AFC part ways on budget cut for Housing Ministry’s security

By Gary Eleazar Following the brouhaha that erupted as a result of the submission of a motion by Alliance for Change (AFC) Chairman Khemraj Ramjattan, threatening budget cuts of in excess of US$15M ($3B), the first opportunity to pursue the effect of the motion came as the House resolved itself into the Committee of Supply.

This was on Wednesday, during the consideration of the Current Expenditure for the Ministry of Housing.

Ramjattan had sought clarification on the security allocations for the Ministry, which was increased from $7.3M to $18.8M. Minister of Housing and Water, Irfaan Ali, proceeded to inform the House that the Ministry had approached the Special Constabulary Department with a view to having them expand the security services to include some additional buildings.

Ali said that the department informed the Ministry that as a result of limited manpower, such a request could not be accommodated. He pointed out that as a result, the Ministry had to resort to private security firms, and proceeded to state that through a public tendering process, RK’s Security Service was awarded the contract.

The Housing Minister explained that the contract price of $18.8M emanated

AFC Chairman Khemraj Ramjattan

APNU’s Carl Greenidge

Finance Minster Dr. Ashni Singh

Health Minister Dr. Bheri Ramsaran

Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali

from that process.

This explanation however, did not find favour with Ramjattan, who promptly informed the House that he would like to have the $18.8M allocation slashed by $9.8M. He called for a division of the votes to be reflected, at which point in time the main opposition party, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), abstained from voting.

As a result, the call to slash the amount was defeated 32 to 7. APNU abstained from the vote.

Following the refusal of APNU to support the cut, Ramjattan declined to put forward any other amendments seeking to slash allocations. He expressed disappointment with APNU’s decision to withhold its support for the $9.8M cut.

Ramjattan subsequently indicated that his party in no way intends to cease its path

of what he called “judicious cuts” to the budget and to have the sums re-allocated.

“It was the AFC’s position during the budget debate, that judicious cuts be made to the allocations for various areas of the government’s bureaucracy…This was with the intention of finding the money to provide a decent increase to Old Age Pension and Social Assistance.”

He reminded that his party, which boasts seven seats in the House, had tabled a Motion aimed at using the ‘scissors’ on questionable projects and bureaucratic ‘fatcats’, especially high-salaried contract employees, to find money for the poor and disadvantaged.

The AFC Chairman stated, yesterday, “Recent developments and backroom deals now leave more questions than answers and like the members of the public and a few members of the smaller parties within APNU, we are beginning to question what is taking place behind the closed doors at the Office of the President.”

BUDGET CUTS DAY 2 Yesterday, the House again resolved into the Standing Committee of Supply where the expenditure for the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) Ministries of Health and Education, among others, was

considered.

Under the expenditures for the Ministry of Health, Carl Greenidge, the APNUs point man on finance, sought clarification on the more than $600M. He specifically sought an explanation as to why there appeared under

Dr Singh asserted that the fact that the money was expended is a historical fact and he contends also that the authorization for such expenditure was lawful.

The Finance Minister drew reference to the fact that he was the sole authority as

Hospital. This, he said, was never done, and the site preparation is being funded from the local coffers, hence the $29.1M advanced from the Contingency Fund.

Another allocation for which the Minister of Health provided details was a $10M upgrade to the New Amsterdam Psychiatric Hospital.

This, the Minister of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran said, focused more on the ambience of the Hospital as well as landscaping, filling of drains, and generally improving the irrigation for the facility which he explained is flood-prone.

“This is basically for the upgrading of the compound,” said Dr Ramsaran.

First-time Parliamentarian Christopher Jones, formerly the head of the PNCR’s youth arm sought clarification on an $11M allocation meant for the purchase of vehicles.

Dr. Ramsaran explained that a portion of the money will be expended on the purchase of a “Saloon Car’ for the Chief Executive Officer of the Georgetown Public Hospital.

The Health Minister told the House that the car which the CEO has been provided is old and incurs a heavy maintenance bill and as such has to be replaced. He said that the remainder of the money will be used to purchase a minibus to assist with the Ministry’s transportation requirements, particularly as it relates to medical staff.

“Recent developments and backroom deals now leave more questions than answers …We are beginning to question what is taking place behind the closed doors at the Office of the President.”- AFC the monies expended in 2011, some $29.1M which the House had recently rejected.

He was referring to the fact that when the advance from the Contingency Fund for the site preparation for the Hospital came up for debate it was rejected, hence there was no parliamentary approval.

Greenidge was seeking clarification on whether the minister can lawfully represent these sums as expended, when the Parliament had never approved such expenditures.

Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh chose to defend the allocation and offer an explanation on the matter.

provided for in the Constitution of Guyana and re-enforced with the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act and the Parliamentary Standing Orders.

Dr Singh explained also that what is now required, is an ‘ex poste’ Parliamentary endorsement, for which he said, he will move to the House shortly in accordance with the ruling of the Speaker when he disallowed the allocations earlier this year.

Speaking to the $150M that was allocated for the Hospital in 2011 but never expended, coupled with the fact that the Minister advanced $29.1M to the project from the Contingency Fund, the Finance Minister offered clarification.

Dr Singh told the House that the $150M which was earmarked in 2011 represented inflows from India for the design of the

Friday April 20, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 7

Letters... Where your views

There is discrimination here DEAR EDITOR, Kindly allow me space in your newspaper letter column to make my comments on a article published in the Kaieteur News of 28-03.-2012 page 6 entitled ‘Rice Miller owes millions to the Charity – Zorg-en-Vlygt W.U.A. as rates and taxes.’

This announcement by Mr. Lackhan Lall, Chairman of the Water Users Association since 2006 in the R.D.C. boardroom was a very important announcement made for one individual and was welcome by all and was good for the media and the press.

However I hope and trust as a member of this W.U.A. that Mr. Lackhan Lall knows well that the big rice farmers in the downstream areas in Bounty Hall, Better Success, Better Hope, La Resource, Maria’s Delight and Somerset and Berks owe hundreds of millions of dollars but these names were put on hold because the WUA offered benefits by way of arrears deductions as labour rate works to these big ones in the downstream area.

This labour rate works to

these big farmers unknowing to the Board members caused conflict among the members.

It caused the W.U.A. secretary to resign and accusing the W.U.A of operating outside the By-laws.

This W.U.A. is operating with one paid staff at Anna Regina. She is doing a good job as a rate collector/typist while the administrative section is done by the Region Two vice chairman, overseers and rangers from the D & I Department. They are responsible for the monitoring of the main conservancy level of water and the high level dams and all regulators.

According to Mr. Lackhan La11 rice miller Mr. Kayman Sankar establishment owes $12M as rates and taxes but he failed to mention the names of several whose names did not surface to the public for no reason. However I want the press and the public to know that benefits are given to some who are indebted to the W.U.A. POORAN PERSAUD MEMBER

From page 4 sabotage, strikes and the spread of local and international propaganda by the PPP to destabilize the development and growth agendas of President Burnham and President Hoyte, illustrate the ongoing practice of the PPP to place itself political party ahead of country.

We are now in the much clichéd “New Dispensation” brought about by GECOM flawed management of the November 28, 2011 National Elections and an

undemocratic and hard to make out electoral system.

The PPP once again controls the Presidency and the Executive.

The time is most favourable for a solution by our leaders to the current governmental disorder, by seeking Autonomy at the Regional Levels.

I finish by rephrasing Walter Rodney from his letter in the Nationalist newspaper (Tanzania) December 17 1969 “we must not live as servile subjects in our own lands”.

Nigel Hinds

From page 4 prosecute) any of which can be used to test this thesis.

The claim that when the police pass a matter over to the DPP it is to buy time (Editorial SN, 2nd April), is enlightening. The clear implication is that there are cases which are ‘hot potato’ cases for the police.

If it turns out that, in this jurisdiction, a decision of the office of the DPP not to prosecute could be successfully challenged the next check is why not the decision of the police?

We have not been in the habit of challenging a decision not to prosecute criminally. What this case might have backhandedly managed to do is to provide the populace with a new

means of holding our legal system to account - at its very core. Suddenly, the DPP’s office is not a law unto itself susceptible to the directives of any person of influence.

Not without the willing complicity of the rest of us.

Perhaps if we can look at the opportunities this ruling now presents instead of simply getting more entrenched in the positions we have taken, we might find that a glorious opportunity has now been presented to drill down into some of the workings of the office of the DPP and of the police in the more mysterious decisions.

And that in doing this the pursuit of justice for both Greene and her accuser need not be sacrificed.

Frederick W.A. Collins

Justice Chang’s...

India tests nuclear-capable missile that can reach China BHUBANESWAR, India (Reuters) - India successfully test-fired yesterday a nuclearcapable missile that can reach Beijing and Eastern Europe, thrusting the emerging Asian power into a small club of nations that can deploy nuclear weapons at such a great distance.

Footage showed the rocket with a range of more than 5,000 km (3,100 miles) blasting through clouds from an island off India’s east coast. It was not immediately clear how far the rocket flew before reaching its target in the Indian Ocean.

The defense minister said the test was “immaculate”.

“Today’s successful

Agni-V test launch is another milestone in our quest to add to the credibility of our security and preparedness,” Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said in a message to the scientists who developed the rocket.

Almost entirely Indianmade, the Agni-V is the crowning achievement of a program developed primarily with a threat from neighboring China in mind. It will not be operational for at least two years, the government says.

Only the U.N. Security Council permanent members - China, France, Russia the United States and Britain along with Israel, are believed to have such long-range

weapons.

Fast emerging as a world economic power, India is keen to play a larger role on the global stage and has long angled for a permanent seat on the Security Council. In recent years it has emerged as the world’s top arms importer as it upgrades equipment for a large but outdated military.

“It is one of the ways of signaling India’s arrival on the global stage, that India deserves to be sitting at the high table,” said Harsh Pant, a defense expert at King’s College, London, describing the launch as a “confidence boost”. The launch, which was flagged well in advance,

Manmohan Singh has attracted none of the criticism from the West faced by hermit state North Korea for a failed bid to send up a similar rocket last week.

China’s Foreign Ministry said the two countries should “work hard to uphold friendly strategic cooperation”, and for peace and stability in the region.

Lawmakers press UK government over China murder scandal LONDON (Reuters) Lawmakers asked the British government yesterday about rumours that a businessman whose murder sparked political upheaval in China may have been a spy and demanded to know why it took so long for ministers to be told of suspicions about his death.

Police in China initially attributed the death of Neil Heywood, 41, in a hotel room in the southwest Chinese city of Chongqing last November to cardiac arrest due to overconsumption of alcohol.

But this month authorities said they believed it was a murder and named the wife of Bo Xilai, a former Communist Party chief of China’s southwestern Chongqing city, as a suspect.

The British foreign ministry has since come

under fire at home for being slow to demand that China investigate the case.

British media have also speculated Heywood may have been a British spy but Heywood’s relatives and a British security source have denied there were any grounds for such rumours.

Richard Ottaway, chairman of parliament’s influential Foreign Affairs Committee, wrote to Foreign Secretary William Hague demanding clarification.

“I would be grateful if you would make clear what relationship the British Consulate-General Chongqing or the British Embassy in Beijing had with Mr. Heywood before his death,” wrote Ottaway, who is a member of Prime Minister David Cameron’s Conservative Party.

“Did he supply the British Consulate or Embassy with information, either on a formal or informal basis?” he asked.

The Foreign Office said it would reply in full to the letter within a week, as requested

by Ottaway, but said it did not comment on intelligence issues.

A security source said Heywood did not work for, or have a relationship with, Britain’s intelligence services.

Hague released a detailed account this week of the British government’s involvement in the Heywood case to counter accusations from politicians that it had not

Neil Heywood acted quickly enough to make its concerns public.

“We see nothing improper or inconsistent in what he (Hague) said ... but we would like a bit more flesh on the bones,” Ottaway told Reuters.

Page 8

Kaieteur News

Friday April 20, 2012

Another human rights group urges Suriname to revoke amnesty law Washington, DC – Suriname should immediately revoke the amnesty law approved on April 5, 2012, by the National Assembly, and prosecute people accused of committing grave human rights violations, Human Rights Watch said yesterday.

The National Assembly of Suriname amended an existing amnesty law to extend its coverage to offences “in the context of the defence of the State” between April 1, 1980, and August 19, 1992, the UN High

Commissioner for Human Rights reported. Among those who will gain immunity are President Desi Bouterse and 24 others who were on trial for the alleged abduction and murder of 15 prominent political opponents, including journalists, lawyers, and a trade union leader, in December 1982. The law also covers the killing of 19 soldiers by rebels during the 1986-92 civil war, Bouterse said.

“These international crimes are too serious to be

amnestied and forgotten,” said José Miguel Vivanco, Americas director at Human Rights Watch. “Bouterse’s self-amnesty blocks justice for gross human rights violations, which Suriname has the obligation to investigate and prosecute.”

The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the InterAmerican Commission on Human Rights have expressed deep concern regarding Suriname’s amnesty legislation, saying

Desi Bouterse that it violates the State’s obligations to investigate and prosecute human rights abuses, and to ensure that abuse victims have access to justice, truth, and reparations.

Kamala says PP will stay together…

GOVT. WILL NOT FALL “My Government is not under threat and will not fall.”

So said Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar on her return to Trinidad and Tobago Wednesday after attending the Sixth Summit of the Americas in Colombia and a state visit to Panama.

PM Persad-Bissessar, at a news conference at the Diplomatic Lounge at the Piarco International Airport, said despite the alleged disenchantment by some in the Congress of the People (COP) over the Marlene

Coudray matter it was resolved.

There is growing disenchantment with the COP, a member unit of the People’s Partnership (PP) Government, led by PM Persad-Bissessar, over her handling of the Marlene Coudray matter. Coudray, who was elected mayor of San Fernando as a member of the COP, left the party and was later elected as one of the deputy political leaders of P e r s a d - B i s s e s s a r ’s - l e d United National Congress

(UNC).

She said initially she had nothing further to add to that statement.

Meanwhile, founding leader of the COP, Winston Dookeran, told reporters at the same news conference Wednesday he had some concerns over the matter and had arranged to meet with the PM for private discussions later this week.

Persad-Bissessar said there always would be differences but according to the latest ANSA McAL poll her leadership and Government were favoured by the vast majority of those

Kamla Persad-Bissessar polled. She said her Government would not fall as a consequence of the so called disquiet over Coudray.

Persad-Bissessar said the PP Government would serve its full five-year term.

Friday April 20, 2012

The view has long been expressed within this column that what was needed to reduce political tensions in Guyana and secure an environment that would allow for more rapid economic development was political maturity.

This was an absent ingredient since 1999 when Guyana had youthful leadership that wanted to do things all at once; wanted to do everything by itself and wanted to have its own way.

Youthful leadership failed Guyana, and the country was fortunate that older heads have assumed control of the government and the main opposition partnership.

The view was also expressed in this column that given these circumstances, what Guyana needed was persons of chronological maturity within the leadership of the government and the opposition.

Guyana now has within its political leadership, matured

Kaieteur News

persons who have shown what political maturity can achieve. Over the past few days, substantial political cooperation has been achieved between the government and the main opposition, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).

Unfortunately, the Alliance for Change (AFC) blundered its way out of the process because of a misguided attempt at high drama and political theatrics. Its wild and arrogant proposal of deep and arbitrary cuts to the Budget has backfired on the party which is now trying to retreat in order to save face.

On the other hand, APNU seized the opportunity to demonstrate the value of political cooperation and prevent a crisis in the country, which could have led to fresh elections.

The government was open to accommodation with the opposition, something that would never have happened had the

government or APNU not been headed by matured political leaders.

There were many who, in the run-up to the elections, had expressed the view that Guyana was moving from a situation of relatively youthful leadership at the political level to one in which both of the leaders of the main political parties were in their mid-sixties.

But having experienced what young leadership did to this country, it was only fitting that the older generation be given the chance to show what it could do. It has been most helpful that the younger generation was not holding the leadership of the respective political parties, because this younger generation, particularly within the PPP, has not demonstrated an inclination towards reaching out to the opposition.

But now with political elders in the leadership of both the PPP and the main

Region’s R.C. Bishops...

(From page 3) June, in Trinidad, who will help in the Church’s response to trauma to the victims of frequent natural and other national and regional disasters such as floods, hurricanes and earthquakes.

The one-week training seminar will be directed by a top international expert in the field of Trauma Response.

Another item on the agenda is a review of the region-wide programme for the protection of God’s Children in the Region from sexual abuse through ongoing and in-depth training and motivation of all church personnel working with children through the Virtus Programme.

The Bishops will finalize plans for the AEC Youth Assembly in St. Lucia 19-29 July, which more than 1,000 Catholic youth from across the region’s English, French and Dutch speaking territories are expected to attend.

This will be immediately followed by a Training seminar for Diocesan Vocations Directors and other Vocations promoters from across the region in Castries, St. Lucia 30 July--3 August, which will give serious attention to the challenges posed by the sharp reduction in vocations to the priesthood and religious life and address creative responses to training vocations, promoters, and giving greater witness of unity and enthusiasm by Catholics, clergy and laity, in attracting vocations to the service of Christ in the people of the region.

Given the renewed priority of Sacred Scripture, underlined by the 2008 Vatican Synod and emphasised by Pope Benedict XVI on the “Word of God” and similar priority of the 2007 Aparecida Conference in Brazil of the Episcopal Conferences of Latin America and the Caribbean (CELAM), the Bishops will discuss ways of promoting reading, meditation and action on the Bible by Catholic across the region.

About 2.2 million or one quarter of the total population of the countries that make up the AEC are Catholic. This will be the third time in its 64-year history that the AEC will meet in Guyana.

The Church in Guyana first hosted a meeting of the group in 1974 and a much shorter one in 1977.

Decisions are taken at

these gatherings to give the Catholic Churches in this region an orientation which will make them better able to respond to the realities and expectations of Caribbean peoples.

Last year’s meeting approved a major statement in a pastoral Letter on Catholic Education, renewing the commitment of the Church to Education at all levels in the region and promoting “ongoing faith formation and professional development programmes” for Catholic educators across the region.

Important, landmark documents and decisions have emerged from past meetings of the AEC, which dealt with a wide range of issues including Child Abuse, Capital Punishment, Care for the Environment, Justice and Peace, and Freedom and Development.

Page 9

Opposition, a difference has been made. The agreements of the past few days could not have been reached under the Jagdeo presidency. It took matured and wiser heads to recognize that an agreement was necessary.

The situation was no doubt compounded by the quarrels between the opposition and the government over control of parliament. Yet these strong differences did not deter the two sides from reaching an agreement, remarkably in a matter of hours, on highly contentious issues.

And the reason why such significant progress has been made is because of the fact that we are dealing with matured individuals, old and wise heads. These men are not into building reputations or egos. Like the matured

persons they are, they can see the bigger picture.

Both the president of Guyana and the Opposition Leader should be congratulated in taking Guyana past this very important hurdle. They will no doubt face criticism within their respective parties by detractors who do not wish to see political cooperation, including by the politically ambitious persons within both camps who would wish to see these leaders fail so that they can take over.

The leaders have, however, not given in to these detractors. They have met and reached agreement.

There has been a give-andtake approach on both sides.

Sense and reason has prevailed. The country has been spared being thrown into another election.

Both sides have gained from this process. The government has exercised its right to craft its own Budget and the opposition has exercised its will to wrest concessions from the government. The president and the leader of the opposition have demonstrated that they are more than capable of putting Guyana first. They were helped in the process by the fact that they are both big men. May they continue in their wise ways!

Page 10

Kaieteur News

Friday April 20, 2012

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

Coercion, Trotman’s words and my stairway to the sea Sometimes, deep in the night, I sit on the verandah of my home and I look at the sea and smile at what I see when I fix my eyes on the walls of my mind. The sea where I live is the Atlantic Ocean. I fell in love with the ocean as a little boy because my dad worked right next to the ocean at the Saint Stanislaus cricket ground.

When I went to be with him, I was not really with him but on the seawall gazing at the vastness of the waterway and its permanent invitation to me.

My verandah (or the balcony of my mansion as described by the GRA’s chief, Khurshid Sattaur; feel free to visit to see if it is) looks straight out to the ocean.

When I feel I am vindicated

after all the torment thrown my way, I sit quietly in the night and think of the tragedy of this nation and the countless times I have been right when I ventured into the forest in search of wrongdoing, only to be chastised for my senseless journey.

We start with the paradox of Raphael Trotman’s words.

In the midst of coercion on the streets of Georgetown by the Guyana Government, the Speaker of the House, Mr. Raphael Trotman, referred to the dialogue between the Government and APNU as an indication that democracy has matured in Guyana.

This columnist would like to go on record as describing the Speaker’s judgement as nonsensical, pathetic and

utterly unintellectual.

Where was the mature democracy when public servants were threatened to go on the streets and picket in support of a section of the budget that had depraved contents. The AFC’s amendment to seek cuts had to do with the devious composition of the budget.

The estimates lumped all categories of “contract workers” together.

It was extremely dishonest on the part of anyone to think that any opposition party would remove the pay of all contract workers, thereby terminating the services of contract workers like maids and clerks.

Certain working class occupations were categorized as contract

employees. The scissors were aimed at the Machiavellian masks, whereby certain contract workers were being paid close to a million dollars per month, and as Moses Nagamootoo put it at the AFC press conference, the contract workers scenario paints a picture of incest and cronyism. Included in the list of contract workers are some really fat, fat cats.

Fearing for their jobs, workers had to go out and picket in support of a budget that originally gave twenty dollars (per day) more to our old aged pensioners. It was a no-nonsense attitude to this madness by the two opposition parties that led to the increase which at $10,000 a month to my mind is still deplorable.

Orange Walk customers, stall holders warned against disorderly conduct “The Mayor and City Council (M&CC) is appealing to disorderly consumers and stall holders in the Orange Walk area to desist from creating noise pollution, double parking, and urinating on parapets and the verges of drains. Failing to restore order, the City Constabulary would take appropriate actions to ensure City laws are upheld.”

According to Public Relations Officer, Royston King, persons who are attached to or shop at stalls

in the area, have been accused of these unlawful acts.

“These actions are unacceptable and several citizens have complained to Council. Stall-owners have a responsibility to assist the Council to maintain o rder in that section.

Residents have claimed that some stall holders operating on Orange Walk are playing loud music creating a nuisance. This is done in the late evenings, particularly on Fridays, and Saturdays,” King stated.

Meanwhile, patrons of some beverage and snack vendors are said to be in the habit of urinating on parapets and the verges of drains, in that area, much to the annoyance of decent and law- abiding citizens.

“Also, many motorists are double parking on the bridges and in the entrances and exits of house-owners, there… They appear not to worry about the inconvenience they are causing to residents and risk they pose to others using that busy road way,” King said.

As a result, the constabulary and market personnel have warned those who are involved to “stop such bad practices and to support the Council in its efforts to improve conditions in that and

contiguous local communities”.

King assured that the constabulary will take action against those who continue to disregard city rules and regulations.

“All stall-holders have a responsibility to help the Council to maintain order and to prevent people from negatively aff e c t i n g t h e image and health of Georgetown.

Further, there needs to be a sense of neighbourliness on the part of stall holders operating in that area. Stallowners must discourage their patrons from exposing themselves and urinating in public.

Also, they should encourage customers to observe and obey traffic rules and desist from parking on people’s bridges.”

Against this background of being forced to increase the meagre $8,000 pension, Trotman declares that our democracy has matured. I don’t know who Mr. Trotman means by “our” and don’t see any mature democracy in Guyana. Maybe coercing public servants to demonstrate against the AFC is a democratic action, according to Trotman.

In three columns on this page, I took issue with Trotman’s recurring refrain that as Speaker he has to be neutral. I am the only commentator to date that has penned a critical note on Trotman and I will repeat my feeling – Trotman will not go the historical route and participate in the changing of Guyana’s nasty political culture.

I insisted that as Speaker, he has to play his part in getting Parliament to undo the draconian legislation the House has passed under Mr. Jagdeo the past twelve years.

For example, the State can appeal a decision by a judge and jury and the free person has to find bail.

Frederick Kissoon So you are proven innocent in a criminal case but you can languish in jail if you cannot find the bail while you wait endlessly for the State’s appeal to be heard.

The Stabroek News yesterday opined that the budget will now pass given what I presume Trotman refers to as “mature democracy”. So I guess NCN will get its money to continue its vile propaganda against the very people that will vote for the budget.

As the days and months wear on, I suppose the entire nation will be watching to see at what speed the new democracy of Guyana will further mature. After typing this column, I’m off to picket in demand that one of the three public swimming pools be opened to the public. The Government has three pools and not one is openly available to the people of this land.

Dem boys seh...

Waterfalls paper give Jagdeo blood pressure People don’t know Uncle Donald. He can bruck up any coo coo party. After de elections people believe that de opposition woulda run parliament. Dem didn’t understand that Uncle Donald would cut a deal wid de devil if he got to.

He cut a deal wid de AFC when dem had to vote pun de Supplementary vote. Grinnidge decide that he party gun challenge de money wha spend. When was time to vote he find out that AFC didn’t support he suh de government win. Now is de budget time and Ramjattan decide that he gun cut out some of de money. He didn’t bargain fuh Uncle Donald. De Donald cut a deal wid APNU suh when Ramjattan vote fuh de cut he lef expose. Dem boys seh that Uncle Donald prepare to bruck up de opposition majority.

But some people vex. Dem people in Linden want know wha happen wid dem and de electricity. Dem protest fuh cut de amount of money dem got to pay in light bill, but Sam announce that dem got to pay it and Uncle Granger cut a deal wid Uncle Donald fuh mek dem Linden people pay.

Right away, Uncle Granger holler like pig, “not me.”

Well if is not he, is who? That is wha dem boys want to know. But one thing is fuh sure. All dem extra money wha dem use to put in de budget done hide. Imagine is only one contractor bid fuh a contract when in de past dem didn’t have space fuh write all of dem name.

People now seh that de Waterfalls paper deserve a national award fuh de scrutiny it put pun all dem big ones.

De only thing is that this government ain’t gun even dream of giving de Waterfalls paper anything but bad name.

Was de Waterfalls paper mek people know all who thiefing and who tek de money and build fancy house. Was de same Waterfalls paper who check all de cock wuk wha dem contractor do and force dem to give proper work.

Was de same Waterfalls paper mek Brazzy lef de wuk, mek de Bees dig a hole and hiding in de ground and mek de Rat get high blood pressure. De paper really deserve an award and dem boys seh that dem gun print dem own award just like how Jagdeo get people fuh print a certificate that he is a doctor.

Talk half and praise de Waterfalls paper.

Friday April 20, 2012

Kaieteur News

Court closer to ruling on challenge to Parliamentary Committee of Selection Defence lawyers presented arguments to demonstrate that the motion filed by the Attorney General is bad in law and that the court has no jurisdiction to determine what should obtain in Parliament.

The defence is contending that the constitution provides no jurisdiction to deal with proportionality or any issue relating to the composition of the Parliamentary Committee of Selection. The issue of proportionality is not dealt with in the constitution or dealt with specifically in the standing order. As a result, Attorney General Anil Nandlall moved to the courts when the combined opposition with its one-seat majority moved to alter the composition of the Parliamentary Committee of Selection.

In the past, the Committee had a five-four-one composition with five seats to the government, four to the People’s National Congress Reform and one to the Alliance for Change. With the new parliamentary dispensation, the opposition is seeking to implement a four-four-one composition.

Chief Justice Ian Chang is closer to deliver his ruling.

Yesterday he gave Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, one week to submit his written reply to the submissions made by defence lawyers who are representing Opposition Leader David Granger and Raphael Trotman, in his position as Speaker of the National Assembly and head of the Alliance For Change list.

This occurred as the state’s motion on the composition of the committees of selection continued in the court yesterday.

Submissions were made by senior counsel Rex McKay for Granger, Khemraj Ramjattan for Trotman as leader of the AFC list, and Roysdale Forde for Trotman as Speaker of the National

Attorney General Anil Nandlall

Chief Justice Ian Chang

Assembly. The lawyers’ arguments contained a common thread that the motion filed by the attorney general is bad in law and as such the court has no jurisdiction to entertain the motion as filed by the attorney general.

They supported their arguments using the Constitution and the parliamentary standing order.

They were also as one that there was no breach of the constitution.

Ramjattan said that the Committee of Selection was and is in accordance with the standing order and the constitution. He pointed to the court that standing order 94 speaks to standing committees and sessional committees. The committees of selection are standing committees while the select committees are sessional committees that expire with the life of the parliament.

Forde added that proportionality is built in the standing order, and that the state was seeking to have the court rule to have the standing order usurp the constitution. He concluded that the motion brought by the Attorney General is without jurisdiction and should be dismissed forthwith.

In the absence of the attorney general from yesterday’s proceedings, Deputy Solicitor General Naresh Harnanan stood for the state. Chief Justice Ian Chang said that if as the

opposing side is saying and this is supported by article 162, 163 and 165 of the constitution, that such numbers of the select committees of the National Assembly are determined by the National Assembly and that is repeated at article 160, then it would seem that it is the National Assembly that would have to determine the composition.

He pointed out that if the constitution says it is the National Assembly, it cannot turn around and say the constitution must fix it. He added that it would seem that the power lies in the province of the National Assembly.

And if it lies within the ambit of the national assembly and a majority of the members so voted, clearly it is a matter for the National Assembly, he added.

He said that the issue of proportionality according to party would be negated, since the constitution allows for the election of nonmembers of the National Assembly to the select committees. Proportional representation, he said, is not spoken for by the constitution in the committees.

Harnanan requested and got a week for the Attorney General to submit his response.

Page 11

Suspect in taxi driver’s murder released Police have released the suspect in the murder of taxi driver Balram Jadoonauth, who was gunned down last Sunday in front of his Dennis Street, Campbellville home.

Kaieteur News understands that the 36-year old man, who is also a taxi driver, was released on station bail after an alleged eyewitness denied that he had seen the suspect driving near Jadoonauth’s home on Saturday night, a few hours before the killing.

Police have been working on the theory that 24-year-old Jadoonauth, also called ‘Sanjay’, was killed because of an affair that he was having with the suspect’s wife.

Sources said that the man has admitted to police that he had threatened Jadoonauth, but denied carrying out the act. He had also reportedly approached the victim’s close family members in the hope that they would intervene in the affair.

Police officials said that phone records revealed that the suspect had contacted Jadoonauth on several occasions. According to sources, he last contacted the victim about two days before the murder.

The suspect, who works at a Georgetown taxi service, has told police that he was at home all day on Saturday, and that he left home at around 06:30 hrs on Sunday to go to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport to pick up a cousin. Jadoonauth was slain at around 03:00 hrs that Sunday. Two of the suspect’s relatives also supported his story during telephone interviews with Kaieteur News.

A female relative 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

-‘eyewitness’ retracts story up a cousin who was scheduled to arrive on a 07:30 pm flight.

While he was away, police ranks visited the home and enquired about his whereabouts. They then informed her about the murder and searched the premises, but found nothing.

The lawmen subsequently left the premises with the man’s wife.

On his return from the airport, the relative told the suspect about the police visit and he went to the Kitty Police Station.

Jadoonauth, who was employed with the GR Taxi Service, was shot in the back shortly after arriving home in his car at around 03:00 hrs last Sunday. He managed to drive a short distance away before crashing into a lamp pole.

Jadoonauth was cremated yesterday. Relatives are certain that robbery was not a motive, since the young man was still wearing his gold chain and rings. He also had

all his money in his wallet.

His sister, Ranuka Azeez, said that her brother left the taxi service around 02:30hrs and went home. The woman told Kaieteur News that family members heard gunshots, but assumed that a car was back firing.

“My parents heard the gunshots…but they were in bed and thought it was a car or something, they never thought it would have been Sanjay.”

She said it was only after police ranks came to her parent’s home, that the family became aware of what happened. The woman said she was told that after he was shot, he managed to drive away.

However, Jadoonauth crashed into a light pole a short distance away from his home. Kaieteur News was told that residents called for the police and an ambulance.

The taxi driver was pronounced dead on arrival at the GPHC.

Page 12

Kaieteur News

Friday April 20, 2012

Police raid America Street, Police top brass take umbrage Stabroek Market - several arrested at Rohee’s ‘kick ass’ statement

A truckload of police ranks leave the Stabroek Market area following the raids In an effort to rid the Stabroek Market of

unsavoury elements, the Guyana Police Force carried

out yet another raid. Several men were reportedly arrested as ranks searched stall holders and other persons who were in the vicinity. The police also swooped down on America Street as part of the operation.

This newspaper was told the officers were looking for guns and ammunition and drugs. It is unclear if anything illegal was unearthed.

Officers and ranks of the Guyana Police Force have taken umbrage to recent statements made by Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee, fueling a potential crisis in the relationship between the two entities.

Senior officers of the force have expressed a loss of confidence in the Minister over his recent remarks that he intends to “kick ass” during his new term as the political head of the country’s law enforcement agencies.

Kaieteur News was reliably informed that both The Association of Police Officers and the Police Association intend to respond in writing to the Minister.

Last Sunday, Rohee, who was reappointed Home Affairs Minister following the November elections, told a gathering that included mainly members of Community Policing Groups that he has learnt a lot from his first term which began in 2006.

He stated that his first term as Home Affairs Minister was more or less a feeling-out process.

“These five years, I intend to kick ass…to put it bluntly…because I know people waiting outside there to kick my ass,” the Home Affairs Minister stated.

He had issued a stern warning which was directly pointed at the Guyana Police Force.

“The police haven’t really seen me get upset as yet, but in this new term I intend to get upset…because after this new term, that’s it for me,” Rohee declared emphatically.

Senior police officials have confirmed that the Minister’s comments came up for discussion at last Wednesday’s Force administration meeting, with many of the officers present expressing their disappointment at the minister’s “uncalled for” outbursts.

“We met yesterday and we were all perturbed about the Minister’s statements. For years, policemen have been putting their lives on the line to ensure that there is peace, although we are underpaid.

And this tongue-lashing from the minister using indecent language is uncalled for,” one angry officer told this newspaper.

Another officer when contacted by Kaieteur News confirmed the concerns and added that for someone who should be defending the Guyana Police Force, the Minister was “out of order” and officers have every reason to “lose confidence in him”.

The officers claimed that there are several agencies that fall under the ambit of the Ministry of Home Affairs, yet the Minister chose to single out the Guyana Police Force for attack.

The officers said that the first sign that Minister Rohee was becoming hostile towards them was when he distanced himself and laid the blame squarely at the feet of the Force for the shooting of protestors following the November General Elections.

Further signs of a crisis developed when he was accused by outspoken Assistant Commissioner

Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee David Ramnarine of interfering in the operations of the Guyana Police Force.

Following Ramnarine’s accusations, Rohee had written to Commissioner of Police (ag) Leroy Brumell requesting that disciplinary action be taken against Ramnarine, since he had lost confidence in the officer, a request that Brumell complied with.

Rohee also recently came under fire from former Commissioner of Police and now A Partnership for National Unity Member of Parliament Winston Felix. The former head of the Force drew specific reference to an incident that had featured prominently in the media.

Felix reminded of one incident on November 28, 2011, when he overheard a police radio transmission where ranks were being instructed “not to arrest” or touch a “known OP Miscreant” or they would face prosecution.

Friday April 20, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 13

Stabroek Market’s environs to be fully sanitised After citing major health hazards in the environs of the Stabroek Market, the Mayor and City Council’s Market and Public Health Division, has decided to have the area “fully sanitised and free of disgusting and repelling odours”.

Former Mayor and Chairman of the Markets and Public Health Committee, Ranwell Jordan, in an interview with Kaieteur News yesterday, said that works can only commence after being approved of, at the next statutory meeting on Monday, April 30.

Plans for the area also include obtaining a new parking place for the much complained about garbage compactor trucks which are presently, and have for a while, been parked just outside the market’s southern entrance, in close proximity to food stalls and the routes 31 and 32 minibus parks.

Recently, vendors and commuters alike were all complaining about the odours becoming overbearing. A few days ago, a food stall operator claimed that his business was being tremendously affected by the ongoing situation, since his is the stall closest to the ghastly and unhealthy garbage dump.

The wall separating his food from the health hazard was broken for the second time in a few weeks as a result

- M&CC of the impact from one of the compactor trucks.

The man noted that many persons in the area have fallen ill as a result of the stench.

A few minibus conductors and drivers also noted that from time to time, they would feel “unusually exhausted” and “unstable”, conditions they attributed to the surroundings.

“This here is not easy, when new people come to this area they does ask we how we handling this thing, and that is the time it does smell the least. They have to look after this thing. We does be here fuh hours waiting fuh passengers, and it’s not healthy. Not healthy at all. Is like we got to pay that price fuh make a living,” one driver said.

Several commuters noted that they would always prefer to board the speedboats than wait in a minibus.

“Nuff, nuff people does rather go with de boat than smell this nasty thing. And if it had more boat, we de minibus operators and we family couldn’t eat,” one conductor said.

The seriousness and major health hazards were initially cited after Dr. Bizuayehu Jeffrey, who is attached to the council, conducted an inspection

A garbage compactor truck moments after running into the wall of a food stall exercise in the area. Jordan noted that, should finances be available, all the markets in the city will also be enhanced.

He said that council had asked that the contractor improve the standard of operation around the market, but was not satisfied with his compliance, and as a result, the M&CC has taken over, and is ready to make the necessary improvements.

Extensive cleaning will be done and measures put in place for the improvement of garbage collection, Jordan emphasised.

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Kaieteur News

Murdered truck driver…

Three men who were detained by police in connection with the murder of Mahaica truck driver Jadesh Dass have secured their liberty, after they each posted $100,000 station bail.

The men, the owner of the truck that Dass was driving, his (the owner’s) brother, and another villager, had moved to the High Court, through

Friday April 20, 2012

Three detainees released on bail

their attorney in order to secure their freedom.

They were detained for questioning shortly after Dass’s body was discovered early Tuesday morning on the parapet of the Unity, Mahaica Main Road.

Dass, according to a post mortem report, had been shot twice in the head after he had stopped his truck on the

desolate roadway in the wee hours of the morning. At the time he was headed for the Linden/Soesdyke Highway sandpits.

Police had arrested the three men after reports of a love affair involving Dass and one of the men’s wives were circulated.

However, investigators have gotten no further than those reports

after questioning the suspects.

This newspaper was told that following the disclosure that Dass was shot, detectives swabbed the hands of the suspects for any gunpowder residue. Those results will be known in a few days.

From all appearances Dass, of Chelsea Park, Mahaica, was forced to stop his truck on the dark and lonely thoroughfare by his assailants who then murdered him before dumping his body on the nearby parapet close to a trench that runs parallel to the roadway.

Such was the brutality of the attack on Dass that pieces of his skull were left at the spot where his body was lying.

Investigators have ruled out robbery as a motive since the cash that Dass was carrying was still intact.

Reports reaching this newspaper stated that another driver had noticed Dass’ truck parked in a dark section of the road, with the hazard lights on. At first the other driver thought that Dass had been tending to a call of nature in the nearby bushes and he stopped to ensure that that was the case.

However, after calling out for Dass and getting no answer, he became suspicious

Dead: Jadesh Dass and decided to check the area around the truck.

His suspicions were further aroused when he noticed Dass’ cellular phone on the road; but there was still no sign of him.

“When he pick up de cell phone he say ‘dis nah look right’ and he jump in back he truck and he turn back and he call me. Me next driver de coming down so I tell dem go at de scene and wait deh, me ah come. When me come, me check and me see he,” the owner of the truck had related shortly before he was detained. He immediately informed the police at the Mahaica Police Station.

Gopaul said that he found it strange that Dass would

stop at such a lonely spot an observation also made by some of his colleagues.

“Got to be like somebody drive up in front ah he.

Because if me ah drive a vehicle pon a long road like dis and time like dat, me nah guh stop normal and pick up somebody. De truck hazard been on, so it got to be something mek he put on de hazard,” he reasoned.

“Dat man nah guh stop so. Even if we puncture and deh pon de road, we would pass and call somebody, we nah guh stop,” another driver said.

Investigators believe that they are on the right track towards solving the case.

They have already established that Dass was shot at point blank range with a handgun gun.

Kaieteur News understands that his face bore a single gunshot entry mark near the right eye.

There are no houses close to where Dass was killed and not even the nearest neighbor, a few hundred yards away, reported hearing a gunshot, even in the still of the night.

Investigators will be seeking out other persons connected to the trucking service where Dass was employed as they continue their probe.

Brazilian woman shot in bar - ‘Mother Cat’ in custody A man who goes by the moniker ‘Mother Cat’ is now assisting the Bartica Police with their investigations into a shooting incident that occurred at the Top Notch Brasilian Bar, First Avenue, Bartica, around 23:00 hours Wednesday.

Twenty-four-year-old Antonia Priscila Lamego Das Chagas, of Manaus, Brazil, reportedly entered an agreement with a man who reportedly offered her $20,000 to have personal pleasure with her.

It is reported that the man then made unsuccessful demands for a total refund and became agitated. He reportedly whipped out a

handgun and shot her in the lower left abdomen.

The woman underwent surgery yesterday at the Bartica Public Hospital to remove the bullet. Her condition up to last night was listed as stable.

People in the vicinity at the time of the shooting said that they had heard noisy, scuffling sounds coming from within the said building, and then a loud explosion followed by screams. They said that they saw the woman rushing into the bar area screaming hysterically and motioning to her left abdomen, where blood was trickling down through a hole in the jersey top she was

Antonia Priscila Lamego Das Chagas wearing. Bystanders rushed her to the hospital.

Residents in the area said that at times during the party sessions there, they would hear disruptively sharp and loud explosive sounds, and be assailed by the smell of narcotics.

Recently this very Top Notch Brasilian Bar was the focus of attention, when six Brazilian women were allegedly terrorised and raped by two men in a room on the upper flat of the building.

The women immediately departed Bartica the next day and averted any investigation into that matter.

(Edward A Persaud)

Friday April 20, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 15

11-year-old needs financial aid for kidney transplant

T

he mother of 11year-old Daron Adams is pleading with the public for financial assistance to give her son “a second life”.

The boy, who has been diagnosed with chronic renal failure, is scheduled to undergo kidney transplant surgery at Balwant Singh’s Hospital in the first week of June.

The cost for the procedure is $3M. D a r o n ’s m o t h e r, Mayfield George, who is donating one of her kidneys to her son, said that since last May, she noticed her son’s face swelling.

Thinking that it may have been cold-related, she chided him about going into the refrigerator too often.

She recounted that after a week, his abdomen and feet started to swell, and she rushed him to the Suddie Hospital, where she was subsequently informed of her son’s serious condition.

The distraught mother noted that ever since the diagnosis was made, she has been frequently rushing her

Daron Adams and his mother, Mayfield George

son to the Georgetown Public Hospital and Suddie Hospital for medical attention, but she was not

pleased with the treatment he received.

“I was not satisfied with the service, because they had

me and my son pushing around for a really long time, and I was forced to transfer him to the private hospital. If I had continued with the pace the public hospitals had me on, then it would have cost me my son’s life, and I am was not going to allow that.”

George explained that after her son did kidney biopsies at the private institution, she was informed that the child “has a scarred down kidney that will not last long, no matter what we do.”

As a result, the concerned parent is now appealing for monetary support to save her son’s life.

Persons desirous of assisting can make their contribution to an account which has been opened for the cause, at Demerara Bank. The account number is 2007128. Ms. George can be contacted by telephone at the following numbers: 646-7664 or 661-5146.

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Kaieteur News

Friday April 20, 2012

Friday April 20, 2012

Yesterday, executive members of the Alliance for Change (AFC) Gerhard Ramsaroop, Michael Carrington, David Patterson and Harry Paul, along with social activist Mark Benschop and columnist Freddie Kissoon, staged a protest outside of the National Aquatic Centre at Pattensen.

According to the men, their action is aimed at petitioning the Government for public access to the facility. Kissoon explained that there are three public pools, yet none are accessible to members of the public.

“We have Colgrain, Castellani and this one (National Aquatic Centre) yet none are open to the public.

We are here to insist that the Aquatic Centre be open to the public, if not all three”.

The group called on the Government to make the pool accessible, even if it is with a small fee attached, since it is $584M of taxpayers’ money which was used to erect the centre. It has been suggested by the group that it would be considered reasonable even if the pool is opened on selected days. Ramsaroop stated that the last public facility (Luckhoo pool) was shut down in the 1980s by the

Kaieteur News

Page 19

IMF says C’bean economy to grow 3.5% over two-year period

Members of the protest group outside the National Aquatic Centre yesterday morning.

PNC administration. He said the PPP government promised to rebuild a pool, and has successfully done so, but without making it available to the public. This Ramsaroop opined that this shows the continuous hypocrisy on the part of the

current Government which says it is about development for young people. “This clearly shows selective development, since only persons from a certain bracket can access these pools.”

Meanwhile, before the protest got underway, the

group sought permission from the persons on site at the facility to go swimming. After being asked to hold on for a few minutes, an employee returned to inform the group that they would first have to get permission from the Director of Sport, Neil Kumar.

The Caribbean economy is expected to grow this year and next year. So says the Washington-based International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The international financial institution says Latin America and the Caribbean is “on a glide path to steady growth” as the global economy picks up pace, but cautioned 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 percent in the region this year and four percent in 2013.

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

“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.

We are life savers, you should be one too! Donate blood today!!

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Friday April 20, 2012

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Fire destroys two more properties

The burnt out structure at Hope, E.B.D. The Fire Service has two more investigations to add to a rapidly growing list.

According to reports, at about 01:00 hours on Thursday, fire broke out at a building in Tuschen Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo. At the time of the incident no one was at home.

This publication was told that the house is occupied by a man identified only as ‘David’. He is said to be currently working in the interior.

Kaieteur News understands that neighbours spotted the flames and raised an alarm. The fire service was immediately summoned.

However by the time a tender arrived the entire one-flat wooden building was flattened. The firemen were however praised for containing the blaze to the single structure. A water tank in an adjacent yard was partly destroyed as a result of the blaze.

Meanwhile, according to a source close to the investigation, two theories are being looked at. There are reports that from time to time a known male individual could be seen lurking in the

compound where the house once stood. The source said it could be a case where the man may have lit a fire to cook and did not properly extinguish the fire or it may be a case where the building was deliberately set alight.

Also at Hope, East Bank Demerara, Alvin Balkaran and his wife Stacy are now homeless after an early afternoon fire destroyed their home. According to reports, shortly after 13:00 hours on Tuesday, residents in the area called the fire service.

However by the time the fire fighters arrived the entire building was engulfed in flames. Nothing was saved, as the house was locked up, and no one was at home at the time. Efforts by residents who formed a bucket brigade were futile.

Investigations are ongoing.

There have been at least eight other fires within the past two weeks. They include the April 1 blaze which razed a Regent Street building housing several businesses; a second at Berbice, two on the East Coast of Demerara; another at Agricola caused by a child playing with matches;

yet another which destroyed stalls at the Stabroek Bazaar, and one which razed a house at Latchmansingh Street, Tucville.

Early last week another fire broke out at La Parfaite Harmonie. Two children, 10year-old Andrea James and her six-year-old cousin, Alonzo Douglas, perished in the conflagration which consumed the property located at Lot 689 Middle Dam. Delon Douglas, eight, Brian Douglas, 10, and sixyear-old Andre Douglas, escaped by smashing windows and jumping from the burning building. They sustained minor burns, bruises and scratches.

According to initial reports, the five children were home alone when the fire started in the upper flat of the three-bedroom structure. A burning candle in a plastic receptacle was determined to have been the cause of the blaze.

Chief Fire Officer Marlon Gentle made this disclosure last week Thursday. He said that the candle was placed on a bookshelf in the children’s bedroom.

What remains of the house at Tuschen

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Kaieteur News

Friday April 20, 2012

Illegal timber harvesting…

Guyana, EU start negotiations for major accord Guyana has started negotiations with the European Union (EU) for a major accord that will ensure only legally harvested timber enters that market. The Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA), once signed, will see increased monitoring to ensure that timber harvesting is in keeping with international standards.

The EU-FLEGT (Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade) Agreement will allow access to technical and other help to improve the current processes of monitoring in the country.

During the launching of the African/Caribbean/ Pacific (ACP) FLEGT Support Programme on Wednesday at the Kingston offices of the Guyana Forestry Commission, Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Robert Persaud, disclosed that Guyana is currently working to modernize, yet again, its National Log Export Policy, to reflect changes in recent times.

The EU is contending that illegal logging has a devastating impact on some of the world’s most valuable forests - it can have not only serious environmental, but also economic and social consequences. The FLEGT Action plan is effectively the solution to the problem. It provides a number of measures to exclude illegal timber from markets, to improve the supply of legal timber and to increase the demand for responsible wood products.

A central element of the EU’s strategy to combat illegal logging are trade accords with timber-exporting countries, known as VPAs, to ensure legal timber trade and support good forest governance in the partner countries. As a second element, the EU created legislation to ban illegallyproduced wood products from the EU market, known as the EU Timber Regulation.

According to Persaud, Guyana is moving ahead with commencing formal dialogue with the EU with the aim of signing the VPA. This would

come at a time when a new National Log Export Policy is about to be instituted.

Assisting Guyana in joining up with the EU on the programme is the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

According to the Minister, several community forestry organizations involved in logging have expressed interest in the programme.

Already, consultations have been held in this regard.

Persaud stressed that the management and development of national resources is critical to wider development plans of Guyana and to enhance forest legality, governance and overall development.

He also pointed out that despite intensified monitoring there has not been a slowdown in forestry activities or an immediate lack of interest. This, he noted, is evidenced from the average output of 400,000 cubic metres per annum average, with earnings for the sector at an average US$40-50M

Stakeholders at the launching of the EU-FLEGT Support Programme annually.

Forestry activities not only support large companies but also numerous hinterland communities, with close to 20,000 persons directly and indirectly benefiting. The livelihood of many indigenous people also cannot be ignored, he said.

Persaud admitted that it had been a challenge to deal with the many issues,

including the likes of mining.

In the midst of this, Guyana has managed to maintain a sustainable rate of low deforestation or a reduction of forest degradation.

This, he stressed, did not happen by chance. Rather, Guyana has had to constantly review its legislative framework and its national forest plan.

The EU-FLEGT

agreement will initially see the monitoring of approximately 55 areas. Persaud insisted that the idea was to further improve transparency and ensure that the stewardship of the forest meets international standards.

EU Ambassador Robert Kopecký, who was also present at the launching, noted that Europe remains one of the biggest customers globally. He pointed out that with the world looking more for green and sustainable policies, the issue of illegal harvesting remains an issue.

And the FAO’s Representative to Guyana, Lystra Fletcher-Paul, asserted that illegal harvesting accounts for around US$10B in revenue losses for governments. The EU-FLEGT programme will allow for third party verifications, she disclosed.

In recent years, there have been instances of illegal harvesting, with several prominent companies being fined almost $300M for infringements.

Friday April 20, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 25

The Abigail Column My dad’s cheating on my mom DEAR ABIGAIL, I found out a few years ago that my dad has been having little affairs with other women. He has been meeting them on the internet and there are at least two that I know of that he has actually met and been with in person.

I have read some of the online conversations, and my dad says that he does not love my mom anymore, but I know that my mom still loves him.

I can’t understand how he could do this, or how the other women can go along

with this knowing that he is married. I love my dad, and we have always gotten along great. I want to confront him about this, but I cannot get up enough nerve to do it. I am the only one that knows about this; I have no one to talk to about this and I don’t know what I should do.

Too Much Dear Too Much It’s pretty clear you’re upset to know your dad has been ‘having little affairs’ outside of his marriage with your mom. You also seem committed to letting your dad know that you’re on to him.

Before you jump in, it’s always

good to go into a confrontation.

First, what are your goals?

In other words, what do you hope this confrontation will lead to?

For starters, you’re especially concerned with how your dad’s affairs don’t fit his role as a dad, husband.

Once you’ve decide d o n your goals, you can choose how you will confront your dad.

It’s important for you to break the conversation into several different episodes if you get the feeling that your dad’s reaction to the confrontation gets in the way of moving toward your goals.

Friday April 20, 2012 ARIES (March 21 - April 19): A major shakeup is happening in your world today -and just like when tectonic plates shift, these changes could create quite an earthquake. ******************* TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): Are you in the mood to revamp or update your personal style? Do yourself a favor by not running right out to the mall and buying up a closet full of the latest trendy clothes! ****************** GEMINI (May 21 - June 20): Your casual acquaintances are suddenly much more fun to be around than your tried and true old buddies -is this a sign that there is trouble in paradise? Probably not. ******************** CANCER (June 21 - July 22): You are not responsible for making other people happy -- you can only support them in their quest to find their own bliss. So don't buy a ticket for that guilt trip a friend or relative is trying to send you on! ********************* LEO (July 23 - Aug. 22): You'll meet a smiling someone today who seems a little bit too good to be true. They can have a good time doing just about anything -- and what's worse, they can get along with anyone! ******************* VIRGO (Aug. 23 - Sept.

22): A silly little spat could get blown out of proportion today, but luckily you won't be in the direct line of fire.

You're not on the radar screen of the particularly combative person who's kicking up all

the dust -- and you should do whatever it takes to stay out of it! ********************* LIBRA (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22): The annoying or rude actions of the people around you will actually have some positive effects on your day. ********************* SCORPIO (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21): A big decision has got you feeling confused, but there really is no need to be scratching your head about it. ******************** SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 Dec. 21): You're going to be surrounded by adults all day long, but it might feel like you've been plopped down in the middle of a day care center! .********************* CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 Jan. 19): You are very focused on one issue right now, and you have strong feelings about it. That's wonderful.

But just because you feel strongly about this does not mean that anyone else will -even if you can't believe that they don't. ******************** AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18): It's time to change your life patterns. Not only will it make life more interesting, but it will also keep that certain someone much more intrigued by you. ********************* PISCE S ( F e b . 1 9 M a r c h 2 0 ) : One of the groups you belong to has been feeling like an imposition in your life for a while, but today you can expect this obligation to start to feel more like something that you're lucky to be a part of.

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 20:00hrs. Channel 8 News 21:00hrs. The Vampire Diaries (New Episode) 21:40hrs. The Secret Circle (New Episode) 23:00hrs. Sign Off NTN CHANNEL 18/ CABLE 69 05:00hrs - Sign on with the Mahamrtunjaya Mantra 05:10hrs - Meditation 05:30hrs - Queenstown Masjid Presents Quran This Morning 06:00hrs - R. Gossai General Store Presents Durga Bhajans 06:15hrs - Jettoo’s Lumber Yard Presents Durga Bhajans 06:30hrs - Muneshwar Limited Presents Durga Bhajans 06:45hrs - Double Standard Taxi Presents Durga Bhajans 07:00hrs - RRT Enterprise Presents Hanuman Bhajans 07:15hrs - M & M Snackette Presents Raja Yoga Discourses 07:30hrs - Dr. Balwant Singh’s Hospital Inc Presents Durga Bhajans 07:45hrs - The Family of the Late Leila & David Persaud Presents Durga Bhajans 08:00hrs - NTN This Morning Live with Reyaz Husein 09:30hrs - Indian Soap -Choti Bahu 10:00hrs - Indian Soap Yahaan Mein 10:30hrs - IPL5 - KINGS X1 PUNJAB v ROYAL C. BANGALORE 14:00hrs - Indian Soap - Pavitra Rishta 14:30hrs - Indian Soap - Mrs. Kaushik Ki Paanch Bahuyien 15:00hrs - Indian Soap - Punar Vivaah

15:30hrs - 2012 Budget Debate Summary by Hon. Joseph Hamilton MP 16:30hrs - Devotional Time 17:00hrs - Drying Tears Live with Pastor Edson 18:00hrs - Ganesh Parts Presents - BHAGAVAD GITA ( Discourses in Eng l i s h ) Serial 18:15hrs - Birthday Greetings / Deaths Announcement & In Memoriam 18:30hrs - 2012 Budget Debate Summary by Hon. Ganga Persaud MP 19:00hrs - 2012 Budget Debate Summary Interview with Hon. Joseph Hamilton MP 19:30hrs - Timeless Melodies Live with Frederick Rampersaud 20:30hrs - New Life World Outreach 20:45hrs - Headline News 21:00hrs - 15 Minutes for Allah 21:15hrs - The Family Album Live with Frederick Rampersaud 22:15hrs - Forgotten Melodies Live with Frederick Rampersaud 22:45hrs - Sign Off with the Gayatri Mantra NCN CHANNEL 11 02:00hrs – NCN Late

Edition(R/B) 02:30hrs – Late Nite with GINA 03:00hrs – Movie 05:00hrs – The Path of Forgetting (Part 2) 05:30hrs – Newtown Gospel 06:00hrs – NCN Late Edition News(R/B) 06:30hrs – Feature 07:00hrs – Guyana Today 08:00hrs – Bollywood Hits(R/ B) 09:00hrs – Stop the Suffering 10:00hrs – Cartoons 10:30hrs – IPL#26 King XI Punjab vs Royal Challengers Bangalore 13:30hrs – Newsbreak 13:35hrs – Oral Tradition 14:00hrs – African Moves 15:00hrs – Feature 16:00hrs – Cartoons 17:00hrs – Anderson 18:00hrs – NCN News Magazine – Live 18:30hrs – Pulse Beat 19:00hrs – Al Jazeera 19:30hrs – Close up 20:00hrs – 3d/daily millions/ play de dream/lotto draw 20:05hrs – Grow With IPED 20:35hrs – Feature 21:05hrs – Feature 22:05hrs – NCN News Late Edition 22:35hrs – Movie

Guides are subjected to change without notice

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Kaieteur News

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

WANTED Technical series Inc Industrial Site Eccles, 1 accounts clerk, Tool room clerk, 1 Industrial electrician, apply in person. Call: 6144358 East Coast Guyoil wanted day & night pump attendants, washman, manager, office assistants & sales girls. Call: 684-2838, 671-3983 1 general domestic to work, in Georgetown, Mon-Sat. Call: 614-7267 Cashier, sales staff, Grocery & clothing apply with written application to Nirva Supermarket.

Porters & sales girls apply with written application at Lot 1 E Dennis& Milton Street Campbellville One live in domestic.

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

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

Tel: 227-4799, 223-5451.

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

Call: 223-5273-4 One live in maid. Call:2235324 Drivers with lorry license apply @ Wieting & Richter Ltd Experience sales represented, apply Wieting & Richter Ltd

WANTED Drivers for car/van/canter, 3 years experience. Call: 2250188, 225-6070 Live in/live out babysitter/ clerk/domestic. Call: 2250188, 225-6070 One live in or out maid & experienced sales girls. Call: 264-3356, 253-3149, 668-3985 Manager’s Assistant general duties including Custom and Bond, Security Guards, accommodation available.

Call: 676-6700 1 lumber yard labourer. Call: 2263736 Cashier & pump attendants apply @ Ramsburg Service station, Providence East Bank Demerara One experienced hire car driver. Contact Mrs.Z.Khan, at 11 Thomas Street Kitty.

Call: 226-7948, 686-6648 1 Tutor to teach Form 1, apply Bissan’s Trading, 94 King Street. Call: 227-7306 Care taker to live on Linden H/Way farm couple or elderly male and dog Friendly. Call: 666-7480 One night security. Call: 2335235, 667-5717, 623-2728 Porters to work on water truck $15,000 per week. Must be from the W.C.D. Call: 6848231 2 Mechanics to work in Trinidad work permit available. Call: 684-8231 Cooks/ waitress and bartenders to work in Kitty area. Call: 226-7054 One mechanic to work in supply E.B.D. Call:624-7036

Experience taxi drivers, dispatchers and bus drivers.

Call: 265-7076, 616-5419

1 experience waitress apply @ Mambo’s Bar, 93 Barr St. Kitty.

Live in maid/ cook apply Marie. Telephone no#2261445, 226-8094. Excellent Salary

One live in domestic to do general house work, no cooking. Call:639-7000

The resort in Mabaruma North West, looking for people to run restaurant.

Call: 688-0072, Mrs. Eva, 6926307 Mr. R.Narine One experienced salesperson to work in cosmetics store on East Coast. Age 25-45. Call: 6421141 One experience TM driver to work in interior. Call:6420176,670-1052 Sell us your old house in G/ Town or East Bank area. Call: 669-9843. Get cash right away

Domestic ages 26-38 preferably between Covent Garden to Grove E.B.D, twice weekly $1800 per-day 9:00am to 4:00pm. Call: 695-3090 E&N Beck 3 Princess Machinist/ crankshaft machine operator. Apply in person.

1 general domestic East Bank Area. Call: 614-4358 1 experience sales girl. Call: 663-2953, 682-4159 LEARN TO DRIVE Prudential Learning “Training to Pass” automatic also stick/manual. Call: 6424827. We’ re #1

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

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

Contact: Angela:694-0096 6 weeks Dressmaking course. Morning & evening.

Call Sharmela: 225-2598, 6410784 Modern Electronics Engineering Co. Home service for Stereo system computer DVD’s, communication system, etc. Call: 625-1203 Modern Electronics Engineering Co. offer free quotations on all electrical installation -generator maintenance, building rewiring. Call: 625-1203 US & Canada Visa application services. Call: 643-6630, Family Discounts Available.

For all general construction, carpentry, masonry, printing etc, affordable cost. Call: 6487013, 231-0821 Repairs to gas stoves, deep fryers, washer machine, electric stoves. Call: 686-6209

CAKE & PASTRIES Courses in cake decoration, pastry making & cookery, tel: 670-0798. Wedding dresses for sale & rental.

1-lb character cakes $5,000, pastries at whole sale prices.

Call: 223-9497 TOUR Suriname vacation shopping site-seeing 28th April1stMay, trip. Contact Matthew:639-2663, 6655171,644-0185, 227-8290 Santa Mission 22nd April.

Joy: 218-1285, 657-0825

Friday April 20, 2012

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

Apply Avinash Complex Water St. Georgetown. Call: 226-3361, 227-7828

EDUCATIONAL Learn Spanish. Call: 673-1232 Register now for full time & adults CXC classes. Call: 6835742, 227-7627

1 refrigerator & washing machine technician/ Trainee.

Call: 683-8734, 231-0655

Computer classes for 2012 common entrance student 5 courses $25,000, Micrographics Technology, Parika/Vreed-En-Hoop). Call: 264-3057

1 experience sales clerk, apply in person from 8:00am to 5:00pm at stall ‘4’ Bourda Market behind Wireless Connection

Special Diploma Package for CSEC Micrographics Technology, Vreed-EnHoop/Grove/Parika Highway. Call: 264-3057

One live in maid/ nanny 3045 yrs, long term employment. Call: 656-1284

For Driver, Checker & Accountant, Good Hope branch Rosignol, Albion.

Contact: 330-2399, 623-5920

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

MASSAGE American style massage services. Call: 609-4036 Treat yourself to a relaxing massage. Call: 622-6256

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

Future Tech. Call:231-2206, 644-6760 Roofing shingles $5,995 per bundle. Call: Mr.Skepmire: 227-5195

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

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

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

For the best in hair nail, pedicure, manicure lashes, waxing etc, please. Call Leoita. 602-2337

Spares for washer, microwaves, fridges, stovetimers, gear boxes, pumps etc. Contact:225-9032, 6472943 Toyota Starlet 2 E Turbo engine with gearbox and ECU: Call: 624-7155.

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

American dog food 44lbs6,000, 33lbs-5,000, 4lbs-800.

Call: 628-9119 Bread tapes. Call: 231-8819

CAR RENTAL Progressive auto rental, cars from $3,500 per day. Call: 6435122, 656-0087, www.progressiveautorental.com Al’s Car & Pick up Rental.

Call:698-7807 Premio, 110 Corolla. Call: 6797139 TO RENT One Bobcat Skid Loader for rent. Please contact: 610-3575

Titan parts, engine DIFF etc.

Call:648-2075

Mark II GX100 excellent condition music, set, alarm, HID, rims, 1.3M (Negotiable). Call:698-5046, 696-2721, owner migrating New pressure washers 2600 PSI Honda, 3000 PSI, 2500 PSI 6.75 HP. Call: 627-7835 1 Kawasaki Ninja Bike, 2009CC. Contact: 677-1218, 216-0317

Going cheap UK used truck engines Perkins 1006 series.

Call: 661-3043

Fashion Empress; upstairs Satro Building 10% all hair services from Monday – Thursday 50% off all pedicures. Call: 602-2337

1 complete audio system, alphansonic 2400W, Rockfordfosgate 2000W, 1 Pioneer Inbox 5000W, Clarion/crossover. Call: 6570529 Used: QSC Amps MX2000 & MX3000, Roland sampler SP-404, Rcf speaker: 12" & 18", celestion speaker: 15".

Contact: 644-3390

One 18’’ television, white flat playstation 2 along with controller, CD $50,000. Call: 678-3724, 227-7175

Fish cleaners- Eccles.

Call:233-2546, 675-6467

Security guards apply in person to P.Ramroop & Sons, 23 Lombard Street, with references from previous employers.

FOR SALE 1 Daf 45 flat bed, 26 Ft tray.

Call:609-7803

Short fluffy puppies vaccinated & dewormed $12,000. Call: 220-4247 Gold detector water proof, headset & battery charger.

Call: 216-0160, 609-7625 90 KVA Generator, portable 110/220, 1 phase & 3 phase.

Call: 642-1141. 1200 hrs.

Games for PS2-$900, PSP$900, PS3-$2600, Xbox 360$2600, Xbox 1-$2000, WII$1600.Call: 672-2566, 2653231

Slightly damage zinc sheet.

Call: 226-7054 1 WestPoint no frost refrigerator for 225L, next to new, $80,000, negotiable.

Call: 602-2337 1 BM Lenovo laptop, brand new, $60,000. Call: 681-2111 Shipping barrels; blue 55 gal plastic $5,000 each. Call: 615-9314 Peavey Amps, PV-800, PV3800, CS-400, Machie Mivez, EQ and more. Call: 615-9314 QSC Amps, RMX series, AU models, CD jogllers mixer etc.

Call: 662-6024 1 330 Bedford Turbo engine, 3000 PSI pressure washer, power horse 2’’ water pump, 1 ½ Ton forklift Nissan.

Contact: 617-7691 1 Overhauled & repainted Ford 5000 tractor with Boughton Winch. Call: 6619318 Yamaha outboard engine parts for 115HP-200 HP, Crankshaft fat & fine top, pistons, bearings. Call: Terry-665-9405 2003 GMC Savana Cargo Van, great for business, huge space & power $2.5M. Call: Terry-665-9405 RX7 2002 Model, price negotiable. Call: 223-5273-4 2 Leyland Daf double Axle.

Call:678-1317 Pluck chicken for sale.

Call:682-8236 Eggs for sale. Call:682-8236 (Continued on page 27)

Friday April 20, 2012

Kaieteur News

Manchester United still the world’s richest football club seventh and eighth while the club’s run to last Manchester United remain respectively. the world’s most valuable year’s Champions League - Forbes Tottenham Hotspur are final, where they lost to football club, according to Forbes magazine. The study estimates the Premier League champions are worth £1.4bn, which puts them top of the list for the eighth year in a row.

Real Madrid are ranked second, valued at £1.17bn, while Barcelona are third with an estimated value of £816m.

“Manchester United’s global fan base of 330m helps make them the most valuable team in any sport,” said Forbes.com. Bayern Munich and Arsenal make up the top five in the rankings, with Chelsea and Liverpool ranked

just outside the top 10 in 11th place, with Manchester City up to 13th in the list.

Forbes also revealed Manchester United are worth more than both Major League Baseball’s New York Yankees and the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League,

Barcelona, commanded a £50m payout from Uefa.

The research added: “The top teams on the pitch are going to continue to get richer.

This year’s Champions League payout will be higher than 2011 for the 32 tournament teams.”

Bangladesh in Pakistan 2012: Tour postponed after court order Bangladesh has postponed its tour of Pakistan following a court order that set a four-week embargo on the national team’s plans. The decision, communicated on Thursday to the PCB by the BCB’s acting CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury, is the latest twist to a long-running saga that began last December; the tour itself, comprising two limited-

overs games, had been finalised last weekend to take place in Lahore at the end of April.

The order came on a day when Pakistan said it had sent a 70-page security plan for the tour to the ICC and announced details of match tickets that were to have gone on sale next week. The events that followed will have added to doubts over whether the tour will indeed go ahead at all. The PCB reacted sharply to the news. “It is astonishing

to note that a matter lacking any legal issue has been dragged in the court by petitioners who appear to have vested interest and want to jeopardise PakistanBangladesh cricketing relations,” the statement said.

“It is extremely disturbing to note for the PCB and Pakistan cricket fans and world cricketing nations that such an adverse order has been passed to block a bilateral cricket series.”

The court order, delivered

Lucky Pietersen smashes hundred in Delhi win DELHI: Delhi Daredevils rode on Kevin Pietersen’s fortuitous century to emerge fivewicket winners over Deccan Chargers at the Feroz Shah Kotla here, on Thursday (yesterday). The win was Delhi’s fourth in five games, while for Chargers the outcome was their fourth successive loss.

The England superstar smashed nine sixes in his 64-ball 103 – as Delhi chased down the 158 target with five balls to spare – but was dropped three times (on 6, 68 and 94) in the course of his tempestuous knock.

Delhi buckled under the requirement early in their chase. They were 23-3 in the fifth over, with Naman Ojha, Virender Sehwag and Mahela Jayawardene back in the pavilion, as Dale Steyn (4-0-19-2) came up with another memorable spell.

But Pietersen soon took charge, taking Amit Mishra to the cleaners and then going on a six-hitting spree against J.P. Duminy in the 13th over. Three huge sixes later, Duminy had the chance to get his man, but spilled a return catch that was coming to him at a rate of knots.

Soon, the required rate was pulled down to manageable proportions, and another drop of Pietersen, this time by Sangakkara, allowed Delhi to reach the target without further ado.

Earlier, left-arm spinner Shahbaz Nadeem (4-0-16-3) kept up his good work and, in tandem with South Africa paceman Morne Morkel (40-23-3) confined Deccan Chargers to 157-8 after they had elected to bat.

Chargers made a rapid start through Shikhar Dhawan and Parthiv Patel, who added 71 in 41 balls for the second wicket, and had reached 101 in 11 overs before it all started to fall apart. A big score looked on the cards, but Nadeem dragged the visitors each they looked to pull away.

The left-armer picked up a wicket in each of his first three overs as no other batsmen spent enough time in the middle to make an impact. Dhawan squandered a glorious start when he was trapped in front going for a

Kevin Pietersen reverse sweep against Nadeem. Parthiv kept going at the other end, and reached his aggressive peak in the 11th over – bowled by Umesh Yadav – biffing a six and slashing straight to third-man to be caught.

Parthiv benefited from a reprieve as the delivery was called a no-ball for height, and received another life when Pietersen dropped him at fine-leg in the next over.

The diminutive keeper-batsman was finally caught by Jayawardene at deep square leg. Bharat Chipli threw his bat around for a precious 25, massacring Ajit Agarkar for boundaries to take the score past 150, before Morkel returned to clean up the tail.

The South Africa quick had Abhhishek Jhunjhunwala caught behind, while Dale Steyn hit his countryman straight to Sehwag at cover.

The sub-160 total may just have tested Delhi, especially after the early loss of three wickets, but Pietersen’s blazing, albeit chancy, century ensured that the home team romped home with five balls to spare.

by Justices Farid Ahmed and Sheikh Hasan Arif on Thursday afternoon, was in response to a writ petition filed in the morning by a university teacher and a Supreme Court lawyer who, citing concerns over security, challenged the BCB’s decision to send the team at the end of April for a threeday tour.

It also said that in the interim period the sports secretary, the National Sports Council chief and BCB chief Mustafa Kamal justify the decision for the tour.

Azim, one of the lawyers for the petitioners, said: “The ICC asked for a security plan from PCB. They have still not given it. Pakistan is not safe for any foreign teams now.

Their own media says so. For that reason, no country agrees to play there. Under the same circumstances, we should not go there also.”

The petition echoes the prevailing public sentiment surrounding the tour since it was first announced. The mood against the tour - which has been called short-sighted and opportunistic, at the cost of players’ safety - grew following the confirmation of dates on Sunday. The tour, of immense importance to Pakistan, is widely seen as a quid pro quo for Kamal getting the PakistanBangladesh joint nomination for the ICC vice-presidency; with the latter in almost certain cold storage, the tour has become an even more complex issue. Kamal’s own flip-flops on issues relating to the tour have added to the confusion.

Adding to the complexity is the security angle. The ICC’s stated stand is that it has no role in clearing tour; its remit extends to checking to see whether its officials can be deployed. It has, however, scripted its own escape clause by introducing a “special dispensation” that would allow non-neutral officials where the situation did not allow for neutrals.

The security issue prompted the Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations (FICA) to issue a strongly worded statement against the tour.

Page 27

(From page 26)

TO LET Short term apartments Eccles. Call:679-7139 Herstelling-$130,000, V/ Hoop-$450US. Steve:6995490 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 Furnished/ unfurnished 1-2 Bedroom apartment from $50,000. Call: 218-2363, 6834700

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

Furnished 2 bedroom apartments in linden, for short term guests’; internet available. Call: 614-4415, 4444704

Verossa PNN. Call:665-3067, 228-2609

Eccles-60,000-US1100, Nandy Park-US800, Hotel & Bar US3500, Apartments Bonds etc. Diana: 227-2256, 626-9382

1 Toyota Super Custom bus; late GMM series.

Immaculate condition, fully powered, price negotiable.

Call: 648-7019, 686-4818

New 2&3 bedroom apartment, prime location Diamond AA block X. Call:682-3483

Big blowout sale: offers on luxury cars, BMW sports 635CSI, Lexus LS400, BMW 740 IL. Call: 646-8326, 6121486 Unregistered Black Spacio, Silver Premio; reverse camera, Cerisor. Call: 6970294, 220-9514

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 Aubrey Barker Road 30M, Daniel’s Town Essequibo $18.5M, Diamond $15.5M, Atlantic Garden $18.5M. Steve:699-5490 Agricola-$15M, Kingston$17M. Steve:699-5490 Unfinished property @ section A Diamond scheme $14M Neg. Call: 695-3090.

Serious enquire only

Toyota Diesel Prado Excellent Condition Diplomat Vehicle. Call:6246702 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 Red sports BWM635 CSI reduced to 950,000. Call: 6468326, 612-1486 1 RZ Mini bus series BKK. Call: 667-9629 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: 647-9520 3 Ton enclosed Canter unregistered. Call: 617-2891 3 Ton wheel drive Canter unregistered. Call:617-2891 2004 Mazda RX 8, body kit, fully loaded, black unregistered. Call: 617-2891 1-RZ Mini bus unregistered.

Call: 617-2891 Tundra-$3.2M, GX110$3.5M. Steve:699-5490

Page 28

Kaieteur News

Chennai ward off Pune challenge in home game CHENNAI: Defending champions Chennai Super Kings put in an all-round show to defeat Pune Warriors by 13 runs at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium on Thursday night.

Pune elected to field and Chennai compiled 164-5, chiefly through a 116-run opening stand between Faf du Plessis (58) and S. Badrinath (57), and then claimed regular wickets through tough catches to stall the visiting team 13 runs short of the target.

Pune had kept themselves in the hunt despite the frequent wickets, and a 44-run alliance for the sixth wicket between Angelo Mathews and Steve Smith brought them to within 25 runs needed off the last two overs.

Doug Bollinger bowled a superlative 19th over, conceding just four and accounting for Smith, and the 21 required in the last proved to be too much for the tailenders after Mathews was clean bowled by Dwayne Bravo first ball of the 20th.

Earlier, similarly paced half-centuries by the openers du Plessis and Badrinath – who was bumped up the order in place of the out-of-form M. Vijay – took Chennai Super Kings to 164-5 on a slow wicket. The openers added 116 in 15.3 overs. Chennai did not begin with any haste.

They reached 17 in four overs, when Badrinath kicked in, spanking fours off Samuels. du Plessis soon joined the fun, creaming a six and four in Bhuvaneshwar Kumar’s over, the sixth of the innings, as Chennai reached 42 at the end of the mandatory Powerplay.

A phase of calm consolidation followed, as the Indo-South Africa enterprise put their trust in ones and twos, making only the loose deliveries count for boundaries. One such couple

The Chennai Super Kings openers, S Badrinath and Faf du Plessis, put on 116 brought up du Plessis’ second fifty of the tournament, in 43 balls. Badri too joined the club of halfcenturions when a spree of fours off Bhuvaneshwar got him to the landmark in 42 balls.

Chennai suffered a double jolt when both set batsmen were dismissed in the same over - bowled by Samuels - caught by the same fielder at deep square leg. A few balls later Suresh Raina was out for a duck, to a shortpitch delivery, which he topedged to fine-leg.

Skipper Dhoni came in and smashed an unbeaten 28 off just 12 balls – including a menacing six off Samuels in the last over – as Chennai posted a competitive total.

Robin Uthappa and Jesse Ryder began Pune’s pursuit with a flurry of boundaries before both lost their wicket to Nuwan Kulasekara.

Uthappa was caught fabulously by R. Ashwin running in from mid-off, while the chubby New Zealander was taken by Bravo – who broke into a jig after making sure the ball hadn’t popped out following his dive.

Skipper Sourav Ganguly arrived at the crease, immediately pulling and flicking Bollinger for boundaries, as Pune finished their first six overs with 53 on the board, for the loss of two wickets.

They lost another wicket, that of Manish Pandey, to another good catch – this time

by S. Badrinath, who ran a fair distance and hung on to the ball through a tumultuous dive at extra-cover.

Shadab Jakati, who had bowled his first over for just four, returned for his second and got the big wicket of Ganguly. The Prince of Kolkata went for a big one and sensing that, Jakati dropped it slightly short – the resulting shot looped up in the air and was easily caught

by Kulasekara at mid-off.

The visitors needed exactly 100 runs from ten overs, and although the ball had now started to turn, with Samuels, Smith and Mathews still around, Pune could yet have made a fist of it, but the required blinder did not materialize, leaving Pune stranded on 151-7.

Friday April 20, 2012

CFU Club Championship 2012...

Alpha beat Fortuna to stay in contention; - Milerock crushed by InterMoengotapoe After a disappointing performance in their opening game when they went down to Suriname’s InterMoengotapoe by a 1-0 margin, local club champions Alpha United kept themselves in contention for a berth in the next phase with a comfortable 3-1 win over Curacao’s Hubentut Fortuna last evening, at the National Stadium.

Playing in the CFU Club Championship, Alpha United was the only local team to secure victory after a sprinkling of fans saw another below par display from Linden’s Milerock who were crushed 7-1 by InterMoengotapoe in the opening game of the double header which effectively ended their quest to advance.

In the feature clash, Alpha United needing a win to keep their hopes alive to advance further in the competition got off to an enterprising start when the diminutive Andrew Murray Jnr. latched on to a pass from Anthony Abrams, before racing into the box and sliding home his shot past a beaten Elfried Weijman in the 6th minute of play.

They, however, missed two clear opportunities to stretch their advantage, but the right upright was the saviour in the first instance for Fortuna and then Dwain Jacobs palpably missed a header from a pinpoint cross from Abrams on the right flank.

Both teams continued to play positive football, but lacked the efficiency up front to score more goals.

However, Alpha stretched their lead when Abrams took advantage of a deflection after Kelvin McKenzie made a sweeping run down the right side into the opposition’s penalty area which caused goalkeeper Weijman to advance off his goal-line and effect a tackle that resulted in the ball falling into the path of a lurking Abrams, who made no mistake, lashing in from close range to make it 2-0 which stood to the break.

On the resumption, Fortuna looked more purposeful and should have reduced the lead, but poor finishing dented such ambitions.

Goalscorer in the previous game, Jose Adriano Chacas Gomez made things interesting when he delivered a powerful header past Richard Reynolds between the uprights. It was a tense match after then as Alpha looked a bit shaky, while the chances they created were squandered by Abrams, Jacobs and company.

That prompted a substitution by Head Coach Wayne Dover, who brought on Daniel Wilson in place of Murray and the impact was felt almost immediately as he tormented the

tiring Fortuna defence.

His forays was so effective that it caused the visitors backline to play out of sync and it was one such occurrence that saw him receive a pass from a counter attack from Abrams, who squared into his corridor and he nonchalantly side-footed past the pressing forward Weijman. The score-line stayed that way until the final whistle.

Alpha will now play locals Milerock tomorrow, at the same venue. Meanwhile, Milerock failed to accomplish their first victory after crumbling to a heavy defeat at the hands of InterMoengotapoe in the first game. The embarrassing defeat means that they will not make it to the next round.

InterMoengotapoe’s Stefano Ryssel netted a brace and Jerrek Adensiba hammered in a similar amount of goals in the first half as Milerock merely managed to reply in the final minute of the first half.

Ryssel opened the winning account for the second time in the 8th minute after receiving a rewarding pass around the 18yard box, before shooting the ball into the left side of the goal out of the reach of Milerock’s goalkeeper Darius Frank.

Adensiba registered his goal 20 minutes after Ryssel goal, in a similar manner after catching Frank in an off guard position.

Jermaine Fordyce added some hope to Milerock in the 45th minute when he netted his goal which resulted in being the only goal for the homesters after minutes of battling viciously to level the contest.

The warriors who insulted Milerock, returned to register five more goals without giving Milerock an opportunity to score.

Claudio Pinas goal in the 52nd minute by a header tallied the score to 3-1, but that margin of defeat was not enough for the Surinamese players.

Captain Jimmy Partrick added two goals in the 62nd and 76th minutes respectively after the team earned two penalty kicks.

The account which comprised of five goals was fashioned with two more goals in the 86th and 87th minute by Clarence Plein and Rysell.

Plein, who received a yellow card in the 84th minute, scored his goal after receiving a worthwhile pass around the 6-yard box and he took advantage of his good fortune, dribbled Frank, before gently tapping the ball into the net.

Rysell’s left foot shot blasted past the keeper in the 87th minute to close the account for InterMoengotapoe, leaving the Lindeners to dwell in disbelief.

Hadi’s softball male open Super-16 to play this weekend

Super-16 round action in the Hadi’s softball male open competition is fixed for tomorrow and Sunday at various venues. Following are the fixtures.

Saturday April 21 Education Ground: Pitch 1: 09:30hrs - Challengers vs Herstelling. 11:30hrs - Wolf Warriors vs Fazal Kayume X1.

13:30hrs - Winners will play.

Pitch 2: 09:30hrs - Farm vs El Commandante. 11:30hrs Trophy Stall B vs Omesh X1.

13:30hrs - Winners will play.

Sunday April 22 Cyril Potter College

Floodlights, Success Masters, Essequibo Invaders qualify for Semi final Ground: Pitch 1: 09:30hrs Trophy Stall A vs Success Warriors.

11:30hrs Renegade vs Young Guns.

13:30hrs - Winners will play.

Pitch 2: 09:30hrs Rockaway vs Bedi Ramjewan X1. 11:30hrs - Regal vs Front Liners. 13:30hrs Winners will play.

Affiance Ground, Essequibo: 11:00hrs semi final - Essequibo Invaders vs Success Masters.

Education Ground: Pitch

1: 09:30hrs - semi final Floodlight vs Savage Masters. Pitch 2: 09:30hsr Green Warriors vs Enterprise Stars. 10:30hrs - Fazal Kayume Angels vs Buxton Stars.

11:30hrs - 4R Lioness vs Ariel Divas. 12:30hrs - Trophy Stall Angels vs Underdogs.

13:30hrs - Rising Stars vs Mahaica Creek Princesses.

14:30hrs - Wellwoman vs Sweet Angels.

Meanwhile, in latest results - quarter finals

Male Over 40 yrs: Success Masters defeated Mahaica Masters by 152 runs. Success Masters 232 for 7 off 25 overs, Khemraj Baljit 96, Krishna Ramnauth 40. Mahaica Masters 80 all out, Seeraj Satro 4 for 16.

Floodlights beat Never Loose by 16 runs. Floodlights 202 for 6 in 25 overs. Wayne Jones 44, Lalta Gainda 34, Ricky Deonarine 33 not out.

Never Loose 186 all out in 25 overs, A. Ali 60, Rahaman

Khan 3 for 34.

Essequibo Invaders got past Bedi Masters by 17 runs.

Essequibo 212 for 9 off 25 overs. Bedi Masters 195 all out. Savage Masters beat Park Rangers. Park Rangers 155 for 8, Ricky Persaud 42. Savage 106 for 8, Falin Mohamed 51.

However, this match ended in protest, Park Rangers claiming that Savage Masters defaulted by playing a player who is below the age of 40. A decision on this matter

will be made by 12:00hrs today.

Open Category Success Warriors won form Destroyers by 27 runs.

Success 127 all out in 12 overs, Anand Persaud 44, R. Tappin 4 for 15. Destroyers 110 all out in 14.2 overs. Troy Ramsaywack 45. Renegade got past Front Liners by 6 wickets. Front Liners 163 all out in 15 overs, D. Randee 3 for 12. Renegade 165 for 4 in 12 overs, H. Dilchand 46 not out.

Friday April 20, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 29

GT&T 10/10 NATIONWIDE SOFTBALL CRICKET TOURNEY...

Double blast of Super-16-matches at Everest Gr. Sat. & Sun All Star Conquerors

With eight (4 males 4 females) teams already booking their places in the quarter finals of the 3rd Annual GT&T 10/10 nationwide softball cricket competition, the battle lines will be drawn again this weekend when more Super-16 action continues at the Everest Cricket Club Ground on Saturday and Sunday.

On Saturday (tomorrow) in the male showdown, Rockaway Auto Sales A team will come up against D’ Edward Sports Club while Falcons Sports Club will engage Karibee Boyz. On the distaff side, Speed Boat challenges Falcon Girls and Jungle Strikers takes on All Star Conquerors.

The male matches in the Super-16 round have seen some upsets to date and that trend can very well continue this weekend if the seasoned teams do not keep their focus and fire on the day.

Karibee Boyz, are known to be formidable opponents and that is one of positives in their favor as they have been recording some strong finishes strong in the Ancient County of Berbice. They will be seeking to emulate Unstoppables as they too are confident of lifting the big check in the finals.

Their strength lies in their bowling with Kalyandass Khaimlall who has taken on the role as strike bowler with encouraging success. The

Rockaway Auto Sales A X1 team will also be depending on Sharmendra Hardyal who has taken them to victory under difficult circumstances.

Falcon Sports Club has been quietly going through their paces and has proven over the years that they are the best team on the Island of Leguan.

The fact that they have won the Essequibo Zone by default after Bartica and Wakenaam failed to turn up, does not, by any stretch of the imagination mean it will be a walk in the park. They boast a committed and united side and will be seeking to make their fellow Islanders proud by going posting another win.

Their trump card in the batting and bowling has been Tyrone Narine who was the difference in all the matches they played so far. He has scored 67 runs in 3 matches and grabbed a total of 10 wickets which included 5-2 in the second round. Skipper

Rick Steven is expected to lend valuable support.

D’Edward Sports Club has been very active in the lead up to the tournament and has dominated the West Coast Berbice teams. In their line-up is Lakeram Sukra who has scores of 52, 48 and 31*, and a well played 48 in the Zone final; leading bowler Changadat Hannif has figures of 3-11, 2-5 and 2-4 (in the zone final) which took them to victory against Pick Up XI. Both players will have to be in top form again in order to engineer victory for their side.

Rockaway Auto Sales ‘A’XI has been one of the colorful teams in this year’s tournament and has been playing well for the past year, they have consistent form on their side and will be looking to record another win for their fans.

The entire team is a talented one and their discipline is also of a high standard which has been a

Pregnant shooter will compete in London Olympics Nur Suryani Mohamed Taibi will be shooting for two at the London Olympics. The Malaysian shooter will be eight months pregnant when she’s scheduled to participate in the 10m air rifle event this summer. Her doctors have given her the tentative OK to compete, as has her husband and Malaysian Olympic officials. Most importantly, Suryani feels she’ll be ready.

“My aim is to compete,” she told Reuters. “Maybe, at the end of June or whatsoever, if I have some problem that would jeopardize the baby inside me, I will reconsider whether I am going or not. But I feel I am strong and my husband says ‘as long as you feel like that, energized to do that, it seems like that is your baby talking

big positive in their success so far. In their match against Regal, Samuel Kingston was clobbered for 37 in one over so they possess all the ingredients to advance further in the tournament.

Much will depend on Jagdesh Deosarran in the batting and Richard Gomes in the bowling department; both players are match winners and will be looking to improve their individual statistics and that of the team.

Looking ahead to the female match-ups - All Star Conquerors / Jungle Strikers clash. All Star Conquerors is known for domination of teams from the Bauxite Mining Town of Linden. They boast a strong, deep batting line-up while they are aggressive in the field, traits that give them the edge to advance even further in this competition which has at stake over 30 Million dollars in cash and other attractive prizes.

All Star Conquerors are no strangers to the Super-16 round having qualified last

year and since it was also their debut year they were defeated by eventual winners Berbice All Stars. They are certainly stronger from last year’s experience have displayed a high level of confidence this year.

Leading their quest for victory will be Shondell Allicock and Patricia.

Jungle Strikers is a fit team from the Guyana Defense Force and can be expected to be a handful and to date have shown what they are capable of doing, and that’s upsetting the big guns.

Like their opponents last year, this is their first time in the Super16 round and must be taken for granted by their opponents.

One of their strong points is having the fastest bowler in the competition, Wonnetta Wayne who opens both eth bowling and batting.

The other standout player is their other opening batswoman, Donica Lyle who can also bowl.

Captain, Maurees Skeete who is a shrewd leader and has an excellent command of the game will again be critical to her team advancing by

setting an airtight field. This match promises to be very close tussle and only the fittest will survive.

The Falcon Girls / Speed Boat showdown is also expected to be a close battle; Falcon Girls having reached the Super-16 last year will depend on Nikita Trotz who is an able batter that can unsettle bowlers with her fierce hitting and wide array of shots. Skipper Alisa Azad will also be pivotal to the team advancing.

Speedboat XI on the other hand has been improving with every game, especially in the area of their fielding. At the helm for them will be their main batter, Danielle Nikita Samaroo who has a top score in the West Demerara of 68.

The respective winners will advance to the quarter finals to join Regal X1, Unstoppable, Karibee Rice Strikers, Rising Stars, Bayrock Blazers, Mahaica Raiders, Trophy Stall Angels and 4R Lioness who have all qualified.

Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Futsal Football Competition...

Round of 16 action on tomorrow in Linden

Nur Suryani Mohamed Taibi to you so you go.’”

Suryani qualified for the Games at the Asian Shooting Championships in January, days after finding out she was pregnant. She recognizes that some people will question her decision to compete — family members and some in

Malaysia already have — but with the doctor’s blessings, Suryani doesn’t expect any problems.

“I will talk to the baby before I compete... ‘no kicking, stay calm for one hour and 15 minutes only please,’” she said.

This year’s Linden segment of the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Futsal Football Competition has reached the Roundof-16 which will be played tomorrow, at the Wisroc / Amelia’s Ward Bus Park (in front of the Mackenzie Market), starting from 18:30 hrs.

THE FIXTURES ARE AS FOLLOWS: Coomacka United takes on Rough & Rugged and that will be followed by the clash between Pokerburg and Goal Getters.

Following that game, Top Class square off against Retrieve Unknowns, before Train Line Warriors tackles Pepper Skull and Amelia’s Ward Russians and Amazing take to the court shortly after.

Sheriff Squad and El Dorado battle in the next game, before Star Boyz and Hard Knocks engage each other for a quarter-final spot and in the final encounter of the night, ½ Mile/ 1 Mile clash with Classic Six. Meanwhile, in recent action, Top Class

edged $100 Cars1-0 with S. Noel scoring in the 11th minute. Game 2 - Exodus gained victory by walk over from Constab Warriors.

Game 3 - Classic Six squeezed past Cherokee Park 3-2. Scoring for the winners were C. Need 5th min, R. Matthews 14th minute, M. Ramsey 16th minute. Cherokee Park got their goals off the boots of T. Smith 2nd minute and N. Akbar 10th minute.

Game 4 - Hard Knocks hammered Attackers 3-0. Ray Bob Semple netted a double in the 11th and 20th minute while R. Bristol added the other in the13th.

Game 5 - South Stars beat Speightland 1-0. J. Batson was the player on target for the winners.

Game 6 - Sheriff Squad defeated Barsenal 1-0.

C. Davis netted the lone goal in the 4th minute.

Game 7 - Street Vybz and Pepper Skull played to a 1-1 stalemate. M. Wilson scored for Street Vybz, while D. Williams responded for Pepper Skull. The final game between Scheme and Wisroc did not come off.

Page 30

Kaieteur News

2011 NBS 2nd Div. 40 over cricket...

Heeralall Bridgelall’s 87 guides Shieldstown into playoffs on better run rate A well played innings of 87 from Heeralall Bridgelall guided Shieldstown to a 108run victory over Rosignol United which enabled the former to end tie with D’Edward and Blairmont Community Centre following Zone C preliminary round play in the 2011 New Building Society Second Division 40 over cricket competition in Berbice.

Having the best run rate of the three teams, Shieldstown got the nod by the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) to advance to the last16 playoffs of the competition.

Bridgelall’s 87, which included 8 fours and 4 sixes helped Shieldstown to a challenging 245 for 8 in their 35 overs after which pacer, Riaz Imam took 4 for 27 from 7 overs and off spinner Mohamed Baksh, 3 for 13 from 4 overs to restrict Rosignol to 137.

In another match played in the same Zone, pacer,

Deveshwari Prashad, first took 3 for 26 to help Blairmont Community Centre bowl out Zone favourites, D’Edward for 165 in 33.3 overs. When Blairmont replied, Prashad came back with the bat to score 70 which set the platform for D’Edwards upset win over Blairmont by 3 wickets.

COLLATED SCORES FROM THE MATCHES: At Shieldstown Shieldstown defeated Rosignol United by 108 runs.

Shieldstown 245 for 8 in 35 overs; Heeralall Bridgelall 87, Mahendra Dhoman 27, Curtis Moore 2 for 35 and Seon Glasgow 2 for 40. Rosignol United 137 in 28 overs; Thomas McDonald 27, Riaz Imam 4 for 27, Mohamed Baksh 3 for 13 and Mark Anthony 2 for 15.

At Blairmont - Blairmont Community Centre beat D’Edward by 3 wickets.

D’Edward 165 in 33.3 overs; Jaipaul Heeralall 36, Derick Narine-Lalsa Jr. 28,

Deveshwari Prashad

Heeralall Bridgelall Deveshwari Prashad 3 for 26, Shabbir Baksh 2 for 20, Derick Narine-Lalsa Jr. 2 for 35 and Akram Rahaman 2 for 38.

Blairmont Community Centre 167 for 7 in 34 overs; Deveshwari Prashad 70, Nick Ramsaroop 39 and Kevin Jawahir 4 for 30.

Memorex/Leslie Amsterdam Mem. U17 cricket...

Baldeo (99), Ramcharran & Motie (10 & 8 hauls) propel Albion in semis Led by a solid 99 from Balchan Baldeo, a 10 wicket match haul from Guyana Under-15 player Sharaz Ramcharran and an 8-wicket match haul from Guyana Under-19 left arm spinner, Gudakesh Motie, Albion Community Centre was defeat their Blairmont counterparts by an innings and 38 runs to earn their place in the semifinals of the 2011 Memorex/Leslie Amsterdam Memorial Under-17 competition in Berbice.

In their quarter final game played at Blairmont Ground, Blairmont Community Centre won the toss, chose to bat, losing an early wicket with just two runs on the board.

However, Kemchand Persaud and Berbice Under-

Balchan Baldeo 17 batsman, Nick Ramsaroop, repaired the damage, taking the score to 31 for 1 when Motie and subsequently Ramcharran were introduced into the attack by Albion; their

introduction saw a rapid decline with Blairmont slipping to 39 for 4 and eventually 58 all out.

Persaud and Ramsaroop each scored 13. Ramcharran took 6 for 9 from 9.1 overs and Motie 3 for 18.

When Albion Community Centre replied, their opening batsmen, Baldeo and Shivnarine Shrikishun made light work of the first innings target, going on to post 148 between them before Baldeo fell on 99 going for a big shot.

His knock included 7 fours and 1 six. With Shrikishun going on to reach 50 not out (2 fours), Albion declared at 180 for 3.

Facing a deficit of 122 runs, Blairmont got a better start this time from their openers, Ridwan Ramjohn and Ramsaroop, who did well to put on 49 for the first wicket.

However, after that, Motie and Ramcharran practically dismantled the innings, seeing them decline from 49 for 0 to 84 all out, Motie grabbed 5 for 27 (match figures of 8 for 45) and Ramcharran 4 for 25 to end the game with match figures of 10 for 34.

Friday April 20, 2012

Fudadin called up for 3rd Digicel Test Port-of-Spain, Trinidad — The West Indies Cricket Board’s Selection Panel has called up left-hander Assad Fudadin to squad for the third Digicel Test against Australia at Windsor Park in Dominica.

He comes in for legspinner Devendra Bishoo.

Middle-order batsman Kirk Edwards, who was in the squad for the Second Digicel Test, has not recovered from a leg injury and is not available for selection.

Fudadin, a 26-year-old from Guyana, is a steady batsman, who was the second highest run-scorer in the recently-concluded Regional 4 Day competition.

He made 576 runs at an average of 48 runs per innings

with a top score of 108.

Chairman of the WICB Selection Panel, Clyde Butts said: “Fudadin has been a member of the West Indies A Team for a while now and we have seen signs of development and improvement. This year he batted well in the Regional 4 Day Tournament, and made over 500 runs including two centuries. He was very consistent in the middle-order.

He can also bowl mediumpace and that is an asset.”

The West Indies will travel to Dominica on Friday in preparation for the Third Digicel Test, which starts on Monday at 10 am (9 am Jamaica Time).

West Indies Squad -

Assad Fudadin Darren Sammy (Captain), Adrian Barath, Carlton Baugh (Wicket-keeper), Kraigg Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Narsingh Deonarine, Fidel Edwards, Assad Fudadin, Kieran Powell, Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach and Shane Shillingford.

Dr Hunte hails ‘amazing’ Jamaicans on record-breaking triumph St John’s, Antigua President of the West Indies Cricket Board, Dr Julian Hunte, has showered the Jamaica cricket team with praise following their recordbreaking performance to capture this year’s Regional 4 Day title.

The Jamaicans won the region’s most prestigious cricket title when they had a superb come-from-behind triumph in the final against Barbados at Sabina Park on Monday to retain the Headley/Weekes trophy, named in honour of West Indies greats George Headley and Sir Everton Weekes.

They ended the

tournament with a perfect record — winning all their preliminary matches as well as the semi-final against Guyana and the grand finale against the Bajans after conceding first innings. The amazing display meant they established a record of five consecutive regional first-class titles under the leadership of Captain Tamar Lambert.

“On behalf of the WICB I would like to congratulate the Jamaica team on an amazing performance, where they swept everyone and everything before them. To play win every match contested is remarkable achievement,” Dr Hunte said.

Chris Gayle’s six breaks girl’s nose Yahoo!

Cricket – Bangalore: Almost all the Royal Challengers Bangalore fans present at the Chinnaswamy stadium on Tuesday went away with a grin after RCB’s last-ball win over the Pune Warriors.

All except a young girl named Tia who had to go home with a broken nose after being hit by a six from the blade of Chris Gayle.

Gayle was the star of the match with his 81 off 48 deliveries that set the Bangalore side on course to victory.

After a sedate start by his established standards, the West Indian opened up and hit a record eight sixes and 4 fours, with five of the sixes coming in the 13th over by Warriors’ Rahul Sharma.

One of those high and handsome sixes had the misfortune of landing on the young cricket fan, who was rushed off with her nose bleeding profusely.

Gayle was apologetic about the episode and even went to visit Tia after the match was over. He wrote about the incident on his Twitter account @henrygayle: “Visit Tia who got hit by 1 of my 6s, broken nose :( her 1st word to me is to Chill, She’s fine! xxx “ Cricketer-turnedcommentator Sanjay Manjrekar also had something to say about the incident – “Have decided, my kids will not go to the ground when chris gayle is playing...its just too dangerous :) “

“In achieving that feat they created history by topping the table for a fifth straight year. This is a truly amazing run and everyone involved throughout that period of dominance deserves commendation and congratulations.

“The Jamaicans have conquered the other teams in the region but they have done more than just that. They demonstrated that with planning and team work you could achieve what you set out to do. At the start of the season the stated goal was to win the championship and everything they did on and off the field was done with that goal in mind.”

Jamaica’s bowling was exceptional this season and left-arm spinner Nikita Miller ended the season as the leading wicket-taker with 49 wickets.

The batting was steady and reliable and left-hander Brendan Nash made the highest individual score — 205 not out against Guyana.

Dr Hunte added: “The investment made by the Jamaica Cricket Association over the last decade has paid off and the Jamaicans are reaping the successes they deserve.

They have set a standard and have worked to achieve them. Before the season it was clear that a fifth title is what they wanted and they played out of their skins to get it.

They worked faithfully and diligently and have now established themselves as the undisputed kings of Regional 4 day cricket in this era.”

Friday April 20, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 31

Second Stag grant heading for Guyana

By Edison Jefford T h e G u y a n a Ta b l e Tennis Association (GTTA) has received the shipping documents ahead of the arrival of the second shipment of equipment from India-based Company Stag to continue an extensive decentralisation programme that started two years ago.

The grant includes national team uniforms/kits, 10 competition tables, surrounds; score counters, balls among other equipment. According to GTTA General Secretary, Godfrey Munroe it will be a significant thrust forward in the continued development of the sport.

“The grant will significantly boost table tennis in Guyana since it will provide the environment/ infrastructure and accessibility for more players to play the sport and help the development thrust for table tennis,” Munroe told Kaieteur Sport yesterday.

He said the development is in alignment with the association’s Strategic Plan, which resulted in a number of initiatives such as the

- GTTA receive shipping documents

Godfrey Munroe training of over 40 coaches, umpires’ certification, setting up of steering committees across Guyana among several other initiatives.

“This is a means of growing the sport in a sustainable manner, and strengthening the institutional framework. It is significant because it will also enable the association to host a few international tournaments; it will allow large training sessions; it will reduce the cost of

travelling for national teams and reduce our uniform costs,” the GTTA General Secretary said.

“The impact of this has been truly manifested with the participation of more players from out of Georgetown in the sport of table tennis,” Munroe added.

The momentum and development of the sport has been at its highest over the last two years for those reasons.

Guyana had received its first equipment grant in 2010 after the association had brokered a three-year agreement under the Anil N a n d l a l l p r e s i d e n c y.

However, the process was completed under the tenure of GTTA President, Henry Greene and other stakeholders.

The magnitude of the Stag grant resulted in a collaborative project b e t w e e n t h e G T TA , Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports. The initial effort ensured organised distribution of 30 tables to

schools in the ten administrative regions.

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony and then Minister of Education, Sheik Baksh, had both endorsed the development initiative at a ceremony at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, noting its importance in honing well-rounded student-athletes.

The Ministry of Culture Yo u t h a n d S p o r t h a d committed to Greene and Executives of the GTTA to finance the shipment of equipment and freight in exchange for 30 tables for schools during the threeyear agreement. This is the second instalment of the Stag grant.

Stag International is an India-based table tennis equipment manufacturer.

The company teamed up with the marketing arm of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), TMS and made a commitment to assist all Latin American and Caribbean countries.

RBC/Tropical Rhythms 60-Miler on Sunday The nations riders will continue their hectic schedule this weekend when the 2nd Ansa Mc al, Tropical Rhythms sponsored 60-mile cycle road race organized by Roraima Bikers Club is staged on the East Coast of Demerara on Sunday.

Race time is 08:00hrs with riders moving off f r o m A n s a M c a l ’s Beterverwagting Industrial Site Head office proceeding to Mahaicony through the Old Road before returning via the New Road to finish on the Beterverwagting Public Road.

Veteran and mountain bikes competitors will proceed to Mahaica via the Old Road before returning through the New Road for the finish line.

Cash prizes will be awarded to the first six senior riders to cross the line while the first 3 juniors, veterans and mountain bike cyclists will also be rewarded.

Representatives of the sponsors will be on hand to witness the conclusion of the

Misteden Soccer presents football boots to promising Berbician Luana Semple

S

tephen Budhu, Chairman/CEO of Misteden Soccer, a USA based company, is continuing his s u p p o r t f o r w o m e n ’s football development in Guyana. In October 2010, Budhu had outfitted the Senior Lady Jags team with boots as well as made a donation of footballs when they held a pre-tournament training camp in Florida ahead of the CONCACAF

Women’s Gold Cup Finals which washeldinCancun,Mexico.

Fifteen-year-old Berbician Central defender Luana Semple was presented with a pair of boots as a means of encouragement for the high level of discipline and commitment she has shown ever since taking up the sport, less than one year now.

Berbice Football Association (BFA) President Keith O’Jeer noted that

Semple has been displaying admirable discipline so far and that was a major factor in making the determination.

Semple is a part of the Berbice female team that whipped West Demerara 5-2 when the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) kicked off its female Inter Association

last weekend.

Budhu has stated that he will be making similar presentations to a few more female players as a means of encouragement during the coming weekes. He also noted that the boots are of a high quality and very comfortable.

Amateur Boxing returns to Berbice Amateur Boxing is scheduled to return to the Ancient Country of Berbice when the Rose Hall Bombers Boxing Gym of Rose Hall Town Corentyne stages a one day Inter club boxing Extravaganza on Saturday (tomorrow) at the JC Chandisingh School compound Rose Hall Town.

All the top gyms in Berbice including the Pocket Rocket out of New Amsterdam, Tiger Eye out

of West Canje and Central New Amsterdam are expected to be a part of the day’s activities including a few from Demerara.

Action time is 18:00 hrs.

All the top boxers in Berbice are expected to be on show including the Williamson and Eastman brothers Richard, Joel and Jamal.

The top boxers and Gyms will be presented with accolades. The coordinators are Vibert Garrett and Orland Rogers.

service

Warren Mc Kay

race and assist with the presentation of prizes.

Last year’s senior winner was Warren ‘Forty’ Mc Kay; Paul De Nobrega won the junior category while Kennard Lovell was the veteran winner.

Berbice Team Manager Barnwell Mohabir hands over the Misteden Soccer boots to Luana Semple.

t r o Sp

Rain halts West Indies victory charge PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad — Persistent rain spoiled a West Indies run chase at 53-2 in pursuit of a target of 215 in 61 overs against Australia as the second Digicel Test ended in a draw on Thursday.

Showers arrived 30 minutes before tea and there was no more play possible on the fifth and final day at Queen’s Park Oval.

Captain Darren Sammy’s unbeaten 30 off 26 balls ignited West Indies’ bold charge after his Michael Clarke declared Australia’s second innings on 1608 midway through the second session. Fast bowler Ben Hilfenhaus (2-22) landed two early blows for Australia with the wickets of both openers.

Sammy bravely promoted himself to Number 3 and lashed four fours and a massive straight six to quickly shift the momentum back to the home side.

But steady showers, which had also badly affected day four, returned to have the final say.

Darren Bravo was unbeaten on eight at the end.

Earlier, Australia stretched its overnight 73-3 to 160-8 before the confident declaration by Clarke.

Fast bowler Kemar Roach completed his second five-wicket haul of the match, claiming 5-41 to complete match figures of 10-146.

Roach, who took three wickets on the fourth day, added Michael Hussey (24) and Hilfenhaus (0).

The start of the final day was delayed for 45 minutes due to a wet outfield caused by Wednesday’s heavy rain which washed away half the day’s play. But the home team started strongly on resumption, with pacer Fidel Edwards finally gaining reward for a probing spell.

Veteran batsman Ricky Ponting struck three fours off 85 balls in compiling 41 before he pulled an Edwards short ball straight to deep backward square leg at 93-4.

Clarke followed two runs later, Sammy plucking a magnificent return catch in his right hand to

derail the Aussies. Clarke scored 15 off 51 balls.

But Hussey and Matthew Wade gradually calmed Australia’s nerves with a busy stand that took their team to lunch on 123-5. The pair was aggressive after the break, showing Australia’s keenness to push for a series-sealing victory.

The stand reached 50 before Roach bowled Hussey off the inside edge and plucked out Hilfenhaus’ off stump three balls later. When Nathan Lyon top-edged a sweep of Shane Shillingford to be caught by Sammy, the declaration arrived.

Australia won the first match by three wickets last week in Barbados and have therefore retained the Frank Worrell Trophy with one more match to go. The third and final Digicel Test will be played at Windsor Park in Dominica, starting on Monday.

Australia 311 & 160/8dec. West Indies 257 & 53/2 (11.0 ov) Match drawn

Kemar Roach took the first 10-wicket haul of his career, Sammy savours the moment.

CFU Club Alpha beat Fortuna to stay in contention; Championship - Milerock crushed by InterMoengotapoe 2012...

Pg. 28

InterMoengotapoe’s marksmen pose for a Photo op following the conclusion of their encounter against Milerock yesterday.

Andrew Murray, Anthony Abrams and Daniel Wilson, the players on target for Alpha United.

Fudadin called up for 3rd Digicel Test

Pg. 30

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