Kaieteur News

Online readership yesterday 94,954

August 06, 2013 - Vol. 6 No. 32 - Price $80

Email: kaieteurnews@yahoo.com Online: http://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com

Guyana’s largest selling daily & New York’s most popular weekly

Amaila Project could

cost US$320M less

- Former Auditor General

Airport taxi driver dies in car-truck collision Dead: Sooklall Rooknarine The wrecked car

ATM thief is a cop Guyana to miss deadline for - repays stolen $63,000 to teacher

Anti-Money Laundering Act

Nigel Hughes is Company

Secretary for Amaila Hydro Inc. - wife Cathy is Public Relations Officer for Sithe Global

Page 02

Tuesday August 06, 2013

Kaieteur News

ATM thief is a cop - repays stolen $63,000 to teacher With his photograph emblazoned on the front page of Guyana's most popular daily, a police Constable who illegally emptied a teacher's bank account has taken the easy way out and turned himself into the Brickdam Station.

The policeman, who is a member of the Tactical Services Unit, surrendered yesterday morning and has repaid the money he withdrew from the Republic Bank account after the teacher, Deandre Anderson, had forgotten his VISA Card

in one of the bank's Automatic Teller Machines.

However he will have to do more than that, since his actions have not only angered the teacher but also caused great embarrassment to the Guyana Police Force.

Had it not been for the bank's camera footage, the Constable might have gotten off scot free.

“He is not a wise policeman; he ought to know that the bank would have surveillance cameras,” one of his colleagues told Kaieteur News yesterday. On July 20

last, Anderson, a teacher of St. Ambrose Primary School, went to Republic Bank Limited's New Market Street Branch to make a withdrawal.

He hurriedly transacted his business, leaving behind his VISA Card in the Automatic Teller Machine (ATM).

“I only collected my receipt from the ATM. In my hurriedness, I forgot to respond to the machine's option of moving ahead with another transaction and the guy after me took the option,” the teacher explained.

The following day when

Anderson became aware that his card was missing, he immediately contacted the bank, inquiring from the security personnel whether anyone had found a VISA card. The security answered in the negative and an investigation was immediately launched.

It did not take investigators long to discover that another customer of the bank, the policeman, had withdrawn Anderson's money. The suspect did not transact any business with his own VISA Card, which made it difficult for the bank to place a name to the suspect.

The bank's camera footage, however, clearly revealed what took place after Anderson walked away from the machine and exited the bank. The recording shows the suspect and Anderson crossing paths at the bank's door.

According to the footage, the suspect approached the ATM that Anderson had used a few seconds earlier and upon seeing the VISA card in the machine, he briefly smiled and began looking nervously over his shoulder at the door. He did this

The policeman at the ATM continuously throughout the episode, and after he ascertained that the coast was clear he started operating the machine, withdrawing $63,000 from Anderson's account.

Yesterday, Anderson confirmed that the policeman had confessed before him and investigators that he did withdraw the money.

“I asked him why and he said that he did not know what got into his head,” Anderson said. He also confirmed that the policeman offered to return the money.

“He put me in a spot, because I had to go borrowing money from people. He has to compensate me for all the expenses he put me through,”

the teacher declared. The policeman's colleagues are upset at the embarrassment that he caused.

“As a policeman, before he take action to protect people, he stealing from them. If the camera didn't capture him, he wouldn't have come in,” a police rank told this publication.

Kaieteur News was informed that late yesterday afternoon the cop made full restitution to the teacher, including compensating him for all the additional expenses that were incurred.

“He willingly agreed to repay me, but of course the force will have to do what they have to do,” the teacher said.

Tuesday August 06, 2013

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Kaieteur News

Airport taxi driver dies in car-truck collision Even as the police are trying to implement more stringent laws for road users, a taxi driver has become the country's latest fatality following an accident at Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara (EBD) at around 07:00 am yesterday.

F o r t y - t w o y e a r- o l d Sooklall Rooknarine, a taxi driver attached to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, was killed on the spot after his car, HB 8254, ended up under a sand-laden truck, GJJ7750, just a few feet away from the Barama Company Limited (BCL).

The truck driver, Navin Das, has since been taken into police custody assisting with investigations.

According to reports, the now dead Rooknarine was heading south on the EBD Public Road when he reportedly ended up in the lane of the truck. The accident occurred just as both parties were negotiating a “small” turn in the vicinity of Barama Company Limited The marks on the road indicate that the truck came to a stop some 20 feet away from the point of impact, with the man and his vehicle ending up partially beneath the truck.

Rooknarine was pulled from under the truck and was taken to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre where he

Rooknarine's vehicle collided with this sand-laden truck was pronounced dead on arrival. At the dead man's Lot 2 Soesdyke home yesterday, relatives were in tears and were shocked at how the man had met his demise. His mother, Iris Latchman, said that her son left home around 01:00h yesterday to go to work.

“I don't know what time he get passenger, but like when he de coming home he crash with the truck. Nobody ain't telling me what really happened. This morning I get a call that my son meet with an accident. I didn't think it was that serious, so I

left to go to the hospital and when I reach in Grove, then I get a call that he died,” a distraught Ms. Latchman said.

Meanwhile, the truck driver's father told Kaieteur News that his son informed him that he was heading to Georgetown when the accident occurred. “He said that he was driving and just as he reached the turn, the collision occurred. He said he mashed brakes but because of the sand, he ended up a distance away.”

Investigations are ongoing.

The wrecked car

Dead: Sooklall Rooknarine

Iris Latchman, the dead man's mother

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Kaieteur News

Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana.

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

EDITORIAL

The theft of pharmaceuticals We hear of people stealing drugs from the hospitals; we hear of doctors providing people with prescriptions to purchase drugs from dispensaries not connected to the government; and we hear of nurses smuggling drugs out of the public hospitals. In the case of the stealing and the smuggling there have been some arrests, but these are not even the tip of the iceberg.

But we must first look at the large sums of money that the government spends on importing pharmaceuticals for the good of the sick people in the nation. In fact, the manner of the drug importation has been a source of public criticism for years. The government has been resorting to a case of selective tendering that smacked of favouritism and nepotism.

The root cause of the criticisms was the fact that there were others capable of effecting the imports, but the government persisted with the New Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation, which is headed by a close friend of the man who headed the country right up to the 2011 elections.

To fuel the criticisms were the almost incessant reports by the Auditor General. He found that there were many questions surrounding the level of the imports. In one case, the Auditor General found that the volume of drugs in the system did not match the allocations for the purchase. The suggestion was that the drugs purchased did not match the money spent. And this was repeated every year, with no change by the purchaser.

Then there were the doctors who worked at both the private and public institutions. These doctors were often spared the cost of importing drugs to maintain their private practice. The public institutions provided adequate supplies. Nurses played an integral part in getting these drugs to the doctors who wrote the prescriptions.

This past week we heard of people stealing insulin from the New Amsterdam Hospital. This matter is before the courts. But even more serious is the extent of drug addiction in the hospitals. This situation is not as secret as the nation would want to believe. It may not have been as publicized, but it is not uncommon. Last year there were no less than five nurses at the Georgetown Public Hospital who were addicted to the narcotic, Pethidine.

This is a pain killer in the same genre as morphine, but far more addictive. Doctors do not order more than three doses for patients. A senior public servant recently wrote about his addiction. Pethidine addiction is actually quite common, as millions of people suffer with painkiller addictions each year. There has been a rise in the number of people that have become addicted to Pethidine since 2000. The addiction has caused many people to resort to stealing the drug and physician’s pads in order to feed their habit. Pethidine addiction affects all segments of the population and can cause an individual to spiral out of control if it remains untreated.

In the United States, the drug is known as Demerol. In the UK, its use is restricted mainly to women in labour.

Michael Jackson received a daily injection of Demerol. Long-term addicts develop tolerance to the drug and require higher and higher doses - this is dangerous, as the drug slows the breathing and can cause cardiac arrest. This is believed to have killed Michael Jackson.

Doctors in Guyana, some place the figure as high as 40 per cent in the public system, are addicts.

Because the drug is so restrictive, it is not unusual for doctors to recommend the drug, even for themselves. This is where they need the help of nurses who in turn help themselves. The theft of the drug could be spotted if there are regular checks on the use, but in Guyana no one checks. Even the authorities do nothing more than import pharmaceuticals, even when there are adequate supplies in the system.

As long as the loophole continues, until there is strict computerization of the movement of drugs within the system, until there is cross-checking, there will continue to be the theft of drugs and their misuse.

Tuesday August 06, 2013

Letters... Where your views make the news

Mr Boodoo has not denied going on jaunts across Guyana’s contiguous borders DEAR EDITOR, Reference is hereby made to a letter

by Mr Boodoo which was printed in the Stabroek News of July 29, 2013.

Right at the onset, allow me to state the following: Firstly, Mr Boodoo documented in his letter that he noted ‘with concern a release made by the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission’ in relation to his request for a contract renewal. Let me state categorically, for the record, that I never made any release to the public at large or to the media on the Boodoo matter, save a brief taped statement, to Prime News. In fact, this letter really represents my only exposition on the issue.

Secondly, as is my wont, I did state that never would emanate from my lips or from my pen, any malevolence towards Mr Boodoo. I understand that Prime News aired the statement from me on the evening of Friday July 19, 2013.

Thirdly, I did mention to the GECOM Commissioners that it was ‘quite difficult, displeasing, unfair and even odious to be placed in a position of having to make the final decision about renewing Mr. Boodoo’s contract’. I pointed out to the Commissioners that the Boodoo matter should have been an open and shut case.

I further stated to them the following: ‘From the evidence known to all, there should be a unanimous decision. But it seems that Commissioners (some? all?) are unable to (i) rise above political considerations, (ii) extricate themselves from the political mêlée, and (iii) stand and oppose those leaders that have nominated them to the Commission.

This now leaves the Chairman in the unenviable position of making the deciding vote. Unenviable, because whichever way the decision goes, disapproval and discontent, unrelenting flak, and irresponsible and unjustified abuse will follow’. I expressed my disappointment at having to make a deciding vote for the first time in twelve years.

Fourthly, I did explain to the Commission the various criteria used in my assessment. I even defined the terminologies related to the individual elements of my evaluation.

The GECOM Public Relations Officer and Commissioner Vincent Alexander in one of his letters have debunked the accusations dealing with more technical and office management related matters made by Mr Boodoo. Let me now, turn to the specific, personalised and ad hominem attacks/ accusations /inferences made by Mr Boodoo against me, some of them, as I have been advised, are actionable.

Ad: Crossing-borders on lavish visits.

It is noteworthy that Mr. Boodoo is stating that an accusation was made about him crossing borders. When was such as accusation made? There was never a release on this matter.

Also, one should note that he has not denied going on jaunts across Guyana’s contiguous borders. Rather, he accuses me of same. Of course, it should be easy to ascertain whether, when and with whom such cross-border jaunts were made. Similarly, it should be very simple to examine and document if this Chairman ever went on a jaunt to Boa Vista at GECOM’s expense.

Mr. Stephen Hiscock, former UK High Commissioner, who was scandalously implicated in the mischievous accusation against myself (later ‘confirmed’ by Commissioner Mangal) has exposed and rejected (SN 04/08/2013, KN 04/08/2013, GC 05/08/2013) the truculent and nefarious allegation/imputation.

Let it be crystal clear that: I) I never used three vehicles to visit any far flung location. I have always been advised, however, that two vehicles be used on lengthy hinterland trips, because of the possibility of mishap and of security considerations.

This makes patent sense to me and surely also to Mr. Boodoo who has found this arrangement to his liking. ii) The Nissan Patrol vehicle, to

which Mr Boodoo referred, sustained no damage at any time while under my supervision and usage (once or twice).

This can be verified by asking the drivers/transport officer. iii) The GECOM vehicles all come under the authority of Mr. Boodoo. The Chairman cannot ‘commandeer’ any vehicle. Mr Boodoo would have to give permission for me to use any other vehicle not allocated to me by contract.

In fact, as I have repeatedly pointed out, Commissioners represent primarily a policy making body and are not managers of the Secretariat.

Ad: The accusation related to the Chairman’s official participation at a Conference more than eleven years ago in Mauritius.

For me this is the unkindest cut of all. However, it is imperative that I mention that: i) The Report from the Office of the Auditor General on GECOM’s performance states the following: ‘The figure of $5.864M shown as ‘Others’ includes payments of legal fees, vehicle insurances, rental of containers, purchase of uniforms and drafts for the Chairman’s overseas trips. Based on test checks, the expenditures were verified as having been properly incurred’. ii) The Report of the Public Accounts Committee of the National Assembly for the Year 2002 made no reference whatsoever to the issue.

Ad: Due process and fair opportunity.

There was mention of ‘due process’ and ‘fair opportunity’ in Mr Boodoo’s letter. May I simply refer to GECOM Statutory Meeting Minutes, which are replete with ‘issues of concern’ from all Commissioners, the responses to which were often found unacceptable and lacking in credibility.

In closing, allow me to state that I have been accused of being involved in ‘self-serving deals’, being possibly a ‘clandestine acolyte’ to political parties, (Continued on page 07)

The use of technology will be valuable in sectors that are rife with corruption DEAR EDITOR In the age of technology Guyana is lagging behind. Go to any one of the public offices and you find that their processes involve pens and large record books. It must be acknowledged that while there is practicality behind the current systems because of frequent black-outs and the lack of computer proficient personnel, careful analysis should be done where the most value can be gotten from computer driven systems and hybrid approaches taken to soften the transitions to these systems (hybrid approaches involve keeping the old paper system while deploying and learning the new computer system).

There is a tendency of some institutions to employ technology without getting any real value from its usage; it is used only as a façade of progress and competency. This is just a waste of time and money. That kind of

surface level implementation must be avoided and the cost-benefits must be understood before undertaking any technological upgrading of work processes.

I believe the use of technology will be very valuable in the administration of several sectors that are rife with corruption. There are many cases where one hears of a court “jacket” being lost and someone buys himself out of the arms of justice. There are numerous cases when only the connected are awarded house lots. The truth is, these papers are easily torn up, or manipulated by corrupt officials to the benefit of those with ties and a grave injustice is being perpetrated on the ordinary Guyanese.

Besides streamlining and speeding up processes, one of the major benefits of any modern computer system is the existence of an “audit-trail” which

means that at all times operations performed by staff are tracked to provide an answer to “who-did-what-atwhat-time” questions.

In a properly designed computer system, records cannot be destroyed without a trace, neither can an appointment performed out of turn and everything is accountable. I believe properly implemented computer systems will go a long way towards culling corruption in Guyana while delivering better, quicker public services.

Also the know-how to develop these kinds of systems are available in Guyana, just ask companies like Nand Persaud, producers of Karibee rice who were able to modernize their intake, accounting and exporting operations to state of the art levels by the usage of talent available right in Guyana.

Yogistra Anderson

Tuesday August 06, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 5

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

Sithe Global will be forced to withdraw if there is no consensus among the Government and Opposition DEAR EDITOR, Sithe Globalwould like to thank the members of Parliament and the members of the Guyanese public that attended our Amaila Falls Hydropower Project (“Project”) information workshops, which were conducted on July 31st.

We further express our appreciation to all Guyanese, supporters and opponents alike, who have a stake in ensuring that the country makes an informed decision about proceeding with the Project. The extensive public dialogue was evidence of your vibrant democracy and commitment to a comprehensive understanding of the Project.

Sithe Global strongly believes that the Project will have lasting and profound benefits for the country by delivering improved electricity reliability and cost savings versus the status quo. The math is simple.

In 2012, GPL’s cost of generating electricity was over 19 US cents / kilowatt hour (kWh). This price is amongst the highest prices paid for generated power in any part of the world.Government subsidies currently reduce the ultimate impact on the tariff paid by GPL customers, but these subsidies come from your tax dollars.

In its first twelve years of operation, the Amaila project is expected to generate savings of 40% or nearly US$1 billion (G$ 200 billion) compared to GPL’s 2012 cost, as the Project’s tariff is expected to average approximately 11 US cents / kWh. In years 13 to 20 of operation, the Amaila project is expected to generate savings of 70% or US$1.15 billion (G$ 230 billion) compared to GPL’s 2012 cost, as the Project’s tariff is expected to average approximately 5.5

US cents / kWh. After year 20, the Project is transferred to Guyana for free and will generate savings for Guyanese ratepayers of over 90% or nearly US $15 billion (G$3 trillion)over the remaining 80 year life of the Project compared to GPL’s 2012 costs, as operating costs are expected to average less than 2 US cents / kWh. All of the above assumes that fuel costs never go up for the next 100 years. If fuel prices do go up, the savings go up further. The analysis further ignores the secondary benefits of cheap, reliable electricity, which will support higher GDP growth for Guyana.

The Amaila tariffs calculated above are in accordance with the Power Purchase Agreement between GPL and Amaila Falls Hydro Inc., which is consistent with the project costs presented to the public last week.

Our public presentation is available on our website (www.amailahydropower.com) and we encourage you to view it.

A number of additional questions have been raised subsequent to our workshop.

As a result, we have started a “Q&A” page on the website.

If you have a question about the project that has not already been posted, please email it to info@amailahydropower.com.

Sithe Global has spent six years and US$16 million to develop this Project because we believe that it will be transformational for Guyana in many ways.

In addition to providing reliable electricity and substantial cost savings, the Project will generate hundreds of local jobs, having significant economic impact on the country.

The Project has been vetted by numerous third-

The constitution has failed by virtue of its inability to force or sustain its own implementation DEAR EDITOR, Mr. Lincoln Lewis, in letters in KN of August 4 and SN of August 5, writes, with his usual admirable eloquence and insight, on the inadequacies of African leadership and, in particular, on its unwillingness to struggle for the glorious guarantees in the constitution.

I take no issue with him regarding some of his complaints about the overall quality of African politicians and leaders.

Some of these leaders, in my view, need to account by answering why they have sought office and position, what they have achieved, and what objectives and strategies they have in mind not just for Afro-Guyanese but the entire country.

Mr. Lewis’s central theme, however, reveals a surprising misinterpretation of political power relations in Guyana or in any country with ethnically-based political rivalries and a winner-take-all political culture. In gist, he argues that much is good about the Guyana constitution. Therefore, if we demand its full implementation, we will be able “to offer every group dignity, respect, equality and opportunities for advancement.”

The constitution in question was amended over twelve years ago. The fact that its core provisions (such as the Public Procurement Commission and Article 13,

which loftily speaks about participation of citizens in national decision-making) remain only on paper and require for their activation, in Mr. Lewis’ words “consistent and resolute struggle”, should provide initial indications of major malfunction.

That we must still struggle for the implementation of constitutional guarantees (agreed to by all political and civil society stakeholders), that the ruling party actively seeks to use its political power to roll back some of these agreements (witness its posture on the procurement and local government commissions) should provide Mr. Lewis with enough of the test results he is requesting.

What Mr. Lewis, uncharacteristically, has failed to grasp is that the constitution has already been tried and tested. That much of it can remain unimplemented or undermined is ample evidence of its failure.

A constitution that enshrines a political process that empowers one faction in society to prevent the realization of key provisions is the definitive proof of inadequacy.

What additional evidence

does Mr. Lewis want that the constitution provides no levers to the people to beat back executive lawlessness, corruption and waste of our money, threats to our rights and freedoms, and political arrogance and disdain in the ruling circle?

Those, like me, who advocate power-sharing believe the fundamental problem with the constitution is structural. In an ethnopolitically divided society as ours, the primary test for any constitution is how does it ensure in practice (not just stated in well-printed text) that various groups have meaningful representation in the executive and other centres of power in the state and society.

How does the document ensure that no one political group can exercise overwhelming power to the detriment and insecurity of others?

If the constitution fails this test, then the provisions in its superstructure become cosmetic. In other words, the guarantees which Mr. Lewis hypes, would not reach the people in their homes, communities and workplaces.

The so-called guarantees are not even hopes (Continued on page 07)

party firms and has been determined to be Guyana’s “least cost” power option.

Bids were sought and received in a transparent and fair process by five international construction firms with the lowest cost contractor, China Railway, chosen.

The technical development of the project is done – design drawings supporting the start of construction are complete and have been reviewed by two independent parties (including MWH Global, one of the world’s leading hydropower design firms) in addition to China Railway.

The Inter-American Development Bank and China Development Bank are completing due diligence and preparing to seek final internal approvals by the end of October.

However, Sithe Global cannot continue its development efforts without the same level of commitment from our partners in Guyana.

We can only proceed further if there is a uniform consensus amongst all of

PPP, APNU and AFC, communicated via Parliament, that you support thisProject.

Without such consensus, Sithe Global will be forced to withdraw.This is simply an acknowledgement that, after US$16 millionand 6 years of intense effort by Sithe Globalto progress the Project,the country is not prepared to proceed.

The unfortunate consequence is that it would be many years before any similar project could be resurrected and, as such, Guyana would remain saddled with a 19 US cent cost ofpower and complete exposure to fuel price swings for imported oil.

It would be our honor to work with Guyana to carry through this important publicprivate partnership, if we have the collective support of our future partners.

We hope you are willing to take this momentous step towards securing reliable, low-cost energy that will help fuel Guyana’s economy for generations to come.

Brian Kubeck President - Sithe Global

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Kaieteur News

Tuesday August 06, 2013

Nigel Hughes is Company Amaila Project could cost US$320M less Secretary for Amaila Hydro Inc. - Former Auditor General

Former Auditor General Anand Goolsarran

The raising of the debt ceiling guarantee for public corporations and the setting aside of the reserve offset, specifically to cater for the Amaila Falls Hydro Electric Project, will come up for a vote in the National Assembly this week, but local financial experts are still up in arms over the US$858M price tag.

Former Auditor General Anand Goolsarran believes that the project could cost US$320M less, but this could only happen if government opts for a different ‘financing structure’ and includes more equity partners, as against just Sithe Global and Government.

The current financing structure sees the project being built using 70 per cent debt, or money being borrowed from the China Export Import (EXIM) Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

The servicing of this debt comes at a cost of US$97.1M. This is in addition to the US$35M being paid in lenders’ fees and advisory services, paid to an undisclosed Chinese entity.

Financing of the money being borrowed also comes with, ‘debt political risk insurance’ to the tune of US$187.7M, bringing the total cost of financing the loans for the project to US$319.7M. According to Goolsarran, this financing cost of US$320M, can be avoided if the equity base can be broadened by Government, as well as bring on board additional shareholders.

He says that even if Sithe Global and Government agree to put more money into the project, as against borrowing, the total cost of the project can be brought down.

Guyana is plugging US$100M into the project while Sithe Global is putting

in $157M. For its share of money being put into the project, Sithe Global will assume 60 per cent ownership while Government will own 40 per cent.

Regarding Guyana’s ability to put more money into the venture, Goolsarran pointed to the Government’s latest audited accounts which state that it has net cash resources of US$315.5M. He says too that there is an amount of US$454M reflected in the Monetary Sterilization Account which was set up to capture the proceeds of the issue of medium term Treasury Bills.

“Without the risk of jeopardizing payments for the redemption of Treasury Bills, can the government not use some of this to boost its equity contribution?”

He asks also whether the shareholding base cannot be extended to include partners, other than Sithe Global and Government. This he posits would relieve the extremely high financing arrangement for the loans.

LEGALIMPLICATIONS Regarding the proposed raising of the debt ceiling, Goolsaran says that it is important to note that under the Guarantee of Loans

(Public Corporations) Act, the Government is obligated to guarantee loans by Public Corporations with respect to a “lending agency.”

He points out that the only guarantee Sithe Global has requested, relates to the payments to be made by GPL to Amaila Falls Hydro Inc., the special purpose company established for the construction and operation of the plant.

It is also the company that receives the loan from the China Exim Bank and the IDB, and according to Goolsarran, is not a “lending agency.”

As such, he believes that there will be legal implications were the government to guarantee payments to be made by GPL to this company.

VALID CONCERN Meanwhile the Former Auditor General has responded to the government’s attempt to discredit comparisons to a Pakistan Hydro Power Plant.

It was pointed out during a recent consultation that the Pakistan Plant does not include a transmission line or an access road. Goolsarran however said that even if one were to remove those two aspects of the local project, its per megawatt cost, would work out to US$4.1M. This would still make it 68 per cent higher than the Pakistani plant.

Goolsarran lamented further that “the government did not comment on the hydro electric facilities in the other five countries, where the average cost is US$2.3M per MW.” “The high cost of the Amaila Project therefore remains a valid concern,” Goolsarran concluded.

….wife Cathy is Public Relations Officer for Sithe Global

Cathy Hughes

Nigel Hughes Chairman of the Alliance for Change (AFC), Nigel Hughes, was appointed as the ‘Secretary’ of the Amaila Falls Hydro Inc., the Special Purpose Vehicle/Company created for the development, construction and operation of the US$858M Hydro Power plant.

Hughes was appointed as the Company Secretary and notice given on the April, 23, 2009.

The notice was given in accordance with the Companies Act. Hughes was appointed Secretary of Amaila Falls Hydro Inc, the very day the company was first incorporated in Guyana.

Meanwhile, Executive Member of the AFC, Cathy Hughes, the wife of Nigel Hughes, as recent as yesterday issued a press statement in which she was identified as the Public Relations Officer for Sithe Global, locally.

Amaila Falls Hydro Electric Inc, is the company that the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) will be making its payments to.

The company is 60 per cent owned by Sithe Global and 40 per cent owned by the Guyana Government. That

company will be required to make payments to Sithe Global and the various lenders to the project, including the China Exim Bank and the IDB. Cathy Hughes as Public Relations Officer for Sithe Global yesterday issued a statement on behalf of Brian Kubeck, the President of Sithe Global.

She had previously also, through her company Videomega Productions produced a Public Relations documentary on behalf of Synergy Holdings Inc, which is owned by Makeswhar ‘Fip’ Motilall.

Hughes in defence of the piece that promoted Motilall and Synergy Holdings Inc had said that she was acting in a “professional capacity.”

Meanwhile, the Sithe Global President in his statement thanked the Members of Parliament and the members of the Guyanese public who attended its Amaila Falls Hydropower Project information workshops.

“We further express our appreciation to all Guyanese, supporters and opponents alike, who have a stake in ensuring that the country makes an informed decision about proceeding with the

Project… The extensive public dialogue was evidence of your vibrant democracy and commitment to a comprehensive understanding of the Project.”

Party Leader Khemraj Ramjattan, when contacted said that he was aware that Hughes has an association with the company but said he did not know that he was Company Secretary.

Ramjattan did also indicate that there was no conflict of interest, given that Hughes had recused himself from all in-house matters related to Amaila Falls.

“In matters Amaila, he has played little or no role…he did point out he has an association,” Ramjattan.

The AFC Leader further said that both Nigel Hughes and his wife Cathy are professionals and the party would not want to deny anybody the opportunity to work and provide their services as is their right.

He said that he would prefer to defer any further questions to the two so that they may elaborate further on their affiliation with the Amaila Falls Hydro Electric Project.

Efforts to contact Nigel Hughes and Cathy Hughes last evening proved futile.

Former CCWU President Hughes dies in the US Former president of the Clerical and Commercial Workers’ Union (CCWU) Roy Hughes died yesterday in the United States of America following a brief illness. He was 67. Hughes’s wife Debra Allicock-Hughes who is in Guyana, told this newspaper last night that she received the tragic news of his death yesterday morning from his son. She said that she was shocked to learn of his death

since she spoke to him on Saturday night and apart from a slight cold, Hughes was in relatively good health.

She however informed that he was a diabetic.

There are reports that Hughes, a father of two, died in his sleep.

Last night friends of the former CCWU boss converged on his home to offer condolences to his wife and other relatives. News of

his passing also shocked his longtime friend Jimmy Hamilton, who said that he spoke to Hughes on Friday last.

Although Hughes had been travelling frequently to the United States of America, he left Guyana in June last year to reside permanently in North America.

In 2008 Hughes took the CCWU to court after he was dismissed while he was in the US seeking medical attention.

Hughes, whose name had been synonymous with CCWU, one of the major unions in Guyana, had applied for two weeks’ medical leave in 2007 for an amputation of one of his limbs.

However, in that year, CCWU dismissed him for his unexplained absence.

In Hughes’s absence, during the Congress, elections were held where new office bearers were voted in.

Roy Hughes

Tuesday August 06, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 7

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

Only the PPP is right on Amaila Falls Project, everyone else is wrong DEAR EDITOR, Like most Guyanese, we are encouraged by the opposition, especially the AFC’s oversight assessment that the Amaila Falls Hydro Project is the most expensive in the world and that Guyanese will have a very heavy financial burden to carry for generations to come if the deal goes through.

Further, the project will not meet the target of providing electricity to all Guyanese and that there is no guarantee that it will end the constant power blackouts that are occurring daily.

As reported in Kaieteur News, the Technical Coordinator of the project, Winston Brassington admitted that within a year of the completion of the Amaila Hydro Falls project, the demand will have utilized the total supply thus the government will have to find new sources of electricity to meet the nation’s demand.

In other words, Brassington is saying that by 2019, Guyana will be back to square one in terms of electrical supply after spending roughly US$2 billion. So we say thanks to Kaieteur News for being in the forefront to prevent this PPP cabal from hiding the truth from the people. After all, Kaieteur News is the people’s paper and all Guyana

can count on this national renowned Kaieteur News team for the facts and its accurate reporting on the issues in Guyana.

All estimates have shown that when completed, the Amaila Falls Hydro project will cost the taxpayers over US $2 billion as stated by Chartered accountants Christopher Ram and Ramon Gaskin and accountant specialist, Sasenarine Singh.

If Guyana’s most prominent economist Dr. Clive Thomas is correct that the Amelia Falls Hydro Project will become outdated by 2019, then why this stubborn and reckless PPP cabal would want to invest over $2 billion of the taxpayers money on such a flawed project?

We are not against the Amaila Falls Hydro Project but what we opposed is the high cost that will burden the people for the next 25 years.

Like Kaieteur News, we are concerned about the Government’s aggressiveness in pursuing this flawed hydro project deal without the due diligence and at such high cost to the taxpayers of Guyana.

But before we go any further, we would like to ask the minority President what has happened to the funds from Norway that was supposed to benefit the

Amerindian communities as promised? Is this another broken promise to the Amerindians by this regime?

Back to the Amaila Falls Hydro Project. Guyanese have been traumatized by the recent adverse analytical and financial findings which highlighted the extremely high cost of the project now pegged at US$884 million, an increase of US$44 million.

We call on the PPP to remove their blindfolds and listen to logic and reason; instead of attacking the opposition for speaking the truth, they should cut their losses now.

Is the PPP telling the nation that they are the only ones who are right and everyone else including the international community is wrong?

This is more serious than we thought and this type of mental imbalance by the PPP cabal is cause for concern that requires some serious psychological therapy.

We are convinced that when the PPP is finished with Guyana, the water in all the trenches, streams, lakes, rivers and the ocean will be dried up, the earth will be scorched. In other words, there will be no Guyana with enough of anything.

This is exemplified at the Congress where the minority

The constitution has failed...

From page 5 or promises to be implemented sometime soon.

They are helpless victims in a political environment in which the winner can seek and take all. The further problem with Mr. Lewis’ advice is that, in essence, he is asking African leaders and politicians to fight and fix one issue at a time. So today it may be local government reform, tomorrow it may be problems in Linden, next week it may be the procurement commission, the other week, corruption.

Then matters may return to an earlier issue when the government fails to honor this or that agreement. I don’t know how old Lincoln is, but he appears to have the time and patience that the rest of us do not.

We will never get anywhere with this approach, even with inspired leadership.

Guyana and Guyanese face too many critical problems and issues for a strategy based on fighting bush fires.

We need, as a starting point, a one-off overhaul of our political structures, systems, and style to give real meaning to the goals in Article 13 and others.

Mr. Lewis final point about political pragmatism should not escape comment.

He asserts that since major structural change to the constitution requires a twothirds vote (and hence a multiparty agreement), and since the PPP will never sign up, let’s do the next lower thing. I suspect if the next lower thing is considered unattainable, we then should struggle for the next lower thing.

I exempt Lincoln from this general criticism, but the defeatist political mindset that says since the PPP wouldn’t agree with it, let’s not push it, has taken root in places where it ought not to be. It is a vexing attitude.

One would have thought that the honest motive for seeking high offices of any political party had to do with the willingness and gumption to aggressively pursue that party’s interest in an environment fraught with frays. Not being easy to do is no argument for not trying.

Some accept too passively the notion of politics as the art of the possible. And if the possibilities are perceived to be few, they resort merely to press conferences and releases and flowery parliamentary speeches.

Opposition politicians (of any race or affiliation) have to realize that they too determine what is possible. In the last two decades, the PPP has defined what is politically possible in Guyana, as a function of the party’s natural and instinctive disposition as well as a deliberate ploy.

Nothing escapes its sight: local government reform becomes impossible, properly functioning constitution commissions become impossible, financial accountability becomes impossible, reforming the police force becomes impossible. And so on.

In confronting the PPP’s “ploy of the impossible”, too many opposition politicians put up token or sporadic resistance then retreat to the next trench.

In sum, what we need is not just a constitution that makes provisions for freedoms, rights and protections for every citizen, but one also structured to deliver, sustain and strengthen guarantees in the only place where it matters – in the daily lives of the Guyanese people.

The present constitution has badly failed by virtue of its inability to force or sustain its own implementation. Mr. Lewis, I know, will reconsider.

Sherwood Lowe

president’s uncompromising stance has set the tone for conflict with the opposition instead of creating an agenda that will lead to economic development, create jobs and thus improve the lives of the poor. Further, his constant threat to call snap elections is nothing more than a threat.

The PPP cabal knows that if they call snap elections they will not only lose more seats because there are too many people even their own supporters who do not trust the PPP anymore. So we call on the minority president to stop his bluffing and call the elections now.

Rather than face the reality and take a sober second look at the cost of the Amaila Falls Project, these sycophants will use their

Congress to spread propaganda, distort the truth and cuss-down the opposition and the other stake holders who opposed the project.

They will exaggerate their story telling to their delegates and their diehard supporters.

They are not serious about the welfare of the people or the human development of Guyana.

They remind us of the Titanic’s captain, whose casual but famous last words might well have been “There’s a bit of ice up ahead” but he did nothing to prevent the ship from hitting the iceberg.

They are accustomed to twisting the facts because they do not have the ability to tell the truth or to recognize illusion.

Facts are facts and the PPP cannot distort or twist them and expect the people or even their supporters to believe them.

Anyone with a little bit of commonsense will not believe the PPP cabal and their “Jim Cock Bring Ram Goat Stories.”

Most Guyanese understand what the problems are. The most fundamental is that the PPP is inefficient, corrupt and a hindrance to, rather than a facilitator of, human development. There is nothing wrong with having a modern electrical system such as the Amaila Falls Project but not at any cost to the Guyanese taxpayers.

Dr. Asquith Rose and Harish S. Singh.

Mr Boodoo has not denied...

From page 4 trying to protect a mega salary, ‘being back home in the bosom of the PNC’, and so on. Over the years at GECOM, I, as Chairman, have become more pachyderm, more accustomed to media onslaught and deprecation, more immure and immune from the scandalous productions,

from people who not only do not know the facts on an issue, but who do not care to know. Such persons create myths and legends which later devolve into supposed ‘truths’ and incontrovertible ‘facts’. However, I cannot bow to rumour nor can I allow falsehoods, regardless of how convincing they may

sound, to dictate my decisions.

I remain impervious and unreceptive to threats and intimidation, and can only stand with fact-based impartiality and with the truth as my shield.

Dr. Steve Surujbally Chairman Guyana Elections Commission

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INDISCIPLINE IS THE ROOT OF OUR PROBLEMS We can have cheap hydro power. We can have a wonderful five-star hotel. We can have all the other great plans that the government has in store for us. It still would not make a difference unless there is greater discipline in Guyana.

The level of lawlessness and indiscipline is the greatest hindrance to national development. It does not matter what the government does, there is always the problem of how people behave within a society. And unless things change, Guyana will not go as far as it can go.

This problem of indiscipline reared its ugly head during the recent Caribbean Premier League cricket matches held in Guyana. Many persons went out and bought their reserved tickets early.

Yet when they turned up

at the stadium for their seats, they found that other persons were comfortably seated in their chairs.

When this fact was pointed out, the persons who were wrongly seated simply refused to remove and the help of the law enforcement authorities had to be summoned.

The errant persons, however, did not go to their original seats, but instead simply sat down in other patrons’ reserved seats. This happened in hundreds of instances and makes a mockery of the system of having reserved seating. It might just as well been better for the organizers to say that seating will be on a ‘first come, first serve’ basis.

The organizers, of course, are not to blame. It happens all the time whenever there is cricket in Guyana.

And what is sickening is the attitude of those who are

Dem boys seh...

De people get con again at de Congress De Pee Pee Pee congress done and Bharrat is de number two man when it come to getting vote fuh de top bracket in de party. Dem boys talk ‘bout all de wrang things he do and dem still got people who don’t care. Dem is de people who help got de country deh way it deh.

Dem is de same people who vote fuh Kwame. Now wha message dem sending to de nation bout de party. Donald as General Secretary coulda decide who he want in de leadership. It look like he want Kwame next to he and that is a shame.

Rob Earth brother get nuff vote too but he ain’t in de top bracket because somebody push he one side. Odinga didn’t get no vote or he didn’t run. Ash Knee ain’t deh in de mix and Brazzy ain’t deh too. Dem is de people wukking behind de scene.

Sam ain’t a party man although he been in de thick and thin of de congress. He ain’t run fuh Central Committee.

But something interesting come out. A man talk ‘bout corruption, suh is de first time de party try fuh examine corruption, but dem boys hear that de debate wasn’t too serious. One delegate tell de people that a man got to live, suh de whole country can expect more of de same.

Only Donald talk ‘bout Amaila and de people didn’t even understand wha he seh. He ain’t tell dem nutten bout de design and de poor people ain’t even realize that is three design dem advertising, although dem already talk ‘bout de price.

And just fuh show how things go, one man go to de congress and when he go home bandits shoot he in he hand.

This man ain’t even know that Brazzy sell he brother de most shares in a company and sign fuh he brother too.

But wha dem boys can expect? Is only a congress. De people get con again at de Congress Talk half and watch fuh dem con man.

in their wrong seats. They behave in a “wrong and strong manner” as if they are in the right.

You go to Lords and you do not find this sort of problem. People sit where they are supposed to sit. They do not encroach on another person’s seat. And because of the discipline exercised, there is no need for anyone to indicate that when the rightful owner comes they will remove from that person’s reserved seating.

But this was not the only predicament. Take the case of the traffic problems that motorists endured to get to the stadium.

Many were however patient. Knowing that thousands were going to the games, they appreciated that there would be a traffic jam.

They were prepared to wait their turn in the lines of traffic to get to the stadium. Yet, while motorists were patiently waiting on the

line they were in to snake its way to the stadium, there were hundreds of vehicles actually using the lane reserved for bicycles and pedestrians and moving ahead.

And because they were cheating the system, it meant that those who were complying with the law were actually being punished by having to wait longer.

Now how can there be development when those who toe the line end up being in a worse situation that those who break the law?

This brings us to another serious development that takes place right under the noses of the traffic authorities and for which very little action seems to be taken.

There are a number of major junctions in the city in which there are traffic lights. At most of these junctions there is usually a turning lane and a lane for traffic proceeding straight ahead.

Yet on a regular basis if

you are in the turning lane, you will find a motor car ahead which is proceeding straight ahead and which in order to get ahead of others, uses the turning lane instead of the designated lane to go straight ahead.

As a result, drivers who are turning have to wait on these law-breakers before proceeding. This happens all the time and very little is being done about it.

Very little is also being done about another unlawful act regularly taking place at junctions with traffic lights.

There are drivers who constantly run the red lights.

This is a most dangerous practice that can result in serious accidents.

But if one can assume that a police rank may not always be around at the time to witness these unlawful acts, surely police patrols must notice another dangerous practice that is now quite pronounced in Guyana.

That practice is that of vehicles parking alongside other vehicles on the same side of the road.

The drivers of these vehicles are putting on their hazard lights as if to indicate that their vehicles are experiencing some mechanical failure. Well, if it is, then it should be towed or pushed to a safe place and not be left to inhibit the flow of traffic.

The more you see these things happening, the more you despair that the problems of this country go far beyond politics.

The problems of Guyana are deeply rooted in the lack of discipline and no country can hope to develop amidst so much indiscipline.

Duo remanded for concealing murder weapon Mandela Avenue Killing…..

Two men were yesterday refused pretrial liberty after the indictable charge of concealing a murder weapon that was used in a Mandela shooting was read to them by Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

The charge states that Jermaine Thomas, 23, and Jerome Success, 24, knowing that Lloyd Britton also known as “Lloydan,” had murdered Elvis Fernandes on the said date, received one handgun used in the murder and concealed same.

According to Police Prosecutor Vishnu Hunt, on the said date, Fernandes, who was 23 at the time of his death, was shot and killed on Mandela Avenue in the presence of Thomas.

Britton handed the alleged murder weapon to Thomas after the incident occurred and Thomas then

handed the weapon over to Success, who disposed of same.

The suspects were both arrested and Thomas gave a written confession whilst Success admitted orally when the charge was put before them.

Their confessions included information with regard to the role they played in the incident.

Britton, who was also shot on the day in question, still remains a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital and as soon as he has recovered, the required charges will be laid before him.

Representing the defendants was Attorney at Law, Dexter Todd, who said that Success, who lives at 454 East Ruimveldt Housing Scheme, is a miner in the Interior and a father of two dependent children. The court heard that Success received the bag, but was not

aware of its contents until his arrest. In defence of Thomas, of 606 East Ruimveldt Housing Scheme and an operator at the Caricom Bottling Company, it was said that he never had any brushes with the law. He too, the lawyer explained, stands innocent of knowing about any weapon used in the murder and his client only gave information based on false promises made to him by the police.

Prosecutor Hunt objected to both defendants being granted bail based on the seriousness of the offense, penalty attached, and the fact that the alleged murder weapon was not recovered.

Magistrate Latchman then challenged the reasoning provided by the prosecution.

“If the murder weapon was not recovered then how can you know if it was the said weapon used in the

alleged murder of Fernandes?” The Prosecutor then said that advice was sought from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and both of the defendants confessed in a written statement and orally to the charge.

Todd then rose to his clients’ defence once more stating that “grounds such as seriousness of the offence and penalty attached are not substantial reasons for bail to be refused. It is beyond the stretch of any imagination that one can be sent to jail when the police have no evidence to support their charge.”

The case was subsequently adjourned until September 5, for the prosecution to be able to better refute the claims made

by Counsel. The matter was transferred to the court of Chief Magistrate Priya Beharry and the duo was remanded.

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=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

I’m glad my libel defence reduced PPP votes in 2011 In the General Secretary’s report read by Mr. Donald Ramotar in his capacity as leader of the PPP at his party’s Congress in Port Mourant, Mr. Ramotar told the delegates that the libel suit that his friend and colleague, Bharrat Jagdeo, in his capacity as President brought against me did not help the PPP in its vote-getting

campaign in 2011. Mr. Ramotar said that the private media and the opposition; “took full advantage of the libel case.” Can someone ask Ramotar what he means by “full advantage?” What any citizen of this country would find unbelievable is Mr. Ramotar’s logic. Simply put, the media reported what came out of the mouth of Mr.

Ramotar’s great friend, Roger Luncheon. To date, only one witness has effectively given testimony and that is Roger Luncheon.

Is Mr. Ramotar saying that when Luncheon answered the questions, the press, so in love with Jagdeo and Luncheon, should not have published the daily answers of Luncheon? Surely, those

delegates cannot be so stupid to think that as Ramotar spoke, they accept he was right, when it was Jagdeo that sued.

How can you sue someone for libel, the person has to defend themselves, yet you cry that the libel case was to your opponent’s advantage? So didn’t you think when you were suing?

This has to be one of the weakest moments in Mr. Ramotar’s twenty-month-old presidency. It is really incredible to know that Mr. Ramotar is capable of such mediocre thoughts.

All the media did was to go into the court and publish what Dr. Luncheon said. The Office of the President, under Mr. Ramotar, sent a witness to testify that his job description was to cut out and store the contents of The Freddie Kissoon Column.

But that witness told the court he didn’t understand the contents in a majority of the articles. This is what the media reported.

It is left to the media to ask Ramotar what is meant by the press taking “full advantage” of the libel suit.

Mr. Ramotar also accused the opposition of having “full advantage “of the libel trial.

This does not need further discussion, because the case so far centres on the five-day testimony of Roger Luncheon. It was Roger Luncheon who told the judge that he, Luncheon offered a

Pradoville 2 house lot to a Linden politician.

It was Roger Luncheon who told the judge in response to a question put to him that at the time of the trial there were no African Guyanese qualified for ambassadorial postings. At that particular period (July August 2011), there were no African Guyanese that headed a diplomatic mission, whether at the top or secondary level.

During the election campaign of 2011, these statements from Dr. Luncheon formed part of the campaign rhetoric. One assumes that the PPP leadership were annoyed that the libel trial was highlighted during the 2011 campaign. What is beyond assumption is that the PPP leadership is highly incensed at the contents of the trail so far.

At the funeral service for Reepu Daman Persaud earlier this year, Mr. Jagdeo in his eulogy made a condemnatory reference to a part of my research that came out at the trial on the ethnic composition of the hierarchy of the public service.

Shortly after that exclamation, Mr. Nigel Hughes wrote a letter in the newspaper that informed Guyanese that before the trial commenced, he informed Mr. Jagdeo’s lawyer, Mr. Anil Nandlall, that the trial will bring out explosive information and asked if he

Frederick Kissoon wanted to proceed. Mr. Nandlall went ahead with Mr. Jagdeo’s writ.

What now is President Ramotar crying about? The President’s carping on the libel trial at his party’s Congress last Saturday is graphically vivid testimony of the ineptitude of the PPP leadership.

This party and its hierarchy drift from one egregious mistake to another since Mr. Jagdeo took office in 1999. What Jagdeo did not tell his funeral audience, and Ramotar’s failure to inform his congressional colleagues, is that Mr. Jagdeo’s libel writ remains the only libel filed against a practicing academic by a Head of Government in the history of the British West Indies and only the second one in the region by a Head of Government.

The truth of the matter is President Jagdeo, and no doubt his PPP colleagues, at the time thought that they would have bullied their way in court. This is how the PPP has administered this country since 1999.

What more evidence do you want of this, where a minority government behaves as if it won the last general elections.

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Guyana to miss deadline for anti-money laundering act - “Blacklisting appears to be an inevitable consequence”- AG Nandlall - “Govt itself is tainted by criminalities that bedevil our system”- Carl Greenidge

By Abena Rockcliffe “Blacklisting of Guyana appears to be an inevitable consequence,” were the words used by Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, as he last evening commented on the fact that Guyana will miss the deadline for amending the legislation with respect to the amended Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Act. On the other hand, members of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) told Kaieteur News that Guyana is already “dark gray listed” and that the Government itself is linked to acts of money laundering. It was also noted that the party doesn’t believe that the August 26 deadline really does exist.

An APNU statement released last evening, said that at the meeting, “the Opposition members (who were all in attendance) objected to the manner in which the committee chair Ms. Gail Teixeira was attempting to conclude the work of the committee, without giving full consideration to serious issues raised by members of the committee and Guyanese citizens in general”.

However, when contacted by this newspaper, Teixeira said that the Opposition came out in “full force,” and adorned the committee’s proceedings. The long-time politician dubbed it an act of bullyism. She told Kaieteur

News last night that the opposition members had seen all the documents to show the deadline and they are fully aware of the consequences of missing it.

The Committee consists of nine members, four representing the government, four of APNU and one of the AFC. At yesterday’s meeting, former Minister of Finance Carl Greenidge moved a motion to adjourn it until October.

The APNU member ’s motion was seconded by Alliance For Change (AFC)’s Khemraj Ramjattan.

In an invited comment, APNU’s shadow Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams said that the works of the committee haven’t gone anywhere yet “but they ( G o v e r n m e n t representatives) want to railroad it through.”

He told Kaieteur News that plans were made on how to go about the work of the committee, but the government chose not to follow it.

According to Williams, the “artificial deadline” is not a threat to APNU since Guyana is already on a “dark gray list” He added that more people are to make presentations to the committee, including the Bar Association.

In addition to the points made by Williams, Greenidge pointed out that “there was a September deadline, then an October one, now the August

one. “We (APNU) feel that if the government felt that the deadline was so crucial, what is necessary would have been done to ensure timely completion.”

Greenidge raised a concern that the draft didn’t take into consideration “aspects” that the opposition is of the opinion need to be taken into consideration.

He said that the act of itself has several inadequacies and the draft as well is insufficient.

“As usual all the power is placed in the hands of the executive…Government appoints the Commissioner of Police, the head of Customs, the judges; it basically arranges the appointments of those who will supervise the operation.”

Further, Greenidge asserted that “Government itself is tainted by criminalities that bedevil our system…The PPP have been accused, and

in some cases, proven to have associations with people who have been charged with all sorts of criminalities like fraud and money laundering in the United States.

The government is very friendly with these types of people.”

The former finance Minister said that the current legislation should have allowed the government to deal with incidents of money laundering, but doesn’t.

He said that on every street there is a business that one can easily point out as one that isn’t profitable. He said that those are clearly vehicles for money laundering.

Nandlall, in whose name the Bills stand, told Kaieteur News that during the course of the committee’s work, the opposition hardly attended.

“In fact Ramjattan missed over 80% of the meetings and APNU, who had four members, did not have full complement of their membership more than two times. Most of the meetings were attended by one member only. Then they used a statement attributed to the president, in which they misrepresented what the president said, as the basis to boycott the last few meetings.

The government side

Attorney General, Anil Nandlall

Former Minister of Finance, Carl Greenidge

nevertheless persevered to the end and considered all the clauses in the Bill one by one and took into account and examined the submissions which came from the invited stakeholders.”

“I outlined this background to demonstrate that from the inception the opposition set out to deliberately sabotage the work of this committee and to intentionally expose Guyana as a nation to the regime of sanctions which are imposed on nations that are noncompliant.”

He said that the opposition’s actions prove that the undertaking it had given that it would support the Bill if granted more time was one that was designed to simply fool the Guyanese people and the diplomatic community.

“Because at the end they got all the time as requested yet didn’t support the Bill…Black listing of Guyana will appear to be an inevitable

consequence.”

Guyana was given a deadline to comply with the Caribbean Financial Action Taskforce (CFATF) recommendations to amend its Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Laws.

Only after the work of the committee is completed and a revised Bill presented to the National Assembly along with a report from the committee, can the Bill be voted upon and passed.

Last month, CFATF confirmed Guyana’s deadline for amending the legislation with respect to the amended Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act. Roger Hernandez, Financial Advisor of CFATF had told Kaieteur News that amendments to the legislation have to be passed in the National Assembly and enacted before August 26, so that it could be submitted and analysed.

Regional teachers urged to place emphasis on standards

…as Biennial confab gets underway

CARICOM SecretaryGeneral Irwin LaRocque

Caribbean Community (CARICOM) SecretaryGeneral, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, has urged teachers to place emphasis on standards to meet demands for a competent workforce in the region.

This was the charge by the diplomat at the 36th Biennial Conference of the Caribbean Union of Teachers being held here.

In a message to the Conference, which opened Sunday at the Princess Hotel, Providence, SecretaryGeneral LaRocque said, “Our Community needs a workforce that is healthy,

competent, and literate with strong basic skills and which can adapt to a rapidly changing labour market and technological world.”

As a consequence, he stated that there was need for “more than passing assurance” that persons functioning as teachers are certified to teach, thoroughly prepared and maintained performance standards.

“This assurance can be ascertained through the introduction of a set of measures that will enable the regulation and management of quality within a framework of professional teaching

standards and, consequently, improve status of the teaching profession,” SecretaryGeneral LaRocque stated.

Teacher career policies and programmes stimulating the profession; the provision of incentives to attract the best prospective candidates; established entry-level professional standards; and certification and licensing in accordance with established professional standards were among the specific measures he suggested.

Noting that the principal requirement in the effort to bring teaching more in line with other established professions was a deliberate focus on the quality of teachers and their teaching, the Secretary-General added that teachers’ quality was a direct outcome of continuing professional education.

Against this backdrop, he said the need was urgent for standardisation of programmes that offer initial professional qualifications.

This assumed added importance, given that the

CARICOM Single Market and Economy allows the free movement of teachers, he noted.

“Inherent in the concept of universal early childhood, primary and secondary education, is the need for quality and equity in the provision of education. This implies the need to ensure that teachers are adequately prepared for classroom and school realities and that there is ongoing support and provision for their professional growth and development,” the SecretaryGeneral said.

He assured teachers that the CARICOM Secretariat would continue to support the process of improving the quality of education in all Member States, and added: “We should all work towards the improvement of the teaching profession so as to achieve world class status for our Caribbean teachers, in both public and private schools, guided by the Regional Standards developed by CARICOM.”

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Mahaica murder/suicide…

Woman chopped 33 times, husband drank pesticide - PM A post mortem examination of the body of 2 6 - y e a r - o l d Va n e s s a

Richmond-James has revealed the brutality inflicted on her by her now

dead husband.

The post mortem, which was performed by Dr.

Nehaul Singh, revealed that Richmond's husband inflicted no less than 33

Vanessa Richmond-James and Ryan James incise wounds to her body, after bludgeoning her with a hammer in what could only be described as a heinous crime of passion.

The woman's semi-nude body was discovered in her Jonestown, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara house early Saturday morning with a pillow over the head. The hands and feet were bound with a bed sheet and curtains, and the throat was slit.

Police say that apart from some bloody knives, they also recovered a hammer with hair samples on it.

They believe that Richmond-James's husband Ryan struck her unconscious before carving up her body.

The man then ingested pesticide before running over to a neighbour's house to inform them about his act.

Investigators also disclosed that they had recovered eight bottles of different pesticides from the crime scene on the morning of the murder. They believe that James took a deadly cocktail, which might have caused him to succumb even before he could reach for medical attention.

While the case is an open and shut one, investigators are still toying with a few theories as to what might have led the ex-soldier to go berserk.

James was described as an easy-going church boy.

“Dem is church people. I don't know wha really happen,” a neighbour of the couple told this newspaper.

The couple's two-yearold son is now left in the care of his grandparents.

Tuesday August 06, 2013

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Vice Chancellor issues “no comment” response to UG concerns “We are not going to run the University through the media,” said a relatively calm sounding Professor Jacob Opadeyi yesterday in response to a series of question posed to him by this publication concerning the operation of the University of Guyana.

In a telephone conversation yesterday several attempts were made to solicit comments from the Vice Chancellor as it relates to the outcome of reported meetings between him, the University's unions and its senior staffers as it relates to concerns about the institution, including its financial state. However, Professor Opadeyi's only response was “no comment.”

He also refused to comment on the nonappointment of the University's Council, whose life came to an end on June 30, last, a state of affairs which the unions have directed much concern.

“I don't see it as a concern,” said the Vice Chancellor who related that “we are currently on vacation and we are going to enjoy our vacation.”

Both the University of Guyana Senior Staff Association (UGSSA) and the University of Guyana Workers' Union (UGWU) have been expressing concern ever since the life of the Council came to an end. In fact, both union bodies have been agitated by the fact that although the start of the upcoming semester looms, a new Council was not appointed by the Minister of Education.

The state of affairs, they disclosed, has had a negative impact on the functioning of the University.

A daunting impact highlighted is that the UG Negotiating Team cannot be convened without at least two Council members.

Moreover, the Unions have highlighted that the recommencement of salary negotiations is dependent upon the appointment of the Council or the extension of the life of the old Council.

Additionally, it was revealed that a recently scheduled Appointment

Committee was cancelled because of the lack of needful Council members.

This means that new appointments, renewals, and extensions of contracts are still to be completed.

As such, the Unions in a recent statement said that they “remain concerned over the fact that the new academic year is scheduled to commence, but there still is need to repeat an appeal for the Education Minister to appoint persons to the Council.”

President of the UGSSA, Dr Pat Francis, recently told this publication that the unions were in fact awaiting the return of the Vice Chancellor, who was at the time out of the jurisdiction, to further discuss their concerns.

She disclosed that the unions have been seeking the support of various stakeholders, including the Ministries of Finance and Education, as well as the Vice Chancellor.

“The VC is one of our stakeholders, so we have to engage him on quality assurance, infrastructure among other things...so when he gets back that is what we will talk about,” Dr Francis said.

The Vice Chancellor, who recently returned, disclosed that he has plans to again leave the jurisdiction in a matter of days and was also in no mood yesterday to even comment on allegations levelled against him by outgoing Director of the University's Berbice Campus, Professor Daizal Samad.

Professor Samad, who resigned in early July, claimed that the Berbice Campus “is in a financial meltdown and the campus's budget is in tatters while the institution is operating in a deficit.”

In fact he has alleged that the Turkeyen Campus is ultimately responsible for the destruction of the Berbice Campus, a dilemma he believes requires Government intervention.

He has alleged too that relations between himself and the Nigerian-born Vice Chancellor, who accepted his appointment earlier this

year have become “distant and tumultuous” over the past months. Even as he listed instances of what can be described as financial mismanagement within the university structure, Professor Samad said that he believes that with prudent financial management, the Berbice Campus can keep the student tuition to $127,000.

M o r e o v e r, h e h a s rejected the Vice Chancellor's call for a hike in

t u i t i o n f e e . “ We d o n ' t w a n t t h e Government to be giving us money ad infinitum; we can fund plans here, easily, and make Berbice financially self-sufficient in seven to eight years.

We can do that. Let other people talk about increasing tuition, not us!” exclaimed Professor Samad.

“Turkeyen …is a broken place, but we are coming under the broken place. It's distressing when you have

people who are foreigners, coming here and treating our citizens in Berbice as if we're third class citizens- -We are not slaves!” Professor Samad said.

He added that the situation exists where you have a “failed enterprise like Turkeyen dictating to a successful enterprise. What will they teach us? How to fail?”

But despite a few nudges from this publication to comment on the allegations levelled by Professor Samad, the Vice Chancellor's only responses were several calm “no comment.”

UG Vice Chancellor, Professor Jacob Opadeyi

Page 16

Kaieteur News

Tuesday August 06, 2013

Uncle Eddie's resident scores 100!

Scoring 100 not out in the game of life yesterday was Gladys La Roach; a current resident of the well-known Uncle Eddie's Caring Home.

Ms. La Roach, born on August 5, 1913, started life in the North Cummingsburg area which also remained her last known address, according to the Home's records. She was registered as a resident in her 75th year.

Adorned with a white dress, the centenarian was the Guest of Honour at a simple get-together held at the Home in honour of her 100th birthday.

Since she was not able to

contribute vocally to the occasion because of present health conditions, the centenarian sat attentively in the middle of the room, surrounded by numerous well-wishers, enjoying the atmosphere and munching on the goodies that were prepared for her.

While a few were disappointed that she could not have relayed the intriguing highlights of her 100 years, assumed family members at the home attested to her having spent her long life well.

Associates spoke of the fact that the woman had never

gotten married nor had any children of her own, however, loneliness never followed her, since she filled the void caring for those who were not her own. According to records, the woman worked as a domestic help and enjoyed music and singing.

Well-wishers at the occasion described her as a very contented, humourous and tidy person. Contributing to her humorous side was her “plain-spoken trait”, as some put it.

“She gave us so much laughter. And her humour was even seen when something doesn't suit her,

she tells you off about it right away. She wouldn't hesitate to tell you what is on her mind,” were the comments of former Matron of the Home, Rita McEwan.

Mr. Dash, a fellow resident, also recalled having pleasant moments with the centenarian, and spoke with admiration about her longevity.

“You got to bat safe, if you don't bat safe you gon be out. But you mek yuh hundred, Gladys. That is wonderful!” Gladys was urged by those gathered to continue pressing forward in the race of life.

Centenarian Gladys La Roach at her 100th birthday party

Tuesday August 06, 2013

Kaieteur News

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Tuesday August 06, 2013

Kaieteur News

Local MBA programme gets National Accreditation

T

outed as a passport to a management career, the Masters of Business Administration (MBA) offered locally by the Nations University (NU) has not only gained a highly recognised status among employers and students alike, but it has been recognized by the National Accreditation Council.

In fact the programme was earlier this year ranked 10th internationally and third in Australia by the CEO Magazine (UK), according to Director of NU, Dr. Brian

O'Toole.

The MBA is designed and offered in collaboration with the Australian Institute of Business (AIB) which is an approved higher education provider in Australia, and is also accredited by the Government there. It is in fact registered to provide a number of business degrees.

In this regard, AIB had built a great deal of expertise which has aided the delivery of the MBA in a number of countries, according to Chairman of its Academic Board, Professor Rod

Oxenburry during an interview with this publication. These, he said, include countries in Asia and Africa as well as in the United Kingdom and now the Caribbean, which utilise a model of the programme.

AIB is a 25-year-old Business School based in Australia, offering business degrees, undertaking research and providing consultancy services globally. It is 'The Practical Business School' committed to delivering courses which are work-applied, accelerated, accessible,

affordable and fully accredited, said Dr O'Toole.

The local offering of the programme has already reached a two-year milestone.

It was just two months ago that NU graduated its first batch of 16 MBA students, and according to O'Toole, the programme has proven to be an immense success.

He disclosed that it is one of the most affordable programmes available in Guyana that could span a period of 12 – 15 months.

The NU Director

disclosed, too, that for those who are desirous of learning more about the programme, an invitation is extended for them to attend a free MBA Information Session on Wednesday August 21, 2013. They can simply contact NU for further details.

The Session will be conducted by an AIB representative in the person of its Marketing Director Joel Abraham. And according to Abraham, “...AIB's 12-Month MBA is tailor-made for the busy professional and is successfully delivered all over the world.”

The programme, he said, allows professionals to work and study at the same time while applying their knowledge to the workplace immediately. He added too that AIB has stringent quality control procedures in place to ensure “all our Teaching Centres adhere to Australian standards and practices. All exams are set and marked in Australia and the course content is vetted

by Australian academics and delivered in Guyana by an Australian-approved panel of lecturers.”

The facilitators of the

local programme are individuals who are at least holders of recognised MBAs themselves with extensive teaching experience, and who are immersed in the business world, according to O'Toole. Among those who have facilitated the programme are Michelle Johnson, Selene Davis, Yog Mahadeo, Ruth Lee and Indar Deodat. O'Toole has also facilitated some sessions himself.

According to him, there are currently moves to expand the facilitating net to include more individuals even from Trinidad and as far as the United States of America.

“We are doing this because we are committed to getting the best possible people, because AIB is very, very clear about the standard that we have to submit,” said O'Toole.

Currently there are three levels of persons eligible for the programme, that is, an individual with a recognised first degree; individuals with an advanced diploma and three years of work experience or individuals who have been in a managerial position for at least three years.

WANTED! Five days after he hacked his two children to death and critically wounded their mother, a wanted bulletin has been issued for Richard Lord.

The suspect is wanted by the police for questioning in relation to the murder of Kimberley Houston and Tarif Lord which occurred on July 31, 2013, at Zeelugt Squatting Area, East Bank Essequibo.

Lord fled the scene immediately after the slaughter and although police had launched a massive manhunt for him, there is still no real clue as to his present whereabouts.

Police described Lord as a mixed race man who is medium built and brown in complexion.

His last known Addresses are listed as Lot 867 Zeelugt North, West Coast Demerara, and Lot 2

Murder suspect Richard Lord Viva La Force, West Bank Demerara.

The police are asking anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of Richard Lord to contact them on telephone numbers 225-6411, 226-6978, 2682298, 268-2222, 911 or the nearest police station. All information will be treated with strict confidence.

Tuesday August 06, 2013

Page 19

Kaieteur News

Boodoo's responses to raised concerns often lacked credibility - GECOM Chairman

C

hairman of the G u y a n a Elections Commission (GECOM), Dr. Steve Surujbally, is stressing his integrity, as the fallout continues from the nonrenewal of the contract of the Chief Elections Officer, Gocool Boodoo.

Opposition members of GECOM, which oversees the holding of elections in Guyana, have been dead set against the re-hiring of Boodoo, whose contract expired earlier this year.

Boodoo has been a c c u s e d b y Vi n c e n t Alexander, a GECOM Commissioner, of attempting to present results which would have given the ruling party a clear majority in the 2011 General and Regional Elections.

The People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), while maintaining the Presidency, went on to lose its control in the National Assembly by one-seat to the Opposition.

Public disclosures that GECOM was on the verge of not renewing Boodoo's contract had led to a firestorm of accusations and a court case, with Alexander, an Opposition-appointed Commissioner, making startling statements that there may have been a deliberate attempt to present poll results that would give the PPP a clear lead over 50%.

G E C O M a n d D r.

Surujbally, as its Chairman, were drawn into quarrel.

In his first open statement on the issue yesterday, the top official said he remains “impervious and unreceptive to threats and intimidation, and can only stand with fact-based impartiality and with the truth as my shield.”

He said that GECOM's minutes of its statutory meetings would reflect “issues of concern” raised about Boodoo over time by

GECOM's Chairman, Dr. Steve Surujbally (left) and former Chief Elections Officer, Gocool Boodoo.

Commissioners, the responses to which were often found “unacceptable and lacking in credibility”.

Regarding GECOM coming under fire from time to time, Dr. Surujbally noted that he had been accused of being involved in “selfserving deals”, being possibly a “clandestine acolyte” to political parties, trying to protect a megasalary, “being back home in the bosom of the PNC”, and so on”.

“Over the years at GECOM, I, as Chairman, have become more pachyderm, more accustomed to media onslaught and deprecation, more immure and immune from the scandalous productions, from people who not only do not know the facts on an issue, but who do not care to know. Such persons create myths and legends which later devolve into supposed 'truths' and incontrovertible 'facts'.

However, I cannot bow to rumour nor can I allow falsehoods, regardless of how convincing they may sound, to dictate my decisions.”

The official, in the letter, said he mentioned to GECOM Commissioners that it was “quite difficult, displeasing, unfair and even odious to be placed in a position of having to make the final decision about renewing Mr. Boodoo's

contract. I pointed out to the Commissioners that the Boodoo matter should have been an open and shut case. I further stated to them the following: 'From the evidence known to all, there should be a unanimous decision.”

However, Dr. Surujbally said, it seemed that some Commissioners were unable to rise above political considerations and stand and oppose leaders that have

nominated them to the Commission.

“This now leaves the Chairman in the unenviable position of making the deciding vote. Unenviable, because whichever way the decision goes, disapproval and discontent, unrelenting flak, and irresponsible and unjustified abuse will follow. I expressed my disappointment at having to make a deciding vote for the first time in twelve years.”

Surujbally also denied recent accusations that he used GECOM's vehicles to conduct personal “jaunts” across to neighbouring Brazil and that the records would reflect this.

He also brushed aside allegations by Boodoo over questionable expenses on overseas trips he took, pointing out that these issues were never raised by the Report of the Auditor General.

Page 20

Tuesday August 06, 2013

Kaieteur News

Family wants answers about dead Guyanese sailor R

By Latoya Giles

elatives of a 48y e a r - o l d Guyanese sailor who died on a vessel last week in Curaçao do not feel satisfied with the explanation being given by the company he worked with. Dead is Orlando Allen of John Street, Campbellville.

According to the man's wife Debra Allen, her husband left Guyana on July 23rd. Kaieteur News was told that the man was employed with the Prichard-

Gordon Tankers Limited, a London-based Company.

This was Allen's third trip with the company.

The woman told Kaieteur News that her husband's destination was Curaçao.

She said that he had been in-transit in Trinidad and Tobago for quite some time before boarding another flight to Barbados. She further recounted that on July 24 her husband joined the vessel in Barbados.

According to the woman, her husband called her while he was on board the vessel at

Barbados and said that he was leaving for Curaçao.

On the Saturday morning (July 27), the woman said her husband called and spoke to her, and that was around 6:15 am. She said that her husband never made any complaints. She said that he promised to call her before he left for Suriname.

She explained that the vessel had to transport fuel to Suriname.

Later on July 27, around 10:30, the woman said she received a telephone call from the country representative Ms. Marcelle

August, informing her that her husband had collapsed and died. “She called and asked me when last I spoke with my husband and I told her earlier in the morning, and then she told me he had collapsed in the engine room and died,” the woman told Kaieteur News.

Mrs. Allen said she was dumbfounded by the message since her husband was in perfect health. She said that he had done a complete medical for the company prior to his departure. Later in the day the woman said that the

Dead: Orlando Allen captain for the vessel called her. She said that she was told that her husband had gone into the engine room and was found on the floor, not breathing.

She said that on July 29 the head for personnel for the company, Nick Whalen, called the family. The woman said the man told her that her husband had collapsed among his colleagues in the engine room.

She said that Whalen also said that CPR was performed on her husband, but he had still passed away.

Mrs. Allen said she asked to witness the post mortem examination and the company denied her the opportunity.

As the family here in Guyana waited for the results of the post mortem to be done, they received an email from the company stating that it would not be performed anymore.

The wife said that this was becuse a doctor in Curaçao said that her husband died of natural causes. The company told relatives that they would be providing them with US$1000 to help with burial.

The woman said she then asked whether the family could pay for it (Post Mortem) to be done. She said that she suggested that the company take US$600 from the initial US$1000 and pay for the post mortem.

Kaieteur News was told by the wife that the family was promised a copy of the

report.

However the woman said that the company “switched out from that arrangement”, after claiming that the document was in “Dutch” and that they needed several weeks to translate it.

Further suspicion was raised after the company again contacted the family and asked about what burial clothes they wanted for the dead man.

Allen's wife said that she asked why they wanted to find out, and was told that they needed to find out because once the dead was placed in the casket for Guyana it could not be opened again.

Kaieteur News was told that relatives went to the Director of Public Prosecutions who forwarded them to the Criminal Investigations Department.

The wife said she gave the police a statement.

According to the woman, the police said that they would be sending whatever information they have to Interpol.

The family also visited the Foreign Affairs Ministry to garner support. The body, according to the wife, is expected to be transported to Suriname on Thursday and then will enter Guyana on Saturday.

It is unclear whether the family will seek to do another post mortem here since the body would already be embalmed. According to the man's wife, he had been a sailor for the last 20 years.

Tuesday August 06, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 21

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Kaieteur News

SERVICES Dianne’s Bridal and Party Accessories Rentals, Decorating, Catering and Event Planning. 103 Regent Road Call: 225-8111 Permanent & Visitors Visa Applications, Professional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building Call:225-6496,6626045,223-8115 Repairs, sales & spares air conditioning, microwaves, washer, fridges & stoves. Ultra Cool.

Call: 225-9032, 647-2943

FOR SALE HB 7651 new model 212.

Tel: 615-1370 Eddie’s Auto Parts: Just arrive Japanese used partsCall:227-2835 Zack’s Lumber Yard Georgetown: Millcut form board $115 per BM, Softwood & H/wood $180 per BM- Call:687-5361/674-0013 Delta 14" Band Saw, Grizzly G1021 15" planer, Grizzly G10147 combination sander, DeWalt D28474W-B3 Angle grinder- Call:265-3070/ 645-1895

We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer. Call:2310655, 683-8734 Omar

1 Apple desktop computer, 1 Epson printer, 1 Whirpool Dryer & 1 baby swing. Call 662-6045

Repairs to Fridge, Freezer, AC, Washers, Stoves: Call 683-1312,627-3206 (Nick)

Games for PS 2, $900,PSP $900, Xbox360 $2600, PS 3 $2600, call:672-2566

We repair LCD, Plasma, LED TV, Microwave, Washer & Dryer, Amp etc. Call:6472276/693-3277 We Refill HP cartridges for $1800 call: 650-7699 TransponderTV: No Monthly Fees, No Hidden Fees, No Additional Charges: 250 Channels + 50 HD Channels- Call: 675-3201 Gentle Hands is now offering home nurses from as low as $20,000 per monthCall:662-3717 Are you interested in learning to sew? Are you free from 8-5?- Call Roxie’s Fashion 622-4386

Pitbull Pups for saleCall:223-9497 Canvas, Cloth & Knitted Hammocks for sale: Good quality & Good price- Call: 689-0554 1 Freight Liner Hauler, 1- 48ft trailer, 1 Low Bed (hauler & trailer)- Call:613-6979 2 A/C- (sizes 12 & 15), solar system 45 gallon (hot & cold) Call:691-9071/674-1231 Empty plastic fuel drums (55gal) Contact Nicky @ 2267948/646-6000/697-9610 1 Male English Mastiff Dog $150,000- Call:678-2814/6992322

Do you need someone to cut for you, to sew for yourselfCall Roxie’s Fashion 622-4386

Sawzall, porter cable model 347 7 1/4" heavy duty circular saw, Thakita, Grizzly 12" table saw- Call:265-3070/645-1895

MASSAGE

Wall dividers, Cabinets, Sofas, Beds & WardrobeCall:219-3732 (After 5pm) S & N Mining Inc. Large Quantity Of Virgin Mining Mercury: Best In Guyana: $14,500LB, Wholesale Negotiable- Contact Carol: 649-8505

The Gent’s Spa: Let beautiful sophisticated masseuse pamper you: New masseuse available- Call:657-5979

Delta Jointer, Delta ShaperCall:265-3070/645-1895

For that relaxing and sensual happy ending- Call for appointment @ tele 699-3519

One Honda Honmel 1000 CBR, condition usedCall:610-7005/219-1342

One 3 Tons Bedford dump truck, 3 and 4" water pumpCall:270-4485 Guyana Brakes & Clutch Company, 27 Coldingen, E.C.D LEARN TO DRIVE Soman & Sons Driving School , First Federation Building Call 225-4858, 6445166,622-2872,615-0964 B & C Driving School: Lot 5 Hadfield Lodge- call:2250150,229-7258,680-6826

FOR SALE

VEHICLE FOR SALE

LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY M E R C U R Y (QUICK SILVER) 9 9 . 9 9 9 9 5 % PURITY - $15,000 PER POUND CALL:604-6108 500 Ton Cargo Ship with Contract- call: 687-6174

2- 2007 Toyota Avensis. Call 698-0674

Spare for washing machine, microwaves, fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, pumps, etc call: 225-9032, 647-2943 Canter and Truck tyresSizes: 295.80 22.5, 195.85.16, 205.85.16- Call:222-3538/ 6600342 WE HAVE ANY SIZE AND AMOUNT OF PALMS: #1 PLANT SHOP, 70 SHERIFF ST. CALL:227-8094

Raum 04, Nav $2.4M: Fielder Nav, SP $2.5M: Spacio 03 $2.4M- Call: 609-8989/616-5595 Sale! Axio: TV, DVD $3.1M Neg: Pre-order Premio $2.5M Neg- Call: 655-3400 Ray’s Motor Spares & Auto Sales: For best price, wholesale & retail dealer in Japanese automobiles & partsCall:233-5151/ 231-7839 2 Ford F150: Price $4.5M & $3.5M- Call: 643-5249 / 2654979 Model 192, PKK 3392 $1.1MCall:697-3191/697-8934

KS Photo Paper 300 sheet per pack $8000- Call:690-0998

1 BMW 318i PNN series $3.2M, 1 Toyota Raum PKK series $1.250M: Both in immaculate conditionCall:613-5308

150KW Genset, 12" Moulder, 7 Head Moulder, Resaw & Crosscut Saw- Call:616-5595 Pure Rottweiler Pups. Call 220-6879 Grizzly 6" universal surface grinder, Ryobi 10" bench drill press, electronic DW625 electronic plunge cut routerCall:265-3070/645-1895

Sale! Sale! Toyota Premio (unregistered), fully loaded $2.5M-Call:617-2891/220-2345 1 Toyota RZ $650,000Call:265-4164 New Raum, Premio, Fielder, Alex and Vitz: Never registered- call: 269-0432/ 686-0323

Timber Harvester Sawmill just arrived from U.S.A with setter, sharpener and extended frame- Call:2612553/625-4393

1 Toyota Corolla: PHH 8906 $580,000- Call:602-0354/6786896

Mix breed pups, Rottweiler and German Shepherd: Both male and female- Call:222-0410

One Mitsubishi Canter GRR 5201: 15ft tray- Call:613-2150/ 254-0247

Asphalt Roofing Shingles, pig feed, duck feed & shrimp meal- Call:266-2711/609-4594

RZ minibus BKK seriesCall:685-2101

Electric Snow Cone machines- Call: 266-2711/ 609-4594

2006 Silver Toyota Tacoma 4WD, automatic transmission, low kilometers.

With accessories G$5.5M Neg- Call:624-6008 Axio Special- 2007, TV/DVD & Reverse Camera $2.950MCall:617-2891 Toyota Altezza, PNN, tiptronic. Call 622-0108

SALON Make Up Courses, Artist Trained & Certified in Trinidad.

Call: 660-5257, 647-1773

2006 Black Toyota Tacoma: 4 Cylinders/2WD/ manual transmission, low kilometers.

With accessories G$3.8M Neg- Call:624-6008

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First Class Auto: Allion, Premio, Spacio, IST, Axio, 212, Fielder, Verossa & AllexCall:609-8188/602-6307

1 Gillotine: Wohlenberg 45" cut size: bindprintservice @gmail.com- Call:1-868-2227097 Dell laptops & desktops complete computers from $55,000 Futuretech call: 231-2206

R1 new condition, colour red: 2005 Ford F150 fully loaded $1.8M Neg- Call:623-4045/ 689-3846

Pure Bred Rottweiler pupsCall:650-8496

Ducklings- Call:617-9300

Original games for sale call:265-3231

Tuesday August 06, 2013

Unregistered Mitsubishi long canter $3,350,000Call:615-7526/653-4560 One black Titan (2005) 4 wheel drive, fully loaded: $4.2M negotiable- Call:6782814/699-2322

PEN PAL 53 year old female seeking male companion, age 54-62Call:683-4331 (No texting)

Smart Choice Auto: Unregistered Premio, Allion, IST, Fielder- Call:652-3820/ 665-4529

VEHICLE FOR SALE Fielder Wagon- Call:6913812 One Hilux Surf- Call:617-3001 1 AE91 (EFI)- Call:265-4346 3Y Surf $1.6M, Toyota Wills $1.6M- Call Shawn 618-7483 One NZE Toyota CorollaCall:614-9060 Toyota Raum PKK series.

Lady driven, excellent condition $1.2M Neg cashCall:685-8513 or 216-0146

VACANCY One Upholster & two JoinersCall:219-1342/610-7005 24 Hour East Coast Guyoil needs night pump attendants, salesgirl & office assistantCall:688-9611/684-2838 Refrigeration, A/C Technician. Call 231-0655/ 683-8734 Male sales person for Plant Shop 18yrs-25yrs, must have secondary education- call 648-1821 (between 8:00am4:00pm) 1 Live in maid must be from country & able to cook, age 35-45 years- Call:662-1124 or 611-0200

PROPERTY FOR SALE Prospect $13M, West Bank $18.5M, Section ‘K’ $40M, AA Eccles $60M- $40MCall Diana@ 227-2256/6269382 Houses on East Coast & East Bank for sale- Call:2238479/647-3768/ www.space seek.gy House and Land @ D’Edward, W.C.B.- Call: 6892973/698-3703 Prashad Nagar $65M, Diamond front, Atlantic gardens, Atlanticville, South $15M, La Penitance & W.C.D, W.B.D- Call:2317805/ 618-7483 For sale by owner: Lot 4 La Bagatelle, Leguan. Land 100’×200’, house 40’×25’ $8M Neg- Call:231-5508/ 628-2166 FOR SALE/RENT American Pool TableCall:277-0578

Needed sellers to walk & sell Tin fruit juices: Apply at Alabama Trading G/Town Ferry Stelling Vacancy exists for able bodied male cleaner: Apply at Alabama Trading G/Town Ferry Stelling One person to build chairs in work shop- Call:610-7005/ 219-1342 Vacancy exists for one Manager to work at an out of town Hotel/ ClubCall:226-9768/642-7963 Senior Accounts Clerk: Minimum 5 subjects CXC, CAT/ACCA, knowledge of Quickbooks Accounting (3yrs experience)- Call:231-4069 Cashier/ customer service Rep: Minimum 5 subjects CXC, knowledge of Point of Sale- Call:231-4069- email: jimmy@nvtech computers.com One live in general domestic: Must be over 45 years & must know to cookCall:627-5378 One professional seamstress, sewing girls, surgers: Great wages & added benefits- Call Roxie’s Fashion 622-4386 Can you cut, can you sew?

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CAR RENTAL Aidan’s Car Rental & PickupCall: 645-7981/ 698-7807

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Classes in Designing and Sewing. Call Sharmela (Canadian-Trained) @ 6410784/626-2629

Premio, Vitz call: 679-7139

(Continued on page 23)

Tuesday August 06, 2013

Kaieteur News

Nine murders over the weekend (Trinidad Newsday) POLICE officers and undertakers were kept busy as nine murders were committed over the weekend.

The last murder took place when a night out partying ended tragically for a La Romaine teenager who was shot dead outside a club along Cipero Street in San Fernando. Dead is 19-yearold Shakeel Bethel of Stella Street. The teen was shot in the chest and lower arm by a gunman who escaped in a waiting vehicle. The teen left home to attend a party at the

Southern Edge night club in La Romaine. It was there he and another person had an altercation and it is believed that Bethel left the club and was walking along Cipero Street, San Fernando where he was followed and shot.

According to police, at about 5.10 am Bethel was liming at the G-Spot night club when a man dressed in black clothing confronted him. The man, eyewitnesses later told police, was wearing a black bandana over his face and a red and black hat on his head. Bethel was shot twice.

He was rushed to the San Fernando General Hospital where he died at about 5.50 am.

Two spent shells were recovered at the scene.

At the family home in Stella Street, La Romaine Bethel’s aunt Audra was weeping constantly.

“I saw on the news people being murdered. I saw their photographs being shown on television. I never expected crime to hit so close to home,” she said. Another aunt, who gave her name as Peggy, told Newsday she was aware that her nephew was going to a

party when he left home Saturday night.

She said her nephew enjoyed going to parties but was not the type to give trouble.

“He was never involved in any criminal activities whatsoever,” Peggy said.

Bethel was employed at Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) and also did construction work with his father.

Bethel was the only child to his parents Warrell and Erica but lived with his aunts in La Romaine who were his sole providers. Cpl Steele is continuing investigations.

BRITISH NAVAL VESSEL TO HELP WITH JAMAICA’S DRUG FIGHT Lieutenant Oliver Bekier told reporters.

The authorities have reported an increase in the quantity of narcotics seized in Jamaican waters since the start of the year. In all of 2012 some 5,713 pounds of marijuana was intercepted by Jamaica’s Marine Police. Up to July this year, the Marine Police had already seized 5,908 pounds of ganja and 44 high-end boats

Page 23

(From page 22)

LAND FOR SALE At Soesdyke Linden Highway- Call:678-7355 House lots 50’×118’ New Hope, E.B.D: Serious enquires only. No prices on phone- Call:266-2711/6094594 2- Acres cultivated, 2-1 Acres cultivated, 7 Acres cultivated, citrus, house, fish pond, storage at Parika.

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An aerial view of the HMS Lancaster

(Jamaica Observer) JAMAICA’S effort to tackle the perennial problem of drugtrafficking in her waters will be getting a much needed boost from Britain’s Royal Navy. Come early next week, Her Majesty’s Ship Lancaster, which is currently docked at the Kingston Harbour, will set out in search of drug-runners, Commander Steve Moorhouse told reporters who were given a

tour of the 400-foot-long vessel on Friday.

Moorhouse described the effort as a “strengthening of bonds” with Jamaica and said that the exercise is a jointeffort with a number of countries - including the United States of America - to “stop the flow of narcotics” in the region. Highlighting the benefits of having such a vessel in the drug fight, Moorhouse said that his

ship, during an exercise in the eastern Caribbean recently, inter-cepted a yacht and gofast boat carrying a “sizeable amount” of ganja and cocaine. He said that five people were arrested in that incident, but declined further details about the operation.

The ship, which is equipped with two 20-foot speedboats and a multipurpose Lynx helicopter, will end its tour in December,

Woman detained in Curacao politician murder probe KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) — Authorities in Curacao have detained a 43-year-old woman in their investigation into the May slaying of a lawmaker who led a major political party.

Helmin Wiels was hit by five bullets as he socialised on a Curacao beach on May 5. Two assailants sped off in a gold-covered car after fatally shooting the leader of the leftist Sovereign People Party,

a big player in Curacao’s coalition government. A brief Saturday statement by police identifies the detained suspect by her initials, MAB. Detectives also searched two homes on the island, confiscating several items.

Police have not released further details. In June, police spokesman Reginald Huggins said two suspects had been identified in Wiels’ murder.

One of them was Raul Jacinto Martinez, who was found decapitated on the island.

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Page 24

Kaieteur News

GGMC encounters additional cost for High St. relocation site

By Zena Henry Executives of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) are once again expressing dissatisfaction over the colossal sum of money that must be invested at the new address slated for the agency’s relocation.

Sources at the Commission say that the GGMC will now be spending more than G$1.3B (over US$6.5M) at the High Street location to come up to par with the agency’s operating requirements, since decisions have already been made for the High Street location to be the GGMC’s final place of operation.

The senior employees are especially peeved, because measures had already been put in place to tackle the overcrowding issue at the agency’s Brickdam head office, but those efforts, they said, were nullified when the newly-established Natural Resource Ministry moved from the Office of the President and took possession of the GGMC’s recently built $60M structure.

The officials argued that the Brickdam head office could not accommodate the agency’s 300-plus staff. They sought to ease the strain by building a new edifice in the compound, but when that was confiscated, the agency was ordered to pay more than $100M to purchase the High Street building and another US$3M was estimated to be used to make the location habitable.

The agency’s executives balked at the rising price of making the High and Princes Street location workable. As a result, the burnt out former Housing Ministry location on Home Stretch Avenue was considered, but because of space constraints, this option soon went through the window. That location would have easily cushioned the GGMC’s pockets, but the growing staff and operating equipment just wouldn’t fit.

The additional cost, Kaieteur News was told, mounted up as a result of the repair work needed to be done on the High Street location and on the groundwork needed to make operations safe and on par. Apart from windows, doors and other fixtures, the High Street location needs to be built-up for capacity purposes.

It was noted that the location has serious engineering defects. Load testing was performed for concerns about capacity capabilities for staff accommodation, machinery and visitors. The publication was told that while capacity

should be at 50 pounds per square inch, the location can only accommodate 35 pounds.

Currently the GGMC is clearing out a bottom flat of one of the storage areas just to accommodate its staffers.

The Commission said that the location itself is a fire hazard, while raw sewage could be seen in the Brickdam compound when there is heavy rainfall. Despite this, the GGMC has been denied the right to move to a temporary location, such as the former Co-op Complex building on Regent Street.

The Minister had stated that the agency had no plans to move to that location, but subsequently admitted that the GGMC had space issues and the Ministry was seeking to put temporary measures in place. The use of the building though not ruled out, may not be on the agenda, since the Natural Resource Ministry has stopped the GGMC from making any moves.

As a result of the ongoing issues, the GGMC expressed concern over the agency’s prized International Organization for Standardization (ISO) certification. The certification is under threat this publication was told, due to the lack of staff accommodation and a backlog of mining permits. It was noted that millions of dollars had to be spent to meet requirements, and hard work on the staffers’ part amounted to the agency becoming one of the first mining companies to achieve the ISO 14001 certification.

There was also a build-up of some 3000 mining applications when the agency was instructed not to issue any mining licences. The backlog was not fixed until a no confidence vote was passed by the Guyana Gold

Tuesday August 06, 2013

The confiscated GGMC building that houses the Natural Resource Ministry

and Diamond Miners Association, along with other mining agencies.

Additionally, officials are adamant and continue to air their discontent with the Natural Resource Ministry “poking its nose” in the agency’s operations. Quoting from the GGMC’s Act constituted on May 30, 1979, officials said that the Natural Resource Ministry is a policy making body that has no official dabbling in the affairs of the GGMC. The Act, it was explained, means that the execution of GGMC’s business is protected by the Constitution, and the law protects the Agency in its right to govern itself in whichever way it sees fit.

Officials argued that the Ministry’s continued interference in organization’s business is hampering the mining agency’s smooth running.

The considered Home Stretch Avenue location

Soon to be GGMC’s new home

Tuesday August 06, 2013

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Tuesday August 06, 2013

Embassies still shut, US tries to pinpoint targets

A Yemeni soldier stops a car at a checkpoint leading t the US Embassy in Sanaan, Yemen.

WASHINGTON (AP) — American spies and intelligence analysts on Monday scoured email, phone calls and radio communications between alQaida operatives in Yemen and the organization’s senior leaders to determine the timing and targets of a potentially spectacular attack that officials said they came across in monitoring militants’ “chatter.”

Lawmakers have said it was a massive plot in the final stages, but they offered no specifics.

Intelligence officials told The Associated Press that the target could be a single embassy or a number of posts, or still other Western objectives. The diffuse nature of the monitored information led the Obama administration to close diplomatic posts from Mauritania on Africa’s west coast through the Middle East to Bangladesh, east of India, and as far south as Madagascar.

The U.S. did decide to reopen some posts on Monday, including welldefended embassies in Kabul, Afghanistan, and Baghdad.

Officials wouldn’t say who intercepted the initial suspect communications — the CIA, the National Security Agency, the Defense Intelligence Agency or one of the other intelligence agencies — that kicked off the sweeping pre-emptive closure of U.S. facilities. But an intelligence official said the controversial NSA programs that gather data on American phone calls or track Internet communications with suspected terrorists played no part in detecting the initial tip. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the official was not authorized to discuss the spying publicly.

Once the plot was

detected however, NSA analysts could use the programs that leaker Edward Snowden revealed to determine whom the plotters may have contacted around the world. Snowden revealed one program that collected telephone data such as the numbers called and the duration of calls on U.S. telephone networks. Another program searched global Internet usage.

Therefore, if a new name was detected in the initial chatter, the name or phone number of that person could be run through the NSA databases to see whom he called or what websites or emails he visited.

The surveillance is part of the continuing effort to track the spread of al-Qaida from its birthplace in Afghanistan and Pakistan to countries where governments and security forces are weaker and less welcoming to the U.S. or harder for American counterterrorist forces to penetrate — such as Syria, Iraq, Somalia, Mali and Libya — as well as Yemen, already home to al-Qaida’s most dangerous affiliate, Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula.

Administration officials have said the plot seems to be centered in and may be carried out by that affiliate, known as AQAP. AQAP also has been blamed for the foiled Christmas Day 2009 effort to bomb an airliner over Detroit and the explosives-laden parcels intercepted the following year aboard cargo flights. The CIA and Pentagon jointly run drone targeting of al-Qaida in Yemen. Last week, Yemeni President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi met with President Barack Obama at the White House.

Administration officials

would not say if the threat was discussed in that meeting.

“Clearly, AQAP is the most active terrorist organization there and has been the most operationally active affiliate of al-Qaida core,” State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said.

The Yemeni government also went on high alert Monday, stepping up security at government facilities and checkpoints, according to a Mideast diplomat in the U.S. The diplomat said the Yemen alert was related to the threat that led to the temporary shutdown of the U.S. embassies.

White House spokesman Jay Carney wouldn’t say whether the threat extends to the United States or whether Americans should be fearful because of the alerts.

“What we know is the threat emanates from, and may be focused on, occurring in the Arabian Peninsula,” Carney said. “It could potentially be beyond that, or elsewhere.”

“We cannot be more specific,” he said.

The U.S. also has stepped up surveillance in Africa, flying unarmed observation drones from Libya, focused in that country on a mix of militant groups in the town of Darna. A newer U.S. operation opened last year at an airfield in Niger, aimed at tracking another affiliate, al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, in neighboring Mali.

The model for both is the U.S. operation in Somalia. CIA officers there provide intelligence, and special operators advise U.N. peacekeeping troops on tactics as well as delivering surveillance and intelligence (Continued on page 30)

Tuesday August 06, 2013

Kaieteur News

Autopsy reveals mining camp watchman was murdered The police are currently investigating the murder of a 64-year-old watchman, Darnley King, of Ann’s Grove, East Coast Demerara, who was allegedly beaten to death at a mining camp at White Water, Konawaruk, on July 30, 2013. Kaieteur News was told by relatives that they had initially received conflicting reports about King’s death, however after a post mortem yesterday it was confirmed that he had been murdered.

Colwyn King, a brother of the dead man, told Kaieteur News yesterday that the family had received the news about the death last week Tuesday. King explained that the initial report the family had received was that his brother was “sick and had died” before reaching Georgetown. He told Kaieteur News that after hearing that, relatives were not completely satisfied with the explanation given by his brother’s employers.

Colwyn King told Kaieteur News that the employers had told another sibling that they had paid some $120,000 to bring the man to Georgetown, but he succumbed before reaching the city.

King said that relatives quickly started doing their own investigation and

Dead: Darnley King

determined that this was not the case. He said that they made contact with the police who went into the camp and transported the body to Georgetown, on Thursday last. King explained that the body was taken to the Lyken Funeral Parlour where his sister made the identification.

According to him, the sister said that blood was oozing from the victim’s nose, eyes, ears and mouth, which heightened the family’s concern. A post mortem examination was scheduled for the following day, he said.

King said that relatives were told to be at the Georgetown Hospital on Friday morning.

He said that relatives waited at the hospital until two police officers came out and informed them that the post mortem could not be done since the body was “badly decomposed”. King said that relatives did not take

the police’s explanation, and requested to speak to the doctor himself.

He said that they managed to speak to the doctor and outlined their concerns about the death.

King said that the doctor scheduled for the post mortem to be done yesterday.

When it was completed by government pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh, he gave the cause of death as brain hemorrhage due to multiple blunt trauma. Kaieteur News understands that the police are yet to make any arrests.

King had been working in the interior since March.

This newspaper understands that the employers are also from Ann’s Grove, ECD. Kaieteur News was told that last year the owner’s husband and son were murdered at the same camp. Investigations into King’s murder are continuing.

Guard severely beaten at worksite succumbs Well known Berbice resident, security guard and former Berbice cricketer Frederick Nathaniel Minty, 78, of 4 Cumberland, East Canje, died around 21:00 hrs on Sunday evening at the Intensive Care Unit of the Georgetown Hospital after he was rushed there from the New Amsterdam Hospital.

Minty who worked as a security guard with A Nabi and Son at Mud Lot Stanleytown for the past 10 years was bludgeoned by two bandits who invaded his worksite on Thursday night.

According to information the men attacked the elderly man with pieces of wood and severely beat him before escaping with his phone, bicycle, a small television and a bag with his Identification and NIS Cards, pension book and personal items.

According to the man’s son, Ezra Minty, a school teacher and Deacon in his church, his father left home as was customary around 15:00 hrs on his bicycle to go to work.

“He would leave early because he was a very friendly man and would stop

Dead: Frederick Minty along the way to converse with family and friends”.

Ezra Minty stated that his father would work during the night and it was a routine thing for him. He said that they received a call around 06:30 hrs informing that his father had been beaten and was at the New Amsterdam Hospital. The younger Minty immediately rushed to the hospital where he saw his father being tended to in the emergency room by doctors.

The senior Minty

received many injuries including three broken ribs, a punctured lung, black and blue marks around his eyes, a broken shoulder and other bruises about his body. He was subsequently transferred to the Georgetown Hospital around 11:30 hrs on the same day.

Minty, a father of 16, including seven with his wife of over 43 years, Florizell Minty, worked as a Quantity Surveyor with the Ministry of Public Works for a number of years before doing duties with a number of security services.

The man who lived with his wife, two children, a daughter in law and grandson, was a former cricketer and was a prominent fixture in the first division circle in the ‘60s, ‘70s - a feared batsman who represented Berbice.

Minty is also survived by two brothers and four sisters.

The body has been transferred to New Amsterdam and a Post Mortem Examination is to be performed soon.

Investigations are continuing.

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Kaieteur News

Tuesday August 06, 2013

Tuesday August 06, 2013

Kaieteur News

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Selling of obscene material, criminal defamation…

Int’l press body urges removal of archaic laws The International Press Association (IPI) has recommended that Guyana adjust its criminal laws to remove all references of libel and defamation. In a report released last week, IPI also called on the Government to reform the laws to remove references of seditious libel.

Currently, under the Criminal Law (Offences) Act, media workers and others can face three years in jail and fines for defamatory libel.

IPI has been making the rounds to have countries adjust their laws. One of the issues that the body has problems with also is current obscene libel laws, where someone caught selling or publishing obscene matter, could face up to two years in prison.

Based in Vienna, IPI is a global organisation with members in more than 120 countries. In April, several of its members conducted a three-day visit to Guyana to push for the laws to decriminalise defamation.

IPI is contending that the threat of jail could affect the freedom of media workers.

During the visit, IPI, together with its strategic partner, the Association of Caribbean Media Workers (ACM), also visited Antigua and Barbuda, Suriname, the Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago and Curaçao.

“In nearly all cases, these laws have been left over from colonial powers, for which they served as a convenient tool for preserving authority and stamping out criticism,” the IPI said in its report.

Currently, all 16 independent states in the Caribbean maintain some form of the defamation laws.

The media body stressed that the prosecutions which have seen some journalists

Opposition Leader, David Granger

AFC’s Leader, Khemraj Ramjattan

sentenced to prison, risk instilling self-censorship in the media and thereby depriving readers, viewers and listeners of information in the public interest ALL IS NOT WELL Among the team that met with the Opposition and Government in Guyana on the issues were Alison BethelMcKenzie, IPI Executive Director; Bert Wilkinson, Executive member of the Association of Caribbean Media Workers in Guyana; John Yearwood, IPI ViceChair and Chairman of IPI’s North American Committee and World Editor of The Miami Herald, and Scott Griffen, IPI press freedom advisor for Latin America and the Caribbean.

IPI did not find any recent prosecutions of journalists under Guyana’s criminal defamation laws. However, there have been a number of civil suits filed by government officials against journalists.

The Guyana Constitution (1980) does not contain explicit protection for the press. However, it does say: “Except with his own consent, no person shall be hindered in the enjoyment of his freedom of expression, that is to say, freedom to hold

opinions without interference, freedom to receive ideas and information without interference, freedom to communicate ideas and information without interference and freedom from interference with his correspondence.”

In a meeting with IPI delegates, Attorney General (AG) Anil Nandlall agreed that journalists “should not go to jail for practising their craft,” and pledged to prepare a memo on the issue for the country’s cabinet.

Nandlall stated: “I cannot see the utility of having something in the law that is not used,” adding that no Guyanese journalist had been charged with criminal libel in recent times.

JAIL THEM The report noted that the AG urged IPI to emphasise the importance of media ethics.

“The media is one of the most powerful organisations in the world,” he noted, “and with that power comes a commensurate responsibility.”

Nandlall stressed in particular that in Guyana, which he

Pensioner succumbs after bee attack A 73-year-old Bartica woman died Saturday after a swarm of African bees attacked her at her Potaro Road residence.

The victim, Evelyn Clay, was sitting on her verandah at the time.

Reports emerging from Bartica have indicated that the pensioner was severely stung by Africanized bees, which had emerged from a coconut tree in her yard, after their nest was shaken by the vibration of a large brick thrown by Clay’s 11-year-old grandson. Attempts to rescue Clay after loud screams emanated from her were rendered futile due to her

grandson also being attacked by the vicious bees. Reports are that Clay’s grandson attempted to remove her from the verandah after she was attacked, but he eventually had to resort to jumping in a nearby drum, when the bees turned on him.

Another relative managed to reach the elderly woman shortly after.

She was then transported to the Bartica Hospital, where she later succumbed.

Kaieteur News understands that two of her eight relatives who were also stung by the insects, remain in hospital.

The others were kept for treated and discharged.

From L: John Yearwood, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Alison BethelMcKenzie and Scott Griffen at the Office of the Prime Minister (IPI Photo) described as a “society with underlying tensions,” journalists must be aware of their context.

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds was more explicit in his criticism of the media, asserting that the Guyanese independent press engages in “premeditated distortion” that “maximises the social problems in our society.”

Hinds presented the IPI delegation with photocopies of an article from a leading newspaper whose headline he claimed contained a false statement about him and did not match exactly the article’s content.

He implied that the original headline may have been changed in the editorial process to suit a particular political bias.

IPI also met with Gail Teixeira, advisor on governance to President

Donald Ramotar.

Teixeira informed IPI that while she could not make any specific promises, the government was “not opposed to changing it [criminal libel law].” Like other political figures, she welcomed IPI’s commitment to providing journalist training in Guyana, stating, “We don’t want everyone to love the government, we just want fair and accurate reporting.”

The Opposition was notably more supportive of repealing criminal libel.

“Count my entire party in,” Khemraj Ramjattan, leader

of theAlliance for Change (AFC), told the delegation. “You have my instant support.”

Although broadly sympathetic to IPI’s view, Brigadier (retired) David Granger, leader of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), expressed skepticism that media selfregulation would be sufficient to protect reputations.

“When you are surrounded by large numbers of untrained reporters, there does exist the danger of defamation, which requires more than an apology afterward.”

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Kaieteur News

Tuesday August 06, 2013

Nigerian Islamist group China’s Heat Wave Brings accused of heinous crimes ‘Dead’ Man Back To Life AMSTERDAM (AP) — The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court says that after a preliminary investigation she believes that acts attributed to the Nigerian Islamist group Boko Haram are likely crimes against humanity.

“Information available provides a reasonable basis to believe that since July 2009 Boko Haram has launched a widespread and systematic attack that has resulted in the killing of more than 1,200 Christian and Muslim civilians in different locations throughout Nigeria,” Fatou Bensouda wrote in a report issued Monday.

She said the potential crimes against humanity include murder and persecution.

But she said she will only move to a fullfledged investigation after further study and depending on whether Nigerian authorities themselves are willing and able to prosecute “those who appear to bear the greatest responsibility.” Her report was based on evidence gathered through December 2012.

Nigeria declared a state of emergency on May 14 to fight an Islamic uprising by militants in the northeast who want to impose Islamic law across a country divided almost equally between the predominantly Muslim north and mainly Christian south.

Boko Haram’s center of power is in the northeast, but last month Nigeria’s army arrested 42 suspected Islamic extremists in the southwest states of Lagos and neighboring Ogun.

Bensouda noted that while that Nigerian government forces may also have violated human rights while conducting operations against Boko Haram, as of December 2012 there was no evidence they were targeting civilians.

The International Criminal Court is the world’s permanent war crimes court, established in The Hague, Netherlands in 2002.

The prosecutor’s office formally launched its investigation into the situation in Nigeria in November 2010.

BEIJING (AP) — Having the dead guy jump up for a drink probably wasn’t part of the script.

A staged protest claiming that city officials had beaten a sidewalk vendor to death in central China went awry when the man playing dead under a white sheet was overcome by the region’s heat wave and sprang up to quaff a bottle of water, state media reported Monday.

“It’s too hot. I can’t bear it anymore,” the man was quoted as saying by staterun Xinhua News Agency.

More than 10 men had gathered Saturday with a gurney that purportedly carried the vendor’s body, covered by a sheet, in the Hubei provincial capital

Wuhan.

They were demanding tens of thousands of yuan (thousands of dollars) in compensation for the alleged death, Xinhua said.

The incident drew 300 onlookers and about 80 police officers.

It was not immediately clear how the group intended to press their claims without submitting the body for an investigation and autopsy. In any case, the game was up when the man — as Xinhua reported — jumped up from under the sheet.

The man on the gurney was identified as Han, who has been detained for disturbing social order, said a district administration official in Wuhan contacted by

telephone. She refused to give her name.

Han told the police that urban management workers — known as “chengguan” — clashed with the group of vendors earlier Saturday after telling them that their drinks stands were blocking traffic near a subway stop, Xinhua said.

Many members of China’s public have long resented the heavy-handed tactics of the country’s chengguan.

Though they have no legal authority to use force, they are often accused of beating people who commit minor infractions in shows of power that have fueled social tension, triggered riots and aggravated public discontent against the government.

Embassies still shut, US tries to pinpoint targets From page 26 carrying out the occasional raid against pirates or militants. Acting on what it said was an “overabundance of caution,” the State Department on Sunday closed a total of 19 diplomatic posts until next Saturday.

They include posts in Bangladesh and across North Africa and the Middle East as well as East Africa, including Madagascar, Burundi, Rwanda and Mauritius. The closure of the African facilities came just days before the 15th anniversary of al-Qaida’s bombings of American diplomatic missions in Kenya and Tanzania. Those two

embassies targeted in the Aug. 7, 1998 attacks were rebuilt as more heavily fortified structures away from populated areas where they would be less vulnerable to attack. One senior U.S. diplomat in the region said his diplomatic facility was keeping a skeleton U.S. staff working to provide some U.S. citizen services, but was limiting movements in and out of the area and remained closed to the general public.

Diplomatic staff were taking precautions standard for the region even in normal times — avoiding areas of known militant activity and varying times and routes for business

or personal meetings. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the official was not authorized to discuss the closures publicly.

The British and German embassies in Yemen also were closed. Norway’s Foreign Ministry, too, restricted public access to 15 of its embassies in the Middle East and Africa, including its post in Saudi Arabia. “There isn’t much known about the where, so they are trying to gauge their reaction as widely as possible,” Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., said Monday. “The locus of the highest concern is in the area of the (Arabian) Peninsula and emanates from there,” said Schiff, who is a member of the House intelligence committee. “Given al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula’s past focus on airlines,” Schiff said Americans should be vigilant about airline travel and mass transportation.

Tuesday August 06, 2013

Kaieteur News

Turkey bans 31 athletes for doping (Reuters) - The Turkish Athletics Federation (TAF) has given two-year suspensions to 31 athletes for drug violations, it announced yesterday. At least three of the athletes competed at the 2012 London Olympics, including hammer thrower Esref Apak, the 2004 silver medalist.

Bans had been expected after the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) conducted a large number of tests ahead of and during the Mediterranean Games in the Turkish city of Mersin in June.

Apak was one of eight athletes who tested positive

following the European Team Championships in Gateshead the same month.

Last week, TAF chairman Mehmet Terzi resigned from the post he had held for nine years in the face of doping allegations directed at Turkish sportsmen and women. “The athletes were found to be in violation of Turkey’s strict anti-doping laws following testing undertaken by the Turkish anti-doping authority (TADA),” Ugur Erderner, president of Turkey’s National Olympic Committee and a member of the World Anti-

aggressive, anti-doping policy in Turkey that has been in place for over six months and will be further reinforced with the reaccreditation of the WADAlicensed anti-doping laboratory in Ankara later this year.”

Erderner said an anti-doping education programme would be introduced in schools and colleges. “Turkey has zero tolerance for doping and it is our intention to have clean, young athletes competin g on the

Doping Agency (WADA) executive board, said in a statement. “TADA conducted the tests either as part of their own anti-doping programmes, or in conjunction with the IAAF and WADA. “This work is part of a

international sporting stage in the future.” The TAF listed the names of the suspended athletes on its website (www.taf.org.tr), without giving details of their offences. Istanbul is bidding to host the 2020 Olympics.

concerted, and much more

Tuesday August 06, 2013 Information gleaned from friends could find you focusing on a new goal, Aries. You may have a lot of ideas about projects you want to take care of, and today you may realize which one has top priority. ********************** A possible change in direction might arise today.

You could meet someone new or run into someone you haven't seen in a while who offers you a chance to change careers. ********************** You may feel especially emotional today, Gemini, reacting strongly to just about every image you see, whether it's a war photo or a kitten on a doorstep. ********************** Dreams and visions might come and go today, Cancer, as unconscious images surface. Some of these impressions could represent old traumas and phobias that have outlived their usefulness and need to be released. ********************** Social events or group activities could put you in touch with many people, Leo, both close friends and casual acquaintances. A new person may come into your life who makes a difference. Issues may come up that you feel strongly about. ********************** Physically, Virgo, you should feel strong and energetic and ready to take on just about anything that comes your way today.

Romantic desire tempers spiritual passion today, and you may want to pursue both, Libra. Perhaps your romantic partner is as spiritually inclined as you, and you aspire toward the same ends. ********************** If you're currently romantically involved, your relationship could move to the next level of commitment. You and your partner could agree to be monogamous, get engaged, or set a wedding date. ********************** An invitation to an important social event could come today, Sagittarius.

This may be a chance to meet important people who could advance your career in some way or who might be involved in a field that interests you. ********************** A previously untapped talent may emerge today, Capricorn. You could decide to train this talent and create a new skill that can help you with just about any type of work you'd be doing. ********************** Romantic passion might motivate you to improve your physical appearance, Aquarius. You might decide to exercise, change your diet, and experiment with new clothes or haircut. ********************** You might take on the world, Pisces. Excitement, enthusiasm, and purpose could fill your soul, yet you may wonder where it comes from, as nothing has really changed since yesterday.

Page 31

Battle lines drawn for Sunday’s Int’l Drag Race Meet With its popularity growing increasingly this Sunday Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club (GMRSC) International Drag Race Meet, at the South Dakota Circuit is anticipated to enjoy massive support according to a source close to the fraternity.

With racers from Suriname, who have named a strong contingent and a couple of racers expected from Trinidad and Tobago anticipated to compete against Guyana’s dragsters, motor racing fans will be in for a treat when competitors take to

the starting line in pursuit of championship honours.

Fans will have the opportunity to determine which country is the best among the three nations and an occasion that is anticipated to be just as action packed as previous Meets, making it a must for those who love to see demonstrations of skills and

Cameron Jerome admits betting offences BBC Sport - Stoke City striker Cameron Jerome has admitted breaking Football Association betting rules, while Accrington Stanley managing director Robert Heys has been charged with breaking them.

Both Jerome and Heys were charged with breaches of the FA’s rules “in relation to a number of betting offences”.

Jerome, 26, will now face a hearing on a date still to be determined.

BBC Sport understands Jerome’s charge is not related to match fixing or betting on games he was involved in.

A statement from Jerome’s club confirmed “Jerome accepts the FA charges made against him in relation to breaches of its betting rules”.

Stoke added: “Cameron has admitted the charges and will in due course attend an Independent Regulatory Commission, at which he will be supported by the club.

“The club or the player will not be making any further comment at this time.”

In June, Tottenham midfielder Andros Townsend was fined £18,000 and banned for four months, three of those months suspended, for a breach of betting regulations.

The charges meant that he missed playing for England Under-21s in the European Championship after he withdrew from the squad.

daredevilry. According to the official, the foreign teams have already stated their intentions to come down to the South Dakota Circuit, the home of motor racing in Guyana and dominate the local drivers, while the locals have responded by saying that they will defend home turf at all cost.

Suriname which has been Guyana’s biggest threat will once again have as part of their team the fast Typhoon which is no stranger to these shores and has been a thorn in the flesh of our machines, while additional information coming out of the Dutch territory is that a quick Supra is also expected to make the trip. However, on the local end, the likes of Anand Ramchand’s Supra and Rondell Daby’s lightening fast Red Evolution will all be battling to ensure that at the end of the day, the top honours will be shared by the

Guyanese. Among the other big names expected to represent the ‘Land of Many Waters are Afraz Ally, Syed Ali, Danny Persaud, Kevin Deodass and Sanjay Persaud.

The source further informed that even though the Superbikers have not confirmed participation, the Organisers stand willing to accommodate them as part of the day’s action should they wish to compete.

The official added that race fans will have the opportunity to experience the Porta Tree Timing System which is equipped with specialized starting lights and allows quarter mile speeds to be recorded.

Races commence at 12:00 hrs and admission for adults is $1000, while children under12 and vehicles are free.

The day’s activities are being sponsored by GT&T, Banks DIH Ltd, Valvoline among others.

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Kaieteur News

Tuesday August 06, 2013

ODI series against Mark Interior Communications Windies helped me a lot supports Boyce/Jefford Classic IV

St. Lucia captain Darren Sammy (left) and Misbah- Ul –Haq speak to the media.

St. Lucia Zouks’ Misbah –Ul- Haq played an important innings in his team victory against the Guyana Amazon Warriors on Sunday at the Guyana National Stadium and the Pakistan captain said that the recently concluded One Day International Series against the West Indies helped him a lot.

Ul-Haq, who clobbered 49 from 33 balls, stated that the wickets are slow and he needed to assess the pitch.

“The fast bowlers are struggling to get pace from the pitch so I had to adjust to it and the previous series helped a lot.

He said that his role was to play through the innings.

“We had to get a run a ball and my task was to bat through and I did it well”, he said.

Ul-Haq pointed out that he always backs himself against the spinners and that Mohammed Hafeez is a good

bowler but it was always going to be difficult for him in the final over which they need 10.

Zouks captian Darren Sammy was satisfied that his team performance. “We did well to restrict the Amazon Warriors and we did job chasing the total.

I wasn’t bothered with the start the Warriors got.

The new ball tend to go for runs on this pitch but we bowled well in the middle overs”, he said.

Women’s Super 50

Chairman of the Management Committee for Boyce & Jefford Track and Field Classic IV, Colin Boyce (right) receives the sponsorship package from Manager of Mark Interior Communications, Rubiane Chaves yesterday.

Mark Interior Communications again supported the Boyce & Jefford Track and Field Classic IV yesterday when it handed over a sponsorship package to the Coordinators of the Guyana’s most lucrative athletics Championships.

Managing Director of Mark Interior Communications, Mark Grimmond, indicated that he

thinks that the Boyce & Jefford Track and Field Classic is the best athletics

He stated that he will ensure he continues a longte rm commitment to

meet in Guyana and that is one of the basic reasons he continues to support the event.

According to Grimmond, he is a “strong

developing the meet.

Manager at Mark Interior Communications,

Guyana grabbed first innings points for the Leeward Islands in the fifth round of the Regional U-

Kanhai was the pick of the bowlers bagging 5-

19 three day tournament which commenced in St. Kitts yesterday.

Leewards batted first and were bowled out for 128 in 42.5 overs.

Carty top scored with 26 while Powell supported with 23 and Martina 22.

Gudakesh Motie

Guyana in reply were reduced to 84-4 before Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Ricardo Adams added 51 for the fifth wicket to revive the innings. Guyana, who drew their previous game against Jamaica, closed the day on 152-5 after 45 overs with

supporter of quality sports and athletes in Guyana” and his sponsorship of the 2013 meet is demonstrating that commitment.

Rubiane Chaves handed over the sponsorship for the meet that will be held on August 17 at the Police Sports Club Ground, Eve Leary, and August 18 at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground with the grand finals.

Regional U-19 tourney Ogle slams ton as Guyana beat Dominica by 209 runs Guyana grab first innings points from Leewards med a fine century as Guyana made a Opener slam

June

Ogle

winning start to the Regional Women’s Super 50 crushing Dominica by 209 runs yesterday.

Guyana batted first and posted 268-3 off

their allotted 50 overs with June Ogle leading the way with an unbeaten 104, while Shemaine Campbell stroked 85.

Dominica in reply were bowled out for 59 in 28.1 overs.

In other matches Trinidad beat Barbados by 2 wickets. Barbados took first strike and were routed for 134, the Trinis replied with 136-8 in 42.2 overs.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) overcame Grenada by 59 runs.

SVG scored 227 all out batting first; they then restricted Grenada to 168 in 43.4 overs.

June Ogle

31, while Vishal Narayan took 2-29.

Chanderpaul not out on 24.

Moore has so far taken 3-54.

Gudakesh Motie Kanhai

ASATT Congratulates George Bovell III on Barcelona Bronze The Amateur Swimming Association of Trinidad and Tobago (ASATT) continues to be proud of the successes of Olympian George Bovell III. George again showed his prowess in the Men’s 50m Freestyle when he touched the wall in 21.51 to win Bronze at the FINA World Championships in Barcelona, Spain.

Cesar Cielo of Brazil won Gold in 21.32 and Russia’s Vladimir Morozov was second in 21.47.

Bovell’s success is undoubtedly inspiring to the swimming fraternity as well as the wider sporting community as young athletes observe the rewards of hard work, discipline and dedication to one’s goals.

George Bovell III

Tuesday August 06, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 33

Fierce punches/brutal knockouts characterize 29th edition of Guyana Fight Night

By Michael Benjamin On a night where knockouts were the order, local light/middleweight champion, Mark Austin refused to adhere to conventional procedure but nevertheless surrendered a close split decision verdict to Howard ‘Battersea Bomber’ Eastman when they clashed in a non-title 8 rounds light/ middleweight contest in the feature attraction of the 29th Edition of the Guyana Fight Night boxing card at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH), Saturday evening last.

All of the other professional fights ended prematurely with Laured ‘The Nightmare’ Stewart setting the tone with a first round demolition of Eversley Brown in their middleweight fight.

Not to be outdone, Derick Richmond followed suit with a devastating second round knockout victory over Romeo Norville, while Clive ‘‘The Punisher’ Atwell mixed aggression with hostility to knockout Anson Green in the 3rd stanza of their scheduled 8 rounds lightweight shindig.

Eastman entered the ring glistening with sweat, obviously well warmed up for the duel, chose to bounce around in the early stages of the first round, while Austin, fighting out of a southpaw stance, shuffled forward with several crosses, most of them cleverly evaded by the wily Eastman. The ‘Battersea Bomber’ entered the second stanza with more purpose, lashing out with vicious right crosses and hooks even as Austin stood his ground and duplicated his opponent’s aggression; both pugilists finished the round engaged in a tidy mid ring exchange.

The pace picked up in the third stanza and both boxers scored telling blows before Eastman steered Austin in the red corner and unleashed a volley of body shots. Austin attempted to evade the onslaught but never bargained for the excessive water on the canvass, slid and sustained a slight injury to his knee forcing the intervention of the ringside physician. He re-entered the fray shortly afterwards and stayed in contention with several crunching shots that forced Eastman to backpedal.

The disparity in skill became apparent in the 4th round when Eastman chose to fight on the inside. He mixed his punches at close quarters and dictated the pace. Austin attempted several crosses but

followed by several body shots sent the lanky Brown tumbling to the canvass for the mandatory eight count.

He bravely rose and reentered the fray but his legs were rubbery. Stewart attacked and several punches to Brown’s body and head sent him to the canvass once again, this time for good. The

it was clear that Eastman had taken the round.

Eastman’s superior experience came to the fore in the early stages of the 5th round when he chose to fight close, nullifying Austin’s crosses. He then stamped his authority with several crunching shots, many of which sneaked past Austin’s high defence.

The two pugilists continued to battle close in the 6th stanza with each trying to seize the initiative.

Austin won the battle in this round when he surprised Eastman with a wicked left hook before following up with several left crosses that snapped his adversary’s head backward and kept him at bay.

Eastman switched his mode of attack in the 7th round and several crisp uppercuts that landed on Austin’s body and chin forcing him to cover up and

surrendering the round.

Austin retaliated in the 8th stanza with stiff right jabs and left crosses with Eastman seeking refuge behind highly held guards of clinches.

Both boxers were very respectful of each other and none appeared willing to take unnecessary chances and the fight ended on a tame note with both pugilists exchanging tame blows up close. Judge Trevor Arno gave the bout to Austin 7877 but his colleagues, Carlton Hopkinson and Rawle Aaron voted in favour of Eastman, 77-75 and 80-72 respectively.

Atwell was in no mood for games and he sounded his intention from the very first gong with sharp left jabs and straight rights that pushed Green backwards. The latter pugilist, fighting out of a southpaw stance, was content with tame right jabs and straight lefts while backing away.

Atwell aggressively addressed his task in the second round and landed a vicious left hook to Green’s temple, following up with several uppercuts to the body.

Green bravely retaliated with tame combinations but it was apparent that Atwell had already taken away Green’s heart.

When the bell sounded for the 3rd round, Green bounded out but was met by a vicious body assault and after an especially wicked left uppercut landed to his midsection, he crashed to the canvas, his face contorted and writhing in pain. Even before referee, Eon Jardine, commenced the count, those pundits in the know had already started to leave the

bout had lasted a mere 1:10secs.

Earlier, fans were entertained by 8 amateur boxers in four bouts Tefon Green of the Harpy Eagle’s Boxing Gym (HEBG) lost on points to Junior Henry in the

Clive ‘‘The Punisher’ Atwell (background) raises his hands in triumph as Anson Green lie on his back and is attended by the Referee after being knocked down in the 3rd round. arena even as the ‘third man’ officially completed his task and waved the one sided affair off. The time was 35secs of the 3rd round.

Norville had had a successful start to his professional career in the 28th edition of the card when he disposed of Eversley Brown in commanding fashion. He entered last Saturday night’s fight full of confidence but never bargained for Richmond’s power and determination. Several crunching shots landed on Norville’s nose and transformed his face into a

bloody mess, yet he continued to bravely advance.

He shrugged aside the pain and shuffled forward but a dancing Richmond lashed out with a

volley of punches that worsened his injury and prompted the referee to seek the intervention of the ringside doctor. Norville then re-entered the fray upon the advice of the doctor but Richmond unmercifully lashed out with several jolting blows.

Norville courageously advanced but a determined Richmond refused to be denied and a wicked clout landed on

Norville’s jugular and gravity took over. The referee immediately took up the count but even the uninitiated knew it was just a formality; Norville was unable to beat the count and remained on the canvass long after the referee had waved off the bout.

Brown’s walk from his dressing room clocked about some five minutes, 4 more than his eventual stay.

Stewart rushed out upon the bell and laced the taller Brown with body and head shots and he tottered like a ship on the stormy sea. A right cross

110-114lbs division. The junior/flyweight clash between Tyron Lashley of the Rose Hall Jammers and Michael April of the Tiger Eye Boxing gym (TEBG) ended after the latter boxer dealt the former several stiff shots and forced the referee to call a halt to the bout in 2:35secs of the third round.

Welterweight, Linden Daniels (GDF) fought gamely but found Travis Fraser (TEBG) a tough customer and conceded a unanimous verdict moments before Jason Barker of the Republican Boxing Gym forced the referee to halt his heavyweight clash with Kelroy Evelyn (GDF) at 2:23 of the second round.

Furniture giants, Courts (Guyana) Ltd once again fulfilled its corporate duty and gifted several large food hampers to the participating amateur boxers. GBBC administrators are currently putting the necessary modalities in place for the 30th edition of the card.

6th Republic Bank Summer Camp deemed a success by RHTY&SC The Sixth Annual Republic Bank Summer Camp hosted by the Cricket team of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club for Grade Six students and concluded on Friday last, has been deemed a success.

With the main aim of preparing Grade Six students for a successful transition to Secondary School, this year’s activity which lasted fourweeks was described by the Coordinator, Rohan Etwaru, as rewarding.

Etwaru, a Senior Teacher at the Port Mourant Secondary School informed that the 60 students which attended were lectured to on the following subject areas, Mathematics, English A, English B, Integrated Science, Social Studies and Spanish.

The students were also exposed to basic coaching on

how to play cricket and were involved in playing several sports in an effort to promote sports as an alternative to a life on the road. Several classroom lectures were also done on topics of importance which included HIV/Aids, Drugs Abuse, Peer Pressure, Public Speaking, the Importance of Education and Belief in God. Etwaru disclosed that all of the students showed improvement in their class work and expressed confidence that they were all fully prepared for their entrance into Secondary School when school re-opens in September.

Club President Keith Foster urged the attentive students to remain committed in the classroom and to make the pursuit of education the main agenda in their lives. He

said he strongly believes in educating the minds of youths as it is the foundation of a successful career, while urging all clubs in Guyana to invest in education and sports.

Foster hailed the support of Republic Bank for the Summer Camp over the last six years and said that in 2014, the Camp would be expanded to accommodate more students. He also urged the parents of the students to play an active role in their lives as they need positive role models to pattern themselves after.

Representative of Republic Bank Rose Hall Branch, Mr. Leon Mc Donald, complimented the Club for hosting another successful Camp and noted that Republic Bank would continue to invest in education and

youths.

Mc Donald urged the students to remain focused as Secondary School is more demanding than Primary School.

Tejesh Goberdhan was named top student of the Camp, while the other awards went to the Most Discipline student (Jalisa Samaroo), Most Improved student (Sarah Sewchand) and the Best Attendee who was Kila Campbell.

The top students each received special prizes while every student received a school bag. The Camp was organised by the Rose Hall Town Farfan and Mendes Under-15, Bakewell Under-17 and Second Division, Pepsi Under-19 and Intermediate, Metro Female and Gizmos and Gadgets First Division and Under-21 Cricket Teams.

Page 34

Kaieteur News

GBTI Open elevates Junior tennis The GBTI Open has emerged as the premier tennis tournament that creates new standards for tennis performance in Guyana. So says President of the GTA, Ramesh Seebarran in a recent release. “It is tournaments such as these that are necessary to provide opportunities for advanced players to display their skills but also to attract new players to the sport.”

This year, Jonathan Christie of Texas who is visiting for the holidays, won the Junior Boys Category by defeating Seanden DavidLonge 6-3, 6-4, while in the Junior Girls category, his sister Ronisha Christie was no match for the rising star Afruica Gentle who easily copped the Junior Girls crown by winning her Round Robin matches against Christie 6-1, 6-2, Jamaali Homer 6-4, 7-5 and Tanya Niamatali 6-3, 3-0(ret).

The Christies who are top ranked in Texas were pleasantly surprised at the level of tennis in Guyana.

Other top juniors such as Gavin Lewis, Daniel Lopes and Nicola Ramdyhan had outstanding performances as they continue their quest to dominate the Open Categories. The Lewis/Lopes combo lost the Men’s Doubles Finals against the hard hitting Anthony Downes/Jason Andrews 62,6-3. The Lewis/Ramdyhan combo also lost the Mixed Doubles Finals against top seeded Leyland Leacock/ Shelly Daly-Ramdyhan 2-6, 63, 6-1.

Afruica Gentle In the Men’s Singles semis Lewis lost to Leacock 7-5, 6-4. But 14yr old Nicola Ramdyhan single handedly redeemed the juniors to become one of the youngest to clench the coveted title of Ladies Singles Champion against the Berbician veteran Carol Humphrey 7-5, 6-3.

Even as the GTA struggles to cope with the high cost of travel for junior to gained experience in regional tournaments, the plea continues for more local courts to be built of a high

standard such as the ones at GBTI to attract regional players for competitions held locally. Tennis in Guyana has reached the point where International Tournaments are required to catapult the sport to new heights. Players are now performing better in the main draw of the regional tournaments. Afruica Gentle in April this year won the Antiguan Under-12 International Tournament.

“We will only know the true potential of our young players when we provide

Jonathan Christie facilities, training and competition of the standard that truly propels their ability,” Seebarran added. He urges all tennis coaches to work harder at their clubs to setup junior programmes and to encourage new players as more players breed more competition and more competition breed better players. The Tournament’s Closing Ceremony is scheduled for today from 18:00hrs at the GBTI Recreational Centre. All players and officials are required to attend.

England retain Ashes as rain forces...

From page 35 draw only one of the remaining two Tests to win the series and underline their recent domination of one of sport’s oldest contests.

Australia, who won eight consecutive Ashes series between 1989 and 2002-03, will hope to salvage a draw from the series before the return contest down under, starting in November.

The intervention of the weather was a bitter blow to Michael Clarke’s men, who rebounded strongly at Old Trafford after defeats at Trent Bridge and Lord’s.

Bolstered by Clarke’s masterful 187, the tourists piled up 527-7 in their first innings before bowling England out for 368. Scoring quickly to push for a declaration, they reached 172-7 in their second innings on Sunday when bad light and rain ended play two hours early.

Despite most weather forecasters predicting rain until at least tea on Monday, a dry spell allowed play to begin only 30 minutes behind schedule at 11:30, with Clarke declaring on Australia’s overnight score.

In overcast conditions ideal for swing bowling, Australia made the perfect start as Ryan Harris swung one back to trap Cook lbw after a failed review - his first duck in 26 innings as skipper.

With the ground starting to fill up as word spread of the unexpected resumption, Trott survived an lbw shout before tickling Harris down the leg side.

The Australia assault continued as Peter Siddle, in his first over, drew a thick edge from Root which Clarke failed to grasp at second slip.

Pietersen signalled his intention to counter-attack with a pulled four, only to be caught

behind playing away from his body for eight in Siddle’s next over.

Pietersen referred the decision but when the television umpire confirmed he heard an edge, England had lost their most destructive batsman and, with it, their final review.

Only three balls were possible after a lunch interval extended by 20 minutes because of rain, with a heavy downpour forcing the players off. Although there were then periodic breaks in the cloud, they never lasted long enough for the match to resume.

Despite securing the Ashes in somewhat underwhelming circumstances, England will reflect with pride on their victories in the first two Tests that left Australia needing to win the three remaining matches to regain the urn.

The first Test at Trent Bridge served up a nerve-

shredding conclusion as Australia’s final pair took them to the brink of victory before James Anderson removed Haddin to clinch a 14run victory. The second was an altogether more one-sided affair, with England winning by 347 runs after skittling the tourists for 128 in their first innings.

Although a first England whitewash is now impossible, the hosts can target winning three Ashes series in a row

for the first time since 1977 to 1981. Victories in the final two Tests at Chesterle-Street and The Oval would equal their biggest margin of victory over Australia - 5-1 in 1978-79.

Scores: Australia 527 for 7 dec (Clarke 187, Smith 89, Rogers 84, Swann 5-159) and 172 for 7 dec (Warner 41) England 368 (Pietersen 113, Cook 62, Bell 60, Siddle 4-63) and 37 for 3.

Tuesday August 06, 2013

Bolt won’t lose focus despite absence of key 100m rivals at Moscow World Champs

Usain Bolt entertained his Russian fans at a PUMA Jamaica Party in Gorky Park, Moscow ahead of the World Athletics Championships, which start next weekend. (AP) Daily Mail - Usain ‘I’m even more Bolt won’t let the absence focused than last time. So I’m

of his main rivals affect his going to get it done.’ concentration as he aims to Asked if the absence of win back the world 100m his three main rivals would crown in Moscow. affect his preparation, Bolt The Jamaican star, replied: ‘I’m really who has six Olympic motivated to go and show gold medals, was the world that even without disqualified for a false nobody there I can still start at the last World win.

‘So I’m focused, and Championships in Daegu in 2011, allowing I’m ready to go.’

Bolt entertained his compatriot and training partner Yohan Blake to Russian fans by dancing to claim an unexpected some reggae b eats at victory.

But Blake will miss out in Moscow with a hamstring injury and two of Bolt’s other rivals, Tyson

Gorky Park, in the heart of Moscow, where the Championships get underway on Saturday.

The preliminary rounds for the 100m are an early attraction on the opening day of the Championships on Saturday, with the heats that evening.

Gay and Asafa Powell, will not compete after failing drugs tests.

‘I went to the Olympics and now I’m back - back The semi-finals will be to regain my title,’ Bolt said at a PUMA Jamaica held on Sunday afternoon Party in Gorky Park on with the showpiece final at 6.50pm that night.

Sunday.

Hikers, GCC, Combermere...

From back page Avenue side progressed to the final when they defeated Saints 3-0 in the first semifinal matchup. Futuristik sealed their finals berth when they edged eventual third place finishers GCC 2-1 on sudden death penalty strikes as regulation time found both sides locked at 2-2.

Marian Academy’s Rosario Ramsammy was adjudged to be the division’s MVP.

Following the conclusion of the tournament, the respective divisional winners, second and third place finishers were given trophies and medals, while each divisional MVP was given a trophy, all presented by GT&T’s Outside Plant and Maintenance Manager John Marshall.

The tournament ran from July 31-August 4 and is an initiative of the GHB aimed at getting more players involved and exposed to the sport.