Kaieteur News

Saturday Edition

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August 10, 2013 - Vol. 7 No. 31 - Price $80 kaieteurnews@yahoo.com Website:http://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com Guyana’s largest selling daily & New York’s most popular weekly

Amaila Hydro project…

Sithe Global's future input in doubt - Company reportedly pulls out

Int'l Day of Indigenous Peoples sees protest for rights

The picketing exercise outside the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs yesterday

Local stakeholders meet on CARICOM reform Teacher wants CHI introduces US climate expert name cleared after newest cardiac to consult on procedure wrongful arrest - as plans are streamlined for another by year end forestry issues

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Kaieteur News

Saturday August 10, 2013

Saturday August 10, 2013

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Kaieteur News

Amaila Hydro project…

Sithe Global's future input in doubt - Company reportedly pulls out P resident of Sithe Global, Brian K u b e c k , yesterday maintained that “a public-private partnership of this magnitude requires a national consensus in order for us to proceed further.”

Several hours later there were unconfirmed reports that Sithe Global had pulled out of the Amaila Falls Hydro Electric Project, but there was no confirmation from any official source on any such development.

Kubeck was referring to the fact that the political opposition was divided on the pieces of legislation it had to consider in relation to the venture.

The news from Sithe Global comes following the vote on Thursday morning.

The Alliance for Change (AFC) voted in support, while A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) took an opposing position.

Kaieteur News made contact with Kubeck yesterday and according to the Sithe Global President “ We w i l l m a k e a n announcement in the papers on Sunday. In the meantime, I will say that our position remains unchanged.”

Kubeck in a statement to the media earlier in the week said, “We can only proceed further if there is a uniform consensus amongst all of

PPP, APNU and AFC, communicated via Parliament, that you support this project…Without such consensus, Sithe Global will be forced to withdraw.”

Meanwhile sources within the APNU have indicated that they are unconvinced that the equity partner is ready to pull out, given the investments already made.

Head of State, Donald Ramotar, speaking to this publication last evening, insists that the administration will do what it must in order to ensure the survival of the project.

APNU voted against the amendments following this

past week's debate and according to its financial spokesperson, Carl Greenidge, “if the Private Sector believes that the project is so ironclad, then let it put its money where its mouth is.” Meanwhile, the Sithe Global President had said that the company cannot continue its development efforts “without the same level of commitment from our partners in Guyana:” According to Kubeck “It would be our honour to work with Guyana to carry through this important public-private partnership, if we have the collective support of our future partners.”

Kubeck had earlier stated that failing to vote in support of the project would b e “ s i m p l y a n acknowledgement that, after US$16M and six years of intense effort by Sithe Global to progress the Project, the country is not prepared to proceed”.

At the time the Sithe Global President said, “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 of power and complete exposure to fuel price swings for imported oil.”

At the time it was

Int'l Day of Indigenous People sees protest for rights

By Tiffanne Ramphal Even as the Minister of Amerindian Affairs and members of other Amerindian-represented organisations joined together with the National To s h a o s ' C o u n c i l t o commemorate the year's International Day of the World's Indigenous People, the occasion quickly turned from celebrating indigenous people to rebutting recent picketing exercises by Amerindians concerning their rights as land owners.

Under the theme 'Building Alliance: Honouring Treaties, Agreements and other constructive arrangements', the day was highlighted with the chairman of the Toshoas Council calling on all members of the Amerindian communities to work together in making constructive arrangements.

He said that the theme that is being used to commemorate the auspicious day is relevant because as indigenous people are striving to progress, they need to build alliances with other people, and thus, treaties and agreements need to be honoured.

Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, also

A loud hailer was put to full use during the demonstration joined in with the commitment of providing continued support to move Amerindian development forward in Guyana, while noting the international concerns that beset indigenous people around the world.

“These international and national issues have to be continuously addressed. We stand firm in solidarity and will collaborate with all likem i n d e d p e o p l e internationally with respect to advancing the development of all indigenous people.”

With the vocal commitments being made to support the local indigenous people, however, the scores of Amerindians who hosted a picketing exercise outside the Ministry of Amerindian (continued on page 11)

indicated that “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.”

Sithe Global insists that the project has been vetted by numerous third-party firms and has been determined to be Guyana's “least cost” power option.

Kubeck claims “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.”

Kubeck, however, while in consultation with local stakeholders had said that the final designs had not been completed.

This was echoed in Parliament on Thursday morning when APNU's Carl Greenidge had said “the design for the Hydro Electric Plant is not absolutely finished, neither has the exact location for the plant been determined.” He argued that “there are serious issues to be addressed and you have to set out a manner to compare and contrast what you say.”

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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

Pursuing questionable development programmes Development is never a straight line process. There are always starts and stutters, and sometimes these stutters appear to stall the development process. There have been many perceived development programmes, many of which have been seriously questioned by the people who have to pay for them.

Three of them in recent times have been the Amaila Falls Hydroelectric Project, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport expansion project and the Marriott Hotel project.

All of them have been questioned and with each question the government has bristled as if to say that people should not ask questions.

They all cost millions of dollars, which the Guyanese people will have to repay over time, and with that repayment, comes the interest. The Marriott attracted questions and criticisms because many in the society believe that it is a needless project given that existing hotels do not enjoy full rooms or even overcrowding.

Indeed, there is the view that the Marriott is more or less a challenge to the Pegasus which went to someone that the present administration abhors. The former President Bharrat Jagdeo described it as rundown and smelly facility that is not fit for visitors. This comment did not go down well given that the very Pegasus has been the flagship hotel for nearly fifty years.

To this day, although the spotlight has not been on the Marriott, there are many unanswered questions. The nation is still unaware of the private investors, if any, although the project is advanced. The project that has attracted the most criticism has been the Amaila Falls Hydroelectric Project.

For one, it has been seen to be the most costly hydroelectric project in the world. The critics have provided statistics to support their argument and the government has not offered any serious explanation.

What the project has done is to split the combined opposition. At least parliament has cleared the way for the project to continue, although there is a cap on the loan ceiling. All this means at this time is that the nation is not in a position to provide coverage for the repayment of all monies that will go into the project.

When the National Assembly voted on the two Bills that had previously been defeated there was a clear signal that something had nudged the Alliance For Change in the direction of its vote. It might have been a closing of ranks against an expose of its chairman and his role in the hydro project. Whatever the case, any criticism at this time would mean nothing to the builders of the project.

One would now expect that the project would proceed full speed ahead to its conclusion some three years hence.

The nation is now awaiting financial closure for the project. This has already been delayed and there has not been any satisfactory reason.

Sithe Global, the contractors, did say nearly two years ago, that financial closure needed to be achieved pretty quickly to avoid the project becoming more costly in the event that the Chinese currency should appreciate.

The government has been saying that the later it borrows the money the lower would be the interest repayment. That should now be of academic interest to the nation. Parliament has voted on two Bills that were said to hinder the acceleration of the project.

The other development project that has attracted national attention has been the airport expansion programme.

Looking at that project from this perspective, one would be tempted to conclude that it is a waste of money. Not many aircraft are coming to Guyana. To build the airport to attract aircraft is something that would cause raised eyebrows.

The project entails the construction of eight air bridges when most other airports have less and do not even use all of them. The parliamentary opposition has been questioning this thing and the government has not been budging.

Whatever the case, Guyana on the surface would have projects that would be way ahead of the country’s development.

Saturday August 10, 2013

Letters... Where your views make the news

The AFC now reeks of the very same incestuousness as the PPP

DEAR EDITOR, The AFC has now ventured down a road of no return. The PPP has already gone so far down that road that a search party of some of history’s greatest explorers cannot find it.

Both of these entities are hypocrites on this Nigel Hughes as Company Secretary of Amaila Falls Hydro Inc. fiasco. I do not buy that the AFC did not know Nigel Hughes was Company Secretary of Amaila Falls Hydro Inc. since April 2009.

It should have known, whether from its internal vetting process before accepting Hughes as Chairman of the party or when it was examining documents in preparation of public positions on the Amaila Falls hydroproject.

It should have known. In the light of the very public involvement of the AFC in seeking answers on this project and its role and duty as an opposition party elected by the people to raise questions about public expenditure of this nature, Nigel Hughes before he joined the AFC not as footsoldier but at its highest levels, had a duty to declare and disclose to the AFC not only his connection to the project but also the fact that he was Company Secretary of Amaila Falls Hydro Inc.

It is unclear from the public releases from Hughes himself and from the AFC whether Nigel Hughes specifically told the AFC he was the Company Secretary of Amaila Falls Hydro Inc. I agree with the writers in this newspapers who have distinguished public record from public knowledge.

In the case where an individual assumes the Chairmanship of an important opposition party that collectively with the rest of the opposition holds a majority in Parliament and is able to pass laws without executive input, it is absolutely in the public interest and without doubt central to the public’s need to know that the public be made aware of that individual’s linkage to a company owned not only by a foreign corporation but also by the very Government that individual opposes politically! Sithe Global reportedly owns 60% and the government 40% of this company!

Nigel Hughes joined the AFC in July 2011 and campaigned in the election campaign. A centrepiece of the AFC’s campaign was condemnation of the Amaila Falls hydroproject on outlandish cost and corruption and that was one of the reasons why the opposition secured a

majority in Parliament.

Only a charlatan with no inkling of decency would argue that the public need not know of Hughes’ significant connection to the Amaila Falls hydroproject.

Why didn’t Nigel Hughes resign his position as Company Secretary before joining an AFC platform when he fully knew even before he joined that the AFC opposed and criticized this project?

Why didn’t he, after refusing to resign as Company Secretary before joining the AFC, shortly thereafter publicly announce he was Company Secretary to make that information public knowledge?

Why didn’t the AFC make that announcement?

The most pivotal question is even now when the revelations struck, why didn’t Nigel Hughes resign as Company Secretary of Amaila Falls Hydro Inc. instead of offering to resign as Chairman of the AFC? If as he stated, Nigel Hughes joined the AFC to serve the Guyanese nation and people, why did he when given no greater moment to put nation above self and the Guyanese people above personal aggrandizement, chose to resign as Chairman of the AFC but not as Chairman of the Amaila Falls Hydro Inc.?

Nigel Hughes cannot have his cake and eat it too.

Frankly, his threat to resign seemed like grand orchestrated theatrics and well-acted posturing because almost immediately afterwards, the AFC folded like a cheap tent sacrificing an entire party for an single man who even when faced with choosing nation and people over his own interest, he chose self over nation,party and country.

I figure that position as Company Secretary probably pays handsomely but Nigel Hughes was already a wealthy man before be became Company Secretary of the Amaila Falls Hydro Inc. He had the means and capacity to walk away without suffering deprivation.

Yet he chose to resign as head of a national party than as Company Secretary of a much-maligned company controlling a project widely ripped as costly and a noose around the neck of the nation. The AFC now reeks of the very same incestuousness and atrociously misguided decision-making it accuses the PPP of.

It should have accepted Hughes’ resignation. The only reason I can come up with why it did not is Hughes’ possible significant financial contribution to the (Continued on page 26)

The AFC has given away any leverage the Guyanese majority may have had DEAR EDITOR, The AFC’s change of position to one of support for debating the Amaila Falls Hydro electric project is puzzling, as other available options would seem to be have been more advantageous to the Guyanese majority.

Mr. Ramjattan acknowledges that many questions about the project remain unanswered, that legitimate concerns exist.

Yet he chose to fracture the opposition by breaking ranks with the APNU and giving up all his constituents’ bargaining chips for no tangible return.

The AFC has agreed to raise the debt ceiling, acquiesced to PPPC demands regarding the constitution of the Select Committee and voted to reopen the Amaila debate: giving the PPPC everything they wanted.

Why did the AFC not insist on passage of the bills facilitating local government

elections AND presidential assent to those bills before committing to supporting Amaila?

What if the President does not assent to any or all of the bills governing local elections? What if he assents to the bills but uses the usual PPPC stalling tactics to further delay local government elections? If either of those things happen we are all back to square one

with the PPPC continuing to control Local Government.

The AFC have given away any leverage the Guyanese majority may have had and have gained nothing for their supporters.

As it is, the PPPC can use the AFC’s new position to bargain with Sithe Global, without having conceded a single thing.

Mr. Ramjattan says all questions would be

answered by the IDB. Why the IDB? The PPPC should, as the ruling party, already have all the answers. The IDB is only a lending agency.

If the PPPC does not have all the answers, and it is clear that they do not, then the AFC should have insisted on getting those answers before giving away everything and selling out their constituents for nothing.

Mark DaCosta

I wish to let His Excellency know that teachers are still ‘without resources’ DEAR EDITOR, The Kaieteur News of 3rd August, 2013 reported the following statement, “The President also made reference to the pre-1992 era when, he said, teachers were without resources, the medical situation was worrying and there were long lines for basic supplies.” As a

teacher, as a Head of Department, as a former lecturer of CPCE, as a former cadet in the Ministry of Education and as a parent, I wish to let His Excellency know that teachers are still ‘without resources’.

Additionally, I wish to advise His Excellency to always talk about all the

schools that the PPP/C government has rebuilt as this is all they have done for education in 21 years of governance. Apart from the Secondary School Reform Project (SSRP), every project and programme has been and continues to be an utter failure.

Mohammed S. Hussain

Saturday August 10, 2013

Kaieteur News

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

The government and people may need to regroup and part ways with Sithe/Blackstone DEAR EDITOR, When the PPP/Civic came to power in October 1992, one of its priorities was to prepare a plan for national development, sometimes referred to as “The Strategy for National Development”.

The then President, Dr. Jagan, always understood the importance of energy sufficiency and in 1992 was still keen on developing the Tiger Hill site on the Demerara

River. He quickly understood, however, that the Tiger Hill site, a low head scheme with no scope for expansion and a large reservoir, will not easily attract funding because of significant flooding and environmental impact.

Subsequently, utilizing various criteria, a comprehensive comparison of seven short listed prospective sites was conducted and the medium size “Amaila site” was

recommended to the government for development.

It is common knowledge among engineers and enlightened political leaders that optimization studies have shown that it is most practical and economically feasible to develop a nation’s hydropower resources by focusing on a ‘cascade development’ i.e. to focus on one basin at a time and to commence construction on the uppermost

Rejecting the Amaila Project DEAR EDITOR, Mr. Brassington is reported to have said that after one year of Amaila Falls Hydro Electric Project coming on stream, the demand for electricity will be greater than the supply and Guyana will have to seek additional electricity supplies from another project (KN, 8- 2- 2013).

This alone is strong justification for the rejection of the Amaila project, for economists will tell you that when demand is greater than the supply, the price will

increase; and without competition and no effective oversight by a public utilities commission, consumers will be in a high price paying world with poor services generated by a monopoly that has no incentive to change its inefficient behavior.

Put differently, there is no need to worry with whether or not the other financial, economic, social and environmental concerns have been satisfied, for additional electricity cannot be sourced from Amaila Falls, for the Falls

does not have the extra capacity.

What is more troubling is the fact that in the electricity supply business when the demand for electricity is greater than the supply, management of the electricity supply company will cut some consumers off the grid and supply only what they can to a selected set of ‘favored customers’ who have political clout and/or deep pockets.

This is achieved through a program of rolling (Continued on page 26)

station (the tailwaters of the upper plant become the headwaters of the lower plant and it is easier to build a second and third plant etc. utilizing existing facilities - access roads, transmission lines, substations).

With this concept in mind, engineers selected and recommended the Potaro River Basin commencing with the Amaila Falls project to the government of Guyana.

Some attractive features of the Amaila Falls site are as follows: 1. The Amaila Falls is a high head scheme whose power potential is more head related than discharge related, which necessitates a relatively small reservoir with lesser impact on the environment.

2. The installed capacity of the Amaila Falls scheme can be increased to as much as 1,000 megawatts: (a) It is possible to build a dam at Chi-Chi on the Upper Mazaruni (a dam that will not affect the Upper Mazaruni development) and divert its flow into the Amaila reservoir.

Such a diversion will in-

crease the capacity of Amaila by 215 av MW. (b) It is also possible to build a dam upstream of the Kaieteur Falls and divert some of the waters of the Potaro into the Amaila reservoir. Such a diversion can increase the capacity of the Amaila by as much as 400 av MW. Of course, Kaieteur is a national park and it is important to preserve this heritage site.

With proper design and regulation of flow, I am sure that the majesty of the Kaieteur Falls can be preserved. I am certain, however, that there will be tremendous opposition from nationalists and environmentalists for this diversion from the Potaro into the Amaila reservoir on the Kuribrong River.

But it is worthy to note that a similar diversion was done at Niagara Falls without significantly affecting the beauty of the falls.

And if all of this is too much for you to support at this time, then just consider the Chi-Chi diversion only, which can raise the installed capacity of Amaila to 400 –

450 MW depending on the role of the plant in the thermal – hydro integrated system. It gets even better.

In 1982, through a loan/ grant from the World Bank, MONENCO (Montreal Engineering Co.) completed a comprehensive feasibility study for a plant (approximately 100 (?) MW installed capacity) at Tumatumari downstream from Amaila. Tender documents for civil works, electromechanical equipment, transmission lines and substations were also prepared (available at GEA).

It will be relatively inexpensive to upgrade these studies and the Tumatumari can easily come on stream within three to four years as the logical second plant to the Amaila Falls to satisfy any additional/growing load demand. Incidentally, this plant was never constructed simply because the then President dismissed it for being too small, too insignificant.

This letter is not intended to distract anyone from his or her genuine concerns about the US$858m, 165 MW (Continued on page 7)

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Kaieteur News

Saturday August 10, 2013

Home Affairs Ministry claims “racial hostilities” at recent forum The Ministry of Home Affairs via release, accused a number of Opposition officials and members of the African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA) and the Ghana Day Committee of making racially hostile comments towards the Government.

The released stated, “It has come to the attention of the Ministry of Home Affairs that recently a Conference was held at ACDA’s Headquarters at Thomas Lands, Georgetown.

The Conference was

sponsored by ACDA; the Ghana Day Committee and the Cuffy 250 Committee.

Among the participants at the Conference were, David Granger, Aubrey Norton, Sharma Solomon, Carl Greenidge, Hamilton Greene (sic), David Hinds, Nigel Hughes, Lincoln Lewis, and Mark Benschop”.

The ministry further stated that according to reports they received, the conference participants heard presentations from persons above-mentioned.

“The presentations were

- Organisers refute allegations laced with racial hostility towards the Government of the day; self-flagellations, attacks against the Guyana Police Force and the PPP/C Administration above all, the Conference formulated a series of protest actions aimed at creating public disorder and disharmony in the country’.

The release further stated that there were also talks about future protest actions, public meetings, picketing exercises, and protest walks.

“No assurances were given that these intended protest actions would be peaceful”, the ministry said.

The ministry further

alleged that at a public meeting dubbed “Save the City” held at the City Hall compound saw a number of APNU and WPA activists present.

It was alleged that David Hinds said, “If Sooba is not removed (as Town Clerk) we will take to the streets and shut down the City of Georgetown. Get ready to fight! Get ready to battle!”

“The Ministry has noted the reckless behaviour and denounces the public display of lawlessness spearheaded

by Hamilton Greene (sic), Mayor of Georgetown at the said activity.

In addition, the Ministry of Home Affairs noted that during a protest action on the grounds of the National Assembly, a group of demonstrators “organised and led by APNU Parliamentarians” pushed down Police barriers, and created an atmosphere which was not conducive to the maintenance of the peace and good order around the Parliament.

The Ministry said that it will continue to closely monitor the “planned activities” of the said organizer and stand firm in its commitment in ensuring that the peace and good order in

Guyana will not be disturbed.

When Kaieteur News contacted Working People’s Alliance (WPA) Executive Member, Dr. David Hinds yesterday, he categorically refuted the accusation that he made a statement at the protest on the grounds of City Hall.

“I was nowhere there at the protest at City Hall, so I don’t know where the Ministry got their information from,” Hinds asserted.

Meanwhile, a release from the Ghana Day Committee dated August 9, 2013 stated that the statement by the ministry “sought to cast the recent Forum on the State of Black African Guyanese in a racist and unlawful light and represents not-so-veiled threats against the participants”.

The statement further pointed out that the forum was extensively covered by the local media and none of the entities reported these claims by the Ministry.

“In addition, since the forum was well advertised in the pubic media, the suggestion that it was a “sinister plot” is clearly an attempt to mislead the public.”

The Ghana Day committee condemned the statement and challenged the

ministry to provide the evidence to support the charges mentioned.

“We challenge the Ministry to publish in the state media all the presentations at the forum so that the public could judge for itself.”

The committee also denied that any of the presentations at the forum by their speakers attacked the Guyana Police Force.

“While some of the presentations took the government to task, none of them was laced with racial hostility. The Forum did not plan any protest actions.”

‘The Ghana Day Committee views the attempt to link Aubrey Norton’s statement at the forum to a robbery at Celina’s as ugly and dangerous.

We also note that the statement listed Lincoln Lewis, Mark Benschop and Hamilton Greene (sic) as presenters at the forum.

While we are glad that these gentlemen attended the forum, we wish to point out that none of them made presentations or spoke from the floor. We also wish to point out that ACDA was not an organizer of the Forum’.

The Committee further condemned “the endeavour by the government to “criminalize” and “racialize” efforts by the African Guyanese community to discuss and plan to tackle the problems in the community”.

‘We also urge all Guyanese of goodwill to raise their voices in condemnation of this attack on the freedom of assembly and the right to discuss public matters in the public space without official harassment.

Finally this attempt by the government to tarnish our efforts will not deter the Ghana Day Committee from fulfilling its promise to mobilize the African Guyanese community to look after itself.”

Meanwhile, an ACDA official stated that the association had no part in the activity. It was related that the Akwaaba Centre was just rented to the Ghana Day committee for the event.

Saturday August 10, 2013

Kaieteur News

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

The government and... Putting Guyana First From page 5 Amaila plant to be developed

by Sithe/Blackstone. It simply serves to enlighten you on how unique and dynamic is the Amaila Falls site and why it was selected in the first place. This simple site, until recently unknown to most of you, together with the Tumatumari, if planned and designed with all or some of the considerations outlined above has the capacity to meet Guyana’s energy needs (excluding smelting) for the next 50 to 75 years.

So what’s next? Each site is unique and the initial capital investment is always large, especially in the case of a first plant that does not benefit from existing facilities such as access roads, transmission lines and substations. In the past, many Third World countries were able to develop their hydropower resources through concessionary financing (low cost of capital/ interest, long payback period and moratorium on payments) from the multilateral funding agencies like the World Bank and the IDB. However, in the case of the proposed Amaila Falls project, the unit cost per installed kilowatt capacity (cost/kw) of US$5,000 is frighteningly high even with access road and transmission lines taken into consideration.

If HARZA Engineering Company, a reputable company that prepared both the technical and economic studies of the 10,200 MW Guri Dam in Venezuela, has completed the feasibility study of the proposed Amaila project, then a very detailed and comprehensive document should be available for perusal and review.

At this time, the IDB must be allowed time to complete an impartial due diligence on the proposed project. It is absolutely necessary to examine the economic feasibility of

the project for the duration of its useful life.

Taking the current capital investment and the cost of capital from various sources into consideration, the annualized cost, the annualized benefits, unit energy cost (cost per Kwh) at the point of delivery (presumably Linden) and the unit cost of energy to various categories of consumers must be accurately defined.

With such a high capital investment and possibly high cost of capital, the IDB may, unfortunately, find this project ‘not feasible’. In such a scenario, the government and people would need to regroup and part ways with Sithe/Blackstone, the Chinese contractor and the Chinese loan and explore other ways forward.

You have seen the huge potential of the Amaila Falls site. To walk away at this time is taking 1000 steps backwards.

Instead the government and people of Guyana may wish to consider the following: 1. Re-evaluate and modify the current project to allow for future expansion of capacity, utilizing the expertise of tested power producers such Electrobras (Brazil) or RusHydro (Russia).

2. Prepare individual tender documents for civil works, electromechanical equipment and substations to be tendered separately.

3. Create a special hydropower authority staffed with trained and competent Guyanese engineers to promote hydropower development. The current GEA and the Amaila Falls technical team are, unfortunately, poorly staffed and trained to guide the nation on such huge investments.

4. Seek concessionary financing from multilateral funding agencies and develop projects as national projects to be operated and managed by experienced en-

ergy producers.

5. Be wary of alchemists and snake oil peddlers who with a sweet tongue will peddle their wares in order to rob you of millions. Seek the advice of the hundreds of patriotic Guyanese who have spent their entire professional lives traversing the rainforests of Guyana monitoring the numerous streams, surveying the various sites and preparing volumes of reports that are in your custody at the GEA. Some honourable names come to mind: Sam Ramsahoye, Maurice Veecock, Mannie Singh.

Finally, do not worry. Just look on the bright side. I have looked through the crystal ball and good things are in store: 1. Soon you will build a deep sea port at Morashi on the right bank of the Essequibo River (looking downstream) and a brand new city will mushroom and be connected to the large cities of South America by rails and roads.

2. Soon you will discover large reserves of oil (more than you can imagine) in the Corentyne and Takutu Basin.

3. You would strengthen your bonds with your southern neighbor (Brazil) through a joint venture to finally develop the Upper Mazaruni scheme based on a workable agreement similar to the one used to develop the Itaipu between Brazil and Paraguay.

4. You will muster the political will to prepare a new constitution that will create a new structure of government that will be more suitable for our polarized and divided country. The reduction of the powers of the presidency and division of power will lead to a more inclusive, stable and just government.

Former Hydropower Engineer, Guyana Natural Resources Agency

DEAR EDITOR, There is a saying which ran thus: ‘Community before self: Nation before community.”

What is implied in that saying is that we must always strive to eschew narrow thinking and always put the interest of the country before narrow partisan interest.

The current impasse over the Amalia Falls Hydroelectric power project is a case in point. From all accounts, the project is considered good for Guyana.

The project is transformative in nature and when becomes operational will catapult the country into a regional powerhouse doing for Guyana what oil and natural gas is doing for Trinidad and Tobago.

One would have thought that given the earthshattering nature of this project and its impact on national development that there would have been national consensus on the viability and long term sustainability of the project by all stakeholders, more so the political opposition since the benefits that would accrue from the project transcends the boundaries of partisan politics.

Yet all manner of roadblocks were placed in front of the project in an attempt to score political points and to flex political muscle based on a perceived dominance in the bodypolitic following the November 2011 elections.

Sithe Global a major financier of the project must be commended for presenting to the Guyanese public a number of convincing and unassailable facts why the project should be embraced by all including the political opposition.

In a letter to the press by Brian Kubeck, President of

that organization enlightened the public on the beneficial nature of the project.

“Sithe Global strongly believes that the project will have lasting and profound benefits for the country by delivering improved e l e c t r i c i t y, reliability and cost savings versus the status quo.

The maths is simple: In 2012, GPL’s cost of generating electricity was over 19 cents per kilowatt hour.

This price is amongst the highest prices paid for generated electricity in any part of the world.

Government subsidies currently reduce the ultimate impact on the tariff paid by GPL’s 2012 cost as the project’s tariff is expected to average approximately 11 US cents per kilowatt.”

If the above is not convincing enough, then read what follows: “ In the 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 5.5 US cents per kilowatt hour.”

Unless someone is blinded by bias and prejudice, the case for the project has been brilliantly made especially when seen against the long-term benefits that will accrue to the country after the transfer of the project in about two decades of it becoming operational.

This will further reduce the burden faced by taxpayers and bring down the cost of power to affordable limits.

The current cost of electricity despite hefty government subsidies are still onerous and is a disincentive in terms of manufacturing and agroprocessing which is so vital for the country’s economic growth and development.

Mr. Brian Kubeck has done well to present to the Guyanese public in a clear and convincing manner the benefits that the project will deliver to the people of Guyana, both in the medium and long term.

It is now left to the political opposition to rethink their stance on the issue and I respectfully suggest, give the benefit of the doubt to the technical personnel who have invested so much time and effort to make the dream of a large scale hydropower a reality.

I am convinced that much thought was put into the project both at the conceptual and design stages and the cost-benefit analysis of the project carefully and meticulously worked out.

At the time of writing this article there appeared to be some encouraging signals coming from the AFC which broke ranks with the APNU in its support for the HydroElectric Power Amendment Bill. Unfortunately, the Bill did not get the support from the main parliamentary opposition.

In addition, a motion to increase the debt ceiling on external loans was approved with the support of the AFC. One hopes that good sense will prevail and that there will be broad consensus by all major stakeholders, if only for the sake of the good and well-being of the people of Guyana and generations to come.

Hydro-electric power in the context of our development is not an option but an imperative.

The future of Guyana hinges in no small measure on its capacity to compete in an increasingly competitive global marketplace where cheap and reliable energy is a key determinant.

Hydar Ally

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THE AFC MAY HAVE TO FIND A NEW CHAIR You do not offer your resignation; you tender it. The persons to whom a resignation is tendered may opt to accept it or reject it, but once tendered it is for the person tendering the resignation to determine whether they wish to have it withdrawn.

The fact that a letter of resignation is refused by the person to whom it is directed does not mean it is not effective. The only way for a resignation to be nullified is for it to be withdrawn. That annulment is the sole prerogative of the person tendering the resignation.

When you resign that is it. It constitutes a voluntary end of your tenure, unless of course the resignation is withdrawn.

A decision to withdraw a resignation that is tendered may be influenced by the fact that the person or persons to whom it is directed refuse(s) to accept it or asks that the decision be reconsidered. But once a resignation is not withdrawn, then tenure automatically ceases.

This past week, it was reported in the media that the Chairman of the Alliance For Change (AFC) is the Company Secretary of a company that is involved in the Amaila Falls Hydroelectric Project. Judging from the contents of the public statement that was issued by the Chairman of the Alliance For Change, this disclosure was viewed as an attempt to sully the name of the AFC. The Chairman decided to

“offer” his resignation.

But the resignation “offer” may have been influenced also by a reaction from the leader of the AFC who disclosed that while he knew of the Chairman’s association with the company concerned, he did not know that it was in the capacity of Company Secretary.

This comment from the leader of the AFC placed the Chairman in an untenable position, because on the one hand he had asserted that his party was aware of his dealings with the company and that he had acted professionally and ethically by withdrawing from any party discussion on the matter.

However, on the other

Benin president dismisses entire government COTONOU (Reuters) Benin President Boni Yayi sacked his entire government yesterday “to breathe a new dynamic” into the 26-member cabinet, a statement from his office said.

The statement did not elaborate on reasons for the change, which came as a surprise. The cabinet had been in place since Yayi was re-elected for a second fiveyear term as president in 2011.

It was not clear when the new government will be named.

Benin, a West African cotton producer situated to the west of Nigeria, has enjoyed two decades of political stability since multiparty democracy was restored. Yayi won the last election with an outright majority in the first round.

However, Benin authorities have called on France to arrest a millionaire businessman that they accuse of trying to poison Yayi as part of an alleged coup plot last year.

Ex-top official says China’s Xi not serious in tackling graft BEIJING (Reuters) Chinese President Xi Jinping is not serious about fighting corruption and is more intent on maintaining his position than curing the country’s “sickness”, the most senior official jailed over the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests said yesterday.

Bao Tong, the most trusted aide to purged reformist Communist Party chief Zhao Ziyang, characterized the new president as no different from Mao Zedong - the leader who led China into the chaos of the Cultural Revolution.

It was Bao’s harshest criticism to date of Xi, who many liberals and intellectuals are hoping will emerge as a reformer, like his father, Xi Zhongxun, a liberal-minded former vice premier.

“I can only see one thing: he has continued suppression,” Bao, 80, told Reuters in his apartment in

Xi Jinping Beijing. “Besides that, I can’t see what else he wants to do. So I think he probably just wants to do one thing: to maintain his s t a b i l i t y, m a i n t a i n h i s position.” Bao was once a political high-flyer, and as secretary to the Party’s allpowerful Politburo Standing Committee held a rank equivalent to a cabinet minister.

hand, his leader was now implying that the full extent of the involvement was not known. This therefore placed the Chairman in a difficult position and could have influenced the decision to indicate the offer of resignation.

Whichever way you look at it, the Chairman did the right thing. He has acted with integrity by making an offer to resign and has done the right thing either to avoid any adverse effect on his party or because of the statement made by his leader. The right approach was taken and that is something good that can be taken from this whole incident.

This column has before mentioned the possible conflicts of interest that could arise as a result of the professional obligations of politicians. Regardless of the fact that the Chairman had recused himself from discussion within the AFC on matters concerning the company concerned, the position of Chairman is a

highly influential one and therefore there are bound to be problems if important political decisions have to be made by a party about an entity with which one of its senior leaders has a professional association.

The AFC has in its response to this issue, pointed out that the professional relationship existed prior to the Chairman joining the party. This, of course, does not excuse anyone from contemplating the implications of their professional relationships for their leadership within a political party or vice versa.

When someone opts to enter politics, he or she must consider the ramifications of this decision on his or her business and professional obligations, and vice versa.

But in this instance, it would have been difficult for the Chairman to have predicted that his role as company secretary would have presented the sort of problems that it now presents. But sometimes the

developments that trigger the controversies can never be predicted. After all, who would have predicted that the AFC would have ended up holding the balance of power in the National Assembly?

Had the PPP won a majority - some are saying they did - this problem would never have arisen, because the government would not have needed opposition support for the passage of Bills to facilitate the hydroelectric plant.

What is important is that when a problem arises, the matter is dealt with integrity and ethically, and one must say that this is what has happened in this instance. It may now mean that the AFC will have to find a new Chairman or the company a new Company Secretary.

Mottley calls for firing of Byer-Suckoo

Boni Yayi Yayi has said he wants to amend parts of the constitution to introduce bodies like an independent election commission and a court to oversee state audits.

But he has pledged not to make any amendment that allows him to stand for a third term. Critics suspect his camp has not ruled out this idea.

Barbados Nation - PRIME MINISTER Freundel Stuart should remove Senator Dr Esther Byer-Suckoo for her consistent mishandling of critical matters as Minister of Labour, says Leader of the Opposition Mia Mottley.

Declaring such a move would be in the best interest of the country, Mottley said Byer-Suckoo had demonstrated she was out of her depth in the ministry given her woeful handling of the LIME dispute, Barbados’ representation to the International Labour Organization (ILO), recent sugar industry talks that led

to a split in the Social Partnership, and her oversight of the National Insurance Scheme (NIS).

“The job of holding the Social Partnership together is clearly beyond Minister Suckoo,” Mottley said, “and the Prime Minister ought to recognize that and allow someone who can hold it together to assume responsibility of the Ministry of Labour.

“It is too serious a position at too critical a time for the country for her to remain there.”

Mottley’s comments came in response to the

Mia Mottley Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU), the most powerful trade union, pulling out of the 20-year-old Social Partnership and Prices and Incomes Protocol which they were integral to establishing, and blamed their exit on ByerSuckoo’s actions.

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Airline passengers complain as peak season woes continue LIAT

Caribbean Airlines

By Zena Henry Taken on a rather strange odyssey, she never could have imagined until it actually happened. A Guyana-born US-based woman is livid with Caribbean Airlines Limited (CAL) for taking her on a highly unusual route that saw her leaving Guyana in midafternoon on Friday 2nd August, and arriving in New York nearly 20 hours after.

The passenger, Lorraine Oudkerk, was booked to travel on flight BW 407 to New York from Georgetown.

The route included Barbados, but to the consternation of her and other passengers, after Trinidad, the aircraft flew south to Guyana, picked up

passengers and then eventually to John F. Kennedy in New York where she arrived late the next morning.

According to Oudkerk, she had not been told that the aircraft would be taking her back to Guyana. The Brooklyn resident said she took the flight sometime around 14:25 hours for the islands. Her understanding of the ticket, she said, was that at 20:10 hours that Friday evening, the plane, BW528, would be departing from Trinidad to NY. Oudkerk said she however learnt from a passenger that the plane was in fact going back to Guyana.

The woman said she consulted an airhostess who

confirmed the neighbouring passenger’s declaration.

By this time, all the flight attendants had surrounded her and they too could not understand the unusual route. Slightly ill and anxious to get back to the ‘Big Apple’, the woman said she was confused and dismayed as to why she was heading back to her native land.

She said a flight attendant took her information and promised to report the matter, before offering a few choice words for her to tell the travel agent. To date, the woman continued, no one has made contact with her from the airline.

“Had I known this was the case, I would have stayed in Guyana and taken the late flight straight to New York. I

wouldn’t buy a ticket that would take me all over the place, wasting time and money. They told me to consult my travel agent, but there is no one to consult. I bought my ticket online since March,” the woman argued.

Caribbean Airlines told Kaieteur News that several reasons could have caused the customer to return to Guyana via the route used.

It was noted that there are originating flights out of Trinidad which would come to Guyana for passengers and then on to New York. On the other hand, passengers buying tickets may look for cheap fares and accept rather unusual travel routes.

They offered that passengers who experience any irregularities during the use of the airline should make contact with the agency to alleviate any unwanted situations.

CAL commands the GT/

NY route. It has held a monopoly since the last New York-bound Delta airline pulled out of Guyana in May, and reviews, especially from Guyanese passengers have not been exactly flattering.

At one point, several Guyana-bound passengers were stranded when the airline failed to make connecting flights from New York due to inclement weather. Stranded passengers in Trinidad had protested, with police officers being called in. They demanded that the airline find an alternate flight to Georgetown.

A similar incident occurred when a Guyanese woman collapsed after spending some three days at the John F Kennedy Airport because of canceled flights.

Some 300 passengers bound for Georgetown had blocked boarding gates when they were being left behind while passengers were making their

way to other Caribbean destinations via CAL. Currently, passengers complain about the airline’s high ticket prices, which are forcing local authorities to speak out. The government had even threatened to revoke the airline’s recently acquired flag carrier status.

The government announced that an audience was requested with senior executive of the Caribbean Airlines (CAL) to discuss the matter.

The “Caribbean Airline” LIAT is also facing stiff criticism. Passengers remain frustrated over the delayed flights and especially the loss or delay of luggage. One complainant, requesting anonymity, said she is demanding compensation for having to spend extra money to buy clothing for herself and children after her luggage was left behind by the airline. The woman said she wants to know whether she will be compensated for perishables that were being transported in her suitcase.

The Plaisance woman told Kaieteur News that she and her three children had traveled from Guyana to Barbados for Crop Over celebrations. Although the flight was delayed at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport by one hour, the woman said her bag never got to Barbados. Within the luggage were seasoned fish, white pudding, and other cooked food, intended for friends and family.

She said that she had to be spending money for travel back and forth since she stays nowhere close to the airport.

Another disgruntled Georgetown-based passenger complained that while on her vacation, she did not receive her luggage and had to spend extra cash buying clothing and other personal items. On her return to Guyana, the flight had been delayed by almost 10 hours, she claimed.

LIAT was recently blasted for its “poor customer service” by a parent whose child was travelling alone.

Before that, the company had also been slammed for a similar incident.

Contact to LIAT on these issues was not responded to.

Saturday August 10, 2013

Kaieteur News

US climate expert to consult on forestry issues The U.S Embassy says it will be hosting Dr. Janaki R.R. Alavalapati, a Senior Fellow with the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas, during an August 12 to 16 visit to Guyana. Alavalapati will take part in meetings and activities relating to sustainable forestry, renewable energy, and climate change.

“He will consult with government officials, non-governmental organizations, and academic researchers on ways to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation and enhance carbon sequestration in the land use sector, including through the conservation and sustainable management of forests,” the US Embassy said yesterday.

The visit will include a meeting with Natural Resources and Environment Minister, Robert Persaud; a presentation at the University of Guyana’s Conference on Sustainable Development; and a trip to the Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development.

Dr. Alavalapati’s visit to Guyana supports implementation of the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas (ECPA).

At the April 2009 Summit of the Americas in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, leaders of the Western Hemisphere underscored that energy and climate change are among the most important issues confronting the region and reaffirmed their commitment to work together towards a clean-energy future.

Responding to these shared challenges, President Barack Obama invited all governments in the Western Hemisphere to join the ECPA. According to the US Embassy, the President encouraged a strong ECPA focus on energy efficiency, renewable energy, cleaner and more efficient use of fossil fuels, energy poverty, and infrastructure.

In April 2010, former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton proposed the expansion of the ECPA to include initiatives on sustainable forests and land use and climate change adaptation.

The Senior ECPA Fellows program is a network of high-level technical experts in the fields of climate change and energy who travel between countries in the Western Hemisphere to consult with governments or other institutions. The program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Western

Dr. Janaki Alavalapati Hemispheric Affairs and is administered by Partners of the Americas. There are currently 20 Senior ECPA Fellows who participate in these international exchanges.

Dr. Janaki R.R. Alavalapati is a Professor and the Head of the Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation Department within the College of Natural Resources at Virginia Tech University.

“Dr. Alavalapati’s experience includes sustainable forests and landscapes, climate miti-gation and adaptation, sustainable biomass energy, environmental services, commu-nity forestry, agro-forestry, and policy impact analysis.”

As a Senior Advisor of International Energy Affairs at the U.S. Department of State and a Senior ECPA Fellow, he has worked on several bilateral and multilat-eral energy initiatives.

Dr. Alavalapati has taught courses in Forest Conservation and Management Policy; Forest Resources Valuation; Natural Resource Economics; Natural Resource Policy and Adminis-tration; Bioenergy; and Integrated Forested Watershed Management. He has also designed and implemented projects focusing on market and policy solutions for forests, natural resources, and environmental problems at local, regional, and international levels.

Guyana’s forest and its conservation have taken new significance with the US$250M deal signed with Norway in 2009 to continue maintaining its pristine condition.

Int'l Day of Indigenous People...

From page 3 Affairs, even as the conference was ongoing, were convinced that they were not being given the support and representation they needed, especially as it relates to their lands.

The protest comes in the wake of a similar exercise held outside of the Parliament Buildings during a sitting of the National Assembly on Wednesday last.

“We are here protesting again for our rights… our land. The GGMC, the Government is giving away our lands and we are suffering,” were the words of Kateri Pablo at yesterday's picketing exercise.

Similar sentiments were expressed on Wednesday, with the members of the group making comments of their “rights being trampled on.”

In response, the Minister stated that the Guyana government has “bent backwards” and has provided a lot of support to the communities that are located in mining areas. “They have been represented totally,” she said.

Additionally, responding to claims by the protestors of rights to their lands being trampled on, she noted that since those communities that are located in the mining districts are also involved in mining, moves should be made to regularize their concessions since without legitimate ownership, doors will be open for others to apply.

“The Ministry of Amerindian Affairs has been providing quite a lot of guidance to all communities in such locations, to regularize themselves; to obtain lawful permission and licences and

permits to mine. Similarly, if private businessmen want to apply for a mining permit, they register, they get the permit, they get the licence and they operate.”

“Once formal application is made, the property holders will have full authority over the mining in the area,” she added. “We can only encourage them to regularize themselves.”

With this being said, however, the Minister pressed for those occupying the mining districts not to be selfish and greedy.

“This is not a country with only indigenous people. We are all part of society and we must begin to foster that unity.

I will not tolerate people pushing an agenda to separate people and to deny others rights in this country which they too wish to enjoy.”

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$85M in consumer credit from utilities over nine years - PUC

By Rehanna Ramsay Over the last nine years, the Public Utilities Commission, (PUC) has aided in accumulating approximately $85 million worth of consumer credit from the main utility service providers.

“The PUC functions are regulatory, investigatory, enforcement and such other functions conferred on it by the Public Utilities Commission Act No.10 of 1999, with respect to the utilities which comes under its purview, such as, Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s , Electricity and Water and Sewerage.”

Nikita Somwaru, Chief Engineer and Complaints Manger (Ag) of PUC explained during an interview at the Church Street, Queenstown Main Office, recently.

Somwaru told Kaieteur News that although the complaints process takes time based on the response of the utility companies; most costumers have received favourable outcomes.

“Based on records we have had hundreds of

costumers approach the commission and while the purpose of the commission is not to take the side of the consumer or the utility company, in most cases consumers acquire the required assistance.”

He briefly explained the process duration.

“Complaints made via the PUC would normally take a maximum of 120 days for response from the companies, however, the company may take a long time to respond based on the information provided, whether it is adequate or not, but all parties must adhere to the final decision.”

Somwaru explained that while consumer reports are lodged at the commission in relation to Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) and even Digicel, complaints against the main electricity provider, Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL) have topped the list significantly.

The PUC is a judicial body that monitors the rate ceiling of GPL, GWI, GT&T and Digicel. “These Utility

Service providers are answerable to the PUC, in any decision-making process that will impede the lives of consumers.”

In many cases, Somwaru said, consumers do not know their rights, thus whenever issues arise in relation to these service providers, they are usually prolonged.

The Engineer also pointed out that the issue of monopoly has assisted in intimidating the consumer, since there are not many alternatives.

“The issue with companies like GPL, and GWI, is monopoly…Since these companies have the total control… being sole providers, costumers often give into threats like ‘pay up or be disconnected’…With more competition or competitiveness the consumer is given a fair alternative.”

Somwaru said that promotions also play a great role in this aspect.

“As in the case of GT&T and Digicel, the consumer has options through this healthy competitiveness process, this also guarantees better bargains for the buyer.”

The Public Utilities

The Public Utilities Commission Commission, now more accessible to the public, has been in existence since October 1, 1990. It was created to foster an environment in which there is universal access to service in the public sector, as well as a high quality services which are cost effective and beneficial to all stakeholders.

The commission aims at establishing and enforcing

the rules and procedures for the regulation of public utilities, commensurate with internationally accepted regulatory standards.

Efforts of the PUC are to ensure that consumers get a fair deal, a safe and adequate service at reasonable costs, while at the same time assuring the financial integrity of the utility companies.

The Commission presently consists of a Chairman, who is a full time official, and three other Commissioners, who are appointed and serve on a part-time basis.

The general public can uplift necessary information and assistance from the PUC via the Church Street, Queenstown Main Office or visit the entity’s website.

Muslims officially end period of fasting The Peters Hall Central Masjid

Thousands of Muslims across Guyana yesterday participated in the festivity of Eid -Al- Fitr or Eid-Ul-Fitr, to mark the end of the prescribed 30 days of fast, or the holy month of Ramadan.

Prominent radio personality, Raymond Azeez, explained that the event meant enjoyment or celebration after a period of cleansing.

“Ramadan is usually a 30day period of fasting, praying

and cleansing of the body for Muslims and at the end of that time we observe Eid -Al- Fitr.

It is a Muslim tradition for us to assemble at our mosques or places of worship to pray and share in a feast afterward.”

The event is also referred to as the sweet festival, and is commemorated by Muslims worldwide. On the day of Eid, Muslims are not permitted to fast. Instead, Azeez said, that it is a day for charity.

“It is a day to give out charity to both Muslims and non Muslims. It’s a time of thanksgiving, where most Muslims spend with their families reflecting and bonding. And if any rift exists between relatives it’s the perfect time for forgiveness.

Another important fixture of the event is the Zakat Al Fitr which means also charity.”

However this type of charity is compulsory to the occasion that concludes the fasting of the Islamic holy month.

Azeez explained that the heads of privileged Muslim families are required to select a less fortunate Islamic clan and give a required or significant amount to that poor family, on behalf of the members of his family.

Approximately 200 worshippers converged at the Better Hope, Sunnatul Jamaat yesterday, while hundreds of Muslims and Non– Muslims joined in the celebratory activity at the Peters Hall Central Masjid.

Saturday August 10, 2013

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Local stakeholders meet on CARICOM reform “ Ve r y s o l i d recommendation” is coming out from the reform talks regarding the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), a senior official has said.

A special group of the regional integration body, called the Change Facilitation Team and based at the CARICOM Secretariat, Liliendaal, is working to prepare a fiveyear strategic plan. The plan is a critical part of the reform process within CARICOM, which has been initiated by Heads of Government.

Speaking on behalf of the team, Maria Mason-Roberts was high in praise of the organisation of the consultations by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led by Ambassador Elisabeth Harper.

According to a CARICOM statement y e s t e r d a y, H e a d s o f Government approved the outline of the strategic plan in Haiti last February and agreed to appoint representatives with overall responsibility for coordinating and facilitating the process at the national level.

These “Change Drivers” are coordinating the national

consultations which are scheduled to be held in all member states and associate members of CARICOM. The first was held in Barbados last June with Guyana as the second. This will be followed by Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Lucia, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago scheduled for September.

The Bahamas, Belize, Haiti, Jamaica and St Kitts and Nevis are scheduled for October.

The consultations in member states will include stakeholder groups comprising Heads of Government, Leaders of the Opposition, Members of Parliament, representatives of business, labour, youth and other civil society groups, CARICOM ins titutions and other regional organizations with headquarters in the member states.

A c c o r d i n g t o CARICOM, the meetings are intended to address the vision, mission and core values of the body and priority areas for attention in the period 2014-18. The meetings are to also examine whether changes are to be

made to the governance and management structures of CARICOM. During a meeting in S u r i n a m e l a s t y e a r, CARICOM Heads of Government received a review report of the regional bloc which recommended immediate changes for the body's continued survival.

There have been criticisms that CARICOM just was not working well in a few of the critical areas.

These include increased inter-trade between member

states and regional movement of skills.

CARICOM also wanted more money to run its operations from member states.

The leaders, during that Suriname meeting last year, agreed that it was necessary to re-examine the future direction of the Community and the arrangements for carrying this forward, which would include the role and function of the CARICOM Secretariat.

CARICOM Secretary-

General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque is leading the change process at the Secretariat and has initiated some corporate reforms within the organisation while awaiting the completion of the Strategic Plan.

The facilitation team,

which has a three-year mandate, is being assisted with resources from the Government of the United Kingdom through the Department for International Development (DFID), and began work in the CARICOM Secretariat last November.

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New passport application process for overseas-based Britons

The British Government has announced a number of important changes to the passport service for its nationals living overseas.

According to a statement from the British High Commission yesterday, from Monday, August 12, 2013, the application process will be centralised and British nationals in Guyana should submit their passport application to Her Majesty's Passport Office in the UK. “This important change follows reviews by the National Audit Office and is designed to achieve economies of scale, greater security and consistency in decision making. All British passports have enhanced sophisticated security features designed to reduce the likelihood of identity theft and passport fraud,” the High Commission said.

C u r r e n t l y, B r i t i s h nationals living in Guyana would submit passport applications to a regional processing hub in Washington, United States.

From Monday, information on the UK Government website will advise British nationals on the new passport application process.

“All the information required to make an application will be found at https://www.gov.uk/oversea s-passports. Applicants will be required to send their applications to the Passport Customer Service Centre in Durham. There will be no change to processing times.”

The High Commission explained that fees charged to British nationals applying overseas are based on the current costs of providing the service. “As overseas volumes are much less than UK volumes, it is harder to gain efficiencies overseas.

That is why we have taken the decision to repatriate the issuing of passports to British nationals overseas to the UK. Once this has been completed Her Majesty's Passport Office will be seeking to create closer alignment between the two sets of fees.”

Saturday August 10, 2013

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CHI introduces newest cardiac procedure - as plans are streamlined for another by year end appropriate.

“We are starting to look for patients who are at high risk for these things; and with enough experience we will be able to recognise more patients who really can benefit from it,” added Dr Carpen.

He further went on to explain that “there are certain conditions that run in families where young people just don't wake up from their sleep with no explanation.”

And this according to the Medical Director is in fact

CHI's Medical Director, Dr. Mahendra Carpen displays an Intro-Cardiac Defibrillator (ICD) device As part of its ambitious moves to deliver quality cardiac care to the Guyanese Society, the Caribbean Heart Institute (CHI) this week introduced its newest procedure. Although not new to the world of cardiology, the procedure, Intro-Cardiac Defibrillation, has arguably been introduced here for the first time.

Two female patients benefited from the operations that were undertaken on Monday under the guidance of the privately operated facility's M e d i c a l D i r e c t o r, D r Mahendra Carpen.

Dr Carpen, who doubles as the Consultant Cardiologist at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, said that with an Intro-Cardiac Defibrillator (ICD) device, patients can be spared sudden cardiac deaths.

This can occur, he explained, when an individual's heart adopts an abnormal rhythm. And according to him since “the vast majority of these patients don't ever reach the hospital, the approach is to find those who are at higher risks for developing what is known as sudden cardiac deaths and putting in the device before this occurs.”

Moreover, it was based on the findings of early screening programmes at CHI that the two patients, one in her 30s and the other in her 50s, were identified for the procedure which Dr Carpen said is very similar to the implanting of pacemakers. However he noted that the ICD device is in fact much bigger and complex as it is complicated in terms of its functioning and what it is designed to do.

And since implanting the device requires a great deal of coordination, Dr Carpen

disclosed that usually companies that sell it insist on having one of their representatives on site of the implantation. This is so, Dr Carpen said, as the companies normally take some of the responsibility for proper functioning of the device.

In this case the device was procured from Puerto Rico, and according to the Medical Director, moves were required to coordinate the travel of someone coming from the office there.

In fact Dr Carpen said that the decision to conduct the procedure saw nurses at CHI benefiting from training from the Puerto Rico representative.

Dr Carpen said the procedures on both patients were successful as they were able to leave CHI by midday Tuesday and are doing quite well.

“We expect to see them here next week for follow-up to see how things are going,” he added.

The ICD, according to Dr Carpen, is designed to shock a patient with an abnormal rhythm in order to pace the heart in such a way that it reverses that condition which could cause them to 'pass out ' or even die. Unlike the pacemaker which is intended to treat the heart when its rate is too slow, Dr Carpen said that the ICD in fact does the opposite.

“The pacemaker is the simpler of the two devices so they require less computerised functions, so therefore the device is much smaller...ICDs however require a bigger computer and it is all built into that device that is inserted under the skin,” said the Medical Director.

The procedure, he said, is one that will be available on demand at CHI to patients in need when the conditions are

something that a lot of researches have shown. It has been deduced, he said, that these people have some kinds of abnormalities in the structure or the function of the heart that had not been recognised, thus there was no real reason to examine further because there were no warning signs.

“You are not going to do extensive invasive testing on somebody who has no complaints whatsoever, but when patients present with symptoms it is a good

opportunity to look for these problems.”

And even as the ICD becomes a regular feature at CHI, Dr Carpen said that there are plans apace to soon introduce yet another procedure in the form of Radio Frequency Catheter Ablations for arrhythmias.

This procedure, he disclosed, will be on stream by year end. “You have a lot of patients coming and say like they feel their hearts racing and there are palpitations that happen

from time to time,” speculated Dr Carpen.

He noted too that the condition is known to happen a lot more in young women and usually it is because there are some abnormal electric circuit within the heart.

“You can try medicines but every medicine has sideeffects and if you take them for a long time you can develop a higher chance of getting side effects,” said Dr Carpen thus the need for Radiofrequency ablations.

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Men's Affairs Bureau to intensify fight against domestic violence

By Rehanna Ramsay In the wake of the vicious attacks on several women by their domestic partners, the Ministry of Human Services M e n ' s A ff a i r s B u r e a u (MAB) has upped the ante to tackle the issues of genderbased violence.

During a recent interview with this newspaper, MAB Administrator Diego Alphonso disclosed that the department will be

intensifying its campaign on the topic.

“We are continuing our campaign, but now we have to strengthen our outreach, in that we have to go back into some communities, secondary schools, sports clubs churches, mosques, and wherever men congregate to mobilise groups that would help tackle the issues of domestic and gender-based violence.”

While many believe that the system has failed

especially men in this regard, Alphonso said that the involvement and partnership of several sectors of society is also pertinent to eradicating this scourge.

“Society needs to be more sensitive and concerned about their fellowmen; the police stations, the religious institutions and even the schools have the responsibility in addressing the scourge of domestic

violence by methods necessary. Because we want to encourage our men to reach out, even if not to us, to someone, a religious leader or anyone they may feel comfortable with” Alphonso explained that based on his experience, working with the Bureau, men are often affected by several issues which may sometimes include spousal abuse, whether it be physical, emotional or physiological.

“Society is often not kind or understanding to men, given that we are traditionally taught that 'real men don't cry, complain or show emotions' because it says that they are weak. Thus if a man has a problem of some sort with his partner, he would seldom reach out for help or he finds it hard to seek therapy or talk to someone… For example, if a man is being abused by his spouse, he may not feel comfortable going to the police about it, because he fears being ridiculed and sometimes suppressed issues can end in violence.

The administrator revealed that since the establishment of the Bureau in 2010, there have been some mixed responses, on the part of men.

“A woman may come on behalf of a man who needs help ...Initially when men come alone and eventually bring their partners along, we get down to the root cause of the issue. In most cases both parties have their shortcomings. We always highly commend the men who seek help in such cases, because situations may conclude in tragedy if they don't…Indeed, men have their stories, but regardless of that, we always emphasize that nothing a woman does justifies any form of violence.” “ We w o r k i n g continually, going into the

MAB Administrator Diego Alphonso communities where we network with persons and groups who can provide adequate counseling and information to assist these men.”

At least nine women have been murdered at the hands of spouses this year.

The victims include Angela M c A l l i s t e r, S h a n e z a Ramdatt, Patricia Williams Bagot, Geeta Diane Bhishundial and Bibi Shameena Deen.

Recently, a 26-year old man chopped to death his five-year-old daughter and her two-year-old brother.

Their mother's right hand was severed and the fingers from her left hand were cutoff. The incident occurred at Zeelugt Squatting Area home.

The epidemic continued as a Sophia man attacked four female family members Last Saturday, news of a murder/suicide rocked the village of Mahaica, ECD. Relatives and neighbours (continued on page 20)

Chain snatcher gets 18 months A 20-year-old man will spend the next 18 months in prison contemplating legal ways to provide for his children after he told the court that he stole a gold chain to be in a better position to take care of his two-month old baby daughter and two-year-old son.

Ye s t e r d a y, K e n n a r d Persaud of 'B' Field Sophia pleaded guilty to a simple larceny charge read to him by Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates' Court.

The court heard that on August 7 at Charlotte Street, Georgetown, he stole one gold chain valued $100,000 from Rafeek Khan of Cummings Park, Sophia.

Court documents revealed that on the day in question, the complainant was walking along Charlotte Street when the defendant walked up to him, snatched

the gold chain and tried to run away. Khan raised an alarm and chased the accused. He was eventually caught and taken to the station.

Ranks at the station found the gold chain in the defendant's mouth which the victim identified as his property. Persaud was subsequently charged for the said offence. The unrepresented defendant, who has no antecedents known to the court, begged Magistrate Latchman to be lenient with him.

“Your Worship, I am really really sorry for what I did, I got a li'l son who is two years old and a daughter who is two months old and I only thief it to look after me children. Your Worship, he got back his chain and that is de most important thing,” Persaud said. Magistrate Latchman then sentenced him.

Saturday August 10, 2013

Page 19

Kaieteur News

Teacher wants name cleared after wrongful arrest

A

school teacher is seeking to have his name cleared after being wrongfully arrested by a member of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) in a very embarrassing public altercation yesterday morning.

Recounting the ordeal,

Niall Stanton said that he had not long before dropped off his wife, Sherelyn Stanton, at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation where she works before heading to Forgarty's at Water Street, to purchase two cards. He recalled that the store opened at around 08:30 hours. As such, he parked his car opposite the store in the

vicinity of the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry.

He said that after making his purchase he headed back to his car.

“I opened the car, wind down the windows and throw the cards in the back, start the car and was about to reverse, when I observed a suspicious-looking man dressed in a shirt-jac and

Lindener remanded on cocaine trafficking charge Oneika Neils, a 20-yearold sales representative of 612 Half Mile, Wismar, Linden, was remanded yesterday after the charge of possession of a narcotic for the purpose of trafficking was read to her by Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates' Court.

The particulars of the charge read that on August 2 at the Guyana Post Office Corporation Headquarters in Georgetown, she had in her possession 1.1 kilograms of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

Neils pleaded not guilty.

According to Oswald Massiah, Special Prosecutor

of the Customs Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU), the defendant is employed at a Call Centre in Linden. On the day in question, it is alleged that the accused who has a relationship with the driver of the vehicle that took her from Linden to the Post Office Headquarters, tried to post small portions of cocaine to Canada.

The prosecutor told the court that during a routine examination of the package, a CANU officer noticed that it was unusually heavy and conducted a further search where it was discovered that small amounts of cocaine were wrapped in a transparent plastic and

concealed within.

Massiah said that the defendant was arrested, cautioned and charged with the said offence.

Neils who was shaking uncontrollably when the Magistrate asked her if she wished to say anything, said, “Your Worship, I didn't know what was in the package. I was given a box and it came with a list of things that supposed to be inside it but I did not check it.”

Bail for the Lindener was refused and she is expected to appear before the Chief Magistrate Priya Beharry on September 10.

CANU officers are still looking for the driver.

long pants approaching my (driver's) side of the car in a funny manner. He just come up to me and say 'is you',” the 29-year-old Stanton recounted.

He said the man then reached for the car keys in order to turn off the vehicle which was soon restarted by Stanton who put the car in gear in order to escape the intruder.

“I run the car into the drain, push open the door and start hollering thief. I run into the bank still hollering thief, thief...Everybody in the bank was just looking at me like I mad or something,” Stanton said.

He was soon upbraided by the Bank Manager for the ruckus, which prompted the pursuing stranger to display a badge identifying himself as a CANU Officer. During

Niall Stanton and his wife Sherelyn

this time, Stanton said that he was also identifying himself as a school teacher at the Mercy Wings Vocational Centre and even informing whoever would listen that his wife is a doctor at the

GPHC. Stanton told this publication that he decided to telephone his wife to inform her of the situation, but was advised not to use his (continued on page 20)

Page 20

Kaieteur News

Saturday August 10, 2013

Teacher wants name cleared after wrongful ...

From page 19 cellular phone in the bank.

But even as he attempted to leave the bank, the CANU officer held onto him.

Before long the rank was joined by a few other officers who arrived in a vehicle.

“They handcuff me, take away my phone, and while they were doing that I was trying to tell them I just buy my car and how I have to be the best man at my friend's wedding tomorrow (today)...I kept asking them to please check my documents...” Stanton said.

However, he was placed inside the vehicle even as he continued to appeal to the officers to grant him permission to call his wife.

Stanton would soon learn that he became the target of the CANU officers because he was wearing a red T-Shirt and short black pants.

He disclosed that he was told that a woman had earlier gone to the Guyana Post Office Corporation to post a package which contained a quantity of an illicit substance and opted to inform the ranks that she was taken there by a man in the clothing described.

She however related that the vehicle the man dropped her off in was white.

However, Stanton is the owner of a blue vehicle.

“They said that they arrested me because my clothing fit the description

that she gave to them,” said Stanton, who informed that the woman was good enough to admit that he was not the man who dropped her off.

“I was in tears when she said that...I was so thankful, because right away they loose the handcuff...” He was told too that the decision to arrest him was a “rash one.”

Stanton was then able to call his wife and inform her of his location, but was in too much of an emotional state to relate the incident to her.

However, the officer who had approached him initially was only too willing to explain.

In fact all of the officers involved have been apologetic, as was a senior officer, after an official complaint was filed by Stanton.

However, Stanton is of the view that CANU must seek to train its officers in such a way that they undertake their duties in a more professional manner.

“If I knew he was an o ff i c e r I w o u l d h a v e cooperated, because I know I don't have any drugs. I didn't do anything illegal. If they are going to carry out an arrest on somebody they need to do it in an appropriate manner...If I was a heart patient or reverse the car into another vehicle what then?” asked Stanton who says he is merely seeking to ensure that his name is cleared.

Men's Affairs Bureau to intensify fight against ...

From page 18 made the gruesome discovery of the body of 26year-old Vanessa RichmondJames with her hands and feet bound, and her throat slit. The woman's husband ingested poison and succumbed.

On Thursday, an 18 year old allegedly bludgeoned his girlfriend with a spade before hacking the 17-year-

old to death.

The Men's Affairs Bureau was established within the Ministry of Labour, Human Services & Social Security with the responsibility of partnering, organizing and coordinating the activities of men to achieve their full potential as participants in Guyana's social, cultural and economic development.

Saturday August 10, 2013

Page 21

Kaieteur News

GPHC's Maternity Unit rallies despite shortage of midwives Despite experiencing a shortage of midwives, the Maternity Unit at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) has been operating in a “fairly reasonable manner,” says Sister June Cato, the unit's supervisor.

Sister Cato made this disclosure yesterday while praising her staffers for being understandable and contributing extra hours to ensure quality services are delivered.

The supervisor stressed

that there has been a shortage of midwives for a while, but that shortage does not affect the services delivered by the facility at the end of the day.

“We have people here who are willing to go the extra mile to ensure everything goes well.”

Speaking about the two persons per bed scenario, Cato said that the hospital has been trying it's best to improve the services offered to the public on a daily basis and the two persons per bed was a thing of the past and

will remain that way.

“Between August to September, we normally have an influx of patients and we have been coping with that (increase) fairly well. Last Monday, we had 42 admissions and we didn't have any doubling up and for the past six months it has b e e n t h a t w a y, ” t h e Maternity Unit's supervisor stressed.

Over the years, patients as well as their relatives have been complaining about the “negative behaviour” of the

nurses at the unit. Some patients claimed that these health care workers would be rude and verbally abusive towards them.

Commenting on the behaviour of her nurses, Sister Cato said that she has been trying to get her staffers involved in continuous training which will enable them to deal with patients in a positive manner.

“We have been able to have our staff exposed to training to that they would know how to deal with

people. There is an ongoing customer training for our attendants, nurses, maids and all our staff. We want to make sure our staffers are equipped with the necessary skills and we keep them updated,” the supervisor stressed.

“We have three shifts, and on an average we have 30 persons managing the ward on each shift.”

Cato revealed that the unit currently has 52 Midwives, 10 Staff NurseMidwives, 13 Staff Nurses,

Sister June Cato

three Nursing Assistants, six Patient Care Assistants and six Ward Managers.

Page 22

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Kaieteur News

FOR SALE

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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

Sale! Thursday- Saturday (10am-6pm): Weeding Machine, household items, printers, scanners, computers & much moreCall: 600-0036/223-1719 Pure Rottweiler Pups. Call 220-6879

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Saturday August 10, 2013

1 Gillotine: Wohlenberg 45" cut size: bindprintservice@gmail. com- Call:1-868-222-7097

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MASSAGE

ALYEA’S AUTO SALE PREMIO 03 $2.7 NEG, PREMIO 02 $2.6 NEG, AXIO 08 $2.950 NEG: 40 CROAL ST G/TOWN- CALL:6223823/231-7284

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Is your child hyperactive or has a disability and needs individual teaching? For best results- Call:683-3887 (Continued on page 23)

Saturday August 10, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 23

Thousands rally for Mursi in Cairo, clashes in rural Egypt PROPERTY FOR SALE Campbellville $30M, Kitty $30M, Section ‘K’ $40M, AA Eccles- Call Diana @ 2272256/626-9382 For sale by owner: Lot 4 La Bagatelle, Leguan.

Land 100’×200’, house 40’×25’ $8M NegCall:231-5508/628-2166 Property for sale in Enterprise E. C. Demerara Call: 627-5416/611-7437 1 Charlestown, Corner property with business potential; $40M – Tele: 6735882

Members of the Muslim Brotherhood and supporters of deposed Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi walk with their families in the sit-in area of Rab’a al- Adawiya Square, where they are camping, on the first day of the Eid al-Fitr holiday after the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, in Cairo Thursday. REUTERS/Asmaa Waguih CAIRO (Reuters) Thousands of supporters of ousted Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi rallied in a protest camp around a Cairo mosque yesterday, defying warnings from the armyinstalled government that they should give up and leave.

Leaders of Mursi’s Muslim Brotherhood mounted a stage at the Rabaa al-Adawiya site to demand that he brought back to power.

“Soldier, your place is not in politics,” senior official Ahmed Aref said as the people pumped fists in the air.

Despite international concern that a violent confrontation was imminent, security forces were nowhere to be seen.

But in the rural province of Fayoum, police broke up clashes between several hundred supporters and opponents of Mursi with teargas, security sources said.

Seven protesters and five policemen were hurt.

And in separate incidents in the Nile Delta province of Gharbiya, four people were injured in fights between proMursi protesters and residents near an army base,

state-run Al-Ahram newspaper said. Thirteen Mursi supporters were arrested.

The Rabaa camp in northeast Cairo is the major potential flashpoint of the political crisis brought on by the military overthrow of the Islamist Mursi and establishment of an interim government five weeks ago.

Crowds chanted “Down with the coup, the coup is terrorism” as thousands streamed in from other mosques in columns.

Security forces have warned the protesters to leave peacefully or face action. But the camp has been turned into a virtual fortress, protected by sandbag-and-brick barricades.

“Kill as you like. We will not move from here,” a preacher told worshippers at Friday prayers in the mosque.

“This is a revolution. You who are present will make the decision on whether you will disperse.”

Despite the clashes elsewhere, an undeclared truce seems to have taken hold at Rabaa over the Eid alFitr holiday, which celebrates the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan and finishes tomorrow.

(From page 22)

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

The AFC now reeks of... Rejecting the Amaila Project From page 4 AFC and possibly Sithe Global and its backers’ financial support or promised financial support for the AFC. So, I’m asking this very direct question of the AFC is the AFC funded or was promised to be funded by Sithe Global and its financial backers?

Any rational political analysis of this decision reveals that it seriously exposes the AFC. Hughes failed to secure the African vote that left the AFC in 2011 and returned to the PNC/APNU. After this exposure, he is utterly incapable of attracting those African voters. The AFC got heavy support from

Indians, especially in Berbice, who were disgusted with the PPP’s corruption.

Holding steadfastly onto Hughes will alienate those very voters who will now perceive the AFC as no different than the PPP and in their racially tragic and maligned reasoning, why leave one corrupt entity for another.

So, Hughes is really spent political capital. Financially, whatever Hughes possibly brings to the party or possibly whatever the AFC may have been promised by Sithe Global and its backers to capitulate and support this project is minuscule compared to the tragic economic consequences for this nation with a project that will cost in excess of US $1 billion when it is finally over.

Selling one’s soul in this fashion for a few crumbs while the entire cookie and loaf crumbles to nothing and is lost is dangerous decisionmaking reminiscent of the short term pocket-filling ideology of the PPP while pushing this country over the falls.

I cannot imagine an entire party trying to paint itself as

morally superior sacrificed its entire political morality and capital on one man who has proven incapable of delivering votes.

The AFC does not recognize it is held to a higher standard than the ethnic parties which can get away with virtually anything.

Let’s not forget the other snake in the grass here: the PPP. As 40% owner of the Amaila Falls Hydro Inc., which is administered by Winston Brassington’s NICIL, it clearly knew of Nigel Hughes’ role as Company Secretary.

Yet it remained willfully silent, aborting its role to publicly inform the people and nation of this situation.

As an elected party and part owner of this company, it had an unquestioned and unreserved duty to the people of this country to reveal this connection.

The truth remains the PPP accepted Hughes as Company Secretary of its own government corporation and kept it a secret while blasting Hughes and the AFC in the same breath.

M. Maxwell

From page 5 brownouts and blackouts.

Guyanese have experienced this type of spotty electricity supply from GPL/GEC for the last three decades.

Therefore spending US$1.0 billion dollars to put such a deficient system in place at Amaila and specifying that it will be around for several decades would be disastrous for Guyana.

This outcome alone should signal to policy makers that this project should not be undertaken as it makes no economic sense.

Noting also that Amaila will not supply electricity all year round due to a possible shortage of water during the dry season is another structural setback that will force GPL to have a working backup system that would be just as large an Amaila in terms of electricity supply capacity.

The bad news with this back up system is that it will be underutilized in the dry season and this will increase consumer electricity costs.

Private companies would be ill-advised to depend on

such a faulty system. They would by-pass the national grid and maintain their selfgenerating electricity supply systems, once they wish to maintain profitable businesses.

We have already witnessed this in Guyana as large companies have opted out of the national grid, shifting their dependency to their own electricity supply.

The ongoing fiasco at Lethem comes to mind as well. In this case, private companies and consumers have been penalized with the collapse of the hydro-power supply built by a Chinese company and the government has done nothing to alleviate the situation there.

Scrapping Amaila will allow us to consider other sites that are more in keeping with supply and demand projections.

Specifically, such a project site must have at a minimum the following attributes: a continuous flow of water all year round; it must have the capacity to satisfy a growing demand for electricity for at least 10 to 15 years into the future, instead of only one

year as is the case at Amaila; it must satisfy environmental standards and compensate disrupted communities; it must be financially and economically viable; it should not depend on government subsidies; it should confirm to standards set by an effective public utilities commission; and should generate electricity at prices that are commensurate with other hydro-power systems of comparable size and costs.

The national development strategy identified sites at Tiboku, Amaila, Tumatumari, Kamaria, Tiger Hill and Arisaru.

We have learnt a lot about the limitations of Amaila, but not much more about the others, except Tumatumari which could satisfy many of the criteria listed above, including all year round electricity supply and a capacity to meet a growing demand for 10 to 15 years. It is time for Guyana to get its energy supply right.

Do not burden Guyanese tax payers with another white elephant. Scrap Amaila Falls, it is not the first choice.

C. Kenrick Hunte

Saturday August 10, 2013

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Meeting between PM and environmental group ends on a sour note PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – A meeting late Thursday between Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar and an environment group opposed to a section of the multi-billion dollar highway south of here, ended with both parties giving contrasting viewpoints on its outcome.

The Highway Re-route Movement (HRM), led by environmentalist Dr. Wayne Kublalsingh had requested the meeting in a bid to get the prime minister’s position on whether or not she would abide by the James Armstrong report.

Last year, civil society groups, including the Joint Consultative Council, mediated between the government and the Re-Route Movement resulting in the establishment of an independent review committee, headed by

former Independent senator Dr James Armstrong.

Kublalsingh, who last year staged a 21 day hunger strike, and the HRH do not want the construction of the Debe to Mon Desir segment of the TT$$7.2 billion (One TT dollar = US$0.16 cents) San Fernando to Point Fortin highway project to go ahead, citing environmental problems.

Speaking to reporters after the 15-minute meeting, Kublalsingh said that Prime Minister Persad Bussessar “seemed to get upset and she stood up and she left the meeting”.

He told reporters that his next move was “back on the streets because the government seems not to know what it’s doing. The Prime Minister does not know.

“If we seek an injunction in this matter we will forestall

a larger issue here. The larger issue here is the constitutionality of the State’s action removing human populations, destroying wetland areas, destroying businesses, imposing a mega project at tremendous cost.

The constitutionality of that has to be tested in the court.”

He said.

But in a statement, Prime Minister Persad Bissessar said the HRH and Kublalsingh had come to the meeting with basically two questions including whether or not she would abide by the 10 recommendations of the Armstrong committee.

She said the environmentalist also wanted to know whether she would abide by the decision of the High Court in a constitutional motion filed by the Movement several months ago.

“I pointed out that the matter is before the High Court and I have no intention to compromise the court case.

I asked Dr Kublalsingh if he sought injunctive relief from the High Court to stop the Debe-Mon Desir section of the Highway.

“When he said he did not do so, I asked why. Dr Kublalsingh said this was not the advice of the Movement’s lawyers whom he named. I pointed out to the members of the Movement that while I have every intention of upholding the law, there was no decision of the court to date.”

But Kublalsingh told reporters that Prime Minister Persad Bissessar spent time “explaining to us why we

Dr. Wayne Kublalsingh (front) leaving the meeting with his associates needed to seek an injunction.

That is an irrelevant matter.”

She said regarding the recommendations of the Armstrong committee, it was

a matter for National Infrastructure Development Company Limited (NIDCO), whose head, Dr. Carson Charles is out of the country.

Dengue epidemic looms U.S. orders non-essential staff out for Central American region of consulate in Pakistan’s Lahore

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - The U.S. government ordered the evacuation of nonessential staff from its consulate in the northeastern Pakistani city of Lahore yesterday due to the threat of attack, with the State Department also warning U.S. citizens not to travel to Pakistan.

“The Department of State ordered this drawdown due to specific threats concerning the U.S. consulate in Lahore,” said a travel warning posted on the Department of State’s website on Thursday.

The warning in Lahore, near Pakistan’s border with India, comes two days after Washington evacuated some diplomats from Yemen and told its nationals to leave that country immediately.

The United States shut nearly two dozen missions across the Middle East after a

worldwide alert on August 2, warning Americans that al Qaeda may be planning attacks in August, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa.

Still, a U.S. embassy spokeswoman said the closure was due to a specific threat to Lahore. A U.S. national security official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the Pakistan threat was unconnected to the one that closed other embassies.

The U.S. embassy spokeswoman said it was unclear when the consulate would reopen. Tensions have also risen this week with Pakistan’s neighbor India over the disputed territory of Kashmir.

A cosmopolitan city dominated by an ancient Mughal fort, Lahore is Pakistan’s cultural capital but has also suffered from attacks by militant groups.

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Central America is on track to have one of its worst years ever for the painful, sometimes fatal disease of dengue, prompting governments across the region to mobilize against the mosquito-borne virus.

There have been 120,000 suspected cases of dengue reported across Central America so far in the season, which is roughly June to November, when the rains make it optimal for mosquito breeding. The number of cases already is about to surpass the total for all of 2012 in the seven countries from Guatemala to Panama.

At least 39 people have

died so far, more than the 32 for all of 2012.

The disease is endemic to the region, but cases tend to surge every three to five years, and the Pan-American Health Organization says this year’s looks unusually bad.

Perhaps the worst major outbreak in the Americas was in 2010, when 132 people in Central America died.

Honduras and El Salvador have declared health emergencies to channel extra funds and efforts to prevent the spread of the disease.

Other nations are also sending teams of workers across villages and cities to squirt bursts of insecticide at puddles and to lecture

citizens against leaving standing water where mosquitoes can breed.

“They’re involving people from public health, police and soldiers. It’s an allout effort to fight the effects of the epidemic,” said Vilma Areas, spokeswoman for the Nicaraguan Health Ministry.

At least 17 people have died in Honduras, where more than half the municipalities have registered dengue cases.

Most of Nicaragua’s 2,000 cases, including six deaths, are concentrated on the border with Honduras, which has reported nearly 18,000 cases so far, compared with 15,000 for all of 2012.

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ELECTION COMMESS - Outcry after PM says councillors want local govt. polls postponed Trinidad Express Government is seeking legal advice on the possibility of postponing the local government elections, sources said Thursday.

If the government moves for a postponement this would be a complete reversal of the Prime Minister’s earlier pledges of her People’s Partnership Government to hold elections when they are constitutionally due by October 26.

The fundamental rethink has come in the wake of the debacle which befell the United National Congress (UNC) in the Chaguanas West by-election on July 29 in their heartland seat.

Sources said one of the options that has been proposed is the establishment of advisory councils, comprised of the former councillors, who alongside the mayors and chairmen would run the corporations until the election is held.

The Government allowed

the local government bodies to die and the terms of all councillors to expire on July 26. That removed the opportunity for a simple extension of the life of the local government bodies.

At a meeting at Rienzi Complex in Couva on Wednesday called to do a post-mortem of the Chaguanas West by-election, the former councillors expressed their anxieties and made a call for a postponement of the local government polls.

One of the major grounds they advanced was that the Chaguanas election was brutal and bruising and they did not feel the party’s foot soldiers were ready to go back into the election fray in what is likely to be an equally testing battle.

Sources said their argument seems to have found favour with Prime Minister Kamla PersadBissessar who took the issue to the Cabinet which discussed the matter at

Kamla Persad-Bissessar yesterday’s meeting.

But even prior to this, the Government had made overtures to the Opposition on Wednesday evening seeking its support for the move, according to reliable Opposition sources.

The Opposition flatly refused and demanded the elections be called immediately.

Sources said the Opposition said the only condition on which it would support this measure which would lead to the delay of local government elections, was if the Prime Minister called a general election instead and in the same time frame.

Barbados says global economic crisis boosting investment in local agriculture

Dr. David Estwick BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – A senior government minister has told a conference here that the economic downturn in Barbados has facilitated increased investment in agriculture as the engine for economic growth in both the public and private sectors.

Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and Water Resource Management Minister, Dr. David Estwick, addressing a two-day National Seminar on Food and Nutrition Security that ends here yesterday, said the recession had led to increased

government and privates sector spending in the agricultural sector.

“It involves not only increased government spending on agriculture and infrastructure for inputs and marketing but also encourages private sector investment (which) includes foreign direct investment in food production, postharvest storage, processing and marketing…

“I am excited about the possibilities for renewed investment in food and agricultural science, technology and knowledge development and transfer,” he told the conference, whose main aim is to finalise the draft Barbados Food and Nutrition Security Policy and

Action Plan..”

Estwick said the sector needed to influence and attract more young people to become agricultural entrepreneurs, adding there was also the need to address the needs of “small holder” farmers.

He said these farmers should be encouraged to be a part of the implementation of the draft plan so that they could better participate in new potential investments.

“Perhaps the key for unleashing the full potential of our small holder farming is the establishment of Food Zones at specific locations around the island. This initiative would be community driven.

Saturday August 10, 2013

Obama pledges greater transparency in surveillance programs (Reuters) - President Barack Obama announced plans yesterday to limit sweeping U.S. government surveillance programs that have come under criticism since leaks by a former spy agency contractor, saying the United States “can and must be more transparent.””Given the history of abuse by governments, it’s right to ask questions about surveillance, particularly as technology is reshaping every aspect of our lives,” Obama told a news conference at the White House.

Saying that it was important to strike the right balance between security and civil liberties, Obama said he was unveiling specific steps to improve oversight of surveillance and restore public trust in the government’s programs.

“It’s not enough for me as president to have confidence in these programs. The

American people need to have confidence in them, as well,” Obama said, adding that he was confident the programs were not being abused.

The announcement made just before Obama heads for summer vacation on Martha’s Vineyard - may be greeted as at least a partial victory for supporters of exNSA contractor Edward Snowden who is now in Russia, where he was granted asylum last week.

The Obama administration has vigorously pursued Snowden to bring him back to the United States to face espionage charges for leaking details of the surveillance programs to the media.

“I don’t think Mr. Snowden was a patriot,” Obama said at the news conference, brushing off the suggestion that Friday’s

interview, a sign that the world’s No. 10 oil producer may be ready to give up decades of total crude oil selfsufficiency in order to take advantage of a growing glut of U.S. shale oil.

“We expect to market increasing volumes of our crudes” to both China and India, said Luis Felipe Luna, CEO of P.M.I. Comercio Internacional, the international oil trading arm of Mexico’s

announcement showed Snowden had done the right thing in revealing the extent of the government’s program.

Obama said he plans to work with Congress to pursue “appropriate reforms” of Section 215 of the antiterrorism Patriot Act that governs the collection of socalled “metadata” such as phone records, insisting that the government had no interest in spying on ordinary Americans.

U.S., Russian ministers agree to prepare for Syria peace talks U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (R) and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov confer during a press briefing at the State Department in Washington before a day of talks yesterday.

Reuters/Gary Cameron.

WA S H I N G T O N (Reuters) - U.S. and Russian officials agreed yesterday on the need to convene a Syrian peace conference in Geneva as soon as possible and will meet again by the end of the month to prepare for the talks, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.

Lavrov said the mood of

talks in Washington between the top U.S. and Russian diplomatic and defense officials was very positive.

The meeting opened after days of recriminations over Moscow’s decision to grant asylum to former U.S. spy agency contractor Edward Snowden. Both Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State John

Mexico ramping up oil exports to China, India MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexico is pushing to double crude oil exports to China next year and boost Indiabound shipments, the next stage of a long-term plan to diversify oil sales away from an increasingly energyindependent United States.

Mexico is also open to importing light crude supplies from the United States, the country’s top oil trade executive said in an

Barack Obama

state oil monopoly Pemex.

Crude oil shipments to China, which have risen from zero in 2010 to more than 20,000 bpd so far this year, will reach a yearly average of 30,000 barrels per day (bpd) but could more than double in 2014, said Luna.

Exports to India already stand at nearly 100,000 bpd but are likely to increase in the short and medium term, he said in a rare interview this

week. In total, Asia could be taking as much as a fifth of Mexico’s 1.1 million bpd of exports.

The United States is still by far Mexico’s largest oil export partner, but shipments have halved since 2006 to less than 850,000 bpd this year, according to U.S. government data, the lowest rate in two decades due to both declining Mexican production and rising U.S. output.

Kerry acknowledged their sharp differences over Snowden and other issues going into the talks, which also included Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu.

“Edward Snowden did not overshadow our discussions,” Lavrov told reporters, adding that he believed that case should not affect “mainstream” U.S.Russia relations. As the socalled “2+2” talks opened, Kerry said the two countries need to find ways to work around their sharp differences and make progress on missile defense, Afghanistan, nuclear disputes with Iran and North Korea and the two-year-old civil war in Syria.

“This meeting remains important above and beyond the collisions and the moments of disagreement,” said Kerry.

Saturday August 10, 2013

Kaieteur News

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Briton Reedie picked as IOC U-21s hold JNA’s fortunes... nominee for WADA top job MOSCOW (Reuters) Britain’s Craig Reedie was chosen as the International Olym pic Committee’s (IOC) nominee for president of the World Anti-Doping Agency on Friday. Reedie was chosen over American former Olympic hurdles champion Edwin Moses and former IOC medical director Patrick Schamasch at the one-day Executive Board meeting in Moscow, an IOC official said.

The 72-year-old sports administrator’s new role as head of WADA is expected to be rubberstamped at the world conference on doping in sport from November 12-15 in Johannesburg.

Reedie, a former head of the International Badminton Federation and the British Olympic Association, has been an IOC member since 1994. He is also a member of WADA’s 12member Executive Committee

and was regarded as a driving force behind London’s

International Olympic Committee (IOC) Vice President and chairman of the IOC Evaluation Commission Craig Reedie speaks during a news conference in Istanbul March 27, 2013.

REUTERS/Murad Sezer staging of the Olympic Games last year.

WADA was set up in 1999 by the IOC to fight the growing problem of doping in sport with half its funding coming from the IOC and international federations and the other half from national governments. The sports

bodies and the governments take turns in nominating the WADA president. Current president John Fahey was the governments’ choice in 2007.

WADA has recently been criticized for doing too little in the fight against doping while Fahey has said their budget was too small.

Saturday August 10, 2013 ARIES (MAR 21 - APR 19): Things may get a bit hostile today, Aries. No one wants to budge from his or her position. You could be caught between mind and heart issues. *************************** Taurus (Apr 20 - May 20): You may think that everything is perfect, Taurus, when suddenly, there's a great surge of unyielding emotional energy. *************************** Gemini (May 21 - Jun 20):Others are apt to play a big role in the events that unfold today, Gemini. It's likely that closely communing with others will be very important. *************************** CANCER (JUN 21 - JUL 22): Others are apt to play a big role in the events that unfold today, Gemini. It's likely that closely communing with others will be very important.

Despite this, you may still feel alone. *************************** LEO (JUL 23 - AUG 22):It's very possible that the best solution today is to simply give up control, Leo. ************************ VIRGO (AUG 23 - SEP 22): Mind your manners today, Virgo. Make sure your charm is turned up high. Merging with the group is essential as you keep the momentum of the energy going.

LIBRA (SEP 23 - OCT 22):Situations and people with strong opinions about how things are done may impede your trajectory today, Libra. *************************** SCORPIO (OCT 23 - NOV 21): Your adventurous spirit is noble, Scorpio, but you might find that this is one of those days in which you're asked to justify your actions. *************************** SAGITTARIUS (NOV 22 - DEC 21): The warrior within may be stirred today. You might also have some selfdoubt about your actions, Sagittarius. *************************** CAPRICORN (DEC 22 JAN 19): Be aware that you might feel overshadowed or that your efforts won't be recognized, Capricorn. *************************** AQUARIUS (JAN 20 FEB 18): Issues regarding love and romance may be confusing today, Aquarius.

You should be aware that strong forces are at work to tangle the current situation. *************************** PISCES (FEB 19 - MAR 20): Focus on the information coming your way today, Pisces. Try not to get too emotional about the consequences of the information.sented to you now.

From page 26 is even hoping to improve on that placing. “We want to be playing in the final match. It’s important for our confidence, for national pride and it is important for us as an organisation to remain very much up there with the topranked countries in the world in netball.

“It is important for us in the Caribbean to ensure that one of the Caribbean countries remains up there. It is also important for people to see that in spite of the fact that we do not have all or many of the things as the countries above us have, we do well nonetheless.

“We have come as high as second, and we are going in there third and we do not wish to come back less than we have gone in with. It is important for us to see that the work we are doing is bearing fruit... and we hope

that it will bring new sponsors on board,” Bernard explained.

Bernard said that it is added incentive to impress the president of the world netball governing body, Molly Rhone, who is Jamaican.

The team departs on August 19 for the 10-day tournament which is scheduled to start on the 22nd. But the accumulating of the $8 million needed to fund the trip was not a smooth operation for the financially struggling association. She said sacrifices had to be made, as $2 million funding from Scotiabank that was “earmarked” for the Under-13 and Under-16 programmes had to be “reallocated” to be used by the Under-21s.

Bernard also expressed gratitude to main sponsor 3M Interamerica, as well as Gilbert Sportswear, Sports

Development Foundation, Petcom, Hi-Lyte Drink, Grace Kennedy, Seprod and Best Dressed Chicken. The JNA head also thanked the Jamaica Defence Force for providing support with boot-camp training. She added that a JNA-organised fundraising drive moved “a number of companies to get on board and help with small donations”. The junior Sunshine Girls gained “important” practice while recording dominant victories against England and Trinidad & Tobago in the recent trination series on home soil.

As Jamaicans brace for the start of the World Athletics Championships in Moscow today, the local netball boss predicted success for the team and is hoping for similar accomplishment from the Sunshine Girls in Glasgow.

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Afridi: Lara could T&T Red Steel prove too hot for play spin blindfolded Guyana’s Amazon Warriors Daily Bhaskar -Karachi: There has been the most arresting rivalry in world cricket during the 90s, and long after two of the greatest ever batsmen have bid adieu to limited overs cricket, Sachin Tendulkar versus Brian Lara still generates awe, and opinion.

The recent to join the debate is flamboyant Pakistani all-rounder Shahid Afridi, who has rated the West Indian great above Tendulkar and Aussie Ricky Ponting.

“Lara was the best batsman I have seen in my entire career spanning 16 years better. Personally I found him to be a class above the two other greats of this era, Tendulkar and (Ricky) Pointing,” Afridi said in an interview.

“He was the most difficult batsman I have bowled to in every format of the game. He could play and hit boundaries at will. Especially against the spinners he produced boundaries out of the hat, a superb player and I enjoyed watching him bat,” Afridi said while talking about the greatest players of his era.

Afridi said there were times when he felt that Lara could play blindfolded.

“At times, I felt he was so good at playing spin he could even bat well against them blindfolded. Tendulkar and Pointing are also greats but I thought Lara was a cut above them,” he said. Talking about the greatest bowlers of his time, Afridi praised Australian, Glenn McGrath and compatriot Mohammad Asif who could swing the new ball both ways at will.

Brian Lara

Shahid Afridi

“They were the only bowlers who I felt knew when they were going to bowl inswing or outswing and that is a big quality in any bowler,” he explained. Afridi also talked about his comeback and a resurgence in his career.

“Now whenever I get out, I talk to myself and I curse myself for not finishing off a match if I am batting. It has

and how they went out. I

helped me a lot this self assessment therapy,” he said. Afridi admitted he didn’t think much about his batting after getting out or didn’t do enough postexamination.

“But now when I am batting I am eager to finish off matches myself. I keep on talking to myself and even if I get out, I keep on analysing myself.”

The flamboyant allrounder said he was keen to keep on playing for Pakistan but with selfrespect.

“I have seen the fate of some of our former greats

don’t want to go through that phase. I can say this safely I will know when the time is right for me to go. Right now the time is good for me and I can carry on performing in Twenty20 and ODI cricket,” he said.

Afridi conceded that in the past he had made mistakes in his career but insisted he never compromised on self-respect.

“I am that sort of a person if I feel I am not wanted or I don’t get along with someone I will not play. I couldn’t get along with Waqar Younis when he was captain so I decided not to play and stepped aside.”

He also described Misbah-ul-Haq as a good captain who was a good planner.

“He is an excellent planner but unfortunately not everything you plan is executed all the time. And one can’t expect him to treat other players like schoolchildren,” he said.

Suriname beat Guyana 2-1...

From page 31 combinations and after one such power play, they almost went two up compliments of Jonathon’s strike but the ball slammed into the goalpost

and back into play. Suriname’s second goal came from a corner kick that sailed through the air for Sergino to deftly tuck in a ferocious header.

Thereafter, the locals

turned in a scrappy display that witnessed many botched chances none more glaring than when with approximately 20 minutes to the final whistle, captain of the local squad, Andre Hector was fed a humdinger of a pass just in front of the Surinamese goal; his teammates watched in horror as he botched the opportunity with a wayward strike.

It proved to be a costly miss as the Surinamese refused to relinquish possession even as the clock ticked away the time.

The Guyanese somehow rose from their lethargy and struggled to equalize the situation but the Dutch team proved to be a moiré tactical and determined bunch and their 2-1 victory was fitting reward for their hard work.

Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel proved a bit too hot for the Guyana Amazon Warriors in their match of the Limacol Caribbean Premier League (LCPL) played at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain Trinidad yesterday.

The Red Steel won the toss and chose to bat and got off to a good start, eventually rallying to 159 for 4 off their 20 overs.

They were piloted to the decent total by Kevin O’Brien who hammered 70 off 47 balls which included two fours and six sixes.

He got support from R o s s Ta y l o r w i t h a n unbeaten 39 off 27 deliveries, while Adrian

Barath chipped in with 29.

The pick of the Warriors bowlers was Kishmar Santokie with 2 for 25 off his four overs.

Set 160 for victory, the Amazon Warriors got off to a good start with Lendl Simmons and Martin Guptill keeping up a healthy run rate.

After a few lusty blows, Simmons departed for 18 from 10 balls and the pressure began to build on the Warriors.

James Franklin 60 not out off 34 balls, which included five fours and three sixes with late order help from Christopher Barnwell, 23 off 18, brought the Amazon

Warriors within four of the required mark as the Red Steel took their first victory of the competition. Mohammad Hafeez hit 35 for the Wa r r i o r s . R e d S t e e l Skipper Dwayne Bravo took 2 for 21 to lead the bowling of his team.

The tournament continues today with St. Lucia Zouks battling Jamaica Tallawahs from 8:00 pm at the Beausejour Cricket Ground in Castries, St. Lucia.

Scores: Red Steel 159/4 (20/20 ov); Guyana Amazon Warriors 156/4 (20.0/20 ov) Result: Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel won by 3 runs.

American Austin penalized four shots for carrying 15 clubs ROCHESTER, New York (Reuters) - American Woody Austin was docked four strokes during Friday’s rainhit second round at the PGA Championship for carrying an extra club in his bag for two holes.

Players are permitted to carry no more than 14 clubs and Austin discovered that he had 15 with him as he played the par-three third at Oak Hill Country Club. The 49-year-old, a four-times

winner on the PGA Tour, immediately declared the extra club out of play and reported the mistake to a rules official once he completed the third hole.

Under the rules of golf, “the player must not start a stipulated round with more than 14 clubs.” The penalty for a breach of this rule is two strokes for each hole where the extra club is carried in the bag.

Former world number one

Ian Woosnam was the most notable victim of this rule at a major, being assessed a twostroke penalty in the final

round of the 2001 British Open at Royal Lytham where he was in contention.

Welshman Woosnam was informed of the breach by his caddie after he had nearly holed out in one at the start of the round, and he ended up finishing in a tie for third at the championship.

U-21s hold JNA’s fortunes, says netball boss Jamaica Observer - THE fortunes of the Jamaica Netball Association (JNA) are tied to the success of the Under-21 Sunshine Girls.

That is the vibe from JNA boss Marva Bernard, as the country gets ready for the World Youth Championships to be staged in Glasgow, Scotland, later this month.

Bernard believes nothing less than a top-three finish will prove to sponsors and

fans that the association is moving along the desired developmental path.

“There are a lot of things riding on our doing well, and not being on the podium is not an option. Everybody is well aware of that,” Bernard told the Jamaica Observer Thursday.

“It’s a part of our development programme and some of these girls will make the cut to the senior team at

the end. The good thing about this is that some of the girls who have made this team have come from our nursery programme — the Under-13 squad,” she continued.

The Jamaicans won the bronze medal after beating England for third place at the previous World Youth Netball Championships held in the Cook Islands.

The netball president (Continued on page 25)

Saturday August 10, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 33

England collapse as Australia take charge of fourth Test

BBC Sport - Australia took an early grip on the fourth Ashes Test at Chester-leStreet as England’s batting frailties were exposed once again.

Denied victory at Old Trafford by the rain as England retained the Ashes with a draw, Australia boosted their hopes of coming from 20 down to draw the series by reducing the hosts to 238-9 at the close of day one. After winning the toss, England had battled their way to 149-2 on a slow pitch, but they lost seven wickets for 65 runs as Australia took control.

Off-spinner Nathan Lyon found a testing line and length to take 4-42, while the other wickets were shared among Australia’s impressive quartet of seamers.

Captain Alastair Cook top-scored for England with 51 and Jonathan Trott made a fluent 49, but it was a day to forget for the hosts’ other batsmen as they fell to a combination of intelligent, accurate bowling and reckless batting.

Cook’s men have yet to post a total in excess of 400

His demise for 26 actually came to a defensive shot as a thin nick was snaffled behind the stumps.

Just four more runs had been added when Cook was lbw shouldering arms to a ball from Ashes debutant Jackson Bird that nipped back and rapped his front pad. Lyon, who was hit for three sixes in

Nathan Lyon appeals vociferously. (Getty Images)

Alastair Cook goes for the pull. (Associated Press) this series and once again it will be down to their bowlers to right the wrongs of those paid to score runs.

The day was in the balance when England took tea on 155-4, but the momentum swung drastically in Australia’s favour when

Bell was caught at mid-off trying to hit Lyon over the top in the first over after the interval.

Matt Prior and Jonny Bairstow dug in during an arduous stand of 34 in 19 overs, but when both departed in quick succession

Courts plugs $400,000 to Boyce and Jefford Track and Field Classic

England were in deep trouble.

Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann fell trying to take on short balls from Ryan Harris and only some late resistance from Tim Bresnan and James Anderson, who struck four fours, prevented England from being bowled out in a day.

The hosts, who avoided the temptation to select Graham Onions on his home ground, made a solid if unspectacular start to their innings as they saw out the first 17 overs of the first Ashes Test to be held at Durham’s county ground.

All-rounder Shane Watson made the breakthrough for the tourists as Root feathered a delivery to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin.

Umpire Tony Hill gave him not out, but Australia referred the call and the muchmaligned Hot Spot detected the edge.

Trott struck seven fours in an innings of uncharacteristic ease as he motored past Cook to within one run of his fastest Test fifty. But a partnership of 73 was broken when he aimed his 60th delivery - bowled by Lyon - to the leg side and was caught at short leg off inside edge and pad.

Kevin Pietersen signalled his intentions from his first ball when he tried to smash Lyon over the top and almost holed out to midwicket.

In an ugly, skittish innings, Pietersen nearly ran out his captain with a crazy single and almost played on.

two overs by Pietersen and Bell during their vital 115-run partnership in the first innings at Old Trafford, exacted full revenge when he followed up with the wicket of Bell.

Aiming another huge drive at the off-spinner, Bell simply skewed the ball to mid-off, where Harris took a tumbling catch.

Australia succe ssfully

reviewed an lbw appeal to remove Prior for 17 after Peter Siddle angled a ball into his pads, and Bairstow, who took 77 balls to score 14, attempted to sweep Lyon and was trapped leg before.

Broad added only three before slapping Harris wastefully to point and Swann had managed 13 when he topedged a pull to Lyon at deep square leg.

Anderson’s late flurry belatedly provided England fans with something to cheer but the day belonged indisputably to Australia.

Scores: England 238 for 9

(Cook 51, Lyon 4-42) v Australia.

Jason Dufner sets...

Colin Boyce (extreme right) receives sponsorship cheque in the presence of Pernell Cummings and Kester Abrams (photo compliments: Treiston Joseph).

Courts Guyana Inc made major big input to the Boyce and Jefford Track and Field Classic budget, donating $400,000 to the fourth edition of the event yesterday at the organization’s headquarters on Main Street.

The Classic, which will see clubs vying for the top prize of $500,000, has grown into Guyana’s premier track and field event.

Courts began support of the event in their third edition and have been a major contributor to its success ever since. Marketing Manager

Pernell Cummings and Public Relation Officer of Courts Kester Abrams noted the importance of the development of sport in the country.

Co-Founder of the Boyce and Jefford Classic, Colin Boyce, thanked the management of Courts for the well appreciated contribution to the event.

“I just wish to express sincere thanks to the Courts management team for coming onboard with the fourth edition of the Boyce and Jefford track and field classic.

Being the chairman of the

Boyce and Jefford committee we are elated that Courts has come onboard for the third time and we know for sure that they (Courts) are eager to support sports of any nature providing that it can bring the kind of value that they are looking for,” Boyce noted.

The Boyce and Jefford Classic will be held on August 17 and 18 at the Police Sports Club ground, Eve Leary and the Mackenzie Sports Club ground Linden respectively where athlete from Trinidad, Grenada and Suriname are expected to participate.

From page 30 when his approach to the second span back 20ft and dropped into the hole for an eagle. He made a long birdie putt across the fourth green, picked up another shot at the fifth and holed another lengthy putt to save par on the seventh to go out in 31.

Turning for home, the laconic two-time PGA Tour winner made further birdies at 11, 13 and 16 before firing a pinpoint approach into the 18th green, only to leave his history-making putt short.

“It’s tough,” said the world number 21. “I showed a little bit of nerves there leaving it short. It’s one you would like to gun and have a chance at history (but) I am in pretty good company.

“The history of the game is something that is dear to my heart. To be part of history is a neat accomplishment, I never thought a guy from north east Ohio would be able to do these things.” But Dufner’s was not the only round close to the history books.

American Webb Simpson was on course for an early 62 but faltered late on to equal the then course record of 64, set by Ben Hogan in 1942 and

then again by Curtis Strange in 1989. The former US Open champion ended four under alongside 2010 US PGA winner Martin Kaymer (68) and American Charley Hoffman (67).

While others were making hay, Woods mixed four birdies with four bogeys and cut a frustrated figure as he chases an elusive 15th major and first since 2008.

“Obviously I’m going to have to put together a really good weekend,” Woods said.

“I’m going to have to do my job and shoot a good round but then again, I’m so far back that if the leaders go ahead and run off with it and shoot a low one I’m going to be pretty far behind.”

Scott, who made his major breakthrough at the Masters in April, continued the form that saw him lead late on during the Open last month and set the clubhouse target at seven under at Oak Hill, dubbed “Soak Hill” after the torrential morning rains.

“I think the platform has never been better for me to go on and win multiple majors,” said Scott. “I guess you’ve got to take the confidence and form of winning a major and

run with it. I can’t take my foot off the gas just because I achieved something great at Augusta.”

Scott’s playing partner Rose, who is also targeting a second major of the season after winning his first at Merion in June, fired a stunning homeward nine of 29 for his 66.

“It’s wonderful to be in this situation right now, talking about having done it, talking about feeling like you can win more, believing in yourself and not talking about how I hope it could happen this week. So I think that alone makes it easier,” he said.

Only Gene Sarazen (1922), Ben Hogan (1948), Jack Nicklaus (1980) and Tiger Woods (2000) have won the US Open and US PGA in the same year, while Nicklaus was also the last man, in 1975, to win the Masters and US PGA in the same season.

Open champion Phil Mickelson, playing with Scott and Rose, signed for a second 71 to end two over, just inside the three-over cut mark which claimed Luke Donald, Martin Laird, Paul Lawrie, Bubba Watson, Ernie Els and Padraig Harrington.

Page 34

Kaieteur News

St Lucia implode to suffer big loss ESPNcricinfo - St Lucia Zouks imploded in a chase of 176 to suffer an 83-run defeat against Barbados Tridents in St Lucia on Thursday.

Chasing their second win in four games, St Lucia had a shaky start, losing opener Tamim Iqbal for 1 in the second over. Devon Smith and Andre Fletcher shared a 26-run partnership but their dismissals in the seventh over, to Barbados bowler Shannon Gabriel, left St Lucia struggling at 30 for 3.

Herschelle Gibbs and Misbah-ul-Haq added 43 runs off 33 balls and looked set to pitch a rescue act for St Lucia before Rayad Emrit made a breakthrough in the 13th over.

Looking to a turn a ball from Emrit to the on side, Gibbs walked across his stumps, only to miss the ball completely.

That dismissal triggered a collapse, as St Lucia lost a wicket in every over thereafter to fold for 92.

Pollard picked up two wickets, while Emrit finished with 3 for 19, accounting for Gibbs, Darren Sammy and Tino Best. Ashley Nurse, who had earlier dismissed Tamim, took the wickets of Shane Shillingford and Garey Mathurin in what was the last over to complete a comprehensive win.

The Barbados innings of 175 was built around two partnerships, after Kieron

Saturday August 10, 2013

Patrice Mitch welcome and Garfield Morris Memorial Tapeball cricket match

North Road All Stars, Tarmac Boys to clash Tapeball cricket pioneers Tarmac Bad Boys and Arch Rivals North Road All Stars will roll back the years sometime in October in a memorial clash for two fallen stalwarts Patrice Mitch Welcome and Garfield Morris at the National Cultural Centre Tarmac.

With the late Mitch Welcome at the helm, the Tarmac Boys was Tapeball’s Mount Everest. The Lodge based team only lost one final

Ashley Nurse took three wickets to help Barbados thump St Lucia by 83 runs © Getty Images Pollard chose to bat. Dwayne Smith and Shoaib Malik added 63 runs for the second wicket after Barbados lost opener Jonathan Carter for 4.

Their partnership, which lasted a little over eight overs, took Barbados to a comfortable 83 for 1 in the 12th over, before Albie Morkel bowled Smith for 48. Umar Akmal and Shoaib Malik were dismissed in successive overs, with Best, who was suffering a slight niggle, coming on late in the innings to account for Malik. Kris Mayers and Pollard, however, blitzed a 57-run partnership in 22 balls to take the total past 150. Pollard dominated the stand, smashing 34 off 21,

including one four and three sixes. Nurse hit a six off the last ball to take Barbados to 175 for 6.

Having lost their second successive match in a row, St Lucia are now languishing at fifth place on the points table and may have to play without Best in their next game against Trinidad & Tobago. After the match, Sammy said pacer Nelon Pascal would replace Best if the latter wasn’t fit for the next match. Barbados lead the table with four wins in four games.

Scores: Barbados Tridents 175 for 6 (Smith 48, Pollard 34*, Morkel 2-26) beat St Lucia Zouks 92 (Emrit 3-19, Nurse 3-12) by 83 runs.

Local boxers compete in T&T tourney

to Disturbing the Peace. The Tarmac stalwarts expected to grace the National Cultural Tarmac are: Rawle Allicock, Estwich Warde, Cowen Jackson, Andy Anderson, Neil Johnson, Lloyd Burnett, Quashie Bentick, Julien Kellman and Wesley Hall.

North Road have already summoned there veterans to training. The squad name will come from Colburn David, Lucis Hodge (wktkpr), Charwayne

Walker (Captain), Colin Richards, Anthony Rigby, Orin Samuels, Gavin Lewis, Mario Nicholls, Bryan Hercules, Andrew Persaud, Lee Van De Santos, Gamel Abdool, David Dublin, Devon Hendricks and Raphael George.

Amazon Warriors Financial Manager Dwayne Lovell will manage this side with Keith Jordan as his Assistant, the coach his Nigel Roshuevel.

13th William France Fitness Walk, Run set for tomorrow The 13th Edition of the William ‘The Conqueror’ France Fitness Walk and Run will be staged tomorrow morning from 6:30am. The event will start from Two Brothers Gas Station and conclude at Mocha Road head.

France indicated that there will be special awards for the top participants and persons that have contributed to the success of the programme and his activities over the years.

France, Dennis Burns and John Otto are due to travel to Canada for the Terry Fox Run there on August 15.

He expressed gratitude to the Management and Staff of the Demerara Harbour Bridge for their help in him conducting several walks along the bridge in which he raised over half a million dollars for the Canada trip.

France, a leg amputee, has led the way over the years in highlighting the cause for disabled athletes, participating in several international marathons and other distance events also

locally.

He expressed gratitude to

Williams France and Dennis Burns display some of the trophies and prizes that will be given out tomorrow.

President Donald Ramotar, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Opposition Leader David Granger, Nigel’s Super Market, Brains Watch World

and Da Silva’s Optical in Middle Street, who presented him with a pair of glasses, and several others for their assistance.

Albion defeat Esmeralda Coaching School in Berbice From page 29

GBA’s Steve Ninvalle (left) along with boxers and officials on Thursday during his visit.

Thursday afternoon President of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) met with a team of boxers that travelled to Trinidad for the Junior/Youth Invitational tournament which began last night.

Ninvalle met with the parents of all six boxers. He gave the fighters a brief pep talk

as well as letting the parents know of what arrangements were in place for their children’s visit overseas.

The team depart yesterday morning and is scheduled to return tomorrow. The team is managed by GBA VP Eustace Cuffy and coached by Clifton Moore.

Albion received a trophy from the visitors for their win while the outstanding players were also awarded for their performances, all compliments of the Esmeralda Coaching School.

The school which is a part of the Esmeralda Sports Club was established a year ago and is undertaking their first tour.

One of its aims is to produce cricketers for the senior team while another

is to give the youngsters an opportunity to enhance their all round ability whilst also keeping them off the streets.

Over 55 youths ranging from six to 18 years are a part of the school’s programme.

There are U13, U15 and U18 sections.

Both the school U-13 and U-15 teams are on tour with

a contingent of 43 inclusive of players, staff and parents. The visitors are expected to wing out today for their home land.

Top scorer Adrian Sukhua after his accomplished knock.