Tuesday August 11, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Letters... Where your views make the news Letters... Where your views make the news
The Laws of Guyana on Racial and Political Discrimination DEAR EDITOR, Can the Public Authorities justify to the national community the spate of dismissals of state employees in violation of national and international laws? The laws of Guyana are clear on protecting citizens from all forms of discrimination as fundamental human rights. But it is baffling to witness the actions of the Government, its Ministers and functionaries on the dismissal of large numbers of state employees in breach of the laws of the land, in breach of contract FOR service and in breach of contract OF service, without due process and natural justice. Such actions seem to be political victimization and witch-hunting, and point to ethnic and political cleansing. The Government must justify to the population these dismissals. The President must publicly address the nation and allay the widespread concern and fears of large sections of the population. The Governing Authorities – all Members of the National Assembly and the Government must debate this issue in the National Assembly urgently as a matter of public interest to inform the public. This is important since all vocal critics of the previous Government certain media, organizations and activists including the Guyana Trades Union Congress, GHRA, Transparency Institute of Guyana, the religious bodies, the partisan EU and ABC Country representatives have been silent on these matters. The issues of all forms of discrimination are addressed in our Constitution and Labour Laws as follows: “We, the Guyanese people,..Celebrate our cultural and racial diversity and strengthen our unity by eliminating any and every form of
discrimination”.(Preamble). The right to form political parties and their freedom of action are guaranteed…Art.10. It is the duty of the State to enhance the cohesiveness of society by eliminating d i s c r i m i n a t o r y distinctions …Art. 34 Chapter two of the Constitution guarantees the right to equality of opportunity and treatment in all aspects of employment, education, social and political life; and imposes a duty on the state to protect the just rights and interests of citizens. Chapter III of the Constitution on Fundamental Rights states that ”the Fundamental Rights and Freedoms of the individual entitle every citizen basic rights without distinction and discrimination including the right, regardless of his/her race, origin, political opinions, colour, creed or sex subject to the rights and freedoms of others and the public interest to freedom of conscience, of expression, assembly, and association”. (Articles 40, 145, 146, 147) “Protection from discrimination on the grounds of race, place of origin, political opinion, colour, creed, age, disability, marital status, sex, gender, language, birth, social class, pregnancy, religion, conscience, belief or culture…”(Art. 149) Our Labour Laws, in particular, the Prevention of Discrimination Act, Chapter 99:09(No. 26 of 1997), provides for the elimination of discrimination in employment, training, recruitment, and membership of professional bodies. Under Part II (Section 4) the Act prohibits discrimination on the grounds of: race, sex, religion, colour, ethnic origin, indigenous population, national extraction, social origin, economic status, political opinion, disability, family responsibilities, pregnancy, marital status, or age except
for the purpose of retirement and restriction on work and employment of minors. The Act further prohibits discrimination against a person by distinction, exclusion or preference, the intent of which is to deny equality of opportunity or treatment in any employment or occupation. International Labour Convention III – Discrimination (Employment a n d Occupation), 1958, ratified by Guyana, requires the promotion of equality of opportunity and treatment in relation to employment and occupation and calls on states to declare and pursue a national policy designed to eliminate all forms of discrimination. The Convention defines discrimination as “any distinction, exclusion or preference based on race, colour, sex, religion, political opinion, national extraction or social origin affecting equality of opportunity or treatment in employment and occupation”. How has the Government and its functionaries been applying national and international laws in the context of a spate of dismissals in the public sector since assuming office? Are they violating the laws, riding roughshod over citizens’ fundamental rights, and indulging in ethnic and political cleansing? The National Assembly and the Government, in their words, actions and decisions should give meaningful expressions to the intent and spirit of our laws in a determined effort to foster a just, humane, and compassionate multi-ethnic, plural society for all peoples. Joshua John
Responding to trials with denials DEAR EDITOR, Need I open by saying or expounding the dangers of denial? What I am about to verbalize is not applicable to all Guyanese, but at the selfsame time it applies to far too many. There is currently a rising level of individual discontent among us, wherein we are blaming others for our problems and even our behaviour. Permit me to furnish the examples. Yes, it is a known fact that the Police Force is fraught with rogues and renegades, dangerous, dishonest and unstable cops, all seeming graduates of Lucifer Academy. Nevertheless, we can no more put all policemen into one basket than they can all of us. Sad to say, but undeniably true, the country is in a state of denial, often blaming others in an effort to avoid taking responsibility for our own actions. Get this straight: We have blamed political parties and/ or their representatives for our inability to progress and succeed, then we blame them also for preventing our presidential saviour for helping us succeed. When the law is broken or our children/ partners etc. are guilty of so doing, and are caught, we want to blame the police for the manner in which things were handled or the accused was treated. And if the police are culpable, we want them arrested, imprisoned and given harsh penalties. Caution must be exercised before becoming a passenger on the Blame Bandwagon before the facts are known. The courts are blamed, when we are the ones who do not know our rights. We justify the actions displayed by representatives of a certain ethnic origin and blame those of a different ethnic origin, even though we live, work
and play alongside each other on a daily basis. We do not teach our children not to talk with, befriend or confront fools and strangers, and what to do if they think they are being followed, such actions as resulted in the death of 9year-old Shaquan Gittens, and then we blame the fool alone. We want to lay blame on the educational and school system when the children do not learn, although we do not check their homework, ensure that they attend school, know how they are progressing academically and attend any school meetings. These may be hard words to hear, and for which I offer no apology. The medicine that works best often has a bitter taste. Simple wisdom dictates that we individually be accountable for our own actions. Ask the question as to whether or not there are other factors that contribute to the current state, social, political, economical etc? Bet your bottom dollar they are! Those things are: reasons, factors and catalysts, but not excuses to justify where we are in life. Here comes the more poignant question: Should we hold accountable all those who have orchestrated or contributed to plans for our downfall? The response is a resounding Yes! Yes! Yes! Absolutely! However, on a cautionary note, we are as much to blame if we allow them to stop us or help them as they hinder us. Denial is known to resolve nothing, except that it makes us deceptively feel
better about ourselves, as if we did nothing wrong. Regrettably, that is not always accurate. Now the time has come for our people to look in the mirror, or we would never find real solutions earmarked for progress. We need to address the issue when others are at fault and go for justice. In a reciprocal manner, when we are at fault we need to look in the mirror where the initial reaction(s) for many people would be to still blame others or to strike out because the nail has been hit on the head, or at worst, play ignorant to the truth and the facts. A case in point is that involving the notorious German dictator Adolf Hitler, who got the Aryans to blame and scapegoat the Jews as being the source of the Aryan problems. He was such a successful pro at this that the Aryans found it much easier to kill the Jews than to look in the mirror. In no way shape or form are our problems unsolvable and we may be in fact the only solutions. However, it does take both the wisdom and maturity to look at the roots of our problems instead of repeatedly pointing fingers. No race or ethnic group stands as a symbol of perfection and none is innately superior to another. My approach remains balanced, and I do look in the mirror every day for my personal errors and faults that need to be corrected. I do not fear the mirror. You are invited to look in the mirror. If you do, what would you see? Yvonne Sam
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Tuesday August 11, 2015
Additional $8.2B lifeline for GuySuCo, but time running out – Gov’t warns Government is planning to sink an additional $8.2B into the troubled sugar industry this year, but cautions that hard decisions are coming as it awaits the report of an ongoing Commission of Inquiry. Already, since taking office, the new Government has injected some $3.8B to keep the industry alive. During his four-hour-long 2015 National Budget presentation yesterday, Finance Minister Winston Jordan made it clear that the “stop-gap measure is neither sustainable nor meant to be a substitute for, or postponing of, the hard decisions that need to be made. Whatever path the industry takes, it is vital for the sake of the national economy that it remains viable and able to compete in an increasingly competitive and volatile global market. Time is of the essence! We anxiously await the report of the Commission of Inquiry before deciding on the next steps.” Sugar has been a drag to the treasury with the present and previous Governments forced to continually dole out cash assistance despite rising costs at the factories of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) and falling world prices. With projections that
unsustainably high cost structure, with production currently averaging US$0.40 per pound of sugar, almost three times the world market price. The Commission of Inquiry tasks is to “investigate and inquire into the current state of cane cultivation, production and marketing of sugar, molasses and other by-products including power.” “The economic well-being of the sugar industry is critical
to the protection of jobs and growth of the economy, as well as the contribution it makes to GDP, exports and foreign exchange. The Government is committed to supporting the reform efforts. In June, it averted a crisis by injecting $3.8 billion into the industry and plans to transfer an additional $8.2 billion for the remainder of the year.” With regards to projections, the Finance Minister said that production was recorded at 81,271
tonnes at the half year. “On the strength of this slim improvement in performance relative to the similar period last year, sugar production for the entire year 2015 has been reduced from 245,079 tonnes, envisaged by the previous administration, to 219,913 tonnes, a marginal increase of 1.7 percent over 2014.” Last year, sugar export receipts fell by 22.9 percent to US$88M. An 18.3 percent increase in export volume, to 189,565 tonnes, was insufficient to compensate for the 34.8 percent decline in prices, to US$464.30 per tonne. Since taking office in May after winning the elections, the David Granger-led government has sacked the Board of Directors and its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr. Raj Singh. Two former CEOs, Errol Hanoman and Paul Bhim were brought back to be part of an interim management team to run GuySuCo until the COI is completed. The industry’s US$200M estate at Skeldon has failed to fire, with one problem after the next. Government has been forced to plug hundreds of millions of dollars to conduct repairs.
By Abena Rockcliffe While the government has made good on its promise to reduce the toll attached to the Berbice River Bridge, it wasn’t in a position to deliver on the one to reduce Value Added Tax (VAT). However, in the absence of the latter reduction, government announced that it has extended the VAT zerobasket to include a larger number of food and household items. As he presented his budget yesterday, Minister of Finance Winston Jordan said that Guyanese will not see the phased reduction of the
current 16 percent VAT in the 2015 National Budget as was promised in the coalition’s elections manifesto. However, Jordan said that his government has committed to several other tax reform initiatives. In addition, a number of food and household items will now attract zero percent VAT. These items include yogurt, cereals, fresh carrots, milo and ovaltine, nestum, mustard and mayonnaise, locally-produced fruit juice, locally-made chowmein, vinegar and household cleaning agents. To cushion the
disappointment of the absence of VAT reduction, Jordan announced that there will be a reduction in the fee to cross the Berbice River Bridge. “With effect from September 1, 2015, the toll for passenger cars and buses will be reduced from $2,200 to $1,900, a 13.6 percent decline. At the same time, the toll for all other types of vehicles will be reduced by 10 percent. “ At the same time, the toll for all other types of vehicles will be reduced by 10 percent. The Finance Minister said that over 150,000 Guyanese Continued on page 11
Time is running out on GuySuCo, with cash injections to keep it alive not being sustainable, Government warned yesterday. commodities prices likely to decline more this year, sugar’s outlook is not positive. As a matter of fact, he says, gold and sugar could pose risks to the economy’s growth forecast. “We remain sanguine, however, that with the recent downward movement in the price of oil, the likely negative effects on the economy can be attenuated.” Minister Jordan, painting a grim picture, said that sugar production’s continuous sub-par performances since the mid-2000s have been well ventilated.
“Between 2008 and 2013, annual sugar production, which averaged 220,362 tonnes, was considerably below the average production level of 286,084 tonnes for the preceding period 2000-2007. Following its disastrous performance in 2013, when a lowly 186,770 tonnes were produced, a modest target of 215,910 tonnes was set for 2014. The final outturn for 2014 was 216,186 tonnes. The implications of this industry remaining an uncompetitive producer are frightening…” With agriculture accounting for approximately 25 percent of Guyana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), it provides some 33 percent of direct employment, both rural and urban. He noted that the industry is grappling with an
Berbice Bridge toll lowered, but VAT still to be reduced
Tuesday August 11, 2015
Kaieteur News
Fistfights, sporadic reports of fraud in Haiti elections
A man is detained by the police for allegedly casting his vote twice, during parliamentary elections in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on Sunday (Photo: AP) PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Fistfights and sporadic reports of voter fraud marked weekend elections that saw Haitians choose lawmakers for the next Parliament in a contest that was delayed for years. The legislative elections had been postponed for nearly four years because of a political showdown between Haiti’s executive and opposition. They have been billed as a crucial test of the country’s electoral system ahead of a presidential vote in late October. Sunday’s first round sought to fill two-thirds of the 30-member Senate and the entire 119-member Chamber of Deputies in the nation still struggling to recover from a 2010 earthquake that devastated the capital and surrounding areas. But a number of polling stations across the Caribbean country of 10 million people had to wait for ballots a few hours after voting was supposed to start at 6:00 am (1000 GMT). In sections of Port-auPrince, voters also grew exasperated after being told they couldn’t cast ballots because their names weren’t on official voting lists. “This is very frustrating. Are they trying to discourage voting?” gardener Gerald Henry complained after election workers turned him
away. In the crowded capital, at least three voting centres were shut down by authorities after fistfights broke out as partisans attempted to stuff ballot boxes and engage in other visible irregularities. At one voting centre in downtown Port-au-Prince, groups of young men ripped up paper ballots as heavily armed police shot into the air to re-establish order. Rocks were thrown in response before authorities closed the polling station. Local media also reported the closure of numerous polling places in other sections of the country and scattered arrests of people accused of voting more than once. Observers from various political parties complained election officials did not give them access to voting centres. Still, Haitian Prime Minister Evans Paul said the government was satisfied with how the legislative elections were handled, “despite the incidents that we would like to firmly condemn.” Voting was extended for two hours at some polling stations due to ballot delays earlier in the day. After voting ended, Pierre-Louis Opont, the head of the country’s Provisional Electoral Council, told reporters that 54 polling stations, roughly 5 percent of the total, were closed Sunday amid violence and other
disruptions. He also disclosed that a council staffer stole some of the elections material and vanished, but Oponte declined to provide more specifics other than the police were looking for him. “We still don’t know what his intention was,” Oponte told reporters. Authorities were also trying to confirm reports of one election-related fatality. “We know that there were instances of violence throughout the country,” Oponte said. The vote took place roughly eight months after Haiti’s legislature was dissolved because the terms of lawmakers expired before new elections could be held. It’s the first election Haiti has held under President Michel Martelly, who took office in May 2011 and is in the final year of a five-year term. He has governed by decree since Parliament dissolved in January and cannot run for a consecutive term. In the absence of elections, Martelly has been accused of stacking the deck in his favour by appointing mayors and other municipal officials to replace those whose terms expired. Roughly 5.8 million people were registered to vote and over 1,850 candidates from nearly 130 political parties competed.
HAVANA, Cuba (ACN) — The Heber-NASVAC vaccine to treat Hepatitis C is among the new productions of the National Centre for Bioformulas (BIOCEN) located in Bejucal, Mayabeque province in Cuba. Julio Cesar Portuondo, director of the centre, said that the first batches of the
drug are being packaged for trial to get a licence and certification of good practice, since patients will receive the drug in liquid applications through the nasal cavity, the Cubasi website reported on Thursday. The BIOCEN executive noted that the product is manufactured in the centre’s facilities but that
it is the result of research work by the Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology. Workers at Bio-formulas in Mayabeque carry out the process of formulation and filling of the vaccine, which is being made industrially for the first time in the country, Portuondo pointed out.
Cuba begins industrial production of new Hepatitis C vaccine
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Tuesday August 11, 2015
Greece and lenders in final push to seal new bailout Greece and international creditors sought to put final touches to a multi-billion euro bailout accord yesterday to keep the country financially afloat and meet an important debt repayment to the European Central Bank within days. Germany set out “strict” conditions for further aid and said it would be sensible to link the size of the first tranche to Greece’s progress in carrying out reforms, a reflection of worry around the euro zone that Athens might not do as promised. Greece is hoping to wrap up the deal for 86 billion euros
($94 billion) in fresh loans by today so it can get parliamentary and other approvals for aid to flow by Aug. 20, when a debt repayment to the ECB is due. “A deal is feasible. A deal can be reached in the month of August, preferably before Aug. 20,” European Commission spokeswoman Annika Breidthardt said. An agreement would mark the end of a painful chapter on bailout talks for Greece, which fought against austerity terms demanded by creditors for much of the year before accepting a deal under the threat of being bounced
out of the euro zone. After marathon negotiation sessions on Sunday and yesterday, Greek ministers and representatives of European institutions and the International Monetary Fund paused their talks while Greek officials briefed Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras. A senior Greek government official said dealing with a mountain of non-performing loans in the banking sector remained a sticking point. Athens wants to set up a “bad bank” to handle this, while creditors want non-performing loans bundled and sold to
distressed asset funds. Officials said the two sides had also yet to agree on setting up a sovereign wealth fund in Greece designed to raise 50 billion euros from privatizations, three-quarters of which would be used to recapitalise banks and to decrease debt. The size of the bailout is also an issue. Germany’s Handelsblatt newspaper reported that the IMF believes Greece needs a bigger bailout worth 90 billion euros. Greek banks could get an initial capital injection soon after a bailout deal is clinched, as much as 10 billion euros, even before the ECB completes a stress test, a euro zone official familiar with the issue said yesterday. The official, who asked not to be named, said a test may not be finished before October but that it was recognized that Greek banks need urgent capital to normalize their operations. In a symbolic move aimed at appeasing an austerityweary public, Tsipras called on Monday for the immediate tabling of a bill to scrap tax breaks for lawmakers and to “rationalize” the wages of ministers and heads of state
organizations. He said the plan was not done at the behest of lenders, “but by the obligation of the political system to not exclude itself from the measures it is taking.” “When abolishing tax breaks for farmers is on the negotiating table, we cannot be indifferent to the tax exemptions which apply to ourselves,” Tsipras was quoted by a Greek official as telling his ministers. Germany yesterday stressed its wish for “quality before speed” in the negotiations, threatening to slow down the process as it pressed for strict conditions to be linked to aid. Popular misgivings run deep in Germany, the euro zone country that has already contributed most to Greece’s two bailouts since 2010, about funneling yet more money to Athens. Germany wants a deal that includes an ambitious budget plan, a credible privatization strategy and a sustainable pension reform by Greece, Finance Ministry spokesman Juerg Weissgerber told a regular news conference in Berlin. “It is sensible - that is our
European Commission spokeswoman Annika Breidthardt belief - to fix the size of the first payment tranche to the extent of the reforms implemented,” he said. “That means strict conditionality for financial help.” Weissgerber said Germany was not involved in the negotiations and would need time after any deal to review the results. “We are ready to do this examination quickly this week if necessary, but quality comes before speed,” he said.
Tuesday August 11, 2015
Kaieteur News
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TAKE A BOW WINSTON. TAKE A BOW! There will be a lot of criticisms about the maiden Budget tabled by APNU+AFC. But in the context of a number of studies, commissions of inquiries, pending negotiations with unions, the Budget tabled by the Minister of Finance for 2015 must be given credit. It is a most decent effort considering that it is really a
Budget for a mere four months. Many people will complain about the lack of measures to address the fundamental concerns in the economy, but do not tell that to the pensioners who are grabbing a four thousand dollars fatter paycheck each month. The PPP at best offered a $2,500 increase to pensioners, the numbers of which have
grown unusually large, and which the late AFC parliamentarian Sheila Holder had reservations about. She had urged an audit of those on the pension roll, something strangely the new government has not yet done. Instead it is prepared to dole out an impressive four thousand dollars more each month to each pensioner, bringing the monthly stipend
GTUC’s preliminary reaction to the Budget The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) last evening issued a preliminary reaction to the 2015 Budget unveiled by Finance Minister Winston Jordan. The following is the statement in its entirety. “The GTUC has so far has taken note that some consideration has been given to its contributions made in the preparation of the Budget. At a preliminary glance GTUC takes note of the increase in minimum wage, the promised appointment of the Public Service Appellate Tribunal, and the establishment of an Industrial Tribunal. The GTUC has continuously fought for the return of the State grants to itself and the Critchlow
Labour College and these only happened after collateral damage where the Jagdeo and Ramotar governments had to put out of office. GTUC looks forward to the restoration of the Women Advisory Council’s grant in 2016. GTUC’s proposal to the Minister of Finance for a $55,000 minimum wage, though $50,000 has been budgeted, expects forward movement as the government commences collective bargaining with the public sector unions. GTUC takes note of the absence of attention being given to the Cooperative sector in the Budget. This nation is reminded that the country is named the Cooperative Republic of
Dem boys seh...
Wha wrang can’t be right Is always a problem when some people get a job and then dem don’t seem to have nutten to do. That is when dem does get involve in other people business. When Jagdeo stop being president he get involve in Donald business till he tek over de man wuk. De same thing happening now. A Minister gone to head a Board like if he ain’t got nutten to do. De same Jordan got to handle de finances of de country, check pun all who tekking money to go overseas and not bringing back a receipt, who hustling GRA and trying to dodge taxes, and yet he got time to go and sit pun de NICIL Board as de Chairman. De Pee Pee Pee didn’t mek he get away with that. Right away Rohee put out a statement and tell de whole country how wha Jordan do was wrang. Rohee seh that Ministers should not sit pun any Board and he right. But dem boys also want to know if he didn’t know that fuh 23 years. He see Ash Knee sitting pun de same NICIL Board and he nor de whole Pee Pee Pee didn’t seh nutten. In fact Hap New criticize that action till who coulda tun blue get blue in de face. Jagdeo refuse to listen to dem just like when dem boys ask him if he gun put de Lotto Funds into de Consolidated Fund and he seh no. De Good Book seh that there is none suh blind that he can’t see he own mistake. And de other book seh that there is none suh stupid as to see de mistake wha somebody mek and go and mek de same mistake. If Hap New criticise de appointment then how come dem do de same thing. It look like dem playing follow pattern wid de Pee Pee Pee, but dem boys want dem to know that wha miss de Pee Pee Pee wouldn’t pass dem. De Anamayah man from Berbice already start put licks pun Hap New Hay Heff See. He claim how no Berbician ain’t get no space in de government suh he lef de party. He wuk hard and he feel a kind of a way. Uncle Glenn and Uncle Adam sorry fuh he and dem lef too, although dem never join. Dem sympathise wid Anamayah, and if he come back then Uncle Glenn and Uncle Adam gun come back. Of course, if Jagdeo can come back, who more can’t come back. Talk half and don’t do wha de Pee Pee Pee do, because de last days gun be wuss than de first.
Guyana and this was not done by accident, but out of recognition and acknowledgement of the role cooperative has played in this nation’s historical development. Cooperative is a pillar of our tri-sector economy and deserving attention must be given to it. The attention paid to put systems in place to activate constitutional commissions is a commendable step in pursuit of good governance and GTUC expects these programmes to be implemented soonest. Guyana is a nation of laws and Guyanese must return to a state where the rule of law takes precedence in pursuit of creating a just society.”
to $17,000. That is most impressive and just about will immensely please every single pensioner. It is hoped that both the Minister of Social Protection and the Minister of Finance will ensure that an audit is done of the pension roll to ensure that no ineligible persons are receiving this pension. There is a strong belief, and it had existed since the time of Sheila Holder, that the roll was padded with persons residing overseas. No attempt has ever been made to do a proper audit, and it is hoped that this can be done now, so as to ensure that not a cent of the hundreds of millions that will have to be found to pay this four thousand-dollar increase per month will not go to ineligible persons, including those who are receiving social security in the United States, England and Canada. The government must be commended for keeping its campaign promise to pensioners. This is a good thing that has been done. In terms of wage increases, it was shocking to learn that there are persons within the government service who work for under
$50,000 per month, which incidentally is now the basic pay for public service employees. Most shop girls receive about $12,000-$13,000 dollars per week which works out to an average of $50,000 per month. So it is disappointing to learn that there are still persons earning below this sum in the public service. It is hoped that the opposition, when they do decide to enter the National Assembly, will request the names and numbers of all those earning below $39,000 so as to verify just h o w m a n y persons will benefit from this new basic wage in the public service, and not minimum wage as it is being represented. The government has also imposed a five per cent increase in wages for other government workers plus an additional $5,000 for month. I do not know if the latter is some sort of cost-of-living allowance, but the whole package resembles something that the PPP would do. The GPSU should state whether they were consulted on these increases and if they agreed to it or whether it is, like the PPP did so often, an imposition. Will the GPSU do as they
did during the time of the PPP? Call on their members to accept the increase, but treat it as an interim payment until proper wages negotiations take place? There were many other issues, including VAT and the pitiful reduction in Berbice River Bridge tolls - which will now have to be subsidized by taxpayers - which failed to impress. But all in all it was not a bad Budget by the new Minister of Finance, for which he should take a bow, just a slight bow…no bent knees.
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Tuesday August 11, 2015
== THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN ==
A conspiracy of the private sector that APNU and AFC knew about in 2014 People say that politicians are not to be trusted. Politicians always submit to the wildest pangs of power. Politicians never stay with the promises they made. Looking back at history those beliefs about politicians are correct. But in Guyana, we must not be so harsh on politicians. The case of the APNU-AFC Government needs special mention. It takes a lot of moral courage to be a Minister in 2015 in Guyana for the simple reason – you have to wine and dine with the Private Sector Commission. With what the business class went through in the Burnham period, one would have thought that the business
community would have learnt its lessons – do not become servile creatures of an authoritarian government; it will devour you one day. After Hoyte came to power, the open economy thrived. Men and women invested billons of dollars and every conceivable type of entrepreneurship came on the scene. In Guyana, after 1988 you found a business place dealing in anything you wanted. I remember a company began to manufacture paper clips and staples. The economy further opened up with Cheddi Jagan. Jagan remained antibusiness due to his basic Marxist instincts, but when
the Americans in 1991 made a deal with him, they insisted he pursue a capitalist economy. Jagan had to comply, but in subtle ways he stifled certain foreign investments. The most depraved attack on a capitalist venture by President Cheddi Jagan was UNAMCO headed by Mr. Hamley Case. Jagan kept delaying the necessary documents for the firm’s forestry concessions and the machines on the wharves became inoperable. UNAMCO had to close and millions of American dollars were lost. The case of UNAMCO needs documenting. It will show what a devious, antinationalist man Cheddi Jagan was. By the time Jagan died in 1997, Guyana had become a complete capitalist economy, but with its rise came the emergence of an authoritarian government under Bharrat Jagdeo. The Private Sector Commission (PSC) became Jagdeo’s Pavlovian puppy dog. It supported the descent into power madness that Guyana once experienced. It
was déjà vu. The business sector in any society will protect its interests by the avoidance of criticism of the political class. But in the case of Guyana we went down that road before. Guyana is a different polity. It has extreme complications, with ethnic formations jutting into every aspect of the exercise of power. The PSC supported Jagdeo not only in his economic policy-making but in his marauding ways in general. The PSC was just as contemptuous of the Guyanese people as the PPP was when it was in government. Billions of NIS dollars were lost in reckless spending by Jagdeo and our private sector was quiet. This is the same private sector that has found its voice and tells the Granger Administration that it should not remove state money that is in the commercial banks. By what physiological miracle have the so-called entrepreneurs in the Private Sector Commission found their vocal cords? They never opened their mouths when
Jagdeo endangered the economy of Guyana; undermined the NIS, damaged the University of Guyana, eroded ethnic stability, lacerated the rule of law and took Guyana down the precipice. I never revealed something before that involved a conspiracy of certain businessmen known to be members of the Jagdeo protective bandwagon when Ramotar was President. The AFC got hold of the information and went public with it. APNU was embarrassed. It thought the AFC should not have done that because it would destroy the working relationship of the opposition parties. The AFC warned that three APNU Members of Parliament were approached to vote against the noconfidence motion. This columnist is aware of two. This columnist knows certain APNU personnel know about this and the identity of the private sector figures that approached the APNU parliamentarians. These were businessmen who wanted to keep the PPP in
Frederick Kissoon power. To think that the Cabinet and other AFC and APNU officials who work in the state sector have to dine with these very merciless men devoid of any nationalist conscience. To think that ruling politicians have to sit round the table and have intimate discussions on Guyana’s future with the PSC. Just the thought of that makes me want to vomit. I really do feel sorry for the leadership of both APNU and AFC that protocol demands that they have to be nice and accommodating to the PSC, the very PSC that if it had its way would have kept Ramotar in power. What a country! God is dead. Gandhi is dead. Mandela is dead. And I’m not feeling too well myself.
Tuesday August 11, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Citizenship Minister talks security procedures after Indian nationals’ furore Due to recent exchanges between Insel Air and Immigration Officers at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport which stemmed from eight Indian nationals who were refused entry into Guyana’s jurisdiction, Minister of Citizenship Winston Felix yesterday issued a statement outlining the procedures of ensuring the security of the borders of Guyana. Speaking at a press conference, Felix noted that his Ministry impacts activities at every level of Government in as much as it impacts the lives of each citizen, and is obligated to ensure the security of Guyana’s borders is enshrined in the Immigration Act: Chapter 14:02 of the Laws of Guyana. He emphasised the necessity for due diligence is critical as the David Grangerled Government settles into its role as gatekeepers of the
nation’s security. Felix asserted that previously there had been a permissive approach that had allowed for some of the recent problems to be encountered. This, he said, needs to be address immediately to ensure the functions of the National Aviation Security and Facilitation Committee is up to standard. On August 6, last, an outgoing Insel Air flight 81791 to Aruba and other connecting destinations was cancelled and left grounded at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport after the pilot indicated to immigration that he could not accommodate eight Indian nationals who were refused entry to Guyana since July 19. Felix in addressing this issue considered it unfortunate, citing that the nationals did not follow the appropriate procedures and the airline delivered them to
these shores without the requisite documents. He further condemned the actions of the airline for the manner in which they handled the situation. According to the Minister, the action taken by Insel Air was unsatisfactory, because it could’ve been resolved in shorter time frame. “Forthwith, the Ministry is in the process of reviewing its systems with the aim of making them more effective. At this time it is deemed necessary to disallow entry to the country, both to be fair and non-partisan, and to send a strong message to anyone who thinks that they can take advantage of our legendary hospitality. “We will welcome to our country anyone who demonstrates that they have proper documentation and necessary funds to support themselves while here, and will not condone any airline
Remand prisoner denies escaping from lawful custody Murder accused Clifton Gibson, who is accused of killing Rubis Accounts Executive Jason Cort, yesterday appeared before Magistrate Ann Mc Lennan slapped with another criminal charge. The charge facing Gibson alleges that on June 29, at Lamaha and Parade Streets, while being in lawful custody waiting to be taken to the Golden Grove lock-ups, he escaped. Gibson pleaded not guilty to the charge after it was read to him in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
He was further remanded to prison and will return to court on August 14, for statements. Police Sergeant, Neville Jeffers is presenting the prosecution’s case. Gibson along with Linton Eastman, 23; and Stancey Rodney, 27; of Perry Street, Tucville, were remanded to prison by Magistrate Mc Lennan on June 29, for Cort’s murder. Cort, a 27 year-old, accounts executive, was gunned down in his Jamoon Drive, Meadow Brook Gardens home by bandits on
June 17, last. He had moments arrived home with his fiancée, Shauna Garraway. He was shot to the chest and died subsequently at the Balwant Singh Hospital. It was reported that the bandits took Cort’s licenced firearm, cell phone, gold band, chain and ring and an X Box console. According to reports, the couple, who have a two-yearold son, had just come from a Kingston location, and were preparing to head to another venue on the East Bank of Demerara when the attack occurred.
Berbice Bridge toll lowered... From page 6 live within Regions Five and Six and traverse the Berbice Bridge to access education and health services, conduct business and travel on a daily basis, and thousands more traverse the bridge annually. He told the National Assembly, “This Government has heard the cries of the people and will alleviate the burden of the high fares imposed on them. I am pleased to inform this House that the lives of the citizens of Regions 5 and 6, and indeed all Guyanese who travel to the Ancient County, will be improved as a result of the implementation of the first of a phased reduction in the Berbice Bridge Toll.” While the regular commuters of the Berbice River Bridge will be delighted by this announcement, a total opposite reaction is expected
from the Private Sector. That sector is against the reduction in toll on the basis that such a move would only put the future Public/ Private Partnership in jeopardy. But the new government is floating the idea of a subsidy for the Berbice Bridge Company so as to offset the cost of the reduction. Minister of Governance, Raphael Trotman is quoted in the media saying, “Government is going to negotiate with the company, the idea of perhaps a subsidy that would ensure that the tolls are lowered. We have no intention of interfering with companies’ right to a rate of fare and a favourable rate of return on their investment. But we believe as a responsible government, we do have a right to represent the people.”
In an open letter to the media, Dr. Janette Bulkan, a forestry expert, had urged that politicians be cognizant of the mistakes Guyana made in the past as it relates to project investments. Bulkan had argued that the only beneficiaries of the Bridge were the business people who benefit from a high toll. She had said, “While the Berbice River Bridge was being constructed, the majority of poor Berbicians might have thought that they would be paying the same toll as the Demerara River bridge commuters. They lost corn and husk: there is no alternative cheap ferry. They must use the Berbice River Bridge. Wealthy investors are the principal beneficiaries of that bridge; the State has been foregoing revenues so that the privileged investors can earn dividends.”
that reneges on their responsibility of ensuring their travellers are suitably documented for entry to Guyana.” “This was unsatisfactory... in a day or two this should’ve been resolved, particularly in a case where airlines fly in the route two to three times a week,” the Minister opined. He added, “What I plan to do is explore possibilities to have the various contact points, so if similar issues arise we are on the same page. There ought to be contact points to resolve such issue, because no way should we have waited sixteen days to have this resolved, it is unsatisfactory” Managing Director of the Roraima Airways, Captain Gerald ‘Gerry’ Gouveia went to great lengths to explain to this publication that Insel Air Aruba and Insel Air Curaçao are different. He said while it was the Insel Air Curaçao carrier that brought the men on July 19, it was the Aruba carrier that was being bombarded by Immigration to facilitate their deportation even though they are two different carriers.
Minister of Citizenship Winston Felix during yesterday’s press conference Gouveia said the men would have travelled through several destinations before landing in Guyana. Though they had no visa, Gouveia explained that many Indian nationals travel to this part of the world without visas and would be i s s u e d w i t h Vi s a s - o n Arrival usually after a successful interview with an Immigration Officers. It is the
right of the Immigration Officer to refuse landing, Gouveia said. To this, Minister Felix explained that in order for a Visa-on-arrival to be issued, the ministry would have had to be notified prior to the arrival of the men, in which they would have gone through various procedures before immigration would’ve been informed to issue visas.
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday August 11, 2015
Professional development of lawyers, access to justice high on agenda By Sunita Samaroo Almost a month after the Guyana Bar Association spoke of the need for lawyers to continue their education, representatives of the Improved Access to Justice in the Caribbean (Impact Justice) Project are seeking to engage local lawyers on this very issue. Through the five-year, justice sector reform project funded by the Government of Canada, a lecture targeting lawyers in conjunction with the local bar association will be held today at the Pegasus Hotel. The IMPACT Justice project is funded to the tune of CAD$19.2M and is being implemented from within the Caribbean Law Institute Centre, Faculty of Law, The University of the West Indies (UWI), Cave Hill Campus in Barbados. Regional Project Director of IMPACT Justice, Professor Velma Newton, who spoke to Kaieteur News yesterday, noted that professional development is an important continuous improvement process. “We have a component for working with the legal profession to improve their accounting standards, disciplinary procedures, and also to provide continuing legal education for lawyers in the same way doctors and dentists have to do.” Currently, Jamaica and Grenada are the only CARICOM Member States to have legislation which deals specifically with continuing legal education. Jamaica has been highlighted as the foremost with respect to Continuing Legal Education (CLE) in the region, and its model is that which was agreed upon. When lawyers convene tomorrow, it is the Jamaican model which will come under focus.
…as regional reform project hits Guyana
Regional Project Director, Professor Velma Newton and Attorney General Basil Williams pose with an IMPACT Justice Manual for Administrators. The IMPACT Justice project will be a far-reaching one, the project’s Regional Head explained. Assistance in drafting legislation to further regional integration and economic growth; more legislative protection of vulnerable groups against discrimination; training of mediators to assist parties in solving disputes to avoid long and expensive court proceedings and a programme for sensitizing ordinary people about their rights under the law, are among the benefits promised under the IMPACT Justice project. “What we are hoping to do is improve access to justice for as many persons in the Caribbean as possible. We are hoping to do so through assisting governments in drafting legislation that will impact the CSME (Caribbean Single Market and Economy), and the OECS (Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States)
Economic Union, and also on gender, including women and disadvantaged groups. We are improving access to legal information by funding the creation of databases, such as CARILAW,” said Professor Newton. CariLaw is a website which contains cases from around the region, including those of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). Alternative dispute solution will also be focused upon. Professor Newton divulged that the intention is for persons from various communities across the region to be trained in mediation techniques, so that conflicts can be handled at a community level instead of resorting to the courts. She said too that they will be training mediators attached to courts. “We are doing a survey of the legal education in the Caribbean as well. Right now,
some people are saying that the law schools are producing too many graduates and some countries are saying that they are not enough. We are trying to look at the dynamics of legal education: what it costs, how much governments have to pay, whether the curriculum should be changed and what people think about the quality of the legal education that persons who served them get,” Professor Newton revealed. But the project will be targeting schools as well. The Regional Project Head revealed that teachers, Education Ministry officials and guidance counsellors in schools will be trained on how to use restorative practices. She said restorative practices have worked well in schools throughout the world, and are also used with respect to conflicts - to prevent them from escalating.
Training in Restorative Practices has already been done in Barbados and Professor Newton said they will be looking to do same in Guyana. ACCESS TO JUSTICE She emphasised that one major aspect of the project is Public Legal Education. “We want to speak to people about what their rights are, how you go about trying to enforce those rights. For women, where you go if you are battered: what do you do? How do you respond? That goes for other marginalized communities as well.” She said it is their intention to hold a conference early next year for Amerindians from around the region to discuss their issues.” Under the Public Legal Education component, IMPACT Justice Project will be seeking to reach people at the group and community levels to educate them on what they can do in certain circumstances: from approaching the court and drafting wills, among other things. The project will be meeting with persons at a community level, hoping to explain various aspects of the law and trying to demystify it, Professor Newton explained. RECRUITMENT Local attorneys will be recruited to carry out some of the mandates of the project, the project’s regional head explained. “We will choose people who we think have the right skill, who know to communicate with people at the grassroots level. We are not taking people out of the Faculty of Law to send them to discuss with people what their rights are, and to discuss gender issues, unless those persons are
activists or have a reputation for speaking in simple terms, understandably about those issues. We are choosing the people very carefully,” she said. The process of selection has not yet started, the project head assured. “We need all the help we can get at the local level,” Professor Newton emphasised. She has already met with the AG, and representatives of the Guyana Bar Association and the Guyana Women Lawyers’ Association. WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? “For too many years,” Professor Newton said, “we have received assistance from international agencies, and the money is being used for all sorts of things, of course things approved, but none have really focused on serving the legal sector; on putting the ordinary man at the centre.” “It is every person to know what their rights are, because if they don’t, people can fool them and turn them around and ill-treat them, because they cannot stand up for themselves, they don’t know what they can say and what they can expect.” The IMPACT Justice Project is designed to address deficiencies in the justice sector in CARICOM, outside of those that are directly related to the judiciary and the courts. It has as its ultimate outcome: enhanced access to justice benefitting men, women, youth and businesses in 13 CARICOM member states. These are: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, the Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago.
Tuesday August 11, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Govt. increases uniform voucher to $2,000 - has sights on evidence-based interventions to support families Government has upped the uniform allowance voucher to public school children to $2,000. The voucher sum formerly amounted to $1,500. The announcement of the increase was made by Finance Minister Winston Jordan, when he presented the 2015 National Budget in the National Assembly yesterday. In his presentation he noted that “this will benefit more than 167,000 students at a cost of over $337 million.” The Finance Minister also disclosed yesterday that persons receiving payment for sewing uniforms in remote hinterland locations will now received a 25 percent increase on the amount from $800 to $1,000. “This increases the disposable income of those hired while benefiting 33,000 students,” informed the Minister. However, this $500 addition to the uniform voucher may not find favour with all stakeholders. A letter inked by the Red Thread organization in July had in fact proposed that the voucher be increased to $15,000. The letter even offered a detail breakdown of how that sum could be spent to cater to the
schooling needs of children. The uniform voucher is usually afforded to parents of public school children at the end of the school year. This however did not occur this year given the fact that the national budget was not presented and consideration was being given by Government to increase the voucher sum. Minister of Education, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine a few weeks ago informed that his Ministry will soon be issuing public announcements of how, when and where the vouchers will be available. According to him, given the fact that Government has placed a hold on the $10,000 ‘Because We Care’ cash grant, consideration was being given to have money for that programme diverted elsewhere. He noted that the school feeding programme and the uniform voucher programmes could be among those likely to be boosted by funds that would have gone towards the cash grant. “There is a real possibility that we will increase, but I have to see how the money plays out,” the Minister had intimated.
According to the Finance Minister yesterday, with regard to inclusive and equitable access, while “we have been able to expand provision of education, and have seen an increase in net enrolment rates, we need to determine how successful we have been in providing and expanding access to education for the most marginalized groups in the country.” As such he noted that Government will seek to ensure that the system does not perpetuate inequalities by differential levels of access to certain groups, based on their geographical location and ability to take advantage of educational opportunities. Moreover, he spoke of plans to adopt an approach that is grounded in systemsbased reforms, and evidencebased policy-making, to achieve the education sector’s goals. Minister Jordan, in drawing attention to the cash grant, which was launched under the former People’s Progressive Party/Civic administration, asserted that initiatives to expand access to education will not hinge on reactive and broad-brush
approaches. This he mentioned was evident in the hastily-contrived unconditional transfer of funds to families, presumably to defray education costs. In the absence of a wellconstructed framework for such cash transfer policies, that includes rigorous monitoring and evaluation, such policies represent no
more than political gimmickry - creating unsustainable expectations, while entrenching a dependency mentality. However, the Finance Minister added that “this administration will focus on e v i d e n c e - b a s e d interventions that aim to support families in meeting the monetary and nonmonetary challenges of sending their children to school.” As a start to this
approach, he said that the school uniform programme will be enhanced and the school feeding programme will be expanded with an emphasis on the hinterland locations. “We will focus more on whether or not students attend school regularly, whether they complete schooling, and whether they successfully transition into higher levels of education or into the workplace,” added the Finance Minister.
National Task Force holds first meeting Thursday The National Task Force will hold its first meeting on Thursday in the boardroom of the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC). This was disclosed on Saturday by Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson, who also revealed that over fifty invitees are expected to attend, including members of the diplomatic corps, officials from the Netherlands and technical personnel. “The task force will begin its work immediately, and phase one of the task force’s reports is scheduled to be completed for May 2016 and will include the short term
measures for works that will ensure we can at least drain more efficiently.” He stated that the more permanent solutions to the drainage problem, contained in the second phase, will be completed by May 2017, and the third/final phase would be concluded in May 2020. “This will be the completed work nationwide, including rehabilitation and urban renovation.” Patterson enunciated. Following on the heels of massive flooding throughout the country that saw Guyana endure a record-breaking 8.3 inches of rainfall, cabinet awarded the task force $36M
to carry out its mandate. Its overall responsibility is to oversee the country’s drainage and irrigation systems, in addition to the requisite recommendations for improvements. Retired Major General Joe Singh will head the task force, which will also include Charles Sohan, Malcolm Ally, Egbert Carter, Andrew Bishop, Stanley Ming, Joseph Holder, Charles Ceres and Dr. David Singh. It is also expected that members of the Guyana Association of Professional Engineers (GAPE), the Private Sector, the Civil Defence Continued on page 26
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Tuesday August 11, 2015
$23.2B injected into delivery of health care By Sharmain Grainger Financing the delivery of health care within the public health sector has attracted $23.2 billion or 10.5 percent of the 2015 national budget. This announcement was yesterday made by Minister of Finance, Mr Winston Jordan, when he presented a $221 billion budget to the National Assembly. Last year’s $220 billion budget saw 21.5 billion being allocated to the health sector. With a focus on ‘Universal Health Coverage for the Wellness of the Nation’, Minister Jordan stressed that the allocation for the health sector is one that reflects that “our Government is unwavering in its commitment to ensuring that the people of Guyana are among the healthiest in the Caribbean and the Americas.” He informed that a life cycle approach to addressing the health of men, women and children will in fact serve to guide Government’s strategic and programmatic focus in the sector. The Minister, moreover, spoke of plans to have the public health infrastructure and delivery systems be remodelled to focus on prevention and promotion of wellness for the population with a view of achieving and maintaining a good life. He continued by informing that Government will seek to invest significantly in the health of people to realise the successful implementation of Health Vision 2020. In fact he disclosed that “strategic plans for programmatic areas within the health sector will inform our actions over the next five years and emphasis will be placed on reducing health inequalities, expanding of primary health care, arresting
health care, it has plans to tackle the issue of suicide. According to Minister Jordan, far too many Guyanese have viewed suicide as an option, a state of affairs that must not continue. He pointed out that the mental health and well being of individuals begin from childhood and hence the Public Health, Education and Social Protection Ministries will collaborate and work with families to determine the causes and find solutions to prevent this scourge. FOCUS ON THEELDERLY The importance of focusing on the elderly was also underscored by the Finance Minister in his lengthy presentation. According to him, addressing the cost burden of health care services borne by the elderly and ensuring that their dignity remains intact during care and treatment will be a priority of Government. In addition to the support under social protection, an elder home care programme will be explored, said the Minister, as he disclosed that this move is aimed at providing support to older persons in managing their health care while reducing the cost burden to both the elderly and the national health system. Altogether, these systematic interventions, within the context of Health Vision 2020, will redound to the improved health care for every man, woman and child across our country, the Minister concluded.
The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has stuck with embattled former Minister of Public Service Jennifer Westford on its list of parliamentarians, declaring that she is “innocent until proven guilty.” The ex-Minister has been jointly charged alongside her former subordinate Margaret Cummings with four counts of attempted larceny involving eight state vehicles between July 17, 2014 and June 2015. Westford has also been questioned by the police, who have launched a probe into the disappearance of millions of dollars from her ministry. The money was allegedly withdrawn prior to the General and Regional Elections. During the party’s weekly press conference, General Secretary of the PPP/C Clement Rohee stated that the party still stood firmly behind Westford, as well as former President Bharrat Jagdeo, who himself is before the courts on criminal charges for statements deemed racist, and
reportedly made on the General and Regional elections campaign trail, but has remained the party’s choice for leader of the Opposition. There is a stipulation that a prospective Member of Parliament cannot enter parliament if convicted of the offence of making racially charged statements. “We maintain that a person is innocent until proven guilty. We don’t want to act prematurely.” Rohee declared, also confirming that Westford’s removal from the list or any possible replacement has not even been discussed within the party. Westford and Jagdeo are not the only PPP/C parliamentarians facing criminal charges, as former Health Minister under the PPP/C, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran has already been arraigned in the Whim Magistrates court before Magistrate Charlene Artiga for using threatening language against political activist Sherlina Nageer. Rohee did not hesitate to
declare that former President Bharrat Jagdeo was “fit as a fiddle” to serve as the leader of the Opposition, which is a constitutional office. The decision, Rohee said, was a collective one taken by the party’s executive and he “gave way” in favour of Jagdeo. Rohee’s own name was touted in some circles as a possible leader of the opposition, in addition to the expectations that Ramotar might take up to the post. However Jagdeo, who emerged out of seclusion from public life to take a central role in campaigning for the PPP/C in the elections season, was subsequently floated as the opposition leader and both stalwarts immediately threw their support behind the expresident. Meanwhile, Rohee refused to confirm if or when the PPP/C would appear in parliament and indeed, when the APNU+AFC administration made its budget presentation yesterday, it was before empty opposition benches.
Finance Minister Winston Jordan delivers his 2015 Budget remarks to the National Assembly non-communicable diseases (NCDs), eliminating maternal and infant mortality and providing universal health coverage.” EVIDENCE-BASED APPROACH As part of Government’s effort to improve the health care, Minister Jordan conveyed that the Presidential Commission on the Prevention and Control of NCDs will be reinvigorated with a revised terms of reference and newlyappointed commissioners who will advance the national focus on addressing NCDs in a more comprehensive and equitable manner across the geographic expanse of the country. To this end, the Minister disclosed that $81.2 million has been budgeted for the execution of the STEP-wise Approach to Chronic Disease Risk Factor Surveillance (STEPS) survey which will collect, analyse and disseminate data related to chronic diseases risk factors. This tactic, according to the Minister, is to
understandably cater to a more evidence-based approach. “I wish to charge all Guyanese to adopt more active and healthy lifestyles that will contribute significantly to their own health and wellness,” said the Minister, as he shared the notion that no woman should die during childbirth. In fact, he emphasised that Government is hopeful that by 2020 local women will be able to boast of national patient-friendly care facilities and mothers and babies will be safe from preventable deaths. In this regard, Government will devote more resources towards the expansion, rehabilitation, maintenance and equipping of maternal and child health facilities countrywide, Minister Jordan added. IMPROVING GPHC’S CAPACITY His presentation saw him revealing too that over $133.1 million will be spent on the expansion of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation
Ex-Minister fraud case…
Matter further adjourned for statements Former Minister Dr. Jennifer Westford and her assistant Margaret Cummings who were slapped with several fraud-related charges, made their second appearance and had their matter further adjourned to September 15, for statements. Westford had pleaded not guilty to four fraud charges which were read to her by Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. The charges alleged that between July 17, 2014 and June 23, 2015, Westford attempted to transfer eight state vehicles to four persons. The former Minister of Public Service denied the allegation and was released on $800,000. She was granted bail in the sum of $200,000 on each charge. Her former Chief
(GPHC) maternity unit this year, thereby increasing that facility’s bed capacity by 50 beds. This year’s allocation will facilitate the purchase of equipment, with the aim of increasing the quality of service being offered at the institution’s maternal and child care facility, according to Minister Jordan. He also announced that works will continue at the maternity waiting homes in Lethem and Bartica. SPECIALIST CARE The importance of specialists to cater to health care needs was also stressed by the Finance Minister. “We will frontally address the dearth of specialists in our health care system. The strategic direction will be threefold,” said the Minister as he spoke of intentions to expand the local post
graduate programmes, even as efforts are made to source specialist training abroad. Further, Minister Jordan said that efforts will be made to import specialist skills to build local capacity. “Our Government considers the presence of specialists critical to creating strengthened technical capability to deliver quality health care,” said the Minister, who noted that while “our national post graduate programme has made progress in many areas, there remains a need to increase the complement of medical professionals in neuropsychiatry, psychology, obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics, physiotherapy and pathology.” Added to this, the Minister said that efforts will be directed to addressing areas where there is a complete absence of critical skills, including cardiac surgery, haematology, neonatology, geriatric medicine and gerontology, and sports medicine. He made reference to the health sector’s partnership with the International Children’s Heart Foundation through which benefits were realised, ranging from upgrades at the country’s referral hospital – GPHC - and training for medical personnel, while the Foundation performed complicated cardiac surgeries on children. TACKLINGSUICIDE Even as Government seeks to give keen attention to improving the delivery of
Personnel Officer, Margaret Cummings was released on $1.2M on four charges of forgery. Cummings pleaded not guilty to the charges which alleged that she forged documents for the purchase of the eight motor vehicles. Westford and Cummings were represented by Attorneys Eusi Anderson, Keisha Chase, Bibi Shadick and Dexter Todd. City Magistrate Fabayo Azore is currently presiding over the matter. Westford is one of the high-profile members of the previous government to face corruption-related charges. The police had initially sought the DPP’s advice more than a month ago, but they were instructed to provide additional information to that
which they already had. In early June, Minister of State Joseph Harmon had told the media that it was brought to his attention that there some documents which had been sent to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), that were purportedly signed by Permanent Secretary of the Public Service Ministry, Hydar Ally. This was done under Ally’s letterhead, but signed by someone else. “He (Ally) had no knowledge of this transaction,” Minister Harmon had stressed. It was Ally who directed Harmon to the discrepancy in the paperwork forwarded to GRA for the transfer of eight vehicles. In light of the evidence, the vehicles were returned to the government.
PPP/C “firmly behind” MPs facing courts
Tuesday August 11, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Overseas-based businessman found dead in Black Bush trench - believed to have lost control of vehicle
The damaged vehicle.
An American citizen and father of four is now dead, apparently when he lost control of the vehicle he was driving on the Black Bush Polder Public Road on Sunday evening. Dead is 51-year-old Ramdas Soman, called Allan, of Queens, New York, and Yakusari South Zone, Black Bush Polder, Corentyne, Berbice. Soman’s body was found at about 0635hrs on Monday in a trench at Yakusari. The motor vehicle he had reportedly been driving was also found submerged in the trench. According to information, the man, a building contractor, would visit Guyana on a regular basis and whenever here he would stay at his brother’s residence at Yakusari. He owns business overseas and in Guyana, including a block factory at Eccles, East Bank Demerara.
Soman reportedly only arrived in the country on August 6th to attend his mother-in-law’s funeral. The man reportedly went to the funeral at Number 72 village on August 9th (Sunday) and left for home around 17:00 hrs. Between that time and 20:00 hrs his whereabouts were unknown. The family last made contact with him around 20:00 hrs when he informed them that he was on his way home. However after that there was no further contact with the man. Relatives subsequently became concerned and started making inquiries since he was supposedly alone in his new jeep, PTT 1933. A relative said that after the man did not arrive home after some time they went to the Number 51 and Springlands Police Stations and made inquiries of any accident. They also checked
a few guest houses in Springlands, but the man was not there. A search party was launched and residents found Soman’s body partly submerged a few yards near to his vehicle in a trench along the Black Bush Polder road. Investigators are working on the theory that the man was heading into Black Bush Polder at a fast rate of speed when he came upon a hole in the middle of the road and had to swerve suddenly, he subsequently hit a speed bump which was not too far off. He subsequently lost control and ended up in the corner of the road which was recently ploughed. This did not help the situation as the vehicle toppled and ended up in the trench. Soman subsequently fell out or jumped out of the vehicle as it toppled and ended in the water.
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday August 11, 2015
US Embassy spearheads successful blood drive The U.S. Embassy partnered with the Ministry of Health last week to conduct a blood drive at the Embassy. Close to 45 units of blood were donated. As in previous Mission blood drives, the diplomatic community, including the Mexican Ambassador and the U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Officer, donated much needed blood. The Guyana National Blood Bank relies on voluntary donations from generous, civic-minded people to ensure safe blood is available when needed to save a life. The Embassy in a statement issued yesterday said that it is pleased to continue a 12-year partnership with the Ministry of Health as “we work together to combat HIV/AIDS under the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief’s (PEPFAR).” A major component of the success of this partnership, it was noted, is the development of an adequate, safe supply of blood for the
people of Guyana. Over the past 12 years, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has provided technical support to the local Ministry of Health on blood safety activities. Key initiatives include enhancing blood collection procedures and policies in Guyana, recruiting and retaining low-risk blood donors, and ensuring the testing of all donated blood units for HIV and other transfusion-transmissible infections. Physicians and other clinicians engaged in transfusion services receive education on proper utilization guidelines to reduce inappropriate use of blood as a clinical therapy, preventing shortages. “Thanks to this ongoing partnership and other efforts made throughout the country, Guyana will move closer to achieving the goal of collecting sufficient blood supplies to meet national needs,” added the Embassy statement.
Some of the donors giving blood
Bus driver further remanded on causing death charge Fitzroy Aulder, the bus driver accused of causing the death of Romel Junor, by dangerous driving was further remanded to prison yesterday after his third court appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. Aulder, 38, of Lot 36 East Ruimveldt, Georgetown is accused of driving minibus BTT 3835 on July 17, on Durban Street, in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of Junor. At yesterday’s court hearing before Magistrate Ann Mc Lennan, Aulder’s attorney, Paul Fung-A-Fat, made a bail application on his behalf. He argued that on the day in question, Junor was under the influence of alcohol and walked into the path of his client’s vehicle. Fung-A-Fat pointed out that his client took all precautionary measures to avoid the accident and Junor should be blamed for the
mishap. The lawyer said that he was sorry a life was lost, while adding that the offence is a bailable one and his client should be released on reasonable bail. In concluding, the attorney informed the court that he intends to call several witnesses to testify that Junor was indeed “drunk”, to prove his case. Police Prosecutor, Sergeant Neville Jeffers, was opposed to the defendant being granted pre-trial liberty, citing the seriousness of the offence. He added that the file is incomplete, since the post mortem report is still outstanding. The prosecutor requested a few days to have the file completed by the investigating rank. Hence, the Magistrate adjourned the matter until Thursday, when the attorney is expected to make another bail application. According to court facts,
on the day in question, the defendant was driving the minibus proceeding at a fast rate along the northern side of D’Urban Street. He said when the bus reached the corner at Bent and Lime Streets; it collided with the sixty year-old man, who was crossing the road at the time. Jeffers said that the impact of the collision caused Junor to pitch several feet away. He was picked up and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. According to reports, Junor had just left a popular bar in the area with a female companion in ‘high spirits.’ Kaieteur News understands that the pedestrian was pitched some 15 feet away from the collision spot. He lay bleeding on the street for a while before he was transported to the hospital by the driver of the minibus.
National Task Force holds... From page 13 Commission (CDC) as well as representatives from various Ministries will be a part of the task force. The areas expected to be targeted during the planning phase are drainage, solid waste management, the removal of derelict vehicles, traffic management, the renewal and sustainability of urban physical structure and improved welfare
management for the homeless and the addicted. With the majority of Guyana’s population living in the low–lying coastal regions, the rising sea-levels linked to global warming, coupled with heavy rainfall has seen to it that homes, businesses, hospitals, and schools are constantly under floodwaters. Coastal portions of Guyana sit from 19.7 inches (0.5 metre) to 39.4 inches (1
metre) below sea level. About 25 percent of the coast is protected by seawalls, 60 percent by mangroves, and 15 percent by natural sandbanks. As a protection mechanism, the seawalls have sluice gates to allow floodwaters from heavy rains and high tides to drain. However, the gates are controlled by gravity and cannot open if the tide is too high.
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SALON
VEHICLE FOR SALE
VEHICLE FOR SALE
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Tuesday August 11, 2015
AT192, 212, Allion, unregistered Premio, Hilux Surf, BNN, RZ & Pit-bull, 7 seater super custom- Cash / terms- Call: 680-3154 2013 Mercedes C250 turbo AMG coupe, retractable glass top, mileage 15K, alcantara leather interior, brush aluminum acc- Call: 650-5136 Toyota Allion 2004, like new & loaded, late PRR series $1.8M negotiable. Owner Migrating –Call: 628-0892 2008 FIELDER -$2.5M, 2008 RACTIS -$2.44M, CARINA 212 -$1.9M, NEVER REGISTERED & FULLY LOADED VEHICLES –TEL: 617-2891 1 Isuzu canter open back (diesel engine), manual, short base, price $1.3M- Excellent condition- Contact Rocky 225-1400,621-5902 One Mitsubishi Canter Fuso Crane Truck, Big Crane, 3 Ton 6 lugs excellent, GTT Series, price $4.5M –Call:622-6746 One L-Touring Wagon –Tel: 220-7518/ 627-5416 Toyota pit-bull (roof-rack), unregistered, Noah, Voxy – Call: 603-9700 Toyota NZE PLL series, fully loaded mag rims, Deck/DVD/ reverse camera- $1.5M negotiable- Call: 609-1040 1 Isuzu Truck for sale, GTT series –Call: 660-4481; 225-2562 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, under 30,000KM –Call: 6968538; 688-0639 2002 Yamaha R6 in excellent condition – 27,000 mileage $995,000 –Call: 650-5500, 6612953 Smart Choice Auto: Premio, Allion, Fielder, Carina 212, Bluebird –Call: 652-3820; 6654529 Unregistered IST fully loaded & PRR series Sienta, excellent condition. Call: 6917475 Just arrived from UK brand new TM trucks- Good priceTel: 679-7587, 264-1582
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1 Toyota 212 Yellow Cab, Excellent condition –Tel: 2235615 Unregistered Corolla Fielder 2003, body kit, fog, rear spoiler, dark interior, roof rack Call: 617-5536 2004 Hiece -$3.0M, 2003 Verossa -$3.2M, 2007 Nissan Duelis -$4.6M, 2008 Xtrail $4.7M – Call: 226-1973, 6093650
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. 1 Green CRV PJJ Series @ Wieting & Richter Ltd, Water Street-Tel: 226-6150-7
2005 Premio- $2.3M, 2004 IST -$1.9M, 2009 IST -2.7M, 2006 Allion-$2.3M- Call: 226-8953, 609-3650
Spare for washing machine, microwaves, fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, motors, etc Call: 225-9032, 647-2943 2007 Allion -$2.9M, 2003 Instock subject to being Avensis- $3.3M, 2003 Fielder unsold; 1,000 - 10,000 watts; - $2.0M, 2007 Fileder - $2.4M Complete Solar Units- Mr. - Call: 226-8953, 609-3650 Beepat – 600 - 5253 2006 Auris -$2.5M, 2003 Yamaha 2006 R1 1000CC for Spacio -$2.1M, 2006 Rush - $600,000, owner leaving $2.8M, 2003 HIlux -$4.4M - country –Contact: 664-5296 Call: 226-8953, 226-1973 One Complete land Dredge 2006 Bluebird - $2.5M, 2001 with two Perkins engine for Carina - $1.9M –Call: 609- sale - $ 1.5M -Call: 684-6048 3650 or 689-0217 Moving sale – all household 1 Diahatsu Bego/Rush – items on sale –Call: 656-7133 Contact: 691-1161 1-40ft Keel Boat, 700lbs 5" seine, 3000lb ice box, 15 Yamaha Engine – ($2M)Call:660-1825 Used XBOX 360, PS Vita, PS3 I-pad & I-pods, XBOX one & games –Tel:621-7497; 6038643; 649-3277 PROPERTY FOR SALE Toyota 212, new model PPP Series –Tel: 684-5402 Property for sale, Grove $20M / Rent: $50,000 per 1 Complete music set (qsc month. Tel: 625-5461. amps, drive rack, bass boxes etc), also Yamaha 6000 watt 2 Storey 45x35 concrete generator –Tel: 623-2923 property, lower flat incomplete. Land 65x120 @ One welding machine- Call: Diamond N/S 5th Avenue, 687-7725 E.B.D- Call: 629-4017 One 1320CC Caterpillar Excavator –Call: 658-4450 Brand new 2 storey concrete building in 5th Avenue, 52ft complete cabin cruiser. In Diamond, E.B.D, all modern excellent condition- Tel: 592amenities & furnished 654-2817, 592-622-2958 kitchen–Call: 662-9335; 612Lister Pitter AC1 6B-HP, 3244 generator 4KW, 110/220 Yarrowkabra Linden Volts on wheels –Call: 684Highway 200’X100’ fully 1068 fence, house, chicken & pig Large Red snapper fishing pen –Call: 676-0931 boat 66ft, with 85 traps, all Republic Park Phase 1, 4 licenses working, 3yrs old – bedrooms, 48M, negotibale - Call: 674-3735; 652-8970 Call:645-2580, 609-6516 Marine Parts, inboard Two storey wooden and engines, gear box, shaft, concrete business building, propellers, gland, all located at 35 Ketley and electronics, etc –Call: 674Howes Street, Charlestown. 3735/ 652-8970 Tel: 623-9679 One transport property on Duncan Street, laser level, De 17-15 Block X Diamond, walt Drill and refrigerator. Call: E.B.D –Phone: 613-3944 600-7864 House & Land @ D.Edward Dhal Puri for sale -$80M W.C.Berbice -$5M- Call: 222- each –Call: 222-3393 3393 EDUCATION Simpli Royal School of Beauty – Pamela Dillon: 6654565; 225-2303. Hair, Skin, Nail Technology, easy payments.
TO LET
9 Course Diploma in Computer $30,000, Job Placement after Completing – MicroGraphics, Vreed-Enhoop-264-3057
Furnished 2 bedroom apartments in Nandy Park, parking available. For further information – Call: 619-4824 Continued on page 31
Tuesday August 11, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Letters... Where your views make the news
Do not bite off more than you can chew DEAR EDITOR, Your headline for the lead story on August 10th 2015 says “Granger vows probe into ‘Sash’ Sawh murder and other crime wave killings”, but you more likely meant ‘promises’. Nope…There is no ‘vow’ here. Your report covers a large number of murders, massacres and slayings, but to what extent were they not the norms for a society with an inept government, large unemployment, a constant influx of skilful criminal deportees and an overworked police force that was well known for its skill at collecting ‘handkerchiefs’, ‘towels’ and ‘sheets’? The cases are not that old for renewed processing. Could the current police force handle the work that would befall them? Surely they will have to respond to the President’s desire for more
detailed examinations and possible solutions, but for a new government it is a tall order. Mind you, the new government has done excellently in the short period of its governance. It has to be careful that it does not bite off more than it can chew. Next up would be the availability and readability of the files. This might appear a trite comment, except that in the context of what the past inept government did most of the time, it would not be an unusual reality that the files are missing, pertinent documentation has been removed, the personnel at that time involved are retired, dead, or migrated, and forensic evidence has been tampered one way or another. On the two particular deaths highlighted (Satyadeo Sawh and Leon Fraser), gossip and rumour were daily occurrences, and in the
context of the Guyanese society, they do play significant roles in everyday events as if on the stage, viz, So de man dead? Dah we know. Ah wha he do? Dat we don’t know. So who killed de man? Dat we don’t know, but all ah we want fuh know. Sawh was an expert minister in the government, and as with any minister in any government, he might have tread on some corns. Rumour had a lot to say on this. Fraser also was a highranking officer with tremendous power, full well known to all and sundry. Equally, he could have tread on some corns. Rumour had a lot to say on this also. Plus as we recently read in your newspapers, a finger was pointed at someone who was equally well known.
Gossip and rumour in the Guyanese society are known to be factual in the majority of situations. Hence it is not unlikely that they influenced the end-results of any enquiry. As much as an apparent political decision to pursue these old cases is afoot, some political opinion should be analyzed on whether to proceed with local staff or to seek expert help from trained experts doing forensic case studies. On the political front it is a good assault on the previous inept government, but now the better and new government has to be mindful that its intentions not backfire and become fodder for the opposition. Tread cautiously I daresay and do not bite off more that you can chew. Leave Sawh and Fraser alone. All ah we done know wha did happen! Carl Veecock
Cringeworthy overtures, lofty rhetoric...
From page 4 the line or otherwise maligned and victimized by acts of professional jealously, or political narrow-mindedness. Some kind of skeleton staff with unbridled access to key Ministries also needs to be in place to handle the requests of those returning. The logistical red-tape for business applications, registrations, licences, land, etc., will have to be significantly truncated, so as to expedite the ventures of the remigrants. What will also be very appealing to those open to returning home is a clearly constructed approach to dealing
with the crime situation. This new administration needs to bombard the diaspora with plans on how the Government will tackle crime. While in Canada, Minister Harmon stated that “the Government, even though it is only a few months old, was already putting systems in place to ensure transparency and accountability in every sector”. This is very commendable in the eyes of the diaspora. However, plans to deal with the menace of the blue collar (street) crimes need to be as clearly addressed and articulated. The diaspora needs to know if there will be stringent
mandatory sentencing for gun-related crimes. Will there be zero tolerance on crimes committed on tourists and those from the diaspora? Will there be priority given to criminal acts perpetuated on returnees? Is there a clearly defined anti-crime initiative? Etc. If Guyanese in the diaspora are to heed the calls and return home in droves not only to fête, party and celebrate, but to live and invest the new administration will have to go beyond the mere expensive rhetoric. They will have to put systems and policies in place to satisfy even the most cautious immigrant Guyanese. I am confident that
Guyanese want to come home. I did, and there are many more like me, though some are not as bold and risky. And while the new administration continues to woo those currently in the diaspora, there are some here already, who heeded the call from the last administration to return home and who would like to know if there is room for them at the table. Or do we need to leave Guyana, again, and await another formal invitation from this new Government? Pastor Wendell Jeffrey Founder and President Practical Christianity Ministries, International
From page 30
TO LET Business place located on Robb Street, next to Bourda Market –Call: 623-7731; 6290636 FOR OVERSEAS VISITORS: FULLY FURNISHED 2 BEDROOM APARTMENTS (FRIDGE, STOVE, MICROWAVE, ETC) US $40 DAILY –TEL: 609-8132/672-8569 (MAX)
FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Offices- $50,000 @ 220 South Road –Call: 227-0711, 6846571 GT TOOL RENTALS: COMPACTOR; CHIPPING HAMMER RANSOM & FLOOR SANDER, JACK HAMMER, CONCRETE SAW & MORE- CALL: 6750767, 627-5098 Hair & nail station: qualified technician @ Alyssa Beauty Salon & Tattoo Parlour, 103 Regent & Wellington Sts. (Multi Complex Mall) –Call: 684-1062 Property for rent at #2 Canal Polder- Tel: 613-1860 2- Two bedroom apartment for rent @ Mon Repos, North East Coast, price $60,000 – Call: 688-6005 2 Properties @ Bel-Air Park all convenience , furnished US-1800 & 4 bedrooms unfurnished US2,200, newly renovated –Tel:231-7839 (working hours) Two bedroom apartment to rent in Sophia -$35,000 –Call: 613-1847
CAR RENTAL DOLLY’SCARRENTAL-CALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM PROGRESSIVEAUTORENTAL: CARS & SUV FOR RENTAL$4,000 & UPPER DAY-CALL: 643-5122, 219-3900, EMAIL: PRO_AUTO RENTAL @YAHOO.COM Aidan’s Car & 4WD Vigo pick up, cheapest rate, low security- Call: 698-7807 Wing’s Car & 4WD Vigo pick up- Call: 690-6494 TO LET Newly built 2 bedrooms apartment: bath, toilet, kitchen, sitting area on High Road Greenwich Park, Parka –Tel: 649-6202/664-3508
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Tuesday August 11, 2015
No Opposition leader ever attacked so by a Gov’t - Rowley (Trinidad Guardian) When the Government is not sending people to kill him, they are paying people to lie on him, says Opposition leader Dr Keith Rowley. He did not elaborate on the last part of the statement. His charge came in the midst of allegations by former Trinidad Express journalist Anika Gumbs that he made inappropriate statements to her at three meetings she had with him in January and April this year at his home and Portof-Spain office. She alleged in one meeting at his home he was bareback and asked her if she would like him to be her bodyguard outside her bedroom door. He also allegedly touched her back and asked about a tattoo she had there and in another meeting told her she was looking rosy, she said. Rowley’s charge that the Government was paying people to lie about him was made at the announcement of the PNM’s two Tobago candidates, Shamfa Cudjoe and Ayanna Webster-Roy, in Market Square, Scarborough, on Sunday evening. He was addressing a crowd of PNM supporters. On the issue of the threat on his life, he said for the first time in his 30 years in politics he felt afraid for his life at a political meeting recently. He said it is the first time an opposition leader is attacked so much by a government.PNM PRO Faris Al-Rawi has claimed that there is confirmation of a paid hit on Rowley’s life. National Security Minister Carl Alfonso, however, has denied knowledge of this. Alfonso said while the matter may have reached the Commissioner of Police the information has not been forwarded to him.
Rowley also responded to criticisms from other political parties in Tobago that the PNM selected “two little girls” as candidates in the general election. He described them as “stout and strong lieutenants” who will win Tobago East and Tobago West. Rowley said no political party will be going into government without these two seats and told Tobagonians they will decide who wins. He also dismissed all other political parties contesting the two Tobago seats, barring the Hochoy Charles-led Platform of Truth, as “UNC parties.” The other two political entities are the Tobago Forwards, led by former Minister of Tobago Development, Delmond Baker, and the Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP). Baker broke away from the TOP and formed the Tobago Forwards. The TOP, part of the People’s Partnership coalition government, is led by Ashworth Jack. Rowley’s charge was supported by Webster-Roy, the PNM’s Tobago East candidate, in her address.She warned Tobagonians that all political parties campaigning in the island, apart from the PNM, are agents of the UNC. Whatever their symbol, jersey colour, whoever they say is funding their campaign and how independent they say they are, they are all UNC agents, she said. Webster-Roy said she can say that without fear of contradiction. Tobago Chief Secretary, Orville London also endorsed the claims. He said the UNC is marketing itself in Trinidad under “Kamla” and in Tobago
under the Tobago Forwards and the TOP. “You’ve got to see behind the subterfuge,” he said in his address. Rowley spent a large part of his speech listing his plans for T&T as a whole. As for Tobago, he promised as soon as he is prime minister, he will put the necessary legislative arrangements in place to ensure Tobago is given maximum autonomy in managing its own affairs while remaining a part of the state of T&T. Giving an example of how he will cut out corruption and waste, he said as soon as he gets in government, he will instruct his attorney general to discontinue the Government’s appeal of the case involving former Strategic Services Agency member Nigel Clement. Clement won the case for wrongful dismissal. Rowley said to save money being paid to lawyers he will withdraw the State’s appeal and let the parties settle the matter out of court. As for the UNC’s email and telephone campaign, he said the party was “provoking” citizens.
ST JOHN’S, Antigua — Prime Minister Gaston Browne has told the political leader of the opposition United Progressive Party (UPP) Harold Lovell to produce evidence of the governing Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party’s alleged involvement in a human trafficking ring or keep quiet. The country’s leader was responding to calls by the opposition for Immigration Minister Steadroy Benjamin to resign and pave the way for an investigation into the human trafficking ring that started under the previous
administration of the now opposition UPP. “Harold Lovell and other members of the UPP indicate that they have evidence to confirm that there were (practices of) wrongdoing by the minister (Steadroy Benjamin) and I challenge them to provide that information to the media,” Browne said. “On the basis that they provide the information, then I will be in a position to act. When clearly there is no evidence to support their claim, therefore I am not in the position to take any action. And even though the
minister indicated his willingness to leave the position t e m p o r a r i l y, t h a t m i g h t construe that there was some form of wrongdoing; and as I said before, there is no evidence to that effect,” he noted. “Harold Lovell does not run this country; the country is run by Gaston Browne. And I have nothing at all to be ashamed about. I have a mandate by the people to run the country. Provide the evidence. And if you can’t provide the evidence, then just put up and shut up!”
Opposition leader Dr Keith Rowley
No gov’t involvement in human trafficking, says Antigua-Barbuda PM
Tuesday August 11, 2015
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Tuesday August 11, 2015
Ecuador denies Swedish asylum is condition for Assange questioning Ecuador denied yesterday that it had requested Sweden grant asylum for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange as a condition for allowing Swedish prosecutors to question him in London. “At no point has the Republic of Ecuador asked the Kingdom of Sweden to grant Mr. Assange asylum,” the embassy said in a statement. Sweden says any questioning has been stalled since asylum has been one of Ecuador’s demands for the meeting, adding that such a demand would be “against international law”. “That’s how we have interpreted it - we must recognise the asylum status they have given him,” said Cecilia Riddselius, a senior official at the Justice Department. “It seems like we have different opinions.” Assange took refuge in the embassy building in June 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden, where he is wanted for questioning over allegations of sexual assault and rape against two women in 2010. He denies the accusations. Assange says he fears Sweden will extradite him to the United States where he could be put on trial over WikiLeaks’ publication of classified military and diplomatic documents five
years ago, one of the largest information leaks in U.S. history. Prosecutors first insisted Assange should travel to Sweden for questioning, but in a U-turn in March agreed to conduct the interview in London. In early June, prosecutors submitted a request for legal assistance to British authorities and a request to Ecuador for permission to interview Assange. Riddselius said the Justice Department last week sent a letter to Ecuador embassy saying what they are
prepared to do to in order for the questioning to take place. “Now, we’re waiting for a reply,” she said. The Ecuadorian embassy also said in its statement that no representative from Sweden has turned up on their steps to interview Assange. Karin Rosander, spokeswoman for Swedish P r o s e c u t i o n A u t h o r i t y, said a prosecutor had been to London in June, ready to question the Australian, but lacking necessary permissions, she had to return home without visiting the embassy.
Chinese hackers have been accessing the private emails of top U.S. national security and trade officials since April 2010, according to an NBC News report yesterday, citing a U.S. intelligence official and top secret document. The officials’ government email accounts were not vulnerable to the hacking because they were on more secure systems, NBC said. A National Security
Agency briefing in 2014 showed the email intrusion was detected in April 2010 and the U.S. official, who was not identified, said it was still going on, NBC said. The official was cited as saying all top national security and trade officials were targeted. Google acknowledged an intrusion into the private Gmail accounts of some American officials in 2011, and the NSA briefing made
clear that email accounts from other providers also were compromised. The hacking coincides with Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email account as secretary of state from 2009 to 2013. The targeted officials were not publicly identified. U.S. officials code-named the email intrusion “Dancing Panda” and then “Legion Amethyst,” according to NBC.
The European Commission yesterday approved 2.4 billion euros ($2.6 billion) of aid over six years for countries including Greece and Italy that have struggled to cope with a surge in numbers of immigrants. Italy is to receive the most aid - nearly 560 million euros, while Greece will receive 473 million. Tensions have escalated this year as thousands of migrants from the Middle East and Africa try to gain asylum
in the European Union. In Calais, a bottleneck for migrants attempting to enter Britain illegally through the Eurotunnel from France, has seen several migrant deaths this month. Some of the newly approved aid will be disbursed to French and British authorities tackling the crisis in Calais. “We are now able to disburse the funding for the French national programme and the UK has already
received the first disbursement of its funding,” Natasha Berthaud, a European Commission spokeswoman, told a news conference. “Both of these programmes will, amongst other things, also deal with the situation in Calais.” The Commission plans to approve an additional 13 programmes later this year, which will then be implemented by EU member states.
Julian Assange (L), pictured here with Noam Chomsky, is confined to the Ecuadorian Embassy
China hacked private emails of U.S. officials since 2010, NBC reports
EU approves 2.4 billion euros funding for migration crisis
Tuesday August 11, 2015
Kaieteur News
Two women attack U.S. consulate in Turkey
The U.S. consulate building is pictured after an attack in Istanbul, Turkey, yesterday. (REUTERS/YAGIZ KARAHAN) Two women shot at the U.S. consulate in Istanbul yesterday and at least eight people were killed in a wave of separate attacks on Turkish security forces, weeks after Ankara launched a crackdown on Islamic State, Kurdish and far-left militants. The NATO member has been in a heightened state of alert since starting its “synchronized war on terror” last month, including air strikes against Islamic State fighters in Syria and Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militants in northern Iraq. It has also rounded up hundreds of suspected militants at home. A far-left group that killed a Turkish security guard in a 2013 suicide bombing of the U.S. embassy in Ankara claimed it was involved in yesterday’s attack. The Revolutionary People’s Liberation ArmyFront (DHKP-C), considered a terrorist organization by the United States and Turkey, said one of its members was involved, and called Washington the “arch enemy” of the people of the Middle East and the world. Turkey’s foreign ministry condemned the attack and said security at U.S. diplomatic missions was being tightened. Police with automatic rifles cordoned off streets around the U.S. consulate in the Sariyer district on the European side of Istanbul. Ahmet Akcay, a resident who witnessed the attack, told Reuters that one of the women fired four or five rounds, aiming at security officials and consulate officers. “Police were shouting ‘drop your bag, drop your bag’. And the woman was saying: ‘I will not surrender’,” Akcay said. “The police warned her
again: ‘Drop your bag or we will have to shoot you’, and the woman said: ‘Shoot’.” One of the two women was later captured wounded, the Istanbul governor’s office said. The Dogan news agency said the injured woman was aged 51 and had served prison time for being a suspected member of the DHKP-C. Reuters could not immediately verify the report. “We are working with Turkish authorities to investigate the incident. The Consulate General remains closed to the public until further notice,” a consulate official said. The attack came a day after the U.S. sent six F-16 fighter jets and about 300 personnel to Incirlik Air Base in Turkey as part of coalition efforts to fight Islamic State. On the other side of Istanbul, a vehicle laden with explosives was used to attack a police station, injuring three police officers and seven civilians, police said. One of the attackers was killed during the bombing, while two others and a police officer died in a subsequent firefight, the Istanbul governor ’s office said. Broadcaster CNN Turk said the officer was a senior member of the bomb squad who had been sent to investigate the attack. Shooting continued into yesterday morning in the Sultanbeyli district on the Asian side of the Bosphorus waterway, which divides Istanbul, as police carried out raids. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for either of the attacks, but U.S. diplomatic missions and police stations have been targeted by far-left groups in Turkey in the past. The DHKP-C, whose
members are among those detained in recent weeks, claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing at the U.S. embassy in Ankara in 2013 which killed a Turkish security guard. VIOLENCE IN SOUTHEAST Turkey opened its air bases to the U.S.-led coalition against Islamic State (IS) last month after years of reluctance and carried out its own bombing raids, stepping up its role after a suspected IS suicide bomber killed 32 people in the town of Suruc near the Syrian border. Casting the operations as a war on terrorist groups “without distinction”, it simultaneously launched air strikes on PKK targets in Iraq and in southeastern Turkey, and has arrested more than 1,300 people suspected of links to Islamist, Kurdish and far-leftist groups in recent weeks. It has been a high-risk strategy for a country straddling Europe and the Middle East which depends on tourism for around a tenth of its income, leaving it exposed to the threat of reprisals. Violence between the security forces and suspected militants intensified in the mainly Kurdish southeast yesterday. Four police officers were killed when their armored vehicle was hit by roadside explosives in the town of Silopi, the governor’s office in the province of Sirnak said. A soldier was also killed when Kurdish militants opened fire on a military helicopter in a separate attack in Sirnak, the military said in a statement. Security sources said at least seven other soldiers were wounded in the attack, which came as the helicopter took off.
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Ian Chappell calls for... Phelps goes 3 for 3 at nationals... From page 38 Australia’s major failures in recent years have come when the ball has moved, either in spinning conditions or against seam and swing. Chappell said during his playing days, batsmen were exposed to enough variety in conditions during Sheffield Shield cricket that they had confidence in their techniques when asked to tour countries such as England or India, which he believes does not happen now. “Young players are going to be playing with an IPL contract in mind,” Chappell said. “If I can show that I’m a terrific hitter of the ball and I can score at eight an over, that could get me a big IPL contract. So the question you’ve got to ask yourself is, are they developing techniques that make it easier to play in that manner, to score at eight and ten runs an over and be terrific hitters? “Every time I hear people say the batting
is better now, I nearly throw up, because the batting is not better. The hitting is better, but the batting is not better. We’ve seen that with Australia. The art of survival is on the way out fast. I don’t blame the young guys. “But this is what the officials, the administrators, have got to work out - is that going to help you in Test cricket? And the answer is no, not unless you have absolutely flat pitches in Test cricket, which I’m not sure we want.” Chappell said one key to improving Australian cricket would be to boost the numbers of 17- and 18-year-olds playing Sheffield Shield cricket and honing their games at that level. However, he felt it could be years before Australian cricket would begin to reap the rewards and in the meantime, the new captain Steven Smith would face some serious challenges with his Test team.
Tuesday August 11, 2015 ARIES (MAR. 21APRIL 20) Don't overextend your self in order to add luxury items to your entertainment center. Take precautions while traveling; you don't have to get anywhere that fast. First find out if they're married. TAURUS (APR. 21MAY 21) Children may be difficult to handle. Do not let your mate annoy you; patience will be the key. Personal alterations will be in your best interest. GEMINI (MAY22-JUNE 21) You need to do something energetic and different. You need to do something energetic and different. You can make money through solid investment plans. CANCER (JUNE 22JULY 22) Your nerves are frazzled. You will have difficulties spreading yourself between your work and your home. Talk to an older, established individual about your present situation. LEO (JULY 23-AUG 22) Do not let lovers cost you money or take advantage of you. Your creative talent may well be recognized by others today Prove your worth; concentrate on getting the job done and steer clear of office politics and gossip. VIRGO (AUG. 23 -SEPT. 23) Try to get away with your mate. Look after financial transactions today. Don't force your opinions on friends or relatives unless you are prepared to lose their favor. LIBRA (SEPT. 24 -OCT. 23) Don't beat around the
bush; state your case in plain and simple terms. Draw up contracts regarding your personal situation. Develop some of your good ideas. SCORPIO (OCT. 24 NOV. 22) Being unappreciated by your boss could make it hard to do your work effectively. Don't confide in any relatives whom you know have a tendency to meddle in other people's affairs. You can get ahead if you play your cards right. SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 23 -DEC. 21) This is a great day to beautify your living quarters or to entertain at home. Take time to visit someone who has been confined due to illness. Lighten up your serious attitude CAPRICORN (DEC 22.- JAN. 20) Get out and have some fun. You won't have to look for the action. You may find yourself in an emotional fix if you interfere in other people's problems. AQUARIUS (JAN. 21 FEB. 19) Your creative ideas will be put to good use if you dig in and do things around the house that will make your family happy. Strength will come from your ability to overtake just about any one. Exercise is always a good way to relieve stress. PISCES (FEB. 20-MAR. 20) You can accomplish a lot if you direct your thoughts toward starting your own small business on the side. Don't get into heated discussions. Your mate could get on your nerves if he or she backs you into an emotional comer or puts restrictions on your time.
From page 41 held in Kazan, Russia, over the past two weeks. Phelps, of course, wasn’t allowed to compete at worlds this year. He was kicked off the U.S. team after his second drunkendriving arrest last September, leading Phelps to swear off alcohol and take a good, hard look at himself during six weeks of inpatient therapy in Arizona. He emerged with what he said was a new outlook on life and a commitment to put in the sort of training that marked the peak of his career, when he was driven to break Mark Spitz’s 36-year-old Olympic record by winning eight gold medals in Beijing. With an embarrassing string of problems outside the pool, Phelps still must prove to his skeptics that he’s a changed man. There are no longer any doubts about what he can do in the water at age 30. ‘’I’m pumped,’’ he said. ‘’Being able to do that right now, I’m very, very pleased. It’s something great to build from.’’ In the two butterfly events, Phelps put up the fastest times since high-tech bodysuits were banned after the 2009 worlds. In the 200 IM, he went faster than anyone has gone since his gold medal-winning time of 1:54.27
BCB nets close to $800,000... From page 42 Hand Group of Insurance, Raffik and Sons Construction Services of Williamsburg, B Debydeen, Caterer of Albion Estate Road, Corentyne, New Building Society Ltd, Soogee Seubarran, Balram Shane of Rose Hall Town, Sunshine Supermarket, Tribhowan Jagdeo, Ronald Williams of Apex Insurance Brokers Inc, Sandeep Ramdass of Ishmail Poultry, popularly known as Pampey, Asheik and Sons Motor Spares and Auto Sale, Safraz Photo Studio, Rocky of Palace Taxi Service, Restaurant and Bar, LaGrill Restaurant and Bar, D Harricharran of Beauty and Home Design, Sheik Mohamed of Tiger Sports Club, Office Express, RHTY&SC, Trophy Stall of Bourda Market, Price is Right Supermarket of No 79 Corriverton, Venu Shopping Center and Beauty Saloon and TVG. Special thanks to the print and electronic media for the role they played and the management of Guysuco, Albion Estate.
at the London Olympics three years ago. He managed to go fast in sweltering Texas even though most of the top swimmers were competing halfway around the world in Russia. Phelps was largely racing the clock in San Antonio, without anyone to seriously challenge him. That didn’t matter. He met his goal of going faster than the world champion in all three events. Phelps’ longtime coach, Bob Bowman, said the swimmer ‘’greatly exceeded’’ his expectations. ‘’We’re ahead of schedule,’’ Bowman said. ‘’Just seeing him put up those kind of times, it probably does change what I thought might be possible in a year. I thought he could get near his top level. I wasn’t sure it would happen this quickly.’’ Already the most decorated athlete in Olympic history with 18 golds and 22 medals overall, Phelps will surely compete in the same three individual events at Rio that he dominated in San Antonio, and it seems highly likely he’ll
be on all three U.S. relay teams after a disappointing performance by the Americans in Kazan. The U.S. men didn’t even qualify for the final of the 400 free relay at worlds, and they settled for silver in the 800 free relay. A gold medal Sunday in the 400 medley relay did little to ease the sting. Phelps’ celebration after the 200 IM was more muted than the two previous nights, though he did climb on top of the lane rope and thrust both arms skyward. After he climbed from the pool, he paused to watch a replay of the race on the video board, trying to figure out how to go even faster. ‘’I was more ticked off when I saw I was under record pace at the 150,’’ Phelps said. ‘’That kind of bothered me.’’ Phelps has one more event in San Antonio: the 200 breaststroke on Monday. But that’s not one of his better events, and he entered it merely to get in a little more work on the final day of nationals. Actually, his work is done. For now.
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NY East Canje Reunion Committee honours top students from Canje NGSA exams Donates chairs to Golden Om Dharmic Youth Organisation In an excellent gesture, members of the New York East Canje Reunion Committee recognized the outstanding performers of primary schools in the East Canje area that recently wrote the National Grade Six Exams. At a simple but significant ceremony held at the Training Building of Guysuco, Rose Hall Estate, the top three performers of the six schools in the area were given cash incentives with the top students receiving US$150 each, runner up US$125 and third placed US$100. The presentation was facilitated by Anil Beharry who thanked the Committee for their generous contribution to this cause. Beharry made special mention of Allan Mangru who he was in regular contact with for many months to make this a reality and success. He
told the kids that this recognition should motivate them and others. He encouraged the parents to use the funds to buy educational materials as the children are preparing for Secondary School. He challenged the students to continue to excel and told them that this is the beginning of new challenges. Speaking on behalf of the Committee was Satyanand Gobin, who first of all, congratulated the outstanding students and promised that next year will be bigger. He reminded the gathering that this is the third year the students were recognized and encouraged them to strive for continued success. He read a prepared message from the NY/East Canje Reunion Committee.
SAO PAULO (Reuters) The coach of Brazil’s national swimming team says China’s Olympic champion Sun Yang tried to elbow and kick a female swimmer at the world championships on Sunday and that he has also caused problems for other teams. Alberto Pinto da Silva, in comments carried by Brazilian sports news website globoesporte.com, said the incident occurred when Larissa Oliveira was warming up alongside the Chinese swimmer in the pool. The website reported that the Brazilian Aquatic Sports Federation had made a formal complaint to FINA, swimming’s world ruling body. “He was warming up and he pulled the Brazilian girl’s foot,” said the coach. “He ran her over. She got angry and had it out with him. He tried to elbow her and kick her. “So then the Brazilian coaches went to speak to him. He said she was bothering him and one of the coaches said that the pool wasn’t just his. Everyone was at the side of the pool, and they were all swearing at each other. “There were about 15 people right up at him. But there wasn’t any violence.” Sun, who became the first Chinese man to win an Olympic swimming gold medal when he took the 400m and 1,500m freestyle double
in London, later missed Sunday’s 1,500m freestyle final in Kazan due to what he said was a heart problem. “I feel very sorry that I couldn’t be present for the 1500m,” Sun told reporters. “I didn’t feel good in my heart. “Today I felt really uncomfortable at the pool during my warm-up and I had to give up the idea of competing. I feel really sorry about that. “It happened after the warm-up as I was preparing for the competition. It is the first time I have felt uncomfortable in competition.” When asked about the incident with the Brazilian swimmer during training in the adjacent pool, Sun said: “I have no comment because it was a morning problem”. ‘UPSET AND AGGRESSIVE’ Pinto da Silva said other
Top students from Primary Schools in the East Canje area pose with their cash filled envelops with Satyanand Gobin (centre) along with Anil Beharry and a rep from the Education Department, Region 6. He also thanked Guysuco for facilitating the event in such a cool and comfortable environment. Imran Ally, DREO, Region No 6 spoke on behalf of the Region, Basmattie Babulal on
behalf of the Education Officer and Adesh Singh on behalf of Guysuco. One of the top students Devon Reid from Cumberland Primary School thanked the Committe and everyone who
made the event possible and promised, on behalf of the students and himself to work hard to continue to excel. Pandit Deodat Persaud collected the cash to pay for the chairs and tables on behalf
of the Golden Om Dharmic Youth Organisation and he also thanked the Committee for making contributions back to the community in which the members are somehow connected.
Brazil coach blasts Chinese Olympic champ Sun coaches had came to him with similar complaints about Sun. “The Canadian (coach) came over to me and said, ‘he has already bothered my swimmers,’” Pinto said. “The South African (coach) said he bothered the swimmers when they were swimming. Chile, Argentina, everyone came to tell me what do to. If he’s doing that to everyone then he’s a dangerous guy, he has no place in sport.” Chinese swimming officials could not be reached for comment. Sun, who was named the meet’s top male swimmer after winning the 400m and 800m freestyle titles and finishing second in the 200m, had been “very upset and aggressive” in the locker room, according to a fellow competitor. A Danish swimmer, who did not wish to be named, told Reuters by email there had
been a huge commotion with the Chinese delegation and that Sun had been agitated watching the 1,500 final on television in the locker room. Sun has made just as many headlines away from the sport as he has in the pool. He was banned by Chinese swimming authorities in 2013 after being jailed for crashing a car he had driven without a license. It also emerged last year that Sun had secretly served a three-month ban after testing positive for a banned stimulant. The China Anti-Doping Agency could have imposed a longer ban but opted for a lenient punishment because Sun had been given medication by a doctor to treat a heart issue and was unaware it had been added to the World Anti-Doping Agency’s banned list.
China’s Sun Yang is awarded for best men’s swimmer of the championships, at the Aquatics World Championships in Kazan, Russia, August 9, 2015. (Reuters/ Michael Dalder)
GDF retains dominance as Andrew ‘Sixhead’Lewis Novices... From page 39 John Dowridge (HEBG) in the 105-109lbs category, Melvin Gibson (NOC) over Deshon Allicock (EBG) and Michael Worrell (GDF) over Kurt Allicock (HEBG). Isaiah Jacobs (PRBG) needed jus 50secs to dispose of Shaquille Wright (EBG) and take the 95-99lbs title while Joshua Corbin of the Caryll Boxing Gym (CBG) utilized
1:20secs to take care of Shamal Gittens (NOC) for the 133140lbs title. Shekeal Damon (FYF) turned up the heat and forced the referee to stop the 75kgs fight with Omar Francis (NOC) in 1:18sec of round two moments before Aluko Venture (GDF) forced the stoppage of his 52kgs bout against Ewart Cobis (REP). In the 56kgs division, Glenroy Griffith (REP) lost to his gym
mate, Danny Thompson while the lightweight category was won by Shaquille De Young (GDF) over Akeem Sutherland (Police). Middleweight Julius Handover prevailed by TKO (2) over Kevin Innis (REP) for that title, while Mickle Sancho (GDF) showed no mercy for his gym mate, Kevin Defreitas, forcing the referee to call a halt of their light/heavyweight bout in the second round. The
heavyweight bout between soldiers, Leon Andrews and Shermar Eastman ended in favour of the latter fighter by unanimous decision while
Royden Joseph (GDF) became the super/heavyweight champion after gaining a unanimous nod over Gillian Limerick (REP).
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Justin Gatlin & Galen Rupp in PEGASUS HOTEL GUYANA US team for World Championships supports Archery in Guyana
Justin Gatlin will lead a 130-strong US team at the World Championships. (EPA) BBC Sport - Justin Gatlin will lead a 130-strong US team at the World Championships in Beijing, with world silver medallist Nick Symmonds the notable absentee. Gatlin is the fastest man in the world this year over 100m and 200m and his
showdowns with defending champion Usain Bolt are eagerly anticipated. Symmonds has been left out after refusing to sign a mandatory contract. Galen Rupp, the 10,000m Olympic silver medallist, will compete in the 5,000m and
10,000m in the Bird’s Nest. The 29-year-old has recently faced doping allegations, along with his coach Alberto Salazar. Both Rupp and Salazar, 56, deny any wrongdoing. Other prominent American athletes competing in the championships, which begin on 22 August, are Olympic 200m champion Allyson Felix (200m, 400m and relay) and reigning world decathlon champion Ashton Eaton. Olympic champion Christian Taylor will attempt to regain the triple jump title he won in 2011, while LaShawn Merritt will defend his 400m crown. Symmonds will be absent after the 31-year-old, a silver medallist in the 800m in 2013, refused to sign a mandatory USA Track and Field (USATF) contract that instructs athletes to wear Nike clothing. After USATF issued a response saying it “respected Nick’s decision”, he tweeted that he was “offended” by the statement.
Ian Chappell calls for revamped domestic system Ian Chappell at the 2015 World Cup launch in Melbourne, Melbourne, July 30, 2013 ©Getty Images
ESPNcricinfo - Former Australia captain Ian Chappell has called for a complete rethink of Australia’s cricket system after the team’s crushing defeat in the ongoing Investec Ashes series in England. In an interview with ESPNcricinfo, Chappell said Australia were now worse off than they were before the Argus review of 2011, and he has forecast dark days ahead
due to the lack of batting depth in the domestic system. The retirement of Michael Clarke and likely departure of Chris Rogers will leave Australia needing at least two new batsmen in their top six after this series, but their replacements are far from obvious. Chappell said the fact that so many of Australia’s new Test batsmen in recent years were older including Rogers, Adam
Voges, Ed Cowan, George Bailey and Rob Quiney - was evidence of a failing system. “Normally you’d be highly critical of the selection panel for doing that, but you have to have sympathy for the selection panel, because what they would obviously like is a lot of young players churning out runs regularly in first-class cricket, and sadly that’s just not happening,” Chappell said. “That to me is where the major concern is. “I think there are some guys there with a lot of skill. But whether they would do any better against the moving ball than what we’ve seen lately - you wouldn’t want to be betting your house on it. “The Argus review was, in my opinion, from the time it was done, a complete waste of time. We’re now back in the same boat. In fact I think we’re behind the eight-ball because what they did was they added another layer of management. The system is wrong, the Argus report was a waste of time.” Every time I hear people say the batting is better now, I nearly throw up. The hitting is better, but the batting is not better. We’ve seen that with Australia. The art of survival is on the way out fast Ian Chappell on the shift in batsmen’s mindset (Continued on page 36)
The GSSF in collaboration with World Archery Americas will be hosting its inaugural archery development seminar in Georgetown, which will be conducted by international archer/coach Mr. Diego Torres of Columbia. Last Friday, Ms. Susan Isaacs, General Manager of Pegasus Hotel Guyana, at a simple hand-over ceremony held at the hotel, pledged its commitment to the support of Archery in Guyana. Mr. Torres will be hosted in Guyana by the GSSF for a period of 10 days in August 2015 to conduct the seminars for members of the Federation: the focus of which will be archery safety, the fabrication of PVC Bows and the correct form in archery. This will give participants the knowledge as to how to further develop this longstanding Olympic sport by making these low cost bows which will then be used for training and local competitions. Shooting practice sessions will be arranged to ensure that members learn the fundamentals of the sport of Archery early on. President of the Federation, Ms. Vidushi Persaud recorded her excitement as to the fast approaching start of Mr. Torres’ tour, highlighting commitment to the achieving
From right GM Ms. Susan Isaacs hands over sponsorship cheque to Ms. Vidushi Persaud in the presence of Mr. Ryan McKinnon. the goals and fulfilling the objectives of the GSSF by facilitating such seminars as related to Sport Shooting. Asst. Secretary/Treasurer, Mr. Ryan McKinnon noted, “As always, sport shooting events demand that safety is always the number one
priority. The GSSF has an excellent track record in this regard and we intend to do everything that we can to educate new competitors about being safe and about the rules of the specific sport in order to keep that record unblemished.”
National Junior Men’s Hockey Team lose keenly contested final The national junior men’s hockey team was defeated by Malvern Sports Club in the final of the Player Tournament in Trinidad & Tobago on Saturday evening. The two teams split their first two encounters and it was obvious from the start of the final that they were going after each other’s weaknesses. Guyana’s outstanding striker Aroydy Banford went on some individual runs early in the game but an aggressive Malvern defence gave him very little time on the ball. Malvern would get the early breakthrough when they were awarded a penalty corner which was slotted home by Christian Emanuel. Both teams cancelled out each other tactically for most of the game, which meant that a moment or two of individual brilliance would probably decide the game. Although Guyana had several goal scoring opportunities, they were
either off target or well saved by Malvern’s goalkeeper. As the fourth quarter began, Guyana seemed to be gaining the upper hand and the stage was set for one of their customary, late game, comebacks. Malvern showed great maturity however and played the clock game to perfection by running the ball deep into the corners of the field and maintaining possession. Guyana would concede a penalty corner just before the full time whistle, which meant that Malvern could send all ten of their outfield players up for the set play. Although initial stop was fumbled, Emanuel recovered the ball and sent a powerful tomahawk shot towards the goal, which was deflected in by Teague Marcano to end the game 2-0. In addition to the Trophy and medals, Malvern also received a cheque for US$3,000 from Player Sport. Malvern’s Tariq Marcano
and Shaquille Daniels were also awarded top goal scorer and most outstanding player respectively. Guyana’s coaching staff expressed their pleasure with the overall performance of the team considering that they won 7 of their 9 matches played, including two penalty shootouts. The team also scored, on average, two goals per game and improved their overall play with every match. There will be no rest for eight members of the team, who are also part of the national senior squad presently preparing for the Pan American Challenge in Chicklayo, Peru from the 3rd to 11th of October. The nine team competition has been split into three preliminary groups of three teams. Guyana is down to play Uruguay on October 3rd and what is surely expected to be a highly charged affair against Venezuela on October 4th.
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Colts win GABA Newcomer, SUR looking to upset the applecart Open and U-23 titles Boyce & Jefford Track and Field Classic VI...
Guyana’s newest Track and Field Club, Super Upcoming Runners (SUR) is looking to upset the applecart this weekend when it takes on the more seasoned and established foes at the Boyce and Jefford Track and Field Classic VI. Head Coach of the new entity, Carla Rodney believes that the Club can create some waves at the International Track and Field contest, which is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday at Mackenzie Sports Club Ground, Linden. “We will definitely try our best and like everyone else, keep our eyes on the prize,” Rodney said, with the optimism that defied any limitation. She informed that her athletes are eager to compete at the event and as such had vowed to do their best. “Our preparations are going ok, some of the kids were out with the flu, but they will be fine, I believe mentally that are ready for this meet because everyone seems to be very hyped and ready to see what they can do in
Carla Rodney Linden,” Rodney noted. Up and coming sprinter, Kevin Abbensetts is the club’s ace this weekend. Abbensetts will be up against some of the most senior counterparts, Winston George from Police, Rupert Perry Guyana Defence Force and Jamaicans, Nicholas Maitland and Keno Burrell. “It is really just to give the new athletes a chance at exposure… for most of them, it’s their first time that they will be taking part at this event, so we just want to go and put our best foot forward and see where we are as a
team,” Rodney added. The Boyce and Jefford Track and Field Classic for the first time will bring four Jamaican athletes to the shores of Guyana. In addition to Jamaica, the competition features athletes from Trinidad, Grenada, The Bahamas and the United States. The first-place club will run away with $600,000, while the second-place prize will be $400,000; third $250,000 and fourth, $100,000. The international events for the Men are the 200, 800m and the Long Jump, while for the Females; it will be the 200m, 1500m and Triple Jump. The male and female champion athletes will receive $50,000 each compliments of NAMILCO, while the winners of the International 800m Men and 1500m Women will benefit from Under Armour and Asics gear valued at $100,000 total compliments of Giftland Sports Maxx. An Ipad will be handed out to a top female performer, compliments Digital Technology. This prize is to encourage female participation in sports.
Colts Basketball Club won the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) Knockout Tournament Sunday night at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall after beating Dyna’s Ravens 70-56 in the final. Colts utilised their perimeter game more in the second quarter with Shelroy Thomas attacking the basket to take a 36-27 lead at the end of the first half. On resumption, the Colts came out firing from three-point range to expand their lead to 12 before Ravens started to grind away. The third period ended ended 49-43 with Colts still holding the advantage. However, six points would be the closest the Ravens would come to tying the ball game as Colts raged in the opening minutes of the
fourth to trample Ravens. Thomas ended with a team high 15 points while forward, Shane Webster and guard Dave Causway had 13 points each. Ryan Gullen had 16 points while Ryan Stephney contributed 15 points in the loss. Meanwhile, in the Under-23 final Colts demolished Trinity Grid Holding (TGH) Pacesetters 93-56. It was an all-round performance from the young Colts with forward Leonard Primo leading the way with 20 points. Guards, Stanton Rose and Jonathan Pooran scored 19 and 17 points respectively while Denzel Dey also had 16 points for Colts. Jahleel Duke scored 25 points and Nathan Saul poured in 21 points for Pacesetters.
Atkinson second best in women’s 50m breaststroke
Froome going for rare Tour-Vuelta double (From right) Russia’s Yuliya Efimova (bronze), Sweden’s Jennie Johansson (gold) and Jamaica’s Alia Atkinson pose during the podium ceremony for the women’s 50m breaststroke swimming event at the 2015 FINA World Championships in Kazan. (PHOTOS: AFP)
Team Sky rider Chris Froome of Britain, winner of the 2015 Tour de France, signs autographs before taking part in the bicycle street race in Hadsten, Denmark July 30, 2015. (Reuters/Henning Bagger/Scanpix Denmark) LONDON (Reuters) Tour de France winner Chris Froome will be back in the saddle later this month as he tries to add Spain’s Vuelta to his career honours. “Looking forward to taking on the @lavuelta ... Tough but always exciting for the viewers #bringiton,” the Team Sky rider said on his Twitter account on Monday.
Froome, who also won the Tour de France in 2013, will attempt a rare double when the Vuelta begins on Aug. 22 in Puerto Banus. The 30-year-old Briton was runner-up in last year’s Vuelta, missing out to Spaniard Alberto Contador who will miss this year’s race having won the 2015 Giro d’Italia but struggled on the Tour de France.
Kazan, Russia (AFP) — Sweden’s Jennie Johansson was the shock winner of the women’s 50m breaststroke gold at the world swimming championships Sunday. Johansson clocked 30.05 seconds to win on the wall as Jamaica’s Alia Atkinson claimed silver at just 0.06sec back, while Russia’s Yuliya Efimova, the 100m champion, earned bronze 0.08 adrift. Ruta Meilutyte of Lithuania, the reigning Olympic 100m champion, finished fourth 0.09 farther back, as just 0.15secs separated the first five swimmers. This is the 27-year-old Johannsson’s first world or Olympic title having won silver for the 50 and 100m breaststroke at last year’s European championships in Berlin. “It’s the biggest surprise for everyone, it was hard to compete with such strong girls,” said Johansson. “I was the best one today,
and I still can’t believe it’s true.” Atkinson, 26, who swims for Texas AM University in the United States, was delighted with her second medal in Kazan having taken bronze in the 100m final behind Efimova and Meilutyte. “It’s fantastic,” said Atkinson. “The last two worlds, I’ve got ninth in both events, so to come back and medal in both shows how much I am improving.” With the World Athletics
Championships starting in Beijing on August 22, when compatriot and sprint star Usain Bolt will be in action, Atkinson said she was getting column inches back in Jamaica as she tastes success over 50m. “They are all getting ready for the track and field, but some of the headlines are going my way,” she said. “It’s a real confidence booster because I’ve always been successful in short course, but not long course.”
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Tuesday August 11, 2015
Digicel Harvard Cricket Academy Guyana tour...
St Clair’s unbeaten 104 help RHTYC Bakewell to 3-Wkt win Junior St Clair plays a spanking square drive during his unbeaten 104 on Sunday at the Area ‘H’ ground in Rose Hall Town.
St Clair watches as Kean Mason gathers leg-side runs during his fifty on Sunday. By Sean Devers National under-15 righthander Junior St Clair fashioned a masterful unbeaten 104 after taking 220 with his off-spin to help Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club Bakewell Under17s beat the touring Digicel Harvard Cricket Academy U17 side of Trinidad & Tobago by three wickets at the Area ‘H’ ground in Rose Hall Town on Sunday. The 14-year-old St Clair hit 12 fours and along with fellow Guyana U-15 batsman Kelvin Anderson (31) added 71 for the second wicket to take the hosts to 168-5 in 36.5 overs. Andel Nicholas (2-36) bowled with some aggression for Harvard Academy who, led by 53 from Keon Mason, had earlier posted their highest score on their Guyana tour, making 167-7 from 40 overs on nice track which offered bounce and turn and a quick outfield as
St Clair finished with 2-20 in steaming hot conditions in Berbice. Opting to bat under blue skies and cool breeze in an agriculture setting, the ‘Trinis’ were off to a slow start against the spin based attack before Akeel Sookhoo, one of the better batsmen in the side, was bowled by Anderson for 17 at 30-1 in 11 overs. The burly Mason, hit the ball almost a hard as his father Keno, the former pugnacious T&T Keeper but struggled with his placement and could not pierce the field. Mason and Kiran Sanike (8) took nine overs to add 35 runs as the bowlers kept the shackles on the pair before Sanike misread a googlie from national U17 leg-spinner Brandon Prashad and was trapped LBW. Mason, who soaked up too many dot balls in excellent batting conditions, shared in another useful 49-run third wicket partnership with 13year-old left-hander Adam
Reyce, who evoked memories of former T&T and West Indies batsman Larry Gomes with his timing and placement before Reyce, who picked the gaps beautifully to reach the boundary on three occasions in his 24, was run out at 1143. Mason pounced on pint size nine-year old off-spinner Matthew Potteya like a cat upon a mouse and pulled him viciously for four to post his fifty in the 35th over, but making a consorted effort to up the tempo, was taken in the deep off St Clair at 122-4. St Clair removed the inform Nicholas for a duck and two more quick wickets fell but Jadon Bryce, who hit two four and a six in a cameo 24 not out ensured that 53 were scored in the last five overs. When the home team began their run chase Surendra Budhoo (10) was bowled by Reyse at 39-1 but St Clair and Anderson played several audacious shots before Anderson and Prashad (0) were sent back in the
space of a run to leave Rose Hall Town Bakewell 111-3 and revive the hopes of the tourists who had another terrible day in the field. But the set St Clair used the pace of off-spinner Mason, who bowled too fast and flat, to clip the ball to fineleg for a couple of boundaries and dominated a 52-run stand with Brandon Corlette. When Corlette (9) was run out, only four runs were required for victory as Mason and left-arm spinner Sanjay Browne, the leading bowlers for the ‘Trinis’ with eight wickets each, went wicketless. After the game, Mason (best batsman) and Nicholas (best bowler) were presented with trophies by the host club for their performances, while the visiting side was taken on a tour of their facilities which included a well furnished guests quarters that could accommodate a team and officials. Rose Hall Town Sports Club’s CEO Hilbert
Back Street triumph as Rene Gibbons/Kelon Josiah Inter Block football tournament ends It was just one year ago that two Lindeners, Rene Gibbons and Kelon Josiah organized the inaugural version of the Inter Block football tournament among residents of the Blue Berry area. Following the initial success the two promoters have once again successfully staged the second edition of the tournament and the finals was contested August 9 last between Back Road and Back Street. In a highly entertaining encounter Back Street carted off the spoils 4-3 on penalty kicks after the two teams played to a nil all stalemate during regulation time.
The tournament was played from July 31-August 9 and the promoters said that they were forced to postpone activities from early June to accommodate the just concluded Digicel Schools’ Football Championships. They said that the tournament was birthed from a need to provide meaningful and productive activity for young people of their community. After the intense battle for championship honours, the winners received a beautiful trophy, five thousand dollars and a small quantity of football gears, while the 2nd to 4th place finishers received
trophies. There were also several special prizes and Jamal Barrow was adjudged the Most Valuable Player prize, while the best Defender award went to Troy Miller. The Front Street team was awarded the trophy for being the Most Disciplined Team. The organizers said that the tournament could not have been successfully staged had it not been for support of the business community and other conscientious individuals. For that reason they are extending heartfelt gratitude to those that contributed to the success of the
tournament. Among those coming in for high praise are Beharry Lumber Yard (Porker Street, Wismar), Andrew Rutherford (MP), Regional Chairman, Renis Morian, Director of Youth and Sport, Christopher Jones, K&S Director, Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ Major, Trophy Stall, Ever Pure of Burnham Drive, Wismar, Mr. Trotz, Ms Leslyn Boyce (Sports Officer) Babaloo Car Rental, Guinness Bar of Joseph Pollydore Street, Lodge, Alwyn Rutherford (MP), Orrin Petters, Blacke Barber Shop, Divisional Commander (E Division), Calvin Brutus and Police Inspector, Forbes Browne.
Foster invited the Academy team for free accommodation the next time they were in Berbice and introduced them to the Minister of Human Services & Social Security Volda Lawrence, who was on an official visit to the entity which has won several awards for its support of youth development across Berbice over the years. He also told the youngsters that defeat can make you better if you learn from your mistakes and worked hard. “When our team was
formed in 1990 we lost 17 consecutive games until a 48year-old spinner’s eightwicket haul give our first win in 1991 and here we are today,” Foster, the backbone of the club over the years, said. Harvard’s Coach Omesh Persaud, the 1981 T&T U-19 Off-spinner, praised Foster and his club for the ‘fantastic’ work being done for the youths in the community. The Academy plays its final game today against Malteenoes at the Malteenoes ground from 11:00hrs.
GDA team for Puerto Rico tourney shortlisted
The Georgetown Dominoes Association (GDA) has shortlisted their squad for the upcoming International Dominoes tournament which is set to commence in Puerto Rico on September 23. The locals will compete in King, Queen, Three-hand and Pairs in the week-long competition. The touring party, dependant on the issuances of United States visas will depart on September 21. The squad reads; Faye Joseph, Quincy Adams, John Chance, Althea Chase, Leroy Edwards, Orin Favourite, Sonia Goodluck, Nicola Haywood, Clement Henry, Paul Lewis, Noel Mc Kay, Andrea Mendonca, Gilbert Mendonca, Sean Morgan, Roberto Osbourne, ParkerCarter, Martin Permaul, Rawl Peters, Mark Rodrigues, Godfrey Samuels, Errol Seymour, Frank Small, Andrew Yhap, Azeez Richmond, Ken Redmond, James Collins, Colin Mc Ewan, Barbara Marshall, Orin Boston, Lyndon Boston and Colin Boyce.
Faye Joseph
Barbara Marshall
Tuesday August 11, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 41
World Long Range Championships...
Persuad leads WI charge going into today’s final day at 135th of 404 shooters Ransford Goodluck as he scores for a female shooter at 1000 yards
Dylan Fields Discussing the wind, from right, Mahendra Persaud, Paul Slowe and Lennox Braithwaite.
By Franklin Wilson at Camp Perry, Ohio, USA compliments of NAMILCO, Ringbang, Fazias Collection, Crown Mining Supply and Queensway After another grueling day at the World Long Range Championships, the standard for fullbore shooting in the world, Guyana’s Mahendra Persaud is leading the West Indies charge going into today’s final day at the Viale Range here at Camp Perry, Ohio, USA. With changing winds on an overcast day; flags changing at will and all the West Indian shooters taking aim at Camp Perry for the first time, the Caribbean shooters are still getting used to the conditions with the more seasoned campaigners
adapting fast and making a good impression. Mahendra Persaud is the highest placed West Indian going into today’s final day. He is placed at 135 of the 404 shooters competing in this individual World Long Range Championship which will crown the best in the world later today. The next placed WI shooter is Ransford Goodluck who is at 243 followed by Caribbean Individual Champion Lennox Braithwaite at 305. Leading overall is Australia’s Ben Emms with a total of 450-55 after six ranges of competition. The first day, Saturday, saw competition only at the 800 yards range while on a shortened second day, S u n d a y, t h e s h o o t e r s competed at 800 and 900
before rain intervened during the 1000 yards brining a premature end to the action. This range was eventually abandoned by the organisers. Yesterday, action was had at three ranges, 900 and two at 1000. No West Indian shooter was able to achieve a possible and while shooting a possible was rampant on the first two days, it was reduced yesterday which underscores the toughness of range. The top five overall are; Ben Emms of Australia 45055, Trudie Fay, a female of the USA 449-52, Tom Whitaker of the USA 44859, Bob Steketee also of the USA 447-59 and David Calvert of Great Britain 44756. The last three are veterans. Today will see all the shooters taking aim at the 900 and 1000 yards before
Name Mahendra Persaud Ransford Goodluck Lennox Braithwaite Leo Romalho Norris Gomez Anderson Perry Marlon King Jason Wood Sherwin Felicen John Fraser Ryan Sampson Dylan Fields Peter Persaud Christopher Joseph Laurne Benjamin Thomas Greenaway Sigmund Douglas Ezekiel Joseph Rev. Olson Daniels Michael Perez
900 74-5 74-5 74-6 73-7 65-5 70-8 71-7 71-9 70-5 71-6 70-4 69-5 70-4 64-4 66-3 65-1 66-1 60-0 61-2 ****
the top ten (10) go into a Shoot off at 100 yards. Tomorrow will be a practice day for team competing in the prestigious
1000 70-1 72-3 74-6 67-2 69-6 67-3 71-5 70-4 66-2 64-5 70-4 65-4 56-6 67-2 63-1 53-3 55-1 55-3 59-2 61-4
1000 Agg. after 6 ranges Placing Overall 71-5 439-37 135 65-2 432-33 243 60-3 424-31 305 62-3 423-35 308 65-3 421-39 321 67-4 421-37 322 64-3 421-26 326 63-0 420-27 328 60-2 409-23 357 55-0 406-24 361 64-2 405-16 365 52-1 403-25 369 64-2 393-26 375 45-0 378-17 381 52-3 376-16 382 55-1 373-16 383 56-2 368-9 387 53-1 367-16 388 47-2 365-12 389 61-2 329-14 396
Palma Match (Team) which will be contested on Thursday and Friday and will bring the curtains down on two grueling weeks of
fierce shooting. Following is the latest scores in relation to overall placement going into today’s final day.
Phelps goes 3 for 3 at nationals with another strong swim SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Having established himself as the shadow world champion in three events, Michael Phelps pondered the last time he felt this good. He quickly pointed to the year leading up to the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where he broke one of the greatest records in sports. It looks as if he’s headed for another massive medal haul in Rio. Phelps made it 3 for 3 at the U.S. national championships Sunday night, winning the 200-meter individual medley with yet another time that would have been good enough for a world title if he had been allowed to compete at the biggest meet outside the Olympics. On the heels of brilliant performances in the 100 and 200 butterfly, Phelps set himself up as the favorite in all three races looking toward Rio.
‘’I’m very happy where I am right now,’’ he said. ‘’This is a great foundation. This is a place we really haven’t been in a long time leading up to an Olympics. I definitely wasn’t like this leading up to 2012. It’s probably been since 2007 that it’s been like this. I can sit here and argue with you that 2007 is probably the best year of my career. It’s probably the last time I had three events like this back to back to back.’’ Phelps was under world-record pace through the first three laps of the medley - fly, backstroke, breaststroke - but he struggled a bit on the freestyle leg to touch in 1 minute, 54.75 seconds - 0.75 off the mark set in 2011 by American rival Ryan Lochte. Still, it was more than second faster than Lochte’s winning time of 1:55.81 at the world championships, (Continued on page 36)
Michael Phelps. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday August 11, 2015
NEDD DOING A FANTASTIC JOB IN DEVELOPING YOUNG TALENT Gavin Nedd Academy launched yesterday
Gavin Nedd (2nd right) and Travis Dowlin (3rd right) with the participants yesterday at DCC. By Sean Devers Former National offspinner, 43-year-old Gavin Nedd took 29 wickets from 14 First-Class matches between 1994-1999, but his involvement with cricket has not stopped and yesterday the national under-17 Coach launched the ‘Gavin Nedd cricket Academy’ at the Demerara Cricket Club in
Queenstown, Georgetown. The two-week Academy caters for over 60 children from 4 to 17 years and former West Indies batsman 38-year-old Travis Dowlin who played six Tests, 11 ODIs and 85 First-Class matches, is assisting the hard working Nedd in running the Academy. Nedd’s 14-year-old son, Ashmead, a national under-
14 & 17 left-arm spinner is also working with the younger participants. The Academy runs from 09:00hrs to 13:00hrs each weekday and yesterday’s session dealt with agility sessions, the three basics of batting (the grip, stance & back lift) and ended with match scenarios. Nedd, who is credited with developing most of the
Demerara and National U15, U-17 & U-19 players of today from their formative years in the game, expressed satisfaction with how things went on day one. “I am very pleased with the first day and it gives me great joy to see five and six year olds falling in love with cricket by being given the opportunity to be exposed to the game at that early age.
And that’s one of the reasons that I remain involved with cricket despite the stress and fight-down involved in cricket in Guyana,” Nedd said. “From this Academy we are going to select an Academy U-13 team to play against a Tobago Cricket Association U-13 side which will tour Guyana later this month,” Nedd informed. Nedd, one of the better
BCB nets close to $800,000 from ‘Caricom C/ship 2015’ fundraiser
T
he Berbice Cricket Board has announced that it has raised close to $800,000 from the recently held Fund Raiser, Caricom Championship 2015. These funds will be used mainly to organise a three day first division cricket competition for teams in Berbice. A release from the board explained that because of the high cost, it is finding it difficult to attract a single sponsor for this important tournament, resulting in this initiative. The release added that three day cricket is critical in the development process of players and the game in general. In addition to proceeds from this event, the BCB wrote the Ministry of Sports for help and is confident that help will be there after the budget. Calls were also made for other businesses, private individuals and former
The winning combined Tucber Park/Police team pose for the cameras with the long serving cricket administrator Carl Moore on the extreme left. cricketers/administrators to come on board and help with the return of three day first division cricket in the county. Contact can be made as follows: telephone numbers 333-2375, 655-4140 and 623-6875. Emails can also be sent to abeharry1970@ y a h o o . c o m a n d
ros_haniff2001@yahoo.com. T h e C a r i c o m Championship was won by the fast emerging Tucber/ Bermine/Police team who beat Rose Hall Town Gizmos and Gadgets in the final under lights winning the top prize of $80,000 and trophy. The runner up received $40,000 and a
trophy. The losing finalists collected $15,000 each. Man of the match in every game was rewarded. The BCB would like to thank the following sponsors who made the event possible: ANSA MCAL under the Carib Brand, Sentinel Security, East Coast Cricket Board/Georgetown
Cricket Association, Anand Persaud of NTN Television, Tain, Republic Bank Berbice Branches, Nand Persaud and Company Karibee Rice, NPG Packaging, P&P Insurance Brokers and Consultants Limited, ENetworks, Massy Industries, Massy Distribution, Hand in (Continued on page 36)
off-spinners to play during the last quarter century, plans to soon hold a ‘spin clinic’ with the help of a few of the good past off-spin bowlers that are still around now. “I have notice that most of the present young spinners tend to bowl too fast and there is a definite problem with the biomechanics of the offspinners resulting in them delivering the ball with a bent elbow,” Nedd added. It is understood that the actions of off-spinners Richie Looknauth and Sagar Hatheramani were looked at by officials during last month’s regional under-17 tournament in Tobago. Nedd said that at the under-17 level most of the players had to write CXC exams around the same time that the tournament was held so their focus just before the regional tournament was not entirely on cricket. The Guyana U-19 player, who made his youth team debut in 1992, felt that the adverse weather in Guyana robbed the team of turf practice and contributed to Guyana not being able to win the tournament. “Another thing I have noticed with the U-17 team is that we get better as the tournament progress and that happened again this year as we won our last three matches after losing the first two. Had we started with wins, our confidence would have been higher and I think we would have done much better,” Nedd noted when responding the question on why he though Guyana failed to win the U-17 tournament.
Tuesday August 11, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 43
GDF retains dominance as Andrew ‘Sixhead’ Lewis Novices Boxing Championship ends Colin Lewis, Eon Rodrigues, Quancy Wright lauded for exceptional performances By Michael Benjamin After two nights of fistic action, boxers of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) distinguished themselves and by extension, their organization, by amassing the most points and being adjudged the champion gym when the curtains came down on the Andrew ‘Sixhead’ Lewis Novices Boxing Championships, under the auspices of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) which concluded last Sunday evening at the M&CC Municipality Centre, California Square East Ruimveldt. The Republican Boxing Gym finished in the second place, while the Guyana Police Force closed off the podium spots. GDF pugilist, Colin Lewis punched his way to a points victory over his teammate, Milton Isaacs to take the Jnr/welterweight title. His performance also impressed the selection panel who eventually voted in his favour for the best Boxer award while policeman, Eon Rodrigues was adjudged the runner up best boxer. Essequibo Gym 60-64lbs representative, Quancy Wright defeated his gym mate, Deron Williams and the victory earned him championship status plus the best boxer award in the junior category. Wright also won a pair of boxing gloves donated by former amateur boxer, Alford McDonald. Had there been a prize for the most courageous boxer, New Opportunity Corp representative, Kellon Isaacs who fought Akeel Mounter (EBG) in the 69kgs category would have surely walked away with it. Obviously a total greenhorn, Isaacs was punished in the early stages of the bout by a more experienced Mounter. Try as
Olymphansonino Sutton Kellon Isaacs he might he could not evade several ramrod shots that had him drifting all over the ring. To his credit he displayed staunch determination and refused to quit. Mounter upped the ante at the start of the second round and it appeared as though Isaacs would have caved in from the onslaught when suddenly he awoke from the lethargy that had bogged him for most of the fight. The NOC representative lashed out with several unorthodox punches and connected to Mounter’s head. The latter boxer backed off for the first time in the bout but Isaacs pursued him and turned up the heat. Mounter seemed beaten and fatigued and opted to back away. The third round was a gem as Isaacs, though tired, turned in a herculean effort and delivered several punches that drifted Mounter into one of the neutral corners and forced the referee to institute the mandatory 8 count. He then assessed the situation and decided that Mounter was in no condition
to continue and at 55secs into the final round awarded the bout to Isaacs. Another fight worthy of mention occurred between Policeman, Olymphansonino Sutton and Omar Sukdeo of t h e F o r g o t t e n Yo u t h Foundation (FYF). Sukdeo, a tall rangy fighter, used his jabs to good effect in the early stages of the bout but Sutton swarmed him and dominated on the inside. Sukdeo remained composed and near the end of the round delivered a wicked three punch combination to his opponent’s body that shook him up and caused him to recoil. Sutton rushed out at the start of the third stanza but Sukdeo lashed out with several stiff punches that kept him at bay. Sutton kept up the pressure and was rewarded when one of his combinations found its mark and staggered Sookdeo enough for the referee to institute the mandatory 8 count. Sookdeo reentered the fray but was met by an aggressive Sutton and an especially wicked right hand punch forced the referee to once again count Sookdeo. Those counts proved
costly and the Forgotten Youth Foundation boxer dropped the split decision verdict. Sutton returned in the last fight of the night to oppose his gym mate, Eon
Rodrigues. It was the second fight of the night for both boxers and the latter fighter had earlier earned a unanimous verdict over another policeman, Jaffar Gibbson. It seemed as though Sutton was fatigued from his earlier grueling encounter with Sookdeo and just could not find the energy to replicate his previous feat. The referee constantly urged him to step up the action and finally decided to disqualify him after he was unable to muster the required energy to do so. Multiple professional champion, Leon ‘Hurry Up’ Moore, has two of his sons following in his footsteps and both registered emphatic victories over their respective opponents. Leon (jnr) (HEBG) needed just 1:14secs of the first round to dispose of Akeem Millings of the Pocket Rocket Boxing
Gym (PRBG), while his sibling, Isaiah, registered 1:41secs in his demolition of Omar Pollard, also of the PRBG. Leon wasted little time after the bell sounded and several head and body shots caused the referee to count his opponent. Another flurry upon the resumption saw the referee wisely waving the bout off to save M illin g s f r o m f u r th er punishment. Isaiah also started aggressively and subjected Pollard to two mandatory counts after he had received wicked combinations to his head, the referee stepped in and waved the proceedings off. In all, there were 22 fights listed for the night but they were marred by several no shows resulting in several boxers winning by walk over, among them were Keevin Allicock (FYF) over (Continued on page 37)
t r o Sp
World Long Range Championships...
Persuad leads WI charge going into today’s final day at 135th of 404 shooters
Colts President, Michael Singh (right) pose with the victorious Division I team Sunday night at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
Mahendra Persaud (seated right) is all concentration as he awaits his turn to shoot at 1000 yards, yesterday.
Colts win GABA Open and U-23 titles
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