Friday August 14, 2015
Kaieteur News
Shortages push some Venezuelans to queue overnight for food
People wait in a line to buy staple items outside a supermarket in Maracaibo. REUTERS/Isaac Urrutia MARACAIBO (Reuters) - As dawn breaks over the scorching Venezuelan city of Maracaibo, smugglers, young mothers and a handful of kids stir outside a supermarket where they spent the night, hoping to be first in line for scarce rice, milk or whatever may be available. Some of the people in line are half-asleep on flattened cardboard boxes, others are drinking coffee. Almost all are bemoaning their situation. With shortages of basic goods and looting on the rise, more Venezuelans say they are resorting to nighttime waits in front of closed stores. “I can’t get milk for my child. What are we going to do?” said Leida Silva, 54, breaking into tears outside the Latino supermarket in northern Maracaibo where she arrived at 3 a.m. on a recent day. The food shortages in Venezuela, a major oil
producer, stem from currency controls that restrict the availability of U.S. dollars for imports. Lower oil prices, a recession and rampant inflation have further darkened the economic outlook. The Information Ministry did not respond to requests for comment. There have been scores of looting attempts this year, fueling fears of worsening scarcity. Several states banned nighttime queues earlier this year, at times citing problems with crime. “I’m scared, of course, but it’s the only way we can eat,” said Ofenia Gonzalez, 46, spending the night outside a supermarket in the hopes of finding food for her nine children. Soldiers with riot shields, tear gas canisters and rifles patrol lines in Maracaibo, a major city in the northwest. Scarcity is particularly
acute here because smugglers - taking advantage of the leftist government’s policy of fixing prices on some goods buy products to sell for profit in nearby Colombia. “We have to maintain control otherwise there would be chaos,” said Lieutenant Carlos Barrera, 21, pushing back crowds at one supermarket. Smugglers known as “bachaqueros,” after a large leaf-cutter ant, are ubiquitous in nighttime queues. Working in groups, they swarm stores when goods arrive. Some of those waiting in line in Maracaibo readily identified themselves to Reuters as smugglers. President Nicolas Maduro, saying smugglers are depriving the poor, has vowed another crackdown. “What’s a bachaquero?” he said during a speech on Tuesday. “It’s a human being turned savage.”
KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) – More than 40,000 Jamaicans are to receive titles under the National Land Titling Programme, which was officially launched Wednesday. The programme which is being led by the Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing, involves collaboration among a number of agencies to improve the efficiency in the delivery of titles. Among these are Housing Agency of Jamaica (HAJ), National Housing Trust (NHT), Administrator General’s Department, and the Land Administration and Management Programme
(LAMP). A coordinator for the programme has also been appointed. During the launching ceremony, held at the Christ the Redeemer Church in Seaview Gardens, some 63 persons from the communities of Seaward Pen, Seaview Gardens, and Tower Hill received their certificates of title. Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, in her address at the function, stressed the Government’s commitment to enabling Jamaicans to own land. “My administration is on a mission to improve the lives of all the people of the country. Land and home owner-
ship must never be restricted by class and where we live. We are placing land ownership in the hands of the people,” she said. According to the Prime Minister, by providing land titles, the Government is “building an ownership society in Jamaica,” and enabling persons to provide security for their families. Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Transport Works and Housing, Dr Morais Guy, encouraged the beneficiaries to safely secure the titles and to use the documents for the betterment of themselves and their families.
More than 40,000 J’cans to receive land titles
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Kaieteur News
Friday August 14, 2015
SVN produces top CSEC performer From page 3 motivated him to pursue 20 subjects for the CSEC exams, he responded “knowledge is not a burden and we have no limits.” He credited his achievement to the persistence and determination he put towards his academic goal. He plans on pursuing studies in medicine but disclosed that he has an interest in getting into a technological field of study. He yesterday thanked his teachers, parents as well as relatives for helping him to be successful. ALIYAH RASHEED (19 ONES) Aliyah Rasheed of the Anna Regina Secondary was certainly not pressured to be successful at this year's examination, despite her sister (Zimeena Rasheed) was among the top performers in 2013. “It wasn't a pressure to me,” said 16-year-old Aliyah yesterday as she insisted that her sister's accomplishment in fact helped to nurture her academic talent. This, according to her, often meant “burning the midnight oil.” And there was much forthcoming support from other family members, teachers and her friends too. “I am satisfied with my results,” said the elated top performer who resides at Queenstown Village, Essequibo Coast. With her success she hopes to pursue studies in order to eventually become a chemical engineer. JOSHANNA HOPKINSON (18 ONES) 'Living life beyond the
point of just existing' at age 16, Queen's College girl Joshanna Hopkinson is elated after attaining 18 grade ones at the CSEC 2015. Yesterday she said “it's surreal to be told that what you've worked to achieve is no longer a goal but a realized victory.” Even as she prepares to bid farewell to her grandmother today she dubbed the news as “bitter sweet” and extended gratitude to her grandmother, who unfortunately passed before the release of these results, but was there to encourage her throughout it all. She intends to continue her education at the CAPE level before heading off to University. ASHLEYANTHONY (17 ONES) “Preparing for CSEC often means a lot of late nights and studying, but it is not impossible, and is definitely worth it.” So says Queen's College student 16-year-old Ashley Anthony, who attained 17 grade one passes. She is currently at the University of the West Indies engaged in a student programme for Innovation in Science and Engineering (SPISE) in Barbados. When contacted about her outstanding performance, she said she was grateful to her parents and the rest of her family as well as her friends for their unwavering support. She said too that “my results have made me euphoric… My friends always kept me motivated…However it was a lot of hard work.” Though she does not have any set plans for the future, she hinted that “it's something science based.”
Of her study regime she dubbed it different mainly because “it wasn't something rigid, it was flexible.”
plans to work towards excelling at CAPE by continuing her studies at Queen's College.
JAGINDRA PERSAUD (16 ONES, 2 TWOS) Jagindra Persaud, a resident of Adventure, Essequibo Coast, was able to secure 16 grade one passes and 2 grade twos. But according to the Anna Regina Secondary school student yesterday, “I expected to do better but I am contended.” He disclosed that while he had some time ago contemplated undertaking A levels he has since decided that he will instead pursue studies in Medicine. He expressed appreciation for the support he gained to achieve success pointing out that “everybody played a part in some way to what I have accomplished.” He particularly recognised his teachers, parents and friends as key supporters.
KADESH DANIELS (14 ONES, 3 TWOS) Sixteen-year-old Kadesh Daniels of Queen's College amassed 14 grade ones and 3 grade two passes and is wasting no time in pursuing higher academic goals. She is one of two Guyanese currently in Barbados at SPISE. She says her study regiment was regular, but somewhat difficult to maintain. Daniels said she found balance through supporters the likes of her family, pastor, friends, tutors and teachers. Looking forward, she told this publication that her adoration of the sciences has influenced her decision to pursue a career in pathology as she says “I find the field extremely fascinating.” As she faced what she dubbed “the academic challenge” she credits her success to God's guidance, her mother, who she said, played a key role through her unwavering faith and encouragement and all others who worked diligently alongside her.
PAIGE CARTER (14 ONES, 5 TWOS) At age 16, Paige Carter has her eyes on becoming a paediatrician. In pursuit of this goal she has thus far been named one of the top performers at the recent CSEC examinations. The Queen's College student attained 14 grade one and five grade two passes. When she got the news about her results at first she said that she was a “tad bit” disappointed but became a “bit happy” with encouragement from friends and family. Carter is grateful to God, her supportive parents and friends as well as her godfather – Mr Ajay Baksh, and her tutor Mr Antalov Jagnandan. She
SHAWN SHEWRAM (14 ONES, 2 TWOS) A student of St Rose's High, Shawn Shewram was initially at a loss for words yesterday when asked to describe how he felt about the 14 grade ones and 2 grade two passes he secured at the 2015 CSEC examination. He became emotional and his eventual response was “Words cannot express how proud I am of myself right now.
This came so unexpectedly to me...” said the 16-yearold who revealed that he was unable to view the televised broadcast of the 2015 CSEC results yesterday morning. He was excited to point out that “all those sleepless nights have undoubtedly paid off.” According to the Kitty, Georgetown, resident too “my accomplishment would be nothing if it weren't for God Almighty, my determined teachers at St Rose's High and my friends and family who believed in me even when I didn't believe in myself.” He plans to continue A level studies at St Rose's. MICHAEL JAGNANAN (14 ONES, 1 TWO) “Happy,” was the single adjective vocalised by 16year-old Michael Jagnanan when asked about how he felt of his 2015 CSEC performance. The young man of few words disclosed to this publication that he has already decided to remain at Queen's College to complete sixth form before heading to the University of Guyana to do the law programme there. The Atlantic Gardens resident expressed gratitude to his parents who financed his schooling and extra lessons and he is also grateful to “everyone else who pushed me to do well,” including his teachers who helped him, especially with his School Based Assessments. His preparation for the examination was at times stressful but he knew that success was achievable. MOHANIE SUDAMA (14 ONES, 1 TWO)
Mohanie Sudama, of SVN Secondary School said that she felt excited and happy with her performance at the 2015 CSEC. She has secured 14 grade one passes and one grade two and pointed out yesterday that she did not expect to do that well. The Vreeden-Hoop, West Coast Demerara resident said that with her laudable grades she may remain at the SVN School to complete sixth form or possibly head to The Bishops' High School. While she hasn't quite decided on her career path, she disclosed that she is currently considering law. Her success which was announced by the Ministry of Education yesterday could not have been possible without support from her teachers, family members and friends. She disclosed too that being able to do mock exams was also very instrumental in her achievement. SHANNON WOODROFFE (14 ONES) Even as her sister, Sasha Woodroffe, enjoys the spotlight as an outstanding performer at 2015 CAPE, 16-yearold Shannon Woodroffe, a QC student too, is basking in similar glory. She acquired 14 grade one passes at the 2015 CSEC examination, a feat she learnt of yesterday along with the rest of the country during a televised press conference. She is thankful to God for helping her to do well, as well as her parents, sister and teachers too. Her sister, according to her, was especially helpful. Come September, the Bel Air Park resident intends to commence sixth form at QC.
One prison escapee captured as hunt continues On the second day of an intense manhunt for two prison escapees, lawmen have captured one of them, 23-year-old Ravindra Samaroo. Yesterday, authorities in Berbice picked up the trail of the men and closed in on Samaroo just two miles from the prison in New Amsterdam, from which they escaped on Wednesday evening. Samaroo, of Timmers Dam, Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam is back in custody, but 26-year-old Lennox Patterson of 369 Sisters Village, East Bank Berbice, is still on the run. Patterson was spotted around the said area and was still being pursued up to press time. The two prisoners were occupying adjoining cells at the Penitentiary Walk facility. Reports are that on Wednesday the men acted in concert, knocking out a single 7-ft. board from the prison’s wooden walls.
Still on the run: Lennox Patterson Leaving four companions behind, they reportedly squeezed their way through the hole in the wall, and climbed down bed sheets they had lowered. The men managed to scale the facility’s high zinc fence, which has barbed wire on top.
Captured: Ravindra Samaroo
Officials surmised that they made their way across a poorly illuminated farm located behind the prison. By 20:20hrs on Wednesday, the two men were ‘free.’ Police and prison officials were on high alert after the jail break. They had cordoned off
all exit points in the county, and were closely monitoring the town and surrounding areas. Speaking to Kaieteur News last evening, Head of ‘B’ Division (ag), Commander Watts said while it was Continued on page 9
Friday August 14, 2015
Kaieteur News
AN AMBITIOUS BUDGET The government has read a very ambitious Budget. It is not a complicated Budget and therefore it should not confuse many. It is a typical Budget, not unlike the many that we have had from the PPP. There will be some disappointment, especially over salary increases. After all, APNU and the AFC did promise that when they got in power they would pay public servants better. They did promise initially a 20% increase. Then this was adjusted to 11% and then to a moderate increase which everyone presumed was back to the 20%. In the end, all that was paid was a 5% increase. The pro-government press, including those within the private media, has attempted to put its own spin on things by giving the percentage increase for those earning below what is deemed the basic public service minimum wage. Well, not many persons are earning below the $50,000. In fact, it is felt that most persons at the lower end of the scale are earning on average around $50,000. Hopefully during the debates we will know exactly just how many persons are earning below $50,000 per month. A spin has also been put on the reduction of the Berbice Bridge toll. The reduction will allow the commuter to purchase a bag of plantain chips and a packet of chicken foot. It is a minuscule reduction; not
what most persons who supported the Alliance for Change had in mind. When the call was made for a reduction in the bridge toll, the people of Berbice were thinking perhaps about a figure of $500 to cross the Bridge, not $1900. This will be a disappointment and there will be misgivings about the way this issue has been handled. If also, the reduction has to be subsidized by taxpayers, this will add injury to insult. The AFC had at one stage not ruled out privatization of the Bridge to ensure that tolls are reduced. They do not seem to be pushing that line any longer. It will of course be a radical step and it is good that the coalition has not been thinking along those lines. There are also serious concerns about some of the projections that have been made in relation to growth. Many of the targets are not going to be met. Gold is not going to do well, even with the concessions that have been given. It will take at least another year for persons to mobilize resources. The removal of the tax on fuel will help some miners, but not all, since fuel has to be transported, and there is no indication that transportation costs are going to be slashed. The gold industry is therefore not going to be able to meet its target, even though the miners may have achieved their objective in wresting concessions from the
government. Rice will increase in production. The rice is already in the fields. But come November will there be a market? The Venezuelans have always insisted on a one-year agreement. They have never indicated that they will extend, but they always do. Guyana has to reduce the political belligerence with Venezuela, because even a new agreement needs to be signed for the sale of rice and Venezuela is not going to be willing to sign if Guyana is not careful with its verbal exchanges with Caracas. Sugar will not likely grow at all. The industry can hardly be returned to profitability. Any industry which suffers a price cut of close to 35% is going to go under and it is time that those who are propping up sugar realize that they should make plans to privatize the industry. The Budget is a decent start. The new government should be given a chance to show that it can spend the sums that it says it will spend, and for the purposes for which it has been allocated.
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Britain says to protest to Ecuador over Assange asylum LONDON (Reuters) Britain said yesterday it would make a formal protest to Ecuador over its decision to provide asylum to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange in its London embassy and so prevent his extradition to Sweden over alleged sex crimes. “Ecuador must recognize that its decision to harbor Mr Assange more than three years ago has prevented the proper course of justice,” British Foreign Office minister Hugo Swire said in a statement. The comments came after
Swedish prosecutors dropped inquiries into three allegations of sexual molestation and unlawful coercion against the 44year-old Australian as they had run out of time to bring charges. However, they said they would push on with an investigation into an allegation of rape made in 2010 against him. Assange, who denies any wrongdoing, has been holed up in Ecuador’s London embassy since June 2012 to avoid being extradited to Sweden.
He fears he would then be extradited to the United States where he could be tried for one of the largest information leaks in U.S. history after publishing thousands of secret U.S. diplomatic cables five years ago which infuriated Washington. Assange breached his bail conditions to go to the embassy and British police have guarded the building in the upmarket central London neighborhood of Knightsbridge day and night ever since, at an estimated cost of more than 10 million pounds ($15.6 million).
From page 7 unfortunate that the two escaped, the situation could have been much worse. “We are very much concerned when armed robbers are back on the streets. The community can never be safe that way,” Watts said. The Commander said the public’s assistance is needed. “We are not looking to cast blame, but if the prison was more vigilant, this would not have happened,” he remarked. Meanwhile, a prison official seemed
unimpressed with the old facility as a place to hold dangerous inmates. “If you visit the prison, the escape wouldn’t be so surprising,” the official remarked. The New Amsterdam Prison, it was explained, was erected since 1927 and is in contravention of traditional building standards for such facilities. “The walls in such prisons should be double walls. They say greenheart, the material used for the prison lasts for 100 years, but this prison has been here since 1927. It’s
antique,” the official remarked. The prison walls have since been repaired and the prisoners who were in those cells have been relocated, the official divulged. The escapees are ‘regulars’, and have been in and out of prison, he said. The authorities are asking anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of Lennox Patterson to contact the police on telephone numbers 225-8196, 225-6411, 333-2191, 333-2151, 911 or the nearest police station.
One prison escapee captured as...
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Kaieteur News
Friday August 14, 2015
== THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN ==
I should have sued Khurshid Sattaur for 50 billion dollars My editor, Adam Harris said if you disagree that a person should hold the office he/she has then to avoid libel, put the following words in front; “It is my opinion.” I know the law is an ass so I am not going to argue with Adam but if I am the author of the column, then it is overtly clear that it has to be my opinion. Anyway, it is my opinion that Khurshid Sattaur should never have succeeded that giant of a public servant, Edgar Heyliger, as head of the country’s tax system. The Minister of Finance
opined recently that the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) during the PPP Government was politically compromised. But can’t one go further and say that the GRA was also administratively compromised by the employment of several of Sattaur’s family members? I remember one of the former heads of the Berbice campus of UG had his wife and his brother working there. Then another brother made an application. The UG Council said three family members were too much, muchless four. I think in the case of the GRA it was five. To think that Jagdeo and Ramotar allowed that caricature to happen and could now sit at Freedom House and criticize the
present administration, it makes you sick to the core. Shortly after a column I did on him, I received from Sattaur notice that I would be charged if I did not submit property tax going back seven years. I didn’t have a problem with that. But why me only? Sattaur sent it to me only. Not one of my UG colleagues got a similar notice. Not one of my media colleagues got a similar notice. I asked several of my white-collar friends in the public service if they received a similar assessment document and none had. Sattaur targeted me. Interestingly, when the matter became public, Fazal Khan, deceased husband of Gail Teixeira, told me that he knew one of Guyana’s most prominent business families
did not submit property taxes Many lawyers told me I had a case against him based on Guyana’s antidiscrimination laws. I should have sued Sattaur for 50 billion dollars, because he would have had to answer to the court why on that date he did not send out his notice to thousands of people with similar, modest income like mine. Sattaur wasn’t finished with me. Year after year, he wrote to Kaieteur News demanding to know how much the paper paid me. I did a column lamenting the fact that Nigel Hughes was the only top lawyer taken to court by Sattaur for taxes. That was Sunday. The next morning, Sattaur sent me his own assessment of how much I owed GRA based on his estimate of my earning at Kaieteur News. The connection between the column and Sattaur’s communication was obvious. Let me repeat so readers can digest the absurdity of false statistics. Sattaur came up with his own figure of how
much I was paid by the Kaieteur News. Based on Sattaur’s arbitrary figure of my earnings, I had a debt to GRA which, if I have to pay, I would have to sell my house, my car and perhaps the books the PPP said I stole from all the libraries I visited. This means of course that Bharrat Jagdeo cannot get a cent from me if he wins the libel and that is if the libel case will ever conclude. It is in its fifth year now. I was in the car of Gerhard Ramsaroop when someone very prominent and who was in a position to know, told us how much taxes one of the extraordinarily wealthy Guyanese paid for 2013. Sattaur can’t be blamed for that. He probably didn’t know. Sattaur can’t be blamed for the family that Fazal Khan mentioned. He probably didn’t know. Do you think he knew? GRA is undergoing a forensic audit, the outcome of which this entire nation and all Guyanese outside of the country cannot wait to read about. I think more than
Frederick Kissoon anything, including the inquiry into the crime spree of 2002-2005 when Roger Khan ran crazily over Guyana, people will want to hear about who benefited from what Minister Jordan said was a politically compromised GRA under Khurshid Sattaur. Looking back at my life under the hegemony of the PPP, I deeply regret I did not sue Khurshid Sattaur for discrimination and I didn’t file a complaint with the international body of chartered accountants. I end with a promise to President Granger, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Finance Minister Winston Jordan. If Sattaur is reappointed as Commissioner-General, I will hold a one-man protest outside their respective offices.
Dem boys seh...
Jagdeo want a one-way ticket to de Himalayas When de elections come up, nuff people seh that dem was voting fuh change. But it look like if dem had an exchange instead of change. Kwame use to sit down at press conference and decide that only government people can ask question. Dem boys believe that it woulda change. Markie tek over from Kwame and he deciding that only de government people can ask nuff question. Dem boys can’t understand that. Dem hope that he don’t get like Kwame. He better change now. He wouldn’t like wha use to bore Kwame. And besides, he boss is not Jagdeo who sick. De truth is that Jagdeo really sick. From de time he start to foam at he mouth corner dem boys realize that he sick. Dem thought that he had rabies, but de doctors seh that he sick in he mind. This same Jagdeo as a younger man had nuff promise, but something happen. Dem boys believe that he eat something. Beckles sick and he out of de country
and Bhairo very sick suh none of dem can help Jagdeo. He got to get help overseas. Soulja Bai got to prepare to spend some money on a medevac out of Guyana. De plane can carry him to de top of de Himalayas. De thin air might help he mind suh Soulja Bai will have to mek sure that Jagdeo spend a lot of time there. If it mean a one-way medevac ticket then people gun understand is fuh Jagdeo own good. Donald gun be happy, because he always seh that Jagdeo sick, but he didn’t know what to do. Only a sick man gun seh that he wasn’t responsible fuh Amaila and Skeldon. But dem boys did suspect all along when de man use to run and lef de country when Hoyte was protesting and lef poor Sam to handle de responsibility. Only a sick man woulda tek a diplomat, kick Sam one side ,and then lef de poor girl out of wuk. Talk half and think about pooling to buy de one-way ticket if Soulja Bai refuse.
Friday August 14, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Cousins perish as car levels bus shed in E’bo
Dead: Bhidesh Mohabir
Two teenage cousins lost their lives in the wee hours yesterday after the vehicle they were traveling in crashed, destroying a bus shed on the Sparta Public Road. Rupesh Jadoo, 19, of Reliance, Essequibo Coast, died on the spot while his younger cousin, 13-year-old Bhidesh Mohabir, of Sparta, Essequibo Coast, succumbed while at the Suddie Public Hospital. Both teenag-
ers suffered multiple injuries. The accident reportedly occurred shortly after midnight. Recounting what happened prior to the accident, Ruvina Mohabir, the sister of Bhidesh, an Anna Regina Secondary School student, told Kaieteur News that her brother, who would have celebrated his fourteenth birthday soon, had left home around 17:00hrs (5 p.m.) on Wednesday, in the company of his older cousin
(Jadoo) who had come to pick him up with his silver Toyota Spacio, PSS 8494. Mohabir said the two teens had gone out to ‘lime’ wh e n t h e y m e t t h e i r deaths. She said she didn’t know what exactly went wrong and how her older cousin, Jadoo, whom she says was the driver, smashed into the bus shed and levelled it. Meanwhile, according to the police, it was the unli-
censed Bhidesh Mohabir, who was driving at the time of the accident. Investigations are continuing. The families are awaiting post mortem results before funeral arrangements are finalized. Earlier this year, two cousins formerly of Henrietta Village were killed after they were struck down on the La Belle Alliance Public road by an errant driver.
Dead: Rupesh Jadoo
The mangled Toyota Spacio.
Accused jewellery thieves appear in court Two men accused of thieving millions worth in gold jewellery were yesterday arraigned in a city court. Particulars of the charge alleged that on August 7, at Albouystown Travis Fernandes, 27, of Lot 37 J Duncan Street, and Jamal Jacobs, 24, of Lot 17 J Section ‘K’ Campbellville, stole a quantity of jewellery, property of Christopher Da Silva.
The court heard that they stole two gold chains with pendants valued $1.8M, eight gold rings valued $1.6M, all totaling $3.4 M. Fernandes and Jacobs denied the allegation before Magistrate Ann Mc Lennan and were remanded until August 20. Fernandes’ Attorney, Mark Conway during his bail application, asked for his
client to be released on a reasonable bail. He also pointed out that Fernandes was in custody over 72 hours and his client’s fingerprints were not taken. Further the attorney argued that the items were not found in his client’s possession neither at his home. Meanwhile, Jacobs who was unrepresented, provided
the court with his basic information when requested to do so by the Magistrate. Police Prosecutor, Deniro Jones objected to bail citing the seriousness and gravity of the offence. He also informed the court that eyewitnesses saw both defendants coming out of the house. Jones pointed out that the items were not recovered.
The remnants of the bus shed
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Kaieteur News
Phased approach will be taken to establish Parliamentary Budget Office Considering the fact that a Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) will bring savings, efficiency and value-for-money, Finance Minister Winston Jordan disclosed that a phased approach will be taken to establish such an office for Guyana. He expressed this sentiment during his 2015 Budget presentation on Monday. Jordan told the National Assembly that there has been a movement, mainly in developing countries, to establish a PBO. He said that in Canada, the PBO supports Parliament in exercising its oversight role in the Government’s stewardship of public funds by ensuring budget transparency and promoting informed public dialogue, with an aim to implement sound economic and fiscal policies in Canada. In Australia, the Finance Minister said that the role of the PBO is to inform the Parliament by providing independent and non-partisan analysis of the budget cycle, fiscal policy and the financial implications of proposals. In Guyana’s case, he recalled that Presidential Advisor on Sustainable Development, Dr. Clive Thomas, strongly advocated for the establishment of such an Office. Jordan noted that the Government finds the idea attractive and worthy of pursuing in the medium term. He
expressed that the phased approach to the establishment of such an Office and will start by examining the scope and functioning of the Public Accounts Committee. For nearly 23 years, there has been the longstanding issue of distrust in statistics regarding the performance of the country when it was produced by the previous government. It is believed by several economists and business analysts that a PBO would serve to restore faith in statistics when provided by the new government. In an interview with this newspaper, Dr. Thomas had emphasised that, “a Budget Office is extremely important to the National Assembly. In fact, it was pioneered by the USA, but the office is one that should be tasked with several important responsibilities”. “It will give Parliamentarians an economic office that will allow them to make demands and test the validity of statistics brought by the government. It will also help them to measure various programmes to be brought from government. The office should be another important aspect of the budget debates and the general discussions of the economy.” “But generally, most of our Members of Parliament (MPs) are not well informed on economic matters, whereas the average parliamentarian
abroad tends to be more informed simply because their economy is discussed as though it’s a natural thing. So it is going to be empowering for the MPs, particularly those in the opposition, as they will be able to have this office at their disposal. They can enjoy the benefits of an initiative they neglected for so many years.” Dr. Thomas had noted that under the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) there were some essential questions raised about the integrity of the data, information, calculations and statistics they provided. The economist had said that the aforementioned was often used to inform the three principal tasks of the budget, namely: to review the economy for the period of the previous budget; to indicate the outlays and revenue measures for the budget period and to estimate the impacts on the performance of the economy of the proposed measures and targets. He said that the value of the Budget Office in restoring faith in the national statistics cannot be underestimated. The Presidential Advisor had stressed that it is important, because it guides the nation in ascertaining whether what government proposes to do is too much, too little, or just right. (Kiana Wilburg)
Friday August 14, 2015
CJIA’s Chinese bankers meet with Infrastructure Minister
Minister David Patterson meeting with EX-IM Bank representatives EX-IM Bank of China officials on Wednesday paid a courtesy on David Patterson, Minister of Public Infrastructure at his Wight’s Lane office. Among the topics discussed was the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) expansion project. The bank is lending US $138M towards the US$150M-plus project.
The project was stalled for a few weeks as the new administration met with the China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) to iron out differences over millions being claimed for payments. The Chinese contractor agreed to lower its demands and has reportedly restarted work. The work includes extension of the terminal
building and a longer runway to accommodate bigger planes. According to the Ministry, the Minister expressed a desire to have the works completed by the second quarter of 2017 and commended the contractor, CHEC, for making the necessary compromises to ensure the project is completed.
Hospitals in and around the city have been advised to be on the lookout for a bandit who might be seeking medical attention for a gunshot wound, which he reportedly sustained at the
hands of a licenced firearm holder during a robbery on Main Street yesterday morning. The bandit had robbed a female customer of the Guyana Power and Light Incorporated, and was attempting to make good his escape when the licenced firearm holder opened fire on him. However he and his accomplice managed to ride away from the scene. Kaieteur News understands that at around 11:00 hours, a woman and her husband went to the GPL Main Street office to conduct business. It is believed that she was being watched, for as soon as she emerged from the GPL compound, the bandit pounced on her and snatched a bag containing about $100,000. The woman’s husband,
who happens to be a licenced firearm holder, saw what was taking place, but waited until the bandit turned to getaway before drawing his weapon and discharging several rounds at him. The man told police that although the bandit managed to make it on to a waiting Honda CG motorcycle, which was ridden by an accomplice, he was sure that the fleeing man was hit by one of the rounds fired at him, judging from his actions. A senior police official told this newspaper that after receiving a report, they ensured that all hospitals were alerted to be on the lookout for the suspect, should he try to seek medical attention. Up to late last night, there were no reports of anyone turning up for treatment of a gunshot wound.
Reuters - A secret military court in Pakistan sentenced six men to death after convicting them of involvement in the Taliban massacre of 134 children at an army-run school in Peshawar, the military said yesterday. The sentences are the first known convictions for the December massacre in the northwestern city after parliament in January approved military courts to try accused militants. The government argued civilians were afraid to convict them. The six defendants -
civilians convicted of aiding six gunmen who attacked the army school - confessed before the court, according to a statement from the military’s press wing. “The convicts were given fair trial by following all the legal formalities and offering/ providing them legal aid and defence councils,” the statement said.“Today, the sentences of death have been confirmed by the Chief of Army Staff,” it said, adding that the condemned had the right to a hearing before a court of appeals.
Hospitals on lookout for wounded Main St. bandit
Pakistan military court sentences six to death in school massacre
Friday August 14, 2015
Kaieteur News
Parliamentary status of Ministers…
CJ examines issue of jurisdiction in legal challenge Chief Justice (ag) Ian Chang is expected to hand down a decision on whether the court has jurisdiction/ authority to hear a motion presented by Attorney-atlaw Anil Nandlall, seeking to challenge the Parliamentary status of two Government Ministers. The motion was brought against the government, by PPP member Desmond Morian. In the legal challenge, Morian listed articles 60, 103, 105, 160 and 232 of the Constitution, and Chapter 1:01, as the basis for which he is questioning the appointment of APNU+AFC members Winston Felix and Keith Scott to Parliament as Technocratic Ministers. According to Morian, the names (Scott and Felix) were not extracted from the coalition’s list of candidates and they therefore did not fit the criteria for the positions. As such, he is seeking a declaration by the Court that the two men are not lawful members of the National Assembly and an order that they be prevented from sitting in the Assembly unless their names are extracted from the Coalition’s list. Attorney General (AG) Basil Williams and the Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr. Barton Scotland, are named as respondents in the matter. At the initial hearing, the AG objected to the motion. He argued that although the Court has exclusive rights to deal with the matter, it was incorrectly placed before the Court. It is his position that since this is a matter which
Chief Justice (Ag) Ian Chang touches and concerns the validity and legality of “elected Members of Parliament, it must be done by way of an election petition.” “We are dealing with an issue that the court has no jurisdiction to proceed on, a motion filed by Mr. Nandlall, because Mr. Nandlall is questioning the right of two members to sit in the National Assembly. By questioning the right of two members to sit in the National Assembly, he is therefore questioning the election, and he must (present) this by way of elections petition,” Williams had argued. However, Nandlall contended that the AG has completely misconstrued the issue and the constitution relative to such matters. Nandlall had pointed out that the applicant in the matter, did not seek to question the elections or those elected to sit in the National Assembly, but rather, the selection of the two persons (Felix and Scott) to the Parliament as Technocratic Ministers. When the arguments
continued before the Chief Justice yesterday, both parties reiterated their positions. At the end of the proceeding, Justice Chang informed the Court, that he will consider the positions and rule on the matter of Jurisdiction at a later date. As such, notices will be sent out to the parties involved in the case, as regards the decision. Following the appointment of Scott and Felix as Technocratic (expert or skilled in their field) Members of the National Assembly, the PPP sent out a strongly worded statement noting their objection. The party contended that “Articles 103 (3) and 105 of the Constitution and laws pronouncing on the eligibility of appointment of Technocratic Ministers, do not confer Technocratic status on these persons already sworn in by President David Granger as Ministers.” Pointing out that Felix and Scott are listed on the APNU+AFC National Top Up list of Candidates at numbers 24 and 46 respectively, the party called on the Clerk of the National Assembly not to administer the Oath as Member of Parliament to these persons.” But the Clerk of the National Assembly Sherlock Isaacs had insisted that the appointments were perfectly legal. Isaacs told the media that a closer examination of the said Articles, 103 (3) and 105 of the Constitution would reveal that they do not adequately define a nonelected Member.
Installed four not operating... (From page 6) be beautiful.” He made it clear however that, “We have to find out how much under the licence is required to get it up and running.” “If I ascertain that we don’t have to pay, then I would try to find out what is stopping us from activating it. I have to find out a reason why. And if no plausible reason can be given, I will have it activated immediately, provided that we can do so.” The Finance Minister said that if it requires “a humongous amount of people, then we will have to prioritize our activities”. It is important to note that the Former Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh had said that over 400 persons have been trained to use IFMAS. Jordan noted that he would “love to see it happen”
because with government’s assets “no one can tell you where it is at.” He had said that no one seems to be able to keep a proper asset register, which would also include the gifts received from international bodies. He recalled that the country’s Auditor General, Deodat Sharma, had complained bitterly that the Finance Ministry’s system for recording gifts and assets is very poor. Sharma in a previous interview with Kaieteur News had even said that should the two unused IFMAS modules be operationalised, it would certainly make for an easier and more efficient audit of government books. With this position, the guardian of the national purse has continuously called for the two modules to be activated.
Doug Hadden, Vice President of Sales of the Canadian Company which develops the IFMAS, had said that he is unaware of any case where a government bought the system and did not use all of the modules. He said that while Governments are treated with a sense of privacy, he would advise that all the modules be used. AFC’s Leader, Khemraj Ramjattan had said, “Not to want the implementation of those two most important modules which were paid for and delivered to the Government, exhibits an operation akin to a Pablo Escobar running the Drug Enforcement Agency. Just like what Escobar would have done at the DEA, they have knocked out the intelligence system which could have caught them.”
Page 13
Region to take collective approach against fee increase at the Hugh Wooding Minister of State, Joseph Harmon has announced that Governments from around the region are expected to take a collective approach to address the recent fee increase at the Hugh Wooding law School, in Trinidad. During a post-Cabinet media conference held Wednesday, Harmon explained that the position was adopted by Cabinet since the situation affects a number a Caribbean territories According to the minister, the consensus other Caribbean Countries is that the decision to increase the fees, without notice, is arbitrary and cannot be supported. The Hugh Wooding Law School recently notified students registering for their second year of study, of an increase of 30%. This sees the tuition, now at TT$182,028 (GY$5,824,448), rise from the previous TT$131,400 (GY$4,204,800), payable in lump sum, at the commencement of the academic year. This increase affects students originating from several territories, including Guyana, St. Vincent and the
- Harmon Grenadines, St. Lucia, and Dominica amongst others. According to information posted on the Government Information Agency (GINA) website, Harmon said that a common approach is being sought to Hugh Wooding Law School and the Board of the Council of Legal Education, asking that the increase be put on hold until a careful examination can be done and students entering can be given due notice of it. We are in receipt of a letter from the Prime Minister of Dominica and we are in touch with other countries of the Caribbean.” “When students enter the institution, there is an expectation as to what fees they will be paying and would have budgeted for that,” he added. Each year, twenty–five of the top graduating students from the law faculty of the University of Guyana benefit from automatic entry into the Trinidad law school. Some of these students are currently in their final year. Since the announcement of the fee increase, many
Minister of State, Joseph Harmon students have expressed concerns that this result in the untimely end of their Legal Education Certificate, (LEC) studies. They are unsure whether they would be able to pay the additional amount before the stipulated deadline. Additionally, the students expressed concerns since they are no longer able to pay each year’s tuition in parts. The new rule is that students must present 100 per cent of the tuition fee by the stipulated academic deadline. Failure to do so will result in a defaulting student being barred from commencing and completing the final year of the LEC programme.
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Kaieteur News
Public servants increases…
Lack of consultation with GPSU won’t happen again - Harmon Amidst criticisms that it imposed salary increases for public servants, Government on Wednesday said that the issue will be corrected in coming months. Responding to questions yesterday, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon said that there was little time to prepare the 2015 National Budget. This week, the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) expressed unhappiness over the increases for salaries, saying it will acknowledge it as an interim measure, and not the way the new Government is expected to operate when it comes to treating collective labour agreements. According to Harmon, a Commission of Inquiry is to be appointed this week to examine salaries and working conditions, among other things, for public servants. It will be headed by Professor Harold Lutchman. The minister said that Government is well aware of the linkage between poor pay and the quality of services
GPSU President, Patrick Yarde
Minister of State, Joseph Harmon
being offered. Following Monday’s budget presentation by Finance Minister Winston Jordan, GPSU noted that while the union was impressed with the scope of the presentation, much of the content, articulation and lucidness - all of which had been lacking for many years the process of collective bargaining was not respected. “The union also wishes to state that it is not insensitive to the wide range of
considerations that were addressed and the obvious difficult situation the Government encountered coming into office. (We are) also noting the variety of challenges they face and the serious widespread irregularities and corruption that have been unraveled within a very short period. While this is commendable, some of these occurrences ought to have been detected in Parliament by the relevant (Continued on page 28)
Friday August 14, 2015
GPL boss axed The head of the Stateowned power company has been asked to leave as a major shakeup of that entity continues. Yesterday afternoon, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Bharrat Dindyal, was handed a letter telling him that he could leave from today. His contract had reportedly expired. Dindyal, a trained electrical engineer who has been with the Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) for almost 26 years, had signaled his intentions since January to former Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds, that he wanted to leave at the end of June. However, the new Government did not take a decision with no one named to take over the helm of the power company. The situation changed after an incident last week in which Dindyal’s deputy, Colin Welch, who heads up Operations, clashed with him at the GPL’s Loss Reduction Office on Sheriff Street. Welch had reportedly gone there with police to send home two senior managers, amidst an investigation of possible wrongdoing. Staffers called the CEO who arrived and clashed with Welch. Dindyal insisted that Welch was unauthorized to send home staffers. Rather this fell on the Human Resources Department or the CEO. Dindyal told the staffers to stay put. An embarrassing video of the clash between the two was recorded and uploaded in the social media, in which cursing was heard. Welch was accused of being a fraud. Stunned staffers watched as the scene unfolded last Friday. Dindyal was heard telling Welch during the confrontation to have the
- Govt. contemplates foreign management (expletive) Minister call him. The Minister in question is said to be David Patterson, the Minister of Public Infrastructure, who is charged with responsibility of the electricity sector. The video was reportedly reviewed by Government officials yesterday. Dindyal in a telephone conversation late yesterday confirmed that he was given a letter telling him that he could leave today. SEVERE PRESSURE GPL itself has been under severe pressure not only with the blackouts but with its role in the Amaila Falls Hydro Electric Project. Under the direction of the previous administration, the company was set to buy power from the hydro project, paying more than US$100M annually over a 20-year period. However, an assessment by the new Government found that GPL had little or no capacity to handle hydro power. Loss of power from theft and technical issues have been about one-third of what is generated - not an insignificant amount by any means. GPL had been struggling to reduce the losses, with the new Government this week saying that large companies caught stealing were given a slap on the wrist while the small consumers were penalized. Recently, Ash Deonarine, Deputy CEO in charge of Administration, was sent on leave after auditors reportedly found evidence that he paid himself $27M in backpay. A director, Carvil Duncan, was reportedly paid $1M.
Former CEO, Bharat Dindyal Both claimed that the payments were authorized. The business community has been urging Government to find solutions for cheaper energy. Government this week said that it is seriously considering a major proposal with Brazil to build a massive hydro electric facility in the Mazaruni, Region Seven, rather than plunging billions into one venture - the Amaila Falls project. Meanwhile, a senior Government official yesterday said that the administration is contemplating a raft of reforms in GPL. The reforms include foreign experts, both technical and administrative, to make GPL more competitive and reduce the losses. The new Government has refused to grant the power company any subsidy this year, saying that it is not convinced the cash injection is helping. The official said that it is likely Welch may run GPL until a more permanent solution is reached.
Friday August 14, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 27
GRA says ready to work Govt. meets Chinese Embassy on OLPF, E-Governance projects with Govt. in new direction
Minister Harmon and staffers meeting with officials of the Chinese Embassy yesterday. Government has met with the senior officials of the Chinese Embassy over its One Laptop Per Family and E-Governance projects. According to the Ministry of the Presidency, the Government of Guyana is reaffirming its commitment to making Guyana an “education nation” – a task that can only be done through preparing teachers, institutions and communities to carry out their mandates of teaching and forming young minds with the use of technology. Yesterday, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, met with China’s Ambassador to Guyana, Zhang Limin. The Minister and the Ambassador discussed issues relative to the final shipment of laptop computers to be shipped from China, the E-Governance Unit, and the operationalizing of the E-Governance Network.
Some 10,000 laptops are on their way from China, as part of the OLPF project. The project itself ran into problems because of funding and a number of logistical problems. Following a visit to the Queenstown secretariat a few weeks ago, Harmon had expressed dissatisfaction over the situation there. There was significant quantity of laptops that were defective and staffers were not doing anything much. The contracts of a number of workers were ended, with Government saying there was no money. The OLPF project involved the acquisition and distribution of 90,000 laptops to poor families. It was all part of Guyana’s thrust to move the country into the technological age. According to the Ministry of the Presidency, Government has requested technical support from the
Chinese computer company, Huawei, to help test the operating system and train personnel for the operations of the laptops. “Ambassador Limin agreed to provide the necessary support in this regard.” In addition to the OLPF, the running of the EGovernance Unit and the network was also raised with the Ambassador. The E-Governance project is geared to connect state facilities using a network. Over 50 towers have been built across the coastlands, stretching from Moleson Creek to Essequibo. A critical element, a fibre optic internet link from Brazil, has been shelved because of technical problems. More than US$60M has been spent on the fibre-optic cable and E-Governance projects, it has been reported. Harmon was accompanied yesterday by Advisor on EGovernance, Floyd Levi.
Hughes is Convener of Steering Committee on Constitutional Reform Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo yesterday announced that attorney-atlaw, Nigel Hughes, has been appointed Convener of the Steering Committee on Constitutional Reform (SCCR). Hughes has been pushing for constitutional reform. Other members include Professor Harold Lutchman; former Minister, Haslyn Parris and attorneys-at-law, Geeta Chandan-Edmond and Gino Persaud. “I am most pleased that Nigel Hughes has agreed to kick start this stage to come up with modalities and timeframe for the actual reform process,” said Prime Minister Nagamootoo at a simple ceremony at the Office of the Prime Minister. The SCCR will be tasked with the critical work of setting up the framework for
Attorney Nigel Hughes a substantive Constitutional Reform Body which Government says will be broad-based and inclusive of all major stakeholders. Nagamootoo made it c l e a r t h a t t h e S t e ering Committee would not undertake any change to the existing constitution but will mainly define the scope of the
actual reform process and establish the terms of reference and mechanisms for consultation to establish a Constitutional Reform Commission. The Steering Committee was announced in the presence of Vice President and Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan; Attorney General, Basil Williams; Minister of Governance, Raphael Trotman and Minister of Social Cohesion and Government Chief Whip, Amna Ally. The SCCR will have a four-month lifespan, commencing on September 1, 2015. There have been complaints over the Constitution- the laws that govern Guyana, with top of the list being the wideranging power of the Presidency.
Days after Finance Minister, Winston Jordan, vowed widespread reforms at the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), the entity has congratulated him, on his inaugural national budget presentation. GRA yesterday said it looks forward with optimism to the realisation of the Government’s vision for a new and improved tax agency that promises quality service delivery and efficient revenue collection. On Monday, Minister Jordan disclosed that the tax system of the country is broken and needs fixing. As a matter of fact, tax exemptions and concessions granted last year amounted to an astounding $55B (US$275M), about a quarter of the national budget. Jordan made it clear that the situation was totally unacceptable with evidence that the GRA was politically compromised under the previous administration of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C). GRA yesterday said that it noted that the Minister was cognizant that the entity contributed the bulk of revenues intended for the Consolidated Fund. The minister recognized also, that as a result of declining external inflows to Guyana, due in part to debt relief given under the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative,
and the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative (MDRI), the GRA has assumed added importance over the last decade in generating resources to meet Government expenditure programmes. This role will expand, in the medium term, as the Government accelerates its programmes and projects to enable Guyanese to experience the good life. GRA, however, was critical that certain sections of the media took the Minister’s remarks out of context with speculation about retention of the Authority’s top brass, perhaps seeking to besmirch the image of the GRA. “The authority noted that the Minister elaborated on the need to strengthen and enhance the organisational and managerial capacity of the GRA with a focus on reviewing its current operational standards, so that they are in line with international best practices; a move that is welcomed by the management of the GRA.” The authority pointed out that each year, it is entrusted with the task of collecting a large portion of the revenue and save for a few shortfalls, it has been adequately prepared to meet the targets set out. “The record achievements in revenue collection by the GRA over successive years stand testimony.
In anticipation this year, officers of GRA’s Planning and Analysis Department and the Ministry of Finance, were educated on revenue forecasting by the Caribbean Regional Technical Assistance Centre, CARTAC.” Last year, tax revenue collections amounted to $135.9B, representing 93.9 percent of total revenue. Internal revenue increased by $5.1 billion or 9.8 percent. This, Minister Jordan said, was primarily attributed to increase collections from private sector companies and a $2.7 billion increase in personal income tax from the Pay As you Earn (PAYE) category. On the other hand, there was a decrease of $581.6 million from withholding tax collections associated with the contraction in the gold mining sector. Customs and trade tax collections totalled $13.5 billion, an improvement of 2.1 percent. Value Added Tax collections rose by 9 percent, to $37.5 billion, largely on account of better administration that resulted in arrears of $2.7 billion being recouped. Excise tax collections increased by 3.5 percent to $28.2 billion. Since taking up office in May, the Finance Minister has already made an inspection visit to GRA’s headquarters on Camp Street.
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Kaieteur News
Friday August 14, 2015
Municipalities to have democratic renewal through LGE Over the years municipalities all across Guyana had been very poorly serviced due to various reasons. And with this in mind, the Ministry of Communities held a Municipal Leadership Consultation yesterday under the theme “Unveiling a vision for Municipal Development”. Emphasis was placed on exploring avenues that would assist the Municipalities to be democratic and financially capable of funding their own programmes. One such area identified for this to become a reality was the long awaited Local Government Elections (LGE). The LGE according to the Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, “will be held by early December, providing that issues concerning legislation on the Ministry’s behalf are dealt with. Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) have since expressed their readiness, however they will be having their statutory meeting on the 18th August in which they are expected to give their final word.”
Other measures such as institutional strengthening and capacity building; and financial security and funding of councils were also brought to the fore, but LGE was emphasised as the focal point with a view to renewing the independence of Local Governments. Present at the roundtable consultation which was held at the Ministry’s Boardroom were Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan, Minister within the Ministry of Communities Dawn Hastings-Williams, Permanent Secretary Emil McGarrell, Deputy Permanent Secretary Abena Moore, and Member of Parliament Michael Carrington. Mayors of Georgetown and New Amsterdam - Hamilton Green and Claude Henry, respectively and Chairpersons of Linden, Rose Hall, Anna Regina and Corriverton’s Interim Management Committees Orrin Gordon, Winston Hope, Mark McLean and Everett Harewood respectively. According to Minister Bulkan, the financial security and funding of the councils
Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan, Minister within the Ministry of Communities Dawn Hastings-Williams, Permanent Secretary Emil McGarrell, Deputy Permanent Secretary Abena Moore, Member of Parliament Michael Carrington, Mayors of Georgetown and New Amsterdam Hamilton Green and Claude Henry and other officials is the most critical and important stage in determining the success of the councils in achieving goals of their work programmes and providing adequate services to citizens. Bulkan explained that the Fiscal Transfers Act should determine how Municipalities explore measures and mechanisms of increasing revenue. He further noted that, “the councils need to identify priority measures and decide what would constitute the main sources of revenue for the Municipalities.” He also related that collection of rates is an important mechanism for Municipalities to earn revenue. In the recent Budget, 300 million was allocated to the Ministry of Communities for the restoration of Georgetown. During the Municipal Leadership Consultation discussions, Minister Bulkan identified that they will be working along with the Local Democratic Organs. “We are not here to find answers but to begin m e a n i n g f u l
discussions…The philosophy of the central Government going forward is to have respect for the Local Democratic Organs,” the Minister said. Georgetown Mayor Hamilton Green, after welcoming the Minister’s statements, expressed gratitude and great anticipation of the LGE, which he believes will bring about a novel start in the New Year. The Local Democratic Organs have always allocated funds to sustain themselves
independently, with the support of Central Government. The Fiscal Transfer Act nevertheless was believed by many to transfer funds from Central to Local Government. This was clarified at the roundtable that nowhere in the Act provides a formula or percentage that commits the central government to provide for local government organs. It was further stated that central government allocates upon discretion.
The Act establishes each local authority (section 3:1) to approach donor agencies to receive grants and negotiate with central government for share revenue. Economic projects to garner revenue and undertake other measures as agreed by the minister. The Act does not transfer money. With this being proposed the Central and Local Government will be collaborating to help restore Georgetown and other parts to Guyana to its former glory.
Lack of consultation with GPSU... (From page 14) sub-committees.” The union lauded the relief for the old age pensioners, which it said is fully merited and deserving. “We have noted the Ministry of Finance acknowledging the commitment given to set up a committee, to review allowances paid to public officers, with personnel from the Ministry of Finance/ Public Service Ministry/ Guyana Public Service
Union.” While this action is commendable, the union believes that action should expeditiously be taken to bring resolution to the decades-long outstanding grievance. “Notwithstanding these positives, the GPSU takes issue with the inadequacy and insensitivity that the sweeper/cleaner matter was dealt with. This is a matter the union has been pursuing for several years. The previous administration had publicly stated that it would regularize the pay issue for these personnel i.e. recognizing them as full time workers retroactive to July 2013, the date of promulgation of the new minimum wage order. This undertaking was publicly stated by the then Secretary to the Cabinet, Dr. Roger Luncheon, but was not fulfilled.” The workers, GPSU argued, are fulltime workers who are there to keep the sanitary facilities in schools clean, ensuring that the students’ surroundings are healthy, conducive to learning and not left to the r i s k o f a n u n h ealthy environment. GPSU pointed out that in its first meeting with President David Granger on June 12th, 2015, the matter was raised.
“The union is registering its disappointment with what was stated in the budget and reiterated its position that this matter be addressed consistent with its representation. Another sore issue is what appears to be another imposition of wages and salaries, this action is also compounded by the effective date of July 1st, 2015 and not the legitimate date of January 1st, 2015.” GPSU said it is rejecting this approach which is in conflict with the undertaking given by the Government to respect the collective bargaining process and will view this announcement as an interim measure pending negotiations as was promised. “That apart, the GPSU would like to remind the Minister that since 2014 the Public Service has been without salary scales because of the thoughtless impositions of 5% and 8% on wages and salaries as well as the disruption of the relativities of the pay bands. The manner of treating with the $50,000 minimum pay as announced on Monday will compound this already untidy situation and disproportionately apply increases to salaries of public servants adding to their prevailing frustration and displeasure.”
Friday August 14, 2015
Kaieteur News
Eccles fatal hit-and-run…
Manhunt on for driver; mother taken into custody An intense manhunt by ‘A’ Division police ranks was underway yesterday for the driver who reportedly fled from the scene of the crash which claimed the life of a 27year-old woman late Wednesday night. Latoya Thompson of Craig Village, East Bank Demerara (EBD) was the pillion rider of the motorcycle which collided with a white wagon that failed to stop at the traffic light at Eccles, EBD around 23:15 hours, police reported. Her friend, Orwin Whittington, 35, a Bourda Market vendor, and resident of First Street, Alberttown, Georgetown, was the rider. Whittington is now nursing wounds at the Georgetown Public Hospital. The suspect, a 23-yearold Eccles, E.B.D. resident is on the run and as police intensified their efforts to capture him, his mother, the registered owner of the vehicle, was taken into custody on suspicion that she knows the whereabouts of her son. Kaieteur News understands that the woman’s phone records were checked which showed that merely minutes after Wednesday night’s collision, she had quite a lengthy conversation with someone – believed to be her son, as it was reportedly his number. The records also showed that there was constant communication via the two phones since the accident. This has led ranks to believe that the mother knows exactly where the fugitive driver is hiding. When Kaieteur News visited the suspect’s residence yesterday, the windows and doors were shut tight. The house appeared deserted and the business entity on the bottom flat was closed. Neighbours said they had not seen the man yesterday and had only seen the woman briefly. “It’s strange that he not around and that the shop close up. He usually drinks and drives wild though. If you see how he does go through this street,” they commented. As the search continues, Whittington is still hospitalised. His relatives reported that he is in a stable condition though he suffered a broken shoulder. He also has a gash on his face and bruises about his body as testament of Wednesday’s accident. Meanwhile, Thompson’s Facebook Page was flooded with messages from shocked
Dead: Latoya Thompson friends who believe she was “gone too soon.” As they poured their hearts out, some said the 27year-old was a loving, supportive and kind-hearted person who always offered a shoulder in times of need and words of encouragement. “I miss you my friend,” and “Why so soon?” many of her social media friends wrote on her Timeline. Investigations by Kaieteur News uncovered that just last month, two of the newspaper’s staffers riding on a motorbike had a close call after the same suspect crashed into them. The two KN staffers were travelling on the street where he resides, when the man, in a haste to overtake another vehicle on the narrow road, crashed into them, knocking them over. But, like Wednesday, he kept driving. The two staffers reported that the traffic that had built up on the Public Road as a result of the Caribbean
Premier League (CPL) games that day, forced the man to turn around. They said it was then that the driver confronted them, demanding to know what they were “still doing on the road.” During the ordeal, he reportedly pulled a knife on the two but calmed down after a security officer drew his gun. After smelling alcohol on the man’s breath, a security man nearby, seized the keys out of his vehicle and told the driver that a report would be made at the Providence Police Station where he could retrieve his vehicle. The KN staffers left and reported the matter to the station, where the man subsequently joined them, this time in the company of his mother who was furious that her son was taken into custody. The man was released on bail and the staffers have not heard anything in relation to charges, until word reached them yesterday that he was being sought for Wednesday night’s fatal accident. Whittington was riding his motorbike, heading south along the Eccles Public Road when the accident occurred. The driver reportedly drove out from a street on the eastern side and collided with Whittington and his companion, knocking them off the bike. The two were picked up and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where Thompson was pronounced dead on arrival.
Page 29
Father of two granted bail on causing death charge City Magistrate Ann Mc Lennan granted bail in the sum of $500,000 to a father of two on Wednesday, after he was charged with causing death by dangerous driving. Peter Moore is accused of driving motor canter GRP 8102, in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of Harry Daley, on April 31, last, at Craig, East Bank Demerara. He was not required to plead to the charge after it was read to him. Moore, who was
represented by Attorney Clive Forde, will make his next court appearance on August 19, before Magistrate Judy Latchman. Police Prosecutor, Corporal Deniro Jones did not oppose the accused being granted his pre-trial liberty, neither did he reveal any facts about what transpired on the day in question. During a bail application, Moore’s lawyer asked that his client be released on reasonable bail. He informed the court that his client is not
a flight risk and has no antecedents. The attorney pointed out that after the accident his client rendered assistance by transporting Daley to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre. Forde added that his client waited at the hospital until the police arrived. In concluding, the lawyer said that Moore was released on $100,000 station bail. He also assured the court that the accused will make every effort to attend all his court hearings.
Ex-soldier positively identified by four hijacking victims An ex-soldier who was arrested after he crashed a hijacked car during a high speed chase earlier this week, has been positively identified by four victims. Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum confirmed yesterday that the suspect was positively picked out on four of the five identification parades he was placed on. The suspect is expected to be placed on further ID parades, as police continue their probe into a number of hijackings that have taken place within recent times. “We are going all the way back to January,” the Crime Chief said. Kaieteur News understands that police have received permission from the court to detain the suspect for another 72 hours without charge. The man was nabbed on Monday night, after he had
hijacked a car from a West Coast Demerara taxi driver. He was briefly hospitalised under police guard after sustaining injuries when he crashed the stolen car in a bid to elude the police. Another man who was working as his accomplice managed to escape and is still being sought by the police. Kaieteur News understands that at about 20:30 hours on Monday, taxi driver Lawrence Singh was hired by a man at the taxi base at Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara, to go to Mc Doom on the East Bank. Singh never suspected anything, until at Mc Doom, when another man armed with a firearm held him up. The passenger along with the other man took away Singh’s motor vehicle, $10,000 and a cell phone. During the robbery Singh raised an alarm and
neighbouring residents responded and the armed man escaped, while the passenger drove away with the motor car. Assisted by another motorist, Singh gave chase and the police also responded to the report made. The perpetrator managed to make it as far as Sheriff Street with the stolen car, which collided with another motor vehicle.
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Kaieteur News
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Balloon decorating for birthdays, weddings, anniversary etc, make your event extra special! Tel Maya: 642-6664
Live in or live out babysitter/ domestic –Call 219-5354 (Monday- Friday) (8:154:15PM)
REPAIRS AT LOW COST: FRIDGES, AIRCONDITIONERS, WASHING MACHINES, TVS, MICROWAVES, FREEZERS - CALL:6294946 OR 225-4822 REPAIRS & SPARE, FRIDGE, FREEZER, A/C, WASHERS, STOVES CONTACT NICK: 6831312, 627-3206 Permanent & Visitors Visa Applications, Professional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building visadocumentsgy@yahoo.comCall: 225-6496, 662-6045 24HRS Shutter/Door repairsCall Luk’s: 677-4695, 2230998, beat/match quotations for shutters and awnings from others. Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158 Floor sanding & lacquering house plans, estimate & painting –Call: 650-4362 Mahadeo Construction for all construction, carpentry, masonry, pluming, painting etc. Free estimates and plan Contact # 669-7376
Wanted Urgently! One porter for canter truck- Call: 222-3927; 649-9876 Live in maid must know to cook-Call: 679-8765
VEHICLE FOR SALE
FOR RENT
Make Up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, Black Opal and Sacha cosmetics. Call: 647-1773/660-5257
1 Mazda Axela, PTT series, low mileage, e x c e l l e n t condition -owner migrating Tel: 649-0956
Jacqueline Sookram, Cocoa Stix Spa & Salon- Tel:6928633. Specialised in facial, pedicure, manicure & massage. Back to School Promotion10%-45% of all service for children, Monday – Friday (9-3pm) –Tel: 2258701; 622-2643
We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 TacomaCall:680-3154 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 2008 FIELDER -$2.5M, 2008 RACTIS -$2.44M, CARINA 212 -$1.9M, NEVER REGISTERED & FULLY LOADED VEHICLES –TEL: 617-2891
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620
Salon & Spa @ Aracari Resort! Available Now: Hollywood herbal skin whitening cream, scrub & sun block. Phone: 264-3312 or 6003927
2 Mason, 2 Labourer- Call 265-3586 between 7am-4pm
Labourers for wood concession -$5,000 per day – Call: 618-0487 We offer good price for new Herstelling land, we clean it and pay all legal fees-Call: 611-7223; 604-2207 Male Sales representative to work on commission in New Amsterdam, must have drivers license -Call: 609-3650 Office clerk: senior/junior. With CXC Maths/English, Computer Knowledge is an asset. Call: 219-5354 Live in maid/assistant, salesgirl, ECD –Tel: 603-5716; 644-9802 Experienced wash bay attendants living in Georgetown, Attractive Salary- Tel: 646-8748 One Chain Saw operator – Tel: 618-0487 One live in domestic between 25yrs-35yrs- salary 70,000 monthly, live in waitress between 18-25yrs- $60,000 monthly-Tel:610-3974
Building or Renovating? For quality services at affordable cost - Contact: 592-682-9935 or email: creativeconstructionservice 15@gmail.com.
LEARN TO DRIVE Soman, Son & Outar Driving School at Maraj Building- Tel: 644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997
SALON
Laying birds to buy – Contact: 226-0772; 225-9304
Experienced taxi driver and dispatcher @ Princess Hotel Providence-Tel: 616-5419
Friday August 14, 2015
VACANCY 2 Sales Clerk @ People’s Choice Café must be between ages 18 and 25. Call: 679-9449; 223-1645 Male Supervisor to work in housekeeping Dept. Tel: 2250198 or 233 South Road Lacytown. 1 Cashier, Supermarket helper, 1 Accounts Clerk/Inventory clerk, must be computer literate, apply @ Nirva Supermarket –Call: 227-5771 Sales Rep and office Assistant, preferably with experienced and from West Coast Demerara –Call: 2541801 Salesperson to work @ Berbice & Demerara Area, must have a vehicle & police clearance, attractive salary & commission- Call: 231-8344 Canter Driver, Delivery Person and warehouse staff, must have experience and police clearance, attractive salary. Call:231-8344 2 Accounts clerk with Grades 1 & 2 in Maths & English. Apply at Technical Services, Eccles Industrial Site, E.B.D. Experienced legal computer clerk-Phone 624-7087
1 Self Contained, one bedroom apartment to rent in Diamond Housing Scheme, with Cupboard, water, lighting –Call: 6614842 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
One Mitsubishi Canter Fuso Crane Truck, Big Crane, 3 Ton 6 lugs excellent, GTT Series, price $4.5M –Call:622-6746
2 Properties @ Bel-Air Park all convenience , furnished US-1800 & 4 bedrooms unfurnished US2,200, newly renovated –Tel:231-7839 (working hours)
Toyota pit-bull (roof-rack), unregistered, Noah, Voxy – Call: 603-9700
Two bedroom apartment to rent in Sophia -$35,000 –Call: 613-1847
Toyota NZE PLL series, fully loaded mag rims, Deck/DVD/ reverse camera- $1.5M negotiable- Call: 609-1040 Smart Choice Auto: Premio, Allion, Fielder, Carina 212, Bluebird –Call: 652-3820; 6654529 Just arrived from UK brand new TM trucks- Good priceTel: 679-7587, 264-1582 1 Toyota 212 Yellow Cab, Excellent condition –Tel: 2235615 One fully loaded Toyota Fun Cargo PLL 9098, excellent condition with Alarm, CD Player -$1.2M –Call: 641-9923, 627-5382
New spacious 2 bedroom apartments with kitchen, bath, camera, grill, fenced, secured yard, Vreed-en-Hoop – Call: 682-5230; 628-9596 Newly renovated one bedroom apartment in Herstelling –Tel: 265-2171, 690-6353 Self-contained rooms in Prashad Nagar, also wanted 1 live in house keeper -Tel: 659-3865; 629-2424, 227-2993
Unregistered IST fully loaded & PRR series Sienta, excellent condition. Call: 691-7475 In Stock @ First Class Auto: 08 Premio, Allion, Runx, Axio, Bluebird, Sienta, Fielder, Rush –Tel: 609-8188, 638-3045 Tractor Massey Ferguson, from Canada – MF165 $1.7M, MF265-$2.1M, MF135 -$1.1M, Ranger Pick Up Truck -$1.4M –Call: 682-5230; 628-9596
PROPERTY FOR SALE
American pool tables –Call: 277-0578
HEALTH
PROPERTY FOR SALE
Herbal nectar treatment for diabetic, hypertension and other sickness (follow me) sexual enhancers –Tel: 6962957
Property for sale, Grove $20M / Rent: $50,000 per month. Tel: 625-5461. 17-15 Block X Diamond, E.B.D –Phone: 613-3944
One 928F Caterpillar Wheel Loader- Contact # 650-0402/ 260-4988 1 Green CRV PJJ Series @ Wieting & Richter Ltd, Water Street-Tel: 226-6150-7 Spare for washing machine, microwaves, fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, motors, etc Call: 225-9032, 647-2943 Quality pine cupboard doors –Contact: 621-1278 One Complete land Dredge with two Perkins engine for sale - $ 1.5M -Call: 684-6048 or 689-0217 Moving sale – all household items on sale –Call: 656-7133 One welding machine- Call: 687-7725 52ft complete cabin cruiser. In excellent condition- Tel: 592654-2817, 592-622-2958 Lister Pitter AC1 6B-HP, generator 4KW, 110/220 Volts on wheels –Call: 6841068 Large Red snapper fishing boat 66ft, with 85 traps, all licenses working, 3yrs old – Call: 674-3735; 652-8970 Marine Parts, inboard engines, gear box, shaft, propellers, gland, all electronics, etc –Call: 6743735/ 652-8970 One transport property on Duncan Street, laser level, De walt Drill and refrigerator. Call: 600-7864 One Stall @ Stabroek Market, One STHL motor blower, one Tiller, 33.5 Farm land @ Kuru Kuru- Call: 225-7794, 679-1151 Green Heart Lumber: 10X10, 1 1 X 1 1 , 1 2 X 1 2 , 13X13,14X14,15X15,16X16, 17X17 and 18X18- Call: 6393450
Republic Park Phase 1, 4 bedrooms, 48M, negotibale Call:645-2580, 609-6516 House for sale @ Lot 180 Block 8 Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara, Price $25M negotiable –Call: 266-0309; 626-6555 Yarrowkabra Linden Highway 200’X100’ fully fence, house, chicken & pig pen –Call: 676-0931
ACCOMODATION Specials on room! Free breakfast, Wi-Fi luxuriously & comfortably @ Signature Inn, 82 Laluni Street, Georgetown –Tel: 226-2145; 227-5037 FOR SALE/RENT
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754.
One 3 bedrooms 2 storey concrete house @ 8 Street Foulis H/Scheme –Call: 2563360 or 685-8485 EDUCATION Simpli Royal School of Beauty – Pamela Dillon: 6654565; 225-2303. Hair, Skin, Nail Technology, easy payments.
EDUCATION Enroll Now At Xenon Academy! Tank Street Grove, E.B.D: Nursery, Primary & Secondary- Call Sir Bharrat 643-4045; 266-2551 Makeup Classes @ La Vie Est Belle. Come register and be apart, its life changing! Call:682-9699; 218-2092 Spanish Classes!!! Learn Spanish in 3 Months: Introductory, Intermediate, Advance, children creativeSaturday –Tel: 673-8605. Register Now!!! Continued on page 31
Friday August 14, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Letters... Where your views make the news
New US Immigration Initiative will help abused spouses and victims of trafficking DEAR EDITOR The Obama Administration has unveiled a proposal designed to streamline various immigration procedures of obtaining a visa including one that will assist spouses in abused relations waiting for a green card. This will help abused spouses living illegally in America; spousal abuse is a common occurrence among Guyanese as well as among other Third World immigrants in the U.S. Also, under the new directive, employers seeking work visas for professional staff will be simplified and victims of human trafficking, a serious problem in Guyana as well as in the US, will be aided to obtain permanent residence. The new directive will modernize and streamline the legal immigration system to improve the visa processing experience. The President’s Director for Domestic Policy Celia Munoz said the current process to apply for a visa is “complex, paper-based, and confusing to the user. Many immigration documents pass through various computer systems and change hands no fewer than six times. Our goal is to modernize this process and
deliver a positive experience to our users.” A team of engineers employed by the government will work with the Department of Homeland Security “to bring the majority of the visa application process online and deliver consistency and ease of use”. The administration stated it is aiming to reduce government costs. The process will also “reduce burdens on employers who must verify that their employees are eligible to legally work in the U.S., and mitigate fraud and abuse of the immigration system”. The new directive simplifies work visas under the H-1B application process, along with reducing the number of documents needed for applications and extensions of such visas. The new action also simplifies the process under which an employer can directly sponsor students on F-1 visas for legal, permanent employment. Several Guyanese and other Caribbean nationals fall under this category after completing their study in engineering and the sciences. The US is trying to retain foreign graduates of the sciences, engineering and maths.
I have not received NIS benefits in three months DEAR EDITOR, As a recipient of N.I.S. benefit, I have not received payment for the past three months and when this will be made possible still remains unknown, much to my suffering and inconvenience. No less than 12 visits during this period were made by me to get my payment vouchers at the Anna Regina office where it was just useless with six hundred dollars ($600.00) per a return trip being wasted by going
down the drain. The office keeps telling me that the vouchers have not yet been processed and until such time that this was done, payment would not be made, with the advice to keep checking, I cannot afford to do any longer due to financial constraints. My wife is very sickly and bed ridden with this money being my only source of survival and to alleviate my predicament. Ramnanand Persaud
Under the directive, the process of applying for a T visa – for victims of human trafficking – or a U visa – for victims of crime and domestic violence – has also been simplified. “There are numerous avenues for humanitarian relief provided to vulnerable individuals in our immigration system. However, many of our existing policies and regulations do not reflect the most recent laws. These recommendations will improve our system for individuals seeking humanitarian relief,” said the White House directive. However, it is not clear if Congress will block the directive as happened earlier this year when Obama issued the so called DACA directive to assist illegal immigrants. The Republican controlled Congress blocked the President’s executive order deferring deportation of illegal immigrants and allowing them to live and work for a period of years. The House said the president had overstepped his role while the Senate allowed the order to stand. However, twenty-six mostly Republican controlled states filed suit to block implementation of the president’s order. A Texas U.S. District Court Judge Andrew Hanen, a Republican, issued a temporary injunction in February. The injunction has been
appealed but a ruling is not expected soon. Suman Raghunathan, Indian American executive director of South Asian Americans Leading Together, cheered the simplification of the T and U visa application process. He also praised the President for the directive that will allow victims of domestic violence to selfpetition for a permanent visa and simultaneously apply for work authorization. As he noted, currently, “victims of domestic violence remain in abusive households as their immigration status is linked to their spouse’s status. An abusive partner can hold immigration status as a weapon to keep a s p o u s e i n her place, note agencies that work with domestically-abused women”. But Raghunathan said the action plan falls short of providing relief for many immigrants. He is calling for “comprehensive immigration reform legislation that will keep families together and that includes a path to citizenship”. A study by the Obama Administration claims that the limited amnesty proposed by the President will add some US $100 billion to the economy. But the republicans are not buying into the DACA order. Vishnu Bisram
From page 30
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
TO LET Newly built 2 bedrooms apartment: bath, toilet, kitchen, sitting area on High Road Greenwich Park, Parka –Tel: 649-6202/664-3508 FOR OVERSEAS VISITORS: FULLY FURNISHED 2 BEDROOM APARTMENTS (FRIDGE, STOVE, MICROWAVE, ETC) US $40 DAILY –TEL: 609-8132/672-8569 (MAX) Three bedrooms concrete top flat in Cane View Ave. South Ruimveldt Gardens $90,000-Call: 218-1949 APARTMENT AT GROVE$50,000 –TEL: 644-5151 2 Bedrooms apartment, UG Student or working couplefully grilled, toilet and bathCall: 654-9807
LAND FOR SALE Luxury Gated CommunityMall, Pool, intelligent security system, well, solar. Selling @ 6USD per Sq.ft – Call: 609-0783 Eccles Waterfront and Bel Air Gardens Ocean View land for sale- Contact:954-769-0576, 1belair@mail.com Land at long Creek on Highway 100ftX200ft –Tel: 679-7159; 685-8926 Land @ Parfaite Harmonie & Tuschen -$1.5M each, 1-2 storey property @ Crane – Call: 604-6724 Providence$3.5M, Herstelling -$3.5M & $2.5M, Farm - $2.2M, Parfait Harmonie -$1.2M, $1.5M & $2.8M, Eccles -$5MCall:611-7223; 604-2207 Transported house land Richmond Essequibo, large lot, next to Nursery School, full up high, fruit Tree-$4.5Tel: 682-5230; 628-9596
CAR RENTAL Aidan’s Car & 4WD Vigo pick up, cheapest rate, low security- Call: 698-7807 Wing’s Car & 4WD Vigo pick up- Call: 690-6494
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Friday August 14, 2015
Second prominent Venezuelan opposition leader released from prison CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) – A former Venezuelan defense minister turned staunch government critic was granted early release from jail, making him the second prominent opposition leader to be freed in little more than 24 hours. A military tribunal late Wednesday granted retired Gen. Raúl Baduel parole after he completed 6 of a nearly 8year sentence on corruption charges, his lawyer Omar Tosta told the Associated Press. A short video of Baduel embracing loved ones was tweeted by his daughter after he was discharged from the military prison outside Caracas, where he’s been held alongside Venezuela’s mostrecognized jailed opponent, Leopoldo López. Baduel’s release comes just 24 hours after Daniel Ceballos, the former mayor of the restive western city of San Cristóbal, was granted house arrest on medical grounds while awaiting trial for his alleged role in inciting violence during last year’s anti-government protests. Combined, the two surprise releases could signal a greater leniency on the part
of President Nicolás Maduro’s socialist administration, which has come under sharp fire from the U.S. over the imprisonment of some 50 anti-government activists on what human rights groups say are trumped-up charges meant to silence dissent. Baduel drew close to Chávez in their days as army cadets in the 1970s, and with other loyalists, he helped restore the charismatic leftist to power following a brief 2002 coup. But he broke with his longtime friend in 2007, likening a referendum granting Chávez more power to a virtual coup. In 2009, he was arrested on corruption charges that he says were invented to punish him for defecting. Ceballos, hours after being reunited with his family, shouted a statement Wednesday to the press from a second floor window of a relative’s apartment in an upscale part of Caracas, saying his surprise release represented a hopeful sign “that all political prisoners might be reunited with their families.”The 31-year-old leader, who is awaiting trial on
charges of civil rebellion, went on a hunger strike together with Baduel and López in June to demand the government release its opponents and set a date for legislative elections. The election date has now been set, and a handful of prisoners have since been freed, but none as well-known as Baduel or Ceballos. Ceballos was arrested in March 2014 on charges related to his support of antigovernment demonstrations in San Cristóbal that helped ignite a nationwide protest movement. He will be bound by standard house arrest rules prohibiting him from speaking publicly, using social media and engaging in political activity.U.S. officials have made the release of the opposition leaders a key demand in ongoing talks aimed at normalizing diplomatic relations. The latest concessions allows Maduro to make a goodwill gesture to the international community, and could have the added benefit of deflating some of the opposition’s appeal to indecisive voters that they are victims of injustice.
Rowley sure police investigating threats Trinidad Guardian - Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley says he is confident that the police will investigate threats to his life. Rowley said so in a brief comment to reporters following a meeting of the PNM in Sangre Grande on Tuesday night. Police have been investigating reports of a plot to kill him. He said he was not prepared to say much more on the matter. Earlier, in his address, he was critical of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar for being in love with office. He said Persad-Bissessar even insisted that she be addressed as Prime Minister during a Leaders Debate being organised by the T&T Debates Commission. “Imagine she is going to a debate and will write the commission and (say) that she must be called ‘Madame Prime Minister’ in the debate,” he added. Rowley also said the PP Government had already taken measures to ensure land and building taxes would be reintroduced following next month’s election. He said that would happen regardless of which party won the September 7 polls. He added, “In case you don’t know they have fixed the land and building tax to come in force after election. It is already in place. It was put in place two years ago when
PNM supporters react to comments made by their political leader Dr Keith Rowley during the party’s public meeting at Danmarie Hill Recreation Ground in Guaico, Sangre Grande. PHOTO: ABRAHAM DIAZ they started with business properties and then agricultural properties and the last one to come, they make sure they put that after the election.” Rowley added, “So win, lose or draw, after the election you would begin to pay the land and building taxes.” Rowley also said he was not prepared to assist the commission of enquiry into the controversial Las Alturas Housing Project. The commission is investigating the reasons why two apartment buildings col-
lapsed after construction. Rowley said he could not assist the commission and would not be attending. He said if he was summoned the commission would have to pay his legal fees. He insisted that he was not the minister of Housing when the project was done. He admitted that he did not have a Rowley Plan but said the PNM had a plan to advance the country. He said he was the leader of the PNM and it “has all the plans that T&T wants for its good order and governance.”
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Kaieteur News
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Friday August 14, 2015
Sri Lanka president vows to block Rajapakse’s PM bid AFP - Sri Lanka’s President Maithripala Sirisena dashed Mahinda Rajapakse’s hopes yesterday of a political comeback in next week’s general election by vowing to veto any attempt by his predecessor to become prime minister. In a letter to his former mentor, Sirisena said he would invoke executive powers to choose someone else from their United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) to lead the government should it triumph in Monday’s polls. “Should the party secure a majority, the prime minister should be another senior, but not you,” Sirisena said in a five-page letter to Rajapakse
whom he toppled as president in January. “Even if I have to intervene to form a coalition, you will not be the prime minister.” Sirisena named seven other party seniors, including Rajapakse’s elder brother Chamal Rajapakse, as potential prime ministerial candidates should their party win. Political analyst Victor Ivan said the UPFA was not a favourite to win Monday’s election and the question of giving the prime minister job to Rajapakse was unlikely to arise. “What this letter (of Sirisena) shows is the deep-
seated enmity between the two men,” Ivan told AFP. “It may not make a big difference to the outcome of the election, but it will further discourage Rajapakse’s campaign.” The two men had been allies until late last year when Sirisena quit as health minister in order to stand against the veteran strongman in the January 8 presidential election. Many observers were stunned by Sirisena’s victory over Rajapakse who had been in power for nearly a decade and oversaw the crushing of the Tamil Tiger separatist rebels in 2009. Although Rajapakse is reviled by large sectors of the minority Tamil community, he retains widespread support among ethnic Sinhalese voters and his rallies have drawn big crowds. Sirisena is the official leader of the UPFA and only reluctantly agreed to allow Rajapakse to stand for the party in the elections. He has watched aghast as Rajapakse has portrayed himself as UPFA leader during the campaign and has also recoiled at the former president’s nationalist rhetoric. In his letter, Sirisena
Maithripala Sirisena accused Rajapakse of fuelling communal hatred on the island which still bears the scars of a 37-year ethnic conflict aimed at creating a homeland for Tamils in Sri Lanka’s north. “I urge you not to make statements that fan the flames of ethnic hatred,” Sirisena said in his letter, copies of which were released to the press. Officials in Rajapakse’s camp confirmed they had received the letter, but declined to comment.
Mahinda Rajapakse
Sirisena’s bombshell came a day before campaigning was due to end Friday, two days ahead of voting. After winning the presidency, Sirisena overlooked his own party and instead turned to Ranil Wickremesinghe, leader of the smaller United National Party, to become prime minister of a minority administration. Sirisena was forced to call parliamentary elections a year ahead of schedule after the minority government found
its programme obstructed by allies of Rajapakse who dominated parliament until its dissolution. Since his defeat, there has been an outpouring of corruption allegations against Rajapakse’s inner circle, including close relatives. His wife and two of his brothers are all facing corruption and embezzlement charges. One of his sons has also been implicated in the alleged murder of a former rugby star.
Friday August 14, 2015
Kaieteur News
St. Kitts-registered energy company targeted by US Treasury for helping Syria WASHINGTON DC, United States – The United States has imposed sanctions on an offshore energy firm it says is registered in the Caribbean nation of St. Kitts and Nevis, for helping fuel the ongoing conflict in Syria by providing products to the Bashar Assad regime. The US Treasury Department named Blue Energy Trade Limited Company (Blue Energy) in a list of 11 entities and individuals allegedly assisting Syria. It said many of the firms were front companies that the Syrian government and its supporters have used in an attempt to evade US and European Union sanctions. As a result of the
designation, Blue Energy – listed on the US Treasury website with a P.O. Box 556, Charlestown, St. Kitts and Nevis address – will have its US assets frozen and Americans will be prohibited from engaging in transactions with the company.Blue Energy is one of several offshore firms owned by Milenyum Energy S.A., a company the US Treasury said regularly arranged for the shipment of products such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to the Syrian government-controlled port of Banias. According to a statement issued by the Treasury last week, Blue Energy was designated a part of the Syria regime’s energy networks “for
being owned and controlled by, and having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, and having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial support for, or goods and services in support of, Milenyum” and “having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services in support of, the government of Syria.” It said Milenyum uses Blue Energy to receive payments for energy-related shipments through the port of Banias. The US Treasury also named seven vessels as blocked property.
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Chief Justice reiterates call to protect children ST JAMES, Jamaica (JIS) – The need to protect the nation’s children has once again been emphasised by Chief Justice Zaila McCalla. Addressing the regular weekly meeting of the allfemale Kiwanis Club of Providence, at the Wexford Hotel in Montego Bay, on Wednesday, Mrs McCalla said failure to protect the children will result in failure to protect the nation. “We must all continue in our efforts to raise public awareness on ways of maintaining the safety of our children and the need for greater vigilance in protecting them. The important role of
those with parental responsibilities or those charged with the care of children, whether short term or long term, can never be overstated. This means that children must be protected, even from themselves,” she said. The Chief Justice said as it relates to the island’s court system and dealing with children, efforts are continuing to sensitize staff members on the important principles, which have been agreed and established in that regard. “We in the court system must at all times be guided by that over-arching principle. Wi t h
assistance from our international partners, I have taken steps to sensitize all Judicial Officers regarding those important principles and we have had several workshops, sensitization sessions and seminars,” she noted. Mrs McCalla said with increased public awareness, child rights will become an important element in the thrust for greater human rights. Meanwhile, the Chief Justice explained that the rights of children are tied to those of women and discrimination against that group will have far reaching implications.
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Friday August 14, 2015
Greek ruling party heads towards split before bailout vote Reuters - Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras’s Syriza party looked set to split after the leader of its far-left faction called yesterday for a new movement to fight a bailout deal that lawmakers are due to vote on in the coming hours. Days after striking a deal with foreign creditors, Tsipras is asking parliament to approve a bailout agreement that pledges tax rises and spending cuts in exchange for 85 billion euros in fresh loans. It will be Greece’s third financial rescue programme agreed with creditors in five years. The vote will test the strength of a rebellion by antiausterity Syriza lawmakers, which could raise pressure on Tsipras to call elections as early as September. Parliamentary speaker Zoe Konstantopoulou, one of the Syriza hardliners who oppose the deal, snubbed a request from Tsipras to speed up handling of the bailout bill so that it can be voted on well before euro zone finance ministers meet in Brussels to vet the agreement deal on Friday. As midnight passed in Athens, the plenary debate had yet even to start as Konstantopoulou raised a series of procedural questions and objections, meaning no vote can be held at least until well into the early hours of today. Some lawmakers accused Konstantopoulou, a lawyer, of deliberately stalling. “It’s a crazy situation. She is torturing us. She is delaying the whole process because she has a different view from the prime minister,” said one lawmaker, who declined to be named.The rebels’ leader, former energy minister Panagiotis Lafazanis, took a step towards breaking away from Syriza, a coalition of left-
ist groups which stormed to power in January promising to reverse austerity policies demanded by the euro zone and International Monetary Fund creditors.“ The fight against the new bailout starts today, by mobilising people in every corner of the country,” said a statement signed by Lafazanis and eleven other Syriza members posted on the far-left faction’s Iskra website. The statement called for founding a “united movement that will justify people’s desire for democracy and social justice”, although it did not explicitly call for a new party or a split from Syriza. The government responded by saying the move “finalises his decision to choose a different path from that of the government and Syriza”. The rebels insist the government should stand by the promises on which it was elected, to reverse the waves of spending cuts and tax rises which have had a devastating effect on an already weak economy over the past few years. Parliament, however, is expected to approve the bail-
out agreement by a comfortable margin when it finally votes since opposition parties have promised their backing for the government to ensure Greece does not return to financial chaos. Once the bill is passed, the euro zone finance ministers are expected to pave the way for disbursement of aid before a 3.2 billion euro debt payment to the European Central Bank falls due next week. Tsipras has faced a rebellion among about a quarter of his 149 lawmakers since agreeing last month to the bailout deal under the threat of a banking collapse and euro zone exit. He is expected to tighten his grip over most of Syriza when the party holds a special congress to debate its differences, after which he is widely expected to call early elections to seal popular support for the deal. Finland, one of the euro zone countries most sceptical about pouring yet more aid into Greece, backed the bailout yesterday. But parliament in Germany, the biggest contributor to the deal, has yet to approve it.
Reuters - The United States believes Islamic State militants likely used mustard agent in an attack on Kurdish forces in Iraq earlier this week, the first indication the militant group has obtained a banned chemical weapon, the Wall Street Journal reported yesterday. “We have credible information that the agent used in the attack was mustard,” a senior U.S. official told the Journal. Islamic State could have obtained the mustard agent in Syria, whose government
admitted to having large quantities of the blistering agent in 2013, when it agreed to give up its chemical weapons arsenal, the newspaper reported. “That makes the most sense,” the Journal quoted a senior U.S. official as saying about the possibility that Islamic State obtained the mustard agent in Syria. Islamic State could also have obtained the mustard agent in Iraq, the Journal reported. The newspaper did not specify where or when the attack occurred, or whether it
caused casualties. The White House’s National Security Council said it was aware of the reports and was seeking more information. “We continue to take these and all allegations of c he m i c a l w e a p o n s use very seriously,” spokesman Ali Baskey said in a statement. U.S. intelligence agencies have said in the past they believed Islamic State has used chlorine gas in attacks in Iraq, the Journal reported. Chlorine is not a banned chemical agent.
Alexis Tsipras
U.S. believes Islamic State likely used mustard agent in Iraq attack – WSJ
Friday August 14, 2015
Kaieteur News
Ex-PM Blair warns Labour faces ‘annihilation’ if it veers left Reuters - Britain’s opposition Labour Party faces “annihilation” if it makes left-wing lawmaker Jeremy Corbyn its next leader, former prime minister Tony Blair said yesterday, warning party members they are “walking eyes shut, arms outstretched, over the cliff’s edge.” Voting begins today in a month-long four-way leadership contest triggered by Labour’s defeat in a national election in May. Opinion polls show Corbyn, who wants to steer the party back towards its socialist roots, has a large lead over his rivals. The prospect of a Corbynled party has put Labour in “danger more mortal today than at any point in the over 100 years of its existence”, Blair wrote in the Guardian newspaper. Labour’s most successful leader, Blair won three national elections from 1997 to 2005 on a centrist platform. “If Jeremy Corbyn becomes leader it won’t be a defeat like 1983 or 2015 at the next election,” Blair wrote. “It will mean rout, possibly annihilation.” Corbyn, a 66-year-old parliamentary veteran, has won the support of party activists and gained endorsements from Labour’s trade union financial backers with calls to re-nationalise swaths of the economy,
Huge blasts at Chinese port kill 50, injure more than 700 Reuters - Two huge explosions tore through an industrial area where toxic chemicals and gas were stored in the northeast Chinese port city of Tianjin, killing at least 50 people, including at least a dozen fire fighters, officials and state media said yesterday. At least 700 people were injured, more than 71 seriously, the Tianjin government said on its Weibo microblog, and the official Xinhua news agency said two fires were still burning. Wednesday night’s blasts, so large that they were seen by satellites in space, sent shockwaves through apartment blocks kilometres away in the port city of 15 million people. Internet videos showed fireballs shooting into the sky and the U.S. Geological Survey registered the blasts as seismic events.
Tony Blair including rail networks and the energy sector. Rarely seen in more formal dress than a rumpled jacket and open-necked beige shirt - complete with white vest showing underneath Corbyn has energised voters disillusioned by what they see as bland, polished centrist politicians. The centrepiece of his anti-austerity stance, designed to tap into voter discontent over a second fiveyear cost-cutting Conservative government, is a proposal to fund massive infrastructure investment by asking the Bank of England to print money - a so-called “quantitative easing for the people”. Blair’s intervention is his second in the leadership race. He previously told supporters that elections could not be won from a leftwing platform. “Jeremy Corbyn doesn’t
offer anything new,” Blair wrote on Thursday. “These are policies from the past that were rejected not because they were too principled, but because a majority of the British people thought they didn’t work.” Corbyn ally, the former mayor of London Ken Livingstone, dismissed Blair’s criticism as “appalling”. “Tony Blair clearly hasn’t read Jeremy Corbyn’s manifesto, because it’s not going back to the 1980s, it’s dealing with the problems we’ve got now,” he told BBC radio. But another Labour figure, former foreign secretary and interior minister Jack Straw, said the moneyprinting plan was “economic illiteracy ... of the worst order” and warned it could send Britain’s economy into an inflationary spiral. “We know from the history of the Weimar Republic, we know from Venezuela and you can see the beginnings of this in Greece, that it’s bound to end in tears,” he told the BBC. Labour will announce its new leader on Sept. 12 after a ballot of party members, affiliated trade union members and other registered supporters. Corbyn’s main rivals for the position - former ministers Andy Burnham and Yvette Cooper - are campaigning on a promise to broaden the party’s appeal without a radical shift in policy. The fourth candidate, Liz Kendall, has embraced Blair’s centrist approach but is lagging in opinion polls.
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MO FARAH TO DEFEND ATP fines Kyrgios for ‘insulting... GREAT NORTH RUN TITLE Mo Farah (Getty Images)
BBC Sport - Mo Farah will defend his Great North Run title next month and attempt to become only the second Briton to win the elite men’s race for a second time. The Olympic and world 5,000m and 10,000m champion, 32, beat Kenya’s Mike Kigen to win last year’s race. Britain’s Mike McLeod, the 1984 Olympic
10,000m silver medallist, won the halfmarathon event in 1981 and 1982. 2014 London Marathon runner-up Stanley Biwott of Kenya will also run the race, on Tyneside, on 13 September. Before that, Farah will defend his titles at the World Athletics Championships in Beijing from 22 August.
Friday August 14, 2015 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Today might be one of the most fortunate days of your life, Aries. Everything you've been striving for - romance, money, creative fulfillment could fall into place at various times today.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Don't turn down invitations today, Libra. A group meeting or social event could be thrown together with casual acquaintances, and your relationship with these people could abruptly change.
TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Information received through dreams and visions could trigger sudden psychic revelations of solutions to problems you may have been mulling over for weeks.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) A financial windfall could come as the result of a coup that no one expected you to pull off, Scorpio.
GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Some unexpected calls from friends or colleagues could bring you wonderful news today, Gemini. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Job-related or personal projects are apt to come to a head now. Success is in the air, along with a marked increase in income and acknowledgment from those who matter. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) If you're currently involved, Leo, expect to feel a rush of revived passion for your partner. If you aren't currently involved, the one great love of your life could finally appear. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You know you're intuitive, Virgo, but changes could take place in your brain that elevate your abilities beyond mere intuition.
SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) Wonderful news comes from far away, Sagittarius, possibly involving writing, teaching, or publishing. CAPRI (Dec.22–Jan.19) An enterprise you'd long since given up on, perhaps one involving the creative arts, may suddenly come up again, this time as a real opportunity, Capricorn. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Group activities or social events could put you in contact with a new, exciting person. You could feel a strong physical and romantic attraction, Aquarius. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Whatever you've been trying to accomplish over the past several months could break loose just the way you want it to today, Pisces. It could come as a surprise and resemble a logjam that finally gives way.
From page 42 a wild-card entry. Kyrgios beat Wawrinka on Wednesday when the Swiss player retired with a lower-back injury while trailing 4-0 in the third set. In a post-match interview on court, Kyrgios said Wawrinka had provoked him. ‘’He was getting a bit lippy at me so, I don’t know, it’s just in-the-moment sort of stuff,’’ Kyrgios said. ‘’I don’t really know, I just said it.’’ Wawrinka’s coach, Magnus Norman, also criticized Kyrgios, who has been at the center of controversy in recent weeks. ‘’That was really really low Nick Kyrgios,’’ Norman wrote on Twitter. ‘’Hope for u that u have people around that will teach u a thing or 2 about life tonight. Very bad.’’ At Wimbledon last month,
Dhawan, Kohli tons hand India... From page 42 series as India’s test captain, hit 11 fours to complete his 11th hundred in tests but was out shortly after going past the three-figure mark. The 26-year-old fell leg before after fluffing his sweep shot against off-spinner Tharindu Kaushal, who also dismissed Ajinkya Rahane lbw for a duck in his next over. Pradeep brought the hosts the fourth wicket of the second session by castling Ravichandran Ashwin (seven), an over after he dismissed the well-set Dhawan. Wi c k e t k e e p e r Wriddhiman Saha (60) stretched India’s lead with his maiden half-century before he became Pradeep’s third victim. Kaushal also dismissed Harbhajan Singh and Amit Mishra and took his fifth wicket with the dismissal of number 11 batsman Varun Aaron. Scores: Sri Lanka 183 and 5 for 2 (Ashwin 1-0, Mishra 1-1) trail India 375 (Dhawan 134, Kohli 103, Kaushal 5134) by 187 runs.
Teams urged to register as... From page 45 660-0049, Randolph Latcha (East Berbice) 646-7401, Ishwar Dass (Reg. 7 Cayuni Mazaruni) 641-5175 and Mortimer Danny (Linden) 639-0057. Teams that encounter difficulty in contacting their area representatives can call GSCL Inc on 225-4802 or 226-4205, Longsford Klass on 626-7259, Rafman Alli on 654-2233 or Mahendra Hardyal on 6232704. The competition will culminate on August 30.
Kyrgios was booed by spectators in a fourth-round loss to Richard Gasquet of France. Kyrgios appeared to make little attempt to return Gasquet’s serve during the third game of the second set after a dispute with the chair umpire. That incident prompted Australian swimming great Dawn Fraser to
question the character of Kyrgios and suggest he could leave the country and return to where his parents came from. Kyrgios, who was born in Australia to a father born in Greece and mother born in Malaysia, replied on Twitter that Fraser was a ‘’blatant racist.’’ She later apologized.
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Bulls down Falcons behind FIFA say managers cannot dictate to doctors over injuries Welch’s 30 points, Jets beat Kings to remain unbeaten
National prospect Terron Welch scored a tournament high 30 points to pilot Half Mile Bulls past Bankers Trust Falcons 66-33, while Amelia’s Ward Jets pounded Kings 66-50 as both teams remained unbeaten in the Linden Amateur Basketball Association’s under-23 basketball championship on Tuesday night at the Mackenzie Sports Club Hard Court. The Bulls were always in control of that game leading through each quarter at 21-8, 35-17, 52-23 and then winning 66-33 as the teenager Welch hit in the only double figure score of that encounter. The Jets however found themselves down
after the first two quarters as they trailed their opponents Kings 16-20 and 25-26 before the pivotal third quarter saw them rally to take control 42-34 and then romp home winners 66-50. Their win came off solid scoring from Parrish Cadogan who had 16 points, Adrian Webster and Keith Butters with 11 apiece and Vibert Benjamin adding 10. For the Kings, who won their opening game, Quincy Easton again was their best player getting a game high 19 points with teammate Ron Profitt getting 13 and Ulric Benjamin 12.
Club tournament at Lusignan Golf Club tomorrow as course reopens Mourinho and Carneiro appear to argue on the touchline with Mourinho clearly incensed at his medical team. (Sky Sports) LONDON (Reuters) FIFA delivered what amounted to a rebuke to Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho on Thursday amid reports that he has banned the club’s first team doctor Eva Carneiro following her treatment of an injured player in a Premier League match. Professor Jiri Dvorak, FIFA’s chief medical officer, said that managers had no right to tell their medical staff whether or not they should go on the pitch to treat a player and that ultimately the doctor was in charge of what happened on the pitch. Carneiro and Chelsea physiotherapist Jon Fearn came on to treat Eden Hazard in stoppage time of Saturday’s Premier League game against Swansea City. It left Mourinho furious that the player then had to leave the field for treatment with Chelsea already reduced to 10 men following an earlier red card. Although both the referee and Hazard beckoned on the doctor, Mourinho said afterwards he believed the player was not seriously injured and called his medical staff “impulsive and naive” in a TV interview. While Chelsea have not commented, reports in the British media say he has
subsequently banned Carneiro from the bench, training sessions and the team hotel. Yet Dvorak told Sky Sports that he fully backed the doctor’s actions. Asked how much say the manager should have if a player is injured, Dvorak explained: “In medical aspects, in medical diagnosis, the manager has nothing to say. “This is our professional law, and our ethical duty to look after the players’ health.” Asked if the manager could ever tell the medical team not to enter the field, Dvorak said: “I can’t see such a situation and we have to defend the position of the doctor. “Everyone involved has to respect the fact the doctor is in charge.” “I don’t want to interfere with the club as such, but I would endorse clearly what the team doctor and the physiotherapist did. When they were asked, they had to come on to the pitch.” DOCTOR’S DECISION Dvorak said that the doctor had to be on the bench to observe the game and was allowed on the field even without the referee’s permission if he or she saw a player suffer a suspected cardiac arrest or a head injury,
including concussion. “That is the sole decision of the doctor and we at FIFA will always endorse that,” he added. The British Association of Sport and Exercise Medicine (BASEM) said it supported the stance taken by the Premier League Doctors Group on Wednesday and called for a full review of the events at match. This was “essential to avoid any unnecessary risk to players in the future”, it said. “Nothing takes precedence over the health and well-being of athletes,” BASEM said in a statement. “And whoever decides a player needs help, medical staff have an absolute obligation to fully assess the athlete until satisfied they are fit to continue participation.” It added that “all those involved in football have a moral obligation to assist medical staff to the best of their ability to minimise any risk of serious harm to players.” Mourinho’s behaviour towards the Gibraltar-born Carneiro was “absolutely appalling”, Liverpool’s former head of sports science Peter Brukner told Talksport radio on Wednesday.
Netball World Cup 2015: Jamaica beat Uganda to keep hopes alive BBC Sport - Jamaica kept alive their hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the Netball World Cup with a 59-47 win over Uganda. The victory was Jamaica’s first in the qualifying round as the fourth-ranked team in the world moved level on points with Malawi. Their meeting on Friday will now decide which country advances to the last four behind Pool E leaders New Zealand.
Scotland lost 48-42 to Fiji in Pool H, finishing second ahead of the play-off round to decide their final placing. Elsewhere Trinidad & Tobago beat Samoa 67-47 in Pool G, while Barbados beat Sri Lanka 67-33 in Pool H. England and South Africa meet on Friday to see who will follow host nation Australia into the semi-finals from Pool F.
Tomorrow teeing off at 12:00 noon at the Lusignan Course, Golfers will vie for supremacy at a ClubTournament played in the Medal-play format. Grounds Superintendent Mr Deanand Bissessar has reported that the Grounds are in perfect condition for tournament play, and he expects members will be
pleased at the recovery of the ground after the heavy rains and waterlogged conditions that persisted causing the Club’s closure for over a month. The Golf Clinic has already restarted on Tuesday 10th and the participants are benefitting from a ground in good condition. Captain Chatterpaul Deo
confirmed that the Fairways, Greens and Tee-boxes are all in good nick. He expects that there will be keen competition even though some members may feel a little stiff after the long lay-off. However, he looks forward to a good game himself. The Public is welcome to come and observe this tournament free of charge.
NAIROBI (Reuters) Kenya’s athletics great Kipchoge Keino says the IAAF should act more quickly on doping cases as the sport’s governing body begins disciplinary action against 28 athletes who took part in the 2005 and 2007 world championships. With the world championships nine days away in Beijing, track and field is gripped by another doping saga after the International Association of Athletics Federations on Tuesday said 32 adverse doping cases had come to light after the reanalysis of samples from nearly a decade ago. The re-testing took
advantage of new technology and the 10-year period now offered under IAAF rules and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code. None of the 28, the majority of whom are retired according to the IAAF, were named. “Why should WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) and IAAF sanction athletes for doping issues taken in 2005 and 2007 now?,” Keino, Kenya National Olympic Committee president and winner of Olympic gold in the 1968 and 1972 Olympics, said. “Surely, can’t a way be found where decisions are taken immediately after tests are done as was the case with
(Canadian) Ben Johnson in 1988 (Olympics)?” Keino, also an honorary member of International Olympic Committee (IOC), added. Kenya boasts some of the world’s best middle and long distance runners but over the past few years claims of widespread doping have surfaced. Data from thousands of blood tests performed between 2001-12 came to the attention of the Sunday Times newspaper and German broadcaster ARD this month, leading to accusations that the IAAF had failed to act on hundreds of suspicious results, many involving Olympic medalists.
Kenyan great Keino says doping cases taking too long
Paulo Wanchope: Costa Rica coach resigns after brawl BBC Sport - Costa Rica head coach Paulo Wanchope has resigned after being involved in a brawl during a match against Panama. The 39-year-old former Derby County and Manchester City striker retaliated after being pushed by a steward during the under-23 Olympic qualifier on Tuesday. The struggle between the two men ended when security
guards pulled them apart. “Following a meeting, the manager Wanchope has decided to step aside,” said a Costa Rica statement. Wanchope said he got angry when the steward stopped him getting to the pitch. He said: “He denied me access even though I had accreditation. Then I decided to open the gate myself. Then I was pushed by the steward who was there and I pushed
him back. You could all see that.” The former West Ham player added: “A thousand apologies to everyone in Panama for this incident, obviously also to Costa Rica for what has happened. “I have always been known for defending my country, and behaving in the best possible way. We’re human beings and I reacted in a way that was wrong.”
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Unrepentant Buoyant overseas contingent promises to Gatlin in hot form throw down gauntlet on local counterparts for Bolt showdown 6th edition of the Boyce & Jefford Classic...
It is the first time that most of the international athletes here in Guyana for the Boyce & Jefford Classic are performing on these shores but they have all promised to turn in exceptional performances when they take to the track for the 6th edition of tournament which gets underway at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground, Linden tomorrow afternoon. Looking well toned and ready for action, several of those athletes appeared at a press conference, hosted by the organizers at the Kingston office of the Guyana Olympic Association, yesterday. Those athletes in attendance were Bahamian, Petra McDonald (100 & 200 meters), Jamaicans, Nicholas Maitland (200 & 400 meters), Seidatha Palmer (100 & 200 meters) and Keno Burrell (400m) and Trinidadians, Dawnel Collymore (800 & 1500 meters) and Ashton Gill (800 & 1500 meters). Most of these runners have done exceptionally on the tracks and have promised to either replicate or better
those performances. They are accompanied by a coach from Racers Track Club, Patrick Dawson. Chairman of the Boyce/ Jefford Committee, Colin Boyce and his Co-Founder, Edison Jefford were also at the forum. Mr. Boyce welcomed the athletes to these shores and wished them all the best at the meet. He noted their quality but promised that their local counterparts are well prepared and ready to match their skills. “We do not have the caliber of athletes as (Jamaica) but I must warn you that this is our yard,” he said to a ripple of mirth from the Jamaican. He further admitted that the various records presented by the (foreign) participants were impressive and signals keen competition. Mr. Boyce’s colleague, Edison Jefford, also welcomed the athletes and urged them to have a great time even as they are here for serious competition. The forum was also graced with the presence of
representatives of two of the sponsors of the event. Events and Sponsorship Manager (Digicel), Gavin Hope and Anjeta Hinds of Ansa McAl (Smalta) were also in attendance and both principals welcomed the overseas contingent while extending wishes of good luck to all of the participants. “I am indeed excited in anticipation of the performances on competition days,” said Ms Hinds. She said that the performance of the locals against their international counterparts would give a clear indication of where Guyana stands as an athletic nation. Mr. Hope was just as buoyant as Ms Hinds and the organizers, but warned that local athletes are not to be underrated. “I know that you are here to do your best and cart off the spoils but be warned that our guys are up to the challenge,” he said. Mr. Hope said that the participation of international athletes would be beneficial to the locals who can test their
mettle against qualitative opposition. He also complemented the organizers for their efforts in enhancing the quality of the meet. Apart from bragging rights and the privilege of being sports ambassadors, the athletes will be compensated with lucrative monetary prizes of some US$500. The respective winners will pocket US$250 with the second and third places winning US$150 and US$100 respectively. There will be added lucrative prizes with the winning club pocketing $600,000 (Guy) while the 2nd to 4th place finishers will take home $400,000, $250,000 and $150,000 respectively. The most outstanding male and female athletes will receive $50,000 (Guyana) each. The organizers have also said that there will be several gate prizes, to the value of $250,000, for lucky patrons. Prizes include $30,000 cash, a smart phone, food hamper, watches and a gold chain among other items.
Ronda Rousey: I Could Beat Floyd Mayweather In ‘No-Rules’ Fight
“In a no-rules fight, I believe I can beat anyone on this planet.” The Huffington Post - In a Reddit AMA on Monday night, the UFC women’s bantamweight champion was asked if she could beat the boxer “in a ruleless fight.” Her response (emphasis hers): ‘Floyd is one of the best boxers of all time. He would definitely beat me in a boxing match. I unfortunately don’t get into “matches”. I fight for a living. In a no rules fight, I believe I can beat anyone on this planet. Boxing is a sweet science with strict rules that I respect very much and aspire every day to improve at. But you said ruleless fight, and that’s my honest answer.’ The comment comes just days after Mayweather took a verbal swipe at Rousey. “I’ve yet to see any MMA fighter, or other boxer, make over $300 million in 36 minutes,” Mayweather said on ESPN’s “SportsCenter” on Thursday. “When she can do that, then call me.” The two have been trading verbal jabs for more than a year, with Mayweather famously saying, “I don’t even know who he is” when
asked about her last summer. Rousey got some sweet revenge last month, beating Mayweather for the “Best Fighter” award at the ESPYs. “I wonder how Floyd feels being beat by a woman for once,” she said after the win, referring to his long and well-documented history of domestic violence. “I’d like for him to pretend to not know who I am now.” Rousey also referred to his history of violence against women in May, telling Access Hollywood the two would probably never fight “unless we ended up dating.” During the AMA session, Rousey was also asked about the possibility of facing fellow MMA fighter Cris Cyborg. “(S)he’s just waiting to be offered enough money to get her ass kicked (‘cuz she knows she’ll get her ass kicked),” Rousey said, adding: “I would like me kicking her ass be my retirement fight but whether she steps up or not I’ll walk away undefeated and happily ever after regardless.” The comments about
Ronda Rousey (AP)
Mayweather and Cyborg were just a small part of the lively AMA in which Rousey spoke about everything from her favorite sandwich (Bay Cities Godmother) to her favorite movie (“Leon: The Professional”) to her favorite Pokemon (Mew).
She even shared some words of inspiration for women: “For any woman trying to break into a maledominated career, I’d say the greatest thing you can do is always keep in mind that you always have the right to be there.”
Justin Gatlin. (Reuters/Pierre Albouy) LONDON (Reuters) Justin Gatlin will run for the United States in Beijing but to much of the athletics world he might as well appear in a vest bearing a giant syringe such is his position as the tangible manifestation of the sport’s wretched doping past. There will be dozens of convicted former dopers in the world championships with the top end of the 100 meters riddled with them - but Gatlin has a special place in the Hall of Shame by dint of being the man who has been banned twice. In normal circumstances that second positive test - in 2006 - would have earned him a lifetime ban but after he agreed to co-operate with the anti-doping authorities that was cut to eight, and then four years. People were certainly unimpressed when he returned to the track with sluggish performances but as his times fell, the opprobrium grew. Now he will arrive in Beijing on the back of an astonishingly dominant run, all the more astonishing for the fact that he is 33 and running faster times than when he won the Olympic and world titles in 2004 and 2005. Gatlin last tasted defeat over 100m in September 2013 and over 200 in May of the same year. Since then he is unbeaten in 27 races over both distances. He has run the four fastest times of the year for the 100m, with a best of 9.74, and the two fastest 200s, peaking with 19.57 - both personal bests and his 100m time the best in
the world for nearly three years. That all means he has a real chance of beating defending champion Usain Bolt, who is racing against time to regain his best form after a hip injury. Their meetings will be the most anticipated races of the championships and Gatlin, who has won only one of their seven 100m head-toheads, is as excited about them as the fans. “Hopefully the Beijing 100m or 200m finals will be the right time for us to be able to put on a spectacular show,” he said recently. “It’s a great lead up to a really good story.” Gatlin still refuses to consider himself a doper, arguing that his first positive test for a stimulant was a result of medication he had been using for years and maintaining that his second came through a rogue masseur rubbing testosterone cream into his legs. He does say though that it was the bans and his subsequent time away from the track that have given him longevity as he now feels “26 or 27 years old”. Cheat or victim, Gatlin will nevertheless be widely perceived as the cowboy in black when he faces down Bolt, held by many to be the shining beacon of hope in a drug-ravaged sport. “At the end of the day I have to get on the line, I have to get out there and cross the finish line first and that’s my job,” says Gatlin. “What the critics say about me doesn’t really bother me.”
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Team Bolt confident sprint king will be alright on the night
KINGSTON (Reuters) Usain Bolt’s coach is convinced the Jamaican phenomenon can once again put aside injury concerns and mediocre form to maintain his grip on the major sprint titles at this month’s world championship. The 28-year-old returns to the Bird’s Nest stadium where he first stunned the world at the 2008 Olympics for the Aug 22-30 championships, bidding to retain his 100 and 200 metres titles. Bolt is certainly short of competitive races and struggled for times this season until he twice clocked 9.87 seconds in the 100 metres in London late last month. His coach Glen Mills, though, believes the Olympic champion and world record holder in both sprints will be able to hit his straps when it matters. “The last two years have been very challenging for both Usain and myself,” Mills told Reuters. “Unfortunately, he has had a number of different injuries to overcome which have affected his training and the number of
Usain Bolt .(Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports/Files) competitions he has been able to compete in. “But Bolt is a champion who knows nothing but excellence when performing on the world stage.” American Justin Gatlin enters Beijing in better form than the Jamaican with world leading marks of 9.74 and 19.57 seconds as he seeks to win his second
Dion Carter Dominoes commences tomorrow
Faye Joseph presents one of the prizes to Timothy Fisher in the presence of Dion Carter.
T
h e m u c h anticipated Dion Carter/ Sparton Dominoes club competition is set to get cracking tomorrow at Serenity Restaurant and Bar, Durban Street. Entrance fee is $10,000 and the first place team will take home a trophy and $150,000, runner up a trophy and $75,000 and third place a trophy and $40,000. Double six time is 16:30
hrs and teams can contact Mark Wiltshire on 665-5855 for more information. Among the sponsors on board are Don and Andre Purdssy, Beck Lumber Yard, 704 Sports bar, Stag Beer and Faye Joseph. Rage, Thunder, Mix Up, TNT, Specialist, Sparton, Turning Point, Providence and Unruly Bunch are some of the teams set to battle for supremacy.
world sprint double since first doing so in Helsinki in 2005. In seven head-to-head clashes over 100 metres, Bolt has beaten Gatlin six times. Bolt’s record at major meetings since he wrote his name into track history by winning the 100 and 200
metres in world record times at the Beijing Olympics is quite extraordinary. Only a false start in the 100m four years ago in Daegu has prevented him from sweeping the sprint titles at the 2009, 2011 and 2013 world championships and London Olympics. Bolt, who turns 29 the day before the world championships open, underwent surgery on his left foot in 2014 which restricted him to run only a few 100m races as well as the 4x100 relay at the Commonwealth Games, where Jamaica won gold. This season, a blocked sacroiliac joint which restricted his movement and placed pressure on his knee and ankle has affected his preparations for Beijing and forced him to withdraw from the Paris and Lausanne Diamond League meets. “We have been making a number of changes on the way he trains and have been
getting results,” said Mills. “However, I would have wanted him to have had more races.” Bolt’s season best marks of 9.87 and 20.13 are only ranked sixth and 19th respectively in the world this year and well shy of the records of 9.58 and 19.19 he set at the 2009 world championships. Like Mills, though, his agent Ricky Simms is confident Bolt can outdo all challengers once again. “Everyone knows that Usain shows up when it comes to championships,” he told Reuters by phone. “He’s been in this
situation before, he’s had a few races where it didn’t go to plan and then at the Championships he always delivers, so I would say I’m extremely confident in Usain’s ability.” Mills, who also guided Yohan Blake (2011) and Kim Collins (2003) of St. Kitts and Nevis to 100m world titles, has now been coaching Bolt for a decade and said the lean times made the successes all the more enjoyable. “It certainly would mean a great dealt to me to continue to pilot his successes and more so in these difficult years.”
Nothing has been... From page 44 the GCB a legal nonentity, because it had been in a long dispute over the results of an election in mid-2011. The government said it
wanted to administer cricket in the former British colony to fight corruption and help end years of bickering between rival factions.
Rio can deliver ‘outstanding’ Olympics, says IOC
The beautiful Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro is the venue for the next Olympic Games. (Getty Images) BBC Sport - Rio can deliver an “outstanding” Olympics according to the International Olympic Committee, following four test events the city can be “proud” of. But IOC officials have played down concerns over the water quality where the sailing, swimming, rowing and triathlon events will be held in 2016. T h e Wo r l d H e a l t h Organisation has suggested the IOC monitor pollution
levels in the water. IOC vice-president Nawal el Moutawakel said athletes’ safety is a “priority”. El Moutawakel insisted the issue of water quality is being addressed, so the athletes can “compete in a secure and safe environment”. The international governing bodies of sailing and rowing have called for tests on the water quality. An independent investigation by
the Associated Press found high levels of viruses and, in some cases, bacteria from human sewage in all of Rio’s Olympic and Paralympic water venues. AP says the World Health Organisation (WHO) had advised the IOC to test for viruses, but have now changed their stance and would not issue an official recommendation. The IOC said it had ruled out viral testing and would stick to WHO guidelines,
which recommend only bacterial testing. Rio has hosted test events for volleyball, triathlon, rowing and equestrian with road cycling on Sunday. Moutawakel said: “This demonstrates the organisers’ capabilities and their capacity to deliver outstanding Olympic Games next year.” But she warned “a tremendous amount of planning work remains to be completed”.
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Kaieteur News
Friday August 14, 2015
WICCBCI President to attend Sandiford’s funeral today T
he President of the West Indies Cricket Council for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Anthony Arvil, who he is also Executive Director of St Lucia Blind Welfare, arrived in Guyana last night to attend Gordon Sandiford’s Funeral today. Arvil is totally blind and he will be accompanied by his Administrative Assistant Ms. Debora Mclean. The funeral is scheduled for Friday with viewing of the body at his home from 13:30hrs to 14:00hrs and 14:15hrs to 15:00hrs at the St Paul’s Church in Plaisance where there will be a service. The late National Blind cricketer will be buried at the Plaisance Burial Ground The 28-year-old Sandiford, who hails from the East Coast Village of Pleasance, died on his way to the Hospital in St Lucia after a trip with his team mates to Beach after Guyana’s washed out match against the Windward Islands in the West Indies Blind Council’s Regional Blind 40-overs and t20 Cricket tournament. This is the first time ever that a player had died during a Regional cricket tournament at any level. The ‘BI’ (Totally Blind) Cricketer reportedly encountered some problems in the water and was brought to the Beach and given CPR before being taken by Ambulance to the hospital where he succumbed on the way there. The body of Sandiford was returned to his native Guyana on Tuesday night on a Caribbean Airlines flight from St Lucia as Cargo in a box which was covered with the National flag ‘the Golden Arrow Head’ by Director of Sports Christopher Jones. Today the Guyana Blind Cricket team members, decked out their green and black travel uniforms, will form a bat arch before the body enters the Church. A representative of the Government is expected to be present. (Sean Devers)
Guyana Blind cricket team on their way to St Lucia (Gordon is 2nd from right stooping).
ATP fines Kyrgios for ‘insulting Dhawan, Kohli tons hand remark’ toward Stan Wawrinka India control of first test
Nick Kyrgios (Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press via AP)
MONTREAL (AP) — The ATP fined Nick Kyrgios on Thursday for his ‘’insulting remark’’ toward French Open champion Stan Wawrinka during a match at the Rogers Cup. The organization did not announce the amount of the fine but said in a statement that further details would be released after Kyrgios was notified. Wawrinka had urged tennis authorities to take action in a Twitter post earlier Thursday. On Wednesday night, a courtside microphone
picked up Kyrgios saying that fellow Australian player Thanasi Kokkinakis had slept with a player who is reportedly Wawrinka’s girlfriend. Wawrinka later tweeted: ‘’There is no need for this kind of behaviour on or off the court and I hope the governing body of this sport does not stand for this.’’ He called the 20-yearold’s Australian’s words ‘’not only unacceptable but also beyond belief.’’ The ATP rule book allows a fine of up to
$10,000 for incidents of verbal abuse or unsportsmanlike conduct. The 30-year-old Wawrinka, ranked fifth in the world, announced in April that he had separated from his wife, with whom he has a daughter. The Swiss player has since been linked with 19-year-old Donna Vekic of Croatia, who is ranked 127th. Vekic played mixed doubles with Kokkinakis, also 19 and ranked No. 76, at the 2014 Australian Open as (Continued on page 38)
(Reuters) - Centuries by opener Shikhar Dhawan and skipper Virat Kohli earned India a handy first innings lead before their spinners dismissed both the Sri Lankan openers to put the tourists on top of the first test at Galle on Thursday. Resuming the second day on 128-2, India were all out for 375 in the final session to claim a first innings lead of 192 runs and Sri Lanka’s troubles did not end there. Openers Dimuth Karunaratne and Kaushal Silva were both dismissed in the first two overs with the hosts reeling at 5-2 in their
second innings at stumps, still trailing India by 187. Earlier, Dhawan (134) and Kohli (103) frustrated the Sri Lankan bowlers with a 227-run stand that was the cornerstone of the Indian innings. Bowled out for 183 in the first innings, Sri Lanka had a few half chances in the morning session but otherwise failed to trouble the batsmen on the slow pitch at the Galle International Stadium. The hosts made a stronger comeback in the later sessions, riding on offspinner Tharindu Kaushal’s
second five-wicket haul and three wickets from paceman Nuwan Pradeep. Left-handed Dhawan, who scored 173 against Bangladesh in India’s last test in June, hit a cover drive f o r f o u r o ff p a c e m a n Dhammika Prasad to complete his fourth test century. The 29-year-old, who was dropped on 28 and 122 during his knock, hit 13 fours in his patient 271-ball innings before he chopped paceman Nuwan Pradeep onto the stumps. Kohli, in his first full (Continued on page 38)
Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli share a lighter moment, Sri Lanka v India, 1st Test, Galle, 2nd day, August 13, 2015 ©Associated Press
Friday August 14, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 43
Palma Match – World Championship of Long Range Rifle Shooting
West Indies enjoy good day; ahead of Germany going into final day, today By Franklin Wilson at Camp Perry, Ohio, USA compliments of NAMILCO, Ringbang, Fazias Collection, Crown Mining Supply and Queensway The 2015 edition of the World Championship of Long Range Rifle Shooting (Palma Match), the most prestigious team event in the sport fired off yesterday at the Viale Range, Camp Perry, Ohio, USA in testing conditions. The West Indies Fullbore Rifle team did well on the day finishing ahead of Germany going into today’s final day of the world’s most prestigious fullbore championship being held under the auspices of the International Confederation of Fullbore Rifle Association (ICFRA). After three ranges, 800, 900 and 1000, the West Indies are seventh of eight countries, competing at this range for the first time, with a score 3299-212 Vs with world powerhouse Great Britain leading with 3551403 Vs, dropping only 49 points from a possible 4000. All the countries struggled at the 1000 yards range with swirling and switching winds making it difficult for all. The West Indies had more to be proud about with the young shooters, Jason Wood of Barbados achieving his first possible at any level. He shot 75-10 at 800 yards, while another debutant at this level; Guyanese Sherwin Felicen also did the possible at 800 with 75-7. Ransford Goodluck also had a possible at 800 (75.9) while the other possible of the day was fired by Lennox Braithwaite (75-6) at the 900 yards range. The West Indies while bringing up the rear at 800 yards despite shooting well upstaged Germany at both 900 and 1000 yards. Great Britain, USA and Australia had dropped a single point at this range but as the shoot progressed, the British marksmen made good strides and it will take some doing by the their close rivals to catch up. Non-Shooting Captain, Major John Nelson
Sherwin Felicen complimented his shooters for doing well at the 800 and 900 yards while pointing out that at 1000 yards, it was bad for everyone. “All teams suffered in v e r y, v e r y b a d w i n d conditions, high swirling winds which caused a lot of shots to be way off target. We are not happy, but a tremendous amount of effort was put in by our coaches and by the shooters and we take some amount of
comfort from that.” It is anticipated that conditions on today’s final day will be similar to yesterday and Coach Nelson informed that they will be up to the task and will strive to b e t t e r y e s t e r d a y ’s performance by improving. Main Wind Coaches Paul Slowea nd Carl Awong, while complimenting the shooters for rising to the occasion, also noted that there is room for improvement and they are looking forward to more encouraging performances from the team today. Competition will again be at the 800, 900 and 1000 yards ranges. When the final shot is fired, the world Champions will be declared and awarded accordingly with the prestigious Palma Trophy. Shooters have competed to earn this honor since September 1876, when the Great Centennial Match was held on Creedmoor rifle range in New York State. Following are the individual and team scores from yesterday.
Name Lennox Braithwaite Ryan Sampson Sherwin Felicen MahendraPersaud Anderson Perry Sigmund Douglas Tommy Greenaway Dylan Fields Marlon King Jason Wood Leo Romalho Michael Perez Ransford Goodluck John Fraser Peter Persaud Norris Gomez Total
800 74-9 68-3 75-7 72.4 73-8 74-6 64-4 74-5 74-6 75-10 67-5 74-5 75-9 73-6 71-8 73-5 1156-100
900 75-6 73-6 73-4 70-4 72-5 69-3 52-0 73-2 74-7 71-5 72-4 70-2 73-7 70-6 67-5 72-5 1126-71
1000 64-2 67-2 68-2 62-2 70-6 57-1 64-2 61-1 70-6 65-3 60-0 58-4 68-05 61-4 60-0 59-1 1014-41
Ind. Aggregate 213-17 208-11 216-13 204-10 215-19 200-10 180-06 208-08 218-19 211-18 201-09 202-11 216-21 204-16 199-13 204-11 3299-212 (Day 1Total)
Country Scores Great Britain USA South Africa Australia New Zealand Canada West Indies Germany
1199-178 1199-177 1194-151 1199-169 1188-166 1192-154 1157-81 1127-16 1174-101
1193-133 1159-92 3551-403 1181-107 1141-75 3520-358 1173-100 1145-88 3512-336 1188-126 1122-71 3504-366 1169-100 1127-86 3485-357 1168-109 1066-54 3421-318 1014-39 3299-212 1114-78 1140-38 3294-218
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Kaieteur News
Friday August 14, 2015
GCB responds to KN story, Nothing has been done as yet on says it assisted Kevin Sinclair ‘Cricket Bill’ by GOG
Assistant Administrator of the Guyana Cricket Board Melinda BishundyalChaitram has responded to an article carried in the Kaieteur News on Thursday August 13, in regard to young cricketer Kevin Sinclair not obtaining a British visa to travel with the West Indies team for an upcoming tour. In her missive Mrs. Bishundyal-Chaitram stated, “I read in an article in your newspaper captioned “West Indies U15 selectee denied visa for tour to England.....Guyana Cricket Board failed to assist”, which was written by your reporter Samuel Whyte, dated Thursday, August 13, 2015, that GCB did not advise or assist Kevin Sinclair in any way to obtain his UK visa for the West Indies U-15 Invitational Tour to England.” “I, Melinda BishundyalChaitram, Assistant
Administrator of the Guyana Cricket Board, personally assisted Kevin Sinclair to full out his UK visa application form. On the day we filled out his application, he came without his parent/guardian. I informed him that his parent has to go with him to the Embassy as he is underage. However, on the day of his appointment, he turned up alone and I accompanied him to the Embassy, in the absence of his parent/guardian. He was denied a visa on the grounds that he could not have established that he had parental consent to travel.”
She further stated, “The other two cricketers, Collin Barlow and Joshua Persaud parents brought them to fill out their application forms and also accompanied them to the Embassy, as advised by the GCB. I also handed each of the three cricketers all the necessary documents to submit to the Embassy. The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) did everything possible to help Kevin Sinclair but we are not his
legal guardian and, in my personal opinion, the GCB sometimes go far and beyond its mandate to help. This is one such case. Mr. Editor, I find your report on this matter to be biased, malicious and lack the basic journalistic ethic of getting the other side of the story before going to press. I am hereby requesting that you give my response equal prominence published in its entirety.” Here letter concluded.
Retraction K
aieteur Sports would like to fully retract this story published on Thursday, August 13, 2015, headlined “West Indies U15 selectee denied visa for tour to England.....Guyana Cricket Board failed to assist”, on page 28. We would like to express an apology to the Guyana Cricket Board for any hurt, undue criticism or prejudice this report would have caused. On investigation our reporter did not fully verify all the facts. Again our humble apologies.
Michael Muirhead Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Michael Muirhead commenting on the ongoing dialogue between the WICB and the Guyana government concerning the issues plaguing the Guyana Cricket Board said nothing has been formalised with the new government as yet. “Nothing has been formalised as yet but they will be looking at revising
the position or taking a relook at the position that was taken by the former government. You must remember that when this bill was passed, we had the support of the opposition at the time — the current government now. So I think it’s only right they would go back and look and see to right the wrong or correct what was passed or make some amendments (but) that has not yet been done,” the CEO said. T h e G u y a n a government, in February of 2012, locked the Guyana Cricket Board out of its offices at Bourda Ground and appointed its own interim management committee headed by former Guyana and West Indies Captain Clive Lloyd. The moves followed the Guyana High Court ruling (Continued on page 41)
National swim team departs for XXI Goodwill games in T&T
Members of the National team prior to their departure. GASA President Ivan Persaud is far left.
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hirty one swimmers selected by the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) departed Wednesday morning to participate in the XXI Goodwill Swim Meet in Trinidad and Tobago. Other Countries participating are Barbados, Suriname, St. Lucia,
Bahamas and the host country. GASA has expressed gratitude to all those who have contributed in making the trip possible, including the Minister within the Ministry of Culture, Nicolette Henry, Guyana Revenue Authority for granting the necessary Tax Waivers and Director of Sport
Christopher Jones for providing the team uniforms. The team reads; Paul Mahaica, Jonathan Van Lange, Aleka Persaud, Patrice Mahaica, Antonio Dey, Ariel Rodrigues, Leon Seaton, Noel Raekwon, Ejaz Mohamed, Antwon Pinto, Lian Winter, Amber Degoeas, Niketa Peters, Sekhel
Tzedeq, Jaden George, Danielle George, Jacida George, Keanule Inniss, Alex Winter, Nathan Hackett, Antonio Hussein, Antonio Rodrigues, Kenita Mahaica, Amy Grant, Judea Crandon, Anna Isaacs, Phillip De Nobrega, Hannibal Gaskin, Omar Adams, Jamal Skeete, Accalia Khan, Nikita
Feidtkou, Onkia George, Kayth Goddette, Keon Smith (team manager), Shyka Gonsalves (asst. team manager), Sean Baksh (head coach), Isabel Cousa Fals (asst. coach), Paul Mahaica (asst. coach) and Ivan Persaud (president). The games commenced yesterday and conclude on Sunday.
Friday August 14, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 45
Petra Organisation teams up with GT Beer for Futsal Tournament - Kick off set for Aug 18
B
a n k s D I H Limited under its GT Beer brand yesterday confirmed its support for the upcoming Petra Organisation Futsal Competition which will be staged from August 19September 13 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. The Launch, which was conducted in the Boardroom of Banks DIH Limited at Thirst Park, saw in attendance Beer Executive Brian Choo-Hen, Beers Manager Geoff Clement, Company Communications Manager Troy Peters and Petra Organisation CoDirector Troy Mendonca. The event will feature 16 teams competing in an initial group stage format with teams divided into four groups with the top two finishers in each group progressing to the knockout phase. The competing teams are: Broad Street, Sophia, North Ruimveldt, West Back Road, Bent Street, Sparta Boss, Globe Yard, Alexander Village, Ballerz, Queen Street Tiger bay, West Front Road, Albouystown, Festival City, Showstoppers, Agricola and Beterverwagting (BV). Group-A will comprise of Agricola, Queen Street
Tournament Coordinator Troy Mendonca (2nd left) receives the championship trophy from Banks DIH Beers Manager Geoff Clement in the presence of Beers Executive Brian Cho-Hen (left) and Communications Manager Troy Peters yesterday. Tigerbay, Leopold Street and Kitty Weavers, while group-B will consist of Albouystown, Sparta Boss, Alexander Village and Globe Yard. Group-C will comprise West Front Road, Show Stoppers, Sophia and Broad Street while group-D will feature the likes of Bent Street, North Ruimveldt, West Back Road and BV.
Winner of the tournament will collect $500,000 and the championship trophy while the second, third and fourth place finishers will collect $250,000, $125,000 and $75,000 and the correspondingly accolade. Tournament Coordinator Troy Mendonca during an invited comment said, “Petra is once again pleased to
Teams urged to register as entries for Forbes Burnham Memorial softball close today
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eams that have not yet registered have until 16:00 hrs to do so as entries for the Forbes Burnham Memorial 10/10 knock out softball competition close today. The competition will commence on Sunday in Regions 2, 3 4, 5, 6, 7 and 10 with the winners from each area qualifying for the playoff in Georgetown on August 29. Entrance fee is $10,000 and the winning team will receive a trophy and $500,000, the runner up a trophy and $300,000, third place and fourth place a trophy and $100,000 each. Teams are asked to provide balls for the
The late President Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham
preliminary games and are asked to make contact with the following persons in their respective areas for information on registration. Mr. Raghubar (Essequibo Coast and Pomeroon) 6123973, Ravendra Ramgobin (West Coast Dem.) 6932429, Mark Ernest (West Bank Dem.) 665-9851, Vi r e n d r a C h i n t a m a n i
(Leguan) 629-0013, Nazeer Mohamed (Wakenaam) 6629256, Longsford Klass (Georgetown) 626-7259, Mr. Shafeek (East Bank Dem.) 656-2300, Rafman Alli (Lower East Coast) 6542233, Herman Persaud (Upper East Coast) 6433033, Rabindranauth Saywack (West Berbice) (Continued on page 38)
collaborate with Banks to organise another event of
football among the neighborhood wards.”
According to Mendonca, “This relationship stems over nine years and the wards have demonstrated camaraderie among themselves and we are proud to bring another edition of street football. Once again the Petra Organization thanks Banks DIH for collaborating with us in this next venture.” Cho-Hen in his remarks said, “Banks is indeed happy to be associated with sponsorship of the tournament,” adding, “This is yet another demonstration of the Banks DIH and GT Beers; commitment to sports in our beautiful country Guyana.” He further stated that, “We look forward to an exciting tournament and we thank the Petra Organization for organising such a tournament.” “We also look forward to the fans support for the respective teams and make the event exciting and fun.”
t r o Sp 6th edition of the Boyce & Jefford Classic...
Buoyant overseas contingent promises to throw down gauntlet on local counterparts
Athletes from Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and the Bahamas pose for a photo opportunity yesterday with representatives from Sponsors Digicel and Ansa McAl and the Coordinators at Olympic House, Kingston.
Palma Match - World Championship of Long Range Rifle Shooting
West Indies enjoy good day; ahead of Germany going into final day, today Jason Wood - shot his first possible at any level. The Palma Match in full swing at 800 yards yesterday at the Viale Range, Camp Perry, Ohio, USA. Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Limited, 24 Saffon St.Charlestown, Georgetown.Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/ 226-8210