Wednesday August 26, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Letters... Where your views make the news... Letters... Where your views make the news
A significant phenomenon is rapidly emerging in the country’s politics DEAR EDITOR, The Stabroek News, in its editorial of August 24th, titled “A new Registrar of Lands”, has once again exposed its phobia over the presence of the PNCR in the coalition government. The paper asserted that “the primary issue that has dogged the 100day old administration is that a section of its governing coalition, the PNCR, is aggressively asserting itself…” Less than a month earlier, the paper in its editorial of July 26th, titled “New Government”, claimed that “the temptation for elements in the PNC now they are in office… will be to ignore their ‘minor’ partners and push ahead with their own agenda, marginalizing the other party” and that this could lead to the fear that “no matter what is said to the contrary, the old PNC’s penchant for the authoritarian approach is still alive underneath the surface”. Expect to see more of this narrative of the bad PNCR asserting its old powerdrunk self in subsequent commentaries by the Stabroek News, not to mention by the opposition PR machinery. A significant phenomenon, however, is rapidly emerging in the country’s political landscape under the new government
that flies in the face of the allegations of a resurgent dictatorial PNCR. That phenomenon is the depoliticization of the political space, meaning the withdrawal of party politicians and politics from key State institutions and systems in the country. As depoliticization is, in effect, the reversal of party paramountcy, then SN’s attacks on the PNCR have no foundation. What is the evidence of this depoliticization? Ten examples come immediately to mind: (i) the passage of the Constitutional Amendment Act #2 of 2015 in July, which, by increasing the financial autonomy of several State entities, increased their protection from political manipulation. These entities include the Judicial Service Commission, the Public Service Commission and, most revealing, GECOM. Now, if the narrative of the Stabroek News is to be followed, then the PNC founder leader must be turning in his grave at this relinquishment of power by his understudies; (ii) the effort to professionalize the offices of Regional Executive Officers through open recruitment of these persons rather than by
ministerial hand-picking; (iii) the open recruitment locally and overseas for the positions of Chancellor and Chief Justice; (iv) the plans to make the parliament robust and independent, including the imminent tabling of the Office of the Clerk of the National Assembly Bill; (v) the imminent retabling of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill to allow greater independence to the National Broadcasting Authority; (vi) the restoring/granting of subventions to the TUC and FITUG, and commitments to restart collective bargaining; (vii) the intention to move all public monies into the Consolidation Fund to allow greater parliamentary and public oversight; (viii) plans to make the public procurement system transparent and independent; (ix) the establishment of technical committees of engineers, economists, scientists and others to advise on the sugar industry, drainage and irrigation, municipalities, etc. This embrace of technocracy and meritocracy will limit the reach of party politics; and (x) the absence of MPs and central executive members of the governing
parties on the new UG council, whereas before the PPP/C had 3 or 4 such persons, inclusive of Gail Teixeira and Odinga Lumumba. These and other examples are matters that fall under ministries headed by the PNCR. And the trend points in the direction of greater autonomy, less political interference, and more professionalization. Doubtlessly, the partners in the ruling coalition have accepted the need for depoliticization. The Stabroek News has disappointingly missed this ongoing and refreshing shift in the country’s political management. One hopes it can step back from sniffing around for acts of PNCR badness and instead give this emerging development due recognition and encouragement. The increasing depoliticization raises several questions, of course. Examples include: at what point will people begin to “feel” it and therefore perceive the system to be fair and party-blind? How can it reach that point? How can these changes be embedded and not be overturned later by narrow political calculations and the winnertake-all mentality? Sherwood Lowe
12 radio licences were issued in violation of the law, and this cannot be allowed to stand DEAR EDITOR, I refer to a letter from my colleague Mr. Sherwood Lowe in yesterday’s (August 25) newspapers. I am not in agreement with Sherwood’s position. As a result of a letter from Mr. Joseph Eleazar, Attorneyat-Law, to the Stabroek News of May 24, 2002 requesting clarification as to what was the role of The Advisory Committee on Broadcasting [ACB] was, your editorial comment to Mr Eleazar’s question, was as follows; and I believe that your report in this matter was accurate. “Advisory Committee on Broadcasting (ACB) What is it?” The Advisory Committee on Broadcasting was established on 15th November, 2001 as a semiautonomous body, pursuant to regulations made under the Guyana Post and Telegraph Act, Chapter 47:01. It comprises a chairman and two members, nominated by Guyana’s President, Leader of the Opposition, and Private Sector. Its tenure extends until the
establishment of a Broadcasting Authority. It is by law is supposed to: 1) Advise the Minister on the issuance, suspension and/or termination of television broadcasting station licences (including termination of unlicensed broadcasts) 2) Monitor the adherence to or breach of broadcast standards relating to content by licences. 3) Receive and investigate public opinion or complaints on broadcast standards 4) Maintain a working relationship with such bodies as are established by the industry to enforce broadcast standards. 5) Advise on appropriate action in cases of violations of the conditions of the licence after due process of investigation 6) Perform any other duties the responsible Minister may ask it to assume within the confines of these regulations and the Act. The general understanding was that the Committee would advise on appropriate action in cases of
violations of the conditions of the licence (see item 5 above) which is in fact the role usually performed by a Broadcasting Authority. The Committee’s own recent interpretation of its duties has therefore come as a surprise. It has also received some complaints on which it is still to adjudícate.” Editor, the Advisory Committee on Broadcasting was dissolved by the Hon James Bovell-Drakes before June 14 of 2011 on a motion from the leader of the opposition, and to substantiate this, I refer to this extract from the Kaieteur News of 14th June 2011: “Justice James Bovell-Drakes granted the pre-emptive injunction after the petition was put forward by the lawyer, Nigel Hughes. Kaieteur News was told that the ACB had determined that Sharma’s licence should be suspended for six months after the station had aired a commentary by Anthony Vieira which made some damning allegations against Chairman of the Ethnic
Relations Commission, Bishop Juan Edghill, last month”. As a result of the j u d g e ’s decision dissolving the ACB and since this injunction was not discharged, there was no ACB in place to advise Jagdeo to grant the 12 radio licences in October 2011, and as such, it can easily be construed that he broke the law again. I therefore do not agree that the issuance of the 12 radio licences is a fait accompli. They were illegally granted by a minister responsible for Broadcasting, Jagdeo, in contravention of our laws in the absence of an ACB which was the only entity that could have legally advised him to issue those licences, and there was no Broadcast Authority. The matter is therefore, in my opinion, not closed; since 12 radio licences were issued in violation of the law, the dialog and the communique. And cannot be allowed to stand. Tony Vieira
Farewell, Benjie
DEAR EDITOR, I use this opportunity to briefly comment on the passing of Benjamin Gibson, the father of well-known activist-scholar, Kean Gibson. Benjie was a gentle giant who donated his services in the fight to make Guyana a better place. I got to know Benjie 35 years ago, when he and the late Peter Britton defended me as I faced the courts on charges resulting from my political activity. They were both recruited by Brother Eusi Kwayana. Neither of them charged a penny. While Peter Britton was flamboyant and scholarly,
Benjie Gibson was thorough and measured. His chats with me were less as a client and more as a son. Over the years when I ran into him he was always eager to chat about politics. He was glad that I had dedicated part of my activism to what he referred to as “the plight of the Black Man.” I am glad I got to publicly acknowledge my gratitude to Benjie. He was at the time attending a forum on race at which his daughter, Kean, Freddie Kissoon and I were presenters. Farewell, Benjie. David Hinds
This lease arrangement must be rescinded forthwith DEAR EDITOR, The recent revelations by the Honourable Minister of State Joseph Harmon of the lease arrangement for the Red House by a surrogate PPP organisation to house the Cheddi Jagan Resource Centre and the footing of the staff expenditure for the facility by the then PPP government is not only odorous but scandalous. No Guyanese can question the significant contribution Dr. Jagan made to Guyana, and therefore any institution in his honour should be a national treasure. The same must be done for President Burnham and President Hoyte. Therefore it is my fervent view that the lease
arrangement for this institution must be rescinded forthwith, the Red House should be designated a national heritage site and the Cheddi Jagan Resource Centre should be given an annual subvention by the government to fund its operations. Further, a presidential taskforce should be established to work with the Burnham Foundation and the H.D. Hoyte Memorial Committee to establish similar arrangements for these former presidents. It is time that we as a people begin to cultivate a culture of recognizing and honouring the contributions of our present and past leaders. Bevon Currie
Guyana has exhibited... From page 4 But how can a five months Budget reverse a period of economic meltdown that started since mid-2012? We now have a growth rate for the first six months of 2015 of 0.9 percent which was caused by bad governance, greed and material deviation from the economic framework set up by the ERP since 1988. So, if there is anyone who should be answering for this flatlining of the economy in 2015, it is Dr. Ashni Singh, not Winston Jordan. I remain convinced, like the Hoyte and Jagan admin-
istrations in the past; this Granger/ Nagamootoo/Jordan administration can turn this country around since they have the wind of the people in their sails for now. But certainly, no rational mind will expect an economic miracle in three months. We may at this time be exhibiting some serious symptoms of economic flatlining, but we are not dead yet, Mr. Jagdeo. Sase Singh
Say no to corruption, it hurts us all.
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Kaieteur News
One jailed, three remanded for robbing Brazilian dredge owner Deon Giddings, one of four men said to be part of a gang that launched an attack on a mining camp last Saturday, was on Monday jailed for 18 months, at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts after he pleaded guilty to the charge of armed robbery. Giddings, 34, of Victoria, East Coast Demerara, Dunston Fraser, 27, of Ann’s Grove, ECD, Franklyn Adolph, 27, and Fabian Mars, 25 years, of North Ruimveldt, Georgetown stood quietly in the prisoners’ dock as the charge was read to them by City Magistrate Ann Mc Lennan. Particulars of the charge stated that on August 22, at Oku Backdam, Cuyuni River, while armed with a gun, they robbed Reginaldo Marinho of a licenced firearm valued
- Court hears men posed as cops $210,000 and two ounces of raw gold valued $490,000 – total value of $700,000. The accused were all unrepresented. Giddings’ co-accused pleaded not guilty and were remanded to prison until September 2. They will make their next court appearance at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court. In mitigation, Giddings pleaded with the Magistrate to exercise leniency when handing down her decision. He said he pleaded guilty because he did not want to waste the court’s time. He added, “I ain’t got no family here. I ain’t got nobody watching mah back.” Police Corporal Deniro Jones presented the prosecution’s case. In
relating the facts, Jones told the court that the virtual complainant (VC) is a licenced firearm holder and a dredge owner. Jones related that on August 17, around 15:00hrs, the men went into the VC’s camp and identified themselves as police officers from the Bartica Police Station. He added that Giddings was standing while the other men relieved the VC of his firearm and gold before making good their escape. Meanwhile, also on Monday, Dunston Fraser was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to charges of possession of illegal firearm and ammunition and possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking. In addition to the prison term he was ordered to pay a fine of $198,000 - three times the street value of the drug. In relation to the unlawful possession of firearm and ammunition charges he was sentenced to one year imprisonment on each charge. He was also fined a total of $10,000. The sentences will run concurrently. These charges were instituted against Fraser, as a result of the robbery that was carried out on Reginaldo Marinho. The convict was captured on Saturday last, after police found him hiding out at Tamakay Backdam. Searches were carried out on his hammock and person and the illegal gun, ammo and narcotic were found. As a result, he was arrested, cautioned and taken to the Bartica Police Station, where the charges were laid.
Wednesday August 26, 2015
Cops detain husband of slain cash crop farmer - ‘mystery’ call believed made to throw sleuths off track Last week’s bizarre murder of cash crop farmer Pamela Kendall took an even stranger twist yesterday, with police taking the slain woman’s reputed husband into custody, while hinting that they are close to solving the case. Police detained Kendall’s spouse, Deochand Sookchand, reportedly after unearthing evidence that 56year-old Kendall may not have been the victim of a robbery attempt. Police are set to bring Sookchand to Georgetown for further questioning. Investigators had also detained a Number 51 Village, Corentyne robbery suspect, but it is unclear whether he is still in custody. Police appear to have been suspicious from the outset about the circumstances surrounding the ‘home invasion,’ which occurred at around 18.00 hrs last week Thursday during a power outage. They also noticed a number of inconsistencies in statements that they took from a man that they questioned. The slain woman’s husband also confirmed that investigators had swabbed his hands for traces of gunpowder. Detectives believe that the killer or an accomplice made a ‘mystery call’ to the victim’s home shortly after the murder to throw them off track. The caller had reportedly said “don’t call my name in anything,” before hanging up. Investigators have obtained phone records of calls made around that time,
but officials declined to say whether they have been able to trace the call. Kendall, a cash crop farmer, was reportedly shot shortly after she entered the back door of the family’s home, located near the Number 45 Village Public Road. She managed to run from her home, only to collapse in her brother’s yard, located a few houses away. Sookchand had said that he believed that the gunman and an accomplice had planned to rob them and shot his wife after she screamed. Sookchand, an NDC employee, had related that the killer struck shortly after the couple had entered their home. He said he was having a bath downstairs and his wife was about to close the back door when he heard a single gunshot, and his wife’s screams. According to Sookchand, he began to scream to alert the neighbours, while one of the alleged bandits armed with a gun ran upstairs. Within minutes the intruder returned downstairs and he, along with an accomplice, fled into the backlands. In a later interview, Sookchand said he was in the bathroom and had just told his wife to close the back door, when he heard her scream. This was followed by a gunshot. He said that he hid in the bathroom and the intruder peered inside, but did not enter. He reportedly heard the man whispering to someone, and this led him to believe the killer had an accomplice.
Murdered: Pamela Kendall Sookchand said that he later ran outside to assist his wife, but she had managed to run to her brother’s residence, approximately 100 yards away. She was later pronounced dead at the Skeldon Public Hospital. Sookchand suggested that the killer left without taking anything, after failing to find anyone in the premises that he could have forced to hand over anything of value. He also suggested that the power outage may have deterred the gunman from searching the house. Police reportedly found a spent shell and a bullet in the kitchen. Robert Kendall, the murdered woman’s brother, said his sister had no problems with her spouse or with anyone in the community. Kendall however recounted that the bandits had robbed the couple on three previous occasions. Last week, several Number 45 Village, Corentyne, Berbice residents blocked the main roadway for about an hour to vent their outrage their outrage over Kendall’s murder and the recent spate of violent robberies in th e i r community.
Wednesday August 26, 2015
Kaieteur News
Rowley at public meeting…
Manning was hated, so PP got into power Trinidad Guardian - The People’s Partnership obtained power not because of its policies or vision but because the country hated Patrick Manning in 2010, says Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley. Now that the PP’s term has ended, Rowley said the party was still without policies or programmes. Speaking at a public meeting at Embacadere weekend, Rowley said the PP continued to campaign on the same policies and ideas which originated under the Manning administration. To reiterate his point, Rowley said the Government Assistance for Tuition Expenses Programme (GATE), Unemployment Relief Programme (URP), Chronic Disease Assistance Programme (CDAP), On-theJob Training (OJT), Community-based Environmental Protection and
Enhancement Programme (CEPEP) and University of T&T (UTT) were all initiated under the PNM. These programmes, Rowley said, were being destroyed by the Kamla Persad-Bissessar administration. “It wasn’t their fault you know, there was a vacuum in 2010... such was the condition that the PNM supporters had printed jerseys saying we vex but we voting PNM. “The PP did not have to put a single policy before the country. The only thing that held them together, made them useful and attractive in 2010 was their hatred for Patrick Manning and their hatred for the PNM,” Rowley said. He added: “They had absolutely nothing else to offer to the people of T&T and you put them into office. They had the authority of State. Which policy or programme did they initiate to
change the lives of the people of Embacadere? If they did have one, I don’t know about it.” Rowley said Tertiary Education Minister Fazal Karim was campaigning for the Chaguanas East seat telling people if the PNM wins the election, GATE would be cut. However, Rowley said the PNM’s plan for GATE was to rid it of corruption. He denied that GATE would be cut if the PNM got into power. He also hit out at the UNC’s use of CEPEP and URP workers to build support at its political meetings, saying that no one should seek to have permanent employment in those programmes. Rowley reminded the audience that CEPEP and URP were meant to be temporary employment so the poor could put food on their tables.
Italy says putting Barbados on tax haven blacklist was a mistake
Minister of International Business Donville Inniss (left) and Italy’s Ambassador to Barbados Paolo Serpi shake hands after signing the Double Taxation Agreement. (Photo: Barbados Today) BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – Italy’s Ambassador to Barbados says his country made an “unfortunate mistake” when it put the Caribbean island on a list of non-cooperate tax jurisdictions. Ambassador Serpi sought to clear up the misunderstanding as the two countries signed a Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) Monday. Back in June, the European Commission named Barbados among several Caribbean countries on the blacklist, based on the recommendations of
European Union (EU) member countries. The move had prompted a strong response from Minister of International Business Donville Inniss who said it was unjustified and Barbados would fight it. Serpi said Monday’s signing, at which he represented Italy and Inniss signed on behalf of the Barbados government, was “a clear signal to Barbados and other countries of the Caribbean that we have to work on trust . . . and it is a way to put aside, once and for all, irritants in the relations between us, the EU countries,
and countries of the Caribbean”. Inniss said he was optimistic that given the two countries’ continued efforts at strengthening bilateral relations, Italy would soon remove Barbados from its blacklist, following the lead of its EU neighbour Spain which did so earlier this month. The minister said the signing symbolized the continuous efforts of both governments to promote closer economic, social and cultural ties since the first step was made with the initialing of the agreement on March 27, 2009.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday August 26, 2015
Greece’s Syriza projects election confidence despite split Reuters - Greece’s radical left Syriza party can win reelection with an outright majority, a senior member said yesterday, and govern without relying on other parties that backed its hardfought bailout deal with international creditors. Panos Skourletis, energy minister in the Syriza-led government which resigned last week, also said the nation must avoid deadlock leading to a second round of elections - a scenario that politicians are already debating even though a first round has yet to be called. Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, who during his
seven months in office took Greece to the brink of financial collapse and exit from the euro, resigned last week in the hope of crushing a far-left rebellion in Syriza and strengthening his grip on power through a snap election. Skourletis, a close aide to Tsipras, told Mega TV: “I believe that an absolute majority in parliament for Syriza is achievable.” Syriza is banking on the assumption that Tsipras remains popular for standing up to Greece’s euro zone and IMF creditors, even though he eventually caved in and accepted their demands for
more austerity and economic reforms in return for 86 billion euros ($99 billion) in bailout loans. It is not clear whether the party’s confidence is justified. No opinion poll has been published since July 24, well before Tsipras resigned and a group of far-left rebels broke away from Syriza. New polls are expected to appear shortly as voters return from their holidays. Analysts widely expect Syriza to emerge from a snap election as the biggest party but without an absolute majority, forcing Tsipras to find a coalition partner. If coalition talks failed, President Prokopis Pavlopoulos would have to call on the second- and thirdbiggest parties to form a government, failing which the country would return to elections. Skourletis opposed such a scenario. “We must avoid this. Some things have their limits. People know this and will vote in such a way so that we do not end up in a jam,” he said. He played down the possibility of a post-election deal with the main pro-bailout groups - the conservative New Democracy, centrist To Potami or the PASOK
Alexis Tsipras talks with Panos Skourletis (L) during a parliamentary session in Athens, Greece Saturday. Reuters/Yiannis Kourtoglou socialists - because of what he called a lack of common ground. Since Tsipras quit last Thursday, the president has tasked two opposition parties with trying to form a new government in the apparently forlorn hope of avoiding an early election. With parties deeply divided over the bailout Greece’s third since 2010 - and its tough conditions, New Democracy has already failed to find coalition partners. Now Popular Unity, the far-left breakaway from
Syriza, is going through the motions. Its leader, Panagiotis Lafazanis, has already admitted defeat and is using his three-day presidential mandate merely to win air time for his anti-bailout message. After a meeting with the conservative opposition, Lafazanis appealed to the president to hold the election on Sept. 27, a week later than expected, in a bid to buy more time for the opposition to campaign and make a dent in Tsipras’s popularity. Once his mandate expires tomorrow, Pavlopoulos is
expected to make one final attempt to forge compromise among the parties. As this is also nearly certain to fail, he will then appoint a caretaker premier and call elections within 30 days. Potentially delaying the electoral process further, conservative opposition leader Vangelis Meimarakis urged the president not to skip a political leaders’ meeting after Lafazanis hands back his mandate, saying it was imperative for all party leaders to meet to decide on a caretaker government.
Wednesday August 26, 2015
Kaieteur News
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The twist in monetary policy It came as a surprise that the government, in the 2015 Budget, would treat as Budget agencies, the very institutions and constitutional commissions which it had committed as subvention agencies, so as guarantee these bodies independence from Executive Control. It was a major embarrassment to the new government to have had the opposition point out that it had blundered and technically had estimates which were in violation of the very laws that APNU/AFC had championed. It is the sort of foul-up that usually leads to resignations or sacking. But in this case it was a technical foul-up, one that is more an embarrassment than any deliberate intention to bypass the law. It will be
corrected. But because the Budget took three months to be prepared and because the government had as one of its first acts passed laws to grant independence to certain constitutional bodies, it is a serious embarrassment for the government to find itself having to move a motion to correct a problem which it ought to have avoided. It will also bring the new government “down to earth” and make them realize that similar mistakes have to be avoided in the future, not just in terms of the Budget, but in other ministries. All the hullaballoo over the estimates and about the voting rights of the Prime Minister when performing the duties of President have detracted from the fact that it is difficult to identify how this
Budget, apart from the increase in pension, really benefits the ordinary man. It has also blindsided perhaps the most important issue that this Budget has raised, and which the opposition has failed to make an issue of - perhaps this is part of their strategy to allow the government to commit mistake after mistake. The most important issue is the monetary policy of the government. Quite frankly, everything in the Budget means little if the government is going to pursue this policy of sterilizing liquidity by withdrawing billions out of the banking system. It does not matter that the money may not be earning much interest. It does not matter that the money belongs to the government. What matters is the effect of
Dem boys seh...
Soulja Bai want fuh match Jagdeo flying record Is only now dem boys finding out de crookishness that Neeaz Subhan and Kwame McCoy do fuh de Pee Pee Pee. De pressure was building up pun de party because dem people in foreign begin to ask question. Dem was de people who use to give nuff money to de party. De only thing that dem didn’t know was that most of de money was ending up in people pocket. Neeaz and Kwame decide to print a paper in New York to fool de people that everything bright and beautiful in Guyana. Is not them private paper, is Govt money spend. And according to dem two, is that one Jagdeo- the man that resembled the devilwho instruct dem to do it. But old people always seh wha do in darkness does come to light. Dem boys did ask Neeaz about de newspaper and he tell dem point blank that is not their business.
De boss man for de Waterfalls paper decide to check but he couldn’t get no information. When he ask Neeaz de man tell dem that is a government project and that is a secret project. Well is a new government and since dem was spending government money dem had to be a record. Fuh some strange reason, de money dem spend wasn’t on de radar because de audit didn’t reach that part of de programme. Then suddenly out of de blue word come to de Waterfalls boss man that Neeaz and Kwame didn’t ask any printery. Now if a man want to get a quotation fuh a paper he gun go to a printery. Not Neeaz and Kwame. Dem seek a middle man and dem pick pun two white man who name Kev and de other man name Bill. Kev and Bill them go and look fuh a printer name Five Star printer that some
Guyanese own. It tun out that whatever money dem spend people gun know. Kev and Bill get dem cut. Neeaz and Kwame get dem cut and de Guyanese printers ain’t talking about how much dem charge, but dem boys got de papers and de account. Neeaz gun get sick again. He watching de jail door. All de money he get from dem show wha he use to hold ain’t enough to pay lawyers to explain de skimming off. And Soulja Bai skimming too, but he skimming over de clouds. Every week he out of de county. Dem boys believe that he want to match Jagdeo record. But then again he might be seeking frequent flyer miles. Dem boys want he to know that dem expect he to be in Guyana to lead de country, Talk half and wait fuh de Neeaz and Kwame bombshell.
such a significant sum being withdrawn for the purposes of reducing the Budget deficit. It is an extraordinary gambit. If it succeeds the Minister of Finance should receive the Nobel Prize for Literature. If it fails, then the consequences for the entire country will be terrible. The financial system can collapse and take down the economy with it. Conventional wisdom is that sterilization is best done through Central Bank lending.
Well, if you withdraw large sums from the banking system you are substituting a time-tested measure, one that has been extensively supported in numerous papers on monetary policy, for a measure which essentially concedes to those who made misinformed demands for “parallel treasuries.” Convention wisdom will indicate that it is dangerous to take the approach being proposed by the government. But perhaps APNU/AFC possesses a higher wisdom
than those who are paid to conduct research on monetary policy. A debate is needed on this measure that APNU/AFC is proposing. Can reducing the deficit be so important to take such huge risks as is being proposed? Time will tell. But in the meantime, there are serious questions to be answered about this twist in monetary policy.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday August 26, 2015
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
The Mephistophelean masturbation After the cremation of Mrs. Christobel Hughes, we went to Parliament. The budget criticism I heard from PPP parliamentarians is an exercise in psychological terror. It was frightening to see. Here is what the psychological textbook instructs us. Young children from a village are being abducted often. A search party is formed. The exercise goes on nightly. The kidnapper is part of the search group. After a period of time, the kidnapper
goes through a surreal process. He lifts himself out of his own reality and becomes part of the reality of the search. What happens then is that the kidnapper believes there is an abductor out there and looks for him. This is the unimaginable danger facing Guyana with the PPP as the opposition in Parliament. When an offender is aware of his/her mischief, there is every chance of stopping the action. An insurmountable danger arises when the pervert is not aware
that he/she is committing a crime. You cannot stop the crime, because the perpetrator is not conscious of his/her action. I came out of Parliament after sitting for five minutes. I left without telling Leonard Craig and Aurdell Glasgow, who came with me, that I was leaving. Guyana is going through a Faustian spectacle, where a three-month-old government is accused of the worst abominations in the undemocratic exercise of power by a political party that was in power for twentythree consecutive years. What is unfolding here is not only masturbatory narcissism, but psychological terror. Three months replaces twenty-three years. The PPP tells the nation that its twenty-three years cannot be compared to APNU-AFC’s three months because the PPP comprises superior humans that did not commit the sins in its long rule that the new regime is guilty of in three
months. This is Draculean surrealism. We return to the psychological textbook. If the PPP over the next five years until the election in 2020, persists in accusing the APNU-AFC administration of all the depravities in the naked use of power then the PPP becomes irredeemable, and will not concede the semifascist mistakes it made, because it does what the kidnapper did. It psychologically removes itself from its twenty-three year-old tyranny and replaces it with democratic crusade. This is what is happening in Parliament at the moment. The PPP is advocating a special fund for victims of criminal robberies. They see this as justice for people whose relatives were murdered by violent robbers. The psychology at work here is that the PPP, through its empathy for the victims, cares about justice. But there was no empathy from the PPP
Corruption benefits the rich and powerful at the expense of the poor. Say no to it.
when the past fifteen years a tsunami of violent robberies has overtaken this country. People have seen their loved ones die in front of their eyes on the parapet after their arrival from overseas. For over twenty years, late night arrival at the airport has been a dangerous thing. This country has seen the brutal murder of people who died clutching their bag of money withdrawn from commercial banks. The PPP wants a fund for the victims. Where was this fund prior to May 2015? The level of disbelief simply numbed the mind as one listened to the budget criticism of the PPP Parliamentarians. Descriptions included, “lack of accountability and transparency”. These were two words that did not exist under the presidency of Jagdeo, the very man who led the budget debate for the opposition in Parliament last week. This country woke up to some of the most horrific forms on incestuous political economy under Jagdeo never seen before in the entire history of the British West Indies. But it was incestuousness clouded in diabolical secrecy. The people of Guyana yearn for some disclosures that have terrorized their minds the past fifteen years.
Frederick Kissoon Mr. Jagdeo through the instrumentality of his underling, Labour Minister Nanda Gopaul, hijacked the entire private commercial house named New Building Society (NBS). The NBS purchased the shares of CLICO in the Berbice Bridge worth over two billion dollars. CLICO then paid those two billions to favoured shareholders who lost when CLICO collapsed. To date no one knows who those shareholders are; all the recipients were close to Mr. Jagdeo. This former president and his party are now accusing a three-month-old government of lack of accountability and transparency. Millions of acres of land have been sold to favoured foreign investors and the shape of those sales remains state secrets, like the 65 acres opposite the Botanic Garden, sold to China Trading. This country is facing the PPP’s entry into bizarre psychology in which it will come to seriously accept that its 23-year-old reign was absolutely perfect.
Wednesday August 26, 2015
Kaieteur News
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More $B bids opened for GWI upgrades Under the Ministry of Communities, bids were submitted on behalf of Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) for the design, supply and implementation of water treatment facilities and upgrade of reticulation (pipe networks) at Uitvlugt (West Coast Demerara), Diamond (East Bank Demerara) and Sheet Anchor (East Canje, Berbice). The engineer’s estimate for this bid was US$14,404,406. This follows on the heels of multi-million-dollar bids submitted earlier in the month. Those bids had targeted the transmission mains in Lamaha Park; Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara (ECD) and Campbellville areas. Bids opened yesterday were as follows:
Under the Ministry of Communities, multi-million-dollar bids were also opened for the provision of security services. Earlier in the year, the Ministry was the target of an arson attempt.
Under the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, the Procurement of school uniforms, structured by lots 1 & 2, were also bid for. Another recurring feature was the bids submitted for the renovation of the Office of the Prime Minister, Main Street. This was done under the Ministry of the Presidency. It follows on the heels of a multi-million-dollar project to rehabilitate the Prime Minister’s residence, for which bids were opened in June. The tender for works on the Office of the Prime Minister was divided into two lots. The engineer’s estimate for lot 1 was $20,311,390 while the engineer’s estimate for lot 2 was $18,417,630. And finally, under the Ministry of Education, bids were opened for the provision and delivery of cooked meals to Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE).
Push cart operator on armed robbery charges A teenage push cart operator was yesterday slapped with five armed robbery charges after he was accused of robbing several occupants of a motor vehicle that sustained a punctured tyre at West Ruimveldt Housing Scheme on Friday last. Alferno Archer, 17, was arraigned at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts yesterday and denied the allegations when he appeared before City Magistrate Ann Mc Lennan. The allegations are that Archer robbed five persons while brandishing a gun. He allegedly relieved them of cell phones, documents and cash, among other items, valued at over $100,000. Archer, who told the court he operates a push cart near Stabroek Market, was remanded to prison until September 3. Police Corporal Deniro Jones informed the
court that a bag and phone were recovered on the defendant’s possession. Jones said that the defendant has no pending or previous matters before the court. Jones told the court that on the day in question, the virtual complainants’ vehicle had a punctured tyre and they stopped to fix it. As they were doing so, the defendant, who was armed with a gun, along with others, approached the vehicle and demanded that the occupants hand over their valuables. The defendant told the court that the alleged stolen articles were not recovered on him. He claimed, “the only thing I had on me is my phone and $8,000.” Further, he denied knowing the virtual complainants. “This is me first time seeing these people,” he exclaimed.
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Guyana’s ambassador to Venezuela to be replaced The Opposition has warned Government to think twice about recalling its ambassador to Venezuela, Geoffrey da Silva. According to Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge, the Government will announce a new person for that position within three or four weeks. The minister was responding to questions from the Opposition on Monday evening during the considerations of 2015 National Budget.
But Opposition Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira, herself a former acting Foreign Minister, warned that Da Silva’s recall might not be such a good idea, as there is no telling when Venezuela is likely to issue its agrément or approval of the person who has been chosen. A delay of that agrément is likely to have trade and other repercussions. The Opposition was at the time querying a $97M allocation for Local Travel and Subsistence. Last year that
figure was $20.8M. Greenidge explained that under arrangements for its diplomats, Government would stand the expense of returning the personal belongings of the persons. Additionally, the new Government is currently carrying out an assessment of the operations of its overseas embassies, hence the jump in expenditure this year. The Venezuela ambassador would have been one of the toughest for the Foreign Affairs ministry,
especially in light of the controversy that sparked by that neighbouring country’s claims on Guyana. Bilateral relations between the two countries took a turn for the worse after US-owned ExxonMobil announced in May that it had found oil in a concession offshore Guyana. Venezuela claimed that the waters belong to that nation, a claim that Guyana is vehemently denying. With Guyana also involved in a lucrative oil-for-
Being recalled: Ambassador Geoffrey da Silva rice deal with Venezuela, and da Silva playing a critical role in the arrangements, his recall would take even more significance. The ambassador was a former Minister under the PPP. This year, Guyana is facing a number increasing challenges, especially when it pertains to border issues, Greenidge explained to the House. Almost $4B has been allocated to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to help Guyana defend itself on
international scene against Venezuela’s claims among other things. Of the sum allocated to the Ministry, $2.6B covers foreign policy promotion. He explained that emphasis will be placed on postings in key areas including Trinidad and Tobago, the United States of America and Latin America, as part of developing deeper relationship. Allocations were also made for the upkeep of various embassies and missions abroad.
56 MONTHS FOR ARMED ROBBER For the year so far, there has been an alarming number of robbery under-arms cases heard at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. Every day there are cases of such nature and most of the perpetrators are between the ages of 18 and 25. Yesterday was no different, as 20-year-old Keon Simon was jailed for 56 months after he was found guilty for robbery under-arms. Simon, of 53 West La Penitence Housing Scheme, robbed Marcia Rampersaud at gunpoint on June 3, 2015. He stole two gold rings valued $40,000 and a white metal gold chain valued $20,000, property of the said Rampersaud. The sentence was handed down by City Magistrate Judy Latchman. Magistrate Latchman took into consideration all mitigating factors and informed the court of her guilty ruling. The Magistrate also emphasised that based on the prevalence of the offence she would impose the sentence on the defendant.
Wednesday August 26, 2015
Kaieteur News
Opposition MP chided by AG for “contempt of parliament” The political opposition expressed yesterday that being restricted to only two or three questions per line item in the 2015 budget will inhibit them from effectively holding the government accountable. This was lamented by several members on the western side of the House during the deliberations of the estimates for Region Two (Pomeroon – Supenaam). The Opposition only has three days to scrutinize the estimates and even worked until 3:00 am yesterday to push in as much work as possible. But during the consideration of the estimates for Region Two, the opposition felt that there was some level of bias taking place as they have been prevented in some cases from asking more than two or three questions. Leading the Opposition’s call for the Speaker of the House, Dr. Barton Scotland, to exercise leniency and some flexibility was PPP General Secretary, Clement Rohee. Rohee told Dr. Scotland that only allowing two to three questions is perhaps the government’s way of sheltering its incompetence and it should stop. The politician said, “This is nonsense, just nonsense.” But this accusation only unnerved members on the
Opposition MP, Clement Rohee
Attorney General, Basil Williams
eastern side of the House, as Attorney General Basil Williams then took the floor and blasted Rohee for his “disrespectful” presentation. He said that the comments of the PPP General Secretary not only border on contempt of parliament, but bring the integrity of the Speaker’s office into question. Williams, perhaps in defence of the Speaker’s office, emphasized that such behaviour should not be condoned. His colleagues banged their tables in approval of his position. But the House Speaker did not seem bothered by Rohee’s jab at the integrity of his office. He, instead, dealt with his contention of the Opposition members being prohibited
from asking as many questions as their hearts desired. “The Speaker has been extremely lenient. But it is impossible to accommodate every question every member wants to ask. One member asked eight questions. I remember because as he asked them I made eight dots on my paper here. Now multiply that by 10… So let us not get carried away,” Dr. Scotland said. Opposition Member Ganga Persaud then shouted, “Well what is the purpose of this exercise then?” To this, the House Speaker retorted, “Let us not make this into what it is not. It doesn’t serve us well. Members have been taking the floor without the Continued on page 26
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Former Minister “hijacked” $23M to buy high-end vehicle for himself – PM Nagamootoo
There has been much hullabaloo, particularly from the political opposition, regarding the sum of $22M which has been allocated to purchase a four-wheel drive Sports Utility Vehicle for Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo. But Nagamootoo says that the opposition’s derogatory comments since the revelation of the allocation are nothing but “political hate.” He said that it is obvious however that the PPP is oblivious to its own “dirty laundry.” The First Vice President said that had an allocation in 2014 not been mishandled by the former Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, there would be no need to set aside more money for the said vehicle. In the 2014 budget, $23 million was allocated by the previous administration for the procurement of a highend Land Cruiser for then Prime Minister Samuel Hinds. “But it was not used for that purpose. It was hijacked by the former Finance Minister and a vehicle was bought for him. Now where is that exotic high end vehicle,” the Prime Minister questioned. He continued, “We want to know why it was not delivered to us, and it is because of that missing vehicle that led to my advisors asking for another
Former Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh
Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo
vehicle to be bought. Sam Hinds complained of the aged vehicles bought for his use.” The Vice President said that the four-wheel drive vehicle is a “necessity” if he is expected to carry out his work properly. “You need this kind of vehicle if you want to go into the countryside. My little grey vehicle could hardly go over a normal speed bump. It grazes at the bottom and I am the Prime Minister. I need to go to the rice farmers and the cane cutters and I can’t use that little grey car they gave me,” added Nagamootoo. As for the scoffs from the opposition’s camp, he said that he is the least bothered by it
and deemed it to be just another part of “their political ploy.” He went as far as to say that it is the “politics of deception” as the PPP “only intends to do whatever it takes to shift the focus away from its maladministration in any way it can.” During the deliberations over the 2015 estimates, it was disclosed to the National Assembly that, between 2012 and 2014, almost $50M was voted by the past administration to purchase vehicles for the Office of the Prime Minister. However, when the party demitted office, only eight old, reconditioned vehicles were recovered. (Kiana Wilburg)
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Recent Toshaos’ Conference deemed more “liberal” forum ...as community leaders permitted to raise land titling concerns In comparison to 2014, this year’s National Toshaos Conference (NTC) was seen and received as a more “liberal” gathering of community leaders and government officials. This was related to Kaieteur News, by social activists for the rights of Indigenous Peoples, Jean LaRose and Laura George, both members of the NonGovernmental Organisation the Amerindian Peoples’ Association (APA).
The organisation has been advocating for Indigenous Rights for a number of years, conducting in-depth projects and reports which address issues that the country’s Indigenous communities face. Following last year’s NTC, Kaieteur News conducted an interview with several Indigenous community leaders, who related their disappointment at the inadequate responses to concerns raised by
A section of the attendees at this year’s National Toshaos Conference Toshaos. The leaders had detailed
that they were prevented from raising many of their questions after various ministerial presentations. Questions particularly concerning land titles and mineral mining, were restricted. An executive member of the National Toshaos Council at the time, Clyde Henry, had explained that many Indigenous villages around Guyana were being pressured into accepting mining operations from outside mining companies. Of note about last year’s Conference, was that the then Opposition political parties, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC), as well as the APA were absent, saying that they did not receive invitations to the gathering. The two activists even noted that last year, they had picketed the NTC, outside the then International Conference Centre, Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara, pleading with organisers to allow Toshaos to speak freely
on a variety of topics. The difference with this year’s NTC, according to the APA members, was that the NTC organisers followed through with programmes. Additionally, the issues from last year’s NTC were brought up with regards to Indigenous communities’ land rights. George explained that at the recent conference, questions surrounding land titling and the newly proposed Hinterland and Indigenous Peoples Land Commission were allowed to be asked, which resulted in discussions on Indigenous communities land entitlement. “They (Toshaos) were able to ask questions on the land titling project, there was actually a presentation, and different leaders followed up on each community’s situation. I think part of what resulted was that this review, which the Ministry outlined as the project, be participatory,” George asserted. She added that
communities should be able to participate in reviewing the land titling project so that decisions on the way forward with relation to its objectives can be continued as there are limitations in the documentation which need to be addressed. Moreover, George shared that community leaders at the Conference felt freer to raise their concerns and “not obligated perhaps to praise or criticise the administration.” She admitted that while this administration is very new, she will be looking forward to how next year’s NTC will be received. Moving forward, LaRose shared that the newly elected executive of National Toshaos Council operates not as a body with individual interests but one which addresses the concerns of Toshaos as a whole. “We would really like to see them (the Councillors) working as a body and not any individual working as the National Toshaos Council. Not as an ‘I’ but a ‘You’ or a ‘We’ thing,” said LaRose.
“Major reforms” in the pipeline... (From page 3) throughout Guyana. She said that ultimately, there would be a permanent presence in all regions with the establishment of satellite locations. Broomes also said that the existing legislation, though commendable, urgently requires amendments and reforms to reflect the current needs of the society and the anticipated changes which the future will bring. She said that several pieces of legislation reflect outdated penalties which are not consequential enough to encourage compliance. The Parliamentarian said that there are several regulations made under the Occupational Safety & Health Act that have to be enacted with great urgency, after consul-
tations with the relevant stakeholders. She said that these include Mining, Noise, Chemical Forestry and Manufacturing Regulations. She asserted that these aim to introduce new guidelines for compliance to safety and health requirements in their respective fields. As for a social ill which is close to her heart, Trafficking In Persons, Broomes said that for the third consecutive year, that is to say, this year, Guyana has been placed in the Tier Two Watch List of Trafficking in Persons. She said, “It is more than ten years since we have enacted the combating of Trafficking in Persons Act, but it is unfortunate that I have to submit that for ten years, precious little was done to make that legislation useful and ef-
A mini health check is the first step to donating blood
fective. This unacceptable situation must and will be changed.” She said that “the deliverables” in this regard depend very much on the implementation of the National Strategy Plan which flows from the appointment of the appropr i a t e t a s k force. B r o o m e s s tated that there will be comprehensive training on the rudiments of the legislation which speaks to Trafficking in Persons, and to make the legislation more effective, the necessary regulations will be passed and implemented. “I wish to categorically state that anyone caught in breach of this Act, will be prosecuted with utmost vigour,” she added. She stated that there will be greater collaboration among the various agencies which include the Ministries of Public Affairs, Foreign Affairs, Public Health, Education, and others.
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Food For The Poor to receive GuySuCo releases positive second crop figures subventions, land allocations Starting next year Food For The Poor (FFTP) Guyana, will be receiving fixed annual subventions from government to assist the organisation’s efforts in serving the country’s less fortunate citizens. This disclosure was made by President David Granger, during a fundraising event at the Pegasus Hotel’s Savannah Suite, last Friday evening, where First Lady Sandra Granger was also in attendance. The announcement was applauded by attendees and officials from the FFTP including the organisation’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Kent Vincent and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Paul Chan-A-Sue. In addition to the annual subventions, starting in the 2016 fiscal year, Government will be providing two hectares of land to FFTP for the construction of a newer and larger facility. He further announced that the foundation will be granted duty-free concessions for vehicles imported under the Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) to continue their charitable work. During his address, the President explained that the granting of these
concessions will go a far way in assisting FFTP and their services, with the ultimate goal of lifting more Guyanese out of poverty. Granger affirmed that it is the objective of his administration to remain committed to the eradication of poverty in Guyana within the next five years. He noted that although it is an ambitious commitment it is necessary towards developing the country with respect and esteem. “Respect for human dignity calls for a level of concern, a level of commitment, and a call to action in eradicating extreme poverty from our society. Food For The Poor attempts to do just that, but it has gone beyond providing hand outs; it has helped to empower individuals…helping people to help themselves,” the Head of State emphasised. “Guyana cannot claim to uphold human dignity, when many of its citizens subsist on an income that is insufficient to provide for their daily meals,” he said. To this end, he pointed out that the foundation has managed to serve many people by helping them to elevate their lives out of poverty to become selfsufficient. He related that had
it not been for FFTP, destitution in the country would have been even more widespread and the institute has helped the poor by giving them a “hand up, rather than a hand out”. Moreover, the President appealed to citizens and corporate Guyana to recognise the importance of assisting the poor and organisations like FFTP, since the Government cannot tackle poverty alone. “With sufficient support, Food For The Poor’s work can be more impactful in alleviating poverty in our country,” he said. Meanwhile, contrary to popular belief, the foundation’s CEO, clarified that FFTP does not have a lot of money at its disposal, despite the tremendous projects the entity has managed to pull off in over 24 years of existence. Vincent explained that the organisation depends heavily on the support of donors, organisations, individuals and the Government, without which, its work would come to a halt. FFTP has become the leading charitable organisation in Guyana since it was established in 1991, serving in all 10 Administrative Regions over the years.
M&CC extends amnesty to defaulting taxpayers The Mayor and City Councillors (M&CC) of Georgetown is once again giving defaulting taxpayers an opportunity to honour their civic obligation and pay their rates and taxes, interestfree. Over the years, delinquent taxpayers have been responsible for the loss of hundreds of millions of dollars of council’s revenue. Ever since, officials of City Hall have extended the waiver on taxes to citizens with the hope that it would lead to the collection of much needed revenue, and alleviate municipality’s burden in fulfilling its numerous financial obligations. There has been a number of amnesty programmes aimed at encouraging defaulting property owners in the city to pay their dues. According to Debra Lewis, M&CC Public Relations Officer, this year’s amnesty will be granted from September 1- 30. Lewis noted that while residential properties will receive 100% amnesty on interest, companies and businesses must apply to the council for between 50% to
M&CC Public Relations Officer Debra Lewis 75% amnesty on tax interest. “Property owners are advised to check with the City Treasurer’s Department so that they can be guided on the use of the facility
offered,” she explained, adding that the council has taken into consideration the socio-economic issues of citizens in Georgetown, which can affect their ability to honour their civic obligation. “Also, the Council is cognisant of the fact that many of the property owners are pensioners and retired public servants,” Lewis added. The Public Relations Officer reiterated that all properties used solely for public religious worship, those properties used exclusively for the purpose of education, burial grounds, cemeteries or crematoriums are also exempted from paying property taxes to the council.
Husband freed of... (From page 23) the jury. Following their submissions yesterday, Justice Joann Barlow noted to the prosecution that they had “a weak case,” since there was insufficient evidence against the accused to convict him for the offence. The Judge noted too that it would not be in the interest of justice to allow the matter to continue. The victim’s mother became immediately emotional at the judge’s announcement. A smiling Towler was subsequently discharged.
Less than two weeks after the National Cane Farmers Conference was successfully hosted at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre, figures released by the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) indicate that production for the second sugar crop has actually exceeded its original target. During the conference, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo had projected over 17,000 tonnes of sugar as the expected target from the crop. However, the latest figures from show that as of yesterday, 20,208 tonnes of sugar have come out of the second crop. The sugar corporation however noted instances of rainfall that at some points hampered the work of cane harvesters. This, according to the corporation, was most prevalent with the Berbice Estates, which registered an average recorded rainfall of 46.75mm. The weekly average rainfall was 66.59mm, with Wales (109.2mm), Rose Hall (85.9mm) and Blairmont (87.4mm) being the worst affected. The wet conditions are said to have halted mechanical and semimechanical harvesting
throughout the industry. With these figures, according to GuySuCo, 101,352 tonnes of sugar cane have been produced for the year to date. It had been reported at the National Cane Farmers Conference that among the estates, the multi-billion dollar Skeldon factory had produced 2,656 tonnes of sugar from its first crop of 2015, while Albion recorded 15,487 tonnes, Rose Hall 7,688 tonnes and Blairmont 10,525 tonnes. All have been behind target. It had also been reported that 26,132 tonnes of sugar was expected to be produced for 2015. With 8,991 tonnes of sugar already produced from the year’s first crop of cane that left 17,141 tonnes expected from the second sugar crop. The Prime Minister had described this as a “very good and rewarding performance” That “could be better” from the private farmers. The world price for sugar stands at approximately US$0.11 per pound, while Guyana’s cost of production is approximately US$0.40 per pound. In addition to the failure of the Skeldon factory and the industry’s below par
production, the previous government plugged billions into GuySuCo over the preceding years. This Government, in the laying of budget 2015, allocated some $12B to the sugar industry. A Commission of Inquiry into the sugar corporation has also commenced, mandated to chart a course for the industry for the period spanning 20162030. It is expected that the Commission’s findings will be ready by next month. The placement of the industry into private hands has also been subject to debate, as GuySuCo has continuously been granted massive subsidies. Government’s advisor on sustainable development, Dr. Clive Thomas, has repeatedly called for downsizing of the industry and the need to privatize it. He currently sits on GuySuCo’s Commission of Inquiry. During the conference, Government had not been averse to such steps, but during the parliamentary debates, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/ C) spoke out strongly against steps being taken to privatize the industry.
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Female patient killed by fellow inmate at Psychiatric Hospital A patient at the National Psychiatric Hospital was murdered yesterday afternoon during a fight with a fellow inmate. The dead patient is known as Eda who is said to be in her 30s. She reportedly hails from Blairmont and has been a patient at the mental institution for a number of years. She is said to be mentally retarded. The perpetrator is Dudwattie Fari who is said to be in her 50s and reportedly hails from the Canje area. She was admitted into the mental institution around June of this year. The incident allegedly occurred in a single room (in seclusion) where the two patients were placed. According to reports, the two inmates were both patients of the female admission wards (A and B) of the institution. After exhibiting aggressive behaviour recently they were both placed in the single room along with
another aggressive patient. Reports are that around 16:30 hrs there was a misunderstanding between the two patients which ended in a fight. Fari reportedly climbed on the other woman’s head and stamped on her neck. At the time there was only one nurse working in the ward which housed 22 patients. The patient was pronounced dead by a doctor as the police were called in and commenced their investigation. The accused remains in isolation in the hospital. Nurses at the National Psychiatric Hospital continue to express fear for the conditions under which they work. A number of times one nurse is assigned to a ward which houses as many as 31 patients. The place is very bushy, there are hardly any lights, and sometimes there are no guards working. As of last evening only one nurse was available to work in each ward.
Opposition MP chided... From page 15 acknowledgement of the Speaker and asking questions without going through the chair.” To the Speaker’s defence this time around was Minister of Governance, Raphael Trotman. He told the House that it is important for members to be cognizant of the time allotted for the consideration of the estimates and therefore, the Opposition should know that they cannot ask all their questions. But his comments did not find favour with the Opposition’s Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira. The seasoned politician emphasized that the government has made some radical changes to the allocations for the administrative regions and the regional democratic councils. She appealed to the House Speaker to understand that given these changes, there will be questions piling up on matters which need to be addressed. “We have questions that have to be answered. If
government is so insistent on this three days for consideration, then we will have to go until 3 a.m. again. We have to do what we have to in this House, Sir. If the ministers are not answering us properly then we have to keep asking until we get the appropriate answer. I am asking for some flexibility. The public is listening to this,” Teixeira stressed. But as Dr. Scotland was about to address Teixeira on her statement, both sides of the House were caught up in trading insults. The House Speaker had to remind the parliamentarians that they must still remember to grant him the courtesy of silence when he is speaking. He then emphasized that the opposition must be bound by some rules and regulations, and it is obviously not possible to get the job done within the scheduled time if everyone wants to speak. He then appealed to both sides that they must learn to work together.
Police clash with suspicious... (From page 21) nearby trench as he engaged the police ranks in a physical confrontation. He was eventually overpowered. One of the policemen received slight injuries. The other persons were also arrested. The object was retrieved from the trench and turned out to be an unlicenced .357 Magnum revolver with five live.357 rounds. Three pounds of cannabis was also found. The four persons were taken into custody as investigation continues. The occupants who are all from Georgetown are said to be well known and wanted for a number of crimes, including murder.
Wednesday August 26, 2015
Letters... Where your views make the news
GPF can probably learn from GDF in terms of attracting manpower DEAR EDITOR, It has probably escaped wide attention that on June 5, the Guyana Defence Force held the passing out parade for 270 recruits at the Colonel John Clarke Military School, Tacama, Upper Berbice River. Just over two months later in mid-August, 311 young people opted to join that organization to embark (hopefully) on a professional career. Now except for the ones who would have dropped out for one or another reason it means that the GDF would have swelled its ranks by over 550 newbies in recent months. That for the GDF, however, might not be as remarkable a feat as it seems. We are constantly reminded that the sister organization of the Guyana Police Force has a severe shortage of ranks which - if remedied, will make the job of law enforcement that much more manageable. It would be instructive to know what the GDF is doing that the GPF can learn from when it comes to attracting the needed manpower to address its human resource constraints. It goes without saying that the recruitment of suitable candidates to any disciplined service should be an absolute priority over the medium and long term. Editor, it is important for us to recognise that certain institutions like the GPF face several challenges which impact on their ability to
attract applicants of the requisite standard. Listed among the inhibitors to quality recruitment are budgetary constraints; available applicant pool quality and quantity; lack of diversity; and a negative perception of the organization. That being said we also should understand that in a competitive employment environment a police force is confronted by organisational threats including competition by private sector and other public sector agencies; the public perception of the police; negative public/police encounters; and negative media coverage. Therefore a comprehensive futureoriented process or strategic planning, which charts a clear path between the present state and a vision of the future, must consider several decision-making factors which will determine prioritybased resource allocation including organisational capabilities and environment. A police force will thus need to develop a recruitment strategic plan comprised of (i) Analysis which relates to developing the information necessary to mount a successful recruitment campaign and (ii) the Strategic Plan Outline which focuses on the essentials that make up the strategic plan. Editor, intrinsic to the analysis phase of the strategic planning for recruitment and retention would be the
determination of factors related to the ideal candidate for the police force; the ‘pullfactor’ which attract suitably qualified candidates; the reasons why the available pool of qualified candidates is contracting; and how the force can rebrand and package itself to show that as an employer it can fulfill the career expectations of potential candidates. It would also be important to determine why steps in the current recruitment procedure are being retained if they are not a vital part of the process. The analysis would need to understand how candidates feel about the recruitment process, as well as identifying the failing point in the process. It is also in the pre-outline phase that issues of diversity in recruitment are considered as well as the current budgetary allocations for recruitment and advertising; and whether there is need to increase the budgets in those two areas. Seeking and obtaining political commitment for increases in resources has become the norm, but this must be accompanied by a concomitant obligation to detail how resources when provided will be used and the anticipated benefits that will devolve the people. Prior to developing its recruitment and retention strategy, the organisation should be examining what recruitment strategies have worked or not worked in the
past. It should also make a concerted effort to bring its current ranks in line to be ambassadors to help recruit suitably qualified candidates. The church and other social stakeholders could also play a significant role in wooing their membership to the force. But all of those efforts would be derailed if the actions of a misguided percentage continually nurture negative perceptions of the organization. It would be useful to know how current are the recruitment materials, and the number of hits the recruitment website is generating. I believe that one of the problems we face is a steadfast inability to learn from the private sector. In that regard it would be interesting to have an idea of the recruitment problems and successes in the private sector. With that in view it is in the best interest of public sector agencies like the GPF to conduct exit interviews to determine why staff is leaving outside of retirement or dismissal. It is also absolutely necessary to develop and implement an evaluation mechanism to assess the effectiveness of the plan, and to determine if the objectives were met, or if there is need for revision to improve effectiveness and relevance. These are but a few ideas which have been tried and proven successfully. Patrick E. Mentore
SUICIDE PREVENTION IS INDEED EVERYONE’S BUSINESS DEAR EDITOR, Kudos to Mr. Annnan Boodram, Ms. Bibi Ahamad, Mrs Norkah Carter, Mr. Nazim Hussain, Yog Mahadeo and the young Divina Singh, Carol Lovell for a tremendous weekend Conference and Awards Program focused on the topic of suicide. Congratulations to the new Government in the form of Ministers Lawrence and Ramjattan for attending the Conference and for placing emphasis on one of the most critical developmental and human issues facing Guyana. A special thank you to the Caribbean Voice whose vision and persistence resulted in this effort. Thanks also to Cara Lodge, Metro Office and Computer Supplies, Ms. Ameena Gafoor, and all the other donors who graciously contributed their time and resources. Many who
contributed but don’t want their names mentioned, because all are agree in the Caribbean Voice’s motto “Suicide is everyone’s business”. In the early 2000s the HIV & AIDS epidemic was suffocating Guyana. Over 60 NGOs and Faith based organizations sprang into action, some because funding was available, others because the crisis was very real in their daily lives. PEPFAR and other funding agencies helped to stem the tide. Today we have an even more difficult crisis. Whereas groups like the Caribbean Voice, the Guyana Foundation and many Faith based and Community organizations are engaged in this battle, more foot soldiers are needed. More funding is needed. More media is needed. More acknowledgement of the crisis is needed.
Indeed, “suicide” should be a national conversation and our school system needs to be an essential area of response and awareness. Too many of our young people are perishing. For all of us to contribute, we need to be on guard for those suffering depression around us. The signs are many and include individuals who are: • Persistently sad, anxious or “empty” feelings • Have feelings of hopelessness and/or pessimism • Have feelings of guilt, worthlessness and/or helplessness • Are irritable and restlessness • Have a loss of interest in activities or hobbies once pleasurable, including sex • Are fatigued and have a decreased energy • Have difficulty concentrating, remembering
details and making decisions • Suffer from insomnia, early–morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping • Are overeating or have appetite loss • Have thoughts of suicide and make suicide attempts • Have persistent aches or pains, headaches, cramps or digestive problems that do not ease even with treatment I look forward to the day when each school will have a Social Worker and each Community becomes a “sanctuary of hope” for all our citizens. Nation-building is everyone’s business and so is suicide prevention. May organizations such as the Caribbean Voice continue their visionary quest and may all our people, young and old, be saved from this tragedy. Eric Phillips
Wednesday August 26, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Letters... Where your views make the news... Letters... Where your views make the news
RAKSHA BANDHAN SPREADS LOVE DEAR EDITOR, The festival of Raksha Bandhan is one that spreads love and affection, not just for one self but for the peaceful existence of the human race. Raksha Bandhan or Rakhi in Sanskrit means “the knot for protection”. This year’s Raksha Bandhan will be celebrated on August 29th, across the globe Rakhi reminds us of the eternal love between brothers and sisters. The sister ties this sacred thread on the right wrist of her brother, biological or functional/adopted, then prays for his welfare and long life. This auspicious occasion reminds brothers of their duty and obligation to protect and honor their sisters in a world that is considered deceptive, dishonest and unethical. Sisters perceive their brothers as brave, strong, and protective men. This Raksha Bandhan relationship between brothers and sisters resembles the inseparable bond between the earth and sky. This forms the basis and beauty of this bond. To many, this festival transcends biological families bringing together a union of men and women across religious and ethnic lines. History records the attempted invasion of India by Alexander the Great (as he was called) of Macedoni in 326B.C. An invasion that was his toughest and final major battle which resulted in him abandoning his conquest of India. In what was known as “the battle of Hadaspers River” {Jhelum river} in Punjab, King Purushattama {purus}, a man of remarkable strength and noble courage faced off with Alexander. For the first time the Greeks met with elephants in warfare. These huge beasts terrified the foreign solders by brutally trampling and mangling them. Their trumpeting made the Greek horses shiver and tremble. This situation made it difficult for Alexander. It was a fierce
fight and the most costly battle Alexander ever fought. This terrifying onslaught had a demoralizing and frightening effect on his army. Some believed he suffered a worse fate in India than Napoleon did in Russia. Rashanak, wife of Alexander travelling with him, came to know of the festival Raksha Bandhan, and fearing for her husband’s life, she sought an audience with the mighty warrior Purus, and pleaded with him to accept her as a sister and not to harm her husband in battle. Purus, in a brotherly gesture extended his wrist to the Greek lady who tied a Rakhi, establishing a sisterly bond. Purus then promised not to harm Alexander. During the battle Alexander fell from his horse and as Purus was about to deliver the fatal blow to Alexander, he looked at the Rakhi on his wrist and restrained himself from slaying Alexander. An alliance was then solidified between the two countries. Another historical occurrence was that of Rani Karnavati of Chittor and Mughal Emporer Humayun,
which dates back to 1535, A.D. During this period Muslim invaders were abducting royal ladies from the Rajput Kingdoms. Knowing this, Rajput women would send Rakhis to others kings and princes of neighbouring provinces with appeals to protect them and their honour. When Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah, Sultan of Gujrat, invaded Chittor, an Indian province, widowed Queen Ranie Karnavati realised that she could no longer defend Chittor against Shah’s army. She immediately sent a Rakhi to Mughal Emperor Humayun as a token of brotherhood, asking for his protection. Touched by symbolism and love of the Rakhi, Emperor Humayun immediately advanced with his troops to defend Chittor. By the time Humayun and his army arrived, Bahadur Shah had already conquered Rani’s fortress. The men in Ranie’s fortress threw open the gates and rode out at the mercy of the invaders. Rani Karnavati with all the women in her fortress lit a huge fire and
jumped into it. This was done to save the honour of the women of this province and to avoid the barbaric Muslim rule against women in that era. Seeing the burning pyres of the brave queen and thousands of women, Humayun was plunged into deep repentance realizing that he could not have saved his sister. Humayun then took some of the ashes from the burning pyre and placed it on his forehead as a mark of affection and esteemed love for the Queen. Emperor Humayun then fought against his Muslim counterpart Bahadur Shah, defeating him, and returned the kingdom to the son of Rani Karnavati, Vickramjeet Singh. Finally, approximately 5000 years ago during the Mahabarat period, Sri Krishna accepted Draupadi as his sister. Sri Krishna’s hand was lacerated and bleeding; Draupadi quickly tore her sari and bandaged the hand of Sri Krishna who thought this was a noble and loving act. Thinking then that he was indebted to her, Sri Krishna
promised to repay her kindness whenever the need would arise. When the Kauravas were disrobing Draupadi in that fateful scene in the Mahabharat, Sri Krishna came to her rescue and protected her honor by continuously lengthening her sari to avoid her being exposed. Such moving incidents have, over the centuries and generations, strengthened the bond and affection between brothers and sisters which is reaffirmed every year on the day of Raksha Bandhan. As I researched the origins of Rachis, I encountered few other references which cast serious aspersions on the ancient Arya Vedic culture. Some of these aspersions led to the decline of the once pristine Vedic system and the downfall of the current Hindu society. Books that were not written by Rishis, who were the possessors of wisdom,
became the source of erroneous information. Brahminism, which exploited the uneducated population together with false doctrines were largely responsible for this catastrophe. During Vedic times, {The Golden Age} India was the international centre for science and technology, engineering, mathematics, astronomy, dialectic literature, logic, philosophy and culture etc. People followed the rule of law of ethics and good conduct. Vedas and Upanishads were the supreme authority. People from all across the world travelled to India in search of education, knowledge and wisdom. Because of the fallen standards in ethics and Dharmic culture, there now exists a misrepresentation of the once pristine glory of the Vedas and Vedic shashtras. Happy Raksha Bandhan. Anand Persaud
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SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. – CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Building or Renovating? For quality services at affordable cost - Contact: 592-682-9935 or email: creativeconstructionservice 15@gmail.com. Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Guyana Passport application. Graphics design, Advertisement. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. PARTY DECORATING: balloon creation, back drops etc. for weddings, birthdays, anniversary etc. Make your event extra special! Tel Maya: 642-6664 REPAIRS AT LOW COST: FRIDGES,AIR-CONDITIONERS, WASHINGMACHINES,TVS, MICROWAVES,FREEZERSCALL:629-4946 OR 225-4822 REPAIRS & SPARE, FRIDGE, FREEZER, A/C, WASHERS, STOVES CONTACT NICK: 6831312, 627-3206 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 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158 INNOVATIVEMARKETING & PUBLISHING INC – TEL: 600-4212: We create A/works, logos, business cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. School Bus from E.B.D to G/ Town and back, so get your children on board - Call: 6873017 Eagle’s fridge re-gas @ 99100 New Market Street $8,000 & washing machine repairs. Phone: 697-2969, 223-5818 Desmond Repair Services Fridge, AC, gas stove, microwave, washer, etc on the spot repairs –Call: (592)678-8683; 687-9709 ACCOMODATION Specials on room! Free breakfast, Wi-Fi luxuriously & comfortably @ Signature Inn, 82 Laluni Street, Georgetown - Tel: 226-2145; 227-5037
Kaieteur News
WANTED Live in maid must know to cook-Call: 679-8765 Boys to work in the interior salary -$80,000 - Call: 6741761 or 661-8673 Female to work in the interior salary - $80,000- Call: 6741761 or 661-8673 Part- time driver! Wednesday, Thursday & Friday – 1pm8:00p, Saturday & Sunday 10:00am-8:00pm – Contact: 643-5838; 223-3574 1 Live in Domestic Salary $50,000 -Please Call: 674-1767 Contract Cars & Drivers Call: 227-1720, 227-1721 or 660-6102 One live in domestic must know to cook-age 25-35yrs-$70,000 monthly - Call: 610-5043 Waitress must possess secondary education, 9-4pm - $60,000 monthly Call: 2224890 One experienced welder/ fabricator, preferably from Sheriff Street to Lusignan E.C.D- Tel: 222-3844 Live in maid/assistant salesgirl, E.C.D- Call: 6035416; 644-9802 Young couple looking to purchase property $12M Max within Georgetown/East Coast Demerara up to Lusignan –Tel: 622-6710 Experienced bartenderContact: 684-1657 Dispatcher at Gem’s Taxi Service (Shift Work)- Tel: 231-3709; 233-2537 Drivers and contract carsTel:231-0316; 231-0002; 2194087 One honest, single, reliable live in domestic with no health problem- Call: 6508632 between 9:00am -7:00pm Live-in maid or waitress to work in Mahicony River-Call: 225-6571, 644-6905 Porters; Age: 18-30- Contact: 225-8066 Handyman to work on farm, preferably family person, live in accommodation –Call: 619-9143; 614-8857 One cook to cook for family in the interior –Contact: 6778484. Wanted one person to work on a ranch to take care of cattle & sheep-Call: 619-9143, 614-8857 Live in couple husband: driving & mechanical skills, wife: Demestic. Excellent rates offered. Call: 227-1830
Wednesday August 26, 2015
SALON
VEHICLE FOR SALE
PROPERTY FOR SALE
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
Property for sale, Grove $20M / Rent: $50,000 per month. Tel: 625-5461.
Jacqueline Sookram, Cocoa Stix Spa & Salon- Tel:6928633. Specialised in facial, pedicure, manicure & massage.
NZE Car -$1.5M –Tel: 6880448; 658-3517
Salon & Spa @ Aracari Resort! Available Now: Hollywood herbal skin whitening cream, scrub & sun block. Phone: 264-3312 or 600-3927
WANTED 1 Female to work in snackette & bar. Must know to cookbetween ages 20-35 -Call: 647-7432/ 223-5798 Experienced Driver Apply @ Hack’s Halaal Restaurant with written application, 5 Commerce Street One live in maid must know to cook – Contact: 677-8484
FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 2 Properties @ Bel-Air Park all convenience , furnished US-1800 & 4 bedrooms unfurnished US2,200, newly renovated –Tel:231-7839 (working hours) 1 Newly executive style house in Eccles with 3 bedrooms, open plan kitchen etc – Call: 6248555 between 9am-7pm
SmartChoiceAuto:Premio,Allion, Fielder, Carina 212, Bluebird Call: 652-3820; 665-4529 In Stock @ First Class Auto: 08 Premio, Allion, Runx, Axio, Bluebird, Sienta, Fielder, Rush –Tel: 609-8188, 638-3045 1 Nissan Titan 05, 4WD, AC/ Mags/HID, Toyota Vitz R5 (stick gear), 1496CC AC/ Mags/HID- Call: 216-1574; 644-0447 1 Yamaha R6 (600cc) price to go, Mitsubishi canter 4D32, long tray (20ft) open back – Call: 216-1574; 644-0447 For Sales: Bus BRR 2501, 19 Seater pit-bull – Contact: 6893173 or 614-3947 Unregistered Toyota Premio 2003, & Spacio 2004 –Call: 681-7117 or 227-5950 We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 Tacoma- Call: 680-3154 AT192, 212, Allion, unregistered Premio, Hilux Surf, BNN, RZ & Pit-bull, 7 seater super custom. Cash / terms- Call: 680-3154 2000 Freightliner hauler, C-12 Engine –Tel: 609-7257; 689-9041 BMW 320i, Toyota AT212, AT192, IST, EP-71 Starlet, 4 Runner, Canter, Honda 600 RR -Tel: 644-5096; 697-1453 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 60 Seater Bluebird bus, brand new, air conditioned, electronic doors (front & back) for schools/ church etc –Call: 675-3062
Furnished AC Barber Shop and business space on Durban Street G/Town near Smyth Street- Call: 682-6396 Newly renovated one bedroom apartment in Herstelling – Tel: 265-2171, 690-6353 2 Bedrooms apartment available from September 1, 2015- Call: 681-4275 Property at 2nd Ave Diamond: 3 self contain bedroom, entire house only $110, 000- Call Raul: 655-8361/ 699-6811 Hair Motion’s Salon: Nails & Hair Stations to rent -$6,000 –Tel: 670-4644 FOR SALE/RENT American pool tables –Call: 277-0578
LAND FOR SALE Luxury Gated CommunityMall, Pool, intelligent security system, well, solar. Selling @ 6USD per Sq.ft Call: 609-0783 $1.2M Parfaite Harmonie (80ftX50ft), $2.8M Diary (100ftX50ft), already & newly fenced, Zeelugt $1.5M Call: 611-7223; 604-2207 Land @ Parfaite Harmonie & Tuschen -$1.5M, $1.3M Call: 604-6724
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FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. One 928F Caterpillar Wheel Loader- Contact # 650-0402/ 260-4988 One 318 BMW never registered for $ 3M down payment $500,000 contact # 650-0402 or 616-0429 One welding machine- Call: 687-7725
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Fertilizer! 100% soluble fertilizer: potassium nitrate, calcium nitrate 20:20:220, also plant seed and soil. info@shigam.cm /Tel 6968538 One Honda D15-B Engine & Transmission –Contact: 645-8518 for info
2-story concrete house on double lot. ECD. $28.5M Tel: 661-9431 Transported concrete, Block “8” Mon Repos E.C.D, top flat 2 bedrooms, bottom flat 2 bedrooms- $18M. Call: 6251514 office hours 231-7255 Property for sale, East La Penetance Arapaima Street $17M negotiable –Call: 6484420, 662-6173 Gated community Hibiscus, West Coast Demerara, flat concrete house -$10.5M, Enterprise -$10M. Contact Raul: 655-8361 Four Bedroom House No73 Public Road, Corentyne BerbiceSuitable For Private Residence or Commercial Use- Contact 3353347 / 626-6245
Galvanized nail platesContact: 645-8518 Great Deals on video games & all gaming consoles. PC, phone games & applications. Delivery also - Call: 672-2566; 265-3232 XBOX 360 slim: 250GB & 320GB with games & controllers also PS4 with games & Controller-Call: 683-8386 Back to School Sale: Dell/ HP laptop & desktop computers complete, from $55,000, free games and educational software @ Future – Call: 231-2206 1-16 inched Bore precisionly built pump on trailer –New $1.2M only, 1-8X8X4ft box Trailer. Call: 227-1830
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One male and female pure bred German shepherd dogs –Contact: 654-6355 52ft complete cabin cruiser. In excellent condition- Tel: 592-654-2817, 592-622-2958. German Shepherd pups. Tel: 619-6086, 699-7077
Aidan’s Car & 4WD Vigo pick up, cheapest rate, low security- Call: 698-7807 Wing’s Car & 4WD Vigo pick up- Call: 690-6494
LEARN TO DRIVE Soman Son & Outar Driving School at Maraj BuildingTel: 644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997
TO LET Newly constructed 2 bedrooms apartment in safe and healthy environment Call: 698-6496 House for rent furnish $80,000 monthly –Call: 6881342 Apartment in Eccles, rooms in Albertown –Call: 225-3234 Continued on page 29
Wednesday August 26, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 29
Letters... Where your views make the news... Letters... Where your views make the news
Let not disclosures, contentions and misdemeanours hide the great progress of GPL DEAR EDITOR, I write this letter to put another side, (my side, which the public might have been expecting) on the dissensions at the top of GPL, which were being disclosed and discussed in the media. Great tensions and dissensions have always been in play in the provision of our electricity .They may even be inevitable in our circumstances. What I think is most important, however, and what we should keep in focus before us as we chew on all these disclosures and furor, is the great improvement that has been brought about in our electricity utility. It has progressed greatly since 1992, when it provided electricity an unpredictable 60% of the time to 75,000 customers, to today when it supplies electricity about 95% of the time to 175,000 customers! GREAT TENSIONS There have always been great tensions and dissensions at the top of our electricity utility, amongst and between Senior and Executive Managers, the Board ,the Minister and the Cabinet, caused in my judgment by the historical insufficiency in capital equipment and all the resources required; the high expectations inclusive of low costs and pricing which could not be met in our situation (prices in neighboring Trinidad ,Suriname and Venezuela could not be matched: they have their natural advantage that we do not yet have); the high non-technical or
commercial losses, reduced presently, but still high at about 16%, which indicates that about one in six of our customers has arranged by one way or the other to pay little or nothing for the electricity he has consumed; and the many instances of obvious failings, shortcomings and misdemeanors of utility employees at all levels. It can all be confounding, confusing and frustrating! There have always been tensions between Chairman and Board on the one hand and CEO and Management on the other, as each pressed from its own position and view for the best performance of the utility. Robin Singh as CEO before and after the period of privatization of GEC/GPL was not reluctant to assert that subsidies and subventions to GPL were not subsidies to the company GPL itself, nor to its employees, but to the customers, the public at large. Additionally the onus was on the Government as owner, to provide the equity investment for sustaining and progressing the utility. Such assertions through true would have jarred us at times. MY REVIEW OF THE BOARD’S 2014 APPRAISAL OF THE CEO Towards the end of 2014 the Board did come to me with the failing grade assessment of the CEO Bharat Dindyal. I conceded to the Board that there was nothing factual which I could fault in their assessment, but with the projects almost completed at that time, let’s look back and
see where things could realistically have been done differently and better. In my judgment the overrun in cost and time of the two major projects were indicative primarily of the limitations of our envisaging and projections at the start of the projects. There had not been in my view, any wasting of money nor time: if we had the knowledge and experience we now have, the projections would have been closer to how things turned out. With respect to the transmission upgrade project, it had been specified in the bidding document that the winning bidder would review and refine our original broad specifications and put recommendations for enhancement. The contractor had put proposals for enhancement entailing a cost increase from just over US$30 Million to about US$40 million, which were considered by the GPL Board and Management, recommended to and approved by Cabinet. We received value more than commensurate with the increased expenditure. With respect to the Vreeden-Hoop generating station ,when we arrived at the decision to have the power station built, we wanted and needed to have it built in a hurry .The first estimates and projections to start the project moving were based on best judgment before soil testing and detailed foundation design. As it turned out the soil conditions at Vreed-en-Hoop
were much more demanding than what we had found at Kingston. With delays growing, owing to the slow delivery of the longer wooden piles required, Wartsila was asked about substituting concrete piles for wooden piles. Wartsila replied that the whole foundation would need to be redesigned. There could be no substituting of wooden piles with concrete piles. Concerning the adverse comparisons of outsourced and in-house performance, these comparisons are seldom “on all fours.” We would need to give some thought to the causes of the differences. I acknowledged the frustration all around as each side sought to better the overall performance of GPL. Such attempts, however, often exacerbated the dissensions. I recalled a year or two earlier that the Board called on the CEO and Management to return with a budget in which GPL would have in place all the equipment and other resources, such that the Management would have no excuses and could be held to attaining the performance standards set. That budget, however, when presented, could not be funded, and Management was required to return with a fundable budget which was much like the first. TIME FOR PARTING It was clear that the relationship between the CEO and the Board was beyond mending: an orderly separation was to be contemplated. I set a period of six months to one year for
I hope Govt. is pursuing all aspects of this enigma – the Marriott Hotel DEAR EDITOR, I hope that the present administration is pursuing all aspects of this enigma – the Marriott Hotel. First, the Jagdeo – Brassington duo took over the Luckhoo Swimming Pool Complex and paid not one cent to its owner, the Georgetown Mayor and City Council. Guyanese Eddy Grant’s offer to construct a Cultural facility was being considered by the M&CC – but then President Jagdeo said they were looking at something bigger. Second, we were told that the entire project was funded by some group from China, and this was one reason advanced to justify the one hundred percent use of Chinese labour and materials
to construct this Hotel. [There were several protests]. Third, this turns out to be a massive deception – the money spent was from Guyana. Fourthly, we heard the absurdity if not banality that NICIL money – the result of disposing of State property, was not the people’s money, but private money – but we are yet to learn who are these ‘privateers.’ Fifth, who determined and recruited the Managerial Staff – the General Manager, but ‘charity begins at home’. Is Mr. Brassington saying there is no Guyanese, no Caribbean person to fill this important position, and what is his salary – is it another super salary? Sixth, we are told that the
Hotel is always full; it could not help during our flood crisis, but we hear that they operated at a loss – I smell a rat. Seventh, I have visited Marriotts in other parts of the world. I have stayed at the Marriott, South Korea. The Guyana Marriott is the cheapest I’ve seen. Look at what goes for carpets; the rails along the stairs are of inferior hollow material. The stairways should be condemned – the colour is off white and the area of similar colour – no contrast on the edge of the stairs – making it a hazard to the elders and those with even a slight vision problema. But where were the Health and Safety people who gave approval? Did President Ramotar notice anything when he opened it with fanfare
just before Elections? But what is the present administration doing about this mighty rip off? If they are losing money, this abomination should be closed until it is feasible, with local management. The authorities, now released from PPP control, must visit and do their work without fear or favour. I suggested elsewhere it’s a good location to use as a jail for all those who raped our Country for more than two decades, or may be join it to the nearby Hotel as one Complex, but Guyana must get its money’s worth from this venture which didn’t help to develop and trade skills because all the labour came from China. What a shame? Hamilton Green, OR, JP
a separation, both sides considering and developing options within the first six months which would be implemented anytime during the second six months, hopefully at a time of mutual convenience. THE CEO’S COMPENSION PACKAGE It may be recalled that on the privatization of GPL in late 1999, the core investing partner required that the top five posts of GPL be filled with
their appointees, so as to put their face on the company. Messrs Robin Singh and Bharat Dindyal the numbers one and two at GEC/GPL were let go and had to find their way as best they could. When the core partner walked away from GPL about four years later (the partnership foundered on the non realization of the rapid reduction in nontechnical / commercial losses, the Continued on page 30
From page 28
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VACANCY Nursery school teacher, posses education certificates in CESEC, Skill, Talent. Onsite job draining & support provided-Call: 690-9378 Experienced night bar attendant ages 30-40 @ Cool Square Restaurant/ Bar 30 West Ruimveldt H/E apply within. One experienced legal computer clerk- Phone: 6247087 or 258-0213 Bartenders & Waitress for Sports bar in V/HoopContact: 684-5688 for more info Confidential Cabs have vacancy for a experienced dispatcher-Call: 231-4000 or 231-8601 Carnegie trained assistant chef/cook. Call: 225-7933 or visit us at 173 Sheriff Street Male Supervisor for housekeeping Dept. Male Security guard - Call:2250198 or 233 South Raod Lacytown. Waitress for bar live in or out - Call: 612-2522
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Page 30
Kaieteur News
Wednesday August 26, 2015
Letters... Where your views make the news... Letters... Where your views make the news
The audacity to call this three-card game “Democracy”
DEAR EDITOR, I am happy to see that others have come on board sounding their voices and lending weight with regards to the behaviour of the U.S.A Embassy in relation to visa applications. I have twice criticised their modus operandi. As one man correctly asserted, it appears to be a money-making set-up, period. Yes, I’m happy to see that others are becoming bold enough to face the big bad wolf. Not that it will make them stop – one couldn’t be that naïve, that’s not the nature of the big bad wolf who cares not a hoot what the world thinks, no! Obdurate like a mule, tough as nails and daring like Rambo. “We bend to no one!” Now I have never really done any kind of business with the Guyana USA Embassy, I did go there many years ago, but left without doing anything. I remember the security guard that I encountered, he was behaving like a robot as if he was being controlled mechanically. I was chewing gum and he came to me with his hand outstretched at my mouth indicating for me to spit it out into his hand, I took it out but didn’t give it to him. A little while after I left, I never felt comfortable. And that was that. But I have heard too many things over the years that just aren’t nice, the way we Guyanese citizens are treated as second class by the USA embassy personnel on our own land. As I have said times before, the USA seems to suffer from a heavy overdose of paranoia, thus anyone desirous of going to that country is required to prove beyond a shadow of doubt that he/she is more innocuous than a dead mouse before he/ she may be considered favourable. For why else would you turn down a seven year old with pent-up anxiety and grand expectations of spending the August holidays with his cousin and other relatives in the USA?
Could it be the ISIS infiltration!? More so, why make a request for those seeking visas to “come in” and still turn them down. Look how many people jump at the request, had that request not been made, they would have been a bit more hesitant about putting $32,000 into taking a blind chance! Knowing very well that they could be turned down for no apparent reason. I have seen before questionnaires by the US embassy which one is required to satisfy. You are drilled to the point of being drained; it is as if the survival of your entire ancestry rests on the acquisition of that visa. Man! it is tougher than the interrogation Jon Voight went through in the movie “The Odessa Files” although they already have your DNA. As I figured it out, they start from the premise that everyone is desperate, hence a rogue and dishonest; that once given a chance will run and “duck”. But this is far from being accurate, since as one irate gentleman informed us lately: he is a professional, a technocrat, highly qualified, substantially employed and financially sound. He said he gave to them all relevant particulars, all at their disposal to double check and still he was turned down. If this gentleman wasn’t suspected of something sinister then why was he refused? Give and take we do have bad guys, but why daub us with a broad brush? The majority of Guyanese are so darn hard-up that they wouldn’t dare try anything funny to jeopardise their chance. But just what is it with the staff they are recruiting here, among them are individuals with petty vendettas, perked-up attitudes and arrogance, flexing their authority, who would don’t you because they feel like. There is no rule or principle guiding them, it’s all about what they see and feel, its personal – I like you, I don’t like you, I trust you, I
don’t trust you. Look! The US embassy – forget all that empty callous advice and explanation – has no clear cut policy, period, except in terms of one being labelled anti-American, an enemy of the state, and of which Guyanese are not! Have never been. So when one of those upstarts who is so hyped–up
with feeling excessively privileged and powerful in being employed with the American Embassy and displaying all sorts of comical facial expressions, before don’ting you after that $32,000 has been snatched away, one is bound to feel hurt, robbed – it is no different from the three card conman doing his thing along the road
side. It is just that one is done with sophistication. That very money that could have been used to outfit that very child for the new school term that was taken from you, they have stolen that child’s money, it is as plain as that, and you have nowhere else to turn to for a second opinion, nowhere to seek redress.
What that one individual says is it – end of story. The US doesn’t give you any more space, period, thus your only course is through the printed media as I have opted to do, though this matters nothing to them. And it drains me that some still have the audacity to call this threecard game “Democracy” Frank Fyffe
Let not disclosures, contentions... From page 29 reduction of which was key in the financial sustainability of the business model), we called on Messrs Singh and Dindyal then heading electricity utilities in small islands in the Caribbean, to drop whatever they were doing. We committed to fully compensating them, matching and even bettering whatever they were then receiving as foreign North American Nationals. A few years ago I wrote the Board affirming the North American compensation package of the CEO, which was particular to him. At the same time our not so long term target must be to fill the post of the CEO (and all other Executive Managers) with ‘Guyanese” receiving compensation packages which would be in line with the compensation packages of executives in other Guyanese Companies, and well related to the compensation of the unionized employees in GPL .We had to get past the forced practice of having to pay whatever we had to pay, which payment would be particular to the individuals. LOSS REDUCTION: A SOURCE OF GREAT VEXATIONS GPL needs to and it is being constantly demanded of GPL that it spares no effort to reduce non-technical / commercial losses. Those losses now down to 16% nonetheless indicate that at least one in six of GPL’S customers and a number of past and current employees
of GPL are involved in stealing electricity. Responsible GPL personnel cannot but pursue suspicious persons and situations in the face of possibilities of error. The regular publication of losses in various geographical areas across GPL’s network appears to add useful area identification with additional pressures to end stealing. THE DEPUTY CEO OPERATIONS Sometime in 2012, Mr. (Colin) Welch was introduced to me as a Guyanese who had studied at Harvard, had worked at major US Companies and who was keen to contribute his expertise and experience in Management to his country , specifically at GPL. Mr. Welch, although he had no utility experience, seemed to be just what GPL needed. He could be a great addition to the Executive Management Level where there was a shortage of numbers and everyone seemed too much stuck in hands; on day to day work. I requested the Chairman to negotiate with Mr. Welch with intent to hire him, seeking the best (lowest) acceptable compensation package. The first appraisal of Mr. Welch by the CEO was blistering. I ruled that it was too early to make such final determinations. Mr. Welch should have more time to catch his feet. Sometime subsequently, Mr. Welch in focusing on Loss Reduction had raised with the Human Resources Manager, the propriety and
procedures of a high level appointment in the Loss Reduction Division. Not obtaining a response to his satisfaction, he sent me a copy of his letter which I requested the Board to investigate and report on. The Board apparently in a reflex, replied that the matter should not have been brought to my attention as yet. I replied that even so I wanted a response to the substance at issue. I learnt later that the appointment was reversed. With this background, I can understand the strong feelings and passionate actions of this Deputy CEO as well as the CEO. It might have been too great a challenge for the Human Resources Manager to have arranged things to the sufficient satisfaction of the two parties and to have avoided that confrontation. THE DEPUTY CEOADMIN. Early this year the Board sought my approval to raise the pay of the Deputy CEO Admin to that of the Deputy CEO Operations saying that there might have been a promise to do so. I pointed to the fact that by all accounts the Deputy CEO Operations would be let go at his next appraisal and what would we do then? Reduce the pay? Up to the time of the ending of my mandate, I did not approve the increase. BOARD FEES Our Cabinet had been repeatedly resistant to generally raising Board Fees from where they were earlier pegged. Eventually, earlier
this year, new increased levels were set, payable from the current date. The question of arrears was raised, but to my knowledge remained open up to the time of the ending of my mandate. IN CONCLUSION The supply of electricity in our country has long been full of many contentions and controversies. These tendencies became unconstrained in that long void after the declaration of the election results: my mandate being at an end in mid-May; the new responsible Minister not being identified with certainty for some time; the Board paralyzed; and the new Government saying that it had no confidence in the person who was Chairman and would let him go as soon as they were finished with him. CEO Dindyal was ready to separate out on June 30th. I kept asking him to stay on for a smooth handover. I was not wrong in so asking. I call on all who have been Chairmen and Board Members, CEO’s, Managers, and indeed all employees of GPL during my mandate, to celebrate the progress we achieved in the presence of all the contradictions, contentions and dissensions, within and without the utility. Furthermore, we have invested so much in GPL we cannot but continue rooting for its continued improvement and success! Samuel A.A. Hinds Former Prime Minister Minister responsible for Energy and Electricity
Wednesday August 26, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday August 26, 2015
Summit by proxy - For rival Koreas, peace meeting was next best thing
South Korean National Security Adviser Kim Kwan-jin (R) shakes hands with Hwang Pyong-so, the top military aide to the North’s leader Kim Jong Un, after the inter-Korean high-level talks at the truce village of Panmunjom inside the Demilitarized Zone separating the two. Reuters/the Unification Ministry/Yonhap Reuters - The leaders of North and South Korea have not met for the last eight years, but the marathon 44 hour talks that brought the bitter rivals back from the brink of conflict was effectively a summit by proxy. They were not in the room, but the North’s Kim Jong Un and the South’s Park Geun-hye might as well have been talking to each other in the unprecedented roundthe-clock discussions that ended in the early hours of yesterday. As their top aides haggled in a three-storey building on the South Korean side of the heavily militarised border, proceedings were linked live by video to both the presidential Blue House in Seoul and to Pyongyang,
South Korean officials briefed on the closed-door talks said. Thanks to improved communications and strategic breaks, the two leaders were able to monitor the session and issue instructions. By the close, the two sides hammered out a pact that ended a standoff that last week had included an exchange of artillery fire in one of the world’s most dangerous flashpoints. “This can be seen as a virtual summit as the whole process was controlled and observed by the two leaders,” said Koh Yu-hwan, a North Korea specialist at Dongguk University in Seoul “This kind of last-minute meeting between South and North Korea, with the backdrop of combat posture raised to the maximum level, was unprecedented,” said Koh. A South Korean official who was aware of what transpired added: “There were instructions from the Blue
House throughout the contact. It would have been pretty much the same from the North also.” Despite the success of the meeting, there was no immediate sign that a proper summit was on the cards. At best, analysts said, it meant there was hope that frayed ties on the peninsula could be restored. “If this becomes the foundation for reopening a channel of dialogue so that there can be follow-up discussions, it will be credited for restoring inter-Korean relations,” said Yang Moo-jin of University of North Korean Studies in Seoul. The last time leaders of the two sides met was in 2007, only the second such meeting since the 1950-53 Korean War. Relations have steadily deteriorated since the last summit and by the time Kim Jong Un took over after his father’s death in 2011 and Park was elected in 2013, ties were decidedly frosty.
Wednesday August 26, 2015
Kaieteur News
‘The wave has reached us’ - EU gropes for answers to migrant surge
Syrian immigrants walk on a railway track after they crossed the HungarianSerbian border near Roszke, Hungary, yesterday. Reuters/Laszlo Balogh. Reuters - A surge in migrants, many of them refugees from Syria, hit Hungary’s southern border yesterday, passing through gaps in an unfinished barrier to a Europe groping for answers to its worst refugee crisis since World War Two. Nearing the end of a flight from war and poverty, they walked around or over coils of barbed wire strung out along Hungary’s 175-km (109mile) frontier with Serbia, children hoisted on shoulders, bags in hand. “The wave has definitely reached us now,” said Mark Kekesi, head of a migration NGO called MigSzol Szeged. “There have never been this many of them, and we expect
Brazil money launderer testifies former presidential candidate took bribe SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Convicted Brazilian money launderer Alberto Youssef testified to lawmakers at a congressional hearing on corruption yesterday that former opposition presidential candidate Aecio Neves took bribes from a corruption scheme involving Furnas, a subsidiary of state-run power utility Eletrobras. In March, Prosecutor General Rodrigo Janot closed an investigation into Neves and Furnas, removing the senator’s name from a list of dozens of politicians under investigation for taking bribes. At the time, Neves, a senator for Brazil’s main opposition party who narrowly lost the 2014 election to President Dilma Rousseff, blamed the government for trying to ensnare him in a scandal.
this to continue for a while.” The Balkans is in the grips of an unprecedented surge in migration fuelled by war in Syria and instability across the Middle East. More than 100,000 migrants have entered Hungary, part of Europe’s Schengen zone of passportfree travel, this year en route to the more affluent countries of western and northern Europe. While still small in comparison with the record numbers on the move nearer conflict zones, the flow is increasing. The influx into Hungary ticked up on Monday to its highest daily rate this year – 2,093. More were on their way, with an estimated 8,000 making their way through Serbia and 3,000 crossing from Greece into Macedonia every day. Hungary demanded more money from the EU to alleviate the burden, saying the distribution of funds was “humiliating”. One senior
European official said that, in the absence of action, “Europe has failed”. The United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, warned against expecting numbers to fall any time soon. “We do not see any end to the flow of people to come in the coming months,” said a spokeswoman. Even as the migrants entered, the Hungarian army was busy building a border fence to keep them out, bulldozers and heavy machinery shifting earth and erecting walls. The fence is finished in parts, while in others there are coils of barbed wire easily negotiated by migrants who faced down stun grenades and tear gas in Macedonia last week. One family of Kurds from Syria waited patiently for an army truck to pass, before one by one they scaled a padlocked gate in the fence, disappearing down a dirt road the other side.
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Wednesday August 26, 2015
T&T police investigating incidents linked to upcoming general election PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – The Trinidad and Tobago police say they have launched investigations into a number of election related incidents including a report of bullets being left in an envelope for a candidate of the minority opposition Independent Liberal Party (ILP). ILP chairman Rekha Ramjit told reporters that the bullets had been left for the party’s Fyzbad candidate Fabien Assie and was now appealing for security for all politicians contesting the September 7 poll. “The police ought to provide security for all candidates, not only in the ILP in the upcoming election. That was a call that was made by former (national security) minister Gary Griffith sometime ago. “So that is our position. We cannot afford to hire personal security for all our candidates. We are not one of those parties with a lot of resources,” she said. Police said they are also probing reports that the business place of a candidate for the People’s National Movement (PNM) had been robbed. Neil Mohammed the PNM’s candidate for Pointea-Pierre, who is also the managing director of Fens of Marabella, said “this is the second time this office was broken into in less than one week, don’t know what to think about this”. He said he could not say whether the matter was
politically motivated. “I have no hard evidence to suggest that but what I am saying, it raises my suspicion that a few days before the election that all these things seem to be happening one after another.” Acting Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams said while he has not received any request from any candidate for extra security at this time, he would not comment on whether political candidates should use private security and that both incidents are being investigated. “What I can speak on is the individual incident where the ammunition was found in the envelope, that is being investigated and the other matter is being investigated. Both are treated as crimes, ammunition, and break in,” he noted. PNM candidates in Mayaro and Toco/Sangre
Grande also complained that their party billboards were completely destroyed. But Williams said to date, the police have not received any reports of direct physical attacks on any candidate but assured that the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service will continue to provide heightened police presence at all election activities. “We have had no direct physical attack on any candidate. We have been policing every single meeting, we also engage discussions with the various parties and they provide us with schedule and we have been effectively policing all the election activities. “That is what we do and what we intend to continue doing with a clear intention that we can prevent any incident relating to election and election candidates,” Williams said.
GUATEMALACITY(AP) — Street demonstrations, the resignation of cabinet ministers and the arrest of his former vice president are pushing Guatemalan president Otto Perez Molina into a corner. Protesters demanding Perez Molina’s resignation blocked roads on the
outskirts of Guatemala City yesterday, and a judge is expected to issue a ruling on allegations that former Vice President Roxana Baldetti accepted $3.7 million in bribes as part of a scandal that forced her from office. Since Friday, five of Perez Molina’s 13 cabinet secretaries have resigned,
mainly because of the scandal. Tensions are mounting ahead of the Sept. 6 elections, which are to elect Perez Molina’s successor. Some protesters are demanding the elections be postponed until the corruption scandal is resolved and Perez Molina resigns.
Stephen Williams
Guatemala corruption scandal leads to political crisis
Dad chains daughter to grille, flogs her for having boyfriend KINGSTON, Jamaica — A man who pleaded guilty to hitting his 14-year-old daughter with a length of hose after he found out that she has a boyfriend was granted J$50,000 bail. Delroy Thompson pleaded guilty with explanation to a charge of assault, and not guilty to cruelty to a child when he appeared in the Corporate
Area Resident Magistrate’s Court recently.Allegations are that on August 11, Thompson chained his daughter to a grille and used a length of hose to flog her.According to Thompson, he was upset after the child’s mother showed him a number of pictures of the complainant with her alleged boyfriend. Thompson, who wanted to explain the details, was
advised by Magistrate Simone Maddix against disclosing his business in court. “You will get a chance to speak with the probation officer,” Magistrate Maddix said. However, the frustrated father told the court that he has been sending her to school from an early age and was astonished by what he saw in the cellular phone. (Jamaica Observer)
Wednesday August 26, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Rutherford completes long jump full house
Britain’s first placed Greg Rutherford celebrates his victory in the men’s long jump final during the 15th IAAF World Championships at the National Stadium in Beijing, China, August 25, 2015. (Reuters/Kai Pfaffenbach) BEIJING (Reuters) Britain’s Greg Rutherford completed a full-house of major titles on Tuesday when he added world gold to his Olympic, Commonwealth and European long jump crowns. Rutherford had such a bad headache a few hours before the final that he feared he
would be unable to compete. “By 2 o’clock this afternoon, I thought, ‘Flipping heck, I’m not going to be able to jump, I feel so rough’,” he told reporters. By the end of the evening, it was Rutherford’s rivals whose heads were spinning. “Adrenalin’s a wonderful
thing,” he said. “Here I am and I’ve finally won a world title. Fifth time lucky. Finally got what I wanted.” The 28-yearold Briton dominated the competition and won with a best effort of 8.41 metres in the fourth round His task was made easier when American Jeff
Wednesday August 26, 2015 ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) You will tend to overeat today. You will find the excitement gratifying. You can win if you're open and up front with your boss. TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21) You are best to avoid joint ventures, and whatever you do, don't lend to friends or relatives. Call someone you haven't seen in a long time.
LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) Don't push your luck with authority figures. Don't make promises. You can dazzle members of the opposite sex with your quick wit and aggressive charm. SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22)
You need to clear up some important personal documents before the end of the year. Don't use the interstate as a racetrack.
GEMINI (May 22-June 21) Do not push your opinions or try to reform your emotional partner today. Your confidence is growing and advancement is apparent.
SAGIT (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) If everyone wants to do their own thing, let them. Use your quick wit to win points with friends.
CANCER (June 22-July 22) Help children with important projects. You will be up and down emotionally. Don't let relatives get the better of you.
CAPRI. (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) Partnerships may be plentiful. Don't reveal anything about your personal life to those who may use such information against you.
LEO (July 23-Aug 22) Get back down to earth and to basics. If you've been really busy, try to schedule some time to spend with loved ones.
AQUAR. (Jan. 21 -Feb. 19) Don't be disappointed if you don't get your way emotionally. Verbal abuse could lead to carelessness. Your involvement with groups will raise your self esteem.
VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) You will do well with clients today. Your high energy, original ideas, and excellent memory will aid your accomplishments.
PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) Too much work and no play will not only result in fatigue and frustration but also loneliness, too. You need an outlet.
Henderson, who tops the 2015 world rankings, crashed out after three rounds having registered only one good jump, of 7.95m, to finish outside the top eight. The silver medal was won by Australia’s Fabrice Lapierre with a season’s best 8.24 in the sixth round to overtake China’s Wang Jianan, who jumped 8.18 in round two. Chinese jumpers Gao Xinglong (8.14m) and Li Jinzhe (8.10m) finished fourth and fifth. This event appeared to be one of the most open of the championships and the Beijing public turned out in huge numbers hoping to see a medal for the host nation. The roars of the crowd seemed to carry Wang and Gao on a wave of inspiration and they both registered first-round jumps of 8.14 metres to take the joint lead. Rutherford fouled his first effort but seized control of the competition with 8.29 in the second. After a further foul in the third round, Rutherford consulted his coach, American Dan Pfaff. “Dan
West Back Road, Festival City and...
From page 37 however Eon Alleyne’s brace in the 25th and 30th minutes piled on more misery. Sparta Boss, led by a treble from Denis Edwards , who netted in the ninth, 16th and 20th minutes, mauled Globe Yard 7-1 in a group-B fixture. Edwards’ outstanding performance was supported by solitary strikes from Eusi Phillips, Deon Alfred, Travis Grant and Roberto Osbourne in the seventh, 13th, 14th and 30th minutes respectively. Keith Caines 12th minute effort was the lone response for Globe Yard. Action in the group stage is set to resume tomorrow with four more matches, at the same venue. In the opening fixture, North Ruimveldt tackle Beterverwagting (BV) from 19:00hrs; Showstoppers square off against Broad Street from 19:45hrs; Albouystown go up against Alexander Village from 21:00hrs and West Front Road-Gold is Money and Sophia meet at 21:45hrs. Among the other sponsors are NaMilCo and Trophy Stall of Bourda Market. The winner of the tournament will take home $500,000 and the championship trophy, while second, third and fourth place finishers receive $250,000, $125,000 and $75,000 respectively.
basically told me after the third round, ‘What on earth are you playing at, why are you fouling such massive jumps? Just get one in and close the night’. And the next round, I managed to catch one.” GARDEN PIT That was an 8.41 season’s best for the Briton, whose quest for the world title had seen him build a long jump pit in the garden of his home. Rutherford joined an illustrious quartet of British athletes who have simultaneously held Olympic, world, European and Commonwealth titles in their events — Daley Thompson, Sally Gunnell, Jonathan Edwards and Linford Christie. An emotional Rutherford said it was possibly his best championship performance.
“There’s been stresses this year that I can even explain to you. It’s been really, really tough at points and to come out and do that, I’m over the moon.” Three years ago, Rutherford had been one of three British gold medals on “Super Saturday” during the London Olympics, but his victory was less widely recognised than those of Jessica Ennis-Hill and Mo Farah — also winners in Beijing this week. His winning jump of 8.31 was the shortest gold medal-winning mark since 1976. “I’m hoping 8.41 is acceptable to some people this time,” he said. “I’m pretty sure it’s a stadium record, that’s not so bad, I’ll take that. I’m not too bad a long jumper.”
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday August 26, 2015
Rudisha back on top of the world, Dibaba dominant
David Lekuta Rudisha of Kenya (L) crosses the finish line as he wins the men’s 800 metres final during the 15th IAAF World Championships at the National Stadium in Beijing, China August 25, 2015. (Reuters/Kai Pfaffenbach) BEIJING (Reuters) David Rudisha strained every sinew to win gold, Genzebe Dibaba dominated in the way the Kenyan once did and Usain Bolt’s second sprint showdown with Justin Gatlin moved a step closer at the world athletics championships on Tuesday. While Rudisha’s 800 meters victory was not a patch on the brilliant run that won him gold in a world record time at the London Olympics, there was a reminder of one of the great nights of that Games when Britain’s Greg Rutherford won long jump gold. Nicholas Bett showed finishing speed his compatriot Rudisha would have been proud of to win a surprise gold in the 400 meters hurdles and Cuba’s Denia Caballero was a shock winner in the women’s discus courtesy of her opening throw of 69.28m. Since a serious knee injury in 2013, the once all but unbeatable Rudisha has looked vulnerable against fast-finishing rivals and so it was as much with relief as joy that he celebrated the return of the world title he also won
in 2011. “I am delighted about this gold medal,” he said after crossing the line in one minute 45.84 seconds. “It means a lot to me. Especially after all those disappointments I had this year. During the last month I had a problem with my speed but when I got it back I knew I could win this race.” Pole Adam Kszczot came closest to running Rudisha down and took silver, while Amel Tuka finished third to win a first world championship medal for Bosnia and Herzegovina. Genzebe Dibaba’s family already owns 11 Olympic and world distance gold medals through her sister Tirunesh and cousin Derartu Tulu and the 24-year-old added a first at 1,500m with a stunning display of front-running. Slowed by the tactics of her rivals over the first 700 meters, the Ethiopian took the lead with two laps to go and destroyed her rivals with the sort of pace that claimed her the world record in Monaco last month. “It’s great to have such a strong performance,” said Dibaba, who finished in four
minutes 8.09 seconds. “My sister won the gold medal in this stadium at the (2008) Olympic Games so I wanted to share this family experience.” Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon declared Dibaba her “hero” after winning silver, while Sifan Hassan was a distant third to take bronze for the Netherlands. Bett gave Kenya its first gold medal in the 400m hurdles with a scorching finish to clock 47.79 seconds, the fastest time of the year and his own personal best. Running in lane nine where it is impossible to see your rivals for most of the race, the 23-year-old went past more than half the field after the final bend to pip Russia’s Denis Kudryavtsev on the line. HIGHEST CLASS Rutherford, who won Olympic gold on “Super Saturday” in London, proved himself a championship performer of the highest class by securing a full set of major titles with a leap of 8.41m, his best of the year. “European champion, Olympic champion and now world champion, it’s
Genzebe Dibaba of Ethiopia holds her national flag after winning the women’s 1500 metres final at the 15th IAAF World Championships at the National Stadium in Beijing, China August 25, 2015. (Reuters/Kai Pfaffenbach) unbelievable, it’s the most incredible thing,” he said after battling a severe headache to win gold. “I have been dreaming of this for a long time. I can’t believe I’ve done this.” Rutherford joined an illustrious list of Britons who have simultaneously held Olympic, world, European and Commonwealth titles in Daley Thompson, Sally Gunnell, Jonathan Edwards and Linford Christie. Australia’s Fabrice Lapierre also fought through the pain of a hamstring injury to win silver and bronze went to the youngest of the trio of
Chinese in the final, Wang Jianan. While the 50,000 crowd at the Bird’s Nest certainly got behind their long jumpers, Bolt elicits near frenzy every time he takes to the arena where he first made his name in 2008 and stormed to victory in the 100 meters on Sunday. Still feeling the effects of that victory over in-form American Gatlin, the Jamaican began his defence of his 200 meters title by running 20.28 seconds to win his first round heat. “Tired, tired, tired,” he said. “I was comfortable but it still doesn’t stop me from
being tired. “It was rough but it was just one of those things. I’m still bit little sore but I guess that is from the rounds and the fact that I didn’t compete that much this season.” Gatlin admitted defeat in the 100m had taken an emotional toll on him but he certainly looked in good shape physically as he ran 20.19 to win his heat. “The race felt good,” said the 33-year-old. “Coach just said to dominate from the start, work the curve, come off the curve attacking, hold my form in the straightaway and just ease into it.”
From page 37 years - in which they could not engage in any kind of cricket activity. The details of the meeting haven’t been disclosed, but the ICC has confirmed it has decided against activating the additional suspended years. After a series of appeals against their suspensions and long periods of maintaining that they are innocent, the duo finally issued public apologies and
said they were available to undergo educational programmes. The PCB, though, it is understood, denied them access to educational programmes for more than two years, but now after the ICC’s clearance it is offering it to them. Amir, who had pleaded guilty to spot-fixing at a very early stage, was allowed to return to domestic cricket in January this year, given his remorse and cooperation with
the authorities. He will play in the upcoming T20 cup for Rawalpindi. He has already completed his rehabilitation programme by featuring in various educational ventures, including the ICC’s anticorruption video. His return might have been fast-tracked, but he too was made to play club and grade 2 cricket before making his way into major competitive cricket.
PCB to tightly regulate Asif...
Wednesday August 26, 2015
Kaieteur News
PCB to tightly regulate Asif and Butt’s return
Mohammad Amir, though allowed to return to domestic cricket early, also had to undergo a rehabilitation programme and play lower grade cricket first © Getty Images ESPNcricinfo - The PCB is set to chalk out a rehabilitation programme for Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif, as part of their reintegration into the cricketing community. The two, whose ban for spot-fixing lifts on September 2, will be required to take part in an anticorruption educational programme, have sessions with a psychologist, and ply their trade in grade cricket for a start. ESPNcricinfo has learnt that the PCB will make the programme public later this week. The Pakistan board has accepted the ICC’s decision to lift the ban imposed on Asif and Butt at the earliest possible, but they will not be allowed to take part in the domestic T20 cup in Rawalpindi next month, it said. Instead, they will have to start at the bottom and prove their form and fitness before making it to higher levels of the game. As part of the educational programme, the pair will have to visit all domestic regions, across four provinces, and spread awareness on corruption issues. They will lecture the players, coaches, and officials at the domestic level on anti-corruption. “ICC requires us to put these boys under a programme in which they address the players and lecture them on anticorruption,” Shaharyar Khan, the PCB chairman, told ESPNcricinfo. “They should tell the players at all levels about their misconduct and the disgrace they brought into cricket. Meanwhile, we are allowing them to play club cricket and grade 2 cricket, the same policy we adopted with Amir. “They also have to see psychologist, and by playing
grade 2 cricket have to prove their ability and fitness. They can’t assume they will pick up where they left off five years ago. After all, they haven’t played cricket for last five years. We have to see many factors, including how age has affected them. At the moment they cannot walk back into contention for top cricket, they have to prove their ability to make their way into first-class cricket.” Amid legal rumblings, the PCB can’t hold the players back from playing once the ICC’s ban lifts on September 2, but they can be restricted to lower levels of the game while they prove their form and complete their rehabilitation programme, which could take several months. Butt, who will turn 31 in October, and Asif, who will be 33 this December, were set to represent Lahore Blue in the upcoming national T20 cup. “We will tell the region too they cannot play until they prove their ability at the low level,” Khan said. “They can’t be allowed to play any national championship but can only be allowed to play the second-class cricket. They can’t walk back in the system with the reputation they had five years ago. “The point to understand is the public must accept them, and more importantly the other present players many players expressed to us that they will not play with them. So this rehabilitation will eventually help them to be accepted in the dressing room and in the public. We have been in disgrace these last many years, and it’s a big stigma on Pakistan cricket.” Butt, Asif and Mohammad Amir were banned for 10 (five years suspended), seven
(two years suspended) and five years respectively, after an ICC tribunal found them guilty of spot-fixing in a case stemming from the 2010 Lord’s Test. The possible reduction in the penalty came on the condition that Asif and Butt would commit no further breach of the anti-corruption code and participate in a PCBcontrolled anti-corruption education programme. The ICC ACSU official met both the players to assess how both have changed over the last five Continued on page 36
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Shelly-Ann simply the best says track and field analyst Jamaica Observer SHELLY-ANN Fraser-Pryce’s gold medal triumph in the 100metre final at the Bird’s Nest stadium in Beijing Monday has cemented her greatness in a way not too dissimilar to what Usain Bolt’s win did in the men’s equivalent 24 hours earlier. Sporting brilliant green plaits, the 28-year-old ‘Pocket Rocket’ was a blur to opponents as she raced to 10.76 seconds, right arm and right index finger pointing to the sky as she sped through the line. The Netherlands’ fastfinishing Dafne Schippers was second in 10.81, while United States’ Tori Bowie grabbed bronze in 10.86. It was Fraser-Pryce’s fifth global 100m title since the 2008 Olympic Games when as a shiny-eyed youngster, she shocked many with a blistering win at the same stadium. The 2012 London Olympics brought similar success. World titles also came in Berlin 2009 and Moscow 2013 before Monday’s gold. The only blip was a fourth-place finish in the Republic of Korea in 2011. A popular view is that FraserPryce should be considered best in her class — similar to Dagu, all-conquering Bolt. Veteran journalist and track and field analyst Leighton Levy
argued that the small-framed sprinter is not far off. “She is the greatest 100m sprinter Jamaica has ever produced in terms of championship titles. She is the first woman to win three 100m World Championships titles; she brings her ‘A’ game to the finals, just like Bolt,” he told the Jamaica Observer. “She’s not only won on the circuit, but won when it matters most. If she goes to Rio [Olympic Games in Brazil] next year, she stands to do something that no other female sprinter would have done before. That would put her, for me, alone as the best 100m female sprinter of all time,” he added. Though Fraser-Pryce did not react quickest to the gun, her superior starting technique ensured the ‘Pocket Rocket’ inched ahead of the field after only a handful of strides. A few steps later and she was in a virtually unassailable position, though the contest was not yet halfway through. By the end she formalised what many believed was simply inevitable. Levy explained that heading into the Championships her gold medal was easiest to predict. “I think it was the most secure gold medal Jamaica had. Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce was a lock for the women’s 100-metre. Throughout the course of the season there were a number of women
running fast, but none were consistently fast as Shelly was. “Every time she touched the track, 10.7s was the norm. There was a race she ran that was slower than usual that was 10.93, I think, in cold conditions in Stockholm. When you saw how she competed at these championships you knew it was like everybody else was running for second. This is an amazing accomplishment for the ‘Pocket Rocket’ and she is just an absolutely outstanding performer,” Levy said. Former world champion Veronica Campbell-Brown, 33, barely missed out on a medal after clocking 10.91 for fourth in the event. She was clipped close to the end by Bowie, but many had given her little chance of getting a medal entering the race due to less than impressive displays heading into the championships. Levy said it was a mark of a true champion. “I didn’t see this coming. Veronica Campbell has been ordinary all year and 10.99 was her best time this season. You didn’t see a 10.91 coming, but she has had a stellar career from the junior level through to the seniors, and she’s a warrior and she brings her game [when it matters]. It was an outstanding performance on her part, even though she didn’t medal. It was testimony to the champion she has been for Jamaica,” he said.
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IndyCar driver Wilson dies after wreck
(Reuters) British IndyCar driver Justin Wilson died on Monday after suffering a severe head injury during a wreck in the closing laps of a race the previous day at Pocono Raceway in Pennsylvania, IndyCar officials said. He was 37. Wilson, a former Formula One driver and seven-time winner in IndyCar racing, had been in critical condition in a coma at a hospital in Allentown, Pennsylvania, before his death. “This is a monumentally sad day for IndyCar and the motorsports community as a whole,” Mark Miles, chief executive officer of Hulman & Co, the parent of IndyCar and Indianapolis Motor Speedway, said in a statement. “Justin’s elite ability to drive a race car was matched by his unwavering kindness, character and humility — which is what made him one of the most respected members of the paddock,” Miles added. Wilson’s family said in a statement that he was a “loving father and devoted husband, as well as a highly competitive racing driver who was respected by his peers”. Wilson was the first IndyCar driver to die following a race accident since fellow Briton, Dan Wheldon, was killed in a fiery crash in Las Vegas in October 2011. Wheldon, who died aged 33, was just one of two British drivers to win America’s most famous race, the Indy 500, on more than one occasion. He won it in 2005 and again in 2011, the 100th anniversary of the race. “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Justin Wilson,” Wilson’s Andretti Autosport team said in a statement. “He was a tremendous racer, a valuable member of the team and respected representative to our sport.
Justin Wilson (Reuters) “His life and racing career is a story of class and passion surpassed by none. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the Wilson family and fans worldwide.” Tributes to Wilson, who is survived by his wife and two daughters, poured in from his fellow drivers and others in the motor racing world. New Zealander Scott Dixon, who won the Indy 500 in 2008 from pole position, tweeted: “Father, Husband, Friend, just an amazing human being. We will miss you to no end. Love to the Wilson Family. #RIPJustin”. Brazilian Tony Kanaan, winner of the 2013 Indy 500, posted on Twitter: “Why do we do this? Because we love it, don’t want to be anywhere else but a race car. We will keep your legacy my friend. Racers race.” Wilson’s car had careened out of control and into a wall after he was hit by a large piece of debris from the car of Sage Karam at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. Karam, 20, was leading the penultimate race in the IndyCar Series when his car spun out on lap 179 of the 200lap race, and smacked the outside wall, sending pieces of the car airborne. He was taken to the same hospital as Wilson with heel and wrist injuries but was released on Sunday.
Karam will be re-evaluated before being cleared to drive, IndyCar officials said. “I can’t find the proper words to describe the pain and sympathy I feel for Justin and his family,” Karam said in a statement on Twitter, followed by the hashtag #RIPJustin. Wilson’s accident was reminiscent of a 2009 incident when Brazil’s Felipe Massa was struck in the helmet by a spring from Rubens Barichello’s car during qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix and had to undergo surgery. However, the Briton’s death will once again raise questions about driver safety in IndyCar. Since 1966 there have been 18 deaths in IndyCar (which includes the series’ previous incarnations as Champ Car, CART and Indy Racing League). Eight alone have come at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway and all but two on ovals. “I think IndyCar has been at the head of the (safety) curve,” American motor racing legend Mario Andretti told Reuters last year. “There is not a sanctioning body more concerned with safety than IndyCar. “But on an oval you have the speed, Formula One doesn’t come close to those type of speeds and then you have cars side-by-side at 230mph. “In a nutshell, IndyCar is definitely more dangerous because of the ovals so they are dealing with a totally different monster.”
Wednesday August 26, 2015
Attractive prizes on offer for Inaugural President Cup on Sunday at Rising Sun Dubbed the ‘real President Cup’, the organizers are calling it the Inaugural President Cup Horserace meet which is slated for Sunday at the Rising Sun Turf Club, Arima Park, West Coast Berbice. Organized by the Rising Sun Turf Club in collaboration with the Inshan Bacchus ‘Hard Runnings’ Trucking Service and Racing Stable and friends of Rising Sun, the event is being held in honour Guyana’s President his Excellency Brigadier David Granger. Nine top notch races are listed for the day with over $ 7.5 million in incentives up for the taking. With a few days to go before the big day some 60 of the country’s top racehorses have now entered in their quest to get a stake in the sumptuous packages on offer. The hefty pay out is being made possible through major sponsors including beverage giants Banks DIH Limited, Inshan Bacchus Hard Running Tucking Service and Racing Stable, Jumbo Jet Auto Sales and Racing stable, Mohammed “Nankoo” Shariff business entity and Racing Stables, Trophy Stall Bourda Market, miner Pabdeep Abdul, Hablaw Meat Centre, Rising Sun Cattle Ranch and the Chester Fry Chicken Bush Lot among numerous others. Crown Vibes Sound Company and Lighting Effects has joined the proceedings and will be providing musical a compliment and after party vibes. The Guyana Government and the Guyana Horse Racing Authority (GHRA) have both given their full blessing to the activity. The A and lower event has over $2.5 M and the Guyana Cup available and so far all of the top runners in that class have given indication to be in the starting gates for the event. Score’s Even is expected to be back to full fitness and will be going all out to reclaim its crown as well as well as former champions and fit again California Strike and
Banks DIH, Inshan Bacchus, Jumbo Jet, Trophy Stall, Shariff among sponsors
Treacle. However the inform and two times Guyana Cup champion CP Got Even along with the likes of Princess She is Not, Curfew Tower, Jack In MY Style, Diplomatic Cat, Kazi Azari, Bridal Stone Corner, Lady Budapest, Western Charm and Spit Fire among others will be burning up the arena in the one mile event mile event for the $1.2M and the President David Granger Cup for the winner. The other races listed for the day are- the 1400M race for Three-year-old West Indies bred animals for a $500,000, winner’s money. The one mile race for Four year old West Indies Bred horses and D3 non-winners for 2015 and those classified E and lower is for a first prize of $500,000. There is an event for horses classified F and Lower over 1400M for a pole position taking of $350,000. There will be no distinction in the two year old event as both the West Indies and Guyana Bred horses are slated to do battle over 1100M for a winning pocketing $350,000 and trophy.
The winner of the G3 and lower 1400M event will get $300,000 and trophy. A competitive field is expected to take to the track in the race for animals classified ‘I’ and lower for the $260,000 purse over 1100 M. Horses running in the J and Lower 1100M even will battle for a top prize of $240,000 and trophy. The K and lower 100M event will see the winner taking home $200,000 and trophy. Top jockeys, stable and trainer will be presented with incentives compliments of Ramesh Sunich of the Trophy Stall and the organizers. Entries are expected to be closed today Wednesday 26th August and interested persons can contact Fazal Habibulla on Telephone No 232-0232 or 657-7010. Organizer Fazal Habibulla is encouraging turfites to come out in their numbers since the Rising Sun Facilities has among the best seating accommodation in the country. The race will be run under the rules of the GHRA. Race time is 12:00hrs. (Samuel Whyte)
Wednesday August 26, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Local officials urged to aim for high goals as FIFA RAP programme commences
Smartly attired, the referees take time out for a photo op with FIFA and other officials just before the commencement of the programme. By Michael Benjamin They are the guardians of the sport and their contributions have been cited as the pillars on which football development lies. It was with this understanding that 21 locally affiliated FIFA referees convened at the Racquet Centre, Woolford Avenue, yesterday morning, to commence the Referees
Assistance Programme (RAP), five days of intense training, meant to maintain their competency in the trade. The programme is being conducted by FIFA’s Referee Instructor and FIFA Referee Fitness Instructor, Peter Prendergast and Alan Brown, respectively and yesterday morning the former official delivered a frank, incisive
speech to those participants. He pointed out that the programme is integral to the referees’ development and is designed to heighten their competence. “Our job is to teach the teachers who in turn return to their member associations and pass on the knowledge,” said Mr. Pendergast. He urged the officials to demonstrate
HYSDA re-emerges with meeting scheduled for Friday
The Hinterland Youth and Sport Development Association (HYSDA) that was founded in 2011, has reemerged with a scheduled meeting to re-elect Executive Members set for Friday at 4pm at the Guyana Olympic Association Headquarters in Kingston. Founder of HYSDA, Mark Rodrigues, who runs the association from the Rupununi, Region Nine was adamant that he will get the association functional again, following a period of dormancy. “I am very determined to get us back on track,” he told Kaieteur Sport. According to Rodrigues, he has to produce the results with the association given the fact that the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has invested “hundreds of thousands” to train him in their Leadership for Results Programme. “After we became dormant, we still did some work and we want to thank those persons who had support us. Those include, Ming’s Product and Services, Mohamed’s Enterprise, Andrew Chow Mining
Mark Rodrigues Company, Mark Grimmond and Air Services Limited,” Rodrigues indicated. He said that this time around, he will be seeking to engage a more “dynamic” workforce and will be interfacing with proficient sport personnel. Rodrigues identified Lavern FraserThomas as one such individual he plans to engage along with Andrea Flores. “They will play a critical role in the association,” he
said. The HYSDA had developed an Action Plan in 2011 to bring a more structured approach to the development of hinterland youth, most of who participate in sport. The Action Plan covered a wide-range of HYSDA activities, among them were fund-raisers, courtesy calls on all major embassies, liaison with other sport associations in an effort to build stakeholder support and general representation. The mission statement of the HYSDA then was: “The Hinterland Youth and Sport Development Association will be a forerunner to strengthen and formalise youth and sport clubs, assisting with talented athletes and students from geographically difficult hinterland communities/ villages in an order to enhance recognition both nationally and internationally.” In its genesis, now Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe served as Vice-Chairman of the HYSDA.
commitment to their work and cited cases where referees have demonstrated a reluctance to participate in local assignments while saying they are busy but are always ready for international assignments. “It may sound harsh but as the original bad man this is how I talk,” said Pendergast while voicing disapproval. The FIFA Referee Instructor lamented the falling standards among the officials while bemoaning the fact that since 2006 the region has been unable to clinch lucrative spots on the (international) referees list with just one official making the grade in the 2014 world Cup. “We must lift our standards if we are to improve in this department,” he implored the officials. Amidst his scathing comments, Mr. Prendergast found some positivity and complimented the referees on their mode of dress saying that they looked sharp and uniformed. He told the referees that there is much to aspire for as FIFA may not be as rigid on the age limit, choosing instead to evaluate individual cases. “FIFA has an age limit of 45 years but that does not mean that if you prove to be competent and able bodied (at that age) that you will be automatically discarded,” he intimated. Head of the Referees’ Council, Stanley Lancaster, acted in the capacity of Master of Ceremonies and Pendergast noted and lauded his hard work as an official over the years. Chairman of the Normalization Committee, Clinton Urling, welcomed the
FIFA delegation while urging them to enjoy what Guyana has to offer. He noted the importance of the referees even as he enforced the belief that the current sessions will enforce the concepts of the trade. “The referees enforce the integrity of the game and are important on and off the field,” exhorted Mr. Urling in his short presentation. President of the Guyana Football Referees’ Council (GFRC), Alfred King also welcomed the FIFA duo, while lauding their input over the past years. He told the referees that while the FIFA officials may aspire to improve their competence they (the referees) will also be required to lift their level of competence. He also feels that local referees should assiduously aspire to lift their standards and be reinstated in the top echelons of the sport. “The number of local referees that have been removed from the (FIFA) pool is indeed worrying especially since it was fostered by the official’s incompetence. “I urge you to make every effort to sustain your accreditation at that level and Mr. Pendergast’s input may just be the fillip we need to facilitate this,” said Mr.
King. General Secretary of the GFF, Richard Groden delivered the vote of thanks and expressed gratitude to the FIFA officials even as he urged the referees to apply themselves to the task on hand while giving of their best over the duration of the sessions. The sessions are scheduled to run over the next five days commencing at 09:00hrs under the tutelage of Prendergast and Brown. Activities will include simulations, fitness tests and a written test and evaluation to assess how much had been conceived by participants. The overarching aim of the initiative is to foster a professional environment in which referees work while the facilitators will also impart knowledge of the way the laws of the game are applied throughout the world. Instructors and other officials will be guided by the FIFA representatives through classroom sessions as well as practical exercises thus allowing the instructors to evaluate their competence upon conclusion of the sessions. The event culminates on Saturday.
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Tired Bolt and Gatlin cruise into 200 meters semis
Usain Bolt of Jamaica gestures before his men’s 200 metres heat at the 15th IAAF World Championships at the National Stadium in Beijing, China August 25, 2015. (Reuters/Phil Noble) BEIJING (Reuters) A tired Usain Bolt and an emotionally fatigued Justin Gatlin progressed towards their second blockbuster sprint showdown of the world championships by easing through the 200 meters heats on Tuesday. Bolt, who beat Gatlin to retain his 100 meters title at the Bird’s Nest on Sunday, shot out of the blocks and led for the entire race before easing up over the final 15 meters to cross the line in 20.28 seconds. The 29-year-old Jamaican said he was still feeling the effects of the 100 meters but will be looking to raise the pace in Wednesday’s semifinals before peaking for Thursday’s final, where he could win a fourth successive 200 meters gold. “Tired, tired, tired,” the Olympic champion and world record holder told reporters. “This means a lot more to
me. I’m a little worried about my fitness and I need to work a lot over 200m. But I’m a better technical runner over the 200m so we’ll see what happens. “I’m tired and my legs are still sore, but I’m going to have another bath tonight and, hopefully, tomorrow I’ll be there.” Gatlin, unbeaten in the 200 meters since 2013 and the 2005 world champion at the distance before his second doping ban, was even more dominant in the following heat, maintaining his form through the line to win in 20.19. The 33-year-old American, who owns the fastest time of the year (19.57), said he would have eased up but for the presence behind him of Japan’s Abdul Hakim Sani Brown, who finished second in 20.35. “The 100 meters final was a difficult one for me, also
emotionally,” said Gatlin. “But now I’m going for 200m. I have two days to go. My race would have been slower but Sani pushed me so much. This young guy from Japan is phenomenal.” Anguillan young gun Zharnel Hughes, who trains with Bolt in Jamaica but runs for Britain, edged the fifth heat in 20.13 courtesy of his dip for the line, while Panama’s Alonso Edwards ran 20.11 to win the second. The fastest time of the heats, whoever, came from Ramil Guliyev, who ran quick times as a junior but lost a big chunk of his career to a ban after deciding to represent Turkey rather than his native Azerbaijan. The tattooed 25-year-old ran a national record of 20.01 but said he thought he go faster. “It was a good run, now I’ll prepare for the next one,” he said.
Wednesday August 26, 2015
Bolt’s win reverberates in anti-doping fight BEIJING, China (AFP) When the dust settled on Usain Bolt’s stunning world championships victory over two-time doping offender Justin Gatlin in the men’s 100 metres, the natural order of athletics remained intact just. Olympic chief Thomas Bach was quick to congratulate Bolt, who had barely completed his lap of honour in Beijing on Sunday, dancing and striking poses with the Jamaican flag draped over his shoulders like a superhero’s cape. “Congratulations to Usain Bolt for a historic victory,” said the International Olympic Committee president. “It was great to see him winning in the Bird’s Nest stadium again.” It is hard to imagine that Bach, a supporter of lifetime bans for doping, would have been quite so happy had Gatlin controversially ended Bolt’s reign as the world’s fastest man. “My aim is to be the best ever, to continue dominating,” said Bolt, one of the most tested athletes in sport. “There is no time to celebrate anything.” Bolt’s ruthless takedown of Gatlin was a close-run thing. The Jamaican clocked 9.79 seconds in the final, just one hundredth quicker than his American rival, the finest of margins, but enough to bolster the crisis-hit sport’s credibility. His victory would have been warmly welcomed by athletics chiefs, who have been under heavy fire over doping and were uneasy at the prospect of Gatlin being crowned the world 100m champion. As allegations of widespread doping engulfed
Olympic chief Thomas Bach was quick to congratulate Bolt, who had barely completed his lap of honour. athletics in the build-up to Beijing, newly elected IAAF president Sebastian Coe, who has promised zero tolerance for drug cheats, admitted a Gatlin victory would make him feel “queasy.” Gatlin, 33, was banned for eight years after a second positive test in 2006, though that suspension was halved after he cooperated with antidoping officials. While there was symbolic significance at least in Bolt’s one-hundredth-of-asecond win, Gatlin’s agent Renaldo Nehemiah said the runner has been shaken by the constant references to his murky past. “He’s not angry, he’s upset about it,” said Nehemiah. “We build people up to break them down, that’s just human nature. “When you serve a doping ban, usually it’s career-ending. He’s been able to come back, he’s been
proving to people he’s a great talent. A four-year suspension is supposed to ruin your career and it really hasn’t, athletically, for him.” Gatlin, who had been unbeaten in 28 races over two years before Sunday’s final, vowed to return with a vengeance in the 200 metres, starting yesterday. “I just have to reset, man,” shrugged the American, one of four men in the 100 metres final to have served a doping ban. “Just get ready for the 200 metres, dial back in and be ready for business.” Bolt, the six-time Olympic gold medallist, refused to depict the race, described in some quarters as a clash of “good vs evil”, as a morality tale. “That’s for you guys to write,” he told journalists. “I have shown the world that it is possible (to run clean). I have worked my hardest. I have pushed myself.”
Surprise discus victory for Cuban Caballero BEIJING (Reuters) Cuba’s Denia Caballero landed a shock win in the world championship discus on Tuesday, her first round effort of 69.28 meters beating all her rivals including defending champion Sandra Perkovic of Croatia. Olympic champion Perkovic salvaged the silver medal with a late effort of 67.39, having gone into the final round facing the prospect of going home empty-handed after a mediocre series of throws that contained three fouls. The bronze went to
Germany’s Nadine Mueller, with her best of 65.53 also coming in the first round. Caballero is small by discus standards, at 5-foot-8 (1.75 meters), and she was dwarfed by her fellow medal winners as they lined-up for the mandatory post-event photos. It has been a breakthrough year for the Cuban who also passed the 70-metre barrier for the first time in June. “The first throw was very important for me. I wanted to put Perkovic under pressure,” Cabellero told
reporters. It was a plan that worked as the triple European champion fouled with her first, third and fifth-round throws. Perkovic might have been eliminated altogether had her 65.35 second-round effort gone a meter to the right and out of the permitted sector. “It’s been an amazing day,” said the 25-year-old Caballero whose previous best performance was eighth place at the 2013world championships. “I’ve been praying for this medal. I wanted any medal but gold is the best.”
First placed Denia Caballero of Cuba celebrates her victory in the women’s discus throw final during the 15th IAAF World Championships at the National Stadium in Beijing, China, August 25, 2015. (Reuters/Kai Pfaffenbach)