Kaieteur News

Saturday Edition

Online readership yesterday 99,385

August 31, 2013 - Vol. 7 No. 34 - Price $80 kaieteurnews@yahoo.com Website:http://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com Guyana’s largest selling daily & New York’s most popular weekly

US arrests Bouterse’s son in Panama on drugs, weapon charges p.

3

- flown to NY

President Maduro arrives today p.

6

- Guyana, Venezuela to further strengthen relations

Dino Bouterse

Amaila Hydro was structured as a gigantic rip-off p.

12

- Raymond Gaskin

Estate worker, 17, dies after struck p.

19 by lightning Soldier, cop held in Linden after robbery p. and abduction 21

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Kaieteur News

Saturday August 31, 2013

Saturday August 31, 2013

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Kaieteur News

US arrests Bouterse’s son in Panama on drugs, weapon charges T

he son of the President of Suriname has been arrested on U.S. drug and weapon charges, federal prosecutors said Friday.

Dino Bouterse, Director of Suriname’s anti-terrorism unit, was arrested Thursday in Panama by local authorities and turned over to U.S. agents, said Preet Bharara, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York.

His arrest, according to an Associated Press (AP) story, comes as his father, Desi Bouterse, himself convicted of drug offences, hosts the annual UNASUR summit for leaders of South American countries.

Officials in Suriname announced Friday that the opening statement by Desi Bouterse would be postponed by several hours.

Local government officials have declined further comment.

Dino Bouterse was scheduled to appear in

- flown to NY Manhattan federal court yesterday afternoon after being flown to New York late Thursday, officials said.

“Bouterse is a significant drug trafficker,” said Derek Maltz, special agent-incharge with the U.S. Drug E n f o r c e m e n t Administration.

Bouterse faces a U.S. federal indictment alleging he worked with a man identified as Edmund Quincy Muntslag to smuggle cocaine into the United States starting in or about December 2011. It also charges him with violating firearms laws by brandishing a light anti-tank weapon during the narcotics offense.

The indictment says Bouterse was involved in smuggling a suitcase filled with 10 kilograms (22 pounds) of cocaine aboard a commercial flight from Suriname to the Caribbean

in late July.

Federal prosecutors said Muntslag was arrested Thursday in Trinidad.

Bouterse’s father is a former coup leader and convicted drug trafficker who was elected president of Suriname in July 2010.

Shortly after his inauguration, Bouterse appointed his son as director of Suriname’s Counter Terrorist Unit, drawing heavy criticism from opposition legislators who expressed concern that no legal framework was created for the unit to operate.

In 2011, unit officials were criticized for acting as police officers when they killed two men suspected in several violent crimes.

In August 2002, prosecutors in Suriname charged Dino Bouterse with stealing 50 guns from the government intelligence service. Police at the time

Dino Bouterse accused Bouterse of fleeing to Curacao to avoid arrest, although his father said Bouterse had traveled there

for personal business.

A year later, prosecutors dropped charges, citing a lack of evidence.

Missing Sophia shopowner sends relatives in search frenzy The relatives of 58-yearold shopowner, Claudette Fernandes, are fearful of the fate of the woman after she disappeared, without a trace, from her Lot 191 'B' Field, Sophia residence on Saturday night last.

The woman was reportedly last seen watching the Limacol CPL Finals cricket game in her shop, accompanied by a male friend.

A c c o r d i n g t o information received, speculation of the woman's whereabouts were first made by her daughter, Wendy Fernandes, on Sunday morning, after she arrived at the home and discovered that her mother was not there.

Missing: Claudette Fernandes The younger Fernandes acknowledged that she was

not initially puzzled about her mother's absence, as it is customary that the woman would go to the city market to purchase items for her shop.

“I would normally keep the shop for her till she come back from market,” Wendy Fernandes explained.

When the expected time of her arrival home came and went, however, the woman's daughter said that she instantly became alarmed, as it was strange that her mother would spend such a lengthy period at the

market.

The younger Fernandes reported that after inquiring, from other family members, of her mother's whereabouts

and receiving responses in the negative, she made her way to the Turkeyen Police Station to lodge a missing (continued on page 23)

Police detained the younger Bouterse again in September 2004 after seizing a large number of assault weapons, ammunition and 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) of cocaine from a local auto shop.

He was sentenced to eight years in prison in August 2005 after a judge found him guilty of leading a ring that trafficked in cocaine, illegal arms and stolen luxury cars.

Dino Bouterse is not unknown in Guyana. He is mentioned in the famous Wikileaks cables.

In 2006, former US Ambassador to Guyana, Roland Bullen, in a confidential cable to his superiors in Washington DC, US, said that the younger Bouterse may have been involved in moving weapons to the village of Buxton on the East Coast of Demerara, at the time known to be a hotbed of criminal activities.

“Desi Bouterse’s son Dino organized a Surinamese soccer team’s trip to Buxton a few years ago. It is believed that the team bus carried weapons to Buxton,” the cable said.

That particular cable examined the relationship between convicted Guyanese drug kingpin Roger Khan and President Bouterse, and the fallout from the former’s arrest shortly before.

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Kaieteur News

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

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

EDITORIAL

The impact of trust and failed communication It seems that at every turn something more is being uncovered about the Amaila Falls hydroelectric project.

We now hear that it would have cost considerably more than the US$858 million because of a variety of additional costs.

From the inception we knew that the road would have cost more than US$15.4 million and the government had to know this. No one factors into the cost of a project the exact figures. There is always room for over-runs and the Amaila Falls project would have taken the various inflationary trends into consideration.

When the government planned the project it should have had all the figures at hand. For example, when it tenders for a road programme it has a certain sum in mind, having prepared all the specifications. It examines every aspect of the project so it knows how much it has to spend.

This seemed not to be the case with the Amaila Falls hydroelectric project.

For one, when the project was first announced the price was under US$600 million. The planners would have taken the various costs into consideration. When they planned the Berbice River Bridge that is what they did. Every project was constructed within a given price range that was stated before the actual construction. The Amaila Falls hydro project appeared to be the difference.

It was strange that when it was planned the government did not take all the stakeholders into consideration. When Forbes Burnham wanted to nationalize the bauxite industry he talked with the then opposition leader Dr Cheddi Jagan.

It was the same when he planned to construct the hydroelectric facility at Kumerau. Even the cost of the project was made public before the road construction began.

It could be that when the project was planned, the government with its parliamentary majority knew that it had the ability to ramrod anything through the house and get the projects to completion. There was therefore no need for dialogue and discussion. As it turned out, this proved to be the demise of the major projects in Guyana; the government no longer controlled the national assembly and therefore did not have total control over the public treasury.

The result is that the government continues to talk about confidential aspects of the programme. What could be confidential about a programme that involves public spending? This is tantamount to taking people’s money and spending it in a secretive manner —without the knowledge of the people. In civil life this is called theft or misappropriation.

To hear the people behind the Amaila Falls project still talking about confidentiality suggests something ulterior.

People would wonder about what it is that should be confidential, given that the loan arrangements have been finalized, the contractors named and the project schedule underlined. One would understand if there are many plans out there and there is to be competition for some of the tenders.

Given the various sub-plots, the project was doomed to failure for the lack of communication. In the last days, the government spoke about the reduction in electricity charges to the consumer. But enterprising people found that in Uganda, the cost of electricity to the consumer actually went up following the construction of the hydroelectric facility.

It would be nice to sit with someone and trace the development of the Amaila Falls project. The answer for granting the impossible road contract to a person who never even constructed a footbridge would be instructional.

It would also be instructional to understand why after finalizing all the construction costs the actual project cost would keep rising.

Many people are angry. Imagine that the InterAmerican Development Bank, one of the funding agencies, was actually conducting a feasibility study right

Saturday August 31, 2013

Letters... Where your views make the news

EDUCATION CRISIS: WHAT CRISIS?

DEAR EDITOR, Several opposition elements are seeking to downplay the enormous strides made in the education sector.

Some go to the ridiculous extent of saying that the education system is in “crisis”.

Nothing could be further from the truth. These persons either have short memories of what the state of education was during the previous PNC administration or they are in a denial mode not wanting to concede any credit for the gains made by the education sector over the past two decades.

As a former teacher and education administrator, I am not unaware of the enormous challenges faced by the sector during the pre-1992 period when the sector was virtually starved of resources to a point where something as basic as chalk was in short supply.

Our Guyanese students were underperforming due mainly to a poor and deficient education delivery system. The education system, like other sectors, became a victim of a stifling economic crisis which emanated from a political crisis.

The fact of the matter is that our Guyanese students are doing much better today than before thanks to the emphasis that is being placed on the sector by the current PPP/C administration. The records will show that an increasing number of students are securing passes at the CXC and CAPE examinations every year in every subject area including English Language and Mathematics even though the latter still continues to pose a challenge to education administrators not only in Guyana but the region as a whole.

A salient point to note is that the cohort of students who sit the CXC examinations have increased substantially over the years. This is also true of the number of subjects that students are allowed to sit with students

writing as many as twenty subjects, something unthinkable a decade ago.

I remember during my high school days in the early 70’s a pass in seven or eight subjects at one sitting inclusive of English and Mathematics was considered a highly creditable performance at the GCE Examinations.

Under the PNC administration the vast majority of students who finished primary schools were relegated to Community High Schools or to the tops of primary schools. These schools do not prepare students to write the CXC examinations which effectively meant the end of their academic life. Students were simply marking time until the statutory age to leave school catches up with them.

There were no room for late developers and the whole concept of a “second chance” in terms of academic pursuit was nothing but an unfulfilled dream. Drop out rates were unacceptably high.

The conversion of the Community High Schools and Primary Schools into discrete secondary schools represented a major overhaul of the education system in terms of providing primary school leavers, especially those who for whatever reason did not perform well at the Secondary School Entrance Examination (SSEE) with fresh opportunities to pursue their academic career to the limit of their potential.

Under the Secondary School Reform Project (SSRP) the secondary school curriculum was modified to take into account students who are not considered “highfliers” and therefore require reinforcements to address cognitive gaps.

One consequence of this reform process was a significant jump in the number of students who are afforded the opportunity to write the CXC examinations which was further facilitated by the

generous subsidies provided to parents and guardians to facilitate entrance to the examination.

This is why attempts to project the success rate of students on the basis of “percentages” can be misleading since it fails to take into account the contextual nature of the Guyana situation and the democratization factor in which practically the full cohort of secondary students are now allowed to sit the examinations, quite unlike what obtained under the previous administration.

This is not to suggest that more cannot be done to further improve on the performance levels of our students especially in the two critical subject areas of Mathematics and English.

I am aware of the several innovations made by the Ministry to improve student performance in these two subjects both at the primary and secondary levels but the truth is that there is no “silver bullet” that could produce dramatic results overnight.

Success rates in education is a process that usually take some time. It is not like applying fertilizer to plants or as I mentioned earlier in one of my previous columns like de-worming an animal where results are almost immediate.

The overall trend is positive with an increasing number of students from all across Guyana showing improved performances. More students are being matriculated than ever before drawn from schools all over Guyana including hinterland schools.

Our children are doing well. The future looks good. I take this opportunity to salute all of our students who have done well.

For those who speak of crisis in education my response to them is, what crisis they are talking about? The facts certainly do not support any situation remotely resembling a crisis.

Hydar Ally

Unfair criticism of our educational system DEAR EDITOR, I have been following with interest the numerous letters and articles in the various newspapers commenting on Guyana’ education system. Some letter writers make it seem as if the Ministry of Education does not have professional officers who understand what is required to improve the education system.

The letter written by Annan Boodram identifies theories of learning and strategies that could be used.

Nothing is new there.

Guyanese educators are familiar with those strategies and are using them.

Unfortunately, the results in Mathematics do not meet the expectations of the Ministry.

While this is a cause for concern and the Ministry admits it, it does not mean that the education system is in crisis. Mr. Annan lives in America and should know that even in that great country students are experiencing difficulties in Mathematics and Governments have to invest heavily in after school and summer programmes to help students “catch up”. This is true for Canada as well. Even so, a great majority fail to meet the standards. These countries do not condemn

up to the time when actual construction should have started? It is still to continue this study, but the government says that the Amaila Falls project is dead, so there is no need for a further study.

And while that may be the case, the government is still pointing fingers, this time accusing the main opposition party for the halt in the feasibility study by the IDB. Suffice it to say that the nation wanted hydroelectricity, but it wanted a review of the high cost.

the entire education system but look at the performance of individual schools for further intervention or action.

The most outrageous comments came from David Hinds who suggest and I quote “And that class polarization in some instances, though not across the board, has an ethnic look to it. We have developed a kind of social apartheid in education that is reflected in the results.” It is the first time that such a comment has been made and I am wondering if it had anything to do with the ethnicity of the students who were top performers this year. This is such a shame and this is what will lead to polarization of the population.

The Ministry of Education has no control over all the variables which affect learning and performance and these include poverty, the effect of

technological gadgets which mostly the rich have, the health and well being of students and involvement of parents in their children’s education but whatever interventions are made and whatever resources are provided, are distributed equitably. To appreciate this, one has to look at the results of other examinations, not only at the school level but at the tertiary level and postsecondary institutions, as well as other areas of learning and participation.

I conclude by congratulating all the top performers. You have done yourself, your school, your community and all Guyana proud. I wish to encourage the Minister of Education to continue working towards the improvement of the Education system and not to be disheartened by those who do not make constructive criticisms.

Observer

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

We are going ahead with very expensive projects Media houses have a responsibility to inform without basic engineering and fundamental planning DEAR EDITOR, I have taken note of your front page report earlier this week in which an internet café in Castello Housing Scheme was robbed by two young bandits.

I have also noted with interest that the surveillance video recording of the robbery in progress has been posted on YouTube and that Kaieteur News is encouraging viewers to help identify the culprits.

However, I am aghast that save for Kaieteur News, very few of the media houses, including the electronic media have picked up on this story.

Media houses have the responsibility of educating and informing the public at large. In this day and age where the internet has changed the landscape of news gathering, where at a flash breaking news can be distributed on cell phones, there can be no excuses.

It is a known fact that law enforcement efforts can only work effectively if there are mechanisms in place where the public are part of the process. We have to also be

the eyes and ears of the communities in which we live and work in.

Many police cases are solved with tips from concerned citizens. Here we have a video of the bandits available.

Surely the possibilities that someone would have recognized them would have been greatly improved with the airing of the video. As citizens of this country, we all have a responsibility of fighting crime.

Cobeer Persaud

DEAR EDITOR, Having read recently of another delay in the operation of Guyana’s fibre optic system that is being installed by the government, I have to comment on what I think is basic in such an endeavour.

It is a shame that a project of this importance did not have qualified experts who knew about Fibre Systems, project management and most importantly, the placing of fibre optic cable in the ground.

It is ‘normal’ practice to

develop a guideline document BEFORE one inch of cable is attempted to be buried. How shameful it is that we have to conclude now (according to the project manager) that the local contractors had no idea how to bury the fibre. They should have been working to specifications developed by the engineers and handed to them to execute. It seems that time and again we are going ahead with these very expensive projects without doing basic engineering and

fundamental planning. How many mistakes do we have to make before people are sacked/replaced. This project manager is only one in name.

He has not exhibited basic project management skills, because the lack of proper burial of the cable is ultimately his responsibility.

Placement of fibre cable in all kinds of terrain has been going on for over 20 years.

There are many documents that have been written about the placement of fibre. Why are we holding ourselves out

to be twenty-first century idiots by our unprofessional behaviour.

There needs to be some kind of an investigation into this project. Many are annoyed about the Amalia Falls project, the Skeldon Sugar Factory and other projects, I believe that we should be equally upset about this project, since it has the potential to also revolutionize life in Guyana, but we are not paying much attention to it.

Concerned Citizen

EXCELLENT CAPE PERFORMANCES AT PRESIDENT’S COLLEGE DESPITE SUBSTANDARD CONDITIONS DEAR EDITOR, At a meeting on Wednesday, August 28, the members of ACDA decided that it was necessary to congratulate the students of President’s College, for their performance at this year’s Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE). Members felt that this performance of excellence is particularly noteworthy, especially in the light of what

has transpired within that institution in recent times.

The school has suffered because of the intransience of this country’s administrators, which has led to: • The absence of a School Board for over one year.

•The physical environment of the school going into disrepair, in addition to several other seemingly antieducation actions which saw these outstanding students

being forced to study in a hostile environment. It was agreed that these outstanding students have demonstrated with pride, that even while being forced to live and study in sub-standard conditions

their singular duty was to maintain the by-name of their institution, School of Excellence. We urge the wider Guyanese populace to join in the struggle to keep President’s College as a

School of Excellence.

Barrington Braithwaite Elton McRae Penda Guyan Rudi Guyan Executive Members of ACDA

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UNFPA points out target President Maduro arrives today areas to improve - Guyana, Venezuela to further strengthen relations Maternal health care

From left: Transport Minister Robeson Benn; Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh; Asdrubal Chavez, General Secretary of PetroCaribe and Reina Margarita Arratia Diaz, Venezuelan Ambassador to Guyana President Nicolas Maduro Moros of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela is scheduled to arrive in Guyana today. This will be his first visit to this country since being elected to office in April 2013, following the death of President Hugo Chavez.

During the opening session of bilateral discussions between the Guyanese and Venezuelan delegations yesterday, at the International Conference

Centre, Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh said Guyana is hoping to further strengthen its relationship with its western neighbour through bilateral interactions over the two-day period which culminates today.

Without elaborating on the five thematic areas the countries will be discussing, Dr. Singh mentioned that some ongoing mutual developmental initiatives are on the agenda. Government

agencies represented at the discussions include the Ministries of Education, Public Works, and Agriculture, the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority and the Guyana Energy Agency.

According to Dr. Singh, the Petrocaribe initiative, which was conceived by President Hugo Chavez, has been beneficial to Guyana and the Caribbean region. Whilst praising the friendly relationship Guyana and Venezuela have been enjoying over the years, he sympathized with the Venezuelan delegation for the passing of former president

Chavez.

Also in attendance was Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Robeson Benn.

The Venezuelan delegation, which was large in number, was headed by Asdrubal Chavez, General Secretary of Petrocaribe and Vice President of Petroleos de Venezuela and Reina Margarita Arratia Diaz Venezuelan Ambassador to Guyana.

Owing to the poor translation device provided by the Guyana International Conference Centre the interpretation of Chavez’s speech was not available.

However, a Venezuelan reporter related to this publication that Chavez spoke of continued cooperation with and respect for Guyana, and fulfilling Hugo Chavez’s dream of a unified South America.

Though the issue of deteriorating maternal health has been clawing at Guyana’s progress rate, with 11 maternal deaths already being recorded for the first half of the present year; United Nations agencies remain positive, looking instead at the health sector’s advancements in this area.

According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)’s Programme Officer in Guyana, Babsie Persaud-Giddings, the nation has received much support from the UN, towards improving maternal health and, in turn, maternal mortality rates.

She zeroed in on the Maternal Health Thematic Fund (MTHF), a UNFPAsupported programme which assessed all health facilities in 2010 to “ascertain where the issues are and to identify the gaps and upgrades needed” in order to improve the capacity of those facilities in providing emergency obstetric and newborn care (EmONC).

Persaud-Giddings said that though there have already been some upgrades in the area, “not enough” has been done and thus, there is still need for improvement.

She made known that the Ministry of Health has been working along with UNFPA, at various levels, to address the areas identified for upgrading, including administrative facilities.

“They have done a lot of work with UNFPA and PAHO in terms of training doctors and midwives, training of anesthetic services as well as working with midwives through the Midwives and Doctors Association.”

One such training exercise includes the ALARM (Advanced Labour and Risk Management) programme which, according to the Programme Officer, provides support for doctors and

nurses “on what to do when an emergency happens.”

She noted that results of the assessment showed that many hospitals operating in the region “do not have the facilities to provide all the functions for emergencies”, hence, much support is being dedicated to upgrading those facilities and the capacity of the staff.

Speaking of the sector’s achievements, PersaudGiddings pointed out that the capacity of the Guyana Midwifery Association has now received international status since they were accredited by the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM). As a result, they can now participate in international conferences and training workshops.

Commenting on the steady bouts of difficulties f a c e d i n the sector, the Programme Officer opined that a revision of the actions that midwives are legally authorised to perform can aid in improving the current maternal heath rate.

“There are some things that nurses or midwives cannot do because they do not have the legal authorisation. If during a birth, the placenta is not coming out, the midwife can easily reach in and help it. But they don’t have that authorisation.

Only a doctor or a gynaecologist can do that,” she explained.

She added that of the challenges that remain in progressing to achieve the Millennium Development Goal (MDG)-5, which aims to improve maternal health, Guyana needs to concentrate on retaining trained midwives and continue to upgrade health facilities to “basic and comprehensive levels”, while increasing the availability of necessary infrastructure and materials such as blood.

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Squatting destroys property values Many years ago when it dawned upon the residents of the new Eccles Housing Scheme that a site for the disposal of refuse would be located behind their posh residential area, a strong protest was launched.

The protests did not get far, because an agreement had already been inked between the government and the InterAmerican Development Bank for the funding of this dumpsite.

But the protests did show that the newly emerging propertied class in that area was prepared to take action to defend what they saw as something unhealthy and unwanted within their community.

In 2008, some residents of Subryanville, a residential area in the city, filed legal action in order to prevent the authorities from granting permission for the establishment of a business premises within their community.

Their main peeve was that the operation of this business would disturb the peace and tranquility of the area.

Not so long ago also, a city club was forced to consult with a resident before it went ahead and granted the final okay for the hosting of a

show, which involved loud music. And over the years we have seen a series of actions protesting noise nuisance emanating from shows.

There has been an outcry over the noise problem and congestion of a pub that operates in Kitty.

All of these are growing evidence that citizens are taking steps to ensure that they are not victims of noise nuisances or by the everincreasing practice of businesses being opened in residential areas.

One of the areas in which residents have, however, been most ineffective, has been in the prevention of squatting. It is not unusual to find in some areas, persons squatting on municipal or government reserves, and despite the fact that this is an illegal act, citizens in some of the poorer parts of the city have been very reluctant to force the authorities to take action against these squatters.

One reason could be that most of these squatters may have originated from within the said area and thus may be known to the residents who might not wish to be seen as going against someone from

Dem boys seh...

DEM CHINEE GIFT GOT TEETH Guyana always talking about entering de twenty-first century. When Jagdeo plan all dem big project he talk about taking Guyana to leading world status. Up comes Donald and he continue de same talk. Something get in dem head when Sithe Global pull out from de hydro project. Of course dem get vex wid America.

That is why when America plan to send a message to Syria, Guyana decide to send its own message to America.

In fact, Guyana send a warning. And to prove that dem serious dem prepare de weapons that Guyana got. Dem decide to send Best and de two Bell helicopter.

Of course Donald seh that that wasn’t enough, suh dem decide to send Lovell and Phillips. Then Best tell Donald that he due to retire and he want fuh enjoy he mansion wha he build near to Jagdeo. De defence board still meeting over that.

Brumell going too and dem boys seh that he might be de only survivor, because he can hide wid de underground.

But something had to happen, because it now look like Suriname join wid Guyana. Desi son travel wid a missile in he suitcase. He get ketch in Panama and right away people want to know how he coulda pass through wid de missile he had.

Was an anti-tank missile. Only he know wheh he was going wid that. Dem also want to know wheh he get it. He use to travel to Guyana nuff times and he father is friend wid some big ones. Dem boys now want to know if he get de missile from Guyana because Guyana use to have war tanks and Suriname never had any.

De missile coulda come from China, because of late China mekking a lot of donation to de region. Only de other day dem give Guyana US$8 million. De Ambassador seh that de donation is a sign of friendship. This is de same Ambassador who didn’t know that China Exim Bank was Government-owned, and who think that it was a private bank.

But nobody don’t give nutten fuh free. When Kwame give dem li’l boys cell phone he does expect something in return and some of dem does give he. When Jagdeo give people something he did expect something in return. He did try that wid de Waterfalls boss man.

Talk half and watch out fuh de Chinee backlash.

their own community.

Another is that these residents may lack the resources to take legal action.

What these residents do not realise is that the most effective way to reduce property values within an area is to encourage squatting.

Squatting breeds a great deal of problems and encourages the stealing of water and electricity, but its most negative consequence is its effects on property values within a community.

Property values in any community should ideally rise with time. As home improvements take place within a community, as infrastructure is put in place, the property values invariably rise, thus increasing the asset value of homeowners.

However, all it takes for those property values to plunge is for squatters to invade that community.

Immediately, the property values would fall, in some cases by more than fifty percent.

So you can very well have a situation where someone spends ten million dollars to construct a home, only to find later that instead of that same property fetching fifteen million dollars, it fetches no more than five million dollars.

A few years ago, the Ministry of Housing and Water removed a number of markers placed by squatters on a large piece of state land behind the Caricom Secretariat.

Imagine the embarrassment that would have been caused to the image of Guyana had a squatter settlement developed behind the regional headquarters of the Caribbean Community?

Imagine, also, the impact on those luxurious homes in the frontlands of Turkeyen.

Many years ago, two

areas suffered because of the uncontrolled squatting that took place in an adjoining area. In the eighties, Prashad Nagar and Lamaha Gardens emerged as two of the more high valued residential areas.

However, no sooner were the residents of these two areas basking in their valuable real estate, than an influx of squatters descended on the adjoining state lands in Sophia, creating one of the largest squatting settlements in the country.

Property values in Lamaha Gardens and Prashad Nagar plummeted, to the point where even if homeowners wanted to sell, they would have had to do so at a huge loss.

The government’s regularizing the Sophia settlement has allowed the property values in Prashad Nagar and Lamaha Gardens to be restored, some to an elevated level, but those areas

will not likely be considered as having some of the prime real estate in the country.

Such honours will go to other areas, including Pradoville.

Ironically, the government has also since 1992 had a massive housing drive, and yet squatting has increased.

The reason why this has happened is because those who squat have been allowed to get away with their unlawful actions, actions that have caused legitimate homeowners to suffer.

And yet the government perpetuates this injustice by continuing to promise to regularize emerging squatter settlements.

IMMIGRATION INFO:

Immigration News For Our Community Attorney Gail S. Seeram Gail@GailLaw.com Through this “Question & Answer” column, our goal is to answer your immigration questions. We appreciate your comments and questions. If you have a question that you would like answered in this column, please email: Gail@GailLaw.com.

Question #1: Good day.

My question is this I married a born U.S. guy in November 2011 and he file for me and my son. When he went back to the U.S. they sent him two paperwork and he paid fees since February 2012 and he did not get anymore. Do you know how long it takes for me to get an interview?

Answer #1: It takes about nine months to one year after filing to get an interview. If there is a delay then your husband needs to check that he submitted all the required documents to the National Visa Center. Once the file is approved from the National Visa Center then it will be sent to the Embassy for interview scheduling.

Question #2: I was married for 21 years common law and have four kids together with my husband. I came to the U.S on March 15, 2011. I went back to Guyana and married my husband legally on May 15,

2011. I’m a green card holder. I filled out a I- 130 form & I’m wondering how long I have to wait before my husband can come to live with us.

Answer #2: For spouse of a permanent resident, visas are currently available without a backlog, but processing time should be one year. So, if you have not heard from the National Visa Center, then contact our office.

Question #3: My mom who is a permanent resident sponsored her son who at the time was under 21 years old. The case was approved and completed in 2010. She has paid for his visa and was just waiting for the appointment date for him to go in for the visa, but now he is over 21. Is he still able to get the visa now that he is over 21?

Answer #3: Since the beneficiary is now age 21, he has moved from a 2A family preference category to a 2B family preference category.

For an unmarried child over age 21 of a permanent resident, visas being issued for petitions filed on or before February 2006. Also, the Child Status Protection Act may apply to recompute the child’s age to under 21, depending on the date the petition was received and the date the petition was approved.

Question #4: My fatherin-law applied for us to

migrate to the US, Priority date is June 2002, which falls under the F3 category. My husband is the beneficiary. In 2008 my father-in-law died and my husband’s sister and her husband who migrated in the 80s are now the sponsors. Recently the USCIS sent a checklist for them to submit the relevant information that was sent back to them (USCIS) via express mail approximately two weeks ago.

Answer #4: I hope your sister-in-law applied for reinstatement of the I-130

Gail S. Seeram filed by your father-in-law.

When your father-in-law died, the petition is void.

Reinstatement has to be approved before you can substitute a sponsor. Our office has handled many reinstatements and would be happy to help.

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Kaieteur News

Saturday August 31, 2013

Controversy looms over N/A Council’s regularisation exercise Many high level meetings are taking place on a daily basis as the New Amsterdam Town Council continues to push on with its regularisation exercise in ridding the town of many unnecessary encumbrances.

However, as many residents and businesses are lauding the moves, some businesses are bent on trying their best to flout the rules.

Whilst numerous business owners have complied, some are not too pleased with having to dismantle their sheds and barriers to comply with the laws. During the week, a

number of businesses were seen removing their sheds, fences and other encumbrances.

Some were threatening to replace theirs to the utter annoyance of the council.

On Thursday, an on-thespot meeting involving aggrieved members was held.

Among those on the ground were Regional Chairman David Armogan, Deputy Mayor Harold Debydeen, To w n C l e r k S h a r o n A l e x a n d e r, M e m b e r o f Parliament Fizal Jafarally, members of the Local Government Ministry, and representatives of the Town Constabulary among others.

The gathering was in front of one of the business premises This latest development came about after a dispute developed between a business owner and persons who park in front of his

premises, including hire car drivers, after the Town Council and the Police Force had made moves to regulate the busy area by removing all the impediments placed by the business owners and placed ‘no parking’ and ‘no stopping’ signs in the area.

Kaieteur News understands that the businessman made a special appeal to the Government stating that he is being unfairly treated.

However, the Council is remaining steadfast with its decision and is not prepared to relent on an earlier decision that all impediments above and beyond the drains will be removed.

A solution is still to be had, but residents and other business owners are stating that the law is the law and what goes for one, must go for all.

The meeting on one of the business premises

New BRHA Chairman promises improved health care services Amidst a lot of negative reports and complaints from members of the general public, Berbicians are being assured that health care delivery services will see a drastic improvement.

This promise was made by newly-elected Chairman of the Board of the Berbice Regional Health Authority (BRHA) Mr. Poonai Bhigroo in the presence of Health Minister, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran.

The BRHA, he pledged, will live up to its motto.

Providing healthcare, he acknowledged, is a very, very difficult and challenging task.

“We will stand firm in our duties to ensure better healthcare delivery system, so that the BRHA motto: ‘We serve, We Care, We Deliver’ can go through and stand firm.”

The new board, he added, will welcome views from stakeholders.

“This new board will be willing to meet with every person directly or indirectly involved in the health care system, to listen your suggestions and criticisms.”

“I am appealing to the members of the BRHA that our meetings should be very, very short and precise...come to the point and wherever there is a disagreement, we should put it to a vote and move on!”

Poonai Bhigroo Dr. Ramsaran, who was present during the first board meeting last week, stated that he wants to see a Visiting Book at the various health care facilities across the Regions, “…in which, when a particular officer visits from the region or centre, the comments are clear.”

Berbice is the first county to have a Regional Health Authority being established.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr. Vishwa Mahadeo stated that several factors were responsible for establishing such a body in the region.

“We had health sector reform and the idea was to choose a region where the idea of an authority will be tested and identify a strong management team; provide support for the team...to develop more health

authorities.”

Mahadeo further stated that all five levels of health care exist in the region, in the form of two national hospitals: the National Opthalmology Hospital and National Psychiatric Hospital; Referral Hospital: New Amsterdam; District Hospitals: Mibicuri, Port Mourant and Skeldon, as well as 8 health posts and 19 health centres.

The rehabilitation centres in the region also have two satellite centres as well as the Public Health Complex which houses the N/A Blood Bank, VIA Clinic and Foot Care clinic.

Since its establishment, the body has made significant strides in providing health care to persons there in the form of medical outreaches to the far corners of the region, Black Bush Polder, etc.

Mahadeo stated that an extended home-based care programme was also established, whereby over 520 patients either bed-ridden or limited in their mobility, were visited. They are visited often by doctors and receive medication right in their homes. There are also physiotherapy sessions.

Efforts have been made to improve the poor public image of the BRHA, since in recent times numerous revelations and articles have been published regarding conditions at hospitals; and the attitudes of nurses and doctors, etc.

Staff evaluation and reports are two ways in which the senior officers in the BRHA collect data as to what is transpiring in the Berbice health care system on a daily basis. The BRHA came out as a result of the Health Sector Reform in Guyana.

(Leon Suseran)

Saturday August 31, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 11

Former Telecoms workers being deprived of full pension benefits - Union not ruling out protest action Some of the pensioners yesterday

GPTWU President, Harold Shepherd (second from right) and President of the Pensioners Association, Mr Donald Nurse (centre), are flanked by Union Executives.

In excess of $20 million, in outstanding pension and gratuity benefits, is owed to former Guyana Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n Corporation (GTC)/Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) workers. And according to the executives of the Guyana Postal and Telecommunication Workers Union (GPTWU), together with the GTC/GT&T Pension Association, which represents the more than 100 affected workers, a road protest is not being ruled out if remedial action is not taken.

Speaking at a media conference held at the GPTWU’s East Street, Georgetown, headquarters, yesterday, President Harold Shepherd, said that the Union has been making representation on behalf of the pensioners as early as 2003 to no avail.

But according to him, “we will leave no stone unturned as it relates to this issue”

even as he expressed optimism that “good sense will prevail whereby Government will come to the realisation that they owe the former employees...”

“These employees have given their sweat and tears to build the telephone industry in this country and we hope that we would not be forced to take to the road in protest,” Shepherd added.

He disclosed that the former employees are currently agitated enough to do whatever is necessary to be adequately compensated for their years of service.

The media conference had in fact preceded a meeting between the representing bodies and scores of the aggrieved pensioners with a view to ascertaining the next move in order to realise payment of the outstanding monetary benefits.

According to Shepherd, the daunting situation had its genesis in 1990 when moves

were made by the then Government to privatise the GTC. At the time, he said, the workers were each issued with a letter stating “you will be continued in employment with GT&T and your service will be treated as continuous and unbroken and the other conditions of service will not be less favourable than what you presently enjoy.”

And based on that agreement, it was understood that the former employees, upon retirement from GT&T, should have received their pension and gratuity from the present Government through the Ministry of Finance, in keeping with the Pension and Corporation Acts.

“Nevertheless, they (former workers) find themselves presently just receiving their gratuity as at December 1990, without interest, and the Government minimum pension of $18, 000 per month across the board,” Shepherd disclosed yesterday.

He explained that an affected former technician for instance should have currently been receiving a monthly pension of at least $50,000, while a former Manager should have been the recipient of way over $100,000 per month.

Shepherd disclosed too that GTC had put in place a pension plan for its employees, but for some reason, following the privatisation, the employees did not benefit from that plan.

“I don’t know what arrangement was put in place (subsequently)...but the money was never transferred in terms of a pension plan for the workers,” Shepherd revealed.

This development, according to him, is not only seen as “unjust” by the affected workers but “grossly inadequate” as most of them would have served in excess of 10 pensionable years with GTC in varying capacities.

Moreover, the situation that obtains is that “...retired senior managers, supervisors, janitors, technicians, labourers, among others, are all getting the same minimum pension,” according to the GPTWU President.

It was in light of this situation, Shepherd said, that the Union had in 2004 engaged then President, Bharrat Jagdeo, in an effort to bring a resolution to the matter. However, he disclosed that the terms of a resulting draft agreement was not in keeping with the expectations of the former GTC employees, since Government was merely prepared to pay the gratuity as at the year 1990, and the bare minimum.

In its continued effort to have the situation addressed, Shepherd said that the Union, over the last five years, has written letters to the former President, the current President, Donald Ramotar, and Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon, in an effort to bring a resolution to this

matter. However, all efforts, according to Shepherd, have failed to gain the desired results.

Notwithstanding, he noted that the contention of the Union, the Pensioners’ Association and the former GTC staff members, who are still within the employ of GT&T, is that the computation of their terminal benefits must include their years of service with GT&T combined with that served with GTC. This is essential, Shepherd said, in order to arrive at the former workers’ true pensionable benefits which will reflect a move towards achieving at least two-thirds of the maximum pensionable emoluments, in keeping with the Pension and Corporation Acts.

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Kaieteur News

Saturday August 31, 2013

Amaila Hydro was structured as a gigantic rip-off

Ramon Gaskin “Were it not for the insistence of the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) that Government obtain parliamentary approval for two peripheral pieces of legislation relating to Amaila, no information would have been made available to the parliamentary parties.”

This was the contention of Financial Analyst, Ramon Gaskin, who in his most recent addition to the raging debate over the Amaila Falls Hydro Electric project, said that had the information not come out the project would have gone the route of the Marriott.

He said that like the Marriott, Amaila would have

been “burdening consumers and taxpayers with a flawed project costing.”

Gaskin said that this would have been backed by a 20-year guarantee “that if as consumers Guyanese cannot meet the payments to the promoters, then as taxpayers they will be forced to do so through taxes.”

According to Gaskin, it did not escape the critics’ eyes that the returns on funds provided were set at the exorbitant and usurious rates of 19 per cent for Sithe Global, 9.5 per cent for the IDB and 8.5 per cent for China Bank.

All these would have been passed to the taxpayers through Winston Brassington’s Amaila Falls Hydro Electric Project (AFHEP) “These rates are unprecedented in international transactions and altogether constitute over US$1.2B in interest payment alone, all payable in foreign currency, against which the rate of the Guyana Dollar continues to depreciate.”

The same loan would normally have been made to the Guyana Government at a rate of interest of no more than two per cent.

All these costs would have ultimately found their way into the tariffs, according

- Gaskin to Gaskin.

He said, “As far as the critics are concerned, other than the romantic notion of hydro, there is nothing redeeming about this particular project given the way it is conceived, planned, architectured, structured and owned.”

He said that many saw this as a gigantic rip-off in the making. The colonial mechanism of placing an agent in the GPL to take control of its revenues and its

receivables is particularly offensive.

Professor Kenrick Hunte, who has also been adding his voice to the raging debate, said that on the matter of the IDB halting its due diligence study for the project, the Guyana Government should utilize some of the Norway Funds to have it completed Dr Hunte was referring to Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh’s statement that the IDB has ceased the due diligence work on the Amaila Falls project.

“I have a suggestion for the Minister, the Government, the Opposition, and the

people of Guyana. Ask the Government of Norway to use some of the money allocated to fund three important studies.”

He said that it should first use some of the money to complete the Amaila due diligence study and this will provide invaluable information that “we do not now have. It would close the current knowledge gap on Amaila.”

Dr Hunte said, too, that Guyana should use some of the Norway funds to complete a study on the full repair cost of bringing the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) up to an efficient and cost

effective operational level.

He said that a complete analysis on the financing a new energy supply company to replace GPL should also be done, taking into account the electricity demand requirements for the next decade.

“The reason for this analysis is to ensure that GPL can deliver a clean, reliable and cost effective supply of electricity to consumers…The patchwork approach to GPL has not worked and much time and other resources have been spent without the expected benefits being delivered.”

Culture Ministry aims at preservation of indigenous languages In observance of September as the national month of Amerindian Heritage, the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sport is looking to strengthen and preserve the spoken languages of the country’s nine Amerindian tribes.

This was disclosed yesterday by the Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony, at a simple ceremony held at the

Ministry’s Main Street Office to usher in the month dedicated to the country’s ‘first people’.

Dr. Anthony said that one of the initiatives is to compile dictionaries of the nine indigenous languages.

Seven such dictionaries, he said, have been completed so far, while works on the other two are continuing.

The Minister noted that the Culture Ministry is also working to document the tribal stories of the past, so as to ensure that they are not lost with time.

“The stories told by these tribes are mostly oral, and we do not want for these stories to die with the generation that told them, so we are going to put all of these into a book and have it published,” Dr. Anthony said.

He emphasized that “if we don’t write and retain, the stories of the past will be lost forever”.

The Minister explained that while the stories will be documented in its original languages, there will be English translations. This, he said, will also help to further

preserve the indigenous languages, while targeting the issue of young people in the various Amerindian communities not being able to speak the official languages.

Dr. Anthony reminded that each of the tribal stories told, contain nuggets of wisdom that can be beneficial to those visiting the Amerindian communities.

“There is much to learn from the tribal stories of the past. The artifacts, wisdom, techniques of sustainable living, etc,” the Minister said.

In addition, he noted that with the support of the people in each of the Amerindian villages, his Ministry will also be pursuing eco-tourism.

He said that one of the things to be done is the establishment of community museums.

The museums, he explained, will contain artifacts as well as the history of the village and its people.

“It will be good for tourists,” Dr. Anthony added.

The Culture Minister also told the gathering that like the Calypso and Chutney competitions held to

commemorate Mashramani, efforts are being made to host a singing competition where songs will be sung only in the indigenous languages.

In closing, Dr. Anthony urged that although Guyana is known to be the only English-speaking country in South America, its citizens should take pride in informing outsiders of the nine indigenous languages.

Amerindian Heritage Month 2013 is being celebrated under the theme, “Honouring our culture, Advancing our future”.

The Ministry of Amerindian Affairs recently launched the calendar of activities to commemorate the event.

The Amerindian tribes include the Wai Wais, who are known for their skilled architecture on the Umana Yana; the Macushis; the Potomonas; the Arawaks, known to be skilled in fishing; the Caribs, the tribe that cultivated cotton; the Wapishanas, the expert trackers; the Arecunas, the experts in manufacture; the Akawaios; and the Warraus.

An Arawak dance group doing the ‘humming bird dance’.

Saturday August 31, 2013

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Kaieteur News

Int'l Passenger Interdiction Training “Guyana has one of the best security regimes course concludes in the region” – U.S. Embassy Chargé

By Javone Vickerie Nine police officers, three Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) officials, and a representative of the Guyana Revenue Authority yesterday completed their port security training which was held at the five-day International Passenger Interdiction Training (IPIT) course was held at the Police Training Centre, Camp and Young Streets, Eve Leary.

Speaking at yesterday's event, Crime Chief Seelall Persaud said that the cooperation between the Guyana Police Force and US Embassy is one that the force values. He added that Guyana has benefitted from a number of these projects spearheaded by the US Government where some have been a work in progress while some have been delivered.

“What has happened locally is that in the Ministry of Home Affairs there is a monitoring mechanism and there are quarterly meetings between the United States Embassy and the Ministry to review progress made under the current security initiative,” Persaud said.

He added that there is a mechanism to evaluate the

progress made on this training and how it may have impacted this country's security situation.

In congratulating the participants, U.S. Embassy Chargé d'Affairs, Bryan Hunt, said that the programme is coordinated under an ongoing security cooperation of the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI).

“This course is being offered under the auspices of the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative, A partnership that allowed us to work together to develop a comprehensive regional response to security issues,” Hunt said.

He added that since the partnership was formed four years ago, they have made considerable progress in a host of areas, from illegal narcotic trafficking to maintaining public security.

Hunt also noted that the programmes the United States has created to address these problems have been developed through close collaboration between the Governments of Guyana and the U.S. Hunt added that the course builds upon those collaborative efforts by helping to strengthen the capacity of airport security

Crime Chief Seelall Persaud (sitting at left) and U.S. Embassy Chargé d'Affairs, Bryan Hunt (sitting, centre) pose with the officers shortly after the training programme concluded. personnel to detect and prevent illegal activity while still facilitating legitimate trade and travel.

“As you know, airports are a key line of defence against terrorists as well as drug and human smugglers.

But maintaining integrity of this defence requires staying one step ahead of criminals.”

Hunt pointed out that the International Passenger Indication Training (IPIT) course will follow other

ongoing collaborative efforts on border security such as the US Coast Guard's International Port System Programme which has been working with the Guyana Maritime Administration (MARAD) and private-

sector stakeholders, to increase port security in Guyana for the past nine years.

Other courses will also include efforts by the US Transportation Security Administration which

regularly works with the management and aviation security at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and at the Ogle International Airport.

Also, the joint United (continued on page 21)

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CJIA contractor at centre of proposed port controversy in Jamaica Head of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ), Christopher Zacca, on Thursday lashed out at the island's Government over its handling of a Chinese firm's proposal to construct a transshipment hub at Goat Islands, an environmental protected area off the south coast of St Catherine, Jamaica.

According to a Jamaica Gleaner story yesterday, Government admitted last week, during a state visit to China, that the site was "now under very serious consideration" to facilitate the project that would be led

by China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC).

The announcement was met by outrage from environmentalists who argue that a large-scale port development there will have a devastating impact on the coastal environment adjacent to and including the Goat Islands.

The president of Jamaica's premier private sector lobby group, in adding his voice to the d i s c u s s i o n s T h u r s d a y, suggested that Government's actions on the matter so far have been in violation of the Partnership for Jamaica

Christopher Zacca (PFJ) agreement signed only weeks ago.

"The way the Government has so far handled the potential major logistics project by a Chinese firm on Goat Islands in a much-protected environmental area in my view, has met neither the words nor the spirit of the partnership agreement," Zacca said at the Hugh Lawson Shearer Trade Institute Public Forum held at the University of the West Indies.

He argued: "Such a possible major shift in planning our country's development, which would have major negative

environmental and possibly even negative commercial consequences, cannot be handed to us almost as a fait accompli."

The PFJ agreement seeks to reaffirm and recommit all signatories — the Government, private sector, unions, and civil society— to the "principles of social dialogue and partnership, specifically to further the process of deepening democracy and participatory decision-making and to engender meaningful participation of all partners in national development".

The brouhaha around the possible development comes four months after CHEC — which last year signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Port Authority to explore the feasibility of establishing a new transshipment port at Fort Augusta — rejected that location as it was not big enough to provide the space they needed.

CHEC wants some 3,000 acres of land to build the port. It had showed interest in Goat Islands before, but looked elsewhere when met with environment restrictions.

At a meeting last week in Beijing, CHEC assured Prime Minister Portia

The Jamaican Government and its private sector body are battling over news that a large port facility is to be built on Goat Island.

Simpson Miller that it is committed to environmental protection and social responsibility as it looks to expand its footprint in Jamaica.

"Jamaica is a major target market for CHEC and we hope Jamaica can provide us with a platform to continue and expand our collaboration to larger levels," said Liu Quitaio, president of CHEC parent c o m p a n y C h i n a Communications Construction.

Meanwhile, Minister of Land, Water, Environment and Climate Change Robert Pickersgill told journalists in China that time is of the essence for the development.

"There are competing interests and they are not waiting on us," Pickersgill

said, reiterating that the Government is aiming for the hub to become operational in 2015, to coincide with the reopening of the Panama Canal.

"I expect that the environmentalists will be defending what now exists and the development ministry and the Government will have to say to the country what it is we will be foregoing and why, because the employment opportunities are very much there," he added.

But Zacca yesterday argued, "It is difficult at this point for any informed comment about this proposed development, because we don't have any facts, and therefore, I urge the Government and all the social partners to have frank

and fulsome factually based discussions about this proposed development on an ongoing basis, and for sincere meaningful consultation between the partners before any decision is made."

CHEC is the contractor in the US$150M expansion project that will carry out the construction of a new terminal building and the extension of the main runway.

However, the project is in limbo after the Opposition, earlier this year, withheld monies earmarked for the initiative which Government says will open up Guyana to new air travel markets – in Asia and Africa.

The Opposition was unhappy with details on how the monies would be spent.

Saturday August 31, 2013

Kaieteur News

Soldier, cop held in Linden after robbery and abduction Detectives at Linden have detained a policeman and a Guyana Defence Force corporal, who allegedly abducted and robbed two female employees of a fast food outlet and stole $1M in jewellery from a male teacher after snatching him from a night club.

The bizarre robberies occurred at midnight and at around 02:30 hrs yesterday at Blue Berry Hill, Wismar, and in Co-op Crescent, Mackenzie.

Kaieteur News understands that the detained policeman is a Tactical Services Unit rank who was interdicted last year after being implicated in an armed robbery. The policeman’s girlfriend, who is said to be a boutique employee, is also in custody. She was reportedly detained after the robbers crashed their vehicle while being pursued by the police. Some of the booty was also recovered.

According to reports, a 34-year-old sales supervisor and a 20-year-old sales clerk from the Church’s fast food outlet at Co-op Crescent, Mackenzie, were heading home in a taxi shortly after midnight, when the driver, whom they both knew, stopped at a shop, allegedly to make a purchase.

However, as soon as the driver exited the vehicle, two men, who were armed with a shotgun, entered the vehicle. They relieved the supervisor of her cell phone and $2,000.

The robber reportedly also questioned the supervisor about the time when the day’s sales are taken from the outlet.

Afterwards, the bandits locked the two women in the car trunk and drove to Millie’s Hideout at Linden, where they left their captives. The women eventually managed to free themselves, and the sales clerk, who had

hidden her phone, contacted the police. The taxi driver who had picked up the two women was subsequently detained and his car impounded.

Later, at around 02:30 hrs, a 36-year-old teacher was at a Blueberry Hill, Wismar night club, when two men who identified themselves as policemen informed the teacher that he was wanted for questioning. When the man resisted, the ‘policemen’ forced him into a car, took him along the Soesdyke/Linden highway and relieved him of a gold chain and two gold and diamond rings worth approximately $1M. The robbers then drove off. However the teacher managed to see the licence number which he gave to the police. A police patrol eventually spotted the car and after a lively chase, the robbers eventually crashed into a culvert.

Two men fled the vehicle, but a 24-yearold assistant manager from a city boutique was found sitting inside with some of the booty from the two robberies. The interdicted rank was subsequently detained at a bus shed at Bamia, on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway.

At the time, he was reportedly in possession of a Glock Pistol and six live rounds of ammunition.

The owner of the vehicle, who is a GDF Corporal, later visited the Mackenzie Police Station in the company of a relative and claimed that his car was stolen in Georgetown on Wednesday. He was subsequently detained.

Kaieteur News was told that the robbery victims later picked out the soldier and the interdicted policeman during an identification parade.

They are likely to be charged shortly.

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Int'l Passenger Interdiction...

From page 13 Nations office on Drugs and Crime World Customs Organization (WCO) Container Control Programme (CCP) which works to prevent the illegal use of sea containers in drug trafficking and organized criminal activities.

Hunt told reporters that he believes countries can improve on the border security.

“Like in the United States we are constantly refining and added new procedures to try and strengthen security,” Hunt said.

He added that Guyana has done an “incredible job” with its “well trained” forces when compared to the region. He said that they will continue to work with the forces here to refine their procedures.

Hunt said that generally the forces in Guyana are receptive, welcoming the training, and eager to work.

He said that apart from imparting training, the United States also learnt a few things from law enforcement officers right here in Guyana.

“We learnt new trafficking patterns that we can use to try and protect the United States borders” Hunt said.

Hunt said that the U.S. is pleased with the progress the forces have been making since the training commenced.

“In talking with our ex-

perts, Guyana has one of the best security regimes in the region”, Hunt said.

In a release from the U.S. Embassy, two officials of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency led the course, which shared best practices on processing passengers at ports of entry and practical exercises at airports.

The course included training on fraudulent documents, passenger targeting and analysis, interviewing techniques, smuggling, and luggage examinations.

Officials from Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, and Caribbean Airlines Limited also facilitated practical training at CJIA as part of the IPIT course.

Hunt told reporters that he believes countries can improve on the border security.

“Like in the United States we are constantly refining and adding new procedures to try and strengthen security.”

The Caribbean Basin Security Initiative is a Caribbean-U.S. partnership that fulfills the commitment to deepen regional security cooperation launched by President Barack Obama at the Fifth Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago in April 2009. Through CBSI, the United States, CARICOM member nations, and the Dominican Republic are working together to reduce illicit trafficking, increase public safety and security, and promote social justice.

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FOR SALE 500 Ton Cargo Ship with Contract- call: 687-6174 House & Land situated at lot 95 La Penitence Street, Albouystown. Land 7,933 Sq.Ft- Call:687-5851/1-604589-1852 Electric Guitars, keyboards, speakers, 1 LCD 53 inch Phillips TV & antique brassCall:227-8519/616-5784 Ducklings and PigletsCall:688-7291/618-2708 One RZ minibus EFI in excellent condition $800,000Call:686-1422 Spare for washing machine, microwaves, fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, pumps, etc call: 225-9032, 647-2943 Windows, sinks, toilet bowls, table saws, grass, cutters, welders setsCall:227-8519/616-5784 Photocopy Machine colour, Laser Printers, Printing Equipment, Paper & Cardboard- Call:233-2725 Amplifiers and speakers going cheap- Call:658-1216 Pure bred Doberman pupsCall:609-2815/696-4659 Honda welder 270 amp with 15,000 watts generator, 1 Mig Welder & 02 Tundra- Call: 220-4495/ 611-5114

FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES O F H IGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICKSILVER) 99.99995% PURITY $15,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754.

Pure Breed Rottweiler: All breeding lines imported, adults and pups with full pedigree for sale- Call:6852584 Dell laptops & desktops complete computers from $55,000 Futuretech call: 2312206 195 Drum RZ rotor- call:6546394 5 GALLON WATER BOTTLE CAPS IN LIMITED QUANTITYCALL: 614-8957 Video recording Spy Pen $6,500- Call:671-6177 House lot #204 section @ Bush lot, W.C.B with building and erection thereon $6,500,000- Call:6247087/258-0213/266-4283 Pitbull Pups- Call:683-6674 15-15-15 Fertilizer in damaged bags- Call:266-2711/609-4594 1 BAMBOZZIALTERNATOR self-regulated 110-220v 3KVA. 60hz. Only 100 hours.

Reasonable offer acceptedTel Wendy 225- 0723/ 667- 5581

Saturday August 31, 2013

VEHICLE FOR SALE ALYEA’S AUTO SALE: PREMIO 2002/2003, AXIO 2008. ALL PRICES ARE NEG. 40 CROAL STREET STABROEK- TEL:2317284/622-3823 1 Honda CRV 4x4, excellent condition $1.7M- Call: 6397551/220-6380 1 Toyota Raum excellent condition (recently sprayed over) $1.2M Neg: Contact Lisa @652-4703/267-1551 Nissan Laurel Grande Extra $700,000 & Nissan Pathfinder Jeep $1.5M neg (excellent condition)Call:698-7878/225-8427 One Mitsubishi Canter; late GPP series – Call:662-8743 1 Leyland DAF 60 single axle & dump- Call:216-1315/6136615 Toyota Altezza, PNN, tiptronic- Call:622-0108 1 Toyota Carina 212 new model. In immaculate condition, 15" magrims. Car in Essequibo- Call:642-6240 Ford F150 Spare Parts: 2004-2010 models: Breaks Pads, spark plugs, mirrors, doors, deff etc- Call:685-2584 Two Tundra, F150 truck, Suzuki sports car and one Chevrolet cargo van (2500cc)- Call: 227-8519/ 616-5784

Pluck chicken- Call:676-0931/ 686-7180

Tibetan Terrier mix with Pekinese puppies- Call:2310971/666-8324

6 Weeks old Tibetan Terrier, fully vaccinated and dewormed- call:650-4649

100 Watts Blitz amplifier and subwoofer- Call:622-0108

New 2013 Isuzu: D-Max single & double cabsCall:691-0234

Live/pluck chicken-Call:6504421/220-9203

L-Touring Wagon HB $750,000- Call:674-8982

One Dual Bore Trailer pump 14"-16". New high dam use, cheap- Call:227-1830

1 AT 212 new model- Call:6464796

Earth, delivery on the spot.

Also Bobcat and excavator rental- call:626-7127 Fluffy Dashund pups- Call: 226-9548/ 670-2653 1 Set mag rims used (16") $80,000- Call:650-4649 One new model 212 crash on back- Call:626-1856 Pure Rottweiler- Call:2206879 1 Circular chair set (blue) 7 seats, 1 Recliner, 1 Toilet Bowl Set & Indian wear at sale price- Call:623-3231/259-0953

Household items: Writing & computer desks, small fridge, single & double bed, chest of drawers, living room suiteCall:664-3488 SONY PLAYSTATION 2&3 gamediscs. Fifa 2013, God-of-War 4 etc. Best prices- Call:609-8132/6728569 (Max)

Used 1220 truck tyres, Kawasaki 600, GSX/R Susuki 750, 2 model ‘M’ foreign trucks used, heavy duty dryer- Call:662-6045 Men T-Shirts: American Eagle $3,500-$5,500. Women T-Shirts: Aeropostale $2,500, 3,500 & other clothes tooCall Ray 695-0734

LEARN TO DRIVE

One flock of black belly sheep with flock RamCall:617-6348

Soman & Sons Driving School , First Federation Building Call 225-4858, 644-5166, 622-2872, 615-0964

Apple iTunes cards $3,500, cell phones ZTE $14,000 and home speakers- Call Ray 6950734

New RX8 (red) rotary 7 speed engine: new rims, tyres, music (kickers), lambo doors- Call:627-8786 Spacio: Fully insured, drop suspension, alloy racing rims, fog lamps, body kit, alarm, DVD/ TV- Call: 647-4620 1 Toyota AT192, AT212, Vitz, Rav4, Tacoma, AE91 Sprinter, Hilux Pickup Solid DEF- Call: 644-5096/697-1453 2008 Tacoma 4x4 automatic, excellent condition. Off road tyres with lift kit & access cab- Call: 610-5370

MASSAGE American Style massage services- Call:678-7499 VACANCY Live in maid- Call:233-2725 C a s h i e r, p o r t e r, s a l e s clerks: Apply with written application @ 2J’s General Store 148-149 Regent road Bourda, G/Town- Call: 2252350

New ATVs: Introductory price $1,450,000 (Duty Free)Call:691-0234

FOR RENT Coolers and ScaffoldCall:657-0424 3 Bedrooms downstairs, 1 Self-contained: Newly renovated: Yard space: Located in Diamond H/ Scheme- Call:613-0028 House to rent in Eccles scheme, block ‘CC’- Contact number:696-0573/683-5591 PUBLIC ROAD BUSINESS PROPERTY, W.C.D, suitable for food/ liquor restaurant, supermarket etc.

Call:609-8132/672-8569 (Max) 385 SQ.FT SALON SPACE @ V/HOOP, W.C.D: ATTRACTIVE BUSINESS FRONT, BABER SHOP NEXT SIDE- CALL:626-8051 1 Two bedrooms apartment to rent at 111 Collings Wood Avenue Nandy park, E.B.DCall:660-2324/616-9775 2 bedrooms apartment at Diamond for rent $30,000Call:626-8441 VACANCY For Cook or Kitchen Assistant @ Abbie’s Creole Snackette lot 6 public road Mc Doom- Call:233-1589

EDUCATIONAL I.A.E (Camp street): Register for full- time, lessons & adults CXC classes: Maths, English, Business & ScienceCall: 223-0604/ 683-5742 Electronic Course- Practical, 12 persons per class. Register early. Beginning 4th September @ Abdul Electronics - Call: 226-6551 or 225-0391 Lessons Classes: Phonics, Reading (A Beka System), Language & Mathematics (412 years) @ 197 Roxanne Burnham Gardens- Call: 6194355/218-2076

VACANCY

Register for courses in English, Math, Social Studies, Masonry, Electricity, Cosmetology & Computer Studies @ AEA Centre Diamond- Call:668-1908

Pump Attendant @ Shell Service Station Providence, E.B.D: Must be able to work shift-Tel:265-7305 Email: shellramsburg@ gmail.com

Institute of Academic Supremacy: Form 1-5 CXC adults/ lesson classes. CXC Maths, Engilsh, HSB & Business- Call:690-5008

Sprinter 110 admirable Vintage, enjoyable rideCall:644-4990

TO LET Harmony Inn: Apartments fully furnished, airconditioned apartments: $5000 per night- Call:6680306/602-8769/694-7817 Fully furnished short term apartments, Eccles call:6797139 1 two bedrooms apartment at Samantha Point, Grove $40,000- Call:613-7596 Daily rental/ apartment & kitchen etc. Call:687-3017 Barber stations to let for only $7,000 per week, fully furnished Barber ShopCall:646-9231 Two bedrooms furnished apartment- Call:665-2548 1 Two flat semi furnished house at 2nd Avenue Diamond Scheme $75,000Call:611-6632 Bel-Air $80,000, Campbellville $90,000, Queenstown US$1000, Lamaha Gardens US$2000- Call Diana @ 2272256/626-9382 Space in Robb St near Avenue of the RepublicCall:619-1334

CAR RENTAL A i d a n ’s C a r R e n t a l & Pickup- Call: 645-7981/ 698-7807 Progressive Auto Rental - cars from $4000 per day.

Call 643-5122, 225-8711; email www. progressive autorental. com Premio, vitz call: 679-7139 Car Rental- Call: 643-1131/ 225-3234

SALON Make Up Courses, Artist Trained & Certified in Trinidad. Call: 660-5257, 647-1773 (Continued on page 23)

Saturday August 31, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 23

Iran’s oil revenues drop 58 percent since 2011 as sanctions bite: U.S WA S H I N G T O N (Reuters) - Iran’s monthly revenues from oil sales have dropped 58 percent since just before the United States imposed harsher sanctions on the country in 2011 because of Tehran’s disputed nuclear program, a senior U.S. official said.

The OPEC member’s monthly crude oil revenues averaged an estimated $3.4 billion in the first half of this year, down from $6.3 billion in the year ago period, and $8 billion from the first half of 2011, said the source, who did not want to be named due to the sensitive nature of policy on sanctions.

Washington warned in late 2011 Iran’s oil consumer countries that their banks would face being cut off from the U.S. financial system unless they significantly reduced purchases of Iranian oil. The EU has also cracked down on Iranian crude exports.

The Obama administration has worked with the consumer countries to find alternative oil suppliers. It has also granted waivers on the sanctions passed in late 2011 every 180 days to all 20 countries, including China, India and South Korea, in return for their significantly reducing purchases of Iran’s petroleum.

Western countries believe Iran is enriching uranium to levels that could be used in a nuclear weapon. Tehran insists the program is for generating power and for medical devices.

Washington increased pressure on Iran’s leaders in February with sanctions that aim to freeze up Tehran’s oil earnings in accounts in countries that buy the Islamic Republic’s crude.

The senior U.S. official said an assessment of the sanctions based on customs

Missing Sophia shopowner sends relatives in search...

From page 3 person report. Family members had also taken to contacting the male friend who was, reportedly, last seen with the woman, however he has claimed that he does not know where she is.

Upon making further contact with the Police Station again during the past few days, with no additional information to be received, Wendy Fernandes said that she and another relative hesi-

tantly visited the city's hospital and the hospital's mortuary, half -hoping that they are able to locate the older Fernandes.

The hospital, however, bore no sign of the woman.

The relatives are appealing to the public that anyone with information about Claudette Fernandes make contact with them by telephone numbers 685-7476; 692-3575; 682-2628 or the nearest police station.

800m of sea wall ...

From page 18 solution cost is always an important factor in projects of this kind. Justifying why the Ministry chose this design, Samad enlightened that there were options such as placing boulders in front of the wall, but consideration was given to the movement of the mud bank.

Samad said placing the boulders would have been more costly, especially since the return of the mud bank in the eroded area is imminent.

He added that if the Ministry was to use rip-rap technology,

it would cost about US$2,500 per metre. However, he could not at the time disclose the final figure of the ongoing project.

He noted that the labour aspect is being done by the Ministry's Force Account Unit. The Ministry's staff had started out mixing its own cement, but the pace was too slow. As such, the cement mix is now being purchased from private companies.

A contractor has been hired to supply the moulds or forms for the one-kilometre stretch of sea wall.

data from oil consuming countries showed $1.5 billion in Tehran’s oil revenues are piling up in the accounts, money that Iran has difficulty accessing.

“A significant portion of the Iranian government’s revenue is accumulating and will continue to sit unused in overseas accounts with no prospect of being transferred to fund future Iranian imports,” except humanitarian trade, said the U.S. official, who refused to be named due to the sensitive nature of policy on sanctions.

Iran is only able to use the bulk of its currency reserves for bilateral trade with a handful of countries that import Iranian oil: China, South Korea, Japan, Turkey, and India, the source said.

The loss of earnings has been devastating to Iran’s economy. Its currency, the rial, has been devalued, and inflation and unemployment levels have soared.

Critics of the sanctions say Washington needs to increase its diplomatic efforts, as sanctions simply deepen the resolve of Iran’s leaders to keep up the nuclear program.

There are some indications Iran has slowed part of its nuclear activities.

But there are also signs it has stepped up other aspects of the program.

The U.N.’s International Atomic Energy Agency this week found that Iran has plans to test about 1,000 uranium enrichment centrifuges it has completed installing, but that the planned Arak research reactor, which could yield potential bomb material, had been delayed from early next year.

PROPERTY FOR SALE Property for sale in Enterprise E. C. Demerara Call: 627-5416/611-7437 Lodge, corner property with business- Call:223-7181/6274900 Furnished building in the interior, fully equipped along with six rooms- Call:604-6999 One two storey concrete building & land 48 x 500ft @ La Jalousie public road, W.C.D- Call:269-0778 serious inquires Property for sale by owner located at Regent Street, Georgetown- Call:225-1831 VERSAILLES: Furnished 5 bedrooms, self-contained rooms, modern facilities, generator, beautiful landscape, gated community- Call:592-6248704/ 592-684-9203 Property for Contact:699-9926

sale-

1 Large 5 bedrooms house with Business @ DiamondCall:627-3902

WANTED Need one live in domestic preferably from country areaCall:649-1105 or 622-7956

WANTED Gardener with references to work in Durban BacklandsCall:226-0240

Female 35-45 years to train for Ice Cream employmentCall: 610-2978

One part-time personal tutor for Nursery level & above.

Must be qualified & have a pleasant personality- Call: 663-4866

Two men to manage wash bay ages 20-25. Must be able to work without supervision- Call:227-5169 One general domestic (3 days a week)- Call:623-3231 Live in attractive waitress, boarding and lodging free $50,000 monthly- Call:6105043 One live-in or live out maidcall:668-3985/264-3355/6837936 Hire car drivers & dispatchers to work in Gem’s Taxi ServiceCall:227-0638 or 627-9424

Prime Business Property at East Coast- Tel:222-2014/ Cell:622-8004

For sale by owner: House and Land @ D’Edward, W.C.B.- Call: 689-2973/6983703

(From page 22)

VACANCY Vacancy exists for experience security and welder. Apply at Alabama Trading, Georgetown Ferry Stelling Vacancy exists for driver/ salesman & security guard: please apply at Humphrey’s Bakery & Farm Products Ltd. Tel:225-7864/227-8607 24 Hour East Coast Guyoil needs night pump attendants, salesgirl & office assistant- Call:663-1751/6842838 Opportunity to work from home, online business. Must have internet connection.

Small Investment. For details call:686-1422

Sales representative, experience in household items have own car a plusPlease call:642-4779

Widowed/divorced live in domestic, labourer, car/van driver- Call:610-2978 Attractive live in waitressCall:327-0252/674-4665 Boys to work in kitchen, puri cooks, pastry makers & servers @ Hack’s Halaal Restaurant 5 Commerce street, G/Town

Laboures for wood concession, accommodation provided $5,000 per dayCall:612-1082 LAND FOR SALE House lot for sale: Friendship, Diamond EBD & drafting of house plans call:2230733, 223-0730, 692-8513 Land @ Marudi Creek 35 acres. Suitable for farming/ sand pit- Call:664-9701/642-6056 100’x120’ land on E.C.D $8M negotiable- Call:680-5944

VACANCY Stores Supervisor: Maths & English Grade 1-3 CXC: F & H Printing Establishment 9092 John street, Campbellville Georgetown

CONTRACT CARS @ CITY TAXI SERVICE CALL: 660-1100

One attractive waitressCall:678-1481

1 Three bedrooms house in Parfaite Hamonie, W.B.DCall:658-5803/622-1782 Eccles $6M, West $5M, Charlestown $15M, Prospect $15M- Call Diana @ 2272256/626-9382

Dish washer, apply to Shanta’s 225 Camp and New market street Georgetown

Wa i a k a b r a , Linden Highway: 1,409’ x 403’ or 13.73 acres. Concrete house thereon. West of Highway- Call:619-4152 Parfaite Harmonie $1M, $1.3M $1.6M- Call:628-9156.

At Parfaite HarmonieCall:660-0251 Transported corner lot 58’x30’ at Garnett and Republic streets, NewtownCall:601-6000

Law Tutor wanted- Call:6840347 Urgently needed 1 plot of land to buy in Parfaite Harmony- Call:675-7292 1 Whole day maid for East Bank area- Call:614-4358 Wanted experienced Taxi drivers & experience Dispatcher @ Princess Hotel- Call:265-7076/6165419 1 Maid to work on the E.B.D (Monday- Saturday)- Call: 626-7040 Cleaner- Call:225-3234 One live in maid must know to cook & clean, preferably from country side or interiorCall:666-6836 One experienced driver to work in interior to drive bus & lorry- Call:666-6836

Driver: License for motor vehicles (car, truck & forklifts) F & H Printing Establishment 90-92 John st, Campbellville Georgetown

100ft x 50ft $2M @ Parfaite Harmony- Call:218-5591

Male sales person for Plant Shop 18yrs-25yrs, must have secondary education- call 648-1821 (between 8:00am4:00pm)

41 Acres at Silver Hill/ Moblissa Linden Highway $18M Neg- Call:223-7181/ 627-4900

Salesman with own vehicle to distribute food products.

Motivated drivers can apply (good commission)Call:666-5676

1 Night Security apply in writing with a valid Police clearance to GCC Ground, Bourda

VACANCY Sales girl $10,000 weekly.

Apply in person @ Dian’s Deli opposite Kitty Market

Wanted to buy: Small living trench fishes (all types) Patwa, Hassar etc.- Call:6448381

House lot E.B.D 100’x50’ $4M- Call:610-0051

Linden highway farm looking for workers- Call Corniluse on 641-1544 or 650-0105

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Kaieteur News

Saturday August 31, 2013

Youth unemployment is a time bomb that needs to be defused - APNU

APNU Leader, David Granger

By Abena Rockcliffe A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) yesterday addressed the issue of youth unemployment in Guyana calling it a time bomb that needs to be defused.

At the party’s weekly press conference, party leader David Granger said that the government’s delay in dealing with the unemployment crisis, as well as its disregard for measures to defuse the same, could very well result in a social explosion with severely dangerous consequences.

Granger cited the decadeold National Employment Report published by the International Labour Organization which stated

that about 44 percent of the population of working age is “not economically active.”

He said the report also informed that young people suffer the most, owing to the fact that school-leavers are inexperienced and have a long wait before they find their first job.

The party leader told media operatives that APNU is of the view that the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic administration-despite being very well aware of the aforementioned and other pertinent facts mentioned at yesterday’s briefingcontinues to pay scant attention to the issue of unemployment affecting youths, preferring instead, to prescribe a series of palliative remedies which do not cure the chronic disease joblessness.

In this regard, Granger said that APNU is calling for the construction of permanent institutes for agricultural and technical education in every region.

He said as well that the Partnership wants to see the promotion of an integrated programme for job creation

and also for the PPPC administration to promulgate a national youth policy in order to avert a social crisis.

Granger asserted that unemployed youths find themselves ensnared in a position from which they cannot move forward or backward.

He opined that this “has been made worse by the crisis in the public education system and the failure of the PPPC administration to promulgate and pursue a coherent and comprehensive national youth policy.”

As he continued to proverbially hit home his point, Granger took a swipe at Dr Frank Anthony, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport.

“Soon after he (Dr. Anthony) was appointed in 2006, he publicly announced that the National Youth Policy – which had been promulgated in 1994 – would be reviewed. That was seven years ago! Anthony later admitted to the National Assembly that the PPPC Administration still does not have a functional National Youth Policy.

The Minister has also

been conducting consultations for the introduction of a five-year action plan for Youth Development and Empowerment Programme (YDEP) for over six years!”

Granger said.

“Unplanned responses to the youth unemployment crisis by the PPPC administration – such as the President’s Youth Choice Initiative and the President’s Youth Award: Republic of Guyana, copied from the British Duke of Edinburgh International Award for Young People – have never provided employment. There is, however, a baffling array of schemes.”

Granger asserted that five government ministries – Amerindian Affairs; Culture, Youth and Sport; Education; Home Affairs and Labour – “continue to jostle each other to offer a variety of glamorous, ad hoc, training courses for young people.

They all promise shortterm remedies, but do not provide the long-term careers that youths desperately need”.

He stated that the

Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, for example, earlier this year launched $200M Youth Apprenticeship and Entrepreneur Programme (YAEP).

Granger pointed out that “the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport conducts the Youth Entrepreneurial Skills Training (YEST) programme for out-of-school, unskilled and unemployed youths; the Ministry of Education conducts its own Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) programme which require a sound base in mathematics, science and English language.

The Ministry of Home Affairs offers training in what it calls “life skills” under its Citizen Security Programme (CSP). The Ministry of Labour, through its Board of Industrial Training (BIT) conducts a two-year apprenticeship programme now called the National Training Project for Youth Empowerment (NTPYE) for youths who have not completed high school…

“The tragedy is that, despite the ferment of schemes — CSP; NTPYE;

PYCI; PYARG; TVET; YAEP; YDEP and YEST — there have been insufficient employment opportunities. Too many Guyanese youths still leave school unskilled, enter the workforce for the first time and are obliged to resort to the informal sector for employment in low-paying occupations.

Four out of every ten youths face a jobless future and the PPPC administration is still to announce a plan to deal with this crisis!”

Granger said that APNU is of the belief that if those initiatives are explored, implemented and maintained, the problem can be solved.

Guyana Youth and Students Movement Chairman and MP Christopher Jones added that the institutes should be geared towards the needs and opportunities available in the regions.

“For example, Region Six… as you know, we’re now doing oil exploration, is there any training for young people in that region that should we find oil they can take up these jobs as a result?”

Saturday August 31, 2013

G/town Magistrates' Court near completion

By Latoya Giles

A

fter nearly two years of ongoing construction and rehabilitation work, the Georgetown Magistrates' Court building is expected to be completed within the new week. This announcement came from the Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall yesterday.

According to the minister, the renovated edifice is expected to accommodate 12 Courts, each having offices for the Magistrates, along with washroom facilities. The new structure will also house the office of the Clerk of the Georgetown Magisterial District and support staff, along with an area to accommodate prisoners. It will be fully air-conditioned and have two parking lots on the northern side of the building, on Croal Street, as well as on the southern side, on Brickdam.

Nandlall said that this was an initiative under the Modernization of the Justice Administration System project which seeks to enhance the physical and infrastructural institutional capacity of the Justice Sector.

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Kaieteur News

He said that under this component of the project, new courts have been constructed in Springlands, Whim, Canje, New Amsterdam, Sisters Village, Fort Wellington, Wales, Wismar, and Lethem, among other areas.

Further, Nandlall said that under the project, renovation has been carried out at almost every court building in the country, including the Court of Appeal and the High Courts in Berbice and Demerara.

He asserted that government holds firmly to the view that there is a causal connection between economic growth and a properly functioning and independent justice system. “No country has ever progressed, economically, and no people have ever advanced, socially, in the absence of a system which guarantees the prevalence of the rule of law‌..which recognizes the basic human rights of its citizens and which does not provide a system that allows the citizenry to settle their grievances, between themselves and the state, as well as among themselves, in an effective and efficient fashion.â€?

The Georgetown Magistrates' Court

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Kaieteur News

Saturday August 31, 2013

800m of sea wall temporarily heightened to date About 800 metres of the Georgetown sea wall has been temporarily heightened by two-feet to date. This is p a r t o f P u b l i c Wo r k s Ministry's efforts to prevent the recurrence of severe overtopping, like that experienced on April 28 and 29.

This is according to Kevin Samad, Chief Sea and River Defence Officer, who provided an update about the department's efforts in securing Guyana's susceptible coastline.

Talking about the events surrounding the overtopping that flooded communities within the vicinity of Sheriff Street on the aforementioned dates, he said the Ministry looked at a number of designs and solutions and came up with the temporary placement of moulds.

Samad explained that the overtopping was triggered mainly from the low foreshore condition, which h a d r e a c h e d a n unprecedented level allowing large waves to reach the wall, elevate to a certain height, and overtopped when collapsed.

“We had examined the entire area stretching back as far as Better Hope and we were aware that the mud

Kevin Samad, Chief Sea and River Defence Officer bank was moving down. The mud bank would have a head and tail and the head mud bank is at the Liliendaal pump”, he stated.

According to Samad, the mud bank is a big factor in designing coastal structures.

He related that when the mud reaches the area where the overtopping had occurred the wave actions would change since it would dampen the waves.

“Once you have mud in the system the wave does not come with that intensity it breaks the waves. That is the main factor why we resort to heightening that crest,” he said.

C l a r i f y i n g misconceptions that the project is designed to break waves and is permanent, Samad said the structure is designed to mitigate overtopping and is temporary. He was however quick to note that because of the creases between the moulds, water could seep through.

“We had reviewed the videos and analysed the stuff and done some hydraulic analysis, too. It has showed that once we heightened, it would reduce overtopping.

Because what we found is that the waves were breaking before, but when the waves collapsed then we were getting the flooding.”

He said that every engineering design and (continued on page 23)

Saturday August 31, 2013

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Kaieteur News

Estate worker, 17, dies after struck by lightning A

1 7 - y e a r- o l d sugar worker died yesterday at the West Demerara Regional Hospital after being struck by lightning shortly after midday.

Dead is Klein Roberts who was attached to the rodent control gang at the Wales Sugar Estate West Bank Demerara.

According to reports, Roberts was carrying out a rat-baiting exercise when tragedy struck. Yesterday at the West Demerara hospital, the teen's mother, Maxine Jacobs, told Kaieteur News that she was at home when her partner received a call from one of his colleagues at the Wales Estate, informing him that the teenager was in an accident.

“When he come off the phone, he tell me that Klein met with an accident and he going to the dispensary to check and I tell he that I going with he, but he tell me not to go and when he left, a little after, I catch a bus and I go,” the devastated mother told Kaieteur News.

She explained that as soon as she arrived at the estate, she saw her partner

The teen's mother being consoled by relatives yesterday at the hospital Klein Roberts

exiting the compound with a sad face.

“I go to he and I ask he what happen, and he say that Klein dead and I break down right there,” the mother recounted. According to Jacobs, her son had only started working at the estate

three weeks ago.

The mother of eight said when she saw his body, there were black spots on the head and the chest was black and blue.

“Is only yesterday (Thursday) he come and tell me that two men get shock

up by the lightning at work on Tuesday and I ask he if dem dead and he seh no and I tell he fuh be careful, but look what gone and happen,” Jacobs told Kaieteur News.

Also yesterday lightning shocked at least seven sugar workers at Blairmont estate,

We s t C o a s t B e r b i c e .

According to GuySuco's Human Resource Manager Jairam Pitam, six workers were injured. He told Kaieteur News that five were treated in Berbice and one was transferred to the Georgetown Hospital. The

men were loading a punt at the time of the incident.

Meanwhile, Pitam told Kaieteur News that GuySuco would be taking care of the burial expenses for the dead teenager. He added that the family will be visited by company officials.

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Saturday August 31, 2013

Saturday August 31, 2013

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Kaieteur News

Saturday August 31, 2013

Phillips says economic sacrifices starting to pay off KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) — Minister of Finance and Planning Dr Peter Phillips, says that the many economic sacrifices which the country has had to make over the past few months are beginning to yield positive results.

“Already, there are hopeful signs on the economic horizon that I think it would do us well to pay attention to,” the Minister told business stakeholders Thursday morning (August

29). “The results of all of this (sacrifice) are beginning to be seen in a positive way and we are beginning to turn the ship of our economy in a positive direction,” he added.

Dr Phillips was addressing the Jamaica Deposit Insurance Corporation’s (JDIC) Financial Markets Symposium and Fair held at the Bank of Jamaica auditorium in downtown Kingston.

Among the encouraging economic signs, the Minister highlighted, is the “slight but important and significant improvement” in investor confidence resulting from the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) approval of the Extended Fund Facility for Jamaica in May of this year.

Dr Phillips predicted that this business confidence will improve further with Jamaica having passed the first quarterly IMF test.

Also, he noted that the

country’s inflation targets have not only been met, but have been exceeded, pointing out that inflation in the June quarter was more than one per cent below the forecast range of two to three per cent.

“We did exceed also our targets for the Net International Reserves (NIR) set for the June quarter and based upon the evidence, thus far, in the second quarter, we are seeing the prospect of a return to growth,” Dr. Phillips said.

He said that perhaps the best measure of the improvement in confidence is to be seen in the boost in the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) index over the last few months, with growth of close to six per cent over the April to June quarter.

The Finance Minister remarked that also among the positives is the fact that the Central Treasury Management System, which was scheduled for completion

as part of the economic programme for March 2014, has been implemented six months ahead of schedule.

“This is perhaps the best news of all, from my point of view, and for which the public officials in the Ministry of Finance and the other Ministries are to be commended,” he stated.

He noted that the implementation of the system, which deals with the overall management of public sector finances, means that Jamaica is no longer paying interest to borrow its own money from the private financiers. This, he said, will result in significant savings for the Consolidated Fund and for smoother management of public resources.

The Finance Minister, while hailing the positive developments, cautioned that much more needs to be done, as the country remains in a period of significant economic change.

Malaysia’s opposition signals willingness to work with government KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysia’s opposition indicated yesterday it was softening its stand towards the government for the first time since a disputed May election, saying it was willing to help tackle a range of problems.

The opposition led by former finance minister Anwar Ibrahim has refused to accept the election victory of the ruling coalition, which extended its 56-year rule but saw its parliamentary majority reduced.

Anwar said in an Independence Day message that the opposition maintained its “strong protests about the validity” of the vote, but, for the first time, he indicated willingness to heal divisions the election brought.

“We are prepared to put aside our differences for the sake of the nation’s wellbeing and future,” Anwar said.

Prime Minister Najib Razak’s coalition lost the popular vote in the election, although it still won the most seats, and the opposition maintains it was cheated out of victory by widespread fraud. It has yet to concede defeat.

Anwar listed problems facing the country including flagging public finances,

Anwar Ibrahim slowing economic growth, surging rates of crime and corruption.

He also referred to an increasing number of media reports of “race baiting”.

“Not only is there a lack of leadership in ameliorating the situation but it appears that the government is encouraging this phenomenon to worsen,” Anwar said.

Relations between majority ethnic Malays and ethnic Chinese and ethnic Indian minorities are a sensitive issue.

Ethnic Malays tend to support the ruling coalition while many members of the economically important ethnic Chinese minority rallied to the opposition in the last polls.

“We believe that it is imperative for the prime minister to convene without the slightest delay a roundtable meeting between the ... government and Pakatan Rakyat in order to deliberate on the issues raised and formulate a comprehensive solution,” Anwar said, referring to the alliance he heads.

Government spokesmen were not available for comment.

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Russian investment of US$50 million for St Kitts-Nevis BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CUOPM) — St Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr Denzil Douglas has welcomed the start of two projects on St Kitts South East Peninsula, which involve foreign direct investment of over US$50 million.

The projects by Russian investors will see the construction of 50 twobedroom villas as part of the US$37 million Ocean Grove Development and the Windswept Residence Club of nine villas at a cost of US$13 million.

Ocean Grove Villas is a joint venture between the Christophe Harbour Development Company and the Canada-based Apex Capital Partners Corporation.

“We look forward to the start-up of construction of your villas which will be located so strategically next to the area of the Pavilion Beach Club.

This project is also significant because it is the first major investment to be put together in St Kitts by a Russian group,” said Douglas at the symbolic ground breaking ceremony.

Douglas note that St Kitts and Nevis is an international country and it is not by any accident that this investment comes at a time when his government is in the process of removing the requirement for an entry visa for Russian

Dr Denzil Douglas visitors. “We see Russia as a new and desirable market for both investors and visitors for our country, and you can be assured that my government will continue to take the necessary steps to improve the flow of trade and investment between our two democratic countries,” said Douglas.

He noted the risk of private investment promises not turning into real projects for the benefit of the people of St Kitts and Nevis, but noted that the ceremony was taking place within sight of an actual villa under as part of the Windswept Residence Club project.

“I could not ask for better evidence that the project has actually commenced. I understand that the design and construction of these luxury villas will be of world-

class quality,” said Douglas.

Douglas said his government has a very solid reputation for encouraging private investment that is of good quality and compatible with the country’s development objectives, including the empowerment of nationals and the sustainability of the environment and culture.

He said he was pleased to see progress being made at Christophe Harbour, a development vision that is shared by his St Kitts-Nevis Labour government and a project that continues to be an important component of the Federation’s economic transformation strategy.

“Like most other resort area developments in the Caribbean, I am very much aware that Christophe Harbour has experienced various growth-related challenges and internal issues since the financial meltdown and global economic recession first began in the United States of America over four years ago.

Consequently some of the projects envisioned for Christophe Harbour have been moving at a much slower pace than was expected,” said Douglas to the guests, who included Governor General Sir Edmund Lawrence and Lady Lawrence, Cabinet ministers, business leaders and other officials.

Opposition condemns manner in which proportional representation introduced in T&T PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - CMC – The main opposition People’s National Movement (PNM) has described as “vulgar” the decision of the government to amend the Municipal Corporations Act to introduce the concept of proportional representation in Trinidad and Tobago.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar, announcing the October 21 date for the Local Government election, said that her administration plans to introduce the concept of proportional representation that has been advocated as a fairer and stronger system for several years.

“The idea was that parties should have a slate of Senators that is known beforehand to the public at a general election. Seats in the Senate would be allocated in accordance with the number

Dr. Keith Rowley of votes cast for a party…. It will represent a historic foray into the virgin territory of proportionate representation which many feel, is an idea whose time has come.”

But in a statement, Opposition and PNM leader Dr. Keith Rowley said that the move is a “vulgarity, a hastily cobbled together initiative offered not unlike what was

attempted during the recent Tobago House of Assembly (THA) election when the Prime Minister brought a bad bill to Parliament purporting to give Tobago internal selfgovernment”.

Rowley said after that the resounding defeat in the Tobago elections, the proposed legislation for internal self government “without further attention, was quietly allowed to lapse.

“On this occasion the Prime Minister floated the trial balloon of postponing the Local Government Election.

Vigorous public rejection has resulted in the Government withdrawing from that option which it had placed on the table.

“They have now come up with this patently self-serving attempt aimed at improving their party’s chances of winning places through proportional representation.”

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U.S. says world cannot let Assad UK’s Cameron must fight get away with chemical attack back after tough setback Barack Obama

John Kerry

(Reuters) - The United States made clear yesterday that it would punish Syrian President Bashar al-Assad for the “brutal and flagrant” chemical weapons attack that it says killed more than 1,400 people in Damascus last week. “We can not accept a world where women and children and innocent civilians are gassed on a terrible scale,” President Barack Obama told reporters at the White House.

He said the United States was still in the planning process for a “limited, narrow” military response that would not involve “boots on the ground” or be open-ended.

Secretary of State John Kerry said it was essential not to let Syria get away with the attack, partly as a sign to those who might consider using chemical weapons in the future.

“History would judge us all extraordinarily harshly if we turned a blind eye to a dictator’s wanton use of weapons of mass destruction,” Kerry said in a televised statement.

With France on Friday affirming its support for a military response to punish Assad’s government, the statements from Obama and Kerry appeared to harden the resolve for a U.S. attack despite Thursday’s British parliamentary “no” vote that left Washington without one of its closest allies.

The timing of the attack, most likely with cruise missiles from U.S. Navy destroyers already stationed in the eastern Mediterranean, was uncertain, but it was unlikely to come before U.N. weapons experts leave Syria today.

Kerry said that “if a thug and a murderer like Bashar al-Assad can gas thousands of his own people with impunity,” it would set a bad example for others, such as Iran, Hezbollah and North Korea.

Obama said chemical weapons attacks such as last week’s threatened U.S. national security interests as well as U.S. allies such as Israel, Turkey and Jordan.

“So, I have said before, and I meant what I said, that the world has an obligation to make sure that we maintain the norm against the use of chemical weapons,” he said.

Kerry laid out a raft of evidence he said showed Assad’s forces were behind the attack, and the U.S. government released an unclassified intelligence report at the same time including many of the details. The report said the August 21 attack killed 1,429 Syrian civilians, including 426 children.

“Any action that he (Obama) might decide to take will be (a) limited and tailored response to ensure that a despot’s brutal and flagrant use of chemical weapons is held accountable,” Kerry said.

The intelligence included an intercepted communication by a senior official intimately familiar with the attack as well as other intelligence from people’s accounts and intercepted messages, the four-page report said.

Assad’s government has repeatedly denied carrying out the chemical weapons attack, blaming rebels who it suggested were trying to provoke intervention.

LONDON (AP) — David Cameron seemed the picture of a confident national leader when he cut short his vacation early this week to muster support for a military reprisal against Syria for its purported use of chemical weapons against civilians. He stood with President Barack Obama, facing down a dictator, demanding respect for international law.

By yesterday, the prime minister had been laid low by domestic politics, having grievously misread the British appetite for another adventure in the Middle East after the bloody, inconclusive engagements in Afghanistan and, particularly, Iraq, where the British public felt misled and rushed to war by faulty intelligence linking Saddam Hussein to weapons of mass destruction.

A humbled Cameron now finds himself rebuked by Parliament — a setback so rare that some historians say they have to look back more than two centuries to find a similar defeat over a vital matter of war and peace.

George Jones, professor emeritus of government at the London School of

Protesters marched through the streets chanting slogans against the country’s army chief, Gen. Abdel-Fatah el-Sissi, who led the popularly backed July 3 coup that toppled President Mohammed Mursi, a longtime leader of the Brotherhood.

“The people want the death of the assassin!” the protesters yelled while waving the Egyptian flag and holding up yellow posters with the outline of a hand showing four fingers. Mursi supporters have used the symbol in online and street campaigns to remember the sit-in protest around the Rabaah al-Adawiya mosque, which in Arabic means fourth.

Security forces cleared out that sit-in and another one two weeks ago in violent

raids that sparked several days of violence. More than 1,000 people, most of them people opposed to Morsi’s ouster, have been killed since.

The Interior Ministry says more than 100 policemen and soldiers have also died in the violence.

Many of the protesters yesterday were not Brotherhood members. Some said they were only seeking justice for relatives killed by security forces this month or protesting the way in which Mursi, Egypt’s first freely elected president, was removed from power. Many waved the Egyptian flag and carried pictures of Mursi.

“When it started, it was only about the return of Mursi to power,” protester Ahmed Osama said. “Now it has

Economics, compares the House of Commons’ decision about Syria to its vote in 1782 to have British forces call it quits during the American Revolution.

“The last time the government was knocked off course by Parliament like this was in the 1780s when Parliament accepted that we’d lost the war of American independence and gave up America, so this is a pretty important event,” said Jones.

“If the government can’t get through its policy of war and peace, it’s an issue of

UK asked N.Y. Times to destroy Snowden material (Reuters) - The British government has asked the New York Times to destroy copies of documents leaked by former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden related to the operations of the U.S. spy

Egypt Brotherhood protests draw tens of thousands CAIRO (AP) — Tens of thousands of protesters and Muslim Brotherhood supporters rallied yesterday throughout Egypt against a military coup and a bloody security crackdown, though tanks and armored police vehicles barred them from converging in major squares.

The protests appeared smaller than the mass demonstrations seen in previous weeks, despite a massive push by the Brotherhood for “decisive” rallies across the country after yesterday prayers.

The largest protest in the capital, Cairo, had more than 10,000 protesters. Thousands gathered in other cities, with other smaller protests drawing hundreds, including many women and children.

David Cameron

confidence. Its competence has been shattered.”

Jones said the crisis engulfing Cameron is of the prime minister’s own making because the Conservative Party leader chose to recall Parliament from its summer recess to seek authorization for a military strike.

Cameron quickly lowered his sights, however, when opposition Labour Party leader Ed Miliband refused to back the measure unless the United Nations Security Council first authorized an attack on Syria. Cameron agreed to ask Parliament only to agree to military strikes in principle and promised to seek a second vote before taking action, but even that watered down version was defeated.

“Cameron has been rowing back frantically as he saw there wasn’t support for his position, within his own party, in the opposition, and above all in public opinion,” Jones said. “Polls show the British public was not supportive, and the MPs were getting that message from their constituents. The only sure result is that the standing of Miliband rises.”

gone past that. Blood has been shed.”

While largely peaceful, the protests drew some sporadic violence, as residents angry with the Brotherhood confronted the group’s supporters.

In the Mediterranean city of Port Said, one person was killed in clashes, security officials said. Another 22 residents were wounded by birdshot allegedly fired by the protesters, the officials said.

They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to journalists.

Similar clashes took place in other parts of the country, including in the Nile Delta city of Zagazig, where the Brotherhood said a protester was shot dead.

agency and its British partner, Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), people familiar with the matter said.

The British request, made to Times executive editor Jill Abramson by a senior official at the British Embassy in Washington D.C., was greeted by Abramson with silence, according to the sources. British officials indicated they intended to follow up on their request later with the Times, but never did, one of the sources said.

Yesterday, in a public statement, Alan Rusbridger, editor of the Guardian, said his newspaper, which had faced threats of possible legal action from British authorities, on July 20 had destroyed copies of leaked documents which it had received from Snowden.

Rusbridger said that two

days later, on July 22, the Guardian informed British authorities that materials related to GCHQ had made their way to the New York Times and the independent investigative journalism group ProPublica.

Rusbridger said in his statement that it then took British authorities “more than three weeks before anyone from the British government contacted the New York Times.

“We understand the British Embassy in Washington met with the New York Times in midAugust - over three weeks after the Guardian’s material was destroyed in London.

To date, no-one has contacted ProPublica, and there has been two weeks of further silence towards the New York Times from the government,” Rusbridger said.

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Police welcome plans for random drug testing and lie detector tests PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – CMC - The Police Social and Welfare Association (PSWA) yesterday said it welcomed an announcement by the Attorney General Anand Ramlogan for mandatory drug and lie detector tests for police officers in Trinidad and Tobago.

However, PSWA general secretary Michael Seales said while his organisation, in principle, has no objection to the initiative, there were still a number of concerns to be dealt with.

“This is something the association would welcome, but would say from the onset what next. What will happen after if you do discover that an officer is using illicit drugs or you discovered that he has lied?

“What next and that’s one of the clear concerns that we have with it and we will invite the Attorney General…to consult with us in terms of reaching a resolution in that area because we have suggestions that are workable in that area”.

Ramlogan, speaking to reporters after a government delegation met with members of the main opposition People’s National Movement

(PNM) to discuss ways of dealing with the crime situation here, said that he had raised “very forcefully the matter of mandatory drug testing for all police officers and mandatory polygraph testing for all police officers not only upon entry into the Police Service”.

He said the tests would also be “intermittently and periodically” and would in particular, include those police officers “serving in sensitive units in the Police Service.

“I feel very strongly about this matter, I think it is important that we understand that despite our best efforts the operational aspects of the Police Service will be compromised. If you have one bad apple it will spoil the whole bunch,” he said.

The Attorney General said that the random tests to ensure that police officers were not “leaking” information to criminals were “long overdue”.

“To this end I think random drug testing and polygraph testing, lie detector testing for police officers to ensure they are not leaking information or not in league with the criminals and undermining the

efforts of the Police Service is an idea that is long overdue in Trinidad and Tobago,” Ramlogan said.

Seales said his association is also suggesting “a systematic confidential approach to whistle blowing to compliment what he (the Attorney General) has suggested”.

Ramlogan also told reporters that he had also raised during the meeting with the opposition, the possibility of amending the Bail Act “which would say one strike and you are out.

“If you have been convicted for a violent crime, a gun-related offence or an offence involving drug trafficking or drug possession above a certain amount then, if within 10 years, you are subsequently charged for the same offence I propose to use the anti-gang formula where you are denied bail for 120 days.”

He said if an application for bail is made after that period “it will be a matter for a judge to decide at his discretion whether or not bail ought to be granted based on the readiness of the prosecution to commence the trial”.

PM aware of financial problems confronting LIAT BASSETERRE, ST. Kitts – CMC - Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas says his administration will “seriously” consider purchasing shares in the cash-strapped regional airline, LIAT, but would do so only when it has the necessary funds.

Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines are the main shareholders of the Antigua-based airline that flies to more than 20 destinations within the Caribbean.

In recent months, the airline has been urging regional governments to invest LIAT that recently secured a multi-million dollar loan from the Barbados-based Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) to acquire new aircraft to replace its aging Dash-8 planes.

“On the issue of buying shares in LIAT, it is something that I believe needs to be seriously considered. The government does not have the money at this time, but …the government is in touch with agencies that may be willing to invest in LIAT,” Prime Minister Douglas said.

He said he had already informed his regional colleagues that “at the moment it is not necessarily an investment that would bring about enormous benefits, tangible monetary returns from the investment.

“But because of our own stated commitment to regional integration and regional development, and because we know that LIAT is the only reliable regional air carrier serving this part of the Caribbean region, we have to make sure that we can sit around the table with the shareholders, when policies and

plans for LIAT are being developed and executed..”

He said St. Kitts-Nevis understood the importance of the regional airline, adding “so I support definitely, investment in LIAT and becoming a shareholder in LIAT for these specific reasons”.

Dr. Douglas told reporters that the airline’s involvement in the local tourism industry is “unmatched” and that recent figures show that a decline in tourist arrivals “could be attributed partly to the problems that we have had with LIAT, travelling in and out of St. Kitts.

“We know that our flights have been significantly reduced compared to previous times. We understand that LIAT has had a number of teething problems, in recent times, and that is why I said to my own colleagues not too long ago, even though we are not investing because of the immediate monetary return, the fact that it gives us a seat at the table where the shareholders and the directors are seating, it therefore brings benefits to us in terms of continuing support to the tourism expansion.

“That is absolutely necessary and let me point out that regional tourism is a significant part of our overall tourism here in St. Kitts and Nevis and if we do not have that regional carrier to bring our visitors from the region here, naturally we would have problems,” Prime Minister Douglas said, adding “so I think there is a significant contribution that LIAT is making for the development or in the development of St. Kitts – Nevis tourism”.

Saturday August 31, 2013

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Fyrish Small Upper Boston bares the cricket facts in ... Masjid win back... Corentyne...

Letter to the Sports Editor

From page 36 Jones. Also, cries that the Select Committee ignored their submissions are countered by the fact that the Sanasie / Raj Singh group submitted forged documents and inaccurate information to the Select Committee for which the police was called in are conducting active investigations.

Nevertheless the Chairman and Members of the Select Committee can represent themselves and in my opinion will produce a document that will offer fairness and a transparent process that involves all the stakeholders who will then decide on who they want to head the cricket administration. The present indecent and illegal persons who have hijacked the GCB are clearly scared of the outcome of this orderly and

legal process.

Alvin Johnson’s selfish attempt to extricate himself from the cricket illegality and indecency cannot fool anyone but himself. I reiterate that Johnson’s appointment had nothing to do with his qualifications, but rather, like his cohorts, he was rewarded for the role played by Essequibo in electing an illegal GCB. Anyone who gets involved in cricket administration at any level purely for personal and financial gain pose a danger to the decency and integrity of our national game.

So if I am perceived to be the mouthpiece of a so called “disgruntled group” I will certainly prefer to be so labelled for as far as I know members of that group are all decent, gainfully employed and humble citizens who have never been charged for

any serious crime, including contempt of court, perjury or presenting forged or misleading documents to Parliament.

I would rather be the mouthpiece for a disgruntled group than for a “dishonest group”. Whether Johnson or Sankar choose to respond to this letter is their business. I will however respond to their shenanigans and misleading articles.

While I known Johnson, I must say that I have never made the acquaintance of the elusive Intikab Sankar who appears to be a phantom.

Since Intikab Sankar is so an au fait with cricket issues I challenge him to meet me “one-on-one” on E d w i n S e e r a j ’s C r i c k e t Magazine Programme where we can objectively discuss cricket and its future in Guyana.

Winston G. Boston

Saturday August 31, 2013 ARIES (MAR 21 - APR 19): If you're single, Aries, you might feel a little down today. All your friends who are in relationships may have plans while you go home alone. *************************** Taurus (Apr 20 - May 20): Today you may substitute chocolate for a lack of love because you feel tempted to treat yourself to something good. *************************** Gemini (May 21 - Jun 20): If you're not married or engaged, Gemini, you may feel that your current love interest is avoiding you.

However, this is just your imagination. *************************** CANCER (JUN 21 - JUL 22): You may be a bit depressed today if you and your partner are going through a difficult time. *************************** LEO (JUL 23 - AUG 22): A short trip might be necessary today, Leo. This could be disheartening, as it takes you away from your current love interest, but perhaps it's just as well. ************************ VIRGO (AUG 23 - SEP 22): The strange behavior of a romantic interest may have you confused, Virgo. Is your partner avoiding you? Do phone calls go unanswered?

Forget it.

Sometimes people see too much intimacy as a threat to their independence and choose to ignore it.

LIBRA (SEP 23 - OCT 22):Have you invited some friends over for a celebration tonight, Libra? If so, your guests are going to keep you hopping! *************************** SCORPIO (OCT 23 NOV 21): Other responsibilities might keep you away from your loved one today, Scorpio. *************************** SAGITTARIUS (NOV 22 - DEC 21): The absence of direct expressions of love might make your life seem rather empty today, Sagittarius. *************************** CAPRICORN (DEC 22 - JAN 19): You may decide to duck out of extra responsibilities today, Capricorn, perhaps to have a private celebration at home with your love partner! *************************** AQUARIUS (JAN 20 FEB 18): You may feel neglected and unloved today, Aquarius. If you're single, you may feel worse. Cheer up. *************************** PISCES (FEB 19 - MAR 20): Are you worried that your romantic partner doesn't love you as much as you love him or her, Pisces?

Love has many facets.

From page 38 strike in their match against Fyrish Small Masjid and could only manage 70 for 8 in their 10 overs. Asif Ghamandi scored 19, while Zaman Mohamed contributed 15.

Fazeer Bacchus was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 14, Krihsna Omai backed up with 2 for 12 for Fyrish Small Masjid which knocked off the required runs in 8.3 overs and losing just a couple of wickets along the way.

Shazam Mohamed and Shazeer Randasammy were both unbeaten when victory was achieved on 31 and 14, respectively.

Wazir Mohammed and Ferouze Hassan took one wicket each for Fyrish A. Scores: Fyrish A 70 for 8; Fyrish Small Masjid 71 for 2. Fyrish Small Masjid and Albion in their respective second match of the day, saw Albion taking to the crease first and with a healthy run rate lashed their way to an imposing 100 for 5 when their 10 overs expired.

Imran Khan fell one short of a deserved half century,

Zaman Khan backed up with 18.

Leading the bowling for Fyrish Small Masjid, Fazeer Bacchus had 2 for 11 with Shazeer Randasammy taking 1 for 9.

Needing to score at just over 10 an over for victory, Albion had fancied their chances of a win but that was not to be as the Fyrish Small Masjid went about the victory charge in a nononsense way, racing to 102 for 4 in just 8.3 overs. Leading the quest for victory was Shazam Mohammed with 40 with excellent support form Shazeer Randasammy who gathered 29.

Bowling for Albion, Ashraf Ghanie took 2 for 15 and Imran Khan 1 for 25. Scores:Albion 100 for 5; Fyrish Small Masjid 102 for 4. Competition will continue today at the Muslim Youth Organisation Ground, Albert Street & Woolford Avenue, in the City with four matches.

From 09:00 hrs, Queenstown will oppose Old Mosque; at 11:00hrs Blankenburg comes up against Wales/Sisters Village.

This clash will be followed by an encounter between Diamond/ Grove and Farm A form 13:00hrs with the feature game bringing together Success and Enmore two hours later.

From page 38 tottering at 25 for 3.

Leon Andrews (19) and Steve Deonarine (14) then added a valuable 20 for the 4th wicket. After that, offspinners Devanand Chatterpaul and Dion Esau picked up three wickets each in quick succession to send the defending champions tumbling for 66. Bowling for Upper Corentyne, Dion Esau took 3 for 13; Nicholas Seenarine took 3 for 15 and Devanand Chatterpaul 3 for 16.

Enjoying a 1st innings lead of 37, Upper Corentyne began their 2nd innings with 120 minutes still left in the game.

The early wickets that East Bank/New Amsterdam/ Canje hoped for to affect a come from behind victory, did not materialise and Upper Corentyne managed to reach 54 for 5 when rain halted play at 16:25 hours.

Leon Andrews took 2 for 20.

Upper Corentyne have therefore earned the right to meet with Lower Corentyne in the final of the competition today at Albion.

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Saturday August 31, 2013

Letter to the Sports Editor

When will football become the ultimate winner?

DEAR EDITOR Within the space of 3 weeks footballing events of significance took place within Georgetown, of which one was a resounding success and the other two were colossal failures. As such I must express my regret of not attending the Digicel sponsored Schools Championships third place playoff and finals, held on Sunday, July28, 2013 at the Police Sport Club Ground, Eve Leary, despite not receiving an official invitation (More on this later).

However, in the other two instances, I have pledged unto myself that my presence at anything which is counterproductive to the development of football would never be supported.

While this is from a personal perspective, it definitely must not be construed as a clarion call for mass boycott, but rather to duly share my insight into footballing events, that ought not to be supported.

In the first instance the Inter-Guiana’s Games football match Guyana Vs Suriname also played at the Police Sports Club Ground, on Friday, August 9th, 2013, and the opening of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) 2013-14 season at the GCC Ground, Bourda, on Sunday, August11, 2013. Editor, unapologetically and unreservedly I must say that these two events were colossal failures, and both organizers should bow their heads in shame for the

national disgrace.

It’s beyond my imagination, that the local Inter Guianas team coached by former national player and coach, Gordon “Ultimate Warrior” Braithwaite never had the privilege of one proper training session, according to the individual in his post match comment. So, with the Dutch winning by a 2-1 margin comes as no surprise, since they were training for the past four months according to their coach.

But why did ‘Ultimate’ take the team in the first place? When taking into consideration that the Digicel Schools Championship had recently concluded! And this tournament from the quarterfinals stage would

Letter to the Sports Editor

Boston bares the cricket facts in response to Alvin Johnson and Intikab Sankar DEAR EDITOR, I must once again seek your kind permission in allowing me to deal with two (2) letters responding to my previous missive carried in your daily. In order to save time and space I will herein deal with the letters from both Alvin Johnson and Intikab Sankar.

Firstly, Winston G. Boston is my real name. I am no phantom. I have been an avid sports fan from early childhood and played football, cricket and hockey for the Guyana Police Force. I also served as secretary of Malteenoes Sports Club, the Mildred Mansfield Sports Club, the Guyana National Dominoes Association, Public Relations Officer of the Guyana Scrabble Association, Vice-President of Pele Football Club, Guystac Sport Organiser and Manager of U15, U19, 1st and 2nd division cricket teams at Malteenoes Sports Club.

I attended numerous seminars, meetings and other activities and elections of cricket in Berbice, Essequibo and Demerara and also Linden. In view of my vested interest in the transparency, accountability and general fair play in sports, and with particular concern for the present cricket fiasco I feel compelled to express my views. My criticisms are based on but not limited to the following facts: 1. That a group led by Anand Sanasie , Raj Singh and others through unethical

manoeuvres at the East Bank of Demerara and the West Demerara Cricket Associations and through elections hijacked the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) and subsequently the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB).

I was in court when Justice James Bovell-Drakes in making the injunction interlocutory clearly stated that the Raj Singh faction must not act but must await the outcome of the trial.

Nevertheless that order was violated by this presumptuous group.

2. I was at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) in Jan 2011 when Chetram Singh the then President of GCB, at its AGM, refused admission to Raj Singh’s faction to participate in the meeting. They left and with Berbice not participating in the election, only Essequibo Cricket Board plus David Black a Berbice Board defector made up the unprecedented 10-member quorum which was unconstitutional thereby making the GCB Executive of those elections an illegal body.

3. I have seen legal documents signed by Anand Sanasie and filed in the Court Registry admitting that the assets of both the GCB and the DCB have been deposited into private companies owned

by Anand Sanasie, Fizul Bacchus, and Raj Singh.

Evidently the decision to form private companies was made by only the Essequibo Cricket Board. It is important to note

that this illegality continued and flourished at a time when the cricket crisis was rife and when the Berbice Cricket Board under Keith Foster, the Georgetown Cricket Association under Roger Harper and the East Cost Cricket Board under Bissoondyal Singh had no say as they were totally and deliberately excluded by the hijackers of Guyana cricket.

4. With regard to the Parliamentary process, I recognize that with the ongoing cricket crisis, legislation was necessary and must take into consideration the cause of our recurring problem within the cricket administration.

It is inconceivable that the highest law making forum in our country, in its noble effort to bring order to the chaos in cricket, would legalise an inherent problem and not address a remedy. But of course the Sanasie-led group prefer things as they are so that phantom clubs and the lawlessness could continue.

To state that Dr. Frank Anthony and Attorney General Anil Nandlall ought not to have sat on the Select Committee insults the integrity of these goodly gentlemen and dismisses the active and genuine participation of the other members of the Select Committee viz. Khemraj Ramjattan, Basil Williams, Neil Kumar, Odinga Lumumba, Rupert Roopnarine, Joseph Harmon and Colin (Continued on page 25)

have been ideal for the selection of a squad of players, in pursuit of training and national representation.

Wherein, collaborative efforts between the Ministries, of Amerindian Affairs, Education, Sports, Youth & Culture, Sponsor (Digicel) and the GFF could have worked out the logistics, in relation to accommodation, meals, internal transportation, training and laundry. All of which should have been dealt with within a budget of expenditure, inclusive of stipends and miscellaneous expenses.

From all indications however, it was a case of being “penny wise and pound foolish”, and also a lack of vision! Meanwhile the GFF, with the opening of their season fared more worse!

Once again, visionless and most importantly spineless, that two exhibition matches Georgetown Vs West Demerara, preceded by East Demerara engaging Upper Demerara had attracted an astronomical cost of $1,000 for spectators to view thrash.

Yes, thrash indeed and once again, I’m unapologetic!

That a President of an Association was quoted as saying “a new dispensation, in the development of football and to make matters worse the individual, was well decked out in a two piece suit.

Editor, such an attire along with the comments would be ideal for a standup comedy,

any Friday night at the Stabroek Market Square.

With Georgetown, Linden and East Coast having no senior competitions domestically at the given period of time, what acceptable level of football would have been offered to the paying public, worth $1 ,000 as an entrance fee?

Needless to say match fitness and cohesiveness would have been regrettably absent.

And what was the rationale of offering $250,000 to a lucky ticket holder, from a debt inherent and cash strapped GFF? Was it hoodwinking, or is it all in the new dispensation? By the way is it still a perquisite for participation in GFF competitions being determined by activity at the association level?

Finally, with the Digicel Schools Championship now in its 3rd year, enjoying meaningful success, at least one area, which deserves a significant commendation, is the reduction of protests from schools from fielding over-age players, while uniformity and the venue for the finals need improvement. Bibs are for training and worse yet of the colour of jerseys worn by some players are different, which can be a distraction, moreover in similarity with an opposing player. In a crowded area it can be a distraction, in determining a foul!

With the Police Sport Club, being unable to accommodate the growing number of spectators and supporters, then the next option is the National Stadium, even if it means utilizing two stands in the interim. At least comfort and visibility would be significantly better, and the photographers can capture action photos during a game.

Digicel by outfitting every team properly can venture into selling jerseys to supporters of the various teams, towards reducing expenditure for uniforms.

Once again my profound gratitude to Digicel for providing sponsorship and my heartiest congratulations to Wismar/Christianburg, the winners, runner-up, Waramadong; third place Covent Garden and fourth Place St George’s.

Meanwhile, in relation to the format of play, the final 16 or 8 teams can be divided into equal groups of 4 teams for a round-robin play off with the top team from each group advancing to the knockout stage to determine the winner, inclusive of quarter-finals, semi-finals, third place play off and finals. And fittingly an All-star squared can be selected towards a Digicel Regional championship, along with selecting at least four players, who are academically sound to pursue a scholarship.

Lester Sealey.

Letter to the Sports Editor

Guyana CPL final showing was poor DEAR EDITOR, I crave your indulgence in allowing me space in your Newspaper to ventilate my anger, and displeasure on Guyana’s substandard performance in the final CPL match against Jamaica. The theme for the CPL matches was, “WE COME OUT TO PLAY.” It was abundantly clear that Guyana did not come out to play. Their performance on the field was most humiliating.

The late famous commentator B.L. Crombie would often say and I quote him, “It is not the winning that is so important but it’s how you play the game.” I was never so dejected watching the madness of Guyana’s Team Management. Jamaica did not win this game it was gifted to them by Guyana. It was simply bizarre watching Sarwan tamper with the batting line up. In hindsight I

do believe Sarwan did not take his medication that Saturday night. I wondered at one instance, if the team’s management weren’t inmates who were recently released from St. Ann’s Psychiatric Hospital in Trinidad. Such was the utter madness displayed.

How in God’s precious name could Sarwan send Sunil Narine and Ramdin before Franklin or himself? In the entire series Ramdin showed no form, that any confidence could be bestowed on him to do a good JOB for Guyana, above all was Sarwan afraid to go out and bat? It certainly looked that way.

As a Captain, Sarwan was expected to lead from the front but instead he panicked, and was trembling in his boots. His Captaincy in the penultimate match was simply brilliant but all his good works in that final match and the

entire series went out the window. Such gross stupidity

by Guyana’s Management is simply unforgiveable and unacceptable. There is another important point that I would like to ventilate. This particular point calls for one to use their imagination, a facet that is devoid of this generation.

It is within the realms of possibility that Kishmar Santokie could have been spoken to by some his countrymen warning against contributing to Guyana’s success against Jamaica. We know the fierce loyalty that Jamaicans have for their country. Never in the entire series, did we see Santokie bowl the way he did, something was very suspicious about his performance. In my humble estimation blood is always thicker than water.

Ricky Lowe

Saturday August 31, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 37

Djokovic moves on to third round Stephens tops Hampton, reaches Round 4

NEW YORK (AP) — Novak Djokovic faced two set points early in his secondround match at the U.S. Open.

He saved them, won the set, then needed less than an hour to close out a victory.

The 2011 champion beat 87thranked Benjamin Becker of Germany 7-6 (2), 6-2, 6-2 on Friday.

Becker had a chance to serve for the first set at 5-4.

But he wasted the first with a forehand into the net and the second when a backhand sailed wide.

“Becker is a quality opponent and he should have won the first set,” Djokovic said in an on-court interview.

“I was fortunate enough to come back and win the first set, and after that, I was much more comfortable on the court.”

Another Grand Slam winner, Li Na, also showed some championship form earlier on Arthur Ashe Stadium. This time, her opponent, Laura Robson, looked very much like a teenager.

The fifth-seeded Li avenged her third-round upset loss to the young Brit at last year’s U.S. Open, winning in straight sets at the same stage at Flushing Meadows.

Li, the 2011 French Open champ, rallied from down a break in the second set for a 6-2, 7-5 victory. Li was

nervous after she noticed that her draw was a repeat from last year. A pep talk from coach Carlos Rodriguez eased her anxiety.

“After the talk I was feeling much, much better,” she said. “Because before I never try to share the feeling with the team.”

Agnieszka Radwanska needed nearly two hours to slip past No. 32-seeded Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-4, 7-6 (1).

The third-seeded Pole faced 10 break points, but Pavlyuchenkova was able to convert only two, while Radwanska was 3 for 5.

A year ago, Robson’s upset of Li was the biggest victory of her breakthrough run. Meanwhile, it was the third straight frustrating U.S. Open loss for the Chinese star.

Robson was ranked 89th coming into last year’s tournament. She had never advanced past the second round at a Grand Slam event or defeated a top-10 opponent.

That all changed when she upset major champions Kim Clijsters and Li back-toback to make the fourth round. Now 19, Robson was seeded 30th at Flushing Meadows and coming off a fourth-round run at Wimbledon.

Li had 34 unforced errors in their match a year ago, and

she lamented then that the free points lifted the teen’s confidence. This time, Robson never had much of an opening.

“She served very well today and I thought she was returning really deep,” Robson said. “You know, there wasn’t a lot I could do in some points.”

Li surprised herself with 11 aces Friday — including one on a second serve on match point — and won all nine points when she went to the net. She’s back in the fourth round at the U.S. Open for the first time since 2009.

Her run over, Robson now must face a n unfortunate reality for many teenagers: getting h e r w i s d o m t e e th out.

“All the other girls in the locker room are telling me their horror stories: ‘Oh, yeah, I pulled my gauze out and it was just blood,’” Robson said. “So that’s not too nice.”

Defending champs Serena Williams and Andy Murray are scheduled for matches later Friday. Williams was due to be back on court a day after playing singles and doubles, facing Yaroslava Shvedova in the nightcap at Ashe.

Two other U.S. Open winners, Juan Martin del Potro and Lleyton Hewitt, were to face each other.

Former T&T & English PL Goalie Shaka Hislop meets Minister Anthony At the invitation of Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club President, Vishook Persaud, Minister of Culture Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony linked up with former Trinidad a n d To b a g o Wo r l d C u p goalkeeper Shaka Hislop yesterday for a 1 v 1 small sided game.

Hislop, who was here on other duties played the brief game with Minister Anthony and at the end of regulation time, the referee not only acclaimed that the match was a drawn encounter, but that both players were declared winners.

In the game, both players sought to get a brief about each other whilst exchanging ideas on how the sport can become better not only in Guyana but the Caribbean by extension.

Hislop said that he was very happy to be in Guyana and felt honoured to meet Minister Anthony.

GMR&SC boss Persaud also expressed delight that

an Icon like Hislop, whose exploits is known the world o v e r, c a n g r a c e t h e s e shores with his presence, share and exchange ideas on how the sport can go to the next level.

The parties agreed that it will take a lot of work but the longest journey starts with a single step.

Following is a brief bio of Hislop from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Neil Shaka Hislop, CM (born 22 February 1969) is a former football goalkeeper.

The majority of his career was spent in the top division in England where he was a part of the Newcastle United team which finished second in the Premier League for two successive seasons under K e v i n K e e g a n ’s f i r s t tenure.

Before this he played for Reading where he was on the losing side in the 1st Division Play-Offs despite finishing second overall (which became an automatic promotion slot the following season). He

later played for West Ham United on two separate occasions (receiving an FA Cup Runner-up medal during his second term in 2006) and also Portsmouth (where he won the 1st Division in 2002/03).

He was eligible to play for both England and Trinidad and Tobago.

He initially played for the England U-21 team and was on the bench for a full International against Chile, but in the end opted to play for Trinidad & Tobago.

A dispute with the national team ruled him out of contention for several years, but he returned to play and starred in the country’s first ever World Cup appearance in 2006.

He is now working for sports news and broadcasting service ESPN and regularly provides commentary on Eredivisie, Serie A, and Mexican Liga MX matches. He had also briefly worked as a goalkeeping coach for the football team at Quinnipiac University.

NEW YORK (AP) — Sloane Stephens reached the fourth round at the U.S. Open for the first time, and a matchup against defending champion Serena Williams could be next.

The 15th-seeded Stephens beat 23rd-seeded Jamie Hampton 6-1, 6-3 Friday in the first match at Arthur Ashe Stadium between two American women younger than 24 since the Williams sisters met in the 2002 final.

Stephens has reached at least the fourth round at all four Grand Slam tournaments this season, including a semifinal run at the Australian Open in January, when she upset Serena Williams in the quarterfinals. That’s one of only four losses for the topranked Williams in 2013.

Stephens lost in the third round at Flushing Meadows each of the last two years, beaten by 2008 French Open champion Ana Ivanovic both times.

Sloane Stephens celebrates after defeating fellow American Jamie Hampton in the thirdround.

(Photo: Susan Mullane, USA TODAY Sports)

Young Sunshine Girls ...

From page 30 to outscore Jamaica 16-6 and opened up a 12-point lead going into the break. But the determined Sunshine Girls showed a lot of courage, and in a remarkable turnaround, outscored New Zealand 19-6 to hold a one-point lead after the end of the third quarter, leading 38-37.

In a match which was streamed live, Jamaica lost possession right at the beginning of the fourth quarter and New Zealand never looked back, racing away to 16-6 in the crucial fourth quarter on their way to a nine-point 53-44 win.

Jamaica captain Vangelee Williams was clearly disappointed, but promised to bounce back for the bronze medal match. “Yes, we are very disappointed because we didn’t win and the fact that we tried our hardest but it came out bad at the end,” said the defender.

Jamaica’s head coach Oberon Pitterson-Nattie was impressed with her players’ commitment to the game. “I’m extremely proud; I could kiss all of them. They played like it was their last. They fought to the finish and that’s what I’m happy for,” said Pitterson-Nattie.

In the other games Thursday for the minor positions, Wales beat Trinidad and Tobago 6154; South Africa dismissed Barbados 59-20; host Scotland beat Samoa 50-35 and Fiji turned back Namibia 67-49.

Jamaica’s Shanice Beckford (right) beats her New Zealand counterpart Phoenix Karaka to the ball during their World Youth Netball Championship semi-final match at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow, Scotland, Thursday. New Zealand won 53-44. (PHOTO: COLLIN REID courtesy SUPREME VENTURES, COURTS and SCOTIABANK)

Page 38

Kaieteur News

Saturday August 31, 2013

Minnows in high contention as Black Hawks carts off lion’s share GASP stages open championship of prizes in Martial Arts tourney Not so long ago, scrabble players, Wayne Cave, Maurice Munroe and Robert Williams were merely lowly rated seeds attempting to solidify their rankings among their highly rated counterparts. Then Leon Belony assumed the helm of the Guyana Association of Scrabble Players (GASP) and introduced a new strategy where the best player from among the lowly rated seeds was awarded a special prize at the end of tournaments.

The ploy seems to have worked since those players have lifted themselves from the rubble and are now competing strongly against their senior counterparts.

Now fresh from a scintillating victory in the just concluded Tier ‘B’ championships last weekend, Wayne Cave will be at the top of his game and enters as a strong contender when the GASP stages an Open Scrabble Championship at the Maltenoes Sports Club tomorrow morning. It would

Maurice Munroe

Wayne Cave

also be foolhardy to dismiss Munroe and Williams as just mere contenders since these two have demonstrated a high level of consistence which is a very important trait in the word forming game.

Several of the big guns will also vie for places including Moen Gafoor, James Krakowsky, Leon Belony, Colin Chichester and Orlando Michael among others. Those in the distaff category will also be anxious to mark their name among the

top finishers. As such, the men will have to be weary of National Champion, Abigail McDonald, Ruby Cummings and Grace Hercules among others.

The registration starts at 09:30hrs and the first tile will be moved half an hour later. The early birds will benefit from a $200 discount from the stipulated $700 while apart from the full fee; latecomers will have their clocks activated in their absence.

Smartt satisfied with Guyana‘s performance in Regional Women’s tourneys National Women’s T\20 captain, all-rounder Tremayne Smartt told Kaieteur Sport yesterday that she is satisfied with the overall performance of the Guyana Women’s team in the recently concluded Regional 50 overs and T\20 tournaments.

Guyana reached the semifinal in the 50 over competition before losing to Trinidad and Tobago by 7 runs thr o u g h t h e D u c k w o r t h Lewis method. Guyana totaled 191 batting first while the Trinis were 74-2 in 25 overs in reply before the rain came. Berbican Smartt said that the Guyana team showed lots of improvement in 2013 “We played as a team and the spirit was high’, she added.

Smartt credited June Ogle who led the team in the team

Tremayne Smartt in the 50 overs competition.

Ogle scored the most runs in the 50 over format there by receiving the award for the best batter. “She did a good job leading the team, she

motivated us well and lead from the front”, Smartt pointed out.

She indicated that the batting let the team down a bit. She stated that the batters did not step up when it really matters, but the bowling and fielding were relatively good.

Smartt believes Guyana need a female league so that the players will continue to improve.

Guyana beat Trinidad and Tobago for the first time in the T\20 format and topped the points table in the preliminaries winning all their games before losing to Jamaica in the semis by 5 wickets in the last over.

However, the Berbician was pleased with her performance stating that she achieved her goals.

(Zaheer Mohamed)

3rd MYO/RAF’S T10 Inter Jamaat Softball Cricket

Fyrish Small Masjid win back to back; Albion also triumph The Third annual RAFS’s Variety Store sponsored Muslim Youth Organisation, organised Inter Jamaat Ten10 knock-out softball cricket competition bowled off on Sunday last in the Ancient County of Berbice at the Chesney Ground.

Wasting no time in closing out their opponents were

Fyrish Small Masjid which recorded back to back wins, Albion was the other team in winners row.

Fyrish B batting first against Albion posted 70 for 8 off their allotted 10 overs.

Safraz Khan stroked 22 and Shalim Ali 19. Bowling for Albion, Shiraz Mobin picked up 2 for 2 and Ashraf Ghanie

1 for 2.

Albion in response cruised to 71 for 4 in 7.3 overs; Altaf Ibrahim led with 21, Anwar Samad 19. Shabeka Gagnabi with 2 for 15 led the losers bowling; Taslim Shalim had 1 for 6. Scores: Fyrish B 70 for 8; Albion 71 for 4.

Fyrish A took first (Continued on page 35)

Martial Arts practitioners from the Black Hawks Martial Arts Management Network/ Association carted off the lion’s share of prizes when that entity staged Open Championships at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) over the past weekend.

Trinidadian, Professor Christopher Francis, was in charge of the sessions and congratulated the respective winners while lauding the organizers for pulling off a successful event. He also promised to collaborate with the locals in their preparations for activities in the 11th anniversary celebrations next year.

The results of the championship are: 10-12 Free style kata: 1st-3rd-Isaiah Young, Shoakirah Hopkinson, Isaiah Morris.

Kumite 1st-3rd-Isaiah Morris, Isaiah Young, Joshua Allen and 6-9 free style kumite: Isaiah Morris, Isaiah Young,

Joshua Allen.

6-9 free style katas: Atiba Coteau, Isaiah Young. 6-9 free style katas: 1st- 3rd-Atiba Coteau, Floyd Morris and Sulaymaan Hopkinson. 6-9 free style kumite 1st-2nd Floyd Morris and Atiba DeCoteau. 13-15 free style kata-1st-3rd-Aquil Ramsahai, Shiloh Cameron and Jonathan Hansry. 13-15 free style weapons-1st -3rd- Aquil Ramsahai, Jonathan Hansry.

13-15 kumite 1st-3rd: King Cameron, Aquil and Jonathon Hansry.

16-17 kata traditional: 1st3rd: Troy Bobb (jnr), Feroze Khan and Denish Gopaul. 1834 Novice kata 1st-3rd: Youle Benjamin, Julian Ramnaught and Bango Lall. International Kata: 1st-3rd: Jimoll Marks, Allejandro Latchman and Porfria Schemyel. Black belt kata 1st-3rd: Paul Ignatius, Steven Persaud and rodwell Alleyne.

18-34 free style kata; 1st3rd Isiah Pollard, Cordin

D’Anjou and Nicholus Braithwaite and 18-34 kumite: 1st-3rd Isaih Pollard, Bertrum Williams and Corwin D’Anjou and Defence 1st-3rd:Anand Mohadio, Corwin D’Anjou and Isiah Pollard. 10-12 females kumite: 1st-3rd Joan Shuman, Shaakirah Hopkinson, Lateefah Hopkinson. 18-34 kumite- 1st2nd Joan Williams and Porttia Schemyel. Over 35 kumite: 1st-3rd: Dellon Hyman, Troy Bobb and Quesi Patrick. U-6 free style kata, 1st and 2nd Jayden Jack and Elijah Marks.

Kumite 1st & 2nd; Elijah Marks and Jaden Jack.

Traditional (novice)-10-12: 1st-3rd Daniel Chandler, Vickash Persaud and Tim Pineande. Novice 13-15 1st3rd-Isiah Stevenson, Elroy Dundus, Roberto Gunpath.

Traditional (intermediate); 1st-3rd-Joseph Rahman, Allioiah Ramnarine and Joshwah Allie. Black belts 1st3rd-Deon Bobb, Tamera Austin and Fayad Hosein.

Guyana, Trinidad cricketers take top awards at Sandals camp ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) — Cricketers from Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago grabbed the top awards at the just-concluded West Indies Cricket Board Sandals Foundation Under15 High Performance Camp in Antigua. Guyanese Renaldo Mohammed copped the Most Outstanding Cricketer award, while his teammate, Richie Looknauth, won the trophy for Best Bowler.

Mohammed was also the leading bowler in the WICB Regional Under-15 Tournament this year.

He finished the

tournament with 33 wickets which included a match haul of 14 against the Leeward Islands. Trinidad and Tobago’s Under-15 captain Kirsten Kallicharan was adjudged the Best Batsman.

The Best Fielder Award went to Chrystian Thurton of Trinidad and Tobago while another Trinidadian, Leonardo Julien took the award for Best Wicketkeeper.

The most promising players were also named.

They are Uri Smith (Antigua and Barbuda), Ashmead Nedd (Guyana), Javani Tyson (Leeward Islands) and

Nathaniel McDavid (Trinidad and Tobago).

Head Coach Dwain Gill said the limitations of the players were identified early and the coaching team used the camp to address those specific points.

“Most of the participants would have passed the test and we urge them to take this knowledge and talents back to their countries and clubs,” Coach Gill said.

The 57 elite young cricketers were involved in a week of training focusing on technical skills, techniques and strategy, and life skills.

2013 Republic Bank Under-17 Inter-zone Cricket Competition

Upper Corentyne upset champs East Bank/ New Amsterdam/Canje to reach final Play in the Republic Bank Inter Zone U-17 cricket competition continued in Berbice with Upper Corentyne scoring a big upset win against defending champions and favourites East Bank/New Amsterdam/ Canje, knocking them out of the competition.

In the match, which was played at the Cumberland Ground in East Canje, Upper Corentyne lost the toss and were asked to take first strike.

Led by 58 from Parmeshwar Chatterpaul and some devastating bowling,

the Upper Corentyne lads created a major upset by outplaying the defending champions to reach the final of the 2013 competition by taking first innings honours in their drawn semi-final.

Chatterpaul featured in three vital partnership during his team’s innings.

First he put together 26 for the first wicket with Aslim Baksh, 21 for the 2nd wicket with Dion Esau (10) and 28 for the 4th wicket with Jamal Jackman thus helping them to 73 for 3. After that, they slipped to 97 for 7 at which point Chatterpaul fell

for a crucial 58.

Upper Corentyne were eventually all out for 103 in their first innings. Doing the damage for East Bank/New Amsterdam/Canje were offspinner Leon Andrews with 3 for 35, left arm spinner Jaleel Jaffar 3 for 25, left arm pacer Kassim Khan 2 for 9 and medium pacer Omar Weatherspoon 2 for 11.

When the combined side began their first innings reply, Upper Corentyne opening fast bowler Nicholas Seenarine took three early wickets to have them (Continued on page 37)