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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: 225-8491, 225-8458, 225-8465 Fax: 225-8473 or 226-8210
Editorial
Let’s not forget the school leavers Schools reopen tomorrow and many children would be making their first break from home. At the same time there are going to be those who would be entering secondary school and more of them moving on to primary school after a stint at their various nursery schools. But even more serious would be those who would be leaving school hoping to enter the world of work. These are the people who are going to be pounding the streets and knocking on the doors of the various office doors with the hope of gaining employment. Many would have the basic qualifications to work but because of the nature of many places of employ, there would simply be no vacancies. In the private sector there is the conscious decision to cut back on employment because the economic turnover is simply not adequate enough for these companies to keep hiring people. And a few businessmen have been quite forthright in stating that some of the people seeking employment are simply not qualified to hold down certain positions. Of course, there are the teaching and nursing positions. Many of these job seekers may gravitate to the Education Ministry, but few would consider nursing for one reason or other. One place that would readily accept some of them is the Guyana Police Force, but parents are somewhat reluctant to have their children become professional law enforcers. They cite the threat of violence and the low pay which is a disincentive. Something needs to be done for the school leavers. If they fail to gain employment, many could easily become ready recruits for the drug dealers. The drug dealers can easily offer the kind of money that would attract any unemployed youth. And these young people would not even consider the risk as we are so often seeing in our midst. Those who left school with the barest minimum of academic qualification would not think of learning a trade by going to one of the trade schools we have in Guyana. T hey would prefer to loiter on the streets and probably gravitate to the crime situation that is now gripping the country. As far as they are concerned, other people’s property is theirs for the taking, once they have a gun and there are just too many guns in the society. This has been the trend within recent times. In so many cases it turns out that none of the gunmen are over 22. Some have made reputations for themselves in their brief stay on this earth. In days gone by, one saving grace was the Guyana National Service, to which many gravitated. This institution not only offered some measure of employment, it also offered food, shelter and a chance for the pioneer to learn a skill. Many of those who are artisans boast that they got their break through the national service. It is time the administration takes a serious look at the situation with the school leavers. Of course, no government could provide for all the people in any country. However, in cases where there is a depressed economy, one must take a serious look at the options. There may not be many options at this time but surely we may wish to expand the image of the trade schools such as the Government Technical Institute, the Guyana Industrial Training Centre and even the Critchlow Labour College. These are institutions that have the potential to offer school leavers a new lease on life. The administration should consider pumping increased money into these institutions, because failing to do this could see the government pumping even more money in the Guyana Police Force to correct a situation that should never have arisen.
Sunday August 31, 2014
Kaieteur M@ilbox Send your letters to Kaieteur News 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown or email us kaieteurnews@yahoo.com
Kaieteur News has been relentless in its frank reporting of environmental issues DEAR EDITOR, For quite some time now, our local dailies have been really providing great coverage of existing and emerging environmental issues. Kaieteur News, in particular, has been reporting on some very troubling events and activities that are affecting the health of our natural environment. The Bai Shan Lin logging operations, the pollution of our rivers, the possibility of radioactive materials on vehicles imported from Japan, the crude mining operations in our hinterland, and deforestation activities are just a few of the stories covered by the journalists of that newspaper. We commend the owner, editors and reporters for their high quality of
reportage on environmental issues in Guyana. Indeed, had, it not been for the vigilance and alertness of Kaieteur News, many would still be unaware of the possible damage done to our environment and the plunder of our natural assets, by some companies. As yet, we are not sure what is happening to the ecosystems, in the interiors of our country. We do not know, for sure, if there is an independent body verifying the tracking system used by the Guyana Forestry Commission, to keep pace with operations in our forests and the integrity of that system, and the human and technological competencies of the Environmental Protection Agency, to evaluate, test and measure the impact of many mining and other
activities on the natural environment. For example, has the EPA carried out any evaluation or analysis on the impacts of the road construction project along the East Bank Highway on the ecosystems in that area? If so, what were its findings? What Kaieteur News is doing, in reporting such activities, is really part of the social responsibility of a media company; to tell the truth, to expose wrongs and to inform the public about important events and issues, which have the potential to shape their local communities and influence their lives. Indeed, some of the most important issues facing humanity today are the loss of biodiversity and the ecosystem (Continued on page 6)
Sunday August 31, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur M@ilbox Kaieteur M@ilbox The PPP is incapable of providing security for the citizens DEAR EDITOR, Youth unemployment in Guyana has reached crisis proportions and is now socially unsustainable. In 2013, unemployment among the youths 16 to 30 years old was approximately 38 per cent. This is an appalling waste of a labour force in its prime years. In addition, there is a direct link between crime and unemployment of youths in Guyana, as most of us know very well. But the PPP is in denial. The cost of crime is e n o r m o u s . To o m a n y innocent and hard-working citizens have lost their lives and properties at the hands of criminals, and the regime seems oblivious to their plight. In economic terms, crime discourages production and the much needed investment to develop the country. The consequential cost of security is a major burden on the country, on every business and household. Various studies have shown that more than 74 per cent of residents in Georgetown do not feel safe at night. The same is true for many in the rural communities and yet the inhumane PPP regime has not done anything to ease their pain.
Injuries caused by violence are estimated to cost the healthcare system 15 per cent of its annual budget. The human suffering resulting from crime is immeasurable. It is not possible to put a monetary value on a human life. The murder rate in Guyana is outrageously high and out of control, despite some halfhearted efforts by the police to reduce crime. And the armed robbery rate in the country is much higher that the Police bogus results. Having the US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) in Guyana will not solve crime unless the government is prepared to cooperate fully with the entity and change the extradition laws to make it easier for the drug barons to be extradited to the US. Establishing the SWAT team will not reduce crime unless the regime is prepared to pay its security forces decent and livable wages so that they will not be tempted to take bribe to make ends meet. It is estimated that one in five Guyanese has been a victim of crime in the last two years. Most of the perpetrators of violent crime are males aged 15 to 29 years old, the vast majority who are sucked into criminal
activities as a means of survival and are not hardcore criminals but high school drop-outs. The Ministry of Education has failed them by not having an after-school programme across the country for high school drop-outs. This particular group has been marginalized by the PPP for the last two decades. They are hopeless and will do anything including joining the “murder for hire gangs” in order to survive. They are typically jobless and not enrolled in a school or training institution. The PPP regime must implement a crime prevention programme that involves tackling youth unemployment, because the most effective antidote to crime is creating opportunities for the youths to find jobs. The minority PPP regime must provide direct employment opportunities by launching a large-scale meaningful public sector employment programme for the youths. It must ensure that the macroeconomic policies it pursues are designed to create employment for the youths in general and not just for
friends and relatives of the party members. It must doggedly promote an economic environment that generates good paying jobs, especially in small, medium and micro enterprises. Creating employment opportunities for the youths is only one part of the e q u a t i o n . T h e complementary part of the equation is ensuring that youths have the skills to fill those jobs. Approximately 90 per cent of the unattached youths, most of whom are high school drop-outs, have no skills. They are what the late Sir Arthur Lewis, the Caribbean Nobel Prizewinning economist once called the “unemployable.” Education and training of the youths are vital to the development of Guyana, reduction of crime, and improve the living standards of the poor and the powerless. Is the government aware of this? Yes. Has it done anything to improve the situation? No. We want to tell the PPP regime that cosmetic and/or band aid solutions will not solve crime in Guyana. The number of “uneducated” youths leaving the school system
has to be reduced. For those who have left the school system but are still uneducated, there must be more opportunities for vocational and skills training. Given the huge financial resources being squandered and stolen by corrupt officials in the administration, the solution is for the PPP regime to provide much more funding for the youths. This requires innovative thinking which is devoid of this corrupt cabal.
Today, a large percentage of youths in the urban centres carry some kind of weapon for protection or to rob someone against the background of inadequate security and lack of police protection, which makes it impossible to have a safe environment. We want to call on the PPP to provide better security to the citizens. But honestly, it is incapable of doing so. Asquith Rose and Harish Singh
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Sunday August 31, 2014
Kaieteur M@ilbox Kaieteur M@ilbox Mr. Whittaker, The characterization of African Guyanese in ugly terms is contagious please be for real! DEAR EDITOR, For the past year Cuffy250 has been engaging the African Guyanese community in a conversation aimed at restoring a sense of cultural pride and selfactivity among African Guyanese. We have made some small gains. But it has not been easy work; the challenges have been more than we anticipated. The non-state media, with one or two exceptions, have generally not covered our events, particularly those outside of Georgetown. Our press releases have been generally ignored. One
media house, which has taken us seriously is a publication aligned to the ruling elite. They have editorialized and commented negatively on every report of our activities. They present us as a threat to Guyana’s ethnic peace. They have maligned us and the speakers at our events at every twist and turn. But their latest comment on our recent Forum, held in Buxton in collaboration with the Buxton First of August Movement, crossed the line. Commenting on Nigel Hughes’ presentation, one columnist said the following:
“And so we had Nigel Hughes, the once and future (secret) Company Secretary of the Amaila Falls Hydro – and not coincidentally, still the Chairman of the AFC – riling up the folks in BuxtonFriendship. You heard that right…Buxton-Friendship, where the audience was chock-full of the now grown-up “child-soldiers” from the days of the Douglas-Fineman gang” (Guyana Times: Saturday August 30, 2014). So there you have it…an audience full of “child soldiers.” Reminds you of the editorials in the
Chronicle about socializing Black youth as criminals? Remember the characterization a few years ago of Buxtonions by a top PPP leader? For the record, Eddie Rodney was one of those grown-up “child-soldiers” at the Buxton-Friendship Forum. The characterization of African Guyanese in ugly terms is contagious. For me, it’s policy arising out of a familiar racist mindset. What needs to be said in defence of Buxtonions and African Guyanese cannot be said via this medium. So, I say no more—For Now. David Hinds
Trinidad’s Electoral Amendment Bill forces coalition government DEAR EDITOR, A constitutional electoral amendment bill has been passed in Trinidad. However, support for the bill depends on political affiliation on the island. The sections pertaining to twoterm limits for prime ministers and the right to recall non-performing Members of Parliament have overwhelming support across party lines (race). But the run-off vote (when no candidate gets more than 50% of the votes) has divided support based on party affiliation, with ruling Peoples Partnership supporters backing it and opposition PNM and ILP supporters opposing it. Opponents of the bill feel the run-off portion (when no candidate wins more than 50% of the votes) will hurt their chances at winning closely contested (marginal) seats in a three way race. People feel Prime Ministers in the recent past abused their powers (as party leader and as head of government). They feel a constitutional measure is needed to rein in a PM’s
behaviour with term limits, forcing him or her to listen to supporters and party supporters. Voters also said that M.Ps are known to have abused their powers and most of them hardly serviced constituents, with the voters powerless to do anything. Now with right to recall, M.Ps will be motivated to service constituents and voters have a chance to fire a non-performing M.P. On term limit, if re-elected next year, and polls show her ahead over the others, it is unlikely Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar will seek a third term in 2020, given that she proposed the idea in the PP’s 2010 manifesto (counting it as the first term). On recall, the percentage of signature (20% of constituents) required to invoke a right to recall is almost impossible to obtain. The 10% threshold is achievable and people feel it should not have been raised. And even if the required signatures are garnered, getting a twothird majority approval by voters to complete recall is virtually impossible.
People feel a simple majority (51%) would have been enough to recall a M.P since 51% is needed to elect the M.P. In the U.S, only two governors were successfully recalled and it is unlikely any M.P will be recalled given the stringent requirements. The amendment that allows a third candidate who obtains a minimum 25% of the vote and within 5% of the second place finisher be included in the run-off is a farce. As it is right now, polls are not showing any third party candidate getting 25% of the vote in any constituency. Supporters of the opposition are opposed to the run-off portion of the bill, believing it will hurt their chance of winning seats. This will force parties into making pre-election coalitions in order to win seats and form the government. The Trinidad electoral bill should inspire our parliament to pass similar legislation forcing coalition government formation when no party wins a majority. Vishnu Bisram
DEAR EDITOR, I read with amazement a letter written by the Honourable Minister of Local Government Mr. Norman Whittaker in Stabroek News titled “City council’s no-confidence motions are taking precedence over critical matters citizens want addressed”, in which he wrote: “No-confidence motions seem to be a popular agenda item at statutory meetings of some Municipal Councils and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils, the most recent ones being at the c i t y c o u n c i l ’s r e c e n t statutory meetings of Monday, August 25, 2014 Mr. Whittaker swore on being elected to office to be an honourable man. I assume that he ought to be wedded to the truth and not indulge in any clumsy attempt to deceive citizens. I note the following. 1. In a viable democracy it is the right of groups or organizations to express no confidence in those who have failed to faithfully execute their mandate and meet the expectations of their organizations. Mr. Whittaker should know that the reasons why plans are held up for citizens, is mainly because the Town Clerk clearly has other priorities. Two meetings ago, in an effort to respond to several complaints, the Council directed the Town Clerk to adjust the agenda so that all a p p l i c a t i o n s a ff e c t i n g citizens such as plans etc, be brought forward. This was done. The Minister should therefore chide his Town Clerk for her failure to act on
Kaieteur News has been relentless in its frank... From page 4 services they provide. The array of life on Earth, its biological diversity, is usually referred to as biodiversity. The number of species of plants, animals, and microorganisms, the huge diversity of genes in these s p e c i e s , t h e d i ff e r e n t ecosystems on the planet, such as deserts, rainforests and coral reefs are all part of a biologically diverse Earth. A p p r o p r i a t e conservation and sustainable development strategies attempt to recognise this as being integral to any
approach. In different ways or forms, all cultures have recognised the importance of nature and its biological diversity for their societies and have therefore understood the need to maintain it. Still, power, greed and politics have affected the balance. Therefore, it is vital for media to keep nature issues on their front pages and in their top stories. It is true, that much more can be done in this area of reporting by the local media industry. But we are aware that, media, not only in poor countries like Guyana, but
also in first world countries, face the challenge of a paucity of reporters who can provide effective coverage of environmental issues and their impacts on the biosphere, for these are complex issues and unless journalists have some background knowledge to them, they would be hardpressed to report intelligently on such issues and to keep the public informed. Media reports on environmental matters should be well-researched and investigative. However, many journalists are not so
equipped with the knowledge and skills to do that research. Perhaps, this is one reason why numerous corporate and other activities, which are negatively impacting on the environment, are not reported on and many companies, businesses and agencies are getting away with unfriendly environmental practices and poor social responsibility. Kaieteur News has been relentless in its frank reporting of environmental issues. It has established itself as a leader in bringing
environmental issues to the fore and putting it on the national agenda for discussion and action. We, at the Environmental Community Health Organization, with very serious concerns about what is happening to the environment, appreciate this, and hope that the owner of that newspaper will continue to make the environment a priority in his coverage of the news. Royston King Executive Director Environmental Community Health Organization
these and similar matters. 2. He talked about Solid Waste; the Minister could not be serious. Since last year the Council asked Town Clerk (ag) Carol Sooba to advertise so that we can determine how we allocate resources to Solid Waste Collection and disposal in Georgetown, in spite of several reminders, she has refused and failed to do this. 3. It is otiose to comment on the statement that the motions are rooted in personality differences. Where else is the Clerk of a Council allowed to continuously flout the request of the President, Ministers, Minister Whittaker himself and the duly elected Mayor and Councillors of Georgetown? Where else can a Town Clerk be allowed to starve the Mayoral Complex of vital equipment, send workers out without water, tools and safety equipment, and not do any basic repairs to buildings in the City Hall Compound? Such is the disgraceful state of the Constabulary Headquarters while she finds money to purchase a one of its kind sofa suite for her office. What is Minister Whittaker talking about? What he should do is not infer that the Town Clerk and City Treasurer can do as they please, ignoring the duly elected Councillors, but he should persuade his colleagues to activate the Local Government Service Commission, a body that would never impose on the Council an unqualified person to function as the Chief Executive Officer at City Hall. He must persuade his party to have Local Government Elections and to let this oft-used phrase of a ‘return to democracy’ be a reality. The old folks would say Mr. Whittaker, please be for real. I have avoided the tedium of many other examples such as this charade to clean up the City while stifling and suffocating the institutions like the Mayor and City Council of money and management to allow them to do their work. Eric Mosley
Sunday August 31, 2014
Kaieteur News
South African Graft Ombudsman Refuses to Back Down on Zuma Probe Cape Town (AFP) - Named this year by Time magazine as one of the world’s 100 most influential people, South Africa’s Public Protector Thuli Madonsela would probably top the government’s list of the most irritating. The softly-spoken 51year-old mother of two has shown a steely resistance to political pressure in her role as government-appointed ombudswoman, clashing head-on with President Jacob Zuma. In any country in the world her determination to hold the highest office to account would be admirable. In South Africa and many other countries on the continent it is revolutionary. Madonsela has become the figurehead for a wave of outrage over the spending of $24 million (18 million euros) of taxpayers’ money on socalled “security upgrades” at Zuma’s private rural residence at Nkandla in the southeastern KwaZulu-Natal province. It is just one of her many interventions against the abuse of power and the public purse since her appointment to the constitutional post in 2009, but it has caught the popular imagination and led to an unprecedented revolt in parliament this month. Zuma, 72, was questioned in the assembly over his response to Madonsela’s report on Nkandla, which found that he had benefitted improperly from the upgrades and should refund some of the costs. When he hedged his answers, the session collapsed in chaos, with a group of radical lawmakers jumping to their feet, banging tables, pointing fingers at him and yelling repeatedly: “Pay back the money”. Many criticised the rowdy disruption of parliament, but it was clear through both mainstream and social media that the sentiment was widely shared and that Madonsela had faced down government efforts to intimidate or ignore her. Not bad for a woman who grew up in a working class family in the segregated black township of Soweto near Johannesburg under the repressive racial policies of apartheid. Madonsela rose from those humble beginnings to become a constitutional lawyer, working as a technical adviser for the drafting of South Africa’s democratic constitution after the end of apartheid in 1994. That constitution was adopted by the government of late African National Congress (ANC) leader
Thuli Madonsela
Jacob Zuma
Nelson Mandela and included the role of public protector as a guardian against abuse of power and corruption. The ANC under Zuma has been increasingly criticised for abandoning the principles that guided Mandela, and the party has rounded on Madonsela over her persistence on the Nkandla scandal. On Thursday, she called a news conference and in typically calm and collected style outlined her role and announced that far from dropping the issue she has asked for a face-to-face meeting with Zuma. “Thuli Madonsela is an inspirational example of what African public officers need to be,” Nigeria’s former central bank governor Lamido Sanusi wrote in Time magazine’s commendation. “With her ability to speak truth to power and to address corruption in high places, Madonsela has been
outstanding.” Despite being academically gifted, her life was not all smooth sailing. In a “Letter to my 16-yearold self” — part of a series in Oprah Winfrey’s O Magazine in 2012 — she wrote: “I know you are socially awkward, plagued by a nagging feeling of being unloved and ugly. “Perhaps this comes from being teased about your big head and, more recently, two of your academically inferior classmates have started taunting you, too. Having two sisters whose beauty is always noticed and praised has not helped either.” But, with the perspective of a 50-year-old, she goes on to say: “Your fears of being unlovable were unfounded. You have been loved and supported beyond measure throughout your life.” Never more so, surely, than now, when she has widespread support and admiration throughout South Africa.
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Sunday August 31, 2014
155 missing weapons By Latoya Giles Attorney at law Christopher Ram who is representing the interest of the Working People’s Alliance at the ongoing Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry said that the comments made by Head of State Donald Ramotar towards Opposition Leader David Granger were “distasteful, inappropriate and improper.” Ramotar on Friday at a press conference called on Granger to return the 155 weapons that went missing
Kaieteur News
President’s comments about Granger was “distasteful, inappropriate”- Chris Ram from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) -while he was the Commander- after being issued to the People’s National Congress (PNC) Government in the 1970s. The President said there was clear evidence that the weapons issued by the Guyana Defence Force had ended up in the hands of criminals. According to Ram, in so doing, President Ramotar went further than former President Jagdeo who several years ago had alleged that weapons had been issued to Robert Corbin, who
Dem boys seh...
Cow Shit tek lead up When people mix dem wuk wid politics, dem does always end up in trouble. Cow Shit sit down at he desk and plan how fuh get back at dem boys because dem talk how he behave like de Queen of England and tek in three of he own children fuh wuk wid he at GRA. He get more vex when dem boys expose how much money he paying dem and while all this happen de Jagdeo clique didn’t seh nutten because all of dem blind to corruption and irregular behavior. Suh in he passion, Cow Shit decide to pick pun de Waterfalls paper because he claim how de paper expose he children to danger and how he got to find gun fuh give dem. He getting help from an Hanarable man who does get duty free too. Dem boys know that Cow Shit sick because he does run off nuff time, but dem didn’t know that he was so sick. But dem boys shoulda know that a mad man capable of doing anything and he ain’t got to get a reason. He tek lead up from a man who does sleep out more than he does sleep elsewhere, and seize two vehicles that a good man and he wife bring in and allow de Waterfalls boss man to drive sometimes. Dem boys want to know if in he sick head he plan fuh tek people property and give he children who wukking at he office. He couldn’t tek dem vehicle that he waive duty fuh Bai Shaan. He never explain how dem fancy vehicle wha Bai Shaan bring in gun wuk in de forest. But dem boys seh that de Creatah don’t wear pajamas. Cow Shit gun find that out. He gun toss and turn nuff night and can’t sleep because wickedness is a thing that does haunt people. He got to worry wha he
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gun tell de Creatah when dem meet face to face. He might get dumb just like how he does get dumb when people ask he about dem thiefing big ones and dem taxes. He also will get sleepless night when dem boys dig up some things like who gat three or four houses or building dem at de same time or who does give out duty free for excavators. Is plenty things does happen and dem boys got their wuk to do. Already plenty people talking. And dem boys notice that de Indian company, PATIL, disappear from its website. Dem boys search and couldn’t find nutten till one of dem suggest that de man who look like de devil advise Patil fuh hide because dem boys looking. Patil is de Indian man who look like de Devil in more than one ways…if yuh know what dem boys mean. Talk half and watch Cow Shit run off again.
at the time of the allegation was the Leader of the People’s National Congress-Reform and Leader of the Opposition. Jagdeo had produced no evidence to support the allegation. Ram told the media yesterday that President Ramotar must be aware that the Commission of Inquiry has not finished taking evidence, let alone analyzing that evidence, making its findings and recommendations, and issuing its report. “The President must desist from premature interventions which undermine the integrity of the Commission of Inquiry and those who are working assiduously to arrive at the truth” Ram stated. More so he said regrettably, the unmistakable inferences which are to be drawn from his intervention validate publicly expressed concerns that the Commission of Inquiry was set up not to determine the circumstances of and persons and agencies responsible for the death of Dr Walter Rodney, but to serve the political agenda of the PPP/C. During this past week GDF Lt. Col. Sidney James, Staff Officer On, General Two, under oath, gave evidence before the Commission. Prior to his testimony James had provided to the Commission’s Secretariat a witness statement which formed the basis of his oral evidence. During the course of his oral evidence James also produced a copy of a classified report dated January 11, 2008 arising from an investigation carried out by him on the directions of the then Head of the GDF Commodore Gary Best. He said that the
Attorney-at-law, Christopher Ram
Head-of-State, Donald Ramotar
investigation was carried out in August 2008 and according to his witness statement it was “to determine whether weapons on charge to the Guyana Defense Force were issued to external organizations.” The investigation was prompted by the recovery of “a number of weapons” in the Mahaicony Creek after a shootout between members of the Guyana Police Force and criminal elements. According to James’ findings, two of the weapons recovered had in fact been issued to external agencies, entities outside of the Defence Force. External agencies to which weapons were issued during the PNC Administration included the Ministry of National Development which at the time formed part of a single governmental agency, Office of the General Secretary of the People’s National Congress and the Ministry of National Development, and the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM). Two vouchers dated 18 and 19 May, 1976 indicate that the issues were made to and signed for by a Cde. R.
Corbin, in one case as PS, OPM and the other as associated with the Ministry of National Development. The evidence shows that issues to external agencies were made during the Chief of Staff’s stewardship of Col. Clarence Price (1969 - 1979); Major General Norman McLean (1979 - 1990) and Brig. Joseph Singh (1990 2000). At least two private sector entities - Mazda Mining and Omai Gold Mines Limited, were issued with
GDF arms, both during the period when Singh was Chief of Staff. Mr. James was unable to identify any provision in the Defence Act which authorizes such loans or issues to external agencies, the dangers of which are obvious. Under the Defense Act, the Defense Board is chaired by the President, an office which since 1992 has been held by PPP/C. During the entire period since then the Secretary of the Defense Board has been Dr Roger Luncheon, Head of the Presidential Secretariat. Ram said that he has been reliably informed that shortly after 1992, the then Auditor General wrote to Chief of Staff Joseph Singh notifying him of the intention to carry out an audit of the arms and ammunition of the Guyana Defence Force. “Had that audit taken place the arms and ammunition that James identified as outstanding might have long since been highlighted, enhancing the chances of a prompt return” Ram told the media. Under examination, James Continued on page 64
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IPA moves to Court to reverse New GPC’ status as Govt.’s sole drug supplier The brouhaha that erupted over a decision by the Ministry of Health to revise the prequalification criteria for drug suppliers to government has now landed in the courts. Lloyd Singh, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of I n t e r n a t i o n a l Pharmaceutical Agency ( I PA ) G u y a n a I n c , h a s moved to the court against Attorney General Anil Nandlall, with a view to having the decision by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), to name new Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation (GPC) as the sole prequalified sup p l i e r, dismissed. According to Singh in his petition to the court, the move by the Ministry was discriminatory of itself, or in its effect and decision. He further argues that the decision by the Ministry was unconstitutional, in that it violated Article 149 and as such has asked that the court order the decision that New GPC be the sole prequalified supplier of drugs and medical supplies, null and void. Singh’s petition is also seeking, “a declaration that
the revised evaluation criteria for prequalification for the supply and delivery of pharmaceutical drugs and medical supplies for the period 2014-2016, are so heavil y a n d o b v i o u s l y weighted in favour of a particular local supplier of pharmaceutical drugs and medical supplies to the government, that it renders the prequalification process unfair and unreasonable and deprives t h e a p p l i c a n t ( I PA ) o f equality before the law or e q u a l p r o t e c t i o n a nd benefit of the law and of the full and equal enjoyments of all rights and freedoms in contravention of Article 149 (D) of the Constitution is null, void and of no legal effect.” Singh wants the court to declare that the decision by NPTAB, that IPA did not satisfy the requirements, is u n r e a s o n a b l e , unconstitutional, unlawful, null, void and of no legal effect. According to the court documents filed by IPA, the company is looking to have the court declare that the revised criteria set out by the Ministry, violates the constitution and as such has no legal effect. He is also seeking a conservatory order
New GPC owner, Dr. Ranjisinghi ‘Bobby’ Ramroop
IPA’s CEO, Lloyd Singh
suspending or staying the decision by the NPTAB, that the New GPC is the only prequalified supplier to Government over the next three years. According to Singh, his company has been incorporated since 1990 and has been importing and selling pharmaceuticals and medical supplies in wholesale quantities to the Ministry of Health. Singh in his writ, states that in November last year, the Ministry of Health advertised in the state owned Guyana Chronicle, an invitation for companies to submit tenders to be
prequalified for the supply and delivery of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies and consumables from 2014 to 2016. According to Singh, IPA complied with this request and last February submitted an application which satisfied all of the requirements. He argues however that the revised criteria by the Ministry were only made public after the Ministry would have advertised for companies to tender bids to be considered. According to Singh, the revised criteria which features a point system and
some mandatory provisions, “arbitrarily and dramatically altered the previous criteria without discussions with the stakeholders and without notice to the applicant (IPA) and other suppliers.” He noted too in his writ that in July last, Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon, announced that the New GPC was the only company that met the prequalification criteria and as such Cabinet offered it’s no objection. According to Singh, IPA was never formally informed of the decision by the Tender Board or Cabinet. Singh said that he subsequently wrote to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, who in turn informed him that the matter was with the NPTAB. According to Singh, he has written to the Ministry protesting the decision by the Tender Board but “did not receive the courtesy of an acknowledgment of the said letter.” Under the contentious revised criteria, bidders had to demonstrate a gross annual turnover of US$5M and net assets of US$2.5M. Another criterion was that maximum score was to be awarded to applicants who would have paid $50M in
Corporate taxes, annually. Additionally, the company that has 50 or more employees, and warehousing capacity of 30,000 square feet in the city, will also gain an edge. New GPC is owned by Dr. Ranjisinghi ‘Bobby’ Ramroop who happens to be the best friend of former President, Bharrat Jagdeo. That company has been supplying the bulk of the drugs to Government for the past 15 years, ever since it was acquired by Ramroop in 1999. New GPC has been a feature in the Auditor General’s report over the years with several instances focused on multi-milliondollar deficiencies in the procurement and supply of drugs to Government. The purchase of drugs this year is expected to surpass US$25M. The purchases have been a major source of contention between Government and the Opposition for years now because of the seeming close relationship between its main principal and the Administration. Ansa McAl was the first the protest the decision by Tender Board. That company had also lodged a formal complaint.
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Kaieteur News
Canje Basin land deal….
India company shuts down website after Govt. refutes claims Days after Kaieteur News reported that Indian Conglomerate Ajeenkya DY Patil claimed access to some 60,000 hectares of land in Guyana as well as a number of concessions, the company has removed the website from which the information was sourced. The claim which was made by the Group, was debunked by Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy. The issue has now engaged the attention of Opposition Leader Brigadier (rtd) David Granger. Granger had told Kaieteur News on Friday that he’s astonished that this type of information has come to them by indirect means. The company claimed that it was provided with a 99-year lease on 60,000 hectares of land located in Canje Basin for a mega-farm with the Government of Guyana providing tax holidays, waivers on import and export duties and exemption from local taxes. Granger told Kaieteur News that the Party’s shadow Minister Dr. David Roopnarine, has already called for the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry and the Indian Company to be brought to the National Assembly and have it publicly vetted. The Opposition Leader said that they would not support something like that, which they feel “would jeopardize our own farmers.” The Ministry of Agriculture had initially stated that it had given approximately 10,000 hectares of land in the Canje Basin to the Group for “mega farming”. The company said it was also able to acquire the rights to not only what is above the ground but below, a significant allowance, as it could pave the way for mining to taking place in the concession. Ramsammy, in response
told Kaieteur News that he is “totally unaware” of the claims made by the Indian company. The Minister has out rightly denied that he or his Ministry has given any more lands to the conglomerate. “They are wrong…very wrong too…they first have to develop the 10,000 hectares which we had initially given to them.” According to the Minister, the group has not started to do anything with the lands allocated. He told Kaieteur News that DY Patil is expected to submit a proposal to his Ministry. Moreover, with regards to the groups’ claim that they were given “tax holidays, and a waiver on import and export duties, as well as exemption from local taxes,” Dr. Ramsammy said that he is totally unaware of this. The Minister made it clear that the group never asked for “these things”, adding that they would not be given them if there is no proposal. On the group’s website, on Thursday the conglomerate stated that the Administration will provide a single window clearance for all approvals like visas for importing labour. Further, Government will provide “sovereign guarantees” for successful funding of the project by international institutions. The company went further. It said that Government agreed that it will provide support in the building of a road along the East Bank of the Berbice River to the concession and will also facilitate development of internal infrastructure in the area. The group describes the project as a setup to an integrated agriculture business in Guyana. “The Ajeenkya DY Patil Group is the main promoter of this project and has already entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Government of Guyana,” the Group reported. “With extensive experience and expertise of
over 30 years in agriculture and related sectors, the group will bring solutions which will not only improve quality of agriculture produce but also improve quality of life for Guyanese famers and will be complementary to the present agriculture system in Guyana” the Group said. The Indian company is claiming that they would make investments which would create directly over 15,000 new jobs in the Canje and the Berbice River areas, when fully realized. It is estimated that another 5,000 jobs will be created indirectly, supporting almost 15,000-20,000 families (approx 50,000 Guyanese). The ADYP Group said that it has been assured of an active support from Government in the development of this project through a public–private partnership model. “It is a financially viable and profitable proposal for investors as each of the chosen agriculture sectors represents high growth and low risk,” the Group stated on its website Back in November, Ramsammy had debunked reports that special consideration was given to the DY Patil Group. He had also denied that there was any relationship between the Patil group and Surendra Engineering. Surendra Engineering is the company that was given the contract to build the Specialty Hospital, at Turkeyen, East Coast Demerara. It also constructed the Enmore Packaging Plant. Dr. Ajeenka DY Patil is part of the Patil group which is a major Indian company. Dr. Patil, besides being a business investor, happens to be Guyana’s Honorary Consul in Mumbai, India. He and former President Bharrat Jagdeo both received Honorary Doctorates from Warwick University in London. After accepting that doctorate, Jagdeo received another from D Y Patil University.
Sunday August 31, 2014
GRA’s seizure of vehicles...
The two vehicles being driven yesterday into the GRA’s bond at Eccles Industrial site. From page 3 two high-end Sports Utility Vehicles- an Infiniti Q series and a Lexus similar to what the Brijnanan’s had brought into the country. The approvals for those two vehicles were found to be highly irregular as vehicles and other concessions granted to investors have to be consistent with their activities. The Guyana Forestry Commission had made it clear that it does not grant duty free concessions. Commissioner James Singh had referred questions to GRA. Sattaur, when asked, said that GRA does not grant duty free concessions unless it has received the proper applications and paperwork. He also said that GRA was barred from giving out information on applications for duty free concessions. Orchestrated However, several Customs documents which he said were confidential, were leaked to the Guyana Chronicle by GRA, regarding the Brijnanans application for duty free concessions. There was no doubt, therefore, that the move Friday night was designed to bring Kaieteur News into a bad light. Media houses were tipped off and invited to be
present. A person who identified himself as a reporter from a prominent, independent newspaper even visited Kaieteur News indicating that he was sent by his editor to enquire of the raid. The newspaper, he said, had received a tip-off. Other television channels were also calling in, a signal that the move was a wellorchestrated public relations stunt. The Guyana Chronicle and the Guyana Times, a newspaper with links to the Government, were alerted also. Yesterday, GRA’s tinted vehicles were parked in front of Sankar’s Continental Park home, keeping watch. According to Sankar, GRA officials, some of them his colleagues, came knocking late Friday evening. They said that they were there to take away the two vehicles which they said were at the centre of an investigation. When shown the documents for the vehicles, they could find nothing wrong but insisted that they still have to take them away. “I then spoke to my lawyer and he advised me that GRA will need to present a court order. They had not done so and so, based on my lawyer’s advice, I asked them to leave. I told them that the vehicles belong to my parents and the documents I produced substantiated this.” GRA officials were seen talking to Sankar a number of times. Shortly after 14:00hrs, the two Lexus’s were driven out by Sankar and another man and taken to the GRA bond at Eccles. In a short statement to the media, Sankar said that after conferring with his legal counsel and family, he decided that the best course of action would be to take the vehicles in. “We are looking at our legal avenues and will be addressing this matter more at
another forum.” Yesterday, Kaieteur News’ Publisher, Glenn Lall, said that he was convinced that it was a vicious act by GRA and “some Government officials” in retaliation to reports by the newspaper on corruption and questionable deals involving public officials. A few weeks ago, Kaieteur News carried an article in which questions were raised about three of Sattaur ’s children working under him at the GRA. This obvious act of nepotism would not have been allowed to happen in other parts of the world. But Sattaur sought to justify this act. He claimed that his children, who are Britishborn, did not want to live in England because it is too cold. He added that his children had a right to work and he employed them, especially since he wanted to keep them under his eyes. Yesterday, Lall said, “Yes, the Brijnanans have been my close family friends for over 25 years. What is wrong if I borrow their vehicles? I also ride motorcycles and use other vehicles, even from my staffers, because of what I do on a daily basis. I have to be cautious. The real issue here is that they want us to be sidetracked in our work to expose the wrongdoings.” Lall added that the GRA Commissioner is the one who ultimately grants the application for duty free concessions. “The buck stops at his desk. Guyana is watching. People are no fools; they are intelligent people. They know the true reason for this charade and would understand it is also a personal attack on two decent Guyanese remigrants who believed in their country and came back here to live.” It is by no accident that GRA chose to target these vehicles at this time although they have been in the country for nearly two years, he said.
Sunday August 31, 2014
Kaieteur News
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NOTHING WILL CHANGE B
y the time the PPP returned to office in 1992, elements of the traditional capitalist class and the nouveau riche class were well positioned to ingratiate themselves with the ruling party. In fact there was a very smooth transition, with the leadership of the PPPC catapulting to the wiles (and wining and dining) of the propertied classes in Guyana. These classes exerted their influence on the PPPC. They were able to extract generous concessions from the government. More importantly, they were able to force the PPPC to emphasize a public sector investment programme that fattened their coffers. The working class in turn was assured that as the tide of economic growth rose it would raise their leaking ship. They got some elevation, but they saw superliners towering over them as the tide rose between 1992 and 1997. Reforms in the financial sector and donor financing triggered a boom in the first
five years of the PPP’s rule. It was the propertied class with its sunken collateral that benefitted from the pursuit of a neo-liberal agenda, which saw contracts being given to private contracting firms to undertake public works to rebuild the derelict infrastructure left by the outgoing PNC regime. These projects led to the development of another powerful class, built from the largesse of the State. This class had strong affiliations to powerful figures with the PPP. For many years there was a cozy relationship, the traditional capitalist class, the nouveau riche class that had developed under the PNC and this new class of super-rich individuals which had developed under the PPPC. Together these groupings imposed their will on the ruling PPPC. They became the ruling economic class. The cozy relationship between these groupings, however, began to suffer some stresses from around 2006, after the PPPC was returned to office for a fourth
consecutive term. Serious problems developed. The super-rich class that developed under the PPPC converted itself into an oligarchic class with tentacles reaching deep into the political directorate. This class bankrolled the PPPC elections campaigns. Rumours were even heard that this class was paying persons who worked in Freedom House. In effect, there was a virtual takeover of the ruling party by the oligarchic class. Today there are tensions between the traditional capitalist class and the oligarchic class. The latter is gobbling up important economic space formerly controlled by the traditional capitalist class. In Guyanese parlance, the oligarchic class “is calling the shots.” This class is extremely powerful and it is believed that this class is not interested in local government elections. This objection is not because the oligarchic class feels that the PPPC will lose those elections. That is next to near impossible given the demographics of Guyana.
The PPPC should comfortably command about 60% of the votes cast in any local government. They did so in 1994 and they will do it again. The oligarchic class knows this. The reason, however, why it is opposed to local government polls is because financing an election campaign costs a great deal of money and the oligarchic class is not willing to spend monies on something that it does not consider as important. It is not interested in local democracy; it is keen on having its puppets hold on to political power so that the largesse can continue to flow. Local government elections will not alter the governments grip on power at the centre, which is what matters to the economic oligarchs. The oligarchic class also believes that campaign financing – which the PPPC has virtually
outsourced to the oligarchic class – can be better deployed by them towards generating greater wealth. The oligarchy is the ruling class in the country. The political directorate is beholden to this class. And the PPPC has to dance to the tunes of the oligarchy. Donald Ramotar has tried to break this grip, but he has been unsuccessful. The constant volley of political fire emanating from the opposition has forced him into a defensive mode, and to become reliant within his government on the elements that are allied to the oligarchy. Facing an imminent no–confidence motion, he cannot at this stage break free from this class, because this would create a void in h i s p a r t y ’s c a m p a i g n financing. But that is not the bad news. The fact is that the other political contenders in
Guyana embrace an economic model that is similar to the PPPC. They have not failed to disprove the hypothesis of being more pro-business, and especially pro-big business, than working class. Things therefore are not likely to change for the working class, even if by some miracle the opposition parties are able to win free and fair elections in Guyana. Nothing will change. The only way for change to take place is for the dismantling of the oligarchic class. No one, however, wants to make that commitment, because just like class analysis, this will attract a leftist label.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday August 31, 2014
The mystery of the strangled footballer By Michael Jordan He was walking down Regent Street in midFebruary of 1996 when he spotted his old ‘squaddie’his friend from his stint in the military; the guy that the cops believed had helped to kill Michelle Jules. Who was Michelle Jules? She was the 17-yearod girl that they found tiedup in a bag at the bottom of Victory Valley hill. Some cynical Linden folk feel that they should have left Victory Valley with its old name—the Valley of Tears, as it was called back then in the really bad days; when the marauding ‘Nacet gang’, with guys like ‘Poison’ and the Beckles brothers went around raping and slashing couples with razor blades. They’re all d e a d n o w, b u t w h a t happened that day 18 years ago isn’t something that those of that era will soon
Michelle Jules
forget. On January 2, 1996, Michelle Jules, a member of Guyana’s female football team, left her home at One M i l e , Wi s m a r, a f t e r informing her relatives that
she was going for a walk. She failed to return. Six days later, residents of Victory Valley became aware of a stench emanating from a bushy area at the bottom of the hill. On
investigating, they discovered that the stench was coming from a black jute bag, which was covered with a haversack. Beneath that haversack was the decomposing body of Michelle Jules. The teen’s hands were tied behind her back, her legs were also bound and there were signs of sexual assault. Her forehead had also been bashed in, but an autopsy revealed that she had been strangled. The day after the body was found, detectives picked up three suspects. They were an elder from a spiritualist church in Victory Valley, another male accomplice, and a woman. The detectives had received information that Jules had visited the elder’s church just before she disappeared. Some suggested that the teen was a victim of a spiritualist ritual. They also received information which
suggested that a third man who attended the church, and lived at Linden, had participated in the killing. The man was also an exsoldier and former member of the Guyana National Service. One of the people that the detectives spoke to happened to be a ‘squaddie’ of the suspect. From what he recollected of the ex-soldier, the suspect was indeed capable of such an act. The friend made a mental note of this information. As fate would have it, the man was walking down Regent Street about a month later when he spotted the exsoldier heading towards him. The men passed each other and the friend immediately rushed into a store to contact the police. However, by the time the ranks arrived, the suspect was nowhere to be seen. About a week later, the man again spotted the
suspect entering a minibus near the Stabroek Car Park near Demico. He again contacted the police, and this time around they arrived in time to arrest the suspect. However, under interrogation, the ex-soldier denied that he had murdered Jules. Police were unable to find enough evidence to prosecute the man or any of the other suspects and eventually released them. The man encountered the suspect on several occasions following the previous two. Of course, they were no longer friends, and the suspect repeatedly made threats against his life. Close friends and even relatives of the victim declined to provide any information that could explain how Michelle Jules ended up dead in a jute bag in the valley of tears. If you have any information about this unusual case, please contact us at our Lot 24 Saffon Street office or by telephone. We can be reached on telephone numbers 22-58458, 2258465, 22-58473 or 225 8 4 9 1 . Yo u n e e d n o t disclose your identity. You can also contact Michael Jordan at his email a d d r e s s mjdragon@hotmail.com.
Sunday August 31, 2014
Kaieteur News
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== THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN ==
Man-kisser, the beacon of truth and human mystery Civilization will go on for thousands of years, and knowledge of what makes up the human being will be greatly expanded, but the mystery of the human will go on. We may live forever, but it is doubtful we will ever understand what makes people do the things they do. Last Sunday, a speeding driver ran a red light and almost killed my cousin, William Cox and his wife. At the station, the erring driver apologized and asked for leniency. Then an incredible thing happened. When both drivers were asked to produce their documents, the driver in the wrong had three missing papers – driver’s licence, vehicle registration and insurance. What makes people do what they do? You would think that someone behind the wheel of a vehicle and not in possession of vital documents would be extracareful. Last week, I was in conversation with a Guyanese I knew when I was
a UG student. He has returned to invest and live in Guyana. With a broad smile on his face, he said he always found it funny when he read the online edition of the Guyana Times and the many instances it referred to me as a man-kisser. He said he told his wife he would like to meet me one day to find out where this mankissing thing started, because he cannot conceive of me being a homosexual. My first reaction was that I don’t read the Guyana Times often and I don’t know they refer to me as a man-kisser regularly in their pages. He said quite often they do. When I explained who labelled me a man-kisser, this gentleman opened his mouth wide, wide and started to laugh loudly. The guy couldn’t believe it, I cannot believe it up to this day and I suppose all, not most, but all Guyanese in and out of Guyana cannot believe it. I was publicly called a mankisser by a man who is nationally perceived to be a
man-kisser himself. He is one of the most powerful politicians in the leadership of the PPP at present and once thought he was the monarch of Guyana. Not one person from the time I was born up to the present time ever hinted that I was homosexual. There is nothing I have done in my life that would cause anyone to think that I am a homosexual. And I am not a homosexual. But please note I have absolutely nothing against homosexuals. I have been married for thirty-six years to the same woman, fathered a kid and I find women aesthetically and sexually attractive. The comical irony is that the person who called me a man-kisser is believed by most Guyanese in and out of the country to be a practicing homosexual. His common law wife told the Guyanese people that one week after their religious wedding he evicted her from the martial bedroom. She
refused to answer a question from the media as to if the union was ever consummated. This politician is never seen with women at any public event be it a visiting performer, international football game, international cricket match, a national event of importance. Always, he is in the company of men. There is no visibility of a woman in this man’s company in public events. As a bachelor he doesn’t seem to date females. At fifty-one, he is not a father and remains unmarried. He has facilitated a number of homosexuals in top public jobs. I repeat; I have no objection to homosexuality and no objection to gays being in top position in the public sector. My issue is why would such a person try to deride me by
calling me a man-kisser when he is the man kisser? Why try to derogate me by putting a label on when the very label you wear. We come back to where we started. Could we ever understand people? The Guyana Times that often refers to me as a man-kisser needs to identify the mankisser who is a powerful figure in the origin of the Guyana Times and is believed by many to be one of the owners along with major shareholder, Bobby Ramroop. The Guyana Times makes you think that indeed we will never understand human beings. On the masthead of the Guyana Times are the words – “the beacon of truth.” But the Guyana Times hides the truth every day. Each day, the Guyana Times produces four published letters signed by
Frederick Kissoon people who hide their real names. That is 28 fictional signatures a week. If the Guyana Times is the beacon of truth, let readers know the truth behind its letter writers’ names. But most of all, even if the Guyana Times calls me a man-kisser, the Guyana Times has an obligation to its motto – the beacon of truth – to tell its readers who is the real mankisser.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday August 31, 2014
Book Review…Victory in the Jaws of Defeat Book: I WAS A SOLDIER: Survival Against the Odds Author: Necola Hall Reviewer: Dr Glenville Ashby Whether drafted or joining the military voluntarily, you are embarking on a life-changing experience. Some have argued that a genuine soldier is born while others are convinced that one can be nurtured into the art of war. Necola Hall’s stint in the British Armed Forces proves that neither theory should be discounted. Hall’s “I was a Soldier,” is not your typical war story. Don’t anticipate vivid accounts of exploding mortars; ear-splitting, superson i c s o u n d s o f fighter jets; aerial dog fights; infantry assaults, and reconnaissance missions. Nevertheless, it is a well-crafted story of a w o m a n ’s ambitions, struggles, fears and triumphs; markedly well short of the blood and gore of battle. Hall’s autobiography is moving and replete with timeless lessons on the human spirit. It is a gripping odyssey; a
template for success against tremendous odds. Hall’s work shows that a soldier is not necessarily defined by military nomenclature. A soldier is determined, resourceful, spirited, and focused on the realisation of a given task. No boots or guns required. Indeed, Hall has always been a soldier as she weathers a lost childhood that is stripped by warring parents, an absentee father, poverty, and a less than desirable early education. But she relished the resplendent look of a uniform, regaled with military epaulettes. Soldiering is in her blood. But there are hurdles to surmount. Many. H a l l ’s s t o r y g a r n e r s interest as she leaves Jamaica in search of greener pastures. But like many immigrants, the path to success is thorny and all too familiar. Be it in Birmingham or Bristol, lack of proper
accommodation, money issues, and culture shock leave a withering trail. Yet, she is glued to securing a career in the military. This entails transforming her mind and body. The physical aptitude test awaits her. She must brave inclement weather, run, strengthen her upper body to stand a fighting chance. She eventually succeeds although she maneuvers bureaucratic snafus that would have wilted the resolve of many. Hall displays enviable resilience, never succumbing to ‘whisperings’ to abdicate. Hall chronicles some tense moments during the 2003 Iraq war zone, such as seeking shelter in a container amid the sounds of incoming shells. She recounts the stealthy, heart-thumping rides in helicopters under the cover of darkness to avoid detection by the enemy. Her accounts also tackle departmental and interpersonal problems that could have well stemmed from racism. Through it all is her supportive husband, Michael, and more so, her unswerving faith in God. And it is her belief in God’s will and His overarching protection that
guides her through an existential crisis that matched that of any infantryman. Hall is battling more than Grad missiles and rocket-propelled grenades. Her nemesis becomes the psychological and physical trauma of a miscarriage caused by slipshod medical care. Her sanity and mortality teeters in the balance. Hall pens in harrowing detail, “We had named our baby Hope; she was now dead.....I took the baby tenderly in my arms and began walking up the corridor, sobbing and shaking from side to side repeating, “My baby! My baby!” It was a cleaner who saw me, and raised the alarm that a woman, looking very wild and in poor mental state, was walking along the corridor with a dead baby.” The couple’s faith is never shaken during this period of bereavement, as the “Word” took on new meaning. Hall details her husband’s reading of Isaiah 49:20-21 through a new prism and saying, “The Lord is saying that we are going to have children....I am sure that I have read this Scripture many times before and it’s the first time I am seeing this.” She adds, “We received this prophetic word by faith,
and started to worship the Lord in anticipation of what He was about to do for us.” Hall’s journey is turbulent, but in the end she lands safely. She is medically discharged, a proud mother and wife with a more fervent faith in the Infinite. “I was a Soldier” is evocative, even stark. It seeps with candour and raw a u t h e nticity. Interestingly, soldiering almost becomes tangential, surrendering to a more
panoramic view of life’s travails, minefields, and triumphs. Feedback : glenvilleashby @ gmail . com or follow him on Twitter@glenvilleashby I WAS A SOLDIER: Survival Against the Odds by Necola Hall Publisher: Hansib Publications Ltd., 2014 ISBN 978-1-906190-89-7 Available: amazon.com Rating: Recommended
Sunday August 31, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 25
My column
Machines-the challenge to mankind When I was a young boy growing up in Den Amstel, West Coast Demerara, there was talk that machines would replace man in the world of work. At the time I found this very scary, because I saw myself going jobless when I grew up, unless I positioned myself to get into the field that made the machines. The result is that I pursued studies in the sciences. When I grew older I found that the machines weren’t yet ready to displace mankind, that there were actually jobs for people like me. But the idea of machines replacing man in the world of work remains with me to this day. Recently I sat back and had a look at the advent of machines and found that indeed in many areas they have replaced manual labour. Going back to the days of the Pharaohs, at least according to the movies, men fetched royalty. These days there are cars and trains and planes. More recently, my ancestors dug the conservancies that stretch along coastal Guyana. Flying over these conservancies one would be surprised at how straight they are. This took a lot of manpower but they persevered. Today, there are
draglines. These have certainly removed jobs from many. In road construction I recalled seeing men spreading the road-building materials. Today there are so many machines that not only has the process quickened tremendously, but those in the industry must concentrate on getting people to operate these machines. It is the same in the mining industry. Cars are assembled by machines that are even more precise than any man ever was. These days the assembly lines are booming, to the extent that there have been instances of men protesting when the assembly lines became more widespread. This is not only the case with manual labour. When I joined the newspaper industry the typewriter was king. Every desk had a wastepaper basket that the cleaners emptied almost incessantly. From the typewriter the material went to a proofreader who used his pen to good effect. If the material was too badly marked then there was someone to retype it. This was then sent to a
typesetter who had lead slugs with all the letters. Painstakingly this man had to arrange the words then send the slap to the press after it was proofread again. Later the man who made up the words in such a painstaking manner had to find another job, because the typesetting was done by a computer. There were large cameras that converted the pictures to print quality. Those cameras have also disappeared, so the cameraman is no longer needed. There were also changes in the newsroom. The typewriter disappeared and with it the reams of paper. The typesetter also disappeared, only to be replaced by computers. Every office had a librarian, a woman who would painstakingly cut out clippings and store them in filing cabinets. She was the go-to lady whenever one wanted background information on any issues. She has been replaced by the ubiquitous computer. In fact, for the greater part, the filing cabinet has also been made redundant because the computer remembers just about everything. The computer is being taken for granted. There is Google that had replaced the voluminous Encyclopedia Britannica,
something that was a must in the home of every intellectual. He wanted to research something he turned to the encyclopedia. The people who published and printed those encyclopedias are more than likely out of jobs these days unless they continue to work to put their material online. In any case the people who packed them and shipped them are no longer needed. Regardless of the advances machines make in the world of work there would always be jobs for men if they want them. The worrying factor is that in Guyana many young men seem not too keen to contribute meaningfully by doing honest labour. I shake my head every time I read about a young man getting caught up in criminal activity. Perhaps from early in life they never thought about working, as I did when I was a child. And because of that I look back at the advances in the world of work. I see the development of cameras that have the capability to look at the surroundings all the time.
These cameras are proving useful in many cases, to the extent that events are captured and arrests are made. That being the case, one must wonder at those who dare to commit robberies knowing that there are witnesses all the time. But back to the influences of machines. Way back when people walked more than anything else. Going to the farm, heading to market and even walking to work was commonplace. The understatement is that people appeared to be healthier. But with cabs and minibuses more than a dime a dozen, we tended to walk less. A few years back when I walked less than a half mile my calves hurt; they were unaccustomed to the pressure . I changed that in a hurry, but I still see people going around the corner calling for a taxi. I have also seen people standing around for more than an hour waiting for a minibus when had they walked, they would have been home in less time.
Adam Harris The corollary is that those of us who recognize the importance of exercise get on machines to help us keep fit. Indeed, many use the roadways and the parks. I remember the joke about a fortune teller telling a client that the day would come when people would not be walking to work but that they would be running for fun. The client asked, “But running to where?” The fortuneteller simply said, “Running around in circles at top speed for the greater part.”
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Kaieteur News
Sunday August 31, 2014
The PPP has no interest in local democracy By Michael Carrington AFC National Executive Member The Government has been using the Parliament to postpone local government elections so they can bypass the laws that fix the date for the holding of local government elections, that President Jagan, as opposition leader had fought for, for many years, and which were held in 1994. Both Presidents Jagan and Hoyte had agreed that the date for local government elections be legislatively fixed. As a result, the date fixed by law is the first Monday of December every three years (Section 7 of Act 10 of 1990). The Guyana Elections Commission holds the authority to ensure that the elections are held on that date, however it seems that when President Jagan died local government elections died with him The PPP-C Government for seventeen consecutive years has refused under one pretext or another to ensure that local government
elections are held. This constituted another nail in the coffin for inclusionary democracy as dictated by Article 13 of the Constitution of the Republic of Guyana. The Minister of Local Government has seemingly internalized the unethical PPP-C dirty politics. He does not seem to understand that inclusionary democracy cannot be implemented without local government elections. Inclusionary democracy means that Guyana has to be managed by elected authorities. The National Assembly is one such elected authority, which makes laws, approves budgets and policies. The President is another elected authority, whose duties include assenting to Bills passed in the National Assembly, formulating policies, appointing members of commissions, appointing Ministers and ensuring that they do not violate the laws and constitution of Guyana and performing various other constitutionally assigned duties. The Regional Democratic Councils and the lower tier
local government authorities such as Municipalities, Neighbourhood Democratic Councils and also Amerindian Village Councils are elected at separate elections. Their duties and responsibilities are in accordance with the Constitution of Guyana. Article 74 reads as follows: 1. It shall be the primary duty of local democratic organs to ensure, in accordance with the law, the efficient management and development of their areas and to provide leadership by example. 2. Local democratic organs shall organize popular co-operation in respect of the political, economic, cultural and social life of their areas and shall co-operate with the social organizations of the working People. 3. It shall be the duty of local democratic organs to maintain and protect public property, improve working and living conditions, promote the social and cultural life of the people, raise the level of civic consciousness, preserve law and order, consolidate the rule of law and safeguard the right
of the citizens. If any Minister reads the duties of Local Democratic Organs as identified above with a clean and just mind, they will understand that it is the local government authorities who hold the power to develop their local government area and not the Minister of Local Government. The Minister can only be a provider and helper to the local government authorities as stated in section 5 of Act 12 of 1980 and not the director of local government authorities. The PPP-C Ministers seem not to understand that the absence of local government elections and consequently the failure to have new councilors will result in, as it has, the crumbling of the foundation of the local administration. Any system, if it is to survive and be effective, has to have the infusion of new ideas and new personnel in order to sustain job creation and development. The General Secretary of the PPP-C, Mr. Clement Rohee, also seems not to understand the importance of local government elections. His press release on Tuesday August 5, 2014 was laughable as he accused the Stabroek News of being unethical for their continuous statements condemning the non-holding of local government elections. Mr. Rohee obviously does not understand how the word unethical should be used, and it definitely can be used to describe a government that deliberately refuses to hold local government elections and thus deprives the people of their right to elect representatives on their local
government authorities. It definitely does not apply to a newspaper whose editor is calling on the Government to do what is right in accordance with the Law and the Constitution of Guyana. The PPP-C Government continuously complains about the Mayor and City Council, not performing their duties, yet they do not want to remove the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown by holding elections. The Mayor has been in this position for 20 years, but this is not his fault. It is the fault of the Government for not holding local government elections. In their comments about the city, the Government keeps knitting a web of deception. We all want our City to be clean, but the Government does not want to provide new laws or systems for generating revenue for the management of the City of Georgetown. Not even a 5% of the hundreds of millions of dollars they collected in Georgetown, from VAT and other taxes, is given to the City Council. The Government also does not want to hold local government elections because they want to usurp the authorities of municipalities and neighbourhood democratic councils by appointing IMCs dominated by PPP-C members who they can control. They also budget for billions of dollars to be spent in local authority areas where they do not have the authority to carry out the duties of the council. The PPP-C is fighting hard to get political mileage to stay in power, using state funds, through the Minister of Local Government, to do
the council’s work. The Minister’s duty is to support local government authorities. While he may apply for a financial grant from the consolidated fund, as requested by a Regional Democratic Council for any Local council within the Region, he has no authority to spend the money by himself in local government areas. Sections 13 and 14 of 28:02 do not apply to municipalities or neighborhood democratic councils. He is also usurping the powers of elected councils by appointing staff for local government authorities. The High Court has ruled that he has no such authority. He is also illegally moving staff in and out of regions, creating problems in the family life of persons in the regions. The PPP-C is quite prepared to destroy whatever they cannot have full control over. Just look at City Hall, the Kitty Market, the Stabroek Market and the cemetery. All have deteriorated since the PPP-C gained power in 1992. I cannot forgive the PPP-C for the destruction they caused in the systems of local governance. They quite rightly condemned the PNC, but now they have done the same thing. I know the leaders of the AFC would deliver us from the unjust humans that manage our country and I hereby call upon all of our citizens who believe in justice to join with us to make Guyana a better place for the next generation. Ethnicity can blind us in our search for betterment, but we need to deal with the issues that affect us and make decisions that are issue-based or Guyana would have no future.
Sunday August 31, 2014
SUNDAY SPECIAL DESPITE FULL PAGEADS WHICH CLAIM COMPLIANCE….BAI SHAN LIN DELINQUENT WITH NIS AND PAYE PAYMENTS Even though Chinese Logging Company Bai Shan Lin in a full page advertisement claims to be creating jobs and contributing to Guyana, it has not been up to date in its NIS and PAYE payments. Checks revealed that the company, Bai Shan Lin International Forest Development which was registered in 2007 only started paying NIS and PAYE in 2013. Bai Shan Lin Housing and Construction Inc which was registered in 2012 only paid NIS and PAYE in October 2013. Further checks revealed that Bai Shan Lin Ship Building Inc which was registered in 2012 has never paid NIS or PAYE. Bai Shan Lin Mining Development Inc was registered in August 2013 and has never paid any NIS or PAYE contributions. The records are a clear contradiction of what the advertisement by Bai Shan Lin claimed. In the advertisement, BSL stated that it is committed to abiding by the laws of Guyana in its execution of work in the forestry sector. It is unclear whether workers are required to pay their own NIS and PAYE, but the company has not been up to date with payments, one source explained. GFC ILLEGALLY PAID OVER $600M TO NICIL The Annual Reports and the Audited Financial Statements of the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) leaves more worrying questions than convincing answers, particularly as it relates to transparency and accountability. Chartered Accountant, Chris Ram among other critics, upon doing a detailed analysis of the Annual Reports of the agency for the years, 2005-2012 all of which were laid in the National Assembly in November 2013 found several alarming deficiencies and irregularities. But even in the face of these, the reports were granted “unqualified opinions” by the Auditor General. When a report is given an unqualified opinion by an auditor, it means that he has vouched for the authenticity, accuracy and transparency of the information presented to him. The reports reveal that for several years, the Commission has been transferring millions to the
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National Industrial & Commercial Investments Ltd (NICIL) and the Environmental Protection Agency, which is against the law. Ram contends that for the $600 million that the GFC allowed to be paid over to NICIL, all its directors should be hauled before the courts while NICIL should be investigated and disbanded. He said that the combination of NICIL/GFC is not only an insult to the intelligence of Guyanese but a challenge and an affront to decency. MONDAY EDITION GREENIDGE SLAMS GUYSUCO’S ‘NEW’ BOARD Shadow Finance Minister of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Carl Greenidge believes that the crisis of confidence in Guyana is due to a number of factors, one of which includes the absence of performance assessment by the Board of Directors of Companies. He made specific reference to the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), which he said has been badly wounded by poor financial management, illinformed investment decisions, conflict of interest and corruption at the point of procurement. He opined too that the roots of these problems lie at the interface of Government, its Board of Directors and Management. Shaik Baksh, currently Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Water Inc. was recently appointed as GuySuCo’s new Chairman. Several past members were retained. Greenidge doubts that the Board’s new chief and old members will do much, if anything, to improve the company’s performance. He said that if one seriously considers the poor performance of the past members and the ‘questionable’ history of its new Chairman, then the supposedly new team can in no way be seen as credible enough to ensure the revival of the ailing state-owned company. TUESDAY EDITION IN WHOSE INTERESTARE GFC AND GOVT. ACTING…BAI SHAN LIN OR GUYANA? – CHRIS RAM As Government continues to vehemently defend the operations of a number of foreign logging companies, there are new revelations that suggest more wrongdoing in the Upper Berbice, Region 10 area. Over the weekend, local commentator and Chartered
Chairman of Chineseowned, Bai Shan Lin,Chu Wenze Accountant, Christopher Ram, visited the Bissaruni, Kwakwani and Ituni areas, speaking with loggers and residents alike. His visit would come over increasing questions regarding the arrangements that Government has with Bai Shan Lin, a Chinese logging company. The situation has also cast a long shadow over the arrangements with other foreign-owned loggers as the indications are that there is no enforcement to ensure that their commitments to establish processing facilities are being honoured. These arrangements include seemingly unlimited duty free, fuel and other tax concessions. Two other entitiesIndian-owned Vaitarna Holdings Private Inc. (VHPI) and Jialing, another Chinese company, are also facing fire for failure to invest locally in value-added processing, as promised in their investment agreements. According to Ram, also a lawyer by profession, there
New GuySuCo Chairman, Shaik Baksh are indications on the ground that Bai Shan Lin is selling the logs to its parent company in China. “This is what is known as transfer pricing and it should be of grave concern to Guyanese and to the Government if they really care about Guyana.” CITY HALL’S PRO GRANTED BAIL ON FORGERY CHARGE Public Relations Officer of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC), Royston King was Monday indicted on a forgery charge. King, 49, of Lot 3279 Canal Place, South Ruimveldt Park, Georgetown was taken before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on a charge of Forgery of a Public Document. He was granted $70,000 bail. The court heard that King, on July 13, 2012 at Georgetown, allegedly wrote a letter to Beacon Foundation and signed it as the Town Clerk (Ag), a portfolio that he did not hold at that time. The
Carl Greenidge Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee official was not required to respond to the charge since it was an indictable one. A bail application was made for King by his lawyer, Kendaise Rodney. She appeared in association with Attorney at Law Nigel Hughes. Rodney said that King, a Local Government Officer attached to the M&CC, is a father of six– the youngest being a 14-year-old. The defence attorney stated that the city official has had no previous charges or convictions and that he was not a flight-risk. The accused, she said, was willing to abide by any condition the court deemed necessary for bail. Police Prosecutor, Inspector Joel Ricknauth did not reveal the details of the alleged forgery. Neither did he object to bail. Prior to King’s court appearance, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) issued a press release in solidarity with King. APNU strongly condemned the harassment they say King is
Christopher Ram facing by agents of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) administration. WEDNESDAY EDITION GFCANNUAL REPORTS…GROSS IRREGULARITIES HIGHLIGHT SLACK NATURE OF OVERSIGHT BODIES – VIEIRA The gross irregularities in the Annual Reports of the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) for the years 2005 to 2012 which have escaped condemnation by the relevant oversight bodies not only highlight their weakness and lax nature, but bring their professionalism into question. This was the general principle that headlined the comments provided by Anthony Vieira who serves as an agriculture consultant to A Partnership for National Unity (APNU). The sugar production expert was asked to give his take on the anomalies that have been identified in the annual reports (Continued on page 45)
Logs ate the Bai Shan Lin’s Bissaruni stockyard Kwakwani, East Berbice River
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The old Christianburg Magistrates’ Court: remembering what once was The old Christianburg Courthouse, which was destroyed by fire in April 2011 The Christianburg Magistrate’s Court as it was
By Sunita Samaroo There once was a huge house which stood just off the left bank of the Demerara River. Those who are familiar with its story know it was a direct link to the country’s colourful but cruel plantation history. Yo u s e e , t h e o l d Christianburg Magistrates’ Court was formerly the residence of Government contractor, John Dalgleish Paterson, who ventured to these shores in 1803. After settling here, Paterson built a large house on the plantation which the British Guiana government later used for court proceedings. For some, Linden, a municipality with one of the richest historical backgrounds in Guyana, started off with American geologist George Bain Mackenzie, who kicked off the bauxite mining industry. However, there was life before Mackenzie. In fact, rich bauxite deposits were discovered in Christianburg long before Mackenzie’s arrival in 1914. Though, in the beginning Christianburg was merely a sugar plantation, it is now
regarded as the true genesis of Linden. In fact, the establishment of this community dates back to the days of Dutch occupancy. Paterson, the plantation owner had landed on these shores over 100 years before Mackenzie and had acquired Plantation Christianburg, once used for sugar, and had instead focused on the woodcutting business. At ‘Three Fields,’ he built a mansion nearby, close to the river which became a guesthouse for visitors of the early settlement. That edifice was reportedly one of the largest houses constructed in British Guiana during the 1830s. When Paterson died in 1842, the British Guiana Government took over his plantation and that house later served as the Christianburg Magistrate’s Court. The building, which originally served as the residence of a wealthy logging family, had really stood the test of time. Its structure had been modified to accommodate the proceedings of the Court, but many of its architectural (Continued on page 39 )
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Sunday August 31, 2014
2014 EDUCATION MONTH COMMENCES...
Message by Minister of Education Priya Manickchand Once again it is that time of year when we as proud Guyanese stop to reflect and celebrate our many achievements as a nation in the area of education. This September, we celebrate Education Month 2014 under the theme “Literate by G r a d e F o u r T h ro u g h Consistent Home, School a n d C o m m u n i t y Involvement”. And this year, we begin to observe this special month on the very day schools reopen across the country. We begin another promising and exciting year of teaching and learning and progressive growth in an education system that has shown remarkable improvements over the last two decades. Our education system today has arisen from a deficient and decrepit state where it teetered along the brink of destruction, with very meagre investments being made in it, and with
“A quality education has the power to transform societies in a single generation, provide children with the protection they need from the hazards of poverty, labour exploitation and disease, and give them the knowledge skills, and confidence to reach their full potential.” – Audrey Hepburn
Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand pass rates of approximately twenty-two percent. The promising structure it has become as a result of unmatched investment being made by government results in pass rates of sixty percent. Education month 2014 comes at a time when, amidst all that it has done and continues to do for
education, the government is on the brink of a no confidence vote by the political opposition. Notwithstanding the GUY$38B allocated to the education sector in Budget 2014 being the most money ever invested by a government in education in the history of Guyana, the
politics of the opposition is trying to undermine this investment by asking the PPP/C Government to resign. That Guyana, under this government, is the first country in the western hemisphere to grant each child in the public school system GUY$10,000, an approximation of USD50, the profoundly immoral politics of the opposition is trying to derail the progress being made by this government. Former Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Kofi Annan once said: “Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every society, in every family.” Guyana is currently
witnessing unprecedented growth in its education sector with the achievement of universal primary education. Every child in Guyana of the primary age cohort has access to a primary school. This did not just happen. This achievement is as a result of strategic government investment with a view to bolstering the primary sector of the education system. And should the government be allowed to serve its constitutional five-year term, then Guyana would have achieved universal secondary education. Approximately eightyfive percent of our children attend nursery school. Such is the trajectory of the progress made in our
education system that we have the most trained teachers we have ever had in the history of Guyana with just about 70 percent of our teachers being trained. In 1991 we had fifty-eight percent trained teachers in the education system. While we have much to be proud of and to celebrate and give thanks for, we as a Ministry are very cognizant of the fact that we have much work to do in order to bring our education system to its optimal standard. The Government of Guyana continues to do its part to provide the adequate resources to service the education sector so as to ensure our nation’s future leaders are afforded the best (Continued page 40)
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The old Christianburg Magistrates’ Court... The Patersons’ great house of the 1800s
From page 33 features such as the brick columns, wooden jalousie windows and timber shutters were kept. The old Christianburg Magistrate’s Court served its years as one of the famous landmarks in Linden and some may remember that there was a long stelling in front of the courthouse as well as two cannons. It is told that Paterson sounded these cannons when many of his friends and business partners visited him. In his book, Twenty-Five Years in British Guiana (1872 – 1897), Henry Kirke, a Dutchman who was the Sheriff for the Demerara area, recalled visiting Paterson’s great house. Kirke expressed astonishment at the house which he described as “one of the best built in the colony.” Today, most of the stelling, the cannons and the house are long gone but the nearby waterwheel still
remains as a solitary monument to the past. Unfortunately, this court, a noteworthy part of our history, was destroyed by fire. The existence of the Patersons’ 208-year-old great house was ended an early morning conflagration on April 12, 2011. The fire had reduced an important part of the Upper Demerara River community’s rich history to nothing but ashes and memories. Apart from the court proceedings, which were conducted weekly on Tuesdays and Wednesdays in the bottom flat, the edifice had also housed offices of the Regional Probation Department and the Linden Legal Aid Centre upstairs. Once located in Section ‘C’ Christianburg, it was at one time the only Magistrate’s Court in Linden. It is now, however, replaced by the old Linden Magistrate’s Court on Burnham Drive, Linden.
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Message by Minister... From page 34 education they can get. As the Education Month 2014 theme this year suggests, the Ministry is paying strict attention to early childhood education. The focus is on establishing literacy at an early age, ensuring that our young children grasp the concepts of literacy that are intrinsic to their further development in academia and life. Achieving literacy by Grade Four requires a strong partnership between and among the Ministry of Education, Schools, Parents and Children. We have to work together assiduously to ensure we positively change the literacy level of our children. The government and the Ministry can invest and craft policies to ensure we enhance our literacy levels, but ultimately success will be achieved when parents become more interested and play a more active role in their children’s school life. As we celebrate Education Month 2014, let us passionately strive to achieve our goals. Best wishes and may God bless you.�
Sunday August 31, 2014
President Donald Ramotar, every time he speaks about local government elections, manages to convey the impression of evasiveness. He was much more positive as Presidential Candidate of the People’s Progressive Party Civic – PPPC. Once in office, however, vagueness took the place of clearness. Ramotar made what many thought was a solemn promise in his party’s election Manifesto – Working Together for a Better Tomorrow. He wrote: “In the area of local government and governance, the next PPPC government will ensure, within one year of the 2011 general elections, that local government elections are held, bringing much needed reinvigoration into local government entities.” What could be clearer? Nearly three years have passed since elections were held and Ramotar became president. He has failed to keep his promise on local government election. Can he be relied on to keep his promises on anything at all? Ramotar, during his nearly three-year tenure of office, has given licence to his ministers of Local Government and Regional Development to
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destroy numerous local democratic councils, although not without resistance. Residents are resentful of the PPPC’s brutishness. They staged protests at the Corriverton municipality and the IrengSawariwau, Port KaitumaArakaka, Mathew’s Ridge and Kwakwani and other neighbourhoods against PPPC-installed, hand-picked interim management committees. The PPPC for over two decades has demonstrated its unwillingness to introduce Local Government reform, which is necessary to give effect to Article 12 of the Guyana Constitution. This states: “Local Government by freely elected representatives of the people is an integral part of the democratic organisation of the State.” This is what is at stake. Ramotar’s record of evasiveness on the critical issue of local government elections is an open book for all to read. As PPP General Secretary in 2010, he expressed his willingness “…to have Local Government elections under the old system.” He added, “…reforms could be worked on and introduced when completed”. Ramotar’s clear
intention at that time was to maintain the ‘old’ system. There is abundant evidence of Ramotar ’s continuing resistance to ‘new’ democracy. Ramotar should recall that, as a member of the National Assembly, his party used its majority to delay reforms. Contrived delays made it necessary to repeatedly pass amendments for twelve consecutive years since 1997 to defer the holding of Local Government Elections. The expressed purpose was: “completing the reform of the Local Government System in Guyana as required by the Guyana Constitution.” The reforms have now been drafted, but the PPPC’s resistance has been renewed. Ramotar, as President, has displayed gross disrespect for the National Assembly by refusing to assent to the Local Government (Amendment) Bill which had been passed by the National Assembly along with the Municipal and District Councils (Amendment) Bill, the Local Government Commission Bill and the Fiscal Transfers Bill. These had all been scrutinised by the Parliamentary Select
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Committee on Local Government before passage. Ramotar also ignored the Local Authorities (Elections) (Amendment) Bill 2013 which states that elections must be held on or before August 1, 2014. The bill was amended by A Partnership for National Unity in the National Assembly to enable the conduct of Local Government Elections on or before that date. Ramotar, back in March this year when asked when the PPPC administration planned to hold local government elections, said: “Well that is not yet decided. When we decide I’ll let you know.” Three months later, in June, Ramotar misleadingly remarked: “I too would love to have local government elections as early as possible. There is no resistance on my part…” He added confusingly: “…We are ready to have it. We are always ready to have local government elections.” The next month, in July, he again evaded the issue. He said: “Cheddi Jagan would have loved to have the elections periodically and on time. So would I and so would the PPP.”
Ramotar rejected explicit calls last year from the Ambassadors and High Commissioners of the USA, UK, Canada and the European Union for the holding of local government elections. They had stated, jointly: “Given the important and pressing need for effective local governance, we believe that 2013 should be a watershed moment for the people of Guyana – the year they can once again democratically elect their local government…the institutions and practice of local governance have withered on the vine.” R a m o t a r ’s obscure response was: “I don’t know what motivated them to do that…I have my own views on that.” Ramotar, in June this year under continuing pressure from the diplomatic community over his failure to call local government elections, responded: “I do not agree with this idea that the lack of local government elections was undermining democracy… what undermines democracy is when you listen to everybody’s telephone calls and read their emails and ban them from having collective bargaining in their own
country in different parts of North America and Europe.” What on earth did that have to do with local government elections in Sawariwau? Ramotar’s procrastination has been exposed by the Chairman of the Elections Commission. Given the passage in the National Assembly of the Local Authorities (Election Amendment) Bill which had provided for local government elections to be held by August, the Chairman announced in March that the Elections Commission was ready to “go into election mode” as soon as the date for local government elections is fixed. Ramotar is ably carrying on the PPPC’s tradition of evasion of democratic reform and local government elections. The PPPC is content with the ‘old’ system under which its ministers could remove elected councils and impose handpicked placemen. This is the reason that there is so much chaos in municipalities and neighbourhoods. Ramotar’s administration is deliberately undermining democraticallyelected local councils and inhibiting their development in order to maintain total control of the councils.
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From page 27 of the GFC by several critics. Chartered Accountant Chris Ram, Janette Bulkan, John Palmer and even other members of the opposition had given their take and in some cases provided a detailed analysis on the topic. Vieira in an interview with this publication noted that he agreed implicitly with comments made by Ram. Ram had said that the GFC is just another example of the perpetuation of former President Bharrat Jagdeo’s legacy of financial lawlessness, a state that is as wide as it is deep. He said that this state of affairs allows for the GFC’s “incomplete and deceptive” reports to be tabled and accepted by the National Assembly without any questions being asked or challenges posed. THURSDAY EDITION LOGGING SCANDAL… WATCHDOG BODY SAYS GFC’S SECRECY, STRANGLEHOLD ON INFO WILL CONTINUE TO RAISE QUESTIONS Transparency Institute Guyana Inc. is standing by its calls for an investigation into the operations of Bai Shan Lin (BSL), a Chinese company that is under scrutiny for logging operations. In its weekly column Tuesday in Stabroek News, the global civil society organisation which is leading the fight against corruption, said that statements by the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) defending the sector; is not enough to allay fears that some things are just not right. “…as long as GFC continues to operate in secrecy and disclose information selectively, such platitudes cannot resolve the legitimate concerns swirling around its stewardship and the state of our forests. TIGI stands by its earlier press release calling for an investigation into the operations of Bai Shan Lin (BSL), on the basis of a number of abnormalities now in the public domain…” T r a n s p a r e n c y International argued that as long as GFC maintains its stranglehold of information, there is no way to verify whether BSL indeed operates within the law. AFC KICK STARTS ELECTION CAMPAIGN IN REGION NINE The Alliance For Change (AFC) has turned on its power switch and is now in election campaign mode. The Party, which holds the minority in parliament, has launched its campaign in
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Region Nine, Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo. Campaign activities commenced in the Region two Fridays ago and the final meeting was held on Tuesday. The first to hear about the Party’s plans for Region Nine was Lethem. On Friday, Chairman of the AFC, Nigel Hughes, held a public meeting at Airport Road, Lethem, where scores turned out to listen and “gain hope.” That session was quite interactive as after Hughes delivered his speech, the questions came pouring in. In his remarks, Hughes highlighted the Region’s failure at CSEC, the pending No-Confidence Motion against the government, the need for constitutional change and the flaws of the Amerindian Act. FRIDAY EDITION GUYANAWILL GUARANTEE FINANCING FOR INDIA GROUP – COMPANY WEBSITE CLAIMS - SAYS IT WAS GIVEN 60,000 HECTARES IN CANJE BASIN Indian conglomerate, Ajeenkya DY Patil, says that it has been provided with a 99-year lease on 60,000 hectares of land located in Canje Basin for a mega-farm. The Government of Guyana will provide tax holidays, waive import and export duties, and provide exemption from local taxes, the company said on its website. The Ministry of Agriculture had initially stated that it had given approximately 10,000 hectares of land in the Canje Basin to the group for “mega farming”. There have been no announcements by Government of these new arrangements. The company said it was also able to acquire the rights to not only what is above the ground but below, a significant allowance, as it could pave the way for even mining to taking place in the concession. It is unclear whether the group has even started doing anything with the land allotted to them. Several calls between Wednesday and Thursday to Agriculture Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, went unanswered. MULTI-BILLION$$$ DRUG CONTRACTS FOR NEW GPC…GOVT. UNDER PRESSURE TO SCRAP ‘BIASED’ SELECTION PROCESS Weeks after Government
announced that it has selected a preferred supplier of drugs for its hospitals, there are now more calls for the decision to be overturned and a fresh selection held. “Any new proposal developed should result in the creation of a level playing field so as to enjoy the full confidence of all stakeholders and to allay fears of bias. Transparency, fairness, equity and competitiveness should be the watchwords. Every effort should also be made to avoid the outcome of any prequalification exercise resulting in a monopoly situation,” says former Auditor General, Anand Goolsarran. Wr i t i n g i n a w e e k l y column, r e c e n t l y, Goolsarran made it clear that there is strong evidence to suggest that the revised evaluation criteria for the prequalification for the supply of drugs and medical supplies were biased in favour of a particular local company. That company is none other than the New Guyana P h a r m a c e u t i c a l Corporation (New GPC), a company that has close links with the present administration and former President Bharrat Jagdeo. Its principal, D r. Ranjisinghi ‘Bobby’ Ramroop, is Jagdeo’s close friend. The supply of pharmaceuticals to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and to the Ministry of Health, has been a major chunk of spending for Government and has been
growing over the years. This year, the allocations are well in excess of $5B (US$25M) with New GPC set to take the lion’s share. Other bidders, including Ansa McAL Trading, have protested the stringent conditions set to select a pre-qualified company. They said it was virtually impossible for any company other than New GPC to be selected, because the conditions were designed to deliberately shut them out. SATURDAY EDITION RAMSAMMY DENIES ‘60,000 HECTARES’ CLAIMS BY INDIAN GROUP …SAYS AGREEMENT INKED WITH MINISTRY HAS EXPIRED Agriculture Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, has denied that his Ministry allocated more lands in the Canje Basin, or entered into any “new deals” with Indian conglomerate, Ajeenkya DY Patil. This is in stark contradiction to what the company claims on its website. The company claimed that it has been provided with a 99-year lease on 60,000 hectares of land located in the Canje Basin for a mega-farm. Moreso, they are claiming that the Government of Guyana will provide tax holidays, waive import and export duties, and provide exemption from local taxes. The Ministry of Agriculture had initially stated that it had given approximately 10,000 hectares
of land in the Canje Basin to the group for “mega farming.” There have been no announcements by Government of any new arrangements. On its website, the company said it was also able to acquire the rights to not only what is above the ground but below, a significant allowance, as it could pave the way for even mining taking place in the concession. Ramsammy, in response Friday, told Kaieteur News that he is “totally unaware” of the claims made by the conglomerate. The Minister has outrightly denied that he or his Ministry has given any more lands to the conglomerate. “They are wrong…very wrong too…they first have to develop the 10,000 hectares which we had initially given to them.” According to the Minister, the group has not started to do anything with the lands allocated. He told Kaieteur News that DY Patil is expected to submit a proposal to his Ministry. U p t o F r i d a y, t h e Minister said that the group had not done so. Moreover, with regards to the groups’ claim that they were given “tax holidays, and a waiver on import and export duties, as well as exemption from local taxes,” Dr. Ramsammy said that he is totally unaware of this. The Minister made it clear that the group never asked for “these things”, adding that they would not be given them if there is no proposal.
“I want to make it clear…the Ministry has nothing….no proposal, the MoU that was signed has even expired, and even if they go to GO-Invest they would be sent back to us since my Ministry has to pronounce on it.” Angry mob chases, kills Craig man after teacher’s robbery An angry mob yesterday beat a Craig resident to death after he reportedly robbed a teacher. Dead is Eldon Sampson called ‘Sixteen’ of Old Road, Craig, East Bank Demerara. The incident occurred around 11:00hrs at Samatta Point, a community that lies between Kaneville and Grove, about nine miles from the city. Sampson, according to family, was only released from jail six weeks ago after an armed robbery conviction that was committed on a prominent Craig businessman. N e i g h b o u r s a l o n g We l l Road, Samatta Point, were tight-lipped Friday, only admitting that they heard loud shouts and saw a crowd rushing into the area shortly before midday. Police in a statement said that it is investigating S a m p s o n ’s death. Investigators found him around 10:45hrs with multiple injuries on the roadway. “A bag containing $50,000.00, a cell phone and a laptop computer that were reported stolen earlier from a female resident were recovered by the police, along with a bicycle and a knife.”
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Harry Belafonte to receive honorary Oscar US actor and singer Harry Belafonte is to be honoured by the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences. The 87-year-old will be given a humanitarian award for his work as an activist on racism and equality issues. Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki, Irish-born actress Maureen O’Hara and French screenwriter and actor JeanClaude Carriere will also collect honorary lifetime awards. The prizes will be handed out at the academy’s G o v e r n o r s Aw a r d s i n November. Known as the King of Calypso, Belafonte has spent much of his life campaigning for various
causes including famine relief, education, Aids awareness and civil rights. He was an early supporter of the Civil Rights Movement and marched alongside Martin Luther King Jr. He was also named a Unicef Goodwill Ambassador in 1987. The academy noted his films such as Carmen Jones, Odds Against Tomorrow and The World, the Flesh and the Devil strived to bring attention to the injustices of racism and inequality. O’Hara, 94, is best known for films such as Miracle of 34th Street, Sinbad the Sailor and The Parent Trap. She was a frequent
FROM ‘SMITH’ TO MARRIED Jolie and Pitt couple announced their engagement in April 2012, seven years after their relationship caught fire on the set of 2005 film “Mr. & Mrs. Smith.” They will star in an upcoming film “By the Sea,” written and to be directed by Jolie, who will also coproduce the drama with Pitt. Pitt has said they considered marriage because it meant a lot to their children. As two of the most prominent and influential figures in the entertainment industry, Pitt and Jolie have taken on humanitarian causes as well as putting their muscle behind serious
film. Jolie, who won an Oscar for best-supporting actress in 2000 for “Girl, Interrupted,” was appointed as a special envoy for refugee issues in 2011 after a decade as a goodwill ambassador for the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees. Pitt, who coproduced the Oscar-winning drama “12 Years a Slave,” started a foundation to help restore New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Jolie, who was previously married to actors Jonny Lee Miller and Billy Bob Thornton, has also become a voice for women’s health issues. (Reuters)
Quietly, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie say, ‘I do’
P
itt, 50, and Jolie, 39, were wed on Saturday in a small chapel at Chateau Miraval, the couple’s estate in southeastern France, in a civil ceremony, according to a statement provided by publicist Martin Torres on Thursday. The couple - whose longrumored nuptials had been celebrity magazine and tabloid fodder and had sent reporters and photographers as far as India and Africa in search of possible “secret” ceremonies - wed much like they live: quietly and far removed from Hollywood’s spotlight. The power couple’s six children, all under the age of 14, took part in the ceremony, the statement
said. The “Maleficent” star was walked down the aisle by eldest sons Maddox and Pax, while Zahara and Vivienne threw petals gathered from a garden. Shiloh and Knox were ring bearers. “It was very much a family affair,” the statement said. Jolie and Pitt, who had said they hoped to wed once same-sex marriage was legal throughout the United States, were married under California law by a judge who traveled to France for the ceremony. Jolie’s father, actor Jon Voight, told U.S. TV entertainment program “Inside Edition,” “That’s nice,” when informed about his daughter’s wedding. Jolie and Voight were estranged for years but have reconciled.
collaborator with director John Ford, appearing in five of his films including 1952’s The Quiet Man. Miyazaki, renowned animator and cofounder of Studio Ghibli, won the Oscar for best animated feature film in 2002 for Spirited Away. The 73-year-old, who earned his third Oscar nomination for The Wind Rises earlier this year, announced his plans to retire in 2013. Carriere, 82, began
his career as a novelist before switching to film writing. He shared a screenwriting Oscar for the short Heureux Anniversaire in 1962. “ We ’ r e a b s o l u t e l y thrilled to honour these outstanding members of our global film-making community and look forward to celebrating with t h e m i n N o v e m b e r, ” academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs said.
“The Governors Awards allow us to reflect upon not the year in film, but the achievements of a lifetime.” Previous recipients of Governors Awards include
actors Eli Wallach and Lauren Bacall, who both died recently, director Francis Ford Coppola, Angelina Jolie and Steve Martin. (Reuters)
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Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) Test for Diabetes Once diagnosed with diabetes you may be placed on a treatment plan by your
health care provider. It is important for you to remember that your self-test
and HbA1c, whether good or bad, will give your doctor information about how your
diabetes treatment plan is working. If your results are not where they need to be,
then your doctor knows it’s time to make changes. The hemoglobin A1c test is also called HbA1c, glycated hemoglobin test and glycohemoglobin. Hemoglobin A1c provides an average of your blood sugar control over a six to 12-week period and is used in conjunction with home blood sugar monitoring to make adjustments in your diabetes medicines. Hemoglobin is a substance that is found within red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout your body. In patients with uncontrolled diabetes (meaning that your blood sugar is too high), sugar builds up in your blood and combines with your hemoglobin, thus making it “glycated.” Therefore, the average amount of sugar in your blood can be determined by measuring a hemoglobin A1c level. If your glucose levels have been high over recent weeks, your hemoglobin A1c test will be higher. The amount of hemoglobin A1c will reflect the last several weeks of blood sugar levels, typically encompassing a period of 120 days. For people without diabetes, the normal range for the hemoglobin A1c test is between 4% and 5.6%. Hemoglobin A1c levels between 5.7% and 6.4% indicate increased risk of diabetes, and levels of 6.5% or higher indicate diabetes. For diabetics the goal is a hemoglobin A1c less than 7%. The higher the hemoglobin A1c, the higher the risks of developing complications related to diabetes. People with diabetes should have this test every three months to determine whether their blood sugars have reached the target level of control and whether they are doing enough to control their diabetes. Those who have their diabetes under good control may be able to wait longer between the blood tests, but experts recommend
By Dr. Kumar Sukhraj checking at least 2 times a year. Once a diabetic can keep his/her HbA1C below the target level of 7% then they are on their way to delay the development of complications of diabetes. For those diabetics who never had an HbA1 done it is time to have one done so that your blood sugar control can be monitored. Please feel free to send an email to kumarsukhraj @yahoo.com or call 6228032 for further enquiry and discussion on the topic. Patient education plays an important in the diagnosis and management of diabetes and any other illness. Please look forward for a continuation of the discussion on health issues in the next publication. Reference: Larsen ML, Hørder M, Mogensen EF (1990). “Effect of long-term monitoring of glycosylated haemoglobin levels in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus”. N. Engl. J. Med. 323 (15): 1021–5. doi:10.1056/NEJM1990101 13231503. PMID 2215560. Lehman R, Krumholz HM (2009). “Tight control of blood glucose in long standing type 2 diabetes”. Brit Med J 338: b800. doi:10.1136/bmj.b800
Sunday August 31, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Nine months later‌
Red tape preventing crippled prison officer from occupying new house
Grass and vines have already taken over the new house built for injured prison officer Roxanne Winfield. By Dale Andrews When Roxanne Winfield received the keys to her spanking new home last December she had dreams of spending Christmas in a much more comfortable environment than the one she was enduring from the time she was shot in her head and left for dead in 2002. But from the look of things another Christmas might come and Winfield, the former prison officer who was crippled for life when five dangerous criminals broke out of the Camp Street Jail, might have to remain in the cramped dwelling she is currently sharing in Melanie Damishana, East Coast Demerara with her sister Jacklyn Gonsalves and her family. This state of affairs is a result of the bureaucratic
posture adopted by the local utility companies, and what can be described as the uncaring attitude of persons in authority within the Guyana Prison Service. Winfield lost her speech and her ability to move around unaided as a result of the head injuries she sustained when a shot from a shotgun tore through her head on Mashramani Day 2002. After winning the battle for her life, she has been confined to a wheelchair and her relatives, especially her sister Jackie, have since been trying their best to care for her in her current state, sometimes having to fetch her up and down the stairs whenever she has an engagement outside of the house. Through countless articles in the Kaieteur News,
most of Guyana was aware of her plight and the hardships her family was going through to make life a bit easier for her. Many, including her former colleagues in the Guyana Prison Service, and other non -governmental organizations came up with ways to assist the local heroine. One such organization is the Rotary Club of Stabroek which responded to one of the articles, in which an appeal for a wheel chair was made. And it was during the visit to deliver the wheelchair to Winfield that members of the Club became captivated by her positive outlook on life and the inner strength she displayed despite everything that she has endured. They saw that she was living in a cramped two bedroom house with her sister and her family and they
immediately decided that she needed a ‘disability friendly’ home, which would enhance her mobility. This was in February 2012. Habitat for Humanity was contacted and with monetary assistance though President Donald Ramotar, the project to build a special home for Winfield was underway. Labour was provided by prisoners from the Lusignan Prison through the instrumentality of former Director Dale Erskine. Using a piece of land at Nabaclis on the East Coast of Demerara that was left by her deceased father Compton Morris Collins, the project commenced. Several months later, on December 14 2013 to be precise, Winfield was presented with the keys to her new home in which she could spend the rest of her life with her two children Jamal and Anikie. But that is when the reality of trying to get things done hit home to her relatives. This newspaper understands that the Guyana Prison Service had undertaken to facilitate the supply of water and electricity to the house but to date this has not become a reality. Continued on page 64
Roxanne Winfield
Sunday August 31, 2014
Kaieteur News
VACANCY 24 Hour East Coast Guyoil needs night pump attendants, salesgirl, office assistant & handyman- Call: 669-4755/ 695-9880 FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. Spare for washing machine, microwaves, fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, pumps, etc call:225-9032,647-2943 1 Cupboard, 1 imported wall divider, 1 imported 4 piece table & chair, 1 stainless steel sink, 1 freezer (good quality & affordable price) Contact: 686-8343 White Tibetan Terrier pups for sale – Call: 649-4247 I have some nice Greenheart Logs and Green heart piles for sale @ the best prices guaranteed – Tel: 639-3450 German shepherd and Doberman mixed pups Contact: 615-0513. 1-25 KVA Generator (Diesel), food warmers, deep fryers, 1 RX8 Car – Call Raj: 260-4643 Parika Supenaam Route Speed Boat with 2-75HP Yamaha - Cheap! - Tel: 695-8381 Massey Ferguson 390 4X4fully renovated – Call: 6886274, 691-3851, 338-2591 Used electrical motor, 60HZ, 440Volts, 30HP, 60HP, 75HP,125HP, 150HP,200HP (in excellent condition) contact: 601-3194 or 266-2207 Minibus (pit-bull) sliding glass - $23,000, Premio$2.3M, Allion-$2.2, Noah$1.6 – Contact: 628-0909 Parika Supenaam run Boat equipped with 2-75HP Yamaha – Tel: 695-8381 Metal clothes rack, salon chairs, salon dryers – Contact Simone: 227-0501, 626-5317 Fluffy puppies for sale – Contact: 641-6162, 222-5671
FOR SALE Massey, Yanmar Ford 5000 Logging/ Agriculture Tractors, parts, Loader & Ford Truck- Call: 615-1578/ 694-3595: Tools & Chainsaw668-2831 6" Dredge complete $3,500,000 negotiable. Tel:604-1075, 655-2860 Garden Earth & builders waste our service also includes Bobcat rental, excavating, clearing & leveling - Call: 616-0617, 6633285 Cheap earth delivered to spot E.C.D, E.B.D, W.B.D - Call: 627-9977, 698-0182 Wind charger, air & Mechanical tools, entrance switch, electrical motors, 15 tires for pick up for miter saw – Tel: 641-7526/ 222-4158 2 Perkins engine 3.152, 14BT Cummings Turbo, 1-6 Cylinder German Deutz, Yamaha Outboard Engines, 2250HP & parts – Tel:6666618, 658-0337 Walkers, Sharp TV, & Walking Stick – Tel: 648-2651 Pit bull & German Shepherd, mixed puppies, location Eccles East Bank Demerara – Price $40,000 – Call: 6876072, 694-1900 Dell/Hp computers complete with LCD’s 49,000, Laptop from $50,000, I-phone 3GS $30,000 @ Future Tech: 2312206
Heavy Duty wood working machine, generator 110-120 3 phase, Lathe – Stop saw 10" Phase converter 220V3Phase & more – Contact: 330-2803 Exclusive designed saris, Indian Made - $5000 upwards, also Shalwars, Kurta and Gharas – Tel:2161210 or 648-8961
Sales representatives in G/ Town to sell Groceries & beverages. Send application to Maya @ Kaieteur News, 24 Saffon Street. Earn $5,000-$20,000, work from home plus free training, www.jobfairworldwide.com – Call: 233-6517/ 622-1957. Pharmacist and pharmacy assistant/technician must have 5 years working experienced in pharmacy – Call: 661-3124 Old forestry workers to work in the interior age 35-45 for more information – Call: 6519934 or 664-5150 LORRY DRIVER living on E.B.D, GUARD for Land of Canaan, accommodation available. 266 4427 Experienced Cashiers, cooks & counter attendants, apply to Hot & Spicy, Lot 112 Third & Albert Streets. Cook, bartender, security guard, handyman, maid for restaurant 25yrs & up @ Lot 44 Public Road Kitty/ Tel:231-1908/ 231-1912 Live in housekeeper to take care of infant – 35-45yrs – Tel: 697-8797 One Trainee refrigeration technician – Call: 231-0655, 683-8734
MERCURY/QUICK SILVER, 99.99999% PURE, GREY FLASK, USA QUALITY, SEALED, BEST PRICE. CALL: 648-5281 One Non – frost refrigerator - $40,000 – Tel:644-2634, 6871966, 222-0618 American Bully Purely bred razor edge bloodline – Contact Harry: 667-4845, 2207933
Yamaha outboard from 2250Hp 1-2003 Yamaha Jet Ski, 1- 2004 F150 Lariat, Miller Welder/Generator – Tel:6580337, 666-6618 High proof super custom long based mini bus, in excellent condition – Call: 646-8748
International Cruiseline Purser officer, waitresses, waiters, cooks, receptionist, storekeeper, cleaners, electrician, carpenter, plumber, musicians etc – Tel: 650-9880
CAR RENTAL DOLLY’S CAR RENTAL CALL: 225-7126/ 2263693 DOLLYSAUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM/ WWW.DOLLYSAUTO RENTAL.COM ProgressiveAuto Rental: Cars & SUV for rental- $4,000 & up per day- Call: 643-5122, 2 1 9 - 3 9 0 0 , Email:pro_autorental @yahoo.com
EDUCATION Caribbean First Class Elementary Thorough Reading, Phonics, Comprehension and composition program, lessons for Grades 1-6 – Call: 231-4161, 684-7403 Grade 1-6, also ready classes, Kitty Campbellville – Call: 654-8650 IAE (Secondary Educational) 194 Camp Street, register for Forms 1-5, Lessons, CXC Adult Classes for repeaters & beginners – Tel: 223-0604; 683-5742 Institute of Academic Supremacy (Alberttown) Forms 1-5 CXC Day / Evening Class, Phonic Classes 4, 5, 6, lessons – Call: 231-5676, 690-5008
WANTED Females to work in Bakery located in Best Village W.C.D Tel:254-1399, 627-2515 Carpenters and mason – Contact: 615-7526, 668-9863 Receptionist with computer and cosmetology experience. Hairstylist with haircutting and barbering experience- Call 2264573 Ice cream driver, age 4050yrs, Salesgirls 18-28yrs – Tel: 218-3021 One person to work on Sundays only & one person to work part-time – Contact:226-2320, or 193 Charlotte St. G/Town. Young attractive and courteous counter girl for Creole restaurant – Contact: 669-9678 Urgently needed live in waitress, affordable salary – Tel: 259-0574. 1 Experienced canter driver to work at Tuschen West Coast Demerara – Tel:6848231, 629-4236 Mason, Carpenter, experienced welder, clerk, secretary, farm workers – Contact: 265-3586 One mechanic to work in interior must know about RZ & pickup etc – Call: 681-6044 One live in maid to work in home in Georgetown – Tel:669-6030 One male/female to work in a shop in the Interior – Tel: 6816044. One 4 day domestic, preferably from East Bank only – Call: 681-3812 between 8:00am-4pm Experienced cosmetologist – Call: 639-3113 Live in couple for domestic and care taking duties – Tel: 227-1830 One live in cook / maid between age 40-45 preferably out of Georgetown – Tel: 2264942 One experienced wash bay worker, urgently needed must know to drive – Call:223-6474, 694-0569, 6931782 Responsible hire car driver – Tel: 231-7200 House to buy in Eccles, Better Hope, Providence, Georgetown, Herstelling, Vreed-En-Hoop, Cummings Lodge – Tel: 675-7292. Land to buy in Parfaite Harmonie, Schoonard, Providence, Eccles, Herstelling and All Low Income areas – Tel:675-7292 Handy boys to work – 16years and older, live in accommodation and fee meals – Tel:228-5655, 628-1756. A Cook at 1 Oak Sports Bar, Lot 23 Hadfield Street, Stabroek – Tel:660-3360 Attractive live in waitress – Tel: 228-5129, 604-8277
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SALON Make Up Courses, Artist Trained & Certified in Trinidad. Call: 660-5257, 647-1773
VEHICLE FOR SALE Special sale on new model Spacio, with camera, TV, DVD, Spoiler, unregistered $2.1M – Tel: 617-2891 Toyota Voxy - $1.8M, Toyota Premio - $2.3M, Toyota Spacio $2.1M, all vehicle are fully loaded – Tel: 617-2891 Unregistered: 2003 Premio $2.450M Neg, 2004 Spacio $2.150M, 2002 Spacio - $2.150 Neg. Tel: 616-3001, 270-5042 One Bedford 4x4 Hiab Truck $3.8M, One Toyota Hilux Solid Axle - $2.4M – Tel: 667-1833 Toyota Hilux Surf, RZN-185, 4x4, Automatic, Excellent Condition – Tel: 617-0544 One Leyland DAF 4x4 Winch bush truck - $3.2M, price negotiable – Call: 667-1833 We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 Tacoma- Call: 680-3154 AT192, 212, Allion, unregistered Premio, Hilux Surf, BNN, RZ & Pit-bull, 7 seater super custom. Cash / terms- Call: 680-3154 Unregistered Spacio 2003, TV, Navigator, dark interior, rims, rear spoiler, fog lamp – Tel: 617-5536 Special sale on new model Spacio, with Back & front Camera, TV/DVD/CD, Spoiler - $2M – Tel: 617-2891 2007 Mazda Axela, 2008 Toyota Premio, 2003 Toyota Verossa with TV & Rims – Tel: 615-4114. One Mitsubishi Canter 3½ Tons – Tel:626-9254, 264-2582 Motor Car Toyota Cresta (5X-70) – Contact: 225-9395 or 624-8788 Unregistered Premio, fully loaded- $2.3M, negotiable – Contact: 226-5473 Blowout Sale!! Unregistered, fully loaded Toyota IST, $2,250,000 & New model Raum- $2,250,000 – Tel: 6436565; 226-9931 1 Bedford Model M bush truck with winch on V-Good working condition PP series (all documents) – Call: 2180109, 662-8105, 623-9860 One Motor Car Runx PMM 3118 -$1.6M – Tel:644-2634, 687-1966, 222-0618 FOR HIRE Large enclosed canter Contact: 694-5460, 266-5771
SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. – CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Permanent & Visitors Visa Applications, Professional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building Call Sabita: 225-6496, 662-6045 Guyana Passport & Visa Forms Application, USA, Canada and England. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. Repairs & spare, fridge, freezer, A/C, washers, stoves. Contact Nick: 6831312, 627-3206 Repairs, sales & spares air conditioning, microwaves, washer, fridges & stoves. Ultra Cool, call:2259032,647-2943 School bus from Land of Canaan to Greater Georgetown and back – Call:646-5147 Professional grill works, razor wired installation, repairs maintenance and sliding gate etc – Call: 6616793 or 677-2482 We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer Call Omar: 231-0655, 683-8734 Dog Training: Have your dog properly trained – Call: 628-2826 For the best in landscaping, the most reliable & trustworthy landscapers call us @ 648-1821 Design Team Neher. BrianMoe @ 642-3543; Computer Technician; FB:Brian.Moe.165; Home and office visits at your comfort!! Newly opened taxi service N2N located at 70 Louisa Row, also cars needed –Tel:226-0076, 2260077, 231-6300 Eternity Investment Construction Company – Planning to Building or renovate your property? – Call: 615-5315/ 687-6072 For low cost: Repairs to fridge, freezer, A/C unit, microwaves, TV & washing machine – Call: 629-4946 or 225-4822 School Bus Service from West Bank to Swami School West Coast Demerara – Tel:624-0622, 614-5639
MASSAGE The Gent’s Spa: Be pampered by beautiful masseuses, new attendant Candy, four hands massages, drinks available – Tel: 657-5979 Continued page on 64
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Kaieteur News
Sunday August 31, 2014
Public support needed for repairs to landmark... From page 63
PROPERTY FOR SALE 1- 2storey wooden & Concrete house with 5 bedrooms upper flat & lower flat 4 apartments located@ Shell Road, kitty - $34M - Tel: 642-7898 Two storey concrete house (26X45 ft), 4 bedrooms, 3 washrooms, grilled with electronic security @ Granville Park, Beterverwagting Tel: 672-6169 Kitty- $35M, Mocha (2 Buildings)-$15M, Meadowbrook - $16M, Lamaha Garden - $55M – Contact Diana: 227-2256, 626-9382 One new ranch type house for sale in Roxanne Burnham Gardens – Call: Rick 664-2006 price negotiable! Property at Good-Hoop, E.C.D – Tel: 621-1722 Two storey with two three bedrooms apartment with kitchen , bathroom and toilet at Tuschen EBE – Contact:650-2982
TO LET Alberttown - $65,000, BelAir-$150,000, Kitty (Office Space)$65,000, Campbellville - $90,000 – Contact Diana: 227-2256, 626-9382 Lower flat @ L23-1015 Perry Street Tucville – Tel: 648-7621 Furnished 2 bedroom apartment in Linden for local & overseas guest short term rental – Call: 614-4415/ 444-4704 Small business space in Stabroek Area – Tel:2312619, 691-7164 2 Bedrooms flat @ Anira St, Queenstown - $80,000 monthly – Phone: 617-4261 One new 4 bedroom house furnished 5 minutes from UG$160,000 – Tel:641-7526, 2224158
Houses located @ Diamond - $32 Million Nandy Park - $45 Million Kitty - $35 Million Contact: 223-8479 / 647-3768 www.spaceseek.gy
From page 59 “We were waiting on the certificate for the wiring of the house from the prison and as soon as we got that we went to GPL,” her sister Jackie told Kaietuer News. As if the wait for the certificate was not frustrating enough, Jackie got the shock of her life when the power company called her about the application for the supply of electricity to the injured prison officer’s house. “GPL called and some of them came to my house to investigate. They asked me
3 Bedrooms flat @ Anira St, Queenstown - $120,000 monthly –Phone: 617-4261
FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 LEARN TO DRIVE Soman Son & Outar Driving School at Maraj BuildingTel: 644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997
LAND FOR SALE 1500 Acres Transported Land near Bartica Essequibo River Front to Potaro Road – Contact Mark Hack: 6031266 or 704-465-2222 At Eccles Housing Scheme price $5.5M - negotiable Call: 616-6000
PENPAL Guyanese male age 27 seeking female companion for serious relationship – Call: 691-4716 (no texting)
Three Acres transported house lots and 1 Acre rice land @ Golden Grove W.C.Berbice - Call:226-9582, 603-2095
Harold Patrick Sylvain an overseas based is seeking pen friends – Contact: 6633278/ Soesdyke Village 222, E.B.D
Parfaite Harmonie (100ftX50ft) high income area already land filled and cleaned (Dairy) – 2.6M – Call:675-7292
are made possible through the church’s resources, fund raising and donations. However, persons interested in contributing to the continued restoration of the church can do so by making contact via its website www.christchurchgy.com, on Facebook or at any Sunday service. Although “much is left to be done,” it is hoped that all works on the Waterloo Street landmark will be completed by 2015.
And in order to garner additional funds to aid this effort, the church will today be hosting a Curry Que at the Waterloo Street, Republic Bank Sports Club. The event is slated to commence at noon and will serve as a prelude to the October 11, 2014 annual Church fair. Restoring the church is seen as crucial since according to officials the church has made an invaluable contribution to the Guyanese society and will continue along that
path in the future too. The church it was noted currently exists “in an age which is becoming increasingly secularized and in which, to its detriment, a humanistic faith threatens to obscure and submerge the relevance of the Christian Gospel.” However the church is prepared to tackle what it described as a “disastrous and deleterious challenge” confidently and defiantly, a statement from the church said.
Red tape preventing crippled prison officer...
Three bedroom house to let in Diamond Housing Scheme – Call: 667-9499
Business property @ lot 6 Unity Street – Contact: 6657022 House & Land @ Canal No. 2 (7Acres) - $13,000,000 negotiable – Call: 686-4994/ 255-3070 Houses Located; Ogle $65M, Cummings Street $20M Republic Gardens $45M Parfaite Harmony $18M Contact: 223-8479 / 6 4 7 - 3 7 6 8 www.spaceseek.gy Wooden & concrete property for sale, land 150-50ft in D’Aguiar’s Park – Tel: 6861368
(From page 57) been invited to sponsor a pew too. This level of support a statement from the Church stressed “can be done in memory of a loved one or in thanksgiving for any blessing you wish to recognize.” An added touch to this programme is that a plaque detailing the contribution is displayed on each sponsored pew. Moreover, the church has disclosed that the much needed rehabilitation works
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about my meter and then they told me that if I owe them, it might affect Roxanne getting her light,” the injured prison officer ’s sister told this newspaper. “She can’t live in a house with no water and electricity,” Jackie declared. Winfield’s son Jamal Collins took up the task of getting things in order and he too is being held up by the red tape. He said that he approached the power company last month and was told that there was an outstanding balance listed for the address on which his mother’s house is built. “They tell me that there is an outstanding balance of $51,000 and they have to investigate. My mother never lived at that address. My grandfather was living there and when he died seven years ago, they broke down the house and built my mother’s house,” Collins related. He then had to contend with the Guyana Water
Incorporated to secure potable water to the house, and again he encountered barriers. “They (GWI) told me the name of another person who they said was registered to the place and that the water bill was never paid. I really don’t know what is happening,” Collins said. Another relative who asked to remain anonymous since she is employed by the state, made reference to the treatment Winfield is getting compared with a former senior government official. “Imagine this woman almost lost her life to save Guyana from criminals and this is the treatment she is getting. It’s not that she wants to get light and water free; we will pay for it. Other people like Jagdeo getting light and water free. We are not begging a favour. All we are asking is for them to do
what they are being paid to do and give Roxanne what she deserves,” the relative stated. Meanwhile, her son was not very complementary towards the current administration of the Guyana Prison Service. “The new Director is nothing like Mr. Erskine. I went to him to obtain a letter to take to GPL and he tell me that I got to help myself. I was surprised because it was the first time I ever went to him for any help for Roxanne,” Jamal Collins said. In the meantime Roxanne Winfield remains in the cramped two bedroom house on stilts while grass and vines have taken over her new home in Nabaclis. “She is anxious to move into her new house. She keeps asking about it every day,” Jacklyn Gonselves said.
President’s comments... From page 9 has testified that he was unaware of the action, if any, taken on the findings in his report. Ram said that it would seem obvious however that a copy of the report would have been submitted to and considered by the Defence Board more than six years ago. Given the obvious security implications, Dr. Luncheon as the Secretary to the Defence Board would no doubt have advised President Ramotar as Chairman of the Board of the findings of James’s investigation, Ram noted. “President Ramotar can make a significant contribution to this objective by ordering the Secretary of the Defence Board Dr Roger Luncheon to appear before the Commission of Inquiry with the files to give evidence” Ram stressed. Further, Ram said that the President must also call on the state-owned media not to misrepresent the evidence adduced at the Commission, nor must he himself engage in such conduct.
No chance of GuySuCo... (From page 60) be chosen to spearhead GuySuCo into the unknown, since we don’t exactly know where they are going… It is the ultimate stupidity …recycling persons whose claim to fame is failure and poor performance and not one with any experience in sugar… It is a shocking display of total contempt for the taxpayers of this country who may in the end have to carry this basket case industry in perpetuity with their taxes,” The sugar expert asserted. He added, “How dare they, given the dire situation of this Corporation, put such a patently unqualified pack of misfits to navigate GuySuCo out of the calamitous situation it finds itself today?” The decision on the re-appointment of certain Board members and that of its Chairman moved Vieira to assert that it certainly does not fill one with any confidence that they can bring about any improvement to the performance of the corporation.
Sunday August 31, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Sunday August 31, 2014
Ukraine says Russian tanks flatten town; EU to threaten more sanctions
People who have fled from fighting in eastern regions of Ukraine gather upon their arrival at a railway station, before heading for their temporary accommodation in the local cities and settlements of Siberia, in Krasnoyarsk, yesterday. REUTERS/Ilya Naymushin (Reuters) - Ukraine said Russian tanks had flattened a small border town and pro-Russian rebels had made fresh gains in its east, as EU leaders signalled yesterday they would threaten more sanctions against Moscow over the crisis. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, attending an EU summit in Brussels, said he was hoping for a political solution, but warned that his country was on the brink of full-scale war. Russia has repeatedly dismissed accusations from Kiev and Western powers that it has sent soldiers into its neighbour, or supported pro-Russian rebels fighting a fivemonth-old separatist war in Ukraine’s east. But Ukraine military spokesman Andriy Lysenko told journalists in Kiev that Russian tanks had entered the small Ukrainian town of Novosvitlivka on the border with Russia and fired on every house. “We have information that virtually every house has been destroyed,” Lysenko added, without giving details on when the reported attack took place. Ukraine’s daily military briefings typically cover the previous 24 hours. Lysenko said the rebels had made new gains just east of the border city of Luhansk, one of the rebels’ main strongholds, after opening up a new front in another area last week. “Direct military aggression by the Russian Federation in the east of Ukraine is continuing. The Russians are continuing to send military equipment and ‘mercenaries’,” Ukraine’s defence and security council said in a separate Twitter post. Kiev and Western countries say recent rebel gains were the result of the arrival of armoured columns of Russian troops, sent by Russian President Vladimir Putin to prop up a separatist rebellion that would otherwise have been near collapse. There was no immediate fresh comment from Russia on Saturday. Putin on Friday compared Kiev’s drive to regain control of its rebellious eastern cities to the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union in World War Two. EU leaders meeting in Brussels appointed Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk as president of the European Council, giving hawkish Kremlin critics in Eastern Europe new influence in the bloc.
According to a draft statement from the summit, the EU leaders were set to ask the European Commission and the EU’s diplomatic service “to urgently undertake preparatory work” on further sanctions that could be implemented if necessary. French President Francois Hollande stressed that a failure by Russia to reverse a flow of weapons and troops into eastern Ukraine would force the bloc to impose new economic measures. “Are we going to let the situation worsen, until it leads to war?” Hollande said at a news conference. “Because that’s the risk today. There is no time to waste.” European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said the EU was prepared to toughen sanctions against Russia but also that it wanted a political deal to end the confrontation. “We are ready to take very strong and clear measures but we are keeping our doors open to a political solution,” Barroso said at a news conference with Ukraine’s president. Poroshenko said the crisis was close to a tipping point. “I think we are very close to the point of no return. The point of no return is full-scale war, which already happened on the territory controlled by separatists,” he said. He added, however, that a trilateral meeting tomorrow involving representatives of Kiev, Moscow and the European Union could produce a ceasefire. The crisis started when Ukraine’s Moscow-backed president was ousted by street protests in February after he ditched a pact with the EU that would have moved the ex-Soviet republic firmly towards Europe and away from Russia. Russia denounced the pro-Western leadership that took over as “a fascist junta” and went on to annex Ukraine’s Crimea peninsula. Pro-Russian separatists then rebelled in Ukraine’s mainly Russian-speaking east in April, setting up ‘people’s republics’ and declaring they wanted to join Russia. A senior U.N. human rights official said on Friday nearly 2,600 civilians, Ukrainian government forces and rebels had been killed in a conflict which has led to the biggest Russia-West crisis since the Cold War.
Sunday August 31, 2014
Kaieteur News
Silva surges ahead of Brazil’s presidential vote RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Brazil’s once humdrum presidential race now resembles one of the country’s famed soap operas, with a newcomer thrust into the spotlight by a plane crash and the longtime favorite reeling from a one-two punch of bad news. With just over a month to go before the Oct. 5 vote, President Dilma Rousseff awoke to newspaper headlines yesterday announcing that Brazil’s long-sputtering economy had officially entered recession for the first time in more than five years. Worse for her, perhaps, were the other banner headlines splashed on front pages: A poll showing Rousseff trailing her new rival Marina Silva by 10 percentage points if the election goes, as expected, to a second round. “Yesterday must have been President Dilma’s most difficult day in a long time — she only had awful news,” wrote Merval Pereira, a political columnist for the O Globo newspaper. Silva was a peripheral figure in the election until Aug. 13, when a campaign plane crash killed Socialist Party candidate Eduardo Campos, who was running third, far behind Rousseff. Silva, who had been his vice presidential candidate, waited a week before officially filling Campos’ spot on the ticket, and her star has rocketed upward since, fed by widespread voter discontent over what many consider an inefficient and corrupt political system. Her life story is cinematic itself. Maria Osmarina Marina Silva Vaz de Lima, 56, grew up as one of eight children of an impoverished rubber tapper on a plantation deep in Brazil’s Amazon region. Her mother died when Silva was just 15. After a childhood during which she was infected with malaria five times, at age 16 Silva was hit with hepatitis and her father sent her to the Acre state capital of Rio Branco for better health care. She decided to enter a convent to fulfill her dream of becoming a nun — and to finally learn to read and write. There, Silva had a political awakening when she came into contact with priests adhering to liberation theology, a Latin American-inspired movement that promoted rights for the poor. She helped found the local branch of a union representing impoverished Amazon agricultural workers and advocated side-by-side with famed rain forest defender Chico Mendes. Silva, who became a devout evangelical
Christian, joined the now-ruling Workers Party in the mid-1980s and was elected as a Rio Branco city councilwoman in 1989. Two years later, she moved into the state legislature before becoming a federal senator in 1995. Newly elected President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva — no relation — made her his environment minister when he took power on Jan. 1, 2003. Silva left the post five years later after disagreements with other ministers on how to develop the Amazon region. She was particularly at loggerheads with Rousseff, who was then the nation’s energy minister and who pushed an aggressive agenda of building hydroelectric dams and other projects in the Amazon to spur economic development. After joining the Green Party, Silva ran in the 2010 presidential election and won a surprising 20 percent of the vote despite having little campaign ad airtime. The Datafolha poll released late Friday showed Rousseff and Silva now even heading into the first round, each capturing 34 percent of voter intentions. But when asked about a second-round runoff, Silva was favored by 50 percent to the incumbent’s 40 percent. The poll was based on 2,874 interviews carried out across Brazil on Thursday and Friday. The margin of error was 2 percentage points. The survey showed that Rousseff remains most popular among Brazil’s poorest, who have benefited from Workers Party policies that have lifted millions out of poverty in the past decade. But many Brazilians are frustrated by the state’s heavy hand in the slumping economy, and for the first time in years, consumer confidence has been steadily dropping. The country technically entering recession only compounds the anxiety. “This puts Dilma on the defensive and gives Marina ammunition, it gives Marina more of a chance to explain to voters how she’ll turn the economy around,” said David Fleischer, a political scientist at the University of Brasilia. But he said it’s not necessarily a fatal blow to Rousseff’s campaign. “Voters really only understand it if unemployment rises and inflation eats into their buying power.” Unemployment remains low in Brazil and inflation, while rising, is within the range of government targets.
Marina Silva, presidential candidate for the Brazilian Socialist Party, campaigns in the Rocinha slum of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, yesterday. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
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‘Bill will benefit one and all’ Trinidad Express Religious leaders Friday shared their views on the controversial Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2014, which was passed on Thursday night in the Senate. Among them were: Bishop Claude Berkley He said: “I have been out of the island for most of the year. What the bill has done was raise the level of political consciousness, which is good for the country. “I would think some aspects require time and more discussion among the interest groups before we finally sign off on it— especially the run-off. I think more analysis is required. We are a unique place and that evolution must be guided by the people’s consideration. It requires a lot more time to deliberate on it. President of the InterReligious Organisation (IRO) Harrypersad Maharaj He said: “I think people are reluctant to embrace change, irrespective of what kind of change. People live in fear and
Bishop Claude Berkley, Harrypersad Maharaj doubt. We have become a bit more mature in what we do. I think this bill is for positive change and development as an independent nation. Fiftytwo years ago, it was a different situation. And a lot has changed from then to now. And I think it is important to bring about these changes for the benefit of everyone.” He added: “I want to compli-ment the PM (Kamla
Man shot by police Barbados Nation - A man was shot by police early yesterday morning during a drug eradication exercise in St John. According public relations officer Inspector David Welch, members of the Drug Squad and Special Services Unit were conducting an operation in the Cliff, Cottage and Colleton communities about 5:30 a.m. During the operation, a man armed with a cutlass allegedly attacked one of the officers. He was shot in his left calf and transported to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital by ambulance where he is currently under guard. A total of 816 cannabis plants were found under cultivation in several plots hidden in bushy areas; the tallest being 11 feet.
Per-sad-Bissessar) for the courage and stance she has taken to bring forth this longawaited amendment that we need to the Constitution. She had even put her own political future at stake. That is the circumstance of the change. It has been a truly selfless and courageous act.” Maharaj said: “I think it is definitely for the benefit of one and all. I see it as an Independence gift in the right direction. Let us all embrace change and look at new initiatives for which we can go forward as an independent nation. It is a laudable thing.” Catholic Archbishop Fr Joseph Harris People voted on the bill. It was passed. Let us work with it. If we have something that was voted on when it becomes law. It is not law yet. If after working with it and the population finds it is not worthwhile, then we will change it. I am not a politician. I am not getting into that. “My task is to get people to live moral and ethical lives. If it is bringing problems, it will be changed.”
Sunday August 31, 2014
Jamaica-born US legislator calls for special prosecutor to probe New York homicide case NEW YORK - CMC - A Jamaica-born legislator has called on New York Governor Andrew Cuomo to appoint a special prosecutor to take over the investigation and prosecution of the homicide case of a Eric Garner, a black man killed by police by chokehold. Brooklyn Assemblyman N Nick Perry, along with several colleagues from the New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislative Caucus, has dispatched a letter to Governor Andrew Cuomo on the matter. Perry, who is Deputy Majority Leader of the New York State Assembly, referenced what he described as ‘striking similarities’ with the handling of the investigation of the Garner homicide and the infamous Howard Beach murder of Michael Griffith, a Guyanese native. In the tragic Howard Beach case, “the Queens County District Attorney had displayed obvious reluctance to act decisively and allowed the investigation to drag on, while disregarding the public’s cry for decisive and timely action,” said Perry, who represents the 58th Assembly District in the East Flatbush,
Brownsville and Canarsie neighborhoods of Brooklyn. “This is exactly what has been happening with the Eric Garner homicide investigation, and this has created environment that is only conducive to an explosion of public distrust,” Perry added. He said public mistrust and skepticism in the Queens District Attorney prompted the then Governor, Mario Cuomo, to act after only 25 days and appoint a special prosecutor in the Howard Beach case. “The family of Eric Garner, and all New Yorkers concerned with transparency, and that justice will come from this investigation, have already waited too long,” he added. On July 17,Garner, a 43-year-old father of six, was confronted by police for allegedly selling loose cigarettes near his home. In an encounter captured on cellphone video, a white NYPD officer was seen placing Garner, who is black, in a chokehold and forcing him to the ground. Garner, who was asthmatic, died a short time later and the city medical examiner officer’s later ruled his death a homicide.
22 miners rescued from Nicaragua gold mine after landslide BONANZA Nicaragua (Reuters) - Rescue workers have freed 22 miners who were trapped in a gold mine after a landslide in northern Nicaragua, and the government yesterday vowed to continue search efforts for several workers that remained stuck underground. Some 29 miners were trapped on Thursday after heavy rains provoked a landslide at the mine in the Bonanza project, about 260 miles (420 km) northeast of Managua, which was closed about four years ago after being deemed unsafe. Rescue teams will
continue search efforts, after freeing two miners on Thursday and another 20 on Friday, according to Rosario Murillo Ortega, government spokesman and wife of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega. “We are monitoring the situation, following up on all efforts to find the five or seven companions,” Murillo said on Saturday. Artisanal mining is legal in Nicaragua, the poorest country in Latin America, where it is used as a way for more people to profit from the industry. Bonanza project mine had been severely affected by seasonal rains in
the past, with another landslide two months ago killing two miners, according to Mineros S.A., the Colombian parent company of Nicaraguan miner Hemco, which operates the mine. Informal miners continued to work at the mine against the company’s orders, according to Julio Quintero, head of Hemco. Quintero said Hemco had continued to buy minerals from them until last week, when it decided it could not be sure where the product came from. The Bonanza project, which began in 1995, produces around 37,300 troy ounces of gold a year, according to Hemco’s website.
Sunday August 31, 2014
Kaieteur News
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“Allowing cricket umpires to take charge on the field again!” Recently, troubling situations have developed as regards especially international off-spinners being referred by umpires to be assessed by ICC regulators with respect to their suspect bowling actions. Latest are two veteran offspinners, Zimbabwe’s Propser Utseya and Pakistan’s world rated Saeed Ajmal, who had prodigiously destroyed teams world-wide. These situations are somewhat confusing! Budding Bangladeshi offspinner, Sohag Gazi, who made his international debut in 2012, has also been reported for a suspect action during the recent ODI series v West Indies. Twenty-three year old Gazi had a recent birthday present that he could not enjoy, after
playing ten Tests, twenty ODI’s and nine T-20-I’s; sixty four wickets for his country. He will be tested in September, when his present tour to WI ends. Twenty-nine year-old Utseya has played for Zimbabwe since 2004 – fully ten years – with four Tests, one hundred fifty seven ODI’s and twenty nine T20-I’s; 157 wickets for his country. He has never been thought to have a suspect bowling action. Suddenly, he is referred for exactly that! Thirty-six year-old Ajmal’s case is worse. He had been cleared after having similar assessments in the past, so this new assessment can be almost career-ending after debuting in 2008; Pakistan’s best recent bowler!
He has played thirty five Tests, one hundred and ten ODI’s and sixty three T-20-I’s; 445 international wickets overall. Last week, Ajmal traveled to Brisbane, Australia, from Sri Lanka, where his team is engaged in a tight ODI series, to undergo tests to confirm if some of his recent deliveries were fair or illegal. The obvious question is this: How did these guys, and many others, manage to play so much cricket over the last years without any problems or calls about their bowling actions? In the last year, New Zealand’s Kane Williamson, Sri Lanka’s Sachitra Senanayake, WI’s Shane Shillingford and South Africa’s Johan Botha, all off-spinners, have been sent for tests. Very interesting!
Sunday August 31, 2014 ARIES (March 21 - April 19): Any work today could require a higher level of concentration than you can muster, Aries. You might lapse into daydreams, think about personal matters, and feel guilty because you aren't doing what you're supposed to be doing. ******************* TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): Today your creative impulses could seem blocked, Taurus. You might be trying to reach your own or someone else's deadline. ****************** GEMINI (May 21 - June 20): A friend who planned to come over tonight might not show up, Gemini. You may worry, since this person isn't one to blow you off. ******************** CANCER (June 21 - July 22): Travel of any kind might be virtually impossible today, Cancer. Airports could be jammed, flights delayed, and planes plagued with mechanical problems. ********************* LEO (July 23 - Aug. 22): This isn't a good day to invest in anything. Don't spend much time working on speculative projects, Leo, and don't put your money into anything but gold, land, or blue-chip stocks and bonds. ******************* VIRGO (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22): A love partner could be gloomy today, Virgo. This might be the kind of day when no matter how many times you draw your mate's attention to the doughnut, he or she still sees only the hole. The glass is always half empty, never half full.
LIBRA (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22): You tend to be curious, Libra, and you're always trying to learn more about your many interests. But today you could be eager to research a subject but be unable to find any information about it no matter how many libraries or databases you explore. ********************* SCORPIO (Oct. 23 Nov. 21): The need to attend to business or networking obligations disguised as parties could get to you today, Scorpio. You may have been forced to attend too many of these recently, and now there are even more coming up. ******************** SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21): Your home could be empty today, Sagittarius. Other household members may be away and you could find it depressing. .********************* CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 Jan. 19): Someone close to you might be uncharacteristically silent today, Capricorn. Something is bothering them terribly, and they don't seem to want to talk about it. ******************** AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 Feb. 18): Financial worries might come up today, Aquarius. You may check your bank balance and find that you have little money. ********************* PISCES (Feb. 19 March 20): Today you might be so gloomy that you don't even want to get up. It might not be a good idea to stay home, however. Try to find some tasks to distract you.
Another adjunct question: What happens now to all of the wickets that these bowlers may have taken with supposed bowling actions that were being referred to as suspect? Being steeped in aviation, I know the usefulness of technology, automation, and absolute use of computerization in all of our lives, but one must also note that any machine could only work as it has been programmed to do, by some human, so as to operate well. Hence, yes, they could also be wrong! In 1998, West Indies played England in Test No. 5 of that 6Test series, at Kensington Oval, Barbados, during which I had great conversations with two better friends in the international umpiring fraternity. Umpire Cyril Mitchley of South Africa is one of the most honest cricketing people I have ever met. From a friendship and competitiveness that went back to primary school at UnityLancaster Government School, Mahaica, and Central High School; 1970’s; Guyanese umpire Eddie Nicholls, always productive for his schools too or Police Sports Club, was the other on-field umpire of that game. That was a treat, having conversations with people who were honest and willing enough to give their opinions and worrying thoughts about our great game. Unfortunately, that is not so anymore. Incidentally, our main topic of these conversations was that umpires can be replaced by robots! Neither umpire lasted much longer after those times, as apparently, nowadays, only almost humanoid robots can become international umpires. What else can anyone suggest, when present umpires make no more than token decisions anyway, seemingly expecting, probably relieved that most decisions would be reviewed anyway, removing their on-field responsibilities to umpires in the “box”, whose efforts are not always better! Older, former WI cricketers speak of umpires of a different time; Australians Robbin Bailache and Max O’ Connell, England’s Arthur Fagg, Dickie Bird and Dave Constant, excellent umpires who would not only give you out, or not, instantly, but would take the time to give reasons for decisions! When I played for WI, our best umpires were Jamaica’s Douglas Sang Hue and Trinidad & Tobago’s Ralph Gosein, with opportunities too for Barbados’ Stanton Parris and Guyanese Compton Vyphuis. Few of their decisions were questioned, such was the trust and continuity of the game. Do not get this incorrectly. Umpires
back then made mistakes too, but, generally, so few and so evenly dispersed that most were simply acknowledged, the game moving on. Sang Hue died recently, bringing an end to a legacy and era that would never return, since no longer are umpires allowed to make almost any calls whatsoever. Nowadays, no decision, not a “no-ball” call for throwing or over-stepping, or run-outs, can be done without standard referrals to screens for verification; technological aids programmed, ironically, by humans. How the hell do we know that these humanly-programed elements are correct anyway? But if that is the case, why are there any umpires on the field at
Colin E. H. Croft says: all, except that they are there to simply count six balls? The time is long gone, like the demise of the dinosaurs, when umpires like Sang Hue would ever reign again. Now, we use umpiring technology mostly for entertainment purposes. Enjoy!
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Kaieteur News
Sports View by Freddie Kissoon
Sunday August 31, 2014
Letters to the Editor
The ownership of the Amazon An Inglorious End to Alpha’s Warriors and political power Champions League Campaign Mr. Neil Kumar, in the Saturday edition (August 30, 2014) of this newspaper, sought to belittle the people in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) that awarded the championship to the Barbados Trident. What one must understand in reading Kumar’s poorly written, arid piece is that politics is more behind the protest of the owners of the Amazon Warriors. This argument forms the essential point of my article but a digression is important. I was nonplussed when I saw a column by Mr. Neil Kumar in the Kaieteur News. There are many reasons for this. First, Mr. Kumar is a member of both the board of directors and the editorial board of the Guyana Chronicle. Mr. Kumar is also on the editorial board of the Mirror newspaper of the PPP. Mr. Kumar then has access to two newspapers. Secondly, he sought column space in a newspaper that his party and government would wish to have it removed from Guyana’s social landscape. I might include the Stabroek News too. Both independent dailies face daily hostility from Mr. Kumar ’s party and government. Thirdly, this columnist knows that Mr. Kumar belongs to a cabal of hardliner within the PPP that is extremely hostile to critics of the Guyana Government. Against this background, it is hypocritical that he should seek space in the Kaieteur News to ventilate his misplaced an g e r a t t h e administrators of the CPL. Before I get back to the substantial issue, two questions need to be posed to Mr. Kumar as Director of Sports. When the three publicly owned swimming pools are going to be opened to the public? Castellani pool is used exclusively by members of the governing elites. Colgrain pool is only for members of swimming clubs. And the Aquatic Centre is for
training. In response to a picket outside the Aquatic Centre two years ago carried out by Malcolm Harripaul representing APNU; David Patterson, Michael Carrington and Gerhard Ramsaroop representing the AFC; and me and Mark Benschop demanding the Aquatic Centre be made available to the public, the Minister of Sports, Frank Anthony is quoted in the media as saying that the object holding up the availability of the centre is the employment of a life guard. After two years, he cannot find one. Well I can secure one of the most experienced lifeguards. I will wait for the Minister’s response. The other question that Kumar needs to be unambiguous about is whether he did indeed allow the Sports Hall to be used as a temporary abattoir for the slaughtering of animals for the wedding celebration of his son. Mr. Edison Jefford, Sport Journalist of the Kaieteur News wrote about that in the sports section of this newspaper and there has been no response from Kumar. The owners of the Amazon Warriors consist of one of the richest men in Guyana whose empire is closely tied up with power connections. There is also the strong possibility that the former political boss may be one of the owners. Ramon Gaskin, analyst and commentator on a television programme with Chris Ram referred to the former political boss as a very rich man. Where did he get that wealth from? Could it be from income from public office? Is that possible? The owners of the Amazon Warriors cannot believe that a person or group in the CPL could be so bold as to frown on these financial and political elites in Guyana. After all, these elites could do whatever they want in this country. They have so much power in Guyana that they
were psychologically devastated when they found out that they were not perceived as untouchables by the administrators of the CPL. The protest against the decision has more to do with pride, pomposity, hubris and hauteur than the actual input that went into the final award. The people who own the Amazon Warriors are so accustomed to having their own way that they forgot for just one fatal moment that the arbitration was not within their jurisdiction. That the people who were to decide the fate of the Warriors were not their little Guyanese underlings but professional administrators who couldn’t be bothered with rich men and political bosses who own the country of Guyana. Kumar is his usual uneducated self (remember he didn’t know what the ABC countries were and instead of naming America, Britain and Canada he identified Argentina, Brazil and Chile – what ignorance). We must remind readers that the same Kumar told the media that the hours of use of the Colgrain pool were reduced so as to preserve it. And he also told the press in justification of not making it available to the citizens of Guyana that people must realize that they must have a shower before they use facility. We are told by Kumar than a petition has been started to get the CPL decision reversed. Kumar thinks that the owners of the Warriors are in charge of the CPL. No. They are in charge of poor souls in Guyana that are happy to be fools and slaves. The petition will be ignored, to be signed by people like the owners of the Warriors themselves, President Ramotar and those too ignorant to understand that the world don’t give a damn about certain rich men in a Godforsaken country.
“The difference between amateurs and professionals” according to Alpha United’s Head Coach, Wayne “Wiggy” Dover in his post match comments, following his team’s 1-4 loss to Portland Timbers, in the CONCACAF Champions League match on 19.08.14 at the National Stadium, Providence. Editor, once again the visitors sublime performance, only this time around the margin of victory was justifiable. Since the Timbers were able to convert the goal scoring opportunities they created, while capitalizing on the hosts elementary mistakes! Once again the crowd support/attendance was poor, primarily due to a lack of proper marketing. The continued non-use of the print media for advertisements; featuring at least 5 pre-match write-ups, in the daily newspapers, along with strip ads would have aided significantly, the product of football as being marketable! Fliers/handbills featuring the two Brazilians surely would have attracted a few hundred of their nationals, with restaurants, hotels, bars and business places as the source of advertising. But for some strange reason Alpha’s administration on two consecutive occasions remained devoid of ideas! Finally, in a previous letter I did indicate that Portland
Timbers would have been a tougher opponent that the Honduran lineup and mistakes would have to be minimal. Indeed, this was a stark reality, since their display both tactically and technically was superior to that of Alpha. Nevertheless it also must be taken into serious consideration the sad state of local football. Wherein the nation’s National Club Champions with a large influx of foreign players, could not have given a more favorable account of themselves. Suffice it to say that on three previous occasions, once as a host, Alpha could not have won the InterGuiana’s Club Championship. So, in actuality the transformation to compete against a professional outfit leaves a wide gap, and until and unless semi-
professionalism is not seriously looked at, it is hardly likely the results will change for the better. The upgrading of coaches certification to a higher level remains of utmost priority. Neighbouring Brazil, with a FIFA accredited Elite Coaching course would be the ideal start for two locals. The Guyanese public ought not to be disappointed with Alpha’s performance, but rather to assess the state of local football, that offers nothing significant for development in comparison to what the visitors at club level offers, i.e. medical staff and warm ups for the substitutes! With one return match left for Alpha, having lost the return game to Olimpia 0-6, securing a solitary point which is hardly likely or scoring a goal would be a significant achievement. Since from two home matches and one away match, Alpha is pointless, winless and a goal difference of -10; after scoring 1 goal, while conceding 11! By the way what of the unprofessional display by the Grenadian international Kithison Bain, who is in the twilight of his career and refused to shake the coach’s hand, upon substitution! Would he continue to be a part of Alpha’s lineup? Respectfully yours, Lester Sealey
What has happened to East
Coast Cricket?
We on the East Coast Demerara have had enough of the cricket politics. The East Coast Cricket Board, while continuously fighting the DCB and GCB, has failed to hold elections since 2009. I understand that an attempt was made in 2011 but Mr. Bissoondyal Singh called a few friends for a drink and referred to the event as an AGM. How can someone who failed to have an election continue to parade as an office bearer? The youths on the East Coast are suffering. The Enmore club and, to some extent, Enterprise club
should be commended for continuing to liaise with the DCB and GCB to ensure our cricketers play in their tournaments. The former East Coast Cricket Board (note ‘former’ bec a u s e t h e y a r e n o w defunct) continues to make threats to deny these youths opportunities. The so called “Executives” of East Coast Cricket have been threatening clubs, cricketers and parents with court actions and ban if they participate in competitions of the DCB and GCB, while no cricket is being played under the
ECCB. One competition has been played for four years and is yet to be completed. I urge the clubs on the East Coast to seek help from the DCB and GCB. If we do not then we are depriving our youths from benefiting through these parent bodies, as the entire country seems to be collecting funding and equipment through their legitimate structure. Our national youth teams performed well this year and I must commend the GCB for these results. Please help us on the East Coast. Yours sincerely Anand Dyal Cricket Lover
Points leaders Grove Hi Tech would be seeking to further consolidate their position when they take on Kuru Kururu Warriors in the
feature game today as play in the Stag Beer sponsored East Bank Football Association division one league continues with second round
action. The day’s opening game from 13:30hrs will see Soesdyke Falcons coming up against Diamond United FC.
Prashad memorial T20 starts today in Wakenaam EBFA / Stag Beer Division One League
The Badri Prashad Memorial T20 competition will commence today with several matches in Wakenaam. Zeelandia will host Sans Souci from 09:00hrs and Noitgedacht at 13:00hrs. Good Success will entertain Sans Souci Jaguars from 09:00hrs while the Jaguars
will face Maria’s Pleasure at 13:00hrs at Wakenaam Community Centre ground. The competition is organized by Wakenaam Cricket Committee and sponsored by Oudit Prashad, son of the late Badri Prashad, a former businessman.
Sunday August 31, 2014
Kaieteur News
Rahim, Hossain shine on opening day Bangladesh closed the opening day of the three-day warm up match against St. Kitts and Nevis at 330-6 after deciding to bat at Warner Park. Mushfiqur Rahim fashioned an unbeaten 82 while Nasir Hossain stroked 78 not out. The pair came together with the score at 186-6 and so far added 144 for the seventh wicket. Rahim slammed five fours and three sixes off 126 balls while Hossain, who has so far faced 122 balls, reached the boundary three times and cleared it twice. Quinton Boatswain provided the breakthrough for the host when he had Shamsur Rahaman caught by wicketkeeper Jaleel Clarke for 10 with the score on 22 in the fourth over. Jeremiah Louis sent back Tamin Iqbal (20) before Imrul Kayes fell to Boatswain for 44 with four fours. Bangladesh then lost the wickets of Monimul Haque (10) and Mohammad Mahmudullah (27) to be reduced to 138-5. Shuvagata Hom hit 8 fours before he was
Mushfiqur Rahim
dismissed for 48 off 87 balls with the score at 186, but Rahim and Hossain carried their team to the close with
level headed batting. Quinton Boatswain has so far taken 2-35 and Jeremiah Louis 2-36.
ECB shortlist 18 for encampment Following two 50-over trial matches that were held recently at the Imam Bacchus Sports Complex ground, Affiance, the Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB) selectors have shortlisted an 18-man squad for the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Senior Inter County 50Over and 4-day tournaments. The final 14 will be named shortly. Anthony Adams XI defeated Royan Fredericks XI by one wicket in the first match. Fredericks XI batted first and were bowled out for 169 in 36 overs. Ricardo Adams cracked 36 and Kevon Boodie 33, Adams bagged 5-15.Adams XI replied with 170-9 in 31.3 overs. Norman Fredericks led with 42; Ricardo Adams snared 4-25. Adams XI triumphed by 90 runs in the second encounter. Adams XI posted 182 all out in 45.4 overs with the skipper scoring 59 and Eknauth Persaud 39. Ricardo Adams claimed 3-39 and Norman Fredericks 2-19. Fredericks XI were bowled out for 90 in 25 overs in response. Tulsieram Premnauth made 33, Royston Alkins grabbed 5-11 and Anthony Adams 3-25. The 18man squad reads; Royan Fredericks, Norman Fredericks, Wayne Osborne, Kevon Boodie, Denzil Harris, Tulsieram Premnauth, Greyson Paul, Ricardo Peters, Ricardo
Adams, Anthony Adams, Royston Alkins, Vijay Surujpaul, Anthony Ifill,
Hemchand Persaud, Eknauth Persaud, Mark Tyrell, Brian Hubbert and Mark Gonsalves.
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Foo leads Albion to 4-wkt four win over Rest of Berbice
Deonarine to lead Berbice in Inter County tourney A responsible 58 by m a n - o f - t h e - m atch Jonathan Foo led Albion to a four-wicket win over the Rest of Berbice in a feature 50-Over match played at Albion yesterday after reaching 173-6 in 48.2 overs in reply to the 172 all out in 49.2 overs made by the Rest of Berbice. The Rest of Berbice h a d a g o o d s tart of 46 between Shimron Hetmyer and Rafael Estriado before losing Estriado for 14 and Hetmyer for 27. It was a struggle thereafter with The Rest of Berbice finishing with an eventual inadequate total. Anthony Bramble top scored with a patient 49 and got support from skipper Devon Clements (24) and Krishendat Ramoo 22. V e e r a s a m m y Permaul took 3-29 w h i le Gudakesh Motie (223), Narsingh Deonarine (232) and Devendra Bishoo (236) did the damage for Albion who started slowly with Kandasammy Surujnarine and Balchand Baldeo putting on 28 in 7.5 overs before Surujnarine (11) was removed by pacer Raun Johnson who soon got rid of Baldeo (10).
Narsingh Deonarine
Foo joined forces w i t h D e o n a r i n e and put together 61 in 20 overs before Deonarine was caught and bowled by Ramoo for 28. David Latchaya and Foo put together 62 for the fourth wicket before Foo departed off Ramoo but Albion completed the formalities as Latchaya remained unbeaten
on 41. M e a n w h i l e , Berbice announced t h eir team for the Inter County tournament which starts on Thursday with Berbice playing the Regional double Champions National Under-19 team, which has replaced the President’s XI for this year’s tournament. This game is set the Everest ground. The Berbice team r e a d : N a r s i n g h Deonarine (Captain), Veerasammy Permau (Vice Captain), Kandasammy Surujnarine, Seon Hetmyer, Devon Clements, Jonathan Foo, Rajiv Ivan, Anthony Bramble, Jason Sinclair, Romario Shepherd, Gudakesh Motie, Krishendat Ramoo, Keon Joseph and Raun Johnson. The Standbys: Rafael Estriado, H erman Latcha, Kevin Ramdeen, Shawn Perrier, Joemal LaFleur, Keyron Fraser and Suresh Dhanai. Players are asked to report to the Young Warriors Cricket ground for training tomorrow for training. National Under-19 Berbice players are asked to report for training as well.
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Kaieteur News
ECCB cricket continues today The East Coast Cricket Board (ECCB) second division semi-finals for teams in the Upper East Coast Zone are set for today with Strathavon Cricket Club taking on Bravados Sports Club at Strathavon; the umpires being Cyril Singh and Gavin D’aguiar.
Unity Sports Club will meet Perseverance Cricket Club at Unity with Charles Gibbons and Guananand Sukhdeo in charges. In the Lower East Coast Zone, Enterprise Busta Sports Club ‘B’ battles Better Hope Sports Club ‘B” at Enterprise Community Centre ground,
the officials for this game are Kenalyn Baker and Dhanraj. All matches are scheduled to start at 10:00hrs. Chairman of the Competitions Committee Mr. Raymond Barton can be contacted via telephone on numbers 626 0223 or 220 1636 for further details.
Sunday August 31, 2014
Did you know? Did you know that Clive Oiler Watson, Vurlon Mills and Trayon Bobb are the only Guyanese players to register a double in World Cup Qualifiers? Since Guyana’s inaugural World Cup Qualifier against Suriname on July 4, 1976, only three players have the distinct honour of scoring a double. The first to achieve the feat was Pele FC’s Clive Oiler Watson. Watson scored twice against Grenada at the world famous GCC ground, Bourda when Guyana won that World Cup Qualifier 5-2, March 1980. He scored another double when Guyana eliminated the host 3-2 in the return fixture in St. Georges April, 1980.Conquerors FC Vurlon Mills emulated
Vurlon Mills
Trayon Bobb
Watson’s feat when he scored a double that give Guyana a 2-1 victory against Bermuda at the Providence National Stadium, August 2011. Trayon Bobb added his name to this illustrious list by scoring a double against El Salvador in San Salvador. Bobb’s heroics enabled Guyana a hard fought 2-2 draw. Please find below, players that scored for Guyana in World Cup Qualifiers: Vibert Butts 1976 vs. Suriname, GCC Bourda Keith Niles 1976 vs. Suriname, GCC Bourda Gordon Braithwaite 1980 vs. Grenada, GCC Bourda Clyde (Wholly) Forde 1980 vs. Grenada, GCC Bourda Ashton Taylor 1980 vs. Grenada, GCC Bourda Clive Oiler Watson (2) 1980 vs. Grenada, GCC Bourda Ashton Taylor 1980 vs. Grenada, St. George’s Clive Oiler Watson (2) 1980 vs. Grenada, St. George’s Terrence Archer 1984 vs. Suriname, GCC Bourda Anthony Stanton 1992 vs. Suriname, GCC Bourda Kevin Archer 1992 vs. Suriname, Andre
Kamperveen Stadium, Paramaribo Bryan Joseph 1996 vs. Grenada, GCC Bourda Carey Harris 2004 vs. Grenada, Blairmont Nigel Codrington 2008 vs. Suriname, Providence National Stadium Shawn Beveney 2011 vs. Barbados, Providence National Stadium Charles Pollard 2011 vs. Barbados, Providence National Stadium Anthony Abrams 2011 vs. Barbados, Bridgetown Vurlon Mills (2) 2011 vs. Bermuda, Providence National Stadium Ricky Shakes 2011 vs. Bermuda, Hamilton Ricky Shakes 2011 vs. Tr i n i d a d , P r o v i d e n c e National Stadium Carl Cort 2011 vs. Tr i n i d a d , P r o v i d e n c e National Stadium Gregory Richardson 2012 vs. Mexico, Azteca Mexico City Troyan Bobb (2) 2012 vs. El Salvador, San Salvador Gregory Richardson 2012 vs. El Salvador, Providence National Stadium Christopher Nurse 2012 vs. El Salvador, Providence National Stadium. (Charwayne Walker)
‘A’ Division... From page 71 advancement. He made a presentation of footballs to the Grove Hi Tech Football Club and promised that this would not be a one off arrangement; other equipment would also be donated to the club. Beginning next Saturday girls from ages 9 to 16 would be exposed to training in painting and the art of tie dying among other life skills that would be taught by Mrs. Hicken and her team.
Focus would also be placed on setting up youth groups to keep the youngsters active in a positive way this initiative would also lead to setting up of Scout groups in the area. President of the Grove Hi Tech Football club Kevin Anthony expressed gratitude to Mr. Hicken and his entourage for showing a high level of commitment and care that would see positive development in the community.
Sunday August 31, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Buxton United capture 38th NSC ‘Teach Them Young’ Cycle Programme concludes EDFA U-13 Football title ‘Fishy’Williams edges Eastman ‘More emphasis should be on developmental programmes’ says EDFA Official By Sean Devers Tw o m o n t h s a g o Betervewagting /Triumph United defeated Buxton United on penalty kicks to lift the East Demerara Football Association (EDFA) Under17 trophy but yesterday at BV Community ground, Buxton United Under-13s went all the way with a 2-0 victory over Mahaica Determinators in the final match of EDFA Under-13 league to push the BV unit into second spot. The match, played in scorching heat, began with BV at the top of the table on 17 points with a + 8 goal difference after their quota of matches were completed and only a victory by more than two goals by Buxton United, one of three teams from that Village competition, would be good enough to unseat BV United. Although Buxton United enjoyed more ball possession, their strikers failed finish the job and by half-time, which was taken after 20 minutes, neither team had scored.Buxton took the lead 10 minutes into the second stanza but they continued to throw away scoring opportunities and, with just a minute left in the contest, the BV team were already celebrating championship honors, only to watch in dismay as Buxton scored their second and deciding goal in the final minute to win the tournament, which commenced on Saturday August 16. Both teams ended on 17 points but the Herbert McPherson Coached Buxton United prevailed due to a superior
goal difference of +9 to BV United’s +8. Coach McPherson said Buxton United played better team ball throughout the tournament which was played after the staging of a Under-13 Coaching Clinic in the association. McPherson, regarded by many as the leading Coach on the East Coast, however feels that the BV United combination was the best team in the tournament due to the fact that their talent was evenly distributed in all areas of their game. He felt that the tournament was a good one, adding that he would like to see more of these grassroots programmes where the emphasis is more on the developmental aspects. “If we are really serious about Guyana playing at the World Cup someday, then we need to focus more on the Under-13s and 15s, but if we don’t look after the nursery of our football we would never have a real chance among the top International teams and an investment in youth must b e m a d e u r g e n t l y, ” McPherson stressed.EDFA’s Organising Secretary Joseph Wilson, who is also a Coach and Refereed many of the matches in this competition, shared McPherson’s view, adding that in order for football to develop, the emphasis must be placed on youth development.“You can never go wrong with youth development programmes and other associations should look at doing this also. We are the only association with such a
program for the year” Wilson stated. He encouraged other associations including Berbice, Bartica and Linden to run off such programmes and pick the most talented players to play in an Inter Association tournament where a National Training Squad is selected and developed as a core bunch. “Everyone wants to focus on senior leagues and money games because that is much easier and the rewards are much more than organizing football at this nursery level” Wilson concluded. Wilson lamented that the competition began with nine teams but after playing their first game, Victoria Kings, which according to him showed plenty of ability, had to be eliminated since they had nobody to bring the players to matches. After the final day, several prizes were handed out to the winners, runnersup, third placed team and outstanding individual performers. Buxton United, led by MVP of the competition, Kebo Durant, collected the first place trophy which was donated by Coach Aaron Blackman who made the presentation. BV United, like Buxton United failed to concede a single goal in the tournament and received the runners-up trophy while Buxton Stars took home the third place trophy. BV United’s Omari Glasgow took the award for most goals (6) while Custodian Tony Olge of BV United was adjudged the Best Goal Keeper on show.
Forde favoured to win AINLIM 10k today All systems are in place for the hosting of the fourth Neal and Massy Group of Companies’ 10km Road Race, commonly known as the AINLIM 10k, which gets underway this morning from 6am with the starting point set at Vreed-En-Hoop, West Coast of Demerara. Defending champion, Cleveland Forde, who has won all the AINLIM titles todate, is set to reign again today with any challenge unlikely. The race has shifted its course this year from beginning at Diamond on the East Bank of Demerara. For the first time, it will be journeying across the Demerara Harbor Bridge
- race to journey across Harbour Bridge from Vreed-En-Hoop to finish in front AINLIM at Ruimveldt. The steep climbs and slopes of the Demerara Harbour Bridge, which is largely asphalt over metal, could prove challenging for the athletes. It will be interesting to see how athletes maneuver over the bridge, which is also more windy and salted in air, brining into focus athletes breathing – another crucial element for distance running. Forde’s foes will hope those odds work against him. Nathaniel Giddings,
Dennis Horatio and Grivon Grant are some names to watch in the race today. Meanwhile, unless USbased Euleen JossiahTanner competes, Alika Morgan could be earmarked for yet another title. Morgan has competed on such terrains before including Suriname’s High Bridge and might be best adjusted to conditions today. The athletes will be competing for cash prizes and trophies in a race, Neal and Massy CEO, Deo Persaud, hopes to take nationwide.
to win feature 35-lap contest
The respective winners and other recipients of trophies display their accolades. Coach Hassan Mohamed is standing far right. By Zaheer Mohamed Marlon ‘Fishy’ Williams outsprinted Hamza Eastman to capture the feature 35-lap race when the 38th National Sports Commission ‘Teach t h e m Yo u n g ’ C y c l e programme concluded yesterday at the National Park. Williams of Roraima Bikers Club (RBC) clocked One Hour 16 Minutes 04.46 Seconds to better team mate Alonzo Greaves’ 2013 time of One Hour 17 Minutes 12.79 Seconds. Michael Anthony, Hamza Eastman, Alanzo Ambrose and Stephano Husbands dominated the early proceedings, but the race which attracted 35 starters gradually settled down into stern contest with most of the riders battling up front. However, Williams, Anthony, Husbands and Eastman broke away from the bunch in the tenth lap and managed to maintain a decent gap, until Williams and Eastman separated themselves from the others with nine laps remaining. The latter stages then boiled down to a grueling contest between the duo, but it was Williams who edged his rival in a close finish. Greaves placed third
followed by Anthony, Robin Persaud and Mark Harris in that order. Anthony grabbed three primes, Williams and Eastman two each and Husbands one. Jamal John grabbed the Juveniles 10-lap race in 21 Minutes 05.53 Seconds ahead of Cleveland King and Christian Griffith. John and King won two primes each and Griffith one. Emanuel Gaykoul took the honours in the Mountain Bike 5 lap event while Adrian Sharma placed second; both riders took one prime apiece. The BMX boys 6-9 two lap was again won by the unstoppable Jeremiah Harrison, Alexander Leung claimed the runner-up spot and Christopher Goring third. Sherwin Forde copped the BMX boys Open 3 lap race ahead of Sharma while Sherwin Sampson claimed the BMX boys’ 12-14 three lapper; Jaran Garbaran finished second. Sampson was in winner row again when he defeated Jeremiah Harrison and Nicholas Danrade respectively to capture another 3-laop race among the BMX 9-12 boys this time. Rakeem Blair carted off the 12-14 boys and girls 3-lap
event in 9 Minutes 10.58 Seconds. Christian Rajnauth placed second and Amminike Gomes third; Gomes won the prime. Jaikarran Sookhai clocked 12 Minutes 09.27 Seconds to win the Veteran Under-50 over five laps. Junior Niles who took one prime ended in second position and Linden Blackman third. Blackman returned to grab the veteran Over-50 race while Montgommery Paris overpowered Ian Gibbons and Maurice Fagundes in that order to take the veteran Over-60 contest also over 5laps each. Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Director of Sports Neil Kumar said the programme which lasted for eight weeks is the nursery for cycling in Guyana and it was highly successful adding that most of the cyclists in Guyana came through this curriculum. He thanked Ricks and Sari for their support and National Coach Hassan Mohamed. Kumar called for a programme to prepare cyclists for the next Olympics and urged the youths to take their education seriously.
Mix Up take Wiltshire dominoes title Mix Up totaled 46 games to win the Mark Wiltshire four-game Dominoes competition played recently at Whitie Bar Best Road, Vreed-en-Hoop. R and R placed second with 42 games followed by Brothers on 35. Colin Thomas and Mark Wiltshire marked 12 each for the winners while Frederick Fortune made 11 for the runner-up team. The leading players for Brothers,
who drew the bye to the final, were Colin Whitie and Ganesh Sampson with 11 and 10 games, respectively. Mix Up won the semi final encounter with 45 games ahead of TNT on 42 and R and R, 41. Wiltshire made 11 and Gordon Stevens 10 for Mix Up while Sonia Goodluck chalked up 12 for TNT and Orin Favourite 12 for R and R. Meanwhile, President of
the Georgetown Dominoes Association Faye Joseph will be hosting a competition tonight at her residence, Gaulding Place, South Ruimveldt in honour of the Guyana Men’s team that won the World Council Dominoes tournament held recently in Barbados. Action gets underway at 14:00hrs and entrance fee is $9,000. The winning team will take home a trophy and $150,000.
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Sunday August 31, 2014
FIFA should appoint Normalisation West Indies U-19 cricketer, Shimron Committee to rescue Guyana’s football Hetmyer clinches lucrative sponsorship deal By Rawle Welch After two failed attempts to hold its Extraordinary Congresses many are of the opinion that it is time FIFA step in a n d a p p o i n t a Normalisation Committee to replace the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) which seems incapable of advancing football in the country. The incumbent President of the GFF Christopher Matthias, who was elected in April 2013 f o l l o w i n g a F I FA / CONCACAF mandated Electoral Congress which had in attendance high ranking officials from both organizations, has failed to gain the necessary support from certain associations affiliated to the Federation to advance the sport. His failure to garner the support of certain unhappy members has resulted in local football experiencing a crisis of sorts which has ultimately splintered the much needed equilibrium that any sport should enjoy in its pursuit of progress. Despite a few local competitions being played here and there, the fact that football is being played without the necessary blessings and oversight by the local governing body and the absence of organizational structure means that the national programme will be severely hampered with the evidence of those earlier mentioned tenets clearly manifested by the quality of the national team that was selected to represent this country in the CFU Caribbean Cup. This team has to be one of the poorest ever assembled to represent Guyana in any senior
competition for decades and while the possibility of a positive result is not unattainable, no one could dispute the fact that this team, apart from the experienced wing back Walter Moore, severely lacks international familiarity and pedigree and this could see us struggle against even the weakest territories in the Caribbean. The football landscape is simply not bright with the warring factions clearly intent on promoting their personal agendas ahead of the development of the game and their schemes became daringly visible in front of the FIFA / CONCACAF officials who were present on both occasions when the Congresses were embarrassingly aborted. According to many observers, the actions taken at both Congresses were interpreted as being upsetting and more directly disrespectful to the visiting officials who came here with a mandate to ensure that the process was clean and free of interference. The current situation has caused several stakeholders who played major roles in helping to develop the game to lose confidence and this new development is severely affecting the sport’s forward propulsion so much so that it recently forced one team owner to lament about the lack of support for his club despite its past and current achievements. That owner should have known that as long as the Federation and its members remain in war mode the business community will
not be encouraged to offer its support for fear of lack of accountability and other related negative effects caused by the continued conflict within the fraternity. The advent of a Normalisation Committee to manage the daily affairs of the GFF must be given enough time to introduce mechanisms for conflict resolution that is satisfactory to the football community and to enact fundamental principles that will assure the separation of powers among other much needed policies. In fairness to FIFA / CONCACAF these two institutions have given Guyana enough time to restore order within the football fraternity and what the principal actors have done with this time is to continue to display contempt and disregard for the recommendations and statutes of the two governing Bodies and it is time that a heavy price be paid for the continuous lack of respect. It might be the right time to install new faces in the administrative arm of the sport, those that have the genuine interest of the players at heart and not self a g g r a n d i z e m e n t . Wi t h FIFA’s no nonsense stance of punishing those who attempt to obstruct the sport’s development many of actors who’re vying for office could fall under the hammer of the world governing body when it is proven that self interest was the sole motivating f a c t o r. F I FA / CONCACAF must act soon for the good of the game and its participants.
Sergeant Micheal Newland hands over the bat and gloves to ShimronHetmyer in the presence of BCB’s Anil Beharry (2nd left), Gladstone Hetmyer (3rd right) among other officials.
He plies his trade with t h e Yo u n g Wa r r i o r s Cricket Club, East Canje Berbice, and has built quite a reputation for himself among a few elite players to have scored centuries at the Regional U-19 level among other meritorious achievements. His feats were recently noted and Shimron Hetmyer, has clinched a lucrative sponsorship deal after overseas based Guyanese, Krishna Appiah, of Bronx N e w Yo r k a n d R a v i Etwaroo, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Cricket Zone and Trophy World, Castle Hill, Bronx New Yo r k , n o t e d h i s achievements and agreed to sponsor the youth with gears and other types of support for the advancement of his career. The deal was brokered by Captain of the ‘B’
Division Cricket team, Police Sergeant, Michael Newland, who observed Hetmyer’s discipline and work ethics over the years and admitted that he has been tremendously impressed. Mr. Newland said that he noted the young cricketer’s potential the first time he saw him in action. The cricket captain said that after noting the absence of tangible support for the youth player, he decided to contact Appiah who readily agreed to the sponsorship deal. C o n s e q u e n t l y, M r. Newland handed over the first tranche of support, a cricket bat and a pair of batting gloves, to Hetmyer at a simple ceremony at the Central Police Station, New Amsterdam, Friday afternoon last. The deal
also entails that Hetmyer receives uniform and other equipment over time. Hetmyer arrived at the Central Police Station accompanied by his father, former all-round cricketer and GuySuCo Sports Officer, Gladstone Hetmyer, to receive the gift. He expressed gratitude to his benefactor even as the senior Hetmyer echoed similar sentiments. Also witnessing the presentation were Assistant Superintendent, Guy Nurse, Inspector Seseupaul Jagroop and Acting President of the Berbice Cricket Board and Young Warriors Cricket Club, A n i l B e h a r r y. T h e gentlemen all expressed gratitude to the sponsors while extending best w i s h e s a n d congratulations to Hetmyer.
Tuschen Up-Top-Youths, Vergenoegen All-Stars and Uitvlugt record wins Tournament favourites Tuschen Up-Top-Youths, along with the undefeated Vergenoegen All-Stars and Uitvlugt were all in the winner’s row when action in the Stag Beer West Side 5-ASide football tournament continued on Friday last. Playing at the Vergenoegen Rice Mill Tarmac, the tournament saw another massive crowd turning up to witness what was a night of exciting play. Labeled ‘the team to beat’, Tuschen Up-Top-Youths
defeated Showtime compliments of Devon Millington’s lone strike in the 17th minute. The margin of victory could have been wider since the Tuschen team was guilty of muffing lots of goals even from point-blank range. Carlisle Carron (7) and Jamaal Petty (19) helped Uitvlugt to a 2-1 win over De Kendrend village. The two West Coast Demerara villages certainly kept the crowd on the edge with some pulsating play and
after De Kendrend village registered the first goal through Andre Hector in the 2nd minute, Uitvlugt got into business mode. Both sides had equal opportunities to score but it was Uitvlugt who seemed hungrier to reach the finals where they can contest f o r t h e t o u r n a m e n t ’s $200,000 top prize. Meanwhile, Marvin Marks’ goal in the second minute was more than enough to ensure Vergenoegen AllStars remain unbeaten in the tournament and take pole
position in their group. Woodcrest lost 1-0 to the team from East Bank Essequibo who once again, by virtue of being the home team, enjoyed very good crowd support. In the other matches played, Jetty Gunner and New Road Eagles (the tournament’s only other undefeated team) saw their games ending in goalless draws while the Shattaville Pacesetters and Stewartville Gunners clash finished 1-1. Jouel Stephens put
Shattaville Pacesetters ahead in the opening minute but Marvin Henry’s strike in the 20th minute equalized proceedings. The tournament continues
tonight at the same venue and will see the conclusion of the Group Stages. Vergenoengen and Den Amstel will meet in an Under-17 encounter; Show Stoppers will engage Broad Street, GPL match skills with GWI while Show Stoppers will face Show Time. Quarter-final matches will be played on Wednesday September 3 with the Semifinals on Friday September 5 followed by the finals on Sunday September 7.
Sunday August 31, 2014
Kaieteur News
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‘A’ Division Commander Hicken committed to youth empowerment and development Commander of the Guyana Police Force ‘A’ Division, Clifton Hichen is on a mission to ensure the Law Enforcement body connects in a positive way with members of the community which would lead to an improved society and country. To ensure this vision is achieved, Hicken has embarked on an initiative to see the empowerment and development of youths and to ensure they are exposed to positive things that would lead to their holistic development. Hicken who visited the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport / East Bank Football Association One Week Academy two weeks ago made a promise to work along with the Grove community and by extension, East Bank to empower youths. Yesterday, Hicken made good on his promise when he visited the community and met with scores of young
Commander of ‘A’ Division Clifton Hicken along with members of his team take time out for a photo with these youngsters and their parents of Grove, East Bank Demerara. people and their parents at the Grove Playfield. Apart from sharing out much needed food items, school bags and boots which items were donated by members of corporate Guyana, In remarks to those
present, Hicken said that he and his staff were committed to working with communities to ensure positive development especially in the area of youth empowerment and (Continued on page 72)
GMMAKA of Diamond impress at Pan C’bean Martial Arts tourney
The successful members of the Guyana Mixed Martial Arts Karate Association of Diamond display their takings. The Guyana Mixed Martial Arts Karate Association of Diamond East Bank Demerara turned in some good performances at last weekend’s Pan Caribbean Guyana Martial Arts Tournament held at the National Gymnasium. The team secured 15 medals, 5 gold, 6 silver and 4 bronze from the 10 students who entered the various events. Among those
winning medals were Zafar Ramnarine who got first place in traditional Kata and Calvin Ramcharran who copped third place in both Weapon Kata and SelfDefense. Shiloh Sydney won silver in sparring; Daniel Chandler won silver in Kata and bronze in Kumite; Philip Jaikisson won silver in Self Defense; Christopher Mahadeo won gold in Kata;
Portia Schepmyer won gold in both Traditional Kata and Self-Defense and silver in K u m i t e a n d We a p o n ; Stephen Singh won gold in Weapon Kata and silver in Self Defense; Mark Ramotar won bronze in traditional Kata. Master Ramnarine congratulated his team for their excellent showing while encouraging them to keep up the hard work.
t r o p S Buxton United capture EDFA U-13 Football title ‘More emphasis should be on developmental programmes’ says EDFA Official Teams and their coaches after the EDFA’s Under13 Football League at the BV ground yesterday.
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Champions Buxton United.
Forde favoured to ‘Fishy’Williams edges Eastman AINLIM 10k today to win feature 35-lap contest win - race to journey across Harbour Bridge 38th NSC ‘Teach Them Young’ Cycle Programme concludes
Cleveland Forde
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Tight Finish! Marlon Williams (right) crosses the finish line ahead of Hamza Eastman.
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