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Kaieteur News
Friday August 23, 2013
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Kaieteur News
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
The PPP’s Evolution
The PPP is the progenitor of all the modern political parties in Guyana: either the latter came out directly out of its bosom or they were reactions to its positions. A party does not have such an impact unless it was able to adapt to its environment which is always changing. The original PPP was an anti-colonial coalition carefully cobbled together in 1950 to simultaneously address the crosscutting loyalties of nationhood and ethnicity. It was immediately caught in the crosshairs of the Cold War between the West and the USSR in which ideology was the trope for defining loyalty to a “side”. Summarily removed and then returned to power, ideology was also therefore the cleavage along which the PPP was putatively split in 1955 as the Cold War intensified and the US began to supplant Britain in exploiting the openings granted during WWII. The PNC supposedly “played the game” and was rewarded with power in 1964 as the US paranoia intensified after its 1961 Bay of Pigs debacle with Fidel Castro in Cuba and the PPP was removed from office once again. Thus began its “twenty-eight years in the wilderness” which saw the rise and fall of the US’s nemesis USSR and its competing communist ideology. During the interregnum, as early as 1969, the PPP decided it was not going to beat around the bush any longer and declared it was a classic Marxist-Leninist party. It reorganised itself along the approved, cadre-based, Leninist lines which emphasised a hierarchical structure with democratic centralism as its decision-making mechanism. The leader of the PPP, Dr Jagan, became its General Secretary. In what is more than a footnote, the PNC interestingly insisted that while it was not communist (and most importantly to the US, not an admirer of Moscow) it was going to introduce “cooperative socialism” to Guyana. The PNC went as far as opening ties with Cuba as early as 1972 and the next decade saw the PPP and PNC competing as to which one was “more socialist”. In 1975, the PPP went as far as offering the PNC government “critical support” against what it defined as capitalist manipulations against the “progressive” initiatives of the PNC, such as nationalising the “commanding heights of the economy”. During its long rule that was founded on always disputed elections, the PNC was offered a role by the PPP in governments of “national unity” on two occasions - in 1977 and in 1985, the year Burnham died. By the time the USSR crumbled in 1989 and the PPP’s ideology did not signify loyalty to the “enemy”, the US was ready to look again at the possibility of the PPP being returned to power. Burnham’s successor Desmond Hoyte had by then accepted the US-approved IMF “Economic Recovery Program” and the economy was duly being retrofitted to the US’s neo-liberal paradigm. It is clear in retrospect that, even though the PPP did not change its Marxist-Leninist structure or rhetoric, it accepted the neo-liberal paradigm as a condition of returning to office in 1992. Unlike the Chinese Communist party which accepted capitalism as the ideology to develop its economy around the same time, the PPP, however, was in no position to retain its classic Leninist ideology or structure in the face of the wave of denationalisation and privatisation of the economy. Within a decade, by which time its founder Dr Jagan had phased away, the party’s cadre-centred groups had begun to wither and in subsequent elections, the PPP for all intents and purposes had become a mass-based party, with all that implies, for mobilisation etc. The General Secretary, for instance, was no longer the leader, chief ideologue and head of government. In the just-concluded Congress, while the PPP did not make any overt changes to its Constitution, it is clear that continued adaptations by the PPP to the dominant economic neo-liberal tenets are moving it away from its Marxist-Leninist orientation. Inevitably this function will have a feedback effect and demand changes in form.
Friday August 23, 2013
Letters... Where your views make the news
The Finance Minister is not being forthright on the AMAILA issue DEAR EDITOR, I refer to your article (SN 8-212013) captioned, “Finance Minister insists state would not incur debt in Amaila model”; and in this regard, I would like to disagree with the Honorable Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, who is clouding the issues by not being forthright on the Amaila investment. The fact that Amaila is a large investment that involves hundreds of millions of taxpayers’ dollars; and the fact that it will encumber for many years to come a significant share of our natural resources and patrimony, information on this project cannot be restricted to a few individuals. Only private companies are allowed by law to keep their business private. Amaila is not a private or a public company owned by stakeholders; it a merger of both private and public stakeholders and as such all information must be placed in the public domain, for tax dollars are used for the public good, while private dollars are circumscribed to private interest; and these two, the
public good and private interest, might not be coterminous, but divergent. This complicates Amaila and it must be resolved. Consequently, the Minster must release to the law making body in Guyana, the duly elected Parliament, the full and complete project appraisal document that will spell out in detail information that includes parameters for ownership, debt and equity; financial and economic rates of return; the management and governance structure; tax liability issues; the environmental analysis, and the social impact assessment, among other concerns. Additionally, since the people of Guyana own shares in Amaila, the people of Guyana must see the legal documents used to register the company. In other words, the complete appraisal and the company registration papers are fundamental to clearing all the information gaps in this project. If this cannot be done, then the alternative plan for Amaila would be for the government of Guyana to sell its
shares and get out of this investment immediately and leave it fully in the hands of the private sector. The reason for this approach is given by the Minister himself who said, “…Amaila … (is) a privately controlled company… (with)… Government taking a minority stake in … (it)”. With a minority stake in Amaila, this means the Government can be out voted by the majority owners and the Guyanese people will be left holding an empty bag. Why would the Government and people of Guyana want to be trapped in such a situation? It makes no sense for the government to be a minority owner in this venture. Consider this example. The Minister states that if GPL defaults, the company (Amaila) “… may trigger a termination of the Power Purchase Agreement …” So if the majority shareholder decides that they are finished with Amaila and they want to close shop they can do so at any time and walk away leaving the minority holder, the Government and people of Guyana, in a serious situation with no recourse. No (Continued on page 31)
Leadership is about setting the example DEAR EDITOR, Cde Donald Ramotar declining reelection to the post of General Secretary (GS) of the People Progressive ‘Party (PPP) and focusing on his presidency displays a great deal of mature leadership. The realization that the Office Of The President and that of the GS of the party carries a demanding work load and that if he retains both it might well be a disservice to either one or both offices speaks volumes of his maturity. In like manner, the new General Secretary of the PPP, Cde Rohee
should realize that there should be no coyness to his response to whether he can function in both roles as the GS and Home Affai s Minister. He should take a cue from the President especially at this crucial juncture of the PPP. In the same vein, there seems to be the belief among senior party leaders that the more positions and committees that they are on will enhance their status within the Party. This might very well the case but in the end the Party suffers due to them having to divert their energies in too many areas and at the end of the day not able to achieve much.
O n a n o t h e r r e l a t e d m a t t e r, languishing in various advisory positions in the government is a set of party stalwarts that should return to Freedom House to strengthen the Party. I am referring here to Cdes. Navin Chandarpaul, Feroze Mohammed, Gail Teixeira, Harry Nokta, Khelwan Lail and Clinton Collymore. Amongst this elite set of stalwarts resides more than two centuries of institutional data of party activism. Could you imagine the transformation that will take place at Freedom House if some or all of them return? Reggie Bhagwandin
The Ministry is prepared to provide legal representation to dispossessed Belle Vue members DEAR EDITOR, I write responding to the letter, “Belle Vue co-op cane farmers have been deprived of their land; authorities will not act,” published in the August 21, 2013 edition of the Stabroek News. The Belle Vue Cane Farmers Marketing Co-operative Society Limited has been problematic for several years now. The Committee of Management of the Society took approximately fifteen (15) of its members to Arbitration for payment of monies that was owed to the Society. The Arbitration Award in October 2009, stated that members should repay all monies owed to the Society, failing which the land will be repossessed after publication and notices. After the Arbitrator Award, the Society’s Committee of Management hastily repossessed the members’ land and allocated parcels to new personnel. A few dispossessed members approached the Chief Co-operatives Development Officer about their land being repossessed. It was subsequently
learnt that the Arbitrator went outside of his mandate and stated in the Award that if the members did not repay by a specific date, their lands would be repossessed. The Chief Cooperative Development Officer then wrote the Committee of Management in July 2010 advising that the Arbitrator went outside of his mandate and the land should not be repossessed. The Committee of Management ignored this advice and did little thereafter to address the matter. The Ministry tried to resolve the matter in 2012 by appointing an Interim Management Committee to investigate the claims by the dispossessed Members and to manage the affairs of the Society until the investigation is completed. The IMC Report revealed that some dispossessed members accepted compensations from the new occupants of the land, while others demanded that their land be returned to them. Subsequently, one of the new holders of a plot of land filed a writ in the
High Court against the Administration of the Ministry of Labour, claiming that the land rightfully belongs to him. The High Court is currently addressing the matter and as a result, the Ministry cannot intervene any further on this matter. Finally, we wish to state that the individuals who feel that they were dispossessed of their land by the former Committee of Management of the Belle Vu e C a n e F a r m e r s M a r k e t i n g Cooperative Society Limited should seek redress through the High Court. This, we believe, is the only way to resolve this long and protracted dispute. The Ministry is prepared to provide legal representation to the members who were dispossessed of their land and in this regard, we ask that they visit the Ministry so that arrangements could be made to solicit the services of an Attorney-at-Law. C. Prasad, Chief Cooperatives Development Officer, Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security
Friday August 23, 2013
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Letters... Where your views make the news Letters... Where your views make the news
GECOM IS NOT A FEARFUL INSTITUTION DEAR EDITOR, The response from Mr. Mike McCormack, which was published in the Stabroek News of Wednesday, August 21, 2013, under the caption “GECOM is treating civil society interest in elections as an unwelcome development”, is most surprising. Mr. McCormack’s letter represents his response to a letter authored by me in my capacity of Public Relations Officer of the Guyana Elections Commission to draw attention to incorrectness in the pamphlet on Local Government Elections, which was produced by an organisation called Facing the Future (FtF). Please let me state categorically that it never was, and it is not, GECOM’s intention to “put (FtF) organizations in their place over their pamphlet, aimed at educating the public about local government elections”, and my letter was certainly not “defensive”, especially considering that there is nothing to defend insofar as this issue is concerned. Understandably, since Mr. McCormack interpreted my letter as putting (FtF) organizations in their place, he penned a tit-for-tat
response, perhaps in an effort to do damage control. In so doing however, Mr. McCormack has raised several issues which I must now dispel. Mr. McCormack used his letter to denounce mine by pointing out that the “two trivial examples provided” do not substantiate GECOM’s position that one particular statement (not “statements” as Mr. McCormack stated) is very ambiguous. He goes on the note that “indeed if these are all the errors to be found, the pamphlet’s accuracy is of a very high standard”. At this stage it is imperative that I point out that (i) the two given examples in my letter are not the only two incorrect pieces of information in the pamphlet, and (ii) those examples were given only to corroborate GECOM’s position on the pamphlet. Further, GECOM cannot, and will never, allow the dissemination of incorrect information about registration and elections, especially those of the nature that could affect the Commission’s work. Ultimately, it is the Commission’s responsibility to implement corrective
measures whenever incorrect information about GECOM’s work is being circulated. This is simply what we sought to do through my letter. Mr. McCormack questioned why GECOM took “four years”, i.e. since the passage of the Local Authorities (Elections) (Amendment) Act No. 26 of 2009, to commence working on a Civic and voter Education Programme, and that “it may be nearer the truth that GECOM had completely ignored the Act until the civil society pamphlets started to circulate and is currently hustling to recover lost ground”. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, in preparation for the holding of Local Government elections in 2010, GECOM had (i) spent millions of dollars on the production of pertinent audio visual messages to inform the public about the elections, (ii) held consultations at the Georgetown City Hall and at other prominent venues in New Amsterdam and Anna Regina, and (iii) GECOM had prepared a comprehensive document delineating all aspects of the new Electoral System for Local Government Elections, copies of which had
been given to all of the Political Parties which had indicated interest to contest the elections. Further, GECOM was in possession of, (as it does now), a wide ranging Civic and Voter Education Programme, which had to be shelved as a result of the inevitable abandonment of preparations for the conduct of Local Government Elections in 2010, which GECOM was in a state of readiness to carry out. It is essential for all concerned to note that GECOM is a Budget Agency with funds for its operations being provided by the Government as approved by Parliament. GECOM does not have unlimited finances. GECOM has been budgeting for the conduct of Local Government Elections every year as a specific project. Funds for elections projects are released to the Commission only if such projects were to materialize. In view of this, the Commission always felt that it would be unwise to mount a Civic and Voter Education Programme for Local Government Elections knowing fully well that the conduct of such elections were not in imminent.
It was always felt that value for the dollar would only be realized when the Commission would strategically implement a comprehensive and intensive Civic and Voter Education campaign closer (about three months prior) to the date for Local Government Elections. Incidentally, would it not have been a waste of resources to have spent millions of dollars on Civic and Voter Education activities relevant to Local Government Elections, in 2012 for example, and then having to repeat the same action again in 2013 to no avail? Be that as it may, please permit me to repeat that GECOM recognizes the need for publication of information pertaining to the new system for Local government Elections and will soon be mounting a Civic and Voter Education programme to so do. This activity, as part of a deliberate strategy (especially where timing is concerned), has been held back because of important, far-reaching and consequential uncertainties associated with the conduct of Local Government Elections. However, the Commission is moving towards
commencing the publication of pertinent information which is not necessarily linked to the conduct of Local Government Elections, but which is more specific to the new electoral system. In fact, the Commission has now completed educating our own permanent staff about the new Local Government Elections system. The concluding paragraph of Mr. McCormack’s letter can only be seen as anaccusatory attack on the integrity of GECOM. This paragraph reads thus:“The letter deteriorates into panic-stricken condescension, suggesting that Gecom alone is specifically mandated by law to provide information and that everyone requiring it, particularly “the listed organisations and other organisations” should contact Gecom “before getting involved in the publication of information the like of which is carried in the pamphlet referred to above.” Rather than use the pamphlet as an opportunity to engage constructively with FtF member organizations, Gecom, regrettably, is treating civil society interest in (Continued on page 31)
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Friday August 23, 2013
Troubles plagued fibre optic Inactive Integrity Commission cable project from start can’t scrutinise declared assets - Source - TIGI By Keeran Danny
If Government had contracted the services of a firm experienced in the laying of fibre optic cable in similar geographical conditions to Guyana’s hinterland terrain, this aspect of the Information Communication Technology (ICT) project would have been completed about 18 months ago. This notion was expressed by a reliable source, who also believes that disagreements between Government’s engineer and foreign consultants plunged the project into troubles in its infancy. According to the source, “Government had never embarked on a project of this type and instead of listening to foreign consultants with the experience and expertise it chose to listen to its local engineer…In the end the recommendations offered by the foreign consultants would now have to be utilised”, the source said. The source disclosed that Government was eyeing the Brazilian company that laid the fibre optic cable from Boa Vista to Bon Fin and onto Lethem. However, for reasons known only to Government, it did not pursue that course. The same Brazilian consultancy firm was hired to provide its expertise.
Local construction firms that responded to Government’s advertisement for the laying of the cable were given a site visit. “And, it was at that initial meeting between Government, the contractors and the consultant, the disagreements between the engineer and consultant started.” According to the source, local contractors left the site believing the project was “easy peasy” and one contractor even boasted that his company could have done the entire project for $150M. The source said contractors essentially believed that the project was “just digging a hole, placing the cable and covering the hole”. The source said the bids came in and they were really low. Physical works for the laying of the 560-kilometre cable began in April 2011 and contractors began grumbling about their bids. But they continued to lay the cable nonetheless. By that time, the supervisory consultant had changed and Fibre Optic Solution, a local firm, took up the mantle of supervising the project for at least nine months. According to the source, Fibre Optic Solution
promoted itself as a competent firm, but was not supervising the project effectively. Apparently, the firm was supervising the project from Georgetown leaving the contractors to do whatever they wanted. The source revealed that the supervisory firm usually made its presence felt when Government’s E-Governance Unit visited the sites. It was emphasized that the Unit did not make any impromptu visits and this, the source opined, was its downfall. In addition, Government’s engineer was too involved in other projects and could not have effectively overlooked the project. The source said at the end the project backfired, with a significant section having to be retendered. According to the source, one of the Venezuelan companies reviewing the project told the Unit that it would cost roughly US$30 to lay one metre of cable. The source said that was around the same cost foreign companies had recommended in the initial stage. But instead, locals thought that amount was too high, and accepted bids of US$4.50 per metre. During an interview with this publication, Alexei Ramotar, Project Manager, had admitted that the project had its ups and downs. According to Ramotar, all that is to know has been made public about the project already and the Unit would not be responding to revelations of the source. Ramotar said he cannot recall who owns Fibre Optic Solution, but said the company had approached the Unit to supervise the project. He said the company responded accurately to all the questions posed.
While it is important for public officials to declare their assets annually and timely, Transparency Institute Guyana Inc. (TIGI) is expressing that an Integrity Commission is not in place, thus cannot scrutinise such returns and make appropriate enquiries. The body is requesting that Government activate the Commission. This was expressed in a press statement issued yesterday, on the eve of the deadline for submission of declarations. According to President of TIGI, Anand Goolsarran, the three-person Commission, which is expected to help fight corruption, requires competent professional persons, especially in cases where there are unexplained increases in assets or the omission of significant assets. However, no such persons are in the employ of the Commission. Goolsarran said TIGI has taken note of the announcement of the deadline for the declaration of assets by Government Ministers, Members of Parliament and senior public servants, particularly those who are involved in public procurement and the assessment and collection of Government revenues. “According to the Integrity Commission Act, the deadline for the submission of financial returns for the previous year is June 30. Guyana has also acceded to two important anticorruption conventions: the Inter-American Convention Against Corruption; and the United Nations Convention Against Corruption. Both
TIGI President, Anand Goolsarran
APNU Leader, David Granger
conventions make it a requirement for the Government to put in place an effective mechanism for public officials to submit to the appropriate authority annual declarations of assets,” Goolsarran said. Emphasizing Guyana’s shortcoming, he said that in the absence of a duly constituted Commission as well as technical experts to assist in the effort, the exercise of making annual declarations of assets is reduced to mere paperwork, and the objective of the establishment of the Integrity Commission is not achieved. “Given Guyana’s low rating and ranking in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), the announcement of the extension of the deadline for submitting financial returns will have little or no impact on the levels of corruption that are perceived to have existed in government”, he stated. According to Goolsarran, TIGI wants Government to take immediate steps to appoint the three-person Commission, comprising individuals of the highest level of integrity, professionalism and independence, and to provide it will the level of resources needed for it to discharge its responsibility effectively. This action will send a powerful signal that the Government is serious in its
efforts to fight corruption. Any lesser arrangement will remain lip service and a source of concern, he said. Goolsarran said TIGI reminds the Government and legislators alike of the importance of having the Public Procurement Commission in place to monitor the award of contracts for the procurement of goods and services and the execution of works, to ensure fairness, equity, the highest degree of transparency, and indeed best val u e f o r money. “The appointment of this constitutionally mandated Commission, along with the Integrity Commission, will go a long way towards reducing perceptions about the high levels of corruption, and hence Guyana’s improvement on the CPI,” he said. Leader of the Opposition, David Granger had made it known publicly that A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Members of Parliament would not be submitting their declarations since the Commission does not exist. Granger said that since he became the Leader of the Opposition, President Donald Ramotar has not discussed the appointment of Commissioners for the Integrity Commission or any other outstanding constitutional appointments (Continued on page 15)
Friday August 23, 2013
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Friday August 23, 2013
Guyana to appoint an Ambassador to Palestine By Abena Rockcliffe Yesterday President Donald Ramotar announced that the appointment of an Ambassador to Palestine is imminent. The Head of State made that declaration immediately after meeting with the Palestinian Foreign Affairs Minister Riyad al-Maliki at the Office of the President. The visiting envoy told the media that the main purpose of his visit was to extend a personal thank you to President Ramotar for Guyana’s continued and steadfast support to
Palestine. He said that Palestine saw the “need” to show its appreciation to Guyana for its strong, committed position to support justice around the world, “and more importantly, in Palestine.” The Foreign Affairs Minister expressed that he was honoured to receive “important” ideas and views from President Ramotar. He said that those ideas that came up while he was paying attention to the “wisdom and knowledge” of the Guyanese leader, are soon to be followed up. According to the
President Ramotar hands over a painting of Guyanese scenery to Palestinian Foreign Affairs Minister, Riyad al-Maliki Palestinian envoy, his president, Mahmoud Abbas, asked him to extend an invitation to President Ramotar for further talks in Palestine. Mr. Ramotar told the media that an appointment for an Ambassador to Palestine is in the making. Minister Riyad al-Maliki concurred and added that his country will be appointing an Ambassador to Guyana as well. Ramotar presented the Foreign Affairs Minister with
a painting of a scene from “My (Guyana’s) hinterland.” He also yesterday reiterated Guyana’s continued support to Palestine and said he looks forward to forging a relationship with the country which Guyana deems a free, independent and sovereign state. The president emphasized that he believes Palestinians should be allowed to live in their own country. Guyana, in early 2011, made the decision to acknowledge Palestine as a state. At that time, the country joined Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Uruguay and Ecuador in recognizing Palestine as an independent state within the borders that
existed before Israel captured the West Bank, including east Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip in the 1967 Middle East war. It was noted that that move came in keeping with Guyana’s longstanding and unwavering solidarity with, and commitment to, the just and legitimate aspirations of the people of Palestine for the exercise of their right to selfdetermination and to achieve a homeland of their own, independent, free, prosperous and at peace. In February of this year, Guyana became the first member of Caricom to establish diplomatic relations with the Palestinian National Authority. Guyana’s Ambassador to the United Nations, George Talbot, and his Palestinian counterpart, Riyad Manssur, signed a document establishing bilateral relations. In the text, both countries committed to fully complying with the UN Charter and international law, and promoting peace and security as well as respect for the countries’ sovereignty and independence. Last year, Israel had on
November 14 launched a military offensive in the Palestinian territory of Gaza through a series of air strikes, resulting in numerous injuries and more than 160 Palestinians killed, many of whom were women and children. There were some casualties in Israel. The Guyana government had on November 19 issued a statement condemning the act and calling for an immediate ceasefire which did in fact, come into effect on November 21 following negotiations with Israel and Hamas involving other states including the United States and Egypt. Foreign Affairs Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett told the National Assembly on November 23 that the Guyana Government welcomed the news of the ceasefire between Israel and Palestine, noting that negotiation is the only viable means to bringing a mutually satisfying end to the conflict between the two countries. Diplomatic talks have restarted between the Israelis and Palestinians and are currently ongoing.
Friday August 23, 2013
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The humiliation faced by a great man He was one of the best criminal defence attorneys this country ever produced. Doodnauth Singh’s abilities were equally regarded, recognized and acknowledged way beyond his country’s shores. He was a fierce human rights advocate and defender, perhaps the best known one in the 1970s and 1980s. Much of this work was done without reward. He took on many cases pro bono in order to aid in the fight for human rights in his country. But despite this sterling record, Doodnauth Singh will always be best remembered as one of the outstanding criminal lawyers in Guyana. He had presence in the courtroom. He was mesmerizing on his feet. He was forceful, self-assured, eloquent and decisive in his delivery and crossexamination. Doodnauth Singh was something to behold in a courtroom. He was by far the best criminal defence attorney to grace
Guyana’s courts and Guyana has produced some of the best defence attorneys in the region. His reputation as a fearsome defender of his clients was well known in the Caribbean. In the prime of his legal career he was sought out by clients, both citizens and governments, to undertake cases in other countries in the Caribbean. So respected was Doodnauth Singh that he was chosen as the Special Prosecutor in the case that sent Bernard Coard and others to prison after the implosion of the Grenadian Revolution. He was eminently respected throughout the Caribbean. Doodnauth was strongwilled. A lesser man would have been broken by the pressure that was brought to bear on him when he presided over the 1997 elections in Guyana. He saved Guyana from total destruction and annihilation when, perceptive as he always was, he
recognized the devious plans that the opposition had in store for the country after the 1997 elections. His declaration of Janet Jagan as President did not require at the time the consent of the full commission and by going ahead with that declaration, he saved the country from being ungovernable. That election was eventually vitiated because the use of the voter ID card was deemed unconstitutional. But Doodnauth felt that the decision was flawed and should be appealed by the Guyana Elections Commission. Doodnauth was always confident that he would have been able to counter every point that went against the commission in that decision. Sadly and regrettably he was not allowed the chance of being vindicated by having every single point of that verdict overturned by a higher court. The Guyana Elections Commission
refused to appeal that decision. He was later appointed Attorney General. These are little titles that men seek in the twilight of their careers. Doodnauth no doubt wanted that experience of being his country’s Attorney General. It was supposed to be the last feather in the cap of an outstanding legal career. What better way to end that career than by serving his country in one of the highest legal offices, that of Attorney General? His tenure as Attorney General must have been a bittersweet experience. He must have felt some satisfaction in knowing that he had served his country in such a high office. But that satisfaction was soured by the disdainful manner in which he was treated after he left office. He was forced to go to the courts to try to obtain his benefits. Those from the government who will attend his funeral should be guarded
in their orations, because in the end, Doodnauth Singh, one of the most nimble legal minds in this country, having served as Attorney General, was humiliated by the very government he served. He was humiliated by being asked to submit a tax clearance, just so as to obtain his gratuity and other pension benefits. What a shameful and disgraceful thing to do to someone who in his prime offered his services free of cost to defend persons from the ruling party when they were being deprived of their rights? Imagine those who were never part of any struggle had the audacity to prevent this man from receiving what was justly his! That should never have
happened. But it happened because good men said nothing in the face of wrongdoing. Good men allowed political persons who had no sense of Doodnauth’s greatness or reputation and record to humiliate him and eventually by denying him the funds he needed to pay for his medical bills.
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Friday August 23, 2013
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
Come home Eusi, please! I was a guest, along with Tacuma Ogunseye, last Sunday on the channel 9 programme, “Walter Rodney Groundings,” hosted by David Hinds. Part of our function was to assess the role of Eusi Kwayana in the modern history of Guyana. Quite an impossible task - for someone who has contributed seventy years of social, cultural and political life to his country. On Wednesday evening, I attended a tribute to him at the Friendship Primary School, that is, the village next to Buxton. Speakers were from the now defunct African Society for Cultural Relations with Independent Africa or ASCRIA (Tacuma Ogunseye), PNC (David
Granger), Red Thread (Andaiye), ACDA (Eric Phillips), PPP (Eddie Rodney). I had to leave after the Red Thread presentation, so I don’t know if the AFC’s invitee spoke. It was amazing to hear about the fantastic history of this simple Guyanese. There were facts that were outlined there that few people in today’s Guyana know. Kwayana wrote the battle song for the PPP, PNC, ASCRIA and ACDA. I had no idea the amount of poetry and plays he wrote. I met Eusi Kwayana in 1976 when the Working People’s Alliance was born as a pressure group in the bottom level of the office of the trade union NAACIE. My
relation with him I would say is paradoxical. I am forever grateful I got to relate to him, but there are times I wished I never met him. I will start with the latter. I learnt from Eusi Kwayana that no matter how important an organization is to you, no matter how sensitive the stage of the struggle is, you must speak out for principles and moral values, even if it means upsetting the mango cart. I did just that and it has been a disaster for me. Not that Eusi was wrong. He was absolutely right. But in Guyana, you could not do those things and believe that there would not be severe consequences that will hurt you.
Only Eusi Kwayana could have done that; absolutely no one else. Eusi would speak his mind on the most sensitive topic, make some of his colleagues uncomfortable, but in the end there would be no retaliation, because there was only one like him and everyone deferred to him. My emulation of Kwayana’s outspokenness ended in disaster for me. And if I had to live my life over again, I would do the same things, but differently. People like Eusi had a profound effect on me and I was too eager to be like Eusi Kwayana, too willing to call a spade a spade, too quick to speak out, too energetic to want to confront all those
who were doing wrong things. In the process, people fought back even though they knew they were in the wrong, they were vicious in the process. Looking back at my struggle from the seventies, I think there is a place for just leaving a few things alone. If I could turn back the clock, I would willingly do so. I turned out to be a passionate person for human rights because people like Eusi Kwayana influenced me in that direction. He influenced a whole generation from the seventies onwards. I honestly believe he is one of the world’s most misunderstood humans. If an East Indian hears that this man changed his name to an African one, he is bound to think that such a person is either racist or is driven by an African psyche. This is where Kwayana becomes a complex person. Eusi Kwayana wanted liberation for the African people of this world. He came from that race and he knew the historical wrongs they suffered, but Kwayana was quintessentially a man driven by justice for all people and I say from the bosom of my heart, Eusi had no racist bone
Frederick Kissoon in him. He would devote the same passion to the cause of Indians as he would for Africans. This is where I think many Guyanese Indians misunderstood the politics of Eusi Kwayana. It is unproductive to try to convert Guyanese to the theory that Forbes Burnham and Cheddi Jagan were not the heroes an entire generation accepts them as. There can be no doubt they were historical figures that countless Guyanese love and admire. But for me, I think the figure - from the forties right up to the time of Cheddi Jagan’s death - that came closer to embodying the aspirations of the masses that fought against colonialism, is Eusi Kwayana. I believe he should now come home to Guyana and let us enjoy more of his wisdom. My condolences to the families of Doodnauth Singh and Harold Davis. Thanks for serving Guyana.
Dem boys seh...
If only people know When ashes cold, dog does lie down. That is wha old people does seh. Some does seh that come see me and come live wid me is two different thing. Dem does also seh that when story old it more sweet. Well dem boys hear an old story de other night and while it sweet, it really surprise nuff of dem. Couple years back dem ship a vehicle to Guyana and had problem clearing it. Dem go all over de place but de head Customs man decide to play it by de book. He dead, suh dem boys can call he name—Forde. Then de people meet a young Customs officer who had big contact. This big contact alive and dem boys don’t want call he name because nobody ain’t gun come forward and testify. All dem can seh is that he use to wuk in a Ministry not far from de old railway station. This young Customs officer tell dem that he gun carry dem to meet this big official. These people walk wid half a million dollar which was nuff money back in de 1990s. This man tek de money. That is why to this day dem boys know that he was de king of corruption when he get de chance. That is why this man never send anybody to jail fuh corruption. He know that he was one and he never go to jail. And talking bout jail, dem boys see that a big one in China in court fuh bribery and corruption. This man was a big thing in de party and at one time people even believe that coulda be a president. Wha dem boys don’t know is if he bribe somebody in Guyana. People now checking to see who and who been to China. Dem also checking to see if this man had connection wid some of dem projects in Guyana because of late Guyana get nuff Chinee project. Talk half and wait fuh de backlash
Friday August 23, 2013
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Friday August 23, 2013
Skeldon Sugar Factory slated to restart operations tomorrow By Rehana Ahamad After several months of rehabilitation, the US$200M Skeldon Sugar Factory is slated to be up and running tomorrow, with a target of 400,000 tonnes of cane (36,000 tonnes of sugar) to be processed. According to Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, should it rain in Berbice over the weekend, the commencement of operations will have to be halted, as the fields would be wet and the machinery would not be able to function effectively. Shortly after it was commissioned, the problemplagued facility was labeled as a “let down”, since it required that several aspects of the factory be repaired. The recent rehabilitation was done by South Africa’s Bosch Engineering at an additional cost of US$3M. But like several other projects undertaken by the state, the construction of the
Skeldon factory project saw questions raised as to whether Guyana had received value for its money. Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), Paul Bhim told Kaieteur News that while the facility will soon be operational, work on the problematic punt dumper is still continuing, and may not be completed until the next “out-of-crop” season, during December/January. Financing for the factory came from a mixture of state funds, grants from the European Union (EU) and loans from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and World Bank. It was reported that even if the factory never begins producing sugar to its optimum, as is currently the case, Guyana still has to repay the loans. The Skeldon factory, one of Guyana’s most costly projects, was the effort made by the Guyana government to salvage what is left of the
suffering sugar industry which has, over the years, been seen to be spiraling downwards. During the first crop of this year, production plunged to approximately 23,000 tonnes or more below the target, and despite prices offered by Europe - Guyana’s biggest customer - being almost double on the world market, poor production has continued to threaten the viability of the industry, which barely managed half of its projected target of the 38,000 tonnes planned for the week ending August 9, last. It has been duly noted that large groups of GuySuCo workers have also been leaving to take up jobs in either the construction industry, or the interior. Those who remain employed with the Corporation are worried about the outcome of the approaching crop, since it would determine whether or not they would receive bonuses. Nonetheless, after years of bad production, fingers were pointed at the GuySuCo Board of Directors. Thus, a decision was taken to have the board be restructured. This, Dr. Ramsammy said, will be done by next month.
An aerial view of the problem-plagued Skeldon Sugar Factory
Friday August 23, 2013
Kaieteur News
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Authorities target rice millers AFC condemns “corrupt” over paddy grading, prices Specialty Hospital deal By Latoya Giles
GRDB General Manager, Jagnarine Singh (far left) speaking with concerned West Demerara farmers yesterday. By Leonard Gildarie Regulators of the rice industry are holding out hope that West Demerara farmers will be able to reach an agreement with Guyana Stockfeeds Limited, over prices from the last crop. Several rice farmers yesterday met with representatives of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) and the Guyana Rice Producers Association (RPA) at the latter’s head office at Crane, West Coast Demerara. According to Dharamkumar Seeraj, RPA’s General Secretary, the organization is prepared to take the issue to the Commercial Court. Farmers are claiming that the East Bank Demerarabased miller paid them under $4,000 and below, for different grades of paddy, far below what was being competitively offered on the market. Both GRDB and RPA are now in talks with Guyana Stockfeeds for a possible solution. According to Seeraj, also a Member of Parliament for the ruling People’s Progressive Party, from all indications the milling company, which produces the Angel brand rice, has been receiving good prices for its packaged products. There are no reasons why some of this should not have been passed down to farmers, he said. GRDB’s General Manager, Jagnarine Singh, pointed out that the last crop of rice this year was a difficult one as the Venezuela rice deal had not been fully finalised and farmers were worried about markets. As a matter of fact, he said, GRDB and RPA were both visiting millers and imploring them to buy as much rice as possible from the farmers, in a move to avert possible losses. For this crop, with Venezuela taking a significant amount of rice from Guyana, the situation has eased somewhat with less stress on
farmers to find markets. The situation of prices has been a longstanding issue with farmers fighting for prices. Initially, there were no worries for millers as they took rice under a credit scheme and took ages to pay farmers. Government had accused millers of using farmers’ money to finance their own operations, to the detriment of the industry. However, a crackdown by GRDB saw a number of legislative changes which forced millers to pay within a certain time after collecting the paddy. Interest was charged and even the confiscation of the licence resulted, once the credit arrangements were breached. However, another scenario is emerging. Farmers are complaining now of lower, unrealistic prices being given by millers. There are more complaints also from farmers who say that they believe that their paddy is unfairly graded which resulted in them receiving lesser prices. Both Seeraj and Singh admitted yesterday that there have been instances found of millers manipulating the system. Farmers are now being urged to ensure that they be present while their paddy is being graded. According to Singh, there are several systems in place to also ensure farmers are not robbed. These include inspections of the scales at the mills by the Guyana National Bureau of Standards, a functioning moisture meter, and even a price list being posted up prominently. Officials of the milling companies also have to make themselves available to farmers, even to the point of sharing their phone numbers. While farmers traditionally would sell their paddy to any millers offering them a good price, the situation has started to change in recent years with the Venezuelan PetroCaribe deal in which Guyana buys oil from Venezuela and rice is
supplied to that neighbouring country. The moneys are written off by GRDB, which is overlooking the process, and is the one paying farmers who are participating in the scheme. According to Seeraj yesterday, RPA is not unaware of instances of millers lowering prices once there is a glut in the market or “lots of trucks” in front of the mills. He recommended that farmers will have to start considering harvesting their paddy and storing these until the prices are right. Ensuring that the moisture content and quality of paddy are up to standard will definitely see better prices being offered. While Government has privatized its rice facilities, in the Essequibo coast, Region Two, there is now a consideration for the establishment of a US$1.5M facility that will take off 100,000 bags of rice per crop. This 5,000-bag per day facility will more than likely target the Venezuela market. Seeraj noted that from the price offered by the Venezuelan market, there is the feel that farmers on an average should receive $4,000 per bag of paddy. Meanwhile, both entities stressed that they were looking into complaints that millers have been illegally offering farmers “D” grade and “E” grade for paddy sold. Under new CARICOM standards, grades are A, B, or C and somewhere in between are acceptable. Moves are now being made to determine a price for quality that cannot be graded for a possible formula for a price. Last year, rice production broke records with 422,058 tonnes. Some 334,000 tonnes were exported, with more than half of this going to Venezuela. With this year’s first crop some 264,000 tonnes, and another 250,000 tonnes targeted for the coming crop, it is anybody’s guess whether farmers will be able to meet the 500,000-tonne mark this year.
Leader of the Alliance for Change Khemraj Ramjattan says that his party condemns what it considers as the corrupt deal for the construction of the Specialty Hospital, further calling for its halting and retendering. Ramjattan at a party press conference yesterday said that he noted the recent remarks by the Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, that the Specialty Hospital construction by Surendra Engineering will proceed in the near future, with the latest addendum of an un-named construction consultancy to supervise proceedings. Ramjattan said he sees this new development as wholly outrageous and dangerous for a number of reasons. Firstly, he said that if government is to proceed with construction when the National Assembly had voted against further funding at this time, that would be rendering majority decisions in that august body meaningless. He said that it would be very provocative and may result in consequences that will be detrimental to the country as a whole. “One must recall that it was the Attorney General who brought a court action on this matter; that is the right of parliament to cut the budget.” According to Ramjattan
since that matter is still before the courts, the AG should be chastened not to proceed with the project in the absence of Parliamentary approval. Moreover, Ramjattan said that government seems not too concerned about the questionable awarding of the Specialty Hospital contract to a company which never built anything coming close to a hospital. “This government hasn’t learnt an iota from the Fip Motilall (Amaila Road) fiasco” Ramjattan stressed. He said that the suggestion of them using an un-named construction consultancy is only to disguise the real likelihood that there will not be a successful completion of the contract. He added that it has been brought to the attention of the AFC that both the Government of India and the Indian EXIM Bank are very concerned about Surendra Engineering being awarded the contract when it has no history of hospital construction, its price was higher, and to date cannot get an open letter of credit or get a proper Performance Guarantee signed. Ramjattan said that if one is to bypass these concerns, especially the capacity to construct and equip the Specialty Hospital with stateof-the-art instruments, the
Government of Guyana through its Attorney General, has created this un-named construction consultancy to give the impression to the Government of India and the EXIM Bank that all is now well with the Project; hence, advances can be disbursed. Ramjattan said that the proclivity of the government to go ahead with multimillion-dollar projects while it refuses to participate in establishing the constitutionally required oversight body, the Public Procurement Commission, leaves open the door to corruption and mismanagement of the people’s money. Ramjattan yesterday also reiterated the party’s call for the immediate establishment of the Public Procurement Commission. Earlier in the year, the parliamentary opposition during the considerations of the estimates decided to reduce to $0 the total allocation of $1.25 billion that was budgeted in the 2013 National budget for the construction of the Specialty Hospital.
A mini health check is the first step to donating blood
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Kaieteur News
Friday August 23, 2013
Bleak outlook for regional broadcasters…
CBU warns of hardships as $$M needed for digital switchover Four days of meetings involving top regional broadcasters on the allimportant mandatory switch to digital technology are over and the findings are not good. It will cost tens of millions of dollars, say officials of the Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU). During a press conference yesterday, newlyelected Vice-President, Gary Allen, said that “it became very clear to us that across the Caribbean, digital switchover is going to cost tens of millions of dollars per territory…with that level of investment that is expected, we had an assessment of what new services and new revenue streams are likely to come on stream, and we are very concerned that those persons who have already done digital switchover as well as integrators themselves, did not have very good news for us about proven, possible new
revenue streams that we can look forward to.” June 17, 2015 is the deadline when the old analog broadcaster system is to be phased out. During the press conference at the International Conference Centre, Allen, according to a Government release, noted that if the timelines that some of the regulators spoke of are facilitated, then this may lead to significant dislocation of the television media sector at both the business and consumer levels. “At the business level, we do not have the kind of absorptive capacity to fund the kind of investment that is needed.” Since none of the jurisdictions that are yet to make the transition can afford to fund this investment from their operations, then it is likely that debt will have to be incurred in this regard and this will lead to a reduction of profitability for organisations.
From left: CBU’s Secretary General, Patrick Cozier; Vice President Gary Allen, President, Shida Bolai and Board Member, Michael Gordon, speaking to the press. It was recognised that focus also needs to be placed on public awareness, to give consumers enough time to find funds to purchase new television sets. Some of the old sets will not be able to receive signals in the new digital broadcasting system. The CBU urged policymakers in the region and regulators to engage broadcasters meaningfully with a view of developing a
workable plan within a certain timeframe to aid in the successful transition from analog to digital. Another concern was also raised with regards to West Indies Cricket. Broadcasters in the region have been complaining about a trend whereby some regional cricket properties are no longer available to broadcasters to carry live. In this regard, the CBU resolved to seek an audience with the West Indies Cricket Board to discuss possible solutions to this issue. Meanwhile, CBU Secretary General, Patrick Cozier said the conference has turned out to be one of the most engaging. He commended the organisers and the Government of
Guyana for arranging a well planned event. He said with the changing media landscape, broadcasters must be reminded it is more important to be accurate than first. He added that, “an informed citizenry is the gatekeeper of a progressive democracy.” The news would be bad for several media houses in Guyana which are privately owned and operate on a shoestring budget. Thus far, only the United States and a few European countries have completed this process. Several Caribbean countries, including Guyana, are still to make this transition. Meanwhile, CBU elected a new board with Guyana’s CEO of the National
Communications Network (NCN), Michael Gordon; Pulita Olivieri from St. Vincent and the Granadines; Beulah Jonas from St. Maarten; Edwin Lightbourne from the Bahamas; a representative from STARCOM Network in Barbados and representatives from Belize and Suriname included. Shida Bolai was re-elected as the President. Bolai said yesterday that the CBU was able to accomplish a lot at the conference. She said that going forward, the work of the CBU will include a comprehensive review of its membership and its bylaws, to make them more relevant in light of technological changes. Since the opening of the conference, the members heard presentations from a number of manufacturers and representatives from the American and European Standards. Over 80 delegates took part in the conference. The CBU was formed in 1970 with a view to stimulating the flow of broadcast material among the radio and television systems in the Caribbean region. The organization is hoping to attract newspapers, online media houses and even production companies to become members.
Friday August 23, 2013
Body at Safari Inn… Victor Ramsabad, the handyman whose body was found at the Safari Inn on Tuesday, may have fallen to his death while indulging in his habit of peeping into the rooms of customers. At least this is the view of Yvonne Correia, whose husband, Francis Correia, has been in custody ever since Ramsabad’s apparently battered remains were found in the compound of the Friendship, East Bank Demerara hotel. The remains were found near a shed that the proprietor’s wife claimed Ramsabad often clambered onto so he could peep into the windows of hotel guests. Mrs. Correia said she believed that the heavydrinking handyman may have tumbled from his perch while indulging in his habit. She suggested that the body was not discovered until Tuesday because persons do not regularly traverse that section of the compound. Speaking to Kaieteur News yesterday, Mrs. Correia said that Rambasad, called ‘Tun Tun’, had been doing odd-jobs at the Friendship, East Bank Demerara hotel since he was a teen. She said that he was well treated, and they even put up with the heavy-drinking man’s habit of making off with alcoholic and other beverages that were stocked
Kaieteur News
Dead handyman was ‘Peeping Tom’ - proprietrix suggests he fell from shed while spying on guests
Dead: Victor Ramsabad called ‘Tun-Tun’ in the bar. The businesswoman said that ‘Tun Tun’ would stay away for about a month, but then return and ask “for another chance.” “Is years he going into the bar and stealing liquor,” the businesswoman sad. “He would take Guinness or orange juice (from the bar,).” But while they put up with the handyman’s pilfering, Mrs. Correia claimed that they were particularly upset by his habit of peeping into the bedrooms and even into bathrooms at showering guests, particularly females. The businesswoman alleged that ‘Tun Tun’ would even “bore holes” in the bedroom walls to get a view of the guests. Afterwards, he would
joke with his friends about his escapades. “I would say ‘Tun Tun’… stop peeping the customers, but he does still do it. A lot of customers caught him. His mother would also warn him.” Kaieteur News understands that the hotel proprietors had ordered the handyman to stay off the premises whenever he was drunk. Nevertheless, ‘Tun Tun’ would still sneak into the unfenced compound. Mrs. Correia said that she was informed that at around 22:00 hrs on Sunday, a couple came to book a room at the hotel. A female tenant gave the customers a room key, and on looking outside, saw ‘Tun Tun’ in the yard. “She say ‘Tun Tun’, auntie Yvonne ain’t say that she don’t want you in the yard after hours?’” According to Mrs. Correia the tenant then went inside, so she was unable to say whether the handyman had left. Mrs. Correia believes that he was intoxicated at the time, since he had visited a wedding house in the area earlier in the day. Ramsabad, of Eleventh Avenue, Diamond Housing Scheme, was found dead on Tuesday afternoon by the proprietor, Francis Correia.
Inactive Integrity Commission... (From page 6) such as the Ombudsman. According to Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon, just prior to the beginning of this Parliamentary recess, Government recognized the significant merit in addressing issues that are really on the front burner and need the bipartisan input. However, Government was unsuccessful in getting both sides together to see through that initiative. “I believe that we have had engagements and I would want to advise that in these engagements between…the administration, the President and the Leader of the Opposition in the context of his constitutional role, of their constitutional role, that these engagements
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have been ongoing,” he said. Dr. Luncheon said that on more than one occasion President Donald Ramotar had solicited engagements with Granger to deal with constitutional appointments and made reference to the appoints of the Chancellor, Chief Justice and Commissioner of Police. “I hasten to add that most of these events had unsuccessful outcomes…We have been meeting and because of my role as the Head of the Presidential Secretariat, I could assure you that those constitutionallymandated appointments in the context of vacancies, in the context of the need to appoint these constitutional post holders… the engagement will continue,” he said.
Dr. Luncheon mentioned that the previous Leader of the Opposition, Robert Corbin, made similar excuses which resulted in the Opposition Members of Parliament not submitting their declarations in the Ninth Parliament. “Mr. Corbin is a lawyer and I wouldn’t offer any excuse for his sad, misconceived interpretation but I would do it for David (Granger) because he doesn’t have any such pretences. And of course his could be more readily excused,” Dr. Luncheon said. He added that all the work of the Commission is essentially done by the staff with guidance from the three Commissioners. The staffers manage the routine work of the Commission.
The passageway where the body was found
The body bore what appeared to be a gaping wound to the back of the head and lacerations about the body. Police believe that he died sometime between Sunday and Tuesday. Ramsabad’s mother said
that she last saw her son on Friday and that he had told her that he was going to an East Bank Demerara business place where a wedding was being held. She said that she received a call at around 14:00 hrs Tuesday from someone
who informed her of her son’s death. The woman said that she then went to the Safari Inn, where she saw her son’s battered body. A post mortem is likely to be performed today.
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Friday August 23, 2013
Plan to safeguard youths from HIV to be charted at national conference A national conference of youths set for next month is expected to be the venue to chart the way forward as it relates to helping young individuals get on board the fight against the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). At least this is according to Programme Manager of the National AIDS Programme Secretariat, Dr Shanti Singh, who during an interview with this publication anticipated that a sizeable proportion of the country’s youths will be reached at the planned forum. She disclosed that the conference is designed to put plans in place for the next three to four years in terms of how HIV awareness work is done, both with in-school as well as out-of-school youths. This move comes as NAPS engages the Ministry of Education, through its Health and Family Life Education programme, as well as other school-based programmes to raise awareness about the epidemic. Ideally the collaboration with the Education Ministry should be funnelled through
NAPS Programme Manager, Dr. Shanti Singh the Health Ministry’s Adolescent Health Unit, which according to the NAPS Programme Director, is currently not operating very efficiently. “So from our standpoint ,while the Adolescent Health Unit may not be as vibrant as it should be, we have actually made a decision internally, within the Secretariat, in order to step up in terms of working with in-school youths, and as a matter of fact that will commence in a very
structured way on September 2 at the conference,” Dr Singh disclosed. However, NAPS has undertaken to raise awareness, though on a small scale, among work study students attached to the Secretariat. This has seen the Secretariat creating a small database of all these students, which Dr Singh said, “allows us to keep following them...Some of them are in University and many of them even return to do charitable work with us.” Added to this, she said that NAPS is in possession of an even wider database of all out-of-school youths who were trained as peer educators. Those listed in the databases will be among the youths who will be invited to attend the conference, Dr Singh said. This, she said, will cater to the creation of a network of all the youths, so that health becomes a priority for them. Moreover, she said that the conference will certainly not only focus on HIV, but on general health including Sexually Transmitted
Infection (STI), teenage pregnancy and substance abuse. She also pointed out that there is need to take into consideration all social issues affecting youths that could put them at risk. And targeting the young population is rather a crucial move for NAPS, as according to Dr Singh, “there is a very strong recognition that the young population is at an increased risk...so we made a decision that we needed to accelerate some of the efforts that we have started.” In fact, according to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), young people remain at the centre of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in terms of rates of infection, vulnerability, impact, and potential for change. This is due to the fact, UNFPA underscores, that although they have grown up in a
world changed by AIDS, many of these young people still lack comprehensive and correct knowledge about how to prevent HIV infection. “This situation persists even though the world has agreed that young people have the human right to education, information and services that could protect them from harm,” UNFPA highlights. As such, the body has been advocating for youths to be at the centre of preventative actions. “Where they are well informed of HIV risks and prevention strategies, they are changing their behaviour in ways that reduces their vulnerability. For example, in several countries, education has led to delayed sexual debut and increased use of condoms resulting in a decrease in HIV prevalence in
young people,” according to UNFPA. It has however been deduced by the UN body that despite the increase of HIV knowledge among youths the efforts, to some extent, remain inadequate. And NAPS has not been limiting its efforts to merely the enlightening of youths, but teachers are also being targeted. “We have done some work with teachers, but we haven’t done as much as we should,” said Dr Singh, who divulged that “...there were some efforts in terms of having modules integrated in some of the pre-service curriculum, even at the level of the Cyril Potter College of Education. We see this as another area that we will have to look more closely at to help safeguard our youths,” said Dr Singh.
Local university aiming to tackle brain drain challenge A strategic tactic aimed at addressing the challenge of the brain drain has not only been employed locally, but has gained noticeable momentum in recent months. Through an ambitious collaboration between the Australian Institute of Business (AIB) and Nations University, individuals are not only able to develop themselves academically, but they can also steer themselves towards creating local enterprises. According to Marketing Director of AIB, Joel Abraham, through the widely recognised Masters of Business Administration (MBA) programme, designed by AIB and offered around the world, persons are given an opportunity to upgrade themselves without even having to travel overseas. “I know it is a great opportunity for the people of Guyana, because there is a huge issue here in terms of brain drain, where people with talent, skill and knowledge are leaving the country... emigrating...and we decided
we can bring our education here to hopefully encourage them to stay and develop their skills,” said Abraham. Abraham was in fact directly responsible for forging the collaboration with Nations University and according to him during an interview with this publication yesterday, “I am glad that AIB with Nations University can be a catalyst for progress by our offering of the MBA programme.” Abraham has been travelling to Guyana for the past two and a half years and in fact yesterday concluded one of these missions. His visits entail him facilitating information sessions with prospective students and the most recent session at the Nations University saw some 90 individuals in attendance, who expressed absolute interest in taking advantage of the MBA programme. The local offering of the programme, according to Abraham’s estimation, has been doing quite well, both academically and in terms of enrolment.
“The demand has been unprecedented so I am really excited to be here...” Abraham said yesterday. According to Director of Nations University, Dr Brian O’Toole, moves have already been made to commence sessions for the seventh batch of MBA students. The first batch of 12 students graduated just over two months ago, a feat which is expected to become an annual feature. “We have done this in just a couple of years and so clearly this is a tremendous demand...These are people from a whole array and backgrounds including bank managers, people in insurance, entrepreneurs and permanent secretaries...So it is a very gifted group of people who are doing the programme,” Dr O’Toole said. He added too that “...I think for me one of the more exciting things is that people are doing really well and the pass rate is extremely high; it is about 84 per cent and at least 10 of those who made up the first batch, their final projects are being considered for publication in international journals...” Dr O’Toole further emphasised that since education is the recognised path to escape difficulties, notable among them poverty, persons therefore are encouraged to take advantage of the many educational programmes that are readily available locally.
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Future of Amaila Falls DR officials were tipped access road uncertain about cocaine in rice shipment By Keeran Danny
“The Amaila Falls Hydropower Project has been utterly destroyed and is no longer available to Guyana and its citizens. This outcome has isolated the Parliamentary Opposition, divided their supporters and activists and exposed to Guyanese of all walks of life the machinations of the opposition”. This notion was expressed by Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon during his post Cabinet press-briefing at the Office of the President, on Wednesday. He noted that Government is still proceeding with the construction of the Amaila Falls access road. In fact, construction is still ongoing pending a decision on its future. “Even though the designed Amaila Falls Hydropower Project indeed, and for all intents and purposes, died this most unnatural unexpected death, there may yet be a purpose to which that road would be put…” Construction of the Amaila Falls access road began in 2010 by Makeswhar ‘Fip’ Motilall’s Synergy Holdings Inc for US$15.4M. Continuous extensions of the project and Motilall’s failure to secure a performance bond resulted in Government pulling the plug on Motilall’s involvement with the project. However, since that contract termination the project has encountered different contractors and the cost is expected to double.
Dr. Roger Luncheon According to Dr. Luncheon, one of the contractors currently involved in constructing the Amaila Falls access road is China Railway First Company Limited that was identified to construct the Hydropower Plant. He said that ongoing work on the road to the Kuribrong River is being supported by taxpayers. “And a decision would have to be made subsequently whether that falls victim as the designs of the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project have fallen victim to the Opposition action,” he said. Another area of concern by observers was Sithe Global (the developers of the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project)’s possession of a licence to pursue hydropower development in Guyana, even though they pulled out of the project. Observers are concerned that Sithe Global could resell the licence in the same
manner it obtained the licence from Motiall. Synergy Holdings Inc was granted an Original Interim Licence on July 29, 2002, just over 11 years ago, for the development of a Hydro-electric power station and reservoir and the setting up of a transmission line to the coast to sell electricity. Following some extensions, Synergy went to Sithe Global as the proposed investor for the project. By a series of further extensions, a Tenth Supplementary to Interim Licence was granted to Amaila Falls Hydro Inc. “I am not certain what a licence of a dead project actually confers, what it actually means, but I would want to believe it means nothing,” Luncheon said. He added that unless the contractual agreements explicitly state for residual action to be taken, “they all die with the death of the project”. Dr. Luncheon stated that apologists have surfaced, attempting to “render comprehensible the incomprehensible”. “The evolution of their explanations and the variety of explanations that have been offered to Guyana is patent proof of their insolvency…Not only have Guyanese seen their contempt, but our bilateral partners, international friends and supporters have all been treated with disdain by the act of the Opposition or their responses to the entreaty of these well-wishers of Guyana… these supporters of the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project.”
Information emanating from local investigators says that drug officials in the Dominican Republic (DR) were tipped that cocaine was hidden in the consignment of rice originating from Guyana and destined for Venezuela. The information further reveals that of the 41 containers of bulk rice that was heading to the Spanishspeaking nation via Jamaica and DR, one container was pulled from the shipment, while the remaining cargo was given the go-ahead for its desired destination. Kaieteur News was told yesterday that as part of collaboration efforts between the mentioned countries to determine the origin of the drug, exchanged information suggests that there might have been some Guyanese involvement, although it is still not clear as to whether the drug was packed in the rice while in Guyana. As such, the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit has indicated that there are some persons on their radar. Senior ranks involved in the investigation say that the security procedure for that shipment is unclear, while checks indicate that the relevant security measures were not followed. As it relates to the bust in DR, Kaieteur News was told that officials over there were waiting for the shipment to arrive with agents from various security branches. Officials here say, however, that at any one of the aforementioned ports could
have been infiltrated. General Secretary of the Guyana Rice Producers’ Association (GRPA), Dharamkumar Seeraj told Kaieteur News on Wednesday that an in-transit route to Venezuela was not unusual, since such a small rice shipment would be exported with other cargo heading to different destinations - hence the stops. He explained too that paddy would go straight to the buyer. Anti-narcotic ranks here and abroad say that the major challenge is to determine at exactly what point the confirmed legitimate shipment by Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) was tampered with. For now, local investigators are trailing the containers’ travel route, while documentation on the shipment is being scrutinised. Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) head Khurshud Sattaur told this newspaper yesterday that so far nothing unusual has come up from that agency’s end. He clarified that GRA is not directly associated with these types of shipments since the normal security procedures for example, the container scanner, is not applicable in this case. He said that as it relates to these types of
shipments, GRA uses a type of risk-profiling system. He related that if cocaine is stashed in the bulk bags it would be difficult to determine this, hence exporters using this means are scrutinised based on their shipping credibility and reputation. He however noted that GRA has been able to locate the declaration documents and that which relates to the said rice shipment. Spanish news agency Dominica Today, said on Wednesday that three Spanish men have so far been detained in connection with the 70 kilogrammes of cocaine. The nation’s National Drugs Control Agency (DNCD) arrested one Manuel Alcántara in a raid on an apartment in Andres, in the country’s beach town of Boca Chica, not far from where the drug was seized. They said that man was found with a list of ships expected to dock at the port, where he would have allegedly received the drugs and reshipped it. Before that, Robert Garcia Ramirez, 36, and Venezuelan national Yonathan Alberto Reyes were arrested as they were about to leave the country aboard a flight to Caracas.
Page 26
Friday August 23, 2013
Kaieteur News
Miss Trinidad crowned Miss
Jamzone 2013
M
iss Trinidad and Tobago, Breige Wilson, was Tuesday evening crowned Miss Jamzone 2013. Coming in as first runner up and second runner up was Miss Guyana, Alicia Bess, and Miss Curacao, Marvia Laurance, respectively.
The new Queen is 23 year old Miss Jamzone 2013 breezed her way through the final question which was, “If you were a Doctor and the Caribbean was your patient, What would be your prescription to cure the region of crime and violence?”, to capture the crown.
Sixteen lucky persons to see CPL T20 in Trinidad S
ixteen lucky persons will fly to see the second Semi-final and final of Limacol CPL T20 in Trinidad Compliments of El Dorado Rum Demerara Distillers Limited under its flagship brand, El Dorado is the official spirit of the inaugural Limacol CPL T20 tournament being played in six countries across the Caribbean. The tournament which is dubbed the biggest sporting party is being contested by six Caribbean Nations with players coming from international teams. As the official Spirit of the tournament is allowed to host promotions to reward El Dorado Cricket fans as well as to get them excited about the tournament. During the cricket period several onpremise promotions were held at retail accounts across the country and El Dorado cricket fans were treated to bar specials, free ticket giveaways and El Dorado prizes. From these promotions eight lucky persons and a guest won a trip to see the second semi-final and final being played in Trinidad on 23rd and 24th August. Winning the trip to Trinidad was very simple, consumers were required to purchase either an El Dorado 12 or 15 Year Old Super Premium rums and place their contact information on their receipts and placed in entry boxes provided. The promotion which began on 5th August and concluded on 20th August saw several hundred persons participating. However, only seven winners were selected. These included Savita Jardine of 14 Enachu Street Campbellville,
Some of the lucky winners Lilowtie Singh of 294 - 4th street Cummings Lodge, Bissoon Ramnarine of 9 Rainbow City Mackenzie, Anjanie Narayan, Hema Sharmoon of 67 Garnett St. N/Town, Rawle Drupaul of 31 5th Ave Onderneeming and Prem Raghuber of 60 Canjie Street Section N Campellville.
Fans at the local games were not left out as another promotion was planned for one excited cricket fan. Persons were encouraged to participate in the “El Dorado Express Yourself competition” where they were asked to come as an El Dorado canvas and have their photos taken by
photographer. Narine Ramroop was adjudged the winner of this promotion. Winners of this promotion will each receive two airline tickets, accommodation at the Hilton Hotel, four cricket tickets and spending money. They will depart Guyana on the 23rd August and return on the 25th August.
Friday August 23, 2013
Page 27
Kaieteur News
East Berbice African Patrons thrilled heritage pageant at Biker Fest set for Berbice Tomorrow
By Samuel Whyte Saving the best for last is just about the right adage for the Annual Miss East Berbice African Heritage Pageant which will be held this Saturday on the lawns of the New Amsterdam Technical Institute (NATI) Compound, beginning at 19:00hrs. The activity which will be held under the theme “A Vision of African Diversity in 2013.” This will be the final activity to round out a month of activities held in Berbice to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Berbice Slave Uprising and the 175th Anniversary of Emancipation. The activity which is a joint group effort of the Revival Awareness and Perpetration of African Culture (RAPAC) group in collaboration with the Rotaract Club of New Amsterdam will be a perfect end to the month of activities. The eight young African beauties who will be stepping on stage in their quest to light up the venue ,in their African attire, in their quest to become Miss Berbice African Heritage 2013 queen are: Janet Williams, 26, who will be representing the Zulu African tribe, Akelia Pydanna, 18, representing the Igbo tribe, Lottia Williamson, 26, who will be bringing to the fore the Amhara
tribe, 18 year old Malandra Simon portraying the Yoruba Tribe, Onica Chisholm age 20 whose display will depict the Hausa tribe, 16 year old Arsceianna McPherson portraying the Akan Tribe, Mickela Alleyne, 16, will be representing the Arab Tribe and Joanna Wright the 19 years old strutting her stuff as a Fula tribe. According to the organisers the annual African heritage pageant gives the youths the opportunity to exhibit Guyana's rich culture diversity, as well as an avenue to teach the younger generation about the dynamic African heritage. The Pageant will have a number of segments including a welcome and opening dance, tribal wear, talent pieces, evening wear and a final question segment. The evening activity will be spiced up with a number of entertainment pieces that will include comedy by popular comedian Sir Mars, drumming by the world renowned Congo Naya Cultural and Drumming group. There will also be African singing, dancing and games for kids, African dishes and craft will also be on display as part of the night's activity.
This Friday and Saturday at Palm Court Pulse Entertainment will be continuing their summer mood with "Summer Swing Weekend” Feel the Pulse of the DJ's as they entertain with the latest Summer Hits & Sip on some of the Coolest Cocktails as patrons swing the night away with the Gorgeous Pulse Girls under colorful decor & Extreme club lighting. Ladies You're FREE until 11:00pm and Admission $2,000 before 11:00pm
ell received at ‘Bikers Fest' was w Sunday last the National Park on rons their at p ve as performers ga form of e th n i h t money's wor nt combined e m te i xc e exhilarating with thrilling stunts. ctric as bikes The stunts were ele
Be it the soared into the sky. sessions, the t ou rn bu ramps, the ng through the tarmac, or catapulti livered air, the bikers all de nces that would a scorching perform ories of fans be etched in the mem forever.
Pulsating atmosphere promised for cricket matches Non-stop partying has been planned for the Guyana National Stadium on Friday 30th Aug and Saturday 31st August 2013 for the competition between Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago. T20 cricket in the West Indies is associated with pulsating music, all night dancing, non-stop partying and of course exhilarating cricket. Nothing less is anticipated in the Party Stand on August 30 and 31 when Guyana battle T&T in two feature matches at the Stadium under lights. Music will be provided by 71 Sounds, Slingerz Sounds, DJ Dauren, DJ Stephan. Beverage and Food Bars will be available, however, there will be limited seating. The cheerleaders, the fun and frolic, the overflowing of liquid refreshment and the excitement of what should be a capacity crowd is designed to create a carnival like atmosphere and a kaleidoscope of color. Tickets to the party stand cost just $1,000 and every purchase of three tickets entitles the buyer another one free. Food and drinks bars will be set up inside the party stand. It promises to be an all night party as all roads lead to the Guyana National Stadium for two exciting matches per day.
Page 28
Friday August 23, 2013
Kaieteur News
R. Kelly concert
postponed to October 19 The International Concert which was scheduled for August 24 with headlining act, R&B legend R. Kelly, has been postponed to October 19, 2013. This was disclosed at a press conference held at Water Crest Hotel yesterday. In attendance were Director of McNeal Enterprise Odinga Lumumba, MC for the R. Kelly show Bobby Viera, and Hits and Jams (HJ) officials Rawle Ferguson and Kerwin Bollers. Odinga Lumumba who heads McNeal Enterprise said promoters are currently in the process of organizing an even better package with additional artistes and are dubbing the new concert 'A Night of Legends'. He explained that the delay was due to the artiste falling ill following a recent tour in South Africa for which he is expected to issue an official statement. Adding that tickets are still valid but refunds will be available to interested parties. Lumumba said a date and location for refunds will be announced. In lauding the Hits and Jams team Lumumba said “I want to say I am very proud of the relationship with Rawle and Kerwin of the Hits and Jams team, these are young men that need to be supported and I will continue to provide spiritual, mental and financial support behind them because they have done Guyana good.” Underscoring that the August activity has offered the first tourist package Guyana has had to sell to the public; Lumumba said this has developed into an international forum which people look forward to. “I came to them and said we need to raise the bar on the international level,
- Other major artists to be announced for 'A Night of Legends'
(From Left) Kerwin Bollers of HJ, Master of Ceremonies for the R. Kelly show Bobby Viera, Head of McNeal Enterprise Odinga Lumumba and Rawle Ferguson of HJ. and we came up with R. Kelly. We signed him for Saturday August 24; we have fulfilled all our obligations to R. Kelly….We have paid him way in advance, if checks are made with Caribbean Airways tickets were there, check with the domestic airline tickets were there, check with Pegasus and reservations where there, check with National Stadium that was booked, check with 3veni they were booked, check with Christopher Martin and he was booked, check with Jumo his contract was signed, check with Mingles Sound system and they were booked, so everything on our part was in place, we even have containers with lighting system from America and other
stuff for the event on the wharf.” Lumumba explained condignly. Adding that R. Kelly's agent confirmed Wednesday last that he was ill and would not make it to Guyana, Lumumba said when asked about the nature of the illness, it was disclosed that the artist had an issue and phobia with flying on an aircraft. “It is true and we know for a fact, and it is found on the internet R. Kelly does not like to go on aircrafts, when he is in America he drives around in a bus. He has some phobia with airlines. I was told that his trip in South Africa was a long trip and caused some form of disorientation,” Lumumba noted. “The contracts always say an artist can
“Stars of Florida” t r o s Re nd a k r Pa n Fu s ' n i hm as l Sp for
The “Stars of Florida” will be showcasing their incredible talent in Guyana as they are set to perform at the Jamzone Beach Jam on August 25 at the Splashmin's Fun Park and Resort. The Stars of Florida feature the world's top show skiers in performances that will thrill and delight spectators. These professionals are trained in practically all aspects of the sport including bare footing, jumping, swivel, adagio doubles, pyramids, wake boarding, air chair/ski sky and even delta wing hang gliders are choreographed into one grand performance. Stars of Florida has performed in Japan, Paris, Jordan, Colombia, Turkey, Malaysia, India, Egypt, Las Vegas, Norway, Korea and other exciting locations. These very talented performers are sure to provide a splendid show for patrons. During their visit in August, the Stars of Florida will partake in a Ski Show & Regatta exclusively for the Madewini residents. However, the general public will be able to witness these breath-taking acts on the day of Jamzone Beach Jam.
cancel an event if there is a hurricane, storm, political unrest and if the person's health is not intact then he is obligated to give another date.” He continued: “We have decided to be generous, and within a week, we are going to add some flavor to this concert, and when we add this flavor, those who have the $3,500 tickets now can keep their tickets cause when we add this flavor the tickets will go to $6,000. We will add one or two more dynamic artists in addition to R. Kelly, but based on the contract R. Kelly will also have to approve the other singers.” He said as part of the new agreement R. Kelly is asked to do a radio and satellite linkup to talk to the Guyanese public.
Friday August 23, 2013
Page 29
Kaieteur News
NAYA ZAMANA 18
Countdown is set for tomorrow night! begins for Sami Yusuf concert
The National Culture Centre stage is expected to come alive with vibrant colours, dazzling costumes and the best of Bollywood music, as the much anticipated Naya Zamana 18 kicks off tomorrow night. Year after year, Naya Zamana has been a treat to Bollywood fanatics all across the country. It is known to be one of the best theatrical presentations locally. Last year, its 17th edition titled A flashback at Naya Zamana 17 “Bollywood Dreams” saw a sold out audience, and had to be dedicatedly to present a unique show staged again weeks later, to facilitate that will be remembered for a long time the others. after. In addition to the Sabha's Dharmic Saturday night's dancing spectacular is Nritya Sangh, Taal Dhamaal will feature titled “Taal Dhamaal”, a piece that tells Amit Shah who wowed the audience the story of a diverse group of dancers with his performance as Yash Kapoor in who have been granted the coveted “Bollywood Dreams”. spots in a premier dance academy. Shah is the creative director and The dancers trained with the rigour of choreographer of Aatma Performing Olympic athletes as they vie for the Arts in the USA. A new addition to the ultimate prize. An abandoned bride, an cast is the talented Prashant Sitaram, imperious diva, a Shah Rukh fanatic, choreographer of the Rangeela Dance and a love-struck Romeo, are all part of Troupe of New York. the mix. The other key roles will be played by The audience will be taken on a Indhira Harry, Gina Arjoon, Zahrah Alli, veritable rollercoaster of emotions Tonya Singh, Rishi Dubraj, and Ananda ranging from love and laughter to anger, Latchman. sadness, and desperation. Tickets for the production cost $3,000, The production, which is written, $2,000, and $1,500 and are available at choreographed, and directed by Dr the Dharmic Sanskritik Kendra National Vindhya Persaud, will feature a diverse Cultural Centre; Red Mango, Robb musical palette reflective of 100 years Street; Bhagwan's, Water Street; and of Indian cinema. the Murti Shop, Meten-Meer-Zorg, West The cast comprises 60 talented dancers Coast Demerara. and actors who have been working
The countdown has started for one of the greatest of all time to honor Guyana with a live performance. Sami Yusuf will be here for a majestic performance on September 28. Ticket prices and locations to be announced shortly. The promotional company responsible for this is Inspire Inc., which has also collaborated with the Central Islamic Organization of Guyana and the Muslim Youth League of Guyana in bringing Sami Yusuf who is known for fostering spiritual autonomy so persons may usher into a new era of cooperation and coexistence. Charmed by his good looks and manners so heartwarming, the young amongst his fans would emulate what they saw in Sami – a leader. His fans wouldn't shy away from admitting Sami's music had changed their lives –
for the better. Unheard of before, such an artist-fan tandem flourished with subsequent release of My Ummah, Sami's highly acclaimed second album selling well over four million copies. Sami was soon headlining CNN, the BBC, ABC, Al Jazeerah, not to mention, every mainstream TV channel in the Middle East and Turkey. His success was soon acknowledged by the University of Roehampton in south-west London, as a result of which, Sami became the first and the youngest Muslim recipient of the honorary Doctor of Letters award in recognition of his extraordinary contribution to music. In attainment of this prestigious award, he not only stands alongside Mark Twain, J.K Rowling and Robert Frost but is also one of the only three musicians in the world to be ever honored thus.
Father Moey Birthnite Bash The Dancing Bells of s et fo r M e la nie Gr ound Rekha starts tonight
The primer for Dancing Bells of Rekha will begin today and continue on 24th August at the Astro Cinema, MetenMeer-Zorg West Coast Demerara (WCD) at 7:00pm and the continuation on the 25th August at the Cornelia Ida Mandir Ground, WCD at 6:30pm. The final showing is for the first time in this area on the 31st August, 2013 at the Indian Monument Garden, Camp & Church Streets Georgetown at 7:00pm. Tickets are $1, 000 for adults and $5,00 for children and is available at The Feed Shop Sandy Babb Street Kitty, N&S Mattai Water Street and M&M Snackette Harbor Bridge. The Nirvana Humanitarian Society is a non profitable organization which was established in 1997. Since its inception, Nirvana has been actively involved in the promotion and sustenance of Humanitarian and Cultural activities. The Society over the years has been highly commended for its community work, especially in assisting the less fortunate students on the WCD. The Nirvana Learning Resource Center currently provides several accredited low-cost computer training programs, life-skills training program and a wellstocked library. This diversified organization has over the years produced star- stunning
performances in Guyana. Many can remember the sterling “Laff till yuh belly bust” productions follow by the captivating “Visa Wedding” and the enjoyable Parika Market Starboy drama productions in Guyana. After the sold-out performance of Visa Wedding and the Parika Market Starboy in Guyana, USA and Canada, the Nirvana Humanitarian Society presents a theatrical drama that showcases the cultural trials and journey of the East Indian Foreparents in India to then British Guiana under the title “The Dancing Bells of Rekha” as part of the commemoration of 175 years of Indian's Arrival to Guyana. The superb master piece will take the audience back in time to the golden era of the India and then travel to the land of sugar cultivation, the then British Guiana under the direction of the talented Ramesh Deochan. This mesmerizing piece will be merged with a Grand variety concert which will showcase some of Guyana's best including the Ishara Dance Troupe, Nachgana Dance Company and songs from the versatile Shiva Nayan backed by the Caribbean Hot Shots Band. The four days extravaganza promises to be breath-taken and would deliver another top class production.
This is an event almost everyone looks forward to and that's because of the excitement it generates and the numerous opportunities for giveaways made possible to fans that normally attends. Come Saturday, August 31, 2013 the Melanie Damishana Ground will explode with festivity as Mackeson XXX Hour Programme in association with Determine Family Entertainment invades the entertainment arena with the annual 'Father Moey Birthnite Bash 2013', and this event has seen several exciting additions this year. Much fuss and excitement is surround the fact that promoters are allowing all fans to enter free of charge before 20:00 hrs (8 p:m). Added to that, patrons can win over $300 000 in gate prizes! Isn't that fantastic? And fans the fun has just begun. The promoters are bringing two fantastic 'surprise artistes', and this time around there will be a 'musical fantasia' supplied by top sounds like Determine, TRS, Stereo Sonic and Fusion. The top rated dance groups from the East Coast Demerara region will attempt to dethrone the popular 'XFactor Dancers' who are definitely
Guyana's hottest dancehall and Passa Passa stars. Those lining up for steamy confrontation are Famous Pose Dancers of Victoria Village, National Squad Dancers, Devine Starz of Buxton, and the talented Spanish Town Dancers. This is certainly a family oriented event, and parents are urged to bring out the kids in their numbers. And with good reason since there will be Sponge Bob, Dora and Spiderman in the house. There will also be giveaways for the first five hundred children and the gate will be open from 15:00 hrs (3 p:m)
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Kaieteur News
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Friday August 23, 2013
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Hilux Surf 4 doors, automatic, 4 wheel drive, needs minor repairs- Call:621-4000
Bel-Air $75,000; Kitty US$750; Queenstown US$1000; Lamaha Gardens US$2500- Call Diana @2272256/626-9382
1 unregistered Mercedes Benz 1,600cc- Call:227-3042/ 676-7291
2 Bedrooms apartment for rent @ QueenstownCall:680-5817
2008 Tacoma 4x4 automatic, excellent condition. Off road tyres with lift kit & access cab- Call:610-5370 Ford F150 Spare Parts: 2004-2010 models: Breaks Pads, spark plugs, mirrors, doors, deff etc- Call:685-2584 1 Toyota Raum excellent condition (recently sprayed over) $1.2M Neg: Contact Lisa @652-4703/267-1551 CAR RENTAL Premio, vitz call: 679-7139
Brand new Mitsubishi Lancer 2005 model, white with alloy wheels, CD. Bargain price, never registeredCall:269-0210/625-6833 1 Model M with winch GPP series, 1 3RZ Hilux, 1 RZ minibus- Call:627-8551
Fluffy Dashund pups- Call: 226-9548/ 670-2653
One 3 Tons Bedford dump truck, 3 and 4" water pumpCall:270-4485/233-5752 Guyana Brakes & Clutch Company, 27 Coldingen, E.C.D
1- AA60 Carina- Call:6430332/689-5254
TO LET Harmony Inn: Apartments fully furnished, airconditioned apartments: $5000 per night- Call:6680306/602-8769/694-7817
LAND FOR SALE House lot for sale: Friendship, Diamond EBD & drafting of house plans call:223-0733, 223-0730, 6928513 Land @ Marudi Creek 35 acres. Suitable for farming/ sand pit- Call:664-9701/6426056 Land @ lot 50 area ‘H’ Albion Corentyne, BerbiceCall:647-0357/651-1735
EDUCATIONAL I.A.E (Camp street): Register for full- time, lessons & adults CXC classes: Maths, English, Business & ScienceCall: 223-0604/ 683-5742 Electronic Course- Practical, 12 persons per class. Register early. Beginning 4th September @ Abdul Electronics- Call:226-6551 or 225-0391 Is your child struggling with reading, writing & math or has a disability? For best results- Call:683-3887
Warakabra, Linden Highway: 1,409’ x 403’ or 13.73 acres. Concrete house thereon. West of HighwayCall:619-4152 2369.664 Sq/ft of land @ Victoria village, E.C.DCall:225-2626/225-3068 At Bachelor’s Adventure on E.C.D- Call:680-5944 Parfaite Harmony $1M & $800,000- Call:675-7292 Grove behind Samantha Point, land with foundationCall:667-1659/678-7021 (Continued on page 31)
Friday August 23, 2013
Kaieteur News
Letters... Where your views make the news
Page 31
(From page 30)
GECOM IS NOT A... From page 5 elections as an unwelcome, even threatening development. Seen in this light, the letter suggests a fearful, insecure institution, unwilling to risk offending the good graces of higher powers far from the confident, vigorous agency with vision and vitality that the country sorely needs in respect of elections.” My previous letter on this matter, while conveying that GECOM is legally mandated to carry out Civic and Voter Education work, never sought to, and could not have given the impression that GECOM alone is “specifically mandated by law to provide information”. In fact, in the second paragraph of my letter, I did note that “GECOM welcomes the attempt by FtF to play a role in providing information about the new system for Local Government Elections, the Commission cannot allow the incorrect information be fed to the
public”. We stand by this position as would any organisation inn a similar situation. Further, it was in recognition of the actions of the FtF, which GECOM felt could complement the work of the Commission that we extended an invitation to the FtF, the “Sponsoring Organisations” and other organisations to contact GECOM for clarity and/or assistance on any matter concerning Local Government Elections or any other relevant matter before getting involved in the publication of information accordingly. We stand by this position. Please permit me to denounce Mr. McCormack’s most inciting statement by emphasizing that GECOM is a constitutional Commission that is not “a fearful, insecure institution, unwilling to risk offending the good graces of higher powers”. In fact, the Commission is a very confident body with a proactive vision and
The Finance... From page 4 government should be placed in such as invidious position. Therefore, I would advise the Government of Guyana through the Minister to sell the Amaila shares and use the US$100.0 million which has so far been set-aside for this investment in other worthwhile projects, including strengthening the government oversight functions in this and other related sectors. Furthermore, once the Amaila shares are sold, this will free taxpayers, the Parliament and the Treasury from placing on the national books a liability of US$758.0 million. Moreover, since there is this view by the government that Amaila is a profitable undertaking, it stands to reason that finding private buyers would not be a difficult undertaking. The government must therefore stand by its word of the profitability of Amaila and test their own theory by placing its Amaila shares up for sale to the private sector. The Guyana and Caribbean stock markets, among others in world financial markets, are useful places for this process to start, once the due diligence examination is completed by the Inter-American Development Bank. As an aside, it is indeed mystifying to say a large investment project is profitable without a due diligence report being available for public scrutiny. This is unheard of in financial markets. One of the other interesting features of this project is that the total debt seems to
be a moving target as it changes without reason. For example, the recent debt permutation given by the Minister is US$650.0 million which is different from the previous total of US$608.0 million (China Development Bank of US$508.0 million plus IADB of US$100.0 million). What is the explanation for this? Publishing the appraisal document and due diligence report will fix this concern. Finally, The Minister made a series of unsubstantiated claims aimed at advancing the idea that “…taking a minority stake in (Amaila will)… reduce the cost of capital… reduce end-user tariffs… build Guyana’s sovereign credit rating … (attract)… foreign capital… prove Guyana is investment worthy… (and) …the future cost of borrowing for citizens and businesses would go down because capital would become cheaper…” My response to this ‘amalgamation of goodies’ is that the Minister is ‘over reaching’, for if such outcomes are derived from the government taking a minority stake in Amaila, this will be path breaking in the fields of finance, accounting and economics and a Nobel Prize will just a be a handshake away. There are many more outstanding issues that need to be address, but I will leave them for another time, noting that the Government and people of Guyana own all the risk by issuing a guarantee for the entire Amaila debt. Dr. C. Kenrick Hunte
determination to carry out its mandates in compliance with the relevant laws and International Standards pertaining to the conduct of election related work. Do not forget that it was this very GECOM which conducted the 2006 and 2011 Elections from which there was no post-election violence. Further, GECOM does not take orders from, nor does it benefit from the benevolence of the Government or any Political or other Stakeholder. In conclusion, please permit me the opportunity to once again laud the efforts of any Stakeholder, as is the case with the FtF, to complement the work of GECOM. However, I must reiterate that, in so doing, such Stakeholders should contact GECOM for clarity and/or assistance on any matter concerning Local Government Elections or any other relevant matter before getting involved in the publication of relevant information. It is hoped that all concerned would see this response as a genuine attempt to set the record straight insofar as the issues raised by Mr. McCormack are concerned and that this matter is now closed. Vishnu Persaud Public Relations Officer Guyana Elections Commission
CAR RENTAL Progressive Auto Rental cars from $4000 per day. Call 643-5122, 225-8711; email www. progressive autorental. com Car Rental- Call: 643-1131/ 225-3234
Refrigeration, A/C Technician. Call 231-0655/ 683-8734 Cashier, porter, sales clerks: Apply with written application @ 2J’s General Store 148-149 Regent road Bourda, G/Town- Call:2252350 1 Receptionist, within the vicinity of Vreed-en-Hoop to Parika. Tel: 638-1627 1 Secretary, 1 Clerk & 1 Office Assistant- Contact the office on 265-3586
One rider for a Transtar motorcycle to deliver waterCall:231-4832/662-3415/6262360 One attractive waitress to work in Bar. Attractive salaryCall:686-4818/699-6994 Males to work in kitchen: Apply @ Shanta’s 225 Camp & New Market Streets
PROPERTY FOR SALE Property for sale in Enterprise E. C. Demerara Call: 627-5416/611-7437 Lodge, corner property with business- Call:223-7181/6274900 ‘BB’ Eccles- Concrete house 3 bedrooms upstairs, downstairs 2 self contained apartments, 2 bedrooms each toilet & bath $28MCall:227-8409/660-4764 VERSAILLES: Furnished 5 bedrooms, self-contained rooms, modern facilities, generator, beautiful landscape, gated community- Call:592-6248704/ 592-684-9203 Haslington, E.C.D: Building ‘A’, concrete/ timber modern 2 storeys, 7 bedrooms, grilled & fenced. Building ‘B’, 3 apartments, fenced- call:2252626/ 225-3068
VACANCY 24 Hour East Coast Guyoil needs night pump attendants, salesgirl & office assistant- Call:6889611/684-2838
WANTED
Honest live in domestic (single or widowed) attractive salary offeredCall:646-1758 (between 9:00am-4:00pm) 1 female to work in Interior in shop, age 20-45 $80,000Call:664-5199 (from 8am-6pm) serious enquiry only Girls to work in Bar & kitchen helpers. Apply in person @ Evergreen Bar new road Vreed-en-Hoop Car/Van driver 40yrs plus. Husband and wife live in duties. Laboures - call:2271830 Kitchen help, butcher and cleaner- Call:231-5866/2315857 One boy to work in Interior 18-30- $70,00- Call:664-5199 (from 8am-6pm) serious enquiry only Cleaner- Call:225-3234
Furnished building in the interior, fully equipped along with six rooms- Call:604-6999
One live in maid must know to cook & clean, preferably from country side or interiorCall:666-6836
House and Land @ D’Edward, W.C.B.- Call: 6892973/698-3703
One experienced driver to work in interior to drive bus & lorry- Call:666-6836
Houses for sale on E.C.D & E.B.D- Call:223-8479/6473768 www.spaceseek.gy
Paradise, E.C.D: Concrete modern 2 storeys, 4 bedrooms- 2 masters. Concrete fenced large lotcall:225-2626/ 225-3068
2 able bodied labour workers to work on farm at Yahurawara- Contact the office 265-3586
Paradise, E.C.D: Concrete modern 2 bedrooms, front and rear verandah. Concrete fenced large lot- call:2252626/ 225-3068
Fabricator Welder, security officers, kitchen assistant, 1 cook, host/hostess & cleaners: Interested persons can contact tel:603-3993
One two storey concrete building & land 48 x 500ft @ La Jalousie public road, W.C.D- Call:269-0778 serious inquires
Machine Operator to work in Garment Factory- Call: 2222541 Laboures to work on wood concession: accommodation provided $4000-$5000 per day- Call:612-1082 (8am to 4pm) 1 welder/ bodywork man to work in the InteriorContact:627-6416/226-3799 (Mon-Fri 8am-4pm) Receptionist, room attendant, bar attendants, washer & presser , cook & helper– Contact: Hick’s Ville Hotel @ 231-0951/231-0953 One live in attractive waitress must have secondary education must be honest & trustworthyCall:610-5043 Attractive live in waitressCall:327-0252/674-4665 Driver, salesperson, male merchandiser & porter needed, bring resume ( include reference) & passport photo at Vegetarian Gardens - Tele: 227-7714 One experienced general domestic, must know to cook tasty Creole dishes. Must be honest & trustworthy- Call:656-6388 Experienced male counter servers, waiters, cashiers, roti/ puri cooks & pastry makers: Apply @ Hacks Halaal 5 Commerce St. Cooks, assistant cooks, waitresses and bartenders to work in Kitty area- Call: 226-7054/ Cell:610-8269
Property for sale by owner located at Regent Street, Georgetown- Call:225-1831
West Ruimveldt $5M, West Bank $22M, East Bank $15M, Section ‘K’ $42M- Call Diana @227-2256/626-9382
WANTED One three bedrooms apartment anywhere around town- Call:617-7865
LEARN TO DRIVE Soman & Sons Driving School , First Federation Building Call 225-4858, 6445166,622-2872,615-0964
1 Handy Man, 1 Small Engine Mechanic 3 yrs experience- call: 233-2408 Men to burn charcoals in large quantity, very attractive salary & package being offered- Call:612-1082 (8am- 4pm) Wanted experienced Taxi drivers & experience Dispatcher @ Princess Hotel- Call:265-7076/6165419 Boys to work at Wash bay in Kitty- Call:227-5751/6270980
SALON Make Up Courses, Artist Trained & Certified in Trinidad. Call: 660-5257, 647-1773
Male & female to work in Electronic store: Guyana Variety store & Nut Centre 38 Cummings street, Alberttown
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Friday August 23, 2013
Friday August 23, 2013
Kaieteur News
Letters... Where your views make the news
Does the US Ambassador know America’s per MW hydro construction cost is US $2.94M vs Amaila’s US $5.1M? DEAR EDITOR, The US Ambassador, Brent Hardt, is doing his job. He is seeking to advance the interest of American businesses and he must be commended for it. But his call does not, I repeat does not, alter the financial and economic risks and repercussions of this Amaila hydropower project for Guyana and the Guyanese people. This is a massive project the Guyanese people will have to pay through the nose for. It is an economically unsound, financially shaky, cost prohibitive and fundamentally catastrophic project for a nation already swimming in debt. So, any decision on it must be in the best interest of the Guyanese nation. And the Amaila Falls hydropower project as presented today is not in the best interest of the Guyanese nation! I know the supine politicians in this country, always willing to subjugate national interest for personal endearment to foreign powers, will be swayed by the Ambassador’s plea. However, unlike the Ambassador’s call for local government elections, a democratic cornerstone of any society and a valid demand that will strengthen governance in our society and yield positive value, this call for Guyanese political consensus parties to jump over this Amaila Falls into an ocean of debt is simply an opinion that is unsupported by economic benefits. This deal in this format will economically devastate Guyana. Contrary to what the
Ambassador says, Amaila Falls will not chase foreign investors away. A repackaged Amaila built at a reasonable price will attract investors, including many American investors. The US Department of Energy tells us that overnight capital costs for hydropower projects in the USA is $2.94 million per megawatt (see h t t p : / / w w w. e i a . g o v / forecasts/capitalcost/ ). This is America, one of the wealthiest nations on the planet and a place where the cost of labour is significantly higher than Guyana. Overnight capital costs included civil and structural costs including construction costs, mechanical equipment supply and installation, electrical and instrumentation and control, project indirect costs and owners costs. If America can build hydropower projects at US $2.16 million per MW lower than Guyana and American companies can make a profit doing so, why should a dirt poor, godforsaken, trampled, struggling country like Guyana pay US $5.1 for hydropower? If the land of milk and honey for many Guyanese could do it so cheaply and yet so profitably, then US $5.1 million per MW is an outlandish cost for any poor nation to bear. If American companies can build some of the finest hydro facilities in one of the best places to live on Planet Earth for US $2.94 million per MW, why is it going to be detrimental and dissuading to foreign investors and specifically American investors who make profits at
US $2.94 million per MW to not want to come and build in Guyana at this price or much lower when cheaper labour is factored in? If the right foreign investors, including many major American hydro construction outfits are brought in to bid on a retendered Amaila project, the sheer volume of competing investors would create a reduction in costs. In the USA, a project with the exhorbitant cost will generate the incredible American spirit of resistance. So, why not in Guyana? Everybody needs democracy, fairness, good governance and proper spending of taxpayers’ dollars. These are formidable planks of any society marching towards a better life. Americans demand it at every turn and have built a remarkable society doing and demanding this. Guyanese are simply doing the same on Amaila. M. Maxwell
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Friday August 23, 2013
U.N. presses Syria to allow gas attack inspection
Lebanese and Syrian civilians take part in a candlelight vigil in solidarity with Syrian civilians killed by a gas attack in the suburbs of Damascus, in front of the offices of the U.N. headquarters in Beirut. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir BEIRUT/PARIS (Reuters) - The United Nations demanded Syria give its chemical weapons experts immediate access yesterday to rebel-held Damascus suburbs where poison gas appears to have killed hundreds just a few miles from the U.N. team’s hotel. There was no sign, however, that they would soon be taking samples at the scene of horrors that have drawn comparison with the gassing of thousands of Iraqi Kurds at Halabja in 1988. President Bashar al-Assad’s opponents gave death tolls from 500 to well over 1,000 and said more bodies were being found in the wake of Wednesday’s mysterious pre-dawn killer fumes, which the Syrian government insists were not its doing. Talk, notably from France and Britain, of a forceful foreign response remains unlikely to be translated into rapid, concerted action given division between the West and Russia at Wednesday’s U.N. Security Council meeting, and deep caution in Washington. Moscow has said rebels may have released gas to discredit Assad and urged him to agree
to a U.N. inspection. On Wednesday, Russian objections to Western pressure on Syria saw the Security Council merely call in vague terms for “clarity” - a position increasingly frustrated Syrian rebels described as “shameful”. Yesterday, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Kimoon said Syria must let the U.N. team already in Damascus investigate “without delay”. He said he would send a top U.N. disarmament official, Angela Kane, to lobby the Syrian government in person. Ban said he expected a swift, positive answer. French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said world powers must respond with force if allegations that Syria’s government was responsible for the deadliest chemical attack on civilians in a quarter-century prove true. But even Fabius stressed there was no question of sending in troops on the ground. Britain, too, said no option should be ruled out “that might save innocent lives in Syria”. But European forces can do little without U.S. help, and Washington shows little appetite for war.
Obama unveils plan that aims to make college more affordable (Reuters) - President Barack Obama yesterday proposed a plan to tackle soaring U.S. education costs with a new system that judges colleges and universities on their financial value and ties those ratings to disbursement of federal aid. The president, who has spent much of the summer promoting new ideas to rev up the economy, unveiled his proposals at the start of a campaign-like bus tour through New York and Pennsylvania. The plan calls on the Education Department to institute a new ratings system before the 2015 school year that would allow students and parents to select schools based on the best value for the money. Obama would then push Congress to tie federal student aid to these ratings by 2018, creating an incentive for schools to keep their costs in check. The plan also aims to ease the pain of federal student loan debt by limiting those payments to 10 percent of borrowers’ monthly income. Major parts of the plan require congressional approval, which may prove difficult. And universities, many of which are already facing a cash crunch, are expected to
push back against a ratings system that may be more difficult to influence than privatesector ranking systems. After landing in Buffalo and greeting Governor Andrew Cuomo - a potential Democratic candidate for president in 2016 Obama boarded a big black bus that appeared to be the one that took him through political swing states last year during his re-election battle against Republican Mitt Romney. The campaign atmosphere is part of a White House strategy to generate attention for the president’s proposals and gear up for a fall fight with congressional Republicans over the budget, debt ceiling and implementation of the president’s signature healthcare reform, known as Obamacare. Obama began his remarks at The State University of New York with an attack on Republicans for continuing their quest to repeal the health law. Republican lawmakers are considering using an upcoming showdown over the U.S. borrowing limit as leverage to delay the law’s implementation.
Friday August 23, 2013
Kaieteur News
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JAMAICA, CHINA SIGN BRAZIL HIRES THOUSANDS OF CUBAN DOCTORS FOUR AGREEMENTS Construction of Tower Hill and Morant Estate infant schools among deal
Jamaican Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller (right), escorted by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, inspects the honour guards during a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Simpson Miller is on a five-day visit to China to bolster economic and diplomatic ties. (PHOTO: AP) BEIJING, China — The governments of Jamaica and China Wednesday signed four agreements, among which will see the Asian superpower providing the island with billions of dollars in grants and loans to facilitate infrastructure development. The signing followed an official welcome ceremony for Jamaican Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, and reaffirmed the growing ties between Jamaica and the communist country, which is now the island’s biggest trading partner. “It is really a pleasure for us to be here and I want to thank you, on behalf of the delegation, for the warmth and hospitality we have received since being here,” Simpson Miller told Chinese Premier Li Keqiang during the ceremony. The Jamaican leader, who is on a five-day official visit to China, was given the red carpet welcome and a gun salute. The signed agreements include a preferential loan deal with the China Exim Bank
for the US$353-million threeyear Major Infrastructure Development Programme (MIDP), though it was not immediately clear how much funds will be disbursed. There is also a100 million Renminibi Yuan ($1.6 billion) grant aid from China to Jamaica that will be used for projects to be mutually agreed upon through consultations between both countries. Detailed accounting procedures for the disbursement of funds will be handled between the Ministry of Finance and the China Development Bank. China has also agreed to assist the Government of Jamaica in constructing the Tower Hill Infant School in Kingston and Morant Estate Infant School in St Thomas. The Chinese will be responsible for the design of the project, supplying the necessary machine and equipment, and dispatching the necessary number of Chinese technical personel to Jamaica to organise construction. What’s more is that China has agreed to dispatch a technical group to Jamaica for
Brazil’s Rousseff has not discussed fuel price rise – spokesman (Reuters) - Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff has not yet discussed a rise in fuel prices, her spokesman Thomas Traumann said yesterday. Brazilian newspapers had reported yesterday that
the government would raise gasoline and diesel prices in an effort to support state-run oil producer Petroleo Brasileiro SA , though the timing and size of such a move is not yet clear.
feasibility study on a teaching building project at the Confucius Institute on the Mona Campus, University of the West Indies. Simpson Miller yesterday lauded the 40 years of diplomatic relations between China and Jamaica, noting that the island was a supporter of the country even when it “was not fashionable”. The Chinese have rapidly expanded their economic footprint in Jamaica over the last decade with billions of dollars in foreign direct investment to the island. Simpson Miller earlier met with representatives of Complant and China Harbour Engineering Company, two Chinese companies that have invested heavily on the island. She is scheduled to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping as well as the China Development Bank today. Simpson Miller’s delegation includes Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister AJ Nicholson; Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change Minister Robert Pickersgill; and Dr Carlton Davis, special envoy and chief advisor.
SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazil says will import thousands of Cuban doctors to work in areas where medical services and doctors are scarce, and Foreign Minister Antonio Patriota defended the plan yesterday to give “the best possible medical services for the Brazilian population.” The Health Ministry said in a statement posted on its website that it signed an agreement with the PanAmerican Health Organization to hire 4,000 Cuban doctors, who are expected to arrive in Latin America’s biggest country by the end of the year. The first 400 are scheduled to arrive within the next few days. The government is bringing in Cuban doctors after failing to attract enough Brazilian and foreign physicians to its “More Doctors” program meant to
send professionals to work in needy urban and rural areas for three years. The government created the program following the massive street demonstrations where protesters demanded better public services. The ministry said that 3,500 cities and towns across Brazil are taking part in the program and have requested 15,000 doctors. So far 1,300 have signed up. Of that total 1,000 are Brazilian and 300 are either Brazilian who studied overseas or foreign doctors, mainly from Argentina, Spain and Portugal. Foreign doctors in the program will receive a monthly salary of 10,000 reals ($4,080). In the case of the Cubans, the government will send their wages to Cuba through the Pan-American Health Organization. Cuba will then decide how much each doctor will receive.
The foreign doctors will have to first spend three weeks studying Brazil’s public health system and the Portuguese language, the ministry said. Many local doctors have objected to the plan, however. The Federal Medical Council that oversees the licensing of all Brazilian doctors said in a statement that hiring of Cuban doctors who cannot speak Portuguese and whose diplomas have not been revalidated locally violates Brazilian laws and human rights by endangering the lives of Brazilians in poor and remote regions. Speaking to a Congressional committee, Patriota defended the program, saying that “there are a lot of Cuban doctors willing to work in the interior of Brazil and many have experience working in areas like Africa.”
Dominica Govt. dismisses PetroCaribe payment problems The Dominica government knocked reports that the island cannot make payments to Venezuela for PetroCaribe oil, calling them ill-informed. Acting Prime Minister Reginald Austrie said last week on state-owned DBS radio that the arrangement with Caracas “is alive, it’s transparent and we continue to enjoy the very excellent relationship with the government of Venezuela”. Media reports said that the Venezuelan oil company, PDVSA, was asking the government to fork over US$23 million in outstanding payments. But Austrie, who has special responsibility for PetroCaribe within the Roosevelt Skerrit administration, said Dominica “has never refused to pay, nor are we not able to pay, nor are we unwilling to meet our obligations for payment under that agreement”. He said the situation arose due to late invoicing by PDVSA, in some cases “as late as two
m o n t h s ” . D o m i n i c a ’s agreement with Venezuela calls for payment of 40 per cent over a three-month period and 60 per cent in longterm loans over a 25-year period. details of agreement “So while the agreement makes provision for payment within a 90-day period, if you receive your invoice after 60 days then clearly it will affect your payment schedule and for some time you have a double shipment coming at you ... so it affects the payment schedule to PDVSA,” Austrie said. Austrie said following the passage of a tropical storm
last year, Venezuela made a grant of EC$20 million for the infrastructure work and that money “came from the 40 per cent we owed PDVSA”. He added that Caracas itself owed Dominica EC$30.5 million (US$11.3m) “loaned to them from the short-term portion” of PetroCaribe, and that the joint venture PDV PetroCaribe Dominica Limited owes the Dominica National Petroleum Company US$20 million. “It is from those US$20 million, when paid to the DNPC, we can now pay to PDVSA,” Austrie said.. (CMC)
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Friday August 23, 2013
Cuban hurdler Ortega Non-stop party planned defects after Russia ‘Worlds’ for Stadium on Aug 30 &31
HAVANA, Cuba (AP) — The Cuban athletics federation says hurdler Orlando Ortega has not returned to the country after competing at the 14th IAAF World Athletics Championships in Russia last week. The federation said in a statement that Ortega
“abandoned” the Cuban delegation that competed in Moscow. The 22-year-old Ortega did not make it past the first qualifying race in the 110m hurdles in Russia, finishing only sixth in his heat with a time of 13.69 seconds. Considered one of Cuba’s best hurdlers since Dayron Robles, Ortega was sixth at
the 2012 London Olympics and had the third-best time of the season heading into Moscow. Ortega ran in the ‘Worlds’ after the Cuban federation dismissed a six-month indiscipline ban handed to him for refusing to compete in an event in Moscow in June.
Friday August 23, 2012 ARIES (MAR 21 - APR 19): You have a great day ahead of you, Aries. Everything will work out like clockwork. By the end of the day, you'll still have the energy to do something fun with your evening. It's a wonderful day for group activities. *************************** TAURUS (APR 20 MAY 20): You may have received some bad news concerning your finances, Taurus. This is probably the best day you could ask for out of the whole month to deal with these problems. *************************** GEMINI (MAY 21 - JUN 20): Today is a relatively calm day that's sure to please you, Gemini. You may even receive gifts from family and friends as marks of their esteem or love for you. *************************** CANCER (JUN 21 JUL 22): Everyone knows that nothing can stop you when you're determined to get something done. As long as other people are on your side today, you will be amazed at all the things you can accomplish. *************************** LEO (JUL 23 - AUG 22): You may be considering taking a trip or planning a party with some friends, Leo. You may find out today that it's up to you to do all the organizing. This won't bother you too much because you know you'll do it right. ************************ VIRGO (AUG 23 - SEP 22):This could be the luckiest day of the month, Virgo. But astrology also takes your role into account. In other words, luck is something you have to work for.
LIBRA (SEP 23 - OCT 22): If you get asked to lead a team in your personal or professional life, jump at the chance. Today you will get all the support you need, Libra. Don't be afraid that you're not good enough. Things will come together without your having to do much at all. *************************** SCORPIO (OCT 23 - NOV 21): You couldn't dream of a better day to deal with all the little problems in your daily life - broken washing machine, money problems, minor health issues. *************************** SAGITTARIUS (NOV 22 - DEC 21): Perhaps you can't believe it, but it's time to say goodbye to your rigid attitude. A little pleasure among all that seriousness and responsibility won't do you any harm. *************************** CAPRICORN (DEC 22 JAN 19): Life is helping you out at the moment, Capricorn. You might chalk it up to some divine power. Whatever it is, your guardian angel is always by your side. *************************** AQUARIUS (JAN 20 FEB 18): Have you ever thought about writing or working for a company in which you can use your excellent communication skills, Aquarius? *************************** PISCES (FEB 19 - MAR 20):If you've been thinking of living somewhere else, Pisces, today will push you to really want to move far away from the place you're living now. Such a move could have consequences for your work situation or family lifeyou back.
Tickets go on sale from today T20 cricket in the West Indies is associated with pulsating music, all night dancing, non-stop partying and of course exhilarating cricket. Nothing less is anticipated in the Party Stand on August 30 & 31 when Guyana battle T&T in two feature matches at the Stadium under lights. Universal DVD Club Berbice Titans play DCC Wo l v e r i n e s A u g u s t 3 0 , while the next day Suriname Tigers take on West Demerara Mavericks before the feature game. The cheerleaders, the
f u n a n d f r o l i c , Te n t s , limited Seating, lots of Beverage and Food Bars, the Carib Girls, 71 Sounds, Slingerz Sounds, DJ Stephan, DJ Dauren and DJ Anand will also be in the Party Stand. The excitement from what should be a capacity crowd is also designed to create a carnival like atmosphere and a kaleidoscope of color in the stands Tickets to any Stand including the Party Stand cost just $1,000 and every purchase of three tickets to the Party Stand entitles the
buyer another one free. Tickets for the Party Stand can be had at the entertaining G-Spot Bar, Sandy Babb Street, Kitty, Gizmos & Gadgets Superstore, Dave Sports Bar (Grove), the American Closet (Parika Mall), Lenny’s Icecream Parlour Bar (Mon Repos), Ryan’s Electronic & Music Store (Vreed-en-hoop), Jai Signs (Independence Boulevard), KK Gas Station, Mahaica, Flat Shop, La Grange It promises to be an all night party as all roads leads to the Guyana National Stadium for two exciting matches per day. (Sean Devers)
Friday August 23, 2013
Kaieteur News
Page 39
Atlantic Cable Networks donates gifts to grandaunts of Fruta Conquerors coaching clinic Three weeks of rigid sessions that improved their knowledge of football has served 32 youth footballers of the Fruta Conquerors Football Club (FCFC) well when their administrators planned a three weeks youth football coaching clinic for aspiring footballers between 6-17 years.
The Children’s efforts were justly rewarded when Finance Controller of the National Milling Company (NAMILCO), Fitzroy McLeod, donated several pieces of football gears to their administrators for their use during practice sessions. The summer camp is now over and the youngsters are
engaged in the practical aspect of the sport but the gifts continue to pour in. Yesterday afternoon, coach of the FCFC, Gilbert Sampson, gleefully collected over two dozen haversacks for the children who will soon return to school after the August holidays are over.
GABA mulling ‘Friday Night Fury’
The gift came from Michael Bess of Atlantic Cable Networks which operates out of two locations, 3rd Street Alberttown and the Demerara Harbor Bridge Mall. Mr. Bess had earlier called into the Suppligen Sports Desk where he had congratulated the organizers of the FCFC summer programme and pledged to make a tangible contribution; the donation of haversacks was a fulfillment of that promise. Unfortunately, the businessman was unable to
attend the handing over ceremony but nevertheless conveyed his best wishes through an emissary. He wished the children well and urged the FCFC administrators to continue the good works of planning constructive programmes and initiatives towards the children’s development. Mr. Sampson extended deep appreciation to his benefactor and assured him that the gift would go a far way towards the children’s development. The Fruta Conquerors coach admitted
that the job of tutoring the children coupled with the responsibilities of assuming the role of a father figure is indeed challenging. However, he said that he derives deep satisfaction as he observes the youths’ developing in their field even as they excel in academics. Pic - Coach Gilbert (extreme right back) smiles proudly during a photo op with his ‘children’ who exhibit their certificates and the new haversacks at their clubhouse yesterday afternoon.
- For Division III Clubs Calling all Division III Clubs! Following the ultra successful Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) Division III League, which only weeks ago concluded, Georgetown’s subassociation is mulling another third tier contest for clubs. While details still remain a little sketchy, Kaieteur Sport understands that the proactive GABA is looking to keep players active throughout the year, and as such, will be considering several of its ideas gauged at maintaining the activity it started earlier this year. According to the so-far release GABA information, the tournament will feature 12 Division III teams and start on September 6 at the Burnham Basketball Court. The tournament will continue every Friday following its commencement.
‘football donation’
Sharapova out of U.S. Open with shoulder injury
No positive tests in 2013 Tour de France: UCI LONDON (Reuters) - The 2013 Tour de France had no positive drug test results, Cycling Anti-Doping Foundation (CADF) director Francesca Rossi said at a media Open Day in Aigle, Switzerland on Tuesday. Britain’s Chris Froome won this year’s race, which came under extra scrutiny as it was the first edition being staged since American Lance Armstrong admitted he had cheated his way to seven Tour de France titles from 1999 to 2005. Team Sky’s Froome, who had to face the media every day on the Tour, expressed his frustration during the race at being repeatedly questioned about doping in
the sport. Te a m S k y p r i n c i p a l Dave Brailsford said during the three-week Tour that he was ready to give the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) all their team training data if that would help. An International Cycling Un i o n ( U C I ) s t a t e m e n t issued on Tuesday said CADF took 622 blood and urine samples during the 100th edition of the Tour against 566 samples in 2012. Working closely with the French Anti-Doping Agency (AFLD), CADF took 202 precompetition samples and 419 during the race. Reinforcing the strategy of targeted testing, 198 of the
samples taken during this year’s race were for the biological passport compared to 149 samples in 2012. “This target testing strategy has been hugely facilitated by the excellent onsite cooperation between CADF and AFLD during the race,” Rossi was quoted as saying on the UCI’s official website (www.uci.ch). The samples were analyzed by the WADAaccredited laboratories of Chatenay-Malabry in France, Lausanne in Switzerland and Cologne in Germany. The UCI and AFLD have also agreed to keep the samples taken for possible retrospective testing in the future.
(Reuters) - Third-seeded Russian Maria Sharapova has pulled out of next week’s U.S. Open due to a shoulder injury, tournament organizers said on Wednesday. The four-times grand slam winner, who triumphed at Flushing Meadows in 2006, fired coach Jimmy Connors last week after just one match together. The 26-year-old world number three, who is suffering from inflammation in her right shoulder, said withdrawing from the year’s final grand slam was “a really tough decision to make”. “I have done everything I could since Wimbledon to get myself ready but it just wasn’t enough time,” she said in statement on her Facebook page. “I have done many tests, received several opinions and it all comes down to taking the proper amount of time to heal my shoulder injury properly. “It’s certainly not an easy decision to make ahead of one of my favorite tournaments, but I know it’s the right one that will get me back on the courts soon. “I plan on taking the next few weeks off, receiving
Maria Sharapova of Russia reacts to her play against Sloane Stephens of the U.S. at the women’s Cincinnati Open tennis tournament in Cincinnati, Ohio, August 13, 2013. REUTERS/John Sommers II proper treatment and rehabilitation.” Sharapova lost to 20-yearold American Sloane Stephens in the second round of the Western and Southern Open in Cincinnati last week in her only match since a second-round exit at Wimbledon. Her absence from Flushing Meadows at least puts to rest widely reported plans she had to legally change her name for the U.S. Open in a publicity stunt for her candy business.
Defending champion Serena Williams is the top seed for the U.S. Open at Flushing Meadows in New York, ahead of Belarusian Victoria Azarenka and Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska, who now moves up to third. Tournament director David Brewer had earlier announced Sharapova’s withdrawal. “We wish her a speedy recovery and look forward to her return to New York next year,” he said in a statement.
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Kaieteur News
Gentle crushes Vincentian en route to ITF junior title Guyana’s Afruica Gentle crushed Vincentian Amarlia Benn 6-1, 6-1 to capture the final of the ITF Under-14 title on Wednesday, at the Grass Roots Tennis Center in Kingstown, St Vincent and the Grenadines late yesterday afternoon. According to a release, the top ranked junior player was in impeccable form as she wore the second seeded Vincentian down with powerful groundstrokes to all corners of the courts. The talented Gentle’s relentless pressure and stinging returns proved too much for the dejected and fatigued Benn, who seemed to have surrendered very early and looked resigned to her fate as runner-up.
From back page Bravo was joined by 17-yearold Nicholas Pooran, who scored 54 against Guyana on debut from 18 balls, and together they took the score to 56 before Pooran (14), who hit the first six of the match, edged a cut off Permaul, next ball. K e v i n C o o p e r, w h o clobbered Narine for two sixes and his Captain, who smashed a Santokie full toss to cover for only the second four of the innings, tried to orchestrate a minirevival as they carried T&T to 101-7 before Cooper, who hammered 27 from 17 balls, lofted Narine to longon in the 18th over. After clarification from the
Gentle’s victory is the second time that a Guyanese
has won the title on the island and she now joins Aretta Dey, who was the first to walk away victorious. Also in winners’ row was doubles partner Jamaali Homer who outplayed St Vincent’s Anastasia White in straight sets 4-1, 4-1 in warm breezy conditions to progress to the Girls 14’s Consolation finals. Meanwhile, Jordan Beaton found the going tough on day 3 in his semi- finals encounter, as he was bounced from the tournament in straight sets 41, 4-0 by Vincentian Richard Hoyte. Hoyte the second ranked player will now compete against top seed Danyel Angus out of Trinidad and Tobago in the final. Angus
defeated Antiguan Justin Marcano 4-0, 4-2. In the boys 14 doubles, the Guyanese pair of Jordan Beaton and Keshon Reece were comprehensively beaten 6-0, 6-2 by Adriel Bousquet and Jean Philippe Murray. The Girls on the other hand remained on course to capture a second title when the duo of Afruica Gentle and Jamaali Homer gained a walkover from Trinidadians Candace Cook and Anya King. The Guyanese pair will now contest the final against the winners of the other semifinal between Amarlia and Gabrielle Benn and Anastasia White and Alexi Humphrey in an all St Vincent and the Grenadines affair.
third Umpire, Suleiman Benn was give out caught at point by Permaul for duck as Santokie took his 16th wicket in the competition as he finished another excellent spell to finish with 2-20 from his four overs. It was 103-9 when Bravo (24) was taken on the cover boundary before Malinga, who ended with 2-18, finished the match on a hattrick by bowling Fidel Edwards (1) first ball. William Perkins, playing his first match in tournament, and fellow Trinidadian Lendl Simmons pounced on leg-spinner Samuel Badree, who opened the bowling, and smashed him for four.
Perkins climbed into the lively Edwards and swatted him for a boundary before Simmons (8) was beaten for pace and removed in the same over to leave Guyana on 14-1 in the third over. Perkins, who sweetly cut Badree for four and Dilshan who played a ‘Dilscope’ for six off Edwards before gloriously stroking back-to-back fours off Benn, took the score to 47 before Benn got rid of Perkins in the sixth over. Sarwan got the shock of his life when he tried to use the electronic bail to mark his guard and the bail started to light up when it was removed from the
stumps. H o w e v e r, t h e r i g h t handed former West Indies Captain settled down to support Dilshan, who played an array of audacious shots, in their 31-run partnership before Sri Lankan Dilshan was caught and bowled by Cooper at 78-3 in the 11th over. James Franklyn (16) and Sarwan (18) then saw Guyana home in emphatic fashion with 22 balls to spare. Tonight, Jamaica led by Chris Gayle face-off with the Kieron Pollard led Barbados in the second semifinal to decide who will battle Guyana in the grand finale tomorrow.
Afruica Gentle.
Guyana Amazon Warriors melt T&T ...
Zimbabwe bring focus back... From page 42 the formation of a players union. The dispute, however, disrupted the hosts’ practice schedules and though they have since resumed training, it remains to be seen if it has been sufficient. This is in contrast to the preparations ahead of the recent home series against India. The players trained for ten weeks, but it wasn’t enough to stretch an experimental Indian side. The batting was the biggest let down, followed by the fielding. The result was a 5-0 thrashing. It will only get tougher against Pakistan, who’re playing full strength despite the lowprofile nature of the tour. Prosper Utseya, the offspinner, has insisted
that the players are in the right frame of mind. “We have managed to put that [contractual issue] behind now and some of the players have been offered contracts,” Utseya told the Zimbabwe Herald. “Obviously I am not sure what they’ve got, but they looked happy. It is good that ZC have managed to meet us halfway going into the series.” Series wins in the West Indies have given Pakistan confidence after the gloom of the Champions Trophy. The performances of the youngsters in the two T20s in the West Indies, including Umar Amin and Zulfiqar Babar, should have pleased them immensely. A few players have been busy in the Caribbean Premier League, though, among them, only Mohammad Hafeez features
in the upcoming T20s. The rest of the squad have been training in Lahore. Form guide Players to watch Sikandar Raza is likely to play his first game against the country of his birth, but that alone shouldn’t be the only talking point about him. Raza’s 82 against India was the highest individual score by a Zimbabwe batsman in the series and though his form fell away in the remaining games, it marked him down as a player to watch. What Raza needs is consistent scores to keep his place in the XI. Zulfiqar Babar had to wait till he was 34 to get his first opportunity for Pakistan. The left-arm spinner was picked in the
T20 squad for the West Indies and had a dream debut, taking 3 for 23, but his job didn’t end there. Batting at No. 8, Babar had the honour of facing the final ball of the match with one needed to win. He finished the game with a swagger, hitting a six. He ended the two-match series with five wickets and the expectations off him would have increased. Team news Zimbabwe trimmed their practice squad to 15 on the eve of the series. There were no surprises in the squad. Pakistan are without Umar Akmal for the series, after he was withdrawn after suffering a seizure while flying in the West Indies. Sarfraz Ahmed was named the replacement wicketkeeper.
Friday August 23, 2013
Weightlifting set for positive turn around... From page 45 will also have a representative at the Pan American Under17 Championships in Mexico, both activities taking place next month. These athletes will certainly motivate others and we hope that their exposure will bring the necessary fillip required to revive the sport.” The Ancient County of Berbice has been identified for an outreach programme that will be conducted in October aimed at resuscitating the sport there. The outreach will entail a two-day workshop, training and an exhibition. GAWA, Nurse informed, is working towards hosting their senior championships in October/November. Among the challenges he noted that would have faced them in attracting senior athletes is migration coupled with the fact that there are no monetary rewards given the fact that it’s an amateur sport. To counter these realities, Nurse stated that with the envisaged assistance from the regional and international bodies along with that
of the Guyana Olympic Association, GAWA is hoping to make the sport much more attractive by increasing Guyana’s participation at regional and international events. “We will also be seeking the relevant training at every level of the sport with a view of bring back interest from all. We have already been benefitting from assistance for programmes from 2013 and beyond.” Recently returning from the USA where he attended a course on techniques on high level training among other information was Coach Sean Cozier. Nurse believes that with the new knowledge, weightlifting can only get better. The full GAWA Executive reads: Frank Tucker (President), Sabrina Pestano (1st Vice President), Bertram Austin (2nd Vice President), Deion Nurse (Secretary), Sean Erskine (Treasurer), Sean Cozier (Assistant Secretary/ Treasurer), Roberto Tiwari (Organising Secretary), Aubrey Henry (Publicity Officer).
Malik predicts “huge” future for Limacol CPL From page 45 I saw the ground full and energetic. “It is a great thing. I went out to dinner with (Muttiah) Murali(tharan) here in Trinidad and people met us and said they had tickets for the rest of the games here. “A few said ‘We do not follow cricket but we are still coming to support our team’. “It is just the first year but I would give these guys credit for the way this has been handled and organised. I am sure next year it will be even better, it will be huge. That is what all the overseas players are expecting,” he added. For Malik, the Limacol CPL has been something of a re-birth. Having slipped out of international reckoning for Pakistan’s tour of Zimbabwe he has not only been a star with the bat but has also featured prominently with the ball, relishing pitches that have often assisted the slower bowlers. “I was struggling with my shoulder and my elbow but I have had surgery for my elbow and I have worked hard in the gym every day,” he said. “Now I am absolutely fine. I can even bowl 30 overs in one day. I am very happy and I want to play as an all-rounder; that is my priority. Malik says he met with Kieron Pollard during the (ICC) Champions Trophy in
England and Pollard said that he wanted him to play as an all-rounder. “When someone gives you that confidence it is always good.” Malik, still only 31 despite being a veteran of 32 Tests, 216 One-Day Internationals and 53 Twenty20 Internationals, said he still has international aspirations. “Representing your country is the biggest thing (and) of course I want to play for my team (Pakistan), I want to do well for my country,” he said. “I still think I can play for another five or six years. I am fit but I want to see myself consistent and I do not want to bat at number six (for Pakistan) any more, I want to bat at number three or four. I just want to play for the country and do well. That is my goal.” In the short term, Malik has his eyes on the big prize in Trinidad. “It is so far, so good (for me),” he said. “I have played some good innings, (I have been) bowling also (and) I want my team to be in the final and win this Limacol CPL. We are all working hard and practising every day for that. Cricket is our passion.” The inaugural Limacol Caribbean Premier League runs until tomorrow with the two semi-finals set for yesterday and today.
Friday August 23, 2013
Kaieteur News
Page 41
Letter to the Sports Editor
Alvin Johnson speaks out following Boston’s attack DEAR EDITOR, The attack that Mr Winston G Boston launched on me in his article titled “Alvin Johnson deliberately avoids the cricket conspiracy charges” In Kaieteur News of August 20, 2013 convinces me that Intikhab Sankar’s suggestion that he (Boston) seems to be the official mouthpiece of the disgruntled group. The content of his letter is consistent with the articulation of the very persons and since my inquiry has led me to Mr Boston’s link, it is a case of he who pays the piper calling the tune. If people are convinced about their views then they must do like me and affix their names. My letter of August 16 sought to justify my continued appointment as manager since I was unjustly bundled with four others having been serving as manager of national teams since 2000; from 2000 to 2009 under Chetram Singh as President and Bishwa Panday as Secretary with some other executives being Terry Holder, Ronald Williams, Claude Raphael, Malcolm Peters and Carl Moore. Why should I deal with
the cricket conspiracy charges? At the last general meeting of the Guyana Cricket Board at which elections conducted by Christopher Matthias (Returning Officer) were held, I raised the concern about the continued allegation that the other party is in contempt of court and the very claim by the other party against the GCB. My concern was if there is a legitimate cause either way of contempt then why have the offending party not been charged? My conclusion is that there is no valid claim to contempt. At times we may have our own views but my presence at that AGM was an Essequibo Board position which I respected and so supported. And if the elections were illegal I am not aware of such a declaration by the court. Now let me respond to Mr Boston’s recent letter which deemed me as being defensive rather than objective in my response. I repeat, I responded to the negative and belittling comment about me and not to the letter. However, since the entire August 20 letter targets me I am obliged to respond to
issues of relevance. When Clive Lloyd visited East Bank Essequibo with his Interim Management Committee during his outreach, I stated emphatically that fixing the Guyana Cricket Board requires fixing the Demerara Cricket Board simultaneously or even before, since Demerara’s problem has existed before the GCB Essequibo Cricket Board’s understanding was that the three County Boards were invited and even if one was absent the business of the GCB constitutionally would go on. How can Mr Boston request of me to explain the appointment of Virendra Chintmani and Nazeer Mohamed as managers when I am not an executive member of the GCB? My common sense however tells me that Berbice did not turn up at the elections and in the eyes of Boston’s interest group the DCB is not in good stead, then Essequibo which is supportive and constitutionally in order was/ is the best option. Our coaching programme that Boston is questioning is the responsibility of the very GCB that is being undermined. When the GCB
was fully recognised we found it difficult to acquire sponsors for a three day competition thus the GCB intervened financially and assisted, thus we were able to play a two-day competition. The individuals that Mr Boston represents know fully well the tremendous cost of administering cricket in Essequibo.Areturn trip for a team from Bartica to Pomeroon, involving meals can sponsor an entire tournament in Demerara (travelling, balls and umpiring). I would be the first to agree that our cricket standard has consistently been very low for a long time and therefore need the parent board’s positive input. Mr Pat Rosseau, when he was p r e s i d e n t o f t h e West Indies Cricket Board, did make out a case for the smaller islands within the Windwards and Leewards which resulted in increased funding and other support which eventually bore fruit. Today the Windwards is a force to reckon with although the Leewards has declined. And Mr Boston, please be informed that it is only this year that we could not find the full compliment for a
female team thus, some players from Demerara joined us. The late Morris Brandon successfully served as Secretary and Administrator of the Essequibo Cricket Board for several years. I have ensured that Mr Christiani is no longer serving in multiple capacities. I am glad you have mentioned that during my Presidency of the Essequibo Cricket Board I seldom visited area committees and not say that I never. Cost has always and will continue to be the deciding factor. However, during my ten years we had more general and executive meetings than we do now. As the mouthpiece they have proudly given you the elections 2009 results right 14 to 2 in favour of Mr Sheikh (Asif) Ahamad as ECB president. You should therefore ask him to explain all your financial concerns during his tenure and not me. But you know what Mr Boston the very persons you have written on behalf were my staunch supporters and campaigners and were even at the elections because my victory would have been in their interest. After that
election I got no more than two phone calls from them and I was let go… no more votes to give them. At the 2010 GCB appointment of Under-19 manager they voted against me but were outvoted, but in 2011they successfully achieved their goal so they are annoyed that I returned in 2012 and much stronger in 2013. Cricket has allowed me to interact with a lot of people locally and in the Caribbean and to understand organizational politics… we talk about others but not ourselves. Our actions speak of us. The three West Indies Cricket Board meetings that I represented the Guyana Cricket Board as an Alternated Director, has helped me to deal with the cricket politics. I trust that when my time is over that I would let go gracefully and not be as bitter as those who I thought were my friends. Until such time I will continue to support cricket and those who genuinely do. As to what Mr Boston writes hereafter I will not respond. Alvin Johnson
Steve Smith century keeps Australia on top at Oval BBC Sport - Steve Smith struck his first Test century as Australia continued to dictate the course of the final Ashes Test against England. Smith made an unbeaten 138 as the tourists piled up 492-9 declared against England on a rain-hit second day at The Oval. England’s openers then survived a testing spell from the Australia pace attack in the evening session to reach 32-0 at the close, with Alastair Cook on 17 and Joe Root 13. On a day when heavy showers and England’s slow over-rate tested the crowd’s patience, Smith delivered the highlight when he crashed Jonathan Trott for a straight six to reach three figures. At 24 years and 81 days, Smith became the youngest Australian to score an Ashes century since Ricky Ponting in Leeds in 1997 and all but cemented his place in their team for the first Test of the return series down under in November. An inconsistent and unorthodox batsman with a Test average under 30 before today, Smith has been in and out of Australia’s side since making his debut against Pakistan in 2010. But just as Shane Watson had done in scoring 176 on Wednesday, he put a
Six for a hundred: Steven Smith launches Jonathan Trott straight down the ground. (Getty Images) mixed series behind him with an innings of power and timing. For England, it was another deflating day as their
chances of winning the series 4-0 effectively evaporated into the south London air. With Smith, Brad Haddin (30)
and the tail-enders pushing Australia towards 500 in the afternoon, Cook’s team looked anything but Ashes winners as they were reduced to what appeared to be delaying tactics, much to the annoyance of a capacity crowd who had waited until 14:30 BST to see any play. James Anderson and Stuart Broad found plenty of movement under cloud cover but failed to follow up on the early dismissal of night-watchman Peter Siddle, who was bowled by a beautiful delivery from Anderson that pitched on middle stump and moved away to hit the top of off. Debutant Chris Woakes also managed to beat the bat several times but served up enough bad balls to keep the Australian score ticking along. Smith drove Anderson through the covers for four to move into the nineties and leapt from 94 to his century with a single swing of the bat, which he watched all the way over the boundary before raising his arms in celebration. Four balls later, Trott conjured an unlikely breakthrough, when Haddin tried to cut a full delivery and chopped it on to his own stumps to end a partnership of 65. With Australia taking risks as they pursued a
declaration, Woakes finally landed his first Test wicket in his 23rd over when James Faulkner miscued a pull shot to Trott, who took a fine running catch at deep backward square leg. Mitchell Starc was bowled for 13 by Graeme Swann, who was then twice deposited into the stands by Ryan Harris. The dangerous tail-ender lashed 33 off 27 balls before he was caught and bowled to give Anderson his fourth wicket moments before Michael Clarke called time on
his team’s innings. Clarke’s hopes of making a dent in England’s fragile top order were denied by a combination of dogged batting from Cook and Root and some off-target bowling from Australia’s pace quartet. The hosts survived 17.3 overs before bad light ended play shortly before the scheduled close. Scores: England 32 for 0 (Cook 17*, Root 13*) trail Australia 492 for 9 dec (Watson 176, Smith 138*, Anderson 4-95) by 460 runs.
CONCACAF Statement on El Salvador The Football Federation of El Salvador has recently announced that they have temporarily banned 22 players for a period of 30 days as a provisional disciplinary measure in order to provide the best environment to conduct an in-depth investigation on alleged match manipulation incidents. CONCACAF is deeply saddened by these claims of match manipulation within the football community. The Confederation fully supports the Football Federation of El Salvador and other pertinent organizations involved in the above mentioned investigation and hopes for a fair due process in order to determine the validity of these accusations. The fight against match-manipulation to protect the integrity of the beautiful game is a top priority for the Confederation. In alignment with FIFA guidelines and in line with CONCACAF’s commitment to ensure the legitimacy of each game played throughout the region, it is our duty to fight against organized crime alongside all stakeholders involved.
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Kaieteur News
Letter to the Sports Editor
Mr. Stephney, good governance and convenient governance are very different MR. EDITOR, Please allow me to join the exchanges regarding the Government of Guyana sponsored cricket bill. I read the letters from Mr. Elroy Stephney, Intikhab Sankar and Winston Boston. While Boston and Intikhab Sankar seemed to have read the bill; Mr. Sankar chose to address pertinent issues whilst Boston sought to glorify his mentor. Mr. Stephney seemed not to grasp the effect of the final version of the bill or rather chose to appear ignorant as he once served on the now infamous IMC. This very Elroy Stephney served under the present cricket administrators as Manager of the National under-15 team but suddenly finds himself attacking them. In fact, Mr. Stephney ran for office and supported the losing Presidential Candidate in the recent Essequibo Cricket Board elections. M a n y i n t h i s c o u n t r y ’s cricket administration seem to only get upset when things are not going their way. Mr. Stephney should be concerned that he was involved in Essequibo cricket and w a s a n a p p o i n t e d member to the government IMC when about 400,000 Dollars from the Essequibo coffers was spent to attend and cater for IMC Meetings at a time when money was not available to run their youth cricket and to support an IMC that achieved nothing.
Thanks to one good gentleman, whose dedication and willpower has ensured that Guyana still has a cricket board and the WICB continues to place International cricket in Guyana. I was able to obtain a copy of the report prepared by Frank Anthony and presented to parliament on the final day of the last sitting. Mr. Stephney, I know you are not stupid or ignorant so please get a copy and read the bill before you answer the following questions. 1. Why the President of the GCB cannot be a Director of the WICB? 2. How can the select committee legislate constitutions for a sporting organization that answers to an international body and is a shareholder for a regional body? 3. Why the select committee wrote its own constitutions for the GCB and the DCB but allowed the present archaic constitution of the BCB to remain and even be placed in the bill? 4. How can the select committee decide that Linden will become a full, new member of the DCB with 7 votes but any new member, after the passage of the bill, can only have 3 votes? Is it true that this band aid political proposal was made by Minister Frank Anthony to get opposition members to agree to the bill? This proposal does not address the ills and
woes that affect the Linden area and is mere political gimmickry. 5. Why the select committee chose to disband the GCB and transfer all of its assets to a new entity? Is this not nationalization without compensation? GCB has a commercial arm in the form of an incorporated entity into which all of its assets are vested; how can this select committee seek to legislate the transfer of these assets without the permission or agreement of the shareholders and membership? 6. Why does the GCB have to submit its accounts to the National Assembly when it does not receive any government funding? Wi l l t h e n e w G C B b e catered for in the national budget but receive no funding? 7. Why none of the recommendations from the WICB, GCB & DCB were given any consideration? Mr. Stephney, I have many more questions on the bill but will address them to the appropriate authority. However, I simply ask that you read the bill and fully comprehend that it is a political solution that will create more chaos in the future. The cricket bill, in its present form, is unconstitutional and will only bring about more litigation. Fizul Bacchus President Essequibo Cricket Board
Solozano, McSween top batting, bowling WICB Media - Basseterre, St Kitts – Trinidad and Tobago batsman Jeremy Solozano topped the West Indies Cricket Board Regional Under-19 50 Over batting charts with 257 runs at an average of 51.40. Preston McSween of the Windward Islands was the top bowler with 16 wickets at an average of 11.13 each. The tournament concluded Wednesday in St Kitts after seven rounds of 50 Over matches which followed the 3-Day tournament. McSween’s teammate, Gian Benjamin emerged as the leading wicketkeeper with 17 catches.
Taryck Gabriel, another Windward Islander bagged the trophy for the best all rounder after scoring 232 runs (38.67 average) and taking 5 wickets are 15.4 runs per wicket. Solozano also registered the highest score of the tournament, striking an unbeaten 139 against the ICC Americas. His knock was also the lone century of the 50 Over tournament. Jamaica swept the Under 19 titles, winning the 50 Over trophy with a clean sweep of six victories to accumulate 37.2 points. They had previously taken the 3 Day title.
T h e M o s t Va l u a b l e Player for each team is as follows: Barbados: Aaron Jones (116 runs @ 23.20 avg and 6 wickets @ 12.67 avg) Guyana: Shimron Hetmyer (166 runs @ 33.20 avg) ICC Americas: Farhan Malik (11 wickets @ 12.64 avg) Jamaica: Tristan Colemon (224 runs @ 37.33 avg) Leeward Islands: Tristan Hanley (118 runs @ 20.00 avg and 7 wickets @ 27.28 avg) Trinidad & Tobago: Jeremy Solozano (257 runs @ 51.40 avg) Windward Islands: Preston McSween (16 wickets @ 11.13 avg)
Friday August 23, 2013
Scrabble players vie for top spots as GASP stages Open championship Those scrabble players that have been sharpening their skills during practice sessions at the Malteenoes Sports Club will now have an opportunity to demonstrate what they have learnt when the Guyana Association of Scrabble Players (GASP) stages a 2 tiered tournament this Sunday August, 25 in the pavilion of the Malteenoes Sports Club, Thomas lands. Participants will be categorized in Beginners (for those still to win a tournament at any level) and ‘Class B’ (for those players ranked under 1700). Public Relations Officer
(GASP), Moen Gafoor said that the impending tournament provides an excellent opportunity for those lowly rated players to assert themselves in the ratings even as they aspire for selection to the Tri-Nation Caribbean Championship slated for Barbados early next year. He further urged the players to sharpen their skills on the basics while paying keen attention to their end game strategy as well as increasing their word knowledge. The PRO encouraged the up and coming players to solicit
assistance of the senior players so as to enhance their game. The registration period commences at 09:45hrs and the first tile will be placed at 10:00hrs sharp. Players are advised that those arriving on time for registration will pay a fee of $500 while latecomers will be required to pay an extra $200. Additionally, latecomers will start at a disadvantage as their clocks will be activated in their absence. The tournament is sponsored by H.H. Halim Generator Contractor.
Unitech Awning Cycle Programme set for tomorrow National Cycling Coach, Hassan Mohamed MS has organized the 3rd Annual Memorial Unitech Awning Cycle Programme in memory of the late Noel Persaud aka (Pokan), a former Continental Cycle Club Rider tomorrow from 09:00hrs at the National Park. The programme is sponsored by Ray Persaud, Manager/Director of Unitech Awning, son of Noel Persaud, who will distribute the prizes to the respective winners. The
feature attraction is the School Boys & Invitation 35 Laps race. The scheduled programme of events will cater for: 12 to 14 yrs Boys & Girls 3 Laps Veteran U – 50 yrs - 5 Laps Veteran O – 50 yrs - 5 Laps Veteran O – 60 yrs - 5 Laps Juveniles - 10 Laps Mountain Bikers - 5 Laps
BMX Boys Open - 3 Laps BMX Boys 12 to 14 yrs - 3 Laps BMX Boys 9 to 12 yrs - 3 Laps BMX Boys 6 to 9 yrs 2 Laps School Boys & Invitation - 35 Laps Junior Niles is the defending champion in the main event, having won last year in 1Hr/25Mins/24Secs. He had also won the Veterans 5-lap race as well.
Zimbabwe v Pakistan, 1st T20, Harare
Zimbabwe bring focus back to cricket
Pakistan are coming off series victories in the West Indies © AFP ESPNcricinfo - In a relatively quiet month for international cricket, save for the ongoing marquee Test series in England, Zimbabwe and Pakistan have managed
to shoehorn a series to fill a gap in the calendar. Shortly after the series was confirmed came the off-field distraction involving the Zimbabwe players and the cricket board.
A familiar pay dispute led to fears over whether the tour would get under way but, thankfully, the players made peace with the board with (Continued on page 40)