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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 crippling gun culture Every so often we hear of an individual being held with a firearm that is unlicensed. Sometimes we hear of the police, acting on a tip off, finding weapons tucked away somewhere. In many cases we learn that the police would recover firearm after or during a robbery. Undoubtedly the discoveries are not even the tip of the iceberg. There are more guns out there than one would care to imagine. During the past five years the police have been recovering more than 100 guns per year. This translates to one unlicensed gun every three or four days. And while the police are seizing weapons there are many more gun crimes being committed. Hardly is there a robbery without a gun being used. Brazil is a large gun manufacturer in our corner of the world so one can expect to see many guns. And indeed the type of guns seized are of Brazilian manufacturer—the Taurus, the Glock. There are also assault rifles in the system, some coming in containers some in crates and barrels and some in vehicles. A tracking system adopted by Guyana has traced some of these weapons to the United States and Europe. The fact that they slip through, is because our monitors are not as efficient as we would expect them to be. It is not that some of these smuggled weapons are not uncovered but more often than not, they are missed. These guns come to Guyana courtesy of the drug trade. Guns are an integral part of the drug underworld because the people who deal in drugs always believe that they have many enemies and need these weapons to protect themselves. The society in some ways is responsible for the preponderance of guns. For one, people value their privacy and therefore behave in objectionable ways when their routines are interrupted at roadblocks. Roadblocks have been very helpful in unearthing weapons and drugs. On many occasions the police have been able to recover guns after people in vehicles approaching the roadblocks would have attempted to throw the weapons through the windows. Sometimes these guns are found in vehicles. However, people have been hostile to ranks at roadblocks not recognizing that the simple exercise could save lives. If roadblocks could be so annoying, consider the stop and search method which is commonly used in many societies as the law enforcers act on suspicions. One can rest assured that if the police were to randomly stop and search certain people, they would find more weapons than they do at present. That is because these people walk around with the unlicensed weapon looking for victims on whom to prey. Some of them walk around with the guns which they then offer for rental to criminal elements. The problem we have here is that many of those held with guns are very young people who believe that the criminal enterprise is the most lucrative in the world. These are the young uneducated people who are not readily assimilated into the labour force. These are the people most likely to be held with guns. Indeed these are the people who commit the bulk of the armed robberies. They are the people on whom the police are most likely to find unlicensed weapons. They are threats to the society. These are the people who disrupt parties because they possess a gun; these are the people who see a gun as an extension of their manhood. We need to dispossess ourselves of this crippling gun culture. In the United States, because the police have the right to search, acting on reasonable suspicion, not many people take the chance to walk around with a loaded firearm. Guyana may wish to adopt this practice. There will be some noise from sections of the society but in the long run, more guns would be taken off the streets and the society would be safer. And this is what we need.
Tuesday August 26, 2014
Letters... Where your views make the news
Make a stand against the continuing carnage; Make the administration accountable
DEAR EDITOR, I wish to base my comment on the recent statement by Freddie Kissoon (Kaieteur News, August 24) – Guyana: Journey into the chasm of Dantean Darkness. It is my sincere hope that readers take or make time to read and digest what was described therein. Who hath eyes to read – Let them read. The truth has been written. Better yet who hath ears to hear, let him hear, and pass it on. Darker days are yet to come. Dante was considered to be one of the most important, inspired writers of the
Middle Ages. His main work, the Commedia or the Divine Comedy is a verse work which combines both allegory and the real, in the hopes of promoting a true spiritual path for readers toward redemption and ascension into heaven. Dante’s point is that as civic beings, we are responsible not only for our actions, but also for their results. The people he presents were all men and women of prestige and/or power, people in a position to influence others either directly or by example, and in one way or another they all failed. The suffering, the
violence, the anarchy of Hell is a result of their failure to act up to their responsibilities or their outright abuse of those responsibilities. Sadly, this is the current state of affairs in Guyana, making Dante a prophet of sorts, and Guyana his land of Dis. Once again I was horrified at the recent senseless killing of a waitress, a mother of five, at a Chinese Restaurant. This killing followed on the heels of last week’s shooting of Ashook Ragghu. Please let us not forget that both killings were perpetrated by individuals using
motorcycles as their means of transportation. Homegrown criminals, who do not have a hope in hell of pulling such a crime off in these parts. Trust me they’ll need much more than a motorbike. The police have also reported a marked increase in gun-related crimes. What are the factors contributing to this crime proliferation? Do the Police know? If not, who does? From where did all these guns come? How did so many firearms fall into the hands of unlicenced carriers? Does the recent increase merit a call for the gun laws (Continued on page 24)
Bungalow roofs vs. V-Shaped roofs DEAR EDITOR, In an Article of August 24 on the above captioned subject, KN Staff Reporter Leonard Gildarie made an interesting comparison with respect to roof shapes for houses in Guyana. Unfortunately he took a simplistic view of a complex element of a structure, as without a properly installed roof on a newly constructed building its usefulness could deteriorate quickly as water infiltrates downwards through the roof, damaging what it is supposed to protect. Roofing in Guyana is dictated by the layout of the building, structural /architectural requirements, pitch, materials available and their costs. Sheet metal has been the preferred material used but asphalt shingles and clay tiles have been used on the more upscale buildings while Troolie Palm leaves have covered the roof of houses of the less fortunate in rural areas. Sheeting costs for roofs are determined by the type of metal used, its gauge and coating applied. Metal sheets have had a proven record of being the most durable and economic means of covering a roof in the hot, humid tropics and protecting the structure from the elements. However the sheets have to be installed by experienced personnel who could determine the required overlapping tolerances for the sheets to prevent water infiltration, particularly at the ridges and valleys, type of fasteners to be used to fix them to the rafters and the correct metal roof sealant (not any clear silicone) for the fastener caps. Nailing metal sheets to the rafters, as Mr. Gildarie
sadly experienced, is not an alternative method of fastening the sheets if the problems he encountered are to be avoided. As wind blows over a roof, differential pressures are generated over and under the sheets and during heavy rainfall, water could be sucked in under the overlaps and onto the ceiling if the tolerances are not adequate. In a wet, humid environment, asphalt shingle roofs suffer from stains and streaks due to algae growth and this could be unsightly. Clay tiles are heavy and
require specially designed rafters. They could also be leaky if their overlaps are not properly sealed. Trooliethatched roofs are cool on hot, sunny days, but they require regular maintenance which could be expensive. Architectural beauty is expensive and therefore a bungalow and other buildings with complexshaped roofs will by their very nature be costly to construct vis-à-vis ‘run of the mill’ V-shaped roofs for houses with simple layouts. It all boils down as to what a house owner could afford
which will dictate the type of roof he chooses to impress his neighbours, and not its practicability. Unfortunately a very much neglected need for a building is its internal layout to serve the desired objectives of being functional to its user, but more often than not this aspect is overlooked. It is no wonder therefore that so many buildings in Guyana look stylish from the outside but once inside they are difficult to navigate and accommodate. Charles Sohan
Crime is eating away the fabric of our society DEAR EDITOR, Like white collar crime, blue collar crime is eating away the fabric of our society. Apart from the theft of properties and monies, armed robbery has reaped untold deaths and injuries. Too many families and individuals are victims of this dastardly act which is perpetuated daily by young unemployed urban and sub-urban youths. For too long this phenomenon has been allowed to dominate the lives of the most vulnerable in our society. The lower class like the middle class is negatively affected by criminal activities. A review of the crime statistics over the past eight months clearly shows that the lower class and middle class are most affected by criminal activities. Though the lower class is least prosperous, they are more likely to be victims of robbery and violence since they have limited protection, living in disadvantageous communities and are seemingly not valued by policy makers. The statistics show an exponential increase in criminal activities over the past ten years; especially, in the areas of armed robbery and homicides. Armed robbery is prevalent in the urban centres, sub-urban areas and hinterland regions, more especially in the gold mining areas. For a small
population, Guyana’s homicide rate is 18.4 per 100,000; the fourth highest in South America, and this is disturbing. Over the past three months a significant amount of homicides and gunshot wounds occurred during robberies or attempted robberies. There is no doubt that the spate of gun crime is indicative of ineffective law enforcement and human development initiatives. It is a clear indication of policy makers’ inability to comprehend the phenomenon. A thorough understanding of the issue will no doubt result in the development and implementation of relevant initiatives to stem the waning security environment. As it relates to youth and gun crime the sole panacea cannot be guns and bullets complemented by judicial actions. There ought to be research aimed at identifying the risk factors for criminal involvement. The research should establish the correlation between the family environment, education, economics, drugs and alcohol, and criminal activities, especially armed robberies. Having established reason for the proliferation of criminal activities it is only then our policy makers would be able to develop and implement effective crime control measures. Lelon Saul
Tuesday August 26, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Letters... Where your views make the news Letters... Where your views make the news
Tribute to our dear Legal battle for reparations could cost billions friend, Lionel Peters DEAR EDITOR, We received the sad news of the death of one of Guyana’s political stalwarts and a very close friend Lionel Peters. Although we knew that he was gravely ill and would depart this life at any moment, yet the shock and grief we felt were great. He was still a young man in the prime of his life when death touched him. Too soon, too soon was our cry as we shed tears for one of Guyana most gifted and talented political organizers. Those who would rationalize or sublimate sorrow in circumstances like these would offer the comfort that only the good die young. But that is indeed poor comfort, for the AFC in particular, and Guyana in general, have been deprived of a virtuous soul. Guyana and the AFC have lost a true son of the soil, a political trooper and a dedicated fighter in Lionel Peters. He was a simple man, yet he touched the lives of so many people with his simple message of one people, one love and one nation. He came from within the ranks of the poor and the powerless and he always stood up for then and fought for them, day and night. The late Lionel Peters was a man with ideals, who believed that there is a great deal to be done for the preservation of peoples’ rights and the much vaunted but infrequently practiced democracy in Guyana. Exceptional and brilliant, he had a natural love for people and country that was greatly admired by all who knew him. His extraordinary organizational skills claimed the admiration of both Cheddi and Janet Jagan and all his former comrades at Freedom House, as well as the late Desmond Hoyte. In 1974 he joined the PPP’s political struggle to restore democracy to Guyana and in the process he successfully organized several protests and demonstrations. It was a dream come true. For this he was beaten and imprisoned by the police. But he had no fear; not even the fear of death if that was the price he felt he had to pay in pursuit of his dream. As he once said, “no matter what happened to me, the struggle to liberate Guyana from the hands of the PNC dictators and
restore democracy will continue.” He had the ornate skill of whipping up enthusiasm when it was flagging, giving inspiration where it was needed, and providing hope to the hopeless. Feeling discouraged that the PPP had become disconnected from the people, Lio (as he is known to his friends), in 1996 left the PPP and joined the PNC where he served as a senior p o l i t i c a l o rg a n i z e r t o Desmond Hoyte, leader of the opposition. No one can forget the great risk of unpopularity he ran when he left the PPP. He did not believe in the deliberate marginalizing of the youths of Guyana by the PPP. This is the man who said it makes no sense to talk about democracy if you are not prepared to practice it. Lio had said that politics is his life. Yet he was a loving husband, a caring father, an adoring grandfather, a kind brother, an affectionate uncle and a genuine and dear friend. Lio was an unpretentious, humble, practical and courageous
man. His integrity was beyond reproach. We r e a l l y s a w h i s genuine commitment and passion for the working class when he joined the AFC New York/New Jersey Chapter in 2008. And despite his illness, he never missed any of the meetings in the run-up to the 2011 elections and contributed directly to the AFC Action Plan. Against his doctor’s advice, Lio travelled to Guyana where he conducted one of the fiercest political campaigns for the AFC in the 2011 regional and general elections. Throughout his life, Lio was a fighter and a crusader to unshackle the poor from the PPP yoke of oppression. He was judicious in his deliberations, original in style, and unwavering in his struggle. And for those who wronged him he forgave them. He was much greater than lesser mortals, yet he had his human failings which tell that “no one is perfect.” He was an avid cricket and football fan. We are inclined to (Continued on page 24)
DEAR EDITOR, By now, most of us are aware of the attempt of several Caribbean countries to demand reparations from several European countries for the “crime” of slavery. In this regard, CARICOM has hired the British legal firm Leigh Day to press its case in the courts should negotiations fail, which they will. This legal firm doesn’t come cheap! Many legal experts have already concluded that the odds of CARICOM winning the case through the courts are virtually nil. I saw a New York Times report, quoting Roger O’Keefe, deputy director of the Lauterpacht Center for International Law at Cambridge University as saying that the planned attempt by CARICOM is “an international legal fantasy”. It is clear that CARICOM doesn’t have a legal case. However, my big problem with this “legal fantasy’ is the financial commitments being made to this legal waste and the costs that CARICOM taxpayers could be asked to pay. One of
the reasons why, it would seem, that Leigh Day was chosen by CARICOM is its reputation of winning cases that seemed impossible. The firm managed to win a case, working with another legal firm that secured compensation for 23 mine workers in South Africa who contracted silicosis working in South Africa’s mines. The firm also won some fame after it won an apology and compensation for those
Kenyans who were victims of Britain’s attempt to maintain its colonial rule. When this firm won that famous pollution case that involved the people of the Ivory Coast against Trafigura four years ago, Trafigura was forced to pay thirty million pounds to the claimants. In addition, the firm demanded 105 million pounds (that’s over 17 billion Jamaican dollars) for its fee. The firm (Continued on page 24)
The Police Force and millions in vehicles DEAR EDITOR, In the Friday, July 11, 2014 issue of the Kaieteur News there is an article which reads, ‘Police Force Receives 35 New Vehicles.’ This seems to be a regular event where millions of the tax payers’ money is spent on buying vehicles for the Guyana Police Force. One concern that I have is whether proper inventory is done regarding the use of these vehicles. Many times
whilst driving around the city I would see a police vehicle around places where it should not be. Further, I would like to add that all these pictures are taken solely for the purpose of propaganda since there are countless occasions where police officers were late arriving at the scene of a crime or accident and made the excuse of not having an available vehicle. Jonathan Ross
Tuesday August 26, 2014
Kaieteur News
Ministry breached tendering laws (Trinidad Express) The Ministry of Planning and Economy did not comply with the Central Tenders Board (CTB) Act when it ten-dered and selected the three devel-opers for the billiondollar Invader’s Bay Development project, a legal opinion provi-ded to Attorney General Anand Ramlogan has con-clu-ded. The legal advice is the subject of a long-running legal battle between the Ministry of Planning and the Joint Consultative Council for the Construction Industry (JCC), who sought the document under the Freedom of Infor-mation Act. Dr Bhoe Tewarie, the Min-ister of Planning, has refused to provide the advice he received that allowed the ministry to procure tenders for the devel-op-ment of the Invader’s Bay project. High Court Judge Frank Seepersad ruled on July 14 that the ministry should make the information avail-able, but Tewarie served notice Government intended to appeal the decision. The legal document, made available exclusively to the Sunday Express, shows that far from endorsing the decision of the Ministry of Planning, serious questions were raised by the AG’s office on the procedure used by the Ministry of Planning in pro-curing bids for the billiondollar project. The advice was provided by Joan R Furlonge, legal adviser to the Attorney General, on Feb-ruary 13, 2012. The Government, through the Ministry of Planning and Economy, invited expressions of interest for the development of Invader’s Bay on August 31, 2011. Developers were given an October 4 deadline for submissions. In November, a Ministry of Planning and Economy team—comprising the permanent secretary, the deputy perma-nent secretary and the senior planning
...in $b Invader’s Bay Development project, legal adviser tells AG officer—deter-mined three developers (out of ten submissions) met the requi-rements of the request for proposal (RFP). These were Invader’s Bay Marina Devel-opment Com-pany; M Falcon and Dachin Commercial Develop-ment Company. Additionally, on December 2011, the Ministry of Plan-ning and Economy wrote letters to the three selected de-vel-op-ers, advising them of the decision and informing them they would be contacted to “schedule a date for com-mencement of this negotiation of terms and conditions”. Furlonge noted under the CTB Act the Government can only act on its own, without reference to the Central Ten-ders Board, where it enters into a contract with the Nation-al Insurance Property Devel-opment Company (Nip-dec) or a Cabinetapproved special-purpose company such as the Urban Development Cor---po-ration of Trinidad and Tobago (UDeCOTT), which is wholly owned by the State, for the supply of goods, works or services. “If UDeCOTT was respon-sible for the tendering/pro-curement process, the CTB could have been circumvented (under Section 20 A CTB Act).... This option is still open to the Ministry of Planning and Economy as the process advances to maturity and pursuant to Cabinet Minute No 813 of April 8, 2010,” Fur-longe stated. [By Min-ute No 813 the then (People’s National Movement) cabinet, noting several international firms had expressed interest in developing the site, had authorised UDeCOTT to seek further expressions of interest for the establishment of a range of commercial
enter-pri-ses in the Invader’s Bay area]. However, Furlonge noted: “The Ministry of Planning and Economy does not have within its contemplation that it would enter into a contract with UDeCOTT for the undertaking of works required for the Invader’s Bay project. But the option to do so is still open to the Ministry of Planning and Economy although the ministry has in fact already tendered and selected its developers. In the circumstances, the tende-ring process adopted by the Ministry of Planning and Economy does not fall within the exception under Section 20A of the Central Board Act.” Furlonge noted according to the White Paper for Public Procurement, the “current procurement practice under the Central Tenders Board Act” is initiated when the min-is-try or department conducts a needs assessment, reconciles its needs with the available funds and prepares a bid package. The Central Tenders Board’s involvement in the procurement process includes selection of procurement meth-od, inviting tenders, receiving tenders, evaluating tenders and making recom-men-dations, selecting suppliers/contractors/ consultant and issuing letters of acceptance, she noted. Furlonge states: “In recon-ciling the actions taken by the Ministry of Planning and Economy with the law, it appears that the Ministry of Planning and Economy’s actions can be validated on the grounds that the procure-ment process under the CTB Act was not initiated as the Min-istry of Planning and Economy did ‘not require public funding’ and there was therefore no need to ‘reconcile its needs with available funds’.
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday August 26, 2014
Company selling to itself; forcing... From page 6 NIS being remitted. “It is a known fact also both RUSAL and BOSAI which operates bauxite operations in this very region are also practicing transfer pricing policies… of selling to themselves. What price they give to the Government, we have to accept because nobody is checking. This is a public secret in Region 10. The Government can ask too.” On Sunday, Ram said he saw 11 trucks heading out from Kwakwani. While he was told all belonged to Bai Shan Lin, some were in private vehicles. “First of all, the road leading to Kwakwani from Linden is not for the faint-hearted. It is nearly impassable at times with mini-buses struggling to make it. Another factor is if we saw 11 trucks and GFC telling us only 375 containers were exported by Bai Shan Lin for the first half, what are we really saying? Something is wrong here.” Ram, whose newspaper columns and blogs have been critical of Government policies, noted that the situation at Ituni, a community between Linden and Kwakwani, is heartbreaking with infrastructure falling apart and poverty very much evident. “It is a
heartbreaking sight. It gives the impression of a region in which Government has largely washed its hands of and have sold large pieces to three foreign companies with very little to show in returns. The region is supposed to receive a percentage of the takings. Yet it suffers the most from exploitation.” Ram was also harsh on the Opposition, A Partnership For National Unity (APNU) which won the Region in the 2011 General and Regional Elections but has remained largely silent on the exploitation. “Save for Regional Chairman, Sharma Solomon and Vanessa Kissoon, it seems that APNU has forgotten its people. It will be quite an uphill task for the Region to get what it deserves as the Constitution does not reflect the possibilities of them raising their own revenues and getting a fair share of the bauxite and logging operations.” The activist believes that from the very stance of the Government on the issue, it is not hard to deduce that there is complicity from also the regulators…the Guyana Forestry Commission. “The resources being taken away are not going to come back in a hurry.” Ram said it is also known that neither of the two bauxite companies is paying their production taxes as is required because Government has turned a blind eye. FRONTING Another major issue is the
illegality of having local loggers in the Berbice area fronting for Bai Shan Lin. “This is a serious situation as Bai Shan Lin is reportedly buying the logs from the local operators and associations and is using them as the exporters. This raises questions as to when monies are passed since ownership changes so it would be against regulations and illegal for the loggers to be exporting the logs in their names when they have already sold to Bai Shan Lin.” Ram was critical of GFC, which, instead of taking an independent position, has decided to take the position of going all out and defending Bai Shan Lin. “In whose interest are GFC and Government acting? They should be defending Guyana and its assets and at the very least okay an independent probe.” Ram said that residents of the Upper Berbice and Linden area have legitimate concerns about jobs and the fact that they have a ready market available from Bai Shan Lin and other operators. “They are concerned about water, the roads, the noise from vehicles and poor social standards coming from the companies.” Ram believes that Government should have been facilitating the process to link local sawmillers with loggers, developing an efficient and functioning export body and encouraging local sales and exports. “So what we have is failure to address the opportunities and challenges. We are talking here about two companies from big countries that are exploiting us…we have the mandate to protect ourselves as they came here to feed their appetites for our natural resources. We can have a fantastic life. But our Government just don't care.”
Tuesday August 26, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Nadir has set the cat amongst the pigeons PPPC’s Member of Parliament, Manzoor Nadir has set the cat amongst the pigeons when he said that in order for a vote of noconfidence against the government to take place, all the elected members of the National Assembly must be present. In other words what he is saying is that if the PPPC members decide to not attend the sitting at which the motion is debated, the vote cannot be taken, and if taken, would be unconstitutional. If the PPPC believes that the vote is unconstitutional, it can seek judicial redress to correct this constitutional misadventure. The implications of this could mean extended legal arguments running into years during which time elections cannot be held. In other words, what Nadir is suggesting is that the government can nullify the no-confidence motion by not attending the debate. Therefore, regardless of whether Nadir is correct or not, the PPP can exercise its right to judicial review of the constitutionality of a noconfidence vote and this review can place on hold any elections. This position by Nadir has been rubbished by one of APNU’s Members of
Parliament. The Constitution of Guyana at Article 106 (6) states: “The Cabinet, including the President shall resign if the Government is defeated by the vote of a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly on a vote of confidence.” Nadir has interpreted the phrasing “the vote of a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly” to mean that all of the members must be allowed to vote. Or in other words, if the government members do not turn up, the government cannot under our constitution be said to have been defeated by a majority of all of the members. The Courts are the guardians of the Constitution. Anyone who feels that a measure is inconsistent with the Constitution has the option of approaching the Courts for redress. Such an approach on this question would mean that legal proceedings can be dragged out indefinitely, thus placing on hold the requirement that the government should call elections within three months. There has been, as stated, a rejection by APNU of this
Dem boys seh ...
There is no Guyana passport De whole country use to hear how de Pee an See bruck up de country in 28 years. Since people tun, dem use to hear bout de 28 years. But one thing was certain. De Pee an See keep de country. Well dem boys see worse in de last 22 years. De other day dem wake up and see that de Pee Pee Pee ain’t bruck up de country alone, dem sell out de whole country. One man tun to he grandson and ask if he got a passport and de boy ask he which one. Of course, people got more than one passport. Some get Guyana passport using two name and some got Guyana passport and British or American or Canadian passport. De grandson seh that when he go for a Guyana passport dem give he a passport fuh China because he was now a China national. Nuff people gun find out that China own Guyana and dem grandchildren ain’t got no say or share in de country. This thing happen a long time ago when de government claim that dem was seeking investment plus pocket money fuh de boys in de government. Dem had people who see wha going on and dem chip in fuh get dem share. Dem same people decide that dem gun tender fuh contract and when dem get it, dem pocket most of de money and wha lef, dem put in de project which collapse in a few weeks. But dem boys seh that dem had worse than that. Dem see de government set up condition fuh one man to get billions of dollars every year without even bidding. Of course, when people talk too much, all of dem who benefit run to de court fuh get injunction fuh shut dem boys up. One of dem beneficiaries even go to a New York court but dem boys was ready fuh him. It tun out that he had to declare some things that he did want to hide and wha expose was worse than a lady getting she wig pull off in de middle of de street de day when she didn’t comb she hair. That is why dem boys learn de alphabet that seh, ‘J’ fuh jail. Talk half and don’t think about a Guyana passport.
interpretation. It is contended that all that is required is for a majority of the elected members to support the no– confidence motion and not simply have every elected member present before the vote can be taken. This may sound a plausible explanation, but constitutional interpretation is not as simple as it seems. The interpretation of Article 106 (6) must be read against the background of Article 180 which provides for an investigative mechanism to be activated that could lead to the removal of the President if no less than one half of all the elected members of the
National Assembly first signal that the President has committed any violation of the Constitution or any gross misconduct. Under this provision, the Chancellor is required to appoint a tribunal to investigate the charges. If the tribunal finds that the allegations have been substantiated, then it requires a two-thirds majority of all the elected members to force the President to step aside. The relevance of this provision to Article 106 (6) is the standard required to investigate and remove the President for gross misconduct as against the
removal of the entire government, including the Cabinet. If to trigger an investigative tribunal whose findings could lead to the removal of the President first requires that one half of all the members of the National Assembly have to first file a complaint then two-thirds of all the members have to vote for the dismissal of the President, how is it then that under Article 106 (6), only a majority of the members and not a majority of all the elected members are required to vote? It is therefore not a simple
matter as some would have us believe. But it is an important question on which the Courts should be allowed to pronounce. Guyana’s constitutional democracy would be enhanced by such a ruling, that is a ruling as to whether all the elected members of the National Assembly are required to be present before a vote of noconfidence can be taken.
Execution-style killing of waitress - children view recording baffles family The children of waitress Deborah Blackman yesterday viewed a recording of their mother's apparent execution at the hands of a young gunman, and it left them both shocked and baffled as to why she was slain. One of Mrs. Blackman's daughters said that a young Chinese national, whose parents own the Chinese Delicious Restaurant, allowed them to see the recording that was made by a security camera in the premises. The recording shows a young man, wearing a black cap with a red peak, shooting Blackman, without any apparent attempt to rob the premises. But according to the children, they know of no reason why anyone would have wanted to kill their mother. “That is what we are trying to figure out; who would want to kill her and for what,” one distraught daughter told Kaieteur News. “My mother doesn't own her own house, she doesn't have jewels, she is not a rich woman, she doesn't have life insurance, she doesn't have anything for anyone to want to kill her for, just her life and children. It's very shocking.” Crime Chief Leslie James
told Kaieteur News yesterday that investigators were looking at several motives, but declined to say what they were and whether robbery had been ruled out. Kaieteur News viewed part of the security camera footage, which showed a man in a black cap, with red peak, going up to the counter, which is barred off from the dining area, and apparently placing an order. Two other men then come to the counter, and one of them gives Blackman a $5,000 note. The footage shows the apparently nervous men constantly glancing around. According to police sources who viewed the recording, Blackman, of Critchlow Circle, Tucville, placed a box of food on the counter. The men reportedly walked out of the restaurant, but the one wearing the cap returned to the counter and shot Blackman in the neck and shoulder. Police said that the men arrived at the restaurant on a CG motorcycle. Investigators recovered two warheads and a bullet casing from the scene. The 48-year-old waitress had worked at the restaurant, located in D'urban Street, for
of mom's murder
some eleven years. Her children, and customers who knew her, described Blackman as a pleasant individual who was dedicated to her job. A daughter recalled that her mother would leave for work at 10. 30 hrs and return home after midnight. “My mother loved her job, even though she knew how much risk it was.” Kaieteur News was told that bandits robbed Blackman and the owners last March, after kicking open a door leading to the area behind the counter. A daughter said that the waitress had planned to leave her job after expressing fear for her safety. The relative said that after that incident, the proprietors (continued on page 24)
Deborah Blackman
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday August 26, 2014
=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===
The Dantean purgatory in Guyana is bottomless I didn’t expect it; never thought about it. But it happened. I got several telephone calls and e-mails inundating me with more examples of Dantean darkness as a response to my Sunday column (“Guyana: Journey into the chasm of Dantean darkness.”). For those who didn’t catch that article, it was an enumeration of the most incredibly backward things that happened and are occurring in this awfully tragic and ancient country. I did that column without resort to research. You don’t need the research. The oceans of gory details of the sad caricature that this country is just tumble out of your head. You live in Guyana since the Jagdeo days and
you don’t need the research. There is so much to remember, so much to see. However, I was stunned by the mountain of abnormalities and contortions given to me with the words, “Freddie yuh lef dese out.” It was truly amazing what I left out and I admit should have been included in any list of venalities and madness that characterize the incompetence and depravity of the PPP reign. One caller yelled out, “Freddie you is a joker or what; yuh left out “Killaman,” he don’t exist in another country.” An e-mail exclaimed, “Freddie you getting old boy, the Jagdeo wife thing would not and cannot happen in another country.”
Here are some of the omissions given to me over the weekend. There are too numerous to carry in the space of a column and I have done away with reminders that I have published often. For example; the “Killaman” tales, the Jagdeo/ Varshnie Singh scandal, a Minister telling the press he does illegal things, the Henry Green indiscretions, the abominations at the Georgetown Hospital, Clement Rohee visa mystery, the Nirmal Rehka duty free investigation etc. One e-mail sender thinks that any mention of how unfortunate Guyana has become, the electricity rates must be given highlighted space. She contends that
Guyana’s electricity rates are the highest in the world. I haven’t done a comparison, but in her e-mail she asserts it is the highest. Who am I to question her and I strongly believe she may be right. After all, we are talking about a hellhole named Guyana. Another e-mail took me back to an article I wrote years ago in which the relatives of a dead man came home to Essequibo to give him a funeral only to find his rotting corpse outside the mortuary – the freezer had broken down months ago. What was sickening is that many bodies were left outside the mortuary because that was the only place to store them in Essequibo. There is one of the leading judges in this country that the lawyer of Roger Khan admitted was in contact with Khan, while Khan was hiding out in Suriname. In the revelations of Khan’s lawyer, Robert Simels, the judge is referred to as the “Oracle.”
Media people talk among themselves that “the Oracle” was in contact by phone with Khan 35 times. I was glad a reader jogged my memory on this one, because it proves what an abandoned outpost Guyana is. Khan got fifteen years in jail. Simels got fourteen. But the “Oracle” still sits on the bench in Guyana. Now in which other country could that happen? It is so unfortunate that the “Oracle” cannot be identified and I feel badly that I am hamstrung in not naming him, but I do tell select people when they ask me. Early Monday morning. I was buying a sweet cake I like very much sold by Banks DIH outlets named T-ring. (Anand Sanasie, Secretary of the Guyana Cricket Board, sent his driver to buy T-ring and he came back empty-handed saying that the Banks DIH sales girl told him they don’t sell key rings; obviously he asked for key-ring instead of T-ring) when this nice lady
Frederick Kissoon engaged me in conversation on the Sunday column . She said she agreed with my description of the primitive mess Guyana is in, but wanted to know why billionaires still invest in such a dark land. My explanation was these superrich people do not have to endure the Dantean madness that has drowned Guyana. The rich people and their children do not get detained by the police. They in fact own the police. They do not shop in Guyana. They do not spend six months in Guyana. They are always out. And their money is sent out. And this is because they know that Guyana is a graveyard.
Tuesday August 26, 2014
Kaieteur News
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754.
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Repairs & spare, fridge, freezer, A/C, washers, stoves – Contact Nick: 683-1312, 627-3206 Repairs, sales & spares air conditioning, microwaves, washer, fridges & stoves. Ultra Cool, call:225-9032,6472943 For low cost: Repairs to fridge, freezer, A/C unit, microwaves, TV & washing machine – Call: 629-4946 or 225-4822 Eternity Investment Construction Company – Planning to Building or renovate your property? – Call: 615-5315/ 687-6072 School bus from Land of Canaan to Greater Georgetown and back – Call:646-5147
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EDUCATION IAE (Secondary Educational) 194 Camp Street, register for Forms 15, Lessons, CXC Adult Classes for repeaters & beginners – Tel:223-0604; 683-5742 LAND FOR SALE 1500 Acres Transported Land near Bartica Essequibo River Front to Potaro Road – Contact Mark Hack: 6031266 or 704-465-2222 At Eccles Housing Scheme – price $6.5M – negotiable – Call: 616-6000 Land of Canaan, 21 Acres transported Land from Public Road to Conservancies - $60M – Vish Realty – 612-7377
CAR RENTAL DOLLY’S CAR RENTAL - CALL: 225-7126/ 2263693 D O L LY S AUTORENTAL@YAHOO. C O M / W W W. D O L LY SAUTORENTAL.COM Progressive Auto Rental: Cars & SUV for rental- $4,000 & up per day- Call: 643-5122, 219-3900 ,Email:pro_ autorental @yahoo.com
PROPERTY FOR SALE 1 – 2storey wooden & Concrete house with 5 bedrooms upper flat & lower flat 4 apartments located@ Shell Road, kitty - $34M – Tel:642-7898 Two storey concrete house (26X45 ft), 4 bedrooms, 3 washrooms, grilled with electronicsecurity@GranvillePark, Beterverwagting-Tel:672-6169 Wooden and concrete house in excellent condition on double Lot in D’Aguiar’s Park – Call: 686-1368.
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LEARN TO DRIVE Soman Son & Outar Driving School at Maraj BuildingTel: 644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997
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TO LET 2 Bedrooms bottom flat apartment @ 8th Street Cummings Lodge, preferably a couple without children/ single person: Call Ricky: 6765720, 669-6862 Apartment for rent at Ocean View, Uitvlugt – Contact: 6662442 VACANCY Porters, moulders and wood mizers operator, sawmill mill wright, timber grant manager – Call Richard: 609-7675/ 6741705/233-2614
Earn a Certificate in Cosmetology or nail s alone – Call: 226-5904, 225-5360,6877566 New Courses Starting September: Computerized Accounting, 4 courses $35,000, QuickBooks, P.Tree, POS @ MicroGraphics, Vreed-En-Hoop -264-3057 Didn’t Do We l l i n M a t h e m a t i c s / English ? Join Us Now! Individual Training @ MicroGraphics Vreed-EnHoop Tel: 264-3057 9 Courses Diploma In Computers $35,000 SPECIAL DEAL FOR 2014, CSEC students MicroGraphics @ Vreed En Hoop- 264-3057 ACCOMODATION Harmony Inn Apartments and car rental, furnished & air conditioned apartments for local & overseas guest – Tel: 668-0306, 218-1400, 694-7817
VEHICLE FOR SALE Unregistered Premio, Noah, Spacio – PRR 738 – Tel: 697-0297 Special sale on new model Spacio, with camera, TV, DVD, Spoiler, unregistered $2.1M – Tel: 617-2891 Toyota Voxy - $1.8M, Toyota Premio - $2.3M, Toyota Spacio $2.1M, all vehicle are fully loaded – Tel: 617-2891 One RZ minibus BNN Series, good condition – Call: 692-5993 Toyota Noah and Voxy (unregistered) - $1.9M – Tel: 603-9700 Unregistered: 2003 Premio $2.450M Neg, 2004 Spacio $2.150M, 2002 Spacio - $2.150 Neg. Tel: 616-3001, 270-5042 One Bedford 4x4 Hiab Truck $3.8M, One Toyota Hilux Solid Axle - $2.4M – Tel: 667-1833 Toyota Hilux Surf, RZN-185, 4x4, Automatic, Excellent Condition – Tel: 617-0544 One Leyland DAF 4x4 Winch bush truck - $3.2M, price negotiable – Call: 667-1833 We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 Tacoma- Call: 680-3154 AT192, 212, Allion, unregistered Premio, Hilux Surf, BNN, RZ & Pit-bull, 7 seater super custom. Cash / terms- Call: 680-3154 One new Toyota Corolla Spacio - $1,950,000 – Tel: 6116632, 664-3488 1600 CC Toyota Sprinter AE100- Contact:645-0240 or 629-3814 Unregistered Spacio 2003, TV, Navigator, dark interior, rims, rear spoiler, fog lamp – Tel: 617-5536
VACANCY 24 Hour East Coast Guyoil needs night pump attendants, salesgirl, office assistant & handyman- Call: 669-4755/ 695-9880 International Cruiseline Purser officer, waitresses, waiters, cooks, receptionist, storekeeper, cleaners, electrician, carpenter, plumber, musicians etc – Tel: 650-9880 Sales representatives in G/ Town to sell Groceries & beverages. Send application to Maya @ Kaieteur News, 24 Saffon Street. Cashiers @ Shell Service Station Providence EBD. Must be able to work shift (5am-3pm & 3pm-12pm) – Tel: 265-7305 Accounts/Office Clerk: Entry Level, with Quick-Books & Book-keeping knowledge, Resume: jobKN@AlertPrinting.com, application close August 29.
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Kaieteur News
Husband, wife arrested for... From page 18 like and the wife does domestic work,” one neighbour said. The neighbour said that she was watching television when she heard a loud noise but did not pay much attention, since this is common occurrence. “I just ignored them because when you watch over there, the man does cuss you up.” The neighbour said that several hours after she heard a loud commotion, she noticed the police in the couple's yard with persons crying and shouting, “Oow you kill my brother, you kill he.” Another neighbour said that she heard someone
groaning in the couple's outhouse, and then she heard one of the suspects crying and after sometime she saw the police arrive. The mother of the detained man told Kaieteur News that she was told that her son and his wife were fighting and Sugrim, who tried to separate them, was stabbed. She further explained that based on what she was told, the dead man was attacked in the couple's verandah, but collapsed near the outhouse, after going there to relieve himself. “My son's wife drinks a lot every day. They have two children together and I take
care of them. If the children have money she would take it away and buy rum. She stabbed my son countless times and he still won't leave her,” the woman said. Meanwhile, the dead man's father, Sugrim (only name given) said that his son left home since Saturday morning but never returned. “I get a call on Sunday from someone who informed me that my son was killed, but I did not believe until I went there and see for myself,” the older Sugrim said. He added that his son is a peaceful person and his only bad habit is consuming alcohol.
Execution-style killing... From page 9 would leave a door behind the counter open to allow Blackman to secure herself in the event of a robbery. That door was reportedly locked on Saturday night when the killers struck. Kaieteur News was told that the proprietor's son was in a secure section of the premises when the gunmen shot Blackman, and took several minutes to emerge from
the area. Pointing out that the proprietors could have done much more to ensure their mother's safety; one daughter suggested that someone should have been constantly monitoring the security camera in the building. And despite her long years of service, it appears that Deborah Blackman's children will receive no compensation for her brutal death on the job.
“They (the owners) already say they don't have money to give the family. We asked them and they already said no,” a daughter said. The proprietor's son reportedly told the family that his parents are overseas, but that his father is returning next month. Deborah Blackman's family is making arrangements to have her body taken to Berbice, where she will be laid to rest.
Tuesday August 26, 2014
Letters... Where your views make the news
Make a stand against the... From page 4 to be revised, revisited, repaired, restored, revamped, rehashed or plain and simple - removed. In 2012, the Task Force on Narcotic Drug, and the National Drug Report launched by Clement Rohee Minister of Home Affairs reported that most of the illegal firearms originated in the U.S.A and Brazil.Brazil shares with Guyana a nearly 1,200 km border, and is also home to Taurus International Manufacturing Inc. - the parent company of one of the largest firearm manufacturing companies in the world. It was also reported in the Kaieteur News that the Government of Guyana was in talks with Brazil regarding the provision of satellite services to assist in the monitoring of the nation’s borders. What is the current state of affairs regarding this gesture? Did the talks break down and the borders were crossed? Or did the parties concerned just talk the talk but did not walk the walk? Did the Guyana Government strengthen the military
presence at the borders? Is there a report anywhere to which the public can refer, and perhaps get a stronger sense of safety? To the Guyanese population I say stay angry. Do not let the faces of the deceased go until meaningful, actual steps are taken to make Guyana a safer and less violent country. A better state of protection is called for. Now is exactly the time, before the nation falls back into a seemingly collective stupor in which no one does anything but hopes it doesn’t happen again. Believe it or not the interest of public security has been compromised, and there are far too many lacunae in the gun laws of Guyana. Imagine that in 2010 gun violence had reached epidemic proportions, and here we are in 2014 facing the same diagnosis with no identifiable efforts thus far at remediation. The gun-reacted deaths do not occur in isolation, but are manifestations of failures to which all Guyanese contributed, together.The perpetrators do not manufacture
their own guns. They did not organize the gun trade that brought the guns to Guyana. They did not write the laws that prevented the government from acting against guns. They carry guns — and misuse guns — thanks to a national system of gun regulation that makes guns easily accessible to those least likely to use guns responsibly. The Administration should also take blame for this carnage, as they have failed miserably in their responsibility to ensure public safety and human security. Hoplophobia is a mental disturbance characterized by irrational aversion to weapons, as opposed to justified apprehension about those who may wield them. The anger level of the citizenry should not be abated until a higher state of protection is demonstrated. A clear and concise message should be sent to the perpetrators, and the Government should stand firmly in prosecuting them to the full extent of the law. They must be dealt with condignly. Enough is Enough. Yvonne Sam
Family of missing Captain calls on... Legal battle for reparations... From page 21 the situation. Mrs. Rickiram, who suffers from hypertension, said that she has not been well for the past few weeks. The woman said that she was advised to seek legal advice on the issue but noted her core desire is to put her husband to rest. The woman said that at this point she is
no longer hopeful that her husband might still be alive. “All I want know is if the Government, MARAD or somebody could do something to assist in pulling up the boat. At least I would be able to acquire some of my husband's remains.” Mrs. Rickiram noted that her husband spent thirty -nine
Opposition blasts GFC's Commissioner handling... From page 3 explanation, there are daily complaints that the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) the state body charged with overseeing the mining sector, is taking away concessions from gold miners in particular on the grounds that they have not met their commitments. “The enforcement of these laws is meant to be consistent with one another and they are there ostensibly to prevent persons exploiting our resources without structural development and appropriate taxation for the exploi-
tation of natural resources that cannot be replaced at all or easily.” Greenidge repeated calls from other stakeholders and politicians for the agreements between Government and Bai Shan Lin and Vaitarna to be made public “because these explanations sound alarming. Frankly, it is almost as though the Commission does not know what it is doing. Which species are the companies exporting and was this set out in the agreement?” The official said APNU is preparing for the matter to be addressed by the National Assembly.
years at sea, working to provide his family. The couple, who were married over thirtyyears ago, share four children. “It is difficult to just forget about it, because that's my husband and we ain't seeing no progress in the investigation.” Other family members also expressed their dissatisfaction at the way the investigations are being conducted. "We really can't understand what's happening; it's nearly three weeks since these two people trapped in the boat,” another of the man's relatives said. Meanwhile, Officials of MARAD have noted that investigations into the matter are still ongoing. Speaking with this newspaper yesterday, Director of Maritime Safety, Captain Stephen Thomas noted that while there has been break in the search, the administration has not officially closed the investigations. He said that the team is still on the lookout for any sign, which may lead to recovery of the missing sailors.
From page 5 claims that that fee was justified on account of the amount of work it had to do in the case. However, in all of these cases that Leigh Day has won, it secured legal victories and compensation for living victims, where the links between the alleged perpetrators and the victims were easy to identify. Doing so for reparations, in which the links, which many experts agree don’t exist, between the supposed victims and perpetrat o r s then, and our predicament today, will be many times harder. In fact, even the firm’s s e n i o r l e g a l p a r t n e r, M a r t y n D a y, c o n f e s s e d that this reparations case will be a very difficult one. If easy cases like Trafigura cost over one hundred million pounds or 17 billion Jamaican dollars, imagine how much more difficult cases like reparations will cost? Now, one thing that must be understood is that lawyers must be paid whether or not
they are successful. With the odds stacked so high against CARICOM winning this legal case and the fact that this law firm doesn’t seem to come cheap, who is going to pay them? Even if the firm doesn’t win, and I strongly believe they will not win, considering the huge amount of work that it will have to do, from digging through mountains of historical documents, trying to convince European politicians to “do the right thing”, spending many “billable” hours putting the case together among a host of other tasks, I think I can conservatively estimate that this legal bill will amount to millions of pounds, if not tens of millions of pounds. That’s hundreds
of millions, if not billions, of Jamaican dollars! On behalf of the struggling taxpayers of CARICOM who have had to be putting up with dilapidated roads, schools, hospitals, public facilities and frozen wages, high taxes, non-functioning fire trucks, under-equipped police forces, micro businesses being starved of funding and I could go on and on, many of which could be fixed several times over with that kind of money, I demand to know how the bill for this “legal fantasy” is going to be paid? We need to know! We surely have productive ventures that we could spend that kind of money on! Michael A. Dingwall
Tribute to our...
From page 5 believe that it is time for us to dry our eyes and pay attention to the things for which he stood and for which he worked. It is time for us to recognize that he was outstanding. It is for us to acknowledge that even after the chilled hand of sickness touched him, he fought with the same indomitable spirit with which he fought prior to his illness. As we pray for him and his fam-
ily, it is time for us to reassure ourselves that he lives, and it is death that is dead, not him. We sincerely regret his passing but we are grateful and honoured to have been his friend and will always value and cherish the memories we shared because at the end of the day, he was a wonderful human being. As we mourn his passing, we must dedicate ourselves to continue his work. Lio has done his duty to his country, farewell Sir Lionel. We will miss you dearly, but we will never forget you. May God comfort his family at this time and may his soul rest in peace. Asquith Rose and Harish Singh
Tuesday August 26, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Tuesday August 26, 2014
T&T AG: E-MAILS ARE FAKE Google shoots down ‘Emailgate’: Ramlogan plans to sue Rowley Google shoots down ‘Emailgate’: Ramlogan plans to sue Rowley (Trinidad Express) Attorneys representing Attorney General Anand Ramlogan on Sunday produced a certified affidavit from Google Inc which they claim invalidates the entire emailgate scandal. They now intend to find the conspirators who were responsible for the “diabolical, evil and wicked plot” aimed at destroying the Government. Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley is to be sued for his role in the fiasco. On May 20 last year, Rowley presented a series of purported e-mails to the Parliament which, he said, implicated the Prime Minister, Attorney General and Local Government Minister in “high crime”, “misbehaviour of public office” and a massive cover-up. Rowley quoted from a series of e-mails between e-mail accounts anan@gmail.com, anand@tstt.net.tt and
kamlapb1@gmail.com, believed to be belonging to Ramlogan and Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, respectively. Ramlogan yesterday presented a certified affidavit signed by Chi Nguyen, the custodian of records at Google Inc, which stated “a diligent search and reasonable inquiry of Google’s records produced no information regarding the e-mail anan@gmail.com”. Paragraphs seven and eight of Nguyen’s affidavit stated “anand@tstt.net.tt” and “kamlapb1@gmail.com” were both active accounts owned by Ramlogan and PersadBissessar, respectively. Ramlogan said Google provided all the e-mails between himself and PersadBissessar during September 2012 when the emailgate correspondence occurred. He said none of those e-mails sent by Google corresponded to the claims made by Rowley. Ramlogan held a news conference at Cabildo Chambers, St Vincent Street, Port of Spain, to present the documents to the media. Senior counsel Pamela
Elder sat alongside Ramlogan. Christopher Sargent, a partner at ComputerLaw Group LLP, was present through Skype technology. Elder said the e-mails provided by Rowley were forged. “In essence, those documents which were stated to be e-mails and which were moved between certain accounts belonging to the honourable Attorney General and the honourable Prime Minister, they do not exist,” Elder said. Sargent filed a Notice of Pendency of Other Action or Proceeding at the United State District Court in the Northern District of California. This was aimed at showing the application filed recently by the Integrity Commission during its investigation into the emailgate scandal was unnecessary. “(This was intended) to bring this matter to the attention of the judge because to avoid multiplicity of proceedings. If Google has already conducted a search then it is an exercise in futility for another search of a similar nature to be conducted,”
DOCUMENTS IN HAND: Attorney General Anand Ramlogan shows a certified affidavit from Google Inc, while Senior Counsel Pamela Elder looks on during a press conference Elder said. “The authorisation granted to the Integrity Commission is the same one we secured from the court on behalf of the honourable Attorney General well over a year ago,” Sargent said. Elder said since last year attorneys representing Ramlogan had started legal proceedings to obtain the necessary information from Google. “We could not sit by quietly and twiddle and fiddle or wait while the Integrity Commission twiddled and fiddled with thumb and pen. We had to explore all legal avenues in order to substantiate all we had been saying from day one—that this was a diabolical, evil and wicked plot,” Elder said. Elder described Sunday as “a day of revelation”. “Today I must say I bring to mind... what comes to mind is the words... that we waited patiently and expectantly and our cry has been answered. The essence of those documents, the essence, the meat of it, is that those documents which were
passed off, which were laid in the House by the honourable Leader of the Opposition, they are not authentic. Not are they only not authentic, they did not emanate from the email account of the honourable Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago and the honourable Attorney General,” Elder said. “We have reached at a position now that you have from Google that those documents which were passed off as e-mails do not exist. Where do we go from here? Well I know what I will be doing, I would be immediately writing the acting Commissioner of Police, the Integrity Commission, the Director of Public Prosecutions to do all that is necessary to unearth the coconspirators to this evil plot. We do not know who they are, but what we know today is that there is a conspiracy of the most vicious nature, so those miscreants to whom the word honour has no meaning, they have to be unearthed and that is the position I take today.”
Elder said she was awaiting a response from Rowley, who is out of the country. She slammed those who questioned why Ramlogan had not indicated before he had initiated proceedings against Google. “The Attorney General is represented by counsel and I advised the honourable Attorney General... and when one is dealing with persons, co-conspirators with these tendencies, one has to proceed with the utmost caution because we do not know who they are, we do not know the offices they occupy, we do not know their associates, so we proceeded with all the necessary caution. And today is a day of revelation,” Elder said. Among the e-mail addresses the Integrity Commission has asked Google to check is “anand@gmail.com”. This address was not part of the email thread read out by Rowley in Parliament. Elder slammed the Integrity Commission for including that e-mail account. “The Integrity Commission is it going off on a frolic of its own. Their investigation is limited to investigating these documents that were presented in the House,” she said.
Tuesday August 26, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Tuesday August 26, 2014
Tuesday August 26, 2014
Kaieteur News
GRFU takes Beach rugby to... From page 31 Wright in introducing other sport disciplines to the participants. The unity shown between the Rugby and Football officials in promoting the growth of the game as well as the resulting pool of promising youth players with a sound education serves as a perfect example of what sport should be all about. The Union will soon be following up with
its GIR Programme in the community which is being co-ordinated by Col. Lewis and led by Barker with assistance from Henry at the start of the September school term. Community Rugby will also be introduced / played, with plans on the cards to host competition rounds in Linden and other Regions to avoid lack of games being played due to poor pitch conditions at the only Rugby ground in Georgetown.
DCB’s Elite Youth Summer Camp... From page 34 U-17, on or after 1st September 1998. Those interested can contact the DCB office on 223 5479 or Nedd on 617 9381” the DCB said. The DCB is grateful to have W&H Rambaran Marine, Distributor of Mariner Outboard Engines onboard. This company is located Meadow Bank, East Bank Demerara, and was founded in the early 1990s with its aim
being to make its customers’ boating experience better in the long-run and to propel Guyana into the 21st century. The DCB says W&H Rambaran Mariner Outboard Engines is the number one boat Engine on the water, adding that the Company supplies both Mariner and Mercury outboard engines, spare parts and accessories to the general public.
Local table tennis coaches aiming... From page 30 theories which made a great difference in their work ethic. He further said that the course entails that participants apply the basic strokes even as they understand the characteristics of each of the components of the sport. This meant that the aspiring coaches had to understand the vital characteristics of the table net, the racquet, rubbers and ball among others. The Spanish coach said that it is impor-
tant that the students understand the intricacies of the sport as it could define their performance level. Meanwhile, President of the Guyana Table tennis Association, Godfrey Munroe feels that courses of this nature are good as they are the pillars which facilitate development. He was also grateful to officials of the parent organization who provided the resource materials for the course. Señor Montes facilitates courses in more than 23 countries in Latin America.
Tuesday August 26, 2014 ARIES (MAR. 21APRIL 20) You need a day to rest and relax with the ones you love. You can make changes to your living quarters, but not everyone will be pleased with your efforts. TAURUS (APR. 21MAY 21) Adventure will result in added knowledge. Get involved in groups that are creative in nature. Don't expect anything for nothing and you won't be disappointed. GEMINI (MAY22-JUNE 21) You will communicate with ease today. Romance is likely if you can bring yourself to go out with friends. CANCER (JUNE 22JULY 22) Renovations to your domestic scene will pay high rewards. Emotional situations could bring out your stubborn nature. LEO (JULY 23-AUG 22) Get ready to discover love, passion, and the desire to enjoy all that life has to offer. A better diet, exercise, or a change to a relaxed atmosphere could be ways to soothe your nerves. VIRGO (AUG. 23 -SEPT. 23) You will be quite excitable today. You are best to ask questions if you aren't certain about issues that are confronting you.
LIBRA (SEPT. 24 -OCT. 23) You can get ahead if you are willing to take a partner. Your communication skills will bring you popularity and increased self esteem. Expect to experience a sudden reversal of fortune. SCORPIO (OCT. 24 NOV. 22) Don't hesitate to talk to your partner about rekindling your relationship. Don't try to hide your true feelings from your mate. SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 23 -DEC. 21) Join groups of a humanitarian nature. You can write beautiful love letters today. Self-deception about relationships is a problem. CAPRICORN (DEC 22.JAN. 20) Don't be a pest or a troublemaker today. You'll be angry if those you live with aren't pulling their weight. You may find your mate somewhat perturbed. AQUARIUS (JAN. 21 FEB. 19) Get involved in a competitive sport that will bring the challenges you thrive on. You may have difficulties with foreigners. PISCES (FEB. 20-MAR. 20) Romance will develop through work related activities. Direct your energy into physical entertainment.
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YOUTH TEAM’S SUCCESS... From page 33 Secondary and Primary School Cricket Leagues. Also very soon we will see help being garnered for the clubs structure so that many young players identified in the school programmes can be integrated easily into these clubs,” the WICB Director disclosed. Sanasie revealed that the CPL is contributing to the payment of territorial contracts for our regional players which should commence very shortly under the new franchise system and feels this was a significant contribution to the development of the feeder system for West Indies cricket. CPL has been playing a major role in bringing back spectators and our cricket legends to the game and this is very important for the development of West Indies cricket and Sanasie feels the West Indies have been blessed with the natural talent required for T20 cricket and the CPL has provided another stage for our cricketers to showcase their talent and our region. “CPL has also contributed significantly to regional economies and integration of our people by the influx of tourists, as would usually happen when you have any cricket in the region,” opined Sanasie. Among the things he would like to see happen for cricket in Guyana next year, is a Schools’ cricket league which he feels can transform
Hemraj blasts ton as NY... From page 34 Seeram captured 2-30. Hemraj was given the man of the match and most valuable player awards, while Mohamed received the best bowler accolade. Blasters collected a trophy with the compliments of Shew’s General Store. The visitors also presented one bat each to Hemraj, Khan and Sharaz Ramcharran who represented the Blasters, a quantity of gears and a trophy to the host who are celebrating their 100th anniversary. Each member of the Everest Masters were given medals. Captain of New York Blasters Hafeez Khan expressed gratitude to Everest for hosting them and urged the young cricketers to take the game seriously. President of Everest CC, Stephen Lewis, who in presenting copies of their centenary Magazine to the visitors expressed gratitude for their visit. The Blasters team is being sponsored by Rockaway Car Service and Roti Shop- of New York.
our development programme in a very positive way. “But it will be more effective and easier to manage if all our schools, starting with the secondary schools, have a games master or coach to interface with the cricket board or other sports associations willing to develop their sport in the schools. Guyana is blessed with a large land mass and we possess numerous grounds all across this country. We need to have these grounds developed and maintained to a proper standard in order to ensure that our youths across
the country can have easy access to same and they would be gainfully occupied with their time. Georgetown alone has about 25 cricket grounds with less than 10 of them being actively utilized,” the GCB executive stressed. “We have been set back quite a few years with our cricket development programme for Guyana and we would like all stakeholders to come on board and provide real and tangible support for the development of our national sport as West Indies cricket is poised for greater heights,” Sanasie concluded.
DCB TRIALS SET TO CONTINUE TODAY The Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) will continue with its trial matches to select their teams to represent the county at the upcoming Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Inter-County oneday and 4-day Competitions today. The players will be engaged in two 50-over matches today and tomorrow at Everest Cricket Club while the 3-Day game will commence on Friday. The players are asked to be at the club for 09:00 hrs today. The players invited to trials are Trevon Griffith, Rajindra Chandrika, Leon Johnson, Chris Barnwell, Derwin Christian, Chris Pattadin, Steven Jacobs, Amir Khan, Totaram Bishun, Trevor Garraway, Rudolph Knight, Paul Wintz, Ryan Ramdass, Robin Bacchus, Vishal Singh, Kellon Carmichael, Zaheer Mohamed, Joseph Perry, Gavin Moriah, Shaquille Williams, Shemroy Barrington, Jeetendra Sukdeo, Yatesh Dhanpaul, Andre Stoll, Shivram Persaud, Daniel Seegobin, Irshad Ali, Mark Robe, Seon Daniels, Dexter Solomon, Raj Nanan, Sherfene Rutherford, Arvind Seepersaud, Kamesh Yadram, Chanderpaul Hemraj, Antonell Atwell and Joshua Wade.
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday August 26, 2014
Local table tennis coaches Ramdin, Bravo centuries aiming for level two statuses flay Bangladesh
Several of the participants listen attentively as Señor Montes (centre) explains a technical point.
Within the next three days several table tennis coaches will know if they have qualified to be level two coaches and go on to tutor players to world class level when the Guyana Table Tennis Association, in collaboration with the International Table Tennis Federation, wraps up activities in the Level Two Coaches Training and Certification Programme at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue. The two prong course commenced with the level one course from August 15-19 and encompassed participation of 18 participants, while the level two course commenced August 21 and concludes 26th with11 participants . Activities are being facilitated by Latin America Development Officer, Ramon Ortega Montes and include participants from Suriname (Andy Hooghart), Ray Fermin, a level one coach out of Trinidad and Tobago and several locals including Dwain Dick, David Simpson, Michael Kellman, Gibran Sarfaraz, Marlon Washington, Lyndon Johnson, Colin France and lone female, Melisa
Dow. Señor Montes explained that the level one course was conducted for those that were absolute tenderfoots with little knowledge of the trade. He said that those that were involved in the other segment of the programme would have already been exposed to the requirements at the lower level. He said that Level One dealt with coordination, psychology, fitness, rules and organizing among other things while participants at the level two dealt with advanced techniques, bio-mechanics, movements and physiology among others. The Spanish facilitator noted that the participants, all former players, experienced difficulties at the start of the course in separating the requirements of coaching as against playing the game. “It was difficult for them to change that mind-set from player to coach and that presented some problems at the start,” explained Señor Montes. He said that after constant application the participants were eventually able to apply the (Continued on page 29)
ESPNcricinfo - Denesh Ramdin wouldn’t have had as much fun on a cricket field as on Monday afternoon at Warner Park. His malevolent 169 was part of the highest third wicket partnership in ODIs with Darren Bravo, who also accumulated a century, and ensured West Indies completed a 3-0 whitewash by 91 runs. The hosts were catapulted to 338 for 7 in 50 overs, a score that was well out of Bangladesh’s reach especially at a time when their batsmen are scraping the bottom of the confidence barrel. But they are due some for bouncing back after such a hiding, making 247 for 8, having lasted their full quota. Bangladesh were 2 for 2 in the second over and were threatening to sink further, but Tamim Iqbal struck his first international fifty in more than nine months and 18 innings. Mushfiqur Rahim top scored with 72, but since he holed out in the deep the last hopes his team had faded away. West Indies’ bowlers could bide their time thanks to Ramdin and Bravo. The duo clattered 19 sixes, the most by West Indies in an ODI en route to amassing 258 runs for the third wicket, beating the previous record held by Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers by 20 runs. For most of their union, it was hard to see past their bats as they dined on a bowling attack that
was at times perfect for big hitting. Mashrafe Mortaza and AlAmin Hossain, despite the early promise, barely clocked above 130 kmph while Abdur Razzak, Sohag Gazi and Mahmudullah persisted with shortish darts. With a moderate-sized ground, a flat surface and with a bit of wind behind them, West Indies simply took off. The early losses of Lendl Simmons and Chris Gayle were forgotten with Ramdin and Bravo using singles to ease the pressure. But there was a change is tactics in the 19th over - 10 runs were taken off it, 19 was smacked in the 22nd over, with Ramdin peppering the crowd behind midwicket and Bravo opting to go straight. Ramdin razed three sixes off Mortaza in the 38th over and hurtled to his second century in four ODIs. Bravo reached his hundred soon after, a knock that was a long time coming as he has struggled to convert fifties into three-figure marks in ODIs. Ramdin struck 11 sixes while Bravo contributed eight and while they made merry, although none of it would have happened if Bangladesh had held onto their chances Mushfiqur missed a stumping off Bravo, batting on 10, when Abdur Razzak beat him in length. The ball was so poorly fumbled that the wicketkeeper flailed at air
T&T Racing Authority collaborate with Guyanese counterparts for improved fraternity Despite the frequent staging of horserace meets, some members within the sector have admitted that all is not well and have been agitating for its regularization. Concerned affiliates also noted that failure to enact the requisite rules and regulations could be counterproductive and detrimental to the development of the sport. It was a desire to expedite such action that prompted several bigwigs of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority (GHRA) to take assertive action and requested the intervention of the Trinidad and Tobago counterparts to examine the situation and make recommendations towards the regularization of the sport locally. Consequently, Secretary of the Trinidad and Tobago Racing Authority (TTRA), David Loregnard, joined with several local officials and paid
a visit to Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Frank Anthony, at his Main Street office yesterday afternoon to discuss the modalities with an aim of arriving at a common consensus towards the regularization of the sport. Others in attendance were Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Conrad Plummer, his Vice Chairman, Vidushi Persaud, President of the GHRA, Vicram Oditt and GHRA Legal Advisor, Rajendra Poonai. Minister Anthony said that he has a vision for the development of horseracing and was happy to collaborate with the Trinidadian authorities to realize this vision. He said that he has had an opportunity to visit a few of the tracks in Trinidad and was impressed by the standard. “I anticipate expert help from the Trinidadians and their technical input,”
Minister Anthony engages the horserace entourage including Conrad Plummer, Vidushi Persaud (left of table),Vicram Oditt, Rajendra Poonai and Mr. Loregnard (right of table). said Mr. Anthony. Mr. Loregnard explained that his presence was due to a formal request made by officials of the GHRA to their T&T counterparts to assist in the regularization of the sport. He said that he had had discussions with Mr. Oditt
over the past weeks and he has agreed in principle to review legislation to facilitate improvement in every area of the sport. Mr. Loregnard reminisced on the keen rivalry between the two countries and said that he would be only too
happy to relive those days. He noted that Guyanese have a passion for the sport and this would inspire him to render assistance. Shortly after affording the media a photo op, the officials retreated into close doors discussions.
Tamim Iqbal made his first fifty in 18 int’l innings. (AFP) when he tried for a second time. Razzak had his own gaffe when he didn’t get under a looping ball in mid-on after Ramdin skied Mashrafe on 35. Razzak lost his form, bowling much too short and far too quickly. Gazi’s struggles might be understandable, considering the scrutiny surrounding his bowling actions. He hardly found a rhythm, and was perhaps wrongly entrusted with the first over of the match with all the focus on him. AlAmin was the only saving grace, ending up with his second four-wicket haul in ODIs, both coming in this series. But he could rein in the West Indies batsmen. West Indies also faced difficulty with Bangladesh’s third-wicket stand. Mushfiqur and Tamim added 99 runs with a bit of style, but the bluster was obviously missing. Anamul Haque and Imrul Kayes were gone by the first eleven balls, the latter to Kemar Roach’s stunning onehanded catch at mid-on. Mahmudullah offered some more resistance through a 55run fifth wicket stand with his captain. The contest faded away in the 22nd over when Tamim got out, and the rest of the game couldn’t have ended sooner. The abiding memory from the first-ever day-night match at Warner Park, though, would be what happened during day time. Ramdin and Bravo slamming one six after another made to keep the fans singing and dancing. Scores: West Indies 338 for 7 (Ramdin 169, Bravo 124) beat Banglandesh 247 for 8 (Mushfiqur 72, Tamim 55) by 91 runs.
Tuesday August 26, 2014
Kaieteur News
GRFU takes Beach rugby to Linden
W
i t h t h e growing popularity of Beach rugby hitting the world, the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) does not intend to be left behind and last Friday President of the Union Peter Green travelled to the Mining Town of Linden where the basic rudiments of the game were introduced to aspiring players. Accompanying Green w e r e s e n i o r Yo u t h Development Officer Theodore Henry and national Beach Rugby players Joseph Rahaman and Nicole Nero, while assistance came from Dawn Barker, who is the Get Into Rugby (GIR) co-ordinator for Linden and Rollin Tappin and Victor Wright of Beach Football connections. According to a release from the Union, the sessions which lasted for two days had in attendance twentyseven boys and two girls ranging between the ages of 11-15 years. The release added that Senior Vice-President of the Union Col. John Lewis was instrumental in coordinating the activity which is aimed at decentralising the
sport and grooming new players for the future. The children according to the release showed a quick adaption to the rudiments of the game; displaying astute reading and dexterity skills far beyond their years. Despite the theme being Beach Rugby the skills being taught encompassed rugby at both beach and traditional rugby. Later on at the simple ceremony hosted by Tappin and Wright, the GRFU President gave a brief oversight into the sport of Rugby. He commended the t w o o ff i c i a l s f o r t h e emphasis being placed on molding sharp minds in healthy bodies as well as applauded the volunteers who all combined to make the two-day course a resounding success and the foresight of having the children enjoy a diverse range of beach sports and heralding this as the beginning of the rebirth of Rugby in Linden. Tappin and Wright then distributed school kits to the participants involved in the summer camp. Green recognised the efforts of both Tappin and (Continued on page 25)
GCB/ Scotiabank Kiddy cricket camp...
The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) on Thursday last concluded the Georgetown, East Bank and West Demerara leg of the Scotiabank Kiddy Cricket Camp with a simple ceremony held at Thirst Park where outstanding participants received trophies. The camp, which lasted for four days, served to impart the basic knowledge of the game to the youths. Speaking at the closing ceremony, GCB Territorial Development Officer (TDO)
Members of the victorious Everest team display their prizes.
H
GEORGETOWN, EAST BANK AND WEST DEMERARA LEG CONCLUDE
The outstanding participants with teachers and coaches at the closing ceremony of the GCB/Scotiabank Kiddy cricket Camp.
Everest thump Enterprise by 10 wkts in U-13 fixture
ost Everest Cricket Club defeated Enterprise by 10 wickets in a 20-over U-13 fixture Saturday. Enterprise were bowled out for 71 in 15 overs after they were inserted by the home team who replied with 72 without lost in 14 overs. Opener Asif Rahaman led with 21 while Navindra Premchand scored 17. The visitors were reduced to 23-4 before Rahaman and Narine shared in a fifth wicket stand of 35 to steady the innings somewhat. Rahaman timed the ball well and stroked two fours while Narine hit a solitary boundary.
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But their dismissal, within two runs of each other, triggered a collapse as no other batsman managed to reach double figures. Pacer Saif Mohamed snared 4-15, Zecharian Mootoo 2-14 and Sachin Premchand 2-2. Everest openers Yeudistir Persaud and Premchand entertained the small gathering with an array of shots on both sides of the pitch. Persaud belted three fours and faced 35 balls in his top score of 32, while man of the match Premchand who ended unbeaten on 27 reached the boundary twice. Everest received a trophy. The game was organized as part of the club 100th anniversary.
Colin Stuart said he was impressed by the coaches’ work ethics, although they were somewhat hampered by the rain. Stuart stated that the coaches were able to discover a number of talented students during the camp adding that the players will be afforded age group cricket within their various
schools to enhance their skills. During the camp, teachers from the various participating schools were equipped with the necessary knowledge of the sport so that they can further educate their students. The participants that received prizes were, most promising fast bowlers
Prince Forde (male) and Jeneelia Benn (female), best batters Yesenia Andrews (female), Satesh Persaud and Alex Gouveia (males), top all-rounders Varuni Pitamber (female) and Lorenzo Tracy (male) and most outstanding spinners Michelle Marks (female) and Kevin Ramascindo (male).
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday August 26, 2014
Hearts Of Oak Masters Annual Teach Them Young Football Camp ends
Campers at the end of the Hearts of Oak Masters‘Teach then Young’ five week camp in New Amsterdam. The Annual Hearts of Oak masters’ “Teach them Young” football August holiday camp ended last Friday with a presentation ceremony at the Prison Officers Sports club
Penitentiary Walk, New Amsterdam. The camp which was in its 17 year was held at the All Saints Scot Church Ground and the Prison Officers Sports club and the All Saints Primary th
School and lasted for a period of five weeks. The programme was held five days weekly, MondayFriday from 09:00hrs -13:00 hrs. During the sessions over 100 youths, both males and
females, participated with the age ranging from 3-18 years. The participants were further divided into three sections: 3-8 years, 9-12 and 13-18 years. During the camp the youths were taught the finer points of the game which included both theory and practical. At the practical sessions, they were shown the various ways in receiving, passing, shooting, dribbling, and heading, along with overlapping, goalkeeping and throwing. They were also schooled in defensive, attacking, overlapping and set plays among other tactics. The youngsters also learnt the rules of the game, discipline, etiquette, good table manners, about HIV and AIDS and general education with Physical Fitness and fair play being an integral part of the sessions. During the camp the
youths were presented with trunks, football boots, hoses, goalkeeping gloves and jerseys. At the end of the event they were presented with certificates, while the more outstanding participants were presented with special gifts. Thierre Philips was adjudged the most disciplined camper, while Royden Abrams, Shania Walton, and Samuel Ogleton received school bags, two pairs of uniforms, footwear and books. At the closing ceremony the youths were congratulated and encouraged to continue to practice what they have learnt. They were told to stay in school and take their education seriously as education is the key to success. They were also told to be good ambassadors and to continue training and return to their respective teams and schools and share what they have learnt. In giving the camp
Three Guyanese in WI Women’s training camp The West Indies Cricket Board announced yesterday that 18 players have been invited to a West Indies Women’s training camp from tomorrow to September 8 in Barbados and St. Kitts. The squad, which includes Guyanese Shemaine Campbelle, Subrina Munroe and Tremayne Smartt, will be preparing for their opening series in the ICC Women’s Championship against New Zealand Women on home soil. Squad: Merissa Aguilleira, Shemaine Campbelle, Shamilia Connell, Britney Cooper, Shanel Daley, Deandra Dottin, Chinelle Henry, Stacy-Ann King, Kycia Knight, Hayley Matthew, Natasha McLean, Anisa Mohammed, Jodian Morgan, Subrina Munroe, Shaquana Quintyne, Shakera Selman, Tremayne Smartt, Stafanie Taylor Team management unit: Sherwin Campbell (Head Coach), Ann Browne-John (Manager), Ezra Moseley (Assistant Coach), Jacqui King (Physiotherapist), Shannon Lashley (Fitness Trainer), Trent Sargeant (Video Analyst)
report, football coach Colin Bowery said that this is the first year that the camp went for more than four weeks. He also noted that the camp was the largest in terms of participation in the 22 years existence of the Heart of Oak Masters Teach Them Young football camp. In brief remarks to the participants, Prison Officer Loraine Braithwaite told the youths to remember the skills learnt and to continue to be disciplined. “When you do so you will be rewarded. Remember football is a game that you must have discipline,” he said. The course facilitators w e r e N e i l H u m p h r e y, Kenrick and Colin Bowry, Nigel ‘Busit’ Felix and Randy Blades among others. According to coordinator, former national player Neil ‘Grizzly’ Humphrey, the main aim of the programme was to have the youths better able to appreciate the rules and regulations and improve their knowledge of the game, improve their overall skills and understand sportsmanship and have a better human relationship with others. Humphrey took the opportunity to thank all those who assisted in making the camp the tremendous success it was. He singled out Kurt Alphonso and the Alphonso family, Keith Humphrey, Franco Crawford and Sean Semple most of whom are overseas based. They look forward to working with them for the rest of 2014 and in 2015 to make the “Teach Them Young Football programme even bigger and better. (Samuel Whyte)
Tuesday August 26, 2014
Kaieteur News
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YOUTH TEAM’S SUCCESS WAS GREAT FOR THE GCB CPL contributing significantly to West Indies Cricket By Sean Devers The Guyana U-15 & U19 recently won Regional titles less than a week apart and Secretary of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) and West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Director Anand Sanasie said this has been a tremendous and historic achievement by the youth teams this year. “We are cautiously ecstatic about these successes. It is common knowledge that the performances of our teams, not only the youth teams, are usually a reflection of the success or failure of the policies, preparation and development programmes of the GCB. Over the past two years we have gone the extra mile to ensure that all teams participating in the regional tournaments received adequate preparation,” the GCB official stated. “The fine tuning of our teams’ physical and mental preparation along with intense inter-county tournaments and encampment have all been contributory factors. Other contributing factors in these victories have been the motivation and hunger displayed by the players for
which we can directly attribute to and applaud the management of the respective teams. The victories have obviously delivered a shot in the arm for the GCB and in a sense have served to silence the critics and allow us to concentrate more on the development of the game. Be that as it may, I urge all the p l a y e r s , o ff i c i a l s a n d administrators to remain focused and not to be complacent as once you start to lose, the criticisms will restart. Having said that I would also like to add that the Under-17 team performed quite creditably in Trinidad and the weather robbed them of a better final placement, but our ladies achieved the runner up position in their tournament, so good things are happening,” Sanasie continued. The U-15 title was the first in 14 years, while the U19 title was regained after seven years. A commendable feat with all the off-the-field issues affecting the Guyana’s cricket, Sanasie explained that he would usually tell his fellow executives that Guyana teams could have been on
top of West Indies cricket had it not been for the off the field issues and hoped those issues are behind the GCB now and Board is allowed to focus on the game’s long term development across Guyana. “I think this year we were able to focus a bit more on the actual cricketing issues such as competitions, better physical and mental preparation, specialist workshops for officials, Captains etc. We placed a lot of emphasis on ensuring all the squads selected were the best players available and I must compliment the GCB selection panels and our TDO, Mr. Colin Stuart, for ensuring the Board’s policies on selection, fitness and encampment were followed,” the backbone of the GCB added. According to Sanasie the WICB has always understood the unique position that the GCB faced here and disclosed that the Regional Board was very tolerant and accepted the G C B ’s p l e a d i n g s t h a t removing games from Guyana would not help Guyana’s cause. “However, when the legal system intervenes there
is not much that the WICB or the GCB can do, as happened when the BCB obtained an injunction stopping the GCB from functioning for a brief period. I am optimistic that most of these issues are now behind us thus the difference in how we are able to execute our mandate in a more stable environment. The WICB is well aware that Guyana and the GCB are quite capable of hosting any of their events without any hiccups as we have a proven track record. The fact that we successfully hosted this tournament with our team performing exceptionally well is testimony to the fact that we have been doing our job despite the challenges,” the cricket official said. “This Under 19 tournament lasted for about five weeks in Guyana where we had more than 120 players and officials staying in our country at various hotels, meals being served, transportation being provided to everyone, several more persons being gainfully employed, entertainment, etc all combined to stimulate and increase the economic activity within our country. Further, this decision to
West Indies Superstars set to partner in historical Canadian Premier League T20
G
u y a n a ’s S h i v n a r i n e Chanderpaul is among four of the biggest names in the West Indies team to have signed a historical deal that will make them co-owners and stakeholders in the exciting new Canadian Premier League T20. West Indies ODI Captain Dwayne Bravo, Test Captain Denish Ramdin, opener Kieran Powell and former Captain and veteran Shivnarine Chanderpaul, have signed on to one of the most lucrative ventures in T20 cricketing history by becoming owner stakeholders of the forthcoming North American League. The deal arrives ahead of the countdown to the inaugural tournament, scheduled to commence on August 1, 2015. Roy Singh, CEO and Chairman of the Canadian Premier League T20, is shortly expected to announce details of where the tournament will kick-off its inaugural season. The 10-team League will consist of professional cricketers from around Canada, alongside global cricketing superstars from across the
world, League officials confirmed. On the eve of his signing as coowner and stakeholder of the League, 29-year-old Ramdin, stated, “I fully support the growth and development of international caliber T20 cricket through the Canadian Premier League and the direction being taken by Roy Singh, the League’s founder and CEO.” Ramdin, who has played domestically for his national team, Trinidad and Tobago, for the past decade and also captains the Guyana Amazon Warriors franchise in the Caribbean Premier League tournament, added: “Roy has the vision, determination and drive to make this League truly successful and sustainable and I am thrilled to be coming on board as part of such a pioneering venture for the North American market.” Like Ramdin, Kieran Powell has also been appointed a co-owner and stakeholder in the League and is looking forward to playing a crucial role in the tournament. “These are exciting times for T20
cricket and it takes a visionary like Roy Singh to introduce this unique and exhilarating form of the game to the region, in what will be a first for this part of the world” said Powell, 24, one of the most exciting young West Indies stars to emerge in recent times. “It is indeed a privilege to be part of the Canadian Premier League.” The teammates’ sentiments were echoed by West Indies ODI Captain, Dwayne Bravo, undoubtedly one of the most electrifying and in-demand names in global T20 cricket today. “The Canadian Premier League is already creating waves of excitement within the international cricketing community,” said Powell. “What makes the League stand out is Roy Singh’s brilliance and initiative in carving out a niche market in this region and ensuring that the business model surrounding his League is based on longevity that centers round a real passion for growth and development of the game. I am looking forward to being part of this powerful venture.”
have this tournament remain in Guyana was made at the very last moment and the GCB was able to successfully organize and arrange this tournament with very few hiccups,” Sanasie explained. When asked about the ‘Cricket Bill’ and if the MOA has been signed as yet, he informed he do not know what the status of the “Cricket Bill” is and said he would not like to speak on the MOA as the process is ongoing. He however, added that the GCB was positive that this process will be resolved in the very near future. The no-nonsense West Bank Demerara resident who almost single handedly took on the Government when several other Boards members were forced to quit due to the persecutions against them, said his biggest challenge has been to execute his mandate as the Board’s Secretary while facing numerous setbacks, high among which was the personal persecution against him which is still engaging the attention of the Court of Appeal. “For the GCB, I think the biggest challenge was the uncertainty that existed throughout most of its term and if by the stroke of a pen the Board would cease to exist. These issues, and many others, did affect the cricket but thanks to the support of some good people we are still here and I am around to answer your questions,” the garrulous Sanasie pointed out. H i s b i g g e s t disappointment during the GCB’s last term of office was the continued decline in the performance of the Male Senior Team which has been appalling to say the least. Sanasie revealed that this year, the GCB made a conscious decision to invest heavy resources in the preparation of our senior players and their performances was a major disappointment. He explained that the Constitution of the GCB requires that elections be held bi-annually at an AGM called by the Executive Committee in the month of January. This AGM and Elections are due in January 2015 and he admitted to still being undecided if he will seek re-election. The Demerara Cricket
Anand Sanasie Board (DCB) official spoke about the GCB’s plans for the rest of the year and how hopeful he was of achieving those objectives. “Most of our efforts would now be placed on preparing for the long senior male campaign. This Four day and 50 overs tournament will now be played double rounds. So from November 2014 to April 2015 the team will be playing alternately home and away matches with a break in January 2015 to play the Super 50 Tournament in Trinidad. The GCB would very shortly begin preparations with the 50 Overs and then the longer format at our inter-county level. “This year, the GCB has decided that our under-19 team will participate in these inter-county games as the fourth team replacing the tr ad itio n al P r es id en t’s Eleven. This decision will serve the dual purpose of keeping this successful team together and allowing them to raise their game and compete at a higher level. Perhaps this move would assist these youngsters in bridging that huge gap between the Under-19 and the senior levels. We are also hopeful that our negotiations go well with the various ministries and the National School leagues commences in the new school term,” Sanasie informed. “The WICB supports Cricket Development in all the territories and Guyana is no exception. We were deprived of the Scotia Bank Kiddies and the WICB Grassroots programmes for two years through no fault of the WICB. We have now fully resumed those programmes and our coaches are now reasonably compensated to ensure that we can effectively execute these programmes to develop young aspiring cricketers. With the help of the WICB we will shortly begin our National (Continued on page 29)
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday August 26, 2014
Hemraj blasts ton as NY Blasters Elton Jefford was a trounce Everest Masters by 32 runs world class sprinter By Zaheer Mohamed
Opener Chanderpaul Hemraj hammered an unbeaten century as the visiting New York Blasters defeated host Everest Cricket Club by 32 runs in a T20 fixture Friday. Hemraj stroked nine fours and five sixes in his top score of 102 and shared in a second wicket stand of 130 with fellow Everest team mate Amir Khan after the visitors elected to bat. Hemraj dumped off spinner Ravindranauth Seeram for two fours and a six before smashing Johnny Azeez for maximums. He then took boundaries off Troy Gonsalves and Ronald Jai Singh and brought up his century with a boundary off Rakesh Gangaram. Khan did not go unnoticed; he hit Azeez for fours and deposited Singh for maximums, accounting for three fours and five sixes in scoring 53 (3x4,5x6). Shaheed Mohamed claimed 2-22. The host lost the early
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Chanderpaul Hemraj (left) and Amir Khan wicket of Basil Persaud, run out without scoring in the first over, but Sahadeo Hardaiow and Hemraj Garbarran kept them in the hunt with a second wicket stand of 59. Hardaiow smashed former Guyana U19 pacer Eon Katchay for a straight six before cutting him to the point boundary. Garbarran thumped Dereck Mc Donald for boundaries before Hardaiow
was dismissed for 42 (4x4,1x6). Garbarran a former West Indies U-19 player was then caught in an attempt to step up the scoring rate for 33 (4x4) leaving the score at 97-3. Consistent bowling by the visitors kept the home team below the asking rate despite a late blitz by Seeram who lashed two fours and five sixes in a top score of 49. Merv (Continued on page 29)
he now annual Boyce Jefford Classic athletics meet was recently held in the Mining Town of Linden at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground. The event was birthed as a tribute to father of one half of the organising duo, Edison Jefford, the late Elton Jefford, one of Guyana’s premier sprinters. In September 2012 Kaieteur Sport carried an article by Charwayne Walker on this impressive son of the soil. Today we revisit that article in memory of Elton. The only Guyanese sprinter superior to the late E l t o n J e ff o r d a g a i n s t international sprint opponents is the legendary James Wren Gilkes. Jefford, a 1979 Guyana C A R I F TA G a m e s representative made his international debut for Guyana at the Whitsuntide Games in St. Georges, Grenada and medaled in the 100m, 200m and 400m events. In the 100m final, Jefford won silver in a time of 10.7 seconds with Cuban, Israel Alphonso winning gold with 10.5 seconds; third was Grenadian, Walter Simmonds with 10.8 seconds. In the 200m final, Jefford won bronze with E. Maitland of Grenada winning gold in 22 seconds while Alphonso won Silver. In the 400m finals, Jefford won silver with Maitland winning gold and Grenadian E. Trumpet winning bronze.
Countries that participated in those Games were host, Grenada, St. Lucia, Cuba, Barbados, Martinique, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Guyana. Jefford was also outstanding at his next international meet the following year, May 1982 at the Hampton Games in Tr i n i d a d a n d To b a g o , competing against a starstudded cast including former World Champion, United States of America, Steve Reddick and former Olympic Games gold medalist, Haseley Crawford. In the 100m finals Jefford won silver, clocking 10.52 seconds behind American, Reddick, who took gold in 10.4 seconds; Crawford had to settle for Bronze with 10.53 seconds. In the 200m finals, Jefford won bronze with 22.3 seconds with Reddick winning gold with 21.65 seconds and W. Alexander silver with 21.66 seconds. His next international meet was July 1982 also in Trinidad, Jefford placed fourth in the 200m finals with 22.15; American E. Quow won gold in 20.34 seconds with James Wren Gilkes taking silver with 21.12 seconds. The 100m finals were won by the legendary American, Carl Lewis in a time of 9.83 seconds with Quow taking silver with 10.2 seconds. Trinidadian, A. Bruce had to settle for the Bronze with 10.3 seconds.
Elton Jefford Former World Champions Steve Reddick and Steve Williams failed like Jefford to qualify for the 100m finals. Guyanese Gilkes qualified but withdrew from the event. After the July international meet in Port of Spain, Jefford won the 100m at St. Vincent and the Grenadines International Meet. His winning time was 10.00 seconds. This event took place in October 1982. Now for the records, the Guyana record books are showing that James Wren Gilkes and Earl Haley’s time of 10.2 seconds are the fastest 100m ever recorded by a Guyanese at an International Meet. That is not correct. Jefford’s last international meet in 1982 was at the Antigua and Barbuda Invitational Meet in St. John’s. He missed Guyana’s 1983 international programme and a US Scholarship because of a serious leg injury. He returned to the track in 1984 but failed to regain the form that made him a world rater in 1982.
DCB’s Elite Youth Summer Camp gets going at DCC
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fter a delay of close to an hour due to the late arrival of participants, the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) one-week Elite Youth ‘Summer Camp’ commenced in soggy conditions at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) ground yesterday in Queenstown. The camp, which is sponsored by W&H Rambaran Marine, Distributor of Mariner Outboard Engines, commenced with an introduction to scoring session for under-15 males. This session was conducted by Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) scorer Calvin Roberts. Former Guyana off-spinner and Demerara Head Coach Gavin Nedd and exEast Coast and GNIC first division wicket Keeper turned Coach Clive Grimond provided the under-15s with batting drills after taking them through a warm up session. This program was done with more intensity for the U-17 participants in the afternoon session. The camp continues today from 0900hrs
with Umpire Matthew Kissoon delivering a presentation on the Laws of the Game, followed by warm-up sessions and bowling drills conducted by the coaches. The morning session, which concludes at noon, caters for the U-15s, while the afternoon session (13:00hrs-16:00hrs) is for the U-17s. The sessions are spearheaded by Nedd with support from Grimond. The camp is being supervised by former West Indies pacer Colin Stuart, GCB’s Territorial Development Officer. According to the DCB, the aim of the camp is to challenge, improve and develop the young cricketers’ ability, widen their knowledge of the game which should result in them developing more appreciation for cricket. “We are encouraging more youths, both males and females, to join the camp. To be eligible for the U-15, players have to be born on or after 1 September 2000 and for the (Continued on page 25) st
Tuesday August 26, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 35
CP Got Even connections celebrate 4M reasons in main event triumph Guyana Cup a resounding success
Representatives of the Jagdeo Stable at right receive the winning trophy in the E class event for Right To Rule victory.
Ms Ayesha Shariff receives the trophy in the G class event from representatives of the organising committee for Damascus Dream’s win.
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m i d s t a n e x c i t i n g atmosphere the 8th Annual Guyana Cup horserace meet held on Sunday last at the Port Mourant Turf Club, Corentyne Berbice lived up to most of its pre-race hype and billing and indeed it was an activity to talk about. It was the occasion when CP Got Even imported from the USA by the Colin Elcock/ Poonai Stable and trained by Elcock with Paul Delph on the hunch gave its owners four million reasons to celebrate with the biggest win of its life. The record crowd was pumped with patrons taking up every conceivable available place including the fences and rails and areas set aside for officials. Even President Donald Ramoutar and some of his ministers and advisors could not resist being caught up in the excitement. The main event, the feature C1 and lower event with its $4M purse and Guyana Cup on offer saw most of Guyana’s Top runners assembled. Off they went in the 1800M event with the speedy Appealing Harvest leading the field with two times defending champion Elle’s Vision on its heels as they went out at a fierce pace and the rest of the field jostling for position. They were going at a searing pace down the back stretch. The inform Treacle came up around the far turn
and positioned itself among the front runners with CP Got Even under Delph’s guidance positioning among the pack. As the horses entered the homestretch, with the race still wide open it was then that CP Got Even went into overdrive and with Delph giving it full reign and the racehorse took off like jet, cantering home in 1minute 55:56s to take the $4M and the Guyana Cup compliments of Banks DIH and the Jumbo Jet family. Treacle finished second ahead of Princess She is Not with double defending champion Elle’s Vision beaten into fourth. Pre-race favourite Unsettled of the Inshan Bacchus Racing stable with jockey Randolph Richmond on the perch settled down first and took its time before racing away from the field to take the $2M and trophy in the 3year old 1500M Derby event ahead of Settling Jet, Release the Beast and Quiet Dancer. Storm Bird of the Inshan Bacchus stable again with Richmond on the perch made it two wins for that entity. The animal was unstoppable as it stormed to its third victory in four starts to take the 2 Year-Old West Indian Bred race and the $1.5M and trophy up for the taking from Midnight Blue, with Its My Choice and Settling Star finished in a dead heat. Right to Rule of the Jagdeo stables, with Trinidadian Nicholas Patrick riding, took charge of the E
and lower 1500M event as it raced away with the $800,000 winners’ money and trophy as Settle in Seattle had to settle for second ahead of Princess Alisha and Captain Crook. It was no dream story but excellent finishing by Trinidadian Jockey Razack as Damascus Dream of the Shariff stable produced a blistering finish to win the G1 and lower 1200M race, the $600,000 and trophy ahead of Joyful Victory, Captain Crook and Rosetta. There was nothing devilish in the two year old 1000M event for Guyana Bred horses as Devil Woman of the Satayand Sankar
stable with Rad Drepaul in control made a successful entry to the racing arena, winning the $600,000 and trophy from Slim Shady, Secret EscapeandAmazon Warrior. I Will Get Another, owned, trained and ridden by Winston Appadu got hold of the $350,000 winners money and trophy as it won the I and lower 1200M event ahead of Party Time, Easy To Win and Savion. Affinity of the Nascimento stable with Ramnauth on the perch continued it duel in the J class event with another close win from Smarty Light with The Road is Mine and Swift Way the other placers. The win was worth $250,000
over 1200M. The Inshan Bacchus Stable raced away with the champion stable award, with Randolph Richmond claiming another champion jockey reward. Jockey Paul Delph received a beautiful trophy from overseas based Guyanese Aubrey ‘Pat’ Elcock for winning the feature event abode CP Got Even. An assured, youthful and smiling Nasurdeen “Jumbo Jet” Mohamed junior is confident that changes will be made and systems will be put in place to accommodate the event in the future as it threatens to outgrow the venue. Slingers Sound System supplied musical vibes to the likeness and
enjoyment of fans throughout the day. The police led by acting Commander, Senior Superintendent Marlon Chapman, who was on location and ably assisted by Assistant Superintendent Persaud, Inspectors Henry and Joaquin did an herculean job in the highly successful and incident free day of racing. Commentators Campton Sancho and Ammernauth must also be commended for carrying running commentary in sometimes trying conditions. For the first time a guide horse was used. Over 100 horses were entered for the $25M Jumbo Summer Buster Horse race spectacle. (Samuel Whyte)
t r o Sp Denesh Ramdin celebrates a second century in four innings. (AFP) Darren Bravo used the cut shot liberally. (WICB)
Ramdin and Bravo centuries flay Bangladesh GRFU takes Beach rugby to Linden
GRFU President Peter Green (left) poses with co-ordinators and participants following the conclusion of the two-day Camp in Linden. Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Limited, 24 Saffon St.Charlestown, Georgetown.Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/ 226-8210