Page 04
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
SQUARE PEGS IN ROUND HOLES During the past six months, the Granger/Nagamootoo government has embarked on a two-pronged policy/strategy to govern the country for the next five years. The first stems from the kind of society that will evolve through change by developing a new paradigm that seeks to influence the psyche of the people, particularly the youths, to effect fundamental and meaningful transformation in culture, work habits and behaviour. The goal is to establish a society that is free, initiativedriven and economically and socially stable, uncorrupt, unified and based on the values of self-reliance, responsibility, respect, discipline, equity and righteousness. The second is to promote a new consciousness among the people; firstly, in the way they view and think of themselves, and the socio-economic reality which confronts them. Secondly, in stimulating their will to change their environment; and thirdly, developing the economy and providing a better life for all. The purpose is to foster new arrangements in every sector of the polity, economy and administration. There can be no positive and enduring change in the country, system of governance or in the prospects for developing the economy or in the provision of adequate and efficient physical and social infrastructure, without a change in individual and social consciousness. No administration, however well-intentioned, can by itself create a society of the type envisaged above, unless there is a collaborative effort of all the people, especially the youths, who are enthused to function in all sectors of society. Needless to say, the evolution of such a society is a long-term undertaking; not an overnight fix due to misconceived ideas of development, misdirected policies and deleterious political priorities. As the new executive is in the process of finalizing appointments to the State Boards and bureaus which they deem necessary to conduct the affairs of the State, they must, as a matter of policy, and duty, appoint youths to give them the opportunity to work alongside experienced public officials to foster their development and prepare them for future leadership roles. Guyana will not move forward without the contribution of youths. If this government, which has appointed pensioners who have long passed their productive years to most of the senior positions, does not utilize the intellect and skills of the youths and afford them the opportunity to participate in the development of the country, they will be lured to North America and other CARICOM states. The treatment meted out to youths by the new government is not only disappointing; it has astonished traditional and modern-day philosophers. Putting square pegs in round holes will not improve the country’s status in the international community. The government must seek input from the youths and qualified personnel in the Diaspora to help it develop. Awarding the farcical title of ministerial adviser to members of the APNU/AFC in the Diaspora who do not possess the dexterity and artistry of such roles will not improve the country’s image or change its status. Reflecting on the vindictive and corrupt rule of the PPP, this government still has not learned what not to do. Since 1964, the PNC has governed the country for 28 years and the PPP for 23 years. During this period, the population, straddling all ethnicities and classes, has suffered immensely from their atrocious acts and both parties must accept responsibility for inducing such afflictions on the people. Both the PPP and PNC squandered the opportunity to bring about positive and enduring change to the nation. Instead, they chose to pander to their supporters; thus institutionalizing race-bait politics in every election cycle since independence. Today, there is urgent need for profound changes in the new government’s attitude towards the youths and its unwillingness to seek the knowledge and skills of those locally and in the Diaspora to ensure a safe, prosperous, respectful society, free of racial tension.
Friday December 04, 2015
Letters... Where your views make the news
Journalist highlights injustices in the Guyana Prize DEAR EDITOR, I intentionally waited until the completion of The Guyana Prize for Literature Awards Presentation Ceremony that was held last Sunday at the Pegasus Hotel to pontificate, on what I believe are egregious shortcomings of the Prize. My reason for waiting until the release of the shortlist and completion of Awards Ceremony was deliberately aimed at attempting to prevent and minimise at least, any accusation of the proverbial “sour grapes” situation after not being shortlisted for the Prize in the ‘First Book of Poetry Category’. I wanted those who made the shortlist and received prizes to enjoy their rewards unhindered. In that regard, I want to take this opportunity to publicly offer my congratulations to all winners of the 2015 Guyana Prize for
Literature. However, Mr. Editor, it would be remiss of me to not highlight an irrefutable situation that defies logic. I received an ‘Honorable Mention’ from the Guyana Prize in 2007 in the ‘First Book of Poetry’ Category for my book “Twilight Dreams: In Memory of Dan Sealy”. The judges that year offered sufficient reasons for not having a shortlist. Suffice it to say that I took that information in good faith and participated in several workshops that the Prize subsequently hosted to perfect my work; having done so over a period of time, I engaged Mr. Al Creighton, who advised that I can resubmit the edited work to the jury of the Guyana Prize. I did so in 2013 and this year. On both occasions my work failed to make the shortlist. The obvious question here, Mr. Editor, is having received an
Honorable Mention in 2007, and having participated in the prescribed methods of the Prize to strengthen the literary landscape, how is it my work was not good enough to be shortlisted? Are we saying, therefore, that the training and workshops of the Guyana Prize are flawed mechanisms or merely a facade aimed at evading criticism for not fostering literary development? I believe these questions and more are what were at the centre of a Kaieteur News article that accused the Prize of “perceived biases in the Shortlists”. Mr. Creighton has since come to the defense of the sanctity of the Prize, but I believe his missive did very little to quell the cries of writers, who believe an injustice was done. Edison Jefford Journalist/Literature graduate- UG
Artist says Carifesta leadership must provide answers DEAR EDITOR, That CARIFESTA X would come up for enquiry is no surprise. What is disturbing is that the leader of the opposition should seek to caste a facade, involving the then PS of Culture, Youth and Sport the late Keith Booker, when he is well aware that the authority over the finances was taken away from Booker and placed in the jurisdiction of a PPP-CEO, Nigel Dharamlall who hardly knew nothing nor had no understanding of anything about Culture. This character most popular for his political adventures as the PS [ Yes he was promoted after CARIFESTA X] of the Amerindian Affairs Ministry was the power lord and prominent signatory of CARIFESTA X. The next person who would be able to answer some pertinent questions would be the then PPP Minister Frank Anthony. Paloma Mohamed was the Artistic Director [ a
lesser authority ] who encouraged many of us in the Arts to participate, because essentially CARIFESTA was not a PPP concept and Guyana could not be made to look bad because of that administration. I submitted my play and it won the signatory play for Guyana CARIFESTA X ‘The Legend of the Silk Cotton Tree’ Of a prize of $ 500.000 I surprisingly learnt that i would only be paid $250.000 because the Queens NY PPP GROUP had promoted a young lady to submit a play, which was declared not stage worthy.
This I was told when i investigated. I was paid the $250.000. The media must insist on questions to be answered by that CEO. It must be remembered that this was a dark period of tremendous intimidation meted out to considered lesser authorities who made honest inquiries. CARIFESTA X was a milking cow at the cost of the Arts community of this nation, exploiting a tremendous concept ushered into being by the fathers of CARICOM. Eventually the Courts must demonstrate Never Again! Barrington Braithwaite
Friday December 04, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 05
Letters... Where your views make the news Letters... Where your views make the news
Quoting Shakespeare in the analysis of the PPP leadership DEAR EDITOR, Two developments caught my attention recently. Both brought a chuckle on the way things are in Guyana. First, more than a few men within the GRA complained of heavy pressure, and are of the impression that their days are numbered. Those feeling the heat and squeeze firmly believe that plans are afoot to create room (vacancies) to bring in waiting friends and comrades. If accurate, I see this as striking two birds with a single big brick: In the first instance, it is getting rid of those who positioned themselves between fair tax collection and what was rightly due to the treasury and, in the process, made rich financial progress for themselves. And in the next instance, this is paving the way to usher in known and loyal newcomers drooling to fill the breach. Since the GRA is a fabulous honey pot, it would be the ideal testing ground for newfangled code(s) of conduct and zero tolerance on the corruption front. If Big Brother is derelict in watching, be assured that the little people would be listening and observing and commenting publicly. This promises to be interesting all around. It is the same story with the second development creeping forward. There is this insistent emphasis that an ancient stalwart is the leader of the PPP. That is according to the Big Man. Even though he is considerably shrunken these days, that man is still big in the regular circle. What is intriguing (and a tad enchanting) about this is whether the
kingmaker is at it already and again. For the record, there is the precedent of the once very broad and questionable presence of a onetime leader, who is now comfortable amidst the more familiar confines of shadows and cobwebs. But he was El Numero Uno for almost five years; or at least doing a very pale imitation of one during that period. It should be remembered that that same fine man enjoyed decades of close relationship with their beloved Cheddi and yet the latter never saw it fit to trust him with a ministry, even one lacking a portfolio. That would deter a lot of folks; but not so the kingmaker who knows no restraint and listens only to his own voice. Now it appears that he is at it again, and there is a willing and ready accomplice. The new publicly acknowledged leader of the party (for whatever that is worth) has hitherto made no bones about his own ambitions, severe and obvious limitations notwithstanding, for the number one spot. Disbelieving citizens are urged to recall that comment related to goat biting. Those same citizens should be familiar also with “Yon Cassius looks lean and hungry, such men are dangerous.� That says it all, doesn’t it? Now if the last chap can make it to the top, then anybody can. So how about lining up for a repeat, if the circumstances permit? And the best way to get there would be to hitch a ride on the coattails of a proven kingmaker, someone who delivers. Part of (Continued on page 31)
Friday November 04, 2015
Kaieteur News
U.S. authorities look for militant links to shooters in California mass slaying Reuters - The couple accused of killing 14 people at a holiday party in Southern California had more than 6,000 rounds of ammunition and a dozen pipe bombs on them and elsewhere, authorities said yesterday as they sought to determine if the pair had links to Islamic militant groups. Syed Rizwan Farook, 28, and Tashfeen Malik, 27, who was described as his wife and mother of his 6-month-old daughter, were killed in a shootout with police five hours after Wednesday’s massacre at the Inland Regional Center social services agency in the city of San Bernardino. Twenty-one people were wounded in the shooting. San Bernardino Police Chief Jarrod Burguan said at yesterday’s news conference that a search of a townhouse in nearby Redlands believed used by Farook and Malik yielded flash drives, computers and cellphones. Officials in Washington familiar with the investigation said so far there was no hard evidence of a direct connec-
tion between the shooters and any militant group abroad but that the electronics would be checked to see if the couple had been browsing on jihadist websites or social media. CNN, citing law enforcement sources, said Farook had been “radicalized” and had been in touch through telephone and social media with more than one international terrorism suspect who was being investigated by the FBI. Farook, a U.S. citizen, was born in Illinois, the son of Pakistani immigrants, according to Hussam Ayloush, who heads the Los Angeles area chapter of the Muslim advocacy group Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). State Department spokesman Mark Toner said Malik had been granted a “fiancée visa” to come to the United States with Farook and that all applicants for the visa are fully screened. Witnesses said Farook had been at the holiday party, left - possibly after a dispute with someone - returned with Malik and opened fire.
Burguan said they sprayed the room with 65 to 70 rounds. Officials from President Barack Obama to Burguan said the attack may have been an act of terrorism but a motive had not yet been determined. “It is possible that this was terrorist-related. But we don’t know,” Obama told reporters. “It is also possible that this was workplace-related.” He said the FBI was taking over the investigation. David Bowdich, the FBI assistant director in Los Angeles, said the couple had entered the United States in July 2014 after a trip that included Pakistan and perhaps other countries. Farook did not have a criminal record, Burguan said. Burguan said the couple had two assault-style rifles, two handguns and 1,600 rounds of ammunition in their vehicle when they were killed. At the townhouse, police found another 4,500 rounds, 12 pipe bombs and bomb-making equipment.
Page 7
Page 8
Kaieteur News
CJIA contractor nails Jagdeo’s lies ...asks to be left out of ‘political guiles’ By Abena Rockcliffe China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), the company contracted to modernize and expand the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), has refuted claims by former President, Bharrat Jagdeo. It is now seeking to “set the record straight.” CHEC said that it has taken “very seriously” the allegations made against it with regard to the CJIA expansion project. At his most recent press conference, Jagdeo said that CHEC was at odds with the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) government. He said that the difference was over CHEC’s request for more money to complete the project, but that PPP/C denied the request. CHEC noted yesterday that in 2012, it entered into discussions with the PPP/C government for the expansion of the airport. The contract was later signed “without any disagreement or issues.” The company said, however, that during the execution of the project “variations were required due to the discovery of unforeseen ground geotechnical conditions that were not compliant with Global FIDIC Contract Conditions.” As a result, CHEC began discussions regarding the need for variation to the contract due to the extra work discovered.
Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo According to CHEC, it later worked out an agreement regarding the way forward with the PPP/C and later the APNU+AFC administration. “CHEC categorically denies that there was ever any disagreement in negotiations. All parties were aware of the issue and agreed to amend the proposals.” CHEC said that it is committed to providing Guyana with a modern, first class airport facility. The company added, “We do not wish to become embroiled in political guiles. There have been several delays during the life of this project, none of which has been due to actions on the part of China Harbour Engineering.” CHEC’s statement to the effect that it had no fall out with the PPP government contradicts what Jagdeo recently told the media. Jagdeo suggested that the new government is allowing the nation to be robbed. He said that the PPP gov-
ernment was having problems with CHEC since the firm was attempting to shortchange the nation. He also said that CHEC was requiring more money, but the PPP turned down the request. “Before the election they (the then Opposition) said that the PPP overestimated the price (of the project). But after the election the (government) said that we underestimated it by US$45M.” Jagdeo told the media on Saturday that CHEC had asked the PPP government to increase the contract price by US$45M but the PPP government had denied that request. “We had said no, that it is a design and build contract. You (CHEC) did the geotechnical surveys so you bear that risk and you have to fulfill the original specification for the sum of money,” said Jagdeo. He said that because of this, there was a “deadlock” between CHEC and the PPP govt. “This government moved ahead with the project but we have not heard on what conditions. What I have been hearing is that the footprint of the terminal building has reduced and the number of bridges to the aircraft has been reduced drastically.” The Opposition Leader said that while the nation is not footing a higher bill, it is being given reduced facilities “so in net effect, (the government) has acceded to the request because you are getting less being built for that money we had approved.” Contacted yesterday for a response to CHEC’s statements Jagdeo said, “I do not which to respond to a private company. Why doesn’t the government release the details of the renegotiated contract? I will speak further on the matter at my next press conference.”
Friday November 04, 2015
Blind Society calls for full implementation of Disability Act ... as Int’l Day for Persons with Disabilities observed
From left: Mr Cecil Morris, Ganesh Singh, Rosemary Ramit and Ms Theresa Pemberton “It has been five years and little progress has been made,” said Executive Member at the Guyana Society for the Blind, Ganesh Singh, of the Disability Act which was signed into law on November 2, 2010. Singh, during an interview with this publication, disclosed that the Society is calling on the relevant authorities, the Government in particular, to ensure that the content of the Act is fully implemented. Singh pointed out that with the exception of the education sector, there has not been significant progress in any other areas. He noted that while it is expected that implementing the content of the Act could be lengthy, more efforts must be directed in this regard. Based on the 2002 Census, the blind and visually impaired population is the largest minority group, but according to Singh, “yet still our issues are neglected most times. Policymakers look at us still as objects of charity; they feel if they do one good deed we should shut up and stay in a corner and we don’t want that. We want our rights to be fulfilled so that we can be as productive as everybody else.” According to President of the Society, Cecil Morris, it has been far too long that persons with disabilities are seen as having a “charitybased existence.” It is for this reason, he noted, that deliberate efforts are being made by the Blind Society to empower young persons with disabilities. “We have been trying to educate them, getting them off to start their tertiary education and that kind of thing so that they can have their rightful place in society,” Morris said. But according to him, “over the years it has been a struggle to get people to understand the position of persons with disabilities, in terms of what it is we want in this life, what it is we are looking to achieve and that kind of
thing.” Morris is concerned that the struggle could continue for some time with constant campaigns and no action. He however asserted that “we are not asking for anything special, we are simply asking for what is due to us...we are not begging for anything.” Rosemary Ramit, a member of the Society, who was among the first batch of blind/ visually impaired students to write the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate examination, also vocalised her concern about the delay in having the Disability Act take its rightful place. The Act, she emphasised, is one that will contribute to people with disability having an independent and meaningful life. “If you have that implementation then you could have more persons out there having access to information, to buildings, education, health, recreational and other facilities...that is the main thing that we want,” insisted Ramit. She is hopeful that persons with disabilities will not have to wait another five years before the content of the Act takes effect. As a volunteer and fervent advocate for the rights of persons who are blind and visually impaired, Ms Theresa Pemberton, is also calling for measures to be swiftly put in place to make easier the lives of disabled persons. “What I would like to see is managers and businesses having more confidence in employing persons with disabilities. You find that there is a big lack in persons living with disabilities being able to perform in capacities that they can perform in,” said Pemberton. But this can only be remedied, she believes, with Government’s intervention. “They have to take it and run with it. Persons living with disabilities are still persons; you have to look at the individual and not their disabilities, and then you will see who they are and that they
are very much equipped to deal with what they have to,” Pemberton asserted. The concerns of the members of the Society were expressed yesterday as International Day for Persons with Disabilities was being commemorated. Since 1992 the United Nations has recognised December3 as International Day for Persons with Disabilities. Guyana about seven years ago started to commemorate this day too with a week of activities. This year a weeklong observance is being held under the theme “inclusion matters; access and empowerment for people of all abilities.” “We really want to emphasise on accessibility of persons with disabilities to buildings to information in formats such a Braille, audio and sign language...places must have ramps and elevators to accommodate people in wheelchairs and also we must have access to a meaningful education and access to independent living, meaning we should not be dependent on anybody. Systems should be in place so that we can live as independent as possible,” said Singh. The aim of the observance is usually to raise awareness about the rights and abilities of persons with disabilities across the world. “We have a number of activities planned with the Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities, which we are all a part of,” said Singh who revealed that on Sunday last, church services were held to kick-start the commemoration. And, according to him, attempts to sensitise the public are being done through the distribution of awareness materials and a strategic media campaign. A capacitybuilding workshop today has been planned for young leaders with the view of helping them to understand how they too can influence needful change within their respective organisations and even externally.
Friday December 04, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 9
Ignoring Ombudsman decisions is disrespectful to a nation - Presidential Advisor By Kiana Wilburg If no action on the reports of the Ombudsman is taken, then what is the point of having one? This sums up the position put forward recently by Presidential Advisor on Sustainable Development, Dr. Clive Thomas. He said that it has been over ten months since Ombudsman Winston Moore released two damning reports on various injustices that occurred under the People’s Progressive Party administration and no action has been taken by the institutions involved or the state. Thomas emphasized that it is important for the findings and recommendations of Moore’s reports to be dealt with, as further procrastination would only serve to undermine efforts for good governance at various levels. The Presidential Advisor in a recent interview with Kaieteur News said, that the Ombudsman’s office is one that should be respected. Failure to act on his findings represents “total disregard for the people, for his office as well as the importance of ensuring justice is served.” He reminded that one report deals with the issue of Kaieteur News columnist Freddie Kissoon and the University of Guyana. Kissoon was on a contract with the University of Guyana, but it was abruptly terminated by the tertiary institution in January 18, 2012. This was in spite of the fact that Kissoon’s contract had five months remaining, at the end of which, he would have reached the age of retirement. The University said that it merely ended the contract earlier - eight months before the contract expired. The contract stipulated that it could be terminated and three months’ salary paid in lieu of notice. Kissoon did not hear from the University despite several efforts for a reason for why his contract was terminated prematurely. Following a complaint lodged last year with the Office of the Ombudsman, UG was notified that the newspaper columnist’s contract termination breached UG’s regulations and that he should be compensated. Ombudsman Moore, in a letter dated December 22, last, to now retired Registrar, Vincent Alexander, stated, “This office has been advised that Mr Kissoon was wrongfully dismissed, his dismissal being in breach of Statute 25 of the University of Guyana Statutes which provides for
Presidential Advisor, Dr. Clive Thomas
Ombudsman, Winston Moore
Freddie Kissoon notice and a hearing, as preconditions for dismissal. In the circumstances Mr Kissoon is entitled to compensation from the university.” Since the Ombudsman made this pronouncement on January 6, last, no action has been by the institution to compensate Kissoon. Moore had also ruled on another controversial matter relating to the New Building Society (NBS). The Office of the Ombudsman concluded in November last year that police wrongfully charged the former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and
two of his managers for an alleged $69M fraud at the New Building Society, in 2006. The explosive document by the public complaint office was based on complaints b y Maurice Arjoon, the former CEO. Arjoon, in his complaint, said that he and two managers, Kissoon Baldeo, and Kent Vincent, were deliberately and maliciously charged by police for a $69M scam. Arjoon said that he believed that the trumped-up fraud charges, later dismissed in the Magistrates’ Court, stemmed from his refusal to lend $2B for the construction of the Berbice River Bridge. The former Government had been seeking financing for the project. Arjoon reportedly told his Board of Directors that the regulations barred the institution from lending that much. NBS voted to invest $350M in the project. Arjoon claimed that his refusal to illegally lend the $2B angered former President Bharrat Jagdeo, who was in power at that time. Arjoon, who has been insisting his innocence from day one, said in his complaints that over seven years were taken away from his life. Justice Moore, who has sweeping powers to investigate abuse by public officers, hired former Deputy Commissioner of Police, Henry Chester, DSM, who, in reviewing a copy of the police files, found that based on the evidence, there was no way that the three men could have been charged. It was also found that the police files did not include a key exhibit. Arjoon had filed a high court action to overturn the decision of NBS to dismiss him saying that he lost his benefits as a result. The explosive report raised serious questions about the rush by the police to lay charges, the role of the Director of Public Prosecutions, and the role played by the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana. The publication of excerpts of the report has seen former Minister of Labour, Dr. Nanda Gopaul, denying that he had a conversation with the former Chief Executive Officer that Jagdeo was upset with him. Since the report was laid in the National Assembly, nothing has happened. Dr. Thomas says that this is just totally unacceptable and action should not be delayed any longer. He emphasized that any democratic government practicing good governance
would take the reports as an indication of the type of action that needs to be undertaken if it requires such by the state or institutions within the state. “Look at what happened with Freddie and UG. The Institution should not have hesitated for one minute in ensuring justice is served.
UG has a responsibility to ensure that action is taken on the Ombudsman’s report. And the Minister of Education, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine should use that influence to ensure that the ruling of the Ombudsman is upheld. Arjoon and others should also get justice.” Dr Thomas continued, “It is imperative that we pay attention and act expeditiously when the Ombudsman’s office
highlights when injustices have occurred. The powerful principle upon which his office was established was to be the protector of the citizen’s rights. “We have to ensure that his recommendations are enforced at all times and in whatever ways we can. We cannot appear to equivocate in the face of the rulings otherwise, what is the real purpose of his office and having him there?”
Page 10
Kaieteur News
Friday December 04, 2015
=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===
President Granger versus the Bar Association There can hardly be any debate about it; President Granger was a touch angry when he heard what the Bar Association had to say about his Independence Day pardon of forty young convicts. This is a story that has a little bit of right and wrong on both sides, though I would come out in support of the President’s reaction. I have little regard for the upper strata of this country. They are hypocritical, merciless, morally questionable and shameless folks. This is one citizen that has no respect for the Private Sector Organization. There is absolutely no way I could address a school of young Guyanese without urging them to withhold their respect for certain institutions that are not worthy of their admiration. Two immediately come to mind – the magistracy and the Private Sector Commission. It irritates you when you see how sacred values
are desecrated by stakeholders who have absolutely no interest in safeguarding these values. We passed through a terrible time with the Burnham regime. Then Jagdeo came and exceeded Burnham’s negative propensities, but in all the decades of the vicious assault on liberties and values, the Private Sector Commission happily played the role of a toothless poodle. What can this particular stakeholder tell the younger generations of Guyana? I am not going to put the Bar Association in the same sordid category as the Private Sector Commission. That would be conceptually unthinkable. But you have to put yourself in the place of President Granger. Obviously the thought must have flew into his mind as to why the Association wanted to examine his pardon of forty young convicts, when the Association can find so many other legal and judicial anomalies to con-
front. On the other hand, President Granger is in for a rude awakening in post-2015 Guyana. He should tread carefully because he may well end up with the same politically jejune explanations the PPP Government gave the nation when they made unpopular decisions One of the reasons the PPP fell into the den of abomination, is because it used a nasty methodology to justify its unjust reign. Each time the PPP regime fired a public servant, jailed an opponent or made an incestuous appointment, its reaction was based on twisted logic. It told its critics that it only fired one employee whereas under Burnham public servants were dismissed by the dozens. In other words, what the PPP was saying was that their victims were far less than Burnham’s so what are you criticizing us for. It never occurred to the PPP that from 1992 to when it lost power in May 2015, the world expected it not to fire even one worker because the world expected from the PPP Government what the Burnham Government didn’t give Guyana – democracy
The Jagdeo/Ramotar era was so secretive, opaque in financial expenditure, incestuous in employment practices and mean-spirited in dealing with critics that after May 2015, the nation expects a total transformation of governance. They want to see leaders answer questions, apologize for mistakes, consult on far-reaching policies, demonstrate transparency and accountability in the administration of state affairs, exhibit humility and avoid arrogance. It is in this context the Bar Association acted. The Association obviously felt that there needed to be public release of names and offences committed and length of sentence. It is implausible to offer a counter-argument, because this was what was expected of the new government. The Bar Association must have said to itself that this pardon thing smack of secrecy and this was not what was expected from the new dispensation. On the other hand, it was rational for the President to inquire why the young convicts and not another area of the rule of law that the Bar
Association should concentrate on. Indeed there are many of these areas which no doubt the President knows about. When in the past forty years has the country heard of discipline against an attorney for egregious misconduct? Isn’t there sufficient evidence that there is the abuse of power in the lower courts? Why hasn’t the Bar Association joined the debate on Magistrate Moore’s decision to award a convicted narcotic trafficker a suspended sentence involving 150 pounds of cocaine and an illegal shot-gun? The controversy revolves around the question – does the particular law (the Narcotics Act under which he was charged)
Frederick Kissoon allow for suspended sentence? I don’t know. So maybe the Bar Association can enlighten us, lay people. Does the Bar Association accept the exclusion of the presence (not reporting) of the press in trials under the Sexual Offences Act? Why the presidential pardon and not these inquiries? I wonder!
Dem boys seh...
Clinty de Willie love to eat jumbo prawns and big basha Traffic Chase, a canta reporter, threatening people. He extorting money from business people. He does dig up li’l dirt pun de business people, write a li’l canta story, then confront dem that he gun put it in de news and pun de internet. He go to one businessman who decide that he ain’t teking no blackmailing and expose Traffic Chase. He call dem boys and tell dem to warn other business people to chase de Summuna bitch when he come round. Dem boys intend to keep a close eye pon him to expose he dutty laundry when he underwear gun pull down. Dem hear that he banking pun Sean Hinds who can’t save heself now. Another businessman tell dem boys that retribution don’t wait till you get old or dead. It does come quicker than you expect. Clinty de Willie and de C fuh Satar lawyer find out and come to grips wid it only yesterday. Clinty de Willie eat so much that some people tell dem boys that if de govt didn’t change, de man woulda eat out de whole of Guyana by now de way he was going. De only people who woulda lef in Guyana woulda be de Pee Pee Pee, and he mighta eat some of dem people like Brassington, because he like jumbo prawns and big basha. De other one was de GRA lawyer. De Board find that de woman was underperforming. Dem boys want to know under who. Dem demote she and remove she. Dem boys hope that she wasn’t spending taxpayers money de way Clinty de Willie was doing it. Talk half and de story getting sweeter
Friday December 04, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 11
Deadlocked GuySuCo talks head to conciliation Talks yesterday between the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) and the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU) to discuss the Annual Production Incentive (API) for the industry’s workers, ended in deadlock, with both parties agreeing to go the route of conciliation. According to the company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Errol Hanoman, a conciliation meeting with the parties and the Ministry of Labour, the conciliator, is likely to take place next week. Hanoman, a Government statement said, disclosed that GuySuCo continues to maintain its position of 2.7 days API for the production of 233,361 tonnes, to be paid not later than March 2016. Regarding the corporation’s position on the API, Hanoman noted that one must not lose sight of the Weekly Production Incentives and Cane Harvesters Personal Performance Incentives - which are paid weekly - following the week when these incentives are earned. According to the sugar company’s CEO, to date this year GuySuCo has paid a hefty sum in incentives. Contrary to the impres-
- industry 8,000 tonnes away from target GuySuCo’s CEO, Errol Hanoman
sion being given, Hanoman said that “everyone understands that GuySuCo has paid in 2015 to date $1,868M in incentives (WPI of $1,040M and Cane Harvesters PPI $828M) immediately after the incentives are earned.” He pointed out that despite the serious financial problems which beset the corporation, “there has been no delay in the timely payment of these production incentives. Looking back over the past seven years, since 2009, the Weekly Production Incentives earned and paid for in 2015, are the highest,” he
added. The GuySuCo/GAWU API discussion has been going for weeks now. After the last discussion broke down between the two parties, GAWU encouraged the sugar
workers to engage in protest action. As a result of that strike and another in October, production is lagging by approximately 10,000 tonnes. According to Hanoman, this also means that cash flows are down by some $675M. “For the moment, the hole the corporation is in is deeper by this sum. Weather permitting, we are optimistic that this position would be recovered as we achieve our target over the next two to three weeks,” he said. The loss of man-days, during the strikes not only affected the production, but “sadly workers lost significant earnings during the two strikes.” As a result of the three-
day strike in October, 24,562 man-days were lost. The strike last week resulted in 28,911 man-days lost. Had it not been for the loss of two weeks of man-days due to strike action, GuySuCo would have already realised its 2015 production target. Despite the loss, the company said that it is still optimistic that it will achieve its 2015 target of 227,443 metric tonnes. The latest production figure of 218,631 tonnes provided by Hanoman means that the sugar company is just about 8,813 metric tonnes away from achieving its 2015 target. In a push to achieve this goal, Hanoman said that Blairmont and Skeldon operations are expected to be com-
pleted by December 12, whilst the Albion and Enmore operations are set to close by December 19. He explained that the workers from these factories would be moved to speed-up the delivery at the Rosehall Factory, which is scheduled to be closed on December 26. The last time the industry achieved its set production was in 2004 when it produced 325,317 tonnes of sugar. This was despite the sugar company over the years consistently lowering its set targets. The sugar company’s current ‘crop-to-date’ total as of 06:00hrs yesterday stood at 137,487 metric tonnes, with the cumulative ‘year-to-date’ figure at 218,631 metric tonnes.
Page 12
Kaieteur News
GGMC Chairman... From page 6 whatever a lawfully authorized and empowered agent or attorney would do. The Power of Attorney by English to the GGMC Chairman would appear as a conflict of interest, as it was Williams in his official position along with his Board of Directors that approved the Mining Permit to English in the first place. GGMC is currently under the microscope after a decision was taken this week to send home Commissioner Rickford Vieira, pending a review of his performance. Vieira has reportedly been clashing with the board over a number of decisions. Both GGMC and the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners' Association held separate meetings yesterday on Vieira. GGMC will continue
today to determine whether Vieira's contract should be terminated. GGDMA, on the other hand, is against the decision. The association has a representative on the GGMC's board. A number of reviews have been critical of GGMC's performance as regulator of the mining and now the emerging oil industries. Miners have been complaining of mismanagement, corruption and discrimination at GGMC. This week, it was revealed that the GGMC Chairman, since his appointment last year, racked up almost $4M in food and drinks bills at three city restaurants. Most of the money was spent last year at the Silhouette Restaurant (JR Enterprise) in Kitty; 704 Sports Bar on Lamaha Street and Brasil Churrascari and Pizzaria, Alexander Street, Lacytown. The figures raised eyebrows. For example, in February last year, over $650,000 was spent on meals and beverages at the 704 Sports Bar. There was no explanation. In May 2014, over $100,000 was spent in dinner alone. Vieira, according to a source in the GGMC, had restricted the spending by Williams. This happened after the elections which led to a change in the administration.
The signatures of the “Irrevocable Power of Attorney�, filed in May.
Friday December 04, 2015
Friday December 04, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 13
Page 14
Kaieteur News
Friday December 04, 2015
Student fined for stabbing schoolmate in head with scissors The parents of a 14-yearold student of Patentia Secondary School is definitely moving to the High Court to sue for costs associated with a severe injury he received when a fellow student stuck a scissors in his skull two years ago. This was after Magistrate Clive Nurse imposed a fine of $100,000 on the teenager who inflicted the grievous wound on February 6, 2013. Olatungi Wilson, who dealt his schoolmate Neil Miggins a stab to the head with a pair of scissors, over two years ago, was found guilty of inflicting grievous bodily harm by Magistrate Nurse at the Wales Magistrate’s Court. Wilson, a student of the Leonora Technical Institute, was convicted for the offence two Mondays ago, but Magistrate Nurse deferred sentencing to yesterday pending a Probation Report, and to allow the parents of the two parties to come to a financial settlement. However, the two sides could not agree and the
Magistrate, guided by a favourable Probation Report, handed down his sentence, much to the disappointment of Miggins’ mother. The convicted teenager was not given a custodial sentence. Instead, he was ordered to pay the fine with an alternative of six months imprisonment. He was also placed on a bond to keep the peace for one year. Failure to comply with the conditions of the bond will see him spending three months in jail. The two young men both reside in the same village and were attending the Patentia Secondary School at the time of the incident. Miggins was 12 years old and had just entered the First Form of the school. On the evening of February 6, Neil Miggins underwent surgery on his skull at the Georgetown Public Hospital to remove a pair of a scissors that Wilson had thrown at him. It was reported that Miggins was running down a flight of stairs at school, when he jammed his attacker, who in turn tossed
- victim’s mom unhappy after compensation request rejected the weapon at him. At yesterday’s court hearing, Magistrate Nurse revealed some findings of the Probation Report, which described Wilson as a humble young man. The report stated that on the day of the incident, he lost his temper and overreacted. Magistrate Nurse disclosed that the report detailed that Wilson had successfully completed the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and is currently pursuing a course in Electrical Engineering at the Leonora Technical Institute. According to the Probation Report, Wilson has begun making positive changes in his life. And he has also dissociated himself from delinquent company. It was revealed that Wilson was before the court a few years ago on a charge of simple larceny. He was found guilty and placed
under statutory supervision for two years. Shifting his attention to the mitigating factors considered, the Magistrate stated that at the time of the incident, Wilson was young and attending the same school with Miggins. He pointed out that the victim and Wilson are relatives. The Magistrate noted the fact that Wilson showed remorse and apologized to the court and the victim’s mother, Barbara Miggins. It was also noted that Wilson’s parents showed a willingness to compensate the victim, but according to the Magistrate, the compensation was rejected. The magistrate’s ruling did not go down well with Barbara Miggins who is convinced that her son was made a victim twice. Speaking with Kaieteur News yesterday after the ruling, Miggins said that after finding the accused guilty, the magistrate had asked her to think about a compensation
Neil Miggins figure. She said she indicated that she would settle for $1.8M. Miggins stated however, that she was told by the Probation Officer that Wilson’s family could not afford the sum. On this note, the mother said that she had agreed to reduce the figure to $1.5M. When the accused lad’s mother was asked what amount of compensation she can afford, she indicated $200,000. Miggins described that offer as disrespectful. “He (accused) is
studying and is getting on with his life, but my son missed two years of his school life because of his actions. Will $200,000 compensate his for that.” “My son has a fractured skull and he has to undergo another surgery to put in a plate in his skull, so how could this be fair?” Miggins asked. She has signaled her intentions of appealing the decision in the High Court with assistance from her attorney, Bernard DeSantos. Thus far, the young man has undergone several successful CT scans and Xrays. He only resumed school two weeks ago. Miggins related that since the incident her son has not been himself. She said that on many occasions, she is forced to restrain the young man from harming himself. “One time he bore himself with a piece of wire”. A distraught Miggins continued, “He don’t talk properly, he don’t see properly from the right eye.” Currently, Miggins is attending psychiatric clinics held by Senior Government Psychiatrist, Dr. Bhairo Harry.
Week four of city clean-up campaign concludes As ‘Georgetown on the move’ community clean up concludes week four of six, City Hall says that the contractors are fulfilling their obligations satisfactorily. On Wednesday, during a visit to the South and North Ruimveldt areas, Public Relations Officer Debra Lewis, speaking of the more than $75M investment, said while there are some minor hiccups, “we are satisfied with most of the contractors who have completed on average 75 percent of the work ahead of schedule.” The work entailed cleaning and de-silting of street drains, alleyways, weeding of parapets and verges. In some locations, trees had to be removed from the reserves. As the community cleaning continues, findings revealed that residents used alleyways as disposal facilities for old mattresses,
furniture, appliances and general kitchen waste. In some cases there were vehicles and vehicular parts found that had to be removed. “In North Ruimveldt, one contractor Ricardo Blackman reported that his works are progressing to the point that there is little to no flooding in spots that are normally prone to inundation whenever it rains.” His team was busy cleaning several alleyways when this publication visited the location, much to the pleasure of most of the residents. However some residents who have grown accustomed to blocked drains, and having what are termed illegal constructions, were not happy and complained bitterly. Meanwhile, as a result of the cleaning exercise they praised the fact that their community is thus far devoid of the usual flooding. In some cases the
workmen had to clear out as much as four feet of silted up drains. Blackman during an interview echoed the sentiments of many contractors who are engaged in the community clean up exercise from Agricola on the East Bank to Cummings Lodge on the East Coast of Demerara: “All I’m begging the residents to do is to avoid causing the drains being blocked with overgrowth again and to stop the dumping, because we ending up finding snakes and crocodiles that could be a danger to them.” On Wednesday alone more than three anacondas were caught during clean up exercises of which the small ones were killed and left on the roadway “to scare dirty residents” while bigger ones were reportedly sent to the Guyana Zoological Park. (Mondale Smith)
Friday December 04, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 27
Infrastructure Improvement Project US lauds Guyana for local govt. elections date provides 300 jobs in Linden, Lethem The Ministry of Communities is currently assisting the Linden and Lethem municipalities to implement the Community Infrastructure Improvement Project (CIIP). According to the Ministry, the objective is to empower and equip Local Democratic Organs in the areas as part of a wider strategy to create independence. More than 300 persons were recently employed with the project to assist the two municipalities. “Some enhancement services that the workers are expected to provide to communities are cleaning of drains and parapets, cleaning of burial grounds, and carrying out minor routine maintenance works,” the ministry explained. Initially, when CIIP was introduced in 2014, the Ministry of Housing and Water (now part of the
Ministry of Communities) was responsible for implementing and monitoring the project in more than 55 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils, three Municipalities and Village Councils. However, as the Ministry takes a new approach towards local governance, the Linden and Lethem Municipalities are the first two entities to be responsible for CIIP’s implementation in their communities. The Ministry’s involvement in the project is monitoring and providing resources. According to Carlton Beckles, Chairperson of Lethem Municipality, prior to the introduction of CIIP, the Municipality was unable to hire labourers to clean the environment since the municipality does not collect rates. He noted that the project has helped to reduce the
financial burden of paying to clean the cemetery and parks. Beckles added that funds allocated for the municipality to execute maintenance works this year would be utilized for additional works within Lethem. “CIIP is helping to do a lot of work in the communities…The residents are very supportive of the programme…we are thankful for the assistance,” he said. The Linden Municipality has been benefiting similarly from CIIP. Besides the benefits of clean communities, the project has provided employment opportunities for hundreds of persons, particularly single parent women. Some communities that benefited so far from CIIP are Wisroc, Christianburg, Amelia’s Ward, Block 22, Kara Kara, Silvertown and Retrieve.
Another road fatality The Essequibo Public Road claimed the life of 20- yearold Khemraj Singh, a/k “Goose”, of Hampton Court, yesterday. According to reports, the accident occurred late yesterday afternoon. Reports stated that Singh was proceeding south on the Paradise Public Road, when he was struck off his motor cycle and hurled in the air before landing on the road. Singh was picked up in an unconscious condition and transported to the Suddie Public Hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries. (Yannason Duncan)
Dead: Khemraj Singh
From left, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon; President David Granger; United States Ambassador, Perry Holloway; and Charge d’ Affaires, Bryant Hunt United States Ambassador to Guyana, Perry Holloway, has congratulated President David Granger, and his administration on selecting a date for the long-awaited local government elections. The Ambassador, who is scheduled to depart on his
holiday leave, yesterday paid a courtesy call on the President. He was accompanied by Charge d’Affaires, Bryant Hunt. In a brief, the Ambassador said local government elections are going to be a historic event for Guyana,
pointing out also that it is the cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Last month, Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, announced that local government elections, which were last held in Guyana in 1994, will be held on March 18, 2016.
Page 28
Kaieteur News
Friday December 04, 2015
Rasville fire destroys apartment complex, 42 homeless Inside one of the apartments
Some of the victims who lost everything in the fire Fire destroyed a lot 44-46 Rasville apartment complex leaving 14 families, numbering 42 persons, homeless, and millions in losses. The fire which occurred on Wednesday, from all reports began about 03:00hrs in a bottom flat apartment that was occupied by a tenant named Denver. She was out at the time and lost everything as did every other occupant. Lee Davis, who has since been dubbed a hero, occupied Apartment 3 on the bottom flat. He said that he heard a knock on his door. When he answered his neighbour, Althea Robinson, who lives above the apartment where the fire started, reported that she felt the floor was a bit hot. She woke her husband and their three children and ran out. “She said fire in Denver apartment and I run out and tried to open the door
by lashing off a lock but when the door fly open the heat and smoke was too much for me to do anything.” He said he and other tenants tried to fight the fire which had started to spread via the PVC ceiling. “We get sand and water because we thought was electrical but the efforts were in vain so everybody run out I barely get my keys for my car.” Jamuca Johnson, who lived in the apartment with her four children, among them a 10-month-old baby and her spouse, said that she smelled smoke and started to investigate. “I checked by me and I didn’t see nothing burning. Then I peeped through the window and saw Mr. Davis running with the landlord sister to tell everyone that the house was on fire.” Her children aged 16 years old to ten months old
What remains of lot 44-46 Rasville following the blaze. were asleep and her motherly instinct kicked in when she realized that nothing could be done to save the building. “I run out to help first then when the fire was more than
we could handle I run back inside and wake up me children, grab a sheet and run out with my ten-month-old.” The fire engine was called but after getting no quick
response the owner’s sister, Petal, had to drive to the fire station to get the fire tender to head to the scene. “When they came they started fighting the fire but by
that time the gas bottles were already exploding and the building was fully blazing. They tried but it was too late. Everything was already (Continued on page 29)
Friday December 04, 2015
Kaieteur News
Wanted man nabbed, sent to jail After being on the run for close to six months and having wanted bulletins and arrest warrants issued for him, 24-year-old fugitive Jonathan Etwaroo, of No 48 Village, Corentyne, Berbice has been nabbed and sent to jail. He was caught last Saturday at a house at Corriverton. The police, acting on information received, swooped down on the house where the man was hiding out. The police had issued a bulletin for the man after he walked out of the No 51 station, having been taken into custody on an arrest warrant issued by the High Court, for flouting an order by that court. Etwaroo was wanted for escaping from lawful custody on June 19, last. He was arrested by police on June 17, in the Black Bush Polder area on a Bench Warrant issued by a High Court Judge. The warrant had committed him to the New Amsterdam Prison
Jonathan Etwaroo until he appeared before the judge. Etwaroo was first embroiled in a high court matter with Navendra Persaud, whom he is accused of defrauding of a sum of money. Persaud who was represented by Attorney at law Murseline Bacchus was subsequently granted a $2M judgment over Etwaroo when the matter was completed in early 2014. The judgment was
for payment for a car he had rented and subsequently damaged during the day. Since judgment was granted the man never paid the sum and was on the run. An arrest warrant was issued by a Judge in the High Court for his arrest. He was subsequently caught and placed into custody at the No 51 Police station in June 2015. The man mysteriously walked out of the police station undetected. According to information, the man told investigators after his second arrest that while in the lock-ups, he asked to be taken out because he was feeling unwell. After he was taken out he was left unattended in the passageway. He then opened a door and calmly walked out undetected. After that another warrant was issued for his arrest by another judge, while the police also issued a wanted bulletin for him.
$100,000 bail for Timehri resident on armed robbery charge Winston Younge, an 18-year-old lumberyard worker of Base Road, Timehri, was yesterday placed before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan to answer an armed robbery charge. It was alleged that on December 1, in Georgetown, Younge, while armed with a cutlass, robbed Vishual Doodnauth of $45,000 and one cell phone. Younge, who was not represented by a lawyer, told the court that he was at a local Chinese store with some of his friends, when the police did an ID Parade
to locate the person who committed the crime. He said that Doodnauth singled him out and the police made the arrest. Prosecutor Deniro Jones told the court that no items were recovered. Jones had no objections to the defendant being granted his pre-trial liberty, but asked that bail be set in a substantial amount. The Magistrate set bail at $100,000, adjourned the matter and ordered the defendant to make another court appearance on January 5.
Rasville fire destroys apartment... (From page 28) destroyed,� said Oshani Davis. Davis is a mother of four who had to wake up her children and carry them to safety. “Luckily no one was injured because we were focused on the safety of the children so people run out in their towels and underwear and so. This is tough because people lost everything. Is millions of dollar gone in expensive things plus one man lost $250,000.� Most of the victims applied for land since 2006 and are hoping that the Ministry of Housing would intervene on their behalf. As of yesterday some of the victims of the fire were still rummaging through the debris. The building was owned by a French Guiana-based Guyanese whom the tenants referred to as Junior. Among the victims was a Guyana Defence Force rank and his wife who had recently started a life together, and an insurance
agent. Yesterday some of the victims visited Food for the Poor Inc. and were offered some interim emergency assistance in the form of foodstuff and some clothing after they submitted their
letters of losses from the Guyana Fire Service. However, much more help is needed. There are more than 20 schoolaged children who have lost all their belongings. (Mondale Smith)
Page 29
Page 30
Kaieteur News
VACANCY Plant Shop Sales Clerk: Hardworking, literate, punctual workers, Work experience an asset. Contact: 648-1821 SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. – CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Guyana Passport application. Graphics design, Advertisement. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158 Landscaping: Palms, largest varieties of plants, Used in every one of our unique landscapes- Call: 648-1821/ 219-0468 Permanent & Visitors Visa Applications, Professional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building. visadocumentsgy@ y a h o o . c o m . Call: 2256496, 662-6045 We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer-Call: 2310655; 683-8734. Omar Landscaping: Palms, largest varieties of plants, Used in every one of our unique landscapes- Call: 648-1821/ 219-0468 Repairs at low cost: Fridges, air- conditioners, washing machines, TVs, microwaves, freezersCall:629-4946 or 225-4822 Professional Pressure washing & water tank cleaning services, for all your home & business exterior cleaning call: 696-5424
WANTED We pay cash for land in Eccles, Herstelling, Farm, Prospect, Parfaite Harmonie, Uitvlugt, Zeelugt- Call: 6117223, 604-2207 Wanted experienced taxi drivers and dispatchers@ Princess Hotel ProvidenceTel: 616-5419, 256-7075 Experienced pastry maker, curry & roti/puri cooks, counter servers, handy boys. Apply at Hack’s Halaal, 5 Commerce Street. Bartenders, waitress, cook, maintenance, please apply in person @ Aracari Resort 160 Plantation Versailles W.B.D Drivers, dispatchers & contract cars- Call: 231-0316, 231-0002, 219-4086, 219-4087 Wanted land to buy at Parfaite Harmonie, Eccles, Diamond, Tuschen (best price pay)- call: 604-6724 Live in or live out babysitter/ domestic- Call: 219-5354 (Monday- Saturday) 8:154:15pm Office clerk senior/ junior CXC English/ Mathematics, computer knowledge an asset- Call: 219-5354 Experienced wash bay attendants living in Georgetown. Attractive salary- Call: 646-8748 Security guard & a gardener: preferably from G/town and E.C.D. Call Neville Osman: 624-1737 (8:00am-4:00pm). 1 Cleaner for office at East Bank Demerara- Call: 6144358 Experienced Driver @ Gem’s Taxi-Call: 665-5338; 231-3709, 667-9013 One lorry driver to sell water, experience in such field required- Call: 678-1234
CAR RENTAL DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YAHOO.COM/WWW. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM
Damage batteries in any quantity, best price offeredCall: 696-5728, 656-2783, 6225941, 648-9395, 223-1111 Truck driver wanted to work in Georgetown- Tel: 218-1156 Delivery riders wanted contact: 223-5273/4.
PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL:CARS&SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 643-5122, 6560087 , EMAIL: PRO_ AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO. COM
A mature female living between Ogle & Mon Repos, E.C.D to help a middle aged person with memory lossCall: 678-8496, 219-4845
Wing’s Car & 4WD Vigo pick up rental- Call: 690-6494
Roti/ Puri cook. Apply at Shanta’s 225 Camp & New Market streets
Aidan’s Car & 4WD Vigo pick up, cheapest rate, low security- Call: 698-7807
Waitress to work at a bar (live in or out)- Call: 612-2522
Experienced bar/ shop worker for Ekereku bottom Interior, age 17-30years- Call: 231-0363
Friday December 04, 2015
SALON -Make Up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, Black Opal, Mabelline. -Nail Technician Course Call: 647-1773/660-5257
One Honda ATV Bike, excellent condition. Only used for prospecting, $3M neg. With a free trolley. Call: 688-2597
Exist for bartender, waitress, security guard –Contact Sheik or Donald on Tel: 227-1131 ACCOUNTS CLERK, MINIMUM CXC Accounts Grades I or II; PLANT TRAINEE, GTI/ GITC graduates preferred E.B.D Residents- Tel. 676 6700 TRINIDAD JOB O P P O R T U N I T Y: EXPERIENCED HOUSEKEEPER WITH VALID PASSPORT CALL: 669-6565; 695-2838 Vacancies for porters. Apply at Alabama Trading Georgetown Ferry Stelling Stabroek. Exists for 2 housekeepersages 35-50 years, reference required from previous workplace- Call: 676-2812 (between 8am-5pm) Vacancies exist for cashiers and sales staff. Apply in person with written application at Nirva Supermarket - call: 227-5771 Cashier 6am-3pm & 3pm12pm. Submit application to Shell Station Providence EBD, shellramsburg @gmail.com Excavator, Bulldozer & grader operator. Work site in Timehri (CJIA Project). Good Salary- Contact: 666-7211, 681-7267 (2)Two general workers to work shift system- Call: 2181400, 668-0306
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754.
FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 2 Bedrooms apartment located @ Mon-Repos North E.C.D- price $60,000 – Contact: 692-9295 & 688-6005 Julieann’s Apartment Rentals: fully furnished apartments with air-condition & Wi-Fi $9,000 daily - Call: 226-5336; 692-6595; 616-4686 SD Real Estate, Executive 2 Bedrooms Apartment in exclusive Residential Area with all modern amenities. Tel: 653-2920. Prime business place for rent @ Mon Repos Public Road E.C.D, 2 (2) Bedroom apartment @ Block 8 Mon Repos E.C.D. Contact: 6181754; 681-1508; 220-6168 3 Bedrooms bottom flat to rent $50,000 per month - Tel: 234-0079, 678-9176 Spacious 2 bedrooms apartment in Festival City. Asking $80,000- Call: 619-2141 One room to rent $4,500 weekly. One month deposit (men only). In North Ruimveldt- Call: 663-8025
Rotweiler pups. Tel: 6196086, 622-6646, 699-7077. PRADO: TOP CONDITION, SUNROOF, FULLY LOADED, 8 SEATER, FUEL, 2000 MODEL. CALL: 6845868 CRV EXCELLENT CONDITION, 1998CC, ALARM, DVD, MAGRIM, CLEAN ENGINE & BODYCALL: 684-5868 1 Hilux Surf, 2 Trucks (1 TM & 1TL) -Tel: 618-1967, 698-4321 Rottweiler and German Shepherd mix pups for sale –Call: 641-1771 and 654-0388 1 Xbox original soft-moded with over 30 games $17,000, 1 Nintendo DS Lite with 4 games $15,000- Call: 6219604, 694-1748 One 600amp automatic transfer switch sold as isCall:627-7835
1 Nintendo Wii game console with 1 game $16,000, 1 PS2 console with 7 games $13,000- Call: 621-9604, 6941748 2 Hands sanders, 1 Skilsaw & Dewalt 7 1/4" circle sawCall: 621-9604, 694-1748
TO LET EDUCATIONAL Computerized Accounting: QuickBooks, Peachtree, Excel 2016, P.O.S Pre-Xmas giveaway -$35,000 Micrographics, Vreed-enHoop, Royal Castle Building. Call: 264-3057 9 Courses Diploma in Computer Studies, Xmas Deal -$20,000 off @ Micrographics, Vreed-enHoop, Royal Castle Building- Call: 264-3057 FOR SALE/RENT American Pools table-Call: 277-0578
3 Bedrooms apartment for rental at W.B.D- Call: 2671446, 674-6080 Newly constructed apartment in a safe and healthy environment- Call: 698-6496, 622-6512
Property for sale, Grove $20M / Rent: $50,000 per month. Tel: 625-5461. 2 storied transported concrete property- upstairs: 2 bedrooms apartment, downstairs: 2 bedroom apartment, block ‘8’ MonRepos, E.C.D -$19M neg. Call: 625-1514; 231-7255 2 Storey 45x35 concrete property, lower flat incomplete. Land 65x120 @ Diamond N/S 5th Avenue, E.B.D- Call: 664-5052 Transported property 48X223ft (with old house) at Hague (duck pond/ settlement) W.C.D, price $5.5M negotiable- Call: 6553667 Two properties for sale at West Coast and West Bank. Excellent condition- Call: 660-3235, 668-3985 Brand new 2 storey concrete building in 5th Avenue, Diamond, E.B.D, all modern amenities - Call: 662-9335; 612-3244
1 Nintendo 3DSXL with 2 games $35,000, 1 Dell XPS M140 laptop computer, 1 Dell Precision M60 laptop computer - Call: 621-9604, 694-1748
50LBS BAGS, DOG FOOD W/SALE & RETAILCALL: 222-7891; 609-9202
Body workman- Call: 6490659, 670-1637
PROPERTY FOR SALE Church and 2 storey building Lot 180 Charlotte Street Bourda-Call: 227-6817; 624-7341
LEARN TO DRIVE Soman Son & Outar Driving School at Maraj BuildingTel:644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997
LAND FOR SALE Parfaite Harmonie (80ftx45ft) $1M. East Coast (low lands) $1.8M, Parfaite Harmonie (100ftx50ft fenced) $3.2M call: 611-7223, 604-2207 Providence Scheme 115ftX81ft located on a Cul de Sac close to Bai Shan Lin -$8.2M negotiable –Call: 6014163; 223-0719 Land @ Moblissa Soesdyke Linden Highway, 22 Acres if cleared land with nearby creek -3 minutes off Highway-Call: 689-0003 At Parfaite Harmonie$1.4M, $1.6M, $1.1M, Tuschen 2 nd street $5M, Tuschen Phase 2 $1.2M. Term available- Call: 604-6724 1155 Acres of land located at East Bank Demerara. Price Negotiable- Call: 612-2060 Luxury gated community with pool, mall, swipe entry/ exit, underground irrigation. Contact: 609-0783
Prime 2 flat business place to rent on Robb Street, Lacytown between Camp & Alexander Streets - Tel: 2269377
ACCOMODATION
ACCOMODATION
TOURS
Inner Retreat Hotel Restaurant & Bar, Retreat Road Parika. Indoor /Outdoor bar in Picturesque setting – Phone: 260-4504; 685-6934
Suriname Old years into new- exciting fireworks, shopping, site-seeing & tours (Dec 30th- Jan 3rd). Call: 665-5171, 639-2663
Saturdays & Sundays after lunch @ Inner Retreat Hotel Parika: Bar-B-Que & games: pools, darts, table tennis etc. Phone: 260-4504. Continued on page 31
Friday December 04, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 31
THE VOICE OF THE LIBERAL DEMOCRATS THE VOICE OF THE LIBERAL DEMOCRATS
What is really going on at the Bureau of Statistics? By Sase Singh A Study in Scarlet is an 1887 detective novel written by British author, Arthur Conan Doyle, who gave Sherlock Holmes to the world. In that book, one can find the quote from Mr. Holmes, “It is a capital mistake to theorize before you have all the data”. Good data can help policymakers identify, plan and implement a transformative programme for national development. Unfortunately our own Bureau of Statistics (BOS) has underperformed for decades. In countries like Trinidad, the quality of data continues to get better and more accessible to the public, but in Guyana data gets more outdated and irrelevant. Mind you, this is a trend that I observed since the Jagdeo /Ramotar term in office, but there seems to be no let-up today. If one is to look at the Ministry of Finance, Bank of Guyana and Bureau of Statistics website on November 16, 2015 one will find the latest uploads as follows:
Quoting Shakespeare in the analysis of the PPP ... From page 5 the requirements and package expected from the ambitious is displaying the right amount of public subservience and patience. Stated differently, it is submitting to the occasional humiliation of being publicly superseded or ignored or dismissed. Just like the other guy. It is called stoop to conquer. I must confess that I might have found all of this rather hilarious, if it were not so Machiavellian. There is only one thing remaining, and it comes in the form of a question: Are Guyanese ready for Medvedev Part II? Ghk Lall
• Ministry of Finance – Half Year 2015 Report. • Bank of Guyana - Half Year 2015 Report. The September 2015 Quarterly Statistical Bulletin is missing in action. • And the worst of them all – the Bureau of Statistics which provides production statistics from 2013? Is this fair to the Guyanese thinkers, academic and policy makers? This is a real criminal act. There has been a serious data gap in Guyana for decades and even though the new Government has been in office only six months, fixing this mess does not appear to be one of its highest priorities. Without good data, national planning and policymaking is compromised. Publication of statistics that are timely, internally consistent, and comparable across sectors is essential for monitoring our progress as a nation, especially against the list of promises we made in the APNU+AFC manifesto. There are thousands of people who will hold this government to those promises and when a government is busy, it is shocking how
swiftly the year 2019 will arrive. We saw this situation in the Jagdeo /Ramotar governments. When a politician does not deliver on his promise then it is either a good dose of infantile excuses or downright untruths. This cannot be the path of this Coalition Government. Let us restructure the BOS urgently. The IMF has programmes that help countries rebuild their Statistical Agencies, why are we not tapping into those resources? If you think I am wrong, let us ask the BOS where is the Final 2012 Population and Housing Census Report. Missing in Action Part 2! According to an Act of Parliament in 1991, the Bureau of Statistics is a semi-autonomous body that is expected to do among other functions: • Conduct censuses (failed); • Collect, compile, analyze, and publish socio-economic and other statistical data (two years behind reality). Need I go on? If one fails to carry out one’s primary role, one should have the common decency to resign. This culture
of protecting the boys because they have been around forever is just ridiculous. In this new dispensation, all Heads of Department have to be held accountable and if they are not getting the political support to complete their jobs, they have to document this situation. We have a country to run, not a cake shop to manage. How will Guyana detect emerging financial and social vulnerabilities if the BOS is all but dysfunctional? The time is now for us to make steady progress at closing the data gaps and adopting higher data dissemination standards. If one should look at the IMF dataset, the last serious piece of country information on Guyana is the 2013 IMF Staff Report. Are we serious? The 2014 Staff Reports for 13 countries out of the 15-member CARICOM community have already been published. Even the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere Haiti, has got its act together to support the publication of its 2014 IMF Staff Report. The 2014 Report for Guyana – Missing in action Part 3! I am fully aware that there
was a deliberate strategy from key players in the Ramotar Government to bury financial data from 2014 because it would have illustrated, clearly, the weakness in the economy. But we have a new government now and it is baffling why the opportunity is not being seized to cause the IMF to publish that data set? Is it because these same players from the PPP era are still dominating key departments in the State machinery? Can someone wake up, please! It is time for Guyana to publish timely and high-quality macroeconomic data which meet global standards. The greatest retardant of this entire project has been poor leadership and a stone age IT platform in the data aggregation agencies. The Ramotar administration had the audacity to funnel some $600 million through the Public Service Ministry for dubious electoral reasons (now an issue in the Courts), but it had little money to properly house and equip the Statistical Bureau, with very little noise from the leadership at the Bureau. This has to change. We have got the IMF who is always willing to help
Sase Singh countries like Guyana to strengthen the data dissemination capacity. The IMF Board approved funds and technical resources under the enhanced General Data Dissemination System (e-GDDS) to impart stronger incentives such as technical assistance and training to support the most timely publication of critical macroeconomic data. The IMF has some 800 capacity development and training missions planned for 2016 around the world. Is one of those missions coming to Guyana? As I said, somebody has to wake up! Please share your feedback with me at sasesin1@ yahoo.com
From page 30 FOR SALE Used XBOX 360, PS Vita, PS3 I-pad & I-pods, XBOX one & games –Tel: 621-7497; 603-8643; 649-3277
VEHICLE FOR SALE Toyota AT 212. Price $1.1M negotiable- Tel: 650-4736 Toyota Noah & Voxy, Fully loaded, never registered, ‘G’ Series -$1.7M. Call: 617-2891 One Honda CRV, immaculate condition –price $1,650,000- Call: 626-2884 Mitsubishi Canter for sale; GTT series, next to new Call: 611-5354; 615-4728, price reasonable Bus for sale, BJJ series- call: 677-3177, 678-5887 Honda Civic (white) 2003 very good condition $875,000. Owner leaving Call/whatsapp: 688-1823 Nissan Titan 2004 model, GSS series, in immaculate condition - Call: 629-4392, 220-7958
Page 32
Kaieteur News
Friday November 04, 2015
Air strikes alone won’t defeat Trinidad Opposition questions Islamic State, Kerry warns govt. borrowing limit increase BELGRADE (Reuters) Syrian and other Arab ground forces must be found to take on Islamic State, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said yesterday, saying the militant group would not be defeated by air strikes alone. Kerry was speaking hours after Britain began bombing Islamic State targets in Syria, joining forces with France and the United States, nearly three weeks after the jihadist group killed 130 people in attacks across Paris. British Prime Minister David Cameron says there are as many as 70,000 moderate opposition fighters in Syria ready to take on Islamic State with the help of foreign air strikes, an assertion opponents of the bombing campaign have questioned. Kerry suggested that if a political solution could end the fighting between the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and opposition groups and sufficient ground troops could be mustered, the militant group could be vanquished in months. “I think we know that without the ability to find some ground forces that are
John Kerry prepared to take on Daesh, this will not be won completely from the air,” Kerry said, using an Arabic term for the jihadist group. sked later if he meant Western ground forces, Kerry said after a meeting in Belgrade of the Organisation
for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE): “(I’m) talking about Syrian and Arab, as we have been consistently.” A U.S. official said Kerry was speaking mainly of Syrian ground forces, but it was conceivable troops of other Arab nations could be involved. “They have to be troops from those countries (who) know the culture, know the groups, know the terrain,” he told reporters on condition of anonymity. “It could possibly include Arab partners but we’re not at that stage right now.” It is unclear if any Arab state would contribute significant ground forces to Syria anytime soon because of disagreements about the war and the fact that many militaries are already stretched tackling insurgencies, protecting borders or fighting conflicts closer to home. In a policy reversal, the United States on Oct. 30 said it would send up to 50 U.S. special forces to Syria to coordinate on the ground with U.S.-backed rebels.
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – A plan by government to increase its borrowing limit by TT$50 billion (US$7.8 billion) has sparked a furore. Opposition leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar has declared this a cause for serious concern. “This is most alarming, to increase borrowing limits to such a huge amount exceeding this fiscal year’s budget,” she said. “Government needs to explain what specifically they will be using this money for and how they intend to manage this further proposed indebtedness.” The measure would be facilitated by three motions that are up for debate in Parliament today. Minister of Finance Colm Imbert defended the move, saying it had become necessary. He had earlier warned that the country’s development programme would likely be affected by falling oil prices. “Because of the borrowing done over the last five years, we are very close to
Kamla Persad-Bissessar the limits in all three (Acts) and without these increases, we would be unable to pursue T&T’s Development Programme or finalise a number of loan arrangements entered into by the previous government,” he explained. However, economist Indera Sagewan-Alli told local media that borrowing was the only option left for Government in light of its TT$63 billion (US$9.9 billion) budget, falling energy prices and declining revenue. “Government’s cash cow of sorts, the National Gas
Company, has instituted a wage freeze and that, to me, is an indication of how bad things are,” she noted. “Also, there’s the worsening foreign exchange situation and TT currency depreciation. If you are at the lower end of the band, you will know the dollar has depreciated.” However, while she said borrowing for development purposes was not necessarily bad, she was concerned about borrowing that involved incurring new expenditure. (Caribbean360)
Friday November 04, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 33
Page 34
Kaieteur News
Friday November 04, 2015
Brazil president to press Supreme Court to stop impeachment
Dilma Rousseff Brasília (AFP) - Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff’s party was appealing yesterday to the Supreme Court to block impeachment proceedings, in the first counter-blow of a battle plunging Latin America’s biggest country into political turmoil. The morning after the speaker of the lower house of Congress triggered the impeachment process against Rousseff on grounds that she illegally manipulated government accounts, her Workers’ Party sprang into action. The leftist party’s strong stand, coming after a defiant and angry statement from Rousseff late Wednesday, signaled the start of a political fight that experts say will paralyze a country already suffering from a deepening recession and a spiraling corruption scandal centered on state oil giant Petrobras.
Eduardo Cunha However, reflecting the business community’s hope that impeachment would end months of political drift, the Sao Paulo stock market leaped more than four percent on opening. Paulo Pimenta, a Workers’ Party deputy, told AFP complaints were being filed that Speaker Eduardo Cunha is using the impeachment drive as an attempt to save his own career after being accused of corruption. “We are studying a series of measures that aim to block the process,” Pimenta said. The Supreme Court appeal will charge Cunha with “abuse of power and using the legislative power structure to defend himself.” As speaker, Cunha alone has authority to accept or turn down petitions for the president’s impeachment and late Wednesday he accepted
one filed by several lawyers alleging that Rousseff used illegal methods to mask holes in the government budget. Cunha is fighting for his political life after having been accused of taking millions of dollars in bribes and hiding money in Swiss bank accounts. He now faces being stripped by the lower house ethics committee of his speaker’s post. Analysts say the whole impeachment process — if it passes the many legal hurdles along the way — could take as long as six or seven months. Rousseff said Wednesday she is confident she will survive the assault and her allies told O Globo newspaper that they have enough votes to block an impeachment vote. “I have not committed one illegal act,” Rousseff said on national television late Wednesday.
Judge orders Salvador ex-president to trial for corruption SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (AP) — A Salvadoran judge yesterday ordered former President Francisco Flores to stand trial for allegedly diverting $15 million in donations for earthquake victims to his personal and political party accounts during his term from 1999 and 2004. Flores is the first recent Salvadoran ex-president to be tried on corruption charges. Judge Miguel Angel Garcia said the proceedings will be open to the public. The 56-year-old Flores has been under house arrest since November 2014 on charges of embezzlement and illegal enrichment involving funds Taiwan donated to support earthquake victims in 2001. The former president has said he gave the money to the proper recipients, but there was no record in the treasury because it was a personal donation. He has not said who received the money. Prosecutors charge that some went to El Salvador’s main conserva-
Francisco Flores tive party, the Republican National Alliance. Flores also faces charges of disobedience for failing to report to an appointment with the special committee of the Legislative Assembly that was investigating what happened to the Taiwanese millions. The Prosecutor General’s Office didn’t ask that Flores be jailed during the proceedings. The investigation began with a U.S. Treasury Department suspicious activities report that was revealed by
former President Mauricio Funes of the Farbundo Marti National Liberation Front. He left office in 2014. Flores is the second former president in Central America to face corruption charges. Guatemala’s Otto Perez Molina was forced to resign from office this year and has been jailed on fraud, conspiracy and bribery charges related to a customs scandal, in which businesses allegedly paid kickbacks to government officials in exchange for lower import duties.
Friday November 04, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 35
Page 36
Kaieteur News
Friday November 04, 2015
Forget ‘smart’ new cities; India needs old ones to be less dumb Reuters - Prime Minister Narendra Modi has grand designs to build 100 futuristic ‘smart’ cities in India, but as this week’s devastating flooding in Chennai shows, fixing today’s accident-prone metropolises appears to be the more pressing task. Locals are in no doubt as to why a mix of flood waters and sewage is swilling neckdeep around parts of the southern city of 6 million people after weeks of monsoon rains culminated in a 345 mm (14-inch) cloudburst in 24 hours. “There is nowhere for the water to go because of unchecked building activity,” said V.R. Devika, who fled her ground-floor apartment to seek refuge with her upstairs neighbours. “All the lake areas have been converted into housing colonies,” added the 61-yearold, who runs an arts charity. What started out as a natural disaster in the state capital of Tamil Nadu soon became a more serious manmade one, with experts blaming bad urban planning and rampant “encroachment” by fly-by-night property developers for making the situation worse. Similar floods struck Mumbai in 2005 and Kashmir’s winter capital, Srinagar, last year. There, as in Chennai, construction blocked storm water channels and reduced the capacity of reservoirs designed to soak
up unseasonal rains. “As cities grow, with a nod and a wink, unauthorised construction along these channels and lakes chokes water flow,” said Shailesh Pathak, executive director at Bhartiya Group, which has its own smart city project in Bengaluru, runs a special economic zone and is expanding into low-cost housing. The sight of three dozen airliners with their undercarriages covered by flood waters might lead stranded passengers to wonder whether Chennai’s low-lying international airport was built in the wrong place. Experts say they’d be right: One runway traverses the Adyar river, which burst its banks after some of the heaviest cloudbursts in the area in over a century swamped Chennai. Some 270 people have died as a result of recent flooding and nearly 1,000 have been seriously injured. “They have not made any provisions for preventing flood water from entering,” said Mohan Ranganathan, a Chennai aviation expert and former air safety adviser to the national government. “The authorities and the airlines just have commercial and political interests in mind. Safety is the last avenue.” While Chennai is not unique, experts say it was worse hit than the rest of India’s southeastern seaboard because of a develop-
ment boom that has gone unchecked in the last 15 years. “Chennai needs to relearn its water management,” said Sushmita Sengupta at the Centre for Science and Environment in New Delhi, adding that it was critical for the city to restore what had once been a good natural drainage system. The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority has counted more than 150,000 illegal buildings in the city. Yet, despite several demolition orders issued by the Madras High Court, they still stand. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa Jayaram has described the flood damage as “unavoidable”, according to TV reports. It was not possible to reach the state government for comment, with mobile and landline networks knocked out by the floods in much of Chennai. In July, 2005, 944 mm of rain fell on Mumbai in a single day, leading to the deaths of 500 people. Heavy development had destroyed green spaces and mangrove forests, its natural flood protection, leaving the financial metropolis of 18 million reliant on an inadequate drainage system. The city set itself an ambitious plan then to install pumping stations, widen drains and clean waterways. But that has missed deadlines, seen significant cost overruns and is running nearly a decade behind schedule. Bhartiya’s Pathak said that under India’s weak federal framework, Modi alone lacked the power to realise his smart cities initiative that promises a hygienic, networked life for a rising generation of urban Indians. Better would be to empower major cities to determine their own fate, he said, as with the most successful urban projects in China.
Friday November 04, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 37
Foreign military helicopter Missing taxi driver’s decomposing body found with armed men lands at Kaikan … with cable wrapped around neck The partially decomposed body of missing hire car driver Colin Clarke, was found in the vicinity of Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara (WCD), yesterday. Clarke, popularly known as “Ole Boy” of Crane Housing Scheme, WCD, was last seen around 17:00 hours on Friday, in the area where he works. Both the 55-year-old man and a silver-grey Toyota Allion motor car, HC 4993, which he operated, disappeared. His sister, Maureen Clarke had noted that when she last saw her brother, he was wearing a brown shirt and black pants. According to her, he would never go anywhere without informing his family members. “As far as we know he didn’t have no problems with nobody… that’s why it so strange.” The man’s family had expressed fear that he may have fallen prey to carjacking or that he might be dead. Yesterday, residents of Uitvlugt on an early morning stroll detected a foul smell in the vicinity of a bridge. The villagers alerted the police, and soon after, Clarke’s decomposed body was pulled from beneath the bridge. The dead man’s cousin, Michael Johnson, told Kaieteur News that relatives were contacted and they went to identify his body early yesterday morning. “Since we ain’t see he turn up, we done prepare for the worse. The family holding up” Johnson said. The man explained that his cousin was found with a brake cable around his neck. “It look like he get
Dead: Colin Clarke strangle with the cable, cause part of he neck cut.” The man noted too that the car has not yet been found. Clarke resided with his sister (Maureen) and their 83year-old mother. Family members told Kaieteur News that police had searched Vreed-en-Hoop and had found no trace of the car. The man’s sister explained that the car is owned by her niece’s mother. Clarke would usually pick it up every morning from Sisters Village to carry out his daily work. He would normally return the car around 19:00hours every day, but this did not happen on Friday. The following day, the police were contacted and along with relatives, they began making enquiries about his whereabouts. Relatives had expressed hope of finding Clarke alive. Kaieteur News understands that Clarke was hired on a “special” to transport a group of persons
along the West Coast corridor. He was reportedly seen with the individuals shortly before he disappeared. Clarke’s disappearance comes exactly one month after another taxi driver, Shurland Dalloo, went missing. Dalloo’s body was found one week after he went missing in a canal at Onverwagt, Number 27, West Coast Berbice. The fully clad and decomposing remains were found in a desolate area that is accessible by dam, about three and a half miles off the West Berbice Public Road. Dalloo also operated on the West Coast Demerara, but was based at Parika. His car, too, a silver grey Toyota Carina, has not been recovered. Police believe that the taxi driver was taken to the location and slain. His corpse with its head bashed in was then dumped into the canal and covered with weeds. Meanwhile, police on the East Coast of Demerara are still searching for a silver grey Toyota Premio which was stolen from its owner last Saturday night at Bachelor’s Adventure. This newspaper understands that the driver of the car, who hails from Mahaica, had picked up three men to take them to Bachelor’s Adventure, about seven miles away. When the car reached Church Road, Bachelor’s Adventure, the men held up the driver and relieved him of the car. Police are continuing their investigations into Colin Clarke’s death.
The Guyana defence Force is investigating reports that a foreign military Black Hawk helicopter, transporting eight armed men dressed in military fatigues, landed at the Kaikan airstrip this morning at approximately 10:45 hours yesterday. According to the reports received from the villagers of Kaikan, and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) ranks stationed in the area, the helicopter flew in from a northerly direction and landed at the southern end of the airstrip.
On landing, two men disembarked and spoke in Spanish to two female villagers who had approached the helicopter. The two men were reported to have asked the women if they had landed at San Juan, a village located in close proximity and south west of Kaikan on the Venezuelan side of the border After being told ‘No,’ the men boarded the craft which immediately departed and flew in a southerly direction before any GDF rank could have intervened. The two women are
-Army probing
currently assisting ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) with their investigations. Kaikan is an Amerindian Village located approximately 78 miles up the Essequibo River on the right bank of the Wenamu River on the Guyana side of the border. In a release issued last night, the GDF wishes to advise the general populace that our borders remain secured and there is no immediate need for alarm.
‘Nothing new’ from Russia-Turkey talks on downed fighter jet…
Putin vows more sanctions Reuters - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said he had heard “nothing new” from his Turkish counterpart yesterday after the first high-level bilateral contact between the two countries since the Turkish airforce shot down a Russian jet nine days ago. Moscow and Ankara are deeply at odds over what happened when Turkey downed the Russian SU-24 fighter bomber near the Syrian border as it took part in the Kremlin’s air campaign against militants in Syria. Russian President Vladimir Putin branded the incident a war crime yesterday and said Turkey would face further sanctions. Mos-
cow has already banned some Turkish food imports as part of a wider package of retaliatory sanctions. “We met with the head of the Turkish Foreign Ministry on his insistent request. We heard nothing new,” Lavrov told a televised news conference. He said Russia had reiterated its own position during the meeting with Turkish For-
eign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on the sidelines of a conference of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in the Serbian capital Belgrade. Turkey says the Russian jet violated its airspace and that it was repeatedly warned, something Russia has denied.
Page 38
Kaieteur News
Friday November 04, 2015
Ajinkya Rahane lifts hosts in Delhi NEW DELHI –BBC Sport - India finished the opening day of the final Test against South Africa on 2317 - the highest score of the series. Neither side had amassed more than 215 in an innings in the previous three Tests and India, who lead 2-0, were struggling on 66-3 and 139-6 in Delhi. But Ajinkya Rahane hit 89 not out in half-century partnerships with Virat Kohli (44) and Ravindra Jadeja (24). Recalled fast bowler Kyle Abbott (3-23) and spinner Dane Piedt (4-101) were the only South African wicket takers. Piedt, 25, playing just his second Test, took four of the first five wickets to fall, including that of Kohli whose fluent 70-run stand with Rahane was ended in bizarre fashion. The India captain, who won the toss for a fourth time, smashed a full-blooded sweep into Temba Bavuma at short-leg and after the ball ballooned into the air, wicketkeeper Dane Vilas
Dane Piedt is ecstatic after picking up the wicket of Shikhar Dhawan, India v South Africa, 4th Test, 1st day, Delhi, December 3, 2015 ©BCCI dived forward to take the catch. That sparked a mini collapse with three wickets falling for three runs before Rahane, who hit two sixes and nine boundaries in his first
half century at home, steadied the innings and took India beyond 200. Rahane was helped by Jadeja, whose 59-ball innings was ended by a smart Dean Elgar catch at midwicket off the bowling of Abbott. South African Abbott, who had earlier bowled Cheteshwar Pujara and Wriddhiman Saha, conceded just 23 runs in 17 overs to continue his push to start the four-Test series against England, which begins on 26 December in Durban. Scores: India 231 for 7 (Rahane 89*, Piedt 4-101, Abbott 3-23) v South Africa
Jaguars hunt 100%... (From page 36) and Kavesh Kantasingh could do the bulk of the bowling while 26-year-old pacer Uthman Muhammad could make his debut and share the new ball with Guyanese born Marlon Richards. Jaguars squad: Leon Johnson (Capt), Vishaul Singh (V/Capt), Assad Fudadin, Shimron Hetymer, Shiv Chanderpaul, Raymon Reifer, Chris Barnwell, Anthony Bramble, Steven Jacobs, Veerasammy Permaul, Ronsford Beaton, Gudakesh Motie, Keon Joseph, Taignarine Chanderpaul Red Force squad: Jason Mohamed (Captain), Jeremy Solozano , Kyle Hope, Narsingh Deonarine , Yannick Ottley, Yannick Cariah, Steven Katwaroo, Imran Khan, Marlon Richards, Uthman Muhammad, Brian Charles, Kavesh Kantasingh, Kjoron Ottley.
Ajinkya Rahane compiled a crucial fifty, India v South Africa, 4th Test, 1st day, Delhi, December 3, 2015 ©BCCI
Friday December 04, 2015 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Today you might plan a quick trip by air, Aries. This could be business related. Someone else may have been meant to go but couldn't, so you may be taking his or her place.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) If you've been studying astrology, numerology, or any other occult science, Libra, today you might find some of the concepts you're studying a bit confusing.
TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) A date to get together with a romantic partner might have to be broken at the last minute, Taurus.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) A friend could be having financial troubles and ask you for a loan, Scorpio. You like this person and understand what he or she's going through, so you want to help.
GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Sudden and unexpected problems could have your household in chaos, Gemini. This probably doesn't relate to difficulties with your housemates. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Too many communications may prove distracting today, Cancer. The phone could be ringing off the hook and your email inbox overflowing. Everyone around you seems to be talking at once.
SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Some equipment that you use a lot, perhaps an appliance, computer, or TV, might go on the blink today, Sagittarius. Don't try to fix it yourself even if you think you know how. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Some rather bizarre news could come to you today about metaphysical or paranormal matters, Capricorn.
LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) A sudden but necessary expense could make a big hole in your budget today, Leo. Perhaps some repairs need to be made around the house or to the car.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) This could be a hectic day, Aquarius. Yo u will probably try to go too many places and do too many things at once.
VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Generally you're pretty emotionally stable, Virgo. Today's events might seem to conspire to create erratic moods that you aren't used to feeling. It's the only way you will remain calm today.
PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You might hear some rather b i z a r r e r u m o r s t o d a y, Pisces. Someone has misinterpreted a piece of information and blown it into something far different from reality.
Friday November 04, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 39
Pistorius’ verdict changed to murder BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa (AFP) – Oscar Pistorius was found guilty of murder on Thursday after South Africa’s Supreme Court of Appeal threw out a manslaughter conviction for killing his girlfriend, and he now faces a 15-year prison term. The judge described the Paralympian’s testimony over the 2013 shooting of Reeva Steenkamp as “untruthful” and delivered a damning indictment of the original verdict. The double-amputee athlete known as the “Blade Runner” was released on parole in October after serving one year of his five-year prison sentence for the lesser charge of culpable homicide. He killed Steenkamp, a model and law graduate, in the early hours of Valentine’s Day two years ago, saying he mistook her for an intruder when he shot four times through the locked door of his bedroom toilet. “Guilty of murder, with the accused having criminal intent,” judge Eric Leach told the court in South Africa’s judicial capital Bloemfontein in a dramatic legal reversal. “The matter is referred back to the trial court to consider an appropriate sentence.” The Paralympic gold medallist, who was not present in court, now faces a minimum 15-year sentence for murder
– although he could be released earlier on parole. “It is inconceivable that a rational person thought he was entitled to fire at this person with a heavy-duty firearm,” said Leach, who described Pistorius’s testimony as “vacillating and untruthful”. “He ought to have been convicted not of culpable homicide... but of culpable murder,” the judge added. The National Prosecuting Authority confirmed that Pistorius, 29, will remain on parole under house arrest at his uncle’s mansion in the capital Pretoria until he is resentenced. “I’m satisfied with everything,” Reeva’s father Barry Steenkamp told reporters shortly after the unanimous ruling by five appeal court judges. Her mother June sat quietly in court with a sombre expression as the ruling was announced, and made no immediate comment afterwards. - Trial judge ‘wrong’ At the crux of the case was how trial judge Thokozile Masipa interpreted the principle of “dolus eventualis” – awareness of the likely outcome of an action – under which she acquitted Pistorius of murder. “This was expected. Judge Masipa legally got the whole issue completely wrong,” William Booth, a de-
Oscar Pistorius (PHOTO: AFP) fence lawyer based in Cape Town, told AFP. “Four shots into a tiny toilet when you know somebody is on the other side — that person shooting knows he is going to hit the person. “He faces a minimum of 15 years. My feeling is that he’s done a year, so looking at all the factors, maybe nine, 10 years in prison.” The trial of Pistorius, who became a global icon as the first double amputee to compete at the Olympics in 2012, attracted worldwide attention. He denied killing Steenkamp, 29, in a rage after the couple had gone to bed, sobbing and occasionally vomiting in the dock as details of his lover’s death were examined in excruciating detail.
Zallim Bacchus and Chaitram Nagessar to lead Corentyne challenge at Flex Night The Corentyne region has a long established tradition in the sports of Bodybuilding and Powerlifting, and in recent years some new personalities have been making their appearance in the competitive arena in both sports. The new Tej Mohall Gym at Skeldon on the Corentyne has been one of the gyms at the forefront of this iron revival. With the establishment of gyms like the House Of Pain at Port Mourant and other gyms, under the instruction of managers like Raheem Alli, Powerlifter Murray from Skeldon and ‘Chicken Boy’, lots of new bodies have been i n t r o duced to the bodybuilding scene. These gentlemen have all helped to take the sport to new heights in Berbice. Flex Night 2015 will see a number of bodybuilders from the Tej Mohall Fitness Centre. Prominent among those are Zallim Bacchus,
“I was overcome with fear,” he said during his trial last year, describing how he thought he heard an intruder in the bathroom. He grabbed his gun, and rushed without his prostheses to the bathroom. “Before I knew it, I’d fired four shots at the door,” he said, adding that he ran back
to the bed only to find that Steenkamp was not there. Pistorius killed Steenkamp at the peak of his fame, and he has since lost his glittering sports career, lucrative contracts and status as a global role model for the disabled. Last month he made his first appearance in public since leaving jail, looking gaunt when he reported for community service at a Pretoria police station. - Another appeal? “The legal team will study the finding and we will be guided by them in terms of options going forward,” a Pistorius family spokeswoman said in a brief statement. Pistorius’s current parole conditions have not been made public, but are reported to require him to meet with Steenkamp’s parents if they wish. He may make his own appeal to the Constitutional
Court — the country’s highest court. “There is a very good chance that this might be appealed,” said Kelly Phelps, University of Cape Town senior law lecturer. “It would involve principles like the right to a fair trial (and) the correct ambit and jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of Appeal. But Pistorius’s lawyers have said the sprinter cannot afford further legal battles, having already paid huge bills. The case triggered fierce debate in South Africa about violence against women, and activists from the ruling ANC party’s women’s league packed the public benches throughout the long case. “I’m overwhelmed. The women of South Africa, the women of the whole world, have won today,” league spokeswoman Mapaseka Nkoane said outside the court.
COURTS brings value to Flex Night event COURTS Guyana Inc. is committed to bringing value to the Flex Night International event which comes off on Sunday December 6 at the National Cultural Centre. Fresh from the recent launching of its Optical Department the furniture and appliances giant is committing resources to the cause of health and fitness, another of its market areas. COURTS Guyana Inc. is sponsoring the trophies in one male and one female category at the Flex Night International event. The ladies events (the Miss Flex Night Bikini and Miss Flex Night Best Legs) will have ten participants, five of whom will be from gyms in
Flex Night Inc. MD Donald Sinclair receives sponsorship from Roberta Ferguson, PRO, COURTS Guyana Inc. neighbouring Suriname and five from local gyms. According to a release from Flex Night Inc., it is especially honoured to have the
retail giant on board the event and wishes to express its deepest appreciation to the Commercial department for the sponsorship provided.
Boxing Archives for ALBG to...
Zallim Bacchus of Tej Mohall Gym
Chaitram Nagessar, Mr. Physique competitor
winner of the recent Mr. Corriverton contest, Alex Hamilton, past winner of Mr. Berbice Flex Night, and Chaitram Nagessar veteran
of numerous Mr. Berbice and Mr. Corentyne events. Fans are promised a major treat on Saturday at the National Cultural Centre.
(From page 35) Ramchands’s Auto Sales, Claude Raphael’s Real Estate, German’s Restaurant, Dr. Max Hanoman, Abdool and Abdool’s Insurance Brokers, Eddy Grant, Oasis Waters, Joe Harmon, John Fernandes Ltd, Brydens and Brydens, Modern Optical and Kaieteur News. Yesterday morning, Mr. Benjamin visited the Beterverwagting office of Ansa McAl where senior executive, Troy Cadogan committed to a sum to complete the project. The former pugilist extended gratitude to his
benefactor while pointing out the importance of the donation. Meanwhile, Benjamin said that he has had discussions with Mr. Ninvalle who has given his blessings to the project. Benjamin also intimated that apart from converting the ALBG to an archival location he envisages a place where boxers could congregate for social and other activities. The former local and Continental of Americas welterweight champion feels that the time has long past when contemporary pugilists can
research the records and statuses of their predecessors in order to carry on the proud tradition. “A boxing archives of a well documented account of those (past) boxers’ activities may just be the variable to bolster the hopes and courage of our current boxers thus igniting renewed hope, vigor and vitality in their breasts,” opined Mr. Benjamin. He said while the boxers’ records will comprise a part of the institution, these records will be forthcoming since it requires meticulous research in order to present correct data.
Page 40
Kaieteur News
Friday November 04, 2015
More FIFA officials arrested as scandal widens ZURICH, Switzerland (AFP) – The unprecedented corruption scandal engulfing FIFA widened Thursday with the arrests of two more top officials in another dramatic dawn raid at a luxury hotel in Zurich. Swiss authorities again acted on a request from the US justice department, a repeat of the sweeping arrests in May that set off the scandal which has shaken world football’s governing body to its core. The Swiss justice ministry (FOJ), said the two officials targeted were South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) president Juan Angel Napout, and Alfredo Hawit, head of the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF). Hawit, a Honduran national, and Napout of Paraguay are both opposing ex-
tradition to the United States, the FOJ said. Both are suspected of taking millions of dollars in bribes in return for selling marketing rights for major regional tournaments in Latin America and World Cup qualifying matches, the Swiss Justice ministry said in a statement. The arrests were carried out at the five-star Baur au Lac hotel, a favourite of FIFA’s officials, and the same spot where seven top football executives were arrested in May on suspicion of involvement in tens of millions of dollars of corruption dating back decades. The New York Times, which broke the news of the fresh arrests, said Swiss authorities descended on the hotel at around 6:00 am (0500 GMT). The arrests were the latest in a series of actions tar-
geting FIFA’s senior leadership. The body’s long-time president Sepp Blatter, the subject of criminal investigation in Switzerland, has been suspended for 90-days and is facing tougher punishment by FIFA’s internal ethics watchdog. The man who had been tipped to succeed him at a special election in February, European football chief Michel Platini, has also been suspended and could be hit with a lifetime ban from football by the end of the month. As the latest suspects were taken into custody, FIFA’s remaining leadership met for a second day of crucial meetings and approved a reform package aimed at repairing world football’s tainted global image. The package of reforms, which included 12-year term limits in future for FIFA Presi-
Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Futsal Competition
Channel 9 Warriors lone debutant left standing -favourites advance to tonight’s quarter-finals Channel 9 Warriors was the lone debutant left standing at the end of Round of 16 action in the Georgetown Zone of the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Futsal Competition which continued on Wednesday night at the National Cultural Centre Tarmac. Appearing in the fifth fixture of the night, the Warriors through a 24th minute strike from Joshua Fiffie nipped former champions Leopold Street by a 1-0 margin to book their place in the quarter-finals set for this evening at the same venue. Earlier, the other teams who had made their first appearance in the competition Upsetters, Old School Ballers and Jamoon Drive found the going too tough, exiting the tournament via a 3-1 loss to East Front Road, a penalty
shootout defeat at the hands of Bent Street and a 3-0 thumping by Back Circle respectively. Also, making it to the next stage were defending champion North Ruimveldt, who survived a slugfest against West Back Raod, before emerging winners via a penalty shootout 2-1. Sparta Boss, West Front Road ‘Gold is Money’ and North East La Penitence complete the quarter-final line-up. In the night’s full results: Game-1 East Front Road-3 vs Upsetters-1 East Scorers Dillon Kelly-8th and 20th Shaka Jones-17th Upsetters Scorer Lorenzo Dewsbury-18th Game-2 North East La Penitence-1 vs Stevedore Housing Scheme0
Gerald Gittens-14th Game-3 Bent Street-0 vs Old School Ballers-0 Bent Street won 3-2 on penalty kicks Game-4 West Back Road-0 vs North Ruimveldt-0 North Ruimveldt won 2-1 on penalty kicks Game-5 Leopold Street-0 vs Channe9 Warriors-1 Joshua Fiffie-24th Game-6 Back Circle-3 v Jamoon Drive0 Andy Duke-14 seconds and 13th Devon Harris-3rd Game-7 West Front Road-1 vs Shopping Plaza-0 Michael Oie-3rd Game-8 Sparta Boss-1 vs Holmes Street Tigerbay-1 Sparta won 4-3 on sudden death kicks Sparta Scorer Sheldon Shepherd-7th Holmes Street Scorer Darren Harris-6th Meanwhile, the fixtures for tonight are as follows: 21:00 hrs Bent Street v/s North Ruimveldt 21:30 hrs East Front Road v/s Back Circle 22:00 hrs West Front Road v/s Channel 9 22:30 hrs Sparta Boss v/s North East La Penitence
Concacaf president Alfredo Hawit (left) and Conmebol president Juan Angel Napout were taken from the Baur au Lac hotel in Zurich. (Reuters) dent, will now go before the FIFA congress to be held on February 26 for final approval. In a statement, FIFA also said it was “aware of the actions taken today by the US Department of Justice.” It vowed to “continue to cooperate fully with the US investigation as permitted by Swiss law as well as with the investigation being led by the Swiss Office of the Attorney General.” The Times cited several law enforcement officials speaking on condition of anonymity as saying that the US Justice Department would unseal indictments in the case later on Thursday. - Millions in bribes The Swiss Federal Office of Justice (FOJ), as the ministry is known, said it had ordered Zurich police to detain the two individuals “based on arrest requests submitted by the United States Department of Justice on 29 Novem-
ber 2015.” The US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, suspects the two “of accepting bribes of millions of dollars,” the FOJ statement said. “Some of the offences were agreed and prepared in the USA. Payments were also processed via US banks,” the FOJ further said. The FOJ said it would wait for formal transfer requests from the US for both Hawit and Napout before moving forward with a the extradition process. - Reform discussions underway The arrests, and the meeting on reforms, come on the fifth anniversary of the 2010 vote that controversially awarded the 2018 World Cup to Russia and the 2022 tournament to Qatar. That decision set off a cascade of allegations of corruption and skullduggery.
Before his suspension, Blatter appointed prominent sporting official Francois Carrard to come up with a set of changes aimed at overhauling FIFA’s management structure. In October, Carrard’s reform panel proposed limiting president terms at 12 years and barring those over 74 from serving on the executive. It also suggested the pay package of top officials be published annually and independently audited. Meanwhile, a FIFA source who requested anonymity said the executive committee had been considering expanding the World Cup from 32 teams to 40 in 2026, seen as part of an effort to broaden inclusion. But executive committee member Wolfgan Niersbach said the body had failed to agree on the matter, putting the decision off until a later date.
2 PROMINENT APPAREL ESTABLISHMENTS ON BOARD FOR FLEX NIGHT
Onai Vasconcellos of Flex Night Inc. Donald Sinclair of Flex Night Inc. receives sponsorship from Kathy tenreceives contribution from manager of Pow, proprietor of Axe Apparel Colors Boutique The Flex Night 2015 event has definitely excited the attention of a number of business interests. This year Axe Apparel -
retailers of sports and fitness apparel, and Colors Boutique – retailers of modern, t r e n d y attire, have b o t h joined a still growing list of business establishments
throwing their corporate weight behind the Flex Night 2015 event. Flex Night will be staged on Saturday at the National Cultural Centre.
Friday December 04, 2015
Kaieteur News
Boxing Archives for ALBG to retain exploits of local pugilists
Terrence Ali
Andrew Lewis
Steve Ninvalle Who is Patrick Forde and what has he done to be considered a special Guyanese? Anyone ever heard of Lennox Blackmore? What about Kenny Bristol, Brian Muller, Dereck ‘Teacher’ McKenzie and the host of pugilists that have bared fists and distinguished Guyana as a strong nation of boxing champions? Boxing pundits of yesteryear will not only remember the names; they will also remember the action packed encounters whenever these warriors graced the ‘square jungle.’ Despite their value to the sporting sector and the country as a whole, these pugilists have not been tangibly recognized and now that their fistic days are over, they have simply been forgotten by many while just remaining a vague memory for others. Former Continental of Americas welterweight champion, Michael Benjamin, is just as concerned and has teamed up with businessman and boxing enthusiast, Maurice Pyle, to effect changes to the status quo. To this effect, those principals will join with President of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), Steve Ninvalle, his equal of the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC), Peter Abdool, and other boxing
Michael Benjamin
Peter Abdool enthusiasts to launch the first ever (boxing) pictorial museum at the Andrew ‘Sixhead’ Lewis Boxing Gym, Independence Boulevard next Wednesday afternoon. The museum will depict the photos of a wide cross section of boxers, past, present and even deceased. Later on the collection will include coaches (past, present, alive and dead) as well as other affiliates that have contributed to the development of the sport. At the moment, photos of several local pugilists are completed and ready for display including ‘Sixhead’ Lewis, Gary St Clair, Wayne Braithwaite and Leon ‘Hurry Up’ Moore. The females have not been forgotten and there are also portraits of those that have distinguished themselves. These include Gwendolyn O’Neil, who is a 5 times world champion, and current world champion, Shondell Alfred. President of the GBBC, Peter Abdool and the GBA President, Steve Ninvalle have inputted greatly and have also etched their names into boxing even amidst vast odds and they will also be depicted for their efforts. Several corporate entities and individuals have contributed handsomely to the project including (Continued on page 33)
Page 41
Page 42
WICB PCL Cricket
Kaieteur News
Friday December 04, 2015
Jaguars hunt 100% record in POS today
By Sean Devers in Association with Stag Beer, Noble House Seafoods & Raj Singh Insurance Brokers
Defending champions Guyana Jaguars face-off with Trinidad & Tobago’s Red Force in the fourth round the WICB PCL First Class cricket Franchise from today at the Queens Park
Oval in Port-of-Spain and a keenly contested match in anticipated. The Jaguars lead the points table with 53 points from victories against the Leewards, Windwards and Barbados at Providence and have now gone 10 matches without a loss since their two-run defeat to Barbados last year in the third round of the inaugural tournament on home soil.
Skipper Leon Johnson is confident his team can continue their winning ways from Guyana with another solid performance in Carnival County and expects the ‘Oval’ track to have a bit more bounce than the one at Providence. The Queen’s Park track should have a bit more bounce than Providence but should offer some assistance for the spinners.
Deonarine keen to spoil Guyana’s party The last time the two teams met in Carnival Country, Vishaul Singh, in his second match as Captain fashioned a top class maiden First-Class century to spearhead the Jaguars to victory and this season the ‘little’ left hander has been in brilliant form with back-toback hundreds in his last two
Narsingh Deonarine (drealfmgrenada.com)
Leon Johnson
games including a magnificent 150 against the Leewards and today he is expected to continue that rich vein of form on a ground on which he scored the first of his three tons at this level. The pugnacious 18-yearold West Indies Under-19 opener Shimron Hetmyer will hope for an ideal warmup before he leaves after this game to commence preparations for next year’s U-19 World Cup and could be perfect partner for out of form Test batsman Assad Fudadin at the top of the order, while Skipper Leon Johnson knows he has to match his undoubted talent with big scores, batting at number three in the order. Shiv Chanderpaul, the senior statesman in the side at 41, will want to prove he is still good enough for a Test recall, while Bajan Raymon Reifer, one of six lefthanders among the first six batsmen in the order will hope to convert starts into something substantial today. Chris Barnwell returns to the side after missing the last match due to a back injury and there could be a toss-up for the all-rounder’s spot, while Anthony Bramble and Steven Jacobs who got a half-century this season, but is playing as a bowling allrounder, gives the batting plenty of dept. Guyana’s totals this season have been consistently high and everyone is in high spirits going into today’s game and the South American unit will want to continue that trend here. Ronsford Beaton could again be the only genuine fast bowler selected today with support from Reifer, off-spinner Jacobs and the left-arm pair of Permaul and Gudakesh Motie.
Darren Bravo, Denesh Ramdin and the Red Force quickest bowler Shannon Gabriel are all on West Indies duty in Australia, Lendl Simmons has earned a contact in Australia’s Big Bash T20, Evin Lewis leaves for the Bangladesh t20 league and Kieron Pollard is also unavailable. Head Coach of the Red Force, Gus Logie, says Guyanese Narsingh Deonarine could play a key role in this contest and the Jaguars Captain agrees with the former T&T and West Indies batsman. The 32-year-old Deonarine is the eldest and the most experienced batsman in the badly depleted home team with 129 first-class matches and 18 Tests to his name. “Of course Narsingh is a quality player that we would miss in our side. I also suspect that he would love to do well against us and I am sure there will be some byplay in this game,” Johnson said. Deonarine scored backto-back tons for Guyana in the inaugural PCL and Johnson says that the Berbician left-hander is a quality player and it will be a challenge bowling to him and facing his off-spin. Jason Mohammed, who has five First Class tons has been appointed Captain and will be depended on to offer support to Deonarine while 24-year-old Yannick Ottley, who led the team in their last match against Jamaica is also capable with the bat. Jeremy Solozano if full of potential but he needs to start making big scores at this level, while Bajan Kyle Hope will also be keen to show his worth with the bat. Imran Khan, Deonarine (Continued on page 32)
Friday December 04, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 43
GTT / Limacol Round Robin / Knockout League
We owe Linden this victoryMilerock’s Head Coach Joseph Taking a similar route to that of rivals Victoria Kings, Milerock Head Coach Brian ‘Joe Boy’ Joseph told the media yesterday via telephone that he too is only prepared to predict a win, but not the strategies they will employ during Sunday’s final of the GTT / Limacol Round Robin / Knockout League set for the Mackenzie Sports Club ground. Joseph whose team played its final domestic League game on Wednesday evening said that all the focus right now is on preparing for Sunday’s matchup against the Kings, adding that they are relishing the opportunity to win for the very first time a competition which involves teams from other associations. “We have a chance to write our little history should we win on Sunday because we’ve never won a tournament that involved
teams from other associations,” Joseph noted. Quizzed on what strategies they intend to employ against a Kings team that should be brimming w ith confidence after claiming the scalp of one of the better teams in the Mining Community of Linden in Topp XX, Joseph responded by saying that he does not wish to do that, but would only say that they’ve had the opportunity to watch their opponents play on at least two occasions during the competition and they know what line of attack they will implement. Joseph said that the team needs no further motivation, having to claw their way back into contention after losing their two opening games and to meet where they are is enough inspiration to win. He pointed to the prolific Clarence Huggins as the lynchpin in their quest for victory, but so too are Denzil
Top order fires CA XI into innings lead over Windies Jake Carder pulls during his 58 © Cricket Australia
ESPNcricinfo - Cricket Australia XI’s top order all chipped in with handy knocks, helping the team secure the lead against West Indians on the second day of the tour match in Brisbane. West Indians, who began the day precariously placed at 154 for 6, were led by Carlos Brathwaite’s patient 47, but received little by way of support from the other players, as the team eventually folded for 243. Medium-pacer Simon Milenko was the pick of the hosts’ bowlers, collecting 5 for 76, while James Bazley and Cameron Boyce shared two scalps apiece. CA XI began their reply positively, as the openers Jordan Silk and Jake Carder shared a 68-run partnership. Carder was the more
aggressive foil of the two, stroking 58 off 77 balls, but both batsmen fell in quick succession of each other. The hosts, though, did not lose any momentum, as Nick Stevens (46) and Josh Inglis (44) kept the runs flowing by stringing together an 86-run partnership. Once again, CA XI lost two quick wickets, but once again, the visitors failed to make the most of their breakthroughs, as Jimmy Peirson and Matthew Short put up an unbroken stand of 52 to grab the lead. CA XI were 4 for 245 when stumps were called, leading by two runs. Scores: Cricket Australia XI 4 for 245 (Carder 58, Stevens 46) lead West Indians 243 (Bravo 51, Milenko 5-76) by two runs.
Fordyce and Randy Jerome. Jermaine Grandison and Akeem James will marshal the backline, while Martin Leacock will be stationed between the uprights. Joseph closed by saying that they owe the people of Linden the win and they will be going all out to do that.
The three players who will lead the quest for a Milerock’s victory are (from left)-Denzil Fordyce, Clarence Huggins and Jermaine Grandison.
Page 44
SUNBURST / EBFA U-17 Soesdyke Falcons recorded the first real upset of the SUNBURST / East Bank Football Association (EBFA) Under-17 league on Saturday last when they upstaged Agricola Red Triangle 4-0 bouncing back from a 1-4 defeat to defending champs Grove Hi Tech one week earlier. The Timehri based side gave themselves a chance to
Kaieteur News
Friday December 04, 2015
Soesdyke stun Agricola; Grove hammer Warriors, Mocha into semis advance to the final four with the win. Mocha Champs defeated Diamond United 3-1 to book their place in the final four ending as the second placed team in Group A to the #1, Herstelling Raiders. In the lone fixture on Sunday, Grove Hi Tech continued their menacing form with a comprehensive 8-0 win over Kuru Kururu
Warriors to almost seal their quest for the final four which will be contested next Saturday. Falcons, whilst losing to Grove, did show that they have a promising group of youngsters and rose to the challenge against Agricola in style. The first half of the encounter did not produce any goals as the two sides
kept things tight in the defensive third. It was not long into the second half of the one hour match that Soesdyke were able to break the deadlock. Tyrone Khan it was that rocked the nets in the 33rd minute and four minutes l a t e r, Te v i n M a r s h a l l doubled the advantage as Agricola started to fall apart. The lead was further
extended in the 50th minute when Deyonte Grant-Stuart found the target and the deal was settled five minutes to full time through a Nicholas B i l l e s o n e ff o r t w h i c h handed Soesdyke valuable points that can see them advancing to the final four but they will have to defeat Kuru Kururu Warriors in their final game and the last group match on Sunday from 14:30hrs. Mocha Champs, one time powerhouse in East Bank football are on a path to return to those days. They took care of Diamond United 3-1 to advance to the semi finals and will play the winner of Group B having ended as the runner-up of Group A. Deeshawn Ellis recorded Mocha’s opening goal in the 12th minute as the first half ended unchanged. Five minutes into the second, the lead was doubled compliments of a William France goal, while Ian Mars netted the final goal in the 58th minute. Diamond were able to salvage some pride when Troy Forde found the back of the nets in the 52nd
minute. Grove were in a no nonsense mood in their clash with the Warriors which ended 8-0, matching the largest margin of victory to date which was achieved by the top team of Group A, Herstelling Raiders against Diamond. In rampaging form for the winners was Kevin Dalton who blasted a helmet-trick to become the leading goal scorer of the league to date with five goals. Dalton also has the distinction of scoring the fastest goal to date (22 seconds). He followed that up with goals in the 16th, 33rd and 58th minute. Dalton’s efforts were complimented by Denzil Crawford who scored a double while there was one each from Randy Smartt and Akel Forde. Grove will play their final group match tomorrow against Agricola Red Triangle which will also be the latter’s last match and a must win one for them if they are to advance further. Latest Points Standings to date:
Achievers capture WBCA/Republic Bank 10/10 Achievers defeated Blairmont by five wickets to win the final of the West Berbice Cricket Association/Republic Bank (D’ Edward branch) 10/10 tournament which was contested recently at Cotton Tree. Blairmont took first knock and managed 70-8 with Nick Ramsaroop scoring 24 and Heerelall Bridgelall 14. Keyron Fraser grabbed 3-6 off two overs and Rennison Mitchell 2-5. Achievers responded with 74-5 in 8.4 overs. Arthley Bailey made 16 and Quacy McPherson 15; Waqar Hassan claimed 2-12 and Shabeer Baksh 2-16. Achievers overcame Cotton Tree Die Hard by 11
runs in their semi final encounter. Batting first, Achievers scored 78-7. Bailey struck 27 not out and Steffon Adams 15. Tage Singh took 2-11 and Romain Boodram 2-14. Cotton Tree responded with 67-7; Chris Ramnarine and Edwards had two wickets each. Blairmont beat D’ Edward by 21 runs in their match up. Blairmont batted first and scored 93-4. Ramsaroop cracked 29 and Kevin Jawahir 15; Lakraj Sukraj took 2-16. D’ Edward got to 72-9 in reply. Navin Rampersaud made 12 as Hassan picked up 2-6, Jawahir 2-9, Bridgelall 2-10 and Derick Cadogan 219.
Friday December 04, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 45
Guyanese win game-four thriller to sweep Antiguans By Edison Jefford Guyana’s national senior male basketball team survived a game-four thriller that was decided in the final seconds of the fourth quarter to sweep the Antiguans in what can be best described as a lopsided series Wednesday night at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. Centre, Shane Webster finished a play from the paint off an inbound pass within the final six seconds of the game to help Guyana edge the Antiguans 71-69 for a 4-0 series win in their second game at the indoor venue. Guard, Aminiki Archibald led with 11 points while Webster and forward, Akeem Kanhai scored 10 points apiece for the Guyanese, who debuted the younger version of the national squad. Keon Cameron pitched in with nine points for the team. Marlon Charles led all scores with 19 points for Antigua while Kareem Edwards added 18 points and Adisa Harris 10 points. Antigua finished third at the Caribbean Championships this year, but the beat down they received in Guyana raised questions on whether they sent a full strength team here. Guard, Terron Welch landed a huge three-pointer to give Guyana a 13-12 lead with a minute to play in first quarter. Guyana took a 20-14 lead with eight minutes to go before half-time, but the Antiguans drew within one
(23-24) before Guyana went on another run three minutes before the half-time break. Midway through the game, Guyana took a 32-27 lead. Charles gave Antigua a 34-32 lead with a floater in the lane before the two teams traded points. Guyana, h o w e v e r, s e i z e d t h e advantage again with five minutes left in third period. The Guyanese went into the final period up 50-49. Nikkoloi Smith drilled a three-pointer for a 55-49 lead in the first two minutes o f t h e f i n a l q u a r t e r. However, Antigua’s Eric Smith scored five points, including a three-pointer, to cut the lead to one 56-57, but the Guyanese responded with a 6-0 run getting the ball inside to Webster. Up 67-61 with less than two minutes left to play, Charles landed a huge jumper from downtown to haul his team to within three points with 1:29 on the game clock. Charles then nailed three free-throws to edge further, within one, 67-68 before a free-throw from Michael Turner put the Guyanese up by two. Drama unfolded when a put-back from Antigua’s Mario Samuel equalised at 69 apiece with just about 6 seconds left on the game. Wi t h o v e r t i m e a p o s s i b i l i t y , We b s t e r dismissed all hope when he towered above his peers to tap in an inbound pass for the win.
Also on boards for Flex Night 2015 Modern Grafix, the new dimension in signage, has committed support for the Flex Night International event which comes off on Sunday December 6 at the National Cultural Centre. The company has in fact
produced a creative redesign of the Flex Night backdrop which will be used on stage at Sunday’s event. Flex Night Inc. records its appreciation to Modern Grafix for its support rendered.
GABF President, Nigel Hinds (second, right) and Mackeson Brand Manager, Jamaal Douglas (right) pose with the victorious National Basketball Team and Coaches following their triumph Wednesday night at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
t r o Sp Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Futsal Competition
Channel 9 Warriors lone debutant left standing -favourites advance to tonight’s quarter -finals
Action in the clash between defending champions North Ruimveldt and West Back Road on Wednesday night, at the National Cultural Centre Tarmac.
Guyanese Jaguars hunt win game-four thriller to sweep 100% record Antiguans in POS today
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