Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Thursday December 05, 2013

Letters... Where your views make the 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

There’s no magic in five percent Increasingly, public servants are taking protest action against a comment by Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon that it is unlikely that any pay hike will be above five percent. He himself said that each year he looks forward to his increase. Five per cent would mean different things to different people. Dr. Luncheon has every right to look forward to his five per cent because it represents more than what some people take home. In fact, it represents more than what half of the working population would take home at the end of the month. The man at the bottom of the scale—the minimum wage earner would take home $35,500 per month. He would not be required to pay taxes. He would earn slightly more when he gets a five per cent increase on his salary. That increase would be $1,775 per month, not enough to buy a 20-pound cylinder of cooking gas. Dr. Luncheon who earns at least $800,000 per month would get an additional $40,000 per month as a result of the five per cent increase. Gail Teixeira would get slightly more as would every government minister. Bharrat Jagdeo who gets a pension of one million dollars’ a month would get an extra $50,000 per month and he would not pay one cent tax on the earnings or on the increase. Many others are similarly bound to enjoy what is offered but the lowly public servant, among them the nurses and some doctors who are not in private practice, would continue to be hard pressed to make ends meet. The other day as people passed by the line of protesters, they saw one placard that read, ‘Try living on what the nurses’ get’. Most of the nurses earn slightly less than what Dr. Luncheon would get as his five per cent pay rise. It was Eric Arthur Blair whom the world knew as George Orwell who wrote the famous ‘Animal Farm’. Orwell was only forty-seven when he died but he had a grip of life’s reality. It was ‘Animal Farm’ that carried the quotation “some animals are more equal than others.” Indeed in the scheme of Guyana’s development some public servants are more important than others. All over the world the government workers have been known to be paid a salary commensurate with their importance. Politicians are paid better than some public servants for a reason. They should be beyond reproach; they should not be caught begging or be prone to bribes. In Guyana our politicians are not beyond reproach but the intention is that, they should be properly paid to execute their duties. That being said, nurses should not be paid as well as the Ministers of Government but they should be paid what is considered a living wage. At one time during the People’s National Congress administration, one of the administrators decided that the across the board increases were designed to increase the gap between the lower categories of workers and those at the top. The result was that there was a staggered increase with the largest percentage being applied to the lowest wages and salaries. This may very well have to be done again although the view in some circles is that Guyana’s Ministers are the poorest paid in the region. Given that status, they deserve a pay rise but by the same token if the Ministers are so poorly paid then more serious consideration must be given to the public servant. But why five per cent? When the annual pay increase was first introduced the government and the Guyana Public Service Union talks had collapsed. The government decided on an increase to match the rate of inflation. There was nothing magical about the five per cent. It soon became the norm regardless of the rate of inflation. This year the promise of five per cent remains although the experts say that the rate of inflation is less than five per cent. Howe, the public servants are saying that they deserve better. The last time they protested they received a fifty per cent increase which became eroded not long after.

Why would the New GPC risk US$30M of shareholders’ equity in this fashion? DEAR EDITOR, What are the odds that in a matter of a few weeks we go from a US$30 million recycling plant to US$30 million GCC/ GFC stadium at Bourda, the common denominator being a sum of US$30 million? What are the odds that in the space of a few weeks, investors in this country have offered up two deals to invest virtually the same figure of US$30 million, in two questionable deals? Such strange coincidences! Why are these deals questionable? The recycling plant deal with its mystery investors was an absolute joke and Kaieteur News more than sufficiently offered up the evidence of why this was a scandalous piece of misadventure. The New GPC proposal is questionable for several reasons. Financially, it makes no sense. In fact, the shareholders of the New GPC should be upset with this piece of financial danger the New GPC was proposing. Nobody in their right mind, unless they have money to burn or waste and want to somehow get rid of their US$30 million in a hurry without due diligence, would consider taking on a deal like this. Not only is it financially risk, it is potentially highly unprofitable. Shareholders should stage a mutiny on this issue. If this had happened on the Dow Jones or the TSX or one of the stock exchanges of the developed world, shareholders would be outraged. For starters, the lands upon which the GCC and GFC grounds are situated were leased for over 150 years for a specific purpose of communal activity and sporting endeavour. Unless an investor is in a hurry to offload a massive sum of US$30 million without consideration of risk, it is risky for any investor to propose an investment of such a sum in a lease, which is ultimately at the discretion of government which owns the land on behalf of the people of Guyana. With the possibility of the PPP facing a loss in the 2016 election, the entire deal could be quashed with a new government and the US$30 million essentially expropriated. A new government could restore the prior arrangement and whatever has been invested would be dissolved. The clubs, lands and premises are controlled by boards elected from the public. The New GPC will not have any significant control over these boards and by

extension, over these premises. What makes this proposal even more fiscally foolish is the fact that Guyana already has a new stadium with greater space and capacity at Providence and the market cannot afford to accommodate two major venues in close proximity to each other. The Guyana government cannot and for public policy, should not approve of such a ludicrous deal and should move to annul such a deal if it was ever made, for the simple reason that this proposed deal effectively threatens the government’s ability to repay the loan it still owes on the Providence stadium by taking away events from Providence and moving them to Bourda. On that public policy basis alone, a new government could cancel this deal and engulf the entire US$30 million invested or the government could force events to use Providence and starve the new stadium,

destroying its profitability and leading to massive losses. Then there is the flood factor, for as we all know, Georgetown becomes a flood zone with a few drops of rain, and that particular GCC-GFC Bourda area is particularly high-risk. So again, what motivates the New GPC in November 2013 to want to throw this massive amount of money into a proposed deal lurking with all manner of threats, zero profitability and financial uncertainties? If nothing else, this entire fiasco has revealed to us that the New GPC can comfortably raise US$30 million for a risky endeavour. It suggests there is more money where that US$30 million came from. This brings us to the pivotal question – where were the Bobby Ramroops and other multibillionaires of Guyana with money to throw around when Amaila Falls was on the rocks? Sithe Global’s pullout

of its US$152.1M brought this bloated project down. So, if US$152.1 million was all that was holding the PPP back from proceeding with this Amaila Falls hydro white elephant, why didn’t the New GPC throw in US$30 million or more into Amaila Falls when it offered a far better return than this shaky Bourda deal? Surely, other companies including banks in this country that have profited under the PPP’s oligarchic economic model could have raised those millions more to back the very PPP whose policies have enriched them handsomely in the past 21 years. For the New GPC – if it has so much money, why not invest US$30 million in the mining industry or in a manufacturing plant to expand pharmaceutical industrial production in this country? Isn’t that a return of those revenues from state contracts to industries that (Continued on page 23)

DON’T STOP NOW! DEAR EDITOR, Kudos to the Local Government Ministry for moving to start a clean-up and desilting of Georgetown and its environs. While some may say that the blame game is good, at the end of the day, actions speak louder than words, and the Ministry must be commended for its actions. I and many others were amazed to see that many of the drains in several parts of the city are actually concrete-based. Someone has to keep up the momentum and maintain the effort. Of course, persons have a role to play, but I’m sure that if the drains are cleared in several areas, it would be

easier for residents to keep them clean (whether by self-help or paying the weeder-man to do it once a month at least). My two cents of advice is to use the small excavators which are becoming more prevalent. These can be used in many areas, such as Lamaha Gardens, Kitty, South Ruimveldt, take your pick....(hint, hint) in addition to the workers employed by the NDC, many of whom seem to be able to curse more loudly than actually clean properly. If City Hall is unable to get its act together then the relevant Ministry needs to do what is needed to ensure that drains and canals are kept flowing, so that a repeat of the

flooding that was experienced doesn’t reoccur. More advice.... use the prisoners to clean more often, this was done in years past ( the good behaved ones of course) and it worked quite well. Another reason why Local Government elections are sorely needed. It is time for the Mayor and councilors to hang their heads in shame and take a long walk. Instead of retiring gracefully, many of them may only retire hurt, and in the meantime, the citizenry are hurting from the state of the capital. Bring on the Local Government elections, maybe I’ll run for office too! Paul Romeo McAdam

Discontinue the current “rubbish in rubbish out” policy DEAR EDITOR, Permit me to reply to a letter by Mr. Randolph Eleazar, published in KN 04.12.2013, under the bold caption “Minister Nandlall should resign”. In the letter, Mr. Eleazar alleges that I voted in support of the Local Government Commission Bill and then advised the President that it is unconstitutional. On both counts he is wrong. I neither voted on the Local Government Commission Bill, nor advised the President that it is unconstitutional. Indeed, the Local Government

Commission Bill was assented to by His Excellency, President Ramotar. A simple phone call to the Parliament Office could have furnished this information and avoid Mr. Eleazar grave public embarrassment. In any event, most of the aforementioned information was widely publicised in the media. How it escaped the writer, I am unsure. Mr. Eleazar’s next question posed to me, concerns the route which a Bill travels after it is passed by the National Assembly but before it reaches the President. He alleges that it

is sent by the Clerk of the National Assembly to the Attorney-General. Again, he is wrong. I have written profusely on this issue. Unsurprisingly, my views have eluded Mr. Eleazar. I have neither the time nor the inclination to repeat myself on this matter. Mr. Editor, I respectfully appeal to you to review your editorial policy in respect of letters which you receive for publication. I suggest you discontinue “the rubbish in rubbish out” policy which is obviously now in place. Anil Nandlall

Thursday December 05, 2013

Kaieteur News

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

This is a troubling position for the nation to find itself

DEAR EDITOR, In 1926 when the Father of Trade Unionism, Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, started the fight for one man one vote, a measure to protecting the inalienable right to selfdetermination, he expected his successors and descendants (i.e. citizens/workers/trades unions) to secure and deepen it, not erode or trample it. Reference is made to article “President’s non assent to one of the local Government Amendment Bills…The amendment was unconstitutional - Nandlall” KN 3rd December, 2013. Anil Nandlall, serving this nation in the capacity as Attorney General (AG) needs to get a couple of things straight. One, this nation is not polluted with ignorance. Most importantly, constitution and laws are written to be understood by the masses, whose intent they are established to serve and

protect. One needs no legal certification to understand them. One needs the basic understanding of the language they are written in and a discerning thought process, which in local parlance is called common-sense. Arguing in a Court of Law regarding a case that may involve precedents and citations is different from upholding the Constitution and providing evidence to this effect in support for or rejection to matters impinging this document. The AG’s arguments that the President withheld assent of the Local Government (Amendment) Bill “by virtue of the power conferred on him by Article 170(3) of the Constitution” is not a power without responsibility or expectation. Article 170 (3) expressly states “Where the President withholds his assent to a Bill,

he returns it to the Speaker within twenty-one days of the date when it was presented to him for assent with a message stating the reasons why he has withheld his assent.” Evidently, this article does not operate in vacuum or expect a vacuous message. This article has built within it the ability of the office holder to reason and make public such reasoning. And this is underpinned in Article 111 which guides this nation in its expectation and corresponding demands of the office holder. This Article sets a standard to wit “the President shall act in accordance with his own deliberate judgment, except in cases where, by this Constitution or by any other law, he is required to act in accordance with the advice or on the recommendation of any person or authority.” And if the president has withheld assent, it is

DEAR EDITOR, The rise of illiteracy in Guyana can be observed daily. I travel to Georgetown about four times a week and other parts of the country and I observe that more than 40% of our young people are street corner and market vendors. Most are school dropouts and illiterates. On my way to Georgetown last week, I saw a very young teenage girl selling water in the middle of the road. This young lady about fifteen years old, who ought to be in school, was risking her life in the middle of the road selling bottles of water to earn a living. As I travelled another few blocks down the road, I counted about ten more boys and girls as young as ten years old selling water. I am concerned about the Ministry of Human Services as well as the Ministry of Education when I see these young lives stolen by poverty and bad parents to earn a living. I am still wondering if our government has a plan for

these school dropouts selling all across our streets and those that are involved in child labour. In my conversation with these kids, most of them came from broken homes and are with single parents, aunts, uncles or grandparents, or no one… they just live anywhere. Most of them cannot read or write. The rise of illiteracy in our country is alarming, it’s no wonder domestic violence and murders have now joined in the ignorance that has become a plague in our society. On my visits to the GPOC, tons of people will ask me to fill out a basic birth certificate form. The banks are the same as well as the immigration and other offices. Hundreds of our young people cannot read or write in this day and age of technology. A few days ago, I performed a legal marriage for a young couple. I discovered that both of these young people, ages 18 and 21, can hardly sign their own names. The boy tried, but the girl took very long to write her

name in a jumble of letters. And sometimes they will sign and write their own names wrong. As a legal Marriage Officer and Reverend I deal will lots of people on a one to one basis everyday and I discovered that more than sixty percent of our population can hardly read or write. We will now have to build adult schools to educate our people. Domestic violence is from both wives and husbands and children abusing parents and grandparents too. The root of all this violence and killings we see every day is the root cause of illiteracy. Illiterate parents will produce more illiterate children and school dropouts because they will never know the value of a good education. We can never teach our children something we never learned. I also note with interest that lots of parents don’t have an interest in books. Learning they can buy smartphones, modern TVs and big music systems, books are no longer valued. Parents today have (Continued on page 28)

THE RISE OF ILLITERACY IN GUYANA

reasonable for us to expect such decision-making falls within this parameter. The AG has advised the Bill was returned to the Speaker on 14th November accompanied by a message. If this is true, the Speaker is called upon to make this message public to guide the nation. This is not a matter of secrecy. It is one of national import, more so that it borders on the right to selfdetermination at the local government level which is protected in Article 75 and ensured in Article 78A. Accordingly:- Article 71 (1) stipulates, “Local government is a vital aspect of democracy and shall be organised so as to involve as

many people as possible in the task of managing and developing the communities in which they live. “ This is protected in Article 75 where “Parliament shall provide that local democratic organs shall be autonomous and take decisions which are binding upon their agencies and institutions, and upon the communities and citizens of their areas.” And reinforced/ensured in Article78A which instructs that “Parliament shall establish a Local Government Commission, the composition and rules of which empower the commission to deal with as it deems fit, all matters related to the regulation and staffing of local government organs and with dispute

resolution within and between local government organs.” The AG continues to raise the eyebrows of this nation regarding his ability to function in the office he holds and the quality of advice he is giving the Executive. For him to now mask his poor performance on the pretext that the Bill was unconstitutional when said bill was unanimously passed with the support of the PPP raises legitimate questions about him not knowing and being unaware that he k n o w s n o t . This is a troubling position for the nation to find itself, for it has dire implications on the way the Executive does business on the people’s behalf. Lincoln Lewis

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Thursday December 05, 2013

Govt. rejects notion of Goolsarran will resign if appointed to Procurement Commission Jagdeo’s return to presidency Government has dispelled speculations that there may be another stint at the Presidency for former President Bharrat Jagdeo. Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon, yesterday asserted that it is not a feature that is embraced by the current Donald Ramotar administration. Dr. Luncheon was at the time responding to queries about whether former President Jagdeo can be reelected. “I think it will be fair to say that the intent behind a term limited presidency embraced by this administration, does not allow us opportunities to exploit loopholes…It is definitely not a feature for us, maybe some other jurisdiction or some other government, but the intent of term limited presidency that we agreed to, we will continue to embrace,” Dr. Luncheon told the media. Senior Counsel and Former Speaker of the National Assembly, Ralph Ramkarrran, in his weekly column, had noted that there might be a loophole in Constitution, giving former Presidents another term to

- Dr. Luncheon rule, having already served two consecutive terms. Ramkarran was a long standing member of the governing People’s Progressive Party (PPP), up until he resigned after a fall out with the party. Ramkarran had pointed out that the provision in the Constitution that prescribes term limits for presidents does not use the word “consecutively” and this has given rise to speculation that it allows a President to serve only one term or two consecutive terms and return after a lapse of one or more terms and seek re-election. He said that this speculation turns on the meaning of the word “reelection” in the provision. Ramkarran explained that since a re-election can only come immediately after an election, therefore re-election means re-election to a second consecutive term.” In his interpretation of the provision said, “A re-election cannot come after a lapse of one or more terms because that would be an election…Since a President

can only be re-elected only once, it means that he can only serve two consecutive terms at one time.” As such he concluded that, “the provision does not preclude a President being elected again after a lapse of one or more terms as this would be an election and not a re-election.” A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) at its most recent press engagement had refuted Ramkarran’s interpretation of the constitutional provision The Leader of the 10-party coalition, Brigadier (rtd), David Granger, told media operatives, “The APNU takes an English Language constitution; that is the word ‘re’ means ‘again’ and if a person cannot be re-elected then that means he cannot be re-elected AGAIN. Our position is that Mr. Jagdeo is not eligible to be re-elected. He is not eligible to be elected ‘AGAIN’. We do not support any interpretation which allows Mr Bharrat Jagdeo to be elected ‘AGAIN’ as President of Guyana…Any president,” the APNU said.

Transparency International Guyana Inc (TIGI) has reiterated its call for the establishment of the Public Procurement Commission to aid in the fight against corruption. TIGI’s President, Anand Goolsarran, has been nominated by theAlliance for Change (AFC) to serve on that body and according to him should this be accepted, he would have to resign from TIGI. He said that it would constitute a conflict of interest for him to be President of TIGI as well as be on the Procurement Commission “I can’t be a part of a Non Government Organization looking at corruption and be part of an outfit that serves to bring down the perception.” Goolsarran believes that he would be a good candidate to serve on that body. He said that given his expertise as a former Auditor General as well as a member of the United Nations Board of Auditors, “I am well equipped to serve on that body; I will have to weigh things carefully but obviously serving in that body would be within my level of expertise.” Goolsarran said, too, that should he accept the nomination he would also have to stop writing his weekly column ‘Accountability Watch.’ The establishment of the Public Procurement Commission has been long in the making and emanates from a 2001 constitutional reform process. Over the years both Government and opposition have been in disagreement with the names identified as persons to serve on the body as well as the non submission of names. This past week the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) which is the body tasked with vetting and approving the names for the Commission, met and started the process. The AFC, more recently

TIGI President, Anand Goolsarran tied its support for the Anti Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Bill to the establishment of the Procurement Commission Discussions were stalled for some time; the People’s Progressive Party/Civic, to date, has not submitted its nominees. On November 25, last, members of the Public Accounts Committee decided that it was time to move forward. At the meeting, they discussed the criteria and process of assessing applicants for senior posts in the Audit Department and the Public Procurement Commission. According to the PAC Chairman, Carl Greenidge, the Presidential Advisor on Empowerment, Odinga Lumumba, attempted to continue the suspension of discussions on the PPC. A call was then made by Trevor Williams of the AFC, to simply vote on the names received by the Committee thus far. Members of the Opposition coalition, A Partnership For National Unity (APNU) also supported the call to move forward. APNU’s Volda Lawrence, who is the former Chairperson

of that committee, later suggested that the Chairman be asked to undertake discussions with the three political parties in order to resolve the issue. While Greenidge agreed with the call for a resolution, he did not accept Lumumba’s suggestion for Government to introduce Cabinet’s noobjection clause. Greenidge then reminded members in attendance of Article 212 of the Constitution which details the structure of the Public Procurement Commission and made no provision for the “kind of Cabinet veto Lumumba sought on behalf of the PPP.” Greenidge said, “The matter would be best dealt with at the Plenary of the House.” He also recommended that the meeting focus on the specific tasks it had been assigned. The committee then agreed to discuss the process by which the nominees would be selected and the selection criteria weighed, whether or not the People’s Progressive Party/Civic submitted its list of nominees, and leave for the moment the actual list of names.

PAC aiming for gender balance for Procurement Commission The recent meetings of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in relation to the selection of nominees for the Public Procurement Commission seem to be moving along smoothly as a subcommittee has been identified to monitor the process. More importantly, the Committee is seeking to have a gender balance with regards to the Commission. Just last week, the PAC discussed the criteria for assessing applicants for senior posts in the Public Procurement Commission. PAC’s Chairman, Mr. Carl

Greenidge, had said that the Presidential Advisor on Empowerment, Mr. Odinga Lumumba, during the meeting, attempted to once again suspend discussions on the Procurement Commission. However, a call was made by Trevor Williams of the Alliance For Change, to simply vote on the names received by the Committee thus far. This move was also supported by members of the Opposition faction, A Partnership For National Unity (APNU). Greenidge had also rejected Lumumba’s

suggestion for Government to introduce Cabinet’s noobjection clause, as he highlighted that the Constitution of Guyana was clear about the structure of the Commission and made no provision for the “kind of Cabinet veto Mr. Lumumba sought on behalf of the PPP.” The Committee at its recent meeting outlined a new avenue as it relates to the selection of the nominees for the commission. Given the fact that the Government has not provided a list of its nominees, the Committee has agreed that (Continued on page 24)

Thursday December 05, 2013

Kaieteur News

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Radio, cable licences court case …

Brian Yong, NFMU head, Radio Guyana official to be cross-examined It was drama in court yesterday as one defence lawyer pulled out of the radio and cable licences court case brought by the Media Proprietors Association. Attorney-at-law Jaya Manickchand announced that she will no longer be representing Telecor and Cultural Broadcasting Inc. Telecor is one of 11 approvals for radio licences controversially granted by former President Bharrat Jagdeo as one of his last acts before leaving office in 2011. Two cable television operations were also greenlighted by Jagdeo. A challenge was filed in the High Court earlier this year by the Guyana Media Proprietors Association (GMPA) and the National Media and Publishing Company Limited, owner of Kaieteur News. GMPA members had been sidelined for licences and they argued that Jagdeo’s decision was unfair and unjustifiable. It wanted the approvals and subsequent licences to be overturned and quashed. Telecor, a company approved for five frequencies, has been linked to Natural Resources Minister, Robert Persaud. His overseas-based sister, Ruth Baljit, is named as the shareholder of the company. Initially, Omkar Lochan, an employee of the Natural Resources Ministry, was listed as the contact person. Manickchand happens to be the wife of Lochan and had been representing Telecor. Yesterday also, attorney-

Manickchand pulls out as Telecor’s lawyer

Kaieteur News’ Publisher, Glenn Lall

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo

Dr. Ranjisinghi ‘Bobby’ Ramroop

at-law Roysdale Forde, representing the National Media and Publishing Company, signaled his intentions to cross-examine a number of persons including Brian Yong, Valmiki Singh and Roopnarine Ramcharitar, at the next court date on December 16. Yong, a close associate of Jagdeo, is the principal of Quark Communications Inc. which was approved for cable television licence in 2011. Singh is the head of the National Frequency and Management Unit, which manages the airwaves of Guyana. Ramcharitar is an official of Radio Guyana Inc., a company owned by Dr. Ranjisinghi ‘Bobby’ Ramroop, also a close friend of Jagdeo. AG no-show

It was widely expected yesterday that Publisher of Kaieteur News, Glenn Lall, would have been crossexamined by Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, when the matter came up before Chief Justice (ag) Ian Chang. Lall had been told to stand by. However, attorney-at-law Ronald Burchsmith for some of the radio licencees, indicated that he had no instructions of that nature. Nandlall was not in court yesterday. The case is generating a lot of interest because it involves a challenge of the media versus the state. It was filed against the Attorney General, the Minister of Broadcasting, National Frequency Management Unit (NFMU), Guyana National Broadcasting Authority

(GNBA) and the 13 recipients that were approved for licences by Jagdeo. These recipients named in the court action include Radio Guyana Inc; Telcor and Cultural Broadcasting Inc.; NTN Radio – owner of Channel 69; New Guyana Company Limited-owner of The Mirror newspaper; Rudolph Grant; Wireless Connection; Hits and Jams Entertainment; Alfro Alphonso and Sons; Haslyn Graham and Little Rock Television Station. ENetworks Inc and Quark Communications Inc, approved for cable licences, were also named as the Respondents. The court action filed by Forde said that the licences were issued under the old Postal and Telegraphy Act and were done in bad faith, are discriminatory and are not legal. The media houses and Lall are contending that the licences breached their

Bygeval secondary upgraded to A-List status - Expected to churn out best performing students in Region Five With the input of over $45 Million from Government and the Ministry of Education, Region Five now boasts its second A-List secondary school, thereby improving the quality of education available to students of that region. After months of upgrading its infrastructure, learning materials and curriculum, the previously BListed secondary school is now in a position to offer subjects and facilities parallel to the top secondary schools in the country. During the commissioning of the school on Tuesday, Minister of Education Priya Manickchand explained that Region Five never had an AList school. As a result, students who performed at A-

Minister of Education Priya Manickchand flanked by students of Bygeval Secondary List level had to be sent to schools out of the region, particularly in Regions Four

or Six, to a school that matched their abilities. This situation, the

Minister said, was deemed unfair to both parents and (Continued on page 8)

NFMU’s head, Valmiki Singh

Quark Communication, Brian Yong

legitimate expectations and constitutional rights. They pointed to an agreement dated May 5, 2003 between Jagdeo and former Opposition Leader, Robert Corbin, where it was agreed there would be a freeze on all new commercial frequencies for radio and television until a new Broadcasting Act came into effect. Jagdeo’s exercise of his discretion to approve new radio, TV and cable operations was abused and unreasonable also. Quash The media houses asked for court orders to quash the licences. Regarding the cable TV licences to E-Network and Quark, reportedly owned by Vishok Persaud and Brian Yong respectively, friends of the former President, the media houses also want these to be quashed on the same grounds. Singh, head of the NFMU, is also being asked to produce a statement to the court of all available radio, television and cable frequencies in Guyana. Lall and GMPA, in asking for the court to issue an order for TV and radio broadcast licences to be granted to

them, also want a declaration that the frequency spectrum is a national resource. They are also asking in excess of $1M for aggravated damages and an unspecified amount for exemplary damages. In the affidavit supporting the constitutional challenge, Lall said that in December 2008 he applied to Prime Minister Sam Hinds to operate a cable TV network; a radio station and a TV station. He sent copies to NFMU and on February 26, 2009, received an acknowledgment. The court documents also listed the case of C.N. Sharma who applied for a radio licence but was turned down. Veteran journalist, Enrico Woolford, of Capitol News, has also filed similar court action. There has been widespread condemnation from Guyanese and both local and international media associations on circumstances surrounding the granting of the licences by Jagdeo. The timing and the fact that he did not wait on the Broadcast Authority to do its work were also heavily criticised.

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Thursday December 05, 2013

GPHC gets US$10,000 Bandits tie up Chinese equipment for Urology Clinic Nationals in Lethem store

“Some of the medical equipment the doctors use at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) need upgrading; some just aren’t very good,” is the opinion of Dr. Winston McGill. Dr. McGill, a member of the visiting Caribbean Medical Mission and an Urologist, did not hesitate to offer his opinion, Tuesday, at a handing over ceremony at the hospital’s Eye Clinic. Recognizing that there is an urgent need for basic equipment in the Urology Clinic, the team of professionals handed over resectoscopes worth over US$10,000 to the health institution. Urology is the branch of medicine that focuses on the surgical and medical diseases of the male and female urinary tract system and the male reproductive organs. The organs under the domain of urology include the kidney, adrenal glands, ureters, bladder, urethra and the male reproductive organs (testes, epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicles, prostate and penis). Resectoscope is a surgical instrument used to remove tissue from the uterus,

Dr. Chris Prashad (left) collecting the resectoscope from Dr. McGill prostate, bladder, or urethra. It is a type of instrument that combines a camera and instrumentation so doctors can view a surgical site and perform surgery through the same incision. According to McGill, there is some equipment at the hospital which need to be upgraded urgently. He said that his team will be seeking assistance from the suppliers of the medical instrument in the United States of America to assist the GPHC. Receiving the resectoscopes on behalf of the hospital was Dr. Chris Prashad, an Urologist at the health institution. “Urology basically signifies tremendous burden

in Guyana in terms of the disease. We have one of the largest clinics at GPHC and we continue to see a lot of patients during the week for that reason. We are always appreciative for whatever support can be given to us and in this case Dr. McGill and his team have assisted us,” Dr. Prashad stressed. He added, “We are not unfamiliar with this equipment we do have them and we do use them a lot, however as you know endoscopic equipment has a lifespan and ours are quite dated so we are thankful for this donation.” Chief Executive officer of the hospital, Michael Khan thanked the team of professionals for making such a timely donation.

Several Chinese nationals were last evening tied up and robbed of in excess of GUY $9 Million dollars from their haberdashery store located in Barrack Retreat, Central Rupununi commercial zone. The robbery reportedly occurred at approximately 20:00hrs. The stolen cash is reportedly the day’s sales and is said to be a composition of American, Brazilian and

- Cart off Millions Guyanese currencies. Kaieteur News understands that the persons suspected of robbing the Chinese nationals were Guyanese and Brazilians. They reportedly escaped in a four-door vehicle. This publication was told

that the area where the robbery occurred is located close to the Brazilian border and it is believed that the bandits may be headed there. In a fast vehicle it would take approximately six minutes to escape, one source told Kaieteur News. Police were reportedly out in their numbers scouring the area but up to press time no arrests had been made.

Jamaica scientist launches medical marijuana firm KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) — A prominent Jamaican scientist and entrepreneur is launching a company that aims to capitalize on the growing international market for medical marijuana. Henry Lowe is a researcher who specializes in medicinal chemistry and the chairman of an institute that develops therapeutic and

cosmetic products from various plants. Lowe is calling his new venture “Medicanja.” He says it will focus on medicinal compounds in marijuana, known locally as “ganja,” and will not violate any laws or treaties. Marijuana has been pervasive but prohibited on the Caribbean island since

1913. But increasingly vocal advocates say Jamaica could give its chronically struggling economy a big boost by embracing cannabis-related investing and loosening up drug laws. Lowe asserted Wednesday that Jamaica has potential to become a powerhouse in medical marijuana and health tourism.

Dominica-China sign multi-million dollar cooperation agreement

Bygeval secondary upgraded .... From page 8 children, and as such the Ministry aspired to bring about change. Two secondary schools- Bygeval and Rosignol - were identified at the two extremes of the Region, to be upgraded. Included in the works to bring Bygeval to A-List status, were the refurbishment of the all science labs (Biology, Chemistry and Physics). The Minister said that they are all now properly equipped with

furniture, equipment and chemicals. The same can be said of the Home Economics lab, which was also refurbished and outfitted with furniture, equipment and other materials. As for the Information Technology lab, 15 new computers were added and servicing was done to the other computers, bringing the total number of computers in the lab to 30. “This means that every child in the class can access his or her own unit

when using the lab,” the Minister said. A d d i t i o n a l l y, rehabilitative works were conducted in the Industrial Technology lab, equipping it with the adequate tools and other supplies, while electricity has been restored to its host room. The Library, Agricultural Science and Allied Arts departments were also recipients of added resources. Further, with new subjects being added to the curriculum, the Ministry was mandated to assign adequate staff to address each subject area. It was noted that 24 subjects, covering each stream at CSEC level, will be offered at the now A-List school. The current staff is made up of a total of 38 teachers, including 12 trained graduates, two untrained graduates, 14 trained teachers and 10 untrained teachers. Textbooks were also allotted to cover most of the subject areas in every grade, “even more than other A-List schools”, according to the Minister. It is now anticipated that Bygeval secondary will bring about the best academic and extra-curricular performances in students as did the Abram Zuil and Anna Regina Secondary Schools, which produced the top performing CSEC students in 2012 and 2013 respectively.

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit (third left) and Chinese officials at the signing of agreement ROSEAU, Dominica CMC – Dominica and China have signed a new US$300 million cooperation agreement that includes the construction of a hotel, construction of an international airport and building a new hospital. The agreement was signed between Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit and the president of Chinese company Anhui Shuian Construction (ASCG) Xue Song early last month. According to ASCG, the hotel, to be situated in

Roseau, will be the first to be constructed at a cost of US$70 million. The Chinese government will provide a preferential loan to support the projects. ASCG’s general manager Wang Yueyuan said since both countries established diplomatic relations in 2004, China has strengthened its cooperation with Dominica. Meanwhile, a government statement said that a team of Chinese officials is now on the island inspecting the site for the construction of the five-

star hotel in the capital. The statement quoted Skerrit as having declared during the 2013-14 national budget that the design works for the hotel had been completed and an offer of financing and for the construction was being considered by the government. “The construction of the hotel …is part of government’s commitment to making the tourism product more competitive and for enhancing stay over visitor capacity on island,” the statement added.

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Transparency International is part of an imperialist agenda Lack of transparency is not a measure of corruption, just as how inequality is not a measure of poverty. It is therefore a mistake for anyone to assume that because a country ranks lowly when it comes to global measures of transparency, this means corruption is rampant. Equating lack of transparency with corruption becomes more suspect when dealing with the findings of an organization such as Transparency International, whose annual Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) does not measure corruption, but is merely a highly contestable index of the perception of corruption. The serious flaws inherent in the Corruption Perceptions Index were unmasked three years ago by Staffan Andersson and Paul Heywood in their article “The Politics of Perception: Use

and Abuse of Transparency International’s Approach to Measuring Corruption.” These two writers identified a number of flaws in the CPI produced by Transparency International (TI). Their criticisms more or less coincide with those advanced last year by Guyana’s Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, who critiqued the then published CPI. Andersson and Heywood indicate that firstly, the CPI does not measure incidents of corruption but rather perceptions of corruption. Secondly, the CPI is a composite index derived from a number of surveys for which there is no common methodology amongst these surveys. One can add to these criticisms that these surveys do not measure the perceptions of Guyanese

Dem boys seh...

Bobby peeping de Waterfalls paper in de Archives De press does mek you or break you. De press does decide a lot of things. De smart politician does always hug, kiss and play up wid de press. Some of dem does dance and wine wid de ugliest of journalists. Donald meet de press three time in two year and he depress. Jagdeo invite de press two time fuh some brunch and after that he start hiding, because he had a lot of things to hide. Dem boys seh that Donald meet de press and lef depress. Jagdeo meet de press and start suppress. He tek way ads, he sue a columnist and he lock up one. Then he mek he own trump card—Bobby de Trump. But he and he trump card fail to impress, suh dem now peeping de press. Bobby de Trump got some of he workers going to de Archives every day, from dayclean till night, collecting all dem articles wha de Waterfalls paper print pun dem. Dem collect a whole set of wha dem boys seh; dem collect some articles wha Freddie write; dem collect some letters and when dem ain’t get all wha dem looking for dey start cussing and threatening. Dem boys seh that one of dem wha threatening can’t even pee straight. He and de rest of dem paccoo who nah know better deh pun page three. From Monday to Sunday dem sit down in de Archives reading Kaieteur News from five years back to now, and picking out stories wha resemble Jagdeo and Bobby, but not de fat crook, Brazzy. Dem even pick out a cartoon wha de Waterfalls paper print bout de Hard Times paper. That was a cartoon of de Hard Times paper sucking de blood out of de National Treasury. Everybody remember that one—was de cartoon of de year. And when Bobby workers lef Wednesday, one of dem who like dem boys bad, drop off a copy of everything dem collect at de office of de Waterfalls paper and beg dem boys fuh give de Waterfalls boss man. Dem boys salute that worker just like how dem salute de three gyals who walk off de wuk. Dem Hard Times people even pull up things pun Donald. Dem boys want to know if dem looking after he interest or dem planning to sue he too. And while all this happening poor Donald ain’t got a clue. Maybe a law shirt jac, not a law suit, in de making fuh he. Talk half and keep searching in de archives.

toward corruption in their country, but are the perceptions of external organizations, none of whom can be said to have any interest in Guyana. If the CPI was based on the perceptions of Guyanese towards corruption in their country, Guyana would have ranked far lower. The CPI produced by Transparency International should be dismissed outright. It certainly flows from a flawed methodology and cannot be said to truly measure corruption. Nor can it be said to be a representative perception of the lack of transparency in Guyana. There are other limitations that support the view that the CPI is really a bogus index. For one, the definition of corruption used by Transparency International – misuse of power for private gain – encourages an almost exclusive focus on public corruption. Yet in the very week last year when Transparency International released its index, a major US bank agreed on a billion-dollar settlement for alleged money laundering activities of its Mexican-based branch. And when one considers that major private corporations were entrapped in major corruption scandals and Ponzi schemes over the past few years, then, had a much broader definition of corruption been used to account for private corruption, America may have been listed as the most

corrupt country in the world. It is not so recorded in Transparency International’s CPI because that organization is part of an imperialist agenda to deepen economic and political liberalization in developing countries. It is well established that liberal economies demand more openness so that the developed countries can increase their economic and political penetration. More openness requires greater transparency and improved regulations to accommodate private capital: both foreign and domestic. The call for greater transparency has become a pretext for entrenching certain norms, under the rubric of good governance. These norms serve the interests of the rich countries by facilitating the opening up of the economies of poor countries because capitalism knows that its survival depends on increased consumption, including consumption abroad. The capitalist countries are also wary of what happened in Russia – and one can now add Guyana – where state divestment created powerful economic oligarchies. The way to avoid this in other liberalizing economies is to encourage regulatory reforms as part of a good governance enterprise. And critical to these reforms is the insistence on greater accountability, which means fair and open competition.

But fair competition amongst unequals favours large and powerful multinationals and local monopolies. The call for greater transparency in the award of contracts thus serves the interests of the powerful economic enterprises. Good governance is also about promoting democratic government. It is argued that the more accountable the government is, the more responsive it is likely to be towards its citizens. This certainly has appeal, but the overall agenda in encouraging greater democratization is that liberalization of the economy requires a democratic framework. Without a democratic political system, economic liberalization will be threatened. Organizations such as Transparency International, while genuinely seeking to ensure that there is reduced corruption worldwide, have become entrapped in this imperialist agenda. But what is disconcerting about organizations such as TI, is their refusal to call for

greater transparency in international organizations such as the World Bank, the IMF, the Security Council of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization. Certainly, developing countries need a greater voice in these organizations. The absence of this voice makes these organizations less responsive to the needs of developing countries and thus, less transparent. But for all the NGOs around promoting greater transparency, few are developing any indices that measure the degree of responsiveness of international organizations towards developing countries. Transparency International would be better advised to drop its controversial CPI and concentrate its energies towards democratizing these international organizations, rather than being used as an instrument for imperialist domination.

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GTC/GT&T pensioners picket Local media blamed for Guyana being rated second OP over unpaid retirement fees most corrupt in region - DR. LUNCHEON

Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon, believes that the local media is a contributor to Transparency International (TI) being rather uncharitable to Government by perceiving Guyana as the second most corrupt country in the Region. Not surprisingly defending Government’s stance on corruption, Dr. Luncheon said, “Government has been making overtime leaning backwards in addressing this issue of transparency and accountability.” He emphasized, “I think they have fallen prey to some of the wickedness you members of the media perpetrate in making these unqualified and unsubstantiated conjectures about Government on corruption and lack of accountability.” But, according to Frederick Collins, Vice President, Transparency International Guyana Inc (TIGI) whilst presenting TI’s 2013 Corruption Perception Index (CPI) for Guyana, Guyana remains at the bottom of the list, ahead of only Haiti as the most corrupt in the region. He said that the finding on Guyana is based on surveys

carried out by four reputable international institutions – the International Country Guide, the World Bank, the World Economic Forum and the Global Insight Country. He announced that Guyana has been ranked 136 out of 177 countries, joining Bangladesh, Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) and Kenya with a score of 27. Guyana was ranked 133 last year. In terms of the Americas, Guyana has been ranked 28 out of 32, while for the Caribbean, only Haiti scored lower, with 19. Government will be responding to the findings of the Index in light of the repercussions for attaining such a high ranking. Dr. Luncheon emphasized that Government will not sit like a toothless poodle. However, it is not uncommon for Government to lash out to unfavourable comments made by the international community. Last April, United States of America 2012 Human Rights Report highlighted Guyana Government’s apparent ineffectiveness in implementing laws that provide for criminal penalties for corruption by public officials. The report stated that there remains widespread public perception of corruption involving officials at all levels, including the police and the judiciary. “The World Bank’s

Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon Worldwide Governance Indicators assessed that government corruption was a serious problem,” the report said. That report also spoke of the non-establishment of the Public Procurement and Integrity Commissions. Instead of taking steps to correct the inadequacies President Donald Ramotar told the US to clean up its house first. Ramotar said that nobody has the right to lecture Guyana. He drew reference to the Guantanamo Bay detention camp in Cuba, a detainment and interrogation facility of the US military. The Head of State admitted: “We do have issues (here). We have to try to work very hard to eradicate some of the weaknesses in our system.”

Supported by walking sticks, umbrellas and by each other, the group of elderly former Guyana Telecommunications Corporation (GTC) and Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) workers, mounted first phase protest action outside Office of the President yesterday. They were seeking to bring attention to the dilemma of their unpaid pensions. The seniors braved the sun to express their discontent with the manner in which the current administration is treating their due payments. The pensioners are owed millions of dollars in unpaid retirement fees over a 20year period and have argued that the current government is making no meaningful attempt to address the issue. Former GT&T maintenance manager, Lennox Skeete, told Kaieteur News that the pensioners are further advancing their cause, and are seeking redress to the present situation. Skeete, who dedicated 45-years of his working life to the telecommunications industry, said that hopes are that the activity will be seen by the executive and the president who would “through compassion, give a decision in our favour.” Skeete said that while the pensioners would not have chosen to protest, they were pushed in this direction because of the lack of acknowledgement of their plight. “This is the only option we have now; to picket, we have been pushed, not that we wanted a confrontation, but this is the way we have to go.” Skeete added that it (protest) will be an ongoing process, “until

someone says something to us.” It was noted further that on average, more than 30 years of service have been given to the telecoms industry. “Some of us have a maximum of 47 years, receiving a measly pension of $18,000 per month.” Skeete said in many ways, the nonpayment of his pension has stymied him, “especially my planned activities for my retirement, and as such I am stuck here,” he explained. “My pension can’t even afford me buying gasoline for my car per month. “I was maintenance manager, dedicated 42 years of service and retired without my pensions when constitutionally, that is due.” Former GT&T personnel manager Clifford Blackett said that yesterday’s event will go down in history. The pensioner said, “Let it be a lesson to the young workers of Guyana that they take this as a living example that when they become of age, they do not have to stand in a picket line to fight for what is constitutionally theirs.” He said it speaks a lot about the concern for the nation’s workers. President of the Guyana Postal and Telecommunications Workers Union (GPTWU) Harold Shepherd said that the union plans to picket NICIL and the

Finance Ministry for their unpaid pension. “It does not matter if it is next week; we will be back out to protest this injustice.” To date, there has been no feedback from the relevant authorities. The pensioners are also peeved over the manner in which responsibility is being shifted between those responsible for addressing the unpaid pension. They said also that the matter is with Leader of the Opposition David Granger and he has promised to take it to parliament. The protesters flashed placards demanding their unpaid pension. ‘How many more of us GTC pensioners have to die before we receive our pension-pay us now’; stop fooling and starving us GTC pensioners -pay us now!’ From cleaners to managers is receiving $18,000 monthly when, “a technician should have been receiving a monthly pension of at least $50,000, while a former manager should have been the recipient of way over $100,000 per month.” The pensioners said their unpaid pension is an issue from the early 90’s and charged that the matter is showing more than ever a case of discriminated. Over two dozen pensions have died without ever receiving their due pension.

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ECD four-lane highway... CXC supports Education Ministry’s Public Works Ministry may terminate ‘no subject limit” at CSEC Courtney Benn’s contract - Source

Like the Ministry of Education, the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) is certainly not opposed to students writing as many as 20 subjects. According to CXC Registrar, Dr Didacus Jules, while he is aware of calls being made to limit the number of subjects candidates write at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Examination the matter has not come up for deliberation at the level of CXC. “We don’t consider it to be a matter under CXC’s purview; this is a matter for parents, the schools and ultimately the Ministry,” said Dr Jules, during an interview. However, he said, “Our view on it is that you should not put a limit on people’s capacity; whatever subject you feel you can do you ought to be allowed to do.” The CXC Registrar underscored though, that one factor that must remain clear is that the number of subjects that are undertaken does not determine whether a candidate is able to secure the status of top regional performer. “That is the bottom line,” asserted Dr Jules. This state of affairs was particularly evident when CXC announced the top performers of the Region. Although Zimeena Rasheed of the Anna Regina Multilateral School was the candidate with the most CSEC passes – 18 grade one passes and two grade two passes – it was her colleague, Yogeeta Persaud, with 18 grade one passes who was declared the top Regional Performer. Rasheed was however named the best performing candidate in Technical Vocation. Guyana also secured the top Regional performing spots in the area of Business, Science and Humanities

Dr. Didacus Jules through the performances of Sasha Woodroffe, Cecil Cox and Rafena Mustapha respectively. This allowed for Guyana to secure five of the eight top performing awards offered by CXC this year. The three other top performing awards which were secured by other Regional territories were those for the Most Outstanding Candidate in Visual Arts, 2-Dimensional Work; Most Outstanding Candidate in Visual Arts, 3Dimensional Work; and Most Outstanding Candidate in Short Story Writing. According to Dr Jules, “The students who have done all these subjects and have done well have really discovered the secret of the thing...If you are doing Biology, Chemistry, Physics, doing Human and Social Biology and Integrated Science is a breeze because you have already covered the fundamentals.” Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, at a press conference to unveil this year’s CXC results said that although her Ministry has not been actively encouraging students to write many subjects, capable students will not be dissuaded from doing so.

At that forum she said that the local Ministry already has in place a clear policy which outlines that in order for students to undertake more than 10 subjects at CXC they must “show remarkable competence.” But even before reaching the level of CXC, the Minister noted that another requirement is that students be able to pass the National Grade Nine Examination. And according to her the fact that we have students writing 20 subjects means they have the capacity. “I am not a proponent of the view that says you should shut down talent simply because there is some criticism about it...We can’t all run like Usain Bolt but we shouldn’t stop him from running at the pace he is capable of running, and so for me if a student can write five subjects including Mathematics and English and do well at those then they should be encouraged and supported to do that.” The Minister in making her point categorically clear underscored that students have repeatedly, over several decades, shown that they have the capacity not only to do well locally but to be catapulted to the level of world leadership. “We should never put them in a box,” said the Minister, as she alluded to the fact that even in first world countries while it is expected that students attend college by 18 there are some who are graduating with their degrees by 16. “Where we have students who can excel encourage them,” the Minister emphasised even as she noted the responsibility of Government “to develop everybody to their fullest potential, and if one person’s fullest potential requires (them doing) 20 subjects, then fine.”

GPL working to deliver quality power supply for the upcoming holiday The Guyana Power and Light Inc., (GPL) is working to ensure that the highest quality of power supply is available to its customers during the holiday seasons. According to GPL’s Network Manager, Ms. Shaun Hamlet, GPL’s Technical Staff is working around-the-clock to complete all maintenance works for the upcoming festivities. A release from the Power Company stated yesterday that customers should be advised that GPL technical crews are scheduled to complete all Transmission and Distribution (T&D) inclusive of Line Maintenance and Generation

Planned Maintenance activities on December 14, 2013. The Company is at the same time appealing to customers to conserve electricity. Simple actions such as turning off appliance(s) when not in use will result in savings. Earlier this year expert studies revealed that companies practicing energy conservation can save at least five percent of their annual energy expenditures. Energy conservation experts recommended that customers replace the incandescent light bulbs from main areas of their homes with energy saving light bulbs that

use about 1/5 of the energy that a normal light bulb uses, to provide the same amount of light. This will result in some savings on the electricity bills. In addition changing the fridge settings to “medium” as opposed to “high” will also save money. GPL encourages customers to visit the Company’s website to learn more on energy conservation and demand side management. According to the information customers can visit the website at www.gplinc.com and click the energy conservation/demand side management icon to read more on conservation methods.

Stalled road works at Beterverwagting The Public Works Ministry has threatened to terminate the contract of Courtney Benn Contracting Services Ltd for its tardiness in the pace of works being carried out on the East Coast Demerara Public Road fourlane expansion between La Bonne Intention (LBI) and Triumph, This is according to a source close to the project during an interview with this publication yesterday. It was noted that this decision is being taken by the Ministry after the issuance of numerous warning letters to the contractor in the last several weeks. The source highlighted that Courtney Benn has not executed any works on the roadway during the last eight weeks. Four times within this period, the Ministry has reportedly written to the company reminding it of its contractual obligations. Courtney Benn was awarded the contract in March 2013 to the tune of $349M. The contract is expected to conclude in March 2014 but the source believes that this is highly unlikely since the contractor

has completed less than 20 percent of the work. One of the excuses reportedly being used by the company to justify its slothfulness is the scarcity of concrete. It was noted that during that period other contractors were accessing concrete so it remains a mystery as to how the

contractor was unable to obtain the building material. The source disclosed that the contractor has received more than half the mobilization advance payments for the project. As such, it is challenging for the Ministry to pull the plug on the contractor, the source added.

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== THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN ==

General elections, local government polls and race Both the APNU and the AFC have openly stated that they will contest the local government elections once GECOM is ready. It means that both parties, after the elections, will have to abide by the law that empowers the Minister of Local Government to override any decision of any municipality or NDC. This is because the Bill that takes that power out of Ministerial control has not been assented to by the President. Should the PNC win Georgetown, New Amsterdam and Linden and

yet face ministerial truculence then a disaster is in the making. That disaster has come about for two reasons, one structural, the other situational. The structural factor relates to the law. The Minister has the power to overrule any local authority. It is the other factor that is pregnant with conflict. The situational factor relates to the 2011 election results. One of the caricatures that have gone on unabated in this country is that in five general contests since 1992, half of the election results have been

completely tossed aside rendering the process a farce. Guyanese in the five general contests have voted for two types of government – central and regional. Since 1992, the PPP with majority Indian votes have taken the central administration. The PNC with predominantly African votes have won Region 4, the most populous and most strategically placed of the ten Regions. Yet since 1992, the Region Four administration has been subordinated to the dictates of the central government. Last year, the Region Four Chairman told me and Michael Carrington of the AFC in his office that his budget was cut by the Finance Ministry by 72 percent. This year, the said Chairman publicly stated that on submission of the Region Four budget, there was no negotiation. Again it was cut. Region Four has no power to grant any land concession

if the central authority is not in agreement. In countless instances lands which come under Region Four jurisdiction have been sold without the knowledge of the Region Four authorities. In actuality, then, we only vote once at general elections because the second ballot has never materialized into actual power. Matters became complicated with the results of the 2011 elections. This time the combined opposition won a majority but power is exercised as if it was since 1992 when the PPP won majorities until 2011. Should we have a PNC victory in Georgetown, New Amsterdam and Linden in 2014 then the situation becomes delicate. We will have to wait and see how the ethnic voting goes. But the statistics show that the majority of voters in Georgetown, New Amsterdam and Linden are predominantly African. If the Minister retains his/her power to intervene then the real situation on the ground would be that the PNC has no power even though it won three municipalities. The situation is identical to regional elections where PNC victories have been

rendered meaningless because of domination by the central administration. Surely, it would be asking too much of the PNC to win the 2011 regional election in Region Four, the 2014 municipal elections in three towns where their supporters are and be in the majority with the AFC in the National Assembly yet accept that it would be unable to govern unhindered in three municipalities. Looked at from any angle this is an electoral caricature of the worst kind anywhere in the world. There can hardly be any anticipation of what the new Georgetown City Council will do. It is so predictable that any schoolboy can answer the question automatically. It will raise rates and taxes that have not seen an increase for more than forty years. Within the past ten years, thousands of expensive structures have gone up that within that number, a few of them would have to pay collectively millions years to the City Council. What happens if the Minister says no? What happens if the Minister says no to a City Council proposal

Frederick Kissoon for an environment tax on city businesses? One thing is definite; if APNU or the AFC wins Georgetown, either will have to perform at an extraordinary level because they are facing a general election in about 20 months’ time. Georgetown, then, has to be cleaned and shaped to look immaculate so that the electorate could be happy. In other words, for APNU and AFC to do good in general elections, they have to clean Georgetown. They will have to raise money through innovative methods But what happens if central government says we are not approving your measures and your budget? It simply means the 2014 municipal elections were a waste. An unpleasant future looks set to continue.

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East Berbice teen gets 17 years for beheading friend The 19-year-old school dropout who beheaded his one-time good friend, classmate, villager and workmate a little over two years ago, was on Wednesday sentenced to 17 years in jail by Justice Dawn Gregory when he reappeared before her at the Berbice High Court for sentencing. The accused, Royston Mc Allister, called ‘Slow Pork’ or ‘Junior’, a cane harvester who was 17 at the time of Kortbraadt, East Bank Berbice, was charged with murdering Stephon Bacchus, 17, a harvester also of Kortbraadt, East Bank Berbice following a dispute on November 9, 2011. When he appeared last Wednesday defence attorney Charrandass Persaud had informed the court that his client wanted to take a certain course of action; that he wanted to change his plea from not guilty of murder to guilty of manslaughter. Mc Allister was accused of severing Bacchus’s head following a dispute at the private sugar plantation at Moleson-Jackson owned by Mr Rabindranauth Prasad, called Mary, of Crabwood Creek, Corentyne. State prosecutor Renita Singh, narrating the state’s case, stated that on the day in question the accused and

the deceased were with a group of men working at the farm. They finished working around 12:00 hrs and went to their camp. At the camp a dispute developed after Mc Allister accused Bacchus of not assisting with dorm chores and cleaning. Bacchus then slapped McAllister and laughed at him, causing him to become angry. Mc Allister later swept the room, smoked a cigarette and subsequently, both men went to bed. They slept in separate rooms. They were awakened for meals and were preparing to return to the fields when they had another argument. Bacchus was tying his boots lace when Mc Allister apparently came from behind and broadsided him. Bacchus slid down the steps and fell on the ground. Mc Allister was standing on the landing with a cutlass in his hands and with what appears to be blood dripping from it. The teen then descended the steps causing those around to flee. He then left the scene. The police were informed. They saw the accused walking on the access road with a cutlass in his hand. He was accosted by the cops and told to drop the cutlass. He was arrested and taken to the station during which time he told the

Royston Mc Allister called ‘Slow Pork’ or ‘Junior’ cops that “me na go fo kill he.” The post mortem examination conducted by Dr. Vivekanand Brijmohan gave the cause of death as shock and haemorrhage, fracture of the cervical spine, with fracture of the spinal cord. Attorney at law Persaud in a plea had stated that at the time of the incident the accused was young. He was only 17 years old and was provoked. Before passing sentence Justice Gregory stated that although there were signs of provocation there was enough time to cool off, before the blow was struck.

Tempers flare at City Hall as Sooba confirmed as Town Clerk From page 3 whom were in line with the requirements. Mr. Paul Clarke and the Council’s current Public Relations Officer Mr. Royston King were shortlisted, while Mr. Darren Khan and Sooba, “being the least qualified” did not fit the bill. According to ChaseGreene, Clarke, being the most qualified of the lot, the interview panel recommended that Clarke was the fittest for the post. She reiterated that Sooba was the least qualified of the applicants, and did not present any physical evidence of the qualifications she claimed to possess. In noting the Degrees and Masters that the other applicants presented, Chase-

Greene said Sooba claimed to have “six subjects in College of Preceptors and an incomplete certificate in Managerial law from the University of Guyana and is currently involved in a program of the Law Degree from UG.” When asked further questions about her qualification, Chase-Greene said Sooba demanded to know from the panel whether she was on trial or being interrogated. Sooba was cautioned by the panel Chase-Greene said, before she (Sooba) threatened to challenge them (panel) in a court of law if she is not appointed Town Clerk. Chase-Greene charged that Sooba’s appointment is an attack on the democratic process that the administration has been piping about

and an insult to persons seeking upward mobility via academic elevation. She added that it is also an insult to the members who chaired the interviews as they were chosen from five different entities by the Local Government Ministry. ChaseGreene argued that this is a matter for the President’s intervention. Several Council members and City Hall workers expressed dissatisfaction at Sooba’s appointment with some questioning the wisdom of securing academic qualifications when these can easily be sidelined. It was questioned further the rationale behind Sooba’s recent appointment when last May, none of the seven persons vying for the Town Clerk position, including Sooba, were deemed unqualified. The publication understands however that Sooba was appointed Town Clerk since Monday last but the information was now coming to the fore. It is understood, further, that Sooba’s appointment may have come over the direction of the Local Government Minister and petitioned by identified forces.

Thursday December 05, 2013

Luncheon unable to provide details of deals with Indian, Chinese Coys Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon, has failed to provide any answer to the growing questions regarding a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) it inked with the DY Patil Group out of India, and a Chinese Company, “China Paper.” The DY Patil Group has started the process of cultivating 10,000 hectares of land in the Canje Basin for agricultural-related projects, while China Paper is a company seeking to start the utilization of forest pulp paper among central enterprises. Luncheon at his weekly press briefing said that he could not answer any questions on the two companies at this time. “I owe you and the members of the media an apology because I could have boned up on the matter, then I saw Rupert Roopnaraine’s (MP) incisive intervention on the matter and called for them to come clean…I could have but I didn’t,” Dr Luncheon told reporters yesterday. He undertook to have the information by the next press briefing. Meanwhile APNU’s Joe Harmon, commenting on the recent revelations of the two companies, said that Guyanese are getting to see

every one of former President Bharrat Jagdeo’s “secret and shady” deals. According to Harmon, these “deals” probably did not involve the elements of the state or any negotiations. “This is the legacy that Jagdeo has left behind; a legacy of badly worked deals, the architecture of badly put together deals that are in no way the best interest of Guyana” Harmon said. Dr. Ajeenka DY Patil is part of the Patil group which is a major Indian Company that has signed an MOU with the government. It has started the process of cultivating 10,000 hectares of land in the Canje Basin for agricultural-related projects. The projects would include dairy processing, rice milling and processing; fisheries and poultry; fruit and vegetables; and sugar cane production with ethanol and power. Dr. Patil on his official website is quoted as stating that investing in Guyana “is a financially viable and potentially profitable proposal for investors in the region due to the global growth in demand for agriculture produce.” “The region [Guyana] is unexploited and is economically robust and politically stable. It will

improve the quality of life of the average Guyanese citizen and increase the economic vitality of the country; all of this backed by the experienced management of the Ajeenka DY Patil Group,” Dr. Patil said. Dr. Ajeenka Patil besides being a business investor happens to be Guyana’s Honorary Consul in Mumbai India. On Monday Guyana’s Ambassador to Caricom and Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Elisabeth Harper, said that “anyone” could be an Honorary Consul once the person is a resident in the country. She said that the Ministry did make an announcement publicly but pointed out that this was “a long time” ago. Kaieteur News was told that the situation with Dr Patil not being Guyanese is not something out of the ordinary. Harper explained that there are non Guyanese Honorary Consul in several countries, including Jordan, Palestine and Lebanon. With regards to Government funding, Harper said Patil is not being paid for the position he holds since its “Honorary” as compared to someone who is a ‘Consul General.’

Magistrate Sunil Scarce, on Monday dismissed a case brought against 58-year-old Hytilall Ramandahin, because the police failed to provide enough evidence to prosecute the defendant. The former Region Two boat Captain was initially charged with one count of manslaughter. On his first court appearance he was granted bail in the sum of $600,000 at the Charity Magistrate’s Court. The state had provided Ramandahin with an Attorney Pharaj Huckumchand, who failed to make regular court appearances. This led to a spate of postponements. The police produced several witnesses, all of whom were occupants of the boat that Ramandahin was piloting. Critical evidence was lacking and this brought about tremendous frustration to both the court and to the families of the deceased who were regularly in attendance. It is alleged that on December 18, 2012, Ramandahin, who was transporting members of the One Lap Top per Family Secretariat, including the Regional Chairman, Parmanand Persaud and his wife from St. Monica’s in the Lower Pomeroon to Charity, collided with a smaller vessel, manned by Harrinarine Bagwanden, which was said to

be traveling close to the left bank of the Pomeroon River. The collision allegedly occurred because intense rainfall clouded the vision of Ramandahin. The collision killed six of seven passengers, including Vincent Singh,40, Captain Harry Bagwanden, 42, brother and sister Amrita and Rajkumar Singh; Sean Anthony, 15, and his mother, Zelda Roderigues, 50. The lone survivor was Zelda’s youngest son, Eli Orlando, who sustained head injuries and had to be hospitalized at both the Oscar

Joseph Hospital and the Suddie Public Hospital. The Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) simultaneously conducted a Preliminary Inquiry and found that both vessels were traveling close to the left bank of the Pomeroon River on a reciprocal or nearly reciprocal course when the collision occurred. Further, MARAD maintained that the collision was caused by one or more captains’ vessels failing to observe the International regulations for preventing collision at sea.

Surviving boat crash captain freed of manslaughter

Delay in Anti-money laundering... From page 17 earlier this year but only three of the four pieces were assented to by President Donald Ramotar. The Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Bill, which is in limbo in the National Assembly was also raised during the meeting. This is a critical piece of legislation which is needed for Guyana to comply with regulations of the international community to ensure the country is taking steps to ensure dirty money does not enter the financial system. According to APNU, this

issue was discussed and “the two sides looked at the way forward with emphasis on legislation and the country's compliance with the other enforcement measures as recommended by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF).” The United States Embassy team comprised Bryan Hunt, Deputy Chief of Mission along with an officer from the PoliticalAffairs Department. A Partnership for National Unity's (APNU) team was headed by Leader, Brigadier (Ret'd) David Granger and included Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine, Joseph Harmon and Ronald Bulkan.

Thursday December 05, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 21

GPL removes more illegal Guyana’s arrival figures connections …prosecutes thousands up by 11 percent One of the many makeshift poles used to run the illegal wiring in Timehri, EBD

By Rabindra Rooplall Guyana Power Light (GPL) through its continuous campaign has discovered over 4,000 feet of illegal cables and substandard poles in Timehri “backlands”, East Bank Demerara, yesterday. Another 6,000 feet of cable was discovered at a squatting area in Coverden, East Bank Demerara. More than 5,000 illegal electricity connections were detected and removed this year. Hundreds have been arrested by the police for illegal diversion of electricity but expressed concern at the rate in which these cases are completed in the courts. The Power Company attributed these arrests to its intensified exercise to reduce commercial losses resulting from electricity theft. The Electricity Sector Reform Act clearly outlines severe penalties for perpetrators guilty of electricity theft. GPL has been pursuing every case from the criminal and civil aspects with some convicted persons being sentenced to periods of imprisonment while being back billed for up to 24 months by the power company. The power company set up a special team that would

be in the fields to disconnect and remove all illegalities. This task force will be on continuous raids throughout the year with the assistance of the police. Technicians were accompanied by police in accordance with the reform that was set into law in 2010. Throughout the raids GPL unearthed illegal networks that were worth millions of dollars. The combined losses uncovered during the two raids surpassed $10M. Meters were seized and although some persons were connected to assigned prepaid meters and assigned temporary post paid meters that were registered, it was noted that their root connections and networking were illegal in implementation, even the makeshift poles holding up the wiring were dangerous, and as such these were removed. The power company is blaming the corrupt actions of some GPL operatives who facilitate the illegal networking and connections found. “None of the residents were able to tell us or identify which GPL operatives were responsible for planting the poles and running the network to accommodate

PAC aiming for gender balance for... From page 6 the nominees should not only come from the political parties but that the scope should be widened. They have therefore expressed that the names of suitable nominees can be submitted to the Committee by members of the public which will be decided upon by the subcommittee. However, as they seek to have a fair process, the Committee has decided that the Commission will not be controlled by an “all men team.” It was agreed upon by

those in attendance at the PAC’s meeting on Monday last, that they are geared towards having a gender balance. According to one member of the PAC, “We are hoping with this initiative to not have five men heading the Commission, but instead have a balance of both men and women on the team. We are not able to say how many women will be a part of the Commission at this time but what is certain, is that we are aiming for there to be a balance on the Procurement Commission.”

them with power.” One GPL field operative explained. Nevertheless, GPL lamented that illegal connections are being replaced within a day. GPL appealed to the public to desist from establishing illegal connections and networks. The power company also drew attention to the fact that it has been warning for years that illegal networks pose an ever present danger to everyone in the communities in which the illegality occurs, particularly to children. However, despite GPL’s efforts at curbing electricity theft there is an enormous challenge facing the company - determined electricity thieves. The utility company explained that hundreds of raids were conducted by GPL’s technical teams, spearheaded by representatives from the Company’s Loss Reduction Department and the Guyana Police Force in communities along the East Bank, West Bank and East Coast of Demerara, Berbice, Georgetown and its outskirts. This will be continuous.

- GTA says information sharing is critical to improvement Visitors’ arrival to Guyana has increased by 11.6 percent. This gives the country the right to boast of being one of the three countries in the entire Caribbean, to record a double digit growth. Indranauth Haralsingh, Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), explained that the increase represents visitors from across the Caribbean region, especially from Suriname, Brazil, and Jamaica. The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) recently reported on Guyana’s Visitor Arrival Summary, stating that tourist arrivals to Guyana has continued to perform reasonably well, with a 7.5 percent increase, in the 20112012 period. Over several months, Guyana has accommodated some 152,000 stay-over visitors. CTO added that all major source markets registered increases, with the South American market growing by a whopping 54.0 percent. Arrivals from the United States commanded a 54.6 percent share of total tourist arrivals, growing by 7.8 percent. Caribbean countries, the second most important source of tourists to Guyana represents 19.4 percent of the total tourist arrivals. Those visiting Guyana from Canada have increased by 6.6 percent, while those from Europe grew by 1.0 percent, with these markets recording 25.4 thousand and 8.4 thousand tourist visits respectively. CTO also noted that the majority of the tourists coming to Guyana arrive on aircrafts, and would usually visit during the month of July.

In an interview with this newspaper, Haralsingh said that Guyana continues to be in a strategic location on the World Travel Market. He noted that during an activity held in London earlier this year, Guyana received overwhelming interests, with more persons wanting to showcase destination Guyana. Haralsingh lamented however, that while Guyana has the potential of becoming a main tourist attraction in the Caribbean; local entities operating within the industry are delaying its potential rapid progress. He explained that the sad situation remains that local businesses have developed and are continuously practicing a culture of withholding information, which is critical to boosting visitors’ arrival to Guyana. “Hotels and resorts do not want to tell us where their visitors are coming from, how many tourists are staying with them, what are the activities that they are interested in, what mode of transportation they use, how much they are comfortable spending and so on. These are things that we need to know, but these businesses do not want to tell us,” Haralsingh explained. He added that with the desired information, the Ministry of Tourism will be better able to organize familiarization trips, create travel packages, and most importantly, know what areas of the tourism product needs to be developed. Haralsingh said that as Tourism Awareness Month is coming to an end, the Ministry has been conducting a number of

GTA Director, Indranauth Haralsingh activities which has been receiving the desired response thus far. He pointed out particularly the Bartender’s Cocktail Competition, noting that this was hosted with the aim of boosting the nightlife here. “Tourists are very much involved in the nightlife, and world-class cocktails are a must, so we have invested in this. The competition was also very much supported.” In addition to the drinks, Haralsingh noted that the quality of food served locally is also essential to ensuring that tourists return to Guyana. “That is why we have implemented the restaurant rating system,” the GTA head pointed out. He explained that this system would allow members of the public to vote for and rate the restaurants of their choice online, and also providing reasons for their pick. Haralsingh also reiterated the need to keep the city clean, noting that the first impression is always the lasting impression. “That is why we conducted the enhancement project where we gathered some persons, including students of Presidents College, and undertook a cleanup exercise in sections of Georgetown.”

Two years later...

Computer technician still missing after first trip to interior Two years ago David La Rose went missing. Family members of the 42-year-old man have now become really worried. They now believe that something might have gone terribly wrong. He has never made contact with his family since. La Rose left his home to take up a job in the interior after receiving a phone call from an unidentified person on August 3, 2011. It was his first trip to that part of Guyana. After days had passed and the family had not received a telephone call from

La Rose, his differently-abled father and overseas-based mother became worried about where their son could be, and in what state. Now that two years have passed, the family is certain that the worst has happened to La Rose, especially since they believe that it is unlike the missing man not make contact with his family after such a long time. The man’s youngest sibling, Dale La Rose, said that his brother would not have spent such a long time away from home, especially in

the interior. And that even if he was there, he would have at least informed his family that he was alright. The distraught man added that the older La Rose would not have stayed away for so long and even miss his brother’s wedding. “Everybody stressed out because we ain’t know how and where he deh.” Young La Rose explained that his family- especially their parents, are even more worried since they have already lost one son. Their son Carlos La Rose was

Missing: David La Rose murdered 19 years ago. To put the family out of their misery, the La Roses are asking anyone knowing the whereabouts of David La Rose, to kindly make contact with them on telephone numbers673-7169, 225-8133, or inform the nearest police station.

Page 22

WANTED Female to work night shift in bar, must know to cook. Age 20-30, Tel:223-5798; 647-7432 Experienced driver & dispatcher @ Princess hotel - Tel: 265-7075; 265-7076; 616-5419 Wanted: contract cars & experience dispatcher @ West Site Taxi - Tel: 6130419; 600-0688 Urgently! Live-in / Live out general domestic, must be able to cook well & 1 cook. Attractive salary - Tel: 2261877; 624-7436 Female worker needed, 3 CXC subject or sound secondary school education- Call:612-1607

Kaieteur News

WANTED 1 Couple or small family to live and work on live stock farm @ New Hope E.B.D 2662711, 609-4594 SALESMEN WITH EXPERIENCE FOR WHOLESALE FOOD COMPANY. TEL#231-8529

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Urgently needed live-in waitress to work in bar. Reasonable salary offered! Tel:259-0574

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Enrol today @ Nalini’s School of Cosmetology. Classes starting January 2014. Full course only - $80,000 - Call: 614-6655; 226-6705

Contract cars, Atlas Taxi Service- Tel:661-3043 Courtney’s Boutique stall AB No.37 @ Bourda Market: wanted experience sales girlTel:227-3407 General workers (Male & Female) Operators Apply in person to: B.M. Enterprise Inc. GFL Wharf Houston EBD Tel: 592-227-8176/7

AT192, 212, Allion, Premio, Hilux Surf, BNN & cheap RZ buses, 7 seater super custom. Cash / terms- Call: 680-3154 1- F150 6CYL, fully loaded $3M Negotiable – Tel:6895254; 256-0504 New 2013 Isuzu: D-Max single & double cabs- Call: 691-0234 Christmas Special! Premio $2.4M, Spacio-$2.1M, 2008 Fielder $2.7M, Unregistered - Tel: 617-2891

Space for gym in Georgetown or immediate environment - Tel: 647-4587; 615-5315

Attractive live in waitressCall:228-5129, 604-8277

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Attractive live in waitress- Call:327-0252/ 674-4665

URGENTLY WANTED: Thirty five (35) Security officers. Apply: SECURITY ALLIANCE Barrack Street, Kingston (upstairs FedEx)

We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 Tacoma- Call: 680-3154

1-AT 212 Carina mag rims, remote start alarm - $9750,000 - Tel: 611-6632

SALON Make Up Courses, Artist Trained & Certified in Trinidad. Call: 660-5257, 647-1773

FOR RENT

VEHICLE FOR SALE Toyota Runx, Nissan Wingroad wagon - Tel: 6458593 First Class Auto: Carina 212, Fielder, IST, Allex, Axio, Spacio, Raum (Old & New models) Please Call:6098188; 602-6307 2 - 2007 Toyota Avensis - Tel: 698-0674 One 1995 Toyota Tacoma stick gear 4 wheel drive 3 RZ engine. Price:$1,650,000 negotiable -625-2516 1 strong open back customized canter in good condition, Model M bush truck for interior-Tel:2318417, 223-1238,624-0443

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Salesgirls & porters: Apply with written application @ Best Buy Food Supplies: Lot 1E Middleton & Dennis Street, Campbleville Two joiners and one upholder to work in workshop – Contact:2191342 or 610-7005

1 Toyota Rav-4, IST, NZE Corolla, Fun Cargo, AT 212, AT192, AT170, Tacoma, Caldina Wagon – Tel:6445096; 697-1453 Mitsubishi Galant Car, fully loaded – Tel: 227-7544; 6122542, 614-6011.

Land wanted in Parfaite Harmonie – Tel:675-7292

Experienced Roti/Puri cooks, curry cooks, pastry makers, cleaners & handyboys – Apply @ Hack’s Halaal 5 Commerce Street.

Toyota Spacio PPP series $2.1M neg – Contact:6921051; 685-5011

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VEHICLE FOR SALE 17ft fiberglass boat with 175 Yamaha Seadoo jet ski - Tel: 651-8870

Thursday December 05, 2013

MRR Autos: Fully loaded 2004 Raum, Price $2.25 Neg. Great pre-order deals. Call Today! Tel: 657-1796; 626-9590

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FOR SALE

FOR SALE

LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY $19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754.

1.2 Megawatt Generator, 16 Cylinder Cummings engine, Onan 1250 KVA coil, 3 phase 440 Volts - G$15.5M Call:614-8960; Trinidad: 0011-868-297-4823

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Back up camera systems – 22,000 Tel:680-6374

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Rental of wedding dresses & clothing for sale Phone:6160505

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1 AT212 Carina, grey, excellent condition $1,250,000- Contact:6523066, 690-1611 (Old Model)

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FOR SALE / FOR RENT

New Led TVs from $39,000, LCD monitors 19" from $15,000, DVD players$7,000Contact:225-3391,695-6971

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TO LET Furnished 2-bedrooms top flat & 2 bedroom bottom flat apartment for overseas guests @ Bent St, Wortmanville - Phone: 2222778/ 640-4130/ 226-3309

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Diamond - $150,000, $60,000, $80,000, $70,000 Tel: 661-0180

Large quantity Halaal Pluck Chicken- Tel: 647-0271

Farm at Yarrowkaara-Call:6931585 1 smoothie machine, 2 ice machine - Contact: 231-0655 ,683-8734

One bedroom apartment to rent @ 1 Church St Friendship E.B.D - Tel: 6432934; 266-2494 Self Contained one bedroom apartment, fully grilled for rental @ 70 Vieira H/S Landof-Canaan E.B.D Contact Navita :615-9441 (Continued on page 23)

Thursday December 05, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 23

Letters... Where your views make the news

A Russian roulette approach to education DEAR EDITOR, As a boy growing up in Guyana in the 1970s, I took it for granted that my peers were either “bright” or “dunce.” The “bright” children were seen as attentive, demonstrated understanding of key concepts, and were able to pass examinations well. Students in the latter group were seen as disruptive, slow to grasp key concepts, and struggled to maintain good grades and pass examinations. The Common Entrance examinations separated the “bright” from the “dunce.” The brighter children went on to secondary schools while the others either attended community high schools or, as was popular in remote areas, were relegated to rice fields, became canecutters, or assisted with the family business. Others became apprentices, worked along with craftsmen and learned a “trade”. The classification of children as either “bright” or “dunce” has not changed in principle in Guyana since the 1970s. In fact, the classification highlights a core problem in the education system in Guyana: the general

inability of successive groups of educators and policy makers over a period to realize that children learn differently. If educators and policy makers really understood the tenets of pedagogy, provisions would be made in the current curriculum to accommodate the diverse learning styles of our children. When provisions are made for the diverse learning styles of our children, the education system is more likely to capture a larger number of children who would otherwise languish and settle on providing menial tasks in the economy. Think of the many adults and children in Guyana who were and still are victims of a broken education system, one that has contributed over time to a very limited pool of educated workers, or more specifically, a limited pool of workers with specific vocational training and technical knowledge. Education must be seen as the engine of long-term growth in Guyana. We cannot allow a Russian roulette mindset to guide our education system and determine the outcome of our human resources and

national development. Human resources are critical for the economic stability of Guyana. To circumvent the current socio-economic, political, and environmental issues in Guyana, a sensible education strategy at all levels from nursery to university must be in place. The education strategy must have an all-inclusive range of vocational and technical schools and alternative education programs to balance the demands for skilled and service personnel. The current education system is failing to produce enough students to enter our own university system because of the low passing rates for Math and English at the CSEC. The teachers are paid low salaries, many are not properly trained, and those who are trained leave for greener pastures. If the current trend is not reversed shortly, an even greater threat to the development of our human resources looms. This is damning for a country that once was perceived by other Caribbean nations as the bread basket of the Caribbean. Dr. Terrence Simon

‘Mathematical modelling’ and Zero Discrimination DEAR EDITOR, World AIDS Day this year was commemorated with a Ministry of Health commitment to get to Zero Discrimination amongst other things. A few months ago, the issue of the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS)’s discrimination against LGBT people was discussed in the media. On 15 October, 2013 , a Stabroek News article quoted an anonymous official as saying that they are following the WHO guidelines “Guidelines on assessing donor suitability for blood donation” which have recommended not taking blood from ‘Men who have sex with Men’. The WHO Guidelines acknowledge that “mathematical modelling” is used to make this determination, even as some countries are accepting blood from gay and bisexual men who do not engage in risky behaviours. The media attention arose because the questions asked by the NBTS were about sexual orientation,

rather than behaviours within a period of time. The PAHO Document “ELIGIBILITY FOR BLOOD DONATION: Recommendations for Education and Selection of Prospective Blood Donors” (which the NBTS probably does not follow) states that “ Sexual orientation – hetero– sexuality, bisexuality, homosexuality – should not be used as criterion for blood donor selection since it is not a risk by itself.” Even if the NBTS would like to conflate sexual orientation with sexual

behaviour, then which ‘mathematical modelling ‘ are they using to determine that lesbians pose a risk? The WHO Guidelines say nothing about the risks posed by lesbian women (or women who have sex with women) outside of the other factors explained for ‘heterosexual persons’. Surely the Ministry of Health needs to review its policy of not accepting blood from women who identify as lesbian if they want to get to Zero Discrimination. Vidyaratha Kissoon

WHY WOULD THE NEW GPC RISK... From page 4 will create national takeoff and ensure local ownership of our resources such as mining? Those are lucrative industries that will create a lot of well-paying jobs in addition to innovative spinoff industries. I know a company has every right to do what it wants with its money, but the public has every right to question

when a company that receives the majority of its revenues from state contracts seemingly throws away money in this fashion, particularly when that act concerns the attempted acquisition of two iconic entities of national and legacy patrimony and pride for over 150 years; the GFC and the GCC. M. Maxwell

(From page 22)

EDUCATIONAL Big Christmas deals on computer classes. Diploma in computers $25,000. Micrographics @ Vreed- enHoop – Tel:264-3057

SERVICES

VACANCY

Professional and affordable landscaping and tree trimming services. BUDRAM’S LANDSCAPING SERVICES - Call: 6561326; 678-0058

24 Hour East Coast Guyoil needs night pump attendants, salesgirl & office assistant- Call: 6910894/684-2838

Christmas cleaning! Power washing for residential & commercial properties – Call: 648-1544

MASSAGE The Gent’s Spa: Let beautiful sophisticated masseuse pamper you: New masseuse available- Call: 657-5979 Massage therapy service call:674-8147 American Style massage services- Call:678-7499

Permanent & Visitors Visa Applications, Professional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building Call:225-6496,6626045,223-8115 Repairs, sales & spares air conditioning, microwaves, washer, fridges & stoves. Ultra Cool, call:2259032,647-2943 Repairs to Fridge, Freezer, AC, Washers, Stoves: Call 683-1312,627-3206 (Nick) Brians Construction & Rental Services: Excavator, Bobcat, Truck, Tools – Tel:6015024/ 227-4536 (Bobcat & Excavator Operator needed)

PENPAL Businessman in Trinidad seeks Guyanese woman for friendship & marriage between ages 30-40; email:ramphal mahadeo@ live.com – Tel:0011-868-7243155; 0011-868-4681075 Overseas based Indian male is seeking a female age 29 & up. No texting! Call:661-3299

Premio Vitz (NM), Spacio, Rush latest models, best rates with low deposits – Contact:692-1051; 685-5011 Wings Car Rental- Call: 643-1131 Aidan’s Car Rental & Pickup- Call: 645-7981/ 6987807 Dolly’s Car Rental- Call: 2257126/226-3693- dollysauto rental@yahoo.com/ www.dolly sautorental.com Premio, Vitz call:679-7139, 639-4452. Joshua’s Car Rental Call:6656485; 679-8400

One receptionist to work in Georgetown - Tel: 644-7574 Hire car drivers from E.C.D @ A1 Taxi – Tel:220-1000 One domestic age:25-40yrs, working hours 8am-4pmTel:227-7355 Vacancies exist for 1 experienced Accounts Clerk. Salesgirls & able bodied Porters. Apply @ Alabama Trading, Georgetown Ferry Stelling. 1 Trained cosmetologist Tel: 622-2643; 225-8701

We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer call:2310655,683-8734 Omar Masons Seeks daily or Job work – Tel:619-3296 Technicians available for appliance repairs – washers, dryers, microwaves, stoves, deep fryers, etc – Tel:6190793; 218-0050 We repair L.C.D, Plasma, Led TV, Microwave, Washer & Dryer, Amp etc. Call:6472276/693-3277 Print colour calendars for your business. As low as $9.00 – Many options. 50 minimum. Hurry! 227-2679

CAR RENTAL

Driver for car & van, sales boys & girls. Apply: Avinash @ Water StreetContact:226-3361/227-7828

Dr. Debra Patterson- Skeete, DDS. Dental Clinic @ 1 Thorne’s Drive Durban Backlands Georgetown. Phone:227-3809; 613-0471 Email: debraskeete@ hotmail.com Visit, live, work, study in Canada, US, U.K authorized by Government of Canada 645-4789. Book appointment. Shop online for all your Christmas needs. Cybertron @ Vreed-en-Hoop - Tel: 2643057 Professional Pressure Washing: We clean homes, driveways, gutters, parking lots, business, $10.00 per square Ft.– call Kevin:592696-5424

LAND FOR SALE House lot for sale on the West Bank of Demerara Harbour bridge in Harbourville contact # 6500402 Blankenburg Public Road WCD - 38x150, 39x150 $16M each - Tel: 666-3619 Samatha Point 100X200 $4.5M; Diamond - $2.8M, $3.5M, $4.5M, $5.5M & $10M; Friendship (River Front) – $18M & Houston. Tel:661-0180 Promising Gold and Diamond mining lands in various areas - Tel: 699-3992 Prime Residential land (100ftX50ft) ($2.2M) - Tel: 672-7592 10 Acres land at Long Creek – Contact:699-3723 Herstelling - $3.8M, Diamond$6.5M, LBI (ECD), Republic Garden, Continental Gardens (EBD) -Tel: 231-2200; 618-7483 LEARN TO DRIVE Soman & Sons Driving School , First Federation Building Call 225-4858, 6445166,622-2872,615-0964 SERVICES Services and repairs to gas stoves, washing machines Call: 688-0183

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Kaieteur News

Thursday December 05, 2013

GPOC improves service Talk Show Host facing six months in prison for festive season Public advised to do business early

A section of GPOC’s main office on Monday The Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC) is working to provide an improved service for members of the public during the Christmas season. Against this backdrop the Corporation is advising that persons utilize its services in a timely manner. Deputy Postmaster General, Abdul Hassan explained that persons sending overseas mail should do so by December 9, while those posting domestic mail are advised to do so before December 17 to avoid the Christmas mailing rush. Hassan explained that plans are in the pipeline to introduce the computerized and improved payment software, INSTAPAY to all its offices INSTAPAY, which was rebranded and introduced last October, has the capacity to offer real-time bill payment and money transfer services at competitive rates.” “At present we have 27 offices that are equipped with computers that facilitate the money transfer and bill payment system, which is giving us a bit more efficiency in those areas.” The Deputy Postmaster General further explained that more members of staff have been placed in the various departments to ensure that adequate service is provided to the public. “We have ensured that there enough staff available to facilitate the Christmas mailing rush, and to provide the necessary services to those conducting business at our offices. However what we find is that because a lot of people work, sometimes when the postman visits your home you are not at home to collect the mail.” “It would be helpful if a letter box can be in place to assist the workers with

delivery and also with regards to these new housing schemes, person can have their lot numbers displayed to assist the postman in making the correct delivery.” Mr. Hassan detailed that while the use of technology has impacted the international postal service, the utilization of the service by the commercial entities ensure continuity. “Social networks such as facebook have impacted postal service especially in regards to our international mail. Every year we see a series of declines in comparison to the previous year. However the domestic/ business mail remains constant… commercial entities such as the banks and insurance companies have continued to use the postal service, this continues to aid in the sustenance of our service.” Recently, GPOC announced new postage rates to sustain its operations amidst rising costs.

In an invited comment, Postmaster General Mr. Henry Dundas said that this move was practical, taking into consideration several factors, including the changes taking place in the international mailing and postal operations. “Its public knowledge that GPOC does not receive a government subvention thus increasing our rates was the most suitable move to sustain our services.” GPOC ‘S domestic postage rate for the first 20 grams is now $80; while Caribbean postage is $130 while packages for Central, North and South America have increased to $150, The new rate for Great Britain is $160 while Asia, Africa, Europe and Australia’s postal rates have been adjusted to $200. In recent years, the Corporation has been battling to find new ways to increase its revenues. However, the Postmaster General did not disclose the annual income of the entity.

- for failing to complete community service National Television Network (NTN) Radio Announcer Ossie Rogers, seems headed to prison after he failed to complete 53 hours of community service that was imposed on him by Sparendaam Magistrate Alex Moore Rogers, was found guilty on November 4, of resisting arrest and failing to comply with a lawful direction by a police officer and was fined and ordered to do community service failing which he will face imprisonment. Magistrate Alex Moore presiding at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court, had given Rogers up to today to complete 50 hours of community service which was to be done under the supervision of the Sergeant in charge of the Sparendaam Police Station, failing which he faces six months imprisonment. This is in addition to a fine of $100,000 which is to be paid by January 15, 2014, with the alternative of spending another six months in prison. However, Rogers has failed to show up for his community service, and sources at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court have informed that an order is expected to be issued by the Magistrate for his arrest. Rogers was also charged with driving a vehicle with a tinted glass without a permit. The court heard that Rogers, who hosts a morning show on radio, committed the offences on August 12, on the Sparendaam Public Road, within the vicinity of the Sparendaam Police Station. Court documents revealed that the radio announcer was stopped by a police officer, who informed

Talk Show Host Ossie Rogers him about the tinted windows of his vehicle. Rogers produced a document signed by the Home Affairs Minister. But the court later found that the document was a mere acknowledgement of his application to have tinted car windows. He then became abusive to the officers who were engaging him and it was then that an attempt was made to arrest him. It is alleged that Rogers sped off in his car. He was later served with a summons to attend court even after he had filed a complaint against the ranks at the Police Office of Professional Responsibility, (OPR). But the OPR found no evidence to support Roger’s claims against the ranks. Kaieteur News understands that previous charges against Rogers for similar offences were dropped because of the tardiness of the police; but this time the police were prepared. In court, Rogers’ lawyer made no case submissions on

Unidentified body found with private parts missing Police are investigating the death of an unidentified man whose nude body was found on the Georgetown seawalls, in the vicinity of the Criminal Investigation Department of the Police Force, with missing privates. The discovery was made around 12:10hrs yesterday by a vagrant who immediately informed the police. A source said that when the vagrant walked into the police station, ranks attempted to put him out, thinking it was a “joke” but after a senior officer intervened, two police ranks went to the scene. They confirmed it. Yesterday, a few persons who gathered at the scene to get a glimpse of the body were heard saying, “It looks

The body being removed by undertakers

fresh. Like they beat he and dump he there last night.” Police in a press release

said that the victim is of African descent, fair complexion and appears to be

in the mid-forties. The body also bore marks of violence. An investigation is ongoing.

all three charges, and while Magistrate Moore ruled that the charge regarding the tinted windows was bad in law, he found that Rogers was guilty of the two other offences. When Rogers took the stand in his own defence, he made some damning allegations against one of the arresting ranks, claiming that he was “improperly handled”. But after analyzing the evidence, Magistrate Moore told Rogers that he found that his statements were bizarre, unsubstantiated and vexatious and were intended to embarrass the ranks. “Your behaviour was reckless and falls short of the professionalism that is expected of someone like you. It shows a complete disregard for the police,” Magistrate Moore had told the accused, before threatening to impose a custodial sentence on him. However, Rogers’ lawyer made a stirring plea of mitigation, which only saved his client from certain jail at the time. Magistrate Moore was nevertheless adamant that a strong message should be sent to deter persons who may be inclined to commit similar offences and imposed the penalties on the radio and television talk show host. The Magistrate’s decision came against the backdrop of him being accused of being too lenient with offenders. A few days after the sentences were handed down, Rogers turned up at the Sparendaam Police Station and began taking photographs of the surroundings. “He was supposed to return to the station sergeant but he never did. It is the station sergeant who had to decide where and when he was to carry out his community service,” a source explained. “Once the date (for the completion of the community service) is up and the station sergeant finds no record that he completed it, it’s Camp Street for him,” an official at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court informed. There is no record of Rogers appealing the Magistrate’s ruling, although he had 14 days to do so. Kaieteur News understands that Rogers may be out of the jurisdiction. “Once the order is signed, he becomes a wanted man. And if he doesn’t pay the fine, it’s another six months, and my understanding is that the sentences are to run consecutively,” the source

Thursday December 05, 2013

Kaieteur News

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Thursday December 05, 2013

Cameron says Britain must stick to economic recovery plan (Reuters) - British Prime Minister David Cameron appealed to voters yesterday to give his government more time to secure the country’s economic recovery and defended his deficit-cutting policies. In a round of interviews a day before the government gives its twice-yearly budget update, Cameron said it would set out a long-term plan, involving “often unpopular decisions”, to turn the economy round. Britain’s economy has made an unexpectedly strong return to growth this year after a long period of stagnation. But Cameron’s Conservatives, bidding for reelection in May 2015, lag the opposition Labour Party in the polls. Labour says weak wage growth and rising household bills are creating a cost of living crisis. Cameron said the latest budget update, known as the Autumn Statement, would

David Cameron give families help with energy bills and a freeze on local council taxes, but would not alter his flagship policy of cutting the budget deficit and controlling public borrowing. “We are on the right track ... recovering our economy, getting jobs for our people and, over time, really fixing for the long term the mess we were left in the public

finances,” Cameron told the BBC during a visit to China aimed at boosting trade. “The worst thing we could do is go back to the Labour approach of more borrowing, more spending, more debt exactly the things that got us into this mess,” Cameron added in a separate interview with Sky News. Labour oversaw a record peacetime budget deficit during its last term in office. Polls suggest the Conservatives are more trusted to run the economy than Labour. On rising energy prices, however, Labour seized the initiative in September when its leader Ed Miliband promised to freeze household bills for 20 months if he wins power in 2015. The idea proved popular with the public and was followed by a government promise to take steps to reduce bills by an average of 50 pounds ($82) a year.

Rocket fire kills 17 in Syrian city of Aleppo BEIRUT (Reuters) Rockets fired into a government-controlled district of Aleppo killed at least 17 people in the northern Syrian city yesterday, state media and a monitoring group said. Photographs from the incident in Meridien and Furqan, two adjacent neighborhoods in western Aleppo, showed pools of blood on the pavements and a crater in the road where one

of the rockets appeared to have landed. The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the casualties included nine civilians and five members of President Bashar al-Assad’s security forces. It put the death toll at 18, one more than was reported by state news agency SANA which called the rocket fire a “terrorist attack ...on residential districts” of the

disputed city. Assad’s forces have gained ground to the southwest of Aleppo and carried out air strikes, dropping improvised barrel bombs from helicopters on the town of al-Bab to the northeast. There has also been a resurgence of fighting in central Aleppo - the heart of what used to be Syria’s biggest city - before next month’s planned peace talks in Geneva.

Thursday December 05, 2013

Kaieteur News

Biden seeks to calm China air zone tensions

Beijing (AFP) - US Vice President Joe Biden told Chinese President Xi Jinping yesterday that their countries’ relationship will affect “the course of the 21st century” as he tried to ease tensions over an air zone declared by Beijing. Biden’s trip, which began in Japan and ends in South Korea, follows a furore over Beijing’s declaration of an “air defence identification zone” (ADIZ) covering the East China Sea including islands disputed with Japan. It demonstrates the challenges Washington — which has declared a foreign policy “pivot” towards Asia — faces in dealing with an ever more assertive China, the world’s second-largest economy, while maintaining a security alliance with Beijing’s great rival Japan. “This is a hugely consequential bilateral relationship that is going to play a significant part in affecting the course of the 21st century,” Biden told Xi. “This new model of majorcountry cooperation ultimately has to be based on trust, and a positive notion about the motive of one another.” The meeting between the two, who are said to have a good personal rapport, lasted two hours, far longer than the scheduled 45 minutes. Xi called Biden an “old

friend” and told him : “You have long been committed to the growth of China-US relations and I commend you for the large amount of work you have taken.” Relations had generally maintained “positive development”, he said, noting that the region and globe were undergoing “complex changes” and “regional hot spot issues keep cropping up”. It was a marked change of tone for Biden after he said at a press conference with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Tuesday that the US was “deeply concerned by the attempt to unilaterally change the status quo in the East China Sea”. Beijing provoked widespread anger late last month by declaring an ADIZ in which all aircraft had to be subject to China’s orders or face unspecified “defensive emergency measures”. Washington, Tokyo and Seoul all sent military or paramilitary planes into the zone in defiance of Beijing’s rules, while the US reiterated its security pact with Japan. The decades-old argument over East China Sea outcrops which Beijing calls Diaoyu and Tokyo calls Senkaku flared after Japan bought some of the islands from their private owners in September 2012. Since then, China has sent

ships and aircraft to nearby waters while Japan has scrambled fighter jets on hundreds of occasions, raising concerns of an unintended clash. Beijing has accused the US and Japan — which both have ADIZs — of double standards over its own zone, saying the real provocateur is Tokyo. It also accuses Japan of being unwilling to negotiate by refusing even to acknowledge that a dispute exists over the islands, which Tokyo controls but Beijing regards as part of its territory. An editorial in the staterun China Daily yesterday said US support for Japan would undermine Biden’s credibility in China. “Despite trying to present the image of being an impartial mediator, Washington has obviously taken Japan’s side,” it said. “He should not expect any substantial headway if he comes simply to repeat his government’s previous erroneous and one-sided remarks.” Analysts say that despite the rhetoric the two Asian powers — the world’s second- and third-largest economies — have strong incentives to avoid conflict, and China may have been looking to stake out a diplomatic position with the zone.

Libyan assembly votes to follow Islamic law TRIPOLI (Reuters) Libya’s national assembly voted yesterday to make Islamic law, or sharia, the source of all legislation, in an apparent bid by moderate Islamists to outflank ultraconservative militants who have been gaining influence. Two years after the NATO-backed uprising that ousted Muammar Gaddafi, Libya is still in messy transition, with no new constitution, a temporary government and nascent security forces struggling to contain militias and former rebels. The immediate impact of the statement was not clear in the already overwhelmingly Muslim country, though it could affect criminal and financial legislation. “The legislative system does not contain many laws that contradict Islamic law so it is easy to say sharia would be the sole source of legislation,” said Ibrahim al-Gharyani of the National Forces Alliance party. But lawmakers

Libya’s Prime Minister Ali Zeidan speaks during a news conference at the Prime Minister’s Office. REUTERS/Ismail Zitouny suggested at least part of the reason for the statement from the General National Congress (GNC) was political. As in Tunisia and Egypt, where autocratic leaders were also ousted in the Arab Spring revolts, Libya has seen fierce debate over the role of Islam in its new democracy with the

rise of ultraconservative Islamists long suppressed by Gaddafi. The hardline group Ansar al-Sharia, blamed for the 2012 attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, has been attempting to extend its influence, and has accused some assembly members of being un-Islamic.

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Thursday December 05, 2013

Letters... Where your views make the news

THE RISE OF ILLITERACY IN GUYANA Government denies dismissing public workers

From page 5 contributed significantly to the disaster of their children’s future because they set a bad example. When we study crime and drugs, and the use of alcohol in our society, we must study individuals socially, morally, academically and spiritually. The use of alcohol that is legally sold is the greatest form of human degradation. Most domestic violence and murders are as a result of

alcohol use and drugs. I have seen rum shops filled, all over this country. Murders and killings are coming from these bars. People think of fast money by selling rum, but rum is a curse on the human race. Yet we give entities accolades for manufacturing rum. I have seen the use of rum and drugs destroy lots of educated people, even celebrities. The function of a good education in a civilized society is the key to our success. In some countries I have been to, it’s compulsory for drivers to know to read and write and for every citizen to go to school, both young and old. Only a few illiterate adults today are interested in reading. Most people today are seen with tons of DVDs; they have to watch movies worthless things that have no value for them and their children. We have become a

‘carefree’ nation or what we call living a ‘’doan kay a dam’’ lifestyle. It’s time the government arrests these situations of illiteracy by building more adult schools to educate all who are in need of such help. The youths of today will become the leaders of tomorrow without a proper education, how can they lead their own lives? We should follow the model of the Greeks and Romans who were the greatest intellectuals on earth. If our people are properly educated academically, morally and spiritually, we will see a massive reduction of crime and violence. Our problems are moral and spiritual. If we deal with it by educating our youths we will have a glorious nation like a blooming rose garden smiling at dawn. Rev.Gideon Cecil

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - CMC – the Barbados government yesterday denied reports that it had taken a decision to lay off public workers as the island deals with a sluggish economy. Prime Minister Freundel Stuart said that his administration had always taken the position that, as far as possible, resorting to layoffs would be “a kind of last option when every other option has failed”. Stuart told reporters that the issue was being discussed within the context of the state of the local economy, stressing that the government was in a 19-month programme to try to restore the economy and only three months had gone by. “So, I am not in a position to say that there will be layoffs or that there will not be layoffs because the Cabinet has not taken any decision on that issue. “But, we are looking, as we said we would do, at how the 19-month programme upon which we embarked is unfolding. “And whatever action we need to take to ensure that Barbados remains stable and

Freundel Stuart economically viable we will take, but not take whimsically or just capriciously, we (will) take it after careful study of what the objective circumstances are. I am not in a position to say anything else beyond that,” Stuart said. The Prime Minister acknowledged that the country had some revenue challenges, which would obviously affect governments’ expenditure.

Bullet making machine found at Kingston wharf was shipped from Florida KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Police have reported that the bullet-making machine discovered at the Kingston wharf yesterday, November 28 originated in Florida. Customs officials and the police discovered the machine, as well as several components and 3300 warheads, during checks of a container at the wharf.

Lawmen said yesterday that the origin of the machine was traced to Florida with the assistance of overseas law enforcement entities. According to the police criticisms of the approach taken by officers in the case have sparked much discussion. “While the concerns are noted, we want to reassure the public that

based on the circumstances and the events that unfolded at the time, the best available strategy was employed,” the police said. The Police shortly after the discovery issued a person-of-interest notice for one Oneil Schrouder of Mandeville, Manchester who is suspected to have information regarding the importation of the items.

Govt. paying lip service to fight against corruption, Holness says Jamaica Observer Kingston, Jamaica — Opposition Leader Andrew Holness says that Jamaica’s ranking of 83rd among 175 countries for the second consecutive year is evidence that the government has made no real effort to focus on reducing corruption in the island. The annual Corruption Perception Index (CPI) published by international watchdog group Transparency International ranks countries globally based on how corrupt their public sector is perceived to be. “This latest indicator is yet another signal of the extent to which the PNP administration has been paying lip-service to the anticorruption agenda while failing to tackle corruption in any meaningful way,” Holness said yesterday. “The Opposition is on record from as early as 2012, expressing grave concern at the government’s decision to proceed down the destructive path of taking the Office of the Contractor General (OCG), the

Andrew Holness

country’s lead agency in the fight against corruption, to Court,” he added. According to Holness, the Simpson Miller-led administration h a s d e m o n s t r a t e d l ittle regard for the office and rulings of the Office of the Contractor General (OCG), with the latest assault being the reappointment of Richard Azan as junior minister,

despite the OCG’s expressed opinion that he was compromised, having acted in a “politically corrupt manner”. Holness added that May Pen Mayor Scean Barnswell has not been asked to step down as Chairman of the Clarendon Parish Council although he is before the court on a criminal charge supported by an OCG Report.

Thursday December 05, 2013

Kaieteur News

Dry Shore Rice Mill supports Aurora Knight Riders CC Proprietor of Dry Shore Rice Mill, Wazeer Hussain, on Tuesday last handed over a quantity of cricket suits to the Aurora Knight Riders Cricket Club on the Essequibo Coast. The club, which was officially established on September 19, 2013, has been gaining tremendous recognition from both the business community and well wishers.

Speaking at the simple handing over ceremony, Hussain said he is extremely impress with the programmes and policies of the club and has pledged to continue his loyal support. The businessman, whose entity is a household name on the Essequibo Coast, was very elated to give back to an organization whose future

looks promising. President of the club Reshad A l l y, upon receiving the clothing expressed gratitude to the businessman for his generous contribution and urged the members of the club to continue taking the game seriously. He also challenged them to vie for higher heights.

Thursday December 05, 2012 ARIES (MAR 21 - APR 19): A social event today could put you in contact with some old friends who mean a great deal to you. The occasion will be very warm and friendly, though you may feel a little subdued. *************************** TAURUS (APR 20 - MAY 20): Working closely with someone might bring up some strong, warm affection between you. It may or may not be a romantic attraction, but if it is, don't read too much into it now. *************************** GEMINI (MAY 21 - JUN 20): Love, affection, and romance seem to be all around you. Strong unity with close friends, family members, and your romantic partner may well up throughout the day. *************************** CANCER (JUN 21 - JUL 22): Strong psychic impressions about absent friends or family members may come to you today. All are apt to be positive, though you might find it disconcerting. You might even think it more so if you learn your intuition was right! *************************** LEO (JUL 23 - AUG 22): Today you could intuit powerful feelings of affection from someone you might be romantically attracted to. You could feel a rush of exhilaration from this experience before your skeptical side kicks in to say it's all wishful thinking. ************************ VIRGO (AUG 23 - SEP 22): Your kindness and good manners could pay off today. Someone who respects you a great deal might offer you an opportunity to advance that increases your income. You may have known this person for a long time, and the two of you work well together.

LIBRA (SEP 23 - OCT 22): Love and romance are going marvelously well today. If you're attached, affection continues to grow between you and your partner. *************************** SCORPIO (OCT 23 NOV 21): You tend to be intellectually inclined. Today you might put some of your knowledge to work in a creative way. Your intuition and imagination are working overtime. *************************** SAGITTARIUS (NOV 22 - DEC 21): A loving, supportive letter or call from a close friend could be just what the doctor ordered today. You may feel overworked and a little pessimistic about any plans you've made. *************************** CAPRICORN (DEC 22 JAN 19): Today you may come up with some attractive new ideas to advance your career and increase your income. *************************** AQUARIUS (JAN 20 FEB 18): Today you might experience a rush of spiritual insights. Whatever comes to you seems clear and right, and it could inspire music, poetry, or painting. The only problem might be that these insights may disappear if you don't write them down right away. Visions from the other side can be ephemeral. *************************** PISCES (FEB 19 - MAR 20): Today you could receive some unexpected good news regarding the impending arrival of money that you've anticipated for a long time. This will be very welcome news and worthy of a celebration, although you still might not believe it. Believe it! Your long wait is over. Now you have to resist the temptation to spend it all in one place.

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All Seasons Racing Service three-way dominoes

Countrywide champs take early lead Recently crowned F&H countrywide dominoes champions, All Seasons Racing Service, have taken an early lead in a three-way aggregate tournament featuring International Six and Canal Six which got underway on Tuesday night last. Using their Robb Street home (former German Restaurant) advantage to good effect, All Seasons totaled 81 games to edge International Six by a single game with Canal Six brining up the rear on 72. In a hotly contested game, International Six (67) led the

eventual winners by two games at the end of the penultimate sitting with Canal trailing on 60. The sixth and final sitting however saw All Seasons marking 16 games to International’s 13 and Canal’s 12. Frankie Seaforth led the way for the winners with the maximum 18 games and got excellent support from David Bennett (16), Errol Seaforth (15), Hazim Hack (13) and John Freeman (13). The top markers for International Six were Intikab “Corbie” Ali with the maximum 18 games, Edmund Sammy with 14 and 13 each

to skipper Manniram “Packer” Shew and Martin Permaul. Parmananad Rambarose (15) and Ramesh Ramoutar (13) were the best players for Canal Six whose Kedar Seopaul was the lone lovebird. The tournament, which is being sponsored by Proprietor of All Seasons Racing Service Raymond Ali, will see the winner and first runners-up receiving trophies. There are also prizes for the three top players in the winning team, the best two in the second and the top in the third place finishers. Action continues tomorrow with the second round at the Everest Cricket Club Pavilion, Camp Road, while the third and final leg is set for Sunday at 14:00hrs at Ernest Shop, Canal Number One, West Bank Demerara.

Little DIVA... From page 26 (Georgetown). According to Lawrence “Sparrow” Griffith - President of the club, female football has been struggling to survive in Guyana and to date the Lady Jags are the only representative team to participate in the CONCACAF Gold Cup. A release from the club stated, “For us to have meaningful local representatives on national teams there is a need for the females to play regular and competitive football.” It was his idea to form this club so that prospective female players can have somewhere to train and enhance their skill and have a chance to fulfill their desire to represent Guyana in the future. Accordingly, Griffith is urging all stakeholders, companies and well wishers who are wants to partner with the club, to come forward and support the venture. A budget is being prepared in the interim and will be available by weekend. Meanwhile, the Little DIVA’s will recommence training today at the GFC Ground commencing at 16:00 hrs. Also, the club has been invited to participate in a tournament in Lethem during the Easter Weekend Rodeo event. Plans are also in place to hold a fund raising take away lunch January month end.

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Kaieteur News

Thursday December 05, 2013

GCB Awards Ceremony

Johnson, Ogle cop Cricketer

of the year Awards Tagenarine Chanderpaul is youth player of the year By Sean Devers West Indies ‘A’ team lefthanded batsman Leon Johnson and West Indies Women’s team batter June Ogle copped the Male and Female Cricketer of the year awards respectfully when the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) held its 2013 Awards Ceremony at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) pavilion on Tuesday evening. West Indies under-19 batsman and son of Test icon Shiv Chanderpaul, Tagenarine Chanderpaul collected four Awards, while West Indies left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul and Christopher Barnwell received two Awards each. Marketing Manager of the GCB Raj Singh performed the duties of Master of Ceremonies, while GCB’s Vice - President Fizul Bacchus gave a comprehensive review on Guyana’s cricket during 2013. Bacchus, speaking on behalf of GCB President Dru Bahadur, who was unavoidably absent, told the gathering which included immediate past Presidents Ramsay Ali and Chetram Singh, that focus for next year would be on Secondary

Schools cricket. The Essequibian added that a Guyana t20 league will be contested and informed that the GCB is now working closely with Government to upgrade cricket facilities across the country. Director of Sports Neil Kumar said he hopes the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Directors, including Trinidadian Baldath Mahabir who delivered the feature address, should make a genuine effort to resolve the present issues with GCB. Kumar spoke of the need to place more emphasis on school’s cricket and alluded to the fact that 147 schools participated in the National Sports Commission (NSC) and GCB-run schools competition. Kumar, who is a member of parliament for the Peoples Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/ Civic) party opined that the GCC/GFC venture by Dr Bobby Ramroop was a good catalyst for the development of both cricket and football in the city and also feels the clubs would benefit from the proposed project. Mahabir believes the proper structure is in place to move West Indies cricket

forward and says bright days are ahead for the regional game. Mahabir scolded the Guyana Government for not doing enough with the abundance of natural resources available to them and at one point it seemed as if Mahabir was on a political platform instead of at a cricket Awards Ceremony. In his lengthy speech the WICB Director said that cricket has become a commercial product and all parties should treat it as such. Special Awards: Ronsford Beaton (Most Improved Player-Lance Gibbs Trophy), T Chanderpaul (Junior Cricketer of the year- Roy Fredericks Trophy), C Barnwell (Senior Domestic cricketer of the year-Rohan Kamahi Trophy). Awardees: V Permaul (Senior Regional Cricketer of the year), C Barnwell (Outstanding Performer in Regional T20), Ronaldo Ali Mohamed (Outstanding Performer Regional U-15),T Chanderpaul (Selection to WI U-19 team) Shemron Hetymer (WI U-19 team), Gudakesh Moti-Kanhai (WI U-19 team), Narsingh Deonarine (achievements with WI ‘A’

team), V Permaul (Achievements with WI ‘A’ team), Assad Fudadin (Achievements with WI ‘A’ team), L Johnson ( Achievements with WI ‘A’ team), T Chanderpaul (Highest Individual score Regional U-19) , G MotiKanhai (Most wkts in Regional U-19), T Chanderpaul (Most Valuable Player Regional U-19) Special Services Awards: S Chanderpaul (1st player to play 150 Tests for WI), Anand Sanasie (for his spirit and commitment to the development of Guyana’s cricket), Chetram Singh (long, outstanding and dedicated service to Guyana’s cricket), Terry Holder (long, outstanding and dedicated service for Guyana’s cricket), Calvin Roberts (Cricket Journalist of the year), Hardat Thomas (for outstanding services as a curator), Ryan Banwarie (for outstanding performance at the WICUA final written exams). Corporate Awards: Limacol, DDL and Hand-inHand. Premium Awards: Club of the year (Nominees: DCC, Rosehall Town Youth & Sports Club and Albion), Female Cricketer of the year (Nominees: J Ogle, Tremayne Smartt, Shemaine Campbell), Male Cricketer of the Year (Nominees: V Permaul, A Fudadin, L Johnson)

Little DIVA Flames Football Club to stage female tourney The Little Diva players displaying football boots the recently received.

In an effort to fill the void created by no female tournament being played recently, the Little DIVA Flames Football Club will be

embarking on an ambitious ventu r e b y o r g a n i z i n g and running off a tournament for females, 24 years and under (U24),

during the Mashramani period next year. Teams which will be invited to participate are Linden, West

Demerara, Berbice, East Coast (Buxton), East Bank (Grove), Eagles (Georgetown) & Little DIVA Flames (Continued on page 29)

WI eye great From page 34 for five.Sammy was forced to leave the field with his injury after the first delivery of his 24th over and the pressure eased, as Watling joined Taylor and they batted through to lunch. To add to West Indies frustrations, both batsmen had a number of close calls, edging a couple deliveries past the stumps and just short of fielders with Taylor a huge dose of good fortune about 20 minutes before the interval. The Windies also lost their remaining umpire decision review, when Gabriel struck Watling, on 10, on the back pad with a full-length delivery which the technology, on appeal, suggested would have missed legstump. West Indies had more success with the ball before tea, but it was overshadowed by Taylor crossing the 200-run threshold for the first time in his Test career, as New Zealand continued the grind. Three wickets – two to Deonarine’s uncomplicated offspin – gave the Windies their best period of the match, but Taylor and Wagner carried the hosts to 575 for eight at the break. The visitors had early success after lunch, when Best had Watling caught at second slip for 41, edging a forcing back-foot

shot, following an 84-run stand for the sixth wicket with Taylor, and Deonarine followed up with the scalp of Tim Southee caught at forward short leg for two from bat-pad. West Indies met further resistance when Sodhi, playing his third Test and his first on home soil, added 76 for the eighth wicket with Taylor to slow the Caribbean side’s progress. Some of the discipline the Windies exhibited before lunch deserted them after the interval and this allowed the Black Caps’ batsmen, Taylor in particular, to indulge themselves. This was highlighted by fast bowler Shannon Gabriel conceding four boundaries in one over that cost 18, as Taylor steadily progressed to his milestone. Deonarine made a timely intervention, when he held a return catch from a leading edge to dismiss Sodhi for 35 about half-hour before tea before Taylor glanced him to fine leg for three to reach his milestone from 295 balls. West Indies were put out of their misery about 20 minutes after tea, when Wagner failed to beat Darren Bravo’s throw from deep mid-wicket to bowler Best and was run out going for a second run, prompting the New Zealand declaration.

Kennard makes final response to...

From page 33 problem if a club because of certain difficulties has to change its racing dates. However, there is a procedure for doing so. So far as meeting of the BLUTC, which was originally fixed for September 29, this had to be called off as the Police had not given permission for the meeting. This was due to the fact the application to the Police was made a mere matter of days before the proposed race meeting and this would have clashed with the Police gymkhana which was fixed for the said date at the Neighbouring village of Hopetown. As regards the meeting which was run off at Rising Sun Turf Club on October 6, this was fixed by the organizers while I was overseas. On my return to the country I was informed by the organizers that this race meeting was a fund raising meeting for the PPP/C party to celebrate 21 years for being in office. Could anyone in their right mind have opposed that meeting? I ask Mr. Colin Elcock whether he would have had the guts to oppose that race meeting. As a matter of fact that race meeting did not in

any way affect the BLUTC as they could not have run off a race meeting on September 29 without the Police Permission. As a matter of fact Mr. Elcock supported the PPP/C fund raising race meeting. Finally, the RSTC presented its provisional programme for the race meeting fixed for January 5 to GHRA on Sunday December 1. That programme has been approved by the GHRA. Mr. Fazal Habibulla assured those present at the meeting that if inclement weather prevents him from running off his race meeting at RSTC he is prepared to have discussions with the officials of PMTC to run off the race meeting at Port Mourant race track. I ask why are all these criticism being made? Don’t we have more important things to do? Mr. Elcock as far as I am concerned we are still friends. I, on behalf of members of GHRA wish you also a Merry Xmas and a happy new year. However, please remember as the saying goes, while the grass is growing the horse is starving. Cecil C. Kennard President GHRA

Thursday December 05, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 31

Former Rifleshooter Charles Battle to reach knockout ‘Swanka’ Dean laid to rest Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Futsal Competition

phase heating up - Four games decided by penalty kicks Eight more matches are slated for this evening when the Georgetown segment of the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Futsal Competition continues, at the Burnham Court on Middle and Carmichael Streets, starting at 19:00 hrs. In the opening encounter, Cross Street take on East Front Road and that will be followed by the clash between Albouystown ‘A’ and Sophia South. In the next game, defending champions Leopold Street will look to rebound following an opening night loss when they face Costello Housing

Scheme, before Island AllStar square off against West Front Road. After the break, Kingston opposes South Ruimveldt, before Norton Street East tackles Queen Street of Tiger Bay and this encounter will precede the clash between Globe Yard and Albouystown ‘B’ with the Hope Street of Tiger Bay and California Square engagement bringing the curtains down on the night’s action. Meanwhile, on Tuesday night at the National Cultural Centre Tarmac, four games had to be decided by penalty kicks signalling the real battle among teams to reach the

knockout phase has started. In the opening game of the night, North Sophia beat Festival City 3-1 on penalty kicks after both teams failed to score in regulation time. National champions Back Circle looked way below their best and suffered the consquences when they went down to a solid looking North East La Penitence 3-0. In the next game, clearly the most exciting of the evening Stevedore Housing Scheme scraped past Norton Street 5-4 on sudden death penalty kicks from the halfway line after a pulsating 3-3 draw in regulation time. Another shootout was required in the Berlin Massive versus North-Last Entrance which the former won 3-2 after a 2-2 draw in regulation time.

Richard Bevan appointed new chairman of the Caribbean P remier League Premier CPL - Kingston, Jamaica: The board of The Caribbean Premier League (CPL) in a release announced that Mr. Richard Bevan has been appointed Chairman of The CPL with immediate effect. Richard Bevan is a leading figure in the world of sports administration with over 20 years’ experience working within elite level sport. He is the current Chief Executive of the League Managers Association (LMA) in the UK, having previously held the role of CEO at the English Professional Cricketers Association (PCA). He was a

founding Director of the Federation of International Cricketers Associations (FICA) and continues to be a Trustee of the Team England Players’ Partnership. Commenting on behalf of the board, Mr. Damien O’Donohoe, CEO of The CPL said; “I am delighted that Richard has taken on the role of Chairman of The CPL board. Richard has huge experience in the business of sport and a track record in leading organisations through significant growth and expansion. His knowledge of international sports administration,

Richard Bevan especially in cricket, will be of huge value to The CPL as we look to build on the successes of our first year. The CPL is very honoured to have him lead the team.”

The rifle shooting fraternity bid farewell to one of its dedicated members, the late Charles Dean who was laid to rest on Saturday last following a moving funeral service at the #4 Assembly of God Church, West Coast Berbice with Pastor Lena Daniels as the celebrant. Dean, born on May 12, 1949, died on November 18 following a brief period of illness much to the shock of his wife Sharolyn Pestano, nine children, family, rifle shooting colleagues and friends. The always neatly attired Dean was remembered by Captain of the fullbore section of the Guyana National Rifle Association (GNRA) Mahendra Persaud as a reliable individual who was loved by his colleagues during the six plus years of membership. Dean, Persaud informed was always the first shooter to arrive at the Timehri Rifle Ranges located at Yarrowkabra on the Linden Soesdyke Highway. “Swanka as we sometimes called him was one of our most dedicated shooters, since joining the association over six years a g o he displayed the discipline necessary to become a top shooter. Had he not decided to go and shoot on the range above, he would have still been training to attain his goal and that was to beat national champion Ransford Goodluck.” Persaud also said that Dean was known for undertaking intense research on shooting techniques and would always upgrade his equipment with a view to improving his scores on the range. “Dean was so dedicated that he had a Vbull horse painted onto his truck. This has been very popular among visiting shooters from the Caribbean and Great Britain.” Many of his Caribbean colleagues expressed shock and their condolences via the

The late Charles Dean at the Timehri Ranges in April this year.

West Indies Fullbore Shooting website, recognising his friendly disposition and high level of sportsmanship. Dean, who attended this year’s Caribbean Championships that were held in the Land of the Flying Fish, Barbados, where the Australia Match also took place, was also a regular shot with the Bermuda National team. This was so since the Bermudians would not have had a full complement of shooters, the Guyanese marksman in the true spirit of Caribbean sportsmanship was always willing to lend his skills to the Bermudians whose captain expressed deep regret at his passing. He said the Bermudians regarded Dean as an Honorary Member of their team. Apart from representing Guyana at the Caribbean level in May 2013 in Barbados, Dean also represented the Golden Arrowhead in Trinidad and Tobago and

Barbados. He was already preparing himself for the championships in Jamaica next year. Persaud said that the fraternity will certainly miss Dean’s sense of humour, dedication and presence. He took the opportunity on behalf of GNRA President, Rear Admiral Gary Best, executive and members to express sincere condolences to Dean’s wife, Sharolyn Pestano, his children, Charles Jr., Holly, Leydon, Harvil, Jermin, Denique, Candacy, Narine and Chelsea and relatives. “May God graciously comfort you and heal your hurt during this challenging time. God does not give us more than we can bear and I am sure that Dean is happy where he is. I am also confident that he has already found the range there, taken his sighting shots and is ready to commence competition.” (Franklin Wilson)

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Kaieteur News

GT&T, Hand-in-Hand Inter-County cricket

Matches on today at Enmore & Everest

By Sean Devers Fifty-nine years ago Demerara faced Essequibo in the inaugural Jones Cup Inter-County four-day cricket match at Bourda but in all those years Essequibo have never reached the final. Between 1971 and 1990, the Inter-County Final was the only match in Guyana afforded First-Class status by the West Indies Cricket Board. The British Guiana Cricket Board was founded in 1943 but its name was changed to the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) when Guyana gained Independence in 1966. The GCB is responsible for organising the tournament between the three counties and Demerara has opposed Berbice in every Final. A few years ago a President’s X1 was included along with the County teams and today they take on Berbice at Everest in the City as the 2013 competition commences with two matches. Defending champions Demerara face off with Essequibo at the recently refurbished Enmore ground on the East Coast in the other match scheduled to start today in a competition which has twice been postponed due to the inclement weather. The sun was out over the last few days, but weather conditions could prove a key factor in both matches, especially the one in Georgetown and the toss could be very important

today. At Enmore, where the pitch should be low and slow, the slow bowlers should relish the conditions with spinners Amir Khan, Totaram Bishun, Zaheer Mohamed and Steven Jacobs expected to do the bulk o f t h e bowling for favorites Demerara. They should get support from pacers Trevon Garraway, Paul Wintz, Vice-Captain Chris Barnwell and debutant Randy Knights. The Demerara batting boasts the likes of Skipper Leon Johnson who is just back from a successful ‘A’ team tour of India, the potentially dangerous West Indies batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan, the pugnacious Barnwell, Trevon Griffith, Rajendra Chandrika, Jacobs, the in-form Chris Patandin, Derwin Christian and Mohamed. Essequibo is often referred to as the whipping boys of Inter-County cricket and today they will be keen for their first win since beating Berbice in 1994. The team from Guyana’s largest but least populated County will be led by Anthony Adams with opener Royan Fredericks as his deputy. Kevin Boodie, Ricardo Peters, Avinash Persaud, Herry Greene, Mark Tyrll, Parmesh Parsotam, Rajiv Balgobin, Rovindra Parsaram, Kemo Paul, Keanu Harry, Dellon Heyliger and Gilford Moore will all be depended on to contribute for Essequibo.

At Everest, Berbice will be spearheaded by Test opener and Captain Sewnarine Chattergoon, West Indies ‘A’ team player Assad Fudadin, Royston Crandon, the big hitting Jonathan Foo, Anthony D’Andrade, Anthony Bramble, Eugene LaFleur, Rajiv Ivan, Devon Clements, Kandasammy Surujnarine and Devendra Bishoo who has developed into a competent all-rounder. Bishoo could cause the most problems for the batsmen while the lively Keon Joseph and Raun Johnson should share the new ball with Fudadin providing backup for the pacers on a track which could offer some early assistance for the fast bowlers. Ivan, Clements, Crandon, LaFleur and Krisindatt Ramoo should offer spin support to Bishoo. The strength of the President’s X1 is their batting and a lot will depend on Skipper Vishal Singh, Test opener Ryan Ramdass, Robin Bacchus, Shemron Hetmyer, Shemroy Barrington, Dominique Rikhi and Shaquille Williams. The bowling could center round off-spinner Collis Butts, the son of former Test offspinner Clyde Butts, Williams and national under-19 legspinner Steven Sankar. The hard working Kelon Carmichael, left-arm pacer Andre Stoll and his former National youth new ball partner Seon Daniels. Both matches are scheduled to commence at 09:30hrs.

DCB over-40 tourney

West Dem Mavericks bow out after rain ruins first semi West Bank Demerara Mavericks were knocked out of the Demerara Cricket Board\Raj Singh Insurance Brokers\Trophy Stall over 40 twenty overs competition after their semifinal game against East Coast Demerara Bulls, which was set for the Lusignan Community Centre ground, was rained out without a ball being bowled yesterday. The second semifinal is schedule for tomorrow at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground, Bourda b e t w e e n We s t C o a s t Demerara Seals and East Coast Demerara Tigers. However if the game is

rained out the Tigers will go through to the final by virtue of gaining more points from the preliminary round games. Meanwhile, Mavericks wicketkeeper Fizul Haniff said that he is disappointed that the game was rained out. He feels that Mavericks is one of the better teams in the tournament. “Our players did well in the preliminary round and i think we could have won this competition, but then some of our games were affected by the rain which possibly deprived us of some valuable points,” he added.

Fizul Haniff

Thursday December 05, 2013

2013 New Building Society Second Division 40-Over Cricket Competition in Berbice

Baracara, Young Warriors and No.71 get through to Quarter-Finals Baracara United of the Canje Creek, Young Warriors of East Canje and No.71 of Upper Corentyne have become the first teams to reach the quarter-finals of the 2013 New Building Society Second Division 40-Over Cricket Competition being played in Berbice after they all won their respective playoff matches. Baracara United continue to create waves in the competition as they upset Betsy Ground Triple Star in the game played at the Goed Bananen land ground. Betsy Ground batted first and posted 167 for 9 in their allotted 31 overs to which Baracara, led by opening batsman, Rashleigh Caesar (38), Selwyn Liddle (30) and Onel Amsterdam (30 not out) reached 173 for 4 in just 16.4 overs. Young Warriors, in their game against Shieldstown, conceded 211 for 6 in 40 overs and then slid to 146 for 5 before former Berbice under19 wicketkeeper-batsman Ishwar Singh (56 not out), and former Berbice all-rounder Anil Beharry (45 not out) saw them home without any further loss.

Led by 52 from Videsh Lall, Kennard’s Memorial made 167 for 9 in 35 overs against No.71 who replied with 169 for 4 in just 23 overs, thanks mainly to their prolific opening batsman Soomdat Singh who led the way with 59. In summarized scores: At Goed Bananen Land, Baracara United beat Betsy Ground Triple Star by 6 wickets. Betsy Ground Triple Star 167 for 9 in 31 overs with Devanand Gopaul 42, Wohmeshwar Sobhai 36, Outram Emandin 24 not out, Kingsley Amsterdam 2 for 24, Oscar Joseph junior 2 for 25, Enil Caesar 2 for 30 and Kevon Joseph 2 for 30. Baracara United 173 for 4 in 16.4 overs with Rashleigh Caesar 38, Selwyn Liddle 30, Onel Amsterdam 30 not out, Marvin Hinds 26 and Outram Emandin 2 for 22. At Cumberland, Young Warriors beat Shieldstown by 5 wickets. Shieldstown 211 for 6 in 40 overs with Kumar Bridgelall 47, Heeralall Bridgelall 45, Kaimat Ally 29, Altaf Khan 25, Kevin Ramdeen 2 for 23 and Anil Beharry 2 for 32. Young Warriors 212 for 5 in 33.4

Anil Beharry overs with Ishwar Singh 56 not out, Anil Beharry 45 not out, Kevin Ramdeen 34, Kassim Khan 29, Mortimer Fraser 27 and Reaz Khan 2 for 36. At No.71, No.71 beat Kennard’s Memorial by 6 wickets. Kennard’s Memorial 167 for 9 in 35 overs with Videsh Lall 52, Chatterpaul Lionel 3 for 37 and Deoprakash Ramdat 3 for 38. No.71 169 for 4 in 23 overs with Soomdat Singh 59 and Afered Mohamed 33.

Letter to the Sports Editor

Kennard makes final response to Elcock’s concerns DEAR EDITOR, I crave your indulgence to publish my response to Mr. Colin Elcock’s recent letter which ppeared in last Sunday’s issue of the Kaieteur News. I can assure you that this is my last letter on these issues as I have no intention to waste my valuable time on nonsense and untruthful things. First of all I can say without fear of being contradicted that Mr. Elcock was not at the meeting of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority on January 13 last. The representatives of his club were Mr. Francis Chichester and Ms. Zenzie Goring. When it came to the fixing of racing dates at that meeting Ms. Goring had to get in touch by telephone, in my presence, to speak to Mr. Elcock in regard to the racing dates for his club for 2013. It therefore follows that Mr. Elcock seems to have forgotten about the events of the January 13 at which he was not present. He attended only one race meeting of the GHRA for

2013 and that was long after January 13. He is accusing me of being dishonest as having altered the legal document to which both of us referred. This document is available to the media and if Mr. Elcock wishes a copy of the document I can let him have same. I ask who is being dishonest? Certainly not me. The shifting of the racing dates for the Digicel Meeting held in August by KMTC was done with the full consent of the executive of GHRA including Mr. Fazal Habibulla of RSTC whose race meeting was fixed for August 18. Mr. Habibulla indicated to me in my discussion with him that he did not intend to run off a race meeting on August 18 as he was not prepared to run off a race meeting between the KMTC Digicel sponsored race meeting and the Guyana Cup race meeting at PMTC on August 25. In the case of the Ryan Crawford Meeting which was fixed for November 24 and later changed to December 1, no one had the common

courtesy to inform me that there was a change of date which should have been the proper thing to do. As a matter of fact after seeing the provisional programme for December 1, I indicated to the Secretary of PMTC that a letter must be written to the GHRA seeking the approval for the meeting fixed for December 1. Subsequently, Mr. Ramnauth the secretary of PMTC informed me that the race meeting will now be run off on December 15. I indicated to him that he should write me requesting another change of date. A few days later he attempted to send me a fax message requesting to run off the race meeting on December 15. Because of technical difficulties the fax did not come through. I then asked that the fax be read to me over the telephone. This was in fact done. I immediately sent a fax message that the meeting for PMTC for December 15 has been approved. I have no (Continued on page 26)

Thursday December 05, 2013

Kaieteur News

Shabazz offers support for Chico, Kashif and Shanghai Schools’ football Jamal Shabazz, who was the main presenter at the recently concluded coaches seminar for the 24 schools taking part in the Chico, Kashif & Shanghai schools’ football tournament, has now reached out in support once again. This time Mr. Shabazz has donated a quantity of game balls and the coaches out of Linden have made contact with Mr. Shabazz and requested some assistance with acquiring bibs.

Fixtures released So once again he has donated the bibs to the school of Linden and has thrown out the challenge to the rest of the coaches to seek his assistance and guidance. Mr. Shabazz has also promised the K&S Organization to garner even

more support next year with Allah’s blessings. Mr. Shabazz and two scouts will be at the tournament looking at the talent on offer with the possibility of having those top players have stints later in the T&T League. Mr. Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ Major thanked Mr. Shabazz for his continued support to the development of Guyana’s football and has promised that the 24 Schools taking part in this year’s

tournament will be the pillar on which Guyana’s football will stand. Meanwhile, the organisors have released the fixtures of the tournament, which kicks off on December 8 at the GCC ground Bourda with a double header following the opening proceedings. The opening matches pit Wisburg Sec against East Ruimveldt Sec from 4:00pm, while Ann’s Grove Sec come up against Christ Church Sec at 6:00pm in the nightcap.

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Gibbs attends cycling coaching course in the USA Former National Cyclist Dwayne ‘Road hogg’ Gibbs left these shores on Sunday for California in the United States of America to attend a five-day Cycling Coaching Course, scheduled from December 1-6. The PAN AMERICAN Olympics Solidarity course will deal with BMX racing among other things and on the completion of the fourday event a Diploma will be issued and signed by the Presidents of PAN AM Olympics Solidarity and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) America. The 38-year-old Gibbs is among the many top Guyanese riders to come through the NSC ‘Teach them Young’ BMX Camp which began in 1977 in the National Park under the watchful eyes of National Cycling Coach Hassan Mohamed. Some of the others riders whose foundation came as a result of the programme were the Alonzo Greaves, Bertram James, Fiedtkou brothers-

Dwayne Gibbs Noel and Marcus, Godfrey Pollydore, the late Troy Humphrey, Linden Dowridge, Eric Sankar, Warren McKay, Shane Boodram, , Geron Williams and Robin Persaud. Now a Coach himself, Gibbs is expected to gain a wealth of knowledge from this course which is billed for Chula Vista in California. (Sean Devers)

Solozano gets WI off to flying start

C H I T TA G O N G, Bangladesh - West Indies Under-19s started their tour Bangladesh with a big victory over the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s Invitational XI on Wednesday. The Windies scored 263-5 off their 50 overs and then bowled out the home side for 149 off 38.2 overs to win by 114 runs. Left-hander Jeremy Solozano topscored for West Indies with 72 which included seven fours and three sixes on a good pitch at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong. He played the anchor role and was named Player of the Match. The vice captain added 105 for the first wicket with Shimron Hetmyre who blasted 56 off 75 balls with eight fours.

Brandon King gave the innings a final flourish as he muscled 51 off 35 balls – which included five boundaries and two sixes. He shared a fourth wicket stand of 84 off just 67 balls with Tristan Coleman, who made 42 off 52 balls. The West Indies bowler proved dominant in the second half of the match. Captain Ramaal Lewis led the attack with 3-31 with his off-spin, while fast bowler Jerome Jones (2-17) and Marquino Mindley (2-19) made crucial breakthrough early in the innings. The West Indies will have a full training session today. The first official One-Day match against the Bangladesh Under-19s will be tomorrow at the ZAC Stadium.

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Kaieteur News

Thursday December 05, 2013

WI eye great escape after Taylor double WICB - DUNEDIN, New Zealand – Darren Bravo and Marlon Samuels batted through the final 45 minutes to lift West Indies hopes for a “brighter tomorrow”, after Ross Taylor’s maiden Test double-hundred put New Zealand in a superior position in the first Test on Wednesday here. Bravo was not out on 37 and Samuels was not out on 14, as the Windies clawed their way to 67 for two, replying to New Zealand’s first innings total of 609 for nine declared at the close on the second day at University Oval. Makeshift opener Kirk Edwards and regular Kieran Powell were cheap scalps, after Taylor gathered an undefeated 217 to anchor the New Zealanders’ batting and put the onus on the visitors to

save the Test over the remaining three days. Edwards, playing in his first Test since the tour of England last June, was selected to open the batting following the delayed arrival of Kraigg Brathwaite due to visa issues. But his return lasted only eight minutes before he was caught at second slip off left-arm fast-medium bowler Trent Boult for a seven-ball duck, edging a delivery angled across. Similarly, left-hander Powell was attracted to a delivery angled across him from Tim Southee and was caught behind for seven, leaving West Indies wobbling on 24 for two. Samuels joined Bravo and they absorbed the pressure of batting in the closing period of the day,

Darren Bravo works one way to the off side. (AFP)

Ross Taylor raises his bat after getting to 150. (Getty Images) sharing 43 – so far – for the third wicket with visions of great ambitions on the third day. For close to 8 ¼ hours over the first two days however, the Windies were made to grow tired of the sight of Taylor, as he grinded away for his highest Test score. The Caribbean side had their chances to restrict Taylor’s impact on the match, but he survived a runout chance in the fifth over of the day, an edge that fell just

short of West Indies captain Darren Sammy at second slip five overs later, and a low, sharp chance to forward short leg fielder Powell off Shane Shillingford when he was 131. As a result, the Windies were frustrated by a succession of partnerships that revolved around Taylor which carried the Black Caps to their highest Test total against their opposition. After Sammy

gave the visitors an early breakthrough, removing New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum for 113 inside the first half hour, Taylor shared half-century stands with Bradley-John Watling, rookie Ish Sodhi and firebrand South African import Neil Wagner to inflate the home team’s total. West Indies bowled with far more discipline than the previous day, but Watling defied them and made 41,

Sodhi added 35 and Wagner got 37 in a late flourish. Tino Best was the most successful Windies bowler with 3-148 from 34.1 overs, Narsingh Deonarine claimed 2-76 from 22 overs and Sammy scalped 2-79 from 23.1 overs before he pulled up lame with a tight right glute. Before lunch, West Indies were frustrated by Taylor and Watling, as the New Zealanders reached 445 for five at the interval, after their tighter bowling reap them a couple of early wickets. Sammy benefitted from the early pressure, after the Black Caps resumed from their bedtime total of 367 for three, and McCullum and Taylor established a record fourth-wicket stand for the hosts against West Indies of 195. The West Indies captain bowled McCullum with a perfectly-pitched delivery that moved back to extract the off-stump, after the home team captain had struck 14 fours and three sixes from 134 balls in close to three hours. Three overs later, Best had the little-known left-hander Corey Anderson caught behind down the legside for a 14-ball duck to leave the New Zealanders 385 (Continued on page 26)

Thursday December 05, 2013

Kaieteur News

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t r o Sp

GCB Awards Ceremony Tagenarine Chanderpaul is Youth player of the year

Johnson, Ogle cop Cricketer of the year Awards

Leon Johnson (left) collects his award form Anand Sanasie at theGCB awards presentation.

P.30

The awardees and officials pose for a group picture following the presentation. Leon Johnson and June Ogle are seated 2nd and 3rd right respectively.

Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Futsal Competition P.31

Battle to reach knockout phase heating up - Four games decided by penalty kicks

Part of the action in the clash between Bent Street and Durban Street which the former won.

WI eye great escape after Taylor double P.30 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