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Kaieteur News
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
MONEY, MONEY EVERYWHERE… The news announced that our banking system has “excess liquidity” always strikes a discordant note – especially to the countless individuals that have been turned away from the loan counters of banks. Guyana is not a rich country: if the truth be told, we are the poorest country on the entire continent of South America. We are also an underdeveloped country: so much of our vaunted “potential” remains locked away under the ground (minerals and oil) or in the uncultivated soil of our vast savannahs (soya and other crops). So how come the banks are not funding projects to unleash this potential but are yet awash in cash? Is it that our business class cannot come up with plans that sound viable to the banks’ loan officers? Is the Bank of Guyana creating money at too fast a clip for our economy – even though the latter has bucked the tide and produced some growth in the GDP? Or are the conditionalities of banks for loans-double digit interest rates for even favoured customers and onerous collateral demands - too stiff for borrowers? One part of the answer surely lies in the news that the government issuance of Treasury Bills (T-Bills) to “sop up” the excess liquidity in the last year jumped by 13.2 percent to a mind boggling $94.76 billion. The reason offered for this “sopping up” mechanism – as it has been for the last decade or so – is “to sterilize the excess liquidity to control inflation”. What does this mean? Simply that the banks are onto a very good thing for themselves. Banks are akin to a public utility. We allow them to collect money from the public (deposits) so that they can intermediate that money to those that want to borrow funds for investment or other forms of spending. They charge interest to the borrowers. But if there are no borrowers, how do they earn interest so that they can pay themselves (very important) and pay interests (small as that may be) to depositors? The market answer is that they should lower their interest rates to attract borrowers, so that at each phase of the business cycle, there is a reasonable interest rate. In Guyana, however, banks have obdurately refused to lower interest rates to the low single digit rates, prevalent in the developed economies that we can only read about. So how can they refuse to lend and still survive? Simple: they have a fail safe backstop in the government. Acting in accordance with some monetarist economic dogma or other, our government has resolutely assumed that if too much money (who created it in the first place? And how?) enter the system to chase too few goods, inflation will ensue. And we must prevent inflation even if the result is the stagnation of our economy. The government, therefore, issues T-Bills for the banks to invest their “excess cash”– and for which the government pays them interest totalling billions of dollars annually – and (this is the kicker) the government cannot use the funds. This is the meaning of the word “sterilized”: the money is simply locked away from the economy. And so we have a classic catch-22 situation. Businesses and consumers want loans; the banks refuse to bring down their interest rates; the government steps in to offer a safe haven for the banks money (with interest to boot) and so the latter have no incentive to lower their interests. To paraphrase the Ancient Mariner, “money, money everywhere and not a dollar to spend”. We simply point out to the policymakers that both China and India faced the problems of increased liquidity and inflation (actual, not hypothetical) earlier this year. They did not resort to mopping up operations (that places an interest cost to the government) but raised their reserve requirements – which forces the banks to effectively sterilize more of their cash with no interest costs. But that may annoy the bankers here, wouldn’t it?
Tuesday December 16, 2014
Letters... Where your views make the news
OUR CONSTITUTION IS BEING CHERRY-PICKED ON A WHIM DEAR EDITOR, The calls for accountability ring true and until it is ensured this nation and its people will continue to be done a grave disservice. Article 164 of the Guyana Constitution, ‘Procedures for altering this Constitution’ expressly states: “(1) Subject to the provisions of paragraphs (2) and (3), a Bill for an Act of Parliament to alter this Constitution shall not be passed by the National Assembly unless it is supported at the final voting in the National Assembly by the votes of a majority of all the elected members of the Assembly. (2) A Bill to alter any of the following provisions of this Constitution, that is to say (a) this article, a r t i c l e s 1,2,8,9,18,51,66,89,99 and 111; and (b) articles 3,4,5,6 and 7, 10 to 17 (inclusive), 19 to 49 (inclusive), 52 to 57 (inclusive), 59, 60, 62, 63, 64, 65, 68, 69, 70, 72 (in so far as it relates to the number of regions), 90 to 96(inclusive), 98, 108, 110, 116, 120 to 163 (inclusive, but excepting article 132), 168 to 215 (inclusive, but excepting articles 173, 185, 186, 192 (2) and (3) and 193), 222, 223,225, 226, 231, 232 (excepting the definition of “financial year”), shall not be submitted to the President
for his assent unless the Bill, not less than two and not more than six months after its p a s s a g e t h ro u g h t h e National Assembly, has in such manner as Parliament m a y p re s c r i b e , b e e n submitted to the vote of the electors qualified to vote in an election and has been approved by a majority of the electors who vote on the Bill: Provided that if the Bill does not alter any of the provisions mentioned in subparagraph (a) and is supported at the final voting in the National Assembly by the votes of not less than twothirds of all the elected members of the Assembly it shall not be necessary to submit the Bill to the vote of the electors(3) In this article(a) reference to this Constitution or any particular provision thereof include references to any other law in so far as that law alters the Constitution or, as the case may be, that provision; and (b) references to altering this Constitution or any particular provision thereof i n c l u d e re f e re n c e s t o repealing it, with or without re-enactment thereof or the making of different provision in lieu thereof, to modifying it and to suspending its operation for any period.” A r t i c l e 11 9 A ‘Parliamentary Standing C o m m i t t e e f o r Constitutional Reform’ expressly states, “(1) The National Assembly shall establish a Parliamentary Standing
C o m m i t t e e f o r Constitutional Reform for the purpose of continually reviewing the effectiveness of the working of the Constitution and making periodic reports thereon to the Assembly, with proposals for reform as necessary. (2) To assist in its work, the committee shall have power to co-opt experts or enlist the aid of other persons of appropriate expertise, whether or not such experts or other persons are members of the Assembly.” It is very clear from Articles 119A and 164, the people are allowed to review, a m e n d , a l t e r, r e f o r m , modify, suspend and repeal the Constitution through their representatives (i.e. votes by Members of the National Assembly) and directly (via ballot and engagement). The Constitution has gone through significant reforms coming out of the Herdmanston Accord and St. Lucia Statement signed by Janet Jagan and Desmond Hoyte. This process had the involvement of individuals and groups, inclusive of the major political parties, human rights body, business, trades union and religious communities. Coming out of this process there remain Bills passed in the National Assembly with the support from both Government and Opposition which were sent to then President Jagdeo to assent or non-assent, of which he did neither. Bills that were not
assented during the life of a Parliament are considered dead when that parliament ends. Nothing prevents those Bills from being re-tabled under a new Parliament and sent to the incumbent President for assent. The 1st to 9th Parliaments were controlled by the Executive/Government. The 10th Parliament is controlled by the Opposition. Further, the Standing Committee for Constitutional Reform is also controlled by the Opposition in this 10th Parliament. My understanding is that not even one of the outstanding bills pertaining to the constitutional reform exercise has been re-tabled in the 10th Parliament, and the Standing Committee for Constitutional Reform has had no engagement with the people. In respect for the people of this nation it ought to be explained why the Constitution has not be respected to achieve any of the reforms being called for, when clearly from the information presented above, were it so respected we would have been having a different conversation today. There is growing concern the people of this nation are being taken for a ride, the Constitution is being cherrypicked on a whim, and reasons are found to blame poor governance on an instrument that awaits activation/life by the people and their elected representatives. Lincoln Lewis
The development of human capital DEAR EDITOR, His Excellency President Ramotar must be complimented for stressing, while reflecting on his first three years in office, that “the most important factor for development is our people” and that the main goal of his government is “the development of human capital”. Such assurances are like music to the ears of professionals in the field of Human Resource Development; therefore we applaud and take comfort in all such statements coming from the highest office in our country. It is opportune to remind ourselves that the effective development of human capital is not limited to the acquisition of academic Knowledge and technical or vocational
Skills; it must also include the necessary elements of proper Attitude such as respect and good human relationships, honesty, courtesy, discipline, punctuality, regularity, dedication, self-development and above all, work ethic. The curricula of our teaching, training, learning institutions must include the KSA tripod (Knowledge + Skill + Attitude) of Human Resource Development with equal if not greater emphasis on the attitudinal and behavioral aspects. Admittedly, it is not easy to ‘teach’ these; they are best imparted and learned through exemplary behaviours which must start from the top. In this regard, our politicians, community leaders, teachers, parents and all managerial/supervisory
personnel have a collective responsibility to project the best role models in our society. Furthermore, we must create and sustain an enabling and encouraging environment for human resources to thrive. The socalled “human capital” is not the same as physical or financial capital; human beings are sensitive creatures who operate from innate drives, mental stimuli, inner motivations, societal norms and environmental factors, all of which act as enablers or obstacles of growth and development. No matter how many billions of dollars we pump into ‘development’, we cannot achieve much without ALL of our people being identified with and being made to feel that they
are integral parts of the development processes, projects and programs. In this regard, demonstrated even-handedness, equitable recognition and reward, exemplary practice of the principles of meritocracy, avoidance of capricious behaviours and objective adherence to established laws and conventions are critical enablers for the development of human capital. Nowrang Persaud
Tuesday December 16, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Letters... Where your views make the news Letters... Where your views make the news
Freddie Kissoon has stumbled on this one DEAR EDITOR, I read Mr. Freddie Kissoon article captioned, “Teardrops cascade on dead dreams: Mrs. Patricia Rodney stumbles”; a very mocking caption. I have been meaning for some time now to address what I have seen in the Guyana media as the most arsine presumptions from critics of the commission of inquiry into Dr. Walter Rodney’s death. Let me hasten to say that I have the utmost respect for Mr. Freddie Kissoon and his continued struggle for a just, fair and equitable Guyanese society. I believe if there is a change in government, Mr. Kissoon should be given Guyana’s highest award in recognition for his bravery and courage. Nonetheless, one does not always have to agree with someone he or she holds in high regard. In this case, I vehemently disagree with Mr. Kissoon’s analysis concerning Dr. Patricia Rodney’s quest for the revelation of the truth about her husband’s death. While I may not be a trained historian like Mr. Kissoon, My endeavour in the field of academia, taught me the value of deductive reasoning, especially dealing with methods of arriving at conclusions. Dr. Patricia Rodney (Mr. Kissoon ought to know that Patricia is a Ph.D.) and her children have suffered tremendously from the murder of her husband and their father. No time passed can erase that sense of loss. It is very unfair and insensitive for anyone to seek to expect the necessity for political calculation in her quest for the truth about her husband’s death. In this regard, she has no obligation to consider the
current political implications, nor is she bound by political motives. Her main concern and obligation is for the truth, especially given the circumstances that justice cannot be administered. This commission of inquiry into the death of Dr. Walter Rodney has been long overdue. It’s been 34 years since the assassination of Dr. Rodney, one of the most important academics and thinkers of the 21st century, and one of Guyana’s most important martyrs in the struggle for a just society. Guyana has an obligation for moral reasons to seek the truth into his death. I have no doubt that it is this desire that continues to push Dr. Patricia Rodney in her quest, in addition to the need to vindicate her husband for the sake of their children from the allegations about him that are peddled in the society. Political analysts and historians can derive meaning and motive regarding major events and their outcomes, but it is also expected that analysts and historians consider the human factor in such analysis. One may have concerns with regard to the reason why the PPP has assembled this inquiry thirty-four years after Dr. Rodney’s death. It is a fair concern. It is also fair to question the motives. My thinking is that because of the polarized nature of politics in Guyana, and its racialized outfit, the motives of the PPP would’ve been questioned anytime during PPP’s rule, once it
would’ve assembled this commission of inquiry, The PNC never had an interest in assembling such a commission. It has in the past had many opportunities to do so, but has blocked any meaningful call for an inquiry. As time passed, and as institutions and memories become broken and aged, we expect some diminishing of the evidence concerning events surrounding Rodney’s death. Yet this inquiry is warranted. What I find puzzling is that, in the eyes of the critics, the PPP’s motives for an inquiry have taken precedence over the competency of the commissioners to conduct a proper and fair inquiry I checked, and, not to my surprise, I found the jurists on the commission to be eminent and competent individuals. All the commissioners in the commission of Inquiry, comprising Sir Richard Cheltenham, K.A., Q.C, Ph.D., as Chairman, Mrs. Jacqueline Samuels-Brown, Q.C. and Mr. Seenath Jairam, S.C, have tremendous experiences in legal jurisprudence. Sir Richard is a prominent and highly respected Caribbean Jurist who has practiced in most jurisdictions of the Eastern Caribbean as well as before the Privy Council in the UK. He is an acknowledged specialist in
the area of Commissions of Inquiry, a distinguished individual, who has served in various ministerial capacities in various Barbados governments. Mrs. Brown is the chair of the council of legal education and teaches at the Norman Manley Law School at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona campus. It is said of her by her peers that she is fantastic at criminal and civil law, “diligent, astute and skilled”. As a woman she has charted many courses in the field of criminal justice. Mr. Seenath Jairam is a former judge of the High Court in Trinidad, and he has served as a Commissioner on the Law Reform Commission, in addition to teaching at the Hugh Wooding Law School. So these are very competent commissioners and there is no reason to suspect lack of integrity and professional care or inability to offer due diligence to the evidence offered. Therefore, I do not know why analysts would think that the PPP government would have undue influence over these experts in the conduct of the inquiry or
could influence the outcome. The recognizable difficulty is the reliability of some evidence. Notwithstanding, what has been revealed so far from these inquiries have been jarring. At the end of such an inquiry, these eminent individuals will tell us what is their conclusion, but regardless, this inquiry, for historical and moral reasons, was warranted. Dr. Patricia Rodney cannot stumble in wanting the truth revealed in her husband’s death. Many including Mr. Kissoon have suspected the death to be an assassination. I rather suspect that Mrs. Rodney is not concerned about the politics in Guyana, or what political motives are
preconceived, nor is she concerned about the political nature of the PPP regime vs. the Burnhamite PNC. The PPP is not conducting these inquiries. Various interests are adequately represented. So any deduction about political motive in my opinion is irrelevant. Furthermore, this is foremost a wife and mother who 34 years ago had to bury her husband in extremely questionable and suspicious circumstances. She is someone who has witnessed over the years unfounded motives and complicity being assigned to him in death, when she knew the truth. Our Brother Freddie Kissoon has stumbled. Dennis Wiggins
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Kaieteur News
Three schools for construction next year - as Government works towards universal secondary education
Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand As part of its drive to attain universal secondary education, Government, through the Ministry of Education, will in the New Year be working towards the realisation of three new secondary schools. These additional facilities at Good Hope, East Coast Demerara; Yarrowkabra, Soesdyke/Linden Highway and Westminster/La Parfaite Harmonie in Region Three, will cater for 2,600 additional places for public school students. The move to construct the new schools comes at a time when, according to Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, access to education is at an all time high. Moreover, she at her end of year press conference on Friday said that more than 85 per cent of the country’s children are enrolled in the nursery sector. “This is easily the highest across the Commonwealth Caribbean and we are very proud of it,” said the Minister as she went on to note that in the primary sector Guyana has attained the Millennium
Development Goal that speaks to universal primary education. This therefore means that children across Guyana are able to access a primary school. But while universal secondary education has been attained in most Regions of the country, Manickchand acknowledged that there is yet more work to be done before Guyana can claim this status at a national level. She however noted that “we will not rest until universal secondary education, that is, a general secondary education, is available to all of our secondary school age students.” According to Minister Manickchand, the Ministry was able to ascertain the number of students the proposed school will be able to accommodate by using statistics available at the level of the education system. And according to the Minister, “All of these schools had serious community consultations before the locations and capacities were arrived at.” Last year, Minister Manickchand shared her conviction that secondary education will be achieved under the Donald Ramotar Administration, a feat that is left to be seen given the President’s announcement of early elections. Some of the areas of the country requiring attention to gain universal secondary education are Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine. However, the schooling limitation in Region Eight is likely to be resolved with the
completion of a sprawling secondary school at Kato in the New Year. However, the issue of infrastructure has not been a major challenge in many of the Regions. She has long spoken of the need to address general proficiency in the secondary level schools, particularly on the Coastland, but noted that the Ministry is however tasked with addressing a transportation shortcoming. She said, “What we need to do is to provide transportation for children to get from point A to point B…We are working consciously on this and I believe this is something I would be pleased to announce shortly that we have achieved.” Added to this the Minister had noted that another sustained focus of the Ministry is to improve the pass rates at the secondary level, particularly in the areas of Mathematics and English. This strategic venture is intended to help students to matriculate, Manickchand said. Last year, the Ministry secured the services of two Mathematics Specialists – at the level of a Senior Education Officer in the Secondary Sector and another at the National Centre for Educational Resource Development. These services were acquired even as efforts were made to collaborate with the World Bank to introduce some new measures to make learning Mathematics accessible and interesting. The need for secondary education has been an issue that has been commented on in many factions. According to Manickchand’s colleague Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy, who currently holds responsibility for the Ministry of Agriculture the inability to access secondary level education has been identified as one of the major hindrances that have over the years stymied people’s elevation to professional standing.
Tuesday December 16, 2014
Protestor tells DPP
‘You’re failing the people of this country’
Director of Public Prosecutions Shalimar Ali Hack Despite challenges, lone protestor Courtney CrumEwing has been keeping the issue between Attorney General, (AG) Anil Nandlall and Kaieteur News on the front burner. It has been more than a month since a recorded conservation of the AG issuing threats to the Kaieteur News Publisher Glenn Lall and his staff went viral and Crum- Ewing, a former Officer of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), has been keeping the issue alive by staging a daily protest outside the AG’s Carmichael Street, Georgetown Office. The lone protestor has been carrying out the demonstration for weeks, in front of Nandlall’s office calling for his dismissal, citing offensive remarks he made during a recorded telephone conversation with a senior Kaieteur News reporter. During the conservation, Nandlall was heard attempting to solicit sexual favours on behalf of a relative and hinting that there was an imminent, sinister plot against Kaieteur News Publisher, Glenn Lall and his staff. Yesterday, Crum-Ewing took his demonstration to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution, (DPP) citing the fact that it was more than six weeks since the police completed the file on allegations made by the Publisher of the Kaieteur News, forwarded it to the DDP for advice and the matter remains stalled at the Chambers. Glenn Lall had filed a complaint with the police alleging that the Attorney General had knowledge of a plan to attack the newspaper offices on Saffon Street, Charlestown. After taking statements from several persons, the police forwarded the file to the DPP for her to advise on whether or not to institute charges against the Attorney
Courtney Crum-Ewing outside the office of the DPP yesterday. General but to date there has been no response on the matter. As early as 7:00 am yesterday, Crum-Ewing stood in front the DPP Chambers calling for answers and requesting that immediate action be taken in the matter. “It took no time…The ink wasn’t even dry properly in the documents with Glenn Lall and Mr. Sattaur, when she took a decision on it. I demanded that she explain why it is taking her so long to send the file back to the police … If she doesn’t find anything criminal in the file send it back to the police. Let’s know what’s going on; just don’t hold unto the file,” Crum- Ewing expressed. “She arrived at around 9:15 this morning and as she was walking up the stairs she stopped and started to look at me so I took the opportunity to have a conversation with her. I told her that justice delayed is justice denied, that she is failing the people of this country,” the man added while noting that he is desirous of meeting with the DPP since he believes that she is in the best position to respond. Crum-Ewing said that he will continue to carry demonstrations outside the DPP Chambers for the remainder of the week. He expressed confidence that he would “faster be able to get through to the DPP than to the Attorney General.” Crum-Ewing maintains
that the actions of many officials in government are nothing short of shameful and that they should face appropriate sanctions for their wrongdoings. He said that his chief concern is that a large percentage of the revenue is being utilized to fortify officials in the government and their associates while a mere 10 per cent of taxpayers’ money is expected to take care of the rest of Guyana. Crum-Ewing said that inaction by wider society has been sending the wrong message to the administration. “As Guyanese if we don’t do anything it sends the wrong message; it tells them as citizens of this country we don’t care that they can continue to get away with what they have been going on with… As Guyanese we cannot continue to worry about our next meal…We have to move beyond that because if we fight these struggles today we will not have to worry about our next meal tomorrow.” Crum-Ewing said that he sacrifices his livelihood on a daily basis in an effort to bring about change. “I am in this for results because however long it takes to get me those results I am going to do it. The onus is on each one of us to play our part to send them a serious message,” he added Crum-Ewing hopes that his fellow citizens will join him to stand up against the injustice and wrongdoings in society.
Tuesday December 16, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Tuesday December 16, 2014
Sydney siege: Three dead after commandos storm cafe BBC Sport - Two people died, along with an Islamist gunman, after commandos stormed a cafe in Sydney, Australia, to bring to an end a 16-hour siege. Local media have named those who died as Lindt cafe manager Tori Johnson, 34, and lawyer Katrina Dawson, 38. Four people were injured, including a policeman hit by shotgun pellets. Central Sydney was put in lockdown as the gunman, identified as an Iranian refugee, seized dozens of hostages early on Monday. The Lindt Chocolat Cafe is located in Martin Place, a busy shopping area in Sydney’s financial district. The gunman, named as Man Haron Monis, forced some of the hostages to hold up a black Islamic banner at the window of the cafe. Monis received political asylum in Australia in 1996 and was on bail facing a number of charges. To n y A b b o t t : “ T h e perpetrator...had a long history of violent crime, infatuation with extremism and mental instability’’ Prime Minister Tony
A young female employee came running out of the Lindt cafe shortly before 5pm and was sheltered by waiting police. (AP) Abbott said the “horrific incident” at the cafe had been “tragic beyond words” and there were “lessons to be learned” from this “brush with terrorism”. “These events do demonstrate that even a country as free, as open and as generous as ours is vulnerable to acts of politically motivated violence but they also demonstrate that... we are ready to respond,” he told reporters.
Flags are to fly at halfmast across New South Wales to honour the victims. ‘Isolated incident’ A 34-year-old man and a woman aged 38 were pronounced dead after being taken to hospital, as was the gunman, the New South Wales police force said in a statement. Two women suffered non-life threatening injuries as did a policeman who had been hit in the face by pellets. Another woman suffered a gunshot wound to her shoulder. Swiss chocolate-maker Lindt, the owner of the cafe, said in a statement: “We are devastated by the loss of their lives and that several others were wounded and had to experience such trauma.” New South Wales state police commissioner Andrew Scipione said it had been an “isolated incident”. Seventeen hostages were accounted for, including
Monis was well known to the Australian police. (EPA) those who had managed to escape earlier, he said. Local media reports suggest the commandos from the Royal Australian Regiment entered the building after the gunman started firing shots. Commissioner Scipione urged people not to “speculate” about what had
happened inside the cafe and said police believed more lives could have been lost if officers had not entered the cafe at that point. Several hostages fled from the building shortly after 02:00 local time Tuesday (15:00 GMT Monday), Minutes later, the commandos with assault rifles and wearing helmets and body armour could be seen running into the cafe, tossing stun grenades ahead of them, as shots were heard. Hostages ran to safety with their hands in the air. The dramatic scenes of the rescue operation were broadcast live on television. ‘Isolated figure’ Five hostages had also managed to escape through a fire exit on Monday afternoon. Monis was on bail for being an accessory to the murder of his ex-wife. He also faced more than 40 sexual and indecent assault charges. He had also been convicted of sending offensive letters to the families of deceased Australian soldiers. The self-styled cleric,
who described himself on a website as a Shia Muslim who had converted to Sunni Islam, was said by his former lawyer to have been an isolated figure. One of the gunman’s demands was to have a flag of Islamic State, the Sunni militant group which recently seized territory in Syria and Iraq, to be delivered to the cafe. Prime Minister Abbott said the gunman had had an “infatuation with extremism” and had been mentally unstable. He had “sought to cloak his actions with the symbol of the ISIS [IS] death cult,” Mr Abbott added. Martin Place is home to the state premier’s office and the headquarters of major banks. At the nearby Sydney Opera House, evening performances were cancelled as shops and offices in the area shut early due to the security situation. “It’s sad to think this is my home and that it could happen anywhere,” onlooker Rebecca Courtney told AFP news agency.
ILO report forecasts higher unemployment in Latin America, Caribbean in 2015 BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Monday December 15, 2014, CMC – A new report by the International Labour Organization (ILO) has found an “unusual pattern” in this year’s urban employment rate in Latin America and the Caribbean, which continued to fall despite warning signs of economic slowdown. The ILO report titled
“Labour Overview for Latin America and the Caribbean 2014,” noted that the region’s urban unemployment rate may reach 6.3 per cent in 2015, which means that there will be some 500,000 more without jobs. “There are warning signs,” said Elizabeth Tinoco, the ILO’s regional director. “The concern is that we are creating fewer jobs despite
unemployment remaining at a low level,” she added. Although unemployment has not risen due to this slowdown in growth, there has been a sharp reduction of new jobs reflected in the employment rate, which fell by 0.4 percentage points to 55.7 per cent in the third quarter of 2014. “This means that at least one million (fewer) jobs have been created,” Tinoco said. The ILO said that this “scenario of uncertainty” comes after a decade in which the region enjoyed significant economic growth. The unemployment rate dipped to record lows and allowed for a higher quality of jobs. The urban unemployment rate of young people dropped from 14.5 per cent to 14 per cent but still remains between 2 and 4 times higher than t h a t f o r a d u l t s . W h a t ’s more, the unemployment rate for women is 30 per cent higher than that for men, and 47 per cent of urban workers work in the informal economy. “Many people who temporarily left the workforce in 2014 will return to search for a job next year, together with young people entering the labour market. The region will have to create nearly 50 million jobs over the coming decade, just to offset demographic growth,” Tinoco said, adding “we are talking about almost 15 million people unemployed.
Tuesday December 16, 2014
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CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM SHOULD NOT BE ABOUT ENGINEERING REGIME CHANGE Constitutional reform has a vulgar history in Guyana. It has been far too much the preservation of political power rather than aimed at ensuring a sound system of governance values. The PPP lost political office in 1964 after Jagan heroically sacrificed his political future just so that the country could be assured of independence. Against the wishes of his advisers, including Brindley Benn,
Jagan decided at the Constitutional talks that preceded independence, to leave the decision about the country’s electoral system to the British government. It was a gamble that he took and the British exploited this to the hilt by imposing proportional representation. With the United Force sewing up more than 10 per cent of the votes, it meant that the PPP even though it won a plurality, was outnumbered
by the combined strength of the United Force and the People’s National Congress. Jagan was legislated out of power by the British. When Burnham took over he soon ran the country into the ground and became politically isolated at home. Instead of holding elections as constitutionally due in 1978, Burnham opted for a Constitutional reform process that would turn him into an emperor. The 1980
Dem boys seh...
Jagdeo and Brassington open de door fuh scampishness Dem boys want to tell Brassington that prayer is not a “spare wheel” that you pull out when in trouble, but it is a “steering wheel” that directs the right path throughout life. De secret, underhand and scampish deals that he and Jagdeo get involved in over de years wid de wrang people would push back Guyana into de dark ages and moreso, would hurt de Guyanese people fuh many, many years to come. De conniving way dem craft and set in motion many projects, one is left to describe dem as intellectual bandits. De Sanata Complex wha worth in excess of US$30 million moved from state property to private property fuh little or nutten. When dem boys expose it Jagdeo jump up and tell de nation that how Guyana gun benefit. Dem boys seh that when he seh suh he think that Guyana had five people and de five was Ramroop, Brassington, Ashni, Geoff Da Gold and of course, de one and only Jagdeo. He did tell de nation how de Government renting to Dr Ramroop. De next thing dem boys hear through de grapevine is that Dr Ramroop is de new owner. Up to now de nation don’t know how
much Ramroop pay fuh de complex and fuh other things that he get through Jagdeo presidency. He is de largest drug supplier to Guyana and people don’t know to this day how much he bringing in and at what price he selling de drugs to de nation. Because of Brassington and Jagdeo, everything fuh he and some others is confidential and a state secret. Dem boys got news fuh dem. It ain’t gun be no more secret. Throughout de years de same Jagdeo couldn’t find $100 million to build warehouse fuh store pharmaceutical fuh de hospital. He coulda find many $100 million fuh build koker. He tun a blind eye to building a warehouse suh that he coulda pay Ramroop millions of tax dollars fuh rent he warehouse. Like de warehousing, he, Jagdeo, didn’t see it fit to invest less than $400 million to upgrade NCN to broadcast de Learning Channel. Instead, he allow Ramroop fuh bring in de satellite to broadcast de same Learning Channel and collect millions every month in rent. Talk half and don’t fuhget that prayer.
Municipal workers shut down... From page 3 not done, then the government will intervene to rectify the matter, Whittaker said. He refused to say how the government plans to address the matter since according to him, it is hoped that the situation will not have to see the Ministry's intervention. The Mayor and City Council has claimed that the ongoing issue has not been portrayed in its entirety. The Councils communication officer, Royston King, told the media that during the last statutory meeting certain vital information was requested from the Council's treasury department but it was not available at the time. As a result, a motion was passed
for an adjournment of the meeting until the information was provided. When the information was not provided, he said, the meeting agenda could not continue. To the round-robin which was being requested for the approval of increases, King opined that it could not be done that way given the large sums of money to be paid out. Outside of this, the Mayor can call an extraordinary meeting to address the matter, “and my information is that Ms. Carol Sooba (Town Clerk (ag)) is refusing to call the meeting.” King claimed that the non-approval of the workers money is a consequence of other issues the Council is facing.
Constitution created a number of vacuous supreme organs of democratic power. Real power resided in a powerful creature of the Constitution, the Executive Presidency. Burnham had used constitutional reform to expand his powers and create a virtual one- man, one party rule in the country. Hoyte succeeded Burnham and when he lost to the PPP in the first free and fair elections in over twenty eight years, he accepted his defeat. But when he lost again to the wife of Jagan in 1997 the humiliation was too much. He became desperate realizing that he and his party would never see political office again. Street protests forced a process of political compromise that saw the PPP having to cut short its term (it eventually served out its full term) and agree to constitutional reform which was first called for by the Trade Union Congress (TUC). Instead of calling for the PNC to accept their defeat, the TUC called for constitutional reform. The Constitutional Reform Process of 1998-2002 therefore, had its origins in an attempt to nudge the PPP out of office. The rules of the electoral system were changed to allow for a sixtyfive seat legislature. Forty of the seats were chosen
directly in relation to the proportion of votes received nationally while the remaining twenty five is allocated by geographic region. This new configuration has allowed for the majority held by the ruling party to be reduced. Even though the PPP won the elections in 2001, 2006 and 2011, its majority was reduced in 2001 and 2006. In 2011 the PPP won the most seats but not a majority. Given these new electoral rules which were legislated under the 1998-2002 constitutional reform process, there was the inevitability of minority governments as happened in 2011. Constitutional reform between 1998 and 2002 had therefore opened an opportunity for the minority government and the possible defeat of the PPP. Guyanese have to accept that all future elections are going to result in either minority governments or very slim majority government. No party that wins a majority is likely to do so with more than four seats. The opposition has failed to achieve any significant political objective through their one seat majority in the National Assembly. And the AFC has therefore decided that it is not satisfied with holding the balance of power. It wants to engineer regime
change through constitutional reform. As such, it is not surprising that the AFC is proposing that the presidency be held by someone who enjoys majority support. It is left to be seen whether this majority support will be majority support by the people or by the legislature. The AFC is vulgarizing constitutional reform. The emphasis is on changing the electoral rules to allow the PPP to be removed from power. This is the sickening politics of a power-hungry opposition. Constitutional reform cannot be about engineering political change. It cannot be about political power alone. It has to be about the relationship of the people to organs of the state. It has to be about the nature of the political and economic system and the closeness of the people to that process. It has to widen the rights of citizens and provide a system to improve on the system of protecting fundamental human rights. And it has to strengthen the independence of key institutions of the State.
Drunken Skeldon estate manager abuses police again Embattled Skeldon Estate Manager, Dave Kumar, who in recent times has been involved in a number of drunken scenarios, was at it again. This time he was arrested and locked up after he openly abused and challenged, chucked and threatened the police officers who had intervened. According to reports, around 21:30 hrs on Friday the police were conducting patrols in the Corriverton area and Kumar, who was reportedly in a drunken state, was being driven in a Guysuco vehicle when it was stopped by ranks on patrol. The Manager immediately became abusive.
Kumar, a police source said, was cautioned about his behaviour, but he continued using expletives. The driver was asked to turn on the interior lights and Kumar reportedly launched into a series of expletives at the police. Kumar was again warned of his behaviour, but refused to desist. The police decided that it was time to have Kumar step out of the vehicle. The Manager declined and reported issued a challenge to the police. The driver was then asked to drive into the compound, a request with which he complied. Kumar was eventually
removed from the vehicle and taken into the station, but not without some resistance. He reportedly even challenged the officers to a fight, eventually chucking a few of them. He was eventually booked and placed in the lockup. According to the source the Manager who is a regular guest at the Gill and other night clubs is no stranger to altercations. A few Saturdays ago he was involving in another fiasco at the said Night Spot. He was also beaten in a fight at one of the night clubs after one of his drunken escapades. Charges are likely for this latest episode.
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday December 16, 2014
== THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN ==
I first used the term, “fascistization” in 2005 to describe the PPP regime A group of us was hanging out at the Stabroek Market Square when some cadres of the Youth and Students Movement (YSM) of the PNC came up to sell us the New Nation, the organ of the PNC. We bought the newspaper and continued with our lime. A citizen, in a very vexed tone, began to engage the YSM youths. He was shouting very loudly denouncing the present leadership of the PNC. He wanted stronger action against the PPP and opined that if it was Desmond Hoyte, the PPP would have been in trouble long ago. David Hinds and Michael
Carrington left where we were sitting and went over to join the debate. I was left alone on the bench with my New Nation in my hand. I began to go through the New Nation (vol. 57, no. 11, Nov. 2014, special 50th anniversary edition). It is 12 tabloid size pages devoted to the leadership of Forbes Burnham and his achievements. There are thirteen photographs of Mr. Burnham in different environments. There are seventeen photographs of things and places that were built under Burnham’s leadership and dozens and dozens of listed items of Burnham’s accomplishments. Under the
subject of agriculture, there are 21 transformative projects that Mr. Burnham pioneered. I kept reading the New Nation totally oblivious to the debate that the gentleman was carrying on literally about six feet away from where I sat with the YSM youths and David Hinds and Michael Carrington even though the decibels were reverberating. Then my reflections began. You would hardly think that someone can have reflections while sitting next to a crowd in a jampacked liming site in a market square where the smell of beer permeates the night as when smoke enveloped the sky from a huge fire. Here was a group of young Guyanese extolling the virtues of a past president whose commitment to democracy I find intellectually, morally and politically questionable. But it was not
what I was thinking that was the more important reflection, but what their thoughts were of Burnham. Were they right to be celebrating the legacy of this past President? Could their action be justified? Context is everything and in the context of PPP’s hegemony in the 21st century, Mr. Burnham’s rule in the context of the immediate postcolonial period needs the utilization of revisionist perspectives. To understand why PNC members and supporters are rejuvenating the personality, accomplishments, legacy and politics of Forbes Burnham, one has to situate Guyanese politics in the comparative mode of Burnham then and the PPP now. It is the now that is so bad that when the now of the PPP is juxtaposed alongside the then of Burnham, revisionism yields fantastic results that favour Burnham. The brutal reality that this columnist must face is that despite Burnham’s meanness to this columnist and his role in either the planning or the turning of a blind eye to the
planning of Walter Rodney’s death, in the comparison and juxtaposition of Burnham’s PNC in power, 1964-1985 and the PPP in power, 1992 -2014, the Burnham era’s mixture of an imperial constitution and authoritarian use of power was less profane, immoral, racist, violent, brutal, corrupt, criminal and pathological than the Jagdeo/Ramotar period. My wife, daughter and I attended a small cocktail event last Saturday. As can be predicted, political dissection of the PPP comes up whenever I am greeted. And the pattern of greeting me was no different last Saturday. Former state employees would say to me, “Freddie, it is true man, these people are worse than Burnham.” I get that sentiment all the time from state employees who worked under Burnham, Hoyte, Jagdeo and now Ramotar. Last Saturday, a former GUYSUCO manager was the latest person to echo that sentiment. And a description would follow. He told me things (just like all the others) of how different the administration of Guyana was
Frederick Kissoon and how professionalized were the relations at GUYSUCO under the PNC Government. Guyanese from all walks of life, 55 years and over, in countless numbers, lament to me the shock they still go through as to what the PPP has become and how far more terrible are the PPP rulers than when the PNC was in Government. I saw the unfolding of this horror show as early as 2001. In 2005, the stewardship of President Bharrat Jagdeo had deteriorated on every level – morality, good manners, nationalist love for country, democratic accountability, respect for the rule of law, descent into violence and murder - that I use the term, “fascistization” to describe the PPP’s autocracy. In 2014, the fascistization process is complete.
Tuesday December 16, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Chinese Contractor duped Brassington on Marriott Project - Chris Ram Shanghai Construction Group (SCG), the Chinese Company that is currently constructing the Marriott Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown, may have duped Winston Brassington, the sole Director of Atlantic Hotel Inc (AHI), into taking on additional expenditure and further, may have sacrificed the quality of works to be done on the project. This is the view held by Chartered Accountant and Attorney-at-Law Christopher Ram, who in his recent and most revealing writings on the hotel project to date, drew reference to the price tags and what Brassington agreed to. He recalled that when AHI conceived the project, the budget was US$41M, based on drawings and specifications. It went to tender on that basis. According to Ram, when SCG sent in a tender for US$65M, Brasington rejected it and requested that the
company come back with an alternative design that would meet Marriott’s standards. Ram said that SCG came back with a design and a cost of US$51M. Several costs and most importantly, one relating to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, were excluded. “What SCG was effectively telling AHI is that if you wish to have LEED certification then you must pay for it…And Mr Brassington said yes.” Ram said, too, that not only is there “cutting corners on statutory deductions, changing design specifications and eco-features, we allow the contractor to dictate to us about quality certification. “Having been duped by SCG, the Chinese contractor, on the importation of labour – although Guyana had the final say in work permits – the next danger for us is who is looking after the interest of
AHI in ensuring that we do not have a similar experience in the quality of the material used or in supervising the execution of the work by the contractor.” Ram reports that he was recently regaled with the post modern technology and material being employed on the cut-price contract. He surmised that “maybe that explains why none of the local consulting engineering firms was retained by AHI to look after its interest.” On the matter of the project supervision, Ram said that an experienced engineer expressed to him considerable doubts on the ability of AHI to put together a competent team to deal with the international contractor, SCG. 1“According to the engineer, AHI has stepped well out of its league, even though the internet made it easy to research the experiences of other countries using Chinese contractors
with Chinese labour.” Ram said that the engineer suggested that persons who negotiate building works contracts should have an understanding of building components, building codes and current construction practices. “Of course, the contractor on a project of this size should have a Quality Manager whose primary responsibility is to meet Quality Assurance/ Quality specifications…But contractors are mainly interested in maximising profits which comes from reducing costs, and so AHI must satisfy itself and specify the steps embedded in the process to ensure that quality assurance and quality control matches the agreed plans and specifications.” On the matter of the price of the project as against the quality of the works done, Ram said that AHI would have needed to ensure, even before construction started,
Christopher Ram
Winston Brassington that it had in place a team to manage the construction supervision, including the ‘Engineer’ who will sign off on the final product and approve design changes. According to Ram, “It is
true that we negotiated on price…The question now is whether AHI knows whether it has compromised on quality.”
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Tuesday December 16, 2014
Opposition agrees to delay injunction against government…
AG gets seven days to answer Granger’s challenge of “illegal” spending The government was yesterday given seven days to say why Chief Justice Ian Chang should not grant a Conservatory Order, on behalf of Opposition Leader Brigadier (rtd) David Granger, to stay all spending or further spending by Finance Minister, Ashni Singh, or any other Government Ministers on programmes disapproved by the National Assembly. Granger’s lawyers filed a legal challenge in the High Court last Thursday via affidavit to halt all unapproved spending by the Administration until the current matter has been determined. When the matter was called yesterday
morning, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) representatives, agreed to give the government a chance to respond as to why the stay should not be issued. The opposition lawyers were seeking an ex-parte injunction. However, it was agreed upon by both sides that the government should be given a chance to respond. Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, who is representing the government, will have to file an affidavit in answer, while Basil Williams, one of the lawyers for the plaintiff, will file a further affidavit in reply, if needed. The two parties will return to court on December 29.
Both sides declined to finalise a date for hearing. Instead, both sides decided that the December 29 date would be for report. APNU said that its address to the court is in a bid to stop the “unauthorized spending of billions of dollars, monies that were disapproved in the National Budget earlier this year.” The court application named Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, the Attorney General and Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman as the defendants. Outside of the Order to stay, claims were made for the court to declare that the
National Assembly, in keeping with Article 218 (2) of the Constitution, lawfully disapproved in the annual estimates of Revenue and Expenditure of 2014 and was reflected in the Appropriation Bill Number 6 of 2014 and confirmed by the Appropriation Act Number 10 of 2014. The Oppositioncontrolled National Assembly disapproved some $36.75B. The money included $1.3B from Office of the President (OP) under its Administrative Services programme; $3.8B also from OP for capital estimates also under Administrative Services; some $22B from Ministry of
Opposition Leader Brigadier (Rtd) David Granger
Finance Minister Ashni Singh Finance; $1.1B from Ministry of Amerindian Affairs’ Development Fund; $6.78B from Ministry of Public
Works capital work and $1.3B from the Ministry of Health’s Regional and Clinical. APNU wants the court to declare that Government unlawfully spent or authorized the spending of monies despite its disapprovals. Minister Singh had admitted that some $4.5B (Continued on page 23)
Tuesday December 16, 2014
Mother of two stabbed by reputed husband A mother of two is nursing multiple stab wounds to her head at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) after she was attacked by her reputed husband of four years. The attack occurred around 17:00 hrs on Sunday on the Nismes, West Bank Demerara (WBD) Public Road. The injured woman has been identified as Indera Kumdial, a 40-year-old sales clerk at a city store. She resides at Lot 70 Patentia, WBD. According to information, Kumdial and her reputed husband got into a heated argument during which she was attacked. Police managed to arrest her spouse minutes after the attack. At the hospital yesterday, the mother of two said that she was at work when she noticed her reputed husband standing at the entrance to the store Sunday afternoon. “We separate since July but he does still come by me and talk to the kids and so. Last week whole week he collected me so when he showed up yesterday (Sunday) I leave with him because he does normally drop me home,” Kumdial said. On her hospital bed, she said that while at Nismes, her husband stopped the vehicle and began kissing her. “He then pulled out the knife and start stabbing me. He left me inside the vehicle and run out but I run out too and start stopping vehicles and some people went behind he,” the mother of two said. She said, “Before he stopped at Nismes we had an argument over an incident that happened a month ago where he went to the police station and tell the police that I don’t want him to see his kids; and that is not true,” the woman related. She is now in a stable condition at the facility.
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Kaieteur News
SALON Make Up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, Black Opal and Sacha cosmetics. Call: 647-1773/660-5257
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VACANCY Work from home & earn $5,000-$20,000 daily; www.jobfairworldwide.com Tel:233-6517; 622-1957; 9am5pm Mon-Fri & Saturday 10am-4pm Male & female workers: managers, accountants, checkers, salesperson & housekeepers @ RA Soda Factory – Call: 330-23992772; 623-5920 One female clerk - Call: 2315171 Immediate: Ice machine operators (training provided) & night security to work @ Ice Factory in Meadow Bank – Call: 2311408; 642-9191 CANTER DRIVER/ SALESMAN and Factory Assistant living on E.B.D, free accommodation also available. 266 4427 One qualified hairdresser; one housekeeper – Call:2256492 Pump attendant at Shell Providence E.B.D (shift work) 5AM-3PM & 3PM12PM
Guyana Passport & Visa Forms Application, USA, Canada and England. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. Repairs & spare, fridge, freezer, A/C, washers, stoves. Contact Nick: 683-1312, 627-3206 Repairs, sales & spares air conditioning, microwaves, washer, fridges & stoves. Ultra Cool, call: 225-9032, 647-2943 REPAIRS AT LOW COST: FRIDGES, AIRCONDITIONERS, WASHING MACHINES, TVS, MICROWAVES, FREEZERS- CALL: 6294946 OR 225-4822 We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer Call Omar: 2310655,683-8734 Are you looking for a personal driver: safe, r e l i a b l e & courteous Contact: 697-7488 Magicjack!! Magicjack!! Magicjack!! (Authorised Dealer) Renewal/Repairs/ Troubleshooting Laptop Screens/Batteries/ Keyboards Computer/ Printer Repairs, Call: 231-9429
LEARN TO DRIVE Soman Son & Outar Driving School at Maraj BuildingTel: 644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997
CAR RENTAL DOLLY’S CAR RENTAL CALL: 225-7126/ 2263693 DOLLYSAUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM/ WWW.DOLLYSAUTO RENTAL.COM PROGRESSIVE AUTO RENTAL:CARS&SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 643-5122, 2193900, EMAIL: PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM Aidan’s Car & Pickup rental, cheap rate, low security - Tel: 698-7807;690-6494 Untouchable car rental: low rates, low deposits – Call: 677-4613; 226-9668
WANTED One night shift supervisor at shell Providence E.B.D, Submit application to shellramsburg@gmail.com Female worker needed, 3 CXC subject or sound secondary school education- Call: 612-1607 Girls to work as waitresses in bar – Tel:256-4096
FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 GT TOOL RENTALS: COMPACTOR; CHIPPING HAMMER RANSOM & FLOOR SANDER, (SALE) AND MORE, SAWS & DRILLS -$10,000 - CALL: 675-0767, 667-2535 One bedroom apartment in Grove E.B.D – Call: 687-7376 House to rent - Call: 231-5153 Metal Scaffold for rent- Call: 623-6586 or 225-7607 Five bedrooms house, 107 Lamaha Gardens & Large Parking; AC Rooms Hot & Cold, Purified Water System Call: 661-8908, 335-3590 Space to rent 60X40; ideal for supermarket, wholesale distribution etc at Enmore E.C.D – Call:256-4249, 6277771, 674-6427
One puri maker - Call: 2269561 One assistant salesgirl @ E.C.D – Call: 644-9802 Jet + Marack men to work in the interior – Call: 694-2310 One able bodied male to work in a Hardware store Call: 231-2029; 219-4533 One porter to work on beverage canter – Call:2223927; 649-9876 Need ladies to sort goods; apply at Alabama Trading Georgetown Stabroek. Female janitors, between ages 25-40 years – Call:2258066 One receptionist/secretary, experienced required. Send application & CV to 48 High Street, Werk-En-Rust, G/ Town. Experienced Roti/Puri cooks, Pastry makers, kitchen assistant; apply at Hack’s Halaal - Lot 5 Commerce Street Experienced matured salesperson @ Courtney Boutique, Stall “A” Bourda Market – Call: 227-2407
LAND FOR SALE Parika (Butcher Shop Street) - One (1) Lot 38' X 150' $ 7m Contact 650-0402 - for serious inquiries Blankenburg @ The Back Of Gas Station (3) Lots @ 75' X 76' Each. $20M for all 3 Lots. (1) Lot for $10m - Contact 650-0402
EDUCATIONAL Pre- Christmas Give away $25,000 OFF 9 Course Computer Diploma. Promotion ends this week! Micrographics, Vreed- EnHoop. Call: 264-3057
Tuesday December 16, 2014
One residential land at Herstelling -$4.5M – Tel:6610618; 601-3469 Prime water front land located at Port Kaituma/ North West, approximately (110ftX100ft) business spot – Contact: 601-5500; 693-9348
TO LET One upper flat 2 bedroom concrete apartment at Grove New Housing Scheme (First Bridge) - $45,000 per month Call: 642-1956
PROPERTY FOR SALE Six acres prime roadside land and metal workshop in Corriverton, can be sold with or without workshop. Call: 626-6245 Two storey; 2-3 bedrooms apartment at Tuschen H/ Scheme East Bank Essequibo Contact: 650-2982 One unfinished house in West Minister - $4.5M- Call: 661-0618, 601-3469 (size: 20X47) One house & land in hope low land, E.C.D, one house & land in Bloomfield Berbice Call: 689-5254; 256-0504 Lot 251 Thomas Street South C/Burg, size 102’X40’, price -$85M neg. Contact Mervin on: 6472509; 231-6111; 227-3136 FOR SALE/RENT American Pool Table – Call: 277- 0578 (Continued on page 23)
Tuesday December 16, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 23
Lover to face retrial for woman’s murder Sophia resident, Paul Anthony Lo Hing, is facing a retrial before Justice Navindra Singh at the High Court in Georgetown for the murder of his girlfriend, Shoala Gilgeous. Gilgeous was allegedly strangled by Lo Hing during a heated argument at their Block ‘E’ South Sophia residence. The incident took
place on August 6, 2012. Reports suggest that the accused had shared a turbulent one-year relationship with the victim. Gilgeous’ body was reportedly discovered by relatives who ventured into the apartment building in search of her. The accused is being represented by Attorney- at-
Bus conductor granted $200,000 bail on robbery charge Joel Prescott, a minibus conductor appeared before Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court to answer to a robbery under arms charge yesterday. It is alleged that Joel Prescott, on November 28, last, at Georgetown, robbed Govinda Narine of one blackberry cellular phone, one galaxy cellular phone, one gold band and one gold chain together valuing two hundred and twenty five thousand dollars ($225,000) at knife-point. The 21-year-old conductor who operates on the Kitty/Campbellville route was unrepresented and pleaded not guilty to the charge. The accused told the court, “I was in a restaurant and some guy came up and robbed him and he say I get the boy to rob him.” He also stated that he resides at Stanleytown, West Bank Demerara, and suffers from Malaria and tries to keep
out of the way of the police. Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones objected to bail based on the penalty that the offence attracts and the fact that the defendant is known to the virtual complainant. Prescott was ordered to report to the Brickdam Police Station every Friday, until the completion of the trial. The matter was adjourned until January 07, 2015 to Magistrate Fabayo Azore court.
(From page 22)
The deceased: Shoala Gilgeous
Accused: Paul Anthony Lo Hing
Law, Keavon Bess. Attorneys –at- Law Teeshana Lake and Narissa Leander are presenting the State’s case. Monica Charles was among the witnesses who were called by the prosecutors to testify yesterday. Charles had lived next door to the victim and the accused. She is also the spouse of the dead woman’s brother. Charles recalled that she heard the couple arguing on the day of the incident, but that she didn’t find it strange as the couple would usually
row. The witness said that she went out and when she returned, there were no sounds coming from the apartment, so she assumed that the quarrel had ended, but relatives later found the woman’s lifeless body in the apartment. Under cross examination, Charles explained that she could not recall the time that the incident took place, but remembers that she was awakened by what sounded like a loud argument coming from the apartment next door which the couple occupied.
AG gets seven days to answer... From page 12 had been spent for the period ended June 16, 2014, “in breach of Articles 217 and 219 (2) of the Constitution and the decisions of the National Assembly to disapprove these Programmes,” court documents highlighted. Among several other things, APNU wants the court to order also that the spending was “unconstitutional, ultra vires, null and void,
unreasonable and in breach of the doctrine of the separation of powers”. APNU’s arguments were prepared by Senior Counsel Rex McKay and Attorneysat-Law Basil Williams, Hewley Griffith, Lawrence Harris, Michael Somersall, Joseph Harmon, James Bond, LLewellyn John and Bettina Glasford. Some of the disapproval sums affected agencies such
Guyana's first cement manufacturing... From page 19 available in Caribbean countries that have active volcanoes. He identified Martinique and Montserrat. The company has embarked on collecting the waste from the rice milling process for addition to the mixture. The facility, he said, is also capable of making different things using the same cement- making machinery and equipment. “What is set up here has the capability and flexibility to produce other products…and we don't have to change the equipment. It's the same capital investment,” he said. Other by-products the plant can manufacture include grout, propones, and calcium aluminate cement, which is used extensively in the steel industry. Prime Minister Sam Hinds said, that the bauxite industry is very closely attached to the cement industry. He said that several proposals came up during those times about the intentions in the 1970s and 1980s to make cement in Guyana. “It's quite a challenge to
undertake cement- making in Guyana. We had a lot of persons who considered it before, but unto this day, no one has tried it,” he said. “I commend Mr. Safeek for taking this bold step-and I wish him all success!” He said how challenging the venture would be, to achieve levels of productivity, “with respect to quality control, to overcome the lack of natural advantages to produce cement in Guyana. It's not going to be a 'piece of cake'…It's going to be a challenge that has been on our table, for decades.” Dr. Safeek described Saturday's opening as a proud day for him and his team. He said that construction of the cement-manufacturing unit commenced in 2010. “It feels good because it's needed,” he added. Dr. Safeek added that several years ago, cement used to be $350 per sack, “and every year, (the price) kept increasing. “Cement has basically gone out of the reach of the poor man, so this (factory) will fix the problem and bring it within the budget range of
$1,000 to reach our people-it is great for our people!” “We are slowly integrating technology in phases. We built the plant in phases,” he added. Phase One, the bagging plant, started in August 2010, while the third phase, the heart and soul of the cement plant, started in January 2014. The official said that Caricom Company will start Phase Four of the investment, shortly, in the Berbice River. The mining- for- minerals venture will create more employment, he added. “This community (Edinburgh, Everton) was basically a depressed community when we came here, but this company has been putting basically $1B every year into the Berbice community in spending, and that would be very good for the people up the Berbice River.” Caricom Cement Company was established in 2010 and has an insurance subsidiary, Caricom Insurance, established countrywide. The Caricom Group of Companies has an employment base of over 500.
as the Government Information Agency (GINA) and the National Communications Network (NCN) and projects including the Specialty Hospital, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Expansion Project and the Amaila Falls Hydro Project. Government had gone to court last year and based on a ruling by the Chief Justice had interpreted it to mean that Parliament could not cut or disapprove the National Budget. The Opposition has objected this notion saying that the architects of the Constitution catered for cutting when it was written that the National Budget has to come before the floors of the House.
FOR SALE Panel indicating light, Genset exhaust box, contractors & relay. Tel: 627-7835 Exercise equipment: Treadmill, cardio, bicycle, infant bed, swing & high chair – Call:600-1329 One farm for sale – Call: 2653586 2 German shepherd, puppies, eight weeks, fully vaccinated, mother black & father white Contact: 626-0953 Complete Snapper Boats for sale – Excellent Condition – Contact: 648-6815; 641-4506 Spare for washing machine, microwaves, fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, pumps, etc call: 225-9032, 647-2943 1 Double door fridge $165,000; 1 New Rigid 3600 W generator - $170,000, 1 Washer and Dryer Maytag $120,000 each – Tel: 672-7194 One PS2 with games & control, one Nintendo DSi with games & control $20,000 each –Call: 655-2318 Stalls at Robb Street & Bourda – Contact: 695-1359 between 9am -11am PICK YOUR PIG! CHOOSE YOUR SIZEAND WE WILL HAVE IT READY! CALL: 266-2711 OR 609-4594 FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754.
VEHICLE FOR SALE One Toyota Raum : TV; Alarm, remote start ; PRR 8782 – Call:670-7243 Toyota Mark 2 - $2.2M neg. BMW 318i - $2.2M neg. Toyota Tacoma (RHD) (Auto/4WD) - $1.2M neg. – Call: 653-2005 1-Honda-600RR, Toyota Raum, AT170, AT212, AT192, AE100 Sprinter Fun cargo, Bubble Tray Tundra Call: 644-5096, 697-1453 R1 2007; Candy Red motor cycle, never fall; 40 original paint 1100 miles -$7,000US or best offer – Call: 623-4045 Pitbull bus ($3.2M) Verossa - $3.7M, Noah- $2M (All new) – Call: 603-9700 Unregistered Spacio 2004, camera, rims, body kit, Fielder 2003, black interior, fully loaded. Call: 617-5536 1 - L-Touring Wagon; HB 9912, price $1,050,000 Neg. Call: 680-4990 Christmas Sale! 2003 Toyota Premio - $2.2M; never registered – Tel: 617-2891 Toyota Prado, Price$5.5M Neg. Call: 643-2403 One ford IVECO sand truck with Cummings Engine, GNN Series, excellent condition, owner leaving country - Call: 604-6860, 643-2911 AT192, 212, Allion, unregistered Premio, Hilux Surf, BNN, RZ & Pit-bull, 7 seater super custom. Cash / terms - Call: 680-3154 We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 Tacoma- Call: 680-3154 Nissan Titan 4X4; fully loaded; good condition; price $2.5M neg. Call: 6201026 1 Toyota Allion & 1 Kawasaki Motorcycle (fully chrome) - Call: 667-4774; 260-3465 1 Toyota Rav4; year 2000 $2.5M neg. PKK Series; great condition - Tel:6128803 FOR SALE Two forklifts Clarke & Toyota 5000lbs, wood mizer XT40 sawmill, fire proof explosion proof safe – Call: Paul: 612-7206; 619-7393 Used Dell E4300, E6500 M4400, HP Elite Book 6930 Laptops – Contact Sean: 226-9377
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday December 16, 2014
Cash jet pilot pleads not guilty Take the bus, do not Captain Khamraj ‘Kem’ Lall, a Guyana-born pilot, set to appear in a Puerto Rico court tomorrow after a US Grand Jury returned an indictment last week for smuggling a large amount of cash on his jet, has pleaded not guilty. Captain Khamraj ‘Kem’ Lall has opted not to appear for the arraignment by signing a “Waiver of Presence” and pleading not guilty, according to court documents filed yesterday. US Magistrate, Judge Camille L. Velez-Rive, approved the waiver and not guilty plea and transferred the matter to another judge for scheduling. Lall, who owns Kaylee’s gas station at Coverden, East Bank Demerara as well as a limousine service, was arrested by Puerto Rican security officials on November 22, last, after his jet landed on that US territory for fuel. The pilot was on his way to Guyana. He has a hangar at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and has flown President Donald Ramotar on occasions on the private jet. In major developments last week, it was indicated that Prosecutors will likely target assets that belong to the
NOT GUILTY PLEA: Captain Khamraj Lall businessman, in and out of the United States and even those in Guyana. Originally charged with bulk cash smuggling after US$620,000 was found in his jet, Lall was placed on US$100,000 bail. The Grand Jury decided that he will additionally see forfeiture of the cash and his properties related to offence. Lall agreed to the forfeiture. According to the indictments filed in the United States District Court of Puerto Rico, Lall knowingly attempted to transfer more than the allowed US$10,000 from Puerto Rico, without declaring it and in breach of laws. US Prosecutors are also leaving the door open for all of Lall’s assets to be seized if
it is proven that they are linked to the bulk cash smuggling. “…The defendant shall, upon conviction of each such offense alleged in Count One, forfeit to the United States all property, real and personal, involved in the offence, and all property traceable to such property, wherever located and in whatever name held, which property includes, but is not limited to, US currency in the total amount of US$620,588.” On November 22, last, Lall and two other individuals arrived at the Luis Munoz Marin International Airport on a private aircraft bearing tail number N822QL. Lall was the co-pilot, while the other two individuals were his father and the pilot of the aircraft. During a mandatory search, the agents unearthed some maintenance discrepancies and grounded the aircraft until the issues could be resolved. The following morning, the issues were resolved, and Lall informed the US Customs Agents so that they could resume their outbound inspection of the aircraft. Employing the use of a sniffer dog, the US agents were alerted to a bundle of currency wrapped in plastic bags and a blanket was found under the exit row seat. It was approximately US$150,000. His explanation was that the money represented proceeds from his business, and which he had forgotten
was there. The agents did not buy his explanation. When they continued their search, they stumbled upon a black suitcase inside a compartment next to the engines. The suitcase was found to contain several black garbage bags containing bundles of currency totaling approximately US$470,000. Lall accepted responsibility for the cash. He later moved to restrict some of the details contained in the court documents claiming that he was “filing the motion with the requested level of restriction because it is necessary to protect the confidentiality of the information detailed in the document and exhibits.” Two weeks ago, the Puerto Rican court ordered the jet owner to surrender all his pilot licences. He was restricted to travel between New Jersey in the United States and Puerto Rico only for purposes pertaining to his court hearing. The pilot was also allowed to continue working as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of his aviation company, but only in an administrative capacity, and the duties must be performed from his residence. Local aviation authorities have confirmed that Lall’s local operation is currently on pause given his court matter. They continue to say that all the pilot’s local operations were above board and all his international papers were in order.
trust private cars
- a mother urges Carol Green, the mother of the St. Stanislaus teacher whose decomposed body was discovered at Pattensen, East Coast Demerara (ECD) more than three weeks after she went missing, is urging young women to be extremely careful when using private transportation. The traumatized mother, who still cannot come to grips with the fact that her daughter, Nyozi Goodman is dead, said that she always believed that public transportation was safer when compared to private cars. Mrs. Green’s daughter was last seen entering a car at the National Sports Hall where she had taken a few of her students to participate in a basketball game on July 6, last. That was the last anyone heard from her. On July 24, last, the skeletal remains of a woman, with a belt wrapped around one arm, was discovered in a grass-filled area at Pattensen. It was only on December 10 last, that police announced that the results of DNA tests conducted on the remains of the body found in July confirmed it was the missing teacher, Nyozi Goodman. Yesterday, a devastated Green said that most young people are leaving Linden and traveling to the city in search of better jobs while some attend the University of Guyana. “Take the bus; do not trust private cars. You are always safe in a crowd, you are not 100 percent safe in a taxi,” Green said.
Nyozi Goodman The mother revealed that instead of preparing for the Christmas holiday, she is planning her daughter’s funeral. “I cannot come to grips with this. I still feel she will turn up one of these days… The bible said that children should bury their parents but I have to bury my child,” a distraught Green lamented. “Girls, please be careful. There might be plenty more Royston Waldrond out there,” the teacher’s mother said. Waldrond, an expoliceman, was the prime suspect in the teacher’s disappearance. He was shot and killed on November 15, last, during a confrontation with the police in Kitty. He was also a suspect in the disappearance of policewoman Patriena Nicholson, who went missing in August 2013. “He is a prime suspect but we don’t know if he killed her and we may never know who killed her,” a devastated Green lamented. Mrs. Green thanked those who supported her during her time of need.
Tuesday December 16, 2014
Kaieteur News
Police storm Sydney cafe to end hostage siege, three dead (Reuters) - Heavily armed Australian police stormed a Sydney cafe early this morning and freed a number of hostages being held there at gunpoint, in a dramatic end to a 16-hour siege in which three people including the attacker were killed. Police have not publicly identified the gunman but a police source named him as Man Haron Monis, an Iranian refugee and selfstyled sheikh known for sending hate mail to the families of Australian troops killed in Afghanistan. He was charged last year with being an accessory to the murder of his ex-wife. Prime Minister Tony Abbott said the gunman was well known to authorities and had a history of extremism and mental instability. During the siege at the Lindt cafe in Sydney’s central business district, hostages had been forced to display an Islamic flag, igniting fears of a jihadist attack in the heart of the country’s biggest city. Around 2 a.m. local time (10.00 a.m. ET yesterday), at least six people believed to have been held captive managed to flee after gunshots were heard coming from the cafe. Police then moved in, with heavy gunfire and blasts from stun grenades echoing from the building. “They made the call because they believed at that time if they didn’t enter there would have been many more lives lost,” said Andrew Scipione, police commissioner for the state of New South Wales. An investigation would determine whether hostages were killed by the gunman or died in cross-fire, Scipione told reporters just before dawn. Police said a 50-year-old man, believed to be the attacker, was killed. Television pictures showed he appeared to have been armed with a sawn-off shotgun. A man aged 34 and a 38year-old woman were also killed, police said. The man was the cafe manager and the woman was a mother and barrister, local media reported. Four were wounded, including a policeman hit in the face with shotgun pellets. Medics tried to resuscitate at least one person after the raid and took away several wounded people on gurneys, said a Reuters witness at the scene. Bomb squad members moved in to search for explosives, but none were found. So far 17 hostages have been accounted for, including at least five others who were released or escaped yesterday. “To the people of Sydney,
Caption: The 34-year-old manager of the Lindt cafe, Tori Johnson (left), and mother of three Katrina Dawson, 38 (right), have been named as the two hostages killed during the Sydney siege this morning this was an isolated incident ... Do not let this sort of incident bring about any loss of confidence of working or visiting our city,” said Scipione. This morning, the area near the cafe remained cordoned off, with bystanders and passing office workers leaving flowers under police tape. Flags flew at half mast across the city. Leaders from around the world had expressed their concern over the siege, including Stephen Harper, the prime minister of Canada, which suffered an attack on its parliament by a suspected jihadist sympathizer in October. NO LINKS TO TERROR GROUPS Monis was found guilty in 2012 of sending offensive and threatening letters to families of eight Australian soldiers killed in Afghanistan, as a protest against Australia’s involvement in the conflict, according to local media reports. Monis was also facing more than 40 charges of sexual assault. “He had a long history of violent crime, infatuation with extremism and mental instability,” Abbott told reporters in Canberra. The prime minister did not
identify the gunman. A U.S. security official said the
Gunman Man Haron Monis, pictured here, held 17 people hostage U.S. government was being advised by Australia that there was no sign at this stage that the gunman was connected to known terrorist organizations. Although the hostage taker was known to the authorities, security experts said preventing attacks by people acting alone could be difficult. “We are entering a new phase of terrorism that is far more dangerous and more difficult to defeat than al Qaeda ever was,” said Cornell University law professor Jens David Ohlin, speaking in New York.
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday December 16, 2014
After 18 years executed man found not guilty
The judge of the higher people’s court delivers retrial files to Hugjiltu’s parents (C) in Hohhot, northern China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous region on December 15, 2014 BEIJING (AP) — A court in northern China on Monday cleared a man of the rape and murder of a woman in a public toilet 18 years after he was executed for the crime. The Inner Mongolia Higher People’s Court announced on its micro blog that it had overturned the conviction of Huugjilt, who was 18 when he was sentenced to death and executed for the 1996 crime. Like many ethnic Mongolians, Huugjilt used only one name. The deputy head of the court, Zhao Jianping, offered his “sincere apologies” to Huugjilt’s parents, China’s official Xinhua News Agency reported. The parents received
30,000 yuan ($5,000) as an expression of the court’s sympathy and were told they could claim an u n s p e c ified amount of compensation. Chinese state media carried photos of a court official handing over the verdict to Huugjilt’s weeping parents at their home in Inner Mongolia’s regional capital of Hohhot. State media had previously reported that a convicted serial rapist and killer confessed to the murder in 2005 after receiving a death sentence for other crimes, but was never tried for this killing and has still not been executed. Huugjilt’s retrial was held only last month.
Huugjilt had come to the attention of the police after reporting that he had found the woman’s body in a public toilet in Hohhot after hearing a cry for help. China is believed to execute more people for crimes each year than the rest of the world combined, but keeps the data secret. H u u g j i l t ’s t r i a l a n d execution came amid one of China’s periodic “strike hard” campaigns, during which police and courts were put under extra pressure to break cases and punish criminals. China’s high court has since taken charge of reviewing all death sentences and has pledged to carry out executions for only the most heinous crimes.
Tuesday December 16, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Israel seeks U.S. block of Palestinian statehood drive (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday sought assurances from U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry that Washington would block efforts by Palestinians and Europeans on Palestinian statehood. “Our expectation is that the United States will stand by its position for the past 47 years that a solution to the
conflict will be achieved through negotiations, and I do not see a reason for this policy to change,” Netanyahu told reporters after a meeting in Rome that lasted some three hours. Before the meeting, Israel put the United States on notice that it expected Washington to exercise its U.N. Security Council veto against any resolutions setting a time frame.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (L) meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Villa Taverna in Rome yesterday. CREDIT: REUTERS/ EVAN VUCCI/POOL
Obama says he’ll sign gov’t spending bill passed by Congress Reuters) - President Barack Obama said yesterday he planned to sign a $1.1 trillion spending bill that was passed over the weekend by Congress to lift the threat of a government shutdown. Obama, speaking at a military base in New Jersey, said it was critical that lawmakers from both parties supported the bill, which included payouts for the military. “That’s why it was so important that folks in Congress, Democrats and Republicans, came together and passed
US President Barack Obama legislation that I’m going to sign to keep our government open and funded for the coming year, and that includes military operations,” he said.
Netanyahu declined to comment on whether he was given an assurance by Kerry that the United States would exercise its veto. A source with knowledge of the talks who spoke on condition of anonymity said the Israeli leader had indeed asked for such an assurance. A senior State Department official said Washington had made clear in discussions that
it would oppose certain moves. “We’ve made clear throughout these discussions with all of our interlocutors that there are certain things we could never support. (I’m) not going to outline those publicly,” the official said. Jordan has circulated a Palestinian-drafted resolution to the 15-member council
calling for Israeli occupation of Palestinian land to end by November 2016. U.S. officials have indicated that Washington did not find the Palestinian draft acceptable but said that with matters still fluid, it was premature to take a position now on any particular Security Council resolution. “Whether we have the nine votes at the Security
Council or we don’t, the decision has been taken to present the PalestinianArab resolution in the Security Council on Wednesday,” said Wasel Abu Youssef, an official of the Palestine Liberation Organization, the Palestinians’ highest decision-making body, led by President Mahmoud Abbas.
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday December 16, 2014
Tuesday December 16, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Guinness ‘Greatest of de Streets’ Futsal Competition
North Ruimveldt crowned G/Town Zone champs - Leopold Street outlasts Sparta Boss for third place Known more for their defensive obstinacy than their offensive expertise, North Ruimveldt gave opponent Festival City Warriors an efficient combination of both to capture the final of the Georgetown Zone of the Guinness ‘Greatest of de Streets’ Futsal Competition which ended late Sunday night, at the National Park. Playing before another big crowd, North Ruimveldt, led by former national striker Travis ‘Zorro’ Grant and the experienced Gerald Grittens produced a near flawless display to come out 2-0
winners which guaranteed them a place in the national playoffs and more importantly the first prize of $500,000 and a trophy. After a goalless first half, Grittens gave North Ruimveldt the lead when he fired into the goal in the 37th minute of play to evoke loud celebrations among the t e a m ’s supporters. Two minutes later, Grant stretched their advantage when he slipped one past the outstretched foot of a defender and once again the venue erupted in wild celebrations. Festival City Warriors
walked away with $300,000 and a trophy along with the chance to vie for top honours in the national playoffs. In the third place playoff, former champions Leopold Street through goals from Omallo Williams, who netted in the third minute and Claudio Rajkumar ’s 31st minute strike held off Sparta Boss by a 2-1 margin. The prolific Sheldon Shepherd was once again on the scoresheet, netting in the 12th minute to level the proceedings at one stage. Leopold Street walked away with $200,000, while
Tuesday December 16, 2014 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Do other countries represent real openings for you? This is a question that you will soon have to answer. This may be true, but it may also be an illusion that gives you a simplistic explanation for the dissatisfaction you feel now in your professional life. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) You're going to think this is a strange period. It isn't, Taurus. It's just that today won't be like others. Look around and you will see that people are either depressed or trying to keep up a good façade. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) AToday, Gemini, you might get the chance to take a trip around the world to visit fabulous palaces and experience a timeless love, and all - get this - totally free! CANCER (June 21–July 22) You will float today, Cancer. You won't talk, you will be sleepy, and your mood won't be the best. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You're certainly in a strange mood today, Leo. True, things have been going smoothly for the past few days, but be careful not to be fooled. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) It will be as though you're in a new and hopeful world today, Virgo. The people you meet will be cordial and caring, and the future will seem like a bright, attractive place to live.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Because you have a tendency to brood over everything right now, Libra, a day like this can't be anything but beneficial. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Yes, Scorpio, this is a good moment to abandon old beliefs and moral values. Your view of life has changed and, above all, you're more aware of how your outdated, preconceived ideas sometimes poison your life. SAGIT (Nov.22–Dec.21) If you aren't careful to keep your eyes straight ahead and focused on the future, the past is likely to catch up to you, Sagittarius. CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) This would be the moment to say yes to your destiny, Capricorn. You're a little frustrated because things haven't been moving forward the way you'd like. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Don't expect to meet the partner of your dreams today, Aquarius. Rather, your romantic hopes are likely to meet with frustration. energy, the rewards are more likely to be forthcoming. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) There's some likelihood that a recent meeting with an influential person has put a damper on your hopes for your projects.
Sparta Boss collected $100,000 for its effort. The final had in attendance Guinness Brand Manager Lee Baptiste along with other officials from the beverage giants Banks DIH. In the night’s full results: North Ruimveldt-2 vs Festival City Warriors-0 Gerald Grittens-37th Travis Grant-39th Third place playoff Leopold Street-2 vs Sparta Boss-1 Leopold Scorer Omallo Williams-3rd Claudio Rajkumar-31st Sparta Scorer Sheldon Shepherd-12th
Smythfield Rockers blank New... From page 29 it, Bowen’s opportunity for the shot came from an unsuccessful attempt by the Warriors with less than 10 seconds to play. The battle was intense throughout with the lead changing hands constantly. Smythfield Rockers ended the first segment in the lead with their nose in front at 1110. New Amsterdam Wa r r i o r s however bounced back to lead 2720 at half time. The third quarter ended with New A m s t e r d a m Wa r r i o r s taking a four point lead 33-29. Bowen led the way for the Smythfield Rockers with 15 points, with Neil Wills gathering 12. For the New A m s t e r d a m Wa r r i o r s Leary Edwards was the top scorer with 10 points, Shemroy McKenzie scored nine and Carlos Crandon eight. The competition is being played on a round robin basis at the preliminary stages with the top two teams from each group emerging to contest the semifinals. The winner of group ‘A’ will take on the runner up in group B and vise versa. The final is set for December 26 at a venue to be decided. The top two teams will receive cash incentives and medals. The most valuable player will also be presented with a trophy. The organiser is Vibert Garrett. (Samuel Whyte)
North Ruimveldt hero Gerald Grittens attempts to dribble past a defender from Festival City Warriors during their showdown in the final on Sunday.
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday December 16, 2014
Stag Super XV1 Football Tournament
This is truly a National tourney - Ansa Mc AL’s Darshanie Yussuf
And We’re Off! Ansa McAl’s PRO Darshanie Yussuf officially kicks the ball off to signal the start of the inaugural Stag Super XV1 Football Tournament. The first three-way tournament between the Berbice, East Demerara and East Bank Football Associations sponsored by Ansa McAl was officially kicked off by the sponsor’s Public Relations Officer Ms. Darshanie Yussuf on Sunday last at the #5 ground, West Coast Berbice. Delivering feature remarks, following the colourful march past of fifteen (15) of the sixteen (16) participating clubs, Ms. Yussuf reminded the players, officials and fans gathered that her company was pleased to be
associated with a tournament that was truly national. “We believe that our Stag Beer Super 16 Football Challenge is in fact the national tournament as it brings together three of the country’s associations with 16 of its teams. People sometimes run away with the idea that Georgetown represents the entire Guyana but our tournament proves differently.” The gathering was told that Ansa McAl’s commitment to the development of football and sports in general was quite obvious in this competition as they would like
to ensure that the game of football and players from every association are given the opportunity to play the sport that we all love. “Over the past 10 years we at Ansa McAl have sponsored successful football tournaments in Guyana but more so, on the East Coast and the East Bank Demerara, this is our first major partnership with football in Berbice and it is our pleasure to do so. This tournament promises to be an exciting one giving the smaller football associations the opportunity to thrive in this a
national event.” Yussuf declared that her company, whilst wishing the footballers and coaches the best, is expecting nothing but the best from the players as they and the loyal supporters will be cheering them on every step of the way. “Make us proud.... No pressure.” Also delivering remarks and expressing gratitude to the Management and Staff of Ansa McAl were Berbice FA Secretary, Mr. Joseph Simon, East Bank FA PRO Kevin Anthony and East Demerara FA President, Aubrey Hutson.
Latiff guides Regal to comprehensive win over SPR Enterprise
The victorious Regal team. A fine all-round performance by Richard Latiff guided Regal to a comprehensive 111-run win over SPR Enterprise in a 20-over fixture Sunday at Everest Cricket Club. Latiff scored 28 as Regal posted 222-8 off their allotted overs, batting first.
He then returned with the ball to capture 5-25 to help bowl out SPR Enterprise for 111 in 15 overs. Latiff and Martin Dutchin laid the foundation with an opening stand of 52 before Dutchin went for 27. Safraz Esau top scored with 31, Randy Budhu struck 23
and Ricky Sargeant 22 to give their team a challenging total. Danny Singh, Mark Harold and Wazir Husain grabbed two wickets each. SPR Enterprise, which included several guest players from some of the top teams in Demerara, never
looked threatening in response, Amir Nizamudeen and Greg Singh scored 22 and 17 respectively. Budhu supported man of the match Latiff with 3-29 as Regal pocketed $100,000. The game was organized by Samuel Kingston.
Meet the defending Mackeson 3x3 Basketball Champs, Pitbulls
Name: Jermaine Slater Position: Centre/ Forward Club: Ravens Basketball Club
Name: Ryan Gullen Position: Forward Club: Ravens
Name: Ryan Stephney Position: Guard Club: Ravens
Name: Akeem Kanhai Position: Guard Club: Ravens
Defending Mackeson 3x3 Champions, Pitb u l l s a r e back in the mêlée for the ‘Mackeson King of the Rim’ three-on-three Basketball title, which will be decided Friday night at California Square, East Ruimveldt among eight teams from across Guyana. Those teams include, TRS Raptors (representing the East Coast from Melanie after topping that zone); Den Amstel ‘A’ (representing
West Coast Demerara), Colts ‘A’, Colts ‘B’, Pacesetters ‘A’ and Pitbulls (representing Georgetown) and Royals and Jets (Linden). Pitbulls is a compilation from Ravens Basketball Club and features all national players in a good combination of speed and presence in the paint. Today we introduce the kings from 2012 but can they produce a winning performance Friday night.
Tuesday December 16, 2014
Kaieteur News
PSP, MOE, MCYS U-17 School’s F/Ball
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Pepsi/GBA U-16 boxing tournament
St Mary’s, Queenstown Kevin Allicock, Shaquancy advance to Quarter-Finals Wright clinch prestigious honours By Sean Devers St Mary’s High School and St John’s College registered victories when the Premier Sports Promotions, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport under-17 School’s Football tournament continued yesterday at Ministry of Education ground. St Mary’s defeated Christ Church 3-1, while a second half goal feast by Queenstown Community High saw that team hammer St Jones College 6-1 to set up tomorrow’s Quarter Finals against Tutorial High and Lodge Secondary respectively. Today’s action will feature St George’s High coming up against Bishops High School and Saints Stanislaus College facing off with North Ruimveldt Multilateral in the first two Quarter Finals. In the first match-up, again played in sultry conditions, Christ Church failed to spark in the first half which reduced to 30 minutes and finished the first stanza with a 1-nil score-line for Christ Church, thanks to the work of Lousdale George, who scored in the 19th minute from the penalty spot. The pace picked up in the second half and Colin Denny latched on to a pass from Alyne Haynes from the left flank and leveled the score 1-1. Skillful rightwinger Raphael Bollers confused the opponents with some fancy footwork but took too long to pass the ball or short and failed to register a goal despite his obvious talent. Denny scored for the second time in the 56th minute before Andel Smith,
Colin Denny (left) & birthday boy Andel Smith on his 15th birthday, collected a pass from Akiel Forde and scored with a well executed shot to extend the lead to 3-1 in the 57th minute which was the score when the final whistle was blown. In the second game, Nicolas McArthur opened the scoring for St John’s in the 14th minute when he intercepted a pass from the left side and hammered in a thunderous left footer which passed the Keeper Colin Bacchus in the blink of an eye. Omari Jones scored the equalizer and at that point St John’s looked the better side technically and enjoyed more possession. Queenstown Secondary’s Emmanuel Hacker missed a clear goal with only the Keeper to beat as the fast paced first half-ended at 1-1. Fortunes changed dramatically in the second half as the live wire Kelse ‘Neymar’ Benjamin dribbled four players before calmly patting the ball nonchalantly past the helpless goalkeeper to make it 2-1 before repeating the feat three minutes later to
register a brace. Skipper Rudy Richmond exploited a defence which had become porous with two goals in the space of 12 minutes, while Anthony Dowdin also found the back of the nets to compound St John’s woes and cause their stand-in Coach to abandon his team before the game ended. Today the quarter-finals are scheduled for 13:00hrs and 15:00hrs respectively. The semi-finals are set for Friday while the third place play-off and the Final are set for Sunday. Coordinator of the tournament Mark Young informed that the Richard Ishmael Secondary School’s player who broke his hand during Friday’s game was taken to Georgetown Hospital but waited until 20:00hrs without being attended to. He was then taken at a Private Hospital where the bills for his Medical treatment was paid for by Young, who disclosed that the student has a cast on his hand but is recovering well.
Steve Ninvalle (extreme R) and Larry Wills (extreme L) join the boxers shortly after the final bell had sounded A sustained two fisted attack by Forgotten Youth Foundation (FYF) representative, Kevin Allicock, earned him a majority points decision over Shaquille Wright of the Essequibo Boxing Gym (EBG) and the 100-104lbs title when they clashed in the Pepsi/ GBA U-16 boxing tournament at the Andrew ‘Sixhead’ Lewis Boxing Gym, Independence Boulevard, last Sunday afternoon. For his efforts, Allicock was also adjudged the Best Boxer, while Shaquancy Wright (EBG) received a special award for being the boxer with the best potential. He had earlier defeated Kevin Mullings (HE) in their 60-64lbs bout. The two boxers comprised a part of the 9 bout card which represented the final edition of the DDL sponsored programme for the fiscal year. DDL Marketing Representative, Larry Wills was present and later said that he thoroughly enjoyed the proceedings. He lauded the
Kevin Allicock (R) seen on the attack while Shaquile Wright dances out of range boxers for their action packed performances and said that it was such dedication that encouraged the executives of his company to continue supporting the youngsters in their bid to succeed in the sport. President of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) and Committee Member of
George to lead Guyana at Vos Dasani swim meet in Suriname Just after returning from FINA youth development programme in Doha, Onika George of Silver Shark Swim Club will lead a talented Guyana team at the Vos Dasani Powerade swim meet which will be held at Paramaribo, Suriname on December 20 and 21. The eight-member team will depart Guyana on December 18 and will compete in the eight and under to 1517 categories. The other members of the team are Nathan Hacket (11-12), Trumaine Cole (15-17), Leon Seaton Jnr (9-10), Danielle George (9-10), Jadyn George
(9-10) all of Silver Shark Swim Club, Raekwon Noel (8 and under) of Dorado Swim Speed Club and Amber De Goeas (9-10) of Orca Swim Club. Leon Seaton is the manager and the coach is Sean Baksh. Ushaka Noel and Rhonda Seaton will serve as the female Chaperones. In an invited comment manager Seaton said the team stands a good chance of doing well since the swimmers are all talented. He spoke highly of Raekwon, Seaton and George adding that the members are training really hard with the aim of doing Guyana proud.
Members of the Guyana team just before a training session at the National Aquatic Centre. Manager Leon Seaton Snr is at far right.
the International amateur Boxing Association (AIBA), Steve Ninvalle, also graced the function and reiterated his gratitude to the beverage company for their support. He was also impressed with the standard of boxing and urged the youngsters to continue training to attain the highest standard. He assured them that his executive will do all within its power to create opportunities to facilitate their continued development. The results of yesterday proceedings also witnessed Gerald Williams (EBG) winning from Moses Oxford (HE) in the 55-59lbs division, while Jakeel Cadogan (HE) conceded a walk over to his gym mate, Leon Moore (jnr) in the 65-69lbs class. Isaiah Moore (HE) defeated his gym mate, Kevon Mulling to take the 85-89lbs title moments before Deshon Allicock (EBG) outpointed his gym mate, Stevie DoPrado (EBG) in the 115119lbs division. Quincy Boyce (GDF) and Akeem Mounter (EBG) brought the curtains down with an action packed exhibition bout.
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday December 16, 2014
Topp XX off to winning start in Local celebs entertain in Respect the Game Basketball Event UDFA GT Beer ‘Supa 16’ football
-Team Bond hold on for thrilling win against Team Toney
March past: Milerock Football Club during the march past at the opening ceremony of the Upper Demerara GT Beer Supa 16 football tournament. Topp XX got off to a winning start on the opening night of the Upper Demerara Football Association’s 2014/ 2015 GT Beer ‘Supa 16’ football tournament on Sunday at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground in Linden. Young striker Duquan Hercules scored the game winner in the 9th minute of play to secure victory for Topp XX against Amelia’s Ward Panthers in the first official game of the competition. The tournament’s opening ceremony saw a march past of the 16 competing teams and remarks by Minister of Public Service Dr. Jennifer Westford, Region Ten Chairman Sharma Solomon, Banks DIH Limited Communications Manager, Troy Peters, GFF Technical Director Lyndon France and President of the UDFA Collis Grith. Minister Westford also performed the ceremonial kick off ahead of an exhibition match played between two veteran teams from the Mining town representing North and South. The Minister congratulated the executives of the UDFA for organizing the tournament and she urged members of the community to attend the matches. Minister Westford thanked main sponsors
Minister Dr. Jennifer Westford during the official kick off. Banks DIH Limited for supporting the tournament. Solomon said the tournament will showcase the talent of Region Ten as football returns to the community at yearend where it had been popular for the past two decades. Peters said that Banks DIH is committed to the development of sports in Linden and he commended the UFDA for showing foresight and fortitude in organizing the tournament against the backdrop of other tournaments being hosted around the country at this time
of the year. The competition continues tomorrow evening with a double header card at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground. Blueberry Hill FC will battle Canvas City Vasco at 18:00 hours (6p.m.) while the second game will bring together Block 22 Goalgetters and Ituni Peacemakers at 20:00 hours (8p.m.). Matches will also be played on December 19th, 22nd, 25th, 26th, 28th with the grand final set for January 1, 2015.
Guyana’s bodybuilding king, Kerwin Clarke hands over the Championship Trophy to captain of Team Bond, James Bond Saturday night in the Respect the Game Charity Basketball Event. Kaieteur News’ Sports Journalist, Edison Jefford maneuvered through heavy traffic at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall Saturday night to hit the game winning lay-up with about 30 seconds left to give Team Bond a 59-58 win over Team Toney in the ‘Respect the Game’ Charity Basketball Event. Jefford went scoreless for three quarters during the exhibition game, but finished two big lay-ups in the fourth quarter, including the gamewinner and another that was so smooth it had opposing Rawle Toney hanging on to his jersey in the paint. The game-winning lay-up came off a high pick-and-roll that Jefford had set at the top of the key for Attorney-atLaw, James Bond, who was more than happy to give it back to Jefford for a tidy layup in the paint that became the game changer. Toney missed a buzzerbeater with 1.5s left on the clock in the hope of winning the game after a timeout was summoned to plan strategy. Toney pulled up with Bond in his face and missed from a good distance behind the three-point mark. Akeem ‘The Dream’ Kanhai entertained with several spectacular
dunks off feeds that included a baseline two-handed ‘posterisation’ of Jefford, who tried to stop ‘The Dream’. Kanhai also threw down an awesome one-handed tomahawk dunk and two handed alley-oop slam from point guard, Shelroy Thomas, all representing Team Toney. Jermaine Slater also threw down a two-handed jam to get the enthused crowd going early in the game. Slater also represented Team Toney. Before the thrilling dunking exhibition from some of the country’s best ‘ballers’, Team Bond’s, Rodwell ‘Kobe’ Fortune showcased his ballhandling skills on court with several And1 moves that delighted spectators. West Indies and Guyana’s cricketer, Christopher Barnwell was the leading scorer for Team Bond with 10 points, while James Bond had six points and Jefford scored four points. Kanhai closed his account on 15 points while Toney had 12 points in the loss. Several celebs with entertainment and professional backgrounds represented the two teams that included Javed Ali, Faizal Khan, Nuriyyih Gerrard, Roger Yearwood, Lugard Mohan, Pernell Cummings, and Robert
Adelson among others. The night began with a High School clash between Saint Stanislaus College and St. Rose’s High that resulted in a win for the former. Starr’s Computer then defeated the Diplomatic Corps 65-51 before the University of Guyana beat Qualfon 79-44 before the feature game. GT&T Song and Jingle winner, Ryan Hoppy wooed fans with an awesome rendition of the National Anthem before the start of the big game. Soca Monarch, Kwesi Ace then entertained from centre court before Calvin Burnett also performed on the night. The Cliff Anderson Sports Hall buzzed with sport celebrities and personalities, most of whom sat court-sided and soaked up an impressive night. They included Rugby Coach, Theo Henry, GEM Magazine’s Simeon Corbin, Mr. Guyana Bodybuilder, Kerwin Clarke, Normalisation Committee head for Guyana’s Football, Clinton Urling and several others. Kirk ‘Chow Pow’ Jardine did not fail to entertain as host of the night’s proceedings; he duly used the forum to call for ‘respect’ for Guyana’s sportsmen and women, and those who perform in the arts. Respect the Game was certainly a good look Saturday night.
Monedderlust claw back to beat Golden Stars; Cougars flatten Soesdyke... From page 30 on to the quarter finals and will face the winner of next Sunday’s (#5 Gr.) round of 16 clash between Timehri Panthers and New Amsterdam United on Christmas Day at the Buxton Community ground. The competition’s first game saw Soesdyke Falcons putting up stern resistance early on but once Cougars got warmed to the task at hand,
Soesdyke never had a chance as they found themselves on the defensive. Cougars cracked the defence of Soesdyke with four minutes remaining in the half, Sherwin Parris having the distinction of scoring the tournament’s first goal. That advantage would increase to two in the first minute of added on time, Albert Anderson rocking the nest as his shot flew past goalkeeper Javier Greene.
Soesdyke tried for all their worth to pull one back in the final half but were denied by the home side. As a matter of fact, the third goal was as a result of a Soesdyke mistake in the 77th minute; Cougars 3 Soesdyke 0. Cougars have now earned themselves a place in the next round (Boxing Day at Victoria ground) against the winner of the match between Mahaica Determinators and Rosignol
United who will clash on Sunday at the #5 ground. However, plank walking will continue on Friday evening when round-of-16 play continues at the Grove Community Centre ground with two more matches. Agricola Red Triangle will face off with Ann’s Grove from 18:00hrs with the feature game between Grove Hi Tech and BV Triumph United at 20:00hrs.
Kaieteur News
Tuesday December 16, 2014
Page 33
Sam Harry wins Maersk inaugural Golf Tournament The ground was a little wetter in some spots than desired, but the infectious goodwill of the Maersk Guyana SA representatives and the enthusiasm of the golfers caused Saturday’s play to be exciting and refreshing. The Danish company Maersk, considered the largest container shipping company in the world, sponsored their first Golf Tournament in Guyana, on Saturday last. Sam Harry, who placed third in the previous Saturday’s tournament, emerged champion by delivering an inspiring 12/67 as he brushed off the keen challenges from 2nd place Patanjalee ‘Pur’ Persaud 26/68 (who was also 2nd in the previous Saturday’s tournament), 3rd place Rabindranath ‘Pandit Ravi’ Persaud 25/68, 4th place Kalyan Tiwari 20/68 and 5th
Maersk golf - Saturday’s winners along with President Mohamad (seated) flanked by staff of Muneshwar’s Maersk subsidiary. Standing, from left to right Avinash Persaud, Jeetendra Danpat, Ramesh Anirude, Sam Harry, Ravi Persaud, Pur Persaud and Kalyan Tiwari. place Jeetendra ‘Naro’ Danpat 9/71. (In some sports
the 2nd, 3rd and 4th places would have been a tie – each
Banks DIH Classic Basketball
Smythfield Rockers blank New Amsterdam Warriors in nail-biter As is usually, the case whenever the Smythfield Rockers and the New Amsterdam Warriors engage each other at basketball the game always goes down to the wire. Their latest encounter in the Banks DIH Classic Inter Club Basketball competition for teams in Berbice was no different. The game which
was played on Saturday at t h e Vr y m a n ’s E r v e n Basketball Court in New Amsterdam saw the Rockers steadying themselves to steal a tense win over the Warriors. With the score locked at 39-39 and with less than five seconds to play, Rockers’ Michael Bowen poured in a dagger from down town, the three-
pointer securing victory 4239 over arch rivals New Amsterdam Warriors. As fortunes would have (Continued on page 25)
with a net 68 - but in golfing the performance of the golfers on the latter half of the game, called the ‘back nine’ or ‘back nine holes’ is first used to determine the place in like scores, since generally players do not tie in their play in the back nine holes.) Nearest to the Pin was Ramesh Anirude, while Best Gross of the day was won by reigning Guyana Open
champion Avinash Persaud 2/76. Captain Chatterpaul ‘Chen’ Deo was pleased at the good turnout and the highly competitive performance of the golfers and conveyed his best wishes for the season to all present. Both he and Club President David Mohamad expressed gratitude to Maersk Guyana, SA for their coming on board the Golf flagship in Guyana,
and looked forward for a long and great relation between the company and the Lusignan Golf Club. Mr Robin Muneshwar of Muneshwar’s Shipping of 4 5 - 4 7 Wa t e r S t . , Georgetown, the local agents for Maersk, expressed the company’s pleasure at supporting Golf in Guyana and assured those present that it will look at repeating the good experience.
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday December 16, 2014
Stag Super XV1 Football Tournament
Monedderlust claw back to beat Golden Stars; Cougars flatten Soesdyke Falcons The inaugural Stag Super XV1 knock-out football tournament kicked off in fine style at the #5 ground West Coast Berbice on Sunday evening last with two teams walking the preverbal plank. It was an evening where the two home teams in action pleased their supporters’ hearts as they turned back the challenge of the visiting teams in contrasting fashion. On show in the main attraction, Monedderlust showed excellent composure to erase a deficit and take victory over a game G olden S tars of Eas t Demerara 2-1. The tournament got going when Cougars tore apart East Bank’s, Soesdyke Falcons 3-0 to secure their place in the quarterfinals at the Victoria Ground on Boxing night. Monedderlust, still licking their wounds inflicted by another East Coast side, Victoria Kings who defeated them in the final of a recent knock-out tournament, were in no mood to let another rival team have their way. But for sometime in the encounter, Golden Stars were holding their own, as a matter of fact it was the East Coast based unit that took
Ron Wilson (#11) of Cougars is airborne as he aims to head home this corner kick against Soesdyke but the ball was saved by goalkeeper Javier Greene (left). the lead when they were awarded a penalty in the 12th minute. Emitt Leacock was tasked with the responsibility of taking the spot kick and he made no mistake in burying the shot past custodian Elvis Rutherford; Golden Stars 1 Monedderlust 0. The home fans were left to ponder as to what would be the response of their team who were now found trailing on home turf.
Golden Stars had quite a few chances to increase the lead but poor decision making in the attacking third undermined their hold on the game early on. The fast paced exchanges, end to end, proved that neither side was willing to allow the other any time to settle. The picturesque venue under clear night skies was just warming up to task of a mouth watering showdown and so it turned out. The first
half ended with the visitors still ahead but not comfortable. As the minutes ticked away, the pressure began to mount on the home side with the fans becoming restless knowing that an early exit was not something they even wanted to think about. Their anxiety would have been eased to a great extent in the 71st minute when the neutralizing goal was realized through a Travis
Henry shot; Golden Stars 1 Monedderlust 1. The game was on and it was going to be the more focused team that would go on to win the war as the battle intensified. When Referee Sherwin Johnson sounded the whistle for full time, the scores were still unchanged which meant that an additional 30 minutes (15 minutes per half) was required to decide the winner.
Towards the end of the first period of extra time Clifford Campbell would give the home team and fans something to shout about as they took the lead for the first time, his goal in the 103rd minute served as a huge deflator for Golden Stars as they were not able to respond which meant that Monedderlust emerged victors by a 2-1 margin. They have now moved (Continued on page 32)
Kaieteur News
Tuesday December 16, 2014
Page 35
Silent Night takes top honours at Alness Turf Club meet
Connections of Red Region, winner of the L class event receives accolades. By S amuel Whyte S ilent N ight of the S hariff Racing S table, created an upheaval as it hit top form to whip the field to take the feature G and lower 1600M event when the Alness Turf Club successfully held their one day horserace meet on Sunday last at the Club’s Track, Alness, Corentyne Berbice. It w as a very good day of racing as the s ix races were held incident free. With top Jockey Colin Ross on the mount, Silent Night pow ered out of the gate in front of the field and never relinquished the lead for a commanding gate to pole whipping of the field. The w in w as w orth $300,000 and the J umbo J et trophy. I’ll G et A nother got s econd place ahead of Bridal Stone Corner and Red Cloud. It was the second successive win in a feature event for Jockey Ross who is in tremendous form. Speaking with the m e d i a , o w n e r Mohammed ‘Nankoo’ S hariff s tated that he k n e w t he animal would win. Little of The A padhu S table w ith Ros s on the mount came big as it out dueled its opponents to win the J1 and lower 1000M race and the $180,000 and trophy ahead of Red Jet and Affinity. S peed Vis ion of the K han S table ridden by K evin P aul w as too fat for its opponents to catch up as it took care of business in the J3 and lower 1000M event worth $160,000 and trophy from Lady Secret and Royal Stallion. The K clas s 1000M race s aw Royal S tallion
of The D ennis D eRoop s table w ith Rad Drepaul riding returned to take top honours with its My Time, Cart man and Royal Intention rounding out the money. Red Region ridden by Wills of the Baker S table w as too hot to handle as it burned up the track to take the L1 class race as it won from Short man, Survival King and Fit To Fight. Yo u n g Tu r n A b o u t ridden by Rodrigues made all the right moves as it w on the L3 and lower event from Willie Up Town, Fit to fight and Go Zapper. The champion J ockey on s how once again w as Colin Ros s . The Apadhu, Sheriff and Simply Royal Racing Stables were the top stables. Organiser Marcel Craw ford w as s atis fied how the day’s activity w as conducted.
Assistant Organiser Compton Sancho presents the winning G and lower trophy to owner Mohammed Nankoo Shariff (right). Top Jockey Colin Ross is perched on Silent Night.
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Local celebs entertain in Respect the Game Basketball Event
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West Indies and Guyana cricketer, Christopher Barnwell, Team Bond’s leading scorer, takes a jumper in the paint Saturday night at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall in the Respect the Game Charity Basketball Event.
Guinness ‘Greatest of de Streets’ Futsal Competition
North Ruimveldt crowned G/Town Zone champs - Leopold Street outlasts Sparta Boss for third place P.29
Guinness Brand Manager Lee Baptiste hands over the winning trophy and first prize money to North Ruimveldt Captain in the presence of teammates and Petra Organisation Co-Director Troy Mendonca during the presentation ceremony. 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