Saturday July 26, 2014
Kaieteur News
Where your views make the news
Letters... Where your views make the news
Ian McDonald like Sir Sridath Ramphal badly disappoints the younger generation DEAR EDITOR, I refer to two passages in the Stabroek News editorial on Ian McDonald of December 5, 2014. The first one says; “…the University of the West Indies at St Augustine last week received the collected papers of Ian McDonald. It is a pity that Mr. McDonald’s papers could not remain in Guyana, so much has he contributed to our literary and cultural landscape and so lovingly has he written of this beautiful but frustrating country, where he has lived since 1955. Unfortunately, we just do not have the archival facilities to house properly such a collection.” In another section, the editorial went on; “His writings have encompassed life and its enjoyment, love and, more recently, a serene contemplation of ageing and death. He has drawn from a life well lived and eloquently shared his thoughts, tinged with a certain Romanticism, on globalisation, sugar, sport (particularly cricket), literature, history, culture, Guyana and the West Indies, not necessarily in that order. And even when he ventures into social and political issues, he does so with straightforward commonsense and philosophical equanimity, elegantly avoiding the pitfalls of polemic.” I will offer an analytical observation on both passages then an interpretation of Mc Donald legacy if any. Mr. Mc Donald needs to say why after living in Guyana since 1955 and has benefited in everyway from his Guyana residency has chosen UWI to donate his papers to; why not UG or the national archives? In that very editorial, Stabroek News
offered an explanation. I quote it above, I repeat it’ “Unfortunately, we just do not have the archival facilities to house properly such a collection.” Why Mr. Mc Donald who writes a weekly column has not stated why UWI as his choice? Why does the Stabroek News have to say it for Mc Donald? Surely, his silence contradicts the following description of the editorial about him cited above which I will quote again; “And even when he ventures into social and political issues, he does so with straightforward commonsense.” For the giant of a Guyanese man that the editorial paints so effusively paints him to be, one would expect some straightforwardness from him on why he ignored Guyana as the shelf for his papers. I know why and I support his decision. But he must be the giant the editorial says he is and tell Guyanese why. Well he has. In a reply to me, he wrote that in relation to the UWI Special Collections Division; “I do not believe, even with all the efforts being made, that Guyana has a matching facility.” This is where I think people like Mc Donald and Sir Shridath Ramphal have failed the younger generation of Guyana Why couldn’t Mr. Mc Donald simply say, “Guyana hasn’t got comparable facilities” and leave it at that? Which efforts is Mr. Mc Donald talking about? Educational facilities and educational services continue to decline in Guyana. In his long career, Ian Mc Donald has never uttered one line about Guyana’s congenital tragedy. In a letter
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on Ramphal that the Kaieteur News published in its December 7, 2014 issue, I stressed that Ramphal owe this country an obligation to submit his explanation for a process that should have led to better governance in Guyana of which he was a protagonist and which was an ignominious failure. For Ramphal to publish his memoirs and avoid any reference to the Herdmanston Accord is a large indication of Ramphal’s convenient approach to Guyana. I honestly feel the same way about McDonald so I will now comment of the second quoted passage You can literally count on your fingers the times out of the thousands of times Mc Donald has written a column when he mentioned Guyana’s political issues. I know of two only (I stand corrected). One is his perception of Dr. Jagan being a genius. Now in all straightforwardness, that is highly nonsensical but Mr. McDonald is entitled to his opinion. The congenital tragedy of Guyana that I alluded to above was the creation of Cheddi Jagan and Forbes Burnham. I am not sure a genius goes about destroying a country The second political reflection of Mr. McDonald was when the Stabroek News had suffered from the authoritarian decision of President Jagdeo to withdraw advertisements from the newspaper. In denouncing that decision, Mr. McDonald had done the right thing. But Continued on page 31
The prorogue of Parliament means the PPP has forfeited the right will to govern DEAR EDITOR, The president’s announcement that he would call elections early in 2015, while not setting a date, clearly shows that he lacks confidence in himself and his party and is afraid to face the electorate who are anxiously waiting to vote them out of office. All the president did was to make another of his many empty and broken promises, hoping that the people will forget by the time next year comes around. His poor and indecisive leadership is cause for major concern, because it could plunge the country into another constitutional disaster. The proroguing of Parliament shows that the PPP has forfeited the right to govern. The majority opposition cannot wait for the country to descend into chaos; they must stand firm and use any and every legal means necessary to expose the illegalities of this incompetent, wicked and untrustworthy PPP regime. They do not have any shame whatever, and will go to any lengths to bully and victimized those who opposed them. The more than 50 lawsuits that high ranking PPP officials filed against Kaieteur News is a case in point. All decent minded Guyanese should stand with Kaieteur News Publisher Glenn Lall and his staff and publicly denounced this wicked regime. Evidence is mounting that the PPP is rapidly losing
support all across the country, especially on the Corentyne and is reacting desperately with silly threats and spiteful actions. Therefore, we are encouraging the people to take all the money and all the gifts from the PPP because it is their money but do not vote for this uncaring and antiworking class PPP cabal who has abandoned them. We are convinced that the people will reject the PPP cabal illconceived political agenda and their partisan adventure of prorogating Parliament and rule as a dictator. The immoral and dictatorial Jagdeo/ Ramotar cabal cannot be trusted. They are two-face in that they pretend to preach unity in the public but they continue to tell their Indian supporters at their secret bottom house meetings that s u p p o r t e r s APNU would terrorise Indians. It is axiomatic that if the opposition and the people reward bad behavior they will certainly get more of it; but if they punish it they will definitely deter it. Thus we are very pleased when Mr. Granger and Mr. Ramjattan rejected outright any talks with the debauched and decadent Jagdeo/Ramotar r e g i m e . T h e president prorogued
Parliament for no apparent reason and he must be told in no uncertain terms by the opposition to set a date for the elections and not wait until next year to do so. And for him to delay the elections because he does not want to dampen the Christmas spirit is not true. Since when this uncaring and unrighteous regime is concerned with the people and Christmas? Kudos to Mr. Granger and Mr. Ramjattan for taking a tough stance against the PPP. Whenever an election is called the people will vote against crookedness, oppression and dictatorship. For the last three years, the Ramotar cabal has promised the people the sun and the moon and they have used their snake oil to charm the people but today, too many people “belly ah bun” in Guyana and they are anxiously waiting for the election. The PPP cabal is a dying breed without ideas and must be disposed. Their time is up and no one with a sound and rational mindset should listen to anything coming from Freedom House since it is all polluted with toxic material designed to distort the truth and extend the reign of the lifeless and ideologically bankrupt PPP regime. Asquith Rose and Harish Singh.
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Kaieteur News
Friday December 19, 2014
Country’s growth performance AFC bemoans “poor” performance of security, health sectors to be revised downwards By Leonard Gildarie With just 12 days remaining in the year, and as gold declaration continue its shockingly dismal trend, Government is preparing to revise its growth figures downwards. That is because declaration is unlikely to even reach the 400,000-ounce mark, affecting overall projections set by Government at the beginning of the year. However, record-breaking rice and an improving sugar have been the saviours, helping to buoy an economy that is keeling from the fallout, Ministry of Finance officials said yesterday. Government had targeted 484,562 ounces for 2014. Last year, despite falling prices on the world market, the country recorded 481,000 ounces in declared production by miners. The first half of 2014 witnessed a 24.6 percent contraction in gold exports earnings to US$226.7M, associated with a 10.1 percent decline in export volume to 182,411 ounces. Government, as a result, revised its target down to 450,000 ounces. According to Gold Board and other Government officials yesterday, a more realistic target will be between 385,000 - 390,000 ounces. Gold production has been monitored by nervous officials, especially as the metal has been the biggest earner in recent years for the economy, helping overall growth levels to remain
- rice, sugar steady shaky GDP as gold unable to reach projections steady. Last year, as the US economy started gaining traction, gold prices fell from a US$1900 per ounce to around US$1200. But despite this, Guyana still managed to break production records. Government had been banking on the tide to continue this year but the price fall started to take effect as cash flush miners dug into profits to keep their operations afloat. Several of the big miners have already cut back on their number of dredges in operation, sending home workers as fuel prices remain relatively high, despite a reduction on the world market. Equipment seizures from miners by dealers have increased dramatically, reports said. However, the situation has been somewhat rescued by the performance of rice and sugar. The adjusted Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which Government uses to measure development, had been adjusted to 4.5 percent by the Ministry of Finance, as indicated by the half-year report. According to Ministry of Finance officials, this is likely to be adjusted downwards again. But the good news is that Guyana will still record positive growth this year. Rice production has surpassed a record 633,000 tonnes with export earnings likely to meet US$250M this
year, Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, announced recently. Some 500,000 tonnes of rice is likely to also be exported this year to Venezuela, CARICOM countries, the US and Europe. The excellent showing, according to the Guyana Rice Development Board, has been because farmers have been learning how to increase production per acreage, through better fertilizing methods. Sugar also, despite its failings in recent years, has also been heartening. With hours left before the estates in Demerara and Berbice stop their mills for the year, the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) is nearing its 216,000 tonnes target. This is far better than the 23-year low of 187,000 tonnes the industry experienced last year. Despite the low prices this year, the higher production has helped to prop the economy, Government officials said yesterday. During the first half of this year, Government reported that the economy recorded overall growth of 3.2 percent in real gross domestic product, within which nonsugar GDP grew by two percent. As a result of gold contraction, overall receipts from exports for the first half of this year fell by 10.3 percent to US$534.2M, compared to the corresponding period in 2013. During the same period, internal revenue collections amounted to $30.2B, an increase of 4.5 percent over the corresponding period in 2013. Earlier this week, in what was unthinkable last year, Government announced that agriculture is set to overtake mining and logging as the top earning sector.
By Kiana Wilburg Alliance For Change (AFC) Executive member, Cathy Hughes said yesterday that her party is concerned about the performance of the security and health sectors, which she later described to be “poor.” At the AFC’s last press conference for the year which was held at the Georgetown Club, Hughes was asked about the performance of which sectors her party is most concerned about. In providing her opinion on the health sector, the AFC parliamentarian said that she is disappointed with its performance, particularly as it relates to the high incidence of maternal deaths and the lack of equipment at the regional health centres. She recalled a televised incident where a young woman whose baby allegedly died under questionable circumstances after visiting one of the regional hospitals, subsequently had to be transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital. Hughes then reminded that it was only last week where there was a candlelight vigil which was held in observance of the death anniversary of four-year old, Jaden Mars at the Georgetown Hospital. “He was more or less a healthy young boy, but with a bite on his tongue,” the politician remarked. She then expounded on another case where a gold miner passed away under questionable conditions after being treated at the GPHC. As it relates to the public security sector, Hughes said that she is worried about the incredibly high level of interpersonal violence and
the seeming lack of effective approaches by the police force to raise awareness and reduce the incidents. “I ask, what has the Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee and the administration of the police force done differently? What has been put in place to try or attempt to handle or prevent these situations? Just this morning (yesterday) we heard of a man who killed three persons and again we are not aware of approaches designed and implemented in communities where you are seeing a high incidence of interpersonal violence,” she added. Hughes then informed the media of a situation she has been dealing with since the start of this week. She said it involved an incident which occurred in one of the regional communities. The AFC member alleged that, “The area was touched by an event where in one night in a street that still does not have electricity, there were four robberies. During one of those robberies, a 14-year-old was brutally raped by four individuals and an attempt was made to rape a 10-year old. This is totally unacceptable and what is even worse is, I was approached by one of the family members and they have claimed that they made reports to the police station, and the mother has been trying to get information from a certain inspector and is getting the royal runaround. The children only received counseling two days ago when I put them in my car and went to the Child Care and Protection Agency, and luckily, we were very well received by Ann Greene and
AFC Executive Member, Cathy Hughes her team, but all this is to show you that there are gaps.” Hughes said that Rohee could “sit and talk about whether we are a forced-ripe party, but at the end of the day who is dealing with those critical situations? …Where does it end?” At the conclusion of the press conference, the moderator, Beverly Alert and AFC General Secretary, David Patterson were asked if there is any government initiative that they are either proud of or at the least, satisfied with. Patterson remarked, “That is a tough one.” But Alert promptly said that the AFC is particularly proud of the performance of the CSEC students and though it may be as a result of a combination of factors, she believed their overall performance was outstanding. “Hats off to them.” Asked if she would attribute any part of that compliment directly to the efforts of the Education Minister, Priya Manickchand, Alert said, “Oh yes, of course, to her and her team. But there is room for improvement in the education sector, so much room.”
Friday December 19, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
Friday December 19, 2014
Cuba’s president Castro could visit Washington WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) – The White House raised the possibility yesterday of a visit to Washington by Cuba’s President Raul Castro. “I wouldn’t rule out a visit from President Castro,” White House press secretary Josh Earnest said, the day after President Barack Obama and Castro agreed to restore diplomatic relations. Meanwhile, a Spanishlanguage web page called “A new course for Cuba” and devoted to explaining President Barack Obama’s opening to the long time Cold War foe, was launched. “We are separated by 90 miles of water, but we are united by shared relations and the desire to promote
democracy, prosperity and stability in Cuba,” the White House says on the new page, which reproduces Obama’s speech Wednesday announcing plans to normalize relations. “President Obama is taking measures to undo the failed policies of the past, and begin a new chapter in US relations with Cuba,” the site says. The text reiterates that for half a century Washington had a “failed focus” on Cuba, which “provoked the regional and international isolation of our country.” The page also lays out the measures announced by Obama, including the normalization of diplomatic relations, the easing of rules
Raul Castro on travel and remittances, the granting of general licenses for people wanting to travel to Cuba, and changes in export-import rules.
Finance minister says Barbados on growth path The Barbados government says the local economy is on a growth path once more and that the fiscal deficit is now on a “downward trajectory”. Over the past months, the Freundel Stuart government has implemented a number of stringent policies, including laying off thousands of public servants in a bid to turn around the ailing economy. Finance Minister Chris Sinckler told legislators that the island’s fiscal consolidation programme had been effective in restoring balance to the foreign-exchange market and securing the value of the Barbados dollar. “Our foreign-exchange reserves have stabilised, our fiscal deficit is on a downward trajectory and the economic growth is returning. By any objective standard the programme is working,” he said. But he warned that “we now have to stay the course with
Freundel Stuart the fiscal consolidation programme and do what is necessary to protect the gains we have made over the last 16 months”. Sinckler said that based on information up to the end of last month, the expenditure targets set out in the fiscal consolidation programme had been achieved and that the government was on track to record savings of BDS$68.5 million from reductions in salaries and wages and BDS$229 million
from reductions in transfers and subsidies. “The expenditure reductions are now projected to generate total savings of BDS$290.8 million, or approximately 3.4 per cent of GDP (gross domestic product) over half of the proposed fiscal adjustment. The new revenue measures, (namely the) Consolidation Tax, Municipal Solid Waste Tax and Bank Assets Tax are now projected to yield BDS$91.2 million or 1.07 per cent of GDP, and a special dividend from the sale of BNTCL another BDS$70 million or 0.82 per cent of GDP. “Therefore, the fiscal adjustment measures currently in place are now projected to yield a reduction of BDS$452 million in the deficit or a reduction of 5.3 per cent of GDP,” Sinckler said, saying he was also confident that the targets set out by the government would be met in 2014.
Friday December 19, 2014
Kaieteur News
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AMERICA IS THE MOST SELFISH NATION ON EARTH Do not expect any earthshaking policy to the Caribbean and specifically towards Cuba, under the Obama administration. Obama has been a major disappointment - he talks the talk but has never walked the walk. A few years ago he came to Trinidad and Tobago for the Summit of the Americas. He promised a new relationship with the Caribbean and Latin America. His first term ended and he is well into his second term and the Caribbean is still waiting for that new relationship. The historic nature of US relations to this part of the world is encapsulated in the Munroe Doctrine. Latin America and the Caribbean is seen as part of the backyard of the United States. The Americans feel that they have the transport for this neck of the world and therefore they can come here and plunder the resources of
the Region without any regard for the sovereignty of the respective countries. Their interests in this part of the world are tied to their economic interests. Forget all that jazz about human rights and democracy. The Americans have not condemned the prorogation of Guyana’s National Assembly and this is because they are mindful of the financial interests of American companies that are involved in Guyana’s extractive sector. The Americans have diplomatic relations with a closed society like North Korea. They had in the past propped up military juntas in Latin America and condoned their atrocities. They took advantage of Cuba. This small Caribbean island posed no significant military threat to them. It posed no economic threat to the United States. But they have inhumanely and
criminally led a sustained assault on that country through an economic embargo that represents a crime against humanity. And the only reason why they did this is because of what Cuba represents. A country determined to choose its own path. The Americans never respected that right. This is why they organized an invasion of that country and this is why they suffocated the economy of that country by cutting Cuban exports off from the US market. They feared what Cuba represented, a country whose leaders were determined to choose their own path. This is why they also toppled Cheddi Jagan in the 1960s. They had their puppet boy, Forbes Burnham, to back their devious plans because they feared that another Cuba in the Region would have a domino effect. This is why
they assassinated Che Guevara, even though they took him wounded but alive. They did not want him to become a living martyr for the cause of the Revolution. And so a CIA agent went and shot him dead. America is the most selfish nation on earth. Guyana is a living example of that selfishness. Burnham was their ‘boy”. He did their bidding. After he got into power, they gave him money to build some highways, which of course were constructed by American companies - so a big chunk of that money went back. But later on, the Americans made it clear that their objective towards Guyana was to promote diplomatic and economic ties without creating too many expectations. This is another way of saying, we do not have too much to give you. During the 2005 floods, the Americans gave a miserly
cheque to the government of Guyana. Small Trinidad and Tobago gave far more in assistance than the rich and powerful Americans. The policy of not having Guyana expect too much assistance had been extended even to the sphere of humanitarian aid. Cuba on the other hand has been the generous nation in Latin America. When America was sending troops to build centres in West Africa following the Ebola outbreak, the Cubans sent medical personnel. That is the generosity of that country. Hundreds of Guyanese have been trained as doctors in Cuba and there are a large number of Cuban medical personnel in Guyana. What has Obama ever done for the Caribbean? He should be the last one to be speaking about opening a new chapter in relations with this part of the world. The re-establishing of
diplomatic relations with Cuba does not mark a watershed in the relations between the two countries. It is all part of a prisoner swap. Cuba gets back three of its nationals who were convicted for espionage and the Americans get back a prisoner held in a Cuban jail. In order to justify this prisoner swap, the Americans have concocted this idea of re-establishing diplomatic relations with Cuba. The litmus test remains, however, the action that is going to be taken as regards the economic embargo. And on that score, the Americans have typically made no commitment.
Mystery surrounds source of Marriott money…
US$8M equity investor in limbo – NICIL boss admits Winston Brassington Months after two Hong Kong businessmen were announced as the equity investor in the Marriott Hotel, Government has finally admitted that it has not yet received a blind cent of that US$8M. Head of Atlantic Hotels Inc, Winston Brassington said that legal challenges have halted any investment.
At the same time it would raise alarming questions now about where Government is getting the money from to complete the US$57M hotel which is set to open its doors in February. Government had originally announced that it plugged almost US$20M, including preparatory works and its own equity, into the project. Atlantic Hotel Inc. (AHI), the Government-owned company that was specially established to manage the hotel construction and later on, the overall operations, had enlisted Republic Bank
Trinidad to mobilise investors and issue what is known as a syndicated loan. To secure that loan, Government a few months ago moved to mortgage the lands and property in Kingston where the project is being built. One week later AHI said that it was taking out a debenture on the Marriott. A court case filed by Opposition Member of Parliament, Desmond Trotman, in his private capacity, asked for court orders to block the mortgaging of the lands. Trotman said that the transfer
of the lands by Government to AHI was illegal. Head of AHI, Winston Brassington, on Wednesday said that the US$8M to come from the equity investor, under the arrangements, will now have to be procured all over again, after the disbursement of the US$27M loan from Republic Bank. Brassington was of course referring to Chinese businessmen Victor How Chung Chan, and Xu Han, whose company, British Virgin Islands (BVI)registered ACE Square Investments Ltd, was touted to have invested the US$8M.
Speaking to Kaieteur News on Wednesday, after the commissioning of the US$42M transmission line project of the Guyana Power and Light Inc., Brassington also railed against the court cases filed by MP Trotman, which has held up financing for the project. He said that Republic Bank cannot disburse any of the US$27M unless the security (mortgages) is in
APNU MP, Desmond Trotman place. The court case by Trotman has effectively held up the processing of the mortgage and the debenture, he said. (Continued on page 10)
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Kaieteur News
Friday December 19, 2014
=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===
The PPP will physically die should it lose power How and why did the PNC survive after it lost state power in 1992? There is only one answer – the ethnic factor in Guyana’s sociology. Had there been an energetic, credible Africandominated organization to seek the embrace of African Guyanese, the PNC may have been weakened. The most pellucid example of this was the successful challenge posed by Good and Green Guyana (GGG). Under Hamilton Green, who Black people felt was a fighter for their cause, the GGG won over a number of high-profile PNC politicians. GGG could not sustain itself and died a natural death. That left the PNC as the only outfit capable of reaching out to African Guyanese. There was ACDA of course, but it is happy to be a cultural organization. The opportunity to challenge the ethnic base of the PNC came about when the AFC was born. But African Guyanese
still stuck with the PNC. Two reasons explained this. First, the AFC was a victim of human nature. Black people felt it was too young and small to oust the PPP, so the numbers that voted for the AFC were not substantial to make them bigger than the PNC. Secondly, the AFC suffered the WPA syndrome of 1992. African Guyanese told the WPA in 1992 that they loved it, but wanted ethnic security, so they stayed with the PNC. Indian Guyanese appreciated what the WPA had done, but preferred Cheddi Jagan to win. Both Indians and Africans wanted ethnic security in 2006 and despite their good wishes for the AFC, they voted race, as they did historically. However, the 2011 election results created a political tsunami. Indian people felt that they were no longer afraid of the PNC in government because they had an Indian
party that could be a bargaining chip. But it wasn’t that they perceived the AFC to be Indian; the AFC itself had some powerful Indian figures in it that made Indians optimistic. There were Nagamootoo, Ramjattan, popular Berbice lawyer Charrandas Persaud, Dr. Ramayya, Gerhard Ramsaroop, Rajendra Bissesar, Lionel Peters, among others. This is where Guyanese politics stands at the moment and it doesn’t look for the survival of the PPP. Should the AFC get into government, it will mark the virtual extinction of the PPP. The PPP will not survive an AFC in power, just as the PNC could not have endured with a GGG as the main opposition. The contours, configuration and permutations are far from complex; in fact very simple. First, an AFC in power will not neglect the needs of Indian constituencies. It will be suicidal to do so. Secondly, the AFC will, through sheer commonsense, have to appear as a generous, incorruptible set of rulers if they are going to preserve their relationship with Indians. Only PPP soupdrinkers will deny that unimaginable and incredible levels of corruption have destroyed the PPP’s image worldwide. Almost ninetynine percent of Guyanese in and out of Guyana believe
that the PPP is obnoxiously corrupt. Thirdly, there is the inevitable judicial inquiry which the PPP will not escape from. A PNC/AFC coalition government will either fall or become intolerant if they resist the desires from the population for an inquiry into the 23 years of PPP rule. The PPP will not survive the findings. The skullduggery involving murder, corruption, land-grabbing, sexual criminalities, judicial venalities, racial preferences, personal abominations, will degut the PPP. It didn’t happen to the PNC, and even if there was a judicial commission into the reign of the PNC, the findings would not have been as evilbased as one would like to
think it would be in the PPP’s 23 years of hegemony. The facts of the inquiry would have besmirched the PNC, but the effects would not have decapitated it. In the case of the PPP, it is doubtful that the PPP as an organization can still function after a comprehensive probe into the nature of its violations. The “Sash” Sawh murder findings will make Indian people mad with the PPP. Former PPP big wigs will face prosecution. Fourthly, many of the fulcrums on which the PPP presently stands, will be dissolved if the PPP loses power. Gone will be the Rice Producers’ Association, GAWU, NAACIE, the millions that come from favoured contractors, criminalized
Frederick Kissoon businessmen, and the debauched nouveau riche. These funds, when they go, literally wipe out the resource base of a fallen political party. Lastly, there is absolutely none with any kind of talent or skills in the PPP to maintain its existence as an opposition political entity. Once the PPP falls from power, it will die. All PPP leaders are scared of this reality.
Dem boys seh... Guyana got to deal wid three pile of kaka Dem boys couldn’t help dream again. Last night dem dream that dem was wukking pun a farm and dem want mould fuh de plants. Dem ask de farmer wheh dem got to go to find some mould and de farmer send dem behind a tent. Dem thought that dem woulda see a pile of cow shit, but instead dem see Brassington, Jagdeo and Ashni. One was a big, fat pile; de second one was a shaat, squatty pile and de third pile had a crooked look. Dem three pile deh in de sun and dem nah get hard. Cow shit does hard a tap and soft a battam but dem boys seh that dem three pile soft all over. De man above watching from tap to battam. In fact he watching over too. He watching de Pee Pee Pee Dee Pee Pee and all she action. De other day de police pick up a homeless man pun de road wid li’l ganja in he pocket. Dem boys hear that de file was sent to de Dee
Pee Pee and she seh charge. De poor fella deh in de lock up, now. That is de kind of people that we police and we Dee Pee Pee sending before de court. Dem boys seh that if de man had a raise in he pocket or if he did connect to a certain organization close to de Dee Pee Pee or if he was one of Jagdeo friend, like Nandlall, he woulda never get charge. He woulda deh cock up he foot and smoking ee li’l ganja like a king on de throne if de police and de Dee Pee Pee didn’t put him in jail. Wow!! As Shaama seh, “Guyana facing a really shad, shad shish-u-ashun, when de police and de Dee Pee Pee got clear evidence of more serious offence and dem pussyfooting if fuh charge. De Creatah watching. Talk half and keep you eye pun dem three pile.
Saturday July 26, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
Saturday July 26, 2014
Joint Services to get an extra month’s salary
President Donald Ramotar sharing meals yesterday to junior ranks of the Guyana Defence Force at Camp Stephenson, Timehri. Members of the Joint Services are to receive an extra month’s salary, President Donald Ramotar announced yesterday, during the annual Christmas luncheon at Camp Stephenson, Timehri. The President, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Joint Services, noted that it was his first visit to the base, and lauded the
continuous training of the army ranks. He pointed to the recent terror attacks and mass killings in Pakistan and Mexico, insisting that security is not just about securing borders. “It seems to me that more and more, we have to build cooperation between the forces in the security sector and be able to come to each
other’s assistance from time to time.” He said that Government has invested significantly in the military and it would be a waste if those army resources could not be used to strengthen other areas in the security sector. He urged the officers and ranks to continue to uphold the good name of the GDF, despite a few groups who
President Donald Ramotar being offered a sip from the “Trophy” by a rank of the Guyana Defence Force seek to soil the name of the army. Chief-of-Staff, Brigadier Mark Phillips noted that Base Camp Stephenson is the main operating staging and training base. Ranks have also trained more and conducted additional courses than in many previous years, he added. The GDF head was high in praise for the Air Corps
which he said managed to keep its Skyvan aircraft airborne helping to save about $20M. The Coast Guard also received special mention for maintaining the seaworthiness of the vessel, the GDF Essequibo, over the year. Brigadier Phillips said that the GDF is the people’s army, and will work under the
strategic direction of the President in a multi-agency approach with other joint services. He also assured the President of the GDF’s commitment to the defence and security of Guyana, particularly in face of the upcoming General and Regional Elections. The occasion also saw the Commander-in-Chief helping to serve meals to junior ranks.
Soldier held with drugs at Ogle Airport Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Brigadier Mark Phillips, once again warned Officers and Ranks of the GDF’s zerotolerance policy on drug use and drug trafficking activities.
The warning comes on the heels of the arrest of a soldier who was found to be in possession of over 400 grams of marijuana earlier yesterday. The Chief of Staff gave the warning while addressing
ranks at Base Camp Stephenson. He reminded the troops of the GDF’s policy with regard to such matters and warned that immediate disciplinary action will be instituted against any Officer or Other Rank found to be in contravention to the Force’s Standard Operating Procedures regarding these matters. “The GDF has a strict policy regarding drug and substance abuse and we will rigidly enforce it. Consumption of narcotic substances and trafficking in same are against the law, and any Officer or Rank who is
found to have broken the law in this regard, will face very stiff penalties,” he said. Kaieteur News understands that acting on intelligence gathered that soldiers are in the habit of transporting marijuana to interior locations, Police searched a GDF Private at the Ogle Airport just as he was about to board an internal flight to the GDF base at Kaikan. The herb was found stashed in his military kit. He is expected to appear in court today. The soldier was immediately dismissed with ignominy from the GDF.
Friday December 19, 2014
Kaieteur News
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GGMC opens $70M office in Lethem - six more to be launched countrywide soon The GGMC office in Lethem, Region Nine.
Inside of the new facility at Lethem. A $70M mining monitoring facility has been opened in Lethem, Region Nine, with Government on Thursday announcing that six more are to be launched in the next two months. According to Government, the new outstation of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) will be part of the larger effort to enhance the supervision and management of the mining sector and increase legality, especially in Region Nine. “That there is always a concern about the state’s ability to regulate the mining sector, particularly in gold mining, and also with the advent of oil exploration as potential resides even in this area...it has always been questioned whether we are investing enough in developing the type of capabilities and capacities to monitor, regulate and enforce and to ensure that we support the sector in its sustainable and viable growth,” said Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Robert Persaud, who declared the facility open. Persaud noted that while the sector continues to grow, it is imperative that mining is done in a manner that takes into account not only the obligations, but also ensures that it serves the community
and the country as a whole. For a number of years the mining sector has been believed to be underregulated, and Minister Persaud noted that the Ministry has sought to rectify this issue. “One of the first mandates I have given the board (GGMC) and the commission is that we must have a fixed, permanent presence, not only in traditional mining areas, but areas that we see new activities.” To date, there are 15 new stations spread across the regions, including mobile stations, with an objective of facilitating staff to carry out their duties in a more comfortable atmosphere, have more focus on regulations, and monitoring and enforcement, particularly for Region Nine which has a sensitive biodiversity, as there are two protected areas and rich potential in terms of minerals. Many of the residents in the region, especially in Aishalton, have indicated their interest in expanding their mining activities, but to do so in a way that doesn’t cause harm to the environment. “By us having this kind of presence we will be able to work with the community in providing the opportunities and ensuring that we have a level of responsibility...we
A mini health check is the first step to donating blood
also recognise too that we have the threat, we sit right on the border and there has always been the complaint and the reality too, whereby we have seen some illegal movements of some of the folks from our neighbouring state, and we have always wanted to ensure that the agencies are present in this particular area, whether it’s immigration, GRA and now the GGMC, so that we can facilitate legal interface and legal involvement, because we have benefitted from miners and other investors from other states,” Minister Persaud further explained. He said that this facility will allow the agency to have new undertakings and to
involve the communities, stakeholders and Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to ensure that they are part and parcel of the development that is taking place in the region. According to the Ministry, in terms of the movements of minerals in the area, it was noticed that some persons have been violating the laws in this regard. Minister Persaud stressed that with the advent of the facility and the soon-to-be Gold Board, anyone who engages in such activities will be dealt with. With regards to moving the sector forward, he announced that soon there will be the presence of the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Protected Areas Commission (PAC) in the area to develop a similar synergy and coordination with the people. Meanwhile, GGMC’s Chairman, Clinton Williams noted that the agency has been taking its responsibilities seriously, as it endeavours to ensure continuous development in the mining sector, making more lands available to ensure that the people benefit from
the resources. Region Nine’s Vice Chairman, Douglas Casimero, expressed gratitude to the Government for implementing such a facility in the region which will ensure more legality with regards to mining. “This is another phase of development in the region. This facility will allow for more collaboration with the people and will bring to a halt the illegal activities that have been going on in the area,” Casimero said.
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Kaieteur News
Friday December 19, 2014
Municipal nurses protest City Hall over fivemonth salary delay ...say Christmas looks gloomy More protest action was the scene at City Hall yesterday; this time it was municipal nurses demanding the immediate payment of salaries owed to them over a five-month period. At least two nurses who commenced services with the Mayor and City Council in August last, are yet to receive payment from since then. The nurses who perform midwife duties are stationed at various health facilities in southern city communities. They were supported by several of their co-workers who protested in solidarity. The nurses staged their action in the City Hall parking lot; facing the office of the Town Clerk, who, according to them (nurses), is refusing to sign off on their payments. Shandra Hanover said she has been in the medical profession since 1981. The senior nurse said she had earlier retired from the post as midwife, but had returned to the job given the shortage of nurses. Sharon Chase said she too had started out in the medical profession since 1987, but had worked with various medical agencies in different capacities, until joining the municipal nurses. They both stated that in August they came onto the job, but to date there has been no payment. The women said they have made inquiries but were unable to get a definite answer. Hanover said that questions related to their payment were posed to the
Nurses protest in solidarity with colleagues, Sharon Chase (left) and Shandra Hanover (second from left) Council’s Personnel Department, but they were told that the money have to be approved. The medical workers said they also went to the Ministry of Labour since October and an individual named Mrs. Williams had promised to help. They said they were advised by the Ministry not to stay away from the job since they could be recognized as leaving the job. However, to date there has been no response on to the matter from the Labour Department. Other nurses who used their lunch break to express solidarity with their coworkers described the treatment of the nurses as “unreasonable and
depressing.” One nurse said that the non-payment could have happened to any one of them and it is unfair to workers who would have put time and effort into learning their trade. “We are trained to do our jobs in a professional manner and we must be paid, because we have families to take care of and lives to live,” another nurse stated. It was expressed further that the nurses at yesterday’s exercise are those who service communities such as Albouystown, Festival City and other depressed areas that desperately need the already inadequate service that is provided. Both Hanover and Chase said that it is very difficult functioning without their
salaries. When asked about bills and Christmas preparations, “They (bills) are backing up,” Hanover responded, while Chase expressed concern over being able to bring Christmas cheer to her family. The unpaid nurses said they are not contemplating leaving the job because they love what they do and the areas they serve are desperately in need of it. They had mentioned also the overtime and extra effort that they are putting into their jobs, especially during the recent flood which delayed service and caused a back-up in patients. Mayor Hamilton Green
explained that his understanding of the matter is that the payments for the nurses have been on the Town Clerk’s desk for some time, having been sent there by the Council’s Treasurer’s Department. He said information from the personnel department is that in the hiring of the nurses, all procedures were followed and the nurses were “duly” employed. He said the Council’s Health Department has a shortage in medical workers and vacancies were available. The Treasurer’s Department approved the payments, but the Town Clerk is yet to sign off. When media personnel
sought a comment from the acting Town Clerk, Carol Sooba, at her office, her personal security, informed that she was unavailable. This is the second set of protest action outside of City Hall. Union members had for two days shut down city markets among other municipal arms when they were not paid their five percent increase. An emergency meeting brought an end to those protests when it was decided that the workers have to be paid. The nurses have promised, however, to forfeit their lunch break in support of their colleagues until they are paid their salaries.
Cane-cutter slaughters three... From page 3 the stairs of the house and once police showed up, she was rushed to the hospital where she remains in a critical condition. The other five children managed to escape unhurt. When ranks were called to the scene, they only noticed the bodies of the grandmother and granddaughter. They had assumed that they were the only victims, and it was hours later that they found the third body lying in a clump of bushes in the yard. This newspaper was told that Drakes, who worked as
an upholsterer, met Boodhoo, a waitress, in a bar which is located opposite his place of employment, a few weeks ago. Neighbours expressed shock at how the victims met their demise. They claimed that Franklin is “a quiet person”, who they never thought would do such a thing. This newspaper was told that last October, Franklin was placed before the court for threatening his spouse. Meanwhile, Shazeela Singh, Drakes' reputed wife said that she is surprised at how her spouse met his death. She said that she never
suspected that her partner of two years was cheating on her. She told Kaieteur News that around 18:00 hrs on Wednesday she called her reputed husband and asked him what time he would be home. “He said he was coming just now, and at seven o'clock (19:00hrs) I called back and he said that he was coming now, but an hour passed and he still didn't come home, so I was about to call again, but I run out of credit.” The woman, who has two children from a previous relationship, said that she eventually learnt early yesterday about her husband's fate. “His cousin called me and tell me that she hear he get killed and she took me to the place and when I reach, I see he get chop up and deh in the bush.” She further stated that while at the scene, she learnt that her spouse was having a relationship with another woman. Up to press time police were still trying to locate the alleged killer.
Friday December 19, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 15
All gov’t-initiated projects that cannot be salvaged will be scrapped A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) executive member Joseph Harmon has promised the scrapping of all governmentinitiated contracts which continue to burden the Guyanese public, once the opposition coalition gets into government. Harmon, who is the Shadow Public Works Minister, expressed during a special press briefing at Timehri North earlier this week that APNU will be scrutinizing government projects “after we win the upcoming General Elections, and those that cannot be salvaged, will surely be scrapped”. The Member of Parliament was at the time addressing the changes occurring with the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) expansion project which he believes was “badly conceived and executed” by the government. Harmon had explained that because of poor planning and hastiness on the part of the Administration, Guyana is likely to see an additional
- APNU’s Harmon
APNU’s Joseph Harmon US$20M being injected into the US$150M expansion project. Already, financial experts have expressed that because of the exemptions and benefits to the contractor, China Harbour Engineering Corporation (CHEC) and insufficient groundwork, the project could move from its initial US$150M price tag to as much as US$250M, Harmon charged. He thus explained that APNU is not against the expansion project, but the wanton wastage of tax dollars,
and he emphasised that Guyanese need “value for money”. “We see the need for the airport expansion, for a longer runway, and for better handling facilities for the travelling public. However, what we need to see is value for our money,” said Harmon to a group of media personnel, and Timehri North residents whose homes are in jeopardy as a result of the expansion project. Harmon pointed out that the government was hasty to sign off on the airport project which saw a Chinese Vice Premier promising Guyana some US$130M to facilitate the airport’s development. However, in its haste to collect that money, the administration forgot value for money and negotiations in the best interest of citizens. The APNU executive then alluded to the issue of pricegouging where it was revealed a year earlier, that within the contract agreement, Guyana was spending as
much as $424,000 for each of 69 toilet bowl sets which would be used in the upgrade of the airport’s building facility. Harmon pointed out further, that electricity bulbs and other pieces of equipment were also brought to the spotlight when it was recognized that they were excessively over-priced. He is adamant that the concerns of Timehri North residents also have to be addressed with regard to the project. “The residents of Timehri North and others who live around here must be given priority,” Harmon stressed, after pointing out that the residents whose homes are at risk of being destroyed to facilitate the project, are persons who lived in the community long before the government would have leased the airport property. Disapproving funds for the airport, Harmon charged, is not a contradiction of the opposition’s support of the project. He said that while the
opposition demands value for money, the reason behind the disapproval was that government decided to group sums of money for the airport with other areas which the opposition did not support. He continued that with the current prorogation of the National Assembly, the opposition cannot question the actions of the government with regard to the airport project and many others. He reiterated however, that an APNU government will subject contracts, where necessary, to re- negotiations, “so where our eyes have been gouged and where we require better scrutiny and better control of resources, we
are going to put systems in place”. “We are not saying that every project is bad, but we will subject them to review and once we find that it is something that cannot go on, it will be scrapped,” Harmon reiterated. The CJIA project was identified under the Bharrat Jagdeo Administration. Guyana learned about the airport contract after a Jamaican newspaper reported on the matter when the agreement was signed there. The project is meant to increase airlift capacity and cater for the estimated growth of the country’s tourism sector.
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Kaieteur News
Friday December 19, 2014
CPCE plugs 359 more graduates into education system
A section of the graduates.
Best Overall Graduating student, Duviena Badray, receives one of her awards from Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand It was Duviena Badray of the Region Two Anna Regina Satellite Centre who was named the overall top performer when the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) convened its 80th Graduation Ceremony at the National Cultural Centre yesterday.
Badray was able to outperform her colleagues in order to be duly rewarded with the Prime Minister’s Prize as the Best Overall Graduating Student. She also won the Vice Principal’s (Development) Prize for being the Best Overall Graduating Student in the Distance
Education Primary Programme and the Chief Education Officer’s Prize for being the Best Overall Graduating Student in the Distance Education Programme in Teaching Practice. She however was not the only one in the limelight yesterday as there were a number of others who were presented with prizes for their respective performances in specific subject areas. Awards were also presented under the Guyana
Improving Teacher Education Programme (GITEP). Aside from Badray, who was understandably the most outstanding graduating student of Region Two, the other outstanding students for the respective Regions were: Loiselle Robinson (Region One), Anyanna Peters (Region Three), Muneshwar Baskaran (Region Four), Livia Stacy Gentle (Region Five), Shemane Kendra Caesar (Region Six), Sylvester Tobin (Region Seven), Floyd Rodrigues (Region Nine) and Clair Ramessar (Region 10). Yesterday’s award ceremony was held under the theme “21st Century Pedagogical Transformers” and as usual the males graduating were significantly outnumbered by their female counterparts. In addition to its Turkeyen Campus, CPCE has Satellite Centres at Mabaruma, Moruca and Port Kaituma, Anna Regina, Vreeden-Hoop, Georgetown, New Amsterdam and Rose Hall, Mahdia, Annai, Aishalton and Lethem and at Linden. The graduates together pursued programmes in three categories: the Associate Degree in Education, the Trained Teachers Certificate and the Teacher Upgrading programmes. And according to CPCE Principal, Viola Rowe, as she presented the Principal’s Report, the teacher training institution is poised to contribute a total of 359 graduates to the education system. Of the total graduates 50 are trained to cater to the Early Childhood Education level, 120 are trained to offer Primary level Education, and 189 are trained to deliver
Secondary Education. But training these individuals was certainly not without some challenges as, according to Rowe, recruiting of part-time staff, with the right skills mix to supervise students on their in-school practicum attachment, was in fact a challenge faced. This, she said, resulted in full-time staffers having to facilitate in this regard in order to compensate for the shortfall. However, Rowe noted that unlike the experience in the previous reporting period where several classes were left unattended, such incidents subsequently were in fact minimal. She attributed this “to effective timetabling and improved departmental management by section heads and coordinators.” However another challenge that surfaced during the reporting period was that of a difficulty to recruit qualified and experienced staff to facilitate in the areas of Visual Arts, Music and Information and Communication Technology. “Consequently, we were unable to offer those disciplines as specialization (areas). Nevertheless all students benefited from general course offerings in those areas,” said Rowe as she emphasized that there were successes realized under the GITEP Programme. But according to her too, the College continued to work diligently to ensure that “we graduate students who are not only intellectually, psychologically and professionally prepared for their role in society, but graduates who understand their moral responsibility for the learners with whom they interact.”
And as was emphasized by Rowe at the previous graduation ceremony, the institution has recognised the importance of ensuring that organisational practices and processes are in congruence with professional teaching standards. According to her, “it is obvious that our students are expected to work in accordance with set academic standards. However, we are cognisant of the need for us as administrators, managers, lecturers, practicum supervisors, cooperating teachers, support staff and all other categories of College workers to also conform to professional work standards.” With such a tactic in place, Rowe is confident that that would bring the much needed synergy for improved organisational growth and development. Delivering a feature address and charge to the graduates yesterday was Former Chief Education Officer, Ed Caesar, who emphasized that “we are celebrating success…” During his remarks, he pointed out that it was Martin Luther King who said “if you can’t fly then run; if you can’t run then walk; if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.” And according to Caesar, the theme of the graduation ceremony alone amplifies that CPCE is already on a mission to move forward. “It intends to improve its practice; the College intends to provide the nation with efficient and effective moulders of our youths. We must congratulate the College,” Caesar stressed, even as he urged the graduates to practice what they were taught and even improve on what they have learnt. He also charged the graduates to establish good relationships with other teachers and refrain from becoming lackadaisical in their profession.
Friday December 19, 2014
Kaieteur News
Concrete culverts for Linden-Lethem road
Page 25
Despite Granger’s “disinterest”…
AFC hopeful APNU signs on to pro-democracy proposal By Kiana Wilburg
A section of the rehabilitated Linden/Lethem road
More than two dozen concrete culverts will be constructed along the Linden/Lethem road as the Ministry of Public Works continues to upgrade the 276mile thoroughfare. Extensive bush clearing will also be done, the Ministry of Public Works announced yesterday. The project is being carried out to protect the road prism from damages and guarantee visibility for road users. Works have begun from 84 Miles to 276, according to Naeem Mohamed, an engineer overseeing the project. From Linden to Omai Turn Off (Miles 0 to 65), construction firm, Metallica, will grade and compact deteriorated sections with
laterite. Likewise, Demerara Timber Limited (DTL) will maintain from Omai Turn Off to Siparuni (65 Miles to 84 Miles). The Ministry disclosed that Mekdeci Machinery and Construction is currently working from Siparuni Junction to Kurupukari, which stretches from 84 Miles to 135 Miles. The construction firm is tasked with clearing bushes, stabilising sections with cement and the installation of 10 concrete culverts. JR Ranch Company will be carrying out similar works from Kurupukari to Annai (135 Miles to 200 Miles). From 200 Miles to 276 Miles – Annai to Lethem – V. Dalip Enterprise will be executing works including
building up low lying sections, clearing bushes along the carriageway and installing 15 concrete culverts. According to the Ministry, it will shortly erect traffic signs along the road, and by March next year, all works will be completed. The engineer pointed out that the Linden/Lethem road remains a critical link, with Government spending millions every year to sustain it. He said that phase one of the project, which concluded in mid-November, included critical sections which were resurfaced, reducing the travel time from 13-plus hours to now seven. For the second phase of the project, approximately $257M has been allocated.
16 reported cases of TIP... From page 7 amongst on-the-ground representatives from Government, nongovernmental organisations and faith-based organisations in TIP prevention activities. As the Ministry seeks to set performance indicators for the fight against TIP, top priority has been given to having a minimum of 80% of TIP survivors employed or being inserted in an educational system. Guyana was placed on the Tier 2 Watch List of the US Trafficking in Persons (TIP) 2014 report. It said “Guyana is a source and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to sex trafficking and forced labour. Guyanese and foreign women and girls—including from Venezuela, Suriname, and Brazil—are subjected to prostitution in Guyana.” The US had said “While Guyana’s law contains
incentives to encourage victims to participate in the prosecution of traffickers, including protection from punishment for crimes committed as a result of being subjected to human trafficking, in practice, victims often did not testify in court.” “Media reports indicate that many trafficking prosecutions were dismissed because victims, many of whom were children, did not appear in court; the government did not take steps to ameliorate this problem.” The report said “Traffickers are attracted to Guyana’s interior mining communities where there is limited government control, but Guyanese and foreign nationals are also vulnerable to trafficking in urban centres and elsewhere in the country.” “The Government of Guyana does not fully comply with the minimum standards
for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so. The government’s Ministry of Labour, Human Services, and Social Security (human services ministry) demonstrated concrete efforts to assist trafficking victims.” According to the report, despite these efforts, the government did not demonstrate evidence of overall increasing efforts to address human trafficking over the previous reporting period, therefore the country was placed on the Tier 2 Watch List.
A mini health check is the first step to donating blood
Though Opposition Leader David Granger was pellucid in articulating to this newspaper in a previous interview that he is not interested in the Alliance For Change (AFC)’s prodemocracy proposal, the AFC still seems hopeful that at the end of discussions with Granger, he will sign on. For the time being, the party members stayed clear of speculating on what could be the likely outcome of those discussions. This sentiment was expressed yesterday by the AFC’s General Secretary, David Patterson who was asked by Kaieteur News to respond to Granger ’s rejection of its proposal. AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan had said, “Hard decisions would have to be made, and indeed the AFC is ready to enter, if necessary, into negotiations and to lead a pro-democracy alliance of progressive forces comprising civic groups, workers’ unions, political forces…and by political forces here we are talking about even PPP members who have been disenchanted with the performance of the PPP thus far, and even APNU.” Granger was subsequently asked during one of his press conferences whether he had started discussions with the AFC Leader on the said proposal. The Opposition Leader had told the media that he has been in contact with the AFC and is expected to meet with the party within a few days’ time. The politician had said that to the best of his
knowledge, Ramjattan is supposed to submit a proposal for discussion as well. At the conclusion of the press briefing, Kaieteur News had asked Granger for his opinion on the prodemocracy proposal and whether his meeting with AFC leader is an indication of his interest in joining the alliance. “I am not interested in that alliance. I am interested in the APNU which is committed to forming a government of national unity and that is the pro-democracy front –APNU. We have invited AFC, but they haven’t taken the bait for the last three years and we haven’t received that invitation formally,” Granger had firmly stated. Asked to respond to this yesterday at the AFC’s endof-year press conference, Patterson said that the party will not be reacting to the news article, but the information sent back to the AFC was totally different. The AFC General Secretary said too that the party has already distributed letters to the coalition and they will be meeting soon. He noted that the AFC’s pro-democracy proposal “is still on the cards” and the party has given itself six weeks to complete works in this regard and things are moving apace. Considering that Patterson said he got a “different response” - in contrast to what was reported by this newspaper - he was asked if that “response” included in it, an indication that Granger is interested in its proposal. “APNU has indicated that it would like to sit and meet
AFC General Secretary, David Patterson and we will be meeting soon. We don’t want to speculate here, because obviously these are ongoing discussions and we don’t want to speculate on the outcome,” Patterson asserted. He said that the AFC is negotiating with other groups such as civil society and trade unions on the proposal and at the end of it all, the media will be duly informed. He was also reminded that APNU had a similar proposal on the table for three years, and was asked why the AFC did not sign on to it. The General Secretary explained that there is a big distinction between the proposal by the AFC and that of APNU. “There is a big distinction; APNU had asked for us to be involved in a big tent arrangement, but ours is for all stakeholders and will be driven by policies and agreements, as opposed to an electoral big tent alliance. APNU’s proposal was prior to 2011 and was just for us to be the 11th member of the group, and that is something we didn’t take up,” Patterson concluded.
Page 30
Kaieteur News
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Saturday July 26, 2014
WANTED One night shift supervisor at shell Providence E.B.D, Submit application to shellramsburg@gmail.com Girls to work as waitresses in bar – Tel:256-4096 One secretary Guard - Tel: 218-5105 Live in couple: husband for driving & Wife for domestic & Arc/Acetylene welder – Tel: 227-1830
VEHICLE FOR SALE 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 Rav4; year 2000 $2.5M neg. PKK Series; great condition - Tel:612-8803
Need ladies to sort goods; apply at Alabama Trading Georgetown Stabroek.
One Rav Four vehicle in good condition; PKK series; Price $1.7 M or any near offer Contact: 611-7104
Bartender & waitress wanted @ Chilly’s Bar; apply in person.
2006 Nissan Tiida Latio; mint condition, price - $1.650 – Call: 617-7113
One receptionist/ s e c r e t a r y, e x p e r i e n c e d required. Send application & CV to 48 High Street, Werk-En-Rust, G/Town.
GPP Tacoma 5VZ engine, stick gear, 4WD - $2.3M; negotiable – Call: 650-9840
Female janitors, between ages 25-40 years – Call:2258066 Female worker needed, 3 CXC subject or sound secondary school education- Call: 612-1607 One live in domestic must know to cook Indian Dishes 25-50yrs; salary - $60,000 monthly- Tel: 610-5043
PRR IST Body Kit, Chrome Kit, and crystal HID lights $1.650M – Call: 617-7113 Newly registered Toyota Allion with Body Kit – Call:667-4774 One Yamaha Rava125 Motorcycle and Kinlow KL110 motorcycle – Contact: 682-3942; 615-6474 or 6788236 (Continued on page 31)
Saturday July 26, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 31
Letters... Where your views make the news
Ramjattan has the influence to be outspoken and still make a difference DEAR EDITOR, Many years ago, a former President of Guyana once warned me about my mistake in supporting Mr. Khemraj (Prakash) Ramjattan on his internal PPP crusade against police corruption and police killings and the lack of foresight in not supporting Mr. Laurie Lewis as the Commissioner. I was told by this former President that “I have choice; I could be an insider or an outsider”. In his words, an outsider can say what they want, but PPP insiders do not listen to them. According to that President, “insiders have access to the corridors of power and can use this access to increase their political, economic and social status in society”. But according to this former President “insiders have to follow one rule – do not criticize fellow insiders”. I was immediately offered a job as the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Public Works, to which I politely declined and took up an offer inside the United Nations system, thanks to the wise counsel of some people very close to me. I use this story to highlight
what a political gem, Mr. Ramjattan is to Guyana, since he could have been anything he wanted in the PPP Government, but he chose politics of principle over politics of convenience. But what these PPP “CHAT-TREE CHAMMARS” do not realize, is that in this world there are people who march to a higher ideal and do not measure success by the size of their bank account and I know Mr. Ramjattan is one of those. I am proud of the fact, irrespective of how much the unrighteous forces in the PPP tried to bribe and threaten him into silence, he remains outspoken and, if anything, has become one of the leading influencer in Guyanese politics. As scandal after scandal destroys the ability of the PPP “CHAT-TREE CHAMMARS” to influence the society, it is people like Khemraj Ramjattan, Nigel Hughes and Moses Nagamootoo who are taking their place in this political evolution. Since 2011, Mr. Ramjattan has not stopped throwing evidential bombs at the PPP
“ C H A T - T R E E CHAMMARS”, which continue to cause much trouble for Freedom House. But what is even more important, is his role in ensuring that the unrighteous forces in the PPP are replaced by a righteous alliance of the Guyanese people. This being said, at the AFC Conference, Mr. Ramjattan stated that the “AFC is prepared to lead a pro-democracy alliance of progressive forces,” inclusive of APNU and disaffected PPP members, civic groups, union leaders and other political forces. This is a timely call, since the Guyanese people have lost faith in the old political order represented by the PNC and the PPP who have collectively wrecked the nation since we earned independence. What Mr. Ramjattan has done with his call is to offer the Guyanese people an alternative with credible citizens of quality who can lead the process of giving a voice to the working families, the poor, the legitimate business community and the
underprivileged. What Mr. Ramjattan has made clear is that he and his team are ready to take on the unrighteous political elite, who continues to dominate Guyanese politics with their ideologically bankrupt political strategies driven mainly by pure racism and fear over the last 50 years. From the feedback I have received from Guyana, the influence of Mr. Ramjattan and other Guyana-based likeminded politicians, have grown leaps and bounds since 2011 since the people have finally has a chance to test out a minority Government and the results are astonishing. For the first time the people can see how corrupt the PPP really is as they squander billions and billions of dollars on themselves and their close business associates. From the feedback I have received, more and more people want to see the back of the PPP but they do not want more of the last 50 years. They want a credible alternative – exactly what Mr. Ramjattan is preaching. So Guyana is at a cross road
again, just like we were in 1992 when many Afro-Guyanese broke ranks with the PNC and voted for Dr. Jagan to correct a historical injustice. Will 2015 present the opportunity for a coming together of our people, to ensure that real change is achieved this time with a commitment to write a new Constitution within one year after elections that will be voted on in a national referendum? It is hoped that the new Constitution will provide a framework to engage and involve all of our people regardless of ethnicity, religion, age, gender or sexual orientation. At this time is a difficult to know how successful Mr. Ramjattan and his team will be, but the past three years have revealed that they have the influence to make a permanent difference in Guyana for the betterment of the poor and the working class. For me that is progress, as the voiceless continue to gain a voice through people like Mr. Ramjattan. Thank you Mr. Khemraj (Prakash) Ramjattan. Sase Singh
A blatant assault on public education and our children
From page 4 partisan political motives, and not a true passion to ensure our students achieve, we have to be concerned. The PPP/C fails to connect the role of education to the development of the single most important resource, human resource, in any country and because of this shortsightedness, human capital continues to be depleted and relegated by this regime. How can we, as a people, sit and accept that these assaults on one of our most important public sectors is treated in such dismissive and unimportant fashion? How can we allow our teachers and administrators in the public school system to continue to feel that they are worthless or second class to their counterparts in the private school system? Why must we sit comfortably as the Minister of Education and the PPP/c unleash this moral assault on our educators and children in the public school system? I am reminded that in the just concluded US Midterm election, in a small city in Northern Virginia, a Republican candidate was vying for a seat on the local school board. I watched as both members of the Republican and Democratic Parties, parents, teachers, social and political activists, and various civil society leaders came out to denounce the candidate and encourage people to vote against him. Their main reason for rejecting his candidacy was be-
cause he has educated his older children through the private school system and currently has younger children enrolled in private schools. The people, in one voice, chided him for wanting to be a leader in the public school system when, according to them, he certainly does not believe in that system. According to them, his mere act of sending his children to private schools is an insult to the public school system; what good then can the children in the public school expect from him. Let me point out here that this man was not vying to be the head of the school board; he was simply hoping to be voted in as a member of that board. In our case, Ms. Manickchand is the head of the public education system, not merely a staff of the Ministry of Education. She is a policymaker and the person who oversees the entire functioning of the system. It is, therefore, important that as members of the public, parents, educators, legislators, union leaders and members of civil society, that we begin to question her desire to work in the best interest of our children enrolled in the public school system. We owe this much to our children. The minister’s attempt at justifying her action just cannot hold water. We are also aware that most of the children of government officials refuse to enroll their children in the public school sys-
tem, so Manickchand is not alone, but she must be the one to demonstrate leadership on this issue and encourage her colleagues to take the lead. Still trying to justify her action, Ms. Manickchand claims that just like every other parent she has a right to choose where she sends her child to school. Again, this comment is arrogant and demonstrates a lack, on the minister, of some basic protocols regarding her job. Firstly, she is wrong to assume that as a minister of government, cabinet member and Member of Parliament, she is held to the same standard as an ordinary Guyanese parent. The minister must know that when other parents select to send their children to a private school, their decision does not arouse or attract the same kind of interest, suspicion and worry. Unlike Ms. Manickchand,
these parents are not assumed to have intimate knowledge of the workings of the education system, they may have no solid details regarding the nature and scope of the problems which plague the system. Further they may have no information regarding relevance of the curriculum, education goals, policy effect and other intricate details regarding the entire education system. It is the job of the minister of education to know these things and based on her decision to “diss” the public school system, she might be indicating that the problems or drawbacks associated with the public schools system are either beyond her capacity to fix or that she can care less about fixing them, simply because as a parent, she may have a ready alternative. People get their clue of how well the public school is man-
aged or “fit for purpose” from signals sent by people like Ms. Manickchand, the Minister of Education. So, for Ms. Manickchand to think that her personal views and actions regarding the public school is a private matter will remain a figment of her imagination. For the record, I have nothing against the private school system as I believe it is providing the leadership that is so lacking in the Ministry of Education. However, I take serious umbrage to Ms. Manickchand’s dismissive attitude towards the nation’s public education system. I am reminded that the Minister benefitted from the very public school system she now disses. What about giving by Ms. Manickchand, where is that passion? Who is looking for the interest of our children? Lurlene Nestor
Ian McDonald like Sir Sridath Ramphal badly... From page 5 his silence since then on so many similar acts by the PPP Government of Guyana may be a reminder that Mr. Mc Donald avoids comment on political issues just like Sir Shridath Finally, my interpretation. As a literary personality, Mr. McDonald stands tall in Guyana. But it begins and ends there. It is like a great surgeon. A great surgeon is a great surgeon. But to lift them outside of their context and
attribute extraordinary national status to them over and beyond their particular contribution may be misleading. I think Shiv Chanderpaul is one of the greatest West Indian batsmen. But that is what he essentially is; nothing more nothing less To take Chanderpaul out of cricket and make him a Guyanese par excellence may be going too far. On the other hand, Harry Belafonte is not only an outstanding artist but an extraordinary American
and Black man. He contributed more than just films and music to the US. He stood tall in asserting Black dignity and civil rights in the US. Let me end with the prediction – Ramphal and Mc Donald are in their eighties and I doubt whether we will ever see any straightforwardness from them on why Guyana became a tragedy, why it remains a tragedy and how it can become a viable nation Frederick Kissoon
(From page 30)
PROPERTY FOR SALE Six acres prime roadside land and metal workshop in Corriverton, can be sold with or without workshop. Call: 626-6245 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 Two storied residential on Main Street @ Guyhoc Park. New electrical wiring, interior walls paneled, dry wall – Call: 682-7971 2-Storey concrete house, virtual 2 units, 55 section ‘B’ Non Pariel, E.C.D Quick Sale Call: 651-8901 CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVE AUTO RENTAL:CARS&SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 643-5122, 2193900, EMAIL: PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM
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Kaieteur News
Friday December 19, 2014
Friday December 19, 2014
Kaieteur News
More than 200 sugar workers to lose jobs Jamaica Observer - The positions of more than 200 employees of the Bernard Lodge sugar estate in St Catherine are to be made redundant this week, the Jamaica Observer has learnt. The redundancies were scheduled to take effect Wednesday, a decision relayed to trade unions representing the workers at a meeting with representatives of Pan Caribbean Sugar Company (PCSC) on December 5. Pan Caribbean — the Chinese firm which in 2011 took control of Jamaica’s main sugar factories in Frome, Monymusk and Bernard Lodge Estate — informed the unions of its decision to move into a new management arrangement with an unnamed Westmoreland firm by year-end. The company said that 215 workers would be made
redundant on December 17, and that notice and redundancy payments would be made to them on Monday. But, according to Harold Brown, assistant island supervisor of the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union (BITU), since that meeting the unions’ consultations have led to some “serious” reservations about PCSC’s real intentions. He said in light of that, the unions have called on Pan Caribbean to put the
redundancies on hold until the issues are resolved. Brown said the unions are concerned that given the terms and conditions of PCSC’s lease agreement with the Government for sugar lands at Bernard Lodge Estate, the unions have not confirmed that the Jamaican Government has consented to any form of divestment at Bernard Lodge. Additionally, he said that unions have been reliably informed that PCSC had not received approval from the Sugar Company of Jamaica’s Holdings to divest the operations. The unions — the BITU, the University and Allied Workers’ Union, and the National Workers’ Union — have told Pan Caribbean that they are ready to meet with its representatives, again, to resume discussions on the issues.
Barbados Nation Barbados spent $732 424 694 on health care between 2012 and 2013 This was revealed Wednesday by Chief Health Planner, Samuel Deane when he unveiled the results to the first ever compilation of Barbados’ National Health Accounts at a Dissemination Workshop, held at the Savannah Hotel yesterday. A breakdown showed that the recurring spending
was $716 470 726; capital spending was $15 547 529; health-care related spending, e.g. environmental health, was $406 439. The results showed that government and households were the two biggest spenders for health with government financing 55.5 per cent and households 39 per cent. In terms of allocation among treatment, prevention and other activities, the study
revealed that health spending was predominantly on curative care (treatment). In addition at least 23 per cent of institutional health spending was for the five key noncommunicable diseases in Barbados with cancer receiving 13 per cent; HIV/ AIDS three per cent, hypertension two per cent; diabetes and cardiovascular three per cent and mental disorders six per cent.
Harold Brown
More than $700M on health care
‘Arch-enemies’ Belize, Guatemala sign historic agreements BELMOPAN, Belize CMC – Thirteen agreements between historic archenemies Belize and Guatemala were the highlight of the 44th General Assembly of SICA (Central American Integration System) summit that ended on Wednesday. Organization of American States (OAS) Secretary General, José Miguel Insulza, who attended the signing said for the first time since independence, “the governments of Belize and Guatemala have taken concrete steps to forge a common destiny filled with promise and hope in direct benefit of both countries.” “One year ago, the foreign ministers came to the headquarters of the OAS, and, in my presence, adopted a very ambitious ‘Road Map for the Strengthening of Bilateral Relations’ – so
ambitious that many people doubted it could be carried out. He said the agreements will improve the lives of thousands of citizens “in terms of migration, s e c u r i t y, education, tourism, culture, and the environment, among many other issues.” To arrive at a lasting solution to the territorial differendum between the two countries, the Secretary General said one last step is missing – “the popular consultations that are demanded by respective legislatures.” The Prime Minister of Belize, Dean Barrow, called the signing of the agreements “a truly historic moment in the relations between Belize and Guatemala. “We cannot overstate the indispensable role of our
hemispheric organization, the Organization of American States, in helping to make all this possible,” Barrow added. “I, therefore, say to you Mister Secretary General that your work and that of the entire team involved in this process is both a fulfillment of your general mandate and a testament to your particular commitment to Belize and Guatemala.” President of Guatemala, Otto Pérez Molina, said the agreements signed were possible thanks to the decision of both governments to guide the bilateral relationship according to two main axes. The first, said the Guatemalan President, is “to leave the territorial, insular and maritime differendum” in the hands of the International Court of Justice, not in the day to day of our relationship.
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Suriname to boost productivity and business innovation as keys to economic development WASHINGTON, USA — The InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) has approved a US$20 million loan to Suriname with the goal of increasing the value-added of the private sector in the country’s economy. In order to achieve this, IDB will support the implementation of a policy on productivity that favours sustainable growth and business diversification. Other goals of the program are to improve the business climate, the legal framework and dialogue between the public and private sectors, and to reduce the cost of doing business. The government of Suriname has begun to apply some measures aimed at enhancing the business
climate. Businesses in Suriname face difficulties when it comes to growing and innovating. A lack of administrative principles and procedures creates uncertainty among entrepreneurs who wish to start up a company. The absence of a legal framework governing intellectual property rights is another hindrance to innovation and growth. The IDB resources will help strengthen Competitiveness Unit Suriname (CUS) so it can support the productivity of small- and mediumsize companies, assigning priority to women and isolated communities by boosting their capacity to innovate and come together in value chains.
Antigua-Barbuda excludes nationals from six countries from citizenship programme ST JOHN’S, Antigua — The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda, meeting last week Thursday, decided to instruct the Citizenship By Investment Unit, that it shall deny citizens of six states the offer to acquire Antigua and Barbuda citizenship. Those six states are: Afghanistan, Iraq, North Korea, Somalia, Yemen, and Iran; the citizens of the six identified states who reside in their country of birth do not qualify. Any citizen
of those states who resides lawfully in Canada, the USA or in Western Europe, whose status as a “lawful permanent resident” is established, will be acceptable providing they meet the high standards of the due diligence investigation. The Cabinet also agreed that no one who has changed his/her name shall be allowed to have an Antigua and Barbuda passport, under the CIP programme, issued to that person in any circumstances.
Deed poll documents shall not serve to allow the issuance of an Antigua and Barbuda passport under the CIP programme. The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda has taken this position to safeguard the integrity of the CIP programme, and to ensure that only those persons whose past behaviour will not threaten the very well-being of the citizenship programme, can be accepted.
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Kaieteur News
Friday December 19, 2014
Washington tries to tackle hackers behind Sony attack (Reuters) - Washington made the woes of cyberattack victim Sony Pictures its own on Thursday as the White House acknowledged that the devastating strike against the big Hollywood studio was a matter of national security that would be met by a forceful government response. But the White House was not ready to put the blame on North Korea, despite a U.S. official’s indication on Wednesday that Washington may soon formally announce the involvement of the Pyongyang government. President Barack Obama was monitoring the cyberattack very closely, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said. But even as the White House studied a “proportional response,” experts warned that the effect of strategies like cyber retaliation or financial sanctions could be limited. The attack more than three weeks ago by hackers identifying themselves as “Guardians of Peace” is the biggest hacking of a company on U.S. soil and might be repeated with other companies. It brought down the computer network at Sony Pictures Entertainment, prompted the leak of embarrassing emails, and led to a film cancellation that
many in Hollywood and Washington said was tantamount to caving in to the hackers. Sony decided on Wednesday to scrap its big Christmas Day release of “The Interview,” a comic film that culminates in the assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, a scene that was leaked on the Internet on Thursday. Sony pulled the film after movie theater chains said they would not show the film citing security concerns after hackers made threats against cinemas and audiences. A senior North Korean U.N. diplomat declined to comment on accusations that Pyongyang was responsible for the hacking attack on Sony Pictures. NBC News reported on Thursday night that U.S. officials believe the attack was launched in North Korea and then routed through servers in Taiwan to take advantage of faster computer circuits. Reuters could not verify this report. S C R E E N I N G S CANCELED After the cancellation of “The Interview,” Sony began pulling promotion of the $44 million film, d i s m a n t l i n g t h e giant promotional billboard on Hollywood’s famed Sunset Boulevard on Thursday. Some of the Hollywood’s
biggest names howled over the cancellation of the film starring James Franco and Seth Rogen, the latter also a co-director on the movie with partner Evan Goldberg. Steve Carell, who has starred alongside Rogen in numerous comedies, said: “Sad day for creative expression.” The hacking could hit Carell more directly. A film project called “Pyongyang,” a paranoid thriller starring the actor that was to be set in North Korea, was scrapped by producer New Regency, Deadline.com reported. Neither Rogen nor Goldberg would comment on the fate of their film amid grassroots efforts like screenings and petitions to keep the movie alive and honor the filmmakers. Three movie houses called off special screenings of 2004 Paramount Pictures puppet-comedy “Team America: World Police” in which a U.S. paramilitary force tries to foil a plot by thenNorth Korean leader Kim Jong Il, father of Kim Jong Un. The Alamo Drafthouse in Texas scrapped the screening because of “circumstances beyond our control,” while the Ohio-based Capitol Theatre and the Plaza in Atlanta said their screenings were canceled by Paramount.
Suspected Boko Haram gunmen kidnap 172 women, children in Nigeria (Reuters) - Suspected Boko Haram gunmen kidnapped 172 women and children and killed 35 other people on Sunday during a raid on the northeast Nigerian village of Gumsuri, residents said on Thursday. Although no one has
claimed responsibility, the attack bore the hallmarks of Boko Haram, which abducted more than 200 women in April from a secondary school in Chibok, only 24 km (15 miles) from this latest attack. The campaign for an Islamic state by Boko Haram,
whose name means “Western education is sinful,” has become the gravest threat to Africa’s biggest economy and top oil producer. Village resident Abba Musa, a maize grinder who survived the attack, estimated the number abducted as 172 after the village did a head count following the assault. The attackers shouted “God is Great” and unleashed salvos of gunfire, he said. “My sister and her seven children were among those taken away,” he told Reuters by telephone. “We ran into the bush and were lucky. There were not many others who were lucky.” He said at least 33 were killed. Thousands of people have been killed and many hundreds abducted, raising questions about the ability of security forces to protect civilians, especially around the north Cameroon border where the militants are well established.
Friday December 19, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
Friday December 19, 2014
FIFA meets amid crisis Germany conquer 2014, Belgium, Slovakia impress over Garcia’s resignation In 2014’s last edition of the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking, the top 20 remains unchanged. FIFA World Cup™ holders Germany retained a comfortable lead over Argentina and Colombia, followed by Belgium, the Netherlands and Brazil. It is only the second time since 1993 that the Germans have finished a year on top, securing them the title of Team of the Year for 2014. They also win the title of Best Mover of the Year, thanks to their gain of 407 points – more than any other team. Other teams that can look back with satisfaction on a successful year are Slovakia (21st, up 334 points) and Belgium (4th, up 319 points). There have been some
- Guyana close at 167 interesting changes in the composition of the top 50 over the course of the year. Of the confederations, this year’s winners are Europe (with 30 teams in the top 50, up 4) and Africa (11 teams, up 2), while CONMEBOL (6 teams), CONCACAF (3) and the AFC (0) all have two teams fewer in the top 50 than last year. The AFC has dropped out of the top 50 altogether, and the OFC are also unrepresented. The bestranked teams by confederation are Germany (1st), Argentina (2nd), Costa Rica (16th), Algeria (18th), Iran
(51st) and New Zealand (134th). There have been only 17 international ‘A’ matches to take into account since the November ranking, bringing the total number taken into account in 2014 to 834. More than half of those games were friendlies (468), plus 302 qualifiers for continental final competitions and 64 World Cup contests. The next FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking will be published on 8 January 2015. Guyana ended at 167 in a tumultuous year; however, 2015 should see marked improvement by the Golden Jaguars.
Friday December 19, 2014 ARIES (MAR. 21APRIL 20) Your involvement in organizational events could open doors to new and exciting opportunities. Fitness or weight loss programs will help your self esteem. TAURUS (APR. 21MAY 21) Don't depend on coworkers to help; they may only hold you back. Get involved in activities that will bring you knowledge about foreign land, philosophies, or cultures. GEMINI (MAY22-JUNE 21) Be discreet about your personal life or whereabouts. Be mysterious. Take that long overdue vacation if you can. You may think gifts will win their heart, but it could add stress from lack of funds. CANCER (JUNE 22JULY 22) Try not to lend or borrow money today. Be aware that a female you work with may be trying to hold you back. Pamper yourself for a change.
LIBRA (SEPT. 24 -OCT. 23) You will benefit through hidden assets and property investments. Your own small business on the side sounds pretty lucrative. SCORPIO (OCT. 24 NOV. 22) Don't let others try to create unwarranted guilt if you can't meet their demands. Don't take your frustrations out on the ones you love. SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 23 -DEC. 21) Try to avoid any drastic decisions concerning personal legal matters. Moneymaking ventures may just turn your life around. Do something that will be stimulating and creative. CAPRICORN (DEC 22.- JAN. 20) Do your own thing and everything will settle down. Try to make your lover understand that you need to do things with your friends. You're in a high cycle for romance.
LEO (JULY 23-AUG 22) Let your lover know what your personal intentions are. Losses are likely if you aren't careful where you leave your valuables.
AQUARIUS (JAN. 21 FEB. 19) Look into events that you might find interesting, and compromise by doing a few things that you both like to do. Do something constructive outside. You need to lie back and enjoy a little rest.
VIRGO (AUG. 23 -SEPT. 23) Your lack of responsibility and attention has been a key issue in your relationship. Your lover may disappoint you in such a way that estrangement will follow. Romance will develop through work.
PISCES (FEB. 20-MAR. 20) Spend time with friends and relatives. Travel for pleasure. You can make money, but try not to let it slip through your fingers. Changes involving your domestic scene may be unpleasant.
Marrakech, Morocco (AP) - Amid another crisis at FIFA, President Sepp Blatter and his Executive Committee opened a two-day meeting yesterday to discuss the sudden resignation of ethics prosecutor Michael Garcia and whether to publish his confidential World Cup report. Garcia quit Wednesday in protest over the handling of his World Cup bid investigation. The American lawyer’s departure could increase pressure on FIFA to publish the 430-page report on the 2010 votes that awarded the World Cup to Russia in 2018 and Qatar in 2022. The 27 members of the executive committee are split over releasing all or part of Garcia’s report, which has led to three of them facing unethical conduct charges. Relaxing strict FIFA secrecy rules could potentially hurt those being investigated by the former U.S. Attorney and former Interpol vice president, whose previous work as a prosecutor included the 1993 World Trade Center bombers and a Russian arms dealer. Only a very small circle within FIFA has seen the Garcia report. Continuing to sit on it will deepen suspicions that the body is woefully short on
transparency and good governance, and prefers to suppress wrongdoing rather than correct it. The executive committee gathered in a luxury Marrakech hotel that was closed to non-guests for the day. The 78-year-old Blatter rode to the meeting in a black limousine from another hotel that was just a short walk away. Garcia’s resignation statement on Wednesday was critical of FIFA’s slow, tentative steps toward greater accountability, much ballyhooed by Blatter since his unopposed re-election in 2011. “No independent governance committee, investigator, or arbitration panel can change the culture of an organization,” Garcia wrote. The fallout over Garcia’s resignation will overshadow other important items on the agenda. The executive committee is to hear an update on World Cup preparations in Russia. The staggering fall in the value of the Russian ruble raises questions about how the Kremlin and Russian firms will continue to fund a massive program of works to host the tournament. Yesterday, Putin said the World Cup was an
Michael Garcia “expensive thing,” but if it “provides extra grounds FIFA executives will also be updated on the inevitable disruption of the soccer calendar if they decide to move the World Cup in Qatar to cooler months. But it is the collapse of Garcia’s effort to answer questions about the legitimacy of FIFA’s selection of Russia and Qatar that will be the focus of Blatter ’s traditional post-meeting news conference today. The Executive Committee will discuss publishing Garcia’s dossier, and could finally see it for themselves. So far, FIFA has released only a 42-page summary of Garcia’s report, which concluded that any corruption or rule-breaking was limited and did not influence the December 2010 vote. Garcia objected to that, saying the summary misrepresented his findings. That set off a conflict that eventually led to his resignation and his damning criticism of “the lack of leadership on these issues within FIFA.” Prosecutions launched by Garcia against five senior football officials for wrongdoing in the World Cup campaigns will continue. Those cases can be led by his ethics investigation deputy, Zurich-based former public prosecutor Cornel Borbely. Former Germany great Franz Beckenbauer, a voting member of the FIFA executive committee in 2010, is the highest profile of the five accused men. Three current board members - FIFA vice president Angel Maria Villar of Spain, Michel D’Hooghe of Belgium and Worawi Makudi of Thailand - also face sanctions for their actions during contests marred by claims of bribery, collusion and favor-seeking.
Friday December 19, 2014
Kaieteur News
>>> Letter to the Sports Editor <<<
North Essequibo supports the holding of elections by ECB Area Committees DEAR EDITOR, The new dispensation regarding the future administration of cricket in Guyana would have been welcomed by the North Essequibo Cricket Committee, given the successful passage of the Cricket Administration Bill by the Honorable Sports Minister in 2014. The Committee views the Bill as enabling to facilitate free and transparent elections by the County Boards as well as at the level of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB). In view of this, the NECC will be conducting its Annual General Meeting shortly as has been the general practice, and precedes that of the Essequibo Cricket Board’s Biennial General meeting. The ECB by way of notice by the Secretary to the eight area committees has confirmed its BGM for 201501-11, even in the wake of not
having an Ordinary General Meeting for the last seven months as mandated by the constitution which stipulates that two such meetings shall be held within a year. Notwithstanding, the NECC views the upcoming BGM as pivotal towards preserving the democratic process of the ECB and its affiliate members. As a result this is an opportune time for the eight area committees to conduct their internal elections in a timely manner and before the holding of the ECB’S elections. The NECC supports this position while appealing to the President of the ECB Mr. Fizul Bacchus to ensure that this is done. All constituent members shall be given the right to elect their representatives and Mr. Bacchus should lead from the front by having timely elections at the level of the Pomeroon Cricket Committee
where he serves as Chairman. The state of cricket generally has never been at its lowest and in Essequibo it is even worse. Dates for statutory meetings were not kept, competitions at the ECB level were non-existent, no camps for the junior players, no fundraising to boost the operational status of the Board which it’s seems has resulted in the non- functioning of its administrator and the list goes on. The holding of the Board’s BGM therefore will test the will of the constituent members and this should be done in fairness by the area committees having their local elections. The NECC will always uphold such a principled position. The other area committees should do likewise. Yours Faithfully, Hakim Khan Secretary
Lewis Hamilton to lose senior engineer Jock Clear to Ferrari
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No major damage to Kemar Roach’s ankle Kemar Roach
Johannesburg, South Africa - Kemar Roach has sustained no major damage to his right ankle and is hopeful of bowling again in the first Test against South Africa. He will not take the field before lunch on the second day though, which would mean he is unlikely to bowl at all during the day because of the amount of time spent off the field. Roach had been off the field for 75 minutes on the first day after leaving midway through the third session. He heard his ankle pop with a ball to go in his 16th over and immediately asked for medical attention. He left the field with assistance and was taken for an MRI scan which revealed no ligament damage. Although West Indies would like to see him play a further part in the first Test, with two more matches to come and minimal time in-between, media manager Philip Spooner confirmed there was “no rush” to get Roach back on SuperSport Park. One person who is hopeful Roach will be able to take the field again is Sheldon Cottrell, who is playing in just his second Test after debuting more than a year ago in India. “I am very anxious to have him back. I wouldn’t mind it he is there in the morning,” Cottrell said. “He has so much experience and because I am inexperienced, he gives me pointers.” Roach did not open the bowling, because
West Indies preferred to go with the left-arm option of Cottrell, but made an impact soon after he was brought on. In his third over, Roach made the first breakthrough to give West Indies their only period of control on the day. Three wickets fell without conceding a run in 15 balls, one to Cottrell, who admitted things did not go according to plan as closely as West Indies would have liked. “My game plan was bowl a good-enough length to disturb the batsmen with the inswinger, because it has been said that South Africa is a bit iffy when coming out against a left arm pace bowler,” he said. “It was moving quite a bit. I didn’t have the control that I really wanted. There was a lot of moisture in the wicket. We were struggling to find lengths and lines.” Although Cottrell found movement and troubled the batsmen with it, he was inconsistent in his lengths. So was Jerome Taylor, who Cottrell said was a “wonderful bowler, who could come right at any minute,” which left West Indies with only Roach to do damage. He should have had a third wicket when a delivery in the first over after lunch shaved Hashim Amla’s off stump and shook the bail but did not dislodge it. “We saw the funny side of it. We were like ‘Oh damn.’ But that disappeared very quickly,” Cottrell said. That half-chance was the last hope West Indies had of justifying their captain’s decision to bowl in helpful conditions. Their lack of discipline meant that even when they threatened, it was not for long enough periods to concern everyone in South Africa’s lineup. The top three were rattled but AB de Villiers and Amla were not. They drained the West Indian attack with a dominant showing, which overpowered a tiring opposition pack. Cottrell rated their performance a five out of 10, but remained hopeful they could increase that on the second day. “The guys came up with a number of plans, it just didn’t work. Our boys really worked hard today,” he said. “We are a bit down but we are not out, we are still in it.” (ESPNcricinfo)
Hamilton fended off childhood friend and Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg to win his second Formula 1 world title, six years after his first, last month.
Khan donates 30,000 pounds shorts to Peshawar school
One of Lewis Hamilton’s key technical staff at Mercedes is to leave the team and move to Ferrari. Jock Clear, Hamilton’s senior performance engineer, will effectively be the replacement for Pat Fry, Ferrari’s former engineering director. Fry was sacked this week as part of a purge of senior personnel at Ferrari as they seek to arrest years of decline. Clear is to lead Ferrari’s trackside engineering once he has worked a lengthy notice period with Mercedes. The 51-year-old handed in his resignation immediately after the final race of the season at the end of November and has a 12month notice period. It is unusual for F1 engineers to work out their full notice and an accommodation is likely to be reached with Ferrari over the coming months.
Reuters - Boxer Amir Khan will donate a pair of 30,000 pounds ($47,007) shorts to the Peshawar school in Pakistan where 132 children were killed by Taliban gunmen earlier this week. Khan wore the shorts, featuring a waistband made from 24-carat gold thread, in a unanimous points victory over American Devon Alexander in Las Vegas which helped him retain the WBC silver welterweight title at the weekend. “It was just very sad to see innocent kids being killed,” the Briton told BBC radio on Thursday (yesterday). “I can only imagine what the parents are going through. “I want to donate the shorts for the Peshawar cause, rebuild a school and strengthen security around the area. “We are very lucky in
Clear continues to work for Mercedes, who will assess how to reorganise Hamilton’s engineering staff in the New Year. He is likely to be moved away from his current role, which focuses on the cutting edge of performance, given that he is to leave for a major rival. Clear, who has previously worked with former world champions Michael Schumacher and Jacques Villeneuve, had been at the team for 15 years. He joined British American Racing alongside Villeneuve, with whom he had worked at Williams, when the team were founded in 1999 and stayed through the team’s guises as Honda and Brawn and into Mercedes. His role at Mercedes was as one of three chassis engineers assigned to Hamilton’s car, assisting the new world champion’s race
engineer, the primary contact with the driver, with data analysis. Mercedes were happy to release Clear as they were unable to offer him a role similar in seniority to his Ferrari position. Ferrari have also tried to recruit Mercedes’ former technical director Bob Bell, who resigned in April and left the team in November. Bell, 56, had been lined up for a senior role at Ferrari but is said by insiders to have been unable to take it up in the immediate term because of personal issues. Meanwhile, former Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso has taken his former race engineer Andrea Stella with him to McLaren for next season. McLaren refused to confirm or deny the move, and it is not year clear exactly what role Stella will take with the team. (BBCsports)
England. We have good security and I will be able to send my little girl to school and know she will be fine but in Pakistan you cannot do
that,” said Khan. “They send the kids outside the house and do not know if they are going to come back.” ($1 = 0.6385 British pound).
Fudadin ruled out of series with injury Johannesburg, South Africa – West Indies Cricket Board announced yesterday that left-handed batsman Assad Fudadin has been ruled out of the ongoing three-match Test Series against South Africa due to injury. The 29-year-old suffered a fracture of the little finger on right hand during warm-up on the opening day of the first Test on Wednesday. He underwent surgery late Wednesday. A replacement player will be named in the coming days.
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Kaieteur News
Friday December 19, 2014
MACKESON Stella Maris outlasts St. Stephen’s crowns ‘King of for Girls PEE WEE TITLE the Rim’ tonight MoH / Health 2000Inc / MoE / Ansa McAl Girls Schools F/ball…
After almost six weeks of intense rivalry, Stella Maris ensured that they were the last team left standing after outlasting St. Stephen’s in another penalty shootout to grab the inaugural Ministry of Health / Health 2000Inc / Ministry of Education / Ansa McAl Girls Schools Football Competition which concluded yesterday, at the Ministry of Education ground, Carifesta Avenue. The Woolford Avenuebased team won 3-1 on penalty kicks after regulation time failed to produce a goal by either side after a tense and competitive encounter. The victory also meant that the school now owns both the Boys and Girls titles after the former captured the Courts
Pee Wee Competition a few weeks ago to crown a fantastic year for them. The new champions though had to withstand a ferocious onslaught in both halves as St. Stephen’s cognizant of their opponents tenacity in the penalty shootout tried desperately for the win in regulation time. However, the champs defended doggedly, clearing shots off the line, while the goalkeeper made some important stops and clearances that kept their hopes alive. When the final whistle sounded it was clear which team seemed more content on having the championship decided on penalties, it was Stella Maris survivors on the
spot kicks in their two previous engagements. In the end, their margin of victory was emphatic thanks to goalkeeper Lukesha Reynolds, daughter of former national goalkeeper Richard Reynolds, who happened to be in attendance. In the third place playoff, Enterprise enjoyed a similar win over West Ruimveldt after their encounter finished 1-1 in regulation time. Enterprise eventually won 21 on penalties. Earlier, Nikita Prince had given West Ruimveldt the lead in the 16th minute when she fired in a screamer, but three minutes later the prolific Aliyah Elaine produced a comparable thunderbolt to level the proceedings.
M e a n w h i l e , representatives from the sponsors Ministry of Health, Ansa McAl under its Smalta brand and Health 2000Inc gave remarks, during the presentation ceremony. In the day’s full results: Stella Maris vs St. Stephen’s - Stella Maris won 3-1 on penalty kicks. 3rd place playoff Enterprise-1 vs West Ruimveldt-1. Enterprise won 2-1 on penalty kicks. Enterprise scorer was Aliyah Elaine-19th, West Ruimveldt scorer was Nikita Prince-16th. 5-6 Section North Georgetown-0 vs South Ruimveldt-0, North Georgetown won 3-2 on penalty kicks 7-8. Tucville-2 vs F.E. Pollard0, Sharmin Elexey-3rd, Jenicka Hackett-14th.
- 3x3 Basketball tourney culminates with epic showdown
Woodpecker Products annual Christmas Singles Tournament...
Top seeds continue to shine
Guyana’s top Badminton players.
Play in the Woodpecker Products Annual Christmas Singles round-robin tournament continued on Wednesday last at the Under15, 19, Open Male and Female Singles categories. The marathon style tournament saw matches with most of the top players maintaining their high form. Following are the results of those matches on Day 2: Under-13 Girls Singles Round Robin Priyanna Ramdhani trounced Siya Persaud: 211, 21-1 Priyanna Ramdhani got past Sudarshani Sooknarine: 21-1, 21-1 Abosaide Cadogan got the better of Priyanka
Shivnauth: 21-3, 21-1 Siya Persaud defeated Sudarshani Sooknarine: 21-5, 21-9 Under-15 Boys Singles Round Robin: Tyrese Jeffery gained a walk over from Akili Haynes Under-15 Girls Singles Round Robin: Priyanna Ramdhani took care of Abosaide Cadogan: 21-8, 21-3 Abosaide Cadogan defeated Priyanka Shivnauth: 21-3, 21-1 Siya Persaud beat Priyanka Shivnauth: 21-6, 21-5 Priyanna Ramdhani piy away Priyanka Shivnauth: 21-1, 21-0
Abosaide Cadogan banged Siya Persaud: 21-9, 21-7 Priyanna Ramdhani defeated Siya Persud: 21-3,
21-5 Under-19 Girls Singles Round Robin: Priyanna Ramdhani flew past Nyckelle Yearwood: 21-1, 21-1 Abosaide Cadogan stopped Amanda Daniels:21-1, 21-5 Under-19 Boys Singles Round Robin: Narayan Ramdhani took care of Ronald Chang Yuen: 21-12, 21-8 Jonathan Mangra eased past Ronald Chang Yuen: 21-10, 21-11 Open Men Singles Round: Narayan Ramdhani trounced Ronald Chang Yuen: 21-8, 21-10 Christopher Persaud survived against Avinash odit: 21-18, 19-21, 21-14 Jonathan Mangra outlasted Avinash Odit: 2119, 16-21, 18-21 The tournament continues tomorrow from 11:00hrs with final matches while the presentation is set for 13:00hrs.
Royston Siland and Nikkoloi Smith Mackeson will crown the ‘King of the Rim’ tonight at California Square, East Ruimveldt Court when its 3x3 Basketball competition culminates with an epic showdown among top teams from the East Coast, West Coast, Linden and Georgetown. TRS Raptors will represent the East Coast, Den Amstel ‘A’ will feature for the West Coast with Royals and Jets representing the Mining Town of Linden. Colts ‘A’, Colts ‘B’, Pacesetters ‘A’ and defending champs, Pitbulls are the Georgetown-based teams in the Super Eight Final tonight in East Ruimveldt. Shelroy Thomas has led Colts ‘B’ with his prolific scoring ability with support from Nikkoloi Smith, Quacy Lindo and Damon Fraser. Colts ‘A’ features Dave Causway, Dane Kendall, Shane Webster and Rayon Cumming. Pacesetters has gone back to its team that brought them the 2011 title and a place in the 2012 final. Guard Travis
Burnett leads the line-up with shooting guard, Stephan Gillis and forwards, Royston Siland and Naylon Loncke. The teams will play against the Webster brothers, Alister, Allistair and Joel from Jets and the ultra competitive Raptors from Melanie, which features forwards, Sherlan Legall and Ashton Adams along with Floyd Arthur and Rayburn Bowman. Defending champs Pitbulls has stuck together with Akeem Kanhai, Ryan Gullen, Ryan Stephney and Jermaine Slater forming an impressive combination of skill and grit. Shooting sensation out of Linden, Chris Williams leads his Royals side. The teams are playing for $500,000 first place purse and a $300,000 second place award along with trophies. The competition spanned three weeks and brings together the zone winners from four zones for the grand finale tonight at California Square.
BOXING - Ali’s ‘What’s My Name?’
opponent Terrell dies at 75 Reuters - Former heavyweight boxing champion Ernie Terrell, best known for his punishing loss to Muhammad Ali in the famed “What’s My Name?” fight in 1967, has died at the age of 75, the Chicago SunTimes reported on Wednesday. Terrell, a towering 6-foot 6-inch boxer with an 82-inch reach, had been suffering
from dementia and died at his home in Roseland, Chicago on Tuesday. Born in Mississippi, Terrell beat Eddie Machen in 1965 to claim the vacant World Boxing Association heavyweight crown and successfully defended the title in his next two fights before losing it to Ali in a lopsided bout on Feb. 6, 1967. The pair slugged it out
over 15 rounds at the Astrodome in Houston where a fuming Ali made Terrell pay for refusing to call him by his adopted name, instead referring to his birth name of Cassius Clay. In the build-up to the fight, Ali had promised “I’m gonna punish you” and in the ring he danced around his opponent with a flurry of jabs and
punches while shouting out; “What’s My Name?” In a 2009 interview with USA Today, Terrell said of his bout with Ali: “If I was going to fight him, then I would call him Clay. If he don’t like it, so? I did it on purpose. We were fighting. What was I supposed to do, give him Christmas gifts? “I had no animosity. I understood it’s a fight. What he say, all that don’t count. That was his way of promoting a fight.”
Friday December 19, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Van Zyl maiden ton and Amla double sink West Indies An agreeable century on Test debut for Stiaan van Zyl and an elementary double hundred for Hashim Amla extended South Africa’s punishment of a dire, injuryhit West Indies attack on the second day at Centurion. When the destruction was called off half an hour before tea, ahead of rain which washed out the rest of the day, South Africa had sated themselves at 552 for 5. West Indies have rarely looked more bereft. They are at least fulfilling their tour of South Africa, but if they are there in body, they are hardly there in spirit. A weak attack, further broken by an injury to Kemar Roach, looks as if it is already awaiting the end: hopefully the end of the Test, not the end of the series. The left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn bore the burden and resembled a man at the end of a hard shift long before he delivered the last of his 46 overs. Amla’s third double hundred - to add to his 311 not out against England at The Oval in 2012, and an unbeaten 253 against in Nagpur two years earlier was a peaceable affair, so untroubled that it felt more like an simple arithmetical exercise than a notable Test innings. It was South Africa’s highest Test score against
West Indies, outdoing Herschelle Gibbs’ 192 on the same ground a decade earlier, and also the highest score by a South African captain on home soil. He fell on 208 after nearly eight hours at the crease, dragging Benn to long on where Jerome Taylor held the catch a pace in front of the rope. Amla never quite reached the pitch, perhaps deceived by Benn delivering from behind the crease, perhaps momentarily allowing himself an inexact moment with the Test so clearly in South Africa’s grip. Van Zyl could not have hoped for more benefaction than he gained from West Indies’ attack. He needed only 130 balls for his unbeaten 101 but, in truth, even though he is entitled to cherish a Test hundred on debut, fiercer examinations will await him. Tension should have been palpable as he moved through the 90s, floodlights breaking through increasingly menacing dark clouds, but to suggest as much was merely to recognise Test cricket lore. His back-foot drive to the extra cover boundary off Benn to reach 99 was one of his finest strokes. The shot that brought up his 100 - a muscular-armed cut through the off side off Benn - again characterised his strongest
Djokovic and Williams take ITF annual honors
Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams Reuters - Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams have been named 2014 World Champions by the International Tennis Federation (ITF). The annual award takes in performances on the regular Tour and grand slams. Wimbledon champion Djokovic takes the men’s prize for the fourth time having won seven titles this season and the year-end top ranking for the third time in four years. Williams wins the award for the fifth time in a career which has brought her 18 grand slam singles titles — the most recent at this year’s U.S. Open. “I’m so honored to be named ITF World Champion for the fifth time. This was a year of challenges and triumphs, so to win another Grand Slam and retain my year-end No. 1 ranking is an accomplishment I’m very proud of,” she said. “I’m grateful to have the support of the tennis community in every way possible. I can’t wait for 2015.” Americans Bob and Mike Bryan were named ITF men’s doubles champions while Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci of Italy won the women’s honor.
scoring region. A limp West Indies had come to recognise his statuesque off side clubs. It would be understandable if South Africa approached the second day with an air of supreme confidence: 340 runs already banked for the loss of three wickets and hundreds for AB de Villiers and Amla long since achieved. On a beautiful, sun-cream morning, they could anticipate some contented batting. The advent of the second new ball did not alter that. There was a moment of optimism for West Indies when they dismissed de Villiers, but it quickly departed. South Africa steadily built a 109-run morning. Almost carelessly, it seemed, they lost de Villiers in the ninth over of the session. The delivery from Benn was lavishly flighted and scientists might have concluded that it turned and bounced just a tad, but there was nothing malevolent in the delivery. De Villiers, seeking to carve it through the off side, could only pick out Jermaine Blackwood at backward point. The fourth-wicket stand, extended by another 25, was worth 308 in 84 overs. West Indies had picked up a wicket but there was no sense that it might change the nature of the day. Four frontline bowlers and Roach, arguably the best of them, already off the field injured with the recurrence of an ankle injury. Taylor bowled within himself, anticipating a long day. Even allowing for West Indies’ decline, they had rarely seemed as impotent as this. Even on such an unflustered morning there had to be nerves. How could there not be with a debutant arriving at the crease? A debutant, too, who had been next in since the 16th over of the first morning. Van Zyl, a left-hander from Cape Cobras, was used to waiting his Test debut had come relatively late at 27 - and his early reconnaissance was wary. Van Zyl’s Test debut should have come to grief on 2, edgily made from 25 balls, when he turned Benn to the more backward of two short legs but Kraigg Braithwaite could not hold on to a chance which left the bat at pace. The let-off unshackled his mind. The opportunity for van Zyl to prosper could not have been more obvious if it had been adorned with bells and whistles. Alongside him, there was continuity. Amla was marking his first home Test as captain
in unerring fashion. He had 141 at start of play; another 37 by lunch, a low-key contribution to the morning. Discussions were heard about how long South Africa would bat before the declaration. This was pop gun Test cricket.
Amla was dropped off Taylor on 180 by Blackwood, leaping at midwicket and, on 205, Sheldon Cottreell jagged one back over the top of his off stump, a sight that stirred the interest of South Africa’s attack. His poise was also briefly threatened by a
malfunctioning sightscreen. There were many neat moments, too, and when that double hundred came; his wristy flick off Cottrell through square leg could hardly have been seemed more matter of fact. (ESPNcricinfo)
Youth Basketball Guyana school c/hips conclude with LTI triumph
Titan Bowl IV (Champion) - LTI Youth Basketball Guyana brought down the curtains on the 2014 school basketball season with the fourth edition of the Titan Bowl-best of the best school basketball Championships. In the final game of an action packed weekend it took two extra periods for the Linden Technical Institute (LTI) to edge past the Kwakwani Secondary- 58 pts to 56pts in a thrilling encounter between the two best school teams in the nation. Dennis Niles carried LTI down the stretch and in the end earned the MVP accolade for his clutch play. Titan Bowl is the YBG year end finale which features the top high school teams in the country. Bishops’ High school defeated St.
Rose’s High school to finish in third position. The exciting programme which started on Friday 12th and ended on Sunday 14, also featured- match-ups between Saints and St. Rose’s girls, Marian Academy, Bishops’ and St. Rose’s under 14, Queen’s College, Saints Stanislaus College, St. Rose’s and Marian Academy past students and an exciting Mini Basketball cluster game. The attendance of parents, teachers and school basketball supporters added to a fitting and positive climax of another great year for Youth Basketball Guyana-schools’ basketball, as the YBG set their focus now on the tenth anniversary year of the National School Basketball Festival in 2015.
Titan Bowl IV (Runner-up)- Kwakwani Sec.
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Kaieteur News
Friday December 19, 2014
Grove Hi Tech face BV Triumph; Agricola tangle with Ann’s Grove A potentially mouth watering double header is set for the Grove Playfield this evening when the Stag Super XV1 knock-out football tournament continues with action on day two. Already off to a flying start following play at the #5 ground West Coast Berbice on Sunday last, fans can look forward to another day of pulsating rivalry. The four teams on show today in an East Coast against East Bank match-up will be seeking to join Monedderlust and Cougars in the quarter finals, the two teams coming out victorious after Sunday’s action. The feature game this evening will see the East
Banks #1 side, Grove Hi Tech led by Captain Domini Garnett taking on East Coast’s BV Triumph United. The prolific forward who ended the East Bank Football Association Stag Beer sponsored first division league as the leading scorer will be hoping to transfer his form to this competition and take care of business in their first game. Support will come from the likes of Trevor Jones, Clive Matthews Jr., Lloyd Matthews, Wayne Andries, Devon Joseph, Rondell Alleyne (goalkeeper) Dexter Archer, Denzel Crawford and Marvin Squires among others. BV Triumph United’s charge for victory will be led
Part of the crowd at the #5 ground, West Coast Berbice on Sunday last. by the elder statesman and left footed Delroy Deen whose exploits are known. Like Grove Hi Tech, the BV team does not feature big names but their players can be destructive on the day if they have their way. Back up foe Deen will be in the form of Deshane Garnett, Shemar Fraser, Paul Kingston, Compton Cudjoe, Jamil and Jomaul Murray, Michael Williams, Yonel Price
and Jamal December. The opening game at 18:00hrs will see the East Bank’s second seeded team, Agricola Red Triangle coming up against Ann’s Grove. Neither team knows much about the other and will therefore not be taking each other for granted. The more assertive of the two teams will likely move on when the dust is settled this evening. Both teams are
village based and their supporters are expected to be out in numbers to support and urge them on. Combining for Ann’s Grove will be Kevon Barry, Nickose Denny, Quincy Johnson, Antonio Jackson, Maxton Adams, Jamin Rogers, Levon Adams, Steve Francis, Gregory Doris, Dwayne Duke, Mervin Hardy and Travis Allen. At the helm of the
Agricola attack will be their leading and inspirational scorer Gordon Grant who will find able support in Kacy John, Lumumba Hinds, Travis Welch, Winston Rawlins, Daniel Angoy, Yohance Roberts, Marlon Clarke, Collis Samuels, Jermaine Frank and Devon Jeffers. Only two of the four teams on display today will be empowered to move on to the quarter finals.
GDF triumph 5-2 over Flamingo FC; Pele FC dominate Black Pearl 4-0 On a chilly night and with the Atlantic breeze wafting across the venue, the Guyana Defense Force continued to stake a place for championship honours with a 5-2 drubbing over Flamingo FC in the feature game when the GFA/Banks Cup Round Robin knock-out tournament continued at the GDF Ground, Thomaslands, on Wednesday evening. Pele FC was also in winners’ row and dominated Black Pearl 4-0 in the supporting game. Kirwin Benjamin (29:70), Jumane Sommerset (30) and Godfrey Powers (52) were the architects of Pele’s victory while the GDF prevailed through doubles from Desford Williams (39, 52), and Delwin Fraser (22, 90+2) with support from Eusi Phillips (20). To their credit, Flamingo did put up a fight through strikes from Orlando Rickett (53) and Ryan October (68) but in the end their efforts proved to be inconsequential. Known for their aggressive and attacking style, the soldiers who had defeated Black Pearl 3-1 late last week, approached the early stages of the match in similar vein
but with fresh legs in their favour, Flamingo’s players managed to keep them at bay with clever ball distribution. The soldiers continued to attack and were rewarded when Phillips broke past the opposition’s defense before pasting their goalie. The success seemed to have buoyed their spirits and the soldiers struck again two minutes later, compliments of an enterprising run by Fraser down the centre of the field. The soldiers then resorted to their forceful brand of football and Williams extended their lead after performing a solo, evading all and sundry before tapping in an easy shot. The soldiers pressed on at the start of the second session and Trevon Thomas saved the day for Flamingo when he held on to an especially stinging shot from Williams but in the end it boiled down to naught after the very player replicated the shot shortly afterwards, this time successfully. Flamingo’s response was almost immediate after Rickett took matters into his own hands and steered the ball to the GDF goal before unleashing a thunder kick that narrowed the score a mite. The game became physical as the players of both teams intensified their efforts and a ferocious
collision resulted in Mark Jhalu (GDF) and Dwayne Layne (Flamingo) sustaining injuries that necessitated medical attention as the blood spurted from a wound on the former player’s face while the latter also suffered injury. The soldiers then upped the ante, systematically applying the pressure and when Williams weaved his way to Flamingo’s goal, it looked like a sure goal; the goal keeper, Trevon Thomas courageously threw himself forward, effectively denying the soldiers. Ryan October then added salt to the soldier’s wound when he sprinted down the field and sent in a thunder kick that settled aback the Army’s network even before their ‘keeper’ could have moved. Thereafter, Flamingo attacked with renewed vigor, bent on bringing the situation back to equilibrium but Fraser dented their confidence with a spirited run past their defense in the 89th minute and repeated the feat three minutes later to deflate Flamingo’s hopes and seal his team’s victory. The loss to Pele has pushed Black Pearl further out of contention after they would have suffered an earlier loss to the GDF (3-1). That team comprised mostly of young, untested players and the
The architects of the GDF victory from left, Eusi Phillips, Desford Williams and Delwyn Fraser.
bright spot was their ‘keeper, veteran Andrew ‘Docker’ Bright who, on many occasions, had to fill the defensive void after his players were found wanting. On some occasions, the wily ‘keeper’ was forced to advance way out of the ‘box’ to avert disaster and confine the total to those 3 goals at the intermission. In the end, his herculean efforts
dwindled to naught as Pele dug in and stamped its superiority. The players rested yesterday but activities resume this afternoon with a potentially scorching double header; Alpha returns, after disposing of Northern Rangers 13-0, to oppose the Guyana Police Force at the Tucville Ground while Blackwater and Northern
Rangers clash in the opening fixture. Tomorrow evening, Houston Stars FC will oppose GFC, just before Western Tigers clash with Fruta Conquerors FC at the GDF ground. Activities then return to the Tucville Ground on Sunday when Beacon FC play Camptown FC just before Riddim Squad take on Santos FC.
Friday December 19, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Cavaliers Sports and Tour Club to host 10k Race Walk on Sunday
J
unior race walkers throughout Guyana will match steps on Sunday when the Cavaliers Sports and Tour Club (CSTC) stages a 10k event around Soesdyke East Bank Demerara. The race will commence at 06:30hrs at Calvin Gilkes’ residence, Back Road and proceed around the community before culminating at the place of origin. The Guyana Tourism Authority along with the Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Norman Whittaker has donated trophies for the event while Nigel’s Supermarket will provide water for the participants. At 13:00hrs the club will host its Annual
Children’s Christmas social at the said venue. Meanwhile, Public Service Minister, Dr. Jennifer Westford MP, Managing Director of Modern Optical Services Dr. Jose da Silva, Founder of the Cavaliers Sports and Tour Club, the late Olga Harry and Kaieteur News Sports Journalist Michael Benjamin came in for high praise from a United States based Race Walk Foundation for their sterling contribution towards the growth of the sport in Guyana. Coordinator of the Club Jennifer Major said that officials from the US Foundation will visit Guyana next year to meet with members of the CSTC and other individuals.
Junior Race Walkers in action during a recent competition.
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Kaieteur News
Friday December 19, 2014
Kevin Dinanauth wins Macorp Caddy tournament
T
he long awaited Macorp Caddy Tournament of the Lusignan Golf Club (normally played shortly after the Guyana Open and Macorp Classic) was run off on Sunday last
with Kevin Dinanauth emerging as the champion with a Best Gross of 83. Scores to determine other winners in the Senior category were based on the Best Net count, first was Ivor Laudin 79(/5), second Kevin
Dinanauth 80(/3), and third, Robin Tiwari 81(/5). Nearest to The Pin was won by Harrycharan Danai. In the Junior category (played only over 9 holes), first was Jamal Mohamad with a gross of 51 and second
Outstanding Macorp players from left to right, Robin Tiwari, Roy Cummings, Ivor Laudin, Kevin Dinanauth, Vicky Baldeo (junior in red jersey) then Harrycharan Danai, Jamal Mohamed and Macorp’s representative. Vicky Baldeo with gross 53. Caddy Manager Mr. Roy Cummings expressed appreciation on behalf of the Lusignan Golf Club for the continued annual support of
Macorp in sponsorship of both the members’ tournament and the caddies’ tournament. I n r e p l y, M a c o r p ’s representative standing in for Mr. Damien Lewis,
M a r k e t i n g M a n a g e r, congratulated the winners of the day’s competition and indicated that Macorp was happy to continue contributing to golfing in Guyana.
Friday December 19, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 43
DDL backs KMTC Boxing Day Meet through Roopnarine Matadial on 325 3192, Ivan
DDL Five O Brand Manager Maria Munroe presents the trophy to KMTC President Cecil Kennard.
T
he Kennard Memorial Turf Club (KMTC) received the backing of Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) under its Five 0 brand for the staging of its Boxing Day Meet which will be held at Bush Lot Farm Corentyne, Berbice. Five O Brand Manager Maria Munroe yesterday handed over the first place trophy and an undisclosed sum for the F 1 and Lower race which carries a top prize of $320,000, to KMTC President Cecil Kennard. DDL’s funding covers an extensive amount for the event. Speaking at the simple ceremony which took place a t K e n n a r d ’s o f f i c e , Brickdam, Munroe stated that they are happy to be associated with the event once again. “The company has been supporting this event for over 35 years, we are impressed with the work they have been doing and we will continue to support this Meet,” she added. Munroe explained that this is their way of giving back to the society. Kennard expressed gratitude to the sponsors and said that he looks forward to
their continued support. “Over the years we have enjoyed a good relationship with DDL through its various brands,” Kennard pointed out. He informed that despite some showers, the turf remains in excellent shape adding that fans can expect some exciting races. Registration closes on December 20 and no late entries will be accepted. Horses can be entered
Dipnarine on 331 0316, Cecil Kennard on 623 7609,
225 4818 or 226 1399, Dennis DeRoop on 325 3301
or 609 9143 and Fazil Habibula on 657 7010.
t r o Sp MOH / HEALTH 2000INC / MOE / ANSA MCAL GIRLS SCHOOLS FOOTBALL…
Representative of the Ministry of Health Dr. Ertenisia Hamilton presents the winning trophy to Captain of Stella Maris in the presence of teammates yesterday.
Van Zyl maiden ton and Amla double sink Windies Stiaan van Zyl soaks up his debut Test hundred. (AFP)
MACKESON CROWNS
‘King of the Rim’ tonight 3X3 BASKETBALL TOURNEY CULMINATES WITH EPIC SHOWDOWN
Stella Maris outlasts St. Stephen’s for Girls Pee Wee title
GDF triumph 5-2 over Flamingo; Pele dominate Black Pearl 4-0
Grove Hi Tech face BV Triumph; Agricola tangle with Ann’s Grove
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