Kaieteur News

Saturday December 20, 2014

Kaieteur News

Where your views make the news

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Letters... Where your views make the news

The Jagdeo/Ramotar regime is ten times worse than the Burnham/Hoyte Govt. DEAR EDITOR, Guyanese from all walks of life continue to be frustrated with their poor economic and financial plight, because for more than 22 years since the PPP came to power, economic and human development has always taken a back seat to the political ascendency of the dinosaurs at Freedom House. In the process, they continue to alienate the poor and the working class, who are vital to the development of the nation’s next generation of productive forces, as the middle class professionals continue to abandon the shores of Guyana in droves for a better life in the Caribbean and North America. No one wants to live in a city engulfed in filth, a country riddled with crime and immersed in corruption, and a dictatorial regime that is vindictive and wicked. Simply put, the most qualified have abandoned Guyana thus making a failed state under an

uncaring and an untrustworthy PPP regime. It started under the PNC regime, where according to the Jamaican academic Trevor A. Campbell, “....large numbers of technical and administrative cadres were forces to flee Guyana, sometimes for the sole reason that they refused to pay homage to Burnham”. Today, this migration pattern is at the highest level as the Jagdeo/ Ramotar regime continues to marginalize a large section of the population and victimizes those who oppose their blatant corrupt practices. The people’s frustration is compounded by the confused messages, distortions and untruths coming from the Freedom House gang, but the people have made it quite clear that the PPP has to go, because of the financial skullduggery they have been practicing over the last decade, which is significantly worse than what the PNC did. Yes, the PNC wasted much of the taxpayers’ money, but

what we have observed over the last decade is that the Jagdeo/Ramotar regime has squandered the taxpayers’ money on ill-conceived projects, and have used tens of billions of dollars of state funds to buy votes, build palaces for themselves, quadrupled their overseas bank accounts and enriched their relatives and friends. They have also stolen the best beachfront lands for themselves and have pawned the state forests to foreign friends in return for kickbacks. So we are telling the people not to be mystified by the kleptocrats who continue their wicked acts of oppression. They have no credibility and the people no longer have trust and confidence in them. The Jagdeo/Ramotar regime is ten times worse than the Burnham/Hoyte Government. Twenty-two years of cruel, primitive and dictatorial rule by the PPP will end very soon. Asquith Rose and Harish Singh

DEAR EDITOR, The Administration’s annual bonus salary for police and other members of the Joint Services is most disappointing. While the gesture by the President is well-intended, the manner in which it is done annually leaves much to be desired as well as numerous unanswered questions, like why does the administration only see it necessary to reward one section of the public service over others. I am sure the police are hardworking people throughout the year, notwithstanding the numerous complaints and allegations of the use of brute force and ignorance against the citizenry; cases of bribery and injustice, as well as poor investigative methods and sloppy work in the judicial system. Many of these allegations turn out to be very true. But if one were to measure the performance of the police in 2014, it was miserable to say

the least. Unsolved murders; failure to prosecute cases in a manner worthy of the course of justice; unprofessional conduct by these persons etc., surely cannot merit such across-theboard rewards. This is the same batch of workers who harass motorists and drivers on the road as well as hide in bus- sheds and other public spaces with radar guns against ‘selected’ drivers. There is no award incentive for teachers or nurses, but an elaborate ceremony for Best Police and

such like. An administration, in administrating, must never show favour over (very hardworking and dedicated) members of other sections of the (public) workforce. It is a sign of bad management. Preferential treatment of the police over teachers, nurses and other very hardworking public servants who keep the ball rolling, so to speak, in the administration of their duties, is very sad indeed. What is this saying to the other classes of workers? Leon Suseran

What is this saying to the other classes of workers?

Let’s support our not-soobvious entrepreneurs DEAR EDITOR, One of the issues that has been on my mind for more than a couple of months is our perception of the vendors who crowd our pavements and ‘walk and sell’ in Georgetown and around the country. This is significant because this section of society, by a head count, probably numbers in the tens of thousands, including their immediate dependents. I bring this up because these are people, some with histories going back into the eighties, who have opted to pursue this very often thankless means of earning a living, being unable to secure jobs in both the public and private sectors that could adequately support their families. Society has seen run-ins between businesses and private citizens using the pavements and public thoroughfare, over the unfair manner they occupy storefronts and leave very little room for passers-by. The general conclusion and response has been humanitarian, this being that these people would not be doing what they were doing if they had realistic alternatives. And this brings me around to my point of

whether or not to buy from these people. Having considered the general inconveniences of their trade, and until both the public and private sectors can provide living wages for these people, I would like to encourage us all to reflect on the positions with which these individuals are confronted, take stock of their hardened desire to earn as honest a dollar as they can, and support them. Whatever circumstances might have caused them to take up their chosen means of earning a living, I am sure we all agree that it’s not something that any of us would care to find ourselves getting caught doing. Especially also, these vendors who we see just face to face more often than not as civil offenders, have children and dependents looking forward to them to bring home bread, food and all the other basic needs of a family. With special regard to the food vendors, I am fully aware of previous issues with regard to food poisoning and the use of water from our pipes to make local drinks, etc., but I would like us to consider that with the now easy access to clean drinking water from our network of water distributors, the risks have been

significantly reduced. Also, given that many of the local drinks sold are made with fruits versus artificial flavouring, these are generally more nutritious as a source of vitamins and fibre. I would therefore also like us to take a gentler approach to these people, and to the extent that their products are not offensive, lend them as much support as possible. In addition, supporting the children and dependents of vendors, purchasing goods from them, also benefits up-the-line wholesalers and the vendors themselves, in the latter instance being a source of capital accumulation that will very probably facilitate them building their businesses either through direct construction or renting more appropriate facilities from which to conduct their business. Our vendors are our notso-obvious entrepreneurs who we could do well to lend greater support. So as we get in to the Christmas Season this year and through our daily shopping routine in future, let us give a thought for the children and dependents of our vendors, and give them a leg up in life. Craig Sylvester

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Kaieteur News

Saturday December 20, 2014

Pres. Ramotar Presidency has been a complete failure - Granger By Kiana Wilburg After assessing the performance of President Donald Ramotar ’s administration for the past three years, Opposition Leader, David Granger unequivocally concluded that the government has been nothing but a complete failure. The Leader of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), made this statement to members of the media yesterday at his end-of-theyear press conference, which was held at the Herdmanston Lodge, 65 Anira Street, Queenstown, Georgetown. Granger asserted that Ramotar, in a friendly review of his tenure conducted by the Government Information Agency (GINA) on December 12, described his three year tenure of office as ‘mixed’. The politician reminded that Ramotar was sworn in on December 5, 2011, but opined

that the reality is that his Presidency is worse than ‘mixed’ for it has simply failed in its most vital aspects. He cited some of these as democratic governance, public security, youth strategy, control of public finance, public health strategy and infrastructural plans. Granger said that President Ramotar will be forever remembered as the one who inflicted the greatest damage on parliamentary democracy by his November 10 th , prorogation of the Parliament. He reminded that Guyana’s National Assembly has not met to discuss the people’s business for five months. Granger remarked that the outrageous prorogation of Parliament was Ramotar’s way of avoiding debate on his own performance and that of his cabinet. He has failed, moreover, to conduct the prescribed periodic Local Government Elections provided for and protected by the Constitution, the Opposition Leader said. Granger then pointed to

Opposition Leader, David Granger

President Donald Ramotar

what he described as a failed public security strategy in which he pointed out that Ramotar and his Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee have neglected to make Guyana safe for citizens and investors. He said that the combination of corruption, cronyism and other crimes has taken a toll on the quality of life. The APNU Leader said that the number of armed robberies is increasing. Banditry in the hinterland, maritime piracy along the coastland, fuel smuggling, gun-running, contraband and suicides, Granger said, continue to propel a high rate of emigration to safer countries. With regard to youth strategy, he said that Ramotar has no plan for providing jobs

for thousands of young people who leave school each year, and that unemployment is the central issue affecting young people. The Opposition Leader also said that Ramotar’s Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Frank Anthony, has been unable to produce a comprehensive National Youth Strategy in the eight years that he has occupied that post. The politician also commented on the failed control of public finance by Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh who he reminded had to be referred to the Committee of Privileges twice this year, because he refused to comply with rules of the National Assembly. He mentioned that

Resolution 15 was passed in the House which required Dr. Singh to lay a report on all extra-budgetary agencies, including the Guyana Development (Lotto) Fund and that of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission. He highlighted too, that it also directed that the Finance Minister pay all monies being held by those agencies into the Consolidated Fund but this is yet to be done. Granger then commented on what he deemed to be a failed public health strategy. On this front, he said that the Minister of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran has failed to implement a comprehensive pubic primary health care plan. He noted that the country is still frightened by recurrent reports of outbreaks of the Chikungunya disease, and that the persistence of other vector-borne diseases such as dengue, filaria and malaria remain a threat to public health. As for the public infrastructure plan, he said this leaves much to be desired and the public works sector performance has earned an “F” grade. Granger informed the media that President Ramotar inherited a bundle of flawed public infrastructure projects from his predecessor, Bharrat Jagdeo. “He had no strategy of his own and failed to record a single success. The contract to construct the road to the Amaila Falls Hydro project had to be withdrawn from Synergy Holdings. The Atlantic Hotels Inc project, popularly referred to as the Marriott Hotel project is still mired in controversy. The Cheddi Jagan International Airport extension project faces challenges as a result of poor planning on the part

of the Government. The 560km Fibre Optic Cable Project managed by the President’s son, Alexei Ramotar is in jeopardy. The contract for the Specialty Surgical Hospital awarded to Surendra Engineering Corporation Limited has to be terminated on grounds of fraud and non-compliance,” Granger lamented. On that note, the Opposition Leader reminded of another report by GINA which quoted Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon as saying that the government has not been able to achieve the objectives of the prorogation. But that is an understatement, Granger opined. He said that Ramotar has not been able to achieve any meaningful objectives on anything, be it in democratic governance, economic development, human safety and social cohesion. The politician concluded that the Donald Ramotar Presidency has failed. Granger’s comments were strongly supported and reiterated by APNU General Secretary, Joseph Harmon. Even as he criticized the Government, the Opposition Leader was asked to describe his coalition’s performance in the National Assembly. “Excellent, pass, splendid, magnificent…” Granger remarked promptly. Asked also if he could back up his grades with evidence that his coalition tried to stop those things for which the government ‘got an F grade,’ Granger said that his coalition has worked tirelessly to halt many of the abuses of the state resources, has increased the level of scrutiny and continues to struggle to ensure Guyanese have a better life.

Saturday December 20, 2014

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Saturday December 20, 2014

OBAMA vows U.S. response to North Korea over Sony cyber attack (Reuters) - President Barack Obama vowed yesterday to respond to a devastating cyber attack on Sony Pictures that he blamed on North Korea, and scolded the Hollywood studio for caving in to what he described as a dictator trying to impose censorship in America. Obama said the cyber attack caused a lot of damage to Sony but that the company should not have let itself be intimidated into halting the public release of “The Interview,” a lampoon portraying the assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. “We will respond,” Obama told an end-of-year news conference. “We’ll respond proportionally, and we’ll respond in a place and time and manner that we choose.” Earlier, the Federal Bureau of Investigation announced that investigators had determined that North Korea was behind the hacking of Sony, saying Pyongyang’s actions fell “outside the bounds of acceptable state behavior.” Obama said North Korea appeared to have acted alone.

Washington began consultations with Japan, China, South Korea and Russia seeking their assistance in reining in North Korea’s cyber activities. It was the first time the United States had directly accused another country of a cyber attack of such magnitude on American soil and set up a possible new confrontation between longtime foes Washington and Pyongyang. The destructive nature of the attack, and threats from the hackers that led the Hollywood studio to pull the movie, set it apart from previous cyber intrusions, the FBI said. A North Korean diplomat at the United Nations in New York said Pyongyang had nothing to do with the cyber attack. “DPRK (North Korea) is not part of this,” the diplomat told Reuters on condition of anonymity. Obama said he wished that Sony had spoken to him first before yanking the movie, suggesting it could set a bad precedent. “I think they made a mistake,” he said. “We cannot have a society in which some

dictator someplace can start imposing censorship here in the United States,” he said. “Because if somebody is able to intimidate folks out of releasing a satirical movie, imagine what they start doing when they see a documentary that they don’t like, or news reports that they don’t like.” But Sony Pictures Entertainment chief executive and chairman Michael Lynton insisted that the company did not “give in” to hackers, saying such perceptions were mistaken. “We experienced the worst cyber attack in American history,” he told CNN. “We have not caved, we have not given in, we have persevered and we have not backed down,” Lynton said. “We have always had every desire to have the American public see this movie.” OBAMA’S OPTIONS Despite Obama’s stern warning to North Korea, his options for responding to the computer attack by the impoverished state appeared limited. The president declined to be specific about any actions under consideration. North Korea has been subject to U.S. sanctions for more than 50 years, but they have had little effect on its human rights policies or its development of nuclear weapons. It has become expert in hiding its often criminal money-raising activities, largely avoiding traditional banks. The FBI said technical analysis of malware used in the Sony attack found links to malware that “North Korean actors” had developed and found a “significant overlap” with “other malicious cyber activity” previously tied to Pyongyang. But it otherwise gave scant details on how it concluded that North Korea was behind the attack.

Saturday December 20, 2014

Kaieteur News

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APNU SHOULD GIVE IN TO THE DEMANDS OF THE AFC It is time for the opposition parties to stop calling on Donald Ramotar to do this and to do that. It’s time for the opposition parties to stop demanding things from the government. Nothing is going to change under the Ramotar administration. The opposition parties should cease all their demands and protests. It is a waste of time. The government is not listening. The government is also not changing course. It is stuck with the discredited agenda of the Jagdeo presidency and quite absurdly, continues to plug for the building of a hydroelectric project at Amaila even though that entire project now needs to be renegotiated and reexamined given the collapse of global oil prices. The government is

appearing very foolish when instead of using the opportunity of the precipitous decline in oil prices to seek a new deal on this project; it is going ahead with the same blueprint. This demonstrates a robotic approach to government of the country. The opposition parties have made some suggestions but they are wasting their time. The government is not interested in shared governance; it is not interested in political cooperation and it certainly is not prepared to consider alternatives to the raft of discredited projects initiated under the Jagdeo administration. The only way that change is going to come about is through the ballot box. The only way that things are going to change is if the

government is voted out of power at the next elections. So the opposition parties should concentrate their energies on winning the next election. This is going to be a monumental task but no one predicted that the PPP would be a minority government. So therefore, with the right campaign, the right alliance and the right leadership heading an opposition alliance, the PPP stands a chance- a slim chance- of being defeated. The AFC has a good strategy. It know that if it goes into the election as a junior member of an opposition alliance, that the party will lose a great many votes because the disenfranchised supporters of the PPP will once again become insecure fearing a PNCR presidency. Look, there are many

Dem boys seh...

Ministah wife fart in big shot store This country got some people who got so much money that dem looking fuh ways to spend it. De other day, Babbie go to a mall in New York and buy a pair of shoes fuh $3,000. Jagdeo like suit. He woulda have to pay between US$8,000 and US$20,000 fuh one suit because that is de price fuh de suit that he like to wear. Some of dem love jewellery –exotic and gorgeous looking jewellery. De other day one of dem Minister wife go to London and she go in Harrods, a big name store. She look around and, see a beautiful diamond bracelet and walks over to inspect it. When she bend down to see it more closely, a fart ring out loud and clear. She and all jump. Very embarrassed she look round fuh see if anybody hear and she pray no salesperson

been behind she. As she tun round, she had she worse nightmare. A salesman standing right behind she. He show all de qualities of salesman who qualified fuh wuk in a store like Harrods. He bow to de Minister wife and smile. “Good day Ma’am. How may I help you today?” Blushing and hoping that de salesman didn’t hear she fart, she ask, “What is de price of this lovely bracelet?” He tun and tell she, “Madam, if you faating just looking at it—you gun sh**t youself when I tell you de price.” She tun and tell de salesman, “You know who I am? I am a Government Ministah wife from Guyana.” Talk half and watch how de money spending overseas.

supporters of the PPP who are disgusted with the government. They are bewildered by what is taking place under the Donald Ramotar administration. But the least thing these supporters want is for the PNCR to take over the Presidency. This drives real fear in supporters of the PPP because they remember clearly what the PNC reduced this country to. They remember State terrorism under the PNC and how bribery and corruption became institutionalized under the PNC. They remember, also, the starvation and humiliation faced by people who were being denied basic necessities. As much, therefore, there are many PPP supporters who wish to see the back of

the PPP, they do not want to see APNU or the PNCR hold the presidency which is the most powerful position in the country. It is for this reason that APNU has to seriously consider the AFC’s demand to lead a pro-democracy. If the AFC is at the head of that alliance, then the next President will come from the AFC and the disgruntled PPP

supporters will be more willing to support an opposition alliance headed by the AFC.

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Kaieteur News

Saturday December 20, 2014

=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

Christopher Ram said to write it; I’m writing it The Working People’s Alliance held a symposium on the prorogation of Parliament at the National Library last Thursday afternoon. Afterwards, Christopher Ram, Dr. David Hinds and I went to get a snack at the Banks DIH outlet at Main and Quamina Streets, also named Arapaima; about two minutes walk from the National Library. We will come to what Christopher Ram saw and what got him angry. Before the symposium was over, Keith Scott of APNU had to leave so I accompanied him to his vehicle, parked outside the Ministry of Sports and Culture. As we approached Keith’s car, I heard a strange sound coming from the Ministry, and I moved closer

to investigate. A ruptured pipe was spilling water into the air like a fountain and had flooded the southern bridge of the Ministry. Surely, Ministry officials had to see this including the Minister because it was virtually a couple of yards away from where his driver would put him off in the compound when he reports for work. Keith and I went to see senior officials of the Ministry to inform them. Keith went to his car, and I walked back to the National Library. Two persons came up and informed me that the spill was going on since Wednesday and that the Minister, Frank Anthony and his Parliamentary Secretary (not Permanent Secretary), Steve

Ninvalle, were aware of it. Precious water is being wasted and there is no guarantee that the Ministry would inform GWI the next day. If a Minister and his Deputy could ignore such a calamity, why should we expect John Public to act differently? Back to Christopher Ram. While having our snack, Chris went to the washroom. He came back with anger on his face. He told us that the faucet wasn’t working, meaning that there was no water running through the taps. I made some critical comments about the decline in the service Banks DIH offers, and Chris said; “Write about this one.” Well here it is, I am writing about it.

I have lost my respect for Banks DIH. A few weeks ago, I penned two columns on this company’s poor service. One had to do with the fading ink that they use to stamp the flavour of the ice cream on the container. And they put the name of the flavour on the lid of the cover not the face of the cover. In its frozen state, you cannot tell what the flavour of the ice cream is because it was rubbed off by the water. Banks DIH only gives you a large plastic bag if you buy two loaves of bread which cost $560. It doesn’t matter how much the pastries cost once it is not bread they will not give you a plastic bag. Thousands, not hundreds but thousands of patrons use the Brickdam located service

of DEMICO named IDIHO on a daily basis. It has one male and one female washroom. Michael Carrington and Leonard Craig have lamented this deplorability more times than I can count. As recent as two weeks ago both of them suggested that I write about it. Well here I am, writing about it. If Chris Ram thinks the washroom facilities at Arapaima is bad, he should go to the International Convention Centre. I was there on Wednesday at the confabulation on civil society. I had to use the washroom. It is sad what that brand new structure has become. The washrooms are deteriorating badly. The building itself is deteriorating. I am convinced that there is no maintenance work taking place at the Centre. Tiles are broken, walls are dirty, the steps are in an unkempt state and the total ambience reeks of abandonment. But the decline is easy to understand. The Convention Centre is now used for weddings, engagements, birthdays and funeral services. I live next door to the Centre. From my study window, I can see the

Frederick Kissoon bacchanalian revelries that take place there constantly. This obviously explains the decrepit state of the building. If you have no maintenance programme and drunk people destroy the washrooms, then commonsense will tell you that the building will crumble. Everywhere in this country you see the state of primitiveness. I am typing this column on Friday morning and since Thursday evening we have had continuous blackouts. I went to see Shakespeare at the National Cultural Centre a few weeks ago and the chair in which I was sitting, the leatherette was torn, there was a big hole and a metal object was piercing my backside. I wonder how Mr. Jagdeo would have felt in that situation knowing he was the President in charge of Guyana.

Saturday December 20, 2014

Kaieteur News

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Exec Jet Club closes Florida operations OCALA, Florida (gainesville.com)- A charter airline and aircraft maintenance company based in Gainesville and serving Ocala, has closed its doors nearly a month after federal authorities arrested its CEO in Puerto Rico, with more than $600,000 in undeclared cash aboard a private plane. Exec Jet Club is not conducting any operations at Gainesville Regional Airport but does have at least one employee at the Gainesville location, Laura Aguiar, the airport’s public relations and governmental affairs manager, said on Thursday. Aguiar said Exec Jet Club is still the legal lease holder on its hangar and is up to date in its rent. “There is a subtenant using a portion of the hangar,” she wrote in an email. “The airport’s attorneys

are reviewing the lease to determine potential impacts regarding the subtenant and the building’s owner, which is RD Air. We are waiting to hear more from Exec Jet Club regarding future plans.” Exec Jet Club also had an operation at Ocala International Airport. “It was almost entirely the maintenance component,” said Matt Grow, airport director. “They didn’t run any of their charters out of Ocala. At least, I’ve never seen them do it. Most of those charters were run out of Gainesville Airport.” Grow said Landmark Aviation, Exec Jet Club’s landlord in Ocala, notified him that the company shut its doors. “One of (Exec Jet Club’s) employees, who’s been on the airport for quite a while, is basically taking over the

maintenance operation on a month-to-month basis until we can figure out exactly what we want to do,” Grow said. Khamraj ‘Kem’ Lall, CEO and head of operations for Exec Jet Club, was arrested after customs officials allegedly found $620,000 inside plastic bags, a blanket and garbage bags aboard a private plane that landed in Isla Verde, Puerto Rico, on November 22. Federal law requires the declaration of sums of money aboard aircraft exceeding $10,000 and allegedly, Lall first told federal officials he had $5,000. Initially charged with smuggling bulk cash, Lall was later indicted by a grand jury and is facing seizure of his properties in the US and in Guyana, if prosecutors have their way. On Thursday, a man

An accident yesterday morning at Eight Miles Mabura Road has left two young men dead and three others injured. According to reports, the accident occurred after the truck GRR 9317, owned by one Sohan Bipta of Nandy Park, suffered a blow out. The two dead men, who are yet to be identified, were reportedly sitting on the logs that the truck was carrying. After the blowout, the men were thrown off when the truck tilted. The men were

pinned by some logs. They were transported to the Linden Hospital Complex, where they were pronounced dead on arrival. The driver of the truck, 25year-old Andy Ramsawack, of Block 10 Diamond and two others, Jermaine La Cruz and the owner Sohan Bipta, were also rushed to the Linden Hospital. They were treated and subsequently transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital. Several relatives of the injured men travelled to

Linden upon learning of the accident. They were however tightlipped and only ventured to say that the dead men were picked up along the route, after begging for a “lift”. “Dem boys didn’t want carry them, but they begged, saying that they had no money, and needed to go home. “But dem boys didn’t even know them; they just sorry for dem after they said that they had no money,” one relative of the injured said.

Two dead after truck overturns on Mabura Road

Rotten GPL pole fell with worker The GPL electrification programme in Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam on Wednesday, hit a snag when a rotten GPL pole fell injuring a worker. Kaieteur News understands that around 16:30 hrs on Wednesday the workers attached to the Guyana Power and Light Corporation were in the process of attaching electricity lines to houses in the area. The workers were told to

push on with the electrification programme, since the government had promised the people electricity before the Christmas holidays. The worker, Kegan Thompson, was a part of a crew that has been tasked with finishing the work at all cost. It is understood that the workers were asked to climb a rotten post to attach the line to a house in the area, when the post snapped and fell shattering a fence. The worker

who was clinging to the post came down with the wood work. He suffered serious injuries to his body including a broken arm. He was picked up and taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital and later referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. It is understood that the workers had expressed some concern about the state of the posts and wiring in the area, but were instructed to continue working.

Charged with smuggling cash: Guyanese pilot, Khamraj Lall The maintenance facilities of Exec Jet Club in Gainesville, Florida. answered the number listed for Exec Jet Club in Gainesville, not with the name of the business but with “hello.” When asked if it was the correct number for the company he replied, “Yes it is.” When asked about the status of Exec Jet Club, the man replied “No comment on that. Can’t speak to the newspaper. Thank you.” According to the Exec Jet Club website, Lall is a Guyanese businessman and pilot who came to the U.S. 30 years ago. In addition to its operations at Gainesville and

Ocala, Exec Jet Club also operated out of Cheddi Jagan International Airport in Timehri, Guyana. Officials at Exec Jet Club’s Guyana location did not respond to a request for comment on the status of its operations. Lall’s arrest has sparked a political firestorm in Guyana. President Donald Ramotar had used Exec Jet Club three times for state visits. The company, which also operates a limousine service and has a hangar facility at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, controls

Kaylee’s gas station at Coverden, a few miles away. Back in Florida, Grow, of Ocala International Airport, said he contacted the city attorney as soon as he heard of Lall’s arrest. “I didn’t want them on the airport,” he said. “I didn’t want to have any part of it. We were looking for ways to terminate this agreement, but he saved us attorney’s fees and headaches when he did it for us,” Grow said. “I’m glad that we’re moving beyond that and have the opportunity to do something different and, hopefully, better.”

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Porter crushed to death in UNAMCO trail mishap -family skeptical about report Relatives of a 32-year-old porter are skeptical about reports of the circumstances surrounding his death on the UNAMCO trail, Berbice River, last Thursday. Police state that Calvin France, of Lot 117, Sideline Dam, Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara, was crushed after tumbling from a lumberladen trailer, which was being hauled by a truck. According to a police source, France, a father of three, was sitting in the trailer, which was laden with ‘form boards’, when the trailer entered a rut on the UNAMCO trail. France reportedly tumbled

from the trailer and one of the wheels crushed him. But close relatives of the victim said that they have also received reports that France was injured in an altercation with another man who was on the vehicle. A relative, who viewed his body at the Lyken Funeral Parlour yesterday, said that France’s left arm and leg were broken, and that there was the imprint of a tyre on his stomach. However, the relative claimed that it did not appear as if he had been crushed and that she saw no other injuries. The relative also questioned the fact that

Calvin France another porter who was allegedly on the trailer was not injured. France is survived by his three children, aged 12, four and two.

Inmate faces jail for cocaine possession Drugs in Prison…

A prisoner, remanded on Wednesday in connection with an $8.9M burglary, appeared in court again yesterday. This time, Darren Schultz, was accused of having drugs in the Georgetown Prisons. Schultz was reportedly nabbed by prison warders, moments after he returned to the facility from a court hearing. Yesterday, Schultz appeared before Magistrate Ann McLennan at the

Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and pleaded not guilty to possession of narcotics charge. It is alleged that on Wednesday, last, at Camp Street Prison, Georgetown, Schultz had two grammes of cocaine in his possession. His lawyer, Konyo Sandiford Thompson, made a bail application for him. According to the Attorney, her client borrowed a pair of pants from an acquaintance in Linden to

wear to Court. She said that after his court appearance he was taken to the Camp Street facility where a search was conducted and the illicit substance was found in the pants pocket. Her application was opposed to by Police Prosecutor, Corporal Deniro Jones, who cited the nature, gravity and penalty the offence attracts. In his objections, Jones also informed the Court that the acquaintance did not confirm ownership of the p a n t s . The Magistrate ordered that Schultz be sent back to prison pending his trial. He will make his next Court appearance on January 7, next year, before Magistrate Fabayo Azore.

Saturday December 20, 2014

Sectoral performances…

Failing to give youth hope is Ramotar’s major failure - Granger Opposition Leader, David Granger, has said that the biggest failure of the Donald Ramotar presidency is Ramotar’s inability to give young Guyanese hope. Ranking as the second most worrying failure of the current administration in Granger’s estimation is the continuous degeneration of public security systems. Granger was at the time, responding to a question, at the coalition’s end of year press conference. He was asked to say which sector performed the worst based on his observations and which ministerial division, at least, made some commendable efforts to clean up its act. “Well that is a hard choice. There are so many failures but which is the worst? My view is that it would be the failure to give the youth hope. They are our future; Ramotar’s failure to give youth hope through the education system and job creation is probably the most serious of all of his failures. The young people who should be taking over this country have been migrating in droves, he said, and they have had little to look forward to from the People’s Progressive Party in terms of educational opportunities and jobs,” the Opposition leader explained. He added that ranking second would be “the question of human safety.” “People feel unsafe in this country. Children on streets are being hit down by motorcars; there is domestic

Opposition Leader, David Granger violence, and banditry in the hinterland…Sometimes even going to a wedding reception or wake could end in death. People just feel unsafe. “I met some persons in the Diaspora who are afraid to come home because of this.” While Granger did not directly comment on any particular sector which showed at least, some modicum of improvement, he did note that as far as the good points go, Ramotar’s decision to exit office prematurely is perhaps something he would be applauded for. The APNU leader said that the Head of State has saved the nation having to wait five years to see his exit. “By this time next year we will have a happy Christmas because he (Ramotar) will be gone,” the Parliamentarian added.The 2014 half year report on the performance of

the economy had also projected that Guyana will continue to see sustained growth. Asked to give his take on the economy in light of this report, Granger opined that the current financial arrangements only allows for a selected few to get richer while the income gaps continue to widen. The Opposition Leader asserted, “My estimation is that when we look at economic growth we have to look carefully at who gets what and what we are seeing is jobless growth. We are seeing that the pie is getting bigger and the rich getting richer meanwhile the income gap continues to increase. There are extremely poor people in this country …we are concerned about that. “As far as I can see there is less happiness or a lower level at that for a large number of persons and as far as we are concerned the growth is not providing wealth for the mass of people in this country.”Granger said that the APNU has observed that some sectors are under performing, particularly the manufacturing sector. He said that what the nation continues to see are foreign companies which are extracting the country’s primary products, timber and minerals but the value added aspect remains an unfulfilled promise. General Secretary of APNU, Joseph Harmon, supported Granger’s comments. Ramotar and his Continued on page 24

Saturday December 20, 2014

Kaieteur News

Page 21

Govt. targets 20 crime-ridden GDF give two on-thecommunities with US$15M loan spot promotions

Government will train 1,700 police officers in forensic and investigation techniques under a US$15M loan from IDB. Guyana has secured a US$15M loan from the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) for a citizen security programme that helps communities better resolve conflicts in non-violent ways, improves police effectiveness and availability of crime data, and provides opportunities to rehabilitate and reinsert prisoners back into society. The bank, in a statement yesterday, noted that Guyana´s homicide rates have nearly doubled since 2000, to 20.7 per 100,000. The country suffers from high rates of robberies and domestic violence, with one out of every six women reporting physical abuse in the past year. The project will focus on 20 communities that have the highest rates of homicides,

robberies, burglaries and domestic violence. “The operation will finance a series of surveys to measure changes in levels of crime victimization and citizens’ perception of security, a national survey to understand the extent and causes of domestic violence and violence against women as well as a crime and violence study in Amerindian communities.” The programme, according to IDB, also aims to certify 8,400 individuals in vocational training and conduct 240 training workshops to community members, ranging from mentoring programmes to job placement. “The project will set up an evidence-based community policing model that includes

Chief of Staff, Brigadier Mark Phillips, has once again briefed officers and Ranks at Base Camp Stephenson, of the army’s zero-tolerance policy on drug use and drug trafficking activities. According to the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Phillips reminded the troops of the policy of the GDF with regard to such matters. He warned that immediate disciplinary action will be instituted against any officer or other rank found to be in contravention to the Standard Operating

…after rank arrested with marijuana

training, technological improvements, and crime and violence surveys to improve data availability. About 3,400 officers are to receive community engagement training and 1,700 in will attend courses on forensic and investigation techniques.” Actions to improve rehabilitation and reintegration of prisoners include a prison census in five prisons and the design a new case management system, among other outputs. Half of the US$15M loan is financed from the IDB´s Fund for Special Operations, which carries a 0.25 percent interest rate and a 40-year amortization period. The remainder is financed from ordinary capital with a fixed interest rate and a 30-year amortization period.

Army warns against drug use, trafficking

Chief of Staff, Brigadier Mark Phillips Procedures. “The GDF has a strict policy regarding drug and substance

abuse and we will rigidly enforce it. Consumption of n a r c o t i c 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. The warning comes on the heels of the arrest earlier yesterday, of a soldier who was found to be in possession of over 400 grams of marijuana. The soldier was immediately dismissed with ignominy from the force.

Essequibo serial rapist strikes in Richmond The unknown man, who continues to target women who live alone in communities along the Essequibo Coast, is continuing his invasion of homes throughout the Essequibo Coast. According to reports, the house of a woman at Richmond Housing Scheme was broken into and the woman was attacked on Thursday night last. Reports stated that the woman apparently was alone at home when the intruder launched his attack. While the report of rape is still

uncertain, reports of the woman being physically abused by the intruder were made since marks of violence are reportedly evident on the woman’s neck.Just over a week ago, another woman at Lima, said that she was attacked by a man who had invaded her home. A series of incidences of rape and attacks on women who live alone have been fueling comments. These women are especially scared of the attacker who continues to evade the police. Many women have

opined that they are convinced that it is the same person who previously attacked women in Devonshire-Castle. He has since moved from that v i l l a g e and is currently launching his attacks on women in Anna Regina, Henrietta, Richmond and Lima. The attacker rapes and in some instances, steals women’s underwear. Residents in general are clamoring for the police presence in areas where women are most vulnerable.

Former Staff Sergeant Kirk Trotman is now a Warrant Officer Class 2, and Corporal Dwain Moses now holds the rank of Sergeant. They were promoted on the spot by Chief of Staff Brigadier Mark Phillips. The two gained elevation in rank at the GDF’s 2014 Incentives Awards Ceremony, on December 12, last. Trotman of Four Engineer Battalion and Moses of Sports Corps were recognised for yeoman service given in their respective Units. In all, 443 members of the Guyana Defence Force, including several civilian employees, received monetary incentives after they were honoured as Best Soldiers/Workers. Members of First Infantry Battalion had the largest block of awardees -183. Coast Guard followed with 105 troops, while 99 members of the Sports Corps, mainly the GDF’s ISAAC team which won the 2014 edition of the championship in convincing style. Thirty three soldiers from Second Infantry Battalion, 19 from two OneArtillery Company and four landscapers, rounded out the list of awardees. The provision of the incentives was in recognition of the hard

…as GDF honours 443

work, dedication and excellent performances of these members of the Force. Chief-of-Staff, Brigadier Mark Phillips congratulated the awardees and encouraged them to continue striving for excellence. The Force believes in rewarding excellence, he said, and challenged all others to emulate the high standards of their peers. He said that the focus was on recognising the performances and dedication of Other Ranks. “Work hard

and you will go places,” he said. Four Engineer Battalion, Warrant Officer Class Two Kirk Trotman, Sergeant Dwain Moses, the triumphant ISAAC team; Athletics Coach Robert Chishlom, Rugby Star Patrick King and FIFA Referee Sergeant Maurees Skeete were singled out for high praises. “This year we had the best performance by the GDF at the Joint Services Championship. We went back to the drawing board and our strategy delivered the desired results! You are to keep training and keep having a positive attitude. In 2015, we must win again,” said the Chief of Staff. Noting that the Christmas season had already commenced, the Chief of Staff entreated all the troops to be prudent with their finances. More importantly, Brigadier Phillips said that all Ranks were to remember that a heightened security posture will be evident during the upcoming festive season and emphasised that they were to remember that the hallmark of their service was professionalism.

gold chain and $10,000 cash. The accused, who was unrepresented, pleaded not guilty to all the charges. He claimed that he was placed on over 15 identification parades and was never identified as the suspect. His application was met with arguments from the Prosecution which was spearheaded by Corporal Deniro Jones. The Prosecutor asked the court to remand Barrow citing the nature and gravity of the charge. Jones said that the accused had resorted to using personal violence and the victim was hospitalised.

The Prosecution also objected to bail based on the penalty the offences attract. Barrow argued that the victim was released from the hospital because he had seen him the day before his arraignment, and that the Prosecution added that the victim was at home recovering from the injuries. Jones added that the victim identified the accused. The Magistrate upheld the objections of the Prosecution thus bail was refused. Barrow’s case was transferred and is set to be called before Magistrate Judy Latchman on January 5, 2015.

Warrant Officer lass Two Kirk Trotman

City resident remanded on attempted murder A 33-year-old man from East La Penitence, Georgetown, was remanded to prison when he appeared before the city court yesterday to face charges for several gunrelated crimes. Sherwin Barrow was taken before Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court charged with discharging a loaded firearm, armed robbery and attempted murder. The court heard that on June 13, last at East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Barrow unlawfully and maliciously discharged a loaded firearm at Kellon Hinds also called ‘Baje’ with intent to maim, disfigure, disable or cause him grievous bodily harm. It is also alleged that at East Ruimveldt, Barrow pulled a gun on Hinds and robbed him of a gold chain valued at $2.4M, and a gold band valued at $1.2M. He is also accused of discharging a loaded firearm at Hinds with intent to murder him. The court heard too that on December 3, last at Agricola, East Bank Demerara, while armed with a gun, Barrow robbed Ganesh Estick of one BLU cellular phone, one gold band, one

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Kaieteur News

SALON Make Up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, Black Opal and Sacha cosmetics. Call: 647-1773/660-5257 ACCOMODATION SIGNATURE INN: Luxury Suites & Apartments. Free Wi-Fi & Breakfast; AC & Self Contained Rooms @ 83 Laluni Street Queenstown. Tel: 592-226-2145

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CANTER DRIVER/ SALESMAN and Factory Assistant living on E.B.D, free accommodation also available. 266 4427 Experienced salesman/ driver 3 CXC Subjects including Mathematics, apply with 2 references, valid police clearance & driver license – Call: 233-3512 Pump attendant at Shell Providence E.B.D (shift work) 5AM-3PM & 3PM12PM Office clerk & domestic needed to work in Trinidad must be single & have secondary education – Call: 1868-2840586; 1868-6831528 Cashier able to work flexible hours and have CXC Maths, send application to jobs@awngy.com MASSAGE

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American Pool Table – Call: 277- 0578 CATERING

LARGE 2 BEDROOM APARTMENT, LARGE VERANDAH, PARKING FOR 2 VEHICLES @ LAMAHA GARDENS $80,000 MONTHLY – CALL: 609-8132/ 672-8569 (MAX)

Monica’s Finger Licking Bar-B-Que, any amount to order- Call: 661-6793; 6772482

1-Two bedroom apartment, grilled, tiled@ Middleton St. C/Ville - $60,000- Call:6500716; 667-7836.

Massage Therapy - Call: 6748147 FOR SALE/RENT

Saturday December 20, 2014

CAR RENTAL

LAND FOR SALE

PROGRESSIVE AUTO RENTAL:CARS&SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 643-5122, 2193900, EMAIL: PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM

Parika (Butcher Shop Street) - One (1) Lot 38' X 150' $ 7m Contact 650-0402 - for serious inquiries

Aidan’s Car & Pickup rental, cheap rate, low security – Tel:698-7807; 690-6494

FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 GT TOOL RENTALS: COMPACTOR; CHIPPING HAMMER RANSOM & FLOOR SANDER, (SALE) & MORE, JACK HAMMER, CONCRETE SAW - CALL: 675-0767, 667-2535 Business place for rent at Lot 7 Durban Street Lodge, Price $25,000 – Call: 687-5324 Rooms & apartment in Eccles; rooms in Alberttown – Call: 225-3234 3 Bedrooms house at 19 Goedverwagting. E.C.D opposite Pradoville, 2 months deposit upfront. Call: 222-9098 or 614-9516 for details 1 Modern warehouse facility in central industrial area 8000sqft ware house facility 5000 per month – Contact Annie: 695-0333 One bedroom apartment @ Durban/Haley, preferably single person; 3 months advance – Call: 600-0036/ 223-1719 Restaurant & Bar space @ Soesdyke Linden Highway, prime spot, business experienced a must – Call:600-0036; 223-1719 Property for rent in Bel-Air Park – Call: 694-6606 Two and one bedroom apartment; furnished or unfurnished @ Eccles “AA” – Tel:686-5625 Office space @ Kitty – Call: 652-8322 Three bedrooms; 1 self contained house with A/C, parking, full furnished, young professional Scheme Eccles - $1700US neg. Call Sonia: 666-4882 Business space @ Middleton St. C/Ville – Call: 650-0716; 667-7836 EDUCATIONAL Pre- Christmas Give away $25,000 OFF 9 Course Computer Diploma. Promotion ends this week! Micrographics, Vreed- EnHoop. Call: 264-3057

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Blankenburg @ The Back Of Gas Station (3) Lots @ 75' X 76' Each. $20M for all 3 Lots. (1) Lot for $10m - Contact 650-0402 Prime water front land located at Port Kaituma/ North West, approximately (110ftX100ft) business spot - Contact: 601-5500; 693-9348 Parfaite Harmonie - $1.3M, $1.5M & Business spot $3.5M, Herstelling - $5M, Providence - $5M, Grove $2.8M – Call:675-7292; 6522018 Blankenburg, Public Road W.C.D (38ftX150ft), (39ftX150ft) - $16M each; Back Street, Unity Street La Grange W.B.D 85X750- $16M Call: 666-3619 Mahaica Creek: River Front, 5 Acres - $5M - Tel: 600-3171; 648-3171

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VEHICLE FOR SALE

PROPERTY FOR SALE Six acres prime roadside land and metal workshop in Corriverton, can be sold with or without workshop. Call: 626-6245 One house & land in hope low land, E.C.D, one house & land in Bloomfield Berbice Call: 689-5254; 256-0504 2-Storey concrete house, virtual 2 units, 55 section ‘B’ Non Pariel, E.C.D Quick Sale Call: 651-8901

GPP Tacoma 5VZ engine, stick gear, 4WD - $2.3M; negotiable – Call: 650-9840 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 23)

Saturday December 20, 2014

Kaieteur News

Page 23

More males graduate from CPCE this year (From page 22)

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

Some of the 2014 CPCE graduates Although the female students graduating out of the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) were significantly more than male students, the male graduates this year however represented an increase over the previous year. This is according to Principal of the institution, Ms. Viola Rowe, who pointed out that of the 359, who graduated on Thursday last, 84 per cent

were females and 16 per cent were males. This therefore, represented a 45 per cent increase of males successfully completing the programme. Rowe pointed out that of the total number of students who graduated at the CPCE 80th Graduation Ceremony, 357 successfully completed the Associate Degree in Education (ADE) Programme, four of whom were awarded the Level of Attainment of

Distinction, 317 were awarded the Level of Attainment of Credit and six the Level of Attainment of Pass. Students also undertook the Trained Teacher ’s Certificate Programme and according to Rowe, 20 of the graduates were awarded the Level of Attainment of Credit on the Certificate Programme, while 12 students were awarded the Level of

Attainment of Pass. Rowe, in speaking of the achievements of the students explained that in order for a student to earn the Level of Attainment of Distinction, he/ she must attain at least 80 per cent at the Final Teaching Practice as well as in the overall performance of other courses. Moreover, the performances of Duviena Badray of the Anna Regina Satellite Centre, Clair

Ramesswar of Linden, Shemane Kendra Ceaser of the Turkeyen Campus and Henry Ricardo Brandon of Georgetown, were highlighted. The Principal also recognised the performances of other students who, according to her, worked hard throughout the course of their studies. These Rowe listed as six females and five males Continued on page 24

Letters... Where your views make the news

Dr. Phillip Mozart Thomas and Civil Society From page 4 commander-in-chief, had its band playing at the opening. The backhanded petulant way in which the government has attacked this initiative is proof positive of a political party that is desperately against any sort of coordination of civil society. The real indictment of Guyanese society, however, is when on social media more focus was directed towards questioning Thomas’ integrity than pointing out the absurd depths to which government has gone to stop a meeting of people in a public space. The onus is on Dr. Thomas to present his bona fides to the general public, yes. As a journalist, there are enough red flags there for me to say that a cursory examination of his CV warrants a full fact check of his vaunted qualifications. However, if it is that he is a disreputable character and has gone as far as bringing reputable people together for a common purpose, we need to ask where are the actual reputable characters in this society who have yet to achieve this feat. We have three dangers before us. The least of them is a questionable character bringing together civil society actors towards the purpose of establishing a forum for discussion and hopefully action. The second in degree, so far, is a government that is willing

to use official directives and bureaucratic subterfuge to seek to stifle the fundamental rights of freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, and the right to exchange information. The third and the greatest danger, however, is a ‘reputable’ civil society that is itself so fragmented, compromised, incompetent and

directionless that it fails to communicate within its disparate self and coordinate the necessary movement not against any entity, but in order to promote recognition of and defend the basic rights of citizens whenever those rights are under assault. If the PPP has been successful at anything, it has been the neuter-

ing and corruption of civil society, where we have advocates who send out tepid press releases condemning corruption over breakfast and break bread with government ministers by lunch. Thomas has started something. Even as, like any public figure, his credibility should be rigorously interrogated, the

substance of what he purports to do should also be considered, both not simply within themselves but within the context of this society. And even as the leaders of civil society subject his shortcomings to intense scrutiny, perhaps they will in that process subject their own as well. Ruel Johnson

One secretary Guard - Tel: 218-5105 Live in couple: husband for driving & Wife for domestic & Arc/Acetylene welder – Tel: 227-1830 Need ladies to sort goods; apply at Alabama Trading Georgetown Stabroek. Bartender & waitress wanted @ Chilly’s Bar; apply in person. 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. 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 Looking for two working females/students to share furnished 3 bedroom house in Well Street North Ruimveldt – Call: 685-3971. A house lot/ 2 bedroom property to buy on the East Coast/East Bank Georgetown area – Contact Anthony Bowen: 609-6505 One live in experienced waitress must be honest & courteous 18-25yrs; salary $50,000-$60,000 monthly – Tel: 610-5043 Contract vehicles also mini bus and hire car drivers – Call: 645-0025

PROPERTY FOR SALE House & Land @ Cemetery Rd. Helena No.1 Mahaica E.C.D. Land (65FTX150FT) $13M- Tel:689-0820, 6743902

Page 24

Kaieteur News

Saturday December 20, 2014

NIP leader predicts March More males graduate from CPCE... announcement for general elections In a statement released to the media, Leader of the National Independence Party (NIP), Saphier Husain Subedar has predicted that President Donald Ramotar will set a date for the 2015 General and Regional Elections between March 15 and 30. The statement comes after Subedar met with members of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) this past Wednesday at their Kingston Office on High Street, Georgetown, to formally register to contest in the upcoming elections. Husain’s prediction prefaces that the President will dissolve Parliament in the

early part of January 2015, in preparation for the impending General Elections. The Attorney-at-Law stated that this would be in accordance with Article 61 of the Constitution which stipulates that elections must be held within 90 days of dissolution. As such the NIP leader is preparing to enter the 2015 electoral race, as the party’s application has been accepted by GECOM’s Chairman, Dr. Steve Surujbally. In the media statement the leader of the party, also indicated to the GECOM Chairman that his party’s symbol will officially be a “tiger”, and they have begun campaigning.

Saphier Husain Subedar

Rainwater harvesting can secure... From page 19 municipal supplies, and as a readily accessible emergency source of water in case of natural disasters like hurricanes and floods, which may disrupt access to the main municipal water supply. Rainwater harvesting is seen as one of the means of building climate resilience into the water sector in the Caribbean. The organization recognises the potential impact of climate change on water resources, and aims to promote water security and climate resilience in Caribbean states as a key part of sustainable regional and national de-

velopment for economic growth and human security. In the face of concerns about climate change and water scarcity, rainwater harvesting could be set to make a comeback in the Caribbean, becoming a formal part of the region's strategic planning. The GWP-C's Water, Climate and Development Programme (WACDEP) recognises rainwater harvesting as one of the possible approaches to securing the region's water supplies. “Rainwater harvesting is one of the important tools to ensure resilience in Caribbean water supplies, in particular to

augment existing municipal water supplies.” Dr. Boodram underscored. It was noted within the workshop that some of the Caribbean's water scarce countries have made significant investments in desalination plants which convert seawater to fresh water. However, desalination comes at a significant cost due to the high energy inputs needed and desalination plants remain vulnerable to disruption during times of disaster. It is important to build redundancy into Caribbean water supplies by ensuring access to multiple sources of water if one supply is disrupted. Thus, if desalination is used at a national level, rainwater can provide an additional, alternative and emergency supply at the household level.

From page 23 who gained at least 80 per cent overall but were not awarded the Level of Distinction because they did not achieve the Teaching Practice criteria. Among the listed in this regard were: Arianna Ally, Sobrena Persaud, Lydia Huggins, Eric Seenarine, Gopaul Pirmal, Olinsey Long, Muneshwar Baskaran, Ravindra Singh, Binawattie Dasrat, Lois Benjamin and Floyd Rodrigues. Rowe in continuing her deliberations on the students’ performance disclosed that among those who specialised in Secondary Education, 23 per cent were trained in Mathematics, representing the highest number of students trained in this regard. This was followed by English with 19 per cent, Business Studies with 16 per cent, Science with 15 per cent

and Social Studies and Agricultural Science each with 11 per cent. Home Economics recorded three per cent and Industrial Technology and Spanish one per cent each. According to the Principal, an expansion programme which was reintroduced at the College in the last academic year was designed to foster notable increases in the number of trained teachers in some regions. And based on the result, 91 per cent of the students pursued the ADE programme allowing for: Region Nine – one per cent; Region Seven – three per cent; Region Six - 23 per cent; Region Five - 11 per cent; Region Four - 22 per cent; Region Three - 12 per cent; Region Two - 16 per cent; Region one – one per cent. In the Certificate programme, Regions Three, Four and Six recorded 22 per

cent each, Region 10 – 16 per cent, Region Two – nine per cent and Regions One, Five and Nine gained three per cent each. Rowe however, acknowledged at the graduation ceremony that “the quantity/quality issue has not eluded us.” The top overall performing student was Duviena Badray. She was able to outperform 358 of her colleagues in order to be duly rewarded with the Prime Minister’s Prize as the Best Overall Graduating Student. She also coveted 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.

From page 16 was living with her mother but when the elderly woman passed away in January last, she built a house next to where her mother's house was situated. “I got money from my child father and I built the house so that we can be comfortable. Only two months ago we moved in. The house aint even complete yet,” the mother of two said. She continued, “A woman from overseas owns a lot at the back of me. Since I live there I only notice bush. That woman never came here but she heard the place develop and now she wants to come and build and she wants me to move because she wants to build her driveway where I

live so she got her relative who is an official in the NDC to break my place.” An upset Deen related that more than 100 houses are on the reserve but the NDC workers only dismantled hers. “They didn't only break my house, they fetch away everything. They fetch my clothes, my pot, my stove, my wardrobe and everything I had inside,” the woman said. “This is unbelievable. I prepared for Christmas. It would have been our first Christmas in that house and look what they

did. Now me and my children don't have anywhere to stay.” Anand Deen, the woman's brother alleges that the NDC workers threw away the food his sister was cooking and took the pot with them. “I was hungry and they threw away the food and when I asked them why they throwing away the food, they took me to Parika Police Station and had me sitting there.” Kavita Deen is calling on the government to intervene and assist her since she is now without a home.

From page 12 Cabinet have facilitated an environment which allows for industrial scale corruption. He said, however, that the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, is not to be blamed entirely for his brazen financial improprieties. The

politician argued that most of the blame falls squarely at the President’s feet. Harmon said that the President is directly responsible in this regard for Dr. Singh continuing to go unpunished for his financial lawlessness.

Parika family claims NDC workers...

Failing to give youth...

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EU leaders prepare for long confrontation with Russia (Reuters) - European Union leaders warned Moscow they are ready to flex their combined muscle and “stay the course” in a long confrontation with Russia if President Vladimir Putin refuses to pull back from Ukraine. “We must go beyond being reactive and defensive. As Europeans we must regain our self-confidence and realize our own strengths,” said Donald Tusk, the former Polish premier who chaired a brief EU summit in Brussels on Thursday. In comments that were part warning to Russia, where falling oil prices and Western trade sanctions have brought financial havoc, and part exhortation to an EU bloc divided between hawks and doves, Tusk said a united European front was vital. “It is obvious we will not find a long-term perspective for Ukraine without an adequate, consistent and united European strategy toward Russia,” he added, after the first meeting he has chaired as president of the leaders’ European Council. “Today we are maybe not too optimistic,” said Tusk, who learned his politics as an antiSoviet student activist in the 1980s. “But we have to be realistic, not optimistic.” Meeting on a day when Putin mounted a wordy defense of policies on Ukraine and the economy, the leaders of the 28 EU states conferred on how to handle their giant eastern neighbor longer term, after a year of crisis and mutual trade sanctions that have brought warnings of a return to Cold War. Some in the EU have said they should

switch their focus away from backing Ukraine to a detente with Moscow. That might help European businesses, which have suffered loss of trade with Russia and fear a spillover from the rouble crisis. But for all their continuing differences in attitudes to Russia, leaders voiced their determination to stick together as they have over the past year, while brandishing at Putin the stick of more sanctions and carrot of renewed cooperation. They agreed to keep up financial aid to help Ukraine carry out reforms to its postSoviet political and economic systems. “Russia is today our strategic problem, not Ukraine,” said Tusk, who as Polish prime minister was among the hawks from Moscow’s former communist satellites who pushed for sanctions. In what one diplomat said was a conscious evocation of a line from Cold Warrior Ronald Reagan during a 1982 U.S. election campaign, Tusk inserted into the official communiqué on measures to punish Russia the phrase “the EU will stay the course”. Another said more conciliatory leaders, such as Italy’s Matteo Renzi, appeared to have hardened their attitude to Moscow in the face of what they saw as continued aggression by Putin. CARROT AND STICK Having enacted some previously agreed new sanctions on Thursday, they made no move to further escalate measures against Moscow. And they made clear that, like the United States, they would ease them if Putin honored a four-month-old peace deal.

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Siblings freed of Another man kills wife stepfather‘s murder Christmas came early for siblings, Hoosman Khan, Bibi Farida Khan and Shamiza Khan as they were released from prison yesterday after spending five years on remand for murder. The siblings were on trial for the murder of their stepfather Motielall Singh, who was found lying in a pool of blood at First Street, Windsor Forest, West Coast Demerara in September of 2009. Yesterday, Justice Dawn Gregory summed up the evidence which was presented in the trial by more than thirteen witnesses. The witnesses were called to testify by State Prosecutors Natasha Backer and Mercedes Thompson. The judge recounted the evidence of the witnesses including Pathologist, Dr.

Nehaul Singh revealed that Singh had died from multiple incised wounds. The doctor said he found 20 wounds on Motielall’s body. After a few hours of deliberation a mixed twelvemember jury returned a verdict of not guilty, setting the trio free. This was the second time that the trio was facing trial for the murder. Earlier this year the siblings’ trial ended in a hung jury before Justice Navindra Singh. They were being prosecuted along with Bissoondial ‘Weed Man’ Mahadeo and Ayube ‘Little’ Hamid. Mahadeo was acquitted of the murder charge, while Hamid died in prison. According to court documents, the trio reportedly made statements to the police claiming that they had

McDoom resident remanded on gun, ammo charges A 24-year-old McDoom, East Bank Demerara resident reportedly busted with a pistol and matching ammunition on Tuesday, is now a remand prisoner. Facing possession of firearm and ammunition charges, Desmond Richards was ordered held in custody when he appeared before Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court yesterday. The court heard that on Tuesday at McDoom, Richards was found with a 9mm pistol and eight matching rounds of ammunition. Richards, who was unrepresented, pleaded not guilty. He is scheduled to appear in court again on January 12.

Dead: Motielall Singh instructions from their mother who sent them US$700 from overseas to hire a ‘hit man’ to kill their stepfather who was at the time on a visit to Guyana. The victim was a resident of 290 Hemlock Street, Brooklyn New York. In the trio’s caution statements which were read to the jury during the proceeding, the police witness related that following a broken relationship between their mother and stepfather, the woman sent money to her children with the instruction that they should use it to hire someone to kill Singh during his visit to Guyana. The statements also gave account of places the siblings had visited and the persons they contracted in their search for a killer. However, while leading their defence, the siblings claimed that they had nothing to do with the crime.

The dead woman Mohanranie Udaray and her reputed husband A woman was brutally killed, allegedly by her husband. Dead is Mohanranie Udaray, called ‘Sherry’, 28, a mother of one of lot 17 Grant 1780 Crabwood Creek, Corentyne, Berbice. The woman was found with a wound to her neck after she was allegedly involved in an argument with her reputed husband. She was found lying in a pool of blood in an unconscious state. It is understood that the woman who is a housewife, hailed from Black Bush Polder and was living with the 43year-old man said to be a boat captain on one of the small boats that ply the Corentyne River to Suriname.

According to reports, the couple lived in the upper flat of a two-storey house. The woman has been the victim of constant abuse. The couple was heard in a usual argument around 17:30 hrs. Neighbours did not pay much attention since it was a regular occurrence. After a while the argument stopped and still no one paid any mind. Landlord Zamalindeen Khan, who resides in the bottom flat of the house, stated that he was not at home at the time of the incident. He returned home around 19:00 hrs and the place was quiet so he decided to watch television. His curiosity was aroused when he noticed

Education Ministry to benefit from US1.7 Million Grant The Ministry of Education is slated to benefit from a US$1.7 Million grant which was recently approved by the Global Partnership for Education (GPE). GPE is made up of nearly

60 developing country governments, as well as donor governments, civil society/non-governmental organizations, teacher organizations, international organizations, and the private

sector and foundations, whose joint mission is to galvanize and coordinate a global effort to provide a good quality education to children, prioritizing the poorest and most vulnerable. Guyana joined the Global Partnership for Education in 2002. According to a statement, the Ministry of Education is pleased to announce that at its last meeting of the Board of Directors, at which Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand sits as a Director representing Latin America and the Caribbean (Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, and Nicaragua), the sizeable sum was approved as an education grant for Guyana. The Ministry statement outlined that the grant will be utilized to improve its Early Childhood Education Programme, with particular attention being paid to the Hinterland and Riverain communities. Minister Manickchand in expressing great pleasure at Guyana being a recipient of the grant said that she

expects that it would allow for the building of the many gains already made and expects to see vastly improved learning outcomes in literacy and numeracy at the early levels. “This is critical funding at a time when 58 million children of primary school age are still not in school,” said Julia Gillard, Board Chair of the Global Partnership for Education. “All children should have access to a school with effective teachers, and be able to learn so they can contribute to the development of their community and nation,” she said. Alice Albright, Chief Executive Officer of the Global Partnership for Education said “If we want to reach the Education for All goals, we need to ensure that adequate funding is available from both domestic and external sources.” He added too that, “While donor funding to education has dropped by 10 percent since 2010, the Global Partnership has consistently increased its education funding, particularly for

children living in the poorest and often fragile and conflictaffected countries.” Moreover, six new grants built on prior achievements will help implement the national education plans of Central African Republic, Guinea, Guyana, Kenya, Lao PDR and Nigeria. This new financing reflects the Global Partnership’s top priorities: increasing access to basic education in fragile countries, improving the quality of education, improving teachers’ effectiveness, generating measurable results and championing girls’ education. The last meeting of the Board of Directors, Global Partnership for Education, was held in Washington D.C, United States from December 15-17, 2014. The Global Partnership for Education has allocated US$3.9 billion over the past decade to support education reforms in some of the world’s poorest countries. Almost half of its funding in 2014 went to fragile and conflict-affected countries.

something dripping from the floor above. Upon closer inspection he realized it was blood. He immediately alerted a neighbour and summoned the police who responded immediately. On their arrival they went into the upper flat where the woman was found lying with her face down in a pool of blood and a gaping wound to her neck. It is understood that the woman went to Georgetown on Thursday to conduct some business for her daughter. It is believed it was that visit that led to the argument. On her return, the argument erupted. The man who usually portrayed jealous tendencies believed that woman was having an affair and would usually accuse her. He would even stop her from talking to the neighbours. If she was caught talking to anyone she would be the victim of constant harassment. It is understood that the woman was injured before in the region of her abdomen and had undergone surgery. Due to the threats and her love for the man the woman would usually decline to press charges. On the occasion when she was injured she had claimed that thieves had invaded the house. Investigators are on the hunt for the perpetrator who is believed to have fled the country. It is understood that the man has relatives in Holland. A post mortem examination performed on the woman’s body on Friday by Dr. Vivekanand Bridgemohan at the Skeldon Hospital showed that she died from asphyxiation, lack of oxygen due to blood in her lungs and the stab wound to the neck. Udaray leaves to mourn her only child, a seven-yearold daughter, Riya, her parents, other siblings and many relatives. Investigations are continuing.

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Philander, Morkel leave WI on rocks ESPNcricinfo - Test cricket against the leading nations has long become a trial for West Indies. Faced by a daunting South Africa total, they initially stiffened sinews as best they could but by the end of the third day of the first Test in Centurion that resolve had been replaced by a familiar expectation of impending defeat. They followed on 351 runs behind shortly after tea and, although South Africa’s attack understandably lessened in intensity secondtime around, they still lost Devon Smith and Kraigg Braithwaite in reducing the deficit to 275. South Africa’s protagonist was Vernon Philander, who bowled with

great intelligence throughout, the only rider being that those qualities did not extend to his appetite for the review system. Twice his emphatic signals requested a review; twice his desire went unrewarded. Nevertheless, he finished with five wickets in the day, his first-innings 4 for 29 in 15 overs being the reward for some insistent, pitched-up seam bowling. A first-innings opening stand of 72 proved to be West Indies’ high point. The first four batsmen all fell in the 30s and a chance to put right a lacklustre and depleted display in the field was slowly relinquished on a Centurion pitch that treated batsmen more kindly than that

prepared for Australia’s visit in February. Smith’s exit, for 35, will provide more fodder for DRS skeptics, but the decision was not as off-beam as some immediately suggested. The umpire Billy Bowden had rejected Philander’s appeal after the ball passed between Smith’s bat and hip as he sought to work it through square leg. Snicko, unhelpfully, showed a spike when the ball was between bat and trouser pocket. Superficially, there was no evidence to overturn Bowden’s decision but Paul Reiffel, the TV umpire, did just that. Two sound spikes did give some credence to his conclusion that the ball had

Saturday December 20, 2014 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Act with courage today, Aries. Dress as if you were going to meet an important statesman. See yourself in the mirror and be proud to say you look good. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Be conscious of your own needs, Taurus, and feel free to be a little selfish. Give yourself the credit you deserve, and don't let other people bully you into feeling like you aren't worthy of the attention you receive. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Your energy and spunk should finally return after a couple days of feeling slightly down, Gemini. You should enjoy a good mood all day. Your powers of persuasion are strong. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Get out of the mud, Cancer. Have fun and don't worry too much about the consequences. Put your todo list aside for a while and focus on enjoying yourself. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Your emotions may be volatile right now, Leo. There's passion behind your words. You have the power to instigate major changes in your life. If you're wise, you will consider multiple ways to make them. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) If you aren't careful about the energy you dish out today, Virgo, you will find that it all comes back to smack you in the face. Other people are likely to be as stubborn as you, so proceed cautiously.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Today is a fantastic day for you, Libra. You should enjoy a good mood and positive experiences with others. There's most likely a slow-moving, transforming energy in your life right now that's touching off your emotions. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Other people may be demanding of you, Scorpio, so do what you can to please the crowd. Don't go overboard in thinking you need to be someone you're not, and certainly don't do anything that makes you feel uncomfortable. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) People may be somewhat selfish and self-centered today, but this doesn't mean that you have to follow suit, Sagittarius. Remind others of the importance of the collective. CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) It may not be the easiest day to relate to others, Capricorn, but as usual, if you just go with the flow, you will find that you can have fun. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Things should flow extremely well for you, Aquarius. Load your engine with extra fuel, because you will be burning red hot. Don't let anything stand in your way. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You need bigger and longer hugs than usual today, Pisces. A powerful force is moving through your life and trying to shake things up.

touched both bat and hip on the way through to the standin wicketkeeper AB de Villiers. The ICC, too, has advised that sound spikes can potentially appear in the next frame, just after contact has been made. But, all in all, there were too many presumptions for an on-field decision to be overturned without discontent: DRS is not about educated guesses but clear proof that provides the basis for widespread agreement. Reiffel’s decision possessed logic, but Smith would count himself unfortunate. Brathwaite then followed in Philander’s next over. Earlier, he had edged him just short of second slip. This time a thinner edge flew to Hashim Amla at first. Leon Johnson and Marlon Samuels stabilised West Indies until lunch in a session extended to two-and-a-half hours because of the rain that washed out the final session on the second day. South Africa were depleted in the field, although unlike West Indies the mishaps had not affected their bowling attack. Quinton de Kock, the wicketkeeper, twisted an ankle and Faf du Plessis’ virus had been bad enough for him to visit hospital. There were niggles later for both Dale Steyn and Philander. But the pace attack was initially in rude health and the Test possessed an intensity sorely lacking on the previous day. The opening pair was almost split by what would have been an unfortunate run-out. After Smith pushed Morne Morkel to midwicket for a quick single, Brathwaite lost his footing approaching the crease, dropped his bat and was still short of his ground when Dale Steyn’s underarm throw narrowly missed the stumps. Leon Johnson was the one top-order West Indies batsman to depart wastefully, driving Kyle Abbott loosely to cover in the third over after lunch. When Philander rapped Samuels on the pads before he had scored, the bowler’s excitement at a perfectly-executed plan was apparent. Samuels’ weakness for being trapped on the crease early in an innings had been exposed, but replays revealed he was struck just outside the line. Instead, it was Morkel who removed Samuels, causing him to chop on as he brought one back sharply from around the wicket. Shivnarine Chanderpaul’s crooked resistance entertained for a while - one swing around from his open stance to work Abbott

through point off an open face defied geometrical rules - but he was plucked by Alviro Petersen at slip off Philander. When Jermaine Blackwood fell on the stroke of tea, an excellent low catch by Petersen at second slip, legitimised only after numerous TV replays, it was undeniably South Africa’s session. West Indies capitulation after tea was swift. Denesh Ramdin succumbed to a solitary over of left-arm spin from Dean Elgar, Jerome Taylor pushed a return catch to Morkel next

ball and with Kemar Roach unable to bat, it was all over when Morkel flattened Cottrell’s stumps. Imposing the follow-on put South Africa’s fastbowling quartet under strain but the pattern was set. Smith was caught at slip while Philander roared initially for lbw - Smith failing with a review - and Petersen’s snaffling of Brathwaite at second slip - first the parry then the catch as he lay on his back - ensured a contented end to South Africa’s day.

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Alastair Cook replaced by Eoin Morgan as England ODI captain BBC Sport - Alastair Cook has been removed as England one-day captain and replaced by fellow batsman Eoin Morgan, less than two months before the World Cup. Cook, 29, who was appointed to lead the one-day side in 2011, averages only 27.52 in his last 20 one-dayers. During the recent 5-2 series defeat in Sri Lanka, Cook insisted he would not resign, but a selectors’ meeting on Friday took the

decision for him. Morgan began his career with Ireland and has played 107 ODIs for England. The 28-year-old lefthander, however, is in a similarly poor run of form, averaging only 25.45 in his last 23 matches. The end of Cook’s reign as one-day skipper comes at the end of a turbulent year for the opener, in which he has presided over a 5-0 Ashes series defeat, the ending of Kevin Pietersen’s

international career and calls for him to stand down as Test captain. He did turn around his five-day form and the fortunes of his side with a 3-1 Test series win over India, but pressure on Cook’s position as ODI skipper increased with a 3-1 home one-day series defeat by the same opponents and the unsuccessful tour of Sri Lanka. Although England and Wales Cricket Board managing director Paul

Downton said he would be “surprised” if Cook were replaced before the World Cup, he did not have a vote on the four-man selection panel. Meanwhile, coach Peter Moores, a selector alongside James Whitaker, Mick Newell and Angus Fraser, refused to guarantee that Cook’s place as World Cup leader was secure. This came against the backdrop of a host of former England captains - including Nasser Hussain, Alec Stewart

NAGICO Super50 practice match....

Bishoo grabs 4-28 but Barnwell’s X1 win On a slow track in sultry conditions yesterday, legspinner Devendra Bishoo grabbed 4-28 for Vishaul Singh’s X1 in a losing cause against Chris Barnwell’s X1 in the first 50-over practice game by the Guyana Jaguars at the Everest ground in preparation for the 2015 NAGICO Super50 cricket tournament slated for Trinidad & Tobago from January 15. Skipper Singh (36), Kevin Boodie (28), Shemron Hetmyer (27), Robin Bacchus (27), Raymond Reifer (19) and Steven Jacobs (18) all got starts as Singh’s X1 reached 171 in 50 overs. Reifer and Bacchus produced the best partnership of the innings as they added 43 for the fourth wicket. There were two wickets each for Barnwell (237), Ronsford Beaton (2-17), Veerasammy Permaul (2-18) and Royston Crandon (2-42) for Barnwell’s X1 who chased down the target successfully and ended on 172-8 in 48.4 overs to win by two wickets.

Steven Jacobs cuts yesterday at Everest.

Rajendra Chandrika (44) and Trevon Griffith (24) provided a solid 70-run first wicket stand before Barbadian left-arm seamer Raymond Reifer, who will return to Barbados for Christmas, removed the left handed Griffith. Chandrika, who hit six fours, was removed by Jacobs five runs later before

Tagenarine Chanderpaul (15) was LBW to left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie to leave the score on 109-3. Barnwell (24) hit the only six in the contest and also reached the boundary twice before he fell to Bishoo, who also removed Royston Crandon (3), Kemo Paul (5) and Permaul (4) as they all failed to build on good

scores, although Jonathon Foo was left-unbeaten on 37 to see his team to victory in a match that most of the batsmen lacked consistency. The second and final match for the year is set for Everest today from 09:30hrs before the players take a break for Christmas and return to work on January 2. (Sean Devers)

Mahela Jayawardene, Tilakaratne Dilshan and Lasith Malinga join the CPL 2015 draft CPL - Three stars of Sri Lankan cricket, Mahela Jayawardene, Tilakaratne Dilshan and Lasith Malinga, have been added to the pool of international players to feature in the Caribbean Premier League Draft which is set to take place in early 2015. The trio will join a host of top class T20 stars from the West Indies and International players including South African all-rounder, Jacques Kallis for the third staging of the Biggest Party in Sport. Since its inception in 2013 the Caribbean Premier League has reignited cricket in the Caribbean, packing stadiums across the region and attracting global TV audiences in excess of 65 million people. CPL has also brought major economic

benefit to the cricket loving Caribbean nations with a recent economic impact study revealing that it injected a massive US$166 million into the region’s economy during the 2014 tournament. Malinga, who lit up the first CPL tournament in 2013 when he joined the Guyana Amazon Warriors for the knock out stages, said; I really enjoyed my time in the CPL in 2013 and I am thrilled to be involved again for the 2015 edition. Caribbean fans are fantastic and it’s a pleasure to play cricket in that kind of atmosphere. Dilshan said; CPL seems to be attracting some of the top names in the game so I am really looking forward to being involved again in 2015 and hope to make my mark on

the tournament. Jayawardene said; I have loved playing cricket in the West Indies throughout my career so I am really looking forward to having the opportunity to take part in the CPL in 2015. CPL International Cricket Director, Tom Moody, said; Now that the CPL is well established among the cricket community, we have had huge interest from the top international players which bodes well for the future of the tournament. The quality of cricket in 2014 was outstanding and we hope for more of that drama and action next year so being able to announce players like Malinga, Jaywardene and Dilshan is a great boost and a fantastic endorsement for

Lasith Malinga CPL. The third staging of CPL will bowl off in June 2015 with full fixture details to be announced early in the New Year.

and Michael Vaughan calling for Cook to be replaced as captain. The Essex batsman took charge of the one-day side after the 2011 World Cup, continuing a sequence that has seen England replace their limited-overs skipper after each of the last four tournaments. He enjoyed some initial success, taking England to the top of the world rankings in 2012, a year in which he scored three ODI centuries. However, after leading

England to defeat by India in the final of the Champions Trophy in 2013, Cook has not since presided over a series victory. Dublin-born Morgan made his one-day international debut for his native Ireland in 2006, but switched to represent England three years later. He has regularly deputised as captain in limited-overs cricket, most recently in the fourth onedayer in Sri Lanka when Cook served a one-match ban for a slow over-rate.

Permaul, Smartt crown... From page 31 their job. You now have 15 of your best players on contract who receive a monthly salary which allows them the comfort of taking care of themselves and their families’ needs,” the president explained. Cameron informed that 12 umpires are being paid on annual retainers and the Franchise system is supposed to hire at least 12 full time coaches and competent administrators, he feels this structure will start bearing fruits in 2-3 years time. Guyana Jaguars are leading the table with 57 points after four rounds in the first class tournament and the WICB boss said this is a tremendous turnaround from finishing bottom of the table last season. “I must also say this is not a surprise to me as they were the most prepared team at the seminar we had in Barbados to discuss the business plan around the new franchise,” he explained. Cameron applauded the efforts of Drubahadur, Sanasie and Marketing Manager Raj Singh. “This is not only instructive but also encouraging as we are unlikely to see regional cricket dominated by one team for a long period and this will only help to engender strong competition and lift the quality of regional cricket – not only at the top levels but also at the junior levels,” he added. The president stated that they have engaged Kent Crafton from St Lucia as the consultant on the pitch and congratulated the GCB for the work they have done in winning the WICB U-19 and U15 Competitions this year. “There is no doubt that talent exists within each territory but these young players need that developmental pathway where they can receive the coaching and be part of a meritocratic system that they know what is required of them at every stage to move on to the next level. The Professional Cricket

League will expand the pool of players who the West Indies selectors, now headed by Clive Lloyd, will have to choose from,” Cameron stated. He said that the WICB is committed to partner with the six Territorial Boards to fund six First Class Franchises in the region. Cameron informed that the WICB is now turning their attention to Women’s Cricket which has been the Region’s most successful team. “We now have a Women’s Championship and we need to improve on the domestic structure as well. In this regard there are also other opportunities available for your life after cricket – there are coaching certification programmes, umpiring and match refereeing opportunities among others. Cameron informed that the WICB has created the West Indies Retired Players Foundation to raise funds, assist our former heroes and most of all look at ways to keep some of the former players in the game. Drubahadur gave an overview of what transpired in 2014 and thanked their sponsors. He said that the GCB will forge ahead in the year 2015 with some initiatives that are intended to add excitement and value to players, coaches, administrators and fans. “In January 2015 you will see the production of “The Guyana Cricketer”. We will continue to develop the LBI facility, community grounds and clubs. Secondary school cricket is high on the agenda in 2015 and the WICB Scotiabank Kiddies and the Grassroots programme will continue,” he said adding that they are planning to stage a T20 league in 2015. President of the Guyana Olympic Association K. Juman Yassin commended the GCB for a job well done despite the challenges. Vishaul Singh spoke on behalf of the awardees while Sanasie delivered the closing remarks.

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Arsonist strike Lusignan Golf Club Deonarine replaces equipment - Club Tournament on today Fudadin in WI team

The charred remains of the small tractor.

Arsonists before midnight Thursday night went into the Lusignan Golf Club grounds and set afire two pieces of equipment – a John Deere small tractor and a greens Mower - used in maintaining the Golf Course. According to Club Captain ‘Chen’ Deo, the two watchmen told the Police that some six masked men, armed with different implements, set the two pieces of equipment afire then moved away from the scene. The Police are investigating the matter. Club Executives are mystified at the incident but rule out the idea that members who have been aggrieved by disciplinary action in recent times would resort to such measures, especially since the Club has experienced deliberate equipment fire before. Thankfully, the arsonists were specific in their project and while glass in the building near to the burning equipment was broken, there seemed no other obvious signs of targeted damage. Heat and smoke from the fire blackened some parts of the building and the ceiling inside the bottom floor, after the heat broke windows. Meanwhile, on the positive said, Captain Chen Deo advises that there will be a Club sponsored teams-competition (Rest of the World versus Lusignan Golf Club) for golfers today. Tee-off time is 12:15 and alternative measures have already been implemented to ensure the greens are in fine condition for today’s tournament.

Horses, Jockeys arrive for $10M Guyana Cup rematch meet tomorrow at Port Mourant With the time upon us for the much anticipated Guyana Cup $10M horserace meet organised by the Port Mourant Turf Club in collaboration with the Jumbo Jet Auto Sales and Racing Stables, all systems are in place and a number of horses have arrived for the big meet. On Wednesday a number of top horses imported from overseas deplaned at the Timehri International Airport and according to the organisers a number of them are expected to be in action come Sunday. Stables such as the Jumbo Jet, Shariff and Bacchus, Elcock and Jagdeo stables have replenished their stocks and are expected to be among the winners on race day. Preparations have been completed and the Port Mourant Turf Club is in the pink of condition and a lot of fast times are anticipated. Nine top of the line races are carded for the day with over 85 entries now entered and a few more late entries are anticipated which should swell the entry list to over 100. The list of sponsors led by beverage giants Banks DIH Ltd has also swelled to

include Edward B. Beharry & Company, Sheriff Racing Stable, Poonai & Poonai, Taljit Enterprise, Mark Morgan, Toolsie Persaud LTD, Sankar Auto Works, Atlantic Mining Supply, Colin Elcock Racing Stable and Inshan Bacchus Trucking Service and racing stables, Candy Corner, Asuriea INC Insurance Company, South Land INC, Kris Jagdeo Construction Company, Rising Sun Turf Club and Romel Jagroop Construction among others. A ding dong battle is expected in the feature D1 and lower 1600M event which has a total prize package of $3M with the winner set to take home a whopping $1.5M and the Banks DIH Trophy. The lineup will be led by Guyana Cup Champion CP Got Even and includes the inform Treacle, Grande Roja, Got to go, California Strike, Jack in My Style, Curfew Tower and Red and Lovely. The horses entered for the Co-feature 1600M event for 3 years old West Indies bred horses for a appetizing $1M and trophy has all the top runners plus a few new imports lined up to compete and could very well be the

race to see. Fans will be eager to see the rematch between Just Call Me Bass and Unsettled. However Release the Beast, Royal Empire, Settling Jet, Shooting Star and Quiet Dancer have all won the event already. But the horse to beat might be the newly imported Spit Fire which recently flew in with an impressive record. There is the Two year old event for West Indies Bred horses with a winners money of $600,000 and trophy over 1200M. There is an impressive lineup assembled for the E and lower 1500M event for the first prize of $600,000 and trophy. Among them are Captain Crook, the Message, Swing Easy, Right To Rule, Battle Hymn, Mission King, Good Will Boy, Bridal Stone Corner and It’s My Turn. Another great race is expected in the G1 and lower 1200M race for the $500,000 and trophy. Appealing Harvest, War Craft and Silent Night will renew their battle with Fresh Again Damascus Dream, Princess Alicia, Monsoon, Rosetta, Joyful Victory, Mission King, Royal Empire and Top Of The Line looking

to top them. Mid Night Blue will be looking for another bright day in the two year old event for Guyana bred horses for the $300,000 price tag and trophy over 1200M. But will first have to get past Atlantic Storm, It’s My Choice, Loch Song, Settling Star, Keep on Swinging, Mr. Lover Lover and it’s My Lucky Day. The other events to be contested are the H1 and lower 1200M race for a winner’s money of $250,000, the ‘I3’ and lower 1200M event for a take home pay of $200,000 and the J3 and lower 1200M event for a $150,000 first prize. Among those lined up to compete in those events are Savion, Affinity, She So Special, Swift Away, De Gump, Smarty Light, Regina, Amazon Warrior, Miss Messiah and Merriam among others. The top Jockey along with the runner up, the top stable and champion trainer will all be presented with trophies and other incentives compliments of the organizers. The coordinator is Nasrudeen (Jumbo Jet) Mohamed junior. Race time is 12:30 hrs. (Samuel Whyte)

By Sean Devers Guyanese Assad Fudadin was recalled to the West Indies squad for the three Test tour to South Africa when Darren Bravo pulled out, while Grenadian Devon Smith was selected to replace the injured Chris Gayle. Narsingh Deonarine is the latest replacement player to be called up on short notice. He replaces fellow Guyanese Fudadin, who broke his finger during a fielding drill before Wednesday’s opening Test in South Africa. Deonarine, with 18 Tests to his name, was likely to make his re-entry to International cricket during the One-Day version of the South Africa series but got an unexpected call-up for Test series. Deonarine said he got the news of his selection on Wednesday but unfortunately for Deonarine, who along with Smith, are the only batsmen with over 300 runs from the first four matches in WICB Four-Day Franchise First-Class tournament, he applied for his United Kingdom and South Africa Visas on Tuesday and his Passport, along with the relevant documents were sent by FEDEX to be processed. “If I had my Passport, I could have travelled through the US since I am a green card holder I was told that I would get back my Passport in 15 working days and that there was nothing that could be done to fast track my UK Visa application,” Deonarine, who also has nine wickets including a five-wicket haul this season, disclosed. The elegant Berbician, who in 2008 became the first player to score 1,000 FirstClass runs in a West Indies Regional cricket tournament, says he was not surprised since he was likely to be picked for the One-Day team due to back-to-back centuries and wickets in the first phase of the Franchise tournament which resumes on January 15 with the NAGICO Super50 competition in Trinidad & Tobago. Deonarine, who surprisingly has a ‘B’ class contract for the Jaguars, feels he is mentally ready for the South Africa series since he has been following the tour on Television and has been able to analyze the bowlers, the bounce of the pitches and the conditions from his home in Guyana where is presently involved in practice matches with the Guyana Jaguars in preparation for next month’s Regional 50-over tournament.

Passport issues delays his departure to S/Africa

Narsingh Deonarine “I was also in South Africa for t20 World Cup and with the Guyana Amazon Warriors for the 2010 Champions Trophy t20 competition so I have fair knowledge of what to expect over there in terms of the thinner air and other conditions,” Deonarine added. Deonarine said even if he gets there too late to play in the Test series, the extra time spent in Africa would enable him to be better acclimatized to the conditions in time for the limited overs series which will be played just before the World Cup commences next February. Meanwhile, Chairman of selectors Rayon Griffith informed that today will be the last practice match for the year and will be played at the same venue before three more practice games will be held next month after which the squad to travel to Trinidad will be picked. The players break camp this afternoon and will return on January 2 when a fitness test will be conducted. Fudadin could be out of action for six weeks which could be a big blow to the Jaguars batting the Super50 tournament which starts on January 15 in T&T. “If both Leon (Johnson) and Narsingh (Deonarine) are picked for the limited overs series and Shemron Hetmyer and Tagenarine Chanderpaul make the West Indies under19 team, our (Jaguars) batting could be left with a hole in the middle order. But we have no control over those sorts of things and working hard to be to that we can be when we take the field,” Griffith said. Guyana has not won a Regional 50-over title since 2005 when they beat Barbados at Bourda.

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Kaieteur News

Saturday December 20, 2014

Continental Group of Companies on Tutorial and Queenstown board for KMTC Xmas day Meeting to clash in Final tomorrow

Justice Kennard (C) gratefully accepts the gift from Mr. Boyce (R) in the presence of Mr. Dhanraj. The year 2014 has been a bittersweet one for horserace lovers as the fraternity endured numerous challenges to preserve the integrity of the sport. Amidst those efforts, one entity, the Kennard Memorial Turf Club (KMTC) has withstood the vicissitudes and has whetted the appetites of turfites with several meets that have seen the best local horses in action. Officials of that entity will cap this year’s activities with a potentially scorching meet dubbed ‘Boxing Day horserace meet,’ on Friday December 26 at their Bush Lot Farm, Corentyne racetrack. Seven races are carded for the day and the feature attraction will see horses in the A3 & Lower category battling for over one million dollars in cash, over a distance of 6 furlongs. Additionally, turfites will

be entertained with the G3 and Lower event over a distance of 5 furlongs. The winner carts off $300,000 while the second and third place finishers receive $150,000 and $75,000 respectively. This prize was donated by Continental Group of Companies, under their Torginol Paints brand and yesterday morning, President of the KMTC, Justice Cecil Kennard, visited the offices of the donating company at Industrial Site, Ruimveldt and received the gift from their Corporate Secretary, Percival Boyce. Sales and Marketing Manager, Khemraj Dhanraj, was also in attendance. Mr. Boyce congratulated the organizers and reinforced his company’s commitment towards the development of the sport. He noted the hard work put in by Mr. Kennard

and endorsed that such input has been the catalyst to the sustenance and development of the noble sport. “Once again it is with pleasure that my firm partners with Kennard Memorial Turf Club to offset the expenses for the major event and on behalf of the Continental Group of Companies I wish to congratulate you and wish you every success in your endeavors,” concluded Mr. Boyce. Mr. Kennard was delighted by such support and relayed those sentiments to his benefactor. “Continental Group of Companies has been a firm source of support for over twenty five years and I must express heartfelt gratitude to them for their continued support,” said Mr. Kennard moments after receiving the gift. The KMTC President also noted that sponsorship has been the main ingredient in the success of his promotions and by extension, the development of the sport. He revealed that the track is in conditions conducive to a successful meet and urged fans to visit the venue in anticipation of exciting races. In all, 7 races are carded for the day including the J3 & Lower, D3 & lower, J1 & lower and the I1 & Lower among others. Entries close on December 20 and late entries will not be entertained. Enquiries could be directed to Justice Kennard (623-7609) or Roopnarine Matadial (326-3192).

(FROM LEFT) - David Coates, Steve Stanton & Zion Gray

Shakeal Summner & Kelsey Benjamin Tutorial High School and Queenstown Community High registered victories in yesterday’s semi-finals of the Premier Sports Promotions, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport under-17 School’s Football tournament at Ministry of Education ground to qualify for tomorrow’s grand final of the 16-team competition. St George’s High School and North Ruimveldt Multilateral will battle for third place in the first game tomorrow from 13:00hrs. In the opening game, played in scorching heat, Tutorial High beat St George’s High 5-2 in a fast paced game, while Queenstown whipped Multi 3-2 in the second game, also played in bright sunshine. Steve Stanton opened the scoring in 8th minute before Robby McClaggon equalized in the 27th minute to register his 3rd goal of the tournament. By half-time the score read Tutorial 1, St George’s 1

as nothing separated the teams in terms of talent in the first segment. The action intensified in the second half with Tutorial making repeated raids on the St George’s goal with St George’s launching several counterattacks in a contest with rivaled the exhilarating match-up between Lodge and Queenstown for entertainment. A header from Tutorial’s Zion Gray inadvertently hit the back of Travis Parris’ neck in the 46th and the Referee deemed it an own goal to make it 2-1 for Tutorial. Adolph George, who collected two yellow cards, leveled the scores in the 57th minute and a wonderful save from Ryam Hossein kept the rampaging Tutorial strikers at bay, but only for a while. David Coates, has been one of the better Strikers on show in the tournament and yesterday it another day at the office for him as he beat Hossein with a well executed left-footer in the 55th minute and followed up with his second goal and fifth in the tournament to make it 5-2 in the 65 th minute after Gray found the back of the net in the 63rd minute as five goals were scored in an entertaining 45 minutes of play. Kelesy ‘Neymar’ Benjamin was again a bundle of talent as he scored twice in the second half; in the 55 th and 61 st minute after Shakeal Summner had scored in the 21 st minute to open the scoring in the first half which ended 1-all. Steffon Sergeant had also netted in the first stanza for Multi. Matthew Harrison, who scored in both of his previous games, scored the winning goal in the 69th minute while Shaquan Mars was given two yellow cards in the 14th and 40th minutes. (Sean Devers)

Saturday December 20, 2014

Kaieteur News

Page 33

T&T halt Guyana’s U-19 HOCKEY run

T

he Guyana junior national men’s team was given a reminder of who the top hockey playing nation in the Caribbean is when they went down to Trinidad and Tobago 4-1 in the final game of their developmental tour. The Trinidadians started the game at a much faster tempo than they did in the first match and were rewarded with an early goal when star striker Tariq Marcano latched onto a loose ball at the top of the D and unleashed a powerful reverse shot to the bottom left of the goal. Guyana weathered the early storm well and counterattacked at pace to create several goal scoring opportunities that went abegging. The first quarter ended at 1-0 and Guyana continued to penetrate the Trinidadian scoring area in the second quarter but were not converting their chances. Trinidad made them pay for their lack of finishing by scoring off of two penalty corners 21st and 26th minutes, through Jordon Reynos and Marcano respectively to go into half time up 3-0. Guyana came out strong in the second half and were rewarded for their efforts with several penalty corners, which again were not converted and the third quarter ended without any further goals being scored. Facing their first defeat of the tour, the Guyanese upped the pace even more in the fourth quarter and were awarded a penalty

stroke when their star striker Aroydy Branford was fouled by the Trinidadian goalkeeper in the scoring area. Branford stepped up and calmly dispatched the ball into the goal and the hunt was now on. Attack after attack was turned back by a strong T&T defence, Branford was unfortunate not to score his second when one of his shots rebounded off of the crossbar. With Guyana now pressing high up field Trinidad was able to counterattack off of every turnover and were awarded a penalty corner on the stroke of full time, which was covered by Marcano to complete his hattrick. Although the defeat was a disappointment to the players who had won their previous three matches on the tour, the coaching staff was pleased with their overall performance and the fact that they were able to match skills with one of the best hockey playing nations in the Caribbean. Their performance was even more impressive considering the fact that Guyana does not possess an artificial turf on which to train and play. This developmental tour was just the first step in a two year preparation programme designed to expose the team to a series of high level competitions as they prepare for the junior Pan American cup in Toronto, Canada scheduled for June of 2016.

National Junior Men’s Team pose with coaches Dwayne Alleyne and Robert Fernandes at the end of their match against Trinidad.

Page 34

Kaieteur News

Saturday December 20, 2014

Vitamalt/Aqua Mist sponsored WDFA KO Cup

Finalists to be decided tonight at Den Amstel CC ground

H

ost Den Amstel, fresh off an aweinspiring display against Wales who they demolished 15-1, will look to duplicate that performance when they face Uitvlugt Warriors in the feature game of semi-final action in the Vitamalt/Aqua M i s t s p o n s o r e d We s t Demerara Football

A s s o c i a t i o n ( W D FA ) Knockout Cup which continues today, at the Den Amstel Community Centre ground. In the opening fixture, the mighty Slingerz FC tackle Pouderoyen and this encounter could also provide fireworks even though the former should start as overwhelming favourites to

advance to the championship game. The feature clash could pose a difficult challenge for the homesters since Uitvlugt is a different proposition to Wales and with a chance to play in the final a possibility, the team should be ignited by that prospect. Den Amstel will be pinning their hopes for victory on the likes of the inform Delon Lanferman, whose performance against Wales must send shivers up the spines of opposing defenders, while Morris Charles, Marvin Henry and

Delon Lanferman Ryan Hunter, all possess the ability to turn a match on its head. Uitvlugt on the other hand will no doubt be depending on the services of Seon Bobb, Jermaine Accra and Robert Christiani to lead their charge for a win and they should be oozing confidence after registering an impressive win over Eagles in their quarter-final matchup. The Slingerz versus Pouderoyen encounter should bring out the best in both teams since this is an important game for either side. Slingerz despite their 5-0 triumph over

Delon Garraway

Anthony Abrams

Beavers did not look as solid as fans are accustomed to seeing them, but with a player the class of former national striker Anthony ‘Awo’ Abrams in their lineup, playing even at 70% is adequate enough to defeat most teams on the West Side. Aside from Abrams, Colin Nelson, Tichard Joseph Joshua Browne, Les Charles Critchlow and Vurlon Mills are more than a handful for any backline locally so they must be favoured to win. Pouderoyen, however, is a hard working team that

exhibits admirable discipline defensively and prying open their backline has proven to be an arduous task for many opponents. Adrian Giddings, Tenie Lopes, Clement Browne, Marvin Frank, Delon Garraway and Travis Bess will be the spearhead of their quest for a place in the final and Slingerz best advice is not to take them lightly. But, before the feature games commence a match between veterans from the West Bank and West Coast will be played, starting from 17:00 hrs. Up for grabs for the winner in the competition is $1million and the championship trophy while second place finisher takes home $500,000 third place $300,000 and fourth place $200,000.

Saturday December 20, 2014

Kaieteur News

Page 35

GCB ANNUAL AWARDS CEREMONY...

Permaul, Smartt crowned top cricketers of the year

Respective Awardees display their accolades with officials of the GCB. WICB president Dave Cameron is sitting far right. By Zaheer Mohamed West Indies Left arm s p i n n e r Ve e r a s a m m y Permaul and women’s allrounder Tremayne Smartt grabbed the male and female cricketer of the year prizes respectively when the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) held its annual awards ceremony on Thursday night last at the Georgetown Cricket Club pavilion. Permaul edged out fellow Berbicians Narsingh Deonarine and Shemron Hetmyer, while Smartt a regular member of the West Indies women’s team, got the nod ahead of June Ogle and Phaffiana Millington. Permaul also took away the senior regional cricketer of the year trophy, while Deonarine was given the senior domestic cricketer of the year accolade. Guyana Jaguars skipper Vishaul Singh pocketed the most improved player of the year award, his fellow GCC club mate Leon Johnson received a prize for his selection to the West Indies senior team,

while Essequibo fast bowler Ronsford Beaton was rewarded for his achievement with the West Indies A team. Hetmyer, who had an outstanding 2014 Regional U-19 tournament, is the junior cricketer of the year; he also received prizes for scoring most runs and being the most valuable player in the said tournament. West Indies U-19 opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul received awards for scoring the most runs in the Regional U-19 three-day and one-day competitions, while spinners Steven Sankar and Sharaz Ramcharran were rewarded for taking the most wickets for Guyana in the said threeday and one day tournaments respectively. Other specials awards went to Sherfane Rutherford (MVP Regional U-17), Keemo Paul (most wickets in Regional (U-17), Adrian Sukwah (most runs in Regional U-17), Joshua Persaud (MVP and most runs in Regional U-15), Kevin Sinclair (most

wickets in Regional U-15), Phaffiana Millington (MVP and most wickets in female Regional U-19) and Latoya Smith (most runs in female Regional U-19). Albion Sports Club received the GCB President’s trophy for being adjudged the club of the year while members of the Guyana national U-15, 17 and 19 (male and female) and senior female team received prizes. Zaheer Mohamed of Kaieteur News was given a Special Service Award for outstanding services rendered as a cricket journalist as well as curator Wazim Habib, Jaipersaud Hardeo for his long and dedicated service as an umpire and Savitri Persaud for her long and outstanding service as a cricket administrator. Corporate Awards were given to Sterling Products Ltd and Banks DIH Ltd. President of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Wycliffe Dave Cameron in delivering the featured address showered

praises on the divine being and expressed gratitude to GCB President Dru Bahadur, Secretary Anand Sanasie and other executives of the local board for their invitation. He congratulated the awardees, winners and nominees. Cameron stated that the strength and legacy of club cricket in Guyana is rich and in many ways unparalleled in the region. “So many clubs in this vast country have nurtured players from their cricketing infancy all the way to the Test arena. International cricketing legends and icons of the finest caliber have come

from all corners of Guyana,” he added. The WICB head pointed out that the production line of iconic cricketers in Guyana and in the rest of the Caribbean was something everyone took for granted. “We were so richly blessed with players who were world beaters that we became complacent in the thought that these players would just keep popping up. Things have been different in recent times. The production of world class players has dried up,” he said adding that the injured Assad Fudadin has been replaced by Deonarine on the current

South African tour. Cameron stated that raising the profile of First Class cricket is important for the future success of the game in the West Indies. “At the WICB we have examined the West Indies cricket structure from bottom up and we recognized that there has been a weak link in our First Class competition,” sated Cameron. He reminded that the WICB has launched the Professional Cricket League. “Players are on annual retainer contracts and cricket and only cricket is (Continued on page 30)

t r o Sp Leon Johnson was one of five West Indies to get a solid start. (AFP)

Philander, Morkel leave WI on rocks

Morne Morkel finished off the innings with his third wicket. (Gallo Images)

Horses, Jockeys arrive for $10M GUYANA CUP REMATCH MEET TOMORROW AT PORT MOURANT

Vernon Philander picked up 4 for 29. (Gallo Images)

DEONARINE REPLACES FUDADIN IN WI TEAM Passport issues delays his departure to S/Africa

Narsingh Deonarine

Just arrived and being whipped into shape is the much vaunted Spit Fire.

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