Monday February 02, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 5
Letters... Where your views make the news...Letters... Where your views make the news
Many do not write for the goal of a prize or with a prize deadline in mind DEAR EDITOR, First let me state that my UK publishers have never heard of the Guyana Prize for Literature and since I am not about to tell them about it my latest novels will not be submitted for consideration. I have been paying attention, however, to the exchange in the newspapers between Al Creighton, secretary and administrator of the prize’s board, and writer Ruel Johnson with regard to shifting the deadline for submissions and I am troubled by some of the comments being made. I think it is a serious disservice to emerging writers to have them believe that the primary or only reason to write is to produce competitive work in order to win a prize. This is wholly reductive and dishonours the fine worldwide tradition of writing and literature which has created enduring classics that have shaped our very thinking and civilization. Many of the writers of the older classics never received much acclaim or recognition during their lifetime but then most writers write because they have talent, a fine intelligence, and because they have something to say. They do not write for the goal of a prize or with a prize deadline in mind. To win prizes for one’s book is, of course,
always a happy occasion and the way the process usually works is that after a book is published the publishers might feel it is good enough to enter into a prize-giving competition and the work is then submitted. The integrity of a book is immediately compromised when a writer sets out to produce competitive work for the approbation of a panel of judges in order to win a prize and, most especially, if the prize is sponsored by a government agency. This would require more than a little self censorship on the part of the writer if they really want to win. Is this what makes a work “competitive”? That it pleases the authorities? And is it that we have prizes therefore we must rush about and work hard to produce writers? Should it not be a case that we have so many good writers we should then move to award prizes? And, truly, are we there yet? I won a Guyana Prize once because the publishers of my first novel thought it was good enough and they submitted it for consideration. Because I have my own opinion about the Guyana Prize, I will never again allow any of my books to be submitted. I believe the feeling of disregard is mutual so this is not a problem. I wish all the competitors good luck. Ryhaan Shah
Guyana can only achieve good governance with good people at the helm
DEAR EDITOR, In this election, entering politics in Guyana is an articulated ambition of several young men and women who want to contribute to the positive development of the country. There is nothing wrong with persons indicating their desire to hold important positions in government but as with all goals, there should be sufficient preparation by the aspirants who must appreciate from the outset that they will be the servants and not the masters of the people when they enter public service. A quick view of the leaders of the PPP reveal that they do not act as servants of the people but as their masters and has dictated and implemented policies that do not benefit the masses, only their rich friends. In the past fifteen years, the Jagdeo/Ramotar cabal has constantly degenerated into the
I am providing the coalition negotiators... From page 4 Ninth, whatever formulae arrived at has to be sold to the two ethnic communities. As Freddie Kissoon pointed out if Nagamootoo is at the head of the ticket, it is African Guyanese leaders who will have to convince that group to vote outside of its traditionally entrenched frame. And the same goes for Indian Guyanese leaders if it’s a Granger-led ticket. Remember, while Indian Guyanese seek deliverance from the corrupt of their own, African Guyanese seek deliverance from ethnic domination by the other. In the case of the Indian-led ticket, one would be asking David Granger to go to African Guyanese who have invested in his leadership—their Joshua—to say to them that he is incapable of delivering them and their deliverance lies outside of their own leadership. That, I can assure you would be a tough sell, even if sold as a short term arrangement. In such a scenario, my leader whom I would campaign and vote for any day, any time, Rupert Roopnarine, will be perceived by many not as a standardbearer for ethnic justice, but as one rooting for his own. We African Guyanese activists have for the past two decades had to endure the accusatory finger and tonguelashing of African Guyanese for fighting down an African government and replacing it with an Indian one. That is the ethnic reality we face.In an acutely ethically divided society, the symbolism and realty of a horse race where
the two horses are of one group will take a lot of selling. You are taking this proposal to a people who have historically been told they are not good enough, they are not capable of producing much beyond sports and entertainment. Even the revered ethnic conciliator, Walter Rodney, would have problems selling that one. I am merely stating the obvious that some convenientlyor tactically ignore. Tenth, under normal circumstances the PNC and latterly the APNU have struggled to get enough African Guyanese to the polls. It is estimated that the vast majority of the approximately 120,000 voters who failed to vote at the last election were African Guyanese. Can somebody tell me if Black leaders cannot convince enough Black voters to come out to vote for them, how will they convince them to come out and vote for an Indian leader? Bro Ramkarran posits that ethnic reality says that for an opposition alliance to win it has to be capable of winning votes from the PPP. True. But, I am adding to that—such an alliance have to also be able to get traditional PNC voters to the poll. And that is a big challenge for a ticket not led by an African. Eleventh, I am not convinced of the logic that says electoral defeat of the PPP must first be achieved before any political advance or solution can occur. Unless the would-be PPP successors win with a two-thirds majority, fundamental changes such as constitutional reform would
not automatically happen. Finally, Bro Ramkarran, who I think would help to win more PPP votes if he gets into the trenches whether on an AFC/APNU ticket or on an AFC ticket (a NagamootooRamkarran combination would be a serious challenge to the PPP in the Indian Guyanese community), asks what is the point of proposing a post-election alliance in which someone of the opposite group is the President. This is a two-phase process—voting and formation of government. My emphasis is on the first phase—voting, whereby ethnic communities vote not only to win an election but to strengthen themselves and their leadership in a postelection scenario. Ethnic voting is also an act of selfdetermination and selfaffirmation, which are critical factors in a group’s sense of itself and which should not
be taken lightly.This, I think is what African Guyanese did in 2011—they responded enthusiastically to the APNU’s battle cry for a Government of National Unity. I think once each group registers its votes and the elections are over then Guyanese people of all races would be less rigid and more open to a negotiated National Government in which their leaders share equally in government. It is at that point a Pro-Democracy coalition of all parties including the PPP makes plenty sense. Sharing government assumes accepting some leadership from the other side some of the time. I have been accused of seeking to undermine the coalition talks. I see it differently. If they pay me any mind at all, I am providing the negotiators with more food for thought. David Hinds
second worst dictatorial regime in the Caribbean after Cuba. They are petty, divisive and spiteful to those who exposed their corrupt and crooked ways especially Kaieteur News. Jagdeo in particular has dished out some of the harshest treatment to those who opposed his crooked and corrupt practices. For example, it is alleged that he ordered the dismissal of the CEO and two of the executives at the New Building Society for refusing to provide a loan to build the Berbice Bridge. The Jagdeo/Ramotar cabal has terminated Kaieteur News columnist and former lecturer at UG, Freddie Kissoon for criticizing them. They have filed over fifty fictitious law suits for billions of dollars against the Publisher of Kaieteur News, Glenn Lall and its Editor-in-Chief, Adam Harris. But no amount of vindictiveness, character assassinations or law suits is enough to daunt the purposedriven spirits of the Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Kaieteur News who have always strive to make things better for all Guyanese. Should a AFC/APNU coalition wins the election on May 11, its leaders will not utilize the power and wealth of the country to benefit themselves but instead to implement the measures and policies to help all Guyanese, rich and poor alike realize their dreams. In this way the people will have confidence in them and they in turn will have the trust and support of the people. Moses Nagamootoo and David Granger have always been hailed as outstanding leaders and true sons of the soil. They have integrity and very high moral standards and are sincere to the cause of defeating the PPP regime and start the process to build a better and safer Guyana for all. But like all human beings they are not perfect and very early on as leaders, they have recognized the role they had to play in changing the landscape in the country
which is based on prejudice and inequality. The untouchables and the CHATTREES in the PPP who believed that they are above the rule of law, have not only ravaged the country’s resources but they have swapped their ideals and principles for billions of dollars in bribes. The success of an AFC/APNU coalition government will be measured by their refusal to accept personal gains and benefits at the expense of compromising their ideals but by putting the interests of the country and the people first. Both Moses Nagamootoo and David Granger believed in holding steadfast to their oath of office and will surround themselves with persons who believed in the art of good governance rather than finding loopholes and conveniently adhering to the philosophy that the end justifies the means. The oath that a minister must take speaks to the bearing of true faith and allegiance to Guyana, upholding the Constitution and the rule of law, conscientiously, impartially and to the best of one’s ability, discharging his/her duties and doing right by all manner of people without fear or favor, affection or ill-will. An AFC/ APNU coalition government will make sure that all actions by ministers and public officials and all decisions made by them in the execution of their duties are in accordance with the standards set forth in the oath. There will be no room for manipulation or disingenuous interpretation by anyone of the words in the oath. Those in the PPP regime have blatantly violated the oath which speaks to honesty, objectivity, decency and competency, fair-minded and good governance. Guyana can only achieve good governance with good people at the helm of government. Asquith Rose, Chandra Deolall, Dr. Merle SpenserMarks
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Kaieteur News
Monday February 02, 2015
US reiterates support for alternate energy source in Guyana By Zena Henry The stalled Amaila Falls Hydro project has been described as a “tremendous loss” to the Guyanese people after politicians were unable to agree on its execution. This is according to United States Chargé d’Affaires, Bryan Hunt, who also reiterated the North American country’s support for alternate energy within the Caribbean region. During an interview with Kaieteur News, the senior US diplomat insisted that the Amaila Falls project which would see Guyana accessing some 165MW of electricity was a “viable one” that should have materialized after several discourses among relevant stakeholders. He referred to last week Monday’s meeting between US Vice President Joe Biden and Caribbean leaders in Washington, stating that the summit is an indication of the great support the US has for the region to move away from diesel powered energy to cleaner and more economical ways of providing electricity. The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and US Company Sithe Global among other international bodies were involved in the Amaila Falls Hydro project here. Hunt said that as it
US Chargé d’Affaires Bryan Hunt stands, the US is unaware of the project’s current position, since they have not been involved in further discourse. “We consider alternative energy sources to be absolutely integral to the future of energy security of the region. So in principle, the US is strongly supportive of the development of any alternative energy resources whether that is hydro power, geothermal, solar, wind; whatever makes sense in the given country’s individual context.” Hunt said that given Guyana’s geography and the tremendous wealth potential for hydro power resources, “I would very much hope that hydro power development will move forward in this
An artist’s impression of the Amaila Falls country and hopes that the US companies are ultimately able to be a partner in developing hydro power potential in Guyana whether at Amaila Falls site or any of the other sites that has been identified.” Hunt related that for Amaila to be successful it depends of financials, hydrographic, partners, the price at which power is purchased, among other considerations.
Hunt disagreed however with comments that said that the Amaila Falls project was flawed, mismanaged and represented a waste. Some of the arguments from opposition parties in particular were that thorough studies were not conducted on the project, especially when a photo of the dried up Falls was highlighted in a section of the local media in October of 2013. Another argument put forward by the opposition is that companies making investment in the project would not necessarily have the country’s best interest at heart, but would be seeking to make profit. Considering the latter concern, Hunt said that “that is not how international companies operate in the 21 Century.” He said persons involved in this argument might very well be
misinformed, since the project involved very established international investors from the US, the IDB, and substantial bilateral donors, among others. Hunt believes that the project may have been, “the safest debt a country could have in moving toward hydro energy.” Fip Motilall’s company, Synergy Holdings was the original developer for the Amaila Falls Project. He sold the licence for the US$700M project to US Company Sithe Global when he could not access the promised funding for the project. Sithe Global pulled out eventually, claiming that it would not go ahead with the project if all parties and relevant stakeholders were not onboard. The Hydro Project would be Guyana’s largest financial undertaking if manifested. With limited information and
initial problems, opposition parties were extremely reluctant to give their approval. They said the photo of the dried up falls vindicated their resistance to the project. A Partnership for National Unity’s leader Brigadier (Ret.) David Granger, had reiterated at the time, his position for a Potaro Basin Development Authority to be put in place to monitor the project. Both APNU and the Alliance for Change (AFC) were also calling for information about the project to be laid in Parliament. They were claiming that the government was not making the project’s information available. Vice President Joe Biden has however promised Caribbean nations that the U.S. would do what it could to help countries revamp their energy sectors. This is a major concern for the Western power house as the region is heavily dependent on oil shipments from ailing Venezuela. It was reported that Biden basically encouraged Caribbean leaders to decrease their reliance on oil and move to alternative sources of energy; and the US would provide aid. He warned however that countries would need to firmly grip corruption and embark on viable projects. Guyana has one of the highest energy costs in the world. However, with accusations of massive corruption and wastage levied against the current Administration, Amaila’s future is unsure. Also, with General Elections close by, the project may be at the mercy of the government of the day.
Monday February 02, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 7
Nigeria drives back Boko Haram’s latest assault on Maiduguri Kano (Nigeria) (AFP) Nigeria’s military on Sunday repelled a Boko Haram assault on the key city of Maiduguri as violence raged across the country’s northeast just two weeks before national elections. The hours-long attack on the strategic capital of Borno state was the Islamists’ second attempt to take Maiduguri in a week. As government forces were holding off Boko Haram in Maiduguri, the airforce of neighbouring Chad was pounding the militants’ positions in Gamboru, a town on Nigeria’s border with Cameroon 140 kilometres (87 miles)to the northeast. With near-relentless violence plaguing much of the northeast, and Boko Haram still in control of large swathes of the region, fears are mounting over the prospect of organising polls on February 14. The opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), which claims to be gaining momentum in the campaign against President Goodluck Jonathan, has rejected calls for the vote to be postponed.
But hundreds of thousands of voters in the northeast, an APC stronghold, could be disenfranchised by the unrest if the election goes ahead in two weeks. - ‘Massive’ insurgent casualties – Heavily-armed gunmen attacked the southern edge of Maiduguri at roughly 3:00 am (0200 GMT), setting off explosives as they tried to enter the city, several residents said. Repelled in the south by troops backed by vigilantes, they regrouped and tried to take the city from the east, where they again met stiff resistance. As the gun battles raged, “the whole city (was) in fear,” said resident Adam Krenuwa. Defence ministry spokesman Chris Olukolade said the assault on the town, where the extremist group was founded more than a decade ago, was “contained” and that “the terrorists incurred massive casualties.” “The situation is calm as mopping up operation in the affected area is ongoing,” he wrote in a text message, a claim consistent with witness
President Goodluck Jonathan speaks to displaced people from Baga in a Maiduguri camp on January 15, 2015 (AFP Photo/Olatunji Omirin) reports. Despite being under fire in recent months, Maiduguri has become a place of refuge for people forced to flee other areas in Borno that have been taken over by the Islamist rebels. - Campaign meeting attacked In other attacks in the northeast Sunday, a suicide bomber killed seven people in Potiskum, the economic capital of Yobe state, while two blasts killed five people in Gombe city to the south. The bomber in Potiskum
Japan mourns Kenji Goto as caring and courageous reporter TOKYO (AP) — Whether in tsunamistricken northeastern Japan or conflict-ridden Sierra Leone, the stories of the vulnerable, the children and the poor drove the work of journalist Kenji Goto. The news of his purported killing by Islamic State militants sent Japan into shock and mourning early Sunday morning, days after his plight as a hostage in Syria united many people in praying for his release. “I want to cuddle with the people. That’s the best way to express my approach,” Goto, 47, said about his work. “By cuddling with them, I can talk with the people. I can hear their views — their pain and their hopes.” A pony-tailed man with a friendly, carefree laugh, Goto was a veteran freelance reporter, working often with other filmmakers and Japanese TV producers. His comments were sometimes featured on Japanese mainstream media. The 2005 book he wrote about the suffering of children in Sierra Leone was titled “We Want Peace, Not Diamonds.” But Goto had always stressed he was not a war reporter. He had insisted he was instead
devoted to telling the story of regular people, one step removed from the war zone.That took him to refugee camps and orphanages. He told the stories of children suffering violence, hunger and nightmares.In a testament to his charm and integrity, people responded with an outpouring of support to try to win his release. A Facebook page, set up immediately after the first video released by militants last month, quickly drew tens of thousands of “Likes” and photo postings that showed people, from not just Japan but around the world, holding up hand-written signs that said: “I am Kenji.””Kenji lives on — in all our hearts. In our daily work. Every time you smile with those around you, you will be sure to remember that big smile Kenji always gave us,” wrote Taku Nishimae, a filmmaker living in New York and the page’s creator.An online petition demanding the government do more to save Goto collected thousands of signatures. Crowds have gathered outside the prime minister’s office, holding up “Free Kenji” and “I am Kenji” signs.
blew himself up shortly after midday outside the home of Sabo Garbu, who is running for a seat in the lower house of parliament on behalf of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Seven people died in the blast and seven others were injured, a police officer at the scene who requested anonymity said in an account supported by three witnesses. Garbu and those attending his campaign meeting reportedly escaped unhurt. It was not immediately clear if the attack was the work of Boko Haram. In neighbouring Gombe state, a blast at a market killed
two people, a witness said. The cause of the explosion was unclear. Moments later, a suicide bomber on a motorcycle blew himself up at a military checkpoint, killing a soldier and two others, said another witness. A military source who requested anonymity confirmed the attack. Boko Haram, fighting to create a hardline Islamic state, has carried out dozens of bombings throughout its sixyear uprising, which has claimed more than 13,000 lives. Fearing the collapse of government control in areas controlled by the Islamists along their borders, Nigeria’s neighbours have rallied to the fight against Boko Haram. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Saturday backed an African Union proposal for a 7,500-strong regional taskforce. Chad has already sent troops and aircraft to help repel crossborder Boko Haram incursions. On Sunday, Chadian fighter jets went into action against Boko Haram in the town of Gamboru for a second day running, an AFP journalist witnessed. Loud explosions were heard coming from the town while local and Chadian troops and armoured vehicles
massed across the border in the Cameroonian town of Fotokol, pointing to a possible imminent ground operation. A Chadian officer told AFP the airstrikes sought to pave the way for Gamboru “to be liberated.” - Polls in two weeks Election officials have insisted Nigeria’s vote will go ahead on February 14, but concede that voting will be impossible across much of the northeast. Foreign observers have said that they will not even attempt to monitor polling in the region because of the unrest. Jonathan, who is facing a stiff challenge from former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari, has repeatedly tried to assure Nigerians that Boko Haram could be contained. But those promises have consistently proved hollow, with the violence having escalated each year under his watch and his management of the crisis being fiercely criticised, including during the presidential campaign. The APC’s Buhari, a former army general who briefly led the country in the mid-1980s, has told voters that he will be able to curb the bloodshed but has so far not released a specific plan to deal with Boko Haram.
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Kaieteur News
Monday February 02, 2015
Cop caught on tape negotiating settlement Schoolgirl sex assault probe…
The case of the alleged rape of a 15-year-old girl by the son of a prominent official has taken an even more sinister turn, with a female
police constable being recorded suggesting that the victim collect a $900,000 settlement, and that the cop keep $200,000 for herself.
Policewoman: Hello Female caller: Hi, good afternoon. Cop: Good afternoon. Caller: Corporal (name given)? Cop: Hi. Caller: Hi, this is (name of victim) cousin Cop: who? Caller (name of victim cousin) Cop: Hi hi hi Caller: Here is what, we didn’t get back to you because we still discussing this matter Cop: Well I don’t have a problem with that. I was trying to get onto the mother to talk to her about something, but she didn’t answer her phone. I don’t have a problem. Caller: Can we come in on Monday? Cop: If you come in Monday, it has to be after lunch. Caller: After lunch you gun be in there? Cop: Yeah, because I got to go to town Monday morning to deal with a matter and after that I have to go to Eve Leary so that gun be like after lunch. Caller: Hear, nah, the settlement, how much they looking at ? Cop: Well the mom and I discuss it and she said $700,000. Caller: $700,000? Cop: Yeah, she said $700,000 when I talked to her. Caller: Seven? Cop: Yea. Caller: And out of the seven, how much we gotta give you? Cop: No, well listen, in all she getting seven and I gun get two($200,000); so in all, it gun be nine ($900,000). Caller: Nine? Cop: She said she wanted the seven, right, and I said I wanted two, so in all it would be nine and she gun get what she called for and I gone get my two. Caller: And the boy family agree to pay this? Cop: Yeah, they don’t have a problem Caller: And we can’t go a little higher? Cop: How much higher you wanna go? Caller: Ammmm, maybe $1.2M. Cop: Well, listen to me I don’t have a problem. I talked to the mother before, this thing is all about communication, right, it’s all about communication. If you want to make a decision I don’t have a problem, it’s not my life. I was trying to help out the situation. If she wanted that she could have come in and say what she want. All they (boy family) waiting on is for me to say yes this is what it is. I don’t have a
In the recording, which is in the possession of Kaieteur News, the rank, who is stationed at Cove and John, also suggests that her ‘cut’
be increased to $300,000 if the settlement increases. Information reaching Kaieteur News indicates that this rank has been pushing
problem with what they want. Caller: But hear nah, if we call for this $1.2, how much more we gotta give u? Cop: If you call $1.2, all I gun get is the two ($200,000) and y’all could probably give me a one ($100,000) more; so in all it gun be three ($300,000) Caller: Three? Cop: Yeah, I don’t have a problem Caller: well, hear is what, let me go discuss it with them and I gun call you back Cop: Alright. Kaieteur News was told that the teen and her mother had seen the suspect and his father at the Cove and John Police Station and that the suspect was briefly detained. Sources told Kaieteur News that he spent some three hours in the lockups, and while there, he was heard boasting to other prisoners that nothing would come out of the matter, and that he would not be detained for long. “He was saying no matter how much (money) they (the victim’s family) wants, they (his family) would give them,” a source said. The teen has told police that the 24-year-old man, who is the son of a prominent official, sexually assaulted her after luring her into his car under the pretext of taking her home. The incident allegedly occurred last Tuesday at a desolate spot on the East Coast of Demerara. Kaieteur News understands that the teen has submitted a statement as well as a medical document to police. She reportedly also took photographs which show bite marks that were allegedly inflicted during the assault. This newspaper understands that the 24-year-old suspect has denied that he raped the teen and that the sex was consensual. The teen said that a mutual acquaintance introduced her to her alleged assailant in October, 2014. The acquaintance also reportedly gave the man her cell phone number. According to the teen, she had told the man that she was participating in a pageant and was seeking sponsors. “He said no problem…he would get me whatever I needed,” she said. She said that last Tuesday, the man contacted her while she was in school, and promised to pick her up that afternoon to discuss his sponsorship for the pageant. They reportedly met after school at a Vlissengen Road establishment at around 17.00 hrs, and the man took her to Thomas Street in his tinted Mercedes “to pay his workers.”
the teen’s family to seek a financial settlement, rather than endure a lengthy court proceeding which may not end in their favour.
The cell phone recording starts with the policewoman answering her phone and confirming her identity.
She claimed that when he returned, they headed to her East Coast Demerara home, and the young man began to indicate that he wanted them to have a relationship. “I said no, I have exams, I have to settle down’, and he said ‘I could give you whatever you want, even a car for US$6,000,’ and he said that his dad has two houses in Canada, and I keep saying no,” the teen said. She said that while directing him to her home, the man suddenly drove to a desolate road on the East Coast of Demerara where he parked. “I look at him and ask what he doing here and he start to pull at my clothes and bite me, and he said that is what he does to women who don’t want to give him sex. I started to scream and he covered my mouth.” She said that the man then pulled down her underwear and sexually assaulted her. He then dropped her off a short distance from her home, while promising that he would get her everything she wanted for the pageant. According to the girl, on arriving home, she contacted the male relative who had introduced her to the individual who had assaulted her. According to the teen, she also confided in her mother. Kaieteur News was told that the alleged victim and her mother visited the Beterverwagting Police Station the following day. She said that while at the station, the alleged assailant contacted her by phone. “He said that somebody send him a (phone) message saying that I rape a schoolgirl, and if you do that to me you will damage my character. “I ask him why he do it and he say he didn’t rape, he only bit me. He say that his father is a (ministerial) candidate and that he (the father) would disown me.” She also claimed that a rank at the station recorded the conversation on a cell phone. The teen and her mother reportedly visited the Cove and John Police Station the following day, and were subsequently sent to the Brickdam Police Station. There, a police medical doctor examined her and she was also given a medical document to take to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. The teen alleged that another young woman subsequently contacted her by phone and claimed that she narrowly escaped a similar fate after the man lured her into his car under the pretext of wanting to chat with her. There are reports that the man was recently also accused of physically assaulting a former girlfriend and posting nude photos of the woman on the internet.
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Kaieteur News
GFS’ five-year strategic... (From page 17) and the fact that the Guyana Fire Service is where it is today, prior to 1992, is clear for everyone to see…I’m very happy to be associated with the progress of the Guyana Fire Service,” Minister Rohee said. The Home Affairs Minister reiterated that the plan is only one aspect of the GFS’ modernisation process, and that implementation is another critical issue. However, this transformation could not have been possible without the hard work of some key individuals, and Minister Rohee lauded Fire Chief, Marlon Gentle, for his contribution to the service over the years. Meanwhile, Gentle in his remarks, said that this plan is the vehicle that will take the GFS on that road to modernisation. To the ranks, Gentle said that they have a significant role to play in this modernisation process. Stakeholders were also urged to get involved. (GINA)
(From page 19)
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Monday February 02, 2015
Tumatumari boat accident...
Man found, no sign of missing boy, 7 Rescue workers combing the Potaro River for the missing passengers of a boat that went over the Tumatumari Waterfall on Friday, have recovered the body of 20-year-old Levi Isaacs, the Region’s Regional Executive Officer (REO), Ronald Harsawack has confirmed. As of last evening, there was still no sign of sevenyear-old Jaeden Pereira of Micobie, Region Eight. Reports indicate that about 23:30 hours on Friday night a boat with seven persons encountered mechanical problems while navigating the area in the vicinity of the hydro plant on the Potaro River. The vessel reportedly drifted backwards and headed over the Tumatumari waterfalls, which is averaged to be about 35 - 40 feet in height. The body of 23-yearold Captain, Mark Williams, called ‘Dennis’ was the first to be recovered on Saturday. Levi, of Monkey Mountain, and Pereira were
listed as missing while Pereira’s mother Sylvia Pio; her two brothers Crawford Pio and Clemson Andrew all of Micobie; and Carl Joseph of Lethem were injured. The four were treated at the Micobie Health Center. Speaking to Kaieteur News yesterday, Harsawack said the village is still struggling to come to grips with the accident. The REO reported that the team, comprising of eight boat loads of villagers, went on the search mission yesterday combing the river from the area just below the waterfall to the mouth of the Potaro River. He said the plan is to now extend the search area towards the mouth of the Essequibo River. Meanwhile, one of the survivors, Sylvia said she is a cook employed at Falls Top but her son stayed with her sister in Tumatumari because it made it easier for him to attend school. Sylvia told this publication that prior to the
accident, she collected her son and was taking him to spend some time with her at Falls Top. She said she was discussing her plans to travel when the Captain overheard and offered her a lift. She said that Williams and her brothers were in a shop at Tumatumari where they had several rounds of alcohol along with Joseph. Sylvia said they eventually made it to the waterway and went into the boat. “This boat tek long to start. They keep trying to start it and it won’t start. After a long time then it start up and we gone.” The woman went on to say that the drive is usually 10 minutes from Tumatumari to Falls Top. She explained that when they were “halfway there,” the vessel’s engine cut off then the Captain started it again. The cook told this publication that she and the occupants at first believed Williams was pulling a prank on them because at the time he was “kind of high.”
“The boat did giving we problems. When Mark start it back, he started going backwards and we end up over the falls,” the woman recalled. She explained that when the boat went over the waterfalls, everyone scattered. “It’s not a lil fall, it big. I hold onto him (Jaeden Pereira) so tight but when we go over the fall I couldn’t hold him no more. It’s a big big fall, I don’t know how I survive. I don’t know how I live through the rapid,” a teary Sylvia recounted. She claimed that she felt like she was drowning and had ingested a copious amount of water. She told this publication that throughout the ordeal, she kept praying for her and her 7-year-old. The mother said the river drifted her away and eventually she landed on a river bank before being saved by the rescue team. Her brothers also survived the accident. They are currently nursing wounds they sustained.
“It is wild, wild west”- GWMO President (From page 3) water claims and discovered that others were also mining on properties there, “so he (the Mines Officer) had to do other cease orders.” “It is the worst I have ever seen in a long time. It is wild, wild west. This woman owns all these properties but these dredge people just doing what they want, she has no say. A man had a big missile and dragger, saying he is working land, but dragger cannot work land. But, if he working land, he should put it on land, not on her claims. There are laws to
protect these things. She is losing millions,” said Broomes. The GWMO President told Kaieteur News that she is going to the Manager of Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) today to find out what is next, since the persons continued with their operation even after they were served with the Cease Orders. Broomes said she cannot understand this new way of doing things. “Before time they use to measure the pit when they give you a Cease Work Order. A cease order
is not to turn off an engine. We use to have to pull our engine out of the pit it. It meant you had to cease work, dismantle. Now is something that is being served so by the time the officer leaves, they continue to work. And, by the time the investigation finish the man on the ground is not losing, he done work out you place and make a good 80 ounce of gold and you cannot take him to court because he can go and say he make one ounce or none at all.” Broomes said that Mendonza was able to be
disrespectful to the Mines Officer because “he knows big ones and he got politicians as associates and friends, so he is all powerful… the people who don’t know big ones have to tow the lines but those who know big ones get off free. The Mines officer would not even approach his dredge, and would not even go to his operation because he knows that even if he tries to do his job he would be playing with trouble” Broomes asserted that she thinks the unlawful mining is being done too blatantly and called on all women with properties in the interior to come together. She said that she is advocating that persons who work on other people claims be charged as a way to address the issue head on. Broomes said that it has become a practice treating woman “anyhow, but as President of this organization, I want to go on record saying that we will not accept this as business as usual.” Broomes said that her organization held workshops last year to educate the women about mining regulations. She urged that the GGMC makes such or similar moves to educate Mines Officers about regulations because “Often times on the ground, they make decisions that are against the mining regulation.”
Monday February 02, 2015
Kaieteur News
SALON Make Up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, Black Opal and Sacha cosmetics. Call: 647-1773/660-5257 VACANCY Admin Assistant, within the vicinity of E.B.D & W.B.D. Must be well spoken & have 5 CXC subjects including: Maths & English. Email: snow198390@hotmail.com International Cruiseline Purser officers, waitresses, waiters, cooks, receptionists, storekeepers, cleaners, electricians, carpenters, printers, cosmetologists etc Tel: 231-6296, 650-9880 24 Hour East Coast Guyoil needs night pump attendants, salesgirl, office assistant & handyman- Call: 695-9880; 669-4755 Accounts Clerk: Qualifications, 5 CXC subjects, DacEasy & QuickBooks @ August Beverages Ent, 27 Norton & Creen Sts. N/Burg Work from home: Earn $5,000 to $20,000 daily, 9am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday - Call: 233-6517/ 638-0595 or www.jobfairworldwide.com Live-in housekeeper 35-45 yrs to care for infant Tel: 6978797 One Skillful joiner to work in workshop – Contact: 2191342 or 610-7005 Factory staff, GTI / GITC Male/ Female graduates preferred. Canter drivers, marketing assistant, Drivers Licence required. Tel. 266 5569 Salesclerk from ages 25-45 with experienced, appear with application @ Christine’s Variety Store @ Lombard St – Contact: 6268003/ 227-8529 One TM 6X6 Driver with mechanical experienced, one burner/cutter – Call: 6165510; 683-3480
CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVE AUTO RENTAL: CARS & SUV FOR RENTAL-$4,000&UPPERDAYCALL: 643-5122, 219-3900, EMAIL: PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM
SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.–CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620 Guyana Passport & Visa Forms Application, USA, Canada and England. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. Repairs & spare, fridge, freezer, A/C, washers, stoves. Contact Nick: 683-1312, 627-3206
We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer Call Omar: 2310655, 683-8734
LEARN TO DRIVE Soman Son & Outar Driving School at Maraj BuildingTel: 644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997
House Lots in 1 of Guyana’s top luxury gated communities @ Eccles, 60X100 - $7.5M. (Special prices) - Call: 2272913; 683-3033
For all construction, carpentry, masonry, pluming, swimming pools, painting etc. Free estimates and plan Contact # 669-7376
EDUCATIONAL Learn a skill & supplement your income; course offered: Sewing, Floral, Curtain Design, Fabric paint & tie dye. Call: 661-7502
VEHICLE FOR SALE
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620
Toyota Voxy to register in ‘B’ fully loaded never registered - $2.1M - Call: 6172891
Fluffy, loving puppies – Tel:645-0240 or 629-3814 6500 Watts Construction Grade on wheel Honda Generator - $390,000 – Tel: 261-2988
Eccles: Commercial lots for sale at Eccles – Tel:227-2913. Cell: 683-3033
18 New Home lite Chain Saw, leather sofa, others too many to list – Tel: 261-2988
1. Parika, Peter Street; 2. Blankenburg, behind gas station lot size: 75’X76' (3 parcels)= Contact 650-0402
1-250 KVA Generator $3.6M, 1-110 KVA Generator - $1.8M, 1-9 KVA Generator $700,000 – Call: 223-8161
Located in Republic Gardens, Peters Hall, E.B.D. Interest person – Contact: 231-5359 or 672-7189
Complete Snapper Boats for sale – Excellent Condition – Contact: 6486815; 670-4459 Game Shop Equipment for sale - Call: 610-0808 Beautiful Tibetan Terrier pups for sale – Call: 696-7467
FOR SALE 2 Imported male German shepherd, 4 months old and 1 white female husky - Call: 664-5401
Original pools table cloth, balls, pocket cuestick, rubber, coinshute, chalk spring, chalk holder, coins– Call: 669-9927 Yamaha outboard engines, various sizes, tundra wheels, boat trailer – Tel: 220-1981, 698-7047
5 Acre fruit bearing farm with small cottage sale of least option on Demerara River Tel: 261-2988 Five bedrooms house, 107 Lamaha Gardens & Large Parking; AC Rooms Hot & Cold, Purified Water System Call: 661-8908, 335-3590 GT TOOL RENTALS: COMPACTOR; CHIPPING HAMMER RANSOM & FLOOR SANDER, , JACK HAMMER, CONCRETE SAW & MORE - CALL: 675-0767, 639-8101 1 Huge building in Lethem Commercial Zone, ideal for stores - Call: 664-5401; 615-5343 Prime business place to rent on Sheriff Street, only for offices – Contact: 627-6740 One business place to rent opposite Stewartville Primary and Secondary School, W.C.D - Tel: 613-5261 2 Bedrooms upper flat $45,000 per month at Grove New Scheme, E.B.D - Call: 642-1956 Spacious 2 bedrooms apartment for rental in Eccles AA, Call: 233-2136 or 6612508/223-5148 3 Bedrooms apartment for rent at Mon-Repos E.C.D $55,000 Contact: 692-9295 or 660-5233
TO LET House for rent @ Grove Housing Scheme with 3 bedrooms -$70,000 – Tel:6424429; 639-8056 Furnished 1 & 2 bedrooms apartments: AC, grilled, parking (walking distance to Caricom & UG) – Call: 6233404 or 222-6708 Furnished executive one or two bedroom suites in Diamond. Ideal for foreigners. Call 609 2466. Fully Furnished vacation home with all amenities- Call during working hours – Call: 227-1218 Three bedrooms concrete top flat in Cane View Ave, South Ruimveldt Gardens - $90,000 - Call: 218-1949 FOR SALE/FOR RENT American Pool Table – Tel: 277-0578
One complete purified drinking water shop, 3 white tanks, ultraviolet, 1 amp, 1 pressure pump, wooden building 10X10 -Tel: 622-5986 Games for PS2, PS3, XBOX360, WII, consoles also available – Call: 6722566, 265-3232 Two barber/salon chairs – Call: 264-3070, 680-2191 Tacoma Tundra Parts, BMW, Audi lights & visors, mud flap, Toyota Cami Engine Tel: 680-6374 Dell/HP computers with 19’’ LCDs $55,000, Laptops $49,000, free educational software & games, Future Tech 231-2206 New/used salon equipment and security cameras and monitors, lorex brand - Call: 664-5401 Doberman pinscher puppies Call: 687-7177 or 624-7683
1 Pitbull minibus, stick gear, BPP series, mag rims- $2.2M neg. Call: 673-7652 Nissan Titan 4X4; fully loaded; good condition; price $2.5M neg. – Call: 6201026 1 Toyota Landcruiser Prado PMM Series Call: 219-5354 Monday- Friday 8:154:15Pm & Saturday 8:151:15PM 1 Massey Ferguson, 135 in excellent condition – Tel:616-9505; 228-5220 Toyota IST PMM 755, 65 CF GSS 6715, 75 DAF GNN 5366, price negotiable – Contact Johnson: 613-5212 or 664-1030 1-10 Ton Ford Cargo, dump truck GEE 9144, 1 Spare Cab & Gear box, working condition - Price $1.4M - Tel: 663-0567; 684-8654 1 Honda 600 CCRR, Toyota AT 212, AT 192, Allion, Raum, EP71 Starlet, Alteeza, 1 Nissan Titan – Tel: 6445096; 697-1453 We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 Tacoma- Call: 680-3154 AT192, 212, Allion, unregistered Premio, Hilux Surf, BNN, RZ & Pit-bull, 7 seater super custom. Cash / terms- Call:680-3154 Toyota Prado, Price$5M Neg. Call: 643-2403
XBOX 360 with 3 games & controller, Nintendo 3DS with Pokémon Y & Black – Call: 683-8386
HOUSE PLAN DRAFTING AND ESTIMATES FOR ONLY $15,000- CALL:6949843/227-2766 Permanent & Visitors Visa Applications, Professional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maria Building Call Sabita: 225-6496, 662-6045
FOR RENT
Cat 320 CL 2005 only 3800HRs sold as is, cash offer only, must go – Contact Azim: 660-3235
Repairs to refrigerators, gas stoves, washing machines, AC Units- Call Lindon on 641-1086; 694-2202 Repairs to plasma, LCD, LED television etc – Call: Abdul Electronics: 225-0391
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. Lincoln 500 AMP diesel welders with Perkins 4 cylinder engine - Tel#650-0402 Mill Cut Lumber Kabukalli, Silverballi, Etc – Call: 6539752; 688-6579
LAND FOR SALE
Eagle’s fridge re-gas - $8,000 & washing machine repairs. Phone: 697-2969, 223-4207 PEN PAL Companion for retired gentleman 38yrs+. Reply with photo to bobbyother@yahoo.com
Certificate in: Cosmetology, nails, wig designs, early child care/ care for elderly classes commence February Call: 666-5241/ 619-7603
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AT 170 Toyota Carina – EFI, AC, Alarm, Mags - $650,000 Neg. – Call: 673-7652 PROPERTY FOR SALE Land with small concrete house; for sale in Grove over 8,000 Sq. Ft. Call: 612-4030; 216-2759 Transported Property @ Grove/Diamond, 3 bedrooms, 1 self-contained, concrete fence, grilled store room & Shed, (45X26) – Call: 660-1353, 216-4338 Corner Property, Grove Public Road - $29M Neg. Call: 613-5645 Houses & house lots for sale in 1 of Guyana’s top luxury gated communities, located @ Eccles E.B.D Tel: 227-2913; 683-3033 House & land at Bath, Berbice for sale or switch to Diamond, Canal or Parfaite Harmony Call: 646-3504 Property @ Water Pum Street Leonora (24X58) - Tel: 642-5799
PROPERTY FOR SALE One two storey, 3 bedroom wooden concrete house, fully grilled, ideal for business, spacious land at Enterprise – Call: 667-9781 Spacious 4 bedrooms two storied house, two large lots @ Zeeburg area, all amenities, move-in condition - Call: 277-0024; 684-6106 Two storey wooden & concrete, three bedrooms, self contained with A/C @ Parika - Tel: 660-3118 Large house lot @ Zeeburg; fenced; bearing fruit trees; front & rear access – Call: 277-0024; 684-6106 (Continued on page 18)
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Gender-based attacks haunt UWI, Mona (Jamaica Gleaner) IT is a problem which has plagued the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, for years: sexual harassment and other gender-based violence on the halls. Last year, the university advertised for someone to take up a post of counsellor/ sexual harassment adviser to deal with sexual violence on the campus. However, our news team was unable to confirm if someone had been found to fill the post. Sunday Gleaner sources say the campus, with 70 per cent of its population being females, is a haven for those who assault and harass women. The sources say female students, particularly those who live on the campus, have been subjected to various forms of violence. But, responding to Sunday Gleaner questions, the administration at the university said it is not aware of wide-scale cases of genderbased violence on campus. “Where cases are reported, the matter is investigated and disciplinary action taken against perpetrators. While the Mona campus is unaware of deliberate genderbased violence, the UWI, Mona, recognises the need to
provide avenues for students to manage conflict of any kind, given the wider societal context, and has implemented a number of measures to address the matter,” declared the administration. The university also pointed to its sexual harassment policy and efforts to develop a safety and awareness campaign to address the various issues surrounding safety. NOT A PRIORITY However, Taitu Herron, development specialist and gender analyst with the United Nations Development Programme, chronicled some of the reported cases of violence against women on the campus in her study Whose Business Is It? Violence Against Women at UWI, Mona. In the study, Herron noted that while violence against female students was not unique to UWI, Mona, on other campuses around the world, the issue is given high priority, which is not the case at UWI. She charged that instances of rape of female students on campus by persons known to them was highlighted by a student group called Society for the Upliftment of Women via Edu-
cation as early as 2007, yet instead of working with that group to find solutions to the problem, the university’s administration sanctioned members of the group for taking the issue public. “Unfortunately, to date, there is no centralised approach to violence against women or even generally speaking gender-based violence on the University of the West Indies campuses,” said Herron. “Why has the earlier positive contributions to addressing the problem of violence against women at the university not been acted upon? Could it be a preoccupation with other matters such as university funding, fees, beatification and expansion? Could it be because of the predominance of male leadership in the university administration? Could it be a lack of sensitivity on their part even though the student body is largely female?” Herron reported that between 2010 and 2012, the offices of security services received 67 reports of violence against female students on campus. These included five cases of rape, 11 cases of sexual harassment, and 18 cases of physical assault. There were also 10 cases of
Attorneys pressure T&T AG to resign PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, Jan 31, CMC – The Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago (LATT) Saturday called on Attorney General Anand Ramlogan to “step down” immediately as police investigate allegations of witness tampering against him. “It is the view of the LATT that the police investigation into the conduct of the Attorney General has the ability to adversely affect and undermine the public
Attorney General Anand Ramlogan perception of and confidence in the Office of the Attorney
General,” LATT said. Acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams has confirmed that the authorities have launched an investigation after recei v i n g a written complaint from the director of the Police Complaints Authority (PCA), David West. Poli c e s a y We s t h a d presented Williams with a signed statement making an allegation of ‘an attempt to pervert the course of justice’ against Ramlogan.
stalking and 17 cases of domestic dispute during the period - all of which took place on the halls of residence. SPEAKING OUT The numerous cases of violence against women, in particular domestic disputes and physical assault, forced the student group UWI SPAT to organise a speak-out forum for students to discuss the issue. “It’s something you always hear about happening on some of the halls on campus, so we thought we needed a forum for students to speak out about their experiences and find some solutions to it, and what we heard only confirmed that the rumours were real,” said the student organiser, who told The Sunday Gleaner that he knew of at least six to seven cases of girls being assaulted on the halls of residence last year. “A number of female students spoke about experiencing or having friends who had experienced violence on the residence halls. One person told us about a case where a girl was dragged down the hall by her hair, but other students
and security guards didn’t want to get involved because they said they are in a relationship,” said the student. Female advocate and counsellor with Woman Inc, Joyce Hewitt, who was a guest at the UWI Spat forum, said the accounts she heard pointed to a number of female students living in fear. “I heard accounts of young ladies saying they were so afraid of being alone, one or two said they were so fearful of the sexual and physical intimidation they encountered, that they just did not go to places where they wanted to, such as the library,” reported Hewitt. TIP OF ICEBERG The number of reported cases referenced by Heron in her study “may just be the tip of the iceberg in terms of the true numbers of female students who are actually assaulted on campus”, Hewitt argued. “These are reported cases and we know based on our experience with dealing with gender-based violence, where you have one reported case there are generally three to
four cases out there unreported for a variety of reasons,” said Hewitt. “Many of them fear some level of retribution, they feel some embarrassment, they feel some level of self-guilt, and this is why those at the administration of the university need to listen to the students more instead of trying to hide it as something shameful; just address it and put it out in the open.” However, president of the UWI Guild of Students, Lerone Laing, told The Sunday Gleaner that he did not think violence against women on campus was a chronic problem, as he had received no such reports in recent times. “I’m not saying it doesn’t happen. It’s just the extent that I’m really questioning, but to be honest, that isn’t one of the things we are giving priority attention at this time. “I agree we should be encouraging persons to come forward and building awareness about these issues, but right now, unfortunately, we don’t have those as one of our priority issues,” explained Laing.
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GGMC continues to overstep its boundaries The Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) recently revealed how much of its funds it transferred to the national purse. It said that in 2006, it transferred $800M while in 2010, $2B was provided. The Commission also declared that in 2011, another $2B was transferred whilst in 2012, $2B was also transferred. This gives a total of $6.8B which has been transferred to the Consolidated Funds by the Commission within a six year period. The political opposition has been calling on the Commission and even the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh for some time, to not only ensure all GGMC funds are placed into the Consolidated Funds, but to also declare how much has been transferred and when, if any. Asked up to press time if
- Moses Nagamootoo
AFC Vice Chairman, Moses Nagamootoo he is the least bit satisfied with this exposure, Vice Chairman of the Alliance For Change (AFC) Moses Nagamootoo, responded in the negative. Nagamootoo told this publication that the nation is not in a position at this point to verify those statements,
considering that the Parliament has been prorogued and as such would go further to state that the Commission only gave part of the story. He stated that it is clear by the recent $3B loan agreement between the Commission and the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), that the Commission has been withholding monies and releasing what it wants to the national purse. The lawyer posited that this move by the Commission raises questions as to why monies were withheld in the first place and not all transferred to the Treasury. Nagamootoo said that GGMC should not be operating in such a manner
and posited that its recent move regarding the Loan Agreement is only for Banks. “Why are they holding on to monies and then transferring what they want? They are holding on to monies because they have
“Only transferring a portion of public funds and keeping what you want is unconstitutional, outrageous and violates the country’s financial laws.” intentions of giving loans? GGMC is not a Bank,” he emphasized. He said too that the Commission has been overstepping its bounds in holding onto monies and lending what it deems necessary to government
Letters... Where your views make the news
Losing Grounds in Berbice is not the issue, bad governance is DEAR EDITOR, With General and Regional Elections in the air for 2015, much is being said by political parties so as to win the minds of the electorate. Mainly much false information is being peddled to the voters and the wider society by the rogue elements in the PPP\C esp. here in Berbice against the AFC and its members. Over the past several weeks, we heard the PPP\C General Secretary in one of his press conferences saying that the AFC is losing ground in Berbice and that the once PPP\C supporters are going back to the party because the AFC did not fulfill what they promised. This is also being said everyday to the Berbicians by PPP\C MPs in the county. I would not blame them because they are less thinkers for themselves and allow the PPP\C to think for them that is why we see some of the educated ones in the PPP\C becoming just like the “goat na bite me man” We saw the Guyana Times, which I don’t know who
makes it the Beacon Of Truth, but should make it the Beacon Of Deceitfulness, had an interview with a few people who claim to be AFC Members and supporters claiming they are going back to the PPP\C because the AFC did not fulfill its promises it made to the voters in 2011. Well Guyana Times should be PPP\C Times because it allowed the government, which is a major supporter of their papers, to run the affairs of its daily published news. Well I understand why you guys are deceiving the people and mostly yourself because you all need to stay in office so that you and your government can continue to punish the working class and poor Guyanese. The matter is not whether the AFC is Losing Ground or Not, the real issues that need to be tackled by these propaganda machines are the bad governance happening in Guyana, the lack of employment for youths, the non reduction of the Berbice River Bridge Toll, the lack of sports facilities and support to sports clubs,
police brutalities, Anil Nandalall’s threats to the working class, Ashni Singh spending without approval, the suicide rate, the corruption within the RDC’s and NDC’s in Berbice and Guyana at Large, the lack of NCN Berbice to show a proper program that the family can enjoy together, the using of youths as electioneering machines for the PPP\C, the sinking of the sugar industry, the lack of water in the Black Bush Polders, etc. And Mr. Editor, what is more important of these propaganda machines is for them to advise and educate if they could the President not to use people’s funeral houses as a way of campaigning for support in the 2015 elections. This President and PPP\C can really stoop low so as to embarrass true Guyanese
agencies. The Commission recently declared that the granting of the $3B loan should not be seen as an isolated case where monies are being expended or utilized to support other agencies and the development of the country. In fact, it said that GGMC has a history of providing financial assistance to other
fighters. These men must take a walk when the AFC is holding bottom house and public meetings in Berbice and they will see what the turnout is or ask NCN for the tape of the Whim Public Meeting that was kept in November 2014, unlike the PPP\C who just s p e a k s t o a b o ut ten to fifteen people at their meetings, ask Nandalall how much he had at Experiment Bath, West Coast Berbice and also ask Ramsammy what was the turn out at the PPP\C bottom house meeting in Woodley Park. West Coast Berbice that he had to call off. So my little advice to you guys and the PPP\C is stop spreading misinformation and tackle the issues of the people in the villages and not in your offices. Abel Seetaram AFC Executive
entities. It cited numerous cases where it gave monies to agencies over the 2012 to 2015 period. It provided $932,291for rehabilitation works to the Bartica Pavilion, to the procurement of the Continuous Operating Reference Station (CORS) at a cost of $80,039,806 for the implementation of eight stations over a period of six months which will facilitate real time GPS surveys for all agencies and Ministries. It also transferred $70M in 2013 to the Office of the Prime Minister to improve electricity supply at Mahdia, Port Kaituma, Mathews Ridge and Moruca. In this regard, $25 M was allocated to Mahdia Power &
Light Inc., $25M to Port Kaituma Power & Light Inc and $20M to Mathews Ridge Power & Light Inc. Last year, GGMC also funded the restructuring of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at a cost of USD$240,000. It had also transferred $2B to the National Protected Areas Trust Fund that year. But Nagamootoo asserts that this sort of behaviour where the Commission is transferring monies to agencies which are supposed to be transferred to the National Treasury is unconstitutional, outrageous and in total violation of Guyana’s financial laws. “To keep these monies or a portion of what you think you need to fund other agencies is in my view, absolutely illegal and I have studied the Mining Act and GGMC’s laws. They cannot be doing that, and when it does, it can certainly be inferred that it is for less than legal purposes. The monies are supposed to be transferred to the Consolidated Funds and if they want monies, proper parliamentary oversight can be implemented. This sort of behaviour also raises issues of ethics and financial improprieties. Clearly GGMC has been and continues to overstep its boundaries,” the AFC Vice Chairman added.
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Golden Jaguars and Barbados Tridents battle to 2-2 draw Guyana’s Golden Jaguars staved off a spirited fightback from the Barbados Tridents to come away with a creditable 2-2 draw when the two nations clashed in an international friendly last evening at the Barbados National Stadium. The lack of competitive
football took its toll on the predominantly young Guyanese side which had to contend with the spirited and fit Barbados side which was also made up of mostly under23 players. Guyana started the game in composed fashion as they controlled the ball putting
together numerous passes. They were patient in their buildups which paid dividends early. Midfielder Sheldon Noel, who has had quite some experience with the Jaguars before would put the Guyanese ahead in the 11th minute. Noel’s shot eluded the grasp of goalkeeper Dario Weir at full stretch in the Barbados goal much to the delight of the many Guyanese fans who came out to lend support to their countrymen. The visitors continued to control play with a few moments of brilliance on the left side by the home team which as they have done in the past, kept coming at the Guyanese despite trailing. But the lead for the Golden
Jaguars would double 33 minutes into the encounter. It was the debut goal for Canadian based debutant Emery Welshman who proved that he is a worthy addition to the Golden Jaguars lineup. It was the back end of some deft touches among his teammates in the final third, again, goalkeeper Weir beaten to his left, Guyana 2 Barbados 0. The Technical staff had said that the level of fitness was going to be a challenge for the Guyanese team given the lack of football at home. That reality stepped in after the second goal was scored by the Golden Jaguars. The young Bajan side under the guidance of Technical Director Marcos Falopa kept coming at the Jaguars and were rewarded with a beautiful goal from a volley off the boot of Jomo Harris, his first international goal in the 36th minute. The shot beat custodian Derrick Carter to his left side, the goal resulted in an eruption of relief from the home fans as they finally had something to shout about even as some of the Guyanese fans applauded for the well taken shot. Harris’ goal heralded in a period of dominance for the home team that the Golden Jaguars hadn’t any response for but just to keep the rampaging Tridents at bay.
Sheldon Holder
Emery Welshman
A mere minute after they reduced the deficit, Barbados were on target again as they capitalized of a lapse in concentration by the Jaguars. The Captain himself, Mario Harte did the honours of neutralizing the Golden Jaguars advantage with another well placed shot to Carter’s left in the 37th minute, Barbados 2 Guyana 2. The remaining eight minutes of regulation time and the 1 minute of added on time saw the home team dominating proceedings as the Golden Jaguars did their utmost to keep them at bay. The second half saw the Guyanese looking much more composed than they ended the first half and the fact that the two teams agreed to use six subs brought relief to both sides as a number of players were cramping up. The fresh legs that were introduced by Head Coach Shabazz and staff injected
new life into the Jaguars and they returned to controlling the game with those substitutions. Vurlon Mills made way for Daniel Wilson in the 55th minute, goal scorer Holder, who was cramping up, was replaced by Joshua Brown in the 59th minute. Clive Nobrega came on for Eusi Phillips in the 63rd minute, four minutes later Welshman was replaced by Pernell Schultz while with one minute to go to regulation time; Calvin Shepherd was introduced for Dwain Jacobs. Barbados also made five changes in the 54th, 63rd, 72nd, 81st and 90+2 minutes as the sides sought to break the deadlock. Even the five minutes of added on time did not change the scoreline. Head Coach Shabazz speaking after the game said that he felt it was a fair result noting that the Barbados team was a much fitter unit even tough Guyana had better quality players. He said that the game gave a perfect analysis of where the game is in Guyana. “It gave us the truth of where we are. Lots of talent not yet fit for international football. I think we’ve got to get the boys playing locally with their clubs at a high level, that’s the only way they are going to get better.” While stating his pleasure with what he saw from the Guyanese players, Shabazz noted that the young cadre of players in Trayon Bobb, Pernell Schultz, Clive Nobrega, Joshua Brown and Welshman all gave a good account of themselves. “And this is a good sign for the future. In attack we have seen so many good players and it’s going to make the competition very difficult for the older players who don’t want to confirm to the rules.” Barbados Technical Director Marcos Falopa said that he was very pleased with the performance of his young side which will serve them well in the near future.
GCB President can... From page 27 Yet again, it appears as though the Government of Guyana failed to acknowledge the changing governance structure of the West Indies Cricket Board. In 2012 the “Wilkins Report” recommended that no WICB director can represent their territories at General Meetings as this would affect their independence at the body’s corporate level. This recommendation was accepted and the Articles of Association of WICB was amended to reflect same. A senior official of the GCB said that the correct constitution of the Organisation properly addresses this issue but the Government produced constitution appended to the Cricket Administration Act fails to recognise this important governance issue. The GCB official further stated that their (GCB) presentation to the Parliamentary Select Committee addressed this discrepancy but the drafters of the bill failed to make any corrections.