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KAIETEUR NEWS Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: ADAM HARRIS Tel: 225-8491, 225-8458, 225-8465 Fax: 225-8473 or 226-8210
Editorial
A look at cyber crimes It speaks well for Guyana’s recognition that the convergence of computing and communications and the exponential growth of digital technology (cyberspace) although bringing enormous benefits also carry great risks as evidenced by the enhanced capacity of individual offenders and criminal networks to exploit new vulnerabilities exposed in the relatively new concept of cyber crime. Therefore, President Donald Ramotar’s comments at the 2012 Police Officers’ Conference reveal an awareness of the uses to which information technology can be put by the criminal underclass. It is no secret that in many jurisdictions the response by law enforcement agencies to cyber crime has been largely ineffective in confronting even the less than sophisticated criminal operations. Gross (2003) admits that one of the extreme risks cyber-criminals pose is when they operate in the context of failed or failing states thus contributing to the criminalisation of the world economy, by providing safe havens for plundered resources. In support of the elements of the framework (which is a work-in-progress) emerging from the workshop, controlling cyber-crime also requires networks between police and other agencies within government, networks between police and private institutions, and networks of police across national borders. Many cyber-crimes take place across jurisdictional boundaries and through various jurisdictions therefore the need for reliable and efficient mechanisms for international cooperation in law enforcement has never been more urgent because as Esposito, (2004) states “The fight against cybercrime either is a global one or it makes no sense.” In speaking to capacity building the President referred to the experiences abroad where pedophiles prey on the unsuspecting vulnerable young and stressed preparedness to deal with this undesirable social phenomenon. It is reasonable to assume that it will not be plain sailing if we as a country are to get on top of technology-assisted white crimes. There are several challenges that forensic specialists investigating computer-related crime have faced over time and which are constantly evolving ranging from release of malicious software to industrial espionage to identity theft. With Government, industries, markets and consumers increasingly dependent on computer connectivity, they are prone to an array of threats. Moore (2003); Staniford (2002) et al argue that the risks now posed by the release of malicious codes of increasing complexity targeted against either a significant commercial or government site could threaten the viability of e-commerce. Thus the greater use of encryption and access protection will offer some measure of protection against the extracting of evidence from computers and servers. The reluctance of victims to report offences and the fact that many victims are unaware their systems have been compromised add to the already complex challenges facing the investigator and those responsible for information technology infrastructure protection which, if non-existent or minimal, provides opportunities for unauthorized computer intrusion leading to criminal activity such as extortion, financial or internet fraud, identity theft, telecommunications theft and economic espionage. What seems unclear at this juncture is the level of serious intent on the part of Guyana to recognise cyberterrorism as a major strategic issue in addressing terrorism with the attendant intrusion and threats to individual privacy. The tasks of identifying cyber-criminals and bringing them to justice pose formidable challenges to law enforcement agencies across the globe, and require a degree and timeliness of cooperation particularly when one looks at the compatibility of criminal activity with global changes as demonstrated by the expansion and convergence of the profitable business of trafficking in persons, pornography, narcotics or other illicit commodities with the development of communication infrastructure and trade.
Sunday February 22, 2015
Kaieteur M@ilbox Send your letters to Kaieteur News 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown or email us kaieteurnews@yahoo.com
This is the voice of a rabid rabble-rouser or a bitter, dissatisfied person DEAR EDITOR, In an article captioned “An exception to the general rule” (Wed 18 Feb) Peeping Tom becomes very defensive and claims that I (Tues 17 Feb) had either misrepresented or misunderstood the “gravamen” (whatever that means) of the article. What is there to misrepresent or misunderstand? It is a clear-cut case: there are two opposing views on the table for debate. In plain English: 1. To scrap the Prize and use the funds to produce more Journals, and 2. To suspend the Prize indefinitely and use the funds to train writers. In any civilized country this would
have generated a debate on the issues on perfectly amicable terms. But Peeping Tom (PT), under the cloak of anonymity, saw it as an opportunity to make it personal, and to launch an attack on me. That is a sign of how poisoned this society has become and PT seems to be the perfect representative of it. PT next seized the opportunity to make vulgar comparisons between The Arts Journal and the now defunct Kyk Over Al. I would like to say that The Arts Journal is an independent, peerreviewed Journal. When it was launched in 2004, Kyk Over Al had long folded up. The Arts Journal was founded to fill a void in Guyana and its
objectives are: to provide critical perspectives on the arts and to foster critical thinking. Guyanese and regional academics and researchers welcomed a place to be published as many critical views were neglected in mainstream criticism. All those who think the Journal is cheese or chalk or whatever, can go to the Responses on the Journal’s website (www.theartsjournal.org.gy) and see the reception it has been receiving since its launch and the academics, writers and artists associated with it. The Arts Journal is not in competition with any other publication. It has not caused (Continued on page 6)
Sunday February 22, 2015
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APNU/AFC Pro-Democracy Alliance Minister Whittaker must address will rescue Guyana from the Kleptocrats these issues at Mabaruma DEAR EDITOR, We are told that Minister Whittaker would be doing the honours of addressing the Flag Raising Ceremony at Mabaruma. We are certain therefore that the Hon. gentleman would speak to the following issues: 1. The Kumaka Bridge, which he presided over, and which promotes the flooding at Barabina where hilariously the Government presented a bus for transportation. However, the bus does not have amphibious mechanisms; 2. The Kumaka Waterfront, which stares all in the face and continues to be a bugbear for the Administration; 3. The famous tarmac at Kumaka; 4. The feeble steamer service to the area; 5. The recent hurried gifting of buses to Amerindian Communities; 6. The recent hurried awarding of contracts to friends of the Administration, for example, the Volleyball Court at Broomes Playfield (only sand has been deposited at the site so far;
7. The state of the roads in spite of millions purportedly spent to do these works; 8. The Mabaruma Secondary School, which is a virtual oven, due to substandard works; 9. The gifting of heads of cattle to people at Khan’s Hill. Unfortunately the animals are products of inbreeding; 10. The electricity situation, which is a virtual milking cow for the contractor who has to repair the engine
almost on a monthly basis; 11. The status of the hassar farm at Tobago Hill. Since the two boats promised before 1992 elections are not completed as yet, it may be a great idea to contract the boat building to the people who were putting together a submersible craft in our own backyard. The above should make for a very good presentation. Residents of Mabaruma
Letter writer not affiliated to Devindra Kissoon of London House Chambers DEAR EDITOR, The purported author of the letter published on February 21, 2015 with title “the AFC/APNU alliance is neither credible nor prodemocratic”, “Davendra Kissoon”, is not in anyway affiliated or related to Attorney Devindra Kissoon of London House Chambers. I would much appreciate the foregoing can be
prominently published verbatim in the letters section of tomorrow’s paper. Thank you for your assistance. Devindra Kissoon
DEAR EDITOR, As the date for elections draws closer, the PPP cabal is becoming more vicious and desperate. They have intensified their rumor-mongering, character assassination, propaganda insulting and disparaging comments along with an increase in racial innuendo that targets the opposition. The General Secretary has made this known at his
weekly press conference last week when he said that that “Guyanese might continue to vote along racial lines …. at the upcoming elections.” Rohee and the PPP are scared to death of the AFC/APNU Pro-Democracy Alliance because they do not have anyone in the PPP with the integrity, morals and honesty like David Granger and Moses Nagamootoo. Their practice of race-bait politics flies in the face of the
appointment of Elizabeth Harper, an Afro-Guyanese as the PPP Prime Ministerial candidate. But Miss Harper is not known at Freedom House and therefore will not be able to prevent the Jagdeoites from practicing race-bait politics. The former President’s mistreatment of the first lady and lying to the nation for eight years that he was (Continued on page 6)
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Kaieteur M@ilbox This is the voice of... From page 4 the demise of any publication nor can it prevent any from seeing the light of day. No one makes those mean-spirited and vicious comparisons in the academic community as PT has done. This is the voice of a rabid rabble-rouser or a bitter, dissatisfied person. Furthermore, I know all the erstwhile editors of Kyk Over Al beginning with A J Seymour and I doubt that any of them would think of asking for the Guyana Prize funds to be diverted to reviving a magazine. They are all wellconnected persons and by no means short of ideas how to revive Kyk if they so intend. So who is Peeping Tom holding a brief for? It appears that PT is also baiting me to create a rift between The Arts Journal and the Caribbean Press. This is wholly unwarranted. PT has moved away from the original issue of the Guyana Prize and devoted 95% of the reply to making odious comparisons about Journals and the Caribbean Press. Nowhere have I said anything adverse about Kyk Over Al or The Caribbean Press so PT’s suppositions are ridiculous, mischievous if not downright malicious. PT states that “one journal can never be enough in any society”. Does PT have any idea what publishing in Guyana involves? Where in a society of three quarters of a million people, half of whom do not read, would you find more than one academic Journal of the Arts? Show me the corporations that are eager to sponsor the publication of Journals and then go right ahead. In most other countries, an Arts Journal usually comes out of a university where funding and staff are available to undertake such a production. The fact that the University of Guyana has not managed to produce an academic Journal of the arts in fifty years is perhaps evidence that publishing is hard work. PT states: “the literary
arts form part of and affirm the bourgeoisie culture within the superstructure of society”. This statement makes no sense to me but one of our Caribbean subscribers wrote in response: “Are people still into the ‘bourgeoise’ type of comments? Good lord! Have they seen Putin wearing all the Ralph Lauren suits? It is so old, 1960’s stuff. These people need to move on”. Many countries have writing classes at University level. Others have writing retreats (e.g., Calabash and Cropper Foundation). A few years ago Trinidad launched the Bocas Prize. Recently CODE launched the Burt award for writing in the Juvenile category. The OAS has a writing Prize. Cuba has a writing prize. A Prize is not the reason that writers write; rather, it is an incentive. And why should the Guyana Prize not exist along transparent lines of management? Our young writers do not deserve guidance and incentives? Their parents pay taxes. Of course, in the first world countries and more affluent Caribbean islands, there is much more publicity surrounding their Prizes. Guyana seems to be a lack luster place where the arts are concerned. Everything is contained in small impenetrable circles. But what kind of society looks to throw out its arts? The poorer you are the more you need the arts because often poverty has less to do with a lack of money than with a lack of the literate/creative imagination, our capacity for self-reflection, and hence the choices we make. Education in the arts must make us wiser, more compassionate. Not more tribalistic. In Guyana today there is just a handful of persons sufficiently interested in the arts to enter into a newspaper debate. You can count them on your ten fingers. Peeping Tom has made a Freudian slip. You have unwittingly unmasked yourself. Ameena Gafoor
Sunday February 22, 2015
Kaieteur M@ilbox
Any political party’s programme must provide for meaningful youth participation DEAR EDITOR, Dear Editor I attended a youth-led workshop late last year and was refreshingly surprised by one of the presentations made which highlighted the youth activism of our past Presidents and other wellknown Guyanese personalities. Jagan, Burnham, Critchlow, Rodney and others were all youth activists before settling into their respective professions and/or political parties. Examples of their youth activism were cited, documents showing the nature of their youth activism were referenced by the presenter. This presentation was inspiring and I believe it helped to convey a message that the youth in attendance should continue to be active citizens constantly pushing for change in this age of rapid change. In other words, they should not see their efforts in vain or as having no or minimal impact. Editor, there are some key variables that our national leaders and parties would do well to further investigate and factor into their respective proposals for youth
development. These include the current under 40 population which is estimated to 60 percent. Another indicator is that greater access to information has literally opened the eyes of so many of our youth who have not stepped foot out of Guyana and it is clear as day to observe that our youth are clamouring for better governance, self-development opportunities and participation at all levels of national and sectoral decision-making. Similarly, there is recognition by many Guyanese youth that they do not need to belong to any political party to affect change. Just observe the number of youth-led voluntary groups that have sprung up over the past few years in response to challenges like littering and environmental destruction, voter education, entrepreneurial development and so on. In these groupings, you find children of PPP, PNC, AFC and other national political groups working together to address shared concerns; you also find youths from different
Guyanese population for the past 15 years. In the interest of the country and the people, all Civil and Religious organizations which serve the interest of the common good, and which have not been identified as harboring allegiance to the PPP government must condemn such racist overtones. The PPP has remained stuck in the 1960s “Aphan Jhaat” politics that promotes racism, divisiveness and hatred between Indo and Afro Guyanese. Everyone knows that the
business, etc. In other words a nonnegotiable component of any party’s programme and aspiration must be to facilitate and provide opportunities for meaningful youth participation and leadership cultivation. As I mentioned to a group of politically active youths at a workshop last year, youth development is and must be treated as non-political; nonpolitical in the sense of politics. We cannot and must not play politics with the lives of our youth, inevitably this will come back to bite us. Our task is to engage them in meaningful brainstorming sessions and dialogue to arrive at a program that harnesses the talents, aspirations and abilities of ALL our youth in ways we our communities, Guyana and young people themselves benefit from. In closing I would like to share a quote with your readers, “The surest way to corrupt a youth is to instruct him (or her) to hold in higher esteem those who think alike than those who think differently.” R. Small
Most, if not all, of the dangerous 28 years PNC elements are now firmly in bed with the PPP DEAR EDITOR, The coalition has come well and alive. While it would appear the AFC has taken a massive political risk, unifying Guyana has never been an easy task, but if there has ever been a single act which can change the course of such a legacy, it would be the AFC’s decision to enter in this alliance in this way. The Coalition, of course, has chosen the more difficult and untested option of trying to reduce race voting, a plague blighting Guyana for over half a century.. While I was quite critical in my last letter of an APNU
led coalition, many formerPPP friends and colleagues have reassured me that although an AFC-led coalition is preferred, I should look closely to see where the much feared PNC legacy really dwells. The notorious House of Israel leader, Rabbi Washington, publicly known for breaking up opposition meetings and harming many individuals during the dictatorship years, was pardoned in the early 90s by this very PPP government. In 1992, Henry Jeffrey from the hardcore PNC regime joined the PPP and only left
APNU/AFC Pro-Democracy Alliance will rescue Guyana... From page 5 married when he was not and living a lavish life style by fleecing the country of $3 million a month has made him a pariah of the state and a liability to the PPP. Even more irksome are his racial traits, prejudices and ethnic profiling of Afro-Guyanese. This was revealed in his libel suit trial against Freddie Kissoon by Roger Luncheon who said that blacks were not qualified to be appointed as Ambassadors. This was the belief of the Jagdeo government which has marginalized theAfro-
communities, some of which traditionally vote in different directions, working together. I am happy to see Guyanese youth finding their voices, speaking and standing up not only for their rights but also their aspirations. I certainly encourage more of this, for it will benefit us now and in generations to come. From the University of Guyana students, who form part of the leadership of the efforts to transform administrative function, students’ experience, academic and teaching standards, to the youths calling for political and constitutional reform and those who are grassroots activists, to the recently established youth party contesting the May 1 polls, it is clear to see that we need to leverage and harness this collective youth movement. To effectively leverage this energy and momentum, young people need to be guided and support by a programmatic approach to their engagement in various sectors and levels of society, from national, regional and local governance, to national development, politics,
gang at Freedom House cannot run a political campaign that is free of racebait politics, propaganda, distortions and untruths. The PPP regime is tarnished with ethnic biases, tribalism and prejudices. It is a regime that is replete with negative political innuendo directed at the Opposition. The difference between the AFC/APNU ProDemocracy Alliance and the PPP is that the former is humble and honest while the latter is arrogant and dishonest. Unlike the PPP, the
AFC/APNU Alliance not only believes but also accepts that Government exists to serve the needs of the public and to ensure that those needs are served efficiently, effectively and fairly, which makes it much easier for the public to trust and maintain confidence in the government. Therefore, the PPP regime had better “wake up and smell the coffee” because on May 11 the people will vote them out of office. Asquith Rose, Chandra Deolall, Dr. Merle-SpencerMarks.
some years ago, perhaps after seeing enough of the PPP, post Cheddi Jagan. He has been a known element disrupting opposition meetings during the Burnham years. Odinga Lamumba, another of the hard-line PNC activist was bought over by the PPP at great cost, and continues to enjoy free reign over the government. In recent times, Bynoe from Linden, the former treason accused by this very government, was recruited and placed on the list of candidates for Linden for the PPP. Then there is Joseph Hamilton. Last elections he was brought over to the PPP with his entire family and made a senior government functionary. If I were to continue listing the wealth of PNC hardliners in the PPP, space in the letter column would be a limitation. All of these pardons and crossovers, and I only highlight a few above, comes with a price. The government gives them something, and they in turn reward the government with favours. And as tigers rarely lose their stripes, these characters must be offering their services at the price they were paid. So it is easy to
conclude where most of the 28 years PNC led government officials reside, and they are at Robb Street. One only has to recall the Agricola 2012 protest which appeared to have been orchestrated by the opposition. The capacity and ability to mobilise and pay imported cap, sunshades and face-covering individuals to burn tyres, rob people and block the road was certainly not within the capacity of the opposition to do, it had to come from elsewhere! So voters in this year’s elections have an opportunity to make a life changing decisions this election. For their own betterment of decent jobs or wealth creation, their parents to retire comfortably, and their children to attend public schools and receive the highest quality of education at little cost with the potential to receive high quality tertiary education. The time for realising Guyana’s potential is within a few months’ reach. Alternatively voters can vote to continue the litany of ills society faces which benefits the notorious, wealth grabbing few. Ramesh Persaud
Sunday February 22, 2015
Kaieteur News
US, Latin America worry over Venezuela tensions
Lilian Tintori (L), wife of jailed opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez, speaks next to ousted lawmaker Maria Corina Machado during a demonstration in support of Caracas Mayor Antonio Ledezma after his arrest, in Caracas Friday. (AFP Photo/Federico Parra) Caracas (AFP) - The United States and Latin American nations voiced concerns over political tensions in Venezuela after the socialist government arrested the opposition mayor of Caracas in an alleged coup plot. Almost exactly one year after opposition figure Leopoldo Lopez was arrested as he led a wave of protests against socialist President Nicolas Maduro, intelligence agents burst into Mayor Antonio Ledezma’s office late Thursday and hauled him to jail. A third radical critic of the government, ousted lawmaker Maria Machado, is under investigation over an alleged plan to assassinate Maduro, though she remains
free. Ledezma, 59, will be held in Ramo Verde prison, the same jail on the outskirts of the capital currently housing Lopez, officials said in ordering his continued detention. The attorney general’s office earlier said Ledezma will be booked for his alleged involvement in a conspiracy “to organize and carry out violent acts against the government.” Opposition leader Henrique Capriles called on the government to produce evidence of the supposed conspiracy. “Does Maduro think that putting everyone in prison is going to get him 50 popularity points or that he’s going to win elections?” the two-time presidential candidate asked.
Maduro, who has accused the opposition of trying to topple him several times since his April 2013 election, said late Thursday that the mayor was detained over a coup plot financed by the United States. Washington dismissed the “baseless and false” claims. The United States condemned Ledezma’s arrest, saying the “systematic intimidation” of opposition figures appears to be a bid by the government to divert attention from the country’s political and economic challenges. “Venezuela’s problems cannot be solved by criminalizing legitimate, democratic dissent,” State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in a statement.
PNP and JLP to lock horns in national debates
The Gleaner - Members of the country’s two major political parties are to face off in a national debate ahead of the pending local government elections. The Jamaica Debates Commission (JDC) Friday advised that the People’s National Party (PNP) and the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) have agreed to participate in a national debate. One or two debates will be organised and staged under the auspices of the JDC between nomination day and election day, once those dates are announced. An agreement to participate in televised debates was yesterday signed on behalf of the PNP by Deputy General Secretary Raymond Pryce and on behalf of the JLP by Deputy General Secretary Audley Gordon. Speaking after the signing, JDC Chairman Noel daCosta thanked both parties for the speed with which they responded to the commission’s invitation to participate in debates, and reiterated the JDC’s view that the Jamaican electorate - and ultimately,
Jamaica’s democratic process - would benefit from the opportunity to hear directly from candidates aspiring to political office. “Political debates,” he noted, “enable viewers and listeners to make better-informed electoral decisions.” Pryce commended the Commission for having set a high standard with the staging of its 2012 local government debates, adding that political debates have now become “a standard feature of the country’s democratic space”. The JDC’s brand and platform, he said, give credibility to the process; hence the PNP’s swift agreement to participate. Similarly, Gordon noted that as Jamaica’s democracy matures, the political debates staged by the JDC have become one of the indices of that maturity. He indicated that one of the most important aspects of the debates has been getting the views of candidates on the record so that they can be held accountable based on their stated positions. He encouraged the electorate to “hold us to full account for what we say”.
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Sunday February 22, 2015
Sunday February 22, 2015
Dem boys seh...
Donald shack out Sam fuh a lady Sam Hinds get push in a corner. He mek a record, not de kind that does play pun gramophone but he enter de record books as de longest serving Prime Minister in de history of Guyana. He serve from 1992 to 2015—whole 23 years. Even Burnham who dem cuss and seh that he was like a ruler fuh life was nowhere near to being a Prime Minister as long as Sam. Normally, President and Prime Minister does either get vote out or dem does resign like P.J. Patterson and Ptolemy Reid. Sam mek history again. He is de first Prime Minister in Guyana to get shack out. And dem boys seh that de man even put up he hand and seh that he willing to continue as Pee Hem. Dem bring a woman because dem boys seh that de Pee Pee Pee had enough of Sam. He was de man who dem use to put whenever dem had problem wid Hoyte and de Pee And See. He wife who dem boys use to call de Second Lady, just to get she vex, seh that she husband get push out because he bright more than Donald. But is de Harper gyal that surprise everybody. Dem boys didn’t even know that she was into politics. Dem now waiting fuh hear she talk pun de political platform. She got to sing fuh she supper. And while she singing David and Moses smiling. De whole country did know who was to be president and who was to be Prime Minister. In fact, that is why dem run fuh pull de Harper gyal out of she house. Dem boys seh that de original plan was fuh give Carolyn Rodrigues de wuk but she seh that she like travel, just like Jagdeo. Is she who tell dem bout de Harper gyal. David and Moses still smiling. Dem would like to see she in she red jersey when she going to Babu Jaan. And dem want to see how she husband gun get fuh walk about wid dem security guard round he. Moses smiling and David laughing. Is just Hanand from de Big Market paper. He ask de question who gun drive de Lexus and de Waterfalls bossman did answer him. The bossman was waiting to hear in another article if he gun ask when and where de Lexus will be driven. De bossman still waiting because he gat plenty more answer fuh give dem. Talk half and tell Sam don’t cry.
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No new date for Styrofoam ban Months after the date for the proposed Styrofoam ban was extended, a new date is yet to be set and is awaiting approval from the National Assembly before implementation. This is according to a senior official of the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment who further said regulations had been drafted and are required to make an appearance before the National Assembly. However, he said, the current prorogation has put the proposed ban on hold. “In keeping with the EPA [Environmental Protection Agency], the regulations which have been drafted are required to go before the National Assembly. But given the current situation it is on hold,” he said. He said the ban’s implementation is dependent upon parliamentary approval and being published in the Official Gazette. He added that the EPA and the ministry are “ready to implement once all legal requirements are met”. Previous reports had said that the extension of the ban was a welcomed move for business owners. Some business owners
- stalled due to prorogation
Garbage, mostly Styrofoam products, clog the drains of Georgetown. had indicated that they needed more time to make adequate provisions ahead of the ban. However, the ministry official said lack of preparedness on the part of businesses has never been a hindrance to the ban’s implementation. In fact, he said, stakeholders had been consulted as part of the process of moving towards a ban. “Stakeholders had to be consulted and made aware of the impacts of Styrofoam on the environment, the alternatives, how they can benefit, and how they can support the ban,” the official
explained. He continued, “The policy of the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment and its regulatory agencies is of continuous engagement of all stakeholders and this will be
sustained even after implementation. This is to allow for greater support and compliance towards the enforcement of the regulations.” He went on to say that once the ban is implemented the ministry and its regulatory agencies will continue its national awareness programmes on the content of the regulations, the alternatives, and a period for the compliance of all stakeholders. The official said a date is Continued on page 64
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Sunday February 22, 2015
Burma Road drowning tragedy baffles investigators - teacher was reportedly experienced driver who often used roadway
Martina Persaud What could have caused primary school teacher Shaundell Duke to drive off the Burma Roadway last Friday and end up trapped in a submerged vehicle with six of her pupils? Traffic ranks that revisited the scene of the tragedy yesterday came away still baffled as to what could have caused the mishap that claimed seven lives. A senior police official told Kaieteur News that the ranks found no clues at the scene and detected no fault with the vehicle to indicate what went wrong last Friday. “How did she end up there? We were in there up to last night, and we are still
Asiyah Abel trying to figure out what happened,” the official said yesterday. “There was no blowout, nothing at all. She doesn’t drink. Everybody says that she is a nice person.” The official suggested that the 41-year-old teacher may have lost control while driving on a particularly rough part of the roadway. Residents who viewed the bodies at the Mahaicony Hospital complained bitterly on Friday about the deplorable state of the Burma Road. The traffic rank explained that the Burma Road is flanked by rice-fields, with the nearest houses located about a half an hour away from the area
Rayden Abel
where the accident occurred. He said that a driver eventually passed about five minutes later and saw the wheels of the partly submerged car. “He raced to alert the villagers, and they brought a tractor and tried to pull the vehicle out but by then they were too late.” The traffic official estimates that the victims were submerged for some 10 to 15 minutes. The Husburg Primary teacher and six pupils perished while heading home from a pre-Mashramani event at around 15.30 hrs. The pupils were still dressed in their costumes when their bodies were retrieved from the submerged
car and taken to the Mahaicony Hospital Mortuary. The children were identified as Martina Persaud, seven; siblings Asiyah Abel, 10, Justin Abel, eight, and Rayden Abel, seven; Azikia Fraser, six, and Adeshe Woolford, nine. All the children were from Burma, Mahaicony. Ronald Persaud, whose daughter, Martina Persaud, was among the victims, confirmed that he had lent his car to the teacher, Shaundell Duke, to take his daughter and other pupils to and from yesterday’s Mash event. What is even more puzzling is that all reports
Justin Abel indicate that Duke was an experienced driver. Carol Duke, the teacher’s sibling, said that teacher Shaundell had lived most of her life in Mahaicony and often drove on the Burma Road “night and day.” According to the sister, Shaundell also often drove to and from Linden and from the Corentyne. Carol Duke, who described her sister as “a joyful person who loved children,” said that her sister began teaching at age 16 before attending the Cyril Potter College of Education. It was just Thursday that the teacher had posted on Facebook: “I always feel happy.
Shaundell Duke You know why? Because I don’t expect anything from anyone. Expectations always hurt. Life is short. So love your life. Be happy and keep smiling.” Minister of Education Priya Manickchand and Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn had offered condolences to some of the relatives at the Mahaicony Hospital. Minister Manickchand described the accident as “an unspeakable tragedy.” “The fact that these are school children breaks our hearts in the education family. We extend our deepest condolences to the family and we will stand with all of them throughout this period.”
Injured GUYSUCO cane harvester denied NIS benefits An injured and frustrated GUYSUCO cane harvester visited Kaieteur News’ Saffon Street office on Thursday, last, to vent about his current dilemma with the National Insurance Scheme (NIS). The 39-year-old father of eight, Quason Pellew, brought copies of his NIS card, medical claims, x-rays of his injuries and photos of all his children, and told this newspaper that he has for the past two months been denied his fortnightly industrial injury benefits from the insurance company. Pellew, who resides at 1125 Bare Root, Bachelors Adventure, East Coast Demerara, explained that on October 8 last, he and approximately 60 other cane harvesters were seated in a small truck heading to the work site. While driving along the Railway Embankment, the truck seat broke and Pellew sustained a torn ligament in his left knee. The distraught man said that he was sent to both St. Joseph Mercy Hospital and Woodlands Hospital for medical evaluation in the wake of the incident. He explained that the severity of his injuries prevented him from going back to work, and qualified him for benefits for industrial injuries from the NIS. He has since been providing NIS with regular medical updates on his
Injured GUYSUCO cane harvester, Quason Pellew condition, in order to uplift his money. However, the still injured man claims to have only received benefits for the months of October, November and early December. “Is since last year December I ain’t get a cent from NIS. I told them at GUYSUCO what was going on and they said that is NIS have to deal with that because the matter is out of their hands.” Pellew stated that he has
been working with the sugar company for over 13 years, and has never been in any problems on the job. He said that he inquired from the relevant persons at NIS about his situation, and was told that his documents are being reviewed by the Medical Board. “I is a hard- working man, and it hurting me fuh know that I can’t provide for my family. You mean is since last year December my documents at the Medical Board and they can’t done with it yet?” A tearful Pellew confessed that he has been unable to provide for his children ever since, and is very depressed about his situation. He said that he has been robbed of what he rightfully deserves, since he has over the years been paying NIS to take care of incidents like this. He is now unable to get what he has been paying for. Pellew, who is at wits end, said that he contacted NIS yesterday, and was told to come in to the Brickdam location. After being instructed to sit and wait for most of the day, the man said that he was told he would not be able to receive any benefits this month, because his documents are still at the Medical Board. When asked to comment on the matter, NIS General Manager, Ms. Doreen Nelson said that she would have to research and investigate the matter before she could comment.
Sunday February 22, 2015
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APNU-AFC says Moco Moco Digicel lifts daily cap Toshao was a ‘political prisoner’ on internet usage In wake of the recent arrest of Moco Moco Toshao, Mark George, over allegations of rape, the coalition party, A Partnership for National Unity- Alliance for Change (APNU-AFC), says that the village leader was a political prisoner. George, who was released from police custody on Friday, was arrested by the police four days after he barred President Donald Ramotar from entering the Moco Moco Village in North Rupununi. The police had said that a report was made that George raped a 13-year-old student from the Moco Moco Primary School. The Toshao was however arrested three days after the report was made to the police. The APNU- AFC in a statement yesterday said that the party is alarmed by the continued campaign of terror and intimidation by the ruling party against the Amerindian people of Guyana. The party believes that the allegation made against George was manufactured by
Opposition Leader David Granger and AFC Vice Chairman, Moses Nagamootoo The party is however confident that based on information available; once the matter is thoroughly investigated George will be vindicated. The coalition accused the PPP government of treating Amerindians without dignity and as if they are second class citizens.
Alarmed by the continued campaign of terror and intimidation by the ruling party against the Amerindian people of Guyana. the People’s Progressive Party (PPP). According to the release, it was confirmed that the charges were made only after representatives from the ruling party contacted the relatives of the accuser. The political opposition asserted, “The manufacture of charges is an old and desperate PPP tactic used to punish persons who do not subjugate themselves to the wishes of Freedom House.” It said, too, “The Alliance is of the view that these charges were manufactured purely as a means to victimize Toshao George for his principled stance for requesting that the requirements of the Amerindian Peoples Act be respected.”
“APNU-AFC recalls President Donald Ramotar’s comments to Aishalton teacher, John Adams, followed by him being slapped by a Presidential guard and also the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs Permanent Secretary Nigel Dharamlall’s contempt and threats towards our Amerindian people.” The release added, “This is another clear example of the PPP blatantly using the resources of the state to conduct their elections campaign.” The coalition then reminded of a statement made by the former president, Bharrat Jagdeo, who headed the Commonwealth Observer Mission to Sri Lanka, last month.
According to the release, the former President said, “The election campaign period was marked by an unequal contest with extensive, large-scale abuse of state resources. They noted the comprehensive bias of state media against the Common Opposition Candidate’s campaign; the use of military personnel and public officials to support the President’s campaign; the use of Government monies, gifts and other inducements; and the widespread use of stateowned public transport by the incumbent.” The coalition in its statement questioned whether the former President and high ranking officer from the ruling party openly admitted that what applies in Sri Lanka as acceptable standards must not to apply in Guyana.
Mobile giant, Digicel, has announced an end to daily cap for its internet usage. The company made the announcement Friday, disclosing that it is making it more convenient for prepaid customers to connect their phones to the internet with the launch “Flexible Data Plans”. The revised data plans will now cost customers for one day -(50 megabytes MB) $280; two days (100 MB) $500; one week (350 MB) $1100; one month (800 MB) $2800 and one month plus(1 GB) - $3200. “Digicel data plans will no longer have a daily cap. The new flexible data plans will make it easier and more affordable for customers to enjoy more data on-the-go in our constantly changing technological world,” the company said. With many customers still without landline internet connectivity, the primary source for thousands of Guyanese has remained smart phones. Customers have been clamouring for faster, cheaper internet. Digicel said that while its activation code *136# - remains the same, there are changes to how the prepaid data plans work. ‘Customers will no longer have a daily cap on their usage. The caps will now apply for the entire period customers have subscribed. There is also a new ‘add-on’ feature to the data plans for customers who reach the limit before the plan expires.” The ‘Add-on will cost $100 and will give customers an additional 15MB of data.
Digicel has announced an end to its daily cap for internet usage on mobile phones. “Customers can purchase ‘Add-ons’ every hour as needed. Commenting on the changes, Customer Care Manager, Sherwyn Osborne stated: “ The changes were made based on feedback from customers that the 50MB daily cap was too limiting since on some days they have the need to use more and also they wanted a mechanism to
better manage their spending once they are over their cap.” Digicel Group Limited is a leading global communications provider with operations in 31 markets in the Caribbean, Central America and Asia Pacific. After 12 years of operation, total investment to date stands at over US$4.5 billion worldwide.
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Kaieteur News
GHRA wants IDB’s $17M loan delayed
Sunday February 22, 2015
Exxon Mobil to drill for oil mid-March
- fears electioneering misuse The Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA), on Friday wrote to the Country Representative of the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) expressing its concerns over a US$17.2M loan which it says could be misused for electioneering purposes by the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/ C). In its letter to the bank, the watchdog body said that it is disturbed by the timing of the announcement that the IADB has approved a loan to be spent in furthering the country’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS). “While the GHRA is not suggesting impropriety in the approval process, or of the IADB as an institution, nor disagreeing with the substance of the loan, issues of perception with respect to timing cannot be overlooked.” GHRA said it is recommending that the loan not be made available to the Government of Guyana before general elections are held on May 11, 2015 and the new Parliament installed a month later.
In explaining its reasons for the stance, GHRA noted that best democratic practice encompasses the principle that the incumbent Government not be able to influence elections by inaugurating new projects which directly benefit particular communities, such as roads, health centres or other such activities. “Asian countries such as India and Bangladesh, for example, have gone farther and specifically prohibit any projects which might influence elections being initiated for a set period prior to elections.” GHRA said that the manner in which the Government announced the date for general elections was improper and, by not linking the proclamation to the dissolution of Parliament, has generated much controversy. “However, any ensuing confusion should not be rewarded by business being conducted as if Parliament were still in session.” The body, which believed that financial management by the current Government leaves a great
deal to be desired, cited a recent court case. “ A recent judgment by the Chief Justice of the High Court that the Minister of Finance acted illegally by incurring excess expenditure to the amount of $4.554 billion dollars in 2014, monies expressly disapproved by Parliament when originally submitted as part of the national budget.” GHRA also pointed out the recent revelations that the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), over the life of the current Government had expended $8.333B dollars to other Government Ministries and agencies for purposes beyond its remit and in contravention of laws that require all such monies be lodged in the consolidated fund. GHRA also pointed out that Amerindian communities are identified among the beneficiaries of the recentlyapproved loan. “It is common knowledge that these communities are traditionally a priority target of political party electioneering. In light of the above and in the spirit of erring on the side of caution, the GHRA would encourage the IADB to defer final release of the loan in question until after general elections.” The letter was copied to the Caribbean office of the IADB.
The Deep Water Champion Oil Exploration Rig
Exxon Mobil last week updated Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Robert Persaud, on activities that the company will undertake over the next few weeks. This was after a meeting with Chuck Calavan, ExxonMobil Vice President of US and Latin America and Jeff Simon, Country Manager, ESSO. “Minister Persaud was updated on the deployment of the company’s oil rig (Deep Water Champion) which will depart from Louisiana, USA…to the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana where it is expected to commence
drilling in mid-March,” a statement from the Ministry said last week. To further enhance this effort, Minister Persaud stated that Cabinet recently approved a request from ESSO for geological and geophysical survey in the form of 3D seismic survey within offshore Guyana. A permit has been granted to CGG Service (UK) Limited to undertake this survey. According to the Ministry, Persaud also made reference to Guyana’s oil and gas policy which will give way to a modern development framework. This is being done with support
from the Commonwealth Secretariat and other partners. Additionally, in the Demerara Block, Canadian Exploration Company, CGX, has concluded 3D seismic survey. The data is being processed and a timeframe for delivery is to be scheduled. In the Berbice Block, ON Energy Inc. has completed an airborne geophysical survey and the data is being processed, Minister Persaud highlighted. Guyana is banking on oil being found but two off shore drilling operations failed within the last few years.
Sunday February 22, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Dr. Zulfikar Bux shares ‘remedies for the flu’ The “flu”, or influenza as it better known, is certainly not an eagerly anticipated episode in one’s life. It is a few days of debilitating illness which can leave you bedridden or in rare cases be fatal. The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect
the nose, throat, and lungs. It has a variety of symptoms which include: · Fever or feeling feverish/ chills · Cough · Sore throat · Runny or stuffy nose · Muscle or body aches · Headaches
The Baccoo Speaks It was a sad day when a car carrying a teacher and six students plunged overboard. Indeed, this was foretold but not in detail. There was talk about the car accident. It is always sad when young lives are lost and for that there can be no apology or comfort. Thankfully, the next accident would not be so deadly. Yet one wonders what must be done to curb them. ** There is going to be another shocker in the form of sex with an underage girl. The perpetrator would be a respected member of the family circle. The police would be prepared to deal condignly given the publicity, but the family
under pressure from the community would hesitate. However, this is not going to be swept under the rug. ** An inebriated reveler would put a damper on the float parade when he collapses near to a float. The headlines would keep coming.
· Fatigue (very tired) · Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults. It’s important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever. There are simple remedies that can be done at home which may prevent a Doctor’s visit or even shorten the course of the flu. KEEPHYDRATED The flu can make you dehydrated from the fever or vomiting and diarrhea. Regularly using water, sports drinks such as Gatorade and fruit juices rich in Vitamin C, can help to improve your hydration and ultimately your condition faster. Avoiding alcohol and caffeine is important since they will dehydrate you and can worsen your condition.
an illness. Turns out there is some evidence to support “using the soup”. A study published in the journal Chest showed that chicken soup may help with symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections like the flu. Maybe it’s the evidence or just the good feeling of knowing that someone cares for you by making soup that helps. BREATHE MOISTAIR Breathing moist air helps to sooth a sore throat and ease nasal congestion. Indulging in steam showers several times a day or inhaling some steam from boiling water or a humidifier may help. SUCK MINTS Regularly sucking cough drop or regular mints helps soothe the throat and ease coughing.
REST Your body is “taking a beating” from the influenza virus. It is using a lot of energy to fight off the virus. By resting, your body can dedicate its resources primarily to fighting the flu.
GARGLE Regular gargling with salt water can help to break up thick mucus collecting at the back of your throat, as well as ease congestion and coughing.
USE SOME SOUP We have all grown up to our parents and grandparents offering us some soup during
IRRIGATEYOUR NOSTRILS By regularly irrigating your nose with salt-water or
saline, you can ease nasal and sinus congestion and even prevent sinus infection. The best way to do it is to pour the saline/salt-water through one nostril and let it run out the other. USE FEVER REDUCERS/ COUGH SUPPRESSANTS There are numerous fever reducers and cough suppressants or even combinations of same available. Your Pharmacist may be able to advise which is best for you. WHEN TO VISIT YOUR DOCTOR The following may be signs that you should visit your doctor: - Persistent fever especially for more than 3 days - Persistent vomiting and diarrhea - especially if you cannot hydrate yourself fast enough. - Unrelenting cough with chills - You feel more sick than is usual for a bout with the flu - You are not sure if it’s the flu you’re having - You have tried all the remedies and your condition is not improving It’s a difficult time when you’re down with the flu.
Dr. Zulfikar Bux Some of us have to tough it out by ourselves, while others have help. In life, when we are all grown up, we feel we don’t need the help of our parents and we can take care of things by ourselves. Then comes the flu and it’s amazing how fast our feelings change. (Dr Zulfikar Bux is an Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at the Vanderbilt University and Medical Center and holds the position of Head of the Georgetown Public Hospital’s Accident and Emergency Department.)
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Kaieteur News
Sunday February 22, 2015
The lumber exporter’s strange abduction ...
What kind of kidnappers would turn down $30M? By Michael Jordan Maybe it was because he wasn’t well known. Maybe it was because it happened on the same day that the cambio dealer with the glamourous wife wound up dead in his Bel Air home. You could even blame it on his family’s silence at the time about the whole affair. Whatever the reason, we didn’t take the disappearance of Khemdat Michael Sukhul seriously until the day that… But I’m getting ahead of myself. Khemdat Sukhul was a 50year-old resident of Leonora, West Coast Demerara, who owned a very profitable logging concession in Essequibo. According to a relative, he exported mainly greenheart lumber and also sold logs to another concession. Sukhul had a sister who lived overseas and owned a property at New Providence, East Bank Demerara. The businessman used the location as an office. And now for the family’s
Khemdat Sukhul version of what happened to Khemdat Michael Sukhul. On the evening of Monday, May 7, 2007, Sukhul, his secretary, and two male employees were at the office when three masked men barged into the building. The victims were unable to tell the men’s ancestry. All they knew was that one was dark in complexion, another brownskinned, and the third was light-complexioned. The gunmen reportedly went straight to the
businessman and asked whether he was Michael Sukhul. The businessman insisted that he wasn’t Sukhul. The intruders responded that they knew that he was Sukhul, since they had seen him several times. In fact, they had come looking for him the previous day, but he had already left for home. The gunmen then proceeded to bind and gag the businessman’s employees. However, they left a knife within the secretary’s reach, and instructed her not to cut her bonds until half an hour had passed. The gunmen then forced Sukhul into a waiting vehicle and left. After approximately 30 minutes had elapsed, Sukhul’s secretary freed herself and the two workers. She then contacted a male relative and informed him about the abduction. He contacted the police, who arrived and took the victims to the Providence Station. From the station, the secretary contacted Sukhul’s mother. That very night, the phone at Sukhul’s home rang and his mother, Ruby Sukhul, answered.
The caller identified himself as one of the kidnappers and said that he wanted $30M in exchange for her son’s release. He gave the family a one-week deadline to hand over the cash. Sukhul’s relatives were warned not to contact the police. However, the relatives informed the police about the call. The Anti-Kidnapping ranks visited the New Providence premises from which Sukhul had been snatched. They also searched a few homes, but failed to find any trace of the missing man. On Tuesday, May 8, 2007, the persons claiming to be the kidnappers contacted the family again. Between then and Wednesday, May 9, 2007, the kidnappers contacted the family about eight more times. On some occasions, they phoned Sukhul’s relatives who lived overseas. When the relatives pleaded for time to withdraw the cash from a bank, the kidnappers, apparently believing that the family was stalling, began telling them that Sukhul had the cash stashed in a safe in his house. And indeed, there was a safe in one of the bedrooms, but that safe, when opened, only contained documents. When the kidnappers called on Thursday, May 10, 2007, the family members disclosed that they only had a part of the ransom, and pleaded for one more day to raise the rest. The kidnappers agreed, and informed the relatives that they would call at 09:00 hrs the following day. They even allowed Sukhul to speak to his family. Sukhul reportedly informed them that he was alright and was being taken care of. That Friday, as promised, the kidnappers called again. This time, they allowed Khemdat Sukhul to speak to his mother. She was celebrating her birthday that very day and Khemdat wished her well. He informed her that
he had been blindfolded by his abductors and taken to a house, but had no idea where the building was located. Sukhul also reassured his mother that he would be home soon. The family then informed the callers that they finally had the complete ransom. They asked for instructions about dropping the money off. The answer shocked them. The caller informed the family that they no longer wanted the ransom. Money or no money, Khemdat Sukhul had to die. He had seen too much. The family received no more calls. At around 01:30 hrs on Saturday, May 12, 2007, some residents of Unity, Mahaica, saw a green-coloured minibus turn into Cremation Road. After a few minutes, the occupants in the vehicle switched off the lights and drove away. Shortly after, residents living nearby heard cries of “help…help…” Those who dared to venture to the scene were shocked to see a man lying in a clump of bushes on the roadside. The victim was barefoot. He had a gaping wound behind the head, another to one of his shoulders, and the tendons at the back of one of his ankles had been severed. The badly injured man managed to tell the villagers his name. He was Khemdat Michael Sukhul. He told the villagers that he was being killed for his land and money. The residents contacted the police, who transported him to the Georgetown Public Hospital. At around 05:00 hrs, Khemdat Sukhul passed away. The police would later reveal that although Sukhul was “fully conscious” when rescued, the ranks were unable to get any useful information from him about the identity of his kidnappers. At the time Sukhul had been found, he was wearing two shirts and a jersey along with dark pants. He had not been wearing the two shirts at the time of his abduction.
The police said that five persons had been arrested after investigators had traced one of the calls the kidnappers had made. A hire-car driver suspected of transporting the kidnappers was among those detained. They got nowhere with that lead and the driver was eventually released. The person to whom the phone was registered was also detained. During interrogation, the individual claimed that he had bought the phone for someone else. When contacted, the owner of the phone claimed that he had misplaced the device. Investigators were convinced that he had nothing to do with the kidnapping. Eventually, all the suspects were released. So, who kidnapped Khemdat Sukhul? Why did the abductors refuse to collect the ransom? Why did they release the badlywounded businessman, instead of killing him? The relative who spoke with me, suspects that a woman who was a close friend of Sukhul’s played a key role in his abduction. One of the things that puzzles the relative is that the callers could describe the inside of the family’s house, which the woman often visited. And why was Sukhul targeted? The relative suggested that perhaps someone wanted to get their hands on the businessman’s logging concession, which the family lost after he died. A pontoon of logs that Sukhul had planned to sell mysteriously vanished after he was murdered. But investigators may still have one vital clue. An overseas relative that the killers contacted is said to have recorded the voice of one of the kidnappers. A copy of the recording was reportedly given to local investigators. “I am still hoping for justice,” the relative who spoke to me said. “He (Sukhul) never interfered with anyone. He was a religious person.” If you have any information about this or any other unusual case, please contact Kaieteur News by letter or telephone at our Lot 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown offices. Our numbers are 22-58452, 2258458, 22-58465, 22-58473 and 22-58491. You need not disclose your identity. You can also contact Michael Jordan at his email a d d r e s s mjdragon@hotmail.com.
Sunday February 22, 2015
Kaieteur News
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== THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN ==
Have I served the cause of democracy in my country? When you are a columnist, not just a journalist or a media operative but a columnist/ commentator, people tend to be uncertain about talking to you. In fact, many people just don’t want to talk to you. It is silly of course, but you suffer that fate because of the stereotypes and misplaced perceptions people have of you. The perception out there is that a candid commentator is willing to quote you. That is a huge mistake. That is a false perception they have. After a session of the Jagdeo libel trial two weeks ago, I had a few words with one of Mr. Jagdeo’s lawyers, Sase Gunraj. While waiting for the court to go into session, Mr. Jagdeo’s two lawyers and I would have the occasional brief chat. I am not at liberty to write about the words that came out of the mouth of Sase Gunraj, but I can repeat my utterances. I told Mr. Gunraj that people do not know that there are countless times in my 36 years as a columnist
that some of Guyana’s most prominent citizens and most recognizable faces asked me never to repeat what they have told me. And I haven’t. As recent as last Sunday afternoon, Enrico Woolford told me not to quote him about a little story. And I never will. Unless Enrico releases me from his embargo, he will never be quoted on what he told me. So I am having this conversation with Sase Gunraj on the balcony of the High Court on how misplaced people are about me as a columnist, when another lawyer came up to Mr. Gunraj and she exclaimed; “Sase, I wanted to congratulate you, but oh God, look who is here, I’d better shut my mouth.” That type of reaction would not deter me. It never did, it never will. And that is because I am philosophically trained at the university level (sorry for the chauvinism; I apologize) to understand the nature of Homo sapiens. The perceptions have not deterred
me, because I believe in what I am doing and I believe what I am doing is in service of democracy. Vishnu Bisram writes the most scandalous letters about me in the Guyana Chronicle and Guyana Times, and I do not seek legal recourse, simply because I have extensive and intensive contempt for Bisram, which would psychologically prevent me sitting and watching him in a courtroom. But I served democracy in my country when for years I went after Bisram for passing off fictional polls as professional surveys that the entire country believed in and acted on. Today, Bisram has been exposed, and the two powerful dailies have relegated him to where he belongs – the letter pages. I suspected Shaun Samaroo would have misled my fellow Guyanese when I was alerted to his manipulation of the public. I began to study his Stabroek News columns and reporting for the Chronicle on the Walter
Rodney Commission. This man was engaged in unprofessional journalism and I alerted Guyana to him. He replied and called me a crass columnist. But I exposed him, thus serving my country. Soon after, the Stabroek News did what it should have done years ago with Samaroo. Today Samaroo writes a Sunday column for the Chronicle, in which he frequently scandalizes the Stabroek News. Ramon Gaskin is a well known opinion-maker in this country. I couldn’t let his defence and panegyric of the acting Town Clerk, Carol Sooba, in the letter pages of the two independent dailies, go without a polemical confrontation. I knew Sooba should not have been Town Clerk. I knew her position would undermine democracy and I knew Gaskin had his untenable reason for supporting her, and for someone with his learning, he should not have. I penned a no-nonsense reply. Gaskin’s
best friend (whom I will not mention because on this very day I will hear; “why you mentioned my bloody name) told me Gaskin was livid with me. But I think in doing my response to Gaskin, I was serving the cause of justice and fairness in Guyana. I was the only person, at one time, who publicly wrote on Ravi Dev’s desire for the Indianization of Guyana. Long before Dev became the darling of the opposition and long before he was invited by the organizers of Ronald Waddell’s funeral to address
Frederick Kissoon the service, I had penned columns and copious newspaper letters warning my country about Dev’s advocacy of Indian hegemony. I believe I was serving the cause of democracy when I wrote that Aubrey Norton and Vincent Alexander should be back in the leadership of the PNC. I still do.
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David Granger, Leader of APNU and Khemraj Ramjattan, Leader of the Alliance For Change made political history when they signed the Cummingsburg Accord on 14th February. This follows their parties’ decision to contest the forthcoming general and regional elections in May 2015 as a single coalition. The Cummingsburg Accord binds their two parties – A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) – into the largest multi-party, pre-election coalition to have been formed in six decades of parliamentary democracy in Guyana. APNU had won 139,645 votes and was allotted 26 seats in the National Assembly, and the AFC won 35,406 votes and 7 seats, in the November 2011 elections. This left the PPPC on the government side in a minority with 32 seats and APNU and
Kaieteur News
Sunday February 22, 2015
Better together AFC on the opposition side with a majority of one seat in the Assembly. The APNU-AFC Coalition combines the two parties’ massive electoral strength together with popular support for a ‘government of national unity’ to form the next executive. The Coalition partners aim at increasing the number of their parliamentary seats in order to introduce the type of governance which the regressive People’s Progressive Party Civic, PPPC, has blocked throughout the 10th parliament since January 2012. The Coalition, therefore, presented a ten-point programme for democracy, development and national unity to the public. The programme – embodied in the ‘Cummingsburg Accord’ –
concretises the inclusionary character of the policies of the two parties which have been collaborating throughout the 10th Parliament. The APNU-AFC coalition pledged to lead Guyana forward into a new era of accountability, human safety, financial probity, governmental transparency, parliamentary democracy and national unity among other things. The Coalition will continue along the road to establishing a covenant among its citizens. The Constitution of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana prescribes an ‘inclusionary democracy’: The principal objective of the political system of the State is to establish an inclusionary democracy by providing increasing opportunities for the participation of citizens and their organisations in the management and decisionmaking processes of the State, with particular emphasis on those areas of decision-making
that directly affect their wellbeing. The Coalition intends to give real meaning to this constitutional injunction. It promised that, with the formation of a government of national unity, it would implement a programme of governance, the main elements of which will be: - Constitutional reform: The introduction of a meaningful constitutional reform programme geared towards improved governance and fair representation; - Economic development: The creation of a long-term economic development programme based on consultation and consensus and aimed at realising the vast potential of the country; - Financial legislation: The passage of amended Anti Money-Laundering and Countering the financing of Terrorism legislation and the establishment of a Public Procurement Commission; - Local democracy: The
announcement of the date for the holding of local government elections; - National unity: The introduction of a programme for healing, reconciliation and social integration; - Taxation reform: The comprehensive review of current taxation policies, including the value-added tax; - Telecommunications and information: The review, restructuring and liberalisation of the telecommunications and information sectors; - Public security: The sustained improvement of crime prevention and the security environment; - Public services: The reorganisation of the education, health, sports, recreation and other human service sectors; - Youth Programme: The establishment of a comprehensive youth programme; The APNU-AFC Coalition, in accordance with the Cummingsburg Accord,
commits itself to accept and promote dialogue, discussion and the use of constitutional means to advance economic, political and social change; respect the value and sanctity of human life; maintain high levels of mutual respect; reject ethnicity as a consideration for the participation of citizens in government, denounce corruption and promote financial transparency, probity at all levels of government. The Cummingsburg Accord is the best vehicle available yet for ensuring that inclusionary democracy becomes a reality in this country. The Coalition, more importantly, will rebuild trust in the National Assembly and rekindle the confidence of our citizens in governance after twenty-two years of deliberate damage to parliamentary democracy by the PPPC. The Coalition’s presidential candidate David Granger described that the signing of the Cummingsburg Accord as a historic event that marks the start of real inclusionary democracy and the end of the “winnertakes-all” politics. Guyana will be a better place for having an APNU-AFC government of national unity.
Sunday February 22, 2015
Kaieteur News
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My column
Friday’s tragedy rekindled some horrible memories There is a saying that life is hard, but sweet, and I always say that I have only one life. I cherish what I have and I do take life seriously. That is why I cannot understand how someone can snuff out a life of someone they do not even know. And they do this for a fee which I understand is nothing to shout about. There was a time when I learnt that there were people in some nearby country who would accept contracts to kill people then escape back to whence they came. There were those who said that the involuntary remigrants—a nice term for deportees— having come here and with no source of income, would also be gobbled up by those who have a vested interest in ridding the society of some people. But after each death there is the pain. All of us must have lost someone near and dear to us so we know the pain. On Friday, a small community lost a lot of its children to a freak accident. A teacher who was a part of every household in that Mahaicony community left with six children for a Mashramani programme. There were the parents dressing up their little ones and perhaps smiling with pride as these children left home. Three of these children were from one household. They never returned home. The entire country is now in grief, but none so more than the
parents who must now do what I did a few short months ago—bury your offspring. When the news came in I was chatting with a colleague who later raced to the scene. On his return he went home to his family, but early the next morning he called me to let me know some of the things reporters see and must do, and then go home to live with whatever image is forever embedded in the mind. This reporter, Michael Jordan, did not reach the scene when people from the community extracted the car with its grisly contents from the trench, but he saw the emotion on the faces of the people around. Later, because of technology, he saw the faces of some of the people who perished. At the time West Indies was taking on Pakistan in the World Cup, but that paled into insignificance, because what was unfolding was a human tragedy beyond imagination. And to make matters worse, some of the victims were children. Jordan, like me, had seen a lot of things while performing our duty as a reporter. During what was considered the crime wave, I considered it more than a
wave because a wave is passing; we saw bodies in various forms of destruction. We saw bullet-riddled bodies, we saw burnt bodies, we saw butchered bodies and we saw dead children. I remember the publisher of Kaieteur News, Glenn Lall, heading into Agricola on hearing reports of some killings. He later told me that he went to a place where a man was beheaded. The place was dark, so as he was walking with a policeman he kicked the head and immediately turned the flashlight in the direction of the object. He said that when the policeman who was with him saw what it was he turned and ran. I remember responding to a report of two children being burnt in a house at Better Hope. When I went there I saw what were the children lying on some bed springs. I will not describe the scene, but I would say that it sickened me. It was the same when I covered another fire in Plaisance in which a grown woman died. In each case the survivors returned and released some gut-wrenching wails that made the most casual of onlookers cry. Death is not something that we accept,
although it is the most inevitable thing in the world. It brings with it a pain that is inexplicable. Some people never recover from the suffering. I have an aunt who is now schizophrenic, and she developed that condition when her first born died. In fact, she still accuses everyone for the boy’s death, refusing that there are factors in life that do not support living. Then there was the mother of a girl who died in the Cubana air disaster. I learnt that she too lost her mind. It is a pity that we no longer recognize that event as we should. These things always stay in my mind, largely because I was privy to the pain and suffering that accompanied these deaths. There are some other
things that I will always remember. One morning I happened to be driving along D’Urban Street, in the vicinity of the Camp Street jail, when I saw a woman on the pavement crying to break her heart. I could not understand why, until someone told me that her son was to be put to death. Certainly the fellow waiting on the gallows had to hear her, but he could say nothing to her. Then there was the Sacred Heart schoolboy who was brutally killed for his bicycle. We got the news of the killer’s impending execution, so like any reporter, I went in search of the victim’s mother. It had been almost ten years since the killing. The woman’s son would have completed school by then. I took another reporter, Simone Vieira with me to get her reaction to the impending execution.
Adam Harris I had to hold on to the woman and tears settled in my eyes; Simone was weeping openly. I had to do the story, and as I sit here I can remember the difficulty conducting the television interview. And I can still hear the words of the judge who sentenced Ayube Khan. She was in Berbice at the time. She called to ask if it was over and I answered in the affirmative. “This morning I put my knees on the ground in my chambers and prayed for his soul,” she told me. Indeed, memories don’t leave like people do.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday February 22, 2015
The AFC is committed to developing Guyana’s manufacturing sector By Dominic Gaskin For the last two decades, there has been no real commitment on the part of Government to develop a competitive manufacturing industry in Guyana. The PPPC Government simply lacks the vision, the will and the capacity to reduce this country’s dependence on primary products for the bulk of its foreign earnings. It’s what they came and met. It’s all they know. The Alliance For Change (AFC) is committed to the development of strong valueadded sectors within Guyana’s economy in order to increase foreign earnings and create jobs and opportunities for our citizens. The current Administration is clearly of the view that what it cannot conceive the Guyanese people do not deserve, and that we should therefore be content to pedal along at their pace.
The AFC understands the importance of an independent and robust private sector that is capable of driving economic growth. The AFC also understands the importance of translating economic growth into national development, and the longterm vision that this requires. To this end, it is prepared to encourage and facilitate the transformation of various sectors that have the potential to diversify our economy and add value to our natural resources. One such sector is the jewellery sector and the AFC has committed itself to the development and modernization of this industry. By the year 2030, Guyana can become the jewellery capital of the Atlantic. This is no idle dream, but rather an ambitious and achievable developmental goal for a neglected and unregulated
industry with enormous potential. Guyana has a long tradition of goldsmithing and is still regarded within the region as a good source of gold jewellery. This can easily be exploited and will serve as a useful springboard for a sustained effort to target mainstream international jewellery markets on this side of the globe. It is important to understand that, left to its own devices, the local jewellery manufacturing sector is unlikely to develop into a progressive and competitive industry capable of penetrating foreign markets. The fact that it hasn’t happened yet after over a century of existence supports the need for intervention. The Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) is currently the agency responsible for regulating the jewellery sector, but lacks the expertise to bring about its
development. The GGMC employs dozens of highly qualified persons in areas such as mining and petroleum engineering, but not a single expert in any aspect of the jewellery industry. This is perhaps an indicator of its priorities and doesn’t bode well for a value-added agenda. The AFC is of the view that it is well within the remit of this agency to invest, not only in acquiring the necessary inhouse expertise to effectively promote the well-being of an industry it purports to regulate, but in preparing a strategy to make Guyana a world-class jewellery venue by 2030. We know the funds exist. The concept of valueadded can be limiting without a peek at the bigger picture. In this case we are confronted with an extractive industry which exports an unprocessed mineral, and are seeking to increase our foreign earnings by adding value to that mineral by processing it prior to exportation. Logically, therefore, we wish to convert our gold into jewellery and then export it. This in itself will not create a modern jewellery industry, since gold jewellery is only one of a range of products that make up the mainstream jewellery trade.
This is where the vision is key, and the AFC’s vision of a world class jewellery sector by 2030, is for Guyana to become the supply hub for the Caribbean area and its periphery, as well as northern South America. Guyana is well positioned to insert itself into the global jewellery supply chain by providing access to regional markets for European and Asian jewellery producers. With the right strategies in place, Guyana can become an attractive wholesale venue linking buyers and sellers of a wide range of jewellery products. Concessions can also be offered to foreign producers willing to set up manufacturing operations in Guyana. Local producers meeting certain criteria must enjoy similar concessions so that they can improve and expand their operations. A programme of training for various aspects of the trade must be introduced locally and an action plan to develop and modernize the industry must be crafted. The AFC is committed to carrying out a comprehensive analysis of this sector, and engaging industry professionals in order to create an action plan for the jewellery sector. The AFC is also committed to pursuing any legislative interventions necessary for the implementation of such an action plan. If required, sections of the Mining, GGMC, Gold Board, Customs and VAT Acts, among others will be reviewed and amended so as to
Dominic Gaskin encourage investors and industry operators to pursue legitimate objectives within the realm of the action plan. Where it can be shown that sections of these Acts provide a disincentive to the legitimate development of the jewellery industry, and that the economic benefits of developing the industry far outweigh any benefits that the Government would realistically forego by their revocation, then they will be revoked or amended. Also crying out for intervention is the lack of a gold refinery in Guyana. Once again it is clear that the current government is unable to conceptualize a refinery within its four-walled mindset and therefore sees it as an extravagance. There are countless benefits of having a gold refinery operating in Guyana, but for the development of a modern jewellery manufacturing industry, the availability of refined gold and refined gold products is imperative, and a local refinery would be an asset. There are a number of areas which need to be addressed in any plan for the industry. These include marketing, security, financing, insurance, standards and quality, shipping and handling. None of these areas present challenges that cannot be overcome by a combination of sensible policies, strategies and a will to succeed. The vision of a modern and competitive jewellery industry employing ten thousand persons and exporting in excess of US$500M annually by the year 2030 is an entirely possible one. The development of an action plan to make this happen will cost a pittance compared with the benefits of such an achievement. An ambitious government can make Guyana the jewellery capital of Atlantic by 2030. The AFC has the ambition. The current administration does not.
Sunday February 22, 2015
Kaieteur News
STABROEK NEWS IS MALICIOUS AND MISLEADING — SAYS GLENN LALL
SUNDAY SPECIAL
MONDAYEDITION
APNU,AFC TIE THE KNOT FOR MAY 11 POLLS - GRANGER FOR PRESIDENT, NAGAMOOTOO FOR PRIME MINISTER
GOVT’S ILLEGAL $4.5B SPENDINGA‘NATIONAL TRAGEDY’ -‘CULPRIT’ HAS ESCAPED SANCTIONS, MONIES NOT RECOVERED, SAYS DR. RAMSAHOYE
“The leadership of both APNU and AFC pledge to lead our beloved country into a new dawn of national development, transparent governance, full accountability and invite all well thinking Guyanese to join in this important march as we give Guyana a second chance and to ensure you are on the rightside of history.” It is official. A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) have decided to go to the polls as one. This was announced on Saturday February 14 by Leader of APNU, David Granger, when the two parties hosted a joint press conference that served to make the unity known. He said that the Cummingsburg Accord assures the AFC of 12 seats in the National Assembly in the construct of a new government. Meanwhile, APNU will be allocated one Vice President and AFC two Vice Presidents both of whom will be members of the Cabinet. Granger said that “In reflecting the thinking and commitment to and for future constitutional reform it has b een agreed that the Presidency will be reorganized. He said that the President is Head of State, Head of Government, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and shall have responsibility for the appointment of Constitutional Agencies and Commissions with the required and agreed democratic mechanisms of consultation and appoint Foreign Affairs, International Relations and Non-Commercial Treaties; National Security Policy, the Defence Board, The Joint Intelligence Committee and the Guyana Defence Force.
“The only option is a criminal proceeding if the political opposition takes office after the May 11 elections. Ashni has escaped again and only a change of government will stop him…” Eminent Guyanese scholar Dr. Fenton Ramsahoye S.C says that Guyana has chalked up another historic tragedy on its already damaged reputation, as $4.5B has been proven by the court to be illegally spent and the ‘culprit’ may very well escape any sanction. Dr. Ramsahoye was at the time referring to the recent ruling by Chief Justice (ag), Ian Chang, who found that Government’s expenditure of the $ 4.5 billion unapproved by the National Ass e m b l y l a s t y e a r, i s i n breach of the nation’s constitution. But Chang’s 36-page ruling did not include a single repercussion for the defaulters. Dr. Ramsahoye said that while Chang’s ruling would tell us that the action of the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh is illegal and should not have been spent, it however fails to provide further remedy or relief. As a consequence, the political opposition is ‘back to square one’ and the people are left to wonder if there will be any sanction for the illegal expenditure, or worse yet, if it can be recovered from those who spent it, Dr. Ramsahoye added. He opined that the Chief Justice could have delivered certain sanctions, apart from only stating that the expenditure was unlawful.
The decision by the Guyana Revenue Authority to settle the issue of the imported Lexus vehicles has been seen by Stabroek News as a test of the credibility of Kaieteur News Publisher, Glenn Lall. In its Sunday edition, the newspaper described the settlement as a “secret settlement” between the Guyana Revenue Authority and Lall. On Sunday, Lall, who has been overseas for the past month, said that he was in no way involved from the beginning. ”I never imported any vehicle; I never sought remigrant status and I was in no way involved in this issue from the beginning,” he said. He added that indeed he was critical of operations at the Guyana Revenue Authority during his pursuit of accountability and fair play in the national economic system. He said that his anti-corruption stance caused him to release e-mails between the GRA and Government officials. And this was only done when he learnt that the government had planned to go after him for his position on corruption at the national level. Lall said that the attack by the government dates as far back as some years ago. He said that even the deaf, the dumb and the blind know that the charges were trumped-up against him and others. The e-mail exchanges with the government officials and the recorded conversations speak volumes, he said. TUESDAYEDITION ‘PASSENGERS’ SHOOT BUS DRIVER DEAD FOR GOLD CHAIN Two young gunmen posing as passengers shot a route 42 bus driver dead in plain sight of several Grove, East Bank Demerara commuters at around 14.00hrs Monday, before fleeing with their victim’s gold chain. Beepat Taijram, 28, known as “Biggs,” of Lot 55 Albouys Street, Albouystown, was shot at least three times in the back as he tried to flee from his attackers, who held him at gunpoint on the East Bank Public Road near Campbell Street, Grove Housing Scheme. Eyewitnesses said that one of the gunmen continued to shoot at Taijram, even as the former policeman lay motionless on the roadway, before removing his gold chain. Eyewitness said that a Guyana
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Defence Force rank who was in a vehicle shot at the fleeing men, but the killers managed to escape unharmed into Campbell Street, Grove Housing Scheme. Taijram was rushed to the East Bank Demerara Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead. POLICE NAB ESSEQUIBO SERIAL RAPIST Police on the Essequibo Coast have finally captured and charged the man, who was accused of habitually breaking and entering women’s homes and physically assaulting them. He is suspected to have been doing this for a lengthy period. Police have indicated that the man, Astil Paul, of La Belle Alliance, Essequibo Coast previously served a lengthy jail term for rape. Paul was on Monday charged with rape and remanded to prison until a date in March when he will reappear before Magistrate Sunil Scarce. He appeared unrepresented at the Charity Magistrate’s Court. WEDNESDAYEDITION AFC HAS SIGNED ITS POLITICALDEATH WARRANT - “WHO DON’T END UP DEAD POLITICALLY WILL COME OUT BADLY WOUNDED” – ROHEE General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Clement Rohee, on Tuesday went down on the Alliance For Change (AFC) like a ton a bricks for its merger with A Partnership for National Unity (APNU). Rohee, as he hosted his weekly press conference at Freedom House, told reporters that in his opinion, the AFC is done with. In fact, he went so far as to say that in signing the ‘Cummingsburg
Accord’, the AFC signed its political “death warrant.” On Saturday last, APNU and the AFC signed the Cummingsburg Accord, an agreement that sealed the deal for the two political forces to head to the May 11 polls as a single entity. Even as Rohee bashed AFC Tuesday for its decision to coalesce, he said that a major fight is on the way and indicated that only the strong will survive. ”I think the AFC has signed their death warrant. They are quite likely to be the biggest losers in an election that will be hotly contested in a two-way fight,” said the PPP General Secretary, adding “who don’t end up dead politically will come out badly wounded.” Rohee claimed that the PPP was not surprised by the move to coalesce, saying that AFC and APNU have “been working in tandem to frustrate the PPP’s agenda in Parliament.” “A CRISIS OF NATIONAL PROPORTIONS” - UG STUDENTS’ SOCIETY SEEKS LEGAL ADVICE TO APPEASE STATE OF AFFAIRS The uncompromising stance evident between the University of Guyana’s Administration and the entity’s workers’ unions – the University of Guyana Senior Staff Association (UGSSA) and the University of Guyana Workers Union (UGWU) – has left the University of Guyana Students’ Society (UGSS) seeking legal advice to remedy the situation. This is in light of the fact that executive members of the UGSS believe that students have merely become “collateral damage” following a breakdown of negotiations over salary and other benefits, which has since seen the engagement of industrial action by workers. This has resulted
in some lecturers not turning up for work, thus depriving students of sessions to advance their education. At a press conference held in the Education Lecture Theatre, Turkeyen Campus Tuesday, President of the UGSS, Joshua Griffith, regarded the existing state of affairs as “a crisis of national proportions. Our students are suffering. This is a crisis.” According to him, coupled with the deadlock between the Administration and Unions which has led to grave and undesired uncertainty of class schedules is the fact that students of the premiere tertiary institution are sorely disappointed and frustrated at the prevailing substandard conditions at the University. THURSDAYEDITION TYRE SHOP OWNER EXECUTED,EMPLOYEE SHOT IN ELBOW A brazen attack by a lone gunman left one person dead and another nursing gunshot wounds at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) late Wednesday night. Forty-one year-old Randolph Singh, owner of Airmax Vulcanizing Tyre Shop was pronounced dead on arrival at the GPHC after receiving multiple gunshots about his body. One of his employees, thirty-three year-old Debert Mohamed was shot in the elbow. Reports are that Singh was seated with Mohamed and another employee opposite his place of business on South Road, between Cummings and Light Streets, when the gunman walked up to the trio and opened fire. From all indications, the unmasked attacker seemed only interested in killing Singh since he made no attempt to harm the men seated with him. According to information, Mohamed was injured be (Continued on page 45)
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Kaieteur News
Sunday February 22, 2015
POLICE REFORM.... A viewpoint (Cont’d from last week…) By Dale Andrews RESISTANCE BYRANKAND-FILE OFFICERS Rhetoric by public officials and activists for policing reforms are often dismissed by detractors as political games. The technical programmes devised are not
supported by skeptics since these activities are proposed in some instances by civilians. But in all fairness, the rank and file within the Guyana Police Force (GPF) might be simply mirroring a hostility to anything which involves civilians in defining their work competencies or evaluating their performance. As obtains with top management the
juniors would not like civilians influencing their operational priorities, or promotional prospects. Aggravated ingrained dislike may also stem from a perception among frontline ranks that individuals in the community are actively involved in policing matters only because they want the police to provide them with personal service and protection. It is not unknown in Guyana that certain groups and individuals look to the police to protect and defend their social and economic interests. In that regard any reform programme which threatens the status quo is headed for failure through active and passive resistance from both sides of the public protection spectrum. RESISTANCE BY SPECIAL UNITS Specialized units are often threatened by programmes that require them to change their ways. Where it is found that these units have special relationships with politicians, public officials will protect them against inconvenient elements of reform. Questions continue to swirl around the many unsolved crimes like the Trevor Rose murder, and extra-judicial
homicides where police involvement is suspected. Elaborating upon this type of resistance, Skogan identifies “nooks and niches in the organization where police … hide out and get ahead, including the organized crime division, the narcotics unit, and various roving squads of plainclothes tactical officers.” He reveals that these groups’ “anonymity and disconnection from any community contact helped them ‘take heads’ and ‘kick ass’ with relative impunity, in the name of good, aggressive policing.” COMPETING DEMANDS AND EXPECTATIONS Training requires officers being removed from duty while being paid, which places a demand on the national purse. Thus, training in terms of content quality and context appreciation suffers when police administrations seek to implement new programmes cheaply while looking to get different results. This situation is aggravated when officers have to be diverted away from direct operational tasks like responding to calls to social experiments in “at risk” communities with no
apparent regard to appropriate training for roles, while ignorant of what measurable outcomes are desired. Skogan argues that police forces are resentful about new programmes which are only known about after they have been adopted. On Producing Change in Police Organisations: The Story of the New South Wales Police Service (1996), Dr. Christopher Reynolds in looking social expectations among them more sensitivity and responsiveness to community needs - - blames many policing problems on the nature of “policing administration itself.” INABILITY TO ‘MEASURE WHAT MATTERS’ One problem facing policing is an unwillingness or inability to document what the police are doing or if they are being effective. A fact of police practice is that activities which are measured are more likely to be publicised, regardless of the impact of unmeasured accomplishments. The reliance on numbers as in reduction of fatal accidents, or increase in number of guns seized ‘undervalues’ intangibles such as community satisfaction,
public involvement in crime prevention projects, and the formation of policecommunity partnerships.” The Guyana reform experience is still at its formative stage, and it is left to be seen if there will be a marked departure from an emphasis on quantity, which likely is a major obstacle to reform to the inclusion of qualitative references in achieving reform goals. FAILURE OF INTERAGENCY COOPERATION Unresponsiveness by sister agencies to requests by the police in moving forward elements of its reform programme is a major impediment to success, which may be due in part to competitive bureaucratic, budgetary or professional constraints. Requests for interventions by the relevant institutions in a quest promoting Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), might not be readily acquiesced to thereby frustrating the process of cooperation. PUBLIC UNRESPONSIVENESS Past experiences have not prepared the public to understand the goals or (Continued on page 44)
Sunday February 22, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Pertinence of wide-ranging rehab for ex-offenders reiterated By Zena Henry “For six years now I have been suggesting to the Guyana Government that they should set up a post-release programme for ex-offenders. I have been very instrumental in setting one of the largest post-release programmes in the United States of America; the Practical Christianity Ministers.” Pastor Wendell Jeffrey, an ex-offender himself and currently attached to the Inter-Religious Organization (IRO) has restated the pertinence with which the government should address a comprehensive rehabilitation programme that would provide aid to ex-offenders. Jeffrey is passionate about providing an avenue that would prevent offenders from committing crimes that would land them back in jail. According to Jeffrey, programmes aimed at pointing offenders away from a life of crime would significantly aid the justice system, since there would be fewer instances of people recommitting crimes, because of programmes that offer an alternate direction from that
of criminal activities. However, Jeffrey’s proposal is still to be seriously considered. He said that “if the Government assists in the establishment of an ex-offender rehabilitation programme, it would reduce the rate at which those coming out of prison reoffend. This would directly reduce the crime rate in the country, because over 50 percent of all the inmates are persons who have been to prison before”. Jeffrey contends that the programme would also provide support to deportees, as it would help with transitioning them back into the society. “If the programme is set up it would provide housing, job training, academic and skills training, anger management and domestic violence prevention. We will also provide jobs for the participants. This would be a great initiative for the country and it will show the exoffender that the country is really interested in their development.” Jeffrey was raised in Laing Avenue, Georgetown, and had his fair share of hard times growing up.
He had been locked up several times while in Guyana, and when residing in the United States he was involved in a drug matter that caused him to be locked up for four months. He was also facing up to 25 years in prison. He said that the case was fortunately dropped, but it
was enough to make him realize that he needed to take his life in an entirely new direction. Jeffrey studied the causes of crime and ways in which people could be aided in desisting from such activities. He then worked with exoffenders in the United
States, using comprehensive methods in equipping them for their return to society. The programme is run under Practical Christianity Ministries, which Pastor Jeffrey developed. It involves spiritual, academic and life skill changes, among others, (Continued on page 43)
Pastor Wendell Jeffrey
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Kaieteur News
Sunday February 22, 2015
DIABETES AND HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE: health challenges that must be taken seriously (From the desk of the Vector Control Director, Dr Reyaud Rahman) Our country has many problems which we can solve and some which will be solved over time. Notable among these problems is that of health concerns that have been plaguing us for decades now. And though some may be in denial, we are in fact a very unhealthy people and society. We are unhealthy because of what we eat and
drink and the abuse we put our bodies through. Our average approximate life expectancy is 67 years old for males and 70 years old for females. This is unacceptable, as when we and our loved ones are supposed to enjoy life and the pleasures life has to offer, we are not supposed to be hindered by pain and discomfort from a disease which we could have prevented. Diabetes and high blood pressure are two of our main health problems in Guyana
which if left untreated will affect our kidneys, cause strokes, heart attacks, heart failure and blood vessel damage. If an individual is diagnosed with diabetes and high blood pressure and the conditions are uncontrolled or untreated, they can expect that this will reduce their life expectancy by at least 12 years, according to a World Health Organization report of 2010. Many times we have friends or family members who have passed away abruptly with no warning of prior sickness or pain, and for this reason, it is important to note that diabetes and high blood pressure can both be deemed “silent killers”. Combating these,
however, could be as simple as staying active and most importantly, changing your diet. These are among the most important things an individual can do to battle diabetes and high blood pressure. Studies have shown that people with both diseases who follow hearthealthy and diabetes-friendly diets can actually reverse many of the debilitating health conditions associated with the diseases, like progressive heart disease, arterial disease, stroke and the sudden bursting of blood vessels seen in aneurysms (a balloon-like bulge in an artery). It is advisable to eat low glycemic foods because these do not raise your blood sugar rapidly. Rather they allow your body to produce a low level of insulin and do so gradually. Many different types of food are low glycemic foods and an example of some are: vegetables -
broccoli, bell peppers, asparagus, sweet potatoes, carrots, celery, tomatoes, mushrooms, cucumbers, pak choy; fruits - bananas, grapefruits, pineapples, apples, oranges, papaya, cantaloupe; nuts and seeds almonds, walnuts, flax seeds, sesame seeds; beans and legumes - soybeans, tofu, black beans, kidney beans, dhal, (seafood) salmon, shrimp, tuna, scallops; meats - chicken, lean beef; dairy skim milk, yogurt; grains oats, whole wheat, brown rice, barley; healthy herbs and spices - black pepper, cinnamon, cloves, cumin seeds, ginger, oregano, parsley and turmeric. Red meat should be eaten in moderation, as this is a great contributor of fat around the waistline, and this causes hormones to be released which can increase your risk of diabetes because it disrupts the body’s normal balance of insulin release. A
Dr. Reyaud Rahman great substitute for red meat is fish (salmon, tuna, halibut) they allow your balance to be restored and neutralizes the negatives effects causing you to also drop weight around the waistline. Also if you embrace small changes such as cutting back on alcohol, decreasing the amount of caffeine we consume, and consume less products with sodium (Salt). We would do our bodies a great justice by keeping away certain diseases which would surely kill us early. We owe this to our families, friends and most of all ourselves.
Sunday February 22, 2015
Kaieteur News
Work of local NGOs involved in HIV prevention reviewed The HIV Prevention efforts of a number of local Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) recently came under strategic evaluation with the aim of bettering the crucial services that they offer. In a statement issued Friday, Advancing Partners and Communities (APC), a USAID-supported initiative aimed at improving prevention of HIV in populations at higher risk of infection, said that it hosted a two-day (February 12 and 13, 2015) meeting where the performances of 10 NGOs were keenly reviewed. The NGOs that came under review were: Artistes in Direct Support, Agape Network, Comforting Hearts, the FACT Group, Hope for All, Hope Foundation, Lifeline Counselling, Linden Care, United Bricklayers and Youth Challenge Guyana. Between October 1 and December 31 last year, the 10 NGOs supported by APC provided prevention education to 1,933 individuals from key populations-sex workers, men who have sex with men, transgendered individuals, miners and
loggers. Moreover, at the recent meeting, training was also provided by APC for improving the quality of services offered to these groups. Twenty-three participants from the NGOs and key population associations participated in the rigorous two-day review and training. The dialogue between service providers and the populations targeted allowed participants to leave with new knowledge of how to be more effective in prevention, according to the APC statement. In addition to providing skills for improving service delivery, the training session also allowed participants to leave with new tools for developing quality improvement plans. The event closed with an award ceremony acknowledging outstanding performance in areas such as - enrollment of key populations in HIV care and support services; testing clients of sex workers; integrating gender based violence screening in HIV service settings. APC is a five-year project funded by USAID’s Office of
The recently held meeting in session
Population and Reproductive Health and implemented by JSI Research and Training Institute, Inc., in partnership with FHI 360. APC’s core funding covers grant management and capacity building for NGOs providing services for HIV prevention, care and support. In Guyana, APC supports NGOs across eight of the 10 administrative regions.
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Sunday February 22, 2015
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Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
Sunday February 22, 2015
Sunday February 22, 2015
Kaieteur News
Pertinence of wide... From page 29 and is the number one preand post-release programme being used in the state of Indiana in the United States, catering for 4000 inmates housed in the State’s largest penitentiary, Westville Correctional Facility. Barbados’ authorities have also sought the Pastor’s intervention in setting up their own rehab programme on the island. Pastor Jeffrey met with security authorities here on several occasions and has put forward proposals to the Ministry of Home Affairs. He has also promoted various aspects of his initiative such as teaching prisoners a trade and ensuring that they continue, even after release time. At the same time, making the institute self-reliant in terms of food provision, through an agriculture programme, was also discussed. Several other proposals were put to the Ministry and others involved in the prisoner rehabilitation programme. It was mentioned that in Guyana some 75 percent of offenders return to prison within three to five years of their release from prison, because they are forced back into the same situations which would have landed them in the lock-ups in the first place. In this case, Jeffrey also noted the role the programme can play in aiding deported persons. Earlier this month, the US returned some 26 deportees to Guyana. Jeffrey was adamant that these deportees can be aided so that they can be re-integrated into the Guyanese society. The United States and Guyana in 2009 inked the ‘ReIntegration of Returned Migrants Project’ which allows for the long-term reintegration of deportees from the United States in areas
such as the establishment of halfway houses and reintegration projects to equip them to become productive members of society with a view to mitigating the potential of their resorting to criminal activity as the only option of earning a livelihood. Chargé d’Affaires, Bryan Hunt said that on the US side of this, the agreement between the United States and Guyana is satisfying. The primary purpose he said was to ensure that those who had gone through the legitimate legal process in US were provided with the necessary documents from the Guyana government to return here. The agreement between the US and Guyana has to do with the issuance of documentation to return after legal processing. On the other hand, the US is facilitating the return of persons who have been deported, but any benefits such as duty free concessions on assets belonging to the deportees that could be brought to Guyana are matters for the Guyana government. Human Services Minister Jennifer Webster told this publication that a comprehensive programme for deported persons is still in the works. Terms of reference are to be established. She said that while the system offers some form of assistance to those deported persons, it is not in a sustainable way. The Ministry is instrumental, however, in aiding to register those deported persons returning, since many of them would have left Guyana at a very young age and have no documentation for Guyana. The Minister pointed out further that her agency and others work in collaboration to address matters of exoffenders and deportees.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday February 22, 2015
Police reform‌ From page 28 tactics associated with new approaches to policing. People become accustomed to seeing programmes come and go in response to political and budgetary cycles that are out of their control, and they are skeptical that promised reforms will be any different. Representatives of vulnerable and minority groups may be more interested in highlighting police misconduct and advocating for greater police accountability to civilians than in becoming closely identified with them. Therefore the uninformed, whether citizens or the police themselves, will most likely define their expectations of policing in traditional terms, expecting more patrols, fast response times, and arrests to solve their problems for them. To address this situation, police reform requires aggressive marketing before the public can understand what is being attempted or accomplished. NASTY MISCONDUCT DIVERTING PUBLICAND LEADERSHIPATTENTION The recurrence of highly publicized acts of police violence affects public attitudes, reversing whatever improvements in public opinion have been accumulated. Excessive force, including torture and killings by police, become a public issue, destroying any progress in police community relations. The same is true of revelations of widespread or deep police corruption. Misconduct undermines
reform efforts, causing loss of focus on managing innovation, and diverts media attention from the less newsworthy aspects of police reform. Outside of the political rhetoric, there has not been any significant sustainable movement on the part of the GPF administration to rethink and redefine the nature and purpose of policing. Therefore there is no encouragement for a higher standard of professionalism which could lead to the elimination of corruption. REFORM MAY NOT SURVIVE LEADERSHIP TRANSITION Skogan wraps up his resistance typology by the argument that a new commissioner may want to do new things; to make his own mark, and may have little interest in picking up the unfinished projects of his predecessor. To avoid uncertainty and to sustain reforms, the astute change manager must have the capability to build public and political support for reform. Reforms are likely to fail when the newcomer foregoes political support, and deep support from the community. The temptation to sacrifice or scale back mandatory performance and accountability reviews to make time for unfocused discussion must be resisted, because in the final analysis, the only consideration that protects the reform programme is the political infeasibility of shutting it down. (Next week we will examine the ways by which the current police reform programme can be sustained).
Sunday February 22, 2015
(From page 27) cause of his proximity to the dead man at the time. Eyewitnesses told this newspaper that at about 22:45 hrs they heard gunshots ring out on the street. It was reported that Singh, who had returned to the country just over a week prior, was in conversation with his employees when the gunman walked up to the three persons and asked if everything was alright. He subsequently pulled out a gun and pumped several bullets into the businessman’s body. FRIDAYEDITION ALLIANCE WILL RESCUE NATION FROM FLAWED GOVERNANCE – GREENIDGE Since the Alliance for Change (AFC) and the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) joined forces on Valentine’s Day, there has been positive feedback as well as several concerns regarding the true intentions of the preelection prodemocracy coalition. Some letter writers and political activists, hold the view that the partnership seems to be more concerned about who gets what and not necessarily how certain critical issues will be tackled and the details of its action plan. However, in an interview with Kaieteur News, Carl Greenidge, who served as the APNU’s chief negotiator during deliberations for a preelection union with the AFC, said that though he understands such concerns, one has to try and discern what lies behind it. He disclosed that the negotiations began with a vision of the future – dealing primarily with the desirability of a new dispensation in the exercise of executive power, the rule of law and the value of people’s lives in the community. Greenidge said that the alliance has specifically set a framework to “rescue the nation from a vicious cycle of problematic elections, partisan Government and flawed governance which fuels the lack of a national consensus on governance”. ”The agreement captures the mood of the people and can mark a fruitful fork in the road for the electorate,” Greenidge emphasised. TOSHAO REJECTS PRESIDENT’S VISIT DUE TO “SHORT NOTICE” - CITES AMERINDIAN ACT Head of State, President Donald Ramotar had to abort a campaign visit to a Region Nine Amerindian village
Kaieteur News
last Monday when he was reportedly refused entry by the Village Council. According to information, Moco Moco village Toshao, Mark George, turned down the President’s visit after “short notice” was given to the Council. The country’s Amerindian Act 2006 permits that once a person is not travelling on official business for the government, they must then seek the permission of the Village Council for a visit. And since President Ramotar was on campaign business for the upcoming General and Regional Elections, he had to seek permission to enter the Amerindian community. Toshao George told the media that he had received a call from the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP)’s campaign organizer in that region around 10:00 hours on Sunday, explaining that the President wished to visit the community the very next day. George said that he informed the campaign organizer that the visit to the village was given at short notice and no official notice or letter was dispatched to the Council. The Amerindian Act, he confirmed, clearly states that one week must be given for the visit to be approved. The Toshao further explained that he had opted for the President to visit at a later date, but no date had been set aside. He said in the case of the President, the Council would have attempted to speed up preparations for his visit. SATURDAY EDITION TEACHERAND SIX PUPILS DROWN – AFTER CAR OVERTURNS IN CANAL A children’s preMashramani event at Mahaicony, ended in tragedy after a teacher and six of her pupils drowned when the car they were in veered off the Burma road and overturned in a canal at around 15.30 hrs on Friday. Police identified the victims as Shaundel Duke, a teacher of Augsburg Primary:
Martina Persaud, seven; siblings Asiyah Abel, 10, Justin Abel, eight, and Rayden Abel, seven; Azikia Fraser, six, and Adeshe Woolford, nine. All the children were from Burma, Mahaicony a n d a t t e n d e d A u g s b u rg Primary. They were heading home from a pre-Mashramani event at Calcutta Primary when the accident occurred. The pupils were still dressed in their costumes when their bodies were retrieved from the submerged car and taken to the Mahaicony Hospital Mortuary. “The bodies of a school teacher and six students… were found in a motor vehicle that had turned turtle in the canal along the Burma Road, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara. It is suspected that the teacher, Shaundel Duke, had lost control of the vehicle as they were returning home from a school Mash event,” a police release stated. Reports suggest that residents living closest to the area where the accident occurred, were initially unaware of the mishap and arrived too late to save the trapped victims. It is unclear what could have caused Duke to veer off the roadway, though angry relatives of the victims said that the Burma Road has been in a deplorable state for years. Ronald Persaud, whose daughter Martina was among the victims, confirmed that he had lent his car to the teacher, Shaundel Duke, to take his daughter and other pupils to and from yesterday’s Mash event. His wife, Vanessa, said that their daughter had always participated in Mashramani events. Roberta Abel, who lost three of her five children in the tragedy, said that she only learned that something was amiss when she saw several villagers running in the street. Several grief-stricken villa g e r s packed the Mahaicony Hospital compound while others stood outside. Others forced their way
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into the hospital mortuary, and loud screams filled the compound when undertakers eventually arrived. Some relatives ran after the hearse and banged on the door as the victims were being taken away. JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION SENDS TWO MAGISTRATES PACKING The relatively new Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has issued dismissal letters to two Magistrates—Geeta Geeta Chandan-Edmond and Chandra Sohan. Sources close to the Commission told Kaieteur News that both Magistrates were found guilty of infractions that the Commission found to be totally unacceptable. Sohan and ChandanEdmond had to appear before the Commission for a
number of misdemeanours. Chandan-Edmond, who was presiding in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, was sent packing based on charges ranging from her inability to deliver 19 decisions to her leaving the country without approval. Magistrates are required to get approval from the Chancellor of the Judiciary to travel overseas. Being absent from a Magistrates’ Association meeting to discuss the Sexual Offences Act; failing to report absence from work to the Chancellor and failure to respond to queries from the Chief Magistrate are said to be a few other reasons for her dismissal. Also, Kaieteur News understands that questions were raised over the fact that Chandan-Edmond submitted medical leave for two days from a doctor in Berbice, even
though she lives and works in Georgetown. The Commission also looked at the fact that the Magistrate’s husband, Joel Edmond, had been appearing before her as a lawyer in some courts. Some of the allegations of misconduct leveled against Chandan-Edmond were being looked at during the life of the previous Judicial Service Commission. However, Kaieteur News understands that Chandan-Edmond, who was being represented by Attorney-at-Law, Nigel Hughes, asked for a number of postponements. On the other hand, Sohan, who was given temporary marching orders early last December, was fired primarily for tampering with documents. Kaieteur News understands that the Senior Magistrate, who was presiding in the Georgetown Traffic Court, also had a few other alleged infractions. Reliable sources said that it was alleged that Sohan, who was charged with dangerous driving, on occasions modified his records. Sohan was fined for the charge but reportedly caused the records to be changed in the docket to reflect that he was reprimanded and discharged. Sohan, like Chandan-Edmond, had also left the jurisdiction without permission.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday February 22, 2015
Even light activity may help Focusing on fiber may work for weight loss the hearts of older people For older people who have some trouble getting around, even light activity like household chores may be better for the heart than no activity, according to a new U.S. study. Researchers profiled seniors’ risk of heart disease complications - including heart attack - over a 10-year period and found their risk rose along with the amount of time they were inactive each day. Conversely, the more active time they had - regardless of intensity - the lower their risk. “If you can spend less of your time being sedentary and just incorporate more activity – even light activity - in your day that can translate to benefits,” said Thomas Buford, the study’s senior author, from the University of Florida in Gainesville. Buford and his colleagues from several institutions write in the Journal of the American Heart Association that physical activity is one of the best ways for people to improve their health and decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease and its complications. Most of the studies suggesting physical activity focus on vigorous- or moderateintensity activity, which may be unrealistic for some older people, especially those who have trouble getting up, moving around or balance issues, Buford said. The researchers used data from a national trial that previously found physical activity helps people between 70 and 89 years old with mobility problems retain their ability to get around (see Reuters Health story of May 27, 2014 here: reut.rs/1FugmXX.) The participants’ activity levels were measured at the start of the trial by a device known as an accelerometer. Then researchers used a standard risk-factor checklist including age, cholesterol, blood pressure and smoking status - to assess each person’s likelihood of having heart complications over the next 10 years. The researchers found that, on average, the 1,170 participants spent about 77 percent of their time being inactive. The majority of their remaining time was spent doing light activities like household chores. Based on their calculations, the average risk of the participants having a complication from heart disease over the next 10 years was
about 13 percent. Overall, the seniors’ 10-year risk of complications from heart disease increased by about 1 percent for every 25 to 30 minutes they spent being inactive per day. The risk of those same complications also decreased by about the same amount with every minute spent being active, even if that meant just moving around the house and doing chores. “We need to follow up on this data more, but it’s promising to say maybe incorporating more of these light activities and sitting less is tied to cardiovascular benefits,” Buford said. One of the limitations of the study is that the results don’t prove that inactivity causes heart attacks or other complications from heart disease, the researchers write. “I think the study kind of confirms what we’ve always believed,” said Dr. David Frid, who was not involved with the research. “As everybody gets older, we know their cardiovascular risk goes up and the more active they remain it’s going to reduce their overall cardiovascular risk.” In general though, older people can try to be a bit more active, but they should check with their doctor before starting an exercise program that involves things like running on a treadmill or pedaling a bike, said Frid, a cardiologist in the Cleveland Clinic’s Section of Preventive Cardiology. “Just getting up and walking a bit more or doing a little more housework shouldn’t’ be that much of an increased medical risk,” he said. (Reuters Health)
People who only focused on eating 30 grams of fiber per day lost almost as much weight as those who followed a more complicated diet, according to a new yearlong study. A “permissive” dietary plan, like focusing on increasing fiber, may produce more beneficial effects than a “restrictive” plan, like reducing saturated fat, said lead author Dr. Yunsheng Ma of the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester. “We chose dietary fiber because it exerts clinical benefits on several components of metabolic syndrome, including waist circumference, glucose and lipid homeostasis, and insulin control, in addition to body weight and regulation of certain inflammatory markers,” Ma wrote in an email to Reuters Health. For the new study, Ma and his coauthors divided 240 obese adults with metabolic syndrome into two groups. One group followed the American Heart Association (AHA) diet plan and the other aimed to eat at least 30 grams of fiber per day. About 25% of adults worldwide have metabolic syndrome, which includes symptoms like a large waistline, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, low levels of HDL cholesterol and high levels of triglycerides, which increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The American Heart Association Eating Plan
recommends that adults consume 25 to 30 grams of fiber daily from foods, such as vegetables, legumes or whole grains, although the average American only eats about 15 grams per day. The AHA diet calls for increasing intake of fruits and vegetables, whole grain or high fiber foods and lean proteins, minimizing sugar, sodium, alcohol, saturated fats, trans fats and cholesterol, and eating fish twice weekly. People on the AHA diet were given individualized calorie and saturated fat goals. After one year, people in both groups had lost weight and improved their blood pressure, dietary quality, and insulin resistance, according to the results online February 16 in the Annals of Internal Medicine. But the high-fiber group had lost an average of about four and a half pounds, compared to nearly six pounds in the AHA diet group. Also, seven people in the fiber group developed diabetes over the year-long study, compared to only one in the AHA group. The high fiber diet still showed positive results and
was easy to follow, which often leads to more successful diet compliance, according to Julia Zumpano, a registered dietitian at the Cleveland Clinic who works closely with the department of preventive cardiology. High fiber intake is one of the most important aspects of the AHA diet, she wrote in an email to Reuters Health. “Fiber fills you up, expands in your stomach, fiber also keeps you fuller longer,” said Zumpano, was not part of the new study. But it may need to be limited for people with any kind of bowel issues or a history of diarrhea, she noted, and the other aspects of the AHA diet do have benefits as well. Americans in general have a lot of room for improvement with fiber intake, Ma said. Legumes, barley and other whole grains, nuts, seeds, fruits and vegetables are all fiber sources. “However, we ask not to rely on fiber supplements or any one food to increase daily fiber, but rather to obtain fiber from a variety of foods in their diet as suited to individual tastes and preferences,” he said. (Reuters Health)
Toothpaste-mouth rinse combo Long-term meditation washes out harmful bacteria tied to less brain loss
Meditation over many years is tied to smaller agerelated decreases in brain volume, according to a new study. People who reported meditating for an average of 20 years had higher brain volumes than the average person, researchers report in Frontiers in Psychology. While it’s known that the volume of a brain’s gray matter decreases as a person ages, the study’s senior author told Reuters Health that the team of researchers expected to see more gray matter in certain regions of the brain among long-term meditators. “But we see that this effect is really widespread throughout the brain,” said Dr. Florian Kurth, a
postdoctoral fellow at the University of California, Los Angeles Brain Mapping Center. Kurth and his colleagues write that they can’t say meditation caused its practitioners to lose less brain volume, however. Other habits of long-term meditators may also influence brain volume. Nearly 18 million adults and 1 million children practiced meditation in the U.S. in 2012, according to a survey on complementary medicine from the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Though meditative techniques have roots in Eastern religious and spiritual traditions, Americans today
often meditate outside of religious settings, according to the survey. Prior studies found that meditation can improve attention, memory, verbal fluency, executive function and creativity, Kurth and his colleagues write. For the new study, the researchers compared the brain scans of 50 long-term meditators to those of 50 men and women from the general population. The participants ranged in age from 24 to 77 years. The meditators reported being involved in the practice for four to 46 years. Overall, the volume of gray matter shown on the brain scans decreased as the age of the participants increased. (Reuters Health)
A study of mouth microbes finds that antibacterial toothpaste and mouthwash with essential oils work much better in combination than separately to banish bacteria that cause gum disease. Researchers looked at bacteria clinging to wires used in dental retainers that are bonded to the backs of teeth. These retainers are known to host bacterial colonies that promote bleeding and receding gums as well as cavities. “Bonded retainers are very commonly used and are a very effective form of retention,” said Marije Jongsma, who led the study. “Since the retainers usually stay in place for an extended period of time, it is very important to find a way to minimize these adverse effects.” Plaque and bacterial colonies called biofilms tend to accumulate on retainer wires, and antibacterial products help but they don’t eliminate the harmful bacteria, Jongsma’s team writes in the International Journal of Oral Science. Jongsma and her colleagues at the University of Groningen and University Medical Center in the Netherlands tested three types of toothpaste and a mouth rinse, in combinations and separately, to understand their effects on the size and makeup of biofilms
living on retainer wires in human volunteers. The study included 22 adults wearing either single-strand or multi-strand wired retainers, which were bonded to the mouth side of the top front teeth. For the experiments, volunteers brushed a minimum of twice daily with a manual toothbrush. They were separated into three groups, one assigned to a toothpaste without antibacterial properties and the others assigned to antibacterial toothpastes containing either stannous fluoride or triclosan. After a week of using toothpaste alone, the groups took six weeks off, then used their assigned toothpaste for another week, this time with a mouth rinse containing essential oils (Cool Mint Listerine). (Reuters Health)
Sunday February 22, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Kristen Stewart becomes first US actress Sony brings together celebrities and PS4 to win prestigious French award gamers for charity with PlayStation Heroes Kristen Stewart has make films here in France are become the first US actress to win a Cesar award, the French equivalent of the Oscars. She got a best supporting actress gong for her role in film drama Clouds of Sils Maria. The big winner of the night was Timbuktu, which won seven awards including best film and director. It depicts life in northern Mali under the control of Islamist militants, and is competing for best foreign film at Sunday’s Oscars. Accepting the prize, Stewart shouted “I love you Juliette” in French to her costar Juliette Binoche. She later paid tribute to
Kristen Stewart French filmmakers. “The reasons why people
very different from the reasons why people make movies in Hollywood and I prefer it here a little bit,” she told Variety. There also was recognition for another American actor, Sean Penn, who got a lifetime achievement award. In his acceptance speech, Timbuktu director Abderrahmane Sissako called France a “magnificent country” for its response to the deadly Islamist attacks last month. “There is no clash of civilisations. There is a meeting of civilisations,” he said.
‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ rakes in $81.7 million on opening weekend Fifty Shades of Grey,” the widely anticipated adaptation of the best-selling novel about a kinky relationship between a businessman and a college student, took in $81.7 million in ticket sales to soar to the top of U.S. and Canadian weekend box office charts. The film, which stars James Dornan and Dakota Johnson as the libidinous couple, far outpaced the No. 2 release, “Kingsman: The Secret Service,” which took in $35.6 million from Friday through Sunday, according to studio estimates. Third place on the U.S. Presidents’ Day holiday weekend went to the familyfriendly “The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water,” based on the popular television show about a talking animated sponge, which sold $30.5 million in tickets at U.S. and Canadian theaters. “Fifty Shades” got a boost from a Valentine’s Day opening after it was released
earlier in the week in 57 foreign markets. It took in an additional $158 million overseas, for a global total of $240 million. Early U.S. screenings on Thursday night brought in $8.6 million, setting the scene for a record-breaking opening for any Presidents’ Day weekend. Nick Carpou, president of domestic distribution for Universal Pictures, the Comcast Corp. Unit that released the film, said a combination of Valentine’s Day, a long holiday weekend and intense interest from smaller and mid-sized markets all helped drive the record numbers. Pre-sale figures in southern states such as Mississippi and Kentucky reflected especially high interest. Sales in the northeast, being pummeled by another big winter storm, as well as in the south-central regions of the country, exceeded what might have been expected, Carpou said.
“Kingsman,” an adaptation of a popular comic series starring Samuel L. Jackson and Colin Firth about a spy agency’s training program and a global threat by a tech genius, received solid reviews and exceeded industry forecasts. Rounding out the top five, the box office hit “American Sniper” took in $16.4 million, bringing its domestic haul to just over $304 million and making it one of the biggest hits of 2014-15. The Clint Eastwood-directed film is nominated for six Oscars, including one for Bradley Cooper as best actor. The sci-fi film “Jupiter Ascending” was fifth with $9.4 million. “Kingsman: The Secret Service” was released by 20th Century Fox, a unit of 21st Century Fox. “The SpongeBob Movie” was distributed by Paramount Pictures, a unit of Viacom Inc. “American Sniper” and “Jupiter Ascending” were released by Warner Brothers, a unit of Time Warner Inc.
A gaggle of celebrities descended upon New York City last week for the 2015 NBA All-Star Game, which happened to fall on the coldest weekend of the year so far. Sony took advantage of the timing to hold a starstudded launch event Feb. 13 for its newest gaming initiative, PlayStation Heroes, a program that looks to connect PlayStation gamers with their favorite celebrities and some wonderful charitable organizations. With members of all three groups in attendance, even the frigid weather couldn’t dampen the mood. PlayStation Heroes, which Sony announced the morning of its New York event, will kick off Feb. 24 in the form of a free PlayStation 4 app. In the app, you can pay $1, $5, $10 or $15 for items such as PS4 themes. Each dollar also nets you one entry into a randomized drawing for the chance to play a game with a celebrity; another option is a $20 bundle, which comes with 31 entries. In addition to the contest entries and the digital content, you’ll get something that’s intangible but priceless: the warm feeling in your heart that comes with making a charitable donation. At least 90 percent of the purchase price will go to one of three charities that Sony is working with for the launch of PlayStation Heroes: Make-AWish, the USO and The V Foundation for Cancer Research. Contributions from PlayStation Heroes to The V Foundation will go toward the organization’s Stuart Scott Memorial Cancer Research Fund, which was established last month in honor of the beloved ESPN anchor and which supports research that studies the way cancer affects African-Americans, Hispanics and other minorities. “Gamers can actually give back and change the world without doing a thing, other than what they do now, which is game,” said John Koller (photo above), vice president of platforms marketing for Sony Computer Entertainment America, in an interview with Polygon during the launch event. Sony is starting the initiative by donating $100,000 to each of the three organizations it is partnering with at launch. Koller added that PlayStation Heroes is a “completely altruistic” program on Sony’s part — the remainder of the purchase price, approximately 10
percent, will be spent on running and maintaining the app. “We’re not making a dime from this; [it’s] completely nonprofit,” he said. Koller said that about two or three years ago, he came up with the germ of the idea that became PlayStation Heroes. “We were thinking about ways that we could engage our gamer for the betterment of society,” Koller told Polygon. “We know that they love playing against celebrities; there’s an aspirational quality to that. And interestingly, gamers — PlayStation gamers — overindex on charitable donations. Which is kind of, you know, not the stereotype.”iew gallery This isn’t the first time Sony has enlisted the help of PlayStation gamers for a higher purpose. From March 2007 to November 2012, over 15 million PlayStation 3 owners contributed more than 100 million computational hours combined to Folding@home, the Stanford University distributed computing project that studies the mechanisms of protein folding. PlayStation Heroes’ initial group of celebrities includes snowboarder and skateboarder Shaun White, Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig, Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry, and rapper Snoop Dogg. Koller said Sony has enough individuals lined up for the rest of 2015, but plans to ask fans about the stars and games they’re interested in. All four of the aforementioned celebrities were on hand at Sony’s launch event. White, Puig and Curry played NBA 2K15 and the upcoming MLB 15 The Show with representatives and beneficiaries of the charities, while Snoop Dogg closed the show with a lengthy performance of classics like “Gin and Juice” and more recent hits such as “Drop It Like It’s Hot.” He even sprinkled in some abbreviated covers, including the
Notorious B.I.G.’s “Hypnotize.”. The PlayStation Heroes slate won’t be limited to headto-head rounds of sports games. Make-A-Wish is the charity for March, and Shaun White will play Destiny with the winners of that month’s lottery. (The organization will rotate monthly, and the celebrities will change too, since they’re often tied to specific charities.) Koller said that sports games are a natural fit for something like this, but Sony also wanted to bring in cooperative titles like Destiny to mix things up. He also made it clear that PlayStation Heroes won’t be restricted to games for which Sony already has a co-marketing deal. Most EA Sports titles have been marketed with Xbox branding, but that doesn’t rule them out for inclusion in PlayStation Heroes. “There are some titles that are not attached to either us or the competition, or might be attached to the competition, but can be part of this because it’s just a great experience,” Koller said. “So we’re going to go across the industry.” Whatever game is on the docket, you’ll be able to use the app to watch the civilian and celebrity play together. The app won’t offer livestreams at this point, even though the technology is available. Koller explained that Sony wanted to film the sessions with a commentator because “having a host actually kind of give you a play-byplay really makes it exciting.” Sony will package it all up and publish the video segments in the app within a week. At launch, the PlayStation Heroes app will sell PS4 themes, but Koller said Sony eventually plans to add more substantial content such as indie games. The offering already seems impressive, but if Sony can keep beefing it up over time and attracting more PS4 players to the program, PlayStation Heroes has the potential to make a difference in the lives of thousands of Americans.
Sunday February 22, 2015
Kaieteur News
Medical Clinic boss, four others busted with 1000 AK, other rounds Hours of painstaking surveillance paid off on Friday when ranks from the Major Crimes Unit of the Criminal Investigations Department busted four persons including a medical practitioner following the discovery of a large cache of ammunition and an illegal 9mm pistol. Police in a statement said that during Friday last, its ranks conducted a search on a building at Austin Street, Campbellville, Georgetown and unearthed 1,371 rounds of 7.62 x 39; 100 rounds of .223 and 22 rounds of 9mm ammunition along with the firearm. The 7.62x39 ammunition is used in the deadly AK-47 assault 6 rifle, while the .223 is another rifle-ammunition. The police confirmed that two men and two women have been arrested and are in custody assisting with the investigations. A police source who asked not to be named told this newspaper that the bust stemmed from information received by the police that one of the suspects, Satyendra Khemraj, the Director of a Medical Clinic located at Austin Street, Campbellville was dealing in
Satyendra Khemraj arms and ammunition. “We heard that he was selling AK-47s along with the ammunition,” the source said. The police Major Crimes Unit headed by Assistant Superintendent Mitchell Caesar, staked out the location and swooped down after they were able to gather the information they were seeking. They first raided the clinic where they discovered the large ammo cache. According to the source the ammunition was contained in a green militarytype crate which was filled to capacity.
“Most of the ammunition was the tracer type,” the source explained. The source said that investigators will be engaging the Guyana Defence Force, with a view to ascertaining if the ammunition has any link to them. After the find the police next went to Khemraj’s Fifth Avenue, Subryanville home where they found the illegal 9mm semi automatic pistol. “He’s claiming that the ammunition belongs to a known character, who deals with drugs and whose name we won’t disclose at this time for obvious reasons,” the source said. This latest ammunition bust comes a few days after the same unit successfully busted four persons in three separate operations. A few days ago, Caesar and his men busted a father and son at Timehri, with an illegal shotgun and matching cartridges. Last week the unit arrested one Ronald Daniels at Diamond on the East Bank of Demerara and Devon Coates at Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara, both of whom were found in possession of illegal firearms and ammunition.
The Medical Clinic where the cache of ammunition was found.
Father, sons slapped with two charges of gun, ammo possession Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry remanded a father and his two sons to jail after it was alleged they had in their possession an illegal firearm. It is alleged that on February 18, at Kuru Kuru, Linden Soesdyke Highway, Oswald Dass Snr, Oswald Dass Jnr and Ivan Dass had in their possession a 19mm pistol and one 12 gauge shotgun without being the holder of a firearm licence. The three men were also accused of having three rounds of 20 gauge cartridges in their possession. Attorney Asa Stuart Shepherd appeared on the men’s behalf. Counsel informed the court that Oswald Dass Snr, 86, is a businessman and he was brought before the court 15 years ago charged with the possession of marijuana; however the charge was dismissed.
Shepherd further stated that Ivan Dass, 33 is a mechanic and he has no antecedents before the court. He went on to say that Oswald Dass Jnr, 21 is a farmer by profession. Police Prosecutor Bharat Mangru’s facts stated that on the day in question policemen acting on information armed themselves with GYD$320,000 and approached Oswald Dass Snr, to purchase a firearm. He said that the man returned with the other two accused and the ammunition was found in their possession. The Prosecutor objected to bail citing the seriousness and prevalence of the offence. He also pointed out that if the defendants should be granted bail, special reasons would have to be provided to the court. The trio will make their next court appearance on February 24, at the Providence Magistrate’s Court.
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Southland International commences $1M ‘Colour Your Life’ promotion Southland International Inc through its malt brand, MOUSSY, will be offering one lucky person in the nation a chance to change their lives by winning the grand prize of G$1,000,000 cash in the second edition of the Colour Your Life promotion. Imagine the endless possibilities of starting your own business, minimising your mortgage, remodelling your home, finance your education or take a vacation! Millionaire winner of 2014’s edition was Ms. Pere DeRoy of East Ruimveldt Georgetown. With great elation and inspiration, the post graduate student in International Studies at the University of Guyana, Ms. DeRoy praised the Company for having such a promotion. She indicated her winnings had come at a perfect time to assist with her boarding expenses in pursuit of a two year scholarship in Canada. One year later, she is on her way to completing her Masters comfortably and debt free. Her lucky winning crowns were purchased from Refreshment Paradise Beverage outlet at the Stabroek Market Bazaar, Georgetown. Last year, drawings were
held at all parts of the country – Georgetown, New Amsterdam, Anna Regina, Linden to name a few - where consumers were in a frenzy to secure their three Moussy crowns by buying as many Moussy bottles and six packs as they can to increase their chances to win fabulous prizes at each drawing location. Moussy fans went as far as dispensing the fruit flavoured malt liquid into clear plastic bags and containers to ensure their envelope was spun in the big rotisserie. According to Chief Executive Officer, Irzad Zamal, Colour Your Life (CYL) depicts an experience for consumers to refresh and enjoy the ‘new genre’ of Malta in Guyana as opposed to the culture of dark malt beverages. The versatility of this product offers a healthier alternative than soft drinks, shandy or ales. It has been the most popular and preferred nonalcoholic beverage of choice especially during religious occasions This year ’s GRAND PRIZE will be $1M. In addition to winning the grand prize, 18 lucky winners will have the opportunity to win SIX 40
Malaysian man fined for forging date on passport Malaysian National Kenching Anakbesi was yesterday fined $100,000 by Magistrate Ann McLennan when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. Anakbesi, 41, admitted that between December 24, 2014 and February 19, 2015 at Georgetown he conspired with a person or persons unknown to forge the date of a Guyana employment visa on page 17, of his Malaysian passport, purporting to show that same was issued from the Central Immigration and Passport Office. Anakbesi also admitted that on February 19, at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) Timehri, with the intent to defraud, he uttered to woman police constable 21364 Watson his Malaysian passport in favour of himself with the forged date on the Guyana employment visa on page 17 of his passport, purporting to show that same was issued from the Central Immigration and Passport Office. Prosecutor Deniro Jones, prosecuting the facts on the first charge, stated that Anakbesi is the holder of a Malaysian passport. He said that on June 24, 2014, the defendant came to Guyana via the CJIA and was granted a three months stay by the Immigration Department. Jones further stated that the accused applied for a work permit employment visa to work at the Barama Company and the same was granted to him until November 31, 2014. The prosecutor’s facts on the second charge stated that on February 19, the defendant was an outgoing passenger at the CJIA, when he presented his passport to the Immigration Officer. It was observed that the date was forged. The man was told of the offence, arrested and taken to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) where he was questioned and admitted to the offence. Anakbesi’s lawyer, Paul Fung-A-Fat begged the Magistrate not to jail his client. He said that he is a surveyor at Barama and has a wife and four children. Counsel told the court that Anakbesi is very frail and does not know any martial arts to defend himself in prison. He further added that because of the language barrier the Guyanese boys will take advantage of him if he goes to prison. Anakbesi was granted $50,000 fine on each charge; if he fails to pay it will result in him being imprisoned for three months.
inch Samsung Smart TVs, Grocery Vouchers worth $20,000 and US$50 cash prizes each. Each prize will be drawn weekly at select outlets countrywide in Georgetown, Corentyne Coast, West Coast/West Bank of Demerara, Linden, Bartica and Essequibo First drawing will be held on 21st March 2015 where 3 lucky winners will win a Samsung 40 inch Smart TV, Grocery Voucher worth G$20,000 and US$50 cash.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday February 22, 2015
Untrue gold miners not being helped - Govt. Government has refuted claims by miners that it is not doing enough to help the industry. The Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners’ Association (GGDMA) last week reportedly said that it was unhappy over Government’s response to hardships faced by its members. It said that all Government was doing was issuing press releases. Permanent Secretary, Joslyn McKenzie, of the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment, which is responsible for the mining sector, wrote GGDMA’s President, Patrick Harding on Friday, saying that Government notes with consternation the comments. “Given the article, there seems to be a prevailing sense of misunderstanding and/or miscommunication on the part of the GGDMA and as such, the Ministry takes this opportunity to provide and seek clarifications on these matters.” According to the Ministry, following requests and appeals of the mining association regarding the high costs of fuel as a primary input into the production process, an importation licence was requested and granted in 2013 to facilitate cheaper import of fuel. Additionally, at the request of the association, Government also approved the waiver of 10 percent of the applicable tariff on imported diesel fuel under the licence.
Regarding security in the mining areas, the Ministry insisted that it has facilitated meetings between the Minister of Home Affairs, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and GGDMA with the understanding of the security concerns and constraints facing the sector. “In addition, we are advised that a committee was created to address security matters. However, if the mechanisms implemented to address security concerns prove to be inadequate then
The special metal “It should be noted that the Guyana Revenue Authority and Guyana Energy Agency also provided extensive guidance to the association on the advancement of their proposed operation. To date we are still awaiting a response from the association which has requested permission to use local dealers in the interim whilst they develop storage facilities.” On the issue of duty free concessions, the Permanent Secretary in the letter to GGDMA and which was released to media houses said it has been granting the tax breaks for all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), excavators, bulldozers and other machinery so that small and medium scale operations continue to benefit from duty free concessions granted to miners. Government is also working closely with the
GGDMA to approve the granting of waivers for double-cab pickups to various categories of miners based on their production levels. “As indicated by the GGDMA, the approval was granted effective January 2015 and the association has been invited to review and sign the agreement to commence the process.” With regard to duty free concessions on spares, the Ministry said that Government has been working with miners on this and to date approval has been granted on the waiver of tariffs and duties on matting that the GGMDA pointed out was pivotal to their operations. “The list of suppliers recommended by the GGDMA was approved for tax waivers on the importation, and we are advised that to date, a number of transactions have been processed.”
we are sure that when the association reaches with Head of the GPF and the Hon. Minister, the situation will be addressed.” The Ministry made it clear that the Government is supporting the mining sector and will “continue to work earnestly and assiduously to ensure that the industry remains viable and sustainable. In this regard, the Ministry finds the recent comments by the association surprising after there would have been numerous
engagements and deliberations on these very same matters.” A meeting has since been arranged for March 05 at 13:00 hrs with President Donald Ramotar. Gold mining has been the biggest foreign currency earner for Guyana over the past seven years, before falling behind rice last year, after a drop in world prices. Miners have been agitating for measures to help the industry stay afloat as costs remain high.
Magistrate ordered release of death driver licence …Driver involved in another fatal accident The police are investigating who and why Ghirdial Heralall, 41, of No. 59 Village Corentyne, Berbice, who was the driver of minibus BRR 6403 that drove across the road and caused the two minibus collision on February 16, last, was being allowed to drive. That collision caused the death of Vidwattie Persaud, called “Bedoo”, 42, of No.43 Village Corentyne, He was also involved in another fatal accident just over a year ago on January 14, 2014 on the Bloomfield Public Road in which 10-year-old schoolgirl, Salema ‘Marissa’ Anthony, of Lot 383 Bloomfield Village and a student of the Auclyne Primary school was killed. The child was cycling when she was struck down on the village public road by the speeding minibus BRR6403 driven by Ghirdial Heralall, 40, of No 59 Village Corentyne, Berbice. According to information, the child was riding her bicycle to the shop when she was struck down by
the speeding minibus. According to eyewitnesses, the bus was speeding towards New Amsterdam. The child sustained head injuries was picked up and rushed to the Port Mourant hospital where she died while receiving treatment. A post mortem examination conducted on her body at the Port Mourant hospital by Dr. Vivekanand Brijmohan concluded that she died of cerebral haemorrhage and a fractured skull. Heralall was subsequently charged and appeared in the Whim Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh on the charge of causing death by dangerous driving. He was placed on $500,000 bail. His lawyer back then had approached the court and asked that he be given his licence since he depends on driving his minibus BRR 6403 to make a living. The Magistrate had thus ruled that the licence be returned to Heralall. On Monday February 16
Heralall was again at the wheels of his bus BRR 6403 which was involved in the accident that left one dead and nine others injured. Heralall was driving his minibus towards New Amsterdam. Upon approaching the Wellington Park Primary School he pulled across the road to drop off a passenger at the school. Another bus BSS 2229, driven by fireman Trellon Archibald which was heading towards Skeldon was speeding and had allegedly overtaken a truck around the turn, when he saw the other bus in his lane. He applied brakes, but could not avoid the collision. Archibald’s bus collided with Heralall’s bus. Persaud who was in Archibald’s bus suffered multiple injuries and was rushed to the New Amsterdam Hospital. She was being transferred to the Georgetown Hospital when she died. Both vehicles which were badly damaged and were impounded.
Sunday February 22, 2015
Kaieteur News
SALON Make Up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, Black Opal and Sacha cosmetics. Call: 647-1773/660-5257
CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVE AUTO RENTAL:CARS&SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 643-5122, 2193900, EMAIL: PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM
WANTED 1 Mechanic to work in the interior; must know about Cummings & Perkins Engine. Tel: 691-6260 Corner lots to buy in Schoonord, Leonora, Parfaite Harmonie, Eccles, Herstelling, Low & High Income – Tel:675-7292; 6893339. 1 Carpenter Mason to work in the Interior – Tel: 691-6260
VACANCY 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 Salesgirls apply @ D. Singh & Sons, 95 King Street Georgetown –Tel: 226-1316 International Cruiseline AB Sailors, waitresses, waiters, cooks, receptionists, storekeepers, cleaners, electricians, carpenters, welders, cosmetologists, etc. Tel: 231-6296, 650-9880 Experienced legal clerk for computer & general work, good salary, immediate – Tel:226-4283; 258-0213 One combine operator & one tractor operator, must have mechanical knowledge, Lodging provided – Tel: 647-0463 Waiters to work at a bar at Agriculture Road, E.C.D- Tel: 612-2522 One Female house keeper, between ages 30-45yrs – Contact: 225-8205 RA Soda Factory: Bond Clerk, Accountant, Drivers – Call:330-2399, 330-2772, 6235920 One male sales clerk between 20-30yrs old Contact: 225-8205 Vacancy for cashier/CSR apply with written application & passport size picture to survival – 173 Sheriff Street – Tel: 2275286/9
Presser / Clipper, straight stitch/over edge machine operators, cleaner – Call: 222-2541 (8:00am-4:00pm) (Mon-Fri) Cook: must know how to bake, bar attendant, waitress, cleaner and house keeper needed. Tel: 669-1900 Salesgirl needed for clothing store @ Sheriff St. must be good looking, good salary – Tel: 686-3040 1 Farm Manager to work @ Pomeroon River must have Vast Farming Experienced. Accommodation & Attractive Salary offered. Contact: 226-9768 1 Female (20-35yrs) must be able to work day/night @ Snackette & Bar, must know to cook- Tel:647-7432; 2235798 Experienced Cook & Chef (shift). Apply in person @ Cotton Club Restaurant & Bar, 44 Public Road Kitty – Tel: 231-1908 Welder/Fabricator. Apply @ Technical Services Lot 18-23 Industrial Site Eccles. Diesel Mechanic, machinist with technical background, 1 office clerk, Apply @ Technical Services Lot 18-23 Industrial Site Eccles. Counter Clerk Call: 629-4946 & 225-4822 One driver must be living within Georgetown, apply in person at 176 Middle Street – Tel: 227-0152 Driver with minibus licence, living in Georgetown for contract – Call: 646-8748 Wash bay attendant for wash bay in Georgetown – Call: 629-5913 Live in Waitresses to work in bar – Contact: 604-6606
EDUCATIONAL CXC Day & Evening classes/lessons Forms 1-5, Phonics Classes - Tel:2233086; 619-7911; 690-5008
One live in/live out maid / Nanny – Tel:623-5011; 6226113; 227-0152 Pastry maker, counter servers, roti cooks & handy boys @ Hacks Restaurant, 5 Commerce St Georgetown
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 Repairs to plasma, LED, LCD television etc – Call: Abdul Electronics: 225-0391 Permanent & Visitors Visa Applications, Professional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building Call Sabita: 225-6496, 6626045 REPAIRS AT LOW COST: FRIDGES, AIRCONDITIONERS, WASHING MACHINES, TVS, MICROWAVES, FREEZERS- CALL:6294946 OR 225-4822 We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer Call Omar: 2310655, 683-8734 Khemraj & Son landscaping & plant nursery, cutting big trees & removing, 18 Months Coconut trees & lime plant for sale – Call: 627-5969 Eagle’s fridge re-gas - $8,000 & washing machine repairs. Phone: 697-2969, 646-0966 Phone unlocking services/ Computer reload, located @ Tuschen – Tel: 683-2202 BrianMoe@642-3543; Computer Technician; FB:Brian.Moe.165; Home and office visits at your comfort!! Cell phone unlocking and computer games, BBM 53246B41 – Tel:675-2239 Mahadeo Construction for all construction, carpentry, masonry, pluming, painting etc. Free estimates and plan Contact # 669-7376 CAKES & PASTRIES Enroll now for cake & Pastries, cake decoration, floral arrangements & Cookery - Contact: 223-3303; 612-4193; 672-8768 FOR SALE/RENTAL American pool table – Tel: 277-0578
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. For Sale & Removal. One high wooden cottage, no reasonable price refused - Tel: 686-2345 70 Inch Aquos Smart Sharp Television - $1.1M; bed set $1.3M, Price negotiable, owner migrating - Tel:628-7884 Sofa Set- $325,000; Aquarium $25,000, price negotiable, owner migrating - Tel: 628-7884 Sale! Sale! 2004 Toyota Premo: TV, CD, DVD, fully loaded, unregistered - $2.2M. Call: 642-7295 New shipment of pit bull parts: Wind Screen, bumpers, fog lights, back/ front bearings - Tel: 628-0909 Lights: Premio, Allion, Fielder & Carina and One Toyota IST never registered - $1.9M - Tel: 628-0909 XBOX 360 S: 250GB, 16GB, 2 controllers & original games each – Call: 683-8386 600 Amp Automatic transfer switch sold as is – Tel: 6277835 Cheap! Cheap! CCTV Security Surveillance Kit, 8 Channels DVR with built in Hard Drive, 8 bullet cameras Tel: 621-4740 2 Digital stereo surround sound system AM & FM, receiver techniques & Kenwood good as new – Tel:216-0671; 622-0267; 6928464 Double bunk with mattress, 4 burner stove, sewing machines, quality cake tools, nail & hair stuff & other – Tel: 664-3454 Blow out Sale on mechanical and construction tools, chainsaw and generators – Call: 694-8905 Earth Delivery on spot – Tel: 617-5536 25 2’X2’ Tables, 18 Steel chairs, 5 B1 Fold Doors, 330"&32" 6 Panel doors, 2 26" French Doors, 1 -36" Shower Stall – Tel:683-5234 1- Security System (DSC), 1Donut machine, 1-6 Burner Stove, 2 cone machine, 1Neon Sign, 1-7 Disc Burner – Tel: 683-5234 1-10X10 wooden building (Kabukalli wood), with grill inside can be used for shop purpose (painted) – Tel: 6225986 1 New/ Ridgid /Generator 3600W - $180,000, Two 32" Flat Screen, TV $75,000 – Tel: 672-7194 Sawmill: Timber Harvester, 30th 25th fully hydraulic, electric motor- Tel: 261-2553
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FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 2-Bedroom upper flat @ 5 Wallers Delight, W.C.D – Tel:674-4929; 662-0187 GT TOOL RENTALS: COMPACTOR; CHIPPING HAMMER RANSOM & FLOOR SANDER, , JACK HAMMER, CONCRETE SAW & MORE - CALL: 675-0767, 627-5098 1 -8000 SQ Feet ware house, located 20 miles from City $5000USD monthly – Contact: 695-0333 Sharon’s Building, limited mall space from $65,000 $275,000- Call: 225-4413/ 614-0949 Lodge apartments (Vlissengen/Durban) unfurnished - $50,000-$60,000 monthly; furnished (for visitors) $500USD monthly – Tel: 677-9638. 1 Executive apartment in an exclusive residential area with all modern amenities including parking. Call for appointment: - 653-2920 Furnished two bedroom apartment for short term overseas visitors – Contact: 678-6690 Refurbished 2 bedroom apartment @ Liliendaal (between Bel Air & Turkeyen) parking space – Call: 910-551-4109 (whatsapp & viber) 1 Business place to rent opposite Stewartville, Primary & Secondary School W.C.D – Tel: 613-5261
FOR SALE 1 Miller welding generator 225 amps – Tel:616-5424; 6800378 Pure bred pit bull pups – Tel: 661-1601 House hold furniture – Tel: 225-6458 Brand New, Power fist, 6,500 watts gasoline generator (on wheels) 110/240 volts AC/DC – Contact: 617-2205; 681-1032
VEHICLE FOR SALE Nissan X-Trail 2006, low mileage, good condition $2.6M – Call: 695-9548 Nissan Titan 4X4; fully loaded; good condition; price negotiable - Call: 6201026 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 Unregistered vehicle: Toyota Sienta- $1,895,000, Honda Civic-$1,895,000, 318i B M W -$3,000,000 Contact: 650-0402 2008 Fully loaded Rav4 (PRR Series), White Rush (PRR Series), owner migrating – Tel: 628-7884 One RZ minibus, good condition – Contact: 6785887 1-19 Seat pit bull bus BSS series; price $3.5M negotiable – Contact: 6603385 Just arrived Massey Ferguson, 290 Tractor 2WD, Excellent Condition – Tel: 684-6661; 669-9315 One 580C Hymac @ Mahaicony Creek – Call: 611-8283; 638-6125 One 2004 NZE $1.750M, One 2001 Stick Shift, Carina 212 - $1.9M – Call:616-5974 or 618-8703 Blow Out Sale!!! Unregistered Toyota IST $2,150,000- Bodykit, TV, Spoiler, Fogs, Alloy Wheels, Crystal Lights & Alarm – Call: 643-6565, 226-9931 Canter: Short Based - $2.2M, Voxy $1.7M, Spacio $2.1M, (all never registered) – Call: 617-2891 Toyota AT212, AT192, Raum, Premio, BB, AE100 Sprinter, Vitz, RZ Bus, EP71 & 825 Starlet, Yamaha R1 – Tel: 644-5096; 697-1453 1 Toyota Corolla PFF 9681, EEE90 automatic $300,000, 1 town ace small bus PFF 6536, stick gear $460,000 Call: 646-7339
3 Engel moulding machine – Please Contact: 695-0333
Toyota Raum; good condition – Contact: 2642954; 642-1305 Toyota Caldina, white Car, 2000cc – Tel:679-4420
15FT Fiber glass boat W/35 HP Motor & Trailer – Call: 694-8905
Toyota Vigo smart cab for sale - $3.3M negotiable – Call: 6684553
One 30ft Criuser, One 15 Yamaha engine, all next to new, prices negotibale - Call: 688-4139
1 Mitsubishi Canter GNN 722, good working condition – Tel:228-5655; 628-1756 (Continued on page 64)
Page 64
Kaieteur News
Sunday February 22, 2015
King Pearai dethrones... PROPERTY FOR SALE Houses & house lots for sale in 1 of Guyana’s top luxury gated communities, located @ Eccles E.B.D Tel: 227-2913; 683-3033 Property with concrete bungalow, modern amenities and features in gated community at Hutsonville E.B.D -G$16M negotiable – Call: 697-4131 1-6 Bedroom house and land in Mon Repos (Martyrs’ Ville) E.C.D, price $13M neg. Tel: 629-5300 One – Two Storied wooden & concrete building at Ketley & Howes Street Charlestown – Tel: 623-9679 Front Section, Diamond, East Bank Demerara – Tel: 674-9266 or 686-9248 Transported two storied concrete property $22M, Block “8” Mon Repos E.C.D Tel: 602-4418 South Ruimveldt – Tel:6493725; 649-7435; 665-8317; 6146909 Two storey concrete house, 3 bedrooms @ 8th Street Foulis – Call: 685-8485; 2563360 Property located @ Gay Park, New Amsterdam, Berbice Tel: 669-7570 Prime Property in Brickdam $60M – Phone: 617-4261 Executive 4 bedroom house @ AA La Flora Gardens, Eccles, EBD, -$55M negotiable; serious enquiries: houseforsale.921@gmail.com Public Road Grove corner property $25M Negotiable Call: 613-5645
(From page 63)
LAND FOR SALE Eccles: Commercial lots for sale at Eccles – Tel:227-2913. Cell: 683-3033 Measuring 90’X165’ facing Atlantic Ocean, approximately half mile from Sheriff Street on High Way. Contact Shiv: 600-6681 51 Acres titled farm land @ The Belle, Upper Dem, River Front - $100M Negotiable, serious enquiries only! Tel: 669-8152 House Lots in 1 of Guyana’s top luxury gated communities @ Eccles, 60X100 - $7.5M. (Special prices) - Call: 2272913; 683-3033 Parfaite Harmonie - $1.4M, $1.5M, $1.8M, Eccles - $4.5, $5M, Herstelling - $45M, $5M, Leonora -$2.5M – Tel:675-7292; 689-3339 Land @ William Street Kitty; Size: 79FT wide by 116FT length, price $60M Negotiable - Tel: 664-0829 Land @ William Street Kitty; size: 38FT wide by 116FT length, reasonable price – Tel: 664-0829 1 Transported land for sale@ 2nd Avenue Diamond N/S, price -$6.5M neg – Tel:6295300 One residential land at Herstellling Plot ‘B’ E.B.D $4.5M Tel: 661-0618; 6013469; 600-1062 Guyana first 5 Star gated community, now opens, reserve your lot(s) & house. Call: 609-0783 or seroj_26@yahoo.com
WANTED Need real estate agent & maid – Contact:231-7805; 618-7483 Carmen’s Funeral Home, wanted driver, porter, handyman – Call: 265-5010, 265-4099; 666-3637; 647-1776 1 Live in waitress, with Secondary Education – 1825yrs salary $60,000 monthly, must be honest and willing – Tel: 610-3974 Part time & full time maid for foreign national household, easy work @ Duncan Street, Good Salary – Call:686-3040 DRESSMAKING Designing & Sewing classes, ladies wear, curtains etc. (CanadianTrained Tutor), Schoon-Ord, W.B.D- Tel:6262629, 676-6312
Land located @ Brushe Dam Friendship E.C.D -669-7570 Transported land, cultivation lots 29, 30 & 33 in Rosignol – Tel:327-5934; 625-5746 Canaan semi-gated 42x80 $3.6M, 54x90 $4.3M, Charity Housing Scheme $2.8M, Kuru Kuru residential 100x200 $2.6M Call: 623-4790,222-5116
TO LET 1 Spacious 3 bedrooms upstairs including inside toilet and bath at Mon Repos E.C.D, Price $50,000 Monthly Tel: 629-5300 Fully furnished 2 bedroom house, short term overseas, TV, cable, Hot/Cold, AC, Washer (South) 689-5877 Semi-furnished 3 bedrooms upstairs @ Diamond – $80,000.00 Contact: 6880980; 666-8767 Apartment with 2 self contained bedrooms in Kitty, wireless internet, Cable, TV, parking, rent $100,000 monthly - Tel: 645-0247 Furnished executive one or two bedroom suites in Diamond. Ideal for foreigners. Call 609 2466 1 Bedroom concrete flats New Road V/Hoop, Preferably working couple – Tel: 254-1772 Rooms & Apartment in Alberttown & Eccles – Call: 225-3234 Lower flat 3 bedroom apartment at Non Pariel - Call: 654-0533 between 5pm to 8pm Two bedroom detached house – Contact Joy: 2181285; 627-8562 Apartment to rent 1st March,2015, kitchen, living room, bedroom, toilet & bath, bus route. 1st Avenue West Minister Call: 674-5779
LEARN TO DRIVE Soman Son & Outar Driving School at Maraj BuildingTel:644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997
ACCOMMODATION
DOLLY’S CAR RENTAL CALL: 225-7126/ 2263693 DOLLYSAUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM/ WWW.DOLLYSAUTO RENTAL.COM Aidan’s Car & Pickup rental, cheap rate, low security – Tel: 698-7807; 690-6494
GPP Tacoma 5VZ engine, stick gear, 4WD - $2.3M; negotiable – Call: 617-7113
beat, for it was sustained by the Wickedee Boss himself, Malcolm Ferriera who served as a witty and amusing host for Friday night’s proceedings. Judges who spoke with this publication at the conclusion of the show said that while they applaud the efforts made by the contestants; there are still “major areas” that need to be improved. They opined that generally, there still remains the issue of poor structure. They found that the melody for some songs were too ordinary and more could have been done to improve some of the songs presented, had the calypsonians taken more time to do research and refine their lyrics. The Judges said nonetheless, that all the contestants did a really good job at going the extra mile to ensure they are scored favourably.
One judge opined that De Professor should have stayed with politics because that really is his “niche”. “What makes The Professor so unique is because he has that zeal for the art form. He is passionate about it. And when you listen to his lyrics you can tell easily that he has been working on it for a long time. It was not written a few weeks ago. And he also goes after the song with extreme confidence. He is high quality. He isn’t easy to beat. King Pearai was exceptional. But it was also good to see De Professor try his hand at something else and still manage to place well.” King Pearai as the 2014 Monarch walks away with a trophy and $600,000 while the runner up will receive $450,000. The Mighty Believer will be awarded $200,000 while the fourth place winners will receive $100,000.
15-year-old delinquent... From page 59 Linden, and thief up all de man tings. I is de one that sign for him to come home with me, and that is wha I bring he fuh. I bring he fuh kill me” The man said that he is unsure whether the boy and his mother conspired to kill him, since the couple had been having problems recently. The injured man claims that just the day before he was stabbed, he caught his reputed wife at a shop in the company of another man. “I want know why she lef ’ home suh long fuh go to the shop and can’t come back, so I went and look fuh she. I find she sitting down drinking with a man”. Christiani claims that when he inquired of the
woman what she was doing, she responded with a stream of expletives, and called him a “tormenting so and so”. Just before the stabbing, Christiani recalled seeing the youth holding a knife in his hand, but was distracted after the child’s mother took his cell phone away. Christiani is currently receiving medical attention at the GPHC. The knife has since been removed from his back; however, he is experiencing some paralysis in his right leg. The matter was reported, but the wounded man is unaware as to whether or not the youth has been apprehended, since he (the youth) ran away soon after the incident occurred.
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Harmony Inn Apartments: comfortable & clean apartments & rooms - $5000, $6,000 & $7,000 – Tel:6680306; 218-1400; 694-7817. Your luxury hideaway…… Saturdays & Sundays after lunch @ Inner Retreat Hotel Parik: Bar-B-Cue & games: pools, darts, table tennis etc Phone: 260-4504. Inner Retreat Hotel Restaurant & Bar, Retreat Road Parika. Indoor /Outdoor bar in Picturesque setting – Phone: 260-4504; 685-6934. VEHICLE FOR SALE
CAR RENTAL
(From page 57) the need for accountability in Guyana and for the abuse of the state resources to come to a halt. The audience found him to be harmonious, entertaining and at the same time, very informative with a hint of humour. Ras Marcus’s song, “The law is an ass” was also a crowd favourite. He incorporated into his presentation, a child riding a donkey as he sang the chorus, “The Law is an ass I tell ya, it causing eye pass…Donald riding de donkey…” The message of his piece was that the Constitution is so riddled with contradictions that it is being used by the current administration against citizens to “create a lot of eye pass.” T h i s y e a r, Q u e e n Makeba kept her distance from the popular political subjects and spoke this time about a man’s “Lying Tongue.” Without question, this relatable piece was highly favoured by the women present as she cunningly exposed those lies men usually tell in the bedroom. The Calypso competition was described by many to be highly entertaining this year. And even in between short breaks, the life of the Calypso competition never skipped a
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From page 9 yet to be set and maintained which will be dependent on the required approval of the National Assembly. In the meantime, the official said the ministry is working on litter regulations. He said the regulations were gazetted in November 2013 and enforcement began in April 2014. He said the enforcement came after an intensive countrywide education and public awareness campaign. For 2014, the official said there were 34 reports of littering and dumping. These reports were investigated and relevant citations were issued along with efforts for further sensitization, he said. He further said 11 cases were pursued in court for 2014, one of which was dismissed after witnesses failed to show up. In one case,
the defendant is to be reissued with a citation while the other cases are pending trial. “Since the commencement of the Litter Enforcement Programme, a total of 269 citations comprising 167 Clean-up orders, 93 Removal orders and 9 direct fines were issued. These and other activities will be heightened to curb and reduce the incidence of littering,” the ministry official said. In November 2013, the Government of Guyana indicated the proposed ban, effective from June 2014. A number of subsequent consultations had been held. However, one month before the plan was scheduled to be implemented; the Ministry of Natural Resources informed the general public that the ban’s date was being extended.
Sunday February 22, 2015
Kaieteur News
Chinese spyware discovery revives Caribbean cyber-security fears
Bahamas Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe (L) on Sept. 3, 2013, accepted a gift of Lenovo laptop computers on behalf of Bahamas Information Services from Hu Shan, China’s ambassador to The Bahamas. (BIS Photo/Hanna) NEW YORK, USA — Lenovo, the Chinese computer manufacturer that has supplied tens of thousands of laptops to Caribbean governments, is reportedly selling computers that come preinstalled with spyware that hijacks encrypted web sessions and may make users vulnerable to cyber-attacks, security researchers said last week. According to Arstechnica.com, the critical threat is present on Lenovo PCs that have adware from a company called Superfish installed that can intercept encrypted traffic for every website a user visits. The Superfish software hijacks encrypted web sessions no matter which browser someone uses. Even worse, other hackers can use the hidden software to launch attacks that won’t be detected by machines that have the spyware installed. It’s not known exactly which Lenovo computers come with Superfish preinstalled. Computers manufactured by Lenovo, a Chinese
company originally created by a Chinese government department and now one of the world’s largest computer makers, have been banned by intelligence agencies around the world because of concerns over hardware exploits inserted into the production line by the manufacturer. According to Trinidad and Tobago Education Minister Dr Tim Gopeesingh, at least 75,000 laptops had been distributed to secondary school students. Gopeesingh said that all principals at primary and secondary school levels and school supervisors have also received laptops. Following several articles previously published on the issue of spyware programmes hidden in computers supplied to Caribbean governments and agencies by foreign governments or companies, an amateur radio organisation in Trinidad and Tobago tested the Chinese-supplied computers and confirmed the presence of such malicious software. Julien Dedier, the chairman of the board of
Bar Association against Inniss’ stand on CCJ Daily Nation - The legal fraternity is condemning a politician’s bemoaning the absence of a Barbadian on the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), charging that xenophobia is too prevalent in Barbados. The Barbados Bar Association, in a Press statement Friday, said an appointment based on
nationality would perpetuate a xenophobic approach. “To impose a criteria based on nationality, as suggested by the minister, is in the Bar ’s opinion misguided and would be a step in the wrong direction. It would perpetuate a xenophobic approach which has been far too prevalent in Barbados,” the release read.
directors of the Trinidad and Tobago Amateur Radio League (TTARL), said last year that he discovered the spyware while investigating a problem on his daughter’s government-issued laptop. However, Gopeesingh said the government has not installed any spyware devices on the 75,000 laptops it has issued to Form One students over the past several years. “There has never been any time that we have ever installed any area close to anything like spyware or malware,” Gopeesingh said last year, apparently missing the point that the computers in question probably came from China with such software already installed without the government’s knowledge. Nevertheless, he also dismissed suggestions something may be wrong with the computers. Concern was, however, expressed in Saint Lucia, which received 3,300 Chinese-supplied Lenovo Thinkpad laptops from the Trinidad and Tobago government as part of a government-to-government agreement. “Just checking on the information I received it looks like it is a big operation that allows access to confidential information so this is a matter of concern if the computers have spyware,” said veteran Saint Lucia educator, Dr Virginia Albert-Poyotte. “How much longer must we play with the security of our nation’s schoolchildren using these Lenovo computers?” Dedier commented this week following the latest spyware revelations.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday February 22, 2015
Sacked magistrates cry foul …Sohan claims he was tipped to be Chief Attorneys-at-Law Geeta Chandan-Edmond and Chandra Sohan are both claiming that the move by the Judicial Service Commission to remove them from the bench is unjust. There was no proper basis for such a decision. The attorneys are currently meeting with their lawyers to fight back against the five-member JSC. They intend to go as far as the Caribbean Court of Justice. Yesterday, former Senior Magistrate Sohan said that he learnt of his dismissal through media reports since he had not received a dismissal letter from the commission. Sohan said, however, that he was in no way surprised by the JSC decision. He was taken aback by the way the decision developed. Sohan, who was the longest serving magistrate on the bench, was tipped to replace the Chief Magistrate who is expected to be elevated to a judge soon. “I know the objective was to get rid of me because I am in the way of some people who had been promised a chance to advance in the system,” he said. On Wednesday, last, Sohan along with his lawyer, Senior Counsel Bernard De Santos, appeared before the commission at the behest of the latter. Sohan had to appear before the Commission for a number of misdemeanors but
he said he was not prepared for an inquiry for several reasons, including that the time for such a hearing had legally expired. The Attorney-at-Law explained that according to the rules set out by the JSC, if no inquiry is held within 60 days of a Magistrate’s suspension, then he can return to work. The JSC Rule 80, sub rule six, specifies that in such an event the suspension is deemed to have been set aside; the effect being as if the suspension had never taken place. Sohan held that this rule was blatantly disregarded in his case. Sohan said that he had initially moved to the High Court to have the decision to suspend him quashed but Justice Naresh Harnanan refused, leaving him to file an appeal and subsequently a motion to have the matter expedited. When he appeared before the JSC on Wednesday, he was told that the rule cannot apply at the time and the inquiry will go forward. He said that neither he nor his lawyer was prepared to face an inquiry. He said that the Senior Counsel requested an adjournment to prepare but it was shot down by the fivemember commission. Initially, the senior Magistrate was suspended following a very brief hearing
Bar Association against Inniss’ stand on CCJ Daily Nation - The legal fraternity is condemning a politician’s bemoaning the absence of a Barbadian on the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), charging that xenophobia is too prevalent in Barbados. The Barbados Bar Association, in a Press statement Friday, said an appointment based on
nationality would perpetuate a xenophobic approach. “To impose a criteria based on nationality, as suggested by the minister, is in the Bar’s opinion misguided and would be a step in the wrong direction. It would perpetuate a xenophobic approach which has been far too prevalent in Barbados,” the release read.
into complaints brought against him, relating to his work. “I was not prepared to participate in an inquiry. I was not heard in the beginning and I was not even heard on Wednesday yet I am learning that I was fired.” It was previously reported that Sohan was charged with dangerous driving and fined but had allegedly modified his records on occasions, causing it to reflect that he was reprimanded and discharged. Sohan denied the allegations. “I have never been charged with a criminal offence and then caused the record to be changed. Never.” The Commission had also looked into a complaint, in relation to a court matter involving domestic violence. The matter was heard some time last year at the Vreed- enHoop Magistrate’s Court, when Sohan was presiding there, albeit briefly. There are allegations that Sohan appeared to be biased towards the woman’s husband during the time he was dealing with the matter. However, Sohan said he is known to the couple and merely gave advice for an amicable settlement of the matter before it was dragged through the court. In fact, the matter was assigned to another Magistrate and the woman had been insisting on several occasions that she did not wish to pursue the matter in the court. Surprisingly, a report was made to the JSC about the magistrate’s conduct in the matter. Later, reports surfaced that the woman did not file a complaint in the matter. It was also reported that Sohan was being disciplined for discrepancies that were unearthed between fines recorded by him on Court case jackets and those recorded on corresponding police case jackets in Court 7 (Traffic Court), where he presided. Sohan argued that neither he nor the Prosecutor had ever been questioned about the alleged inconsistencies. The Attorney claimed that it was the Chairman of the Commission himself who brought complaints against him yet “sat there as the Chair and Prosecutor”. Sohan claimed that any inquiry on that ground would have been compromised. Former Magistrate Chandan-Edmond said that she was shocked at the decision to sack her. She explained that she was summoned before the JSC in relation to several allegations. The allegations,
Geeta Chandan-Edmond
Chandra Sohan
she said, were all shot down by her and her attorney, Nigel Hughes, yet she received a letter of dismissal two days later from the JSC. The decision is one she found unjust and to that effect she intends to pursue every legal course of action available. She stressed that at no point over her nine and a half years on the bench had any allegation of misconduct or corrupt practices was leveled against her. Like Sohan, what Chandan finds troubling is that the complainant and the adjudicator in the entire proceedings was the Judicial Service Commission. In fact, the allegations against her were being looked at during the life of the previous JSC, but Chandan said there was no hearing or any invitation to any hearing on the allegations in 2014, the year that the JSC was commissioned.
Shortly after receiving the dismissal letter, Hughes, by way of public statement, had said that there was no rule which required the Magistrate to notify the Chancellor and or seek his permission prior to her departure from the Country. The Commission conceded that there was no such rule in existence either in the Judicial Service Commission Rules or the Public Service Rules. The JSC had also leveled allegations over missing notes but that allegation according to her was also shot down by her attorney who provided evidence to the contrary. She was on maternity leave during the time the notes went missing. “Every single allegation leveled against the Magistrate was answered and refuted with the production of documentary evidence including a letter from the
doctor who examined Ms Chandan-Edmond,” Hughes noted. The lawyer explained that the Prime Minister’s son, Samuel Hinds Junior was charged before the Magistrate on a serious criminal offence of unlawful wounding and was found guilty. He was set to be sentenced the day ChandanEdmond received the marching orders. Hughes claimed that the immediate effect of the termination of the Magistrate’s service is that the verdict against Hinds is vacated and a new trial before a different Magistrate will now follow. It was explained that by law, a man cannot be found guilty twice of an offence. The Judicial Service Commission says not so; that another Magistrate can hand down the sentence. The commission said that there were precedents. There are reports in the media that the Magistrate was also being looked at because her husband, also an attorney, had been appearing before her as a lawyer in some courts. There were no allegations of that nature leveled against her by the JSC. Responding to the allegations, her husband, Attorney-at-Law Joel Edmond said that at no point had he ever appeared before his wife in court matters. He said that he intends to challenge any allegation by the Chairman or any member of the Commission.
Murder suspect gets 4 years for gun and ammo charge Kelvin Alfred will be spending the next four years behind bars after he was found guilty of having in his possession a semi automatic pistol, even though he is not a licenced firearm holder. Magistrate Judy Latchman found Alfred, 23 of Second Street, Crane Housing Scheme guilty as charged for the offence yesterday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. He first appeared before Magistrate Ann McLennan on August 4 last year. The prosecution informed the court that the man has no antecedents. Alfred however said that he has a pending matter before the court. Before sentencing Alfred, Latchman considered all the mitigating factors. He was also ordered to pay a fine of $60,000. Alfred is currently before the court on a murder charge. He is charged with the murder of 75 – year – old pensioner,
Kelvin Alfred Joyce Lewis. Lewis had been living alone at her Christiani Street, North Ruimveldt home since her husband, a former Police Inspector, passed away three years ago. On the morning of March 26, last, a relative ventured to Lewis’ house after she failed
to answer several calls made to both her cellular and landline phones. It was then that her body was discovered. According to reports, there were marks on the pensioner ’s neck which suggested that she had been strangled. Her underwear was partially removed and her home was ransacked. It was believed that the perpetrators gained entry into Lewis’ home by climbing through a bay window near the verandah. Police had confirmed that they found a “fresh” footprint on the window ledge. Crime scene detectives had found a large knife wrapped in a rag in Mrs. Lewis’ front yard. It was five months after she was killed that the police were able to charge Williams. Reports are that Williams’ fingerprints were among several that investigators found in the slain woman’s house.
Sunday February 22, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Health Sector getting more cardiac support says Health Minister - reveals plans to better “original” CHI Recent attempts by this publication to gain clarity on the future operation of the Caribbean Heart Institute (CHI) saw Minister of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran, instead insisting that “there is one beautiful story. The Government of Guyana is upgrading the equipment that it’s using (and) that will be given to the different players who will come to Guyana from time to time or who will be residing in Guyana as we develop our capacity among our doctors.” The Minister in essence was making clear that the public health sector is not reliant on merely the expertise of those affiliated with CHI but rather it will be benefiting from others as well. He went on to inform that recently several hundred doctors were graduated out of the Cuba/Guyana system and have been benefiting from strategic cardiac training. The training, according to him, was facilitated by the Libin Institute out of Alberta, Canada, with the active participation of Professor Debra Isaacs, from Calgary University, also in Canada, and saw the fledgling doctors gaining certain diagnostic techniques. And the Health Minister said too that this collaboration has allowed for the donation of several pieces of equipment to do Echocardiogram (the non-interventional approach to diagnostics and heart diseases). “This is an ongoing very bright story and it has many sides. It is a very colourful story; it is a rainbow of efforts by our strategic partners. So here again the Ministry, the Government of Guyana has procured another piece of equipment which we understand is state of the art,” said Minister Ramsaran. He was at the time alluding to a Hybrid Machine which was ordered from the United States based General Electric (GE) Company for the purpose of improving the delivery of cardiac care at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. This publication understands that it was around 2011 that the management of CHI had consulted with Government about acquiring a new Cardiac Cath Lab, in light of the fact that its equipment was nearing the end of its lifespan. Reports are that there were expectations that moves would have been made to put in place a lab that can do both cardiology intervention and cardiac surgery in a single room using a Hybrid machine. With a Hybrid machine in place, CHI, and by extension
Guyana, would have been the first in the Caribbean to offer such advanced technology. In the quest to move in this direction, a proposal to put the needful measures in place was prepared by the management of CHI and forwarded to Government, which in turn adopted it and took it to Parliament for approval. The proposal secured support from both sides of the House allowing for monies to be approved for the procurement of the requisite measures to revamp the facility. Reports are that there were negotiations with GE, which afforded Government a competitive price for Hybrid machine. Based on an agreement, this publication was told, GE was expected to deliver the equipment directly into the finished Cath lab. At the start of construction there were sustained discussions between the Government side and that of the management of CHI. However, according to a source close to the project, by the time the last critical 25 per cent of the work was left, the Management of CHI was
Minister of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran “shut out” of the discussions. The project should have been completed within two months but 14 months later works were still being done, thus the machine delivered by GE was left sitting on the ground floor of the hospital covered by a tarpaulin. Because of the stalled project, GE was forced to deliver the equipment for the lab to the hospital. This
resulted in some damage to the equipment to the tune of US$1M. A source close to the project informed this publication that GE has refused to take responsibility for the damage since the agreement has been breached. This publication was informed that Government will therefore be required to cover that cost using taxpayers’ money. CHI, which has Guyaneseborn Cardiac Surgeon, Dr Stephens, as its founder and Chief Executive Officer, was introduced in 2006 as a strategic public/private partnership (between the Ministry of Health and CHI) catering to various heart related complications. But in recent months there were reports of that partnership being under threat evident by the fact that needed consultations between the partners were severely lacking. This development was brought to the fore even as measures had commenced to improve and by extension prolong the life of CHI. But works in this regard were stalled with Dr Stephens disclosing his concern by
noting that “any day now our machine can suffer a catastrophic failure and even if it doesn’t, I don’t see us surviving the next six months.” His disclosure was made in December of last year. While not speaking directly to Dr. Stephens’ disclosures, the Health Minister asserted that the machine will be installed in a section of the GPHC which formerly housed the Paediatric Unit and a section of the original CHI. “This is going
to be, hopefully, way beyond the initial but good efforts of the original CHI and our national Cardiac Sciences Centre, and our efforts are evolving...” insisted the Minister as he made reference to a number of recent collaborations that will help to further improve cardiac care at the public hospital. The Minister has also ascertained that Government is working closely with GE which will aid the installation of the hybrid machine.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday February 22, 2015
Religion is not responsible for Terrorism - asserts US President “No religion is responsible for terrorism. People are responsible for violence and terrorism,” said President Barack Obama, as he delivered his closing remarks at the Summit on Countering Violent Extremism in Washington DC last week. The President made this remark to denounce the association that has been crafted to suggest that many acts of terrorism are linked to the Muslim religion. He therefore made a point of noting that “…just as those of us outside Muslim communities need to reject the terrorist narrative that the West and Islam are in conflict, or modern life and Islam are in conflict, I also believe that Muslim communities have a responsibility as well.” As he continued his deliberations by stressing that terrorists groups such as Al Qaeda and ISIL do draw, selectively, from the Islamic texts, the President also pointed that “they do depend upon the misperception around the world that they speak in some fashion for people of the Muslim faith, that Islam is somehow inherently violent, that there is some sort of clash of civilizations.” But President Obama made it pellucid that terrorists do not speak for over a billion Muslims who reject their hateful ideology. In fact he theorized that “they no more represent Islam than any mad man who kills innocents in the name of God represents Christianity or Judaism or Buddhism or Hinduism.” And to their credit, there are respected Muslim clerics and scholars, not only in the United States but around the world, the President pointed out, who push back on this twisted interpretation of their faith. According to him, “They want to make very clear what Islam stands for.” Several of these leaders
Barack Obama
were present at the Summit and according to President Obama, “These religious leaders and scholars preach that Islam calls for peace and for justice, and tolerance toward others; that terrorism is prohibited; that the Koran says whoever kills an innocent, it is as if he has killed all mankind. Those are the voices that represent over a billion people around the world.” But according to him, “…if we are going to effectively isolate terrorists, if we’re going to address the challenge of their efforts to recruit our young people, if we’re going to lift up the voices of tolerance and pluralism within the Muslim community, then we’ve got to acknowledge that their job is made harder by a broader narrative that does exist in many Muslim communities around the world that suggests the West is at odds with Islam in some fashion.” He however noted that the reality, which, again, many Muslim leaders have spoken to, is that there’s a strain of thought that doesn’t embrace ISIL’s tactics, doesn’t embrace violence, but does buy into the notion that the Muslim world has suffered historical grievances. And according to the President, since sometimes that notion is accurate, it therefore does buy into the
belief that so many of the ills in the Middle East flow from a history of colonialism or conspiracy and does buy into the idea that Islam is incompatible with modernity or tolerance, or that it’s been polluted by Western values. “So those beliefs exist. In some communities around the world they are widespread. And so it makes individuals - especially young people who already may be disaffected or alienated - more ripe for radicalization. And so we’ve got to be able to talk honestly about those issues,” asserted the President. “We’ve got to be much more clear about how we’re rejecting certain ideas. So just as leaders like myself reject the notion that terrorists like ISIL genuinely represent Islam, Muslim leaders need to do more to discredit the notion that our nations are determined to suppress Islam, that there’s an inherent clash in civilizations,” President Obama added. He has therefore insisted that “Everybody has to speak up very clearly that no matter what the grievance, violence against innocents doesn’t defend Islam or Muslims, it damages Islam and Muslims.” As such the President noted that when people do their part to reject the narratives of violent extremists and to be clear about the fact that there are certain universal precepts and values that need to be respected in this interconnected world, that will in essence translate to the beginning of a partnership. “As we go forward, we need to find new ways to amplify the voices of peace and tolerance and inclusion and we especially need to do it online. We also need to lift up the voices of those who know the hypocrisy of groups like ISIL firsthand, including former extremists,” the President has asserted. (Extracted from President Barack Obama’s closing remarks at the Summit on Countering Violent Extremism)
Sunday February 22, 2015
Kaieteur News
The AAG lacks savoir... (From page 70) subtlety cajoled into a political campaign, and outfoxed for due political expediency because windows that show that it lacks savoirfaire have been left open. Where was the association when this very Government that was happy to invite it for a walk-about was busy trying to prevent Olympian Winston George from training on the completed track? Had it not been for the intervention of Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) President, K. Juman Yassin, George’s stint on the track would have been short-lived. Where was the voice and militancy of the AAG when Kumar publicly stated that he will have to employ a coach, who will decide on athletes’ usage of the facility? Again, where was the steady clarion from the association to mount pressure on Government that clearly took too long to complete the facility, which is still not finished? There has not been a single effort from the association to mobilise against Government’s apathy toward athletics, yet Hutson gleefully goes on parade at the track that he cannot access at will. It reminds of the return of the CARIFTA Games team last year when the AAG rushed to present the athletes for a photo opportu-
nity with Anthony at his ministry. Anthony did not use his office to secure tax waivers for the team on departure much-less funding. So why give the ministry the courtesy of publicity if it did not contribute to the team’s success? This goes back to the political posturing of the association underlined in this exposé. With the CARIFTA Games scheduled for early April, and with the track already completed with just the adjoining amenities to be finished, the athletics association should have lobbied for their CARIFTA trials to be the opening feature of the track. If that was impossible because of time the association should have requested to host their trials as per their scheduled, nevertheless. But this fundamental role of the association seems lost in a political posture. Just for the record, and in conclusion, maybe the association needs reminding that the track they will be celebrating costs tax payers US$5 million as of 2013, the time of the last update on costs, which amounts to millions more than initially budgeted. If the number of delays and setbacks the venue encountered did not budge the AAG, it is unlikely that much else will, especially given the uncanny posturing of its President.
Sunday February 22, 2015 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Expect some great news regarding money, possibly involving professional advancement. You may have to control the urge to cry tears of joy, Aries. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Happy events involving your mother or another close female relative might have you feeling emotional, Taurus. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Your intuitive abilities are at an all-time high today, Gemini. You should find it easier to tune into others' thoughts and feelings. It might be a good idea to control your reactions to them. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Today a deep concern for others' feelings could have you lending a sympathetic ear to those in need of some understanding. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You may have to make a special effort to control your feelings. You've moved mountains to get where you are and it's nice to be recognized. In the evening, celebrate. You deserve it. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) As you're naturally a person who doesn't like showing your feelings, you might feel the need to get away until the urge to cry has passed.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) An intense, emotional dream could move you so powerfully that you wake with the odd sense that the dream was real. Write it down, Libra. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Your inclination may be to control your feelings, but don't be afraid to show them. It's OK in situations like this. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Today you may feel the need to do a lot of work around the house, Sagittarius. Perhaps you expect visitors or you simply want to get the place spruced up for your own enjoyment. CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) Some intense, revealing communications with a close friend or lover could reveal wonderful new things about your relationship. Perhaps you have more in common than you thought. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Ancient social traditions could be a powerful part of your day, Aquarius. An emotional event concerning your family - wedding, christening, or other milestone - could especially move you. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You usually place a lot of importance on self-control, Pisces. Today this will come in handy when you receive some wonderful news that might otherwise move you to tears.
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Former all-rounder Simmons to be named... (From page 71) as Ireland coach since succeeding Adi Birrell back in 2007. During his tenure, he has overseen the capture of two Intercontinental Cups, while ensuring qualification for four successive World Twenty20 campaigns. In 2013, Ireland — an associate ICC member — be-
came the first team to win the Associates’ treble of the Intercontinental Cup, World Cricket League and Twenty20. Simmons’ first series in charge of West Indies will be against England, who tour the Caribbean from April 6 to May 5 for three Tests. In a career spanning 12
years for West Indies, the former right-handed batsman and right-arm seamer played 26 Tests scoring 1,002 runs at an average of 22 and grabbing four wickets. In 143 One-Day Internationals, he managed 3,675 runs at an average of nearly 29, while picking up 83 wickets.
And they are off at Rising... (From page 71) E2 and lower event for the $500,000 first prize and trophy it needs to think again. Because the likes of Settle in Seattle, Release the Beast, Swing Easy and Goodwill Boy are also on top of their game and will be breathing down its neck. Another close race is expected in the G class event for the $400,000 winners money and trophy with Silent Night, She So Special, Battle Hymn, Cassie, Princess Alicia, War Craft, Shooting Star, Sent from Above and Settling Jet in ac-
tion. There is a race for Guyana bred and born three year old horses for a winner’s take of $250,000 and trophy. Among those lined up to go are Amazon Warrior and Slim Shady. Mary Ann, Dance for Gold, Red Jet, the Gump, Little and Royal Cash are among some of the animals racing in the I3 and lower event for the $200,000 purse and trophy. The J3 and lower event has a winning prize of $150,000 and trophy and Quincy, Short Man, Dance for Gold, Royal Passion, Red Re-
gion, the Gump and Trigger will be looking to draw down on those winnings. Patrons attending the event will have the benefit of receiving free programmes and parking along with other benefits which will be announced during the day. The venue and track are in excellent conditions and according to organiser and coordinator Nazrudeen Mohammed Junior, the Rising Sun Turf Club venue has been give a general face lift and is in excellent condition for fans’ comfort. Race time is 12:30 hrs. (Samuel Whyte)
Best Buy Auto Sales Team Manager predicting good... (From page 69) goodwill of Fly Jamaica, Barker said the offer came at an opportune time and was well appreciated by the club and travelling contingent. “We’re hapy that Fly Jamaica made such a significant contribution towards making our participation possible and for that we are all grateful.” He ended by thanking the airline for its munificence on behalf of the entire Guyana team and Best Buy Auto Sales.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday February 22, 2015
“West Indies - Perhaps peaking at the right time!” Says Colin E. H. Croft West Indies has survived a rocky situation, after losing to Ireland, by beating Pakistan, and to be still very much in with a great shout of getting to that much desired CWC 2015 quarter-final spot. Being somewhat facetious, QANTAS and EMIRATES A-380, B-747 or B-787 aircraft leave Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland daily, so WI could well have been packed, ready to leave the Antipodes by one such flight, by Monday, heading home, had they not won their 2nd game. It is always easy to be a ‘Monday-morning quarterback’, i.e., assessing happenings and situations after the facts, but important WI personnel, coaches and managers, with extensive cricketing experiences, on the ground at Nelson when WI played the Irish, must have recognized that that pitch could not have
been conducive to real pace. Why, then, select four faster bowlers? Could it have been that no-one assessed the opposition well? Or were WI “cock-sure” enough to take Ireland for granted, expecting an easy victory? Or was it that Marlon Samuels and Chris Gayle were supposed to spin Ireland out? Therefore, even if left-arm orthodox spinner Suleiman Benn might have tweaked a back muscle, and was sidelined for Ireland, one wonders how it is that Nikita Miller, Sunil Narine’s replacement, was not selected. What is Miller doing there; sightseeing? So this first win of the real tournament; Zimbabwe, India, South Africa and United Arab Emirates yet to come; was as needed as anyone trapped on a very high mountain, gasping for air. Luckily, the atmosphere changed, and WI heartily, gleefully, gulped down Pakistan’s very poor
cricket. Pakistan looked so bedraggled, unsure and cricket cold, even after winning the toss, in a game that they too needed to win, that it was not surprising that, firstly, they dropped so many relatively easy catches that WI almost applauded too. At least WI did use the gifts presented to get to 310-6. Conversely, WI were determined not to go down without fighting fully to the death, with walking wounded Darren Sammy turning up as expected for duty, while Suleiman Benn was also included, even if Chris Gayle looked terribly out of sorts while slogging his way to just four strange runs. Darren Bravo had a reprieve after being given out, caught at the wicket, when he did not actually hit the ball, winning a referral that relieved WI. Unfortunately, he is now very doubtful for the rest of the competition, after making
Nestle Milo Under-20 Schools Football Competition
Lodge rumbles on in impressive fashion -South Ruimveldt humbles Saints Defending champions Lodge continued on their journey to successfully defend their title with another easy win against Central High who they defeated 2-0 as play in the Nestle Milo Under-20 Schools Football Competition resumed yesterday, at the Ministry of Education ground, Carifesta Avenue. Playing in the second fixture of the day, the reigning champs were sent on their way when Jarel Grannum scored after eight minutes, but stubborn resistance from Cen-
tral High kept the contest on a knife’s edge as they went to the break with a slim lead. In the second period, both teams attacked with menace, but again the respective backline held firm, before Lodge’s Sylvester Richardson gave them a little ease when he netted in the 58th minute of play. No more goals were scored after then and the champs made it two from as many matches to remain firm favourites to retain the title. In the third game, South
Update on Darren Bravo hamstring injury WICB Media Christchurch, New Zealand - West Indies left-hander Darren Bravo will stay with the West Indies’ team despite sustaining a torn hamstring during the ICC Cricket World Cup Group B 150-run win over Pakistan at Hagley Oval yesterday. West Indies media manager Philip Spooner told reporters Bravo had been taken
to hospital for an MRI scan after retiring hurt during West Indies’ innings. He said the injury had been diagnosed as a lower-grade tear. “He has not been ruled out, he remains with the team,” Spooner said, but added however, that Bravo was “highly unlikely” to play in Tuesday’s match against Zimbabwe in Canberra.
Ruimveldt ran riot over a hapless St. Stanislaus unit, dispatching them by a 4-0 margin. On target for the winners were Kevin McPherson, who fired in a brace in the 11th and 27th, while Shaquille Blair40th and Dequan Alleyne70th completed their tally. In the day’s full results: Game-1 Ascension Secondary vs St. Mary’s Secondary St. Mary’s won via walkover Game-2 Lodge Secondary School2 vs Central High-0 Jarel Grannum-8th Sylvester Richardson58th Game-3 South Ruimveldt Secondary4 vs St Stanislaus College-0 Kevin McPherson-11th and 27th Shaquille Blair-40th Dequan Alleyne-70th Game-4 Cummings Lodge Secondary-2 vs Queens Town Secondary-6 Queenstown Scorers Kelsey Benjamin-23rd, 45th and 57thShakeil Somner31stWelinson Meneses37thVickram Chandranan69thCummings Lodge Scorers Britton Cipriano-53rd Desales Joseph-60th The competition continues today with four more
a purposeful 49 no, before badly pulling his left hamstring. Marlon Samuels too was in the wars, hit by a few returns from the outfield, before he also holed-out to long-off. By then, though, WI were well on their way to repairing Gayle’s early departure, with some really intelligent batting, making sure that they took all advantages allowed. Lendl Simmons, so far WI’s real “go-to” batsman this competition, playing as well and as composed as for that century against Zimbabwe, combined well with compatriot Denesh Ramdin, the pair running so well, and playing some delightful shots, each eventually getting a half-century. Darren Sammy did chip in well too with a boisterous thirty, but it was Andre Russell who really took the fire to a terribly immobile, disconsolate Pakistan, getting 42 in only thirteen deliveries, including three fours and four sixes, making sure that the recovery was almost complete. Young WI captain Jason Holder must have hugged Russell, Sammy and the rest of his middle and lower order, when the innings closed at 310-6, as surely he knew that
West Indies were in with a good chance of winning. Little did he expect the fireworks that were to come when WI fielded! Jerome Taylor and Kemar Roach had bowled so extremely poorly against Ireland, leaking more than eight runs per over each, that many, including me, were advocating that they should both be dropped and replaced with the two orthodox leg spinners, Suleiman Benn and Nikita Miller. I am happy to report that I am very glad that I was wrong with that assessment, as it was Taylor, in his very first over, one that accounted for two Pakistani batsmen for just one run, who started the ball rolling for WI, in many more ways than that, on their way to winning this crucial game. To paraphrase WI team manager, Sir Richie Richardson, ‘WI is peaking at the right time’. That peak must remain. After much preparation, WI against Pakistan seemed to be re-energized, perhaps also remembering that games versus especially SA and India still have to be completed. Clive Lloyd had openly
advocated that Russell is one WI cricketer whom he considers a natural, one who really should be always playing for WI, especially in ODI’s, but even in Tests. Against Pakistan, Russell, “Man of the Match,” duly repaid that confidence of his mentor/chief selector! Russell, who had 3-33 from eight overs, a good spell, helped Taylor, who has an excellent 3-15 from seven blistering overs, to set Pakistan back enough that WI won by 150 runs. Holder must be greatly relieved, so now, it’s on to bigger, hopefully better things, for WI has survived to fight on. Enjoy!
Eight more days remain for E-Networks Inc Cross-Fit showdown Eight more days remain before some of the best fitness exponents engage each other in an anticipated cutthroat showdown for supremacy in the inaugural ENetworks Inc. Cross-Fit Games which will be held on March 1, at the National Parl Tarmac. The event the brainchild of Noshavyah King, well known Zumba Fitness instructor and certified personal trainer and Jamie McDonald, owner of Fitness Express, one of the fastest growing fitness retail establishments in Guyana, will be the first of its kind to be staged in Guyana and according to feedback received, the acceptance from the general public has been overwhelming and has even
forced the Organisers to close entries long before the scheduled deadline. Cross-fit Games usually test the fitness level and endurance abilities of fitness enthusiasts and a pastime that is growing increasingly popular across the world. The intrigue of the event is that most of the exercises that will be done are unknown to the ethletes before the day of competition. According to a release, the competition will comprise of five events, combining 15 different exercises with contestants divided into teams where a panel of judges will evaluate them based on execution and speed. Ending scores will determine the E-Networks Cross-Fit Games fittest team and fittest
individuals in the Male and Female categories. Cross-Fit is a training programme that builds strength and conditioning through extremely varied and challenging workouts. Each workout will test a different part of your functional strength or conditioning, not specializing in one particular thing, but rather with the goal of building a body that’s capable of practically anything and everything. It is extremely different from a commercial gym workout. Come out and support Guyana’s very own athletes and let’s see who has what it takes to be called the Fittest Athlete in Guyana. Entrance fee is $500 and children are free.
Guyana Media XI, PMCC square off... From page 68 responded with 134-3 in 17.3 overs. The Media XI were without two key players in that game, namely Ramsingh, who was nursing a finger injury and could not bat, and wicketkeeper/batsman Daniel Singh. Ramsingh said he is fully fit for today’s match-up, while
Singh is set to take up his position behind the stumps and in the middle-order. Guyana Media XI squad reads: John Ramsingh (Captain), Rajiv Bisnauth, Daniel Singh, Ravi Persaud, Shahrukh Imran, Avenash Ramzan, Clifton Ross, Keon Blades, Navin Budhai, Ishaka Jackman, Treiston Joseph, Orlando Charles, Rene Stoby,
Dicquan Murray and Mertyl Semple. PMCC squad reads: Joshua Ramsammy (Captain), Arif Chan, Parmanand Narine, Andy Mohan, Darmesh Seenarine, Demetri Cameron, Nicholas Cameron, Nagma Budhoo, Avinash Wajib, Manoj Lokhnauth, Samuel Kishnasammy and Jamar Lancaster.
Sunday February 22, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 71
Is Groden good for Guyana? By Santokie Nagulendran Controversy seems to follow football in Guyana at a relentless rate, and despite the intervention of FIFA in the country’s footballing affairs, the recent appointment of Richard Groden as General Secretary of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has ignited fierce debate within the football fraternity. Richard Groden served as General Secretary of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) for fifteen years, including organising logistics during the nation’s historic 2006 World Cup qualification. On paper, his career has been excellent, with frequent achievements and accomplishments standing out. However, if that was the end of the story then there would be no controversy regarding his appointment and those in Guyana would be celebrating his arrival. The problem lies in the fact that Groden was General Secretary for the TTFF under Jack
Warner, who was notoriously suspended by FIFA for taking bribes from officials, a case which also led to the suspension of GFF President Colin Klass in 2011. Groden was charged by FIFA for his behaviour on August 11th 2011, yet in September 2011, a month before his disciplinary hearing, he provided a sworn written statement to FIFA that revealed the nature of Warner’s dealings at a CFU meeting which took place earlier that year. The following month, October 2011, FIFA dropped all charges against Groden and let him off with a warning. Groden was never suspended or even found guilty of any illegal activity, but he did receive a reprimand from FIFA, leading to the question of why FIFA would directly appoint him to be part of the footballing resurrection taking place in Guyana at the moment? The reason is: experience. The Normalisation Committee leading the GFF have also appointed a young assistant
Richard Groden General Secretary in the form of Ms Diedre Davis, and she will take over Mr Groden’s role in September. Yet Ms Davis is relatively inexperienced in the world of football administration and it is clearly felt she would need somebody to train and guide her as she eases into the role. Despite his reprimand, Mr Groden was never suspended by FIFA and they must feel he is as such, a suitable candidate to serve as a mentor.
Acclaimed Trinidadian journalist Lasana Liburd, who knows more about Groden than most, weighed in with his insight into the whole affair: “Richard Groden is a very controversial figure in Trinidad and Tobago for his role in the 2006 World Cup bonus dispute and corrupt nature of the TTFF at the time. However, after Jack Warner exited the stage, Groden briefly ran a bankrupt TTFF and he started the turnaround that sees T&T in the more progressive position it is in now.” Lasana also felt that Groden’s appointment would be a positive one for football in Guyana: “I think he can help Guyana, every man deserves a chance at redemption and he started that in his final two years in the job (as General Secretary of the TTFF), his experience can be vital in the short term, which seems to be what Guyanese football needs.” To add fuel to the fire, General Secretary of the Georgetown Football Association, Odinga Lumumba, came out last week and called Groden’s appoint-
ment ‘an insult to Guyana’ and highlighted the need for Guyana to appoint more staff from Guyana rather than overseas. Whilst Nationalism is often used to gain support for an argument, it cannot hide the truth, which is that, in football administration, as with any job, you must appoint the best possible candidate available regardless of where they were born, and Groden represents the most experience candidate available to Guyana at this very moment. Clearly the overall vision of the GFF is for Ms Davis, a Guyanese National, to occupy the role for years to come after Groden steps down in September. So whilst Guyana, a nation where football administration has hindered development for decades, debates the moral nature of the appointment, we must remember that it is an official decision sanctioned by FIFA, and they, as world governing body, would not make such an appointment if they doubted the credibility of Groden. Groden’s appointment has
Santokie Nagulendran split opinion, but his vast experience of working as a General Secretary means he must be seen as an advantage for Guyana; if Guyana did not appoint him, a rival Caribbean federation surely would have. The fixed term nature of his appointment also means that he will help a young Guyanese person develop into the role for the long-term, and hopefully in years to come we will view his tenure as General Secretary as one that helped the Golden Jaguars on their long road to success.
Russell leads rout of sloppy Pakistan ESPNcricinfo - Two most frustrating teams of these times matched each other mistake for mistake until West Indies took the decisive advantage in the last 14 overs of their innings and the first four of the defence. Having stumbled to 167 for 3 in 36 with one batsman retired and possibly out of the tournament - they took 143 in the remaining overs thanks to urgency shown by Denesh Ramdin, Lendl Simmons and Andre Russell yesterday. Ramdin and Simmons scored fifties at a little over run a ball, and Russell threatened the record for fastest ODI 50 with an unbeaten 42 off 13. The contest was killed pretty early in the second innings with the Pakistan batting disintegrating to 1 for 4, the worst four-wicket score in ODI history. The first 36 overs were a classic tussle between two middling sides refusing to drive home the advantage. Pakistan dropped at least four catches, their field placements - seven-footer Mohammad Irfan at long-on during the slog - left a lot to be desired, their ground fielding was pedestrian, West Indies openers made no pretence of trying to guts it out during the opening exchanges, their set batsmen chose part-time spin of Haris Sohail to hole out to long-off to, and a general lack of urgency prevailed as their
top order mostly played either-boundary-or-dot cricket. West Indies began the match in a sea of trouble, having lost to Ireland, needing to win here to get some breathing space. Once they were asked to bat in fresh morning conditions, it was a matter of when and not if the openers would fail. Dwayne Smith was given some extra time through a drop by Nasir Jamshed, Chris Gayle wasn’t. At 28 for 2 Marlon Samuels decided he was going to hit boundaries or nothing at all. Darren Bravo, although slow, provided the stability West Indies needed, and even Samuels settled into the stand. However, with the partnership reading 75 off 16.1 overs, Samuels picked out long-off with the first ball of the new spell of Haris. Samuels and Smith had shown great self-respect in refusing to live off the Pakistan fielders’ generosity, but the increments had been big enough to take West Indies close to the last 20 overs with wickets in hands. Ramdin then played an innings that began to take the game away decisively. Ramdin disturbed the quiet of a ’70s ODI - lethargic fielding, lack of urgency in the batting - with the first modern play of the match. There was a certain intent to how he batted. Short-arm pulls, slogsweeps, pinched singles, they threatened to run away with
the game with 48 runs in 5.5 overs. Ramdin then showed more intent by calling for a Powerplay. The next twist, a hamstring injury to Bravo minutes after he had been reprieved by Shahid Afridi. As he was taken off the field on the drinks cart, West Indies had to exercise some caution. Only 16 came in the Powerplay, but they didn’t lose any wicket. Pretty soon Ramdin rediscovered his range, only to hit Haris straight down long-off ’s throat moments after bringing up his fifty. West Indies were now effectively 194 for 5 with 11 overs to go. Darren Sammy, a rare modern West Indies cricketer, didn’t look in touch, but Simmons kept going. He had scored a hundred against Ireland to rescue West Indies. Now his job was to ensure his team didn’t lose control of the game once again. He targeted Haris sensibly to expose the lack of a fifth specialist bowler, hitting him for a six and two fours in the 42nd over. Some brilliance followed from Pakistan as Sohail Khan and Irfan conceded a total of 15 in 43rd, 44th and 45th overs. There was pressure, Simmons ramped Riaz straight to third man in the next over, but Irfan dropped him too. Although Simmons added only six to his 44, Russell punished every little
error in length by Pakistan. His hitting was flat and powerful. He has now scored 157 off 78 in his last four innings. His three fours and four sixes here took his boundary tally to 15 and 11 in the last four digs. He kept clearing his front leg and swinging, with Pakistan helping him by not bowling yorkers. They chose fancy variations over the yorkers, which had effectively slowed India down in Adelaide. As if it had not been enough to have to take four wickets twice over.
First of those reprieves came courtesy Jamshed, who had been brought in to strengthen the batting and let Younis Khan bat at his preferred No. 3. A worse day on the field is hard to imagine. When he dropped Smith, he injured his hand, didn’t field for the rest of the innings, and lasted two balls, playing a limp pull in the first over of the chase. Younis was facing the new ball yet again. Younis was all at sea again. Jerome Taylor got him with an outswinger, and Haris soon cut him
straight to point to make it three ducks. When Ajmal Shehzad edged Jason Holder to gully, the game was over. There was only one twist left. Umar Akmal and Sohaib Maqsood delayed the end without threatening to alter it, usually Misbah-ul-Haq’s constituency. Scores: West Indies 310 for 6 (Ramdin 51, Simmons 50, Russell 42) beat Pakistan 160 (Akmal 59, Maqsood 50, Taylor 3-15, Russell 3-33) by 150 runs.
Bisnauth shines but Media XI lose Rajiv Bisnauth scored a fine half-century, but could not inspire victory for the Media XI against Gas XI on a sunny Friday at the Everest Cricket Club ground, Camp Road. Batting first upon winning the toss, the Media XI racked up 133-8 from the allotted 20 overs, and their bowlers did well to take the game deep into the afternoon, with Gas XI responding with 134-3 from 17.3 overs. The Media XI faced an uphill task from the inception with skipper John Ramsingh nursing a finger injury and regular wicketkeeper Daniel Singh missing the game due to other pressing duties. But the Media men rose to the occasion, batting out the 20 overs, an achievement that made possible by a sterling knock from Bisnauth. Batting at number three, the left-hander held the innings together, adding 44 for the second wicket with opener Ravi Persaud after Shahrukh Imran fell for five. Persaud made a breezy 21 that included two fours and a six, falling with the score 59-2.
Bisnauth and Avenash Ramzan then collaborated for a partnership of 41 for the third wicket, before Ramzan fell for nine. At 100-3 in the 15th over, the Media practitioners were poised for a late onslaught, but lost five wickets for 33 runs in the final five overs. Bisnauth topscored with a classy 56, an innings that included seven fours and a six. Clifton Ross and Treiston Joseph added nine and six respectively towards the end of the innings. Gas XI leaked 20 extras. Gas XI’s response was put on course by an opening partnership of 49 by Shaheed Mohamed and Nadeer Baksh. Mohamed stroked four boundaries in his 26. Baksh and Nigel Bissu then added 54 for the second wicket, before skipper Baksh was dismissed handling the ball for 60. His innings included six fours and three sixes. Bissu made 15, while Dwayne Perreira (08*) and T Ramsaywack (01*) took Gas XI to victory with 15 balls to spare. Shahrukh Imran and Clifton Ross were the wicket-takers for the Media XI.
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Kaieteur News
WICB Four-Day Franchise Cricket
Sunday February 22, 2015
MCYS/EBFA Pee Wee League
Bishoo grabs 6-94, Singh, Craig Primary assume lead; Barnwell hit fifties but Jaguars Agricola record first win; shakily placed against Barbados Herstelling also triumph By Sean Devers in Barbados In Association with Western Union, Carib Beer & Meet Your Match Dating Service On a day in which the entire first session was lost due to rain, Leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo picked up 6-94, his second consecutive five wicket haul, as the Jaguars ended the truncated second day of their seventh round WICB Regional Four-Day Cricket encounter yesterday at the Kensington Oval shakily placed against the defending Champions Barbados Pride. The 29-year-old Bishoo sent down 41 overs and his 14th five-wicket haul at this level took him to 36 wickets in the tournament while pacer Ronsford Beaton (2-42) and the tournament’s leading wicket taker left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul, who had 2-62 to take his tally to 45 scalps, offered support as Barbados added 54 runs to their overnight score before they were dismissed for 312. The Jaguars, led by an accomplished 60 from 121 balls, 164 minutes with seven fours from Vice-Captain Vishaul Singh, who added 54 for the fifth wicket with Chris Barnwell, who hit a 67-ball 56 from 69 minutes with four fours and two sixes, reached 173-9, needing another 139 runs for first innings lead, with Bishoo on seven and Ronsford Beaton, yet to score, at the crease. Miguel Cummins, in a sustained spell, ripped out all three Test batsmen to finish with 5-48 while Ashely Nurse had 2-35. Rajendra Chandrika (5) flirted with one that left him from a pumped up Tino Best and was taken at second slip by Kraigg Braithwaite as the South American unit lost their first wicket with just nine runs on the board. Back-to-back off side boundaries off Cummins from Singh got him going in positive fashion and along with Skipper Leon Johnson repaired the early damage with solid batting. Carlos Braithwaite replaced Cummins and the diminutive left-handed Singh stroked the West Indies fast bowler with delightful ease to the extra cover boundary. However, with the score on 25, Johnson (3) was trapped in front to Cummins to make way for Narsingh
Deonarine and Singh, the only Guyanese with hundreds in this tournament, to join forces and by Tea the Jaguars were 27-2 with Singh on 14 and Deonarine on two. Singh, who made his maiden ton against T&T in the fourth round last year, give himself room and, in audacious fashion, slapped Carlos Braithwaite behind point for four. But the aggressive Cummins, in a hostile spell, quickly removed the Test pair of Deonarine and Shiv Chanderpaul to short lifting deliveries with the score on 43. He first got rid of Deonarine (3) who fended to gully and removed the 40year-old veteran Chanderpaul, who was beaten for pace and top edged an ill-advised hook high to short square-leg for Kyle Hope to take an easy catch to send the most capped West Indies Test player, on his way for his 28th duck at this level, and Cummings celebrated as if Barbados had won the World Cup. At 43-4, Singh was joined by Bajan left-hander Reifer, who was tested with a barrage of quick short balls on a track which offered the bowlers some bounce and Singh delicately steered Best for four and reached his sixth half-century from 109 minutes, 77 balls with seven fours. Reifer soon beautifully drove Nurse down the ground but was then caught and bowled by the off-spinner for 10 and the Jaguars were in trouble at 75-5. Singh continued to bat solidly while the Guyana oneday Barnwell joined Singh and tucked Braithwaite to the mid-wicket boundary before dumping left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican for a six and four in successive overs as the fifth wicket pair orchestrated ‘operation rebuild’ as they counterattacked the bowling with increasing competence. Nurse broke the halfcentury partnership when he bowled Singh behind his back to leave the score 127-6, while one run later Anthony Bramble was taken at slip off Warrican for a duck even as the 28-year-old Barnwell continued to battle hard for his team. The DCC all-rounder clobbered Warrican for six while Permaul, fast developing into a genuine all-
rounder, crashed Nurse through the covers to bring up the 150. But soon after completing his sixth fifty from 56 balls and 60 minutes, Barnwell was LBW to Cummins for 56 to leave Guyana on 150-8 and in big trouble. Permaul (19) edged an almighty swipe at Cummins and edged a catch to the Keeper as the Jaguars slumped to 173-9 to give the pacer from Nelson Street his fourth five-wicket haul, five minutes before the close to leave Barbados, the only team to beat Guyana in this tournament, large and in charge in their own back yard. Earlier, on a cloudy day in Bridgetown the entire first session was lost but play began in bright sunshine after Lunch with Barbados resuming on their overnight score of 258-5 with Chase on eight and night watchman Warrican, yet to score. With the Bajans needing 42 runs in six overs to claim a third batting point and the Jaguars needing another wicket to get their second bowling point from six overs, Bishoo, who captured 6-82 in Antigua last week, struck in the fourth over of the day when he had Chase (12) caught behind at 263 -6 to give Guyana the bonus point. Warrican stroked Permaul disdainfully to the cover boundary before sweeping him for four more in the same over as the bowlers once again struggled to dismiss a tail ender. Carlos Braithwaite (6) was dropped on the deep midwicket boundary by Reifer as the ball went for four before he hit the next ball high to Beaton at long-on to give Bishoo his sixth wicket and leave Barbados on 269-7. Warrican was soon bowled by Beaton for 24 as Barbados slipped 298-8 as another fair size crowd which included Barbados’ only living Hero Sir Gary Sobers was entertained by Premier League Football, shown live on the big electronic scoreboard during the first session when no cricket was possible. Nurse clobbered Bishoo for four to bring up the 300 before Best (5) edged Beaton to Bramble behind the stumps to leave the score on 307-9 and it was all over when Permaul had Nurse caught behind for 12. To d a y is the penultimate day and play will start at 09:30 hrs.
Craig Primary’s Trevon Davidson (centre) who netted both goals in a winning effort weaves his way forward against Grove Hi Tech yesterday at the Grove Playfield. Craig Primary have assumed the lead in the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport/East Bank Football Association Under-11 Pee Wee League which continued yesterday at the Grove ground with three matches. Also in winners row yesterday were Agricola Red Triangle which recorded their first win, a 1-0 triumph over Mocha Champs, while Herstelling Raiders continued their winnings ways with a 31 effort over Diamond United. Craig Primary, the only team with an unbeaten record in the six team competition were carried to victory on the back of a double off the boot of Trevon Davidson, both coming in the second half. His first came in the 18th minute with the sealer netted in the 26th
minute to seal Grove’s faith, their second successive loss. With the win, Craig assumed the pole position on the points table with 8, leaving Grove on 6 points. Agricola romped to their first win in four matches compliment of a 22nd minute penalty that was converted by Leon Hope against Mocha Champs which lost their second game by a similar 1-0 score line. Herstelling were in rampant form once again this time erasing a one goal deficit to hammer Diamond United 3-1. Diamond assumed the lead seven minutes into the game through a Joel Ross goal but three minutes later, that advantage was cancelled out when Herstelling Raiders player Shamar Jarvis rocked
the back of the nets. The half ended with the score unchanged; the second half saw end to end play with neither team giving up too much in their respective goal areas. But it was Herstelling who would finally break the deadlock in the dying moments of the game. Sending them ahead was Sheldon Wickham in the 28th minute and on the stroke of fulltime, Shoran James put the icing on the cake to seal full points for Herstelling who now move to 6 points and joint second place with Grove Hi Tech. Matches will continue on Saturday at the same venue and clubs who have not yet submitted the birth certificates of their players are reminded that they have until this Saturday to do so.
Guyana Media XI, PMCC square off today The Guyana Media XI and Port Mourant Cricket Club (PMCC) will go head-tohead today in a feature hardball cricket match at the Port Mourant ground in East Berbice from 10:00hrs. The match is being dubbed the “Calvin Robert Benefit Game”, as proceeds from the encounter will be handed over the former Guyana Media XI captain and
sports journalist, who has been diagnosed with renal failure. Both teams have named strong squads from which their final XI will be derived. Guyana Media XI skipper John Ramsingh said that while his players are cognisant of the reasons for the game, his boys will be gunning for nothing less than a victory.
“We had a good game against Gas XI on Friday, and although we lost in a close finish, we were able to get a fair idea of where we are in terms preparation for this game against Port Mourant,” Ramsingh said. In that game, the Media XI posted 133-8 from the allotted 20 overs with Rajiv Bisnauth hitting 56, before Gas XI (Continued on page 66)