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Kaieteur News
KAIETEUR NEWS Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: ADAM HARRIS Tel: 225-8491, 225-8458, 225-8465 Fax: 225-8473 or 226-8210
Editorial
Drop the Cooperative from the Republic In the forty-four years since Guyana became a republic this country has undergone many changes, including the transformation from a state in transition to cooperative socialism to that of a heavily subsidized nation. The simple fact is that the official name “Cooperative Republic of Guyana” is a misnomer. We expect our young children to learn the words of national songs like ‘Let us cooperate for Guyana’, but we do not show them the type of example that they should follow. From all the available evidence cooperatives have been an abysmal failure; it almost seems as if our leaders have a divine mission to dismantle everything that would remind our people that anything beneficial came out of the former undemocratic era. A cursory examination of what obtains here will show that the post-Hoyte years are increasingly characterized by what appears to be a deliberate diminution of the cooperative movement. This is not as if the cooperative concept has not previously been explored and expounded on by various local experts; there seems to be no real interest even from those still resident here to do their part in reviving a dying tradition. Another glaring example of lack of vision is the absence of a structured cooperative education in the school curriculum. But what adds insult to what surely is an injury is the relegation of the Kuru Kuru Cooperative College to a residential facility of dubious purpose. We are told that the Department of Cooperatives within the Ministry of Labour regulates more than fifteen types of cooperative societies, but citizens may be forgiven for being unimpressed with the unremarkable performance of the department. There has been a signal failure to fulfill its mandate so much so that cooperative societies are failing left and right. There are no developmental initiatives to speak of or of which we are aware. The decision to liquidate seems to be the preferred option; no one is asking members what their preference is. Another form that this professional escapism takes is to simply do nothing in the form of education to sustain members’ interest in their society and as a consequence more victims are added to the list of dismal failures. It seems as if there is an unwritten policy to remove any initiative which unifies the people the way that the cooperative movement does. So it is not as surprising as it might in a normally functioning democracy that we have a reduction in school thrift societies resulting in young people unschooled on the importance of saving as against rampant extravagant spending of monies they can ill afford. Other victim categories of this dereliction of duty in recent times include cooperatives in agriculture, housing, and land just to name a few. The latest Guyana Civil Service Association‘s Durbana Square debacle is another unfortunate manifestation of misperceived officially sanctioned injustices. Ironically the cooperatives which are surviving as the most vibrant are the financially based cooperative credit unions which are members of the Guyana Cooperative Credit Union League. One does not have to be very perceptive to understand the reason for the level of vibrancy among the membership. The year 2012 designated “International year for Cooperatives” by the United Nations passed without fanfare and it was if Guyana took time out from its UN membership during that twelve-month period. There were no widespread urging by the Department of Cooperatives to widen its constituent membership. Indeed that year there were more problems of discontent than one would have thought possible on that auspicious occasion. The nation was treated to either innocuous platitudes with no serious attempt at resolving burning issues, or matters were ignored in the hope that they would die a natural death despite their prominence in the media. The foregoing should not be seen as a blanket condemnation of the current administration lapse in the matter of cooperatives sustainability. In all fairness we must question, also, the role of the parliamentary opposition, the labour movement, and civil society and their responsibility to contribute to issues of national importance such as the failure of cooperatives in Guyana. Maybe it is time to remove the term ‘Cooperative’from this nation’s name.
Sunday February 23, 2014
Kaieteur M@ilbox Send your letters to Kaieteur News 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown or email us kaieteurnews@yahoo.com
There is a method to the pecking order in legislature politics DEAR EDITOR, The brouhaha over MP Vanessa Kissoon’s reassigned seating in the National Assembly matters in the context of how such a decision was taken and what it can mean for future speaking assignments and time allotments. There is a method to the pecking order in legislature politics. People are not usually willy-nilly placed, because parliament is not only a place for representation, passing bills or motions, it is also a place for debates. There is a language/communication behind seating that also informs analysts as to importance of issues
within the group and concomitant attention likely to be paid thereto. Shrewd leaders will seek to create an arrangement where usually they and deputy occupy the first two seats in the front row, followed by shadow ministers (in rank of importance to agenda). The second and third rows comprise a mix that would factor in balance in debating strength, support to the frontbenchers, seniority in the House, etc. The Chief Whip plays an important role in that this function has lead responsibility to rally the group for votes in favour of the party’s position; determine the order of importance for
bills, motions to be sent to the Clerk; who will debate and for how long; and ensure that the debates flowing from their respective side of the House are smart, consistent and can keep the opposing side enthralled, befuddled and rip-away at their deficiencies. Seating matters! In that presently our legislature may not pay heed to these protocols or all its members may not be of the debating nimbleness of earlier forerunners is not an excuse to disregard a protocol (seating) that has historically seen the National Assembly as a place where persons look to learn, hone and improve (Continued on page 5)
Sunday February 23, 2014
Kaieteur News
Kaieteur M@ilbox What kind of mental attitude allows this to happen? What kind of society permits this? DEAR EDITOR, I live obliquely opposite where construction is taking place at 447 Fordyce Street, Phase 11 Republic Park. Yesterda,y several loads of sand were dropped off at the site which covered half the road, making it difficult to pass. This morning, more loads of sand were dropped off, this time in the middle of the street blocking all vehicular, cycle and pedestrian traffic. Today there has been no workers on the
site. Since around 9.30 am this morning, complaints have been made to the EcclesRamsburg NDC. At the time of writing this letter, midday, no action has been taken either by the owners or the NDC. How are we to traverse on this public roadway? The last photo is of a car in the process of turning away from the sand piles which block the street. This is a holiday weekend. Elizabeth Deane-Hughes
Is Peter Persaud still the leader of The United Force? DEAR EDITOR, I have been seeing many letters to the press written by Peter Persaud and always supporting everything that the PPP does. Recently, he has been targeting Janette Bulkan and John Palmer. Is this the same Peter Persaud who was put up as the Presidential Candidate for the United Force party at the last general elections? Is he still the leader of that Party? Or was he just placed there to complete the demise of a decent political party founded by a great man, Mr. Peter D’Aguiar? Mr. Nadir commenced the close out operation and then they put Peter Persaud to finish it up. So, it is now correct to say that Peter Persaud never supported the UF but took the position to ensure that
people did not vote for the party. If he can only muster two members for his organisation – The Amerindian Action Movement of Guyana (TAAMOG) could he pull voters for National Elections? I am sorry that he did not get the position that he was promised when the PPP set him up so he now has to write for his supper. However, it is a job that he does very well. Anyone wishing to get a paint over just call Peter to write a letter. Only thing is, he turns up at your door when the letter appears in the press. Ask a certain Timber company. M. Sills
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There is a method to the pecking... From page 4 their public speaking, oratory and communication skills. Having said that, Mr. David Granger’s admittance that MP Kissoon’s reassigned seating was an administrative decision cannot be divorced from1) the operations as stated above, 2) the fact that Ms. Kissoon was not notified prior to being reassigned and Mr. Granger’s apparent cavalier attitude to this form of disrespect, and 3) Ms. Amna Ally’s consternation the unethical action attracted criticism and media attention. Ms. Kissoon was moved to prove a point, to clip her wings, to show who is boss! If this was not a naked abuse of power what else is it, and if seating were not important why not leave Ms. Kissoon where she was in the second row? Or why not seat the Leader of the group or Chief Whip in the last row? Let us call a spade for what it is- a spade. If Mr. Granger and Ms. Ally who are mouthing they want to change the disrespecting and disrespectful national political culture- the liberty is taken here that their call is genuine- then they too must by example lead in pursuant of the change they seek by first applying it within their group and be tolerant to it when applied by those within the group. In other words, they have to be the change they require!
Thus it is unfortunate Mr. Granger, rather than being the matured one in the room- over Ms. Kissoon’s objection to being handled in a disrespectful manner by Ms. Ally during APNU/PNC outreach in Linden- allowed Ms. Ally to flex her ‘muscles’ as the Chief Whip in reseating Ms. Kissoon without her prior knowledge and involvement based on a matter that should have never been resolved using this approach. This is no way to treat this matter of disagreement. It exemplifies a character trait of bullies and those who want to manage by command. It will not work today. Not even in a military setting where today countries like the USA are revisiting the manner in which senior officers are engaging with and dispensing orders to their juniors. Times have changed and Mr. Granger and Ms. Ally must be aware of this, risk being confronted or fossilised. And for what this may mean for Ms. Kissoon who has handled this entire affair with dignity from the get go, I’d say to her, she should aim to be the best back bencher there ever was and use the
power vested in her by the People of Region 10 to ensure she is given quality time to speak on matters that affect them (similar to when she was higher up in the pecking order given her parliamentary seniority and position as Geographic MP). This issue should not be a cage that contains her, but one that liberates her to continue to challenge herself and do what’s right by the people. It is very disappointing that Mr. Christopher Jones, MP and GYSM Leader when called upon to address this matter couldn’t display the strength of character, choosing instead a vacuous response. Mr. Granger and Ms.
Ally must politically evolve, do some serious introspection and realise they are abusing the power vested in them by the people. This power is not for them to settle intragroup fictional political scores and despise those who will not kow-tow to their arrogance and intolerance. If the lesson both can take away from this is that they are living in the days when they will be held to their words. And if they are serious about changing the national political attitude, they have to remember they too will be held to what they profess. Leaders have to practice what they preach! Minette Bacchus
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Cane cutter jailed for 11 years after pleading guilty to killing mason Cane cutter Rakash Janak called ‘Rakesh’, 22, of Zorgen-Hoop Scheme, Blairmont West Bank Berbice, was on Thursday sentenced to 11 years in jail by Justice Diana Insanally. He was charged with killing Brentnol Richard Isaacs, 31, called “Tongey” of Lot 118 Ithaca, West Bank Berbice. Janak later pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter. His sentence
followed a probation report which was ordered by the judge. The court heard from State Prosecutor Renita Singh, that on the day in question the accused had entered a yard of a nearby resident and started to abuse a woman and her husband. The ensuing melee led to an altercation between Isaacs,the deceased, and Janak who was nearby. The accused was also annoyed
From John Kerry, US Secretary of State On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I am delighted to extend best wishes to the people of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana on your nation’s 44th anniversary. The United States and Guyana share a dynamic partnership based on common interests and aspirations for peace, democracy, and respect for universal rights and freedoms. Our partnership
Rakash Janak about a relationship between Isaacs and his mother. It was reported that Isaacs was also having an affair with the Janak’s reputed wife. The accused became angry and very aggravated and went for his cutlass and chopped Isaacs across his chest and left arm. Isaacs fell in a drain and was subsequently picked up and rushed to the Fort Wellington Hospital, before being transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. A number of persons including Janak’s reputed wife were arrested for the crime. The probation report which was presented by Probation and Social Services Officer, Odessia Semple, had stated that the accused was the eldest of five. His mother and father separated when he was two. He and his siblings were taken care of by his mother who was a domestic (Continued on page 15)
Sunday February 23, 2014
through the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative enhances the security and prosperity of the region by increasing law enforcement capacity. We are working with the youth of Guyana to provide training for better economic opportunities. And through PEPFAR, we are proud to join with Guyana to reach its goal of Getting to Zero: zero new HIV infections, zero stigma and discrimination, and zero AIDS-related deaths.
Our efforts to promote a cleaner, healthier, and more resilient natural environment are important to the entire region. We look forward to strengthening our cultural, business, and personal ties to help build a prosperous, secure, democratic, and healthy Guyana. As you gather for Mashramani festivities, I wish all Guyanese peace, happiness, and a productive year ahead.
From People’s National Congress The People’s National Congress Reform is pleased to extend greetings and good wishes to all of the people of Guyana as we celebrate the 44th Anniversary of our Republican status. The anniversary of the Republic, apart from the national celebration of Mashramani, is an occasion for reflection and assessment of the state of our nation, 44 years after Guyana was declared a Republic. In that regard, it must be evident to all that we, as Guyanese, need to undertake a frank and
honest evaluation of whether our nation is headed in the direction that would bring us all, particularly our young people, progress and prosperity. Our Party has joined our partners in APNU to declare and dedicate our energies to making 2014 the Year for Workers. However, we are conscious that, as a nation, we are challenged to remove the threats posed by the scourge of criminality and violence; corruption; the continued lawlessness in high places; the intolerance
of views, other than those expressed by the Administration; all of which contribute to infusing a sense of despair and the feeling of hopelessness that is currently afflicting the young people of this nation. Accordingly, the PNCR wishes all of the Guyanese people a Happy Republic holiday, and a joyous celebration of Mashramani, as we pray that the spirit of peace, love and unity will dwell among us on the 44th Anniversary of our Republic.
PYO Mashramani Message February 23, 2014 marks forty-four (44) years since Guyana’s attainment of Republican status. Becoming a Republic represented the final step in our nation’s journey to full independence and nationhood. This is a very significant achievement in our history as it meant that our Head of State is no longer a representative of the British Monarch but instead is an elected citizen of Guyana. That is, supreme power is now vested in the people of Guyana and is exercised at free elections. On February 23, 1970, Dr Jagan, while addressing the National Assembly noted
that, “our beloved country is retrogressing instead of progressing. All that independence and republicanism stand for are being violated in Guyana”. Reflecting on the post 2011 operations of the legislative arm of Government, one gets the feeling that the meaning of being a Republic is once more being violated. We have witnessed many instances where our unalienable rights as a republic have been violated by legislative infringements. The lack of cooperation that currently exists, that allowed the political
opposition to reject many transformation projects in Guyana, is once again leading to that retrogression that Dr Jagan spoke of 44 years ago. We wish to call on the opposition political parties to work together with our Government in peace, dignity and harmony for the good of the Guyanese nation. Acting otherwise is a total disregard for the struggles of our leaders who courageously fought for our freedom. As we engage in cultural folklore at age 44, the Progressive Youth Organization (PYO) wishes to extend Mashramani greetings to ALL GUYANA.
From The Alliance Fof Change The Alliance For Change joins with all Guyanese in observing our 44th Republic Anniversary. It has been a year of hard work and in the true spirit of ‘Mashramani’ let us celebrate! But even as we celebrate, let us be reminded that this Republic Anniversary comes at a time when we find ourselves struggling to preserve one of our symbols
of nationhood, and some may argue our most important – our Constitution. This Supreme Law, which sets out our identity as a nation and as a people is under threat. Sections of this national charter are today being subjugated by leaders’ intent on imposing partisan party doctrines above the Articles of our Constitution and in the process undermining the democratic progress we have made over the years. Through strong and continuous advocacy we have seen the Office of the Ombudsman being filled. Many other Constitutional Offices remain either vacant or
filled by persons in an acting capacity. This is against both the dictate and spirit of our Constitution and must not be allowed to continue. The Alliance For Change is committed to upholding the rule of law starting with our Constitution and calls on all Guyanese to lift their voices for the promotion and protection of this - the Supreme Law of our Country. Let this be our resolve as a nation as we enter another year as a Republic and recommit to forging a democracy that offers all citizen of Guyana a place we are proud to call home. Happy Mashramani Guyana!
Sunday February 23, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Sunday February 23, 2014
Venezuelans take to streets for rival mass rallies People protest against the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas. (AFP Photo/ Raul Arboleda )
Caracas (AFP) - Tens of thousands of supporters and opponents of Venezuela’s government took to the streets of Caracas yesterday amid fears of more violence in the bitterly divided country. The competing mass rallies in the Venezuela— the second in days — follow weeks of often bloody marches that have claimed at least nine lives and injured 140 others. Heeding the call of opposition leader Henrique Capriles, governor of Miranda state and former presidential candidate, antigovernment protesters massed near a shopping mall in the Caracas neighborhood of Sucre. They were expected to demonstrate both in the capital and country-wide against armed groups accused of intimidating and even attacking demonstrators. “The state should stop these paramilitary groups,” said the head of the main opposition coalition, Ramon Guillermo Aveledo. “It is unacceptable that there are armed groups that
are out of control,” he told AFP. Meanwhile, progovernment supporters, mostly women, gathered in the center of the capital. Leftist President Nicolas Maduro had announced that “millions of women would come out in all of the country’s cities” to march “against fascism.” Security was tight in Caracas yesterday. While the rival camps were spilling onto the streets in different parts of the capital, it was feared clashes could erupt if they collided at any point. Early yesterday, Maduro said remarks by US Secretary of State John Kerry on the unrest gave violent groups a “green light” to carry out attacks. In a tweet, Maduro also slammed the top US diplomat’s remarks late Friday as “arrogant” and “insolent.” “John Kerry threatens Venezuela with more violence, with his statements gives the green light to violent groups to attack our people,” Maduro wrote. Maduro, who denies any links to the armed groups, says the protests are part of a “coup d’etat in development”
instigated by Washington and conservative exColombian president Alvaro Uribe. Kerry had condemned Venezuela’s “unacceptable” use of force against antigovernment protesters, and declined to respond to a call from Caracas for bilateral talks. “The government’s use of force and judicial intimidation against citizens and political figures, who are exercising a legitimate right to protest, is unacceptable and will only increase the likelihood of violence,” he said in a statement. Maduro’s testy response came a day after he challenged President Barack Obama to meet him for talks. “I call a dialogue with you, President Obama... between the patriotic and revolutionary Venezuela and the United States and its government,” he told a news conference with foreign reporters on Friday. “Accept the challenge and we will start a high-level dialogue and put the truth on the table.” Kerry, however, made no mention of the offer in his comments. Caracas and Washington have not exchanged ambassadors since their respective envoys were withdrawn in 2010. Venezuela has expelled eight US diplomats over the past year, including three on February 16. While oil-rich Venezuela’s main customer for its key export is the United States, its relations with Washington, long strained under late leftist icon Chavez, have worsened under Maduro. The protests — which began on February 2 — are seen as the biggest test to Maduro since he succeeded Chavez last year.
Sunday February 23, 2014
Kaieteur News
Walter Rodney 1980 killing…
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Dem boys seh
Govt. about to swear in CoI members A BIG ONE SICK Government is finalizing details and reportedly nearing the swearing in of members for an International Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the 1980 death of politician/historian Walter Rodney. The inquiry was announced in June last year by Government’s spokesman, Dr. Roger Luncheon, who said that President Donald Ramotar had green lighted a decision to call in international experts to probe the killing. According to Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, final details are being worked out with an official announcement of the members to be made in the near future. He declined to say how soon. Senior official of the Working Peoples Alliance (WPA), Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine, yesterday said he has not been officially informed but has seen a letter from Oscar Ramjeet, a letter writer, which named three senior jurists as being part of the CoI. Roopnaraine said he will await the publication of the names of the members in the Official Gazette before commenting further. According to Ramjeet, the Commission will be headed by Barbadian Queen’s Counsel, Richard Cheltenham. Also to be sworn in are Guyanese-born Senior Counsel, Seenauth Jairam, who has been practicing in Trinidad and Tobago since 1979 and is now head of the Bar Association in that country and Jamaican Queen’s Counsel, Jacquelene Samuels- Brown, who is the Chairperson of the Council of Legal Education (CLE). An inquiry ordered by former President Desmond Hoyte in 1988 which found
Rodney’s death caused by “accident or misadventure” had met with disbelief with burning questions continuing over the past 33 years over the incident which has remained a dark stain on the country’s history. Since the announcement by Dr. Luncheon last year, WPA- Rodney’s party, has said that it has been approached by persons “purporting” to be associated with a Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry, for information. But the party insisted that it will not cooperate as the body was not properly established. “The WPA has also been formally requested in writing to allow the Commission access to documents that could assist in the inquiry. In the process, it has come to our attention that the Commission has an office and staff and has begun its work. The WPA is unaware of any formal announcement of the Commission by the President in keeping with the legal requirements prescribed by the Constitution.” The Party said that it is a requirement by law that a Commission of Inquiry must be announced and gazetted and accompanied by the Terms of Reference and the names of the Commissioner or Commissioners.
AND FLY OUT
Walter Rodney
“When the government in June announced its intention to set up the Commission, the WPA said it welcomed such a commission and expressed its willingness to cooperate with it. But we view the soliciting of statements in the absence of a properly constituted Commission highly improper.” WPA called on the government to take necessary steps to have the
Commission formally constituted before proceeding with its business. “Failure to do so would only fan the flames of intrigue and conspiracy which in the long run could compromise the integrity of inquiry.” Continued on page 11
News does fly. Now de latest news is that a man wid all de money in de world sick and that he fly out of Guyana. Dem boys believe that he gone to Trinidad although he coulda gone to New York. When dem boys check dem find out that dem had two medivac from Ogle, one was early and de other one was late. But at de big airport dem see couple outrider and at first dem think it was Donald going out but when dem peep dem see de other one and he padna. Dem see a man walking funny like he got runnings and he wrap up like he got roasting fever. People couldn’t see he face because was night but from de look of things people suspect is who. That is why everybody know that wid all de money in de world, when de Creator touch you nutten can save you. In fact, is then people does got to fork out de money. Now dem boys understand that all who thief from de poor people got to lie down and let de doctor rob dem. And it ain’t pay to get sick at this time because if you don’t have money you in trouble. A man wife bring he from Bartica because de hospital there couldn’t test he to diagnose de problem. This lady visit every hospital between Bartica and Georgetown till she end up at de GPHC. She lef de man to go and buy something and by de time she come back de man dead. But is how he dead got people wondering. De man fall down and dead under he bed and de nurses didn’t know. She and all of dem search and couldn’t find de man. Is when she mek fuh go outside that a nurse peep under de bed and see de man. Is dead he dead. Now dem boys know that people can get lost in a hospital. All you got to do is go under a hospital bed. That is why de government people don’t go to de GPHC. Talk half and find out who sick and fly out.
Sunday February 23, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Annandale shooting…
Shot bandit recovering at GPHC Dunstan La Fleur, the alleged bandit who was shot by an Annandale, East Coast Demerara businessman on January 17, last, is slowly recovering in the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC)’s High Dependency Unit (HDU). La Fleur, 28, of Tucville,
was shot once to his lower right side face by a licensed firearm holder following a 20-minute gun-battle between him and the businessman in whose house he was caught. The injured man was first hospitalized in a very critical condition at the
hospital’s Intensive Care Unit. He was on a life support machine and was at first described as “lifeless.” After his condition improved, he was transferred to the HDU under police guard. “He is recovering now. He moving and is fully conscious.
Govt. about to swear in CoI... From page 9 The announcement last year came on the heels of the -33rd death anniversary of the slain activist. Dr. Rodney was killed when a bomb exploded in a car in which he was an occupant. He was 38- yearsold at the time. Rodney’s brother, Donald Rodney, who suffered injuries during th e e x p l o s i o n , claimed that former Guyana Defence Force (GDF) electronics expert, Sergeant Gregory Smith, had given the politician the bomb that killed him. It was alleged that Smith planted the bomb in a walkietalkie that blew up on Rodney’s pelvic region while he was on John Street, Werken-rust, between Hadfield and Bent Streets, less than 100 metres from the Camp Street Prison. Smith died of cancer 11 years ago in French Guiana where he had gone to live, after his escape from Guyana. There have been claims that Rodney’s assassination was set up by the government of Forbes Burnham, whom Rodney was opposed to. This was because his assassination came at the height of a planned civil rebellion against the Burnham-led administration. But Burnham’s party, the PNC had firmly denied being any part of the bomb blast killing. There has been widespread accusations and finger pointing over the years. Rodney’s family especially has been pressuring the Administration to set up an inquiry. In 1974 Rodney returned to Guyana from Tanzania. He was due to take up a position as a professor at the University of Guyana but the Burnham government prevented his appointment. He became increasingly active in politics, founding the WPA, a party that provided the most effective and credible opposition to the PNC government. In 1979 he was arrested and charged with arson after two government offices were burned. Rodney had traveled widely and became very well known internationally as an
activist, scholar and formidable orator. He taught at the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania during the period 1966-67 and later in Jamaica at his alma mater UWI Mona. He was sharply critical of the middle class for its role in the post-independence Caribbean. He was also a strong critic of capitalism and argued for a socialist development template. On 15 October 1968 the government of Jamaica, led by Prime Minister Hugh Shearer, declared Rodney persona non grata. The decision to ban him from ever returning to Jamaica because of his advocacy for the working poor in that country caused riots to break out, eventually claiming the lives of several people and causing millions of dollars in damages.
These riots, which started on 16 October 1968, are now known as the Rodney Riots, and they triggered an increase in political awareness across the Caribbean, especially among the Afrocentric Rastafarian sector of Jamaica, documented in his book The Groundings With My Brothers. After his assassination, Rodney received several honours. In 1993, the government of Dr Cheddi Jagan posthumously gave him the country’s highest national award, the Order of Excellence and the Walter Rodney Chair in History was established at the University of Guyana. Rodney’s death was also commemorated in a poem by Martin Carter entitled “For Walter Rodney.”
He knows who is who and although he cannot speak clearly, he communicates with his family members very well,” a hospital source said. Kaieteur News was told that La Fleur had gained entry into the businessman, Mananno Jeffrey’s home through an open window in the family’s bathroom located in the bottom flat of the two storey building. The 31-year-old businessman is a Rural Constable and a member of the Annandale North Community Policing Group. He had explained to this newspaper that his father, Ishwar Jeffrey, woke him up and informed him that three men were in the yard. “He went to the bathroom upstairs and he heard some strange sounds and when he peeped through the downstairs window, he saw the three men trying to get into the house,” the businessman explained. He added that he was about to fire a warning shot but noticed that one of the bandits had already got into his home. “I went downstairs but was confronted by this
guy. It was me and him face to face and he had a gun in his hand.” Jeffrey posited that he fired a shot at the bandit but missed. “When I fired the shot, he run in the guest room (located in the lower flat) and was shaking the grill hard, hard and like he realize the only way he could have escaped was through the same bathroom window.” According to the 31-yearold man who operates a food stall and owns a fishing boat, the bandit then peeked out the room and fired a shot. “He had no idea that I was hiding at the side of the wall. So when
he fired the shot, he came out the room, pointing his gun straight and I was right at the side of him but he didn’t see me and I fired the shot.” “He fall down and I run out to look for the other two men but they had already escaped,” Jeffrey stressed. He added that police officers arrived at his home about one and a half hours later and took the badly injured man to the hospital. Initially they all thought that the man had died and reported this fact. The businessman said that was the first time gunmen tried to rob him.
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Anti Money Laundering Legislation ...
CFATF’s Hernandez warns against tinkering with Bill …tells Private Sector Guyana must make Friday’s deadline - Nascimento Friday will be the drop dead deadline for Guyana to submit a report to the Caribbean Financial Action Taskforce (CFATF) or else the country would automatically be referred to the Financial Action Taskforce in Paris, France where it can face global blacklisting. This is according to Kit Nascimento, who on Friday last, led a delegation to meet with CFATF representative, Roger Hernandez, who indicated to the team that the only reason that FATF did not assess Guyana at its last meeting is because government demonstrated a commitment to have the Bill enacted, as such CFATF intervened. Nascimento, along with leading business figures such as Beverley Harper, Captain Gerry Gouveia, Desmond Sears, Clinton Urling and John Willems met Hernandez, on Friday. Nascimento said that the team met with Hernandez to ascertain, CFATF’s position on the Bill, as well as clarification on the various deadlines and implications of missing the deadlines. He said that Hernandez confirmed to them that
nothing Government had been saying was exaggerated and that countries within the region, such as Trinidad and Tobago have already begun to put measures in place as it relates to financial transactions with Guyana. According to Nascimento, Hernandez reiterated that should Guyana miss this deadline it would mean an automatic referral to FATF, in Paris. International blacklisting, he said, would put a great strain on the country, as moving money in and out of the country would come under increased scrutiny or in some cases even denied. According to Nascimento, investors would certainly think twice about investing in such a financial atmosphere. He said that Hernandez confirmed that the Bill that was put before the House and was eventually sent to the Special Select Committee is CFATF compliant and that changing it could possibly make it non compliant. Nascimento said that the delegation was informed by Hernandez that even minor changes can see the Bill becoming non compliant.
He said that the Private Sector team queried whether the proposal by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), namely, to allow the police to effect searches and seizure of money by the police, Hernandez, according to Nascimento said that this is not a requirement in any of the jurisdictions anywhere in the world. As a result the team met with the Alliance for Change over its position and demands regarding the Anti Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Bill. According to Nascimento, he has already made contact with the Opposition Leader, Brigadier (rtd) David Granger, with a view to securing a meeting. Nascimento said that the Private Sector is hopeful that it will be able to meet with an APNU delegation by Tuesday. Hernandez met with the members of the Special Select Committee tasked with addressing the amendments to the legislation following a request by APNU’s financial Spokesperson, Carl Greenidge.
CFATF’s Roger Hernandez Following that meeting Hernandez told this publication that Guyana will not be automatically removed from the current blacklisted status it holds with the mere passage of the amendments to the Anti Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Bill. Hernandez was asked specifically if with the passage of Bill Guyana would be removed from the current CFATF blacklist. His response was a resounding “no” and he added that what is required is implementation. “You require implementation; it is not just passing the law. It is about implementing the law.”
Sunday February 23, 2014
Third bandit remanded in West Berbice failed robbery Another man who was held in connection with the failed robbery committed on a West Coast Berbice businessman has been remanded to jail. Quammy Bhagwandin, 32, of A n g o y ’s Avenue, New Amsterdam appeared in the Blairmont Magistrates’ court before Magistrate Rhondell Weaver on two counts of discharging a loaded firearm with intent to rob and another of assault with intent to rob. He and his colleagues are accused of attempting to rob the businessman and his son on February 13, last, at Bath Settlement West Coast Berbice. The businessman, who has several businesses on the West Coast B e r b i c e , had closed up his business and was about to enter his home some time between 19:30 hrs and 20:00 hrs when he was accosted by the bandits. He put up a fight, c a u s i n g the bandit to discharge a round. Ranks from the Fort Wellington Police Station responded p r o m p t l y. T h e three bandits who were armed with a shot gun and pistols were forced to flee in their getaway vehicle. The cops gave chase,
forcing the bandits to head over the Berbice River Bridge. In the interim back up was sent for and the cops had set up a roadblock on the eastern side of the bridge. The bandits, after crossing the river and realising that they were cornered abandoned their vehicle and headed into the bushy and swampy area at Palmyra. Two men, Paul Kumar, 44, of Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam and Goed F o r t u i n , We s t B a n k Demerara; along with Richard Semple 39, a taxi driver of Kilcoy Village Corentyne, Berbice, were charged earlier and remanded to jail. Bhagwandin, who was wanted for a number of crimes and had been on the run, was captured by alert ranks when he turned up at the Sisters Magistrate Court for an impending matter. Bhagwandin will also be questioned about a number of other robberies. He was also wanted in connection with the break and enter that occurred at C and K Pharmacy and Drugs store. Police had recovered a number of items from a dilapidated house at Angoy’s Avenue which was frequented by Bhagwandin.
Three years on and still no police promotions Guyana’s 44th Republic anniversary is upon us and today thousands will seize the opportunity to give true meaning to the word M a s h r a m a n i - CELEBRATION AFTER HARD WORK. But this time around there is a cloud of despair in the air; they have been desperately looking f o r w a r d f o r t h i s y e a r ’s promotions, and although they were promised that come Republic Day the long anticipated list would be announced, they are still holding their breaths in deep anticipation. The reason being touted is the absence of the Police Service Commission. While the PSC is responsible for the promotion and other matters directly related to the senior ranks of the Force, the junior promotions will suffer since there will hardly be room for their upward mobility if the vacancies are not created at the top of the Force’s administration. Without the Police Service Commission there can
be no promotions from inspectors up to Assistant Commissioners of Police. This will come as a major disappointment to several ranks both senior and junior, many of whom have been stagnated in one position for several years. While their sister uniform organizations have gone ahead with their promotions, there appears to be no pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. This newspaper has been making repeated enquiries about the establishment of the PSC but the responses have been less than satisfactory from senior government officials who are directly or indirectly responsible. Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon had indicated at one of his Press Conferences that the administration was looking at the establishment of several Commissions, the PSC being one of them. Two months ago Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee had promised a press conference to deal with the establishment of the PSC and
other matters; of course that engagement never came off, although he regularly hosts his Party’s media conference. When the question of the Police S ervice Commission was recently posed to Rohee, he gave no assurance that this process would be rectified soon. And this situation is affecting the promotion of several senior officers of the Guyana Police Force. “The Junior Promotion Board has already met and finalized the promotions, but the commissioner is not too keen on making that announcement in the absence of the senior ranks promotion,” a senior police source told this newspaper. “These people are playing with our careers,” another lamented. Officers of the Guyana Police Force are worried that the situation that occurred in 1999 when there was no Police Service Commission (PSC), could visit them again. The Police Officers are hoping that that situation, which resulted in no police
promotions for three years, would not recur, especially since there appears to be no urgency on the part of the administration to deal with the issue. The last Commission was chaired by Dennis Morgan who died in November 2012 while serving in that capacity. The Police Service Commission, a five-man body, was then rendered inactive. Some ranks have been stagnant in one position for long periods, some for as long as 20 years without promotion. It was explained that some ranks have pending disciplinary matters that are hampering their advancement. But of even greater concern is the stagnation of more than 40 Cadet Officers. In 2008, then President, Bharrat Jagdeo, challenged the Guyana Police Force to appoint 50 Cadet Officers over three years in a move that was intended to strengthen the officer corps of the organization. However, five years later, Cadets, even from the first
Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell batch, are still waiting to be confirmed in the gazetted position of Assistant Superintendents. The reason being given for this apparent administrative hiccup is the lack of vacancies in the Assistant Superintendent bracket. Under what is being touted as the ‘Jagdeo Cadet Scheme’, the first batch of 15 police cadet officers
graduated from the Basic Cadet Officer Training Programme in 2009. This group was followed by larger groups of Police Cadet Officers in the following years, up to the last batch of two in 2011. There were four batches in all that satisfied Jagdeo’s mandate for the Force. But according to a police administrative expert, there was no provision to accommodate the Cadet Officers into the gazetted police ranks. It was explained that the system could only accommodate a certain number of Assistant Superintendents and there is a preference for experienced Inspectors and Chief Inspectors to fill positions that become available from time to time. “The Police, in their haste to satisfy Jagdeo’s mandate, fast tracked the Cadetship Programme without making the necessary provisions. Now these Cadets are languishing in their Cadet position,” the senior officer added.
Sunday February 23, 2014
Kaieteur News
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An unwavering quest to assist underprivileged children By Rehana Ahamad She lived in an old wooden house in Craig, East Bank Demerara, and Onica Charles’s childhood was surely not a smooth tale. Her life story seems to mirror the image created by the hit rap song- “Started From the Bottom,’ by well-known Rapper, Drake. Charles recalls countless instances of crying silently because of the fact that her peers at the Grove Primary School had, and in many cases, took for granted all the “comforts” that they had, like pocket money to spend during class breaks. But this did not stop the 30-year-old from dreaming big. Although Charles has yet a far way to go, the young woman who is today, the holder of several academic degrees and the employer of over 40 people in the United States, has big plans, as she embarks on changing the lives of particularly Guyanese children. Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the International Children’s Outreach (ICO), Charles, who already assist significantly in helping children in different parts of the world, is working on setting up a Child Care Centre here, which will assist underprivileged children with getting a proper education.
Born to Amanda Kumar and Augustus Charles, she believes that “Poverty can impact one’s education, and one’s education is one’s life. Children may not be able to change their financial state, and this will most likely affect their education, and once their education is affected, the child’s entire life is affected, so what I want to do is help families send their children to school”. Charles told Kaieteur News that “I have plans to change the way children are educated in low income communities. They shouldn’t be subjected to subpar education because of their socioeconomic status. Every child deserves an equal opportunity and I plan on creating a bright path for children in Guyana.” As such, the “Little Masters Centre,” as she plans to name it, will be a safe haven for children, who usually spend their spare time ‘hanging out’ on the streets. “These children need an opportunity to do better and we understand that sometimes their parents’ financial situation might not allow them to further their education.” As such, Charles said that “the community centre will be equipped with a computer lab, which students will have full access to do their home work and internet research, they will have a library with a cozy reading area, where
Charles’s former home will be renovated and used for the Child Care Centre
There will always be more of the same. With things at a low in the hinterland more miners are going to be taking chances. The result is another disaster. There will be reports of miners suffering because a wall under which they were working caved in. ** The criminals have been busy within the past few days and they are going to continue in this trend, mainly because of the holiday weekend with its attendant activities.
There is no regard for the poor or the wealthy, because in this case the victim would be a person who is trying to make ends meet. The take would not be
much but it is the brutality that would incense the nation to the point of people seeking a return to the days of vigilante justice. ** Another road accident is going to occur on a busy thoroughfare even as the hosp i t a l s a r e b e i n g overwhelmed by the trauma. This accident like most others would have been a v o i ded had someone opted to just be careful. The loss of life would be worrying.
they can enjoy reading a book. We will have a study room, where students can study without any outside distractions.” Additionally, she noted that the centre, which will be funded by the International Children’s Outreach, will also provide free tutoring to children who need it. “Not only that, but every day the centre will provide a hot meal for children within the community, because nutrition plays a vital role in our daily lives and without the proper nutrition children simply cannot focus on learning.” Charles said the centre will have a basketball court and a playground so the children have additional activities to part take in. “After all they need a well-balanced life. The community centre will be free for anyone who needs the service.” The centre will be located on the lot that Charles grew up on. Construction will commence in March and is expected to be completed by December this year. Recalling her childhood days, Charles stressed that “Life was not easy for family and I.” The young woman explained that one of her family’s major struggles was getting basic necessities, “putting food on the table was surely no easy task”. However, Charles reflected that she was lucky enough to have had parents who despite their obvious limitations, left no stone unturned in terms of development, and who always put their children’s education first. “They spent their last dollar sending me to extra lessons just so I could get a better education. And I am thankful that they made that call.” “You see, I’m not this rich girl who grew up with a silver spoon in her mouth,” Charles pointed out. “I’m a girl who would walk over a mile to collect water to bring home just so that we can have water to cook and drink, and for my mother to wash our clothes.” Charles said that while growing up, girls were getting married at the age of 16 without even thinking twice about pursuing a proper education. “Back then, I guess that’s what women were told to do, and that’s what they did.” However, Charles had big aspirations, and she knew that a sound education was the key. “I was no longer going to be what I was born into. I knew what I wanted and I was determined to get it.” After completing her secondary education at St. Joseph High School, Charles migrated to the United States of America. “That opportunity came like a light at the end of a dark, cold tunnel,” Charles recalled. “When I got there, it was a breath of fresh air, and my plan was to take it all in.”
Onica Charles
After her family settled, a determined Charles commenced another chapter of her academic life “It finally happened for me, but still, I didn’t get to attend any Ivy League school like I had wanted to, because we could not have afforded it.” Charles said that she managed to complete her tertiary education by taking one loan after the next, and today, she is the proud holder of several Bachelor’s Degrees from more than one University in the USA. “I have degrees in International Relations, Sociology, Anthropology, Asian Studies, and a Masters in Public Administration.” Charles went on to becoming employed with the US Government. “The position was surely not handed to me; I did my time and struggled as an unpaid intern for over one year.” Additionally, after a few years of working, the young woman used up all her savings to start a pre-school. “I didn’t know how I was going to manage. All I knew is that I wanted to help, and make a difference in the lives of especially children…Eventually, I ended up opening my second pre-school, so I was very happy.” “I won’t feel accomplished until the people I grew up with come out of poverty. That is why I started International Children’s Outreach (ICO), because it’s my duty to give back. This entity also helps children from all across the world, but the children’s centre is to help Guyanese children, because I can relate to many of the hardships.”
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Kaieteur News
By Michael Jordan Had we followed this case more intensely, we surely would have tracked down Trevor Johnson’s secret lover, and the man whom they said killed him back in February 2002. But that was around the same time that the ‘crime wave’ gunmen were on their rampage; so I guess we were too busy following their blood trail to wonder too much about a dead playboy. And Trevor Johnson was a ‘player’. He had sired at least 14 children with different women. At the time this story begins, he was living with a slim, attractive woman named Paula Abdulla and the couple’s two children, aged eight and two. When I met her last week, Paula smiled and said, without a trace of bitterness that her reputed husband liked ‘plenty women’. But Johnson appeared to have been playing a very dangerous game. At around 9.00 a.m. on Thursday, February 21, 2002, Johnson, a 40-year-old shipping company employee, left his Joseph Pollydore Street, Lodge home on his bicycle, after telling his reputed wife that he was going to buy bottled water and see a friend. It was approximately 4.00 p.m., when Johnson called
Trevor Johnson: Did a jealous rival end his life?
Paula and told her that he was at the Stabroek Market with a friend, and that he would return home with the water. Paula Abdulla wasn’t too worried when her man failed to come home that night. She assumed that he had slept at the friend, who lived “over the river.” But when the following day came and Johnson failed to turn up, she called the friend. He revealed that the two had parted company by the Stabroek Market and that Johnson had said that he was heading home. Still, Paula Abdulla wasn’t worried enough to make a missing person’s report. Later that day, though, she had her television set tuned to CNS Channel 6, when an announcer reported that the body of an unidentified man, with a gunshot wound to the head, had been found near the Kitty seawall, a short distance from the Russian Embassy. Then the station showed footage of the victim, who looked disturbingly similar to her missing spouse. And although the victim’s face wasn’t visible, Ms. Abdulla observed that he was even wearing a black jersey with white stripes, and a pair of green Clarks shoes. Those were the same type of clothing and shoes Johnson had worn when he left home. Still, Paula Abdulla clung to hope that her reputed husband would turn up alive. Eventually, on Monday, February 24, Ms. Abdulla
Sunday February 23, 2014
mustered the courage to visit the Lyken Funeral Parlour, where she positively identified the seawall victim as her spouse, Trevor Johnson. Initial reports suggested that Johnson was shot while coming to the aid of a woman who was being robbed. But from the outset, Paula Abdulla suspected otherwise. The Trevor Johnson she knew was not likely to get involved in an altercation. What she knew for sure was that he was a ‘ladies’ man’. She was certain that a woman had caused his death. What she had observed of the body was that Johnson’s pants were unzipped; his jersey was rolled up to his chest, and his vest was found a few feet away from the corpse. But who could the ‘mystery woman’ be? Some of Johnson’s close relatives decided to do their own investigating. According to reports, a male relative eventually contacted a woman, who claimed that she was in the vicinity of the seawall when Johnson was slain. “They got in contact with an eyewitness, and she told them that he (Johnson) was walking on the seawall and she heard a gunshot, and that this girl start screaming over the body,” Ms. Abdulla said. She alleged that the ‘eyewitness’ drove to the Kitty Station and made a report, but by the time the police arrived at the scene “a lot of army personnel” were already there. Johnson’s relatives were reportedly also given the identity of his secret lover. Ms. Abdulla claimed that this woman resided in Kitty and was having a relationship with an individual with military
connections. Acting on this information, police reportedly invited the ‘lover’ to the Kitty Station. Ms. Abdulla said that the woman denied knowing Johnson, and she was released within minutes. To this day, Trevor Johnson’s relatives believe that, for reasons unknown to them, no thorough investigation was conducted into his death. According to one relative, Johnson’s father felt that pressing with an investigation could bring trouble to the family. “I was looking into this thing, but the father said to leave it alone, it might bring all kinds of things (trouble) and that God knows best.” “The girl he (Johnson) was going around with had a boyfriend who was an exsoldier. Police had all the information they needed, but we never had full cooperation. After we got the lead, they took her in for questioning, but what questions did they ask?” Paula Abdulla holds out little hope of Johnson’s killer ever being brought to justice. “Friday last was 12 years (since he died).They have never picked up back that story…it seems like a total cover-up…” If you have any information about this unusual case, please contact Kaieteur News at our Lot 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown location. We can be reached on telephone numbers 2258458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or 225-8473. 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
HAVE YOU SEEN THIS MAN? The Guyana Police Force is seeking your help in locating Roger Brandt, who is wanted for the murder of 74year-old Najidan Sadick, also called ‘Aunty’ on March 4, 2011 at Gaulding Place, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown. Ms. Sadick, who lived alone, was bound and strangled. Brandt is of African ancestry, brown in complexion, and his last known address is Lot 169 Stevedore Housing Scheme, Georgetown. Anyone with information that may lead Roger Brandt’s arrest is asked to contact the police on telephone numbers 225-6411, 226-7065, 225-8196,
Roger Brandt 227-1149, 911 or the nearest police station. All information will be treated with strict confidence.
Sunday February 23, 2014
Kaieteur News
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== THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN ==
Clarifying my role in the Fatima Martin case Dozens of persons have expressed disappointment at my involvement in the Fatima Martin case that saw me participating in protest/picket action and meeting the Chancellor as part of a delegation, all in support of Ms. Martin, who undoubtedly assaulted a baby. The mere mention of someone hitting a baby will instantly revolt you to the core. I don’t have a pet, but I have claimed my neighbours’ cats and dogs as my pets, and I am so fond of them that if anyone should hit them I would be terribly depressed. If you can feel pain if someone hurts your pet, what would happen to your mind if another person strikes a fellow human? What would happen to your psyche if a mature person hits your own child who happens to be a baby? Fatima Martin had no right to assault the baby of Magistrate Geeta Chandan and her husband, Joel Edmond. I taught both husband and wife at UG and I know both of them well. They are nice, likeable Guyanese. My deeply-felt belief is that there is no way society should spare Fatima Martin serious punishment for hitting a baby in her face. Despite her teenage status, Ms. Martin was way out of line in striking the baby and deserved to be treated seriously by the law. And although I am against the draconian treatment of Magistrate Lovell, I do believe that Ms. Martin should see a
counselor. You just don’t hit a baby. So why did I participate and encourage others to join us in picketing in support of Ms. Martin and against Ms. Lovell? Here are my explanations and before I elaborate, I offer my sympathy to Ms. Chandan and Mr. Edmond, but I stand by my action, and if there is a repeat of the harshness of Magistrate Lovell against someone like Ms. Martin, meaning the exact circumstances, I would do it again. First, I am always concerned at the extent to which many incompetent, soulless, foolish, unlearned magistrates in Guyana destroy completely the future of poor, young people of this country. Some magistrates have sound, legal minds but a majority of these judicial officials in the magistracy are only on the bench because they would never have made it in private practice. They have survived in law because bright lawyers do not want to sit on the bench so we get the bottom of the barrel or as we say in common parlance when referring to cook up rice, “bun, bun.” Here is what one of Guyana’s highest legal officials said to me in total frustration and he spoke in the presence of a nationallyknown woman activist; “Freddie, you know how much training we provide for these magistrates.” If any magistrate challenges me on this, I would privately reveal the identity of the woman activist and they
could verify the words with her. These training sessions have been complete failures because it was like “throwing water on duck’s back.” Secondly, I am against the destruction of young persons by putting them in jail for a long period - as Ms. Lovell did to Ms. Martin - when such crazy punishments are not necessary and can be avoided. Magistrates have guidelines in drug sentencing, yet an automatic three years are assigned to babyfaced teenagers caught smoking a joint. It is a horrible attitude by these incompetent magistrates and a change in the law is exigent. Magistrates
put huge bail on poor people for stealing minor things. And I mean huge bail, and it is done with the deliberate intention of keeping these poor souls on remand. Incompetent magistrates are filling up the jails. I would go so far to say that many of our magistrates are out of control Surely, five years for Ms. Martin was outrageous. Let me be honest with my colleagues who are part of the support effort for Ms. Martin. I probably would not have had any reaction if Martin was sent down for two months or a few months. Hitting a baby is a line that cannot be crossed. When I heard it was five years of imprisonment, I
immediately reacted to the atrocity in the sentencing structure of our magistrates. And I want my readers to know my attitude to the magistracy expressed in the press goes back twenty-five years. I have reported two of them within those twenty-five years to the then serving Chancellors. Some magistrates have publicly reacted to my criticism and I haven’t had any sleepless night over that and will not. Let me sum up my position. Ms. Martin was wrong. She must be punished. I do not support her acquittal in any form. On the other hand, I think she was the victim of a brutal,
Frederick Kissoon vicious, nasty system where the poor and powerless are mistreated at every level in the judicial system, especially the magistracy. Human rights activists needed to go to the assistance of Ms. Martin. I am glad I went.
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Book Review:
Kaieteur News
A CHRONICLE OF ACCOMPLISHED DREAMS Book: Olympic Hero: Lennox Kilgour’s Story Author: Joanne Kilgour Dowdy, Ph.D
Critic: Dr. Glenville Ashby Joanne Dowdy, a professor at Kent University (OH) in the School of Teaching, Learning and Curriculum Studies, is a name synonymous with fine literature. In this, her latest oeuvre, she seals her worth as a literary artist and one of the best the Caribbean has produced. ‘Olympic Hero: Lennox Kilgour ’s story ‘is inspirational as it is instructive. Unquestionably, it is a pedagogical tool that should earn a place in oral tradition. It chronicles the rise of a young man from the ashes of obscurity and poverty in Trinidad, to the podium of accomplishment. “Olympic Hero” transcends sports. It invariably touches on the will of the human spirit and the usually unexplored inner resource from which we must tap to attain greatness. If only we knew what is available when we pry within. Surely, Lennox Kilgour did. Kilgour chalked up key
Sunday February 23, 2014
awards in weightlifting, including a silver medal in the 1951 Pam American Games in Argentina; a bronze medal in the 1952 Olympics in Finland; and a silver medal in the 1954 British Commonwealth Games in Vancouver, Canada. But his awards tell half of this
illustrious story. Dowdy never takes friendship and mentorship for granted. Kilgour wasn’t alone. Close to him were Leo Seemungal, Freddie Mendes and John Davis. They ensured that his training, although void of today’s
performance enhancement supplements and so-called scientifically proven regimens, was structured, detailed and technically sound. “Gour,” as he was affectionately called, was never unbowed by the
arduous work required to get to the Helsinki games. Dowdy intones: “Late nights, late shifts, hustling to make the extra dollars for food, for a doctor, for all the expenses that an athlete needs to cover. Cod liver oil, malt, milk, ice cream, figs says the Health and Strength magazine. Who would sponsor him? How could Gour pay? But the athlete smiled and did bench presses everyday and kept on pressing on. Money, food, lodging. Would they send him, the team for...the Olympic Games?” But therein lies more than the vagaries of sports. It showcases the uncomely fabric of politics and the colonial era of the 1940s through the 1950s when the worth of natives was undervalued. “Where were the friends, the committees, the athletes, the government even when Gour....returned to Trinidad with his team?” (He was) “always puzzled about this shoddy treatment....Gour smiled, a bitter smile, shrugged his shoulder, pressed and lifted on,” Dowdy pens. It took decades for national acknowledgement in the form of the Trinidad and Tobago Hummingbird Medal
(Gold) in 1989. And in 2000, Kilgour was included in the 100 Most Outstanding T&T Men and Women of the 1900s. Dowdy’s stanzas are well cadenced and sharply written. It is delivered with simplicity, albeit loaded with philosophical depth. She is the consummate griot with an overarching poetic substance and veneer; a bard in the tradition of the Druids of yore. This undertaking is compelling deliberate, incisive and spared of superfluity; her words fluidly marching alongside bold, raw illustrations that depict seminal moments in Kilgour’s impressive career. “Olympic Hero” is a classical tale of sheer grit embodied in a man who rallied for himself, his people and the Caribbean region, in an era when a simple smile from Providence was never certain. Feedback: glenvilleashby @gmail.com or follow him on Twitter@glenvilleashby Olympic Hero: Lennox Gilgour’s Story Caribbean Studies Press, 2014 Pompano Beach, FL. ISBN: 2013955645 Available: Rating: Recommended
Sunday February 23, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 25
My column
Let the revellery continue Today is the forty-fourth anniversary of Guyana becoming a Republic. It is the day when forty-four years ago many people did not understand what becoming a republic meant. To make matters worse, the political leaders had stated that the country was breaking ties with the Monarchy, that the queen would no longer have anything to do with Guyana. Imagine the confusion. Here were a people who all their lives had known the Queen of England as their ultimate ruler and now they were being told that this would no longer be the case. There was a fair amount of confusion. There was even more confusion that we would no longer appeal to the Privy Council, that we would have our own High Court of Appeal. But there were those of us who were young and wanted excitement. We were prepared to welcome our nationhood as it should be. I was a teacher at Bartica when the day dawned. A group of us, all teachers at the Bartica Government Secondary School planned
what we would do. We met with the village council and with the boys who controlled the then Broadway Steel Orchestra. A member of the Peace Corps, Benjamin Wolfe was there teaching swimming. He organised the picnic that would follow the street tramp that we planned. It coincided with the band, so there we were with no floats as people in the city have now come to accept as an integral part of Mash. Bartica had never seen anything like that. The village came out and that first Mash Day for me was a moment to remember. We partied well into the night but there was a lot that we had to learn about being a Republic. Of course, there were the few who believed that we would be able to sling guns on our hips as some believed was the case in Brazil. It is hard to believe that all those things happened forty-four years ago. Since then many things have happened. I can’t say what happened in the city for the first Mash, but I do know that
in those early days Linden came to the city because Mash really grew out of something that the Lindeners did way back when, soon after Guyana became an independent country. As time wore on the government included such things as the Best Decorated building competition. There was also something for agriculture—the Best Kitchen Garden. But the people were really into revellery. We did not always raise the flag at Public Buildings. That happened because in the wake of the 1992 elections the people in the city were not enamoured with the People’s Progressive Party. They gave Dr Cheddi Jagan a torrid time when he hosted the Republic anniversary programme in 1993. The new government changed many things. The PNC would announce the names of national awardees on the eve of the Republic and confer the awards on the anniversary of Independence. The PPP changed that. It announced the names of the national
awardees on the anniversary of the country’s Independence and conferred the awards on the anniversary of the PPP coming to office in 1992. The Republic anniversary has not been without its controversy. In Trinidad, Carnival coincides with the dawn of Lent. It ends at midnight of Shrove Tuesday, at the dawn of Ash Wednesday. In Guyana the Republic anniversary is a date. I remember back in 1977 when the region came out to criticize Guyana for holding the float parade on Ash Wednesday. In Guyana the churches begged for a postponement but the powers that be said that the anniversary was a date and in any case, Guyana was a secular society. Those who wanted to go to church were free to do so. Then the church leaders came up with the argument that some churches lay along the Mash
route. Nothing changed. Years later Mash coincided with a Muslim holiday. Again there was the petition but nothing changed. This year Mash Day is a Sunday. February 23 fell on a Sunday before this year and I cannot recall any objection. Not that there was any this year, but I have heard that the religious organization that sponsored a Mash Day float would not be doing so this year. And there is more. Some of the big names would not be on the streets. They know why. Surely it cannot be a question of money because the people support them all through the year, going overboard at Christmas. Something else that has me wondering about our morals is the complaints about the gyrations on the streets. A street tramp is not a religious march, so one can expect people to let loose. It is the same in Trinidad, Brazil,
Adam Harris London and even New York on Labour Day. I say let us party and if the dances are suggestive, such is our culture. Someone actually wrote that those who do not want to see the gyrations could always stay home. I have been to queh queh ceremonies and I have heard the lyrics. I have gone to Indian wedding houses and I have seen the suggestive dances by older women. That is what we are. Sex plays an important part in our lives, so I say let us party.
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By Dominic Gaskin AFC Treasurer There is politics and there are people, and the realities of civilization have imposed the former on the latter in a way that potentially allows societies to develop and advance beyond the challenges of day to day survival. Indeed, many countries in various parts of the world have progressed to a point where the expectations of their citizens create baselines of acceptability to which the political leadership is responsive. No one expects to encounter a herd of cattle on the JFK Expressway in New York, or a truckload of sand on the pavements of Tokyo, and it is hardly likely that anyone will. However, many countries still exist without that minimum level of public expectation that signals to Governments what their citizens are not prepared to tolerate. Guyana is among them. This is perhaps why, for over a year now, alongside a major public roadway such as
Kaieteur News
Mandela Avenue, a number of unlit container trailers remain parked most days and every night and no one seems remotely concerned. No rightthinking person can deny that these huge heavy-duty vehicles are extremely dangerous to road users. Senior officials from a number of agencies such as the Guyana Police Force, The Ministry of Works, The Georgetown Mayor and City Council, The Office of the President would all have driven past this hazard over and over again, and so would many other persons with influence and connections. Yet the private interests of the owner of these vehicles continue to prevail over the safety of the wider society and at some point, someone will die a horrible death as a result. This example is one of many indicators that the failure of the Guyanese political establishment, over the decades, to prioritize the public interest, has institutionally trickled down to the point where this is no
Dominic Gaskin longer a concern at any level. It cannot be denied that the political culture of a nation often sets the tone for how its institutions function. The open hostilities played out at the highest levels of Guyana’s political leadership send mixed signals to those tasked with providing public services, and creates sufficient ambivalence and ambiguity to negatively impact the delivery of these services.
One of the expressed intentions of the Alliance For Change on its formation, was to change the political culture in Guyana. This is still a priority for the party since, as suggested above, it is the national interest that is subjugated whenever politicians c a n ’ t f i n d common ground. What should give us all hope is the fact that there is no shortage of common ground between supporters of the various political parties and even at the highest levels of the parties themselves. Any outsider will spot this in a second. What is lacking is the will to explore this common ground and the desire to underscore the significant areas of most issues on which there is general agreement. While the endless battles wage on, consuming those involved, it is important that the leadership of the various political parties give some thought to the cumulative effects of their acrimonious encounters on the average citizen of this country. For starters, children in Guyana cannot expect to attend schools in their communities and receive a
Sunday February 23, 2014
government-sponsored education that places them on par with children of similar age around the world. This is so despite the fact that almost everyone agrees on the importance of education for our country’s development. One could even say at this stage that practically any course of action that has the backing of all of our political parties will see better educated children coming out of the national school system. So why not make this a national priority and place the education sector outside of the realm of political squabbling? Why can a group of mature men and women not set aside their political differences in order to give the next generation of Guyanese a better shot at improving their well-being? And why should the public expect anything less? The AFC understands that national development must transcend party politics if Guyana wishes to join mainstream societies and participate actively in the global economy. The AFC sees its presence as an opposition party in the National Assembly as an opportunity to meaningfully and responsibly represent the
national interest. Never having governed before, the party has no axe to grind or failed policies to defend and is willing to engage all other political parties in seeking consensus on matters of national importance. Wherever appropriate, the AFC will trade its split vote to add value to proposals reaching the National Assembly. However, in doing so, the AFC will at all times ensure that the public interest is safeguarded. Any examination of our voting record in that body will show a prudent and responsible approach to the nation’s affairs. The importance of achieving political consensus as a perquisite for the development of our country can never be overstated. A true democracy must have the confidence of all sections of the population, a confidence that is manifested in clear expectations, and an understanding of national priorities. Electoral victory for any one party will only translate into a win for Guyana if that party is able to build consensus on national priorities so that Guyanese are no longer in doubt as to what those are.
Sunday February 23, 2014
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SUNDAY SPECIAL GUYANESE JUSTICE OF APPEAL DISBARRED IN LONDON …RESIGNS FROM COURT HERE Having promised to augment the local justice sector following his appointment as a Justice of Appeal in Guyana, Rabi Sukul, is now in a legal quandary in London after he was disbarred for nine months. He was found guilty of intentionally misleading his client by drafting false grounds of appeal. According to the English ‘Law Gazette Society,’ the bar’s disciplinary tribunal this week heard that Sukul, of Balham Chambers, London, drafted a document to the Court of Appeal, setting out initial grounds for an appeal against conviction on behalf of his client, who had been convicted of drugs-related offences. The tribunal found that he had created the document, knowing it to be false, with the intention of misleading his client into believing he had grounds to appeal his conviction, when Sukul knew there were no grounds of appeal. The five-person tribunal, chaired by His Honour Michael Baker QC, found unanimously that Sukul had intentionally misled his client and engaged in conduct likely to bring the legal profession into disrepute. Sukul was ordered to be disbarred, but the decision is open to appeal. Head of professional conduct at the Bar Standards Board, Sara Down said: ‘Our duty as a regulator is, first and foremost, to protect the public and safeguard the client. The decision came down on February 3. MONDAY EDITION EXECUTIONATTEMPT ON AUTO DEALER…HITMAN WERE PAID $6M TO KILL ME – DEOKARAN SAnasie Deokaran Sanasie, the Auto Spares Dealer who was shot three times about the body by two gunmen on a motorcycle last Friday, believes that a close female associate and her brother planned the hit. According to the owner of Ram’s Auto Spares, he was informed that GY$6M was paid to kill him. On his hospital’s bed Sunday, the injured businessman told this newspaper that apart from the “concrete evidence” the police have, it wasn’t difficult for him to “pin-point” his female associate as the person who would want to see him dead. “Guyanese did the work, so I know what happened. There are a lot of killers in this country and they
Deokaran Sanasie and his wife Patricia called one another and tell them who were a part of the shooting and how much was paid,” the 58-year-old businessman noted. Recalling what happened on that fateful night, Sanasie said that he went to Light and Fourth Streets, Alberttown to collect money from a man and eventually stayed there and took a “drink” with “some of the guys.” He added that the female associate in question, who was at the Princess Hotel Casino, called and enquired about his whereabouts. “About ten minutes after she called I was shot. I was going to take the last drink with the guys and wish them happy Valentine’s Day when I hear like three gunshots, and I fall down,” the father of three recalled. FEMALE TAXI DRIVER’S NUDE BODY FOUND IN TIMEHRI BACKLANDS - SUSPECT ADMITS STRANGLING HER WITH SHOE LACE The nude body of a female taxi driver was found in a clump of bushes, one mile from Jubilee Fun Park and Resort, Timehri, East Bank Demerara (EBD) early Sunday morning. From all indications Savitri Parma, also known as Maya, a mother of two who resided at Loncke’s Avenue, Soesdyke, EBD, was raped and strangled on Saturday night, several hours before her body was discovered. Her body was found lying face down with her head pressed into the earth. The woman’s eight-year-old son was found sleeping in the rear seat of her abandoned taxi hours later by her husband Kissoon Parma, who had decided to search for her after she went missing. The car, a silver grey Toyota Carina, PPP 2183 was parked several yards from where her body was dumped. TUESDAY EDITION NEW GPC DRUGS…PAC GRILLS HEALTH MINISTRY OVER
UNDELIVERED SUPPLY DESPITE PAYMENT Amid ongoing questions over Government’s procurement of drugs for its hospitals, a Parliament oversight committee on Monday mandated the Ministry of Health to prepare a report on millions of dollars of items that were not delivered in 2011 and what is being done to correct the situation. The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) was examining the Auditor General’s 2011 report. The Ministry of Health was called on to answer a number of issues that have been raised. One of these is a reported $88.1M worth of drugs that was not delivered that year by New GPC, but was paid for. New GPC is a company that has been under scrutiny by the Opposition for its close ties to the administration. PROTEST ERUPTS OVER 19-YEAR-OLD BABYSITTER’S CONVICTION - ACTIVISTS CALL FOR JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION TO CONTROL MAGISTRATES Activists from three human rights groups on Monday lobbied the members of the Caribbean Court of Justice who were meeting at the Guyana International Conference Centre during the sitting of the Court. They were protesting the imprisonment of a teenage babysitter who assaulted a toddler. The protestors expressed their dissatisfaction with the ruling of Magistrate Sueanna Lovell who, in her ruling last Friday, handed down the maximum allowable sentence for any conviction in the lower court against the 19year-old babysitter. On Sunday, the ruling was made public by Kaieteur News and has been met with
Vishnu Persaud sharp criticisms from the Guyana Women Miners Organisation, Red Thread and Amerindian Peoples Association whose members on Monday carried placards which decried the prison sentence. They described it as “inhumane.” In their calls for justice, the demonstrators urged the Judicial Service Commission to “control its Magistrates” highlighting the maximum penalty allowed has been meted out to the young lady. Ms. Simona Broomes, President of the Guyana Women Miners Organisation (GWMO) related that they (activists) are seeking to have urgent measures taken to guarantee the rights of the 19year-old. “ WEDNESDAY EDITION POLICE KNEW OF PLOT TO KILL ME TWO WEEKS BEFORE –AUTO DEALER - WIFE, BROTHER-INLAW RELEASED Local police were informed of the plot to kill Auto spares dealer, Deokaran Sanasie, two weeks before he survived an execution attempt last Friday. Kaieteur News was reliably informed that a senior rank attached to
the Criminal Investigations Department was told about the plot, and he even sent three of his ranks to question the businessman’s wife, Patricia, early this month. During an interview Tuesday with a reliable source, Kaieteur News was told that Sanasie’s mother-inlaw heard of the plot to kill him and told one of her relatives. This publication was further told that after the mother-in-law learnt of the plot, she cried and begged her daughter and a son, who were a part of the plot, not to get involved in that, but her pleas fell on deaf ear. “She (the mother) tell a relative that (Sanasie’s wife and her brother) were trying to kill the businessman. He then telephoned and begged the (suspects) not to kill the businessman. He pleaded for four hours, but they did not listen,” the source said. “The relative said, ‘I stop dem! I tell dem dey can’t do that. I ask them if dey know wha dey ah do with dey life. I tell dem if dey touch that man (Sanasie), dem gun go jail and that if anything happen I will talk.” He said that he even called a senior rank and informed him of the plot, the source said.
Solicitor for submitting, unknowing to him, draft grounds of appeal, which he did prepare, but never signed. Sukul explained that in the United Kingdom, there are two different types of lawyers that handle a court case, a Solicitor and a Barrister. The Solicitor assembles all the case documents and then instructs the Barrister to defend the client in court. If the client is convicted, the Solicitor consults with the Barrister about the possibility of an appeal. The Barrister advises the Solicitor accordingly. Sukul said the Solicitor who led to his ruin was Rubin Italia, who works with the Duncan Lewis Solicitors in the UK. “Rubin Italia, and one other man, Master Egan, are responsible for the destruction of my dreams, and have brought untold misery upon my home, my family, my friends and the hundreds of people around the world who know, and have some regard for me.” Sukul explained that after the client was convicted in December 2011 the Solicitor, Italia, queried with him if there were any obvious grounds of appeal.
SUKUL BLAMES “HOSTILE” REGISTRAR, BAR COUNCIL FOR DISBARMENT - DENIES SUBMITTING FRAUDULENT DOCUMENTS Former Court of Appeal Judge, Rabi Sukul, who indicated that he will appeal his recent disbarment in the United Kingdom, has since accused a “hostile” British Court Registrar and Bar Council of targeting him, with a view to ending his career on the bench. Sukul made contact with this publication Tuesday and in his response to the recent revelations surrounding his disbarment also blamed a
THURSDAY EDITION WITH CSI-STYLE TECHNOLOGY…LOCAL COPS ON VERGE OF CRACKING SEVERAL COLD CASES With help from the FBI, and equipment straight out of the popular ‘CSI’ television series, local police say they have begun to crack a number of unsolved cases, ranging from burglary to at least one murder. The equipment that is helping to bring Guyana out of the stone age period of crime fighting is the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS); a computer system that helps investigators to swiftly match (Continued on page 45)
Relatives pointing to the spot where the body of Savitri Parma (inset) was found.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday February 23, 2014
The PPPC’s grand deception The People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) administration is misleading the Guyanese nation and the international community by a cunning campaign of misinformation about the Anti-MoneyLaundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act. The PPPC administration’s record of the introduction and enforcement of such legislation in Guyana over the past fourteen years has been one of inconsistency and insincerity. That reputation has created public apprehension and confusion instead of fostering confidence and certainty.The PPPC administration has been proven to be deliberately dilatory and delinquent in enforcing its own antimoney laundering legislation. It has not been diligent to implement reforms. It has reacted only when forced to do so by direct threats of sanctions
by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force and the international financial community. The PPPC first introduced the Money Laundering (Prevention) Act of 2000 fourteen years ago. It was assented to by President Bharrat Jagdeo on 29th March 2000, but was never fully enforced. The Government of Guyana, as a result of its nonenforcement, became the subject of severe criticism by the international community. The US Government for example, in its International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR) 2007, pointed out that the Bank of Guyana lacked the capacity to fully execute its mandate to supervise financial institutions for compliance with anti-money-laundering provisions. The INCSR added: “There have been no money-laundering prosecutions to date...” The INCSR described the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) as “a one-person
organisation [that] is dependent upon the Ministry for its budget and office space.” It pointed out, further, that although the FIU may request additional information from obligated entities, its analytical capabilities are severely limited by its inability to access lawenforcement data and its lack of authority to exchange information with foreign FIUs. The US Government reported at that time that “the Guyana Government does not release statistics on the number of suspicious transaction reports received by the FIU, although the requirement to make these statistics available to relevant authorities is mandated by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).” The PPPC, responding to international censure, then established a special select committee in the National Assembly in June 2007 to examine a new AntiMoney Laundering and
Countering the Financing of Terrorism Bill. The committee started work a year later under the chairmanship of Dr. Ashni Singh, Minister of Finance. It took two years for the new law to be enacted in 2009. The Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act of 2009 was assented to by President Jagdeo on 14th August 2009. It was never fully enforced. It was further amended by the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (Amendment) Act of 2010 to which President Jagdeo assented on 10th August 2010. This, too, was never fully enforced. It is clear, therefore, that the PPPC administration has never been in a hurry to implement legislative changes and never evinced the political will to enforce the law against moneylaunderers. This was so even while it had preponderant voting strength in both the Select Committee and the National Assembly during both the eighth and ninth Parliaments from 2001 to 2011. Despite the introduction of the new Act, the
Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) continued to identify deficiencies and delinquencies in Guyana’s enforcement of the AMLCFT Act. It made several recommendations to strengthen the Act, empower the Bank of Guyana and enable the Financial Intelligence Unit in a series of Mutual Evaluation Reports (MER). The third round of MER, adopted by the CFATF Council of Ministers in May 2011 in Honduras, stated: “Guyana was placed on a list of jurisdictions with strategic anti-moneylaundering and combatting the financing of terrorism (AML-CFT) deficiencies that have not made sufficient progress in addressing the deficiencies and required Guyana to take specific steps to address these deficiencies by November 2013.” C FAT F reported, further, that: “The AntiMoney Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML-CFT) (Amendment) Bill 2013 was p r e s e n t ed in Parliament on April 22, 2013, a week before its deadline of
April 30, 2013.” It was only in April 2013, therefore, when Guyana was threatened with being ‘blacklisted’ and deadlines for compliance were set that the Government was forced to introduce amendments to the AML-CFT Act in the National Assembly. A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), the major opposition entity, now has the unenviable task of cleaning up the fourteenyear mess caused by the PPPC’s failure to enforce its own anti-money-laundering legislation. APNU has demonstrated its determination to participate fully in the work of the parliamentary special select committee to examine the Bill in detail, to propose emendations and to ensure that the essential agencies – the Bank of Guyana, the Financial Intelligence Unit, the Special Organised Crime Unit and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions – are empowered and the provisions of the amended Act are enforceable. The PPPC has been deliberately deceiving the public. It is scaring the populace with bogus deadlines. It is trying to pressure the National Assembly into accepting the same old impotent institutions and feeble enforcement that have failed for fourteen years. Guyana deserves better. APNU is convinced that it is only by strengthening the original Act that the scourge of money-laundering and the financing of terrorism will be eliminated.
Sunday February 23, 2014
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Local lumber company in major investment As complaints continue to grow over the quality of lumber on the local market, one major Guyanese timber company has announced that it has embarked on an expansion programme that will not only save precious dollars, but will tap into new ways to reduce material costs for house lot owners who are about to build. With the support of Citizens Bank, the company has already purchased and installed a modern mill and resawing facility, and will shortly start processing logs at their factory. With lumber a significant component of new homes, Bulkan Timber Works Inc. (BTW) said it has been looking at the local market for some time now and it is clear that the level of service and options for customers are limited. Coupled with the fact that the housing sector has for the most part been left unregulated, lumber yards have largely been getting away with selling wood that has not been dried or machined properly. The company is contending that if standards by the relevant authorities were enforced, then any two pieces of a tongue and groove (T&G) profiles from two different lumber yards should fit. However, that is not the case now. If wood is not dried to a specific moisture content, relative to the existing humidity where it is placed, there will be movement in the wood after it is installed. That apart, kilndried timber will prevent termite infestation, among several other benefits. The company, located at the Old Glass Factory along the Linden/Soesdyke Highway, and east of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, has been exporting over 95% of its processed, kiln-dried, lumber since 1997, tapping into critical markets like the United States and even Japan. But, Guyana’s housing industry has literally exploded in recent years and the family-owned and controlled company has been exploring options for offering some of its products to meet these domestic demands. NO NAILS? In addition to the six kilndrying facilities (all powered from wood waste and
requiring no electrical power), at the sprawling facility, BTW is now looking to add another six to increase its drying capacity. The investment will come at a time when most companies, a majority being Asian, with timber concessions, have been exporting logs, and paying little heed to value-added processing. This investment will provide badly needed employment for citizens, the company believes. Once it can negotiate a longer lease arrangement with Government, the company would be prepared to secure long-term financing from the Caribbean Development Bank or the Inter-American Development Bank. Last week, three of the principals of the company, Justin Bulkan and George Bulkan, along with their Operations Manager, Richie Ramnath, disclosed that they have already built a wooden model home of assorted woods, using even wallaba (which is difficult to machine because of the gum content) for some of the walls. One of the big sellers that the company will be targeting is its kiln-dried, “endmatched,” lumber (tongue and groove on all sides of the wood that can reduce the use of unsightly nails). “End-matching will reduce the amount of lumber used in the installation of walls, floors, and ceilings, as you’ll be able to utilize all your ‘short’ lengths, which would presently be discarded. Instead of ordering by lengths, therefore, a potential homeowner or contractor can order by square foot. Rafters and other
Methods and materials meeting international standards exist in the local construction industry.
framing materials could be ordered pre-cut and thus avoiding any wastage.” Almost all of BTW’s sales have been both intra- and extra-regional, where the quality has to be of the highest standard. “This is what we will now be offering on the local market, and it does not have to be expensive, when all factors are considered, but, generally in life, you get what you pay for.” There have been numerous complaints by homeowners that wood utilized for walls and floorings have shifted shortly after installation, which often result in expensive remedial costs. “This is simply because the lumber has not been dried properly. In addition, what we will be offering is a complete package to customers. The biggest expenditure in any family is usually the building of one’s home, and it is precisely why there are (Continued on page 32)
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Kaieteur News
Immigration INFO: By Attorney Gail S.Seeram Gail@GailLaw.com There were high hopes for passage of a comprehensive immigration bill in 2013 but it did not become reality due to the lack of action by the House of Representative and its leader, House Speaker John Boehner. In 2013, the Senate drafted and passed by a majority vote the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013. However, when it was time for the House of Representative to vote on the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013, they declined and never introduced the legislation for discussion or vote.
Well, it’s a new year and House Speaker, John Boehner, seems to have changed his tune and view on immigration reform. In the first week of the New Year, Mr. Boehner hired Rebecca Tallent, a longtime immigration adviser and advocate for immigration reform. However, Mr. Boehner’s has been hot and then cold on the issue of immigration reform in just the first two months of the year. HOPEFUL ON THE ISSUE OF IMMIGRATION REFORM On January 28, 2014, President Obama at his State of the Union speech urged Congress to “fix our broken immigration system,” saying both political parties stood to gain by helping millions of undocumented immigrants get a legal foothold in America.
Sunday February 23, 2014
Is Immigration Reform likely in 2014? “ I n d e p e n d e n t economists say immigration reform will grow our economy and shrink our deficits by almost $1 trillion in the next two decades,” he said. “And for good reason: When people come here to fulfill their dreams – to study, invent and contribute to our culture – they make our country a more attractive place for businesses to locate and create jobs for everyone.” HOT ON THE ISSUE OF IMMIGRATION REFORM In an attempt to appeal to Latino voters, on January 31, 2014, House Speaker John Boehner with colleagues from the House of Representative (House) released a one-page, Standards for Immigration Reform. It has six headings: (1) Border Security and Interior Enforcement Must
Come First, (2) Implement Entry-Exit Visa Tracking System, (3) Employment Verification and Workplace Enforcement, (4)Reforms to the Legal Immigration System, (5)Youth, (6) Individuals Living Outside the Rule of Law. It does not contain a path to legalize the 12 million undocumented immigrants in the United States. Instead, it has the following language, “there will be a zero tolerance policy for those who cross the border illegally or overstay their visas in the future”, “identify and track down visitors who abuse our laws”, “fully implement a workable electronic employment verification system”, “temporary workers are able to meet the economic needs of the country and do not displace or disadvantage American workers”, “opportunity for legal residence and citizenship for those who were brought to this country as children through no fault of their own”, “there will be
no special path to citizenship for individuals who broke our nation’s immigration laws – that would be unfair to those immigrants who have played by the rules and harmful to promoting the rule of law.” COLD ON THE ISSUE OF IMMIGRATION REFORM On February 7, 2014, House Speaker John Boehner claimed, “The American people, including many of my members, don’t trust that the reform that we’re talking about will be implemented as it was intended to be.” What happened? One week after releasing their immigration reform principles, the House of Representative and its leader, John Boehner start the blame game and claim immigration reform cannot get done because the Obama administration cannot be trusted to enforce the laws. This claim is far from reality. President Obama has taken the toughest position of immigration enforcement than any President before him. There has been a record
Gail S.Seeram amount of immigrants (legal and illegal) deported under President Obama’s administration. Lack of Congressional action has left millions of families living in two parallel universes - some states cut undocumented immigrants off from housing, school, employment and other states give the same immigrants access to driver ’s licenses, better wages, and college education for their children. We need one immigration system that will be embraced by all the states and give undocumented immigrants hope that they will be U.S. citizens in a country they have called “home” for many years!
Sunday February 23, 2014
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System failing survivors of human trafficking - GWMO Is the Government of Guyana serious about implementing the provisions under the Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act of 2005? This is the question being asked by the Guyana Women Miners’ Organization (GWMO) daily as they are forced to fight with perpetrators as well as the system to help “survivors” of this despicable crime. With the system being uncooperative and unresponsive to the needs of young girls, who were once sexual slaves in Guyana’s interior locations, the vicious cycle of human trafficking has developed into a festering sore. This notion was expressed by Simona Broomes, President of GWMO, during a recent interview with this publication. According to Broomes, since the GWMO began operations over two years ago, the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security’s Trafficking Unit has behaved as if Trafficking in Persons (TIP) is the GWMO’s problem. She emphasized that the Unit has been very reluctant to implement the law, claiming that the way forward is determined by those in authority. The GWMO, she said, finds this ridiculous since the Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act of 2005 should govern the operations of those who have to assign the Unit. And, therefore the law should be supreme. Broomes said that the system should be focusing on protection, prevention and prosecution. But there are many instances where these critical functions are flouted because of no attempt by the authorities to prevent women and children from being
trafficked. She recalled that last June, the GWMO rescued a 14year-old girl from a shop owned by her mother in the 14 Miles area. The Mines Officers in the area said that the mother of the child told them the girl’s age was 17. Broomes said that the Child Care and Protection Agency was informed of the matter. However, instead of alternative housing being found, the child was placed with her grandmother. The irony of the situation is that the girl’s mother also resides in Georgetown at the said grandmother’s house. According to Broomes, the GWMO was later informed that the child was engaged in prostitution at a popular bar in Georgetown. The teen and her mother were invited to the GWMO’s office where it was confirmed that the child was engaged in prostitution. During that meeting the child informed Broomes of a woman who recruited young girls to go and work in the bush. Broomes was hoping that the teenager would not fall prey to the woman. Her hopes were shattered when the teen’s mother called
GWMO President, Simona Broomes her to say that the girl had gone to Marudi, Region Nine with the woman. Cognizant that the woman would have to pass police stations at Linden, Mabura, Kurupukari, and Lethem, Broomes informed ranks that the woman would be entering the districts with three underage girls. Broomes was informed that the woman and the teenagers did not travel to Marudi. Broomes and the girl’s mother went to Eve
Leary to meet the head of the TIP Unit to give a statement. Three days later, the mother informed Broomes that the teenager had returned to her. Apparently, the woman who had attempted to traffic the young girls sent them back to Georgetown after being tipped off that the GWMO was involved in the matter. When Broomes went to visit the teen’s residence the girl was not at home and police ranks had just le f t . T h e mother accepted that her daughter needed help from the Child Care and Protection Agency. And the Ministry’s Trafficking Unit was left with the responsibility of the two other teenagers who told police ranks that it was not their first time in the interior. In addition, their families were well aware that they were into prostitution. Broomes said that she called the Child Care and Protection Agency on Friday only to be informed that the teenagers were being reintegrated with their families. According to Broomes, this is “the highest level of ignorance” she has heard in a long time. She questioned
why the agency would put back the young girls in the same situation they came from. “Apparently because the mothers of the girls denied the allegations the agency took their word against the teens’. If we really wanted to confront this matter we should deal with the parents of these children who are selling their bodies for money. The girls are underage. What is this reintegration thing they are talking about?” she said. Broomes stressed that the system is quick to get rid of survivors of human trafficking. Because, the system does not protect them or see many prosecutions though many girls are retrafficked. The Act was assented to in 2005 and since then, no shelter for survivors was constructed. Women and girls rescued are housed temporarily at a Help and Shelter safe house for battered women. Broomes believes that survivors of human trafficking should not be housed with battered women, but in a home where they are exposed to counseling, and get the opportunity to go to school. On many occasions, the girls are forced to stay with
members of the GWMO or return to the treacherous interior. She said that members of the GWMO who open their doors for the teenagers do not receive the financial support foster parents get from the system. The argument is that the teenagers are not attending school and therefore cannot get that support. Broomes questioned if it is not the social workers who have to place the girls in the school system. The Act clearly makes provision for this, but again whatever the authority dictates supersedes it. According to Broomes, prosecution of Trafficking in Persons is “too weak”. Only, the Director of Public Prosecutions’ Chamber seems to be willing to help. She related that letters sent to the DPP inquiring about the statuses of cases are replied to. Had it not been for this mutual respect the GWMO would not be aware of the updates of the cases, Broomes asserted. She emphasized that to adequately inform the public of what is happening, the GWMO will be providing reports on human trafficking every three months.
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Local lumber company... mortgages and long-term investment that allow repayment over 15-30 years. The first thing that must be done by the potential home owner is to explain to an architect, or quantity surveyor, what you have in mind, after which a plan is prepared with a detailed bill of quantities.” This is paramount for several reasons, but it is especially critical in giving an idea of costs and not being at the ‘whims and fancies’ of the contractor. IMPORTED WOOD The company also expressed worry over the fact the wood is being imported back into Guyana, after the practice had stopped in the 1960s. “Our woods are superior to the imported pine in all aspects. But we have to improve the way we market
ours. Importing lumber for us is like ‘carrying coals to Newcastle.’ Despite this notion of globalization and free trade, any Government worth its salt, must encourage and assist their local m a n u f a c t u r e r s . Manufacturers must be duly recognized and appreciated by shopkeepers. Manufacturers add value, create employment, invest in training and many other spinoff benefits to society.” The officials were cognizant of the fact that many sawmillers have gone out of business for one reason or the other and this should have never been allowed to happen. “All industrialized countries try to protect their vital industries that provide numerous benefits to their citizens.” The company is urging
the authorities to seriously review its log export policy, pointing out that a number of companies have been coming in and promising to establish processing facilities, but instead simply exporting logs. “These trees are not going to grow back in our lifetime, or even our children’s lifetime. We want to change people’s mind about our country’s timber resources. After all, 75% of our land mass is forested. We want to encourage them to build more homes using lumber. It is beautiful. Under the British, we built many schools and homes and buildings and they are still standing. We have to be patriotic about what belongs to us. Homes built with wood are so much more appropriate and cooler for this tropical climate.” In addition to the kilndried lumber, BTW is also offering wooden doors and windows, stair components, decking, rafters, ‘Demerara’ louvred shutters, mouldings, of any shape and size. “In fact, any wooden component needed for the building of your home. So yes, it is essentially a one-stop shop for all wooden components required for constructing a home and more so that will comply with international standards.”
Sunday February 23, 2014
Mahaica farmer murder trial continues Deputy Superintendent of Police, (DSP) Michael Kingston told the court on Friday that he was stationed at Cove and John three years ago, when he arrested Orin David called ‘Plait Hair or Malik’ in connection with the murder of Mahaica farmer, Lakhram Bishundial. Kingston was the third person to testify at the Supreme Court as it regards to the trial of David and his alleged accomplice Shawn Thom, who are jointly facing a murder charge. The duo is accused of k i l l i n g B i s h undial, who was reportedly shot during a robbery on August 20, 2010. On Friday, the witness told Justice Franklyn Holder and a mixed 12member Jury that he had initially arrested Sheik Aleem Samad in connection the murder, but based on information received , he travelled to Linden, where arrested David, the number two accused. DSP Kingston claimed that David had remained silent even after he put the allegation to him. His testimony was followed by evidence given by Davenand Persaud of Mahaica. The witness told the court that he lived next door
Lakhram Bishundial to the Bishundials of De Hoop, Mahaica for a number of years. He said that he was in the truck, driven by Lakhram Bishundial on the day that he was killed. Persaud detailed, that he, Lakhram and a group of men were heading to the Ashram to collect chairs when, “Lakhram stopped to talk to his brother.” The witness said that the truck had stopped at “Hope turn,” when a man came up to the brothers and demanded a bag with m o n e y. A c c o r d i n g t o Persaud, the man repeatedly yelled “Pass de bag with the money.” The witness said that Bishundial, who was in the driver’s seat of the truck beside him responded
“what f***ing money and the man shot him.” He said that the injured man immediately collapsed on him. Persaud said that he helped to lift the bleeding man into a pickup truck, which his brother To t a r a m d r o v e . The witness recounted that on their way to the hospital, he saw the man who shot Bishundial at a Victoria Gas St a t i o n , “ To t a r a m attempted to pin the suspect to a nearby fence, but he escaped and jumped into a getaway car.” Bishundial was taken to the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. According to details relating to the case, the Bishundials were preparing for a wedding celebration of their son, Totaram Bishundial, which was scheduled for August 22, 2010. Two days prior, Totaram Bishundial left his home for Georgetown with his cousin, Seeta, to do some shopping for the wedding. He went to Demerara Bank and withdrew $500,000. On his way back to Mahaica, Totaram stopped at Hope, East Coast Demerara, to talk with his brother, Lakhram. The incident subsequently occurred. The trial will continue on Tuesday o
Sunday February 23, 2014
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Council on Public Policy engages foreign missions in outreach programme - EU hosts body
By Zena Henry The Civil Society Organization and “Public Policy Think Tank”, the Guyana National Council on Public Policy (GNCPP) last week continued its outreach programme to invite understanding and support, especially with respect to its proposed National Conference of Guyana’s Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) Groups. The agency has forwarded to the European Union (EU) a specific request for assistance as it moves towards its ultimate goal of establishing the first Guyana National Civil Society Council. The GNCPP, following up on meetings with Heads of Missions of the United States of America (USA), Mexico and Britain, was hosted by Ambassador Robert Kopecký and the Political, Press and Information Head, Derek Lambe, of the local office of the EU Mission. Ambassador Kopecký is the EU Head of Delegation to Guyana, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago and for the Dutch overseas countries and territories. On Saturday February 15, the GNCPP itself also convened a briefing session with several Trade Unions effectively representative of Guyana’s Labour Movement. The EU representatives, as with earlier meetings with Head of Missions, assured the GNCPP delegation of its support in principle for the organization’s objectives and tactical approaches to empowering Guyana’s Civil Society Movement, under the provisions of the country’s Constitution. Note was taken of requests for specific forms of assistance for the proposed first National Conference of Civil Society N.G.O’s, the ultimate objective of which is to establish the first-ever Guyana National Civil Society Council (GNCSC). The EU’s local office will continue to confer with the GNCPP on this project almost immediately. Among the trade unions represented at the GNCPP – Labour Movement encounter at the Cara Lodge were the umbrella Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) itself, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) the Clerical and Commercial Workers Union (CCWU), the Guyana Postal and Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s Workers Union (GPTWU), the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) a FITUG affiliate;
Seated from left –Dr. Philip H. Mozart Thomas, Magda Pollard, H.E. Mr. Derek Lambe, and Patricia Phillips. Standing from left – Adrian Thompson, Sean Singh, Vic Insanally, Rev. Dexter Sansclaute, Allan Fenty , Shabakie Fernandes and TUC’s Norris Witter. the University of Guyana Workers Union (UGWU), Amalgamated Transport and General Workers Union (ATGWU), the General Workers Union (GWU) and the Head of the Women’s Advisory Committee of the GTUC who is also a
Commissioner on the Women and Gender Commission. Spirited exchanges followed the outline of the GNCPP’s Mission, explained by GNCPP Chairman Dr. Philip H. Mozart Thomas, as veteran unionists queried the role of a still-emerging Civil Society
Movement vis-à-vis the local Labour Movement. As a consequence the trade union leaders eventually all pledged support for the GNCPP’s long-term programmes, inclusive of the planned August Civil Society Conference.
Next on the GNCPP’s Outreach agenda are the Faith-Based Organizations including the Council of Churches and three more Heads of Missions as well as the imminent opening of the GNCPP local Headquarters Office. GNCPP Head Dr.
Thomas is also scheduled to accept invitations to meet with like-minded support groups in the USA, London and the Middle East, after a major private Guyanese donor visits with the GNCPP in Georgetown this week.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday February 23, 2014
Riverain community turns to NGOs for help - FFTP and SFCD to streamline development By Samuel Whyte Seemingly neglected by the Government and other relevant authorities, residents of the riverain community of Barakara, some 75 miles up the Canje River, have turned to two prominent NonGovernmental Organiztaions (NGOs) for assistance. Their call for help was answered by two of the leading entities in this regard. The St Francis Community Developers (SFCD) and Food for the Poor (FFTP) are set to assist the community in a big way.
The residents during 2013 approached President and founder of the SFCD, Alex Foster, and related their plight and the need for assistance to have something tangible done for their community. Foster who is also FFTP’s Berbice Coordinator, forwarded their concerns to the principals of the entity in Georgetown and after some more discussions, it was agreed that a number of initiatives would be undertaken. The first project will be the construction of a Community Centre which is
underway and should be completed within a month. According to Foster, he was amazed at the interest, keenness and working ability of the residents of the densely populated community which has a school and a health centre. He said that he started to work with the community during last year and it was in December that the residents approached him and expressed their desire to have the project with his assistance. He subsequently visited the area. “There were trees higher
Barakara residents during the land-clearing exercise than buildings, and I said to them that they would have to remove this jungle.” What happen next took him by surprise. “I didn’t expect the ‘jungle’ to be removed so fast. The residents used whatever they had… chainsaws, axes, cutlasses and whatever else, and cleared away the large trees within two weeks. They took pictures and brought them out to me.” Foster said that all of the materials have been acquired
with the necessary funding available. He said that the supplier has promised to deliver them free of cost. The building will be painted and fitted with all the modern amenities including toilets, library and computers. The centre will also be equipped with a skills training centre. Solar panels which have already been bought will be installed to power the computers. Foster and his team visited the area and have
decided to assist the residents by donating 50 additional solar panels for the community which will receive electricity for the first time. He said that FFTP ‘is not done yet’. At the moment, a survey is being done to ascertain the number of legitimate houses in the community and after completion of the first phase, every household in the community will be fitted with a solar panel to provide them with basic electricity.
Sunday February 23, 2014
From page 27 fingerprints of suspects to existing fingerprints that are stored in a large database. Kaieteur News understands that the equipment was acquired last November through a US and Caribbean Basin Security Initiative. Personnel from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have been training local Crime Scene technicians in its use. The training course ended Wednesday. Computers and scanners to collect fingerprint data have been installed at the New Amsterdam, Brickdam and Cove and John Police Stations. All data is sent to Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters, where some of the FBI-trained personnel check the prints for possible matches to suspects. TIMERHI BACKLANDS MURDER…‘RAMBO’ REMANDED FOR KILLING FEMALE CAB DRIVER A 23-year-old sand pit labourer was Wednesday remanded for the murder of a 33-year-old female taxi driver whose nude body was reportedly found in a clump of bushes one mile from Jubilee Fun Park and Resort, Timehri, East Bank Demerara early Sunday morning. On Wednesday afternoon, at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, Sylvester Bristol also known as “Rambo” appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry to be indicted for the capital offence. Bristol allegedly killed Savitri “Maya” Parma, sometime between Saturday and Sunday last at Dakara Creek on the Soesdyke/ Linden Highway. The courtroom was filled to its capacity by the victim’s family members and friends. Bristol was unrepresented by legal counsel. He was told that he would not be required to plead as the charge was indictable. The Prosecution, spearheaded by Inspector Michael Grant, stated that the investigation is ongoing and requested three weeks for its completion. FRIDAY EDITION AMERICAST. MONEYCHANGER GUNNED DOWN BY BANDITS An America Street moneychanger was Thursday morning shot and killed by bandits on Lombard Street, just minutes after he had left his Eccles, East Bank Demerara home. The assailants, one armed with a handgun, also grabbed a bag containing $1M, and made good their escape. Dead is 42year-old Brijlall Persaud. Kaieteur News was told the incident occurred about
Kaieteur News
08:10hrs. One senior police official told this publication late Thursday night that a city businessman was one of two men who had been detained in relation to the robbery/ murder.According to reports, Persaud was driving along Lombard Street when one of two men opened fire on his vehicle. The bullets shattered the glass on the driver’s side window. Kaieteur News understands that Persaud was shot to the head and leg. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Hospital. An eyewitness told Kaieteur News that he was walking along Lombard Street at the time of the fatal attack. “I see de car stop just so, right….then I see these two boys come out and run to de blue Raum (Persaud’s vehicle).The next thing I hear was a loud explosion. I didn’t know what it was really…Is after I see people running is then I realize somebody get shoot. I run up to the vehicle too, and is then I see blood running from the back of de man head, from in he ears, and it was all over the front of he shirt.” RECENTLY-ACQUIRED FINGERPRINTING TECHNOLOGY LEADS COPS TO MURDER SUSPECT Thanks to recentlyacquired fingerprinting technology, police have finally identified a suspect in the murder of 74-year-old Khirul Najidam, who was bound, gagged and strangled in her Gaulding Place, South Ruimveldt home three years ago. Police sources said that a fingerprint that detectives lifted from Najidam’s home in 2011 matches that of a Greater Georgetown man with previous arrests, and whose prints police have on file. Kaieteur News was told that police used the recentlyacquired Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) to match the two prints. AFIS is a computer system that helps investigators to match fingerprints of suspects to existing fingerprints that are stored in a database. FBI technicians have been training local ranks in its use. In a release issued Thursday, police stated that they are trying to locate Roger Brandt, who is wanted for questioning in relation to the murder of Najidan Sadick which occurred on March 4, 2011 at Gaulding Place, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown. Brandt is of African ancestry, brown in complexion, and his last known address is Lot 169 Stevedore Housing Scheme, Georgetown. Anyone with information that may lead to
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Rabi Sukul Roger Brandt’s arrest is asked to contact the police on telephone numbers 225-6411, 226-7065, 225-8196, 227-1149, 911 or the nearest police station. All information will be treated with strict confidence. SATURDAY EDITION ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING LEGISLATION…PASSING BILL WILL NOT LEAD TO AUTOMATIC REMOVAL FROM BLACKLIST – CFATF - APNU INSISTS ON CRITICAL CHANGES Guyana will not be automatically removed from the current blacklisted status it currently holds with the mere passage of the amendments to the AntiMoney Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Bill. This was confirmed by Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) representative, Roger Hernandez, following an extensive meeting on Friday. At the Public Buildings he met with members of the Special Select Committee tasked with addressing the amendments to the Bill. CFATF submitted a number of recommendations following a review of Guyana’s legislation but the political opposition, specifically A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) is making changes. On Friday evening, Hernandez was asked specifically if with the passage of Bill, Guyana would be removed from the current CFATF blacklist. Hernandez response was a resounding “no” and he added that what is required is implementation. “You require implementation; it is not just passing the law. It is about implementing the law.” Hernandez said that the main concern by the political opposition was whether the amendments were compliant
with the CFATF requirements. He said, too, that Guyana also wanted a clarification on the Financial Action Task Force requirements on Guyana. Junior Finance Minister, Juan Edghill emphatically stated that everything that Government has been saying regarding the process, deadlines and consequences has been corroborated by the CFATF representative. According to Edghill, everything the opposition
has been saying, accusing the government of lying about the process, deadlines and consequences, have all been debunked by Hernandez. He added that Hernandez made it clear to the Committee that the deadline date for Guyana to submit its report to CFATF is February 28. The National Assembly is set to meet the day before, where it is possible that the Bill would come up for debate
and a vote. Chief Financial Spokesperso n for A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Carl Greenidge, in an invited comment Friday said that nothing that Hernandez told the Committee would persuade the opposition to vote for the amendments to the Bill in its current construct. The amendments that the opposition has insisted on would have to be included.
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Sunday February 23, 2014
CXC to manage regional nursing examination - meeting held at Caricom Secretariat to plot way forward Chairperson Elnora Warner
The Regional nursing body’s meeting in session Discussions are apace to ensure that regional nursing education falls under the management of the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) during the course of this year. In fact, it is the hope of Chairperson of the Regional Nursing Body, Elnora Warner, that the next sitting of the Regional Nursing Examination in October will be entirely managed by CXC. Moreover, extensive discussions in this regard were had during the past week when the body held a threeday meeting for Chief Nursing Officers of Caricom territories at the Caricom Secretariat at Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown. And according to Warner, who also holds the portfolio of Principal Nursing Officer of Antigua and Barbuda, the meeting was rather
productive. She disclosed during an interview with this publication that one of the primary objectives of the meeting was to revise the blueprint that will guide the administration of the regional examination for nursing registration. This, she noted, is essential to allow for the examination to fall under a new model where it is governed by external examiners – that is, the CXC. However, Warner assured that the examination will remain of the same quality, although it will now have the added benefit of the CXC’s administrative support. Warner told this publication that the strategic move is being embraced since “the regional nursing examination has become larger than can be managed
by our regional Council.” The meeting was represented by a wide crosssection of Caribbean officials including representatives from various reputable institutions including the University of the West Indies, the Caribbean Nurses Organisation, the University of Belize and the University of Guyana. “I would say that we were able to achieve a great deal...We have been able to standardise a final practical examination, and this is so that all across the Region we have standardised what should be the component of the final practical examination. This will ensure that a beginning person intending to practice or obtain a licence to practice in the Region, should be able to perform at a
certain level,” Warner explained. Such quality assurance measures, or standardisation practices, Warner said, will in fact seek to improve quality and efficiency in the delivery of health care across the Region. And according to her, too, it is always imperative that the relevant officials of the Caribbean come together to deliberate on the way forward. “There is always room for improvement and advancement of nursing in the Caribbean,” said Warner, who is however convinced that nursing is already moving along a path of advancement. “Nurses are carrying out more expanded roles in the provision of health care and certainly we are seeing more and more of our nurses being trained in specialty areas, as
family nurse practitioners, midwives, and even in intensive care training and many other specialisations.” Warner disclosed that although the Caribbean is not yet where it could be, immense efforts are continually being made to improve, such as the implementation of a regional examination for nurses which has been occurring well over 10 years. “We are now looking to improve on that, in that we are seeking to move it to have it be managed by CXC, and that is mainly to achieve real efficiency and for them to offer more psychometric support in standardising the examination.” Warner noted it is for this reason that one of the items on the agenda of the meeting
was to fine-tune the nursing education path. The recent meeting at the Caricom Secretariat represented the third consecutive year that the Regional nursing body has held sub-committee meetings here to plot the way forward for region-wide nursing. And according to Caricom’s Health Sector Development Manager, Dr Rudolph Cummings, Guyana continues to play a pivotal role in hosting crucial meetings that move the process along. This, the former Chief Medical Officer of the Health Ministry said, has been done historically since 1972, and has actually helped with the preparation of nursing examinations, a practice that is expected to remain a fixture.
School tour exposes students to the aviation sector Yearly, Air Services Limited (ASL) opens its doors to about 2,800 students from across the country to tour the facility and interact with pilots, engineers and those captivating flying machines. The main aim is to ignite children’s dreams of having careers in the aviation industry. Though, the company welcomes school tours all year round, during the first three months is usually busy. This year is no different since several schools have begun their field trips. The company is pleased that is considered as one of the entities that schools want to visit. Students of Vreed-enHoop Primary and Cotton Tree Primary schools recently visited ASL located at Ogle on
the East Coast Demerara. There they toured country’s lone flight school. On Friday last, Nikita Inniss, Engineer of ASL, facilitated a tour for the Cotton Tree students. The company specifically chose a female engineer to interact with the students to positively influence the young female students. Women have an equal role in the aviation industry and this is evident in ASL’s workforce. Some of the students who never saw an airplane and a helicopter were given the opportunity to enter those flying machines. They also saw other tools used in teaching students of Air Services Limited’s Flight Training School.
Students of Cotton Tree Primary during their visit to ASL
Sunday February 23, 2014
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GNBS EXPLAINS THE NATIONAL BUILDING CODES (From page 40) and Foundations and Excavations has commenced and will be continued this year, GNBS said. THE CODES With regards to the codes, GNBS provided explanations. The Fire Safety and Occupancy code comprises a set of minimum requirements regarding the safety of buildings on aspects of fire protection and structural sufficiency. “The primary purpose of this Code is the promotion of public safety through the application of appropriate building standards. Occupancy
and fire safety requirements depend on the type of occupancy of a building and the use to which it is put. It also includes certain specific requirements relating to building size and occupancy and fire safety within floor areas, exit requirements, fire protection systems, and requirements during construction and sign.” Access for disabled persons is also featured in this section. Relevant codes and standards are also specified or referenced for items such as storage of volatile flammable liquid, smoke and heat vents, installation of mechanical
Veteran engineer offers... (From page 39) onto it until the tide goes down. It is a matter of hydrology (the study of the movement of water on the earth’s surface). It is important to study the intensity of the rainfall and try to relate that to the drainage capacity of the land, and if that is done properly, we will have better drainage.” Allsopp insisted that a drainage system should also be created in such a manner that it accommodates the rain intensity. He made reference to the importance of tide tables which can tell the time
and height of the tide. This information he believes is instrumental to the depth at which the drain should be constructed. “It is a scientific study and the construction of an efficient drainage system needs to take a lot of things into account.” Mr. Allsopp is also of the firm belief that Guyana’s Hydrometeorological Service needs to make its presence felt more, and can play an integral role in not only the design of the drainage system, but also its effectiveness.
systems, etc. Under the Plumbing code, GNBS said that it speaks of the requirements for good plumbing practice for water supply and distribution, and sewerage. “It shall apply and govern plumbing on the basis of the practice, materials and fixtures used in the installation, maintenance, extension and alteration of all the pipes, fixtures, appliances, and appurtenances in connection with
any of the following:- sanitary facilities, the venting system, and the public or private water supply systems within or adjacent to any building; also the practice and materials used in the installation maintenance, extension or alteration of the sewage system of any premises to their connection with any point of public disposal or other terminal.” The use of local woods is one area that I like. This Code
provides guidance on the use of Guyana’s timber species for construction purposes. It includes recommendations on quality, engineering properties and the various design considerations and principles for simple members, build-up components, composite structures and sub-structures incorporating other materials. Requirements and recommendations for sound construction and typical details for residential construction are
also included. Further, recommendations for the design of heavy engineered structures, nailed, screwed, and bolted joints are also presented. We will stop here now as there is more. We will continue next week. Thank you for the many emails and calls last week and please do continue to send your messages to gildarie@yahoo.com or call on 225-8491. Do have a blessed Mashramani.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday February 23, 2014
Movie academy’s 1st black chief sees films building diversity When Cheryl Boone Isaacs presides over the Oscars on March 2, her mere presence will convey a statement on diversity in Hollywood as the first African-American president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and its third woman in its 86 years. But as the head of a body that takes knocks every year at Oscar voting time for a 6,000-plus membership that is overwhelmingly white, mostly male and older, Boone Isaacs offers no quick fixes for diversifying the academy or the industry. Experience tells her it’s a long haul and it comes down ultimately to proving excellence in the motion picture industry. She herself put in 21 years on the academy’s Board of Governors, held every office, and worked three decades in film marketing before she was elected president last summer. “I believe very strongly that the entertainment and motion picture business is going to be more open and aware of different voices,” Boone Isaacs told Reuters in an interview at the academy’s headquarters, a large golden Oscar statuette looming in the background. She prefers to talk about voices in storytelling, rather than gender or race, and steers
the conversation on diversity back to the films competing this year for Hollywood’s highest honors. Boone Isaacs calls it the best year for performances and films “in the last decade or so,” and said there are “quite a few films that give us a different voice, a more diverse voice.” “The themes for the nine films nominated for Best Picture are really a wide range. And that is what makes it very special.” There is the possibility that one historic racial barrier might be broken on her watch on Oscars night. If “12 Years a Slave,” the slavery drama from British director Steve McQueen, wins Best Picture, it would be the first time that a black director’s film has taken the top Oscar. While Boone Isaacs takes a cautious line when talking about diversity, she doesn’t hold back on what that particular milestone would mean to the industry. “I would say that means a major door will have been kicked down.” she said. “MUCH MORE AND FASTER” The academy is not a reflection of society, but its membership is meant to be a reflection of Hollywood’s film industry. Applicants are asked for their name, their
Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs poses for a portrait inside the The Samuel Goldwyn theatre at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in Beverly Hills, California February 19, 2014. work history and sponsorship from two academy members. “That is what is important for us. We don’t break it down in any other way,” Boone Isaacs said, when asked if the
academy would publish information about the demographic make-up of its membership. What the public knows is what the Los Angeles Times published two years ago after
a lengthy investigation: estimated academy membership was 94 percent white, 77 percent male, and the median age was 62. The report reignited a debate over diversity at the academy, and Boone Isaacs said that perhaps the timing of the conversation had “a little bit to do” with her election as president. “Certainly, physically, I am an African-American woman, so if you look at me it is not like you are seeing something else. It is what it is,” she said. “And I believe that this honor that they have entrusted in me is because they feel for the moment I was the best person for the job.” She was elected to a oneyear term as president and can run again next summer. Her view on her own success jibes with her belief that talent, given the opportunity, will rise to the top, no matter what the color or gender. But she also believes that the academy has a big role to play in developing younger generations for the industry and convincing women and minorities and people in other countries that film is in the realm of their possibilities. Last week’s Scientific and Technical Awards, the academy showcase for behind-the-scenes
innovation and visual effects, were a reminder of how much work needs to be done. All 52 recipients of this year’s awards were men and many of them thanked their wives for putting up with their long work days. “We are actively looking to students and in particular young women and having them realize that maybe the geeky world that they might think of in high school like science and math isn’t really geeky at all,” Boone Isaacs said. “There is a lot of opportunity in the entertainment business for a mind that works that way.” Boone Isaacs has broken through some barriers herself. She was the first AfricanAmerican woman to head a publicity department of a Hollywood studio. At Paramount Pictures, she orchestrated campaigns for Best Picture winners “Forrest Gump” and “Braveheart,” and she later became president of theatrical marketing at New Line Cinema. She says AfricanAmericans’ representation in the Hollywood studios’ executive suites is “slowly increasing,” drawing out the world “slowly” to emphasize the pace. “We would like to see that much more and faster,” she said. (Reuters)
After topping box office, ‘Lego Rolling Stones rock Abu Dhabi in first Middle East show Movie’ sequel set for May 2017 Vintage hell-raisers, the Rolling Stones played their first ever concert in the Middle east on Friday - a gig to 30,000, mostly Western fans in culturally conservative Abu Dhabi. A swaggering Mick Jagger, dressed in black sequins and red satin - later donning a red feather boa - strutted across the stage, showing little sign of his advancing years as he sang hits including “It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll”, “Honky Tonk Women”, “Brown Sugar” and “Sympathy for the Devil”. But unlike an appearance by Madonna in the Gulf Arab state in 2012 - which featured erotic dancing, provocative outfits and bare-
After becoming the top-grossing movie released in 2014 so far, “The Lego Movie” will be reassembling for a sequel scheduled for May 26, 2017, movie studio Warner Bros said on Friday. “The Lego Movie,” voiced by an all-star cast including Will Ferrell, Will Arnett and Elizabeth Banks, opened with $69.1 million in its first weekend earlier this month and is expected to top the box office for a third consecutive time this week. So far, the film has grossed more than $150 million in U.S. and Canadian ticket sales. No further details on the sequel were given.
The computer-animated “Lego Movie” brought to life a universe made entirely from Lego’s interconnecting construction blocks, as plastic characters including Batman, a pirate and an astronaut come together to save their world from being permanently glued together. The movie has been heavily marketed by both Time Warner Inc’s Warner Bros studio and Denmark’s privately held Lego Group, which has produced Lego sets tied to the film and a behind-the-scenes “Lego Movie Experience” attraction at Legoland in Southern California.
chested monks - the concert passed off without controversy. The band - all in their late 60s and early 70s - delighted fans who had traveled from around the United Arab Emirates for the only Middle East show at the start of a tour that moves on to Japan, Macau, Australia and New Zealand. “For their first gig in the Middle East, it was magic. It’s history,” said British expat Lisa Ball-Lechgar after the two-hour concert during which Jagger, guitarists Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood and drummer Charlie Watts performed 19 songs.
Sunday February 23, 2014
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NIGHT EATING DISORDER Managing Diabetes Mellitus NEEDS MORE STUDY - what everyone should know A fairly rare eating disorder whose signature is excessive eating - though not necessarily binging - at night needs further study since it may signal other mental health issues, researchers say. They analyzed eating disorders and mental health history in more than 1,600 university students and found about 4 percent met night eating disorder criteria, with about a third of those also engaging in binge eating. “Night eating syndrome is characterized not only by eating at night - certainly many college students might have a late night study fest with eating - but it’s also characterized by other things, like feeling that you can’t eat in the morning, and feeling like you have to eat in order to go back to sleep,” Dr. Rebecka Peebles told Reuters Health. Peebles, the study’s senior author, is an attending physician at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and a researcher in the department of Pediatrics at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. “Our study helped extend findings of previous studies that have not been controlling for binge eating,” Peebles said. “We know that binge eating and night eating have a pretty moderate overlap so a lot of people who come into the clinic for night eating often have binge eating.” “We think night eating is something to be aware of even though it only occurs in just under 3 percent of the students after controlling for binge eating, so it’s still a pretty important entity,” Peebles said. Distinguishing night eating from binge eating is important, Peebles and her colleagues write in the Journal of Adolescent Health, for several reasons. Night eating may require a different treatment approach than other eating disorders, which could also be present. Night eating was also more common in students with a history of anorexia nervosa and in students taking ADHD medications, they report, so those other disorders may play a role in the nighttime eating syndrome. Night eating disorder is a distinct diagnosis in the newest psychiatric Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5), the researchers note. The syndrome is often characterized by increased
By Dr. Indira Bhoj M.D.
appetite at night, but usually takes the form of “grazing” on food all evening, rather than intensive binging, and also may include waking up in the night to eat. Often the urge to eat is tied to the feeling it that it will improve sleep or allow the person to get back to sleep. The authors said that young adults tend to eat more at night and college students who are stressed and have inconsistent sleep patterns may be at risk for night eating. But most previous research on the subject has been limited to small groups and has failed to adjust for the overlap of binge eating disorder among night eaters. To get a sense of how common night eating disorder is and what other traits or risk factors go along with it, the researchers analyzed data from a large 2008 survey of students in 10 U.S. universities. A total of 1,636 students were included in the new analysis. About 60 percent were young women and 74 percent were white. About 60 percent of the students were also competitive athletes. The online survey included information on height and weight, plus four questionnaires focused on night eating, eating disorders in general and health-related quality of life. Scores on the Night Eating Questionnaire (NEQ) were used to diagnose night eating disorder. Binge eating was also measured by students’ reports of details such as a feeling of loss of control over eating. Recurrent binge eating was defined as binge eating large amounts of food at least four times during the previous month. A total of 67 respondents (4.2 percent) met the criteria for night eating syndrome. They were also more likely
than other students to have other eating-disorder behaviors such as excessive laxative use, compulsive exercise and purging, as well as lower quality of life. Another 222 students (14 percent) appeared to be binge eaters. Of the 67 students with night eating syndrome, 22 were also binge eaters. Excluding the binge eaters from the group of students with night eating syndrome reduced the prevalence of night eating to 2.9 percent. A history of depression and self-injuring was more common among those with night eating disorder. “I think it’s important to know that it affects both men and women and also all races and ethnicities,” Cristin Runfola told Reuters Health. Runfola, a researcher with the University of North Carolina Center for Excellence for Eating Disorders, led the study. The study showed that night eating syndrome was also associated with other eating disorder behaviors that could lead to serious physical and psychological consequences, she said. It’s important that people with night eating syndrome get help, Runfola said, adding that parents and friends can spot signs of night eating in young adults. “You might see fluctuations in weight or you might notice food missing in the house,” she said. “Often times these people are eating throughout the night,” she added. “They might even be waking up and feeding multiple times throughout the night, so if you’re frequently hearing that someone’s getting out of bed throughout the night and you’re noticing that food is missing there might be something going on.”
Diabetes Mellitus is one of the more common noncommunicable conditions that affect our adult population. This condition causes abnormally high levels of blood sugar (blood glucose). High Blood Glucose over a prolonged period can affect important organs such as the eyes, kidneys, heart, brain and peripheral nerves of the feet and hands. Persons who also have Arterial Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) and High Cholesterol levels are at higher risk of presenting these complications. These simple tips on Diabetes Management can assist patients and caregivers in making better decisions: 1. Self-Management requires knowledge to make good decisions. Persons should rely only on credible sources for information and advice. It’s also good practice to share any new information with the attending medical team instead of making treatment decisions alone. 2. Home testing of Blood Glucose is essential for making decisions about treatment. Uncontrolled Diabetes does not always produce noticeable symptoms. Moreover, many persons feel healthy even with very high blood sugar levels. Hence relying on symptoms to decide on treatment changes is very unreliable. Results obtained by home testing can be recorded in a log book which can then be discussed with nurse/doctor on regular check-ups. 3. Periodic check-ups are essential. Working along with a medical team gets better results since they will help to keep track of other important areas of care e.g. Blood Pressure, Blood Cholesterol, body weight, screening for complications and healthrelated goal setting. 4. R e l e v a n t Information will get the best results. The medical team will always need a few essential details of a patient’s history to make sound decisions. These details includeserious illnesses in the past, current medical conditions and complaints, names and dosage of all medications being used, most recent laboratory results and blood sugar values (home testing). Taking along a personal record of this information (e.g. notebook) on each health visit is a good way of
Dr. Indira Bhoj M.D. providing information rather than relying on memory only. 5. Medications used to lower blood sugar are most effective when used regularly. Diabetes is a chronic (long lasting) condition. It doesn’t cure like a common cold or a bruise. Patients receiving treatment for Diabetes often have normal blood sugar readings. This can simply be the good effect of an adequate treatment plan. Any changes in treatment should be discussed with the relevant health care personnel. 6. Lifestyle change (Diet and Exercise) is the foundation of any successful management plan. Exercise has been shown to improve blood glucose control. Aerobics, dancing, brisk walking, riding and swimming are some good choices for people with Diabetes. The chosen activity should be safe, enjoyable, repetitive, challenging and regularly done ( 4-5 times a week). Safe equipment and clothing are
essential, and in many cases, certain medical checks will be needed before starting an exercise regime. 7. Diet choices do not have to be very complex. Carbohydrate rich foods will increase blood sugars. Learning about different food groups, meal frequency, portion sizes and healthy methods of cooking all contribute to making smart choices. Persons who have Diabetes Mellitus can prevent many complications by making simple changes to their lifestyle and working along with a good medical team. These tips provided above are a good starting point on which to build. SIMPLE TIPS FOR A HEALTHYDIET: • Use small portions at meals and snacks • Have frequent meals (do not pass 4 to 5 hours without having something to eat) • Spread Carbohydrates throughout the day • Use methods of cooking low in fat and salt • Have fruits and vegetables daily • Choose foods high in fibre • Drink water to quench thirst instead of juices and drinks Please feel free to send an email to bhojy@yahoo.com or kumarsukhraj@yahoo. com or call 6228032 for further enquiry and discussion on the topic. Patient education plays an important role in the diagnosis and management of diabetes and any other illness. Please look forward for a continuation of the discussion on diabetes in the next publication.
Sunday February 23, 2014
Kaieteur News
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RUSH TO JUDGMENT, AND THREE SIDES OF THE COIN By Ralph Seeram In that classic movie Casablanca, whenever a crime was committed the police would ‘round up the usual suspects’. Back in the PNC days any murder that had some sort of political connection, the usual suspect was PPP supporter Arnold Rampersaud. Today in Guyana when anything or everything goes wrong it’s the PPP’s fault. It does not matter if it’s not the fault of the government, somebody has to be blamed. We now live in a society where we rush to judge without paying attention to the facts. To an extent the press is to be blamed for this. The standard of journalism is very poor in Guyana. To an extent I blame the editors that allow the stories that pass for news. Apparently fairness and balance are not the purpose of news; they seem to be either progovernment or anti-government. Even crime stories and court cases are reported in a very unbalanced manner. You read the same news item in Kaieteur news, Chronicle, Guyana Times and Stabroek News, and you get the impression that they are different stories, not one and the same. It is either there is an agenda behind the way the story is written or plain lazy journalism, or I should say lazy reporters.
Three items dominated the news this week, the five-year sentencing handed down to a babysitter, the disbarment of an Appellate Judge and the disbarment of a Berbice lawyer. When I was in primary school, I had a trick of balancing a coin on its edge. The coin only balances on its edge because the weight is balanced on both sides of the coin. In terms of media that edge of the coin is the press, it is the duty of the press to carry a balanced story. When I first read that the babysitter was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment for assaulting a baby, I thought the sentence was harsh. I was under the impression that it might have been a simple assault. The fact that it was a Magistrate’s child and the swiftness the case was disposed of raised concerns coupled with the fact that the babysitter claimed that she was assaulted by the parents. So after the big outcry from some members of the Bar and civic minded people, the parents were forced to give their side of the story. The media failed to get the parents’ side of the issue from the inception. Now that we are hearing it, and if the medical report is to believed, the babysitter should be lucky she was not charged for attempted murder. The report said the baby was choked and suffered blunt trauma. “When I saw my innocent,
fragile, defenseless baby that day, her left side eye was swollen with the skin around the eye discolored to shades of black, blue and purple. The left eye itself was red with blood all around. Her cheeks on both the left and right side had cuts and discolorations of black, blue and purple. And she was clearly in distress as she was crying uncontrollably,” said one parent. EXAMINATION Mr Joel Edmonds stated that he asked the babysitter once again what had transpired but the woman stuck to her story that the child fell. They all went to St. Joseph Mercy Hospital for the child to be examined by a doctor. “The evidence which was observed were most certainly caused by blunt trauma and most certainly caused by strangulation (sic)”. Now if the parents did not call a press conference we certainly would not have known that, the press failed to obtain the parents’ side in the first place. I still have concern OVER the way the sentencing was carried out, whether her rights were violated, why there was not a pre sentencing report etc. Nevertheless, when you look at the blood shot eyes of that little baby in the picture, you would have little sympathy for the accused. Remember the parents are the victims here. Then you had the case of the Appellate Judge who stepped down because he was disbarred
in England. The judge had to contact this newspaper to give his side of the issue. Why was he not asked for his side of the story? It was well publicized. His version is that he applied for the job before he had an issue in England. He never filed the brief that led to his disbarment; it was done by a Solicitor. Those who are familiar with the English system would know that the Attorney has to “be instructed by the Solicitor”. He had resigned from the English Bar so how could he be disbarred from a bar of which he is not a member? Further, the matter has not been fully ventilated in a Court of Law, and he is pursuing that option. The press did not contact him; he had to contact the press to give his side. Now we come to the lawyer in Berbice who was disbarred in Canada, and the calls for him to stop practising in Guyana. Prominent in these matters is Chris Ram. I hope Chris Ram exercises the same vigor against some prominent lawyers in Guyana, whose wrongdoings have been exposed in the media. By way of disclosure, the Attorney in question in Berbice is a close and personal friend of mine going back some 34 years. He was convicted in Canada for
fraud, admitted his guilt served his time in prison, paid his debt to society in Canada, and then returned to Guyana to resume his practice. His contention is that he did not commit any offence in Guyana, so why should he be penalized for something that Guyana has no jurisdiction over? So what about
forgiveness and second chances? There are more important things like Government Ministers looting the treasury of Guyana than an Attorney who is trying to get his life back on track. Chris Ram needs to refocus his energy. Ralph Seeram can be reached at email: ralph365@hotmail.com
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Kaieteur News
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES O F H IGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICKSILVER) 99.99995% PURITY $19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. Mash Deals! Tin Coke, 7Up, Canada Dry & Dr. Pepper @120 – Call:652-0163 Spare for washing machine, microwaves,fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, pumps, etc call: 225-9032, 647-2943 Live/pluck chicken call: 6504421, 220-9203 1- 500 Ton Cargo ship - Tel: 676-6933 Large Plucked Chickens $280lb retail, Pork $380lb retail @ George & Hadfield Streets. Sears Riding mower $280,000, Honda Generator - $430,000 New, Brand new 18" Chain Saw 38,500 - Call: 261-2988 1 Honda Twister – Contact # 671-3533 One 210 Hyundai Excavator with one complete 6" Dredge and also 4" Dredge Contact: 650-2391 Xerox Phaser 3300 MFP, brother intellifax, Epson projector S5, CRV RD5 radiator – Contact:665-7353 1 20 KVA enclosed generators - call: 675-7838 PVC Ceiling Panels, PVC Mouldings, Medallions. American Standard! – Tel: 614-8564; 629-0372 6 weeks old German Shepherd & pit-bull mixed pups – Call:695-3813 One Car engine 192 – Phone Number – 639-3948; 6265521 Rottweiler pups for sale – Contact:639-1431 or 6659140 Greenheart Piles - Tel: 639-3450 1 American Made pool table – Call:677-1337; 227-7403 Pure Rottweiler pups - Tel: 650-8496 1 - 3 Ton Mitsubishi Canter, long base, excellent condition – Contact: Imtiaz Baksh – 621-1240 Desk and benches – ideal for school or lessons – Call:6833887 1 Stall @ Stabroek Market Tel: 658-0115; 718-757-8031 Diesel Perkins generator 12,500 watts - $495,000, wheel alignment machine hunter P611 - $2800US – Tel:601-8276; 617-6863 1 Large Plucking Machine brand new must go – Tel:655-4538
FOR SALE
Sunday February 23, 2014
PROPERTY FOR SALE
VEHICLE FOR SALE
PS3 Controls PS2, PS3 and XBOX original games, Nintendo DS Cartridges - Tel: 672-8569 or 609-8132
One Land (100ftX50ft) and small house @ Tuschen E.B.E $5,000,000 - Tel: 6846245; 611-3802
1 precision built 14-16" bore, rice field, trailer, pump, 1 -4 wheel box trailer – Tel:2271830
Newly built prime exclusive property @ Norton Street for sale – $35M negotiable - Call: 687-7017
Toyota extra cab pick-up (22 R engine) manual, (EFI) 4×4, (GPP series) price $2.5MContact Rocky 621-5902/2251400 1 Toyota RZ bus - $1.5M. Immaculate condition [Hardly Use] – Contact Rocky: 621-5902/ 225-1400
Natural Herbal Turmeric & Neem soap from $120 – Tel:666-5319 Games PS2 $900, PSP $900, X-Box 360 $2600 & PS3 $2600- Call: 672-2566 One snow cone cart complete –Tel:621-1549 Original Games- Call:6722566 Fluffy Pups – Contact: 2225671; 641-6162 Clean Garden Earth and builders waste also Bobcat rental, excavating, clearing and leveling down- Call:6160617 or 663-3285 Cheap earth delivery to spot E.C.D and W.B.D- Call:6279977, 698-0182 Master craft Tools For Sale: Call:689-0486 Wedding dresses (off white) 1 Brand new double door fridge – 23Cu.Ft – Call:2333974 Massey, Yanmar Ford 5000 Logging/ Agriculture Tractors, parts, Loader & Ford Truck- Call:615-1578/ 694-3595: Tools & Chainsaw668-2831 400lbs 3" nylon seine & 100lbs 2½” colour greenTel:649-0045;259-3170 1-2640 MF Tractor 4wd with 1 – Rome Plough 20 dish, 1CAT Satndby 3306,194KVA 3 Phase 60 Cylinder – Tel:6934596 2 – M132 Laverda Combine, 3- Pressure Pump 4x3 for gold field, 3 - 50 H/P 3 Phase Motor – call:627-0447
One three storey business property @ Middle street, Georgetown, 2 business Property on Whim Public Road Berbice - Tel: 619-7134; 225-6481 Lot 9 Jones Port Mourant, Berbice, 12 rooms , house with 16 acres land, price negotiable call:337-1500 House & Land @ 676 Parafaite Harmonie – Canal No 1 WBD, price:$5.5M Call: 678-9160; 653-3635 Prime Property for sale Light Street, Alberttown Contact: 639-3619, 619-7299 1 Business house and land @ Lot 28 Mon-Repos Public Road, E.C.D opposite the market Tel:220-1882; 220-9889 Land & Houses from $1M $50M – Tel:675-7292 Satya Cinema Good Faith Mahaicony – Call:641-8472 2 Storey wood and concrete building on EBD – 5 minutes from Georgetown – Tel:6585452 2 Stroey Transported property with 2 kitchens, 6 bedrooms, 2 toilet & bath @ Tuschen East Bank Essequibo – Tel:650-2982 1 House & Land with business potential for sale at La Parfaite Harmonie – Call:686-5083 2 Storey wood and concrete building. Droom St, Annadale, ECD - Tel:6219099
LEARN TO DRIVE Shalom Driving School @ 2 Croal street. Fee $16,000Call:227-3869
Overseas Male seeking female 29 & up No Texting! 661-3299 DRESSMAKING Sewing classes at Schoon’ ord W.B.D. Monthly Fees. Call:676-2629, 676-6312
1 Suzuki R1 wagon (Jeep) Automatic, Fully Powered with A/C, hardly used – Price:$1.3M Contact Rocky: 621-5902/ 225-1400
Ultravoilet Driving School – Contact:231-2372;6022583;658-4015
New 2014 Isuzu: D-Max single & double cabsCall:691-0234
Mitsubishi Galant $900,000Call:645-3605
One Honda CRV fully equipped with running bars & other accessories, PNN Series. Excellent Condition! Price Negotiable - Tel: 6606763
1 Toyota AT212, AT192, AT170, EP71 Starlet, LTouring Wagon, Hilux Pickup 4x4, 1 Nissan Caravan E24 - Tel: 644-5096; 697-1453 One Toyota Prado and Tundra for sale: - Priced to sell – Tel:600-5759 or 225-0683-5
Smart Choice Auto: Unregistered: Premio, Runx, IST, Spacio, Fielder - Call: 652-3820; 665-4529
For Sale: Toyota Tacoma Parklights & bumper lights, BMW parklights, Toyota BB Rear lights – Tel:643-6565
AT192, 212, Allion, Premio, Hilux Surf, BNN & RZ & Pitbull buses, 7 seater super custom. Cash / termsCall:680-3154
Rav4 PLL Series LHD standard, sun roof, one owner, asking $1.35 Million Tel: 225-6046 or 663-2079 / 695-3091
2008 Fielder: Bodykit, spoiler, rims. Unregistered $2.95MCall: 617-2891
1 Toyota R4 2004 model – $2.6M cash – Tel:686-5083
Is your car TV getting error “Insert Map Disc”? Software reload available – Tel: 6436565 Driven Auto Blowout Sale!!! – Unregistered Mazda Axela - $2,295,000 – Pioneer CD, crystal lights, remote start alarm -Tel:643-6565; 226-9931 1 Bedford TM 4 Wheel truck with winch – Call:233-3974 CHEAPEST: - Pitbull, manual buses, CRV, Allion – Tel:6167635
We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 TacomaCall:680-3154 2 Ton open back canter with power gate, unregisteredCall:617-2891 RX-8 – Tel:602-6024 Nissan Tiida, 45,000 KM leather interior, reverse & side cameras, CD & TV deck, excellent condition - $2M – Tel:615-2684; 227-8822
EDUCATIONAL Princeton College Forms 1-5 CXC adults classes, Phonics, Sat, Lessons & Mathematics for slow learners - Tel: 2237906; 690-5008
IAE @ Camp Street Register Now for January / June 2015 Classes: Mathematics, English A, Business & Science . – Tel: 683-5742; 223-0604 FOR SALE / RENT American Pool Table - Tel: 277-0578; 635-9714
Soman & Sons Driving School , First Federation Building Call 689-5997, 644-5166,622-2872,6150964 FOR HIRE Dump Trucks for hire to transport sand, aggregate, etc and bobcat for rental Tel: 694-1657; 261-6664
VEHICLE FOR SALE
Toyota Extra Cab [V6] pickup manaul $2.5M -Contact Rocky: 621-5902/ 225-1400
Learn to decorate with Balloons. Classes on March 1st – Call: 225-3133; 613-7513 for more information.
1-40ft drift sheen boat, 1round head 40 Yamaha , 3,000 ice box – Contact:275-0955; 6631879 or 663-8755
PEN PAL Female Seeks male, 40yrs and up – Call 672-0551
1 Toyota extra cab pick-up automatic (3RZ) 4x4 $3.7M – Contact Rocky: 621-5902/ 225-1400
VEHICLE FOR SALE One Mitsubishi Lancer in excellent condition – Tel:6454755
One Verossa, with chrome rims PMM 5454, excellent condition – Call:682-3396; 665-7206; 687-3866 Toyota Corolla HH 9111, Toyota Hiace, BMM 597 – Contact: Teemal Persaud:592-626-7479; 592648-5893 Unregistered Toyota Sienta (2004) 1500cc & 7 seater Tel: 617-5536 Unregistered To y o t a Premio $2.550M - Tel: 6788534; 693-9246 1- F150 and 1- 212 (new model) for sale: Call:621-8129 Leyland DAF 85 truck - Call: 693-0088 First Class Auto: Avensis, Allion, IST, 212, Premio, Spacio, Raum, Passo, Fielder, Verossa -Call:6098188; 602-6307 Toyota Corona 170 - Tel: 696-1355
TOURS Florida to New York Road Trip - Tel: 675-7292
Toyota Hilux Solid Diff pickups Gasoline (4Y) & Diesel Engine. Just arrived, in excellent condition Call:691-2077
2007 Axio $2.85M, Spacio $2.250M, fully loaded unregistered- Call:617-2891 O n e To y o t a P r e m i o unregistered - Contact: 225-5082 800 Ford Tractor & 1 - 450 Ford Towing Truck, 1 Rear Size 38 tractor back wheel – Contact Floyd:694-5599 or Gurro: 689-1864 One Ford Crane Truck & 10 Ton Crane (new) - $8M – Call:622-6746 1 Mitsubishi Galant Car; 1 Toyota Corolla AE100 Car, 1 Honda CBR motorcycle – Call: 227-7544; 612-2542; 614-6011 Toyota Premio- Dark interior with TV, mags, spacio. Tel: 697-0294 1 Toyota Hilux LN170 in excellent condition - Tel: 641-2763 New ATVs: Introductory price $1,875,000 (Duty Paid)Call:691-0234 1 Toyota ACE small bus, excellent condition – Call: 642-4779; 616-5622, also 1 fully equipped music system sold separately. 1 -1RZ, 15 seater, automatic mini-bus, BNN 3760 - $1.7M Negotiable. Good condition, never used for public transportation – Tel:6280310 ; 672-5429 One Toyota SV40 Camry, AC, mags, stereo – Price:$950,000 negotiable – Tel: 661-2391 1 Leyland DAF 4x4 Bush Truck. 1 Toyota Hilux 4x4 bush ready – Contact Kim: 658-5193 (Continued on page 63)
Sunday February 23, 2014
TO LET Furnished apartments for rental @ Bent Street, Wortmanville - $US30 per day – Contact Numbers: 2263309; 693-2190; 218-1033; 678-4267 Furnished Apartments for Overseas Visitors – Contact: 668-5198 Aracari Hotel. West Bank Demerara Rates from US$30 Tel: 264-2946-8 1 Complete Lumber Factory to rent/ lease with all sawmilling equipment situated @ Eccles, Industrial Site. Call Richard: 609-7675. Fully furnished short term apartments, Eccles call:6193660,639-4452 House to rent @ East Bank Demerara less than 10 minutes from Georgetown – Call:643-5220;685-5306 Visiting Grenada check our furnished apartment, 5 minutes to city 1 minute to beach email: grenzgirl44@hotmail.com, Phone: 473-435-2703; 473; 473-416-0304
Kaieteur News
VACANCY 24 Hour East Coast Guyoil needs night pump attendants, salesgirl & office assistant Call: 670-8893/684-2838 Experienced Pharmacy Assistant. Must have at least 3yrs experienced working in Pharmacy – Call:661-3124 US Base firm is looking to hire female models to do adult modeling (Lingerie / underwear) - Call:651-5260; 675-5189 One Cosmetologist required Call: 227-4799 Two Joiners to work in Workshop - Tel:610-7005; 219-1342 1 Housekeeper must know to cook @ 223 Camp Street. (3 Storey building next to Shell Gas Station) - Call: 644-7724 One Male Janitor. Apply in person at Alabama Trading Georgetown, Ferry Stelling, Stabroek. Salesgirl & accounts clerk. Apply in person with written application @ Alabama Trading, Georgetown Ferry Stelling Stabroek. An Established company is looking for 1 experienced outdoor sales representative (own vehicle) - Tel:642-4779
SALON Make Up Courses, Artist Trained & Certified in Trinidad. Call: 660-5257, 647-1773 Natural beauty salon & spa: Grove Market Street EBD tele:265-4138, 652-5800 specialized in everything for women & children
LAND FOR SALE 1 Transported large lot @ Tuschen EBE - $2.5M – Tel: 617-4439 2- Acres cultivated, 2-1 Acres cultivated, 7 Acres cultivated, citrus, house, fish pond, storage at ParikaCall:226-7968 House lots for sale on the West Bank of Demerara Harbour Bridge in Harbourville SchoonordContact:650-0402 Diamond residential – 3rd Avenue, size: 120’X60’ for quick sale – $10M negotiable Tel: 652-5601 20 Mining Blocks in North West between Sebai and Yarakita – Tel: 686-4936 or 687-7834 Blankenburg Public Road WCD 38X150, 39X150 -$16M Each. Call:658-0132 Parafaite Harmonie - $1.8M, Herstelling $3.2M – Tel:6757292 Parafaite Harmonie - $1.2M – Tel:675-7292
SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. – CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Repairs, sales & spares air conditioning, microwaves, washer, fridges & stoves. Ultra Cool, call: 225-9032, 647-2943 Repairs to Fridge, Freezer, AC, Washers, Stoves: Call 683-1312,627-3206 (Nick) COOL TECH: Repairs Services & Installation of all types of home appliances: Air Condition & Refrigeration units - Tel: 2332008; 675-4959 House plan drafting from$10,000 surveying and estimates services available Tel: 667-2189 Permanent & Visitors Visa Applications, Professional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building Call:225-6496,662-6045, 223-8115 Transportation services available in and out of Georgetown - Tel: 646-4501 Masons seeking job work – Tel:678-9043 Technicians available for appliance repairs – washers, dryers, microwaves, stoves, deep fryers, etc - Tel:6190793; 218-0050 Fee Gospel Packages text:675-7292 Woman Seeking part time job in washing & pressing - Tel: 689-7687 Looking for a boss chef? Then contact Chef David Elisha Tel#677-3146 For any special function We Refill HP cartridges for $1800 call: 650-7699 Design Team Neher, The most dependable, professional, trustworthy landscapers in Guyana - Tel: 648-1821 or 2190468 We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer call:2310655,683-8734 Omar Upholstery – Cornelia Ida W.C.D, recovering of sofas, couches – Tel:648-9485 USA, Canada & UK Visa application forms filled electronically @ Mohamed’s Internet Café – Enmore Call:256-4001 or 2563464 Brian Moe @642-3543: Computer Technician: FB/ Brian.Moe.165: Home and Office visits at your comfort!! FOR SALE/ RENT For Sale/ Rent: One Taxi Service with complete base station radio, frequency, lighted sign board etc. Call: 619-2800
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FOR RENT
(From page 62)
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. – CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 CAMP STREET, Prime Business Space Call: 6394499 GT TOOLS RENTAL: TEL: 675-0767; 627-5098 1 Newly renovated house @ Eccles Front. 3 Bedrooms upstairs - $90,000 & 2 bedrooms downstairs $80,000, separate entrance & parking – Tel:268-2121 5 Acre Land with house to lease $95,000 for month – Call:261-2988 Property for rent located at 32 Old Road Vreed- En- Hoop WCD. For further information contact:661-0162 Church to rent @ 180 Charlotte Street Bourda – Tel:226-5183; 227-4406 New house at Leonara WCD, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, double garage, fully tiled yard. Decent Person Wanted. – Tel:2691277; 685-4016 Bulldozer, bobcat and excavator for hire best rates. Please contact:261-6664; 261-6607 or 629-5414 One Semi furnished apartment to rent at Industry ECD – Tel:222-6001 1,2,3 bedroom @ Lot 2 Anna Catherina W.C.D – Tel:2760818 Lodge apartments (Vlissengen /Durban): Furnished (For Visitors) $500-1000US P/M, unfurnished, 2 bedrooms $60,000 P/M – Tel:698-9086; 226-5646; 629-1093 ADOPTION Kittens for Call:628-1486
WANTED Experienced bartender, male/ female waitress & cooks. Apply in person @ Sheriff Restaurant & bar, Lot 10 Sherriff St, between 1pm-4pm Tel: 658-0719 Hire car drivers - 35yrs and older - Tel: 611-1018 or 6426564 General Domestic, cleaner – Contact:609-1535; 227-8529 Skilled mason and carpenter – Tel:668-9863; 625-0930 Babysitter from Georgetown, Monday - Friday – 8Hrs – Tel:611-1981 One Cook (must be able to prepare a variety of Indian Dishes & assist in cleaning) – Tel No:688-3686 Experienced Sewing machine operators – Tel:220-4337 1 Female sales person to work in meat outlet in Georgetown – Tel:266-2711; 609-4594 Carpenter/Mason with small family to work on livestock farm on EBD all accommodations provided – Tel:266-2711; 609-4594 One live in domestic with no commitments, preferably Vegetarian, over 45yrs of age – Call:695-3090 Person to work 2 days a week, from 8:30-3:30. Must live on East Bank not further than Craig – Call:695-3090
Wings Car Rental- Call: 643-1131 Aidan’s Car Rental & Pickup Call: 645-7981/ 698-7807 Untouchable Car Rental: Low Rate , Low Deposit call:231-8653,621-6827 Premio, vitz call:679-7139,6394452
Taxi Cars at M&M taxi service @ 29 Queen St Kitty Tel: 226-4743; 231-7392 Live in waitress must be honest & courteous. Salary $50,000. Boarding & lodging free – Tel:610-5043 Supervisors to work at 704 Bar – Contact:223-5273/4 Attractive live in waitress Tel: 228-5129; 604-8277 Drivers / Mechanic Contact: 644-3600 Urgently needed live-in waitress to work in bar, reasonable salary offer – Tel:259-0574 Live in male & female domestic – Tel: 613-6613 One Dragline operator – 613-6613 Live in , live out babysitter Tel: 225-6070 Upholsterer, joiners, spray painter & handyman – Contact:225-6810; 660-5190
Driver with minibus licence for contract. Living in Georgetown – Call:675-3093
MASSAGE
Dolly’s Car Rental- Call: 2257126/226-3693- dollysauto rental@yahoo.com/ www. dolly sautorental.com
Land to buy in Parafaite Harmonie (100ftX50ft) Herstelling (110ftX60ft) & Tuschen – Tel:675-7292
Sawmill workers – Tel:6539752.
Adoption
CAR RENTAL
WANTED One male store assistant. Apply to K&B Mining & Hardware Supplies @109 Regent Road Bourda. Call: 225-0349; 222-2475
One Waitress within West Coast Demerara to Parika – Call:660-1248
The Gent’s Spa: Let beautiful sophisticated masseuse pamper you: New masseuse available- Call:657-5979
1 Live in domestic from the interior age 18-30 Contact:614-1020
American Style massage services- Call: 678-7499 Massage is one of oldest and simplest form of therapies. To experienced massage Call: 666-9274
Contract Cars and hire car drivers to work at Gem’s Taxi Service – Contact:627-9424
One cook to work in interior Contact: 681-6044
Live-in care taker for sawmill @ Yarrowkabra Soesdyke, Linden Highway, family person – Call: 261-2553 for information. Experienced Counter Servers, roti /puri cooks & waiters. Apply @ Hacks Halaal, 5 Commerce St. Husband / wife to live in and work. Husband: Labourer, wife: domestic – Tel:227-1830
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Kaieteur News
Sunday February 23, 2014
Pakistani Taliban say government must embrace Islamic law UNDISCLOSED LOCATION IN WAZIRISTAN, Pakistan (Reuters) - The Pakistani Taliban told the government there was no chance of peace in the country unless Pakistan changed its political and legal system and officially embraced Islamic law. The government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif wants to find a negotiated settlement to years of fighting with the militants but talks broke down this month after a string of attacks. In a rare face-to-face meeting with journalists on
Friday in an undisclosed location in Waziristan, a lawless region on the Afghan border, main Taliban spokesman Shahidullah Shahid said there was still hope negotiations might resume. “Despite recent bombings in North Waziristan and killing of our 74 men by the security forces during the peace talks, we are still serious about the talks,” he said, wearing an AK-47 bandolier across his chest. “If talks are to be held it would be only under sharia (Islamic law). We have made this clear to the government
committee. We are fighting for the enforcement of sharia and we are holding talks for the same purpose.” Pakistan is a conservative Muslim country and although its constitution is rooted in Islamic traditions, the legal system is based on English common law and the people are guaranteed their fundamental freedoms of speech and religion. Sharif came to power last year on promises to persuade the Taliban to stop fighting, effectively proposing to legalize the banned group as a political entity. He previously tried to introduce
sharia in the late 1990s just before he was toppled in a military coup. This year started with a surge of violence in Pakistan, with Taliban insurgents staging almost daily attacks and the army responding with force in the volatile tribal areas on the Afghan border where most militants are based. Yesterday, nine militants were killed in helicopter gunship attacks targeting insurgent hideouts in the Hangu region, local military official said. The Taliban organizers asked reporters not to identify the location of the meeting. The area appeared tense and gripped by fear, with many shops and houses damaged by recent shelling. People at a local open air bazaar appeared too frightened to speak frankly to visiting journalists. Many in Pakistan are weary of holding peace talks with a group which has killed more than 40,000 people since the start of its campaign
Shahidullah Shahid against the Islamabad government in 2007. With violence surging, many are puzzled by the continued insistence by both sides that peace can still be negotiated. Pakistan’s military, a powerful institution which has ruled the country for half of its entire history since 1947, publicly supports talks but in private senior officers express frustration, raising
speculation that the armed forces are girding for tough action. The last major military operation was in 2007 when the army flushed out Taliban insurgents from the deeply conservative valley of Swat, establishing a strong presence on the ground. The Pakistani Taliban operate separately from Afghan insurgents but are similar in tactics and ideology. The Taliban have a set of austere religious beliefs seen as mediaeval by liberal Pakistanis, including a ban on women education and vaccinations against polio. Health workers are attacked regularly because the Taliban see vaccines as a Western plot to sterilize Muslims. “Polio drops are not a vaccine against the disease,” Azam Tariq, another Taliban official, told reporters alongside Shahid as he clutched prayer beads in his hands. “It is a campaign to damage Islam.”
Sunday February 23, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
Sunday February 23, 2014
Police nab five bandits after Gas Station robbery Prompt and strategic action by officers attached to ‘D’ Division of the Guyana Police Force was instrumental in the apprehension of five bandits mere hours after they carried out a daring heist on the ‘On the Go’ Gas Station at Nismes, West Bank Demerara, Friday night. The bandits, all of whom are said to be in their 20s, were able to amass an undisclosed sum of cash, cellular phones and interestingly enough, several containers of icecream and a bread from the Gas Station’s mini-mart. According to Pump attendant, Ameer Khan, he and another pump attendant, Seon Trotman, and a few other guys and one female were in the mini-mart of the
gas station watching wrestling on television when the bandits struck. Khan said that three of the men had earlier visited the gas station in a black car to purchase $500 of gasoline for the vehicle. He recalled that the driver of the vehicle was slow in opening the gas tank and was even slower in paying for the sale. “He pay me with a $1,000 bill and I pull out the money I had in me pocket to give he change and I see that he look at the money I tek out, but me ain’t really tek it for nothing.” He said that the men headed south along the West Bank Demerara road but appeared to pull over soon after leaving. Khan said that
- bandits threatened to torch pump attendants since neither he nor any of the others, in the mini-mart was suspicious of the men they all continued to watch wrestling. It was about half an hour later that the men returned with two others, one of whom was armed with a gun, and another with a knife. They ordered all those in the mini-mart to lie down. Khan said that one of the men proceeded to relieve him of the money he had in his pocket which he said amounted to about $50,000. He said that some additional money was also taken. “Them just walk in and say ‘nobody don’t move’, and them hold on put one ah them big man with me and choke he till he ‘black-out’ and fall down...even when he fall down them deh kicking he, kicking he,” recalled Khan. “The rest ah we couldn’t do nothing because the one with the gun just keep saying ‘nobody move, y’all just stay calm’.” Khan said that he and the others in the mini-mart were relieved of their valuables, including cellular phones and
cash. The lone female among those attacked said that she remembers being “scrambled” by one of the bandits who started to question about “where all the money deh?” It was during this time, she said, that she noticed one of the bandits picking-up a loaf of bread and taking out a quantity of ice-cream from a freezer and walking out to the car. According to the other pump attendant, Seon Trotman, who only started working at the gas station on Monday last, he didn’t think anything was amiss when the men entered at first since he, like the others, was engrossed in the wrestling match. He said that he only realised something was very wrong when he heard some men say “‘don’t move’.” “I wasn’t even certain if these men de serious or kidding around or what...I walked to the door and a fella grab me and lash me down to the ground.” It was then he observed that one of the men had a gun.
Soon after the young man said that the men started threatening to kill him and Khan who was at this point being slapped around by one of bandits who demanded to know where the security camera monitor was located. “They collect a bottle of gasoline (fuel) in the shop and start throw it pun the two of we...One tell me he gon burn me and shoot he (Khan) then burn he,” recounted an evidently distraught Trotman. He said that it was not until one of the men was able to evade the bandits and rush to the roadway that he saw a chance to escape as well. Trotman said that he made a dash for the back of the building and scaled the fence to a neighbouring residence. A few others followed him as well. While over at the neighbour, Trotman said that he related the ordeal and begged to use a telephone. He was able to place two calls to separate numbers, one to a friend and another to his boss, but got no answer. However, by this time Trotman said that he observed that police officers had arrived on the scene. “It was like the police come within five minutes...very quick these police arrive,” he disclosed. It was in fact Bevon Grandville, who was also among those being attacked in the gas station that was able to first flee the bandits causing them to panic and leave. Grandville revealed that he was able to stop a taxi on the road and alert police officers conducting a road block in the vicinity of the Demerara
Harbour Bridge. They were able to summon other officers to start patrolling the West Demerara area. The bandits’ car was spotted. According to a police statement, about 22:30hours Friday night, five men armed with a handgun, ice-picks and knives, attacked and robbed the pump attendant at the Nismes Fuel Station of an undisclosed sum of cash. The police statement also revealed that three men who were with the pump attendant watching television were robbed of a total of $13,600 and two cell phones. The bandits then escaped in a motor vehicle. S u b s e q u e n t investigations by the police led to the arrest of a man and the detaining of the vehicle at Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara, while further investigations led to the arrest of three other men in a minibus at the Demerara Harbour Bridge and another man at Hunter Street, Albouystown. According to Police sources all of the apprehended men are “known characters” residing in various sections of the city— La Penitence, Albouystown and South Ruimveldt. They are expected to be taken before the court on Tuesday. According to the owner of the Gas Station, Stephen Persaud, who lives a few villages away, he got word about the robbery soon after it occurred. He said that when he arrived at the gas station senior police officers were already on the scene conducting investigations. The man was high in praises for the speedy action of police officers which resulted in the bandits being caught.
Sunday February 23, 2014
Kaieteur News
Former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko freed - Speaks to protesters KIEV, Ukraine (AP) — Hours after being released from prison, former Ukrainian prime minister and opposition icon Yulia Tymoshenko praising the demonstrators killed in violence this week as heroes as she addressed a massive crowd at the protester encampment in Kiev yesterday,. The 53-year-old Tymoshenko, who suffered severe back problems during her 2½ years in prison, spoke to the crowd from a wheelchair and appeared close to exhaustion. But her flair for vivid words was undimmed. “You are heroes, you are the best thing in Ukraine!” she said of those killed in the violence. The Health Ministry yesterday said the death toll in clashes between protesters and police that included sniper attacks had reached 82. Yesterday’s appearance brought Tymoshenko back to the square where she attracted world attention in the 2004 Orange Revolution protests, a riveting figure then for her rhetoric, her elaborate blond peasant braid and her fashionable clothing. After the protests forced the rerun of a presidential election nominally won by her foe Viktor Yanukovych, Tymoshenko became prime minister. But when Yanukovych won the 2010 election, Tymoshenko was arrested and put on trial for abuse of office, an action widely seen as political revenge. Now Yanukovych once again appears on the wane and Tymoshenko on the rise. After Friday’s agreement between the president and the opposition that reduced Yanukovych’s powers, Yanukovych has gone to Kharkiv in his support base of eastern Ukraine, leaving the capital effectively in the control of the opposition.
Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko is freed from prison in Kharkiv, Ukraine, yesterday. (AP Photo/Inna Petrykova)
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Sunday February 23, 2014
Italy’s Renzi sworn in as prime minister ROME (Reuters) - Italian center-left leader Matteo Renzi took office yesterday as his country’s youngest prime minister, facing pressure to show immediate results after he forced out his predecessor over the slow pace of economic reforms. The 39-year-old Renzi has named a low-profile list of ministers with a mix of politicians and technocrats which included no figures capable of challenging his control of the government. Its success or failure will therefore be seen as his responsibility alone. With an average age under 48, the 16-member cabinet is one of the smallest and youngest in recent Italian history. Half its members are women, the highest proportion ever, underlining the image of a fresh start on which Renzi has built his reputation. But he faces a huge challenge with the euro zone’s third largest economy struggling to emerge from its worst slump since World War Two, weighed down by a 2 trillion euro ($2.75 trillion) public debt and an industrial base that has crumbled over the past decade. Business and union leaders have repeatedly warned that the government must take urgent action to save Italy’s ailing industry, with thousands of companies going out of business and millions put out of work.
“The responsibility is enormous and this must not fail,” said Rocco Palombella, secretary general of the UILM union, which represents workers in the engineering sector. “If it does, there will be no appeal,” he said in a statement. Renzi, who won the leadership of the center-left Democratic Party (PD) only in December, forced his party rival Enrico Letta to resign the prime ministership last week after repeatedly attacking him for not moving more quickly on economic reforms. The new prime minister has laid out an ambitious agenda for his first months in office, promising a sweeping overhaul of the electoral and constitutional system to give Italy more stable governments in future, and reforms to the labor and tax systems as well as the bloated public administration. However, the unwieldy coalition with the small centerright NCD party, on which he will depend for a majority, remains unchanged from the one which hampered Letta’s efforts at reform and Renzi faces a fractious parliament which has proved difficult for past governments to control. The newly installed cabinet met for the first time on Saturday and Renzi is expected to go before the Senate on Monday for the first of two parliamentary confidence votes next week where he will give more details
of his policy program. His rapid rise has been watched closely outside Italy and within hours of taking office he spoke to French President Francois Hollande as well as to two Italian marines facing trial in New Delhi over the deaths of two Indian fishermen during an anti-piracy operation. Renzi becomes the third prime minister in succession to be appointed without winning an election and, although the constitution does not formally require it, his lack of a mandate from voters may limit his ability to push through tough reforms. The bitterness left by the leadership struggle was palpable in a handover ceremony that was over in seconds, with a stony-faced Letta offering the briefest of handshakes before leaving the prime minister’s office for the last time. Renzi’s main experience in government has been as mayor of Florence and many of his ministers will also be learning on the job. But media commentators and opposition politicians were quick to point to similarities between the new and old governments - five ministers have remained in the cabinet and another, Graziano Delrio, has become Renzi’s chief of staff. The oldest member of the cabinet, 64-year-old Economy Minister Pier Carlo Padoan, former chief economist at the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, will play a key role in maintaining the confidence of partners ranging from the European Central Bank to foreign investors. The other main economic ministers, Industry Minister Federica Guidi, a former official at employers’ association Confindustria, and Labour Minister Giuliano Poletti, former head of the cooperative association Legacoop, will face pressure on industrial policy. Underlining the stakes, UILM union leader Palombella said Italy risked joining Greece in being placed under special administration by European authorities and the International Monetary Fund if its industrial decline is not halted soon. Among the new government’s priorities will be cutting taxes on business and overhauling labour market rules that deter employers from taking on new permanent staff, but in both cases it will be bound by tight constraints.
Sunday February 23, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Residents call for adequate sporting facilities in Leguan A number of residents of the Essequibo river island of Leguan have uttered their disappointment at the lack of adequate sporting facilities in the area. Speaking with Kaieteur Sport recently, the people stated that the youths are starved of suitable conveniences and as such cannot hone their skills in various disciplines, adding that they have to play cricket on the road which is very dangerous. Dr. Kamal Roy Narine, a Regional councillor (region 3) for the Alliance for Change party said that there are four
grounds on the island, two are privately owned and the others fall under the jurisdiction of the Leguan Neighbourhood Democratic Council; one is situated at Enterprise and is known as Green’s Park and the next is at Clairmont and is called Bundary Park. Kaieteur Sport however understands that work has commenced at Green’s Park on Friday last. Dr. Narine stated that little or no work was done to upgrade and maintain Green’s Park which did not host a sporting activity for the last four years. He informed that
$1M was allocated through the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport to develop the ground in 2012 adding that the money was given to a contractor on the island but no work was done. “When I raised this issue at the RDC sports committee meetings little was said about it”, he said. He informed that the Leguan Night Committee was given $900,000 from the said Ministry to prepare the venue for the Leguan night activities which were held in November 2013 and the money was also given to the said contractor but the work done were not
Den Amstel hammer Eagles 6 – 1;.. From page 73 away on the right wing and thanks to some clumsy defending and poor goalkeeping by Young Achievers, he was able to calmly tuck a well placed ball into the back of the net. Apart from the two goals, the match never really had a bright moment but it took literally the last second to
decide a winner. Regulation had gone and the two sides were in a heated battle in extra time when Phillip Moore’s header hailed him as the hero of the night and ensured that the resurging Pouderoyen team booked a place in the Semifinals against Den Amstel. The tournament continues tomorrow at the
Uitvlugt Community Centre Ground when defending Champions and tournament host Slingerz FC clash with Bagotsville in the opening game of a planned double header from 18:00 hours. Game two brings together the battle of neighbouring villages and rivals, Uitvlugt and Stewartville.
Sunday February 23, 2014 ARIES (March 21 April 19): Today you'll likely awake, look around your home environment, and realize that there is much room for improvement. ******************* TAURUS (April 20 May 20): You are a hard and conscientious worker, Taurus, and certainly have been applying your skills and doing your best for some time now. efforts. ****************** GEMINI (May 21 June 20): You may find yourself thinking of looking for a new job in order to increase your income, Gemini. ******************** CANCER (June 21 July 22): You have a lot of charm and tremendous social skills, Cancer. ********************* LEO (July 23 - Aug. 22): This is a day when you could greatly benefit from spending some time outdoors in quiet reflection, Leo. ******************* VIRGO (Aug. 23 Sept. 22): You're a hard and conscientious worker, Virgo, and sometimes you work so hard that
LIBRA (Sept. 23 Oct. 22) : Today may find you longing for some spots of color in your life, Libra. ********************* S C O RP I O ( O c t . 23 - Nov. 21): Today you may discover that you have more in common with your neighbors than you thought, Scorpio. ******************** S A G I T TA R I U S (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21): You may receive some kind of windfall today, Sagittarius. .********************* CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19): Romance is very much highlighted today, Capricorn. ******************** AQUARIUS (Jan. 2 0 - F e b . 1 8 ) : Anything you attempt to do today is likely to turn out really well, Aquarius. ********************* PISCES (Feb. 19 M a r c h 2 0 ) : To d a y you'll likely find that you begin to make real progress on a project that may have been stagnating for a while, Pisces.
equivalent to the money allocated. “Workers attached to the NDC Drainage and Irrigation task force were asked to work for several days on the ground and this was not supposed to be. An RDC grader that was on the island did some work on the ground for the hosting of the event and little work was done by the contractor”, he added. Dr. Narine explained that the fence and bridge materials (timber) went missing from the ground and the Leguan Night Committee did little to uplift the facility. He feels that funds generated from these activities should be used for the enhancement of education and sports which will keep the youths meaningfully occupied, stating that a special committee including residents from across the island should be formed to manage the ground. He expressed displeasure that no one from the opposition was invited to be part of the Leguan Night Committee and he is not satisfied with the accountability of the funds raised from the event which should have been made public. Dr. Narine indicated that a further $2M was given
to fix the ground at Clairmont since 2012-2013 but no work was done and half of the money cannot be accounted for. Meanwhile, another resident said that the grounds should be up and running so that the youths can be taken off the streets. Kaieteur Sport was made to understand that the stand at Green’s Park which is attached to the existing Youth Choice Initiative building that is currently used for information technology classes was built by the contractor. When contacted, chairman of the NDC Albert James, who occupied the position in May 2013, said that the ground (Green’s Park) was in a terrible state and the first million dollars which was given to the NDC was used to plough, chip, back blade as well as improve the drainage facility. He pointed out that during the rainy season they found out that sections of the outfield became water logged and the NDC requested another million dollars from the RDC in 2013 which was used to purchase sand. The chairman indicated that he is satisfied with the works done on the ground and the money was spent on the project, but
the ground was not slashed due to the rain. James explained that G$1M was given to upgrade the ground situated at Clairmont, a village on the Western part of the island, but the money was retained by the RDC because constant rain fall at the time prevented any works from being carried out. He added that he is in the process of forwarding a letter to the said contractor requesting him to commence and complete the work within a month.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday February 23, 2014
“Drawn T20-I series, but it was the Irish win, again, that impressed!” Colin E. H. Croft West Indies captain Darren Sammy deserves guarded credit. He did suggest that “West Indies will come back hard at Ireland” after disappointingly losing that 1st T20-International in Jamaica last Wednesday. Since WI stuttered to 969 in T20-I No. 2, Sammy must have been talking about only his bowlers! But, firstly, from record books, the WI team that lost that 1st, historical, infamous game, July 1969, in a oneinnings affair, one of the most significant victories by Ireland over international teams, was as follows: Stephen Camacho (Guyana), Michael “Joey” Carew (Trinidad & Tobago), Maurice Foster (Jamaica), Basil Butcher (Guyana), Clive Lloyd (Guyana), Clyde Walcott (Barbados), John Shepherd (Barbados), Michael Findlay (St. Vincent & Windward Islands), Grayson Shillingford (Dominica & Windward Islands), Pascal Roberts (Trinidad & Tobago) and Philbert Blair (Guyana). Last week, when Ireland again beat reigning world T20 champions West Indies in a full, official international T20
for the first time ever, by a jawdropping, unfathomable six wickets, many noticed! Whenever anyone thinks that West Indies must have bottomed out and cannot do any worse, they hit a new low. Is this now the bottom? Who Knows? How does one explain this latest aberration? Ireland’s latest success v WI, T20-I No. 1, could not have been foreseen. West Indies did strike back, winning, but not altogether convincingly, T20-I No.2, by just only 11 runs! What a massive struggle! In 1969, Butcher was WI captain when West Indies contrived a paltry 25 all out. No-one made double figures, Grayson Shillingford top scoring with nine! Few really cared! Douglas Goodwin, supposedly bowling energized military medium, had mythical bowling figures; 12.3–8–6–5, returns that anyone would have been extremely pleased to have achieved. Not to be outdone, Alec O’Riordan, another “medium dobbler”, had 13–8–18–4, excellent figures by any standards. Bowlers worldwide now would love to have those figures in their records! Batting after WI had made
25, Ireland declared at 125-8 to further embarrass West Indies, who then made 78-4, 2nd dig at the crease. Mr. O’Riordan is now in his 74th year, Mr. Goodwin in his 76th. I can picture these always spirited, spritely old Irish guys, eyes twinkling with mirth, sipping appetizing green beer or very brisk Irish coffee, laughing loudly as they enjoyed their 2014 representatives’ grand efforts, beating West Indies, again! But what of WI 1st T20I v Ireland in 2014, and exactly what excuse will West Indies use this time? Dwayne Smith (Barbados), Chris Gayle (Jamaica), Marlon Samuels (Jamaica), Lendl Simmons (Trinidad & Tobago), Dwayne Bravo (Trinidad & Tobago), Andre Russell (Jamaica), Darren Sammy (St. Lucia & Windward Islands), Denesh Ramdin (Trinidad & Tobago), Sunil Narine (Trinidad & Tobago), Samuel Badree (Trinidad & Tobago) and Ravi Rampaul (Trinidad & Tobago), along with coach Ottis Gibson (Barbados), should all simply hold their heads down in rank embarrassment and have severe introspection.
Does anyone really care about this? I really cannot answer that at all, for I do not know! Even if West Indies were supposedly overall underprepared; only few really were – Gayle, Samuels, Badree and Sammy - or even if they were drunk on green ale combined with Irish coffee, West Indies, with this might of batting and vast experiences world-wide, should have beaten Ireland hands down in both games. In T20-I No. 1, WI mustered a meagre 116-8, noone in that mighty batting line-up getting more than Gayle’s top score of 18. In T20-I No. 2, when West Indies made a diabolically labored 96-9, Andre Fletcher top scored with 19! When Ireland batted, T20I, they recovered from two wickets for eight runs, to win by a mammoth six wickets. Luckily for WI, T20-I No. 2, their bowling and fielding saved further humiliation! In three weeks, in Bangladesh, WI will be defending that championship. All teams have been selected, including West Indies, so there should be no stresses about whom will be selected anymore.
Guyanese born, Tr i n i d a d a n d To b a g o Journalist and Cricket commentator Brij Parasnath made a strong case for Shemaine Campbelle to be considered for Sportswoman of the year. He highlighted her outstanding performances during the year in question, 2013, pointing out that the young lady holds a record that many are not fully aware of. Here is what Parasnath wrote: Shemaine Campbelle set a new World Record for the highest score by a woman player batting at number seven for the West Indies Women team against Sri Lanka at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on February 24 2013. With West Indies team in serious trouble at 23 for 5, Campbelle showed tremendous character and grit as she revived and restored respectability with a magnificent 105 that was studded with four sixes and eight fours off
138 balls. West Indies made 180 for 8 off their allotted overs with Shemaine Campbelle s e t t i n g a n o t h e r Wo r l d Record of getting the highest percentage of the team’s total of over 100 runs or more. She contributed 58.33 percent of the overall total which bettered the previous record held by Australia’s great Melinda Clark of 57.48 percent with 142 out of 247 for 5 versus New Zealand at Auckland on February 16, 1997. With the face-saving 105; Shemaine also returned excellent bowling figures of 6-0-30-1 and joined an elite group of players to score a century and claim a wicket in the same One Day International. It is significant to note that no single West Indian male player ever achieved that unique distinction of scoring a ODI century at the number seven position, much less a World Record. It is also important to
recognise that Shemaine Campbell registered the World Record feat at age 20 years 133 days and became the second youngest West Indian player to achieve the distinction of scoring a triple-figure mark in Women’s ODIs. Shemaine also contributed to West Indies series success over the Sri Lankans when she topscored and also returned the best all-round performance in the Third ODIs versus the Sri Lankans at the same venue. Out of the 191 for 9 off 50 overs, Shemaine Campbelle, batting again at the number 8 position; topscored with 37 and had figures of 6-0-29-1 as West Indies restricted the Sri Lankans to 158 for 9 and clinched the three-match series by a 2-1 margin. West Indies had won the first match by 4 wickets with 72 balls to spare. Sri Lanka made 164 for 9 off 50 overs with Shemaine Campbelle finishing with 50-13-2. WI amassed 165 for 6 off 30 overs and had
taken the series lead. Apart from her outstanding performances against the Sri Lankans, Shemaine Campbelle was a member of the West Indies Women team that created history and contested the ICC Women World Cup final against the mighty Australians whom they defeated in the Super Six stage during the 2013 ICC Women World Cup staged in India. W I Wo m e n b e a t t h e Aussies by eight runs in the Super Six with Shemaine Campbelle effectively cutting short Australia’s progress when she brilliantly run out Australia’s top all-rounder Lisa Sthalekar for 6 and helped to restrict Australia to 156 in reply to West I n dies 164 . It was a sensational victory by the WI Women team in the ICC World Cup. They were unable t o reproduce their outstanding performance in final but they created history by finishing as runner-up World Champion
Colin E. H. Croft says:
Phil Simmons (ESPNcricinfo) bw What is more important is to ask as to how will WI get themselves really ready for that fray? Meantime, at least two important people involved in Irish cricket would be over the moon with that first ever international win over West Indies; Ireland’s coach Phil Simmons, strapping former West Indies batting allrounder and uncle of Lendl, and Ireland’s manager, Roy Torrens. Roy, the proverbially jovial Irishman if ever there was one, has been, even before ICC World Cup 2007
when Ireland impressed all with their full attention to progress, an energetic advocate of his team’s ascendancy to higher grades of international cricket, and without any boastfulness, would be very pleased at this latest development; onwards and upwards. Phil has been brilliant at bringing the “Boys in Green” to understanding their limitations, individual abilities and always playing to their strengths, as all good coaches normally do. As he suggested; “This win over West Indies is a great boost to our team’s confidence for upcoming ICC T-20 World Cup 2014, but we must not be complacent!” A drawn T-20-I series, 11, against Ireland, tells how close this type of cricket is, or maybe, just how low West Indies has fallen. Enjoy!
Brij Parasnath ‘bats’ for Shemaine Campbelle for sportswoman of the year crown
Shemaine Campbelle to the Aussies. Campbelle also brought off a spectacular catch to dismiss Sthalekar in the final off Shanaqua Q u i n t y n e ’s bowling. Sthalekar made 12 and Campbelle had figures of 30-15-0 in the final at the famous Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai on February 13, 2013. The World Cup is the summit of achievement and S h e m a i n e C a m p b e l l e ’s outstanding contributions for the West Indies Women
teams (ODIs and T20s) for 2013 deserves the nation’s recognition as the country’s premier female sports personality. She also contributed to W I Wo m e n s h a r i n g t h e five-match series with South Africa and defeated New Zealand in the threematch ODIs series against New Zealand at Sabina Park and also winning the Tri-Nations series versus England and New Zealand at Kensington Oval last in 2013. Shemaine Campbelle was unquestionably G u y a n a ’s Most Outstanding female and male performer for the 2013. She definitely deserves to the honoured as Guyana’s Sportswoman of the Year 2013. Note: Her World Record performances have not been recognised by any person associated with West Indies cricket or even international cricket (ICC) at the administrative levels or even among media professionals.
Sunday February 23, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 71
Daren Ganga is the most successful Milo/Petra Organisation Schools Football Competition Barrow, Nedd performances Regional one day captain highlight Third Day
Statistician Charwayne Walker reminisces on the outstanding captains who have led regional teams in West Indies cricket. In his musings based on research, Walker came to the conclusion that Darren Ganga of Trinidad and To b a g o w a s t h e m o s t successful regional skipper due to his outstanding performances. Trinidadian Daren Ganga, who led the Red Force to Regional One Day titles in 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2009, is the only Captain with four Regional one day championships. He supersedes compatriot Brian Lara and Guyanese Carl Hooper. Lara led Trinidad and Tobago to three championships 1990, 1995 and 1996, while Hooper won titles for Guyana in 1995, 1998 and 2001. Please find below a list of players who led their country to Regional one day titles: David Holford Barbados 1 9 7 6 David Holford Barbados 1 9 7 7 Maurice Foster & Vivian Richards 1978 (Leeward & Jamaica shared) Deryck Murray Trinidad 1979 Roy Federicks Guyana 1980 Deryck Murray Trinidad 1981 Vivian Richards Leewards 1982
Daren Ganga (newsday.co.tt) Clive Lloyd Guyana 1983 Michael Holding Jamaica 1984 Milton Pydanna Guyana 1985 Michael Holding Jamaica 1986 Jeffrey Dujon Jamaica 1 9 8 7 Joel Garner Barbados 1 9 8 8 Julian Charles Windwards 1989 Brain Lara Trinidad 1 9 9 0 Courtney Walsh Jamaica 1991 Suruj Ragoonauth Trinidad 1992 Roger Harper/Keith
Arthurton 1993 (Leewards & Guyana Shared) Richie Richardson Leewards 1994 Richie Richardson Leewards 1995 Carl Hooper/Brian Lara 1995 November (Trinidad & Guyana Shared) Brian Lara Trinidad 1 9 9 6 Stuart Williams Leewards 1997 Carl Hooper Guyana 1998 Courtney Walsh Jamaica 1999 Rawl Lewis Windwards 2000 Carl Hooper Guyana 2001 Courtney Browne Barbados 2002 Shivnarine Chanderpaul Guyana 2003 Daren Ganga Trinidad 2004 Shivnarine Chanderpaul Guyana 2005 Daren Ganga Trinidad 2006 Christopher Gayle Jamaica 2007 Daren Ganga Trinidad 2008 Daren Ganga Trinidad 2009 Ryan Hinds/Wilden Cornwall 2010 (Barbados and Leewards Shared) Christopher Gayle Jamaica 2011 Liam Sebastien Windwards 2013 Kevin Stoute Barbados 2014
Foo smashes 61 as Practice Match ends in draw By Sean Devers Jonathon Foo smashed a typically pugnacious 61 for the Rest Team before their four-day Practice Match at the Guyana National Stadium against the Guyana team ended in a draw on the final day. Scores: (National team 2039 dec & 294-8 dec: Rest team 200 all out & 160-8) The Nationals resumed the final day on 257-4 and overnight batsman Assad Fudadin retired out on his third day 117, while Narsingh Deonarine (5), Anthony Bramble (3) and Veerasammy Permaul (10) also fell in quick succession, with Royston Crandon, who got rid of Deonarine and Bramble. Deonarine picked up the last two wickets to finish with 2-13, having represented both teams to
get in valuable practice. The Rest Team, set 298 to win slipped to 90-5 when Deonarine who, also batted for both sides, was bowled off the inside edge for 20 by Keon Joseph who bowled too short and wide on an unresponsive track and fast outfield. Joseph made the break through when he dismissed Royan Fredericks (24) at 26-1 before Ronsford Beaton had Rajendra Chandrika (6), to leave the score on 43-2. It was soon 51-3 when Robin Bacchus (12) fell to Christopher Barnwell, who also removed Rajiv Ivan (7) at 73-4. After Deonarine departed, Foo and Crandon took the score 123 before Crandon (7) missed an impetuous drive at a rare flighted delivery from
Bishoo and was comprehensively bowled. The expensive Joseph, who conceded 73 from his eight overs, had his third scalp when he orchestrated the demise of Ricardo Adams (5) as the Rest Combination slipped to 128-7. The contest was called off the 15:40hrs when Foo missed an almighty swing at Bishoo and was bowled. In addition to Joseph, Bishoo had 2-16 and Barnwell 2-26 for Guyana who depart there shores on Tuesday to play host Jamaica in their opening match from February 28 at Sabina Park. The Guyanese will be led by Leon Johnson with Shiv Chanderpaul as his deputy and the 14-man squad includes six players with Test experience.
Chase Academy striker Shamar Barrow fired in a brace to lead his team to a comfortable 3-0 win over Tutorial High as play in this year ’s Milo/Petra Organisation Schools Football Competition continued yesterday, at the Ministry of Education ground, Carifesta Avenue. Barrow’s goals came in the 7th and 60th minutes of play, while an own goal that occurred in the 26th minute completed their tally. Last year ’s Highest Goalscorer Marlon Nedd started off his campaign on a positive note when he lashed in a double to lead Carmel to a come from behind 2-1 victory ov e r R i c h a r d Ishmael in their encounter. Tuquan Gladstone had given Richard Ishmael the early ascendancy in the 2nd minute of play, before Nedd’s pair that was scored within five minutes of their lead, canceled out their advantage and denied them
any point. In the opening clash, Kingston issued a warning to their rivals when they beat David Rose 4-2 thanks to solitary strikes from Tremaine McCurdy (14th), Nemar Douglas (21st), Vincent Thomas (30th) and Shawn Grovesnor (34th). For David Rose, Sean Murray (62nd) and Akeem Giddings (70th) goals failed to alter the final result. In the final game of the day, Shamar Barrow’s wonderful lob over the advancing goalkeeper’s head was enough to hand South Ruimveldt a 1-0 win over a stubborn Christ Church Secondary. Barrow’s effort came in the 30th minute of play. Meanwhile, the Organisers have stated that there will be no matches today, but the competition resumes next Saturday, at the same venue. Match # 1 Kingston Secondary 4 vs David Rose Secondary 2
Scorers Kingston Secondary Tremaine McCurdy 14th min Nemar Douglas 21st min Vincent Thomas 30th min Shawn Grovesnor 34th min David Rose Sean Murray 62nd min Akeeme Giddings 70th min Match # 2 Carmel Secondary 2 vs Richard Ishmael Secondary 1 Scorers Marlon Nedd 5th& 7th min Richard Ishmael Tuquan Gladstone 2nd min Match #3 Chase Academy 3 Vs Tutorial High 0 Scorers Chase Academy Shamar Borrow 7th& 60th min Own Goal 26 min Match #4 South Ruimveldt Secondary 1 Vs Christ Church Secondary 0 Scorer South Ruimveldt Secondary Keith Caines 30th min
Page 72
Kaieteur News
Sunday February 23, 2014
All set for Benjamin 40-mile Preparations heighten for Rising cycle road race tomorrow Sun/Shariff $8.5M Horserace meet Event held in observance of father’s 80th birthday All systems are in place and all is set for top class cycling action in Berbice tomorrow. The top riders in the country are expected to journey to the Ancient County to participate in the Open 40-mile cycle event sponsored by overseas based former junior and national cycling champion Wilbert Benjamin and organised by the Flying Ace Cycle Club (FACC) in observance of the 80th birthday of Benjamin’s father, Sanko. The race is expected to begin at 09:00hrs with the riders pedaling off from in front of the Benjamin’s Sports Store at Fyrish Village, Corentyne, where they are expected to journey to the No. 43 Bridge on the
Corentyne before returning to their place of origin. Lucrative prizes are up for grabs in the event with the winner expected to ride away with a sumptuous $80,000 and trophy. Prizes will be awarded to the first six finishers along with the top three juniors, first three veterans under-50 and the top three females. The cyclists will also compete for eight prime point prizes. The race is open to all cyclists countrywide, while meals and refreshments will be provided for the participants and officials. The elder Benjamin is expected to be on hand to send the riders on their way and assist with the distribution of prizes. For last minute queries
Wilbert Benjamin persons can contact race coordinator Randolph Roberts on telephone 6281951. (Samuel Whyte)
Slingerz FC Stag Beer/West Side Mashramani Champions Cup
Den Amstel hammer Eagles 6 – 1; Pouderoyen edge Young Achievers 2 – 1 in extra-time Den Amstel and Pouderoyen football clubs have book SemiFinal spots in this year’s Slingerz Football Club organised Stag Beer/West Side Mashramani Champions Cup, which kicked off on Friday last at the Den Amstel Community Centre Ground. Watched by an almost full house at the West Demerara facility, Den Amstel, last year’s runners-up, crushed Eagles 6 – 1 in the second game of the night’s double header. In the opening game, Pouderoyen FC sealed a come from behind 2 – 1 victory over Young Achievers in extra time. Delon Lanfaman (25, 60) and Jeffery Periera (4, 46) both netted a double for Den Amstel who led 5 – 1 at half time. Travis Hilliman (12) and Andrae Hector (14) rounded off the scorers for the eventual victors, while Eagle’s lone goal came from Jain Williams who had scored in the 5th minute to level the scores at 1 – 1 after Periera’s opening goal. Sadly, Den Amstel will have to finish the tournament and
Part of the action between Pouderoyen and Young Achievers. Pouderoyen won 2 – 1 in extra-time.
Banks DIH Limited, Trophy Stall among major sponsors as over 40 entered so far Preparations have heightened for the Rising Sun Turf club in collaboration with the Shariff Business entity Post Mashramani one day horse race meet slated for Sunday 9th March at the Club’s Rising Sun Arima Park, West Coast Berbice. Seven top notch races are carded for the day with prize monies totaling over $8.5M in cash and trophies up for the taking in what is expect to be a scorching day of racing. So far over 40 animals have been entered for the day’s meet and with the feature event being taken care of by Banks DIH Limited the action is expected to be intense. The feature C class event has a total prize money of over $2M with the winner set to race away with a sumptuous $1M and trophy compliments of Banks DIH Limited over 1400M. Among some of those expected to compete are Treacle, Swing Easy, Run Nana Run, Mission King, Force Entry, Settle In Seattle, Got to Go, the Message, CP Got Even, Red, California Strike, and Lovely among others. The other events listed on the day’s card are the four year old race for West Indies
maiden and Guyana bred horses over 1400M for $400,000 first prize and trophy. The three year old race is for West Indies and Guyana Bred and born horses with a winning prize also set at $300,000 and trophy. The F Class event has a similar winner’s prize of $400,000 and trophy also over 1400M. The G3 and lower showdown will see the top animals running for the $300,000 first prize in an 1100M contest. There is a race for I class horses with the pole position takings set at $250,000 and trophy over 1100M. The other event on the programme is for horses classified J and lower and will see the winner receiving $180,000 and trophy. The nation’s largest horse racing sponsors Beverage Giants Banks DIH Limited, Trophy Stall, Republic Bank, Gene Equipped (John Dere) Company, Chester Fry Chicken of Bush Lot West Coast Berbice, Hablaw Meat Centre, Berbice River Bridge and the Shariff Business enterprise are among the sponsors so far on board. Businessman Ramesh Sunich of the Trophy Stall,
Bourda Market as usual is on board with sponsorship for the individual prizes, which include the champion jockey, champion trainer and champion stable among others. The Race will be held under the rules of the Guyana Horse racing Authority and Bugle time is 13:00 hrs. Other horses expected are: Cat Messiah, Fairy Landing, Ameer’s Joy, Savion, East to win, Unsettled, War Craft, Silent Night, Fresh Again, Wild Grinder, Lady Secret, De Gump, Gold Rush, Top of The line, Damascus Dream, Monsoon, Shooting Star, Speed Vision and Piece of the Cash among others. Persons interested in being a part of the day’s action can make contact with Fazal Habibulla at Chester Fry at Bush Lot West Coast Berbice on Telephone No 2320232 or 648-6522, 6577010, or Inshanally Habibulla on tel No 623-4495, and 623-5453 or 232-3295, Donald or Zaleena Lawrie on telephone nos 2254530 or 225-4565 or Mohammed ‘Nankoo’ Shariff on 6110684. Race time is 13.00 hrs. Proceeds go towards charity.
Theresa London enforcing the...
probably the rest of the football season without their animated goalkeeper Sherwyn Lanfaman who suffered a broken leg when he collided with his teammate. Meanwhile, the Pouderoyen/ Young Achievers clash set the
Stag Beer/EBFA Div. One League continues tomorrow Two matches are fixed for tomorrow at the Grove Community Centre Ground when play in the Stag Beer sponsored East Bank Football Association (EBFA) division one league continues. Kicking off at 13:00hrs will be the clash between Herstelling FC and Soesdyke Falcons with feature play between Agricola Red Triangle and Grove Hi Tech. In the season’s opening fixtures last Sunday, Timehri Panthers and Kuru Kururu Warriors took full points following respective victories over Mocha Champs and Diamond United FC by 3-0 and 3-1 margins.
tone of the night when the two teams with a statement to make on the ‘West Side’ met head to head. After the two sides ended a scoreless first half with no one really creating any real opportunity, fans were certain that the game would’ve had a thrilling climax. Nathan Allicock fired home a thunderous right footed shot from a set piece just on top of the 18 yards area in the 59th minute and his side celebrated as if they had already won the game. Pouderoyen never seemed out of the contest and maintained their composure; countering on every chance given and their relentless effort paid off in the 70th minute. Delon Josiah was able to collect a pass while breaking (Continued on page 69)
Tobago for a goodwill tournament in February last year. Matched against home girl, Chimere Taylor, London dropped a close decision in her first overseas assignment. “It was a fair decision but I was encouraged by the fact that I had lost by just one point,” said London. She also said that she was at a disadvantage after Taylor weighed in substantially heavier. London managed to avenge that loss when the two faced off again in the finals of the just concluded 4 nation boxing championships at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH), Sunday February 16 last. This time the Trinidadian did not enjoy the weight advantage as both fighters tipped the scale at 75kgs. Theresa’s record has improved to 10-2 and she has been selected to represent Guyana at the South American Boxing Championships in Chile on March 7-18 next. As Theresa reflects on her journey thus far, she admits that there is still much ground to cover. Her other loss occurred at the Bartica Community Centre ground late last
year against Dwon Thompson, a fight most of the spectators thought London had won. She is now out of school but still marvels at the changes she has made through boxing. “I am convinced that boxing has the potential to shape one’s life,” she asserts. “I can’t believe it,” she continues with a chuckle, “my life has changed and I reserve my bouts for the ring; I have stopped fighting in the streets.” Theresa feels that she will do well at the impending tournament and already she has her sights on the Olympic Games. She had wanted to attend the London 2012 Olympics but was told that she was much too young. Having attained the qualifying age, Theresa once again aspires to perform at the world’s most prestigious forum. “I am thinking strongly of winning an Olympic gold medal and my mind is farthest away from fighting professionally,” she replied to a relevant question. Theresa trains at the Andrew Lewis Boxing Gym and is forced to spar with the males as there is a paucity of
competent females. “There are some days when the training gets real tough sparring among the men, but I know what I want and am prepared to make the sacrifices,” she said. Despite her successes in the sport, Theresa has not lost her femininity and she still engages in ‘girly things.’ She has grown with, and is closely attached to her Mom; her father lives in the USA and though they communicate, she regards the efforts of her mother in her upbringing and she feels a deep sense of gratitude. She also acknowledges the input of her aunt Pauline and uncle, Ovid, who have all contributed to her development. She is focused and plans recommencing lessons so as to improve on her academic standing and advises other lasses to do the same. “I realize that though I have a future in boxing, I must also balance my life with academics and I have every intention of doing so,” she confirmed. While this forms a part of her future plans, for now Theresa is focused on her trip to Chile where she plans to do Guyana proud.
Sunday February 23, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 73
23rd R&R Int. Ltd. 11 Race Cycle Meet
Marlon ‘Fishy’ Williams is new feature champ; Leal back as juvenile winner Ve t e r a n s U n d e r - 5 0 5 Ralph Williams (14m 01s), Kennard Lovell, Shameer Baksh Ve t e r a n s O v e r - 5 0 5 Linden Blackman
Arnold Sookraj hands over the winning trophy and prize to Marlon Williams. Roraima Bikers Club member Marlon ‘Fishy’ Williams dethroned defending champion and club mate Alonzo Greaves in the feature 35-lap race when the 23rd edition of the R&R I n t e r n a t i o n a l 11 - r a c e Mashramani cycle programme came off at the National Park circuit yesterday. On a cool day in slightly overcast conditions with a few drizzles here and there, Williams timed the contest to perfection to emerge victorious in an exciting sprint home ahead of Greaves, Hamza Eastman, Raynauth Jeffrey, Alanzo Ambrose and Paul De Nobrega in that order. The winning time for his second victory of the season was One Hour 19 Minutes 10 Seconds and was way faster than last year’s time of One Hour 28 Minutes 15 Seconds. Williams took a single sprint prize with Greaves capturing four, Eastman two and Jeffrey one. Raul Leal was successful in the defence of the juvenile 10 lap contest just 2.70 seconds slower than last year’s winning time of 23 Minutes 07 Seconds. Trailing him to the line were the ever improving Alanzo Ambrose and Stephano
Husbands.Ralph Williams won the veterans Under-50 5-lap race from Kennard Lovell and Shawn Baksh, clocking 14 Minutes 01 Seconds. Linden Blackman copped the top spot in the over-50 event over a similar distance in a faster time than the under-50 riders. Blackman stopped the clock at 13 Minutes 33 Seconds. Virgil Jones and Wilfred Thom placed second and third.Maurice Fagundes again led his rival and good friend Anthony Fariah in the over-60 match-up. Full results are as follows: R a c e Laps Placing 12-14 boys & girls 3 Jamal John (12m 35s), Christopher Griffith, Rakem Blair BMX boys 6-9 2 Sherwin Sampson, Alexander Leung, Esau Jaisingh BMX boys 9-12 3 Sherwin Sampson, Taran Garbaran, Darius Marshall BMX boys 12-14 3 Stephan Wilkinson, Ammo Gomes, Brighton John BMX boys Open 3 A d r i a n S h a w, Ammo Gomes, Jaleel Jackson
(13m 33s), Virgil Jones, Wilfred Thom Ve t e r a n s O v e r - 6 0 5 Maurice Fagundes, Anthony Fariah J u v e n i l e s
10 Raul Leal (23m 09.70s), Alanzo Ambrose, Stephano Husbands School boys & 35 Marlon Williams (1h 19m 10s), Alanzo
Greaves, Hamza Eastman, I n v i t a t i o n Raynauth Jeffrey, Alanzo Ambrose, Paul De Nobrega (Franklin Wilson)
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Kaieteur News
Sunday February 23, 2014
Bounty Farm Mash Handicap Squash Tournament
Pollard sinks Narain; sets up showdown with Khalil Thirty-five year-old former national champion, Regan Pollard, was pure class on semi-final night of the 2014 Bounty Farm Mash H a n d i c a p To u r n a m e n t organised by the Guyana Squash Association (GSA) in collaboration with its number one corporate
sponsor Digicel Guyana. Pollard (-16) overcame last year ’s runner up Nicholas Narain (-8) in the first semifinal to advance to last night’s final. In the final, Pollard was set to meet another former Caribbean junior champion Jason Ray Khalil, who is also the
reigning champion of this tournament. Pollard’s plethora of shots took the life out of Narain during the two-game encounter. Instead of getting into a fast paced, power hitting duel with Narain, Pollard slowed the pace and controlled the tempo of the
match. Pollard’s strategically placed shots and the slower game play was just what he needed to conserve on his energy to go the distance and sink the fitter, faster, younger more agile Narain. Two-time, defending champion Khalil, who is
Reagan Pollard plays a back hand shot against Nicholas Narain.
playing with a -22 handicap, is one match away from his third tournament victory in four years. That impressive streak can only become a reality if he managed to get by the experienced former national champion Pollard last evening. Khalil made light work of Lloyd Fung-A-Fat (7) in straight games 15/13, 15/13. Fung-A-Fat had won his quarterfinal encounter against Ryan Rahaman (9) just a few hours earlier and was attempting to double his fortune on Friday night. Realising that he could not match the fitness, retrieval and shot placement skills of Khalil, Fung-A-Fat tried to kill the ball off Khalil’s serves but found the tin or tin line most times. Makeda Harding (2) stormed into the Category ‘A’ final where she is expected to play Jonathan Edwards. Harding defeated Madison Fernandes (11) 15/12, 15/13, while Edwards (6) defeated Savannah Mendes (0) 15/13, 15/8. After being knocked out of the main draw on opening night, national hockey player Ashley deGroot (2) rebounded to advance to the Open plate final where she was to take on fellow multidiscipline athlete Alex Cheeks (11). Last year’s Category A winner Rebecca Low (11) who was eliminated from the main draw, was able to savour some consolation by defeating her father Robin
Low (9) on Friday night. In the other two matches in the Classic Plate, Stephen Fernandes (7) defeated Daniel Islam (11), while Alec Melville (2) got the better of Matthew Phang (9). Friday Night’s results Main Draw Semi-finals Jason Ray Khalil (-22) defeated Lloyd Fung-A-Fat (7) 15/13, 15/13 Regan Pollard (-16) defeated Nicholas Narain (8) 15/9, 15/10 Lloyd Fung-A-Fat (7) defeated Ryan Rahaman (6) 15/13, 10/15, 15/11 (quarter final) Category A Makeda Harding (2) defeated Madison Fernandes (11) 15/12, 15/13 Jonathan Edwards (6) defeated Savannah Mendes (0) 15/13, 15/8 Open Plate Ashley deGroot (2) defeated Medhi Ramdhani (6) 15/11, 15/11 A l e x C h e e k s ( 11 ) defeated Wayne Alphonso (12) 15/13, 17/15 Classic Plate Alec Melville (2) defeated Matthew Phang (9) 15/13, 15/7 R e b e c c a L o w ( 11 ) defeated Robin Low (9) 16/14, 16/14 Stephen Fernandes (7) defeated Daniel Islam (11) 16/14, 15/11 Category A Plate Sarah Lewis (-3) defeated Michael Alphonso (9) 15/10, 15/11
Sunday February 23, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 74
Theresa London enforcing the fortitude of the ‘London’ Bridge being tutored by her uncle, Ovid who knew a few things about the sport. She decided to enrol into the Forgotten Youth Foundation under coaches Joseph Murray, Wensel Thomas and Sebert Blake. The fight was staged at
Theresa London
On May 29, 2004, at the National Park in Georgetown, Guyana, a crowd of about 5000 fans cheered Gwendolyn ‘Stealth Bomber ’ O’Neil to a unanimous verdict over American pugilist, Kathy Rivers to win the Women International Boxing Association (WIBA) light/heavyweight title that had been vacated by Jacqui Frazier-Lyde. The fact that O’Neil was a female dominating a male oriented sport was even more meritorious and lifted women on a pedestal never before ascended locally. O ’ N e i l ’ s accomplishment served as a fillip to other local aspirants and before one could say ‘Jack Rabbit’ a host of others joined the ranks. There was Shondell ‘Mystery Lady’ Alfred, Geraldine Cox and the London sisters, Pauline and Pamela among others, who all staked a claim to fame in the pugilistic arena, all with decent levels of s u c c e s s . T h e aforementioned pugilists have either vacated, or are on the verge of vacating the scene leaving local fans to wonder at their successors. As if in answer to that question, Guyanese have seen the rise of another London, this time Theresa, who is staking a claim to international stardom in the ‘square jungle’ and appears to be destined for greater heights than her familial predecessors.
Boxing is regarded as ‘disciplined war’ and this theory is firmly endorsed when one learns that London, at only 14 years of age, was a fighter during her school days at the Community College, Queenstown. “I was a warrior and if anyone, whether boy or girl, looked at me too hard I wanted to fight,” said London during our chat at her Albouystown, Non Pariel Street home, Friday morning last. All this time her mother, Pamela, was pursuing her trade among the other top notch female pugilists locally. As a matter of fact, Pamela had travelled to neighbouring Trinidad and Tobago where she had defeated Kim ‘Crusher’ Quashie to take the World International Boxing Council (WIBC) heavyweight belt while Pamela’s sister, Pauline, was also fighting up a storm locally. Theresa’s inauguration into the sport came after her mother was summoned to her school, not for the first time, after she (Theresa) had been hauled before the head teacher for fighting. Pamela decided to have a hard talk with her daughter and subsequently enrolled her in a one day boxing tournament at the Harpy Eagles Boxing Gym. The problem though, was that Theresa was not a member of any gym, a prerequisite for engaging in Guyana Boxing Association organized combat; she was
the Harpy Eagle’s Boxing Gym and Theresa had a successful debut, defeating Ansilla Norville in her own backyard. She said that by then she had curbed her impulses to fight among her schoolmates and had taken her skill to another level.
“My mom and aunt had taught me quite a lot about the game plus my mom and aunt kept encouraging me onwards,” Theresa reflected. She was then fighting as a bantamweight. Consequently, Theresa earned quite a reputation and
within a relatively short time she had shot up the local rankings as one of the best female boxers. This view was embellished when Theresa earned a spot on the team that was selected to travel to Trinidad and (Continued on page 72)
t r o Sp Milo/Petra Organisation Schools Football Competition
Barrow, Nedd performances highlight Third Day
Two players from Chase Academy and Tutorial High go aerial for possession during their clash yesterday.
Residents call for adequate sporting facilities in Leguan P.69
jonathan Foo smashes 61 as Practice Match ends in draw P.71
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