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Kaieteur News
Tuesday February 16, 2016
Letters... Where your views make the news
Kaieteur News Team Legacy reminds APNU-AFC; Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
The politics of separation Scare politics and politics of minimum cooperation have long been a bane to the local political situation. Ever since race politics entered Guyana, (not that racism was not endemic to the society) there has been precious little cooperation at the parliamentary and the political levels. Indeed, on national issues such as the territorial issue with Venezuela and Suriname’s claim to Guyana the political entities were unified. And this was not a rarity. During the tenure of the People’s National Congress, the opposition People’s progressive Party sided with the government. It was the same when the PPP was in Government. President David Granger, while he was in the opposition, came out on the side of the PPP Government. A similar coalition of political forces was very evident when Guyana moved to nationalize some foreign intereststhe bauxite industry and sugar. The conditions seemed right for inter-party talks so both sides nominated the people who would do the talking for the parties. As fate would have it, none of the teams managed to forge that political unity. Generations have passed and such unity remains elusive. It would seem that ever so often one or other of the political parties would make overtures to the other. Hopes would be raised only to be dashed not long after. Just this past weekend, President Granger made an interesting observation and perhaps the strongest pitch for inter-party talks. He said, recently, “The results of the May 2015 elections, I do not regard as victory. I see it as an opportunity. For one side to win 207,000 and the other side to win 202,000 votes is not a grand victory. “Rather, it is an opportunity for collaboration, not conflict; for a contract to cooperate and to understand that working together, not fighting; is the formula of the future.” Surely, that says a lot but if there is no movement to talk then at least half of the adult population would be sitting on the side looking at the other half with anger, disdain and even arrogance. This is not going to help Guyana. The PPP says that there are many factors that are preventing it from entering into party to party talks with the governing parties. One of them has to do with what the PPP sees as political witch-hunt. Indeed there were some dismissals but the government said that these were political appointees who had no role in the public service. Back in the post 1992 elections that brought the PPP to office, the People’s National Congress published each week a list of the people who were sacked. It became clear that many of them, more than 200 were sacked because of their perceived relationship with the PNC. For example, the now vocal Ramon Gaskin walked into the electricity company with the proverbial bulldozer and removed all whom he said were PNC supporters. That list was made public. On this occasion, the PPP is refusing to support its claim of witch-hunting by releasing the names of the people whom it said got sacked for no other reason than they are associated with the PPP. The party’s General Secretary says that he is waiting for a request from proper source. At the same time he is not going to talk. It would seem that confrontational politics would be a hallmark of political life in Guyana. The nation got a solid dose during the recent parliamentary budget debates. It is more of the same in the refusal to represent the political opposition on state boards. Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo is again using the contention of political witchhunting. And this is allowed to continue because the wider society is not leaning on either side to bridge this chasm that is largely a product of Guyana’s ethnic composition and cultivation. One can only hope that with time this would change as the younger people chart their own course devoid of parental pressures.
small get big with each step DEAR EDITOR, Team Legacy, from day one, has not been shy about expressing our disappointment at the national parties participating in Local Government Elections. Some have used the reasoning that the law permits the national parties to contest LGE, so by that measure, we should not complain. However, as we know, laws were written by man and in many cases are imperfect and are amended time and time again. Perhaps an analogy most can relate to will help to bring some clarity regarding the letter of the law and the spirit of the law. Imagine a scenario where some local residents want to play cricket, but they have no bats, balls or pitch to play. They appeal to the international cricketing greats - Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Ramnaresh Sarwan and Brian Lara for assistance. The cricketers respond by providing a pitch and the necessary equipment. The locals are excited, they pick their teams and head unto the field to play. However, so do Chanderpaul, Sarwan and
Lara.The locals protest. They say it will not be a fair game. They claim they will not be able to bowl out the international stars and ask them to sit out the game. The stars respond by saying, “but you asked to play and you are getting a chance to play” and they would be correct. That is the letter of the law. The spirit of the law, however, which would seek to ensure a truly level playing field would see the international stars sitting out the game and allowing the locals to compete among themselves. Mr. Editor, would you be able to bowl Brian Lara? The same Brian Lara that scored 400 and 501 not out against other professional cricketers? At the recent APNU+AFC LGE launch, one presenter attempted to disparage Team Legacy and other local groups saying, “don’t worry with them lil groups popping up like jumbie umbrella, they are like plimpla (thorns)” The six-party coalition should be reminded that many of its member parties started out like ‘jumbie umbrella’. The AFC popped up like
Please, not Junior Garrett! DEAR EDITOR, Each time I read of another City Councillor indicating an interest or desire to run for another term there at City Hall, it sickens me and makes me wonder why? Is it such a gravy train that these old boys and girls do not want leave? Or do these people have no where else to go? And Nothing else to do? Did they not hear the Mayor recommend that the next Mayor and Councillors should be young and energetic persons? The present bunch of Councillors are all abysmal failures. The latest person to signal his plan to do so is Junior Garrett from Campbellville. The person who under his watch saw the Council purchasing millions of dollars in computer equipment from a certain place in Grove on the East Bank of Demerara. This is the person who led an argument to have Councillors receive pensions and gratuity even though they were not salaried employees, and which would have further milked the
City’s coffers. This is the person that presented many deficit budgets until he was removed from the position as Chairman by his staunchest colleagues from his own political party in August of 2014, when they passed a noconfidence motion against him claiming that he had failed the council and was irresponsible when it came to spending. That motion was moved by Councilor Ranwell Jordan and seconded by Deputy Mayor Patricia Chase Greene. This present Council has made a mess of our capital City. This present Council has allowed for corruption and nepotism with relatives of councillors working at the Council. It is time for Georgetown to close chapter in Guyana’s politics. We need to move forward not backward. His party’s slogan is ‘It is Time’. I believe it is time for him to step away and give the younger generation a chance. I believe it is time for him to serve his community in a different way. Riley Matthews
‘plimpla’ in 2006 and changed the course of Guyana’s political history. A glimmer of hope came in the form of a Facebook post on Sunday, February 14 by AFC Chairman, Nigel Hughes, where he stared - “I applaud and support the efforts of the independent citizens and groups who have had the courage, dedication and commitment to stand as independent candidates and parties in their communities and in the municipalities. The future of Guyana is better served by
new independent minds working for a better c o m m u n i t y. L o c a l Government belongs to the citizens of local communities and not to national political entities.”Perhaps someday we can get to that point where the playing field can truly be level and we are not paying lip service to local democracy. Michael A Leonard Team Legacy Candidate for constituency 9 (Lodge/Meadow Brook Gardens)
Droning the homes of mosquitoes DEAR EDITOR, The Zika epidemic “is spreading explosively” around the world, and city officials particularly in towns and cities in the Americas have been implementing all sorts of methods to control it, including traditional mosquito control techniques such as spraying pesticides and emptying standing water receptacles where mosquitoes breed etc. But here in Georgetown our municipal officials seem much more interested in cosmetic activities such as the refurbishing of the Kitty Market, the setting up petting zoos repairing and repainting City Hall and getting involved in traffic policing. Why is it that in the
midst of such a global epidemic, the only proactive response we are seeing in our capital is the fogging exercise that is being conducted by the Ministry of Public Health? Where are all of the Sanitary Inspectors who used to encourage homeowners, hotel owners etc over the years, to eliminate any standing water they see, such as in outdoor buckets and flowerpots?. What happened to the Rodent & Vector workers who used to spray our yards? The Mayor and Town Clerk ought to know that as long as conditions in our city allow for the mosquito to reproduce, each and every citizen would be at risk (Continued on page 23)
More complaints of poor internet service DEAR EDITOR, I thought that the community where I live on the East Coast is the only area in Guyana where the internet service provided by Guyana Telephone and Telegraph is very, very poor despite we pay handsomely and faithfully monthly for this service. The speed is like cockroach crawling on a very thick molasses spread. We must also state here categorically that GT&T should refund all its customers that were poorly provided with this sloppy service. The Guyanese word for this is robbing “poor people” or the rich sucking the blood of the poor. We Guyanese deserved better! Don’t you think so
editor?…………………… there is poor Internet service provided by GTT at Low Lands/Hope. It has been over a month now that the service provided is very poor. We suggest that a public enquiry be set up by the authorities to look at this matter. GTT is a wealthy company and is providing people in this country with poor internet services. Customers cannot upload emails, whatsapp and access Facebook. This kind of service is greatly affecting the business community and students. The customers of Low Lands/Hope are very d i s p l e a s e d w i t h G T T. Customers need to get their money’s worth of service. Rooplall Dudhnath
Tuesday February 16, 2016
Kaieteur News
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Letters... Where your views make the news Letters... Where your views make the news
The inglorious end of Failed councillors who Hamilton Green’s career want to be re-elected
DEAR EDITOR, What has happened to the prolific letter writing of Mayor Hamilton Green that we used to see, with him continuously penning letters to the editors of the various dailies, during the period of the last government, railing against corruption and other unlawful activity? Or is it that he only sees the need to object to perceived wrongdoings when his party is in opposition? He is now apparently quietly riding out his last days as Mayor overlooking the highest level of nepotism and cronyism ever seen at the City Council, with many of his colleague councillors and senior officers obtaining employment for their children, nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives, pushing the Council’s wages bill well past $200 million per month, yes over a whopping $200 million. This is in spite of the fact that most of the municipality’s services have been farmed out to private contractors, and the now new employees are doing nothing
all day. And this brings me to the next point whereby Mayor Green is again sitting quietly and allowing one individual whose prior experience is merely in money lending and food vending, to become the biggest contractor in the city, earning tens of millions of dollars each week for cleaning parts of the city, whilst a Councillor’s son is the next biggest contractor cleaning the cemetery and elsewhere. How shameful. He a major anti corruption proponent in the past is now quietly condoning massive fraudulence. Why did he not raise a finger in defence of Dr. Jocelyn Loncke and the Georgetownbased Pan African Movement when Town Clerk Royston King sent in the Council’s work force, demolishing two concrete walls constructed by that body and towing away a 20-ft container from the facility that he provided to the organization, even as the Movement had big plans for utilizing the land leased to them on the Merriman’s Mall
between Oronoque and Light Streets, Bourda. Is he now afraid of King? Or has he lost all of his teeth? Why is the Mayor so silent on the extravagant lifestyle of the new Town Clerk, with bodyguards, drivers, secretarial staff, with three cars under his command, (one rented from a close connection) for a substantial amount each week, etc? He was very critical of the previous Town Clerks with far less resources.Why is he not concerned about the massive spending spree that the Council has embarked upon making it a massive breeding ground for corruption through kickbacks, and favours which will ultimately take the Council back into bankruptcy? Is this how this once most feared and controversial politician with an unrelenting thirst for power and recognition going to exit politics? Is he going to just disappear into oblivion? Tiptoe into the night? What a shame. Amber Valentine
DEAR EDITOR, His Excellency, the President of Guyana, David Granger, seems to be finding himself in some very precarious positions as he seeks to unite this divided country. Looking on from the outside it appears that many of those close to President Granger and those who are friends of those close to him, are not on the same page with him. There has not been an event that I have attended where the President did not deliberately touch on the topic of social cohesion. Both when he speaks publically and when he is met privately, his constant refrain is that of the need and the benefits of social cohesion. The mantra of the magnanimity of a social contract in Guyana rolls on the tongue of the President as Adel’s “Hello” from the lips of a repentant lover. But that same deliberate desire for national cooperation seems to be lost
on some of those close to the President. From the unnecessary prolonged defense of the coalition’s right to splash their colors all over the country, to the GINA’s reluctance to cover the opposition’s views, to the whimsical disdain for anything PPP, it all speaks of a failure of the coalition to catch the President’s message of inclusion. The work of social cohesion is not going to be easy. We are a broken nation for some 50 years and any profound change will not come easily. In addition, there are those who, for their own personal and political survival, will do everything they can to keep this country divided. Whether that divide is economic, racial or ideological, there are those whose only relevance comes from fueling a national divide and they will never relent. Relenting will mean their political death and maybe,
their financial and societal demise. And because of their public positions they are pushing the red-meat kind of divisive politics. Those persons, from either side of the divide, need to be ignored and their policies of divisiveness shunned. Good will triumph over evil and those of us, especially those who are responsible for crafting national policies, need to pledge our allegiance to the work and realization of national unity. Those strategically placed in the leadership of the current administration need to quickly buy into the stated objective on the President on this issue. The Government, through the Ministry of Social Cohesion, might need to convene some formal workshops among its leaders and governmental officials, in the art of developing the social contract of which the President speaks. The administration (Continued on page 23)
The President’s lessons are being ignored
DEAR EDITOR, I could not believe my eyes when I opened the newspapers recently only to see the headline boldly stating ‘Sitting Councillor pitted against contractor, carpenter in Constituency Three’. I was indeed appalled at the audacity of the sitting City Councillor, and who has been doing just that, sitting and not performing for the last fourteen years around the horseshoe table, and now seeking to return to waste another three years under Constituency Three of Georgetown at the March 18 local government elections. The question that all politicians must provide to their constituencies is what is their track record? What have they done to better their communities, how have they bettered the lives of the citizenry. A certain sitting councillor cannot point to one project in the Bel Air Gardens, Bel Air Springs, Prashad Nagar, North East and North West Campbellville districts that he has advocated for or implemented in the last thirty years that he has lived in a certain housing scheme. The only thing that he can quite shamefully brag about
is the fact that he has commandeered a large swath of the Council’s reserve that is contiguous to his apartment in the row of attached houses, fencing it in and making it a part of his yard. I cannot believe that this councillor really thinks that his experience in a Council that has done absolutely nothing for the citizens of Georgetown would help him to be elected once again. At least his political party had the respectability not to put him on their list for the proportional representation (PR), leaving him to fight for himself. I just hope that they have placed a young bright progressive person instead. The Councillor’s track record as acting Finance Chairman of the Council has been a dismal one, with the Council facing all sorts of financial difficulties, not paying workers on time, owing many institutions such as Guyana Power & Light, etc. More than that, he was removed from the Chairman’s position by his own party members through a no confidence vote in the latter part of 2014. Why would the citizens elect him again?
He speaks as though if reelected, that he would automatically be back in the Finance Committee suggesting that he would improve the City’s finances, something he could not do for the last fourteen years. He gives the impression that he would be a one man show looking into staff welfare, which would obviously include his son whom he had hired recently within the Finance Department, maintaining the cemetery which is already being maintained by another Councillor’s son and the municipal markets. Then again he is a close friend of Royston King, whom they all put there to use the Council’s resources. His ridiculous campaign pitch continues with him assuring the electorate that within a week of being elected he will start doing the drains, parapets and alleyways. My question is that he has four more weeks on the present Council, why does he not do it now? Why wait? This is all just thrash talk and pie in the sky promises by an old Councilor who needs to make way for a younger person. James McOnnell
DEAR EDITOR Thank you for this space in your column in which I am very anxious to call on the Police Service Commission whom I am thinking is the relevant authorities to further investigate this malpractice which is going on and gaining its way all the time. I read about the Commission doing away supersession in the Guyana Police Force of which I felt very pleased, I am therefore calling on the Commission to review what takes place when it comes to promotion of junior ranks. Recently with all the promotions implemented there is one particular rank in E division whom the commander is pushing with promotion though he did not complete
two years of serving the police force. That rank gained Lance Corporal without enough knowledge of proper policing, then full corporal whereby he now completed two years in the force, yet he cannot conduct a proper investigation or write a good statement. Editor this where downfalls comes in the Guyana Police Force. Favouritism is treated as a priority. In this said division, there are ranks that are serving the force for eighteen and twenty years and getting nowhere with promotion. How fair can this be to these senior ranks who will be taking instructions from a child like figure leaving training school only the other day? This suppression is also
taking place in B division of which there are ranks who are still serving as a constables and ranks from that very batch have become senior superintendents. As a constable in the Guyana Police Force after serving for ten years and ones sees no way of gaining promotion. It is not encouraging, especially when all your hard and risky work are considered null and void and one has to witness these junior ranks being favoured and getting promotions without earning it. Please Editor, please send my letter to anyone whom you think will look into this favouritism thing that’s going on. We are all human and deserve what we earned honestly. Police constable
Police constable’s plea for justified promotion
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Tuesday February 16, 2016
Zika virus: Guyana confirms second case A 16-year-old Eccles, East Bank Demerara (EBD) resident is the country’s second confirmed case of the mosquito borne, Zika virus. This was announced, yesterday, by the Minister of Public Health, Dr. George Norton and the Chief Medical Office (CMO), Dr. Shamdeo Persaud at a press conference in the Ministry’s Boardroom. The teen, according to the CMO, had no history of travelling outside of Guyana but had visited one of the hinterland regions just a month prior to him being tested positive for the virus. Persaud said that the teen has recovered following his treatment at the vector control unit and he is back at school. The CMO said that the virus started with fever; the teen then came down with a rash and then conjunctivitis (red eye). The four persons who reside with the patient were all
interviewed and samples were taken from them to be sent for testing. Fogging was done in and around the house and family members were also given mosquito nets. The CMO said that health workers were able to track the teen’s movement and the necessary precautions were taken. A total of 55 samples were sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) in Trinidad and Tobago for testing and out of that, the second case was confirmed last Friday when the results were returned. The turnaround time for the results has been seven days for each batch of samples sent. “We are continuing to alert all the health facilities to be on the lookout for those cases,” the CMO revealed. He continued, “At the Border we know the Brazilian situation continues to be very volatile and we have some unverified reports that there
A weak Customs law that allowed the country to lose hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue over time, through loopholes in the duty free vehicle concessions scheme, is to be tightened. The legislative changes are expected to be tabled shortly in the National Assembly. Customs officials explained that while before some of the duty free concessions were part of the law, it was not clear. This led to abuses that cost this country. The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), recognizing some of the
- remigrants have to live in Guyana 193 days each year
An Aedes Aegypti mosquito might be some additional cases. We made contact there and they have been fogging.” Kaieteur News was told that there might be people who are relatively healthy and might have the virus. “Unfortunately, Zika is a mild disease in most persons and can even present without any sys-
tems.” For pregnant mothers, the CMO said that the Health Ministry has continued to distribute the treated mosquito net free. “More than 5000 were distributed and we are in the process of educating mothers. The risk is more important during the early period of
pregnancy so we are urging mothers to register with their antenatal clinic early,” Persaud advised. Kaieteur News was told that only recently, Brazil mobilized over 220,000 of its armed forces to fight against the virus. “We understand in neighbouring Suriname, it is
creating havoc. We had a big discussion in parliament whereby physicians are claiming that they are diagnosing this disease by the symptoms they are seeing in patients but we can only say that a person suffer from Zika after doing a laboratory test in Trinidad,” the Minister emphasized. In January, the first case of the mosquito borne virus was confirmed in a woman who resides in Covent Garden, EBD. The Zika Virus is transmitted to humans by the Aedes type mosquitoes. The mosquito borne virus is manifested with symptoms such as fever, headache, joint and muscle pain, rash and sometimes swelling of the limbs. Some persons may also experience vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. A very distinct symptom too is that of conjunctivitis (red eyes). Symptoms, however, are usually mild, health officials have observed.
New rules proposed to close loopholes in duty free concessions laws loopholes, had moved to bridge the gap by making it the policy. However, the policy decision has been challenged time and again with applicants insisting that law differed from GRA’s policy and therefore the latter could not be legally enforced. According to the Official Gazette, where all law changes are mandated to be published, the proposed Customs Amendment Act 2016 will deal with how vehicles are being brought
into the country by remigrants and others. The changes made it clear that exemptions will only be available to remigrants and settlers once within six months of re-assuming residence by the remigrant, and within six months after the arrival of the settlers in Guyana. The condition for the vehicle(s) to be brought in under the duty-free concessions scheme would entail the applicant provide a
Remigrants will have to live in Guyana more than six months each year if they want to keep their duty free concessions. certificate of title, registration or other form of proof of ownership. This is to ensure that the applicant is the owner of the motor vehicle for at least six months. There is also another restriction, the proposed amendment said. The motor vehicle must not be older than eight years from the date of manufacture to the date of importation. This is in keeping with a recently announced plan by Government to restrict the import of vehicles that is older than eight years. Government announced the planned restriction in the presentation of the 2016
National Budget but the auto dealers have expressed concern, saying prices will go up for newer vehicles. The proposed change explained that in the case of the remigrant or settler, if they fail to live in Guyana for three years cumulatively in the case of a used motor vehicle, or five years cumulatively in the case of a new motor vehicle, they could lose the remigrant status. Remigrants and public officials who have benefitted from duty free concessions on vehicles are not allowed to transfer or lease the motor vehicle prior to the expiration of three years in the case of a used vehicle, and five years in the case of new vehicles. Previously, GRA was lax in enforcing the last two, allowing a fraud scheme where persons were recruited from abroad. They applied for duty free concessions, on luxury vehicles, claiming that they wanted to return to live
here.There were ready buyers for these vehicles, with the new owners paying millions of dollars less than what would have been charged by GRA had it been imported under normal conditions. The ‘remigrant’ subsequently flew out and GRA was none the wiser. To ensure that these “remigrants” are bona fide, the proposed Customs law change says that applicants for duty free concessions must reside at least 193 days for each year until the three year or five year period has expired. After that period, the remigrant is allowed to sell the vehicle. The Gazetted notice explained that the changes to the current law is necessary to standardize requirements of residency, entitlements and condition with regard to concessions for duty free vehicles imported by qualifying remigrants and settlers.
Tuesday February 16, 2016
Kaieteur News
23 dead as missiles hit three hospitals, school in Syrian towns
People gather near what is said to be a hospital damaged by missile attacks in Azaz, Aleppo, Syria, yesterday in this still image taken from a video on a social media website. (Reuters/Social Media Website via Reuters TV) (Reuters) - At least 23 civilians were killed when missiles hit three hospitals and a school in rebel-held Syrian towns yesterday, residents said, as Russian-backed Syrian troops intensified their push toward the rebel stronghold of Aleppo. Fourteen people were killed in the town of Azaz near the Turkish border when missiles slammed into a school sheltering families fleeing the offensive and the children’s hospital, two residents and a medic said. Bombs also hit another refugee shelter south of the town and a convoy of trucks, another resident said. “We have been moving scores of screaming children from the hospital,” said medic Juma Rahal. At least two children were killed and scores of people injured, he said. Activists posted video online purporting to show the damaged hospital. Three crying babies lay in incubators in a ward littered with broken
medical equipment. Reuters could not independently verify the video. In a separate incident, missiles hit another hospital in the town of Marat Numan in Idlib province, in north western Syria, said the French president of the Doctors Without Borders/ Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) charity, which was supporting the hospital. “There were at least seven deaths among the personnel and the patients, and at least eight MSF personnel have disappeared, and we don’t know if they are alive,” Mego Terzian told Reuters. “The author of the strike is clearly ... either the government or Russia,” he said, adding that it was not the first time MSF facilities in Syria had been attacked. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which tracks violence across the country, said one male nurse was killed and five female nurses, a doctor and one
male nurse are believed to be under the rubble in the MSF hospital. Also in Marat Numan, another strike hit the National Hospital on the north edge of town, killing two nurses, the Observatory said. Residents in both towns blamed Russian strikes, saying the planes deployed were more numerous and the munitions more powerful than the Syrian military typically used. Rescue workers and rights groups say Russian bombing has killed scores of civilians at market places, hospitals, schools and residential areas in Syria. Western countries also say Russia has been attacking mostly Western-backed insurgent groups. But Moscow has said it is targeting “terrorist groups” and dismissed any suggestion it has killed civilians since beginning its air campaign in support of President Bashar al-Assad’s forces in September.
China urges United States, North Korea to hold direct talks (Reuters) - China’s foreign ministry yesterday urged the United States and North Korea to sit down with each other face-to-face and resolve their problems, as tension continues to climb on the Korean peninsula after North Korea’s latest rocket test. While China was angered by the launch, it has also expressed concern at plans by Washington and Seoul to deploy an advanced U.S. missile defence system, saying it would impact upon China’s own security. “The focus of the nuclear issue on the peninsula is between the United States and North Korea,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told a daily news briefing.
“We urge the United States and North Korea to sit down and have communications and negotiations, to explore ways to resolve each other’s reasonable concerns and finally reach the goal we all want reached.” North Korea launched a long-range rocket on Feb. 7 carrying what it called a satellite, drawing renewed international condemnation just weeks after it carried out a nuclear bomb test. It said the launch was for peaceful purposes, but Seoul and Washington have said it violated United Nations Security Council resolutions because it used ballistic missile technology. North Korea’s nuclear bomb test last month was also
banned by a U.N. resolution. China, while frustrated by North Korea and having signed up for numerous previous rounds of United Nations sanctions on its isolated neighbour, has said it does not believe sanctions are the way to resolve the problem and has urged a return to talks. Numerous efforts to restart multilateral talks have failed since negotiations collapsed following the last round in 2008. Chinese popular opinion has become increasingly fed up with North Korea, a country once a close diplomatic ally. In an editorial yesterday, the official English-language China Daily called for new U.N. sanctions to “truly bite”.
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THE EXECUTIVE ARM SHOULD ENJOY A MONOPOLY ON GINA The role of a government information service is to report on the work of executive arm of the State. It is not obligated nor is it within its remit to provide coverage for the other arms of the State such as the Legislature and the Judiciary. A government information service is not required to provide coverage to the opposition. It is perversion of its mandate to do so. It is confined to covering the government, meaning the executive, and not the opposition. The duty to provide fair coverage to the opposition does not rest with the government information service but instead with the state media. It is the state media which is supposed to provide coverage for the opposition, not the government information service which in my definition is concerned with the executive. When APNU and AFC were in opposition they denied their support for
subventions of GINA – the Government Information and News Agency – on the basis that adequate coverage was not being given to the opposition parties. They did the same for the state-owned National Communications Network (NCN). They had a case in relation to NCN but were off mark when it came to GINA because, as was repeatedly told to them, GINA is a government information agency and is only concerned with reporting on government activities. The State media on the other had an obligation to ensure fair coverage to all concerned, including the opposition. It is good to see and hear on state media the opposition leader addressing the National Assembly but why is this being done in the wee hours of the night when most Guyanese are sleeping? It is not only necessary for the state media to report on the opposition it must do so in fair and balanced way.
I will explain what is meant by these two important terms since it is not clear is these concepts are taught to journalists of the media – both private and public – at university or whether these concepts if indeed taught are suffocated when persons join the media. The concept of fairness demands that all sides of a story be covered. If therefore a government minister says that the total productive forests of the country was shared out under the previous administration, then a comment should be sought from all the necessary stakeholders, once this practical, so that the reader gets all
sides of the story. It is not good enough to report what was said then the next day report the retort from other stakeholders, Fairness demands that interested parties are given the chance of response; this should be done immediately as far as is practicable. Balance is really an obligation of editors. They should ensure that all sides of society are given coverage. The state media has a special duty to report on government but this cannot be done at the expense of denying the opposition coverage. But it does not end there. The government should not get coverage during
prime time and the opposition during non- prime periods when everyone is sleeping. This, in fact, was one of the criticisms made by APNU and the AFC of GINA when it was being controlled by the PPP government. This criticism was made in relation to the coverage of parliament. The new government has had eight months to settle in. The honeymoon period is over. There needs to be set in place standards for fair and balanced coverage by the State media. The opposition parties should be accorded the right to response, as was demanded by the AFC when it was in opposition. Air time should be ac-
corded to the opposition party and to the ruling coalition in proportion to the seats allocated in the National Assembly. Local government elections will soon be held. All the contesting parties and independents should be allowed air time on state radio and television to get their views across. A new culture of press freedom is needed one that allows for greater fairness and balance within the state media. But when it comes to the government information agency, the executive arm should enjoy a monopoly.
Team Benschop supporter beaten while putting up flags
Dem boys seh...
Luncheon could cut off nuts fuh knee cap A man does thief because he think he can get away wid it. People does walk anyhow pun de road because dem know that dem drivers frighten to knock dem down. Some man does knock dem wife because dem know that she wouldn’t seh nutten. De Chat-3 use to sit down pun Brickdam and whistle at dem young gyal who pass by. He didn’t care if dem was school gyal or road gyal; once dem young he would sit and whistle. One day he wife sit down and he keep whistling. When he ketch heself he ask she if she vex. De woman seh ‘Nah. I does see dem dogs chasing cars and dem can’t drive.” Luncheon is de same thing. He apply fuh get back he doctor’s licence. Of course, he was a great kidney specialist but he give up that to tun politician. Now that he out of politics he want to tun doctor again. De man end up cussing. He claim that some of de people who he train now refusing to help him. But that was when he was a doctor; and besides he can’t be sure is de same people. Dem boys been deh when SOCU call he in fuh talk to dem about certain money. Luncheon, as a politician did sign nuff documents fuh people move about money. He sign fuh NIS money move to CLICO and he sign when NIS was to lend money to de Berbice Bridge. That is how SOCU decide to check. Dem boys seh that de SOCU man give Luncheon a document that he, Luncheon, sign. De man ask Luncheon to read. Dem boys seh was a case of tricky and trawnie. Luncheon got two spectacles. He put on de first one and claim he can’t see. Then he put on de second one. Again he claim that he can’t see. De SOCU man tell him that if he can’t see wha deh in front of him now dem want to know how he gun send in application fuh doctor licence fuh wuk pun de local market. One man seh that thing fuh cry got people laughing. Dem boys seh if Luncheon get de licence, since he can’t see he might have to feel. That is when he gun cut off people nuts fuh dem knee cap or he might cut somebody tongue fuh dem heart. Talk half and hope Luncheon fix he eye fuh read dem SOCU documents.
Rahim being attacked as he lay on the roadway As the days draw closer to Guyana’s first Local Government Elections after more than two decades, electionsrelated violence raised its ugly head in the Kitty area. Around 17:00 hours yesterday, Iqbal Rahim, a supporter of one of the contesting groups was brutally assaulted by an independent candidate contesting Constituency #2, Kitty area as Rahim was erecting flags on a utility pole. Rahim claimed that the independent candidate known as “Bulldog”, who is associated with one of the leading political groups in Guyana, stomped and kicked him about his body, causing him to seek medical attention at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. He told Kaieteur News that he was about 12 feet up a ladder erecting flags on the utility pole on Dowding Street, Kitty, when the thug came up and pulled away the ladder causing him to fall to the ground. “He start kicking me and tell me that I must tek down dem flag from de post,” Rahim stated.
Kaieteur News understands that several persons witnessed the attack and one of them contacted the police, who responded promptly. However by then the bully had fled the scene. Rahim was subsequently taken to the hospital where he had his cut eyelid stitched and treatment for his lacerated lip. He said that he was very surprised by the attack and will be seeking justice from the police who had not apprehended the suspect up to late last night.
Kaieteur News understands that “Bulldog” acted as a bodyguard for well known persons who campaigned for the ruling A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change at last year’s general elections. “Me and this man campaign together to change de government and look wha he do to me,” Rahim lamented. When contacted last evening, leader of Team Benschop, Mark Benschop, denounced the actions of the
independent candidate. “This type of thuggery is unacceptable. This is not the change we voted for. We are calling on the APNU+AFC to denounce this thuggery because Team Benschop will not be intimidated,” Benschop stated. According to Team Benschop the attack on Rahim is not an isolated incident. Earlier yesterday, while campaigning in Tucville, Constituency 12, Team Benschop candidates Mark Benschop, (Continued on page 23)
Page 10
Kaieteur News
Tuesday February 16, 2016
=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===
What I did on Valentine’s night makes me want to hate Guyana Rawle Welch, Kaieteur News Sports Journalist and I left KN offices at 7.30 pm on Saturday night. We were heading home. As we reached Croal Street and Avenue of the Republic, commonly known as Demico car park, a mini riot was in progress. Traffic became chaotic. We were caught in the middle of it. It was impossible to reverse to escape. Fear of my car being struck overcame me. I heard Rawle said, “Watch this man boy,” A minibus refused to slow down and almost hit us. Then Rawle yelled out again, “Watch this man boy.” This time it was a
cyclist hurrying to get into the crowd. He rode in front of our moving car and gave us the look of unrestrained, intimidating ignorance. As we drove closer to the outbreak, I slowed out of curiosity. The behavior was ugly. It was an accident but the thickness of the crowd prevented us from seeing the actual picture. I don’t know if a fight broke out over the crash but I believe violence was in the air. Not even one policeman was in sight. I immediately said that to Rawle. At the most crowded traffic junction in the entire 83,000 square miles of Guyana, a huge brawl was in progress and not even a solitary traffic rank was present. All over the world, people, young and not so young, flood the streets on Saturday night. The world comes alight on Saturday night. From Af-
ghanistan to Newfoundland, from the Solomon Islands in the Pacific to little Nevis in the Caribbean, more people are on the streets on Saturday night than any other night. Naturally, most commonsensical, more cops are out on duty on Saturday nights. Not in Guyana though, and for obvious reason - rational thinking is not a feature of life in Guyana. We come now to my perennial point - the failure of Guyana as a country If you are reading this article between 7.30 am and 6 pm, go to that very park, go to any park, go to any busy roadway and you will see traffic ranks there in full battle dress. Then when night comes, go to those very sites, go all over Georgetown and you will see more elephants roaming the streets than traffic cops. What becomes of the traffic police after sun-
down is a mystery. I am on the roads every night, and I hardly see traffic police. In all honesty, I mean that. To get home after dropping off Rawle, I didn’t take the Railway Embankment where I live because when I turned off Sheriff Street on to the Railway Embankment I saw the confusion. It was the massive build-up outside Giftland Mall. I used the Atlantic highway I got home about 8pm. My daughter asked me to take her to Prashad Nagar to give her friend muffins she had baked that afternoon. It was no point using the Railway Embankment. But, how to cross over the Railway Embankment from UG Road to get to the other highway? The traffic signals do not work after 6pm and the flow of vehicles on the Railway Embankment from both east and west is non-stop. My daughter’s heart was
in her hand. Coming back from Prashad Nagar, her heart was in her hand again. The next night, Sunday, Rawle Welch and I left KN offices at the same time as the night before. It was Valentine’s Night and madness took over the roads. Rawle lives in Kitty, and as we drove north on JB Singh Road, a car overtook us at tremendous speed on the right driving onto the parapet to pass us. You can ask Rawle Welch; for the two nights we drove home we didn’t see not even one traffic cop although we saw many forms of driving madness Like Saturday night, I took the Atlantic highway again because of the Valentine outpouring at Giftland which would make the Railway Embankment impassible. Right at the junction of the highway and Vlissengen Road at Clive Lloyd Drive, there was a big
Frederick Kissoon accident with dozens of people gathered and tempers flaring but not even one traffic rank could be seen. Time now to get to my home and to cross over the Railway Embankment on UG Road. It was impossible. I drove to Ogle on the Atlantic Highway, turned into the Railway Embankment and hugged my corner until I reached the dead traffic signals and onto UG Road again. I took the long way, and all because of dead traffic lights at a terrible crossing. We are celebrating 50 years on Independence. Yea maan!
Tuesday February 16, 2016
Kaieteur News
Page 11
$280 million in pharmaceuticals procurement dumped last year - new system to tackle shortage
Minister of Public Health, Dr. George Norton and the Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud at the press conference yesterday. ing on a costing exercise to determine the total costs of drugs expended in each region. This will help address the disease profiles of the particular region.” He added, “The drug supply system is far from perfect.
The shortage of drugs and other pharmaceuticals is a worrying issue- to tackle this situation; the government has introduced a new drug procurement system which will address drug shortages and wastage. Minister of Public Health, Dr. George Norton, at a press conference in the Ministry’s Boardroom yesterday said that the drug supply system is far from perfect but government is taking steps to strengthen the management of the drug supply chain. In 2014, he said that $280M worth in medication had to be dumped because they were expired. To avoid this from happening again, the new procurement system was introduced. It will show all aspects of the drug system from the procurement to the distribution and to the consumption. “This Government will ensure adequate drugs and medical supplies are provided in all of our facilities across the country. We are not there yet, but we intend to get there soon and fully resolve these issues,” the Minister stated. Explaining the new system, Dr. Norton said that
drugs and medical supplies will be centrally procured and distributed to the respective regions in an effort to have a more efficient and transparent system with less wastage. The Minister said that by procuring drugs this way, the health ministry will benefit from economies of scale whereby there will be a reduced cost when drugs and medical supplies are purchased in bulks. According to Dr. Norton, each region will be given an allocation for the procurement of drugs and medical supplies. However, an agreed sum will be sent back to the health ministry by the Regional Executive Officer along with a list of needed medical supplies. This will then be pooled together and used for the general procurement process. This will not be done for minor purchases which include snake bite kits and small emergency supplies. “The allocations have been distributed across the regions as a first step in improving the programme budgeting of health costs at a regional level, even as work is advancing on a costing exer-
cise to determine the total costs of drugs expended in each region to address the disease profiles of the particular region.” This newspaper was told that the system that persisted since 2005 of sole sourcing is a thing of the past. Also, there is now a new bidding document where new companies will have a chance to take part in this exercise. “The different numbers of medical supplies and pharmaceuticals are separated in lots so we find that, for instance, if we need diabetic supplies then that will be in one lot. If we need ophthalmological and pharmaceutical supplies that will be in another lot,” Norton explained. He continued, “Whoever is participating can bid for a particular lot be it diabetic or ophthalmological supplies.” Government has plugged $28 billion of this year’s national budget into the delivery of health care. “The allocations have been distributed across the regions as a first step toward improving the budgeted health costs at a regional level, even as work is advanc-
To date there has been no administration that has had a situation free from shortages of drugs and medical supplies in some parts of the country.” In addition, the Public Health Ministry is working to create a more transparent pro-
curement system which will allow individuals to bid on portions of the tenders since the supplies will be separated by lots and tendered as such. There was more than $280M worth of expired drugs in 2014.
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday February 16, 2016
Govt. in talks with Barama on new forest deal Talks have commenced between Government and Barama on a new investment agreement.
Minister Raphael Trotman
Twenty-five years after coming to Guyana, Barama Company Limited is set to renew its investment agreement. With that Malaysianowned company among the biggest foreign investors, along with the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT), the new administration would be looking at how well Barama has lived up to its expectations. These would include value-added processing and its plywood operations at Buck Hall, Essequibo River and at Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara. Barama has been allocated 1.6 million hectares, the biggest forest concession for any one company in Guyana, acquiring in the early 90’s when Guyana was looking for foreign investors and new jobs. According to a Ministry of the Presidency statement on the renewal of the agreement, talks have started. Teams representing the government and Barama met last week, to examine the company’s request for a renewal of its Investment Development Agreement, which will expire in October. The Government’s team comprised representatives from the Ministries of Natural Resources, Indigenous People’s Affairs, Business and Public Infrastructure, along with the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Guyana Forestry Commission. “The Government expects to benefit from expert advice from the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) to help inform its decision. Formal talks on the matter will commence later this month covering several critical areas of interest,” the Ministry said yesterday. Last September, Minister
Raphael Trotman visited the company’s Buck Hall operations to get a first-hand look at the operations and working conditions there. He had said that the government would like to see more valueadded production from investors in Guyana and he would ensure that this component is included in any agreement. During that tour in September, General Manager of the company, Mohindra Chand, had said that Barama has been one of the longstanding foreign companies in Guyana and while the challenges were many, it had never considered ceasing operations here. Noting that more than $43 billion has been plugged into its Guyana operations, he said that he expected Barama to grow and further development to take place once the agreement is renewed. Barama has been operating in Guyana since 1991. With attention being paid to the forest lands, a Barama deal would be a critical to other arrangements that Guyana has with over investors. Government has signalled tougher measures to ensure it receives returns on investments also. Last week, Trotman said that all of Guyana’s productive forests have been given out by the previous Government of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic. Last year, Barama said one of its biggest challenges is to acquire skilled workers and raw material. Its factory at Land of Canaan has been supplying plywood, critical to home construction, to the local market and for export. Chand had said that despite its concessions, being around 1.6M hectares, the
largest forestry concession in the country, its available forest is just about 1.1M hectares, taking into account the rivers and other areas. It is barred from carrying out activities in these areas as part of the environmental safeguards. Annually, Barama said it contributes about $400M in taxes, royalties and other fees. About $1.6B annually is paid out for local service and other goods providers. At least two communities, Port Kaituma in Region One and Buckhall in Region Three, have benefitted significantly. The company said it is not benefitting from special attention. ”We are not benefitting now from any duty free concessions. Because of the heavy presence of miners and others on our roadways, we are also seeing our maintenance costs rising. It all impacts at the end of the day on the bottom line.” On that export end, the lack of containers, a shallow Demerara River leading to the wharfs and bureaucratic processing have all contributed to constraints. ”Guyana has a rainy season too. It has significantly impacted our operations. It will affect operations as there can be no movement on the roads when the rain falls. We have also been facing delays in transferring monies from Guyana.” Another major factor hampering productivity for Barama is poor forest yields. ”It is a fact that a clump of a specific tree species will not be growing in one place for most species. We may find a few in a hectare. So taking the equipment there, taking the trees down, it takes time,” the Manager said.
Tuesday February 16, 2016
Kaieteur News
Page 21
GCAA issues guidelines Miner remanded for for drone operation illegal
The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has issued a set of guidelines to govern the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) such as drones, to ensure safety in operation. The guidelines came in the form of a notice and could be in response to the increase use of drones in the city and its environs, which could result in disaster. A few weeks ago a Guyana Defence Force helicopter, GDF 1, landed safely without incident at Camp Ayanganna, after it was “buzzed” by what appeared to be a remotecontrolled ‘Drone,’ recently. In light of this, the GCAA has informed that there shall be no flying within Prohibited or Restricted areas. According to the local aviation authority, the established Prohibited Area in Georgetown is: - Lateral Limit: A circle with radius of 3NM centered on the Georgetown Lighthouse Marine Beacon – 065000N0581000W and Vertical Limit: From Ground to 4500ft. Individuals flying for hobby or recreation are strongly encouraged to follow these safety advisories. Operating Restrictions: i) DO NOT FLY AT A HEIGHT EXCEEDING 400ft. ii) DO NOT FLY BEYOND A RANGE of 1600ft FROM THE PERSON CONTROLLING THE DEVICE. iii) DO NOT OPERATE OVER AN OPEN AIR ASSEMBLY OF PEOPLE. iv) WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE PERSON IN CONTROL, DO NOT FLY OVER OR WITHIN 150ft of ANY OTHER PERSON. v) DO NOT OPERATE OVER OR NEAR A PRIVATE OR PUBLIC PROPERTY WITHOUT PRIOR PERMISSION FROM THE OWNER. vi) DO NOT OPERATE WITHIN 5 MILES OF ANY AIRPORT/ AIRSTRIPHELIPAD AND OR LANDING PAD. vii) DO NOT OPERATE AT NIGHTS OR IN LOW VISIBILITY CONDITIONS. viii) DO NOT DROP or TOW ANY OBJECT DURING FLIGHT. ix) KEEP THE AIRCRAFT WITHIN VISUAL LINE OF SIGHT AT ALL TIMES. x) FLY CLEAR OF OBSTRUCTIONS. xi) DO NOT FLY WITH A FIRST PERSON VIEW DEVICE. xii) DO NOT OPERATE IN A RECKLESS AND
UNSAFE MANNER TO ENDANGER PERSONS AND OR PROPERTY. Professional (commercial & non-commercial) operators are persons or companies that operate Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for nonrecreational purposes, including business-related activities such as, but not limited to, aerial photography, surveillance, geometric surveys, power line
inspections, crop observations and research and development. The GCAA further advised that prior to commencing operation, all operators in this category “Shall apply to the GCAA in writing for approval, providing all details of the intended operation, and must not commence operation, unless written permission is obtained from the GCAA.
A miner was remanded to prison after he was allegedly found with an illegal firearm and ammunition last Thursday, at Issano Backdam, Mazaruni River. He appeared yesterday in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan. Don Fraser, 26, of 53 Third Avenue, Bartica, is accused of having a single barrel Remington 12 gauge shotgun in his possession on February 11, when he was not the holder of a firearm licence. It was further alleged that on the same day at the said location, he had two 12 gauge rounds in his possession. Fraser, who operates a dredge in the interior, pleaded not guilty to the charges after they were read to him. Attorney Latchmie Rahamat petitioned for her client to be released on bail.
gun
Don Fraser According to Rahamat, special circumstances arise surrounding her client’s
arrest. She told the court that on the date in question, police (Continued on page 23)
Page 22
Kaieteur News
PROPERTY FOR SALE Property for sale, Grove $20M / Rent: $50,000 per month. Tel: 625-5461.
SERVICES
WANTED
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. – CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620
Attractive live in waitressCall: 327-0252/674-4665 Live in waitress 18-28yrs – salary $60,000 monthly. Call: 610-3974
Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Guyana passport application. Graphics design, advertisement. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535.
Drivers paid salary and contract cars-Call: 231-0002; 219-4087
Repairs at low cost: Fridges, air- conditioners, washing machines, TVs, microwaves, freezersCall:629-4946 or 225-4822 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158 Repairs & spare, fridge, freezer, A/C, washers, stoves – Contact Nick: 683-1312, 627-3206 Cleaners’ R’ us: janitorial cleaning including: window cleaning, office cleaning, pressure washing, etc. Call: 6609478; 672-0865 or 223-6544 Tax Services: custom brokerages, individual income tax, property tax, value added tax, compliances certificates, etc. Call: 660-9478 INNOVATIVEMARKETING & PUBLISHING INC –TEL: 600-4212: We create A/ works, logos, business cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. FOR SALE/FOR RENT American pool table – Call: 277-0578
Salesgirls, porters and security guard. Apply with written application at Lot 1E Dennis & Middleton Street, Campbellville. We buy land in Eccles, Herstelling, Farm, La Parfaite Harmonie, Uitlugt, Zeelugt and East Coast. Call: 6042207; 611-7223
1 Acre land (37X1200) with flat house, chicken pen & fruit trees -$11M negotiableCall: 642-7898 Lot 15 Good Hope, West Coast Demerara – Call: 6906840
One live-in housekeeperCall: 223-0654
Are you planning on buying a building from $5M to $20M? Call Ron for deals: 611-7223; 604-2207
Experienced pastry maker, cake decorator, counter servers, waiters, handy boy, pleasant personality, apply @ Hack’s Halaal, 5 Commerce St. Truck Driver wanted to work in Georgetown. Call: 218-1156 Live in domestic to work in Mahaicony River – age 18-40, well paid- Call: 644-6905; 2256571
Is the bank about to seize your property? Property already seized? Call Ron: 6117223; 604-2207 2 Storey property: 4 bedrooms (1 master), grilled, toilet (both flat), concrete fence @ Q68 Guyhoc Gardens, Ruimveldt. Call: 231-9174 Located @ No.2 Canal Polder, house 3 yrs old & all house appliances, 5 ¾ rice land elsewhere. Call: 690-9331; 661-0374
Responsible hire car drivers – Call: 231-7200 Housekeeping staff to work at hotel- Call: 638-2027 (from 9am to 4pm)
CAR RENTAL
MASSAGE Happy Touch Day Spa: Come & Experienced heavens touch, visit us today! –Call: 690-6079
DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS& SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 643-5122, 6560087 , EMAIL: PRO_ AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO. COM
DRESSMAKING Learn to cut & sew from elementary to advance @ Enid’s Dress Making Classes - 68 Sixth Street Alberttown. Call: 223-9106; 643-7966
FOR SALE BY OWNER: FLORIDA DESIGN, WATER FRONT PROPERTY LOCATED AT MADEWINI RESORT COMMUNITY. CALL: 624-5048; 624-5042
1 Concrete 2 storey property @ Lot 20 Area H Ogle- Call: 254-1663; 622-1610
Live in female, experienced care giver for elderly maleCall: 664-8150; 233-0547
Wing’s Car & 4WD Vigo pick up rental- Call: 690-6494 Aidan’s Car & 4WD Vigo pick up, cheapest rate, low security- Call: 698-7807
SALON - Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals and Black Opal - Cosmetology Courses - Nail Technician Course Call: 647-1773/660-5257
Brand new 2 storey concrete building in 5th Avenue, Diamond, E.B.D, all modern amenities –Call: 662-9335; 612-3244
Cleaners: persons living in the areas of Soedyke E.B.D to Timehri. Call: 223-6544; between 9:00am-5:00pm
1 Live in domestic must know to cook, 30-45yrs, salary $80,000 monthly. Call: 6105043 TAXI SERVICES GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 2257878 (24HRS)
Transported property @ Tuschen Housing Scheme $7M negotiable. Call: 2641050; 683-7045/669-3553
Tuesday February 16, 2016
LEARN TO DRIVE Soman Son & Outar Driving School at Maraj Building- Tel: 644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997
FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Three storey 75feetX28feet concrete building, open floor, 2 offices & 2 washrooms @ 25B Princes St., Charlestown. Call: 223-0654 Vreed-en-Hope Junction: Lessons place, office, storage bond, church -$20,000$25,000-Call: 603-6400 Apartment for rent @ Kitty Dowding Street: 2 bedrooms apartment, newly printed $55,000 –Call: 652-8970 or 674-3735 Two bedrooms apartment; bottom flat @ Middle Road La Penitence -$40,000 monthlyCall: 619-9042; 611-4482 2-2 Bedrooms apartment for rent at Mon Repos, North E.C.D –price:$55,000. Call: 692-9295; 688-6005 House for rent in Grove Housing Scheme. Call: 6801282 3 Bedrooms house (furnished) @ Windsor Estates E.B.D with 24hr security- $USD2, 000 negotiable. Call: 600-2031 3 Bedrooms apartment (furnished), Foreshaw Street, Queenstown-$200,000 negotiable-Call: 600-2031 3 Bedrooms apartment (furnished) @ Bougainvillea Park, Farm, E.B.D -$120,000 negotiable- Call: 600-2031 Executive 2 bedrooms apartment in exclusive Residential Area close to the Ogle Airport- Call for appointment: 653-2920 2 Bedrooms apartment, upper flat, located at D5 Waller’s Delight W.C.D. Call: 662-0187 TO LET Four storey business place located on Robb Street, next to Bourda Market- Call: 6237731; 629-0636
VEHICLE FOR SALE
FOR SALE Oswin J’s Auto Imports; LARGE QUANTITIES OF New arrivals: Allion 2006; HIGH PURITY MERCURY SILVER) Premio: 2004, 2006 & 2008, (QUICK PURITYFielder 2007 & Suzuki 99.99995% $19,000 PER POUND Escudo. Call: 592-609-2815 CALL: 592-227-4754. Honda CRV (RD5), PNN series, stick gear -$2,350,000 Yamaha 40 HP, good working negotiable, Toyota IST, PSS condition @ Meten-Meerseries, candy pink - Zorg. Tel: 672-2578, Boy Blue $1,650,000. Call: 691-1198 1 Leyland (55) 210) Cab/ 1AT 212 PRR, 1 Allion PRR Chassis/Ford Cargo Chassis Series, 1 Premio PPP, owner and Diff with springs & other leaving country. Call: 642- truck parts- Call: 275-0014; 2645 660-0604 New model 4X4, RAV4, Household Items: curtains, excellent condition- $2.2M – dinette set, wall divider, Call: 618-1395; 220-6380 wares, Sony music system, Allion 2010, PTT series. Call: cupboard, fridge & more, owner migrating. Call 626-7464 Allison: 688-5446 Toyota Rav4 J (2001),PNN LED light Bars: 3", 20", 32" 6964, in excellent condition- and 45", $20,000, $30,000 & Call: 625-2323; 254-0530 $43,000- Call: 666-9107. Like 2008 TOYOTA FIELDER us on Facebook- LED light (UNREGISTERED), FULLY Barss LOADED, RIM, BODY KIT, Play station 4 system REVERSE CAMERA, TV, $90,000, XBOX one -$85,000, DVD -$ 2.5M-CALL: 642- XBOX 360 -$40,000, PS 37295 $35,000. Call: 621-7497; 603We buy & sell vehicles for 8643; 649-3277 cash, also parts available & AT 212 Toyota Carina 30 seater buses; Extra Cab (white)- Call: 663-1597; 218pickups; 2006 Tacoma- Call: 4837 680-3154 Nissan Titan- Call: 696-5135 Reduced prices on unregistered cars, Allion, Owner migrating: baby girl Mazda, Fielder, BlueBird. Call clothes -$200 up, baby bag, City Motors:626-7478; 616- baby tub, girls tops -$500, barrel, counter top stove – 3413 Call: 618-2116 AT192, 212, Allion, unregistered Premio, Hilux AMERICAN BULLY DOGS, Surf, BNN, RZ & Pit-bull, 7 REMYLINE & GOTTILINEseater super custom. Cash / CONTACT HARRY: 610terms- Call: 680-3154 0 0 6 8 / 2 2 0 - 7 9 3 3 , WHATSAPP: 667-4845 Noah, Voxy: unregistered, fully loaded, ‘G’ Series-$1.7M –Call: 603-9700 1 L-Touring Wagon, Toyota Corolla, HB 9912- Call: 690-6840 2008 TOYOTA IST (UNREGISTERED), FULLY LOADED, RIMS, BODY KIT, REVERSE CAMERA, TV DVD -$2.5M -CALL: 642-7295 Toyota Fun Cargo 2007, PPP series, lady driven, excellent condition -$1.3M negotiableCall: 601-3268 Toyota Hilux Surf 2783 cc, mileage 74,000 km, year 2006$8.5M negotiable. First owner driven, excellent condition. Call 626-1372; 656-9100 First Class Auto: Rush, IST, Runx, Sienta, Bluebird, 06 Premio, 06 Allion, Fielder, Spacio, Noah. Call: 627-8383; 638-3045
EDUCATIONAL
Rooms in Alberttown –Call: 225-3234
Toyota verossa year 2004, mileage 69,000 km- $2.2M negotiable. First Owner driven, excellent condition. Call 626-1372; 656-9100
Reading, Phonics, Penmanship, Basic English & Math Class are available now to children 7yrs & older – Call/Text: 624-3116
House to rent @ East La Penitence, Morocut Street: 2 bedrooms -$65,000. Call: 6939179; 604-60898
VACANCY 1 Massage therapist, 1 pedicurist for new spa-Call: 696-7337 for details
LAND FOR SALE Double lot 9950 Sq. Ft @ Republic Gardens, price $25M (negotiable). Call: 6247686 Land @ La Grange Public Road to sea dam, 4 acre, could use for housing development-Call: 625-1514 Going Cheap: One house lot at Mon Repos (Martyrsville) - $3.7M negotiable. Call: 220-0538, Joel: 645-2395; 629-5300 Corner lot for sale 80X45 @ Meadow Brook Gardens, close to Mandela Avenue. Call: 699-9381; 231-4560 $1.5M (Fenced land), Parfaite Harmonie (major road), Zeelugt (100ftX50ft) with reserve -$2M. Call: 604-2207; 611-7223 Land in Diamond –Call: 6987807 Continued on page 23
Tuesday February 16, 2016
Kaieteur News
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Droning the homes... Third accused charged with brutal murder of Bush Lot couple Two of the accused were previously charged with the capital offence and headed to court. They were to head back after the third suspect was arrested a few days later. The third suspect is Rooplall Abrahim, called ‘Vijai’, 24, of Murphy Dam, Rosignol, West Bank Berbice. He now joins Gocoul Madanpaul, called ‘Clown’, 18, of 175 Block B Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice and Nazamadeen Raffick, 19, called ‘Shazam’ of Bush Lot, West Coast Berbice. They were charged with the grisly murders of Doodnauth Rajkumar, 81, a business-
man, and his reputed wife, Dianne Chammanlall, both of lot 93A Bush Lot, West Coast Berbice. The three youths who are known to the authorities once again stood expressionless when the charge was read to them. They are accused of between Friday January 8, and Saturday January 9, last, murdering the couple, Rajkumar and Chammanlall, at their home in furtherance of a burglary. They were remanded by Magistrate Weever until March 9 when they will appear in the Fort Wellington Magistrate’s court.
Lindener granted bail for allegedly stealing car mirrors A Lindener was yesterday released on $15,000 bail on a charge of simple larceny when he appeared before the Chief Magistrate in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. Guy Porter, 23, of Lot 80 South Amelia’s Ward, Linden is accused of stealing two rear view mirrors between February 9 and Febraury 10. The items are the property of Phillip McPherson and are valued at $30,000. Porter who had no legal representation
pleaded not guilty to the charge. Police Corporal Deniro Jones presented the case of the prosecution and did not oppose the request for the defendant to be granted pre-trial liberty. However, Jones did not reveal any facts about what transpired on the day in question. Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan transferred this matter to the Linden Magistrate’s Court for February 24.
Team Benschop supporter... From page 9 Royston Alkins and volunteers were trailed by Deputy Mayor Patricia Chase -Green and several persons in her company. “The Deputy Mayor would have arrived at the exact spot Team Benschop was campaigning right after they got to the neighborhood as if they were
summoned. The persons did not make direct threats but acted in a way we deem intimidating.” “On February 8, 2016, our candidate for Constituency number One, Ms. Supatra Abraham, was instructed by her immediate superior at the Georgetown Hospital Corporation, to stop campaign as a candidate for
Team Benschop or face disciplinary action.” Team Benschop said that it views these acts as infringements on citizens’ rights of association and freedom of political opinion as guaranteed under the constitution. Team Benschop is calling on all right thinking and law abiding citizens to condemn these attacks.
From page 21 searched Fraser’s camp and found no illegal items. The lawyer explained that a while later lawmen searched some bushes outside of her client’s camp and unearthed the items. Rahamat argued that the defendant had no reason to be carrying an illegal gun since he is a licensed firearm holder. According to the lawyer, anyone passing along the trail could have placed the gun there. Attorney Rahamat told the court that two persons have so far provided police with statements saying that the gun was indeed found in the bushes and not in her client’s camp. Fraser’s lawyer argued that her client was kept in custody beyond 72 hours and she was assured by the Divisional Commander of that area that Fraser would not have been charged. Rahamat further informed the court that her client is not a flight risk and has an unblemished criminal record. However, Police Prosecutor Corporal Deniro Jones was opposed to the defendant being granted pretrial liberty. He contended that no special reasons were put
forward by the defence for bail to be considered by the court. Jones related that on the day in question, police acting on information went to the defendant’s camp where they conducted a search but found nothing. The Prosecutor said that based on further information officers
searched the bushes and found the gun hidden in a length of wood. Jones stated that Fraser orally confessed to ownership of the firearm and ammunition. This matter was transferred to the Bartica Magistrate’s Court for February 25.
Miner remanded for illegal...
From page 4 against the mosquito. Not only the central government but the City Council has to mobilize so we do not lose this battle. The sanitary inspectors need to visit each and every yard in our capital and spray each one to exterminate the mosquitoes. They need to check all of these black water tanks to see if they are sealed properly. Mosquitoes actually begin their lives under water. Females will lay their eggs in just about any standing pool of water they can find, so that’s where you strike first. With today’s technology that is available, the Georgetown City Council can use drones, both to monitor
potential breeding sites and to deliver larvicide. It is quite simple and straight, the Zika virus - like dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever viruses-is transFrom page 22 mitted by the Aedes Aegypti mosquito. The most effective control measures we need to take are the prevention of mosquito bites and the reduction of mosquito populations. Come on City Council, there is no time to lose, this is no time to expending a large portion of your revenue sprucing up the Merriman’s Mall, and chasing the minibus and taxi drivers and vendors around town. This is time to VACANCY place all of your resources in 1 Cleaner: apply in person, lot the fight against Zika. 19, Middleton Street, Mark Roopan Campbellville, Georgetown or call: 219-4684. Closing date 19th February 2016
The President’s lessons... From page 5 needs to mandate that care be taken in execution of their tasks, with the objective of social cohesion being the default practice. The Government and its affiliates should do nothing to have any of the supporters of the opposition feel like they are being ostracized. And if at anytime they are accused of bias, the administration must be able to objectively and candidly justify their position. Maybe I am utopic in my views, however, I think that nothing ventured, nothing gained. As a pastor my default behavior is one of forgiveness and inclusivity. The Gospel is a message of social cohesion; it talks about turn-
ing the other cheek, of going the extra mile and of giving your cloke when your coat is taken. The President’s commitment to national unity suggests that he is not only being guided by his patriotic compass but indeed by his religious persuasion. It therefore behooves those within his administration – at all levels – to read the tea-leaves and find some religious, nationalistic or moral reason to leave the petty, political, pandering aside and join the President in this national agenda. Wendell Jeffrey, Pastor Candidate for District #8 Wortmanville/ Work-en-Rust
Hairdressers, nail technician, barbers, also hair & nail stations available for rental location: New Market StreetCall: 638-1106 Local & International e m p l o y m e n t : www.jobfairworldwide.com. Call: 233-6517/622-1957/6380595 between the hours of 9am-5pm Mon –Sat. Waiters to work at 704 contact 223-5273 Skilled welder & machinist (limited supervision), apprentice, male & female cleaner. Apply @ Technical Services; 18-23 Eccles Industrial Site. Cashier to work in super bet - Call: 625-5322
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Tuesday February 16, 2016
“Taliban” jailed for 17 years, workman jailed for 12 on attempted murder Two men Samuill Imtiaz Shaw, called ‘Taliban’ and ‘Amo’, 52, of Lot 10 D Grant 1806, Crabwood Creek, and Ramsammy Angrashalam called ‘Babs’, 56 ,of Lot 65, Grant 1805, Crabwood Creek in Corentyne, were found guilty in the Berbice High Court on a charge of attempted murder. On Monday they were sentenced to 17 and 12 years respectively in jail. This was following the presentation of a probation report. On January 16, 2012 at Crabwood Creek they discharged a loaded firearm at Brijai Ramdass called “Bruck back” with intent to murder him. They were also accused of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to maim or disfigure or disable him. The state’s case was presented by Attorney-at-law Natasha Backer. The men were represented by Attorneys-at-law Mursalene Bacchus and Perry Gossai.
Victim loses one eye crippled After the probation report was presented by Senior Probation and Social Service Officer Voonashewarie Gopal, Justice Holder admonished the officer for the poor quality of the report which lacked substance. He said that the probation department was asked to compile a report to help in sentencing, but the report was of no help. He expressed his disappointment. The report stated that both men have been school dropouts. Shaw, a father of six, is a Canadian citizen while Angrashalam, a father of five, also has a son who is a convicted prisoner. The prosecution’s case which was presented by Attorney-at-Law Backer was that at Crabwood Creek, Corentyne, Berbice, the two accused shot at Ramdass
causing him to receive multiple injuries about his body and to be paralyzed from his waist down. He also lost the use of his right eye. Prosecutors Backer told the court that Ramdass and Shaw had entered into an arrangement to cultivate plantain. The arrangements eventually fell through some time during 2012 and Ramdass took Shaw to court. The court was told that between 05:30h and 06:00h on the day in question Ramdass and his workman, Hazrat Ibrahim called ‘Buckman’ went to the farm. Not long after Ibrahim was injured. Ramdass subsequently put him in a boat and was taking him out of the cultivation to get medical attention. On the way the men saw the two accused and Jagdeo’s brother, Jagdeo Ramdass, called
The two accused Shaw called Taliban (light shirt) and Angeshallam being taken into custody by a police officer. ‘Spraga’ on the dam. During the trial the state called a number of witnesses including Bijai Ramdass, his brother Jagdeo Ramdass, women detective Sergeant Joanne Johnson and Dr. Ramsammy. Ramdass, who gave his evidence in chief in a wheel chair, detailed the sequence of events to the court. The two accused gave unsworn statements from the dock and denied shooting at the accused. They told the court that on the day in question they went to the back dam on a motor bike. During the time they encountered the accused and his brother. They told the court that it was the accused brother who shot him. The defence in their summing up had asked the jury not to believe the story of the prosecution and to believe the story of the accused. In her address to the jury, State Prosecutors Natasha Baker had called the evidence of the Defence a ‘Nancy story’ .She told the jury that the men wanted you to believe their James Bond story. In a plea of mitigation attorney Bacchus asked the court to show mercy. He stated that the men had no previous conviction. He said that whatever sentence is arrived at by the court must still give the men a chance to be able to return to society and make a contribution when their term of imprisonment is over. Justice Holder before pronouncing sentence admonished both men for the dastardly act committed on a fellow human being. He asked what would drive someone to want to kill another person. He said it was clearly not a case of self defence. “How could the two of you plan to kill.” He reprimanded Shaw for being the mastermind. The judge asked Angrashalam, “What did the
The now paralysed Brijai Ramdass points to his damaged right which still has a pellet lodged inside
victim do you? You were an employee of Shaw and it does not mean that you would follow all the instruction that he gave you.” Justice Holder then asked the two men if they had anything to say. Shaw called “Taliban” stated “I am sorry sir”, Angrashalam took some time before answering. “I am innocent of this story.” The judge told Shaw that he had in mind 22 years in jail, but will subtract five years.
You are sentenced to 17 years in jail. The judge then told Angrashalam that he had 17 years in mind, but will minus five years. He is sentenced to 12 years in jail. Attorney at law Bacchus subsequently told the media that an appeal has since been filed. He cited the reason as inadmissible evidence been admitted. Summing up in favour of prosecution and the defence of the appellant was not put to the jury.
Tuesday February 16, 2016
Kaieteur News
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Several large forest concessions Cops detain PPP member -reportedly being questioned about Crum-Ewing murder Former Office of the President employee and PPP member, Jason Abdulla, was in custody last night, and indications are that he is being questioned about the March 10, 2015 killing of political activist Courtney Crum Ewng. Abdulla is reportedly being detained at the Golden Grove Police Station. According to a statement from the Opposition People’s Progressive Party, police ranks took Abdulla into custody yesterday “for unknown reasons”. “The employee was taken into custody at CID Headquarters, Eve Leary and is being moved around suspic i o u s l y, ” t h e s t a t e m e n t said. “A lawyer representing the interest of the employee was told by the police that the officers who arrested him had left the station and that no further information was available. The
latest information is that he may have been taken to the Grove/Diamond Police Station,” the statement added. The statement alleged that police ranks had tried to arrest Abdulla during a recent picket exercise in front the office of the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Kingston, but subsequently retreated. “This development reinforces the suspicion of a carefully orchestrated diabolic plan by those in authority to target and harass people associated with the PPP. This vicious ongoing political witch-hunt is a serious cause for concern especially since the police are being used to carry out these despicable acts,” the statement concluded. Crum-Ewing was gunned down in Diamond New Scheme, East Bank Demerara in March, 2015, while using a bull-horn to urge residents to
vote for the APNU/AFC Coalition. Seven months later, police arrested and charged 37-yearold Regan Rodrigues of Riverview, Ruimveldt, for Crum Ewing’s murder. Police had said that they got a lucky break after arresting an individual who was in possession of a .32 pistol. The firearm reportedly turned out to be the same weapon that was used to kill Crum-Ewing. They later detained Rajput Narine, a former CANU officer and ex-bodyguard of former Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, for questioning, but soon released him. This time around, the police are not saying what led them to Abdulla but a souce close to the investigation said that evidence has surfaced and fingers are pointing in Abdulla’s direction.
Over 100,000 passport... From page 3 diaspora for the speedy processing of their passports, the new Government moved to reduce the three months waiting time to acquire a new passport from overseas. Once passports arrived from the diaspora they are processed in Guyana within five days and are returned to their destinations. “I am sure that these passports are returned to their respective owners within one month, removing two months of unnecessary waiting.” Last year, Felix stated that the Central Immigration and Passport Office at Eve Leary processed 89,136 passports for local use, and 14,606 were processed for Guyanese in the diaspora. Last month, 8059 passports were prepared for local use, while 1140 passports were prepared for the diaspora. Birth Certificates A birth certificate is a basic and an essential document of identity and it should be issued either at birth or as soon as possible thereafter so that children could receive health and education services. In this regard, Minister Felix outlined that Guyana has been pursuing one hundred per cent birth registration which is an international standard intended to en-
sure that children are documented. “In furtherance of our desire to have every child registered the Department has partnered with UNICEF to visit the hinterland and riverain communities to discover and register children. During last week ending February 6, 2016, sections of Region One – the Barima/Waini were visited by staff from the Department and that visit was very successful based on the number of registrations done.” A proposal was made in
this year's budget to digitize the records at the General Register's Office. . As a consequence of the digitization huge amounts of data would be stored electronically leading to a printed rather than written birth, death and marriage certificates. “We will continue to ensure that children receive the protection they need from the State against abuses and eventually attain and maintain one hundred per cent birth registration.”
forcibly repossessed
…awarded to close friends by Jagdeo’s administration –GFC records says Records that were once kept under tight wraps by the previous government are lifting the veil on what transpired in the forestry sector in the last two decades. With Government saying that no productive forest lands remain available, records and complaints, including maps, are indicating that several concessions were repossessed, some forcibly, only to end up in the hands of not only close friends but a few foreign companies that have been under the spotlight. The concessions are located in Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine. Last week, Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, said that his Government, shortly after coming to office last year, discovered that hundreds of thousands of acres of the area set aside for logging and other forestry activities are all gone. However, Opposition Leader and ex-President Bharrat Jagdeo, denied this was so, saying that only 55
Kwebanna Wood Products, in Region One, was one of the forest concessions questionably re-allocated. percent of the forest has been allocated. He said that most of the lands were granted before 1992, under the PNC government, to companies like Barama. Recent maps and other records indicated that indeed no lands in the areas allowed for activities are available. Other records, acquired by Kaieteur News, along with complaints of concessions holders, are showing a pattern where lands were taken away and then re-allocated. In some cases, the lands were acquired, under questionable joint ventures
(JV) and other arrangements, by companies like Chineseowned BaiShanLin and Vaitarna Holdings, an Indian company. Some of the concessions that have been re-allocated included those belonging to Kwebanna Wood Products; Caribbean Resources, Unamco, Simon and Shock; Sherwood Forests and Demerara Timbers. According to the records, these prime forest lands were allocated to not only BaiShanLin, but also to companies like Rong An Inc, Grand Bright Forestry; (Continued on page 26)
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CARICOM heads to tackle key development issues at Belize meeting PLACENCIA, Belize — Advancing the regional response to the Zika virus threat will be among matters engaging Caribbean Community (CARICOM) heads of government at their 27th inter-sessional meeting in Placencia, Belize, today and tomorrow. The heads are also expected to focus on measures to position the region to benefit from the historic Paris Agreement on climate change, including access to climate finance. The Belize meeting comes two weeks after the World Health Organisation declared Zika as a ‘public health emergency of international concern’. The suspected Zika link to cases of microcephaly in parts of Latin America, with babies born with underdeveloped brains, has also heightened public concern about the virus. At least five CARICOM member states have diagnosed cases of the Zika virus. The Caribbean Regional Public Health Agency
(CARPHA), which has been providing testing and prevention and control guidance to member states, is expected to help the meeting determine the future actions in the ZikV fight. The meeting also gives the CARICOM heads of government an opportunity to build on the favourable outcome, from last December’s COP 21 Paris Climate Change conference, for small island developing states (SIDS), which include CARICOM member states. CARICOM climate change negotiators in Paris, using the popular mantra ‘1.5 to Stay Alive’, successfully promoted the ‘temperature rise’ as an existential issue for the region, and were able to have language included in the historic final agreement which takes account of the 1.5 degree option. The CARICOM negotiators also pushed the special circumstances for scaled up financing for the implementation activities in SIDS, and the agreement includes a
baseline contribution of US$100 billion annually for both adaptation and mitigation. The Caribbean Community now faces the challenge to use the agreement as the basis for future climate action. This is expected to include improving national and regional capacities to make use of the emerging opportunities. CARICOM ministers and their technical officials met in Belize last Thursday and Friday to further analyse the agreement ahead of the intersession a l m e e t i n g . T h e Paris Agreement will be opened for signature and ratification at the United Nations in New York in April. CARICOM heads are also expected to continue deliberations on the implications for the regional banking sector from loss of corresponding banking relationships. Of particular concern is the region being labelled as a highrisk area for financial services.
Tuesday February 16, 2016
Port-of-Spain Mayor doesn’t resign (Trinidad Guardian) Portof-Spain Mayor Raymond Tim Kee did not tender in his resignation at the emergency City Corporation council meeting yesterday. On Saturday Tim Kee announced his intention to resign a day after scores of concerned citizens and human rights activists staged a protest at Woodford Square in Port-of-Spain, calling for him to step down over comments he made on the discovery of Japanese pannist Asami Nagakiya’s body at the Queen’s Park Savannah on Wednesday. However, at the Council meeting which began at 10.30 am yesterday, Tim Kee did not resign. He was expected to read his resignation into the record, but the media were told that this did not happen.
Port-of-Spain Mayor Raymond Tim Kee Now the council is at a deliberation stage where members of the council are deliberating the future of Tim Kee’s tenure. This also gives the Mayor time to deliberate whether or not he is going to
resign. On Sunday an online petition was started on Go Petition to encourage Tim Kee not to resign. However that petition only gained 281 signatures. A petition on Change.org started by Roger Rajan called: “Support for Mayor Raymond Tim Kee...His words were merely advice of caution and concern” got more than 700 signatures. The petition for Tim Kee to resign which was started by social activist group Womantra got more than 10,000 signatures to date. A call was made out on Facebook Sunday to hold a vigil in support of Tim Kee, and scores of people also showed up outside Woodford Square yesterday.
Several large forest concessions... (From page 25) Hi Tech and Puruni Woods. Some of the concession holders said that they were told to sell or enter joint venture arrangements or face the concessions being taken away. In one case, a Region One concession under a prominent family from Essequibo ended up in the hands of a foreign affairs
official who is based in Florida. This concession was acquired by BaiShanLin shortly after. Most of the concession holders said that they were fearful of speaking before. They said that they were also pressured by the Guyana Forestry Commission which used “all sorts of reasons” including non-compliance, to force them to sell off. Significant to note also is
that the concessions given out did not see any processing taking place there. It would raise questions about the monitoring of GFC. Minister Trotman last week said that land grabbing was done without any regard for future generations. He made it clear that in the context of the national patrimony, this can only be seen as a threat to the nation’s long term viability and security as a people. The administration is now moving to change the forestry laws. The issue of forest lands is part of a bigger concern over the giveaway of the country’s resources. With the last two decades, especially under Jagdeo’s rule, state properties, and vast lands for gold mining and logging ended up through questionable circumstances in the hands of a few, many of them foreigners. Some of the companies and individuals were mere speculators. They sold out their concessions for hundreds of millions of dollars to foreigners, another official pointed out. Guyana, on the other hand, lost out on taxes and other obligatory revenues that would have been earned by the state. Little monitoring and corruption have also helped some of the companies to operate in a seeming wildwest situation, with smuggling, under-declaration and environmental issues resulting. The new administration has vowed to regulate the situation but few persons or companies have been brought to the court or penalized.
Tuesday February 16, 2016
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday February 16, 2016
Samples confirm Islamic State used mustard gas in Iraq - diplomat (Reuters – Exclusive) Islamic State militants attacked Kurdish forces in Iraq with mustard gas last year, in the first known use of chemical weapons in Iraq since the fall of Saddam Hussein, a diplomat said, after tests by the global chemical arms watchdog. A source at the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) confirmed that laboratory tests had come back positive for the sulphur mustard, after around 35 Kurdish troops were sickened on the battlefield last August. The OPCW will not identify who used the chemical agent. But the diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity because the findings have not yet been released, said the result confirmed that chemical weapons had been used by Islamic State fighters. The samples were taken after the soldiers became ill during fighting against Islamic State militants southwest of Erbil, capital of Iraq’s autonomous Kurdish region. The OPCW already concluded in October that mustard gas was used last year in neighbouring Syria. Islamic State has declared a “caliphate” in territory it controls in both Iraq and Syria and does not recognise the frontier.
The matter is expected to be raised at the next meeting of the OPCW’s 41-member Executive Council in a month, an official said. If Islamic State used chemical weapons, experts are still uncertain of how the group might have obtained them, or whether it could have access to more. Another diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Syria’s stockpile was a possible source of the sulphur mustard used in Iraq. That would mean Damascus had failed to fully disclose its chemical weapons programme, which was dismantled under international supervision in 2013-2014, the diplomat said. “If Syria has indeed given up its chemical weapons to the international community, it is only the part that has been declared to the OPCW and the declaration was obviously incomplete,” the diplomat told Reuters. Syrian officials could not immediately be reached for comment but have previously denied any part of the country’s former stockpile remains undestroyed. Syria agreed to give up its chemical weapons stockpile after hundreds of people died in an attack with Sarin nerve gas in a Damascus suburb in 2013. Western countries
blame that attack on the government of President Bashar al-Assad, which denies it. Iraq’s chemical arsenal, part of a “weapons of mass destruction” programme used to justify the U.S.-British invasion of 2003, proved to have been destroyed and dismantled in the Saddam era, although U.S. troops occasionally encountered old Saddam-era chemical munitions during the 2003-2011 occupation. Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, a specialist in biological and chemical warfare, said Islamic State fighters may have developed their own chemical weapons capability, and could be preparing to use it again. “I’m pretty convinced that the mustard IS are using in Iraq is made by them in Mosul,” he said, referring to the main city in northern Iraq, which Islamic State fighters have occupied since 2014. “They have all the precursors at hand from the oil industry and all the experts at hand to do it.” Sulphur mustard is a Class 1 chemical agent, which means it has very few uses outside chemical warfare. Used with lethal effectiveness in World War One, it causes severe delayed burns to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract.
Neither PNP nor JLP able to convince 50% of electorate to love It (Jamaica Gleaner) - Fewer than half of the 1.8 million persons on the latest voters’ list have a favourable opinion of the governing People’s National Party (PNP) despite every indication that it will be elected for another term when the votes are counted on February 25. The latest Gleaner-commissioned Bill Johnson poll has found that 43 per cent of the electorate has a favourable opinion of the Portia Simpson Millerled party, while 45 per cent has an unfavourable opinion. This has, however, reflected a marked improvement (eight per cent) for the PNP, which had polled a 35 per cent favourability rating when Johnson tested the pulse of the nation in February last year. For Johnson, despite getting the love from less than half of the electorate, the PNP, which had a 47 per cent
favourability rating heading into the 2011 general election, remains poised to do well on election day. “It should be noted that only 33 per cent of the electorate says they plan to vote for the PNP in the general election, so even people who don’t plan to vote for the PNP have a favourable opinion of it,” said Johnson. “The numbers say everyone who plans to vote PNP has a favourable opinion of the party, and even some of those who don’t plan to vote see the party in a positive light. You don’t have to love somebody. You just have to believe that they will do a better job than their opponent,” added Johnson. For the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), it goes into the election with only 39 per cent of the electorate viewing it in a favourable light, while 47 per cent has an unfavourable opinion of the Andrew Holness-led party.
That means that the JLP is entering this election with even less love from the electorate than before the 2011 general election when it had a 42 per cent favourability rating in the poll conducted by Johnson just before Jamaicans voted. According to political commentator Mark Wignall, the favourability rating of both parties is in keeping with the polls, which project a PNP victory. “And therein lies the rub,” added Wignall as he noted that the PNP has a net favourability rating of minus two per cent while the JLP has a net favourability rating of minus eight per cent. “The net favourability rating for both parties shows that a large section of the electorate is saying a pox on both of your houses, and a large, silent group don’t give a damn about either party,” argued Wignall.
Tuesday February 16, 2016
Kaieteur News
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Australia wrap up resounding victory ESPNcricinfo - Emphatic doesn’t quite do it justice. Unrelenting throughout, Australia put on another exhibition of high quality bowling to seal a vast victory over New Zealand and place one hand on the ICC Mace awarded to the world’s No. 1 Test team. A deflating result for the visitors in Brendon McCullum’s 100th Test was only a tail-end flurry short of New Zealand’s heaviest ever loss at home to Australia. Having set up the match with expert use of seaming early conditions on the first morning, Australia’s bowlers asked quite different questions on the fourth morning. Mitchell Marsh, Josh Hazlewood and Jackson Bird all used reverse swing to good effect, while Nathan Lyon homed in on a footmark outside the right-handers’ off stump to gain sharp spin. The absence of Peter Siddle, rest-
ing a back complaint, was well compensated for. Steven Smith will be a most contented captain, having overseen a performance in which many questions about this team have been answered. They chose the right XI for the conditions, they bowled impressively, and most importantly batted with command even after Joe Burns and David Warner were out cheaply with the ball still new on day one. New Zealand will be left to wonder over the significance of the “no-ball” that reprieved Adam Voges early. Henry Nicholls endured longest for the hosts, on the way to making the highest score by a New Zealand debutant batting at No. 4. But his dismissal on 59 by Bird left the tail exposed to the bounce and conventional swing of the second new ball. Southee and
Trent Boult entertained another strong Basin Reserve crowd with a late flurry against Lyon, but it was merely a parting shot. Having lost McCullum from the last ball of day three, New Zealand’s chances of survival were slim, and they narrowed further when the 63over old ball began bending in both directions. Corey Anderson struggled with the ball moving away from him around the wicket, but after a few play and misses Smith directed Marsh to go over the wicket and try to straighten one down the line. Two balls into the tactic, Marsh pitched one in line and swung it back to pin Anderson in front. Like McCullum he reviewed, but it was a futile gesture for a delivery crashing into middle and leg. BJ Watling arrived and his first ball from Lyon hit the aforementioned footmark and
narrowly missed spinning back to strike the off stump with the batsman offering no shot. Lyon took note of this, and it was not long before he delivered a slightly flatter delivery on the same line that had Watling playing back, fatally. The turning ball was through him in an instant. Nicholls had absorbed all this pressure, but Bird’s decision to send one down at a full length made the difference, coaxing the batsman into a flick across the line. Again there was some swing, and the ball flicked off the pads into the stumps. At this, the
Australians took the second new ball, and a Hazlewood lbw review against Doug Bracewell was declined due to a lack of conclusive evidence before the interval. Hazlewood had his due reward soon after resumption, when Bracewell was struck in front: this time there was no bat to confuse the issue. Southee’s blows dented Lyon’s figures somewhat, but the bowler was content to keep tossing it up in expectation of a miscue, which was exactly what happened. Mark Craig and Boult entertained for a time also, but
in playing so freely they did nothing so much as underline how well the Australians had bowled to the batsmen. A match over in fewer than four days had taken place on a pitch that would still be good for batting on day five. In pursuit of Test cricket’s top perch, Smith’s men had played to a very high standard indeed. Scores: Australia 562 (Voges 239, Khawaja 140, Smith 71) beat New Zealand 183 (Hazlewood 4-42, Lyon 3-32) and 327 (Latham 63, Nicholls 59, Lyon 4-91, Marsh 3-73) by an innings and 52 runs.
Exclusive: CONCACAF lawyers... (From page 26) that. But we are in an enviable position in that we have a choice to make,” he said. Gandhi said there was support for most of the reforms with discussions con-
tinuing about some of the details. “They have an opportunity to fix things. Most companies in this situation don’t get that opportunity, its not like the mafia goes around and
says we are going to clean up ourselves and everything will be alright,” he said. “We are getting the chance. We get to clean ourselves up”.
A. Ally and Sons Showroom, RHTY&SC... Tuesday Feb 16, 2016 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Don't waste this exciting day by sitting at home. Be firm when dealing with matters pertaining to your environment. Be sure to take care of any minor ailments.
and take a bit of a chance. LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Don't jump too quickly if someone tries to make you join in on their crusade. Passion will be your only answer.
TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Try to make your lover understand that you need to do things with your friends. Don't even bother trying to get their approval on the things you want to do.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Your disciplined attention to jobs will enhance your position. Take care when dealing with older relatives. You will get along well in social situations.
GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You could overreact to emotional situations regarding your relationship. You will be looking for creative ways to make a little extra cash.
SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) . Don't bang your head against a wall. You may want to sign up for lectures or courses that will bring you mental stimulation.
CANCER (June 21–July 22) The information that you gain can be used in every aspect of your life. Take a different approach; make an offer they just can't refuse. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Your lover may not understand your needs so you must figure out a way to communicate them. Be confident in your endeavors and others will believe in your efforts. Visit friends you don't get to see that often. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You can make money if you're willing to push your ideas on those in a position to support your efforts. Don't hold back; go with the flow
CAPRI (Dec.22–Jan.19) Compromise if you have to, to avoid verbal battles. Try to make amends by planning a nice dinner for two. Those who have been too demanding should be put in their place or out to pasture. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) You can enjoy your involvement in organizations that make charitable contributions. Your mate may want to pick a fight but if you're persistent with your affections their anger should dissipate. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You can set your goals and make a beeline for your target. Spend time with friends and relatives. Travel for pleasure.
(From page 28) Ashiek and Sons Motor Supplies and Auto Sale, Massy Distribution, Roshan Satar Supermarket and Office Express. This event will form part of Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary celebration with proceeds going towards further improvements to the club’s facilities and day to day running. In addition, funds will be allocated to three schools in the No.19 to Gangaram area. The tournament will be played on Tuesday February 23, 2016, a national holiday and will involve ten second division teams from the area. It will be five overs a side with no first division cricketer al-
Shabazz names 22... (From page 31) Midfielders Konata Manning, Travis Grant (Pele) Tichard Joseph, Trayon Bobb, Devon Millington (Slingerz FC) Eon Alleyne, Dwayne Lindie (Fruta Conquerors ) Dwight Peters and Colin Nelson (Alpha United ) Strikers Gregory Richardson (Pele) Vurlon Mills (Slingerz) Daniel Wilson and Dellon Lanferman (Alpha United).
lowed. Top clubs such as Canje Pathfinders, Betsy Ground Triple Stars, Kendall’s Union A, Rose Hall Community Cen-
ter and the host are expected to take part. Incentives with the value of over $100,000 will be up for grabs along with lots of gate prizes.
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday February 16, 2016
Guyana Baseball League to host Exclusive: CONCACAF lawyers warn Girls baseball clinic on Saturday of serious risks if reforms fail
Some of the girls involved in a previous programme wait their turn during a session. The Guyana Baseball League will host a Girls baseball clinic on Saturday 20th February at the Berbice High School ground beginning at 9:00AM and ending at 5:00PM. Following the GBL coaching education programme in November 2015, a group of coaches started a girls baseball programme at Berbice High School ground, the
programme has been an instant success and has led to the formulation of the Kanima 21U programme to give opportunity to young women through the sport of baseball, the opportunity to play a sport and benefit from a healthy lifestyle, to build bonds of friendship that will last their entire lives and to provide an experience that changes their perspectives, broaden their
horizons and fires the imagination to all the possibilities the world of sport has to offer. Fifty five girls are expected to attend this clinic which will be managed by Miss Onefa George. Fourteen other coaches will assist in delivering a programme tailored to suit four categories of players, Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced and Elite.
MIAMI (Reuters) CONCACAF, the corruptionplagued soccer organization for North and Central America and the Caribbean, could face dramatic consequences, including being disbanded, if it fails to reform, the organization’s lawyers have told its members. M i a m i - b a s e d CONCACAF, one of the six confederations within FIFA, has been at the center of the FIFA scandal which has seen 41 individual and entities indicted by the U.S. Department of Justice. The last three presidents of CONCACAF are among those who have been indicted along with former general secretary, American Chuck Blazer. The charges include bribery, money laundering, racketeering and conspiracy. Trinidadian Jack Warner, who was president of CONCACAF for 21 years until 2011, has been charged by the Department of Justice and is currently fighting extradition to the United States. Representatives of CONCACAF’s 41-member associations were given a briefing by the body’s lawyers in Miami on Friday where they were urged to back a comprehensive reform package which will be voted on later this month. The lawyers warned of difficulties with broadcast
partners, sponsors and banks, FIFA itself and the risk of government action if change is not enacted. CONCACAF is currently viewed as a victim by the Department of Justice and is conducting an internal investigation in coordination with the department. But the legal presentation, a copy of which has been seen by Reuters, warned the members that they risked losing that status if they did not enact changes. “Without reform CONCACAF risks - criminal convictions or deferred/non prosecution agreement; disbanding CONCACAF as an organization, freezing of accounts and/or forfeiture of CONCACAF assets; U.S government imposing a Monitor to closely regulate CONCACAF compliance with anti-corruption laws for up to five years or more,” read the presentation. The members were also reminded that they risked losing access to forfeited funds, potentially in the millions, if CONCACAF does not retain its status as ‘victim’. Among the cases involving CONCACAF officials are a series of broadcasting and sports marketing deals that the Department of Justice alleges included massive kickbacks and bribes. Since the arrest of
Warner ’s replacement as CONCACAF president, Jeffrey Webb, on May 27, the organization has terminated all media rights agreements with Traffic Sports and Datisa, two of the companies that feature in the indictments. CONCACAF has also ended 18 “bogus vendor relationships”, the lawyers said. The presentation said it was extraordinary that the DOJ considers CONCACAF a “victim” given the extent of corruption alleged. CONCACAF will hold a special congress in Zurich on Feb. 26, a day before FIFA votes on its own reforms and elects a new president. A series of changes to the organization’s statutes, including term limits and the introduction of independent members of oversight committees, will be put to the vote. Samir Gandhi, of law firm Sidley Austin, who is CONCACAF’s attorney, has been heavily involved in drafting the reforms and told Reuters that after making the presentation he was confident they would be supported. “We have got consensus to fundamentally change the governance of soccer (in the region),” Gandhi said. “The fact is that the organization is in a lot of trouble and I think people recognize (Continued on page 25)
Eccles, Herstelling record victories
Eon Rodrigues EBD Eccles and Herstelling recorded victories when the East Bank Demerara Cricket Association 50-over tournament continued on Sunday. At Laluni, Eccles defeated North Soesdyke by four wickets. Batting first, North Soesdyke were sent packing for 84 in 16.4 overs on a difficult pitch. Neil Richardson and Sherwin Stewart added 42 for the first wicket, but their dismissal triggered a collapse
Mark Ramsammy
as pacer Eon Rodrigues grabbed 6-16 and Mark Roopchand 2-7. Sunil Sarjoo and Ronald Jaisingh were the only other bastmen that got into double figures with 16 and 11 respectively. Eccles replied with 87-4 in 17 overs. Opener Mark Ramsammy struck 34 while Daniel Barker made 24. At Farm, Herstelling overcame the host by nine wickets. Farm were bowled out for
122 in 28 overs, taking first knock. John Paton slammed 35 and Ricky Debideen 34. David Alert snared 4-6, Roman Daniel 2-11 and Ricky Sergeant 2-14. Herstelling responded with 123-1 in 17.2 overs. Sergeant clobbered seven fours and three sixes in a top score of 64 while Michael Alexander cracked 50 not out with five fours and two sixes.
Tuesday February 16, 2016
Kaieteur News
The fastest girl in the world is a exceptional 17-Year-Old Seventeen – (Yahoo Sport) When Candace Hill ran 100 meters last year in a record-breaking 10.98 seconds, the then 16-year-old high school junior officially became the fastest girl in the world. Now, she’s also the youngest track athlete to ever go pro, and she’s hoping to qualify for the U.S. Olympic team this year. “I’m still in shock about that label,” Candace says in the March issue of Seventeen, on newsstands now. “The boys are too scared to run against me... They’ll take longer to get ready or ‘forget’ something in the locker room when they know I’ll be at practice with them.” Candace didn’t start out as a track superstar. She first tried out for her school’s team in seventh grade. She wasn’t the fastest girl, and actually
Candace Hill (Seventeen) lost her first race, the 200meter dash. But with a few years of hard work and dedi-
cation, she was soon coming out on top. Going pro means giving up the chance to compete in high school and college leagues, but opens the door for sponsorships. (She’s currently sponsored by Asics.) “At first I was nervous to go pro,” she told Seventeen’s senior editor Andrea Stanley. “Just last year I was just a basic high school runner. But I realized that I’m moving on to bigger and better things, and that I need to take advantage of opportunities as they come to me.” Candace turns 17 today (yesterday), and we couldn’t be more thrilled to give her a Seventeen-style birthday shout-out. Learn her name now - it’ll come in handy when she’s likely to be tearing up the track on your TV screen this summer in Rio!
Page 31
Nigel Hughes, Ming’s, Goodwood Racing Service, 4R and Guyoil assist RHTYSC
Nigel Hughes presents a donation to RHTYSC Assistant Secretary Franklyn Ross. The Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTYSC) has committed itself to completing 300
Albert, Yadram are Enterprise Busta SC cricketers of the year
The awardees pose with their accolades along with representatives of the GCB and NSC. By Zaheer Mohamed Vivian Albert and Kavita Yadram were named male and female cricketers of the year when the Enterprise Busta Sports Club held its annual awards ceremony at Saturday night, East Coast Demerara. Albert had an outstanding year (2015) scoring 669 runs and taking 26 wickets at the senior level and 176 runs with seven wickets at the U19 stage. Rohan Mangal who scored 749 runs copped the best batsman of the year title, while Zaheer Mohamed Shadir with 29 wickets received the best bowler accolade. Hansraj Sookdeo (316 runs) and Devanand Persaud (14 wickets) were the best
batsman and bowler respectively in the B team, while Bhaskar Yadram with 846 runs and 13 wickets took the U19 all-rounder of the year prize. Special prizes were given to Pradesh Balkissoon, Ricardo Niranjan, West Indies opener Rajendra Chandrika and former managing director of Guyana Beverage Company Inc Robert Selman. The ceremony was graced by the presence of former West Indies fastbowler and territorial development officer Colin Stuart and Gervy Harry of the Department of Sport, Ministry of Education. In addressing the gathering, Harry congratulated the awardees and urged them to stay committed.
He lauded Enterprise Busta SC for the contribution to cricket and spoke about fairplay, doping, violence and education. He said that for West Indies cricket to return to the glory days we must produce quality players on a regular basis. “No stone should be left unturned to produce world class players-players who can perform on the international stage, players who are capable of competing with and dominating the best players in the world consistently, we all have a role to play on this journey,” he posited. “Awardees you have worked hard for success, however you must keep striving for repeated and consistent
success and the achievement of one goal should be the starting point of another.” Harry stated that the National Sports Commission is keen in promoting sports and its organizations, maintaining facilities and encourage cooperation with sports entities. The club wishes to thank, Guyana Beverage Co., Trophy Stall, Sheik Mohamed, P and P Lumber Yard, Jai Kissoon, Latchman Yadram, Mr. Elattie, Vivian Albert, Mr. Deokissoon, M and M Fast Food, Ruben Lumber Yard, SSAS Auto Sales, Yadram family, Super J Store, Kanhai Electrical Agency, Ramchan Auto Sale and General Store, Crown Mining and Centre Council for their support.
programmes/activities in 2016 under the sub-headings of sports, education, charity, youth and community development, employment, coaching, anti-crime, anti-suicide among others. The Club’s planned activities over the last week received a major boost with several corporate entities and individuals making contributions. Attorney at Law Nigel Hughes, Republic Bank (Guy) Ltd, Ming’s Product Service, Cameron and Sheperd, Modern Optical Service, John Fernandes Ltd, Guyana Oil Company (Guyoil), Goodwood Racing Service, 4R Bearings all made various contribution to the RHTYSC 2016 list of activities. The Management of Mings Products Service donated a large quality of cricket balls to the Club’s Cricket development programme, while Ansa Mcal contributed 100 anti-suicide coloured T/Shirts to its social awareness campaign. Club Secretary Hilbert Foster and Executive member Mark Papanunah received financial contributions from the donors and expressed gratitude to them for their support. Foster disclosed that the RHTYSC which in 2015 celebrated its Silver Jubilee anniversary with a record 302
programmes/activities has committed itself to surpassing that figure in 2016. Special emphasis would be placed in expanding the Club’s highly successful Say No to Drugs, Crime, Suicide and Say Yes to Education/ Sports programme, its Charity assistance programme to less fortunate families and NGO’s, Community related projects and expanding it’s cricket development programme. The RHTYSC, Foster also disclosed would be actively involved in Guyana’s Golden Jubilee Independence anniversary by hosting at least three major programmes including a Rose Hall Town Nite. The long serving Secretary/CEO and former National Sports Personality of the Year Awardee reassured all of the donors that their contribution would be used for its intended purpose and all of the Club’s objectives for 2016 would be achieved. The RHTYSC, he stated is currently undertaking an internal assessment of its operations to strengthen its ability to get things done quicker and have a greater impact on society. Special mention was made of Nigel Hughes, DR. Jose Da Silva, Chetram Singh, Ralph Ramkarran, Ricky Deonarine and the Fernandes Family for their support of the RHTYSC.
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday February 16, 2016
PCL First Class cricket
Defending Champs extend unbeaten streak to 13 Singh is Man-of-the-Match By Sean Devers Defending Champions Guyana Jaguars notched up their sixth consecutive win this season to extend their unbeaten streak to 13 with a 105run win against Trinidad & Tobago’s Red Force at Providence yesterday in the sixth round of the PCL fourday cricket tournament. Vishaul Singh hit an undefeated 104 in the first innings for the Jaguars to take the Man-of-the-Match ahead of left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul (5-65 & 4-45) and Leon Johnson’s second innings unbeaten 111. Set an improbable 303 to win from a possible 98 overs on the last day after the Jaguars declared on their overnight score, the Red Force were all out for 197 from 69 overs with an entire session to spare despite a classy 57 from Guyanese Narsingh Deonarine and an attacking 48 from Reyad Emrit. Permaul (4-45), left arm spinner Gudakesh Motie (2-45) and leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo (2-56) bowled well. The Jaguars moved to 101 points, 19 more than second placed Barbados, Guyana’s next opponent is Barbados from Friday. Scores: Jaguars (237 & 244-4 dec) Red Force 179 & 197) When play began the visitors lost both openers with just 21 runs on the board. Kyle Hope dragged a wide half-volley from Raymon Reifer and was bowled for eight while Imran Khan was bowled by Keon Joseph for 10. Yannick Cariah, who scored 68 in the first innings, was joined by the Red Force’s most experienced batsman Deonarine and the pair looked to rebuild the innings in sunny conditions and on a last day track which was still good for batting.
Steven Katwaroo sweeps Veerasammy Permaul who took 4-45 and a match haul 7-127. Permaul struck with his second ball when Tagenarine Chanderpaul held a sharp reflex catch at bat/pad as Cariah (9) tucked the ball off his legs to leave the score on 37-3. Jason Mohamed (2) played half heartedly at a ball that bounced and turned from Permaul and edged it to the Keeper as the Red Force slipped to 41-4. Any thoughts the Red Force harbored of getting a Providence record fourth innings total to stage a successful run-chase had now turned to trying to survive for a draw and Deonarine, with 18 Tests and 11 First-Class tons, was the key to saving the match. Bishoo and Permaul, two of the five Test players from Albion, were operating in tandem against Deonarine, another member of that elite group which includes Sew Shivnarine and Sewnarine
LABA / 104.3 Power FM Mash Open basketball
Raiders book semifinal spot with 75-57 victory over Royals Jets survive with 67-40 win over Falcons Retrieve Raiders ensured themselves a semifinal place and head their group with a solid 67-40 win over Victory Valley Royals, while Amelia’s Ward Jets kept their hopes alive with a 75-57 win against GGMC Falcons when the Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA)/ 104.3 Power FM Radio Mash basketball championship continued at the Mackenzie Sports Club hard court on Sunday night. Playing in the opening game the Jets regrouped after losing to the Half Mile Bulls by scoring an emphatic win after leading at varying stages of the game 21-11, 43-26 and 59-44, before cruising home 75-57. They were led to their win by Joel
Webster who got 17 points, Javon Nelson returning to the sport with 12 and Allister Webster scoring 11 for the winners. The best players for the Falcons were Quincy Richmond with 12 points and Jamal Gilkes with 11. In the second game, the Raiders wasted no time in turning back the efforts of the Royals as they pummeled inside with Dwayne Roberts getting 24 points and Keon Cameron 17 and Deron Montrose eight, while for the Royals Trevor Profitt netted nine and Harold Adams eight in the losing effort. The competition continues on Friday with another double header at the same venue.
Chattergoon. When on six, Deonarine was spectacularly dropped at short-leg by a diving Chanderpaul as he pushed forward to Bishoo, operating with five men around the bat to Yannick Ottley. Ottley rocked back and pounded Bishoo for consecutive off-side boundaries to transfer the pressure back to the bowler and the sprinkling of spectators were enjoying the intriguing contest between bat and ball. Deonarine stroked Bishoo gloriously to the cover boundary and was already looking ominous. Ottley (10) was removed by
Bishoo at 75-5 but Evin Lewis joined Deonarine and they took the score to 101-5 by Lunch with Deonarine on 39 and Lewis on 16. After Lunch the sun reappeared in all its brilliance and Motie struck in the first over when he had Lewis taken at short leg by Chanderpaul to sink the Red Force to 101-6. Deonarine continued to play confidently and was well supported by Steven Katwaroo. Deonarine moved closer to his fifty while Katwaroo drove Reifer pleasantly to the cover boundary to move into the 20s as the partnership took shape. After batting for just over an hour for his 19 Katwaroo offered a tame return catch to Motie to leave the score on 127-7. Reyad Emrit, whose 113 against Barbados is the highest of his three First-Class tons, stuck Motie bru-
tally back past him and the umpire, who had to quickly take evasive action as the ball rocked into the sightscreen. Deonarine reached his 46th fifty at this level from 182 minutes, 134 balls with four fours, and was dismissed by Permaul at 147-8 before Emrit launched into Motie and hammered him for a couple of pugnacious boundaries. The former T&T Captain blasted Permaul down the ground before sweeping the left-arm spinner for another boundary. Emrit jumped into Bishoo and smashed him for two consecutive fours before he was taken in the deep as Bishoo had the last laugh. Emrit batted 149 balls, 201 minutes with nine fours. Marlon Richards (10) was LBW to Permaul to hand the Jaguars an emphatic victory before Tea.
A. Ally and Sons Showroom, RHTY&SC on board for Young Warriors Mash Cup A. Ally and Sons Showroom located at Sheet Anchor, East Canje, Berbice has once again come on board with the annual fund raiser of the Young Warriors Cricket Club of Cumberland, East Canje, Berbice Mash Cup 2016. At the presentation ceremony held recently, Waqar Sahid, Managing Director said that his Company is once again pleased to be part of this annual event. Sahid said that it is important as a business entity to assist such an important event that will help develop the community in which they operate. He further stated that they are impressed with the work of the club which has produced so many cricketers with special mention of Shimron Hetmyer who recently led the West Indies under-19 team to youth World Cup glory in Bangladesh. Receiving the cheque on behalf of the club was first division skipper, Wahied Edwards, who thanked the sponsor for his continued support of the club. He called on the
Waqar Sahid (left), Managing Director of A. Ally and Sons Showroom hands over a cheque to YWCC first division skipper Waheid Edwards. residents in the area to support the business so that it can give back to the community. He called on other businesses and private individuals to follow suit. Edwards reiterated the club’s motto of “Striving for excel-
lence through cricket and education” and promised that it will be upheld despite the challenges. Other sponsors on board so far are beverage giants ANSA McAL, (Continued on page 25)
Tuesday February 16, 2016
Kaieteur News
BCB congratulates Shimron Hetmyer and the West Indies Under-19 team The Berbice Cricket Board has saluted young Berbician Shimron Hetmyer for leading the West Indies under-19 team to their first ever victory in the ICC 2016 Yo u t h Wo r l d C u p i n Bangladesh. Below is the press release from the board: “BCB went through many trials and challenges for the past years but stood strong and kept cricket alive in the ancient county so that UDFA Division One League resumes
players can continue to emerge as did the winning captain of Youth World Cup 2016, Shimron Hetmyer. The BCB is proud of his achievement and that of his team. Shimron is the first West Indies under-19 captain to win a youth World Cup and we are happy that he is from Berbice. Kudos must also be given to the other players and the team management.”
The release continued to say that that title eluded many before and Shimron had what it took to come out victorious against pre tournament favorites, India. “In closing, the board wishes to once again congr a t u l a t e S h i m r o n Hetmyer and the West Indies under-19 team for w i n n i n g t h e tournament.”
Milerock, Federal Winners score 3-0 wins over Eagles United and Topp XX
GT Beer champions Federal Winners Connection and Petra Organisation champions Milerock recorded 3-0 wins, but did so in different styles even with the same result, when the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA) Division One League championship resumed play after over a month at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground. Playing in the first game, Milerock took the advantage early against Eagles United and in the 37th minute
Nellon Walcott scored, but they were unable to complete the dominance they promised until the extra minutes of play were added on to the regulation time. The second goal was scored in the 92nd minute by Denzil Pryce and one minute later Andre Mendonca netted to seal the 3-0 win against the hapless Eagles United. The second game did not go the same way but the Winners Connection did get the first goal against Topp XX when in the 30th minute
forward Rawle ‘Boney’ Gittens found the back of the net, and soon after they registered goal number two in the 35th minute through midfield man Keon Sears and led at half time 2-0. The Winners Connection would complete the easy victory when striker Marmalaque Davidson got into the act and netted in the 61st minute as the GT Beer championsgotthewin. The competition continues today with another double header at the MSC ground.
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Young Warriors Cricket salutes their young star Shimron Hetmyer
The Young Warriors Cricket Club based in the village of Cumberland, East Canje, Berbice is extending congratulations to their young opener and fast emerging batsman Shimron Hetmyer for leading the West Indies under-19 team to victory against pretournament favorites India and lift the winning trophy and establishing supremacy in youth cricket in the world. A release from the club stated that, Hetmyer’s talent was spotted from as early as the tender age of 6 when he used to accompany his elder brother Seon, himself a former national youth batsman who has a regional
youth hundred under his belt, to the ground in the afternoons. He was destined for greatness for he was a naturally born talent, the release continued. The club, which was resuscitated in the year 2000, has over the years produced many outstanding cricketers such as Damodar Daesrath, Gajanand Singh, Richard Ramdeen and many more but unfortunately none went on to make the West Indies senior team. The club is however confident that Shimron will be the first to don the senior team colours. His progress from a kid was closely monitored by his coach Hubern Evans who is a former national senior cricketer. Even though Shimron might have not scored as many runs as he is capable of, he led smartly and played some crucial innings. He scores so fast that he makes life easier for the other batsmen and is the first time that West Indies has ever won
the youth World Cup. The YWCC encourages Shimron to stay focused and that this is the beginning of a new phase in his career. He is also advised to keep his feet grounded and don’t let this get to his head. At the same time, taking into consideration the current poor state of West Indies senior cricket, the club calls on the WICB to keep this pool of players and even fast track some of them into the senior team. The club is planning a big welcome motorcade for Shimron when he arrives in Berbice on Wednesday, February 17, 2016. The club calls on all Berbicians to join the event to honour this son of the soil. Interested persons can contact Hubern Evans on 623-6875, Sahadeo Singh on 6 1 7 - 11 0 3 a n d R a f e e k Kassim on 612-0944. The club said that Shimron has done his family, his club, his county, his country and the Caribbean proud.
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday February 16, 2016
CWOQC - Lady Jags face off with Soca Princesses for semifinal berth today By Franklin Wilson in H o u s t o n Te x a s compliments of Fazia’s Collection, Crown Mining Supply, Anglin Enterprises USA, Stag Beer, Germans Restaurant, Queensway Security Service Guyana’s Lady Jags can further cement their name in the annals of the nation’s history if they get past Trinidad and Tobago’s Soca Princess today in their final Group B match of the C O N C A C A F Wo m e n ’s Olympic Qualifying Championships at the BBVA Compass Stadium, Houston, Te x a s f r o m 1 7 : 0 0 h r s (19:00hrs Guyana time). With the Canadians already into the semis with a perfect record of two wins from as many matches, Guyana (3 points) go into this encounter ahead of T&T
as the second placed team in the four team group on a better goal difference having lost 5-0 to Canada whilst the Trini side were 6-0 losers. Guatemala is yet off the mark points wise and it is unlikely they will with the Canadians being their last game tonight. The semifinals will be contested on Friday and the final on Sunday also at the BBVA Compass Stadium. At the post match press conference after the historic triumph on Sunday, Lady Jags goalkeeper Chante Sandiford who had another excellent game between the uprights said that it was a great team effort defensively and offensively. Head Coach Mark Rodrigues noted that the girls were a confident bunch, making use of the opportunities when they
To play with all their heart – Head Coach
The Guyanese fans on hand to support and fuel the Lady Jags to their historic win yesterday against Guatemala. were presented. He recalled that the team was in a similar position against Jamaica in Trinidad and Tobago last November and true to form the girls delivered when it mattered. ”We have advanced the history and legacy of the Lady Jags in Guyana,
regardless of what happens on Tuesday (today) we’re already winners. But Tuesday we’re going to be coming out with a different game plan and definitely going to play with all our heart.” After a goalless first half on Sunday, Guyana found
GTT / GRFU 15s’ League
Top teams deadlock on similar amount of wins after UG beat Hornets -This weekend matches crucial
Part of the action in the clash between UG Wolves and Pepsi Hornets on Sunday. University of Guyana ( U G Wo l v e s ) O s i e McKenzie used speed and power to reduce Pepsi Hornets defence to shreds to end over the tryline thrice in his team’s 29-14 triumph when the GTT/GRFU 15 League continued on Sunday, at the National Park. Mc Kenzie’s outstanding effort was complemented by
solid performances fromTrevon Selmo, who scored a try and Geoffrey Broomes’ three conversions and a field goal. Captain Elwin Chase and Rickford Cummings with a try each and Ryan Gonsalves’ two conversions completed their tally. UG Wolves now have two wins from three games after they defeated Police
Falcons and lost to Yamaha Caribs, while Pepsi Hornets also have two wins in the tournament following victories against Yamaha Caribs and Police Falcons. Meanwhile, Yamaha Caribs had a free walk in the park as the Police Falcons failed to field a full team at game time on Saturday, giving Caribs three easy points.
Caribs now have two wins in the tournament so far with their triumph over UG Wolves, being the other. This weekend games mark the conclusion of the first round of matches in the League. The GRFU 15 First Division League is being sponsored by Telephone giant, GTT.
themselves trailing Guatemala from the 54th minute but strategic subs added the more energy to the Lady Jags’ fight as substitute Mariam El-Masri (46th minute) neutralized the score in the 71st minute before the history making goal came off the boot of Alison Heydorn in the 76th minute. Rodrigues again reiterated that the 90 minutes of practice they were afforded against Canada prepared them for the Guatemala challenge and possibly Trinidad, underscoring that when they need to do it, “We can do it”. The win he said was huge for Guyana with the Lady Jags advancing their programme and legacy. He noted that some of the players were tired during the Guatemala battle and the priority leading up to today’s all important clash would’ve been to ensure that the players recover as quickly as possible to bring them back as closely as possible to whatever their 100% of fitness would be. Sandiford commented on the huge save she made with less than 10 minutes remaining in the match: “That was like unreal, you know everybody was just anxious at that point. I made the first save and everybody under my team was like busting to get to the post and save it and we did. It just shows our team’s mentality and effort and the heart, we had to keep the lead. I was so proud of us in that moment.” She noted that there was a bit of a break down but they were able to pick each other up back in that moment to ensure the victory. Rodrigues expressed his pleasure that Guyana were
now sending a message of hope to other Caribbean nations with regards to female football and what can be achieved, noting that Trinidad and Jamaica have also been flying that flag. Sandiford emphasized that the Lady Jags have the belief that they can do anything going into every game and even practice. ”The feeling is that we can do anything, it’s never like we’re going to try this and hopefully this happens. We feel like we’re in the driver’s seat, we fell like everything that happens, we control. So we believe that we are going to win, we believe that we have the skill, we believe that we have the heart and the technique and everything that we need to win the game. It’s just about putting it all into action.” She further noted that if they did that then they are confident they will get the results that they need. That level of commitment will be on display again today as Trinidad stand in their way. The last time the two nations met at this level in 2010, T&T won 4-1 but this time around, the Soca ladies will be facing a much more matured and confident Guyana team that will go all out for another historic win. The Golden Jaguars k’oed the Soca Warriors (male team) on November 11, 2011 on their way to the third stage of World Cup qualifying, the first time ever. The Lady Jags will be seeking to also reach even further, a final four place among the best teams in CONCACAF. Good Luck Lady Jags!
Tuesday February 16, 2016
Kaieteur News
Page 35
Royals kingdom await at Mecca III By Edison Jefford The kingdom of one of Linden’s enduring and dominant basketball clubs, Victory Valley Royals, which would be to ultimately win the National Championships, awaits with the optimism that the team will be at full strength in three weeks when the event begins. The Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) National Club Championship: The Road to Mecca III: The Jubilee Edition is expected to bounce off on March 4 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall featuring the top 16 first division clubs in the country. Royals’ Coach, Christopher Pollydore, told Kaieteur Sport yesterday that most of the team’s five starters are currently on work assignments that prohibit consistent practice, but
nevertheless they are working out a system to have the team at full strength. “Well the guys are following what is going on so that they can be ready; we’re trying to have our team with everybody for Mecca; once we have all these guys together before, nobody cannot beat Royals,” Pollydore believes, adding their intention is to perform well. Those players include national shooting guard, C h r i s Wi l l i a m s , w h o represented Guyana at the Caribbean Championships
Christopher Pollydore last year in the BVI; forward, Orlando Glasgow, Lawrence De Costa and guard, Alwyn Rodney. Pollydore is contending that once he has those players in his fold among some experience that he will import, Royals will be difficult to overcome. He said that Royals has the depth to battle with any of the top teams in the tournament.
Trophy Stall on board with WCC
Zaheer Mohamed receives the first place trophy on behalf on the WCC from Devi Sunich. The Wakenaam Cricket Committee (WCC) has gained the backing of Trophy Stall for the staging of its T20 competition which commenced recently. The company at their Bourda Street branch yesterday handed over the trophies which will be given to the winning and runner teams, man-ofthe-match in the final, best batsman and bowler as
well as medals to the committee. In an invited comment Mrs. Devi Sunich of Trophy Stall said they are pleased to be associated w i t h t h e competition, adding that she is looking forward to a successful tournament. She stated that this is one way of giving back to the society and wish the teams well.
Zaheer Mohamed, who received the trophies on behalf of the WCC, expressed gratitude to the entity for their contribution to the sport on the island. Good Success, Sans Souci, Sans Souci Jaguars, Zeelandia, Maria’s Pleasure, Noitgedacht and G Square Cavaliers of Belle Plaine are the teams battling for supremacy.
Chris Williams According to him, once all work according to plan, Royals will go deep in the tournament, which will justify his belief that the club can compete with the top units in Guyana; “once we avoid any of the top four clubs in the first round, we will be good to go,” he said. In that regard, the Coach indicated that it is important that he sees the schedule of games early so that he can
Orlando Glasgow prepare his team. He added that it will help his players to personally plan as well. He admits that his challenge is practice time owed to rain in Linden. “It is raining every morning now, and we practice on Saturday mornings. As you know we don’t have an indoor facility in Linden,” he said, adding that his team is taking the national tournament very
Harold Adams seriously and as such they would like to be at their optimum. This newspaper has also learnt that Royals have added forward, Trevor Profitt to its roster for the upcoming Mecca sojourn. Victory Valley Royals, based on the western side of the Demerara River that divides Linden, is ranked among the top eight clubs in Guyana.
Shabazz names 22 from Elite League to face Suriname The Golden Jaguars are back in camp as National Coach Jamaal Shabazz announced a 22 man squad for this weekend’s friendly against Suriname. The squad is totally local based and shows recalls for Slingerz winger Trayon Bobb after his debut in his club’s, 1 nil victory of Pele over the weekend. Also recalled is Slingerz captain, midfielder Tichard Joseph and Alpha’s Dwight Peters. The National squad includes Gregory Chan Richardson and his sidekicks Travis Zorro Grant and Devon Millington, while youngsters Dwayne Lindie, Dellon Lanferman and youth goalkeeper Jason Cromwell have been added. Regulars Vurlon Mills, Colin Nelson and King Solomon Austin are also in the squad, while Daniel Wilson who was on trial in the USA is also named in the team. Former Suriname based players Defenders Quincy Adams and Kester Jacobs of Slingerz FC make a return to the national set up as well. ”We want to focus on the local based for this game and test the work of the clubs in the Elite League. These lads are getting first bite of the cherry, but places on this squad is going to be very difficult going forward. Asked about the compliance of players like Richardson, Grant and Millington,
Jamaal Shabazz Shabazz was very open; “We have opened the door to everyone again. It’s a new administration and a new start to the programme. I love Chan, Milli and Zorro but we have rules. Once they can conform to the team policy I welcome them. ”We have standards and we want everyone to be the best they can be for Guyana, once that happens I cool. If not history has shown I am not afraid to act to protect the interests of the team and the mission”, stated Shabazz. Shabazz is happy for the game and welcomes the rivalry that Guyana/ Suriname clashes bring. ”We have a thing with Suriname and it’s exciting to have them as our first opponent after a long layoff.
The fans should be in for a very exciting game, they won the last encounter in Paramaribo and we want to destroy them on our doorstep,” stated Shabazz. The team will conduct sessions at the Providence Stadium, the venue for the game on Sunday. The Selected players are :G o a l k e e p e r s Alex Martin ( Alpha United ) Jason Cromwell ( Buxton U n i t e d ) D e f e n d e r s Quincy Adams, Kester Jacobs, Les Charles (Slingerz FC), King Solomon Austin, Joshua Brown (Alpha United), Trevon Lythcott (Fruta Conquerors), Linden Pickett (GFC) (Continued on page25)
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Skipper Leon Johnson is all smiles as the dismissal of Marlon Richards (front) gives his team an unblemished record for the season. Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Limited, 24 Saffon St.Charlestown, Georgetown.Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/ 226-8210