Kaieteur News by GxMedia

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Kaieteur News

Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

BETTER MEDICAL SERVICES ARE NEEDED! After almost 50 years of independence, it is very disappointing that the hospitals in Guyana continue to provide relatively poor services to the people. Guyana has a developing health care system. It is now moving to build a Specialty Hospital that could promote medical tourism. The hospital would afford foreigners the chance to get cheap surgical interventions. That was the plan from the inception. Will the government pay super salaries to foreign doctors, nurses and medical technicians to work at the Specialty Hospital? That may be the best thing since the skills on offer do not come cheap. Will the masses have access to it or is it being built to accommodate the rich only? Only if they seek top of the line medical surgery. The Minister of Health has a great deal of work ahead of him to maintain the people’s confidence in the public hospitals. There is no excuse for the high number of maternal and infant mortality at the public hospitals. While there are cases of the successes and kindness from some medical personnel at the public hospitals; there are also callousness, carelessness and major failures that have resulted in the loss of lives. The frequent shortages of drugs coupled with poor services from doctors and nurses and the length of time it takes a patient to be treated are common practices at the public hospitals. There are still the occasional shortages of drugs to treat patients. When in opposition, the Minister of Health was very critical of the government for the shortages of drugs. Today, the same thing is happening. Some say that it is a carryover from the previous administration. Maternal and infant mortality and deaths from simple illness are frequent at the public hospitals. Indeed, all Guyanese deserve answers as to why maternal and infant mortality are still taking place in this modern era. It was expected that the creation of the Regional Health Clinics would solve some of the problems at the public hospitals. Some of the clinics are. Most are under staffed and could hardly provide proper first aid service to patients and they do not have the basic bio-medical equipment to diagnose ailments. But some of them are efficient. It cannot be business as usual for the Minister of Health. He has to think outside the box and appoint a Director of Women’s Health with a special focus on maternal and infant mortality. Countless patients, who are in need of life-saving care, die waiting helplessly on the system to save them. Life is too precious for the Minister to make money an issue over life. With so much money being budgeted annually for healthcare, Guyana (250) still has a higher rate of maternal mortality, second to Haiti (380) than its CARICOM partners: Grenada (24), St Lucia (35), the Bahamas (47), St Vincent and the Grenadines (48), and Barbados (51). India with 50,000 is the highest in world, followed by Nigeria (40,000). China has 5,900 and the US has 28. With reference to infant mortality, Guyana’s 32 deaths per 1,000 live births is second to Haiti (54) and both have a higher rate than Antigua/Barbuda (6), Bahamas (10), Barbados (11), Grenada (11), St Lucia (13), Belize (14), Jamaica (14), St Vincent/Grenadines (17) and Trinidad and Tobago (18). Guyana’s health care, especially the public hospitals, needs a further upgrade to prevent deaths in future. That is why the focus is on training the practitioners. It is unethical for patients to have surgeries at the public hospitals under unsafe conditions at the hands of poorly trained individuals. Better medical services are on the cards and Guyana can only be better for it.

Thursday February 04, 2016

Letters... Where your views make the news

The black tank reality in Guyana DEAR EDITORS, The entire land development and home building process in Guyana is poorly evaluated and planned. First and foremost, there is little to zero foresight for the inevitable social concomitants that accompanies population increase. There is sickness; yet no new hospital or increase in medical staff, the need for schools, adjustments for recreation (parks) and crime (more police officers) are not undertaken. There is sewer/septic hurdles, garbage, transportation and a litany of issues associated with housing. Worst of all, today, there is the proliferation of ‘black tanks’ on trestles! This lopsided system of household water supply is both unhealthy and costly. Simply put: better pumps with stronger pipes and efficient design will save people an astronomical sum. Instead, across the country is the phenomenon of taxi services and ‘rum shops’ THAT mushroom overnight! A clear product of the current poorly accessed housing impact on the environment During the Elections campaign last May, President Granger aptly pointed out that lands the (then) PPP government was handing out were not house lots. In effect, what was given to the proletariat ( a term the late Cheddi Jagan perpetually used, referring to the “ordinary man’) were pieces of cow pasture and cane lands. In regards to the

preparation of house lots, the mere leveling of the land is flawed as the topsoil gets mixed with the under soil. No studies on the level of the water table to access the need for the type of building material that will hold up heavy structures. The type of structures also must be factored in as certain quality of construction material, coupled with architectural flaws and substandard building techniques all contribute to the durability of the building. In loam soil areas, structures above a certain weight will eventually sink or lean, hence the need for material assessment and maximum weight and height. In this regards zoning laws need to be instituted giving rise to building enclosed square footage ratios vs the land area. Zoning laws goes further to regulate the quality of life: a salient example is the interjection of businesses (e.g. tire and oil change service, welding and metal fabricating) in fully residential areas. Sad to say that Guyana is in the Jurassic age in accepting this haphazard concoction and passes it for suburban planning. Even the two Pradovilles have their deficiencies in water and electric design. It may be superfluous to add that housing projects have not fulfilled the vast demand for houses continue to be erected without correlation to neighboring villages regarding linking of basic utilities like

water, electric, transportation etc. The capital and suburbs are home to more than half the population and indications are Georgetown will be even more densely populated. With more people occupying the same area there is needed for multi- family houses, catering for those who want to “save up” to buy. These must be legal to rent vis a vis the apartments fabricated by homeowners where a few separating walls evolve into a rental income. Fire codes, such as water sprinklers, in commercial and multi-family units are non-existent. In conclusion, he epidemic of inadequate housing is steeply rooted in poor mortgage/loan process. It must be legislated that at least 20% of Bank assets should be ploughed into the housing sector. Previous administrations failed to institute this and other regulations that would have enabled working families to own properties. Guyana can step into the field with a win-win program. Loans will be given to those who can produce their Taxes Filing documents. In this way Lenders are assured that there is sound, verifiableincome and the gov’t is made happy that taxes are being paid. The sad reality is that the housing process is burning down and the Housing Authorities are arguing with the firemen. Leyland Roopnarine

Should Guyana apply the Good Samaritan law? DEAR EDITOR, Again do permit me a few lines to express a situation that once again catapulted me into the vortex of awe, regarding the final destination of the country that I still call home. The catalyst for my flight was Kaieteur News Wednesday, February 3, 2016 captioned thus: “Parika man found dead in house with hands and feet bound.” While this tragic situation did garner my profound sympathy, it was at the selfsame time dislodged by the unfolding of events that thereafter followed. According to the news report, the neighbor Jean Halley heard calls for help from Ramroop Rameshwar also called “Old Boy” around 21.30 hrs. on Monday evening, but did not respond to

same as the deceased usually uttered similar words when inebriated. There was definitely an omission as to what response was previously given, when calls for assistance or the said verbal utterances were made. Did anyone ever investigate at least to ascertain the underlying reason for the call, even if the result was similar to the well- known fable of the boy who cried wolf? In the Good Book Matthew 23: 39 there is a well-known parable of the Good Samaritan, which Jesus tells after he has given instructions to his followers to love their neighbours as themselves. Was the now- deceased not a neighbor? The obvious question that follows is; Where was the love? Did the

President during his acceptance speech implore the nation to live as one even as is stated in our national motto- One People One Nation One Destiny. Surprisingly, however, the said individual on or around 06.00 a. m on seeing just the top half of the deceased door open immediately concluded that someone had attacked the deceased. This information was relayed to her daughter who then notified the ranks. While no one is calling on her to disturb a potential crime scene, kindly assist me in joining the dots. When shouts of help, help go unanswered, due to it being the norm yet an assumption is immediately made that the half-opened top door means an attack. Am I missing (Continued on page 113)

Corporal punishment is the root cause of domestic abuse DEAR EDITOR, I am not a betting person but I seldom play the lottery in the hope of winning a large sum of cash. However, if I was to place a bet and not hope but to be certain of winning, it would be on the return of (a) the steam train from Vreed en Hoop to Parika or Kingston to Rosignol or (b) the steamer from Vreed en Hoop to Georgetown. I feel this way and very sadly, because there are many of my colleagues in the GTU and other parts of Guyana and abroad who believe in and still live in the past. Change is not on their radar despite progress in information technologies, hybrid cars,

the international space station, etc. Editor, my gripe here is specifically targeted at these persons who are opposed to the abolition of corporal punishment for the wrong reasons. In my efforts to help these doubters to embrace change for the better, I would refer them to the article below by Psychologist Elizabeth T Gershoff (more harm than good) and remind them of an article I wrote in October, 2012 on the alternatives of corporal punishment. Elizabeth T. Gershoff, More Harm Than Good: A Summary of Scientific Research on the Intended and Unintended Effects of Corporal

Punishment on Children, 73 Law and Contemporary Problems 31-56 (Spring 2010). Available at: http://scholarship.law.duke.edu/lcp/vol 73/iss2/3 There are alternatives to corporal punishment. Editor, I saw and read with delight the commitments made by both The Hon Minister of State for Education Dr Rupert Roopnarine and His Excellency The Hon David A Granger to eradicate and abolish corporal punishment in our schools. I have written on this topic numerous times and to triangulate with these two (Continued on page 113)

Thursday February 04, 2016

Kaieteur News

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Letters... Where your views make the news Letters... Where your views make the news

Women now comprise the majority in the legal profession DEAR EDITOR, On the 27th January, 2016 Mr. C.M.L John was 91 years old and he is now 64 years in practice. This makes him a senior Counsel by years of Practice and not by legal recognition . I can recall in 1952 when he was admitted as a Solicitor, there were only two female Solicitors in practice at that time. Ms. Hyacinth Bleaser who from my personal knowledge became a Solicitor in New Amsterdam, Berbice in the mid 1940’s. Later another Berbician Ms. Luckhoo had become a Solicitor. She came from the famous Luckhoo family who are well known Lawyers from Berbice. These were the only two practicing Lawyers up to 1950. The oldest female Lawyer in Guyana now is Ms. Elvy Edwards, I understand she is in her 90’s and has just retired last December. The late Mr. Fred Wills S.C. who was once Minister of Foreign Affairs was a very marvelous gentleman. He did excellently in legal practice and has been responsible for actually teaching a lot of young ladies and men in the afternoons to become Lawyers and have been able to produce from among them a lot of prominent Lawyers such as Ms. Desiree Bernard , Ms. Natalie Agard- Stephenson, Mr. Stanley Moore and the late Ms. Norma Jackman. In the early 1960’s two other female were admitted to practice; Ms. Sheila Chapman Minister Raphael Trotman’s mother and the late Ms. Shirley FieldRidley who later became Mrs. Green, the wife of Mayor Hamilton Green. To d a y t h e l e g a l profession is flooded with women Lawyers who overtime have made their mark. As far as I can recall Ms. Claudette La Bennett was the first female Attorney-at--law who ever prosecuted a criminal cases for the DPP at the Criminal Assizes . She later became a Magistrate and then a High Court Judge and is now retired. Today we have a retired Chancellor Ms. Deserie Bernard, an Acting Chief Justice Ms. Cummings Edward and (5) five female Judge in the High Court Justice Gregory, George, Insanally, Kurtzious and Barlow. The Magistracy is actually taken over by women. There are more female Magistrates than male. Looking at this entire

change in the legal profession where there are more female legal practitioners in the field. It can clearly be said that the legal profession in Guyana is dominated by women. However, to date there has never ever been appointed a female Senior Counsel. This leads me to ask the question what principles the Justice system in Guyana uses to appoint Senior Counsels. In the good old days that is going back to the 1940’s to the 1970’s when people like Sir Lionel Luckhoo, Mr. Edward Luckhoo, Mr. Ashton Chase, Mr. Miles Fitzpatrick, Mr. Donald R o b e r t s o n , M r. K e i t h Massiah, Mr. Clarence Hughes, Mr. Bryn Pollard, Mr. Desmond Hoyte, Mr. Rex Mc Kay, Mr. Bhairo, Persaud etc These named persons have all been admired both in the way they practiced their profession and also how they conducted themselves in public. Having said that I would like to know how female Lawyers in Guyana have ever been appointed Senior Counsel and why a prominent person like Mr. C.M.L. John and the late Mr. Benjamin Gibson have never been appointed as such. Mr. C.M.L John has been both an excellent Solicitor and Lawyer. He has been involved in several leading cases in land Law and Civil Law, Electoral Law. He even was involved in drafting the electorate law for a Caribbean Island. Guyana is now at a point of serious development and I am urging all concerned to take a serious look at a number of issues and this is why I take time to voluntarily write letters in the newspapers to bring attention to matter which I feel will help to make Guyana to a better Country. Now in the good old days Senior Counsel was given to Lawyers holding certain positions such as Solicitor General, Attorney General, Dir4ector of Public Prosecution and Chief Justice. Two of these positions are now held by females the Solicitor General and the DPP. Also we have retired Justice of Appeal Honorable Claudette Singh who is still active. There is also a prominent female Attorney at Cameron & Shepherd and Ms. Elvy Edwards the oldest female Barrister-at-law. Do none of these women qualify to be appointed

Senior Counsel. There are female Senior Counsels in Trinidad, Barbados, Jamaica and

elsewhere is the Caribbean but none in Guyana a Country known for outstanding Lawyers.

In an earlier letter I made a suggestion that Judges should have young Lawyers to assist them in their

research and this will help in written decisions in civil matter handed down without (Continued on page 113)

Thursday February 04, 2016

Kaieteur News

U.N. halts Syria talks as gov’t closes in on Aleppo

U.N. mediator for Syria Staffan de Mistura gestures during a news conference on the Syrian peace talks in Geneva, Switzerland. (Reuters/Denis Balibouse) (Reuters) - A United Nations envoy halted his attempts to conduct Syrian peace talks yesterday after the army, backed by Russian air strikes, advanced against rebel forces north of Aleppo, choking opposition supply lines from Turkey to the city. Staffan de Mistura announced a three-week pause in the Geneva talks, the first attempt to negotiate an end to Syria’s war in two years, saying they needed immediate help from the rival sides’ international backers, principally the United States and Russia. “I have indicated from the first day that I won’t talk for the sake of talking,” the envoy, who has described the negotiations as Syria’s last hope, told reporters. Washington and

Moscow’s support for opposite sides in the fiveyear-old war, which has drawn in regional states, created millions of refugees and enabled the rise of Islamic State, means a local conflict has become an increasingly fraught global standoff. De Mistura has said a ceasefire is essential but Russia refused to suspend its air strikes. They helped government forces end a three-and-a-half year siege of the Shi’ite towns of Nubul and al-Zahraa on Wednesday, a step toward recapturing all of Aleppo, Syria’s biggest city before the war. “I don’t see why these air strikes should be stopped,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said, saying

they were targeting al Qaedalinked rebels. Opposition delegation coordinator Riad Hijab said there would be no ceasefire until a transition without President Bashar al-Assad was in place. Moscow accuses Washington, which is backing opponents of Assad, of supporting terrorists, while the U.S. State Department said the air strikes around Aleppo focused mainly on Assad’s foes rather than the Islamic State militants Russia says it is trying to defeat. The United Nations said it had been told hundreds of families had been uprooted following “an unprecedented frequency” of air strikes in the past two days. Three aid workers were among the dead.

(Reuters) - Prime Minister David Cameron stood firm yesterday against eurosceptic members of his own party who criticised a plan to keep Britain in the European Union as a watered down “thin gruel” of broken promises. The deal, presented by European Council President Donald Tusk on Tuesday, has so far received a warm response from European capitals which must approve it. But at home, it risks reopening a longstanding wound in Cameron’s Conservative Party, beset by division over Europe for decades. Bringing the package to parliament, the prime minister faced more than two hours of sometimes hostile questioning, mostly from established eurosceptic ruling party members who had already written off Cameron’s renegotiation as a waste of

time. The first round of what is likely to be a months-long battle was less heated in parliament than in the mostly eurosceptic British press, which trashed the deal as a “farce”, a “joke” or a “delusion”. With his cabinet ministers instructed not to pick sides until a deal with Brussels is final, Cameron faced criticism only from party “backbenchers” without government posts. Nevertheless, the going could get tougher: former defence secretary Liam Fox, a leading eurosceptic Conservative backbencher, told BBC radio that up to five ministers in the prime minister’s cabinet were certain to back leaving. In parliament, Conservative eurosceptic Bill Cash asked: “Why has my right honourable friend, in order to stay in, bypassed so many promises and principles?”

Jacob Rees-Mogg, a lawmaker who had previously written off Cameron’s demands as thin gruel, said: “The thin gruel has been further watered down.” He added: “My right honourable friend has a fortnight I think in which to salvage his reputation as a negotiator,” referring to a summit of EU leaders on Feb. 18-19 which could pave the way for a membership referendum as early as in June. Cameron replied to his “honourable friends” parliamentary-speak for lawmakers from the same party - that the measures would ensure “that Britain truly can have the best of both worlds”. He now faces weeks of trying to persuade those wary of the EU that the deal will tackle the two most important issues for voters: migration and returning powers from Brussels to London.

Cameron deflects criticism from party eurosceptics over EU plan

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Kaieteur News

Thursday February 04, 2016

2016 Spring Festival Reception…

Govt. considers re-entering Guyana, China Govts rice milling - Agri Minister keen to deepen ties

The Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Zhang Limin (centre), toasting to the President, David Granger (right) and Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo at the 2016 Spring Festival Reception of the Chinese Embassy. At 2016 Spring Festival reception hosted by the Chinese Embassy last evening at the New Thriving Restaurant on Main Street, it was revealed that the Guyana and China Governments will be looking forward to deepening existing relations. The occasion attracted various members of the government, Chinese embassy officials and other dignitaries. President David Granger stated that since developing diplomatic ties with China Guyana has enjoyed ties of blood, history and friendship. These ties have never wavered. He said that Guyana looks forward to deepening relations with China and that the two

countries should no longer been seen as “casual” acquaintances but partners in economic development. He highlighted the recent and future collaboration between the two nations in areas such as health, infrastructure and Information Technology. China’s Ambassador to Guyana, Zhang Limin, after congratulating Guyana on its 50th Independence Anniversary, said that the Chinese Government will continue to work with the Guyana government to improve the lives of all people and is enthusiastic in strengthen existing relations while creating new ones in areas particularly economic development.

‘Appointments’ given out ‘willy nilly’ GTU demonstrates Role play was quite evident when the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) yesterday staged the second in what is supposed to be a series of protest actions against the operation of the Teaching Service Commission (TSC). GTU members flocked the Brickdam, Georgetown entrance of the TSC echoing

chants for the removal of the Leila Ramson-led Commission. The activity saw the protestors, among whom were Branch Representatives, teachers and GTU executive members, including its President, Mark Lyte, and General Secretary, Coretta McDonald, bearing placards with slogans that read “We need a new

Habitual abuser in... From page 6 was on the ground unconscious in a pool of her blood with a fractured skull and other injuries. Prince then made good his escape. She was rushed to the hospital where the injury to her head required more than 20 stitches, and her right arm is now in plaster-of-paris. Her body is black and blue especially in the region of her breast and ribcage. Following the incident, police have since gone in search of the man who is nowhere to be found. He has not reported for duty either. She remembers being

blinded by the blood which was running from her head wound but said she somehow managed to make it to her yard. It was shouts from a neighbour that caused her attacker to pick up his phone and hurry out of the yard. Luckily for the woman, who narrowly escaped death, her daughter was on the other end of her cellular phone recording the ordeal and her screams for help. Reginald Prince is known to police for inflicting several stabwounds on his wife prior to this incident which resulted in the woman being hospitalized for several weeks.

Commission now”, “We tired of the same thing over and over”, “the Ministry has agreed with the GTU, Leila must go...” among others that were very unflattering to the TSC. The Union last week Tuesday conducted at similar exercise. While the number of protestors, when compared to last week’s, seemed quite thin, the activity was however taken to another level. There was a demonstration by the protestors of their perceived unprofessionalism of the TSC. With Ms. McDonald playing the role of Ms. Ramson, the TSC Chairperson, she demonstrated how appointments are haphazardly handed out to teachers (other protestors) some of whom do not qualify for positions bestowed to them. The protest action started at noon and continued for one hour. It also attracted the attention of police ranks from the nearby Brickdam Police Station. According to Lyte, the GTU will continue to stage protest action until (Continued on page 113)

The Government of Guyana has opened discussions to enter the rice milling enterprise, in a bid to make the industry more competitive and to possibly act as a safeguard for rice farmers. This is according to Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder. Holder said that this is a step that is still in the discussion phase, but it is certainly on the cards and can solve some of the problems with the industry. “To solve (some of) the problem(s) of the rice industry, Government will have to get involved in milling,” he said. “If we don’t get involved in milling, the millers (can) carry the rice farmers to the cleaners.” He used Guyana Oil Company (GUYOIL) as an example, noting that if Government did not have GUYOIL in place, oil companies would have taken advantage of the leeway to set their own prices. Holder noted that the sector is not competitive, but rather cartel-oriented. There have been calls over the years from industry stakeholders for various measures, including the establishment of an Agricultural Development Bank and a revolving fund, as repeated delays by millers to pay farmers has sometimes resulted in

Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder widespread protests from farmers, due to monies owed for paddy purchases. With the astronomical increases in rice production since 2013--when the country’s overall production first topped 500,000 tonnes-some stakeholders have argued that this has put strain on millers to the point where financing was not readily available at times to pay farmers. There are existing stipulations, also - the Rice Factories Act of 2007- which makes it mandatory that millers pay farmers half of the money owed upon delivery of paddy, with an additional 42 days given to complete payments. The fact that last year, Guyana lost the most profit-

able rice agreement it had with Venezuela, has hit the industry. This agreement had stipulated that Guyana import oil from Venezuela at a reduced cost, in exchange for the provision of rice to Venezuela. This arrangement had led to Venezuela becoming Guyana’s single largest foreign market for rice. In fact, Venezuela would go on to account for over 30 per cent of rice exports, all at preferential prices. And while this is one of the initiatives Government is mulling, the concept has a history. It would not be the first time that the Government has been involved in rice milling. The rice producing village of Burma, Mahaicony, was once home to the Burma Rice Development Station and to the Mahaicony-Abary Rice Development milling complex, which was governed by the Guyana Rice Milling & Marketing Authority (GRMMA). The complex carried out milling for both export and for local use. The complex also provided other lateral benefits including electrical generation, but with the implementation of the structural adjustment program initiated by government in 1992, some mills were forced to close. The rice mill eventually closed its operations in 2002.

Former Special Constable gets 60 months jail Former Special Constable, Jermaine Bristol, was jailed for 60 months yesterday, after he was found guilty on a charge of conspiracy to traffic cocaine. The sentencing was handed down by City Magistrate Judy Latchman in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court after the consideration of arguments by Defence Counsel, Adrian Thompson and Police Prosecutor, Vishnu Hunt. Bristol, 31, of Lot 2034 Stevedore Housing Scheme, Georgetown was convicted for conspiring with persons to traffic the cocaine in rum bottles at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri. The incident occurred in 2014. During the delivery of her ruling, Magistrate Latchman told the court that she believed Bristol took part in hatching the plan to traffic the drug at the airport based on evidence submitted by the prosecution. The Magistrate told Bristol that he was placed in a position of trust and to protect citizens. But instead, she said, he “protected cocaine and served himself

Jermaine Bristol money”. She considered all mitigating factors and the need to prohibit others from contemplating the illegal act before passing her ruling. In addition, to the prison term he was also ordered to pay a fine of $30,000. However, after being informed that he was guilty of the offence charged, Bristol desperately tried to proclaim his innocent. He claimed that he was framed by police and had no involvement in the crime. He stated that he was

wrongly convicted and pleaded with the court to exercise lenience because his fiancé is three months pregnant. Attorney, Thompson also begged the court to exercise discretion as it relates to sentencing. The lawyer made no pleas of mitigation on behalf of his client. According to court facts, Bristol was paid to pass out a quantity of cocaine concealed in rum to an American citizen, who was an outgoing passenger destined for JFK Airport, USA on November 17, 2014. The citizen was later busted with the drug at JKF. As a result, investigations were carried out at the local airport. Surveillance footages were reviewed from the CJIA and Bristol was seen operating in a strange manner. He was later questioned by police and admitted that he was paid to pass the cocainelaced rum. Bristol first appeared before former Chief Magistrate Priya SewnarineBeharry and was remanded to prison on the charge. He was subsequently granted bail by the High Court.

Thursday February 04, 2016

Kaieteur News

No increase of contract workers under new dispensation The government has debunked reports that the hiring of contract workers has “ballooned” under its watch. It said that figures coming from the Ministry of the Presidency (MOTP) take into account the new functions the Ministry has taken on. This is in the wake of a report which had quoted a 2016 budget review done by Chartered Accountant Christopher Ram. The review had stated that the number and salaries of contract employees had increased. It noted that the MOTP had reported an increase in contract employees in 2015 from 298 to 505 in 2016. It also noted that the cost of wages and salaries had increased from $142M to $798M. During yesterday’s post Cabinet press conference, Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Raphael Trotman, described such a jump in numbers as “impossible.” He noted that when Minister of State Joseph Harmon came to office, his first tasks had been to bring everything together in order to get a “composite view” of the number of people on the payroll of the then Office of the President (OP). “It would be impossible for the numbers in this compound to jump so astronomically,” Trotman said. “Minister of State Harmon had said that when we took over, we found people were employed throughout different agencies and offices.” Trotman denied that Government could have gone out and hired hundreds of personnel. He also noted that when the budget was being considered, the Ministry of the Presidency had comprised of the Public

- Trotman

Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman Service Ministry and Staff College, the department of Natural Resources and the Environment, the Ministry of Citizenship, the Ministry of Social cohesion and the General Registrar’s office. “So this is why you would see what appears to be a jump,” he pointed out. “It has not been this mass hiring of staff, but because of the bundling and the new functions of the Ministry of the Presidency.” “The General Registrar’s office alone processes birth certificates, marriage certificates, and death certificates. The Ministry of the Presidency handles social cohesion and citizenship issues. I think the coalition of the numbers will give you what appears to be frightening figures.” Trotman also provided statistics. He noted that as of May 2015, when the government first assumed

office, there were 375 employees at the then OP. By January 2016, the number was down to 325. Meanwhile, a press release from the Ministry of the Presidency also categorically denied the report. Calling it “misleading at best”, the MOTP noted that it could have been avoided had the newspaper made contact with Harmon. “According to Minister Harmon, following the May 2015 elections MOTP now comprises the Ministry of Social Cohesion, Ministry of Citizenship, and still includes the Public Service Department, which was a standalone Ministry under the previous administration,” the release said. “In addition, all the accompanying departments are now part of MOTP, including the General Registrar’s Office, Immigration, E-Governance, and the National Community Development Council,” the release continued. “The Ministry of Natural Resources was only recently designated as a separate Ministry. It was also a Ministry within MOTP until January 2016.” The release noted that these organizational changes have meant that the Ministry of the Presidency now covers a wider range of operational areas and cannot be compared to the (OP) under the previous administration. “In addition, the staff complement dedicated to the work of the office of the President under the current administration has actually gone down.” He also noted that as of January 2016, the Public Service Department, (continued on page 12)

Dem boys seh ...

Politicians tekking gifts for Guyana gold, oil, lumber and de hydroseed When you got you eye pun a woman you does set trap by sending gifts and spending money pun she. When you get in is then domestic violence does start. That’s why Rum Jattan got to build another jail. Guyana sit down like a poor pretty gyal. She always stretching out she hand collecting things—anything dem other country offer. Under Jagdeo tenure is not only de hand ee stretch out, he behave like a crab daag walking backwards wid he tail in de air. He tek things lef, right and centre—from de Chinese, de Americans, de British, de Canadians and de Indians. This tek man stoop so low that he even tek scarping from poor rass Haiti wha had de earthquake.He is no more

and this new govt wha tek over, behaving like a pity poor gyal stretching out dem hand, too. Dem boys waiting to see what else Soulja Bai gun stretch out. One of he deputy, Rum Jattan stretch out both hands de other day and collect handcuffs from de U.S. When dem boys look at de photos dem want to know if de Hambassador was putting on de handcuff pun Rum Jattan hand. Dem boys know de handcuff and other so-so goods is not fuh free. De hambassador got something up ee sleeve. Dem boys nah certain if he got he eye pun Soulja Bai or Rum Jattan Wha dem certain about is that days after de U.S. give

Guyana a gift, de Chinese hambassador get jealous. He decide to bring gifts too. Dem boys hear that de Chinee hambassador did want Soulja Bai to collect dem gift, heself, fuh mek road like wha Fip Motilall never finish in de bush. Instead Soulja Bai send Phillips. Dem see after de handing over was sheer shake hands, hugs and kisses. Dem boys want tell Soulja Bai and Rum Jattan that dem gifts is to pave de way back fuh scampish BaiShan and WongOn to continue to torment de gold bush and de forest fuh de gold and de lumber. De gift from de U.S. is fuh de oil and de hydroseed. Talk half and watch out fuh other gifts from other nations.

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THE OLD ROAD Why would a government which had promised consumers relief from the Value-Added Tax rate of 16% instead reduce the taxes on what is essentially new motor vehicles? This measure has nothing to do with tax reform which is still a work in progress. Why then would the government pluck this rabbit out of its hat? This is not a means to collect more taxes. It is not a revenue- generating measure. It will lead to a tax loss. Did the government do a study to determine just how many millions of dollars it is likely to lose by this measure? So why did the government opt to reduce the import taxes on vehicles less than four years old? The answer to that question lies in the interests that the tax relief on new vehicles will serve. But whose interest does it serve? It surely does not serve the interest of the small man. The small man has had no relief from these taxes on the importation of new vehicles. The small man cannot afford to pay the duties and taxes on new vehicles. The small man cannot afford the price of a vehicle four years old or less. It is beyond the reach of the small man. So just who does this reduction benefit? Who lobbied for this reduction? Certainly not the private sector! In fact, they have found the concession unnecessary at this stage. So who does this reduction benefit? Well if you are an importer of new cars, you will be pleased by this development. If you are assembling new cars locally you will also be pleased. The government must answer just who this reduction will

benefit because there is no evidence that even with the reduction the average man will be able to buy a new vehicle. Many average people now own their own vehicles. They own it because they have been able to import reconditioned cars. They own it because they could import vehicles older than four years and even older than eight years. If the intention is to encourage consumers to buy new rather than old cars, then those making these policies have no clue about the purchasing power of the average man. The cost of a new car even with the new taxes is beyond the reach of the poor man. If the ban on the importation of vehicles eight years and older is intended to reduce emission levels, this is another misplaced measure. The way to control emissions is not through taxes. The way to control emissions is to ensure that emission tests are carried out on vehicles as is done in other parts of the world where motor pollution is a problem. Guyana does not have a problem with motor pollution. So why are we moving to discourage the importation of older cars which are the only vehicles that the poor man can afford? Rich countries such as Canada and the United States do not take vehicles eight years and older off their roads and they have an air pollution

problem on the roadways because of the large number of vehicles being used in their transportation system. So why should Guyana be banning vehicles which are eight years or older? Have we not learnt anything from the time when you had to get permission from the PNC government to import a vehicle? The excuse then was the shortage of foreign exchange but even if you had the foreign exchange you still had to go begging for a license to import a vehicle. We are going back down the same road whereby the government is deciding what age of vehicle you can buy. It is the same road to import controls. It is a failed strategy and this time it will also be a failed strategy because it will mean that many a poor man who can only afford a cheap vehicle will not be able to do so while the rich man who can afford to buy an expensive vehicle smiles all the way to the tax office to pay his reduced taxes. If there is an intention to help persons to buy new vehicles, by all means go head and reduce taxes on new vehicles but do not interfere with the small man rights to import an eight-year-old car.

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Thursday February 04, 2016

=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

David Granger: Can he leave the best legacy? You can never tell with Homo sapiens. Who the human being is and what he/ she is capable of society will never know. You look around history and men and women started out with good intentions and ended up as monsters. Some ordinary people became extra-ordinary. It may be too early to make predictions but I think President David Granger is and will continue to be a democratic leader. The indications are numerous that he wants to do good and has set himself that goal. The question is; will he be so burdened by the entrenched nihilism of Guyana that he will not succeed in creating a new culture? This country has to extirpate the contents of its

blighted past that have stalked it for over sixty years. Three of its leaders that the transformation should have come from were ignominious failures. Burnham’s great visions were burnt up in power lust. The futuristic plans he had were inspiring. When put into practice, they excited a nation. But a nation’s excitement turned to angst as Guyana watched Burnham’s descent into the culture of messianic domination. It is a dishonest scholar that would not concede Burnham’s great vision. It is equally a dishonest scholar who would hide the colossal manifestations of Burnham’s authoritarian power The story of Cheddi Jagan is truly pathetic.

Saddled with intellectual limitations, Jagan relied on his wife to guide his decisions. She was inherently cruel and cold and refused to see grey areas; only black and white. He had the touch of the ordinary man and he was loved by the ordinary folks but he couldn’t free himself from the prison of ethnic determinism and ideological inflexibility. He didn’t leave a legacy but a bitter taste in the mouth of those who expected so much from him. Hugh Desmond Hoyte was a huge disappointment. He came from a typical middle class ambience where the respect for justice, fair play and meritocracy are important values. But Hoyte knew not a thing about Guyana’s sociology.

Some of his policies were immensely destructive to the lower classes. It would not be an exaggeration to say he had little faith in the working class to contribute to Guyana’s economic growth. I think Hoyte deserves the label of being a pro-business leader. There can be no doubt that all three Presidents have established a niche for themselves and their presence will continue be seen on the face of this country no doubt forever. But there is a large but. Did they leave a lasting legacy that will compel future generations to respect, admire and adore them? The jury is still out of that. The other two Presidents are Bharrat Jagdeo and Donald Ramotar. The latter needs no discussion. The sad truth of life is that there are people who are incapable of moving beyond ordinary. Plato wrote about that in his historic book, The Republic. If you make Ramotar President tomorrow, he will not shine. The least said of Ramotar

the better. But how sad! If we are still to understand why Burnham and Jagan turned out the way they did after so much promise, then Jagdeo remains the Caribbean’s biggest enigma. How can a man throw away twelve years of his presidency? It is not within the scope of this column to discuss Jagdeo’s complete and absolute failure to inspire his people but for sure no legacy was left. This brings us to David Granger. He belongs to a context that has freed him from the complexities that bamboozled and confused Burnham and Hoyte. There is no economic hardship. There is no national suspicion. There is a springboard from which to launch the transformation. Can Granger do it before 2020? The answer is no. This is as referred to above, a nihilistic country. The moral breakdown is enormous. The poverty is ubiquitous. The rule of law and judicial system are deeply

Frederick Kissoon troubling. The psychological thinking is purely primitive (we will be the very last country to change the marijuana laws and update our divorce laws). The human resource base is terribly weak. The valuable University of Guyana will take another decade to become respectfully functioning. Infrastructural facilities will need money that will not come soon. The political culture is deadly and dangerous. This is too Herculean a task for President Granger to undertake and make efficacious breakthroughs by 2020. Things move slower than a hairy worm on a guava tree for Mr. Granger to even complete a quarter of his task. If he runs back in 2020, he has more time. If not, he has to start transforming Guyana now to leave his great legacy.

Thursday February 04, 2016

Kaieteur News

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Insider trading allegations surface at GGMC One would expect that due process would be followed when it comes to the dispensation of rich, mineral lands controlled by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC). But officials of the entity say that this is not always the case. They said that only a “special or premium” group of operators benefit from information that is not always supplied or made readily available to the public. Allegations have surfaced to the effect that in many cases, only rich mining operators benefit from having inside friends. These friends would alert them that certain , rich lands have been repossessed and are ready for the taking. Kaieteur News understands that this happened in many instances under the PPP regime. One

case implicated Bai Shan Lin Director, Chu Hongbo. The matter dates back some years ago when GGMC had granted a Prospecting License to Brian Chase. This allowed Chase access to a specific piece of land in the Mazaruni area so that he could evaluate the commercial mineral wealth. Chase, however, failed to renew his Prospecting Licence. The Commission in such cases is empowered by the law to repossess the land; and it did. When the land was repossessed, Kaieteur News understands that the Bai Shan Lin Director was notified and preparations were put in place for him to grab the mineral rich lands. Chu Hongbo applied for a Mining Permit, instead of a prospecting licence and that was granted. He capitalized on the prospecting done by

Chase who found a rich vein of gold so he, Chu, did not need a prospecting licence. A Mining Permit is of five years duration and may be renewed for further periods, not exceeding five years on each occasion or for the life of the deposit of the mineral in respect of which it is granted. The GGMC official explained, “There are cases where mineral rich lands would be repossessed from prospectors. This happens when the prospectors fail to renew their licences.” He said that the Board has the power to repossess mining lands. When this happens the Chairman and the Minister are aware of the repossession. The official said that Minister is the authority to grant prospecting and mining licences. He said that the

Four months later…

No word on Liloutie Ramlall’s case

Despite the Minister of Public Health, Dr. George Norton’s, assurance two months ago that relatives of Liloutie Ramlall will get justice after the woman and baby died hours apart, this is yet to be done. In fact, when the first time mother and baby died, the Health Minister said that this case will not be like the other maternal deaths where relatives have to fight to get justice and answers. Today, four months and 15 days later, no one from the Ministry of Public Health has contacted Ramlall’s relatives despite their pleas for answers. Last Nov e m b e r, D r. Norton said that the case was still being investigated by the expert committee. He had explained that the hospital in question would usually take a month to do its investigation after which it is passed to the expert committee. According to the Public Health Minister, the expert committee would take two weeks. The findings would

then be related to him. “The reason why this case took so long is because a doctor who is a part of the committee was not in the country. They had to wait on him to conduct the investigation,” Norton had said. While he said that the report from the expert committee was supposed to be available in two weeks, no further information was revealed. This has Ramlall’s relatives wondering whether there is some sort of cover-up. Ramlall died while delivering her first baby at a private hospital. Her infant son did not survive. He died a few hours later at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). Post mortem examinations performed on both bodies revealed that Ramlall died from Hypovolemic shock and rupture of the spleen due to a Caesarean section. The baby died from neonatal respiratory distress. “We want to know what really happened. We want an explanation as to how she died because she went into the theatre normal and

healthy,” the woman’s sister, Parbattie Ramlall told this newspaper. “He (the doctor) said that when he cut Liloutie (a bikini incision), he found a pool of blood. He said that he didn’t know where it was coming from, but it wasn’t coming from below (the lower abdomen).” She added that the medical practitioner further related that he managed to “get out” the baby and sutured her wound, but the bleeding still did not stop. The Minister could not be reached for a comment yesterday.

From page 3 of this measure and we do not believe that the agency is currently capable of handling the expected thousands of persons who will be seeking in a short time to regularize their status as taxpayers.” With respect to the ban on vehicles older than eight years, PSC said that the introduction of bans has a negative connotation. It seems unnecessary at this time

and should be seriously reviewed and reconsidered. This is likely to place undue pressure on low and middle income persons. “While being generally satisfied with Budget 2016, the Private Sector Commission wishes to urge the government to ensure that all the provisions of the budget are implemented and the allocated sums are spent since approximately 60% of the economy

relies on government spending. Also crucial to a vibrant economy is investor confidence. Too many investors have been adopting a ‘wait and see’ attitude and we feel that this budget will restore that confidence and stimulate investment.” The Parliamentary Opposition- the People’s Progressive Party- has described the budget as being unimaginative, anti-poor and anti-progress.

Dead: Liloutie Ramlall

PSC lauds Govt. on budget

Former Natural Resources Minister, Robert Persaud

Former GGMC Chairman, Clinton Williams

GGMC commissioner is only authorised to grant prospecting permits. He went on to say that only the Board can issue Mining permits. The official said that there have been cases where those with the authority waste no time “in notifying friends, the minute rich lands are repossessed. These repossessed lands are kept for certain people; the first come first served procedure does not even get a chance to take place.”

Williams was asked about this yesterday but he completely denied it. When Kaieteur News asked Clinton Williams, the former Board Chairman, if “hypothetically speaking” the possibility existed for GGMC officials to share their knowledge of reclaimed lands with a close friend of theirs. Did Chu Hongbo, of BaiShanLin, for example, had access to such insider information that allowed him to go through the right channels to get those lands?

BaiShanLin Director, Chu Hongbo Williams stated, “I can’t confirm or deny. I would not be able to tell you whether the possibility existed. There have been lots of allegations about that hence the Board agreed that there should be a system review given the allegations of that nature.”

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Controversial police video…

Tulsi Persaud (Jnr) dies days after ingesting poison Tulsi Persaud (Jnr), the man who was at the centre of a video that went viral early this year has died. This is reportedly after he ingested a noxious substance believed to be gramoxone sometime early last week. The businessman died Monday night around 22:30 hrs in a private hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU) where he had been battling for his life on a life support machine. Persaud’s relatives are blaming his death on social media for circulating the video. They claimed that the video was doctored and posted on Facebook causing Persaud to become depressed due to the racial and threatening responses that followed. On Sunday, a medical source at the hospital explained that all of Persaud’s vital organs were dead and that he was attached to a lifesupport machine. At that time, the source said that only (Persaud’s) brain was functioning and

Dead: Tulsi Persaud that it was only a matter of time before he was taken off the machine. A family member confirmed that Persaud was the individual who was filmed hurling abusive language to police ranks while they were trying to direct traffic from the western side of the Demerara Habour Bridge. A video of Persaud’s behaviour was posted on the internet by a reporter on January 28.

In the video, which garnered over 172,262 views, 1700 shares, 1395 comments and 1476 likes, Persaud was heard verbally abusing the traffic ranks, telling them that they cannot do anything to him since he was ‘Tulsi Persaud.’ The video had been posted by Kaieteur News two weeks earlier. At one point in the video, he told a policeman, “You is a

j$%k@ss, ‘cause you can’t do you wuk.” He continued with, “These police can’t do me one sk*&t” and “What the sk*&t alyuh telling me.” In the 10-minute video, he continued to be very abusive to the traffic ranks, who made no move to arrest him- not even when he walked up to a passenger in a mini bus and told the person, “I will slap yo mother sk@*t.” As the video started to circulate, the Guyanese populace did not hesitate to share their thoughts on the subject. One person commented, “All them police deh right there. Indecent language is a criminal offence…Lock this man up or he’s just too rich and powerful.” There were some persons who supported him, saying he was brave to “stand up” to the ranks. In the comments section, one individual said, “Sh$t happens, everyone acted outta arrogance and rage at least once in their lifetime… No one knows what this man was going thru at this point of time or what transpired before this video started recording…” Some family members refuted reports that Persaud attempted to take his own life after reading the “harsh” and “nasty” comments people made after looking at the video. One relative claimed that Persaud was going through ‘some stuff.’ But his uncle is convinced otherwise. Sanjay Persaud of Sanjay’s Jewellery had told this newspaper that after the doctored video was posted online, his nephew began to feel embarrassed and became afraid when racial and threatening comments were posted. The businessman said that relatives had asked the person who posted it to remove the video but he refused. Sanjay Persaud had threatened to take legal action if his nephew died.

Thursday February 04, 2016

GWI reduced city’s water hours as conservancy drops further As Guyana continues buckling down to the ongoing dry weather, the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) yesterday reported, that there has been a marked decrease in the level of the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC). As a result, from last evening GWI started reducing service to customers of Georgetown via the Shelter-Belt Water Treatment Facility- the reduction will be from 22:00hours. “GWI customers are asked to store water in light of this advisory. Customers are reminded to ensure that water for food preparation, brushing of teeth, etc is stored in a tightly covered container to avoid contamination.” GWI also reminded customers country-wide to implement a number of water conservation measures. “Citizens are asked to check all internal plumbing for leaks (including toilet

cisterns, taps, etc.); reduce the amount of times in which you wash your car, equipment, etc. with water supplied by GWI; desist from washing concrete surfaces (such as your yard or bridge) with water provided by GWI and immediately install ‘floatvalves’ in water tanks to prevent overflows.” Customers are also asked to contact GWI immediately to report leaks detected in the various communities. A long dry spell that started from mid-last year is worrying authorities as thousands of farmers are affected. Already, Government has warned rice farmers not to plant in the coming months as forecasts indicate it will be yet another few weeks before the rains come. A number of measures have been announced to control waters to farms with the Civil Defence Commission called in to lend assistance to affected communities, especially in hinterland areas. Region Nine is reportedly one of the hardest hit areas.

No increase of ... From page 9 previously the Public Service Ministry staff totalled 50, Department of Natural Resources; 58, Ministry of Citizenship; 141 and EGovernance; 69. The Ministry of Public Infrastructure, in a press release also stated that the information published by chartered accounting firm, Ram and McRae, in its “Focus on Guyana’s National Budget 2016"was inaccurate. “In the firm’s analysis, it was stated that the Ministry of Public Infrastructure saw an increase in contract employees’ salaries, from $9M to $51M under the Policy Development and Administration Programme,” the release said. “Additionally, it was stated that, under the Public Works Programme, the figure

moved from $182M to $533M. These figures represented an increase in the number of contract workers from 20 to 38 for the Policy Development Programme and 250 to 255 for the Public Works Programme,” the firm stated. “However, the published information is inaccurate and only focused on the second budget presented for the Ministry of Public Infrastructure. Under the Ministry, the budget was divided into two parts: the first, from January 2015 to August 2015, and the second, from September 2015 to December 2015.” The release noted that for the first period, the budget was for Agency 31, Ministry of Public Works, while the second period was for Agency 32, Ministry of Public Infrastructure.

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No Karma for Sharma … Amelia’s Ward drug Govt. is not in the business dealer nabbed

of witch-hunting - Trotman

A Linden man who was recently freed of a drug case due to some technicalities has been nabbed again at a police road block, this time at Fort Wellington West Coast Berbice. He has since been remanded to jail. The man Roger English, 50, of Amelia’s Ward Linden appeared on Tuesday before Magistrate Rhondell Weaver at the Blairmont Magistrate’s Court on a charge of possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking. He is accused of having in his possession 5.39 kilograms of compressed marijuana on Sunday at Fort Wellington. The man, the driver, and a prison officer were in a Sheriff Taxi when the car was intercepted. According to reports, the police at Fort Wellington,

West Coast Berbice acting on information about 1500hrs on Sunday, conducted a stop and search of motor vehicles in front of Fort Wellington Police Station. They stopped motor car HB 9856, attached to the Sheriff Taxi Service with three persons inside. A search was conducted of the vehicle, and in the trunk of the car a black haversack and a black and red travelling bag containing six parcels wrapped in black plastic bags containing leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis was found. The three occupants were arrested and taken into custody. The driver and the other man were subsequently released. The six parcels were tested and weighed. English had initially denied that the

cannabis belong to him, but subsequently confessed that it was his. In court he pleaded not guilty. In opposing bail prosecutor Sergeant Althea Solomon cited the nature and gravity of the offence. She also cited the statutes which states that bail should only be granted in special circumstances. No special reason was given. He was remanded until March 3, when the matter is expected to continue at the Fort Wellington Magistrate’s court. Investigation also revealed that the man and his girlfriend were recently nabbed at a police road block at Weldaad not too long ago. English was freed of that charge due to some technicalities.

Kitty labourer remanded to prison for gun found in crotch Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on Tuesday remanded a 22-year-old Kitty resident to prison, after he was charged with having an illegal gun and matching ammunition in his possession. Mark Calvan of 222 Pike Street, Kitty Georgetown, who appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, is alleged to have had a .32 pistol in his possession when he was not the holder of a firearm licence. It was further alleged that he had three .32 live rounds of matching ammunition in his possession. Calvan, a labourer, was allegedly found with the items on January 28, last, at Georgetown. Although he pleaded not guilty to the charges yesterday, he was remanded to prison after Police Prosecutor, Deniro Jones, strongly opposed bail. The Prosecutor told the

court that on the day in question, around 21:00hrs the police were performing patrol duties at the corner of Cummings Street, when they observed the defendant and another man acting in a suspicious manner. Jones said that as police approached them, Calvan ran away but was later apprehended and searched. According to Jones, the gun along with matching rounds was found in his crotch. During a bail application for Calvan, Attorney Paul Fung-aFat argued that the police have no evidence to link his client to the firearm because it was not found in his possession. He told the court that on January 28, his client and another man were arrested by police. However, he said that the other man managed to escape and throw the gun into a nearby canal. Fung-a-Fat stated that his client was later placed in police custody and charged for the offences. The Attorney pleaded for Calvan to be admitted to pre-

trial liberty citing the fact that the prison is overcrowded which could lead to prisoners staging riots. He also pointed out that the defendant never provided the police with any oral or written confessions to the crime. Prosecutor Jones maintained his objections on the grounds that no special reasons were put forward by the defence for bail to be considered by the court. Jones noted that Calvan is a flight risk since he had provided the police with an address of Lot 10 Pike Street, Sophia at the time of his arrest. But Fung-a-Fat sought to justify why his client had given different addresses. He explained that the defendant would stay at both addresses from time to time with his family. In spite of the explanation, Calvan was still sent to prison and ordered to return to court on February 15, for reports and fixtures.

Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman

Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson

GEA Head, Mahendra Sharma

There have been questions why Government continues to keep Mahendra Sharma as the Head of the Guyana Energy Authority (GEA) when he was, in fact, listed on the PPP’s list of candidates during the May 11, 2015 elections. When faced with this concern yesterday at the Ministry of the Presidency, Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, told reporters that Government is not in the business of witch-hunting. He noted that the GEA falls under the control of the Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, and noted that a more detailed response would be given by the subject

minister on the matter. In the interim, the Natural Resources Minister said that, “It is not the objective or intent of this Government to witch hunt. Not because your name is Mahendra Sharma we will remove you from office. If you are functioning we will keep you.” He continued, “The other matter is that when one takes over a government, it would be fool hardy to sweep everyone away because in a sense you would be taking the legs off from your own government.” Trotman emphasized that he does not believe that the name of someone should disqualify them from serving their country. Minister Patterson, when

contacted yesterday said, “We said that we are not in a witch hunt business and the policy of the government has to be executed. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of the Presidency was on the PPP list of candidates and he still remains.” Reminded of the numerous criticisms theAPNU+AFC made in the past about Sharma’s competence, Patterson said that the Board of the GEA is in place and they are looking into that matter. He said that when the Board is finished with its assessment of the agency, they will make recommendations to him upon which he will consider and act accordingly.

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Landmark Children Career Day Competition culminates tomorrow After two gruelling days of competition among 65 students drawn from schools across Guyana, the finalists of the inaugural Children Career Day Competition will face off for the last time tomorrow, at the Theatre Guild on Parade Street, Kingston. The landmark event which is being organised by Assured Services, a small business company that provides professional business services in the areas of Marketing, Public Relations, Data Entry, Research & Analysis and Graphic Designs, saw students give demonstrations on a prospective career that they would have chosen, before a panel of judges. Students chose professions such as Agronomy, Medicine, Farming, Neurology, Mechanical Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, Acting, and Food and Nutrition among others, as careers of choice, and made impressive practical presentations on how the respective occupations are conducted. Manager of Assured Services Natheeah KingMendonca, in commenting on the initiative, first

Arita McGarrel – Uitvlugt Secondary (Nutritionist) congratulated the schools for the overwhelming response the event received and thanked the students, who according to her came well prepared for their respective career choice demonstrations. She added that the purpose of the initiative is for the participants to obtain a

better understanding of the changes that impact the local, regional and global economies, especially when it comes to the labour market, while also stressing the importance of them being introduced to various occupations, and at the same time direct their thinking towards decision-making for future careers. The competition was divided into two age categories - 11-13 years and 14-16 – and comprises two segments, the demonstration and interview. Tomorrow students will be engaged in the interview segment, where experts from the different occupations will pose questions to them to test their theoretical knowledge on their career choice, after which the respective winners will be chosen. Prizes will be distributed to the top three in each age group, while overall prizes will go to the two winning schools along with trophies. In the 14-16 years category, the winner will receive $75,000 and a trophy, while the runner-up and third place take home $50,000 and $25,000 respectively, in addition to trophies. In the 11-13 years

division, the winner will collect $50,000 and a trophy, while the runner-up and third place will receive $35,000 and $25,000 respectively. The winning school in the 14-16 years category will be offered $100,000, while the 1113 years champion school collects $75,000. The winning schools will have to present the organisers with a project of their choice, while individual winners will be awarded in kind/voucher. A special prize donated by New India Assurance will go to a student who might not have made it to the final round, but showed great potential in Accounts and Financing. Starting time is 09:30 hrs, while a rebroadcast is

Shamal Khan – New Guyana School (Aeronautical Engineer)

Patrick Thompson – New Guyana School (Neurosurgeon)

scheduled to be aired on the Learning Channel. Among the corporate entities on board are Ansa

McAl, Unicomer Guyana Inc, Ministry of Education, New India Assurance and Sterling Products.

Nursing education to enjoy overseas input

Dr. Yesu Persaud pays courtesy call on President Granger Minister Cummings (centre) in the company of Ministry officials and the visiting two-member team.

President David Granger (centre) is flanked by, left, IPED CEO, Ramesh Persaud and (right) Dr. Yesu Persaud, Chairman of Demerara Bank Limited and IPED. Prominent businessman, Dr. Yesu Persaud, of the Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) yesterday paid a courtesy call on President David Granger, at the Ministry of the Presidency. Persaud, in an invited comment, said the meeting was an opportunity to discuss mutual areas of interest. He described the

meeting as “very successful”. He said that the Institute of Private Enterprise Development (IPED) and Demerara Bank Limited have made significant contributions to the country over the years and it is within this context that the meeting was convened. Dr. Persaud is Chairman

of Demerara Bank Limited, Trust Company (Guyana) Limited, Guyana Trust Unit, Consultative Association of Guyanese Industry, BEV Processors Incorporated, IPED and the Guyana Youth Business Trust. He was accompanied by former Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC) and Chief Executive Officer of IPED, Ramesh Persaud.

Nursing education is poised for enhancement. At least this is the conviction of Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings. Her belief is premised on the fact that local nursing tutors are benefiting from some much-needed education sessions that are being facilitated by a visiting nursing team. The two-member team from the University of Miami, School of Nursing and Health Studies is expected to conduct a series of workshops as part of an ongoing training and development exercise. The Ministry of Public Health has been collaborating with the University as part of a programme funded by the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) which is primarily designed to build capacity among tutors of nursing in Guyana. Currently, there are 25

nursing tutors taking part in this training programme for the Certificate in Basic Nursing Education. The tutors were chosen from the Georgetown School of Nursing, the Charles Rosa School of Nursing in Linden, the New Amsterdam School of Nursing and the St Joseph Mercy Hospital School of Nursing. The programme design allows for distance learning with a number of face-to-face components included. The visit here by Associate Professor of Clinical, Associate Dean of Undergraduate Nursing Programmes, Ms. Mary McKay; and Assistant Professor of Clinical Ms. Deborah Salani from the University of Miami, School of Nursing and Health Studies, is part of the face-toface component of the training programme. Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings, met the visiting team and thanked them for being willing to share their knowledge, skills, and

experience with the local Nursing Tutors. She also stated how pleased she is that Guyana can benefit from such reputable international skillstraining and experience that are being provided by the University of Miami, School of Nursing and Health Studies. The Public Health Minister observed too that with the level of training taking place for Guyanese Nursing Tutors, the result must be an enhancement in the delivery of Nursing Education in Guyana. Principal of the Georgetown School of Nursing, Ms. Cleopatra Barkoye, and Minister Cummings; Director of Health Sciences Education, Mr. Wilton Benn; and Chief Nursing Officer, Ms. Tarmattie Barker, took the Professors on a tour of the Georgetown School of Nursing. There team met and interacted with students and tutors.

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Trial commences for minibus Ultra-modern facility for differently-abled persons on stream driver murder accused - via Government of Guyana-Cuba partnership

Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon, and Cuban Ambassador to Guyana, Mr. Julio Cesar Gonsalez Marchante, at the Ministry of the Presidency, yesterday The government with support and funding from the Cuban Government will soon embark on the construction of a state-of-the-art medical services and care facility designed to meet the needs of persons with disabilities. During a meeting at the Ministry of the Presidency yesterday, Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon, and Cuban Ambassador to Guyana, Mr. Julio Cesar G o n s a l e z Marchante, focused on implementing the agreement between the Cuban Government, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education, which was signed under the previous administration in 2013. “The project started some

time in 2013, but it had been stymied along the way. On Tuesday, at Cabinet, the decision was made that we will proceed with this project. We will expedite it as much as we possibly can. So the Ambassador came to see me and was happy that we have taken the step of advancing it,” Minister Harmon said. He reiterated that the government was committed to the project, which should have already been completed. “The problem we had in the past is the venue. There were some issues with the venue, which was chosen at the West Demerara Hospital. The next venue was at the Cyril Potter College of Education, but the Ambassador visited that

location and it didn’t seem adequate so we are looking at another location,” the Minister said. Once completed, the 24hour facility will boast modern facilities that will cater to the medical, educational and social needs of differentlyabled persons. It will also be staffed by doctors and specialists in this field. “Cuba is providing the technical facilities, the funds and the human resources, the doctors, the medical personnel. It is going to provide care as well as education and some level of medical facilities,” he said. The search for a new site is anticipated to take two months, thereafter, construction will commence.

Fugitive cohort remanded to jail on number of charges Delroy Joseph, called ‘Barney’ 26 of Levi Dam, Angoy’s Avenue who was shot after he attacked a rank with a knife after being cornered in a building at Nic o l a y S t r e e t , N e w Amsterdam, appeared in court on Tuesday along with Paul Wilson, 22 on a number of charges. Wilson, who indicated that he does not have a fixed place of abode and dwells in Levi Dam along with Joseph, appeared before Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs Marcus in the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court. The men are charged with on 16th December 2015, while being in company with others and armed with dangerous weapons to wit guns, at Sheet Anchor Village, East Canje, Berbice, they robbed

a bar property of David Armogan of $150,000. They are also charged with between the 4th and 5th o f J a n u a r y a t Vr y h e i d Vi l l a g e t h e y b r o k e a n d entered the dwelling place of Khanathor Adolph and stole one 32 inch television worth $90,000. A third charge read that between the 4th and 5th of January at Alexander Street, New Amsterdam they broke and entered the dwelling house of Oakley Hinds and stole one 42 inch television set valued at $155,000. J o s e p h i s f u rther charged with on Friday 10th July, 2015 around 17:00 hrs at Heatburn Village East Bank Berbice while being in company with another he had in his possession one kg of cannabis sativa for the purpose of trafficking. They were refused bail on

all of the charges. Joseph was wanted for a series of crimes committed in various parts of Guyana. He was out on bail on a recent charge, however, he had not been attending court and a warrant was issued for his arrest. During that time, he was fingered in a number of other criminal offences. The police subsequently received information that Joseph had been frequenting a certain location in New Amsterdam. Acting on information, the police visited the premises where he was confronted. The cornered man slashed a policeman’s shirt with a knife. Another policeman responded by shooting Joseph in the legs. They were refused bail and remanded to jail until February 15th.

The trial of murder accused, Orin Jerrick, has commenced at the Georgetown High Court. Jerrick was indicted for the murder of minibus driver, Gavin Fiffee. The 31-year-old father of two was fatally stabbed in the vicinity of the Plaisance minibus park, on July 31, 2014. Initial r e p o r t s h a d indicated that on the day in question, the driver had been loading his minibus at the Plaisance bus park when another man began urinating on the wheel of the vehicle. This angered passengers and when Fiffee confronted the man, an argument ensued. At some point during the argument the man allegedly stabbed the bus driver to the upper right chest. Fiffee, of 93 Sideline Dam, Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara, (ECD) was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) by a public spirited citizen. The man bled profusely and despite efforts to save his life, he succumbed on the operating table of GPHC. Jerrick was identified as a suspect in the matter. He was later charged with the murder. His trial began yesterday after a mixed 12member jury was empanelled before Justice Navindra Singh. The accused has since pleaded not guilty to the murder charge. Attorneys -at- Law Nigel Hughes and Peter Hugh are providing the accused with legal representation. State Prosecutors Siand Dhurjon, Narissa Leander and Michael Shahoud are set to call 10 witnesses to testify during the trial. The

Murdered minibus driver, Gavin Fiffee first witness to testify on behalf of the State yesterday was the victim’s mother, Sharon Payne. Payne told the court under oath, that she received a telephone call on July 31, 2014. The woman recalled that based on the information received during the telephone conversation, she hurried over to GPHC. Payne said that she saw her son lying on a bed in the Accident and Emergency (A&E) Unit of the hospital; tubes were attached to his body and a plaster was on his right side. The woman recalled that sometime later she went to GPHC mortuary and identified the body of her son. Police Detective Phillip Bowman subsequently testified that Jerrick was in the company of his Attorney when he met him at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) on August 6, 2014. The accused handed over a type written statement to Inspector Bowman. The policeman told the court that he put the allegation of murder and cautioned the accused and he (Jerrick) responded by saying that he is relying on the information

provided in his statement. The detective said that Jerrick subsequently provided the police with a statement in regards to the matter. Bowman recalled that he also witnessed the Post Mortem examination performed on the body of the deceased and later uplifted the PM report. Under Cross examination by Attorney Nigel Hughes, the witness recounted that he noticed that the accused had visible injuries about his body. He said that a medical certificate was issued to Jerrick after he was seen by a doctor at GPHC. Bowman noted that Jerrick had injuries to the exterior of his elbow. The Attorney then asked the police if he had investigated whether the injuries were consistent with someone being defensive during an attack. “No sir,” replied Bowman. Further pressed about the issue the witness told court he had no reason for doing so. He however agreed that based on the statement, the accused had specifically said that he tried to block his attacker. The witness also agreed that based on the statement, the victim (Fiffee) was at the time armed with a cutlass. Inspector of police, Debra Small subsequently testified that she organized an identification parade in which men of similar stature age and nationality were placed. Small said that the accused was placed among the male suspects. She was cross examined by Attorney Peter Hugh. Under cross examination the witness vehemently denied that the accused was the only participant with visible injuries about his body.

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Kaieteur News

SALON

SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. – CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Guyana passport application. Graphics design, advertisement. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. 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 INNOVATIVEMARKETING & PUBLISHING INC –TEL: 600-4212: We create A/ works, logos, business cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. Building Construction: house plans & estimates, floor sanding, lacquering & painting, boat for Santa Mission –Call: 650-4362 Guytec Speacialised in air condition unit, washing machine, dryer, pizza oven, convection oven, pressure pump- Call: 684-2119; 6802377 Guytec Specialised in stove range, water heater, dish washer, deep fryer, treadmills refrigerator etc. Call: 6842119; 680-2377 Repairs & spare, fridge, freezer, A/C, washers, stoves – Contact Nick: 683-1312, 627-3206

WANTED Rider for 3 wheel motorcycle to deliver water- Call: 6869296; 655-1534 Part-time maid (35-40yrs) from 8-1pm, text information (name & address) to 642-0418, we will get back to you. Live in waitress to work in a bar and hotel. Call: 604-6606 One live in maid-Call: 6683985; 264-2563 Urgently! Garbage company needs experienced drivers must have police clearances, two reference one picture. Call: 223-7012/670-7920 EXPERIENCE SECURITY GUARD, MUST BE FIT & ALERT. SOME MILITARY BACKGROUND & POLICE C L E A R A N C E @ RUIMVELDT. CALL: 2318529 / 231-8344 One experienced dispatcher. Call: 231-4000 Experienced cake decorator, roti/puri cooks, counter servers. Apply at Hack’s Halaal, 5 Commerce St. 1 Mechanic welder to work in the interior, interested persons can call 625-5136 on Mon-Fri between 8am-4pm. Salesgirls, porters and security guard. Apply with written application at Lot 1E Dennis & Middleton Street, Campbellville. 1 Bond clerk to work in factory from age 25 & older; must have working experience & a valid police clearance. Call: 223-0090 Live in waitress must have secondary education, courteousness & honesty is a must. Call: 610-5043 Experienced washbay attendants, living in Georgetown. Call: 646-8748

MASSAGE Happy Touch Day Spa: come & experienced heavens touch with new attendants: Kala & Lisa. Visit us today! – Call: 690-6079

We want land in Eccles. We are paying cash, we pay between $2M-$4M. Call: 6117223; 604-2207

VACANCY Cook/baker and truck driver for the Interior location, applicants must be experienced. Call: 618-2020 1 Driver- apply at Technical Services; 18-23 Industrial Site, Eccles. 1 Professional nail technician to work at new spa- Call: 6967337 for details. One 1 driver/purchaser; must have experience in the said area, must be between ages 35-48yrs. Call: 226-9768; 625-1413 Experienced bartender, waitresses, cooks and bouncers needed. Call for appointment @ Eden’s Bar & Lounge, Tel: 652-0074 Security Officers; apply in person. Massey Security (Guyana) Inc, Lot 0 Ruimveldt, Georgetown. Call: 225-5773-6 Hairdressers, nail technician, barbers, also hair & nail stations available for rental location: New Market StreetCall: 638-1106 Popular East Coast Gas Station: day/night: pump attendants, sales clerk & office assistant. Contact: 6694755; 695-9880, Non-Pareil Female clerk. Call: 265-3586 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. Experienced: female bar/shop worker & handyman for Ekereku Bottom (Interior), ages 17-30yrs. Call: 231-0363 CARPENTERS AND LABOURERS. 676 6700 M A R K E T I N G ASSISTANTS, DRIVERS and WELDER/FABRICATOR. 676 6700

The Gent’s Spa: deep tissue & 4 (four) hands massage: Angel, Tiffany and Alicia. Call: 689-5056

LEARN TO DRIVE TAXI SERVICES GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 225-7878 (24HRS)

- Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals and Black Opal - Cosmetology Courses - Nail Technician Course Call: 647-1773/660-5257 Earn a Certificate in cosmetology, nails, wig designs & hair cutting etc. Classes commencing February! Register Now! Call: 666-5241; 619-7603

Soman Son & Outar Driving School at Maraj Building- Tel: 644-5166; 622-2872; 615-0964; 6895997

Thursday February 04, 2016

FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. Wholesale & Retail quantity of all types of belts Call: 670-2343 ADORABLE PUPPIES FOR SALE. CALL: 6004212 Crazy Deals: Dell/HP desktop & laptop computers from $49,000, free games & educational programs @ FutureTech: 231-2206 TM 6X6 parts for sale: engines, gearbox, power box, def, drive shaft, etc. Call: 601-7001 Lots @ Blankenburg behind the gas station- $3.9M- Call Us Today: 650-0402 Minibus, SUV, Pickup 39.8 rear deferential & 14.5ft fiberglass boat with trailer and 35HP motor- Call: 678-9536 One slate pool table, price $300,000- Call: 228-2098; 6285796 Pure bred Akita pups, fully vaccinated, parents imported, one Cummings generator 350KVA. Call: 6941418; 260-4157 Stalls 64-72 (47feet long x 7 feet wide) @ La Penitence Market Albouystown. Call: 663-1597; 218-4837 50X85 house lot in Grove/ Diamond Scheme, property @ Yarrowkabra, land size100X200- Call: 676-0931 Toyota Hilux 2.5LTD 2010 carry boy tray, Goodrich, immaculate condition, silver, UK import, price -$5.2M- Call: 629-2200 One wedding dress, size 6, off-white, brand: Maggie Sottero. Call: 647-6075 5 Bedrooms; 2 bath, fully furnished, transported property located @ Rosignol W.B.Berbice. Motivated seller- call: 602-6333; 6793496; 699-4689; 666-2528 Pure bred pit bull pups, 8 weeks, fully vaccinated and de-wormed. Call: 661-1715; 669-2434 German shepherd pups- Call: 220-8904; 220-2277; 629-1471; 629-1419 Cheap! Cheap! CCTV Security Surveillance Kit, 8 Channels DVR with built in Hard Drive, 8 bullet cameras – Tel: 621-4740; 686-3500

FOR SALE

XBOX one with games, kinect and controller, XBOX 360E. Call/whatsapp: 683-8386

One Toyota starlet engine 1500cc complete with gearbox and computer box, never used in Guyana. Call: 690-5827

Dachshund pups mix with Pekingese for sale – 7weeks old -$20,000, males only. Call: 677-2476

Receptionist – Call: 695-0007

VEHICLE FOR SALE STAR CARS AUTO SALE: 30-06 PREMIO, 03-07 FIELDER, NEW RAUM, IST, BLUEBIRD, AXELA, PITBULL. CALL: 679-3140; 268-3509 AT212 HIRE car, HC 1042, good condition- Call: 6999381 We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 Tacoma- Call: 680-3154 Noah & Voxy in ‘G’ series, fully loaded, never registered -$1.7M –Call: 617-2891 Sliver Nissan Murano, late PNN series- $6M –Call: 6815548 or 695-5701 RAV4 2001, 91000km, crash bar & roof rack -$3M negotiable- Call: 216-1893

LAND FOR SALE ONE 50FTX80FT HOUSELOT WITH FENCE @ MON REPOS (MARTYRSVILLE) E.C.D, PRICE -$3.9M NEGOTIABLE. CALL: 2200538/645-2395 (JOEL)/ 629-5300 Double lot 9950 Sq. Ft @ Republic Gardens, price $25M (negotiable). Call: 6247686 Gold & Diamond blocks for sale or rent in the Ekereku, Puruni & Siparuni area. Call: 615-8810 $1.2M Parfaite Harmonie (80ftX50ft), $1.6M Zeelugt (100ftX50ft), and $2.6 M Parfaite Harmonie (with foundation) - Call: 611-7223; 604-2207

2 HB Allion for sale, “as is, Wanted-land to buy on the where is”, best offer. Call: 690- East Cost Demerara and Belle West on the West Bank 2250 Demerara. Call: 639-8474; 604Black Toyota Celica 2002; 2 4945 door sports car, immaculate Land @ La Grange Public condition- Call: 614-8870; Road to sea dam, 4 acre, could 222-2431 use for housing AT192, 212, Allion, development-USD$1M. Call: unregistered Premio, Hilux 625-1514 Surf, BNN, RZ & Pit-bull, 7 seater super custom. Cash / House lots for sale, also house & land. Call: 639-8474 terms - Call:680-3154 or 604-4945 To y o t a R a u m , S p a c i o , AT192, Allion, L-Touring Wagon, EP71-starlet, IST, Nissan March & Pickup 4X4 (4door). Call: 6445096; 697-1453 One new shape Allion, very clean condition, for sale at bargain price. Call: 678-8035 Honda CRV (RD5), PNN series, stick gear -$2,350,000 negotiable, Toyota IST, PSS series, candy pink $1,650,000. Call: 691-1198 Unregistered Spacio, Allion: dark interior, TV, fog, rear spoiler, 2004-Call: 617-5536 Manual and automatic super GL pit-bull buses & VVTI buses, extra cab Hilux with 1 RZ engine-Call: 616-763 Allion 2010, PTT Series. Call: 626-7464

PROPERTY FOR SALE One 2 family back house in Lamaha Street drive with own way parking for vehicles, price:$30,000,000 negotiable. Call: 226-1935 Church and 2 storey building Lot 180 Charlotte Street Bourda-Call: 227-6817; 6247341 Transported Property at Parika/Hydronie, Public Road, prime spot for business, size 0.47 acres. Call: 647-7878; 669-2800 One family house at Kuru Kururu. Call: 664-2576 Property for sale, Grove $20M / Rent: $50,000 per month. Tel: 625-5461.

TO LET One- two bedroom upper back apartment @ C/Ville $55,000 –Call: 223-1051; 6195357; 650-0716 Modernized 2 bedrooms apartment at Vreed-en-Hoop, W.C.D . Call: 698-6496 3 Bedrooms apartment in gated community @ Versailles W.B.D. Call: 618-5070

Transported property @ Tuschen Housing Scheme $7M negotiable. Call: 2641050; 683-7045/669-3553 Two house & land for sale, excellent condition, one located at Tuschen & one at Goed-Fortuin. Call: 668-3985; 660-3235 Continued on page 113

Thursday February 04, 2016

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Letters... Where your views make the news Letters... Where your views make the news

Please name this place We ask you to join us after Deryck Bernard to help reduce crime

DEAR EDITOR, Recently the National Center for Educational Resource Development (NCERD) celebrated its 30th Anniversary mere days before we marked the 8th death anniversary of the late Deryck Melton Alexander Bernard Many of the readers would be asking the question what is the nexus between the National Center for Educational Resource Development NCERD and Mr. Deryck Bernard. Will this institution was the brain child of Mr. Bernard and was established during his tenure as Minister of Education in 1986 - 1992. Thus the remarkable work executed by this institution over the years is testimony to his pragmatic leadership, vision and commitment to the development of the education sector as a policy maker. Outside of his role as a policy maker, Mr. Bernard spent all is working life making meaningful contribution to the Educational Sector

commencing as an Assistant Master, History and Geography, at his Alma Mata Queen’s College before joined the University of Guyana community in 1974 as a Lecturer in Geography where he worked for twentyfive years, in various positions. He served as Senior Lecturer (2004-2007), first Dean of the School of Education & Humanities (20032004), Dean of the Faculty of Arts (1999-2003) and Head of the Department of Geography (1981-1983, 1998-1999 and 1992-1996). While at the University he was also instrumental in the establishment of the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences (SEEES) He also served as Musical Director of the University Culture Group (1979-1983), Representative of University of Guyana on the Academic Policy Board of the Caribbean University Level Programme (2000-2003), University of Guyana representative on the Board of the Association of

Amazonian Universities UNAMAZ (2003-2004) and chairman of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization UNESCO National Commission. As an accomplished academic and policy maker Mr. Bernard has an exhaustive list of publications, seminar papers local and international conference presentations and public lectures too numerous to mention. Given the aforementioned credentials, contributions and the coinciding of his death anniversary with the institution’s 30th anniversary its will be fitting for the Minister of Education, Dr. Rupert Roopnarine MP, favourably consider renaming this institution in his honour. Since I am of the fervent view that for the history of our beloved country to be complete and appreciated by the citizenry due recognition must be given to the contributors to that history. Bevon Currie

Corporal punishment is...

From page 4 scholars is an honour. However, in the middle of this equilibrium lies the GTU and it is my hope they read the above article and persuade its members that the alternatives are better for creating a progressive learning environment. Corporal punishment is the root cause of domestic abuse, truancy, violent behaviour and public disor-

der . There is overwhelming evidence that physical punishment is both ineffective and harmful to child development. Some senior educators have argued that the word ‘debate’ should be left out of the spanking conversation because the science against it is so clearly one-sided. Frankly, there aren’t two sides. There is a preponderance of fact and there are

people who find it inconvenient to accept those facts, especially when the finding shows that spanking children has vast negative effects. Gershoff (2002), study found there was a strong correlation between corporal punishment and negative behaviour, including increased aggression and antisocial behaviour. Please give change a chance. Brendon Mounter

Should Guyana apply the...

From page 4 the forest not for the trees but the saplings? There is something fishy in the township of Parika? Either the other half has not been reported? or There’s more beyond the door? A question that readily springs into the mind of mentally functioning individuals is that of whether or not we are our brother’s keeper?

Again referring to the Good Book 1Corinthians: 13, we are once again reminded that love is even greater than faith and hope. While no one individual is the absolute keeper of others in that we are not responsible for everyone’s safety when we are not present, yet we have a civic duty towards each other. Sorry but Jean Halley failed in executing her civic duty.

Does Guyana need to effect or institute the Good Samaritan law, as is done in other parts of the world in order to ensure that the biblical teachings are manifested in our displayed behavior and attitude towards each other? Rest in peace “ Old Boy”. To your relatives justice may come faster than ever imagined. . Yvonne Sam

‘Appointments’ given out... From page 08 Government intervenes in a dispute between the GTU and the TSC which all stemmed from the TSC’s appointment of a teacher despite an injunction preventing it from doing so. The appointment was rescinded and an apology was issued by the TSC following vocalised concerns by the GTU. The GTU had last year filed an injunction to prevent the 2015 promotion of by both the TSC and the Schools Board Secretariat in order to allow for a review of the promotion process. While the Schools Board had given in to the GTU review demand, the TSC however refused to give in.

It is expected that a ruling will be made on the matter when it is called again in the High Court on February 29, 2016.

DEAR EDITOR, First of all, we would like to say a big thank you to your newspapers for your support in assisting us to promote our new group - ‘Christians Affected By Crime’ (CABC). Our first session was held on Monday 11 January, 2016 at the National Library Conference Room and we are off to a great start. Based on the discussions at that session, we have developed four focus areas for the group. The first is the ‘Intercession Programme’ which will comprise of our field team, who will go to sites where crimes are committed and anoint the area or buildings, of course after given clearance to the crime scene by the police. However, in cases where our team cannot physically visit the locations, they will utilize technology using telephone, text, Skype, email, What’s App or other. This team will also pray for and with the victims and persons who committed the crimes. The second focus area is, the ‘Forgiveness and Release Programme’. This team will create a platform to bring victims and offenders together for forgiveness and release sessions. The environment will be created for: persons who have committed crimes and pleaded guilty in the courts and would like to ask forgiveness of the victims or their relatives to be able to do so; persons who are out of prison and would like to ask forgiveness of victims.; persons who were involved in criminal activities and have not be caught, or have not been before the courts or have not gone to prison but would like to ask forgiveness from victims or relatives of the deceased. This team would also put a structure in place for perpetrators to bring stolen articles to the group and an arrangement will be put in place for the articles to be returned to the victims. This team will work closely with the courts and the prisons. The third area is the ‘Mothers of Love’ Programme, This programme will be for mothers of offend-

ers. Mothers whose sons or daughters would have died while committing crimes. This team will focus on providing support for each other which will include: mothers sharing their experiences hurts and pains with each other and learning how to forgive and get healing. It will also focus on personal development for the mothers, professional development (skills training) for the mothers and economic development (small business, etc) for them. The first session of the ‘Mothers of Love’ programme will be on the 13 February, 2016 at the National Library Conference Room from 09:00 – 12:00 hours. All mothers with this experience are invited and they would be welcomed with open arms. Refreshments will be provided free and the session is also free The fourth programmme is the ‘Children of Purpose’ programme. This programme is for children of offenders whose fathers and mothers died while committing crimes are in prison or are involved in criminal activities. The focus will be to provide support for the children so that they can live normal lives and maximize their talents and fulfill God’s purpose for their lives, to provide educational support for the children, to create opportunities, assist in increasing choices for the children and to provide personal development and mentoring support. Our overall mission is: ‘To reduce crime in Guyana so that the country could become one of the safest places to live and do business’, this is also our daily declaration.Our theme is: ‘One would put a thousand to flight, two would put ten thousand to flight’…and ‘for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but they are mighty through God to the pulling down of the strongholds of the enemy’ The programme for the second session to be held on Monday 8 February, 2016 from 17:00 – 19:00 hours at the National Library Conference Room, will include prayers

From page 5 delay. I would like to make a further suggestion that before Magistrates are appointed they should undergo some training as how to handle cases. This can be done easily. At present we have retired Justice Perry and Justice Claudette Singh from the Court of Appeal, Justice Claudette La Bennett and other retired Judges from the

High Court. I feel that they could form an advisory group to assist in making the legal profession more professional and respectable by training Magistrate before they take the Bench so as Magistrate and Clerks at the High Court Registry Development needs intensive professional and legal advice. Jonas Coddett, Attorney-at-law

Women now...

and identifying persons to volunteer in the four programme areas. We are therefore extending this invitation to all; including but not limited to Christians, Pastors, Leaders of churches, intercessors and other persons who are interested in joining in agreement with us in our fight to reduce crime in our beloved country. We can be contacted on email address iam_guyana @yahoo.com . Audreyanna Thomas

From page 112

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Traffic at Harbour Bridge Cabinet now reviewing security remains a major challenge situation on a weekly basis The junction at which the Demerara Harbour Bridge adjoins the East Bank thoroughfare is a nightmare for rush hour commuters

Despite assurances that the traffic situation on the Demerara Harbour Bridge and along the Eastern and Western Banks of the Demerara River is under control, commuters have been saying otherwise. Their call to have better traffic management systems in place, especially in that area – where the West Bank traffic merges with the East Bank – has been ongoing for years, and fingers have been pointing at the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation (DHBC). The DHBC says that it has been doing all in its power to ease the flow of traffic and at the same time, balance the demands of both vehicular traffic and sea-bound vessels, however, the task is somewhat challenging. General Manager of the Demerara Harbour Bridge Company, Rawlston Adams, said yesterday that the bridge traffic “should not be seen in isolation” to the traffic situation on the Eastern and Western Banks of the Demerara River. “The traffic issue has to be taken and looked at in totality and not just the bridge. You have to look at how it’s (traffic) feeding onto the bridge, how it’s discharged off the bridge,” Adams said. He stated that the DHBC has taken several measures to allow the smooth flow of traffic in the mornings. One of

these measures involves rescheduling the 05:30 hrs (5:30 a.m.) openings to 5 a.m. Adams indicated that he is aware of some traffic violations which occur on the bridge and the DHBC is working with the Guyana Police Force to address those issues. CHANGE IN PEAK PERIODS The General Manager said that when the traffic increased, the Bridge team began looking at the double lanes and the duration. After a study was conducted, it revealed that the East Bank peak period was between 7:15 am and 7:20 a.m., so it assisted in getting the West Bank traffic to flow smoothly. However, due to the East Bank Road Expansion project, it has forced commuters to leave much earlier, therefore the East Bank peak is coinciding with the West Bank peak. Many commuters have – since the double-lane was implemented – asked that another double-lane be implemented between 8 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. to facilitate the traffic build-up during that period. Adams stated that it would be difficult to accommodate this, since maintenance would have to be carried out in the morning, as well as the accommodation of special crossing for heavy-duty machinery at 11 a.m. A balance has to be main-

tained, Adams said, where the machinery must be allowed to cross due to the infrastructural projects being carried out on the West Bank. Adams stated that while some works are carried out during the nights, there is still need for maintenance to be carried out during the day. He said that if one specific maintenance crew should work at night, there will be need to have other departments on duty as well. “We do not make enough money to cover our operations during the nights, it sends up our costs…We do not have enough revenue,” With regard to having openings only at nights, Adams stated that it is currently in the pipeline. He added that the DHBC has just recently received the survey works, which was commissioned by the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), to determine alignments. This came in wake of a meeting that was held with shippers who expressed concerns about alignments and night retractions. “There has been some consideration about transiting during the day… going south-bound; they have no problems coming east-bound.” Adams stated that there are some issues that still need to be ironed out to have night retractions.

The swift arrest of criminal suspects soon after the commission of a crime is impacting positively on police/citizen relationship. This is the view of the Cabinet of Ministers after a review of the security situation of the country for the past week. Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, told a post cabinet press briefing that there was a general reduction in crime between January 23 and January 29, when there were only 27 reported serious crimes. These included murder, robbery under arms and break and enter and larceny. With respect to narcotics, during the period under review the police were responsible for the seizure of 402 kilograms of marijuana, with 10 persons being charged and placed before the courts. Seven hundred and thirtyseven grams of cocaine were also confiscated and four persons were charged, including a Guyanese man who excreted several grams of the drugs hours after he was held at the Ogle Airport as an outgoing passenger. The Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) also seized 65 kilograms of

cocaine, recently. Trotman disclosed that the Guyana Police Force also destroyed 4,000kgs of cannabis plants and 45kilos of the dried herb in the backlands of the West Coast of Demerara. “The Honourable Minister (of Public Security) stated that there was an improvement of police response to criminal activity, with the police being able to arrive at crime scenes in a more timely manner,” Trotman said. He added that the police were also able to make several arrests very soon after some incidences of criminal activities. “This has resulted in a very positive impact on the citizens/police relationship,” the Vice President stated. Security seems to be very high on the present administration’s agenda and according to Trotman the periodic disclosures of crime statistics will now become routine since the National Security Committee meets weekly with Heads of the nation’s security agencies on Tuesdays prior to the statutory cabinet meeting. The Committee is headed by President David Granger and includes Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan, and

Minister of State Joseph Harmon. “Every week we look at a snap shot… and this will be a weekly feature,” Trotman said. In addition to the crime statistics, the police reported 23 road accidents with no fatality during the period under review. However, last week police almost concluded that Mahaicony labourer Curt Burke died as a result of a hit and run accident, despite the opposing views from family members, who feel that he was murdered. Burke’s dismembered body was found in a clump of bushes at Drill, Mahaicony last week. A subsequent post mortem conducted by Government Pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh, found that the man’s body was run over by a large or heavy vehicle multiple times. Kaieteur News understands however that both traffic ranks and the Criminal Investigations Department on the East Coast of Demerara are still conducting investigations, looking at both theories.

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Zika alarm rises after U.S. sex link, more Brazil birth defects (Reuters) - The World Health Organization voiced concern yesterday over the reported transmission of the Zika virus in Texas by sexual contact, as such infections could make efforts to combat the virus linked to severe birth defects in Brazil even tougher. The virus that is spreading quickly across the Americas is usually transmitted by mosquitoes. But health officials in Dallas County reported on Tuesday that the first known case of Zika contracted in the United States was a person infected after having sex with somebody who had returned from Venezuela. The WHO declared a global health emergency on Feb. 1, citing a “strongly suspected” relationship between Zika infection in pregnancy and microcephaly, a condition marked by abnormally small head size that can cause permanent brain damage in newborns. Health ministers from across South America gathered in Uruguay’s capital, Montevideo, to discuss the

public health emergency and how the region can coordinate its fight against the outbreak. Late Tuesday, the Brazilian health ministry said the number of newborns with microcephaly it suspects are linked to the virus had increased to 4,074 as of Jan. 30, from 3,718 a week earlier. Researchers have identified evidence of Zika infection in 17 of these cases, either in the baby or in the mother, but have not confirmed that Zika can cause microcephaly. There is no treatment or vaccine for Zika. Sexual transmission could add a new dimension to the threat Zika poses, although WHO spokesman Gregory Hartl stressed that “almost a 100 percent of the cases” are transmitted by the bite of a mosquito. “This reported case in the U.S. of course raises concerns,” Hartl said at the U.N. agency’s headquarters in Geneva. “This needs to be further investigated to understand the conditions and how often or likely sexual

transmission is.” For the WHO “the most important thing to do is to control people’s exposure to mosquitoes,” Hartl said. The WHO estimates as many as 4 million people could become infected in the Americasa. Hartl called the Texas case only the second worldwide linked to sexual transmission, referring to media reports about a case of an American man who returned from Senegal in 2008 and is suspected of having infected his wife. The medical literature also has a case in which the virus was detected in semen. Scientists and public health authorities said far more research is needed to determine how much sexual contact might be needed for contagion. The rising number of cases has stirred concern ahead of the Olympic Games in August in Rio de Janeiro in August when Brazil’s second largest city will host tens of thousands of athletes and tourists from around the world.

Pressure mounts on North Korea to abandon rocket launch

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un organizes and guides a combined joint drill of the units under KPA Combined Units 572 and 630 in this undated file photo released by North Korea’s Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) in Pyongyang (Reuters/KCNA/Files) (Reuters) - International pressure grew on North Korea to call off a planned rocket launch, seen by some governments as another missile test, while Japan put its military on alert to shoot down any rocket that threatens its territory. North Korea notified United Nations agencies on Tuesday of its plan to launch what it called an “earth observation satellite” some time between Feb. 8 and 25. Pyongyang has said it

has a sovereign right to pursue a space programme, although the United States and other governments suspect such rocket launches are tests of its missiles. Japan’s defence minister, Gen Nakatani, told a media briefing on Wednesday he had issued an order to shoot down any “ballistic missile threat”. Tension rose in East Asia last month after North Korea’s fourth nuclear test, this time of what it said was a hydrogen

bomb. A rocket launch coming so soon after would raise concern that North Korea plans to fit nuclear warheads on its missiles, giving it the capability to launch a strike against South Korea, Japan and possibly targets as far away as the U.S. West Coast. North Korea last launched a long-range rocket in December 2012, sending an object it d e s c r i b e d a s a communications satellite into orbit.

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Tourism organisations urge visitors not to cancel their visits because of Zika virus BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – Caribbean tourism officials yesterday urged visitors not to cancel their visits to the region in light of the ongoing concerns over the mosquito-borne Zika virus. The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA) say they have become aware of the concerns being raised by potential visitors to the region adding “we implore you not to panic”. The CTO and CHTA said

that the spread of the Zika virus in the Americas, with Brazil as the epicentre, and the possible – though not yet proven – accompanying link to microcephaly has, understandably, caused concern. “The Level 2 alert issued by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( C D C ) h a s created doubt among some potential travellers to the Caribbean as to whether or not their health is at risk and whether or not they should continue with their travel

plans. “Conflicting information about the virus, coupled with the yet unconfirmed link to microcephaly, has led to uncertainty and confusion, which in turn leads to panic.” The two major regional tourism organisations said that while it is “too early to tell but all indications are that there are very few cancellations as a result of Zika. “The Caribbean set a record for visitors arrivals in 2015 and all indications point to continued growth and its

CELAC adopts CARICOM call for reparations QUITO, Ecuador — The Community of Latin and American States CELAC Parliamentary group has adopted the Caribbean Community’s (CARICOM) call for reparations for native genocide and the enslavement of African people in the Caribbean through the Trans-Atlantic slave trade. The call for its adoption

came via a presentation from St Vincen t a n d t h e Grenadines (SVG) Speaker of the House of Assembly J o m o T h o m a s during a meeting last week in which legislators from 17 countries met in Quito, Ecuador, to formalise the operation of a parliamentary network across Latin America and the Caribbean. Thomas, who is the

chairman of the Reparations Commission for SVG, noted that CARICOM has agreed on the call for reparatory justice and urged CELAC parliamentarians to join the cause. The final call for the motion, which was adopted by the parliamentary group, was drafted and submitted by deputy speaker of the House, Senator Carlos James.

popularity as one of the world’s most desirable warm weather destinations,” they said, telling visitors they should not cancel their Caribbean holiday. “However, as always we advise you to travel sensibly and to take the necessary precautions to protect yourself against insect bites, including mosquito bites, in very much the same way you would on any holiday in any tropical country.” The two organisations say they take the health and safety of its guests very seriously. “Based on the evidence, we firmly believe that the Zika virus does not pose an extraordinary threat to visitors to the Caribbean. We will continue to closely monitor developments and if fresh evidence emerges that suggests otherwise we will advise accordingly.” They said that they remain in close contact with the Trinidad-based Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) “to monitor and research the Zika

cases in the Caribbean and to communicate prevention and control measures to residents and visitors, while the health authorities in our member countries are taking the necessary steps to limit the number of new cases. “Local populations and visitors alike are assured that the Caribbean remains open for business and safe for

travel. “The CTO and CHTA will continue to work closely with CARPHA to assess the situation, but we encourage visitors to continue with their travel plans to the Caribbean and follow the advice and precautions issued by the World Health Organization, similar to those which are provided to travellers to most tropical destinations.”

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Best team assembled to combat crime - PM (Trinidad Guardian) - To combat the brazenness of criminals and to suppress criminal activity, three politicians are necessary to manage the vast resources of the National Security Ministry, says Prime Minister Keith Rowley. Speaking at an Housing Development Corporation key-distribution ceremony at HDC head office, South Quay, Port-of-Spain, Rowley said he was confused and surprised over the criticism of his decision to appoint Foreign Affairs Minister Dennis Moses as a Minister in the Ministry of National Security and Glenda Jennings-Smith as its Parliamentary Secretary as the objective was to get on top of the crime problem. Twenty residents of Marcano Quarry housing community were relocated to the Oropune Gardens, Piarco. The Prime Minister said the objective of the changes was for the Government to get on top of the crime problem, adding that it must be sustained. He said there was “no switch that you flick and get it done. “There are a number of things that have to be done

and that is why there are two ministers and a parliamentary secretary aiming to do all of these things at once.” At Jennings-Smith’s swearing-in ceremony, Rowley said the threemember team “should give us probably the best chance we have to respond effectively to the criminal element and bring to the public the kind of comfort and safety they deserve.” Saying crime is the People’s National Movement’s number one problem, Rowley said Government clearly understood that if it could not provide safety and security in homes, communities and on the streets, “whatever else we provide at government level will fall flat.” Rowley said JenningsSmith had left the Police Service not too long ago. He said when she was chosen as the candidate, critics felt it was improper for her to “go up” but he said her skills were an opportunity “for us to offer the Police Service, management and guidance from the political directorate and executive in a way the Police Service has not had for quite some time.”

Apart from knowing the Police Service “inside out,” the PM said Jennings-Smith was highly trained in criminology, specialising in anti-gang work and had also worked with communities. With her appointment, Rowley said the top of the structure Government was implementing to respond on crime — human resources — was now in place and Government would continue to supply human resources, physical and financial resources to deal with law and order preservation. Noting concerns on Moses’ appointment, he said while Moses was not well known, he was very experienced, with much training, international links, of sound temperament and well prepared for the assignment. Moses, a career diplomat, was appointed last week to assist substantive National Security Minister Edmund Dillon, retired Major General of the Defence Force, and Sangre Grande MP Glenda Jennings-Smith, a retired Assistant Commissioner of Police, was appointed as a Parliamentary Secretary, to assist Dillon. Rowley yesterday defined

President Anthony Carmona, right, looks on as Prime Minister Keith Rowley congratulates the newest addition to the Ministry of National Security, Glenda Jennings-Smith, during a ceremony at the Office of the President, St Ann’s (Photo: Shirley Bahadur) the roles of the three politicians in the ministry. The Prime Minister said Moses, who is also the Foreign and Caricom Affairs Minister, would be responsible for “administrative-type” matters, such as immigration and work permits, while Jennings-Smith will be responsible for matters relating to the anti-gang legislation and other social programmes, such as youth camps. Rowley said there have been several National Security Council meetings aimed at establishing “a national security response that is up to and surpasses the criminal element in T&T.” He said Moses’ presence would “free up” Dillon “to deal with the programme of

operational response and preparing the units to respond in every place in Tobago and Trinidad.” Rowley later told reporters she would also handle some of Government’s outreach programmes so the work was distributed in a way to get the best results. Jennings-Smith, who retired as Assistant Police Commissioner a f t e r 2 5 years, holds a Mast e r ’s Degree in applied criminology and police management from Cambridge University, UK, and completed studies in public administration and social work at UWI. She told reporters: “I’m no stranger to hard work... there’s a lot to be done... the murder rate is already beyond 44 for January. I bring a lot of

competence coming from the TTPS which I will use to my benefit in eradicating crime.” The murder toll stood at 48 yesterday. Dillon said he would meet today with Moses and Jennings-Smith to get down to work. He said the public would see the kind of experience Moses and Jennings-Smith would bring, encompassing international and domestic aspects. “You’re looking at 70 years’ experience in policing just between Mrs JenningsSmith and myself, so you will have a strong impact on the security environment. We will have a collective approach in national security issues. This is going to be a strong team based on collective experience of each of us,” he added.

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Launch of LABA/ 104.3 Power Permaloo (49), Ramnarine (26 and 4 fm Mash basketball tourney for 20) see Kennard’s Memorial to Final fixed for Saturday at MSC Raffik & Sons Second Division 20-Over Cricket Competition in Berbice

Kennard’s Memorial Cricket Club of Bust Lot Farm, Corentyne is through to the final of the 2015 Raffik & Sons Construction Service Second Division 20-Over Cricket Competition which was specifically organised by the Berbice Cricket Board for teams in the Lower/Central Corentyne area. In the semi-final which was played at Port Mourant, they defeated Fyrish by 34 runs. Choosing to bat first, Kennard’s Memorial was given a start of 78 runs in 10 overs by Karamchand Permaloo and former Berbice Under-19 allrounder Karamchand Ramnarine after which the latter fell for 26. Permaloo continued and he

held the innings together as the Fyrish bowler Yuvendra Chinapen and former Berbice Under-19 offspinner Munilall Shiwdyal made inroads into the innings. Permaloo eventually fell for 49 (8 fours) at 110 for 7 and with no other batsmen getting past nine, Kennard’s managed to reach 137 for 9 in their 20-Overs. Chinapen took 3 for 37 from 4 overs. Fyrish in reply had a bad start, losing their first two wickets for 7 runs with former Berbice Under-19 pacer Junior Blair picking up both of them. Former Berbice Under19 batsmen Javed Mohamed and Chetram Roopnarine staged a recovery of sorts, putting on 50 between them before Mohamed went for 11.

Roopnarine continued to bat well but he eventually fell for 31 (1 four) and with no other batsman managing to negotiate the wily left arm spinner Ramnarine, they were only able to reach 103 for 8 in their 20-Overs. For Kennard’s, Ramnarine ended with 4 for 20 from 4-Overs and Blair 2 for 18 from 4. Kennard’s Memorial will meet with defending champions Courtland All Stars in the final from 1:30pm on Sunday at the “Area H” ground, Rose Hall Town, Corentyne, Berbice. Preceding that game will be the third place playoff between Rose Hall Town and Fyrish. Musical entertainment will be available and a small fee will be charged at the gate.

Thursday February 04, 2016 ARIES (MAR. 21APRIL 20) You might have some problems balancing your books. You hard work and dedication will payoff, so stick to your guns and do your job well.

children. LIBRA (SEPT. 24 -OCT. 23) A lot has changed and so have you. Be careful signing important contracts today. Your partner will blow situations out of proportion.

TAURUS (APR. 21MAY 21) Don't be afraid to pursue unfamiliar grounds. A passionate party for two might be just the remedy. You may have the energy to clear up that mound of paperwork facing you.

SCORPIO (OCT. 24 NOV. 22) You will not impress others by being foolishly generous. Romance will develop if you get involved in social events that deal with children.

GEMINI (MAY 22JUNE 21) You have been stagnating for some time now and you need a change of pace. Join groups of a humanitarian nature. CANCER (JUNE 22JULY 22) Try to mix business with pleasure while traveling. Your creative ability will surface, giving you good ideas for ways of making money. LEO (JULY 23-AUG 22) You're intuitive today; however, this attribute could get you in trouble if you tactlessly say what you think. VIRGO (AUG. 23 SEPT. 23) Conflicts over joint finances are likely. Romance will develop if you get involved in social events that deal with

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 23 -DEC. 21) You need to concentrate on the areas where you can make a difference. Your desire for excitement and adventure may be expensive. CAPRICORN (DEC 22.- JAN. 20) You can learn a great deal if you listen to those who are older or more experienced. Overindulgence may be a problem. AQUARIUS (JAN. 21 FEB. 19) Make sure to arrange in advance to spend quality time together. Children may be less than honest with you. PISCES (FEB. 20-MAR. 20) Put your energy into behind the scenes activities. Get involved in activities that will bring you knowledge about foreign land, philosophies, or cultures. Don't go overboard; start small and work toward building it up slowly.

This Saturday will see the launching of the inaugural Linden Amateur Basketball Association/104.3 Power FM Radio Mash, Open basketball championship at the Mackenzie Sports Club Lounge. The LABA in a release said that it is pleased that the owner of Linden’s only radio station 104.3 Power FM, Mr. Haslyn Graham, has sought their collaboration in this promotion which is being organised by the game’s ad-

ministration in Linden. Graham said as a former president and now vice president of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF), he felt the game could be promoted for the benefit of the players with such a tournament as this one. Several cash incentives and trophies are among the top prizes and the details of this championship will be known on Saturday at 5.00pm. The LABA noted the efforts made by Mr. Graham and

thanked him for the initiative in having this Mashramani tournament especially as it bounces off the association’s 2016 season on high note. The clubs are invited to attend and be punctual as those who fail to attend will be fined. The six clubs that will be contesting are the Half Mile Bulls, Retrieve Raiders, Victory Valley Royals, Amelia’s Ward Jets, Block 22 Flames and Bankers Trust Falcons.

Golyn 10/10 creates excitement... From page 122 were shared. Vipers defeated West Coast Blazers by 3 wkts. West Coast Blazers, the masters team in this tournament, batted first and made 70-8 in 10 overs with Hemendra Kowlessar contributing 22 (1x6). Amit Hussain with 2-11 from his two overs was the top bowler for Vipers and he was supported by Akram Hussain with 2-21 from 2 overs. In their turn, Vipers XI got a scare as the masters took wickets regularly but were unable to push all the way as Vipers XI struggled to 75-7 off 9.1 overs with Arif Hussain contributing 24 (3x6). The bowling of the masters’ team was commendable as Hemendra Kowlessar 2-10 and Dhaniram Moonsammy with 2-19 were the wicket takers, but the accurate bowling of Arnold Padmore supported well under the circumstances defending a low total. Meanwhile, the other zones will commence shortly as the tournament goes into full gear around the country as the tournament heats up. Teams wishing to join the tournament can contact the following representations or Guyana Softball League direct: Berbice Softball LeagueOmeshwar Sirikishun – 6275788; Pinky Arthur – 6159423;Alston Barrington – 6288291;James Hart – 628-2391/ 335-3111; Essequibo Softball League – Travis Simon – 6030106/619-2022; Anil Durga – 644-5276; Elroy Stephney – 621-8484; Eckie Persaud –

Raiders... From page 122 Under-19 supporting game. All in all, the stage has been set for a very interesting battle that will either cement the dynasty of Retrieve Raiders, or announce the arrival of the new basketball prodigy in Linden, Half Mile Bulls.

649-1382; Shermon Austin – 663-8278. Linden Softball League – Mortimer Denny – 639-0057/ 442-1562/653-2589; East Coast Softball League – Nadir Baskh – 696-7285/2223605; East Bank Demerara – Shafeek Mohamed – 657-2300/ 265-4729/216-1861.

West Demerara – Ravendra Ramgobin – 2761381; Essequibo Islands – Veren Chintamanie – 692-9611; Bonasika – Ashraf Mohamed -665-6138/664-9245; after 6pm Guyana Softball League direct Leonard Harprashad – 6460568/268-2458.

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Half Mile Bulls ranked number one in Johnson is Parika Salem SC President Linden after winning Malta Supreme Open Vibert Johnson was elected President of the Parika Salem Sports Club when the entity held its Annual General Meeting recently at East Bank Essequibo. Melville Singh will serve as the Vice President, Tenika Johnson Secretary, Stacy Williams Treasurer, Jimol Marks Assistant Secretary Treasurer, Keith Stephney Organising Secretary and Ryan Herclues Public Relations Officer. Johnson who also coaches at the club thanked its members and urged his fellow executive to work

Ryan Hercules together for the development for the game in the area. He added that one of their objective is to ensure cricket is being played on a regular basis at all levels.

2015 A. Ally & Sons Inter-Secondary School Under-17 Cricket Competition in Berbice...

Rosignol Secondary and Berbice High School to clash in the Final

Sachin Veerasammy

Javid Karim The final of the inaugural 2015 A. Ally & Sons InterSecondary School Under-17 Tw o - i n n i n g s C r i c k e t Competition is set for today at the Cumberland Ground in Canje. A keen tussle is expected between Rosignol Secondary School and Berbice High School. Spearheading Rosignol

will be former Berbice Under-15 allrounder Javed Karim as well as Chandradat Veersammy and Keyon Gangoo, while Berbice High will have on their side former Berbice Under-15 batsman Alex Algoo, Berbice Under-17 legspinner Dion Sinclair and Malcolm Mickle. The match is a twoinnings affair with the first inning limited to 50-Over for each side to ensure that the match will at least have a first innings decision. The Regional Education Officer of Region 6 and representative of the sponsor A. Ally & Sons of New Amsterdam will be introduced to both school teams before the start of the match and will also be there for the presentation ceremony.

Bulls players with Banks DIH Co-Chairman and Managing Director McDonald (right) and Linden Branch Manager Ms. Shondel Easton (2nd right) at the presentation.

alf Mile Bulls, winners of the recent Malta Supreme Open Christmas basketball championship, are now the number one ranked club in Linden. The Linden Amateur Basketball Association has announced that the rankings of the six Division-One clubs at the beginning of this year. The clubs are number one ranked Half Mile Bulls who

won the Malta Supreme Open Christmas basketball championship to take the top spot from second placed Retrieve Raiders, who lost to the Bulls in that Malta Supreme tournament and are the second ranked team. Third are the Victory Valley Royals who captured the third spot after the other losing semifinalists, Ameliaâ€™s Ward Jets, who while failing to battle for the

GCA/NBS semis on this weekend The semi finals of the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA)/New Building Society second division 40-over tournament will be contested on Saturday. Georgetown Cricket Club will host Transport Sports Club (Deon Feassal and Clyde Layne with Reginald Grant as stand by) and Demerara Cricket Club will entertain Everest CC (Zaheer Mohamed and Joseph Jeffery, Heuvel Cunha as stand by). Matches start at 10:30 hrs.

In the Trophy Stall, Star Party Rentals and GISE first division two-day which starts at 09:30 hrs on Saturday, Police will travel to GDF (Javed Persaud and Ryan Banwarie) and GNIC SC will play UG at Malteenoes SC (Yosef Yisrael and Cyril Garnath).

third spot, are ranked fourth, while fifth are Block 22 Flames and sixth the Bankers Trust Falcons. The Bulls received their top prizes inclusive of the $100,000 and trophies and replicas, while their power forward Travin Dryden was the Most Valuable Player,

when beverage giants Banks DIH held its Shareholders Meeting in Linden recently. The Retrieve Raiders copped $75,000 and the second placed trophy and replicas, while Royals also received $25,000 from Managing Director George McDonald.

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Kaieteur News

Raiders, Bulls clash in grudge game Saturday By Edison Jefford Retrieve Raiders will try to tame Half Mile Bulls on Saturday in a grudge game scheduled for the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) Hard Court in Linden at 9pm. The two teams have an outstanding feud from the Malta Supreme Final that Bulls won early in January. The younger Bulls trampled the experienced Raiders in the last 15 minutes of the Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA) Christmas Open Final to fuel the need for the rematch. Bulls won 64-47, for a mammoth 17-point victory that deflated Raiders. However, Raiders had beaten Bulls earlier in the same tournament. The recent head-to-head of the two teams is therefore 1-1 with the imminent tie-breaker on Saturday. Retrieve Raiders are oozing confidence on social media. Bulls are calm and stable. Bulls’ youthful triplethreat will continue to be a bother for Raiders, who clearly lacked the energy and fortitude in the final. Forwards, Michael Turner and Travin Dryden; and

guard, Terron Welch outperformed Raiders on both ends of the court in January. Turner put in a heroic second half performance with 17 points and seven rebounds with Welch the next best offensive player with 16 points and eight rebounds. Dryden had 11 points and a colossal 15 ‘boards’. No one for Raiders matched those numbers, despite them holding on to a 25-24 point lead at halftime. Forward, Dwayne Roberts had 14 points and 13 rebounds for Raiders while Keon Cameron added 10 points. Former national forwards, Neil Marks and Marvin Hartman were both absent from their offence, despite its depth with the inclusion of some players from Kings. The game Saturday is more or less a clash between the establishment: Raiders versus the changing of the guard: Bulls, which had lost in the final of the Forbes Burnham Memorial Championships in August last year in Linden. However, Raiders are ranked higher nationally at three, while Bulls are ranked sixth ahead of the National

Thursday February 04, 2016

Golyn 10/10 creates excitement in first round of West Coast Zone

Dwayne Roberts

Terron Welch Club Championships in March. The game Saturday has a winner-take-all purse of $60,000. The sponsor is Bernard’s Variety Store and there is an East vs West (Continued on page 120)

he Golyn 10/10 Softball Cricket competition organized by the Guyana Softball League and sponsored by Golyn and Sons created a massive impression as the people of Leonora were treated to some scintillating stroke play in West Coast Zone. The turnout was impressive even though only three games were possible. The results are as follows: Speedboat SC hammered Crossbreed Warriors by 79 runs. Speedboat SC won the toss and batted, rattling up an impressive 186-4 in 10 overs with an opening partnership of 111 between Lennox Marks 64 (8x6; 2x4) off 28 deliveries and Shazim Hussain 45 (6x6) off 16 balls being the highlight. They were ably supported by Kishore Smith who hammered 53, aided by some 7 sixes and one four off 14 balls. The introduction of Narine Shaw saw the partnership broken as he dismissed three batsmen off consecutive deliveries to claim the first hat-trick of the tournament. He ended with 3-33 off his two overs. In reply, Crossbreed Warriors being under pressure to score quickly were decimated in their quest losing 4 wickets at the half way stage for only 58 runs. Mahendra Persaud batting at 5 then compiled 42 (3x6; 3x4) off 22 deliveries which was the mainstay of the batting as wickets fell regularly. No other batsman stayed around long enough to offer any chance of a comeback victory as they ended on 107-7 in 10 overs. Bowling for Speedboat SC, Sheldon Perch took 2-23 off his two overs. Omesh XI destroyed Power XI by a massive 105 runs. Omesh XI won the toss and batted scoring at will against a wayward bowling attack, racking up 174 - 6 in 10 overs. Omesh Parbhu leading his team by example, compiled a responsible 48 (7x6;1x4) off 16 deliveries. The next best batter was Ricardo Adams with 30 (4x6;1x4) and just as he was looking ominous his off stump was uprooted

Lennox Marks - MoM for his 64 against Crossbreed Warriors.

by Jia Chackroverty who took 2-38 from his two overs. Amarnauth Sooknanan supported with 2-6 off one over. In reply, without their inform batsman Ravo Laldeo, Power XI could only muster 69 in 10 overs. Omesh XI used ten bowlers in the process. All the bowlers contributed as the wickets (Continued on page 120)

Thursday February 04, 2016

Kaieteur News

PCL practice match day 2... By Sean Devers It’s not often that you could use the words patient and Robin Bacchus in the same sentence but yesterday at Bourda in hazy sunshine Bacchus compiled a responsible 55 on the second day of the three day practice match for the PCL FirstClass resumption at Providence from next week Friday. The left-handed Bacchus began in his usual aggressive manner and along with Kandasammy Surujnarine took his team to 60-0 by Tea in reply to the formidable 383 made by Vishaul Singh’s X1. By the close Bacchus’ X1 had reached 115-4, still 168 away from avoiding an innings defeat. Bacchus slashed Keon Joseph behind point for four when given the room to flay his arm before edging the Berbician fast bowler

Bramble, Bacchus hit fifties at Bourda

fortuitously to the third-man boundary next ball as Joseph worked up a fair head of steam on a flat track. Bacchus flicked Romario Shepherd fine for four before a couple of imperious cover driven boundaries off Joseph sped to the boundary, while Surujnarine played the supporting role in the halfcentury opening stand. Bacchus continued to flow and whipped Raymon Reifer disdainfully off his legs for four before pulling Shepherd to the boundary. Surujnarine freed himself with a pulled a boundary off Joseph and by Tea the pair had built a solid foundation with Bacchus on 44 and Surujnarine on 13. A f t e r Te a B a c c h u s buckled down to play a long innings and took 58 minutes to crawl from 44 to 50, which he reached from 112 balls, 185 minutes with eight

GCB acquires lawn mowers to assist in ground maintenance The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) has acquired three John Deer motorized lawn mowers to assist in the development and maintenance of pitch squares and grounds in a number of area Associations. This aspect of development is perceived as critical in the GCB’s lateral cricket development structure, which encompasses the human resource empowerment (players, coaches, tutors, scorers, umpires match referees and other cricket personnel), facility development (club structures, nets, pitches and grounds) and the meaningful interaction processes between the two – human resource personnel of established facilities. The GCB had conducted a countrywide ground assessment and analysis, and found the upkeep of grounds to a highly suitable standard was a major challenge to ground authorities; one of the main reasons being the inaccessibility of appropriate equipment. It has also been observed over the years, needed regular maintenance of a number of facilities and grounds posed a constant challenge, especially during

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the period when sponsorship was not readily available as compared to the past when West Indies dominated world cricket. The lawn mowers are expected to add value to both the visible appearance of pitches and outfields in the area associations. A release from the GCB stated that it remains committed to overall development of cricket in Guyana and continues to seek new measures in assisting its affiliates to promote the game at the highest of standards.

fours. Surujnarine (12) was dismissed by a brilliant reflex catch at short leg by Tagenarine Chanderpaul and he tucked left-arm spinner Veersammy Permaul firmly off his legs in the second over after the break to end the 60-run partnership. Bacchus curbed his natural aggressive instinct before he got himself bugged down and was LBW to

Permaul for 55 from 193 minutes, 122 balls with eight fours to leave the score on 85-2. Gajanand Singh (4) and Jonathon Foo (1) were removed by Gudakesh Motie in the space of 12 runs to slip to 112-4. Devendra Bishoo joined the left-handed Chanderpaul Hemraj, who played some good shots in an unbeaten 37 with two fours and two sixes

to see Bacchus’ X1 to the close. Motie (2-29) and Permaul (2-36) are the wicket-takers so far. Earlier, Singh’s X1 resumed on 280-6 and led by an attacking undefeated 67 from Anthony Bramble who resumed the day on 12 and was still there when Singh’s X1 were bowled out on the stroke of lunch. Bramble’s innings came from 128 balls, included 10

fours and he shared in a 66run stand with Permaul (29) before Permaul was bowled by Bishoo who also had Deter Soloman (7) stumped and bowled Motie for a duck. The innings ended when Shepherd (10) was run out. Foo (3-44), Bishoo (3-90) and Paul Wintz (2-33) were the main wicket-takers for Bacchus’ X1. Play on the final day starts at 09:00 hrs today.

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Kaieteur News

Thursday February 04, 2016

Henry, Guptill superb as NZ thrash Australia by 159 runs M

att Henry shrugged off t h e disappointment of missing out on selection for next month’s World Twenty20 with a hostile spell of pace bowling that helped New Zealand ease to a 159-run win over Australia in the first one-day international on Wednesday. The 24-year-old Henry, who has been regularly overlooked this summer and

then brought in as injury cover, took 3-20 in his first four overs at Eden Park as he and Trent Boult reduced the visitors to 41 for six in their pursuit of 308 to win. They were helped by an lbw decision against David Warner, who was told not to review by partner George Bailey despite the opener’s concerns about the height. Ball tracking suggested the ball would have gone well over the stumps, causing

Warner to slam his bat into his pads as he watched the replay on the big screen. Wicketkeeper Matthew Wade (37) and all-rounder James Faulkner (36), however, then put on 79 runs to partially resurrect Australia’s innings as they chased New Zealand’s 3078. Once Wade holed out at deep midwicket in the 21st over and Faulkner was bowled by Adam Milne in

the 22nd, the match was all but over and they were bowled out for 148 in just 24.2 overs. Henry finished with 3-41, while Boult had 338. Mitchell Santner bowled just two balls and took the last two wickets. Martin Guptill top scored for New Zealand with 90, his highest total against Australia and his 29th oneday international half century. The 29-year-old opener, who hit one of his

five sixes onto the roof of the stand at the Auckland venue, shared in partnerships of 79 runs with captain Brendon McCullum (44) and 100 with Henry Nicholls (61). New Zealand, who were asked to bat by Australia captain Steve Smith, had initially looked on course to set a total well in excess of 320 but lost wickets at critical times when batsmen looked set to push on. John Hastings was the most

economical of the visiting bowlers with 1-39 from 10 overs, while fifth seamer Mitchell Marsh had figures of 2-35 from seven. The three-match one-day international series moves on to Wellington on Saturday with the sides also scheduled to play two tests. Scores: New Zealand 307 for 8 (Guptill 90, Nicholls 61) beat Australia 148 (Boult 3-38, Henry 341) by 159 runs.

Buttler serves up thrilling century in England win

LOEMFONTEI N, South Africa (Reuters) Jos Buttler struck a rapid century as England beat South Africa by 39 runs via the Duckworth/ Lewis method in a high-scoring first OneDay International marred by rain on Wednesday. England posted 399 for nine in their 50 overs at the Mangaung Oval, nine runs short of their highest ODI score. On a flat track South Africa kept up with the run rate in their reply but lost too many wickets and were stuck on 250 for five after 33.3 overs when the rain came. Carrying home hopes was wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock who struck a career-best unbeaten 138 from 96 balls. After winning the toss and electing to bat, Buttler was the mainstay of the England innings as he bludgeoned 105 from 76 balls, the slowest of his four ODI tons, in a thrilling stay at the crease that included 11 fours and five sixes. All of the visiting top six got starts, with Alex Hales (57), Joe Root (52) and Ben Stokes (57) easing to half centuries. There was an obvious intent to attack from the first

over and that carried through the innings as eight different batsmen hit sixes for the first time in ODI history. South Africa’s reply came at a good pace, but only Faf du Plessis (55) offered De Kock any support as the pair shared a 110-run stand for the second wicket. De Kock scored all round the wicket as he raced to his ton off 67 balls, the quickest of his nine three-figure scores in the 50-over format, finishing with 12 fours and six sixes. The 23-year-old became the youngest South African to reach 2000 ODI runs, beating the previous record of Jacques Kallis by 144 days. Home captain AB de Villiers suffered another failure to follow his dismal test series when he was out for eight, brilliantly caught one-handed on the boundary by Stokes off the bowling of Moeen Ali (3-43). The second ODI in the five-match series is in Port Elizabeth on Saturday. Scores: England 399 for 9 (Buttler 107, Hales 57, Stokes 57, Root 52) beat South Africa 250 for 5 (de Kock 138*, du Plessis 55, Moeen 3-43) by 39 runs (DLS method).

Thursday February 04, 2016

Kaieteur News

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PRINCE ALI SLAMS FIFA CASH MOVE AGAINST AMERICAS CONFEDERATIONS MIAMI (Reuters) FIFA presidential candidate Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan has criticized the global body’s decision to cut off funding to corruption hit Americas confederations, calling it “collective punishment”. In a statement on Wednesday, Prince Ali questioned Monday’s announcement by FIFA that they had put on hold payments to CONCACAF and CONMEBOL, the two confederations that have been most affected by the corruption scandal engulfing football governance. CONMEBOL is responsible for the sport in South America, while CONCACAF covers North and Central America and the Caribbean. Officials from the Americas make up the overwhelming majority of the 41 individuals and entities that have been indicted by the U.S. Department of Justice. “I have read reports that a FIFA spokesperson has announced that funding to CONCACAF and CONMEBOL has been suspended with immediate effect,” wrote Ali in a statement issued to media. “Who is the spokesman; which FIFA committee does he represent; who decided that 45 Member Associations should suffer collective punishment as a

result of individuals’ bad actions; who decided to hold these votes to ransom less than three weeks before the election and who exactly will decide when the funding will be reinstated?” concluded the statement. A spokesman for FIFA’s Audit and Compliance Committee told Reuters that they had made the decision to stop the payments to the two confederations but declined to comment on Ali’s statement. FIFA’s media department declined to comment beyond reissuing the statement they had released on Monday. “We can confirm that in light of current proceedings involving individuals related to CONMEBOL and CONCACAF, FIFA has put contributions toward these two Confederations on hold until further notice. “ We a r e c u r r e n t l y assessing further steps to be taken to increase the level of assurance which may again enable FIFA to release such funds in the future.” CONCACAF has seen its last three presidents indicted by the Department of Justice with Trinidad and Tobago’s Jack Warner, Cayman Islander Jeffrey Webb and Honduran Alfred Hawit all facing charges. CONMEBOL has had former president Nicolas

Rodrigues ton hands Police huge win, GDF triumph A fine century by opener Reginald Rodrigues propelled Police to a comprehensive 105-run victory over St. Stanislaus, while Guyana Defence Force (GDF) beat St. Stanislaus by ten wickets when the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA)/ New Building Society second division 40-over tournament continued last weekend. Rogridues struck a fine 143 as Police posted 298-4, batting first at GNIC SC on Saturday before bowling out St. Stanislaus for 193 in 20 overs. Fitzroy Culley had 216. On Sunday at the said venue, St. Stanislaus were sent packing for 116 in 32 overs, taking first strike.

Reginald Rodrigues Prince Roulf got 50 while Nackeyta Nestor and A. Forrester snared two scalps apiece. GDF responded with 117 without loss in 12 overs. Quacy Mc Pherson slammed fifteen fours and one six in a top score of 64 while Damian Ross made 29.

Leoz and their most recent leader Jan Angel Napout, both of Paraguay, indicted along with several other leading officials. The two organizations

are due to hold a joint ‘Copa America’ tournament in the United States in June to celebrate CONMEBOL’s centenary. Prince Ali is hoping to be elected FIFA

president in the vote on Feb. 26. Also standing are Asian Football Confederation (AFC)President Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, former FIFA deputy

general secretary Jerome Champagne of France, South African businessman a n d p o l i t i c i a n To k y o Sexwale and UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino.

t r o Sp

PCL practice match day 2

Buttler serves up thrilling Bramble, Bacchus century in England win hit fifties at Bourda Jos Buttler muscled his way to his fourth ODI hundred, South Africa v England, 1st ODI, Bloemfontein, February 3, 2016 ÂŠGetty Images

Robin Bacchus plays an imperious cover drive at Bourda yesterday during his half-century.

GCB acquires lawn mowers to Prince Ali slams assist in ground maintenance FIFA cash move against Americas confederations

GCB Assistant Administrator Melinda Bishundyal-Chaitram, TDO Colin Stuart and Driver/ Office Assistant Alexce Bobb testing out the Lawn Mowers.

Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan speaks at the Roman Amphitheatre area in downtown Amman, Jordan, Sept. 9, 2015. (Reuters/Muhammad Hamed)

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