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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
Sensibly examining historical concepts Over the years, countless individuals have played significant roles in shaping history, by challenging old traditions and by contributing new ideas and concepts to pave the way for progress. On the other hand, there are those who attempt to strengthen old systems and support established norms. Should we accept and recognise the thoughts of the latter on a permanent basis as guiding principles? Or treat them as valid for a while and discard them once their usefulness is over? Should future generations be given enough space to create their own ideas according to their requirements? In the case of Guyana, have we created new ideas in response to new challenges, or have we produced individuals who could, after condemning outdated and obsolete traditions, prepare themselves and us for a new world? Most would say that we have not; and consequently, historical figures and their teachings have not been built upon. Unfortunately, once a society depends on historical icons only and the stereotyped ideas, that society becomes static and stagnant. The cyclic pattern of history ceases to function, and the creativity and fertility of mind in the citizenry is stultified. In such a state, challenging the validity of old teachings and the credibility of its sacred cows are seen by some as tantamount to treason. Old ideas are repeatedly presented, and asserted with such vigour that past leaders’ names are identified with their ideas, as reported. Then there are thinkers and politicians whose teachings and policies remain strikingly contradictory, especially in the case of politicians, with whom it is very difficult to find a consistent point of view. Politicians are quite capable of saying something contrary to their own previously stated viewpoints. That is why it is rare in politicians to have a definite line of thought. They have to speak a lot for public consumption. The problem arises when different groups belonging to different ideologies and political concepts select, as their guide or hero, a person who has had complex views, which appear confusing when quoted out of context. Each group makes attempts at using selected ideas of a person to promote its own agenda, creating more confusion and making it difficult for the common man to correctly analyse the situation. Consistently, the thoughts of our more popular leaders of the past are mined from their speeches or writings to buttress ideas or positions posited in the present political circumstances. Oftentimes, when there is no quote that can be proffered, there is even speculation as to what a particular iconic leader may have thought on the issue. Why do societies need icons? Why do political parties and public forums require confirmation of their agendas, ideas and thoughts, when they want to propagate their own political programme and put forward their own social or economic ideas? Why don’t they have strong arguments to convince people, instead of relying on historical personalities to prove their points of view based on their authority? It seems that once an idea is accepted on the authority of a person, it can neither be challenged nor criticised. Whatever is attributed to the revered leader automatically becomes sacrosanct. The problem with this approach is that when people accept anything unquestioningly on the basis of historical authority, they do not care to understand the origin of such ideas, leave aside their historical evolution and practical implications. Blind recognition on the basis of authority discourages the process of rational analysis among the people, as they rely on myth rather than their own ability to think about and analyse their own problems in their own times. The only method to educate the people is to discuss with them freely the origins and development of ideas and political systems, such as nationalism, imperialism, socialism and democracy. Once they understand this, they will also be able to understand the merits and demerits of different ideologies, and will be in a position to decide for themselves. Critical and rational examination of political and historical concepts, and not blindly following of outdated ideas, is what makes an enlightened people.
Friday February 13, 2015
Letters... Where your views make the news
This final showdown will determine our future DEAR EDITOR, This letter comes to you because I think the Guyanese public needs to understand the situation at the University of Guyana for what it really is - the final showdown. Firstly, I should indicate that I am too young to know the absolute details of what existed at the UG before 1992. However, I know enough for the analysis I will present. Very early in life I took a position to be apolitical, knowing well that Guyana is very political and that there could be some short-term benefits to such alignment. I have lived my entire adult life under the People’s Progressive Party (PPP/C) and I have been observant. It is common knowledge that staff at the University of Guyana are engaged in industrial action since the 26th January, 2015 after attempts by the University’s administration to stall negotiations on salaries, benefits and working conditions, impose a new workload policy without consultation and derecognize one of the workers’ unions. The student union has given its support by making its own demands, starting what is labelled the UG Revolution and calling for students to stay away from the campus. Although some staff members continue to work and some courses are
being taught, the industrial action has been largely effective, even amidst threats to staff by the University Administration and to students by some lecturers, who either cannot or will not support the industrial action. In all this, authorities external to the University, with responsibility for it, have publicly stated that they will not intervene. In the first week the Minister of Education indicated that she will not get involved because the University has a governing council. The Minister and Ministry have since been silent on the issue. Recently, the Minister of Labour stated that his ministry will not intervene because it lacks the legal scope. Appeals to His Excellency the President, who has himself been educated at UG, have seemingly fallen on deaf ears. He has neither spoken publicly on the matter nor entertained the students or staff for discussion. Why have these authorities allowed the premier educational institution in Guyana to come to such a position? The current UG Council, which has been appointed by the Minister of Education, who has chosen silence, consists of four PPP/C Members of Parliament. These MPs are long serving members of the PPP/C who
have been heads of party arms, ministers of government and one is currently the party’s chief whip in parliament. These heavy hitters are very busy people and the fact that the GoG, through its Minister of Education, has seen it fit to invest their time and energy on the UG Council means that it has significant interest in the governance of the University. However, it is important to establish the nature of this interest. Could it be that the GoG has sent out its best for a final showdown? Before 1992, Guyana was ruled by the People’s National Congress (PNC) for 27 years. For the greater part of this period the president was His Excellency the late L F S Burnham, a
nationalist whom many would agree took to very drastic measures to realise his vision. When he died in 1985, His Excellency the late H D Hoyte became president and remained until 1992. President Hoyte’s approach was different from his predecessor’s and despite substantial changes during his time he could not, nor might he have been inclined to, undo all that was done before. Of significant importance is the issue of who controlled national institutions that were to be either semi or fully autonomous. It is my understanding that they were controlled and populated by PNC supporters. Some were overly qualified, but they (Continued on page 31)
What was Walter Rodney doing? DEAR EDITOR, I would like to ask a question. No one has seen fit or scared to ask ,’What was Mr. Rodney doing with a military radio? You cannot get the then GBS on it, so was he committing a crime , was he preparing for or organizing a coup?’ T h e l a w y e r s representing the other side
seem scared to ask the same question to everyone taking the stand .Was Mr. Rodney committing a crime when he perished, if yes, then why are we here. I am an ex army officer who was taught that it was a crime to possess or acquire military equipment illegally. I may be wrong and can be corrected. C H Roberts
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Letters... Where your views make the news Letters... Where your views make the news
The truth about who is really keeping Guyana back DEAR EDITOR If one phrase can sum up the collection actions and philosophy of the PPP Administration, I propose I would be ”The PPP Government, robbing the poor to enrich the rich because we care.” It never amazes me to observe the tendencies and actions of the ruling party, the strategies and thinking behind such strategies are clear and connected for us to all observe. Sometimes, during these moments of reflection, I would usually
remark, “are they for real?” or do they really think Guyanese people are so stupid they cannot see through their games? Or these people’s eyes really pass Guyanese.” Therefore I am not surprised by all the goodies in the form of electricity fees reduction, etc. being distributed in the run up to May 11, 2015, the vulgar language emanating from the PPP cabal during this period, neither am I surprised that they are literally using children and some of their supporters in
Region 5 as propaganda machines, employing racially charged language in promotional materials via proxy agents on the internet especially, have no remorse of using public finances to execute campaign work under the guise of Government outreach e ff o r t s , a t t e m p t i n g t o assassinate the character of prominent critics (think Speaker Trotman, Glen Lall, etc.) of the abuse of public resources, power and human rights, the upsurge in goodies the PPP
A captain does not win games by singular effort DEAR EDITOR, One of the leading questions in Guyana at this time is: who is the leader or captain? That, however, is not the pertinent question in multicultural Guyana, for that has led and will continue to lead to division and many lost opportunities for political and social progress. The short political history of Guyana has many episodes of this experience. And while you ponder that experience, let me remind you of the work of a real captain. A captain does not win games by singular effort, for it is the collective membership working together as a team that ensures victory. Ask anyone working on a tug-ofwar team. The captain is subsumed, while the collective drive and synchronized focus of the team trumps everything else. The cricket captain may not be a main bowler or batsman, for sometimes he may bat down the line or he, along with a tail-ender, may come to checkmate a crisis. In other words, the captain is only special when the others in the team perform at their best. Hence, as a team player you do not follow the leader; instead, you walk with him/her side by side; everyone contributes and challenges him/her to build a good ground game; to build a path to victory and build a
vision to which all can aspire. So when the game is won, the team and its supporters send the postman, the captain, to collect the trophy on their behalf. So, instead of using a system with extensive or wideranging powers given to the captain, let us build a model that is based on collective responsibility, community capital, and a reduction in the captain’s power through power decentralization with frequent rotational leadership at all levels. The advantage of a rotation and term limited system is that it allows depth of leadership to prosper and community capital to be built, even as it cultivates new people and new ideas. In other words, experience matters in a political and social setting when many gain experience in a simultaneous manner; and the opposite of no progress is likely when only a few or one person has experience. Disrespect and contempt for people, and power-drunkenness are spawned in such a moribund environment. Meanwhile, the current constitution and political system with the captain being the president is ruinous because political power is centralized in one position. Prorogation, an inadvertent constitutional holdover that is irrelevant in a democracy, is a good
example where the voice of the people has been comprehensively snuffed out. This is your 1980 constitution at work Guyana; get rid of it; make this a priority in 2015. Finally, the two-term limitation for the office of presidency is one part of b u i l d i n g a n e ff e c t i v e governance model. The next component is decentralizing power back to the communities, followed by the timely accountability and enforceability of laws in all cases and communities where the public trust has been violated and national resources mismanaged. All those who aspire to lead cannot escape this requirement and the transformations required to such a new system is expected to be carried out by those in the current election and post-election cycles. Furthermore, the standard for good governance must be raised and be enforceable and the first one hundred days in office by the new government must show results in these areas; otherwise, Guyana will continue on its path as a failed state that cannot even get the rules right. So when the question is asked, how is that? The people will say through their collective voice and vote, job well done, play on! C. Kenrick Hunte
Government is doling out to supporters and nonsupporters alike and the sudden toning down of violently charged language and actions of some Ministers and PPP supported/appointed public figures. I take this time now to ask myself again, does the Government really think that sharing out goodies will cause us to forget how it has abused public office for the past two years? Will we forget: (1) the deliberate institutional destruction of the University of Guyana (for 22 years, no significant strategic capital injection or progress has been made, yet the Government is killing itself to find investors for the Marriott; in fact, the University has deteriorated with increased expenditure (2) will we forget the death squads sanctioned and promoted by the then Minster of Home Affairs Ronald Garaj who was rewarded with an ambassadorial appointment to India for his role in the killing and torture of hundreds of persons, (3) the that fact that PPP government Ministers have suddenly become some of the richest people in Guyana overnight and without appropriate source of funding, (4) forget the corruption that has disempowered the majority of poor Guyanese at the expense of enriching PPP Government officials and their friends, (5) the politically motivated imprisonment of Mark Benschop and others, (6) the failure of the PPP Government to reform our Constitution after it cried out
while it was in Opposition that the Constitution was inadequate, (7) the cuss down of a few resident ambassadors – specifically those of the ABC countries in the face of their calls for local Government Elections, (8) that in 22 years we have not had local Government Elections; also, this was promised two decades ago, (9) until 2011 most of the diplomatic postings from our very own Ministry of Foreign Affairs were that of a particular ethnic makeup, (10) about the gross human rights violations such as trafficking in persons and torture, (11) that in 22 years the PPP Government has not sought fit to invest in national healing and unity strategy but instead used p r o x y, s o m e d i r e c t circumstances, racially charged language on numerous occasions and foster constructed tension amongst Africans and Indians in Guyana, to address the need for national healing and unity at all levels of society (I guess the perceived tensions benefit the Administration too much), (12) the torture of many persons in particular youth, (13) the recent promotion of torture accused police officers, (14) the cover up of the Lindo Creek Massacre, (15) the countless unnecessary deaths that occur at the Georgetown Public Hospital, (16) political victimization and the culture of fear bred by the PPP Government and its proxies, (17) the selling out of our lands to foreign nationals for next to nothing in the name of so called investment, most of whose returns end up leaving Guyana and going in the
pockets of corrupt public officials, along with threat of depleted natural resources, the fact the after 22 years, most of our population remains poor and worst off and are in debt to financial institutions and (18) about the high-jacking of several regional administration offices under the guise of interim management committees. Editor, the list is too long for me to continue the principle take from all this, is that the people Guyana are being fooled because the PPP Government believes that we all are dunce and have “shine eye.” The PPP Government has kept this country from progressing meaningfully (not cars, house and land) but the collective consciousness and intellect of our people are true measures of advancement and maturity as a people. The political Opposition and all right thinking Guyanese who truly care about our people and country need to wake up and see that the PPP Government and party are and have been using proxy situations like t h e Wa l t e r R o d n e y Commission, the Lusignan Massacre, the now dismissed sexual molestation brought against the Speaker of the House, the now dismissed tax evasion charges leveled against the Lall family and friends, etc. I do not agree with the philosophy of robbing the poor to enrich the rich. Name provided
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WHO IS THE BEST? How do we know that Forbes Burnham surrounded himself with the best? Just how does one determine that those who Burnham chose to be ministers of his government were the best available? How can we be sure that very choice was the ideal choice when there were no other candidates? Were they the best because they were lettered? There were many other highly qualified persons who Burnham did not choose, many others he bypassed. How do we know that these persons would not have been better choices than the persons Burnham settled for? In his latter years, Burnham chopped and changed his Cabinet, appointing all manner of unlettered persons. How can
we say that these were also not the best choices? We cannot, because we do not know how someone else would have functioned. What is clear is that Burnham left this country in tatters, and if this is because he chose the best, then give me the worst. We cannot say that Burnham chose the best. We cannot because we do not know that. What we can do is critically assess the performance of those who worked with Burnham, and this is something that should be done rather than simply saying that Burnham chose the best. And yet we find as you go through the list that there are just as many grounds to be critical of these persons as there are to praise them.
Those who Burnham chose got exposure to working at the highest levels of government and thus got opportunities that others did not have. How do we know that if it were someone else that person would not have distinguished themselves more than those who were chosen? We cannot know for sure. We can only speculate. A leader must live with his choices. But a leader can decide very early that there are persons whom he chose who need replacing, not perhaps because they have not performed to expectations, but because the leader may be looking for other qualities. Political choices are never easy. A leader elected to office often has to satisfy a number of demands. On the one hand,
there are those who we may feel have the technical knowledge to perform in a particular ministry. On the other hand, jobs inevitably have to be found for some of the persons who formed part of the political ticket of the leader’s campaign. As in the case of the United States, there may have been persons who may have offered various forms of support and they needed to be rewarded. There is no security of tenure for a minister. Today you can be on top of the world and tomorrow you can be voted out. Thus ministers are dispensable. So it was with Burnham. So it is not with the PPP. Forbes understood better than most the importance of Cabinet reshuffles. He also understood the need to blood
new talent and to ensure that he tried different things when things were not going well. It did not mean, however, that he tried the best. I certainly think not. In his latter years, some of his political choices became a source of amusement. The PPP and the PNC are not much different. The PPP let go of two of its ministers. And instead of allowing them to retire and spend the rest of their years contemplating what could have been different, these persons, as the PNC did with their relieved ministers, were given diplomatic posting. The PNCR did the same thing. However, sooner or later problems are bound to arise. You see, there is a limit to the number of diplomatic positions that can be offered
to ex-ministers. However, there is always the option of these persons being employed within the government as advisers and consultants. My issue is that if these persons - those who worked under the PNC and those who worked under the PPP - are the best that could have been had, then what prevented them from going out into the job market and finding jobs for themselves. Why is it felt in some instances that there is an obligation to find employment for these persons?
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Friday February 13, 2015
=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===
Can we in Guyana reclaim our humanity in 2015? Whichever party wins the general elections in May this year, doesn’t mean that human rights violation will disappear. In my opinion, the human rights landscape will improve tremendously if APNU or AFC wins. I most sincerely believe in my mind that the PPP leadership is so far gone in the direction of irrational thinking that I cannot see redemption. I most honestly believe so. I believe power inebriation has destroyed the PPP’s psychology and the entire
leadership cannot reclaim it, because it is no longer there. I cannot even in the remotest way see a Granger or Nagamootoo presidency turning a blind eye to state atrocities. I may be wrong, but that is the way I see it. But you can put a hundred Grangers and a hundred Nagamootoos in power in Guyana, Guyana has become a deformed society over the past twenty years and the major manifestation of this is an uncaring country. People in this land have
lost their compassion. They have lost the meaning of life. This mental sarcoma will not just disappear from the society if there is a new government. Guyana will still have doctors that will treat poor patients with utter contempt at the public hospitals. This must stop in 2015. This columnist knows of dozens of cases where doctors at the public hospitals have not uttered even one word to family members as to their diagnosis. I would ask family members what is the problem and they would tell me that they don’t know. That is because the doctor didn’t discuss the medical condition with them. This is an open fact at the state-run institutions, and this heartlessness must come to an end in 2015. Guyana will still have bad policemen. It will be a formidable pursuit to root out anti-social behaviour in the police force. The simple fact is so simple that it needs no education to understand – the police in Guyana do not have and want to have a culture of service and respect. This will have to change if there is a change of government, but the task will
be Herculean. It is no exaggeration to say that the police force disrespects the citizenry. Once you enter the police station as an arrested person, wherever that police station is, it doesn’t matter if you are accused of illegal parking, littering or offensive language, the police in that station will treat you with disrespect as if you are a common thief. It will be an onerous burden that a nonPPP Government will have to bear. The police force needs immediate administrative fumigation from top to bottom. One of the saddest aspects of life in this deformed, mentally shattered nation is the loss of humanity. Untold numbers of poor workers have lost their lives in private employment and their relatives have never received a cent. No one cares about them. We have no human rights organizations in this country to champion their cause. I may be wrong, but I believe that an employee who
has lost limbs in a trawler incident is yet to receive compensation. Countless guards have been killed on duty and their wives received a pittance; some did not receive anything. One of the concrete shields these heartless employers use against the surviving families is to advise the families to take legal action against them. They know that will never work. The families don’t have the money for legal consultation and even if they find a sympathetic lawyer, the anarchistic nature of the judicial system will mean that those cases will be heard ten or fifteen years after. 2015 must see the end of the snubbing of trade unions in Guyana. Employers hate trade unions. They must be made to face the reality – trade unions are a fact of life. There are huge business places that do not want unionized workers. Republic Bank employees have trade union representation in Trinidad; there is none in Guyana. Many financial houses
Frederick Kissoon and insurance companies have no trade union presence. The Marriott Hotel has none. Large private schools like Mae’s, School of the Nations and Marian Academy have none. In a dead society like this, small family-owned businesses with unscrupulous owners treat their workers like slaves. I know one supermarket that refuses to give a day off. Another supermarket offers a day off every two weeks. I am hoping that the new horizon that will come from a new government will remove the shackles on the psychology of this nation and we will rediscover our humanity and speak up for the poor and powerless.
Dem boys seh...
Jagdeo vex till he seeing red When passion was sharing Jagdeo tek all. Dem boys know that he had a temper, but dem didn’t know that it been at he nose tip. That is why he use to tell dem Americans how far fuh jump. Dem use to get he vex when dem talk bout corruption. When dem decide fuh send back de deportees, Jagdeo tell dem that is de Americans train de deportees, suh he gun refuse to tek dem. Dem boys seh that he didn’t bargain fuh Uncle Sam—that Uncle Sam got passion too. Uncle Sam pull some visa and that was that. But in dem days Jagdeo was in de driver’s seat. Now that he out of that seat, he does get more vex than even de devil. When Cee fuh Satar drop de case ‘gainst de Waterfalls boss man, Jagdeo get vex till he nearly get high blood pressure. But when de GRA drop de case, he get suh vex that he stop talk to Donald and Cee fuh Satar. He tell he friends that when de Waterfalls boss man was beating up on he Jagdeo, nobody didn’t seh
nutten. Now dem ketch de Waterfalls boss man and before dem buss he seeds dem tek dem foot off. He ask another friend to find out if de Waterfalls boss man got secret fuh anybody. But he better find out if he friends who got secret fuh he gun keep de secret. One of dem vex because Jagdeo give de Chinee special concession and now de friend suffering. This was a friend who woulda walk to Japan and back, barefoot. Now de friend vex, but he can’t let Jagdeo know. One man describe de passion as a volcano. People who know de man see how he deal wid Leslie. Dem see how he insult Sam and mek Sam hand in he resignation twice; dem see how he set up Moses and dem see how he use Corbin. Is he passion mek he deal wid dem people like that. Now Donald got to worry. He wukking out a way to tell Jagdeo sorry. Talk half and keep far from Jagdeo—he proppa vex.
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Labour Ministry joins forces with UG admin The Ministry of Labour has lashed out at the unions of the University of Guyana (UG) for not seeking its intervention at an earlier stage. This is according to a statement issued by Chief Labour Officer, Charles Ogle, in a letter addressed only to President of the University of Guyana Workers’ Union (UGWU), Mr. Bruce Haynes, and carbon copied to Vice Chancellor Professor Jacob Opadeyi. The Unions – the UGWU and University of Guyana Senior Staff Association (UGSSA) – had earlier this week requested intervention from President Donald Ramotar and the Ministry of Labour to conciliate a
- urges employees to return to work before negotiations continue breakdown of negotiations for improved salaries and other benefits. Negotiations reportedly collapsed between the University’s negotiating team and the unions, resulting in the latter resorting to industrial action. And the unions have said that intensified strike action will continue until a resolution is realized. But according to Ogle in his missive, “We take note of the current industrial action which was organized and executed by the Unions operating at the University of Guyana, Turkeyen Campus, and bring to your attention
the following: While the Ministry of Labour did intervene in the 2012 strike and did participate in the brokering of Terms of Resumption, it was agreed that if the matters were not adequately resolved, the matter should have been taken to conciliation.” “I wish to emphasize that those Terms of Resumption are not unending or indefinite. I do believe that there was adequate time to move those matters to the Ministry of Labour since 2012 if they were not adequately resolved at the bilateral level.” Ogle observed too, that
AFC surprised by former GS’s resignation The resignation of former General Secretary (GS) of the Alliance For Change (AFC), Sixtus Edwards, has come as a surprise to executive members of the party. This was disclosed yesterday at the AFC’s press conference held in the Campbell Room of the Georgetown Club. Parliamentarian Cathy Hughes told media operatives that Edwards has been a valuable member of the AFC and the party is “very, very sorry to see him go.”The politician said that Edwards submitted his letter of resignation which mentioned that he was leaving for personal reasons. Hughes expressed that the Party is aware that in the last two to three years, Edwards has been focusing on his education as well as his business. However, as with any political institution, “especially one dealing with the issue of a possible alliance,” Hughes said that for various reasons, members may not always be on the same footing and may not always agree on the same approach. “He has mentioned that it is personal reasons and we take that at face value, and we thank him for his invaluable service. We will continue to have a relationship with him,” she added. Asked if his departure could possibly be premised
on the AFC’s ongoing alliance talks with A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Hughes answered in the negative. She said that this was not the case as far as she is aware. The AFC member was then pressed to consider that if that is the case, why even bother to make any reference to its current pro-democracy negotiations with APNU. She explained that such mention was made because she knows the media has a tendency to try to suggest that when persons leave, it is because of some discord. Hughes emphasised that this is not the case with Edwards’ departure. She then referred to other members the party would have lost either by their own free will or through illness. However, the politician said that a member being able to leave of their own volition is all part of their democratic principles. She added that it is part of life and ultimately part of growth. AFC Vice Chairman, Moses Nagamootoo also disclosed that he and Edwards shared cordial relations and was not aware of the specific reason for his departure. He recalled seeing the Former General Secretary at the AFC’s Biennial
Former AFC General Secretary, Sixtus Edwards Conference, of which he was a part. However, the lawyer said that as far as he is concerned, Edwards’ resignation came as a surprise and is considered a loss for the AFC.
“when the Union perceived that they were not getting through in their talks with the University of Guyana administration, they did not seek the intervention of the Ministry of Labour, and proceeded, as a first resort, at the beginning of this semester with threats and industrial action in breach of all established industrial relations procedures.” The Chief Labour Officer also pointed out that when negotiations resumed this year with the expectation of a full resumption of work, the “unions” rejected the university’s offers and instead escalated industrial actions. He underscored that not only did they again not seek intervention of the Ministry of Labour, but they proceeded to continue industrial actions. The Ministry, according to Ogle, is also unaware that the issues that have led to ongoing industrial action are the same that were part of the 2012 Terms of Resumption. Moreover, the Chief Labour Officer has urged the unions to “Please note that this does not accord with good industrial relations practices, and while the Ministry has always been sympathetic to the interests of workers, we would equally request unions and workers to follow the normal and recognized industrial relations practices.” As such, Ogle said, “notwithstanding, these apparent lapses on the part of the unions, the Ministry would like to have the issues in contention resolved to the
satisfaction of both parties, and to play whatever mediation role is required in the process at the appropriate time.” “We will ensure that there is no victimization of workers,” was the stated assurance of the Chief Labour Officer. As the official response from the Ministry of Labour, Ogle’s letter went on to make a number of pledges, all of which will be benefited from on a conditional basis. Moreover, Ogle noted that the Ministry is supporting the University administration’s call for employees to first resume work. “We have contacted the University of Guyana administration which is adamant that full resumption and normalcy must prevail before any meeting could be held with the workers and their representative bodies,” Ogle noted in his letter. And it was expected that the workers would have
returned to work at 08:00 hours yesterday, a notion that the UGWU and the University of Guyana Senior Staff Association (UGSSA) have categorically rejected. Ogle nevertheless, pointed out in his correspondence that the call to resume work is one that is supported by time-honoured and established industrial relations customs, practices and behaviour. Had the workers resumed work as requested, Ogle said, there would have been “no break in service and the status quo ante will prevail.” He noted too, that the Ministry was prepared to invite the parties concerned to have conciliatory talks following further negotiations with the University, if there is no resolution between the parties. Moreover, the Ministry is calling for an immediate end to the strike action so as to allow the process of negotiation to commence in a situation of normalcy at the University without redress.
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Trucking of fuel to V/Hoop…
GPL not ruling out liquidated damages against contractor
Friday February 13, 2015
GPL says it has not ruled out liquidated damages against the contractor involved in the building of a $242M wharf at its new power plant at Vreed-en-Hoop.
GPL’s CEO Bharat Dindyal and Chairman Winston Brassington
The Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) has not ruled out the application of liquidated damages against a contractor involved in the building of fuel lines and a wharf at its Vreed-en-Hoop facility. The US$36M Wartsila plant was commissioned Monday by President Donald Ramotar without the critical component of the fuel lines operational. Chief Executive Officer, Bharat Dindyal, said Wednesday that it may be six weeks before fuel lines become operational allowing boats to dock alongside the wharf. In the meantime, GPL
has been trucking fuel across the Demerara Harbour Bridge from its Kingston location, raising concerns over the additional costs. Almost 20 private trucks are driving across the bridge daily. Because of weight limits, the trucks are forced to fetch just about a quarter of their capacity. GPL’s Chairman Winston Brassington admitted that GPL is not happy with fuel lines not being in operation because of delays. There is the option of liquidated damages being applied in accordance with the $242M contract signed with BK International, he said.
Last Sunday, Kaieteur News reported on the trucking of fuel across the bridge. The entire project was delayed by almost two years sending costs up to US$36M. GPL had signed a US$26M contract with Wartsila, a Finnish company that has several engines across the country, since entering the Guyana market in the 1990s. GPL was responsible for the foundation, fuel lines and wharf. The GPL officials made it clear that waiting on the completion of the wharf and fuel lines by BK International was not an option. As a matter
of fact, one of the three engines that were put down at the West Bank Demerara location was put into operation since in August. The site had to access fuel from somewhere. The alternative of not putting the new plant into operation meant using the older engines at Versailles and Leonora which run on the more expensive diesel. Dindyal said that the current contract has clauses for liquidated damages. The company, which has been criticized for its high losses and costs, admitted
Wednesday that cost of trucking fuel is significant. As a matter of fact, Loris Nathoo, Divisional Director (Finance) of GPL, says that the company is spending about US$1 more per barrel. The power plant requires about 250,000 barrels of Heavy Fuel Oil annually to operate. Government has hailed the Vreed-en-Hoop plant as a major boost to GPL’s generating capacity. In the inter-connected network of Demerara and Berbice, the company has about 130 megawatts being produced
by its engines. The demand is about 110 megawatts. Another major plus, says the officials, is the fact that Demerara, because of a new power cable link in the Berbice River, has been supplying around 10-12 megawatts of power, stabilizing the systems there. It is much cheaper than Berbice actually generating power. GPL has been under scrutiny as consumers complain of blackouts and increasing costs. The business community has been calling for cheaper, more reliable power.
Murder accused: Conrad Wilson
DEAD: Dexter Stanford
a quarter-inch steel rod and pushed it at Stanford, wounding him in his left eye. Stanford fell to the ground and struck his head. He started to bleed profusely, was picked up and rushed to the Fort Wellington Hospital. He was later transferred to the New Amsterdam Hospital but his condition was so severe, that he had to be immediately rushed to the Georgetown Hospital for emergency treatment where he remained in an unconscious condition. He was unable to breathe
on his own and succumbed around 04:30 hrs on Friday. The family described Stanford as jovial and loving. A post mortem examination performed on Wednesday by Dr. Vivekanand Brijmohan revealed that the cause of death was shock and cerebral haemorrhage to the brain. The suspect was eventually placed on $100,000 bail since he was in custody for a number of days. However, he was unable to post that surety. He will return to court on March 4.
Berbician charged with Burnham Foundation launches activities to commemorate birthday killing Paradise man
The Forbes Burnham Foundation has organized a series of activities from February 15th to 22nd to commemorate the 92nd birth anniversary of former president Forbes Burnham. The activities commence with a church service at the Kitty Methodist Church on Sunday at 08:30 hours. A memorial symposium in remembrance of Elvin McDavid, former patron of the Foundation, will be held at the Critchlow Labour College on the subject: “Burnham and National Unity” from 17:00 hours on Friday 20th. February 21st will feature the annual business meeting of the Foundation from 13:00 hours at Critchlow Labour College. The following day, February 22nd, will have as its highlight the annual road race from Kara- Kara to Georgetown from 07:00 hours and from Georgetown to Belfield and back.
The late Forbes Burnham
A West Berbice man who is said to be of unsound mind, and who had stabbed another man in his left eye resulting in his death, has been charged with murder. Conrad Wilson, 58, of Golden Fleece, West Coast Berbice, on Tuesday appeared before Magistrate Rhondell Weaver at the Fort Wellington Magistrate’s court to answer to the charge. Wilson is accused of killing 30-year-old Dexter Stanford, called “Killerwood”, of Lot 28 Paradise, West Coast Berbice, on Monday, February 2, 2014. He was not required to enter a plea. Stanford died on Friday last, after he was stabbed in the left eye on the aforementioned day, by the mentally challenged Wilson, after they became involved in an argument. It is understood that Wilson would do odd jobs around the community and persons would taunt him, and he would become annoyed. According to the dead man’s relatives, on the day in question, Stanford left home to purchase a phone card. Wilson was at a rum shop nearby and suddenly grabbed
Friday February 13, 2015
Kaieteur News
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AFC hopes elections don’t descend into “gutter kind of vendetta” While the Alliance for Change (AFC) is hoping that in the period leading up to the May 11 General and Regional Elections, a respectful environment among the contesting parties exists, it is still preparing for the “worst case scenario”. Political parties are normally requested to sign a Code of Conduct by the Guyana Elections Commission. The document serves as guiding principles for the behaviour expected from politicians during their rallies and up to Election Day. However, AFC Executive member, Cathy Hughes disclosed yesterday that she has witnessed in the past, some of the most vile, personal attacks on members of political parties, even though a Code of Conduct was signed by parties. It is for this reason, Vice Chairman Moses Nagamootoo asserts, that the AFC will be in touch with international bodies to ensure that election campaigns do not descend into “verbal abuse, personal attacks, and a gutter kind of vendetta.” The AFC executive members were asked by Kaieteur News to state whether it believes the Code of Conduct was effective in regulating the behaviour of political parties in the last election and if the AFC is worried at all about the likelihood of personal attacks on its members during the upcoming election campaign period. Hughes said that there has been a Code of Conduct for most of the elections since 1997 and it therefore endorses such a pledge for a high standard of behaviour by the political parties and the
AFC executive member, Cathy Hughes media. The politician says that she believes that there is no harm in it. She noted however, that there is no legislative background to the document. The AFC member acknowledged that it can be enforced but in the spirit of creating a safe environment where citizens can go and exercise their vote, the Party supports both initiatives, that is, Codes of Conduct for politicians as well as journalists. Nagamootoo in giving his take on the matter reminded that when the Constitution was reformed in
2001, certain changes were presented to Parliament. “I recall vividly that for the first time we constitutionalised a requirement that no one should use racism and racist advocacy in an election or outside of the elections period…so if the supreme law of your land recognizes that the elections could be devastated by race hate, race mongering , advocacy of racism, using race in speech or in language that offends , hurts, divides and destroys, then the Constitution must have thought seriously about the issue of conduct in an election period…so we could have recourse to the Constitution,” the lawyer asserted. He said, too, that the Code of Conduct is a voluntary subscription to modes of behaviour and those modes of behaviour must comply with the best international standards. Nagamootoo informed the media that there are institutions that monitor the election campaign period such as the Commonwealth
and the Organization of American States. “They monitor and we are going to be in touch with them so that we could have a monitoring of these standards,” He added. As for personal attacks, Nagamootoo sought to set the record straight that elections are not going to be the end of life, at least not political life and all the parties, are going to remain as such. It is upon this background he added that in the upcoming election there should only be disputations and contests of ideas as against the benefit of one platform as against another. He said that there should be
contests in relation to the content of manifestos and programmes. Nagamootoo is hopeful that the elections would not be converted into an occasion for a gutter kind of vendetta. He asserted that it should be an occasion for reconciliation. The politician then extended an invitation to all political parties to raise the level of language and the level of the discourse during the election period. He urged the contesting parties to refrain from descending into attacks on people’s families and have political debates that would take the country forward. The AFC Vice Chairman said that he believes all three
parties have good intentions, apart from areas for criticisms. Hughes however noted that there is no guarantee that the existence of the codes will shape people’s behaviour. She said that “at the end of the day, it all comes down to personal ethics and the standard one would hold themself accountable to”. “We have had the most vile, personal attacks on members of political parties and the AFC has gotten more than its fair share of it… and that has happened at times when both Codes of Conduct have been in existence. I would be hopeful but I am prepared for the worst case scenario,” she concluded.
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Friday February 13, 2015
Will pro-democracy alliance widen?
AFC courts top PPP members By Abena Rockcliffe Politicians who are closely associated with the incumbent People’s Progressive Party (PPP) are said to be in talks with the Alliance For Change (AFC). These talks, according to senior AFC executive Moses Nagamootoo, are being conducted as PPP members have growing intentions to abort the Party and join the proposed pro-democracy alliance. PPP members expressing interest in leaving the Party are speaking to the AFC by way of Nagamootoo, a former PPP stalwart. Nagamootoo, a veteran politician, spent most of his political career as a highranking member of the PPP, so most of the individuals who are in contact with him are his former colleagues. Kaieteur News learnt about the early negotiations yesterday just after AFC concluded its weekly press conference. The man behind the negotiations— Nagamootoo—let the cat out of the bag as he responded
to queries as to whether or not members of the PPP have signaled intentions to leave the Party after his public call for “untainted” members to join the proposed prodemocracy alliance. This call was made almost a month ago. In this regard, Nagamootoo told Kaieteur News, “I am getting calls all the time…I am getting calls from lots of people associated with the PPP.” Nagamootoo also said that he is getting “good vibes” from quite a few former PPP members. Even as he opted not to divulge any of the names of the persons to whom he referred, Nagamootoo did not dismiss possibilities that he is in talks with persons who are current members of the PPP’s executive committee. When asked directly to say whether any of the PPP’s members who are in talks with him are part of that committee, Nagamootoo’s only response was, “I am not going to specify.” He noted however that some of those who are corresponding with him are inquiring about “possible
“…but the likes of Ashni Singh will be refused”- Nagamootoo space.” Nagamootoo added, “That is why I spoke before about creating space for people.” He said that the AFC would like to set aside three spaces in the new Cabinet for members who would have left the PPP and join the prodemocracy alliance. The attorney-at-law said that the broad idea is to form a government of national unity “and that is not with intention to isolate the PPP or carry out any vendetta.” Nagamootoo said that in thinking politics, one must accept that, “yes, there are people who may want to support the PPP and will do so for their own reason based on their own fears, so we want to show them that their votes are important too”. Asked if in an effort to show voting Guyanese that each vote is important, the AFC would lean towards working with some of the characters believed to have contributed to the worrying
levels of corruption in the PPP administration, Nagamootoo responded in the negative. He said, “We still think that what (Minster of Finance) Dr. Ashni (Singh) did was outrageous. He unforgivably spent $4.5B of taxpayers’ money without being authorized to do so.” The politician said that therefore, the AFC nor any alliance it is part of, will not accept Dr. Singh as he has proven to be “out of order.” “There are some who we believe are going to be unpalatable!” Nagamootoo
stated emphatically. The politician said that he only wants to be in talks with PPP officials who have the best interest of Guyana at heart. Asked what is the AFC’s most important message needed to be getting across to the voting population, Nagamootoo spoke to the benefits of national unity. “Guyanese security lies in national unity. The AFC wants Guyanese to know that the broader the coalition, the better it will be for all of us. This is because we can bring an end to the racial polarization. Our message is that we need to revive the Guyana dream that all persons will be secure. There is no
AFC Vice-Chairman, Moses Nagamootoo reason for anyone to fear and there is nothing to lose,” Nagamootoo said in conclusion
$10,000 bail for shoemaker on threatening language charge Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry yesterday released a man on $10,000 bail for using threatening language to a woman. Shawn Albert, 35, of Maria Elizabeth Mines, Upper Demerara River, who is accused of using threatening language to Vanessa Daniels, pleaded not guilty to the charge when the matter was called
yesterday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. James who stood and spoke from the prisoner’s dock told the court that he was drinking and had passed where the virtual complainant (VC) was and they had a “high talk”. Police Prosecutor Michael Grant informed the court that the defendant was brought before the court more than five years ago for assaulting
the same woman, whom he had claimed was his spouse; however the VC refuted that she and the defendant ever had a relationship. Albert, who told the court that he was a shoemaker, was ordered to post bail in the sum of $10,000. He will make his next court appearance on February 17, at the Linden Magistrate’s Court.
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SALON Make Up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, Black Opal and Sacha cosmetics. Call: 647-1773/660-5257
VACANCY Work from home: Earn $5,000 to $20,000 daily, 9am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday - Call: 233-6517/ 638-0595 or www.jobfairworldwide.com Exist for one experienced driver apply @ Humphrey’s Bakery & Farm Products Ltd, 38 Ketley & Sussex Street Charlestown – Tel:225-7864; 227-8607 Vacancy for drivers/ salesman for office clerk/ porter @ Vegetarian Gardens Contact: 227-7714 One Skillful joiner to work in workshop – Contact: 2191342 or 610-7005 Factory staff, GTI / GITC Male/ Female graduates preferred. Canter drivers, marketing assistant, Drivers Licence required. Tel. 676 -6700 Experienced counter Staff, Kitchen assistants, pastry makers & cooks, apply with written application @ Bettencourt’s Dinner: 22ZZ Durban Street. 1- Live in maid; must be from country area & know to cook Indian dishes – Tel: 662-1124; 611-0200 Office clerk; CXC English/ Mathematics, Live in/live out babysitter/domestic, labour- Tel: 219-5354 International Cruiseline AB Sailors, waitresses, waiters, cooks, receptionists, storekeepers, cleaners, electricians, carpenters, welders, cosmetologists, etc. Tel: 231-6296, 650-9880
WANTED Security Guard to work in Georgetown – Tel: 218-5105 1 Mechanic to work in the interior; must know about Cummings & Perkins Engine – Tel: 691-6260 Experienced sale girls Call: 264-3355,668-3985, 683-7936 Live in home aid/domestic, needed in Republic Park $13,000 weekly, must be over 45yrs old – Call: 675-0767; 667-2535 1 Live in maid to work in Georgetown - Tel:691-6260 1 Cook to work in the interior Tel: 691-6260 One live in male or female to work in a Shop in Oronoque Street Georgetown – Contact: 227-4285 Taxi drivers – Tel:667-9013; 225-5075 Experienced dispatcher @ West Side Taxi - Call: 6000688; 600-0699 1 Carpenter Mason to work in the Interior – Tel: 691-6260 Live in waitress must have secondary education; salary $60,000 monthly - Tel: 610-3974 1 Handy boy to work in the interior - Tel: 691-6260 Urgently needed land to buy in Parfaite Harmonie, Eccles, Herstelling & Tuschen – Tel:675-7292; 652-2018 1 Whole day domestic – Tel: 667-5717; 650-4761 Hairdresser & nail technician to work in Alberttown – Call: 684-9409 Presser / Clipper, straight stitch/over edge machine operators, cleaner – Call: 222-2541 (8:00am-4:00pm) (Mon-Fri)
ACCOMMODATION Inner Retreat Hotel Restaurant & Bar, Retreat Road Parika. Indoor / Outdoor bar in Picturesque setting – Phone: 260-4504; 685-6934 Saturdays & Sundays after lunch @ Inner Retreat Hotel Parik: Bar-B-Cue & games: pools, darts, table tennis etc – Phone: 260-4504. Harmony Inn Apartments: comfortable & clean apartments & rooms - $5000, $6,000 & $7,000 – Tel:6680306; 218-1400; 694-7817. Your luxury hideaway……
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Certificate in: Cosmetology, nails, wig designs, early child care/ care for elderly classes commence February – Call: 666-5241/ 619-7603 Shade of Essence beauty salon, Valentine Special on: Braids, Shampoo, Facials, Pedicure, relaxing, steams etc. Call: 664-4438; 639-8551
SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.–CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620 Guyana Passport & Visa Forms Application, USA, Canada and England. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. Repairs & spare, fridge, freezer, A/C, washers, stoves. Contact Nick: 683-1312, 627-3206 Repairs to refrigerators, gas stoves, washing machines, AC Units- Call Lindon on 641-1086; 694-2202 Repairs to plasma, LED, LCD television etc – Call: Abdul Electronics: 225-0391 Permanent & Visitors Visa Applications, Professional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building Call Sabita: 225-6496, 6626045 Eagle’s fridge re-gas - $8,000 & washing machine repairs. Phone: 697-2969, 646-0966 For all construction, carpentry, masonry, pluming, swimming pools, painting etc. Free estimates and plan Contact # 669-7376 REPAIRS AT LOW COST: FRIDGES, AIRCONDITIONERS, WASHING MACHINES, TVS, MICROWAVES, FREEZERS- CALL:6294946 OR 225-4822 Khemraj & Son Landscaping & Plant nursery: landscaping, cutting big trees & removing, grafted oranges & limes plants for sale – Call: 627-5969 We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer Call Omar: 2310655, 683-8734 DRESSMAKING Jean is offering courses in dressmaking, curtains, floral & cake decoration. Lot 153 Barr St Kitty – Call: 670-2653, 618-1706
Friday February 13, 2015
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. Mill Cut Lumber Kabukalli, Silverballi, Etc – Call: 6539752; 688-6579 Cat 320 CL 2005 only 3800HRs sold as is, cash offer only, must go - Contact Azim: 660-3235 Restaurant Equipment: DVD Movies & 7 Disc Burner, fixtures & fittings- Contact Farouk for more details: 6835234 One ten pieces music set – Contact Rajin – Call: 6170022; 618-8488; 615-0282; 276-1672 Brand New, Power fist, 6,500 watts gasoline generator (on wheels) 110/240 volts AC/DC - Contact: 617-2205; 681-1032 New Arrivals: New Shipment of Magnet wires (copper) & installation fish paper for sale – Contact: 603-5649 New shipment of pit bull parts: Wind Screen, bumpers, fog lights, back/ front bearings - Tel: 628-0909 One Toyota Vigo, manual transmission, ideal for the interior - Call: 600-5759 1 Shop at Marriam Mall for sale - Call: 642-6381; 223-6862 Lights: Premio, Allion, Fielder & Carina and One Toyota IST never registered - $1.9M - Tel: 628-0909 1 Refrigeration unit, 1 slush machine, 1 Madza Engine, complete gearbox, computer complete - Contact Hanif: 641-2597 Labrottie Puppies for Sale, fully vaccinated & Dewormed; 7 weeks old - Call: 654-7683 5 Gal Water Bottle (New)$1400 - Call:684-8231 Stalls at Robb Street & Bourda - Contact: 695-1359 between 9am -11am One complete Cabin cruise boat - Tel: 684-3786 One new aluminum boat & engine- Call: 603-9599 Blow Out Sale! Laptops & Desktops computers from $45,000 free games & educational software @ Futuretech – Tel: 231-2206
PEN PAL Indian Male from England is seeking female age 27yrs & older, with good personalityCall: 686-5994 (No Texting)
FOR RENT
VEHICLE FOR SALE
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1 Pitbull minibus, stick gear, BPP series, mag rims- $2.2M neg. Call: 673-7652
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Nissan Titan 4X4; fully loaded; good condition; price negotiable - Call: 6201026 We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 Tacoma- Call: 680-3154 AT192, 212, Allion, unregistered Premio, Hilux Surf, BNN, RZ & Pit-bull, 7 seater super custom. Cash / terms- Call:680-3154
Office Space for meetings, workshops, seminars, classes, conferences & offices, Strategic Location, 135 Sheriff Street, C/Ville Tel: 227-1028; 697-5158 2 Bedroom furnished house @ Crane Housing Scheme W.C.D - $40,000 – Tel:6716855 1 Executive apartment in an exclusive residential area with all modern amenities including parking. Call for appointment: - 653-2920
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EDUCATIONAL CXC Day & Evening classes/lessons Forms 1-5, Phonics Classes – Tel:2233086; 619-7911; 690-5008 9 Courses Diploma In computers: offices 2013, IT - $30,000 @ Micrographics , Vreed-En-Hoop: 264-3057 Computerized Accounting Quick Books; Peach Tree; Excel 2013 @ Micrographics , Vreed-En-Hoop: 264-3057
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One Toyota Verossa, lady driven, TV, Music etc – Call: 623-1815; 216-0365 Unregistered vehicle: Toyota Sienta- $1,895,000, Honda Civic-$1,895,000, 318i BMW -$3,000,000- Contact : 650-0402 1 Nissan B13 Manual, 1 Honda Rebel 250cc motorcycle, 620 Leyland Daf Dump truck – Tel: 639-0866
1 Unregistered Tundra, 1206 Tundra – Tel: 650-5229/ 652-5762 One Ford Explorer Sports Truck, 4 Door, fully grilled, DVD head rest amplified music system – Call: 6048597; 627-7718 Toyota Hilux 4X4, 2 doors, manual, long base, solid DEF, excellent condition – Tel: 603-3384 1 Blue Corolla, selling cheap - $450,000, 16" rim, spare wheel & jack, PCC series in excellent condition – Tel: 672-0470 One 580C Hymac @ Mahaicony Creek – Call: 611-8283; 638-6125 One 2004 NZE $1.750M, One 2001 Stick Shift, Carina 212 - $1.9M – Call:616-5974 or 618-8703 Just arrived Massey Ferguson, 290 Tractor 2WD, Excellent Condition - Tel: 684-6661; 669-9315 One Toyota Alteeza excellent condition, Spider, mag rims, flair kit, AC –Price $2.75M neg. Tel:648-0494, 642-0786 Two Model M Trucks with & without winch – Contact: 666-7734; 611-2706 LEARN TO DRIVE Soman Son & Outar Driving School at Maraj BuildingTel:644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997 (Continued on page 31)
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Relatives bemoan substandard investigation (From page 25) sold. “When we found the car he said that my son gave him the car and asked that he hide it, because he still owes for it, and the people will come and collect it,” Basil Taljit recounted. According to
the father, a bank source informed him that money was withdrawn twice from his son’s account after he went missing. “This man confessed that he took out the money at two locations Parika and Carmichael Street.
Up to now the police can’t get information from the bank.” According to Basil Taljit, if it wasn’t for him, his sources and family members, the police would have never even detained the suspect. “How can the police let go
of a man who had my son’s phone; who confessed that he took money from my son’s account, and who hid my son’s car. I believe if the police had pressured him a little, he would’ve talked,” the father opined.
(From page 30)
Letters... Where your views make the news
This final showdown will determine our... From page 4 were party supporters nonetheless. When the PPP/C took office in 1992 these institutions were considered to be opposition controlled. Hence, successive PPP/C governments sought to take control by placing their supporters in the leadership and ‘ranks’ as the PNC had done. In some cases, the loyalty of leaders and ‘ranks’ were secured from the PNC by various means whereas in others the old leaders and ranks were replaced. The University of Guyana falls into the category of institutions that were perceived to be led and populated by PNC supporters in 1992. Since then, successive governments have sought to take control. The shift from free university education to cost recovery with the introduction of student fees is likely the first big move. Fees would filter entry and as the PPP/C supporters were more affluent and could afford to pay; the less affluent PNC
supporters would have to obtain a loan and then finding a job to repay. For 20 years, successive PPP/C governments have refused the University the opportunity to keep the fees in sync with the US dollar, while simultaneously limiting its subvention to the University. Consequently, the University could not afford to pay staff on par with similar institutions in Guyana nor could it compete for overseas skills. Ultimately, the institution could not function effectively and in the latter years it began to run at a deficit. One could deduce that the plan was likely to punish the institution so as to squeeze some staff out, thus allowing it to be populated by PPP/C supporters. Of course, this had to be achieved through governance and management of the institution. More recently, changes
were made to the way officers and administrators are appointed. It is likely perceived that a tipping point is now reached, where the University could finally be ‘broken’. The stage is therefore set for the final showdown for full control of the University of Guyana (as had the previous regime) and the PPP/C has brought out the big guns to guarantee victory. But there is one thing the PPP/C did not anticipate and may not yet realise has happened. While some of the people that they wanted out are gone, they were replaced largely by young, intelligent, free-thinkers, with a passion for Guyana and its sustainable future development. It is these passionate, patriotic, freethinkers that the PPP/C is now challenging for control of the University. The difficulty they face is that they know how to fight the politically minded
but are ill-equipped to take on free-minds. It is said that a University is a microcosm of the society. This is especially true of Guyana. The fact that the University of Guyana has been able to move from political minds to free thinkers, is an important sign of a great future for Guyana. Hence, a challenge to the future of the University is a challenge to that great future for Guyana. We, the Guyanese people at home and abroad, cannot allow the University to fall in this battle. We must provide support (moral and tangible) to those on the frontline. They are fighting for more than just the University of Guyana; they are fighting for our future as a nation of free people. This is the final showdown. This will determine our future. Guyanese Partiot
PROPERTY FOR SALE New Road, Vreed-En-Hoop, Land 7080 SqFt, Building 762SqFt. $40M negotiable, owner migrating - Tel:226-9788 Houses & house lots for sale in 1 of Guyana’s top luxury gated communities, located @ Eccles E.B.D - Tel: 2272913; 683-3033 Property with concrete bungalow, modern amenities and features in gated community at Hutsonville E.B.D -G$16M negotiable – Call: 697-4131 2 STORIED HOUSE ON MASSIVE LAND 40FTX300FT, NEAR CANJE BRIDGE BERBICE, IMMEDIATE POSSESSION ONLY - $11.5M- CALL MAX: 609-8132; 672-8569 Lot 6 Adventure, Essequibo, land 352ftX70ft with wooden building $14M negotiableContact Anwar Essequibo 771-4395, 694-4457, Georgetown Trudy: 225-4712 House for sale @ 15th Street Diamond New Scheme, East Bank Demerara 56X26-Call: 265-7238; 683-8668 Transported property at Bath Settlement New Scheme, West Coast Berbice Call: 612-4070, 673-4104 Front Section, Diamond, East Bank Demerara – Tel: 674-9266 or 686-9248
LAND FOR SALE House Lots in 1 of Guyana’s top luxury gated communities @ Eccles, 60X100 - $7.5M. (Special prices) - Call: 2272913; 683-3033 Eccles: Commercial lots for sale at Eccles – Tel:227-2913. Cell: 683-3033 Measuring 90’X165’ facing Atlantic Ocean, approximately half mile from Sheriff Street on High Way. Contact Shiv: 600-6681 Parfaite Harmonie - $1.5M, Eccles - $4.5M & $5M, Herstelling - $4.5M, Tuschen - $2M – Call:6757292; 652-2018 Guyana first 5 Star gated community, now opens, reserve your lot(s) & house – Call: 609-0783 or seroj_26@yahoo.com
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TO LET Fully Furnished vacation home with all amenities- Call during working hours - Call: 227-1218 One and two bedroom furnished apartments in Nandy Park, Parking facilities available - Call: 233-5560 for further details Fully furnished air c o n d i t i o n e d apartments weekly - $20,000, monthly $65,000/$100,000 Call: 6680306 Fully furnished 1 & 2 b e d r o o m apartments @ Duncan & Sheriff Streets, 1 bedroom - $80,000, 2 bedroom -$120,000 & 24hrs $6,000- Contact Dev: 6733427, 656-3542 3 Storey building available for business/living quarter, parking available @ 26 Garnett Street Delph Ave – Tel:684-3998; 653-9570; 6870431 Versailles 4 bedrooms executive mansion - $1000US neg; Diamond -$50,000, $100,000 & $200,000; Ogle Sea Side; Hadfield St. Call Shawn: 231-7805; 618-7483 Two bedroom detached house – Call Joy: 218-1285 or 627-8562 3 bedrooms fully furnished 2 storied house with A/C, DSL, Cable, Fully grilled and parking – US1500.00 negotiable. Contact: 6264487, 660-7672 Furnished executive one or two bedroom suites in Diamond. Ideal for foreigners. Call 609 2466.
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Kaieteur News
Friday February 13, 2015
Health Ministry boasts GPHC equipped to achieve goals An agreement between the Governments of Guyana and Japan, which saw the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) benefiting from just over $18M worth of medical equipment, officially came to an end yesterday. The equipment received included six Pediatric patient monitors, six overbed tables, five Pediatric Infusion pumps, four Pediatric Ventilators, three Auriscopes and three Ophthalmoscopes, Health sector representatives, Minister of Health Dr. Bheri Ramsaran, GPHC’s CEO Dr. Michael Khan, Director of Nursing Services Ms Audrey Cory and Director (ag.) Financial and General Service of GPHC Mr Robbie Rambarran, expressed their gratitude to First Secretary of the Embassy of Japan, Mr. Takaaki Kato, for the kind contributions of his country. Mr. Rambarran explained that a few years ago, Senior Nursing Volunteer, Ms. Sumiko Yoshida, while attached to the Pediatric unit of GPHC, conceived the initiative upon realising the institution’s dire need for modern medical equipment. It was Yoshida’s passion, which pushed a memorandum of understanding between the Japanese government and GPHC into existence on March 22, 2013. The objective of the project was the creation of a child-friendly health care system and environment. Kato explained that the project was funded under the Japan Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects, and that the grant has “extended support to the activities of GPHC, as it seeks to create a modernised paediatric critical care environment, that can produce a more effective and efficient service to all patients and their families.” With the completion of the
…as ‘Grassroots’ agreement with Japan concludes
From left; GPHC CEO Dr. Michael Khan, First Secretary of Embassy of Japan Mr. Takaaki Kato, Minister of Health Dr. Bheri Ramsaran and Director (ag.) Financial and General Services Robbie Rambarran project, GPHC is now better equipped to achieve its project objectives in establishing and equipping the paediatric critical care ward with current technology. Minister Ramsaran decided to use yesterday’s ceremony as a platform to address his government’s vision for the medical sector, and to highlight all that the ruling party has done as projected by the Millennium Development Goals. He told Mr. Kato that the Government of Guyana is not taking this as a “simple handout to a third world country, so that we can come begging for more”. He reinforced the fact that Government of Guyana is dedicated to maintaining the machines, and facilitating sustainability in the health sector. In discussing the important role that the initiative played in the current success of GPHC’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Ramsaran said he must start from the genesis of the problems. Ramsaran stressed the importance of maintaining a low under-five mortality rate,
and ensuring that child health care remains the hospital’s biggest priority. He admitted that just a few years ago, Guyana was doing poorly and had a high under-five mortality rate. He explained that the most vulnerable were children of the 0-28 days-old category. “As a result, the neonatal intensive care unit was
introduced, and with the help of securing grants like that which we received from Japan, there was a gradual decrease in the mortality rate.” Ramsaran said that as success began to flow at the GPHC, interventions were made at the West Demerara, New Amsterdam and Linden Hospitals. These
interventions facilitated the institution of new incubators and massive training of nurses and medical practitioners in neonatal care for underweight babies, and those with underdeveloped lungs. The minister also boasted of a slight reduction in stillbirths and abortions (those babies which were not
carried full term). Ramsaran said that the equipment which was received under the Grassroots Project fuses greatly with the objective of the International Children’s Heart Foundation (ICHF). “ICHF is merging with this initiative, since they train in using and maintenance of equipment which Japan provided”. ICHF currently has a team carrying out evaluations of the medical equipment in Guyana. They will be sending another team to Guyana in a few weeks to commence training in usage and maintenance of modern medical equipment. On Wednesday last, Biomedical Engineer Roy Morris of ICHF explained that his team is dedicated to improving the knowledge and skills of staff at GPHC. Minister Ramsaran referred to the efforts of Morris and his team, as “a grand gesture, from a grand organization” since the Government of Guyana will be bearing very little expense in facilitating the project.
UN Electoral Mission meets APNU reps - told about Govt. use of state resources to campaign
The UN Electoral Mission team during their meeting yesterday with APNU representatives As Guyana readies for general elections on May 11, the United Nations Electoral Mission yesterday met with representatives of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) at the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, Hadfield Street, Georgetown. The mission is headed by Richard Gee, Electoral/
Political Affairs Officer in the Electoral Assistance Division, Department of Political Affairs - The United Nations; and included Lea Zoric, Elections Department of Political Affairs; and George Wachira, Policy Advisor, United Nations Development Programme UNDP, Guyana.
APNU’s team included parliamentarians Basil Williams, Joseph Harmon, General Secretary; Amna Ally; Winston Felix, Campaign Director and Desmond Trotman. Gee, according to APNU, outlined the main purpose of the team’s visit to Guyana. He said that it was primarily a ‘needs assessment’ mission, in support of the electoral process. “Particular attention was being paid to the interest of political and other stakeholders and an assessment was being made of the pre-election environment. Part of the team’s mission was also to provide support for the electoral institutions like the Guyana Elections
Commission (GECOM).” Leader of the Opposition, Brigadier David Granger, who headed the team of APNU Members of Parliament, reportedly provided a brief historic overview of the political circumstances leading up to President Donald Ramotar naming a date for General and Regional Elections. “The APNU team outlined several matters of concern, including the lack of access to state media; the need for more voter education; the timely declaration of election results; the inadequacy in the allocation of resources to Returning Officers and the Government’s use of state resources for the purposes of campaigning.”
Friday February 13, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 33
Investigators told accused was found in compromising position with teen Neesa Gopaul murder trial…
Assistant Superintendent of Police, (ASP) Mitchell Caesar told the court yesterday that murder accused Bibi Shareema Gopaul had told police investigators that she once caught her teenage daughter in a compromising position with her then lover, the number one accused Jarvis Barry Small. Caesar took to the stand after he was called upon to give evidence in the High Court trial of the two persons accused of the murder of 16year-old Queens College student, Neesa Gopaul. The remains of the teenager were discovered in a creek along the Soesdkye / Linden Highway, days after she went missing. The teen’s mother Bibi and Small were subsequently arrested and charged for the murder. The two are facing a High Court trial before Justice Navindra Singh and a mixed 12-member jury. They are being represented by a team of lawyers; Small by Glenn Hanoman, Senior Counsel Bernard De Santos, Lyndon Amsterdam and Zanna Frank, while Gopaul is being represented by Attorney-atLaw, George Thomas. State Prosecutors, Diana Kaulesar, Mercedes Thompson and Stacy Goodings are presenting the case. “I KNOW WHO KILLED NEESA GOPAUL” In his sworn evidence yesterday, ASP Caesar recounted that in October 2010 he was part of an investigation relative to an alleged murder committed on Neesa Gopaul. Caesar who was at the time a subordinate officer in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Alberttown Police Station said that he went to Ruimveldt Police Station, where he contacted Jarvis Small. He said that Small related that he want to tell him something. The witness said that another police officer was also present at the time when the accused stated that “I want to tell you something, and when I finish telling you what I have to say, the investigation will turn in the
- police witness correct direction”. He said that he immediately stopped Small and cautioned him in accordance with the law. “I told him he was not obliged to say anything but whatever he says can be put into writing and may be given as evidence in a court of law.” The witness said that Small responded by stating that whatever he had to say he would say in the presence of his lawyer. According to Caesar, Small went on to say that he had not killed Neesa Gopaul, but when he was finished saying what he had to say, Bibi Shareema Gopaul would be an accessory to murder. The policeman said that he then inquired from the accused who is his lawyer. Small responded by saying that it was Mr. Bernard De Santos SC, but he did not have a number for him, and he (Small) would have to call his sister. Caesar said that he gave the accused his cell phone to call his sister. The police officer said after talking on the phone for a few minutes, Small related that his sister would be there shortly. Caesar said that after a few minutes, he received a call from a female claiming to be Small’s sister. “She said that she was trying to get in contact with Mr. De Santos, but she was not getting through.” At this stage, the witness said that Small expressed a desire to have his wife present. However, Caesar said that Small was initially unsuccessful in his attempts. After eventually contacting his wife, the accused told investigators that she would not be coming to the station since she was advised by her attorneys not to do so. According to Caesar, it was at this point that the accused related that he had something else to say.”I reminded him that he was still under caution,” the officer added. Small, he said, continued by stating that “the dumbbells are mine. I brought them from Nazar Mohamed.” As a result
of what was said, Caesar noted that he thereafter made an entry in the station dairy. CAUGHT INA COMPROMISING POSITION The witness said that he later held an interview with the number two accused, Bibi Gopaul. In the presence of officers David, Chapman and Jessimy, Caesar said that the woman related to him that she got to know Small while attending his gym at Leonora, West Coast Demerara. Gopaul, he said, noted that the two of them had an affair prior to the death of her husband, but sometime before, Small had asked her to transfer her property between the two of them. The policeman said Gopaul told investigators that one night she caught Small and her daughter in a compromising position in her car and she asked them if they were in love and they said yes. As the detective related the incidents to the court, Gopaul appeared anxious as she sat beside her coaccused in the prisoner’s dock. Small, nonetheless maintained his composure. The investigator went on to say that Gopaul told ranks that Small and her daughter left the home that night and went to a hotel at Parika. As a result, Caesar said that he held a confrontation with Small and Gopaul. She repeated what she had said in the presence of ranks, but Small denied everything. “I DON’T WANT TO BE A PART…” On October 7, Caesar said that Small’s attorney, Senior Counsel Bernard De Santos, visited the Ruimveldt Police Station and requested to speak with his client. According to the officer, Small told his lawyer that he wanted him present ,since he wanted to tell police what he knew about the death of Neesa Gopaul. Caesar said
MURDERED: Neesa Gopaul
Murdered Accused: Jarvis Barry Small
MURDER ACCUSED: Bibi Shareema Gopaul
that De Santos responded by stating “I have given you 45 years of experience and advice. I don’t want to be a part of any conversation between you and the police.” The witness said that the lawyer abruptly left the station, but he (Caesar) recorded the occurrence in the police station dairy. “WE WILL HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS TOGETHER” Sometime after, the policeman recounted that Bibi Rehman was shown the dumbbells in the presence of her sister (Bibi Gopaul) and Small. The witness said that Rehman identified the dumbbells as the ones she had seen at the home of her sister. He said that the woman went on to identify the red rope that was attached to the weights. She said that she had seen it hanging from a wall at the home. The witness said that Rehman showed him a photograph which she had taken of her niece, “Miriam” with her BlackBerry cellphone and showed him one of the pictures which depicted a piece of red rope hanging on a wall in the background, behind a small child of East Indian descent. The detective said that Small immediately revealed that he had left the dumbbells at Gopaul’s home, but she
remained silent. Caesar said that he later took steps to have the photograph printed and showed it to Gopaul in the presence of Small. She noted that the rope was left at her home. At this stage, the officer said that Gopaul took two steps towards Small and indicated to him, holding his hands “we will have to go through this together.” Caesar noted that at no time was any force used or inducement offered to the two accused persons for them to give information with regard to the matter. The photograph was thereafter tendered as part of the evidence and shown to members of the jury. UNAVAILABILITY OF FORENSIC EVIDENCE Meanwhile, after giving his portion of evidence yesterday, Crime Scene Investigator Rawle Nedd admitted to the unavailability of forensic findings on items
collected from Gopaul’s home. Under cross examination by the defence, Nedd revealed that the findings from the items which were taken from Gopaul’s home to undergo scientific testing were unavailable. The witness told the court that following the discovery of the body, he visited the Gopauls home with a party of other police ranks and collected items of evidential nature to undergo testing. While giving a detailed description of the home, the witness related that he collected samples of hair and what appeared to be blood from the scene, but noted that after collecting the items, he packaged, sealed and handed them to a senior police forensic analyst. The witness said that was the last time he saw the items. He said that he was not privy to the forensic findings. The trial continues today.
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Kaieteur News
11th Busta Champion... (From page 35) ground. Skipper Shawn Pereira, Delbert Hicks, Jason Sinclair, Troy Mathieson, Leroy Bristol, Brandon Prashad, Keon Sinclair and West Indies female international Shemaine Campbelle would spearhead the home team’s effort against underdogs Upper Corentyne who would depend heavily on Lakeram Latchman, Viendra Gooniah, Naeem Yacoob,
Parmeshwar Chatterpaul and Imran Mohamed. At the historic Port Mourant Cricket Ground, the home team would face off with arch rivals Albion, who would be without several of their main players. Port Mourant’s challenge would be led by Yudendra Harrinarine, Arif Chan, Joshua Ramsammy, Nicholas Cameron and national player Jonathan Foo,
Kandasammy Surujnarine, Gudakesh Motie, Sharaz Ramcharran, Balchan Baldeo and David Latchaya would seek to make sure Albion advance to the semi-finals which are scheduled for Sunday February 22nd. The matches would be played on a 40-overs per side basis and starts at 11:00hrs sharp. Teams are required to be at the venues by 10:15hrs.
Trinidadian Richard Groden... (From page 39) coming months and will assume the functions of General Secretary on Mr. Groden’s departure. Mr. Groden is a former General Secretary of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation; a position he held for 15 years. Additionally, he has extensive experience in the inner workings of the international football network, having served on many FIFA and CONCACAF Committees
throughout his career. He also served as CEO of the Organizing Committees of five Trinidad national teams’ appearances at various World Cups including the Soca Warriors in the 2006 World Cup in Germany and the Girls Under17 finals in 2010 in Trinidad. Ms. Davis, the release stated holds an MBA from the Australian Institute of Business and a Bachelor of Sciences Degree in International Relations from the
University of Guyana. She has nine (9) years professional experience working with the Roraima Group of Companies; her most recent title being that of Human Resources Manager. The GFF NC noted that they have no doubt that with the exceptional qualifications and experiences of the duo, they will contribute to the success of the federation as well as the growth and development of football in Guyana.
Friday February 13, 2015 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) To those around you, you might appear to be your usual logical, rational self, Aries. Actually, you may be drawing a lot of your ideas and insights from deep within your psyche.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Ideas and insights coming from deep within your psyche are likely to increase your effectiveness in whatever work you do today, Libra. Your mind is particularly practical and logical.
TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) To friends and colleagues, you may seem to have suddenly acquired acute business sense.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Today you could attend more than one social event, Scorpio. Some of your professional colleagues will probably be there.
GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Today you're likely to experience a heightened level of intuition and how to use it, Gemini. This could mean advancing a career, furthering a personal goal, or helping a friend. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Friends or a group with which you're affiliated could want you to help them formulate a workable plan for advancement. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Career interests are advanced through clear, logical thinking and the sound application of good business sense. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Social events, perhaps business related, could put you in touch with people in fascinating fields or from foreign countries, Virgo.
SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) You tend to prefer intellectual and philosophical rather than practical pursuits, Sagittarius. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) An older person you're very fond of could visit or call and ask for your advice on practical matters. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) Logical and focused thinking could lead to social, career, or financial advancement. Your organizational ability and industry are keener than usual, Aquarius. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You might be feeling very communicative today, Pisces. Concentration, logical thinking, and a heightened ability to put ideas into words enhance your own communicative abilities.
Friday February 13, 2015
Boxers rounding off training for Jamaican Invasion Boxing... (From page 38) This might not mean much since Allicock is one of the top amateur pugilists and is expected to give a good account of himself. Nevertheless, Gomes has proven his worth against opponents of vast experience, noted in his last fight against local super/ bantamweight champion, Richard Williamson, just one fight before the latter individual clinched that accolade. Gomes was really scheduled to fight Caribbean Boxing Federation Bantamweight champion, Dexter Marques but that fight was aborted after the organizers felt that the bout was uneven and Gomes was biting off more than he could chew. His clinical victory over Williamson has set him among the top fighters but he will have to be at the top of his game if he is to defeat Allicock who has proven in the past that he could take care of himself. His transformation into
the professional ranks will be ascertained nine days from now. The Mark Austin/Dexter Gonsalves matchup should be a thriller. Austin commenced his career on a positive note after winning several fights but fell away somewhat after suffering a crunching KO defeat to Revlon Lake. He has also dropped an earlier decision to Gonsalves after the latter fighter forced the referee to call a halt to their bout in the 10th round. At the signing ceremony, Austin had cited insufficient time to prepare as the reason for the loss. He said that this time around he is well prepared and will take the fight to his man. Gonsalves is an unassuming fighter with deadly and deceptive power. His clinical approach has methodically cut his opponents down to size yet he is a man of few words. Asked for a prediction he simply said, “I will repeat my performance of the
last fight and also take this verdict. There are several other supporting bouts including the return of CABOFE middleweight champion, Lindener, Edmond Declou, after sustaining a broken jaw in a fight against Dereck Richmond in October 2013. He will be out to avenge the loss when the two clash in an 8 rounds middleweight return bout. Declou will be out to prove that he has recovered sufficiently from the mishap to avenge the loss. Another Lindener, Sharon Ward, will also grace the ring after a prolonged absence when she tackles Lorissa Rivas, an American of Trinidadian parentage, in a 6 rounds super/middleweight bout. The card’s opener will feature another debutant, Travis Fraser, up against his Barbados based countryman, Charwyn Eswick over 4 rounds.
Friday February 13, 2015
Kaieteur News
JAGUARS OVERWHELMING favourites against Leewards
By Sean Devers in Antigua in association with Western Union, John Fernandes Ltd. and Meet Your Match Dating Service Tournament leaders Guyana Jaguars with 75 points, are overwhelming favourites to register backto-victories in the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) FourDay Professional Cricket League when they begin their sixth round encounter against bottom placed Leeward Islands Hurricanes, who have only managed 5 points, from today at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua. The Jaguars squad suffered a minor hiccup in Trinidad on Tuesday evening due to a booking mix-up with their intransit flight to Antigua resulting in those players with United States Visas being allowed the option of traveling to Antigua via the USA while those without had to wait a little longer. When the team last met in the competition at the Guyana National Stadium in Providence in the first round, the home destroyed the Islanders by an innings and 10 runs. Then, Narsingh Deonarine scored an unbeaten 110 and leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo took seven wickets in the match. Guyana has played the Leewards 36 times winning 10, losing 10 and drawing 16 of those matches and in early 2014 when they met at this level the Leewards won by five wickets at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium despite 110 from Skipper Leon Johnson and a six-wicket match haul from Keon Joseph. But while the Jaguars, who failed to win any game in the last tournament has been improving by leaps and bounds, the Leewards have continued to produce dismal performances and have been beaten in each of their five games in the tournament so far. They will need a dramatic turn-around in this game to upset the Jaguars who have gotten solid contributions from every member of their team when they needed it. Deonarine, who, after a succession of ducks was eventually dropped in the last competition, has returned in
a blaze of glory with two centuries in his first two games this season. His 306 runs is only less than the Windwards pair of Devon Smith (350) and Tyrone Theophile (327) and gained him a recall to the West Indies team for the South Africa series and a pick by the Jamaica Tallawahs for his first CPL T20 tournament which starts in June. Deonarine missed the last game at Sabina Park due to the flu and he and opener Rajendra Chandrika (169 runs), who also missed that match due to ‘Gastro’ are both fit and ready to return to the Jaguars unit. Chandrika should partner West Indies Under-19 opener Shemron Hetymer at the top of the order. At 18, the left-hander looked confident against Jamaica but, like many others in the side failed get a ‘score’ after doing all the hard. But with another year at the Regional U-19 level, he is defiantly one for the future and should being given an extended run. The 40-year-old Shiv Chanderpaul has quietly produced 257 runs from three matches and while his 17th Regional First-Class ton has eluded the prolific left-hander this season, he has passed 50 twice and like Deonarine, averages above 50. Skipper Leon Johnson, who missed two matches due West Indies duties has batted fluently and would be aiming to register his third First-Class century and second in a row at this venue while Chris Barnwell has one fifty and has gotten starts but like Anthony Bramble, whose highest score is 73, has failed to build on them. Left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul has played four Tests and continues to stake a strong claim for a West Indies re-call when England tours the Caribbean next month on this very ground, since in addition to being the leading wicket taker with 38 scalps, his batting has been a revelation with back-to-back fifties in his last two games. Bishoo, Keon Joseph and Ronsford Beaton has all shown they can ‘hold their end’ for prolonged periods which gives the Jaguars’
batting plenty of depth. The track at North Sound should be more batting friendly than the one at Sabina Park and it is unlikely that a four-prong spin attack will be used again in this match, especially since the Leewards batsmen are usually uncomfortable against spin. The return of Chandrika and Deonarine, who could also provide off-spin options, could leave left-handed allrounder Raymond Reifer and Vice-Captain Vishaul Singh on the beach today. The 26-year-old Orlando Peters has been the only Hurricanes’ batsman to reach three-figures in a disappointing batting display by the Islanders. Jahmar Hamilton (256) and Austin Richards with (220) have been the only batsmen to reach 200 runs in the series while the burly off-spinning all-rounder Rakeem Cornwall, who turned 22 this month, scored 95 on his First-Class debut against Jamaica but has only played one more game at this level while Anguillan Montcin Hodge is the only other batsman in the team to reach 50. Devon Thomas has underachieved with the bat while the bowling attack will be spearheaded by Gavin Tonge and medium pacer Peters, the only bowlers with more than 10 wickets in a team which declined to buy any player from outside of the Leewards Islands and that have already used 20 different players in just five matches. In other matches today, Barbados Pride will be looking to collect their fourth straight victory and prove what a difference a format makes when they host longstanding arch-rivals Trinidad & Tobago Red Force at Kensington Oval. Pride and Red Force were truly last season’s top two sides – the home team lifted the NAGICO Super50 title and followed up with the R4Day crown, while T&T finished in the runners-up spot in both competitions. In Kingstown, St. Vincent: Judging on recent results, the most competitive contest of the round could emerge, when the Windward Islands Volcanoes meet the Jamaica Franchise at the Arnos Vale Sports Complex. Volcanoes breathed life into their season with a resounding victory over the Red Force in the previous round, at the same time that the Franchisers stumbled when they were dominated by the Jaguars.
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Plantain All-Stars upset Plantain & Cheese for NEE Futsal semi-final place Plantain All-Stars created a major stir Wednesday night in the Mining Town of Linden when the team booted one of the community’s Futsal cream de le crème, Plantain & Cheese from the New Era Entertainment (NEE) Mashramani Futsal competition. Plantain All-Stars beat Plantain & Cheese, who made the semi-finals in NEE last Futsal tourney, 6-2 at the McKenzie Sports Club (MSC) Hard Court. Danovan Francis completed a helmet-trick for Plantain All-Stars that led 2-1 after the first half. Joshawn Mark and Tervon Archibald added the other two goals for the winners. For Plantain & Cheese, which turned in a below par performance then complained about moving away from their game plan at the end of the game, Kevin Hope found the
back of the net on both occasions as the team bowed out of the competition. The victory for Plantain All-Stars sent them to the semi-finals this weekend. The night started with another action-packed and thrilling encounter when Eye Rollers narrowly escaped Goals, winning 8-6 in the end. Omar Brewley and Randolph Lewis had hat-tricks for the Eye Rollers while Traydell Lamazon and Jamal Allmon had a goal each. For Goals, Ulric Caesar and Reon Austin had two goals apiece while Devon Miller and Carlos Blackman had one each. The actionfilled encounter was a backand-forth counter-attacking one from the first whistle with no team letting up moving forward. In the end, the better team clearly prevailed to advance to the next round.
In the final game of the night, Colwin Drakes displayed his superior individual skill for his Silver Bullets team, securing a helmet-trick in a 9-3 mauling of Speightland United. Damian Williams had a hat-trick while Nigel Bowman and Jermaine Samuels scored the other two goals. Lionel Joseph had two goals with Colvin Allicock also on target for Speightland in a one-sided affair that brought the curtains down on the third night of the competition, which continues this weekend, beginning tonight at the same venue. The winning team will pocket $300,000 while the runner-up gets $100,000. The third place team gets $75,000 in the tournament with $25,000 set aside for the fourth placed team. The MVP gets a pair of Futsal sneakers and trophy.
Mayor’s Cup Football
Semi-final slots at stake tonight; Pele, GPF, Slingerz & Riddim Squad on show Following two days of well deserved rest, the Mayor’s Cup Football Championship resumes tonight with two sizzling matches that would net the winners semi-final places but more importantly, keep their hopes alive of carting off the top prize. The action will be at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) Ground, Bourda and Pele will oppose the Guyana Police Force at 18:00hrs while Slingerz and Riddim Squad will duke it out in the feature attraction starting at 20:00hrs. Konata Manning patrols the midfield position and has already proven his worth after netting a brace to send Cougars FC packing. He is not a one man show and will surely depend on the support of his teammates, the likes of Captain, Shemroy Arthur and Josh Kamal sealing off the defence cordon. Then there are Marlan Nedd, O’Kennie Fraser and Devon Charles supported by the wiles of Omalo Williams in the midfield position. The lawmen have played good football so far but tonight’s game will be their sternest test. They will field an ominous team comprising Rawle Haynes who will want to repeat or eclipse his hat-trick against Haslington Sparta United FC earlier in the tournament. Several other policemen added their input to that demolition and will enter tonight’s game with that burden of replication on their shoulders. These include Allistair Wilson, Anthio Wallace, James Bowman and Rawle Thornhill. Slingerz, with a team of stars will start as the favourites but will be mindful of the many upsets that have characterized the tournament so far. Dwayne Jacobs is back in the team and is a valuable asset down the left flank while Vurlon Mills is a dangerous striker that could make the d i f f e r e n c e i n t h i s m a t c h . Riddim Squad will also have to contend with the likes of Tichard Joseph, Les Charles Critchlow, Joshua Brown, Devon Millington and Anthony Abrams if they are to lay their hands on the million dollars first prize jackpot.
Vurlon Mills However, the Mocha based team will hang their hopes on Sceyon Hope, Amos Ramsay and Lylton Ramsay, their three most prolific strikers while Ron Liverpool and Sheldon Hope are bound to throw in their lot. The tournament has sprung quite a few surprises as the minnows managed to assert their presence among the big boys. Maybe, their luck will run out this evening and then again, the trend might just continue. Football buffs should fill the arena tonight when this question will be definitively answered. Meanwhile, the organizers have received timely assistance from beverage giants, Banks DIH, who has put up one million dollars for the first prize. Coordinator of activities, Lennox Arthur, has relayed his gratitude to his benefactors while assuring that the donation is integral to the development of his tournament and by extension, local football. Several other corporate entities have pitched in to ensure the tournament is successful including MACORP, Busta, Sterling Products, John Fernandes, GT&T, TCL, CIDI and the Vieira brothers of Houston. (Michael Benjamin)
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Kaieteur News
Friday February 13, 2015
ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 Fixtures Sat Feb 14 (50 ovs) 22:00 GMT - 11:00 local 17:00 EST 1st Match, Pool A - New Zealand v Sri Lanka Hagley Oval, Christchurch LIVE · Sat Feb 14 (50 ovs) 03:30 GMT - 14:30 local 22:30 EST 2nd Match, Pool A - Australia v England Melbourne Cricket Ground LIVE D/N · Sun Feb 15 (50 ovs) 01:00 GMT - 14:00 local 20:00 EST 3rd Match, Pool B - South Africa v Zimbabwe Seddon Park, Hamilton LIVE D/N · Sun Feb 15 (50 ovs) 03:30 GMT - 14:00 local 22:30 EST 4th Match, Pool B - India v Pakistan Adelaide Oval LIVE D/N · Mon Feb 16 (50 ovs) 22:00 GMT - 11:00 local 17:00 EST 5th Match, Pool B - Ireland v West Indies Saxton Oval, Nelson LIVE · Tue Feb 17 (50 ovs) 22:00 GMT - 11:00 local 17:00 EST 6th Match, Pool A - New Zealand v Scotland University Oval, Dunedin LIVE · Wed Feb 18 (50 ovs) 03:30 GMT - 14:30 local 22:30 EST 7th Match, Pool A - Afghanistan v Bangladesh Manuka Oval, Canberra LIVE D/N · Thu Feb 19 (50 ovs) 22:00 GMT - 11:00 local 17:00 EST 8th Match, Pool B - United Arab Emirates v Zimbabwe Saxton Oval, Nelson LIVE · Fri Feb 20 (50 ovs) 01:00 GMT - 14:00 local 20:00 EST 9th Match, Pool A - New Zealand v England Westpac Stadium, Wellington LIVE D/N · Sat Feb 21 (50 ovs) 22:00 GMT - 11:00 local 17:00 EST 10th Match, Pool B - Pakistan v West Indies Hagley Oval, Christchurch LIVE · Sat Feb 21 (50 ovs) 03:30 GMT - 13:30 local 22:30 EST 11th Match, Pool A - Australia v Bangladesh Brisbane Cricket Ground, Woolloongabba, Brisbane LIVE D/N · Sun Feb 22 (50 ovs) 22:00 GMT - 11:00 local 17:00 EST 12th Match, Pool A - Afghanistan v Sri Lanka University Oval, Dunedin LIVE · Sun Feb 22 (50 ovs) 03:30 GMT - 14:30 local 22:30 EST 13th Match, Pool B - India v South Africa Melbourne Cricket Ground LIVE D/N · Mon Feb 23 (50 ovs) 22:00 GMT - 11:00 local 17:00 EST 14th Match, Pool A - England v Scotland Hagley Oval, Christchurch LIVE · Tue Feb 24 (50 ovs) 03:30 GMT - 14:30 local 22:30 EST 15th Match, Pool B - West Indies v Zimbabwe Manuka Oval, Canberra LIVE D/N · Wed Feb 25 (50 ovs) 03:30 GMT - 13:30 local 22:30 EST 16th Match, Pool B - Ireland v United Arab Emirates Brisbane Cricket Ground, Woolloongabba, Brisbane LIVE D/N · Thu Feb 26 (50 ovs) 22:00 GMT - 11:00 local 17:00 EST 17th Match, Pool A - Afghanistan v Scotland University Oval, Dunedin LIVE · Thu Feb 26 (50 ovs) 03:30 GMT - 14:30 local 22:30 EST 18th Match, Pool A - Bangladesh v Sri Lanka Melbourne Cricket Ground LIVE D/N · Fri Feb 27 (50 ovs) 03:30 GMT - 14:30 local 22:30 EST 19th Match, Pool B - South Africa v West Indies Sydney Cricket Ground LIVE D/N · Sat Feb 28 (50 ovs) 01:00 GMT - 14:00 local 20:00 EST 20th Match, Pool B - New Zealand v Australia Eden Park, Auckland LIVE D/N · Sat Feb 28 (50 ovs) 06:30 GMT - 14:30 local 01:30 EST 21st Match, Pool B - India v United Arab Emirates Western Australia Cricket Association Ground, Perth LIVE D/N · Sun Mar 1 (50 ovs) 22:00 GMT - 11:00 local 17:00 EST 22nd Match, Pool A - England v Sri Lanka Westpac Stadium, Wellington LIVE · Sun Mar 1 (50 ovs) 03:30 GMT - 13:30 local 22:30 EST 23rd Match, Pool B - Pakistan v Zimbabwe Brisbane Cricket Ground, Woolloongabba, Brisbane LIVE D/N · Tue Mar 3 (50 ovs) 03:30 GMT - 14:30 local 22:30 EST 24th Match, Pool B - Ireland v South Africa Manuka Oval, Canberra LIVE D/N
· Wed Mar 4 (50 ovs) 01:00 GMT - 14:00 local 20:00 EST 25th Match, Pool B - Pakistan v United Arab Emirates McLean Park, Napier LIVE D/N · Wed Mar 4 (50 ovs) 06:30 GMT - 14:30 local 01:30 EST 26th Match, Pool A - Australia v Afghanistan Western Australia Cricket Association Ground, Perth LIVE D/N · Thu Mar 5 (50 ovs) 22:00 GMT - 11:00 local 17:00 EST 27th Match, Pool A - Bangladesh v Scotland Saxton Oval, Nelson LIVE · Fri Mar 6 (50 ovs) 06:30 GMT - 14:30 local 01:30 EST 28th Match, Pool B - India v West Indies Western Australia Cricket Association Ground, Perth LIVE D/N · Sat Mar 7 (50 ovs) 01:00 GMT - 14:00 local 20:00 EST 29th Match, Pool B - Pakistan v South Africa Eden Park, Auckland LIVE D/N · Sat Mar 7 (50 ovs) 03:30 GMT - 14:30 local 22:30 EST 30th Match, Pool B - Ireland v Zimbabwe Bellerive Oval, Hobart LIVE D/N · Sun Mar 8 (50 ovs) 22:00 GMT - 11:00 local 17:00 EST 31st Match, Pool A - New Zealand v Afghanistan McLean Park, Napier LIVE · Sun Mar 8 (50 ovs) 03:30 GMT - 14:30 local 22:30 EST 32nd Match, Pool A - Australia v Sri Lanka Sydney Cricket Ground LIVE D/N · Mon Mar 9 (50 ovs) 03:30 GMT - 14:00 local 22:30 EST 33rd Match, Pool A - England v Bangladesh Adelaide Oval LIVE D/N · Tue Mar 10 (50 ovs) 01:00 GMT - 14:00 local 20:00 EST 34th Match, Pool B - India v Ireland Seddon Park, Hamilton LIVE D/N · Wed Mar 11 (50 ovs) 03:30 GMT - 14:30 local 22:30 EST 35th Match, Pool A - Scotland v Sri Lanka Bellerive Oval, Hobart LIVE D/N · Thu Mar 12 (50 ovs) 01:00 GMT - 14:00 local 20:00 EST 36th Match, Pool B - South Africa v United Arab Emirates Westpac Stadium, Wellington LIVE D/N · Fri Mar 13 (50 ovs) 01:00 GMT - 14:00 local 20:00 EST 37th Match, Pool A - New Zealand v Bangladesh Seddon Park, Hamilton LIVE D/N · Fri Mar 13 (50 ovs) 03:30 GMT - 14:30 local 22:30 EST 38th Match, Pool A - Afghanistan v England Sydney Cricket Ground LIVE D/N · Sat Mar 14 (50 ovs) 01:00 GMT - 14:00 local 20:00 EST 39th Match, Pool B - India v Zimbabwe Eden Park, Auckland LIVE D/N · Sat Mar 14 (50 ovs) 03:30 GMT - 14:30 local 22:30 EST 40th Match, Pool A - Australia v Scotland Bellerive Oval, Hobart LIVE D/N · Sun Mar 15 (50 ovs) 22:00 GMT - 11:00 local 17:00 EST 41st Match, Pool B - United Arab Emirates v West Indies McLean Park, Napier LIVE · Sun Mar 15 (50 ovs) 03:30 GMT - 14:00 local 22:30 EST 42nd Match, Pool B - Ireland v Pakistan Adelaide Oval LIVE D/N · Wed Mar 18 (50 ovs) 03:30 GMT - 14:30 local 22:30 EST 1st Quarter-Final - TBC v TBC (A1 v B4) Sydney Cricket Ground LIVE D/N · Thu Mar 19 (50 ovs) 03:30 GMT - 14:30 local 22:30 EST 2nd Quarter-Final - TBC v TBC (A2 v B3) Melbourne Cricket Ground LIVE D/N · Fri Mar 20 (50 ovs) 03:30 GMT - 14:00 local 22:30 EST 3rd Quarter-Final - TBC v TBC (A3 v B2) Adelaide Oval LIVE D/N · Sat Mar 21 (50 ovs) 01:00 GMT - 14:00 local 20:00 EST 4th Quarter-Final - TBC v TBC (A4 v B1) Westpac Stadium, Wellington LIVE D/N · Tue Mar 24 (50 ovs) 01:00 GMT - 14:00 local 20:00 EST 1st Semi-Final - TBC v TBC Eden Park, Auckland LIVE D/N · Thu Mar 26 (50 ovs) 03:30 GMT - 14:30 local 22:30 EST 2nd Semi-Final - TBC v TBC Sydney Cricket Ground LIVE D/N · Sun Mar 29 (50 ovs) 03:30 GMT - 14:30 local 22:30 EST Final - TBC v TBC Melbourne Cricket Ground LIVE D/N
World Cup launched with song, dance and colour
A Christchurch crowd in the tens of thousands welcomed the 2015 World Cup in a colourful, community-fo-
cused event, which was capped off by a spectacular fireworks display. A host of cricket stars,
both past and present, were in attendance, as were thousands of families, who had begun arriving at North Hagley Park in the early evening to enjoy the carnival atmosphere. The event, free for the public, began with four big backyard cricket matches for children, each played at themed stations. There was a Caribbean corner, a “So Beige” Kiwiana mini-venue, a South Asian station, and a Victorianthemed match, replete with ladies and gentlemen dressed in fancy garb, and a painting of WG Grace overlooking the scene. The cricket hubs wound down when the opening ceremony began in earnest with a Kandyan dance performed by a Sri Lankan troupe, followed by a Bollywood-
style act, a performance by a bagpiper and an Irish river dance. A Maori cultural group also performed during the evening, apart from several popular New Zealand musical acts, including artistes like Hayley Westenra and Shapeshifter. The crowd grew as the sun set, and gathered around the main stage and the three big screens. Many had brought an evening meal and picnic mats. Former World Cup players including Chris Harris, Rod Latham and Geoff Allott highlighted the matches that would be played across the six New Zealand venues from atop six towers, before Richard Hadlee and Stephen Fleming also appeared. Brendon McCullum also played a role in one of the segments that featured a
young boy who dreamed of becoming a great cricketer, and enlisted the assistance of Lasith Malinga, Lord of The Rings director Peter Jackson, and several other New Zealand celebrities in his quest. New Zealand prime minister John Key was also at Hagley Park, and posed for a picture with McCullum. Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel gave an impassioned welcome speech, emphasising both the challenges that an earthquakestricken Christchurch had overcome since 2010, and also the excitement that had built in the city, at the chance to host a major sporting e v ent. In 2011, Rugby World Cup matches that the city had planned to host were cancelled in the wake of the two
major earthquakes, but the city will now host the first match of the World Cup on Saturday. “We have been waiting for a very long time for this,” Dalziel said of Christchurch’s yearning to host fans of many nations who have already begun descending on the city. She also said the World Cup would be part of Christchurch’s resurgence in 2015. All Blacks captain Richie McCaw - a hugely popular figure in the city - and the remainder of the New Zealand cricket team received cheers when their attendance was made visible. One of the biggest fireworks displays ever seen in Christchurch brought the event to a crescendo, as the World Cup was officially declared open. (ESPNcricinfo)