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KAIETEUR NEWS Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: ADAM HARRIS Tel: 225-8491, 225-8458, 225-8465 Fax: 225-8473 or 226-8210
Editorial
Sir Ron Sanders’ challenge for the Commonwealth Secretary-General Sir Ronald Sanders’ candidature for the post of Commonwealth Secretary-General has been restored. Prime Minister Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda has now written his colleagues, saying that after withdrawal of Sir Ronald’s candidature on the principled stand that the Region should be united, he was “overwhelmed by messages of regret and requests for reconsideration from within and beyond the Caribbean”. He said, “The burden of those messages was that the Commonwealth has been deprived, at a time of crisis, of the candidate manifestly most suitable and most likely to be chosen given Sir Ronald’s Commonwealth-wide network and diplomatic experience”. We agree with those messages and applaud Prime Minister Browne for persisting and persuading Sir Ronald to restore his candidacy. The experienced diplomat and scholar had secured support of nine of the 12 Commonwealth Caribbean Governments when they met in the margins of the CubaCARICOM Summit in Havana in December. His competitors Baroness Patricia Scotland (Dominica) received support from two governments and Bhoendradatt Tewarie (Trinidad and Tobago) from only one. It should not be difficult to find consensus in the Caribbean. The Dominica candidate is really an undeclared British ‘candidate’ – not through any formal act of Britain; but through the candidate herself. She is Baroness Scotland of Asthal, a former Cabinet Minister and Attorney-General of Britain (in which capacity and with a British mind-set, she lectured the Caribbean on various matters including abolishing the death penalty). To this day, she is a sitting member of the British House of Lords. She is a UK Parliamentarian. A Secretary-General with such a track record in, and loyalty to, the British government will be like a return to a colonial past. Baroness Scotland would no doubt be comfortable in Whitehall; but the resulting Commonwealth ‘Britishness’ would be unacceptable – and not only in the non-white Commonwealth. So the Baroness has borrowed a Dominican/Caribbean cloak for the occasion. The Commonwealth is not likely to be fooled; the Caribbean would be derided for supporting the ruse. The other candidate Minister Bhoendradatt Tewarie of Trinidad and Tobago has no Commonwealth or diplomatic experience and is little known outside of Trinidad. Mr Tewarie seems to be supported only by his Prime Minister, Kamla Persad-Bissessar. And, not surprisingly, she seems to seek support for him from her Caribbean colleagues as a favour to herself –not to the Caribbean or the Commonwealth. Trinidad and Tobago also now has the Deputy SecretaryGeneralship of the Commonwealth Secretariat and the top post in the Commonwealth Foundation. It is highly unlikely that any government would give Trinidad the tree top posts in the Commonwealth. By contrast, Sir Ronald is well-known and respected in the Commonwealth and he has a strong record of Commonwealth knowledge and experience as a senior diplomat, as an academic who has produced quality work on the Commonwealth and more recently as a member and rapporteur of the Eminent Persons Group that produced the report on urgent reform of the Commonwealth. With Sir Ronald as its candidate, the Caribbean would have this important post within its grasp. If it stumbles now it will confirm the worst fears of critics that it has lost its way. Gaston Browne and the Government of Antigua and Barbuda – though new to the CARICOM scene (but, perhaps, because of that) - is setting a notable example of pursuing joint Caribbean endeavours in the Region’s interest.
Sunday February 15, 2015
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Opposition politicians must show capacity for good governance DEAR EDITOR, According to report in the Demerara Waves 14th February 2015, talks between the APNU and AFC have reached the stage where, “As it stands now, the two sides agreed that APNU’s David Granger would be the presidential candidate, while AFC’s Moses Nagamootoo will be his running mate as the prime minister. But the AFC wants the Prime Minister to be responsible for ministerial appointments and the chairing of cabinet.” Article 106 (1) expressly states, “There shall be a Cabinet of Guyana, which shall consist of the President, the Prime Minister, the Vice-Presidents,
and such other Ministers as may be appointed to it by the President.” Article 106 (3) goes on to say, “Cabinet Meetings shall be presided over by- (a) the President;” In light of this, the GTUC is concerned about any thought or decision to remove/give up the powers of the president without constitutional reform. Such actions as proposed violate the constitution and are in effect reducing the president to a titular president (ceremonial head). Even if this agreement finds pleasure with the opposition forces, note that such cannot be obtained under this present constitution. GTUC is further appalled that our
political leaders, across the divide (PPP, APNU, AFC) continue to seek to govern this nation according to their own dictate or whims and fancies to serve personal/group interest and not national interest. That such acts and potential violations continue to surface at regular intervals speak to growing disrespect and heightening culture of lawlessness enveloping mainstream decision makers and opinion shapers. When politicians, particularly those trained in the law, and having ready access to legal advice engage the nation in such acts of subterfuge, it is time the people of Guyana come together and (Continued on page 6)
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ULTIMATELY, WE HAVE TO DECIDE IF WE WANT A UNIVERSITY OR A COMMUNITY COLLEGE DEAR EDITOR, The question has been asked why the staff at the University of Guyana is asking for a 60 % increase. No, it is not because we are selfish, greedy or opportunistic. It is simply a matter of the future of the country’s highest tertiary institution which cannot exist without competent and qualified staff. The number one problem affecting the quality and effective functioning of the University of Guyana is the inability to attract and retain qualified faculty and staff. This inability is directly tied to the remuneration offered, particularly for academic staff. Former Vice Chancellor Professor Lawrence Carrington remarked at his farewell address to the staff in January 2012 that: “The elephant in the room is the matter of staff salaries … [UG’s] planning has to shift the matter of emoluments to the top of the agenda … Beyond dealing with the physical environment and the overall governance provisions, we must also address the quality of our staff and how we provide for them to be effective and efficient. That involves interlocking factors such as the competitiveness of the university’s salaries and benefits, the terms and conditions of service, the confidence that staff can have in the fairness of appraisal, the systems of incentives, rewards and recognition.” In many disciplines, graduates entering both the public and private sectors immediately after graduating earn more than the average monthly wages of their University lecturers. This indicates a much higher remuneration for equally or less skilled and experienced workers. Further, when compared to the salaries and emoluments offered at regional institutions which compete for similar skill sets, UG unquestionably pays the lowest salary out of the three UWI campuses and Anton De Kom in Suriname, notwithstanding the similar cost of living and consumer prices in the campus countries. An individual currently entering the University of Guyana with a PhD at the
Lecturer II level would be paid a starting salary of G$165,058which is equivalent to US$797. The corresponding starting salary in 2011 for UWI Cave Hill, UWI St. Augustine and UWI Mona are US$4,775, US$3,506 and US$2, 066 respectively. Salaries at all three campuses have since been increased significantly. Not surprisingly, there continues to be a rapid turnover of staff at UG. Within such circumstances of poor remuneration, it is impossible for the UG to attract and retain sufficient academics of stature necessary to ensure quality. The diminishing levels of highly trained university staff have implications for the credibility, reputation and accreditation of the institution. The University is now forced to rely overwhelmingly on holders of first and second degrees, and there is marked lack of interest from qualified individuals to accept full-time appointments. If the University of Guyana fails to offer attractive remuneration comparable to universities in the region, the University of Guyana will continue to under-perform and deteriorate. The Unions had proposed 200% increase in salary in May 2012 in order to achieve parity with Anton de Kom, the lowest paying of the regional tertiary institutions. This proposal was also based on the Trevor Hamilton Report prepared on behalf of the contracting agency, University of Guyana. We further proposed that this be paid over a three to five year period. The Unions were ignored. As the administrators dithered, several more of the already few PhD lecturers left. Every study done on the
University of Guyana over the past decade has made one thing clear - It is necessary to immediately increase the salaries of academic staff in order to attract qualified staff and retain those who are currently there. I have been too many universities and I know the educational experience
students have at those institutions and what is possible for our students. To be sure, I am absolutely fighting for me and, by extension, my family. We are entitled to live a decent life. And so does every staff member at UG; so we fight together. But I am also
fighting to get students - both now and in the future- the education they deserve. Ultimately, as a nation, we have to decide if we want a university or a community college. We have to decide whether we want our national university to be the moulding ground for leaders in every discipline who can transform
this country into one we all can feel a part of. That is only possible through substantial and sustained support of the University of Guyana, its staff and students. Dr. Mellissa Ifill President University of Guyana Senior Staff Association (UGSSA)
The PNC destroyed GuyanaA response to Michael Hope DEAR EDITOR, In response to Michael Hope’s asinine letter “The PNC had Achievements,” it seems we have another revisionist historian in our midst. Notwithstanding consecutive election victories since the restoration of democracy, the PPP Government continues to be on the receiving end of blatant misinformation and outrageous political commentaries; where their lyrics express fury that the PPP/C Party remains in Government. Hope’s letter states “Let me mention some of the PNC achievements during their leadership: the Linden Highway, the Demerara
Harbour Bridge, the Canje Bridge, President’s College, the NIS, the construction of the Umana Yana in 1972, and the Guyana Rice Marketing Board that was disbanded in 1993 by the PPP/C. The Amerindians were given land titles in accordance with the 1966 constitution. In the PNC era schoolboys went to city to play school cricket that does not exist now; we travelled all the way from Region One.” What it didn’t state was The World Bank’s Group Report (1994), referring to the 1988-1992 period, noted “The government’s capacity to deliver essential services has virtually collapsed. Infrastructure remains
severely dilapidated. The supply of potable water is limited to a small proportion of the population, drainage and irrigation systems have deteriorated to the point that they are no longer useful, and health and education services have become so inadequate that social indicators for the country have fallen to among the lowest in the Caribbean.” This Report, indeed, dismissed the so-called gains from the ERP. In fact the Economic Recovery Programme (ERP) meant nothing more than Empty Rice Pots for the Guyanese people. Concessional lending met its debt obligations and increased economic growth rates between 1993 and 1997;
but the sordid and disturbing impact of social infrastructural devastation at the 1992 baseline, urgently required a new dynamic and comprehensive strategy to sustain Guyana’s debt burden, if the masses were to receive any meaningful social services. Those like Michael Hope who think that Guyana was in fine shape in 1992 and prior need to re-examine their conclusion as when the PNC demitted office in 1992 it left a debt ridden bankrupt country. Billions of dollars were expended by both pre-1992 PNC governments on projects which failed miserably with nothing being left to show. Cedric Lord
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Supreme political power lies in the hands of the people
AFC will sorely miss its Sankar Nirahu
DEAR EDITOR, In this election year, the people do not appear to be impressed with the extremely poor performance of the minority PPP regime, especially the president and his Finance Minister who continues to use the foreign reserves to compensate for the shortfall in income from exports. The Minister’s track record has been far from stellar in that he continues to spend the public’s money without the approval of Parliament. This has led to a lack of confidence and trust of the PPP regime by the people which is critical in this election time. The reality of politics is that when one becomes a minister, he or she offers himself/ herself for service and is therefore open to public scrutiny. During the past three years, the PPP cabal has not made themselves available to answer the questions put to them by the people’s opposition. It seems that the president and the minister of Finance are ducking the issue of the financing of the Marriott Hotel and the use of over US$200 million from the foreign reserves between 2012 and 2014. The excuse offered by Minister of Finance for the reduction of the funds in the foreign reserves is flawed and before he lectures Moses Nagamootoo about the country’s finances, he should come clean and tell the people the truth as to why he secretly spent US$ 226 million from the foreign reserves. After all, this is the taxpayers’ money, therefore an explanation is owed to them.
This election has given the citizens an opportunity to assess the poor performance of the Minister of Finance and the entire cabinet before casting a vote for them. There are several unanswered questions as to why the Marriott Hotel is financed with the taxpayers’ money when hotel occupancy rate in Guyana is at 50 percent. It is the view of many including supporters of the PPP, that it had to do with Jagdeo spitefulness against Mr. Badal who bought the Pegasus Hotel by outbidding Jagdeo and his friends. So the building of the Marriott Hotel is seen as revenge against the owner of Pegasus. In Guyana for the past ten years, life has become unbearable for the masses. The people especially the poor and the working class have to lie to themselves because of their plight. An honest appraisal of their bellies and bank accounts would lead most of them to serious depression and perhaps suicide, so they enchant themselves with the comfortable falsehoods that their life is rich and that they are blessed. They also say that inner beauty is what matters, despite the fact that they are living from pay check to pay check. They continue to hope for the best even though income inequality and wealth in Guyana have widened and is worse than in Haiti. And they comfort themselves with the false hopes and beliefs that poverty can be overcome in the face of dispiriting evidence to the contrary. It is obvious to most that in Guyana, supreme political power lies in the hands of the bullies at Freedom House who use it to protect their own financial interests and those of their friends and relatives. But the reality is supreme
political power resides with the people and they should use that power to elect a government on May 11that will take Guyana forward and improve their living standards. Clearly, in the context of Guyana, what the people want is decent paying jobs to take care of their families and a government that will protect the rights of everyone whether they voted for the PPP or not. If they are to use this criteria then they should elect an AFC/APNU coalition government that will create jobs and protect their rights irrespective of their political affiliations. But if they vote for the PPP again, then they should expect to receive the same treatment as party allegiance will be ruthlessly enforced and a larger section of the population will be marginalized. With the population at its most angry, confused and financially dispossessed as it has never been before; it would be more than interesting to determine if on May 11, that anger will result in more people electing to vote against the PPP or refusing to vote. With the ruling PPP regime operating on the basis that it only needs to listen to itself and not to the people, the party is rapidly losing support throughout the country. For the PPP cabal to say that the economy is in good shape does not resonate with the people, especially the poor and the working class who continues to struggle to make ends meet. The anger is blatantly without pretense and it is growing. The life of the poor has become unbearable but that can change because supreme political power lies in the hands of the people who can vote the PPP out of office on May 11. Dr. Asquith Rose, Chandra Deolall, Dr. Merle Spenser-Marks
DEAR EDITOR, The opposition AFC party in Guyana dn ist support group in NY and the Guyanese community in Richmond Hill area will sorely miss the contribution of Sri. Sankar Nirahu who passed away suddenly in New York last week. He was such a decent human being that one cannot fault with him. And he was respectful of everyone including those on the political opposition. Sankar, as he was called, was committed and dedicated to the AFC. He did so much for fledgling party since the inception and for the Guyanese community in the greater Richmond Hill area patronizing cultural events including participation in the annual Phagwah celebrations. He was one of the key AFC organizers in New York not only in organizing meetings but in fundraising efforts. And he himself made significant financial contribution to the party. He was respectful and decent and willing to listen to the views of others even when they were in disagreement with his. With regards to his political views, he was not supportive of suggestions that AFC should join APNU before the 2011 election or after the elections when the PPP became a minority government by one seat. He also did not support some of the policies of the AFC in parliament. But he was not one to publicly go
against his party. He felt that AFC should retain its independence, using the same description used by Ramjattan - political kokobey - when asked about any political affiliation with the PNC. His views, however, were evolving, and he talked constantly of political change since the 2006 election. Sankar’s death came as a complete shock to me and others who knew well and who and interacted with him. He was not ailing in the least, and the last time I saw him he was a healthy young man, jovial and high spirited in his conversation. It just goes to show we are all human and can succumb to ailments suddenly, and therefore, we need to pay attention to our health. Sankar was one of the nicest guys I met and interacted with. He was simple and modest and had no ego about him. I met him some twenty years ago while he was a sales agent at Ed Ahmad’s Realty in Richmond Hill. After he left Ahmad’s realty, I would bounce up with him on 111 Street of Jamaica Avenue where he shared an office with others, just above where Universal Airlines had its office. We also met a few times on the aircraft traveling to Guyana or on Liberty Avenue by pure coincidence. In all of my conversations, he would tell me he looked forward for my columns and reports on the Guyanese diaspora. He always commended me for my
volunteerism serving the Guyanese diaspora and writing on Guyana and the Guyanese diaspora in New York. He was always interested in my views on the politics of our homeland and findings of polls I conducted there. Sankar was not a political activist in the same mould as say the late Lionel Peters or myself or a Vassan Ramracha in community affairs or in the liberation of Guyana from the throes of dictaorship. But he was an ardent supporter of the struggle for the restoration of democracy in Guyana. He attended many political meetings in New York including several where Dr. Jagan was the Chief Guest and later on when Presidents Janet and Jagdeo visited New York. He was at several PPP fundraisers long before the AFC was formed. But like several Guyanese, he became disgruntled with happenings in the PPP. And like many of us overseas he was very disappointed when Khemraj Ramjattan was expelled from the PPP. When the AFC was formed in 2006, he supported Ramjattan, and he remained a supporter until his death last week. I should note that unlike several other real estate brokers and mortgage agents, he did not get himself into trouble with the law. He stayed above real estate scandals. Although he was not an activist, in the true sense of meaning of the word, the AFC will sorely miss his presence in New York and his visits to Guyana to cultivate support for the party. Rest well Sankar-ji. Vishnu Bisram
Opposition politicians must... From page 4 recognise that the acts of these leaders run contrary to the national good. No politician, regardless of who he is, can arbitrarily change circumstance of governance outside the frame of governance without the requisite constitutional reform. It time that Guyanese from all walks of life, all political parties and persuasions, recognise that the Constitution is what protects them and offers them some immunity from personal/group political greed. It is not by accident that constitutions and
constitution functions cannot be changed without referendum, parliamentary/legislative approval or super majority. What we are witnessing is continued violation or misrepresentation of the capacity of the constitution to embrace and achieve good governance and accountability. The constitution as a holistic document, while there will always be room for improvement as society undergoes changes, provides protection from political forces that would seek to take advantage of the masses.
GTUC recognises the desperation to arrive at a consensus on how to approach a national elections. Such desperation, however, should not lead to any suggestion or hint of the possibility of violating the Guyana Constitution. For such is the travail that persists under the PPP government, and those seeking to be the alternative government must demonstrate a different standard of practice. Lincoln Lewis, General Secretary Guyana Trades Union Congress
Sunday February 15, 2015
Kaieteur News
Clashes between Shi’ite Houthis and Sunnis in Yemen leave 26 dead
Armed Houthis gather around the wreckage of a vehicle set a blaze by angry protesters after Houthis fired on them in Yemen’s central town of Ibb February 14, 2015. REUTERS/Essam al-Kamaly (Reuters) - Tens of thousands of Yemenis demonstrated in several cities on Saturday against the rule of the Shi’ite Muslim Houthi movement as clashes between Houthis and Sunnis in a southern mountainous region left 26 dead. It was the second day of nationwide demonstrations against the Iranian-backed Houthis in less than a week after their dissolution of parliament this month unraveled security and sent Western and Arab embassies packing. Houthi gunmen fired on protesters in the central town of Ibb and wounded four, medics said. Activists said they were enraged by the death on Saturday of Saleh al-Bashiri, who they say was detained by gunmen as they broke up an anti-Houthi protest in Sanaa two weeks ago and was released to a hospital with signs of torture on his body on Thursday. There was no immediate comment from the Houthis. Yemen’s upheaval has drawn international concern as it shares a long border with top world oil exporter Saudi Arabia. It is also fighting one of the most formidable branches of al Qaeda with the help of U.S. drone strikes. Heavy clashes between Houthi fighters and Sunni Muslim tribesmen fighting alongside al Qaeda militants in the rugged southern province of al-Bayda on Saturday killed 16 Houthi rebels along with 10 Sunni tribesmen and militants, security officials and tribal sources told Reuters. Two weeks after the Houthis took formal control of the capital and continued an armed push southward,
Yemen appears to be barely functioning as a state. INTERNATIONAL PULLOUT The United States, Western European countries, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey have closed their missions in Sanaa and withdrawn staff, citing security concerns. Yemen’s rich Sunni Gulf Arab neighbors loathe the Houthi fighters and have called their rise to power a coup backed by Shi’ite Iran, Saudi Arabia’s main rival for power in the Gulf region. Gulf foreign ministers on Saturday urged the United Nations Security Council to
pass a “Chapter 7” resolution authorizing economic or military force to compel the Houthis to back down, Saudiowned Al Arabiya TV said. The Houthis say they are trying to drive out corrupt officials and avert economic ruin. They have dissolved parliament and set up their own ruling body earlier this month. The Houthis’ advance from the north towards wellarmed tribal regions in the east and south has led locals to make common cause with Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, one of the deadliest arms of the global Sunni Muslim militant organization.
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The case of tax-free income for all Judges…
Dem boys seh...
Drama expected in High Court, CJ likely to recuse himself
David and Moses get married at Georgetown Club
Dr. Fenton Ramsahoye S.C
House Speaker, Raphael Trotman
APNU Shadow Minister of Finance, Carl Greenidge
By Kiana Wilburg
acting Chancellor, Carl Singh, are the only two judicial officers benefitting from that privilege. Since Chang is the only Constitutional Judge, if he recuses himself, no other adjudicator would be able to
of income tax from his judicial income is an unlawful alteration of the terms and conditions of him being a Judge. He is also requesting that a declaration be made that he
There is a high possibility that Justice William Ramlal, who is pushing the case of tax-free income for all judges of the High Court, may not get a hearing. His lawyer, C.V Satram, is of the belief that Chief Justice (CJ), Ian Chang, may recuse himself from the case on the basis that he has an interest. This is in spite of the fact that Satram wrote to the Chief Justice on January 28, stating that he and his client have no objection to him hearing the matter. Chang did not respond to the letter. Currently, Chang and the
“A recusal by the acting CJ will lead to a constitutional disaster and the subversion of the rule of law,” - C.V. Satram hear the matter because they would have an interest. The respondent in the case is the Attorney General, Anil Nandlall. According to court documents, Justice Ramlal wants a declaration that the continued deduction
is entitled upon retirement to a monthly pension and retirement benefits of not less than seven-eighths of his salary at the time of his retirement. The relief would also include an order for
constitutional compensation, damages and refund of income tax together with interest, of at least $34M. With good reason to believe that the acting CJ may recuse himself on the case which will be called on Wednesday, Ramlal’s lawyers filed, on Friday last, a submission to further cement why his client must be given a constitutional hearing. The document reiterates that since the applicant is entitled to a hearing and determination of his case, there is no objection to the acting CJ who has no personal or pecuniary interest in the matter whereas all the judges of the High Court have such an interest. The case, the lawyer argued, is not about complaint against the dispensation in favour of the Chancellor or the CJ neither is the dispensation under challenge. The denial of it to other judges is what the crux of the matter is. “The applicant submits that the acting Chief Justice Continued on page 55
Is now dem know de whole story. Hap New and Hay Heff See tie de knot pun Valentine Day. Was a union made in Georgetown Club. People come from all over Guyana fuh peep de biggest wedding of de year. It was bigger than Bharrat own which was not a real wedding, anyway. De only thing that didn’t happen was that Granger didn’t kiss Moses but dem hug up tight, tight. When de news spread people send dem best wishes. People bring gifts and when was time fuh speech everybody start fuh shout, “Jail dem.” That nearly cause fight because some people believe that somebody tek what look like same sex marriage too seriously. But is when de Waterfalls boss man stand up and announce that de theme of de two parties should be “Jail dem” and that he begging fuh de wuk as Chief Prison Director that people get a hint wha de cry “Jail Dem” was all about. Some people smell de rat already and start to panic. Dem selling out dem property. One lady transfer she big houses to she daughter and to she son. Another man planning to go to France suh he sell he house in Pradoville. All of dem frighten David and Moses. Dem is two powerful man. Moses part de Red Sea. De other night when dem boys was sleeping, dem see a sea of red. Was a big Pee Pee Pee parade and everybody had on red shirt. Suddenly dem see de parade parting in two. Was Moses coming. David is de other one. He kill a big giant, Goliath. David and Moses will stand up and watch how de mighty will fall. That is why de Waterfalls Boss man want de jail wuk. All of dem get mighty because dem tek de taxpayers’ money . Talk half and wait fuh de hear jail door slam shut behind nuff of dem.
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GECOM will not be any political party’s ‘whipping boy’ - Dr. Surujbally As the national electoral body continues to face criticisms from some political quarters, Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Dr. Steve Surujbally, has stated that the entity will not serve as “the whipping boy” for any political party in the runup to elections because of that party’s fear of losing the May 11 polls. A “whipping boy” is the term used for a person who is blamed or punished for the faults or incompetence of others. The GECOM Chairman was at the time speaking at a one-day interactive/training session the entity held in the auditorium of St. Joseph’s High School. It was intended to educate media operatives on Regional and General elections. Dr. Surujbally said that it is normal for any political party that is fearful of losing an election to attempt to cast blame on GECOM. He warned against parties doing such
Media operatives at the GECOM Elections Workshop yesterday
GECOM’s Chairman, Dr. Steve Surujbally since it seeks to create the false image that GECOM is not able to deliver an election that can withstand scrutiny. The GECOM Head assured members of the media that the entity will do nothing to compromise elections. Dr. Surujbally said, “The attacks coming to us…tend to make us believe that perhaps they can’t make it so (they say) let’s start blaming GECOM.” The GECOM Chairman said that at this point it is important to ensure that the elections are conducted in a
manner that is free of social disturbances and scandals. Dr. Surujbally’s statement comes even as the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/ C) continues to raise concerns about the work of the electoral body and its ability to deliver free, fair and transparent elections in the next three months. While both the Alliance For Change (AFC) and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) have said that they are confident in GECOM’s ability to deliver credible elections, the PPP had
Police probe E’bo woman’s death
Police who are investigating the death of a Lima Sands woman are awaiting the results of a Post Mortem Examination before a conclusion of the woman’s death is determined. The dead woman’s husband, Annurid, only name given, has been held by police at the Anna Regina Police station for questioning. He has since told detectives that he didn’t kill his wife whom he said was ailing for some time now. He told the police that she was vomiting blood. Thirty-seven-year-old Hemwantie, a/k/a “Cathy” was discovered dead by her husband, Annirud, early yesterday, at the couple’s Lima Sands home. The woman’s husband who conveyed the message regarding his dead wife to his relatives who live next door to him told them that his wife slept and didn’t wake
up.”Like the lady dead.” The dead woman’s family said they learnt of her death around 5:30 Saturday morning after her husband had informed them about his wife. The family added that both Cathy and her husband were known alcoholics in the Lima Sands area and many times they had arguments which resulted in fights. “Some time when we go over and them a fight, them would say, is joke.” The family members said that they often kept their distance since the couple, who usually drinks heavily and engages in frequent fist fights would tend to reconcile afterwards. Police at the Anna Regina Police Station were summoned to the area where they have since transported the woman to the Suddie Funeral Parlor. Investigations are ongoing. Meanwhile, a neighbour
launched weekly attacks on the entity. At first, the party sought to extensively criticize the Commission’s choice of Richard Francois as Public Relations Officer; even calling for him to be removed. Just last week, Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee, asserted that his Party is also concerned about the reduced number of registration centres within large communities even though there is an overall increase in registration centres countrywide. Rohee, who is also General Secretary of the PPP, chided the Commission, stating that the placement of offices for Claims and Objections reflects a “bias and lack of objectivity.” He then called on GECOM to also ensure persons recruited to work on Election Day are selected through a transparent process so as to gain the nation’s acceptance of the results. Rohee also renewed his party’s call for public vetting of all polling day staff. Surujbally told members of the media, yesterday, that GECOM will do nothing to compromise an election. He said for the upcoming election, some 12000 people will be employed; surpassing the amount of persons employed by any other entity in Guyana. He assured that the Commission has a process of employment which ensures
that staffers are 100% screened. The staffers, he said, will be informed that they cannot be compromised and must put partisan politics aside for loyalty to GECOM. He urged reporters to also fulfill this mandate and be fair and accurate in their reporting. “We want an election that is peaceful, we want an election that is not scandalous,” Dr. Surujbally stressed, while urging that journalists be more responsible in their coverage of Guyana’s elections. He said, too, that an “election is the single most important tile in the mosaic of democracy,” hence it is important to note that GECOM’s team will do nothing to negatively affect the conduct of elections.” Also speaking at the session was Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield who informed that GECOM has already commenced preparation for the May 11 polls. He told members of the media that the entity is currently conducting the Claims and Objections exercise. He explained that the Claims and Objections period is the “Step One” in the Commission’s work plan for the conduct of the upcoming May 11 General and Regional Elections. This period will allow eligible electors who meet the specific requirements to gain entry onto the
Preliminary List of Electors, (PLE) securing them their voting rights. This period also provides a window of opportunity to persons already registered and who are desirous of having changes and/or have corrections made to their registration information currently entered on the Preliminary Voters’ List. Electors already registered can request a transfer if they have moved from one sub division to another, or from one registration area to another. Lowenfield noted that this period, which started last Monday (February 9), has seen “quite an amount of transfers by electors.” During the one-day exercise, the GECOM team took time to walk media operatives through the electoral process. About 30 reporters were given an insight on the staff roles and responsibilities to even the declaration of results, among other things. GECOM is the entity that is responsible for the administration and conduct of elections in Guyana. GECOM is headed by a Chairman and six Commissioners and is supported by core staff in its Secretariat. The work of the Commission is supplemented in its elections preparation and administration by thousands of temporary staff. GECOM is an autonomous body.
Police detain three for Black Bush robbery
Widower Annurid said that she heard sounds emanating from the dead woman’s house. It sounded like someone was hitting her with a piece of wood. She said that after the dead woman’s screams subsided, there were no other sounds until they learnt of the woman’s death later Saturday morning. The dead woman had one adult son. He is 23 years old.
Three men are in custody as police continue their investigations into the robbery of a Black Bush farmer and his family. The police are hunting the bandits who robbed Black Bush Polder cash crop farmer Chandradat Roopnarine, called “Blacks”, 62; his wife Seelana Roopnarine, 58, a house wife; and his daughter, Rakeel Roopnarine, 24, all of Lot 29 Johanna, Black Bush Polder. The family members were all at home on Monday evening when they were robbed by the three armed bandits. The family who lived in a
two flat wooden house was robbed of $260,000 in local currency, US$800, two gold bangles worth $260,000, one gold chain and one cell phone. The men who were armed with one long gun and two cutlasses were dressed in dark coloured clothing, long sleeve shirts and gloves. According to Roopnarine, it was around 23:45 hrs when they heard a loud explosion. The man stated that after that he heard loud knocking on one of the doors of his house. He decided to get out of bed to investigate and was confronted by the three bandits. He was ordered to
lie flat on the ground as the men made demands for cash and jewelry. He was relieved of whatever jewelry he was wearing. His family was accosted and relieved of the jewelry they were wearing also even as the men proceeded to ransack the house. After finding the above mentioned items the men made good their escape. The police were informed and responded promptly. However the men had made their escape. Acting on information, the police arrested the three known characters. They are still hunting a few others.
Sunday February 15, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Cash jet pilot opts out of trial, settles for plea deal Embattled Guyanese pilot, Khamraj Lall, who was spectacularly busted with over US$600,000 in undeclared cash on board his jet by Puerto Rico authorities in November, is buckling under pressure and seems all set to make a plea deal. In applications filed Friday for the February 23 trial date to be postponed, Lall’s lawyer, Rafael Lang, disclosed that a plea bargain is being actively pursued but additional time of one month is needed. The Defence is asking permission for the matter to be transferred from Puerto Rico to New Jersey for purposes of plea and sentencing. It is unlikely that Lall will even be going to trial because of the plea bargain proceedings that will be pursued. The Puerto Rico court had scheduled a pre-trial for Tuesday and trial for February 23. “It is impossible for the parties to conclude plea bargain negotiations by that time. Under the above circumstances the Court should extend the time period for the parties to finalize plea negotiations an additional 30 days,” said the application filed in the court. Lang said that US Government does not oppose the extension of time to conclude plea negotiations. Lall’s case has been generating much attention in
Plea deal: Captain Khamraj Lall Guyana, Puerto Rico and mainland US, because of the amount of cash that he was found with. Earlier this month, the US Government filed applications in the District Court of Puerto Rico to seize the jet which was reportedly used in the illegal transport of the cash. Assistant United States Attorney, Maritza Gonzalez, said that the forfeiture of the plane is in keeping with the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure. The plane in question is a 1988 fixed wing, multi-engine Israel aircraft bearing FAA registration N822QL. It is one of the aircraft that Lall has been using to fly to Guyana. Also to be seized are the related aircraft maintenance log books and other records. Lall, who owns Kaylees
The jet that US Government has moved to seize. Gas Station in Coverden, East Bank Demerara, was arrested by airport authorities in Puerto Rico in November, after his jet made a stop to refuel, on its way to Guyana. Stashed in different parts of the plane was more than US$600,000 that prosecutors say was not declared by Lall. He reportedly took responsibility for the cash at the time of arrest. On board were his father and another person. The pilot, who also owns a limousine service in Guyana, had flown President Donald Ramotar on occasions on the private jet. His company, Exec Jet Club, has a private hangar at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport. There were swirling questions over the operations of the hangar and its accessibility. Government had denied
Cop ends up on ‘Cloud Nine’ after smoking a joint A cop ended up on cloud nine yesterday afternoon when he and a colleague entered a popular city drug yard and smoked a joint. The policeman, who has been identified as Forde, collapsed instantly and had to be rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). He reportedly became semiconscious. When Kaieteur News visited him at the hospital, he was heard communicating with one of his relatives in a language no one ever heard of before. The female relative looked puzzled but at the same time, tried to calm him down. The on-duty cop, who is stationed at the Brickdam Police Station, reportedly overdosed on alcohol and marijuana, according to the Doctor’s report. According to information, it is a norm for some ranks to enter drug yards around the city and in the process of seizing the illegal substance, would also take a smoke. Some ranks, according to sources, would take weed
The policeman being taken into the Emergency Unit by a relative
from the small drug dealers in exchange for not arresting them. A police source said that a dealer probably got tired of having to give ranks drugs so often and instead mixed the wrong stuff and offered him.
Kaieteur News was told that the cop collapsed immediately after taking the first pull. A senior police officer was present at the hospital yesterday. The cop’s colleague has been taken into custody.
that it granted the company any special privileges and said that the operations were in keeping with regulations. Exec Jet has reportedly also closed its Gainesville, Florida Office because of the troubles. In addition to charges related to bulk cash smuggling, Lall is in deep trouble with the US authorities who by law can seize properties that are linked to illegal transactions. As Puerto Rico is a territory of the US, the country’s tax body, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), had stepped into the matter, going after 14 bank accounts, a Lexus car, and two planes, including the jet that Lall used on that fateful flight. Two weeks after he was arrested in Puerto Rico, US tax authorities, on December 8, filed a civil case in New Jersey. They were able to seize US$442,743.59 from accounts controlled by Lall and his companies. This is in addition to the US$600,000 that was found on the jet in Puerto Rico, and which is subject to seizure too. Investigators, apparently working on information, started tracking Lall’s deposits to accounts held at Wells Fargo, Citibank and JP Morgan and found startling evidence that between April
2011 and September 2014, the pilot and family members deposited an astounding US$6,324,411.41 (G$1.3B). There were over a thousand transactions. The IRS believes that a scheme was devised where Lall and others deliberately deposited less than US$10,000 each time in attempts not to trigger suspicion by banks which are mandated to report transactions above that amount. Lall’s wife, Nadinee and mother Joyce, were named in the transactions. Investigators tracking the money said that Lall and his family had properties in New Jersey, Florida and New York. The US Government said that it is not yet requesting seizures of properties that the Lalls control in three states but intends to do so, as proceeds of the deposits were used to renovate or pay mortgages. According to the US Government, when domestic financial institutions, including banks and money service businesses, are involved in a transaction for the payment, receipt, or transfer of United States currency in an amount greater than $10,000, the institution is required to file a currency transaction report (“CTR”) for each cash transaction, such
as, by way of example, a deposit, withdrawal, exchange of currency, or other payment or transfer by, through, or to a financial institution. “Many individuals involved in illegal activities, such as tax evasion, money laundering, and narcotics trafficking, are aware of the reporting requirements and take active steps to cause financial institutions to fail to file CTRs in order to avoid detection of the movement of large amounts of cash.” The court documents said that Lall and his family and others “structured” their payments deposit below US$10,000. Lall, who was ordered to relinquish his pilot’s licences last month, was said to own and operate Exec Jet Club (“EJC”) and Exec Jet Sales (“EJS”), which were operated from a hanger located at Gainesville Regional Airport, Florida. Joyce Lall, his mother, was said to have controlled Kaylees Investments (“Kaylees”) and Shannon Investments (“Shannon”), which appear to be real estate and investment holding companies. These structured funds were used, in part, to purchase and improve the Lalls’ properties, aircraft, and Lexus.
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Sunday February 15, 2015
APNU, AFC tie the Inspire Inc. commences Phagwah Festival preparations knot for May 11 polls By Abena Rockcliffe
One of the many scenes from last year’s event. Inspire Inc. announces its grand plans for Phagwah Festival 2015. This annual event is planned once again for the Guyana National Stadium on March 6, next. The programme commences at 15:00 hours. Phagwah Festival has become a huge event on the national calendar. Thousands converge at the National
Stadium every year. Last year it was estimated that more than 30,000 persons visited the Stadium for the event which featured a cultural show and Phagwah fun for everyone. What is unique about this particular event hosted annually by Inspire Inc, is its convergence of all races and religions in Guyana in one
grand family-based outing. Inspire Inc takes pride in presenting the festival as a true merger of colours in which everyone belongs. While there will be numerous fun-filled activities, water slides and sprinklerfun, there will also be a wide menu of foods available in the ground. As a non-alcoholic event, entire families come out and spend time together. The cultural event is being supported by Terry Gajraj, International Artiste who is well known for his performances on stage. This year, the show promises to be even bigger with more local and international stars accompanying Terry Gajraj on stage. Ishara Dance Troupe is also a great part of the programme with the famous Shivanie and team creating dance routines to send powerful messages to the audience. Collaborating with HUG (Hindus Unite for Guyana) and a number of social groups and businesses, this year promises to be bigger and more exciting. The buzz has started. Make your plans early to head down to the Stadium for Inspire Inc.’s Phagwah Festival.
It is official. A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) have decided to go to the polls as one. This was announced yesterday by Leader of APNU, David Granger, when the two parties hosted a joint press conference that served to make the unity known. Granger told reporters that following weeks of “intense high level negotiations” the APNU and AFC have arrived at an agreement titled the “Cummingsburg Accord.” Kaieteur News understands that the name resulted from the fact that all negotiations for the prodemocracy alliance were had at the Georgetown Club, Camp Street, Cummingsburg. Granger, who would be the Presidential candidate, told the media that the agreement was signed by both parties yesterday. Granger noted that both parties will contest the elections on a single list of candidates, APNU with the Presidential spot and AFC with the Prime Ministerial spot. He said that the Cummingsburg Accord assures the AFC of 12 seats in the National Assembly in the construct of a new government. Meanwhile, APNU will be allocated one Vice President and AFC two Vice Presidents both of whom will be members of the Cabinet. Granger said that “In reflecting the thinking and commitment to and for future constitutional reform it has been agreed that the Presidency will be reorganized. He said that the President is Head of State, Head of Government, Commander-inChief of the Armed Forces and shall have responsibility for the appointment of Constitutional Agencies and Commissions with the required and agreed
- Granger for President, Nagamootoo for Prime Minister
Leader of APNU, David Granger
AFC Vice-Chairman, Moses Nagamootoo
democratic mechanisms of consultation and appoint Foreign Affairs, International Relations and NonCommercial Treaties; National Security Policy, the Defence Board, The Joint Intelligence Committee and the Guyana Defence Force. Granger added that the Prime Minister will take charge of Domestic National Affairs and the Chairing of Cabinet.
development for our country as this new electoral alliance moves to put Guyana on the correct path, where all Guyanese regardless of ethnicity can feel fully motivated to be proud of his or her nation and is afforded the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the society while successfully caring for themselves and family.” He said that the
The leadership of both APNU and AFC pledge to lead our beloved country into a new dawn of national development, transparent governance, full accountability and invite all well thinking Guyanese to join in this important march as we give Guyana a second chance and to ensure you are on the right-side of history. Granger said that the Prime Ministerial candidate, who was later identified as Nagamootoo, will also take charge of recommending Ministerial appointments and providing the organizational structures of Ministries for the approval of the President; appointment of Heads of Agencies and NonC o n s t i t u t i o n a l Commissions with the required and agreed democratic mechanisms of consultation and appoint Domestic Security (Home Affairs). The Parties further agreed that Cabinet positions will allocated on a 60/40 basis between the APNU and the AFC respectively. Granger said that both the Representative of the list and the Speaker of The House will be mutually selected by both parties from independent members of civil society. Granger told the media, “This is an historic and watershed political
discussions were not easy and both parties had to give up some demands and “overcome decades of prejudices for us to have arrived at this most significant and momentous point of national renewal.” The politician pointed out at the gathering which also included officials from both parties, that the work has just begun. He noted, “We have no time to lose, starting immediately the General Secretaries of both parties will commence the process of combining our campaign teams into one unbeatable electoral machine to secure the victory this country urgently demands of us.’ Granger said that the leadership of both APNU and AFC “pledge to lead our beloved country into a new dawn of national development, transparent governance, full accountability and invite all well thinking Guyanese to join in this important march as we give Guyana a second chance and to ensure you are on the right-side of history.”
Sunday February 15, 2015
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Kaieteur News
IT'S SIMPLY NOT RIGHT! P
o l i t i c a l expediency is t r u m p i n g principles these days. This is no better illustrated than in the stance taken by opposition forces in relation to the promotion of two members of the Guyana Police Force who were allegedly implicated in the torture of a teenager, years ago. I say, allegedly, because these persons were placed before the courts on criminal charges but were never convicted. The case reportedly fell down on the basis that witnesses did not turn up to give evidence. We can say, therefore, that while the charges against the accused were not proven, they were equally not disproved. A person not convicted cannot be said to be a convict, can they? This is regardless of the opinion one may hold about those persons. This is the first principle that seems to have escaped the attention of the opposition parties that are railing against the two cops who were charged and freed of the offence of torture and who were recently promoted by the Police Service Commission. If the men were convicted, they would have automatically lost their jobs. But the fact that they were not convicted meant that they could only be sanctioned administratively. This sanction could have involved dismissal. It is possible to be dismissed administratively. Thus, if the investigative files were to be sent to the Police Service Commission as the basis of a complaint against the cops, the Police Service Commission could have launched disciplinary proceedings against the cops concerned. But the two cops concerned would have had the right to lead a defence. In
the absence of witnesses, it would have been difficult, but not impossible, for the c h a r g e s t o b e administratively upheld against them. The fact of the matter is that when the allegations of torture arose, there were demands for the men to be charged with a criminal act. In other words, no one was pressing for dismissal through disciplinary proceedings. There were demands for the men to be charged and placed before the courts. This is where the second principle comes in. If someone is charged by a higher tribunal, in this instance, the courts, and the charges are not upheld by the higher tribunal, then as a general rule, the persons should not later be convicted by a lower tribunal. If, for example, someone is found not guilty of a criminal offence by the High Court, then that person cannot be subsequently charged and freed of the same offence by the magistrates' court. The general rule is that a lower tribunal cannot overturn a charge of a higher tribunal. Adopting this principle, there may be the temptation to argue that since the men were freed in the magistrates' courts, they could not have been subject to disciplinary proceedings of any administrative tribunal established by the Police Service Commission. In other words, they could not be charged departmentally. This is the general rule. But an exception can be made in the case concerned. That exception can be made because in the magistrates' courts, the charges against the men were not disproved; they were simply not proved because of the absence of witnesses. Thus, the men in my humble estimation could have still been subject to
departmental proceedings. Whether they were I am not sure. But even if they were it would have been difficult, but not impossible, for the charges to be upheld in the absence of witnesses. The fact of the matter is that the men were no longer interdicted and therefore they were on the job and liable to the legitimate expectations of any employee of the Guyana Police Force. O n e o f t h o s e
expectations- and this is where I introduce the third principle- is that if you are working in a job and the position you hold allows for you to enjoy upward mobility, then you have a legitimate expectation to promotion. I find it absolutely appalling that the opposition parties in this country - which are holding themselves up as being suitable to take the reins of political power in this country - should be arguing that two policemen on the job
should not have been promoted. Are they saying that the fact that these men were accused in the past of an offence (which was never proved in a court of law) they should continue to work indefinitely without any possibility of promotion? That is crazy! If I am working in a job and I have performed satisfactorily then why should I not be eligible for promotion? What the opposition parties should be arguing is
that the men should have b e e n c h a r g e d departmentally. But there is no guarantee that such charges would have been upheld. But to say that having been on the job that they should not be promoted is simply not right.
Sunday February 15, 2015
Kaieteur News
Deadline for ‘The Arts Journal’ hopefuls is April 30 The next issue of THE ARTS JOURNAL, Volume 10 Numbers 1 & 2, will feature the short story. Writers of this genre are invited to submit two unpublished short stories each by 30th April, 2015. Writers between the ages of 18 and 30 years who reside in Guyana or the Caribbean region will qualify. All submissions must be in the English language or translated to the English. Stories should be between 1500 and 2500 words. Writers will be paid for their work if their stories are selected to appear in The Arts Journal Volume 10 Numbers 1 & 2. Submissions for consideration may be sent as e-mail attachments in Microsoft Word version 2003 or later File Format to The Editor, The Arts Journal: theartsjournal@live.co.uk Brief biographical data of not more than fifty words must accompany each submission. For more details please write to the same e-mail address above.
A bombshell is about to drop that will change the views many people hold about an incident that occurred more than three decades ago. Not too many people talk about things because they want to be ignored for the greater part. However, there are those who are keen to set the record straight and one man will be doing this very soon.
**** Crime is always there and many don’t even accept the situation. A fun-loving couple would suddenly be confronted with a horrible situation at the end of a party. But as fate would have it, neighbours can sometimes be very useful, especially if one of them is armed. **** An outing would end in disaster. For some strange reason people still drown at resorts. There will be another such drowning in the coming days. The individual would simply go missing and his relatives would suspect foul play.
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Sunday February 15, 2015
Killing the ex-vice chairman - What happened to Ramnauth Bisram stunned his community… but what happened to his alleged killers outraged a country By Michael Jordan At around 16:00 hrs on October 26, 2009, a man entered the Lot 11 North Section, Canal Number Two home of former Region Three Vice Chairman Ramnauth Bisram. The man, a relative, was worried because he had not heard from the 55-year-old Bisram. He would later tell police that upon entering the yard, he observed that the back door was open. The relative then entered the fourbedroom house and soon discovered why the owner had failed to answer. Lying on the floor, in a pool of his own blood, was Ramnauth Bisram. He had been stabbed multiple times to the back, abdomen and other parts of the upper body. A knife, suspected to be the murder weapon, was lying near the corpse. According to the relative, Bisram’s wedding ring and another ring that he always wore were missing, while a suitcase had also been ransacked. News of Ramnauth Bisram’s death soon spread through the community and a crowd gathered at his home. A team of detectives was there, too, searching for clues
Teenage torture victim Twyon Thomas about the killers. There was no sign of forced entry. This led to the belief that the killers had either gained entry through the back door, which was left open, or that the victim had unwittingly let them in. Bisram, one of the community’s most prominent residents, lived alone, since his wife and four children had migrated to the United States a few years earlier. Investigators were certain that he was familiar with his attackers, and that this was no random crime by vagrants in the area. There was suspicion that the retired official’s lifestyle
Ramnauth Bisram
Freed murder accused Deonarine Rafick
Sergeant Narine Lall: Promoted to Inspector
Constable Mohanram Dolai: Promoted to Corporal
might have contributed to his brutal demise. According to reports from villagers and
some investigators, Bisram was rather over-friendly with some young men in his community, and would occasionally let them visit his home. Police began to focus on villagers who had reportedly visited Bisram on the day of his death. A few days later, they detained Deonarine Rafick, Nouravie Wilfred and a 15year-old boy, who were all residents of Canal Number Two. Police reports alleged that the teenager, Twyon Thomas, had visited the premises to do some work around the house. The case appeared to be proceeding like any normal investigation. But shortly after the arrests, an informant
provided Kaieteur News with disturbing photographs of the arrested teen. The pictures showed the young man’s badly burnt privates. Other persons alleged that the lad, who was arrested at night at his home, was taken to the Leonora Police Station, where two police ranks, whom they identified, placed a bag over his head, soaked his genitals with methylated spirits, then set his privates alight. With his face still covered, he was seen at the Leonora Police Station by a police physician, but was not taken to a hospital. The boy’s mother and stepfather were not allowed to see him and had no idea where he was being kept. Relatives of the other detained men also alleged that the suspects were brutalised while in custody by two rogue policemen who were trying to squeeze confessions out of them. On November 1, 2009, the country was shocked when Kaieteur News published a graphic photograph of the teen’s injuries. That very day, he was released from custody and admitted to hospital. By then, police had charged Deonarine Rafick with Bisram’s murder. The accused appeared in court showing visible head injuries. But shortly after, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) ordered that the charges be withdrawn. By now, all attention had moved from the murder victim to the three accused and the three policemen accused of their torture. Sergeant Narine Lall, Constable Mohanram Dolai and Corporal Oswald Foo, were charged with the unlawful and felonious wounding of Rafick and Wilfred. Lall and Dolai were also
charged with unlawfully wounding the teenage boy. The boy’s attorney, Khemraj Ramjattan, filed a $25M lawsuit seeking damages against the Attorney General of Guyana, the Commissioner of Police, and the two ranks implicated in his torture, Sergeant Narine Lall and Constable Mohanram Dolai. But the alleged victims, Deonarine Rafick, Nouravie Wilfred and Twyon Thomas, failed to appear in court to testify against the accused policemen. In June 2011, a court awarded $6.5M in damages to Twyon Thomas. The Attorney General was also ordered to pay $100,000 in costs, while Sergeant Narine Lall and Constable Mohanram Dulai, the two policemen accused of torturing Thomas, were ordered to pay $75,000 each in costs. Justice Roxanne George also criticized the actions of Dr. Mahendra Chand, the police doctor who had examined the injured teen while he was in custody at the Leonora Police Station, as lacking “sensitivity and professionalism.” Last year, the case again grabbed the attention of the press, politicians and the public, when Sergeant Narine Lall was promoted to the rank of Inspector, and Dolai to the rank of Corporal. Defending this decision, Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud said that Lall and Dolai were not found guilty during a criminal trial because their accuser, Twyon Thomas, did not turn up in court to testify. “We have a policy on disciplining of ranks. Ranks who have been charged and go before the court, if they are convicted, they are dismissed. If they are exonerated, then they become a member of the force,” the Commissioner said. With all the controversy, the murder victim, Ramnauth Bisram, has been all but forgotten. Will his killers ever be caught? If you have any information about an unsolved murder or disappearance, please contact us at our Lot 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown location. You can also contact us on telephone numbers: 2258465, 22-58491 or 2258458. You can also contact Michael Jordan on his email address:mjdragon@ hotmail.com
Sunday February 15, 2015
Kaieteur News
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== THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN ==
Desmond Hoyte Part 2: I have been accused of deception I had lunch the other day with Ivan Bentham of the youth arm of the AFC, and Michael Carrington, of that party’s senior leadership, at a restaurant that has mountains of memories for me. When I become a homeless man, I will take up residence outside of Idiho Restaurant, which is the southern wing of Demico at Stabroek Market Square. Idiho Restaurant has many deep memories for me that maybe in Freudian ways explain why I am drawn to it. I am normally there one night of every week; sometimes it is more than one night. It was at Idiho late an evening, while devouring a sundae, that Vincent Britton of the secretariat of the Ministry of National Development came up to me and said, “The Comrade Leader would like to see you.” I had just won the President’s Medal at UG and President Burnham wanted to see me. I will refrain from telling readers how I reacted to Vincent’s invitation, but you can put it down to the misplaced exuberance and consistent stupidity of youth (still fond of Vincent; hear he still visits Guyana) but I turned it down. I really didn’t have time for Burnham’s bull. I know he would have
painted a glorious record of his achievements and would have offered me a position. Burnham was extremely livid at me for rejecting his hand and he never forgave me. Shortly after, he banned me from working and repeated that edict when I came home in 1984. Despite that personal acidity with Burnham, I still think he was a fierce nationalist who did good for Guyana (don’t forget he did bad too). It was at Idiho that I limed with my girlfriend, Janet, before we got married. Most afternoons after I picked her up from work from the Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation in Kingston, we could be found at Idiho. Back to lunch with Bentham and Carrington. This pretty young lady, with utter brazenness, came to our table, sat uninvited, and with a smile broader than the three great rivers of Guyana, said I am a deceptive person. Her explanation was that she read where I had written that I would offer Lisa Ramotar, the President’s daughter, examples of where Guyanese were denied employment, and that her father’s government was directly involved. Still retaining her gargantuan smile, she said since then she
has been buying the KN to see the examples. Ivan Bentham and Michael Carrington knew she was kidding, and their smiles were as large as hers. She was right. I never followed up on that statement. I concede I was deceptive to not follow-up. But I will. Her nice accusation reminded me of two reminders I received. On Thursday June 19, 2014, I published the following column; “Desmond Hoyte was one of the best leaders of the post-colonial world: Part 1.” I never got down to part 2 after eight months. I need to write part 2; I owe it to those two persons who reminded me. Here now is part two, even though it is an abbreviated analysis. Hoyte will remain a giant in the Third World because he was endowed with a rare leadership quality – the capacity to take high risk. The great singer/social activist, Joan Baez, said this was the weakness she found in
President Obama; he is not a risk-taker. The presidency of Hoyte was characterized by phenomenal transformational pathways and high risktaking. Perhaps in the area of ethnic reconciliation, Hoyte stands out in the Third World. Hoyte made overtures to the Indian community that were only marred by his omission of the Indian rural proletariat. I believe had he not lost power, he would have reaped extensive profits in the investment of ethnic reconciliation. Perhaps his great gamble, for which he should find a
place in any textbook on comparative politics, was his transformation of the state to effect his twin policy of perestroika and abertura (the latter is the Spanish word Latin social scientists used to refer to democratic opening). Hoyte took huge risks in demobilizing the Burnhamite state, so that he could pursue the democratic transformation of Guyana. It is not that he did not like the Burnhamite apparatchiks he inherited in 1985 when Burnham died. Hoyte felt that these people were steeped in primitive ways, had ancient loyalties
Frederick Kissoon and old animosities. They would have undermined his policy of changing the guards. For example, there was no way Elvin Mc David would have allowed Hoyte to bring back capitalism and restore liberal constitutionalism. For me, Hoyte remains the greatest leader in the history of this country, outside of the slave rebellions of 1763 and 1823. He is a Guyanese hero.
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Sunday February 15, 2015
THE MINISTRY OF STUPIDITY It is easy to underestimate the damage that has been caused to the image of this country and the injury that has been inflicted on citizens by the stupidity of the Ministry of Home Affairs. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carolyn RodriguesBirkett, has had the unpleasant task of attending meetings of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, at which Guyana’s human rights situation comes under review. She has had to explain the excesses of the Guyana Police Force, especially with regard to extrajudicial killings and torture. International criticism of Guyana’s human rights
record has been unrelenting. US representative Divya Khosia told the Working Group in January: “We remain deeply concerned by continued and widespread reports of excessive violence by police officers. Instances of police brutality, especially against those held in custody, and the slow pace of investigations and judicial proceedings, foster a perception of impunity and a lack of accountability.” Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee has ministerial responsibility for the Guyana Police Force. He is well aware of the problem of police ‘excesses’ but seems to ignore their impact on the country and its people. Rather than expel the rogue policemen who are known to have been engaged in these excesses, the Ministry, in this most recent egregious example, allowed them to be promoted to higher rank. It is plain stupid to retain torturers in the Force. It not only fosters a culture of impunity, but also
encourages ‘copycat’ crimes of a similar nature by other members of the Force, most recently by a cadet officer who shot a suspect in his mouth. The case of Twyon Thomas has exposed the character of officials’ attitudes to the crime of torture. The efforts of the People’s Progressive Party Civic administration, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Guyana Police Force and the Police Service Commission to promote two subordinate officers of the Guyana Police Force who were accused of the torture of a 15-year old boy are shameful. Thomas was arrested by the Police following the murder of Ramnauth Bisram at his home in the Canal No 2 Polder on the West Bank Demerara on 26th October 2009. Bisram was the PPPC’s former Vice-Chairman of the Essequibo Islands-West Demerara Region. There is no denial of the fact that, after his arrest, the boy was tortured in police custody.
Heeralall Mackhanlall, head of the Force’s Office of Professional Responsibility, did in fact investigate the crime and determined that the two policemen actually ‘tortured’ the victim by pouring methylated spirits on his genital area and setting it alight. The Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee did in fact acknowledge, in 2009, that the boy was tortured. He is reported to have said: “…It appears that the investigating ranks went to the outer limits permissible…from all indications, they crossed the line to physical coercion and instead of applying psychological pressure to the suspect, third-degree methods were used which in today’s context constitutes an inexcusable wrong doing.” Rohee, however, unwisely left the matter there. The case of Twyon Thomas engaged the courts. Magistrate Priya Beharry first heard the criminal case against the policemen, of unlawful wounding of the teenager, at the Magistrate’s Court on 25th November 2009. Justice Roxanne George, in a 36-page ruling handed down on 17th June 2011, found that Thomas’s fundamental rights had been violated and, after describing the case as constituting “torture,” awarded the victim G$6.5 million. The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shalimar Ali-Hack was fully involved in the process. She issued a ‘Letter of Discontinuance’ which effectively terminated criminal proceedings against the persons suspected of
murdering Ramnauth Bisram. The DPP also ordered that a charge of ‘Felonious wounding’ (not torture) be brought against the policemen Narine Lall, Mohanram Dolai and Deryck Foo, to be disposed of summarily. The civil matter was filed against the Attorney General of Guyana, and the Commissioner of Police, Sergeant Narine Lall and Constable Mohanram Dolai. The Attorney General was also ordered to pay $100,000 in costs while Sergeant Narine Lall and Constable Mohanram Dolai, the two policemen accused of torturing Thomas, were ordered to pay $75,000, each, in costs. Seelall Persaud, who was head of the Criminal Investigation Department in 2009 at the time of the ‘torture’ incident by two detectives under his command – Lall and Dolai – has now been elevated to the position of acting Commissioner of Police. The names of the two accused torturers have suddenly reappeared. The Guyana Police Force, under Persaud’s command, published an order on 2nd January 2015 indicating that Sergeant Narine Lall had been promoted to the rank of inspector and Constable Mohanram Dolai had been promoted to the rank of Corporal. These two subordinate officers are the same men who had been charged in court charged with “intent to maim, disfigure, disable or cause him grievous bodily harm’ to the victim Twyon Thomas. Omesh Satyanand, Chairman of the Police Service
Commission (PSC), seemed to see nothing wrong with the strange recommendation for promotion of the two men. He stated plainly: “We should not hold something against someone because they would have committed something wrong…even though you have served the time for it and I think the public should understand that. From our record, he [Lall] has been an outstanding policeman for over two decades and we have taken that into consideration.” Dr Roger Luncheon, Head of the Presidential Secretariat, similarly, blandly stated on 28th January 2015: “I think there was a satisfaction with the [PSC’s] commission’s contention that the law had taken its course…The disciplinary actions had been implemented and there was no need to deny… these policemen’s promotion.” The Ministry of Home Affairs cannot escape responsibility for this outrageous attempt to impose these men on an unsuspecting country. It is plain stupid to ignore everything that has happened over the past six years and promote these two subordinate officers. The crime has already damaged the country’s reputation in the international community. It is draining confidence from the Force. The PPPC should be reminded that the government is a signatory to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Torture is a ‘crime against humanity’ and torturers are “the common enemies of all mankind.”
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Kaieteur News
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MY COLUMN
Cast your bread upon the waters A few days ago I got the news that some young gunmen stuck up pathologist Nehaul Singh, took his money and his phone, then locked him with others in a bathroom. The mental picture brought many memories flooding back. For one, Nehaul has been dealing with death almost all his adult life. I didn’t ask him how he felt when he had a gun to his head. I suppose there were the nervous jitters, but I am told that he even had time to laugh during the episode. Perhaps he concluded that one day he would be standing with a scalpel in his hand about to dissect the person who actually threatened him with death. Life is like that. I remember going to a man for a favour many years ago and the person looked on me as though I had filth smeared all over me. It hurt back then, but as I walked away I heard my mother saying to me, “What goes around comes around.”
She must have been clairvoyant, because not too long after this very person came to me for a favour. I looked at him then asked, “Do you remember me?” When he had ignored me, he was a senior government officer. He had power, or so he thought. He said that he did not remember me, so I refreshed his memory. His eyes bulged, then he swallowed. And I sat there, not even offering him a seat. I heard my mother’s voice again, “What goes around comes around.” The anger left me and I helped the once arrogant brute. I have seen him a few times since then, but I always try to avoid any long conversation, because the anger always comes flooding back. And so it will be with Nehaul. What goes around always comes around. I remember a former employee of the then Guyana Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s Corporation named Neville (?)
Bastiani. He once lived at Bartica. He too was arrogant. He mistreated his wife and some said that he even kicked her once. Lo and behold, I saw him in a wheel chair rolling down the streets of Georgetown. He had lost a leg. Worse, he had lost his home and family, and was then a resident of the Palms. He got beaten there and as he showed me the marks he burst into tears. What goes around comes around. There are many such cases, too numerous to recall. Some people call it retribution. When I was a young man I thought that retribution was something that visited you after you are dead; that it was something for which you paid in the afterlife, if ever there is one. But I came to the grim reality that retribution visits you in your lifetime. As young men we try to play the field, sometimes making a mess of some poor
young girl. Retribution then steps in some time later. We end up with a woman who plays us more than necessary. Some of us kill, some of us turn to drinks and hug the pavements, and some of us simply sit and cry. It is not that I am trying to preach morality or anything like that. It is just that my mind keeps harking back to the little things that some of us take for granted. Cast your bread upon the waters and it will come back manifold, they say. Well if you cast your bread on the water it will swell so large, but you wouldn’t be able to eat it. Yet there must be something to this thing about giving to get. I see people who give to beggars getting so much more. But I would advise against rushing out to give to any and every beggar. Some of them are richer than you are. Some simply want a drink or a smoke. When my son died last
October, I couldn’t believe that there were so many people in my corner. They propped me up and they still keep me going. Had I been an uncaring soul I would have been left to suffer on my own. I always remember my early days when I got. I have tried to give back to some of those who helped me, but it is almost impossible to do that, so I try to reach out to others. I recall a young woman who came to Glenn Lall for help to complete her legal studies. Today, Mr Lall seems to be reaping the blessings, although at times he does not feel that he is getting any blessing. I couldn’t help but notice that many who dragged him before the courts have backed off. It must have had to do with other people whispering in their ears. The other day, though, he must have felt that the gods were against him. He got caught in the blizzard that pummeled the East Coast of
Adam Harris North America. When I spoke to him on Skype I was shocked. He looked as if he had pushed his face into a pot of boiling water. I wasn’t surprised when he nearly cried that he wanted to come home. Perhaps he cried when he was outside my eyesight.
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Priority task is to combat inequality By Moses Nagamootoo and Sasenarine Singh Guyana has an extremely unequal distribution of income and wealth. The National Bureau of Economic Research disclosed unsatisfactory income and consumption expenditure distribution in our society. Jamaica, Barbados and Trinidad all tested better than Guyana on the measure of inequality. Other measures of inequality, as cited from the World Bank, illustrate that in Guyana “the richest 20 percent of the population controls 50 percent of the income, while the poorest 20 percent only controls 4 percent”. This reprehensible track record of the Jagdeo/Ramotar PPP regime clarifies our prognosis that this cabal continues to take our people for a ride on their highway of unending poverty. As was dramatized in the tiff between Kaieteur News publisher, Mr. Glenn Lall and the Commissioner-General of the Guyana Revenue
Authority, selective enforcement of tax regimes tend to ease some and squeeze others. This would foster greater inequality of income and wealth between the rich and the poor. MENU OF TAX MEASURES In 2011, the AFC put forward a menu of tax measures to attack this imposed regime of inequity. Sadly, the do-nothing regime simply continued the economic malaise in the nation, and compounded it with increased financial waste and squandermania. The visionless regime simply held out several ill-designed, Ponzi scheme projects, as “mega development”. Without any shame whatsoever, the regime admitted that it lost $900 million in a glorified fraud in the Specialty Hospital fiasco. Instead of accepting blame, the regime blamed the AFC for the criminal waste of our valuable financial resources on a fly-by-night project in which the contractors only showed a dozen heaps of dirt (which were dubbed “the Dirty Dozen”) at the
Turkeyen location. Those heaps cost us $900 million. The drain on public resources which could be better spent on job creation, agrarian and manufacturing expansion and youth skills promotion, has been exemplified by the $47 billion dumped on the Skeldon Sugar Factory, which has become Jagdeo’s best albatross around the neck of the Guyanese people. “Mr. Fix It” brought in experts from everywhere, who had no clues as to why this new, modern factory was producing sugar at twice the cost of the colonial factory that was constructed more than 50 years ago. Today, job security for sugar workers has been put at risk. So as a result of this and many other half-baked projects, the debt repayment bill has gone up. According to the Bank of Guyana, external debt service increased by 12.6% to G$5,250 million by June 2014. Even domestic debt servicing with the local financial sector consumed some G$628 million for the same period. The Bank
of Guyana further projected that total domestic debt and external debt service is set to increase in the future. When we ask about the status of our national debt and our international reserves, the regime gets hyper! What have been lacking are schemes that could put more money into the pockets of the workers, better incentives that encourage entrepreneurs to make greater investments in their businesses. As part of the Government-in-Waiting, the AFC intends to go all out to grow our people out of poverty. This would be achieved by putting industry on a firmer economic footing. The AFC will cut the Corporation Tax for the manufacturing sector, and for innovative ventures such a bio-technology, pharmaceutical and renewable energy. WHAT THE AFC WILL DO FOR THE WORKERS The AFC will: . Provide a living wage . Respect public service employees, and restrict contract employees . Increase the income tax threshold to G$75,000 per month for workers by the end of its first term in office to ensure that working families
and those depending on one income, can have more resources to take care of their highest priority - their families. . Introduce a new Child Tax Credit for each child in a home, because we really care. . Reduce VAT. . Restructure and reform the GRA to make it more independent and empowered to claw back the billions lost to the tax dodgers. . Appoint a Tax Reform Commission to explore additional options to put more money into the pockets of the hardworking families. . Deliver a smaller government bureaucracy, cut waste on overseas travels for the bureaucrats, adjust super salaries for the “fat cats”, eliminate sinecure jobs for retired politicians. OUR COMMITMENT The AFC will: . Work hard to reduce the economic divide between the rich and the poor. . Combat corruption at all levels to ensure more moneys move from the under-ground economy to the formal economy. . Review all contracts and arrangements that placed national assets and national resources into the hands of a few cronies, to enable their unjust enrichment at the expense of the masses of
Moses Nagamootoo working poor and poor families. . Incentivize all owners of wealth to pay their fair share of taxes and thus reducing the burden on the working poor. There would be amnesty for tax dodgers to come good. No more ferrying of moneys to multiple foreign bank accounts. The AFC sees the upcoming May 11, 2015 elections as a choice between Issues and Ethnicity. If the right choice eludes us, Guyana would become worse, and the gap between the majority poor and the few rich would widen. Guyanese would then have to vote with their feet, but the doors are closing, as the Ramotar regime is bent on antagonizing traditional, friendly states which have been a safe haven for us. For the AFC, we are optimistic: Better MUST come.
Sunday February 15, 2015
Kaieteur News
CEO, Bharrat Dindyal and Chairman, Winston Brassington
Parliament. Therefore, those complaints which were against the Minister in the Committee cannot be raised again. FULLYLOADED FISHING BOAT VANISHES FROM WHARF
SUNDAY SPECIAL CJ’S RULING ON NATIONALASSEMBLY IS ERRONEOUS – SIR FENTON RAMSAHOYE, S.C Distinguished Guyanese scholar, Sir Fenton Ramsahoye, is of the firm conviction that Chief Justice (ag), Ian Chang’s ruling which held that the National Assembly is not a supreme organ of democratic power, is entirely erroneous. Chang’s ruling was in relation to a constitutional challenge of the legality of the Broadcasting Authority brought by Broadcaster Jacob Rambarran, the owner of Rambarran Broadcasting Systems Limited (RBS 13) In his October 24, 2014 ruling, the Chief Justice who dismissed the case said that it was “legally misconceived.” Chang also discarded Rambarran’s argument that the system for granting licences was unlawful because it is solely controlled by the executive and disregards the National Assembly, through which the people exercise their sovereignty. Ramsahoye believes that the Chief Justice’s ruling is wholly wrong. He says the fact that its appeal which was registered since last October last year has not been heard up to this point is a national travesty. He explained that prior to the 2011 elections when former President Bharrat Jagdeo was obliged to leave office, he distributed broadcasting licences to several people and caused an outcry because only persons close to him benefitted. INEFFICIENCYAND WASTE…GPL FORKS OUT MILLIONS TO TRUCK FUELACROSS HARBOUR BRIDGE - TO NEW VREED-ENHOOP POWER PLANT Hours before the commissioning of one of Guyana’s modern power plants in West Bank Demerara, startling details emerged of the waste,
delays and mismanagement that has left consumers and taxpayers alike saddled with significant cost overruns. One of the major problems for the delayed, multi-billiondollar plant is the massive trucking of fuel to the Vreeden-Hoop facility across the Demerara River which is expected to continue for a while until fuel lines to a nearby new wharf, built specifically for this purpose, are operational. Those millions in additional costs will now have to be borne by consumers who are already complaining about the power situation and rates. They will question how the state-owned company is spending money. Because of the delays in construction, almost 20 trucks of fuel have to be transported across the Demerara Harbour Bridge daily. To make matters worse, because of weight restrictions of the bridge, the trucks are forced to take only about quarter of their capacity at a time. MONDAY EDITION FINANCE MINISTER ESCAPES PARLIAMENTARY SANCTIONS - COMPLAINTS RAISED AGAINST HIM IN 10TH PARLIAMENT CANNOT BE HEARD IN THE 11TH – SPEAKER Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman has stated that it would be difficult to blame one person or several, for the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh escaping sanctions which were expected to follow from referrals to the Privileges Committee for contempt of proceedings in the National Assembly. Dr. Singh will not have to face the committee since the Parliament has been prorogued and the President has announced a date for General Elections, which will mean that the National Assembly will be dissolved soon. The Speaker explained that once Parliament is prorogued and then dissolved, matters of the Tenth Parliament cannot be heard in the Eleventh
A D’Edward West Coast Berbice fisherman, Latchman Ramnarine, 63, is pleading for assistance to find his fishing boat and equipment, which were stolen from the Rosignol Fisherman Coop wharf two weekends ago. The 50-foot vessel, which was acquired less than a year ago was fully packed with all the necessary apparatus including a 300-pound seine, which cost over $3.5M, and was ready to sail when it was stolen. Ramnarine, who owns five fishing boats told Kaieteur News that he has been in the fishing business for over 15 years. He bemoans his losses and spoke of the lack of assistance he has been getting since his vessel disappeared “right under the eyes of the authorities.” The vessel, which is painted blue at the top and red at the bottom, was fitted with a 48 horse power engine. According to Ramnarine, after the boat came in, his fiveman crew took a few days off and decided that they would sail again last week Saturday. By the prior Thursday, the boat was packed with everything and was left on the wharf to sail early last Saturday morning. Ramnarine stated that he went to the wharf to ready the boat for his men to sail. But he got the shock of his life when he discovered that his boat was not there. He immediately called his workmen to inquire if they had moved the vessel, but got a negative response. They however have a sus-
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pect
in
mind.
TUESDAY EDITION GPL COMMISSIONS US$36M POWER STATION Guyana Power and Light (GPL) on Monday commissioned the company’s largest and most modern electricity generating plant at Vreed-enHoop, West Coast Demerara, Monday. The US$36M power plant and substation were two years in construction. President Donald Ramotar, along with several government ministers, and GPL executives were there for the commissioning. The new power plant will generate 26 megawatt of electricity that can power the whole of West Demerara, parts of Georgetown, and reach areas as far as Berbice. The peak capacity of West Demerara is 12 megawatts of power. The remainder from the Vreed-en-Hoop station would be sent to the Demerara and Berbice Interconnected systems. The redistribution is done through GPL’s Central Control Station in Sophia, Georgetown. With improved and modern technology, officials say that the wiring of electricity can be done in 10 minutes against the four hour time span experienced under the previous system. The positioning of other substations in strategic locations also makes it easy for GPL to transmit the necessary energy where required. For West Demerara in particular, as it relates to power generation the occurrence of blackouts is almost eradicated. GPL’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Bharat Dindyal, told the gathering of Government officials and special guests that the Vreed-en-Hoop Wartsila-built
President Ramotar and his entourage get a first hand review of operations in the control room
plant was in the making for some two years. It is the latest facility built in the 20-year relationship with Wartsila, a relationship that has provided some 110 MW of generating capacity with Regions Two, Three and Four. ELECTRICITY RATES TO FALL BY 10% FROM MARCH The country’s power company is set to lower its electricity rates by 10 per cent from next month, President Donald Ramotar has announced. The announcement came Monday from the Head of State as he commissioned the multi-billion new 26-megawatts power station of the Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) at Vreed-en-Hoop, West Bank Demerara. ”GPL has projected that based on fuel prices it will be able to implement a 10 per cent reduction in electricity costs across the board, starting with the consumption of electricity in March,” he said. According to the President, the planned reduction of GPL rates will follow another move by Government to drop the tax on gas prices by 30 per cent after oil prices on the world market fell sharply by about 50 percent. The idea was to ensure savings are passed on the consumers. Savings will see more disposal income being available to consumers, he said. WEDNESDAY EDITION GOVT. FURTHER DELAYS DISSOLUTION OF PARLIAMENT Despite previous announcements—by Head of the Presidential, Dr. Roger Luncheon—that President Donald Ramotar would have dissolved Parliament at least by February 9—Parliament
remains prorogued. When contacted Tuesday evening, President Ramotar acknowledged that Dr. Luncheon “may have” made this announcement, but noted that what Luncheon said obviously did not materialize. The President is now giving himself up to month end to dissolve the Parliament he prorogued three months ago. He told this publication that he will surely dissolve Parliament before the end of this month, in keeping with the specified period to ensure that elections are held on May 11. Ramotar however did not commit to a specific date, neither did he say why he made the decision to delay dissolution. GOVT. COMMITTED TO STARTAMAILA PROJECT BEFORE YEAR END – PRES. RAMOTAR - SITHE GLOBAL REPLACEMENT IDENTIFIED President Donald Ramotar has confirmed his government’s intention to commence the Amaila Falls Hydro Project before year end. The announcement came on Monday during the commissioning of the Guyana Power and Light (GPL)’s Vreed-en-Hoop Plant. During his feature address, the President spoke extensively on the various requirements of the country’s growing energy sector and highlighted that the Amaila Falls project remains at the top of the government’s to-do list. Ramotar said he is personally committed to seeing the project on stream; so much so, that another company – which he declined to name – has already been identified to replace Blackstone/ Sithe Global, the company that pulled out when government failed (Continued on page 37)
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Kaieteur News
Sunday February 15, 2015
Sunday February 15, 2015
Kaieteur News
NIS’ Chairman, Dr. Roger Luncheon, and General Manager, Doreen Nelson (From page 27)to get the opposition’s support on the project.
the Tactical Services Unit (TSU) in Eve Leary.
DATED DAMAGES AGAINST CONTRACTOR
FRIDAY EDITION
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
THURSDAY EDITION ONE MILLION NIS CONTRIBUTIONS IN LIMBO Government is mulling the possibility of allowing more input from a wide cross-section of society to chart the future of the National Insurance Scheme (NIS). The disclosure came from Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon Wednesday, as he admitted the scheme has run into a major problem. Workers inputting contributions from a manual to an electronic system have over a million contributions that cannot be processed in the system because of missing data such as names and NIS numbers. The entity is seriously thinking of going public to bring down those contributions which currently stand at just over 1.1 million. MORE ‘ROGUE COPS’ EXPOSED… OPR PROBES EXTORTION RACKETAT KURUPUNG POLICE STATION The Guyana Police Force is likely to face further questions about the quality of ranks it posts to the interior, following the exposure of an alleged extortion racket involving ranks stationed at Kurupung. The Office for Professional Responsibility (OPR) is said to be on the verge of completing an investigation into reports that six ranks from the Kurupung Police Station demanded $600,000 from some Belgian mining firm employees following a drug raid. The complaint was made in late January and the ranks, including a Lance Corporal, were placed under close arrest. At present, they are reportedly under open arrest at
WILL PRO-DEMOCRACY ALLIANCE WIDEN? …AFC COURTS TOP PPP MEMBERS 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 high-ranking 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 Thursday 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. TRUCKING OF FUEL TO V/HOOP…GPL NOT RULING OUT LIQUI-
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Opposition Leader, David Granger
Chief Justice (Ag), Ian Chang
Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh
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.
or provisions of the Financial Management and Accountability Act 2013, the application for the conservatory order in the form applied for is “misconceived and must be dismissed.” The Chief Justice noted that the court cannot nullify or limit in any way, whether directly or indirectly, the effect of the application of the constitution which it is sworn to uphold. Chang clarified that another reason existed for his declining the conservatory order. He said the remedies hoped for through this action are “declaratory in nature and substance.”
American political media strategist, Pennsylvanian political guru Mr. Joshua Morrow. According to Freedom House insiders, Morrow will bring the modern media messaging expertise necessary for a successful 2015 electoral campaign. Morrow is fresh off an almost successful stint as campaign manager for Shaugnessy Naughton in the Democratic primaries against Kevin Strouse. In the poorly funded Naughton campaign, Morrow showed his creativity in organizing a campaign using social media primarily. With the PPP’s tremendous war chest and an exceedingly favourable media environment, Morrow’s options for creativity are therefore virtually unlimited.
SATURDAY EDITION GOV’T SPENDING OF DISAPPROVED $4.5B ILLEGAL – COURT RULES Chief Justice (ag), Ian Chang has found Government’s expenditure of the $ 4.5 billion unapproved by the National Assembly last year to be illegal. However, he declined to grant the conservatory order sought by the plaintiff, Opposition Leader David Granger, to prevent the government from spending any further sums disapproved by the House. In his ruling, Chang went on to note that even though the expenditure of most of the disapproved programmes in 2014, not being for public service or for the services of the government would still not be authorized by Article 219 (3)
PPP HIRES US MEDIA EXPERT FOR ELECTION CAMPAIGN The People’s Progressive Party has retained the services of a highly respected
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Sunday February 15, 2015
Over-the-counter drug may work well for arthritis
Three daily doses of glucosamine and chondroitin may provide the same relief as a smaller dose of prescription celecoxib for people with severe pain from osteoarthritis, according to a randomized trial in four European countries. In the U.S., glucosamine and chondroitin are available as over-the-counter supplements so their formulations are not regulated like the prescription European version. “The Europeans have an advantage on us in this regard as glucosamine, chondroitin and the combination are all available as medications,” said Dr. Allen Sawitzke of the Rheumatology Division at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, a coauthor of the new study. “As such, their reliable composition and chemistry are more like assured,” he told Reuters Health by email. The U.S. supplement versions are less reliable in quality and quantity, Sawitzke said. The new trial included 606 patients over age 40 with moderate to severe pain from knee osteoarthritis living in France, Germany, Poland or Spain. Osteoarthritis, or wear and tear of the joints, affects more than a third of adults
over age 65 in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There is no cure. Treatments include physical therapy, medication and joint replacement. The study participants were randomly divided into two groups, one taking a daily combination of 400 milligrams chondroitin sulfate and 500 mg glucosamine hydrochloride (Droglican, made by Bioiberica S.A.). The other group took 200 mg of celecoxib (marketed by Pfizer as Celebrex, Celebra, Onsenal and others) every day. After six months, both groups had knee pain about half as severe as when they started, and similar reductions in joint swelling and stiffness and increased function, according to results in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. In U.S. drugstores, a three-month supply of glucosamine and chondroitin supplement costs around $30. Prescription celecoxib, a non-steroidal antiinflammatory pain reliever, can cost $130 per month, much more expensive than overthe-counter pain relievers, according to Consumer Reports. Both glucosamine and chondroitin are available
by prescription in Europe, but some advise against using them for osteoarthritis due to lack of evidence, the authors note. But the new study suggests that in combination they can be effective for osteoarthritis patients, especially for people with heart or gastrointestinal problems who may not be able to take an NSAID like celecoxib, the authors write. Celecoxib can cause serious side effects like high fever, noted coauthor Dr. Yves Henrotin, head of the Bone and Cartilage Research Unit at the University of Liège in Belgium. It can also cause ulcers and bleeding, according to the National Institutes of Health. “My recommendation is to consider a patient’s (other diseases) before treatment,” Henrotin told Reuters Health by phone. “For countries where the prescription preparations are available, the combination of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate appears to be as effective and at least as safe so might be the preferred way to start,” Sawitzke said. It may be considered in other countries as well, but will have to be monitored closely through the first months of use, he said.
Keys to Jamaica’s Athletic... (From page 34) of a physical therapist for coverage of training and competitive meets...The Jamaica Association of Sports Medicine reports that approximately twenty therapists regularly work with athletes. This is inadequate to provide coverage for annual track meetings; the various track clubs and all high school track teams." But that $64,000 question remains: Why do Jamaican sprinters dominate competitors from bigger, wealthier countries that possess all the resources at their disposal? 'Jamaica Gold' isn't conclusive and does not offer a
monolithic view on this highly charged debate. However, the theories advanced are valid and serve as pedagogical tool for further research. Feedback: glenvilleashby@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter@glenvilleashby Jamaican Gold: Jamaican Sprinters Edited by Rachael Irving and Vilma Charlton, 2010 Publisher: University of the West Indies Press, Jamaica ISBN 978-976-640-234-1 Available: amazon.com Ratings: Highly recommended
Sunday February 15, 2015
Kaieteur News
Rapper Drake surprises fans with album release Grammy-winning rapper Drake surprised fans by releasing an album on iTunes early on Friday, following in the footsteps of pop singer Beyonce, who put out her fifth studio album with no advance notice just over a year ago. The musician linked to the iTunes page of the 17-track album, entitled “If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late,” in a posting on Twitter. The record features guest artists including Lil Wayne, PARTYNEXTDOOR, and Travi$ Scott. Drake’s previous album, “Nothing Was the Same,” went straight to No. 1 on the weekly Billboard 200 album charts in October 2013. That studio album, his third, sold 658,000 copies in its first week. The move mirrors Grammy-winning pop singer Beyonce, who released her
self-titled 14-song, 17-video album on iTunes with no fanfare in December 2013. Drake has written numerous hits, including “The Best I Ever Had,” and “Started from the Bottom,” and all three of his previous albums debuted
at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 charts. The hashtag #IfYoureReadingThisItsTooLate was trending nationally on Twitter by early Friday morning, with many users praising the album.
Spectre: first official image of Daniel Craig on set The first official image of Daniel Craig filming the new James Bond film Spectre has been released. The image shows Craig in dark glasses on top of a mountain, during one of the movie’s major action sequences. Associate Producer, Gregg Wilson called the sequence “amazing”, “spectacular” and a “jewel in the crown” of the film. Fans have previously seen unofficial footage from the film shoot, after Craig was spotted travelling up the River Thames in a speedboat. Sanctioned footage from behind the scenes of the Austrian set, shows the filming of a car chase in the snow, with Bond grabbing a man from behind and shooting another one. It also reveals a large, glass building high up in the mountain, that could be the base for Spectre. Production Designer Dennis Gassner said the film company had searched through many countries to find the unique, modern facility. “I think that we are going to continue the history of the Bond films, making things that are exciting for the audience to look at,” he said. “And what could be more exciting than to be on top of the world?” The production manager admitted filming on the mountain was causing problems with altitude sickness and weather. But for Guardians of the Galaxy star Dave Bautista, who plays Mr Hinx, the setting was “very surreal”. “It looks like a painting, especially for me,” he said.
“I’m from the inner city, it’s my first time ever up a mountain.” Daniel Craig and Christoph Waltz. Christoph Waltz was at the launch of the film with Daniel Craig Filming on the 24th official James Bond film started at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire in December. At the launch of the film, it was confirmed that Christoph Waltz will have a role in the film, playing a character called Oberhauser, which is the same name as Bond’s former ski instructor.
However, it has been rumoured Waltz will really be playing Bond’s old nemesis Ernst Stavro Blofeld. The shady Spectre organisation featured in Ian Fleming’s Bond books, and the Sean Connery-era films. An international crime syndicate with Blofeld as its number one, it counted the metalhanded scientist Dr Julius No and eyepatch-wearing Emilio Largo amongst its villainous ranks. Spectre will be released on 6 November, 2015.
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Sunday February 15, 2015
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12 WKS TO ELECTIONS Most of you know if five people testified about a crime they saw committed, you can be sure they will give five different versions of what happened. It’s a reality, everyone sees things differently. It is no different with this column. You will be amazed at how much people read into my articles, and how they interpret, and conclude what my intentions are. Most times it depends on which political parties they support. At varying times I am accused of being a PPP supporter, an APNU/PNC supporter and an AFC supporter. Sometimes I wish they would make up their minds about which political party I support. I can understand why those parties supporters are confused about who I support. I do not support any political party in Guyana. I will express my views or comment about what in my view is right or wrong about the main political parties in Guyana and their politicians, and those party supporters will go in different tangents in their email to me or on social media. I find that in most cases the APNU supporters tend to
engage me in a civilized dialogue, the AFC supporters will point out the virtues of the AFC, but the worst of the lot are the PPP supporters. There is no civilized dialogue with them. They come in a cuss down mode, something a la Bharrat Jagdeo. In their eyes the PPP can do no wrong. Sometimes you are not even criticizing the PPP, just pointing out mistakes of the government and they go ballistic. Some two weeks ago I wrote about the promotion of the two policemen who were involved in the horrible torture of a teenager a few years ago. You would not believe the hate emails I received or personal attacks on social media. You would think I was advocating the overthrow of the government. One of the problems with these PPP supporters is that they never question or refute the facts of the articles but just go on cussing. One even sent a sample of how I should write my article. All of this reminds me of the PNC days at its height of power. Then, if you said or pointed out any shortcoming of the PNC government you were branded an “enemy of
the state”. The government can do no wrong. Sad to say the PPP has reached that stage; any criticism against the government is interpreted by the PPP government and its supporters, as anti PPP and anti government. Let me take the case of the two policemen promoted despite evidence they tortured the teenager by burning his genitalia, some of the PPP supporters who responded did not see anything wrong with the promotion, did not see the government doing anything wrong. If it were their son, brother, nephew or relative, or if it was done under a PNC regime, you and I know they would have seen it differently. It’s one thing to support a party, it’s another to support it blindly, and those are the kinds of supporters who do not hold their politicians accountable. Don’t get me wrong, I get correspondence from PNC supporters who still did not see the PNC did anything wrong. Some said comparatively, the PNC was a better government. I disagree. But I can tell you in many ways the PNC did a few things better.
I can tell you that this level of corruption that exists today in government, would not have been tolerated by Burnham, and I am talking from experience, I have seen Burnham ‘chew out’ public officials at town hall meetings for corruption; he fired people for corruption. He probably would have fired half of the current Cabinet ministers. The man had his faults and there were many, but to his credit he drew the line on corruption. The late Dr. Cheddi Jagan would have also done the same. I have had people emailing me that stating I am throwing ‘my own under the bus’. The meaning was clear, as an Indo Guyanese I should not criticize fellow Indians. Well I got news for those of that thinking. I don’t see myself as Indo Guyanese or see other races as this Guyanese or that, I see myself as a GUYANESE. As much as I left the country some 30 years ago I still consider myself a Guyanese, and therein lies the problem in Guyana. My only fault is that I tend call myself a Berbician, first, then Guyanese. Too many see themselves as this race and that race and
not as Guyanese, and as long as that kind of thinking is encouraged by politicians for their own interest, the country will remain polarized. So with the upcoming elections it would be interesting to see the strategy used by the various parties to whip up support. He who appeals to a wider cross section of the Guyanese people will win the elections. The merger talks between APNU/PNC and AFC are nearing completion. I expressed my views on it in my last article. The fact that a former senior PPP member in the form of Moses Nagamootoo is joining the PNC is not going to do much to solve the racial divide. The problem is the PNC over the years since it has been out of power, has hardly made any strides or effort to move away from its main support base. Whether some like it or not the PPP has made some progress in that direction, that’s why it has been successful at winning elections.
This coming election will be a serious challenge for the party. The PPP is its own worst enemy. The problem is not only to get out its own supporters, but also to have a civilized dialogue with those opposition supporters if it is going to retain power. I have a word of advice for them, “Keep Jagdeo away from the campaign trail.” Oh and finally for the supporters of the PPP, APNU/ PNC and the AFC, I do not get paid by any political party as some of you suggested. I do not have any masters. I am happily “retired” and financially independent and secure, I pay my own bills and take orders from no one. That said, I look forward to you my readers for your comments, good, bad or indifferent. Some of you are going to really hate me in the next 12 weeks, as I write on the upcoming elections. It is ok; it’s that season that they call the silly season. Reason sometimes goes overboard. Ralph Seeram can be reached at email: ralph365@hotmail.com or Facebook
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SALON Make Up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, Black Opal and Sacha cosmetics. Call: 647-1773/660-5257
CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVE AUTO RENTAL:CARS&SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 643-5122, 2193900, EMAIL: PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM
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 Vacancy for drivers/ salesman for office clerk/ porter @ Vegetarian Gardens Contact: 227-7714 Factory staff, GTI / GITC Male/ Female graduates preferred. Canter drivers, marketing assistant, Drivers Licence required. Tel. 676 -6700 International Cruiseline AB Sailors, waitresses, waiters, cooks, receptionists, storekeepers, cleaners, electricians, carpenters, welders, cosmetologists, etc. Tel: 231-6296, 650-9880 Driver -$24,000 plus overtime, Porter -$18,000 plus over time per week, to work water truck –Tel: 6240033; 694-1850 DRESSMAKING Jean is offering courses in dressmaking, curtains, floral & cake decoration. Lot 153 Barr St Kitty – Call: 670-2653, 618-1706
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 1 Live in domestic, 1 Driver/ mechanic, 1 skilled lathe operator – Tel: 227-1830 Become an advertising model and earn extra cash. Apply online at www.markchand.com 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 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) Cook: must know how to bake, bar attendant, waitress, cleaner and house keeper needed. Tel: 669-1900 One half day domestic, apply 53 Grosenor Ave near Raj Yoga Centre.
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……
Land to buy in Leonora New Scheme & Kuru Kururu, All Low income house lots – Tel:675-7292; 652-2018 Miners with excavators to work on 10 Blocks in North West District, option for joint venture – Tel: 691-2077; 6846661 One live in couple or one domestic to work in Mahaicony River – Tel:2256571; 644-6905 1 Farm Manager to work @ Pomeroon River must have Vast Farming Experienced. Accommodation & Attractive Salary offered. Contact: 226-9768
Certificate in: Cosmetology, nails, wig designs, early child care/ care for elderly classes commence February – Call: 666-5241/ 619-7603
SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.–CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620 Guyana Passport & Visa Forms Application, USA, Canada and England. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. Repairs & spare, fridge, freezer, A/C, washers, stoves. Contact Nick: 683-1312, 627-3206 Repairs to plasma, LED, LCD television etc – Call: Abdul Electronics: 225-0391 Permanent & Visitors Visa Applications, Professional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building Call Sabita: 225-6496, 6626045 Eagle’s fridge re-gas - $8,000 & washing machine repairs. Phone: 697-2969, 646-0966 BrianMoe@642-3543; Computer Technician; FB:Brian.Moe.165; Home and office visits at your comfort!! REPAIRS AT LOW COST: FRIDGES, AIRCONDITIONERS, WASHING MACHINES, TVS, MICROWAVES, FREEZERS- CALL:6294946 OR 225-4822 We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer Call Omar: 2310655, 683-8734 Khemraj & Son landscaping & plant nursery, cutting big trees & removing, 18 Months Coconut trees & lime plant for sale – Call: 627-5969 Cell phone unlocking and computer games, BBM 53246B41 – Tel:675-2239 Advertising production services: Video, TV commercials, Photography, graphics & voice overs. Call: 646-0589 or visit www.markchand.com FOR SALE/RENTAL 4 Stories concrete building, prime location for hotel, call Centre & Restaurant @ 168 Charlotte St Bourda – Call: 644-3312, 667-3701
Sunday February 15, 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 Double bunk with mattress, 4 burner stove, sewing machines, quality cake tools, nail & hair stuff & other – Tel: 664-3454 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 Labrottie Puppies for Sale, fully vaccinated & Dewormed; 7 weeks old - Call: 654-7683 Stalls at Robb Street & Bourda - Contact: 695-1359 between 9am -11am Blow Out Sale! Laptops & Desktops computers from $45,000 free games & educational software @ Futuretech – Tel: 231-2206 One 2011 Toyota Fortuner in excellent condition, serious enquiries call: 680-9197 One Whirlpool Fridge/ one Whirlpool Freezer/ One total Gym 1500 – Call: 696-4832; 222-4622 Prime land located on Duke Street (120X39) and D’Aguair’s Park (8000SQ), ready to be built on. 2238479/647-3768; www.spaceseek.gy Prime double lot located on corner property of Regent & Albert Streets 113X81 – Tel:223-8479; 647-3768 One complete Cabin cruise boat - Tel: 684-3786 One new aluminum boat & engine- Call: 603-9599
FOR RENT
VEHICLE FOR SALE
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Five bedrooms house, 107 Lamaha Gardens & Large Parking; AC Rooms Hot & Cold, Purified Water System Call: 661-8908, 335-3590
1 Pitbull minibus, stick gear, BPP series, mag rims- $2.2M neg. Call: 673-7652
GT TOOL RENTALS: COMPACTOR; CHIPPING HAMMER RANSOM & FLOOR SANDER, , JACK HAMMER, CONCRETE SAW & MORE - CALL: 675-0767, 639-8101 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 Business Space 52FtX25Ft with Air Condition, fully grilled @ East Street, North Cummingsburg - Tel:2266592/643-8833 Furnished apartment at 70 Bent Street, Wortmanville $3500, $3,000 per day – Contact: 226-3309; 648-7154 Furnished house for rent in residential area. US$1200. Phone: 621-6888 1-3 bedrooms house located in Prashad Nagar - US$1000 per month – Tel: 652-6565 1-2 bedrooms bottom flat, located @ Lyng St. Charlestown -$35,000 per month – Contact: 652-6565 1-1 Bedroom bottom flat located @ Lyng Street Charlestown - $35,000 per month – Contact: 652-6565 Sharon’s Building, limited mall space from $65,000 $275,000- Call: 225-4413/6140949 Furnished two bedroom apartment for short term/ overseas visitors – Contact: 678-6690 Commercial property located on Regent Street (22X100) $25,000 USD monthly negotiable – Tel: 223-8479; 6473768; www.spaceseek.gy Executive houses and apartments await you! Contact us today or visit our website – Tel:223-8479; 6473768; www.spaceseek.gy
LEARN TO DRIVE Soman Son & Outar Driving School at Maraj BuildingTel:644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997
Nissan Titan 4X4; fully loaded; good condition; price negotiable - Call: 6201026 We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 Tacoma- Call: 680-3154 AT192, 212, Allion, unregistered Premio, Hilux Surf, BNN, RZ & Pit-bull, 7 seater super custom. Cash / terms- Call:680-3154 Toyota Prado, Price$5M Neg. Call: 643-2403 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 Black Titan, fully loaded, 4 wheel drive - $2.7M, Must go urgently – Tel:678-2814; 699-2322 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 Toyota Corolla PFF 9681, E-EE90 automatic $300,000, 1 town ace small bus PFF 6536, stick gear $460,000 Call: 646-7339 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 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 Canter: Short Based - $2.2M, Voxy $1.7M, Spacio $2.1M, (all never registered) – Call: 617-2891 Toyota AT212, AT192, Raum, Premio, BB, AE100 Sprinter, Vitz, RZ Bus, EP71 & 825 Starlet, Yamaha R1 – Tel:6445096; 697-1453 (Continued on page 55)
Sunday February 15, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Drama expected in High... From page 9 who sits to hear constitutional proceedings in the High Court may properly hear and determine the matter in the usual course of constitutional business and further submits that the acting CJ should not recuse himself because should he do so, the matter will be subject to inevitable and unnecessary delay,” the lawyer added in the legal document. He posited that the CJ hearing the case would not diminish in anyway the constitutional integrity of the High Court. He then reaffirmed Ramlal’s right to a hearing and determination of his constitutional motion within a reasonable time in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution which guarantees fundamental rights. Satram believes that the circumstances of this matter are special and as a matter of necessity, the motion ought to be heard by the CJ. He emphasized, “A recusal by the acting CJ on the basis that he has a pecuniary interest will lead to a constitutional disaster and the subversion of the rule of law.” Other members of the political opposition have also
expressed their view on the case. But Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman, refrained from commenting directly on the matter. He said that the judiciary is a co-equal branch of government that stands alongside the Executive and the National Assembly. Therefore the doctrine of comity and equal respect would dictate that “we shouldn’t interfere in each other’s business.” For this reason, Trotman said that he was never in favour of the High Court getting involved in parliamentary affairs. Hence he declined to comment specifically on what is happening in the judiciary arising out of Justice Ramlal’s case though he believes that the case is an interesting one. “The judges are bright enough to sort out what is obviously an internal matter, and to some extent, a fight with the executive branch. The Parliament should be ready to play its part to make laws to address or give effect to any decisions that are made arising out of the legal action filed,” he added. A Partnership for National Unity’s (APNU) Shadow Minister of Finance, Carl Greenidge, who is usually
brutally candid about his thoughts on the judiciary, finds Ramlal’s case to be justified and in the interest of equality. Greenidge said that the case where two persons were allowed to enjoy the “tax-free income” benefit “is an example of how the PPP Presidency uses their privileged position to line their own pockets to try to buy the allegiance of key officials.” He said that the matter “reeks of demoralization and is one reason why the PPP Government attracts the label corrupt and kleptocratic.” Queen’s Counsel, Dr. Fenton Ramsahoye S.C, said that all the judges should get the facility or none at all. He said that the Chancellor and the acting CJ have been singled out probably because in addition to their judicial duties they have some administrative duties. However, Sir Ramsahoye asserted that he doubts the number of administrative duties that they have is so heavy that it would justify a different treatment. The former Attorney General said that “it is demoralizing and demeaning” for only two judicial officers to enjoy tax-free income. He stated that it creates a class system which is “unfair and unreal” for they all perform almost the same judicial functions.
VEHICLE FOR SALE Twin steer dump trucks, 312 excavators, Toyota Vigo, Toyota Primo, Toyota Prado –Tel: 611-5606 Just arrived Massey Ferguson, 290 Tractor 2WD, Excellent Condition – Tel:684-6661; 669-9315
LAND FOR SALE
Eccles: Commercial lots for sale at Eccles – Tel:227-2913. Cell: 683-3033 Measuring 90’X165’ facing Atlantic Ocean, approximately half mile from Sheriff Street on High Way. Contact Shiv: 600-6681 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 1 Transported land for sale@ 2nd Avenue Diamond N/S, price -$6.5M neg – Tel: 6295300 2369.664 Sq/ft of land @ Victoria village, E.C.DCall:255-3437; 698-3678 Leonora - $2.5M, Tuschen, 2.2M, Uitvlugt - $2M, Parfaite Harmonie - $1.4M – Tel: 6757292; 652-2018 Canaan semi-gated 42x80 $3.6M, 54x90 $4.3M, Charity Housing Scheme $2.8M, Kuru Kuru residential 100x200 $2.6M Call: 6234790,222-5116 51 Acres titled farm land @ The Belle, Upper Dem, River Front - $100M Negotiable, serious enquiries only! Tel: 669-8152 Block CH Portion of PLN Greenock called De Hope Left Bank Supenaam Creek Essequibo, 25.218 Acres, transported land – Tel: 6677659 Corner Lot Garnette & Republic Streets Newtown Kitty 58.4X30.8, ideal for business – Call: 645-0616 (no agents)
Blowout Sale! – Unregistered 2007 Madza Axela - $2,300,000 – Crystal Lights, Alarm, Steering Wheel Audio Control . Call: 643-6565, 2269931 Blow Out Sale!!! Unregistered Toyota IST $2,150,000- Bodykit, TV, Spoiler, Fogs, Alloy Wheels, Crystal Lights & Alarm – Call: 643-6565, 226-9931
PEN PAL Male seeking female pen pal for relationship- Tel: 698-6391
(From page 54)
House Lots in 1 of Guyana’s top luxury gated communities @ Eccles, 60X100 - $7.5M. (Special prices) - Call: 2272913; 683-3033
EDUCATIONAL
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 Two storey concrete house, 3 bedrooms @ 8th Street Foulis – Call: 685-8485; 2563360 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 Transported two storied concrete property $22M, Block “8” Mon Repos E.C.D – Tel: 602-4418 20 Acres of land Business/ farming with 2 storey building owner is moving – Tel:592-220-0255; 416-9513995 1-6 Bedroom house and land in Mon Repos (Martyrs’ Ville) E.C.D, price $13M neg. Tel: 629-5300 Paradise, E.C.D: Concrete modern 2 storeys, 4 bedrooms- 2 masters. Concrete fenced large lotCall:255-3437; 698-3678
Haslington, E.C.D: Building ‘A’, concrete/ timber modern 2 storeys, 7 bedrooms, grilled & fenced. Building ‘B’, 3 apartments, fenced- Call:255Software and tutorial sale, 3437; 698-3678 Microsoft office 2014, Two storey; 2-3 bedrooms CorelDraw X17, Adobe CC, apartment at Tuschen H/ QuickBooks- Call: 646-0589 Scheme East Bank Essequibo – Contact: 650PEN PAL 2982 Indian Male from England is FOR SALE/RENTAL seeking female age 27yrs & older, with good personality- American pool table – Tel: 277-0578 Call: 686-5994 (No Texting) CXC Day & Evening classes/lessons Forms 1-5, Phonics Classes – Tel:2233086; 619-7911; 690-5008
TO LET 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 Semi-furnished 3 bedrooms upstairs @ Diamond – $80,000.00 Contact: 6880980; 666-8767 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. One 3 bedroom bottom flat at 53 Grosenor Ave Nandy Park near Raj Yoga Centre – phone: 233-6739 1 Spacious 3 bedrooms upstairs including inside toilet and bath at Mon Repos E.C.D, Price $50,000 Monthly Tel: 629-5300 Rooms & Apartment in Alberttown & Eccles – Call: 225-3234
CAR RENTAL DOLLY’S CAR RENTAL CALL: 225-7126/ 2263693 DOLLYSAUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM/ WWW.DOLLYSAUTO RENTAL.COM Aidan’s Car & Pickup rental, cheap rate, low security – Tel: 698-7807; 690-6494
MASSAGE Money Back guarantee; cleaner, clearer younger looking skin in two weeks, also flatter stomach – Call: 684-9409; 699-4211
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Sunday February 15, 2015
Rebels fighting for more territory ahead of Ukraine ceasefire: Kiev military
A woman walks past a damaged building in the town of Vuhlehirsk near Donetsk, Ukraine, February 14, 2015. REUTERS/Baz Ratner (Reuters) - Fighting intensified in eastern Ukraine on Saturday ahead of a midnight ceasefire, with separatists pressing government forces in the key town of Debaltseve and shelling killing at least one person in the rebel-held city of Donetsk. A Reuters media team also reported a multiple strike by shells or rockets on the town of Artmevisk, about 40 km (25 miles) north of Debaltseve and well inside governmentcontrolled territory. The ceasefire, negotiated in four-power talks last Thursday, forsees creation of a neutral “buffer zone” and withdrawal of heavy weapons responsible for many of the 5,000 deaths in a conflict that has caused the worst crisis in Russia-West relations since the Cold War a generation ago. “Ahead of midnight, rebels are trying to complete tactically important plans to enlarge the territory under their control, primarily in the direction of Debaltseve,” spokesman Andriy Lysenko said at a televised briefing in Kiev. Debaltseve, a strategic transport hub that lies in a pocket between the two main rebel-held regions, has been the focus of some of the fiercest recent fighting. Four shells hit Donetsk on Saturday, blasting craters in the streets. A Reuters witness saw one dead body from the attacks. In Artemivsk, a polyclinic and a school playground were hit, but there were no casualties reported. Heavy shelling could be heard at a rebel checkpoint
about 15 km (10 miles) west of Debaltseve, a Reuters witness said, reporting outgoing artillery rounds almost every minute. A column of new military vehicles and artillery passed through the checkpoint in the direction of Debaltseve. The checkpoint was manned by several dozen professionallooking combatants. Tanks and armored vehicles could also be seen. Speaking on condition of anonymity, a rebel at the checkpoint said local fighters were being supported by “guests from Russia.” Spokesman Lysenko said separatist forces continued to be reinforced by fighters and military equipment crossing Ukraine’s eastern border from Russia over the past 24 hours. Moscow denies bolstering the separatists with armor and troops although Western officials cite overwhelming evidence to the contrary. REGIONALAUTONOMY PART OF DEAL The rebels have advanced far past the line of an earlier ceasefire deal, agreed in September. The new accord appears to envisage them withdrawing their guns around 75 km, to take them back behind it, while Ukrainian guns would move 25 km back. Thursday’s four-power accord also prescribed constitutional reform to give more autonomy to eastern Ukraine, where many Russian speakers live. Kiev rejects independence for the “people’s republics” the rebels have declared. Tatyana Demchenko,
deputy commander of the rebel unit in the town of Horlivka, had little faith the ceasefire would hold. “They’ll shoot at us and we have to remain silent?” she asked, holding two grenades in her hands. “Militias may receive the order not to open fire, but what - we sit and die in shelling? If they don’t shoot, we won’t.” Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said the country had reached an important crossroads between war and peace. “Either the enemy stops shooting and embarks on deescalation ... or the enemy escalates the conflict for us and for Europe and the whole world,” he said at a ceremony for border guards shown on television. Seven Ukrainian service personnel have been killed and 23 wounded in fighting in the past 24 hours, Lysenko said. The Group of Seven industrialized countries issued a statement late on Friday calling on all sides to refrain from actions that would hinder the start of the ceasefire. It said G7 countries were ready to take “appropriate measures” against those who violate the agreement, an apparent threat of more punitive economic sanctions against Russia shortly. The deal, sealed by the leaders of Germany and France after 16 hours of allnight talks in Minsk, capital of Belarus, with the Russian and Ukrainian presidents, was quickly overshadowed by escalating bloodshed on the ground.
Sunday February 15, 2015
Kaieteur News
Man dies in shooting at Danish meeting with artist who drew Mohammad
Police presence is seen at the site of a shooting in Copenhagen February 14, 2015. REUTERS/Mathias OEgendal/Scanpix Denmark (Reuters) - A civilian died and three police were wounded on Saturday when gunmen shot at a Copenhagen meeting attended by Lars Vilks, an artist who has received death threats since publishing images of the Prophet Mohammad. Danish police confirmed one civilian had been killed and said the two suspects had fled in a car after the attack on the gathering, which had been billed as a debate on art and blasphemy. Vilks and the French ambassador, who was also attending, were both unharmed. “The security guards shouted ‘everyone get out’ and we were being pushed out of the room,” Helle Merete Brix, organizer of the event, told Reuters by telephone. “They tried to shoot their way into the conference room,” she said. “I saw one of them running by, wearing a mask. There was no way to tell his face. I’m not even sure if there was one or two.” French ambassador Francois Zimeray tweeted that he was “still alive in the room”. “They shot us from outside the building, it was the same intention as for Charlie Hebdo, except that they couldn’t get in,” French news agency AFP quoted him as saying. Police commander Henrik Blandebjerg told local TV there were two assailants. The dead civilian man was 40 years old. Police with searchlights scoured the area for evidence and said a getaway car was
found 10 minutes away on the outskirts of the capital. Sweden’s security police said Swedish bodyguards were with Vilks at the time of the shooting. Authorities in southern Sweden said they were helping Danish police. Sweden is joined to Denmark by bridge, and transit across is largely unchecked. Danish police said they did not know whether the incident was a “terrorist act” but were investigating it as one. Just over a month ago, 17 people were killed in France in three days of violence that began when two Islamist gunmen burst into the Paris offices of the satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo, opening fire in revenge for its publication of satirical images of Mohammad. Vilks stirred controversy in 2007 with published drawings depicting
Mohammad as a dog which sparked threats from Islamist militant groups. He has received numerous death threats and has lived under the constant protection of the Swedish police since 2010. Two years ago, an American woman who called herself Jihad Jane was sentenced to 10 years in prison for plotting to kill him. The scene of the shooting was a cafe at a cultural center in a central part of Copenhagen. French President Francois Hollande said Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve would go to the Danish capital as soon as possible. Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten published cartoons by various artists in 2005 depicting Mohammad, provoking protests across the Muslim world in which at least 50 died and death threats against the cartoonists.
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Sunday February 15, 2015
CCJ defends methods of informing regional public Antigua Observer - The Trinidad-based Caribbean Court of Appeal (CCJ) has described as “inaccurate” complaints that it had published a judgment in the media before it had been communicated to the litigants and their legal representatives.
CCJ President Sir Dennis Byron said much to his surprise counsel in a case involving an application for extension of time to file a notice of appeal against a judgment of the Court of Appeal of Barbados which had been delivered on 15th May 2014, continued to
complain “even in open court that the Court published its judgment of 25th November 2014 in the media before it had been communicated to the litigants and their legal representatives. “The allegation is not accurate. It was also in my view inconsistent with the courtesy, respect and civility that should characterise the relations between senior members of the Bar and the Bench.” Sir Dennis said since July, 2012, consistent with its vision to provide the Caribbean Community with a judiciary which is “accessible, fair, efficient and innovative” the Court has been adopting measures in keeping with the spirit of promoting access to justice. He said currently, there are four different publications from a hearing; namely: a reasoned judgment, a judgment summary, a media release and a popular press summary for the CCJ Corner project. “It is a pity that counsel should be wedded to ancient practices which do not give the public adequate information about the work of the Court in a timely manner,” Sir Dennis added. He told the Court that what actually occurred is that on the 25th November 2014 the parties appeared by video conference before the Court in response to a summons to attend for the delivery of judgment.
Sunday February 15, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur M@ilbox Nigerian president calls for US ALL IS NOT WELL AT BARTICA help as Boko Haram invades city Kano (Nigeria) (AFP) Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan appealed for more US help in fighting Boko Haram, as the Islamists struck again on Saturday and called for a boycott of upcoming general elections. The head of state for the first time claimed direct links between the Sunni radicals who have been waging a sixyear insurgency in Nigeria and the Islamic State group in Syria and Iraq. He told the Wall Street Journal in an interview: “Are they (the United States) not fighting ISIS? Why can’t they come to Nigeria? “They are our friends. If Nigeria has a problem, then I expect the US to come and assist us.” But Pentagon spokesman Rear Admiral John Kirby said there are no plans to send US troops to
Nigeria. “I can tell you that there are no plans as I speak here to send unilaterally, to send or to add US troops into Nigeria. There are no US troops operating in Nigeria,” he told reporters. Kirby said the United States was in the early phases of helping establish a multinational task force of African nations to help Nigeria defeat Boko Haram. Jonathan’s comments were published as hundreds of Islamist fighters invaded the northeastern city of Gombe, firing heavy guns and throwing leaflets calling for locals to shun the elections. The attack, which began at about 9:00 am (0800 GMT), saw residents flee and the authorities impose a 24hour lock-down in the city, which Boko Haram has repeatedly targeted. Nigeria’s defence headquarters said it
had repelled the attack. “The terrorists attack on Gombe has been repelled. Troops are in pursuit”, it said on Twitter. Boko Haram has opened up two new fronts in its campaign to create a hardline Islamic state in northeast Nigeria, pushing into neighbouring Niger last week and, for the first time on Friday, into Chad. It has also increased the frequency and intensity of its attacks on northern Cameroon. The increasing regional threat has led to the deployment of troops from all three neighbouring countries, reflecting security fears. But it has been transformed in the last six years from a rag-tag group of guerrilla fighters into a conventional army, seizing territory and dozens of towns
in three northeast Nigerian states. The group has generally not been thought to have any direct operational links with overseas jihadists, although some fighters may have received training from Al-Qaeda-linked militants in north Africa. Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau has previously mentioned IS group leader Abu Bakr alBaghdadi in videos but has not pledged allegiance to the outfit. The Nigerian group’s tactics of extreme violence and mass casualty hit-andrun raids, bombings and suicide attacks also predated those carried out by the IS group. But Jonathan told the US newspaper that Nigeria had intelligence reports that Boko Haram was receiving “training and funds” from IS militants.
MR EDITOR, The marginalization and disrespect for Barticians from this vindictive and oppressive regime compounded with the imposition of the illegal Interim Management Committee (IMC) is of grave concern. The REO’s authoritarian behaviour suggests that this pattern of behavior is demonstrating total disrespect for accountability to the residents for their monies. This REO authorized $1M to be spent on a private individual business intended to be an Ice cream parlour on First Avenue, Bartica. To make the matter incriminating the contractor is the said individual who is also the contractor. This is how shameless and barefaced these villains are. Upon investigation I discovered that the recipient
of this undeserved gift is closely related to an activist of the PPP/C and the infamous IMC. This is a regular feature involving this recipient who was fingered in a road construction project and collected another hefty sum of $ 1.5M a job which never saw completion..This is only the tip of the iceberg. There is a resource center constructed at Byderabo which remains closed. When would this be opened for use, given the cost and the location of the computers? I only hope it is not at the home of some shady character. As I pen this missive a culvert is being constructed in Second Street, Bartica by the chairman of the IMC. I am sure from what I have observed, this man has no knowledge of constructing culverts. Umar Saied
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Australia subject England to Valentine’s Day drubbing MELBOURNE (Reuters) Aaron Finch smashed a sparkling century as Australia dealt England a 111-run humiliation in their World Cup opener at the Melbourne Cricket Ground yesterday. Dropped on the second ball he faced, opening batsman Finch blasted 135 at his home ground to lay the platform for victory as the cohosts piled on 342-9, two runs shy of the venue’s one-day international record. All-rounder Mitchell Marsh then took a career-best 5-33 as Australia put on a ruthless Valentine Day’s display in the field that amplified the abysmal nature of their opponents’ earlier efforts. Having reprieved bulky opener Finch, England let a
string of chances go begging, dropping catches and missing run-out opportunities to set a miserable tone for the start of their campaign. They had reduced Australia to 70-3 but released the pressure and Australia’s formidable batting lineup duly went into punishment mode. After stand-in skipper George Bailey (55) teamed with Finch for a 146-run partnership, pugnacious allrounder Glenn Maxwell smacked 66 off 40 balls. Ironically, Steven Finn, who like his colleagues had been thrashed to all corners of the ground, became the first England bowler to take a World Cup hat-trick by dismissing Brad Haddin, Maxwell and Mitchell
Johnson in the last three balls of Australia’s innings. He finished with a hugely expensive 5-71 and seemed embarrassed by his achievement. It was to be a brief moment of celebration for the English, who were all but beaten by the 18th over of their chase, when captain Eoin Morgan flailed at a slower ball and was well-caught by wicketkeeper Haddin. Morgan’s sixth-ball duck was his fourth in five innings, including the last warmup against Pakistan, and left England reeling at 73-5. Marsh, who had earlier dismissed opener Ian Bell (36), Joe Root (5) and Gary Balance (10), then completed his five-wicket haul when Steven Smith took an extraordinary catch at short cover to dismiss wicketkeeper Jos Buttler. Diving low and to his left, Smith showed marvellous anticipation to snaffle a fullblooded slog, a high point in a sparkling effort in the field for the hosts. Marsh was also the third bowler of the match to take wickets in consecutive balls, with Broad also missing a hattrick after bowling opener David Warner for 22 and having Shane Watson caught behind for a golden duck. James Taylor (98) and Chris Woakes (37), who spilled a simple, head-high chance at midwicket to reprieve Finch in the first over, dug in for a 92-run partnership to flatter England’s scoreline. The match ended in an odd manner, with Taylor initially given out lbw. He successfully had the decision overturned on review but was denied the chance of a century after a second review showed Maxwell had thrown down the stumps with James Anderson short of his ground. For Australia, the only blot in a dominant display was Watson’s failure to score or take a wicket and a dropped catch by Finch when Taylor was on 20. Long a contentious selection, the bulky Queenslander’s place in the side is certain to come under heavy scrutiny as regular captain Michael Clarke prepares to return for the second match against Bangladesh on the comeback from hamstring surgery. Scores: Australia 342 for 9 (Finch 135, Maxwell 66, Bailey 55, Finn 5-71) beat England 231 (Taylor 98*, Marsh 5-33) by 111 runs.
Sunday February 15, 2015
McCullum influence helps NZ to easy win in opener CHRISTCHURCH (Reuters) Brendon McCullum gave the cricket World Cup the explosive opening organisers had hoped for with a blazing innings inspired captaincy to give New Zealand a 98-run victory over Sri Lanka yesterday. McCullum blasted 65 runs in a 111-run opening stand with Martin Guptill (49), before Kane Williamson (57) and Corey Anderson (75) gave New Zealand an imposing 331 for six after being asked to bat by Angelo Mathews at Hagley Oval. M c C u l l u m ’s b i g g e s t contribution to the game, however, probably came when the visitors had established a handy platform to attack at the conclusion of 21 overs with the score on 119 for one and Lahiru Thirimanne and Kumar Sangakkara well set. Left arm pace bowler Trent Boult had been taken for 15 runs from his two previous
overs but McCullum persisted with the 25-year-old, who managed to produce one of the few deliveries to swing all day when he bowled Thirimanne for 65. McCullum then brought back Daniel Vettori, who had earlier deceived Tillakaratne Dilshan (24) to take a simple caught and bowled opportunity, to attack new batsman Mahela Jayawardene, who was caught behind by Luke Ronchi for a four-ball duck. Boult then trapped Sangakkara in front with another late swinging delivery five balls later to reduce Sri Lanka to 129 for four, effectively ending their chances given the top four had scored most of their runs during the one-day series against New Zealand in January. Adam Milne then took two wickets in the 32nd over, and while Mathews produced a cameo of 46, Tim Southee mopped up the tail with two
wickets as Sri Lanka were dismissed for 233 in 46.1 overs. McCullum and Guptill had given New Zealand a flying start before the introduction of left-arm spinner Rangana Herath dried up the scoring rate. Sri Lanka then wasted a series of missed opportunities, with Williamson dropped twice and while Jeevan Mendis took two wickets in two balls to give them a chance of running through the lower order, Grant Elliott and Anderson consolidated the innings with 65 from 10 overs. Luke Ronchi (29 not out) and Anderson then scored 73 runs in the final 38 balls before the burly left hander was dismissed on the last delivery of the innings. Scores: New Zealand 331 for 6 (Anderson 75, McCullum 65, Williamson 57, Mendis 2-5) beat Sri Lanka 233 (Thirimanne 65, Anderson 2-18) by 98 runs.
Sunday February 15, 2015 ARIES (MAR 21 - APR 19): Your internal computer just got upgraded today and your head is buzzing with all kinds of new information, Aries. **************************** TAURUS (APR 20 - MAY 20): You may feel a bit lonely today, Taurus, even if there are people all around you. It may seem like everyone's on a different plane. **************************** GEMINI (MAY 21 - JUN 20): This is a climactic time for you, Gemini. All your yearly cycles have reached a critical juncture. You may feel as if you're at a point of tremendous victory or terrible failure. **************************** CANCER JUN 21 - JUL 22): Aggressive people may interfere with your plans today, Cancer, so don't get too upset if things don't work out the way you want them to. **************************** LEO (JUL 23 - AUG 22): It's hard to keep your balance when a big rock suddenly falls on one side of the scale, Leo. **************************** VIRGO (AUG 23 - SEP 22): Like a team of pickpockets in a crowd, a group may have its eyes on you and secretly scheme to take advantage of your innocence, Virgo.
LIBRA (SEP 23 - OCT 22): Opportunity is the name of the game for you, Libra. Don't turn out the lights before you make sure you've explored all your options today. **************************** SCORPIO (OCT 23 NOV 21): Today you may be asked to choose between the old and the new, Scorpio. It's as if people are protesting in some manner and you're being asked to join in the ranks of those wishing to see change. **************************** SAGITTARIUS (NOV 22 DEC 21): Your inner strength and courage are tremendous today. You will find that people naturally gravitate toward you, Sagittarius. **************************** CAPRICORN (DEC 22 JAN 19): Wear the striped shirt and polka-dot pants today, Capricorn. The more you clash with the outside world the better. **************************** AQUARIUS (JAN 20 FEB 18): If you don't understand something, ask, Aquarius. If it looks different to you, ask why that is. **************************** PISCES (FEB 19 - MAR 20): You may be shaken to the core today by someone of great personal magnetism, Pisces.
Sunday February 15, 2015
Kaieteur News
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RHTY&SC Silver Jubilee 1990 - 2015
MCYS / EBFA Pee Wee League
Herstelling upset Grove Hi Tech, Diamond defeat Mocha Champs Herstelling Raiders Football Club recorded their first win of the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport sponsored East Bank Football Association (EBFA) Under-11 Pee Wee League, a 1-0 win over the previously unbeaten Grove Hi Tech yesterday at the Grove Playfield. In the eagerly anticipated clash, the Herstelling lads who dominated much of the encounter, left it late to seal full points, Shoran James netting the winner in the 29th minute of the contest. Grove was awarded a penalty midway through the second half but the shot taken by their Captain Devon Padmore was saved by the lone female of the tournament, Indira Winter. Winter’s heroics paved the way for her side’s eventual win which was formalized with James’ goal in the penultimate minute of the match. Grove is stalled on 6 points from three
Andy Gray
games with Herstelling moving to 3 from two matches. Yesterday’s supporting game ended in a 0-0 stalemate between Craig Primary and Agricola Red Triangle. Both teams played well and while Craig had the bigger of the players in terms of size, Agricola never allowed them to impose their will as they were very aggressive with their goalkeeper, Christopher Adams pulling off a few big saves to help earn his side an even share of the spoils. The day’s opening clash saw Diamond United defeating Mocha Champs by the lone goal of the game which came off the boot of Andy Gray in the 28th minute. Mocha, playing in their first game of the league looked a good unit but it was the more active Diamond side that gained the edge to record their first win of the competition which will continue this Saturday at the same venue.
Herstelling Raiders Football Club, Under-11 team.
Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao 2015
Boxers agree to match worth $250M (Yahoo Sports) Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao agreed Saturday to stage a long-awaited boxing match worth an estimated $250 million, according to a Sunday Telegraph report. If confirmed, the fight is expected to be the richest in boxing history. Pacquiao agreed to the deal’s terms and has already signed a contract, a source close to the 36 year old told the newspaper. Mayweather, who is currently in New York, has agreed to the deal, but has yet to sign the agreement the source said, adding that Mayweather could sign the deal on Sunday and announce the fight at the NBA All-Star Game at New York City’s Madison Square Garden.
Could announce fight at all-star game, report says “Manny has 100 percent signed his side of the deal,” the Pacquiao source told the paper. “It is now over to Mayweather to close the deal and announce the fight.” A potential MayweatherPacquiao fight would be held May 2 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, according to the Sporting News. The two camps were engaged in negotiations for years, with each side accusing the other of holding up the match. Concerns over pre-fight drug-testing and how the record-setting pot would be split derailed negotiations on numerous occasions since 2009.
But talks intensified in 2015, particularly after Mayweather and Pacquiao met for the first time at halftime of a Jan. 27 game between the NBA’s Miami Heat and Milwaukee Bucks. Two days later, the two men met for more than an hour to discuss the potential bout’s terms face-to-face. “It was a business meeting, but it wasn’t a tense business meeting. I think that’s because they both have mutual respect for each other. We’ll determine what will happen over the next couple of days,” Pacquiao representative Michael Koncz said at the time, according to ESPN.
Mayweather will reportedly receive a 60-40 split of the fight purse, according to ESPN. The two sides have also agreed on preand-post-fight drug tests, as well as the type of gloves that will be used in the match. Mayweather has two fights remaining on a six-fight pay-per-view contract with Showtime, while Pacquiao is under contract with HBO/ Time Warner. Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum told the Associated Press earlier this month the two sides had already reached an agreement to simulcast the bout, a claim that Showtime executive vice president Stephen Espinoza denied Feb. 6.
Demerara Bank and Republic Bank (Guy) Ltd on board
Ms. Earlene Dawson, Demerara Bank, Rose Hall Town Manager hands over cheque to Secretary/ CEO Hilbert Foster. Support for Guyana’s leading youth and sports organisation, the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club Silver Jubilee anniversary celebration continues to pour in. The two major commercial banks in the township of Rose Hall on Thursday last financially supported the club. Demerara Bank will be the sole sponsor of the club’s Silver Jubilee Spelling Bee competition for Primary School children, while Republic Bank (Guy) Ltd will be co-sponsoring the Club’s 25th Anniversary Souvenirs Magazine. Republic Bank (Guy) Ltd also donated trophies for the club’s Tribute to Heroes Programme. Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster hailed the contribution of both banks and hailed them as friends of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club. The Demerara Bank sponsored Silver Jubilee Spelling Bee competition would involve the top twelve Primary Schools in Region 6. The top three schools along with the top students would receive trophies and special prizes. The club is also receiving support from the Region 6 Ministry of Education Department to organise the Spelling Bee competition which would be held very soon. Foster expressed gratitude to the Board of Directors and the Management of Demerara Bank for their support over the years. Republic Bank (Guy) Ltd has been an official sponsor of the club over the last decade and has over the years sponsored numerous programmes for them including the annual Awards ceremony, scrabble, educational summer camp, cricket commentary and the annual youth review magazine among others. Foster expressed gratitude to the Management of the Rose Hall Town branch especially Manager Harry Das Ghaness, Administrator Seema Brijmal, Supervisor Samantha Leitch and Secretary Karen Seepersaud for their cooperation over the years. Republic Bank (Guy) Ltd support for the Silver Jubilee would enable the club to successfully publish it’s souvenir magazine and host its Tribute to Heroes Awards ceremony. Representatives of both banks congratulated the club on achieving 25 years of success while stating that they were proud to not only fulfill their corporate responsibility but also to be associated with the RHTY&SC.
RHT Republic Bank Manager Harry Das Ghaness hands over cheque to RHTYSC Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster.
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“West Indies must fire on all cylinders to progress in CWC 2015!” Says Colin E. H. Croft ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 will be long, so intensity could wane, but West Indies must fire from ball one, afterburners maximum, if they are to progress beyond the preliminary stage. Slated against Ireland tomorrow, Pakistan next Friday, Zimbabwe three days later, South Africa on February 26, India on March 06, United Arab Emirates on March 14, it could be easy to become sluggish as time passes. WI must not enter that phase! More than two slip-ups and WI could be out of the tournament. Intensity, hardest aspect to maintain in such an extensive event, has to continue for the end, coaches needing to inspire their charges well. WI’s warm-up game v England was a blow-out, leaving WI little time to adjust, just squeaking past Scotland in the final warm-up game. Teams in “Pool B” will not be as lenient as Scotland.
Ireland will look to embarrass bigger teams, as they did in Jamaica; St. Patrick’s Day 2007; when they beat Pakistan. With knowledge that they could be demoted from the rungs of the “big boys”, they will come out with purpose and determination. Ireland have already reacted angrily that they think it unfair for the next CWC to possibly include only the highest ten-rated teams, so they will be scrambling, from the get-go, to make their way into, and to stay, in that top ten. They will be very dangerous! Pakistan are similar to WI. No-one knows which team will show up. Would it be one that, mercurial as ever, could beat any other team in the world, or one, seemingly demoralized before a single ball is bowled? Pakistan is always the great unknown! Zimbabwe, like Ireland, could be scrapping and scrambling for a position at that top-ten table, so they would be as venomous as
mambas, having beaten 1996 World Cup champions, Sri Lanka, by that eight-wicket margin in a recent warm-up game. India are defending 2011 CWC Champions. They will not go down without great fights, even if they have had a humbling tour of Australia recently. They are already acclimatized and could finally find their right focus and natural abilities coming to the fore. South Africa, like India, have got much talent available. With expectations higher in 2015 than in 1999, when they should have won, SA will come out like a combination of their “Big Five” animals; ferocious, snarling and biting; mauling any team that gets into their way! United Arab Emirates are the dark horse, possible spoilers, in this group. Made up of semi-professionals who have honed their cricket skills under difficult situations, expect them to be hardened, not just lying down to be butchered,
but to fight on unencumbered, regardless. The team that WI puts out for that first game on Monday v Ireland could be interesting, knowing that they will be traversing the Tasman Sea regularly, commuting from New Zealand to Australia as they complete their initial six-game assignment in the preliminary stages of CWC 2015. Chris Gayle, with his great experiences, must fire immediately and regularly, if his team is to do well. His last several innings have been poor, averaging below 20 for the games last played. He has to explode out of that cocoon for this his last hurrah at any CWC. Dwayne Smith could be volatile, but his consistency needs harnessing, longevity at the crease necessary, not only encouraged, but, right now, dictated and demanded by team coaches. One of the openers must bat to the end! Lendl Simmons has been stroking well, even with suggestions that he should open instead of Gayle. If Gayle,
Simmons and Smith are included in WI’s final XI, Simmons should bat in the middle order, fully understanding his roll to carry the lower order to the end of 50 overs. Darren Bravo looked poor in NAGICO-50 last month, but seemingly has caught himself somewhat in CWC 2015 warmup games. Much depends on him, perhaps the best batsman in the team, to bat through innings, especially if he gets in early. Marlon Samuels has gone off the boil at the wrong time. He has to strive diligently to rekindle the fireworks, from last year and in SA this year, to contribute very positively to his team’s efforts. Denesh Ramdin could be batting too early at No. 5, but WI does not have many luxuries, or capable personnel, with which to replace him there. How Ramdin bats in CWC 2015 could be a good barometer as to how WI will go, as wicket-keepers could control teams with their inputs.
WI’s bowling would be based on mostly pace, with Kemar Roach heading the pack, hoping his fitness holds, while Jerome Taylor, like Gayle, will not play in another CWC. Taylor’s last effort, for at least six games, must be as speedy as possible, especially on those bouncy pitches. Suleiman Benn or Nikita Miller and all-rounders Andre Russell and Darren Sammy present good lower order batting, but it is on their bowling, with Sheldon Cottrell’s, that games will turn. WI must tough it all out, win four of six games, and a quarter final berth will be theirs. Enjoy!
Belvedere Primary are GT&T Inter Primary School Softball cricket champs Belvedere Primary School led by a brilliant all-round performance from the highly talented Harrinarine Adolphus easily defeated Port Mourant Primary in the final of the GT&T InterPrimary School softball competition which was held as part of the Silver Jubilee Anniversary celebrations of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club (RHTY&SC). Playing at the Area ‘H’ ground and witnessed by a large and supportive crowd, Belvedere won the toss and restricted Port Mourant to 82 for 4 off their allotted 10 overs. S. Khan led with 30, T. Rahaman contributed 20. Bowling for the champion, Harrinarine Adolphus took 3 for 9 from 2 impressive overs. In response Belvedere primary raced to victory with Adolphus returning with the bat to score 35 not out, while his brother Adrian Adolphus supported with 21 not out. Earlier, Rose Hall Town was blasted away by Belvedere with the home team only managing 54 in their 10 overs, Harrinarine Adolphus took 3 wickets as only Haresh Singh reached double figures with an
The winning Belvedere team with representatives of GT&T and RHTY&SC. impressive 27. In response, Belvedere reached 55 for 1 as Davesh Singh 24 not out and Arjune Harrinarine 15 not out batted well to secure victory in 6.3 overs. In the other match, Tain and Port Mourant played to
an exciting tie. Batting first, Port Mourant rattled up 104 in their 10 overs, S. Khan 40 and Ramaldo Persaud 30 were the top scorers. Tain in reply also posted 104 for 4 off their 10 overs with Devendra Singh 34 and Eshwar Persaud 20. The teams then faced a
super over with Port Mourant easing past Tain 14 runs in the over to win the semifinal match. Port Mourant ended at 16 for 1 off five balls. In the 3rd place match, Tain defeated a hapless Rose Hall Town by 23 runs to make sure that the host Primary School
ended in the cellar position. Secretary/CEO of the RHTY&SC Hilbert Foster expressed his pleasure that the tournament was a resounding success and stated that the cricket coaches of the club were able to identify several promising
and talented players. The club hopes to establish from next month a cricket development programme for 40 Under-12 players in an effort to develop players. Speaking directly to the young cricketers, Foster appealed to them to stay in school and obtain an education and to Say No to Drugs and Suicide and most importantly to believe in God. He also expressed gratitude to the Management of the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company for its continued confidence in the club as the company has been an official sponsor of the club since 1992. Special thanks was extended to Mr R.K. Sharma, Ms Ajni Hackett and Ms Allison Parker of GT&T. Meanwhile, the female Inter Primary tournament sponsored by Imran Hamid & Sons General Store would be held on Thursday February 26, 2015, at the Area ‘H’ ground. On March 4, the club would also be hosting a day of cricket for teachers at the Area ‘H’ ground. The main aim of the tournaments is to promote the importance of sports as an alternative to a life on the streets.
Sunday February 15, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 63
THE REVIVAL OF GEORGETOWN FOOTBALL CLUB
GFC staff have worked hard to improve the club. By Santokie Nagulendran The oldest football club in Guyana, Georgetown Football Club (GFC), has been enjoying a renaissance in recent times, with the club’s development at both youth and senior level impressing throughout Guyana. Having had a fantastic run in December’s GFA Banks Beer tournament, GFC’s senior team upset the pundits once again on Monday by defeating Super League side Den Amstel in the Mayor’s Cup, so it’s safe to say the club is enjoying a great period of success, yet it wasn’t always like this, the development of the club is the culmination of years of hard work from key individuals at the club. The team is currently managed by Faizal Khan, with National team player Vurlon Mills serving as first-team coach, and the duo, who first led the Under-17 team before taking over the senior team last year, have placed a great emphasis on giving youth a chance in the team. Khan’s involvement with the club goes back many years: “GFC as a club is not far away where my father lives and my younger brother Kabir played for the club, it was actually a GFC game that got me into Guyanese football: I saw a striker and a left-back play exceptionally well, but when I asked them what overseas-clubs they played for, they both laughed and
said ‘no Guyanese players get the chance to play abroad’, that was 15 years ago and a lot has changed since then.” The organised nature of the club is something that has allowed GFC to develop rapidly over the past few years, with Khan saying, “there’s an infrastructure, they have facilities, they have lights, there’s a foundation to build from there, so although very busy with my own businesses and sports agency, I spoke to friends and family about ways I could invest time into GFC.” Faizal Khan and Vurlon Mills were initially given charge of the Under-17 team, where they turned 8-0 drubbings at the hands of Fruta Conquerors into draws and victories within a few months, “We didn’t go out and find new players, we kept the nucleus of the young squad we had and organised them, we let them understand different systems of play”, Khan said of the secrets of his initial success as manager. It was then that first-team coach Clayton McLeod approached the duo to lead the senior team, and a shock 2-0 victory against GFA League leaders Pele FC after a few weeks in charge proved that the decision was a good one. Vurlon Mills, a member of Guyana’s historic National Team during the 2014 World Cup qualifiers, said of his colleague, “Faizal has brought a level of professionalism to
the management and coaching of GFC, he has lifted the standard of the GFC brand.” Yet it was not just a twoman effort that revived GFC, Khan also attributes the collective team of Patrick Vincente, Clayton Mcleod, David Headley, and Akedo Softly their young equipment
manager as key components of the revolution currently taking place at the club. Khan also took time out to attribute the late Peter Lashley for inspiring him to take up a role in the club, saying, “Peter was the first guy to say I should start coaching or managing a football club. Peter, Vurlon, Troy Prescott and I actually started the under-13 Junior Jaguar training sessions in late 2013.” The club even managed to sign national star Trayon Bobb on a loan deal in December whilst he was on a winter break from his club in Europe. Bobb would score 5 goals in his second game for the club and Khan would afterwards comment on Bobb’s time at GFC: “Trayon is such a great role model, he’s a model professional like Vurlon Mills, it’s about bringing the right role models in.” In the recently completed GFA Banks Beer Cup, GFC reached the quarter finals, eliminating league rivals Fruta Conquerors in the group stages. In the quarter-finals they went on to face a rampant Alpha United side who had scored 33 goals in their first two games of the competition and would eventually go on to win the tournament. GFC however, managed to hold Alpha to 0-0 by half-time, and despite losing the tie 3-0, Alpha Coach Wayne Dover had praise for the young side:
“GFC have come a long way from the days when they were the whipping boys to a team that featured in the quarter finals of the year-end Banks Cup tournament and now the Mayor’s Cup tournament. When Alpha played GFC in that quarter-final game it was a match of high intensity because of the ‘never say die’ attitude of the GFC lads, however on the night it was sheer experience which allowed us (Alpha) to triumph 3-0.” Dover attributes much of the success of GFC to Faizal Khan: “In my honest opinion I think Faizal brought some sort of semblance and organisation to a young group of players, and the professionalism he created among the staff is a good introduction to the team, hence the reason you are seeing a change in fortune for the club. In most recent times GFC have displayed a decent level of football with a couple of quality young players, the likes of Keron Solomon and Kareem Knights.” Faizal Khan believes GFC can only grow: “In the next four years we will see GFC being one of the major forces in Guyanese football and we would like to challenge for top honours within that time frame, by 2019 GFC will be the biggest club in the country!’’ Indeed, the club has recently advertised for an Under-13s coach to help specialise in developing the
Santokie Nagulendran next generation of stars, and much has been invested into both the under-15 and under17 players at the club, with a long-term vision to grow the future stars of the National football team. GFC player Keron Solomon was recently called up for National Team training sessions in January, such is the respect GFC have commanded nationwide in recent times, and the club motto of letting youth have a chance to play seems to be reaping rewards, with the club hoping more will follow Solomon into the National Team. With the future of GFC looking bright, the club has created an environment and community which many clubs in Guyana would do well to look towards for inspiration.
RHTY&SC Silver Jubilee 1990 - 2015
GBTI INTER SECONDARY SCHOOL TAPEBALL TOURNEY UNDERWAY Lower Corentyne, Winifred Gaskin and Corentyne Comprehensive have all advanced to the semi finals in the male segment of the GBTI Inter-Secondary School sponsored Tapeball tournament organised by the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club in commemoration of their Silver Jubilee anniversary. In the female competition, J.C. Chandisingh, Manchester and Port Mourant have joined Central Corentyne who drew the bye to the semifinals. The opening round of action was played on Thursday last and was opened by the Assistant Manager of GBTI Port Mourant Branch Mr. Ameer Azeef and RHTY&SC Secretary/CEO, Hilbert Foster. Following are the results from the Male matches played. At Ulverston - Winifred Gaskin defeated Manchester. Manchester made 109 for 8 from 15 overs. Sanjeem Bartany made 40 and Kornelius France 28; Trevon Cort took 2 for 10 and Akeem Blackman 2 for 20. Winifred Gaskin responded with 113 for 6 in 14.3 overs. Akeem Blackman
smashed 70, Tishon Cooper 20 while Shane Campbelle had 2 for 15. At Port Mourant - Corentyne Comprehensive hammered Port Mourant by 77 runs. Corentyne Comprehensive posted 126 for 7 off 15 overs, Avinash Ramnarine made 27 and Jermine Pollard 17. Bowling for Port Mourant, Akeem Hooper took 2 for 23 and Deonarine Ramnarine 2 for 26. In reply, Port Mourant were bowled out for 49. Joel Pike and Ronaldo Rowe took 2 for 9 each. At Area ’H’ Ground - Lower Corentyne defeated J.C. Chandisingh by 42 runs. Lower Corentyne 102 for 2 off their 15 overs with Berbice Under-15 Captain Kevlon Anderson top scoring with an unbeaten 56, Keith Simpson made 30 not out. In reply J.C. Chandisingh were shot out for 60 in 13.3 overs. Female Matches At Ulverston - Port Mourant got past Corentyne Comprehensive by 7 wickets. Corentyne Comprehensive was bowled out for 50 in 8.3 overs following destructive spells from Erica Lashley 3 for 7 and L. McKenzie 3 for 13. Port Mourant replied with 53 for 3 in 7.1 overs. Aleema Arokium hit 20 and Kavita
Ramsammy 11. At Ulverston - Manchester beat Winifred Gaskin by 27 runs. Manchester 93 all out in 9.5 overs, Kimmone Thomas 48, Kimola Davis 11, Nazela Leitch 2 for 11. Winifred Gaskin 66 all out in 10 overs. Tishana Munroe 2 for 11, Thiona Park 2 for 20. At the Area ‘H’ Ground - J.C. Chandisingh took care of Lower Corentyne by five wickets. Lower Corentyne 55 all out in 10 overs, Lashonda Punch 17, Hazeena Mannick 12. J. C. Chandisingh 56 for 5 in 8.2 overs, Natasha Sukhdeo 15, Lashonda Punch 3 for 10. The semifinals would be played tomorrow at the Port Mourant and Area ‘H’ grounds. At Port Mourant, the female game will see J.C. Chandisingh taking on Central Corentyne from 09:00hrs and in the male competition from 11:30hrs, Central Corentyne will oppose Lower Corentyne. Over at theArea ‘H’ground, Rose Hall Town, the female game brings together Manchester and Port Mourant from 09:00hrs with the male encounter between Winifred Gaskin and Corentyne Comprehensive from 11:30hrs.
Page 64
Kaieteur News
Sunday February 15, 2015
WICB Four-Day Franchise Cricket
Cornwall grabs career best 7-96 for Hurricanes but Jaguars still on course for victory By Sean Devers in Antigua In Association with Western Union, John Fernandes Ltd & Meet Your Match Dating Service The Leeward Islands bowlers toiled long and hard in sweltering heat on the second day of their sixth round West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Four-Day Franchise cricket match against the Guyana Jaguars yesterday at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium at North South. By the end of the day the Jaguars, led by an 84-run second wicket partnership between Skipper Leon Johnson (48) and Rajendra Chandrika (83), were dismissed for 267 in reply to the 139 made by the Hurricanes to give them a lead of 128 runs and still in control at the halfway stage with the Leewards in their second innings on 36-1 after losing Austin Richards (14) who inexplicable played no shot to Narsingh Deonarine and was bowled at 28-1. A good fight back in the final session saw the Jaguars losing their last five wickets for 53 runs as burly offspinner Rakeem Cornwall destroyed the Jaguars with a career best 7-96 and got support from leg-spinner Hayden Walsh who had 2-79. Sherwin Peters (22) and night watchman Quinton Boatswain (0) survived to the end with still 92 runs to get and two entire days for the Jaguars to get nine wickets and if needed, chase a victory
Leon Johnson pulls viciously for four yesterday.
target. The Jaguars began the day on 14 without loss in reply to the 139 made by the Hurricanes and watched by another disappointing turn out on a flat track Singh and Chandrika built a solid foundation for their team. The usually compact but sedate Singh out-scored Chandrika as the opening
partnership progressed without much bother with both batsmen looking very settled. Singh drove teenage pacer Jeremiah Louis sweetly through cover for four before a pugnacious pull for the seventh boundary of the innings when Peters pitched short to bring up the 50 in 91 minutes off 107 balls.
But with the score on 55 Singh edged Cornwall to slip after making 23 from 94 minutes and 57 balls with two boundaries to bring to the crease Johnson, who made 110 the last time he played at this ground last year in a losing cause. Together the pair tucked into the bowling with increasing relish under a clear
GCB U-15 50-Over bowls off today The Guyana Cricket Board Under-15 Inter-County 50Over Competition 2015 is set to bowl off today, with the GCB President XI taking on defending champions, Demerara, at the Demerara Cricket Club ground. The other match in Round One will be contested tomorrow, Monday, 16 February, 2015 at the Wales Community Centre ground between Berbice and Essequibo. Round Two would have two matches playing simultaneously Tu e s d a y. Berbice would go up against Demerara at the Enmore Community Centre ground, while the action between Essequibo and the GCB President XI would go
down at the Police Sports Club ground. The Third Round will be on Thursday. Essequibo will go up against Demerara at the Wales Community Centre ground while the GCB President XI will battle Berbice at Everest Cricket Club ground. Then the top two teams will be engaged in the final on Saturday at the Wales Community Centre ground. Each match will commence at 9:00 hours. The teams are as follows: Demerara: Ashmead Nedd (Captain), Avin Gangadin, Robin Williams, Jamal Micheals, Alphius Bookie, Chandra Mohan, Adrian Hinds, Pradesh
Balkissoon, Omar Torrington, Jeremiah Scott, Parmanand Goontipersaud, Daniel Scott, Jospice Jones, Andrew Persaud. The Manager is Richard Albert and the Coach is Garvin Nedd. Berbice: Kevlon Anderson (captain), Alex Algu, Junior Sinclair, Brandon Mangal, Andrea Bissoondial, Seon Glasgow, Kelvin Omroa, Antonio Kempadoo, Nivendra Persaud, Cheddie Boodhoo, Gevon Schultz, Haife Walters, Garfield Benjamin and Davendra Somra. The Manager is Kwesi Maltsy and the Coach is Andre Percival. Essequibo: Orlando Jailall (Captain), Bhomesh Ramdahin, Mahendra Dindyal, Arnold Adams,
Bhumeshwar Ramkissoon, Romario Stephen, Amos Sarwan, Ramesh Persaud, Sheldon Charles, Esho Persaud, Azim Fredericks, Parsram Singh, Sevond Dess, and Kevin Standiford. The Manager is Vickram Ramnarine and the Coach is Forbes Daniels. GCB President XI: Joel Spooner (Captain), Melvin Singh, Leon Swami, Christopher H a r r y, Joshua Bacchus, Sachin Persaud, Parvesh Dhanraj, Lance Roberts, Dicquin Clarke, Anil Singh, Tyrese Assanah, Sachin Basdeo, Yodister Persaud, and Marvin Persaud. The Manager is Dhanpaul and the Coach is Julian Moore.
blue sky and with a nice cool breeze stretching out the Guyana, Antigua & Barbuda and the Leeward Islands Cricket Association flags on the Eastern Stand, which like the other stands, remained virtually empty all day. Johnson was soon into his stride and pounced on Cornwall like a cat upon a mouse and disdainfully dumped him over the midwicket boundary and the Hurricanes bowlers were fast being made to look impotent. Johnson drove Cornwall to the cover boundary while Chandrika caressed Peters for four down the ground with consummate ease and batting had become as easy as taking candy from a baby. The 100 was posted in 220 balls and 155 minutes and Johnson celebrated the land mark by clobbering Cornwall back over his head for six before depositing the off-spinner for another six just before Lunch. Chandrika reached his fourth fifty from 127 balls, 168 minutes and his classy innings was decorated with six fours to stamp his authority on his return to the team after missing the last
game suffering from Gastro. Chandrika tucked Boatswain neatly off his legs for four and looked rock solid and along with his captain who oozed confidence, took the Jaguars to Lunch on 1371, needing just three runs for first innings points. Chandrika was on 59 and Johnson on 47 and their team large and in charge in Leewards’ own back yard. After Lunch Johnson was caught and bowled by Cornwall when two short of his 22nd fifty at this level after batting for 95 minutes, facing 97 balls aided by four fours and three sixes. His demise left the score 144-2 and broke the 89-run partnership. Deonarine, who missed the last match in Jamaica due to the ‘flu’ and is one of only three batsmen with 300 runs in this tournament, joined Chandrika who was soon taken at mid-off, driving at Cornwall at 182-3. His 83 lasted 226 minutes, 182 balls and included 11 fours. Peters produced the ball of the match to remove Chanderpaul, the most capped West Indian Test player when the ball, pitched just short of a good length reared viciously at the veteran left-hander who could do very little to prevent the ‘nasty lifter’ which came ‘out of the blue’ from touching his glove for Cornwall to hold a good catch over his head at slip. Chanderpaul’s dismissal came at 202-4 after he had contributed just 11 runs as the Leewards fought back in the second session before Cornwall, who extracted prodigious bounce and turn, sent back Deonarine (32) at 214-5 as the Jaguars scored 80 runs and lost five wickets in the post Lunch session. Although the hosts were handicapped by the loss of their leading wicket taker Gavin Tonge, Peters bowled an immaculate line and length to the left-handers while Cornwall attacked from the other end and by Tea the Jaguars were 217-5 with allrounders Chris Barnwell and Raymond Reifer at the crease. After Tea the Jaguars suffered a dramatic collapse as Barnwell (25), Reifer (16) and Anthony Bramble (0) all departed with the score 253 before Walsh got rid of Bishoo (2) and Permaul, who hit three fours in his 12 was removed by Cornwall who gave his team a glimmer of hope of saving the game.