Sunday January 04, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur M@ilbox Kaieteur M@ilbox Be careful in your admiration Six global events have already influenced realities in 2015 of big names in society DEAR EDITOR, I hereby pen a few observations on Ruel Johnson’s letter on Ian Mc Donald (KN Dec 18, 14, “A whitewashed picture of the state of culture and the arts in Guyana.”) Johnson was commenting on an earlier missive of mine on McDonald. And that particular correspondence was a critical look at Stabroek News’s editorial praise for Mr. Mc Donald as an outstanding Guyanese. Readers who read my disagreeing response to the editorial would know that I took objection to the section of the editorial that gave credit to Mr. McDonald’s sojourn into political reflections. I pointed out that he never made such a journey. After McDonald’s reply to me I am further convinced that at the age of 81 and with his migration to Canada, we will never (they say never say never but I am saying it here) see any candid reflections from Mr. Mc Donald on what has gone wrong so badly in Guyana the past sixty years. And Mr. Mc Donald should know why, because he chose to donate his papers to UWI and he chose Canada as the country to spend the rest of his life in. Before I continue with the essential argument here, a relevant digression I will make. I have one child and I have instilled in her the concept of not accepting or even admiring a human who
has eminence, status and a huge name, unless that person proves to be someone that embraces the values that hold civilization together. That person for all his/her name may fall short by a long way of what a human being ought to be. I came face to face with this brutal reality at the University of Guyana. Dr. Compton Bourne became Chancellor of UG at a time when he held the position of President of the Caribbean Development Bank and he possessed Guyana’s highest award, the Order of Excellence. He earned a regional reputation as a scholar in economics. I have been at UG for twenty six years and functioned under several Vice-Chancellors and Chancellors, all of whom I have had trenchant disagreements with. None of them had the status of Dr. Bourne. In all honesty, Dr. Bourne is the worst administrator I have worked under. Professional and administrative correctness was below even that of Dr. James Rose, and this entire country knew Rose and I were engaged in non-stop confrontation. Here is an example of the nature of people like Compton Bourne. UG lecturer, Mr. Evan Persaud, a PPP card- bearing PPP member, was to be investigated for gross misconduct in his classroom.
The three-person panel Bourne selected was made up totally of PPP card-bearing members like Persaud. Attorney, Gino Persaud, informed Bourne at a statutory Council meeting that he knew one of the panelists to be a PPP member and the other two were pointed out to Bourne. A question of conflict of interest was then cited which Bourne rejected. Persaud was found not guilty by the panel. How did someone like Bourne become President of the CDB? My point is young people like Ruel Johnson come into society and hear about these big names, then these big names disappoint them. And the consequences can be harmful to Guyana because these young people can turn away from critical thought. Fortunately Johnson hasn’t. Bourne, Mc Donald and Sir Shridath Ramphal come to mind Mc Donald tells us the facilities are not there in Guyana to cater for donations of papers like his. Then he becomes extremely frustrating by telling us that the lack of facilities in Guyana is there despite efforts of improvements. Why say such Continued on page 6
DEAR EDITOR, At midnight December 31, 2014, celebrations of spectacular fireworks, lit up the skies all around the world. It was the end of a year and the dawning of another. Many remain grateful for life, health and the opportunity to see the beginning of a new year; many more did not make it across. They have transcended this earthly, physical world. But as we look into the rear-view mirror of our world, and accelerate into the future, some events have already shaped our global society and the way we will move forward, in 2015. For me, six global events have already influenced realities in 2015: First: the situation with Russia: Russia annexed Crimea and threatened all of Ukraine. It happened in midMarch. This raised speculations about a new Cold War. The situation was facilitated by the failure of the government of Ukraine’s proRussian President Viktor Yanukovich. He resigned from office in February and fled the country in the wake of aggressive political activism that started three months earlier over his unwillingness to sign a much anticipated trade deal with the EU. Ukraine, which has been trapped between the East and
the West for much of its history, found itself at the mercy of its much larger Russian neighbour once again. On 27 February, proRussian militants acting, apparently, under the subtle influence of Russian President, Vladimir Putin, took control of the Crimean capital. Also, in a highly suspicious referendum, 95 percent of the Crimeans who voted favoured returning to the mother land- Russia, which had controlled the peninsula before 1954. Of course, Moscow went beyond that. In May, proRussian separatists in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of eastern Ukraine declared independence. After that, they held their own elections. Meanwhile, the rest of Ukraine elected proWestern Petro Poroshenko, in
May, as its new president. The West recognised Poroshenko’s victory. Its criticism of Moscow’s aggression was more rhetoric that action. However, when in late July a Malaysian passenger jet was shot down over rebel-held territory, the United States and EU responded by increasing a series of sanctions against Russia. But that did not really change the behaviour of Russia, despite a ceasefire agreement reached in September. Sadly, so far, in excess of three thousand souls have perished in the fighting in eastern Ukraine. Even if the crisis ends soon, the world will have to live with the aftermath of that event, including strain in the relations between Russia and the West. This has potential Continued on page 6
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Kaieteur News
Sunday January 04, 2015
Kaieteur M@ilbox Kaieteur M@ilbox Six global events have already influenced realities in ... From page 5 to influence the colour and shape of the geopolitical map. Second: the ProDemocracy Campaign in Hong Kong. Two different systems have been the operating principle for Chinese rule of Hong Kong since the British returned the city to Chinese control in 1997. The “special administrative region” of seven million people is promised certain privileges not afforded to other Chinese citizens. But Beijing has not always kept its end of the bargain. This encouraged tensions this summer after Beijing’s harsh response to a June demonstration commemorating the twentyfifth anniversary of the riots in Tiananmen Square. Things got worse when Beijing, in August, announced that only candidates it approved would be allowed to run in the 2017 election for Hong Kong chief executive. The campaign demanding that Beijing permits democratic elections in Hong Kong was activated. The protesters were met with tear gas, which only prompted more people to join the protests. Participation in the protests peaked in early October, and under pressure from authorities the number of protestors dwindled to
several hundred. On December 3, three protest leaders surrendered themselves. Later, police took action against the remaining protest camps. As of today, all of the camps have been cleared. That hardly signals that Hong Kong’s dissatisfaction with Beijing’s decisions has dissipated. So, we watch for more movement in that country in 2015. Third: the political victory of Mr. NarendraModi in India. NarendraModi, the son of a poor tea seller, led the BharatiyaJanata Party (BJP) to a major historic victory in India’s May parliamentary elections, making it the first party in thirty years to win an absolute majority of seats. Modi ran on his record for bringing economic development to the Gujarat state when he was its chief minister. Indian voters hope he can bring the same success to India as a whole. Two challenges there: political power is decentralized in India, meaning that his opponents will have many ways to derail his plans. Second, the global economy is slowing. Therefore, the Indian economy could underperform even if things go as planned. So far, he has tried to raise India’s visibility in the global
village. In September, he spoke at the opening of the UN General Assembly, stopped by Madison Square Garden to address a noticeable crowd of supporters who chanted his name, and attended a state dinner at the White House where he fasted while his host ate. This international visibility could help to make India more attractive to investors. Next: ISIS and its brutal activities. The emergence, in 2014, of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), or simply the Islamic State. In the past, it was known as alQaeda in Iraq. ISIS has acted so brutally toward its enemies that al-Qaeda has denounced it. But despite that brutality, or perhaps because of it, ISIS took control of a considerable swath of territory in Iraq and Syria in 2014. Then on June 29, ISIS declared itself to be an Islamic caliphate. ISIS beheaded three Americans. That caused President Barack Obama to order air strikes, first against ISIS targets in Iraq and then in Syria. Obama also dispatched U.S. troops
to Iraq to advise the Iraqi army and the Kurdish Peshmerga on how to regain the territory that ISIS has taken. Then, Iran launched its own air strikes on ISIS, making it and the United States uneasy allies. The air strikes have slowed ISIS’s advance, but the group still controls a sizeable amount of territory, including Iraq’s second largest city, Mosul. ISIS also continues to draw pledges of allegiance from other jihadi groups, and foreign jihadists, including some Americans, continue to flock to Syria to join ISIS. Then: the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370. This remains a mystery. How is it possible for a plane to just disappear without trace? At end of 2014, we are no closer to any answers. It might have been a tragic accident. Or it might have been hijacked. These are only speculations; no one knows for sure. According to reports, the plane lost contact with air traffic control over the South China Sea, where territorial disputes abound. Notwithstanding, Malaysia, China, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, the
Philippines, Australia, and the United States all contributed to the search effort, making it a great instance of international cooperation; a very positive for international relations. Finally: Ebola. None of the above political events had a more debilitating effect on the sensibilities of humankind as this dreaded disease- Ebola. It straddles environmental and public health with enormous social, economic and other implications on the global village for generations to come. With a mighty and deadly blow it stuck West Africa. It crept up almost unnoticed to the global society in Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone in March. This could be because in previous outbreaks, the death toll from the disease, which was first discovered in 1976, seldom exceeded a few dozen victims and never exceeded three hundred. In 2014, so far, about six thousand people have died from Ebola, and a few cases have presented in Europe and the United States. This year’s outbreak was different partly because it started in a more
densely populated area and also because initial international response was veryslow. However, the subsequent international response has made some difference. Liberia has made progress against the virus, though more cases are being reported in Sierra Leone. Researchers around the world are trying to develop a vaccine; it may not be ready anytime soon. But the economic and other costs of the epidemic could continue long after it ends. Undoubtedly, the activities of humankind to encroach upon natural habitats, changing them as they go along, to fell trees, and extract other natural resources and move animals and people, and the different viruses they carry, the greater the potential for infection and the spread of pathogens new to humans. These events have, in my opinion, locked us on a path, that requires very strong collaboration and cooperation, among world leaders, to avoid our global village from slipping into an undesirable place. Royston King
From page 5 a fictional thing? UG’s top Caribbean Research Library has been closed for years now. UG Library is defunct. The national archive on Homestretch Avenue is pathetic. The fact is there have been no improvements. Why would McDonald want to say such a thing? Sir Shridath Ramphal had
frank words to say about Prime Minister Thompson’s expulsion policy of illegal Guyanese in Barbados. But Ramphal chose not to live in Guyana but Barbados. Ramphal refused to give Stabroek News a comment on the prorogation of Parliament but was happy to shower praise on President Jagdeo during Jagdeo’s Day of
Appreciation. Of course Bourne, Ramphal and Mc Donald are not the only ones from the senior generation in Guyana that have not inspired the younger generation to embrace critical thought. There are so many others and that is what forms part of the tragedy of this country. Speaking for myself, as an
academic and a commentator, I cannot and will not bring myself to write anything glowing about Bourne, Ramphal and Mc Donald. I have seen too much sadness and despair throughout the history of Guyana to praise people who could have made a positive difference but deliberately choose not to. Frederick Kissoon
Be careful in your admiration of big names in...
Sunday January 04, 2015
Kaieteur News
Pegasus Hotel owner pursues US$8M Marriott equity Prominent businessman/ hotelier, Robert Badal, says he is willing to write a cheque that will see him gaining control of the US$57M Marriott Hotel facilities in Kingston. According to the businessman who holds majority interests in Pegasus Hotel and Guyana Stockfeeds Limited, he has been following keenly the developments with Marriott and now that details of the many incentives and tax breaks granted for the project are coming to light, he is more than willing to invest the US$8M that offers 67 percent ownership of the hotel. “Once there is a guarantee that all these incentives, including the exemptions on the Withholding Tax, Property Tax and Corporation Tax, will come as the conditions under the current arrangements, I will be more than willing to come on board as the equity investor for US$8M,” the businessman said. During the first three years of the hotel’s operation, AHI, which Winston Brassington heads, says that the equity investor will get US$1.3M. From year four of operation, the equity investor will be paid US$1.2M each year for the next six years. In year 10 of its operation, that equity investor will have received a whopping US$37.2M, setting the rate of return over the 10-year period at 22.2 per cent. Should Badal be successful as the equity investor, he is likely to rake in US$46M in returns by the end of 10 years, according to documents provided by Brassington and government. The new hotel is being granted 10-year exemption from Corporation, Property and Withholding Tax (including the payment of interest and dividends to debt providers and equity
AHI’s head, Winston Brassington holders.) Withholding Tax is income tax withheld from employees’ wages and paid directly to the government, by the employer. It is also guaranteeing relief from duty and excise tax on capital repairs or replacements, including machinery, equipment and buildings costing more than US$10,000. The equity investor is entitled to a one-off retrofitting of the project if so required, for a period of ten years from the commencement of commercial operations. Badal’s Pegasus Hotel is located right next door to Marriott in Kingston. And it has no such concessions. Quite a few other hotels are also miffed over the extravagant incentives. Under it financial arrangements for the Marriott, Government of Guyana has invested through equity and a loan, around US$20M. It is also sourcing another US$27M through a syndicated loan being managed by Republic Bank Trinidad. The catchy part of the arrangement that has surprised many is that the additional US$8M that AHI’s head, Winston Brassington, says is needed, will virtually
Businessman, Robert Badal give control to the equity investor that is coming on board. This hotel is being constructed under “public/ private” financing arrangements. Government last year announced that two Hong Kong businessmen had come on board with the US$8M as the equity investors but a court case over the mortgaging of the property saw the Hong Kong two pulling out. The two men are Victor How Chung Chan and Xu Han, whose company, British Virgin Islands (BVI)registered ACE Square Investments Ltd, was touted to have invested the money. The extravagant incentives and other benefits have left other hotel operators extremely worried as the new 197-room hotel in Kingston, when it comes on stream this year, is more than likely to close them down. Last month, Brassington admitted that financing for the project was in jeopardy because of the court case filed by Opposition Member of Parliament, Desmond Trotman. That case immediately raised questions of where government was getting the monies from to continue building the hotel.
The almost completed Marriott Hotel, in Kingston.
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Sunday January 04, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Dem boys seh
Troubled E-Governance project…
De world is your own mirror
Taxpayers saddled with loan repayment A few weeks ago, there was the report on how former President Bharrat Jagdeo spent $20B from the treasury in a scheme designed to gain control of the information and communications technology (ICT) sector. The money was spent on cables, towers, transmission lines, data centers, and thousands of laptops for poor families. All this was to transform Guyana’s internet and telecommunications sector, thereby putting it on par with the rest of the developing world, Jagdeo had said. But after billions of taxpayers’ dollars have been expended on the EGovernance project and on the Brazil to Guyana Cable venture, both are yet to be realized. Government has admitted that there are problems and that solutions are being examined to put the Brazil project back on track. The Brazil project involves running a fibre optic cable from Lethem to the city at a cost of some US$32 M. However, the project has stalled, some say abandoned because of the problem of getting the cable across difficult terrain. The cable breaks repeatedly. Government had been largely silent on the EGovernance project. It was even silent when it all but abandoned the project. The matter has since sparked discussions in some quarters and queries, with the private sector and the political
Former President Bharrat Jagdeo opposition, lambasting the government for the collapse of the project. Anand Goolsarran, a former Auditor General in his most recent column said that he was shocked to learn that after billions of taxpayers’ dollars were expended on government’s Fibre Optic Cable project, it has now collapsed. More significantly, Goolsarran said that after doing his own research he found that Guyana had taken a loan from a Chinese Bank to back part of the project. With the project stalled, and the monies from the loan completely expended, Goolsarran was concerned that future generations will be saddled with paying off the debt until 2032. In his most recent column, Goolsarran examined how the
venture collapsed and some of the financial irregularities of the project. Goolsarran spoke about some of the financial improprieties of the venture by examining the audited public accounts of the country from 2009 to 2014. The chartered accountant said, too, that the entire loan and grant resources provided by the China Export Import Bank for the project have been drawn down and expended. The loan is repayable, inclusive of interest, in 31 equal semi-annual installments, commencing March 2017 and ending September 2032. He emphasized that those responsible for decisions relating to the execution of the project as well as for monitoring it have failed the country immensely. “They have left us not only without any meaningful tangible assets for the expenditure incurred but also a huge debt burden that future generations will have to repay. Many of those responsible may not be around to witness the completion of the loan repayment,” he said. The ICT initiatives, benefitted friends and family in key companies that participated in various aspects, and comprised three main projects including the installation of a fibre optic network from Brazil to Georgetown via the Lethem trail. It included the installation and commissioning of wireless
Former Auditor General, Anand Goolsarran and terrestrial network system from Moleson Creek to Anna Regina, inclusive of 54 towers. Also launched was the One Laptop Per Family Programme which targeted 90,000 households. In 2010, Jagdeo announced that he would provide 90,000 lap tops to poor families over three years at a cost of US$30M. Later that year, he said that Government entered into a contract with a Chinese firm, Huawei, for US$35M. According to Jagdeo, the main objectives of advancing the E-Governance project was to connect schools, hospitals and the police stations and everything else so that technology can be used in providing better and faster service to the people. With the three projects and other initiatives, it is estimated that over $20B (US$100M) was allocated in the massive scheme to fashion the internet connectivity from the infrastructure. With the connections, a particular company could be strategically placed to offer landline and mo b i l e telephone services, internet television and radio, and internet connectivity.
Ministry advocates shift in policy to reduce illegal drug use The Ministry of Home Affairs is advocating that greater focus should be placed on public education and prevention techniques to deal with the problem of drug control in the earliest stage of its development. But to achieve the desired results, programmes to promote treatment, rehabilitation, and social reintegration for drug users should attract greater attention. Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee underscored that previously, concerns with law enforcement and “public security” have overshadowed other key tenets of drug control policy, including public health and drug demand reduction. He said that times have changed and a new approach should be undertaken.
A few years ago, the law was amended to allow for non custodial sentences for possession of small quantities of marijuana. However, the police continue to charge and magistrates continue to imprison persons who are found in possession of less than a gram of the herb. According to the Minister, the effects of the illicit drug trade on Guyana continue to evolve in a gradual way. “The key impact of illicit drug use on society is the negative health consequences experienced by members of society. Drug use can have a serious health impact, even for casual users. Chronic cannabis use can lead to drug dependency as well as a number of behavioural and psychiatric conditions, including
internalizing disorders such as anxiety or depression. Indirect impacts include increased prevalence of infectious diseases among drug users as well as cardiovascular dysfunctions, lung diseases and kidney function,” the Minister explained. He noted that the key question facing national policymakers is how best to develop well-coordinated balance strategies that simultaneously deal with both supply control and demand reduction issues. Rohee said that new trends broadly support shifts in drug policy with an emphasis on education public awareness and early prevention measures. This will certainly involve collaboration among several government agencies
including the Ministries of Health, Human Services, and Education. “Strategies for preventing drug related crime in Guyana should therefore involve all sectors of Government and include education, housing and health issues. Development projects should include a crime prevention component but also recognize that criminal justice reform and democratic community policing are also essential. Isolated domestic strategies must be linked with regional hemispheric and global measures to ensure maximum effectiveness,” Rohee stated. Cocaine and cannabis remain the two most prevalent types of drugs traded and used in Guyana. The transshipment of (continued on page 10)
2014 break Guyana wid dead news. The fuss day was three. De second day was two more. Then late New Year’s night dem boys hear that a big one who was hindering growth in de country drop dead suddenly. Dem boys hear that de funeral service and viewing was at de Conference Centre. De phone was busy; everybody call fuh ask is who. People call Jagdeo cell phone and get voice mail. Dem boys hear that Donald Duck start fuh cry but dem boys ain’t certain who he call. Business people send out invitation to de funeral and dem boys join in the funeral at the conference centre. “In the beginning, everybody who tun up was sad for the death of one of dem colleagues, but after a while dem start fuh get curious fuh know which one of dem colleagues was hindering growth in de country. The excitement in the centre was such that security agents were ordered to control the crowd inside. Then was time fuh de viewing. The more people reached the coffin, the more excitement heated up. Everyone thought: “Who is this guy who was hindering our progress? Well, at least he dead now!” One by one the excited colleagues got closer to the coffin. Uncle Glenn and Uncle Adam been behind dem watching every move, every hand that raise. Uncle Glenn and Uncle Adam stand and watch de people as dem peep in de coffin one by one. Dem boys see how dem face change and dem become speechless after dem look inside de coffin. Dem stand up near de coffin, shocked and in silence, as if someone touched the deepest part of their soul. After de line hold up a man seh, “Is who? Is nah Jagdeo, Brassington or Ashni because all three of dem deh behind me. There was a mirror inside the coffin: everyone who looked inside it could see demself. There was also a sign next to the mirror that said: “There is only one person who is capable to set limits to your growth: It is YOU. You are the only person who can revolutionize your life. You are the only person who can influence your happiness, your realization and your success. You are the only person who can help yourself. Your life does not change when your boss changes, when your friends change, when your parents change, when your partner changes, when your company changes. Your life changes when YOU change, when you go beyond your limiting beliefs, when you realize that you are de only one responsible for your life. “The most important relationship you can have, is the one you have with yourself” Examine yourself, watch yourself. Don’t be afraid of difficulties, impossibilities and losses: be a winner, build yourself and your reality. The world is like a mirror: It gives back to anyone the reflection of the thoughts in which one has strongly believed. The world and your reality are like mirrors lying in a coffin, which show to any individual the death of his divine capability to imagine and create his happiness and his success. It’s the way you face Life that makes the difference. Talk half and digest these words fuh 2015.
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520 children placed in state care in 2014 In one year, there were approximately 520 children for whom the State had to find alternative care besides their homes. At the same time a whopping 1,448 children were prevented from being separated from their families through timely intervention from the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA) of the Minister of Human Services and Social Security. Additionally, by September last year, there were 2,181 reports of child abuse thus far in the year, according to Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Jennifer Webster. Last year, the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA), headed by Ann Green was celebrating five years as an agency. It had achieved much, having focused mainly on increased inter-professional and interagency collaboration in the provision of services for vulnerable children across
…CPA received over 2000 child abuse reports by September Guyana, and family assistance and support to reduce the number of children in need of alternative care during the year 2014. As Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Jennifer Webster, reported on the works of the CPA last year. She explained that separation of children from their biological families was done as a last resort. She said that in spite of the best efforts, there were approximately 520 children for whom the state had to find alternative care besides the home last year. The CPA was able to provide parental education to 3,153 vulnerable families. Webster said that at the end of last year there were more than 800 children in residential care, with approximately 250 in State care centres. The others are in 19 privately managed children’s homes
Caribbean Airlines going daily on NY/ Georgetown route Caribbean Airlines will be adding a series of new flights from January 15 to February 4, 2015, the company has announced. The flights are headlined by the addition of a new daily nonstop flight between Trinidad and New York including the first widebody aircraft on the route. Caribbean Airlines will also be adding a new daily departure on the TrinidadNew York route that will increase to three daily nonstop flights in each direction. The carrier will also be increasing its GeorgetownNew York route to daily
nonstops in both directions. That will mean a total of 48 flights per week between New York and Trinidad. Caribbean Airlines will also be launching increased service between Trinidad and London, meaning four weekly flights starting February 4. The carrier also said it would be terminating its twiceweekly flights between Toronto and Georgetown, Guyana effective March 1, 2015, replacing the service with a daily through flight in both directions. Caribbean Airlines says that it is adding more flights to the Guyana and New York route.
and orphanages to which the CPA does the gate keeping. Guyana’s laws, the Minister explained, specify the mandate of the CPA, so no child can be admitted into any institutional home, without the prior approval of the agency. “The agency continued to operate its 24-hour hotline services and by the end of September, it had placed 262 in alternative care arrangements,” she explained. The report provided statistics on cases involving sexual, physical and verbal abuse along with those where children were abandoned and neglected. The cases recorded for this period represent both sexes. Among those currently in state care in institutions across the country are children who were neglected, who faced other forms of abuse and young females who played victim to human trafficking.
of Guyanese living abroad and 14 with international nonGuyanese,” the Minister reported. All adoption processes, she explained, are finalized through the High Court.
ADOPTION Webster reported that the CPA facilitates the adoption process through the maintenance of the Adoption Board. She said that for 2014 a total of 153 applications were made for adoption of which 121 were presented to the board for approval. “Five cases were denied and one case is pending. There were 58 cases of domestic adoption, 48 cases
FOSTER CARE Government through CPA has been promoting foster care, Webster said. ‘Foster care’ is the term used for a system in which a minor has been placed into a ward, group home, or private home of a state-certified caregiver referred to as a “foster parent”. In other words, foster care is full-time substitute care of children outside their own home by
Director of Child Care and Protection Agency, Ann Greene
people other than their biological or adoptive parents or legal guardians. The placement of the child is usually arranged through the government or a socialservice agency like CPA. Minister Webster reported that there are currently 203 children in that programme. This year, she said, training was provided to 45 new parents and this was done together with the 126 other standing foster parents who are found in the communities of Linden, Georgetown, and East and West Coast Berbice. “The CPA also partners with a Non-Governmental Organisation (Child Link) to provide training to families in the area of parenting and also that work together to achieve parental skills. This training is in preparation for the reunification for children that includes 20 children who are identified and awaiting this progress with their biological parents.” Webster went on to say that the interventions have been timely and the agency is making progress in working with families as it continues to advocate and support strong families and good family life. She said, “To facilitate permanency plans for children in foster care where it is not possible for children to be returned with their
biological parents, nine cases were referred for adoption.” Additionally, the Minister said that efforts were also made for children to visit parents who were incarcerated. The CPA also sought to improve the skills of persons who have aged out of foster care so that they can gain employment. HALFWAYHOME She also reported that the Halfway Home, located at Sophia, Greater Georgetown was completed this year. That facility is meant for children who were in institutional care and who have attained the age of 17 to be relocated there to help them to achieve a certain amount of independence. Ultimately, as they become adults they would be able to go on their own and be able to manage independently, the Minister said. The law provides a specific age for children to live in institutional care and the halfway home is a mechanism to help them to age out. She reported that there are some who have done exceedingly well at the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) examinations. According to Webster, they are now pursuing higher studies with one undertaking Computer Studies at the University of Guyana (UG) and another pursuing a teacher’s certificate.
Ministry advocates shift in policy ... From page 9 cocaine, the production of cannabis and its sporadic trafficking have trickled down to form a nexus between drugs and violent crimes, especially organized crimes such as gun smuggling, and drug related corruption. According to Rohee, the
majority of Guyana’s cannabis production is consumed locally. However, there were seizures which support the importation of a higher quality Cannabis from Jamaica and St. Vincent for subsequent exportation to bordering countries.
Meanwhile, the Customs Anti Narcotic Unit (CANU) continues to fulfill its mandate in terms of narcotic seizures and interceptions. The Minister explained that routine operations at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), the Ogle Airport and the Guyana Post Office Corporation were ongoing during last year, and several drug interceptions were effected. There were other operations with international agencies such as the United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), Royal Canadian Mounted Police Force (RCMP) of Canada and others resulting in significant information and intelligence gathering. “The Unit continues to collaborate closely with the Guyana Revenue Authority Drug Enforcement Unit, Guyana Police Force and Guyana Defence Force and they conducted an operation in Waini River, North West District with the latter which led to the seizure of a selfpropelled semi-submersible vessel. “This submarine appeared to have been built on Guyana’s soil and information
is that it would have been used for clandestine operations inclusive of conveyance of illegal drugs,” the Home Affairs Minister said. Throughout the year, the Unit benefitted from several upgrade courses and sessions facilitated by local and foreign law enforcement agencies. In addition the Unit facilitated training sessions for other agencies, some hosted at its Headquarters and others at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport. The knowledge gained and the sharing of techniques and methods employed continue to collectively work towards the overall improvement of the execution of duties by each agency. “CANU’s total drug seizure for 2014 is comparative with that of 2013 with a total of 97gs. 279 grams cocaine and 1,223 kgs 140.05 grams of cannabis with a significant increase in seizure on the latter over 2013,” Rohee disclosed. He said that in an effort to enhance the Unit’s operational plans for 2015, approval was granted by Cabinet for the restructuring of the Unit, for an increase in the number of persons to be employed with a pay scale adjustment.
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Kaieteur News
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Sandvoort residents accuse government, GT&T of neglect …telephones not working for over three years While most Guyanese were relaxing at home and enjoying the Christmas season, residents of Sandvoort Village, West Canje Berbice were contemplating what wrong they might have done to be neglected by the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company and the government. And this neglect came despite their many pleas to all the relevant authorities. Almost half of the telephones in the village are not working, some for more than three years. They said that their many complaints to all of the relevant authorities at the Telephone company and the government, including Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, have brought them no reprieve. Blind resident, Eustace Hinds, 74, who has lived his entire life in Sandvoort, said that the situation is bad
Blind: Eustace Hinds enough. His phone has been giving problems for the longest while. It has been working on and off for a few years but stopped working last August. He said that he has made numerous complaints to GT&T. He even sent his children and many relatives to
Some of the affected residents ready to take action remind the company of their obligation and promise. Hinds stated that he was promised that his phone would have been fixed before Christmas, then New Year. That has not been the case.
Three Muslim scholars return
Br. Momin Sugrim, Br. Mohamed Khan, Br. Sheik Haniff The Central Islamic Organisation in Guyana, in collaboration with The AlMadina Institute in South Africa has secured one-year scholarships for three Guyanese students, Momin Ali Sugrim, Mohamed Iqbaul Faroude Khan, and Sheik Haniff. Br. Mohamed Iqbaul Faroude Khan hails from the Essequibo Coast, Br. Sheik Haniff from Alberttown, Georgetown and Br. Momin Ali Sugrim from No.1 Settlement, Blairmont, West Berbice. During the scholarship they covered a wide range of topics. This programme was designed to offer students a comprehensive foundation in the main sciences of Islamic knowledge, as well as some practical skills in leadership, communication and research. Female and male students from different countries were welcomed to a new approach to learning Islam in an environment that is warm, welcoming, and encourages
questions ,free thought, and frames the classical knowledge of the pure Quran and authentic Sunnah within the modern context that we live in. With a range of internationally-acclaimed scholars from South Africa and U.S.A., students were assured that they are taking their religion from instructors who are among the best in their fields. The main instructor throughout this programme was Shaykh Dr. Muhammad bin Yahya alHusayni al-Ninowy. The Guyanese participants were able to benefit from a very solid foundation in the core subjects, allowing them to increase their knowledge, certainty and conviction. They were also exposed to community work and leadership opportunities to develop their skills in teaching, public speaking, writing, and service to humanity. At the end of the programme they were
awarded the Ijazah certificate. They will be attached to the education department of CIOG..
“The company only promising, promising,” Hinds stated. Mr. Hinds said that he has many relatives overseas and in other parts of the country who would usually call during the Christmas season. Nobody can communicate, he said. Telephones were installed in the village in the mid 90s, but the situation has never been so bad with about half of the phones not working. He also said that the government had promised then to fix the streets in the
village, but that again is only promises. He said that the water pressure is not like before and is also discolored. Leon Thomas said that his phone has been crossed for over one year. It stopped working permanently since September. A number of other residents, among them Faye Munroe, Palton Austin, Vanessa Cadogan, Janette Keweley, George Hintzen and
Phillip John have different issues with their phones and most of them haven’t had the use of the instruments for over two years. What is more heart rending for the residents is that they are still being sent bills to pay the monthly rentals. The Sandvoort Health Centre and the Sandvoort Primary School and Library are also without telephone service.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday January 04, 2015
YOUMAN NABI MESSAGES FROM PNCR The People’s National Congress Reform wishes to extend greetings to our Muslim brothers and sisters in Guyana and to the Muslim community throughout the world on the important occasion of Youman Nabi, the birth anniversary of the Holy Prophet Muhammed, the final messenger of God to mankind. The Party takes particular note of the fact that the Holy Prophet Muhammed has left a legacy of a religion that is universal in scope and purpose, which promotes an end to human suffering, disease and poverty. More particularly, this legacy is consistent with the promotion of peace and harmony in our country and the rest of the world. This legacy is important not only for the spiritual development of this nation but also for its commitment to ending disease, poverty and backwardness and the promotion of harmony in Guyana. Guyanese can benefit from this legacy by
GUYANA UNITED SADR ISLAMIC ANJUMAN The Guyana United Sadr Islamic Anjuman (GUSIA) takes the opportunity to extend to our Muslim Community and the Guyanese Nation, greetings on the occasion of Eid-Miladun-Nabi or Youman Nabi. This day, which observes the advent of God’s best creation, the Prophet Muhammad (SAS), is a day which must fill the hearts of Mankind with great joy. He was the person who translated in his life, qualities that are associated with great character. Generations of nations are preserved by his teachings. They experienced progress in their affairs to the extent that indelible footprint of the past and guidance of the future permeates the history of mankind. The establishment of progressive nations and successful people are results of adherence to the guidance of Prophet Muhammad (SAS), the final Prophet of God to mankind. Muhammad (SAS) as a prophet of God, leader of a great nation of which reaches over one billion followers today, lived a simply yet distinguished life. He mended his own clothes, detested pomp and pride, and was most humble in his accomplishments. Prophet Muhammad (SAS) advocated for the poor and needy and was a friend to the downtrodden. He solidified friendship between sworn enemies and established communities that are unified in aims, objectives and
using it as an instrument not only for the promotion of understanding among our various ethnic groups but also and more importantly for bringing a healing touch to the dilemmas and challenges which afflict the nation at the present time. The PNCR is referring in particular to the spiraling drug culture, the scourge of violence and the spate of brutal murders, a situation which has scarred the social landscape and has earned us a certain degree of regional and international disrepute. The PNCR, therefore, wishes to suggest to the nation that as we reflect on the significance of the birth of the Holy Prophet we take to heart the message and lessons of the doctrines of this great religion and use them as important instruments for improving our society in such a way that we can begin to see the end of the vicious cycle of violence and witness the creations of conditions for racial harmony, peace and the real development in Guyana. purposes. Prophet Muhammad commanded respect by his honesty, fairness and compassion for his followers and enemies alike. His opponents were very harsh yet he opened to them his generosity of kindness. No person was too insignificant in his sight and no one was more honorable than another was, unless s/he was stronger in faith and belief. We join with Muslims throughout the world to remind all of the eminence and virtues of this great but honorable leader of mankind and to echo the feelings of love, dedication and commitment to the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAS). In this age of political instability, ethnic and racial violence, greed, materialism and uncertainties, the teachings of this great prophet must be explored more carefully. We will have to extract the ingredients of nation building, religious and spiritual codes and appropriate moral, social and economic disciplines to establish strong progressive nations populated with citizens who are cognizant of their duty first to God, the Creator and to fellow occupants of this earth. We join to express joy and goodness on this special occasion of Eid Milad-un-Nabi (Youman Nabi) and to pray for continued personal spiritual growth from the life of Prophet Mohammad (SAS), the final Prophet of God to all mankind. BADRUDIN HASSAN President
PEOPLE’S PROGRESSIVE PARTY The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) extends Greetings to our Muslim brothers and sisters on the auspicious occasion of Youman Nabi.Youman Nabi commemorates the birth and death anniversary of the Holy Prophet Mohamed (on whom be peace) and is being observed and celebrated throughout the Muslim world. The exemplary life of the Prophet Mohamed in terms of his simplicity, honesty and integrity should be emulated by all which could only redound to the good of humanity. The PPP takes this opportunity to call on
FROM FIRST LADY MADAME DEOLATCHMEE RAMOTAR Youman Nabi is a noteworthy observance in our religious and cultural calendar. It is an auspicious occasion marking the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammed. It is time for us to distill the treasures of the truly exemplary life of the Holy Prophet and to apply these principles to our own lives so that we and the world can be a better place. On this the occasion of Youman Nabi 2015, it is my privilege and pleasure to extend heartfelt greetings to all Guyanese but especially to our Muslim Brothers and Sisters who are today paying tribute to the life and works ofthe Holy Prophet. I want to join with them in honoring the Holy Prophet whose life was dedicated to the service of others and to the spread and deepening of the Islamic faith. The Holy Prophet is recognized as one of the great movers of humanity. His impact on the growth of Islam is unquestionable. He is considered one of the great personalities to have ever walked the Earth, whose impact still resonates in the world today.
ANNA CATHERINA ISLAMIC COMPLEX (ACIC) When tribalism, political turmoil, moral and social chaos was rampant, a child was born into what can be conceived as poverty and deprivation. He rose up to become a man who by example pioneered a new way of life that heralded into a worldwide admiration of principles that changed the course of civilization. Over 1400 years ago was born the Greatest Benefactor to Mankind, Hazrat Muhammad, the Prophet of Islam, fulfilling a prophecy of the finality of prophet hood on earth to guide mankind towards good. He changed mankind’s way of thinking towards the recognition of God and His commandments. He influenced people’s behavior and altered their evil inclinations. He came as a Mercy unto Mankind and was emulated in his character and disposition that helped transformed brutal men into sacred personalities. His life was a means in which rulers and subjects alike, copied the art of leadership, nation building, family orientation, political stability, economic reforms and last but not least, spiritual elevation. He, the Best of All
Guyanese to use this occasion to reflect on the life and teachings of the Prophet Mohamed which is based on the precepts of peace and brotherhood. This message is all the more relevant in today’s world in which there is so much conflict and tension and where man’s inhumanity to man has reached alarming proportions. In this regard, the PPP condemns those who shelter under the umbrella of Islam and conduct all manner of barbaric and inhumane actions such as kidnappings and murder. Once again, Youman Nabi Greetings to all Guyanese, in particular Muslims. During his lifetime, he preached understanding amongst people of all faiths. It is this aspect of his teachings that I wish to highlight today as we observe his birth and life. We here in Guyana have been spared the misfortunes and tragedies that have visited many other countries afflicted by the scourges of religious conflict. And I believe that contributing to this internal religious harmony in our country is that fact that there exists a high degree of religious tolerance and understanding amongst our peoples. This has allowed multiculturalism to flourish in our society. As we value this multiculturalism, let us appreciate the important role that understanding amongst peoples of all faiths has played in creating and promoting religious harmony in our country. In continuing to promote religious tolerance and understanding, we are being faithful to the teachings of the Holy Prophet, whose inspirational life should continue to guide all of us, Muslims and non- Muslims alike. May the peace and blessings of Allah the Almighty be with you. A Happy Youman Nabi to all! Creation (Ussawatul Hassanat), provided civilization on earth with the direction of great success in this life and the life hereafter. Eid Milad-un-Nabi or Youman Nabi (SAS) or the day in observance of the coming of this personality is once again being observed in our country and worldwide. In many ways, the situation in our world reflects similar situations as when the Prophet of Islam came into the world. Therefore, the solution for much of these present problems will lie in looking at the life of this great personality and how he solved the problems in that age. The simple fact of the Prophet Muhammad (SAS) is that his contribution spans every age and every period of civilization on earth. Prophet Muhammad (SAS) as the final messenger of God to mankind brought a message of total inoculation against the evil of society. He liberated women and provided a system to maintain stability in the home, society and the world. He taught mankind how to preserve their honor and property and infused in them the understanding of respect, compassion, love and concern for each other. In fact, with the highest form of credibility, Prophet Muhammad (SAS) translated for them in his life these qualities in the most impeccable manner. ACIC calls on all Muslims to observe special prayers for the solidarity, prosperity and integrity of the Muslim community, local and worldwide, our country and our world at large. We urge the people to strengthen national unity by emulating the foot-steps of the Holy Prophet. Use the teachings of the Holy Prophet and rekindle our souls with the light lit by him. HAKEEM KHAN, President General
Sunday January 04, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 21
Hicken, Crime Chief, Chapman head Police promotions After two years, the Guyana Police Force has revealed its long awaited promotion list. Heading the list are former Senior Superintendents Clifton Hicken, Marlon Chapman and Crime Chief Leslie James, who are now at the rank of Assistant Commissioner. Kaieteur News understands that some of the promotions and omissions, especially those at the higher level came as a big shock to a section of the force.
Reliable sources have indicated that several persons who were recommended by the Police Senior Ranks Promotion Board never made the cut, while some who were not, found favour with the Police Service Commission, which is responsible for approving the promotions of senior officers. At least three high-ranking officers, who were privy to the list of persons recommended to the Commission, have
a) i) ii) iii)
AS ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER Senior Superintendent C. Hicken Senior Superintendent L. James Senior Superintendent C. Chapman
b) i) ii) iii) iv) v) vi) vii) viii)
AS SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT Superintendent R. Andreis-Junor Superintendent R. Budhram Superintendent E. Watts Superintendent C. Brutus Superintendent S. Mansell Superintendent R. Das Superintendent W. Blanhum Deputy Superintendent L. Denny
c) i) ii) iii) iv) v) vi) vii) viii) ix)
AS SUPERINTENDENT Deputy Superintendent Deputy Superintendent Deputy Superintendent W/Deputy Superintendent Deputy Superintendent Deputy Superintendent Deputy Superintendent Assistant Superintendent Assistant Superintendent
d) i) ii) iii) iv) v) vi) vii) viii) ix) x)
AS DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT Assistant Superintendent B. Persaud Assistant Superintendent G. Mc Allister Assistant Superintendent A. Vanderhyden Assistant Superintendent S. Bacchus Assistant Superintendent W. Stanton W/Assistant Superintendent C. Jones-Stuart Assistant Superintendent E. Wray Assistant Superintendent R. Ali Assistant Superintendent R. Banwarie Assistant Superintendent R. Ashram
e) i) ii) iii)
AS ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT Cadet Officer M. Singh Cadet Officer A. Austin Cadet Officer D. Renee
K. Pareshram I. Trotz W. De Hearte D. Fowler-Goodman T. Paul L. Lord E. Cooper J. Ramlakhan M. Sutton
The Baccoo Speaks This year is continuing as though it is an extension of the year just past. The madness continues as murders now surpass road deaths. The problem is that people refuse to reason, so there will be these killings. Unfortunately the judicial system has come to recognize that the death penalty is not being imposed. At the same time, people know this, so they downgrade the value of a human life, because they know that theirs is not at stake. ** The courts are going to be asked to make an interesting decision, largely because of the political stalemate that currently exists. There is going to be a challenge to the system of government. This challenge is going to see a further split amidst the ranks of voters. **
The public health system is going to be severely examined. This year is not going to be smooth sailing for many, so the number of suicides would rise. In a country like Guyana this should not happen, because of the closeness of families. However, many families are drifting apart because of financial considerations, and it is here that the state enterprise would have to do so much more.
confirmed that Crime Chief Leslie James, Senior Superintendent Marlon Chapman, Superintendents Errol Watts and Budhram were not recommended by the Police Senior Ranks Promotion Board. However, Senior Superintendents Nigel Hoppie (Finance Officer); Lyndon Alves (2IC Operations); Courtney Ramsey and Ian Amsterdam (Divisional Commanders) and Head of the Immigration Department, Dale
Alves, were all recommended for promotion but failed to get the nod. So too did the police Essequibo Division Superintendent Kevin Adonis. This newspaper was reliably informed that concerns are being raised about the composition of the Police Senior Ranks Promotion Board. According to the sources, the Board should comprise the Commissioner of Police, the Heads of the Force’s Administration, Operations and
iv) v) vi) vii) viii) ix) x) xi) xii) xiii) xiv) xv) xvi) xvii) xviii) xix) xx) xxi) xxii) xxiii)
W/Cadet Officer Cadet Officer Cadet Officer W/Cadet Officer Cadet Officer Cadet Officer W/Cadet Officer Inspector Inspector Inspector Inspector W/Inspector Inspector Inspector Inspector Inspector Inspector W/Inspector Inspector Inspector
L. Halley K. Griffith R. Das J. Hayles A. Fredericks A. Das T. Williams N. Cadogan R. Persaud J. Brown S. Telford M. Washington B. Lowenfield J. Johnson R. Kishun R. Singh D. Stephen A. Hermonstine M. Caesar R. Stanley
f) i) ii) iii) iv) v)
AS CHIEF INSPECTOR Inspector Inspector Inspector W/Inspector Inspector
S. Jhagroo R. Geness K. Bejaimal G. Austin D. Blair
g) i) ii) iii) iv) v) vi) vii) viii) ix) x) xi) xii) xiii) xiv) xv) xvi) xvii) xviii) xix) xx) xxi) xxii) xxiii) xxiv) xxv) xxvi) xxvii) xxviii) xxix) xxx) xxxi) xxxii) xxxiii)
AS INSPECTOR Sergeant 12545 W/Sergeant 14696 Sergeant 14120 W/Sergeant 11982 Sergeant 13813 Sergeant 11082 W/Sergeant 19961 Sergeant 14523 W/Sergeant 14786 Sergeant 12397 Sergeant 17322 Sergeant 15239 Sergeant 16487 Sergeant 14647 Sergeant 14566 Sergeant 17854 W/Sergeant 16248 Sergeant 15616 W/Sergeant 15671 Sergeant 13717 Sergeant 12987 Sergeant 15871 Sergeant 18041 Sergeant 18335 Sergeant 18923 Sergeant 18143 Sergeant 18905 Sergeant 14300 Sergeant 12523 Sergeant 18212 Sergeant 18026 Sergeant 14622 W/Sergeant 13885
P. Bowman A. Jordan N. Mahindranauth C. Layne L. Mc Koy G. Thomas N. Kendall N. Lall N. Nurse H. Johnson C. Humphrey V. Hunte A. Motie J. Ali J. Campbeell K. London D. Pollard S. Houston S. Daniels R. Mentore G. Headley J. Jack S. Singh C. Fletcher N. Newland S. Murugayya C. Kooldeep M. Fraser C. Playter K. Beaton C. Hooke A. Hoyte L. Wilson
2. The under mentioned promotions from the rank of Corporal to Sergeant, Lance Corporal and Constable to Corporal and Constable to Lance Corporal have been approved by the Commissioner of Police with effect from January 1, 2015. TO SERGEANT i) 15478 ii) 18293 iii) 13795 iv) 14917 v) 19364 vi) 19499 vii) 18039 viii) W.17193
Corporal Cumberbatch Corporal Harry Corporal Small Corporal Simmons Corporal Williams Corporal Boyce Corporal Ramdass Corporal Mantoos
Criminal Investigation Departments, as well as the Head of the Special Branch. However, there are reports that the board was not properly constituted, as several members were not a part of the recommendation process. Meanwhile, this year’s promotion list contains no female in the two highest ranks of the Force. The highest ranking female promotion is that of former Deputy Superintendent Fowler-Graham, who
has been elevated to the rank of superintendent. The junior list is hardly surprising, except for the promotion of a sergeant who was in charge at the Sparendaam Station earlier this year when a prisoner was tortured. Except for a few junior promotions that were done earlier this year by outgoing Commissioner Leroy Brumell, there were no police promotions since 2012. Below is the full list of promotions:
ix) 16036 x) W. 17268 xi) W.16360 xii) W.17154 xi) 17986 xii) 19191 xiii) 18180 xiv) 16946 xv) W.19994 xvi) 12228 xvii) 18929 xviii) 14861 xix) 19824 xx) 16437 xxi) 17417 xxii) 18827 xxiii) 19123 xxiv) 20714 xxv) 17098 xxvi) W.19433 xxvii) 17155 xxviii) 16185 xxix) 18464 xxx) 11626 xxxi) 15531 xxxii) W.19980 xxxiii) W.17693 xxxiv) 12493 xxxv) 17340 xxxvi) 13819 xxxvii) 17639 xxxviii) 19289 xxxix) 16613 xl) 17307 xli) 19341 xlii) 19707 xliii) 16128 xliv) 19798 xlv) 14948 xlvi) 20076 xlvii) 18811 xlviii) 19968 xlix) W.17925 l) W.16634 li) 18151 lii) W. 17125 liii) 18607 liv) 16263 lv) W.19436 lvi) 19137 lvii) 16300 lviii) W.17915 lix) 18735 lx) 19361 lxi) 18680 lxii) 20077 lxiii) 17818 lxiv) 18211 lxv) 18974
Corporal Corporal Corporal Corporal Corporal Corporal Corporal Corporal Corporal Corporal Corporal Corporal Corporal Corporal Corporal Corporal Corporal Corporal Corporal Corporal Corporal Corporal Corporal Corporal Corporal Corporal Corporal Corporal Corporal Corporal Corporal Corporal Corporal Corporal Corporal Corporal Corporal Corporal Corporal Corporal Corporal Corporal Corporal Corporal Corporal Corporal Corporal Corporal Corporal Corporal Corporal Corporal Corporal Corporal Corporal Corporal Corporal Corporal Corporal
Henry Vangronigen David Benjamin-Long Hamilton Joseph Cort Payne Solomon Beckles Joseph Hosannah Solomon Johnson Thomas Gurdyal Shivram Ricknauth Sutherland Pindar Charles Massay Henry Richards Chapman Calder Daniels Henry Hunte Ram Santiago Dhanraj Moses Lagnah Grandsoult Cort Leacock Sarrabo Garnett Jonas Bagot Bacon Hall Alkins Walcott Adams Dey Mc Garrell Peters Henry Richards Major Arthur Vaughn Smith Persaud Rabindranauth Ally Ramrattan
TO CORPORAL i) 20249 ii) W.19988 iii) 17566 iv) 19933 v) 19028 vi) 20404 vii) 19542 viii) W.16518 ix) 20409 x) 20720 xi) 18405 xii) 19581 xiii) 20989 xiv) 18380 xv) 20968 (continued on page 43)
Const. L/Corporal L/Corporal Const. Const. Const. Const. L/Corporal L/Corporal Const. Const. L/Corporal Const. Const. Const.
Dunn Johnson Rose Haynes Dolai Griffith Williams James Payne Edwards Poliah Grant Downer Reynolds Ramsay
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Kaieteur News
Sunday January 04, 2015
The dead woman in the locked house By Michael Jordan The teenage boy who did odd-jobs for Sirmattie Ramnaress didn’t see the body right away. He arrived at the spacious Diamond Housing Scheme residence at around eight o’clock on Saturday, August 31, 2013, found the gates locked, and observed that the bonnet of one of the vehicles in the compound was up. He pressed the gate buzzer, got no response, and left. According to one report, when the lad was some distance away, he saw the same vehicle racing away from the businesswoman’s 21st Avenue home. He reportedly concluded that ‘Auntie Sabo’, as Ramnaress was also known, was the driver. The teen returned about an hour later. Standing outside the locked gates, he observed that the garage door was now half-open, and lying on the ground, near the entrance, was the motionless body of Sirmattie Ramnaress. He rushed over to a neighbour and related what he had seen. At the same time, the neighbour observed smoke rising from a bond behind the businesswoman’s premises. Firefighters arrived soon after. They were forced to cut through a padlock on one of the front gates to gain entry to the compound. But all their efforts could not prevent the well-stocked bond from being completely razed. Practically nothing inside was saved. A post mortem would later reveal that someone had clubbed the 46-year-old victim repeatedly to the head and body, and had also tried to
strangle her. The murder, it is believed, occurred around the time when the teenager had first checked on Ramnaress. It is even believed that the killer or killers were still in the house. A blood-stained length of wood appeared to be the murder weapon. That same piece of wood was reportedly used as a prop at the woman’s birthday party, held just five
the bond, then dragged her, feet first, to the garage. A brother of the victim believes that his terrified sister tried to secure herself in a nearby washroom, but that the killers forced the door open and dragged her out. But he doesn’t believe that Ramnaress died immediately. According to the brother, his sister’s killers, for some reason, picked up a phone in
followed by the sound of someone groaning and a glass door being pulled. Police reportedly have this recording, but have suggested that this was merely an incoming call being recorded. Relatives and detectives also surmised that Ramnaress had known her killers and had let them in. Intensely securityconscious, the
think that robbery was the primary motive. They felt that someone had tumbled things about the premises to give the appearance of a robbery. They believed that the individual or individuals had even left some beer bottles in the kitchen, to
Sirmattie Ramnaress’ (inset) home: How did the killer get inside? days prior to her death. Investigators also observed a trail of blood leading from the smoldering storage bond to the garage. This suggested that someone had attacked Ramnaress in
the bottom flat and left a partial recording of their deed. Checking the phone after the murder, the brother said that he heard a recorded voice say ‘You supposed to be looking outside.’ This is
businesswoman had installed security cameras in practically every area in and around her premises. The building also had an alarm system. From what relatives said, Ramnaress would only allow very close associates into her home. The security system was even set up to allow Ms. Ramnaress to view her premises while she was abroad. It should therefore have been easy to identify the businesswoman’s last visitors. But someone had removed many of the surveillance cameras and devices for the security system. Even the digital video recorder which Ms. Ramnaress had concealed in a karaoke machine for the surveillance system was missing. Detectives found that the home was ransacked and according to relatives, a handbag, believed to have contained foreign and other currency, was missing. Ramnaress’ siblings also claimed that someone had carted off several microwave ovens that were stored in the bond. As the handyman had related, someone had also made off with one of the slain woman’s cars. The vehicle was found some hours later on the East Coast Demerara public road, at Liliendaal. But the investigators didn’t
suggest that the killers had consumed the beverages. The investigators were also baffled as to why the killers had set the bond on fire and also doused sections of the house with diesel fuel. Some surmised that someone had attempted to conceal crucial evidence about the murder. But who would have wanted to murder Sirmattie Ramnaress? Who was this cunning and brazen individual who had apparently gained access to her home and committed murder in broad daylight? Why had he or she come to the scene without a weapon? As earlier indicated, Ms. Ramnaress, an importer and distributor, had celebrated her 46th birthday just five days prior to her murder. She and her overseas-based fiancé were planning to get married in September. Among the first people at the murder scene was Ramnaress’ former boyfriend, Sergeant Collin Bailey. They’d had an approximately six-year relationship. Understandably, he came under scrutiny of the investigators. They questioned their colleague about his movements at the time of the murder and reportedly took DNA samples from him. He was never detained.
Ramnaress’ siblings were upset that Bailey repeatedly described himself as her reputed husband, particularly when, according to them, the relationship had long ended. They were also upset that he was given access to the crime scene, even before they themselves knew of their sister’s death. But Sergeant Bailey insists that he and Ramnaress were still together. He said that he had slept at her home the night after her birthday party. He said that he had extra keys to Ramnaress’ home and he gave the relatives these keys, because the ones Ramnaress had could not be found. Bailey said that he was aware that his ‘reputed wife’ had a fiancé. According to him, she had always insisted that the man, whom he described as a retired policeman, was merely a business partner. “I’m cooperating with the investigation; I want to ensure that this crime is solved. Despite the understanding that the husband should be the prime suspect, my conscience is clear, my whereabouts are known. I don’t intend for my wife’s death to go just like that.” Ramnaress’ close relatives insist that they know who killed her, and why. They believe that all the evidence points to this individual, whom they believe wanted to get his hands on her assets. They claimed that their sister had been in an abusive relationship, and that she had documented this physical abuse in two diaries. They claim that even after her death, the individual continued to attempt to try to have access to her assets. Some of the relatives feel that police have failed to put this individual under intense questioning. The brother also feels that detectives overlooked possible DNA evidence at the crime scene, such as a cigarette butt that was reportedly found in a washroom in the bottom flat. It is also his view that a male associate of their prime suspect and a female friend of his murdered sister may have assisted in her demise. Detectives insist that they are still working the case and that they haven’t given up on finding Sirmattie Ramnaress’killer. If you have any further information on this or any other case, please contact us at our Lot 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown office. We can also be reached on telephone numbers 22-58458, 2258465, 22-58473 or 2258491. You need not disclose your identity. You can also contact Michael Jordan at his email a d d r e s s mjdragon@hotmail.com
Sunday January 04, 2015
Kaieteur News
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== THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN ==
This country was a farce in 2014 If and when I write my memoirs, I would definitely say that one of the most irritating moments in my life as a human rights activist was when Chief Justice Ian Chang last year ruled that Carol Sooba’s position as Town Clerk was not legally valid but she can remain as Town Clerk. I am still dizzy at that decision. It defies the logic of human nature that has held civilization together for thousands of years. In giving his decision, Justice Chang wrote that the plaintiff, Royston King, did not challenge Sooba’s authority as Town Clerk, but the Minister’s legal jurisdiction to appoint her. Therefore Sooba could remain as Town Clerk, but the Minister had no legal authority to offer her the position. Since April, Ms. Sooba has continued as the Town Clerk. If anything made Guyana a farce in 2014, it was this decision. So profound was this farce on my psychology, that I am in doubt about the purpose of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). I never thought I could have a negative feeling about Caribbean integration, but I confess to the Guyanese public that I do after 2014. Maybe it is best in the interest of justice that the Privy Council in London remains the final court for the CARICOM nations. What frightens me about the CCJ is that the judges come from within the CARICOM family. I will close my eyes this very moment and endorse the CCJ if the system allows for judges outside of CARICOM
countries. The cold reality for me is that I have seen too many injustices, mediocrities, improprieties, puerilities and scurrilities in our judicial system in 2014, to cause me not to have faith in the CCJ. I witnessed a situation in our courts where a junior lawyer told a judge in December 2014 that an appeal to be filed in March 2014 could not have taken place because for the past nine months he could not secure the time of the senior lawyer to discuss the appeal. But the lawyer was working in the court system since March 2014. Much more incredible mysteries took place in our judicial system last year and the more we highlight them, the more we see a country that has sunk deep into the abyss of insanity. When you see the enormous types of bail magistrates put on people accused of misdemeanors and light criminal offences in 2014, then an analyst from another country can conclude that this is a super-rich country where a carpenter or labourer can easily find $200,000 (that would be $1000 American) to post bail. Even the magistrate’s salary may not be $200,000. In a poor country like Guyana, why are magistrates imposing such high bail? The answer is simple. The country is a farce, so farcical things are the order of the day. It came as no surprise to political observers of Guyana’s political sociology that as 2014 was about to close, a magistrate openly
used words like bugger and sk..t and f..k to chastise a litigant. This was my personal irony. I write often about the mistreatment of poor people by Guyana’s magistrates, but this cuss-down magistrate was the one I liked. I liked him because he was candid and honest. He knew that the magistracy is out of control so, so he went out of control. Obviously he said to himself when in Rome do as the Romans do. Equally farcical in 2014 was the Parliament and the electoral system. A minority
government ruled in a manner strongly indicative of a landslide majority. Then when the Parliament invoked its constitutional rights, the minority president suspended it. If the judicial and parliamentary systems in a country are broken, then surely that land cannot be anything but a farce. 2014 closed with one of the biggest masquerades in the history of Guyana. Khurshid Sattaur said Glenn Lall threatened him. The DPP charged Lall. The same DPP listened to the dangerously
diseased tape of the AttorneyGeneral and concluded that there was nothing in the tape that would allow for Nandlall to be charged. In 2014, Guyana belonged to Chief Justice Chang and the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mrs. Shalimar Ali-Hack. These were two incredible Guyanese who made two incredible legal decisions. One ruled that a city official can hold onto her office even though no one knows who appointed her, since the Minister of Local Government didn’t have the
Frederick Kissoon authority to so do. The other ruled that a threat is not a threat unless you say it directly to another person. Welcome to the land of the farce!
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President Donald Ramotar seems to have lost, or never to have learnt, the art of leadership. His apprenticeship for the presidency was short and hasty. His selection as the People’s Progressive Party’s presidential candidate for the 2011 general elections was the product of the patronage of former President, Bharat Jagdeo. The candidate was given a crash course in statesmanship by his patron, who belatedly appointed him a presidential ‘adviser’ only seven months before the election. This was his exposure to governmental administration and international relations. Ramotar’s leadership experience was derived from his service as office manager and executive secretary at the party headquarters for twelve years. He was elevated to the PPP general-secretaryship after Cheddi Jagan’s death in 1997 and remained immured in Freedom House for the next fourteen years. Ramotar was therefore considered a ‘safe’ apparatchik who could maintain, if not manage, Jagdeo’s complicated business portfolio. On becoming president, he
Kaieteur News
Sunday January 04, 2015
The art of leadership proceeded dutifully to reappoint 15 members of Jagdeo’s Cabinet. He missed the opportunity to take the lead in confronting the country’s serious social, economic and political problems or even to define the character of his administration. Ramotar, for his part, gave a public assurance that Jagdeo’s services would still be required after he had demitted office and Jagdeo himself boasted that he would be “actively involved in the government.” This was not a good omen. The public perception was that Ramotar’s tenure would be a continuation of Jagdeo’s controversial rule. Ramotar then bizarrely demonstrated just how much like Jagdeo he had become. He chose the occasion of the solemn, annual commemoration ceremony for Cheddi and Janet Jagan, at Babu John, Corentyne, to inveigh against those he described as “haters of the government and the People’s
Progressive Party Civic.” He insulted his former, longstanding colleague Moses Nagamootoo for comments made about Guyana’s debt, “referring to him as “the jackass Nagamootoo.” The presidency, clearly, had reached a really low cultural level. Ramotar’s style, perhaps, betrays his admiration for his predecessor’s penchant for political invective. It was inspired also by his own fiveyear (1983-88) sojourn in Prague, in the Czech Socialist Republic, on the staff of the Marxist-Leninist journal “Problems of Peace and Socialism.” This had been preceded by a one-year (197273) crash course in “political science” in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. Ramotar seems never to have lost the antagonistic, dogmatic and pedantic Soviet-style of propaganda which was inculcated in political pupils forty years ago at the height of the ‘cold war.’ Ramotar’s ‘feral blast’ at
Aishalton Village, therefore, was not unexpected. He expressed exactly his own personality and the attitude of the People’s Progressive Party Civic administration towards citizens of this country. The ‘Aishalton incident,’ which occurred on 3rd December 2014, explains why our political culture has deteriorated so rapidly over the last fifteen years under presidents Bharrat Jagdeo and Donald Ramotar; why the public has lost respect for the President; why ordinary Guyanese no longer have much confidence in the government and why there have been so many public protests against political and governmental officials all around the country. The President was recorded at Aishalton Village in the Rupununi Region as saying to a member of the audience at a meeting: “You don’t know anything about Jagdeo. If he been here, he might a slap you, coz (because) you stupid.” Shortly after, John Adams, a 29-year-old secondary school teacher was accosted by members of the Presidential Guard and told to stop heckling the President while he was speaking. Adams
refused and “he was slapped repeatedly by the guards.” The ‘Aishalton incident’ was not isolated. Ramotar, over the past three years, has degraded the high office of President of the Republic with his invective and vituperative language. The frequency and vulgarity of his offensive statements against certain persons, and in public places, suggest that there is a deeper disdain and reckless disregard both for the Presidency and the people. He has brought the entire nation into disrepute. His own crass, coarse and crude choices of words in his public statements have been a major cause of the collapse of confidence. His boorishness seems now seems to be ‘natural. Ramotar, as the PPP general secretary, told the party’s 30th Congress in August 2013 at Port Mourant, on the Corentyne Coast, that he always knew that Moses Nagamootoo was “a man with a flawed character who had a penchant for opportunism.” Earlier, during the election campaign in November 2011, he had told a rally at Whim Village on the Corentyne Coast: “[Moses] Nagamootoo is like a dog lunging at his shadow; at his
reflection! He was expecting Ramjattan to make him VicePresident! Ramjattan is a puppet! Ramjattan is a sham…So, if Nagamootoo think that Ramjattan gon make him Vice-President, Lauraah! Ramotar is also careless with the truth. He falsely claimed that Leader of the Opposition, David Granger, had knowledge of 155 weapons that went missing from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) while he was the Commander, after being issued to the People’s National Congress (PNC) Government in the 1970s. He said, further, “….When those weapons were given to the PNC, the present leader of the PNC was the commander of the army at the time. And now that he is the leader of the PNC, I would expect that he would make a genuine effort to return the weapons that were given to the PNC.” Ramotar has ministerial responsibility for defence and, if indeed, he had evidence that Granger was involved in the alleged illicit transfer of weapons, he now has the power to initiate an investigation. The President probably thinks that he is still in Prague as he was thirty years ago. He should realise, however, that his provocative language has badly damaged political, social and racial relations in presentday Guyana.
Sunday January 04, 2015
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MY COLUMN
Am I the supreme optimist? The end of every year stirs hope in the breasts of the populace, unless an individual is the most avid of pessimists. In fact, this is the trend all over the world, so people make resolutions which they do not keep. In Guyana, we all made a lot of noise at the dawn of the new year. Some of us were with our loved ones and we became sentimental. The young among us let off hundreds of firecrackers. The noise was unnerving to many adults at times. Dogs were terrified and quite a few disappeared from their homes, running to heavens knows where. When the sun came up, many of us were tired but happy, but there were households that were plunged into mourning almost immediately. The year is now four days old and there have been four murders. One was so cold and calculating that it begs the imagination to see the killer as a human being. Indeed there have been arrests and the suspects would be duly processed. Some may even be set free depending on the cleverness of the lawyer. But this is not about the
murders; it is about the society as a whole. For starters, politicians have not led by example. There has been so much discord in their ranks that the society could not help but take note, and in turn, used that discord in their relationships. There were many cases of people getting into simple arguments that escalated into fisticuffs and other violent forms. There were the peacemakers, but these days when peacemakers are often the victims, more people would simply stand and shout at the protagonists. There were other negatives during the past year, many of them at the national level. I watched the performance of the sugar industry which should have been at its peak. When we invested nearly US$200 million in a new sugar plant, the idea was to bring down the cost of production and at the same time boost production significantly. The opposite has happened. Gold that ruled the roost suddenly became the object of concern, with the low prices and the loss of investment. The construction boom that followed the gold prices
suddenly stalled and caused even more unemployment. To crown it all, I learnt that the fishing industry is slowly dying because of overfishing. Forget the sea bob industry. Our fishermen made sure that it has reached rock bottom. People simply did not take a look at what could happen when they behave in an unscrupulous manner. I heard managers in the industry berating those who ignored the rules that were implemented to avoid the same thing that has happened. They have fished themselves out of the crop. But nature is a wonderful thing, because with the halt, the sea bob may recover. I watched progress in so many areas stall. The road projects seem to be going nowhere, because of what some say is the intransigence of people who must remove certain objects for the project to continue. Again, employment is involved, and we all know that when there is rampant unemployment ,the police suddenly find that they must work harder. There were pluses. The housing project has seen hundreds become homeowners. There was a
time when a previous government touted that there must be a roof over every head. I have lived to see that this is fast becoming a reality, but I now wonder how many will pay for these homes given the loss of jobs through the collapse of so many things. But we are a resilient people. There was a time when just about everyone had a kitchen garden to supplement their income. I wonder if this is not the time for us to return to those days. There are those who would ask about the fate of the greengrocer if everyone plants. I remember distinctly people from the region coming here to buy as much as they could of what we produce. Surprisingly, we could not supply because we were merely subsistence farmers. Imagine we still import tomatoes and potatoes. We have produced other things, especially in the human arena. Through an arrangement with Cuba, we have been able to train so many doctors that I am hard pressed to understand why we still have a shortage. At the same time, people are questioning the quality of these doctors. Toward the end
of the last year, two young women died while doing something that is as natural as putting one foot before the other—giving birth to a child. In one case, rampant carelessness is being blamed. A 19-year-old gave birth at the Georgetown Public Hospital and died from septicemia. The word is that a piece of the placenta was not removed. That is unheard of in a health institution, and I am left to wonder whether we are happy with numbers ahead of quality. We do not sue the hospital, because doctors will not testify, and the regulatory body is left to fight the politicians who may favour one doctor or the other. All the while the funeral homes are enjoying a steady flow of bodies. Who can explain the influx of motor vehicles and no expansion of the road network? We therefore have impatient drivers, nervous first-time drivers and pedestrians who must always scramble out of the way of both. There were not too many structures that were simply built and left unused because there were essentially not that
Adam Harris many constructions. But there were the floods at the first sign of rain. The one good thing is that money was spent to remove some of the garbage and thus minimize the incidence of disease. But with no education, people seem hell bent on maintaining the garbage piles. I don’t see so many Styrofoam boxes and plastic bottles in the drains, but I know that it is only a matter of time before these return in all their glory. Yet I hold out hope for better days. Things cannot be bad all the time. When the United States experienced its collapse a few years ago, the people held out hope for the administration and within two years there was a rapid turnaround. Guyana should be no different.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday January 04, 2015
We must all embrace the politics of alternative thinking By Nigel Hughes As 2014 concluded we inevitably reviewed our efforts over the past twelve months and asked ourselves, as we do every year, what have we achieved and what could we have done differently. The year started with much less promise than its predecessor, since 2013 proved to be a year in which we as a Nation discovered several of our limitations. In 2014 we discovered many attributes of our collective cultural dispositions which continued to be obstacles to the delivery of real equitable progress and growth in the country. We discovered that previously barely subliminal fears and
prejudices were no longer bare or subliminal. The embrace of democracy, which was much heralded in 1992, was abandoned in 2014 with the same fervor as it was embraced by the same protagonists who had previously referred to it with almost religious passion. Among our several “discoveries” or perhaps confirmations was the fact that despite the “open heart surgery” which was performed on the Constitution between 2000 and 2003, it failed to deliver any meaningful participation of key stakeholders in the decision-making processes of the country. Even more disappointing, but not entirely unexpected,
was the fact that as a country we confirmed that we were unable to surmount our differences and incapable of finding solutions to our differences. Our ethnographic challenges remain unconfronted and continue to find fertile ground in the persistent inequitable distribution of wealth generated by an economy currently configured to reinforce this structural inequality. The language and tone of our national conversations whether in parliament or without, challenged even the most robust optimists who held the view that Guyana was capable of simultaneously achieving unity, equity and progress. With all our exposed
structural and other deformities, we now face 2015 with uncertainty about the date and time of the most rudimentary element of democracy, a date for national and regional elections. Even the identification of this is subject to location of partial advantage. It is perhaps time for us to discuss the real issues which have always confronted us and which we have never possessed the fortitude to admit and discuss. Race, distribution of power, fair and inequitable economic opportunity and participation in the national productive sectors, both public and private, equitable participation in the Executive and other decision-making processes, Nationhood, and the development of a fair, equitable multicultural multiethnic society, in which all participants have a place in the sun. Of course we have the option of pretending that all is well and all our difficulties can be sorted out by the mere holding of an election, but we must be prepared for the reality that the repetition of the same action in the hope of
a different result exposes our grasp on reality. Coalition, no coalition, minority Government, majority Government and alliances are all destined for failure - as our forty-eight plus years of “independence” have confirmed - unless we embark on the serious business of constitutional reform. Our faults lie not in our stars, but in our minds and hands. The constitutional architecture of our potentially great nation, despite several advanced features, is flawed and inadequate for our unique circumstances and history. I believe that it is not beyond our collective ability to address most of the fundamental differences which have divided us for decades, some may say even longer. Indicators of growth in the economy, growth and/or contraction in the GDP, housing figures, health data, corruption data, etc., have little impact in the absence of any information on how they impact each of our individual communities, because it is at the individual level that our several communities judge their own growth and
development. Nothing demonstrates this more clearly than the pass rate for CSEC in Region 9, which stands at 25%, compared to better results in the rest of the country. A new day will only come to Guyana when we start a national conversation on alternative approaches to equitable opportunity, equitable participation and equal access to all aspects of economic, political and social development. We must find the courage to discuss the difficult issues of race, economics, power and personal and collective safety as a Nation. The politics of alternative thinking must be embraced by all of us. I believe that significant fundamental change in 2015 is not beyond our collective ability, but let us not wait for yet another crisis, which may be beyond our collective ability to contain, before we start to address the old cleavages which have divided us for so long. May God bless our dear land.
Sunday January 04, 2015
SUNDAY SPECIAL LAW PROVIDES FOR NANDLALL TO BE CHARGED UNDER TERRORIST ACT – RAMJATTAN - urges DPP to review evidence and decision Though Director Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack, advised that based on the recorded conversation between Attorney General (AG), Anil Nandlall and Kaieteur News reporter, Leonard Gildarie, there is no evidence to charge Nandlall, Alliance For Change (AFC) Leader, Khemraj Ramjattan posits otherwise. Ramjattan believes that there is enough incriminating evidence to charge Nandlall under the Terrorist Act. Ramjattan noted that his party observed in the daily newspapers, the guidance rendered by the DPP on the Nandlall case to the Guyana Police Force. He then reminded that the AFC is aware that in 2002 the PPP Government, who then enjoyed a majority in Parliament, passed an amendment to the Criminal Law Offences Act to create a new offence of terrorism. The lawyer said that the new offence, Section 309 A (a), says that, “Whoever with intent to strike terror in any section of the people does any act or thing by using firearms or lethal weapons in such a manner as to cause or is likely to cause death or injuries to any person or persons …commits a terrorist act.” Section 309 A(s) then goes on to state, “Whoever advocates, aids and abets, advises or incites or knowingly facilitates the commission or, a terrorist act or any act preparatory to a terrorist act commits an
Kaieteur News
offence.” On this premise, Ramjattan reminded that the Attorney General has confirmed that he did utter the statements in his conversation with the said journalist. He then recalled some of Nandlall’s damning statements which he believed served as a substantial basis for the Minister of Legal Affairs to be charged under the said Act. MYSTERY MONIES…GOVT. USING SECRET BANK ACCOUNTS TO FINANCE MARRIOTT – AFC LEADER The US$57M Marriott Hotel is significantly completed but questions remain as to where Government is finding the money from to continue construction and other critical works. Initially, Government had plugged in US$20M leaving it to find another US$37M from a private investor and a syndicated loan from Republic Bank Trinidad Limited. However, that US$37M had remained elusive as a court case filed by Opposition Member of Parliament, Desmond Trotman, has sought to block the mortgaging of the Kingston property. In the meantime, works are still continuing on the site. According to Leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC), Khemraj Ramjattan, his party has been paying close attention to the Marriott Hotel development. “Parliament has been prorogued so we can’t question them there. However, that does not stop us from asking questions in the public domain. This hotel
is set to open early next year (2015). It has been largely completed. So where is the money coming from?” According to the MP, his party has been doing its own investigations and from sources in the Ministry of Finance, it is more than likely that Government is illegally using monies from several secret accounts that it has hidden around the place. “It would explain how the Government, under the Ministry of Finance, has been able to carry on construction. It would also highlight the gross disrespect that this Donald Ramotar administration has for the people of Guyana and how little regard it has for the laws of Guyana, and for Parliament.” MONDAYEDITION PLANE MISSING WITH PILOT, CARGO-HANDLER IN MAHDIA Aviation officials dispatched a search party to an area just outside Mahdia in the Potaro-Siparuni Region Eight area, following the disappearance of an Air Services Limited (ASL) aircraft which lost contact with authorities shortly after taking off for Karisparu, also in the Potaro-Siparuni region. The Britten Norman Islander (8R-GHE) with pilot Nicky Persaud, 27 and cargohandler David Bisnauth 51, lost tower connection about 10 minutes after leaving the take-off point. They were said to be carrying mining supplies. According to a release from the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) six aircraft were deployed in the search and rescue mission for the missing aircraft. The release
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said the “Timehri Air Traffic Control lost communication around noon with the Air Services Ltd Britten Norman Islander 8R-GHE that was operating between Mahdia and Karisparu.” Captain Persaud and Bisnauth, 51, were onboard the twin-engine aircraft which took off from Mahdia at 11:42hours on a routine local cargo flight. The aircraft was scheduled to arrive at Karisparu at 12:00hours. At 16:20hours, Timehri Air Traffic Control made contact with the aircraft operator to establish whether the aircraft landed before implementing a search and rescue operation. However, no information was received, the aviation authorities said, and the Air Traffic Control commenced the ‘alert phase’ and the Rescue Coordination Center at the Timehri Control Tower was activated. DAD COMMITS SUICIDE DAYSAFTER KILLING DAUGHTER INACCIDENT The Rosignol family that was mourning the death of their teenage daughter, Yonette Branche, 16, who was killed in an accident on the West Berbice Public Road has been plunged into further sorrow. The girl died when a car driven by the father crashed on Christmas Eve on the West Berbice Public Road. The dead girl’s father, Alfred Branche, 62, of Mackenzie Street Rosignol, West Bank Berbice, a taxi driver, was discovered around 11:00 hrs on Sunday in a trench at Cotton Tree, West Coast Berbice. He allegedly committed suicide. The man had gone missing for the past four days before he was found. He was
Missing pilot Nicky Persaud last seen around 08:00hrs on Christmas Eve, heading into the direction of the back dam. At the time he was wearing a blue shirt, dark blue jeans and yachting boots. Relatives had stated that since the accident the man had been inconsolable. He had blamed himself for the accident. TUESDAYEDITION COPS RESCUE ABDUCTED WOMAN, CAPTURE BANDITS AFTER SHOOTOUT Police anti-crime patrols in the city on Monday thwarted an alleged abduction and later traded bullets with bandits who had earlier committed a robbery. In the first case the police rescued a woman who claimed that she was abducted by a group of men from a house in Diamond, East Bank Demerara. The same patrol unit came under fire an hour later from gunmen who led them on a high speed chase that ended in ‘B’ Field, Sophia. Reports reaching this newspaper stated that Monday morning, a group of men who are associated with a popular Alberttown bar abducted a female from a house at Diamond where she was hiding to avoid paying for some drugs that had disappeared. The woman was being taken to a house on Caneview Avenue when the police who were alerted to a car load of suspicious-looking men, intercepted the vehicle at the Festival City exit. In the car were four men and a woman, who begged the police to arrest her. The police placed the
woman into their vehicle and in tears she told them that the men had abducted her. The police believed her story since a search of the car unearthed a 9mm pistol. The ranks then headed towards the Sophia home of one of the men to carry out further investigations, but while on their way, they were called upon to back-up another patrol unit that was pursuing a car with men who had just committed a robbery on Sheriff Street. They intercepted that car in the Sophia area and as the police closed in, the driver of the car in his bid to elude the patrol, lost control of the vehicle, plunging into a trench. FATHER AND SON CHARGED WITH TUSCHEN TRIPLE-MURDER Three days after he turned himself in to the police, triple murder suspect, Jerome Franklyn, appeared at the Vreed-en-Hoop Magistrate’s Court and was remanded to prison. Franklyn appeared before Magistrate Rushell Liverpool and was not required to plead to the three indictable charges. It is alleged that on December 18, last, he murdered Floyd Drakes by hacking him to death with a cutlass. Franklyn is also accused of killing his mother-in-law Bibi Zalima Khan and his nineyear-old stepdaughter Ashley Boodhoo that same day. Franklyn’s son, Jimmy, was also charged with Drakes’ murder, since police obtained evidence that he assisted his father during the act. He too was remanded to prison. Continued on page 37
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Sunday January 04, 2015
Guyanese urged to get on board with reusable bag initiative By Zena Henry The issue of recycling and reusing has been brought to the fore, time and time again, in a bid to encourage the conservation of the environment. Locally, stakeholders have devised
many ways to promote greener societies and the reusable bag initiative is just another way to achieve this. During the holidays especially, Guyanese shoppers were encouraged to make a significant and positive
impact on improving their environment when they shop. Under the Clean Green Guyana Campaign, being administered by the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, and funded by the Inter-American
Development Bank, shoppers at major supermarkets received attractive and sturdy reusable bags in which to place their groceries and other purchases instead of putting these in plastic bags that harm the environment.
According to a research report by the Local Government Ministry, it was shown that a significant proportion of waste generated in Region Four in Guyana, on the whole, comprises nonreusable, single-use products,
including plastic bags, plastic bottles, and Styrofoam containers. Such non-reusable waste was said to make up approximately 10 percent of the waste from Guyanese households, the largest proportion after biodegradable or organic waste that makes up about 50 percent of household waste. “These non-reusable plastic items are devastating to the environment and are stressful to the solid waste management system both because of their volume and the fact that they photodegrade, breaking down into smaller, more toxic petropolymers which eventually contaminate soils and waterways.” Disposable plastic bags are especially visible and dangerous threats to the environment that frequently appear in the litter of many Region four communities. Supermarkets and other enterprises distribute these freely to customers who have come to expect being provided with plastic bags when they shop. It was stated, however, that by using a reusable bag such as the ones being distributed under the ‘greener’ initiative, shoppers may help mitigate the serious environmental threat that plastic bags pose. It was pointed out, that the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) estimates that using a reusable bag can save the use of six plastic bags a week or 288 bags a year. “The reusable bags are currently being distributed at all branches of Bounty, DSL and Survival supermarkets. Shoppers who receive a bag are encouraged to take this bag with them whenever they shop, to place their purchases in, rather than in plastic bags.” Besides making a very important contribution towards a clean and green Guyana, it was pointed out that shoppers also have the chance to win a hamper this month every time they use their reusable bag. “The Ministry of Local Government, through the Clean Green Guyana Campaign encourages all Guyanese to play their part in making the environment clean and green by using a reusable bag instead of plastic ones when shopping.” Guyenterprise will provide additional information to persons wanting to be part of the reusable bag initiative.
Sunday January 04, 2015
Kaieteur News
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in the Timehri area assisting the police in finding him. While investigators have found no clear sign of marks of violence on Ramgopaul’s body, relatives are convinced that the young man was murdered. THURSDAYEDITION LEADERS USE GUYANA AS AVEHICLE TO ACCUMULATE WEALTH – DR. THOMAS
Dhaniram Ramgopaul From page 27 WEDNESDAYEDITION “JAGDEO MIGHTA SLAP YUH, BECAUSE YUH STUPID” - Pres. Ramotar tells man during meeting President Donald Ramotar recently exposed the violent nature of former President Bharrat Jagdeo when an Amerindian man questioned the former President’s record in office. President Ramotar was addressing a political rally at Aishalton. He attacked the political opposition. “They don’t have a record to be proud of; they don’t have a history that they can be proud of. That is why they don’t like history and they don’t like to hear about the past.” The man retorted, “Yea,
yea, like Jagdeo.” “You don’t know anything about Jagdeo; if he bin hay he mighta slap yuh, because yuh stupid,” the President is heard saying on an audio recording released to the media by a villager. MISSING TEEN’S BODY FOUND FLOATING IN CREEK - FAMILY SUSPECTS FOUL PLAY The agonizing search for 14-year-old Dhaniram Ramgopaul ended in pain for his family when his body was fished out from a creek on the Linden/Sosedyke Highway, two days after he went missing. The lad’s body was discovered by an employee of the nearby Splashmin’s Resort who immediately informed relatives who were
Recently, Professor Emeritus, Clive Thomas, noted some “facts” which he said has contributed to his drawn conclusion that Guyana is a degenerating state moving more and more into criminality. Among the things considered by Dr. Thomas was the recorded conversation between Attorney General, Anil Nandlall and a Kaieteur News reporter. This is where Nandlall was heard making violent threats against Kaieteur News. Also considered by Thomas was President Donald Ramotar’s prorogation of Parliament. Professor Thomas said that the root cause of most of Guyana’s problems is the fact that those in control of the country and its resources are not managing it like a government should. Thomas said that it is clear that Government officials are using the country’s resources for their personal upliftment and that of their friends and family. Addressing those who gathered at a symposium hosted by the Working People Alliance (WPA) held at the National Library, Thomas said, “At the heart of this worsening (reference to increased authoritarian rule) lies a ruling cabal who patently values the Guyana
A few of the stranded passengers at the Miami Int’l Airport
Attorney-at-Law Moses Rambarran (left) and his brother, entrepreneur, Rohan Rambarran state, first and foremost, as a Airlines but at the time they death by one of the young men. vehicle for promoting their were booked up. He said that he was told The dead miner has been criminal networks, enterprises of Dynamic Airways from a identified as Andre Britton, a and other endeavours.” Dr. Thomas noted that, “ travel agent. The lawyer said father of five, of 111 Miles in the language of radical that he and his brother had no Mahdia, Potaro. Britton was political economy, the Guyana idea, the nightmare they were stabbed to his neck and abdomen. state is now operating as a walking into. In his remarks to the media, He died around 01:30 hrs “state-for-itself”. That is, it is primarily geared to function the attorney said that he felt on New Year’s Day on the as an instrumentality for hardworking Guyanese are Mahdia Hospital floor. This accumulating wealth and being exploited for money and was after he had broken a treasure for those who run it.” their human rights violated by window to gain entry into the He said that therein lies the airline. “We must stand up building to seek medical the reason for many other together at all costs and attention. The hospital door problems faced by the challenge the exploiters,” he was allegedly locked. And about 1445 hrs on Guyanese public. Dr. Thomas said. Friday, Seibert Moore, 41, of opined that if that is SATURDAY EDITION Victory Valley, Wismar, was addressed, Guyana stands a involved in an altercation with chance of moving forward in a positive way. That is to THREE MURDERS GREET another man at Frenchman, 2015 CELEBRATIONS mean, that the politicians Upper Demerara, during running the country should which he was stabbed to his About 15 minutes after the body. He was pronounced put the masses first. country rang in 2015, Errol DOA at the Mackenzie Sydney Campbell, of 23 Ann’s Hospital. ANGRY PASSENGERS Grove, died at the Georgetown FILE LAWSUITAGAINST The suspect was arrested Public Hospital Corporation, and is in police custody UNRELIABLE DYNAMIC hours after being stabbed. AIRWAYS assisting with the Campbell, who had investigations. After a “callous and sustained a stab wound in the Meanwhile, 2014 ended inhumane” experience with vicinity of his heart, with the death 52-year-old the embattled Dynamic succumbed while receiving Augustine Samuels, of Aruka, Airways, two brothers have treatment in the health North West District. filed a class action lawsuit in institution’s emergency unit. Samuels was stabbed The young man was about the body around 19:30 the Federal Court in New York, demanding full compensation stabbed around 21:30 hrs on hrs on Wednesday. He died from the North Connecticut Wednesday, just a few corners at the Mabaruma Hospital. from his home. carrier. Police said that Samuels Kaieteur News was told and the suspect were US-based Attorney-atLaw, Moses Rambarran and that two teenagers have been imbibing at a shop when the his b r o t h e r, R o h a n arrested. suspect got involved in an Meanwhile, a 50-year-old argument with the shop Rambarran, informed the media Wednesday of the miner, who stopped four owner. a w f u l e p i s o d e w i t h t h e teenagers from throwing The shop owner managed airline they claimed “treated squibs into his yard and at to escape but the suspect its passengers like animals” people on Old Year’s Night, attacked Samuels. He is in and likened it to being the was subsequently stabbed to police custody. “Grinch who stole their Christmas.” The Rambarrans at a press conference which was held at the Ocean View Hotel, Liliendaal on Wednesday, said that after enduring cancellations and many delays for days with Dynamic Airways, they were left with no other choice but to return home via Caribbean Airlines. They said that their initial plan was to travel with Caribbean
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Kaieteur News
Sunday January 04, 2015
If parent attempted suicide, Two cups of milk may be kids more likely to try, too ideal for preschoolers The children of people who attempted suicide, regardless of whether they have a mood disorder themselves, have a four- to five-fold increased risk of trying to take their own lives, according to a new study. While mood disorders play a role in a person’s risk of attempting suicide, the study’s lead author told Reuters Health that the study suggests there are other factors that need to be explored and explained. “What that really means is that there is still part of this (family) transmission that we haven’t figured out,” said Dr. David Brent, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Previous studies have found that people with a family history of suicide attempts are at increased risk for suicide attempts, too. Those studies suggested a family history of mood disorders as the reason, but they only followed participants for one or two years, Brent and his coauthors note. For the new study, Brent’s team followed the children of people with mood disorders for a longer period to look at the possible connections between parental suicide attempts, the offspring’s suicide attempts and mood disorders. Between 1997 and 2012, 701 people between the ages of 10 and 50 were followed for about six years each. The study participants were the children of 334 people with
mood disorders, 191 of whom had made a suicide attempt. The researchers found that about 6 percent of the participants reported a suicide attempt before they entered the study and about 4 percent made an attempt while enrolled. Brent and his colleagues write in JAMA Psychiatry that the children of the people who reported suicide attempts were about five times more likely to attempt taking their own lives. While accounting for mood disorders lessened the magnitude of the increased risk associated with the parent’s attempt, the children still had a four-fold greater likelihood of attempting suicide. The researchers thought the trait of impulsive aggression, which has been linked to suicidality, might explain the offspring’s suicide risk, but it didn’t. Instead, impulsive aggression predicted the presence of mood disorders, which in turn partly explained the increased
Mobile and interactive media offer a range of education and entertainment options for toddlers and parents, but more research on their impact is needed, according to a review of existing studies. “Mobile devices, because of their portability and interactive components, are introducing media into all aspects of children’s experience and deserve serious attention and research,” write Dr. Jenny Radesky and her colleagues from Boston Medical Center in the journal Pediatrics. The new media addressed in the report differs from television, because mobile and interactive media include games, videos and
educational apps, they write. “Recommendations for use by infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children are especially crucial, because effects of screen time are potentially more pronounced in this group,” the r e s e a r c h e r s write. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), which publishes the journal Pediatrics, recommends that television and other entertainment media should be avoided among children younger than age two years. “A child’s brain develops rapidly during these first years, and young children learn best by interacting with people, not screens,” according to the AAP website.
suicide risk. The good news, according to Brent, is that there are treatments for mood disorders and impulsive aggression that may help some people. About one million American adults, or 0.5 percent of the U.S. adult population, report having made a suicide attempt within the last year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC also says that among young people ages 15 to 24, there are 100 to 200 suicide attempts for every one completed suicide. Brent said that the children of people with a history of suicide attempts should not be overly concerned about the study’s finding of increased risk to them. “It’s still extremely rare,” he said. “I think it’s just a wakeup call,” Brent said. “Just like if you have a family history of breast cancer or colon cancer. You’d be vigilant of that.”
Preschoolers who drink three or more cups of milk a day may get a small height boost, but they’re also more likely to be overweight or obese, according to a new U.S. study. The results, based on nearly 9,000 children, support current recommendations that preschoolers consume two one-cup servings of milk a day, the authors say. “Overall, we were most struck by the heavier BMI (body mass index) among four-year-old children drinking high volumes of milk,” said Dr. Mark DeBoer, a pediatrician at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville who led the study. “Given the country’s current obesity epidemic, we felt as though the data supported the current recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics, recommending that children drink two servings of milk daily - but restrain them from drinking higher volumes because of the potential for unhealthy weight gain,” he told Reuters Health by email. DeBoer said earlier research in other age ranges had noted a connection between higher amounts of milk intake and taller stature. But, his team writes in Archives of Disease in Childhood, studies have found mixed results when it comes to milk and excess weight gain. Data for the new study came from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Survey, a U.S. study that
began when the kids were born in 2001. The researchers examined the milk-consumption patterns of 8,950 children during their first four years, based on interviews with parents. They were also able to follow up with 7,000 of those kids at age five. They found that 53 percent of children who drank milk consumed two or three onecup servings daily. Four-year-olds who drank more than the recommended two servings of milk per day were 16 percent more likely to be overweight than the kids who drank less. The study team also found that on average, kids who drank two, three and four or more servings of milk per day were about a centimeter taller than kids who drank one serving or less. By age five, the weight differences were no longer statistically significant and drinking more milk was only associated with being slightly taller. “As pediatricians, we had noticed that some
Guidance and research on mobile, interactive media for kids needed
families do not appear to restrain their children’s milk intake, and we were wondering whether high amounts of milk intake would be associated with higher body mass index,” DeBoer said. “In that sense, we were not surprised when we noted that children at four years old who drank a larger number of servings of milk daily also had a higher BMI.” There are several possible explanations for the results, particularly given that milk is high in growth factors that may or may not contribute to getting taller, DeBoer noted. It’s also possible, he said, “that the heavier weight status associated with more milk intake could push children toward earlier growth.” Because the study is based on observation, it cannot draw conclusions about cause and effect, he cautioned. Dr. Jonathon Maguire, a pediatrician and researcher at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, said studies based on observing people over time, like the one DeBoer’s team used, are very important. “We learn from those children about what’s healthy and what’s potentially not healthy, and this study is a nice example of that,” said Maguire, who wasn’t involved in the new study. The findings are also compatible with Maguire’s own research showing that around two cups of milk per day balances vitamin D and iron stores nicely, he said. “And what this study emphasizes is that around two cups is a nice balance between linear growth in terms of stature and avoiding problems like obesity and overweight,” he said. Milk is a staple of the Western diet, MacGuire said, “It’s a very important source of calories and essential fats, but too much of a good thing may not be a good thing and that’s what this study is supporting,” he said.
Sunday January 04, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Sexy China TV drama busted, Crime and lawsuits cloud new ‘American Sniper’ movie returns to air more sedate The real-life story behind Hollywood’s “American Sniper,” rolled out this holiday season, has been a dark tale of lawsuits and a pending murder trial for the man accused of gunning down the movie’s hero. Iraq War veteran Eddie Ray Routh is to stand trial in February on charges of murdering Chris Kyle, the former Navy SEAL whose best-selling autobiography “American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History” was the basis for the film from director Clint Eastwood and starring Bradley Cooper. Prosecutors recently said they are not seeking the death penalty against Routh, who could face life in prison if convicted, said Warren St. John, one of Routh’s court-appointed attorneys. “Our guy is not evil,” said St. John, adding that the defense will argue that Routh is insane. Kyle apparently saw Routh as a troubled veteran in need of help. After leaving the Navy in 2009, Kyle, a Texas native, settled in suburban Dallas and became president of Craft In-
Eddie Ray Routh is pictured in this booking photo provided by the Erath County Sheriff’s Office. Routh is a suspect in the shooting and killing of former Navy SEAL Sniper Chris Kyle. ternational, a tactical training company that was also dedicated to helping wounded veterans. Kyle was credited with 150 confirmed kills in Iraq and Afghanistan, a record that earned him regard as the most deadly sniper in Navy history. Kyle and his friend, Chad Littlefield, took Routh to a
shooting range on Dec. 2, 2013. Routh is accused of shooting Kyle and Littlefield to death and stealing Kyle’s truck. Routh was apprehended that day, charged with capital murder and remains in the Erath County Jail on $3 million bond. His family says he suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and had been hospitalized at a mental institution. Kyle’s estate has also had its troubles, with a jury in St. Paul earlier this year awarding former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura $1.8 million in damages for a passage in Kyle’s book about a supposed bar fight between the two that jurors found libelous. This month, Ventura sued the book’s publisher, HarperCollins, seeking an unspecified amount in damages for what he claims is unjust enrichment and defamation. Kyle’s widow, Taya, said the film felt “natural” in that it got the story right. “The atrocity of it is that it is two really good men who were helping somebody,” she told Dallas broadcaster WFAA. (Reuters)
Elvis Presley’s personal jets could fetch more than $10 million Elvis Presley’s pair of personal jets, one complete with gilded wash basin and plush sleeping quarters, will go under the hammer in a sealed-bid auction for a piece of mile-high rock and roll memorabilia, Julien’s Auctions said on Friday. Jets “Lisa Marie” and “Hound Dog II” that the late King of Rock and Roll designed himself will be offered together to bidders and are expected to fetch between $10 million and $15 million, the Beverly Hills, California, auction house said. They are no longer airworthy, but have been on view for visitors at Graceland -
Presley’s Memphis, Tennessee estate - for the past three decades. Presley bought the Convair 880 jet from Delta Air Lines in 1975, two years before his death at age 42, for $250,000. He named it “Lisa Marie” after his daughter. Presley spent more than $300,000 refurbishing the jet with a penthouse bedroom, executive conference room, bar and videotape system linked to four TVs. He had the plane painted red, white and blue with his motto “TCB” “Takin’ Care of Business” - on the tail. He purchased the eight-to-10 passenger “Hound Dog II,” a Lockheed
Jetstar, also in 1975 for about $900,000 while waiting on the refurbishment of the “Lisa Marie.” The four-engine 28passenger Convair could fly Presley, who preferred to travel at night, up to 3,000 miles (4,800 kilometers). Only 65 of the Convair 880 model jets were produced from 1959 to 1962. The buyer also has the option to purchase several acres adjacent to Graceland to display the jets, independent of the Presley museum. An agreement between Graceland and the jets’ current owners, whose identity was not disclosed, is set to expire at the end of April. (Reuters)
A Chinese television drama that was pulled off the air after the female characters appeared on screen showing cleavage has returned to the screen, though this time showing only the actresses’ heads, state news agency Xinhua said on Saturday. The drama, “The Empress of China” also known as the “Saga of Wu Zetian”, was removed by commercial satellite station Hunan TV for “technical reasons” in late December, Xinhua said. “Many viewers speculated the suspension was a punishment given by the country’s television regulators for the much-discussed revealing costumes of female characters on the
show, which stirred online debate in which the female characters were dubbed ‘squeezed breasts’,” Xinhua said. The move comes as the government, which is usually wary about political and sexual content, intensifies a crackdown on freedom of expression, both online and in traditional media. Chinese Internet users responded by complaining about the censorship on Weibo, China’s version of Twitter. Several complained that they would not be able to see the hundreds of costume changes by Fan Bingbing, one of China’s most popular actresses, who plays the Empress Wu. Others questioned whether the low necklines had to be banned on television .(Reuters)
This Was The Least Attended Year At The Movies Since 1995
Hollywood is churning out more gargantuan franchises than ever before, but ticket sales reached a 19-year low in 2014. According to estimates, box-office receipts fell by 5.2 percent this year and attendance plunged by 6 percent on domestic shores. The 1.26 billion tickets sold mark the weakest sales since 1995, when such films as “Toy Story,” “Batman Forever” and “Apollo 13” triggered a total 1.21 billion tickets sold. 2013’s movies (the top titles were “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire,” “Iron Man 3” and “Frozen”) sold 1.34 billion tickets, itself a mere 1 percent increase in admissions from 2012. Official figures on 2014’s overall North American box office won’t be ready until the
termines the year’s average movie-ticket price, but preliminary estimates maintain the woes that sprung from summer’s disappointing turnout. All this despite 17 of the year’s 20 highest-grossing movies hailing from franchises or adaptations, commonly seen as the pot at the end of the Hollywood rainbow. Still, the No. 1 film — Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” — pulled in $92 million less than 2013’s No. 1, “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.” The proliferation of costlier 3-D tickets skewers contemporary box-office tallies, but North America has yet to see a calendar year top the all-time high that “Spider-Man,” “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers,” “Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones” and other suc-
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COMPLAINING ABOUT THE FOOD Two women were discussing marriage, and one said, “We’ve been married twenty-five years, and every night my husband has complained about the food. Not one night without complaining about the food.” The other woman said, “That’s awful. Doesn’t it bother you?” The first one said, “Not in the slightest.” Said the other woman, “You must be a saint!” To which, the first woman replied, “No. Why should I object? Many people don’t like the food they cook.” NAUGHTY WIVES Wife is angry as hubby stands too close to a beautiful girl in bus, a few seconds later the girl slaps him for pinching. Hubby to wife: I swear I didn’t. Wife: I know, I did it... COURTROOM HUMOR Excerpts taken from court proceedings that’s really silly and funny too. These are actually things people actually said in court, word for word, taken down and now published by court reporters who had the torment of staying calm while these exchanges were actually taking place. Q : What gear were you in, at the moment of impact? A : Gucci sweats and Reebok! Q : This myasthenia gravis, does it effect your memory at all? A : Yes. Q : And in what ways does it effect your memory? A : I forget! Q : You forget? Can you give us an example of something you’ve forgotten??? Q : How old is your son, the one living with you? A : Thirty-three or thirty-six, I can’t remember which. Q : How long has he lived with you? A : Forty-three years. Q : What was the first thing your husband said to you when he woke up that morning? A : He said, “Where am I, Christy?” Q : And why did that upset you? A : My name is Evon! Q : Now Doctor, isn’t it true when a person dies in his sleep, he doesn’t know about it until the next morning? A : Did you actually pass the bar exam? Q : The youngest son, the twenty-year-old, how old is he? Q : Were you present when your picture was taken? Q : So, the date of your conception of your baby was July 9th? A : Yes. Q : And what were you doing at that time? Q : She had three children right? A : Yes. Q : How many were boys? A : None. Q : Were there any girls? WHERE’S MY CAR???? A drunken man was wondering around the parking lot of a bar, bumping into then rubbing the roofs of the cars. The manager comes out of the bar and stops the guy. “What the heck are you doing ?” he asks the drunk. “I’m looking for my car, and I can’t find it.” he replies. “So how does feeling the roof help you ?” asks the puzzled manager. “Well,” replies the drunk earnestly, “MY car has two blue lights and a siren on the roof!” I NEED A JOB Job Applicant: I'm looking for a job as a consultant. Employer: I'm sorry, we already have enough consultants. Applicant: That's ok, with my experience, I can be an advisor. Employer: More than we can use already. Applicant, as he is getting desperate: I'm not proud, I can do paperwork, I'll be a clerk. If you have too many, I'll start as a janitor. Employer: It just doesn't seem that we have any openings for a person with your qualifications. Applicant, as he stands up and angrily yells, Work for you? I'd have to be a low life, belly crawling, double dealing jerk! Employer: Well, you didn't say you were an attorney, have a seat, we may have an opening.
Kaieteur News
Sunday January 04, 2015
Sunday January 04, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Eight Vintage Beauty Secrets
W
hen you think of beauty, the first thing that pops into your head might not be your Grandma. (Although, if you're like me, you think your Grandma was the epitome of beauty.) Women in your grandmother's or, depending on your age, greatgrandmother's era had to be creative when it came to keeping up with the beauty trends, especially with financial constraints. The woman of the 40's wasn't distracted with all of the gimmicks of today's beauty industry. That's refreshing! Here are some of the ways she keep herself looking amazing. Because there was a time when woman made effort to look feminine and beautiful everyday. Some days I wish I lived in that era. (Other days I'm thankful for sweatpants and leggings.) Many Things in Your Kitchen Can Be Used for Beauty If you have dark circles, try applying a simple mixture of tomato juice and lemon juice. You can also apply slices of raw potato, since potatoes are known to have a calming effect on the skin. For puffy eyes, try applying used tea bags that have been in the refrigerator for a few minutes. You can also try cucumber slices. If you use what you have on hand, it's a zero-cost way to keep beautiful. Sleep on a Silk Pillowcase Silk pillowcases are more delicate than the normal cotton ones and they were quite common for upper class women in the 1940's. I'm not sure I know anyone who sleeps on a silk pillowcase today. But you (and I) should reconsider switching! Using a silk pillowcase can help protect your skin from wrinkles and lines, as they do not tug on the skin like cotton ones do. Additionally, silk pillowcases are also great for minimizing frizzy hair. Protect Your Hands Gloves used to be a part of everyday wear. There were gloves for cleaning and gloves for fashion, but today, most of us only have gloves for winter. That's OK, because obviously trends change, but get a box of gloves and wear them for cleaning to protect your hands from getting dry from hot soapy water or chemicals to avoid hangnails and dry cuticles, chipped or peeling nails. There are plenty of moisturizing hand lotions on the market, but why not take the approach Grandma might have by mixing up your own healthier version. Mix together equal parts of witch hazel, rosewater, and glycerin, and you will have a simple remedy for dry skin! It is great for the winter time, or any time your hands need some extra care. Tip: Put on your lotion (or Vaseline) and then cover your hands with gloves before going to bed. The gloves will lock in the moisture, so you'll wake up with smooth, soft skin every time! Use Olive Oil Olive oil as a beauty treatment has been around for a long time. It's great for your skin because it moisturizes and protects the skin from damage and pollution. It's natural, non-irritating and helps prevent aging! Sofia Loren is known for bathing in olive oil, which is super easy to do today. Simply add some to your bath water and enjoy. Olive oil also works well as a hair conditioner treatment (rinse well!) and as a cuticle softener. Petroleum Jelly (aka Vaseline) Didn't Have a Stigma And many women, even celebrities like Marilyn Monroe, swore by it! It was used to keep puffy eyes at bay, to remove eye makeup, for a full-on face moisturizer, lip balm,
cuticle cream and many other beauty uses. Though just about everyone shuns it now (with, in my opinion, undue reasons), it really could be the catch-all product you're looking for. Strips of Cloth Make Beautiful Curls Before curling irons and perm treatments, many women used a much cheaper (and simpler) technique to get beautiful curly hair! Simply rip up an old pillowcase or other piece of cloth into thin strips. Then, with wet hair, roll your hair up with the strip and knot it. Sleep on it, and in the morning you'll have wonderful curls. Not only is this method effective and cheap, it's also much better for your hair than chemically curling it or using heat tools. Just Because it Looks Good on the Mannequin... Sometimes I look at pictures of women in the 40's and I'm so envious of the style of that day. Women in the 40's had very flattering wardrobes that emphasized (and masked) all the right places. A-line dresses that cinched in the waist and covered the bottom for pear-shaped women like me paired with heels that lengthened the legs made every woman a bombshell. With the fashion industry giving us so many choices today that look good on mannequins, but not real people, it's important to be honest with yourself when you're looking in the mirror. Is it a flattering choice or is it just trend? If the later, skip it!
SOLUTION FOR LAST WEEK’S SEARCH & FIND
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Kaieteur News
Sunday January 04, 2015
Sharing a weight loss/maintenance strategy By Dr. Zulfikar Bux It’s the beginning of a new year and we all have goals which we would like to achieve during the year. My personal goal is to shed a few pounds that I have accumulated over the past year. It is important that we keep our weight in check, since it is an essential predictor of length of life. Everyone is different and will therefore lose weight differently. Given the same plan, some persons may be able to lose more weight than others. But having a healthy weight loss/ weight maintenance plan and sticking to it should help you to keep your body in check. I therefore wish to share my personal plan, with the hope that I’ll be able to maintain the discipline to upkeep it and at least someone else can benefit from it. EAT LIGHTERAS THE DAY PROGRESSES Our body is prepared in the morning for a hefty meal. Our metabolism is at its highest in the morning and slows down as the day progresses. We should therefore eat to suit our metabolism and our heaviest meal should obviously be in the morning and our dinner should be the lightest. If we eat a heavy and late dinner (which is usually my case because it’s when I have more time) then our body will just store excess food as fat. Our dinner should be at least three hours before bedtime so that we give our body enough time to process and utilize the food that we ate. EAT SMALLERAMOUNTS MORE OFTEN Eating three large meals
tends to overwhelm our body, and it affects the proper metabolism of foods. This causes surges in blood glucose levels and makes us feel tired and often want to sleep. Having five smaller divided meals will prevent our body from being overwhelmed and improves our metabolism. This ultimately helps with the weight loss and maintenance process. MINIMIZE THE BAD CARBOHYDRATES Our body needs carbohydrates for energy. Having too many carbohydrates in a meal; such as a plate full of rice or more roti than curry will let our body convert these excess carbohydrates to fats for storage. Foods rich in carbohydrates such as sweet foods, rice, cake, potato products, ice cream, bread etc. play a role in our diet, but should be kept to a minimum. Carbohydrate foods high in fibre are not readily absorbed and are therefore healthy for us. So using carbohydrate foods such as vegetables, some fruits (banana, orange, apple, dates etc.), whole wheat bread and flour, grains and oats etc., will help to make us feel full, but prevent excess food absorption. USE MORE PROTEIN RICH FOODS Foods rich in proteins are healthy for us, since proteins help to maintain our muscle structure and lessen fat storage. Proteins are responsible for the toned and well-formed body physique of fit persons. Therefore it is important to ensure we eat protein-containing foods in our diet. Examples of proteinhealthy foods are: eggs, whitemeat poultry, yogurt, lean beef, seafood, beans etc.
Having these foods among others as part of our meals should help us to maintain muscle structure that is important in having that lean physique. So far we have focused mostly on what we eat. Next week we will conclude the plan with other factors that are vital in the weight loss/ maintenance process. It is important to focus on our diet if we want to maintain a healthy weight. There is a wise proverb which encapsulates this very efficiently; “we are what we eat”. (Dr Zulfikar Bux is an Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at the Vanderbilt University and Medical Center and holds the position of Head of the Georgetown Public Hospital’s Accident and Emergency Department.)
Proteins: your building blocks
Caribbean growth will rebound to 2.2% in 2015 – ECLAC Economic growth in Latin America and the Caribbean will recover in 2015 and reach 2.2% on average, according to new estimates unveiled by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC). According to the regional United Nations organization, this moderate rise will take place in the context of the global economy’s slow and heterogeneous recovery, with downward pressure on commodity prices and little dynamism in the region’s external demand as well as an increase in financial uncertainty. The evolution of the global economy will have different impacts among
countries and sub-regions in 2015, as it did throughout 2014. Central America plus Haiti and the Spanishspeaking Caribbean are expected to grow at a rate of 4.1%, South America at 1.8%, and the English-speaking Caribbean at 2.2%. The countries leading the regional expansion next year will be Panama, with an increase in its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of 7.0%, Bolivia (5.5%), Peru, the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua (5.0%). In 2014, average regional growth was just 1.1%, marking the smallest expansion since 2009. The region’s performance shows great heterogeneity among countries and sub-regions:
Central America plus Haiti and the Spanish-speaking Caribbean grew 3.7%, South America 0.7%, and the English-speaking Caribbean 1.9%. In fiscal terms, Latin America will register a slight increase in its deficit to 2.7% of GDP in 2014 from 2.4% in 2013, while the Caribbean will reduce its deficit to 3.9% in 2014 from 4.1% last year. In addition, the public debt of the region’s countries will remain at low and stable levels, averaging around 32% of GDP. Meanwhile, accumulated regional inflation in the 12 months to October was 9.4% on average, with a very diverse performance among countries, and the urban open unemployment rate will register a fresh decline to 6.0% from 6.2% the previous year, despite the weak job creation resulting from low economic
growth. The deceleration in investment observed since 2011, and which showed a roughly 3.5% contraction during 2014, is an important factor in the decline of the GDP growth rate. These figures were presented during a press conference at ECLAC’s headquarters in Santiago, Chile, by the Commission’s Executive Secretary, Alicia Bárcena, and are part of the annual report Preliminary Overview of the Economies of Latin America and the Caribbean 2014, which will be published soon. “To invigorate economic growth and stop deceleration in the global economy’s current context entails significant challenges for the region,” Bárcena said during the press conference. “Among these, it is necessary to revive domestic demand prioritizing the dynamic of investment.
Sunday January 04, 2015
Kaieteur News
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George Whyte Williams Moore Newman Fraser Goodridge Adolph Stewart Moore Basdeo Dhanndreaw Lyken Beckles John Barkoye Farley Fraser Thomas Jackson Jonas Roland Joseph Williams Haywood Harris Roberts Boston Barker Patterson Singh Alexander Kendall Patterson Rowley Christian Rose Williams Adolphus Timmerman Easton Sheckles August Jeffrey Peters Sonaram Fernandes Knights Melville Abrams-Marks Squires Sharper Rodney Lovell Jack Reynolds Trim Haney James Troyer Lyttle Inniss Huntley Creame Barlow Tularam Boodhoo Harris Gift
i) ii) iii) iv) v) vi) vii) viii) ix) x) xi)
REGULAR SPECIAL CONSTABULARY TO SERGEANT 7019 Cpl. Victor W.8513 Cpl. Bobb-Blackman 10325 Cpl. St. Hill W.9022 Cpl. Kuarcharran W.11809 Cpl. Samuels W.9067 Cpl. Cozier 8334 Cpl. Austin W.13370 Cpl. Smith W.7597 Cpl. Collins 12911 Cpl. Mentis 6495 Cpl. Chetram
i) ii) iii) iv)
REGULAR SPECIAL CONSTABULARY TO CORPORAL 12256 Const. Benjamin W.7984 Const. Watson W.8116 Const. London W.10029 L/Cpl. Ramalho
v) vi) vii) viii) ix) x) xi) xii) xiii) xiv) xv) xvi) xvii) xviii) xix) xx) xxi) xxii) xxiii)
W.9587 W.8682 W.8873 W.9313 W.6836 W.9259 W.8289 W.7376 W.8301 W.13096 W.11854 W.9490 12156 13349 6609 11359 W.13767 W. 9890 13059
L/Cpl. L/Cpl. L/Cpl. L/Cpl. L/Cpl. L/Cpl. L/Cpl. L/Cpl. L/Cpl. L/Cpl. Const. L/Cpl. Const. L/Cpl. L/Cpl. L/Cpl. Const. L/Cpl. Const.
Williams Fraser Hodge Kellman Hyles Jacobs Payne Heyliger West Benn Clement Cato London Kilkenny Ferguson Paul Grace Boucher Harnarayan
i) ii) iii) iv) v) vi) vii) viii) ix) x) xi) xii) xiii) xiv) xv) xvi) xvii) xviii) xix) xx) xxi) xxii) xxiii) xxiv) xxv) xxvi) xxvii) xxviii) xxix) xxx) xxxi) xxxii) xxxiii) xxxiv)
REGULAR SPECIAL CONSTABULARY TO LANCE CORPORAL W.12596 Const. Atwell W.13421 Const. Goodluck 9586 Const. Thompson W.14333 Const. Drakes W.10477 Const. Booker W.13530 Const. Niles W.12598 Const. Wiltshire W.13369 Const. Josiah W.8928 Const. Sagon W.7169 Const. Pellew W.11534 Const. Daniels W.12965 Const. Cobena 10514 Const. Robinson 12164 Const. Hamilton W.8628 Const. Callender W.7128 Const. Moore W.9712 Const. Fraser W.8745 Const. Kumar W.8708 Const. Chesney W.12336 Const. Williams 12176 Const. Trotman 12267 Const. Morris W.13660 Const. Taylor 11707 Const. P/Guard 11618 Const. Derick 8902 Const. Agustus 10937 Const. Yeseen W.12440 Const. James 10655 Const. Yaw 11824 Const. Sandy Const. Wallace 14294 14296 Const. Cornette 14300 Const. Grant 14281 Const. Pollard
i) ii) iii) iv) v) vi) vii) viii) ix)
GUYSTAC SPECIAL CONSTABULARY TO SERGEANT 7027 Cpl. Kyte 7371 Cpl. Bhagoo W.0962 Cpl. Fraser W.9488 Cpl. Hinds 4792 Cpl. Hemraj W.8453 Cpl. Nurse-Chisholm 10261 Cpl. Friday W.7350 Cpl. Bobb-Lord W.8389 Cpl. Dodson
i) ii) iii) iv) v) vi) vii) viii) ix) x) xi) xii)
GUYSTAC SPECIAL CONSTABULARY TO CORPORAL 4884 L/Cpl. Rose W.7860 L/Cpl. Grant W.7081 L/Cpl. Verwayne W.7842 L/Cpl. King W.7079 Const. Williams 5076 L/Cpl. Mc Call W.9249 L/Cpl. Hutson 9868 L/Cpl. Garnett W.10598 L/Cpl. Bruce W.9291 L/Cpl. Stewart W.7922 L/Cpl. Tyndall 7164 L/Cpl. Exeter
i) ii) iii) iv) v) vi) vii) viii)
GUYSTAC SPECIAL CONSTABULARY TO LANCE CORPORAL W.11602 Const. Samuels W.11166 Const. Trotman W.8036 Const. Herbert W.8749 Const. Lambert W.8209 Const. Fordyce 12663 Const. Johnson 12310 Const. Persaud W.11836 Const. Norton
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Kaieteur News
Sunday January 04, 2015
Country Profile:
Katrina is my favourite Anushka co-star: Sharma
A
ctress Anushka Sharma, who has worked with various actresses in the past, says Katrina Kaif is her favorite co-star and she doesn't believe in the concept of cat-fights in Bollywood. "As an actress, we need to kill those catfight things. I called Kangana (Ranaut) when I watched 'Queen', I called Deepika (Padukone) after 'Cocktail'. I was like more than excited about it. "Katrina is my favorite co-star because I had such a good relationship with her. She is a real person and not pretentious. I had a great time working with her (in 'Jab Tak Hai Jaan'). I know she feels happy for me," she said. Anushka, who is currently enjoying the success of "PK, says she is very satisfied with
her career graph as an actress and says she doesn't like falling into brackets and categories. Asked if she is happy with whatever she has achieved so far, Anushka said: "I won't lead my life little bit if I was not happy. I know what I want to do and I don't like falling into brackets and categories." "I didn't want to do too many films. Whatever I have done, I have done best. People give advices but I do what I feel is right. I am very satisfied right now. I wanted to work in good films and good directors and i think my career graph is going well," she added. “PK" also features Aamir Khan, Sushant Singh Rajput, Sanjay Dutt and Boman Irani.
Priyanka welcomes US musician to India
B
ollywood actress Priyanka Chopra recently welcomed American musician and singersongwriter Matthew Koma to India. "Hanging with family...The lovely @priyankachoprawelcoming us to India," Koma, who was in Goa to perform at one of the Electronic Dance Music festivals, tweeted Friday.
He also shared a black and white photograph in which the actress, who has already made a mark in the international music circuit by recording tracks with stars like Pitbull and Will.i.am, is seen resting her hand on his shoulder. Before performing in Goa, he had tweeted: "Thankful to be in Goa tonight for my first show in India".
Russia OVERVIEW Russia emerged from a decade of post-Soviet economic and political turmoil to reassert itself as a world power. Income from vast natural resources, above all oil and gas, have helped Russia overcome the economic collapse of 1998. The staterun gas monopoly Gazprom i s t h e w o r l d ’s l a rg e s t producer and exporter, and supplies a growing share of Europe’s needs. Spanning nine time zones, Russia is the largest country on earth in terms of surface area, although large tracts in the north and east are inhospitable and sparsely populated. This vast Eurasian land mass covers more than 17m sq km, with a climate ranging from the Arctic north to the generally temperate south. Russia is one of the world’s big military powers: AT A GLANCE · Politics: Vladimir Putin, Russia’s dominant political figure since 2000, resumed the presidency in 2012 · Economy: Russia is heavily dependent on oil and gas exports. Officials have been hesitant to privatise energy assets · International: Russia has reacted with hostility to any developments perceived to threaten its strategic interests. The 2014 revolution in Ukraine sparked the biggest East-West showdown since the Cold War In the period of rapid privatisation in the early 1990s, the government of President Boris Yeltsin created a small but powerful group of magnates, often referred to as “oligarchs”, who acquired vast interests in the energy and media sectors. P r e s i d e n t Ye l t s i n ’s successor, Vladimir Putin, moved to reduce the political influence of oligarchs soon after taking office, forcing some into exile and prosecuting others. Mikhail Khodorkovsky, the former head of the Yukos oil company and a supporter of the liberal opposition, was arrested on tax and fraud charges in 2003 and later sentenced to nine years in prison. His business empire was effectively seized by the state and Mr Khodorkovsky was not released from jail until 2013. During Mr Putin’s presidency Russia’s booming economy and assertive foreign policy bolstered national pride. In particular, Russia promoted its perceived interests in former
Soviet states more openly, even at the cost of antagonising the West. The resulting tensions first became acute in August 2008, when a protracted row over two breakaway regions of Georgia escalated into a military conflict between Russia and Georgia. Russia sent troops into Georgia and declared that it was recognising the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, sparking angry reactions in the West and fears of a new Cold War.
FACTS · Full name: Russian Federation · Population: 142.7 million (UN, 2012) · Capital: Moscow · Area: 17 million sq km (6.6 million sq miles) · Major language: Russian · Major religions: Christianity, Islam · Life expectancy: 63 years (men), 75 years (women) (UN) · Monetary unit: 1 rouble = 100 kopecks · Main exports: Oil and oil products, natural gas, wood and wood products, metals, chemicals, weapons and military equipment · GNI per capita: US $10,650 (World Bank, 2011) · Internet domain: .ru · International dialling code: +7
LEADERS
President: Vladimir Putin Mr Putin has devoted a good deal of effort to burnishing his image as a strong leader Vladimir Putin has been Russia’s dominant political
figure since his election as president in 2000. He served two terms as president before becoming prime minister for a four-year spell and subsequently resuming the presidency in May 2012. His re-election as president was accompanied by months of protests fuelled by allegations of electoral fraud and driven by an embryonic, primarily urban, civil society determined to challenge Mr Putin’s rule. Mr Putin presents himself as a strong leader who took Russia out of the economic, social and political crisis of the 1990s. He also casts himself as a staunch defender of Russia’s national interests, particularly against what he portrays as Western attempts to foist alien cultural and political values on Russia. Russia’s annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in March 2014 - a move that Mr Putin said was taken in order to protect Russian speakers in the territory after the ousting of the pro-Russian Ukrainian leader Viktor Yanukovych was seen by many analysts as part of the Russian president’s long-term plan to restore Russian national pride at the same time as boosting his own position. Several of Mr Putin’s rivals and opposition activists have sought safety abroad or ended up in prison, most prominently the former oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky, who spent 10 years in jail following his arrest on tax evasion and fraud charges in 2003. Born in St Petersburg in 1952, Vladimir Putin began his career in the KGB, the Soviet-era secret police. From 1990 he worked in the St Petersburg administration before moving to Moscow in 1996. By August 1999 he was prime minister. Barred by the constitution from running for a third consecutive presidential term in 2008, he made way for his prime minister, Dmitry Medvedev. On Mr Putin’s return to the presidency in 2012, he duly reappointed Mr Medvedev to the premiership.
Sunday January 04, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 53
TWERKING - 2014 YEAR OF THE BUTT By Ralph Seeram Miss Ethel would have been a hero today; no joke. She would have put Beyonce and Nicky Minaj and Miley Cyrus to shame. She was twerking long before the word “twerking” became popular and she did not even have to dance, she just had to walk down the street. When I think of the twerking phenomenon of 2014, that crazy dance move that only involves women shaking, vibrating, twirling and many forms of gyrations of the butt, Miss Ethel comes to mind. You see Miss Ethel was a neighbour of mine in my boyhood days; she probably had the biggest derriere in New Amsterdam. Unlike today where the butt is revered, in those days she was ridiculed for it. If you are from New Amsterdam you know Backdam Road (Republic Rd.) is on the east side of the town and Waterside (Strand) is on the west side of the town. So we as small boys would shout to her “backdam waterside” meaning the motion of her butt moving from east to west, but it had a jiggle to it.
When she walks her right side cheeks would still be jiggling while the left starts, and so it continues in rhythmic fashion, east west to north and south and back. The nickname “backdam waterside” stuck to her. My friends and I even got some lashes on our butt for calling her a “false name”. Miss Ethel, then a well known “sweetie” vendor, has long passed, but in today’s world her butt would make her a hero. Fast forward to 2014; do you know how to twerk, how to shake your rear end to music was one of the most frequent searches on Google? Women wanted tutorials on how to twerk. True, Beyonce, Nicky Minaj and Miley Cyrus kind of popularize the sexy d a n c e m o v e , w e l l i t ’s considered a dance even though it only entails spreading your legs and as we Guyanese would say “wine up” your butt. Yo u t u b e i s f u l l o f tutorials on how to twerk; just Google the word. There is even a top ten and top one hundred most watched twerking dance by women with fantastic butts. 2014 is the year the “thick
women” as we Guyanese like to describe them, came in their own over the skinny rivals whom for years forced women to starve themselves to reduce their weight and butt to look skinny. 2014 was the year the women with “meat on their bone” was in, big booty was in, immortalized in pop music. Now most female performers have to do a little booty shaking for their fans because it is expected. Those of us on social media like Facebook see videos pop up all the time, women showing the twerking skills as they gyrate for the millions of viewers. Yes some of these twerking videos had countless views and likes. I did not even touch on the sexual aspect of the moves. I am afraid if some women take these moves and perform them on their sexual partners, the emergency rooms at hospitals will be filled with “sex brought me to the emergency room” patients. Some of you must have seen the programme ‘Sex brought me to the Emergency Room” a reality TV show depicting people being admitted to the emergency room due to sex related activities. I am serious, watch at the women in those videos. I know there are the macho men
Consumers threaten legal action against local ... (From page 49) going to see my lawyer because this situation getting out of` hand,” the woman said. Other consumers took a website to express their dissatisfaction at the shipping company, warning potential consumers not to utilize the service. “Do not ship with
Champion Xpress. I am still waiting on my stuff that is in Guyana for the past four weeks. Every time you call Debra says yes your stuff is here but
we are waiting for word to open the container from the Boss Joel in New York. So it’s over two months now and I am still waiting on my boxes,” one person commented.
out there who say that they can handle that anytime, but my friends, some of those men on that reality show thought so too. On one episode the guy’s girlfriend was sobbing and crying hysterically asking the doctor if his penis was going to be ok, not caring to know the pain he was experiencing. The penis was her main concern. We men and especially Guyanese men have always liked a woman with a great booty, only the women did not know it. We always like “meat on the bone” and some men say “more bounce the better.” Today women don’t have to be ashamed of that big butt. It’s so fashionable that some women with skinny fanny take butt implants to make that booty bigger to attract attention. Some of you might have seen the TV programme about plastic surgery went bad. I saw one episode where the woman, a few years before had a perfect booty, but now has a collapsible butt. The butt dropped and the implants can be moved around in her butt; she was worse off than before. There are many cases like that. Not to be left out, some women with skinny butts have resorted to butt enhancements by the use of butt pads. Yes there are women garments with built in pads, just as there are padded bras to make a woman B cup boobs look like a C cup. Please don’t ask me how I know these things. I recall going to a funeral where the relatives were crying over the deceased in
church. I had written previously about how some of the women dressed for funerals as if they were going to a club. They bend over a little and as the great Dave Martin would say “you can see Arizona”. Well at this particular funeral there was a particular young lady who had an unusually large booty for her size. Now she had her back or should I say butt facing the rest of mourners behind. As she was crying and gesticulating one could notice her butt moving, it was losing the nice perfected butt shape; it started to sag to the side. Unknown to her, the butt pad was shifting as she was moving around. Why she felt she had to use a butt pad for a funeral was beyond me. So as 2014 departed one
wonders if the trend will continue into 2015. Will there be more twerking contests, twerking dance off, top ten and top 100 twerking videos etc? I believe so. Women have found a new medium to display their “whining” techniques in public, long suppressed and restricted to the confines of the bedroom, or wherever the mood strikes. Now the women can show who has more “motion to the ocean”, but men beware, that sweet rhythmic motion, that thrusting and rapid twerking moves can cause commotion in the emergency ward, where your woman’s concern will not be about you and your pain. Ralph Seeram can be reached at email: ralph365@hotmail.com and Facebook.
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Kaieteur News
VACANCY
CAR RENTAL
IT Technician to install outdoor antenna, must have drivers license. Send application to jobs@awngy.com International Cruiseline Purser officers, waitresses, waiters, cooks, receptionists, storekeepers, cleaners, electricians, carpenters, plumbers, musicians etc – Tel: 231-6296, 650-9880 Waitresses to work at a Bar at Agriculture Road –E.C.D
PROGRESSIVE AUTO RENTAL: CARS & SUV FOR RENTAL-$4,000&UPPERDAYCALL: 643-5122, 219-3900, EMAIL: PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM
Cashier able to work flexible hours and have CXC Maths, send application to jobs@awngy.com 3 Pastry makers, please apply at Humphrey’s Bakery & Farm products limited 38 Ketley & Sussex St. Charlestown- Call:225-7864/ 225-8607 One refrigeration Airconditioned traineeCall:231-0655,683-8734 Accounts Clerk; apply @ D. Singh & Sons @ 95 King Street Georgetown- Call: 2261316; 226-0881 Vacancy for experienced dispatcher- Call: 231-4000 or 231-4001 Work from home; earn $5,000-20,000 daily, www.jobfairworldwide.com Call: 233-6517; 622-1957 Call Monday – Friday 9am-5pm Experienced barman (night shift) cooks and live-in caretaker @ Cotton Club Restaurant & Bar 44 Public Road Kitty -Tel: 231-1908 Experienced Receptionist and maids to work at Hotel, shift work @ Hilton Crest Hotel – Call:223-6284 Plant shop vacancy; literate, hardworking, pleasant, team player, 18-28yrs. Must have work experienced –Location Huston & Sherriff Street.
SALON
FOR SALE
VEHICLE FOR SALE
WANTED
Make Up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, Black Opal and Sacha cosmetics. Call: 647-1773/660-5257
LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. Complete Snapper Boats for sale – Excellent Condition – Contact: 648-6815; 641-4506
Blow Out Sale!!! Unregistered Toyota IST $2,200,000- Bodykit, TV, Spoiler, Fogs, Alloy Wheels, Crystal Lights & Alarm – Call: 643-6565, 226-9931
We buy land in Parfaite Harmonie, Providence, Schoonord, Herstelling & Eccles - Tel: 675-7292; 2185591; 652-2018 Experienced Puri/Roti Cook, Pastry makers, cleaner; apply at Hack’s Halaal Commerce Street. Urgently porters to work on beverage canter truck, preferably on E.C.DCall:222-3927; 649-9876; 6861352
FOR RENT
1- Complete 6" Dredge for mining, includes 6 Cylinder Perkins & 1-4 Cylinder. All pumps, mats, etc, asking $3M – Contact: 610-1001
SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. – CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 GT TOOL RENTALS: COMPACTOR; CHIPPING HAMMER RANSOM & FLOOR SANDER, (SALE) & MORE, JACK HAMMER, CONCRETE SAW - CALL: 675-0767, 667-2535
Guyana Passport & Visa Forms Application, USA, Canada and England. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535.
Taxi service to rent @ 58 Station Street Kitty – Contact Maylene Sahadeo: 226-8978 or 622-5187
1 Toshiba Laptop (17.3inches) 1 5000 Watts Briggs & Stratton generator - Call: 622-0503; 689-9932
Repairs & spare, fridge, freezer, A/C, washers, stoves. Contact Nick: 683-1312, 627-3206
Business spot to rent on public road- Call:613-0448/ 672-8625
1 Numark DM 1295 4 Channel mixer, 1 Teac CD burner uses any blank CD - Call: 6220503; 689-9932
We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer Call Omar: 2310655,683-8734 Permanent & Visitors Visa Applications, Professional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building Call Sabita: 225-6496, 6626045 BrianMoe@642-3543; Computer Technician; FB:Brian.Moe.165; Home and office visits at your comfort!! Cheap! Cheap! House plan drafting and yes! Free Estimate – Call: 618-7848; 6953408; now before offer ends. REPAIRS AT LOW COST: FRIDGES, AIRCONDITIONERS, WASHING MACHINES, TVS, MICROWAVES, FREEZERS- CALL: 6294946 OR 225-4822
LAND FOR SALE PEN PAL Companion for retired gentleman 38+ Bobby Other, Worksharp, 92-96 Lord Street, PR8 1JR, England.
Parfaite Harmonie -$1.4M & $3.5M (110ftX50Ft) Herstelling - $5.5M, Providence -$5.5M, Schoonord -$4.2M, Gove $2.6M –Call:675-7292; 6522018
Indian Male; age 27 is seeking females between age 20-30; only serious females – Call: 691-5905
1500 Acres Transported Land @ Bartica 2 ¾ miles River Front, Virgin Rock, Quarry Resort – Call Mark: 704-4652222/603-1266
Do you need a Friend? I am East Indian, male age 49 and Single – Call: 625-0321
Sunday January 04, 2015
Double Land @ Lot 7 Tuschen E.B.E - Call: 672-2215
1 Upper flat 2 bedroom concrete apartment @ Grove New Housing Scheme E.B.D (First Bridge) - $45,000 per month – Call:642-1956 Three bedrooms house at 119 Canterbury Walk, BV, E.C.D - $30,000 monthly – Call: 654-6841 Lower 2 bedrooms apartment @ Factory Road, Paradise, East Coast, Demerara; with light & water -$40,000 monthly – Contact: 625-9939 1 Wash Bay & Snackette; good Hope E.B.E –Call: 6804991 or 277-3033 Five bedrooms house @ 107 Lamaha Gardens & large parking, AC rooms, hot & cold, purified water system Call: 661-8908; 335-3590 Rooms at 11 Charles Street Charlestown; preferably Bachelor - Call: 223-4060 One 3 bedroom flat house in West Ruimveldt – Call:6927377; 672-2194 Three bedrooms; 1 self contained house with A/C, parking, full furnished, young professional Scheme Eccles - Call Sonia: 666-4882
Two 320CL Caterpillar, Excavators; good condition, price to go – Call: 611-4775 Tacoma Engines with transmissions, suspension, steering, electrical, body parts, 3 Phase compressor – Call Sam: 616-3577 Promix BX with microrize $10,500 per bag; ask for Rayman – Call: 615-2346; 6280200, 263-5300
2 Gemini GXA 4000 Watts power amp, 1 Technical Pro 3250 watts pro 3250 watts power amp - Tel: 622-0503; 689-9932 2 SL I serato boxes, 2 Denon 3500 CD Juggler, 2 Gemini GXA 3000 Watts power Amp Call: 622-0503; 689-9932 Diving Suit - Call: 265-3449; 613-5158 Rubberized Tarpaulins for sale 20X20 - $20,000, any size available – Tel: 657-2304 PSP games $800, Computer games $1000 & over 1200 titles. Contact:675-2239; BBM 7FF1557E One double stall with overhead storage in Stabroek Market - Call: 619-7925 (can be inspected) Brand new Toshiba washing machine - Call:628-1155; 6220784 Marine parts (In Board) engines from 20HP to 500Hp Propeller gearbox, shaft, gland all electronics etc – Call: 674-3735; 652-8970
LEARN TO DRIVE
One ford IVECO sand truck with Cummings Engine, GNN Series, excellent condition, owner leaving country - Call: 604-6860, 643-2911 2003 Toyota IST; fully loaded with bodykit -$2M, never registered – Call: 628-0909; 260-2327 2005/ 6yrs Silver Toyota Allion, new shape, lights at D.North Auto Sales, low mileage $2.550M – Tel:663-0584
1 Live in housekeeper and Teacher to give child lesson in Diamond – Call: 675-8101 Live in waitress age 1825yrs - Salary $50,000$60,000 monthly - Call: 6105043
Spacio 2004, Body Kit, rims, camera, spoiler, dark interior, crystal light, new shape (unregistered) – Tel: 617-5536
Live in Domestic must know to cook Indian dishes age 25-45yrs salary -$60,000 monthly – Call: 610-5043
Toyota Spacio, Body Kit, Rims, spoiler, CD player; never registered - $2.1M – Call: 617-2891 Unregistered Premio, Bluebird Sylphy, 07 Fielder, 06 Allion, Axela Sports; Best Grade & Best Prices – Call: 616-3413; 692-6159 City’s Motor’s
Mature couple to work & live on Resort @ Parika, Must know to read & write –Call:226-9492, between 9:30am-3:30pm (Mon-Fri)
One Toyota Tundra - $1.7M Contact: 613-7596; 226-643; 231-0497 Blowout Sale! – Unregistered 2007 Madza Axela - $2,350,000 – Crystal Lights, Alarm, Steering Wheel Audio Control. Call: 643-6565, 226-9931 One AT170, One 24 Engines Call: 601-4929; 652-9107 Toyota Runx; PRR Series; excellent condition, AC, CD/ DVD, Back up camera, rims $1.8M – Call: 627-7261 Tractors Massey Ferguson from Canada MF265 -$2.1M, MF165 - $1.8M, MF135 $1.2M, Pickup Ranger -$1.6M Call: 682-5230; 628-9596
Tibetan pup for sale; five weeks old- Call: 225-4780; 601-5927 Mixed breed puppies for sale Call: 253-3114; 692-0126 German shepherd pups. Tel: 699-7077/619-6086
Urgently! Needed live- in waitress- Call:686-3116 One live-in domestic or couple to work in Mahaicony River - Call:2256571, 644-6905 Salesgirls & porters; apply with written application at Best Buy Food Supplies @ Lot 1E Dennis & Middleton Street Campbellville. From 2pm -12pm; 4 waitresses to work at Bora Sports Bar at W.C.D – Call: 680-0129; 276-1925 TM Driver with mechanical experienced – Call: 684-0172 Hire cars @ Atlas Taxi Service Call: 218-5593; 218-5594 One male able bodied clerk – Call:225-2313;226-1497
1 Premio; year 2004 ; $2.450M – Tel:664-0825
Cooks & waitresses; cashier, cleaners to work at Flambouyant Restaurant & Bar, preferably applicants from E.B.D only – Call: 2332849
1 Thundra $2.2m, 1 Totoya Hilux Solid Deaf $2.8- Call: 613 6815
Live in or live out babysitter/ domestic –Call: 219-5354 Mon-Sat between 8:15-4:15 Wanted staff to work in fast food restaurant -Call 2262829 / 225-102 Experienced workers @ Courtney Boutique Stall “A” Bourda Market – Call: 227-3407
One complete water shop with wooden building 24x10, 3 white water tanks, 1 pressure pump & 1 ultraviolet lamp – Call: 622-5986 Mining blocks in Bartica call: 6136815
Soman Son & Outar Driving School at Maraj BuildingTel:644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997
Toyota Prado, Price$5.5M Neg. Call: 643-2403
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
FOR SALE/RENT American Pool Table – Call: 277- 0578 EDUCATIONAL Practical Electronic Course; Starting 12th January 2015Call Abdul Electronics: 2266551; 225-0391 (Continued on page 55)
Sunday January 04, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 55
Soldiers, villagers commence ground search for missing plane Bad weather put a damper on recovery efforts yesterday, causing rescuers to call off the search for the missing Air Services Limited (ASL) aircraft by mid-afternoon. Members of the Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC) based at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri Control Tower are yet to find the Britten Norman Islander that went missing one week ago. The ASL aircraft was conducting shuttle flights between interior communities when contact was lost just after noon. The pilot was 27year-old Nicky Persaud and c argo loader, 51-year-old David Bisnauth, was also onboard. Hopes of finding the men alive are dwindling especially since the critical 72-hour period which is deemed pivotal for rescue efforts, expired some time ago. The RCC is determined however
to continue its search efforts as long as resources permit. The body has therefore deployed three more teams into the Mahdia PotaroSiparuni area to join the search for the Britten Norman Islander and its precious cargo. Providing an update the RCC said that 10 members from the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC); eight ranks from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Special Forces and eight Line Cutters from the St. Cuthbert’s Mission were inserted by helicopter into an ‘area of high interest’ to commence ground searches bordered by the North Fork and Black Water rivers. Those two areas are along the flight path which the pilot would have taken when he left for Karisparu, another Region Eight community – with the
construction material which he was carrying at the time. The RCC has noted however, that standard ‘three man’ teams – from GFC and GDF – have mapped a route to systematically comb the mountainous terrain in search of the twin engine aircraft and the ASL crew. The teams are equipped with modern communication equipment inclusive of satellite telephones; handheld radios; global positioning instruments, and are in regular contact with the Rescue Coordination subCentre at Mahdia. Simultaneously, aerial examination continued with two helicopters supported by two fixed wing aircraft, not only in the ‘area of high interest’ but along the predetermined grids which were prepared by the RCC, Timehri Control Tower.
Mason pulls weapon on shopkeeper to defend smoking - court hears A 25-year-old mason accused of brandishing a pair of scissors and threatening to stab a businessman, who chastised him for smoking in his shop, appeared in the city court on Friday, last. Affiba Yankale, of Hadfield Street, Wortmanville, Georgetown was taken before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court charged with threatening behaviour and possession of narcotics. The police say that on December 31, 2014 at Lot 66 Bent Street, Georgetown, he threatened shop owner, Avinash Salim. The other charge stated that on the same day, he had two grams of cannabis in his possession. He denied threatening the businessman but admitted that he had the illicit substance. According to the Prosecutor, Inspector Joel Ricknauth, on the day in question Yankale was in Salim’s shop smoking a cigarette when Salim asked him to quit smoking. Ricknauth said that the defendant retaliated by pulling out a pair of scissors and threatened to bore the shop owner. The Police, who were on patrol duties in the area, were alerted to the situation and they intervened. Yankale was apprehended for threatening Salim but while taking him into custody, the ranks decided to conduct a search on him and found two transparent Zip-lock plastic bags in his right side front pants pocket. Checks revealed that the bags contained leaves, seeds
However, yesterday’s search had to be discontinued at 16:30 hours due to bad weather and will resume at first light today. The RCC said that the area of high probability was based on reports of sightings in an area above the highest peak, east of Deer Creek, approximately 10 miles, southwest of Mahdia. The RCC stated during a recent press conference that it is depending heavily on reports to carry out its operations. Minister responsible for the Transport sector, Robeson Benn told the media that all reports are being investigated. This was reiterated by the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA)’s Director General Zulphicar Mohamed and Annette Arjoon-Martins, ASL Executive. The RCC’s search has followed them into the New Year and still there has been no sign of the missing craft. It is hoped that rescuers have better luck getting work done on the ground.
(From page 54)
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Accused: Affiba Yankale
and stems, suspected to be cannabis. Yankale was taken to the Alberttown Police Station where the suspected drug was weighed in his presence and charges were then instituted against the 25year-old. There were no objections to bail made by Prosecutor Ricknauth. The Magistrate ordered him to post a $3,000 fine for narcotics possession and
granted $25,000 bail for the threatening behavior charge. Coupled with the fine, the Magistrate ordered that Yankale do seven consecutive Saturdays of community service for four hours at the Brickdam Police Station. The community service was set to commence yesterday at 9:00 hours. The trial for the threatening behaviour charge is set to commence on January 7.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday January 04, 2015
Israel withholds funds, weighs lawsuits against Palestinians
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (Reuters) - Israel will withhold critical tax revenue and seek ways to bring war crimes prosecutions against Palestinian leaders in retaliation for Palestinian moves to join the International Criminal Court (ICC), Israeli officials said on Saturday. On Friday, the Palestinians delivered documents to U.N. headquarters in New York on joining the Rome Statute of the ICC in The Hague and other global treaties with the aim of prosecuting Israelis for what they consider war crimes committed on their territory. In a first punitive response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided in consultation with senior ministers on Thursday to withhold the next monthly transfer of tax revenue, totaling some 500 million shekels ($125 million), an Israeli official said on Saturday. The ICC was set up to try war crimes and crimes against humanity such as genocide. Israel and the United States object to unilateral approaches by the Palestinians to world bodies, saying they undermine prospects for negotiating a peaceful settlement of the decades-old Middle East
conflict. The tax revenues are critical to running the Palestinian Authority, which exercises limited self-rule, and paying public sector salaries. Israel took a similar step in December 2012, freezing revenue transfers for three months in anger at the Palestinians’ launch of a campaign for recognition of statehood at the United Nations. “This is highway robbery. Not only is this illegal, they are adding money theft to land theft. The revenues belong to the Palestinian people, they go to pay salaries and support our economy. Israel has no business deciding to steal our funds,” senior Palestinian negotiator Hanan Ashrawi told Reuters. Under interim peace deals from the 1990s, Israel collects at least $100 million a month in duties on behalf of the Palestinian Authority. In addition to the revenue freeze, an Israeli official said Israel was “weighing the possibilities for large-scale prosecution in the United States and elsewhere” of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and other senior Palestinian officials. Israel would probably
press these cases via nongovernmental groups and pro-Israel legal organizations capable of filing lawsuits abroad, a second Israeli official said. Israel sees the heads of the Palestinian Authority in the occupied West Bank as collaborators with the Islamist militant group Hamas, which dominates Gaza, because of a unity deal they forged in April, the officials said. Netanyahu had previously warned that unilateral moves by the Palestinian Authority at the United Nations would expose its leaders to prosecution over support for Hamas, viewed by Israel and much of the West as a terrorist organization. Hamas “commits war crimes, shooting at civilians from civilian-populated areas”, one official said, referring to the war in Gaza last summer in which more than 2,100 Palestinians and more than 70 Israelis died. Palestinians seek a state in Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem, lands Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East War. Momentum to recognize a Palestinian state has been building since Abbas succeeded in a bid for de facto recognition at the U.N. General Assembly in 2012, which made Palestinians eligible to join the ICC. Abbas opted to join the ICC after losing a motion last week in the U.N. Security Council to set a 2017 deadline for a Palestinian state to be established in land occupied by Israel. The United States, Israel’s main ally, supports an eventual independent Palestinian state, but has argued against unilateral moves like Friday’s, saying they could damage the peace process.
British nurse with Ebola in critical condition: hospital LONDON (Reuters) - A British nurse being treated for Ebola in London is in critical condition after deteriorating over the last two days, her hospital said on Saturday. The Royal Free Hospital has been treating Pauline Cafferkey, 39, with blood plasma from an Ebola survivor and an experimental anti-viral drug. She was diagnosed with Ebola on Monday after returning to Britain late on Sunday from Sierra Leone, where she had been working for the charity Save the Children at a treatment centre outside the capital,
Freetown. Cafferkey is the first person to have been diagnosed with Ebola on British soil. The West African Ebola outbreak was first identified in Guinea’s remote southeast in early 2014. Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia have borne the brunt of the 20,000 infections and nearly 8,000 dead. The Royal Free, Britain’s main centre for Ebola cases, successfully treated British aid worker William Pooley with the experimental drug ZMapp after he was flown back to Britain in August.
The hospital has not specified which drug Cafferkey is being treated with, but said no supplies of ZMapp were available. On Wednesday, the hospital had said Cafferkey was sitting up in bed, talking and reading. But a doctor treating her warned at the time that the course of the disease could be unpredictable. Ebola is transmitted through bodily fluids, and the hospital said it was treating Cafferkey inside a s p e c i a l l y designed tent around her bed with controlled ventilation to reduce the risk of further infections
Sunday January 04, 2015
Kaieteur News
Four large parts of crashed AirAsia jet found on sea floor
Indonesian military personnel carry a casket containing the remains of a passenger onboard AirAsia flight QZ8501, recovered off the coast of Borneo, at a military base in Surabaya (Reuters) - Search teams hunting for the wreck of an AirAsia passenger jet that crashed with 162 people on board have found four large parts of the plane on the sea bed, the head of Indonesia’s search and rescue agency said on Saturday. A multi-national task force of ships, planes and helicopters have been scouring the northern Java Sea and coastline of southern Borneo to recover the bodies of victims and locate the wreck of Flight QZ8501 and its black box flight recorders. “We’ve found four big parts from the plane we’re looking for,” search and rescue agency chief Fransiskus Bambang Soelistyo told reporters in Jakarta. The breakthrough came as authorities said that Indonesia AirAsia had violated the terms of its licence for the Surabaya to Singapore route by flying on a Sunday, the day the Airbus A320-200 plunged into the Java Sea, and announced they would investigate the carrier’s other schedules. One large object was pinpointed by a ship searching during the night, Soelistyo said, and three more, the largest of
which was around 18 metres long, were located on Saturday. Another official, Supriyadi, who is coordinating the operation from the port of Pangkalan Bun in Borneo, said earlier that poor visibility had hampered efforts to capture images of the objects with underwater remote operating vehicles (ROVs). “The visibility is only two metres,” he said. “It’s cloudy, making it difficult for the cameras to detect.”
Divers, including a team of Russian specialists who just arrived in Pangkalan Bun, may be able to investigate the suspected wreckage on Sunday if the weather improves, officials said. No survivors have been found from the crash, which happened about 40 minutes after the plane took off from Indonesia’s second largest city in an area known for intense tropical thunderstorms during the current monsoon season.
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Sunday January 04, 2015
Another successful year for Powerlifting... From page 62 promising lifters made their debuts alongside of the more established lifters in both the male and female categories. Outstanding amongst these lifters for 2014 were Andrea Smith (57kg), Chloe Hunter (57kg) and Natoya Robinson 84+kg in the women’s categories. Kevin Brijlall 59kg (Sub Juniors), Vijai Rahim 66kg (Juniors and Open), Roger Calendar 83kg (Open, Novices and Intermediate), Anis Ade Thomas 83kg (Open Seniors), Farouk Abdool 120kg (Open Seniors) and Guyana’s only world record holder / former World Champion Winston Stoby (Masters). INTERNATIONALLY The GAPF selected a sixman National Men’s Open team of mainly inexperienced lifters for the Caribbean Championships and they team performed beyond expectations by surprising the Nation with all the team members medaling. Gold medalists were
Osmond Mack (74kg), Germaine Snagg (83kg) and Dan Mariano (93kg). Silver medalists were Paul Adams (74kg), Karel Mars (105kg) and the lone bronze medalist, Erwyn Smith in the 83kg class. The athletes lifted with pride and determination and were outstandingly as they collectively and individually kept the Golden Arrow head flying despite relinquishing the team title to a strong eightman Puerto Rico team to place second with the US Virgin Islands in third and Trinidad and Tobago fourth. Guyanese Powerlifters continued to make their presence felt with records in various lifts in the various weight classes within the affiliated bodies headed by the International Powerlifting Federation being maintained or broken. Current listed International Record Holders (Equipped Powerlifting): International Powerlifting World Men Masters Category two - 74kg weight class Winston Frank Stoby
Deadlift 277.5kgs; Commonwealth Powerlifting Men’s Sub Junior category - 53kg weight class Gumendra Shewdas squat 192.5kg, deadlift 207.5kg, total 497.5kg; Men Junior Category Gumendra Shewdas deadlift 207.5kg; Men Masters category one - 74kg weight class Winston Frank Stoby deadlift 277.5kg; Men Masters Category two - 74kg weight class Winston Frank Stoby squat 255kg, deadlift 277.5kg and total 667.5kg; South American Powerlifting Men Open category - 83kg weight class Randolph Morgan deadlift 330kgs; Sub Junior category 53kg weight class Gumendra Shewdas squat 192.5kg, Deadlift 207.5kgs, total 497.5kgs; Masters One category 120kg weight class John Edwards squat 220kgs; 74kg weight class
Sunday January 04, 2015 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) This is a terrific day for you, Aries. You should find that the puzzle pieces naturally come together almost effortlessly. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) There's a stronger connectedness to dreams and fantasies today, but you may need to adjust your thinking in order to link to it. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) There's a warm and friendly feeling to the day that you will find agreeable to your boisterous personality. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Don't go where you aren't invited and don't take things that aren't offered, Cancer. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) There's an element of fantasy and deception working in the equation, but you will find that this may be just the thing you're looking for. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Realize that to conquer new ground you may have to make some sacrifices. Things may not always go according to your perfect vision, but that's the natural way of things. LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Dreams, fantasies, and
inspired wishes may come to the surface, asking you to digest them with your open, adventurous mind. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Although you may want to bring things down a bit so you can better plan, organize, and rearrange, Scorpio, this may not be the best course of action today. You're better off keeping things light and uplifting. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Join others for stimulating conversation and purposeful dreaming, Sagittarius. CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) It's time to come up for air, Capricorn. Come out and take a deep breath. Experience the lightness and rejuvenation of the energy present in the air around you. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Take a step back today, and sink into a light and dreamy fantasy world that is pleasing to you. You will find that beautiful objects and sweet fragrances catch your attention. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Don't be so concerned with capturing something and making it your own. See the beauty around you and hold it in your heart.
Winston Frank Stoby deadlift 277.5kgs; Masters Two category 74kg weight class Winston Frank Stoby squat 255kgs, deadlift 277.5kgs, total 667.5kgs; Caribbean Powerlifting Women Open category 84+kg weight class Dawn Barker squat 240kgs; Men’s Junior category 53kg weight class Gumendra Shewdas squat 192.5kg, Bench 77.50kg, Deadlift 207.5kg and Total 497.5kg; 66kg weight class Vijai Rahim squat 250kg, Deadlift 250kg, Total 627.5kg; 83kg weight class Anis Ade Thomas squat 252.5kg, Deadlift 292.5kg, Total 672.5kg; 105kg weight class Kenneth Melville Squat 282.5kg, Bench 155kg, Deadlift 257.5kg, Total 695kg Men Open Category 59kg weight class Vijai Rahim Deadlift 225kg; 66kg weight class Vijai Rahim squat 250kg, Deadlift 250kg, Total 627.5kg; 74kg weight class Osmond Mack squat 255kg; 74kg weight class Winston Frank Stoby deadlift 267.5kg Total 645.5kg; 83kg weight class Randolph Morgan squat 300, Bench 220kg, Deadlift 330kg, Total 837.5kg; Men Masters One Category 74kg weight class Winston Frank Stoby squat 255kg, Bench 137.5kg, deadlift 277.5kg Total 670kg; 120kg weight class John Edwards squat 350kg, bench 220kg, Total 860kg; Men Masters two category 74kg weight class Winston Frank Stoby squat 255kg, Bench 137.5kg, deadlift 277.5kg Total 670kg; 83kg weight class Winston Frank Stoby squat 255kg, Bench 137.5kg, deadlift 277.5kg Total 670kg; 93kg weight class Errol Henry deadlift 242.5kg; Success in any sport be it at the athlete or administrative level owes a lot to the support of the corporate community, government and individuals. The GAPF would like to recognize all those who would have contributed in their own way towards the continued success of the body. Those coming in for high praise are Fitness Express, United Mega Store, Trophy Stall, Ansa McAl, Government of Guyana through the Ministry of Sports and the National Sports Commission and a number of individuals all combining to help sustain the sport during 2014 and for this President Green says the
federation and its membership remains eternally grateful and hope it will continue in 2015. PROJECTION FOR 2015 With the planned introduction this year of two events of the fast growing and popular sport of RAW (Unequipped), powerlifting is expected to see an anticipated greater turn out in numbers by both male and females. Simultaneously the commencement of the training for a group of blind and visually impaired male lifters from the Blind Society in January will see the sport truly representative of all ages as well as athletes with disabilities paving the way for others to have the opportunity to attain eventual qualification and participation at the Special Olympics and World Blind Championships. Growth inevitably leads towards increased demands for additional equipment and a base of operations of which the GAPF is currently devoid. With the international recognition now being enjoyed through the achievements of the lifters as well as the excellent working relationships established with the IPF (International Powerlifting Federation), NAPF (North American
Powerlifting Federation), CPF (Commonwealth Powerlifting Federation) and the FESUPO (South American Powerlifting Federation), Green says that it is anticipated that the Ministry of Sport will soon be releasing three additional sets of complete Powerlifting equipment to reinforce the federation’s ability to host International events at home allowing not only the sport but the hospitality sector to benefit and grow via Sports Tourism through the influx of international competitors, supporters and accompanying media. Guyana is set to host the Caribbean Championships in late March. Green, who has been serving as President of the GAPF since 2008, says he feels honored to have been at the helm whilst guiding the body to its many outstanding achievements and accomplishments as well as challenges. He is of the view that much more needs to be done as the federation strives to ensure there is no repeat of the negativity from the antidoping issues. He took the opportunity to wish his fellow executive members, gyms, athletes, supporters and wellwishers a Blessed 2015.
Sunday January 04, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 59
New Zealand take control on bowlers’ day
Kane Williamson began 2015 by scoring a halfcentury but New Zealand were dismissed for 221 by Sri Lanka in Wellington. (Getty Images) ESPNcricinfo - Given that there was not much difference in the colour of the pitch from the adjoining square, it was a “pretty easy decision” for Angelo Mathews to bowl after winning the toss at Basin Reserve. Add to that overcast skies and the conditions appeared tailor-made for seamers. That decision seemed to have backfired as no swing or seam was apparent and New Zealand were untroubled till after lunch, scoring at more than four an over. However, the Sri Lanka seamers, led by Nuwan Pradeep and buoyed by the dismissal of Brendon
McCullum for a two-ball duck, came back strongly in the second session as New Zealand lost their last eight wickets for 80 runs to be bowled out soon after tea. However, much of that early advantage was eroded by the end of the day as Sri Lanka’s top order slumped against the moving ball. The swing that the Sri Lankans had been searching for, the New Zealand bowlers found straightaway. Thirteen wickets fell in the last two sessions, five of them Sri Lankan, and the visitors were now in danger of conceding a big first-innings lead.
Trent Boult made the first strike, forcing an outside edge from Dimuth Karunaratne in his fifth over, before Doug Bracewell, chosen over Neil Wagner specifically for this pitch, struck in consecutive overs to leave Sri Lanka wobbling at 29 for 3. Mathews resisted for a while before being squared up by an outswinger from Tim Southee, while Prasanna Jayawardene edged Bracewell to second slip off the last delivery of the day. The hopes of any rearguard action rested solely on Kumar Sangakkara, who crossed the personal landmark of 12,000 Test runs, and showed signs of comfort towards the end as his trademark cover drive made appearance. The Basin Reserve strip had promised more for the bowlers than the green Hagley Oval pitch last week on which McCullum had trampled on Sri Lanka’s hopes. Similar fate seemed in store for the visitors as Kane Wiliamson and Ross Taylor added 79 runs in 95 balls to lift New Zealand to 141 for 2, the toss win appearing a lost opportunity. That was till one Pradeep delivery moved off the pitch and caught the inside edge of Taylor’s bat to rattle the stumps. Next over, McCullum inside-edged a Suranga Lakmal delivery on to his stumps playing a shot that has been his solid ally over the past 12 months - the back-foot punch. What difference can a change of date make in someone’s fortunes? Ask McCullum. In 2014, he couldn’t make a mistake even if he wanted to. He was scoring runs at home, he
Andy Murray wins title after Novak Djokovic withdraws in Abu Dhabi BBC Sport - Andy Murray won his first title of 2015 after Novak Djokovic withdrew from the Mubadala World Tennis Championship final in Abu Dhabi because of illness. Djokovic, the world number one, said he was unfit to play ahead of the final of the exhibition event yesterday. “I’ve been sick today with a fever and I’m not fit to play,” said the Serb, who beat Switzerland’s Stan Wawrinka 6-1 6-2 in the semi-final. The Australian Open gets under way in Melbourne on 19 January. Djokovic’s withdrawal handed the Abu Dhabi title to Murray, who had looked in good form as he beat Feliciano Lopez in round one and then swept aside Rafael Nadal 6-2 6-0 in the semi-final
Andy Murray (Getty Images)
on Friday. Murray had revealed after that match that he felt pain in his left shoulder and was set to undergo a scan. “I don’t know exactly what happened. I’ve never had anything happen to my left shoulder before,” said the Briton. “It’s pretty sore.”
after collecting the trophy that he would fly to Perth on Saturday and continue his build-up to the Australian Open at next week’s Hopman Cup. The Scot will team up with Heather Watson to represent Great Britain at the mixed team event, with their opening match against
was scoring them away, he was being rock solid and he was being downright disrespectful to bowlers. His previous innings at Basin Reserve - 302 against India - was the highlight of a magnificent year for which he was handed the key to the city by the mayor of Wellington during the lunch break. The first innings of 2015, though, turned out to be brief and it was the inspiration Sri Lanka were looking for after being betrayed by the greenery. From 141 for 2, New Zealand were 142 for 4. Although there was still no alarming help from the pitch, Sri Lanka’s bowlers stuck to better lines and extracted just enough to create pressure on the batsmen. James Neesham, who had scored a century on debut at this ground a year ago, played a loose drive to be caught behind off Pradeep, then BJ Watling steered a wide deliv-
ery from Mathews into the hands of first slip. When Dhammika Prasad induced a false shot from Williamson five balls later, Sri Lanka had more or less arrived where they would have aimed to be at tea - into the New Zealand tail. Not too long before, Williamson reached his halfcentury from 75 balls with a streaky boundary through the slip cordon. That, however, was one of the few times he had not been in control as he showed little sign of new-year blues. After being stuck on zero for 16 balls, he had registered his first runs of the year with consecutive boundaries off Mathews. Once he had some runs on the board, he continued to score at an effortlessly quick pace without playing expansive shots, thus going almost unnoticed during his innings. Williamson’s dismissal - he played on just like Taylor and McCullum -
showed that despite the ball not doing much, scoring runs was not easy on the pitch. Quick runs were scored in the first session when the Sri Lanka bowlers couldn’t find the right length. As a result, the false shots appeared only when the batsmen became ambitious. One of them accounted for Tom Latham as he played at a back of a length Lakmal delivery from round the wicket. New Zealand had scored 62 when Hamish Rutherford committed the same mistake as Latham - fishing at one away from his body - and fell after yet another start. It has been 15 innings since he scored his only half-century in Tests, but his 37 was the second-highest score on a whirlwind day. Scores: Sri Lanka 78 for 5 (Sangakkara 33*, Bracewell 3-23) trail New Zealand 221 (Williamson 69, Pradeep 4-63, Lakmal 3-71) by 143 runs.
Stafanie Taylor-made for women’s cricket Jamaica Observer Kingston, Jamaica - It has been 38 years since a woman cricketer won the Sportswoman of the Year award and that trend will likely continue despite the wonderful season Stafanie Taylor had for the West Indies team. In 1976, female cricketing legend Vivalyn Latty-Scott won the prestigious award and is actually the last nontrack and field person to win for over three decades. The odds are certainly against Taylor being crowned RJR National Sportswoman of the Year, but she remains a worthy contender. Taylor, 23, who made her international debut for the West Indies as a 17-year-old, led the West Indies Women to the semi-final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Bangladesh last March where they lost to eventual champions Australia. The Spanish Town native scored 153 runs from four matches with a top-score of 56 not out and finished with an average of 51 per cent. Taylor, who was the first West Indian female cricketer to win the ICC Cricketer of the Year award in 2011, hit 15 fours and two sixes to end with the impressive strike rate of 108.51. Taylor scored 56 with a strike rate of 124 per cent as West Indies defeated England by nine runs in their first Group A match. West Indies had made 133-7 and restricted England Ladies to 124-9. Taylor missed West
Indies’ second match where they defeated Bangladesh by 36 runs, but returned for the third match hitting 56 not out as West Indies beat Sri Lanka by eight wickets with 30 balls remaining. Sri Lanka had struggled to 84 and Taylor stroked seven fours from 45 balls in a 56-minute stay at the crease to wrap up an easy victory. Taylor was dismissed for 17 as West Indies lost to India in their final group match and again to defending champion Australia in the semi-final, chasing 141 for victory. Taylor was promoted to the opening spot and she was first dismissed being run out for 24 with the score on 43 in the eighth over as West Indies pressed for victory. They would eventually lose by eight runs, making 132-4. But Taylor’s effort was recognised as she was one of four persons nominated for the 2014 ICC ODI Cricketer of
the Year and ICC Women’s T20 Cricketer of the Year. Taylor, a two-time winner of the Women’s Cricketer of the Year Award and considered one of the best women’s cricketers in the world for the past four years, was up against Indian women’s team skipper Mithali Raj; England’s women’s captain Charlotte Edwards, winner in 2008; England wicketkeeper/batter Sarah Taylor, who eventually got the nod in the ODI Cricketer of the Year. Meg Lanning of Australia won the Women’s T20 Cricketer of the Year. Earlier in the year, Taylor led Jamaica to victory in the regional one-day competition to retain their title. Taylor is currently the top- ranked all-rounder in the ODI version of the game and fifth in batting. She is seventh for batting and fourth among all-rounders in the Women’s T20 rankings.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday January 04, 2015
“Kraigg Brathwaite - Possible new West Indies Test captain in 2015 too!” Says Colin E. H. Croft In South Africa, Chairman of West Indies selectors Clive Lloyd had an interesting 3rd Test preview interview with ESPN-CRICINFO’s Firdose Moonda, confirming what most have known for some time: “West Indies has young talent who want to do well in Test cricket, not just in T-20’s. Kraigg Brathwaite is a good thinker, getting better all the time, mature for his age, a very intelligent cricketer,” said Lloyd. Having had an excellent 2014, clear-minded and generally steadfast when most around him had been stagnant, even decimated, that endorsement translates to the possibility, likely to become reality, that Kraigg Clairmonte Brathwaite, 22 year old Barbadian opening batsman, will be WI’s next Test captain. With Brathwaite, Marlon Samuels and Shiv Chanderpaul the only sureties in WI’s Test batting line-ups, plus captain Denesh Ramdin, there is nothing wrong with that thought. It may happen sooner than many think, given Lloyd’s and West Indies Cricket Board’s perceived plans for WI’s cricket future. Brathwaite and Graeme Craig Smith, recently retired SA captain, both compare and
Kraigg Braithwaite
contrast well in terms of sensible cricketing attitudes, not just in colloquial comparisons of one of their Christian names! Smith, of course lefthanded to Brathwaite’s righthandedness, then also aged only 22, replaced Shaun Pollock as SA’s Test captain, April 2003, for a series v Bangladesh, in his - Smith’s ninth Test, only thirteen months after making a second innings half-century, v Australia, on Test debut, March 2002. SA had decided then to invest in Smith’s youth and the country’s future cricketing hopes, after yet another embarrassing failure at ICC
Cricket World Cup 2003, played, ironically, in South Africa. Do not be surprised if WI cricket does similarly for its Test team after ICC CWC 2015 ends. Wagers are already out that Brathwaite will become next WI’s Test captain, whenever the change happens! Debuted in 2011, Brathwaite has already played sixteen Tests to date. As tall as Smith but slimmer built, more defensively minded, Brathwaite normally effects longevity at the crease with his style, an un-West Indian characteristic that WI’s Test batting line-ups need. His experiences have been tough, orchestrated to his ex-
Ragnauth is GSSC cricketer of the year Chandrika Ragnauth copped the cricketer of year award when the Good Success Sports Club (GSSC) of Wakenaam held its annual awards ceremony on Monday night last at Mustak Mohamed residence. Ragnauth who had a fine year with both bat and ball also grabbed the batsman of the year prize, while off-spinner Nazeer Mohamed landed the bowler of the year accolade. Former National U-15 player Imran Khan pocketed the all-rounder of the year trophy; Lokram Narine was voted the most improved player of the year while the most disciplined player prize went to Vickram Ramnarine. Jaidat Persaud was recognised for his outstanding services rendered as the club’s Secretary; he served in the position for five years. Speaking at the ceremony chairman of the GSSC Mustak Mohamed said the club continues to do well financially
pected long tenure, given that eight of his budding international Test career have been in losing efforts! Smith’s cricket career had been simply spectacular. Despite SA being rated No. 1 in Tests, the only, but massive, omission from his mantlepiece is that SA has never won a major world cricketing championship under his leadership. Like Chris Gayle, big and tall for an opening batsman, Smith played with tremendous aggression and power, trying to blitz and destroy opposing bowlers with presence and confidence at the crease. Had Smith not played cricket, he could have been a great rugby player or heavyweight boxer! 200 v Bangladesh in his 3rd Test, 151 v Pakistan in his 8th, Smith played 117 Tests, 9265 runs, avg. 48.25; 12,916 runs in First Class cricket; plus 230 ODI’s and T-20’s combined, a magnificent career for an opening batsman targeted by the world’s best and fastest bowers, especially those of Australia, Pakistan, India and England. Brathwaite’s Test career, prior to No. 3 v SA; 1116 runs, avg. 39.85; augurs well, and could eventually include over 150 Tests, possibly challenging Chanderpaul’s record, to
date; 160 Tests. Brathwaite’s first Test half century, also v Bangladesh, came in his third Test. His first Test hundred, 129 v New Zealand, came in his eleventh Test; Queens Park Oval, Trinidad & Tobago, last year. 701 runs in 2014, avg. 78.00, his biggest innings was 212 v Bangladesh in St. Vincent, last June, followed by year-ending 106 v SA at Port Elizabeth, an innings so mature, with an appreciation of game situations at hand, that Lloyd felt compelled to offer imaginations of Brathwaite’s and WI’s future captaincy. Lloyd, who recently explained Jason Holder’s ascendancy to WI’s ODI captaincy, has also inadvertently put some pressure on WI Test captain Ramdin, whose wicket-keeping skills are still adequate without being spectacular. Ramdin’s run-getting, though, in these days of ultra-productive wicket-keeperbatsmen, ala Australia’s Adam Gilchrist and just retired-fromTests Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, must improve considerably in 2015, or he will be replaced by one of WI’s future stalwarts. 63 Tests so far producing only 2457 runs, poor avg. 26.70, Ramdin, not having
made even a single half-century in seven Tests in 2014, has been under the batting ‘kosh’, averaging a meagre 22.20 last year. His tenure as WI captain will come under greater scrutiny unless he can both inspire his team as captain and produce as batsman. Fortunately, Ramdin has reacted favorably in his first innings for 2015; 53! After Test No. 3 v SA and ICC CWC 2015, WI will have two Test power-houses touring the Caribbean afterwards; England for three Tests in Antigua & Barbuda, Grenada and Barbados, while Australia will play in Dominica and Jamaica, ample opportunities for Ramdin to continue to show his batting prowess. If Ramdin continues his run productivity, after that half century, all will be well with him. If his 2014 form returns, expect more changes, including WI’s Test captaincy going to Brathwaite in 2015. Enjoy!
Kumar Sangakkara: Sri Lanka batsman passes 12,000 Test runs BBC Sport - Sri Lanka batsman Kumar Sangakkara has become the fastest player to reach 12,000 runs in Test cricket - and only the fifth to reach the landmark. The 37-year-old achieved the feat in his 224th Test innings, during his side’s second Test in New Zealand. India’s Sachin Tendulkar and Australia’s Ricky Ponting both needed 247 innings to surpass the mark. Sangakkara’s 33 not out helped his side to 78-5 after the Kiwis were all out for 221
on day one in Wellington. New Zealand lead the series 1-0 after an eight-wicket win in Christchurch. Sangakkara began his innings on 11,995 runs and was given a standing ovation when he became the first Sri Lankan to reach 12,000 by knocking Trent Boult square for two. Tendulkar (15,921), Ponting (13,378), South African Jacques Kallis (13,289) and India’s Rahul Dravid (13,288) are the only four players to have scored more Test runs than Sangakkara.
From page 59 committee made up of no more than 15 members, and FIFA will oversee the restructuring over a two-day period in February. This will hopefully set the precedent for a transparent administration to operate for years to come. Despite only being in power for just over six weeks, the committee has set Guyanese football back on track in terms of vision and development, un-doing the mess of past years to a large
degree already. With FIFA carefully observing proceedings in Guyana, there is no room for failure and the committee has proved to be excellent in handling matters so far. This has led many to call for the committee to remain in power for more than the initial year, with some fearing that the next GFF President could potentially undo all the good work, should the wrong candidate be elected. 2015 looks set to be a good year for Guyanese football, with
Kumar Sangakkara
Should the Normalisation...
Nazeer Mohamed
Chandrika Ragnauth
despite some challenges. He lauded the performances of the players and informed that the club reached the finals of three competitions in 2014. Mohamed stated that the club is planning a tour to Trinidad and Tobago in March 2015 and a cricket coaching and education programme for young and aspiring cricketers in August.
He thanked the members for their support in 2014 and called on the business community for backing, adding that there is need for more cricket to be played on the island especially the longer version. Secretary of the club Nazeer Mohamed thanked their supporters and urged the players to continue taking the game seriously.
structure and order back in place, although there is always the possibility that such a situation could be temporary for only as long as the committee remains in charge. With FIFA unlikely to extend the reign of the committee past 30th September, it is therefore up to Guyana, and the football fraternity, to ensure that when the committee does indeed relinquish power in September, a progressive candidate is elected and that football does not become stagnant again.
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Hafeez fails unofficial Du Plessis marshals steady South Africa bowling test SA V WI, 3RD TEST, CAPE TOWN, 2ND DAY
ESPNcricinfo - It was a languid day at Newlands. A decent crowd lolled contentedly under blue skies and confidently awaited a position of South African dominance. A dry, cracked surface only occasionally displayed the awkwardness that many anticipate later in the Test. It was the sort of day for Alviro Petersen to get his Test career on track; instead he found his own devils. It looked as if Faf du Plessis drew Petersen into a misconceived single that caused his downfall, enquiring about a single to Jermaine Blackwood at backward point and agreeing to it with doubts already forming. But it was Petersen, the non-striker, who accepted it and he was still well short of his ground when Blackwood’s graceful throw struck the stumps. That left Petersen with only limited reward for a disciplined innings: 42 from 85 balls, the only South Africa batsman to fall between lunch and tea. In the Cape Town New Year’s Test two years ago, he made a century against New Zealand. He must have had visions of another one. Instead, he has three fifties in 26 knocks.
Petersen’s most assertive moment had been a straight six against the left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn, who bore much of the West Indies burden in the afternoon, finding occasional turn and see-sawing in slightly stiffly as if springing out of a rocking chair in search of his favourite slippers. The smoother innings came from Faf du Plessis, who had a half-century secured by tea and, unlike West Indies’ batsmen, seemed disinclined to make that do. With the breeze picking up, South Africa completed an 87-run session, a conscientious commitment to building a position of authority. The second morning had gone swimmingly, too. The West Indies tail was efficiently dealt with and Petersen and Dean Elgar made unflustered progress before the loss of Elgar in the final over gave the tourists heart. It took South Africa slightly less than ten overs to dismiss the last four West Indies wickets as they fell for 329. Dale Steyn, sensing some quick pickings, finished with four wickets as West Indies attempted an enterprising fi-
nale to their innings. Their rush to get the ball in their hands did not pay immediate dividends, but Jason Holder did summon a response with an inducker from around the wicket to gain an lbw decision against Elgar as he aimed through the leg side. Shannon Gabriel unsettled Petersen several times in the opening overs with the new ball without success, Benn had a fleeting chance to run out Elgar, but South Africa were asserting themselves when Holder made a vital intervention. They need many more to summon a victory in the third Test to tie the series at 1-1. If six down for 276 overnight can be presented as a job well done, as batsmen remember the labours undergone, six down the following morning with Steyn steaming in with a newish ball, and more cloud over Table Mountain, feels much more vulnerable. West Indies approached the challenge with haste. What runs were to be reaped were to be reaped quickly. From the outset, their innings careered to a finale. They had awoken with an aggression born in part of desperation. An exploratory over from
Simon Harmer was an unexpected prelude, designed for Steyn to switch ends but, that dispensed with, the threat was more physical. Thirty-three were rattled up in 25 balls. Blackwood, 45 not out overnight, secured his half-century but then became the fifth batsman to fall between 42 and 56 when Steyn had him lbw with a fullish delivery. Blackwood reviewed to no avail. The loss of the last remaining specialist batsman encouraged the belief that things would end quickly. Holder, having got away with a pull against Vernon Philander, took on the more challenging task of pulling Steyn and scythed a catch to mid on. Morne Morkel, who had bowled well on the opening day without reward, caught the mood: another short ball, an uncontrolled flick of his hips and Jerome Taylor picked out Steyn, moving back at long leg. It all ended with Benn pushing Morkel low to mid off. Scores: South Africa 227 for 3 (Amla 55*, de Villiers 32*) trail West Indies 329 (Johnson 54, Blackwood 56, Ramdin 53, Steyn 4-78) by 102 runs.
ESPNcricinfo - Pakistan allrounder Mohammad Hafeez has failed an unofficial test on his remodeled bowling action in Chennai. The result of the unofficial test means that the Pakistan Cricket Board may not apply for an official test of Hafeez’s action and the allrounder could be picked in the World Cup squad as a specialist batsman. During the test conducted at Sri Ramachandra University, Hafeez bowled 11 deliveries and of these the flex in six deliveries was above the 15-degree limit. The average flex in the deliveries bowled by Hafeez over the wicket was 16 degrees. Of the five deliveries bowled round the wicket by him, two had 17 and 19 degrees of flex respectively. Hafeez, 34, had first been reported for a suspect action while playing for Lahore Lions in the Champions League T20, but that sanction did not apply to international cricket. He was reported again in November, during the first Test against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi. His action was found to be illegal in December and the ICC report said the analysis had shown that the flex for all his deliveries was
Mohammad Hafeez (AFP)
above the 15-degree limit. After the ODI series against New Zealand in the UAE, where he played as a specialist batsman, Hafeez traveled to Chennai to undergo remedial work on his action. Hafeez was the second Pakistani offspinner, after Saeed Ajmal, to be suspended for an illegal action last year. Ajmal recently withdrew himself from the World Cup as his remodeled action needed further work before an official test.
Should the Normalisation Committee be given more time by FIFA?
FIFA’s Normalisation Committee sit front row at a recent press conference. By Santokie Nagulendran The past few weeks in Guyanese football have been unusual, instead of the usual chaos and bickering which has usually hampered the game, the administration led by FIFA’s Normalisation Committee has proven to be efficient and organised in dealing with matters, making a refreshing change from previous administrations. With a mandate to step down by September 30th 2015 in order to allow an elected President to take over, the question begs to be asked: should the NC run footballing
affairs in Guyana for a longer period? The five member committee was appointed towards the end of October by FIFA to steer Guyanese football back to normality after a two-year period of footballing inactivity and personal conflicts under the reign of Christopher Matthias. Since then, the direction taken has been positive: there has been a transparency to all matters and Chairman Clinton Urling has been clear in outlining his vision for the future of Guyanese football. The first major initiative undertaken by the NC was to
ensure that all associations were free to hold their own year-end competitions, meaning they could generate much-needed finances and also provide football for fans across the country. After the legal problems of last year, when several members of the Upper Demerara Football Association were suspended simply for hosting their own tournament final on New Year’s Day, it was very refreshing to see headlines this Christmas dominated by footballing action, whether in Berbice, Linden or Georgetown, and not dominated with political turmoil, as
was the case last year. The issue over when to host the famous annual Kashif and Shanghai tournament have also been resolved, with the tournament set to take place from March 6th to April 5th of this year. The committee has also outlined a clear policy for the Men’s Senior Team as we enter 2015: a recent press conference revealed that a Technical Director will be appointed in early January, with applications coming in from all over the world. The Technical Director will be responsible for selecting players for the National
squad, have a say in who is appointed manager of the team, as well as overseeing the direction of Guyanese football for the duration of their contract. Importantly, whoever is appointed will have to reside in Guyana on a full-time basis to allow them to fully commit to the role. Under the previous administration, the Technical Director, Mark Rodrigues, resided in Miami and therefore could not oversee the technical programme for Guyanese football to the best of his ability. Guyana’s first International match will consequently be a friendly against Barbados in early February, the first friendly match Guyana has played in over two years. Clinton Urling has also confirmed that foreign-based players will be chosen for the National team, in the wake of former GFF President Matthias labelling overseasborn players as ‘foreign’ and not part of his plans for the team. With Guyana having lost all three games and scored zero goals in 2014 Caribbean Cup qualifiers, it is great to hear that the likes of Trayon Bobb, Christopher Nurse, and many other Guyanese players earning their living abroad will now be considered for the National Team.
Santokie Nagulendran Finally, the press conference revealed that the ‘FIFA Goal Project’, which has been long delayed since first being earmarked for Guyana over ten years ago, will begin the planning process this year, with a track field in Leonora identified as the place where new facilities can be built. Georgetown and Linden have also been identified as areas to build much-needed artificial turf, and currently areas are being looked at in which to develop the project, known as ‘The Challenger Project’. The Guyana Football Federation’s constitution will also be restructured by a (Continued on page 58)
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Sunday January 04, 2015
Guyana Jaguars resume Overseas-based friends of Young preparation for NAGICO Super 50 Warriors CC make donation to club By Zaheer Mohamed Riding high on confidence after ending 2014 on top of the points table in the West Indies Cricket Board four-day franchise cricket, the Guyana Jaguars squad resumed preparation for the NAGICO Super 50 tournament with a fitness session yesterday at the National Stadium. The tournament will be played in Trinidad and Tobago from January 15-26 in two zones. The players, under the guidance of head coach Esuan Crandon, assistant coach/manager Rayon Griffith, Michael Hyles Franco, Clive Grimmond and Territorial Development Officer and former West Indies fast bowler Colin Stuart undertook the beep test, runner three, 10-meter get up and sprint and 40-meter sprint which was checked at four stations. However the sessions were interrupted by rain, but coach Crandon said there is an improvement in the play-
ers’ fitness. “Looking at the results it’s evident that there is an improvement, we want to see the players maintain a certain level of fitness,” Crandon added. He stated that the team spirit is high and they are looking to continue their good showing from the four-day competition. “We are working to improve in all aspects of the game and we need to renew our attitude in 2015. A professional work ethic is also important,” he said. Crandon is optimistic of Guyana chances in the tournament. “Looking at the squad, we have some very talented players and it will be very important how we use them. It is vital that we get off to a good start to build on, but it is not going to be an easy task, however we are capable enough,” the coach stated. When quizzed about the players’ transition, Crandon pointed out that there are some very good athletes in the squad, but the shorter ver-
sion entails more intensity so they have to undertake a lot of specific work including spot bowling, running between the wickets and maneuvering the strike. The head coach explained that the all-round ability of the players will be their strength. “We will be without the services of some senior players like Narsingh Deonarine, Leon Johnson, Assad Fudadin and Shivnarine Chanderpaul, nevertheless this is an opportunity for other players to showcase their talent,” he posited out. Crandon explained that a good start at the top of the order and keeping wickets in hand for the latter part of the innings will be key factors. “It is important that players know and execute their roles and be aware of match situations,” he lamented. Guyana will take on Windward Islands, Combined Campuses and Colleges and Barbados in zone A. The final 14 is expected to be named shortly.
GTTA to open season with senior tournament The Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) will serve off its 2015 Season next weekend with a Senior Open Tournament, scheduled for Sunday at 10am at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall with all top senior players expected to participate. “Once again the tournament will be sponsored by two former national junior players, Jonathan Sankar and Orin Hickerson and is expected to feature senior players to bring them together for competition and advancement of the sport,” a GTTA release said. Players expected to participate are Kyle Edghill, Elishaba Johnson, Shemar Britton, Jamaal Duff, Bryton Murray (Berbice), Joel Alleyne, Paul Meusa, Jonathan Sankar, Warren Hacksaw, Orin Hickerson,
Shemar Britton Brad & Brandon Belle (Bartica), Remy Taitt, Devon Richmond, Xenophon Goliah, Gibran Sarfaraz (Berbice), Chelsea Edghill, Tiffani Barton and Angeli Persaud (Berbice).
The association stated that invitations are extended to players who are interested in competing in the event. Those players are asked to contact the coordinator, Linden Johnson, who is attached to the National Sports Commission as Table Tennis Coach. “The GTTA will coordinate tournament fixtures; provide umpires, tables and balls among other resources to host the tournament, which is aimed at: fostering camaraderie among those players, promoting/creating a healthy lifestyle through sport, opportunity to participate in recreational activities and promoting the basic objectives of the GTTA that is to have more players actively participate in the sport,” the release noted.
Last year’s success has now... From page 61 opportunity of honing his skills while competing against some of the best drivers in Canada and come the start of the season this year could be even better than when last we saw him. He along with the experienced Mark Vieira, who incidentally has not lost any of his magnificent driving skills, had the opportunity to close their season driving against some of the best drivers in the world at the ‘Race of Champions’ Meet in Barbados in December, including FI driver Romain Grosjean and from the reports acquit themselves very well which will most definitely serve as confidence boosters
ahead of the season’s restart. It was reported that the local entity is currently engaged in discussions with external parties to further improve the South Dakota Circuit with a view of enticing ‘big’ name competitors to come and compete here and should this endeavour bear fruit then the sport which already has the potential to lure a crowd could also evolve into becoming a sports tourism product as well and generate huge economic revenue for the country. The GMR&SC must feel proud of its achievements last year and with the new knowledge of how to organize major Meets, this year could easily eclipse the gains made in 2014.
At a simple ceremony held recently, Overseas-based friends of the Young Warriors Cricket Club handed over a cash donation of US$450 to assist with the purchase of the pitch covers which was stolen from the ground late last year. In handing over the cash on behalf of Mr Mel Carpen, Mr Dave Sookrah, Mr Chin Singh, Mr Outram and himself, Mr Ramoo Singh said that they read in the media that the club covers were stolen and they were very disappointed. They said that they have been following the progress of the club over the years and are happy to know that it has produced so many cricketers at all levels in Guyana. Some even went on to play for the West Indies under-19 team with Shimron Hetmyer being the latest. Mr Ramoo Singh said that as Berbicians and Guyanese, the group of friends can’t understand why people are so heartless. He added that sports, cricket in particular, has helped to reduce crime and has made a financial difference in the lives of many. Even their families, relatives,
Mr Ramoo Singh (left) of the USA hands over cash to Anil Beharry of the Young Warriors Cricket Club. close friends and clubs have benefitted. In response, club Treasurer/Secretary, Anil Beharry thanked the group of friends for their kind gesture and challenged Berbicians, residents of Canje in particular to follow suit. He said he himself was hurt and disappointed of the actions from a few hooligans in the area but that will not deter the club from moving forward. He reminded that the cricket venue is open to all and encouraged parents to send their children, male and
female to join the club at no cost. The club is open to children of all ages and has two qualified coaches in Hubern Evans and Kwesi Maltay. He thanked Ramoo Singh and friends and said as early as the club raise the balance of the funds, the covers will be r e placed. Beharry hinted that the club annual fund raiser, Mash Cup 2015 will be launched soon. The second division clubs in No 19/Canje area are asked to make contact with executive members of Young Warriors.
Budhan Memorial Turf Club Meet set for Sunday The Budhan Memorial Turf Club situated at NO 66 Village Corentyne Berbice has organised a one day meet for Sunday January 11th. The meet caters for horses classified ‘I’ and lower as the organizers seek to give the lower classified horses an opportunity to compete more. Seven races are listed for the day and as usual an action packed day of racing is anticipated. The meet, which is organized by Neville and
Andrew Budhan, has so far seen over 40 animals entered with some of the top animals in the various classes entered. Apart from the ‘I’ class race. There are events for K class horses which will be going for a mile with the rest being 6F events. The race for horses classified J1 and lower will see the winner taking home $120,000. The winner of the J2 and lower event will collect $100,000. The J3 and lower horses will compete for
first prize money $90,000. The K and lower race has a first prize of $80,000 up for grabs. The final two races are for unclassified animals one and two. The track is said to be in very good condition. In addition a new starting gate is being built which will accommodate more horses. Interesting persons can contact Roopnarine Matadial on 3253192, Nikita Ross on 662-4668 or Dennis DeRoop on 609- 9143 for further information. Race time is 13:00 hrs.
Kaieteur Sports raps with GFF...
From page 63 unite and cooperate for the love and good of the game and that the sport will succeed as a result. Moreover, an appropriate foundation would be laid for the sport to takeoff in a tremendous way in the future. FW - Are there any friendly matches on the cards? CU - Thus far, we are looking to have our men’s senior national team play an away and home game against Barbados. The former will take place on January 25 in Barbados. Other friendlies might be organized between now and June when we begin our World Cup qualifying campaign against St. Vincent, St. Lucia or Grenada. The TD and Coach will make the necessary call. FW - What is the policy as it relates to overseas players representing the Golden Jaguars? CU - All eligible overseas-based Guyanese players will be taken under consideration as we put together our national squads going
forward. For us to be competitive against global competition this is an approach we must take. Other countries are doing so and we need to do what’s in our best interest to be competitive and win. FW - Strengthening of associations, what shape this would take? CU - Strengthening our associations is very crucial for us moving forward. The federation will work closely with our member associations to strengthen both their governance and technical capacity. We will apply to CONCACAF and FIFA for programme funds in this regard. Our technical department will reach out to associations and clubs and provide support in helping them develop their strategic plans to help them grow and extend their brand and value. It must be noted that Guyana’s football is at a crossroads and we can choose to move forward in a fragmented way as we did in the past or we can embrace a united model where we work closely together for the good of the game.
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Last year’s success has now catapulted motor racing above all others
The GMRSC major events attracted large crowds.
By Rawle Welch Faced with mounting pressure to duplicate or even surpass the performance of the previous year and with the increasing challenges of procuring support from a cautious corporate community, the Management and Staff of the Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club (GMR&SC) survived against the odds to enjoy another fantastic year for the sport. Equipped with an executive that has shown a willingness to work hard for the further development of the sport and one that is also disposed to retaining the best expertise to maintain its high standards the GMR&SC has now catapulted itself above every other local sporting organisation, especially when the complexity of its function is taken into account. The governing Body for the sport managed to reach new heights in terms of improving the general standard of operations regarding the overall advancement of the sport, a development which may have occurred for the first time in local motor racing. Last year saw a few visits from FIA personnel aimed at dispensing new information
to staffers, motor racers and stewards. The purpose was to train local personnel with the necessary information to improve safety for competitors and fans. These Courses are necessary assuring potential fans of the sport’s discipline thereby enhancing marketing ability while also increasing the chances of making it a viable product for regional and international audiences. While the Club was able to run off all its calendar of events, the year culminated with the staging of the Seaboard Marine Caribbean M o t o r R a c i n g Championship final leg which many felt would be the litmus test for all those that benefitted from the FIA organized seminars. It must be agreed that while the general performance was not flawless, one would be hard pressed to not give the Club and all those who were associated with the Meet a high passing grade. Generally, the final destination of the CMRC is not known for serious incidents, but what really impressed was the fact that the entire arena was even safer as the track stewards ensured that all adhered to the rules and regulations set
out by the Race Director. Guyana managed to retain the title it won the previous year, beating regional powerhouse Barbados and Jamaica in the process, while Trinidad and Tobago who returned to the fold made an encouraging restart to the regional championship, giving early evidence to an exciting 2015 season. Unlike 2013 when it had to endure an initial challenge by a breakaway faction coupled with some other issues that could have derailed future plans, the Body now seems to be speaking from the same page and this is a welcome development for the sport. The cohesiveness among administrators and competitors could only bode well for the sport which continues to enjoy massive support from inside and outside the Diaspora and one that if it remains on the present path could be promoted as the primary sports tourism product. Just to emphasise the growth in the sport, the Drag and Endurance Meets are now taking on a regional dimension with racers from Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago now present at these events, while some of the local race Meets are also
Kristian Jeffrey leads the field during the final meet of last year.
graced with foreign-based competitors from time to time so no one could dispute the expansion the sport has made over the past two years in terms of preparation, participation and fan support, necessary requirements for preserving interest. Additionally, Guyana is now the country to beat in regional motor racing and the recent success might be the underlying factor for the renewed interest in the sport
Nikhil Seereeram was one of the new emerging talents of motorcycle racing. among young aspirants so the future looks bright for the sustenance of the sports here. There is a cadre of young exciting and skilful drivers and Superbikers with a huge fan base and this too have ignited popularity in the sport so it is not farfetched to believe that Guyana’s reign as regional champions could stretch into the future. Current regional champion Kristian Jeffrey became the youngest holder
of the title, defeating quite a few illustrious drivers including former champions in Stuart Maloney of Barbados, David Summerbell Jnr of Jamaica and now seems to be the new face of regional motor racing, while his fellow countrymen Nikhil Seereeram and Matthew Vieira, both in their teens, have followed closely in his footsteps. Young Jeffrey has the (Continued on page 62 )
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Sunday January 04, 2015
Another successful year for Powerlifting Powerlifting in Guyana has continued its success story under the guidance of Peter Green and a committed band of Executive members. Despite many challenges, the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting federation (GAPF) has continued to soar on the local, Caribbean, Regional and International scenes. The GAPF began 2014 in fine style when their oldest competing athlete, the cool and calm
…Exco aiming for more success in 2015 Winston Stoby was named the 2013 National Sports Commission Runnerup Sportsman of the year. The local strongmen and women also started the year as the reigning Caribbean and Regional Open P o w e r l i f t i n g Te a m Champions for 2013/14. According to President Green, when compared to the outstanding years of
2009 – 2013, last year could well be best characterized as very challenging with the Federation’s priority issues encompassing those at an administrative level, curtailing of international participation, total emphasis on regrouping with strict anti-doping awareness / education measures put in place for its lifters, sourcing of funding and reduction of
financial debts incurred as a result of an anti-doping violation by one of its lifters in 2013. Nevertheless, Green is of the view that as a result of a committed bunch of administrators, they have been able to weather the storm and continue its journey on the path to more success. Last year’s (2014) goals were revised and
successfully achieved. Participation in the Sport since its resuscitation in 2008 after many years in the doldrums, continues to enjoy steady if not spectacular growth with the GAPF successfully running off its five local championships
consisting of the Novices, Sub Juniors and Juniors (April); Intermediate and Claude Charles Memorial for Masters athletes (June) and the Senior National Open (November). Many new and (Continued on page 58)
Natoya Robinson
Chole Hunter
Winston Stoby
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Kaieteur Sports raps with GFF NC Chairman Clinton Urling on way forward Guyana’s football has seen tumultuous times in the past two years or so, events that we need not remind you of. However, with the intervention of world governing body FIFA, t h r o u g h C O N C A C A F, stability at the administrative level has been restored while on field play has increased for the better. The Normalization Committee that has been appointed by FIFA is headed by successful businessman Clinton Urling. Kaieteur Sports Franklin Wilson posed a number of pertinent questions to Urling on his stewardship to date. FW - How has short time at the helm of the sport in Guyana been for you and your team? CU - It has been both an eye-opening and challenging endeavour. Eye-opening in the sense that most of us on the Committee had no idea coming into this of some of the intricacies, and intrigue, involved in managing Guyana’s football both at the domestic, regional and international level. Similarly, we had no idea of the amount of work that achieving our mandate would entail. Speaking for myself, I volunteer four to five hours of my time daily to the work of the Federation. This is largely due to reaching out to football stakeholders for recommendations and to get an understanding of the situation we inherited. Additionally, some of it is as a result of the changes being made at the Secretariat. FW - Can you share briefly, what the mandate is as set out by the world governing body, FIFA? Our mandate is to reform and implement strong governance structures for the federation and its member associations through constitutional reform and the hosting of elections for both the federation and its member associations. In addition, we are tasked with managing the day-to-day affairs and strengthening the general secretariat of the GFF until September 2015. We also intend to produce a longterm strategic plan for Guyana’s football and we are also working at
implementing some of the d e v e l o p m e n t a l programmes, which FIFA makes available to its Member Associations. FW - What are some of the immediate changes that the football community can look forward to? CU - Changes will come at the level of the general secretariat of the federation to professionalize the operations. The entire organization will be reorganized with new appointments being made, strengthening and expansion of some of our current departments and the creation of new departments to facilitate the secretariat in fulfilling its objectives. Some of these changes are already occurring and we have recently appointed a Director of Finance to manage the Federation’s financial system. In early January, we will appoint a new General Secretary and a fulltime resident Technical Director (TD) to manage and coordinate our football programme. A d d i t i o n a l l y, t h e technical and referees’ departments will be expanded to support our players, coaches and officials at all levels of the sport and a coach for our senior national men’s team will be appointed as we make a run in 2015 for the Olympic and World Cup 2018 Qualifiers. We have also started the process of activating Committees of the federation. The Women’s Committee will be a very active one and we intend to recruit and appoint members to the other committees. Changes will also come in the way in which we govern the game and organize the work of the federation. We will move away from ad-hoc approaches to ones that are more inclusive, structured, systematic and grounded in a framework of respect and adherence to the constitutional of the federation. All these changes are geared towards ensuring the growth of the game throughout our country. Are you on track in terms of the plan you have set out? CU - We are very much on track with our plans and
thus far and we are receiving the support of most of the stakeholders involved. Besides the current ongoing changes mentioned in response to your previous question, we would move in February 2015 to begin the process of reforming the GFF’s Constitution. Additionally, in January, with our new TD in place,
we will begin implementing our football programme, which will see immense focus on coaches, referees, grassroots, women’s and youth development. FW - What’s your projection (s) for 2015 for the sport in a general way? CU - For 2015, I project that all stakeholders will (Continued on page 62)
Clinton Urling
t r o Sp SA V WI, 3RD TEST, CAPE TOWN, 2ND DAY
Du Plessis marshals steady South Africa Faf du Plessis (Gallo Images) Dale Steyn removed the key wicket of Jermaine Blackwood. (Gallo Images)
Jason Holder struck with the last ball before lunch. (AFP)
Guyana Jaguars resume preparation for NAGICO Super 50
Devendra Bishoo (left) and Amir Khan going through their paces while other members await their turn.
KAIETEUR SPORTS raps with GFF NC Chairman Clinton Urling on way forward Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Limited, 24 Saffon St.Charlestown, Georgetown.Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/ 226-8210