Tuesday January 07, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 3
40 ranks shortlisted for SWAT training Forty members of the proposed police Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) unit commenced preparatory training yesterday as a precursor to the arrival of specialist overseas trainers in two weeks’ time. Kaieteur News was reliably informed that those chosen (including four officers) will undergo physical assessment and remedial weapons training in advance of the arrival of the special trainers. Last Friday, Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee told a packed Police Officers Training Centre auditorium that an Organizational Needs Assessment for the Unit has been completed, while training should commence by mid-January. He disclosed that the
Ministry has signed a contract with The Emergence Group (TEG) of the United States of America to train ranks for the Unit. The SWAT unit is being established to confront special types of violent crime. While senior officials of the force are tightlipped about the composition of the initial batch of ranks for the SWAT unit, a reliable source has indicated that some of them have had previous specialist training. “They couldn’t just pick any ‘green’ man,” the source said. This newspaper was told by a rank who was picked to be part of the unit that the plan is to narrow down the number to about 25 by the end of actual training. “We want to have two teams of 12 (ranks) each,” the
rank disclosed. Guyana’s SWAT unit will be fully operational by August. This was the assurance given by Director of the US- based security and justice reform consultancy firm, TEG, Dennis Hays, during the signing ceremony for finalisation of the SWAT contract between his organization and the Home Affairs Ministry, last October. “We have had many good and serious back-and-forth discussions on setting up the team,” Hays had said. TEG has already identified individuals who will be coming to Guyana in the near future to have a firsthand look and assessment of existing capabilities, skills and equipment after which they will develop a countryspecific programme. The plan will include training and
Rohee urges Govt. to set up Rodney Commission - “It would put to rest many important questions” By Latoya Giles General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party, Clement Rohee has urged Government to move expeditiously to establish the Walter Rodney commission of inquiry. Rohee made the statement yesterday at the party’s weekly press briefing. “The party hopes that 2014 will bring forth the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry to inquire into the facts and circumstances surrounding the death of Dr. Walter Rodney,” Rohee said. Dr. Walter Rodney was a prominent historian, political activist and scholar, who was assassinated in Guyana on June 13, 1980. According to Rohee, the mystery, suspicion and controversy which surrounds the death of Dr. Rodney has left an indelible stain on the country’s political landscape and indeed on the image of the Nation-State of Guyana. Rohee noted that calls for such an inquiry have come from throughout the Caribbean, the United States, the continent of Africa and indeed, from intellectuals,
Pan-Africanists, and defenders of freedom and democracy everywhere. “In his short but illustrious life, Dr. Rodney’s intellectual prowess, and political discourses and activism have captured the imagination, admiration and aspirations of people all over the globe,” Rohee told the media. The general secretary explained that an inquiry into his death is indeed long overdue. He said that since June 2005, a Motion was unanimously moved and passed in the National Assembly, calling for such an Inquiry. Rohee explained that the said Motion, ex facie, recognizes that “On the 13th June, 1980, Dr. Walter Rodney, a distinguished Guyanese scholar, was assassinated by explosion which occurred in his car at John and Hadfield Streets, Georgetown…Dr. Rodney was at the time of his death, an eminent political leader engaged in a struggle against authoritarian rule for democracy and social justice…There have been calls for a full investigation into the assassination of Dr. Walter Rodney, which have
received broad support.” He said that there have since been calls for persons including political parties, NGO’s among others who may have information or evidence which may be relevant or likely to be of assistance to the Commission, to bring same forth. Rohee held the view that the commission will put to rest many important questions which have been left unanswered for too long. “The PPP believes that these answers will heal many historical wounds; will close many doors of political suspicions and will be part of a healing process which is so necessary, if we are to find political consensus, as we work towards building a Guyana which is Peaceful, Prosperous and Progressive and one in which every Guyanese feels that he or she has an equal opportunity to realize his or her potential” Rohee posited.
mentoring exercises aimed at enhancing the Guyana Police Force. Funding and equipment for the unit, identified by the trainers, will be handled by the Ministry of Home Affairs. According to the Ministry, establishment of a SWAT team has received the full support of the leadership of the Force. “There is absolute need for an elite police unit to go after the killers in our society, who are becoming bolder,” a former senior officer declared. The proposed SWAT unit comes a little more than a decade after former President Bharrat Jagdeo had ordered the establishment of a similar unit to tackle crime during the unforgettable crime wave of the early to mid 2000s. Then, a British team of trainers had trained close to 300 ranks from the Tactical Services Unit, using specially recommended firearms. However, the SWAT unit initiative was shelved by the then Police Commissioner Winston Felix. Most of those trained are either out of the Force or have been posted to other departments. Prior to that, the closest thing Guyana offered for a SWAT unit was the highly controversial but feared Target Special Squad . But not everyone is supportive of the establishment of the SWAT unit. Shadow Minister of Home Affairs and former Police Commissioner, Winston Felix, is not persuaded that the intended special unit will have any effect on the current crime situation. Felix is convinced that Guyana has not reached a state where a SWAT team is necessary and is concerned that not only will the unit utilize much needed finances
Home Affairs Minister, Clement Rohee and manpower, but like past poorly managed specialized units, it could “become wayward.” The former Top Cop said that several years ago the SWAT initiative was introduced during the crime spree, and although it was more appropriate then, he was not mindful for the commissioning of the team, “since none of the incidents attracting SWAT response escalated to armed intervention.” He said that the SWAT team is not a highly or heavily armed patrol group, but one
Former Police Commissioner, Winston Felix that is constantly trained and upped with the latest crimefighting gadgets for incidents that require decisive tactical skills. “A SWAT Team is better prepared during periods of inactivity. They get into training because the skills they need have to be constantly upgraded, and so I see it as being very expensive with little utilities in these parts at this time.” He added that, “What is absolutely necessary for this current situation is for the government to recognize that the Police Force is losing manpower.”
Page 4
Kaieteur News
Tuesday January 07, 2014
Letters... Where your views make the news Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
Optimism and assumptions In his New Year’s Day message, President Ramotar reminded us that life is short, and we should not waste time on pettiness but focus our energy towards the betterment of our people. “I hope that in the New Year we can get some cooperation from our colleagues on the other side of the house to move our country forward. If the government is to be held accountable for the performance of our economy, we reserve the right to be responsible for its developmental trajectory.” It is good that the President realises that the full backing and collaboration of all and sundry is indispensable in improving the general standard of living. To get this sort of support, his administration will have to do much more to close the embarrassing gap that often occurs between the authorities’ rhetoric about cooperation and the actual implementation of effective measures. Unfortunately, this gap seems to exist even when the talk emanates from the highest office in the land. For example, one is reminded of his assertion in his New Year’s Message of the previous year when he pointed out that, “Clearly we need more dialogue and discussions in our society. History has shown that a nation’s all round progress is always enhanced when honest debates, dialogue and compromise are the tools used in the body politic. While the government has been willing and has moved even more than halfway to meet the opposition and compromise, we have not seen that same willingness from the other sides.” The people can judge for themselves whether anything remotely changed during the last calendar year. This year, as he did in his 2013 New Year’s address, President Ramotar spoke assertively about continued advancements in the education sector, with “more students completing primary and secondary education, more students accessing tertiary and university education, better performance by our students at regional examinations, and a better educated and more skilled workforce. Indeed, over the last ten years, Guyanese students have won the highest awards given by the Caribbean Examinations Council eight times. This year we got five of the top eight awards. Clearly our investments are paying off.” Mr. Ramotar and his administration must be highly commended in this regard, because education is undoubtedly one of the foremost aspects of a nation’s development. But there are other facets of the growth and maturity process in which they continue to “miss the boat”. For instance, the pledge which stood out in the Head of State’s first New Year’s address to the nation, in 2012, was that “We will work to root out corruption in our society”. The reality has been nothing close. Those who enjoyed the “freedom of the city” during the Jagdeo administration have seen the past two years as an ideal period and setting to further enhance their surreptitious dealings. President Ramotar would do well to use the influence of his office as well as all his political clout to address this issue, once and for all. For example, he could intervene personally and publicly to alleviate citizens’ concerns over the halfhearted work of those overseeing the implementation of even the most basic of recommendations. It certainly does not inspire public confidence when such reforms remain on the drawing board for years, apparently for no good reason. The President ought to address the growing public perception that most of what is transpiring in relation to major projects and other contract-related activities is not above board. He concluded his most recent address by opining that “This year, 2014, I believe holds out great possibilities and also challenges. How much we will achieve will depend on all of us. I am working on the assumption that all of us want to see our country move forward, all of us must want to see poverty eradicated and that Guyana can move quickly to achieving a more developed status in the world.” Yes, Mr President, it’s good to be optimistic, but you would be ill-advised to let those closest to you be aware that you are working on assumptions that everyone is well intended, because you will never see their faults, and it will be difficult for you to determine whether progress is indeed being made.
The PPC issue cannot be understood in the absence of knowledge and understanding of the Constitution DEAR EDITOR: The constitution forms the bedrock to guide society in the laws needed to be developed to manage the nation’s affairs. There can be no law that will be considered legal if that law runs counter to the spirit and intent of the constitution. This society continues to run the risk of being victims of its own utterances and behaviour. For while the popular tendency is to advance arguments craftily positioned as being guided by the constitution, this tendency is not borne out by positions informed by this instrument, but more by the myths attributed to it. The issue of the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) cannot be understood in the absence of knowledge and understanding of the Constitution. It is important that everyone understands that all acts must be informed by legislation. In seeking consensus the principles of the constitution remain sacrosanct. Article 212W (1) expressly states, “There shall be a Public Procurement Commission the purpose of which is to monitor public procurement and the procedures therefore in order to ensure that the procurement of goods, services and execution works are conducted in a fair, equitable, transparent competitive and cost effective manner according to law and such policy guidelines as may be determined by the National Assembly.” It is clear that the final arbiter of the PPC’s performance is vested in the legislature, the nation’s highest decision-making forum. Article 212AA addresses the Functions of the PPC. 212AA (1) (f) states “monitor and review all legislation, policies and measures for compliance with the objects and matters under its purview and report the need for any legislation to the National Assembly.” In this society many of the policies are conceptualised, developed and driven by the Executive/ Cabinet. If the PPC is mandated to “monitor and review all …policies,” the demands by the policymakers to be given no-objection in awarding contracts when their policies will be under scrutiny by this body, is to structurally put systems in place to undermine the works of the commission. And this brings us to the Attorney General’s argument
for Cabinet’s no-objection role in the PPC Act. According to him, “The nucleus of the executive is the Cabinet. This responsibility is captured by Article 106 (2) of the Constitution which states: “The cabinet shall aid and advise the President in the general direction and control of the Government of Guyana and shall be collectively responsible therefore to Parliament.” This is a treacherous misuse of this article to advance a position that has no basis relating to the PPC. Article 212W (2) expressly states “The commission shall be independent.” Article 212AA (1) (g) states, “monitor and review the procurement procedures of the ministerial, regional, and national procurement entities as well as those of project execution units;” The
mandate of the PPC is wide and far reaching as an institution that will put systems in place regarding the management of State contracts across this country on the people’s behalf. By constitution, the Commission reports to the National Assembly and its work cannot be administratively hindered outside of stipulated constitutional requirements. Further, Article 212BB (1) says “A decision of the Commission is subject to an appeal to the Tribunal established under Article 212EE.” 212BB (2) states “A decision of the Tribunal is subject to an appeal to the Court of Appeal.” The Constitution is informing us that the Commission must be buttressed by mechanisms to address grievance or concern. Any citizen, organisation or
entity can seek recourse through the Tribunal and in instance of dissatisfaction, then to the Court of Appeal. The establishment of the Commission consistent with the constitution offers this country an opportunity for transparency and good governance. The Cabinet, like any citizen or group, constitutionally has the right to recourse. It is overly important that the way forward must see us as a nation upholding the principles, tenets and intent of this instrument as we pursue a process of making sure our engagements and decisions are focused on moving the process forward for full implementation rather than engaging in actions to appease groups/individuals at the expense of this sacred instrument. Lincoln Lewis
Kaieteur News’ article is misguided DEAR EDITOR, I am writing concerning an article appearing in the Sunday January 5, 2014 edition of Kaieteur Newspaper, captioned “Massive Corruption uncovered at Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA)”. The mere caption of your article suggests that someone in authority uncovered this massive corruption at CJIA or has information in their possession to support this claim. However, GRA wishes to state unequivocally that your article is erroneous, false, seriously misleading, mischievous, and appears to have a hidden agenda to discredit and slander the names of senior officers attached to the CJIA. It is most unfortunate that you chose to peddle such mischief concerning GRA’s operatives at the CJIA so early in the New Year. The article alleged that a “very senior officer” in the Monitoring Section at the Airport has been colluding with security officers and immigration officials to recycle airport tax stubs, as well as, facilitating the placement of contraband, including drugs on planes destined for foreign locations. You are truly misguided or uninformed of the diversity of GRA’s operations at CJIA to insinuate that one particular individual can unwittingly perpetuate illegal activities, such as recycling airport tax stubs, allowing drugs and other items to be placed on planes, and collecting payment to ensure that containers are not thoroughly searched. Apart from being outrageous, these allegations are also nonsensical since the sale of Travel Tax Tickets fall under the purview of Internal Revenue Department (IRD), while passenger’s baggage, importation and exportation of cargo are the responsibility of Customs and Trade Administration. Monitoring Officers fall under the Common Services Department. Only officers of the respective Departments can perform functions within their Department. Internal Revenue Officers cannot perform Customs & Trade Administration (C&TA) functions or vice versa. Neither can a monitoring officer perform functions within IRD or C&TA. How in the name of proper journalism can you publish such garbage without conducting proper investigation(s)? The ethical thing to do was to verify the accuracy of information fed to you by
someone who apparently has a grudge. Travel Tax Tickets are reconciled with passenger manifests to ensure proper accountability. It was during a routine reconciliation activity, on a particular shift, that GRA discovered attempts were being made to recycle Travel Tax Tickets by some Internal Revenue officers, stationed at CJIA. Investigations were conducted and appropriate disciplinary actions taken against those officers in accordance with GRA’s Code of Conduct. The article also stated that the “GRA’s official would stop cameras from recording or delete footage altogether in order to allow these dealings to go unrecorded. In addition, cameras at the airport are very unreliable and become non functional after a bout of heavy rains among other reasons. This is used as an excuse whenever questioned about missing footage.” Please be informed that feed from GRA’s cameras at CJIA are monitored by senior officers and recorded in other locations. To that end, any attempt to stop the cameras or delete footage would be discovered. Moreover, GRA’s cameras have provided useful evidence in numerous cases, which we are not at liberty to disclose. In addition, there are other cameras and security mechanisms in place at CJIA, which are monitored by independent agencies to ensure that contraband, are intercepted. The article also reported that “despite other allegations against the officer, he was transferred to the Airport and subsequently promoted. Also, the reason activities are not thoroughly investigated and forwarded to the Commissioner General is because the corrupt officer and persons required to investigate, share a close relationship.” Contrary to the article, GRA changed the entire management team at CJIA in August 2013 when two Customs officers were implicated in drug trafficking. All officers were transferred at their substantive positions and are being rotated on a quarterly basis. GRA’s Internal Affairs Division investigates all reports of corruption by its officers and would be grateful if KN can provide the evidence in its possession, including who uncovered the massive corruption at CJIA, so that an investigation can be launched. The GRA has always (Continued on page 5)
Tuesday January 07, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 5
Letters... Where your views make the news Letters... Where your views make the news
Persaud’s charges against Bisram disproved DEAR EDITOR, The charge of Mr. Mike Persaud’s “Bisram’s falsely attributed “kaka or looney talk” (KN Jan 1) has been disproved by eminent Prof. Stanley Aronowitz. Persaud gave short shrift to honesty claiming that he spoke with Dr. Aronowitz and that the good Prof. told him he does not know Bisram. Aronowitz, a distinguished Professor, was chair of my Doctoral Exam Committee (around 1994) and my dissertation advisor – a committee that included other distinguished scholars. In addition, I took several credit bearing doctoral courses (Marxism, MultiCulturalism, Classical Theory, Contemporary Theory, PostModernism, etc.) and audited more under Stanley’s professorship. He is brilliant with few comparisons and he recommended to me readings on ethnicity by Cox, Myrdal, Manning, etc. I bounced up Dr. Aronowitz at the Univ. Of Hawaii at Manoa Campus (around 2001) during a visit, not aware that he was giving a lecture. Dr. Aronowitz ran for Mayor (was in TV debates) about nine years ago and I supported him. Persaud can recheck those factual details in another fabricated phone call. I do not manufacture anecdotes and data and my analysis and conclusions are logically based. Adam Harris is in receipt of an email (Jan 3) in which Prof. Aronowitz denied communicating with Persaud and also affirmed I was his student. I sent a few responses to SN to correct false remarks attributed to me, incorrect statements and illogical conclusions made by Persaud but they were not published. Persaud is putting words onto my pen, making pathetic arguments and innocuous statements, delivering hostile salvos, and using distasteful language filled with sulfuric acidity like that of a person gone berserk who has lost all sanity. The Arab writer Omar Khayyam aptly describes it thus - He writes but knows not - or something to that effect. Persaud indulges himself in so many unrealistic
fantasies that I can’t understand the logic behind his scorched earth dishonest remarks. When one loses a debate on merits, one just closes the discussion - don’t make new insertions. But Persaud remains adamant in his belief introducing unrelated issues and making himself appear more uninformed than previously thought. He has brought so many red herrings in the discussion of ethnic conflict that the sea is now empty. There are so many side issues and rigmarole it’s almost impossible not to get headaches and stomach sickness from reading them. Persaud’s line of thinking, reasoning, and conclusions are so illogical, it makes a ninth grade students debate team look like the Oxford Union in full flair. Lack of logic and failure to heed academic theories are not Persaud’s only crimes. Persaud disrespects a well established journalistic principle of a right to response, firing off letters ad nauseam; repeating the same charge without offering any proof. Persaud should at least display regard for the traditions of the profession by first allowing a response. Also, Persaud makes several claims in SN and now KN that are grossly flawed in logic and are devoid of evidentiary props. His missives are replete with what philosophers call “immanent contradictions”. His claims are specious and
contrived and he regurgitates the same claim about Obama (at least 22 times and counting). Something is definitely amiss of people who hold on to disproved claims. It is looney to think that the PPP appointing David Granger or Hamilton Green as its leader or the PNC appointing Donald Ramotar or Khemraj Ramjattan as its leader will solve ethnic conflict. This idea of appointing leaders must be condemned; they must be elected by rank and file members. If Ramotar or Ramjattan wishes to be leader and Presidential candidate of PNC, they should join the party and seek the leadership. Ditto Granger or Green for PPP! Why didn’t Granger join the PPP or Ramjattan the PNC? How many ways does one have to count dishonesty? I checked with the NY Voters Registration, and neither Mike Persaud nor Paul Sanders is listed as a voter. Also, checks with the Obama Campaign could not confirm either one as a volunteer. I know Persaud did not volunteer for Obama because when I asked him to join me on the campaign trail, he said he had to work. That is OK. But these men gave the impression they are champions of Obama - when they did not vote for the man or help him get elected Speaking of hypocrisy and bigotry! On the other hand, my involvement with the Obama campaign (2008 and again in 2012) can be confirmed with the United
Kaieteur News’ article... From page 4 maintained that incidents such as these can be avoided if persons in the media take the time to verify the authenticity of the information they have received. The GRA has always maintained a strong stance on corruption and will continue to investigate all allegations of corruption against officers. Additionally, the GRA is
considering taking legal action for the slanderous information contained in the article. Khurshid Sattaur Commissioner General
Federation of Teachers. I don’t make up information. Also, Obama and I shared at least one thing in common – we both organized petitions, protests and rallies against Ronald Reagan cuts in tuition grants in the mid 1980s. He came to CCNY to work with student leaders when I was an executive of the Graduate Students Council. So who is more in line with Obama — the ones who lie or the ones who tells the truth? Persaud has this bad habit of misinterpreting and mis-paraphrasing the arguments of others. He can give credibility to his claims if he offers cited quotes rather than misinterpretations to support claims he attributed to me like ethnic voting, racism, etc. He will not be able to provide any. People vote ethnicity in almost every society and we must change the culture systematically, not by tokenism. In so remarking, I am not advocating for ethnic voting. Tokenism has not successfully resolved ethnic conflict. The fact that I critique ethnic tokenism does not logically follow that I endorse
ethnic voting –Donald Horowitz wrote “Ethnic Groups in Conflict” referencing Guyana. By following Persaud’s misguided logic, he would conclude that Horowitz is supporting ethnic conflict. Academia does not operate that way. He is engaged in what in academia is called “squaring the circle” and he seems to have quite a knack at it. Persaud accuses me of writing letters under another pseudonym urging people not to vote for Obama in 2008. How does one reconcile that claim with half a dozen letters penned under my name urging people to vote for Obama? And he did not support Obama according to the voter registration. Persaud wants to administer a truth serum, like in the Jason Bourne saga, to determine whether Bisram wrote anonymously against Obama, never mind that Bisram wrote half a dozen pieces praising Obama. Persaud claims he and Paul Sanders are experts at bibliotics – those people who can determine the authors of anonymous writings, the same kind of expertise claiming they are Obama
supporters but offer no evidence or that they spoke with Professors. In journalism, as KN editors can affirm, one is only held responsible for what is under one’s by-line. You must give Persaud and Sanders their 15 minutes of fame; they deserve it after trying so hard for six years to give themselves credibility without evidence. Persaud made reference to Madiba. The great Mandela did not make illogical arguments and unsubstantiated allegations or come up with hairbrained ideas like appointing FW DeKlerk as head of the ANC. But you never know, Jacob Zuma could very well put DeKlerk as the next Presidential candidate for the ANC later this year. And it is possible that Granger could appoint Khemraj Ramjattan or even Mike Persaud as the PNC’s Presidential candidate. Miracles do happen and Santa Clauses did come down the chimney for millions on Christmas Eve. There are other unsubstantiated, unaffirmed claims. But what is the point in responding? Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram
Page 6
Kaieteur News
Tuesday January 07, 2014
Prisoner disarms cop, shoots detective dead A police constable was shot dead late yesterday after he went into a yard in Fourth Street, Alberttown to recapture an escaped prisoner and recover his colleague’s gun. Around 19:00hrs, the prisoner managed to snatch a .38 revolver belonging to the dead cop’s colleague who had escorted him to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) to seek medical assistance. Dead is 45-year-old Detective Corporal 14998 Silburn Elias, a father of four, of Buxton, East Coast Demerara. Elias, who spent the last 25 years of his life in the Guyana Police Force, was shot twice at close range by the prisoner – to the left side chest and abdomen. He died while receiving treatment at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. Police in a statement, said that about 19:00hrs yesterday, Corporal Elias was shot and killed by a prisoner who had earlier managed to escape from police custody after disarming a police constable. The prisoner has been identified as Delon Abrams, 23, of South Ruimveldt, Georgetown. He had been arrested by public-spirited persons and handed over to the police following an alleged break and enter and larceny committed on a home at Turkeyen. Abrams had received
injuries prior to his arrest and was being escorted by a constable, who was armed with his service .38 revolver, for medical treatment at the GPHC, when in the hospital compound he managed to overpower the policeman, take away his firearm and escape. The release added that Abrams was pursued by police ranks who caught up with him in a yard at Fourth Street, Alberttown. While trying to arrest the prisoner, a scuffle ensued during which an unarmed Corporal Elias was shot to his left side. The prisoner was eventually recaptured and is now at the Brickdam Police Station. A female eyewitness claims that she arrived at the hospital around 14:00hrs yesterday and saw the young cop guarding the prisoner. “That policeman was there long, long and he went to the nurse about three times to tell her about his patient, but the nurse asked him to wait. The prisoner told him that he wanted to defecate and the police went with him into the washroom and took-off his handcuffs,” the woman explained. She added that minutes after the police and his prisoner left to go into the washroom, both of them ran out. “The prisoner got on top of him and he over-powered the rank. He tore off the cop’s shirt and run out of the hospital. The cop run out behind him and everybody in the hospital started to scatter.” At the hospital last night, Commissioner of Police, Leroy Brumell related what was told to him by his officers. He promised that a thorough investigation will be conducted. “I believe that there was some level of negligence
involved in this situation and it will be investigated. The cop (whose weapon was snatched) is a young officer who just came out of training school,” the Commissioner stressed. At the hospital yesterday scores of curious onlookers gathered in front of the hospital’s Emergency Unit to get a glimpse of the injured cop when he was taken to the hospital. After Elias passed away, ranks were seen at all corners of the hospital relating the tragic incident to other officers. Police Officers were left staring at the rank who broke the news of their colleague’s death to them. Female ranks upon hearing that Elias had died broke down (continued on page 7)
‘A’ Division Police Commander, George Vyphuis (second left) and other senior law enforcement officials at the hospital last evening.
E-Governance Project Director comes under Parliamentary scrutiny With the government’s E Governance Project suffering from extensive delays coupled with the fact that there is to be modification to the design of the project, A Partnership For National Unity (APNU) will be moving to the Parliament to grill Prime Minister Samuel Hinds on the consequences. Several questions have been formally tabled in the National Assembly by APNU’s Joseph Harmon, who will be looking to elicit from Hinds, among other things, what the cost overruns related to the project would be. He has also formally requested of the Prime Minister to provide the résumé of the Project Director, Alexei Ramotar, as it relates to his prior experience with Fibre Optic Cable installations, designing and managing a project of this complex nature. The party is also looking to find out what salary and allowances Ramotar, the person running the project, is paid on a monthly basis.
E-Governance Project Director, Alexei Ramotar It was Government’s Chief Spokesperson, Dr Roger Luncheon, who recently confirmed that the laying of the fibre optic cable had to be modified, and that it was years behind schedule. He had explained that this was done to maintain the integrity of the cables. He explained by stating that the view is that 10 kilometres (km) lengths of the reels of cable were probably too long to ensure the
integrity at minimal risk, hence shorter lengths are now being utlised in some sections. He said that the project has now started to utilise 4km lengths, specifically in areas where the 10km lengths have been exposed to damage and breakages. Dr. Luncheon said that where the 10km lengths are intact and integrity tested, those will remain in place, but in other areas where there is a sustained basis for thinking that a shorter length would be easier to secure and maintain its integrity, those are being switched out. Dr. Luncheon said that as it relates to the stations that are conceived and being developed to propagate signals in specific areas, work has gone a very far way in establishing them. He said that the administration is also looking to have them be provided with the necessary paraphernalia that they need and have them ready and waiting to enter into service. With the project already
two years behind schedule, Dr. Luncheon said that the administration is looking to have the project wrapped up this year. The E-Government Project consists of the setting up of a Data Centre, a transmission network and the data network. The Data Centre, or control centre, is being housed in the compound of Castellani House, in the same building that is used for the Central Intelligence Agency. The Transmission Network stretches from Moleson Creek on the Corentyne Coast to Charity on the Essequibo Coast. The cable runs from Lethem in the Rupununi through Linden to Georgetown. It consists of a fibre network and microwave network. Fibre will be available from Lethem to Georgetown, Moleson Creek to Parika, while microwave will be available from Moleson Creek to Charity. From Parika to Moleson Creek, the network allows a fallover from fibre to microwave for all sites.
Tuesday January 07, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 7
Record breaking year for gold mining but not for miners - GGDMA By Dwijendra Rooplall President of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA), Patrick Harding says that even though 2013 has been a record breaking year in the declaration of gold with 481,000 ounces, it has not been the best for miners. This sentiment was expressed when the GGDMA held its first meeting for the year at Regency Suites yesterday. The high level meeting saw in attendance President of Guyana Donald Ramotar, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Robert Persaud, Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh, Executive Members of the GGMA, and a delegation of over 250 persons including small, medium and large scale miners. Lamenting the numerous challenges plaguing the mining sector, Harding pointed out that lending institutions are reluctant to assist miners with loans. Harding said that the industry has been carrying the economy for several years, with successive increases in growth every year culminating with the highest in 2013 at approximately US $725M dollars. The industry, the GGDMA President said, is the direct provider of jobs for in excess of 16,000 persons and indirectly provides for over 100,000 persons.
…President Ramotar pledges support
From left President of the GGDMA with the President of Guyana, his Ministers and other GGDMA executives Harding said miners have been struggling to find ways of cutting costs and ‘staying alive’ in an industry where, in moving away from the use of mercury and utilizing newer technology to capture more gold, it costs a lot more for persons to diversify. This he posits has to be reconciled with covering overhead costs and dispensing taxes and royalties to the government amounting to seven percent; something that the GGDMA says it will be approaching government to decrease in 2014. Compounding the expenses the GGDMA President said was the drop in gold prices by 50 percent
recently, something which he said would “devastate” any industry. Harding highlighted the “horrifying” spate of crimeincluding murders and robberies- happening within the mining industry. He lamented that the police are of no real help since they only “come after a crime is committed or on a patrol where they benefit more than the miners.” Patrick Harding spoke also to the impassable roads of the interior. According to him, finding contractors who are prepared to take up the challenge of building roads within the interior is a herculean task.
Two men detained in Mahaicony farmer’s death As investigations continue into the death of a 72-year-old cash crop farmer and the battering of his wife, two persons remained in police custody awaiting the result of fingerprint testing. Dearoop Siewchand of Zeelandia, Mahaicony on the East Coast of Demerara was stabbed to death late Saturday by three bandits who had invaded his home. His 70-year-old wife, Ambika, was brutally beaten by the men who held her by her feet and dragged her down the step during the ordeal. She is now a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) nursing
injuries she sustained to her face and body. The three bandits entered the couple’s house through an open window. The entire “episode” was witnessed by the couple’s 10-year-old nephew who survived the attack by hiding in a cabinet. Many assumed that the act was the handiwork of thieves, but a reliable source told this newspaper that investigators might soon rule out robbery since nothing substantial went missing from the home. Yesterday, when this newspaper visited the elderly woman at the hospital, she was in great pain. Her face had several black and blue
marks and was swollen. Ambika, who recently had a surgery done on her right eye, complained of having blurred vision in that eye. One of her relatives stopped her from speaking to the media but she managed to say, “They hold me by my foot and dragged me down the step, then they put me to lie down on the floor and they start kicking me in my face.” She reportedly has no internal injuries. The Siewchands were described as peaceful and hardworking people who planted celery for a living for years. Up to press time, the elderly woman was not aware that her husband died.
He also highlighted plans of negotiating with the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) to share the cost of reclamations (cost attributed to restoring mining sites) which he described as extremely high. The GGDMA President called on government to intervene in providing duty free fuel for the entire mining sector, reducing the rental cost for mineral property by 50 percent, opening more mineral areas for mining, clamping down on illegal shops and mining camps, and improving access roads and bridges among other things. Meanwhile President Ramotar lauded the miners for their high gold declaration last year, whilst expressing concern with the falling prices of gold. The President expressed optimism that the
prices reduced are temporary, adding that information received from experts indicates that gold prices will move “sideways” for a while and then increase. He was quick to point out however, that not much has changed within the global context to push the price downwards. In addressing some of the concerns of the miners, President Ramotar committed his government to intervening with the lending institutions to increase its loan capacity to miners, as well as put in place legislation to provide protection for hire purchase payments, since he feels it’s not fair for persons to invest substantial amounts in buying equipment only to have it repossessed and the investments made by the miner lost should he/she
default on payment. Noting that reclamation is critical taking into context the protection of the environment, President Ramotar committed to helping small and medium scale miners in this regard , but asserted that the large scale miners will have to facilitate reclamations independently. He further committed duty free concessions on environmentally safe technology procured by gold miners to ply their trade. He said that a small committee will be established shortly to discuss the issues affecting miners. Expressing concern about the crime situation, President Ramotar said he will ensure that the GGDMA leaders meet with the Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee shortly.
Prisoner disarms cop... From page 6 in tears. His wife, Alana, refused to speak to the media at the hospital. However, later, during a telephone interview, she said that hearing the news that her husband had passed away was the most difficult time for her. , “It is very difficult for me. How do I get my children to believe that their father is not coming home anymore? I told them that their dad is dead and they don’t believe. The eight-year-old boy is named after his dad and when I told him that his father passed away, he’s just refusing to sleep. He said he
is waiting until his daddy comes home before he goes and sleeps.” The woman, who simply could not hold back her tears, lamented “I don’t understand how this could happen. He was an excellent father, a loving husband, a truly good person at heart. I could not ask for more.” A police officer who was with Elias an hour before he died recalled how cheerful he was. “We were all making jokes and he was laughing. I could have never imagined that my ‘squaddie’ would have died after I left him.” Several residents of the Buxton Community who were
acquainted with the now dead cop described him as a fair officer and one who was always willing to help anyone in need. A police officer who was at the hospital yesterday said, “Elias was an excellent officer. He was a clean cop. He didn’t give problems. He was a good man at heart too. It is real sad what happen to him yuh know, because I didn’t know him personally, but I use to see how disciplined he was. He was a real cool guy. I am so sorry these things happen to good people.” Delon Abrams had several brushes with the law since he was a teenager.
Page 8
Kaieteur News
Tuesday January 07, 2014
J’can bank halts remittance business to lessen money laundering risk
National Commercial Bank (NCB) Jamaica has decided to exit the remittance business to mitigate against the risk of money laundering, financing of terrorism and lottery scam activities. As a result, the Bank said that by mutual agreement, effective January 22 it will be cancelling its existing agent relationship with MoneyGram Services for NCB Remittance Services (UK) Limited, and March 31 for NCB Remittances Services (Jamaica) Limited. In a release NCB said the decision was made because its continued provision of remittance services has negatively impacted the global risks facing the group.
“This decision was taken after further review of our business models across the NCB group as we aim to ensure that we employ a solid corporate governance structure and operate within a robust compliance framework,” the release said. It added that the move will also affect the operations of NCB Remittance Services (UK) Limited as effective January 22 the company will cease all other forms of remittances, except for the remittance of pension payments. “We thank our customers for their business and anticipate that they will appreciate and support the action taken,” NCB said.
LIAT CHAIRMAN: DON’T LOSE FAITH IN US In spite of recent setbacks, the tourism industry will continue to be the driver of the economies of almost all the Caribbean countries into the future, chairman of regional airline LIAT (Leeward Islands Air Transport) Jean Holder has said. In an Op-Ed column Friday in Caribbean Journal, Holder wrote: “It is therefore critical that we do not lose faith in it but continue to take the necessary steps to deal with its present shortcomings. “Recent indications are that the Caribbean will have a reasonably good winter and that arrivals will grow slightly over 2013 in 2014 but expenditure will continue to be affected negatively by the slow state of economic recovery in our traditional source markets.” He stated: “The industry will become even more
competitive as our traditional source markets compete with the Caribbean for business, while maintaining a high level of taxes seen by them not only as a source of revenue but as a way of supporting their domestic tourism by keeping their people holidaying at home.” The Caribbean is challenged therefore to keep improving and diversifying its product, to ramp up the range and the methods of its marketing and to explore new opportunities in nontraditional markets,” Holder stated in the Caribbean Journal column, adding: “None of this will happen however, unless the region stops paying lip service to regional approaches and genuinely works together in all areas, including air transportation, as a Caribbean destination.” “This is true whether we are speaking about courting visitors in Latin America or the Far East.” Holder argued that no single Caribbean country, working alone, can penetrate the Chinese market or offer in isolation a product that will
satisfy the expectations of Chinese visitors. “Given the dire economic situation of most Caribbean countries and the restricted spending power of Caribbean people at this time, the intraCaribbean market will continue to be challenged in 2014 by the falling demand, by a regime of high taxes, by the inadequate financial support of Caribbean carriers by most of the countries being served, and certain structural deficiencies of the carriers themselves.” He wrote that carriers will need to take tough decisions in 2014 both about structures and strategies in order to emerge leaner and more focused on cutting costs, increasing revenues while offering a far better and affordable service to customers. “A major hurdle remains achieving an improved industrial climate that seeks what is best for the customer and an understanding that this is a time for sacrifices on the part of all for the good of the customer and the companies involved,” Holder wrote.
Tuesday January 07, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 9
A SOCIAL CONTRACT OR A SOCIAL COMPACT? A few hundred years ago, some political theorists devised various concepts of a social contract. The purpose of these theories was to argue a case for the legitimacy of the State. People are still today arguing and fighting over the legitimacy of the State. Despite all of these social contract theories, any and all excuses have been found to question the authority and right of the State over its subjects. About a decade ago, Barbados was advised by its multilateral financiers to have a social compact between the government, the private sector and labour. Barbados went ahead with its social compact. This process so impressed some of Guyana’s local captains of business that
they began to tout the social compact as a model that Guyana could imitate. Barbados for all its experiments with a social compact is now facing the threat of having to send home some three thousand public sector workers. The same threat hangs over Jamaica. APNU has proposed a social contract in Guyana. Its idea of a social contract is not the same as the social contract theorists who outlined their ideas of what the relationship should be between citizen and State. APNU’s social contract is more about a relationship between the political parties, the private sector, labour and the government. It has nothing to do with legitimizing the State, but rather is built around the model of a social compact which has
acquired such a notorious reputation. APNU’s social contract sounds a lot like a social compact. The social compact was a creation of the multilateral twins, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. Its aim was not to promote cooperation amongst political parties, labour and the government. Rather, the underlying reason for the social compact was to bring labour into the vice of the private sector and the government as a means of suppressing wages in the economy. This is what the social compact was about. It may have seemed to be inclusive, but it was intended to exclude labour from making demands, especially during periods of structural adjustment.
The social compact was a means of having labour making voluntary restraints on wage demands so as to support the process of stabilization and neoliberal reforms. This is what the social compact was about. When APNU therefore speaks about a social contract, it raises the frightening spectacle of a social compact, a process of dialogue between labour and the government, but involving the private sector. The only difference is that APNU adds the political parties to the fray. It is ironic that APNU should now be urging a process that involves dialogue with the private sector. It has hammered the private sector in recent times and in 2012, one of the Regions that it controls actually refused to have the private sector sit in at a meeting aimed at resolving
Not PPP’s role to call on Govt. to initiate budget talks - General Secretary General Secretary of the ruling political party, Clement Rohee, says that it is not the role of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) to call on Government to invite the political opposition to consult on the preparation of the National Budget. The parliamentary opposition has made overtures to the effect that it will slash aspects of the 2014 Budget given that it has not been able to adequately have an input in its preparation. Rohee, who is also a senior Government Minister, said that the administration is fully aware of its responsibilities
when it comes to the preparation of the budget. He was at the time speaking at the weekly PPP’s Press Briefing held at its Head Office, Freedom House on Robb Street. Rohee was adamant that the party does not invite persons or parties to discuss the budget at Freedom House, adding that it is a matter that falls squarely within the purview of the Government. He reminded that the Finance Minister would invite stakeholders to the Ministry where consultations take place. According to Rohee, these consultations inform the final Budget document. He was adamant
Dem boys seh ...
Ali Baba blinding Donald Every day is one thing. If is not that is another. Donald sit down and he complaining how people chasing way investors. But wha he fail to realize is that dem boys got a problem wid de crookishness that people got to put up wid. Tek de Marriott. De fat crook, Brazzy, mek a big announcement how de hotel gun get money from Republic Bank. Is not de bank money and dem boys did know this from de beginning. De bank was to get some people who woulda invest in de hotel. De bank didn’t seh nutten because it smell a rat, and was de Rat that come up wid de idea fuh de hotel. Then de fat crook announce how dem getting a private investor, but he keeping it confidential. Wha he didn’t tell dem boys was that de private investor was Ali Baba and he forty chores who thief so much that dem got more than dem can spend. Is dem putting de money in de hotel project. But dem keeping it secret, suh de fat crook can’t call dem name. Poor Donald don’t realize that is de taxpayers’ money that doing de project. Donald visit de Marriott and he see a room wha dem build as a showpiece, but he ain’t asking dem wheh de money coming from. De man only seeing wha dem showing and when dem want to mek he smile dem does set up karaoke at de bar wha de fat crook open. He, Donald, don’t understand that dem had plans fuh grab money from de Amaila project. When that project fail dem get vex.Dem boys watching Ali Baba all de time. Dem watching he so much that he complaining. He had a party at he mansion, and all he can talk ‘bout is dem boys. Some people begging fuh give he a break, but dem boys seh that he can only get a break if he disband de thiefing gang and put back some of de money that dem already tek. Talk half and keep all dem eyes pun Ali Baba and he chores.
that the party is fully supportive of dialogue and consultation on any matter. The political opposition’s most recent position was that government is sidelining them from budget preparations. According to Opposition executives, this year’s budget, which at this time is more than likely completed or is in its final stages, saw no input, advice or concerns of the one-seat majority Opposition. A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Executive Member, Joseph Harmon, along with Alliance for Change (AFC) leader Khemraj Ramjattan recently told the media that absolutely no tripartite talks were held in putting together the national budget for the upcoming year. Both parties have since contended that their only resolve is deeper scrutiny of budget figures and its allocations. It is against this backdrop that the opposition has indicated that travesties such as the paltry increases for Public Servants exist. Harmon had told this publication that, “We will be giving a much harsher look at the issues in the budget. The
government will be hard pressed again to deal with issues of transparency and accountability. We are going to be very, very detailed and precise about the questions we can ask now, because we have had since 2011, two budgets and I think we are in a better position now to be able to debate the government on these issues.
We are going to ask for much more details as we are better prepared with questions because we have details and facts on where the Ministers have been silent and where they are trying to hide things”. The 2014 National Budget is constitutionally mandated to be presented to the House no later than the end March When the first budget under the Donald Ramotar presidency was slashed, Opposition Leader David Granger and the President had agreed that the Budget Tripartite Committee would be created.
While the Finance Minister has repeatedly submitted that the political opposition has been invited on several occasions to make submissions, the joint opposition has called for a more far-reaching arrangement.
the crisis in Linden. APNU is telegraphing its ideas from outer space. They are not grounded in Guyana’s realities. By now APNU ought to know that the greatest obstacle to increased public sector wages is not the government but the private sector. The Year of the Workers is not as APNU believes 2014. It was in 2013 when the government made regulations that allowed for a minimum wage throughout the country and one that compels all employers to pay overtime for weekly work in excess of forty hours. This was the most progressive working class measure ever implemented in Guyana. Period! And do you know who the principal opponents of this measure were? It was the private sector. The minimum wage created pandemonium within the ranks of the private sector, because they had grown accustomed to public sector wage restraints that helped to suppress wages in the economy. And they have benefited more than anyone else from the raising of the income tax threshold. In fact, they have supported the increase in the income tax threshold, because it allows them to increase the disposable income of workers at
the expense of taxpayers. If APNU is serious about its declaration about the Year of Workers, it must stand on the side of workers, beginning with passing a motion calling for a living wage. It has passed all manner of motions. It knew when it was passing these motions that these were non-binding on the administration. However, as a deliberative body, the National Assembly promotes debate on issues, and the passing of motions of national issues is one way of debating issues. A living wage cannot be achieved overnight. There has to be a progressive movement towards a living wage. APNU needs to support the establishment of a committee to determine a living wage in Guyana and then to urge the government to move public sector wages progressively towards this living wage. Is this too much to ask for a grouping that has declared 2014 as the Year of the Workers?
Page 10
Kaieteur News
Tuesday January 07, 2014
=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===
Guyana looked like Bor in 2013 Last year, the world’s newest, sovereign state, South Sudan, descended into civil war. One of the key cities that the rebels quickly took over was Bor. In that city, the fighting was more intense than elsewhere. Each day, (but particular CCTV- the Chinese channel), the television news showed what was happening in Bor. If you saw those pictures of Bor on your screen and the journalist did not mention it was Bor in South Sudan, you would have thought it was Georgetown, Guyana. You could not miss the identical scenes. Parts of Bor were deserted of course because of the fighting and they looked ramshackled with garbage
strewn all over the streets. You had to see these pictures to believe it. Far away in Africa, a country was in the throes of civil war and the sight of the streets was identical to those in Georgetown, Guyana, where there were no protests much less civil war destruction. On seeing the streets in Bor, I instantly recall that several times, on this page, while commenting on the garbage and miasma on the roadways of Georgetown, I likened the capital city to a country in the throes of civil war. If ever 2013 could be remembered as a year of shame, it was the overrun of the capital with garbage. It was far worse than in 2012. If what we saw in 2013 is exceeded in 2014 then there is no reason for any human being to want to live in this country. Humans, except in times of war, do not inhabit
and should not live in spaces filled with the kind of miasma that took over Guyana last year. The garbage pathology was so ubiquitous that citizens outside of Regions 3, 4, 5 and 6 where the mountains of garbage are as perennial as the grass, either read about it or were told about it, but they knew this was what Guyana looked like in 2013. What many citizens did not know were the many creeping immoralities that took hold of Guyana during the past ten years and had become normal life in 2013. These were nasty facts that remained hidden from the eyes of citizens and the pen of the media. One of these invisibilities is the family domination of Guyana. When the family ownership of Guyana arose in the media and among opposition politicians five years ago, then PPP GeneralSecretary, Donald Ramotar,
told the media that the children of the ruling establishment are citizens who are entitled to be employed in their own country. That was a valid explanation that is commonsensically grounded, but Mr. Ramotar left out two dimensions of the story. One is, family members of the power establishment always, and I repeat, always, seem to find lucrative employment within the state sector or receive extensive concessions from the State. Somehow, these family members shun work in the private sector. The second aspect that Mr. Ramotar left out is that the practice in Guyana has no parallel elsewhere on the globe, not even in Angola, where the President’s daughter is one of the richest women in the world. Last year, after this incestuousness was pointed out to me by a former
PNC minister while I was sitting next to him at the arrival lounge at the airport about the type of persons who are contract workers within the state sector, I did some investigation. The people of this country, the media and the opposition parties have not seen the tip of the iceberg. In no other country is this incestuousness so pervasive. It includes immediate family members, extended family members and even distant family connections. Do you know ninety-eight percent of persons working with the State who are in receipt of salaries paid by international agencies are family members and friends of the PPP leadership? To see this scenario is to see a banana republic in full swing. Only a fool would admit that the PNC Government under Forbes Burnham was worse than what takes place under the
Frederick Kissoon PPP. There is no way Forbes Burnham and Desmond Hoyte would have tolerated this family dimension. To properly describe it would appear to be comical, but it is the reality of politics in Guyana. Here is how it can be put – the PPP leaders are in a hurry to see how far they can milk Guyana, because they know that one day it has to come to an end. So the grab is on for jobs, land, house lots and resources, If there was a competition to give 2013 a label, I would say a winnable entry could be; “2013 – The Year of the Political Family.”
Tuesday January 07, 2014
VACANCY Writer needed. Web and article copywriting. US$1,000/month. www.capitaltyping.com/ gypro for details. 24 Hour East Coast Guyoil needs night pump attendants, salesgirl & office assistant - Call: 6910894/684-2838 1 Lorry driver apply @ Alabama Trading, Georgetown Ferry Stelling. Salesgirls and porters apply @ D. Singh & Sons - Tel:2260881 Receptionist, Cleaners, Security & Manager within the vicinity of Parika - Vreeden-Hoop. Tel:638-1627 1 Live in maid must be from the country & Know to cook, age 35-50 - Tel:6110200; 662-1124
Kaieteur News
WANTED 1 Cook with at least 2 years experience. Must have a valid food handlers certificate – Tel:604-0392; 616-2902 between 10am-4pm Experienced roti/puri cooks, curry cooks, pastry makers, counter servers, handyboys & cleaners - Apply @ Hacks Halaal, 5 Commerce St. Live-in waitress, bartender and going and coming cooks - Tel:643-9007; 664-1804 1 Female Cleaner for office, twice weekly @ Eccles Industrial Site – Tel:614-4358 1 Domestic for East Bank Area- Tel:614-4358
Two joiners to work in workshop - Tel: 610-7005; 219-1342
Salesgirls & Kitchen Assistants, come into Dian’s Deli opposite Kitty Market
Cosmetologist: Certified in facials, manicures, pedicures & waxing - Tel: 231-0321 One Trainee Refrigeration & AC technician - Tel:2310655; 683-8734 Experienced Cleaners Call:225-8572 (Between 7am9am) Primary Teacher needed from 3:30pm – Call:654-8650
Experienced Cashier, willing to work shift. Reference from previous employer. Apply @ Fortune House Restaurant, 98 Sheriff St. Handyman to work 9am-8pm. Apply @ Fortune House Restaurant, 98 Sheriff Street.
2- Acres cultivated, 2-1 Acres cultivated, 7 Acres cultivated, citrus, house, fish pond, storage at ParikaCall: 226-7968 10 Acres of Land @ Long Creek - Tel: 699-3723 In Eccles, $6M negotiable – Tel:616-6000 ½ Acre residential land at Yarrowcabra - Price: $3M Tel: 611-1018
Skilled grill workers, fabricators & labourers - Tel: 227-1830 1 Plaine operator, 1 portable miller operator, labourers – Tel: 619-9143
FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. – CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Fully furnished apartment in Nandy Park, suitable for a single person or coupleCall:619-4824 for further information.
Empty 20" & 40" shipping container to buy. Must be in good working condition – Tel:623-1615
One Vegi Shop to rent, one shop Merrian Mall – Tel:6426381; 223-6862 Business space @ 78 Hadfield Street, behind Brickdam Police Station, upstairs Kissoons – Tel:2236284
One experienced male shop attendant to work in interior, contact:6816044
Salesgirls for shop on ECD age 17-24 years – Text or Call:615-8121 Experienced Taxi and bus driver and dispatcher at Princess Hotel – Tel:2657076; 616-8419 Hairdresser must be able to work with nails & handyman. Apply @ West Shore Plaza, 15 Public Road Ruimzeigt W.C.D - Tel: 269-1524 One live-in maid between age 30-45 - Contact:681-6044 Porters on W.C.D - $20,000 weekly – Tel:684-8231
New 2014 Isuzu: D-Max single & double cabs - Call: 691-0234 Toyota Raum with TV, Rims & music - PRR series - Tel: 662-2569 2008 Fielder – unregistered Tel: 617-2891 1 Toyota NZE corolla, AT192, AT212, AT170, IST, Funcargo, Rav-4, Hilux pickup 4x4 – Tel:644-5096; 697-1453
American pool table - Tel: 277-0578
Fluffy Terrier pet puppies Tel: 645-0240
Diving Suites - Tel: 265-3449; 613-5158
1 Fishing boat: Length: 38ft, width 7ft & Depth 4½ft with 400lb Nylon 5" Seine &1- 40 HP Yamaha Engine Tel:220-9891; 679-3457
1- LN 170 Hilux pick-up. Excellent condition! - Tel: 663-3537 Must See!!! – Unregistered 2002 Premio $2.5M & 2001 AT 212 - $2M – Tel:226-5473 Nissan Laurel Car – Price: $350, 000 - Tel: 223-9677 2002 Rav 4 PNN series, fully loaded – Tel:694-6537 Saturn Jeep American made Tel: 223-9677 2 - 2007 Toyota Avensis - Tel: 698-0674 1995 Toyota Tacoma stick gear 4 wheel drive 3 RZ engine price negotiable - Tel: 625-2516 One Allion Selling Cheap $1.7M, fully loaded PNN Series – Tel:672-0470
Large plucked chickens, wholesale only $300 per lb Contact: 266-2711, 609-4594 Dell computers complete with 20" LCD $69,000, 6 months warranty @ Futuretech- Call:231-2206 New arrival: 1 Toyota Tacoma, aluminum boats (12ft & 14ft)- Call:2201981,685-8282,690-1945
1- 320 C.L Caterpillar Excavator. Excellent Condition with 2 complete 6" & 8" Dredge - Tel: 648-5371 Greenheart Piles - Tel: 6393450 1 Toyota Chaser, 2000 CC GX100, PHH series - $2.5M, 1- Toyota Celica 3 SGTE, PGG Series - $1M – Tel:616-2902 1 smoothie machine,2 ice machine- Contact:2310655,683-8734
1-500 Ton Cargo Ship - Tel: 676-6933 Tibitean Terrier- Pups for sale: (Fluffy) - Tel:655-0054; 226-4166 TO LET Fully furnished short term apartments, Eccles call: 347933-9790, 639-4452. Newly built apartment - Tel: 698-6496 Aracari Hotel. West Bank Demerara Rates from $30 – Tel:264-2946-8
Cheapest iPhones - $40,000 Tel: 626-2771 12 Pure bred German Shepherd pups - Six [6] weeks old - Tel: 638-5778 Promising Diamond and Gold one Block in the Ekeruku area, serious enquiries only - Tel:673-8217 Pluck chicken - Call:6760931 L- Touring Wagon in excellent condition – 15’ Rims, DVD, Tv, Remote Start Alarm & HID lights $1,300,000 Negotiable – Tel: 667-9013 Stall at Bourda Market 25FT Long & 7FT wide. Good for Pharmacy, Grocery Store or Boutique - Tel:621-7451; 231-7677 Salon. Turnkey Business @ 6 Goed Fortuin Public Road. Phone:600-3927
Spare for washing machine, microwaves,fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, pumps, etc call: 225-9032,647-2943
1 Stall @ Stabroek Market Tel: 658-0115; 718-757-8031
IAE @ 194 Camp St – CXC 2014. Full-time, morning, lessons & adults classes: Mathematics, English A, Business & Science Subjects Tel: 683-5742; 223-0604
FOR SALE / FOR RENT
LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY $19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. Live and pluck chicken - Tel: 220-9203; 650-4421
1½ & 2 Ton Canters with power gate, unregistered, $ 2 . 4 M & $ 2 . 7 M - Tel: 617-2891
EDUCATIONAL
Invest In yourself in 2014 become a professional cosmetologist or nail artist. Enroll Now! Contact Cheryl :225-2076; 658-5091
FOR SALE
One 210 Hyundai Excavator with one complete 6" Dredge and also 4" Dredge Contact: 650-2391
2008 Toyota Premio for sale ( unregistered) – Tel:665-4480
Learn any Language Fast: Tel:662-0001
FOR SALE
Smart Choice Auto: Unregistered Premio, IST, Runx & Spacio - Tel:6523820; 665-4529
Mercedes Benz CLK 200 Kompressor 2005; PRR Series. Flawless Condition! Price Negotiable! - Tel:6235492
One experienced female shop attendant to work in interior – Contact: 681-6044
One cook for family in interior – Contact:681-6044
LAND FOR SALE
New ATVs: Introductory price $1,199,000 (Duty Free)Call:691-0234
One steel building 5000 square ft, 3000 PSI floor. Just outside of Georgetown, East Bank Demerara - Contact: 619-2475
One experienced excavator operator to work in interiorContact:681-6044 Soman & Sons Driving School , First Federation Building Call 225-4858, 6445166,622-2872,615-0964
BOND CLERK FOR WHOLESALE FOOD COMPANY.ATLEAST3CXC ENGLISH&MATHEMATICS. EXPERIENCEDONLY,VALID POLIC CLEARANCE & REFFERENCES - TEL: 231-8529
1 experienced cook for interior, male or female, also jet man, marack man. Call 8am-5pm – Deo: 655-7991
Attractive live in waitress Call: 604-8277; 228-5129
LEARN TO DRIVE
VEHICLE FOR SALE Unregistered Toyota Sienta (2004) 1500cc and 7 seater – Tel: 617-5536
One male & one female live in domestic – Tel:613-6613 One dragline operator – Tel:613-6613
1 Computer Legal Clerk – Tel:226-4283; 624-7087
WANTED Cashiers, waitresses & Handyman – Tel:223-4778; 601-5802
Girls to work as waitress in bar. Age 18-25yrs – Tel:2564096
Sales person to work in store. Police Clearance and 2 references – Tel:226-5473
Page 15
New 1- 16/14 Bore Trailer, driven pump. Reduced Price! Tel: 227-1830 One fishing boat 350lb Catguts seine (5 Inch) 40 Yamaha Engine – Tel:2207655; 220-0410; 667-8921 1 RZ longbase mini-bus. Excellent Condition – Price: $1.2M. First Owner!! - Tel: 666-4999 or 698-6898
PROPERTY FOR SALE VERSAILLES: Furnished 5 bedrooms, selfcontained rooms, modern facilities, generator, beautiful landscape, gated community - Call: 592-6248704/ 592-684-9203 Transported property : House + property for sale by owner @ Lot 153 Sparendaam Scheme - Call: 592-220-8573; 592-672-2348 3 Bedrooms house in Cane Grove – Tel: 642-6744 Price Negotiable 3 Storey 17 rooms hotel @ Broad St - Tel: 654-4939; 6984700 Cummingsburg- $140M & $38M; Alberttwon- $43M &$35M; Bourda- $42M, Charlotte, Ruimveldt$70M, Queenstown $25M – Contact Shawn:231-2199; 618-7483 Upper 3 bedrooms & 2 Apartments lower flats @ Eccles - Price:$38M- Tel: 644-1144 (Continued on page 18)
Page 16
Kaieteur News
Tuesday January 07, 2014
Body at Liliendaal identified as taxi driver…
Five teens nabbed on highway with victim’s car Police appear to have smashed a carjacking ring comprising several teenage boys, aged between 15 and 17, after nabbing them with a car that was stolen from a taxi driver who was shot dead and dumped at Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara last week. The breakthrough came yesterday after the dreadlocked man with a gunshot to the head was positively identified as 30year-old Raphael Campbell, of Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara, who had been missing since last Thursday. Police subsequently linked the youths to his murder. The teens were nabbed on the Soesdyke/Linden
Dead: Raphael Campbell Highway on Friday with Campbell’s rented car, but police only made the connection after relatives
came forward to identify Campbell. A sixth teen is reportedly still at large. Kaieteur News understands that the suspects have told detectives that they stopped Campbell on Thursday night in Camp Street and hired him to go to Bel Air Gardens. They alleged that on arrival at their destination, an argument ensued between them and Campbell over the fare and Campbell was fatally stabbed. According to a source, the teens are all claiming that an associate, who is still at large, inflicted the wound. They have also denied shooting Campbell, although a post mortem confirmed that he died from a gunshot injury,
rather than from the stab wound. He was shot behind the left ear, with the bullet exiting his right jaw. The teens are said to be from two adjoining communities in Georgetown with a high incidence of crime. Kaieteur News understands that police had set up a routine roadblock on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway last Friday, and at around 18:00 hrs that day,
they stopped a black Toyota Premio with six youths inside. When one of the ranks at the roadblock asked the driver for his licence, the youth drove away, but crashed as a mobile patrol pursued the vehicle. The driver managed to escape, but police apprehended the five passengers. Police subsequently identified the vehicle as the one that
Cambpell had rented. Rochelle Campbell, the slain man’s sister, told Kaieteur News that she last saw her brother alive on January 1, 2014. The woman said that her brother had dropped her home around 23:00hrs that day. According to the sister, relatives became worried when numerous calls to the man’s mobile phone went (continued on page 17)
2013 road fatalities exceed previous year
Belle West’s Phase Two residents unhappy with GPL, crime rate Residents of a new West Bank Demerara housing scheme are calling on the relevant authorities to speed up infrastructural works, amidst a high crime rate and increasing costs of living there. The inhabitants of Belle West Phase Two, located in Canal Number Two, are especially calling on the Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) to give answers. According to Veronica Hercules, a 48-year-old mother of six who moved into that scheme in 2012, power post and lines were erected in some sections since last year, but there is little movement to date. “We can’t pay for an application because GPL is saying that the work is not finished yet. Since September 9th last year this contractor start work and they coming
every couple of weeks, do a few hours work, and leave. This is totally frustrating.” Kaieteur News in a visit to the area yesterday found that indeed several poles were erected in a number of streets and along the main access road. In some cases, the power cable was on the ground, in water. In one street, several posts were left in a corner. Hercules said she has several pieces of electrical equipment but can’t use them. “This is frustrating. My certificate of inspection for the wiring of my home expires next month. What am I to do? We have to buy meat every day as we have nowhere to store it. This is expensive for us.” Hercules lives with three of her children at the new home. The woman claimed that
Work to power up Belle West Phase Two seems to be at a standstill, irate residents complained yesterday.
last year she was sent a letter from the Ministry of Housing indicating that loans have been accessed from the InterAmerican Development Bank for water and power for the area. “If the money accessed, where is the service? Other schemes like Providence open and done get light. What happen to us?” According to Sharmila, a mother of two, two other severe problems are the state of the roads and the crime rate. “We don’t have lights and many of us here work late. Sometimes you don’t even know where you stepping. People also can’t leave their homes as they breaking into them. I had to move in with the home not finished yet because of the situation. The bank giving you a mortgage and want you to live in it. People don’t want to come because of the lights.” Hercules said that she had spoken to a Mr. Charles at the Housing Ministry, but nothing has been done. “Every time we raise the matter, the contractor comes for a few hours, and then nothing again. We even raise the matter with Manzoor Nadir when he came here and he took my number and we did not hear from him again.” The residents also complained about the water situation which “barely” comes during the day. “The pressure comes up late. What they asking us to do is sleep in the day and do work in the night? We want some attention to these issues, especially the situation with our lights.” Calls were made to GPL’s public relations department yesterday, but there were no comments up to late evening.
What remained of a Route 45 Minibus at Agricola East Bank Demerara after its driver was allegedly racing with a motor car More people perished on the country’s roadways last year than in 2012. According to statistics from the Guyana Police Force Traffic Headquarters, in 2013, there were 112 deaths from 103 accidents on the country’s roadways; as compared to the 110 that died as a result of 102 road accidents in 2012. This amounted to an average of nine road deaths each month. The Ministry of Home Affairs, in a statement released last week, stated that the main causes of fatal accidents in 2013 were speeding, inattentiveness and driving under the influence of alcohol. According to the statistics, the month of November proved to be the deadliest with peaking numbers of both road accidents and road fatalities. That month accounted for 13 accidents resulting in 15 deaths; followed by February and December both accounting for 11 accidents and 12 deaths. During the past year, 10 children; 18 motorcyclists; 13 pedal cyclists; 17 drivers and 22 passengers perished on the country’s roadways. Pedestrians accounted for the highest category of road
fatalities with a total of 39. The data further revealed that for the year, there were 336 serious accidents resulting in injuries and hospitalisation for those involved, as compared to 318 in 2012. Minor accidents totaled 454. Conversely, though, there was a decline in the number of vehicles damaged in road accidents, with the total being 668 as compared to 784 in 2012. Although the loss in human resource is profound, the year-end figure is scores less than was foreseen since, at mid-year, the number of road deaths amounted to an alarming 16 more than for the corresponding period during the previous year. At the end of June last, statistics revealed there were 56 deaths from 53 accidents; while 2012 recorded 40 deaths from 38 accidents for the same period. Meanwhile, the main Parliamentary Opposition coalition, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) in a recent column appearing in this newspaper cited the Ministry of Health’s National Rehabilitation Services Strategy 2009-2013 as revealing that road accidents were among the top ten leading causes of death and
accounts for the greatest number of disabilities. It attributed the main causes for the high rate of road deaths to the fact that the main coastal roadways, which run through heavily populated villages, are unlit and have no sidewalks. Further, dangerous driving habits were blamed. According to the article, some drivers do not have the skill, experience or temperament to be entrusted with responsibility for human lives on public roads. “Many drive defective or overloaded vehicles recklessly or at unsafe speeds and display aggressive behaviour and poor road discipline. Too many persons drive under the influence of alcohol, ignore the seat belt rules, or use mobile phones while driving,” it said. This comes even as the Ministry of Home Affairs vows to clampdown on road lawlessness, especially around nightclubs and bars. “Special programmes are to be organised for young drivers in particular. Night clubs are to be closely monitored by ranks of the Guyana Police Force and greater use to be made of CCTV footage to address delinquent drivers and road users,” the Ministry said.
Tuesday January 07, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 17
New US$4.3M mobile scanner to be operational today The new vehicular mobile scanner which was granted to the government of Guyana by the Chinese government was unveiled yesterday on the tarmac of the National Park, Thomas Lands. Among those attending the simple ceremony were Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh, the Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Mr. Zhang Lamin, and Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Mr. Khurshid Sattaur. Also present was the Chairman of the Guyana Manufacturers and Services Association (GMSA), Mr. Clinton Williams. The Chairman also serves as the local representative of the Chinese firm NUTECH. The Chinese firm is the sole manufacturer of the stateof-the-art scanner which is worth US$4.3M. It is the most modern scanner available on the market since it uses the latest technology in x-ray imaging. During his presentation, Mr. Williams expressed that the new scanner comes at a most opportune time, since there have been several complaints as to how long the other scanners would take to scan containers. But the time frame would now be significantly reduced, as the scanner can scan several containers within one hour. The mobile scanner is the third edition to the GRA’s arsenal of technological equipment.
The new mobile scanner during a demonstration exercise yesterday.
He said as well that transportation costs of containers which would have to be moved from one place to another do incur a lot of expenses, and as such, the mobile scanners will assist in reducing greatly this inconvenience. He added that since there have been several American Coast Guard officials only recently on the shores of Guyana to ensure compliance with international maritime regulations, the new scanner will assist in ensuring that Guyana continues to conform to these laws. Ambassador Zhang
expressed that he is quite pleased to be associated with the presentation of the new scanner and though China itself is facing challenges, it will always be willing to contribute to the economic development of countries. The envoy had presented the acceptance certificate for the vehicular mobile scanner to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) in December 2013. In his remarks, Finance Minister Dr. Singh expressed that he was also extremely pleased to be a part of the occasion. “There are in fact two distinct perspectives of which I derive my satisfaction.
Five teens nabbed on highway ... From page 16 unanswered. The woman said relatives decided to check the Georgetown Public Hospital mortuary on Sunday night after learning that a body was found at Liliendaal. However, the family arrived too late to view the corpse. Campbell said that she returned to the hospital yesterday morning and positively identified the body
as that of her brother. She told Kaieteur News that it appeared that he had been shot to the head, since there was a gaping wound there. She was unable to say whether there were any other wounds to the body. She told Kaieteur News that the victim’s girlfriend has told relatives that she last saw him on Thursday, a day before the body was found. The girlfriend has given a
Region Eight Council office in need of a computer ... From page 12 to no avail. “We don't have a set of computers laid in a room so that as soon as a request is made we can pull one from there. As far as our information goes, we were not able to provide him with one,” the Minister said. He explained that a likely reason is that the Ministry would have budgeted earlier for systems for specific officers or agencies. “If other requests come in during the course of the year, we would have to try to
source it from elsewhere,” he said. The Minister said that the suggestion was put to the Regional Chairman to include the request for a computer to be procured for his office in the 2014 budget proposals for the Region. He added that requests of that sort are not confined to the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development and as such, Mr. Crawford could have approached the Ministry of Finance to source a computer system for his office.
statement to the police in this regard. Also, Kaieteur News was told that the “black suede” shoes which were found near the body belonged to a female relative of the dead man’s girlfriend. Kaieteur News was told that the victim had picked up the relative on New Year’s morning from partying, and the young lady had accidentally left the shoes in the car. She too was required to give a statement to the police. A post mortem examination was conducted yesterday by government pathologist, Nehaul Singh, who gave the cause of death as a gunshot wound to the head. Kaieteur News understands that no warhead was recovered. Two weeks ago, the body of Pegasus Hotel taxi driver, Rudrinauth Jeeboo, was found in a clump of garbage on Cane View Avenue, South Ruimveldt Gardens. Surveillance tapes at the hotel showed that Jeeboo had picked up a male in the hotel compound and a female on the road near the hotel.
Firstly, the special scanner represents a most valuable addition to the hardware of the government, and for the GRA, it helps in ensuring compliance with tax and trade laws and protection of our revenues. “It brings Guyana into compliance with international standards as some of the major metropolises of the world, including the USA, now require universal scanning of incoming containers. So the scanner enables us to be in compliance with those obligations.” “This scanner represents an important part of our artillery in order to protect goods and the integrity of trade in Guyana and ensuring the accuracy in completeness of declaration and enhancing revenue collection efforts. Therefore it represents a very important part of the strengthening of the GRA’s ability to discharge its responsibilities effectively.
At the same time, the acquisition of this scanner which has the value of US$4.3M represents the latest manifestation of the highly valued relationship between Guyana and the Republic of China.” The Minister also took the time to call on the Private Sector partners to remind them of their obligations to bring themselves constantly in compliance with the laws of the country, in particular with the trade and tax laws. “Oftentimes one hears how long it takes for a particular transaction to process, but this often results because there is not completeness in the declaration in information to the GRA, and so I would like to urge for this to be improved.” Just last year, Commissioner-General Sattaur had said that the high quality scanning images and
powerful software tools of the scanner, would be able to detect contraband concealed in containers and the scanner can also inspect a container in approximately one minute. At yesterday’s proceedings those in attendance were afforded the opportunity of seeing how the scanner operates. They were also invited into the cabin of the mobile facility to view the image produced by the scanner after it scanned a container which was on site. A representative of the Chinese firm explained to this publication that the new scanner when scanning a container, projects an image on to one of the computers in the cabin. This image is reflected with a colour scheme. The varying colours, he said, represent the density of certain objects. With that identified, one can be able to recognize what the objects are.
Minibus driver on $300,000 bail for causing death Patrick Ram, 20, a minibus driver of Lancaster Village, Corentyne, Berbice yesterday appeared before Magistrate Rabindranath Singh at the Whim Magistrate’s Court charged with causing death by dangerous driving and was placed on $300,000 bail. The victim is Andre Phillips, 43, a labourer of Lot 448 Number 77 Village, Corentyne, Berbice. According to information, Phillips was a passenger in a minibus BKK 6944 which was driven by Ram. Phillips reportedly disembarked the bus around 16:40hrs, at the Number 53 Village Public Road. Reports are that he was standing behind the bus waiting to cross when the bus
Dead: Andre Phillips moved off, before the driver stopped suddenly and reversed rapidly. The vehicle reportedly struck Phillips down and ran over him. The driver then stopped and drove forward, running over the man a second time. Phillips was rushed to the
Springlands hospital where he died around 18:30hrs from his injuries even as preparations were being made to transfer him to the New Amsterdam hospital. A post mortem examination was conducted yesterday by Dr. Vivekanand Brijmohan at the Skeldon Hospital which gave the cause of death as multiple injuries due to vehicular accident. Meanwhile, Ram will have to return to court on Wednesday, February 5. His passport has also been lodged. Andre Phillips is survived by his wife, three children, five siblings and three grandchildren. Police are continuing their investigations.
Page 18
Kaieteur News
2,295 reports of child abuse cases for 2013 - Minister Webster (From page 15)
SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. – CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Permanent & Visitors Visa Applications, Professional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building Call:225-6496,6626045,223-8115 Repairs, sales & spares air conditioning, microwaves, washer, fridges & stoves. U l t r a C o o l , call:225-9032,647-2943 Repairs to Fridge, Freezer, AC, Washers, Stoves: Call 683-1312,627-3206 (Nick) We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer call:2310655,683-8734 Omar Looking for someone to take care of a sick person, do dressing or take patient to Hospital – Tel:694-0096 HOUSE PLAN DRAFTING FOR ONLY $10,000CALL:694-9843/227-2766 We Refill HP cartridges for $1800 call: 650-7699 House plan, estimates & construction. Contact T. Boodhoo:625-9883 Appliances Technician: Specialized in repairing and servicing of refrigerators, dryers, washers, stove ovens, etc – Tel:661-5099
A total of 2,295 reports of child abuse cases were received in 2013, in addition to 1,473 cases of neglect, according to the Minister of Human Services Jennifer Webster. “In 2014, we plan to up the ante because we have noticed a trend of parents neglecting their children, leaving their homes and leaving small minors unattended for extended periods of time and we plan to pursue the law as it relates to those parents, because we feel that this should not be allowed to happen within our society,” Webster said There were 574 reported cases of sexual abuse. Minister Webster said that neglect remains the main cause of abuse. “We feel that this should not be allowed to happen within our society… our children are our nation’s future, so in 2014 you can look forward to heightened focus as it relates to children being neglected by their parents,” Webster underscored. According to international reports, children are daily beaten up in the worst ways as a form of punishment for wrongdoing and hourly children are being sexually violated, grossly neglected, rejected and abandoned by their parents: Abandoned being used in the wider sense of not being loved, wanted and accepted MASSAGE The Gent’s Spa: Let beautiful sophisticated masseuse pamper you: New masseuse available- Call:657-5979 American Style massage services- Call:678-7499 DRESSMAKING Designing and sewing classes in your district. Sharmela (Canadian- trained) - Contact: 626-2629, 676-6312
CAR RENTAL Wings Car Rental- Call: 643-1131 Dolly’s Car Rental- Call: 2257126/226-3693- dollysauto rental@yahoo.com/ www. dolly sautorental.com Premio, Vitz call:347-9339790, 639-4452. Aidan’s Car Rental & Pickup - Call: 645-7981/ 698-7807 Latest model vehicles @ unbeatable Prices – Tel:6855011; 692-1051 Joshua’s Car Rental Call:6656485; 679-8400
SALON Make Up Courses, Artist Trained & Certified in Trinidad. Call: 660-5257, 647-1773 One experienced hair dresser contact Magic Touch Beauty Salon. Now accepting Students for cosmetologist classes – Tel:225-6492 Earn a Certificate in Cosmetology, wig designs or nails alone, beginning February 3rd Limited Spaces – Tel:666-5241/ 619-7603
by the parent. The home has proven to be the most dangerous place for a child. According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) children are entitled to grow up in an environment that ensures they are protected. The organisation helps create a protective environment for children that fortify them against abuse in the same way that good health and adequate nutrition strengthen them against disease. “Creating this protective environment is the best way we can safeguard children from abuses,” the body emphasises. The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security does this by raising awareness and enhancing capacities at various levels of society and in the government. And the Ministry advocates that all children are entitled to protection – as laid out in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, while the duties of families, communities and individuals to respect those rights. Meanwhile, the Ministry is gearing to establish a ‘One Stop Shop’ mechanism for abused children which is aimed at improving the investigation of child abuse reports and to provide therapeutic services to victims.
Tuesday January 07, 2014
Regional, Int’l entities in solidarity with GLGOU By Zena Henry The Guyana Local Government Officers’ Union (GLGOU) has released three recently dispatched letters from colleagues of the regional/international trade union fraternity, expressing solidarity in relation to the continuous dilemma involving City Hall and the Local Government Ministry. With the contentious appointment of Town Clerk Carol Sooba being the latest catalyst behind a host of support greetings, the Jamaica Civil Service, the Caribbean Public Services and the Windward Islands Civil Service Union/Private Sector Union (WICSU/PSU) have joined in to register their support for the local workers’ union. The regional trade unions are part of PSI Caribbean which is an arm of the Public Services International; a global trade union federation representing 20 million workers in 150 countries. Following the stated “sidelining” of qualified workers by the Local Government Ministry in the appointment of the “unqualified” Sooba to the post of Town Clerk, the organizations have expressed alarm at the circumstances surrounding the appointment of the Town Clerk at the Mayor and City Council.
Like other PSI affiliates, the unions related that, “Public service is the highest level of service one can render. It demands high standards at each and every stage. As affiliates of Public Service International (PSI), we all believe in, and promote quality public services. Providing quality public services to those in our communities requires commitments on the part of workers and employers, and especially governments. That commitment to service grows even more when employers and governments demonstrate their responsibility through provision of the necessary resources – high quality working conditions, respect for human and trade union rights, commitment to equality and equity, and justice. This starts from recruitment into the public service and extends to retirement.” The unions said that they have also taken note of other challenges the Council has experienced in carrying out its function and the disrespect
that is being meted out to workers’ representatives. “Tripartism, social dialogue and respect for and adherence to agreed guidelines, transparency and democratic principles are the hallmarks of truly democratic societies. In this regard, we are also especially concerned and on alert at the growing signs of disrespect for and denial of the right to collective bargaining between the government and our sisters and brothers in the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU).” The PSI affiliates have pointed out their need to keep abreast with the ongoing matter in rendering their support. In the meantime, with a continuous garbage situation, a broke Council and flooding among other things, Mayor of Georgetown Hamilton Green has expressed a resolution for the New Year to continue resistance in what he indicated is the negative interference of the Administration, while the government insists that City Hall is unable to manage the city.
UK statue remains eternal ... From page 11 women anywhere in the UK.” Guyanese High Commissioner, His Excellency Laleshwar Singh, who was involved in the erection of the statue, said he observed first-
hand Nobrega's determination and commitment as she lobbied and fund-raised for ten years. He said: “Cecile was a remarkable woman who has given so much to her community and to the land of her birth Guyana.” Kate Hoey, MP for Vauxhall, who was also involved in the project, described Nobrega's tenacity. She said: “She championed the role of women, especially those from the Caribbean community. She was someone you could sit down and talk to for hours.” Nobrega is survived by three children, three grandchildren and six great great grandchildren. Her daughter Eve credits her with instilling a motivation and drive that has helped her throughout her life. Her son Bruce remembered how she used to “always have a tune in her head.” “She would get up early in the morning at four to compose and write,” he added. John Mayford, Chief Executive of Olmec, who was instrumental in the construction of the Bronze woman, described Nobrega as an “amazing woman”. The community organisation honoured her at its 10th anniversary celebration. They also worked with Community Roots to create a short documentary, on the Bronze woman. The poem that inspired the statue, Singh said, will be Nobrega's eternal tribute. (voice-online.co.uk)
Tuesday January 07, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 19
Page 20
Kaieteur News
Tuesday January 07, 2014
CARICOM to focus on climate change KINGSTOWN – Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines Dr Ralph Gonsalves said today he would use his six month term as chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) grouping to deal with the deleterious effects climate change is having on the socio-economic future of the 15-member bloc. St Vincent and the Grenadines, St Lucia and Dominica are now emerging from the effects of a weather system that left a trail of death and destruction over the Christmas holidays. Caribbean countries have also had to deal with the annual hurricane season and in many cases, like in Haiti, unseasonal rains that cause widespread devastation. “The big issue . . . is global warming, climate change. We are having systems affecting us outside of the normal rainy season and the normal hurricane season,” he said, making reference to the floods in April last year and the Christmas Eve rains that resulted in the deaths of nine people and hundreds of millions of dollars in damages here.
“There are lots of monies which countries talk about for adaptation and mitigation to climate change. But I haven’t seen the money yet and we have to use our diplomacy as a region and we have to be aggressive with our climate change center in Belize. “In my term as chairman of CARICOM this is one of the issues which you will recall I said earlier on…I want dealt with during my term in a continued serious and structured way, (and it) has to deal with the deleterious effect of climate change and to get the requisite responses from the international community in relation to this matter”. Gonsalves told a news conference that the region does not contribute “anything to these manmade weather systems, these problems with putting so much carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. “We are …on the front line,” he said, adding that “this is an issue which is big”. Gonsalves said that efforts were now underway to stage an international donors’ conference to help the three affected islands recover and
Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines Dr Ralph Gonsalves rebuild their battered infrastructures. He said he had already received a letter from Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer, who is also chairman of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), outlining plans for an international donors’ conference. “There is a letter which Baldwin sent to me which I have reviewed and make one or two slight alterations and suggestions, but we have to prepare for a donors’ conference well, maybe in March may be in February… but we have to prepare for it well so that we can get the donors to make pledges,” he said, recalling a similar conference had taken place to help Grenada after it was battered by a recent hurricane. “I know some of the donors came through and others did not, but at least we need to do that to lift the profile,” Gonsalves said. The St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister told reporters that an insurance scheme organized through the World Bank, to which all the Caribbean countries contribute, does not go far enough. “To the extent that the monies you get from the Catastrophic Relief Insurance System is fairly minimal, but of course every little bit helps,” he said. Gonsalves said he had already written to the leaders of several countries and was now waiting to see “what kind of grant assistance we can get because we really need grants preferably. “The World Bank will give soft loan monies, the CDB (Caribbean Development Bank) will give soft loan monies, the European Union will give grants, Venezuela will give grants, (and) Taiwan will give grants”. (CMC)
Tuesday January 07, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 21
Polar freeze grips United States, disrupting travel, business Reuters) - A blast of Arctic air gripped the vast middle of the United States yesterday with the coldest temperatures in two decades causing at least four deaths, forcing businesses and schools to close and canceling thousands of flights. Shelters for the homeless were overflowing due to the severe cold described by some meteorologists as the “polar vortex” and dubbed by media as the “polar pig.” Temperatures were 20 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit (11 to 22 degrees Celsius) below average in parts of Montana, North and South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan and Nebraska, according to the National Weather Service. It was colder in Brimson, Minnesota, where the mercury plunged to minus 40 Fahrenheit (minus 40 Celsius) than in Arctic Bay, Canada, where it was minus 31F (minus 35C). The U.S. cold snap outdid freezing weather in Almaty, Kazakhstan, where it was minus 8F (minus 22C), Mongolia at minus 10F (minus 23C) and Irkutsk, in Siberia, at minus 27F (minus 33C). More than half the flights at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport were canceled as fuel supplies froze, leaving crews unable to fill aircraft tanks. The
The Chicago skyline is seen beyond the arctic sea smoke rising off Lake Michigan in Chicago, Illinois. afternoon temperature in Chicago was minus 12F (minus 24C). The polar vortex, the coldest air in the Northern hemisphere that hovers over the polar region in winter but can be pushed south, was moving toward the East Coast where temperatures were expected to fall into Tuesday. The coldest temperatures in years and gusty winds were
expected as far south as Brownsville, Texas, and central Florida, the National Weather Service said. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo declared a state of emergency, announcing that parts of the New York State Thruway in Western New York would be closed due to extreme winter weather conditions. At least four weather-
Job cuts considered as minimum wage increases in Jamaica The increase in minimum wage in Jamaica took effect yesterday, amid concerns about the preparedness of employers to embrace the change and the impact of the payout on their budgets. Wages have increased from $5,000 to $5,600 for a 40hour work week. The minimum wage for industrial security guards has also increased from $7,320.40 to $8,198.80 for a 40-hour week. Commander George Overton, president of the Jamaica Society for Industrial Security and director of operations at The Guardsman Group, yesterday reiterated his dissatisfaction at the short interval given to effect the increase since the announcement from Labour Minister Derrick Kellier in Parliament on December 17. “What we are extremely disappointed about is the amount of notice the minister has given for the implementation,” Overton said. “The industry and the ministry have had sort of a gentleman’s agreement that any notification for this change would come with a
minimum 30-day notification period. The minister has chosen to throw that through the window.” Overton said security companies were now faced with tough decisions and negotiations as some clients have expressed a desire to reduce the number of guards being requested while others have to maintain their full complement. “There are going to be a number of responses from various market sectors. There are groups who cannot do without it by law and those that can. And those who can will make the adjustment to cut the numbers and those who can’t will be very hard in their negotiations,” Overton said. Professor Rosalea Hamilton, president of the Micro, Small and Mediumsized Enterprises Alliance, said the external and internal contexts of small businesses would determine how well they absorb the increase. “Increase in wages will mean for some businesses they either have to lay off or they maybe have to put
persons on part time or they have to make other adjustments in order to absorb the higher costs so they can still be viable and competitive.
related deaths were reported, including a 48-year-old Chicago man who had a heart attack while shoveling snow on Sunday and an elderly woman who was found outside her Indianapolis home early Monday. In oil fields from Texas to North Dakota and Canada, the severe cold threatened to disrupt traffic, strand wells and interrupt drilling and fracking operations. It also disrupted grain and livestock shipments throughout the farm belt, curbed meat production at several packing plants and threatened to damage the dormant wheat crop. In Cleveland, Ohio, where the temperature was minus 3F (minus 19C) and was forecast to drop to minus 6F (minus 21C) overnight, homeless
shelters were operating at full capacity. Shelter operators had begun to open overflow facilities to accommodate more than 2,000 people who had come seeking warmth. “There are also going to be people that won’t go into the shelters,” said Brian Davis, an organizer with Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless. Frostbite can set in within minutes in such low temperatures, according to experts. TRAVELSNARLED Some 4,392 flights were canceled and 3,577 delayed, according to FlightAware.com, which
tracks airline activity. Many airlines could not allow their ground crews to remain outdoors for more than 15 minutes at a time. There were hundreds of cancellations by airlines including United, Southwest, and American. “The fuel and glycol supplies are frozen at (Chicago O’Hare) and other airports in the Midwest and Northeast,” said Andrea Huguely, a spokeswoman for American Airlines Group. “We are unable to pump fuel and or de-ice.” After five days of scrambling to catch up from storm delays, JetBlue said it would halt operations at three airports in the New York area and Boston Logan International Airport from 5 p.m. EST (2200 GMT) Monday until 10 a.m. EST (1500 GMT) on Tuesday to give crews time to rest. The bitter cold combined with blowing snow was complicating rail traffic as well. Union Pacific, one of the largest railroads and a chief mover of grains, chemicals, coal and automotive parts, warned customers on Monday that the weather was causing delays up to 48 hours across Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri and Wisconsin. Following last week’s storm that dumped up to 2 feet of snow on parts of New England, some shoppers opted for the comforts of home rather than venturing out. Many people did not have the luxury of staying home.
Page 22
Kaieteur News
Tuesday January 07, 2014
‘Jihad Jane’ sentenced in terror plot PHILADELPHIA - A United States woman involved in a plot to kill a Swedish artist who had offended Muslims has been sentenced to ten years in prison after telling a judge she was once obsessed with jihad. Fifty-year-old Colleen LaRose had called herself “Jihad Jane” online and agreed to kill artist Lars Vilks over his series of drawings depicting the prophet Muhammad as a dog. She faced a potential life term but the judge accepted a government request to reduce the sentence because of her extensive cooperation with investigators. Prosecutors still asked for decades in prison, saying she remains dangerous. Both sides agree that LaRose was isolated and endured harsh abuse throughout her life. Larose told the judge she became obsessed with jihad, saying she was “in a trance” and thought about it from morning to night. “I don’t want to be into jihad no more,” she said. She could be out of prison in a little over four years, given the more than four years she has already served and the potential for time off for good behavior. U.S. investigators say she participated in a 2009 conspiracy to target Vilks over his drawings. Muslim extremists in Iraq had offered
Jihad Jane a $100,000 reward for anyone who killed Vilks, who was never attacked. The Justice Department said Ali Charaf Damache, who was living in Ireland, recruited LaRose and another U.S. woman via jihadist websites. Damache married the other woman, Jamie PaulinRamirez, on the day she arrived in Ireland. LaRose left the terror cell in Ireland after about six weeks because she “grew frustrated because her coconspirators were not ready for action,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams said Monday. LaRose returned to the U.S. in 2009 to surrender,
becoming one of the few women ever charged in the country with terrorist activities. Her arrest was kept secret and the indictment was unsealed only after PaulinRamirez and the six others were rounded up in Ireland months later. Paulin-Ramirez and another co-defendant, teen Mohammad Hassan Khalid, are scheduled to be sentenced this week. Public defender Mark Wilson said LaRose has come to understand the true, peaceful tenets of Islam and said “there’s virtually no chance that she would ever be involved in violent jihad ever again.” (AP)
Senior al-Qaida figure dies in custody The leader of an al-Qaidalinked group that carried out attacks across the Middle East before shifting its focus to Syria’s civil war died on Saturday while in custody in Lebanon, the army said. In a short statement, the Lebanese army said Majid alMajid “died this morning while undergoing treatment at the central military hospital after his health deteriorated.” It did not elaborate. Earlier, a Lebanese army general told The Associated Press that al-Majid died after
suffering kidney failure. He was speaking on condition of anonymity in line with regulations. The State-run National News Agency said al-Majid died “after his health conditions deteriorated.” Al-Majid, a Saudi citizen, was detained in Lebanon late last month and had been held at a secret location. He was the purported commander of the Abdullah Azzam Brigades a Sunni militant group with al-Qaida links and one of the 85 mostwanted individuals in his
native Saudi Arabia. The United States State Department designated his group a foreign terrorist organisation in 2012, freezing any assets it holds in the United States and banning Americans from doing business with the group. The brigades have claimed responsibility for attacks throughout the region, including the 2010 bombing of a Japanese oil tanker in the Persian Gulf and several rocket strikes from Lebanon into Israel. The most recent attack claimed by the group was the double suicide bombing in November outside the Iranian Embassy in Beirut that killed at least 23 people and wounded dozens. Reports first surfaced about his arrest in Lebanon early this week. Security officials eventually confirmed that they had a suspect in custody, but said they were not certain of his identity.
Tuesday January 07, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 23
Shiffrin back to winning ways, Vonn doubts grow
Mikaela Shiffrin of the U.S. celebrates after winning the World Cup alpine skiing women’s slalom, January 5, 2014. REUTERS/Stefano Rellandini
Tuesday January 07, 2014 ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) Try not to get involved in other people's problems. You can convince anyone of anything. You may need a good friend to lean on. TAURUS (Apr. 21- may 21) Be up front if you don't want to be embarrassed. Emotionally, things may not run so smoothly. You can make adjustments in your domestic scene today. GEMINI (MAY22-JUNE 21) Small business ventures can earn you extra cash. Your social activity should be conducive to finding love. Turn things around, make sure that they do their share. CANCER (JUNE 22JULY 22) You may find it difficult to discuss personal matters with family members. Look to a close friend for advice. Don't get so wrapped up in being rich that you overlook the fact that your plan may not be as solid as you thought. LEO (JULY 23-AUG 22) This will not be the best day to sign deals or to take care of other people's financial matters. Avoid overloading your plate. Your ideas will be well received. VIRGO (AUG. 23 -SEPT. 23) Make changes that will enhance your appearance. Hassles with in-laws could put a damper on your day. They will not have the patience to wait for you to complete things that they've asked you to do.
LIBRA (SEPT. 24 -OCT. 23) You can gain valuable cultural knowledge through dealing with foreigners. Rely on yourself and you will look good to superiors. Your need to obtain additional details will lead you into strange topics of conversation. SCORPIO (OCT. 24 NOV. 22) Unexpected events may upset your routine. Property deals look good. If you can get away for a vacation, do so. SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 23 -DEC. 21) Try not to hesitate; act on your initial instincts. Implement your ideas into your projects at work. Channel your energy into decorating or household chores. CAPRICORN (DEC 22.JAN. 20) Friends may not be completely honest with you. Losses are likely if you get involved with uncertain individuals. Take a second look; difficulties with appliances, water, or electricity in your home may be evident. AQUARIUS (JAN. 21 FEB. 19) You can make gains if you work in conjunction with others. You will have some wonderful ideas that should bring you extra money. Empty promises are evident and deception probable. PISCES (FEB. 20-MAR. 20) Be sure to take advantage of the opportunities that exist. You must make sure that all your personal documents are in order.
BORMIO, Italy (Reuters) - Mikaela Shiffrin recovered to winning ways in Bormio on Sunday to boost the American women’s team as doubts over Lindsey Vonn’s fitness for the Sochi Olympics intensified. The slalom world champion beat in-form Swede Maria Pietilae-Holmner and France’s Nastasja Noens to emerge as the U.S. women’s team’s best chance of a gold medal in Russia next month. Asked whether she would be the only female American contender at the Olympics, Shiffrin said: “I’m sure the speed team will return to form in January but at the same time, we all race for ourselves and for me this is an important victory after two unexpected defeats.” Shiffrin was a lowly 12th in Courchevel before Christmas and second behind Marlies Schild in Lienz after clinching the season’s inaugural World Cup slalom in Levi, Finland, in November. U.S. Ski Team coaches Patrick Riml and Alex Hoedelmoser gave news of Vonn’s rehabilitation work in the finish area of the Bormio stadium and hinted that the defending Olympic downhill champion might not be seen back in action before the Olympics. “Her knee is very swollen and it’s impossible for her to consider skiing for now,” Hoedlmoser told journalists. Vonn tore knee ligaments at the world championships in Schladming in February and revived the injury in training in Copper Mountain in November, a new incident which was probably more serious than originally thought. She was forced out of the last downhill she entered in Val d’Isere last month after her knee failed her. “To race without a ligament is extremely risky and can have serious consequences. If she was a young athlete, we would have stopped her already,” Riml said. Vonn was planning a further test in one of her favorite resorts in Cortina d’Ampezzo on January 18-19 but her return now looks doubtful and the coaches may consider entering her for the Sochi downhill without any other prior race. “It totally depends on how she recovers, how the knee feels, if she gets the strength back, the stability in the knee,” said Hoedlmoser. “But the Sochi course is not very difficult and would suit her ideally in normal circumstances.”
Page 24
Kaieteur News
Tuesday January 07, 2014
Eusebio funeral: Thousands Stosur survives as top line streets to say farewell players toil in warm-ups BBC Sport - Tens of thousands of Portuguese have turned out to say a final farewell to football legend Eusebio, who died on Sunday. In Lisbon, mourners lined the streets applauding as the coffin, draped in the colours of his club Benfica, passed by in a funeral cortege. Earlier, thousands of fans sang and cheered as the coffin was taken round the Luz stadium. Eusebio’s burial took place at a cemetery in the north of the city. Tributes were paid at a Mass held in the city’s Seminary Church near the stadium. Portugal has declared three days of national mourning for the footballer, who died from a heart attack at the age of 71. He has been described as Portugal’s first and greatest football superstar. Born in Mozambique when it was still a Portuguese colony, Eusebio da Silva Ferreira went on to play 64 times for Portugal, scoring 41 goals. The Benfica striker was top scorer at the 1966 World Cup in England, with nine goals, including four against North Korea.Widely considered one of the best players of all time, he scored
733 times in 745 professional matches. UNITED BY PRIDE When his death was announced on Sunday, celebrities from the world of football and beyond paid tribute to the player known in his day as the Black Panther. “Football has lost a legend,” Fifa President Sepp Blatter wrote on Twitter. Portugal’s President Anibal Cavaco Silva said: “Portugal has today lost one of its most beloved sons, Eusebio da Silva Ferreira. The country mourns his death.” Former Mozambique President Joaquim Chissano said: “I have lost a friend. Portuguese football has lost one of its greatest idols. Football brought Mozambique and Portugal together, and everyone in Mozambique is proud of Eusebio.” At the Luz stadium, or Stadium of Light, Eusebio’s coffin was carried from the hearse and placed on a golden plinth in the centre of the pitch. It remained there for only five minutes or so before being returned to the car for a procession in front of fans. Fans draped scarves over the statue of the player that stands outside the stadium. The stadium, opened in 2003,
replaced the 120,000-seat Stadium of Light where Eusebio dazzled for Benfica, helping them to numerous honours. “For me, he is simply the creator of football,” said 24-year-old fan Luis Marques. One banner left by the Eusebio statue read: “I haven’t come to say goodbye, but to say thank you.” GLITTERING RECORD Famed for his blistering acceleration and dribbling skills, Eusebio was named European Footballer of the Year in 1965. He won the European Cup with Benfica in 1962 and was in the side that lost to Manchester United in the 1968 Wembley final. In the 1966 World Cup, Eusebio’s goals helped Portugal win all their group games as title holders Brazil were eliminated in the first round. He then starred in a dramatic 5-3 win over North Korea in the quarter-finals, with his four goals helping his side come back from 3-0 down. Portugal went on to lose 2-1 in the last four to England, with Eusebio in tears as he left the pitch at the end of the game. Married with two daughters, in retirement he became an ambassador for Benfica and Portugal.
Munir Dar suspended for illegal action ESPNcricinfo -Munir Dar, the Hong Kong left-arm spinner, has been found to have an illegal bowling action and has been suspended by the ICC from bowling in international cricket for 12 months. According to an analysis carried out by the ICC, the amount of elbow extension in Dar’s action across all deliveries (stock delivery, quicker one and arm ball) exceeded the 15 degrees level of tolerance permitted. Dar was reported twice during the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier in the UAE, firstly on November 15 last year following a group match against Italy, and then on November 28 following a playoff match against Papua New Guinea. Dar was first reported by umpires C Shamshuddin, Michael Gough, Ian Ramage and match referee Dev Govindjee, and was required to submit to an analysis by his home board, which concluded that his action was legal. As such, Dar was permitted to continue bowling in international cricket.
Samantha Stosur
“I tried to be aggressive and not let her attack, because she’s really good playing down the line from the backhand,” Makarova told the tournament website. “So I tried to move her to the backhand, not to stand and hit it. “I was just thinking that it would be a really long match, every point is really long because she never miss those easy balls. “But I showed my best tennis, and it works really well. I’m happy that I came through.”Denmark’s Caroline Wozniacki, playing for the first time since announcing her engagement to golfer Rory McIlroy over the New Year, overcame a tough challenge from Germany’s Julia Goerges before she clinched a 3-6 6-2 6-4 victory to set up a second round showdown against Safarova. American Jack Sock vindicated Auckland Open organizers’ decision to give him a wild card with a 6-3 6-4 victory over France’s Adrian Mannarino to set up a second round clash against second seed Tommy Haas of Germany.
Schumacher’s condition remains critical
Munir Dar was reported twice during the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier Graham Crouch / © IDI/Getty
However, any subsequent report within a period of two years of the date of the first report requires a bowler to submit to an ICC analysis, and Dar was reported a second time by umpires Michael Gough, S Ravi, Adrian Holdstock, John Ward and match referee Graeme Labrooy. As a result, he was required to submit to an ICC analysis. Where an ICC analysis concludes that a player’s action is illegal, the player is
(Reuters) - Australia’s Samantha Stosur failed to allay fears she could be heading for another early exit at her home grand slam with a scrappy performance in Hobart while a trio of big names tumbled out of the Sydney International on Monday. Double grand slam champion Svetlana Kuznetsova and French Open winner Francesca Schiavone crashed out of the first round in Sydney, while former world number one Jelena Jankovic also booked an early flight to Melbourne for next week’s Australian Open. Stosur appeared on course become the third grand slam winner to lose on Monday when she struggled at the Hobart International before the top seed overcame two lengthy rain delays, chilly conditions and stubborn American Madison Brengle. The 23-year-old Brengle won the first set in a tiebreak before Stosur managed to run away with the second and then claimed the third set tiebreak on her fifth match point to clinch the 6-7 (4-7) 6-1 7-6 (7-5) victory. Stosur, the 2011 U.S. Open champion, has struggled on home soil in the past five years, having not advanced beyond the fourth round, with six first round exits in 14 tournaments in Sydney, Brisbane and the Australian Open. She lost all three of her matches in the Hopman Cup in Perth before entering Hobart, which had attracted a strong field before a wrist injury forced Italy’s Flavia Pennetta to join Venus Williams on the sidelines. SYDNEY LOSSES Russia’s Kuznetsova, who had a good second half of 2013 to enter the Sydney tournament inside the top 20 after battling back from knee injuries in 2012, was surprisingly beaten 6-3 3-6 7-5 by American lucky loser Varvara Lepchenko. Schiavone, the 2010 French Open champion, lost 6-4 6-4 to Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic. The 33-year-old Italian was also knocked out of the first round of the Brisbane tournament last week by Jankovic. Serbia’s Jankovic, the fourth seed in Sydney, was unable to repeat her semi-final run in Brisbane and was swept aside 6-4 6-2 by Russian left hander Ekaterina Makarova, who used her big ground strokes to move the world number eight around the court.
immediately suspended from bowling in any international cricket for a period of 12 months. Upon the expiry of the suspension period, Dar will be automatically eligible to bowl again in international cricket. The ICC analysis was performed by associate professor Jacque Alderson and her team at the School of Sport Science, Exercise and Health, The University of Western Australia, in Perth on December 19.
PARIS (Reuters) - Michael Schumacher ’s condition remains stable but critical, eight days after the German suffered brain injuries in a skiing accident in France. “The clinical state of Michael Schumacher is stable as he’s under permanent care and treatment,” Grenoble hospital said in a statement on Monday. “However, the medical team in charge stresses that it continues to assess his situation as critical.” The retired seven-times Formula One world champion slammed his head on a rock while skiing off-piste on December 27. Schumacher has been in an induced coma since then and has undergone two operations in Grenoble.
The medical team and the German’s management repeated on Monday their call to respect his privacy and said they would not send any more statements nor hold any news conference until further notice. Last week his agent Sabine Kehm urged journalists to stay away from Schumacher after security guards said they intercepted a reporter disguised as a priest who was trying to get into his room. “The patient’s privacy requires that we do not disclose any details about his treatment and that’s why we do not plan any news conference nor written statements for now,” said the medical team and Schumacher’s management.
“We ask you again, insistently, to ... stick to the information provided by the medical team in charge or his management because they are the only valid ones.” While Schumacher is battling for his life after suffering severe internal bleeding on the skull, French authorities are investigating the accident that took place in the Alps resort of Meribel. The Annecy prosecutor on Monday said he will hold a news conference on Wednesday. Schumacher, who turned 45 on Friday, is the most successful Formula One driver of all time with 91 race victories. He left the sport last year after a disappointing threeyear comeback with Mercedes following an earlier retirement from Ferrari at the end of 2006.
Tuesday January 07, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 25
Brazil’s World Cup work has Guyana Boxing Board of Control Guyana Fight Night... Richmond puts super/middleweight begun too late, says Blatter belt on line against Eastman
BERNE (Reuters) - FIFA president Sepp Blatter cannot remember a World Cup host nation falling as far behind with their preparations as Brazil have, he said in an interview. “Brazil has just found out what it means and has started work much too late,” he told the Lausanne-based newspaper 24 Heures. “No country has been so far behind in preparations since I have been at FIFA even though it is the only host nation which has had so much time, seven years, in which to prepare.” Blatter has experience of nine World Cups, dating back to Argentina in 1978. He joined soccer’s ruling body as a development officer in 1975 before becoming secretary general and then taking over as president in 1998. Six of the 12 stadiums in Brazil missed the final deadline of December 31 which FIFA set for them to be completed and put at the disposal of organizers. They are the venues in Sao Paulo, Curitiba, Porto Alegre, Cuiaba, Natal and Manaus. Many infrastructure and transport projects have been shelved or scaled back and organizers are still debating how to
provide extra flights for the thousands of travelling supporters. Brazil were elected unopposed as hosts in 2007 under the old rotation system which awarded the finals to South America. ONLY CANDIDATE The other nine South American countries had agreed to support Brazil as the only candidate in 2003, in effect giving them an additional four years to get ready. Blatter also said he was resigned to further protests such as those that took place during last year’s Confederations Cup. “I am an optimist, not a pessimist. I am therefore not worried,” he explained. “But we do know there will be protests again. “The last ones during the Confederations Cup in this same country had their roots in the social networks. “There was no specific goal, or a genuine demand, but during the World Cup the protests will perhaps be more concrete, more organized,” said Blatter. “But football will be protected, I don’t believe that Brazilians will attack the football directly. For them it’s a religion.” The World Cup starts in June.
Samuels recovering at home from wrist surgery Jamaica Observer - West Indies’ Jamaican middle order batsman Marlon Samuels is now at home recovering from surgery on a chronic rightwrist injury which forced him to return to the Caribbean late last month from the ongoing West Indies tour of New Zealand. At the time of Samuels’ departure from New Zealand, West Indies team physiotherapist C J Clark said: “It will require surgery management and he returns home to seek that surgical opinion and advice from the West Indies Cricket Board’s medical panel, headed by Dr Akshai Mansingh.” The Jamaica Observer understands that the surgery, done by Dr Mansingh, was done last Friday to correct a bone growth on the wrist, which appeared to have gone well. West Indies head coach Otis Gibson had said that the loss of Samuels was a major setback to the regional side
Marlon Samuels seeking to rebound from a series of losses. “Marlon’s injury is unfortunate at such a tough time for the team,” declared Gibson. “But it gives another player the opportunity to make a name for himself in this series.” Samuels, the right-arm offbreak bowler, was banned by the International Cricket Council (ICC) a few years ago, and was recently sanctioned
for his bowling action. The 32-year-old player has played in 100 first-class matches, recording 12 centuries and 36 half centuries at an average of 32.39, while taking 64 wickets. His career for the regional side has so far seen him play 51 Test matches with five centuries and 20 half centuries, to go along with 34 wickets. His record in One-Day Internationals (ODIs) stands at 157 matches with five centuries and 23 half centuries, while taking 80 wickets. In T20 internationals he has taken part in 25 games, amassing six half centuries and taking 14 wickets. Samuels also led the Antigua Hawksbill in the inaugural Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Twenty20. No date has yet been set for the player to return to pitch, but sources close to him explained that after the healing process, the player will have to undergo physical therapy.
When Dereck Richmond stopped Caribbean Boxing Federation (CABOFE) middleweight champion, Edmond DeClou early last year and sent him to the hospital nursing a broken jaw, the pundits dismissed the feat as a fluke. Unperturbed, Richmond continued to address his training schedule and one fight later, on December 26 last, almost decapitated James ‘Sack’ Walcott with a similar punch when they faced off at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground for the local super/ middleweight belt. The bout has boosted Richmond’s rating as a knockout artist and the pundits are only now beginning to take him seriously. Consequently, the young pugilist has grown in confidence and is set to go one step further when he tackles former European and Guyana middleweight boxing champion, Howard ‘Battersea Bomber’ Eastman in defence of his newly acquired accolade when the Guyana Boxing Board of Control stages the 31st edition of Guyana Fight Night at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH), Sunday January 26 next in a card dubbed ‘Berbice Showdown.’ The main supporting bout will see Kelsie George matching gloves with Gladwin Dorway in a 6 rounds middleweight showdown and George, who has shown great
Howard Eastman improvement in his last outing against Romeo Norville, whom he battled to a draw, will feel that he has the tools to conquer Dorway. This might be so but the latter boxer is no slouch and will also be nurturing ambitions of reinstating himself on the local scene after his lopsided loss to Mark Austin last April. Junior/lightweight boxer, Richard Williamson will also be in action and tackles David Thomas in a 4 rounds jnr/ lightweight affair while Cassius Matthews, fresh from his points win over Kishawn Simon, clashes with young and upcoming pugilist, Lared Stewart, in a 4 rounds welterweight affair. As usual, four amateur bouts will comprise a part of the card but the organizers are still to be furnished with those names which are
through the MCYS community grounds development programmes and Minister of C u l t u r e , Yo u t h a n d S p o r t s , F r a n k Anthony, will attend the function and deliver the keynote address. Several other dignitaries will grace the function, including Permanent Secretary (MCYS) Alfred King, Chairman of Region 10, Sharma Solomon and President of GFF, Christopher Matthias among others. Activities get underway at 15:00hrs.
Laured Stewart expected to be announced when administrators of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) convene sometime this week. Further, the professional boxers will be signing their respective contracts soon.
Kaka scores 100th goal for AC Milan
Bayroc/Coolrunnins Beach Football Club commissions refurbished facility Approximately three months after receiving monetary assistance from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCY&S) towards refurbishing works to their facility, the executive members of the Bayroc/Coolrunnins Beach Football Club will convene at the Bayroc Ground this Saturday, January 11, for the grand opening of the facility. Monies disbursed by the Ministry of Sports was derived from funds allocated
Dereck Richmond
Kaka displays his 100 numbered shirt. (Getty Images) BBC Sport - Brazilian playmaker Kaka surpassed 100 goals for AC Milan with two goals in a victory against Atalanta. The 31-year-old, who last summer returned to the club for a second spell after joining Real Madrid in 2009, reached the landmark
when he scored the opener following a counter attack. Kaka got his and Milan’s second with a close-range finish just after the hour, before teenager Bryan Cristante added a third with a low shot. It was Milan’s fifth win of the season. Kaka has
scored six goals since returning to AC Milan, who move up to 10th with 22 points following the win. It was a positive start to the year for manager Massimiliano Allegri, who will leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the season.
Page 26
Kaieteur News
Encamped National Cricketers receive help from GDF fitness Co-ordinators The Guyana Cricket Board has further enhanced the coaching staff currently attached to the encamped national cricket squad by securing the services of Guyana Defence Force fitness trainers Patrick King and Carl Stephenson. The two certified fitness trainers joined current coaches Reyon Griffith, Esau Crandon and Julian Moore yesterday as the players went through their paces at the Everest Cricket Ground. In an effort to ensure that the national team is fit and ready for the upcoming WICB regional 50 over and Four day competitions, the National Squad has been encamped since December 27 2013. It is expected that all national players achieve a certain level of fitness and the addition of these two specialists will
contribute significantly to the players attaining and maintaining the required standard. Secretary of the Guyana Cricket Board Anand Sanasie, who was present at the Everest Ground yesterday, in an invited comment, stated that the GCB is investing in quality preparation and it would be up to the squad selected and their management team to deliver positive results. He further stated that the feedback from the coaching staff so far has been good and it is expected that the team should perform well. The National team is scheduled to play six practice matches, two of those being day/night at the national stadium, before departing for the Regional Super 50 competition which will be broadcasted live on ESPN worldwide. The WICB Nagico Super 50 commences on January 30 in Trinidad and Tobago.
Mayor’s Cup Inter Ward/Village Football tourney...
West side vs GT as 8-team finals kick off on Sunday With the hype for Football sky high on the West side following the 3-2 win by West Demerara side Slingerz over Santos in the Final of the Banks Beer Cup at the Guyana National Stadium on New Year’s day, the Football fever has reached a crescendo. Not surprisingly, for the first time ever, four West Demerara teams have qualified for the eight-team finals of the Mayor’s Cup Inter Ward/Village 7-a side Knock-out Football competition. City Mayor Hamilton Green celebrated his 79 th birthday last November and all roads should lead to the Den Amstel Community Centre ground in West Demerara on Sunday and a large crowd should be on hand to witness what should be a pulsating day of Football as the action climaxes with four games before the semifinals and Final. The champion team will take home $100,000, while the Runner-up receives $50,000. Sara Lodge face-off with North Sophia in the opening 20minute game from 14:00hrs before Pouderoyen come up against North/East Lapenitence from 14:30hrs. Uitvlugt battle South Sophia from 15:00hrs, while
Tuesday January 07, 2014
Josiah-Tanner anticipates another dominant year - records show 2013 as successful season United States-based, Euleen Josiah-Tanner opened 2014 on a winning note last Saturday when she won the CBF 5km race in Atlanta, continuing with what has been a dominant season in 2013 for the South Fulton Running Partners (SFRP), in Atlanta, Georgia. Josiah-Tanner won the race last weekend in 19:51:20, which added to her 13 titles last year alone according to the SFRP, in a letter copied to Kaieteur Sport and the Athletic Association of Guyana (AAG). “The SFRP has the distinction of being one of the oldest African-American running clubs in the United States. Euleen Josiah-Tanner is a member of the SFRP. I am writing to commend her for outstanding membership and achievements and recommend her for Guyana’s highest athletic honour,” General Coordinator of the SFRP, Marvin Chapman said in the letter. Chapman noted
that Euleen “has always been first in showing a competitive drive and an enthusiasm for running. In 2013, Euleen finished first overall in 13 races,” he continued in his missive. Additionally, Euleen won the SFRP Award for ‘Most Miles Run in a Year’ with a record-setting 5,019 miles. Euleen also won the first place SFRP ‘Fitness Award’ for her participation in club runs and competitive races. “When it comes to competition, Euleen has developed a reputation for leading from the front,” Chapman said. According to the SFRP Coordinator, Euleen is SFRP’s loudest and most passionate cheerleader, who encourages other SFRP members to do their best. “With her encouragement, I achieved my best time in the 2013 Peachtree Road Race, the largest 10k race in the United States,” Chapman reminded of the value of Josiah-Tanner to the organisation.
Euleen Josiah-Tanner
Cuffy 250 dominoes...
Assassin among teams through to playoffs Jamal Harvey
Jeffery Pereira
Devon Millington
Josh Kamall
Den Amstel take on Kitty from 15:30hrs. The two semi-finals will be played at 16:00hrs and 16:30hrs with the grand finale slated to commence at
17:00hrs. Among some of the key players representing the various teams are: Jamal Harvey, Jeffery Pereira, Devon Millington and Josh Kamal among others. Former National Coach Lennox Arthur is the Coordinator of the competition which began last year and he thanked Macorp, GT&T, Guyana Lotteries, Chris Fernandes, Giftland Office Max, James Bovell of City College, Mark Bender Jermaine Langevine and Ramesh Sunich of the Trophy Stall, which will provide the winner’s trophy. (Sean Devers)
Members of the Assassin team
Assassin are among the eight teams that have so far qualified for the playoffs of the Cuffy 250 dominoes tournament which commenced recently at La Belle Sports Bar and Hotel. The other qualifying teams so far are Turning Point, Mix Up, Providence, Scramblers, All Season Racing Service, Dream Team and Raiders. Rafeek Khan marked 17 games to lead the 2013 Million Dollars runner up, Assassin to victory with 75 games over All Seasons Racing Service who managed 70 and La Belle Sports Club with 55 in their preliminary round contest. Franklin Seaforth scored 16 for All Seasons and Paul Brusche 17 for La Belle SC. Turning Point made 83 games to beat Mix Up who scored 76 and Pacesetters 73. Colin Mc Ewan and Sandra Welch were Turning Point leading players with 17 and 15 games respectively while Mark Wiltshire and Eon
Thomas chalked 17 each and Rawl Peters 16 for Mix Up; Osborne Brathwaite marked 16 and Colin Thomas 15 for Pacesetters. One of the local power houses TNT, who took third place in the 2013 Million Dollars tournament were booted out of the competition. Providence registered 75 games to win this encounter which was keenly contested, Scramblers finished second with 72; TNT made 70. Junior Smith scored 17 for the winners, Basil Bradshaw and Trevor Smith marked 17 apiece for Scramblers and TNT respectively. Dream Team posted 75 games to win their fixture against Raiders with 70 games and Arsenal 65. Shawn Kishan top scored for Dream Team with 17, Rudy Collins made 16 for Raiders and Linden Boston 17 for Arsenal. The competition continued last night at Dynasty.
Tuesday January 07, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 27
Scores turn out on ‘West Side’ for Slingerz victory parade
S
cores of people lined the roadways on Sunday last throughout West Demerara, to pay homage to Slingerz Football Club that won the 3rd installation of the Georgetown Football Association (GFA) Banks Beer Cup. Playing at the Guyana National Stadium on New Year’s Day (January 1st), Slingerz FC edged Santos 3 – 2 to become the first team from the ‘West Side’ to ever win a major tournament. The motorcade started from Wales and headed to Parika after which the mile long line of vehicles all headed to the Vergenoegen Village Rice Mill Tarmac where everyone gathered for a free concert by Guyana’s internal reggae star Natural
Black along with Jumo and Super Ray one man band. “It’s good that we can bring the West Side people joy,” said an elated Dwayne Jacobs. The Slingerz FC Captain pointed out, “The good part is that we are not even a year-old in the business and we like how people would support our team. It makes us feel good about what we do and encourage us to play harder.” Jacobs, a prominent member of the Golden Jaguars, said that while the team is happy and still celebrating the victory with their fans, they are still far from accomplishing all they want to and as such, the Banks Cup victory is to simply let Guyana know that his club means business. “This is not the end, as
much as we enjoying this feeling right now, we know that we have plenty work to do. The players, management, everybody understand that. We want to play in CONCACAF with all the top teams and this is a stepping stone. Plenty people think that Slingerz is a now-come team and can’t last long but we will show them that we mean business and we are willing to work hard for more trophies,” Jacobs added. Meanwhile, Slingerz FC awarded several players for their contribution to the club in the past year. The club showed their appreciation to winger, Walter Moore, along with strikers Jamal Harvey and Kevon Woodley who were all guest players used during
Slingerz FC striker Devon Millington and one the club’s supporters during Sunday’s motorcade pit stop in Den Amstel. the Banks Cup. Devon Millington, the team hero in the finals was awarded for scoring the most goal for club in 2013, while former National youth captain and Jaguars defender Colin Nelson was voted the
club’s MVP of the Banks Cup finals. Les-Charles Critchlow was named the most consistent player of the club and Joshua Brown copped both the Most Disciplined and Best Attendance award.
Up next for Slingerz FC is their second West Side Cup which is set to start mid-February and features only the teams playing under the West Demerara Football Association.
Score’s Even’ not preparing to race OWNER EXPRESSES any special horse SURPRISE WITH ARTICLE
Jockey Richmond all alone aboard Score’s Even as it destroyed the field in a Feature A class event last year.
O
wner of one of Guyana’s top racehorses and 2013 reigning champion, ‘Score’s Even’ of the Simple Royal Stable of Corentyne, has expressed surprised with an article in the press which stated that his horse is on a collision course with a top Trinidad horse ‘Princess Joann.’ According to Mr. Dennis DeRoop, he is not aware of any planned horserace meet between any special horse and his. He stated that, nobody contacted him and asked him anything about any special race or any race that will include any special horse which will be brought
in to race Score’s Even. He doesn’t know if persons are planning anything, but he not privy to same and is not too keen on such activities. He knows the owner of the horse mentioned, but is not aware that he plans to bring it to Guyana to race. Something which he states might not be the best thing to do, because when the horses come to Guyana to race they cannot leave, because of the lack of proper Legislation. He anxiously wants Score’s Even to go overseas and race after destroying all and sundry here, but
because of the way things are done in this country and the lack of proper rules and regulations the horses cannot leave the country. S c o r e ’s E v e n i s a Kentucky Bred animal and is known for both its speed and stamina. Its last race meet was on Sunday December 22nd at the ‘Champion of Champions’ race meet, when it destroyed a top notch field of Guyana’s best to win a lopsided victory in the feature event. So far it has notched up an impressive record with eight wins and its fourth consecutive from 12 starts since coming to Guyana.
Spinners give Mohammed XI victory Trinidad Express - Couva, Trinidad The Jason Mohammed XI completed an easy 213-run victory over the Justin Guillen XI on the final day of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board three-day trial match at the National Cricket Centre, Balmain Couva Sunday. Some early showers delayed the start on the final day and when the action finally got underway, the Mohammed XI, who were 339 for eight overnight, were dismissed for 344 to set Guillen’s team a target of 323 to win. Two early strikes from left-arm spinner Derone Davis and leg-spinner Yannic Cariah set the Guillen XI back and they could not recover. Petrock Nicholas top scored with 28 while Adrian Barath and Sherwin Ganga made 24 each.
The national players were also involved in three Super50 trial matches on the previous weekend at Queen’s Park Oval Port of Spain and the selectors, chaired by Alec Burns, are expected to named the T&T Super50 squad this week. The deadline for submitting the squad to the WICB is Friday. Summarised Scores: Jason Mohammed XI 63 (43.2 overs) (Kavesh Kantasingh 5/19) & 344 (96 overs) (Evin Lewis 124, Jason Mohammed 72; Marlon Richards 3/19, Sherwin Ganga 2/44, Amit Jaggernauth 2/48) Justin Guillen XI 85 (44.5 overs) (Yannic Cariah 5/19, Imran Khan 4/38) & 107 (48.3 overs) (Ancil Bhagan 3/11, Ricky Jaipaul 3/18) Result – Jason Mohammed XI won by 213 runs.
t r o Sp
Guyanese continue to dominate region’s distancerunning landscape
Brazil’s World Cup work has begun too late, says Blatter FIFA President Sepp Blatter speaks during a news conference at FIFA Club World Cup soccer tournament in Marrakech December 19, 2013. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh
- Morgan, Johnson win Bigi Broki Waka titles in Suriname
Guyana Boxing Board of Control Guyana Fight Night...
Alika Morgan and Kelvin Johnson pose with their trophies in Suriname after winning their male and female categories respectively at Bigi Broki Waka 10km Road Race on Sunday.
G
uyanese continued to dominate the regional distance-running landscape on Sunday when Alika Morgan and Kelvin Johnson won the female and male titles respectively of the Bigi Broki Waka 10km Road Race competition in neighbouring Suriname. Morgan won the female overall title in 41:47 with IIsida Toemere second in 44:31 and Caroline Marlet third in 44:39. Morgan
told Kaieteur Sport yesterday that she was happy with the run that opened her 2014 Season. Meanwhile, in the male race, Kelvin Johnson raced to 33:34 ahead of another Guyanese, Lionel D’Andrade, who had 36:24 and Chomeynie Pines (37:15). Johnson and D’Andrade are based in the Twin Island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. D’Andrade was defending champion in the race after winning for the last two years.
Richmond puts super/middleweight belt on line against Eastman
Score’s Even’ not preparing to race any special horse
Owner expresses surprise with article
Eusebio funeral: Thousands line streets to say farewell
An estimated 10,000 fans cheered, sang and let off firecrackers at Benfica’s Luz Stadium. (AP)
The football legend’s coffin was placed on a golden plinth at the centre of the pitch.(AP)
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