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Kaieteur News
Thursday January 08, 2015
Letters... Where your views make the news
Kaieteur News Let’s avoid another GuySuCo white elephant 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
We condone corruption in Guyana Guyana never escapes international attention when it comes to corruption. The fact that the country is rated as one of the most corrupt in the world is not something that we should take lightly. It is most embarrassing and it exposes the will, or lack thereof, of the authorities to stamp out this most heinous practice. Listening to those who prefer to pull wool over the eyes of the people, one would sincerely believe that corruption is not a norm in the society. There is the often repeated line that all who have evidence of corruption should provide same for appropriate action to be taken. There are many people who have done so and got nowhere. The so-called authorities are not bothered about the level of corruption in the society. The corrupt practices are many. There is the clear signal that people could expect no action even if they are caught. Corruption in the police force has been a concern for quite some time. One remembers several years ago when the drug enforcement unit busted a man who was supposed to be trafficking in cocaine, as this man attempted to board a flight out of the country. The corruption took the form of the ranks manipulating the evidence so that any conviction was impossible. They first reported on the colour of the suitcase in which the drug was found, but by the time the suitcase containing the drug had reached CID headquarters, its colour had changed three times. As far back as 2000, the government was provided with evidence of rampant corruption, particularly among people who held high office in the land. One remembers convicted United States consular officer at the Georgetown embassy, Thomas Carroll, speaking of so much corruption that helped him make millions of dollars by selling visas when he was grilled by his captors. This information was made available to the Guyana government but, as we had come to expect, nothing was ever done. No one was ever brought to book. In any other society, the people involved would have been called on to resign and in others they would have faced criminal charges. But not in Guyana. This culture of corruption reaches down to the root of our society. We have often heard of low level (and admittedly inadequately remunerated) civil servants demanding money to provide a service for which they are paid from the public treasury. They take money to deliver birth certificates, to provide copies of administrative documents like transports and the like; there are those teachers who, despite drastic measures and improved systems being put in place, are still risk taking money to place children in schools for which they are not qualified; and there are those persons who would think nothing of paying policemen to look the other way. Policemen are being found to have conducted robberies while others have been known to loan their firearm to criminals to execute robberies. We have cases of public officers defrauding the government and simply being transferred or sent on leave. How can we justify ignoring the incompetence of public officers, right to the point where the higher authorities excuse their incompetence and reinstall them? A statement attributed to the local arm of Transparency International in relation to the international body’s Annual Corruption Perception Index (CPI) speaks volumes of how Guyana is being seen by reputable entities worldwide. “The ranking of Guyana on the 2014 CPI is just another international indicator which taken together with the local reality, simply increases the public perception that corruption remains a chronic problem in Guyana of crisis proportions.” It will take a Herculean task to rid this country of corruption. We sadly believe that things would only get worse because those not yet corrupt are beginning to realise that corrupt transactions really do pay and can actually enhance their lifestyles.
DEAR EDITOR, Reference is made to the letter in your January 6 edition captioned “Adaptation of this technology will allow bagasse to be utilized more efficiently” that was submitted by Professor Suresh Narine. The technology that Professor Narine referred to is the use of energy briquettes produced from bagasse; a byproduct of the sugar cane generated after the shredding and squeezing of the juice from the cane stalks. Under normal circumstance the bagasse is either stored and recycled or sent directly to be burnt in the boilers to generate electricity from the turbines to be used in the factory and its environs, including the offices and staff housing compound. I submit this letter from my personal knowledge of factory operations as former factory shift manager, and I must admit that I do sustain my curiosity in the happenings of the sugar industry. Editor, whilst I carry no brief for either Mr. Vieira or Professor Narine, and at the same time commend Narine on his usual scholarly articles, including the one at reference, I wish to ask that caution be exercised in the commercialisation of this project; if not it could be another addition to the white elephants to this beleaguered company.
The crux of Narine’s support for this project is that this “technology will allow the bagasse to be utilized more efficiently, and will allow excess bagasse from some estates to be transferred inexpensively to those without bagasse”, as such by “using this approach GuySuCo can completely eradicate its dependence on costly firewood”. I note with interest, particular reference is made to Uitvlugt Estate that “typically runs out of bagasse”. The problem lies not in the extensive use of firewood in the factories, but the erratic and unreliable cane supply that leads to extensive out of cane, and in the process less bagasse being generated and stored. Uitvlugt has been plagued for several years with extremely low weekly grinding hours and extensive hours of out of cane and as a consequence it always has to rely on firewood to generate power for the factory. Editor, from the mid 1990’s to as recent as 2004, when GuySuCo produced 330,000 tonnes of sugar, firewood was only used on some estates during the boiling off process, and in some of these cases it was done because of poor storage facility that caused the bagasse to become wet during the inclement weather that coincides with
the closure of both crops. Between the mid 1990’s and 2004 the sugar company produced between 275,000 to 330,000 tonnes sugar per year, and the weekly grinding hours ranged between 115–135 hours, whereupon more than adequate bagasse was stored in the logies. GuySuCo needs to improve on both its quality (sucrose content) and quantity of cane if it’s to have a turnaround. Optimum cane supply not only enhances better factory time efficiency, but more importantly better overall recovery, which is measured by tonnes cane per tonne sugar (TC/TS). An improvement of cane supply will provide more than sufficient bagasse to sustain its power needs, and there will be no need to rely on either firewood or briquettes. I would therefore urge Professor Narine to rethink the furtherance of this project and contemplate using the excess bagasse that GuySuCo will generate based on optimum cane supply to each of the factories to generate electricity to the national grid. Take my word, Professor Narine the more cane supply improves in the factory the more mature will be the gestation of another white elephant. Ken Norman Richmond Hill, Queens, NYC
This briquettes story is not worthy of being pursued as an industry strategy DEAR EDITOR, I refer to a very misleading letter in the Stabroek News of 6th January written by Mr. Suresh S. Narine a director of the Institute of Applied Science and Technology, entitled “The Institute of Applied Science and Technology has demonstrated the suitability of replacing firewood with briquettes in GuySuCo’s boilers”, and all I have to say is “God help us” because these people can’t! The use of briquettes as a substitute for firewood was never a concern of mine. In fact if they were conducting the experiment at Uitvlugt and they were burning wood rather than bagasse, it meant that the supply of cane to the factory was so intermittent that they were buying wood to start up the factory after these frequent out of cane stoppages, since Uitvlugt, as are all estates, is designed to be powered using loose bagasse. Not briquettes. The reality of the situation is that most if not all estates have a shortage of bagasse since they are just not operating as continuously as they must to conserve bagasse. Which is why I say that this briquettes story is not, in my opinion, worthy of being pursued as an industry strategy, in view of the universal shortage of bagasse, due to the numerous stoppages for out of cane reasons being experienced by the Guyana industry today. If this scientist can take me to any factory which has surplus bagasse today, I would gladly accompany him. And I did say that GuySuCo did not inform us that they were doing this operation, and on what location, to compress the bagasse to briquettes, and in the long letter written by Narine, I do
not see where in GuySuCo it was being done. If he is thinking of going to the various sawmills to collect the sawdust to make briquettes, I would probably listen, and in fact some enterprising businessman could perhaps look at this possibility. But everyone must understand that it is just a measure to start up the factory in cases where there is no bagasse in the logie, and as soon as the canes begin to pass through the mills, the bagasse begins to come into play to generate power as the boilers were designed to do. In any event, the GuySuCo boilers are specially built, and placing briquettes on the floor of the boiler and igniting it there is not efficient. We have to accept that to start the factory in the absence of no bagasse we have to use wallaba firewood, and Narine is just recommending a way to circumvent that problem, he does not address cost - just that IAST are trying briquettes instead of firewood three decades after someone else established that it can be done. But to plan for these briquettes as an ongoing operation during normal grinding in view of our other problems is ridiculous, and this attempt to obscure the matter by IAST is beneath contempt. Once available, surplus bagasse can be made to do anything, I for example saw in Jamaica many years ago a block to use in the building of houses which was made from compressed bagasse. Editor, the boilers in our sugar industry work this way. As the bagasse becomes available from the mills it is put on to a conveyor belt and is taken to the top of the boiler. At the bottom of the boiler there is a 100-200 HP fan blowing air as an updraft to the falling bagasse
coming in from the top. The entrance to the boiler of the air is protected by what we in the industry call a top hat - an inverted hat to prevent blockage by the bagasse falling from above. The air updraft then allows the bagasse to burn “in the air” close to the boiler tubes located at the top of the boiler. Factories with inexperienced operators or boiler feeders who are burning the bagasse on the floor of the boiler, rather than this up “in the air” close to the overhead boiler tubes that must happen for the system to work properly, soon run into low steam problems. So Director, thanks for telling us what we already knew, that bagasse is a fuel which most sugar enterprises use for powering the fuel hungry factory operations. Remember, Editor, that firewood is only used in extreme circumstances where there is no surplus bagasse, and that compressed bagasse cannot power our boilers unless you create a hurricane inside the boiler to allow the briquettes to be burnt overhead when we throw them in from the top. Actually the only thing I found of interest in Narine’s letter is the following (and I don’t think that even he appreciates its importance): “2011 [GuySuCo] generated 1,190,667 tonnes [of bagasse]; in 2012; 1,025,439 tonnes; and in 2013, 898,406 tonnes. Anyone see a trend here? They are generating less and less bagasse since they are probably grinding less and less cane per year. So we are back to the real problem, there are no canes in the fields, that’s what we should be concentrating on! Could you people keep your eye on the ball? Tony Vieira
Thursday January 08, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Letters... Where your views make the news Letters... Where your views make the news
You don’t have to be there on the We are fed-up with the stalemate ground to really know what is going on DEAR EDITOR, During my last visit to Guyana in August of 2014, I was confronted by several persons who told me that they were very much aware that I had a lot to say about what is happening on the social and political front of our nation. And they questioned how I could be thousands and thousands of miles away in London and really know what is happening at home. “You have to be here on the ground, Norman Browne, to really know what is going on. We have to tell you what is happening because we are here all the time,” one gentleman said. I am a very patient and understanding person and I have a lot of time for people who show even the slightest interest in seeing change for better in our country. I told them we were no longer living in the 70’s and 80's, and the world had shrunk, in relation to the dissemination of information, to a very small place with the advent of the electronic media. Technology is doing wonders in the 21st century and with the emergence of social networking sites, even mainstream newspapers and television are relying on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to bring breaking news to the world. Long gone are those days when we had to write a letter and take a long walk to the post office and waited almost three weeks for it to get to Europe and America. Gone are the days when we had to go to a photo studio or search for a local photographer who would take up to four or five days to get our photos to us. Things have changed in a major and magical way and all we need is a smartphone and possibly two international calling cards to function effectively from the diaspora. In fact, I seldom use calling cards since the advent of Facebook Messenger. You can make calls from there
without physically typing in phone numbers. It is that easy. Everywhere you go in Guyana, even in the poorest of areas, people have smartphones and Internet. In a fast-paced and inquisitive world, the smartphone is more of a necessity than a luxury. What those persons should understand is that they could be right there in Linden when a giant turtle finds its way among shoppers in the Mackenzie Market and I can access that information while travelling across Tower Bridge, long before they cross the river from Wismar and are surprised by that sight. In fact, I could pass on that information along with a photo of the giant turtle to a Guyanese/American friend doing military service in Afghanistan, even before any of them would have completed their three minutes journey by boat from Wismar to Mackenzie.. During the Linden Struggle, I was told that people right there on the ground were relying on updates from my page to know what was happening in the different areas of our town. I was doing it with two international calling cards, two phones and a laptop computer while sitting on my bed. Even though my primary purpose is to keep our people in the wider world informed about issues on the ground, with the intention of arousing their interest so that they too can actively participate in our fight to see change, the revelation that people right at Linden were looking here on my page for updates took me by surprise. There were times when I had to call my contacts in the various locations to verify
some questionable information coming to my news feed by the second. Sensitive information was sent to my inbox and some even sought advice while being active in the Struggle. I am not saying this to impress my readers. This struggle is too serious for any of us to be patting ourselves on the shoulder. I am not peeved by people at home believing that because they actually are there and we are overseas that automatically they had to be more informed about issues. Some people have no interest in whether change comes to Guyana. They are busy getting on with their lives, fair play to them. Every man to his own order. A woman phoned me and was complaining about a matter that was personally affecting her in her community. I offered her advice. It was the same week Nigel Hughes had a walkabout in that area visiting residents. I asked how Nigel’s visit went. She seemed at a loss as to the name muchless (Continued on page 23)
DEAR EDITOR, In the November 15 - 21, 2014 edition of ‘The Economist’ magazine, an article was published on Guyana on page forty-four. The article was titled ‘A 60-year schism’. Firstly, it is good to know that Guyana attracted the attention of the Editors of ‘The Economist’. I guess in a magazine of this nature, any publicity is good for Guyana and I do believe that we can build on this interest by endeavouring to shift the reports more in the direction of what Guyana can become and how we plan to get there. The article was quite accurate and what I found particularly interesting was the care to be balanced and a great awareness of the reporter and editors to the sensitivities of the issue being reported. But what else did I expect; it is ‘The Economist’ magazine. Nevertheless, the article focused on the prorogation of parliament to avoid a noconfidence vote. It also went further to delve into the racebased politics and also hinted this as one of the reasons Guyana has remained relatively poor. Reference was
also made of legislation which was not passed, such as the anti-money laundering bill; as well as the absence of local government elections since 1994. The article concluded with the sentence, ‘some Guyanese want to move beyond the stalemate’. I wish to state that not only do we want to move beyond the stalemate; we are fed-up with the stalemate. What is particularly frustrating is the fact that Guyana has so much potential for growth and development, but has been caught in this seemingly never-ending unfortunate situation for 60 years. Nonetheless, to the Editors of ‘The Economist’, as citizens we have realized that for too long we have left the development and the conceptualization and designing of our country and economy largely to our politicians, but that is changing; we are getting involved and want to be involved. We have a dream that by 2032 Guyana will become the Singapore of South America (some citizens are convinced that this can be realized before) and that Guyana will become the next
hotspot for business and development in the Caribbean. We will depend on ‘The Economist’ magazine to promote us and our efforts to attract credible investors and other international interest. As citizens, we recognize for this to happen we need better governance – more transparency and accountability, better security, higher social capital, for instance better cohesion between the races and the political and other leadership, improved human capital and infrastructure and overall, a more functional economy, society and country. And we are committed to work towards achieving these and to hold our leaders accountable. Finally, it is important to note that depending on how one views it, the noconfidence motion could be a good intervention for Guyana. In my view it is one of the best things that could happen to Guyana. There is a saying that ‘change comes either through something dramatic and/or from something traumatic’; the no-confidence motion is (Continued on page 23)
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Kaieteur News
Thursday January 08, 2015
Conservatory order necessary Govt. buys $20M worth to protect national coffers of Duracell batteries
- say Attorneys representing Opposition Attorneys representing opposition Leader, Brigadier (Rt’d) David Granger, yesterday commenced arguments in support of an application for a conservatory order which was filed last year, to prevent spending all monies unapproved by the National Assembly. A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has taken Government to court in a bid to stop what it said is the unauthorized spending of billions of dollars disapproved in the National Budget earlier last year. The court application dated December 11, 2014 was filed on behalf of Granger. The application is a conservatory order to stay all spending and/or any further spending by the Finance Minister Ashni Singh, or other Ministers designated by the President on programmes disapproved or not authorized by the National Assembly until the court matter has been heard and determined. Some $36.75B was disapproved by the Opposition-controlled National Assembly; The disapproved monies included some $1.3B from Office of the President (OP) under its Administrative Services programme; $3.8B also from Office of the President for capital estimates also under Administrative Services; some $22B from Ministry of Finance; $1.1B from Ministry of Amerindian Affairs’ Development Fund; $6.78B from Ministry of Public Works capital works and $1.3B from the Ministry of Health’s Regional and Clinic. However, the Finance Minister admitted that some
Attorney- atLaw Basil Williams speaking with the media yesterday.
$4.5B had been spent for the period ended June 16, 2014. As such, Granger is asking the court to declare that the National Assembly, in keeping with Article 218 (2) of the Constitution, lawfully disapproved in the annual estimates of Revenue and Expenditure of 2014. The application that was presented before Chief Justice (Ag), Ian Chang, named Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, the Attorney General and Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman as the defendants. In an affidavit in answer, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall called on the court to refuse the application, with an appropriate order for costs, given that the challenge is wholly misconceived and erroneous in law. Nandlall described the application as “political propanganda.” The affidavit, signed by Dr. Singh, stated that, that Conservatory Order will be overtaken by events by the time it is ready for hearing and therefore, it would be a futile exercise for the court to consider, more so, grant it.” During an in camera proceeding before the Chief Justice yesterday, Attorneys –at- Law Basil Williams and Rex McKay (S.C) who are
among a team of legal representatives acting on behalf of the Opposition Leader, noted that there was no substance in the affidavit which was presented in response to the application. Mc Kay argued that the case is one of unlawful (continued on page 24)
While the date for General Election is yet to be announced, Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon revealed yesterday that Government is buying $20 M worth of Duracell batteries for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). Government will also be spending US$169,000 on items such as ballot boxes, security seals and paper. The procurement of Duracell batteries was one that left many members of the media puzzled and saw a lot of raised eyebrows in the Cabinet. Some wondered if Government was planning to start a battery business. However, Dr. Luncheon said that he, like many others at Cabinet, were also confused when they were first faced with it, but he does not believe that this expenditure was idly resorted to and would be incurred in such a manner. Some people, he said, saw this move as a clear indictment of the power sector. He said, too, that amidst the criticisms there were concerns about the uncertainties about the supply of electricity, on
Election Day. The Cabinet Secretary said that he can therefore understand a willingness to excuse the expenditure for as the old adage goes, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Noting that the aforementioned is just one perspective, he said that the procurement of the $20M worth in batteries could be that quite a bit of the equipment may very well be battery-operated. “So the Duracell I presume is all types of Duracell, A and B and round and square…to address the different utensils there are the specific types of batteries that they require,” he added. As it relates to the procurement of new ballot boxes, Dr. Luncheon was asked why after so many years of holding elections, there is need to buy more ballot boxes instead of recycling what is already in stock. The Cabinet Secretary said that one of the realities is that the challenges to the results of the General and Regional elections demand the preservation of evidence. It is in that context, he said, that somewhere in Guyana, presumably, in the coffers or
under the security of GECOM, there are ballot boxes filled with ballots cast from “heaven knows how far back.” But what Dr. Luncheon said, is that it does illustrate in the absence of formal resolution legally of these challenges, GECOM is by no means inclined to dispose of the evidence and so it reposes somewhere in GECOM’s hands and in its secure facilities, ballot boxes from “2000 to whenever” General and Regional elections were held, the results of which can be had and queried. He was subsequently asked about the purpose of GECOM keeping those ballots as if the results of the 2011 election for example can be challenged. While he agreed with this logic, Dr. Luncheon also said that the results are preserved to prove a point through for an academic exercise for example. He said that of course it cannot undo what the elected government or executive did in a completed term but reiterated that there is nothing wrong in proving a point. (Kiana Wilburg)
‘Dead’ woman survives Cemetery Road accident Eighteen-year-old Anaynasa Thorne visited the Kaieteur News Saffon Street office on Tuesday to prove that she wasn’t dead. She had narrowly escaped being killed in the New Year’s Day accident at Cemetery Road, which claimed the life of 61-year-old George Barker, of Freeman Street, East La Penitence, and left 64-year-old Brian Aubrey Anthony Devine seriously injured. Kaieteur News had reported that an unidentified woman was also killed in the mishap, which occurred when a car struck three individuals and hurled them into a trench. Thorne explained that she was the “unidentified woman,” but that her injuries were minor. That meant that 61-year-old George Barker was the only one killed. “People keep telling me all
the time that I dead,” said Thorne, who only sustained abrasions to one of her arms. Anaynasa Thorne, of La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, said that she had opened her mother’s newspaper stand on Cemetery Road shortly after 07.00 hrs. George Barker, accompanied by his friend, Anthony Devine, had come to the stand to buy newspapers. It was around this time that she saw a car “speeding” towards them. She said that on seeing the vehicle, Mr. Devine said, “Is where this jackass going with all that speed?” She said that the driver drove over a speed hump and began to swerve on the road. The teen claimed that the driver jumped out of the vehicle as it headed towards a parapet.
On seeing the car heading toward them, Thorne said that she shouted to her companions to run, “but the car hit a fruit stand, the paper stand, and all three of us end up overboard in the canal.” The teen believes that she was momentarily knocked unconscious. She then felt someone pulling her out of the canal onto the parapet. “They ask me who else in the canal and I say two others.” She claimed that the driver who had caused the mishap pulled Mr. Barker from the canal and someone else rescued Devine. According to Thorne, one of the rescuers resuscitated Mr. Barker, but he died on the way to hospital. Anthony Devine, who later spoke with Kaieteur News, reportedly sustained three broken ribs, compound fractures in both his legs, as
well as injures to his head and spine. He believes that his friend, Barker, saved his life by trying to pushing him out of the path of the careening car. “I went with my friend; we does usually buy papers early. I was gaffing…all we hear is a loud sound, the speed this car de coming with and it hit a speed bump by the nursery school and pitch towards we,” he said. “My friend push me aside and the car come and hit he; the girl standing next to he get knock, then it come back and knock me.” He had also assumed that Thorne had died. According to Thorne, the driver had tried to leave the scene, but collapsed. He was later detained, and is reportedly expected to appear in court this week.
Thursday January 08, 2015
Kaieteur News
U.S.-led air strikes have hit 3,222 Islamic State targets: Pentagon Smoke and flames rise over a hill near the Syrian town of Kobani after an airstrike
(Reuters) - U.S.-led air strikes against Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria have damaged or destroyed 3,222 targets since August, including 58 tanks, 184 Humvees, 673 fighting positions and 980 buildings or barracks, the Pentagon said on Wednesday.Army Colonel Steve Warren, a Pentagon spokesman, said he wasn’t sure how many targets had been damaged versus destroyed, “but I’m confident that the destruction level is high. Our strikes are extraordinarily accurate.” Release of the target damage list came a day after U.S. defense officials confirmed they are looking into reports of civilian casualties caused by the strikes in Iraq and Syria and are conducting a deeper investigation of two cases involving fewer than five deaths. As of 11 p.m. on Tuesday (0400 GMT Wednesday), U.S. and coalition air forces had conducted a total of 1,676 air
strikes against Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria since Aug. 8, and had used some 4,775 munitions, a Pentagon spokeswoman said. Warren said U.S. and coalition forces had hit 3,222 targets in the air strikes but he declined to say what percentage of Islamic State equipment was destroyed. “In order for us to do that we would have to release to you the exact number of tanks we believe the enemy has, the exact number of Humvees we believe the enemy has,” he said. “We don’t want our enemy to know how much we know about them.” Countries whose forces have participated in the strikes in Iraq are: Australia, Belgium, Britain, Canada, Denmark, France and the Netherlands. Those participating in strikes in Syria are Bahrain, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The targets damaged or destroyed included: - 58 tanks; 184 HMMWVs,
the highly mobile multipurpose wheeled vehicles known as Humvees; 26 armored personnel vehicles;303 technical vehicles; 394 other vehicles; 79 artillery, anti-aircraft weapons or mortars; 41 staging areas; 11 improvised explosive device positions; 16 command posts;92 checkpoints;17 guard shacks;980 other buildings or barracks;673 fighting positions;52 bunkers;14 boats; 23 stockpiles;259 oil infrastructure sites. No aircraft were on the list, Warren said. He said the Humvees were U.S. vehicles supplied to the Iraqi military and captured by militants as were some of the armored personnel vehicles. It was unclear whether any of the tanks were U.S.-made. Warren said some vehicles had been hit while parked, while others were struck while engaged in combat. The boats were used by Islamic State to ferry supplies across the Euphrates River, he said.
White House threatens veto on Republican bill to weaken Obamacare WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House said on Wednesday that President Barack Obama would veto a Republicanbacked bill that would reduce the number of people who qualify for employer-based health insurance under his signature Affordable Care Act. The bill, introduced on Tuesday in the U.S. House of Representatives, aims to require companies to offer healthcare coverage to employees who work 40 hours per week, instead of the 30-hour threshold under the reforms known as Obamacare. Republicans argue that Obamacare has caused employers to cut worker hours in order to avoid offering health coverage. Their plan to move back to the 40-hour week standard for health benefits was endorsed by the National Retail Federation on Wednesday. But the White House argued that the Republican bill would weaken provisions designed to maintain employer-based health insurance coverage. The bill “would shift costs to taxpayers, put workers’ hours at risk,
and disrupt health insurance coverage,” the White House said in a statement. The Congressional Budget Office estimated in July that a shift back to the 40hour standard would increase the federal deficit by $45.7 billion from 2015 to 2024 and reduce the number of people receiving employer-based benefits while increasing the number of uninsured Americans. Brendan Buck, a spokesman for Representative Paul Ryan, the new House Ways and Means Committee Chairman, said the current 30-hour standard is depriving parttime workers of income. “There is bipartisan recognition that Obamacare will reduce take-home pay but the president is showing once again that protecting his law is a higher priority than protecting these workers’ wages,” Buck said in a statement. The measure is one of several that Republicans, who now control both chambers of Congress, are planning to pass early this year to chip away at Obama’s healthcare law.
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WE ARE ALL DOOMED IF… Any threat against the media, no matter how harmless it may seem when issued, should be taken seriously. When it comes to media freedom there is nothing like an idle threat; all threats should be taken seriously. If anyone doubted this proposition, he was reminded yesterday of the need to not underrate any threat against press freedom. Yesterday, gunmen riddled the offices of a satirical magazine in Paris, killing twelve persons, including two police officers. That attack brought back reminders of a recent threat issued against this newspaper. A journalist working with the Kaieteur News was warned in a telephone conversation that he should extricate himself from this newspaper’s office because one day the place was going to be riddled with gunfire. The mistake that we make in this country- and which we continue to make- is to always take threats lightly - in whatever form they are issued, against the media. The mistake we make is that by failing to rally behind the media, civil society and the people of Guyana embolden those who are determined to silence the voice of the media. When the PPPC came to power in 1992, the party went
after Adam Harris who was then the Editor of the Guyana Chronicle. Adam knew the architect behind the campaign to oust him from his job. He understood, however, that the new government would have been uncomfortable with him remaining as Editor and he duly did the honourable thing and gave the new government the space that it wanted. He knew that he had to go and he went. What he did not anticipate was the recrimination that would follow by the denial of his benefits. The people of Guyana, the political parties and civil society should have stood behind Adam Harris. Regardless of what they thought of him or the Guyana Chronicle under his editorship, the victimization that he faced constituted an assault on press freedom and should have been resisted. Because it was not, other persons have been targeted since there was no longer a fear of public ostracism. This newspaper is now under attack. It has been threatened. A conspiracy to silence this newspaper by framing the publisher of this newspaper and jailing him for a long time was unearthed recently but not before the plot had been put into action. The architects behind
Dem boys seh ...
Kaieteur experience wha happen in Paris Yesterday, gunmen shock de whole world when dem go into a media house in Paris and kill 12 people. Some still critical in hospital. Dem boys pray fuh de victims and dem family and dem prayers also deh wid all who survive de attack. Dem understand because dem been through something just like wha happen to de media house in Paris. Five of de staff get kill, that time but de man who kill dem dead and rotten. De world don’t know on to now who send dem in Paris or how many players was involved but dem boys hope de killers meet de same fate as de Kaieteur News gunman. When dem boys see de news pun TV right away dem remember Anil Nandlall, de Guyana Attorney General. He talk wid authority that de same thing wha happen in Paris gun happen at Kaieteur News. He had to know; he had to be one of de planners. He was in Paris de other day and dem boys wonder if he involve in de shooting up of de media house that kill all dem people. He couldn’t phone to warn anybody over deh like how he warn Lildarie because he woulda deh in jail. But he coulda do that in Guyana and de PPP-DPP didn’t see nutten wrang. She ain’t even see nutten wrang wid de shooting in Paris because she ain’t seh a word. Dem boys wonder if she or Cee fuh Satar even offer a prayer fuh de survivors and de families of de victims. But dem boys got plenty, plenty message fuh dem. There comes a point in your life when dem must realize ‘Who matters, Who never did, Who won’t anymore...And who always will.’ De Waterfalls paper gun always matter. Don’t forget that. So, don’t worry about people from your past; dem wouldn’t always deh next to you fuh support you and hide you face. That is a message fuh all of dem corrupt and incompetent suckers. Talk half and remember that big people don’t play yo-yo.
that plot are well-known. By attacking the Kaieteur News they have endangered the lives of every one of the members of staff of this newspaper and that is highly unacceptable in any free society. Kaieteur News and its publisher have been singled out for special treatment. As dangerous as this is, it is equally a reflection that this newspaper is doing something right. That right is that the newspaper has exposed those who are using the machinery of the State to enrich themselves, their cronies and their friends. The State has now become a vehicle for the enrichment of a group of
individuals who have become stinking rich under the PPP and who wish to continue to do so. By exposing the evil and perfidious actions of this cabal, this newspaper and its publisher have driven fear into the hearts of those who are plundering this country. They feel that their interests are threatened and therefore they are all out to silence this newspaper so that they can continue to rape this country and make turn development into a Ponzi scheme. The Guyanese people must understand that there are forces in the country that have a great deal to lose by the exposure of the runaway
corruption that is being exposed by this newspaper almost on a daily basis. The forces aligned against the Kaieteur News are powerful and they are deadly. Make no mistake about it, they will stop at nothing to destroy this newspaper. But as we saw in yesterday’s attack in Paris, it is not just the media house that is targeted that comes under attack. It is the very notion of press freedom. As a result of that attack in Paris, the very art of satire has been targeted and this will have reverberations across Europe. This is why we must never be fooled into believing that the campaign against the
publisher of this newspaper is just about him. It is never that simple. It is also about you and me. And more precisely about our right to know the truth about what is happening in our country. Those behind the attacks on Glenn Lall; those who are out to expose him to possible harm must not succeed. If they do we are all doomed. Today it is Glenn Lall; tomorrow it will be you!
Employee kills dredge owner over stolen gold Police in the interior are on the hunt for a gold miner who stabbed his ‘Bossman’ to death after the miner was accused of stealing gold from the camp. Thirty-five-yearold Noel Clementson, called ‘Professor Clem’, a dredge owner from Bartica, bled to death in his camp at Arimu Backdam, Cuyuni, on Tuesday night after he was stabbed several times by the suspect. Judy Gittens, the mother of some of Clementson’s children, who was in the camp at the time, survived the attack although she received a few cuts to her hand while trying to wrestle the knife from the killer. Police have detained a female who is closely associated with the suspect and they hope to gather enough information from her in their efforts to apprehend him. Speaking to this newspaper via telephone, Gittens said that Clementson had completed work for the day and they were retiring to bed when he heard footsteps approaching his work ground, which is located close to the camp. She said that Clementson was suspicious, since the gold he had harnessed earlier in the day appeared short. He was therefore on the lookout for any suspicious move that could confirm his belief that one of his workers was stealing.
Noel ‘Professor Clem’ Clementson When he investigated the footsteps, he saw the employee approaching the pipe that connected the dredge to the sluice box that traps the gold. “The man put steel wool in the pipe to block the gold and like he was going to remove it when Noel confront he,” Gittens explained. A heated argument ensued between the two men and Clementson walked away to avoid any violence. But he sensed that the employee was determined to harm him so he advised Gittens to put on her clothes and that they should head to another camp nearby for safety. But while Gittens was getting dressed, the employee crept up on Clementson and dealt him two lashes to his head with a piece of wood.
When Clementson fell, the employee jumped on him and stabbed him several times. “I hear the lash and I run out. I did not see the knife; I thought he was cuffing noel. I see Noel on the ground trying to get up and fight. Is only when the moonlight come out, I see the glitter (of the knife) and I holler,” Gittens said. She told this newspaper that she ran out to her husband’s attacker and tried to stop him, but the man pushed her aside. “Like he go to kill me because he put de knife to me, but I start kicking up and tumbling up on the ground.” By now her screams had alerted persons in a nearby camp and when they came to her assistance, the suspect bolted from the scene.
Gittens said that she ran to her fallen husband and hugged him, trying desperately to stem his bleeding, while the persons from the other camp tried to get their ATV started to transport the badly wounded man to get medical attention. “Like something was wrong with the bike and by the time they fix it and go to get a Cruiser, Noel bled to death about three hours later in the camp,” Gittens said. Donna Jones, who is popularly known as Lady D, of local calypso fame and mother of two of Clementson’s children, told this newspaper that the father of eight was also a Calypsonian. “He was the original ‘Professor Clem’,” she said, (continued on page 23)
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Kaieteur News
Thursday January 08, 2015
=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===
Just before 2014 ended, a history book came out on Guyana’s whiteness Every young Guyanese person who wants to understand how troubled this country is should read a brand new book on the Caribbean. There is a section in reference to the love of white complexion by the Jamaican and Guyanese people that I like, the author wrote; “slavery was gone but its inequalities remained.” Written by an historian with a doctorate from
Cambridge, Carrie Gibson’s Empire’s Crossroads: A History of the Caribbean f r o m C o l u m b u s t o the Present Day,” is simply beautiful reading of the portrayal of a brutal, tragic history of a placid, “cool,” underdeveloped part of the globe named the Caribbean. If you lived in Guyana in 2014 and you read Carrie Gibson’s book and what she had to say on colour in
Jamaica and Guyana, then you would see how one progressive era comes up, takes its place in history and then is supplanted by a zeitgeist that is unimaginably anachronistic. One of the great ironies of the 21st century is that the election of a Black man to the US presidency has exacerbated racial tensions in that country. In her book, Gibson looks at skin colour in Jamaica and Guyana and one doesn’t know if she traveled to Guyana to do research for her book (though I doubt it; where would she have procured her research material) but if she was in Guyana, she must have remained speechless for the duration on her visit at the rate people in Guyana are obsessing over light complexioned. Elizabeth Nunez in her review of Empire’s Crossroads, had this to say when she reached the part where Dr. Gibson looked at skin colour in Guyana and Jamaica; “In his popular book, “Outliers,” Malcolm Gladwell observes that ‘the brown skin classes of Jamaica came to
fetishize their lightness’”. It was exactly the same in Guyana with the League of Coloured People who rejected Forbes Burnham for membership because he was not light in complexion. It was the same with the urban middle class East Indians who scorned dark skin and came to glorify white people. If there is anything wrong with the East Indians in Guyana, it is this fanatical attraction to white skin and ugly contempt for brown and dark complexion. I remember years ago I did a column disparaging the emphasis of Indian films on white-skinned actors, an aberration that has gone on since the Hindu film industry was born and best explained by the caste system. One of Guyana’s most prominent medical doctors then, and still is, met me on East Street and with a broad grin on his face, referred to the article and said to me, “Freddie I love them bad, love them white skin girls in the films you talk about.” I still chat with this doctor because
if there is something he has about him, it is his honesty. He told me how he truly felt. I remember what Rudy James’s secretary once told me in the early nineties. Law professor, Rudy James, remains one of my favourite Guyanese. He was at the time the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at UG. I cannot remember her last name but I know her first name was Molly. I knew a lecturer who had liked her and I was making a joke about her marrying the guy. Molly said to me; “He’s nice but I want a clear-skin husband.” I then responded in a way I should not have but it just came out. I said; “But Molly suppose the clear skin man you want thinks just like you?” Molly couldn’t speak. I am dark and Molly was much darker. If Carrie Gibson had come to Guyana in 2014, she would have seen in evanescent glows of what colonialism has done to the Guyanese psyche. For over five years now, the advertising industry has “blacked” (what a pun) out dark-skin faces. This is
Frederick Kissoon not something that you have to look hard to see. It stares you in the face. Pick up any one of the four daily newspapers, tune in to any television station, and the advertisements feature ether Caucasian images or visages of very light humans. Missing completely from the landscape are the images of African people or dark-complexioned faces. Even sadder than this reversion to colonial domination is the complete absence of any criticism from Guyana’s African rights groups. At least in colonial society you had organizations that denounced this ubiquity of white image. After the efforts of Forbes Burnham, the power of decolonization, the influence of Black power, the rise of Black faces in Hollywood, great Black athletes and Barack Obama, in 2014 Guyana still loved white faces.
Thursday January 08, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 11
Guyoil fuel dealers feeling Home Affairs official the squeeze from company’s gets the boot mismanagement “Every business the government put their hand in, bound to fail and that is what is happening at GUYOIL.” This is the view of a disgruntled petrol station owner, who is affiliated to the state-run Guyana Oil Company. He is one of many private owners of GUYOIL-affiliated fuel stations who have watched their businesses shrink over the past year, not because of the falling price for the commodity, but because of the “mismanagement of the company.” While there is certainly no shortage of fuel, the dealers have been experiencing irregular supply over the past two years, resulting in loss of business and laying off of workers as the financial crunch takes toll. The dealers are laying the blame squarely at the feet of the GUYOIL management which is led by Managing Director, Badree Persaud. At present, privatelyowned GUYOIL service stations from Parika to West Coast Berbice are experiencing severe shortages of fuel. They are being given the royal runaround whenever they enquire about their supply. This situation has been going for much of last year and since the New Year
began, the situation appears to be worsening. The situation is made worse by the fact that due to a contractual arrangement, the GUYOIL dealers are prohibited from sourcing fuel from other fuel companies. “This crisis is nothing new and we have been suffering all the time. Easter we had to close for 14 days; August was the same. During the Christmas we were out of fuel since Christmas Eve Day. We got last Friday, we had some on Tuesday and that will only last us up to tomorrow (Thursday),” one dealer from West Coast Demerara told this newspaper yesterday. According to the dealers, their queries are at most times met with silence and sometimes excuses. This newspaper has repeatedly tried to contact GUYOIL’s Managing Director, Badree Persaud, but is always unsuccessful for various reasons. Yesterday, when Kaieteur News called his office, Persaud’s Secretary enquired from the reporter the nature of his query and was told that it had to do with the concerns being expressed by the dealers. The Secretary asked the reporter to hold on and a minute later she came back on the line and said “Sorry Mr.
Persaud is not in office”. “The government got a man at the head of GUYOIL, who is on several government Boards and none of the organizations ain’t running properly,” another fuel dealer observed. Normally, GUYOIL stations would outsell the other fuel dealers because of the heavy subsidy that is granted by the government to keep the price of gasoline at a certain level. But while the GUYOIL affiliated dealers are now experiencing the problem, other gas station owners who are supplied by other companies such as Rubis and Shell are raking in huge profits. “We are not in competition anymore. We are losing customers all the time because we can’t be relied upon, and it is no fault of ours,” the dealers said. “Our staff just getting two day work at a time. The bank coming down on us and we can’t tell the bank that we ain’t get gas to sell,” the dealers stated, adding that they have invested heavily and are being treated like dogs.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has given a senior official the boot. The Ministry apparently got fed up with the numerous complaints from various foreign nationals seeking work permits and stay extensions and decided to fire the retired Assistant Police Commissioner who was at the time heading the immigration unit of the Home Affairs Ministry. The former police officer, Krishna Lakraj, is believed to have retired from the police force over three years ago, but was retained to head the Ministry’s immigration unit. The retiree served in that capacity for about two years until he was handed his dismissal letter just as the year was about to end. Additionally, Lakraj has been ordered to remove from the police accommodations at the Leonora Police Station where he resided, even after completing his service to the local security force years ago. Lakraj is expected to be replaced by another retiree, Assistant Commissioner of Police Carol Primo. At the time of her
retirement, Primo was the Head of the Immigration Department. With a clean and respectable record, she is expected to be an exceptional replacement. Fingers were said to have been pointed to the Ministry’s immigration unit for slothfulness, and the alleged employment of unorthodox methods by which foreign nationals seeking to stay and work in Guyana, could get their legally required documents. On several occasions, representatives for Brazilian miners operating here had accused the government of delaying the issuance of work permits. Especially when the gold industry is booming, many foreign nationals from neighbouring countries in particular, come over to Guyana to get a share of the mineral. They also have to seek legal permission to operate here. On many occasions they had claimed having to pay large sums to obtain stay extensions and work permits. At one point, it was alleged that persons seeking permits were forced to pay as much
as $200,000 (US$1,000) for their documentation. The “middlemen or agents”, as they are called, were alleged to have been acting in complicity with Government officials, reportedly from the Ministry of Home Affairs and other state agencies. Secretary of the Brazilian Mining and General Association, Antonio Szala, had expressed anger earlier this year as a result of over 140 permits being outstanding. He claimed that the Brazilian miners were being “exploited”. Some other foreign nationals such as Chinese and Indians are said to have had similar experiences.
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Kaieteur News
Thursday January 08, 2015
Luncheon, Ramsammy differ on cost overruns for Hope Canal Project Whether there are or aren’t cost overruns for the $3.6B Hope/Dochfour Canal which is now heading toward its sixth deadline, Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon and Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, have differing opinions. Dr Ramsammy was recently asked if there are major costs overruns on the Project. “The macro structure is completed. There is some associated work to be completed but there are no cost over runs.” He said that the associated work has to do with backfilling
and operator building for the project. Commenting on the failed deadlines, Dr Ramsammy retorted that Courtney Benn, one of the contractors on the project, requested an extension. He added that the quality of work thus far is “excellent.” He also stated that the Ministry was faced with two decisions, either terminate the contract which would have caused more extensive delays and cost over runs or choose to the route of extension of the deadline at “no cost.” But Dr. Luncheon who was asked about whether Cabinet was updated on the
reasons for the delays of the project and the likelihood of cost overruns, yesterday said that he is aware that the project is on its sixth deadline, and that a series of “ponderables” delayed it. He said that Government is now looking at a 2015 second quarter deadline and “of course there are cost over runs.” Dr. Luncheon said, though, that he would not be able to qualify the overruns sustained. They would be calculated when the project is finished and the defects liability is invoked, he added.
The Head of the Presidential Secretariat explained, “Contractors have failed and therefore there are penalties in the defects liability. When the project is completed and you go into the defects liability it is at that point in time where this netting off takes place. “There are expenditures that contractors and consultants would have to bear. Let us assume that there is $10 worth of overruns and you can recover $6 then you have a $4 overrun. It might be a big sum or a small one but it all depends on what you can
recover. “However, once you have expenditure that cannot be recovered and funds need to be made available you cannot expect to have project delay because millions are outstanding. The value we are left with, the treasury will have to meet the costs.” Last year, Dr. Ramsammy had reportedly explained that there are several aspects of the Northern Relief Channel at Hope/Dochfour, East Coast Demerara that have to be completed before the canal could become operational. He had said that the Head
Former army chief heads body to tackle illegal wildlife exports, hunting Amidst increasing reports of illegal hunting, Government yesterday announced that it has put together a special team, headed by a former army chief to oversee the management and conservation of wildlife in the country. The National Committee will be headed by Major General (Ret’d) Joe Singh, and will represent officials of the public sector regulatory agencies and other stakeholders. According to the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment, which has oversight of wildlife, through its regulatory body, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), it has received several reports of illegally hunted and traded wildlife in Guyana. This is in direct contravention of the Wildlife Management and Conservation Regulations 2013, the Ministry said.
“This legislative instrument allows for regulating the harvesting of wildlife for various purposes including bushmeat, scientific research etc. Anyone who contravenes the tenets of this legal Instrument will be guilty of an offence and liable to receiving penalties ranging from $30,000 to $750,000 along with prison time.” The regulation lists all protected species in Guyana. “At this juncture, the Ministry would like to reiterate that all species of wildcats including jaguar and puma are protected, which means that their collection, holding in captivity, hunting, or otherwise molesting is prohibited. This extends to the owning and selling of cat body parts or products thereof.” The Ministry disclosed that it has embarked on a vigorous programme to enforce the regulation and curb the illegal hunting and trapping of wildlife.
Government says it has put together a special team to tackle illegal hunting and export of animals. The National Committee will act in an advisory capacity to provide general oversight and guidance in the development of strategies and programmes for wildlife management and conservation in Guyana in keeping with the Wildlife Management and Conservation Regulations
2013. “Upon its finalisation, the Committee will also be guided by the Wildlife Import and Export Bill 2013 which seeks to better regulate the trading of wildlife.” Among other things, the special body will be liaising with various stakeholders both local and international, including Panthera and the
United States Fish and Wildlife Service. “This collaboration has realised the development of a 12 month project to build the foundation for monitoring and regulating wildlife harvest in the South-Guyana Region. On completion, this project will be rolled out on a national level,” the Ministry said. A sensitization program to educate stakeholders and the general public on key issues related to wildlife management and conservation in Guyana is also on the cards. Wildlife hunting and export is big business for a number of locals. “Wild meat” especially is in hot demand with bars and restaurants clamoring for them. There have been significant reports of live animals being smuggled with no indication of how extensive this practice is. Parrots, macaws and alligators are among the most in demand.
Regulator aspect, which was constructed by BK International, is complete. As it relates to the stateof-the-art wrench, Dr. Ramsammy noted last year that since the completion of this component was dependent on a delayed aspect of the overall project, the Agriculture Ministry made some modifications. These included an adjustment to the system originally intended to open the doors of the Head Regulator. The new system, for which the wrench is required, will allow for easier opening and closing of the door. After months of delays, Ramsammy confirmed last night that the wrench is finally here and in place. Additionally, there have been concerns raised by local letter writers on the Hope Canal Project. Charles Sohan, in his latest letter, published in the Kaieteur News, said that the Hope Canal project which is the brainchild of former President Jagdeo and Natural Resources Minister Robert Persaud, is not only ill-conceived but hurriedly put together without any feasibility study. The Hope Canal project has been deemed to be one of the largest infrastructure programmes in Guyana’s history. It has been purported that the relief channel would have the capacity to withstand floods greater than that which occurred in 2005. It is being constructed to ease the pressure of water on the East Demerara Water Conservancy at times when the conservancy reaches its maximum capacity. The canal would release he excess water it into the Atlantic Ocean, via the sluice. The eight-gate sluice to release the water is being constructed by Courtney Benn Construction.
Thursday January 08, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 21
Angoy’s Avenue electrification drive picks up steam ...over 130 homes connected All infrastructural works have been completed in preparation to connect one of Guyana’s largest squatter settlements to the national power grid. Just over 130 households have already been electrified. But the beneficiaries, the residents of Angoy’s Avenue, have registered their dissatisfaction with the slothful pace in which the Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) has been progressing with works to connect their homes. Contrary to the hopes of many, including Prime Minister Sam Hinds, the majority of the 4,000 residents of Angoy’s Avenue did not receive electricity for the Christmas holidays. Many homes have been wired and residents are anxiously awaiting electrification, but are losing patience with the power company. But Loss Reduction Coordinator attached to the Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) Berbice Operations, Mr. Phalyanjee Nandkumar, said, yesterday, that GPL is not at fault. He said that just over 35 residents applied for electricity services between December 15 and December 20, (the timeframe given by the government for residents to apply for electricity if they wanted to receive power for
Christmas), and that the company’s metering department can only act on applications that have been submitted and verified by the Ministry of Housing and Water. He noted that while new applications are being made every single day by residents of Angoy’s Avenue, the holdup in the processing is mainly due to the verification of the applications which has to be done by the Commercial Department. “We verify that the customers live there and we want to verify that the exact consumer lives there (at the service address). So that’s the process,” he said. Since the installation process began in late December, more than 130 applications were dealt with and households connected to the grid. The connection crew, he said, is working feverishly to connect residents. He said that more than 150 would have been completed to date, but the holidays stepped in. “We weren’t able to complete it.” The crews stopped working on December 31, 2014 but resumed work on Tuesday. One resident, Megan Phillips in Timmers Dam, Angoy’s Avenue, stood in her yard and looked on with interest as her neighbour on
the opposite side of the road was being connected. She related that she, like many other residents, wired her home since last month, paid and is awaiting connectivity. While dispelling the notions about shortages of pre- paid and post- paid meters, Nandkumar did say that the company does not have a supply of some categories of pre-paid and post-paid meters. Applicants who need such meters will have their applications put on hold until the company receives a supply shortly, he added. “Each and every consumer will have electricity in Angoy’s Avenue, but that is not the only scheme,” he said. Nandkumar said that the company also has to screen applications from households in newly- developed housing schemes across Berbice, including Number 76 Village, Corentyne; Fort Ordnance; Glasgow; Bath; Mahaica and Mahaicony. “We have to spread ourselves out—basically we are concentrating on Number 76 Housing Scheme and Angoy’s Avenue.” “As we get the meters and service orders, we do our jobs, so there is no victimization.” he stated. Nandkumar said that there is no payment attached to the installation of electricity, save
Ryan Couchman was murdered ... From page 20 questioned. Roy Couchman said that his brother's death makes him sick to the stomach. “We are not saying that he was a saint or no angel, but he did not deserve that death. His son does not deserve to see him lying like an animal on the roadside.” The Couchmans said that the deceased had begged several family members to go to the creek last Sunday, but
no one took up the offer, so he decided to go with friends. One of the friends is in police custody but had to seek medical attention. This man had several abrasions and his face was swollen, but Couchman had no marks except for a small hole, from the gunshot wound in the middle of his chest. The story doesn't add up, the family reiterated. It was proven that the deceased was legally paralyzed in the left
GECOM awaiting President on Elections ... From page 13 of the polls. “The Commission now awaits the announcement by His Excellency, The President, of the date for General and Regional Elections, after meaningful collaboration with GECOM.” Guyana is more than likely heading into early polls after the ruling People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) faced a no-confidence Opposition motion late last year but at the last moment, President
Ramotar prorogued Parliament, staving off the debate. With just over a year left in the presidential term of Ramotar, the 10th Parliament has been besieged by one standoff after another. These include non-approval for large chunks of the National Budget and falling confidence over a number of infrastructural projects, including the Amaila Falls hydro electric project, the Specialty Hospital, and the controversial Marriott Hotel.
hand and “all this questions the police's version of events,” they believe. The post mortem, the family said, showed that a single gunshot to the heart killed Couchman. One named police rank, the family claimed, reported to them that the police officer had the right to use his firearm once he felt threatened. The officer reinforced that he cannot tell his ranks what situation is dangerous and when to use their weapon. The Couchman's requested a confrontation with the officer that killed their brother. They claim that the family will have some peace of mind if the officer could just tell them what happened. However all avenues to make this happen have been blocked. The family called on citizens to stand up against what they say is “police brutally.” “We calling on citizens, anybody, especially those who feel how we feel and have suffered because of police unprofessionalism to come out in support of us and we must stand together,” Roy Couchman urged.
Mr. Phalyanjee Nandkumar for the extra feet of wire. A maximum length of 60 feet is provided free of charge by GPL, while the customer would have to pay from 61 feet and above; “that’s a must— because that’s extra line and exceeds the 60- feet length.” The official said that the company has embarked on a
massive connection drive to power-up new Housing Schemes across East and West Berbice, with Number 76 Village Housing Scheme, receiving electricity for the first time. Phase Two of the electrification drive has commenced in the schemes mentioned as well. “We did massive upgrades at Drill, Mahaicony as well,” he said. He added that the company is also embarking on its Defected Meter Programme, whereby customers can have their old meters changed, free of cost. “Those who have defective meters, we will change it.” “Our company is working furiously to bring all these minor issues to a close,” he added. Nandkumar said that since its introduction some time ago, the pre- paid meter is still not hitting the Berbice market as hopes would have had it. Over 90 per cent of GPL customers in Berbice, he said, still have the post- paid meters. He did say, though, that there are a lot of applications
for a change from post-paid to pre-paid, but the company cannot handle the load right now since it is giving priority to new installations in the various housing schemes. He asked for patience from those customers. The network, he added, is strong and durable enough to cater for the newly-added customers. This year, the company plans to continue expanding its electrification drive in Kilcoy Chesney Housing Scheme, Bath, and a few others along East Coast Demerara. He added, too, that more rice mills are joining the GPL power grid, “so we have power available to boost to supply those consumers.” At present, between 18 and 19 Megawatts are available in the Berbice system, while the system is interconnected with Demerara. “The entire network from Parika to Moleson Creek is linked,” he added. Power is also being received from the Skeldon Sugar Factory.
Most developing countries will benefit from oil price slump - World Bank Group Gains from low oil prices can be substantial for developing-country importers if supported by stronger global growth, says a World Bank Group analysis of the oil price decline, contained in the latest edition of Global Economic Prospects. The decline in oil prices reflects a confluence of factors, including several years of upward surprises in oil supply and downward surprises in demand, receding geopolitical risks in some areas of the world, a significant change in policy objectives of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), and appreciation of the U.S. dollar. Although the relative strength of the forces driving the recent plunge in prices remains uncertain, supply related factors appear to have played a dominant role. Soft oil prices are expected to persist in 2015 and will be accompanied by significant real income shifts from oilexporting to oil-importing countries. For many oilimporting countries, lower prices contribute to growth and reduce inflationary, external, and fiscal pressures. However, weak oil prices present significant challenges
for major oil-exporting countries, which will be adversely impacted by weakening growth prospects, and fiscal and external positions. If lower oil prices persist, they could also undermine investment in new exploration or development. This would especially put at risk investment in some lowincome countries, or in unconventional sources such as shale oil, tar sands, and deep sea oil fields. “For policymakers in oilimporting developing countries, the fall in oil prices provides a window of opportunity to undertake fiscal policy and structural reforms as well as fund social programmes. In oilexporting countries, the sharp decline in oil prices is a reminder of significant vulnerabilities inherent in highly concentrated economic activity and the necessity to reinvigorate efforts to diversify over the medium and long term,” said Ayhan Kose, Director of Development Prospects at the World Bank. The analysis on oil prices in Global Economic Prospects is complemented by two special features on how trends in global trade and remittance flows are
impacting developing countries. Global trade weak on cyclical and long-term factors Global trade expanded by less than 3.5 percent in 2012 and 2013, well below the precrisis average annual rate of seven percent, holding back developing country growth in recent years. Weak demand, mainly in investment but also in consumer demand, is one of the main causes of the deceleration in trade growth. With high-income countries accounting for some 65 percent of global imports, the lingering weakness of their economies five years after the crisis suggests that weak demand continues to adversely impact the recovery in global trade. However, long-term trends have also slowed trade growth, including the changing relationship between trade and income. Specifically, world trade has become less responsive to changes in global income because of slower expansions (continued on page 24)
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Kaieteur News
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VACANCY IT Technician to install outdoor antenna, must have drivers license. Send application to jobs@awngy.com International Cruiseline Purser officers, waitresses, waiters, cooks, receptionists, storekeepers, cleaners, electricians, carpenters, plumbers, musicians etc – Tel: 231-6296, 650-9880 Waitresses to work at a Bar at Agriculture Road –E.C.DTel:612-2522 Cashier, pump attendant, cleaner. Send application to Shell Ramsburg, Providence E.B.D Night Shift Supervisor, email- shellramsburg@gmail. com or Shell Ramsburg, Providence E.B.D Vacancy for experienced dispatcher- Call: 231-4000 or 231-4001 Work from home; earn $5,000-20,000 daily, www.jobfairworldwide.com Call: 233-6517; 622-1957 Call Monday – Friday 9am-5pm Experienced barman (night shift) cooks and live-in caretaker @ Cotton Club Restaurant & Bar 44 Public Road Kitty -Tel: 231-1908 Experienced Receptionist and maids to work at Hotel, shift work @ Hilton Crest Hotel – Call:223-6284 Plant shop vacancy; literate, hardworking, pleasant, team player, 18-28yrs. Must have work experienced –Location Houston & Sheriff Street. Tel: 648-1821
CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVE AUTO RENTAL: CARS & SUV FOR RENTAL-$4,000&UPPERDAYCALL: 643-5122, 219-3900, EMAIL: PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM
FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 GT TOOL RENTALS: COMPACTOR; CHIPPING HAMMER RANSOM & FLOOR SANDER, (SALE) & MORE, JACK HAMMER, CONCRETE SAW - CALL: 675-0767, 667-2535
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. Complete Snapper Boats for sale – Excellent Condition – Contact: 648-6815; 641-4506
VEHICLE FOR SALE
WANTED
Toyota Prado, Price$5.5M Neg. Call: 643-2403
Experienced Puri/Roti Cook, Pastry makers, cleaner; apply at Hack’s Halaal Commerce Street.
Two 320CL Caterpillar, Excavators; good condition, price to go – Call: 611-4775
One ford IVECO sand truck with Cummings Engine, GNN Series, excellent condition, owner leaving country - Call: 604-6860, 643-2911 2003 Toyota IST; fully loaded with bodykit -$2M, never registered – Call: 628-0909; 260-2327
Promix BX with microrize $10,500 per bag; ask for Rayman – Call: 615-2346; 6280200, 263-5300
2005/ 6yrs Silver Toyota Allion, new shape, lights at D.North Auto Sales, low mileage $2.550M – Tel:663-0584
Live in waitress age 18-25yrs - Salary $50,000-$60,000 monthly - Call: 610-5043
1 Toshiba Laptop (17.3inches) 1 5000 Watts Briggs & Stratton generator - Call: 622-0503; 689-9932 1 Numark DM 1295 4 Channel mixer, 1 Teac CD burner uses any blank CD – Call: 6220503; 689-9932
PRR IST, Mags Body Kit, Music, Crystal HID lights, Chrome Kit - $1.6M - Call: 6177113
Live in Domestic must know to cook Indian dishes age 25-45yrs salary -$60,000 monthly – Call: 610-5043
Toyota Spacio, Body Kit, Rims, spoiler, CD player; never registered - $2.1M – Call: 617-2891 AT192 Carina - $800,000 – Tel:641-4192; 229-6515
Mature couple to work & live on Resort @ Parika, Must know to read & write Call:226-9492, between 9:30am-3:30pm (Mon-Fri)
SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. – CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620
2 bedroom upstairs house with parking @ ‘BB’ Eccles $65,000 – Tel:233-2607 or 617-8617
2 Gemini GXA 4000 Watts power amp, 1 Technical Pro 3250 watts pro 3250 watts power amp – Tel: 622-0503; 689-9932
Guyana Passport & Visa Forms Application, USA, Canada and England. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535.
Beauty Stations for hairdresser or barbers - Call Modsin Salon: 225-6026; 682-2604 or 301 Church
Newly registered Toyota Allion with Body Kit – Call: 667-4774
2 SL I serato boxes, 2 Denon 3500 CD Juggler, 2 Gemini GXA 3000 Watts power Amp Call: 622-0503; 689-9932
One Toyota Tundra - 1.7M Contact: 613-7596; 2268643; 231-0497
Repairs & spare, fridge, freezer, A/C, washers, stoves. Contact Nick: 683-1312, 627-3206
Luxurious 2 bedroom apartment to rent furnished or unfurnished @ Eccles AA Scheme – Call:686-5625
Diving Suit – Call: 265-3449; 613-5158
1 Two RZ Engine Long Base EFI minibus 1 and Mitsubishi lancer PKK Series – Call: 6901393; 261-5427
We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer Call Omar: 2310655,683-8734
1 Wash Bay & Snackette; good Hope E.B.E - Call: 6804990 or 277-3033
Permanent & Visitors Visa Applications, Professional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building Call Sabita: 225-6496, 6626045 REPAIRS AT LOW COST: FRIDGES, AIRCONDITIONERS, WASHING MACHINES, TVS, MICROWAVES, FREEZERS- CALL: 6294946 OR 225-4822
Five bedrooms house @ 107 Lamaha Gardens & large parking, AC rooms, hot & cold, purified water system Call: 661-8908; 335-3590 One 3 bedroom flat house in West Ruimveldt - Call:6927377; 672-2194 Prime business place for offices on Sheriff Street - Call: 627-6740 Office space in Kitty - Call: 652-5322
Rubberized Tarpaulins for sale 20X20 - $20,000, any size available – Tel: 657-2304 One Nail & Hair station for rent @ Prime Location – Call: 225-4665; 676-4316; 624-3996 Marine parts (In Board) engines from 20HP to 500Hp Propeller gearbox, shaft, gland all electronics etc – Call: 674-3735; 652-8970 Mixed breed puppies for sale Call:253-3114; 692-0126 One F350 Ford 4X4, Turbo Charge 8 Cylinder Diesel Solid Def 4WD - $4M Negotiable – Call Junior Percival: 261-5304; 665-4611 One FX4 F150 Ford 4X4 Super custom sports model $3.8M Negotiable- Call Junior Percival: 261-5304; 665-4611
Assistant Salesgirls E.C.DCall: 644-9802; 603-5416 I.T Electronic Security officer: CCTV Experienced , 4 CXC Subjects, Salary Based on Qualifications – Call: 231-6044; 231-6052; 6800515; 660-2393 Bouncers:Able bodied , Military Experienced will be an asset - Call: 231-6044; 2316052; 680-0515; 660-2393
LAND FOR SALE
CAR RENTAL
1500 Acres Transported Land @ Bartica 2 ¾ miles River Front, Virgin Rock, Quarry Resort – Call Mark: 704-4652222/603-1266
Security Officers: Military Experienced , $210 to $250 an hour (8hrs & 12hrs Shift) – Call: 231-6044; 231-6052; 6800515; 660-2393
Parfaite Harmonie - $1.4M, $3.5M (110ftX50ft) Eccles (100ftX50ft) -$4.5M, Grove $2.5M with foundation – Call: 675-7292
DOLLY’S CAR RENTAL CALL: 225-7126/ 2263693 DOLLYSAUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM/ WWW.DOLLYSAUTO RENTAL.COM
FOR SALE/RENT American Pool Table – Call: 277- 0578 PEN PAL
LEARN TO DRIVE
Companion 38+ for retired gentleman, Write:Bobby Other, Worksharp, 92-96 Lord Street, PR8 1JR, England.
Thursday January 08, 2015
Soman Son & Outar Driving School at Maraj BuildingTel:644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997 TO LET One bedroom apartment to rent – Call: 664-2861
Aidan’s Car & Pickup rental, cheap rate, low security – Tel:698-7807; 690-6494 EDUCATIONAL
1- Complete 6" Dredge for mining, includes 6 Cylinder Perkins & 1-4 Cylinder. All pumps, mats, etc, asking $3M – Contact: 610-1001. 1 RAV 4 PJJ 5963 - $1.3M, also plant pots with plant – Tel:233-2607; 617-8617 One Ford Driven Tractor 60HP, 600 Hours; almost new - $2.2M negotiable - Call Junior Percival: 261-5304; 665-4611 Car was Vacuum, 1 Freezer – Call: 686-5625
Practical Electronic Course; Starting 12th January 2015Call Abdul Electronics: 2266551; 225-0391
1-125 Elite Motor cycle (ladies) can be used for parts - $40,000. Call: 265-2232
Balloon Decorating Classes. January 31st – Call: 225-3133 or 613-7513 for more information & registration
Transformer: 25KVA industrial single phase 480/ 240/120V U.S.A PAD MOUNTED - Tel: 623-9761
1 Honda 600RR, Toyota 212, 192, 170, Raum, Allion, IST, AE100 Sprinter, Honda CRV Tel: 644-5096; 697-1453
Urgently porters to work on beverage canter truck, preferably on E.C.DCall:222-3927; 649-9876; 6861352 1 Live in housekeeper and Teacher to give child lesson in Diamond – Call: 675-8101
Salesgirls & porters; apply with written application at Best Buy Food Supplies @ Lot 1E Dennis & Middleton Street Campbellville. From 2pm -12pm; 4 waitresses to work at Bora Sports Bar at W.C.D – Call: 680-0129; 276-1925 1 Live in domestic or maid to work; salary $50,000 monthly; age 25-45 - Call: 675-7043; 688-5409 or 664-5199 Experienced cooks for International & Creole Dishes –Call Winston: 6606446 Live in or live out babysitter/ domestic –Call: 219-5354 Mon-Sat between 8:15-4:15 Wanted staff to work in fast food restaurant -Call 2262829 / 225-102
PROPERTY FOR SALE Unfinished house at Parfaite Harmony, West Minister, W.B.D - $4.5M – Tel:6610618; 601-3469 Flat concrete house newly built all utilities at Bath Settlement W.C.B, price reasonable –Contact: 6869514; 648-5012 Prime Location @ Cummingsburg & Diamond East Bank Demerara – Contact:654-5400 Land with small concrete house; for sale in Grove over 8,000 Sq. Ft. Call: 612-4030; 216-2759
Salesperson/Cashier; male & female – Apply in person with written application at Nirva Supermarket – Contact: 227-5771 Office clerk senior clerk/ junior CXC English / Mathematics an Asset –Call: 219-5354 Experienced salesgirl from ages 25-40 location @ 23 Lambard Street, Christine Variety Store – Contact: 6268003; 227-8529 Truck Drivers & security Guard - Call: 218-5105; 218-1156 1 Female cleaner to work in snackette & bar , must know to cook, age 20-35yrs Tel:647-7432, 223-5798 One maid to cook & clean – Tel: 614-4358
TO LET 2 bedroom apartment $55,000 @ Dowding Street Kitty –Call: 674-3735; 6528970 Cottage to let @ Turkeyen Area – Call: 604-6973
Driver/conductor to operator Route 42 Mini bus - Contact: 223-6059 or 645-3619 EDUCATIONAL Certificate in: Cosmetology, nails, wig designs, early child care/ care for elderly classes commence February Call: 666-5241/ 619-7603
Thursday January 08, 2015
Kaieteur News
Letters... Where your views make the news
Is it too much to ask for a reliable supply of potable water? DEAR EDITOR, Guyanese have become so accustomed to poor governance, corruption and lack of accountability and integrity by the Jagdeo/ Ramotar regime over the last 12 years that they have come to accept gross incompetency and very low standards for State-provided services such as in security, electricity, water, roads, health, education, social services, and the like, as the norm in society. The key functions of a government are to keep law and order within its boundaries, protect its people and guard its borders from invasion by external enemies, prevent man-made floods and create and maintain the conditions for the people to survive and hopefully for economic and human development. The availability of adequate supplies of potable water is part of the minimum conditions for the people to exist. But if water is the criterion for judging the establishment of the conditions for Guyanese to thrive and exist, then the minority regime will definitely get a failing grade. This is also true of health care, especially in the public hospitals where maternal deaths are frequent due to incompetent and inexperienced medical personnel and lack of proper drugs; and the educational system where the public schools are failing the majority of students and the infrastructure at University of Guyana has collapsed. At least four times a month, and in some areas almost all year long, there is a water shortage. How severe and how prolonged the shortage depends on where one lives. In the rural areas, there are water shortages almost every day and nothing has been done to improve the situation. Ironically, in the old days, water was available to the people year-round from the continuous flow of wells in the rural areas. Today, the people have their own domestic catchment and storage facilities, and yet for days some people are experiencing water shortage. The old, selfreliant system of wells has fallen into disrepair because the unconcerned administration has not invested in the infrastructure of the water supply system. The PPP has lulled Guyanese into a false sense of security that the Water Commission will always be able to supply adequate amounts of water to everyone; if only it would improve the efficiency of its
operations. This is a fallacy, because the problem starts with the absence of a policy on water, regrettably because of gross incompetency. There is enough rainfall and ground water to serve the needs of the country well into the future, but the government is incapable of providing adequate mechanisms to supply adequate water to the people. Because of the PPP cabal’s lack of management skills, one in three Guyanese, most of them in the poorest 30 per cent of the population do not have access to piped water supply. The symbols of this failure are the large, ugly, expensive, black water storage tanks, on top of roofs
of houses, every business place, school, hospital and public building that deface the landscape in the more affluent areas of the country. Is it too much to ask of the government that all Guyanese be guaranteed a reliable, accessible, affordable, yearround supply of a minimum of 1,000 cubic metres of potable water per capita? This is the internationally accepted minimum requirement and, given Guyana’s climate, geography and water resources, it is a perfectly attainable target. After all, Guyana is the land of many waters. But where is the water? That is the question the government ought to answer. Asquith Rose and Harish Singh
From page 5 a bit of both. For profound change to happen there is need for a trigger; after 60 years of this rift, Guyana and Guyanese needed a trigger with sufficient force to create an environment for real change. Since the no-confidence motion was tabled in
parliament, a number of events and actions were triggered in Guyana at the individual, institutional and societal levels which would not have ordinarily been triggered otherwise. So, keep an eye on our country and economy, this is indeed, our Finest Hour’. Audreyanna Thomas
Page 23
HAITI WANTS NEW IMF ARRANGEMENT WASHINGTON - CMC – The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says preliminary data suggest that Haiti recorded economic growth of nearly 4 per cent in 2014. In a final review of the country’s performance under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement, the Washington-based financial institution said that the programme contributed to maintaining macroeconomic stability, and there was progress on structural reforms. “The authorities intend to request a successor arrangement under the ECF,” the IMF said, but noted that uncertainty remains on the timing of elections, even though a new finance minister was appointed in April last
year. “Preliminary data suggest that GDP (gross domestic product) in financial year 2014 grew by 3.5 to four per cent, while inflation increased slightly to about 5 per cent. An increase in fuel prices in October should result in fiscal savings of at least one per cent of GDP during financial year 2015.” The IMF said the March performance criterion on net international reserves (NIR) was met, but although the deficit was lower than projected, the performance criterion on net central bank credit to the central government was missed. The Fund warned that downside risks are significant and include a pull-back of Venezuela-related flows, a
resumption of political tensions, and vulnerability to weather events. It said that as a result of the review, Haiti has become eligible to draw down a total of SDR 1.638 million, bringing total disbursements under the ECF to SDR 40.950 million. The IMF is recommending that Haitian authorities adopt a new policy mix that should come from a lower fiscal deficit rather than from a tighter monetary policy. In addition, it said that for the 2015 financial year, the fiscal deficit should be reduced to mitigate financing risks as part of a medium-term plan to restore fiscal sustainability and that the Central Bank should let the exchange rate adjust more to market pressures.
T ALERT,, NO NOT We are fed-up with... SECURITY ALERT ST ATE OF EMERGENCY STA
You don’t have to be... From page 5 the visit, while I could tell her the colour of the footwear Nigel wore and who were some of her neighbours he met and listened to their concerns. The time has come when we all must take some time to look at what matters to us as a people. 2015 must see us shifting into a new gear to bring back our country from the brink of sure destruction. Every teenager, every labourer, every hustler, every cane cutter and school teacher, pastor, Imam and
priest; every Guyanese must pause, reflect and join the struggle to take back Guyana from the criminal and illegal regime that has hijacked it. Guyana must breathe again the fresh air of freedom and bask in the golden rays of change. I am right there with you. So far and yet so near. The struggle must not only continue in 2015, it must be intensified. Change must come. Change must come. Change must come. Norman Browne London
Trinidad Guardian - No limited state of emergency (SOE) and no community lock downs will be included in a national security alert state of readiness, National Security Minister Gary Griffith gave the assurance Wednesday. The ministry has put all law enforcement agencies on high alert because of an increase in gang-related homicides early in the new year. In the first four days of 2015, ten murders were recorded. Asked if the security alert would include a limited SOE and community lock downs, an irritated Griffith said, “There is no such thing as a limited state of emergency. “That is a very ridiculous statement. A state of emergency is a state of emergency, curfew or not. “You can’t have a curfew unless you have a state of emergency.” He said the national security alert would not include an SOE.
Asked if there would be community lock downs, he replied, “No.” As for what measures the security alert would include, he said that was already revealed in a comprehensive press release last Friday and he referred the Guardian to it. The ministry said the alert state was led by the Police Service and the National Operations Centre and was necessary to rapidly
bring the crime situation under control. “This current alert state of readiness is in no way intended to curtail civil liberties but has become necessary to ensure the safety and security for all,” Griffith said. The last four murders took place in separate incidents over the weekend. Four men were shot dead in Carenage, Biche, San Juan and St James.
From page 9 adding that he should not be mixed up with the reigning calypso monarch, Lester Charles, who goes by the name ‘De Professor’. According to Jones, both she and Clementson had made plans to enter this year’s Mashramani Calypso competition but they missed the deadline for the audition. “We already had our songs and I was waiting for
him to come out from the bush. But after we miss the calypso audition, he said he was entering the Soca Monarch competition,” Jones stated. She said that any plan she had for Mashramani has now been shelved since she can no longer muster the courage to go on stage to perform. Clementson is the fifth person to be murdered so far this year which is only eight days old.
Employee kills dredge ...
Page 24
Kaieteur News
Exploding pressure cooker hurts Pomeroon man A Hackney Canal man almost lost his eye after he attempted to open a pressure cooker without releasing all the steam. Lloyd Damon sustained injuries to his left eye. Damon’s neighbour, Ann Garraway, said that Damon and his two younger brothers were at their Hackney Canal, Lower Pomeroon home cooking rice in a pressure cooker. Garraway added that Damon didn’t hear the sound of the pressure which indicated that the rice was cooking so he went to check the pot. After he attempted to
open the cooker without allowing the steam to subside the pot exploded. “I was at home when I heard the loud explosion but I thought it was a squib.” Damon received severe burns to his left eye and abdomen. Garraway explained that the injured young man was rushed to the Oscar Joseph Hospital at Charity, where doctors managed to save his injured left eye. Doctors told Damon’s family that they were able to avoid serious damages to his left eye because of the fact that he sought immediate medical attention.
Most developing countries will benefit from oil price ... From page 21 of global supply chains and a shift in demand from tradeintensive investment to less trade-intensive private and public consumption. The analysis finds that these long-term factors affecting trade will also shape the behaviour of trade flows in the years ahead—in particular, that the expected recovery in global growth is not likely to be accompanied by the rapid growth in trade flows observed in the precrisis years. Remittances have potential to smooth consumption. A second special feature reports that remittance flows to many low- and middleincome countries are not only significant relative to GDP but also comparable in value to foreign direct investment (FDI) and foreign aid. Since
2000, remittances to developing countries have averaged about 60 percent of the volume of total foreign direct investment flows. For many developing countries, remittances are the single largest source of foreign exchange. The study finds that, in addition to their considerable volume, remittances are more stable than other types of capital flows, even during episodes of financial stress. For example, during past sudden stops, when capital flows fell on average by 14.8 percent, remittances increased by 6.6 percent. The stable nature of remittance flows, the analysis concludes, means that they can help smooth consumption in developing countries, which often experience macroeconomic volatility.
Irate Chinese businessman smashes minibus windscreens
An irate Chinese businessman smashed the windscreens of a minibus yesterday after the vehicle parked in front of his business spot where he had a ladder. The ladder had to be removed for the bus to park along Avenue of the Republic, Robbstown, Georgetown. The Chinese businessman attached to “Lucky Star Fashion” was taken to the Brickdam Police Station after police were summoned. According to an eyewitness, “Before the bus was there another vehicle was there and it come out. And a ladder was at the corner of the road. A policeman said that the ladder should be placed more inside and another vehicle can park there. So after the bus come in, the Chinese man come out and said ‘who move my ladder’ and I say you put ladder at the middle of the road you want man carry away your ladder or what?’” The eyewitness continued: “The Chinese man said alright good! He went into the store take out he hammer and lash up the windscreen and pelt up the hammer all inside. When he done another one go for a baton which got electricity coming out of it for shock whoever coming and that was it.” The driver of the Minibus BJJ 4851 who operates out of the UG bus park, Elvis Pattoir, said parking was difficult and when a vehicle leaves a parking area another would fill that space.
The damaged minibus in front of the store A policeman speaks to the driver of the minibus while irate persons berate what occurred at the hands of the Chinese businessman
He said, “I just come down from UG and you know the parking is be a little hard, so we does wait and see if a vehicle come out and we would come in. I see a car just pull out from here and I come in. We does load in turn. “I left and go for my turn. Whiles I coming back all I hear
Conservatory order necessary to protect ... From page 6 spending by the Minister of Finance and the Government. He noted that the affidavit provided no real answers for the contentions raised in the ex parte application for the Conservatory Order. Williams referred to the situation in Kenya and Trinidad, in which the conservatory orders were granted under similar circumstances. Williams
explained that the orders were granted on the basis that there was a need to protect the public coffers. Williams reiterated that the Minister has been spending illegally and argued that there is nothing in the constitution or statues which can be relied upon to show that the Minister of Finance can lawfully spend on programmes which were disapproved by the National
E-Governance project may be piggybacking on GPL ... From page 14 but the Estimates do not say what the exact cost for each component is. While Guyana is not accessing the bandwidth from Brazil, it has incurred some debt with the Brazilians. “Well I would hate to say this publicly, but we haven't paid them for the connection. We do have a contract to purchase bandwidth, but the
mechanism to access it hasn't kicked in. The Brazilians have been understanding. “We owe some US$76,000 a year for bandwidth connection on the project,” Dr. Luncheon had said. But Ramotar, who is directly in charge of this project, had insisted that Guyana is not receiving any bandwidth, and as such, he is not aware that Guyana owes the neighbouring country a cent.
Thursday January 08, 2015
Assembly. He expressed confidence that the order will be successful given that it is an order to protect the people’s monies. Williams also noted that the order is necessary given the prorogation of Parliament, which has prevented opposition scrutiny of Government’s spending. He expressed that the order will protect the people’s money since, wherever a public purse is threatened that situation warrants a conservatory order. “If we didn’t believe we would be successful we would not have come to the court,” Williams told members of the media yesterday. Meanwhile, lawyers representing the government, and the Minister of Finance, m a i n t a i n e d t hat his actions were in compliance with well-known constitutional provisions and procedures.
Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, described the court action as a misconceived badly taught out strategy. “I think the case was filed as an afterthought because it seeks to restrain spending when the spending would have been almost completed. The case was filed at the end 2014 to prevent spending in 2014,” Nandlall said. He said that the Minister of Finance had similarly expended sums at his discretion for three successive years in accordance with the laws of Guyana. Nandlall also pointed that they have two rulings by the Chief Justice in which he noted that the Minister of Finance has the discretion if he wishes, to use money contemplated in the laws of Guyana. Nandlall is expected to present his arguments before the court when the matter resumes on Friday.
is bow! Blam bow! And I see people running. When I look, Chiney deh with a hammer busting up my windscreen and side glass.” Pattoir further alleged his pouch with insurance and some money was stolen when
he returned to his minibus. “I had my insurance and $20,000 inside my pouch. By the time Chiney take out his hammer and people flock around my pouch gone.” Persons from the store were reluctant to comment.
Road accident survivor recalls reckless bus driver Oswin Tappin, a survivor of Tuesday’s Little Diamond, East Bank Demerara, road accident, which claimed the life of security guard, Lynette Joseph, recounted the reckless driving of the bus driver. While in the care of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporate (GPHC), Tappin related the hair-raising speed of the vehicle along the East Bank Demerara Highway. “It was a dangerous way of driving,” said Tappin, who, at the time when he spoke to this publication, was in immense pain from the accident. The still distraught survivor said that he could not believe any driver would be allowed to drive so recklessly on any roadway. Tappin had migrated to the island of Antigua some years ago, and is also a driver by profession. Recounting the moments leading up to the accident, the 58-year-old said that what stood out to him the most about the driving, were the sharp swerves the driver made
along the highway. This, he said, had him praying to reach his destination safely. He recalled seeing the security guard sitting a couple seats ahead of him. He said that her mangled body deeply disturbed him when he saw it in the wreckage. Joseph was reportedly, sitting next to the conductor of the minibus when the accident occurred. Tappin was still clearly shaken up at what he witnessed, and he was in a temporary state of paralysis. “Speaking as a professional driver, when you invest millions of dollars in a vehicle you have a responsibility to drive carefully,” said Tappin, “especially when the lives of others are involved.” It was only earlier that very Tuesday morning that Tappin was travelling in another minibus along the East Coast Demerara Public Road, when that driver also had him clutching his seat due to the reckless manner of his driving.
Thursday January 08, 2015
Kaieteur News
Minister of National Security on France terror attack:
Page 25
Deadly attack on French magazine denounced by Jamaica’s Press Association…
TT MUST PREPARE FOR IT An attack upon “democracy
In light of the tragic developments in Paris, involving the brazen terrorist attack on the Charlie Hebdo magazine, the Minister of National Security Gary Griffith reiterates the importance of being proactive and prepared in the fight against Global Terrorism. Unfortunately the shooting attack by this radical group that has resulted in tragic loss of life and trauma to the survivors sends the signal to countries like Trinidad and Tobago that we need to be fully prepared and battle ready for any and all such eventualities, and not as some may have perceived which is to stay low, do nothing and hope that we are not touched. Preceded by the breach in security and terrorist shooting that took place at the Canadian parliament building some months ago, this attack again prompts the Minister to repeat his call for interagency collaboration, and justifies the acquisition of resources and assets to ensure the capabilities of National Security are effectively prepared to deal with the phenomena of global
terrorism. This is the only way that a nation can and would be prepared from terrorist activities, not by burying your head in the sand and hope that it flies over you, but through eternal vigilance. The threat of terrorism is now global, and it is mandatory that we prepare now than later. The Minister regrets that it took another brazen attack, another tragic incident of loss of life to make the point, and now more than ever stands by the decision to acquire the Armored Personnel Carriers (APC), and to involve a technological and intelligence led approach to all operations to ensure the safety of the citizens of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago, which some who are misguided have referred to as nothing more than expensive toys, but are earmarked to protect our law enforcement officials in the unfortunate confrontation of a terrorist attack. The Honourable Prime Minister should indeed be commended for signing the UNSCR as a co-sponsor as this positive move affords Trinidad and Tobago to strengthen its posture against
such threats through allowing us the opportunity to receive and share intelligence information related to Counter Terrorism in real time with our international partners. The establishment of highly tactical counter terrorist unit in The Special Operations Group complements the collaborative approach and signals to the international arena that Trinidad and Tobago is well prepared in our fight against this global enemy, and is further strengthened by the establishment of the Counter Terrorist Intelligence Unit [CTIU] under the SSA, to deal specifically with monitoring and tracking all aspects of terrorism and their support mechanisms in our country. This Counter Terrorism machinery is set up and is prepared to respond and step into action if and when required. The SOG and CTIU are indicators that Trinidad and Tobago is thinking ahead of the game and building capacities to treat with the realities of the changing environment, in the Global War on Terrorism. (Trinidad Express)
St Vincent Govt. denies Iranian national has passport, citizenship KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent - CMC – The St. Vincent and the Grenadines government yesterday denied a statement by the United States Department of Treasury that a former Iranian national whose activities are being closely monitored had acquired local citizenship. Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves told a news conference that the Foreign Minister Camillo Gonsalves “has been advised by me to inform the US State and Treasury Departments of these facts”. He told reporters that “the records of the citizenship and residency department of the Office of the Prime Minister showed there are four Iranians by birth who are granted citizenship of St. Vincent and the Grenadines” during the period 1997-1998. He said the citizenship granted in 1997 was to the 10year-old son of a medical practitioner and his wife born in Bangladesh. Gonsalves said that the medical doctor was employed at the hospital here and that the son is now a medical doctor now residing overseas while the other three “Vincentians of Iranian birth”
are a 47 year-old barber, a 43year-old mother and a 20 yearold son. “Each of these four applications for citizenship of St. Vincent and the Grenadines was supported by references from reputable professionals in this country. Of these four Iranian born citizens of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, (the) one (who) is a medical practitioner…is the only one of the four who currently has a valid passport of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.” Earlier this week, the Treasury
Department said that Hossein Zeidi, 49, is among nine individuals and entities under various Iran-related authorities under surveillance for their “support of Iranian government sanctions evasion efforts and human rights-related abusers, including those engaged in censorship”. It said that Zeidi holds a St. Kitts and Nevis passport, number RE0003553 as well as St. Vincent and the Grenadines citizenship and he carries the alias Hosein Zeidi and Hossein Mansour Zeidi.
and freedom of the press”
The Gleaner - The Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) has denounced yesterday’s the brutal attack on the French magazine Charlie Hebdo. The PAJ says this is an attack upon “democracy and freedom of the press”. Read full statement below: The Press Association of Jamaica wishes to extend its deepest sympathies to the people and government of France, on the occasion of yesterday’s shocking attack on the staff of the French magazine Charlie Hebdo. The reports at this time indicate that 12 people have been killed including members of
the press and two policemen, and several others wounded by gunmen who invaded the offices at the magazine yesterday. We deeply deplore the loss of life and the injuries suffered by all the victims. The PAJ regards this as an attack upon democracy and freedom of the press, which must be of concern to all who support these important values anywhere in the world. We stand with our colleagues in France as we condemn this violent attack and reiterate the importance of guarding democracy and protecting the press from intimidation.
Venezuela’s Maduro in China seeking aid for stricken economy BEIJING (AP) — Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro met yesterday (today China) with Chinese leader Xi Jinping amid hopes for new loans to bolster the South American nation’s stricken economy. Xi reiterated the importance of relations during talks between the two leaders at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, saying the two countries enjoyed a “cooperative strategic partnership” and would
deepen cooperation in all areas. There was no immediate word on new Chinese loans. But after the meeting, the third between the two leaders since Maduro took power in 2013, the Venezuelan president said that during the trip, his government had drummed up Chinese investments in energy, technology and infrastructure projects worth $20 billion. “Sometimes there’s a conspiracy to try and make the
world see Venezuela as bankrupt,” Maduro told journalists, highlighting the investments as a show of confidence in the country’s socialist revolution. “Venezuela is an economic power in its own right, with a productive population and giant potential.” China is Venezuela’s largest creditor and has loaned it more than $40 billion over the past five years, some of which has been paid back in the form of oil deliveries.
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AirAsia jet tail found underwater, black box may be close by (Reuters) - The tail of a crashed AirAsia jet has been found upturned on the sea bed about 30 km (20 miles) from the plane’s last known location, Indonesia’s search and rescue agency said on Wednesday, indicating the crucial black box recorders may be nearby. Flight QZ8501 vanished from radar screens over the northern Java Sea on Dec. 28, less than half-way into a two-hour flight from Indonesia’s second-biggest city of Surabaya to Singapore. There were no survivors among the 162 people on board. “We’ve found the tail that has been our main target,” Fransiskus Bambang Soelistyo, head of the search and rescue agency, told a news conference in Jakarta. The tail was identified by divers after it was spotted by an underwater machine using a sonar scan, Soelistyo said. He displayed underwater photographs showing partial lettering on the sunken object compared with a picture of an intact Airbus A320-200 in AirAsia livery. “I can confirm that what we found was the tail part from the pictures,” he said, adding that the team “now is still desperately trying to locate the black box”. Indonesia’s Minister for Maritime Affairs, Indroyono Soesilo, told another news conference: “With the finding of the tail, six SAR (search and rescue) ships are already at the location to search within a radius of two nautical miles.” Forty bodies and debris from the plane
have been plucked from the surface of the waters off Borneo, but strong winds and high waves have been hampering divers’ efforts to reach larger pieces of suspected wreckage detected by sonar on the sea floor. German insurer Allianz said it had begun making initial payments to the families of crash victims, although it declined to specify the amount. “These payments are in no way final settlements,” said a spokesman for Allianz, which is the lead reinsurer for the consortium of insurers covering claims in the case. “We will agree further compensation in due course in consultation with all involved parties.” Initial insurance payments to cover immediate financial hardship in similar cases have run at around $25,000 for the next of kin of each passenger, according to industry sources. FINDING THE TAIL WAS PRIORITY Locating the tail of the plane has been a priority because the cockpit voice and flight data recorders that can provide vital clues on why it crashed are located in the rear section of the Airbus. “I am led to believe the tail section has been found,” AirAsia boss Tony Fernandes tweeted minutes after the announcement. “If (it is the) right part of tail section, then the black box should be there ... We need to find all parts soon so we can find all our guests to ease the pain of our families. That still is our priority.”
U.S. denies Cuba resisting release of several prisoners on list WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A White House official on Wednesday denied that the Cuban government was resisting freeing some of the 53 people listed for release as part of a thaw in U.S.-Cuba relations on the grounds they had been linked to violence. The denial followed a report on Wednesday by Reuters citing a congressional aide who said that “we’ve been told that the Cuban government has agreed to release all but several of the political prisoners on the list.” “This is not true, we have not heard any such thing from the Cubans, we fully expect all 53 to be released,” the official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said. The prisoner release is part of an historic deal last month to renew diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba aiming to end more than five decades of hostility. But detailed information about those to be freed, including their names, has not been divulged by President Barack Obama’s administration, providing ammunition for Republican congressional critics of the policy shift. Both the White House and State Department said on Tuesday that “some” of the 53 people the United States regards as political prisoners
Raul Borges, 74, holds a picture of his son Ernesto Borges
had been released, but declined to elaborate. White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters on Tuesday that one reason the prisoners were not being identified was because “we don’t want to put an even bigger target on their back as political dissidents.” On Wednesday, the White House official stuck to the administration’s refusal to give the number or names of those released so far. But the official said the United States and Cuba had agreed on a common list before the Dec. 17 announcement of an agreement to restore relations, and that Washington expects Havana to fulfill its part of the deal. However, the congressional aide, also speaking on condition of not being named, suggested a possible obstacle to the release of everyone on the list. “The government in
Havana believes that the smaller group has committed acts of violence,” the aide said. The problem involved several of the prisoners but did not give a precise number, the aide added. Florida Senator Marco Rubio, a Cuban-American Republican who is a leading congressional critic of Obama’s policy shift, on Tuesday wrote to Obama to urge him to cancel upcoming talks with Havana - at least until all the prisoners are released. Elizardo Sanchez, president of the Cuban Commission for Human Rights and National Reconciliation, an opposition group that monitors arrests of Cuban government critics, said his group was unaware of any jail releases since the Dec. 17 announcement. His group has not been notified by Cuba or the United States about which names are on the list.
Thursday January 08, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Australia vs. India, 4th Test, Sydney, 2nd day...
AUSTRALIA ON TOP AFTER MAKING 572 ESPNcricinfo Everywhere you turned on the second day in Sydney there were stats, and Steven Smith was at the centre of most of them. But at the end of the day the only figure that really mattered was 501. That was the deficit India faced at stumps yesterday, when they had moved their score along to 1 for 71, with Rohit Sharma on 40 and KL Rahul on 31. On a good batting surface, India need to make day three a big one. The first two were great ones for Australia, who declared at 7 for 572 shortly after tea. It was the first time Australia’s top six batsmen had all reached fifty in an innings, the first time since
West Indies toured in 196869 that Australia had posted four consecutive 500-plus first-innings totals in a series, and the first time since Bradman that an Australian had scored hundreds in four consecutive Tests in a series. The man who achieved that was Smith, whose 117 continued a most outrageous run of first-innings form at home that stretches back more than a year. Six of his past seven first-innings scores in Tests in Australia have been hundreds, the last three of those as captain. In Sydney, he put on 196 for the third wicket with Shane Watson, their partnership ending in the morning session on day two.
Smith reached his hundred from his 168th delivery with a flick through midwicket for a boundary off a low full toss from Umesh Yadav, and celebrated with a raise of the bat, a glance to the sky and a hug from Watson. Eventually he fell for 117 when Yadav pitched the ball up outside off, and a rare lack of footwork from Smith resulted in an edge behind. Already Watson had departed, caught at deep midwicket when his pull off Mohammed Shami picked out the fielder, R Ashwin. His 81 was a good contribution but in friendly conditions a fifth century was there for the taking; instead it was his 23rd time out between
Saturday January Thursday January 03, 08, 2015 2015 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Action is the key. Think before you speak and use caution when talking about other people. Make sure your discussions about others don't turn into gossip.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Collect and consolidate your recent ideas and focus them outwardly. The time is right for you to act. Improve your surroundings and adjust your bed so that it faces east/ west.
TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Take what you've learned from your sensitive, meditative state and share it with others. Use your inner calm to bring stability to stressful situations. Make sure things don't get out of hand tonight.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You will be called into action whether you want to be or not. Notice how active your dreams are tonight and over the next couple of nights. Messages are trying to get through, so listen.
GEMINI (May 21–June 20) For the past several weeks you've felt like you've been dragging your heels. Decisions may have been hard to make and people may have seemed wishy-washy. There's a major energy shift tonight that will spark things back into action. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Be on the lookout for a challenge. Someone might rattle your cage a bit too much, so be patient and don't take it personally.
SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) An introspective and contemplative morning has filled your brain with a new wave of thoughts, which you will be eager to share with anything that has ears tonight. CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) l. A conflict may arise from which you just want to extricate yourself. Realize that a more peaceful agreement will ensue if you jump in and add your two cents' worth.
LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Things are moving your way, Leo. As the day progresses, you will find that the energy intensifies. Conflicts may arise near sundown, but don't worry about it too much.
AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Make sure you keep your fiery emotions in balance and don't cross any boundaries with others. People have limits, and it's important that you honor theirs as well as your own.
VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Connect with nature today and spend some time with animals if you can. Take deep breaths in fresh outdoor air and enjoy a long walk somewhere special with a close friend.
PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) It's time to get up and get moving, Pisces. You have tremendous ideas and vision for the future. You have all the information you need. Now all you have to do is act.
50 and 100. Not that the loss of Watson and Smith hurt Australia much, for India’s bowlers were unable to get anything out of the pitch. Joe Burns and Shaun Marsh each scored halfcenturies as 118 were added during the middle session for the loss of only Marsh, who steered a catch behind off Shami for 73. Marsh was typically strong when driving straight and cutting, and his fifty came from 87 deliveries, although he had received a life on 9 when he prodded Ashwin and M Vijay, in close on the off side, was unable to cling on. Burns took 19 balls to get off the mark and when he did so two consecutive boundaries arrived off Ashwin, but after reaching 30 he again became bogged down for a period. He was not at his most fluent when going over the top but began to find his rhythm and put away the bad balls, and his half-century came from 94 deliveries. He was helped after lunch by Virat Kohli’s strange decision to bowl Suresh Raina with Burns and Marsh both reasonably new to the crease, although in truth none of the bowlers looked especially threatening. Burns’ registered his maiden Test fifty with a sweep for four off Ashwin, but was caught at long-on for 58 when Australia chased quick runs after tea. Brad Haddin, who cleared the long-on boundary off Shami from his first ball, and Ryan Harris boosted the total as 34 runs came in 3.3 overs after tea, before Smith’s declaration. That came when Harris, who had struck 19 off one over from Bhuvneshwar Kumar, was caught at deep midwicket for 25 off nine balls. It gave Shami the consolation of a five-wicket haul. He was the only bowler to manage multiple wickets. Notably, Bhuvneshwar’s pace was well down throughout the innings and decreased even further, to the point where in his first over after tea every delivery was 115kph or slower. On the first day it had taken India three hours to break Australia’s opening partnership; on the second day it took Australia only three balls to end India’s opening stand. Mitchell Starc took the new ball and lured M Vijay into wafting outside off and he tickled behind to Brad Haddin to give Australia the perfect start. Rahul, who moved up the order to open, had a few plays
and misses early but survived, and Rohit had struck a couple of sixes by stumps. But with a 501-run deficit, it was going to take a lot more than that for India to fight back into the match.
Scores: India 1 for 71 (Rohit 40*, Rahul 31*) trail Australia 7 for 572 dec (Smith 117, Warner 101, Rogers 95, Marsh 73, Burns 58, Shami 5-112) by 501 runs.
Silver lining in sight... From page 29 continued faith they have been placing in the sport while also complimenting the PAWF and IWF for their continued show of confidence. ”We’ve endured some
tough and challenging times but I am optimistic that 2015 will see positive change for the sport.” The GAWA elections are slated to be held on or before February 28, this year.
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Dr. McGowan is Guyana’s Boxing legend Muhammad first Cricket Ombudsman Ali released from hospital Cricket Historian Dr Winston McGowan has been appointed as Guyana’s first Cricket Ombudsman and will be responsible for calling the elections of the three constituent members of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB); Demerara Cricket Board (DCB), Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB) and Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) in accordance with the provisions of Cricket Administration Law which was assented to by President Ramotar in August after the ‘Cricket Bill’ was enacted in Parliament on June 20. The post of Cricket Ombudsman is new to Guyana and is a feature of the recently enacted Cricket Administration law. After the County Board elections are completed in a proper manner McGowan is mandated to call the GCB elections, before the nine members from each of the
three County Boards appoints an Ombudsman to settle any possible problem in the Administration of cricket. The full time Ombudsman will be elected by the three County Boards since the appointment by the Minister is a one-time job and his role is now finished as far as his involvement in the Administration of cricket in Guyana is concerned. A new Ombudsman or the same person could be re-elected. The announcement of the appointment of the Cricket Ombudsman was made yesterday by Head of the Presidential Secretariat in the Office of the President Dr Roger Luncheon at his weekly briefing. “Dr Winston McGowan is the first cricket Ombudsman of Guyana. Dr McGowan was appointed Ombudsman by Dr Frank Anthony, Minister of the Ministry of Culture
Youth and Sport, and this was subsequent to Cabinet’s approval,” the Cabinet Secretary informed. McGowan, once a professor at the University of Guyana, is also a pastor with a comprehensive knowledgeable of cricket in particular its history and many in the cricket fraternity are confident McGowan’s integrity will not easily be compromised by anyone. The Elections of the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) and the Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB) are yet to be held but the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) elections have been already completed. However, according to a well placed source, McGowan could request an audit and if he is satisfied with the results and endorse the elections or he could call a new elections for the BCB. (Sean Devers)
Steven Gerrard: LA Galaxy boss confirms deal for Liverpool captain BBC Sport - Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard will join the Los Angeles Galaxy in July, according to the club’s coach. Bruce Arena told the LA Times that the Major League Soccer side will make an official announcement yesterday. Galaxy president Chris Klein described former England midfielder Gerrard, 34, as “the perfect fit”. Gerrard, who revealed last week he would leave Liverpool at the end of the season, added: “I think it’s a match made in heaven.” He added: “One of the reasons I chose LA Galaxy was because of the success they’ve had recently. I want to finish my career very strong. I want to add some medals and trophies to my collection.”
‘IGG performance, Aquatic...
From page 27 Football needs genuine Administrators. We also need to have strong clubs and good sub associations, while Football in schools and communities must be more competitive,” said. Kumar praised Peter Abdool and his Executives for a good job as GBBC President but added that the Amateur Association must be better organised. The Member of Parliament said that while Mohamed is vital to keeping Cycling alive the Cycling Federation is yet to produce a system where our National Cyclists ride as a team. “Guyana must have club Championships and the Federation must develop different teams in various categories. We need strong under-15, U-19 teams in addition to an ‘A’ team and a senior team to inculcate the habit of riding as team,” Kumar suggested. Guyana excelled in Basketball at the IGG while several players and Coaches attended the Caribbean Basketball Academy where they gained valuable experience and Kumar was high in praise for the Chris Bowman/NSC school’s Basketball programme and called for schools Basketball to be fully supported and encouraged around the country because it is the nursery and the reservoir for producing National players. Kumar also praised the Guyana under-19 Volleyball team who played
in the IGG and noted that President of the Volleyball Federation John Flores and Coach Levi Nedd for their work adding that Volleyball is doing well in Berbice and West Demerara. International (Lawn) Tennis returned to Guyana after 30 years as the Guyana Lawn Tennis Association (GLTA) participated in the IGG and served to increase the interest and momentum of professional tennis in Guyana. Chess, Kumar said, is showing some degree of improvement but thinks there must be more students involved, adding that while the NSC’s training programme is producing Swimmers at school, the club structure is weak and not doing enough. Kumar noted that Motor and Horse Racing is attracting large crowds but those sports needs better legislation, while praising the National Ruby and National Cricket teams for outstanding performances during the year. He is of the opinion that because of their success at the International level the ‘Ruggers’ are well placed to cop the NSC Team of the year while the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) is a huge contender for Sports Association of the year. Kumar feels that the installation of Flood Lights at the Albion ground was one of highlights of 2014 and should see Berbice getting more Regional Day/Night cricket.
BBC Sport - Boxing legend Muhammad Ali has been released from a hospital after being admitted last month with a severe urinary tract infection. The three-time world heavyweight champion, a cultural icon, is back home after being discharged on Tuesday night, a family spokesman said. Bob Gunnell said the 72year-old had made a full recovery and his family thanked everyone for their support. Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1984, after quitting boxing. He appeared in public at a ceremony in September in his hometown of Louisville for the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Awards. The name of the hospital where Ali was treated has not been disclosed.
Muhammad Ali
NBA ROUNDUP: SUNS HOLD OFF MILWAUKEE Associated Press - Markieff Morris scored 26 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead the Phoenix Suns to a 102-96 road victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night. Isaiah Thomas added 19 and Goran Dragic 16 for the Suns, who have scored 100 or more points in nine straight games. Brandon Knight scored 26 and Giannis Antetokounmpo added 16 for the Bucks. Pistons 105, Spurs 104 — At San Antonio: Andre Drummond and Greg Monroe each had a double-double and Detroit scored four points in the final 11 seconds. Brandon Jennings collected an errant inbounds pass and drove the length of the court for the winning basket with 0.1 seconds left.
Phoenix Suns’ Markieff Morris shoots against Milwaukee Bucks’ Johnny O’Bryant III (3) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2015, in Milwaukee. The Suns won 102-96. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Wakenaam Cricket Committee congratulates Paul The Wakenaam Cricket Committee (WCC) has congratulated Keemo Paul on his selection to the West Indies U-19 to participate in the NAGICO Super 50 in Trinidad and Tobago later this month. Paul was instrumental in Guyana winning the 2014 Regional U-19 three-day and 50-over tournaments which was contested here in August. He was voted the best all-rounder of the competition. Public Relations Officer of the WCC Keval Persaud said that although he is disappointed about the non
selection of Ricardo Adams on the national team, Paul’s elevation is most welcome since he would have started his cricket on the island; he wished him success in the tournament. Persaud pointed out that Wakenaam has over the years produced a number of cricketers for the national team at various levels including Oyono Sampson, Ryan Adams, Hamlet Gordon and Imran Khan. Meanwhile, businessman and Sans Souci SC opener Heera Sukram has donated a pair of booths to Paul in recognition of his selection.
Keemo Paul In an invited comment Paul thanked Sukram and said he will put his best foot forward.
Thursday January 08, 2015
Kaieteur News
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‘IGG performance, Aquatic Center among highlights of 2014’ By Sean Devers On the back of stinging criticism for not doing enough for Sports in Guyana, the location of the Synthetic Track in West Demerara when most of the Nation’s top sprinters are based in the City, the slow work on that facility and that of the Aquatic Centre on the East Coast, not assembling a welcome party for the National Rugby team after they won the NACRA Seven’s title in Mexico, and why there is a perceived ‘gridlock’ on the use of National Sporting Facilities, Guyana’s Director of Sports Neil Kumar tried the counter those allegations. Kumar, who has been Head of the National Sports Commission (NSC) since 1994, two years after this Government came into office, explained that the Sports Ministry ensured investments were made into sports development in terms of training opportunities and the construction of facilities such as the synthetic track and the Aquatic Centre which aided in making 2014 a successful one for the NSC. The Director of Sports said it is the intent that with the installation of state-ofthe-art and international standard facilities, that our athletes will be able train on a higher level which should see them reaching their full potential in their respective sport disciplines. Kumar said the Staff, Coaches and Organizers at the NSC did an excellent job in 2014 and with the same type of commitment things will get even better this year. “In my life time I never expected to see an International Cricket Stadium or an International Standard Athletics track or Swimming Pool, but we have them now which will be of great benefit to our Athletes.” Kumar admitted that the tardiness of Contractors was the biggest challenge for the NSC in getting them to complete contracts within the set timelines which largely contributed to delays in finishing the job on the Aquatic Centre and the Synthetic track. “The completion of the warm-up pool in addition to the 50-meter pool now makes the Aquatic Centre a complete facility and was among the highlights of the year since it hosted several events and was utilized for training by several Swim clubs in addition to being used for recreational swimming and for exercise by various individuals,” Kumar added. Kumar revealed that the Athletics track is almost fully
NSC’s biggest challenge was tardiness of contractors - Neil Kumar
Neil Kumar completed with just the ‘accessories’ to be added and should be opened in the next few weeks and explained that while the Government was aware that most of Guyana’s top sprinters are from Georgetown and its environs, the availably of space was the main reason the track had to be constructed at Lenora. “We wanted to merge GCC and GFC but that plan fell through leaving us with no alternative than to utilize the land in West Demerara. When we built the Stadium at Providence, many felt it was too far and while that might be true there was no space for such a facility in the City. And it’s the same with the track and even the Aquatic Centre,” Kumar explained. On the issue of no Government official being at the airport when the victorious Ruby team arrived home, Kumar said when Guyana won the first title the NSC sent their bus at three in the morning to pick up the players who were afforded VIP treatment at the Airport but when they came back from Mexico they were never informed. “President Peter Greene was celebrating the win and forgot to inform me or the NSC so we did not know they had arrived until the next day. He (Greene) admitted it was his fault. When people say we do nothing for sports it is not true. We have spent $700 million in developing grounds and venues throughout Guyana, we give the National Basketball team $3 million, the Ruby side got $1 million and they made us very proud by taking the NACRA title….so we are doing the best we can but one must understand …of course we should do more, but we operate with a budget,” Kumar retorted. “On the non-access by the public, the various Sporting facilities, we have a system where a request for use of any Government controlled venue is sent to us. When they check our schedule to see if the venue is available
at that time and how important is the event. Of course practice for National teams will take priority. In the case of the Racquet and Research Centre, commissioned last year and equipped with a comprehensive library of sports books and a computer centre, Students writing Physical Education at CXC can just walk in to do their research,” Kumar reminded. “The NSC has 25 full time Coaches including two overseas International Coaches. Isabella is a Cuban Swimming Coach while Francisco, who is also from Cuba, is a Boxing Coach and both were brought in by the Government,” Kumar informed. “We have Coaches for Swimming, Boxing, Table Tennis, Cycling, Football and Lawn Tennis to name a few of the Sports. If you take out Coaches like Hassan Mohammed from Cycling and Linden Johnson from Table Tennis, I believe those sports would die,” Kumar stated. Kumar said that Johnson has been doing quality training with school children from all areas in Guyana and has also organised several tournaments. “In 2014 we did extremely well in Table Tennis and dominated at the IGG, beating both Suriname and French Guiana,” Kumar pointed out. The long serving Government official stated that he was very impressed with the Cuban Swim Coach Isabella, who during the past year, along with other Coaches,
trained 222 adolescents during the Easter and August holidays at the Colgrain pool in the City. Over 100 of the youngsters graduated and are now able to use the pool at the Aquatic Centre. “This success was demonstrated by Guyana being able to win medals including Gold at the IGG. Guyana has also been improving at the Caribbean Goodwill Games where they were very competitive. If the club structure improves it would make the Swimmers more competitive locally and the overall standard will rise.” He added that top IGG swimmer and Bishops High student Onika George did exceedingly well at the CXC Exams and that Brittany Van Lange who went to the Olympics, also attended Bishops. “In 2013 Government brought in a trainer from the International Life Guard Association from Canada and last year 20 persons were trained with six of those being fully certified as International Life Guards. Before this, despite
all the Resorts in Guyana there was not a single certified Life Guard here and this month 25 more will be trained by Patrick D’Alamada who is bringing with him Guyanese born Stuart Fraser who trains Life Guards in Jamaica,” Kumar added. Kumar said the Guyana Squash team continues to dominate the Regional tournaments while 2014 was a good year for our athletics. “It was heartening to see us dominate the IGG in Athletics and our National Team’s performance at the Junior Carifta Games sparkled. Jason Yaw’s performance in the South American Youth Championship in Colombia was most amazing,” Kumar pointed out. “We have a rich history of distance runners and with Government bringing in two professional athletic Coaches, expectations are high that Guyana will win Gold Medals Internationally as we look ahead to the 2016 Olympics in Brazil. However, Athletic Clubs, Coaches and particularly
Administrators will need to work together for the further development of our Athletes and it is imperative that the GAA produce a short, medium and long term development programme. It is very disappointing that the Boxing is the only association which has submitted such a programme,” Kumar lamented. According to Kumar, another high point was the visit by USA indoor Hurdler Kristi Castlin, who in October conducted a 5-day workshop along with Jamaican Grace Jackson and Ato Boldon of T&T. Kumar welcomed the Football Normalization Committee saying that this Committee seems dedicated to seeing Guyana’s Football develop. “While these big-four Administrators are making a genuine effort to streamline the sport and put in place a very good Executive to administer Football, it seems as if the same old failures are looking to return to office. Continued on page 26
Malinga provisionally picked... From page 29 ODIs in New Zealand from January 11 to January 29. Then they play two warm-ups, against South Africa and Zimbabwe, before they feature in the World Cup’s opening game, against New Zealand, on February 14 at the Hagley Oval in
Christchurch. The other teams in Pool A, with Sri Lanka and New Zealand, are Australia, England, Scotland, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. Sri Lanka’s World Cup squad Angelo Mathews (capt), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara (wk), Mahela Jayawardene, Lahiru
Thirimanne (vice-capt), Dinesh Chandimal, Dimuth Karunaratne, Jeevan Mendis, Thisara Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Malinga (subject to fitness), Dhammika Prasad, Nuwan Kulasekara, Rangana Herath, Sachithra Senanayake
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Thursday January 08, 2015
Under-20 Boyz fail to bring Barnwell XI beat Rest team by six runs smile to Tappa’s face NAGICO Super50 first practice match
An aggressive 75 from allrounder Royston Crandon, who later took 3-25, spearheaded Chris Barnwell’s XI to a six-run win against a Rest team in the first of two practice matches yesterday at Everest. Crandon, who faced 82 balls and hit six fours and two sixes in his confident 75, was supported by Barnwell who hit four fours in a fluent 64ball 54 and Jonathon Foo, who looked far more matured than when he last played for Guyana in 2010, slammed a six and a four in 38 as Barnwell’s XI reached 281-7 when their
50 overs expired. Medium pacer Paul Wintz, who is a part of the Jaguar’s 14-man squad to participate in the 2015 NAGICO Super50 in Trinidad & Tobago from January 15, took 3-59 for the Rest Team who were bowled out for 175 in 43.1 overs despite a 66-run opening stand between Kandasammy Surujnarine (22) and Essequibo opener Kevin Boodie who clobbered three fours and a six in the third over from left-arm pacer Raymond Reifer which cost 19 runs. Boodie, who became the only Guyanese to score a
double century in a senior Inter-County 50-over game, was taken in the deep off Barnwell, for a rapid 39-ball 44 with seven fours and a six. After that only Four-Day Skipper Vishaul Singh, who struggled for 66 balls to make 29 and Jason St Clair (20), reached 20 as Crandon (3-25), Barnwell (3-16) and Devendra Bishoo (2-41) did the damage. All of Guyana’s matches will be played under lights and the final practice match is set for tomorrow at Providence in a Day-Night affair which is scheduled to commence at 13:30 hrs. (Sean Devers)
...Unimpressive in 1-1 draw against Cuba in 2nd warm-up
Wiltshire Dominoes tourney
Wins for F and H, Gangster
Junior Flemmings (right) challenges his opponent during their friendly international match at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex on Monday evening.
Faye Joseph (right) presents the prize to Mark Wiltshire. F and H and Gangster were the successful teams when the Georgetown leg of the Mark Wiltshire Dominoes tournament commenced on Tuesday night last at Turning Point. F and H tallied 72 games to win their encounter with Rage 59 and Providence 52. Hazim Hakh scored 17 for the winners, while Mark Welch registered 16 and Cargill DeFreitas 14 for Rage.
Shawn Davis made 14 and Junior Smith 13 for Providence. Gangster marked 70 games to overcome Phantom with 64 and Mix Up 55. Seven Collymore led Gangster with 16 games and Dereck Collymore chalked up 14. Brentnol Barker and Rawl Cameron were Phantom’s leading players with 16 and 14 games respectively. Colin Thomas made 15 for Mix Up. Meanwhile, the competition
has received the backing of president of the Georgetown Dominoes Association Faye Joseph, who presented an undisclosed sum to Wiltshire. Joseph wished the teams well and urged that the players remained discipline throughout the tournament. Wiltshire thanked Joseph and said he do look forward to her continued support.
Smythfield Rockers demolish Black Sharks to reach finals Top team Smythfield Rockers of New Amsterdam continued their unbeaten run in the Banks DIH Classic Basketball tournament when they demolish a hapless Fyrish Black Sharks 45-26 when the first semifinal was played on Monday at the Vryman’s Erven basketball Court in New Amsterdam. The Rockers were steady from the start as they swarmed and bound the Sharks early in the game for a runaway 23-8 lead by the half time mark. The second half was much the same with the Rockers affirming themselves for the eventual blow out. Leading the way for the Rockers was Neil Wills with a game high 19 points. The second semifinal was
down for yesterday at the same venue involving East Canje Knights against the New Amsterdam Warriors. The final will be played on Sunday at the same venue and at stake are cash incentives and trophies. Smythfield Rockers came out as winners in group B with Black Sharks the runner up in group A, while the East Canje Knights was the winner of Group A and New Amsterdam Warriors the runner up in group B. The top two teams will receive cash incentives and medals. The most valuable player will also be presented with a trophy. The organiser is Vibert Garrett.
Jamaica Observer - Jamaica Under-20 team and Cuba battled to a 1-1 draw in their international friendly at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex on Monday evening. Head coach Theodore Whitmore rested several players, including US-based Michael Seaton, Cordel Benbow and the spritely Martin Davis in a game where they fell behind to a 53rdminute strike from Frank Lopez. The skilful Cuban shrugged off Shaquille Lewis and fired home from just inside the box to end the half with his team in front. Earlier in the 32nd minute, Cuba’s Issan Lartiga crashed a shot onto the crossbar with
Jamaica’s goalkeeper scrambling to get back in goal. But once Whitmore introduced Seaton, Davis and Benbow after the hour-mark, the advantage swung in favour of the Jamaicans and it was no surprise when they pulled level. Seaton latched into a through ball and rifled home a powerful shot in the 73rd minute. Captain Junior Flemmings, who played in midfield, collected a delightful pass from Davis, but fired inches wide of the upright in one of Jamaica’s offensive moves. Jamaica were now bossing possession as they searched for the winner, but had to settle for a draw. Coach Whitmore was not pleased with his team’s
statuts on the eve of the World Cup qualifying tournament. “I think in the last part of the game when we started making some substitutions it injected more life in the team. But basically, I didn’t like the performance,” said Whitmore. “We didn’t manage the game and just played to how Cuba wanted us to play. We didn’t play with any zest,” he noted. Jamaica will open the championship against Caribbean neighbours Trinidad and Tobago tomorrow at 8:00 pm inside the National Stadium. On Saturday, Jamaica defeated the Cubans 2-1 as both teams fine-tune their preparations.
Desmond Haynes hits back at Bob Willis for his comments Former West Indies batsman Desmond Haynes has hit back at former England bowler Bob Willis for his comments saying that West Indies should now start playing Bangladesh and Zimbabwe. This comes after West Indies lost their Test series 2-0 to South Africa. “Bob Willis just a short note to say that when we were beating England 5 nil at home and away no West Indies commentators suggested that England should be playing Bangladesh or Zimbabwe,” Haynes said on his Facebook page. He further went on to criticise the West Indies administrators for their poor performances of-late. Haynes
ing coaches from England and other places dealing with our youth”. Haynes did not stop there, he went on to praise the West Indies side saying they have good talent in the squad. “Bob you said there is no light at the end of the tunnel. Let me tell you that we have some talent here in the West Indies. What we need is better administrators who can use the past players to show you the light at the end of the tunnel,” said the former right-handed batsman. Desmond Haynes Haynes, one of the best (Brooks/WICB), batsmen of his time has scored 35 international cenBob Willis turies for West Indies in an said, “I blame our administra- illustrious career spanning 16 tors because we are still hav- years. (cricketcountry.com)
Thursday January 08, 2015
Kaieteur News
Silver lining in sight for weightlifting It has not been smooth - Deion Nurse By Franklin Wilson
sailing or lifting for the sport of weightlifting in Guyana over the past four years with no competition being held as a result of a dearth of athletes. The Guyana Amateur Weightlifting Association (GAWA) through its long standing Secretary Deion Nurse has been trying its utmost to focus on the development of young athletes and would have given the chance to a few to compete overseas despite not having any experience. The names Darren Williams, Deniola Bristol and Sheriah Melville readily comes to mind as the athletes who would have donned national colours at the South American Youth Games in 2013 in Lima, Peru without any local experience. This move according to Nurse was in keep with the forward thrust of the association which is still alive and that is to get the youths involved as they seek a rebirth of the sport. Speaking with Kaieteur Sports yesterday, Nurse informed that the challenges continue for the association but they are working to ensure that the sport lifts off finally in 2015 with the assistance of the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF), Pan American Weightlifting Federation (PAWF) and the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA). Nurse, one of four qualified Level Three coaches in Guyana which is the highest level one can attain, shared that there isn’t a challenge with coaches. ”As a matter of fact, we have at least 25 trained and qualified Level One Coaches certified by the IWF. We also have another 2 at Level Two and four at Level Three.” He is of the view that the time is right for a more sustained approach towards the revitalizing of the sport and they are encouraged by the assistance of the Guyana Olympic Association which has been exceptional despite their own challenges. ”The GOA, Pan American
Deion Nurse and world Bodies have all been in tune with what’s going on in Guyana and we intend to make this year the year when we see a real turn around for the sport. The PAWF through a development grant presented two weightlifting sets to the GAWA in May 2014 and we will be receiving five more sets from the IWF later this year.” ”So I believe that in terms of up to date equipment we will be right up there. Facilities have been a constant challenge for us and I am happy to say that there will be significant change in this area also this year.” Nurse also disclosed that G AWA a t t e n d e d t w o international events in 2014, the Under-17 Pan American championships in Lima, Peru as well as the same entity’s Congress. ”Looking ahead to this year, I can inform you and Guyana that the GAWA is aiming to attend the World Youth championships that would be held in Lima, Peru, April 18 – 26. The Junior Pan American championships and Congress in Columbia, May 5 – 10 and the Senior World championships set for November 20 - 29 in Houston, Texas.” GAWA will be working on doing programmes at the New Opportunity Corp, Kuru Kuru College as well as the Cyril Potter College of Education, Nurse noted. He extended sincere gratitude to the President and Executive of the GOA for the (Continued on page 27)
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Malinga provisionally picked in Sri Lanka’s 15 ESPNcricinfo - Lasith Malinga has been included in Sri Lanka’s World Cup 15 subject to fitness. Sri Lanka named an almost identical squad to the one that will play an ODI series in New Zealand later this month - the exception is fast bowler Shaminda Eranga, who has been left out. Malinga had undergone surgery on a troubled left ankle in September, and missed Sri Lanka’s onedayers against India and England after that, before returning to the squad for the final two ODIs of the upcoming series against New Zealand. Chairman of selectors Sanath Jayasuriya said Malinga is still undergoing rehabilitation and might not be ready in time to play those games, but he will still be saved for the World Cup. “A player like Malinga, we have to take a gamble because he is a matchwinner,” Jayasuriya said after announcing the squad. “We know and everyone knows what he can do. We need him in the bowling department for it to be strong. At the moment he is undergoing a rehabilitation programme. We are not very sure of playing him even in the last two ODIs against New Zealand. He might miss them because we want to make sure that he is fit for the World Cup.” There are no real surprises in the squad. In Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, Tillakaratne Dilshan and Rangana Herath Sri Lanka have a wealth of experience at their disposal, even without Malinga. Opener Dimuth Karunaratne, who has been part of Sri Lanka’s squads for the two ODI assignments leading up to the World Cup the series against England in November and December, which Sri Lanka won 5-2, and the upcoming series in New Zealand - retains his place. Seamer Nuwan Kulasekara, who was dropped for the England series at home but made his way back to the squad for New Zealand courtesy strong showings in domestic cricket, also makes it. Jayasuriya said Kulasekara had made technical adjustments to his bowling. “In the few games
[domestic] he played, Nuwan bowled very well. At the same time he rectified some of his technical mistakes with the help of [bowling coach] Champaka Ramanayake. “We received a good report from Ramanayake that Kulasekera was bowling well, and in Australia and New Zealand we could encounter some grassy pitches, so Kulasekera’s experience will be vital especially with Malinga not 100% fit.” He said he was happy to see how Karunaratne delivered as opener in the just-concluded Test series against New Zealand, where he made 152 at the top in the second innings in Christchurch, in a pressure situation with the team following on. “We were a bit worried about the opening slot. We tried Upul Tharanga and Kusal Perera and even tried Mahela as opener. But Dimuth is a solid opening bat and since the conditions are also different in Australia and New Zealand, he has adjusted himself very well. We looked at him as opener and gave him a chance in the first Test [against New Zealand]. He proved that he can bat for longer periods under those conditions. “With two new balls at either end and in different conditions we expect him to bat through the first 10 overs and play a long innings. He knows his game plan, his
Lasith Malinga had surgery on his left ankle in September © Getty Images
strengths and weaknesses. We don’t want to lose quick wickets early. That was the problem we had in the past. We brought in Dimuth to plug that hole so that the other batsmen can play their natural game.” Given the conditions in Australia and New Zealand, the selectors picked only two specialist spinners for the showpiece tournament, in left-arm spinner Herath and offspinner Sachithra Senanayake. They will be backed up by legspinning
allrounder Jeevan Mendis. The other allrounders in the squad include captain Angelo Mathews, Thisara Perera and Tillakaratne Dilshan. Thirimanne and Chandimal join Jayawardene, Sangakkara and Karunaratne as the specialist batsmen, while Dhammika Prasad and Suranga Lakmal are the specialist fast-bowling options in addition to Malinga and Kulasekara. Sri Lanka will play seven (Continued on page 29)
Incumbent Bess, to seek re-election at GABBFF AGM
G
uyana Amateur Body Building and Fitness Federation (GABBFF) President Keavon Bess will seek another term at the helm of the sport, he has led for the past three years. The federation will hold its Annual General Meeting and election of office bearers on January 24 next from 10:00hrs at Olympic House, High Street, Kingston. Members at the last AGM in 2014 voted to extend the term of Office from one to two years. Bees informed that he has been encouraged to run again and after long deliberations, would be seeking another term at the helm. The other current executive members are Hugh Ross (Vice President), Stacy McKinnon (General Secretary), Videsh Sookram (Organising Secretary) and Moressa Oscar (Treasurer). Nominations for the relevant positions would be accepted from the floor on January 24.
Keavon Bess
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Kaieteur News
Thursday January 08, 2015
August Beverage / Untouchable Boss Yaw won gold, Hooper silver host Domino tournament this Sunday at SA Youth Championships Over $350,000 will be up for grabs when August Beverage and Lyall Gittens of Untouchable Boss team up to host a big Domino Competition on Sunday, at August Beverage Sports Bar on Norton Street. According to Organiser Gittens, teams from Plaisance, Buxton, A n n ’s G r o v e , We s t Demerara and Georgetown have all expressed ineterst in competing in the competition which commences at 13:00 hrs. Gittens, who has a wealth of experience as an organiser of the sport added that the winning team will receive $160,000, 2nd place$100,000, 3rd place- $60,000 and 4th place-$15,000. The four top finishers will also receive trophies, while the MVP will take home $3,000. Entrance fee is $10,000 per team and the first fifteen teams to register will receive free gifts. Blue Flame Sound System will be present, while BBQ will be on sale. For more information, teams could acll tele#6972929 or 622-7161.
- Garraway broke 22-year-old schools’ record
Co-organiser of the August Beverage / Untouchable Boss Domino tournament Lyall Gittens poses with the trophies up for grabs in this Sunday’s competition.
Australian Open: Jo-Wilfried
Tsonga pulls out with injury BBC Sport - World number 12 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga has pulled out of this month’s Australian Open with an arm injury. The Frenchman, 29, has been struggling with the injury for over a month and missed the defence of his Hopman Cup title this week. “I am still suffering from a forearm inflammation that prevents me being 100% in a competition,” said Tsonga. Britain’s James Ward’s improved ranking means he could receive a late call-up to the Australian Open main draw. The British number two, 27, moved up six places to a career-high 101 in the latest ATP world rankings and is now just one ranking point outside the top 100. He is set to contest qualifying at Melbourne Park for the first Grand Slam of the year which starts on 19 January, but is well placed to enter the main draw if players withdraw through injury. Tsonga reached the final of the 2008 Australian
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga tweeted an image of his arm in a cast. Open, losing to Novak Djokovic and is twice a Wimbledon semi-finalist. He described the setback as a “big disappointment”, adding in a statement: “I’m going to receive over three weeks all the needed treatments to be able to be back on track in the best conditions.”
Meanwhile, US Open champion Marin Cilic is a doubt for the Australian Open because of a right shoulder injury. The world number nine said: “Considering the full recovery and opportunity for practice, it is highly questionable if I will be able to play.”
In our review of athletics for the year 2014, which was published yesterday, we inaccurately had Jason Yaw and Natricia Hooper winning bronze medals at South A m e r i c a n Yo u t h Championship in Cali, Colombia in November last year. In fact, Yaw won a gold medal in a record-breaking time of 46.79, which we accurately indicated while Hooper ran 55.05 seconds to place second. Our bronze medal reference was a consequence of Yaw’s Central American and Caribbean Games bronze medal, which we correctly highlighted in our review. Running Braves Athletics Club Coach, Julian Edmonds, told Kaieteur Sport yesterday that with a time of 55.05, Hooper has qualified for the World Youth Championships in Colombia, in July of this year. Edmonds informed that Avon Samuels and Jevina
Natricia Hooper and Tevin Garraway Sampson are also in line to compete at the event in Columbia since they both posted qualifying times. In addition, in our review, we inadvertently omitted that Police Progressive Youth Club (PPYC) won the Fifth Edition of the Boyce & Jefford Track and Field Classic while the Guyana Defence Force won the InterServices Annual Athletics Championships (ISAAC), known as Joint-Service title,
defeating the Guyana Police Force. In our review, we also overlooked the historic performance of Police’s junior sprint ace, Tevin Garraway, who smashed Edmonds’ 22-year-old 100 metres record at the truncated 2014 National Schools’ Championships. Edmonds 1992 Under-20 Boys’ 10.6 seconds record was annulled with Garraway’s 10.5 seconds performance.
Barcelona president says striker Lionel Messi is ‘happy and will stay’ BBC Sport - Lionel Messi is happy at Barcelona and will stay with the club until at least the end of his contract in 2018, says president Josep Maria Bartomeu. Reports in Spain suggest that La Liga’s all-time record goalscorer, 27, is unhappy under coach Luis Enrique. But Bartomeu said: “Messi has a contract until 2018, he is happy with the club and wants to win more titles. “There is nothing to panic about in that regard. Messi is the central figure. The team is built around him.” He added: “The whole footballing world knows that Barca don’t want to sell Messi. For me he is the best player in the world.” Messi started on the bench as Barcelona lost to Real Sociedad at the weekend. The defeat meant they remained second in the La Liga table, a point behind fierce rivals Real Madrid. In November, Enrique insisted Messi was “delighted” to be at Barca after reports linked the Argentine with a move away from the Nou Camp. Talk of a transfer has resurfaced in recent days, with rumours Messi could be interested in a move to English Premier League side Chelsea. Catalan radio has claimed that the London club has contacted Messi’s father and agent Jorge. But Bartomeu told a news conference: “These news stories are created to try to damage FC Barcelona. They are written with the intention of creating conflicts where conflict does not exist. “Ultimately these are questions that you have to direct to Enrique and Messi, but from the contact I have made they are getting on fine and want to win titles. “Enrique has a project that he is working on. Of course, we always want to
Lionel Messi (Getty Images) win, but there is no doubting him. “All the turmoil around the club will affect the team. That is precisely why we have called an election.” Bartomeu has called elections for the end of the season after conceding the club has been affected by “an astonishing amount of tension over the last few weeks”. He backed Enrique to stay at the club, with the Barcelona coach saying earlier on Wednesday he does not feel under any pressure ahead of Thursday’s Copa del Rey clash with Elche. “I haven’t received an ultimatum from the president,” said Enrique. “I’ve never had any such threat in my entire career.” Asked if Messi was still happy with life at Barcelona, Enrique said: “I don’t want to comment. We know things change and a month is a long time.” The former Barca player added: “I have the same relationship with all my players that I had at the start of the season. That has not changed.”
Thursday January 08, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 33
Rugby performed well, but more support needed By Rawle Welch The late great US tennis star Arthur Ashe once said, “One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to selfconfidence is preparation.” Last year’s success story in local sports was undeniably the excellent achievements of the national rugby team which won the NACRA 7’s and 15’s championships shared with sensible leadership from the Union itself, two components that came together to bring about the ultimate fairy tale. The ‘Green Machine’ as they are familiarly referred to was in dominant mode throughout the year, playing unbeaten in every major regional competition to reestablish themselves as the best in the NACRA region. The role of the Guyana Rugby Football Union was critical as it played a pivotal role in influencing the team’s success, pulling out all the stops in ensuring that the players were well prepared, all this in spite of the continual constraints they face. President Peter Green and the executive led the way in letting the players believe that they can attain the targets set and the consistent sermons begun to raise the level of confidence within the team so much so that even the new players with little or no previous experience felt the need to increase their level of play and self-assurance. The general standard set by experienced players such as Claudius Butts, Richard Staglon, Theodore Henry, Ronald Mayers, Kevin McKenzie, Captain Ryan Gonsalves and Peabo Hamilton really helped motivate the younger players in becoming locked into the system and as we know the rest is history. They instigated a work ethic and camaraderie within the squad, reminding the junior players daily about what it meant to be on a team that represented being a champion and the importance of donning national colours. At the beginning of the year the team commenced its campaign without any international titles to their name, having lost their 2013 Caribbean Southern Zone 15’s title to arch rivals Trinidad and Tobago, while
The successful National rugby team. an administrative glitch combined with the lack of adequate funding prevented them from attending the 7’s version so there was extra motivation for the team to regain lost ground and its rightful status as the Regions’ best. With a ranking of 62 from 155 test playing nations at the beginning of t h e y e a r, t h e ‘ G r e e n Machine’ displaying the passion and skill that saw them capture the NACRA 7’s title for six consecutive years, destroyed all and sundry in both formats and by the end of the season had climbed the international rankings to be placed 42, its best placing ever. The success meant that the team qualified for this year’s Pan Am Games in Toronto, Canada and will also be returning to the Hong Kong Sevens with the Rio 2016 Olympic qualifiers firmly in its sights. Apart from the men’s team accomplishments, the Union with support from the Guyana Olympic Association and the Ve n e z u e l a O l y m p i c Association was able to send male and female developmental teams to participate in the South American Beach Rugby Games in Venezuela and while they failed to medal, reports indicated that the experience gained was valuable. This format of Rugby is fast becoming popular
worldwide with NACRA slated to host a Championship annually from 2016 and the teams attendance allowed them to become more familiar that format and could prove beneficial going forward. Another significant feat that should be mentioned is the fact that the Union enjoyed a lot of local activity in the form of competitions, Courses and the continued development of junior rugby and this is a solid move since it assures the continuity of the sport long after the current cadre of players make their exit. However, while the year could be classified as an outstanding one for the sport, the Union must take some heat for the state of the women’s game. Even if one is to concede that they took over the reins of the sport at a time when the Ladies segment was struggling, the new Body failed to instigate change in the status of affairs they met. The Ladies who’re threetime Caribbean champions to many were undeservedly neglected and no matter what reasons the Union may want to offer at this time, the general view is that an intensive effort was not made to procure funding for them to participate in the NACRA Championships or even mobilise a team to commence preparations. Let’s hope that a more determined effort is made this year to ensure that
Ladies rugby is part and parcel of the Union’s Programme this year.
While the lament about the lack of promotion of the team will continue, it is the
fervent wish of the team’s supporters that the Government, Ministry of Sport (MoS), National Sports Commission (NSC) and the corporate entity begin to realise the significance of the team’s achievements against all odds and adequately reward them for such. T h e G o v e r n m e n t ’s goodwill of assuaging the transportation cost mainly, the MoS and NSC continued lack of recognition and support for the team must change in addition to the minute number of corporate entities that tender financial assistance. This is a team that prepares exclusively at home with no foreign component added to it and to go to international competitions and perform the way they do deserves tangible national recognition. It could take the form of house lots and real financial assistance, whatever shape it takes it should be significant.
t r o Sp NAGICO SUPER50 FIRST PRACTICE MATCH
BARNWELL XI BEAT REST TEAM BY SIX RUNS
Dr. McGowan is Guyana’s first Cricket Ombudsman
Jonathon Foo on the go during his side’s win. Royston Crandon gathers off-side runs during his half century.
Dr. Winston McGowan
AUSTRALIAN OPEN: AUSTRALIA VS. INDIA, 4TH TEST, SYDNEY, 2ND DAY
Aussies on top after making 572 Mitchell Starc gives M Vijay a send-off. (Getty Images)
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga pulls out with injury Incumbent Bess, to seek re-election at GABBFF AGM
Boxing legend Muhammad Ali released from hospital
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