Wednesday January 14, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Letters... Where your views make the news... Letters... Where your views make the news
Hypocrisy is the hallmark of the ruling party DEAR EDITOR, The PPP never surprises with the depth and scope of its hypocrisy, most recently with its release condemning the attacks on the French satirical magazine, Charlie Hebdo. More than anything, this was an attack aimed at freedom of expression by artists and writers, and this is something the PPP is itself guilty of. An anecdote: In early 2014, while in Germany and scheduled to do a presentation at the University of Heidelberg, I read an article in which the Minister of Culture, Dr. Frank Anthony, deliberately tried to mislead the public on several aspects of his mismanaged portfolio. In a letter to the editor I corrected the Minister after which he fired back evading the issues, a missive I effectively rebutted in a second letter. The Ministry went silent but two days later an e-mail was sent to German LGBT rights organization, Hirschfeld-Eddy Stiftung, alleging a rabid homophobia on my part, correspondence that was then forwarded to the University of Heidelberg. It read: “This man who is a public figure has done more harm through his public attacks against the LGBT community in Guyana and has actually helped to perpetuate a negative stereotype against our people. With this in mind, it is rather astonishing that the University of Heidelberg has already funded one of Mr. Johnson’s trip to Germany to host a workshop and is again funding another trip, a few weeks later for a public reading event on January 16 2014... Public homophobic writers such as Mr. Johnson pose a threat to all the gains we have made. I end by enquiring if your country, organization and university will support such attacks against our community.” The author of the letter also leveled accusations of financial impropriety against an individual close to me and who was at the time working and studying at the university. While the latter issue needed no response, my defence on the homophobia charge was almost as simple – I directed the correspondent from Hirshfeld-Eddy to the fact that I was the recipient of a PAHO health-reporting award in which I directly tackled the issue of homophobia in Guyana. My lecture proceeded as planned. This of course was not an isolated incident. I’ve had clients intimidated; been
scandalized on social media; one blog account hacked and used to make extremist comments; been denied the right to represent my country at every CARIFESTA or other festival since 2003; and there isn’t a week without an anonymous letter or column attacking me in either Guyana Times or Guyana Chronicle. The PPP has no moral currency to condemn freedom of expression against writers and artists – it is the sole institutional perpetrator of attacks against independent creative people in Guyana. There are many ways to attack creative and critical free expression and in the age of information a bullet is arguably the least effective of them. ‘What is important here is the use of disproportionate and extreme power to silence [creative] voices of dissent that are deemed as enemies of whatever special interests has access to that extreme power – the men that attacked Charlie Hebdo did with guns what the PPP government does with clandestine e-mails and phone calls to prospective employers, and by signing away of the nation’s airwaves to persons favourable to it, while denying others the same opportunity. It does it with cowardly attack blogs run out of the Office of the President, and in cowardly anonymous columns published in the Times and Chronicle. It does it through Presidential Guards slapping a teacher in an
indigenous village, and then pressuring the village council to ostracise the victim. It does it by the hoarding of Amerindian leaders into the national convention centre with the Permanent Secretary of Amerindian Affairs shouting at them to toe the PPP line or else. It does so when a government minister walks into the national radio station and orders the winning calypso to be pulled, and when there is an outcry, the response is the pulling of all the top finalist calypsos from the state-controlled airwaves. It does so by suing journalist Freddie Kissoon for pointing out its institutionalized racism and unjustly denying him employment. The government attacks freedom of expression when it pulls state advertisement from independent newspapers, and uses the Guyana Revenue Authority to target the publisher of Kaieteur News. It did so when Jagdeo, who recently hypocritically lectured the Sri Lankans on abuse of state power during elections, mounted the platform in 2011 and referred to independent journalists as vultures and carrion crows. It did so when the increasingly shameless Gail Teixeira made the absurd threat of initiating UN prosecution against the free media, which she ignorantly compared to the government-controlled media Continued on page 23
A case of divide and rule
DEAR EDITOR, The two unions that represent the GPL employees, namely the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) and the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) are desirous of holding joint negotiations with the GPL for their respective members. The GPL is opposed to this because of the following reasons 1) GPSU and NAACIE have distinct collective bargaining agreements with the two unions. 2) The unions have separate certificates of recognition as sole bargaining agents for their respective categories of employees. 3) GPL has always negotiated separately with the
two unions and there is nothing in the law or in the existing collective labour agreements requiring them to do otherwise. 4) The unions’ arguments for joint negotiations are baseless and will create conflicts of interest. These explanations are all very lame, hollow and pathetic. The third is especially ridiculous because how can you refer to existing collective labour agreements while stating that they expired in 2003. Secondly, while no law or agreement demands joint negotiations, neither do any forbid/prevent them. What is wrong with undertaking these negotiations in good faith? I firmly believe that strong political undercurrents are at work here. NAACIE is
generally perceived to be pro government. GPSU on the other hand is perceived to be pro opposition. The government does not like the idea of two unions from different sides of the political divide co-operating to represent workers because this could lead to similar efforts elsewhere (perhaps at national level) and ultimately to a reconciliation between FITUG and GTUC. In the government’s opinion, a fractured trade union movement best serves its interests. I have no doubt that Dindyal, Brassington and board member/trade unionist Carvil Duncan are under strict instructions from their political masters not to permit joint negotiations. Edward Mooreley
Problems at Kuru Kuru Training Centre DEAR EDITOR, Kuru Kuru Training Centre is not the kind of training Institution as we knew it about four years ago. One of the many reasons we say this, is because one of the students told his parent that the person who did the selection for entry to the Centre did the wrong thing i.e. take in persons with twentyfive marks out of 300 as well as students who did not even write the entry test. That is why they have problems there. Some students have even
been smoking drugs at nights and some of them can’t cope with the classroom work. There is no motor mechanic instructor and also no Refrigeration Instructor. There is an administrator acting and also a senior Training Officer acting. The senior Training Officer acting is an Assistant Instructor.
This is an insult to other instructors because you have trained teachers and UG graduates. This person is neither a trained teacher nor a UG graduate. We would like the Ministry to get a qualified senior Training Officer and also a qualified Assistant Director of Youth. Concerned parents
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday January 14, 2015
Halting expenditure on “roll over Health officials mum about projects” would obstruct economy works to ensure CHI’s future Minister of Public Works, Minister Robeson Benn during a recently televised programme - CEO says facility could close in six months on Channel 11, the National Benn From all indications, Communications Network (NCN) under the heading, “The Political Scope” opined that to stop spending on roll over projects from 2014 into 2015, would result in the economy reaching “a state of constipation”. He also touched on other matters such as the US$50M loan from India to fund the East Bank-East Coast of Demerara road link and a ferry to be used in the North West District area. The Minister was specifically asked to comment on the recent statements by the British High Commissioner, Andrew Ayre, that Guyana currently operating with a prorogued parliament would in effect reduce the appetite of the United Kingdom to provide funding for the country. Benn who was brief on that matter eventually trailed off into providing comments on what the government is constitutionally allowed to spend and the importance of allowing certain expenditures on developmental projects which would have rolled over into the New Year. “When it (parliament) goes to suspension there isn’t oversight, the reasons we had prorogation have been said and are very well known, and they are understandable. In any event, the time period in
Public Works Minister, Robeson Benn which a parliament could be recalled is very short, so I don’t know if the High Commissioner is perhaps overlapping or seeing the possibility is inevitable with respect to recalling to Parliament, because it has to be recalled in any event for the budget.” Benn added, “From the first day of the year in January 2015 until the budget is read, the government… the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, can only spend onetwelfth of the current account budget with respect to expenditure of the government. It can’t spend anything more than that…and the only other expenditure would be roll over 2014 projects, and this is normal from one year to the next which continues, and if you stop spending on roll over projects the economy gets constipated,
people don’t get work and you start to lose work and building projects fall away, and you may have to start laying off people, not only in the commercial areas …But the expenditures are defined in the budget and it is there for anyone to see or review, even the UK High Commissioner.” The joint opposition - A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance For Change has accused the government of abusing the Treasury and withholding monies from the national coffers, siphoning off funds from multi-million dollar projects, selling shares of the extractive industries to foreigners and granting concessions to certain businesses that would lead to unfair competition and the eventual death of small businesses along with a barrage of other damning and scandalous accusations. Benn categorically stated that he believes that the allegations leveled against the government by the political opposition are unfounded and to that realm they will remain. He said that since the debates over corruption in the nation between the government and the opposition, there hasn’t been one single charge on any government official or a single contention that can stand up in the courts. “There have been all kinds of accusations in the Kaieteur News, social media, and Stabroek News…there isn’t a smoking gun and there is no gun…there have been the efforts to make us look bad, harass us, to make us give up hope, and irrespective of the struggle, we have brought Guyana from below the zero line to at least six percent growth (and) there is hidden growth that we might have not been able to account for and it’s something that has never occurred before in the history of our country,” the Minister said. He then called on the citizenry to look at the work of the government dispassionately for he believes that the PPP/C this time around will do better.
health officials both at the level of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and the Ministry of Health have assumed a tightlipped stance regarding the Caribbean Heart Institute (CHI). This is in spite of reports reaching this publication that the continued operation of the facility could be in jeopardy if ongoing work on a new Cardiac Catherisation Laboratory (Cath Lab) to accommodate new equipment is not completed shortly. This publication first reported on the state of affairs at the end of last year highlighting that the new lab is one that is required to accommodate equipment to sustain the optimal operation of CHI. Kaieteur News understands that the equipment currently in place at the facility must shortly be replaced. In fact, Chief Executive Officer of CHI, Dr Gary Stephens, explicitly intimated that “any day now our machine can suffer a catastrophic failure and even if it doesn’t I don’t see us surviving the next six months.” Attempts to solicit comments from the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Leslie Cadogan, were futile as efforts to reach him were met with claims that “he is not in the office”, “he is on leave” or “he is in a meeting”. This continued for at least two weeks before attempts were eventually made to contact Health Minister, Dr Bheri Ramsaran. When contacted by telephone Minister Ramsaran queried whether the information needed was a “big emergency” and went on to request that any question on ‘one’ subject matter be texted to him as he was in a meeting. This request was adhered to and was followed a few days later with a reminder text as well as a few calls, all of which went unanswered. Almost one week later there has been no answer forthcoming from the Health Minister. GPHC’s Chief Executive
The equipment for the CHI lab stored on the ground floor of GPHC. Officer, Michael Khan, when contacted for a comment on the stalled works would only say that the hospital did its part in providing the necessary space for the lab and a backup generator. “We have done our part,” insisted Khan without saying much else. While the Cath Lab is being constructed within the GPHC, a senior health functionary explained to this publication that construction of the lab is a project that falls directly under the purview of the Ministry of Health. The functionary was however not willing to divulge the reason for the delay in the project, although the official was cognisant of the importance of the facility. CHI just last year celebrated eight years of existence and its track record suggests that it is able to conduct some 200 angiograms on an annual basis while figures indicate that for 2013 alone about 50 open-heart operations were conducted, an evident increase from previous years. In fact the facility’s openheart success rate stands at an all-time high of 98 per cent, similar to reputable overseasbased cardiac facilities. And because the facility operates on a public/private partnership the intricate services offered are at a subsidized cost to patients. It is for this reason that Dr Stephens has intimated that it would be unfortunate if the facility flops at this point. Dr Stephens, a Guyanese by birth, who is a
reputable Cardiac Surgeon at the Maimonides Medical Centre in Brooklyn, New York, is also the CHI’s founder. Kaieteur News was told that because of the prevailing situation, CHI was forced to expend in excess of G$60M to ensure that its current equipment remain in working order. In fact, according to Dr Stephens, without urgent progression of the project, the future of CHI will remain uncertain and “it’s a shame after all the hard work and goodwill that kept it afloat. I hope we will survive, but the service we offer will be restricted.” Works on the lab commenced approximately 14 months ago but, according to reports reaching this publication, it should have been completed within a twomonth period. This publication understands that it was around 2011 that the management of CHI had consulted with Government about acquiring a new Cardiac Cath Lab, in light of the fact that its equipment was nearing the end of its lifespan. Reports are that there were expectations that moves would have been made to put in place a lab that can do both cardiology intervention and cardiac surgery in a single room known as a Hybrid Room. With a Hybrid Room in place CHI, and by extension Guyana, would be the first in the Caribbean to offer such (Continued on page 24)
Wednesday January 14, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday January 14, 2015
Charlie Hebdo to publish Mohammad cartoon on front page
Satirical French magazine Charlie Hebdo new editor in chief Gerard Briard (L) and columnist Patrick Pelloux comfort cartoonist Luz (C) during a news conference at the French newspaper Liberation offices in Paris, yesterday. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer Charlie Hebdo will publish a front page showing a caricature of the Prophet Mohammad holding a sign saying “Je suis Charlie” in its first edition since Islamist gunmen attacked the satirical newspaper. With demand surging for the edition due today, the weekly planned to print up to 3 million copies, dwarfing its usual run of 60,000, after newsagents reported a rush of orders. Digital versions will be posted in English, Spanish and Arabic, while print editions in Italian and Turkish will also appear. France has drafted in thousands of extra police and soldiers to provide security after 17 people were killed in three days of violence that began when two Islamist gunmen burst into Charlie Hebdo’s offices, opening fire in revenge for the paper’s publication of satirical images of Mohammad in the past. In a parliamentary session honouring the victims, Prime Minister Manuel Valls said
France was “at war against terrorism, jihadism and radical Islamism” but not the Muslim faith, the country’s second-largest, which “has its place in France”. After his speech, lawmakers broke into a spontaneous rendition of La Marseillaise, a first in parliament’s history. The front page of Charlie Hebdo’s Jan. 14 edition shows a tearful Mohammad with a sign “Je suis Charlie” (I am Charlie) below the headline: “Tout est pardonné” (All is forgiven). “I wrote ‘all is forgiven’ and I cried,” Renald Luzier, who drew the image, told journalists at the weekly’s temporary office at the headquarters of the left-wing daily Liberation. “This is our front page ... it’s not the one the terrorists wanted us to draw,” he said. “I’m not worried at all... I trust people’s intelligence, the intelligence of humour.” The new edition of Charlie Hebdo, known for its satirical attacks on Islam and other
religions, will include other cartoons featuring the Prophet Mohammad and also making fun of politicians and other religions, its lawyer said. “We will not back down, otherwise none of this has any meaning,” Richard Malka told French radio. “If you hold the banner ‘I am Charlie’, that means you have the right to blaspheme, you have the right to criticise my religion.” There was no official reaction from the French government on the new edition. At a regular news briefing, U.S. State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said: “We absolutely support the right of Charlie Hebdo to publish things like this. Again, that’s what happens in a democracy. Period.” Egypt’s Grand Mufti warned Charlie Hebdo against publishing a new Mohammad caricature, saying it was a racist act that would incite hatred and upset Muslims around the world.
Wednesday January 14, 2015
Kaieteur News
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The West Indies World Cup squad I have a different take to most on the West Indies team for the 2015 Cricket World Cup. I am not concerned about the non-selection of Dwayne Bravo or Kieron Pollard; they would NOT have been included in any side that I have selected. Firstly, I consider them as T20 specialists. Both Bravo and Pollard have proven their worth in T20 cricket. They are world-class performers in that version. They should stick to T20 because that is where they shine. With both in the West Indies T20 lineup, the
Caribbean has an unbeatable team. One-day cricket is a different kettle of fish. Bravo has played in one hundred and sixty-four one-day internationals and his average does not command the respect of a world-class batting all-rounder. Jacques Kallis was a world-class batting all-rounder. His batting average is 44.36 in a whooping 328 oneday internationals. Bravo’s stats are much better in bowling. He has 199 wickets in 164 one-day internationals. Compared to his batting
record, he is therefore better classified as a bowling allrounder. How does he rank with some of the great bowling allrounders? One great bowling all-rounder was Imran Khan. He played 175 one-day internationals, eleven more than Bravo has played so far. Khan’s 182 wickets cost him 26.61 runs each, as compared to Bravo’s 29.51 for his 199 wickets. But Khan’s batting average was far higher at 33.41 than Bravo’s present abysmal batting average of 25.36. These stats I believe do
Dem boys seh...
Jagdeo is a bareface man Jagdeo is a shameless big man. Why anybody, even a mad man, pick he fuh guh and monitor election in any part of de world in any country is a mystery. Fuh 13 years he rule Guyana and de same thing he blame de people in Sri Lanka for, he do wuss. He never hold local government election in Guyana; he never do one transparent project. He sit down and watch corruption get wuss than at any time in de history of Guyana. He watch it tek root lef, right and centre. Down to li’l children corrupt now. And he go to Sri Lanka fuh monitor free and fair election. Is either somebody dumb, deaf or plain blind. It had to be that dem never hear bout Jagdeo. Dem boys seh that most of de people in Sri Lanka don’t talk or read English. In he report, Jagdeo blame de Sri Lanka people fuh abusing de state media; he do wuss. De opposition couldn’t get a word pun de state
television station. Radio was wuss. Jagdeo use de radio to shut out de opposition in he country. Whole day people seh that dem could hear he voice talking a skundle ah bunt. De people at de radio had to send he de radio, TV and de newspaper programme every morning before dem do anything. Michael Gordon, Neaz Subhan, Mark Ramotar and Nigel Williams seh suh. Jagdeo is also a bareface man. He tek de Suriname people money and when de court tell he
fuh give back de people dem money, he tell Anil fuh tell de people in Suriname that de government don’t have any money at present. Dem boys seh if was a Guyanese dem had to r e p a y, J a g d e o m i g h t a negotiate fuh a cut and he woulda instruct Nandlall fuh pay right away. But because is Suriname and de man don’t talk English, Jagdeo don’t know how to negotiate. That is why de people can’t get dem money. Talk half and watch how Jagdeo de get power drunk.
not justify Bravo being included in the West Indies one-day international side. The batting of both Bravo and Pollard in ODIs is average. Both of them average just around 25 and their bowling economy rate is nothing to shout about. Bravo does have an excellent bowling strike rate, but this is offset by his high overall bowling average of close to 30 runs per wicket and an economy rate of 5.41. Pollard is no spring chicken when it comes to oneday internationals. He has played 91 one day matches and averages a mere 25.20 in his batting. He cannot be classified as an all-rounder even though he does bowl. His wickets in one-day internationals have come at 38.11 per piece which is high, and at an economy rate of 5.57, which is not even better than Bravo’s. Statistically, therefore, these two players cannot be considered as world-class 50over players. Their stats in T20s, however, cannot be faulted. A second reason why they would not have made my squad was because of the
need for balance. One-day internationals are of 50-over duration. You cannot have a oneday international squad packed with all-rounders. That may be good for T20 cricket, but it does not do any good to have a team filled with all-rounders for 50-over cricket. Already the West Indies squad has three allrounders. The weakness of the West Indies squad is that it lacks sufficient numbers of specialist bowlers and batsmen. Chanderpaul should have been in that squad, because even though he is normally a slow batsman, his batting style is suited to runaccumulation. For any team to get a big score in 50-over cricket, they need someone to accumulate runs throughout the innings. But a decision was taken long ago that Chanderpaul was not going to be part of the future of West Indies T20 and One-day International sides. It now seems as if a similar decision has been taken with respect to Bravo and Pollard. Thirdly, if you are going to include Bravo and Pollard,
it needs to be asked just who is going to be dropped. The team selected for the World Cup already has too many allrounders in Jonathan Carter, Darren Sammy and Andre Russell. One can make a case that perhaps Pollard would have been a better pick than Carter. The selectors may, however, have been looking for someone to stay long at the crease, especially given the fact that there is no Chanderpaul or Sarwan in the squad. They may have been looking for a Carter rather than a Pollard. In terms of who Bravo would replace, the obvious choice was Andre Russell. The selectors have instead favoured Russell over Bravo. The Chairman of the selectors thinks highly of Russell, even as a Test player. Russell’s batting record is superior to Bravo’s and while he is not as good a bowler as Bravo he can more than match the heroics of Bravo in the field.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday January 14, 2015
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
Goats at war: Fatal mistake of Hoyte There wasn’t anyone, and I would think that included God himself, that could have convinced Desmond Hoyte in 1992 that he would have lost the election. The clincher for Mr. Hoyte was that he had achieved magic; he democratized, brought in perestroika, and appealed to East Indians. The fatal flaw in Hoyte’s thinking was that he never studied Guyanese sociology and politics. It just wasn’t as simple as he thought it would be. Guyana was (and is) much more complex than that. Hoyte was naïve to think that Indians would have balloted for him. They appreciated what he had done, but deep in their
hearts (not me, I swear on my family, I voted for the WPA), Indians wanted to give Jagan a chance and Jagan had the numbers. The mind of Desmond Hoyte had currents swirling inside of it that we mortals could not understand. The identical situation exists inside the PPP, where there is a war among goats for the presidential slot for the 2015 general elections. But when minds are trapped in illusions, delusions and exist beyond imagination, ordinary people cannot comprehend how these minds work. Bharrat Jagdeo is convinced that the PPP is invincible and therefore the PPP will win a majority. He wants Ramotar to run again,
because he knows Ramotar is 100 percent controllable by him, Jagdeo. Ramotar on the other hand deeply believes in his mind that his three years have been good enough for people to vote for him again. Inside the minds of both Jagdeo and Ramotar, there are no reflections on why the PPP lost the majority in 2011. The answer is there – people loved the PPP, thought they would have won, and didn’t bother to vote. Here is Hoyte all over again. Jagdeo and Ramotar, like Hoyte, didn’t study Guyana’s sociology. It is not as simple as that, but Jagdeo’s and Ramotar’s minds are made up. There is the goat-man. The goat-man looks at his
age, his service to the PPP and the closing horizons that are nearby, and has declared that his time to be the president has arrived. If he wins the presidency, then his story would be a historical uniqueness. He came from rags, shaped the PPP, led the PPP, and now he is president. It is important to note that like Jagdeo and Ramotar, this caprine politician (no insult intended for I am a goat too, my zodiacal sign is Capricorn) believes the PPP will win, and therefore he must be president. Acting on this instinct, this caprine clown (no insult intended; just offering my opinion) is opposing Ramotar. Unlike others who are afraid that Ramotar will not galvanize
Indians, the goat-man believes that the PPP will win with anyone, so it is his turn to be the President of Guyana. There are others in the PPP whose minds do not have the same contents as Jagdeo, Ramotar and de goatnah-bite-meh-maan. They think that the PPP is facing its greatest electoral challenge and that Ramotar is so devoid of charisma, rhetoric, energy and accomplishments that the PPP may lose both the majority and plurality with Ramotar. The sentiments are falling like rain, as in January 2005 when Guyana went through the Great Flood, that Ramotar should be replaced. The confusion inside the PPP is while the goat-man is campaigning against Ramotar, the others do not want the caprine fellow, because they feel he is even more unelectable than Uncle Donald. What you have in the PPP then is a three-way race. There is the Jagdeo/Ramotar partnership; the goat-man opposing that partnership; and the young Turks who are rejecting both the partnership
Frederick Kissoon and the goat-man. Who is going to get the prize? If I were to guess I would say Ramotar. The PPP is virtually a Jagdeo toy. Mr. Jagdeo has effectively demolished the PPP as it was from 1957 to 2002. It was at that point he began to dominate the PPP and change its chemistry. If it comes down to a vote in the Executive, which is a fifteenperson unit, the goat-man and the young Turks do not have the numbers. There will be no voting inside the PPP for a presidential candidate. This is not the nature of the PPP. In 2011, Mr. Ramkarran fell through the floor after he saw how Jagdeo anointed Ramotar. It will be the same in 2015. The goat-man can bleat how much he wants. The PPP was never even remotely a democratic party. The oligarch, as in a banana republic, is going to ride into Freedom House and pick his man. That man will be Ramotar.
Wednesday January 14, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Bosai employers walk off as police detain colleagues Employees of the Technical Services Laboratory, at the Bosai bauxite Plant, walked off the job on Monday night, last, according to a Bosai press release. The workers were reportedly protesting the detention of colleagues by police, who are currently investigating an incident which occurred at the company, last Saturday. The workers also complained of feeling unsafe at work during the night shift. This development, the release further stated, stemmed from an incident which occurred at about 04:45 hours last Saturday (January 10), where an unidentified person gained access to a secured area of the Technical Services Laboratory and carted off crucibles valued over $2 million. The incident occurred in
the presence of employees who were on duty in the lab at the time, according to the release. It was further stated that Bosai Security and the Guyana Police Force were immediately summoned to the scene, and are presently conducting investigations into the matter, since the intruder managed to escape with the crucibles. Two employees were subsequently taken into police custody, to assist with investigations, the release added. However, one person has since been released whilst the other remains in custody assisting with investigations. ”It was alleged that an unidentified individual breached the company security, and illegally entered the lab area through a ventilation shaft and unlawfully removed the
crucibles that are critical to the company’s operations. The crucibles are extremely essential for Bauxite Quality Control. Bosai Security and the Guyana Police Force were immediately summoned to the scene and are presently conducting investigations into the matter, since the intruder managed to escape with the crucibles,” the release said. Meanwhile an executive of the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE), the workers’ union, informed the company that they should instruct the Police to release the employee currently in custody. As a result, management invited the union to a meeting yesterday, and they were taken to the area where the incident occurred to have a first-hand look. They were
briefed and shown the CCTV footage of the intruder and the incident. The company informed the union officials that they cannot instruct the Police on how to execute their investigation and to arrest or release anyone. It was also pointed out to the union that the police involvement is necessary since a crime has been committed, and especially since there has been an increase in crime in the community, the release added. Meanwhile in an earlier statement, Bosai had indicated that the stolen instruments are extremely essential to the bauxite operations, as they are used to analyse the bauxite ore contents, and that without these, the whole operation’s analytical chain would be forced to shut down. INNOCENT A distraught mother Beverley Coppin and her daughter-in-law Niketa
Joseph are meanwhile questioning the ‘’locking up’’ of Jerry Joseph, who they maintain is innocent of any wrongdoing. Both women cried openly outside the Mackenzie Police station as they spoke with this newspaper. Nikita Joseph, who is in an advanced stage of pregnancy, said that her husband was only recently promoted, and would never do anything to jeopardize his job. His mother Beverley Coppin maintained, “My son would never do such a thing, I grew him up in the church he is innocent, I want him out of that stinking cell.” Joseph was one of the two employees taken into police custody on Monday afternoon, as investigations into the robbery committed at the Bosai Bauxite Plant progressed. According to reports, Joseph was one of the employees on duty in the
Bauxite laboratory, when a lone, armed intruder entered and escaped with four critical ‘instruments”. An employee who spoke to this newspaper on condition of anonymity, said that he found it very disturbing that the company was only ‘focused’ on the loss that had been incurred, and no thought was given to the fact that another employee could have been killed in the process of the robbery. “Right now workers are not feeling safe, because security is inadequate look at the way the last guy was killed…if there was adequate security that would not have happened. And in this last case, this employee could have also been killed, because the man was armed with a gun. I think Bosai really needs to step up security and safety regulations to safeguard workers’ lives.”
Public Works seeks consultancy for road network upgrade DEMERARA CRIMINAL
The Ministry of Public Works received a lone bid for the consultancy services for road network upgrade and expansion programme - Road Safety Diagnostic and Action Plan for Guyana. The bid was opened yesterday at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), Main and Urquhart Streets.
Meanwhile, under the Office of the President, bids were tendered for the procurement of office equipment. The bid was divided into five lots.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment received bids for consultancy services for the integration of the National Parks and Protected Area Commission.
A lone bid was tendered for the Housing and Water Ministry for the procurement of security services -2015.
Still with the security sector, a single bid was tendered for the provision of security services for the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security.
ASSIZES OPENS A total of 174 cases have been listed for trial during the January Session of the Demerara Criminal Assizes, which opened at the High Court in Georgetown, yesterday with the traditional ceremonial parade and march past. The parade included the Police Band Corps of Drums with 60 ranks of the Tactical Services Unit, comprising the Guard of Honour, who saluted and was inspected by one of the judges assigned to the session. Justice Franklyn Holder, Justice Navindra Singh and Justice James Bovell-Drakes will preside over criminal proceedings during this session. One hundred and thirty – two murders, six of which the victims are female, are scheduled for hearing before the three judges. Among the proceedings
slated to come up before the judges are Attempted Murder, Manslaughter, Carnal Knowledge, Incest, Armed Robbery, Buggery, Aiding & Abetting a Murder Suspect, Aiding & Abetting to Commit Murder, Abduction, Rape, and Unlawful & Malicious Wounding. A number of highly anticipated cases, which were listed for trial during the last two sessions, reappeared on
the record for this session. Among the cases, which remain on the list for trial are those of Bibi Shareema Gopaul and Jarvis Small called ‘Barry’, who have been jointly accused of the unlawful killing of Queen’s College Student, Neesa Gopaul; popular promoter, Colin Mack, who was indicted for rape, and Cyon Collier called Picture Boy, who is accused of a double murder.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday January 14, 2015
Norway, IDB accused of Amaila conspiracy The Working People Alliance (WPA) is adamant that there should be no financial negotiations for the Amaila Falls project unless Guyana has a functioning National Assembly. The Party is saying that attempts to fund the project without parliamentary approval would be illegal. The WPA yesterday called on the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and Norway to withhold monies from the Government of Guyana for purposes of pursuing the Amaila Falls Hydro Project until the National Assembly is reconvened. The Party issued a statement that sought to register its dismay at the growing evidence that Norway and the IDB are “colluding with the Government of Guyana to violate the Constitution of Guyana and to participate in the unlawful spending of public funds.” WPA stated that the Guyana Constitution
…WPA demands that money be withheld from Govt. stipulates that all moneys belonging to Guyana must be paid into the Consolidated Fund, “this includes moneys receivable by Guyana under the five-year agreement between Guyana and Norway for Guyana to be paid to protect its forests.” Via release, the WPA declared that “the announcement that Norway recently asked IDB to receive US$80 million as Guyana’s equity in the Amaila Falls Hydroelectricity Project is a flagrant violation of the Guyana Constitution.” The political party said that the arrangement between Norway, the IDB and Guyana amounts to a conspiracy. To support its allegation, the WPA stated that both the IDB and the Government of Norway must be aware that President Donald Ramotar has prorogued the parliament thus affecting its main
committee which in any case had voted against the Amaila Falls Hydroelectricity Project on hydrological, economic and financial grounds. The Party said that unless the National Assembly revisits and votes to support the project, the government cannot legally undertake the Amaila Falls Project. It added that the IDB and the Government of Norway have to be courageous enough not to be bullied into participating in this illegality. Further, the WPA stated that “ the IDB and the Government of Norway must be aware of their own commitments and the reservations in relation to the Amaila Falls Hydroelectricity Project and that a full ecological and independent economic study is still to be carried out. They must be aware that such considerations must never be sacrificed for cheap domestic and electoral politics.” The Party’s statement also noted that it, like the rest of the world, has admired Norway’s transparency traditions, and said “that has made our disappointment
gravely acute. We are therefore considering action to bring this violation to the attention of stakeholders of that country and to the global NGO Green movement which appears unaware of this impropriety”. The political body called on the IDB to return the funds to Norway which, it said, in turn should not release any monies to the Government of Guyana until the National Assembly is reconvened, either by recalling Parliament or following the holding of elections. WPA also called on China, India and the European Commission to desist from any pre-electoral deals with the Ramotar Administration “which has
no legitimacy to enter into any contracts on behalf of the Government and people of Guyana.” Further, the Party called on the Ramotar Administration to heed the statement issued by the British High Commissioner to Guyana, Mr. Andrew Ayre. On Monday, Mr. Ayre held a press conference and noted that member countries of the British Commonwealth are considering referring Guyana to the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group over the November 10, 2014 suspension of the Parliament of Guyana, which Mr. Ayre described as a clear breach of the Guyana Constitution and the Commonwealth Charter. Noting that “Guyana
could be subject to a critical review because of breaches of the Commonwealth Charter” Mr. Ayre called on the Ramotar Administration to resume Parliament without delay or lay out a timeline for the resumption of parliamentary democracy. The WPA, which has representation in the National Assembly, pointed out yesterday that the National Assembly has not met since July 10, 2014. The Party said that this is raising serious questions as to whether Guyana can still call itself democratic. It was further stated that “the Ramotar Administration has used the intervening six months to rule by decree, to spend extravagantly, unlawfully and unconstitutionally outside of any mechanism of transparency, accountability or good governance”.
Execution of Auto dealer’s wife…
Daughter goes into hiding, fears for life Having stood helplessly and watched a gunman pump four bullets into her mother, the daughter of slain businesswoman Patricia Sanasie has gone into hiding, fearful for her life. Ramona Sanasie, who was with her mother on Monday night when she was gunned down as she was about to enter her yard in Atlantic Gardens, East Coast Demerara, is convinced that her mother’s death was a hit orchestrated by a close family member. Since the killing, the young woman has been in the protective care of relatives who also told police that they too feared that she could be harmed. This is despite the fact that her mother’s killer seemed disinterested in her, even while she was screaming as she saw her mother took the bullets. Robbery has been ruled out, since the killer made no attempt to take anything from the victim, even though she was wearing expensive jewellery at the time. “This looks like a clear execution. The killer was only interested in killing and making a clean getaway,” a police investigator told this newspaper. Eyewitnesses said that Patricia Sanasie and her daughter had returned home from a church all the way up at Timehri when the attack occurred. They recalled seeing Mrs. Sanasie come out of the car and opening the gate when a gunman in dark clothing approached her and
The dead woman and her husband in happier times. began shooting. Residents told Kaieteur News that they heard about four gunshots. They then heard Mrs. Sanasie’s daughter screaming out “Is (named person) do it, is (named person) do it,” apparently suggesting that someone close to the family had planned the hit. They then saw Patricia Sanasie lying lifeless outside her gate. “All I hear is bam bam bam bam…I don’t think it take ten seconds,” a woman who was the victim’s neighbour and close friend had told reporters. After the woman slumped to the ground, the gunman entered a waiting motorcar
and sped away, leaving the woman’s horrified daughter to summon help from neighbours. “I hear screams and I see neighbours from all over running (to the scene). “I run over and we drag her into the car, but she did already dead.” Investigators recovered from the scene two warheads believed to have been fired from a .45 calibre weapon. They are probing the possible link of the woman’s estranged husband to her death and are hoping to question him soon. However, that appears to be a tall order, since there are reports that the man who has been out of Continued on page 21
Wednesday January 14, 2015
Kaieteur News
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US$22M EBD four-lane extension…
Govt. tags March completion, tells contractors work overtime More than four years after Government and the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) signed a US$22M financing agreement to extend the four-lane thoroughfare from Providence to Diamond, East Bank Demerara, the project is continuing to prove a major headache, with two sections of it still about halfway done. The situation now has the Government supervisors calling for contractors to work overtime, through the nights if possible, to complete it. Coordinator of the Work Services Group (WSG) of the Ministry of Public Works, Geoffrey Vaughn, said the ministry remains unsatisfied with the pace of construction. Speaking to the Government Information Agency (GINA) on Monday, the official said: “We know that they had a lot of delays, but still we expected to see a little more in terms of the project management, working double shift, day and night but that did not happen.” He noted that it is not a case where the ministry can push ‘fully’ to have the contractors work in the night. Rather, Government can only propose. It is for the contractor to determine if he or she wants to work in the night, he said. “If they need to, and they want to, they can work night time, it does not take away anything from the contract, but it is for them to make that call,” he said. The Ministry has to, however, ensure that the work is carried out and the contract is completed within the specified time or the
Work Services Group Coordinator, Geoffrey Vaughn penalty clause can be applied, he pointed out. The funding agreement with IDB was signed in December 2010 with Government holding several consultations geared to reduce congestion. However, the delays have been angering commuters. The project has also been marred with wrangling between one contractor, BK International, and the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company, over the removal of utilities that stood in the way at Diamond. The project included the upgrading of the two traffic lanes to four, along the East Bank Demerara road from Providence to Diamond and is being executed in three lots - Providence to Prospect, Prospect to Little Diamond, and Little Diamond to the Diamond intersection. According to the Government statement, Lot One is approximately 56
percent completed; Lot Two is 90 percent done, while Lot Three is 60 percent completed. “The relocation of the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GT&T) utilities continues to be one of the main issues that posed delays to the projects, Government said. “The ministry has had several talks with GT&T pertaining to the issue and (has) signed contracts with the utility company for the removal of the utilities. Most of it is that they are not too sure that they have cables… so we have to wait until they acquire these things and they have to do designs,” Vaughn said. He explained that the build-ups are causing extended delays. “When we would have gone into the contract with GT&T, then they would have been pushing to get y, get z, so you find that itself caused some amount of delays, so as much as you want to blame the contactors on one hand in terms of not being able to work effectively and in a faster manner, we still have to look at some of the other issues that we had on the contract,” he said. Lots 1 and 2 of the project were supposed to be completed by December 31, 2014. Lot One is now extended to March 2015, due to the utility issue. Lot Two, between Providence and Prospect, is expected to be completed shortly. Sections of it are already opened to traffic. Lot Three’s contractor,
GFC again denies Bai Shan Lin... (From page 19) it is satisfied that the joint venture had merit. It was also requested that GFC allow companies that lacked adequate and/or appropriate machinery to rent same from third parties in a structured and properly monitored/regulated manner. GFC said it approved both requests. “GFC has since facilitated both requests in accordance with the legislation and a very transparent and organized procedure.” GFC, defending Bai Shan Lin, said that the company has entered into approved joint ventures following this process. The commission pointed out that it was the loggers who resisted efforts for Guyana to totally ban exports. “They opted instead for a graduated increase in the export commission on log exports. Log exports are legitimately done in accordance with this policy.” GFC said it has impressed
upon Bai Shan Lin and all other foreign and local companies, the need to accelerate meeting their stated commitments to move into adding more value. “In this regard, work will re-commence very shortly on the construction of the wood processing plant of Bai Shan Lin.” GFC also said that it had issues with the argument of the potential destructive activities that may be caused by the opening up of new roads in logging areas. “It is very hypocritical for persons to try to stifle the much regulated and environmentally conscious forest development in Guyana, yet when requested to offer economic alternatives to forest utilization, very limited support is offered.” GFC said that with the Norway US$250M agreement, it has been shown that it is possible to have sustainable forest utilization along a low carbon development pathway.
“Under this pioneering partnership, Guyana is still able to pursue regulated forestry, mining and other forest based activities and still have a deforestation rate that in 2013 was calculated using national level 5 m satellite resolution at 0.068 %.” This is high evidence that the systems for sustainable forest utilization are appropriate, robust and functioning. This has even been field verified by the numerous transparent and independent audits that have been done for the forestry sector in Guyana. GFC invited the journalist to visit its offices and the forest/logging operations verify that all are above board. The issue of logging was a burning one last year after questions arose over the extent of Bai Shan Lin’s operations in Guyana. There was no immediate evidence that the Chinese company was interested in opening up factories to conduct processing of raw logs, as it had committed to.
A completed section of the road in the vicinity of Diamond BK International, is expected to complete its part by March 2015. “The extension of Lot Three, like Lot Two, basically was granted due to delays in the removal of utilities. This lot also suffered from poor organising skills, construction methodology and lack of human resources.” Vaughn explained that BK International has completed
some of its road works and a lot of concentration is now on the high bridge, next to Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL). “Once that is completed we know that work will be pushed faster,” he said. The official said that the ministry will be monitoring and ensuring that the project comes to an end before March 2015. He explained that the issue with the utility
would not take away from the ministry applying liquidated damages to contractors because of lateness in completion of work. With Lot Two, though far ahead, he said there are a few aspects that need to be completed and corrected. He identified that some areas are not smooth enough, so those will be marked, and the correction will be done.
Daughter goes into hiding... From page 12 the jurisdiction since before Christmas, has told family members that he is reluctant to return to Guyana for fear that he will be arrested by the police. The dead woman and her husband Deokaran Sanasie, owner of Ram’s Auto Sales, had been embroiled in a prolonged dispute. The couple was expected to be in court this week for a division of property hearing. On February 14, 2014, Mr. Sanasie survived an attempt on his life after gunmen shot him outside his Fourth Street, Alberttown business. The husband had accused his spouse of hiring the gunmen to execute him. He provided investigators with a recording of a conversation to support his claims. The woman had denied the allegations claiming that her husband was delusional and needed psychiatric help. She was never charged. The woman subsequently obtained a restraining order preventing her husband from coming close to her. The now dead woman had also provided the police with a recording of her own that spoke of a plot by her husband to kill her. According
to reports, the woman had provided the police with the name of an ex-policeman who had claimed that he was paid by her husband to kill her. Police had arrested the man, but he denied being involved in any execution plot. But investigators are not only focusing on that angle and are exploring other theories. “We are not going to put all our eggs in one basket,” one of the investigators told Kaieteur News. Investigators have reviewed footage from a
surveillance camera in the area, but all they were able to obtain was the type of car that the killer used. This newspaper understands that apart from the woman’s daughter expressing fear for her safety, other relatives have also expressed that concern. There are reports that the dead woman’s relatives are contemplating taking her body overseas for cremation since they are fearful of coming to Guyana. This is after a post mortem examination is performed on her remains today.
Golden Grove cops track down stolen guns Ranks from the Golden Grove Police Station are being commended for literally tracking down three firearms that burglars had stolen from a Section ‘A’, Diamond, East Bank Demerara businessman, after breaking into his home. Police sources said that the thieves, who were not apprehended, broke into the businessman’s house via a kitchen window on Monday night, when no one was at home. They then made off with some $3.4M in gold and diamond jewellery; a pump-action shotgun, a Remington rifle, a double-barrel shotgun and electrical appliances. Kaieteur News understands that ranks who visited the scene observed footprints leading from the businessman’s premises to a nearby empty lot. The policemen then found the stolen firearms in a clump of bushes. Police hope that several fingerprints that they recovered from the scene will lead them to the culprits.
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VACANCY Admin Assistant, within the vicinity of E.B.D & W.B.D. Must be well spoken & have 5 CXC subjects including: Maths & English. Email: snow198390@hotmail.com International Cruiseline Purser officers, waitresses, waiters, cooks, receptionists, storekeepers, cleaners, electricians, carpenters, plumbers, musicians etc – Tel: 231-6296, 650-9880 24 Hour East Coast Guyoil needs night pump attendants, salesgirl, office assistant & handyman- Call: 695-9880; 669-4755 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, emailshellramsburg @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 Restaurant: Kitchen, dining, bar & office clerk, accountant. Apply in person to 176 Middle St. Georgetown. Senior Machinist, Mechanic, Welder Fabricator - Apply at Technical Services Inc. Lot 18-23 Eccles EBD Driver, Tool Room Clerk, Accountant, Cleaner (Male for workshop)- Apply @Technical Services Inc. 1823 Eccles EBD Assistant Salesgirls E.C.DCall: 644-9802; 603-5416 One male security guard for the night – Contact: 225-8205 One live in maid – Tel:2251478; 674-9114 Bond clerk, Cleaner, Accounts Clerk, Waitress/Waiter, Security Officer & Engineer; interested persons can contact: 603-4094 Experienced bartenders – Call between 7am to 9am: 225-8572
Kaieteur News
SALON
FOR SALE
VEHICLE FOR SALE
WANTED
Make Up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, Black Opal and Sacha cosmetics. Call: 647-1773/660-5257
LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754.
1 Toyota Hilux Surf; 3Y engine; AC, Off Road, Suspension & Tyres – Price $1.5M negotiable – Call:6662027 Toyota Prado, Price$5.5M Neg. Call: 643-2403 1 RZ Super GL – Call: 2332055; 625-9896
One Honest Domestic/Maid to work Monday to Saturday. Call: 226-5793 between 10:00am – 5:00pm
CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVE AUTO RENTAL: CARS & SUV FOR RENTAL-$4,000&UPPERDAYCALL: 643-5122, 219-3900, EMAIL: PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM
Two 320CL Caterpillar, Excavators; good condition, price to go - Call: 611-4775 FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620
SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. – CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Guyana Passport & Visa Forms Application, USA, Canada and England. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. Repairs & spare, fridge, freezer, A/C, washers, stoves. Contact Nick: 683-1312, 627-3206 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 Repairs to refrigerators, gas stoves, washing machines, AC Units- Call Lindon on 641-1086; 694-2202 We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer Call Omar:2310655,683-8734 Services & repairs to gas stoves, washing machines, electric stoves, deep fryers – Call: 688-0183 HOUSE PLAN DRAFTING AND ESTIMATES FOR ONLY $15,000- CALL:6949843/227-2766 Feeling depressed and need counseling –Contact: 6641057 Do you need a cook? – Contact: 651-2757
GT TOOL RENTALS: COMPACTOR; CHIPPING HAMMER RANSOM & FLOOR SANDER, (SALE) & MORE, JACK HAMMER, CONCRETE SAW - CALL: 675-0767, 667-2535 Furnished Apartment – Earls Court, LBI, with wireless internet, patio & parking (quiet area) US$700 monthly - Call 691-0551 Spot to rent for a salon person with their own equipment - $25,000 monthly – Tel: 672-4765 Five bedrooms house @ 107 Lamaha Gardens & large parking, AC rooms, hot & cold, purified water system Call: 661-8908; 335-3590 Prime business place for offices on Sheriff Street – Call: 627-6740 One Nail & Hair station for rent @ Prime Location – Call: 225-4665; 676-4316; 624-3996 2 & 3 Bedrooms apartment for rent @ Mon Repos E.C.D - $55,000 – Contact: 692-9295 or 660-5233
CAR RENTAL DOLLY’S CAR RENTAL CALL: 225-7126/ 2263693 DOLLYSAUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM/ WWW.DOLLYSAUTO RENTAL.COM Aidan’s Car & Pickup rental, cheap rate, low security – Tel:698-7807; 690-6494
PEN PAL Companion for retired gentleman 38+. Reply with photo to bobbyother@yahoo.com.
Promix BX with microrize $10,500 per bag; ask for Rayman - Call: 615-2346; 6280200, 263-5300 Tacoma/Tundra Parts, Canter black box, HC engine Call: 680-6374 1- 10,000 Watts alternator (new), 1-small diesel engine (used) – Call: 669-7224 Brand new power fist, 6,500 watts gasoline generator on wheels 110/240 volts AC/DC Contact: 617-2205; 681-1032 Generator – 65KVA Perkins 4236 Engine – Tel: 623-9761 4 Piece High Definition Security cameras with installation from $90,000 – Contact Randy: 611-3038 Household items for sale, plants, 1 galaxy s4 (brand new) – Call: 675-4066 Transformer: 25KVA industrial single phase 480/ 240/120V U.S.A PAD MOUNTED– Tel: 623-9761 Panel/Fancy Glass Doors @ HADCO in Bagotstown Public Road, Next to Harbour Bridge Mall – Call: 233-6743
Land with small concrete house; for sale in Grove over 8,000 Sq. Ft. Call: 612-4030; 216-2759 Property @ East Street, Cummingsburg, Property @ Diamond, EBD – Tel: 654-5400
Pitbull Bus - $3.250M, VVTI Bus - $2.675M, Runx $2.275M, 212 -$2.150M, Allion -$2.4M, Raum $2.250M, Sienta - $2.100M – Call:623-6070 Nissan Titan for sale; immaculate condition, owner leaving country – Call: 6414556 Toyota Spacio, Body Kit, Rims, spoiler, CD player; never registered - $2.1M – Call: 617-2891 AT192 Carina - $800,000 – Tel: 641-4192; 229-6515 Newly registered Toyota Allion with Body Kit – Call: 667-4774 Spacio 2004, Body Kit, rims, camera, spoiler, dark interior, crystal light, new shape (unregistered) – Tel: 617-5536 1 Two RZ Engine Long Base EFI minibus 1 and Mitsubishi lancer PKK Series – Call: 6901393; 261-5427 1 Honda 600RR, Toyota 212, 192, 170, Raum, Allion, IST, AE100 Sprinter, Honda CRV Tel: 644-5096; 697-1453 One Toyota Voxy recently registered; immaculate condition; GSS Series –Call: 643-0266 One F350 Ford 4X4, Turbo Charge 8 Cylinder Diesel Solid Def 4WD - $4M Negotiable - Call Junior Percival: 261-5304; 665-4611
TO LET Fully Furnished vacation home with all amenities- Call during working hours – Call: 227-1218. One two bedroom house to rent in Grove East Bank Demerara – Call: 266-0892; 681-1047 One flat, 4 self contained bedrooms in a gated community (Versailles) on the West Coast of Demerara – Contact: 658-1328
One Ford Driven Tractor 60HP, 600 Hours; almost new - $2.2M negotiable - Call Junior Percival: 261-5304; 665-4611
Furnished two bedroom apartment for short term/ overseas visitors – Contact: 699-7559
One Toyota Prado – PFF8555 Contact Partners in Rural Development- Tel 226-5891, 2277839
One Two bedrooms house Contact Joy: 218-1285
Cheapest: VVTI & 1RZ Stick gear, automatic buses, front view property in Bougainvillea Park, E.B.D for sale. Call: 616-7635
One bedroom apartment for couple ($30,000) monthly – Call: 223-3959 or 660-9463 PROPERTY FOR SALE
LEARN TO DRIVE Soman Son & Outar Driving School at Maraj BuildingTel: 644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997
Wednesday January 14, 2015
One FX4 F150 Ford 4X4 Super custom sports model - $3.8M NegotiableCall Junior Percival: 2615304; 665-4611
FOR SALE/FOR RENT American Pool Table – Tel: 277-0578 HEALTH Money Back guarantee; cleaner, clearer younger looking skin in two weeks, also flatter stomach – Call: 684-9409; 699-4211
WANTED One babysitter; one maid. Attractive salary. Call 6388033
One day time security guard, between ages 35-50, preferably from Georgetown, previous experienced required – Call: 225-3198; 623-3231 Security Guard: only experienced with weapon, flexible working hour – Monday -Saturday Police clearance needed Call: 2318344 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 6645199 Experienced cooks for International & Creole Dishes Call Winston: 660-6446 One cook for family in the interior – Tel: 691-6260 Sales clerk to work @ Nanda’s Boutique 223 Camp St. Next to Shell Gas Station, apply with application 2 Experienced salesgirls, $18,000 per week – Call: 2239677 between 8am-5pm Experienced Roti/Puri Cooks, Pastry makers, cleaners – apply @ Hack’s Halaal, 5 Commerce Street. One live-in maid; must know to cook; preferably from country area – Tel: 691-6260 1 Live in housekeeper and Te a c h e r t o g i v e c h i l d lesson in Diamond – Call: 675-8101 Urgently needed two house lots to buy in Parfaite Harmonie – Tel: 675-7292 Attractive live in waitressCall: 327-0252/674-4665 One able bodied male clerk @ Tatabu Trading Enterprise – Call:225-2313; 226-1497 One female domestic, must be able to wash, press, & clean – Call: 683-7954 1 Female cleaner; apply @ Technical Services Lot 18-23 Industrial Site Eccles. One live in handyman to work in G/Town – Call: 6645199; 675-7045 Salesgirl to work in Georgetown, between ages 25-35 - Call: 674-1767, 6422994, 675-7043 1 Live in domestic between age 30-45, salary $60,000 monthly – Call: 674-1767; 661-1301 (Continued on page 23)
Wednesday January 14, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 23
Letters... Where your views make the news... Letters... Where your views make the news
Robeson Benn responds to Moses Nagamootoo DEAR EDITOR, The statements attributed to AFC Vice Chairman, Moses Nagamootoo, on President Donald Ramotar’s securing a US$50 million line of credit from the Republic of India for the execution of two major infrastructure project initiatives – the Ogle – Eccles Bypass Road Project and the New Northwest Ferry – are disappointing, confusing and tragicomic in the Kaieteur News of January 12, 2015. Any balanced read of the very article which contains Mr. Nagamootoo’s statements along with the experience of the traffic situation which the Ogle – Eccles project will address, speaks volumes as to the urgent necessity for the project intervention. It is, therefore, disappointing and confusing that Mr. Nagamootoo, an experienced and “veteran” politician would condescend to describe, as quoted directly” … fly by night ideas that are being floated” - the very idea that he too deemed as necessary in paragraph 6 in the said article. Mr. Nagamootoo goes further by joining the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Expansion Project to his unique idea of “fly by night projects”. One can conclude, therefore, that a runway extension of 1,000 metres for aircraft capacity increase and safety assurance, and a 17,000 metres square modern, efficient, and new terminal building are not at all necessary following Mr. Nagamootoo’s thought process on these matters. He continues to deliberately mislead the public as to the reasons the Government of Guyana accessed (China Exim Bank) Bank Loan funds for the Cheddi Jagan International Airport project. The reasons were, and remain, that the
Cheddi Jagan International Airport expansion project was sorely needed and that the China–Caricom Summit in Port of Spain, Trinidad, presented a final time bound opportunity to fund it on advantageous soft loan terms. The AFC’s own ideas on an airport expansion project came from its lead person on finance and infrastructure, Mr. Gerhard Ramsaroop, who, in a televised debate on the project, mooted that the Cheddi Jagan International Airport be abandoned and a new airport be built on the West Bank of Demerara, at Sandhills. This idea would involve the loss of investment funds sunk into Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri and the replication and extension of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport infrastructure. There would be the need imposed to build new roads and a new upstream Demerara River Bridge, which would also have to accommodate ocean going river traffic! All of this would likely convert a US$150M authorized project to one that is to five times greater in cost and would need funding! Last, but not least, on the project side, no one should argue with the need to secure a new Northwest District ferry. Besides the fact of the current fleet assets being quite old, the accommodations and en route times are very unsuitable and tedious for this service. This discussion has been oft repeated both in the media and in the National Assembly where last Mr. Nagamootoo was an active participant. One would hope that the AFC is not now again setting its sights on shooting down another vital project which provides the life line transport link to Amerindian communities as occurred with
Still no sign of missing... (From page 17) forested area. Kaieteur News was told that family members of the missing ASL crew remain patient, yet anxious. The father-in-law of the pilot is said to have been in Mahdia since searches commenced. The family has also been spending a lot of time at the ASL Ogle office, while a relative of the cargo handler has also been keeping contact with ASL. Persaud had made a few interior stops before landing at Mahdia to make his way to Karisparu. He was fetching construction material that included zinc sheets. The crew left Mahdia and when the plane’s spot tracker did not hit the Air Traffic Control Centre, contact was made, but there was no response. The plane did not make it to the intended destination. More than nine leads came to the RCC, but none materialized. A special plane, provided by CGX, that can locate large metal masses, was also employed in the search, but it too yielded no results. The missing ASL plane was the last aviation misfortune for 2014. About seven accidents occurred last year, resulting in the death of two persons and several others being injured.
the opposition refusals for Budget 2014 where Hinterland Aerodromes and the Amerindian Development Fund amongst others fell victim to thecombined opposition’s hatchets. We need to remind, again, that funding from the BRICS grouping. (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) are on typically very advantageous and concessional terms. These projects by their very nature in transiting the funding and project cycles, require feasibility and engineering design studies all of which involve consultation. Perhaps Mr. Nagamootoo may wish to intimate why after having been consulted and provided with all the feasibility and engineering studies for the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Expansion Project and having benefitted from the debates and interventions in the National Assembly, - the combined opposition, of which the AFC is a very vocal member, refused further funding for the project in 2014, after having approved the project via a mobilization
of US 2013? What discovery propelled the attempt to hold up or kill a vital national project that would see cheaper airfares, efficient travel and an opportunity to enhance our tourism and transport networking attractiveness! All things considered, the answer should specifically identify the real denizens who “fly by night” and are the main actors in the tragi-comedy we in government have been striving to have our country avoid. We can all recall the visceral negative criticisms from sections of the media and opposition circles when Guyana undertook, with Indian Government Funding, to build a new cricket stadium, at Providence, to International Cricket Council Standards. The undeniable fact that the Providence Stadium fulfilled its intended mission for Cricket World Cup, combined with the reality of an exemplary facility that is enjoyed by all, for a variety of cultural and social events, is a testimony to the fact that what Nagamootoo deems as “fly by night” PPP/C
Government projects result in solid, viable, enduring projects, on solid ground, benefitting all Guyanese. On the question of the seeming uptake of additional public debt, Mr. Nagamootoo should recall when, as a Minister of the first PPP/C government in 1992, he was among those in the Cheddi Jagan Cabinet who wrestled with the seemingly hopeless problem of having to spend 93 percent plus of all revenues to service debts for which he even argued there was little to show for. Finance Minister Ashni Singh is the expert on these matters – on which he may wish to further elucidate - but I would be bold to venture that there is no unsustainable taking on of debt by the Ramotar administration. The initiatives of the kind being undertaken are designed to energize the national economy! Nagamootoo should not turn his back on the only certifiable successes he has had in politics – the period when he was a PPP/C stalwart. Robeson Benn Minister of Public Works
Some clarification sought from Dr. Prem Misir DEAR EDITOR, Now that the confusion or misunderstanding or debate on the issue of Dr. Prem Misir’s professorship is over, I take this opportunity to ask Dr. Misir if he can respond to my inquiry below. This, for me as a national commentator, is important because it will guide me to avoid factual pitfalls and even tread on the outer frills of wrongful characterization, in future commentary, if the need arises, on Dr. Misir. Dr. Misir is a national political figure and as such will come into the frame of those who analyze Guyana’s politics and society. I do not exclude myself from such a microscope. Assessments of me and who I am are not as frequent in Kaieteur News but they do appear incessantly in the Guyana Times and the Chronicle. As far as my knowledge goes, Dr. Misir is a member of the Chronicle Board. I stand corrected. Before I do so, I need to point out that my take on the professorship on Dr. Misir was shaped by my knowledge that since 1999, he had full-time employment with the Office of the President. It was based on my understanding that you had to be a full-time academic at an academic institution to be awarded the title of
professorship. Research done by this columnist reveals that there is also the category of “honorary professorship”. Given the clarification that Dr. Misir received an honorary professorship from University of Central Lancashire, I do agree that he was entitled to use the appellation in front of his name. The clarification from Dr. Misir included the expiration of the title in August last year. My understanding is that Dr. Misr still possesses the title from the bestowing of another honorary professorship by another university. Against this background, I seek the guideline from Dr. Misir. As Dr. Misr will see from this letter, there is no normative judgement on him, his politics and his work in this missive here. All I am seeking is information so I can avoid factual confusion. My enquiry is listed below. Does Dr. Misir agree there is a fine distinction between the mainstream definition of professorship and honorary professorship? If no, can he explain? Is Dr. Misir in possession of other professorships or honorary professorship as we write and if yes where and what dates? From the time of his fulltime employment with the Office of the President in
1999, has he been attached in an integrated way with a university or universities outside of Guyana and by integrated meaning that the institutional attachment was his essential fulltime occupancy away from Guyana. If he has, can he supply the dates? I can assure Dr. Misir that no analysis or comments will follow the submission of his answers since there is no longer any need to debate the possession of the title of professorship. I do state, however, that if in definitions of terms as put forward by Dr. Misir, I have a different interpretation, then, it would be useful for public debate, for me to offer my take. Frederick Kissoon
(From page 22)
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Hypocrisy is the... From page 5 in immediate pre-genocide Rwanda. Freedom of expression in France fell under attack by extremist outsiders in a country that cherishes freedom of expression at an institutional level. In Guyana, those seeking to suppress that freedom are actually in charge of the public institutions, and they are becoming more rabid in their control. Guyanese are expressing solidarity with Charlie Hebdo but are silent on the Anil Nandlall-Kaieteur News scandal (which threatened a similar outcome, one that Kaieteur had actual previous experience of), or on the assault of John Adams, something that shows we have a fundamental disconnect from how freedom of expression, the fundamental pillar of democracy, is supposed to function in our own society. We need to wake up - je suis Charlie Hebdo, nous sommes tous Charlie Hebdo. Ruel Johnson
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday January 14, 2015
French envoy echoes call to defend press freedom Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Independence stipulates that “everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.” This and other pertinent sentiments have been echoed by Deputy French Consul to Guyana, David Bertilli, who was present at the signing of the Book of Condolences for those killed in Paris last week after members of a radical Islamist group carried out a brazen mid-morning attack on French satirical magazine, Charlie Hebdo. The Book of Condolences is opened at the office of the Consul General of France at Lot 276 ‘B’ Peter Rose Street, Queenstown Georgetown. The activity which commenced at 9:00 am yesterday is scheduled to conclude at midday today. Yesterday, the French envoy welcomed members of the public, who took the opportunity to express their sympathies to family and
Deputy French Consul to Guyana, David Bertilli friends of the persons slaughtered in the French tragedy. Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds, Minister of Foreign Affairs Carolyn Rodrigues and Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Robeson Benn were among those who signed the Book of Condolences for the victims. The violent attack carried out against the weekly
French satirical magazine claimed 17 lives including that of journalists and police officers, some were killed in three days of violence which began, last Wednesday. Those killed in attack on the magazine included French journalists Stéphane Charbonnie, Georges Wolinski, Bernard Maris, Jean Cabut and Philippe Honoré. The shooting was seen an act of retaliation by Muslim extremist for provocative images the magazine published; some of the images appeared to be an attack on Islam and other religions. However, world leaders have stood in solidarity with the citizens of France, condemning the attack on the magazine, calling it as a brutal assault on freedom of the press. On Sunday, more than 40 World Leaders joined the citizens of France to pay tribute to the victims. Locally, prominent politicians noted the occurrence held grave significance to Guyana; more so Kaieteur News, given that the newspaper has been the subject of recent threats issued by high ranking officials in government and had experienced a similar occurrence which claimed the lives of five employees, a few years ago. More recently, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall, in a profanity-laced recording, was heard telling a senior reporter that “innocent people” working at Kaieteur News would be in harm’s way as a result of the types of stories the newspaper has been carrying. There were
- as Guyanese express condolences for Paris attack
A member of the public signs the Book of Condolences for victims of the Charlie Hebdo attack calls by, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) to the Guyana Government for protection of the Kaieteur News staff and for an investigation to be carried out in relation to Nandlall’s utterances. The government is yet to respond to those calls. The Deputy French Consul, in an invited comment on the matter expressed that although he does not consider the attack in France as having same basis as threats issued against Kaieteur News and other independent news agencies in Guyana, attacks on freedom of the press for whatever
reason should not be condoned. “The difference between the attack in France and the attack on Kaieteur newspapers is that it seems be a political problem in Guyana but in France it was more of a social issue,” he added. The French Diplomat said that he can only hope that the press in Guyana is not at risk from the same kind of violent attack that was carried out on the French magazine since it is essential for the nation to promote and safeguard the future of press freedom. He expressed that “in Guyana the press is pretty free because what you print
sometimes you (must) have a free press for that …The problem is to make sure it stays free. I hope the people of Guyana stand up with the same courage as the people in France for a free press and protecting it,” Bertilli noted that the Government of France has been impartial in their support for freedom of the press. He explained that in this regard Charlie Hedbo, a small but very well known magazine in France, which published offensive images relative to prominent persons including officials in Government, was able to benefit from the protection of the French police.
Health officials mum about works to ensure... (From page 6) advanced technology. In the quest to move in this direction, a proposal to put the needful measures in place was prepared by the management of CHI and forwarded to Government,
which in turn adopted it and took it to Parliament for approval. The proposal was able to secure support from both sides of the House allowing for monies to be approved for the procurement of the requisite
Where is IDB $$M given... (From page 3) trafficking in and out of Guyana. Greenidge said, too, that he regards the comments by Hinds on the need for APNU leaders to call on its supporters to pay their electricity bills as reprehensible, implying as it does that only South Georgetown residents break the law and that they account for the bulk of GPL’s losses. “But this is merely what one writer has called the ‘visible face of electricity theft’. There is an invisible side to the story. Many PPP areas are illegally receiving free street lighting and street lights account for a significant portion of losses the last time I saw an audit of the known losses. More importantly, there have been cases even of GPL Board members stealing electricity. Indeed, one newspaper report suggested that some of them believe that free electricity is their entitlement,” he added. Greenidge emphasized that point that needs to be borne in mind is that the PM is being malicious and the attempt to stigmatize one Guyanese community is part of a pattern of misrepresentation and manipulation of information in “their game of ethnic politics.”
measures to revamp the facility. Reports are that there were negotiations with American-based General Electric (GE), which afforded Government a competitive price to cater to setting up of the Hybrid Room. Based on an agreement, GE was expected to deliver the equipment directly into the finished lab. At the start of construction there were sustained discussions between the Government side and that of the management of CHI. However, according to a source close to the project, by the time the last critical 25 per cent of the works was left, the management of CHI was “shut out” of the discussions. Because of the stalled project, GE was forced to deliver the equipment for the lab to the hospital. This resulted in some damage to the equipment to the tune of US$1M. A source close to the project informed this
publication that GE has refused to take responsibility for the damage since the agreement has been breached. Government will therefore be required to cover that cost using taxpayers’ money, this publication understands. The costly equipment delivered by GE was left sitting on the ground floor of the hospital a short distance from the hospital’s pharmacy (East Street entrance) covered with a tarpaulin. According to GE, this is improper storage, and there is no guarantee that the equipment will function optimally when installed. Of even more concern is whether GE will be willing to honour its warranty for the equipment, one official highlighted recently. But based on the reaction of some health officials the possibility of CHI’s operations grinding to a halt is certainly not a “big emergency.”
Wednesday January 14, 2015
Kaieteur News
Jamaica, other Caribbean countries to meet at energy summit in US The Gleaner - Jamaica and other Caribbean countries are expected to meet with the vice-president of the United States at an energy summit in Washington on January 26. Vice-president Joe Biden is expected to preside over what’s being called the first Caribbean Energy Security Summit. Biden’s office says prime ministers or cabinet ministers from the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Grenada, and Trinidad and Tobago are expected to attend. The White House says the summit will focus on promoting sustainable energy in the region, including access to financing. Representatives from business and international groups are planning to
Joe Biden attend. The news of the energy summit with the US follows reports last month that Venezuela is considering sell-
ing the debt under its oil programme, PetroCaribe with several Caribbean countries, including Jamaica. It is reported that Venezuela is under pressure to maintain its imports and stem revenue slide amid falling oil prices on the global market. Negotiations are reportedly underway to sell the oil debt to Wall Street investment bank Goldman Sachs. Such a move could seriously destabilise the economies of the region if counter measures are not put in place. Under the PetroCaribe agreement, members can buy oil or refined products from Venezuela at favourable rates through a long-term financing agreement at low interest rates.
NUPW leads City march Barbados Nation - More than 100 people marched through the City streets yesterday in solidarity with dismissed National Conservation Commission workers. Led by National Union of Public Workers president Walter Maloney; acting general secretary Rosalind Smith and first vice-president Akanni McDowall, the march began and ended at Queen’s Park, travelling through areas such as Roebuck Street, Pinfold Street, Tudor Street, Swan Street and Crumpton Street. The marchers sang the union anthem Solidarity Forever while shouting slogans like “Lowe must go!” and “equal rights and justice” while holding placards with “solidarity for everyone”; “how Lowe can we go?” and “It’s never too late for justice”. Maloney said they were happy with the turnout as “whoever shows up to show solidarity we are thankful for”, adding he hoped the march would result in the workers getting their due.
Executive members of the National Union of Public Workers lead the march through the City streets. (Picture by Sandy Pitt) When asked to respond to Minister of Housing Denis Kellman, who questioned the validity of the march as he said there was no sense in marching to Parliament to present the Minister of Labour with anything when she was not in the Lower House, Maloney said he had no idea what Kellman was talking about as there was never any intention to march to Parliament. “I am not aware of what
Denis Kellman said but all he had to do was call us and he would have gotten the route,” he said. Spotted among the crowd were Sandra Husbands, a former senator and former president of the Barbados Small Business Association; Marsha Hinds-Layne, public relations officer for the BLP [Barbados Labour Party] League of Women; workers from the now defunct Beautify Barbados and teachers.
FARC says will stick to Colombia truce Bogota (AFP) - A top FARC negotiator yesterday reaffirmed the Colombian rebel group’s intention to observe a unilateral ceasefire so long as its forces do not come under attack. In comments published in the newspaper El Espectator, Pastor Alape said the indefinite ceasefire that the FARC declared on December 20 was “a serious step toward the agreement of an armistice.” “The unilateral and indefi-
nite ceasefire will remain in place as long as the military does not attack the FARC’s units,” said Alape, whose real name is Felix Antonio Munoz. The FARC charged in a statement at the end of last week that the military was stepping up its pressure on the guerrilla units. Colombia’s President Juan Manuel Santos has acknowledged that the FARC has abided by the ceasefire. But he has refused to
agree to a ceasefire on the part of the government until a comprehensive peace agreement has been reached. The government and the FARC have been negotiating for more than two years in Havana to bring an end to the group’s 50-year-old insurgency, but key issues remain unresolved, including disarmament and how any agreement should be ratified. More than 220,000 people have died in the conflict, Latin America’s longest.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday January 14, 2015
Divers retrieave crashed AirAsia jet’s cockpit voice recorder (Reuters) - Indonesian divers pulled out the cockpit voice recorder from the sunken wreckage of an AirAsia (AIRA.KL) passenger jet yesterday, a key step towards determining the cause of the crash that killed all 162 people aboard. Indonesia AirAsia’s Flight QZ8501 lost contact with air traffic control in bad weather on Dec. 28, less than halfway into a t w o - h o u r f l i g h t from Indonesia’s second-biggest city of Surabaya to Singapore. The cockpit voice recorder, which retains the last two hours of conversation between the pilots and with air traffic controllers, was found close to where the flight data recorder was recovered from the bottom of the Java Sea on Monday. “Today we have completed searching for the main things that we have been looking for,” Rear Admiral Widodo, the commander of the navy’s western fleet, told reporters after handing over the cockpit voice recorder to investigators. “But the team will still try to find the body of the plane
Head of Indonesian National Transportation Safety Committee Tatang Kurniadi, center, shows the newly recovered Cockpit Voice Recorder from the ill-fated AirAsia Flight 8501 during a press conference in Pangkalan Bun, Central Borneo, Indonesia yesterday. (AP Photo) in case there are still bodies inside.” Together the black boxes, which are actually orange, contain a wealth of data that will be crucial for investigators piecing together the sequence of events that led to the Airbus (AIR.PA) A320-200 plunging into the sea. The cockpit voice recorder is expected to be sent
to the capital, Jakarta, for analysis. Investigators may need up to a month to get a complete reading of the data. The AirAsia group’s first fatal accident took place more than two weeks ago, but wind, high waves and strong currents have slowed efforts to recover bodies and wreckage from the shallow waters off Borneo island.
Sri Lankan opposition files graft complaint against former president (Reuters) - Sri Lanka’s Marxist opposition filed a corruption complaint yesterday against former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his relatives and asked the antigraft body to prevent them from leaving the country. Rajapaska was defeated in an election last Thursday after a campaign that focused on misuse of public funds, and on his powers and those of his family members, many of whom held public office during his decade in power. Having lost his presiden-
Mahinda Rajapaksa tial immunity along with his bid for a third term, Rajapaska
has also been asked to appear in court on a separate matter, a request that would have been unthinkable just a few days ago. The Janatha Vimukthi Peremuna’s (JVP) complaint includes allegations that he mishandled state funds in his capacity as finance minister in an administration seen as rife with graft and nepotism. “The main objective of the complaint is to prevent them leaving the country. The head of the Bribery Commission has the authority to temporarily impound their passports until they investigate the charges,” JVP lawmaker, Vijitha Herath, told Reuters. The JVP also filed a complaint against former Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal for managing public funds in an arbitrary manner in number of instances including investing in Greek bonds before the financial crisis in that country. “This is all rubbish. All these cases have been heard and dismissed by the Supreme Court. They just want to harass us,” Cabraal told Reuters. Many of the decisions by the Supreme Court, led by a Rajapaksa ally, have now been questioned.
Wednesday January 14, 2015
Kaieteur News
Young Warriors CC Mash Cup 2015
Ray Jahoor of Ashiek and Son Motor Supplies and Auto Sale on board For the third time, Ray Jahoor of Ashiek and Son Motor Supplies and Auto Sale is on board with the YWCC annual fundraiser, Mash Cup 2015 - Third Edition. His sponsorship will cover the second prize of $30,000. At the presentation held recently, Mr Jahoor who is also a member of the club said he is pleased with the progress of the club over the years and will always support any projects the club undertakes. He added that he’ll always give back to the community because the same community supports his business. Receiving the cheque on behalf of the club, First Division skipper and tournament coordinator Ishwar Singh thanked Mr Jahoor for his continued support of the Mash Cup fundraiser. He said that not only the Mash Cup gets
Ray Jahoor (left) presents the sponsorship to Ishwar Singh of the YWCC. support from Mr Jahoor but other charities. He added that this tournament is highly anticipated by the second division clubs in the area and brings out the entire family. Singh called on the public to support Ashiek and Son Motor Supplies and Auto Sale so that they can continue to make meaningful contributions to the
community. He also encouraged the cricket fans to bring their families and enjoy an action pack day of entertainment. The tournament will involve eleven second division teams from No19 to Gangaram Village on the Corentyne and will be of five overs aside and contested on Monday 23rd of February, 2015, Mash Day.
Wednesday January 14, 2015 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You might feel on edge today but not know why. You may jump at unexpected noises or think you see or hear things that aren't there. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) You may wonder if you're losing your memory today. You might have the strange feeling that there was something you had to do but can't quite remember what. GEMINI (May 21–June 20)
Today you might have to do a lot of communicating with friends. Perhaps you need to make phone calls or catch up on correspondence. CANCER (June 21–July 22) A prominent male author whose work you enjoy might publish a new book. You may consider doing some writing of your own, particularly if you have a story to tell.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Strained nerves and trepidation about unpleasant tasks could have you on edge and likely to take your stress out on those closest to you. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You might feel overworked today. Your energy could be flagging, and you may even feel feverish. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Today you're apt to feel especially romantic. Novels, movies, and poetry about love will be appealing. CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) A rush of activity at home is probably going to involve preparations for a journey or event. More than one visitor could arrive during the course of the day.
LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Good news regarding writing, speaking, or publishing could come your way today. This isn't a bad idea, Leo.
AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) This can prove frustrating and overwhelming, but if you plan carefully, Aquarius, you should be able to get it all done on schedule. Get busy and go to it.
VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Paperwork regarding a bonus, settlement, or dividend of some kind might need to be executed today. It will probably be boring.
PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) At some point during the day you're likely to get a little frazzled, but this will pass. Get your work done and then relax.
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Mexico tops Canada, reinforces Group B lead... From page 28 Marco Carducci, was outstanding as he made two superb saves to keep his team within striking distance. He produced a spectacular onehanded save in the 18th minute to deny Erick Guitierrez, before stopping Guillermo Martinez from point-blank range in the 80th minute. With time running out in the second half, the Canadians started to force the issue much more. Michael Petrasso, one of the scoring heroes in the Maple Leafs’ 31 opening win over Haiti, had two close encounters within as many minutes midway through the second half. He headed his first attempt wide right in the 63rd minute and sent a close-range shot from the right side wide left two minutes later, which might have been Canada’s best chance of the match. Mexico meets Honduras tomorrow, while Canada plays El Salvador.
BCB unveils Diamond...
From page 29 cooperation and also to all the companies who invested in the magazine especially Republic Bank, A. Ally and Sons, Guyana Power and Light, Bank of Nova Scotia, Gizmos and Gadgets, Agri Parts, P & P Insurance Brokers, Ansa McAl, Ministry of Health Aids Office, GT&T and Survival Supermarket. Among the programmes of the Diamond Jubilee celebration were Tribute to Heroes, Tribute to Retired Cricketers, establishment of mini libraries at six cricket clubs, Legends Dinner, honouring of Test Cricketers, unveiling of Rohan Kanhai portrait as Berbice greatest cricketer, Television Programme, Hall of Fame for Administrators, Essay Competition, Medical Outreach Programme, First Aid Clinic, Musical Evening, Countrywide cricket exhibition, Annual Awards Ceremony, Educational Awards Scheme and donations to numerous clubs. BCB President Anil Beharry expressed gratitude to Foster, the RHTY&SC and Corbin Media Group for the production of the high quality magazine. The magazine, he stated would be a permanent souvenir for the Diamond Jubilee anniversary for fans of Berbice cricket. He issued an appeal for everyone in Berbice cricket to work together so that the high standard of the past can be maintained in the future. Persons interested in obtaining a copy of the magazine can call 333- 2375.
Meanwhile, a late penalty kick by Jonel Desire lifted Haiti (0-1-1, 1 point) to a 1-1 draw with El Salvador (0-2-0, 2 points), the match concluded a Group B tripleheader, which saw Mexico getting past Canada and Honduras (1-1-0, 4 points) topping Cuba (0-0-2, 0 points). Jose Villavicencio — scorer of a dramatic 90th minute equalizer from the penalty spot in a 2-2 draw with Honduras on Saturday — put El Salvador in front, 1-0, in the 27th minute. Alvaro Guardado turned along the touchline and played the ball to Bryan Tamacas, who in turn sent a low cross across the face of goal to Villavicencio. The CD FAS midfielder simply tapped the ball in from inside the six-yard box. Haiti leveled through Desire’s 88th minute penalty kick after referee Sandy
Vasquez ruled Roberto Dominguez had pulled down Zachary Herivaux in the box. The forward stepped to the spot and placed the kick off the underside of the crossbar and over the line. It was his second goal of the tournament. In the seventh minute, El Salvador was fortunate not to trail in the opening moments as goalkeeper Carlos Cañas misplayed a teammate’s headed ball. The 19-year-old, though, recovered in time to swat it away before it crossed the goal line. Haiti nearly leveled in the 37th minute, but Peterson Joseph put his attempt off the post. Villavicencio nearly made it a brace in the 58th minute, bursting into the 18-yard box only to put his 16-yard shot off the outside netting. Haiti will face Cuba tomorrow at the Montego Bay Sports Complex. (CONCACAF)
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday January 14, 2015
‘There is no axe to grind’ – Lloyd Clive Lloyd, the former West Indies captain and current chairman of selectors, has said that the absence of “exceptional performances” from the pair of Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard, coupled with the selection panel’s vision to move forward and look for young talent, were the chief reasons for omitting the two senior allrounders for the ODIs against South Africa and the World Cup. Lloyd said the decision had been a difficult one and was debated heavily. He insisted that it was not the end of the road for the discarded pair and it was up to the players to regain their spots on the back of performances. “It was a very difficult decision. I can tell you it went on for two days. We suspended it to give a chance to think about things and so on. There were a lot of discussions,” Lloyd told ESPNcricinfo in an exclusive interview on Tuesday (yesterday). “But then you get to a point where you say, right, this is where we want
CONCACAF Under-20 Montego BAY, Jamaica Mexico recorded a 2-0 victory over Canada to solidify its Group B lead in the CONCACAF Under-20 Championships on Monday afternoon. Hirving Lozano scored in the 30th minute and
to go. It is very difficult for people to understand or to accept. But we want to move on. “I don’t think they have had any exceptional performances. Nobody (of the pair) has got exceptional performances as far as (playing for) West Indies is concerned. They have been there and thereabouts. We really and truly want to pick people on what they have done for our cricket and not for anyone else.” Despite being part of the 30 probables for the World Cup, Bravo and Pollard had already been left out of the five-match ODI series against South Africa. Considering their popularity in domestic global Twenty20 competitions, the news created furore not just in the Caribbean, but also outside. Former West Indies fast bowler and Lloyd’s former team-mate Michael Holding raised the question of why Bravo had been dropped when he was part of the ICC ODI Team of the Year for 2014. Pollard and Bravo are fourth and fifth on the list of highest
run-scorers for West Indies since the 2011 World Cup. Lloyd said there were already too many allrounders in the squad and that the selectors had to take a call. He also hinted that the performances of Bravo and Pollard that have registered in the fans’ minds had mostly come in the domestic T20 leagues like the IPL. Lloyd revealed that he had spoken with both players in person last week in Cape Town: “Yes, I spoke to them in Cape Town. They understand what the situation is. Don’t forget, these guys have been playing for West Indies for a while. And they will be disappointed. But they have a chance of redeeming themselves and getting back into our cricket in the future. One is 31 (Bravo) and the other is 27 or 28 (Pollard).” Lloyd also said he did not need to respond to Chris Gayle who called the selectors’ move “ridiculous”. Gayle had said that he was stunned to hear from Bravo that one reason for the pair being dropped was that the
players’ lawyers. He insisted there was no discrimination by the selection panel. “No, no. That is not the way I live. I don’t believe in things in that nature at all. There is no axe to grind with these guys. There are other people that could have…You know we could have said, “What about X, what about Y? “This is the combination we came up with. And I am not one of those people who are going to direct to me what to do. I take orders from me, and nobody else. I am not into that situation where I will be
This was the same Lloyd that led a West Indies team to the Kerry Packer Super Test series in Australia in defiance of the WICB resulting in the players who participated being banned by their Board and a second string team, led by Alvin Kallicharran, sent to India. World Series Cricket (WSC) was a ‘break-away’ professional cricket competition staged between 1977 and 1979 and organised by Packer for his Australian television network, Channel Nine. The widespread view that players were not paid sufficient amounts to make a living from cricket was one of the many reasons for the formation of the Packer series. Packer set up his own series by secretly signing agreements with leading Australian, English, Pakistani, South African and West Indian players, most notably England captain Tony Greig, West Indies captain Clive Lloyd, Australian captain Greg Chappell, future Pakistani captain Imran Khan and former Australian Captain Ian Chappell. When the West Indians were offered contracts that would pay them more than they could earn in an entire career, they
Cup and produced substandard Australian performances but the WICB overturned the ban on their players since, picking the best team for the 1979 World Cup was of primary importance to the Board and the people of the West Indies. Lloyd, the only captain to lead his team to three consecutive World Cup Finals; winning the first two, was reinstated as captain. However, this time round, the WICB which seems not to care about picking its best possible team or about the real stakeholders of West Indies cricket (the people of the Caribbean) has decided to leave out Bravo, Pollard and Johnson. WICB President Dave Cameron claimed that there was no victimization of the players adding that the players were not picked due their performance with Lloyd and his fellow selectors deciding they were not good enough to merit selection. However both Darren Sammy and Andre Russell have similar averages to Pollard and Bravo yet they were both selected. Very few West Indians would believe such a story and if it happens to be true then it’s another indictment
Clive Lloyd worrying about what happened in India. That is past. That is gone. We are moving on.” Lloyd backed his statement by pointing out that the WICB had shortlisted Bravo as one of 12 players to be given a central contract for the 2014-15 season. “Doesn’t that tell you about something? He has been given a central contract. So that means he is not thrown out. That is what we should be talking about. We want people to feel they are still part of our cricket,” Lloyd said. (ESPNcricinfo)
Mexico tops Canada, reinforces Is Lloyd being manipulated or just getting old? page 29 all signed with alacrity. Group B lead; Haiti rallies for From soured the relationship The ACB opted to not between the Indian and West select WSC-contracted late draw with El Salvador Indian cricket boards. players for the 1979 World Canadians (1-0-1, 3 points) lost for the first time. Goalkeeper Jose Gonzalez recorded the clean sheet. Lozano gave Mexico all
Mexicans’ 9-1 triumph over Cuba in the opening match on Saturday. Pineda, who came on for Alejandro Diaz in the 72nd, made his presence felt eight
Action from the CONCACAF Under-20 Championship match between Mexico and Canada (white jersey) on January 12, 2015, in Montego Bay, Jamaica. (Photo: Mexsport) second-half substitute Diego Pineda added an insurance goal two minutes into stoppage time for the Mexicans at the Montego Bay Sports Complex. The win gave El Tri (2-00, 6 points) maximum points from two games, while the
selectors wanted to rebuild the team. “He (Gayle) might think so, but the point is that he is not a selector. He is a player,” Lloyd said. “I have the greatest respect for him. But he will have to read what we are trying to do. He is part of that team that is going forward. Once he has been told what the situation is he will understand what we are doing.” Immediately after Bravo and Pollard were dropped from the South Africa ODI series but included for the T20 leg, the players’ lawyer Ralph Thorne said that “a gentle form of ruthlessness” by the WICB led to their exclusion from the World Cup squad. Thorne accused the WICB of victimisation and not honouring the word of the board president Dave Cameron who had said that the players who abandoned the tour of India last October would be treated fairly. Lloyd said he had explained the reasons, in writing, to all concerned parties, including the WICB, the West Indies Players Association, as well as the
the scoring it needed on the half hour, taking down a long ball from the back and beating two defenders on the right side of the penalty area before slotting the ball past goalkeeper Nolan Wirth for a 1-0 advantage. The Pachuca standout scored twice in the
minutes later. Erick Aguirre, an overlapping defender, beat Canadian defender Alexander Comsia on the right side, fed Pineda in the middle of the box and he slipped the ball past Wirth for a two-goal lead. Wirth, starting in place of Continued on page 27
Dave Cameron on Lloyd’s once untarnished reputation for judging players. It would be no surprise if Lloyd recommends that Ramdin be replaced as Test Skipper by Kraigg Braithwaite after the World Cup. I am not suggesting that the players who aborted the Indian tour are not punished but the Board must publicly explain why Pollard, Bravo and even Johnson were not selected. The actions of the West Indies Board suggests it’s a run-away train, answerable to no one and it must be stopped before it further destroys the one thing that, despite the generally poor performances of the team, unites West Indian people more than anything else.
Wednesday January 14, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Grove Hi Tech’s Domini Garnett to try out Jaguars depart for NAGICO Super50 tourney with T&T Pro League side, Caledonia AIA - GCB President cautions against complacency President of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), Dru Bahadur, met the Guyana Jaguars at the Windjammer hotel before they left for the airport yesterday morning for Trinidad & Tobago in quest of the NAGICO Super50 2015 title. The GCB Head cautioned the team not to be complacent at any point in the competition. “Guyana Jaguars team is a balanced, strong, talented and a reliable one; they can destroy any team, but it is important not to take that for granted. I know you are confident which is good but stay focused on each ball of every match and do not underestimate any player or any
team you are competing against.” Drubahadur reminded the players that Guyana started off this format strongly last year but faded away and lost in the semifinal. He stressed that if they start on top again, it is essential that they do not become over-confident and get carried away. And if they are not victorious in their opening match, they have to believe in themselves, regroup, correct what they did wrong and continue to fight. He stated that the GCB has high expectations of the team and fully supports them, adding that he believes the entire Guyana is
rallying behind them as well. The President further welcomed Jonathan Foo back to the national squad and wished him a successful tournament. He also congratulated Vishaul Singh on his debut to the limited overs version for Guyana, noting that he has been one of the success stories of cricket in Guyana lately. He challenged Singh to stay focused and mark his place in this format of the game as well. Guyana Jaguars is in Group A and in the preliminary round will play Windward Islands Volcanoes tomorrow, Barbados on Saturday January 17, and CCC on Monday January 19.
Tim Duncan forgoes tie as the Spurs visit the White House
Should’ve gone with the air tie, Tim. (Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports) San Antonio Spurs icon Tim Duncan has accomplished many things in his storied career — five championships, two MVPs, 14 All-Star appearances, etc. — but he has never been much for dressing like a multimillionaire international superstar. Duncan’s sartorial choices tend towards those of a relentlessly uncool record-store clerk and/or comic book geek, all genre references and oversized plaid shirts that, as a friend once put it, seem to have been picked up in a stack from a table at Costco. It should come as little surprise that the (Three Sizes Too) Big Fundamental referred to the NBA’s dress code as “a load of crap” (plus some more offensive things) when it was instituted in 2005. Duncan and the rest of the reigning champion Spurs visited the White House on Monday
for their post-title meeting with President Barack Obama. Like most other sports figures, they took the occasion seriously and arrived in their finest suits. Only Duncan, though, chose to go without the tie. Some of our more patriotic readers (or at least those most deferential to power) may see Duncan’s move as a sign of disrespect and displaying a lack of reverence for the occasion, although likely not as part of a full-blown political statement. Yet Duncan’s decision to go tieless pales in comparison to those athletes who have flat-out refused to meet with Obama and other presidents in the past. That group includes such NBA luminaries as Michael Jordan and Larry Bird, both of whom appeared to consider their visits with standing Leaders of the Free World wastes of time. More recently, then-Boston Bruins goalkeeper Tim Thomas chose not to meet with Obama in
2012 due to his belief that the federal government had grown out of control, while Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch opted to skip out on his team’s time with our 44th chief executive simply because he wasn’t interested. This silly story says a lot more about Duncan than his lack of respect for the presidency, which is really just a tangential issue to the matter at hand. The man is not going to bend his wardrobe preferences for anyone, no matter if he has access to nuclear launch codes. I’m even willing to bet that Duncan immediately untucked his shirt like an eight-year-old at church after the assembled media turned off their cameras. For what it’s worth, Obama didn’t seem especially turned off by Duncan’s lack of neckwear. In fact, he praised the Spurs organization as a manifestation of American ideals. (Associated Press)
Domini Garnett There is the saying that dedicated work always brings reward, this statement is apt in the case of 20 year-old Grove Hi Tech forward, Domini Garnett who leaves Guyana today for a tryout at T&T Pro League side, Caledonia AIA. Garnett, who has represented Guyana at the Under-17 and 19 levels, has also been named as part of the Golden Jaguars 26-man local based side that will be encamped from January 22 ahead of the friendly international against Barbados on February 1, 2015 in Barbados. At a simple but significant ceremony yesterday in the boardroom of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), Normalization Committee (NC) member Stuart May congratulated Garnett and Mr. James Herbert and family who have sponsored the air ticket for Garnett to travel to T&T. May told the gathering which also included East Bank FA President and Secretary Wayne Francois and Franklin Wilson, Grove Hi Tech Coach Jermaine Matthews and Directors of the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation, Kashif Muhammad and Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ Major who along with Herbert initiated the arrangement with Caledonia’s Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz that it is always the dream of any young player (male or female) growing up to play professionally. “Mr. Domini Garnett has already been selected for the Barbados squad as a Golden Jaguar and has achieved that status and now he has taken that further step in his football career.” May noted that these happenings don’t occur by the click of a finger so he took the opportunity to single out the Herbert family for their investment in Garnett and the
Kashif and Shanghai Organisation for their continued commitment to the development of the game. Muhammad in remarks expressed pleasure at being part of the entire arrangement which facilitated Garnett’s opportunity to secure an international career informing that they saw the talent of Garnett during the Stag Super XV1 December/January tournament among the East Bank, East Demerara and Berbice associations which they followed. “He was extremely outstanding and remarkable during the tournament; we were at the final and saw him scoring all five goals in his team’s win over Ann’s Grove. Right there and then we had our good friend Mr. James Herbert who is a long time sponsor of our organization who also hails from Grove on the East Bank and we felt that this talented player should be given an opportunity to further his skills.” Muhammad stated that discussions were initiated immediately among members of his organization, Herbert and Shabazz with a view of giving Garnett the opportunity to play at a higher level. “We had discussions with Mr. Franklin Wilson of the East Bank association and we also were introduced to Garnett’s father, Mark and we promised that we were going to assist him in furthering his career. Shabazz acquiesced immediately stating that he was committed to assisting in the development of Guyana’s football.” Muhammad said that it is the wish of his organistion that this
will be the start of what they would have initiated many years ago when a number of players, the likes of Collie Hercules, Randolph Jerome, Kayode Mc Kinnon and others made their entry into semi pro ball at the time which eventually turned pro. “Out of those players and others going abroad to play professionally in Trinidad and other places we saw the Guyana brand, Golden Jaguars coming to the fore and doing well. So we are extremely happy to be associated with giving this youngster his chance and we are happy that the East Bank association gave us the go ahead to look out for him and we’re really elated that the Herbert family has supported and the GFF Normalization has blessed this entire initiative to make it reality.” May said he was very gratified that the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation whose tournament wasn’t approved last yearend still displayed a high level of maturity and commitment to the sport. “I think the K&S organization still went out and scouted talent and got involved in developing football and that shows that they are not small minded and I think this is the way football is going to go forward.” Garnett in response, thanked all including the GFF Normalization Committee and his club, Grove Hi Tech for affording him the opportunity of taking his career to another level. “I will take this opportunity as a step forward in life and I will do my best, work hard and prove to others that Guyana has more talent while making a way for other youths to get opportunities.”
The Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc. (GSCL) will be hosting the second ‘Guyana Republic Cup’, set to commence on January 31 will be played in the Open and Over-40 categories, both divisions lasting 20 overs. The first place prize in each competition is $300,000 with the runner-up taking home $100,000, along with trophies and medallions. Teams desirous of competing in the tournament which will be played at the Demerara Cricket Club, Everest Cricket Club and Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC) grounds, are asked to submit their registration fees of $60,000 for both categories, to GSCL Inc Treasurer Russell Jadbeer (626 8228 or 226 4205) at 69 Seaforth Street, Campbellville.
The closing date for registration is Tuesday January 27, the day set aside for the launch of the tournament. The drawing of fixtures will be done in a fair and transparent manner at the GNIC, Sports Club on Woolford Avenue. The first eight teams to register will be allowed to compete. Among the teams expected to take part in the open category are Wolf ’s Warriors, Berbice Titans, Regal XI, Memorex, Speedboat and Trophy Stall while Regal Masters, Savage Masters and Industry Super Kings should be among the list of competitors in the Over40 division. Admission to all venues including Everest which will host the final on February 8 is free. Playing conditions will be announced at the launch.
GSCL Inc. Republic Cup set to commence January 31
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Kaieteur News
Similar but different! Asks Sean Devers One cannot help wondering if the once highly respected former West Indies Captain Clive Lloyd is being manipulated by the WICB or just getting old. The recent utterances and questionable selections by the 70 year-old Guyanese are strange to say the least and his credibility is decreasing as fast as honesty, integrity and professionalism are declining in Guyana. One wonders how Lloyd came to the conclusion that Jason Holder, who he recommended to replace OneDay Captain Dwayne Bravo less than two months ahead of the World Cup, would make a good Captain when he has never seen Holder, (talented but inexperienced), lead any team at any level. The decision seems more perplexing since Test Captain Denish Ramdin, one of only four players in the team with more than 100 ODIs, is an automatic pick in the limited overs side. Last year, Lloyd claimed that West Indies will do well at Test level in the future from what he had seen in the 2014 Regional Under19 series which was won by host Guyana. This was one of the worst Under-19 tournaments in terms of the standard and
Wednesday January 14, 2015
Is Lloyd being manipulated or just getting old? temperament of the players and I have seen almost every regional youth tournament since 1985. His comments came in the wake the WICB deciding to reduce the threeday tournament from five to three matches. The limited overs tournament could have been quashed if funding was a problem since no Under-19 World Cup is fixed for this year. Is this how Lloyd sees the future players improving Test cricket when they are not being taught to bat for long periods and two-innings cricket being reduced? It is understood that if Richard Pybus, the former Pakistan and Bangladesh Coach, who was appointed West Indies’ Director of Cricket got his way there would be no ThreeDay youth tournaments. Pybus will provide cricketing expertise to help develop West Indies’ regional and international cricketers, over a three-year period starting November 1, 2014. Lloyd, who was paid a lucrative sum by the Guyana Government to head the IMC which was supposed to deal with the problems involving the Guyana Cricket Board did very little to fix the problems Guyana’s cricket faced and soon moved to the opposing camp when he accepted the position of Chairman of the WICB Selectors.
Since replacing fellow Guyanese Clyde Butts in the position Lloyd’s questionable selections have been filled with controversy. Leaving out two of the team’s best One-Day players (Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard) from the World Cup squad and not picking Leon Johnson, the most talented of the new batsmen for next month’s ICC showpiece event fuels speculation that their omissions have little to do with their performances on the field but more about politics and what transpired on the aborted tour of India. The omission of Pollard and Dwayne Bravo is threatening to disintegrate further, an already uncomfortable Caribbean setup. In-form opener Chris Gayle slammed the team’s selection saying it was “ridiculous” to axe two of West Indies most explosive players”. “How can those two guys not be in the team? To me, it got to be like victimisation when you look at it towards those two guys. Come on, guys. It is just ridiculous,” Gayle said. Due to pay disputes, Bravo had led a ‘Players revolt’ during the team’s tour of India last year. West Indies pulled out of the India series in dramatic fashion that Continued on page 26
Lloyd & Kerry Packer during the Packer series in Australia
Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo
Seven hundred million myths By Edison Jefford In an exclusive interview with Kaieteur Sport that appeared in the January 8, 2015 Edition of the newspaper, long-standing Director of Sport, Neil Kumar, told interviewer, Sean Devers that they have spent $700 million to develop grounds and venues in Guyana. I used the third-person plural pronoun “they” to attribute Kumar’s comment because of his use of “we” to begin his statement. Here is exactly what Kumar told Devers: “We have spent $700 million in developing grounds and venues throughout Guyana...” There was more to Kumar’s statement, which we will come to later in this analysis, but let’s deal with this fallacy first. When Kumar says “we”, it is important to note that there must be separation of his National Sports Commission (NSC) office from Government in attempting to analyse what he said. ‘We the Government’ and ‘We the NSC’ are different
concepts that must be treated as such since the NSC should ideally function as a nonpartisan sport organisation, devoid of any Government interference. However, this is not the case in Guyana. Kumar was interviewed as an NSC official, who is a Director of Sport. I will show why this is an important point later. For now, Kumar has informed that the NSC spent $700 million to develop grounds and venues across Guyana. For the remainder of this article, I will apply a procedure called Fact Check that the Cable News Network (CNN) popularly uses to deconstruct major political speeches, and other material in the United States of America. Kumar ’s claim of spending $700 million cannot include the budgeted allocations for the National Stadium at Providence, Aquatic Centre at Liliendaal nor the Synthetic Track and Field Facility at Leonora. Those projects were Government projects tabled in
the National Assembly prior to their construction. This is one reason why it was important to clarify Kumar’s use of “we” in his language. Kumar cannot claim monies Government would have spent to construct those facilities via the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport for the purposes of ballooning the NSC expenditure. With that said, which ground did the NSC spend $700 million to develop? In his capacity as the Director of Sport at the NSC, where did Kumar spend $700 million? Seven hundred million is a lot of money to develop grounds; the state of grounds all across Guyana clearly shows a lack of such investment. Half a day of steady rainfall completely inundates venues across Guyana, which immobilises the progress of sport since grounds become inaccessible. Just take a look at any ground in Guyana; it would become very clear that Kumar’s claim cannot be substantiated.
We had the perfect example in November last year when overnight rain washed out the National Schools’ Championships at the Guyana Defence Force Ground. There was talk of moving those Championships to another venue, but a suitable one could not be found. This is a norm with Cricket and Football. Any rain makes those sport disciplines unplayable in Guyana, except at the National Stadium, which proudly boasts one of the best drainage facilities in the Caribbean. Kumar endorsed Guyana’s FIFA imposed Normalisation Committee, but that Committee will face an uphill task in preparing Guyana’s Golden Jaguars to play Barbados with this incumbent rainy season. Kumar’s claim of spending $700 million to develop grounds should have annulled this concern. We have the story of Guyana’s National Rugby team preparing last year in the National Park to compete at
the North American and Caribbean Rugby Association (NACRA) tournament when it rained badly. Their practice sessions had to be completed at the National Stadium since there was no other venue in a state to accommodate the team. When Fact Check is applied, only the Albion Sports Club in Corentyne, Berbice benefitted from any such financial input with $91 million spent on erecting floodlights at the facility, and again it must be clarified whether the monies were expended through Central Government, or the Sports Commission. Kumar went on to state following his $700 million myth that “...we give the National Basketball team $3 million; the Rugby side got $1 million...” Again when Fact Check is applied, it would show that it was The Office of the President, which made the contribution to Guyana’s National Basketball team, preparing for the CBC Caribbean Championships,
and not Kumar or the NSC as he would rather have us believe. This very basketball team, which Kumar misrepresents on giving $3 million, was locked out of the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall when they wanted to practice. Yet in his interview, he boasted of giving them $3 million, which was opposed to the truth. It was the Minister of Finance, Ashni Singh, who gave the Rugby team heading to NACRA last year $4 million and not the NSC or Kumar as he claimed. If indeed the NSC gave the team $1M, we have no available public evidence of that contribution. In fact, we have no available evidence of Kumar or NSC spending $700 million on development of grounds and venues across Guyana. Maybe Kumar’s “we” in his part of speech meant that he was talking from the perspective of Government. Even if that was the case, the state of venues in Guyana belies the spending of $700 million.