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Kaieteur News
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
Which university? Recently there was a desultory and defensive response to our editorial “Higher Education at UG?” in which we had bemoaned the dearth of research in our sole tertiary institution. We questioned whether those agitating for change had given much thought to the ‘raison d’etre’ for higher education which we proposed was ‘the creation of knowledge’. Even more disappointing was the action of some who claimed to be concerned about the university yet focused totally on the issue of control. Control to do what? The phrase ‘idea of the university’ goes back to a seminal period in modern university history, the reforms of Wilhelm von Humboldt in Prussia. Starting with the University of Berlin, founded in 1810, the ‘Humboldtian’ university became a model for the rest of Europe, and by 1914 German universities were generally admired as the best in the world. It was the Humboldtian model that shaped the research universities of the United States, which head the international league today. The central Humboldtian principle was the ‘union of teaching and research’ in the work of the individual scholar or scientist. The function of the university was to advance knowledge by original and critical investigation, not just to transmit the legacy of the past or to teach skills. Teaching should be based on the disinterested search for truth, and students should participate, at however humble a level, in this search. Hence the classic view that the university was a community of scholars and students’ engaged on a common task. Humboldt’s influence is still felt in the assertion that research must be an integral part of every university’s activities. But in the Humboltdian vision, research was still seen as ancillary to teaching. It was in the 20th century that research came to be seen as a vital activity in itself, indeed as the primordial purpose of universities, contributing to industrial progress, military strength, and social welfare, and requiring collaborative rather than individual effort. The union of teaching and research reflected the social mission of the elite university. It was based on the assumption that the subjects taught in universities had a corpus of theory and knowledge which needed to be kept up to date by current research. In 1963, when the University of Guyana was launched with the assistance of academics primarily from the UK, a seminal reassessment of higher education in the UK was also released. The early founders of UG were obviously influenced by the report of the Robbins committee, which proclaimed the ‘Robbins principle’, that university places should be available to all who were qualified for them by ability and attainment. The report also discussed the nature of higher education, and defined four ‘objectives essential to any properly balanced system’. The first objective, a utilitarian one, was ‘instruction in skills’; but universities must also promote the ‘general powers of the mind’, to produce ‘not mere specialists but rather cultivated men and women’. Thirdly, while the balance between teaching and research might vary, teaching should not be separated from the advancement of learning and the search for truth, since ‘the process of education is itself most vital when it partakes of the nature of discovery’ through research. Last came ‘the transmission of a common culture and common standards of citizenship’. The present UG would fail on all four goals. Now all of this is not to say that a university should not be autonomous - but it should deliver of its goals. The Humboldtian ideals were reaffirmed in the Bologna declaration of 1988, signed by the heads of most European universities, and described as ‘the Magna Carta of the European universities’. The first Bologna principle was that the university is an autonomous institution, with the distinctive mission of embodying and transmitting the culture of its society. Second came the principle that teaching and research must be inseparable, and third that ‘freedom in research and training is the fundamental principle of university life’. Finally, the charter declared universities must transmit a common culture – in their case European humanism. What are our university’s ideals?
Thursday January 22, 2015
Letters... Where your views make the news
This decision shows the sort of consideration the PPP has for the citizens of Guyana DEAR EDITOR, In a strange but perhaps not unaccustomed development, President Donald Ramotar has chosen to announce a date for elections without actually dissolving Parliament. Article 61 of the Constitution requires elections within 90 days of the dissolution of parliament, which means that Ramotar has to officially dissolve Parliament sometime between February 11 and May 10 if he intends to stick to the May 11 date. If he chooses February 11, the fact is that the country still has another three weeks under a prorogation that should not have happened in the first place. Also curious is that the President, who refused to announce a date on the hollow logic that Christmas (which really means private sector profits) would have been disrupted in what would have been the first few weeks of campaigning, apparently has no problem disrupting Mashramani, Easter and Indian Arrival Day, all of which would fall substantially within the peak of the campaign period. In fact, Indian Arrival Day is just a week before voting. And then there is the fact that the date announced by the President falls on the day when not only the University of Guyana, attended by a significant number of our voting population, is scheduled to have tests, but on the same day that high school students are scheduled to sit four CSEC exams,
Agricultural Science, Theatre Arts, Electrical and Electronic Technology, and Food and Nutrition. Considering that many polling stations are at high schools, what we have is a potential logistical nightmare in itself and an added inconvenience to the thousands of voting parents whose children are writing the exams that day. Indeed, the campaign will reach its effective peak in mid-April which is when this year’s CSEC examinations begin. I would presume that these considerations would have been voiced by the Minister of Education when Cabinet agreed to May 11 as Election Day, yet the decision was taken anyway. This shows the sort of consideration the PPP has for the citizens of Guyana. Finally, I am happy to have read on online news sites that the Alliance For Change and A Partnership for National Unity have agreed in principle to a coalition, but of course negotiations are on for who, Moses Nagamootoo or David Granger, will head this coalition. My humble advice, which has been expressed by others, is for the parties to focus instead on precisely how it is that a functional coalition government will handle transition from the corruption and incompetence of the PPP administration, even as it tries to rebuild or reconfigure those national institutions that have been either destroyed or weakened by the PPP. The future of this country will not be built by
individual men in positions of executive power, but by committed and competent people operating within an inclusionary and functional framework for governance. The configuration at the top is irrelevant - if either Granger or Nagamootoo accedes to the Presidency, an act of God or nature can easily make any post-election jockeying irrelevant, unless of course such agreement is based upon the same farcical arrangement that saw Sam Hinds stepping down not once but twice to facilitate first Janet Jagan’s and then Bharrat Jagdeo’s ascendancy to the Presidency. What is needed is a strong plan based upon the best aspects of both parties’ portfolios as well as inputs from free agent technical experts like Christopher Ram and Janette Bulkan. Indeed what I would recommend is that one of the first things that a de facto coalition should do is to convene public consultations and expert level meetings on various components of a Beyond 2016 vision for Guyana. Even as that is taking place, and there is adequate time, we can look at the sort of human resource capacity that is available, both within and outside of the political party members of the coalition, and then assign those resources on the basis of capacity (both political and technical) under a strong, solidarity-based executive leadership. Ruel Johnson
HIGH FREQUENCY LEARNING experience and school violence DEAR EDITOR, Education Minister Priya Manickchand in a recent speech regarding the Health and Family Life Education (HFLE) programme in the school curriculum, made reference to its seeming success. No mention is made therein of the time of the programme’s conception and inception, although, at the said meeting she alluded to the fact that the officials concerned (herself included), now needed to look with a new vision at the programme’s reception, and likely problematic areas. The issue of school violence was then raised. Currently the schools in Guyana have become smaller arenas for settling of accounts by smaller players, but with the same basic intent — that of inflicting harm on another human. School violence is a subset of youth violence, a broader public health problem. Discussions about school violence rarely include public health’s proven prevention approaches. Public health approaches focus on preventing violence before it starts and have been shown to effectively reduce school violence You may wonder how small children at schools are indulging in violent activities which are beyond them. Well then, stop wondering and face the reality that students these days are absolutely ruthless and they are potentially very dangerous in causing severe harm to other school students.
Children are not born violent, but they become violent with the passage of time, and due to the circumstances as well, consequently the root cause of these students becoming so violent cannot be attributed to one particular reason. I concur with both the Minister and the Chief Education Officer. According to both the lattermentioned, the presence of Social Workers in the school may serve by their very presence as a measure of violence reduction. What a social injustice! Permit the Social Workers to carry out their primary function and not be used as violence deterrents. No one factor in isolation causes school violence, so stopping school violence involves using multiple prevention strategies that address the many individual, relationship, community, and societal factors that influence the likelihood of violence The characteristics of the community surrounding schools also influence the likelihood of school violence. By making changes in communities, school violence can decrease. Some effective community level strategies include providing youth with more structured and supervised afterschool opportunities, such as mentoring programmes or recreational activities, in order to increase monitoring and healthy skill
development of youth. Both the Minister and the Chief Education Officer failed to speak or even pinpoint individual level strategies that can prevent violence before it even starts. Are these addressed in the HFLE programme of which they made reference? Strengthening young people’s abilities to effectively solve difficulties that arise and their opportunities to participate in pro-social activities can significantly reduce the risk for violence. One strategy for addressing these individual risks is universal, school-based violence prevention programmes, which have been proven to reduce rates of aggression and violent behavior among students. Youth’s experiences, knowledge, and skills can influence their likelihood of becoming involved in violence. These programmes are delivered to all students in a school or a particular grade and focus on many areas, including emotional selfawareness, emotional control, selfesteem, positive social skills, social problem-solving, conflict resolution, and teamwork. Some school-based programmes also help students know how to appropriately and safely intervene to stop an escalating violent episode between peers. Universal, school-based violence prevention programmes improve students’ social skills and (Continued on page 23)
Thursday January 22, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Letters... Where your views make the news Letters... Where your views make the news
An outmoded compensation/ I believe that the PNCR is best equipped to lead any coalition reward system DEAR EDITOR, This week the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) published a full page advertisement of the “benefits” it provides its employees who are on strike. This expansive exposition of so-called “fringe benefits” provided by GGMC to prove that their staff are being treated fairly and caringly seem rather misplaced in the context of the apparent ‘bone of contention’ between GGMC and GPSU which reportedly has to do with salary adjustments and increases. I cannot comment on the negotiations or lack thereof, because I am not privy to the details and nuances of the issues which led to the apparent breakdown; but I certainly share the views expressed by Mr E.B. John in a recent letter that the lumping of all staff (managerial, supervisory, professional, technical, skilled, manual, security etc) into one organization-wide category represented by one union is most unconventional and possibly quite counter-productive. What I would like to draw attention to is GGMC’s apparent miscue mentioned above and more so to discuss the anachronism implicit in GGMC’s misplaced belief that the paternalistic, antiquated “benefits” which are enumerated in their advertisement are still potent Human resource management instruments to attract, motivate, retain and win the loyalty of staff in this day and age. Time was, emphasis on the past, when the ‘benefits’ component of the compensation/ reward package was significant, perhaps as significant as the ‘salary’ component. However, with each successive wave of societal change (e.g. graduations from the ‘manorial’ or ‘plantation’ stages to progressive individual/communal/national/ socio-political advancements and selfdetermination in housing, education, health, national insurance, pensions and related ‘welfare’ services , people preferred to make individual choices. Hence, there is a greater attraction and preference for the flexibility facilitated by liquid, versatile cash which allowed them to make their own choices regarding the
allocation of their earnings between benefits vs. cash rewards. The GGMC advertisement lists 31 items of allowances and benefits ranging widely from monetary allowances to soap and toilet paper (sic)! Besides its obvious outmoded, paternalistic nature which goes against the grain of current compensation management (including the ‘cafeteria’ system, which allows employees to make individual choices between various combinations of ‘cash’ and ‘benefits’ items), most of the ‘benefits’ are influenced by length of service. In today’s reality of increasing ‘knowledge workers’, motivated by new challenges and career-growth opportunities within or outside any one corporation and in the further context of globalization, the virtual free and easy movement of human resources across national boundaries (e.g. CSME and self-sponsorship to North America), increases in the number of rolls of toilet paper, travelling, vacation and retirement allowances etc., pale into insignificance; similarly, training opportunities are not seen as perks for which employees must be grateful to the employer; they are selfserving employer imperatives, not employee ‘benefits’ per se. Relatively young, bright employees are not as motivated by the ‘benefits’ which are more attractive to older, less versatile workers. These ‘benefits’ are influenced by longevity in the organization (not necessarily by advanced, relevant competences) e.g. pension, medical and retirement benefits, farewells, long-service awards, death benefits; children education allowances etc. Besides, some raise critical issues of ‘equity’, e.g. why should a childless person be denied his/her share of the company’s expenditure on children education allowance when s/he can use the cash equivalent for another pursuit of his/her choice. Conclusion: Employers need to critically re-examine their compensation packages to ensure that every component of the package is better suited to the current and future needs of both themselves and the majority of their employees and that they get the best ‘mileage’ from their expenditure on staff compensation/reward. Nowrang Persaud
The secrecy of the ballot must be emphasised on election platforms DEAR EDITOR, Changing with the times, I feel impelled to send an overtly political message to my personal friends in high places within all the parties in our national and local assemblies. My advice is to make the secrecy of the ballot a main emphasis on your election platforms. Observation of the most blatant vote-buying in the last two elections, and already in the next, leads logically to this response. Agree to anything, take the money or the promises, then cast your vote the way you really feel. No one will know, and no reprisals can stand up in a system that’s open to publicity. The law says it’s a secret ballot, and this is one law the people can make enforced: that’s what scrutineers are for. Secret ballot means that no one can know how any
individual voted. It means each voter is free to sell the promise of his vote, for cash or for electioneering slogans, without direct sanctions for non-fulfilment. We know from Georgetown, Linden and elsewhere that an entire electoral district can be punished after results are counted. But maybe we can gamble that the next government will be less vindictive. That’s another
promise to offer the electorate: reconciliation and sincerity for all the people’s interest. The job is to make that promise convincing, before and after election. Is this counselling dishonesty? For sure it’s horribly cynical. But to repeat the reply I got from a police sergeant when I protested at a shakedown in his station, this is Guyana. Gordon Forte
DEAR EDITOR, It is both interesting and perplexing that some people are speaking of coalition government or unity government as if the concept is new to Guyanese politics. It is incumbent that those who know different help to educate the nation and help to set Guyana’s history right. In setting this record straight we will be able to understand and appreciate that Guyana’s history cannot be accurately accounted for if we negate the roles of Cheddi Jagan and Forbes Burnham. Quite comically the PPP/ C and its cronies believe that, for some strange reason, Burnham’s role in shaping a modern Guyana and his contribution to nationbuilding must be denied. I recall the insipid move the regime made to tear Burnham’s portrait from the halls of President’s College. This was one of the most blatant acts to disregard Burnham’s legacy and to rob our children of the truth about their school. However, the students and their teachers stood up to the tyrants, who have never forgiven them and continue to ostracize that school. However, truths are stubborn facts. So, in examining the whole concept of coalition government, we must know and acknowledge that Burnham and the PNC made numerous attempts at forging a government of national unity. We are reminded of the 1964 PNC and UF coalition which came to fruition as a result of the work of Burnham and Peter D’Aguiar, this collaboration led to the formation of a government. History will also inform us that
Burnham and Cheddi Jagan also made numerous attempts to realize a united government. Their aim, I believe, was to put country and people first. I must admit that I did not know the depth of their efforts in this regard until I listened to a tribute to Burnham, which was delivered by former PNCR leader Robert Corbin. This tribute was delivered on August 6th 2011 at the National Congress of Women’s annual public forum to mark Burnham’s death anniversary. In his presentation, Corbin highlighted the numerous times Burnham and Jagan met to discuss and negotiate how they could work together to form a united government. Corbin recalled that one of Burnham and Jagan’s most successful efforts, in this regard, came to a disappointing end when Janet Jagan and her senior PPP backers walked out on Cheddi Jagan as he was preparing to sign the “unity document” agreement with Burnham. According to Corbin, who was Burnham’s note taker at the meeting, it was the first time he had seen his leader visibly dejected, as this was a moment Burnham had longed for. Corbin stated that it was at that point that Burnham noted that Cheddi Jagan was not necessarily the leader of the PPP, as clearly Janet Jagan seemed to have been the one calling the shots. According to Corbin, having witnessed this
unfortunate situation, he was asked by Burnham not to utter one word of what transpired on that fateful day. Clearly, Burnham wanted to protect Cheddi’s image and reputation. Corbin stated that he consented to his leader’s wishes. He informed the audience that his decision to disclose the details was owing to the fact that all the main players; Burnham, Cheddi and Janet Jagan, had all passed on. He told those in attendance that former Home Affairs Minister and PPP Central Executive Committee Member Feroze Mohammed was Jagan’s note taker at that very meeting. According to Corbin, he had asked Mohammed to join with him in issuing a joint statement on the matter, in order that Guyana’s history would be accurately recorded. During his presentation he reiterated that request, publicly calling on Mr. Mohammed to join with him in setting Guyana’s history straight. I am hoping that Mr. Mohammed, whom I have great respect for, will accept Corbin’s invitation and let our young people know of the efforts made by past leaders to forge a united government. Burnham and the PNC’s quest for a government of national unity did not end with that major setback, however, the event can be noted as one of Burnham’s last major pushes on that front, before he passed on. The PNC nevertheless (Continued on page 23)
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Kaieteur News
Thursday January 22, 2015
No resolution could result in start of industrial action at UG Vice Chancellor (VC) of the University of Guyana (UG), Professor Jacob Opadeyi, would only say, “I don’t know if there is any resolution” when contacted yesterday to comment on threats leveled by the University Unions in the wake of collapsed salary negotiations. Failure to realize a resolution could in fact result in full-fledged industrial action that is likely to commence today, if the Unions are to stick to their threat. The unions – the University of Guyana Senior Staff Association (UGSSA) and the University of Guyana Workers Union (UGWU) – in a strongly worded statement, last week, said, “We must be prepared to take other drastic steps, including shutting the University down if necessary.” The Unions are advocating for a hike in wages and salaries and improvement of other benefits. But according to the
Unions in a joint statement issued yesterday, the Vice Chancellor’s response to the union’s demands on Tuesday, is “woefully inadequate, and this takes matters no closer to a solution. It has therefore been rejected.” The Unions added that contrary to the statement attributed to Professor Opadeyi to an online publication, ”NO concrete salaries and benefits proposal to any category of worker was offered by the Vice Chancellor in response to their demand for a 60 per cent salary increase payable from March 2015.” It was noted that as it relates to salary increases, “the VC makes in his letter absolutely no offer of any percentage.” He merely states that “negotiation has to wait until the University Administration has completed its work on how the increase will be funded”. For the VC to create an impression that an increase is somewhere around the corner is a deliberate attempt
to deceive. “We repeat: the VC has made no offer to pay any increase to UG workers. There is absolutely no mention of these issues in the VC’s written reply,” added the joint statement. It was also pointed out that the Vice Chancellor has also failed to make an offer on duty free concessions and increased allowances. Further still, it was noted that there has been no withdrawal of the UG Administration’s workload policy from Council although a consultation schedule was proposed, “which we accept, under the condition that the policy would not be approved by the University Council prior to the conclusion of consultations and the revision of the document.” The Unions said that they will remain united in their approach to salaries and benefits’ negotiations and reject the efforts by the Administration to divide workers by offering to negotiate separately with the UGWU but not the UGSSA.
“Indeed, it would be remiss of us if we do not frankly admit that these and other statements by the VC only widen the gulf of distrust between university staff and the VC,” added the statement. “On our demand for the withdrawal of the workload policy, we note that the university has agreed that the document must first benefit from consultations before approval.” A schedule of meetings has been proposed and according to the Unions the
intent is to ensure that the process is not a perfunctory and meaningless one. But despite the Vice C h a n c e l l o r ’s stated optimism that his response will prevent industrial action, Union members have agreed that “failing a positive response to our demands and return immediately to the bargaining table with both the UGSSA and the UGWU, the staff must take some form of industrial action to register our dissatisfaction and frustration.”
Staff, students and the general public are therefore advised that barring further communication from the ViceChancellor to accede to the demands of the Unions by 16:00 hours (4pm) today, industrial action will be taken to delay the start of the new semester. The UGSSA and UGWU have declared that they together “stand ready as always to engage and conclude negotiations, with the Administration, that are serious and are based on trust and mutual respect.”
For the sake of the PPP Regime ...
AFC urges GECOM to publish guidelines GECOM denies agreeing to against abuse of state resources public vetting of polling day staff The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has denied that it has given undertakings to any political party that it would publish for public vetting the particulars of persons who will be employed to work for the upcoming General and Regional Elections. GECOM’s statement was in response to an article titled “PPP/C pushing for public vetting of elections day staff”, which was published in the Government-aligned, Guyana Times, on Tuesday. The Commission said that the article purports that its Chairman, Dr. Steve Surujbally, agreed with a suggestion from the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) for
public vetting of future GECOM employees to be facilitated. “Dr. Surujbally made no such agreement. GECOM’s recruitment will remain professional and will continue to be implemented without influences from any political party or other stakeholders.” Accordingly, GECOM said that its employment process will be guided by established employment best practices towards ensuring that the best candidates with the desired knowledge, skills and experience be appointed to the various positions that are pertinent and specific to elections management.
GECOM’s Chairman, Dr. Steve Surujbally
Though the Alliance for Change (AFC) welcomes the recently announced election date of May 11, it is now making an urgent call to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to publish guidelines against the abuse of state resources. The AFC and the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) have been in campaign mode since last year. Both have been highlighting what it believes to be the abuse of state resources during government's election campaign around the country. The AFC said via a missive yesterday that the release of the date for new General
and Regional Elections can be seen as the beginning of a victory of pro-democracy forces in Guyana. The Opposition party said that President Donald Ramotar has finally buckled to criticisms that his prorogation of Parliament in the face of AFC's No Confidence Motion was reckless, and had placed parliamentary democracy in danger. The prorogation it reminded, attracted wide condemnation in Guyana, and pressures from friendly states, with indications that sanctions could follow. The AFC however, emphasized that it is concerned that the minority regime would
continue to spend public funds for since August 10, 2014, there has and continues to be, an uninterrupted period without parliamentary approval or scrutiny. It believes that there are justifiable fears that the regime would continue to abuse funds from the national purse for the PPP elections campaign, as well as other state resources, including the media and vehicles. Notwithstanding these concerns, the Party reiterated that now that a date for elections has been set, the AFC is the most vibrant fighting force in Guyana and remains ever confident in bringing change on May 11.
Thursday January 22, 2015
Kaieteur News
Palestinian stabs seven people in Tel Aviv attack - officials Reuters) - A Palestinian stabbed and wounded seven people on a Tel Aviv commuter bus and in the street in a morning rush-hour attack on Wednesday before he was shot by a security officer as he fled, Israeli officials said. It was the first Palestinian attack reported in the Israeli commercial capital since a soldier was stabbed to death two months ago during a surge of violence in Israel and the Palestinian territories. Passengers on the number 40 bus en route to Tel Aviv University said the assailant, identified by police as a Palestinian from Tulkarm in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, stabbed the driver and then others at the Maariv junction, one of the coastal city’s busiest. “The terrorist had murder in his eyes,” a passenger identified only as Orly said on Israel Radio. The attacker exited the bus after it slowed to a stop and ran down a street along with panicked passengers and pedestrians. Security camera footage showed him stabbing one woman in the back on the sidewalk, and she collapsed. Armed prison officers who happened by in another vehicle gave chase and one shot the man in the leg. News photos showed the alleged assailant, whom police said was aged 23, lying face down in the mud, his wrists handcuffed behind him and his jeans stained with blood. The national ambulance
Israeli medics wheel a wounded man to an ambulance at the scene of a stabbing attack in Tel Aviv service said seven people were wounded in the stabbing, four seriously.It was not immediately clear if the suspected attacker, who was taken to hospital for treatment, was affiliated with any Palestinian militant group. Israeli security officials said he cited Israel’s Gaza offensive last summer as one of the reasons he decided to strike. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the attack “a direct result of venomous incitement disseminated in the Palestinian Authority against Jews and their country.” There was no immediate comment from the Authority, which exercises limited self-
rule in the West Bank and has stepped up unilateral moves towards Palestinian statehood since peace talks with Israel collapsed in April. The militant Islamist movement Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, praised the attack. Netanyahu has made security a central theme of his campaign for re-election in March. In November, two Palestinians killed four rabbis and a policeman at a Jerusalem synagogue. Five Israelis and a foreign visitor died in Palestinian attacks before that incident. At least 12 Palestinians have also been killed, including some of the attackers.
Microsoft to give away Windows 10, unveils hologram glasses (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp (MSFT.O) will give away its upcoming Windows 10 operating system as a free upgrade to users of the most recent versions of Windows and Windows Phone, as the world’s largest software company tries to retain customers in the mobile era. The ‘free’ strategy is a calculated gamble for Microsoft, designed to put Windows in as many devices as possible. The company would then make up for any lost revenue by selling services such as Office over the Internet, or cloud. “It’s a necessary evil as CEO Satya Nadella and Microsoft have recognized the ‘golden goose’ and major revenue opportunities will happen after the upgrades have taken place,” said Daniel Ives, an analyst at FBR Capital Markets. “Microsoft needs to lay seeds for its cloud-centric strat-
egy and Windows 10 is the epicenter of that strategy. It’s all about making it attractive for the ecosystem to upgrade onto this next-generation platform.” The immediate revenue hit is unlikely to be large, as Microsoft gets no more than $500 million of its $20 billion or so annual Windows revenue from upgrades, analysts said. The vast majority of Windows revenue comes
from hardware makers installing it on new personal computers and businesses paying for multi-year licenses. Investors were not impressed. Microsoft shares fell 1 percent to $45.91 on Nasdaq shortly before the close. The company is expected to say more about the financial effects of the new approach when it reports quarterly earnings next week.
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Kaieteur News
Thursday January 22, 2015
Thursday January 22, 2015
Kaieteur News
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THE PRICE AT THE PUMP How is it that oil prices declined by more than half over the past six months and yet the prices that Guyanese consumers were being asked to pay at the pumps remained relatively unchanged? This is what most motorists in Guyana were wondering. They were reading that oil prices were declining rapidly but yet seeing no change in the price of petrol at the petrol stations. Even after the government announced that the Guyana Oil Company was going to reduce prices by some 30%, some motorists could not understand why it was not higher considering that oil prices had more than halved what they were last June. The reasons why the decline in the price of petrol at the pumps did not correspond to the decline in global oil prices revolve around a number of factors, both international and local.
Firstly, it is a myth that a decline in oil prices should lead to a corresponding decline in prices for petroleum. The prices given for oil are the prices for crude oil. This crude oil has to be refined to be converted to petrol which is used, for example, in motor vehicles. This petrol is produced by the refineries and they have always argued that the full extent of oil prices reduction cannot be reflected in the price of petrol because of the costs of the technological process required to convert oil to petrol. In other words, the fact that oil prices decline by 50% does not mean that the cost of production at the refinery is going to be reduced by that corresponding figure. Prices for petrol can also remain high, even in the face of declining oil prices, if demand for petrol is high or increasing. Ever since oil prices began its free fall, the prices at the
Dem boys seh ...
Donald plan de election date fuh lash Ramsammy Ole people does always she be careful wha yuh wish fuh cus when yuh get it yuh might not like it. Everybody did want elections and now that Donald name a date people scrambling to get him to change de date. Donald smart de wuk. He tell dem boys that since everybody was calling fuh elections he just pick any date. He seh that he sit down and he watch de CXC timetable and he pick a date that he know woulda clash wid de exam. He pick de date that clash wid agriculture exam. Is a hint to Ramsammy. He coulda pick PE and give Frank Anthony a message. But is Ramsammy he really want de clash wid because Ramsammy did form a party fuh clash wid de same Pee Pee Pee. He know de date woulda mek people holler. Granger is de fuss one that holler. He use de exam situation fuh complain but in truth he know that Donald was trying to rig de elections. Donald wanted GECOM to select private homes as polling stations. De last time that happen people carry de ballot box in dem bedroom and de returning offica later collect de box and never return. Dem change he name to de disappearing offica One man go upstairs in he bedroom wid de box light, light. When he come down de box heavy and not a soul could dare ask he wha he do because he deh in he private residence. At another residence a home owner chase all de polling agents out and count de ballots heself. Other people holler bout de date. Nigel holler till he get hoarse. He tell Donald fuh see wha Jagdeo write bout Sri Lanka wheh de corrupt president and he whole family did get wuk wid de government. Who wasn’t police commissioner was Bank governor. Some head cable project. Nigel seh that he remember Donald son right away. Now de jail staring dem full in de face. Priya was to holler but she get lockjaw. But dem boys seh Donald set people up fuh holler because he know dem gun beg he fuh change de date. He want stretch out he sweetness. Life good as de chief duck. But his lawless and reckless behaviour must be condemned. That is wha dem boys seh. Is a national disgrace that de Guyana parliament ain’t meet since last year July. People don’t even remember who is MP. When somebody talk bout MP right now people think dem talking bout menopause and is Donald cause that because is he pause de parliament. Talk half and watch Priya jaw lock whole day.
pump in the United States have been coming down but this decline has not corresponded with the decline in oil prices. Another reason for this happening is that it takes time for the refineries to reduce their prices and to pass these on to the consumer. Secondly, the price paid at the petrol station is not just a function of the international prices for petrol. There is the issue of taxes. In Guyana when the oil prices began to rise, petrol prices followed. In order to cushion the effects, the government slashed the excise taxes payable on petrol. This helped keep prices down. If consumers had to bear the full extent of the taxes it would have had graver effects for transportation and the economy as whole. Now that prices are coming down, it is only fair that the government restore some of the taxes that had been forgone previously
since it was effectively subsidizing the price at the pump when prices were high. But declining prices have equally presented a problem for the government. Over the past two years, revenues from petroleum imports have nearly doubled. With government spending being premised on certain assumed prices for petroleum and with these prices declining there will be savings on the foreign exchange side (assuming demand remains the same) but there are serious implications for the more then twelve billion dollars that the government collects each year from petroleum imports. This is why the government was very guarded in how it approached the issue. It has however now decided to allow GUYOIL to slash its prices by close to 30%. This is likely to be achieved in part by reducing the import taxes on petrol. But the downside to this is that there will be less money
coming in for the government to spend. The government has probably decided that it can live with a tradeoff between the foreign exchange savings and the reduced revenues. And so the prices for gasoline and diesel at the pump for at least for one company have been slashed by 30%, a move that will find popular support amongst the population. The caution that the government exercised is not misplaced. There is a strong view out there that this decline in oil prices will not last for more than a year. It is felt that some members of OPEC, particularly Saudi Arabia which could have cut production to prevent oil prices from freefalling did not do so because it wanted to preserve its market share. When this objective is formalized it is felt in some quarters that the Saudis will then slash production and force oil prices to be restored to their June 2014 levels.
There is as second viewpoint that argues that shale production in the US helped contribute to this freefall and that certain members of OPEC are encouraging the free fall of oil prices so as to discourage further investment in shale technologies and production. If oil prices fall, it will act as a disincentive for investors to pump money into shale production. It is felt that certain members of OPEC are prepared to take short term losses for long term gain. There is no guarantee that oil prices will remain low. So full your tanks at the low prices soon to be offered and thank Uncle Ashni. The reduced price could well evaporate within a year.
Why was 'meddling' good pre-1992 but bad now? asks Oscar Clarke - Rohee says it was “justified meddling” back then General Secretary of the People's National Congress Reform (PNCR), Oscar Clarke, has labeled People's Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary, Clement Rohee, a hypocrite. This is as a result of Rohee's comments to the effect that other countries and foreign entities should refrain from “meddling” in Guyana's internal affairs. A week ago, Rohee rejected a warning by British High Commissioner, Andrew Ayre, that Guyana could be sanctioned for breaching the Commonwealth Charter. This was with regard to the continued prorogation of Parliament. Ayre had said that parliamentary democracy was not
only a requirement under the Guyana Constitution but also the Commonwealth Charter. Because of this, he urged that President Donald Ramotar resume Parliament at the earliest. On the heels of Ayre's statements, Rohee told the media that the international community is becoming too involved in Guyana's internal affairs and warned that foreign interference should have limits. He reminded that Guyana gained independence from Britain in 1966 and as such, the country is not obligated to pay heed to their statements. “We don't have to listen to what Britain says in respect of such pronouncements.
This is an independent country. The British have their own arrangements there too, so you know, take it or leave it, twist it or turn it, however you will want to put it, the fact of the matter is that Guyana is an independent country; we have our own constitution,” the General Secretary told Reporters. Just one week later, Rohee changed his mouth. He is now saying that meddling should be welcomed in Guyana when it is “justi-
fied.” As he hosted the PPP weekly press conference at Freedom House on Monday, Rohee was asked what policy PPP has changed to effect in the shift of position on international interference as the PPP, when in opposition, welcomed interference but shuns it now the Party has gained power. He responded by saying that before 1992, the involvement of foreign states could (continued on page 24)
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Kaieteur News
Thursday January 22, 2015
=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===
The PPP has never won an election using ideas All Donald Ramotar wanted to do was to pose with his casual top and denim jeans and do the routine stuff – meet villagers, open conferences, travel abroad. He liked that. That was his idea of the Presidency. If he wasn’t stopped in his tracks, that was what Ramotar would have done until his five-year tenure was up in 2016. He will lose in the May election and become a footnote in history. Just compare PNC Presidents and PPP Presidents. Forbes Burnham has his place in history and his name lives on. The only other PNC President was Desmond Hoyte. He was a Guyanese hero. There have been four PPP Presidents (minus the short caretaker stance of Sam Hinds). Janet Jagan has not achieved anything. Bharrat Jagdeo is reviled even in the rural constituencies of the PPP. Ramotar has gone down as a big failure. Of the four, only Cheddi Jagan has left his mark. What was numbing about the Ramotar Presidency is that the man cannot point to one sound, admirable achievement; not one. I am sure the opposition leaders are going to run out
of their homes shouting for joy when they hear that Ramotar secured the PPP’s nomination. He has lost before the election begins. The difficulty the PPP has is that it hasn’t got personnel in its PR department who can sell Ramotar. Ramotar is not saleable. But is the PPP itself saleable? After twenty-three years with a record that even the greatest genius in the world cannot defend, the PPP is facing its twilight. The PPP has never won an election using ideas to beat their opponents. Since 1957, victory was inevitable because of Pavlovian voting. In a country where Indians outnumbered Africans and Coloureds, the PPP’s victory was always assured. Then came changing demographics. By 2011, the PPP didn’t have the numbers. The election campaign needed ideas, not ethnic support. The PPP lost the majority and only survived because 130,000 registered persons didn’t cast a ballot. Also the AFC neglected Region 3. Come May 2015, the PPP can only win through the skillful use of intellectual ideas. The Indian numbers in the Guyana population that
made victory automatic are gone. The intellectual ideas are not there. The people to possess ideas are not there. A cursory glance of the PPP today will give an indication of the May 2015 election results. He may be in love with himself and that is his narcissistic right, but Clement Rohee does not appeal to any Indian constituency and he has to appeal to them if he is the presidential candidate because that is where the PPP votes are going to come from. Mr. Rohee’s logic is understandable; the only problem is that such logic belongs to a bygone era. Mr. Rohee’s logic is that
it does not matter whom the PPP puts; Indians vote for the party and not the man and Berbicians have awakened from their 2011 sleep. They didn’t vote in 2011 because they thought the PPP had already won. But this time they will. The opposition should be glad that Rohee thinks like that. Rohee is more unelectable than CN Sharma and that is no exaggeration. Can the PPP bank on Roger Luncheon and Gail Teixeira in its campaign? Which section of Berbice and Essequibo do these two PPP autocrats appeal to? Can they defeat a rampant Moses Nagamootoo? I don’t think so. Lacking ideas and
personnel, the PPP will hope to win the 2015 election through the use of the two Ms - money and media. It will pour money into Indian and Amerindian villages. It has already started. These two strategies did not work in 2011. The media blitz was a failure. At the time of writing, NTN Channel 69 is preparing to launch its Berbice opening. The Amerindian vote declined in 2011. It will further erode in March 2015. No amount of media frenzy and money will help the PPP because the PPP does not know how to behave. It is as simple as that. A supporter from the AFC
Frederick Kissoon said to me last Saturday at the AFC rally in Skeldon, that I must not write about the weaknesses of the PPP because they will read it and try to learn from what I write and try to “pull up their socks” (her words). I told her this will not happen because people with naked power cannot see that far, do not want to see that far and cannot and will not learn from the mistakes of the past. Naked power destroys the faculty to reason and think.
Education Ministry in consultation following announcement of election date The move by President Donald Ramotar to announce a date for General Elections has left the Ministry of Education scrambling to determine the way forward. This is in light of the fact, that the May 11, 2015 Election date set by the President is the same date the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) has set a number of crucial examinations. This publication learnt that Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, and several of her top level officers were locked in meetings yes-
terday as part of the efforts to chart the way forward. The Minister, in an invited comment to this publication yesterday morning, had said that her Ministry will issue a statement on the matter but from reports reaching this publication, the consultations had not concluded even by late yesterday afternoon. However, this publication was informed that any date adjustment might more than likely have to be made at the level of Government in terms of a new elections date; since the CXC examinations date is
the same set for a number of countries and conducted simultaneously to maintain the integrity of the results. Moreover, it isn't likely that the local Education Ministry can in any way adjust the date set for the CXC examinations. Based on the timetable issued by CXC, the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations set for May 11 are: (MORNING) AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE D/A 2 (General); AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE S/A 2 (General); THEATRE ARTS 1 (Gen-
eral); (AFTERNOON) ELECTRICAL and ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY 1 –Technical; FOOD and NUTRITION 2 (General). Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) set for the same date are: (MORNING) Geometrical and Mechanical Engineering Drawing Unit 1 Paper 2; History Unit 1 Paper 2; Art and Design Examinations to begin for Unit 1, Papers 2 and 3, and Unit 2, Papers 1 and 2; (AFTERNOON) Communication Studies Paper 2. This is quite a significant development as it is highly unlikely that the regional examination body will deviate in any way from its final timetable to facilitate Guyana and its polls, and in relation to the elections, a number of schools across the country are used as polling stations. It is clear that this may not have been taken into consideration by President Ramotar and his advisors when the decision was made. This publication was told that if the Ministry hadn't issued a statement on the matter by the end of yesterday, one is likely to be forthcoming today.
Thursday January 22, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Sol, Rubis gas stations maintain price The effects of the drop in fuel prices are yet to benefit local consumers at suppliers like Shell and Rubis Gas Stations since the announcement of a 30 per cent reduction by Government. Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, on Monday announced reductions in prices for gasoline, diesel and kerosene at the Guyana Oil Company (Guyoil) Stations. The Minister explained that in keeping with the mechanism to adjust taxes on fuel, gasoline will now attract excise taxes at a rate of 50 per cent and diesel at a rate of 42 per cent with effect from January 20. The Minister urged other oil companies operating in Guyana to follow suit and reduce prices. However, a Rubis
official said that the prices depend on what the company purchases the fuel for, so the company cannot afford to compete or have prices similar to Guyoil since that company has a special arrangement with Government. “Because a lot of times we don't even purchase fuel at the rate at which Guyoil sells, so it would be unwise to make any adjustment for now.” SOL Guyana, one of the largest independent oil companies in the Caribbean and parent company of local suppliers of Shell Service station had no authorized person to speak to the media pertaining to the fuel price being dropped. The authorized person identified as the General Manager at SOL Guyana Inc. Orlando Boxhill did not an-
GPL should manifest fuel price reduction in rates charge - GMSA The Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) Ltd. is hoping that with the recent announcement of the 30 per cent reduction in fuel prices by Government, that the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) will manifest these changes and cause a trickledown effect in the rates charged by the power company in the foreseeable future. The GMSA, in a statement yesterday, said that the reduction is expected to positively influence the cost of production and operation of most enterprises in the Manufacturing and Services sectors in Guyana in the short term. This ministerial decision is expected to almost immediately address the cost of power for the companies that self-generate. “In the medium term, should world prices continue to fall, we expect that Guyanese products would be able to compete effectively with products from other Caribbean, North and South American countries. The new prices bring local retail costs for fuel within range of current prices in North American, European and other developed countries that were reduced recently in response to plummeting costs for crude and refined oils around the world,” the GMSA underscored. The Manufacturing Association explained that more than 60 percent of local manufacturers of food products, arts and craft, wood and metal value-added products and other consumables depend on the national power grid. “So too do the providers
of hospitality, health, air transport, shipping and other services. The GMSA anticipates that lower fuel prices could, in the medium to long term, enable local producers to market their products and services in the Caribbean and farther afield on a more competitive basis and to ultimately increase their market share. This of course, is predicated on the assumption that other major private suppliers of fuels across Guyana would implement the price reductions.” The GMSA had been calling on Government to put mechanisms in place that would ultimately lower production costs in the manufacturing and services sectors. The Association’s primary concern was (and still is) the high cost of electricity, the primary factor in most production processes, whether micro, small, medium or large. Prior to a recent announcement, the GMSA had already mapped out a proactive course of action to address the effects of recent changes in fuel prices around the world, and the concomitant adjustments that should be made incountry in keeping with the anticipated increase in trade, while remaining fully cognizant that the circumstances in the oil producing countries that brought about the lower prices are fluid. The Association intends to move forward with its programme of advocacy for improved conditions and services at the Customs Administration Department and related agencies.
swer calls. Gas price at Guyoil service stations were reduced from $995 per gallon to $695, representing a 30 per cent reduction. Diesel price was also re-
duced by 30 per cent, from $985 to $694 and kerosene saw a reduction of 42 per cent from $850 to $496. The Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce yes-
terday called on Service Providers and Producers of Consumer Goods to apply conscionable measures by passing on the benefits of the fuel reduction cost to consumers
in an effort to ease the cost of living of Guyanese and other residents. Further, the Ministry noted that the Associations (continued on page 21)
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Kaieteur News
GWI still to rectify damaged pipelines - Port Kaituma residents
A pipeline at the surface of the shoulder of the Port Kaituma carriageway.
The Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) had promised months ago to collaborate with the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) to rehabilitate the water service distribution system in sections of Port Kaituma. There, mains had caused flooding. Residents are claiming that nothing substantial has been done to date and this has stymied the construction of the roadways. According to residents, GWI had stated that because of constant erosion of the soil as well as consistent grading of the roadways the pipelines surfaced and were left exposed. However, residents are also saying that the
Vehicles parked daily where the Public Works Ministry is set to resurface the roadway.
contractors who laid the pipelines in the beginning had done shoddy work which caused major hiccups for the Ministry of Public Works officials who are working on the roadway at present. Residents are also calling on the Interim Management Committee to clear the roadsides where construction is being done since trucks and vehicles are parked constantly where work is to be carried out to develop the roads. Meanwhile, GWI had stated that the pipelines have been in existence for in excess of 15 years and would have been disrupted due to constant changes of the roadways.
The utility agency had also promised to undertake, jointly, with GGMC for the rehabilitation works needed to rectify the situation. “GWI wishes to assure residents of Port Kaituma that the plan to rehabilitate the distribution system is a priority, as every effort will be made to improve on the current situation. The company will also be collaborating with the Regional Administration in the interest of resolving all challenges with the water distribution system.” Residents noted that the pipelines needed to be placed deeper under the roadways since constant breakages and leakage have caused several roads to deteriorate rapidly.
Thursday January 22, 2015
PPP should heed the lessons of the Jagdeo-led Observer Mission - Hughes Executive member of the Alliance for Change (AFC), Cathy Hughes, recently stated that the preliminary report of the Commonwealth Observer Mission to the recently held Sri Lanka Elections provides many lessons for Guyana. She said that the AFC now expects the People’s Progressive Party administration to use the report to improve the local environment ahead of Guyana’s looming General Elections “especially in light of the fact that former President Bharrat Jagdeo led the Mission that issued the report.” According to the Report, the Observers found that “the election campaign period was marked by an unequal contest with extensive, largescale abuse of state resources. They noted the comprehensive bias of state media against the Common Opposition Candidate’s campaign; the use of military personnel and public officials
AFC Parliamentarian, Cathy Hughes to support the President’s campaign; the use of Government monies, gifts and other inducements; and, the widespread use of stateowned public transport by the incumbent.” Hughes said that the AFC has over the years, spoken out against these very conditions in Guyana. Even
now, the Parliamentarian said, “The situation in Amerindian Villages where persons are given a stipend to work as Community Support Officers, but everyone knows is a ruse to buy the votes of Amerindians.” She added that at all previous elections, the incumbent is known for using state-owned public transport for campaigning. When criticized by the political opposition, Hughes reminded that the PPP would claim to be conducting ‘Government business. “But everyone knows they are campaigning. It is ridiculous how many flights to the interior and how many trips to Berbice and Essequibo; have to be made to conduct ‘government businesses during campaign period. It leaves one to wonder whether any business was done before the campaign period,” the politician said. The issue of biased coverage, Hughes asserted, (continued on page 24)
Aishalton teacher receives support from Opposition bloc John Adams, the Aishalton, Region Nine teacher who was allegedly assaulted by a Presidential Guard, has received support from members of the Opposition Bloc, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Alliance For Change, for expressing what they describes as a “basic human right” during a Presidential address. Several weeks ago, Adams was at a People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) public meeting in the Region Nine village, where President Donald Ramotar addressed an open forum. During the rally, Adams was said to be openly questioning the policies of the President and his administration. Policies such as the President’s prorogation of Parliament and the continued appointment of Attorney
General, Anil Nandlall, after a serious threat against Kaieteur News, were questioned by the residents at the public event. As the speech continued, Adams related that the Head of State was not addressing matters that directly affected Aishalton. He said that the President focused more on lambasting the parliamentary opposition and the independent news outlets, Stabroek News and Kaieteur News. After admitting to criticising the President’s speech, Adams said that he was singled out by rally organisers and later confronted by two members of the Presidential Guard. Adams claimed the men questioned him on whether he did in fact criticise the President’s remarks, which resulted in one of the guards
slapping him. In an interview with this publication, Adams disclosed that since the incident, members of the opposition bloc h a v e v i s i t e d t h e community and encouraged the teacher to continue his fight for justice. The Aishalton teacher also revealed that investigations are still ongoing in relation to the alleged assault and hopes that the matter can be resolved. A statement released by AFC lauded the Aishalton community members for voting to allow Adams to continue his residency in the village, after a motion was proposed at a village council to have him removed. In support of the educator AFC stated that, “Mr. Adams had every right to question our President or object to anything being said which he believed to be untrue.”
Thursday January 22, 2015
Kaieteur News
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GTU to facilitate legal representation for teacher who TSC refused to appoint “I’m smiling because I was taught by my mother that whenever you are extremely annoyed, smile before you say or do the wrong thing,” was how Administrative Field Officer of the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU), Lancelot Baptiste, prefaced his remarks regarding the infringement of the rights of a Union member. The member in question, whose case has been gaining the attention of the GTU for some time, now, is Ms. Vanessa Wilson, a graduate teacher who was tasked with heading the Region Eight Mahdia Secondary School. Wilson, because of the purported infringement of her rights has in fact asked the GTU to represent her legally. Recounting the genesis of Wilson’s case, Baptiste related that the woman commenced her appointment at the Grade ‘C’ School some three years ago, but for some reason or the other, was subsequently instructed to report to the Department of Education in Georgetown. This move was deemed a suspicious one, Baptiste noted, as according to him, “she was never given any letter of transfer nor was she given a letter of secondment.” Nevertheless, Wilson complied. Baptiste, who was
GTU Administrative Field Officer, Lancelot Baptiste, is flanked by GTU’s General Secretary, Coretta McDonald (left) and GTU President Mark Lyte. at the time speaking at a press conference venued at the GTU’s Woolford Avenue headquarters, said that the head teacher reported to the Department of Education and there she was given tasks, characteristic of clerical work, as designated by education officers. “She was given such tasks as stapling leaflets, putting papers together and other such things...this is a graduate Head Mistress of a Grade ‘C’ Secondary School,” asserted the GTU Officer. This publication understands that Wilson’s
situation had in fact, on numerous occasions, been a subject of intense discussions between Union officials and Senior Education Officers, including Chief Education Officer (CEO), Olato Sam. Baptiste disclosed though, that a decision by the Deputy Chief Education Officer (DCEO) (Administration), in the absence of the CEO, saw Wilson being referred to the St. George’s Secondary School on secondment. This therefore, meant that Wilson would take up an
appointment at the school but would not be granted the privilege of performing as a senior teacher. “In other words when you go on secondment, especially if it is not stated, “seconded to perform the duties of” you then become the least of the staff members...” explained Baptiste as he reiterated “this is a graduate Headmistress being subjected to that.” He disclosed that several senior vacancies were advertised for the period 2014. And being a qualified teacher, Wilson decided to apply. She in fact applied to
UNASUR will only mediate in Guyana political stand-off on request from both sides By Ivan Cairo PA R A M A R I B O , Suriname; UNASUR, the Union of South American Nations, will take no initiative to end the political stalemate in Guyana between the government and the opposition which has led to the suspension of the country’s parliament by President Donald Ramotar last November. According to UNASUR Secretary-General Ernesto
Samper, President Ramotar “has used his constitutional rights to suspend the Congress”. “It’s a faculty that he has. It’s part of the rules of the game,” the UNASUR official further noticed. Samper arrived in Georgetown, Guyana Tuesday for a working visit as part of his tour to all twelve UNASUR member states. The former President of Colombia assumed the office of Secretary General last August. Asked whether the
regional body will intervene in disputes as was the case last year in Venezuela, Samper said that UNASUR will only get involved if both sides of the conflict seek the assistance of the organization in resolving the issues at hand. During his stopover in Guyana he sought more information from the Guyanese authorities regarding the current political situation. The Secretary-General
Sol, Rubis gas stations maintain ... From page 11 representing Manufacturers of Goods and Services take the initiative to ensure their membership and other stakeholders promptly act accordingly. The Commerce Ministry via its departments and agencies over time have been engaging certain associations and representative bodies in response to their advocacy endeavors for relief when revenues stream have been negatively affected. Similarly, the Ministry
looks forward to initiatives by those businesses which will benefit significantly from the reduction in fuel, to promptly commence a downward adjustment for payment by consumers for goods produced and services delivered. Specifically, the Commerce Ministry requested that the following categories of business and their representatives to take note and act accordingly. “We hope that such measures will be initiated even before the Ministry com-
mences discussions aimed at arriving at a formal position among parties: Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association; Minibus OperatorsUnited Minibus Union and other representatives of Minibus operators; Speed Boat Operators- Speed Boat Association; Taxi Services- Guyana Taxi Service Association; Agro Processors- Guyana Agro processors Associations; Aircraft Owners Association; Forest Products Producers; Tour Operators amongst others.”
added that if “both parties agree” UNASUR is available to facilitate a dialogue as one avenue to seek a resolution for the matter. “If the two parties ask UNASUR to intervene, or to be as a mediator or facilitator of the dialogue, of course we will do it,” said the UNASUR official. Meanwhile, General Secretary of the ruling People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C), Clement Rohee, says the “meddling” on the part of foreign powers in Guyana’s internal affairs are not justified. Rohee told journalists during a press conference on Monday, that currently, a democratically elected government is in office and therefore political intervention from outside is unwarranted. Since the prorogation of the parliament several nations, including the United Kingdom, national and international organizations and institutions called for an end to the suspension of the legislature and the holding of Local Government Elections. The last time these elections were held was in 1994.
Former Mahdia Headmistress – Ms. Vanessa Wilson fill the position of Headmistress at the very St George’s Secondary School to which she was seconded. And according to Baptiste, based on information reaching the GTU, Wilson was the highest qualified applicant for that position when the Teaching Service Commission’s (TSC) selection process concluded. “One would have expected that she would have been appointed as the Headmistress of that school,” said the GTU Officer, who noted that “she was informed and the Union was also informed that it was the belief of a member of the Commission that she (Wilson) was not fit enough mentally to be appointed to that position and so the TSC against its own rules, agreed with that person when that person said he was going to refer her to the Medical Board of Guyana.” As such, Wilson was invited by the Medical Board to attend a session. “In all good faith she went because she was informed that it was said at a TSC meeting that once she satisfied the criteria at the Medical Board she will be given the appointment of Headmistress of St George’s Secondary,” said Baptiste. At the session, he noted that Wilson was subjected to the scrutiny and inspection of the doctors of the Medical Board, and at the conclusion was privy to a document which proclaimed that she was “fit and proper” for a promotion to a senior position. In fact, Baptiste intimated that under one of the headings – Psychiatry -which Wilson was examined, it was clearly outlined that “nothing was wrong with her (Wilson).” As a result, Wilson as well as the Union anticipated that her appointment was imminent. However, Baptiste noted that reports suggest that the very Commissioner who had earlier indicated that Wilson was not fit for the appointment “was not
satisfied with the findings of the Medical Board and was asking that she be placed before a Psychiatrist.” Not willing to see its member be sidelined for no justifiable reason, the Union started to make representation on Wilson’s behalf. But, according to Baptiste, a few weeks ago, the TSC again met and recommended that the matter concerning Wilson be settled. “We (the Union) were made to understand that once the CEO declared that Wilson was fit and proper she would be appointed by the Commission,” said the GTU Officer. Currently the GTU is in possession of a document signed by the Deputy Chief Education Officer on behalf of the CEO which recommends the appointment of Wilson as the Headmistress of the Grade B St. George’s Secondary School with effect from January 1, 2015. The recommendation was in fact based on the report from the Medical Board. “The Commission had said that if it had received such a letter they will appoint Ms. Wilson...that document was sent to the Commission and everyone might have thought that was the end of it all,” said Baptiste who added, “Lo and Behold, the Union was reliably informed that the Commission did meet and is still adamant that Ms. Wi l s o n m u s t n o t b e appointed as the H e a d m i s tress of the St George’s Secondary School.” According to Baptiste, “the Union feels that too much of an injustice is being done to this young, energetic, conscientious, hardworking teacher. One only has to look at her record wherever she was academically, and one would see how well she did for Guyana’s children.” “...As far as the Union is concerned we see no reason, no logical reason, why this teacher ought not to get her promotion,” added an irate Baptiste. As such the GTU Officer intimated that “the Union feels that we ought not to have any more dialogue with the Ministry of Education because we have been having that for the past two years concerning this matter.” Baptiste intimated too, “I have been reliably informed that the President and other officers of this Union have decided that they will seek legal advice into the nonappointment of Ms. Vanessa Wilson to the position of Headmistress, St George’s Secondary School.”
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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, cosmetologists etc – Tel: 231-6296, 650-9880 24 Hour East Coast Guyoil needs night pump attendants, salesgirl, office assistant & handyman- Call: 695-9880; 669-4755 Accounts Clerk, must be capable of preparing payroll and monthly vat – Call: 6144358 Part time handy man with Masonry/carpentry skills – Call: 639-5577 One Brazilian cook needed to work at a new grill – Call: 661-8814; 651-3544 Security guard/handyman to work night shift only @ Cool Square Inn; 635- Dairy Street Ruimveldt – Tel: 2257407. One manager @ Hotel /Club @ Essequibo Coast, knowledge in hotel field & promotional skills, accommodation provided – Contact: 226-9768 Chef and cook to work shift @ 44 Public Road Kitty – Tel: 231-1908/12 Work from home: Earn $5,000 to $20,000 daily, 9am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday - Call: 233-6517/ 622-1957 or www.jobfairworldwide.com Bond attendant/Porters, evening shift cashiers. Apply with written application & passport size picture @ Survival, 173 Sheriff St. 227-5286/9 Do you want to become an Avon Rep? Then Call: 6890863 One Diesel Mechanic to work in the interior, must have experienced – Contact: 226-9768 Experienced hairdresser & sales clerk @ West Shore Plaza, 15 Public Road, Ruimzeight W.C.D – Call: 269-1524 or 656-3561 FOR SALE/FOR RENT 1 Flat concrete house with 5 bedrooms & 2 toilet & bath, concrete fence & grill @ 19 Ave Diamond Housing Scheme - Call: 641-2593/ 662-7732
Kaieteur News
CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVE AUTO RENTAL: CARS & SUV FOR RENTAL-$4,000&UPPERDAYCALL: 643-5122, 219-3900, EMAIL: PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM
SALON Make Up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, Black Opal and Sacha cosmetics. Call: 647-1773/660-5257 Certificate in: Cosmetology, nails, wig designs, early child care/ care for elderly classes commence February Call: 666-5241/ 619-7603
Thursday January 22, 2015
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. Promix BX with microrize $10,500 per bag; ask for Rayman - Call: 615-2346; 6280200, 263-5300 Generator – 65KVA Perkins 4236 Engine – Tel: 623-9761 Lincoln 500 AMP diesel welders with Perkins 4 cylinder engine - Tel#650-0402
FOR RENT
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
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Two bedrooms flat, upstairs furnished @ Diamond E.B.D Tel: 216-0644; 668-8403 One apartment for rent @ Lot 10 Mon Repos ECD, First Street - Call: 220-7330 Properties for rent for business purposes only @ 23 Saffon Street Charlestown & 164 Alexander Street Kitty - Call Devon: 663-1876 & 678-5721
Permanent & Visitors Visa Applications, Professional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building Call Sabita: 225-6496, 6626045 TO LET Three bedrooms upper flat concrete building, parking $70,000 monthly @ Block 8 Agriculture Road E.C.D – Call: 687-1050
Repairs to refrigerators, gas stoves, washing machines, AC Units- Call Lindon on 641-1086; 694-2202
5 Bedrooms 2 storey unfurnished building @ Bel Air Park - Call: 2252562; 660-4481
Services & repairs to gas stoves, washing machines, electric stoves, deep fryers Call: 688-0183
Fully Furnished vacation home with all amenities- Call during working hours – Call: 227-1218
HOUSE PLAN DRAFTING AND ESTIMATES FOR ONLY $15,000- CALL:6949843/227-2766
New 2 bedrooms and 3 bedroom apartment Grove E.B.D - Tel: 613-3522 after 4:00pm
Vyper Sound System/Studio: Hire, all events, recording of songs, building of Rhythms, etc - Tel: 265-3586, 603-9074
2 Bedroom Bottom flat to let located in Eccles - Tel: 2332252; 662-3837; 670-0878 One bedroom apartment to rent, preferably with no children, working couple – Call: 664-2861
Commercial and domestic building design from $10,000 estimates and electrical works available – Contact us: 667-2189 Repairs to plasma, Led television etc – Call: Abdul Electronics: 225-0391 We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer Call Omar: 2310655, 683-8734
PANEL/FANCY GLASS DOORS @ HADCO IN BAGOTSTOWN PUBLIC ROAD, NEXT TO HARBOUR BRIDGE MALL CALL: 233-6743 Plastic shipping Barrel$6,000; XBOX One $100,000; Nintendo DS $15,000; PSP - $20,000 - Tel: 603-8643/ 621-7497 One brand new fishing boar 56 feet length; 12 feet in width and 7 feet depth - Call: 671-0329
2 Bedroom apartment @ 2290 Section C Block X Diamond New Scheme Tel:676-2406 ACCOMMODATION Harmony Inn Apartments: comfortable & clean apartments & rooms - $5000, $6,000 & $7,000 – Tel:6680306; 218-1400; 694-7817. Your luxury hideaway……
House Lots in 1 of Guyana’s top luxury gated communities @ Eccles, 60X100 - $7.5M. (Special prices) - Call: 2272913; 683-3033 Eccles: Commercial lots for sale at Eccles – Tel:227-2913. Cell: 683-3033 1. Parika, Peter Street; 2. Blankenburg, behind gas station lot size: 75’X76' (3 parcels)= Contact 650-0402 Located in Republic Gardens, Peters Hall, E.B.D. Interest person – Contact: 231-5359 or 672-7189 Eccles - $3.8M, Providence $4.5M, Tuschen - $3M, Parfaite Harmonie - $1.4M & $3.5M, House with land $2.5M - Call: 675-7292 Riverside land for sale Upper Demerara River, 90 Acres, Please Call: 678-1575 or 223-5890
Cat 320 CL 2005 only 3800HRs sold as is, cash offer only, must go – Contact Azim: 660-3235 XBOX 360: 250GB, 2 Controller 3 games, 4Gb, 2 controllers, 3 games & kinect Call: 683-8386
REPAIRS AT LOW COST: FRIDGES, AIRCONDITIONERS, WASHING MACHINES, TVS, MICROWAVES, FREEZERS-CALL: 6294946 OR 225-4822
Need professional counselor & social worker- Tel: 6863421
Mill Cut Lumber Kabukalli, Silverballi, Etc – Call: 6539752; 688-6579
LAND FOR SALE 1500 Acres Transported Land @ Bartica 2 ¾ miles River Front, Virgin Rock, Quarry Resort – Call Mark: 704-4652222/603-1266
Dell/Hp computers with 19" LCDs - $55,000, CPU $35,000, laptops - $65,000 @ Fututetech-231-2206 Games for PS2, PS3, XBOX360, WII, consoles also available – Call: 6722566, 265-3232
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
1-250 KVA Generator $3.6M, 1-110 KVA Generator - $1.8M, 1-9 KVA Generator $700,000 – Call: 223-8161 Complete Snapper Boats for sale – Excellent Condition – Contact: 648-6815; 670-4459 Game Shop Equipment for sale - Call: 610-0808 One complete music Set - Tel: 253-3070; 686-0322 FOR SALE/FOR RENT American Pool Table – Tel: 277-0578 DRESSMAKING Jean offers courses in dressmaking, curtains, floral, cake decoration @ Barr Street Kitty - Call: 6702653; 618-1706
Toyota Voxy to register in ‘B’ fully loaded never registered - $2.1M - Call: 6172891 Nissan Titan for sale; immaculate condition, owner leaving country - Call: 641-4556 Toyota Tacoma 4X4, stick shift, AC, crash bar, immaculate condition – Call: 442-3311; 616-4115 We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 Tacoma - Call: 680-3154 AT192, 212, Allion, unregistered Premio, Hilux Surf, BNN, RZ & Pit-bull, 7 seater super custom. Cash / terms - Call: 680-3154 1 Honda 600RR, Toyota 212, 192, 170, Allion, Vitz, Starlet, AE100 Sprinter, Honda CRV Tel: 644-5096; 697-1453 New Arrivals @ OJ’s Auto Imports: Allion 2008, IST, Fielder, Allion 2003, Premio. Tel: 609-2815 One Toyota Marino with A Race Ready 4Age siloer top engine - $1.1M Neg. - Call: 676-8023 1 Pitbull minibus, stick gear, BPP series, mag rims- $2.2M neg. Call: 673-7652 1 Mit Lancer PKK Series; good condition - Contact: 683-0150 Double cab Tacoma – Tel: 623-9761 Mitsubishi Lancer car (lady driven) owner leaving country - Call: 638-3203 1 Hino Canter long base excellent condition; down payment available – Call: 696-5660
Land 135’X80’ with 2 storied building 80’X60’ Suitable for business – Soesdyke Highway - $85M, serious calls only- Phone: 653-8754 Rubberized Tarpaulins for sale 20X20 - $20,000, any size available – Tel: 657-2304
VEHICLE FOR SALE Toyota Prado, Price$5.5M Neg. Call: 643-2403
One Toyota Tundra - Tel: 602-3585 PEN PAL Companion for retired gentleman 38yrs+. Reply with photo to bobbyother@yahoo.com
Trade in: T/Alteeza Benz C200, Sale! Spacio, Used T212 – Tel:679-3140 Spacio 2004, Body Kit, rims, camera, spoiler, dark interior, crystal light, new shape (unregistered) – Tel: 6175536 Avensis & AT110 Corolla Call: 645-0078; 603-0078
EDUCATIONAL Balloon Decorating Classes. January 31st – Call: 225-3133 or 613-7513 for more information & registration Earn a certificate in cosmetology or nails alone. Call Miss Jenny: 225-5360; 625-7844; 687-7566
LEARN TO DRIVE Soman Son & Outar Driving School at Maraj BuildingTel: 644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997 (Continued on page 23)
Thursday January 22, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 23
Letters... Where your views make the news
I believe that the PNCR is best equipped to... From page 5 continued to push forward for such a unity government. I recall several General Council Meetings and Congresses, during the Hoyte era, when the issue of shared governance was a hot button topic. The concept and push for shared governance clearly is connected to the PNC’s ingrained quest to promote national unity. As I write I visualize party groups, the youth and women’s arms, all engaged in heated discussions on the pros and cons of such an arrangement. At party regional conferences the matter was further discussed and positions arrived at and forwarded to the general secretary for discussion at the higher levels. After all these meetings, internal debates and discussions on the issue, the party’s final position was that it would embrace the concept of shared governance and work towards realizing such a government. I must note here that processes like these are never easy, since almost every member usually has his/her own position to articulate. However, in my view these proceedings and
intense deliberations reflect democracy at work. At the end of the process there might be people who may still hold on to a minority position but at the end of the day the views of the majority of the members are respected. Note that also during the Hoyte era the PNC saw a name change as the party sought to advance its agenda of inclusivity and national unity. So, under Hugh Desmond Hoyte, PNC was renamed the PNCR, another well discussed change. The fact that the PNC was a decades-old party with a strong identifiable base, massive political influence and extensive reach throughout Guyana made the discussions even more intense. These characteristics were deemed by some members as important facts to be considered, before attempting a name change. However, at the end of the day the overriding concern was centred on “country first.” It was all about the bigger picture, that of putting Guyana and its people first. Every decision in the evolution of the PNC was made with that single objective in mind. Party paramountcy and
protecting party’s image or identity took a back seat to national interest. I must applaud the leadership and members of the PNCR in leading the evolutionary process in Guyanese politics. You must be proud of your party and your accomplishments. It is because of your relentless effort to transform and advance Guyanese politics that the nation is at a stage where the majority of our citizens understand and appreciate the idea and value of a coalition government. I have argued, and am yet to be proven wrong, that the most democratic and forward thinking political entity in current day Guyana is the PNCR. Yes, like any progressive and dynamic organization we will have differences of opinions internally, but that in no way must diminish the fact that the PNCR is the vanguard political party in Guyana. Our internal differences are a demonstration that we subscribe to democratic principles and values. However, it is important that we continue to be responsible as we exercise those democratic rights, as there are always those waiting on the fringes to exploit a genuine
and legitimate issue. I urge the PNCR to continue to lead the way in transforming the local political landscape, your contribution to this cause is invaluable. History will inform us that you are the party with the experience, knowledge and genuine quest to promote national unity in Guyana. It is therefore, fitting that you use that experience to continue to lead any coalition, or democracy movement aimed at returning good governance to Guyana. Let’s endorse A Partnership for National Unity as the next government and get things in Guyana moving in the right direction - if only for our children. History will judge us harshly if we allow this opportunity to protect and promote their welfare, slip from our grip. The PPP/C has demonstrated that it has no respect for the Guyanese people. What then are we prepared to do in 2015 to ensure that we replace them? The election date has been announced; time to stop the shenanigans and advance the campaign to restore Guyanese pride and dignity. Lurlene Nestor
High frequency learning experience and school... From page 4 problem-solving abilities, which can result in more positive peer and student-teacher relationships throughout the school. Many school-based programmes and policies are also effective in helping teachers build healthy relationships, model non-violent attitudes and behaviours, and contribute to a broader positive school climate, which in turn lowers the risk for school violence. These approaches teach educators effective ways to manage a classroom,
resolve conflicts non-violently, promote positive relationships between students with diverse backgrounds, and create positive studentteacher relationships so that students feel comfortable talking with teachers about violence-related issues. Finally, by enhancing parent involvement in both academic and social aspects of their children’s school experiences - including involving parents in prevention programmes family cohesion and communication are improved. Pre-
vention approaches that involve the family, especially those that start early, can have substantial, long-term effects in reducing violent behaviour. School violence can be prevented. Research shows that prevention efforts – by teachers, administrators, parents, community members, and even students – can reduce violence and improve the overall school environment. So to make our schools safer, everyone can and must pitch in - teachers, parents, students, policy makers, law en-
forcement officers, business managers, faith leaders, civic leaders, youth workers, and other concerned community residents. Each of us can do something to help solve the problem. And it’s a problem we all must solve. While the home and the school are partners in the education of the child, there must be a visible difference in what the child sees and learns, for let us not forget that children learn what they see. Yvonne Sam
(From page 22)
WANTED Office clerk senior clerk/ junior CXC English / Mathematics an Asset - Call: 219-5354 Live in or live out babysitter/ domestic –Call: 219-5354 Mon-Sat between 8:15-4:15 One couple to work on live stock farm, one live in cook Tel:614-2464;612-2057;225-1276 Professional staff to work in variety / cosmetics store @ East Coast. Commission structure & salary - Call: 6013679; 642-1141
PROPERTY FOR SALE Land with small concrete house; for sale in Grove over 8,000 Sq. Ft. Call: 612-4030; 216-2759 2 Bedrooms flat concrete house and land furnished located @ Ocean View, Uitvlught West Coast Demerara - Price $3.7M. Call: 687-0930 Property at Kersaint Park L.B.I, E.C.D – Contact: 6641865; 698-5713
One live in experienced waiteress - $50,000-$60,000, boarding & lodging free – Call: 610-5043
Transported Property @ Grove/Diamond, 3 bedrooms, 1 self-contained, concrete fence, grilled store room & Shed, (45X26) – Call: 660-1353, 216-4338
1 Puri & roti cook, must be able to work from 5:00am, apply in person @ 53 David Street Kitty
Double lot property 33A Lamaha Street, Newtown Kitty – Just off Vlissengen Road –Contact: 231-4691
BOND CLERK- Must have 4 CXC subjects including Math & English. Need police clearance & reference – Call: 231-8344 Waiters/ Waitresses, apply in person to Aracari Resort, West Bank Demerara. One female to work in sackette & bar, must know to cook, age 20-35yrs – Call: 647-7432, 223-5798 Female janitors between ages 25-40yrs – Call: 225-8066 Urgently needed; attractive waitresses - Tel: 686-3116 Porters wanted to work at grocery stalls @ Stabroek Market – Tel:226-9800 Salesgirls & porters; apply with written application at Best Buy Food Supplies @ Lot 1E Dennis & Middleton Street Campbellville. 1 live in domestic to work in Mahaicony River & driver for tractor, must know about rice Call: 644-6905; 225-6571 Drivers for canter lorry to sell water - $25,000 & Porter to work on water truck- $18,000 (WCD) Call: 684-8231; 629-4236 One barber, nail technician & hairdresser – Call: 225-5360; 625-7844; 687-7566 Hairstylists and Braidists needed at salon in Tortola. 5+ years working experience. Emailbvisalonowner @gmail. com or call 1-284-543-6822 Sales clerk to work @ Nanda’s Boutique 223 Camp St. Next to Shell Gas Station, apply with application One live-in maid; must know to cook; preferably from country area – Tel: 691-6260
Corner Property, Grove Public Road - $29M Neg. Call: 613-5645 One concrete two storey building; nine bedrooms @ Samatta Point, Grove E.B.D Tel: 602-3585 Houses & house lots for sale in 1 of Guyana’s top luxury gated communities, located @ Eccles E.B.D Tel: 227-2913; 683-3033 1 incomplete house & land @ 128 Canaan Gardens, Land of Canaan E.B.D, Price $4.8M Neg. Call: 603-1845; 603-8714
WANTED Experienced Roti/Puri Cooks, Pastry makers, cleaners - apply @ Hack’s Halaal, 5 Commerce Street. The public is looking for a delivery man, must have own motorcycle - Call: 6476072 Live in maid – Tel: 675-5256 One cook for family in the interior - Tel: 691-6260 Experienced driver apply with written application @ Hacks Halaal Restaurant, 5 Commerce Street. HEALTH Money Back guarantee; cleaner, clearer younger looking skin in two weeks, also flatter stomach - Call: 684-9409; 699-4211
Page 24
Kaieteur News
Thursday January 22, 2015
Motivational speaker helps Orphaned boy back on youths maximize their potential the streets …recants tale of sodomy
Motivational Speaker, Astell Collins, is on a mission to help Guyanese youth maximize their potential and steer them in the direction of becoming leaders with a difference through a series of seminars. Collins also hosts Leadership Development Seminars internationally. He represented the nation with distinction. In 2014, he was recognized with a national Award of Excellence for his leadership development seminars and also for his humanitarian services throughout Guyana. He is the recipient of South Africa’s national youth award which ranked him as one of the most influential youth as a non-citizen and will be receiving the prestigious Golden Rule International Award in April. Recently, Collins inspired the young offender population in the Georgetown prison. He became emotional to witness how his leadership seminar impacted them. He even gave one of the inmates
Motivational Speaker, Astell Collins a copy of book written by the late Dr. Myles Munroe, the same title that was given to him when he was an adolescent, “Maximizing your potential”. He hopes to fill the national library with all of his titles and also to give every young offender a copy. Collins said that it is a tragedy for someone to not know
what he possesses. “And when that person becomes someone of value only then can he add value to whatever he do,” he remarked. Recently, Collins travelled to Essequibo to facilitate his BD1 Leadership seminar with ranks of the military, police and fire service. He then conducted a seminar with the Essequibo Technical Institute which was followed by a seminar for church leaders from a variety of denominations. The following day, he began his corporate leadership seminar with the management staff at the New Opportunity Corps. He was slated to facilitate a total of three seminars. But his passion and love for the students there moved him to arrange a mentorship session with them. Participants of his seminars are taken on a journey of self-discovery to self-mastery and leave them with actionable steps to finding their unique TAGS (talents, abilities, gifts and strengths).
Patient waits over 24 hours for ... From page 20 the hospital. “After she start complaining of fever, diarrhea and night sweats West Demerara Regional Hospital transferred her to GPHC,” recounted Khan. “We thought her problem got worse because she couldn't even walk up the stairs.” Due to her inability to walk properly, Gents was relegated to a wheelchair while at the hospital. In the meantime, as the mother and daughter awaited treatment at from the unit, Khan said that her daughter began to complain of back pain in addition to her previous ailments. This newspaper understands that Gents received treatment for her back pain, with health officials saying that she contracted an infection while at WDRH. However, Khan related that her daugh-
ter was still not treated for her heart condition. After being confined to a wheelchair for most of the day, Khan said that her daughter needed to lie down. However there were not enough beds in the Emergency Unit to accommodate her. As a result Gents was forced to sleep on her mother's lap, on the benches outside the Unit. In addition to the long waiting time, the concerned mother complained of the treatment she received from staff whenever she inquired about treatment for her daughter. “Whenever I'd go in to see if my daughter could get through sooner the guard or one of them in there would chase me out,” said Khan, who eventually stopped asking questions and decided to wait. She even asked a doctor
about treatment for her daughter, but said that his help was limited. “All I want for my daughter is to get into a ward, so she can be comfortable and get the treatment she needs,” related the distressed mother “because you know I can't leave my daughter.” Meanwhile, Rukmini Jairam of Mahaica, East Coast Demerara, told this newspaper that her mother has been waiting for treatment in the Emergency Unit for three days. The concerned daughter says that she has been back and forth with family members but has not been any closer to receiving treatment for her mother since their arrival. Kaieteur News was unable to obtain a comment concerning the long waiting time at the Emergency Unit from GPHC officials.
The story of the 13-yearold boy at the center of the Berbice Anjuman Orphanage scandal has taken a vicious twist with the boy at the centre at the scandal recanting on his story. What is even more perturbing is that the boy at the centre of the episode is not in protective custody. Instead he has been roaming the street and doing whatever he pleases. He has been going around telling people what he says is the correct version of the story. He is also denying that anything ever happen to him. He said that he was never sodomised; that he was promised money to say what he did, in a set up. Kaieteur News had reported on the matter earlier that the boy was out on the street roaming and officials of the Child Protection Agency had stated that they were not aware of the circumstances. On one occasion he was found sleeping in a car around 01:00 hrs. Immediately after that publication the boy was taken into custody and whisked away to some safe place in Georgetown. However the boy was soon, back on the streets, roaming. He told persons that he got away from where he was being held and started revisiting the Orphanage. The principals of the Orphanage have expressed disgust that the lad is being allowed to roam the streets and they are eager for him to
be placed in protective custody until the conclusion of the story. They are concerned that the name of the Orphanage might be tarnished further if anything becomes of him. An official had stated that the boy and his sister were returned to the custody of their mother. However a source knowledgeable in such matters stated that since the lad and his sister were taken away from his mother due to her unsuitable state, they should not have been returned to the woman. After the boy had made the allegations of being sodomised with five other boys, investigations by both
the police and Child Protection Agency later determined that most of the allegations were not true. Medical examination revealed that they were never harmed. The boy has since gone to great lengths to tell what he said is his story that the entire thing was a set up, that he was promised $250,000. The boy has been returning to the Orphanage on a regular basis since he says that he is constantly hungry. Owner of the Orphanage Mr. Abu Mandal is also upset that up to now no one has spoken to him concerning the matter.
PPP should heed the lessons of the Jagdeo-led Observer ... From page 12 provided by NCN and the Chronicle to favour the government has been raised many times. She said that this occurs not only during the campaign period but all the time. In any decent media house, she said that the right to reply is held sacrosanct. The AFC member said that by its modus operandi, one can only conclude that either ‘decent’ does not apply to NCN or it is not a Media House. She said that it is good that the former president and executive member of the PPP led the Commonwealth Observer Mission, if for no other reason than to learn what
acceptable campaign practices are. Hughes emphasized that the former President now has a responsibility to share what he learnt with his party and speak out where corrective is not taken. “The Mission that he led to Sri Lanka concluded that while the outcome of the elections reflected the will of the Sri Lankan people, an unequal preelectoral environment meant that the electoral contest did not comply with all the key benchmarks for democratic elections. This is the lesson that the PPP government needs to heed,” the AFC Parliamentarian concluded.
Why was 'meddling' good pre-1992 but bad now? asks Oscar Clarke From page 9 be seen as “justified meddling”. “I don't think in 1992 or prior 1992, that was meddling. If it was meddling, it was justified meddling”, Rohee said. He explained that the involvement of foreign states was welcomed during that time in Guyana's history because there was an “undemocratic government” in place. Rohee conceded that his party had lobbied the United States (US) State Department, Carter Centre and other international organizations prior to 1992 so as to have free and fair elections in Guyana. He said however, that it was justified back then as “In those days (pre-1992) you had an undemocratic regime that held on to political power by rigged elections and, therefore, regime change – even though the phrase was not coined in those days- was ap-
plicable.” When it was pointed that the opposition parties are raising democratic concerns today also, Rohee said “obviously if the opposition is accusing us of that, it is to be expected because we don't expect the Opposition to say we have a wonderful democracy in Guyana.” In an invited comment, PNCR, General Secretary, Oscar Clarke, said that it is very hypocritical of Rohee and the PPP to now be against international interference when “they campaigned throughout the world in the past” lobbying interference. He said that it is typical of the PPP to only praise a move when it is suitable for its own cause, “meddling was alright then, why it is not alright now?” With regard to democracy, Clarke said that the PPP is currently the perfect representa-
tion of an undemocratic regime as Guyana has for the first time seen a prorogued parliament and “if they were serious about what the people feel they would have never prorogued the Parliament.” Clarke said, “They are only talking democracy but they don't really follow the norms of democracy, in a democratic nation, heed is given to the voice of the majority…they know they are on their way out that is why they are behaving like this.” The US, Britain and the Organisation of American States (OAS) have called for an end to the now two-month old suspension of Parliament. President Donald Ramotar prorogued the Parliament on November 10, 2014, mere hours before the combined opposition-controlled House had been due to pass a noconfidence motion in his administration.
Thursday January 22, 2015
Kaieteur News
Barbados opposition walks out of Parliament, calls for Speaker to recuse himself BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Wednesday January 21, 2015, CMC – Opposition legislators Tuesday walked out of the Parliament demanding that the Speaker Michael Carrington not preside over the legislature until a court matter in which he is involved is settled. Opposition Leader Mia Mottley told a news conference that “it is our view that the Speaker should not be in the chair until these matters are resolved.“The Barbados Labour Party …position is very clear. The Speaker ought to recuse himself from the Chair until this matter is resolved,” she said, noting that anytime the Deputy Speaker is in the Chair, the opposition legislators would remain. “Until this issue is resolved we believe that the Speaker of the House should not seek to hold the Chair and that he should recuse himself until such time as this matter is resolved either by the Committee of Privileges one way,” she said adding that most “Barbadians have come to their own judgment on this matter”. During last week’s sitting, Leader of Opposition
Opposition Leader Mia Motley Business Santia Bradshaw brought the issue of Carrington’s professional conduct before the House. At the time, the Speaker recused himself.A High Court judge has ruled that Carrington has to repay a client more than BDS$200,000 (One BDS Dollar =US$0.50 cents) received for payment of land. Mottley said the Committee of Privileges had its first meeting on the issue on Monday “but there is a feeling that the dignity of parliament is offended when we continue to act as if nothing has happened. “This is not a news-
paper report on which we are acting. This is a judgment of the High Court and this is not any ordinary member. This is the Speaker of the House, who in fact leads the Chamber and who was traditionally the King or Queen’s representative in the Chamber”.Mottley told reporters “in the circumstances we feel that the dignity of Parliament is offended if we do not appear to act as a standard that the country and the people of the country have made clear that they expect us to act with”. The Opposition Leader said this is not a case of anybody owing money, “this is a case of fundamental trust and the Speaker’s Chair is one in which there is also need for us to have fundamental trust”. She said the Speaker is entitled to have his matter heard before the Committee of Privileges “but the standard we expect from the Speaker is a higher standard and in fact our own Standing Orders don’t even contemplate that anybody else should be chairman of the Committee of Privileges other than the Speaker”.
Stuart announces $7 million initiative to deal with Barbados natural gas shortage BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Wednesday January 21, CMC – The Barbados government has announced a seven million dollar (One Barbados dollar=US$0.50 cents) initiative aimed at bringing relief to businesses on the west coast suffering from a shortage of natural gas. Prime Minister Freundel Stuart told Parliament that the National Petroleum Corporation (NPC) has agreed that industrial users of natural gas should switch immediately to alternative fuels for the short term. The new proposals followed a joint meeting between the technical subcommittee and boards of the Barbados National Oil Company Limited (BNOCL) and NPC. It followed an outcry by customers, including several hotel and restaurant chains, that they were experiencing low gas pressure since last December. Stuart said that NPC had discovered that the production of some wells had fallen below the economic threshold, but that two other wells had now been identified that would be connected to the BNOCL’s existing gas-gath-
ering system. “It is estimated that this work will be completed within two weeks, with two and three shift per day operations. Permissions for approval from the land owners and the Ministry of Transport and Works to lay the necessary pipelines have already been or are in the process of being sought.” Prime Minister said four small air mix plants are scheduled to come on stream by month end, while another plant would be set up. “One large air mix plant with built-in redundancy will be installed at Woodbourne after NPC has ensured the in-
tegrity of the pipeline to cope with such an installation,” he said. The natural gas suppliers also agreed to transport compressed natural gas by trailmounted vessels. Stuart estimated it would take three to four weeks to put the necessary infrastructure in place at the facility and import the necessary equipment. He also revealed that in an effort to increase gas production and reserves, “the BNOCL will finalize the relevant contracts and other arrangements in order to resume its expanded drilling programme early in the third quarter of 2015”.
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Kaieteur News
Thursday January 22, 2015
Delay to Britain’s Iraq War inquiry report causes outcry (Reuters) - A decision to delay a long-awaited official report into Britain’s role in the Iraq War until after a general election in May drew accusations of a whitewash on Wednesday and demands for British voters to be given its findings. The investigation, headed by former civil servant John Chilcot, was set up six years ago to learn lessons from the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq which ousted Saddam Hussein and its aftermath. Britain was the U.S. main ally in the war despite widespread public opposition. Rose Gentle, the mother of a soldier killed in Iraq in 2004, said she was disgusted the report had taken so long to come out. “We just feel totally let down, we just feel it’s going to be a total whitewash now,” she told BBC television. The latest delay, said to be necessary to allow those criticised to respond, adds to a string of hold-ups ascribed in part to U.S. sensitivities about releasing exchanges between then-leaders U.S. President George W. Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair. The Chilcot Report’s publication has become even more politically charged before what is expected to be a close national election between Prime Minister David Camerons’s Conservatives and the opposition Labour Party. Any criticism of Labour, which was in power at the time of the 2003 war, could damage its electoral chances,
although current party leader Ed Miliband said he wanted the report to be published. When it was announced in 2009, the report was expected to take a year but Chilcot said in a letter to Cameron this week it would still take some months to complete and that there was “no realistic prospect” of delivering it before the election. Angry lawmakers repeatedly questioned the delay during a weekly questionand-answer session with Cameron in parliament. One Conservative lawmaker criticised the inquiry’s “disgraceful incompetence”. Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, leader of the Liberal Democrats, the junior government coalition partner and the only major party to oppose the war, wrote to Chilcot saying the delay would damage public confidence in the report. “If the findings are not published with a sense of immediacy, there is a real danger the public will assume the report is being ‘sexed down’ by individuals rebutting criticisms put to them by the Inquiry, whether that is the case or not,” he wrote. The phrase echoed an accusation made by the BBC at the time that Blair had “sexed up” a report on Saddam’s alleged weapons of mass destruction to bolster support for going to war. Subsequent inquiries have since exonerated Blair from that charge. Blair denied he had caused the delay in publication. “Incorrect allegations
John Chilcot, chairman of the Iraq Inquiry and politically motivated speculation do nothing to shine a light on the issues involved. It is an independent inquiry and it should be allowed to proceed with its work,” a statement from his office said. David Davis, a former shadow home secretary, said the report should be published before the election. “This is for the whole country to understand why we made a terrible mistake in Iraq,” he told the Guardian. Cameron rebuffed claims that some were seeking to bury the report. “There is no mystery in why this is taking so long, it is a very thorough report,” Cameron said. “I don’t believe, from what I understand, that anyone is trying to dodge this report or put off this report. We all want to see it.”
Yemen leader ready to accept demands of Houthis after his guards defeated (Reuters) - Yemen’s President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi expressed readiness on Wednesday to accept de-
mands for constitutional change and power sharing with Houthi rebels who took up positions outside his home
after defeating his guards in two days of battle.Gulf neighbors denounced what they described as a coup in Yemen, although both the Houthis and some of the president’s allies denied that he had been overthrown. A source close to the president said Hadi had met an official of the Shi’ite Muslim rebel group, and denied the head of state was under house arrest inside the residence, surrounded since early morning by Houthi fighters. In a statement issued in the evening, Hadi said the Shi’ite Muslim group had a right to serve in posts in all state institutions, and a draft constitution that has been a source of disagreement between him and the Houthis was open to amendment.
Thursday January 22, 2015
Kaieteur News
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WOMEN’S WORLD CUP legal ATLETICO MADRID: China’s action over artificial pitches ended Wang Jianlin buys 20% stake BBC Sport - Leading women footballers have abandoned their legal action over the use of artificial pitches at this year’s Women’s World Cup in Canada. A case claiming sexism against the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) and world governing body Fifa was withdrawn at the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal. Eighty-four players from 13 countries were involved in the lawsuit. Players’ attorney Hampton Dellinger said the case had “highlighted continuing gender inequity in sports”. He claimed that the action, although abandoned, had “lessened the chance that such wrongdoing will occur in the future”. Players argued that the women’s tournament should be played on similar surfaces to the men, and that synthetic pitches would increase the danger of injuries. But Fifa said it would not make a switch and that Canada was the best choice to host the tournament, which will be held from 6 June to 5 July. United States striker Abby Wambach, 34, one of the players involved, believes that the challenge will have a positive impact on women’s sport. She said: “I am hopeful that the players’ willingness to contest the unequal playing fields - and the tremendous public support
we received during the effort - marks the start of even greater activism to ensure fair treatment when it comes to women’s sports.” Players from Australia, Brazil, Costa Rica, France, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, South Korea and Spain were among those involved in the legal action. Dellinger said that the players were “putting the sport of soccer first” by abandoning their legal fight. “The players’ united, international effort to protest discrimination has had a positive impact,” he added. “The deplorable artificial surface at BC Place, the site of the final, will be replaced. Goalline technology will be used for the first time in a women’s World Cup and we know that the 2019 World Cup will be held on grass.” England have qualified for the tournament, but no English player signed the petition. Artificial pitches: Pros & cons Pros: Cost-effective. Artificial pitches keep in condition longer, and can be used for training and matches Cons: Fears over increased injuries and contrast in playing surfaces. For the World Cup, women believe they are being treated differently to men World Cup venues: Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Moncton, Montreal
Thursday January 22, 2015 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Today is a great day for you. You should enjoy a great deal of playful conversation, Aries. Fantasy is likely to play a big role in events, and you may daydream as you walk down the street. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) There may be a rather confusing element to the day, Taurus. You feel tempted to act, but some of the pieces seem to be missing. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Be the star of your own movie and proud of the role you play, Gemini. You might find yourself taking on many different characters, depending on your mood of the hour. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Take a break from your daily routine and get off the treadmill today, Cancer. The world will turn without you for one day, so tune out for a while. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Things are flowing your way, Leo, and you should find a great deal of pleasure in the company of others. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Today isn't about finding solutions to problems. It's about enjoying what you've already learned and accomplished. Keep things light.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Let your childlike side come out and play today, Libra. Your dreams are in full force, so let them lead the way. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Take a break from the routine and get off the beaten path, Scorpio. This is a day to forge ahead with ideas and dreams rather than commitments and answers. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) It may feel like something has suddenly clicked into place for you today, Sagittarius, because you've found the missing piece of a puzzle you've been working on. CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) Things may seem surreal today, Capricorn, so don't take other people's chatter too seriously. This is a day to reach out and touch someone, so pick up the phone. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) You may find it hard to take a realistic approach to your emotions today, Aquarius. A sensitive issue may pull on you, leaving you feeling like you're out in left field in the way you relate to others. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Work to bring harmony to the situation by getting to the truth and helping to make the real motivations known.
BBC Sport - Chinese billionaire Wang Jianlin is buying a 20% stake in Spanish football club Atletico Madrid for •45m ($52m; £34m) as he looks to diversify his business empire further. He heads China’s biggest property company Dalian Wanda, which has been buying up big foreign brands amid a weak domestic real estate market. This includes US cinema
Congo win first Afcon...
From page 30 minutes in, Bulot tested Congo goalkeeper Christoffer Mafoumbi with a blistering volley from the edge of the box, after Malick Evouna teed him up at the end of a fine move. Fifteen minutes later, Evouna was played in by the influential Levy Madinda and was unlucky to see his effort hit Maffoumbi before ricocheting off Congo defender Dimitri Bissiki and rolling inches wide. All eyes may have been on Gabon’s Borussia Dortmund star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang but as he struggled from a wide position, Madinda grabbed the limelight and the bustling midfielder almost gave the Panthers the lead. Neatly flicking the ball over the head of one defender inside the box, he dragged wide just ahead of the break. Congo were barely in the game but the half-time team talk delivered by veteran Frenchman Claude LeRoy, coaching at his eighth Nations Cup, galvanised a side contesting its first Nations Cup finals since 2000. And when Gabon failed to clear a routine corner after the teams’ return, Congo captain Oniangue lifted the ball into an unguarded corner of the net. Then midfielder Oniangue thumped an 18yard volley straight at a relieved Gabon goalkeeper Didier Ovono. After Gabon’s Madinda failed with two chances in a minute, Bulot was left with a moment that may come back to haunt him - firing wide from inside the box with the goal at his mercy. No coach has overseen more Nations Cup matches than LeRoy, who led Cameroon to the title in 1988, and he added to that record after Madinda squandered yet another Gabon chance late on.
chain AMC and luxury British yachtmaker Sunseeker. It will be the first Chinese company to invest in a top European football club. “This investment will not only provide a golden opportunity for young Chinese players sent overseas by Wanda to be selected by leading European football clubs,” Mr Wang said in a statement. “It will also strengthen the quality of Chinese football and narrow the gap between the rest of the world.” Last season, Atletico Madrid won the title in Spain’s top football competition La Liga and reached the final of the Uefa Champions League. However, the club has struggled financially in recent years, accruing more than •500m in debts. The purchase by Mr Wang, who is one of China’s richest men, could help to bring in new fans from the lucrative Asian markets and Chinese sponsors. The 60-year-old is known
to be a big football fan and owned one of China’s most successful teams from 1994 to 2000. There has been a growing trend of Asian billionaires buying into indebted or struggling European football clubs. Malaysian tycoon Vincent Tan owns Welsh club Cardiff City, AirAsia chief Tony Fernandes is chairman of London’s Queen Park Rangers, and Singaporean businessman Peter Lim owns a controlling stake in Spanish team Valencia. Who is Wang Jianlin? • The 60-year-old is ranked China’s secondrichest man behind Alibaba boss Jack Ma • He is worth $13.2bn according to Forbes magazine • Mr Wang is planning to open up amusement parks in China to rival the likes of Walt Disney and Universal Studios • He was reportedly in talks over a stake in the Hollywood studio behind the Hunger Games franchise, Lions Gate Entertainment.
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Kaieteur News
Thursday January 22, 2015
South Africa take series against feeble West Indies ESPNcricinfo - With every day they remain in South Africa, West Indies’ chances of pulling together a respectable World Cup challenge falters before our eyes. They made only 122 at Buffalo Park in the third ODI, a spiritless and, at times, irresponsible, display full of ghastly, ill-judged shots and glum expressions. A ninewicket defeat later revealed itself much as expected. Three days earlier, the crowd in Johannesburg had feasted on an AB de Villiers world record; in what was only Buffalo Park’s third ODI in nine years, the townsfolk of East London had to suffer a mismatch, concluded in spots of drizzle. Truly, the big cities get all the fun. East London took their pleasure in Hashim Amla and Faf du Plessis, lording it over the West Indies attack for unbeaten half centuries as the match was wrapped up with more than 41 overs unused, not so long after some had come in from work. At 2-0 down in the series with three matches remaining, West Indies needed to win to keep the series alive, but Buffalo Park’s slow, low surface demanded discipline - a challenge far removed from the joyous batting surface at the Wanderers on which de Villiers had struck the fastest ODI hundred in history - and West Indies did not show enough of it. With turmoil and ill will rife
in West Indies cricket, Jason Holder, a new, young captain needing to imprint his style, must feel the job is a lonely one. Rarely has this affiliation of nations looked less unified; rarely has mistrust between the generations been so apparent; rarely has the talent base looked so shallow. To some extent, it was an experimental XI; it was a rum time for experimentation, one best witnessed by West Indies fans through a large glass of Mount Gay. As for South Africa, far from wallowing in the satisfaction of a won series 3-0 up with two to play - they will have a sneaking feeling that West Indies are not putting them under the sort of pressure they would relish ahead of the World Cup. They are likely to respond by giving game time to backup players. The lengthy group phase of the World Cup gives them time to get their big guns firing. It took seven balls of the innings - Vernon Philander’s first delivery - for West Indies to hit trouble. Philander was on the money immediately and slight away movement was enough to draw a wicketkeeper’s catch. Dwayne Smith had been dislodged by a decent delivery: others could not claim the same. Chris Gayle has scraped one half-century in 15 ODI innings for West Indies since a century against Sri Lanka in Jamaica 19 months ago, his
reputation now largely protected by T20 exploits and the cult of personality. That sequence was extended by a languid drive on the up and a second catch for de Villiers. He fulfilled his fielding duties with a heavy air. Holder gave him an over at the end (or half a one anyway) to cheer him up. South Africa had only four frontline bowlers, with the remaining overs shared between JP Duminy and Farheen Behardien, a balance that their World Cup opponents will have taken note of, but to take advantage of that vulnerability, West Indies had to build a position from where they could apply pressure. Narsingh Deonarine briefly showed application until, out of character, he stepped to leg against Dale Steyn and tried to uppercut him over the off side, the resulting edge to first slip bringing Steyn his 150th ODI wicket. Steyn soon added Denesh Ramdin, who was undone by low bounce as he tried to run a ball that was not there for the shot. There was much onus on Marlon Samuels to bat with discipline, but history suggests he can only do that for so long: he top scored with 26 from 38 balls before another loft into the deep against Imran Tahir - a shot that has become his calling card on the tour - flew off a thick leading edge to long off. From 53 for 5, Jonathan Carter,
playing only his third ODI, and Andre Russell put up a semblance of a response: Russell summoned a front foot pull against Steyn, and Carter deposited Tahir onto the grassy banking at midwicket, but Russell’s heave at a length ball from Morne Morkel defied analysis. Even the borderline decisions did not fall West Indies’ way. Carter must have fancied his chances of overturning umpire Johan Cloete’s lbw decision as he pulled a delivery bowled from wide of the return crease by Imran Tahir but a review fell in South Africa’s favour, as it did when the same umpire refused Tahir’s appeal as Carlos Brathwaite misread a googly. Only a last-wicket stand of 28 took West Indies past three figures. With 16.2 overs left, it all ended with a charge, a slog and a stumping. South Africa’s innings was inconsequential, but after Rilee Rossouw had malfunctioned trying to pull, Amla and du Plessis batted with pleasing order and skill. Holder took the only wicket, but as he watched catching chances spurned in the final stages by Sulieman Benn and Jerome Taylor, the man in the size 15s would have needed a big heart as well as big feet. Scores: South Africa 124 for 1 (Amla 61*, du Plessis 51*) beat West Indies 122 (Tahir 4-28, Philander 3-27) by nine wickets.
>>> Letter to the Sports Editor <<<
Essequibo Cricket Board should not participate in GCB elections DEAR EDITOR, The Berbice Cricket Board has publicly announced that its executives will not be participating in the upcoming Biennial General Meeting (BGM) of the Guyana Cricket Board scheduled for Sunday, January 25th, 2015. Their resolute stance has been applied to the fact that the elections are not in keeping with the Cricket Administration Bill which is now the legal authority to govern the Guyana Cricket Board. The Demerara Cricket Board is yet to be constituted; hence the executives from the Essequibo Cricket Board from all indications will be the lone Board to be represented at the BGM. It is therefore quite difficult to comprehend the tenacity of the GCB to still proceed with what can only be an exercise in futility. Therefore I would suggest that the ECB should not participate in such a meeting so that their credibility will not be diminished. Further they should not attempt to give credence to the GCB which has virtually been operating without two-thirds of its constituent members (BCB and legally constituted DCB) for the last four years. Conclusively, Essequibo has not benefitted from the ECB gratuitous offerings to the GCB (votes) except for
FLYING ACE CYCLE CLUB TO HOLD ANNUAL AWARDS AND PRESENTATION CEREMONY One of Guyana’s top cycling clubs, the Flying Ace Cycle Club of Berbice will on Saturday 31st January hold their 14th annual presentation and awards ceremony at the New Amsterdam Town Hall beginning at 19:00 hrs. The club will be awarding top cyclists for their outstanding performance throughout the year 2014. The club will also be recognizing the officials and sponsors who have contributed significantly to the club achievements during the year and past years. Top cyclist Ray Millington and top female Marica Dick are tipped to ride away with the top awards. Also expected to receive awards are Elijah Brijjader as the runner up top cyclist. Audrel Ross is in line for the most promising junior
rider prize. Veteran riders Wasim Hasnoo and Sybrone Fernandes will compete for the top veteran award. A number of club officials and executives will also be recognized for their contribution and outstanding achievements during the year. A special invitee will deliver the feature address. Club Coach and founder Randolph Roberts is expected to give an overview of the Club since its formation, some 27 years ago. Today it is one o the top cycling clubs in Guyana. An outstanding youth sports personality in Berbice is also expected to be recognized. The club will also like to take the opportunity to thank all those who supported it during the past year including Guyana Beverage Company,
Ray Millington
Marica Dick
Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) Water Crest Hotel, First Impression Hotel, Furniture World, Arokium Funeral Home, Kings Jewelry World, Guyana Bank of Trade and
Industries, Republic Bank, the various Media houses including Kaieteur News, The Guyana Police Force, Commander of Police B Division Assistant Commissioner Brian Joseph
and The Guyana Cycling Federation among others. The club will also like to thank its overseas based riders who continue to support them including Canadian based Wilbert Benjamin, London based Franco Crawford and United States based Winston Thomas. Meanwhile, preparations continue for the club’s first event for the year set for this Sunday with the staging of the third annual Benjamin Sports Store open 50 miles cycle road race sponsored by former national cyclist Wilbert Benjamin. The event will be held from Fyrish to No 51 police station and back to its place of origin. A number of lucrative prizes are up for grabs. All the top riders in the country are expected to participate. (Samuel Whyte)
them being loyal and rewarded with ceremonial posts. Their positions on the executive committee of the GCB were featherless and voiceless. Not a single infrastructural plan was implemented within Essequibo for the last four years despite the dire need for the rehabilitation of the ECB Hostel. The practice facility was never completed and never used; hence the bowling machine never functioned. Instead it remained at the house of one of the executive members for over four years and one may now not be able to distinguish whether it is a bowling or washing machine. What has happened with the cricket development committee? No coaching sessions as well as upgrading of coaches, no executive meetings because there are very little to discuss, no vision because of a weak leader and virtually there has been no plan to develop Essequibo’s cricket. I feel compelled to express my disappointment that Ricardo Adams continue to be overlooked for selection despite being one of the more consistent all-rounders in the country for the past two years in domestic and inter-county cricket. The same can be said about the isolation of the persevering Anthony Adams and Kevin Boodie who recently was the first batsman to hit a double century in an inter-county one day match. Kevin Boodie is an opening batsman. Isn’t there a serious need for competent opening batsmen in the national team given the current and repeated failure at the top? Where is the representation? Also, Ricardo Adams’ strength has been manifested in the one day and 20/20 version, yet players with less credentials and who were in the wilderness for the past two years continues to be elevated. What can the ECB say that they have achieved as the main pillar upholding the GCB administration to date? The Berbice Cricket Board has all along maintained its principled position and the Essequibo Cricket Board should do likewise by not participating in the GCB elections until such time that a credible, transparent and legal process is adhered to by the GCB. Yours Faithfully, Elroy Stephney.
Thursday January 22, 2015
Kaieteur News
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>>> NAGICO Super50 cricket semi-final <<<
Jaguars aim to advance to first final in 6 years By Sean Devers in Trinidad In Association with Carib Beer, GT&T Lifetime Reality & Cascadia Hotel Since winning the last of their nine titles in 2005, Guyana has reached the semifinal on seven occasions. They have progressed to the final twice while winning Championship honours just once in the last decade. Since 2009 when Trinidad & Tobago beat them in final, Guyana have never passed the semi-final stage. In last year’s semis they were beaten by seven wickets by Barbados on the back of half centuries from Kraigg Braithwaite (55) and Dwayne Smith (61) and a hostile 4-16 from pacer Fidel Edwards. Guyana have topped zone ‘A’ in the 2015 NAGICO Super50 tournament after getting past the Windwards and Barbados before
Face Jamaica in Day/Night semis today suffering an upset loss to CCC in their last match to qualify to face-off with Jamaica today under lights in this year’s semis from 13:30hrs at the Queens Park Oval. Jamaica have won seven titles but none since 2011 and they will be without Chris Gayle, Marlon Samuels, Jerome Tailor, Sheldon Cotterell and Andre Russell who are all in South Africa. The Guyana Jaguars, the only team with a nonNational in their side in Barbadian left-handed allrounder Raymond Reifer, are without four of their key batsmen for last year’s tournament. Ramnaresh Sarwan is unavailable, Assad Fudadin is recovering from a broken finger and the left-handed pair of Leon Johnson and Narsingh Deonarine are in South Africa. In 19 matches between the
two teams, Guyana and Jamaica share the win/loss ratio 9-9 with the other match ending in a tie and when the teams last met last year at this very ground, the team from Reggae Country won by 10 runs. A century from Nkrumah Bonner led Jamaica to 247-7 before they bowled out the South Americans for 233 in 49.5 overs despite an 88-run opening stand between Shiv Chanderpaul (65) and Trevon Griffith (37). Cotterell and Russell both took three scalps. On a working day here in the middle of the Carnival season the crowd support for non T&T matches should continue to be dismal while the pitch, on which seven matches were played on in consecutive days, could offer more assistance for the bowlers while the ‘dew factor’ could come into play in the Day/Night clash.
The batsmen all struggled to score quickly on the ‘Oval’ track and the only two centuries were scored at the small Shaw Park ground in Tobago (Johnson Charles made a record 177) and the NCC in Couva (Akeem Cornwall made 113). The only five-wicket haul was achieved at this venue by T&T Red Force’s Captain Rayed Emrit, while Guyana Jaguars left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul had four wickets against the Windwards here. Today a lot will depend on the 40-year-old Chanderpaul to provide the glue which holds the Jaguars batting together and for Reifer, one of only two Jaguars batsmen with halfcenturies in the tournament, to reproduce his second round heroics. Reifer scored a match
ICC to fast-track suspect actions during World Cup ESPNcricinfo - Suspect actions during the World Cup will be evaluated within seven days in a fast-track commitment drawn up by the ICC. The evaluation process aims to limit the process to a minimum, ensuring that bowling actions are judged with alacrity to reduce disruption of the tournament to a minimum. The Brisbane accreditation centre was opened only three months ago with the World Cup much in mind, offering the chance to either clear or suspend bowlers within six days. Previously, tests have taken up to three weeks after referral with the chance of another fortnight’s delay before a written report is received. The ICC’s regulation for reporting bowlers with suspect actions now states, said an ICC spokesman, that: “Independent analysis shall be carried out and the independent assessment furnished on an expedited basis. In this respect, every reasonable effort shall be made for the independent analysis to be carried out and the independent assessment furnished within a period of seven days from the date of receipt of the match officials’ report.” The faster evaluation is part of ICC’s effort to eradicate suspect bowling
actions and is bound to defeat any strategy by a team thinking of saving a bowler with a suspect action for later stages of the World Cup. That would have worked under the Standard Regulations applicable to non-ICC Events where the bowler can continue to bowl in international cricket as long as he is tested within three weeks of being reported. Although the relevant rule (2.1.5) states that an independent analysis would be carried out “as soon as reasonably possible”, a period of 21 days has been adopted as acceptable, bearing in mind logistical and operational issues. The shift in policy was signalled by Dave Richardson, the ICC chief executive on Tuesday when he said: “The ICC-accredited testing centre in Brisbane is on stand-by so that if somebody is reported early on in the tournament, he can go straight off to Brisbane, get tested within five or six days, and we can have the report so that he can either continue bowling if he’s found to be legal, or if he’s illegal, then he will be suspended.” The ICC, Richardson stressed, was unrelenting on suspect actions, an issue that had been dormant for a long time but having gained
Sri Lanka’s Sachithra Senanayake was suspended from bowling, but has since returned © PA Photos
momentum with high-profile bowlers being reported both in international cricket as well as domestic cricket. Pakistan off-spinning pair of Saeed Ajmal and Mohammad Hafeez were previously reported in international cricket while West Indies off spinner Sunil
Narine was disqualified from bowling during the Champions LeagueTwenty20 final last year having been reported in two successive matches. Ajmal has expressed confidence that unofficial tests at Edgbaston have indicated that his deliveries are within legal limits again.
Tamar Lambert
Raymond Reifer
winning undefeated 84 against his countrymen, while stylish opener Rajendra Chandrika, who scored 52 in the opening game, is the other Jaguars batsman with a fifty and has looked very accomplished. The Jaguars’ batting has been plagued by the continued failure at the top of the order by Griffith and the inconsistency of the middle order, including Chanderpaul, who has struggled to score at a decent rate. Chanderpaul and Crandon are the only players in the team with centuries to their names. But Chanderpaul’s only ton in 87 matches at this level was made 17 years ago against Barbados in Jamaica, while Crandon’s only hundred was made on debut against the Windwards in Grenada eight years ago. Steven Jacobs, Royston Crandon and Keeper Anthony Bramble, who made a pugnacious 23-ball 43 against the Windwards, have been inconsistent with the bat, leaving Skipper Chris Barnwell with too much to do although Permaul and Devendra Bishoo has offered excellent support with the bat. Spinners Permaul, Bishoo, Jacobs and Crandon have been frugal with the ball while seamers Barnwell and Paul Wintz give the Jaguars a potent bowling attack. The strange decision to use Reifer for the last over instead of Wintz, who had three overs left and 11 needed resulted in the Jaguars’ only loss. Head Coach Esaun Crandon said he was surprised as everyone else at that decision especially since Reifer had only bowled one over in the tournament before that final one. He blamed complacency in the last eight overs for the loss after the Jaguars seemed to have the game all sewn up. Crandon informed that
Jonathon Foo is still ‘under the weather’ and will not play today. “Reifer has a slight finger injury, sustained when tried to stop the winning runs on Monday night. He had treatment on his finger today (yesterday) and his injury should not be a major concern tomorrow (today),” Crandon said. “There are no other injuries in the team and despite the loss to CCC we are in high spirits and confident of beating Jamaica,” Crandon added. Jamaica’s batting will center round the burly Tamar Lambert, the in-form Bonner, Test batsman Jermaine Blackwood, Horace Miller, attacking left-hander John Campbell, Andrew McCarty and all rounder Dave Bernard Jr. Jamaica reached the semis by getting past the Leewards and the West Indies under19s before losing to the Red Force and Bernard should receive pace support from Marquino Mindley but the bulk of the bowling should be done by Skipper and left-arm spinner Nikta Miller, promising leg-spinner Damion Jacobs and Lambert. The game will be shown live on ESPN TV and heard live on NCN’s Voice of Guyana. Squads: Guyana Jaguars: Chris Barnwell (Captain), Trevon Griffith, Rajendra Chandrika, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Raymond Reifer, Anthony Bramble, Royston Crandon, Steven Jacobs, Ve e r a s a m m y Permaul, Devendra Bishoo, Ronsford Beaton, Paul Wintz, Vishaul Singh Jamaica: Nikita Miller (Captain), Jermaine Blackwood, Nkrumah Bonner, Dave Bernard Jr, John Campbell, Danza Hyatt, Tamar Lambert, Horace Miller, Damion Jacobs, Andre McCarty, Marquino Mindley, Gavon Browne, Denval Green, Dennis Bulli
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Kaieteur News
Thursday January 22, 2015
Union gearing up to attend most James Anderson: Sledging no worse now than in previous years if not all overseas competitions
James Anderson insists sledging in cricket is no worse in the modern game than in previous years. (Getty Images) BBC Sport - England bowler James Anderson insists sledging in cricket is no worse in the modern game than in previous years. Australia’s David Warner clashed with Rohit Sharma last week when he told the India batsman to “speak English”. The International Cricket Council has warned that onfield spats will not be tolerated at the World Cup next month. But Anderson said: “I don’t think at the moment there is any more sledging than there’s been in the history of cricket - it’s gone on for years.” ICC chief executive David Richardson said: “Over the last six months there have been too many examples of player behaviour going too far. “Since then, we have done
a lot of work with our umpires and match referees to ensure they are much more proactive in terms of policing behaviour on the field. “For the World Cup it will be no different - and at all preevent briefings with the teams, the match referees will be making sure that message is delivered loud and clear.” Former New Zealand batsman Martin Crowe has suggested using footballstyle red and yellow cards to combat dissent. Anderson was cleared of a serious misconduct charge last summer following an incident with Ravindra Jadeja at Trent Bridge, but the 32year-old Lancastrian, who has played 185 ODIs, believes there is a place for verbal jousting between opposing players. “I don’t think it
should disappear from the game. I think it’s quite entertaining when it’s done in the right manner,” Anderson said. “I think guys have got to use their heads a little bit and be a bit smart about what is said on the field, if anything is said at all. “But you don’t want to take away the aggression from teams.” England and Australia meet again in the triangular series in Hobart on Friday. The Australians won the first match by three wickets but England revived their campaign with an emphatic nine-wicket bonus point victory over India on Tuesday. Anderson returned from knee trouble for his first international since September to take 4-18 and told BBC Sport he now felt fully fit.
CONGO WIN FIRST AFCON MATCH FOR 41 YEARS
Gabon failed to score for the first time in their last seven Afcon games. BBC Sport - Congo won their first game at an Africa Cup of Nations finals since 1974, beating Gabon to move top of Group A. The Gabonese enjoyed the better of the first half but fell behind after 48 minutes when Prince Oniangue stabbed the Red Devils in front from a corner. Charlton Athletic’s Frederic Bulot, who had a fine early volley saved, wasted Gabon’s best chance, missing an open goal midway
through the second half. A draw against Burkina Faso on Sunday would take Congo to the quarter-finals. Whoever wins between Gabon and Equatorial Guinea in Bata on Sunday will also qualify for the last eight. Gabon dominated the early exchanges, playing with confidence after their 2-0 win over Burkina Faso on Saturday. Just four (Continued on page 27)
President of the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) Peter Green accompanied by executive members Petal Adams and Terrence Grant along with Head Coach of the men’s team Theodore Henry and PRO Esan Griffith met the media, at Olympic House yesterday to apprise them of some of the Union’s activities for 2015 yesterday. Also announced was the Union’s decision to retain a Technical Director (TD) whose identity was given as Guyana-born Scotland native Angus Thomson who is currently based in Brisbane, Australia. Green told the media the Union intends to send teams to most if not all overseas competitions with the Hong Kong Sevens slated for March 27-29, being the first of those engagements. He said the Union in collaboration with the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) had contacted Thomson to solicit his services and he has consented to be in Guyana one month before the team departs to oversee preparations. According to Green, the TD will work along with Henry during the preparations phase, while he (Green) has also been able to persuade Thomson to assist with the women’s and men’s 15’s preparations and to give his analysis and recommendations on both units. He added that all invited overseas-based players will be required to be in the country two weeks prior to departure so that they can get accustomed to the systems and cement camaraderie within the setup. The President disclosed that shortly after the team returns from Hong Kong they will go almost immediately into preparations for the NACRA Sevens from June 1314 and this will be held in North Carolina, USA. “We are preparing for everything, we fear not.” Shortly after the NACRA Sevens, the team will then travel to Toronto, Canada for the Pan Am Games where they are expected to face the likes of USA, Canada, Mexico, Argentina and Chile, which according to Green are all powerful rugby nations. Green revealed Guyana will have two bites at the cherry to land a place at the 2016 Olympics, informing that if they should fail to be the sole team guaranteed a spot after winning at the Pan Am Games then should they finish second or third at the event
- TD retained they will have the opportunity to enter into a one-off playoff with other teams for a berth at the Rio Games. Commenting on other matters, Green told the media that the Union will spearhead the effort to rejuvenate the women’s segment of the sport and after making an evaluation of the women’s progress in collaboration with the TD and local coaching staff, will decide whether they are ready to compete at the NACRA Sevens Tournament. “I have thrown out a challenge to the women to come out and commence preparations under the guidance of Elwin Chase and Laurie Adonis and once the Union can prove that they have the quality then they go to the NACRA Sevens,” Green stated. He added that it is not the Union’s intention to throw away much needed funds. Funding according to Green will be critical for the teams to participate in overseas competitions, but this he indicated has been assuaged by promises made by the GOA, Government and Private Sector following the team’s outstanding showing in all overseas competitions last year where they won both the NACRA 15’s and 7’s titles
Petal Adams for the first time in the same year. The Union Boss further disclosed that all other areas of rugby will be attended to this year, pointing to the Under-19 and Get into Rugby Programmes (GIR) as among those that will be given needed attention. Meanwhile, Assistant Secretary Treasurer Petal Adams will depart today to attend a World Rugbyorganised Regional Development Workshop in Chicago, USA. The Course is expected to run from January 23-25 and according to her she is hoping to return fully equipped to advance the development of the game at the GIR and women’s levels. Adams is also responsible for the development of women’s rugby.
WILLIAMS SISTERS withdraw from doubles at Melbourne Park Serena Williams. REUTERS/ David Gray
MELBOURNE (Reuters) Multiple grand slam champions Serena and Venus Williams withdrew from women’s doubles competition at the Australian Open on Wednesday before first round action got underway. Tennis Australia, which handles all of the withdrawals for the tournament, were unable to give a reason why the 13-time grand slam and three-time Olympic champions were unable to play their match against 11th
seeds Anabel Medina Garrigues and Yaroslava Shedova. Irina Falconi and Petra Martic took the Williams sisters’ place in the draw, though were beaten 6-3 6-3 by the Spanish/Kazakh pairing. Medina Garrigues and Shvedova will now face either the pairing of Kiki Bertens and Johanna Larsson or Mirajana Lucic-Baroni and Lisa Raymond. Both Serena and Venus play their second round singles matches today.
Thursday January 22, 2015
Kaieteur News
Ailing Nadal survives on day of great escapes
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PATRIOTS used under-inflated balls against Colts:ESPN
Maria Sharapova shakes hands with Alexandra Panova. REUTERS/THOMAS PETER Roger Federer REUTERS/ Thomas Peter
M E L B O U R N E (Reuters) - An ailing Rafa Nadal dug deep into his vast reservoir of grit to stave off American qualifier Tim Smyczek and stagger into the third round of the Australian Open on Wednesday on a day of great escapes. Gushing sweat and stooping woozily between points, the sickly Spaniard dragged his cramping body into a fifth set under the lights of Rod Laver Arena, breaking the 112th-ranked American in the 11th game before closing out a 6-2 3-6 67(2) 6-3 7-5 win in four grueling hours and 12 minutes. Nadal slumped to his knees on the blue hard court having narrowly averted a repeat of his Melbourne Park jinx. “It was a very tough night for me (and) ... a tough period of seven months without competition,” Nadal, who was out of action for several months during the latter half of the 2014 through injury and illness, said in a courtside interview. “Today was a little bit humid conditions and I felt very tired after the first set, through the whole match. “The fantastic crowd helped a lot so many thanks for that.” For much of the match, there was a hush over the terraces, with many in the crowd no doubt spooked by the memories of Nadal’s torture in the final last year when he lost to Stan Wawrinka while carrying a back injury. Nadal’s coach and uncle Toni Nadal revealed his nephew had been bitten below the eye by a mosquito in the run up to the match, adding further intrigue to a day of high drama at Melbourne Park. Center court was the backdrop for nerveshredding tests for some of
the coolest heads in the business and with the temperature rising above 32 degrees Celsius (90F), Maria Sharapova showed ice in her veins. She mounted a brilliant counter-attack to fend off fellow Russian Alexandra Panova, a 150th-ranked qualifier playing the match of her life. Down two breaks of serves at 4-1 in the deciding set, Sharapova clawed back to 5-4 and clobbered a string of forehand winners to save two match-points before marching on to a defiant 6-1 4-6 7-5 victory. “When other things aren’t working, maybe the mental side of things will help you out,” the five-times grand slam champion told reporters. “Until the very end I still try to dictate, I still try to find my way.” Men’s second seed Roger Federer was also forced to scrap in the following match on center court, after being thrown by a phantom pain on the little finger of his racquet hand during his 3-6 6-3 6-2 6-2 win over 48th-ranked Italian Simone Bolelli. Stunned in the first set by a barrage of clean hitting, the Swiss master growled at a prying television camera as medical staff examined his finger during the change of ends. However, he gritted his teeth and merely got on with the job, closing out the match with a rush to the net that would have pleased coach and famous servevolleyer Stefan Edberg. “It felt like a bee stung me,” the 33-year-old said of his troubled finger. “I was like, ‘this can’t be possible’. “I’d never had this pain before... Thankfully it wasn’t so bad at the end.” MURRAY IN A HURRY
Rafael Nadal (L) consoles Tim Smyczek. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha Andy Murray’s second outing on the Margaret Court Arena was far more serene as the sixth seed trounced Marinko Matosevic 6-1 6-3 6-2 to retreat to the cool of the shade after 102 impressive minutes. The Scot’s win extended his unbeaten record against Australians to 10-0, deflating the crowd’s joy slightly after 10 locals had made it past the first round across both the men’s and women’s draws. “I think I moved pretty well today ... If you want to win these tournaments, you need to defend well,” said Murray, who next faces Portugal’s Joao Sousa before a potential showdown with
young gun Grigor Dimitrov, who wobbled but won 6-3 67(10) 6-3 6-3 against Lukas Lacko. Canadian sensation Eugenie Bouchard, a semifinalist on her Melbourne Park debut last year, continued her love affair with the blue hard courts, despatching Kiki Bertens 60 6-3 in 54 minutes. Seventh seed Tomas Berdych also roared forward with a straight sets demolition of Austrian veteran Juergen Melzer. Third seed Simona Halep, highly fancied to win her maiden grand slam title after a breakthrough 2014, capped the evening session by thrashing Australia’s Jarmila Gajdosova 6-2 6-2.
New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount (29) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts in the third quarter in the AFC C/ship Game at Gillette Stadium. (Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports) (Reuters) - The National Football League has determined that 11 of the New England Patriots’ 12 allotted balls used in Sunday’s AFC title game were under-inflated by two pounds each, ESPN reported. ESPN cites league sources, though Greg Aiello, the NFL’s senior vice president of communications, told the media outlet the league was not ready to comment. Earlier, an NFL spokesperson said the investigation into the matter should be completed within a few days. Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has dismissed claims as “ridiculous.” The Patriots beat the Indianapolis Colts 45-7 to advance to the February 1 Super Bowl, where they will meet the defending champion Seattle Seahawks. A softer ball could be easier to grip and catch and therefore potentially might have helped the Patriots. Each team uses its own balls when its offence is on the field. The NFL requires balls to be inflated between 12.5 and 13.5 pounds per square inch and weigh between 14 and 15 ounces. The NFL investigation still needs to find out how the 11 balls came to be under-inflated, says ESPN. The league must also decide whether to impose a penalty on the Patriots and, if so, what it should be.
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Kaieteur News
Thursday January 22, 2015
Golden Jaguars commence encampment from today
Flashback! The Golden Jaguars going through their paces at the Providence Stadium two days before their historic win against T&T on 11.11.11. (Franklin Wilson photo)
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head of the February 1st f r i e n d l y international between host Barbados and Guyana, the Golden Jaguars will commence encampment from today leading up to their departure next week. The 27 players shortlisted will be encamped at the Palace De Leon Hotel, Public Road Kitty from 12:00hrs and will hit the road running with the first practice session scheduled for the Guyana National Stadium, Providence from 16:00 – 18:00hrs. This will be the first assignment for the new Technical Director Claude
Bolton and Head Coach for this game Jamaal Shabazz along with the Technical Team. Shabazz, who was at the helm of the Golden Jaguars Technical Team as Head Coach when Guyana did its best ever in World C u p q u a l i f y i n g (CONCACAF semis) has stated his pleasure in being back to lead the Jaguars. This two game series against Barbados (the return game still to be decided) will also serve as a gauge for the Guyana World Cup squad for Russia 2018, last week’s CONCACAF draw in Miami resulted in Guyana drawing St. Vincent & the Grenadines in their first game in early
June this year, both countries not being required to contest the first round. The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Normalisation Committee (NC) has been pulling out all the stops to ensure that the best possible team, inclusive of overseas based players represents Guyana going forward. While the 27 players are all local based and will be vying for the available positions up for grabs, the local selectors have invited three overseas based players to the lineup; former captain and midfielder Christopher Nurse, defender Jamaal S m i t h a n d n e w c o m e r,
Canadian forward Emery Welshman whose parents are Guyanese. The trio is expected to join the locals tomorrow. The sessions are anticipated to be very competitive with the best team being selected to travel to the Land of the Flying Fish. The other players called are: O’Neil Carter, Akel Clarke, Oswald Cornett, Omallo Williams,
Travis Henry, Solomon Austin, Kris Camacho, Quincy Madramootoo, Trevon Lythcott, Dwain Jacobs, Amos Ramsey, Daniel Wilson, Keron Solomon, Sheldon Holder, Clive Nobrega, Colin Nelson, Dwight Peters, Tishard Joseph, Dwayne Lawrence, Domini Garnett, Travis Hillman, Rawle Gittings, Denver Dennis, Calvin Sheppard, Joshua Brown,
Eusi Phillips, Vurlon Mills. Technical staff: Jamaal Shabazz (Head Coach) Wayne Dover (Assistant Coach), Trevor Burnette (Equipment Manager), Faizal Khan (Manager of Administration/Commercial ), Mark Xavier (Manager of Operations), Anson Ambrose (Trainer), Andrew Hazel (Goalkeeper Coach), Debita Harripersaud (Physio). (F. Wilson)
Top stars confirmed for JII meet
(L)POWELL… ended the 2014 season as the fastest Jamaican with 9.87 seconds © FRASER-PRYCE… heads the female list & GATLIN… had personal best times of 9.77 seconds in the 100m and 19.68 seconds in the 200m last season Jamaica Observer - AMERICAN Justin Gatlin, the fastest man on the planet last year, will return to the Jamaica International Invitational Meet (JII) this year where he could clash with some of the top Jamaican sprinters at the May 9 IAAF World Challenge-certified meet. Gatlin, who had personal best times of 9.77 seconds in the 100m and 19.68 seconds in the 200m last season, both fastest in the world, was included on a list of 12 athletes, including double World Championships gold medallist Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who have confirmed their participation in the event. Another athlete named was Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games 400m champion Kirani James of Grenada, but a release from his handlers late yesterday said he had not confirmed for the meet. The release said James was yet to confirm
his availability and cited possible scheduling conflicts with school. However, former world record holder Asafa Powell, who ended the 2014 season as the fastest Jamaican with 9.87 seconds, World Championships 100m bronze medallist and Olympic 110m hurdles bronze medallists Hansle Parchment, as well as Nesta Carter are also confirmed, according to the release. Fraser-Pryce heads the female list so far which also includes Nigerian Blessing Okagbare, who won the women’s 100m last year, Americans Allyson Felix and Dawn Harper and Jamaicans Commonwealth Games champions Kaliese Spencer and Stephanie McPherson, as well as IAAF Diamond League champion Novelene Williams-Mills. The events in which these athletes will participate are yet to be confirmed.
Thursday January 22, 2015
Kaieteur News
WOODPECKER PRODUCTS contribute trophies to GSSF
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Second GBTI/RHTY&SC Tapeball tourney for Corentyne Schools launched
Male and female teams to contest
GBTI Port Mourant Manager Mr. Ghoeblall Mahadeo presents the cheque to RHTY&SC Secretary/CEO, Hilbert Foster.
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FROM LEFT: G.S.S.F’s Director Capt. Roul Bhudu, Assistant Secretary/Treasurer Mr. Ryan McKinnon, President Ms. Vidushi Persaud, Woodpecker Products, Owner/Managing Director, Mrs. Luana Fernandes and G.S.S.F’s Treasurer Mr. Rohandev Persaud receiving the trophies.
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he Guyana Sport S h o o t i n g Federation (GSSF) has recently received a donation of trophies from Mrs. Luana Fernandes, Owner and Managing Director of Wo o d p e c k e r P r o d u c t s located at Lot 40, Fourth Street, Alberttown for their upcoming Practical Pistol competition this Saturday at the G.D.F. Timehri Ranges. Receiving the donation on behalf of the GSSF at a
simple handing over was President Ms. Vidushi Persaud who thanked Mrs. Fernandes for the support Woodpecker Products has given to local sport shooting. Ms. Persaud commented that she has known Mrs. Fernandes for most of her life and is always enthused by the encouragement and support for sport Mrs. Fernandes continuously gives. The GSSF President is hopeful that other businesses in Guyana will emulate
GABCA asks Coaches to formally register
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ith an aim of continuing to systemise Coaching in Guyana, the newly formed Guyana Amateur Basketball Coaching Association (GABCA) is asking that all affiliated Coaches register with the association ahead of the 2015 Basketball Season. The GABCA in a release yesterday asked coaches affiliated to Linden, Georgetown and Berbice Amateur Basketball Associations, which are all inturn affiliated to Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) to register for the upcoming year. President of the GABCA, Andrew Hercules, who the International
Andrew Hercules Basketball Federation (FIBA) has accredited, is on a path to ensure the restructuring of coaches in Guyana. He is the Coach of the Plaisance Guardians Basketball Club at both levels.
Woodpecker Products by m a k i n g s i m i l a r contributions to sports. She thanked Mrs. Fernandes for the beautiful trophies which she noted will be very much coveted on Saturday. Mrs. Fernandes conveyed wishes of success to the Federation for a successful event on Saturday. Board Members, Capt. Roul Bhudu and Treasurer Mr. Rohandev Persaud joined in thanking Mrs. Fernandes for her support and encouragement towards the GSSF which is dedicated towards encouraging and promoting sport shooting amongst all Guyanese. The GSSF started its shooting calendar last Saturday by organising a pistol practice session for members at the GDF Ranges. Match Director, Mr. Ryan McKinnon noted that the divisions which will be recognised are Standard and Production, which will see Prizes handed out for the top three overall in each division. Mr. McKinnon also indicated that the three stages for the Match will be open to all experienced Practical Pistol Shooters of Guyana and advised competitors to pre-register. Interested competitors wanting to come out to have some safe shooting fun, can contact any Board member of the GSSF, or can visit www.guyanasportshooting. com for further details or
simply send an email to info@guyanasportshooting. com indicating their interest. Practical shooting is regarded as any type of sport shooting that involves engaging targets while having to move with the firearm. The handgun element of sport simultaneously measures the ability of the competitor to shoot rapidly and accurately with a full power (9mm/higher calibre) handgun in a fun, fair, safe, competitive environment. Scoring takes into account three elements – speed, accuracy and power. Each match is made up of stages that seek to measure a shooter’s ability in all three elements and coordinated under strict safety guidelines.
he second edition of the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) / Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) tapeball cricket tournament for secondary schools in the Lower and Central Corentyne area was launched on Tuesday last at the bank’s Port Mourant branch. RHTY&SC Secretary/ CEO Hilbert Foster in remarks informed that the first edition of the tournament was a success where a number of promising players were identified. This year’s edition he stated would have a special meaning to the RHTYSC as it would be held during the club’s Silver Jubilee anniversary. The tournament would be contested by both male and female teams from the following schools; Central Corentyne Secondary, Manchester High School, Winifred Gaskin Secondary, Corentyne Comprehensive Secondary, Port Mourant Secondary and Lower Corentyne Secondary. Players must be Under-16 years of age and must have an attendance rate of 80 percent. The male tournament would be 15 overs per side, while the female competition will be 10 overs. The winning team, runner up and player of the finals would receive trophies while special prizes would be given to other top performers. Foster also disclosed that the club would use the GBTI tournament to promote its “Say Yes to Education and Sports and Say No to Suicide and Drugs” message. Gratitude was expressed to the Management of the Bank for its continued support to the RHTY&SC. Manager of GBTI, Port Mourant Branch, Mr. Ghoeblall Mahadeo congratulated the club on its achievement of 25 years as a successful organisation while stating that the bank is pleased to be associated with it. Mahadeo expressed confidence that the tournament which would bowl off in early February would attain its objectives. The finals are scheduled for February 20 at the Area ‘H’ ground.
ENTRIES FOR GSCL INC Republic Cup close tomorrow
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ntries for the Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc. (GSCL) Republic Cup tournament will be closed at 14:00 hrs tomorrow. The tournament will be launched on Wednesday 29 at GNIC Sports Club, while the drawing of fixtures will be done in a fair and transparent manner the said day. The first eight teams that registered will be allowed to compete. The tournament will be played in the Open and Over-40 categories, with both division lasting for 20 overs and carries a first prize of $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. Admission to all venues, including Everest which will host the final on February 8, is free and playing conditions which will be distributed at the time of the launching. For more information teams can call Samuel Kingston on 614-9536.
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SOUTH AFRICA take series against feeble West Indies P. 26 Vernon Philander had Chris Gayle caught behind cheaply. (Gallo Images)
Hashim Amla eased to a half-century in the chase. (Gallo Images)
NAGICO Super50 cricket semi-final
Union gearing up to attend most if not all overseas competitions
Jaguars aim to advance to first final in 6 years Face Jamaica in Day/Night semis today
-TD retained Shivnarine Chanderpaul
Veersammy Permaul
Rajendra Chandrika
Nkrumah Bonner
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President of the GRFU Peter Green (3 left) flanked by Union officials and Coaches yesterday at Olympic House.
Golden Jaguars commence encampment from today
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