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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
Traffic penalties are nothing laughable The increasing frequency with which motor cyclists are becoming fatal accident victims is reason enough for the police traffic department to conduct a review of its enforcement policy in that regard. Any casual observer on any given day will see many breaches of the legal requirement by motorcyclists to wear a safety helmet. Failure by this category of road users has occasioned the senseless loss of life on the country’s roadways. Although speeding is attributed as the leading cause of road accidents more attention needs to be paid to how well people are complying with the several other measures which the policy makers have adopted for the safety of all road users. A perusal of the World Health Organization’s Global Health Observatory Data Repository reveals that the national motorcycle law Guyana applies to all engine types and that the requirement of motor cycle use adheres to a standard. The same casual observer will be quite correct in challenging this claim since riders of certain engine types can be seen traversing city streets helmetless and passing the occasional traffic police without hindrance. Interestingly, those ranks do not even attempt to note the licence number of the motorcycle. On the question of standards, the impunity with which riders act is simply astounding. Riders are seen wearing bicycle helmets or unstrapped headgear which can only be described as a mockery. Moreover they very often endanger the lives of their pillion riders who - for the most part are children. The fine for a rider and/or pillion rider if found guilty is $10,000 each. Another issue which the traffic department might wish to reinforce is the child restraint rule which requires drivers to ensure that children wear seatbelts, or are conveyed in a child restraint system. The question of who is to be considered a child could be raised, but it does in some countries a determination has been made that a child below a certain age must be secured with a seatbelt or placed in a child restraint system. The almost laughable fact is that anyone failing to apply those sensible safety measures will have to pay a measly fine not exceeding $15,000 for a second offence. Is anyone really serious about children’s safety here? It is alarming to see unsecured very young children being conveyed in the front seats of motor cars with their heads and hands outside. No one seems to have a care about what happens if there is a vehicular collision or other traffic incident. The Trade Act Chapter 91:01 which prohibits the importation of any motor vehicle with tinted glass that prevents the driver or any passenger from being identified by any person outside of the tinted vehicle is another regulation which is observed more in the breach. How serious is the Ministry of Home Affairs about supporting the police force when in spite of the said Act persons are permitted to apply and receive a waiver for tint on their vehicles? It would seem as if the concerns which led to the prohibition in the first place are no longer valid, or else it is a case of favoured persons being granted this concession. Maybe the ministry could advise the public if this is indeed the case and cause those overzealous crime patrol ranks to be instructed accordingly. One fact which has not escaped the notice of the ordinary man in the street is the number of private vehicles owned by police ranks at all levels which are heavily tinted beyond the 65 to 35 percent light penetration. Driving behind a heavily tinted vehicle is a hazardous exercise since there is no way that you can look through the windscreen to the road ahead and anticipate road users’ behavior. It is time that the force takes back its mandate firmly in the interest of total road traffic safety.
Saturday January 25, 2014
Letters... Where your views make the news
WHETHER MR. SOLOMON IS SUCCESSFUL OR NOT IN SHUTTING LINDEN DOWN DEAR MR. EDITOR, Mr. Editor, allow me the opportunity to again assure the citizens of Linden/Region 10 and, indeed, everyone else in Guyana, that the PPP/C Administration has been working for the economic and social upliftment of Linden/Region 10 in no way less than, and in no way different from, the way that we work for other towns and regions. I feel obliged to seek this opportunity, having followed the sentiments, recently expressed by various political figures, as reported in articles appearing in the Stabroek News’ editions of Wednesday, January 22, 2014, entitled “Linden’s stalled development politically-engineered – Granger” and “Head of Linden economic committee steps down – Solomon chides President over lack of progress”, Wednesday, January 15, 2014, entitled “Lack of movement on Linden committees disappointing – Roopnaraine,” and Thursday, January 23, 2014, entitled “Linden to shut down on Saturday over barren agreements –
Solomon.” Linden has been growing. The prosperity, or lack thereof, the challenges, the successes and problems, the improvements visible in new buildings and vehicle ownership, are much the same in Linden as in other parts of Guyana. Linden is not stalled! The major constraint on Linden, which is in the hands of Mr. David Granger, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine and Mr. Solomon, is the politically-inspired, continual preaching to citizens of Linden that the PPP/C Government does not like the people of Linden/Region 10. As in other regions of Guyana, there are less prosperous areas and more prosperous areas, for example, the Amelia’s Ward extension, developed over the last 20 years is comparable to prosperous new developments like Diamond on the East Bank of Demerara. Firstly, talking to the big things, the PPP/C Government inherited from the outgoing PNC Government a foreignmanaged bauxite company that, if not made profitable, was to be shut down. When the international manager
reported in 1994 that he could not see how to make LINMINE profitable, this Government did not comply but, changed from the shutting-down agreement of the earlier PNC Government, kept the bauxite company opened and kept on supporting the operations, both in Linden and Kwakwani, from the Treasury. Also, when the foreign owner of the operations at Aroaima offered to have the PPP/C Government take over or shut down Aroaima, we took it over. We provide where it matters, when it matters. We are not in the ‘shutting down’business! We were aware that these bauxite operations needed to be transformed into entities that would pay their way and sustain themselves over the long term. We knew how traumatic abrupt closure would be for the population in Linden/Region 10. We provided more time as we worked to find foreign partners, with whom we would work, with whom these operations would make a good fit. We are gratified that we were able to (Continued on page 24)
We need to establish recording standards and rigorously enforce them DEAR EDITOR, Once again it is the season of ‘Soca’ music. In Guyana, we have our Mashramani celebrations fast approaching, and in neighbouring Trinidad and Tobago,Carnival2014 beckons. As is the norm, lots of pulsating ‘Soca’ music is released during this period, so that persons can familiarize themselves with the sounds of the season. Here in Guyana, many of our local artistes have unleashed their Mashramani ‘Soca’ fare on the nation, as some prepare for the various competitions and the much anticipated and coveted Road March title. However, while there is a fair amount of quantity coming from our local artistes, I am afraid that there is not much quality prevailing. In 2014, much of our ‘Soca’ productions lack creative lyricism, musicality, and sound mastery. I am eager to know when our artistes and producers will get it right musically and create high quality world class sounding Guyanese music. This is not to say that there have not been some productions of good quality emanating from studios in Guyana over the years, but there is also an obvious lack of consistency regarding the quality of productions. Our attempts at creating ‘Dancehall’ music have been
satisfactory in some instances; save for the pseudo-Jamaican accent with which some of our artistes struggle. Some of the ‘Dancehall’ and ‘Reggae’ riddims (rhythms) produced in Guyana can stand up to regional scrutiny. But again much work still needs to be done by all parties concerned if they intend to make profitable music. Guyana once boasted a viable and competitive music industry in the 50s, 60s, and 70s. Numerous string bands dominated the dance spectrum in Guyana in those days. Many Guyanese artistes recorded great songs of high quality that were sold in the regional and international markets. Guyana produced renowned
musicians of regional and international repute. So it bothers me that most of what we have today in the local music industry comprises notorious mediocrity. We need to establish recording standards and rigorously enforce them. Not because a person can pay for studio time should he or she be allowed to permanently place the toneless sound of their voice on a recording and think it is a great sound/song. At some point, producers must determine what is good sound and what is unwanted sound. M o r e i m p o r t a n t l y, producers must be professional musicians who can advise persons who over sing and who do not pitch p r o p e r l y. M o r e o v e r,
producers also need to address lyrical content and song structure. Musical arrangements must be thoroughly assessed and reassessed for the best quality sound. We need to stop producing tracks that sound hollow and empty. A lot of work needs to be done locally to significantly enhance the sound quality, lyrical content, tone and structure of the music we produce in Guyana, particularly our attempts at ‘Soca’. Perhaps Guyana needs to reestablish its own sound instead of trying to make ‘Soca’, ‘Dancehall’ and ‘Reggae’ music. Whatever happened to the sound of Shanto? Can’t it be modernized? Richard Francois
MISREPRESENTATION WITHIN MINISTRIES
DEAR EDITOR, There are several of us who are confused by the presentation of the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, commenting on plans for training the students of Kuru Kuru Cooperative College in, amongst other things, vehicle driving. When last I checked the National Estimates 2013, the College was listed as being within the purview of the Ministry of Education, under Education Delivery. At her press conference earlier this year, the Minister of Education spoke of ‘Special Needs’ schools, and identified its teachers as being eligible for ‘promotion’. How come did
it appear that the latter was excluded from the recent ceremonial at the H.B. Davis Special Needs School of the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre which again would appear to misrepresent the fact that the facility falls within the purview of the ubiquitous Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport. Finally it would be helpful for the underinformed like myself to be advised in which Ministry is the New Opportunity Corps officially located. Parliamentarians should also brief themselves in this regard in preparation for the upcoming budget review. E.B. John
Saturday January 25, 2014
Kaieteur News
Letters... Where your views make the news
Political grandstanding on the Budget DEAR EDITOR, Guyana is truly blessed to have a man with perhaps the most brilliant brain in financial matters, serving its people as Minister of Finance. Together with former President Bharrat Jagdeo, Dr. Ashni Singh can be proud of his role in helping to transform the economy from bankruptcy in 1992, to the thriving one that most Guyanese take for granted today. To achieve eight consecutive years of economic growth at a time when economies throughout the region and the world are troubled, requires brilliant planning and the management of a policy framework that is conducive to sustained economy growth. In Dr. Singh’s own words, “Looking at recent economic developments in the region and around the world, there can be no doubt that real growth of GDP of approximately five percent per annum for the past eight years is an absolutely outstanding achievement…this achievement is by no stretch of the imagination an accidental one.” In retrospect, the historical evidence of the (lack of) achievements of former PNC Finance Minister, Carl Greenidge from 1985 to 1992, are well documented. Perhaps he may argue that the state of the economy he inherited as Minister of Finance under the PNC Government (increasing from 17 percent of recorded GDP in 1980 to 59 percent in 1985) was so bad that there was very little he could have done to improve it, and perhaps he was right. For with the exception of a short-lived relief during 1987 and 1988, the deficit jumped back to an estimated 55 percent of GDP in 1989. Regardless, APNU’s Shadow Minister of Finance, Carl Greenidge must accept full responsibility for Guyana’s bankruptcy by 1992. In my opinion, he has no credibility to demand sound financial management from this administration, and must refrain from being the bully he has now become. In a Kaieteur News article dated January 21, Greenidge “firmly stated that he will not accept the proposal by the Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh to now have discussions on the 2014 budget.” This statement could not have been made without the approval of Party Leader, David Granger, and proves definitively that the PNC/ APNU’s only real interest is political grandstanding on the Budget.
Considering that the debate on the Budget is likely to commence late in March and there is still sufficient time for meaningful discussions, here is an interesting timeline that debunks all claims made by Greenidge that “the Minister of Finance has failed to honour his commitments in relation to not only discussing the 2014 budget, but also the process for discussions of future budgets.” On January 13, Finance Minister Ashni Singh sent an email to the opposition inviting them to meet on the 2014 Budget and he specifically requested APNU’s shadow Minister of Finance Carl Greenidge to “suggest a date during the past or coming week” for them to meet. The email was copied to David Granger, Lance Carberry, Khemraj Ramjattan, Dr. Roger Luncheon, and Gail Teixeira. The email contained copies of documents to be discussed. Both Granger and Greenidge refused to respond to the email invitation. A few months earlier, according to Greenidge, the Administration and opposition had agreed for him to meet with Dr. Singh to discuss a process for discussions on future budgets to avoid the confusion and misrepresentation that surrounded the 2012 and 2013 budgets. Then on September 9, 2013, he sent Dr. Singh “a proposal which was agreed on by APNU’s side to be appropriate.”
“Dr. Singh did not send me a single note with his comments. Instead, he suggested a meeting be held the next day but it was short notice and the members of the coalition were not able to meet with him. We suggested another date for a meeting but nothing was done about it.” If members of the opposition coalition were too busy or preoccupied to meet with the Finance Minister at his invitation “the next day”, why should he put off doing the nation’s work to meet with them at their convenience? Most people I know, would put off everything else to meet with the Minister on such an important topic, but not Ramjattan and Greenidge, they have no respect for authority and for the Ministers of this Administration. Yet they complain when the Finance Minister is not available to meet with them on their terms. When they finally met, Greenidge explained “At that meeting he told us that he had little difficulty with the proposals sent to him but his comments by way of refinement were ready and we would receive it within a week, which was supposed to be by November 15, 2013 but we received nothing... I then indicated to him that I was unable to recommend any further discussions with him and that the three leaders of the parties should now decide the way forward. The letter I received from Dr. Singh suggesting that we should have a meeting now, in my view is rather out of place... We are no longer (Continued on page 24)
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Agreement failure… Lindeners are expected to converge in their numbers today at the Five Corner (Washer Pond Road), Mackenzie,Linden, to confront President Donald Ramotar, and express their dissatisfaction and disgust over the August 21, 2013 agreements between the Region Ten Administration and the Government. They say that to date Ramotar has not honored the agreement. The agreements were inked after almost a month of fiery protest in the town, against a proposed electricity tariff increase by Government. The protests were subsequently called off after the agreement was signed, and the proposed increase withdrawn. But Lindeners have grown disillusioned that more than a year later; there has been no implementation of anything that was contained in the agreement. The protest which is expected to commence at ten hours, is expected to coincide with President Donald Ramotar’s scheduled visit to the Town to officially commission the PPPC office, at Industrial Area, Mackenzie, Linden. Lindeners will be demanding equality, justice and peace, ‘not more PPP’, according to leaflets that were distributed throughout the town. They also want the Linden commission of enquiry recommendations be implemented, the establishment of the technical and economic committees to
Kaieteur News
Saturday January 25, 2014
Linden set for shutdown today as President visits The PPP/C office in Linden that is set for commissioning today. Region 10 Chairman, Sharma Solomon
improve energy supplies and the economic needs of the region, and the appointment of a state representative to the Land selection Committee. They will also be demanding the end of Regional and political discrimination, the undermining of elected representatives, the end of the RUSAL/ BCGI workers dispute and the GPSU public servants grievances. Other issues to be addressed would be human rights violations and police brutality in Region Ten, dust pollution and the improvement of regional health care and better conditions for those tasked with its delivery. Regional Chairman, Sharma Solomon, at a media briefing yesterday, emphasized that the shutdown is not in protest of the ruling party commissioning its new office here. “We are a very
democratic region; we believe in the rights of every citizen to exercise his religion or politics and whatever it is that individuals choose to practice; those things are guaranteed in the constitution. We respect and believe that is the right of every citizen. What the region and the people of Region Ten should understand and should be totally outraged about is the dishonorable stance of not only the government, but the President in particular, who is expected to be in the Region (today). That after 17 months and an agreement written in blood-- three men would have died; the community would have demonstrated that they needed the elements in the agreement to better the lives of citizens. All these elements are the rights of citizens—the right to television, the right to access information, the right to be part of decision making, the right to have economic freedom and the right to have so many things that they should enjoy. “The same way that the region is prepared to respect the rights of even the PPP, the
PPP must be prepared to respect the rights of the citizens. More so, when the PPP, under the stewardship of the President would have signed an agreement written in blood should be prepared to honour that agreement,” said Solomon. Solomon added that not one element of the agreement has been to the satisfaction of the people “not because of any impediment’ but because of a lack of will on the part of the Government. “Every resident should feel the need to confront the president, even if it is in a quiet show of demonstration, to hold a placard and to say in loud voices that he is not an honorable man if he can’t commit to something written in blood,” Solomon declared. “Tomorrow is a good test, to not only the people of Linden and region ten, but for this entire nation. I’m quite certain that people would have been seeing over the weeks, discussions on the agreement, movement on the agreement, and I believe that after tomorrow the direction in which that agreement goes and based on letters that we
would have written, and will be sending out to the President, it is going to hold this Government accountable. It is their actions that would have provoked a situation. “The provocation of the situation is that (today) we are going to shut down, and it is not because the region said so.” Solomon alluded to what he called the level of disrespect being meted out to the people of the region by
the President, in what is being planned for today (commissioning of office), and that people understood the disrespect- when instead of coming to show his respects when three Lindeners were shot dead, and after 17 months, instead of coming to say that ‘people would be relieved’, he is coming instead to ‘promote party politics’. Solomon said that the people of Linden, has a right to confront the president and demand that the August 21 agreement be honored. Yesterday, President Donald Ramotar, during a press conference, spoke of the Linden agreement, saying that Region Ten leaders have not met their obligation too. They have not named an official to a key committee. “Blame, therefore, should not be on Government, as it is a two-way street,” said Ramotar.
Citizens Bank loan assets jump 10% Citizens Bank Guyana Inc. has recorded an increase in revenue from $2.879 billion to $3.010 billion, or 4.5 per cent, last year. Group Chairman, Clifford Reis said profit after tax was $1.004 billion as compared to $922.0 million, an increase of $82.0 million or nine per cent. He said that the improved profitability was due to increased net interest income and prudent management of the Bank assets. The total assets increased by $3.0 billion from $38.0 billion to $41.0 billion or eight per cent. Loan assets increased by 10 per cent over the previous year to $23.7 billion. Deposits also increased from $32.2 billion to $34.2 billion, an increase of $2.0 billion or six
Group Chairman, Clifford Reis per cent. Earnings per share were $16.88 compared to $15.49 the previous year.
Saturday January 25, 2014
Kaieteur News
Letters... Where your views make the news
Reflections on Martin Luther King, Jr. DEAR EDITOR, January 20 marks the day, annually, when the American people, indeed the entire world, reflect on the life and work of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who was a strong advocate for equal rights and human dignity especially with respect to Blacks in the United States. It is no exaggeration to say that because of his strong advocacy and his passive resistance to discriminatory practices, race relations in the United States have seen marked improvement. In a real sense, King redefined race relations in the United States in a way no other person was able to do. The late Dr. King would be long remembered for his ability to communicate with people and to mobilize them through the power of speech, the most memorable of which was “I have a Dream” in which he re-affirmed a belief that someday all men regardless of race, colour or
creed would live like brothers. On April 3, 1968, he said to supporters that he had a vision of the “Promised Land” and that even though he may not live to see that day, that day would surely come. As fate would have it, the very next day he was shot and killed by someone obviously sick in the mind. That person turned out to be James Earl Ray who was captured after weeks of a massive manhunt. But it was his speech “I have a Dream’ delivered on August 28, 1963 at the Lincoln Memorial, Washington DC, that turned out to be the most acclaimed and enduring speech of all times. The choice of words, the imagery, the manner of articulation, the depth of emotion and thoughts were all flawless as could be seen from the following excerpts: “But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the
great vaults of opportunity of this nation. And so, we’ve come to cash this check, a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice.” “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.” I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character.” Profound words indeed. It speaks to the measure of the man and his visionary qualities that today a national holiday in the United States is declared on his birthday and a day of reflection, January 20, is observed in his honour. The United States today has a Black President in the person of Barack Obama, and indication of how much race relations have changed since the days of Martin Luther King. Sociologists have long (Continued on page 24)
The pivotal role of the Parent-Teacher Association DEAR EDITOR, In my recent contacts with parents of teenagers I was overwhelmed by the common complaints which most of them expressed, some of which are:“These children nowadays bent in one way and, no matter what you say, they got their own way.” “I decide to leave them by themselves, as any talk don’t seem to get through to them.” “These modern children only worrying with TV and cell phone, and don’t care ‘bout schoolwork.” “I does doan worry. I just do me work and leave them with dey stupidness.” “I try hard enough, and is time to take a rest. Let dem try deh.” Those of us who have profited from training in child and education psychology, and had the experience to use this to improve the behaviour of the children in our care, whether our own offspring or our students, will see the common thread in these complaints of a singular lack of the necessary techniques to deal with our young. It paints for us a daunting picture of our society when these children grow up to take over the reins of the various entities in our nation. I am now positing that some definite and urgent action of national proportions
should be embarked on to arrest this decline in the standards of the behaviour of our children. I think the natural channel which we can use to impart any of the needed skills and other requirements to parents is the Parent-Teacher Association, which is
supposed to be a normal institution connected with each school. I am therefore appealing to the Ministry of Education, the Education Officers in each region, and the administrators of the individual schools to (Continued on page 24)
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Kaieteur News
Saturday Januray 25, 2014
Saturday January 25, 2014
Kaieteur News
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NOTHING TO GAIN FROM BUDGET CUTS It seems to have taken APNU a long time to come to the realization that the PPPC administration is not interested in a jointly–crafted Budget. The government is not illdisposed towards negotiations on the Budget but its conduct has always suggested that it regards the preparation of the Budget as being its responsibility and its responsibility alone. The government has invited the private sector and APNU to Budget consultations. But APNU seems to be of the view that this somehow requires them to demand a whole series of information from the government so that they can have an understanding of the finances of the State. The government on the other hand does not view meaningful consultation as inferring a right to compendious stacks of information. Neither is the government of the view that consultations involve joint development of the Budget. As such, when the PPPC invites any party to consultations what it wants is simply some suggestions which it will then decide if it can accommodate within the Budget numbers. This is the PPPC’s idea of consultations. What the PPPC is looking
for from the opposition parties are suggestions and proposals. The government does not want any protracted haggling over numbers and policies. It wants a wish list and then to decide if or to what extent this wish list can be accommodated within the Budget. The opposition APNU seems to have taken a long time to recognize this. As such, each year for the past two years there have been bitter exchanges between the representatives of the PPPC government and APNU about who was responsible for the collapse of Budget talks. Some attempt was made to develop a framework as to how these negotiations should proceed but the government has never gotten around to formalizing this and does not seem interested in any other approach other than entertaining the opposition’s wish list. The opposition does not need to be part of this charade. By virtue of its one seat majority, now temporarily reduced to a dead heat because of the illness of one of APNU’s parliamentarians, the combined opposition has to vote in support of the Budget before it can be passed. The support of either one or both of the opposition
Dem boys seh...
GANGA GET A WAKE UP CALL
Ganga use to get up every morning, tek a smoke and read de news bout people. He does also like read dem boys seh. Well yesterday, dem boys tell de people de truth and Ganga get vex. Then he start fuh dress. He put on he shut jac and powder up he chest. He wife watch he and ask he wheh de fuuk yuh going? Is then he remember wha Donald tell he. “Don’t fuuking come back hey.” Dem boys seh that de thing sink when de driver collect de state car and Donald phone and ask he fuh de gas money. He lef stupid. Is then he wife continue. Woman story don’t done and He de Ganga shoulda know that bettah than anybody else. He get entangled wid a li’l gyal; then he get tie up wid tie up wid an engineer pun de west side. The he wife remind he that if he been sobaa he wouldn’t have pick Soobaa and put he neck pun a block fuh she. He got to learn that you don’t ever put you neck pun a block fuh anybody, much less a woman, especially an incompetent one. He did put he neck pun a block fuh Webster and Osman. He neck get grazed that time. This time Donald ain’t miss. Ganga neck get chop off. Is not Ganga alone. Dem boys hear that all dem minister who worth more than $20 million got to go. De last time dem boys check is everybody got to go, according to dem boys Maths. Dem can’t hide because de Waterfalls paper know all wha dem got, all wha dem hide in different people name and wha dem trying fuh hide in different people name. Dem boys stockpile nuff letters wid information that was sent to dem but dem never put dem in de paper because de Rat was part of it and he would have done nutten just like how he didn’t do nutten when dem boys expose de $60 million house wha a clerk wukking fuh $40,000 a month buy. As a matter of fact, he promote de husband. Since then dem boys been storing all dem letters and information fuh de day when a real judge or a real magistrate gun ask fuh dem. Dem boys glad that Donald prepare to chop off dem fuuking neck. Talk half and watch de chopping block.
parties is needed before the Budget is passed and this fact allows the opposition considerable leverage. The government has to negotiate with the opposition parties to enjoy passage of the Budget. And the government seems to prefer the route of preparing its own Budget, laying it before the National Assembly and then having rushed negotiations with the opposition parties before the deadline expires. Once the opposition parties recognize this, they will avoid wasting a great deal of time. Instead of requesting information, they should be readying themselves for the negotiating table because this is where the Budget differences will be settled.
The government is likely this year to return with funding for the Amaila Falls Hydroelectric Facility and the funds that were cut from the airport project and the Specialty Hospital. They will dare the opposition to cut it again because they feel that they have a strong case before the courts. The government’s position remains that there are no powers under our Constitution for the opposition to amend the Budget and they will therefore attempt to lure the opposition into doing what it has done over the past two years, cut and amend the allocations. And the opposition will oblige because they are of the opinion that they have this
prerogative. The public is increasingly becoming frustrated by this approach. It does not wish to endure another Budget that is going to be amended and cut. They will settle for the government passing its numbers but the opposition being allowed to exercise greater oversight over spending. In the end, it does not matter what the opposition does or how the government behaves. Voting patterns are entrenched and this pulling and tugging will only solidify these patterns. In other words when the opposition takes out its fiscals shears, it does not do anything for its standing in future elections. The ruling party benefits
all the time from a stand-off. The better strategy is therefore for the opposition to refuse to pass the Budget and to have a list of about ten things which they want to see included. They should lay these proposals on the table and have the government decide whether they will accede. There is nothing absolutely nothing for the opposition to gain from another round of Budget cuts.
Ramotar to abandon arbitrary salary increases for public servants … I am willing to give workers as much as the country can afford Head of State, Donald Ramotar, says that the way government has been arbitrarily imposing salary increases in recent years, is undesirable and as such he wants to have a negotiation with public servants this year, breaking the trend that has been vehemently opposed by unions. Ramotar made the disclosure, yesterday, when he met with the members of the media for the first time this year. He said, “I hope that this year they could have a good negotiated settlement and I hope that they can start talking soon so that we can have the right negotiations to have this in place.” The President said that he would want to have the matter expedited but did caution, “You don’t negotiate with yourself, it’s a two-way street.” Ramotar was asked to respond to recent statements made by Member of Parliament, Manzoor Nadir, who was reported as saying
that the salaries of public servants are sufficient to cover their needs. According to the President, Nadir did clarify and said that he was taken out of context. The President said that as it relates to salaries, naturally people would always like to earn more money for themselves. Ramotar said that he has seen “areas where people work for bigger salaries and still askng for more increases.” On the matter of salaries to be paid to public servants the President said that, “what I would say is I am willing to give workers as much as the country can afford.” He said that the payment of salaries and increase is not something isolated to one’s desires but it has to do with ability, “your capacity your resources that you have at your disposal,” Union bodies such as the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) and the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) has for years decried
what they called an abandonment of the Collective Bargaining Agreement process and has been arbitrarily imposing increases. The most recent spotlight on the lack of negotiated increases came when Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon, announced that public servants would be receiving an increase that would not be more than five per cent. That announcement had sparked a spate of protests with both union and opposition arguing that the National Assembly had voted $4.4B for the revision of wages and salaries which could have catered for an increase of 20 per cent. It was not until Parliament met last Thursday that an explanation was given as to how the money was used and how much was actually set aside for the salary increase for public servants. Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh was at the time responding to A Partnership
for National Unity’s Basil Williams, who sought the breakdown. Dr Singh in providing the formal answer to the House yesterday noted that in utilizing the $4.4B an amount of $1.6B was used to pay the five per cent increase. He said that employment shortfalls arising from new recruits amounted to $1.3B while employment costs shortfalls as a result of promotion totaled $300M. Dr Singh noted that $500M was utilized to pay the one-month bonus to the Disciplined Services. He stated too that another $700M was used as payment of employment cost shortfalls at subventions agencies while other employment shortfalls arising from payment of salary in lieu of leave and other activities was some $100M. Dr Singh did point out that some of the agencies were able to make the five percent increase payment from their own voted provisions.
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Kaieteur News
Saturday January 25, 2014
President Ramotar not uncomfortable with son’s performance US$37M E-Governance projects…
President Donald Ramotar has defended his son’s involvement in the EGovernance project, yesterday, saying he’s not uncomfortable at all. There have been criticisms that Alexei Ramotar, the oldest son of the President, was not performing. A Partnership For National Unity (APNU) has tabled a number of questions to Prime Minister Sam Hinds in the National Assembly questioning the delays of the project, including details of Ramotar’s salary. During a press conference at his office, yesterday, President Ramotar said that his son was appointed to the position before he became President. “I am very comfortable with his qualifications as well.” As head of the two EGovernance projects, the younger Ramotar has a Masters degree in
E-Governance testing site at Castellani House, Vlissengen Road, Georgetown. Mathematics and Computer Science, the President said. “I think he is eminently qualified for the job.” During a recent interview carried in the state-owned
newspaper Guyana Chronicle, Alexei Ramotar explained that there are two distinct Information Communication Technology (ICT) projects currently being
undertaken by government. Firstly, there is an EGovernment project which aims to provide the necessary ICT infrastructure for Government to improve efficiency between Government offices and the public. This project is a joint venture between the governments of Guyana and China to a tune of US$32M. The second project is called the DMDW Project which involved the running of a fibre optic cable from Lethem to Georgetown. This project is fully funded by the Government of Guyana to a tune of US$5M. Ramotar insisted that in terms of his responsibilities, he is responsible for the designing of the project, implementation and scheduling. The Project Manager pointed out that the
misunderstanding by APNU of what each project entails has led the coalition party to call his competency into question. “The E-Government Project is actually a very large project…and is covering the entire coast of Guyana, and heavily populated areas,” explained Mr. Ramotar. “It requires seven different technologies to implement– not a single technology, while the DWDM project is a relatively simpler project.” The E-Government Project had an initial end date of April 2014; this has been pushed back to August to facilitate testing of the network before it becomes fully operational. “We expect all the parts to be finished by April 2014; we are on track for that,” Mr. Ramotar explained. “The April to August period is where we will be doing a lot of testing, and optimization of the network and so forth. These are very standard things that happen in telecoms.” The Project Manager contended that the delay is due to several factors which arose out of the need to update the initial technology for the project. “That delay was for the better, because we have more, better technology- 4G is a better technology; and a larger part of the population can have access to it,” Ramotar explained. He said that government had to renegotiate with Huawei, the ICT project provider, for the change in
Alexei Ramotar technology. Government also had to engage in additional site tests. He further explained that the savings derived from the change in technology by Huawei allowed for government to include 24 additional network sites while still staying within budget. The DWDM Project, which was subcontracted to local contractors, however, encountered a number of delays primarily due to the improper handling and installation of the fibre cables. Additional delays resulted from road wash away, the building of the new 4-lane road on the EBD and vandalism. “We asked the consultant from Venezuela to come to Guyana to go through everything,” explained the Project Manager. Having examined the telecom design of the DWDM project, the consultant confirmed that it is proper and sufficient and has been recommended in a preliminary report that the methodology of the installation of the fiber needs to be changed. The final report is expected soon. Ramotar also used a television interview to address concerns about his qualifications. He explained that he has over a decade of work experience in network engineering, a degree in Computer Science from the University of Guyana and a Master ’s in Mathematics from the University of Waterloo, Canada. “I have experience in telecommunications in terms of how the systems operate, value services and so forth,” explained the Project Manager, “So I have a pretty broad experience in not only implementing, but also for designing networks, both for telecoms and wide area networks.” Mr. Ramotar noted that with his qualifications and his training, he opted to return to Guyana to serve, given the possibilities for ICT in the development of youth.
Saturday January 25, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 11
The Marriot Hotel Saga…
Opposition demands full details of “secret investors” during 2014 budget debate The political opposition is demanding the details on the “secret investors” of the Marriott Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown. The opposition will also be demanding an update on the hotel viability during this year’s budget discussions. If this is not provided, Vice Chairman of the Alliance For Change (AFC), Mr. Moses Nagamootoo, has said that “the scissors may not be the only weapon of struggle.” In addition, the Financial point man, Carl Greenidge, of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has emphatically stated that during the budget discussions in March, the Marriott Hotel will come under intense scrutiny. Greenidge said that he wants the full story on the
-‘If there isn’t any full disclosure, the scissors may not be the only weapon of struggle,’-Nagamootoo hotel which represents an assault on the local private sector with the assistance of taxpayers’ money. “The Minister will be asked to provide a detailed report on the funds spent up to this point, and who are these so-called secret investors. The building of hotels is not the business of government.” “There are a number of things which we need answered especially when one considers the unfavourable impact the hotel will have on our external indebtedness. This fiasco has
also proven that taxpayers’ rights rank last after bondholders and equity investors.” In supporting the points laid by the Financial Spokesman of the APNU, Nagamootoo said, “We want full disclosure on not only on the investors of the hotel but also an update of the viability of this project. “While it is lauded as a sign of development the government may now wish to say how viable the Marriott hotel would be and this secrecy over who would be the final investor is not
Victim turns gun on robbers identified as security guards A security guard attached to the Strategic Security Service was treated at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) Thursday night for a gunshot wound he sustained when he and his colleague reportedly came under attack while in Sophia. The injured man has been identified as 45-year-old Mortimer Maynard. He was shot to his left thigh and was discharged from the hospital late yesterday. His colleague is
Trevor Fraser, 42. Both men are now in police custody assisting with investigations. Police in a press release said that about 21:00 hours on Thursday, Maynard and Fraser were in North Sophia armed with a .38 revolver belonging to the security company when they were attacked by three men who took away the firearm from Fraser and discharged three rounds, one of which struck Maynard. However, Kaieteur News was told that the two guards
attempted to rob three men in Sophia when they were “over-powered” by the men who then took away the company’s weapon. Yesterday, Kaieteur News attempted at talk with Maynard while he was still a patient at the hospital but a female who was with him stopped him from speaking with anyone. She also verbally abused the reporter and asked that no one try to contact the injured man. Investigations are ongoing.
Carl Greenidge
Winston Brassington
Moses Nagamootoo
helpful to a project that depends on NICIL as the key player.” He added, “This government seems to be obsessed with secrecy. We have for example a lot of idle talks about job creation for young people but we have no disclosure as to how many young people are unemployed and the unemployment statistics still remain a secret. The last time we had a population survey was about nine or ten years ago. We understand one was done some time ago but the findings remain a secret. Therefore how do we go
about responding to the needs of our people where there is a lack of information and it is characterized by secrecy.” The Member of Parliament said that he is not optimistic that it will be able to break down the wall erected by the “post Jagan” government which seeks to keep the Guyanese people uninformed. “So it is in this context that the call being made by Greenidge has to be seen as an attempt to arrest from the government information that will help the Parliament to plan properly and decide what the nation needs.
“I would not like us to speculate on what the AFC is likely to do at budget time if we find that the government is not upfront on this issue but we would at the appropriate time decide what the necessary sanctions will be. But let me just say that if this is not done then the scissors may not be the only weapon of struggle.” While the construction of the hotel is still continuing, President Donald Ramotar had declared on Wednesday last at Tourism Stakeholders Reception that the International Hotel is scheduled for its opening in August.
Page 12
Kaieteur News
Saturday January 25, 2014
New Amsterdam Municipality, Local Government Ministry on collision course ‘Town Clerk forced to sign document under duress’- Deputy Mayor New Amsterdam Municipality and the Ministry of Local Government are on a collision course over collecting Solid Waste in Municipality It seems like the same script but different players. The allegation is that the Ministry is using the Town Clerks to bully the various Municipalities. But the New Amsterdam Town Council is prepared to fight. The council is ready to reject a document purportedly signed by its Town Clerk, Sharon Alexander, giving the greenlight to Advanced Environmental Solutions whose Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is Zaheer Osman, with office at Princess Elizabeth Road, New Amsterdam. This disclosure was made by Deputy Mayor Harold Dabydeen at a press briefing held in the chambers of the Mayor and Town Council in New Amsterdam, yesterday. A terse and upset Mr. Dabydeen was flanked by Environmental Health Officer Mr Ackloo Samsud and Councilor Joseph Anthon. The Deputy Mayor stated that he was invited to a meeting with officials of the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development where a number of officials
from the other Municipalities and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDC) were present. He said that Town Clerk Alexander was also at that meeting. Mr. Dabydeen stated that from his understanding the meeting had to do with the performance of the local Government organs and the collection of Solid Waste in the Region. He said that he paid rapt attention to the presenters and after listening in depth to everything that was said he was not satisfied that Environmental Solution was up to the job. He said that as such, it was reasoned that unless the company could come up with something tangible to satisfy the Mayor and Town Council and the residents that it could fulfill the mandate of Solid Waste collection in the Town, the council will not enter into any agreement to privatise solid waste collection in the town. “This issue is a no, no because there are loopholes in the matter. He questioned the working of the Local Government Ministry and called for an immediate investigation into the workings of that Ministry. The Deputy Mayor added
that before the conclusion of the meeting, the Town Clerk asked to be excused and was quickly followed by an official of the Local Government Ministry- one Mr. Jerrick. Mr. Dabydeen said that to his astonishment, he received a call from the Town Clerk during the evening informing him that she was forced to sign a document that gave the right to Mr. Osman, to collect solid waste from residents and businesses in the Municipality. He said that the council views the situation as serious. Mr. Dabydeen said that what was upsetting and totally disrespectful and a blatant eye pass was that he as Deputy Mayor of the Municipality was present at the meeting and the Local Government Ministry totally disregarded him. The Deputy Mayor said that the municipality will disregard the document signed by the Town Clerk. In answer to another question, he said that the Town Clerk was not given a copy of the document and from what he understood she was not even given a chance to read the document. He said that there is a Statutory Meeting planned for Monday and the issue will
be fully ventilated. He is not sure what action will be taken against the Town Clerk since the entire council is upset. Meanwhile Town Clerk Sharon Anderson stated that the entire issue of Solid Waste has to do with the Ministry of Local Government and any questions should be directed to the Ministry. She
said that she did not get to read the document, but from what she understood it did not hand over the job of solid waste collection to anyone, but just gave permission for collection. Advanced Solutions had planned to start the collection by the end of last year . The company was awarded the
contract by the Local Government Ministry after the government terminated the contract of Concept Solid Waste because that company failed to meet the requirements stipulated by the contract. It is not too sure where the Company would be dumping its solid waste.
Passengers need not worry about domestic flights Stakeholders in the local aviation industry are confident that the sector is efficient, reliable and safe with well maintained flying machines and competent personnel to pilot aircraft and monitor air traffic. Their sentiments contrast the opinions of many passengers who prefer not to the travel with the “small aircraft” transporting passengers to locations in Guyana’s interior. And, recent accidents and incidents involving “small aircraft” have increased their fears. But stakeholders in the industry believe that it should be appreciated that on a daily basis 150 flights, or more, leave Ogle International Airport and return safely. On average about 1,400 flights travel in and out of the airport monthly carrying about 7,000 passengers. According to Kit
Nascimento, Public Relations Office of Ogle International Airport, given the thousands of flying hours logged by aircraft out of the airport every month by comparison to any statistics anywhere in the world Guyana has one of the safest flight records. “If you take the thousands of hours flown every year and compare them to the number of accidents per annum, again Guyana would have one of the safest records in the world… Guyana’s safety record for domestic aircraft flying in the hinterland is comparable to northern Canada which has similar conditions,” he said. He emphasized that Guyana’s pilots are as highly trained as any pilots flying aircraft anywhere in the world. Guyana has an enviable safety record by any international standard. In addition, passengers are much safer flying in an aircraft in Guyana than travelling on the road. An operator at Ogle International Airport related that the airport’s control tower falls under Guyana Civil
Aviation Authority’s supervision. It is staffed with well trained personnel who also execute similar duties at Timehri Air Traffic Control Tower. The operator added that there are numerous singleengine aircraft traversing Guyana’s airspace. These machines are said to be more efficient, reliable and safe and are not a threat to the safety of passengers. According to Captain Gerry Gouveia, the Caravan is a new and modern aircraft with jet engines. They are extremely high-tech and reliable. “However, a plane with one engine is still a plane with one engine,” he said. He added that the Caravan is a new state-of-art aircraft that flies all over the world and has been in Guyana since 1995. Gouveia said that even though a machine may be built a certain way it unfortunately fails sometimes. However, in the case of aircraft with twin-engines, one serves as backup in event that one engine fails. They are more expensive to maintain but it is obviously better than one. With recent accidents and incidents such as the Matthews Ridge plane crash, where 12 passengers escaped alive and the Mazaruni plane crash, which claimed the lives of a pilot Blake Slater and cargo loader Dwayne Jacobs involving single-engine Cessna Caravans have left many questioning if twinengine aircraft are better. According to an observer, the reports of these accidents must be made public so passengers and operators in the industry should know what the root causes for the accidents are. The observer emphasized that the report for the Matthew’s Ridge plane crash was not made public and operators are unaware if the crash was caused by pilot error, weather or a mechanical problem with the aircraft.
Saturday January 25, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 21
Tech giant completes IMMIGRATION INFO: Int’l training course Conditional Green
Card Holder in Troubled Marriages Attorney Gail S. Seeram, Gail@ GailLaw.com
The technical training session. STARR Computer Inc. again passed another milestone on its service resume by completing another international training course on Samsung Smart Television Repairs. A team of two highly qualified Samsung engineers, Hector Guevara and Andres Angel, along with two support personnel conducted the specialized training on its Samsung Smart TV at STARR Headquarters, 59 Brickdam Stabroek. The technical training was attended by 12 support personnel and covered both hardware and software repairs to Samsung televisions. This new product line training adds greater capacity to STARR Service Center which is already certified to service and repair other major international brands which includes, Lenovo, APC Power Protection, Q-See Security products, First Alert, and many others. STARR Service Centre, one of the largest in the Caribbean, has over the past two decades specialized in IT repairs, research and development and manufacturing of computers. Now customers can have their
Smart TV warranty honored by STARR Service Center. According to Mike Mohan, with the launch of its new state of the art Television department, STARR Computer along with Samsung is very committed to delivering excellent after sale support for its sale of Samsung Televisions in Guyana hence the technical training. Genuine Samsung TV for Guyana and Latin America sold at STARR comes with a full one-year warranty for free parts and labor at STARR Service Center. However, warranty coverage for the US domestic version TV becomes void once it leaves the shores of the US. And parts and labor can be quite expensive. As we all know, Samsung is the largest Electronic Manufacturer in the world, and holds the Number 1 spot in the TV space. Samsung leads Sony, LG, Toshiba, Sharp and all the other brands around the world with Sales, Technology and style. STARR Computer offer Genuine Samsung phones, tablets, televisions and laptops all backed by Samsung Warranty and support.
During a marriage-based petition, if the petitioner and beneficiary were married for less than two years at the time of approval, then the beneficiary receives Conditional Permanent Resident status. The Conditional Permanent Resident (CPR) status will be granted for a two-year period. A Conditional Permanent Resident (CPR) who obtained his or her status through marriage to a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident must file Form 1-751 to remove the conditions on his or her residence before their two-year status expires. When filing Form I-751, it can be filed jointly by petitioner and beneficiary spouse or a waiver can be filed if the petitioner and beneficiary spouse have terminated their marriage or the beneficiary is a battered spouse. A waiver of the joint filing requirement cannot be filed based solely on the fact that a Conditional Permanent Resident may have entered the marriage in good faith, but he or she is legally separated from the petitioning spouse or is currently in divorce or annulment proceedings. If a Service Center
Guyana, Haiti expected to lead economic growth in 2014- WESP Guyana and Haiti are expected to lead the economic growth among countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, according to the recently released United Nations’ annual World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) report 2014. A report by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) last December put Guyana’s economic growth close to WESP’s projections of 4.6 per cent in 2014. It said that both Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries are projecting to have economic growth of 4.5 per cent this year, followed by other CARICOM member states Trinidad and Tobago 2.5 per cent, Jamaica 1.2 per cent and Barbados one per cent. Last year Guyana recorded an economic growth of 4.6 per cent while Haiti’s
growth was estimated at 3.5 per cent. “Overall in the Caribbean region, growth is projected at 3.3 per cent for this year. Last year, growth for the Caribbean region was estimated at 2.4 per cent in 2013, slightly slower than in the last two years.” The report notes that Latin America and the Caribbean are expected to hasten their growth to 3.6 per cent and 4.1 per cent respectively in the next couple
of years, up from 2.6 per cent in 2013. The WESP report attributes the positive growth in 2014-2015 to sound macroeconomic policies, resilient domestic demand and the gradual recovery in developed economies. However, it warns that economic growth remains subject to growth in other economies, mainly the Euro area, the United States and China, which is now growing at a slower pace than in previous years.
In 2013, although the region experienced growth, economic expansion was uneven. South America led with 3.2 per cent growth in gross domestic product (GDP) in 2013, up from 2.5 per cent in 2012, due to a rebound in Argentina and Brazil. By contrast, in Mexico and Central America, economic activity is estimated to have slowed down to 1.5 per cent in 2013 from 4.0 per cent in 2012, in part because the Mexican economy has faced structural constraints and GDP growth decelerated significantly to only 1.2 per cent. WESP is produced at the beginning of each year by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN/ DESA), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the five United Nations regional commissions.
Immigration Service Officer (ISO) encounters a waiver request on the basis of termination of marriage, but the Conditional Permanent Resident is currently legally separated or in pending divorce or annulment proceedings, the ISO issues a Request for Evidence (RFE) with a response period of 87 days. In many cases the divorce will take place during the response period to the RFE, which affords the CPR the opportunity to establish eligibility for the waiver by submitting a copy of his or her final divorce decree or annulment. If the CPR establishes eligibility for the waiver, the ISO adjudicates the petition on the merits in accordance with established procedure. If the Conditional Permanent Resident does not respond to the RFE, or if the Conditional Permanent Resident ‘s response does
Gail S. Seeram not establish eligibility for the waiver, the ISO denies the 1751 and issues a Notice of Termination of Conditional Resident Status. The ISO then refers the case through the proper chain of command for issuance of a Notice to Appear (NTA) for appearance in immigration court. A request to waive the joint filing requirement must prove that removal from the United States would result in extreme hardship; the Conditional Permanent Resident entered the marriage in good faith, but the marriage was terminated; OR the Conditional Permanent Resident entered the marriage in good faith, but the petitioning spouse or parent battered the Conditional Permanent Resident spouse or child.
Page 22
Kaieteur News
Saturday January 25, 2014
FOR SALE
FOR SALE
TO LET
LARGE QUANTITIES O F H IGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICKSILVER) 99.99995% PURITY $19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. Puppies – Breed Pekingese & Tibetan Terror Contact: 644-1972; 661-2837
One 210 Hyundai Excavator with one complete 6" Dredge and also 4" Dredge Contact: 650-2391
Fully furnished short term apartments, Eccles call: 347933-9790, 639-4452.
WANTED 1 Female caretaker, preferably from Soesdyke area Contact:220-8110; 622-4364
WHIRLPOOL WASHING MACHINE – TEL:644-5151
Aracari Hotel. West Bank Demerara Rates from $30 Tel: 264-2946-8
1 Male Caretaker from ages 35-50 – Contact:220-8110; 622-4364
1 Mastercraft circle saw with laser line for sale.Tel:689-0486
1 House in South Ruimveldt Tel :667-5717; 629-2912
Large plucked chickens, wholesale only $300 per lb Contact: 266-2711, 609-4594
Two plot of land ¼ Acre or 3X25 Rod each @ Lot 15 & 16 Doctor Dam, La-Grange WBD - Tel: 697-5009; 665-7022
WANTED Male & female to work at washbay in C/Ville - Tel: 6694676
Whole chicken, wholesale only, free delivery to Ogle Airstrip Tel: 692 5373
Male & Female Models needed urgently for upcoming shows - Contact: 677-3191
Single or small family for live in, security - Tel:227-1830
1 Stall @ Stabroek Market Tel: 658-0115; 718-757-8031
Furnished rooms & Apartments (1,2&3) bedrooms apartment long & short term rental @ 95 Fifth Avenue Subryanville Phone: 227-2199; 227-2189
DIESEL MECHANIC FOR INTERIOR/ GEORGETOWNCONTACT: 223-5273/4
Spare for washing machine, microwaves,fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, pumps, etc call: 225-9032, 647-2943 Dell computers complete with 20" LCD $65,000, laptops @ $55,000 Futuretech - Call: 231-2206 Just Imported! David’s Beautiful Bridal Outfit & Accessories Re: Jewelry, Purses, etc. All going @ reasonable prices. Contact:225-9450; 649-4435 1 Bedford 4x4 truck with Hiab, 1 4x4 bush ready pick up - Contact Kim - Tel: 6585193 270 Amps Portable Honda Welders and 1-2002 Tundra Tel: 611-5114
PVC Ceiling Panels. Best Quality! Tel: 614-8564; 6800862
Fully furnished apartments for rent: TV, air-conditioned, hot and cold water @ South Ruimveldt Park- Tel:689-5877
Angle Grinder, Circular Saw, Belt Sander, Routers, drilling machine, foam spray and general hardware – Tel:6148564; 629-0372
1 - New Bottom flat concrete apartment, fully tiled, 1500 SqFt on the E.C.D suitable for office - Tel: 610-9809; 614-6316
Foreign used Cummings 6 Cylinder engines - $750,000 negotiable - Tel: 673-9501
2 Bedroom apartment @ 2290 Section C Block X Diamond New Scheme – Tel:673-8128
3 Industrial air condition units, 1- Crash Mercedes Benz, 1- 15KVA generators, 1 – AE100 Toyota, 5 printers – Tel:223-1589; 227-4406 8am4pm Ford F150 spare parts and accessories - Call:685-2584 Greenheart Piles - Tel:6393450
Live/pluck chicken call: 6504421, 220-9203
1 Complete 6" Dredge. Tel: 623-2728; 667-5717
1- 500 Ton Cargo ship - Tel: 676-6933
1 Shead 12" Robinson Moulder needs motor price for quick sale - $1M – Tel: 652-5601
One 50ft fishing boat with ice box (1300 lbs) and 450lbs Bangamary Seine 2¾ Contact:695-9860 One 45Ft fishing boat with Ice box (8000lb), 375lb catguts sane (5 inch) 40 Yamaha Engine – Tel:2207655; 667-8921; 695-9860 Rottweiler Pups, both parents importers with full Pedigree from champion blood lines - Tel: 685-2584
Bedford 330 engines and gearbox for sale along with other parts – Tel:661-9196 Dell Laptops, touch screen $230,000 – Tel:695-2679 1 Fishing vessel fully loaded, 15 Yamaha, ice-box (650Lbs) Nylon 5" Seine (2.8M) – Tel:660-1825; 695-2679. Price Negotiable!
Bond Space 20x10 @ West Ruimveldt – Tel:672-7194 Fully furnished Vacation home with all amenities- Call during working hours- 227-1218 1 - Three Bedrooms house to rent @ Belyzheit Gardens Tel: 652-6565 Lodge Apartments (Vlissengen / Durban): Unfurnished - $40,000$60,000 P/M, furnished studio ( for Visitors) - $500US P/M - Tel: 698-9086 We pay cash & legal fees for land in Parafaite Harmonie – Tel:675-7292
One Three Seater Suite & one wooden wardrobe. Price Negotiable! Contact: 6166060. 1 IPod Touch 64Gb - Tel: 6913812 Gifts from Jerusalem, we have various varieties of amazing and unique gift items – Tel:613-9589;6780998 4 – 250 Gallons fuel tanks – Tel: 667-5717; 623-2728 Used Laptops $30,000 to $60,000 – Tel: 227-0095
Make Up Courses, Artist Trained & Certified in Trinidad. Call: 660-5257, 647-1773 Earn a Certificate in Cosmetology, wig designs or nails alone, beginning February 3rd Limited Spaces Tel: 666-5241/ 619-7603 Beautopia School of Cosmetology: Cosmetology, nails, facial/make-up courses Tel: 604-3002; 629-3497
Urgently need live in waitresses to work in bar, reasonable salary offer - Tel: 259-0574
Cashiers & Porters for Yog Yog’s Frozen Yogurt 79 Albert & Laluni Streets in Queenstown “Nimbus Building” Call:231-7002
Experienced Taxi and bus driver and dispatcher at Princess Hotel - Tel: 2657076; 616-8419 Couple (Husband & wife) to work on a Farm -Tel:601-5500 One Technician specialized in nail art design, air brush and hair extension – Tel:2316000 Porters & Salesgirls. Apply with written application at Best Buy Food Supplies, Lot 1 Middleton & Dennis St, Campbellville. Male & female bartenders, waiters, waitresses need urgently – Tel:677-3191
2 Bedrooms Bottom Flat @ Nandy Park – Tel:610-4436
1 Night Security – Tel: 6675717; 650-4761 Live in Domestic must know to cook 25 years & up starting salary - $50,000 monthly. Boarding & Lodging free – Tel:610-5043
CAR RENTAL
SALON
Cashiers, waitresses, cooks & dispatchers – Tel:2332322; Cell:678-4470;629-4878 (Preferably applicants from EBD)
General Managers to work on land dredges Contact# 226-9768; 669-0855
Wings Car Rental- Call: 643-1131 Dolly’s Car Rental- Call: 2257126/226-3693- dollysauto rental@yahoo.com/ www. dolly sautorental.com Premio, Vitz call:347-9339790, 639-4452. Aidan’s Car Rental & Pickup Call: 645-7981/ 698-7807 Latest model vehicles @ unbeatable Prices – Tel:6855011; 692-1051 J o s h u a ’s C a r R e n t a l Call:665-6485; 679-8400
Mechanic for interior Contact: 223-5273/4
Celebrity Look Beauty Salon Station To Rent: Hair - $6,000 & Nail: $4,000 [ between Camp & Alexander St - Tel: 602-2337 (Leoita)
Kitty -$80,000, Greenfeild Park - $US 1250, East Coast $40,000, Atlantic Garden – $US900 – Contact Diana:2272256; 626-9382
1 Farm at Yarrowkabra 20.1 Acres – Tel:265-3586 Yamaha R1 motorcycle. Excellent Condition - Tel: 685-1231
Live-in waitress, bartender and going and coming cooks Tel: 643-9007; 664-1804
Labourers - Call:225-6070; 225-4492
Experienced Roti / Puri Cooks, Pastry Makers, Counter Servers & handyboys. Apply at Hacks Halaal, Lot 5 Commerce St. Land to buy in Parafaite Harmonie - Tel:675-7292 House lots to buy in Parika Tel: 675-7292 Land to Buy in Herstelling – Tel:675-7292
Attractive live in waitressCall: 327-0252/674-4665 General Domestic – Call:2262710 (Kitty or E.C.D area) A Hire Car to work, must be in good condition - Tel:6914963 Empty Canon Cartridges Tel: 675-7292 One live in maid - Tel: 6431554 FRESH MINT LEAF TO PURCHASE - TEL:2235273/4
FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. – CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620
EDUCATIONAL Balloon Décor Training. Classes on 28th January 2014. Call 225-3133; 613-7513 to register and more info. Courses in dressmaking, curtains, floral & cake decoration - Tel: 670-2653; 618-1706 Foundations of Nursing Practice courses in Home Nursing and child care - Tel: 692-2063; 613-0803; 231-5756
VACANCY 24 Hour East Coast Guyoil needs night pump attendants, salesgirl & office assistant Call: 670-8893/684-2838 Vacancy Exist at Nirva Supermarket for cashiers. Apply in person with written application Bartenders, cooks, kitchen assistants & attractive waitress between ages 17 – 27 to work in the Kitty Area Tel: 227-5857; 610-8269 Drivers, Evening Cashiers, porters/bond attendants at Survival Shopping Complex, 173 Sheriff Street. For more information contact:592227-5288/89 1 I.T Technician Qualified in SQL server maintenance. Send Application, CV @ Survival Shopping Complex, 173 Sherriff Street – Contact:592-527-5288/89 Cosmetologist good for manicure, pedicure, nail art and massage – Call:227-4799
Two Bedroom flat @ East Bank Demerara - Tel:628-0681 CAMP STREET, Prime Business Space Call:6394499 2- Two bedrooms bottom flat – Tel:613-6402
Land to buy in Eccles – Tel:675-7292
Newly Built Apartments on W.C.D Furnished and unfurnished – Tel:698-6496
1 Truck Driver with Fork Lift & Bobcat experienced – Tel:274-0424; 274-0435
1 Semi-furnished apartment in Diamond H/Scheme - Tel: 685-6397
1 Handy Man, 1 Small Engine Mechanic 3yrs experiencecall: 233-2408
1 House at Enmore, Top & bottom flat - $35,000 monthly for each- Tel:677-1495.
LEARN TO DRIVE Shalom Driving School @ 2 Croal Street and enjoy 20% Discount – Tel:227-3835; 227-3869;622-8162 Ultraviolet Driving School. Contact: 231-2372; 2260765; 602-2583 Soman & Sons Driving School , First Federation Building Call 225-4858, 6445166,622-2872,615-0964 (Continued on page 23
Saturday January 25, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 23
(From page 22)
PROPERTY FOR SALE LAND FOR SALE Lot A Good Intent, Essequibo Coast - Tel: 6491382; 699-4736 2- Acres cultivated, 2-1 Acres cultivated, 7 Acres cultivated, citrus, house, fish pond, storage at Parika- Call: 226-7968 Gold and Diamond mining lands already prospected Tel:699-3992 Diamond New Scheme, Price - $6M Negotiable - Tel:6048369 Serious Inquiries only! Parfaite Harmonie - $2.2M [100ftX50ft]– Tel:675-7292 Parika - $4M – Tel:675-7292
VERSAILLES: Furnished 5 bedrooms, self-contained rooms, modern facilities, generator, beautiful landscape, gated community - Call: 592-6248704/ 592-684-9203 Close to Regent Street$46M, Campbellville (2 Buildings)-$23M, Camp Street - $34.5M - Contact Diana: 227-2256; 626-9382 One - 2 Storey House @ Avenue A Diamond Tel:643-5161 2 Business Property on Whim Public Road Berbice Tel: 619-7134; 225-6481 One three storey business property @ Middle Street Georgetown - Tel: 619-7134; 225-6481 House and land @ De’ Edward W.C.B - Tel:689-2973 2 Storey Property Agriculture Road - Tel: 612-2522
MASSAGE The Gent’s Spa: Let beautiful sophisticated masseuse pamper you: New masseuse available- Call:657-5979
Ogle – $40M, Republic Park - $40M, Business Concern in Georgetown - $60M, 155.55 acres – High Way - $30m – Tel: 645-5938 If selling your house or land Call Ron: 675-7292 Painted 2 storey concrete building 53x26, transported property at 69 Jackson street, Daniels Town, Essequibo Coast - Call: 621-7346 Rice Factory @ Wakenaam Tel: 686-4994; 225-3070
PEN PAL Independent 27yrs old female looking for a loving, faithful & caring man for serious relationship - Tel: 220-6081
1 – 3 Bedrooms Transported concrete house with foundations for upstairs, Bungalow roof, high concrete fence 5184Sqft Land - Tel: 641-4812 Eccles Residential (Transported) 2 flat building 4 bedrooms, large patio, garage (3 vehicles), & large shed. Flood Free Area! - Tel: 652-5601
CAKES AND PASTRIES Courses in floral arrangements, cookery, cakes & Pastries, Cake decoration, bridal accessories, starting February 3rd - Contact: 2233303; 672-8768; 612-4193
Concrete 3 bedrooms transported property @ New Scheme Tuschen E.C.E $8.5M – Tel:692-3454 Charlestown Corner Property - $35M - Tel: 6735882
VEHICLE FOR SALE 2008 Honda CRV imported from England 17" Rim Antitheft stereo system 2000 CC fully loaded $6.8M – Tel:642-7295; 220-2345 Toyota Marino Ac, CD, Mags recently sprayed over - $725,000. AT192 AC, CD, mags, good condition $850,000 – Tel:619-1047 One ToyotaAllion year 2002 and Mercedes C230 Kompressor year 2000 price negotiable Tel:614-8018 (Lady Driven) 1 -1RZ, 15 seater, automatic mini-bus, BNN 3760 - $1.7M Negotiable. Good condition, never used for public transportation – Tel:6280310 ; 672-5429 2002 Rav 4 PNN series, fully loaded - Tel: 694-6537; 650-7875
SERVICES Designing and sewing classes in your district. Sharmela (Canadian- trained) - Contact: 626-2629, 676-6312
Technicians available for appliance repairs – washers, dryers, microwaves, stoves, deep fryers, etc – Tel:6190793; 218-0050
1 Black Titan 4 wheel drive, fully loaded - $3.5M – Tel: 699-2322 or 678-2814 ALYEA AUTO SALE: PREMIO 2004, ALLION 2008 NEW SHAPE & CARINA 212 @ 40 CROAL STREET STABROEK – TEL:231-7284; 622-3823 Smart Choice Auto: Unregistered Premio, IST, Runx & Spacio - Tel:6523820; 665-4529
One Honda XR 125 Scrambler – Price $320, 000 negotiable – Tel:699-7697
1 Toyota NZE corolla, AT192, AT212, AT170, IST, Funcargo, Rav-4, Hilux pickup 4x4 – Tel:644-5096; 697-1453
1 AT192 Carina - $500,000 Tel: 669-4676
2008 Fielder, latest Model $2.7M – Tel: 617-2891
One Super Custom Bus, unregistered 1 Toyota L Touring wagon, EP71 Starlet, Spacio - Tel: 644-5096; 697-1453
Nissan Pathfinder (Left Hand Drive) - $1.7M & Nissan Laurel - $700,000 [Both Negotibale] Telephone: 6441144
Black Toyota Fielder, Rims, Aero Body kit, DVD, CD, Stereo - $2,250,000 negotiable - Tel:689-7325 First Class Auto: Premio, Spacio, Passo, IST, 212, Raum Cold & New Modles Tel: 609-8188; 602-6307 Unregistered Toyota Fielder, TV Rims, Alarm, Camera etc, low mileage - Tel: 654-2036; 663-2700 2008 Toyota Premio, unregistered - $3.7M, 2004 Toyota Spacio PRR $2.4M negotiable - Fully Loaded. Tel: 615-4114 Toyota Noah 2004 Model, 16 inch Mags, silver. Excellent condition! Price:$1.8M negotiable - Tel:612-2258 One Honda CRV fully equipped with running bars & other accessories, PNN Series. Excellent Condition! Price Negotiable - Tel: 660-6763 Toyota Spacio 2002, Late PRR Series, Excellent condition, $2.1M (negotiable) Tel: 611-2802. Owner migrating! Toyota PNN 2852, AA60 Carina (excellent condition) - $525,000. Free Mechanical repairs for first 2 months Tel: 666-9719
DRESSMAKING
VEHICLE FOR SALE
Unregistered Toyota Premio - $2.550M - Tel: 6788534;693-9246 FOR RENTAL Equipped Kitchen - $35,000 per week @ Julian’s Restaurant & Bar, Cummings Street -Tel:638-4505; 225-4709
SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. – CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Repairs, sales & spares air conditioning, microwaves, washer, fridges & stoves. Ultra Cool, call: 225-9032,647-2943 Repairs to Fridge, Freezer, AC, Washers, Stoves: Call 683-1312,627-3206 (Nick) We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer call:2310655,683-8734 Omar Instant Blackberry unlocking - Call: 675-2239; BBM 25C58FEO HOUSE PLAN DRAFTING FOR ONLY $10,000CALL:694-9843/227-2766
2 - 2007 Toyota Avensis - Tel: 698-0674
Make your music available in 95+ online stores, Email: infopack@sslbs.com to download details.
AT192, 212, Allion, Premio, Hilux Surf, BNN & RZ & Pitbull buses, 7 seater super custom. Cash / terms - Call: 680-3154
For all your prefab building works & welding fabricating etc. 5 B r i c k e r y E B D - Te l : 658-2567; 660-3466
We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 Tacoma - Call: 680-3154
Brains Construction & Rental Services: Excavator, Bobcat, Truck, Tools - Tel: 6015024/ 227-4536 (Bobcat & Excavator Operator needed)
2005 Toyota Raum, fully loaded - $2.1M - Tel:6917475; 626-9590
Services and repairs to gas stoves, washing machines Call: 688-0183
Toyota Runx – Tel:645-5893
For professional Visa & Passport Applications: K&P Project Management Co. Tel: 231-5876
One Toyota Premio, year 2002 to 2005 – K/M -43,000, fully automatic, TV,CD, DVD, cameras, 17" mags – Tel:600-4011 Nissan Wingroad wagon $1.6M – Tel:645-5893 Unregistered Toyota Sienta (2004) 1500cc & 7 seater - Tel: 617-5536 One Toyota AT-192 Leather interior, rims, etc - Tel: 6161671 AT 212 Toyota Carina – Contact:223-6901; 622-1514 1.5 & 2 Ton Canter with power gate - Tel:617-2891 AT192 Toyota Car - $850K. Negotiable – Tel:697-8545
House plan drafting from$10,000 surveying and estimates services available Tel: 667-2189 Masons seeking daily or job work - Tel: 678-9043 Permanent & Visitors Visa Applications, Professional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building Call:225-6496,662-6045, 223-8115 GT TOOLS RENTAL: EVERYDAY SPECIAL! RANSOM, HEAVY TOOLS, SAW, TILE & STEEL CUTTERS, MANY MORE - TEL: 675-0767; 627-5098
1 - RZ minibus, $1.3M negotiable, working condition - Tel: 612-0375
We Refill HP cartridges for $1800 call: 650-7699
1 Ford F-150 2009 GRR 7452. In Perfect Condition! – Tel:227-3728; 618-3712
Grill work, concrete block molds, general arc welding Tel: 627-6874
Page 24
Kaieteur News
Saturday January 25, 2014
Letters... Where your views make the news Letters... Where your views make the news
Whether Mr. Solomon is successful or not in... From page 4 attract BOSAI into Linden, and RUSAL into Berbice. Be assured that the PPP/ C would insist on the largest possible sustainable benefits from these foreign direct investors. At the same time, we must recall that when we owned and ran those operations, our costs were exceeding available market prices by up to 30%. We should recognize that there is no bonanza now in bauxite, only opportunity for work, hard work and work with great discipline. We have to put our all, and a little more, into our bauxite operations to keep them viable and able to carry a decent wage. Allow me to recall that our past President, Mr. Bharat Jagdeo, then an officer in the Ministry of Finance, led a socio-economic study of Linden in about 1994, with a number of young economists, some of whom were
sons and daughters of Linden. This provided a basis for this PPP/C Government to seek another European Union intervention, to take Linden beyond bauxite, beyond being a bauxite town. We sought to have a number of infrastructure projects included – greatly upgraded roads to Ituni and Kwakwani and, also, Linden to Kimbia on the Berbice River. We had to settle for a people-changing project with monies included only for surveys and demonstrations of the infrastructure projects that we desired. Allow me also to point again to this Government’s investments in Linden/Region 10 into schools, housing, roads, water and the hospitals. Already, in February 1967, the day on which Dr. Cheddi Jagan suffered a heart attack, I and then Minister of Education, the late Dr. Dale Bisnauth, had just returned to
Reflections on... From page 5 debunked the notion of ethnic or racial superiority. There is no scientific evidence to suggest that any race is more intellectually or culturally endowed than the other. Whatever differences existed are largely the work of sick and unscrupulous minds who refuse to accept that blacks and coloureds are
as developed and advanced in every aspect and domain of knowledge and intellect. The fact is that colour is only skin deep and in no way reflective of character or personality. This is why people of the calibre of Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. are so highly valued and revered by people all over the world. Hydar Ally
Georgetown from a full-day visit to Linden, where we toured 14 sites, mainly schools and one community building, all of which were being rehabilitated in a major way, or being built anew. We started early in Linden. Linden, today, is much larger than, and greatly improved from, where it was in 1992. Just travel around, all around, look, and see. There is a lot that has been accomplished, perhaps not in an overly flashy way but in our PPP/C way that some may think of as a bit plodding – little by little, stage by stage, as evidenced in the history of the development of Amelia’s Ward. We in the PPP/C have more right than anyone else, particularly Solomon and APNU, to be disappointed over the lack of mutual agreement and movement on the Linden committees. Our disappointment starts from the rejection, as well as the manner of rejection, of the agreement between us in budget talks of 2012, to begin a staged normalization of electricity provision in Linden, looking at merging the Linden area into the national grid over, say, a five-year period. We could understand the people of Linden not welcoming the proposals, but a responsible APNU could have come back with a proposal to, say, delay the start from mid-2012 to the
Political grandstanding... From page 5 interested in having any discussion with him at this point.” This unfortunately, is the same attitude of the opposition that justified decisions taken by former President Bharrat Jagdeo without fully consulting the
opposition during his administration. Then a few days ago, on January 17, signaling his intentions to cut the 2014 National Budget, Leader of the Opposition, David Granger claimed that his party was being sidelined and has not been properly consulted
on the budget. But by his own admission, “There had been some exchange between the Shadow Minister of Finance, Mr. Carl Greenidge and the Finance Minister, Dr. Singh but those were not consultations.” Of course this statement by Granger was highly misleading, and caused Dr. Singh on January 20 to label this a “blatant lie and publicity stunt.” If Granger and Greenidge really have the nation’s best interest at heart, they would find the time to meet with the Minister of Finance to unequivocally find common ground in reaching consensus on the 2014 National Budget. Instead, I am convinced that they are deliberately using the excuse of not meeting with the Minister to prepare the Guyanese people as part of an ill-conceived strategy to justify butchering the budget when it is presented to the National Assembly. If this economic sabotage continues, President Ramotar will be best advised to bite the bullet and call new elections. Harry Gill
beginning of 2013. We understand that leaders cannot be too far ahead of their constituency, but leaders must lead or their constituency would be left in the past. Concerning the agreements which settled the unrest in Linden, they froze electricity tariffs to where they were. The agreements stated that there would be no consideration of any increases until after the various Committee reports would have been received, studied and discussed. This position could not be more comfortable for the Regional Chairman and for APNU. The Government, this year in the 2014 Budget, is having to provide G$ 2,900 million for the Linden area, and another G$ 300 million for the Kwakwani Utilities Inc. The agreement has certainly not been barren. Concerning the Television station, there is a huge difference between being given the equipment that it is claimed Green Construction gifted to the community in 1985, and being given a running TV station. Throughout our twenty years, Linden/Region 10 has shared equitably in what our country has. A major job over the years has been working to develop trade with northern Brazil and to establish Guyana as the favoured place for Brazil to develop a northern port for north Brazil. We have been advocating and advancing the paving of the Linden-Lethem road – the greatest problem is the history of the incidence of Linden and the existing road being shut down. The people of Linden must guard against being wound up to spite the PPP/C, but only in the end damaging their own better interests. Mr. Editor, we of the PPP/ C believe that the problems of Linden/Region 10 are politically engineered, not by the PPP/C, but by Granger, Solomon and others who preach continually about Linden and Region 10 being discriminated against because
the people in Region 10 are different from, and do not vote for, the PPP/C. Interestingly, some tell people in other areas, like Region 6, that we of the PPP/C take them for granted and that we are going all out for Region 10 so as to win it over. We go all out for everyone! We do all we can in an equitable way for everyone. Mr. Editor, Readers, there could be nothing more deadening and self-fulfilling than the constant preaching that the Government is against the people of Linden/Region 10, thereby politically engineering the stalling of development. It takes away all sense of responsibility from the people of Linden, killing their initiative, ingenuity, and their innovative and entrepreneurial spirit in-born in the people of Linden and Region 10, the same as in people everywhere. To be successful these days, people say one has to add computer skills and IT to traditional skills. Remember some eight years ago, when bauxite workers in Linden were put on two months’ furlough. This Government provided every worker with base pay, but only on attending introductory or improving courses in computers. And to be successful these days, one has to accept that he/she has to be competitive, and that he/she can be competitive. This is true for citizens of Linden/Region 10 and, indeed, for all Guyana. I recall, during a debate in Parliament in about 1994, on the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME). Dr. Clive Thomas pointed out that our hourly labour rates were (then) the lowest in CARICOM. However, because of our low productivity and low quality, causing high reject work-rates and poor satisfaction and timeliness, the costs of our labour in units of our goods and services were among the highest in CARICOM. We were not likely to be competitive in the CSME. Lowest hourly rates but highest labour costs! This is
where our attention should be focused. This should be our common and shared battleground, focusing on learning, training and practicing, so that the productivity, quality, timeliness and cost of whatever we do, become much more competitive, providing us much more satisfaction and earning. I hoped then, and ever do, that there could be widespread focus on improving our productivity. This is the battle that I hoped Dr. Thomas would have dedicated himself to, noting his standing with labour and many persons who might have been sceptical of such a message from the PPP/C. Granger, Roopnaraine and Solomon have been teaching the people of Linden that their primary problem is the PPP/C Central Government. This is the political engineering that has been hobbling development in Linden/Region 10. This is the political engineering that the PPP/C has had to overcome. The PPP/C does not despair! We will always be in Linden. We will stay on the scene, welcoming fellow Guyanese citizens, whether one by one, or two by two. There is no future in dwelling in the past. In these days, we have to be open and nimble, to change, to open to the world; cheerful and quick to make friends. These are not the qualities that Granger, Roopnaraine, Solomon and Norton are advocating and nurturing in Linden/Region 10. The road on which they are taking Linden/Region 10 leads to a dead-end. We would not leave our fellow citizens of Linden/Region 10 to such a fate. Whether on Saturday, Solomon and APNU are successful or not in shutting Linden/Region 10 down as they threaten, we of the PPP/C will always be around working to put things together for the good of the people of Linden/Region 10, and all Guyana. Samuel Hinds
The pivotal role of the... From page 5 initiate some programme towards this objective. I am sure that each of these institutions will appreciate that such a project will also help to improve discipline in schools and therefore make their work lighter and more effective. In the meantime, I would like to pass on to parents some thoughts on how they can immediately start to develop their parenting skills and so improve their
relationships with their children. 1. A weekly family conference in which problems are related and plans for future activities made, and in which everyone has a say in their resolution. 2. Regular one-on-one sessions with each child and one parent, in which the child and parent share thoughts on what has taken place and how these can be resolved. 3. Attempts at discipline must be based on rules set before, so it is clear when
violations occur and what will result from these. 4. When children are convinced that they are loved, their views respected, and their interest is being sought, they will nearly always respond positively. It is therefore imperative that we spend time with them, give them our full attention at times, and demonstrate our love and interest physically by hugs, pats, and compliments for things well done. Roy Paul
Saturday Januray 25, 2014
Kaieteur News
UK’s Cameron tells Davos he can keep Britain in the EU DAVOS, Switzerland (Reuters) - Prime Minister David Cameron said yesterday he was confident he could renegotiate Britain’s relations with the European Union to allow it to remain in the 28-nation bloc. In some of his most proEuropean remarks to date, Cameron told the World Economic Forum in Davos that changes needed to make the euro zone function better meant the EU would need to alter its treaties. That would give Britain an opportunity to recalibrate its own relations with the EU. “I’m confident that we’ll have a successful renegotiation and a successful referendum,” Cameron told delegates, referring to his plan to reshape his country’s EU ties before offering Britons an in/ out referendum if his Conservative party is reelected next year. “I’m confident this is doable, deliverable and, as I say, winnable for Britain to stay in a reformed European Union.” Cameron is under pressure from the anti-EU UK Independence Party (UKIP) and from eurosceptic lawmakers in his own party ahead of elections to the European Parliament in May and a national election next year. He is also mindful of public opinion, with recent polls showing a slim majority
David Cameron of Britons would vote to leave the EU if given the chance because they are fed up with what they see as its overbearing role in everyday life. However, swaths of big business have expressed concern about the prospect of leaving the bloc, warning it would make Britain a less attractive place to do business, while officials in Brussels have said Britain’s influence in the world would be diluted. T h e c o u n t r y ’s E U partners have also played down the chances of London being able to renegotiate terms with the bloc, amid accusations London is trying to cherryp i c k i t s w ay to a new relationship at the expense of other member states.
Bombing wave hits Egypt amid fear of more violence CAIRO (Reuters) - A wave of bomb attacks targeting police hit Cairo yesterday, killing six people on the eve of the third anniversary of the uprising that toppled autocrat Hosni Mubarak and raising fears that an Islamist insurgency is gaining pace in Egypt. The violence underscored the struggle of authorities to tame militant violence which has increasingly challenged the state since the army toppled Islamist President Mohamed Mursi in July. In the most high-profile attack, a car bomb exploded at a security compound in central Cairo early in the morning and killed at least four people, including three policemen, security sources said. They said the blast was the work of a suicide bomber. But footage broadcast on an Egyptian television channel showed a man getting out of a van and moving into another vehicle. Minutes later the van
exploded. Another blast in the Dokki district killed one person. An explosion near a cinema on the road to the Pyramids of Giza on the outskirts of Cairo also led to one fatality. Clashes in the capital and several other cities between Mursi supporters and security forces which killed 11 people also raised tensions in the biggest Arab nation. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the car bomb attack in the parking lot of the Cairo Security Directorate, or the other blasts. But they had all the trademarks of attacks carried out by militants seeking to topple the army-backed government. Prime Minister Hazem el-Beblawi condemned the bloodshed in a statement, saying it was an attempt by “terrorist forces” to derail the army-backed government’s political road map, which is meant to lead to free and fair elections.
Cameron said Britain a n d t h e We s t h a d a n opportunity to boost their economic fortunes by luring back jobs and factories from Asia if they got the regulatory environment right. Rising costs in Asia and the need to react more quickly to changing consumer demands meant companies found the prospect of relocating jobs and services back to their home countries attractive, he said. “For years the West has been written off. People say that we are facing some sort of inevitable decline. They say we can’t make anything anymore,” he said. “I don’t believe it has to be this way. If we make the right decisions, we may also see more of what h a s been a small but discernible trend where some jobs that were once offshored are coming back from East to West.” In particular, he asked the EU not to over-regulate when it came to shale gas, saying it held out the prospect of cheaper energy that would give firms another possible reason to relocate from Asia. A UK government push for shale gas developments has met with strong opposition from local com m u n i t i e s and environmentalists to the hydraulic fracturing process used to extract the gas.
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Syria foes agree to meet face-to-face Geneva (AFP) - Syria’s warring sides have agreed to meet together today after a first day of peace talks in Geneva stumbled with President Bashar al-Assad’s regime threatening to walk away. After meeting with delegations from the regime and opposition, UN-Arab League Syria envoy Lakhdar Brahimi said they had agreed to “meet in the same room” after failing to do so on the first day of planned negotiations. Pulled together by the United Nations, Russia and the United States, the delegations had been due to sit down early Friday at UN headquarters in Geneva for their first face-to-face talks. But plans for the meeting fell apart after the opposition insisted the regime must be prepared to discuss Assad leaving power. “We knew that it was going to be difficult, complicated,” Brahimi said. “We never expected this to be easy — I think the two parties understand what is at stake.” Foreign Minister Walid Muallem had earlier warned Brahimi that the Syrian delegation “will leave Geneva” should “serious sessions” fail to take place today. Muallem told Brahimi “the Syrian delegation is serious and ready to start, but the other side is not,” Syrian state television reported. Still, Brahimi appeared confident no one would be immediately quitting the talks. “Both parties are going to
Lakhdar Brahimi be here tomorrow and they will be meeting. Nobody will be leaving today and nobody will be leaving on Sunday,” he said. Brahimi said discussions so far had been “encouraging” but that talks on concrete issues had not yet begun. “We have not discussed the core matters yet. We hope that both parties will give concessions that will be to the benefit of the process,” he said. Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister
Faisal Muqdad told reporters the opposition was the obstacle to talks. “The problem is that these people do not want to make peace, they are coming here with pre-conditions,” he told reporters. “Of course we are ready to sit in the same room. Why are we coming here then?” Nazir al-Hakim, a member of the opposition delegation, told AFP it was only willing to negotiate on the basis of the agreement reached at the “Geneva I” peace conference in 2012, which called for the creation of a transitional government. “We agree to negotiate on the application of Geneva I. The regime does not accept that,” he said. “We will be in the same room when there is a clear agenda for negotiations. We need guarantees that Geneva I will be discussed,” Hakim said. The regime rejects the opposition’s contention that the Geneva I agreement requires Assad to go.
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Kaieteur News
Saturday Januray 25, 2014
Ukraine leader pledges government reshuffle ahead of more rallies KIEV (Reuters) Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich, in what appeared to be an offer of concessions to the opposition amid violent protests against his rule, pledged yesterday to reshuffle the government next week and to amend sweeping anti-protest laws. Yanukovich made his offer in comments to church leaders as the protesters erected more street barricades and occupied a government ministry building in Kiev ahead of what is expected to be another hot weekend of anti-government rallies. The president’s Party of the Regions confirmed reports that two months of protests had spread to other parts of Ukraine, particularly to pro-European Union western regions, where it said “extremists” had seized administrative buildings. Yanukovich, who hails from the mainly Russianspeaking east of Ukraine, said key decisions would be made at a special session of parliament scheduled to take
Viktor Yanukovich place Tuesday. “I as president will sign a decree and we will reshuffle the government in order to find the best possible professional government team,” he said in comments carried on his website. He gave no indication of how wide the government reshuffle would be and it was by no means certain Prime Minister Mykola Azarov or any other key figures would have to step down. The dismissal of the
Azarov government has been one of the main demands of the opposition and Yanukovich’s words were clearly intended to look like a concession to opponents who have voiced frustration at his stalling tactics in talks until now. The promise to reconsider anti-protest legislation, which was rail-roaded through parliament last week by Yanukovich loyalists, also appeared to be a concession, which may take some steam out of fresh protest rallies planned for the weekend. The mass rallies against Yanukovich’s rule erupted last November after he pulled out of a free trade deal with the European Union in favor of closer economic ties with Russia, Ukraine’s former Soviet overlord. They have since spiraled into protests against misrule and corruption among Ukraine’s leaders and officials and there have been violent clashes with police in Kiev city center in which three protesters died this week, two from gunshot wounds.
Venezuela decrees new price controls to fight inflation CARACAS (Reuters) Venezuela yesterday decreed a new price control law that sets limits on company profits and establishes prison terms for those charged with hoarding or over-charging, part of socialist President Nicolas Maduro’s efforts to tame inflation. Maduro, who was elected last year to succeed the late Hugo Chavez, blames a 56.2 percent jump in consumer prices in 2013 on an “economic war” led by political adversaries, while critics call it evidence of the failure of Venezuela’s statedriven economic model. T h e F a i r P r i c e L a w, which carries out many of the same functions as the almost identically-named Fair Price and Cost Law of 2011, appears to unify a disparate set of controls that were first created by Chavez in 2003. It sets a maximum profit margin of 30 percent and requires firms to obtain “fair price certificates” to access dollars through the country’s currency control mechanism. The law carries prison sentences of up to 14 years for crimes including hoarding, “destabilizing the economy” and food
trafficking, which refers to people buying subsidized goods and reselling them mainly in neighboring Colombia. A price enforcement agency called the National Superintendence for Defense of Socioeconomic Rights will be charged with “determining reasonable profit margins.” Venezuela has for years passed regulations giving state officials sweeping power over the private s e c t o r, b u t s e l e c t i v e enforcement tends to make the rules less draconian than they initially appear. Previous laws created by Chavez called for prison sentences of up to six years for hoarding or overpricing of food. Maduro last year launched a theatrical takeover of an electronics retailer accused of overpricing its pr o d u c t s and led inspections of thousands of businesses, promising the effort would push consumer prices down by 5 percent in November. Prices in fact rose 4.8 percent that month. But polls showed his popularity also rose in the wake of those measures. Critics insist the OPEC
nation’s real problems lie in a torrid expansion of the money supply, inefficiency of state-run companies and a sluggish currency control system that prevents businesses from acquiring imported raw materials or machinery. They also insist that expanding the cadre of state inspectors will only increase the possibilities for corruption. Two high-ranking officials of the government’s consumer protection agency, known for aggressive inspections of private companies, were arrested last year for extorting businessmen in exchange for not shutting down their shops. Chavez enjoyed broad support from the poor during his 14-year rule thanks in part to subsidized state-run supermarkets that helped reduce hunger, winning Venezuela plaudits from the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization. Maduro’s campaign against high prices has appealed even to some of his critics who agree unscrupulous shop owners have taken unfair advantage of consumers amid the inflationary spiral.
Saturday January 25, 2014
Kaieteur News
M16 teens remanded
Page 27
Policeman gunned down in Guyhoc Park - female friend in custody A 26-year-old policeman was gunned down at around 22:50 hrs last night while visiting a female friend in Guyhoc Park. Police Constable Quincy Wright, a Police Mounted Branch rank, who is originally from Mahaicony, was reportedly shot in the chest during a brief confrontation with an unknown man. Reports state that Wright had gone to the area to visit a female friend, when a man with a handgun walked up, “looked into his (Wright’s) face” then shot him in the chest. Kaieteur News understands that the female friend, who was with Wright at the time, accompanied the wounded cop to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, where he succumbed at around 23: 15 hrs.
Two youths arraign for alarming find Chief Magistrate, Priya S e w n a r i n e - B e h a r r y, yesterday ordered two youths held for the discovery of one M16 rifle, 61 live rounds of ammunitions and grenades on Tuesday. Yesterday, at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, Kevin George, 18, of Costello Housing Scheme, Georgetown and a 17-yearold of 158 Curtis Street, Albouystown were indicted for three gun-related crimes. According to the Prosecution the two youths were seen by ranks on a motorcycle patrol, acting suspiciously on Aubrey Barker Road, South Ruimveldt, moments before they were nabbed with the weapons. On January 22, at South Ruimveldt, Georgetown, without lawful authority they allegedly had explosive devices in their possession; that is to say one concussion and one explosive grenade. The Prosecution claimed too that they were also busted with one M16 rifle and sixty one .223 ammunition, whilst neither of them were holders of firearms licence. The two youths who were unrepresented by legal counsel stood alone in the
prisoners’ docks and pleaded not guilty to the criminal offences. When addressing the court, neither of the accused submitted a bail application for the consideration of the court. George stated that he had previously been arraigned on an assault charge but nothing materialized from the charge. He also told the court that he had been employed at a car wash. Meanwhile, the other accused told the court that he is currently unemployed and has never been charged and placed before any court. Representing the Prosecution was Inspector Michael Grant who attempted to recap the day in question for those present at the court hearing. Grant said that it was about 11:15 hours that day, when police ranks who were on patrol on Aubrey Barker Road in the vicinity of Penny Lane, when they noticed the two acting in what he described as ‘a suspicious manner.’ He explained that at that time, George, named as the number one accused, was spotted with a haversack on his back but as the ranks approached them, he quickly handed it over to the other teen. However, the teen retaliated by shoving it back
at him. As a result, George threw it on the ground which was where the rank was able to pick it up and search through the haversack. According to Inspector Grant, upon checking the bag the ranks uncovered the dangerous items. The two were then apprehended and taken to the Brickdam Police Station where charges were subsequently laid. The Prosecutor asked the court to note that before the party left the scene of the discovery, one of the ranks asked George and the other accused whether they were licensed firearm holders. They both indicated that they weren’t. Inspector Grant said that the serious nature and prevalence of the offence were sufficient grounds for the two youths to be held in remand. He said, too, that the crime requires special reasons to be advanced for bail and maintained that no special reasons for it to be issued were raised by either of the two accused. The Chief Magistrate upheld the objections of the Prosecution and the two accused were refused bail. Their next scheduled court appearance is February 11.
Victim turns gun on robbers identified as security guards A security guard attached to the Strategic Security Service was treated at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) Thursday night for a gunshot wound he sustained when he and his colleague reportedly came under attack while in Sophia. The injured man has been identified as 45-year-old Mortimer Maynard. He was shot to his left thigh and was discharged from the hospital late yesterday. His colleague is Trevor Fraser, 42. Both men
are now in police custody assisting with investigations. Police in a press release said that about 21:00 hours on Thursday, Maynard and Fraser were in North Sophia armed with a .38 revolver belonging to the security company when they were attacked by three men who took away the firearm from Fraser and discharged three rounds, one of which struck Maynard. However, Kaieteur News was told that the two guards attempted to rob three
men in Sophia when they were “over-powered” by the men who then took away the company’s weapon. Yesterday, Kaieteur News attempted at talk with Maynard while he was still a patient at the hospital but a female who was with him stopped him from speaking with anyone. She also verbally abused the reporter and asked that no one try to contact the injured man. Investigations are ongoing.
A source said that the woman was taken into custody. The past few months have been tragic for police ranks. In September, 2013, Tactical Services Unit (TSU) rank Michael Cumberbatch was shot dead in his North Sophia home, allegedly by a man who mistook him for another rank. In November, 2013, Lance Corporal Michael Forde and Constable Sherwayne Pantlitz were among five people killed when gun-toting miner Deryck Kanhai, went berserk in Middle Street. And just a few weeks ago, Detective Corporal Silburn Elias was shot dead in a yard in Fourth Street, by a man who had stolen a firearm from another policeman.
Caribbean region looking to adopt Jamaica’s telecoms model - Paulwell KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) — Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Phillip Paulwell, says countries in CARICOM are looking to adopt Jamaica’s successful telecoms model, including the financing of the Universal Service Fund (USF). Speaking at the official opening of the Michael Black
Business Resource Centre in Rose Town, St Andrew on Wednesday Paulwell said that at a meeting of CARICOM Technology Ministers in Grenada last week, an examination of the model developed by Jamaican was discussed. He said that “major” talks are expected to take place at the CARICOM
Inter-Sessional meeting slated for February 24 and 25 in St Vincent, as the countries move forward in adopting Jamaica’s model. “For the first time… at the meeting in February, ICT (Information Communication Technology) will be a major item for the CARICOM Heads of Government to deal with.
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Saturday Januray 25, 2014
Trinidad integrity commission launches probe into “Jack” Warner PORT-OF-SPAIN - CMC – The Integrity Commission has confirmed it has initiated an investigation into former national security minister Austin “Jack” Warner regarding allegations of fraud relating to his role as president of the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF). In a statement, the Commission said it has since asked President Anthony
Carmona to appoint a tribunal on the matter saying it had taken note of the April 2013 report of the CONCACAF Integrity Committee. The report accused Warner of using deceptive methods to secure funds from CONCACAF and FIFA, as well as induce FIFA to transfer funds earmarked for development purposes to bank accounts he controlled. The CONCACAF report also claims that Warner accepted money intended for
FIFA that landed into his personal bank accounts. But Warner, who resigned his ministerial position and was re-elected as a member of parliament in a subsequent by-election, has in the past dismissed the report. He has said that he has had consultations with three eminent legal minds in Justice Zainool Hosein, Andrew Mitchell, QC, and Bertram E. Commissiong, QC, regarding the charges levelled in the report.
“However, the lawyers concluded that the committee made clear pronouncements as to the culpability and guilt of Jack Warner. These are not and cannot be supported by the evidence and the facts. “The conclusions appear to be driven by a desire to castigate, malign and punish rather than to p r e s e nt a true and fair representation of the state of affairs and/or the circumstances surrounding a number of transactions
addressed in the committee’s report,” Warner said then. The Integrity Commission said that it had decided to enquire into the allegations against Warner “in the interest of the public” and reminded the public that under the Integrity in Public Life Act, the Commission “may on its own initiative… consider and enquire into any alleged breaches of the Act or any allegations of corrupt or dishonest conduct.” “In pursuance thereof the Commission has written to the President of the Republic, His Excellency Mr. Anthony Thomas Aquinas Carmona, SC, ORTT, in accordance with Section 15 of the IPLA requesting the appointment of a Tribunal to enquire further into Declarations submitted by Mr. Warner.” The Integrity in Public
Austin “Jack” Warner Life Act allow for thr appointment of a two or three memb e r t r i b u n a l “ t o conduct an enquiry to verify the contents of the declaration or the statement filed with the Commission”.
Thousands of cases of juice stolen Police - Cartel sending female assassins for whistleblowers Trinidad Express Thousands of cases of canned fruit juice were stolen from the Citrus Growers compound in Laventille for more than two years, pointing to a definitive link to the $644 million drug bust that took place in Norfolk, Virginia, USA, last month. Citrus Growers is a subsidiary of SM Ja-leel Ltd, whose juice products have come under scrutiny since the drug bust. The businessman who has been pulling the strings to engineer some of the bigger robberies is one of the local targets of interest by the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), according to well-placed lawenforcement sources. Intelligence sources told the Express and TV6 News that this specific businessman has been a target of inte-r-est by the DEA for quite some time and they are hoping they can finally zero in on him and other key players with this slip-up. Sources told the Express that DEA and local security agencies are working “around the clock as they attempt to move in on their targets”. And while they tackle that dilemma, the Express uncovered the theft of the 1,296 cases of canned juices at the Citrus Growers compound on December 2 last year was only the beginning of a robbery trail that dates back more than two years on the company’s
Gary Griffith compound, involving canned juices. Vice-president of SM Jaleel Ltd Anna Mohammed, speaking exclusively to the Express and TV6 News on the matter yesterday, confirmed via tele-phone the company has had several reports of canned juices being stolen prior to the last theft in early December. She said: “We have had numerous instances of theft of canned juices on the compound going back since 2012, and even before that. There have been criminal elements from the area coming into the compound.” Mohammed said her security manager had a list of the number of robberies and the quantities of canned juices stolen but up to press time, she was unable to get the list to the Express because she was unable to reach the security manager. The estimated losses of canned juice cases, she said, were well in the thousands.
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Leeward Islands preparation going well SKN Vibes BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - The Leeward Islands cricket team’s preparation for the upcoming Regional Four-Day and 50 Over Competitions are progressing well despite challenges faced by those charged with the responsibility. A 30-member team is currently in St. Kitts and Camp Director Junie Mitchum claimed that the camp is going well and the team is being prepared to be competitive. “The preparation so far for the Leeward Islands is going quite well. We are presently preparing for the
West Indies Regional Four Day and also the 50 Over. We are having both camps together and preparing the guys not only to compete but also be competitive. “Because we are different from Trinidad and Jamaica, we have to combine general preparation and specific preparation. We only had two weeks and because our tournaments are so far from the regional tournament it is a long time for the players not playing and then coming to a training camp.” He also highlighted the player’s poor physical fitness and their injuries as some of
the other challenges they are currently facing in the camp. He however disclosed that they are improving in that regard. “Most of the time they are not in the physical shape that we want them to be in, and that is why we have to combine general preparation and specific preparation. “They are some players with some slight niggling injuries. They are recovering and the physical trainer has being doing a good job in helping them to get to the level they need to be and also to help those with injuries to recover.”
Saturday January 25, 2014 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Think of yourself as a marathon runner. You have a very long distance to travel, but the sweetness is not just to be found in crossing the finish line, but rather in relishing all the sights along the way. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) It's time for you to tap in to that inner resource that you have always known existed. Your ability to heal is extraordinary, and there's no point in denying it any longer. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Don't take anything at face value today, Gemini, especially if it involves money. It's likely that a friend or colleague will approach you with a deal that is too good to pass up. CANCER (June 21–July 22) How annoying when work gets in the way of pleasure, but there are times when professional opportunities are simply too good to pass up. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) One disadvantage of attics is that so much junk tends to get stored up there. Today is the day for you to clean house. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) It seems your ship is about to come in, Virgo. At least, the planets seem to think so. Your years of cultivating business relationships will pay off in the form of increased sales or new business opportunities. Congratulations!
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Why does being patient have to take so long? quipped one frustrated soul. Could it have been you, Libra? Waiting has never been your strong suit, there's no question about it. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) We all know the adage, "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again." But you can't help feeling that you have tried and tried and tried to no avail. All that is about to change, Scorpio, as you begin to reap the fruits of your labors. SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) Whatever you want, Sagittarius, you need only ask for it and there is a good chance you will get it. And it's about time, too. It seems you have been working exceptionally hard lately. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) It's time once and for all to tie up all those loose ends of projects left undone. Much as you may dread it, think of it this way, Capricorn: by completing these tasks you clear space for exciting new projects to come your way. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) Junk mail and a few telephone solicitations would almost be a welcome relief from the intense communications you've been having with people lately. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) It isn't nearly as bad as you think, Pisces. In fact, things are definitely looking up. Of course, you'll never know that if you refuse to drag yourself out of bed to see for yourself.
Mitchum is confident of the team’s chances of being ahead in the upcoming tournaments, starting with the Nagico Regional Super 50 Over on January 30 in Trinidad and Tobago. “The Leeward’s team is never short of talent and ability. But the problem lies in their level to manage the talent and ability in regards to knowing what they need to do in game situations, how to apply themselves and
being able to play together as a unit. However, those are some of the things we have been working on during this camp.” The NAGICO Super 50 Tournament will run from January 30 to February 15 and will be broadcast live on ESPN for the television audience and on Caribbean Super Station radio. The matches will be played at Queen’s Park Oval in Port-ofSpain and Shaw Park, Tobago.
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England beat Australia in Perth ODI to end nine-match losing run BBC Sport - England sealed their first victory over Australia on tour, with a 57run win in the fourth one-day international. Jos Buttler hit four sixes in his 71 from 43 balls, Ben Stokes struck 70 off 84 and Ian Bell made 55 as England posted 316-8 after being asked to bat. Aaron Finch blasted an explosive second century of the series with four sixes in his 108 but Australia were all out in the 48th over, Stokes taking 4-39. It left Australia 3-1 up in the series, with one match to play on Sunday. Without rested captain Michael Clarke and his trusty lieutenant Brad Haddin behind the stumps, Australia lacked something of the ruthlessness that saw them win nine matches in succession against England. Alastair Cook, having reiterated his desire to continue as one-day skipper, again looked in assured touch, striking three successive off-side boundaries as England reached 50 in the eighth over, the captain’s third successive half-century opening stand with Bell. They compiled an assertive 87 in 12 overs, before Cook (44) fell to a swipe in the second over of spin from Glenn Maxwell. Bell continued the positive strokeplay, although he and Stokes were both dropped by solitary slip
Shaun Marsh in the same Mitchell Johnson over. In only his second match of the series, Ashes hero Johnson, minus his Mexican moustache, went wicketless for the first time against England on this trip conceding 72 from his 10 overs. Having reached his 29th ODI fifty, Bell (55) frustratingly clipped straight to backward square-leg in the 22nd over but Stokes, who also made his maiden Test century in Perth, maintained the momentum, completing his first ODI fifty from 58 balls with a magnificent lofted drive down the ground for six off Maxwell. He was one of two wickets to fall in the dreaded batting powerplay, though Buttler revived the innings with some clean, improvised hitting when he came to the crease for the 40th over, even outscoring maestro Eoin Morgan. A huge straight drive for six brought up the 50 partnership in 39 balls, to which Morgan contributed only 10. Morgan duly engineered some trademark boundaries in a partnership of 71 and when he fell in the 48th over, Buttler scooped, flicked and carved his way to a further four boundaries in eight balls. England’s 316 was the fourth highest total in the 71 ODIs at the Waca and the second time they had
exceeded 300 in the series, but with Finch in full flow victory was never certain. Before the completion of the seventh over, Finch had amassed 46 with Shaun Marsh (15), before the latter was brilliantly caught by Bell diving to his left at second slip. That stemmed the tide somewhat, but the threat of Finch remained. He brought up Australia’s 100 in the 20th over with a gargantuan six onto the roof at cow corner, before thumping James Tredwell for another six off the next ball, as he recorded his own hundred in the 31st over. Finch sliced Tim Bresnan to Stuart Broad at the third man in the 36th with 128 still required and the dangerous Maxwell departed four overs later, but it merely signalled the arrival of James Faulkner, whose unbeaten 69 from 47 balls helped win the second match. However, on this occasion he made two and edged a rising delivery from the combative Stokes, playing only his 14th ODI. Two late fumbles in the deep underlined the tension surrounding Cook’s team, but Buttler’s fifth catch completed their first international victory since 14 September, as for once there was to be no saviour for Australia. Scores: England 8 for 316 (Buttler 71, Stokes 70, Bell 55, Faulkner 4-67) beat Australia 259 (Finch 108, Stokes 4-38) by 57 runs.
Saturday Januray 25, 2014
GFF Premier League resumes on February 2 Play in the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) 2013/14 Premier League is expected to resume on Sunday, February 2 with four (4) double headers planned for different venues. At the Georgetown Football Club ground, Santos take on Mahaica Determinators at 18:00 hrs and that will be followed by the feature clash
between the GDF and BK Western Tigers. At the Buxton Community Centre ground, starting at 13:30 hrs, BV/ Triumph tackle Winners Connections, while at 15:30 hrs host Buxton United entertain Grove Hi Tech. At the Mackenzie Sports Club ground, commencing from 18:00 hrs, Milerock square off against Den Amstel, while Silver
Shattas play host to leaders Alpha United at 20:00 hrs. Over at the #5 ground in West Berbice, Young Achievers do battle with New Amsterdam Uni t e d a t 18:00hrs, while in the feature game, Riddim Squad go up against Rosignol United. Meanwhile, the points standing to date is seen below:
Draft will need ‘extraordinary majority’ to be passed - ICC vice-president ESPNcricinfo - Mustafa Kamal, the ICC vice-president, has said an “extraordinary majority” will be required to approve ICC Finance & Commercial Affairs working group’s increasingly controversial draft proposal. He does not believe, at this stage, that it would be right to bring such changes to the world of cricket. Kamal was apparently not present at the meeting in which the proposal was first discussed during the January 9 meeting. He said that it would take a long time for such a revamp to take place. He doesn’t think it would happen at such short notice, though there are reasons to believe that it will be the main topic of discussion at the January 29 ICC meeting. “One must also remember that there are clauses that one will have to follow for making amendment to the constitution,” Kamal told ESPNcricinfo. “They will need an extraordinary majority to make the amendments. There
are so many discussions that will have to take place before such things happen. It is a long path. “Anything that will affect the world of cricket should not be done,” he said. “Cricket progressed a lot in the last decade, in terms of popularity, revenue and administration. I think it won’t be right to bring changes.” His veiled stance against the draft proposal is a fair reflection of opinions in his home country, Bangladesh, and indicative of how rest of the ICC feels about it. Kamal said that he has discussed the matter with other board members, who have expressed similar surprise at what has been put in front of them. “I have talked to members of different boards from around the globe and they are surprised too,” he said. “No one had an idea of this proposal. “I don’t even regard this as a proposal at this stage, until it comes to me as a proposal in official form. I have no further comments to make.” Dave
Richardson, the ICC chief executive, had said that the ICC was still considering the submission. “These are just recommendations that they have put together, it’s by our working group of members of our financing and commercial affairs committee. They are representatives from England, Australia and India,” Richardson told EWN Sport on January 22. “They have put these proposals together and those proposals are still to be discussed in full by our finance committee as an example and the full ICC board when it meets at the end of January. “So at this stage it’s far too premature for the ICC to make any comment on the content of the proposals because as we speak, we’re still going through them, getting further clarifications, finding out exactly what is intended and then hopefully we will be able to have proper discussion about these at the board meeting at the end of the month.”
“There are so many discussions that will have to take place before such things happen. It is a long path” © Getty Images
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McLaren unveil MP4-29 car Thunder Beat Spurs to Reclaim Top Record in the West for 2014 Formula 1 season
The McLaren MP4-29 car for the 2014 F1 season. (PA)
The Bulls’ Joakim Noah, right, driving against the Cavaliers’ Anderson Varejao. Noah had 18 rebounds in Chicago’s victory. Mark Duncan/Associated Press ASSOCIATED PRESS Kevin Durant had 36 points to offset Tony Parker ’s season-high 37, and the Oklahoma City Thunder survived a testy 111-105 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night, their third win this season over the defending Western Conference champions. Reggie Jackson had 27 points for visiting Oklahoma City (33-10), which reclaimed the West’s best record. Tim Duncan and Boris Diaw scored 14 points each, but San Antonio (32-10) struggled to overcome the loss of its top defensive stopper, Kawhi Leonard. Durant finished 12 for 22, but struggled to get his shot off against the 6-foot-7 Leonard, who has a 7-4 wingspan. Leonard left after sustaining a nondisplaced fracture in his right hand. His status is unknown. Durant scored 24 points after Leonard left with three minutes left in the first half.
The Spurs used a physical defense against Durant with Leonard out. The physical play angered Durant, who twice lowered his shoulder and dropped Manu Ginobili. Both plays resulted in noncalls, which incensed Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich. CELTICS 113, WIZARDS 111- Gerald Wallace made a driving layup with two and half seconds remaining in overtime, and undermanned Boston broke a 10-game road losing streak. Jeff Green scored a season-high 39 points for Boston. John Wall had his second career tripledouble for the Wizards. RAPTORS 93, MAVERICKS 85- DeMar DeRozan scored a career-high 40 points, and host Toronto snapped a twogame losing streak. Dallas played without Dirk Nowitzki, who got the night off to rest. BULLS 98, CAVALIERS 87 -D. J. Augustin scored 25 points in a start for Kirk Hinrich, and Taj Gibson matched a career high with 26
filling in for Carlos Boozer as Chicago improved to 7-2 since trading Luol Deng. Deng shot just 2 of 11 from the field in his first game against Chicago. BOBCATS 95, CLIPPERS 91 -Al Jefferson had 24 points and 10 rebounds to lead Charlotte to its first win over Los Angeles in its last seven tries. ROCKETS 119, KINGS 98 Dwight Howard and James Harden combined for 50 points in just three quarters for host Houston. The Kings struggled after losing their top scorers Rudy Gay and DeMarcus Cousins to injuries before halftime. IN OTHER GAMES -Paul Millsap had 24 points, Jeff Teague added 23 and Atlanta hung on to win at Orlando, 112-109. ... Caron Butler scored 8 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter, and Milwaukee rallied to beat visiting Detroit, 104-101, and end a nine-game losing streak.
BBC Sport - McLaren have become the first Formula 1 team to release pictures of their actual 2014 car. Williams and Force India have already revealed computer-generated images of their new challengers but McLaren have officially launched the new MP4-29. But the reveal was overshadowed by news they had poached Lotus team principal Eric Boullier. McLaren have not announced Boullier’s move but sources say he will join as team principal in the near future. Martin Whitmarsh, who had filled that role since 2009, has not been at work since McLaren announced on 16 January that chairman Ron Dennis had been appointed to a second role of chief executive officer, replacing Whitmarsh, and had been charged with turning the team’s fortunes around. Although Whitmarsh has neither been performing his former role nor been at the factory since Dennis was made CEO, the two men have been discussing his future. He is likely to be offered a new role elsewhere in the company, away from F1, but it is not known whether he will accept it. He may choose to walk away instead.
Dennis has been trying to remove Whitmarsh as team principal for almost the last two years and has settled on Boullier, who has run the Lotus team since it was bought from Renault by current owners Genii Capital, an investment group, at the end of 2009. The official announcement of their new car on Friday was the fourth major news release from McLaren in two days that had no mention of Whitmarsh on it. The new McLaren MP429 continues the trend for “anteater” noses in F1 this season. The team have chosen a front-nose design that features arching support pillars down to the front wing, which rules dictate must be 15cm narrower this year than in 2013. The narrow front-nose section on the cars is a response to new rules that dictate a lower nose, and teams’ desires to keep the front of the car as clean as possible to enable them to allow more air to flow under the car, increasing downforce. F1 has this year introduced the biggest rule changes in a generation, bringing back turbo engines for the first time since 1988, but this time with extensive energy-recovery systems, otherwise known as
“hybrids”. A series of changes to the chassis rules have also affected the aerodynamics at various points on the car. McLaren managing director Jonathan Neale said: “We’ve never had such significant new regulations before; reacting to them, and managing those changes, while still pushing the performance limits, has been an extremely tough job.” He said McLaren had focused on producing a “consistent” car which was the basis for extensive development throughout the season. McLaren are under pressure to bounce back after a poor season in 2013, when they failed to score a podium finish for the first time since 1980. Sporting director Sam Michael said: “We’ve made no secret of our disappointment at how the 2013 season turned out. The aim now is to get back to winning - that’s what McLaren exists to do - but there’s a certain amount of growth and regrowth that needs to take place before we return to a position where we can challenge for the world championship. McLaren’s race drivers this year will be 2009 world champion Jenson Button and Danish novice Kevin Magnussen.
Danny Williams to chair JADCO Board Jamaica Observer - The appointment of Williams was officially announced yesterday at the postCabinet briefing held at Jamaica House by Minister of Information, Sandrea Faulkner and follows the wholesale resignation of the full board of JADCO last November. It was also
announced that Cabinet had approved the appointment of a new slate of commissioners for the entity. The full board of JADCO is — Danny Williams (chairman), Dr Winston Isles, Gary Peart, Neville Williams, Dennis Lalor, Dr Thelma Nelson, Anthony Lawrence, Dr Patricia Holness, Carmen
Tipling and two other members who were not named. Minister Sandrea Falconer said Cabinet had also expressed its appreciation to the members of the previous board for their service. She said the new board will serve for three years ending in December 2016. In November last year
Minister with responsibility for Sport in the Office of the Prime Minister, Natalie Neita Headley, disclosed that the former board had resigned en bloc with effect from December 31. “Quite recently, JADCO’s commissioners met and acknowledged that there is a public perception of the
existence of conflicts of interests among some of the members of the commission. The commissioners have taken a decision, in the national interest and in order to facilitate the restructuring of JADCO, to tender their resignations, which will take effect on December 31, 2013. The Prime Minister respects
the decision of the Commissioners and has accepted their resignations,” Neita Headley said then. The new JADCO chairman is a former minister of government for the Industry and Commerce portfolio under the People’s National Party government of Michael Manley in the 1970s.
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Saturday Januray 25, 2014
Li hoping for third time lucky at Melbourne Park MELBOURNE (Reuters) Li Na’s memories of her previous Australian Open finals are not fond ones as she prepares for a third at Melbourne Park today against first-time finalist Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia. In 2011 against Kim Clijsters, she took the first set before the Belgian rallied to clinch her fourth, and final, grand slam title. Last year’s final was even worse for the Chinese. She rolled her ankle twice, fell over and smacked her head so badly doctors had to administer a concussion test and then lost 4-6 6-4 6-3 to Victoria Azarenka. “I really wish I can win the title,” Li said on Friday when asked about how much it would mean for her to win after two previous failures. “I (am) always
looking forward to play back here. “I THINK I’M READY.” The 31-year-old Chinese, who became Asia’s first grand slam champion when she won the 2011 French Open title, was close to not making it to the final. She fought off a match point in the third round against Lucie Safarova before the fourth seed scraped to a 16 7-6 (2) 6-3 victory in two hours, 27 minutes. Li said she had been had asked several pointed questions by coach Carlos Rodriguez about that performance, which had turned around her focus and propelled her into the final. That third round match notwithstanding, Li has been rarely troubled in her path to the final though she has had
one noticeable flaw - she has a tendency to take her foot off the gas when she has her opponent down for the kill. In the semi-final against Canadian teenager Eugenie Bouchard she jumped out to a 5-0 lead then had to battle for the next four games as the 19-year-old sensed she could conjure a comeback to take a 2-0 lead in the second. Li’s experience, however, then kicked in and she won six of the next eight games to advance to the final against the diminutive Cibulkova, whose aggressive play at Melbourne Park suggests she is unlikely to let such an opportunity go. POWERFUL STRIKER At 1.60-metres (5’3"), Cibulkova is one of the shortest players on the WTA Tour, but what she lacks in
height the Slovak more than makes up with a strong physique that allows her to match the heaviest hitters of the game. Cibulkova was particularly impressive from the fourth round on at Melbourne Park, beating 2008 champion Maria Sharapova then destroying counter-punchers Simona Halep and Agnieszka Radwanska. The 24-year-old was impressive attacking her opponents’ service game, especially on the second serve, and used her speed and footwork to run down potential winners or around short returns and hammer them back with a wicked forehand. “It’s not about how tall are you. Even if you are tall, it doesn’t mean that you are 100 percent going to make it, you
know,” she said when asked if her height was a disadvantage. “It’s just you have to really want something and just believe in it. There is nothing more important than this.” Cibulkova made her first grand slam semi-final at Roland Garros in 2009 and while she has been bothered by small injuries in the last few years, her inconsistency has been her biggest issue, which accounts for her inability tocrack the top-10. The 24year-old has 21 career victories over players in the top-10, including two against top-five players at Melbourne Park in the last week, but was also defeated in the first round 10 times in 2013. “This top-10 talk, I don’t want to talk about it anymore,” she snapped after
her 6-1 6-2 demolition of fifth seed Radwanska in the semifinals. “So many years that everybody (has) kept telling me ‘you should be top 10; why (are) you not top-10?’ I’m just not.” Should Cibulkova win the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup on Saturday, she would be the first Slovak to win a grand slam title and it would also be her first win against Li in their five career meetings. “She has been in the finals of grand slam many times,” Cibulkova said. “She has already won a grand slam, so she know how it is. It will be my first grand slam final (and) ... that’s something beautiful. “It’s like a dream. So I will go just out there and play my best, try to do my best.”
ESPNcricinfo - The BCCI today virtually served notice on any ICC Full Members opposed to a makeover of the ruling body, indicating that India’s participation in ICC events was subject to approval of the radical draft proposal by the ICC’s executive board. The proposal recommends a structural overhaul of the ICC and proposes bigger revenues and more executive decision-making powers to the BCCI, Cricket Australia and the ECB. The BCCI, in a threepoint release following an emergent working committee meeting in Chennai, said the committee had formally approved the proposal, terming it as being “in the interests of cricket at large”. The message as regards ICC events was then sent out to the other members, stating that the committee has “authorised the office bearers to enter into agreements with the ICC for participating in the ICC events and hosting ICC events, subject to the proposal being approved by
the ICC board”. The BCCI’s working committee also cleared the way for its leading officer bearers to sign bilateral agreements with all other Full Member boards, including Pakistan. The draft proposal contained commitments from the ECB and Cricket Australia over legally-binding bilateral agreements with eight Full Members. The absence of such a guarantee from the BCCI in the draft document had raised apprehensions among smaller boards who subsist on tours from India. Such a commitment could not have been made by the BCCI without approval of the its working committee, a formality completed on Thursday. While the ECB and CA have committed to undertake tours to the top eight countries, in principle, the BCCI’s proposal covers all Test playing nations. “We have never said that it [the draft proposal] was set in stone or a ‘take-it-or-leave it’ proposition,” a BCCI official said. “It is clear that it is a draft and members can
discuss it with their respective boards and it can be discussed in the ICC board meeting.” The draft proposal will be presented to the ICC executive board during its quarterly meeting in Dubai on January 28 and 29. It is also understood that the draft proposal, put together by a working group of the ICC’s Finance & Commercial Affairs committee was open for discussion and amendments as long as the BCCI’s central plank redistribution of the ICC central revenue being proportionate to the income generated through each member board - was not diluted. The BCCI working committee was insistent on not yielding ground on the matter revenue distribution. The proposal recommends a maximum allotment of 21% of the ICC’s revenues to the BCCI on the grounds that Indian cricket helps generate 80% of ICC’s global revenues. The draft proposal, when handed out to the Full Member nations at a specially called board meeting in Dubai
From page 34 minister saying that he is unaware of this incident though it was carried in the Kaieteur News on Wednesday the 6th of November?”, Jones had asked. “Can minister say what actions he has since taken having heard of the incident?” the Opposition MP continued. Anthony said that “one of the steps that were taken was that the persons there have assured me that none of the goats were
slaughtered there”. Anthony later said that nobody from the ministry granted permission for goats to be slaughtered at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. Jones brought the evidence of the vehicle, PGG 9139, that was used to transport the meat off the premises also to Parliament. “Honourable Speaker, I have checked with the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and this vehicle is registered to the National Sports Commission. Can the minister in-
form this House whether he granted permission for anyone to use the Sport’s Commission’s vehicle to transport goats after they were slaughtered?” Jones asked. However, House Speaker for day, Bibi Shaddick, in the absence of both the substantive Speaker, Raphael Trotman and Deputy, Deborah Backer, informed Jones that he is reading from an article that “may or may not be accurate” and disallowed the minister’s response.
on January 9, did not however contain any supporting documentation for its current revenue distribution percentages or future estimates. The ICC’s current b oadcast deal expires after the 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand but the new tender document for media rights cannot be floated without the all the member boards signing the Members Participating Agreement. The BCCI has made that signature conditional to the reorganisation of the ICC, which automatically implies that no progress on the broadcast deal will be possible till this proposal is cleared. Cricket South Africa is the only board to have publicly opposed the proposal, and the Pakistan Cricket Board have made their opposition privately known. The West Indies Cricket Board is yet to make a statement, but was engaged in a teleconference over the week and has stated that it has “taken a position in the best interests of West Indies cricket”. It is understood to be negotiating a deal with the Big Three. Cricket South Africa argued the idea was “fundamentally flawed” and “in breach of the ICC constitution”, while New Zealand Cricket said it was wrong to jump to the conclusion that the proposal would be bad for cricket. FICA, which represents player associations in seven of the ICC’s ten Full Member countries, declared itself “extremely concerned” with the proposal. One of the key governance changes proposed in the position
paper, pertained to the creation of a proposed Executive Committee (ExCo) a security-council style group with three permanent members, the BCCI, Cricket Australia and the ECB. While the Big Three will insist on being founding members of this committee, the possibility of enlarging it from the recommended four to more could be discussed. “It must be understood however that this another committee just like an F&CA committee that currently works under the IDI (ICC Development International), the ICC’s commercial arm,” the BCCI official said. “It will report to the ICC board, which will have the right to approve or reject its recommendations.” The draft states that the ExCo will act as a “sole recommendation committee … on all constitutional, personnel, integrity, ethics, development and nominations matters”. The BCCI working committee meeting, which took place in Chennai, was chaired by one of the board’s vice-presidents Shivlal Yadav, in the absence of BCCI president N Srinivasan, who could not attend due to the death of his mother early on Thursday morning. It was not Yadav who did the talking, though. Sundar Raman, the IPL chief operating officer, explained the details of the ‘position paper’, outlining the revamp of the ICC and why it was necessary. The proposed revenue model, according to which India stood to earn a bigger percentage of the ICC earnings, was also explained to the members.
The other big advantage of the proposal, Raman highlighted, was that India could be more free to negotiate bilateral series with another Full Member instead of being obliged to follow the FTP. The members were also made aware that under the new structure India would host at least one ICC tournament almost every two years, further enhancing its financial strength. Most BCCI members were happy to hear about the move to deal directly with other countries’ boards, which would result in India hosting more international cricket. It was explained to the committee that with this move the BCCI can take even Test cricket to the new stadiums in the country, with one committee member stating that “all the unutilised stadia in the country will be able to host more big matches”. The document was drafted by a “working group” of the ICC’s Finance & Commercial Affairs (F&CA) committee comprising Giles Clarke of the ECB, Wally Edwards of Cricket Australia and N Srinivasan of BCCI, who were assisted by a clutch of commercial executives: Dean Kino (general manager of legal and business affairs, Cricket Australia), John Perera (commercial director ECB) and Sundar Raman (chief operating officer, IPL). Kino and Raman also form a twoman technical committee in the Champions League T20, one of the world’s wealthiest cricket tournaments. It happens to be one of only three committees listed on the tournament website.
BCCI puts ICC events on the line
Anthony “unaware” of goats...
Saturday January 25, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Nadal brings Federer crashing back to earth M E L B O U R N E (Reuters) - Hard reality crushed a fairytale revival at Melbourne Park as a ruthless Rafa Nadal inflicted more grand slam agony on Roger Federer with a straight-sets rout on Friday that booked his third Australian Open final. New coach, new racket and a new broom for Federer amounted to little against the irrepressible Spaniard, who simply dominated to win 76(4) 6-3 6-3 on a breezy night at Rod Laver Arena. Not since the 2007 Wimbledon final has Nadal rolled over to his great rival Federer, and his sixth straight win in grand slams over the Swiss was among his most devastating. Brushing off a crater-like blister on his racket hand, Nadal roared through in just in two hours and 24 minutes and conceded only two break points as he set up the title-decider against F e d e r e r ’s c o m p a t r i o t
Stanislas Wawrinka. “I played well tonight. I played probably my best match of the tournament,” Nadal told reporters after reaching his 19th grand slam final, equal second all-time with Ivan Lendl behind Federer. “So very, very, very happy for this great news that I played my best match in that semi-final against Roger. “I hit a few passing shots today that if ... you are not quick and playing with confidence, you cannot hit those shots.” Injury and illness have blighted Nadal’s recent campaigns Down Under, but the rollicking victory put the Spaniard in the box seat for a long-awaited second title after his 2009 triumph at Melbourne Park. For 32-year-old Federer, it was deja vu, and a stinging reality check after an encouraging run. Slumping to 23-10 in his
head-to-head record with Nadal, the loss was his first in straight sets in the majors against the Spaniard since the 2008 French Open, and continued his winless streak against him on grand slam hardcourts, the most democratic of surfaces. The chip-and-charge game honed under mentor Stefan Edberg had helped him humble Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and fourth seed Andy Murray, but it came crashing head-long into Nadal’s left-hand forehand, invariably coming off second best. There was no succour from the baseline either, as Nadal marshaled his brilliant defenses and counter-punched with a dizzying array of winners. In the face of all evidence, Federer denied the Spaniard had the ability to get into his head. “Not necessarily. I enjoy playing against him because it’s always going to be on
center court, it’s always going to be a big story going into the match,” the 17-times grand slam champion told reporters. “So that’s kind of what you train hard for. That’s where you want to be. “I mean, it’s not as cool when you lose in straight sets. “Wish I could have won here tonight and then given an all-Swiss final ... That’s something I’ll regret, you know, for a long time.” RUNAWAY VICTORY A runaway victory seemed an absurdity early, though, as the pair parried and probed in the opening games. Although gradually chipping away at Federer’s s e r v e , N a d a l ’s w a s impenetrable and he challenged the Swiss to take him down in a tiebreak. Throwing his opponent from side to side, the Spaniard raised his game to play it on his terms, roaring to a 5-1 lead and closing it
out when Federer sent an increasingly shaky backhand sailing past the baseline. Rattled, Federer complained to the chair umpire about the Spaniard’s grunting during rallies, as if stifling his opponent’s volume might quell his firepower. An outrageous cross-court passing shot gave Nadal break points at 32 in the second set and he smacked an inside-out forehand to leave Federer in deep trouble. Surviving a small wobble on serve to close out the set, Nadal captured the decisive break in the third at 3-3 and broke the Swiss again to close out the match when shell-shocked Federer shanked a forehand long. Nadal punched his left fist into the night sky and roared in triumph while a demoralized Federer gave a cursory wave before trudging to the exit. A p t l y, 2 8 - y e a r - o l d
Wawrinka, who has long lived in Federer’s shadow, will have a chance to avenge his compatriot’s loss. His impressive run to his first major final has also ensured he will surpass Federer in the world rankings for the first time. Earlier on Friday, top seeds Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci of Italy produced a great escape as they beat Russia’s Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina 6-4 3-6 7-5 to retain their women’s doubles title. The Russian third seeds led 5-2 in the decider before Errani and Vinci roared back to clinch their fourth grand slam title and retain their world number one ranking. Attention now turns to the women’s singles final on Saturday, as Chinese fourth seed Li Na bids to win her first title at Melbourne Park in her third final against the giant-killing Slovakian, Dominika Cibulkova.
Dependable Spares on board with DCC For the fifth successive year, Dependable Spares and King Panel of Eccles, East Bank Demerara found it favorable to join forces with the Queenstown based Demerara Cricket Club (DCC). On Thursday morning, the corporate entity made a donation of an undisclosed sum to the club which is presently leading the points standing in Zone B of the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA)/Carib Beer first division T20 tournament, while they have also agreed to have their business logo fitted on to the club’s recently acquired uniform. DCC president Alfred Mentore said he was happy to have the sponsor on board for the fifth consecutive year, noting that sponsorship is hard to come by, for which the club and himself is grateful. “When we approached Dependable Spares for the first time and sought assistance for our uniforms, which will be used by the first division team, they responded positively to us. Today we are happy to have them on board once again, to which I must say thanks on behalf of the club and my self, since gestures
Manager of Dependable Spares Raymond Baksh (3rd from right) presents one of the jersey s to national skipper and captain of Demerara Cricket Club’s first division team Christopher Barnwell in the presence of, from left Bertram Austin, Alfred Mentore, Trevon Griffith, Coach Gavin Nedd and Paul Wintz. like these are always worthy to be acknowledged and appreciated” said Mentore. He informed the audience which also included the club’s three players on this year ’s NAGICO Super50 team in skipper Christopher Barnwell, Paul Wintz and
Trevon Griffith, that the club which is known as the ‘Home of the Legends’, produced players for every national team that left these shores last year while Barnwell was signed by the Royal Challengers Bangalore for the Indian Premier League.
“This was all made possible because of the support from sponsors such as Dependable Spares and King Panel and today I wish to say that while they are giving us a substantial amount of cash, part of it will be used towards other projects at the club”, stated
Mentore. Prior to handing over one of the uniforms to Barnwell and later the cheque to Mentore, Manager of Dependable Spares Raymond Baksh said the donation to the club was in appreciation of their returns, as they wore the brand of his
Company with pride. He congratulated the club on its success over the years, while he urged the trio selected for national duties to go forward and continue being good ambassadors not only for DCC, but Guyana and Dependable Spares as well.
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Kaieteur News
Mayor’s 79th Birthday Football Final fixed for Den Amstel tomorrow
Trevor Jones
Clive Matthews
Lloyd Matthews
The stage is set tomorrow for hosts Den Amstel to face-off with City line-up North East La Penitence in West Demerara in the Mayor’s 79th birthday seven-a-side Football final from 17:00hrs. In the curtain raiser between a Mayor’s All Stars and Sea Wall which starts at 15:00hrs, the 11-aside encounter will run for the scheduled 90 minutes, while the 7-a-side final should be completed in 30 minutes. Pulsating action is anticipated in both games; Den Amstel and North East
go head-to-head for the first prize of $100, 000. The runner-up team will take home $50,000. Admission to the ground is $500. The Den Amstel team is expected to come from Delon Lanferman, Jeffery Pereira, Travis Hilliman, Ryan Hunte, Colin Benn, Rondel Hutson, Kester Jacobs and Gilian Payne. The team from Georgetown will come from Orville Milton (Captain), Hubert Pedro, Solomon Austin, Andrew Murray, Randolph Wagner, Rensford Coleridge, Devon Millington, Calvin Moore.
The Mayor’s All Star team will field: Devon Charles, Ashley Harding, William Europe, Joshua Browne, Joshua Kamal, Malcolm Wilson, Nikel Frazer, Dwayne Wilson, Jamaal Harvey, Keron Solomon, Orville Stewart, Trevor Lewis, Trevor Jones, Lloyd Matthews, Clive Matthews, Amos Ramsay and Domini Garnett. Young Achievers will include Deon Terrence, Dexroy Adams, Roy Chilcott, Jason Critchlow, Winston Johnson, Marvin Josiah and Lloyd Prince.
Anthony “unaware” of goats being slaughtered at Sports Hall - matter reaches Parliament, Anthony denies knowledge despite reports Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony said that he is unaware that goats were slaughtered at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, despite the widely publicised photograph and story of an eye-witness account that Demerara Wa v e s r e p o r t e d l a s t November. A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament, Christopher Jones posed the questions to the minister on Thursday in a sitting of the National Assembly. Kaieteur Sport had also carried the story, “Cliff Anderson Sports Hall an abattoir” that shows manager of the facility, Basher Khan, among two others, at a table with the carcass of what an eye witness said was goats. “ S p e a k e r, c a n t h e minister inform this House whether in addition to
Saturday January 25, 2014
Bartica Football Association erupts
Displaced executives threatens court redress if ultimatum ignored By Michael Benjamin Football, believed to have been enveloped in vile confrontations, has reached another snafu following a raging dispute between executives of the ruling body and those of the Bartica Football Association (BFA) after elected officials of the latter group have accused those of the former of high handed actions that has resulted in the unconstitutional imposition of Interim Management Committee (IMC) to run football in the region. The issue has reached boiling point after the affected executives of the BFA said that they were unconstitutionally displaced following a visit by the GFF President, Christopher Matthias, to the mining community and the eventual installation of the IMC. Consequently, the displaced group has written to the GFF General Secretary, Noel Adonis and threatened court action if their request to have the decision overturned is not met by Monday January 27 next. However, Mr Matthias has debunked the allegations saying that his visit stemmed from an appeal by several disgruntled Bartica clubs over the laxity by current executive members that has resulted in the cessation of football activities. Mr Matthias said that he was asked to mediate over the issue and while he responded, it was the clubs, and not him, that moved a no confidence vote against the displaced executives. Secretary of the BFA, Carlton Beckles, said that his executives have decided to contest the ruling and will not relinquish office to the unconstitutional IMC. He
said that he has recently dispatched a letter to General Secretary (GFF), Noel Adonis, informing him of the decision taken by his colleagues. T h e B FA G e n e r a l Secretary further said that on Monday 13 last, his team has issued a 7 days ultimatum to the General Secretary (GFF) to rescind the decision otherwise the affected officials plan to seek legal redress. That ultimatum expires on Monday 27 next. When contacted at his office in the GFF Secretariat, Dadanawa Street, Section K Campbellville, Mr Adonis confirmed receipt of the letter from the BFA and said it is receiving attention. He did not wish to elaborate on the issue and suggested this reporter seek an audience with Mr Matthias. The latter individual admitted that he had travelled to Bartica at the behest of aggrieved members of several clubs that accused the elected officials of the BFA of laxity. Mr Matthias provided documentation sent to his office by several members of various Bartica based clubs that stated that they had moved a vote of no confidence against the entire executive of the BFA. The aggrieved members cited laxity on the part of the elected BFA executive and said that there has been no football activity in the region for well over two years. They said that the youths of the community were suffering as a result of such laxity. Meanwhile, one of GFF Vice President, Ivan Persaud spoke with us and confirmed that he, accompanied by Committee Member, Keith O’Jeer, had travelled to Bartica earlier and held discussions with members of
the aggrieved clubs. Mr Persaud said that they organized a meeting with all of the parties involved but members of the BFA failed to attend. In his defence, Mr Beckles said that none of his executives received official word of the function. He said that as far as he knew, Mr O’Jeer had called the home of President (BFA), Carlos Prowell, but the latter individual was not there. Efforts to speak with Mr Prowell failed as his cell number rang out. Mr O’Jeer admitted that he was unable to speak with Mr Prowell and was only able to do so one day after the meeting. Mr Persaud related that he has since submitted a report to his superiors which prompted Matthias’ visit. Chairman of the Regional Democratic Council, Gordon Bradford, confirmed the dismal situation concerning the sport in the region. He said that he was approached by concerned persons who complained of the situation and asked him to mediate. Mr Bradford said that he in turn sought the intervention of GFF officials. Five of the seven clubs which enjoy full membership of the BFA signed the letter to Mr Matthias while the other 2, which are associate members, declined. Meanwhile, Mr Beckles said that his group has since sought legal advice and is prepared to move to the courts if their concerns are not a m ic ably addressed by Monday. Quizzed on fears of possible ramifications he replied, “FIFA is not against their affiliates resorting to the courts to settle internal matters and we have ventilated the issue to its fullest before taking this stance.”
GCA competitions to resume February 1 Frank Anthony
Christopher Jones
Sports, the Cliff Anderson Sports (Hall) Complex can also be used to slaughter goats?” Jones asked. The minister informed that “The Cliff Anderson Sports Hall is used primarily for sports”. Jones then asked if the minister can inform the House what led to goats being slaughtered at the Sports Hall, but Anthony
remained adamant that he is “not aware that goats were slaughtered at the Sports Hall” despite the published evidence of the act. Anthony stated that he heard there was an article, but he did not read it when pressed with details of the incident in the newspapers. “Honourable Speaker is the (Continued on page 28)
Play in the Georgetown Cricket Association Hadi’s World Incorporated 1st Division and Noble House Seafoods 2nd Division Two Day Competitions is scheduled to resume on Saturday, 1st February. Participating clubs are asked to prepare their venues and teams for the resumption and be reminded that the Transfer Wi n d o w f o r P l a y e r s wishing to change club,
e n d s o n F r i d a y, 3 1 s t January, 2014. In the Hadi’s World Inc competition, Georgetown Cricket Club will battle Everest at Bourda, Demerara Cricket Club will face Police at Queenstown, Transport Sports Club will play Gandhi Youth Organisation at Eve Leary and GNIC will tackle Malteenoes Sports Club at Everest. All matches start at 09:30 hrs. In the Noble House Sea
Foods tournament, Muslim Youth Organisation will travel to GNIC, Malteenoes Sports Club will host Demerara Cricket Club, Everest will entertain Transport SC at MYO, Sophia will match skills with Georgetown Cricket Club, University of Guyana will clash with Police at Turkeyen and GDF will battle GYO at Camp Ayanganna. Action gets underway from 10:30 hrs.
Saturday January 25, 2014
Kaieteur News
Juan Mata: Manchester United confirm deal with Chelsea
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Local Amputees preparing for Boston marathon Set to take part in Clico Marathon in T and T
BBC Sport - Manchester United have confirmed they have reached a deal with Chelsea for Spanish midfielder Juan Mata, with the price thought to be £37m. United said on Friday they would pay a club-record fee, subject to the 25-yearold passing a medical and agreeing personal terms. Their previous transfer record was the £30.75m paid to Tottenham for Dimitar Berbatov in 2008. In his Friday news conference, Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho said: “Things are going in a good direction. We have allowed Juan to travel and have the medical.” Mata has been Chelsea’s player of the year in each of the last two seasons, but has failed to command a regular starting place under Mourinho, who last summer returned to Stamford Bridge to start a second spell in charge. “The player deserves respect and to play and because the offer is right, we allowed him to negotiate,” added the Chelsea boss. Mata, who has won 32 caps for Spain, said goodbye to team-mates and staff at Chelsea’s Cobham training ground on Wednesday. Mourinho has trusted Eden Hazard, Oscar and summer signing Willian in attacking roles this season and, while his relationship with Mata is healthy, the Portuguese conceded Chelsea’s system does not suit the player. Mourinho said: “I asked Mata when the offer came
whether he really was happy to go and he said ‘yes, I am really happy to go’. After that we could feel mixed emotions. “This is a fantastic opportunity for him. Another big club wants him in the country he wants to stay in, has made the right offer for him, so, although lots of clubs feel you should not sell to rivals, we are different.” On Tuesday, Chelsea insisted that Mata was not for sale, despite the fact he has been substituted in nine of his 13 Premier League appearances this season. But Mata, who was part of the Spain squad which won the World Cup in 2010 and European Championship in 2012, now looks set to be a United player in time for Cardiff ’s visit to Old Trafford on Tuesday. Mourinho continued: “I think this club is a special club and it cares for people. It is very respectful of its players and especially those who wrote history and Juan is one of these. “He was fantastic for Chelsea and Chelsea was fantastic for him. We are not afraid he is going there to do very well. We want him to go there and be happy.” It was reported that Mata’s move would be delayed until Chelsea completed the signing of Mohamed Salah from FC Basel. However, the 21-yearold Egypt midfielder still needs to accept personal terms, undergo a medical and receive a work permit.
The Amputees from right John Antoo, Gavin Jeffers, William France while standing far left is a member of the William France Athletic Club Selwyn Lovell By Zaheer Mohamed Local amputee Garvin Jeffers, William France and John Antoo are currently preparing for the Boston Marathon which is slated for April 21. Jeffers and Antoo, both members of the William France Differently abled athletic club will participate in the Clico Marathon for the differently abled athletes which is set for January 28 in Port-of- Spain. Speaking with Kaieteur Sport yesterday, Jeffers who hails from Good Hope on the Essequibo Coast, said that he is happy to get involved in the sport adding that France motivated him to do so. He stated that after losing his left leg due to an accident, he
wants to show the public the importance of sports. “Sports can play a significant role in one’s life”, he added. Jeffers, whose only event so far is a 13 miles walk in 2008, will make his debut in the marathon when he journey to the twin island republic. He indicated that said his main objective is to participate in the Boston Marathon adding that he now trains twice per day. He explained that he is need of a prosthetic leg and will be presented with one by the Guyana Friends Association in Boston Massachusetts which is headed by Gus Corbin and Francis Quamina Farrier as long as he completes the event.
Antoo indicated that his preparation for the Marathon is going well and his main aim is to support the differently abled people. “I want the differently abled to understand that they can still achieve their goals in life so hopefully can motivate others by taking part in the Marathon”, he said. Meanwhile, France stated that he wants to become the world’s oldest amputee to take part in a marathon; the feat will be achieved if he does so in the Boston event. He said that while they do not get paid for these events they are concerned about the youths. “We are concerned about the society and want to help
make people lives more comfortable”, he said. The trios have embarked on several fund raising ventures to make their participation in the Boston Marathon possible. They need G$1M and have so far managed $648,000. Their fund raising drive continues this weekend at Springlands, Port Mourant and Canje Bridge in Berbice. France would like to thank all those who have assisted so far including Pooran Brothers, Director of Sport Neil Kumar, Nigel’s Supermarket, Ray’s Auto Sale, Ramchand Auto Sale and who supported them while raising funds at the Demerara Harbour Bridge.
Nadal brings Federer crashing back to earth
Bartica Football Association erupts
Displaced executives threatens court redress if ultimatum ignored
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Carlton Beckles
Noel Adonis
Christopher Matthias
GFF Premier League P.30 resumes on February 2 England beat Australia in Perth ODI to end P.30 Li hoping for third time lucky at Melbourne Park nine-match losing run
Roger Federer (L) of Switzerland poses for a photo with Rafael Nadal of Spain before their men’s singles semi-final match at the Australian Open 2014 tennis tournament in Melbourne January 24, 2014. REUTERS/Jason Reed
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Mayor’s 79th Birthday Football P.34 Final fixed for Den Amstel tomorrow
Juan Mata: Manchester United confirm P.35 deal with Chelsea Li Na of China, finalist in the women’s singles, poses with a Chinese national flagat the Australian Open 2014 tennis tournament in Melbourne January 24, 2014 in this handout image provided by Tennis Australia. REUTERS/Fiona Hamilton/Tennis Australia/Handout via Reuters
Dependable Spares on board with DCC
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