Kaieteur News

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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

The importance of democratisation

Democratisation is one of the most important concepts and trends in modern political science, one with significance just beginning to be understood by conflictresolution practitioners. On one level, it is a relatively simple idea, since democratisation is simply the establishment of a democratic political regime. However, in practice, democratisation has been anything but easy to understand, let alone achieve as we in Guyana should appreciate. Democracy, as we know it today, is a relatively recent phenomenon. While some of the ancient Greek city-states had democratic aspects, modern democracy only dates from the late 18th century. To be considered democratic, a country must choose its leaders through fair and competitive elections, ensure basic civil liberties and respect the rule of law. Some observers also claim that a democracy has to have a capitalist economy and a strong civil-society and civic culture, although not all political scientists would include these two criteria. Democratisation is the process whereby a country adopts such a regime. There is less agreement among political scientists about how that process occurs, including the criteria to use in determining if democratisation has, in fact, taken place. Many countries have adopted democratic regimes only to see them collapse in a military coup or other revolt that yields an authoritarian government instead. Typically, we do not think that democracy has truly taken root until at least three national elections have been held. Another criterion raised by many experts is the peaceful transfer of power from one political party or coalition to the former opposition. Such a transition is critical because it indicates that the major political forces in a country are prepared to settle their disputes without violence and to accept that they will all spend periods of time out of office. Can we say we have achieved the latter condition in Guyana? Less clear is how democratisation occurs. It took an extended period of time to develop in the industrialized countries of Western Europe and North America. In the United States and Great Britain, it took well over a century before all the institutions and practices mentioned above were firmly in place. France, Germany, and Italy saw their democratic regimes collapse and be replaced by fascist ones. It is undoubtedly true that democratisation can take place faster today. However, it certainly is not something that can be instituted overnight. Democratisation takes time, because it requires the development of new institutions and widespread trust in them, which almost never happens quickly. As with the definition of the term, the importance of democratisation is easy to see at first glance, but is much more complicated in practice. Between states, democratisation is important because of one of the most widely (but not universally) accepted trends in international relations, referred to as “the democratic peace”. Put simply, democracies do not have wars with other democracies: they have achieved what Kenneth Boulding called “stable peace.” Whatever the exact set of factors that contribute to democratic peace, within states, democratisation is particularly important in those countries that have gone through an extended period of intractable conflict. The institutions and value systems that make democracy possible are based on the development of the trust, tolerance, and capacity for cooperation that make stable peace and reconciliation possible outcomes of a conflictresolution process. Unfortunately, the same reasons that make democratisation important make it difficult to achieve. The ethnic and other tensions that give rise to intractable conflict create so much mistrust and intolerance that cooperation is

Thursday January 29, 2015

Letters... Where your views make the news

Students ditched to promote partisan and sinister political plot DEAR EDITOR, So, the people had to bring pressure on the government for them to understand that the education of our children is a serious and important issue. So, after much display of arrogance and blatant ignorance, they suspiciously decided to move the May 11, 2015 CXC examinations to dates in June in order to avoid the clash with elections. Clearly, these people had no intention to place the interest of the nation’s children as a top priority. The fact that the regime decided to change the examination date and not the election date, illustrates that the PPP believes that its own political agenda must be paramount to the interest of the Guyanese children. This is a revelation that none of us should be happy or comfortable with or should just roll over and accept.

The people must be concerned as to why the government decided to change the dates of these important examinations as opposed to shifting the date of the elections. What is in this May 11 election date? Why would the government shift a regional examination they know is written during the time they announced the election, instead of moving the date of elections that are locally managed and controlled? Wouldn’t it have cost less to move the date of the elections than to move the date of the examinations? Mind you, the President is on record as stating that he has numerous elections dates lined up, hence it is clear that there were other alternatives. However, the May 11 date appears to be so important to the PPP/C that it decided to burden the taxpayers with the additional and unanticipated cost the

shifting of the examination will attract. In this already economically deprived society, the government in its “wisdom” decided that the people of Guyana must incur this additional cost, which the CXC indicated that the Guyana government will have to bear. Will the people be told how much of their hard earned taxpaying dollars was already paid to CXC to administer these examinations on the May 11 date? Will the government come clean with the people on this? They must let the people know how much they will have to pay CXC to administer these examinations on the new June dates. The people must also know what possible ramifications the change in the examination date will cause. How will the government guarantee that since the examination to be written (Continued on page 23)

In my opinion this represents a national tragedy DEAR EDITOR, I have read recent articles by both PM Hinds and Minister of Natural Resources & the Environment Robert Persaud reporting that all is well in the

timber industry. Both of these gentlemen reported that more valueadded activities are being encouraged along with the other usual rhetoric. The report on Guyana’s declared timber

exports during 2014 as compared to 2013 was recently released by the GFC through the Forests Products Development & Marketing Council (FPDMC). A synopsis of certain key figures is presented below.

Readers can judge for themselves what the real story is. My opinion is that this represents a national tragedy. Howard Bulkan

West Indies cricket needs overhauling DEAR EDITOR, There is no doubt that West Indies cricket is getting bad to worse — even the most ardent crickets fans are fed up with both the administrators and the cricketers. Two or three decades ago we were the world champions — today we are at almost the bottom of the ladder. What a shame.

Our current players are more concerned with dollars and cents rather than to play for pride and the love of the game. Moreover T20 seems to be “killing” test cricket, mainly because of the mighty dollar and the fact that spectators prefer to see the shorter version of the game rather than to witness a five-day match.

very difficult to achieve. Indeed, there are very few countries that have been able to move from intractable conflict to democracy quickly or easily. One exception is South Africa, where the black and white political elites summoned up unprecedented political will and commitment to the multi-racial democracy that came into effect in 1994. What most citizens can do, however, is to engage in the political process of their home country to promote policies that help democratisation. For one, we can put pressure on our political elites to pursue the politics of accommodation as Mandela did in South Africa. Their Executive powersharing arrangement for one term did much to diffuse suspicions and create trust between the previously warring factions. We can also become involved in civil-society organisations that are working to build democracy itself.

Our players prefer to play T20 matches for IPL and other sponsors because they are well paid. Kieron Pollard for instance is a top T20 player but has never played a Test match. Dwayne Bravo and Dwayne Smith are outstanding T20 players and are being overlooked for Tests and star batsman Chris Gayle is now more recognized as a T20 blaster than an accomplished test player. Andre Russell who has been described as one of the best all-rounders in the world prefers to play T20 rather than Tests. Despite the fact the West Indies have outstanding T20 players, as a team we are still at the bottom of the ladder, and one wonders what the problem is. The administrators were blamed and there was a complete breakdown between the players and the West Indies

Cricket Board which ended up in a disgraceful spectacle in India when the players refused to play in the midst of a tour, and as a result the Indian Cricket Board is claiming US$42 million in financial losses as a result of the aborted tour. Fans feel that there should be a complete restructure. St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister, Ralph Gonsalves is calling for the removal of the WICB President Dave Cameron, because he failed to honour his agreement. The entire Board needs to be overhauled, new selectors should be named and the disgruntled players should be banned for life. We do not need three captains and former outstanding West Indies players should be tapped to be administrators. Oscar Ramjeet

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Kaieteur News

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Letters... Where your views make the news Letters... Where your views make the news

Poaching vs. The Greek connection Competitive Recruiting DEAR EDITOR, The complaint from the Pegasus Hotel management which was headlined in yesterday’s (Jan. 28) KN that the Marriott Hotel is “deliberately stealing employees from local hotels” is tantamount to shooting at the wrong target. Subject to doing so within the laws of the land, Marriott Hotel, like any other employer, is at liberty to offer prospective employees whatever type or level of compensation, benefits, working conditions etc it can afford in order to attract, recruit and retain the employees they need. (Of course, if these are conspicuously out of sync with what is being enjoyed by relatively comparable employees in the same organization then that opens another ‘can of worms’) What the newspaper report referred to as “pouching”, obviously meaning ‘poaching’, is not different from what Human Resource practitioners typically call ‘headhunting”, a practice that is au courant among progressive

employers, especially those in the competitive, global market place for much needed, desirable employees. This is a more direct, deliberate, focused form of ‘confidential recruitment’ which is in vogue among the most decent, morally upright and progressive employers around the world; some even offer ‘inducements’ which are legal but might still be regarded by the more ‘prudent’ as unethical; they are still ‘fair game’ in the increasing competition for scarce, top flight human resources. This is not to deny the inalienable right of the management of our Pegasus Hotel to complain about the reported unfair actions of our Government in the context of alleged unjustified, improper, preferential ‘fiscal concessions” and tax exemptions being allowed to the Marriott Hotel Inc. However, as was pointed out above, this is another set of issues unrelated to poaching or stealing of employees from local hotels. Nowrang Persaud

There is no concern in this country for the poor DEAR EDITOR, It seems to us that there is no concern in this country for the poor. When we look at the costs poor people have to pay for house rent, public transportation, utility bills, education, not to mention the cost for food, health services and house lots. We read an article in the Kaieteur Newspapers dated January 16, 2015, which listed the monthly rates of salaries and allowances of members of the National Assembly as of January 1, 2015. From what we have seen, all of them are earning more than four times the new minimum wage. The lowest paid MP gets 5 times more than the minimum wage while the highest paid MP (AG) gets about 46 times the minimum wage. THIS IS A CRYING SHAME! WHAT A DISGRACE! How can these people sleep comfortably at nights knowing that poor people, especially single mothers, cannot even send their children to school much less feed them a nutritious meal? This is what we call raping the economy. Some of these MPs have other paid jobs from which they are already earning huge salaries. How can it be okay for poor people

to get little or nothing while the rich get more, more and still a lot more? What measure is used to decide what the rich should earn and what poor people including pensioners and people on public assistance should get? We know that one of the answers would be education and skills, but we also have skills, and in some cases more than some of them. For Public servants to get a 5% increase on their wages there has to be much bargaining, talks and delays by government to decide if the workers deserve it. Why is it alright for public servants to be given such meagre wages when parliamentarians and government officials are receiving LARGE sums? Is it that they are telling us that we do not count? How in the name of anything that is decent, can this be allowed to happen? It seems as though these people in authority are declaring war against poor people in this country. We live in a country that is not poor people

friendly. We are trampled upon by those with money and power. We don’t get exemptions, from taxes neither do we get chauffeur allowance much less vacation allowance. Some of us can’t even afford to pay transport to go to Linden, Berbice or Parika for a weekend vacation. We are given so little, but yet we are forced to pay high costs for utility bills, not to mention house rent. We lead a daily struggle for the survival of ourselves and our families. A few days ago one of our members went to her daughter ’s school for a Parent-Teacher Meeting and in that meeting, one of the teachers reported that a student, aged fifteen years old, was caught gambling and was taken to the Head Teacher ’s office. Upon questioning him, he related that he buys his own school clothes and feeds himself. This alone tells the story of poor people’s struggle. In all fairness this is not the way anyone should live. Poor (Continued on page 23)

DEAR EDITOR, Greeks recently went to the polls. They voted overwhelmingly for Alexis Tsipras and his leftist Syriza party after several years of austerity programmes by previous administrations which saw their living standards plummeted to an all-time low. The main platform of the victorious Syriza party was one of re-negotiating the crippling debt burden which was imposed by the western financial institutions, more particularly the European Development Bank and the International Monetary Fund. The challenges before him are enormous. The austerity programmes have failed miserably to reinvigorate the economy and even though the economy was of late showing some signs of life under the former conservative New Democracy party led by outgoing Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, it proved in the end to be a case of ‘too little too late.’ The truth of the matter is that Greeks have been hard hit by high levels of unemployment, cuts in social services and pensions. One in four Greek workers is currently unemployed. The situation is even worse among the younger population where one in every two just cannot find work. Under the slogan “Hope is on the way” the new administration now has the herculean task of restoring hope and turning the tide of despair. The situation in Greece can hardly get worse. Within the past four years, the country borrowed some 278 billion dollars under a debt restructuring bailout plan. Understandably, one of the first policy measures of the

new administration is to renegotiate the debt burden which currently stands at 175 per cent of the country’s gross domestic product! According to a BBC story, the crisis situation has affected all facets of national life. The crisis has relegated social life into secondary importance as could be seen from comments made by ordinary Greeks: “The crisis has forced love to become a secondary priority. There are other things to worry about. I see many women looking for someone who have money to take them out, who can take them on holidays. I see this quite a lot and it saddens me.” “We save to come once every few months for a drink, and we look forward to it.” Many young adults are forced to delay marriages and having families as could be seen from a significant decline in the population since the crisis started over a decade ago. The situation in Greece is not dissimilar to what obtained in Guyana during the days of the former PNC administration when the country was right up to the neck in debt and had to spend over ninety percent of revenues on debt servicing and repayment. It took the return of the PPP/C administration on October 5, 1992 before the viability of the economy was finally restored along sustainable lines. Thanks to prudent management of the economy, sound monetary policies and strong fiscal discipline the economy rebounded within a

relatively short period and with it an enhanced quality of life of the Guyanese people. As Guyanese prepare for general and regional elections, the lesson from Greece is as relevant as it is instructive. It took a working class party like that of the PPP to understand the pains and tribulations of the ordinary people and to put in place the right kinds of policy prescriptions to correct the onslaught on the poor. As the PPP/C administration has shown, the task of national reconstruction can be challenging though not insurmountable. Today Guyana has graduated from a highly indebted low income country to a middle income country, an extraordinary achievement considering the wrecked economy which the new PPP/C administration inherited in 1992. Guyana’s President Donald Ramotar was quite correct when he observed that the country’s economic performance was quite good, considering the harsh international environment and a hostile and obstructionist political opposition. This is why the re-election of President Donald Ramotar and his PPP/C administration is so critical for the continued progress and prosperity of Guyana and the Guyanese people. Hydar Ally

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GuySuCo Board drives company - NAACIE joins calls for further into the ground independent inquiry

NAACIE’s General Secretary, Kenneth Joseph The calls are mounting for an independent inquiry into the operations of the beleaguered Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo). Yesterday, the corporation’s second union, the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE), said that it can no longer tolerate the situation which has seen one bad decision after another by the board and management. “It is against that litany of poor Board level and management decisions and all their consequential woes for the sector that NAACIE throws its unstinted and categorical support for the call for an urgent Commission of Inquiry into Guyana’s besieged sugar industry, as mounted by the major union in the sector, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU).” The union, which represents mainly office workers at the corporation, said 2014 was the year with the second lowest production in the last 24 years. “Senseless preharvesting of pre-ripened cane causing poor quality production, also compromised quality and production potential of the 2015 first crop.” The union also criticised

NAACIE has joined calls for an independent inquiry of GuySuCo. Agri Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, and GuySuCo’s CEO, Dr. Raj Singh management saying that it made a “fundamentally flawed”, “unprofessional economic” decision to reject a three year contract from its European customer, Tate and Lyle, in late 2012. GuySuCo settled for a mere one year agreement “resulting in significant financial loss to the sugar corporation for 2013 to 2015 inclusive.” NAACIE is of the view that the industry is indeed besieged and under siege by the “atrocious decisions” by both the Board of Directors and its management. NAACIE was also highly critical over the manner in which GuySuCo goes about planting canes. “There is woefully inadequate expert management monitoring of the husbandry in the fields. The results are poor plant nurturing, poor roads, poor punts maintenance all resulting in poor quality product.” The Board of Directors, led by former Education Minister, Shaik Baksh, was also not left out. “The Guysuco Board never by itself seems to enquire into its own stewardship. This is apparent from the repetitive policy and management blunders yearly. The sectors, employees, suppliers and our general population then feel the

economic squeeze. How long must we merely mouth that sugar is too big to fail” NACCIE said that the annual cash injection from the national budget have failed to stop the haemorrhaging at GuySuCo. “The taxpayers are being exploited. A national expert, impartial inquiry must be

mounted now. Not so much to cast blame now…but to rescue this vital industry which offers succor to thousands and to the nation’s life source…” Last year, the 16,000 worker industry, once the biggest in the country, barely scraped past its target of 216,000 tonnes. However, a drop in price on the world market by more than 50 percent in the last three years

saw the industry’s cash takings taking a beating. As at June last year, the industry owed $58B to local and overseas banks and to suppliers. The latter has been demanding cash up front. The industry has also been producing sugar at US$0.30-plus per pound, almost double for what it is selling for. A “shakeup” of the board saw its former Chairman, Dr. Raj Singh, being

appointed the Chief Executive Officer, while Baksh was named the Chairman. The Opposition has called for GuySuCo to present a plan detailing how the industry’s fortunes will be reversed. However, GuySuCo has failed to do so. GuySuCo has been a touchy subject for both Government and the Opposition as a significant number of votes come from the industry.

Guyana’s human rights record defended at UN’s Geneva review Due to blizzard conditions in the United States, Presidential Advisor Gail Texiera and Legal Advisor Damone Younge were unable to attend the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in Geneva. According to Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon, only the Foreign Minister managed to make the trip to Switzerland for the event which entails an examination of Guyana and other nations’ report of the set of rights, treaties and conventions that have been signed on to, or subscribed. The report, Dr. Luncheon said, addresses not only compliance but also recommendations that had arisen in its previous reports when Guyana last presented its case in 2010. The Cabinet Secretary explained that Guyana’s Foreign Minister presented this country’s report. “That engagement allows members

Foreign Affairs Minister, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett of the international community, nation states, participating parties, NGOs international and local, to indeed join in the review of the government’s reports, which spans a period from our last review, to October or November of 2014. That outcome is actually broadcast

live. Transcripts are formally available within 48 hours”. It was explained that once the report is acceptable to all, it is then submitted to the United Nations Human Rights Council. Guyana will meet the Council in June of this year to confirm mutual satisfaction and Guyana’s official report to the UPR would then be available publicly. Having obtained some reports on the proceedings, Dr. Luncheon said that some issues raised by countries which accused the government of certain alleged violations, were addressed by Guyana’s Foreign Minister. Commenting on allegations of extra judicial killing, he said, “Essentially when established as having occurred, the law takes its course. When established as not having occurred, the security forces, the officers essentially would go “scot-

free”. The UPR is a mechanism of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council (HRC) that emerged from the 2005 UN reform process. Commonly referred to as the UN-UPR, it was established by the General Assembly resolution 60/251 of 3 April 2006. The UN-UPR periodically examines the human rights performance of all 193 UN Member States. It is intended to complement, not duplicate, the work of other human rights mechanisms, including the UN human rights treaty bodies. This is the first international human rights mechanism to address all countries and all human rights. The Working Group on the UPR, which is composed of the HRC’s 47 Member States and chaired by the HRC President, conducts country reviews. (GINA)

Thursday January 29, 2015

Kaieteur News

Warner: I am not worried (Trinidad Express) Political Leader of the Independent Liberal Party Jack Warner yesterday afternoon confirmed receiving a letter from the President indicating that a Tribunal was to be set up to enquire into his financial affairs. Warner said he was not worried or concerned over the decision. Warner, however, said the letter came to his home, two hours after the Office of the President issued a statement to the press regarding the Tribunal. The following is the statement Warner, Political leader of the ILP, replies to President Carmona’s letter I did receive a letter from President Anthony Thomas Aquinas Carmona, O.R.T.T.,S.C., President of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago at 7:30pm last night at my home in Five Rivers, Arouca indicating “ the appointment of a tribunal to conduct an enquiry to verify the contents of the declara-

Jack Warner tions of income, assets and liabilities and statements of registrable interests which I filed ...with the Integrity Commission of Trinidad & Tobago for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.” It is informative to note that I received the President’s let-

ter, dated January 26, 2015 my birthday, some two hours AFTER he issued his release to the Media. I have since acknowledged receipt of same. In the President’s letter, I was given no date as to when the tribunal will start or who are the principals of the tribunal. I am simply awaiting further information from the Office of the President. There is nothing more that I can say on this matter except to state that, like the Political leader of the PNM, Dr Keith Rowley, who is now being investigated by a Commission of Enquiry on the Las Alturas Housing Estate matter, I, too, as Political leader of the ILP, am not in the least bit worried or concerned about this investigation. I have been advised by others that instructions have been given that both matters must be concluded before April, 2015. Respectfully submitted Jack Warner Political leader Independent Liberal Party.

Sagicor’s move not a loss of confidence in Barbados (Barbados Nation) Prime Minister Freundel Stuart has stoutly defended Sagicor F i nancial Corporation’s recently announced decision to re-domicile its registered office to a location outside of this island, saying it is not a loss of confidence in Barbados. Stuart made the comments yesterday while addressing the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s luncheon at Hilton Barbados. He told his audience: “Barbados will benefit from Sagicor’s improved performance in the same way that Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom benefit

from the improved performance of their companies domiciled here! Directors have to make hard business decisions, and not decisions based on sentimentality! “I wish Sagicor well, as we all should, as it continues to make its presence felt not only around the region but beyond it, and I look forward to the benefits that will flow to shareholders from this change of domicile.” The Prime Minister said those persons who were feeding the loss of confidence frenzy pounced on the announcement and immediately framed it as an additional item of such evidence.

“When directors sit to make decisions, therefore, the question that must always guide them is ‘what do the best interests of the company require at this time?’ So was it with Sagicor’s directors,” he declared. “…Sagicor has strategic objectives as well, and those objectives have dictated that the interests of the company would be best served by being domiciled elsewhere at this time,” Stuart underscored. Sagicor Financial Corporation is a corporate descendant of the Barbados Mutual Life Assurance Society, which came under the microscope in Barbados in 1989 over its structure. (BGIS)

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WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO PLEA BARGAINING? Each month you read in the newspapers about some drug mule being held by the authorities and subsequently jailed. During their trial these couriers may indicate that they were paid a certain sum to export the prohibited item that their circumstances lured them into the trafficking of the drugs. Most of these couriers are ordinary Guyanese barely eking out a decent living. Some others are brought in from overseas to transport the drugs but when you do a background check you will find that they too have their own financial problems which lure them to transport the illegal substances. A great many Guyanese are filling up our prisons

because of drug offences, particularly trafficking in drugs. There is a mandatory sentencing policy for those found trafficking in narcotics and as much as there may be some sympathy for the couriers, there is little that the Magistrates can do because the law provides for jail time for such offences. Those held are almost exclusively the small fish. They are the small peddlers and runners of the illegal trade. They work for bigger “fish” and they take their jail time for these big fishes. In most instances persons held with drugs through our airport, the couriers refuse to name the individuals who gave them the drugs to

transport. It is almost always their claim that they did not know the person well enough. That is almost always an unbelievable story but they cover for the big fishes. They take the rap. They take jail time for their masters, refusing to name them or shame them. Our jails are crammed with men and women serving time for the dirty work of the big fishes. Those entrusted with enforcing our drug lords seem quite content with their little victories. They seem satisfied with jailing the couriers. Given the fact that very few drug lords have done time in Guyana, one has to ask how enthusiastic are the drug enforcement agencies in

Guyana in trying to find out and take action against those who are the masters of the couriers that are filling up our jails. Why are the drug lords escaping justice and their runners and couriers are taking the rap? And why are the authorities not attempting to make deals with the couriers in exchange for information that could lead to the arrest and conviction of the drug lords? There remains on our statute books, laws that provide for plea bargaining. The question that needs to be asked is if anyone has ever utilized that piece of legislation which was intended to get to the heart and core of crime syndicates,

by offering plea bargaining to persons charged or suspected to have been involved in criminal activities. The next time that someone is caught transporting drugs through our airport, I would like to see a plea bargain being entered. In return for a reduced sentence and being placed in protective custody, I would like to see persons arrested being asked to provide information of those who gave them the drugs to transport. Instead of filling up our jails with couriers, let us begin to trap the drug lords. The Americans make these plea bargains all the time. They got one honcho from Guyana because they made a deal with one of his

couriers. In exchange for a green card for himself and family he sang like a canary. There is logic and merit in how the Americans operate. Why fill up your jails with four couriers when you can use those four couriers to nail one big fish and in so doing, prevent other drug-running missions by other couriers. It is time for plea bargaining to be put into practice. It is time to pull the huge fishes into the net.

US commit to partnering region in clean energy projects In a significant move, the US has committed to helping the Caribbean develop clean energy projects that would ease the region's dependence on fossil fuel. In a joint statement issued Tuesday after the first ever Caribbean Energy Security Seminar held in Washington, D.C, this week, participants agreed to take measures to help realize financing for low carbon projects where elec-

tricity can be generated through wind, solar, geothermal power, hydropower, bioenergy, ocean energy and energy recovery from waste. Among other things, the joint statement said, there is a commitment between the US and the Caribbean to develop an open, transparent, competitive and criteria-based processes, including liberalization where cost effective, to procure energy investment

Dem boys seh ...

Jagdeo is a copy cat who only humming Guyana is a strange place and it got some strange people. Normally in some country dem got people who does tek dem time before dem do anything but this country got some people who is a clear case of monkey see; monkey do. Jagdeo is one of dem. De Waterfalls paper know bout this attitude and that is why it got a policy of ignoring nuff of dem people who kill demself. De paper don’t even report pun some of dem. De other day dem report about a woman who jump off de Harbour Bridge. De next week another woman do de same thing. Jagdeo is a monkey see; monkey do person. He travel and he see a lot. He see de Marriott and he decide fuh mek one in Guyana. He hear bout specialty hospital and he want one in Guyana. He is de man who see people wearing threequarter pants and he doing de same thing. Dem boys shaving dem head and even that he do. He is wha dem call a copy cat. Dem boys want to know why he don’t see people jumping off de Harbour Bridge and do de same thing. Since de Berbice Bridge is he own, he can jump off that bridge. Nobody never jump from that bridge and kill demself suh he can mek history. People always gun remember he name. People gun sing “O Happy Day.” And Donald will declare a period of sporting instead of a period of mourning. Mash gun look like stupidness. Of course, dem would have a ceremony to mark de occasion every year. Since Jagdeo want people remember him he could order people to assemble at de spot from wheh he gun jump. Of course this is a great man, just dem Pharaoh in Egypt. He can do better than that. When dem Pharaoh dead de people use to bury a whole heap of people wid he. Jagdeo can do de same. He can jump wid all he kavakamites. Kwame would sink by he back; Brassington gun sink like a ton of bricks. Donald gun survive because dunk know fuh swim. Talk half and help Jagdeo continue wid de copy cat policy.

and facilitate access to finance for cleaner and climate resilient energy projects and infrastructure. There will also be “Data and energy information exchange and coordination with, between, and among countries and stakeholders to minimize duplication and enable the monitoring and evaluation of energy projects to maximize the impacts of efforts toward fully integrated, low carbon and climate-resilient energy transition plans.” Representing Guyana at the summit were Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Robert Persaud. The statement committed the US and the region to seek ways wherever possible to ensure alignment of national legal and regulatory approaches to facilitate greater clean energy investment throughout the region, provided that countries can access finance and other resources on affordable terms and “to set the stage for future electrical interconnection in keeping with the goals of Connect 2022”. Hosting the event was US Vice President, Joseph Biden. In addition to CARICOM

Guyana was represented by Prime Minister Samuel Hinds (l) and Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment. Robert Persaud. Also present was Trinidad's PM, Kamla Persad-Bissessar (centre). members, also participating were Canada, Colombia, France, Germany, Mexico, New Zealand, Spain, Suriname, United Kingdom, United States, CARICOM Secretariat, Caribbean Development Bank, European Union, Inter-American Development Bank Group, International Renewable Energy

Agency, Organization of American States, and the World Bank Group.

The joint statement noted that representatives recognized that energy security, access to energy, economic development, environmental and climate goals benefit from and contribute to sustainable, modern, clean and diversified energy sectors. It was also noted that that lowering energy costs can increase competitiveness in tourism, manufacturing and various other sectors of the regional economies. It was also recognized that the private sector has an important role to play in developing the energy sector in the region, and that there is potential for greater public-private partnerships. “We state our commitment to support the Caribbean's transformation of the energy systems of Caribbean states, to share lessons learned through new and expanded regional information networks, to report progress in relevant fora…”

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=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

The god of non-existent things is back I sat next to Adam Harris in the Kaieteur News gym waiting for other staffers to travel together to attend the wake of the wife of senior Kaieteur News employee, Mike Baptiste. Adam and I went through various permutations of the 2015 election results. I am not at liberty to discuss Adam’s outlines. I said; “Adam, who really advises the PPP; why would a government allow a Minister to chase a little girl selling water on the parapet; why bring dislike on yourself

for appointing Bibi Shadick as Pro-Chancellor when you already have someone doing the work for you at UG?” I will now disclose that particular response of Adam. He murmured, “Boy, I don’t think they have too many thinkers in their midst.” Is it that the PPP does not have too many thinkers within their leadership? Or is it that the authoritarian mind cannot see reality and thus does the most hateful, stupid and unnecessary things? Dozens, (not several) times I have mentioned in

these columns the theory that dictatorship cannot redeem itself because the capacity to do so is lost. Redemption of self comes from the conscious recognition that the reality out there is not in your favour. So out of that cognitive process, you fit yourself into that reality. I will offer readers just one example so they can properly assess my point. If you are currently embroiled in a controversy in your workplace and right there and then there is election for

the union’s shop steward position, it may be best not to damage your future goal of leadership of the union by contesting it. Wait until the storm blows over. To implement this strategy you have to be aware that the controversy may cause you to lose. I ran into one of the relatives of Cheddi Jagan in the supermarket and we talked about the possible election results. He didn’t put it in academic terms, but in his own way he was echoing the theory of irrationality in dictatorship. He said; “Freddie, you think those people will change? You see how Rohee behaves on the television?” The chasing of the little girl selling her bottled water, the imposition of Bibi Shadick on UG and countless other instances of the unnecessary things will continue to be done by the PPP weeks and days into the General Election, because reality cannot and will not be recognized by the authoritarian mind. Enter Bharrat Jagdeo. It is clear to any sane person that

the PPP high command met and has identified Bharrat Jagdeo as one of its brains for the election campaign. Why would the PPP do this? Because nowhere in the collective mind of the PPP, Jagdeo has committed even a small sin. In that collective mind, Jagdeo is a trump card because he is popular and will give the PPP victory. This is not only mental masturbation, it is mental insipidness. Mr. Jagdeo is a factor of the past. His reign lasted for twelve years and despicable and horrible things were committed during his tenure that has made him a liability in any election. The PPP could chose Jagdeo three months before the campaign officially begins but once the fever is released as the campaign heats up, Mr. Jagdeo’s record will take an enormous beating. If any figure in the PPP is vulnerable to rhetorical slaughter when the opposition politicians stand on the podium during the campaign, it will be Jagdeo. One thought it would have been best to keep him out of sight in Berbice because of the bridge toll and

Frederick Kissoon the collapse of Guysuco among other vexed issues. In Guyana as a whole, Mr. Jagdeo’s record is seen as one that catered for the rich only. In the heat of battle in May, his credibility is going to take some hammering because he is associated with shaping an economy that benefited only the wealthy. In fact, it is no secret in Guyana that Mr. Jagdeo’s closest intimates are billionaires. Of course there is another dimension to the Jagdeo inclusion story. Did the PPP leaders voluntarily choose Jagdeo to be fronted in the campaign or did Jagdeo choose himself? Given the way he used his twelve years of presidency to reduce the PPP to his special tool, there is sufficient evidence to suggest that Mr. Jagdeo instructed that Ramotar be selected again for the presidential slot and that he, Jagdeo, would kick-start the campaign. How often do we read that ancient quote; “Whom the gods wish to destroy they first make mad.” The god that never achieved anything is back and he will destroy his fellow gods in months to come.

Thursday January 29, 2015

Kaieteur News

Harbour Bridge suicide victim identified - was ill, spoke repeatedly of killing self Patricia Lowton lived with her daughters in a new and neatly-built wooden house in Grove New Scheme, East Bank Demerara. But she suffered from a prolonged and painful condition that rendered her unable to work and so depressed was she that she spoke repeatedly of taking her own life. At around 15.30 hrs last Tuesday, two months shy of her 59th birthday, Lowton walked half-way across the Demerara Harbour Bridge and jumped to her death. Her body was recovered about an hour later near the Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard wharf at Ruimveldt. Lowton’s daughters viewed the bridge’s security camera footage late Tuesday and saw their mother on the structure. They positively identified her body yesterday morning at the Lyken Funeral Parlour. One of Lowton’s daughters said that they last saw her alive at around 08.15

Central Bank commemorates 50 years by unveiling ... From page 2 mandate with respect to ensuring a sound and efficient financial sector and maintaining price stability over the next three years. “It's a time to recommit ourselves to preserving the integrity of this preeminent institution and working closely with other stakeholders like the Financial Intelligence Unit, Ministry of Finance and other agencies in fostering not only a sound and efficient system, but also an expansion of regulatory and supervisory framework to ensure financial safety.” Dr. Singh in his brief remarks said that he views the 50 year anniversary of the institution from the perspective of the timing of its establishment and the role it played in the birthing of a new nation. He said that the story of the founding of the central bank is inseparable from the story of the birthing of the nation and the establishment was not accidentally synchronous but was a necessity, given the independence that was to follow. Even through the nation's most tumultuous of years post-independence, the finance minister said that the bank has persevered in serving the needs of the country and can justifiably be proud of the role it has played.

hrs on Tuesday when she left the family’s Lot 366 Golden Grove home. According to the daughter, the woman’s son had planned to take her to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) for a blood test. “But she said she ain’t able wait and said she was going out. I ask her how long (she would be gone) and she said she was coming back ‘just now’, and asked the neighbour to watch the house.” They had expected her to be back at noon, and when she didn’t turn up, the son called his sisters. On learning that she hadn’t returned home, the son and other siblings tried to locate their missing mother. “We keep looking all over; we checked the hospitals, we checked at Brickdam and Providence Police Stations and asked if they had any report of a missing person and they said no,” one daughter recalled. “We come home and say that we would make a report at the Diamond Police Station and same time my friend say that somebody fall in the river and that the person dark in complexion and look young. “When we go at the Harbour Bridge they ‘run’ the cameras and we see her; and this morning we go to identify

the body and it was her.” According to one daughter, their mother began to show signs of mental illness after her husband passed away some time ago. She also suffered from a physical ailment that rendered her unable to work. Mrs. Lowton had repeatedly told her children that she was ‘fed-up’ of living with her ailment. She repeatedly expressed suicidal thoughts and had come close to throwing herself in the Demerara River the day before she took her fatal plunge. “Monday morning I go to take her to the hospital. She was crying out for pain. She say she feeling tired. “She said that she wanted to go (to the hospital) by herself. When I came home she say, ‘I went to the stelling at the back of the (Stabroek) market and I go to jump in, but they had too many people so I turn back.’” “She said she want dead; she fed-up living; she can’t work, she can’t do nothing for sheself and is best she go home. “She talk about stabbing sheself and throwing sheself under a car. I would say ‘mommy’ bear up, yuh birthday coming up (in March)’ and she would say no, she want to go ‘home’ and rest.”

It was at around 15.30 hrs on Tuesday that police ranks stationed at the bridge received an anonymous call that a woman was standing at the edge of the bridge in the vicinity of the retractor span. There are no rails in that area. “We got a call saying a woman is standing on the bridge at Span Eleven on the southern side and the word was ‘she looks like she wants to commit suicide,’ so immediately we sent out the security,” General Manager of the Demerara Harbor Bridge Rawlston Adams said. A policewoman rushed to the area in a vehicle and saw the woman, now identified as Patricia Lowton, clutching a bag and standing at the edge of the structure. The rank called out to Lowton who reportedly turned to look at the policewoman, before jumping overboard. Ranks from the Police Marine Branch at Ruimveldt scoured the waters for the victim, before finding her at GDF Coast Guard wharf at Ruimveldt base. It was on December 24, last, that 34-year-old Felicia Hussein climbed onto the rails of the Demerara Harbour Bridge and jumped into the deep waters. Her lifeless body was recovered some 45 minutes later.

Page 11

Reporter charged with sexual abuse of girl, 13

Accused: Andre Hetsberger

Guyana Times/Television Guyana (TVG) reporter, Andre Hetsberger, was yesterday released on $300,000 bail following allegations of sexual offence committed against a 13-year-old female family member. Behind closed doors, Hetsberger was indicted before Magistrate Fabayo Azore on two counts of sexual activity with a child family member. The court heard that the activity occurred on October 12, last, and again on October 15, last, at Lot 7 Camp Street, Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown.

When the two charges were read to him, however, Hetsberger was not called to enter a plea since they were laid indictably. He submitted a bail application through his lawyer, Basil Williams. The case is being prosecuted by Inspector Michael Grant. At the end of the brief hearing, the reporter was granted $150,000 bail on each charge. Hetsberger is expected to make his second court appearance before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on February 2.

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Kaieteur News

Thursday January 29, 2015

Integrity of CXC exams has never been affected by shifted dates - CXC Official The shift in the date of any Caribbean Examination Council (CXC’) examination has never affected its integrity. At least this is the assertion of CXC’s ProRegistrar, Mr Glenroy Cumberbatch, in an invited comment to this publication. Moreover, assisting CXC member countries to shift examination dates if the need arises is not a challenge to the Regional examining body although the only factor that is not immediately known is the cost that is likely to be incurred. And the associated cost to shift the date of an examination, as will happen here to facilitate the May 11, 2015, polling day activities will have to be borne by Government to allow CXC to administer several parallel Caribbean Secondary Education Certification (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency (CAPE) examination papers to local candidates. “That cost is being worked out and would form a contract between CXC and Government of Guyana,” Cumberbatch told this publication. While Cumberbatch has

divulged that a change in the examination date is not a new phenomenon, since CXC has been able to lend its support in this regard to other regional territories, he was however not at liberty to identify any of these territories. He instead noted that “CXC does not reveal the names of countries and their request to the public without their permission.” The local Ministry of Education was placed into the spotlight following the announcement of the May 11, 2015, date for Regional and General and Elections by President Donald Ramotar. This was in light of the fact that polling day, based on CXC timetables for CSEC and CAPE, shared the same date as a number of the CXC administered examinations causing several candidates, teachers and parents to vocalise their concerns. But according to Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, “we were not overly concerned because of security reasons...we expect mature behaviour that would not see us having security concerns.” She however noted that the major concern

was how to use the places of poll, which are schools that are deemed exam centres by CXC, to conduct the examinations under assessment guidelines at the same time. Cumberbatch too noted that CXC’s principal concern was to ensure that the Guyana candidates, who registered to write the examinations, had the opportunity to write them in the conditions in which they are accustomed. “The schools are the centres that are chosen and if the schools are to be used as polling stations then it was not possible to have the two activities competing for the same space at the same time. Therefore it was necessary to ensure that the candidates are not disadvantaged in any way on that given day,” said Cumberbatch. Also of paramount importance, he disclosed, is the need for keen efforts to be directed towards maintaining the integrity of the examination papers. “We want to be sure that the papers are kept intact for movement to the centres and away from the centres in a manner that will not present itself in any leakage of papers or any other

thing of such,” asserted Cumberbatch. He noted too that since the CSEC and CAPE examinations are done across the Region “it is necessary for us to take whatever steps we have to...” The examinations scheduled for May 11th and May 12th 2015 by CXC will now be written by local candidates on June 15th and June 16th 2015 respectively. Because of the change in the examination dates the morning of June 15 will see candidates sitting the following CSEC subjects: Agricultural Science (Double Award)-Paper2; Agricultural Science (Single Award)-Paper 2 and Theatre Arts –Paper1. In the afternoon of June 15, the following CSEC subjects will be written: Electrical and Electronic Technology-Paper 1; Food and Nutrition – Paper2. The CSEC examinations shifted to June 16 will include Home Economics: Management –

Paper 2 and Technical Drawing-Paper 2 in the morning, and Electrical and Electronic Technology Paper 2 in the afternoon. Meanwhile, CAPE subjects set for the morning of June 15 are: Geometrical and Mechanical Engineering Drawing Unit 1 – Paper 2, History Unit 1 – Paper 2 and Art and Design unit 1 and 2 – Paper 2 and 3 while in the afternoon candidates will undertake the Communication StudiesPaper 2. The following morning CAPE candidates will sit French Unit 2 – Paper 2 and Environmental Science Unit 2-Paper 2 while in the afternoon they will be tasked with sitting Pure Mathematics Unit 1 – Paper 2. And since there is no way to guard against local candidates discussing the examination papers with their regional counterparts, Cumberbatch noted that the parallel papers that will be administered will in fact have

Glenroy Cumberbatch, CXC Pro-Registrar some difference. “They will not be the same exact wording and questions but they will be parallel in terms of difficulty and parallel in terms of content,” said Cumberbatch as he explained that these are in fact backup papers that were prepared with the initially planned papers. This is a regular custom of CXC which is designed to counter any unforeseen problems that could surface thereby requiring CXC to produce substitute examination papers.

Attempted arson on National Museum

The National Museum

The timely intervention of the Guyana Fire Service around 15: 00hrs yesterday aborted what was suspected to be an attempted arson attack on the Guyana National Museum.

Kaieteur News was reliably informed that someone placed an old, wooden table in a lunchroom, packed a lot of writing paper on it and poured what was believed to be a mixture of kerosene and

other combustible substances on to it. But the small blaze only scorched a section of the interior walls of the museum. This newspaper understands that the matter is being investigated.

Thursday January 29, 2015

Kaieteur News

Page 21

Drug running trio UG students protest spurs - as part of moves Council meeting to end industrial remanded to jail

Pooran Persaud

Liana Ramsyndar

Pooran Ramoo

A drug dealer who was nabbed along with his wife and footman with a quantity of marijuana in a police sting operation were remanded to jail when they appeared in court on Wednesday. Those appearing were Pooran Ramoo, called ‘Anand’ 32, a fisherman of Lot 7 Section A Cotton Tree West Bank Berbice; Pooran Persaud called ‘Andy’, 32, a taxi driver of Rosignol, West Bank Berbice; and Liana Ramsundar, 24, a sales representative with Digicel and of Lot 38 Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice The three appeared before Magistrate Rhondell Weaver at the Fort Wellington Magistrate’s court on two different charges of being in possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking. Ramoo and Pooran are charged with being in possession of 41 KG 945 grams of cannabis sativa for the purpose of trafficking. Ramoo and Ramsundar are also accused of being in possession of 255 grams of marijuana. They all pleaded not guilty to the charges and were remanded to jail until February 26. According to information, about 19:25h on Monday the police were on patrol on the West Coast Berbice Public Road when in the vicinity of the No. 9 village they received certain information that a white motor car was transporting drugs. T h e d r i v e r, Pooran Persaud, called Andy, 32, a taxi driver of Rosignol, was questioned. He reportedly told the police that he was given the drugs by a fisherman of Lot 7 Section A,

Cotton Tree. Arrangements were made for a confrontation. Pooran reportedly told the fisherman that he had been held by the Police with the drugs. This prompted a call from the fisherman, Pooran Ramoo, called ‘Anand’ 32, to the police. Arrangements were made for a sum of money to be paid over for the release of the driver whom the fisherman described as his soldier. The sum of $800,000 was agreed upon; the fisherman agreed to meet with a Constable and a Sergeant at a Drying Floor at Fort Wellington to conduct the transaction. Soon, the fisherman and a female, a sales representative of Digicel and of Lot 38 Bath, West Coast Berbice arrived and attempted to bribe the cops with the money. They were immediately arrested and taken into custody. The woman had in her possession $700,000 in local currency while the fisherman had US$900. The police questioned the duo and learnt that they lived together. The police visited their home where they found a further 255 grams of marijuana wrapped in a transparent plastic bag under a chair cushion. A scale used to weigh marijuana was also found. The total seizure amounted to 41 kilograms 945 grams of cannabis sativa (marijuana) were found. The trio was taken into custody. Commander of Police ‘B’ Division, Assistant Commissioner Brian Joseph, commended his ranks for two major interceptions in the County in one day. He

commended the ranks for resisting the temptation of money and sticking to their duty. Joseph stated that the police will do what they will have to do to maintain law and order and urged members of the community to continue to work with the police.

The move by University of Guyana (UG) students to vocalise their frustration over the on-going industrial action by staffers of the institution, might very well be the recipe to bring back some level of normalcy. UG students on Monday gathered outside the Turkeyen campus’s Education Lecture Theatre to vent their concerns over the sit-in action being carried out by workers of the University to retaliate a collapse in negotiations for a 60 per cent across the board increase, among other benefits. Although workers have been turning up for work, they have been instructed by their unions – the University of Guyana Senior Staff Association (UGSSA) and the University of Guyana Workers Union (UGWU) – not to carry out their normal duties. The industrial action has therefore, resulted in students being denied lecture

sessions among other services offered by staffers. Moreover, this was a particular note of contention for the disgruntled students who wasted no time in highlighting how the industrial action has affected them. But in a statement issued by the University of Guyana Students Society (UGSS) on the heels of its response which was dubbed ‘Wake up UG’, it was noted that a collective decision was made by students. The decision referred to, was to write to the University’s Council requesting an extraordinary meeting as a first step to resolving the unfortunate situation as it relates to the absence of classes, and the general substandard conditions at the University. According to the UGSS, the Vice Chancellor has approved the suggestion and a Council meeting is scheduled for Friday January

action

30, 2015. “This positive response from Council is an indication of the influence students have when we come together for a common goal. We thank the VC and Council for the timely response and we trust that this channel of communication will remain open,” said the UGSS statement. The body has also urged that students “continue to move forward as a student body and demand the quality education we deserve.” The UGSS has promised to give further updates following the Council meeting and in an effort to rally for policy implementation and initiation, has extended an invitation to representatives from political parties, to engage in a discussion today (January 29, 2015) which will be convened at 16:00 hrs in the George Walcott Lecture Theatre.

Guyana yet to abolish death penalty commitment

UN Human Rights…

By Rabindra Rooplall Having made the commitment to the United Nations two years ago, the Guyana Government is still to abolish the nation’s death penalty laws. Guyana’s human rights record was reviewed and examined yesterday by the UN Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group for the second time. Guyana was one of the 14 States to be reviewed in Geneva, Switzerland. Guyana’s delegation was headed by Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Minister of Foreign Affairs. Presidential Adviser Gail Teixeira should have been part of the delegation, but the storm that blanketed the eastern seaboard prevented her from travelling on to Switzerland. Among the recommendations that were still to be taken on board were the abolition of the death penalty and of discriminatory laws against gays and lesbians. The number of countries executing prisoners is declining but even so thousands remain on death row, often in appalling conditions and without access to legal services. The death penalty has no place in the 21st century, according to the United Nations (UN). Only 50 of the 193 UN Member States are

considered to be retentionist. The remainder have either abolished or introduced a moratorium on the death penalty. Despite the advances, it is however, estima t e d t h a t more than 18,000 people globally are on death row and the figure may be much higher. Capital punishment remains on the books in Guyana, even though it has been obsolete for all practical purposes for more than 15 years. As part of its drive to support the UN in its advocacy for abolition of the death penalty, the UN Human Rights Office had organized a series of global discussions on the subject. A survey found that there is no proof that the death penalty is an effective deterrent. Research consistently shows that the best deterrent to serious crimes lies in ensuring that criminals face a high chance of capture and punishment within a reasonable time. The certainty of punishment, rather than its severity, deters criminals. According to the UN, Member States need to move towards the abolition of the death penalty and where the procedure is still practiced to increase transparency around the application of the death penalty and to allow for a serious debate on utility of

capital punishment. The UN Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR) has mandated Guyana to review its laws and abolish the d e a t h p e n a l t y. S e v e r a l other countries in the Caribbean Community (Caricom) must do the same. Guyana has approximately 30 persons on death row. Even though Caricom countries still retain the death sentence, only Barbados, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago have utilised death sentences in recent years, the last being in 2012. But there have been no executions for some time in Caricom. By the time the world c e l e b r ates the 67th anniversary of the UN’s adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on World Human Rights Day on December 10, the tide would have turned irreversibly in the long battle against the death penalty, an inherently cruel and deeply flawed punishment that has done incalculable damage to countless individual

lives and whole societies. However, Guyana is now on the trajectory of abolishing the death penalty. Experience and evidence demonstrate that the death penalty is cruel, irrevocable and a violation of the right to life. It damages and poisons society by endorsing violence, and by causing injustice and suffering. It has no particular deterrent effect on violent crime, and in fact, abolitionist nations often have lower murder rates than those that still execute. I n c r e a s i n g l y, the w o r l d ’s c o m m u n i t y o f nations is sending a clear, collective and powerful political message that there is no place for capital punishment in humanity’s future. Guyana must not be one of the last countries to ban judicial death penalties. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has convened a series of important global panel events on the death penalty, focusing on wrongful convictions, deterrence and public opinion, and discrimination. S p e c i f i c a l l y, discriminatory practices in the imposition of the death penalty further reinforce the calls for its universal abolition.

Page 22

Kaieteur News

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VACANCY Admin Assistant, within the vicinity of E.B.D & W.B.D. Must be well spoken & have 5 CXC subjects including: Maths & English. Email: snow198390@hotmail.com

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FOR RENT

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ACCOMMODATION

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Thursday January 29, 2015

6500 Watts Construction Grade on wheel Honda Generator - $390,000 – Tel: 261-2988 18 New Home lite Chain Saw, leather sofa, others too many to list – Tel: 261-2988 1-250 KVA Generator $3.6M, 1-110 KVA Generator - $1.8M, 1-9 KVA Generator $700,000 – Call: 223-8161 Complete Snapper Boats for sale – Excellent Condition – Contact: 6486815; 670-4459 Game Shop Equipment for sale - Call: 610-0808 Woodmizer industrial Resaw 75 KW generator and edger, perfect condition – Call: 6832575 Beautiful Tibetan Terrier pups for sale – Call: 696-7467 Used 10 sheet gas oven for bakery – Tel:611-4536; 677-5172 25% Off Sale. Decorating, Catering, Rentals, Invitation Printing, Live Band. Diane’s Bridal 103 Regent Rd Bourda.

LAND FOR SALE House Lots in 1 of Guyana’s top luxury gated communities @ Eccles, 60X100 - $7.5M. (Special prices) - Call: 2272913; 683-3033 Eccles: Commercial lots for sale at Eccles – Tel:227-2913. Cell: 683-3033 1. Parika, Peter Street; 2. Blankenburg, behind gas station lot size: 75’X76' (3 parcels)= Contact 650-0402 Located in Republic Gardens, Peters Hall, E.B.D. Interest person – Contact: 231-5359 or 672-7189 Grove E.B.D Caneville 4th Field, 1St Street, Concrete $3M 20X40 land 40X100, Parfaite W.B.D Land 45X80 - $1.1M – Call:231-2199; 6187483 Parfaiete Harmonie - $1.5M & $4M (high income 110ftX50ft), Eccles - $3.5M, Providence -$4M, Tuschen $2.2M – Call: 675-7292; 6522018 Transported double land lot for sale 100X80 - $16M negotiable – Call:645-0977; 696-2319.

2 Bedrooms upper flat $45,000 per month at Grove New Scheme, E.B.D –Call: 642-1956

One complete purified drinking water shop, 3 white tanks, ultraviolet, 1 amp, 1 pressure pump, wooden building 10X10 – Tel: 6225986

FOR SALE/FOR RENT American Pool Table – Tel: 277-0578

Games for PS2, PS3, XBOX360, WII, consoles also available – Call: 6722566, 265-3232

Mitsubishi Lancer car (lady driven) owner leaving country - Call: 638-3203 One Toyota Tundra - Tel: 602-3585 Trade in: T/Alteeza Benz C200, Sale! Spacio, Used T212 – Tel:679-3140 1 Toyota Landcruiser Prado PMM Series Call: 219-5354 Monday- Friday 8:154:15Pm & Saturday 8:151:15PM 1 Massey Ferguson, 135 in excellent condition – Tel:616-9505; 228-5220 One Toyota Alteeza, excellent condition, spider, mag rims, flair kit – Price $2.75M neg – Tel:648-0494; 642-0786 R1 Motorcycle (red) under 1,000 miles- Call: 227-5500 7-250 4X4; off road tyres – Call: 227-5500. New Arrivals @ OJ’s Auto Imports: Allion 2008, IST, Fielder, Allion 2003, Premio. Tel:609-2815

Yamaha outboard engines, various sizes, tundra wheels, boat trailer – Tel: 220-1981, 698-7047 XBOX 360 with 3 games & controller, Nintendo 3DS with Pokémon Y & Black – Call: 683-8386

1 Pitbull minibus, stick gear, BPP series, mag rims- $2.2M neg. Call: 673-7652

CAR RENTAL DOLLY’S CAR RENTAL CALL: 225-7126/ 2263693 DOLLYSAUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM/ WWW.DOLLYSAUTO RENTAL.COM DRESSMAKING Jean offers courses in dressmaking, curtains, floral, cake decoration @ Barr Street Kitty - Call: 6702653; 618-1706

Toyota Tacoma 4X4, stick shift, AC, crash bar, immaculate condition – Call: 442-3311; 616-4115 Toyota IST PMM 755, 65 CF GSS 6715, 75 DAF GNN 5366, price negotiable – Contact Johnson: 613-5212 or 664-1030 1-10 Ton Ford Cargo, dump truck GEE 9144, 1 Spare Cab & Gear box, working condition – Price $1.4M – Tel:663-0567; 684-8654 (Continued on page 23)

Thursday January 29, 2015

Kaieteur News

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Letters... Where your views make the news

Students ditched to promote... From page 4 by Guyanese students will be different, than those to be written by their counterparts in the region, that those examinations will be fair, and free of controversy? The Guyanese parents and students must also be assured that there will be no allegations of cheating on our students’ part, because of them writing the examinations after their counterparts in the Caribbean. This new arrangement presents a new set of challenges which could have been avoided by simply changing the election date instead, but of course the PPP/C sees itself as paramount to the people and children of Guyana. It is mind-boggling that with all the waste, and pilfering of taxpayers’ dollars, that the government refuses to spend taxpayers’ dollars wisely. However, the shifting of the examination date instead of the election date tells me that the regime can be least interested in prudent spending. I bet there must be a more sinister reason for holding on to the May 11 election date. The people must therefore be vigilant and highly watchful

for the hidden agendas and political ploys to be unleashed the week/s prior to May 11, 2015. For the PPP/C it is political survival at the expense of our children and country. Examining the comments on the date clash, it is clear that the government knew that Guyanese children were to write their regional examination on this date when they decided that the said date will be national and regional elections. This clash was therefore deliberate and done without the care and concern for our children, as the only consideration seems to have been that of the PPP’s sinister agenda. It was stated that the President’s naming of the elections date was influenced by the readiness of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). If this was the only factor taken into consideration by the PPP, then clearly the interest and future of the students took a back seat to Freedom House’s political agenda. It is therefore disingenuous for the government to tell the nation that the best interests of the students were considered when the date was set.

Are they serious? Do they recognize the contradiction in their statement? The PPP must know that there are people who read and examine what they say, and are capable of exposing their sinister plots and blatant attempts to hoodwink the people? The PPP has outplayed itself and the people will soon have a chance to end this political charade. Guyanese will go to the polls and vote to ensure that the vindictive, disrespectful, bullish and uncaring PPP regime is not returned to government. The nation deserves to breathe, the people deserve to live, and our children and young people deserve to have the opportunity to achieve. I will continue to watch for the political developments prior to May 11, 2015, and I ask all Guyanese to watch with me. We must look out for the PPP propaganda and political ploys that are likely to happen. As these happenings are unleashed on the nation, we must be ready to boldly call out the PPP for jilting our children to promote its partisan and devious political plot. Lurlene Nestor

(From page 22) EDUCATIONAL Balloon Decorating Classes. January 31st – Call: 225-3133 or 613-7513 for more information & registration Learn a skill & supplement your income; course offered: Sewing, Floral, Curtain Design, Fabric paint & tie dye – Call: 661-7502 9 Courses Diploma In computers: offices 2013, IT $30,000 @ Micrographics , Vreed-En-Hoop: 264-3057 Computerized Accounting Quick Books; Peach Tree; Excel 2013 @ Micrographics , Vreed-En-Hoop: 264-3057

bear the brunt of the responsibility to ensure the survival of our families, it’s time we organize together regardless of our race/ location and demand of those WE put in authority, be it government or opposition, be accountable to us. The only

reason they are allowed to get away with lawlessness is because we ALLOW them to. Wintress White Joy Marcus Halima Khan Susan Collymore For Red Thread and Grass Root Women Across Race

One mechanic to work in the interior, must have experienced with Perkins & Cummins Engine – Call: 6916260 One couple to work on live stock farm, one live in cook Tel:614-2464;612-2057;225-1276 Experienced dispatcher and taxi drivers at Princess Hotel @ Providence – Tel: 2657076; 616-5419 Presser / Clipper, straight stitch/over edge machine operators, cleaner – Call: 2222541 (8:00am-4:00pm) (Mon-Fri).

TO LET Furnished executive one or two bedroom suites in Diamond. Ideal for foreigners. Call 609 2466.

There is no concern in... From page 5 people make up the majority of the population. Those in authority were placed there by us the poor people, to serve us and not their own self interest. As poor people, beginning with women, we

WANTED

WANTED Musicians to play in a Bar at Parika, keyboard, Bass guitar, rhythm guitar, head guitar and vocals – Phone: 685-6934 Live in domestic must know to cook - $60,000, boarding & lodging free, age 30-50yrs – Call: 610-5043 One DJ/Selection to work at Club in Essequibo, salary range - $48,000 per month – Contact: 226-9768 One Store attendant, age range 19-27yrs @ Reliance Imports – Tel: 231-6854/ 6224773 Experienced Cleaner / Office Assistant Needed To Work in Store - Call 225-8111 / 6415876 Counter Staff; apply @ Shanta’s, 225 Camp & New Market Streets. Persons to ironing & cleaner for office in Eccles – Call: 6144358 Accounts Clerk, must be capable of preparing payroll and monthly vat – Call: 6144358 Urgently! One security (preferably male) to live and work at Sawmill in Parika – Contact Suresh: 600-1212

Attractive live in waitressCall: 327-0252/674-4665 General handyman – Call: 227-5500 Waiters/ Waitresses, apply in person to Aracari Resort, West Bank Demerara. To live in with a single female 35-55yrs @ Lillandale Betterhope – Call: 687-6636; Beeson Window & Doors #641-9000 Urgently needed; attractive waitresses - Tel: 686-3116 Porters wanted to work at grocery stalls @ Stabroek Market – Tel:226-9800 Salesgirls & porters; apply with written application at Best Buy Food Supplies @ Lot 1E Dennis & Middleton Street Campbellville. Farm workers – Call: 265-3586 Hairstylists and Braidists needed at salon in Tortola. 5+ years working experience. Emailbvisalonowner @gmail. com or call 1-284-543-6822 Sales clerk to work @ Nanda’s Boutique 223 Camp St. Next to Shell Gas Station, apply with application Live in caretaker for sawmill at Linden Highway – Tel: 2612553 One welder, must know grill work Call: 625-5763 Switch to Gulf Motor Oil, Dealer & Distributors wanted nationwide – Call: 260-2037 or email sales@two2brotherscorp.com Driver living in Georgetown with mini bus license for contract, also relief Driver for Sundays - Call:646-8748 One male shop attendant, age 18-25 yrs and one grocery stall for sale – Call: 679-1151 Wash bay attendant from G/ town, driver’s license will be an asset – Call: 629-5913 We buy all low income land; pay all legal fees – Tel:6757292; 652-2018

PROPERTY FOR SALE Land with small concrete house; for sale in Grove over 8,000 Sq. Ft. Call: 612-4030; 216-2759 Transported Property @ Grove/Diamond, 3 bedrooms, 1 self-contained, concrete fence, grilled store room & Shed, (45X26) – Call: 660-1353, 216-4338 Corner Property, Grove Public Road - $29M Neg. Call: 613-5645 One concrete two storey building; nine bedrooms @ Samatta Point, Grove E.B.D Tel: 602-3585 Houses & house lots for sale in 1 of Guyana’s top luxury gated communities, located @ Eccles E.B.D Tel: 227-2913; 683-3033 House in Lamaha Gardens: 2 self contained rooms, fully concreted – Call: 227-2027 Thomas Street: ideal for Doctors nurse, good location, 3 stories large land – Call: 227-2027. Two flat concrete and wooden building on land 76’X65’, East Street, Georgetown – Call: 225-6330 Property @ Water Pum Street Leonora (24X58) – Tel:642-5799 One two storey, 3 bedroom wooden concrete house, fully grilled, ideal for business, spacious land at Enterprise – Call: 667-9781 Two storey building located at Lot 35 Ketley and Howes Street, Charlestown, prime location for business – Tel: 623-9679 Two storey wooden & concrete, three bedrooms, self contained with A/C @ Parika – Tel: 660-3118

TO LET House for rent @ Grove Housing Scheme with 3 bedrooms -$70,000 – Tel:642-4429; 639-8056 Fully Furnished vacation home with all amenities- Call during working hours – Call: 227-1218 Furnished 1 & 2 bedrooms apartments: AC, grilled, parking (walking distance to Caricom & UG) – Call: 6233404 or 222-6708

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Kaieteur News

Thursday January 29, 2015

Executed auto parts dealer’s wife cremated in New York Scores of relatives and well wishers braved inches of snow and brutally cold weather to pay their final respects to the slain Patricia Sanasie. The woman’s body was cremated last Monday in New York after a public viewing at a Queen’s Funeral Parlour the previous day. Among those paying their respects were the woman’s husband, Deokaran Sanasie, who local police believe could provide vital information about her death. Patricia Sanasie, 43 was gunned down on the night of January 12th by a gunman clad in black as she stepped out of her car to open her gate for her daughter to drive in, after the two had returned from a church service. The incident occurred almost a year after her husband who is popularly known as ‘Monkey Ram’ survived a similar attempt on his life. So far, except for the detention of a “man of interest”, who was subsequently released, local investigators have made no major breakthroughs in the case. The dead woman and her husband, Deokaran Sanasie, owner of Ram’s Auto Sales, had been embroiled in

her husband was delusional and needed psychiatric help. She was never charged. The woman subsequently obtained a restraining order preventing her husband from coming close to her. The now dead woman had also provided the police with a recording of her own that spoke of a plot by her husband to kill her. According to reports, the woman had provided the police with the name of an ex-policeman who had claimed that he was paid by her husband to kill her. Police had arrested the man, but he denied being involved in any execution plot.

Dead: Patricia Sanasie a prolonged dispute. The couple was expected to be in court this week for a division of property hearing. On February 14, 2014, Mr. Sanasie survived an attempt on his life after gunmen shot him outside his Fourth Street, Alberttown business. The husband had accused his spouse of hiring the gunmen to execute him. He provided investigators with a recording of a conversation to support his claims. The woman had denied the allegations claiming that

Police reform in serious trouble From page 13 helped by the resistance by the top brass to engage the SMD in achieving the Ministry's vision. The autocratic style of some senior officers is being blamed for this to the extent where officers are reluctant to venture another opinion which is at variance to those expressed from on high and may stem from personality issues. “This resistance on the part of the Force is more personal that any profound pro-

fessional underpinning,” the Ministry source said. Kaieteur News understands that Minister Rohee has had to tread cautiously in recent times because of accusations by the political opposition that he is interfering in the operational aspects of policing. However, some officers are inclined to the view that it is better for some level of ministerial and stakeholder intervention, including from opposition parties if the current impasse is to be resolved.

Pallbearers carry the casket with the body of Patricia Sanasie to the crematorium.

Accreditation underpins credibility, performance of businesses - GNBS forum told A leading provider of internationally recognised accreditation services that improve consumer confidence, facilitate market access and economic growth, invited various businesses in Guyana aspiring to become accredited to international standards. The event was hosted yesterday at the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), Exhibition Complex Sophia, Georgetown. Facilitating the process was Chief Executive Officer of the Jamaica National Agency for Accreditation (JANAAC) Sharonmae Shirley. The JANAAC official explained that accreditation allows people to make an informed decision when selecting a laboratory, as it demonstrates competence, impartiality and capability. It helps to underpin the credibility and performance of

- businesses accredited will not only meet regulatory requirements but have marketing edge goods and services. Ms Shirley noted that laboratory accreditation is generally provided by one recognized accreditation body within a country. In some developing economies, without established accreditation bodies, laboratories may have to seek accreditation from an established accreditation system in another country such as JANAAC. Emphasizing that accreditation increases the confidence that international consumers and their regulatory agencies have in the goods and services provided by businesses, the CEO said it also tells the world that your business is technically competent and

Medical certificate tendered in Colin Mack rape trial From page 16 by Defence Attorney Peter Hugh, the victim admitted that she never tried to call anyone as she was being transported to the home of the accused. She admitted too that no one had restricted her from using her cell phone at that time. The woman told the court yesterday that she could not find her underwear after the incident, but admitted under cross examination that she had told the Magistrate that she did indeed find her underwear before leaving Mack's house. Yesterday, the victim was also under cross examination by the Defence Attorney, who noted inconsistencies between her original statements and the evidence which was provided to the Judge and Jury. The victim admitted that

she might have omitted some of the information which was not in her original deposition. She also admitted that she was present at a meeting with her mother and persons related to the accused concerning settlement of the matter. The victim however noted that she did not know the details of the meeting or the persons present. The Jury questioned the woman as to whether she had any physical contact with the accused, prior to the alleged rape. One Juror enquired whether the accused tried to touch, hug or kiss her while at the show or at the club but the woman maintained that the accused had no physical contact with her prior to the incident.

meets all the requirements of an international standard. Therefore, businesses that are accredited will not only meet regulatory requirements but also have a marketing edge. Ms Shirley further explained that by becoming accredited, medical and testing labs eliminate doubts about their results, performance and affirm competence in their respective areas of expertise. Internationally, exporters have lost millions of dollars over the years because of the detention of their products in the ports of entry of importing countries. This is largely due to the fact that the products were not tested by an accredited lab prior to entering their markets. An attractive business opportunity therefore exist for labs that are accredited by JANAAC, to provide testing services to exporters who are seeking to eliminate these technical barriers to trade. She underscored that JANAAC provides internationally recognised

accreditation services and training to Laboratories, Inspection Bodies and Certification Bodies that facilitate market access, enhance competitiveness and consumer wellbeing through improved stakeholder confidence in the quality and integrity of goods and services supplied. JANAAC is currently a member of the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) and the Inter-American Accreditation Cooperation (IAAC). The agency is also an associate organization of the Caribbean Laboratory Accreditation Scheme (CLAS). As Jamaica’s national accreditation body, JANAAC plays a very important role in facilitating trade between Jamaica and its trading partners. Through the provision of accreditation services, the agency enables local Conformity Assessment Systems to meet international standards and eliminate some Technical Barriers that have affected Jamaican manufacturers and exporters for many years.

$50,000 bail for accused in clothes heist City Magistrate Fabayo Azore granted $50,000 bail to a 31-year-old pork knocker accused of running off with thousands of dollars worth of men’s clothing, when he appeared in court to answer the charge yesterday. The Georgetown Magistrates’ Court heard that on January 25, last, at Aranka Landing, Cuyuni, Derrick

Watson stole four jerseys valued at $20,000 and two pairs of pants valued $20,000. The items belonged to Akeem Joseph. The 31-year-old was unrepresented. Police Prosecutor, Corporal Simone Payne did not object to bail. Watson is expected to appear before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on February 2.

Thursday January 29, 2015

Kaieteur News

After meeting with CALflight probers...

DPP advises: Charge Reyes (Trinidad Guardian) Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Peter Reyes is set to be charged with three criminal charges related to his alleged conduct aboard a Caribbean Airlines flight from Tobago last month. The T&T Guardian understands that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Roger Gaspard, SC, advised investigating police to lay the charges under the Civil Aviation Act, after a meeting with lead investigator DCP Glenn Hackett at his offices at Richmond Street, Port-of-Spain, Tuesday. Hours later, Hackett reportedly met with his team of investigators from the Professional Standards Bureau to discuss how to proceed with the investigation. A source close to the investigation said the team was considering charging Reyes via summons in lieu of issuing a traditional warrant for his arrest. Under this process, the information related to the charges will be laid in the Arima Magistrates Court, with Reyes, who is currently on sick leave, being notified of a pre-fixed date of hearing of the case. On that day, Reyes will have to appear in court to answer the charge and depending on his plea, will then be issued bail until a trial. Several calls to Hackett’s cellphone yesterday went unanswered and he did not return voice messages. The charges, which fall under Section 60 (1) of the legislation, are for threatening the safety of the aircraft and passengers on board; using abusive and insulting language towards a crew member and for intentionally interfering with crew members in the execution of their du-

Assistant Commissioner of Police, Peter Reyes ties. All three carry a maximum fine of $25,000 and up to a year imprisonment. INCIDENT ON FLIGHT According to reports, around 5 pm on December 18, Reyes, who had only just been assigned as ACP for Tobago at the time, boarded the Caribbean Airlines Limited (CAL) flight at the Piarco International Airport. While the plane was taxiing on the runway, Reyes reportedly got into an argument with flight attendants over their request that he switch off his cellphone. The pilot returned the plane to the terminal and Reyes was escorted off the plane to speak to security personnel of the Airports Authority of T&T (AATT). He was then allowed to leave and completed his journey to Tobago on a flight the following day. After they completed their shift that night, CAL crew members reported the incident to the Piarco Police Station. The flight crew

also pointed Reyes out in an identification parade earlier this month. In an interview which followed, Reyes claimed that he had difficulties switching off the cellphone which was issued to him by the T&T Police Service as part of his promotion. SUSPENSION LOOMS According to an AATT report on the incident, which has been made public, Reyes reportedly told security officials at the airport that he felt the airline staff were victimising him because of his ethnicity. AATT security officials conducted their own investigation into the incident but they determined that no charges could be brought against the senior cop. The incident and corresponding media reports caused a massive public outcry and was condemned by the executive of the Police Social and Welfare Association and even by acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams.

CCJ appeals to civil society to push governments to become full members KINGSTON, Jamaica: The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) is appealing to civil society groups across CARICOM to lobby their countries to act faster in becoming full members of the court. The CCJ was established in 2005 with an original jurisdiction which makes the court the only interpreter of the treaty that established CARICOM. While most countries have signed on to the court’s original jurisdiction only, Barbados, Belize and Guyana,

have signed on to the appellate jurisdiction. Speaking on Nationwide Radio this morning, CCJ president, Sir Dennis Byron, argued that civil society groups are key in the push for regional governments to sign on to the court’s appellate jurisdiction. Although the CCJ head is appealing to civil society to help governments speed up their approach, he says ten years is not a long time for CARICOM countries to make their decision. Jamaica is set to hold a

parliamentary vote on April 28 on three bills which could see Jamaica adopting the appellate jurisdiction of the CCJ and moving away from the Privy Council. However, the parliamentary opposition is not in favour of the bills. The Government can easily use its majority in the parliament to get the votes required to pass the bills in the Lower House, but will need at least one Opposition senator to side with it to get them approved in the Upper House.

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Thursday January 29, 2015

Air Force picks Boeing 747-8 to replace Air Force One

(Reuters) - The U.S. Air Force said on Wednesday it would use Boeing Co’s (BA.N) commercial 747-8 airliner to replace its current fleet of two Air Force One presidential aircraft, one of the most visible symbols of the United States. The decision comes a month after Boeing said it would slow production of the four-engine 747-8 aircraft to 1.3 a month from 1.5 a month because of declining orders. “The Boeing 747-8 is the only aircraft manufactured in the United States (that) when fully missionized meets the necessary capabilities established to execute the presidential support mission,” said Air Force Secretary Deborah James in a statement. Boeing welcomed the Air Force’s decision to skip a competition and opt for the 747-8, citing its 50-year history of building presidential aircraft. The Air Force said it intended to award a sole

source contract to Boeing, but they must still negotiate a contract and the modifications needed to adapt the jet for presidential use. The Air Force now operates two VC-25s, specially configured Boeing 747-200Bs. Details about the new contract, including cost, were not released. It said it planned to purchase enough of the technical baseline to permit competition for maintenance during the plane’s planned 30-year life. James said the Air Force One program would use proven technologies and commercially certified equipment to keep the program affordable. The Air Force decision was widely expected since the only other suitable four-engine jet is the A380 built by Airbus (AIR.PA) in Toulouse, France. The 747-8 is the only four-engine commercial jet Boeing makes, providing an

extra margin of flight safety over the more standard twinengine planes. But the Air Force order for a few 747s might not extend the life of the 747 program, which has failed to capture much business in recent years. Boeing was clearly trying to preserve production so it could fill the Air Force order, said Richard Aboulafia, an analyst at Teal Group in Fairfax, Virginia. Now that the firm order is there, he said, it might be an opportunity for the program to end. The double-decker plane entered service in 1970, undergoing a major overhaul in 2012, with new engines and a longer fuselage. But last year, Boeing did not get orders for 747s, despite booking a record 1,432 net orders for commercial aircraft. At the end of 2014, Boeing had 36 unfilled orders for the plane, which lists at about $370 million.

Jordan prisoner swap on hold, fate of Japanese IS hostage unclear (Reuters) - Jordan said on Wednesday it had received no assurance that one of its pilots captured by Islamic State insurgents was safe and that it would go ahead with a proposed prisoner swap only if he was freed. The fate of air force pilot Muath al-Kasaesbeh was

thought to be tied to that of Japanese hostage Kenji Goto, a veteran war reporter who is also being held by the insurgent group. A video was released on Tuesday purporting to show the Japanese national saying he had 24 hours to live unless Jordan released Sajida al-

Rishawi, an Iraqi woman on death row for her role in a 2005 suicide bomb attack. Government spokesman Mohammad al-Momani said Jordan was ready to release al-Rishawi if Kasaesbeh was spared, but made clear that she was still being held until the pilot was freed. “It’s not true she has been released. Her release is tied to freeing our pilot,” Momani told Reuters. He made no mention of Goto. Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh said on his official Twitter account that a Jordanian request for proof that Kasaesbeh was safe and well had gone unanswered. The Jordanian comments have raised concerns in Japan that Goto might no longer be part of any deal between Amman and Islamic State. But CNN quoted Judeh as saying that “of course” the Japanese hostage’s release would be part of any exchange.

Thursday January 29, 2015

Kaieteur News

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Inconsistency and atrocious... ROWE finding his footing... From page 30 Wintz bowled beautifully until his last two overs of the competition cost 30 runs. Barnwell, like Wintz had four wickets and also did a decent job with the ball for Guyana. Steven Jacobs, who failed with the bat, was excellent with the new ball, extracting plenty of bounce and turn with his frugal offspin, while Crandon also offered good support with his off-spin to spin twins Bishoo and Permaul who both contributed vital runs down the order. Anthony Bramble was awarded the best wicket-keeper in the tournament and scored a quick-fire unbeaten 43 in the opening game but proved inconsistent with the bat in the remaining games. The bowlers were the ones who impressed with Ryad Emrit, Narine and seven-foot pacer Christopher Powell from CCC (one of

the ‘finds’ of the tournament) were the only bowlers with 5-wicket hauls. Nikita Miller, Damian Jacobs, Keron Cottoy and Rakeem Cornwall (who also batted positively) all bowled well on the spin friendly pitches but big name players like Kieron Pollard, the Bravo siblings failed to fire with the bat. The Guyanese pair of Shemron Hetmyer and Taignarine Chanderpaul batted well for the West Indies under-19s and should stake strong claims for selection on the Jaguars Four-Day team when that version of the franchise cricket resumes with sixth round matches next month. But if the performances in this tournament was intended to inspire hopes of a revival of West Indies cricket it did not fulfill those expectations.

TRANSFERS HIT A RECORD... From page 31 received the biggest slice of transfer fees, at $667 million, up from 584 million in 2013. English clubs came next, receiving $523 million, and Portugal third on $435 million. Brazilian clubs were the most active in the market, recording 646 incoming transfers and 689 outgoing transfers. For the first time, China broke into the top 10 investing countries, with clubs paying out more than £100 million. The average age of players transferred

during the year was 25 years and 6 months. Brazilian players were the leading targets, accounting for 1,493 moves, worth $448 million, ahead of players from Argentina, with 801 transfers, England (596) and France (507). Brazil’s central defender David Luiz cost Paris Saint-Germain 50 million euros from Chelsea, but it was a Frenchman, Eliaquim Mangala, who became the world’s costliest defender when he moved from Porto to Manchester City for 54 million euros.

Thursday January 29, 2015 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Today might be one of the most fortunate days of your life, Aries. Everything you've been striving for - romance, money, creative fulfillment could fall into place at various times today.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Don't turn down invitations today, Libra. A group meeting or social event could be thrown together with casual acquaintances, and your relationship with these people could abruptly change.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Information received through dreams and visions could trigger sudden psychic revelations of solutions to problems you may have been mulling over for weeks.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) A financial windfall could come as the result of a coup that no one expected you to pull off, Scorpio.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Some unexpected calls from friends or colleagues could bring you wonderful news today, Gemini. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Job-related or personal projects are apt to come to a head now. Success is in the air, along with a marked increase in income and acknowledgment from those who matter. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) If you're currently involved, Leo, expect to feel a rush of revived passion for your partner. If you aren't currently involved, the one great love of your life could finally appear. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You know you're intuitive, Virgo, but changes could take place in your brain that elevate your abilities beyond mere intuition.

SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) Wonderful news comes from far away, Sagittarius, possibly involving writing, teaching, or publishing. CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) An enterprise you'd long since given up on, perhaps one involving the creative arts, may suddenly come up again, this time as a real opportunity, Capricorn. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Group activities or social events could put you in contact with a new, exciting person. You could feel a strong physical and romantic attraction, Aquarius. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Whatever you've been trying to accomplish over the past several months could break loose just the way you want it to today, Pisces. It could come as a surprise and resemble a logjam that finally gives way.

From page 33 him helping the youth,” said Sir Wesley Hall, a man who gets around with a cane these days, but one of the men, who seemed delighted to have made the long haul - in his case from his faraway Barbados. “You can give back not only to the place where you come from, but also give back to your adopted country,” Sir Wesley noted instructively, of the non-profit Lawrence Rowe Cricket Legendary Foundation, which targets under-privileged children in the South Florida area. And then there was Sir Garry, who when he made his way to the podium, as he did to cricket middles all over the world, elegantly rose to their feet while pounding on their tables. “This weekend has been wonderful.” And, said the man who has travelled the world attending banquets such as that one: “It’s one of the best I’ve been to in a long time.” ‘The Garf’ then briefly rolled back the clock to touch on still the most regal entry into Test cricket. “I captained Lawrence in his first Test match,” said Sobers to the, by then, hushed crowd. They wanted to hear more about what took place at that Test match staged at Sabina Park in February 1972, against New Zealand. “And I saw Rowe play one shot, that I’d never before, nor ever after, seen.” The crowd of over 300 began again to pound their dining tables as if at Gordon House. “Such was the timing and the elegant placement.” BUT BACK TO THE ORDER OF BUSINESS: “Lawrence worked hard to put this on and I know that he will be successful,” said Sir Garry, in a commanding tone, which seemed to have suggested: ‘Enough-was-enough’. Then there was Faoud Bacchus, Gordon Greenidge, Lance Gibbs, Larry Gomes, Desmond Haynes, Alvin Kallicharran, Collis King, Desmond Lewis, Deryck Murray, Albert Padmore, Sir Andy Roberts, all of whom Rowe had greeted at the Sheraton Suite in Plantation, the night before. “I’m pleased to be among my teammates once again,” said Rowe, the one-time batting genius, choked up with emotion. And it was Deryck Murray who gave the keynote address on Saturday night in Margate. He, too, was full of respect for Rowe, and full of praise for his cause. But how could he have forgotten the scene at Kensington Oval back in March 1974, on hand for the West Indies-England Test? He didn’t. “Kensington Oval never

saw a crowd like that,” reflected the West Indies vice-captain at the time, and one of Rowe’s batting partners during his legendary triple-century. “This means the world to him,” said Rowe’s wife Audrey, who knows what it is to see Lawrence beaten down - and by his own people, and in his own homeland. It was in October of 2011 that Lawrence and Audrey suffered ignominy. Unless he or she comes with a box of money in-tow, Jamaica has not always done well, when it comes to acknowledging, much less dignifying the works of its own. It does not bury hatchets easily. “For what you are now doing (referring to Rowe’s foundation), it shows that you are not only a great West Indian, but a great man,” said

Brian Lara, when his turn to speak on Saturday night came. And it was Lara, who on the Sunday which followed, and batting for the Legends, stole the show with a scintillating 108 in 20 of the allotted 30 overs. It virtually sealed the victory over the Cavaliers on a chilly night under lights, at the Central Broward Regional Park and Stadium. Lara, by his presence for the weekend extravaganza, represented the younger brigade, the likes of Carlisle Best, Merv Dillon, Darren Ganga, Wavell Hinds, Nixon McClean, and Ricardo Powell, the latter who now resides in Texas. Every man deserves to find his own way back to his own redemption. And if one road is blocked, there’s always an alternate route.

IPL auction set for February... From page 26 Eoin Morgan, Indian allrounder Irfan Pathan, former Australian batsman Michael Hussey, Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews, Sri Lanka batsman Tillkaratne Dilshan, West Indies allrounder Marlon Samuels, and Australia batsman

Cameron White, all of whom have a base price of INR 15,000,000. England allrounder Ravi Bopara, Australia’s Twenty20 captain Finch, India seamer Zaheer Khan fall in the INR 10,000,000 bracket. Vijay opted for a base price of INR 5,000,000.

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Kaieteur News

Thursday January 29, 2015

IPL auction set for February 16 Djokovic, Wawrinka set up epic showdown, ill Serena through

ESPNcricinfo - The IPL player auction will be held on February 16 in Bangalore. There is no clarity on the number of players in the auction pool because the deadline for franchises to prune the original list has been deferred to February 4. Yuvraj Singh, Kevin Pietersen and Dinesh Karthik along with South Africa Test captain Hashim Amla have attracted the highest base price of Rs 20,000,000. An additional purse of INR 30,000,000 will be available to each franchise over and above the balance accrued from the INR 600,000,000 last year along with the amount generated from the release of players. Unlike last year, when the auction was a two-day event containing all players barring those retained by the teams, this auction will be shorter but will still be significant for a few franchises. Having released big-name players, Delhi Daredevils and Royal Challengers Bangalore are likely to be the big spenders this time. Daredevils, who managed just two wins last season to finish as the bottomranked team, carried out a complete overhaul by releasing 13 players. Without Pietersen, Karthik, M Vijay and Ross Taylor, Daredevils have the maximum purse available this time with INR 400,000,000. Royal Challengers have INR 210,000,000 in their purse, having released Yuvraj who was the most expensive player last year with a bid of INR 140,000,000. Though Yuvraj finished as the team’s second highest run-scorer, Royal Challengers were just above Daredevils with five wins. Sunrisers Hyderabad have INR

Yuvraj Singh will be part of the auction again after fetching a bid of Rs 140,000,000 last season © BCCI 208,500,000 after releasing Aaron Finch, Darren Sammy and India legspinner Amit Mishra. Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals have INR 130,000,000 each; Kings XI Punjab have INR 118,000,000, Mumbai Indians have INR 100,000,000 while Chennai Super Kings have INR 50,000,000. In the long list of 724 names accessed by ESPNcricinfo, are England one-day captain (Continued on page 27)

West Demerara Guinness ‘Greatest of de Streets’ Futsal Competition

Tournament favourite Den Amstel survive tough encounter - Admiral United, Showstoppers, Raiders also win Tournament favourite Den Amstel made it two victories from as many matches when they defeated Showtime by a 2-1 margin as the preliminary rounds of the inaugural West Demerara Guinness ‘Greatest of de Streets’ Futsal Competition continued on Tuesday night, at the Pouderoyen Tarmac. On target for the winners were Delon Lanferman, who opened the scoring in the 5th minute, firing a shot into the left hand corner after receiving a pass from the left flank and Kester Dundas, who netetd the vital go-ahead goal in the 18th minute of play which sealed the win. Showtime had gained the equaliser through Mark Boyce, whose fierce shot following an interception raced down the centre of the goal in the 10th minute of play. In other results: Admiral United enjoyed a similar margin of victory over Uitvlugt, but this time on penalty kicks after regulation time failed to separate a 1-1 stalemate. Devon Jansen had given Admiral United the early lead after three minutes of play, before the wily veteran Owen MmcGarrell levelled the

proceedings in the 12th minute and the scoreline remained that way until the final whistle sounded. Pouderoyen Showstoppers edged Jetty 3-2 on sudden death kicks after both teams failed to trouble the scoresheet in regulation time. Raiders beat Majee Street 2-1 with Adrian Birch netting in the 7th minute after a neat interchange, before Sean Swan added the other in the 18th for a 2-0 lead. Majee Street through Morvin Henry reduced the deficit in the 22nd minute, but could not manufacture another goal to slide to defeat. Patentia Street Ballers squeezed past Demerara Speedboat 4-3 on sudden death kicks after regulation time finished nil-all and DeKinderen United beat Brothers United by a 2-1 margin. Lynden Bourne and Parfiel Grant netted for the victors in the 7th and 9th minutes respectively, while Adami Hoyte scored for the losers in the 11th minute. Golden Stars defeated Vergenoegen All-Stars 2-1 with Kevin Richards in the 3rd minute and Nickosi Holder’s 20th minute strike ensuring

victory. Andre Gould’s effort in the 17th minute had briefly left the game tied. West Side Ballers beat Samaroo Dam 3-1 through a brace from Anthony Harding in the 5th and 15th minutes, while Quessey Alleyne added the other in the 7th minute. The lone marksman for Samaroo Dam was Kishawn Critchlow, who scored in the 8th minute. The final round of group fixtures is slated to commence today, at the Vergenoegen Rice Mill Tarmac with eight matches scheduled. In the opening fixture at 19:00hrs, DeKinderen tackle Golden Star, while Admiral United square off against Showtime from 19:30hrs. The third matchup will be bewteen Patentia Street Ballers and Majee Street from 20:00hrs, while Demerara Speedboat engage Raiders from 20:30hrs. At 21:00hrs, Jetty battle West Side Ballers, while Showstoppers and Samaroo Dam take to the field at 21:30hrs. Uitvlugt then tackle Den Amstel from 22:00hrs, before Brothers United and Vergenoegen All-Stars bring the curtains down at 22:30hrs.

MELBOURNE (Reuters) Top seed Novak Djokovic and champion Stan Wawrinka set up ‘The Djoker v The Man 3.0’ at Melbourne Park after impressive quarter-final victories on Wednesday, while an ill Serena Williams moved a step closer to her 19th grand slam title. The American, however, will first have to overcome the pure hitting of Madison Keys after the 19-year-old ended the fairytale run of Serena’s older sister Venus, despite suffering from a thigh injury that hampered her movement. With many suggesting prior to the tournament it could signify an epochal shift in both games, the teenager represents the up and comers in the semi-finals after Djokovic and Wawrinka crushed the last hopes of ‘Generation Next’ in the men’s draw. Djokovic, seeking to become the second man to win a fifth Australian Open title, beat Canada’s Milos Raonic 7-6(5) 6-4 6-2 in the late match on Rod Laver Arena, hours after Wawrinka had easily dispatched fifth seed Kei Nishikori 6-3 6-4 7-6(6). “Definitely expecting a marathon like the last couple of years. I’m sure that both of us will give our best to perform our best tennis,” Djokovic said in a courtside interview. “We always ask for the best of each other.” It will be the third successive year Djokovic and Wawrinka have met at the

Australian Open, with the man winning those epic clashes ultimately going on to clinch the title. As defending champion in 2013, Djokovic prevailed 12-10 in the fifth set in their fourth round clash. Last year, Wawrinka won the fifth set 9-7 in their quarter-final, indicating fans on Friday should be set for another epic encounter. “You know when you play Novak, especially in semi-final in a grand slam, you have to play your best game,” Wawrinka said. “You have to play your best tennis if you want to push him. So far I’m playing great. I’m confident with my game.” PARTY POOPER American teenager Keys proved to be the ultimate party pooper with her victory over Venus while at the same time indicating the mantle of American women’s tennis should be in safe hands when it is moved on from the two sisters. Serena and Venus had been hoping to provide fans with the first all-Williams sisters clash at a grand slam since the 2009 Wimbledon final in the semi-finals. Keys, who was inspired at four years old to take up the game after seeing Venus play at Wimbledon, refused to succumb to sentimentality and demonstrated the ball striking and power hitting, which had destroyed players of the caliber of double Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova, in a 29-minute first set. An adductor injury that

forced her out of the Wimbledon third round last year, just days after she had stormed to the Eastbourne title, however, flared up again in the second set, which brought back some desperate memories. “It was definitely a flashback to Wimbledon for me,” Keys said of the injury that forced her to take an injury break while trailing 4-1 in the second set. “It was quite an overwhelming moment and scary ... and I had the nightmare of ‘I don’t want this to happen again’.” Keys, now coached by former number one Lindsay Davenport, however, showed her maturity and mental toughness once she settled to overpower Venus and battle through the injury to advance to her first grand slam semi-final. “It’s definitely an amazing moment,” she added. “I’m enjoying those moments for little bits of time and then refocusing and thinking about the next round.” Keys’ chances of making the final have improved with the world number one battling the effects of a cold after a virus hit several players at the tournament. “I’ve been sick the past few days,” a hoarse-sounding Serena told reporters after her 6-2 6-2 destruction of last year’s finalist Dominika Cibulkova. “It’s just getting worse and worse. I heard it’s a virus going around with a lot of the players. “I think I caught it.”

Ronaldo handed two-match ban for kicking opponent Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo is seen during their Spanish First Division soccer match against Cordoba at El Arcangel stadium in Cordoba, January 24, 2015. REUTERS/Marcelo del Pozo (Reuters) - Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo has been given a two-match ban following his dismissal for kicking out at an opponent during their La Liga clash with Cordoba last Saturday, the Spanish league said on Wednesday. Ronaldo was unable to make an impact in the match and his frustration saw him first lash out with his hand at Jose Crespo, which

the referee missed, and then minutes later kick out at Edimar for which he was sent off. Real won 2-1 thanks to a late Gareth Bale penalty and Ronaldo apologised on Twitter after the game. The Portugal winger has been suspended for Real’s next two La Liga matches against Real Sociedad and Sevilla but will be available for the derby with Atletico Madrid.

Thursday January 29, 2015

Kaieteur News

Page 29

OMESH XI COP Rossouw and Amla tons set up 4-1 series SOFTBALL TITLE Omesh XI emerged champions of a specially organized softball competition played on Sunday last at Everest Cricket Club. Rain prevented the final round game between Wolf’s Warriors and the eventual winners. Regal defeated Wolf ’s Warriors by six wickets in their encounter. Wolf ’s Warriors were led to a respectable 185 before they were bowled out in 15 overs, batting first. Skipper Amrit Rai scored 46 and Vishun Tammechandra 36. The pair added 76 for the fourth wicket with sensible batting to stabilize their innings. Rai struck two fours

and three sixes, while Tammechandra hit two fours and a similar number of sixes. Balram Roopnarine grabbed 4-25 and Ricky Sargeant 3-26. Regal replied with 186-4 in 14.4 overs. Richard Latiff stroked 118 and Safraz Esau 25. Latiff slammed eight fours and seven sixes. Omesh XI thumped Farm by 10 runs. Omesh XI batted first and scored 140 while Farm replied with 130. Omesh XI then went on to beat Regal by 14 runs. Taking first strike Omesh XI managed 129 all out in 10 overs. Regal responded with 115-7 in 10 overs. The victors XI received a trophy; the contest was organized by Samuel Kingston.

Jaguars recommence preparations for 4-day Franchise The Guyana Jaguars will recommence their PCL Regional Four-Day practice preparation with a Three-Day match at the Georgetown Cricket Club Ground from today with play on each day commencing at 10:00hrs. The match is being used to assist the players in effectively making the transition from One Day matches to the longer version and during the course of the match, the players will benefit from the availability of the Demerara Cricket Club ground for specific individual and group exercises. The Guyana Jaguars are leading the Four-Day Tournament with 57 Points and play second placed Jamaica in their fifth round at Sabina Park in Jamaica from February 6-9. They then take on the Leewards in St Kitts before facing Barbados in their seventh round encounter in Barbados. The teams for the match will be selected from the following players: 1. Veerasammy Permaul 2. Devendra Bishoo 3. Christopher Barnwell 4. Anthony Bramble 5. Ronsford Beaton 6. Shivnarine Chanderpaul 7. Trevon Griffith 8. Keon Joseph 9. Raymon Reifer 10. Rajendra Chandrika 11. Paul Wintz 12. Vishaul Singh 13. Raun Johnson 14. Anthony Adams 15. Chanderpaul Hemraj 16. Amir Khan 17. Steven Sankar 18. Kevon Boodie

19. Gudakesh Motie 20. Ricardo Adams 21. Jason Sinclair 22. Kemol Savory 23. Krisendat Ramoo 24. Shemroy Barrington 25.Kandasammy Surujnarine 26. Robin Bacchus 27. Tagenarine Chanderpaul 28. Shemron Hetmyer 29. Keemo Paul

ESPNcricinfo - A performance of all-round quality to match their huge win at the Wanderers ensured South Africa ended their season on a high with a 131run win in Centurion in their final international before the World Cup. Rilee Rossouw’s 83-ball hundred provided him the highest peak of an undulating start at ODI level and he joined forces with the peerless Hashim Amla, who played with rare abandon during his occasionally brutal 133, as the pair added a record 247 for the third wicket. South Africa piled up a gargantuan 361 for 5 and the carnage in the second half of the innings brought back memories of the Wanderers as West Indies’ bowlers were flayed, powerless to stop the onslaught. At the 20-over mark the score was 105 for 2, a modest run-rate of just over five-an-over, but the last 22 overs of the innings brought 256. The innings concluded in a fitting manner as JP Duminy smote a straight six, the 17th of the innings. A full innings, and 439 would have been threatened. Chris Gayle’s miserable series then concluded with a first-ball duck and though West Indies flung the bat the effect was never going to be enough. Wayne Parnell, one of South Africa’s squad bowlers who could yet make-

or-break the World Cup campaign if injuries come along, then earned himself a valuable confidence boost with 4 for 42 during a spell of eye-catching pace. As evidence around the world is showing, a left-arm quick can be priceless. Still, Parnell is likely to start the World Cup as a reserve. It will be fascinating to see if the same is true of Rossouw after a series including two hundreds. He would probably like to play all his cricket on the Highveld and his second ODI ton followed the one he made in Johannesburg which was subsequently overshadowed by AB de Villiers’ recordbreaking hundred. Then he was opening, this time he was No. 4 after a reshuffle of the order to accommodate the returning Amla - who had been rested for the Port Elizabeth match - and the fitagain Quinton de Kock. He came to the crease in the tenth over and initially took his time to get going as he moved to 25 off 42 balls before collecting his first six off Narsingh Deonarine. He then quickly started playing catch-up, reaching fifty off 60 balls before helping himself to 23 off Andre Russell’s sixth over. His pulling stood out as he repeatedly flicked balls off his hip from a regular supply of short deliveries, but there was also a fair smattering of

stinging straight drives as he batted with a freedom that he has rarely shown early in his career. Understandably, he slowed a little as three figures approached, taking 11 balls to go through the 90s, but his hundred came with a brace to deep midwicket and he was soon unleashing again as he took two fours and two sixes off the 37th over bowled by Jason Holder. The game, meanwhile, was running out of superlatives to describe Amla’s batting. This was his fourth innings of the series and he has not failed to pass 61. By the time he fell in the 41st over his series tally stood at 413 runs at 206.05 - his other dismissal being a runout in Durban - the most runs for a South Africa batsman in a bilateral series (overtaking his own record of 402 against West Indies in 2010). After the early loss of de Kock - who top-edged to point when beaten for pace and bounce - on his return from an ankle injury, Amla was soon ticking along at a run-aball or better as he feasted on bowling that was soon either too full or too short and wasted helpful conditions. Amla’s early momentum helped Rossouw settle but he was also content to sit back and watch his young teammate cut loose first before using his experience expertly

RGTY&SC Silver Jubilee 1990 – 2015

Modern Optical Service and Caribbean Container Inc. supports In this their Silver Jubilee year, the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) continues to benefit from the confidence of corporate Guyana as they seek to run off 200 programmes and activities to coincide with this milestone. The latest entities to show tangible support are the New Amsterdam branch of Modern Optical Service and Caribbean Container Inc. of Farm, East Bank, Demerara. Both companies made substantial financial donations. Accepting on behalf of the club, Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster said that they intended to make the anniversary not only memorable but one which makes a positive difference in the lives of youths, the elderly and less fortunate. The contribution of the two companies would be used to provide less fortunate youths in Berbice with

Dr. Jose Da Silva of Modern Optical Services hands over cheque to Secretary/ CEO Hilbert Foster of the RHTYSC educational and sports materials in an effort to get them to stay in school and obtain an educational

background. These kids would also be encouraged to fulfill their full potential in sports

as an alternative to a life on the streets. The energetic Foster expressed gratitude to Dr. Jose DaSilva of Modern Optical Service and Chief Executive Officer of Caribbean Container Inc. Ms. Patricia Bacchus for their confidence in the RHTY&SC while reassuring them that they {club} would continue to fulfill its mandate in the future. Dr. DaSilva congratulated the club on its outstanding work over the last 25 years and noted that he was proud to be a supporter over the past decade. Ms. Bacchus, a Berbician by birth stated that CCI was proud to be associated with the club for the first time and expressed the hope that the relationship would develop in the future. CCI, she noted was committed to fulfilling its corporate responsibilities in the areas of youth and sports development.

to ease the pressure of him as three figures approached by taking charge of dispatching the bowlers. Three sixes came in seven balls against Sheldon Cottrell and Darren Sammy; all of a sudden it looked as though he may beat Rossouw to three figures. In the end he was the second man there, from 92 balls, and what followed was a destructive display of batsmanship that is not readily associated with someone like Amla whose trademark is steady accumulation. Alongside the avalanche of fours there was an extraordinary one-handed six over third man as he stretched to reach a wide delivery from Russell. West Indies’ innings began in curious a fashion, and a disappointing one for those hoping for a close a match although Gayle’s ODI record in the last two years does not suggest a rollicking hundred was an imminent prospect. This time he reached for a wide delivery first ball, the South Africans went up in appeal but the ball was called wide. Amla reviewed and Snicko showed a toe-end from Gayle as he ended with 71 runs at 14.20. Although Deonarine and Dwayne Smith played their shots, taking early toll on Kyle Abbott and Marchant de Lange, who had been called in from the South Africa A squad, the pressure of the target was always going to be too great. Aaron Phangiso produced a lovely delivery to remove Smith and then Marlon Samuels was involved in his fourth run out of the series to send Deonarine back. Samuels and Denesh Ramdin added 91 in 13 overs to at least keep South Africa’s second-string attack on their toes. It was Parnell who gained most when wickets started to tumble, the most eye-catching delivery being the short ball which climbed at Ramdin and was fended away to midwicket. After claiming two more in four balls in his seventh over he should have completed his five-wicket haul, but Duminy spilled a chance at deep square leg much to the bowler ’s annoyance, although he soon found a smile and even received a consoling pat on the back from Sammy. After another crushing defeat, though, it was really West Indies who needed the consoling. Scores: South Africa 361 for 5 (Amla 133, Rossouw 132) beat West Indies 230 (Samuels 50, Parnell 4-42) by 131 runs.

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Thursday January 29, 2015

Inconsistency and atrocious batting in final cost Jaguars NAGICO Super 50 title By Sean Devers Like in the CPL final last year when Guyana were trashed by the Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel, they again saved their worse for last and were soundly beaten by 135 runs in the 2015 NAGICO Super50 cricket tournament by T&T’s Red Force after being spun out for their lowest ever 50 over total of 65 in 23.5 overs. From 36 without loss the crumbled as Sunil Narine spun webs around the Jaguars batsmen who looked totally bamboozled by his mesmerizing off-spin on a spin friendly Queens Park Oval pitch last Sunday night as the 26-year-old had 6-9 from eight overs. The Oval was used in six zone matches in as many days with a day’s break before the semis were played on consecutive days. After another day’s break, the Final was played with the Jaguars having all of their five games at the only International cricket venue in Trinidad. The ground staff did a commendable job in delivering reasonable good pitches in the limited preparation time available. While the Oval is one of

the best drying grounds in the Carribean, the same cannot be said for the National Cricket Centre in Couva where only one of the three scheduled matches there was played, or Shaw Park in Tobago where a wet outfield reduced the match there between Red Force and the West Indies under-19s to a 21 overs affair. The facilities and drainage at Couva were sub standard for such a tournament and UWI ground which also has lights and has one the better outfields in Trinidad would have been a better option, while tiny Shaw Park ground also took a long time to dry. The overall standard of Umpiring left a lot to be desired and with TV exposing their shortcomings and several questionably decisions were made. While Jason Mohamed (117*) scored the only century at the Oval in the final, the other two centuries were scored at Couva where Rakeem Cornwell hit 113 for the Leewards and in Tobago where Johnson Charles hammered a record 177 for the Windwards, who made the second highest total since the tournament was first played in 1976. They amassed 374-6

Sunil Narine

Shiv Chanderpaul against defending champs Barbados. T&T’s 409-6 against Northern Windwards in 2001 is the highest total at this level of Regional cricket. Apart from Charles, Windwards opener Dawnley Joseph (153) and Guyana’s Clayton Lambert (151*) have made more than 150 in an innings in this tournament. This is the middle of the Carnival season and there was very little promotion of the competition while no Trinidad & Tobago Radio station carried any of the games before the final, even those involving the home

team. The Carribean Super Station carried every game on Radio, while ESPN carried all of the games at the Oval live. Not many people attended the zone matches but the final attracted an almost full house and created a fantastic atmosphere. However, the pathetic Jaguars batting and faulty catching left even Trini supports, who had come to see a riveting contest, disappointed. Singh, fielding at square-leg (as sub) should be commended for taking the catch of match; diving full length to his left to hold a

Parbattie Jaggai Memorial

Inter Secondary School Under-17 Cricket Competition bowls off tomorrow

Mr. Steven Seeraj, son of the late Parbattie Jaggai hands over the sponsorship cheque to UCCA treasurer Mr. Vicky Bharosay. Also in photo are other executives of the UCCA. At a simple presentation ceremony held recently Mr. Steven Seeraj, son of the late Parbattie Jaggai, handed over the sponsorship cheque for a second year to Upper Corentyne Cricket Association (UCCA) Treasurer Mr. Vicky Bharosay for the late Ms. Parbattie Jaggai Memorial competition. At the presentation Mr.

Seeraj said the UCCA did a great job last year in organizing the competition and they are looking forward for the same this year. Mr. Vicky Bharosay thanked Mr. Seeraj for this much needed sponsorship and assured him that the competition will be organized efficiently. The competition will

feature five teams; namely; Skeldon Line Path Secondary, Tagore Memorial Secondary, Skeldon High, Central Corentyne Secondary and Black Bush Polder Secondary. It will be played on a round robin basis one day two innings format. The top two teams will advance to the knockout stages of the

Berbice Cricket Board competition after playing in a grand final for the Parbattie Jaggai Memorial Trophy. First round fixtures: Black Bush Polder Secondary VS. Central Corentyne Secondary at Mibikuri, while Tagore Memorial Secondary will host Skeldon Line Path Secondary at Tagore. Skeldon High drew bye.

stunner to dismiss Darren Bravo. The pitches, especially at the Queens Park Oval where all the games were played under lights, got slower and lower as the tournament progressed and contributed to only two totals above 200 in eight matches there. The overall batting was sub standard and several impetuous shots caused the batsmen’s demise, none more shocking than the reverse sweep by the usually levelheaded Singh after he had played four similar shots without success. Charles was the only batsman to pass 200 (203) while Chanderpaul’s 198 runs from five innings was next but his strike rate of 56 and never suggested he was willing to counter-attack the bowlers and stamp his authority as a West Indies player. The strange shuffling of the batting order and baffling bowling changes especially in the Jaguars only loss against CCC when Reifer was amazingly asked to bowl the final over instead Paul Wintz, although Reifer’s only over in the tournament cost 10 runs and included two wides, were big tactical blunders. Apart from Chanderpaul none of the batsmen in the tournament seemed capable of batting for any length of time without doing something stupid in a tournament which was dominated by bowlers. The Jaguars were handicapped before a ball was bowled when Jonathon Foo, back in the national set up for the first time since 2010 , was infected with the ‘Flu’ and did not play a single match resulting in Singh (lucky to be in the squad instead of Ricardo Adams or Robin Bacchus) making his One-Day debut. He was dropped after one game for scoring too slowly when he made 49 from 99 balls.

Veerasammy Permaul

Johnson Charles Inconsistent batting let the Jaguars down throughout the tournament with no two batsman scoring over 50 together in any of the same matches. Chanderpaul’s unbeaten 98, when he batted from start to finish in the semifinals, Barbadian Raymond Reifer’s undefeated 84 against his countrymen and Rajendra Chandrika’s 52 against the Windward’s, were the only Jaguars’ batsmen to score a fifty in the five matches. Trevon Griffith failed at the top of the order before flattering to deceive in finals with a cameo 31 with six boundaries before he pushed forward to one that spun prodigiously and edged it to slip off Narine to trigger a disgraceful batting collapse as the Jaguars lost all 10 of their wickets for 31 runs with nobody else getting into double figures. The bright side for the Jaguars was their bowling. Only Narine (12) took more wickets than Veerasammy Permaul (11), while T&T’s Dwayne Bravo and the Jaguars’ Devendra Bishoo had eight each. Ronsford Beaton seemed not at his strongest and had a tough tournament, while (Continued on page 27)

Thursday January 29, 2015

Kaieteur News

Floyd Mayweather & Manny Pacquiao talk at Miami Heat game

Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather seem to exchange numbers at a Basketball game. (GRANT SMITH TWITTER) BBC Sport - Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather exchanged phone numbers at a US basketball game as they met in person for the first time. A long-awaited welterweight fight between the two has long been talked about, but a deal has yet to be agreed. Filipino Pacquiao, 36, is the WBO belt holder, while American Mayweather, 37, is the WBC and WBAchampion. “He gave his number to me and said we will communicate with each other,” Pacquiao said at the Miami Heat game. Pacquiao, an eightdivision world champion, and Mayweather, who has been world champion at five weights, are considered the best fighters of their

generation. The fighters were both sitting courtside as Miami took on Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night. The stadium put photos of both fighters on their video screens during a first-half stoppage in play, with the caption “Coming in 2015?” Pacquiao’s publicist Fred Sternburg recently said a bout between the two still has “a long way to go” but that there has been movement “in a positive direction”. It followed reports Pacquiao had agreed terms on a 2 May bout in Las Vegas. One stumbling block has b e e n M a y w e a t h e r ’s insistence on a strict bloodtesting programme during training, but Pacquiao said those demands cast him in a bad light as a suspected cheat.

Four Jamaicans get Olympic Solidarity scholarships

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our track and field athletes will for the next two years benefit from the Olympic Solidarity Programme. Recently, Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA), announced quarter milers Christine Day and Rosemarie Whyte, triple jumper Kimberly Williams and Olympic Games 110m hurdles bronze medallist Hansle Parchment as the track and field awardees. The two-year scholarships were awarded to the four to help with their preparations for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. (trackalerts)

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Nadal ousted, as Sharapova powers on MELBOURNE, Australia (AFP) Rafael Nadal’s Australian Open dream lay in tatters with the third seed crushed by Tomas Berdych in the quarter-finals, but Maria Sharapova showed who’s boss by slapping down Eugenie Bouchard. The out-of-sorts Spaniard, a 14-time Grand Slam champion, was never in contention against a player he had beaten the last 17 times they met stretching back to 2006. The Czech seventh seed insisted ahead of the match that the imposing statistic meant little and he came out of the blocks firing, winning 6-2, 6-0, 7-6 (7/5) despite a mini Nadal revival in the third set. “I was definitely ready for it and set up my plan pretty well and I stuck with that through those three sets,” said Berdych, who also made the semis last year, losing to eventual champion Stan Wawrinka. The upset pits him against Andy Murray for a place in the final, with the experienced British sixth seed a step too far for brash Australian teenager Nick Kyrgios, who lost 6-3, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3. Nadal had no excuses, admitting he played “a very bad” match. “I am not very happy because I didn’t compete the way I wanted to compete in the first two sets and that’s something that I don’t like,” he said. “The season is long, beginnings are tough. I need to be ready to accept all the situations that happen and try to be strong.” Murray, a three-time runner-

up at Melbourne Park, was too Maria Sharapova. composed for Kyrgios, but said he (PHOTOS: AFP) was taking nothing for granted against Laver Arena, hitting 18 winners and Berdych. “Maybe I won’t play well in a forcing 30 unforced errors from the 20couple of days; maybe I play great. I year-old. She now faces Makarova, don’t know,” he said. “But I’ve given who raced through her match against myself a good opportunity again, and third seed Simona Halep, thrashing the hopefully I can use it to my advantage.” more-fancied Romanian 6-4, 6-0. In contrast to Nadal’s lacklustre performance, the experienced Sharapova dominated young Canadian pretender Bouchard to set up an allRussian semi-final with dark horse Ekaterina Makarova. The world number Rafael two, who could claim the top ranking from Nadal arch-rival Serena Williams if she wins the title, showed her intent by breaking the seventh seed in the first game of the match, and never looked back. Billed as a Glam Slam showdown between two of the game’s most marketable women, an intense Sharapova was all business in the crushing 6-3, 6-2 win. “She’s been playing so well at Slams, so confident and so aggressive,” said the Russian, gunning for a sixth Grand Slam crown and her first in Australia since 2008. “I just really tried to take that away from her a little bit. I did a great job of that today.” Sharapova, who also dumped Bouchard out of the French Open semifinals last year, gave no quarter on Rod

TRANSFERS HIT A RECORD HIGH OF $4 BILLION - FIFA

The global football transfer market hit a record high in 2014, breaking the $4 billion (3.5 billion euros) barrier for the first time, a report published by FIFA on Wednesday revealed. England, with its highly lucrative Premier League, provided the biggest investors and, despite their failure at the World Cup, Brazilian players were the most sought-after. A total of 13,000 players moved clubs, but the combined total of $4.06 billion (3.57 billion euros) in transfer fees does not include the commission paid to players’ agents, which accounted for a further $236 million. The total was 2.1 percent up on the 2013 total of $3.98 billion and showed an average annual increase of 3.4 percent since 2011, according to the annual report, Global Transfer Market 2015, by FIFA TMS, which monitors all deals. A staggering 87 percent

of all the money which changed hands was spent by European clubs and transfers between European clubs represented 78 percent of the

global total. English clubs were the world’s biggest spenders, accounting for $1.17 billion in 2014, which represents

more than a quarter of global spending, according to Mark Goddard, general manager of FIFA TMS. Spanish clubs (Continued on page 27)

GFF NC mourns the loss of former federation Treasurer, Aubrey Henry The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Normalization Committee has joined the rest of the football fraternity in mourning the death of former Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Treasurer Aubrey Henry who died on Tuesday in the USA. Following is the full text of the GFF NC press release: “The Chairman and members of the FIFAappointed Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Normalization Committee (NC) were saddened to learn of the passing of Mr. Aubrey Henry, former Treasurer of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and the

Kashif and Shanghai Organization. During our interactions with Mr. Henry, we always found him to be humble, well-spoken, knowledgeable and a calming influence in what can sometimes be a chaotic environment. He was always willing to lend his expertise for the benefit and development of football in Guyana. The local football fraternity has indeed lost a valuable asset. The Chairman and members of the NC wish to extend sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Aubrey Henry and hope that those who he has taught and

Aubrey Henry influenced will continue to serve football with equal dedication, pride and humility.”

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Kaieteur News

Thursday January 29, 2015

GCF PRESIDENT shares views on 2014 performance and projections for 2015 By Franklin Wilson When it comes to competition, cyclists in Guyana have been very busy over the years but we have not been able to dominate and get the better of our Caribbean counterparts at the senior level for quite some years now. Our junior riders have been holding their own but somehow they get subsumed and lose their way when they graduate to the senior ranks. With this in mind, Kaieteur sport sought the views of the Guyana Cycle Federation (GCF) President Ms. Cheryl Thompson on the performance of her federation during 2014 and to let readers get an idea of how she intend to guide the

body. Following are the questions posed and the answers given. FW: How did the sport in your estimation perform in 2014 based on your 2013 projections? CT: Cycling has performed creditably in 2014 based on my 2013 projections. When we look at the performances of both the elite and junior riders on the international and local stages we could have done much better but lacked proper equipment especially for Time Trials events, this was one of the many obstacles. Funding was also a sore area and it is my wish and hope that the GCF Financial Committee could improve in their projections for 2015 and commence early with our programme, bearing in

mind our first event is scheduled in the first quarter of the year. T h e G C F h a s successfully staged over 50 fully sponsored cycling events in 2014 and we managed to have approximately 8 highly paid events which were the three stage, five stage (NSC), Ounce of Gold sponsored by the Mohamed Kadir Family, Digicel Breast Awareness road races; Troy Humphrey Memorial as well as another three highly paid events organised by Mr. Randolph Roberts of the Flying Ace Cycling Club in Berbice. FW: Are you satisfied that the sport has grown during the period under review? CT: Certainly the sport

LUIS FIGO announces bid for FIFA presidency

Former Portuguese international football player, Luis Figo (at left) FIFA President Sepp Blatter. (AFP PHOTO) Former Portugal and Real Madrid winger Luis Figo announced on Wednesday that he is to challenge incumbent Sepp Blatter in this year’s FIFA presidential election. “I care about football, so what I’m seeing regarding the image of FIFA — not only now but in the past years - I don’t like it,” the 42year-old said in an interview broadcast by CNN. “If you search FIFA on the internet you see the first word that comes out: scandal — not positive words. It’s that we have to change first and try to improve the image of FIFA. Football deserves much better than this.” Figo joins Asian Football Confederation vice-president Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, Dutch football chief Michael van Praag, exFIFA executive Jerome Champagne and former France winger David Ginola in the running to unseat Blatter, who will bid for a fifth term in office in the May 29 election. The deadline for nominees to announce their candidacies falls on Thursday. Figo told CNN he had secured the necessary support from five national football associations, but declined to identify them. “I’ve been talking with so many important people in football - players, managers, president of federations - and they all think that something has to be done,”

added Figo, who won the Ballon d’Or in 2000 and was voted FIFA World Player of the Year in 2001. “Last year was the World Cup, I was in Brazil and I saw the reaction of all the fans regarding the image of FIFA and I think something has to be changed. “Change in leadership, governance, transparency and solidarity, so I think it’s the moment for that.” As one of the most famous footballers of his generation, Figo is the most high-profile candidate to have launched a bid to succeed Blatter. The 78-year-old Swiss has been tarnished by accusations of corruption stemming from the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, which were awarded to Russia and Qatar respectively. Hailing from Lisbon, Figo played for Sporting Lisbon, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Inter Milan during a glittering career. A skilful, two-footed wide player, he captained Portugal at the 2006 World Cup and won a total of 127 caps, making him his country’s most-capped player. As well as working as an ambassador at Inter, he has served on European governing body UEFA’s Football Committee since 2011. (Jamaica Observer)

has grown, I have now seen a group of serious junior and juvenile cyclists emerging and they are being assisted by one of the most active Coaches, Mr. Dwayne (Road Hog) Gibbs. With this continued trend I am most certain that greater things should be expected both in the local and international arenas in 2015. FW: How did the athletes do on the local, C a r i b b e a n a n d International levels? CT: At the Elite Championships held in Puerto Rico, our cyclists performed creditably, both riders, Raynauth Jeffrey and Marlon Williams competing in the Time trials placed in the top 10. At the Commonwealth Games, the weather was a major factor which prohibited our cyclists from not performing well. The juniors did very well and could have done even better at the Junior Caribbean Championships in Suriname where we won a bronze medal. Such was the dominance of our juniors that we made a clean sweep of the Road Race and Time Trials at the Inter Guiana Games also in Suriname. FW: Do you believe that enough is being done from the GCF stand point for the development of the sport? CT: More could have been done, but the federation had lost quite a number of its administrators. I would share the blame for not pushing for the development plan, workshops and seminars for administrators, coaches and cyclists. Presently they are over 15qualified coaches. The federation certainly has to resuscitate the Coaches Association and have these persons licensed and properly utilized with a programme in place where other regions could benefit. FW: Sponsorship continues to be one of the main challenges for the GCF and traveling teams, who are s o m e o f t h e entities/individuals that would have supported the GCF during the year? CT: We have received support from the Guyana Olympic Association, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Digicel, John Fernandes Limited, DeSinco Trading Inc., Humphrey’s Bakery, Pomeroon Food and

GCF President Ms. Cheryl Thompson presenting inaugural Juvenile Raod race champion Andrew Hicks of Berbice with his jersey. Beverage Company Ltd., Mr. Andrew Arjoon, Mr. Raymond Peres. Mr. Horace Burrowes and Mr. Ian Davis. FW: What is the federation’s view of the H a s s a n M o h a m e d ’s p ro g r a m m e s a n d i t s contributions to the overall development of the sport? CT: The Federation’s view is that more could be done; probably begin with the introduction of some theoretical programmes for the summer training programme and this should be extended to Linden and Berbice. FW: What are your projections for 2015? CT: To ensure that the

cyclists identified to represent Guyana overseas have full financial sponsorship by the federation and the continued structured development programme for the juniors and juvenile is fully utilized by the cyclists identified by the GCF. We would like to see our elite cyclists improve their team work during local races and to ensure better results at home and abroad. This is election year and I do hope the administrator elected would continue to work in the interest and development of the cyclists with discipline and respect being paramount.

Carpenter re-elected to Head GMR&SC

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ncumbent John Carpenter was reelected to serve another term when the Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club (GMR&SC) held its Annual General Meeting on Monday evening, at the club Headquarters on Albert Street. According to a source, the entire executive except for Vice-President Raj Boodhoo, who did not seek re-election, was returned. The new Vice-President is Mohamed Shairaz Roshandin. The full executive is seen below. John Carpenter - President Mohamed .S. Roshandin –Vice- President Diana D’Ornellas Secretary Hansraj Singh - Treasurer

John Carpenter Chet Singh – Assistant Secretary /Treasurer Danny Persaud - Club Captain Andrew King - Technical Advisor The Committee members are: Wayne Vieira, Jemrey Fernandes, Rameeze Mohamed, Carey Griffith and Paul Jiwanram.

Thursday January 29, 2015

Kaieteur News

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Female ruggers set to make return to regional/international competitions -18 players shortlisted to commence training With the sport enjoying immense success following the successful exploits of the men’s team on the NACRA Circuit, the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) plans to field a female team, at the 2015 NACRA Sevens in USA in June. According to a release from the Union, the support for the team’s presence at this year’s championships was aided by the men’s success, while it is the entity’s hope that the women could add to their 2008, 2009 and 2010 titles. The release added that the women are not only going for a fourth title, but will be seeking to qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympics. If they win the NACRA 7s championships or place second or third they then qualify for a playoff against similar placed teams from the other Regional associations early in 2016.

Canada and USA are their main threats to Guyana’s success, but with the current placing of both teams on the world circuit there is a very good possibility that they may prequalify without having to participate at NACRA in June. The National team will be sporting a blend of experience and new players. Meanwhile, a cost of USD 43,000 will be needed to send the women to the tournament. The Union has shortlisted eighteen (18) [players to commence training with a view of selection on the team. The players are: Carren Carter Pepsi Hornets Tricia Munroe Pepsi Hornets La Toya Hamilton Cordis Pepsi Hornets Collette Hope Pepsi Hornets

(FLASHBACK) - NACRA Women champions Guyana pose for a photo op shortly after capturing the regional title.

Nicole Nero Pepsi Hornets Natasha Andrews Pepsi Hornets Alicia Fortune Pepsi Hornets Shennel Daniels Pepsi Hornets Alicia Mentore Pepsi Hornets Carren Skeete Yamaha Caribs

ROWE finding his footing, elsewhere Jamaica Observer - Kingston, Jamaica - Last time anything positive and in public was said about Lawrence George Alphonso Rowe was some 33 years ago. Under-lights ‘Down-Under ’, Jeff Thomson had served a ‘loosener’ to his namesake. Hardly ever getting one, the batsman clicked his heels and punched straight. Bill Lawry’s pigeons scurried, and the other camp’s crowd ‘oowed-and-aawed’. “A glorious shot this by Jeff Dujon,” Alan

Sabola Gray Yamaha Caribs Andrea Lashley Yamaha Caribs Grace Jarvis Yamaha Caribs

Princesa Wilkie Yamaha Caribs Vionette Profitt Yamaha Caribs Cloetta Dublin Yamaha Caribs

Theresa Torres Yamaha Caribs Cindy Fraser Guyana Police Force

New Era gears for second MASH FUTSAL tournament

McGilvray hailed it. Finding an illustrious comparison, he then mumbled into his microphone: “Only Lawrence Rowe could have timed that better.” Things returned to normal service last Saturday night at the South Florida Conference Center in Margate, Fort Lauderdale, when a glitterati of West Indies cricket stars were singing from the same hymn book. “I’m seeing great evidence of (Continued on page 27)

Sales Representative at Yellow Mine Hydraulic Supplies, Vanie Ramnauth (right) hands over the sponsorship cheque to NEE Directors, Kenrick Noel and Aubrey Major Jr. yesterday.

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Former Jamaica and West Indies batting stylist Lawrence Rowe (right) raps with fellow former West Indies cricketers (from left) Brian Lara, Sir Garfield Sobers and Lance Gibbs (partly hidden) during a fund-raising dinner of the Lawrence Rowe Cricket Legendary Foundation at the South Florida Conference Center.

inden’s New Era Entertainment (NEE) is gearing to host its Second Annual Mashramani Futsal Tournament as sponsorship rolls in ahead of the February 6 Opening Ceremony for the event that will be played at the Mackenzie Sports Club Court, Linden. Yesterday, Yellow Mine Hydraulic Supplies, which is located in Eccles, East Bank Demerara made a financial contribution to the tournament that is expected to be held from February 6-21 in Linden. Sales Representative at Yellow Mine, Vanie Ramnauth said that the company was happy to offer their support to the tournament as she wished the organisers all the best. “We’re happy to make a contribution to

this event,” Ramnauth indicated. One of the Directors of NEE, Aubrey Major Jr. thanked the company for coming onboard, while another NEE Director, Kenrick Noel reiterated the need for such corporate support to ensure that the event is kept alive. “This is the second year and we will continue to make this tournament bigger and better,” Major said, adding that for seven nights there will be four games in the competition. The winning team will get $300,000 while the runner-up will get $100,000. The third place finisher gets $75,000 in the tournament with $25,000 set aside for the fourth placed team.

t r o Sp

Djokovic, Wawrinka set up epic showdown, ill Serena through

West Demerara Guinness ‘Greatest of de Streets’ Futsal Competition

Tourney favourite Den Amstel survive tough encounter -Admiral United, Showstoppers, Raiders also win Serena Williams. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

Novak Djokovic. REUTERS/ Carlos Barria

Part of the action in the West Demerara Guinness ‘Greatest of de Streets’ Futsal Competition.

Rossouw and Amla tons set up 4-1 series

Hashim Amla brought out all his shots

Rilee Rossouw slog sweeps Marlon Samuels (AFP)

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