Thursday Edition July 17, 2014 - Vol. 7 No. 28
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Online: http://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com
Guyana’s largest selling daily & New York’s most popular weekly
GuySuCo $6B bailout was a mistake - Roopnaraine Two dead in Highway crash
Dead bus driver: Roger Hudson
Amerindian leaders Former MFK owner demand freeze on says he narrowly Bai Shan Lin’s permit escaped execution
Police were unaware Finance Minister could be charged Unapproved spending of $4.5B...
…were not trained to deal with ‘white collar’ crimes - Ramjattan
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Kaieteur News
Thursday July 17, 2014
Thursday July 17, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Govt. back-peddles on 6-month APNU promises Parliamentary birth certificate requirement scrutiny over Gov’t coffers for new passports
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midst pressure, Government has reversed a requirement that mandates new applicants for passports to present birth certificates that were issued within six months prior to the date of application. But the decision seems a strange one. According to the Ministry of Home Affairs yesterday, with immediate effect, “applicants for passports and other travel documents will be required to present original birth certificates that were issued no less than two (2) years prior to the date of submission of the applications, instead of six (6) months.” The Immigration Department and the Ministry of Home Affairs have been coming under flak after it introduced measures a few weeks ago which required new passport applicants to present a birth certificate which was issued within the last six months. There were
Home Affairs Minister, Clement Rohee Attorney-at-law Saphier Husain-Subedar arguments that a birth certificate does not have an expiry date. The measure was to reduce the incidence of fraud, Government had said. Immediately after, the General Registrar’s Office which is in charge of the issuance of birth certificates, was inundated with applications. The policy sparked a court case filed by attorneyat-law, Saphier HusainSubedar who is challenging the legality of the six-month
requirement. The lawyer said that on June 18th, he visited the Immigration Office on Camp Street where his application for a new passport was rejected on the grounds that his birth certificate was older than six months. The lawyer has filed a case against the Commissioner of Police, in his capacity as the Chief Immigration Officer, asking that he be issued a new passport using his current birth certificate. The lawyer also wants the current six month rule be deemed as unconstitutional.
Amerindian leaders demand freeze on Bai Shan Lin’s permit
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merindian leaders of communities along the Rewa and Essequibo Rivers in Region Nine are demanding to know the nature, location and scale of proposed logging concessions for Chinese company Bai Shan Lin. And as such they want the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) to “cease forthwith” any further processing of the Bai Shan Lin permit. Their demand is contained in a letter sent to the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) following a meeting in the village of Maruranau. O n M o n d a y , Commissioner of Forests, James Singh, confirmed that Bai Shan Lin has two state forest permits, one of which is located in Region Nine. But the 17 communities of South Central and Deep South Rupununi, claim that they were not informed of the move. From the information they have received, the village leaders said that they are concerned that the
proposed concession may affect their traditional lands and natural resources within proposed land title extension areas for the Wapishiana people. “If the said concession does indeed affect our traditional lands and extension areas, we consider that the GFC and other relevant agencies of the government are in direct breach of our rights as protected under the constitution of Guyana, other applicable national laws and related international treaties ratified by our country,” the leaders stated in their July 7 letter to the GFC. The proposed concession area in Region Nine spans over 150,000 hectares. The Amerindian communities are demanding that the Forestry Commission meet with them and share all maps and other relevant information pertaining to the proposed concession. “We’ve heard through the grapevine that Bai Shan Lin is coming in but we don’t know exactly where,” said Tony James, a former chief
of the village of Aishalton, and now Vice President of the Amerindian People’s Association (APA). Further, the leaders are calling on the GFC to take immediate steps to ensure “full respect to our lands and free, prior and informed consent in line with Guyana’s international obligation and commitments to uphold indigenous people’s rights under the Low Carbon Development Strategy.” “The forest is our kitchen, it is our supermarket, it is our university, our playground, our school…it is our hospital as well,” said James. “So where are we going to go?” According to the GFC, permits are issued for period of three years and during that time the company has to do an environmental and social impact assessment, along with a forest inventory and business plan. Once these are considered favourably, it is then that a company is issued with a Timber Sales Agreement that allows it to begin logging operations.
Leader of APNU David Granger
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t has been three years since a coalition of political parties formed A Partnership for National Unity (APNU). The coalition along with the Alliance for Change (AFC) was able to obtain the Parliamentary majority by one seat changing the political dispensation of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) in the National Assembly after elections in 2011. APNU is contending that its support continues to grow but the party with constitutional control over the executive branch “persists in its one-party, winnertakes-all’ style administration.” According to APNU Leader, David Granger, the PPP/C is losing support because it is ignoring the needs of the masses. “The majority of our people languish in poverty as a result of the high cost-of-living; the high rate of unemployment among the young; the high rate of dropouts from primary and secondary schools and the high rate of migration of educated graduates. The population has been forced to bear the burden of the PPPC’s executive lawlessness.” Granger’s Vice President and Shadow Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine, said, “It is still very difficult to explain to people out of Guyana, how a country with less than a million mouths to feed and with enormous resources at our disposal, a country that has been so endowed that we should in fact be struggling the way we are.” According to Roopnaraine, Guyana’s working people should not be in a state of discouragement and hardship. “This is what we are facing. We are facing a position where
there is rapid accumulation of wealth by a small handful of people attached to the ruling party and the widespread hardship among working people.” Roopnaraine is of the view that “if we are to correct these huge imbalances in our society, if we are to develop any kind of social justice for the majority of the population, our calls for reconciliation must be heeded and acted upon.” “We have a situation where the Executive cannot do as it pleases and the combined opposition cannot do as it pleases either.” “It requires accommodation, it requires engagement and we need a season of good will, of generosity, and of imagination if we are going to move this country forward.” Parliamentary Scrutiny Asked about the public expecting more from the coalition taking into context that it had the majority in the National Assembly, APNU said, “The work that we have been doing in the National Assembly has in a real way raised the expectation of the population. “The reason for that, never before in the last 20 years, has the population had so much access as it presently does to information. And this information has come about not through an act of generosity on the part of the government but because of the insistence of the combined opposition to hold it to account.” Roopnaraine said that over the last three years there has been more accountability, and more scrutiny in the National Assembly. He said that the Special Sector Committees in Parliament, “we had the Minister of Natural Resources, the head of the GGMC, the head of Forestry, the head of the Guyana Lands and Surveys, we had all of these people there facing a Parliamentary Committee to provide information as they were questioned.” “As a result, information about Bai Shan Lin, information about Bosai, information about all kinds of things are now in the public domain.” None of these things would be in the public domain were it not for the scrutiny activity by the opposition parties, he said “They know a lot more about Mr Jagdeo’s benefits than (Continued on page 21 )
Thursday July 1 7, 2014
Kaieteur News
Teen prisoner charged for courtroom attack on robbery victim A teenaged prisoner, facing several robbery under arms charges, yesterday appeared before a city Magistrate and was remanded to prison after being charged for attacking one of his suspected victims during a short adjournment in a city courtroom last month. A little more than three weeks after the incident, 19year-old Wesley Griffith returned to the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court to face a common assault indictment. The charge alleged that on June 20 at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, he unlawfully assaulted 50-yearold Derek Haley. To the allegation, he pleaded guilty. He then said that at the time he was “stressed.” Griffith also apologised to the court for this assault. Lance Corporal Jomo Nichols explained that about 11:10 that day Haley was in Magistrate Judy Latchman’s courtroom to testify against Griffith on account of a robbery charge. Nichols stated that during an adjournment, Griffith
Accused: Wesley Griffith lunged from the prisoners’ dock and attacked Haley. The Prosecution said that the accused dealt the man several kicks and cuffs about his body. Griffith was subsequently arrested and charged for the offence. The Prosecutor informed the court too that aside from the case where he allegedly robbed Haley, Griffith is facing several other robbery charges before the courts. Responding to his plea, the Magistrate who took note
of Griffith’s age and the Prosecution’s facts stated that she will hand down her decision after she receives a probation report for him. The case is set to be called again on July 30 for sentencing. The incident, which raised security concerns, had occurred during another hearing for Griffith who is accused of robbing Halley of $200,000 in cash as well as $77,000 in electronic gadgets at his North Sophia, Greater Georgetown residence almost one year ago. Griffith is also accused of the $5M Amelia Ward’s armed robbery, which occurred on January 31. There were six victims, all belonging to one family. He was amongst four others, who on February 4, trailed their way into the courtroom of the Chief Magistrate to be named on several charges which included an armed carjacking and a robbery that netted cash, jewellery and electronic gadgets. He was also charged for gun and ammunition possession.
U.S. lawmakers, lawyers argue over House Republican plan to sue Obama
(Reuters) The Republican effort to sue President Barack Obama over his use of executive powers got under way in Congress yesterday at a hearing where lawmakers and constitutional law experts bickered over the move in a taste of the politicking to come. The House of Representatives’ Rules Committee is expected to vote next week on a resolution authorizing a lawsuit centering on Obama’s delays and other changes to his signature health insurance reform law, with a floor vote before the end of July. House Speaker John Boehner is pursuing the suit to protect Congress’ rights from what he calls Obama’s “king-like” overreach of executive authority in making unilateral moves to advance his agenda. Republicans argue that a prime example of this was Obama’s decision last year to delay a mandate for larger firms to provide employees health insurance under the Affordable Care Act, a law they have tried unsuccessfully to repeal for years. The case would likely take months, perhaps years, to wind its way through the courts, but its timing gives Republicans a new line of attack against Obama in their campaigns before November’s congressional elections, in which they are trying to win back control of the Senate and build on their
Barack Obama House majority. During the Rules Committee’s nearly five-hour hearing on Wednesday, Democrats on the panel accused Republicans of spending taxpayer money on a political “stunt” that they called “haphazard,” “frivolous” and “preposterous.” “We’re here because my Republican friends don’t like Barack Obama,” said Democratic Representative Jim McGovern. “They don’t like that he was elected twice. They don’t like that he’s more popular than they are, and they really don’t like that the Affordable Care Act is actually working.” Rules Committee Chairman Pete Sessions, a Republican, said the case was an important effort to preserve the separation of powers envisioned by
America’s founding fathers. “My fear is that our nation is currently facing the exact threat that the Constitution is designed to avoid. Branches of government have always attempted to exert their influence on the other branches, but this president has gone too far,” he said. Constitutional law experts disagreed on whether Obama had overstepped his authority and whether the House of Representatives had legal standing to pursue the case. Elizabeth Price Foley, law professor at Florida International University College of Law, said the litigation was the most “tailored and appropriate response” to Obama’s actions. “States can sue to preserve their power; the executive branch can sue to preserve its power, but somehow, magically, Congress can’t?” Foley said. Her position contrasted with a column she wrote in February for “The Daily Caller” website, in which she said, “Congress probably can’t sue the president” because of limits imposed by Supreme Court decisions. Simon Lazarus, a counsel at the Constitutional Accountability Center, argued that the lawsuit “mocked” the Constitution and “flouted longestablished Supreme Court precedent.”
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Counterfeit flour discovered in Linden Local producer, the National Milling Company (NAMILCO), has expressed alarm after finding flour suspected to be counterfeit in a Linden shop. A complaint has been made to Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GM&SA). According to NAMILCO, the shopkeeper was found retailing the counterfeit flour packaged in its bags. The discovery was made in April and the company immediately alerted the Food and Drug Analyst Department (GFDAD). NAMILCO simultaneously conducted a comprehensive analysis in its own laboratory and found that the flour was of a substantially poorer quality. They discovered that even though the bags carried the NAMILCO brand name, Thunderbolt, they showed evidence of excessive handling. The top edges were frayed and the thread used to re-stitch the bags was of inferior quality. “NAMILCO confirmed that the twine (not thread) the company uses is colour-coded and made of quality material consistent with international food hazard control standards. NAMILCO’S flour bags are double-stitched.” In addition, the bags of flour sold by the counterfeiter weighed 39 kilograms instead of 45 kilograms contained in genuine Thunderbolt bags. NAMILCO said that it was alerted by complaints from residents of Linden – both bakers and householders who claimed that their flourbased products were not
Counterfeit flour, in original NAMILCO’s bags have been discovered in Linden, the company said yesterday. “cooking properly”. Their bread and pastries were “discoloured and heavy” and the taste was not acceptable. N A M I L C O said it conducted a search soon after receiving the reports and found one errant shopkeeper located on one of the town’s main thoroughfares. “The GFDAD subsequently conducted its first investigation and confirmed NAMILCO’s complaint. The Department is expected to carry out a full investigation shortly. In the meantime, the flour company is urging its customers, especially those in Linden, to purchase flour that is white and not grey, and to inspect the stitching on the 45 kg bags to confirm that white and coloured twine were used in the weaving to close the bags.” NAMILCO’S CEO, Bert Sukhai, pointed out that “consumers get robbed on weight, quality and price
since most shopkeepers sell in pounds and equate 1 kg to 2 pounds instead of 2.2 pounds, and 2 kg as 4 pounds instead of 4.4 pounds. We have found consumers to be very forgiving in this regard”. He said that NAMILCO has been encouraging the Food and Drug Analyst Department to promote the health benefits of factory-packaged products, particularly milk, sugar, flour and other consumables that cannot be ‘washed’ before use. GMSA said yesterday that it is urging the Department to conduct a nationwide campaign to determine whether consumers in other parts of Region Ten and indeed in other regions across Guyana have been sold counterfeit flour. “The Association is concerned that the counterfeit flour which most likely were not subjected to quality tests, could pose a health hazard to unsuspecting consumers.”
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Kaieteur News
Russia ‘agrees to reopen Cuba spy base’ Moscow (AFP) - Russia has provisionally agreed to reopen a major Cold War listening post on Cuba that was used to spy on the United States, a Russian daily reported yesterday after President Vladimir Putin visited the island last week. Kommersant reported that Russia and Cuba had agreed “in principle” to reopen the Lourdes base, mothballed since 2001, citing several sources within Russian authorities. “The agreements were
finalised while President Vladimir Putin visited Havana last Friday,” the respected daily wrote. Russia had closed the Lourdes spy base south of Havana on Putin’s orders to save money and due to a rapprochement with the United States after the September 11 attacks. But Moscow has since shown a new interest in Latin America and its Cold War ally Cuba and relations with the West have deteriorated amid the Ukraine crisis.
The base was set up in 1964 after the Cuban missile crisis to spy on the United States. Just 250 kilometres (155 miles) from the US coast, it was the Soviet Union’s largest covert military outpost abroad with up to 3,000 staff. It was used to listen in to radio signals including those from submarines and ships and satellite communications. “All I can say is — finally!” one Russian source told Kommersant of the reported reopening. The defence ministry and military high command declined to comment on the report to Kommersant. Ahead of Putin’s visit to Cuba last week as part of a Latin American tour, Russia agreed to write off 90 percent of Cuba’s debt dating back to the Soviet era, totalling around $32 billion. Russia paid Cuba rent of $200 million per year to use the base in the last few years it was open. A former head of Russia’s foreign intelligence service, Vyacheslav Trubnikov, told the newspaper the base would strengthen Russia’s international position.
Thursday July 1 7, 2014
Grenada may hold referendum on changes to the constitution ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada CMC – Grenadians could go to a referendum in seven months to determine if they will accept twelve proposed changes to the country’s constitution. Addressing the weekly post cabinet briefing on Tuesday, Legal Affairs Minister Elvin Nimrod said the Constitution Reform Advisory Committee has submitted its initial report to the Cabinet following weeks of consultations throughout the island. He said the members will now examine the proposal with view for having the referendum poll on February 10, 2015. Nimrod said one of the items which came highly recommended was the proposal for Grenada to recognize the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) as its final court of appeal. “We are saying that as an independent nation, as a sovereign nation, we think that we should use our own court instead of going to Privy Council in England”. He said it’s apparent from community consultations that most Grenadians were in
SCANDALOUS… Trinidad Express - A staff member becoming pregnant following an affair with a resident minor is among the claims in a report on the St Michael’s School for Boys, which is now to be investigated by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for abuse, neglect and the misuse of items meant for the home by employees. The report, which was prompted by the April 8 death of 13-year-old Brandon Hargreaves at the Diego Martin facility, has been forwarded by Attorney General Anand Ramlogan to the DPP and acting Commissioner of Police, Stephen Williams, with a request that the institution be investigated urgently. Ramlogan announced the development at a news conference at the Parliament building, Tower D, International Waterfront Centre, Port of Spain, yesterday, during which he described the situation as “scandalous”. The institution, including those staff members against whom accusations of abuse have been made in the report, will now be subject to criminal investigation. The report had been forwarded to the Office of the Attorney General by Gender, Youth and Child Development
Elvin Nimrod favor of going that route, adding that he is convinced that the British Privy Council feels the same way. “I should tell you that from recent utterings and from other actions, we believe that the Privy Council feels burdened with our matters and that they believe it’s time for us to find our own wings to fly.” Nimrod, who also served as Attorney general in the previous New National Party (NNP) administration, said he believes the CCJ would be more amenable and
much more competent “in terms of knowing our culture and our ways of life and off course we believe that that might be the better route to take.” Another big recommendation was for an official country name change from the State of Grenada to – Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique. This change has been clamored for by most residents on the islands of Carriacou and Petit Martinique for decades. The residents have said they feel more connected to the Grenadine Islands than the state of Grenada. Other suggestions for reform include the oath taken by government officials when accepting office, from allegiance to the Queen of England to allegiance to Grenada, changing the title from the Chief of Police to Commissioner of Police and establishing an Electoral commission instead of having a Supervisor of Elections. The twelve recommendations now have to be reviewed and approved by cabinet, before going any further.
AG refers report of pregnancy, abuse at St Michael’s School residents to her home, for Boys to DPP young following which, the staff Minister Clifton DeCoteau, who has been asked by the AG to levy an expedited audit on St Michael’s. Ramlogan said he must be careful not to prejudice the outcome of the investigation but he outlined some of the allegations made in the document, including sexual relations between boys and staff members, physically harmful initiation ceremonies perpetrated on newcomers, items meant for the home being taken by staff members, outright neglect of duties and of the needs of the children and laundering and racketeering involving funds and resources. There are claims of abuse including boys being beaten with objects, including pieces of wood. Earlier this year three boys ran away from the school claiming abuse and sought the assistance of the media for alternative shelter. “I take a very dim view of these actions,” Ramlogan said of the report yesterday, adding that he was calling on Ag Commissioner Williams to give the matter the priority it deserves. The AG said allegations have been made that a member of staff, in the face of protest by some colleagues, took one of the
member became pregnant and questions were raised as to the paternity of the child that resulted. “There has never been any investigation into that allegation,” Ramlogan said. In other cases, boys have been taken to hotel rooms to “rendezvous”, Ramlogan said the report claims. There have also been photographs of boys’ private parts taken with cellular telephones and in some cases where the children have rebelled as a result of the abuse, they have been sent to the Youth Training Centre (YTC) under the guise that they had caused some type of trouble, the AG said. With respect to the death of Hargreaves, who was said to have been involved in a fight with another boy when he suffered a fatal fall, Ramlogan said the reports claims that two supervisors were present just outside the dormitory room where the incident occurred and chose to ignore the fight. Staff members frequently ignore such occurrences, the report has claimed, and in his letter yesterday to DPP Roger Gaspard, Ramlogan stated that conflicting reports have arisen in the account of Hargreaves’ death.
Thursday July 17, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 9
BEING ON TIME MOST OF THE TIME
It was said that the only things that start on time in Guyana are banks, churches and cricket. Not anymore. The banks still open their doors sharply at 8.00 am. But I have seen quite a few cricket matches of recent where the umpires went out at least ten minutes beyond the scheduled start. And one pastor wrote a letter recently suggesting that many churchgoers are late for their service. Punctuality is a sign of excellence, someone wrote. If that is the case then standards of excellence are falling throughout the world. A recent survey in the United Kingdom, for example, found that many managers have problems with the late attendance of the younger members of the workforce. In Guyana, the problem of
workplace lateness is not restricted to the newcomers to the job market. Most businesses in Guyana start work at 8:00 am. Try calling any office at 8:00 am and ask for the boss. A great many of the calls will be unanswered. Not just because the boss is not at his desk, but also because his secretary would have most likely not arrived by that time. The few workers that show up on time go unnoticed. Someone once said that the problem with being punctual is that there is no one to appreciate it. For over twenty years, old Jack had arrived promptly to work at 8.00 am. He was never absent and he was never late. Then one day he did not show up on time. It caused an uproar in the office, causing even
The police are investigating the murder of miner Quacy Thompson, 31 years, of Linden, which occurred at about 20:00 hours on Tuesday at Mowasi Landing, Potaro. Police say their
investigations have revealed that Thompson was involved in an argument with two men, during which he was stabbed and shot to his body. He died before receiving medical treatment. No arrest has been made
Jack’s boss to come out of his office and walk the corridor wondering where Jack was. Then precisely at 9:00 am, for the first time after 20 years of being punctual, Jack walked in late. His clothes were dusty and torn, his face bruised, his head busted and his spectacles broken. He dragged himself to the time clock and punched in. Aware that by now all eyes were on him, he said, “I fell down my stairs. Nearly killed myself.” To which his boss answered, “And that took you a whole hour?” One of the best managers that Guyana ever produced made it his duty to ensure that his staff was on time. He made it his ritual to ensure that he was in early to observe the early birds and the latecomers.
Linden miner shot dead in interior as yet. Guyana’s interior is the location of a significant number of the nation’s murders equaling the number of killings in the police A Division (Georgetown and its environs).
Dem boys seh...
Today fuh Jagdeo, tomorrow fuh he ass Old people got a message fuh Jagdeo, that fat crook, Brazzy, Bobby, Boyah and de rest of de Bees that life is like a jar of peppers. What you do today will bun you ass tomorrow. Nuff of dem ass bunning and some of dem ass got to bun more and for a very, very long time. Dem life is not a jar of peeper, some is like a barrel; some like a 1000-gallon drum and people like Jagdeo, Bobby and Brazzy dem life is a whole pepper field. De few not so bad ones who always like to keep away from de scampish set does eat pepper too. But de pepper wha dem does live wid does only bun dem eyes and put dem fuh sleep. That does always happen to Sam. It happen to Sam since he young. People use to see he sleeping all over de place. He go to wedding house and sleep. Not even de loud music can keep he eye open. That is how people call he Sam Blinds. And dem never know was de pepper Sam eating does put he to sleep. Monday he eat wiri wiri pepper and guh
to de opening of de fancy lab dem mek fuh police ketch criminals. He Sam sit down in de front seat wid de Hanah Rebel Nandalall, de Police Bass, Rohee and some other people. Luncheon was mekking de main speech. Sam drop to sleep as soon as he start. Suddenly Sam wake up and start fuh clap. De reportahs feel embarrass. Some didn’t know whether fuh laugh or fuh hide dem face. One of dem seh that Sam was dreaming, and in de dream he think Luncheon done talk suh he decide fuh clap. De clap mek Luncheon jump and he watch Sam wid a cross eye. But when Sam see Luncheon still talking, he suck he teeth, bend he head and go back to sleep. Dem boys seh de first sleep he mek was de pepper. De second bend head was old age. Rob de Earth tell dem boys recently, dem mustn’t worry bout old age. It doesn’t last lang. Is a message he sending to Donald because he got he eye pun de presidency. Talk half and invite Sam to sleep.
The latecomers did not last too long. They were quickly let go no matter how bright or smart they were. On the other hand, even if you were a slacker on the job and never came late, you were sure to be retained and even promoted. This great manager once told his staff that they were not to be blamed if they idled on the job. This was their supervisor’s responsibilities. But if they were late they had to accept the consequences. He never worried about staff taking long washroom and rest breaks; he hardly refused an offer for time off. But he was intolerant of lateness. Being unpunctual reflected a lack of appreciation and was a symptom of someone lacking personal discipline. The man always said that the best employees were the most disciplined and if you were not disciplined enough to be on time, you could never be a good employee no matter how late you stayed after hours. Being on time, for him was the hallmark of excellence. Some persons however, are habitual latecomers. Nothing can motivate them to get out on time.
One lady called Fanny was like that. She was always late for work. No matter how much she tried or how often her boss scolded her, she just could not get to work on time. The problem was that she woke up late. One day, her boss told her that he would fire her unless she stopped being late. Seeing the writing on the wall, Fanny was determined that she would have to wake up early if she was to get to work on time and therefore avoid being fired. Fanny decided to seek the advice of her doctor. He prescribed her some medication and told her to
take one pill before going to bed. She did and woke up feeling well-rested. Fanny went to work on time. She headed for her bosses office and excitedly told him about the doctor’s prescription and how well it worked. Her boss said, “That is great Fanny, but where were you yesterday?”
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Kaieteur News
Thursday July 17, 2014
=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===
Is Guyana a world mystery? The receipt of $83 million over a two-year period (excluding medical bills which from what we know may bring the total to $170 million) by Bharrat Jagdeo as part of the perks he collects as a former President is the talk of the town. Since the amount became public, this thing has swept through Guyana. It has emerged as the most talked about public topic for one basic, simple reason – it is unbelievable. From the wealthy to the poor, from the cocktail circuit to the fish market den of Priya, the Satira girl, people cannot accept that poor Guyana can offer that amount of retirement benefits to a former president who is not in his seventies or
eighties but as they say in Guyanese parlance, “wan strapping big man who could go and look fuh wuk.” The question that should be asked as this incredible tale gathers momentum is, should we be surprised? The answer is no? The story of the PPP abuse of the resources of Guyana and the Guyanese people is from a science fiction novel. The nation has remained cowed and fearful since Mr. Jagdeo went on his post 2001 rampage. If any ruling party has contempt for a nation it is the PPP. If contempt is not confronted in its early stage, it will grow out of control.
This is what has happened with Guyana and the PPP. It is graphically shown in the person of Clement Rohee. Each act of morbid venality by the PPP is met with a stoney faced Rohee, in a barefaced unapologetic response. Mr. Rohee told his press conference that he knows nothing about a claim by Mr. Jagdeo’s common law wife that she was terribly abused by the then President. No other example shows how contemptuous is the PPP of Guyana. Ms. Varshnie Singh’s accusations went viral. It went beyond Guyana and was the biggest story of that year in this country. So afraid that he would lose power over this macabre
mistreatment of Ms. Singh, that Mr. Jagdeo sought help from a nationally known media personality. That Mr. Rohee can watch his country in the face and tell it that he knows nothing of what Mr. Jagdeo did to Varshnie Singh is sickening. Mr. Rohee didn’t stop there. At another press conference he justified pathological corruption by saying those in power saved their money when they were younger. The PPP GeneralSecretary seems to be in permanently bizarre overdrive. He sees nothing wrong with the stupendous postretirement benefits Mr. Jagdeo receives. He said it is legitimate money. He heaped praise on Manickchand for her horrible conduct at the home of the US Ambassador. Mr. Rohee is not alone. Mr. Ramotar behaves like his presidential predecessor. Again we see the contempt. When asked about the findings of an inquiry into alleged corrupt transactions of the leadership of NCN two years ago, he simply refused to acknowledge the contents of the report much less act on
it. At every press conference when pressed, he says he is yet to act on the report. Then the contempt came forth. He told the media why bother with the report. The people that were investigated are no longer there. You can analyze Ramotar’s response a million ways and you will end up with one interpretation because it is the only interpretation – brazen contempt of a nation. The equivalent of what President Ramotar is saying is that if a gynecologist sexually molested his patients at a hospital and was removed to facilitate a probe why bother with the results, because the predatory doctor is no longer at the hospital. Of course this complete dismissal of Guyanese people started with Bharrat Jagdeo. If any leader ever laughed at a country and with the wave of his middle finger dismissed the feelings of the population, it was Mr. Jagdeo. Where does one begin to tell the story of Jagdeo’s denigration and suppression of the Guyanese people? A date is hardly important. It is the
Frederick Kissoon enumeration of his authoritarian output. The outlandish postretirement benefit was inevitable and more extraordinary amounts will come his way once the PPP remains in office. This is because under Mr. Jagdeo, right up to Mr. Ramotar, the PPP feels that it can perpetuate the most horrific violation on this country and get away with it. When you look at the tyranny Mr. Jagdeo heaped on this land, Forbes Burnham and Desmond Hoyte would have been afraid to do so because of the PPP and WPA opposition. President Janet Jagan buckled under PNC’s pressure. Why we tolerated Jagdeo and now the present regime remains a world mystery.
Father of two remanded for escaping from police custody A 32-year-old vendor who hails from Cane Grove, East Bank Demerara was remanded to prison after making his first court appearance on an escape from lawful custody charge. Charles Riviera was taken at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court four days after the alleged escape from ranks at the Stabroek Market Police Outpost. The charge which was read to him by Chief Magistrate Priya SewnarineBeharry alleged that on July 11, last, at the police outpost, pending an investigation into allegations of an unlawful assault, Rivieira escaped from
lawful custody. Riviera pleaded not guilty and sought bail through his lawyer, George Thomas. Police Prosecutor, Corporal Bharat Mangru explained that last Friday the man’s reputed wife made a report that he assaulted her. During the investigation, Riviera was arrested and taken to the police outpost where he was handcuffed by ranks. Mangru said that the man picked the handcuffs and escaped. The accused was later caught and taken into police custody where a charge for escape from lawful custody was instituted against him.
Mangru opined that Riviera was a flight risk who would not return to court to face the charge. He asked the court to also consider the safety of the assault victim and deny him bail. Applying for reasonable bail, Thomas stated that his client, a father of two, had no prior convictions and that the conflict with his wife had been resolved. The lawyer claimed that his wife went to the station to resolve the matter and Riviera was released by the police and told to return with necessary documentation, which he did. He noted, however, that when his client returned with the document, the police tore it up. Thomas insisted that his client did not escape. He said that he was released on July 12 and not July 11. He stated that his client was willing to compensate his wife for injuries and asked the court to note that no charge was instituted against Riviera for assault. The lawyer said that the police ledger will reflect that his client was permitted to leave. But the Chief Magistrate refused Riviera bail. The case is set to be called again on July 24 for statements.
Thursday July 17, 2014
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Kaieteur News
Thursday July 17, 2014
Education Ministry introduces dynamic and versatile website
W
i t h a l l education stakeholders in mind, the Ministry of Education yesterday launched a dynamic and versatile website at a unique ceremony venued at the Quamina Street, Georgetown, Cara Lodge. The website, which can be f o u n d a t www.education.gov.gy, is in fact an intensely modified version of the Ministry’s previous website which was quite limited in its offerings. And so it was in order to cater to a growing online following that Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, mandated her Information Systems Unit to put measures in place for a more interactive website. The launch saw the Ministry taking full advantage of technological advances as the majority of the introduction of the website was done in audio/visual fashion. But this was not before the Ministry officials treated its invitees to a scrumptious
brunch. And there was much Governmental support for the initiative evident by the presence of Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds, acting in the capacity of President; Minister of Housing and Water, Irfaan Ali, and Minister of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran. Enlightening the gathering, among them several senior education officers, students and members of the media, was Head of the Information Systems Unit, Mr Phil Mingo. According to Mingo, the Ministry initially created its website with the need for it to be easy to use which translated to it being “clean and not cluttered” in order to cater to stakeholders including parents, teachers and students. The vision therefore was for the website to be fast and reliable, Mingo said, who pointed out that choosing the right technology was the next crucial aspect to examine. This was in light of the fact that the initiation of
A section of the gathering yesterday the website saw it merely accommodating a few news articles complemented by some basic sections common to most websites. “Of course it was a dynamic website in the design but because of its information it was pretty static,” said Mingo, who noted that due to the technology being utilised then, there were a number of challenges in maintaining it, so much so, that it was at times temporarily offline. Moreover, Mingo disclosed that the website in its current form sees the Ministry embracing the
Joomla open source web platform which is a content management system that allows the user to focus more on content and not necessarily on technology. This, he explained, “allows us to update the content of the website without affecting the structure hence we do not have to put the website offline just to make simple news updates...” Added to this, Mingo said that it was found that Joomla catered to the development of various modules and components for the website in a shorter
period. An even later version of Joomla allowed for enhanced security features, said Mingo, as he intimated that “Joomla has tremendously matured; it has allowed us to accomplish pretty much anything we needed to do on the website...” As such the website offers features ranging from image galleries and maps to document management and website backup and restore, and even web caching. “All of that we were able to either purchase or develop ourselves through the use of
Joomla,” said Mingo. He recalled that the need to enhance the website became extremely crucial when word of the website got around, resulting in an increase in traffic thereby causing the site to crash on a number of occasions. “Of course this became very embarrassing for us but many of the times these crashes would happen in the evenings when the demand would increase...it also gave us an opportunity to fix it before the next morning...that meant many (Continued on page 21)
Thursday July 17, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Slashed cop retaliates Failed love affair by dislocating teen’s jaw ends in death
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he police rank who was featured on the front page of this publication yesterday after he was attacked by an angry mob, has allegedly sought retribution on the one person he managed to arrest and has reportedly dislocated the jaw of the 19 year-old Sophia youth. After being released from custody on $15,000 station bail yesterday, the teen visited this publication to relate his ordeal. Ishaka John, who is employed at a car wash on Alexander Street, Kitty, said that everything stemmed from a vehicular mishap which saw the police being called in. He said that the driver of a car hit another one whilst reversing out of the car wash and the owner of one of the vehicles opted to call the police. Police Constable Roderick Mc Donald, responded to the report and upon arrival at the scene, he reportedly attempted to arrest a man who was a customer at the establishment at the time. According to John, he intervened and told the police rank that he should not be accosting the man, since he was not involved in the matter relating to the two cars. An altercation reportedly ensued between the man, the police and other individuals which resulted in the policeman’s injury.
19 year-old Ishaka John, displaying his swollen jaw According to John, the police rank eventually held on to him and with the help of a licensed firearm holder, took him to the Kitty Police Station. John told this publication that when he was placed on the bench at the police station, Mc Donald reportedly told him “is in hey ah want you, I gun kill you in hey.” John said that the Sergeant who was at the station at the time attempted to calm down Mc Donald, who was
telling the youth “ya’ll de want bank me I gun deal with you.” The Sophia teen said that Mc Donald, surprisingly dealt him a punch to the face, which dislocated his jaw. To make matters worse, John said that the ranks denied him a telephone call and after taking him to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) he was taken to the Prashad Nagar outpost where he was held overnight and for the better part of yesterday. Lynette Mc Kay, the teenager’s mother who visited this publication along with her son last evening, said that she received a call from someone who told her to head to the Kitty Police Station since her son was being beaten there. Mc Kay said that when she arrived at the station, the ranks were adamant that there was no such incident and that her son was not there. According to Mc Kay, she made numerous checks to other police stations but all denied having her son in custody. John told this publication that while at the Prashad Nagar outpost, one rank felt sorry for him and allowed him a phone call, at which point in time he called his mother. The woman said that she was given the royal run around until late yesterday afternoon when her son was released on bail, on the condition that he return to (Continued on page 21)
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uicide continues to be at the center of most failed love affairs. It remains a serious problem for most Essequibians. This sentiment was uttered by A Partnership for National Unity’s Regional Councillor, Wazeer Latiff, in the wake of a recent suicide of a 23-year-old Charity Housing Scheme resident. Dead is Rawl Cornelius, formerly of Charity Housing Scheme. Cornelius died on July12, at the Oscar Joseph Hospital, at Charity. He reportedly drank a poisonous substance at his 1 7 - y e a r - o l d c o u s i n ’s residence. It was reported that he was having an affair with this relative. He took his own life after he was told by his cousin that her uncle had warned her to discontinue seeing him. Cornelius was hospitalized at the Oscar Joseph Hospital
at Charity for one week before he died. His death came a month after a teenage couple, both of Bush Lot Village, drank poison after a family member had caught them in a compromising position. The 13-year-old former Cotton Field Secondary School student died weeks after being hospitalized at the Suddie Public Hospital. Her cousin survived. Latiff is urging swift intervention of both religious and other leaders within the Community to host seminars, especially at schools. These seminars should educate young people about the impact of suicide and the consequences it has on the community. He said taking one’s life is not the solution to problems in relationships. He called for more awareness messages to be filtered into the youths.
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Thursday July 17, 2014
UNAPPROVED $4.5B
Police were unaware Finance Minister could be charged Senior ranks of the Guyana Police Force were unaware of the fact that charges could be brought against Minister of Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, and as such has requested that the Alliance for Change (AFC) Leader, Khemraj Ramjattan, prepare an extensive report. Ramjattan, during an interview with this publication yesterday
…were not trained to deal with ‘white collar’ crimes -Ramjattan explained why it has taken such a long time for him to submit a formal complaint to the Guyana Police Force. He said that it was explained that the Police Force has never investigated such a crime.
Ramjattan, a practicing attorney who has been a legal adviser to the Force for several years explained to this publication that its ranks have not been trained to deal with high level “white collar” crimes, such as the
AFC Leader, Khemraj Ramjattan
Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh
one he is alleging against the Finance Minister. He said that as a result, he will have to outline in detail, precisely how the Minister violated the laws of Guyana when he authorized the spending of in excess of $4.5B that the National Assembly had expressly disapproved. According to Ramjattan, his complaint is expected to be completed and presented to the Police either today or tomorrow. Ramjattan told this publication that the senior officers that he has been in contact with are very interested in the case and as such he is confident that they would actively pursue it. The AFC leader is adamant that when the Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh, authorized the expenditure of in excess of $4.5M, he committed a crime. Ramjattan had told this publication that despite the matter being in the public domain, he will be preparing a formal complaint to be submitted to the Guyana Police Force. He had explained that he will be taking this course of action since in previous times when illegalities were uncovered and made public, the Police would in response say that no formal complaint was lodged with them. According to Ramjattan, approval to spend monies from the coffers can only come through authorization from Parliament. Finance Minister, Dr Singh, recently tabled a Statement of Excess in Parliament documenting more than $4.5B that the Administration has already spent – allocations that had been voted down by the Opposition – prompting allegations of illegal spending. Dr Singh hosted an engagement with the press following the charges of
illegality and provided excerpts of the relevant sections of the Constitution that he said authorized spending outside of the budget using the Consolidated Fund. The Minister, in justifying the legitimacy of the $4.5B expenditure, pointed to Article 218 (3B) of the Guyana Constitution which reads: “If in respect of any financial year it is found—that any moneys have been expended for any purpose in excess of the amount appropriated for that p u r p o s e b y t h e Appropriation Act or for a purpose for which no amount has been appropriated by that Act, a supplementary estimate, or as the case may be, a statement of excess showing the sums required or spent shall be laid before the Assembly by the Minister responsible for finance or any other Minister designated by the President.” A Partnership for National Unit (APNU) has already publicly voiced its displeasure over the actions of the Finance Minister and has also called for his prosecution. APNU’s Joseph Harmon said that the time is close where persons responsible for the expenditure of public monies, must face the courts for infractions. “I don’t think there should be any dancing around this point…If you take public money and you spend it in your own way, you should face the music.” According to Harmon, Guyanese will have to require that this is done. He was adamant that Ministers who take taxpayers’ dollars and spend it as if it were their own without the approval of the National Assembly “should also face the court and I believe that Dr. Ashni Singh should be on his way there.”
Thursday July 17, 2014
Kaieteur News
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No maternal deaths at Linden Hospital since 2009
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he Linden H o s p i t a l Complex (LHC) is today proud of its achievement of no maternal deaths since 2009. This and other relevant information were recently highlighted during the Linden Fund Trust (LFT) Linden Media Forum, at the Egbert Benjamin Centre. Under the theme “Mackenzie Hospital Complex (Linden Hospital Complex)-past, present and future”, the forum sought to educate the general public about services available at the hospitals, and developmental goals of the facility, aimed at providing better services. Chairman of the Linden Complex, Mortimer Mingo, said that he was very pleased with the hosting of the Linden media forum, which afforded key officials of the Institution the opportunity to share with the community some of the services offered. It also afforded interaction with both the media and the community. “We stand at all times to ensure that we adopt policies that are beneficial, effective, efficient and compassionate delivery of Health Care, to the persons who need, and those that are tasked with its delivery at the Mackenzie, Upper Demerara as well as the Kwakwani hospital. This forum to interact with members of the public is indeed a great opportunity to share our policies with you and most importantly, get feedback from you the people whom we serve. In fact, under the service agreement signed between the Board of Directors of the Linden Hospital Complex and the Ministry of Health we are committed to this type of interaction at least once yearly. “We are truly and very sincerely appreciative, of the approach and collaboration with the Linden Trust, through the Linden Community Forum for the hosting of this activity, and we certainly look forward, to more of this in the future.” Dr. Quincy Jones, who is attached to the OBTYN and accident and emergency department, of the Linden Hospital Complex, gave an overview of the services and functionality of the institution. Jones said that to really get an appreciation of what the Linden Hospital does, first, one must have a concept of the health care organization in Region Ten. The Region Ten District has 14 Health posts, 12
health centres, two basic hospitals, the Upper Demerara and Kwakwani Hospitals and one Regional Hospital, which is the Linden Hospital, which is a level four institution as categorized by the Ministry of Health. The Linden Hospital Complex boasts 60 registered nurses, thirty seven nursing assistants, 17 midwives, eight sisters, four departmental sisters, 23 staff nurse/midwife, 11 patient care assistants, and a total of 52 doctors. Jones said that the staff at the Upper Demerara Hospital is very small, which is due to the limited amount of services available there, and the small ‘traffic’ of patients, due to the fact that it is ‘geographically’ very close to the Mackenzie Hospital. He added that the Mackenzie Hospital is now involved in the screening for heart conditions in newborns, which he posited will play a significant role in the mortality rate of these patients. He also highlighted the work being done by the infectious clinic, which is r u n b y D r. R o s c o e McDonald, and focuses on tuberculosis, and which ranks high in the Caribbean, in terms of adherence and quality. Dr. McDonald, was recently awarded for this achievement, he said. There is currently no orthopedic surgeon in the institution’s orthopedic department, which is responsible for a high number of patient referrals for those suffering from associated medical conditions. As a result, certain emergency cases would have to be referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, he added. During the forum both media operatives and members of the public were encouraged to field questions to the panel pertaining to the Hospital, and its sister institution the Upper Demerara Hospital. Samuel Wright, Chairman of Linden Fund Trust, said that it is important that the organisation (LFT) be represented by a wide cross section of the community, including the areas of education, health and sports. Chief Executive Officer of the Linden Hospital C o m p l e x D r. F a r o u k Riyastat in his report on ‘the future of the Linden Hospital Complex’, pointed out that
there have been many changes at the institution, particularly during the `2009-2014 period, noting that the hospital underwent its transition phase, from the old building to the new state of the art facility in 2009. Commencing in August 2009, the transition was completed in December, and commissioned on December 5, 2009. Riyastat said that the UDH which is located at Wismar, Linden, is set to benefit from a new emergency unit as well as an extension of its family health clinic, later this year.
The sister facility, provides similar health services as the LHC, except in the areas of psychiatry, orthopedics, ophthalmology and the chest clinic, Riyastat pointed out. But that is expected to change soon as the hospital will be working on new developments, he added. “I’ve been talking to some doctors in those areas and we are hoping that by August 1, we can start with ophthalmology services; I’m talking about surgical services...as well as the orthopedics services. The clinic for psychology will
not start until later down the year, after our doctors... “Would have completed training, then later down in the year, we will be looking at starting a psychiatric clinic,” he explained. He added that the UDH attracts less patients compared to the LHC. However, when these new services, which are not being offered at the LHC, come on stream, they should serve as an encouragement for persons to seek health care at the UDH, he posited. In the past, Riyastat said, the UDH was believed to treat only patients with
infectious diseases. That perception, he noted, was highlighted by some Regional health officials, as one of the reasons for fewer attendance by persons seeking medical care at the hospital in recent years. On a normal day, there are approximately 41 staff members present at the UDH, including doctors on call around the clock. He added that a new ambulance is also expected to be stationed at the facility soon. “We’re also looking at the Records department, to (Continued on page 21)
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Kaieteur News
Thursday July 17, 2014
Two dead in highway crash
Grieving relatives
Onlookers at the hospital It was Pandemonium at the Linden Hospital Complex last night, as word spread of a fatal accident on the Soesdyke/ Linden Highway. The accident occurred in the vicinity of Loo Creek. Two persons died and at least 10 sustained injuries. Dead is driver of the bus, 29year-old Roger Hudson, of Retrieve, and Cathy Marks 36, of Amelia’s Ward. The accident reportedly occurred shortly after 17:00 hours. Those injured were Kerry Fraser, 35, of 331 Berbice Road; Quamie Robinson, 26, 48 Durban Street; Telisha Scott, of 786 One Mile; Shondell Chand, 45, of 527 East Ruimveldt; Marlon Washington aka Brando, of 183 Wisroc; Seon Anthony, of Wisroc; Marlyn Ally, of West Bank Demerara; Janelle Gordon, 29; Mark Nurse, the conductor, 25, of
92 Half Mile, Wismar; and Sean Lamazon, 29, of Section ‘C’ Christianburg. People converged at the hospital where relatives wailed uncontrollably as the death of their loved ones were confirmed. Barbara Hudson, the mother of the dead driver, Roger Hudson, collapsed and had to be admitted to the Accident and Emergency Unit. But Cathy Marks’s husband Javed Hutson, stood stoic, as he held his mother who cried over his loss. “Why de had to kill me daughter in law? Why?” she wailed. Other family members were equally distraught. The members of both sexes were crying openly. It was one of the saddest scenes to behold. Telisha Scott, 20, one of those injured is a nurse attached to St Joseph Mercy Hospital, was
travelling to Linden as was Marlyn Ally, a pregnant woman who was going to Linden to visit, her fiancé, Marvin Lyckerish, 30, of Maria Elizabeth Mines, Upper Demerara River. He was hit by a fallen tree trunk on Wednesday at 28 Kilometre, Unamco. According to Bernice Lykerish, her son was walking in the trail toward his tractor when the branch fell and hit him in his back. He later told her that the boy with him shouted but before he could take evasive action he was too late. The father of two is suffering severe back pains. Lyckerish is the last son of Bernice Lyckerish, who lamented that her first son Michael Williams, was killed in an accident in the Mines on June 20, last year. According to reports the illfated bus was travelling to Linden
from Georgetown. Persons said that the driver was speeding when he suffered a blowout, in the vicinity of Kairuni. The bus reportedly skidded then toppled several times. After the dead were taken to the hospital, several persons took the opportunity to view the bodies, which remained on the corridor for more than half an hour. There was chaos as the injured were brought in and the curious scrambled frantically to get a glimpse of them. Hospital security had their work cut out for them as they fought to keep both relatives and others from storming the emergency unit. A passenger who was passing in another bus said that he saw that the bus was on its side in the bushes. “We would not even have seen that bus, if wasn’t for one of the other passengers, who said that she
was admiring nature. The lady said, Look, look a bus in the bush”, and so the driver reversed. We see these people on the ground crawling around. It was really sad, because the driver was already gasping.” Several persons bemoaned the practice of speeding on the Linden speeding on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway, which has in the past been responsible for many of the accidents. One man declared, “That particular driver de like speed. Is like these guys does be determined to make so many trips per day- so passengers safety is secondary. And many passengers are afraid to speak out and tell them that they going too fast. Other reports indicated that the wet condition of the road may have played another role in the accident. (Enid Joaquin with additional reporting from Jacquey Bourne)
Guyana-born construction worker dies in freak accident St Lucia (stlucia newsonline. zcom) - A Guyana-born construction worker, who was working on the new St. Jude Hospital construction site in Vieux Fort, died as a result of an injury he sustained at around 2:30 p.m Tuesday. Julius Ferguson, 50, of Doe Carmel, La Resource, Vieux Fort received a cut to his throat from a small grinder. Ferguson’s relatives told St Lucia News Online (SNO) that the father of one has been working at the site since the inception of construction back in 2009. He was at the time employed with Sadoo and Company Construction. His cousin, Vernice Bastien, told SNO that the family received a call from F e rg u s o n ’s c o l l e a g u e s
informing them of the incident. According to reports, the grinder may have slipped from his hand and connected with his neck. The injury caused him to bleed profusely. It is believed that he died on the spot. Relatives said he was taken to a local mortuary after the incident. “If someone had a door to repair or a window to fix, he would always be there to help,” she added. Ferguson had been a construction worker and joiner for many years. He has been living in Saint Lucia for over 18 years. He leaves to mourn his Father Bartholomew Ferguson, daughter, Tekshika Ferguson and a two-year-old grandson.
Thursday July 17, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Education Ministry introduces dynamic and versatile... From page 12 sleepless nights.” Addressing the shortcomings was imperative, as according to Mingo, Minister Manickchand had insisted that “everything we do must be accessible on the same site,” to parents, teachers, students and all other stakeholders. A major feature on the existing site is a quiz platform which allows persons – teachers and students – to prepare for various examinations in addition to just learning new topics. “It is something we are quite excited about; essentially our quiz platform will be an integral part of a greater knowledge management system developed within the Ministry of Education,” informed Mingo. By 19:00 hours yesterday, the website, which among other things offers past examination papers and syllabuses, had already recorded 215,000 hits with over 34,000 pages being viewed by the public. According to Minister Manickchand, her Ministry has long been cognisant of the fact that Guyana functions in a modern world where information and Communication Technology play critical roles in the communication processes,
like the rest of the world. It is for this reason, she noted, that the Ministry has decided to embrace the progressive march of technology. “With all secondary schools projected to have computer laboratories by the end of 2014, with more than 90, 000 Guyanese targeted to benefit from the One Laptop Per Family initiative...with more access to and use of smart phones, this website is going to be highly useful to all education stakeholders....” said the Education Minister. She went on to point out that although currently the Education Ministry has in place some of the “most beautiful policies and programmes and resources” the challenge has been to make these known to the people who should use them and be implementing them effectively. “Even as we make significant and strong efforts to strengthen implementation of our policies, we are making real efforts to make our material and personnel more accessible with a strong presence on social media – Facebook and Twitter – we have established hotlines and today (yesterday) we launch this website,” noted the Minister. According to Assistant Chief Education Officer (Secondary), Ms.
APNU promises Parliamentary... From page 3 t h e y k n e w p reviously, questions to Ministers coming… they have to answer in writing and it is one of the ways to get specific commitments out of particular Ministers.” Roopnarine conceded, that not all of the demands and expectations of the people can be met by APNU
since “we don’t control the treasury, but what we can do is to ensure that the treasury is not abused, that the consolidated fund is not treated like the private bank account of members of the government, that we can assure, that is the work we see ourselves having to do in the National Assembly.”
Slashed cop... From page 15 the station tomorrow. According to John, when he visited GPHC, a surgery was scheduled for him at the Cheddi Jagan Dental Centre for 08:00hrs yesterday morning but instead he was
kept in custody. When he visited this publication yesterday, the young man was in possession of several x-ray images which illustrated that his jaw was indeed dislocated. It was visibly swollen.
No maternal deaths... From page 17 convert that into a pediatric ward, “he disclosed. According to Riyastat LHC staff including doctors, nurses, technicians and social workers has been participating in numerous
medical outreaches across Region 10, including several schools in the community. The outreach team visits areas such as Mabura, Kwakwani and Aroaima fortnightly. (Enid Joaquin)
Doodmattie Singh, the introduction of the new website comes as part of the Education Ministry’s plan to consciously make the resources of the Ministry of Education and the State available to all Guyanese
and the world. Also speaking yesterday was Prime Minister Hinds, who in lauding the effort to introduce the new website, encouraged that persons seek to personally promote it among friends, family and
relatives so as to ensure that “we get the greatest benefit from it.” According to Hinds, since education is seen as one of the most important aspects of development, Government has been contributing some
14 per cent of its revenue to that sector “because we think that education is important in making people who are capable to become more productive and contribute to the rise of standard of living in Guyana...”
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Thursday July 17, 2014
Man poses as foreigner, swindles Mahaica family, others
A
con artist swindled a Mahaica family and others after claiming to know their relatives in Canada while persuading them to give him money in exchange for his foreign currency, and to return later with his daughter. He never returned. A report was made to the Mahaica Police Station and the victims are sending a warning to members of the
public to watch out for such deceitful characters who prey on people’s kindness and trust. According to the victim, Shaheed Rahaman of Unity village, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara, he met the man on Saturday last while walking in his village. The man had claimed to know his relatives whom he rarely contacted in Canada. “He said his name was “Shafeek” and he called
several names of relatives in Canada and I brought him home where he met the family since he said, they had sent a package for us… “He said he returned to Guyana Friday last and he didn’t know where the place was, and because of how the country is now, he didn’t wear his jewels since people getting shoot for their cell phones.” Rahaman explained. The father of four further explained, that “the man
(Shafeek) said my family sent him to help us out because I am sickly. He told me he lives opposite Melsha Furniture store, but opposite has a building which houses the same store and we didn’t even realize or study what he was telling us.” Rahaman noted, that while at his home the fraudster claimed to have some Canadian currency that he wanted to exchange for local cash.
The swindler (Shafeek) who was caught on camera the same day he swindled the Mahaica family.
“He collected $10,000 from my wife and $10,000 from my daughter then he called all of us outside and said the money was just to test us to see if we are honest people and if we would give our last dollar out and trust him so he can help us… “I thought we were going to get back our money. He was checking his watch all the time. Suddenly, he said he will come back in an hour with his daughter since he has to change off his clothing,” Rahaman lamented. The fraudster even had the gall to ask the family, “What builds the relationship between people? He said, trust and h o n e s t y. ” I n s t a n t l y, Rahaman said his daughter realized that after Shafeek left he would have never returned. “I thought she was being negative but now we realized what happened.” “We have a relative doing taxi work and he (Shafeek) refused to travel with him clearly because he didn’t want anyone to know where he was going. “I was still having hopes that the
man would come back because of the relatives’ names he called. But when we called our relatives in Canada they claimed to not knowing anything about the man.” Last Monday, another victim was swindled at Vreed-en-hoop, West Coast Demerara. She too, had a similar story about someone knowing relatives from overseas. However, on that occasion the young lady became suspicious about the story she was being told. “He actually left with his accomplice in a white car with black stripes. The driver looked like he is in his 50s, with grey beard and hair, and fat. The con man smokes, and he got injury marks on his face and has gold teeth.” And in another instance a report was made to the Mahaica Police Station and various other stations after it was disclosed that two persons who were well dressed and pretended to be pastors were arrested at Albion, Corentyne. They too were trying to swindle persons out of money. They were arrested.
Thursday July 17, 2014
Kaieteur News
VACANCY 24 Hour East Coast Guyoil needs night pump attendants, salesgirl, office assistant & handyman- Call: 670-8893/684-2838 FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. Spares for washing machine, microwaves, fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, pumps, etc call: 225-9032, 647-2943 Games for PS2, PS3, XBOX360, WII, consoles also available – Call: 6722566, 265-3231 Dressed and mill cut lumber: Kabukalli, Silverballi, Greenheart, Crab Wood etc Call: 688-6579 PVC Ceiling Panels (USA Standards), all-purpose joint compound, T h o m p s o n ’s c o n c r e t e water proofer – Tel: 6148564; 639-3675; 680-0862 Pure bred Rottweiler puppies for sale – Contact Natasha: 653-5132, 626-1743 Windows, Air Conditioner, 2 Milwaukee saw-saw, computer desktop – Tel: 6865625 New American made Wener, aluminum ladder: 17 feet$28,000; 24 feet- $38,000, 32 feet- $55,000 – Tel: 609-7257, 602-5794 View Sonic Projectors & computer monitor - Sizes: 17inches – 27inches (new) – Contact: 623-4919; 646-7768 Pure pit-bull puppies, seven weeks old, price: $30,000 – Tel: 658-3072 Air boat 480 Likanoing Engine Exc, 1-650 Kawasaki Scrambler Motor Bike Exc, 1-40 Ton ice machine cooling tower – Tel: 616-2222,628-1200 Need body parts and accessories for Tacoma, Tundra, & Titan? – Contact: Eddie’s Auto Parts : 227-2835; 227-5381 Dell/HP computers with 17", 19"& 20", LCDs from $55,000, laptops from $55,000. Contact Future Tech: 2312206 Original PS2, PS3, XBOX360, Nintendo DS & 3Ds System games & parts, can be delivered – Call:683-8386 Used pedicure chair, hair dryer and salon chair – Tel: 668-9583, 698-5272 Brand new 2-in-1 Garnette GTI 2500 metal detector for gold & diamond etc – asking $360,000 – Contact: 686-0254 Clean garden earth, also Bobcat & Excavator rentals – Tel: 626-7127
FOR SALE Tools, Snapon air compressor, Dewalt & Jack Hammer, Stanley air, computer electrical, Michael Kors bags (original) – Contact: 646-2133; 220-6722 One New Toshiba Laptop, Vesta 8 computer – Price $70,000 negotiable – Tel: 6546871 Unregistered Toyota Sienta, 7 seater car – Call: 694-2700; 681-5777 One double stall with overhead storage in Stabroek Market – Call: 619-7925 (can be inspected) One male Rottweiler pup, parents are imported pedigree dogs –Call: 264-2870 or 6659140 after 6pm Blow out sales on Steel Rods 5/8 -$1400 each – Tel:690-0230 Metal Scaffolding with planks – Contact: 332-5426; 6030000; 628-8008 SONY PLAYSTATION2 WITH MEMORY CARD & 2 GAMES. PS2, PS3, XBOX360 ORIGINAL GAMES –TEL: 609-8132; 672-8569 (MAX)
LAND FOR SALE Land for sale at Better Hope South – Price $6,350,000, negotiable – Tel: 642-7898 15 Acre transport land opposite Timerhri Docks, next to Kamuni Creek – Tel: 2224708 At Eccles Housing Scheme – price $6.5M – negotiable – Call:616-6000 Twelve House Lots in one block along Corriverton Public Road- Call: 626-6245 Eccles - $3.8M, Grove $2.6M, La Parfait Harmonie $1M, $1.2M, $2.6M, Herstelling - $3.2M, Providence - $3M, Non-Pareil House- $8.5M – Tel: 6757292 Agricultural Land plots @ Yarrokabra, Linden Highway -10 acres each. $1.5M per acre- Call 261-6664/690-4358/ 629-5414/676-6369 DRESSMAKING Jean offers courses in dressmaking, designing curtains, floral decoration & cake decoration – Tel: 6181706; 670-2653.
Two Kitchen assistants @ People’s Choice Café – Tel No# 679-9449; 223-1645 Accountants & Checkers at RA Soda Factory, also #7 Bakery for rental – Contact: 330-2399; 330-2772 Counter girls, cleaners, cooks: Apply with application to Hot & Spicy, Lot 112 Third & Albert Sts Alberttown, Georgetown. Front Desk attendant, Hotel attendant & Bell Person – Contact Hick’s Ville Hotel – Tel: 227-7714 Drivers and porters. Contact Vegetarian Gardens – 2277714
EDUCATION Summer Classes: Phonics, Language, Mathematics, Art & Craft, fun day (4-12yrs) July 15th – August 15th @ Roxanne Burnham – Call: 6194355; 218-2076 Transitional foundation summer classes July 21st – Aug 21st: Forms 1 &2 Maths, English/Lit, Spanish, Music, Home EC, Social EtiquetteCall: 227-7850 Mr. Lee Kids summer computer classes, ages 4-16 - $6,500 @ Micrographics, Vreed-EnHoop: 264-3057, Parika Location: 626-4833 Now enrolling for a Diploma in computers (9 courses) Special discount for 2014 CXC students @ MicroGraphics, Vreed-EnHoop –Tel: 264-3057 I.A.S Second Street Alberttown, summer classes – 4-17yrs ($5,000 for six weeks), CXC classes for adults, $1200 per subject – Tel: 223-7906; 690-5008
LEARN TO DANCE Learn Latin/Oldies Dancing in 1 Day! @ National Park Tarmac, August 3rd, 2:305:30, $2,000 per person – Call: 612-6475; 629-8842
LEARN TO DRIVE Soman Son & Outar Driving School at Maraj Building- Tel: 644-5166; 622-2872; 615-0964; 689-5997
SALON Make Up Courses, Artist Trained & Certified in Trinidad. Call: 660-5257, 647-1773 Summer Special: Earn a certificate in cosmetology, wig designs or nails alone, limited spaces - Call Abby: 619-7603, 666-5241
VEHICLE FOR SALE 2006 Blue Nissan Titan. Fully Loaded GSS Series. Contact: 604-6108. One Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, PMM Series Call: 225-0188, 223-7500, MonFri 8:15-4:15pm, Sat – 8:151:15PM AT192, 212, Allion, unregistered Premio, Hilux Surf, BNN, RZ & Pit-bull, 7 seater super custom. Cash / terms - Call: 680-3154
PROPERTY FOR SALE 1-2 storey wooden & concrete house with 5 bedrooms, upper flat & lower flat 4 apartments located@ Shell Road, kitty - $34M - Tel: 642-7898 Two transported properties (house & land) & One 100 acres farm land with live stock & fruit trees. – Tel:6928923 Two storey concrete house on a corner lot, land 4079.6 Sq.ft @ Christiani Street, North Ruimveldt, G/Town$40M Neg. Contact: 600-0831 Enterprise East Coast Demerara, Luxury 6 bedrooms including master room W/ Jacuzzi, etc - $38M – Call: 650-0716; 619-5357; 223-1051 House & land at Lot 1523 Tuschen Housing Scheme, Block 8, East Bank Essequibo – Call: 268-2759; 660-4043 House & land @ Soesdyke Junction – 2 good houses with 16 house lots. 2.9 acres, good location for Store, Supermarket and Restaurant. Call 261-6664/690-4358/6295414/676-6369- $70M 2 STORIED CONCRETE HOUSE, 5 BEDROOMS, 3 TOILETS & BATH, AIR CONDITION/HOT& COLD, MULTIPLE PARKING, RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY– TEL:6098132; 672-8569 (MAX) River-side land with house @ Coverden. Road to River 2 acres. Good location- Price $75M- Call 261-6664/6904358/629-5414/676-6369
I.A.E is registering students for its secondary school, Forms1-5; CXC classes for adults – Repeaters and beginners – Call: 223-0604; 683-5742 Writing CXC January/June 2015 Mathematics, English. Additional Mathematics, Business Subjects Students, workers, Form 3, 4&5 – Call: 231-2076 Mr. Lee
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CAR RENTAL Dolly’s Car Rental - Call: 2257126/ 226-3693 dollys autorental@yahoo.com/ www.dolly sautorental.com ProgressiveAuto Rental: Cars & SUV for rental- $4,000 & up per day- Call: 643-5122, 219-3900 ,Email:pro_ autorental @yahoo.com
SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.–CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620 Permanent & Visitors Vi s a Applications, Professional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building Call Sabita: 2256496, 662-6045 Repairs, sales & spares, air conditioning, microwaves, washer, fridges & stoves. Ultra Cool, call: 225-9032,647-2943 Repairs to Fridge, Freezer, AC, Washers, Stoves: Call 683-1312, 627-3206 (Nick) For low cost: Repairs to fridge, freezer, A/C unit, microwaves, TV & washing machine - Call: 629-4946 or 225-4822 We Refill HP Printer Ink $2,000; Cannon printer ink $2,500. Phone: 650-7699 Repairs to refrigerators, gas stoves, washing machines, A/C units – Call Lindon: 6411086, 694-2202, 227-8907 MASSAGE The Gents Spa: Beautiful qualified masseuses, new attendants from Cuba & Trinidad, drinks available – Tel: 657- 5979 ACCOMMODATION Tourist Villa: Furnished Rooms & apartments- 1, 2 &3 bedroom apartments at affordable rates – Lot 95 Fifth Av e n u e , Subryanville – Tel: 2272199; 227-2189; 227-2186 TO LET Two storey 3 bedrooms house, fully grilled with all modern amenities in Diamond, E.B.D – Tel: 6582998 Business Space on public road- Call:613-0448/ 6728625 Diamond Executive $140,000, $65,000, Cummings Lodge $60,000, 3 bedrooms house at Kingston ($90,000), bond space at Ogle – Tel: 231-2200; 683-5107
We buy & sell vehicles for cash. Also parts available & 30 seater buses; extra Cab pickups; 2006 Tacoma- Call: 680-3154 New model Raum: PRR Series, very clean - $1.550 Neg. Contact: 662-6024 or 233-6337. One Toyota Mark II, Grande (GX110), excellent condition, leather interior, 18" Chrome $2.5M – Tel: 613-5308 1 Ford F150, Colour: Silver, Mint Condition, price - $3.5 M- Call: 610-0808 Toyota Premio & new model Spacio, never registered – Call: 227-5950, 681-7117 First Class Auto: 2006 Premio, 2006 Allion, 2004 Spacio, IST, Axela, Fielder, Rush – Call: 609-8188; 638-3045 Toyota Hilux Surf 4X4 Jeep, 3RZ Engine, Low Mileage, Asking $3.5M – Call: 6002984; 618-2984 One Toyota Spacio (Year 2002) – Contact Suraj: 6921135 NZE Toyota, excellent condition – Price: $1.5M negotiable – Contact: 609-9306 One Toyota Marino: Never worked hire, AC in excellent condition - $750,000 – Contact: 619-1047 One Toyota Hilux, Extra Cab, Excellent condition – Tel: 663-4978 Sale of 3 used 215 CAT Excavators with plenty spares; asking price $6M. Call 261-6664/690-4358/6295414/676-6369 New Toyota Noah, 2 Televisions, reverse camera, rims, low mileage – Tel: 6292619, 663-2700. Owner leaving country, best offer accepted. WANTED Ladies to do cleaning from the West Coast Demerara $10,000 – Call: 662-9341. Industry Area E.C.D, part time cleaner – MondayFriday, 6:30pm -7:30pm, Saturdays 8am-4pmTel:226-2829 MondayFriday between 9am & 4pm (Continued on page 24)
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Kaieteur News
Thursday July 17, 2014
Letters... Where your views make the news
How things have changed (From page 23)
WANTED Live out domestic babysitter and live in babysitter –Call: 225-0188, 225-6070 (Monday to Saturday ) (8:15am4:15pm) One live in experienced domestic must know to cook & bake. Starting salary $70,000 monthly – Tel:610-5043 Over edge and straight stitch operator to work at Garment Factory – Call: 222-2541 Monday – Friday Salesgirl/boys and porters apply in person, to Avinash Water Street 8:30 to 4:30 Female worker needed, 3 CXC subjects or sound secondary school education - Call: 612-1595 One live-in maid; must know to cook & clean properly – Call: 681-6044 Barber & Tattoo Artist with customers needed to work @ barbershop in Kitty, opposite Police Station – Call: 662-2209 Live in waitress to work in a bar – Call: 603-6301 Drivers at Mohan Variety Store, Brassonic Building, Water Street. Phone: 6732887 or 666-3877 One Experienced female private tutor. Call between 8:00am -5pm- Tel: 676-2812 Industry Area, ECD. To Manage Snackette, hours: Monday-Friday 2 6.45pm. Saturdays 6am to 3pm Tel: 226-2829 MondayFriday between 9am & 4pm One maid from ages 35 – Tel: 231-3647. Ask for Sandy Gardener/Handyman & Clerical Staff – Must be computer Literate at Risans, Lot 51 Main Street, Georgetown. A PERSON TO COOK & CLEAN FOR INDOGUYANESE. INTERESTED PERSON PLEASE CALL: 231-8344 A G G R E S S I V E SALESPERSON FOR BERBICE AREA FOR M A N U FA C T U R E R / IMPORTER OF FOOD P R O D U C T S , PREFERABLYARESIDENT OF BERBICE- CALL: 2231035/231-8344 Canter drivers must be from West Coast Demerara $28,000 weekly – Call: 6848231
FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Furnished two bedroom apartment at Eccles AA Scheme, One bedroom apartment – Tel: 686-5625. One bottom flat in Enmore $35,000 monthly – Call: 677-1495 Newly constructed apartment on WCD furnished/unfurnished in healthy and safe environment – Tel: 698-6496 To let – Four bedrooms top flat, semi-furnished, 2 bathrooms, patio, driveway @ Kitty – Call: 650-0716; 2231051 Prime business flat 100X25 (Boutique/Store/Office) @ Hadfield St. Behind Brickdam Station – Contact: Simone 626-5317; 227-0501 Store @ Good Hope, Public Road, ideal for pharmacy or automatic parts, security cameras & showcases included – Call: 614-8018 One 1 bedroom apartment at Church Street, Friendship, E.B.D – Call:266-2494; 661-8700 GT TOOLRENTALS: FREE DELIVERY, CONCRETE, STEEL TILE CUTTER, SAWS, PLANES RANSOM PUMPS & MUCH MORE – TEL: 675-0767; 627-5098 28’X40’ Space located at 1St Bridge Corner lot, Grove New Scheme, E.B.D – Call Trevor: 664-0000, Nichola: 662-5035
DEAR EDITOR, I remember when growingup in Guyana, the worst whipping a child could experience from his mother, was on her hearing that her child was heard cursing in the streets and when pressed for an explanation for the vulgar behaviour, the child told her that he cursed because the other party had cursed him first. The intense whipping was because our mothers’ position was that they brought us up to know and behave better. How things have changed! In a letter penned by no other than the Minister of Home Affairs – Mr. Clement Rohee – which appeared in the Kaieteur News of 15th July 2014, he proudly
reiterated the full support of the PPP and government for the vulgar behaviour of the Minister of Education at the home of the American Ambassador. Indeed for Mr. Rohee, we who signal our disapproval for this vulgarity are “untrustworthy egoists who probably pay no taxes, have no TIN certificate…..” I would like to point out to our dear Minister of Home Affairs that when our parents flogged us for vulgar behaviour in response to the vulgarity directed at us by others, they were upholding one of the most endearing aspects of our culture and history. We do not hold that once we share a vice with our adversary that makes the vice
a virtue. For us, there is simply no excuse for bad behaviour. One thing Mr. Rohee can be assured of, I will not call those of his party who do not understand this value and its historical and cultural significance to us as Guyanese “ignoramuses.” Like Mr. Rohee, I too was told a story about an encounter involving two persons, one representing power and authority and the other weakness and oppression that I would like to share. It is about an American President who was on the campaign trail and was late for a train that was kept waiting for him, when he got on the platform he was about to pass a slave who was sweeping the area.
The slave took his hat off and bowed in the direction of the President who stopped, took his hat off and bowed even lower in the direction of the slave. The chief of the President’s security detachment turned to him and reminded him he was late and there was no time to be bowing to a mere slave. To this the president responded “Would you like it to be said that a slave is more schooled in good manners than your president?” I dedicate this story to all those who feel we should be proud of our Minister of Education’s vulgar behaviour at the home of the Ambassador. Claudius Prince Dallas, Georgia
DEAR EDITOR, There have been complaints about the wanton spending of government’s funds without proper accountability. Moreover there have been reports of the awarding of multi-million-dollar contracts without abiding by the required tendering procedure. Over in Trinidad and Tobago, a High Court Judge delivered a landmark ruling supporting transparency in actions of the State in the expenditure of public funds.
In a written judgment Justice Frank Seepersad found in favour of the Joint Consultant Council (JCC) for the construction industry, which was seeking the release of information from the Minister of Planning and Sustainable Development on a $5.5 billion development. The Judge ordered the Minister to provide the requested information to the JCC within seven days. Trinidad and Tobago has a Freedom of Information Act, and lawyers for the
government argued that divulging information on the contract falls within the Act and the government was not legally bound to comply. The judge disagreed stating that “there must be transparency in any p r o j e c t undertaken by Government and that all attempts should be made as to dispel any perception of financial impropriety or misappropriation of public funds” The decision in this case is certainly persuasive should
anyone or any corporation/ organization move to the courts to challenge government’s actions which they consider to be “shady” or not above board. Guyana gained independence and the society must demand transparency. Legislative moves in that direction should be welcomed. There should be no room for corruption which seems to be the order of the day in the Co-operative Republic. Oscar Ramjeet
From page 4 which destroys its tilth and productivity. None of this has been acknowledged much less quantified by this GuySuCo delegation to the ESC. In addition, they are planning to convert 8000 hectares @US$1500 us per hectare by 2017, this means that they will have to dip into the consolidated fund for $2.4 billion to do that alone. In addition to the $6 billion, they are estimating that they will need to buy harvesters, trailers and loaders to mechanise; and when we factor in the already high accumulated losses, the inefficient cost of production, which is currently nearly 100% higher than the world market price for sugar, a very disturbing picture riddled with red ink emerges. I consider that GuySuCo did not present to the ESC a proper picture of the huge hurdles mechanisation presents to the Industry. They did not indicate what their accumulated losses were
at this time and the total amount that the corporation owes, since they have clearly run out of money and credit to pay their staff, which they failed to do last week. Incredibly the ESC did not ask them why they have not presented an annual report to Parliament since 2009, which they are required to do, by law, annually. The accuracy of most of his presentation to the ESC is also a cause for concern. For example, Singh told the ESC that under Guyana’s soft, muddy, heavy rainfall, and badly drained fields, GuySuCo’s machines harvest 35-40 tonnes per hour. This totally conflicts with a substantial body of work done in other countries which tells me that under the best field conditions 20 tonnes an hour is a more realistic estimate In addition they are claiming that after they mechanise their cost will come down to 25% of what it was using hand labour.
This conflicts also with information from other countries. Brazil, for example, where they are now being forced to stop burning cane by 2020 due to pollution and are phasing out all manual labour by then, is claiming that the reduction in cost from manual to machine is only 50%. Harvesting by machines requires the breeding of newer varieties of cane which are selected through decades of field trials for being very erect in habit to present the cane more efficiently to the harvester. We have bred no such varieties, in fact our canes, especially when the yield is high, grows exactly the opposite to erect. Secondly, mechanical harvesting leaves a higher stump in the fields, especially those like ours which are not precision-levelled by laser. This causes sugar losses by leaving the sweetest part of the cane close to the base in the ground and also hampers regrowth. No mention was made of
the fact that mechanical harvesting results in a lot of mud getting into the factory with the cane, and at the Skeldon factory which uses diffusers to extract the sugar instead of mills, this has resulted in stoppages of the factory every shift to clean it. In view of these discrepancies in the presentation by GuySuCo to parliament, there should be a full investigation by some sort of commission into the workings of this industry, since it is clear to me that the picture presented to the highest forum in the land, the Guyana Parliament, was seriously distorted and was, as is now usual for GuySuCo, long on optimism and short on realism. Especially since the business of this corporation, which is asking the taxpayers of this country to subsidise it, is run in total secrecy. Even senior managers are terrified of giving out any information whatsoever on its functioning. Tony Vieira
There must be transparency as regards government’s funds
The Economic Services Committee and GuySuCo
Thursday July 1 7, 2014
Kaieteur News
BRICS meet South American leaders after bank deal
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi (L-R), Colombia’s President Juan Manuel Santos, Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff, Chile’s President Michelle Bachelet, China’s President Xi Jinping and Ecuador’s President Rafael Correa talk at a group photo session during the 6th BRICS summit and the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) in Brasilia yesterday. REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino The BRICS group of emerging powers met Wednesday with South American presidents as they justified the creation of a development bank seen as an alternative to Westerndominated global financial organizations. The leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa held closed-door talks in Brasilia with counterparts from Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela and other Latin American nations. The gathering follows a BRICS-only summit Tuesday in the seaside city of Fortaleza, where the five nations agreed to create the $50 billion bank for infrastructure projects and a $100 billion crisis reserve fund described as a “miniIMF.” Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff insisted that the BRICS were not seeking to distance themselves from the Wa s h i n g t o n - b a s e d International Monetary Fund. “On the contrary, we
wish to democratize it and make it as representative as possible,” she told reporters following talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi before joining other leaders. Emerging and developing nations have been frustrated at the slow pace of IMF reform aimed at giving them bigger voting rights within the institution. The South Americans welcomed the creation of the emergency reserve and the New Development Bank, which will fund infrastructure projects in developing nations, a senior Brazilian official said. “There was a lot of support for the BRICS bank and the reserve,” the official said on condition of anonymity. Rousseff has left open the possibility of using the new institutions to aid debt-ridden Argentina if it asks for it. Argentine President Cristina Kirchner praised the BRICS bank and fund deal as alternatives to the World Bank and IMF.
“There are more and more institutions being formed that question how multilateral organizations function, which instead of coming up with solutions only complicate people’s lives,” she told a forum of leftist activists before the summit. Argentina is at risk of defaulting on $1.3 billion in debts after losing a US Supreme Court battle with hedge funds seen as “vultures” by Buenos Aires. “We believe that we must end with this international pillaging in finance that they are trying to do against Argentina and that they will certainly try to do against other countries,” Kirchner said. The Brazilian official said leaders voiced concern that Argentina’s situation could compromise debt negotiations of other countries in the future. It could take two years, however, for the institutions to become operational because they have to be ratified by the legislatures of each BRICS nation, Brazilian officials say.
Golding: US has no moral authority to penalise for human rights breaches KINGSTON, Jamaica: Former Prime Minister Bruce Golding says the United States lacks the moral authority to cite human rights abuses as reasons to withdraw support from the Jamaican security forces. According to Golding, there is no evidence that outgoing Police Commissioner Owen Ellington was involved in such abuses or failed to take action against those who carried out extrajudicial activities. The former prime minister, who was speaking on Cliff Hughes On-line on Power 106FM yesterday morning, says the US has a
long history of carrying out heinous actions against other countries which are tantamount to human rights abuses.He stressed that those violations have largely gone unpunished. Meanwhile, Golding says he’s concerned that the international community has been silent on the recent drone strikes by the US on areas said to be linked to terrorist activities. He says he does not support extrajudicial killings and all such matters, whether in Jamaica or elsewhere, must be properly investigated and those guilty brought to justice.
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Kaieteur News
Thursday July 1 7, 2014
Thursday July 1 7, 2014
Kaieteur News
Nat. U-15 cricketer Colin Barlow ... From page 33 him to make discipline his watch word which would set the foundation for a successful career. DeSinco Trading has over the years been very supportive of sportsmen and women in Guyana and has been investing in many disciplines. Williams said they would continue to play their part since sports builds a nation. The Guyana team is expected to leave on July 18 with their first game set for next Tues-
day against Leewards at the Melbourne Club ground. Defending champions Trinidad and Tobago will open against the Windward Islands, while hosts Jamaica face Barbados. This year, the Regional Under-15 Tournament – in its 19th season – will be contested under a round-robin format, featuring five rounds of 50 overs-a-side matches with the team accumulating the most points being declared champions.
ThursdayJuly 17, 2014 ARIES (MAR 21 - APR 19): This is an important day for you to make valuable connections with others, Aries. You'll find yourself engaged in fast-paced, witty conversations and debates from which you can learn a great deal. *************************** TAURUS (APR 20 - MAY 20): It could be hard for you to get a handle on things today, Taurus, as your focus seems to jump from one subject to the next without finding resolution for any. *************************** GEMINI (MAY 21 - JUN 20): You might come across strong opposition today from someone who seems to want to cut straight through to your heart, Gemini. In reality, this is a message reminding you to think about things in terms of the collective - the oneness of us all. *************************** CANCER (JUN 21 - JUL 22): Act on your instincts today, Cancer, and you won't go wrong. You may need to give up a bit of control and put logical thinking aside for the day. Let the wind take you where it wants you to go. *************************** LEO (JUL 23 - AUG 22): Today you'll find that you're the missing puzzle piece that people need in every situation, Leo. Engage in light conversation in social arenas and feel free to turn your charm up full blast. You have the ability to make favorable impressions on just about everyone, so get the day off on the right foot. ************************ VIRGO (AUG 23 - SEP 22): You may find that people want to do a great deal of talking but not a great deal of feeling today, Virgo. Go ahead and put your emotions on the back burner and let your mind take over. Deal with facts and make sure your emotions don't interfere with the information you receive. Things can get clouded if you don't stay true to the communication that's taking place. Be conscious of your words.
LIBRA (SEP 23 - OCT 22): IYou should be able to evaluate your emotions from a very neutral, detached perspective today, Libra. Use this opportunity to take action based on what you feel. *************************** SCORPIO (OCT 23 - NOV 21): If you're talking about another person today, Scorpio, make sure you aren't saying anything that would be upsetting if they were standing right there. Gossip may be running rampant, but that's no excuse for you to contribute to it. *************************** SAGITTARIUS(NOV22-DEC 21): It's important for you to take action on a day like today, Sagittarius. Trust yourself and your instincts. Oftentimes you'll have the perfect advice for every situation and every other person except yourself. *************************** CAPRICORN (DEC 22 JAN 19) : Yo u m i g h t f i n d yourself a bit unfocused and confused about which way to go, Capricorn. The baffled look on your face isn't helping anyone else figure out how to help you. Don't feel obliged to remain in an unhealthy situation.
*************************** AQUARIUS (JAN 20 FEB 18): It's important for you to get outside and feel the wind blowing, Aquarius. Reconnect with nature and be aware of the four elements. Take deep breaths and fill your lungs with this energizing life force. *************************** PISCES (FEB 19 - MAR 20): Make practical use of the thoughts you have synthesized over the last few days, Pisces. Stretch your boundaries and extend your wisdom to the people around you. This is a day to take action. Connect with your heart and move forward with your plans. We normally think of our hearts as being soft, tender, and vulnerable. Today think of your heart as being tough, strong, and adventurous.
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4th Digicel Schools Football Competition
Port Kaituma dethrone Santa Rosa in own backyard Newly-crowned Region 1 champions Port Kaituma withstood a vigorous performance from defending champions Santa Rosa, before prevailing 1-0 to claim the title on Tuesday, at the Kumaka Recreational ground. Playing in the 4th Annual Digicel Schools Football Competition in front of a capacity crowd, the two teams treated the fans to an exciting brand of football as they stood toe-to-toe for the entire ninety minutes duration and despite the hosts going down by a goal that came in unexpected fashion, the home supporters went away satisfied with the efforts of the two combatants who’ve been at each other’s throats for the past three years with Santa Rosa coming out victorious on the previous occasions. The goal came in the 79th minute when a floated cross
Kaieteur Sport ‘raps’ with GAPF ... From page 30 Championships here in July of 2015. Should we be successful the Federation is equally certain that the North American Federation will have a change of heart and award us the Caribbean Championships which have been awarded to Canada as they host the North American Regionals in July around the same time. One thing is certain and that is the fact that we are adamant we will not be participating in July in Canada. However we will certainly be participating in December in Canada at the Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships where we will take the opportunity to bid for the 2017 Commonwealth Championships. Also locally we will be adding an unequipped championship to our calendar for lifters who do not feel comfortable lifting equipped. This will in turn give them the opportunity to participate internationally in these categories. The GAPF would be commencing discussions with the Paralympics charter in Guyana to give those suitably qualified to participate at Powerlifting (i.e Visually Impaired and Differently Able) as the IOC has already recognized Powerlifting at the Paralympics.
from the left flank resulted in Santa Rosa’s goalkeeper being caught in uncertain mode as to whether to take it on the full or on the bounce thus allowing the ball to deflect off his knees and into the path of a lurking Rod Jeffrey, who stabbed the ball into the goal. Earlier, Port Kaituma was unfortunate not to take the lead when a free kick taken just outside the 25-yard box slammed onto the crossbar and rebounded into play, before being steered into touch for a corner. Santa Rosa also had opportunities to score, but fine goalkeeping and some errant shooting erased their chances as the half came with no team managing to
penetrate the last stop. On the resumption, the fans were once again treated to some exceptional skills at this level as the players increased the tempo as the midfielders worked their magic feeding the ball to the strikers with unerring accuracy, but both defensive lines held firmly, leaving the game on a knife’s edge until a moment of indecision buried the hopes of Santa Rosa retaining their crown. Port Kaituma will meet Region 5 champions Bush Lot Secondary who squeezed past Mahaicony Technical Institute 4-3 on Monday, at the Mahaicony Community Centre ground. The game will be played in Mabaruma.
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Kaieteur News
Thursday July 1 7, 2014
LCPL t20 cricket tonight at Providence Major stables on board for massive day of racing at Bush Lot this Sunday Guyana Amazon Warriors Renovation and sprucing up works are being conducted at the BLUTC.
aim to melt Red Steel
From left Red Steel Skipper Dwayne Bravo, Coach Simon Helmont, Guyana Amazon Warriors Coach Roger Harper and his Captain Denesh Ramdin at yesterday’s press conference.
The Bush Lot United Turf of Sea View Park, Bush Lot Village West Coast Berbice, since returning to competitive Horseracing under the guidance of the diligent remigrant Guyanese, Lakeram ‘Buddy’ Sukhdeo, has been moving in strides. Having already achieved the rare review of being the most improved entity (facility and track) over the years, the principals hope to make it the best in the future. With that in focus the authorities are giving it their all as the push in final preparations for the big meet on Sunday 20th is underway. With most of the sprucing up work already completed including massive infrastructure renovation. The authorities are focusing on the track, with digging, filling, grading and rolling being done to get it in the best of shape. The authorities are also redesigning the turns and rails to make it easier for the horses. The eight-race meet has a total prize package of over $7M in cash, trophies and other incentives up for the taking. With just a few days remaining before race day more that 60 horses have entered for the meet with most of the big stables onboard with multiple entries. The big Jumbo Jet and Chattergoon Racing entities again lead the way with Jack is My Style, Africanist, Princess Alicia, and Release the Beast, Settling Jet, Rosetta, I want Revenge and
Weekend Surprise being confirmed so far. Other entries show the Elcock/Poonai stable with Mission King, The Message, Sweet Return and Traditional man; The Inshan Bacchus Stable has Unsettled, City Tune, Storm Bird and Ameera’s Joy; the Shariff Stable will see the return of Settle In Seattle along with California Strike and Compador among others; The Jagdeo Stable with Goodwill Boy, Time to dance and Isabella; The Vibert Stable already has Work Force, Young Elite and Secret Escape; the Crawford stable is expected to be represented by Monsoon, Bridal Stone Corner and Savion; the Nigh Eyes Stables has thrown In Red and Lovely and De Gump with the Persaud Stable confirming Million Dollar Man and Gold Majesty. Other top horses such as Fresh Again, Cat Messiah and War Craft are expected to be on show. The Shariff Racing entity has also joined the list of sponsors along with Arjune Singh and Rohan Oudit joining those already on board including Banks DIH Limited, Buddy Shivraj, Jumbo Jet, Inshan Bacchus Trucking Service, Lakeram ‘Buddy’ Sukhdeo, Steve Jewelry World and Friends, Shariff Business Establishment and Racing Stable, Phaghoo General Store of Bush Lot and Shamkumar Chattergoon.
The Feature race will be for horses classified ‘D’ and lower with the animals set to cover a distance of 1400M. The winner is set to take home a whopping $1M and trophy. The other events are the F and lower 1400M event for a winning purse of $500,000 and trophy. The three Year old 1200M West Indies bred animals’ battle for a first prize of $400,000 and trophy. The two year old West Indies Bred horses will gallop for $400,000 and trophy over 1000M. The G3 and lower 1200M event has a winning purse of the $300,000 and trophy. The ‘I’ and lower event is another 1200M affair for a winning purse of $250,000 and trophy. The J class match up will see the winner pocketing $200,000 and trophy over 1400M. The final event is the unclassified 1200M race for a winner’s take of $150,000 and trophy. The individual performers including top jockey, stable and trainer will be presented with trophies and other incentives. Interested persons can make enquiries with Coordinator and Treasurer Lakeram B. Sukhdeo on Number 232-0558 or 672-0810 or President R. Jagit tel 2320231, 625-0164, 6827158 or Secretary Arjune Singh on numbers 232-0316 or 6884764. (Samuel Whyte)
Guyana Amazon Warriors will aim to melt the Red Steel line-up when the sides faceoff for the fourth time in the second edition of the Limacol Caribbean Premier League (LCPL) tournament this evening at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence from 19:30hrs under floodlights. In their three previous meetings last year in the inaugural tournament, the Guyana based unit got the better of the Red Steel by 19 runs at Providence before the ‘Warriors’ lost by three runs in their home base in Port-ofSpain. But the South American based team bounced back to
notch up a comfortable seven-wicket semi-final win in the Red Steel’s own backyard to take a 2-1 lead in CPL matches. But the Red Steel Skipper Dwayne Bravo said that while Guyana held the upper hand in the wins Column and they are a tough team, especially at Providence, this was a new year. The Amazon Warriors Captain Denish Ramdin said that both teams won their opening games and are both well balanced units. The Trinidadian however felt that the team which better handles the pressure tonight should emerge victorious. The Warriors beat the
Antigua Hawksbills by two wickets in their first game in the 2014 competition as Jimmy Neesham took three wickets and Sunil Narine bowled four overs for three runs. Ramdin had scored 51 and Mohamed Hafeez made 35 to see the Warriors to 1408 with three balls to spare. Red Steel on the other hand got past Barbados by seven wickets with 15 balls to spare as Ross Taylor top scored with 62 and Darren Bravo supported with 54 in a 95 run third wicket stand. Tickets cost $5,000 for the Party Stand and $4,000 for the Red and Green stands, while entry to the grass mound is $2,000.
Garville Daniels helmet-trick... From page 32 thundered down the left flank and sent a perfect cross that landed squarely in front of the opposition’s goal. The effort was wasted after none of his teammates were in position to take advantage. Undeterred, Daniels persisted and when he was fed a wonderful pass by Shivraj Lall, he slammed in a powerful right foot shot that zoomed into the back of the network to send his team off. Daniels continued to be a thorn in the sides of his adversaries and he needed no assistance, performing a classic solo to register his second goal. The game continued at a steaming pace and though St Ignatius Secondary was set back by 2 goals, they demonstrated verve and alacrity, pressing on in an attempt to open their tally. Simon Peter was the stand out and he almost narrowed the lead when he went up to a high ball served by one of his teammates but his header, though powerful, lacked direction and sailed over the upright. The weather was fine for the semi-final encounters one day earlier but a light drizzle
punctuated the first session of the championship match posing some challenges to the players. Notwithstanding ASS defied the conditions and managed to hold on to their lead up to the intermission. When the game resumed, the referee had to flick out a yellow card after SISS striker, Deon Jackson, committed a foul but received some consolation from the hard working Tony Cabral in midfield; his efforts were reduced to nought after receiving little support from his team mates. It was just around then that Parks was gifted a penalty kick after the opposition had held the ball in the box and he duly converted. With the score on 3-1, SISS found renewed energy after the penalty success and upped the ante. Their efforts were met by a similar level of determination and Daniels’ final goal was a classic; he received a feeder from the left wing and controlled the ball on his right foot while pivoting on the left. He then simultaneously lashed home a vicious strike that flew past the SISS custodian, Kessie DaSilva, with such a speed that he could only watch as
the network the restrained ball and sealed the issue. ASS will now travel further up the region, to Lethem, where they will tackle Charity Secondary School tomorrow afternoon. Meanwhile, representatives of Digicel Telephone Company witnessed the game and at the end, Region 7 coordinator, Megan Thomas, congratulated the competing teams on a good performance, while Chairman of Annaputa, Kenneth Forde, expressed pleasure with the staging of the competition. He expressed deep gratitude to the executives of the Digicel Telephone Company and assured them that the tournament has brought benefits to the community. Mr Forde further noted the input of regional coordinator, Thomas and said that because of her efforts the level of competition was exceptionally high. “Other than providing meaningful and productive activity, this tournament will bring awareness to the youths of this community and we are indeed grateful for that,” concluded Mr Forde. The winning team received uniforms, kits and trophies, while the runners up received similar tokens.
Thursday July 17, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Ogle slams ton in Demerara’s Inter-County win CPL ‘Warriors’ give back to ‘special Demerara skipper, June Ogle, slammed a century to steer her side to a record breaking victory over an inexperienced Essequibo outfit in the opening match of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Women’s Intercounty competition yesterday at the Everest Cricket Club ground. Ogle pillaged the Essequibo’s bowlers for an undefeated 162 off 137 balls as her team amassed a mammoth 364-2 in 50 overs. Essequibo were skittled out for a paltry 17 runs in 11.3 overs as eight batters failed to score. Discarded West Indies player, Ogle, was involved in three century partnerships and recorded the highest
June Ogle individual score at this level. She shared an opening stand with Latoya Smith (45) worth 105, then with Odessa O’Neil (42) for 102 and the highest third wicket partnership (at this level) of 156 runs with Kamita
Yadram (52). Ogle struck 14 boundaries. Sheniegh Calvan, 1-81 from her 10 overs and Mayon Boson 1-65 from 10 overs were the pick of the bowlers for Essequibo. Essequibo batters looked lost in their response. Extras top scored with eight, while Daveena Gooberdan (4), Natoya Elexy (3) and Amrita Mohabir were the only batters to trouble the scorers. Pacer Akaze Thompson with 3-51 led Demerara, while Leema Harris, Hema Singh and Smith claimed two wickets each. The competition continues today at the same venue with Essequibo set to face Berbice from 9:30a.m.
First Grenville Felix Memorial 60-mile cycle race set for Saturday July 26th The Grenville Felix Cycle race will this year be bigger than ever and will be renamed the Grenville Felix Memorial Cycle Race. The late Engineer passed away in December last year at the age of 96. The event is billed for Saturday July 26th. The event this year will be a 60-mile affair and will be open to cyclists throughout the country. The cyclists are expected to pedal off from in front of the Felix Residence at Canefield East Canje, proceed to No.43 Bridge before
turning back to finish at its point of origin. The race, which is being sponsored by the Felix family, is being held for the third time, but will be held for the first time as a memorial event. On the two previous occasions the event was held as a simple birthday anniversary event and was for Berbice cyclists only. Andrew Hicks rode away with the first edition, with Neil Reece etching his name on the winner’s board on the second occasion. (Samuel Whyte)
Caribbean Junior Squash Championships 2014
Guyana make good start to Team title defence On the opening day of the team event at the Junior Caribbean Squash Championships being held in Hamilton Bermuda, Team Guyana were seeking to rebound from the disappointment of only having two persons in the individual finals and not winning an individual title for the first time in several years. Guyana as the defending Team champions in both the Boys and Girls have been seeded one in both categories and in both categories have been placed in the group with Bermuda and Trinidad & Tobago. Guyana played both Bermuda teams on the opening day and were victorious with the Boys team winning three matches to two and the girls team having it slightly easier with a four matches to one win. BoysTeam Shomari Wiltshire started things off with a convincing 11 -5, 11 – 6, 11 – 4 victory over Taylor Carrick. Next on court was Alex Cheeks who gave it his all but lost a close match against
Dylan Pratt losing 8 – 11, 11 – 8, 5 – 11, 11 – 6, 3 – 11. Nyron Joseph, who for the first time in three years had not won an individual title, was next on court against Nazhir Smith and even though he dropped the second game still came out victorious winning 11 – 6, 6 – 11, 11 – 5, 11 – 6. Alec Melville, who had played some excellent squash during the individual events, seemed tired and lost easily to Kion Knights 8 – 11, 9 – 11, 5 – 11. It was now up to Ben Mekdeci playing the deciding match against Dylan Muldoon to close it out for Guyana. Ben easily won the first game 11 – 6 but seemed to lose concentration and lost the second game 10 – 12. Ben again won the third game 11 – 6 and had several match balls before finally winning the fourth game 13 – 11 and the match three games to one. GirlsTeam Makeda Harding was up first against Charlotte Toogood and quickly was down two games to love losing the first game 11 – 7 and then the second
game 11 – 6. She settled down in the third game and won it 11 – 6 and then won the fourth game also at 11 – 6. The fifth game was a battle but Makeda prevailed 11 – 6. Rebecca Low was up next against Olivia Lindsey and she lost the first game 5 – 11. Rebecca however won the second game 11 – 9. Rebecca seemed to get tired and lost the third game 4 – 11 and then the fourth game 2 – 11. Akeila Wiltshire was matched up against Emma Keane in the under 19 tie and won fairly comfortably 11 – 4, 11 – 6, 11 – 7. It was then left up to VictoriaArjoon to seal the victory for Guyana and this she did, winning easily 11 – 6, 11 – 3, 11 – 3. Taylor Fernandes won the fifth match against Tiye Williams 11 – 2, 11 – 4, 13 – 15, 16 – 14 to ensure that Guyana beat Bermuda four matches to one. Guyana will play Trinidad & Tobago in the Boys at 1.00 pm and in the Girls at 5.00pm tomorrow in the final group matches. The semi-finals will be played on FridaywiththefinalsonSaturday.
needs’ Children & Youth Cricketers Warrior Leon Johnson bowls to a ‘special needs’ child as fellow CPL player Chris Barnwell watches.
The Limacol Caribbean Premium League (CPL) is in the air and Vidya BijlallSanichara, Communications Manager, Digicel (Guyana), yesterday told Kaieteur Sport that the cell phone giants had secured some much coveted time with the Guyana Amazon Warriors for a Coaching session at the Everest Cricket Ground yesterday afternoon.
“In addition to this meet and greet, the players will be engaging young cricket fans from various cricket clubs from Georgetown. This is an excellent opportunity to show the ‘Warriors care’ aspect of CPL and our home team,” Bijlall-Sanichara informed. The players, which included Guyanese West Indies players Christopher
Barnwell and Leon Johnson along with Trinidadian Navin Stuart, also conducted a coaching session for Ptolemy Reid Rehab Centre, a school for ‘special needs’ children. Youngsters from Everest, MYO and GYO were also a part of yesterday’s session which was conducted on the Lawn Tennis Court at Everest.
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Kaieteur News
Thursday July 17, 2014
8th Annual Caribbean Powerlifting Championships – St. Croix USVI
Kaieteur Sport ‘raps’ with GAPF President Peter Green on Guyana’s performance
Peter Green
Team Guyana from right, Germain Snagg, Karel Mars, Osmand Mack, Marino Jeffrey, Paul Adams and Erwyn Smith. Guyana’s six-member team to the just concluded 8th Annual Caribbean P o w e r l i f t i n g Championships held at the Kings Hill, St. Croix Education Complex in the United States Virgin Islands all medaled and in the process placed second overall. T h e T e a m championship, which was held by Guyana for the previous years, was narrowly surrendered to Puerto Rico which accumulated 60 points with a full strength team (8members) to Guyana’s 54. The performance of the Guyanese team was phenomenal given the fact that all the athletes funded their own way as they wanted to show that they have what it takes to be the best. Guyana racked in six medals overall, 3 Gold, 2 Silver and 1 Bronze. Kaieteur Sport took the opportunity to engage President of the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation, Peter Green on the performances of his charges. Kaieteur Sport: Can you share your thoughts with us on the athletes’ exploits? Peter Green: As President it gives us great pride when our athletes perform outstandingly especially those that made
their debut at the international level. In the absence of the senior lifters the newcomers made good use of the opportunity presented to them, which has shown the depth and level of talent that we have here. Osmand Mack and Paul Adams in the absence of Winston Stoby in the 74kg, Germain Snagg and Erwyn Smith in the absence of Randolph Morgan and Anis AdeThomas in 83kg, Marino Jeffrey in the absence of Kenneth Melville in 93kg and seasoned lifter Karel Mars in the 105kg all did us proud. Had we been able to afford sending two more lifters, the likes of new comers Leon Rupertie and Ketwaroo in the 66kg, it would have allowed us to retain the team title ahead of Puerto Rico and this analysis is based on the results of the foreign lifters. Germaine Snagg was randomly selected for drug testing and so we await the results. Kimberley Mars was unable to travel due to a mix up in her travel itinerary and opted to stay behind. Kaieteur Sport: What do you think of the team members having to raise their own funds to represent the Golden Arrowhead? Peter Green: Our lifters having to finance themselves was an unavoidable situation incurred mainly through the GAPF having to deal with the fines imposed on our lifter Gumendra Shewdas to the tune of Guy$562,000, IPF Dues Euros$400, NAPF Dues US$100 as well as having to meet the deadlines for the team prior to
participation. It was made clear to all the eligible lifters that the federation was in no position to fully finance attendance at t h e C a r i b b e a n Championships. We did hold a Bar-b-que at the I n t e r m e d i a t e Championships which assisted in a small way. However we have been able to repay the fine in full as well as our dues on time to give the self sponsored lifters the chance to compete. Shewdas has repaid part of the fine in the sum of $200,000 to date and we are optimistic that the lifter will fully honor his commitment to the federation as he will be returning in time for the C o m m o n w e a l t h Championships in December 2015. The Lifters also benefited from Tax Waivers and Travel Departure Tax from the Ministry of Sport as well as a soft loan from the National Sports Commission. Kaieteur Sport: What are the next steps for the federation? Peter Green: The Next step for us this year will be to continue to expose our lifters to two more local championships as well as submit our plans with cost estimates to the National Sports Commission for the construction of a National Centre for Strength Sports which will house both Powerlifting and Weightlifting with the capacity to host Bodybuilding competitions as well. Internationally, our hope of hosting the Caribbean Championships next year received a severe setback through the non appearance of our General Secretary who was the designated delegate as well as Manager for the team to the just concluded Caribbean Championships but he was unable to attend due to personal issues. Nevertheless, it is my intention to continue our lobby with the South American Federation to gain the rights to host the Pan American as well as the South American (Continued on page 27)
Thursday July 17, 2014
Kaieteur News
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WICB welcomes new Demerara Queens FC blown Director Azim Bassarath into operation in Linden Considers proposal for annual curators award programme ST JOHN’S, Antigua – President of the West Indies Cricket Board Mr. Dave Cameron welcomed new director Mr. Azim Bassarath. Mr. Bassarath has joined the Board of Directors replacing Dr. Allen Sammy. Bassarath, president of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board, attended his first meeting at the weekend when the Board of Directors met in Antigua. “On behalf of the B o a r d o f D irectors I welcome Mr. Bassarath and we look forward to his contribution to West Indies Cricket in the capacity of W I C B D i r e c t o r, ” M r. Cameron said. “I wish to also thank Dr. Sammy for his years of outstanding service as Director and wish him well in his future endeavours. Dr. Sammy is a stalwart whose most notable contributions will remain his work in piloting the development of umpires and match referees,” Cameron added. “ M r. B a s s a r a t h i s following in some rather large footsteps but we have every confidence that his contributions will be s i m i l a r l y e x e m p l a r y, ” Cameron charged. Bassarath, who had previously participated in teleconference meetings of the Board, said he was honoured to have been nominated by the TTCB for the position.“It is a distinct
Azim Bassarath honour to be appointed as a WICB Director. I thank the Board for the appointment which I accept with humility and I give my solemn commitment to serve with integrity,” Bassarath said. At the two day meeting at the Tradewinds Hotel, the Board of Directors received reports from the Chief Executive Officer, Michael Muirhead, Director of Cricket, Richard Pybus and reviewed and agreed in principle the proposed budget for the 2014-2015 financial year. The Board approved a recommendation for an annual Curator’s Aw a r d f o r t h e m o s t outstanding regional curator. Further details will be announced subsequently pending the approval of the structure of the award programme. The Board reviewed a proposal to appoint a Regional Chief Curator who will be
responsible for the oversight of the preparation of all international pitches and outfield to ensure compliance with requisite standards and requirements. This initiative is projected to have attendant benefits such as training and education of and knowledge transfer among national curators in the region. A further projected benefit is the improvement of pitches for First Class matches. The Board approved a recommendation for the WICB First Class Competition to consist of the six premier regional teams – Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, Leeward Islands, Trinidad and Tobago and Windward Islands. The Board approved a recommendation for six teams along with the Combined Campuses and Colleges along with other invitational teams to participate in the 2015 edition of the NAGICO Super50. Josina Luke, Project O f f i c e r f o r Wo m e n ’s Cricket, made a presentation to the Board on the state, challenges and future of Women’s cricket in the West Indies. Luke outlined a menu of recommendations to further the development of Women’s Cricket. The recommendations are currently under review. The Board approved the schedule for the New Zealand White Ferns tour of the Caribbean in September.
Amazon Warriors players interact with fans at Courts promotion
Several Amazon Warriors players took time out to mix with fans yesterday at Courts, who are one of the sponsors of this year’s CPL tournament. In the attached photo: Ronsford Beaton, Steven Jacobs, Trevon Griffith, Lendl Simmons (backing camera) and Martin Guptil meet a few of the fans at a Courts promotion yesterday.
Demerara Queens Football Club A new female football club to address the increasing needs of women’s development, has been inaugurated in the Bauxite Mining Town of Linden.The persons behind the formation of this new club are former National player Ms. Akilah Castello and former Youth Nationals Keiron Cameron and Andray Chester; the trio came together and decided to pool their technical resources to bring the club into being.
The name of the club is Demerara Queens Football Club and already, they have approximately 35 members on register, all under nineteen years old and the majority attending secondary school. The home ground is Bayrock, Wismar. Serving as the President is Akilah Castello with Secretary being Keiron Cameron, Executive Committee Member is Andrew Chester. The other executive
members will be named shortly. According to a release, the aim of the club is to develop female football in Linden by teaching the young players everything about the sport whilst creating an opportunity for them to occupy their free time in a productive manner. Demerara Queens FC will also work towards making their members rounded individuals so they can be assets to society.
Sunburst boost for Karateka Nathalie Gibson - to compete at Caribbean C/ships
Office Manager, Continental Group of Companies, Mr. Ravi Brignandan hands over the cheque to Ms. Nathalie Gibson in the presence of Mr. Percival Boyce (left) and Khemraj Dhanraj. It is common knowledge that athletes leaving these shores for overseas competition have always found it difficult to raise funds to facilitate their ambitions of representing the Golden Arrowhead. This however will not be the case with Karateka Ms. Nathalie Gibson who is destined to represent Guyana at the Caribbean Karate Diagaku set for Trinidad and Tobago, August 14-17, next. Continental Group of Companies through its Sunburst Orange Juice is making it possible for Gibson, a seasoned high
performer for Guyana, to seek more glory for this nation in the Twin Island Republic. A t t h e c o m p a n y ’s Industrial Site location earlier this week, Office M a n a g e r M r. R a v i Brignandan handed over a cheque to Ms. Gibson that will cover her air fare to the championships which will see eight (8) countries participating. Gibson, a member of the YMCA Dojo, disclosed that they are aiming to send at least 30-members to Trinidad. Sunburst is no stranger to
supporting sports in a sustained way, football, table tennis and motor racing are some of the disciplines that have been benefitting over the years. Brignandan wished Gibson the best, noting that Sunburst has always been backing her and will continue to do so. Gibson extended gratitude to Mr. Brignandan, Mr. Rakesh Puri (Managing Director, Continental Group of Companies), Mr. Percival Boyce (Company Secretary) and Mr. Khemraj Dhanraj (Sales/Marketing) for their continued support.
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Kaieteur News
Thursday July 17, 2014
Schools’ sport evolution depends on cultural transfiguration Saint Stanislaus College’s Akesi Cave completes a beautiful baseline play during the NSBF, but sadly his school was not there to see it, as evident from the relatively empty bleachers at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall in this photo.
- NSBF provided further confirmation By Edison Jefford It is appalling that after its ninth year, the most important stakeholder of the superlative National Schools’ Basketball Festival (NSBF), the participating schools, are still grappling with whether or not and how they should support the nationwide competition. Under normal circumstances, Cliff Anderson Sports Hall should have been filled last week with fans and supporters from the various schools represented from across the country. Unfortunately, that was not the case as the NSBF again struggled for support. Over 40 schools participated in the competition in three categories, Under-14, 16 and 19, and the reaction from those schools to their teams competing in the national event is simply inexcusable and represents the continued demise of our national sports culture. There is no explanation for the absence of St. Rose’s High School, for instance, to witness Coach, Courtney Taylor and the St. Rose’s team win the U-16 title. The phenomenon, however, was not only unique to St. Rose’s High; all the participating schools showed scant support for their teams.
It is not clear whether or not the coordinators of the NSBF, Youth Basketball Guyana (YBG) had gone through the right channels to garner support from the schools, which, one would imagine, include the Ministry of Education, but what is known, is that support from schools was minimal at best. Each representative school should have had the backing of their school’s population at the venue over the course of last week. It used to be that way before this New Millennium. But while other countries have progressed with the change of epoch, Guyana has regressed. New times have brought heightened expectations and performances in sport across the world that have forced advancement in sport administration, sport policy, sport medicine, schools’ sport and many other facets of sport, including marketing and branding. Guyana is at the very basic plateau where Headmistresses and Headmasters of schools across the country have not shown any inclination of galvanizing respective institutions to show support for their sport teams unless the Ministry instructs them to
do so. And even when that instruction comes from the Ministry, there is a lukewarm response. So what is the problem? The absence of a national sports policy, which makes sport and its various facets constitutional with appropriate legislature, cannot be emphasised enough. Whenever the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony is asked about the sports policy that an international consultant was brought in to develop, he says that the national policy is being implemented, yet evidence of implementation opposes his
view. Guyana is in dire need of change in sports culture. Leaders must lead. Athletes representing their schools should not be sweating to bring their school honour in isolation. The institutional leaders and population of those schools should be offering full support. It is understood that a large ‘turnout’, or crowd support, is not always a measure of success for an event, but it lends an immeasurable amount of credibility to performance when leaders are within the physical space of their sport teams to show solidarity.
It is one of the important reasons, for example, why German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, was in the dressing room of the German Football team before, and after, their World Cup Final. We will never know if her presence translated to the title for the Germans. The Digicel Schools’ Football is still ongoing and there is an overwhelming show of support for the teams from schools in the hinterland regions. However, in the Cities the support fluctuates to sometimes ebb and flow, notwithstanding schools’ access to better resources.
We are back to a similar situation like the NSBF faced. Without the galvanising of schools from the top, there will continue to be poor responses. It is for Headmistresses and masters to wake up their schools to support their teams, which in effect, represent the school. When a particular team wins, the entire school wins. There is urgent need for a renaissance from within the psyche of leadership from all academic institutions that has sport teams to begin to get a l m a m a t e r, p a r e n t s ’ associations and mass student support for teams.
Digicel Schools Football Championship
Garville Daniels helmet-trick pilots Annai Secondary to Region 7 zone title On Tuesday evening last, Annai Secondary School (ASS) demolished Sand Creek Secondary 9-0 and earned the right to play St Ignatius Secondary School (SISS) after this institution had whipped Aishalton Secondary 4-0. The winning teams clashed yesterday afternoon for the Region Nine zone title coupled with bragging rights in the Digicel Schools’ Football championship, contested at the Annai Sports Club Ground, North Rupununi. A large crowd trooped to that venue and witnessed an action packed encounter and in the end, Garville Daniels,
proved that his 3-goal spree one day earlier was no fluke when he replicated the feat, scoring all of the goals to lead his team to a crushing 41 triumph over its nemesis. Daniels’ goals occurred in the 22nd, 24th, 73rd and 80th minutes and were only interrupted by a lone success from the penalty spot from Brandon Parks in the 70th minute. Annai Secondary started at a fast clip and kept the ball in the opposition’s half for the better part of the early exchanges. Daniels sounded his intention within the first minute of the game when he (Continued on page 28)
The winning Region 7 zone champs Annai pose for a team photo.
Thursday July 17, 2014
Kaieteur News
GMR&SC International Drag Race Meet
Ramchand aiming to continue his reign at the top
Team Ramchand and leader Anand (right) pose for Kaieteur Sport yesterday. Reigning Drag champion Anand Ramchand has sent out an ominous w a r n i n g to the rest of the competition that he is aiming to continue his dominance come Sunday when the Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club (GMR&SC) stages its International Drag Race Meet this Sunday, at the South Dakota Circuit. Ramchand was speaking with this newspaper yesterday w h e n h e m a d e t h e bold prediction in the presence of old rivals Sanjay Persaud, the Daby brothers Rondell a n d P e t e r a n d Ry a n Dhanram. T h e c h a m p disclosed that he will be piloting four cars i n c l u d i n g a T oyota Supra, Mitsubishi Evolution, Toyota Vitz and a Toyota Celica.
He said that while he expects the opposition to be b e t t e r p r e p a r e d t his time, he too has done quite a lot of work on his machines to ensure that they perform to the maximum that will guarantee his reign is not interrupted. M e a n w h i l e , according to a source close to the Club, the e v e n t i s a n t icipated to be graced by dragsters from Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago and fans could expect exhilarating action throughout the day as the locals attempt to represent home turf against the strong foreign invasion. Ramchand promised the fans a day when existing records could be challenged and possibly bettered. The other big names expected to represent the ‘Land
o f M a n y Wa t e r s a re Syed Ali and Danny Persaud. The Superbikers are also expected to add to the excitement a n d S t e p h en Vieira, Carlos Rodrigues, Carey Griffith will be looking to not only outdo each other as they battle for outright supremacy. A d d i t i o n a l l y, r a c e fans will have the o p p o r t u n i t y t o w i t n e s s t h e P o r ta Tree Timing System which is equipped with specialized starting lights that allow quarter mile speeds to be recorded. Races commence at 09:00 hrs and admission for adults is $1000, while children are $500 and vehicles free. T h e d a y ’ s activities also come with the compliments of Banks DIH Ltd.
Legend Classic Basketball tournament rescheduled The Legend Classic Basketball Tournament for teams in both East and West Berbice, which was set to bounce off in the Ancient County on Sunday 20th July, has been rescheduled to a later date. Six teams were set to participate in the competition which was set to culminate in August. The six
teams which have been divided into two groups; Group A - Jammers of Rose Hall Town Corentyne, Fyrish Black Sharks also of Corentyne and Canje Knights of East Canje. Group B - Smythfield Rockers, Ithaca Hardliners of West Berbice and New Amsterdam Warriors.
The winning team is set to receive $20,000 while the runner up will collect $15,000. Incentives will als o b e av ailab le f o r outstanding players. The competition will be played on a round robin basis at the group stages. The new start date will be announced shortly.
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Nat. U-15 cricketer Colin Barlow receives bat and gloves from DeSinco Trading National Under-15 cricketer Colin Barlow, a member of the Transport Sports Club, has received a timely boost of a bat and pair of batting gloves compliments of DeSinco Trading. Yesterday at the entity’s Sheriff and John Streets Campbellville Store, Human Resource Officer Gemma Williams presented the equipment to Barlow as she wished him well on behalf of the company as part of the Guyana team for the Regional Under-15 Tournament set for Jamaica from July 22. Managing Director and Owner of DeSinco Trading, Frank DeAbreu said that he was very happy for Barlow who is also a resident of Campbellville and this contribution is a way of
DeSinco Trading’s Human Resource Officer Gemma Williams presents the bat and gloves to a happy Colin Barlow. congratulating him and at the same time encouraging him to do well.
Williams also wished Barlow well and encouraged (Continued on page 27)
LCPL t20 cricket tonight at Providence
Guyana Amazon Warriors aim to melt Red Steel P.28
Ace off-spinner Sunil Narine goes through a ‘spot bowling’ drill ahead of tonight’s game at Providence.
4th Digicel Schools Football Competition
P.27
Port Kaituma dethrone Santa Rosa in own backyard
The newly-crowned champions of Region 1 Port Kaituma Secondary pose for a photo op with Digicel representatives following the completion of the presentation ceremony on Tuesday. Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Limited, 24 Saffon St.Charlestown, Georgetown.Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/ 226-8210