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Kaieteur News
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
OGLE OPENS A NEW VISTA
It was not so long ago that the Ogle terminal was an airstrip in the middle of a cane field. The planes landed with regularity when the airstrip became the hub for hinterland travel. People chartering flights to the interior merely had to book with one of the airline owners, travel to Ogle and simply walk to the plane when it was time to leave. Things have changed. That airstrip in the middle of a cane field is now an International Airport. There is a departure lounge and an arrival centre where people landing there are processed. Large jet craft cannot land there because the runway is short but small jets have landed. In fact, one of them is offering a service to the Caribbean and Miami. Yesterday, too, people travelling from the Caribbean islands and even Guyanese returning from the Caribbean now have less travel after deplaning. From the time the headquarters of the Caribbean Community opened at Liliendaal, everyone decided that Ogle needed to be upgraded. The Caricom Secretary General intervened and got the Japanese to donate a fire tender, which is important for every airport. The Secretariat had played an important role in securing funding for the expansion of the airstrip. That paved the way for yesterday’s landing of the first international passenger bearing aircraft. One of the major beneficiaries is the Secretariat itself. The drive from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport to the Caricom Secretariat was often a hindrance. This led many to cancel trips to meetings at the Secretariat. It also meant that coming for meetings was slightly more costly. People coming for a one-day meeting either had to leave early or spend a night. Now these visitors can come in and leave on the same day. The airport is a mere ten-minute drive from the Secretariat. The improvement of the airport has also led to some interesting discoveries. Long before yesterday’s arrival of LIAT aircraft the security of the airport had improved. Not so long ago there was no baggage check. Today, in keeping with operations at modern airports there are security checks. The result has been interesting. The police have arrested drug traffickers and seized quantities of drugs. They have also been able to arrest fugitives from justice seeking to escape detection in the crowded coastland. Interestingly too, they have been able to nab illegal immigrants. There are other advantages of the airport. It shortens the time it takes for people along coastal Guyana to catch connecting flights. This of course would ease the congestion along the East Bank Demerara public road which is the scene of numerous constructions, all aimed at widening the road surface. This translates into fuel savings. But above all the Ogle airport is an excellent example of what a Government/Private partnership could create. The society had grown accustomed to the government being in control of every possible thing related to international travel. The Ogle airport is a different story. Yet for all the glamour and the excitement of reaching the heart of the capital in so short a time, all is not well with the airport as far as its total security is concerned. A huge section to the west is exposed and anyone can wander onto the runway. A perimeter fence is greatly needed. With such an open space people wishing to smuggle anything onto an aircraft has easy access. The people at Ogle do not employ security patrols because the airport has always been a small entity. It is no longer that small strip nestled in the midst of canefields. It is now an international facility. And it is not surprising that LIAT flights have attracted so much attention. For the first time the ordinary man is going to get an idea of how many Caribbean people frequent Guyana. The size of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport masked the numbers.
Tuesday July 23, 2013
Letters... Where your views make the news
THE PPP HAS GROWN TIRED
DEAR EDITOR, The long anticipated statement by the PPP in response to what I have been writing is a disappointment. Instead of dealing with the issues which I have highlighted, which are of great concern to the people of Guyana and members and supporters of the PPP, it has chosen the well-worn path of personal abuse. The leadership of the PPP has lost its will, its creative and dynamic impulses and the capacity of constructive discourse. It is suffering from incumbency fatigue. It has grown tired. I am not the PPP’s problem. I am only the messenger. Since the PPP chooses to attack the messenger, rather than deal with the message, all the Guyanese electorate can look forward to in the future, is more of the political chaos that now prevails. This was demonstrated by the recent fiasco in Parliament and petulance over the local government and hydro legislation which amply exposes their continuing and abysmal incapacity and failure to deal with issues of national importance. The PPP is the Government. The Government was elected to deliver services and programmes, not to gain oneupmanship, make excuses and hurl epithets about the Opposition’s behaviour. Now for some of the issues raised. If my departure was as “inexplicable as it was sudden” and “feigning great intolerance” I walked out and resigned, the PPP should explain the statement set out below by Ms. Gail Teixeira prefaced with an attached note that says - “please find attached my mea culpa letter which I drafted over the weekend......I will have no hesitation in saying, once it will not exacerbate the situation, that I have no objection to it being shared with Comrade Ralph -:”
“Dear Ralph, the June 30 2012 Executive committee meeting will go down in our party annals as a painful and emotional one......I regret that my remarks offended you and I apologized then and I apologize in this letter again to you.....I understand how frustrated you are about many issues......” Doesn’t “annals” mean historical records? Isn’t Ms. Teixeira saying that the meeting at which I was kicked out was one of the most painful and emotional in the Party’s history? Doesn’t an acknowledgement that I was frustrated about many issues contradict the assertion that my departure was inexplicable or sudden or that I feigned great intolerance? If not, the public awaits the PPP’s analysis of what Ms. Teixeira meant. Ms. Teixeira sent a hard copy of the letter two or three weeks after the event. It was declined, being too little, too late and tainted with insincerity. That is what the PPP refers to as a “rude rejection” of an apology. Based on any rational understanding of what Ms. Teixeira meant, it can only be concluded that when the PPP talked about “inexplicable,” “sudden” and “feigning,” it was lying. The public, Party members and supporters can therefore safely assume that there is much else in its statement that it is lying about. The tactics of abuse and lies are now well-honed weapons in the armory of the PPP. The public could not have forgotten that less than two weeks ago I exposed a false attempt to accuse me of being responsible for the amendment to the Procurement Bill to remove Cabinet no objection. In relation to the “unacceptable revelations,” for which the PPP had to dip sixteen years, as far back as 1997, into its “annals”, I invite the PPP to
inform the public as follows: what were the unacceptable revelations, who made them, what was the evidence produced in support of them, were the “unacceptable revelations” investigated, was I found guilty and if so, what sanctions were imposed? If this information in its entirety is published, I publicly declare that I will forego legal proceedings for defamation, in the event that the revelations are defamatory. If the PPP has difficulty recalling the 1997 meeting with exactitude, I have virtually verbatim notes of the meeting and would be willing to share them. If the PPP refuses, then the only conclusion would be that this is a cowardly attempt to smear me with the same type of lies exposed above, from events as far back as sixteen years ago, which involved a fierce, desperate and eventually successful effort to defeat the nomination of me by Mrs. Janet Jagan as the presidential candidate which she was persuaded to take herself against her better judgment. That full story remains to be told and I will tell it. I am accused of not raising the issue of corruption in my internal Party statement advocating my candidacy for the presidential nomination, the whole process of which was a charade designed to glorify and to disguise a fait accompli. The PPP clearly forgot my 2010 article published in the Mirror and Chronicle calling for additional steps to deal with corruption. It was probably because most of the leadership do not read the Mirror and Chronicle that I wasn’t kicked out then. How can an accusation of silence on the issue of corruption stand scrutiny when I was literally kicked out of the PPP because I raised the issue? And how (Continued on page 8)
The harsh reality of life in Guyana DEAR EDITOR, The 2013 budget and what has happened since March 2013 has left much to be desired. The PPP in their classic acts of financial illusion continue to compete with Charles Ponzi, one of the world’s most famous con artists, for notoriety. But more and more the people are exposing them for who they really are – sheep in wolf clothing. The PPP has done little, if any at all, to inspire confidence and fortify the nation with hope. The people are still in a wait-and-see mode as business and consumer confidence has eroded to its lowest level ever in the last ten years. The budget has been described, and rightly so, as a ‘starve your belly’ budget in an economic system that rewards the rich and penalizes the poor. Things have deteriorated quite rapidly in a relatively short space of time on the sugar belt, in the bauxite belt, in the urban areas, but most unfortunately in the productive agriculture heartland of Guyana. It is economic blows, left, right and centre for the poor and the working class. Prices continue to rise but the PPP continues to share crumbs with their 5 per cent increase, thus
contributing to a real reduction in the purchasing power of most consumers. This situation directly deteriorates the quality of life for the majority of people and they are much worse off today than they were 18 months ago when President Ramotar assumed office. Just ask the next nurse, teacher, soldier, police constable, cane cutter, bauxite worker, office worker, Regent Street sales-girl or porkknocker you see in the street. The answers will reveal that this letter is all about the truth. We have heard the cries of the people as they implore the government to end their pettiness and put the people’s interest above the party’s interest. The people are begging the government to make tough decisions and implement the necessary gamechanging reforms that will stimulate the economy and create jobs, but the PPP is full of indifferent members these days as we saw in Parliament when the people asked them to consider the Local Government Elections Bills. To grasp the harsh reality of life facing most Guyanese we would like to introduce Nurse Griffith, a 26-year-old single mother. Like so many other nurses, if it was not for the “small freck” from Aunty Bridgette in New York, she
could not afford to complete her studies since whatever she earns, cannot take care of her household. Although she is now gainfully employed, she is immersed in immeasurable financial misery, as $20,000 of the modest $58,000 she takes home each month has to go toward rent. She applied for a house lot three years ago and only got a letter of acknowledgement. Nurse Griffith, being the eldest of five children, has to also assist her mother, a former Special Constabulary Guard with the Guyana Police Force. Nurse Griffith is also saddled with the responsibility of ensuring that the utility bills and other modest daily expenses are met. GPL alone sucks $12,000 every month from her salary. She is hoping Aunty Bridgette will send the school boots for her child since clearly, she is contemplating going to Food for the Poor and beg for one. If one thought that Nurse Griffith has it bad, let us examine the case of Rudolph—a 43-year-old security guard employed at a reputable security company in Georgetown. He earns a measly $7,500 per week. Father of four, with a common-law wife who performs (Continued on page 26)
Tuesday July 23, 2013
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Letters... Where your views make the news Letters... Where your views make the news
I think education makes us better humans: Freddie Kissoon replies to Mark Benschop’s accusations DEAR EDITOR, KN readers must have had the largest laugh since this newspaper began when they picked up the Monday, July 21 edition of this paper and read Mark Benschop questioning my mental stability. I repeat, of all p e o p l e , Mark Benschop writing on the mental instability of another citizen. On that day, I was having lunch with Dr. David Hinds when one of Guyana’s most known citizens came up to our table and uttered these words, “I had always warned you about what a madman that fellow was.” Then shortly after, one of Guyana’s most promising young intellectuals came up to the table and offered his bit on the state of Benschop’s mind. Maybe Benschop can check the veracity of this with the respected Dr. David Hinds People have always asked me where Benschop works and where he gets his income from. I never knew but I know now. He is a psychoanalyst. He can tell who is mad and who is not. I am curious to
know how Benschop feels about his own sanity. But then again every human is entitled to flatter himself. The sociology text book says that the mind becomes indecent if it is not occupied with honest employment. The sociologist tells us that work keeps a mind healthy. But then again Benschop would know all about minds because he can tell readers who is mad and who is not. Maybe after this letter I will contact the prominent gentleman that spoke to me and David Hinds to ask further opinions of why he thinks Benschop was always mentally unstable. Every time I write about the Thomas Carroll book, Benschop replies and personally attacks Freddie Kissoon. Not one paragraph in defence of Mr. Casavis, the author, is present. But we know why. He cannot pen one line of intellectual analysis of Casavis’s book. In contrast, Dave Martins wrote a review of the book. Not one word was mentioned of me. Martins looks at the punctuation weaknesses of
Casavis, his peculiar writing style and the positive contents of the book. What Benschop does is try to pass cuss-down for analysis by attacking Freddie Kissoon. And he thinks readers are fools not to see through him. But then again, the mind of the self-flatterer thinks like that. Poor Casavis! He is never going to get a positive evaluation from his friend who sells his book because his friend cannot reach such heights. Benschop is not the first and will not be the last to call me mad. Such asininities have never affected people’s attitudes to me and I doubt Benschop is capable of influencing anyone in this regard. Let’s quote Benschop now about who wants to be a star. He wrote; “He (Freddie Kissoon) always want to be the star of the movie.” Now let us do a comparative analysis and look at Benschop and Kissoon, and who is more in a rush to become a star. Here we go: 1. I am not the leader of a party running for the Mayorship of Georgetown.
Benschop has formed his entity, The Independent Party, and has publicly announced his candidacy for the Mayor of Georgetown and his large Tundra (me, I have a half dead Rav4 so I don’t drive a star boy wagon) and his car is plastered with “Vote Mark Benschop for Mayor.” Now this has to be an attempt at stardom rather than a political campaign. Really, Mark Benschop for Mayor! Guyanese must know the difference between a kaka belly fish and a tilapia, as Benschop puts it, when they go out to vote. 2. I have joined the poor and powerless in this country in countless picket exercises and I have always worn working class clothes. I don’t go in the picket line with designer pin stripe suit and tie. No newspaper has photographed me with such clothes. The only reason why a clown would do so is because they are looking for stardom. Check the papers for the clothes Mr. Benschop wears in a tropical country when he pickets. It is called, seeking stardom. In fact it is
downright stupidity. 3. I am never on the cocktail circuit with my suit and tie. I don’t go to those things because I am not looking for stardom and do not have a Facebook account with claims of having thousands of friends to interact with. If I wanted to be a star I might have followed Benschop in this regard. 4. I don’t have a web page with my photo plastered all over it like Mr. Benschop and every week the photo of the week is me handing out gifts to children and old people. Maybe after this letter, readers can go to Benschop’s site and see who is more interested in being a star. More on the comparison when I read Benschop’s response to this letter. But I prefer an intellectual exchange. And the reason why I do is because Benschop is right. Something
happened in my childhood that affected me. I grew up in poverty and wanted to educate myself so I could speak and write as an educated person, which is what the world expects of us. Some people can’t do that, so they seek to pass off cussdown, kaka belly antics as intelligent analysis. I think education makes us better humans. Frederick Kissoon
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Tuesday July 23, 2013
PPP leaders showed hostility to members criticising corruption Former senior executive of the ruling People Progressive Party (PPP), Ralph Ramkarran, has hit back at criticisms over the weekend that he remained silent on corruption while he was a member of the party. Ramkarran, a former Speaker of the National Assembly and longserving party member, accused the PPP of fostering an atmosphere of intolerance to criticisms from the early 2000s with members afraid to speak out, fearing repercussions. He went further. The issue of corruption was even one that was taken off the party’s agenda and never of importance. “Several comrades courageously raised the issue of corruption again and again but were always overwhelmed by hostility or the next best thing - silence. This was not the only reason. The leadership cabal ensured that the issue of corruption was taken off the Party’s agenda.” According to Ramkarran, the intolerance to criticisms, especially criticisms of corruption, was more pronounced after 2006. “No one, and that means no one, including Mrs. (Janet) Jagan who was publicly ridiculed by then President (Bharrat) Jagdeo, who attempted to denigrate her as a private citizen when she criticised the withdrawal of government ads to Stabroek News, dared to raise any criticism or negative issue unless one was prepared for a tongue lashing.” Ramkarran reportedly resigned last year June after he penned a critical column in the party’s newspaper, The Mirror, on corruption. The ruling party has been facing a surge of accusations of corruption and its seeming indifference to tackle it head on.
intolerance grew under Jagdeo’s rule, Presidential nominations a charade: Ralph Ramkarran Firing Back: Ralph Ramkarran
President Donald Ramotar Contract after contract has been under the microscope with questions over transparency. Last week, the Opposition voted down two key bills, torpedoing the US$840M Amaila Falls hydro project. NO INTENTIONS The former Speaker was convinced yesterday that the “postCheddi Jagan PPP does not now have, nor has ever had, any intention of dealing with corruption, either in its ranks or anywhere else.” Over the weekend, the PPP blasted Ramkarran for his articles carried in the Stabroek News and his website, conversationtree.gy, saying that the former Speaker did not raise the issue of corruption when he made his bid to become the party’s Presidential Candidate in 2011. The party also wondered what would have happened had
ARCC wants urgent revision, reversal of Hydro- Electric Power (Amendment) Bill President of National Association of Regional Chambers Of Commerce of Guyana (ARCC) Mr. Gyandat Marray, says the organisation registers its utter dismay at the irrational and antiinvestment action of members of the combined parliamentary Opposition by their rejection of the HydroElectric Power 2(Amendment) Bill. These lawmakers, he noted, have by their deafening inaction, undermined solid efforts by Government to catalyze the rotation of our wheels of industry; stultified
structured attempts to leapfrog business growth; and retarded Guyana’s competitiveness together with the nation’s modernization trajectory. ARCC calls for an urgent revision and reversal of this stance through open-minded dialogue and a speedy return to the established parliamentary process to unanimously pass the measures contained in the amendment, in the interest of non-partisan politics, unfettered patriotism and a bright future for all Guyanese.
Former President Bharrat Jagdeo
Former President Janet Jagan
Ramkarran, a prominent attorney, won the Presidency…whether he would have remained quiet on corruption. But Ramkarran yesterday accused the party’s 2011 Presidential nominations of being a charade and fait accompli (a done deal), hinting that a candidate had already been determined. “I am accused of not raising the issue of corruption in my internal party statement advocating my candidacy for the presidential nomination, the whole process of which was a charade designed to glorify and to disguise a fait accompli.” He said that the party clearly forgot his 2010 article published in the Mirror and Guyana Chronicle, a state-owned newspaper, calling for additional steps to deal with corruption. “It was probably because most of the leadership do not read the Mirror and Chronicle that I wasn’t kicked out then. How can an accusation of silence on the issue of corruption stand scrutiny when I was literally kicked out of the PPP because I raised the issue? “And how can such an accusation be sustained when in late 2010 or early 2011 in an interview on Plain Talk, which was widely publicised, I said that dealing with corruption would be my number one priority, if I received the party’s nomination and was elected?” ABUSE Ramkarran described the PPP statement on his writings as a disappointment. “Instead of dealing with the issues which I have highlighted, which are of great concern to the people of Guyana and members and supporters of the PPP,
it has chosen the well worn path of personal abuse. “The leadership of the PPP has lost its will, its creative and dynamic impulses and the capacity of constructive discourse. It is suffering from incumbency fatigue. It has grown tired.” The former Central Committee member, whose father Boysie Ramkarran was a founding member of the ruling party, made it clear that he is only the messenger. “I am not the PPP’s problem. I am only the messenger. Since the PPP chooses to attack the messenger, rather than deal with the message, all the Guyanese electorate can look forward to in the future is more of the political chaos that now prevails.” This was demonstrated by the recent “fiasco” in Parliament and petulance over the local government and hydro legislation which amply exposes their “continuing and abysmal incapacity” and “failure” to deal with issues of national importance. “The PPP is the Government. The Government was elected to deliver services and programmes, not to gain oneupmanship, make excuses and hurl epithets about the Opposition’s behavior.” GUILTY ORGANISER Regarding corruption and the party stance, Ramkarran said that in response to the “growing cancer of corruption and public criticism”, the PPP established an Anti-Corruption Committee shortly after the 2001 elections, led by former President, Janet Jagan. “Its first act was to investigate an allegation of corruption against a senior party organizer. He was found guilty. The General Secretary,
Mr. Donald Ramotar, now President, adamantly refused to dismiss him or to take any other disciplinary steps against him. “Mrs. Jagan refused to convene the Anti-Corruption Committee again until disciplinary steps were taken against the organiser. None was ever taken. The Anti-Corruption Committee never met again. The organizer has since been promoted. On many occasions questions were publicly asked about this committee. This is the explanation of why it became defunct.” He also pointed out that President Donald Ramotar is also not without blame, failing to honour his campaign promise for the establishment of the Public Procurement Commission, a critical body that oversees government contracts. “The party leadership is destroying the PPP and tarnishing its great image and ideals which thousands of dedicated comrades have given much to sustain. It has driven and is driving many comrades away in circumstances which are deeply painful, which I will fully reveal in my article next week.” According to Ramkarran, instead of sharing responsibility for governance with the Opposition, it is handing the country over in its entirety to the Opposition on a platter. “It should consider steps which will bring back those comrades, retrieve its stature of the past and the respect and esteem in which it has once been held by people everywhere. Unless it does so, it will soon be out of office, still spitting and sputtering abuse against the messengers and everyone else, except itself.” The ruling party has been facing flak for the Marriott Hotel, which is using state funds, but does not have the blessings of the National Blessing; billions of dollars of drugs purchases and the distribution of statements under questionable circumstances. The Office of the Auditor General has been raising several instances of breaches in accounting, including overpayments, but the problems are being repeated.
Tuesday July 23, 2013
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Tuesday July 23, 2013
Letters... Where your views make the news
Prudent politicians versus a terrorist government DEAR EDITOR, Comments in the media by President Ramotar, labeling elected Parliamentary Opposition members of the National Assembly as domestic terrorists, demonstrate how savage and shockingly irresponsible the Head of State and the Government he leads have become. The PPP/C Government, in power in excess of 22 years, has clearly taken the people of Guyana and their representatives for granted. Instead of addressing the cancer of corruption which this PPP Government has institutionalized, this Government’s response is to harass, intimidate and bully elected representatives who are only acting in the interest of our nation when challenging Government’s questionable expenditure on uneconomic projects. If doing exactly what the constituents voted in these representatives for is terrorism, then we are proud to be “terrorists”! But the
genuine culprits and ‘terrorists’ are to be found elsewhere as the majority of Guyanese know. If indeed it is terrorism as the President so defines it, then is it not an act of terrorism when just before the last election the Government without authority and financial justification advanced US$20M to a Chinese Contractor for an Airport project, and another US$10M to another Chinese Contractor for the Marriott Hotel, while the masses of Guyanese earn below US$200 per month and find it difficult to buy school books for their children? It is not an act of terrorism that Ministers of the Government openly boast of personal assets 100 times their annual income? Is it not an act of terrorism that close to US$200M contract was granted to a Chinese contractor to build the Skeldon Sugar factory without proper safeguards to protect the interest of this nation and the livelihood of thousands of sugar workers and their families?
Is it not an act of Terrorism and extortion that Guyanese pay the highest level of taxes while being denied proper security, healthcare, roads, and reliable electricity? The Donald Ramotar Administration is clearly at war with the people of Guyana and is bent at using every apparatus of the State to remove any challenge to its corrupt ways. I assure Guyanese that the “terroristic” elected Opposition representatives who voted the way they did last Thursday in the National Assembly on the Amaila Falls project want only peace and justice for all Guyana. Since we do not have the expertise and competencies to make an assessment as to the viability of the project, and the IDB, which has, is to complete its assessment in October 2013, why should we not all await that? Such is prudence, not terrorism! Khemraj Ramjattan Leader AFC
The PPP has grown tired From page 4 can such an accusation be sustained when in late 2010 or early 2011 in an interview on Plain Talk, which was widely publicised, I said that dealing with corruption would be my number one priority, if I received the Party’s nomination and was elected? In addition, the atmosphere of intolerance from the early 2000s, and especially after 2006, was so pronounced that no one, and that means no one, including Mrs. Jagan who was publicly ridiculed by then President Jagdeo, who attempted to denigrate her as a private citizen when she criticised the withdrawal of government ads to Stabroek News, dared to raise any criticism or negative issue unless one was prepared for a tongue-lashing. Several comrades courageously raised the issue of corruption again and again but were always overwhelmed by hostility or the next best thing - silence. This was not the only reason. The leadership cabal en-
sured that the issue of corruption was taken off the Party’s agenda. In response to the growing cancer of corruption and public criticism, the PPP established an AntiCorruption Committee shortly after the 2001 elections, led by Mrs. Janet Jagan. Its first act was to investigate an allegation of corruption against a senior Party organizer. He was found guilty. The General Secretary, Mr. Donald Ramotar, now President, adamantly refused to dismiss him or to take any other disciplinary steps against him. Mrs. Jagan refused to convene the AntiCorruption Committee again until disciplinary steps were taken against the organiser. None was ever taken. The Anti-Corruption Committee never met again. The organizer has since been promoted. On many occasions questions were publicly asked about this committee. This is the explanation of why it became defunct. The post-Cheddi Jagan PPP does not now have, nor has ever had, any intention
of dealing with corruption, either in its ranks or anywhere else. If what I say is not true, then let President Ramotar who in December 2009, said that he was upset with the non-establishment of the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) (KN July 12 “A major Flip-Flop”), without making any qualification about Cabinet no objection, prove me wrong by fulfilling his implied promise to establish the PPC. I will join with the rest of the country in hailing his self-extrication from his straitjacket and assertion of his independence. The Party leadership is destroying the PPP and tarnishing its great image and ideals which thousands of dedicated comrades have given much to sustain. It has driven and is driving many comrades away in circumstances which are deeply painful, which I will fully reveal in my article next week. Instead of sharing responsibility for governance with the Opposition, it is handing the country over in its entirety to the Opposition on a platter. It should consider steps which will bring back those comrades, retrieve its stature of the past and the respect and esteem in which it has once been held by people everywhere. Unless it does so, it will soon be out of office, still spitting and sputtering abuse against the messengers and everyone else, except itself! Ralph Ramkarran
Tuesday July 23, 2013
The third in line to the British throne is born! He may one day become the King of England and Head of the Commonwealth. One thing is certain. The successor to the British throne will be a King. Both the first and second in line are all males and with a third in line now being born, and being a boy it is almost certain that whoever succeeds Queen Elizabeth will be a King and not a Queen. Guyana does not have a monarchial system. We have presidents and prime ministers, but whoever wins the next election is likely to be a virtual King or Queen if that person is supported by the economic oligarchy that
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now has command of the Guyanese economy. This is why the forthcoming Congress of the ruling People’s Progressive Party is important. It will signal who is likely to assume the presidency of Guyana come the elections in 2016. No one is certain whether Queen Elizabeth will still be around in 2016 but when it comes to Guyana it is almost certain that President Donald Ramotar will not likely seek re-election in 2016. By the time the next elections come around President Ramotar will be nearly seventy years old and while this is not old for politicians, it is likely that the party may, given its
performance in 2011, be looking for younger blood to inject greater appeal into the party’s campaign for reelection. President Ramotar does not seem too enthusiastic about moving away from the policies of his predecessor. He has been very reluctant to change course and has publicly indicated that he does not wish to create his own brand on the Presidency. This alone should suggest that the Presidency is in a holding mode and that the forthcoming Congress will witness jockeying for positions with the most popular candidate becoming the front- runner to be the
PPPC’s Presidential nominee, and ultimately the next President of Guyana. Make no mistake, the PPP cannot lose the Presidency in 2016. Because a great deal of attention was paid to the fact that the PPPC was denied a majority in the National Assembly, it may have missed notice that the PPP won the elections by almost a landslide which is considered to be 10 percentage points or more. The PPP barely fell short of a landslide. It is next to impossible for APNU to close the gap that the PPP has over it. APNU in fact failed to achieve the support registered by the PNC in the 1992 and 1997
Increasing heart disease cases seen at CHI - Dr. Carpen Although the onus remains on individuals to seek crucial medical care in a timely manner, there is a need for more awareness campaigns in order to effectively combat the impact of heart disease. This observation was made by Medical Director and Consultant Cardiologist of the Caribbean Heart Institute (CHI), Dr. Mahendra Carpen. His disclosure comes in light of the fact that the institution has seen a growing volume of new heart disease cases. “We have looked at some of the work that we have done over the last five years, and we have seen at least onethird of the volumes that we have done in the last five years in just the past eight months here,” disclosed Dr. Carpen. This existing state of affairs will be elaborated on this week when Dr. Carpen attends the 28th Caribbean Cardiac Society scientific conference in Curacao. The meeting will span the period July 24 through July 27, 2013, during which time he will make two oral presentations that will later be developed into scientific papers for eventual publication. According to Dr. Carpen, the CHI nurses, who number 12, were instrumental in collecting the revealing data. The Interventional Cardiologist said that there are several things that can contribute to heart disease in Guyana, the main ones being the population’s natural predisposition to the disease combined with a sedentary lifestyle and an increasingly bad diet. Moreover, Dr. Carpen said, “We tend to have all of the factors combined to produce really significant
heart disease cases.” Several patients seen at CHI are found to have diabetes, hypertension or both and those, Dr. Carpen said, are the biggest factors when it comes to the development of heart disease. Then there is the genetic predisposition in some patients who have smaller blood vessels around the heart. These factors all lead to higher rates of heart disease here, which according to the Interventional Cardiologist is something that really must be addressed at the national level. “We have to have awareness campaigns because people should not take their symptoms lightly...It is a very customary thing for at risk patients to have chest pains and think ‘oh maybe it is gas, I will drink a cup of hot tea and feel better’. Then two days later they come into the hospital with really big heart attacks and really severe stages of the disease,” lamented Dr. Carpen. He underscored the importance of patients’ education so that they could recognise their symptoms for what it is and seek appropriate care in a timely manner. The vast majority of patients opt to visit the CHI at the advanced stage of their disease, adding that very few people seek medical care early enough so that they could be monitored over a few years period. But this dilemma, according to Dr. Carpen, is certainly not unique to Guyana. “It is probably much more common in first world countries than has been reported but at least they have systems where you have primary care physicians
taking care of patients for a number of years before they reach to specialists who address end organ types of diseases,” he noted. The increasing number of cases is indicative of the fact that there have been inefficient early prevention and recognition health care strategies. Early prevention strategies, he explained, is the ideal way to go whereby patients are screened appropriately at an early stage. “Unfortunately people keep waiting until they feel sick before they come to the doctor since there is not really an overwhelming culture of annual screening and routine checks so that doctors could pick up these issues,” said. Dr Carpen. And although patients have a responsibility for their
CHI’s Dr. Mahendra Carpen own health, he added that “the health care professionals who know better also have a significant role to play in trying to get patients appropriately managed once they seek medical care.” Management of patients is not only crucial for prevention but to help improve patients’ life after they would have been diagnosed and treated, stated the CHI cardiac specialist.
US-based doctors, nurses heading to Linden The Linden Fund USA (LFU), in collaboration with the Overseas Medical Assistance Team (OMAT), and the Women of Mission International (WOMI), is set to conduct its annual medical mission to Linden - Guyana, from July 28 to August 3, 2013, according to secretary of the LFU, Linda Felix-Johnson. The medical services are administered free of cost by OMAT. Hundreds of people in Linden and Region Ten benefit each year. As in previous years, in addition to these services, a series of educational forums for medical professionals and community members, will also be held along with a National Woman’s conference in collaboration
with the Women Of Mission International, a women’s empowerment organization, Felix Johnson said. Comprising the visiting team will be medical doctors and surgeons from the USA, who will be supported by overseas nurses, social workers and support staff. The team, as always, will work collaboratively with medical personnel attached to the Linden Hospital Complex, Felix added. OMAT is headed by our very own Lindener, Dr. Stephen Carryl, Chairman of Surgery at the Wyckoff Heights Hospital Center in Brooklyn, NY, who is also the President of OMAT. The visiting team includes (Continued on page 12)
Page 9
elections and it is doubtful if the PPPC corrects some of its campaign mistakes that APNU can ever gain the 40 odd per cent that it obtained in the 2011 elections. As such, the PPPC is again likely to win the Presidency, this time with a larger margin. In this process it will be helped by the obstructionist practices of the Opposition parties. These parties assume that if they allow the airport project, the Marriott hotel and the hydroelectric project to go ahead the PPP will achieve an unassailable popularity rating with the public. They fail to appreciate that by blocking these projects, they are playing right into the hands of the PPPC who has already begun a propaganda assault to point out to their supporters that APNU and the AFC are anti-development. The average citizen is keen on cheaper electricity. You play into the hands of the PPPC when you deny cheaper electricity to the people. A plane ran off the airstrip last year. When you cut out of the project monies to extend the runway, you are playing into the hands of the PPPC who will point out that a necessary development is being cut for no justifiable reason. The Opposition parties are concerned about
transparency and corruption but have done little to convince the public that their objections are about these issues. They have played right into the PPPC hand’s because the PPPC needs these types of obstructionist maneuvers in order to demonstrate to their support base that the Opposition parties are anti- development. With the deck now stacked in favour of the PPP, the forthcoming Congress of that party will definitely see the future Presidential candidate emerge. The big question is whether it will be a boy or whether it will be a girl. The frontrunner is Robert Persaud. But Priya Manickchand is also a popular choice and the Presidential slot may well end up being a straight fight between these two Cabinet colleagues. Persaud has the edge because of his superior performance as a Minister but the tide may well turn and the public may feel that it is time that Guyana returns to having a female President.
Dem boys seh...
KNACK GOT KNACK BACK When de Waterfalls paper use to talk bout corruption de government use to get vex. Now one of de people who been in de same government talking bout de corruption and how it suh bad that fuh see it all you got to do is scratch de surface. You ain’t got to dig. Ralph write bout de corruption and dem boys know that wha he write hurt people real bad. It tek dem a whole month fuh respond. Dem decide fuh pelt lash at Ralph. Well Ralph lash back and he paint from Donald right down as people who hugging up corruption. He talk bout a man who some people report to the party fuh de things he use to do. Janet didn’t dead. She ask dem fuh set up a committee to investigate de claims. Dem same people who mek de complaint come and testify and de committee find de man guilty. Well de next thing was to bell de cat. People inside de party seh that de man got to go but Donald was one who seh that de man got to stay in de party. Even Janet couldn’t fight wid that. Well de committee bruck up and corruption running wild like when killer bees attacking a community. Dem boys willing to bet that dem gun lef Ralph because he sit down in de middle of dem when nuff was tekking bribe and trying to get rich. But that ain’t de only thing that wrang. Imagine after Ralph talk dem claim how he never talk bout corruption. He set de record straight. He tell dem to watch Chris Ram and dem gun see. Then he tell dem fuh read de Kranicle and de Mirror. Well that was de shame bush. Ralph tell dem that dem couldn’t see when he talk because dem don’t read dem own government paper and de party paper. Dem boys willing to bet that since de Pee Pee Pee don’t like tek lef somebody gun try to attack Ralph again. Talk half and wait fuh more cuss out.
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday July 23, 2013
=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===
A woman I greatly admired has died. Goodbye! Life is strange. The same day one of the greatest journalists journalism ever produced, died, the Stabroek News carried an editorial on journalism that was untypical of the newspaper and may have vindicated me in my early disagreement with the Stabroek News’s leadership in the early nineties. With the birth of a private newspaper after the demise of the Burnham administration, my expectation was that Guyana needed the type of journalism and columnwriting Helen Thomas
pioneered. But I lost out in trying to bring that style to SN. Now read SN’s editorial. Helen Thomas died last Saturday, the very day SN defended a sensitive, journalistic piece in the American magazine, Rolling Stone, that no one in this country would ever believe SN is capable of accepting. Helen Thomas was an extraordinary journalist/ columnist SN came out on the side of Rolling Stone which is caught in the moment in the US in a tempestuous
controversy. The magazine’s main feature in its current issue is on Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the teen charged with the Boston terrorist bombing. It is accompanied with a front page photo of the accused with his baby face and long hair. The reaction was hysterical in some quarters and Rolling Stone has been accused of horrible insensitivities and journalistic madness. Rolling Stone responded with the theory that journalism cannot be invested with personal judgements and personal values. It went on to add that the piece is a scholarly investigation into the hidden dimensions of terrorism and the incredible places it can show up on US soil. In other words, the media house was saying that it was doing what journalism should do – tell it as it is. The SN defended that approach to journalism. But there is a gargantuan BUT – would SN venture in Guyana along the path of Rolling Stone? It has not and will not. And we need that genre of journalism in Guyana. This was the background of my 1994 break with SN and even
though I have had my problems with Kaieteur News, that Rolling Stone perspective was more appreciated in my columns by Kaieteur News than SN. It was emotionally satisfying to see that SN emboldened itself by defending a journalistic style that is inherent in journalism. But the paper’s founders were millions of miles away from that direction when I was its weekly columnist. Historian Anna Benjamin published a history of SN, and out of 29 persons interviewed, many of whom had thin connections with SN, I was not even asked for a sentence. I thought my columns from 1988 to 1994 enjoyed substantial marketability. One must remember a historian is expected to give the whole picture. Last Friday a Guyanese academic in the presence of Dr. David Hinds and others told me that a race should write its own history if the truths of one’s race are to come out. I disagreed. After the meeting I told promising, young activist Norville Hinds that Africans, White people, East Indians
writing their own history respectively may end up hiding the truths. Embellishments based on fiction may very well be included. Can a race write about its own historical evolution and admit its historical wrongs? Can we expect the truths in a biography of Mahatma Gandhi by Indian scholars? What about Guyanese East Indians writing the history of their evolution in this land? Can we expect embellishment or the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Hasn’t Burnham’s legacy created a division among African scholars? As a trained historian, I am contemptuous of Afrocentric, Euro-centric and other centric approaches to writing about the origins and contours of civilization. For me all of these centrics are historically weak Back to HelenThomas. She will remain for me one of the greatest, crusading journalists that ever picked up a pen. I was in Grenada when President Reagan invaded the island and she stood tall in front of Reagan in the White House press lounge and pointedly asked
Frederick Kissoon him why he wanted to do such an unnecessary act. She was brave, indefatigable and irritatingly the editor’s journalist that he could do without. But no editor could do without her because she was everything a journalist should be, everything a columnist should be. As a practising columnist since 1988, I say most unambiguously that the world of columnists has lost a dear colleague. She died in her early nineties and no doubt lived a good and rewarding life. I call upon all media houses in this country to hold a special event for one of the most admirable media workers that ever graced the profession. Goodbye Helen, you did influence global journalism. Goodbye forever!
Tuesday July 23, 2013
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday July 23, 2013
Adonis vows tougher action against drunk drivers The name “Operation Road Order” may not have sunk in yet for many motorists but more than a dozen drivers, who probably felt that they could take a little more than a few drinks and get away with it, will have the penalty etched in their memory for a long time. While the campaign which is aimed at reducing the carnage on the country’s roads is still in its fledgling stage, motorists felt its impact over the weekend. The Police Traffic Department reported that over the weekend, 13 drivers were caught driving while over the prescribed limit of alcohol consumption. And if Acting Traffic Chief Kevin Adonis sticks to his word, drivers had better take notice, for the police intend to get tougher with
- as “Operation Road Order” gathers momentum errant motorists. “Operation Road Order” is focusing specifically on speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol, which according to Commissioner of Police (ag) Leroy Brumell are the main causes of fatal accidents. The initial campaign against drunk driving commenced in earnest in 2009 after legislation was put in place to deal with it. According to the provisions of the law, there will be a limit of 35 microgrammes of alcohol to 100 millilitres of breath and 80 milligrammes of alcohol to 100 millilitres of blood. This is equivalent to about two beers. If an accident occurs as a result of a motor vehicle on the road, the police will be vested with the authority to order the drivers to submit to breathalyser tests either at the scene or in a nearby police station. But according to Superintendent Adonis, the Force will be more pro-active. “We will not only wait until an accident occurs before we administer the (breathalyzer) test. We will be targeting those drivers who leave the bars drunk and jump
into their vehicles,” Adonis said in a telephone interview last week, shortly after Brumell had addressed the media on the issue. According to the law, any person who contravenes the law shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine of seven thousand five hundred dollars. Unless a court considers otherwise, a repeat conviction will attract a 12-month disqualification from holding a licence. A third conviction will result in the motorist being permanently disqualified from holding or obtaining a licence. A number of road safety groups have been promoting the use of designated drivers in cases where motorists insisted on drinking. A designated driver is someone who abstains from alcohol consumption during social outings in order to safely transport their companions to their destinations. Figures up to last week showed that there were 59 deaths on the country’s roads compared with 45 for the same period last year. “This is of concern to us and we have increased our traffic presence on the roads
as well as enhancing our traffic education via the media, schools and other avenues,” Commissioner Brumell explained recently. But a few observers believe that the ranks placed on the roads should focus more on actual traffic violations and not just examine documents. “Stopping vehicles and examining documents don’t prevent accidents, they only aggravate the citizens, many
of whom really want to assist the police to be successful in their campaign,” a local attorney at law told this newspaper. Under the current police reform process, the Force has set some key target activities which include researching and proposing an approach to managing an increase in vehicle ownership; review traffic legislation and reduce the overall number of traffic accidents.
Acting Traffic Chief Kevin Adonis
US-based doctors, nurses heading to... From page 9 medical doctors and surgeons from the USA, who will be supported by overseas nurses, social workers and support staff, as well as nurses and other medical personnel attached to the Linden Hospital Complex. The schedule of activities for the visit includes daily medical treatment and surgeries at the Mackenzie Hospital Complex a Health Fair and Lecture at the LEN building on July 31, 2013 to educate the public on conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, HIV/ AIDS, prostate, breast and cervical cancers. There will also be an allday Women’s Conference themed, “Take Action – Make It Happen” on July 30 at the Egbert Benjamin Center on
Republic Ave in Linden and lectures for nurses at the Linden Hospital Complex. Subsequent to these activities a pediatric community outreach will be held on August 2 at the Wisroc Pediatric Centre, followed by a Community Outreach and Day Trip to Muritaro (up the Demerara River) on Saturday August 3. According to FelixJohnson, in 2007, the LFU teamed with a 30-member North East Mission of Hope medical team to sponsor the first medical outreach for the people of the Linden community and Region 10. Then three years later in 2010, the LFU teamed up with OMAT and WOMI to provide medical services to the Linden community. “Throughout these years
our dedicated team has worked around the clock during the visits to provide hundreds of critical surgeries and procedures to the people of Linden. “So the 2013 team is very excited to resume these much needed services, after a break in 2012, due to the unrest in the Linden area.” Felix is exhorting members of the Linden community and residents of Region Ten to seize the opportunity to receive free and expert medical treatment, which would be complementing the existing services, offered at the local hospitals and health centers. She is also encouraging Medical professionals, to join the Fund’s registry to volunteer and provide services to the people of Region Ten on a regular basis.
Tuesday July 23, 2013
Kaieteur News
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Tuesday July 23, 2013
Kaieteur News
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Utility pole was not planted Man gets 5 years for correctly- dead man’s family causing cyclist’s death Police are waiting on a statement from a supervisor attached to Dynamics Engineering Company (DEC). The supervisor was said to be on the scene when the utility pole collapsed with the 22-year-old electrician, killing him instantly. Ronald Arthur, of Lot 69 Pompey Street, Christiansburg was pronounced dead at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) minutes after he fell from a utility pole at Le Ressouvenir, East Coast Demerara on Sunday. The engineering company Arthur was working for is sub-contracted by the Guyana Power and Light Company. Officials from DEC said they will not offer a comment until the police complete their investigation. Yesterday, the dead man’s brother, Troy, told Kaieteur News that he along with another sibling visited the scene with two police officers. “What I observed was that the pole was not planted
deep enough. It was a fresh pole and he (Ronald Arthur) was at the top pulling up a line when the pole fell with him on it,” Troy explained. He added that the police are waiting on a statement from the supervisor who was present when the incident occurred. “He (supervisor) was at the station last night, in police custody and they allow him to leave after he promised to return this morning (yesterday) to the station but he ain’t come,” the grieving brother stressed. The post mortem will be done tomorrow. Meanwhile, Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc emphatically stated that contrary to reports being peddled in the media, it is no way associated with the event surrounding the death of the late Ronald Arthur, an employee of Dynamic Engineering Company at the time of his demise on Sunday. Additionally, the fallen utility pole does not belong to GPL and at the time of the
accident, Dynamic Engineering Company was not authorized to conduct any work on GPL’s behalf, the power company stated. “GPL wishes to further expound that any works undertaken without its consent to any part of the national electricity grid is deemed illegal and actions will be taken against the perpetrators.” Cognizant of the importance of Occupational Health and Safety, GPL is engaged in ongoing training programmes with all its employees and sub contractors to ensure safety of all parties. At GPL, all measures are taken to ensure maximum safety of all employees of the company. Just recently, the Company procured and commenced training in the use of improved technology to ensure tasks undertaken by its employees are completed efficiently whilst observing all safety regulation.
Woman remanded for attempting to obstruct the course of justice Desperate for her son to be free at all cost, a 56-yearold mother resorted to threatening to kill the sister and family of the prosecution witness if they testified against her son who is charged with armed robbery. When Suranie Rampersaud of 692 Cummings lodge, East Coast Demerara appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Beharry yesterday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ court, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that she attempted to obstruct the course of justice on October 1, 2012. According to court
documents, on the day in question, the defendant telephoned the sister of the prosecution’s witness and threatened to kill her and her family if her brother testified against her son. Rampersaud was told of the offence and was subsequently arrested and charged. Attorney at Law, Glen Hanoman, who prosecuted the case, objected to bail on the grounds that if the defendant is granted bail, it is likely that she may make further attempts to affect the outcome of her son’s trial and she may not return for her trial as well. Bail for the defendant was
refused and her matter was transferred to the court of Magistrate Fabayo Azore where it is expected to engage the court’s attention again on July 26.
“I have considered your lawyer ’s stirring plea in mitigation. I have also considered that a life was lost, the prevalence of the offence and the seriousness of the offence and the need to preserve our most precious resource-human beings. “I have also taken into account the need to observe road safety. With this being said, you are hereby sentenced to five years’ imprisonment.” said Magistrate Judy Latchman to Kevin Hope, yesterday, at the Georgetown Magistrates’ court. Hope, 30, of Lot 12 Lamaha Springs, Georgetown, was found guilty on Friday last for causing the death of Patrice Welcome, a 40-year-old man due to reckless driving. On November 15, 2011, on Aubrey Barker Road, South
Ruimveldt, Georgetown, the defendant drove minibus BMM9334 in a manner dangerous to the public and killed Welcome who was a resident of Lot 1270 Caneview Avenue, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown. When Hope was first charged, he appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Beharry on November 17, 2011. He was granted $200,000 bail and his matter was then transferred to the court of Magistrate Judy Latchman where it engaged the court’s attention for some time. According to Prosecutor Vishnu Hunt, about 10:00 hrs on November 15, 2011, Hope drove his minibus east along the northern side of the Aubrey Barker Road. In his attempt to overtake two cars he collided with motorcycle CJ197 which was proceeding
west along the southern side of the road. Due to the collision, the motorcyclist fell on the road’s surface where he received severe injuries and died. The defendant was subsequently arrested and charged. Representing the defendant yesterday was Attorney at Law, Omeyana Hamilton who reiterated before her client’s sentencing that Hope does not have any prior convictions. Hope was then asked by Magistrate Latchman if he wishes to submit any comments before hearing the court’s ruling but he retorted, “No your worship.” Prosecutor Hunt indicated to the court room that none of Hope’s family members was present at the time and he was also unable to make contact with any of his relatives.
Woman cries rape after partner fails to honour pact A 54-year-old woman, who did not receive any monies from her partner after having sex with the man, has reported the incident to the police at Anna Regina. The woman, who resides somewhere at Anna Regina only reported the alleged incident of rape, three weeks after she had sex with the
young man, who returned from Venezuela. The report stated the man was a frequent visitor at the woman’s home and had apparently struck a deal for her to be paid after engaging in sex with him. But the deal went sour after the man failed to keep his side of the bargain. Additionally, the woman
apparently learnt that her lover was returning to the Spanish speaking country and proceeded to report the matter. The incident allegedly occurred three weeks ago. Advice from the Director of Public Prosecution is in the process of being sought .Meanwhile no one has been arrested.
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Kaieteur News
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Suriname Tours: August 1st4th, Shopping Dolphins Butterfly Gardens: Book early- Call:639-2663/6440185/665-5171/227-8290
City Taxi Service: Contract Cars Needed- Call:660-1100 Progressive Auto Rental cars from $4000 per day. Call 643-5122, 225-8711; email www. progressive autorental. com
1 Table Saw, 1 Hand Router, 1 Pressure Washer Pole, 1 Hand Drill & 1 DeWalt Saw: Leaving Soon- Call:223-5641
LAND FOR SALE At Blankenburg W.C.D: 50ft×350ft- Tel: 265-6019, 696-3505, 261-6501, 718-7571106, 718-629-5141
TOURS
1 Yamaha 115HP four stroke outboard engine- Call: 6498324
CAR RENTAL
FOR SALE
853 Bobcat & Massey Ferguson Tractor: Reasonably Priced, No time wasters. Call 442-4325/667-5292
One general worker (House Keeping) Shift system and one handyboy at Land of Canaan, E.B.D- Call:266-5243-5
Female Domestic & Office Employees For An Expanding Company In Trinidad, 1835yrs: Email: rattan.david @yahoo. com- Call:6901855 /1-868-389-8454
Tuesday July 23, 2013
New 2 bedrooms Cottage at 11th street Paradise: $40,000 per month- Call:614-1723 Fully furnished Vacation home with all amenities- Call during working hours- 2271218
Stanley’s Auto Sales: New models Raum $2,150,000; Spacio $2,350,000; Premio $2.6M: Unregistered: Call Now @ 264-2644 or 641-6516 Mitsubishi Galant $1.1MCall:645-3605 1 Toyota Harrier $3M: Excellent conditionCall:231-7831 205 Mercedes Benz C180 compressor: PPP series: Navy Blue- Call:613-5955 Cheapest- Premio, Spacio, Hilux, Stick Gear Buses- Call: 616-7635
120ft×42ft Space suitable for manufacturing or warehousing- Call:270-4485 Guyana Brakes & Clutch Company, 27 Coldingen, E.C.D DRESSMAKING
MASSAGE
Classes in Designing and Sewing. Call Sharmela (Canadian-Trained) @ 6410784/626-2629
American Style massage services- Call:678-7499 (Continued on page 23)
Tuesday July 23, 2013
Kaieteur News
Page 23
Guyanese are largely either tolerant or accepting of homosexuals By Latoya Giles
The survey “Attitudes toward Homosexuals in Guyana” which was launched, last week, in Guyana has demonstrated that Guyanese are largely either tolerant or accepting of homosexuals. However, about 25 per cent of the population could genuinely be described as “homophobic”. On the other hand the survey shows that about 58 per cent of Guyanese are either “tolerant” or “accepting” of homosexuals, while 17 per cent were undecided. The study has highlighted that homophobia or alternatively tolerance of homosexuals correlates directly with age, sex, and race and to a lesser extent religion, place of origin and education. As such, women, younger persons and Guyanese who were not born in Guyana tended to be more comfortable with homosexuals, while activeEvangelical Christians, Afro Guyanese and those who have been “less-well” educated tended to be more homophobic. Notwithstanding the largely positive stance of the vast majority of Guyanese toward homosexuals, the survey shows clearly that there is a fundamental misunderstanding existing among Guyanese regarding several basis facts about homosexuality. It is entirely possible that these misunderstandings could impact negatively on attitudes. Guyanese generally think that homosexuality is largely a male phenomenon and moreover that it is a “choice”. These are two misunderstandings that carry substantial baggage. There is
- According to CADRES survey also a heavy religious overtone regarding the “proper” location of sexual orientation and sexual expression, along with the presumption that the religious teaching should continue to influence the State’s agenda and treatment of homosexuals, the survey found. With regard to discrimination (as manifested in violence) the survey demonstrates clearly that Guyanese do dislike the idea of violence against minorities and discrimination in all its manifestations. Moreover, Guyanese largely consider discrimination against homosexuals to be “wrong”. At the same time; Guyanese do not seem to think that homosexuals are currently being discriminated against, or that the state needs to provide special protection for them. Interestingly, there is strong support for the provision of special protections for Persons Living with AIDS (PLWA) and while some of these persons might be homosexual, there is no strong desire on the part of the population for specific protections for homosexuals against discrimination. The general Guyanese reaction to the legislative environment that relates to homosexuals is conflicting. Further, the survey shows that a slender majority of Guyanese support the retention of the “buggery law”; however further investigation reveals that many of these persons are both unfamiliar with the specific provisions of this law
and when advised of the specifics believe it to be “illogical” in some instances. Notwithstanding, there is a clear resistance on the part of the population to “let go” of these laws which a majority of persons believe are a clear expression of Guyana’s moral and religious standards. In this regard, it is interesting to note the populations’ ability to separate religion and state as it relates to the propriety of “Common Law” marriage, while the state is presumed to have an obligation to project religious principles as it relates to homosexual acts. Although there is no profound appetite for legislative change at this time, Guyanese believe that a clear demonstration that these laws are impacting negatively on the physical or psychological well-being of young people or adults would provide good grounds for change. In the survey there is also support for change if it can be proven that the laws contribute to the spread of HIV/AIDS. It should be made clear; however that in neither instance has the survey demonstrated that Guyanese are convinced that either of these “perils” have manifested themselves locally on account of the existence of buggery laws. Although there is a stated preference for the retention of the buggery law, there is little interest in having the state prevent private sex between adults (of any sex) if that were possible. This peculiarity suggests that Guyanese are perhaps really concerned about public manifestations of sexual orientation, as distinct from
private manifestations and appear to believe that the changing of the laws would help to encourage these public manifestations. The juxtaposition of Guyanese support for decriminalization (of homosexual acts) with their opinion on other major social issues does lend support to the suggestion that Guyanese are less committed to the retention of these laws than they are to issues like corporal punishment which also have a religious justification. This distance is significant, as is the finding in the survey that the position of a political party is not likely to affect its chances at the polls. Barbadian Peter Wickham, who is the Director of CADRES, conducted the survey. The research was funded entirely by a research grant from the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).
SERVICES Permanent & Visitors Visa Applications, Professional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building Call:225-6496,6626045,223-8115 Repairs, sales & spares air conditioning, microwaves, washer, fridges & stoves. Ultra Cool. Call: 225-9032, 647-2943 House Plans, estimates and construction- Contact T.Boodhoo 625-9883 / 6759296 We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer. Call:2310655, 683-8734 Omar HOUSE PLAN DRAFTING FOR ONLY $10,000CALL:694-9843/227-2766 General Desktop & Laptop Repairs: Installation & Configuration of Security Cameras: Linking Security Cameras to the internet- Tel: 699-3615 We Refill HP cartridges for $1800 call: 650-7699 For all your GPS Surveying, Compass Boundary line Establishment, Prospecting, Sampling, Road Tracking, etc-Call:672-2920 Wayne’s Delivery & Taxi Service- Call: 672-8137
PEN PAL Male age 24, seeks female ages 18-23- call:696-9746 FOR SALE/RENT American Pool TableCall:277-0578
SALON Make Up Courses, Artist Trained & Certified in Trinidad. Call: 660-5257, 647-1773 Now Offering Nail Course $10,000- Call:604-3002
PROPERTY FOR SALE House and Land @ D’Edward, W.C.B.- Call: 689-2973/698-3703 Versailles 5 Bedroom House with modern facilities and beautiful landscape- Call: 592-684-9203 / 592-624-8704 Houses and Land for SaleContact: D&J Investments @ 223-8479/647-3768 Hotel For Sale- Contact: D&J Investments @ 2238479 or 647-3768 1-Going Business Property at Bloomfield Public Road, Berbice. Tel 690-6520/642-0110 West Bank $18.5M; Campbellville $35M; AA Eccles $70M; Lamaha Gardens $70M. Call Diana: 227-2256/626-9382 2 Storey concrete house at Charlotte St. next to Office of the President: Asking $32M- Call:614-0335/6260017
ONLINE SHOPPING ZERO COMMISSION, WEEKLY SHIPMENTS,AFFORDABLE RATES, FREE PRIVATE MAILBOX.CALL: 2315789, 225-9030 WE FILL OUT VISA FORMS:USA, UK & CANADA & CREDIT CARD SERVICES CALL: 231-5789
VACANCY Experienced Female bartenders & cleanersCall:225-8572 Pump Attendant @ Shell Service Station Providence, E.B.D: Must be able to work shift-Tel:265-7305 Email: shellramsburg@gmail.com One Upholster & two JoinersCall:219-1342/610-7005
EDUCATIONAL Get trained as a live-in Caregiver to live and work in Canada, under Canadian curriculum- Call:227-4881/ 416-674-7973 CXC Maths, English, Business and Science, January/ June 2014- Call Imperial College at 227-7627/ 683-5742
One bedroom apartments to rent $55,000 GYD- Contact: D&J Investments @ 2238479 or 647-3768
Advance Diploma in Computer Technology for students completed CSEC 2013: Register now @ MicroGraphics Technology, Vreed-En-Hoop- Call:264-3057
Executive Apartments and Houses to Rent, From $500 USD upwards-Contact: D&J Investments @ 223-8479/ 647-3768
Summer Computer Classes: Ages 5-13: Starting at $6,500 and up @ MicroGraphics Technology, Vreed-EnHoop- Call:264-3057
FOR RENT
(From page 22)
Vacancy exists for 1 Parts Sales Clerk: Sound Secondary education with knowledge in Japanese vehicles spare partsCall:231-7839 Experienced farm worker (Highway Farm) Graduate of School of Agriculture,; Chainsaw operators. Call 688-0639. Send CV @ info@Shigam.com
LEARN TO DRIVE Soman & Sons Driving School , First Federation Building Call 225-4858, 6445166,622-2872,615-0964
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday July 23, 2013
Motorcycle caught afire during repair...
‘It was like ghost rider come alive’ - Eyewitness The owner of a motorcycle got more than he bargained for yesterday a f t e r his entire mode of transportation became engulfed in flames at a welding shop. According to an eyewitness, around 12:30 pm yesterday, one of the welders was attending to a motorcycle at the front of the shop. “I been at the corner of the road with some of the boys and when I look up the
road I see a set a people running from the shop. When I go and investigate I see the whole bike pon fire,” the man said. He added that while persons began to throw water on the motorcycle, others began to look on as the bike became a big fire ball. “It was like Ghost Rider come alive. The fire was red hot; the smoke was black it took no time to bun out,” the man said. They believed that
something might have come into contact with the spark and caused the fire. Another eyewitness Shellon Marcus said that the owner had taken the motorcycle to weld a cracked exhaust. “The boy came to the shop and ask the man how much to weld the exhaust and he get the welding thing and like about 10 minutes after he start welding the thing the bike start ketch a fire,” Marcus
This used to be the motorcycle.
said. She added that the welder “ran for his life”. The woman added that the fire service acted promptly and was able to contain the blaze before it spread to the nearby building. When Kaieteur News arrived yesterday at the welding shop located at the corner of Light Street and North Road, the bike was parked at the spot where it was being repaired. The proprietor of the established was not there. The owner of the bike appeared still in shock and related that he was not able to speak about the incident.
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday July 23, 2013
Letters... Where your views make the news
The harsh reality of life... From page 4 odd domestic jobs whenever she is able to find work, Rudolph incurs over $500 per day commuting to and from work. How Rudolph manages to survive only the Almighty knows. Like the rest of us, he has bills to pay, he has to put food on the table and he has to support his teenage children. And finally, there is Annette—a 23-year-old university graduate—who, like so many others, pursued a business degree (a big mistake in Guyana), an area of study where the availability of jobs pale in comparison to the overwhelming demand of jobs in the technical fields. So regrettably, Annette has joined her peers. Those thousands of unemployed Guyanese who sit at home, desperately awaiting that phone call that just never seems to come; that job offer that is so elusive; that incomeearning opportunity that seems to be just around the
corner, but seems so far away. She is seriously contemplating becoming an exotic dancer at one of the night clubs visited by senior Government functionaries regularly so that she can hook up and hopefully get a job. Mr. President, this is what your party, the PPP and your Government have reduced our people to – potential beggars and prostitutes. Yet in the 2009 Budget Debate as then General Secretary of the PPP, His Excellency President Ramotar was caught saying “Nothing is wrong with borrowing money to grow the economy… The money we are borrowing is to create conditions to generate wealth… We have been building the capital base for the country.” This comment was sourced from Kaieteur News of February 2009 and can be read at this link -http:// www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/ 2009/02/21/ramotar-defendsgovernment-borrowing/
So where is all this wealth that the Jagdeo/Ramotar cabal created since 2009? Where are the jobs they have created? It is clear, the PPP leaders are competing with David Cooperfield for the world’s most popular illusionists since what they all talk about evaporates into thin air seconds after they make a promise. Finally, the fact is that the PPP has failed to provide a certain living standard to the people - a standard befitting humanity, and thus rescue them from the indignity so many Guyanese continue to suffer – and this has existed for the last 22 years. As we have seen in the case of Nurse Griffith, Security Guard Rudolph and Student Annette, many public and private sector workers as well as students are suffering from a state of virtual insolvency and the government is oblivious to their cause. Very sad indeed! Dr. Asquith Rose and Harish S. Singh
Tuesday July 23, 2013
Kaieteur News
Boy for Britain’s Prince William and wife Kate
A composite photo in London’s Daily Mail (Reuters) - Prince William’s wife Kate gave birth to a boy yesterday, the couple’s first child and the third in line to the British throne, heralding celebrations in London and messages of goodwill from across the world. “We could not be happier,” Prince William said in a brief statement, after he witnessed the birth of his son at 4:24 p.m. (11:24 a.m. ET), an event that sparked an international media frenzy and the illumination of London landmarks in blue. His office said Kate and the baby, weighing 8 lbs 6 oz (3.8 kg) and to be publicly named at a later date, were both doing well and would stay in hospital overnight. Prince William phoned his grandmother the queen to give her the news, and also contacted his father Prince Charles and brother Prince Harry, all of whom were said to be delighted. The addition to the family is third in line to the throne after Prince Charles and William. It might take some time for the name to emerge however. The announcement of William’s name took more than a week, but bookmakers make George the favourite, followed by James. As the birth of the queen’s third greatgrandchild was announced, a loud cheer went up from the well-wishers and media gathered outside St. Mary’s Hospital in west London, where William was also born to the late Princess Diana in 1982. “It is an incredibly special moment for William and Catherine and we are so thrilled for them on the birth of their baby boy,” said Prince Charles, the heir to the throne. Within minutes, messages of congratulations began flooding in, while crowds gathered outside the queen’s London residence
Buckingham Palace where an official notice was placed on a gold-colored easel at the main gates. U.S. President Barack Obama was one of the first world leaders to welcome the birth. “Michelle and I are so pleased to congratulate The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the joyous occasion of the birth of their first child,” he said. “We wish them all the happiness and blessings parenthood brings.” The royal couple, officially known as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, had arrived at the hospital shortly before 6 a.m. and entered through a back door to avoid massed ranks of British and international media camped outside the main entrance. Kate and William, both aged 31, met when they were students at St. Andrews University and were married in April 2011 in a spectacular wedding broadcast around the world. FRENZY The royal birth has provoked a similar frenzy, with media keeping up a deluge of speculative reports for days beforehand and particularly throughout yesterday. “Right across the country and indeed right across the Commonwealth people will be celebrating and wishing the royal couple well,” Prime Minister David Cameron told waiting reporters in Downing Street. “It is an important moment in the life of our nation but I suppose above all it’s a wonderful moment for a warm and loving couple who got a brand new baby boy.” Outside Buckingham Palace, there was a party atmosphere with well-wishers laying flowers and teddy bears, singing “God Save the Queen” and “Happy Birthday”, and children waving flags. “The build up to the birth
has been so big I’m just happy it’s finally come. I’m pleased it’s a boy, you always want a boy really,” said Alice Durrans, who rushed from a nearby restaurant after hearing the news. Deborah Beeson, a banker from the United States, was ecstatic. “It’s wonderful. I got chills. I cried,” she said. “You know America loves Kate. She’s just beautiful, she has dignity.” There will be a 41-gun salute at London’s Hyde Park and 62 rounds fired at the Tower of London today to herald news of the birth. The baby arrives at a time when the royal family is riding a wave of popularity. An Ipsos Mori poll last week showed 77 percent of Britons were in favour of remaining a monarchy over a republic, close to its best-ever level of support. DARK DAYS The dark days for the House of Windsor after the death of William’s mother Princess Diana in 1997, which led to public anger at the royals, have been replaced with outpourings of support for William and Kate’s wedding and the Diamond Jubilee for the queen last summer. “It’s been a remarkable few years for our royal family,” Cameron said. The couple, who have been living in a cottage in north Wales where William is based as a Royal Air Force helicopter pilot, will eventually take up residence with their baby at Apartment 1A at London’s Kensington Palace when a 1 million pound refurbishment is completed later this year. The palace was also William’s childhood home. The young royal couple has become global stars after some 2 billion people tuned in to watch their glittering marriage ceremony in 2011, while Kate is seen as a fashion icon.
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Kaieteur News
SMOKESCREEN AG Atkinson: Smokers want to continue unhealthy habit - Knight ready to demonstrate against ban
Tuesday July 23, 2013
Guyanese Doc files suit in B’dos over registration (Barbados Nation) Dr Alfred Sparman is fighting back. The Guyana-born Doctor has filed a suit in the Supreme Court to overturn the Barbados Medical Council’s decision not to register him to practise as a cardiologist, and is seeking damages for loss of profit and disruption of his practice. The suit, filed on July 5, accuses the council of acting “recklessly and without consideration” for Sparman’s practice because for nearly a year it has not dealt with two applications relating to his
registration before it. Yet the council “took no steps following the publication of the lists (of Persons Registered as Medical Practitioners and Medical Practitioners Registered as Specialists and Their Specialties) in the Official Gazette to inform the public, firstly, that it had undertaken to the court to take no action against me under the act pending the final determination of my two outstanding applications; and secondly, that the said applications have not yet been determined”.
Dr Alfred Sparman
2013 Independence celebrations to cost JA$100M Senator K.D. Knight (Jamaica Gleaner) Attorney General Patrick Atkinson has described as a smokescreen, criticisms of the recently imposed ban on smoking in public spaces, saying some of the unfavourable comments are coming from those seeking to continue their unhealthy habit. “The real concern is not about debating in Parliament. The concerns are for those who smoke, who want to have the right to continue to smoke where they please and it is not appropriate,” Atkinson said. The attorney general was responding Sunday to statements from his government colleague, Senator K.D. Knight, who, on Saturday, said he was prepared to mount protests against the new law if it is not brought to the Parliament. The smoking ban was brought into effect by order of Health Minister Dr Fenton Ferguson, but Knight said the regulations should be brought before the Parliament and debated. “It can’t work,” said Knight, who is a member of the governing People’s National Party (PNP). “I am not anti-party, but I am pro-people and I am prepared to demonstrate with the people for the changes,” Knight said. As a form of protest, Knight suggested that 100 persons, including managers and doctors, would convene at an office, and light their cigarettes as the health minister enters. Atkinson, in lending his support to the ban, said calling for the matter to be
debated in Parliament is a nonissue. “I don’t think there is anything to debate. The matter has been debated to the fullest. It has been debated in the Cabinet,” Atkinson said. Knight, who was addressing the PNP’s 75th anniversary dinner in Old Harbour, St Catherine, took issue with the penalties to be meted out against those in breach of the regulations. “It is rubbish to send a man to prison for smoking a cigarette in his yard because you deem it a workplace,” Knight said. Persons found guilty of violating the law are liable for a fine of $50,000 and/or three months’ imprisonment for the first offence. In the case of a second conviction, persons face up to $500,000 in fines and/or jail time of six months, or up to 12 months’ imprisonment for subsequent offences. Knight said that it is wrong to imprison persons guilty of a third offence, as this did not apply to smokers of marijuana, which is an illegal substance. According to the government senator, if the regulations which deal with smoking in public spaces are not reviewed, the country may need to construct additional prisons. Atkinson, meanwhile, acknowledged that the penalties might be harsh, but said they were not mandatory and are left up to the judge’s discretion. “They are maximum sentences upon which the judge will have discretion on exactly how far they will go towards it,” Atkinson said.
Attorney General Patrick Atkinson He added: “It’s not a situation where the emphasis should be placed on the very few. It is not something that is good for children and ordinary persons who don’t smoke, and there is a duty on the Government and the society to protect those people. “This is an unhealthy exercise. It is not a recreational thing that everybody does. Ssecondhand smoke does kill and we had to do something about it and that is where the focus should be.” Chairman of the Jamaica Coalition for Tobacco Control, Dr Knox Hagley, said that while he could understand that the criticisms from the hospitality industry are fuelled by their interest to make a profit, he continues to question the interest of some politicians. “If a river is known to cause illness and a ban was to be applied, you don’t need Parliament to tell you (that this is right). There may be people with different agendas. I have no doubt.” Additionally, Hagley said there is no data to suggest that the ban will have any impact on the hospitality industry. “The surgeon general of the United States, several years ago, went on record to say that this has not had any impact on the hospitality industry. This is not something new. This has been going on for many years,” he said. Atkinson said he suspects that the minister will, “at some stage”, be taking the regulations to Parliament for a debate.
(Jamaica Gleaner) Jamaica’s 2013 Independence celebrations will cost JA$100 million this year, a huge reduction from the $690 million allocated to Jamaica 50 celebrations last year. Minister of Youth and Culture Lisa Hanna, says even though the country was experiencing economic challenges, it was important for the people to have cultural outlets for expression. Hanna was speaking at a press conference to launch Independence celebrations at Jamaica House this morning. Among the notable events will be the National Festival Song Showcase on August 2, the Miss Jamaica Festival Queen Coronation on August 3, and the Grand Gala and Independence Street Dance on August 6. The majority of events will be held at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre and Louise Bennett Garden Theatre. The Gala will be at the National Stadium. Hanna also announced there would be a
number of Reasoning sessions. The topics will include music, politics and youth. The theme for Independence celebrations this year is Celebrating Jamaica: Triumphant, Proud and Free.
(Jamaica Gleaner) Professor Archibald McDonald, incoming principal of the University of the West Indies, Mona campus, said the institution, over the years, has not been as integral to the Caribbean’s and, in particular, Jamaica’s development as it should be. However, McDonald said going forward, he would be striving to balance the university’s research and its tangible impact on national development. “We are now being criticised for not making a more direct contribution to the development of Jamaica and that will now be our main focus,” McDonald told The Gleaner in an interview last week. He said the issue is not that the university has failed to research, but that it has found it hard to market the findings of the research it has done. “The reality is that we need to do more in that area. So what we will be doing is to expand the office on the campus called the Office of Sponsored Research and what we will do is to change the nature of this (office),” he noted. He said the office will be geared towards finding out what are the areas of weakness in the country and gear its research towards helping the Government in these areas.
As it relates to the country’s economic development, McDonald said more needs to be done to help in securing the country’s economic stability. “If you think about it, why is it that for the past 20 years we have only grown by less than one per cent, and where are my colleagues in the Faculty of Social Sciences in all of this?” McDonald queried. He added: “I don’t believe we have done enough and I know that many of my colleagues will disagree, but that is my view.” Jamaica’s economy has long suffered from low growth and high debt. During the 15 years prior to the world financial crisis and recession, 1993-2007, real gross domestic product (GDP) growth averaged just 1.1 per cent per year. GDP per capita grew at an average of 0.4 per cent per year during the same period, while the debt-to-GDP ratio has been over 100 per cent in each year since 2001. McDonald, who will take over the leadership of the university in September, said his predecessor, Gordon Shirley, has already laid the groundwork for several changes to be made and the conversation on how the university will offer its services in the economic sector is ongoing.
Minister of Youth and Culture Lisa Hanna
New UWI Head bemoans failure of University
Tuesday July 23, 2013
Kaieteur News
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Tuesday July 23, 2013
Tuesday July 23, 2013
Kaieteur News
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Amaila Fall Hydro Project… Miners thrilled with Matthews Works Minister begs opposition Ridge manganese find - Canadian company plans US$233M investment
Reunion has already refurbished the staff house at its mine site. The local mining association yesterday said that it is thrilled over news that a manganese exploration company has found large quantities of the ore in Matthews Ridge, Region One. According to the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners’ Association (GGDMA), the announcement by Reunion Manganese Inc, one of its members, on its positive prefeasibility and mineral reserves on its Matthews Ridge project, comes at a time when local miners are encouraged to seek and explore the potential of other mineral resources such as rare earths, industrial minerals and semi-precious stones. “GGDMA welcomes this news as it bolsters the local mining industry at a time of falling gold prices on the international market. This project will add to the local employment market and contribute to the local economy in the near future.” On July 12, last, Reunion Gold, the Canadian parent company, said that its prefeasibility studies have indicated proven and probable mineral reserves of 26.3M tonnes of manganese with an average grade of 14.2 per cent. Reunion is planning an open pit mine and conventional washing and gravity plant processing 2.8M tonnes of ore per year and production of 750,000 tonnes of manganese concentrate per year over a 10-year mine life. It will invest an initial US$233M David Fennell, Executive Chairman of Reunion, stated, “The completion of the Matthews Ridge Project pre-feasibility study is an important milestone for the company. The study indicates the viability of the Project. Matthews Ridge could become a significant manganese producer at a site close to the North American and European markets.
Reunion intends, subject to available financing, to carry out the work for the completion of a full feasibility study, which will include defining manganese resources from satellite deposits, targeting a production decision in the second half of 2014.” Production is scheduled over a period of 10 years. The average annual production rate is 2.8M tonnes of ore fed to the process plant. An additional amount of US$24.9M would be required in sustaining capital over the life of the mine. The Matthews Ridge Project consists of four prospecting licences covering an area of 185 km2 located in Northwest Guyana, in and around the former Matthews Ridge mine. Manganese ore was mined from 1960 to 1968 by a subsidiary of Union Carbide and exported via railroad and the Port Kaituma port. Manganese deposits have been defined at the Matthews Ridge footprint along a series of nine hills extending for 15 km, of which five were previously mined Ongoing exploration is focusing on the Arakaka Prospect, which is the eastern extension of the footprint, the North Prospect, which is 5 km to the north of Matthews Ridge, and the Pipiani Prospect, which is located 60km to the southeast of Matthews Ridge and was already drilled by the previous mine operators. Reunion is planning for the concentrate to be transported by road trains to a storage facility on a fluvial berth at Port Kaituma capable of loading ocean going barges, using logistical concept already practised by the previous miners of Matthews Ridge. Current plans are to send the concentrate to a trans-shipment facility in Trinidad, where it would be loaded on dedicated bulk carriers.
An old locomotive used to haul manganese from the mines to Port Kaituma in the 1960s.
to let Amaila project prevail
“Amaila Falls is a project that goes beyond our mere mortal existence at this time. But this is a project that will benefit generations of Guyanese to come… I am begging again and I am not ashamed to beg when it comes to the future of my country, and I want to appeal to the Opposition elements to come around to the national position with respect to this tremendously important project for our country’s development for future generation.” These sentiments were expressed by Minister of Public Works. Robeson Benn ‘during a press conference at Freedom House, Peoples Progressive Party (PPP’s) headquarters on Robb Street, yesterday. He was responding to the no vote by the opposition to two Bills on the Amaila Falls in the National Assembly. Also at the conference were Public Relations Officer Romel Roopnarine, PPP Executive Secretary Zulficar Mustapha and Minister of Housing and Water Irfaan Ali. Minister Benn said that the Parliamentary Opposition has not been giving the Guyanese a plausible explanation for its actions, and as such this is not only disrespectful but an abuse of parliamentary power; Benn noted that “we cannot sabotage the future of Guyanese and the future of our country.” He said that although there were confidential discussions with the Opposition, and documents shared not only for the hydro project but others, “we could not have fathomed such an important project being voted down.” Minister of Housing and Water Irfaan Ali said that commercial consumers, when the project becomes operational, would save $91.3 million monthly or $1.1 billion annually if policymakers unanimously support the Amaila Falls Hydro Project.
According to Ali, the joint intention of the Alliance For Change (AFC) and A Partnership For National Unity (APNU) is to stymie national development. Their no vote is an unjustified attack on important transformational projects. “Indeed when their queries are dismantled and explained by the Government they shift their goal post in relation to their support for these projects. The PPP always held the view that issues of national development and those that seek to improve the lives and living conditions of our people, especially the poor, must be dealt with in an unbiased and nationalistic manner.” Ali added, “These issues must not be subject to political conditions that seek to use them as a tool to achieve political outcomes. It is unthinkable that a project like the Amaila Falls Hydro Project in which almost all Guyanese and policy makers, historically and present, have unanimously deemed to be beneficial to our people would receive the non-support of the AFC and APNU.” Questioning how can the AFC and APNU explain their joint position in denying people of the following benefits as a result of their rejection of the Amaila Fall Hydro Project, Ali said based on an estimated 20 per cent of consumers will have a reduction in electricity tariff from the commencement; Residential Consumers would
have saved approximately $208.7 million monthly or $2.5 billion annually; “A family paying a bill of $8,000 per month would see a minimum reduction of $1,600 per month in their bill.” Adding that Industrial Consumers would have saved $84.1 million monthly or $1 billion annually, he said it is estimated that with the Amaila Falls Hydro Project electricity tariffs could be reduced by as much as 40 per cent (Double the Savings Above) Minister Ali stressed that there will also be a reduced fuel import bill by approximately 20 per cent resulting in the country saving more than US$90 million annually on imported fuel; Reduction of current cost of generating electricity by 20-40 per cent; Generation of electricity using 100 per cent renewable sources – this has the potential of earning approximately US$10 million annually from the sale of carbon credit. This, he noted, will provide energy Security which is important for national development, in addition to enhancement of Guyana’s Competitiveness through substantially reduced cost of production and improved reliability of electricity supply. Underscoring that APNU’s leader, David Granger proclaimed that the Bill can always be brought back before parliament, Ali said that Granger can do so this Thursday and straighten out all the issues.
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Tuesday July 23, 2013
Kaieteur News
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::: Letter to the Sports Editor :::
A fundamental fallacy in football’s administration DEAR EDITOR, As a conscious minded AfroGuyanese, whose internal qualities would always supersede my personal outlook, unreservedly and unapologetically, I must remonstrate of being Black and had a previous association with the administration of football, for a period of 28 years (19822010) that during a significant period of time, the continued under-development of the sport, remained evident at the behest of an all Black executive. And this trend from
Wednesday July 23, 2013 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19): You might be quite distracted from the emotional issues that have been building over the last few weeks. There is much to say, but you can’t bring yourself to say it. Lately, you are more concerned about what others think of you, so you often change the subject to something less threatening. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20): You want to be acknowledged for your unflappable behavior, but even if people say wonderful things about you now, you might not be open to what you are hearing. GEMINI (May 21–June 20): New opportunities create alternatives today as you think about all the future possibilities waiting for you. Even if you’re still feeling stressed out, the potential for change is improving day by day. CANCER (June 21–July 22): You may go through a weird phase this week as you attempt to distance yourself from your feelings in order to cope with what’s happening. Although this sounds difficult, gaining perspective can be quite helpful. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22): You roar with all the intent of the Lion or Lioness, but others may react to you now in ways you don’t expect. The high tension between your will and the emotional response that you elicit today might anger you if you can’t have your way. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22): Your ideas may be worth more than anyone perceives, but it’s difficult to get your concepts across at this time.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22): Applying your energy toward projects around the house is nurturing for your soul today. However, frustration might set in if the good times seem to be a step or two away.
all indications is more than likely to continue, since the “toothless poodles” of the past (General Council Members) continues to swallow everything hook, line and sinker without attempting to conduct some soul searching. It was something during my tenure (soul searching) I used to do frequently before a final pronouncement, and one of the extremely few persons I could have vouched for is Alfred King, President Referees Council, in calling a spade a spade! As such I’m ashamed that academics, professionals,
members of the religious community and even from the political spectrum are silent, without some measure of soul searching, to determine whether the GFF’s President, revelation is “fact or fiction”. This now brings me to the essential point in question; “Previous GFF Administration received USD 1.2M for switch of Guyana Vs Mexico match” as was reported by SN Sports Journalist, Duncan Saul, in an article of 30.07.13 publication. Nevertheless the absence of investigative journalism thereafter leaves much to be desired! First, and foremost,
Industrial Supplies on board for Carter Birth Anniversary Dominoes
SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21): Processing your emotions may be tricky if it seems that you have nowhere to go with your feelings. If you express them honestly, you won’t improve your current situation. SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21): Today has all the earmarks of a highly busy day, complete with unusual social encounters. Although you may be looking for meaning as much as you are seeking a good time, the emphasis is on turning your day into an adventure. CAPRICORN(Dec.22–Jan.19): Even if the emotional turmoil has started to calm down, you still might be embroiled in a bit of a power struggle that upsets you. Unfortunately, you can easily express your frustration at the wrong target, which doesn’t necessarily help you to regain your sense of balance. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18): A close family member or a good friend may be the source of temporary trouble for you now. You feel like you haven’t done anything wrong, but someone still could get angry with you for no apparent reason. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20): You can drift off into your own fantasy-land these days, but escape might not be such a bad thing now. Others get on your case and try to make you see the folly of your ways but you know there’s treasure to be discovered.
Accountant Thelisha Case (left) of Industrial Supplies presents the cheque to GDA secretary Mark Wiltshire. Industrial Supplies and Services have thrown their support behind the Deon Carter Birth Anniversary Dominoes competition which is scheduled to take place on Sunday at the National Gymnasium. Yesterday at the company’s location in Albert and Sixth Street Albert town, accountant Thelisha Case handed over the third place prize of $50,000 to organising secretary of the Georgetown Dominoes Association (GDA) Mark Wiltshire. Case said they are please to be associated with the tournament while Wiltshire thanked the entity for its support. Meanwhile, among the teams slated to take part are Mix Up, TNT, F and H, Wild Bunch, C 7, Thunder, Specialist, Assassin, Cody Girls and B 4. The wining team will take home will take home $200,000, the runner up $100,000 and third place $50,000. The most valuable player in the final will take home one cell phone, the player sharing the first love
will receive $3,000 and the first female achieving this feat will collect $3,000. Action gets underway from 13:30 hrs.
was this revelation made during the Chairman’s Opening Remarks at the First Ordinary Congress of the GFF, held at the Hotel Tower recently? Or, was it highlighted under Financial Updates/Treasurer’s Report, or Any Other Business of the Agenda? My basic reason for outlining this specific issue is to ascertain whether any General Council Member, under “Matters Arising” enquired about the authentication and origin of the disclosure. If, for some strange reason this wasn’t done, then the administration of football continues to be in a sorrowful state. Meanwhile with Guyana at the time ranked above 100, and presently 128 according to the latest FIFA rankings, and never participated in a Gold Cup, would had never enabled the past GFF administration the privilege of attracting USD 1.2M for forfeiting its home rights as a host! Moreover, with Guyana out of the equation of advancing to the final leg of the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers. Jamaica, who had previously won the Caribbean Championships on several occasions along with participating in several Gold Cups, in addition to both Junior and Senior World Cups, played 5 times World Cup Champions Brazil, a few years ago, in an international friendly in England. The Stadium seats were sold out 2-3 weeks prior to the match, with the Reggae Boyz pocketing USD 500,000 and the Brazilians USD 1,500,000. (Continued on page 34)
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Reece drops field to take Grenville Ogle-Thomas to lead Felix Annual Birthday cycle event Demerara in Female Inter-County Cricket
Neil Reece receives his prize from Mr Grenville Felix while several relatives and cyclists and officials enjoy the moment. Top Berbice cyclist Neil Reece returned to winning ways when he battered the field to race away with the second Annual Grenville Felix Cycle Road Race when the Flying Ace Cycle Club of New Amsterdam in collaboration with the Felix Family staged the event in honour of the 96th birth anniversary of Guyana oldest living engineer, Grenville Augustus Felix of Canefield East Canje, Berbice. The race, which was held Sunday and was only for cyclist of the Flying Ace Cycle Club, sped off from in front of Felix Residence and journeyed to Adventure on the Corentyne Coast and
back to its place of origin. Reece, who has had an indifferent year in the saddles so far, showed that he was returning to form by battering the field by over four minutes. He took the lead a few miles into the race an opened a lead on the No19 Road. He was however caught around the Borlam Turn area at the end of the straight road when he was challenged by the young Audrel Ross. He once opened a lead at the No1 area and was never caught again, riding the rest of the journey with the elements and the wailing police siren as company. For his exploits, he rode away with all the six sprint
point prizes up for the taking. In the sprint home for the other top spots Elijah Brijadder came home ahead of Keith Griffith and Syborne Fernandes. Brijadder was the first junior to cross the finish line with Christal Kamal second and Yasheer Israel third. Fernandes was awarded the prize for being the top veteran on show. The cyclists were presented with trophies, cash incentives and other prizes by Felix and other members of his family at a simple presentation ceremony held Felix’s residence. Speaking at the presentation ceremony, his
son Russell thanked everyone for participating in the event and for collectively coming together to make the event a success and a memorable occasion. He was also loud in praise Coach and coordinator Randolph Roberts and the Guyana Police Force for their splendid job done. He also promised on behalf of the family to continue sponsoring the event and make it bigger and better in the future. Coordinated and coach of the Flying Ace Cycle Club Randolph Roberts in turn thanked the Felix Family for the gesture and the Police for their splendid assistance.
EXPECTATIONS HIGH AS JAMAICA BEGIN CASA JUNIOR CHAMPS Jamaica Observer JAMAICAN officials are optimistic about breaking the dominance of perennial overall winners Guyana at the Caribbean Area Squash Association (CASA) Junior Championships in Trinidad & Tobago. “The last few years they (Guyana) have been the dominant force, but I think this year may have a different outcome,” team manager Gill Binnie said during last Thursday’s squad announcement at the Liguanea Club. The delegation left the island on Saturday for the tournament which got underway yesterday. The one-week-long Championships will feature male and female team categories as well as individual competitions ranging through age groups of Under-13s, Under-15s, Under-17s and Under-19s. The long-legged 14-year-
old starlet Alyssa Mullings, an all-conquering giant on the local squash scene at both the youth and senior levels, is favoured to successfully defend her Under-15 Girls’ title. Despite Mullings’ undoubted class, the Guyanese — current holders of the overall title — are the obvious team favourites. Last year, Jamaica hosted the competition and placed fourth overall. But according to Binnie, the competition-ripe Jamaican Boys’ team will be a major force and can win if they play to their “full potential”. “I think our Boys’ team will do very well. Our older boys have come right through the system and now they are ready. They have that experience and all the extra training they’ve done this year,” she said, while adding that the tournament will be a “learning ground” for the girls. Binnie noted the key
acquisition of Canadian Rene Denis, who has coached the team since February. She believes the players have improved since his arrival and insisted that high on the Jamaica Squash Association’s (JSA) agenda is to find a way to retain his services. “We brought him in for six months, so that time is up in August and it’s very difficult because as you know, sponsorship is hard to come by. Now we are hoping we can find a sponsor on board to bring him back in September because if we lose him, we will be in problems. “We need to build on what was started and we have lots of young players,” said Binnie, an active component in Jamaica’s squash movement for over 20 years. The 18-year-old male captain Ashante Smith, a University of Technology student, talked up Jamaica’s chances and expressed gratitude to Denis in giving
the team “a really good chance of winning this year”. The squad’s female leader Jessica Perkins, also 18, is a student at George Washington University. She said a rigorous routine of “playing games, undergoing tactical and fitness drills” and the ideal dose of experienced and talented young players have formed a formidable unit. The 2013 tournament comprises a total of eight teams and will feature more than 100 players across the region. Fast-food franchise Burger King and sport outfit company 305 Squash are the Jamaican team’s sponsors. Squads: Females — Jessica Perkins, Sarah Conway, Mira Handa, Michaelann Denton, Alyssa Mullings, Ashley Lynch, Mia Lake and Mia Mahfood. Males — Ashante Smith, Adam Ardito, Alex Wright, Jake Mahfood, Joe Rousseau, Jonathan Walker, Julian Morrison and Tahjia Lumley.
Twenty-six year old West Indies female team batter June Ogle will lead a powerful Demerara unit in the senior female inter-county 50-over cricket competition billed for the Everest ground starting tomorrow. The wicketkeeper is also an opening batter and has played in four women’s ODI and two T20s for the West Indies after making her debut against South Africa Women who played five ODIs and two Twenty20s in January in the Caribbean. Demerara play their opening game against Essequibo tomorrow and their Manager is Malyane Ramdular, while the Coach is Orin Bailey, before facing favorites Berbice, whose team should include West Indies trio Shemaine Campbelle, Subrina Munroe and Tremayne Smartt, in the final round on Friday at the same
June Ogle-Thomas venue. Berbice face Essequibo on Thursday in the other game, again at the Everest ground. The Demerara team read: June Ogle-Thomas, Akeze Thompson, Kavita Yadram, Hema Singh, Johann Vansertima, Haseena Mohamed, Tracy Glasgow, Jannette Joseph, Lenna Harris, Abeana Parker, Renika Isaacs, Odessa O’Neil, Layota Smith, Mandy Mangru, Lashana Toussaint. (Sean Devers)
A fundamental fallacy... From page 33 A proposed visit by a Colombian A Team to Guyana had entailed the following: Appearance Fees, USD 250,000; 22 Economy & 4 First Class Aircraft Seats return, and accommodation for 26 at a Five Star Hotel, which we don’t have. It must be noted that it wasn’t the Colombian National Team with previous World Cup experience. Editor, once again could the GFF, have attracted a price tag of USD 1.2M for switching a game? Then, if, so, isn’t this tantamount to match fixing? When taking into consideration that Mexico (host) had previously beaten Guyana 3-0! In the final analysis with the GFF President must fully explain his public disclosure in details or issue a public apology if the statements are not entirely correct. The General Council, by way of motion must convene an Emergency General Council Meeting, towards imposing the relevant Constitutional sanctions, re: “Duties of Officials that are bringing the Game, into disrepute”. If, for any reason whatsoever one iota of evidence is found contrary to the claim that the past GFF administration received USD 1.2M, then the resignation of the President and General Secretary, must be submitted. Since the latter would have failed in the execution of his duties of disseminating information about the profound truthfulness of the entire scenario.
Meanwhile, the undermentioned pertinent points should raise serious questions about the sport’s (mal) administration: I. How can a cashstrapped GFF, bypass the boardroom of its Secretariat, and convene its first General Council Meeting (Ordinary Congress) at Hotel Tower, which would incur a substantial cost? II. Is it true that the GFF President, have employed a Personal Assistant, and at whose expense? Pride and prestige aside, cost cutting measures should take precedence over inflated egos, that is being massaged publicly too often! III. With the past GFF Administration, being unable to have a sold out crowd for any of the World Cup Qualifying matches, compounded by the fact that a GFA, Vice President, had publicly called for a boycott, due to the entrance fee for spectators of $3,000 was too costly; Simple Math’s! A sold out crowd of 15, 000 persons @$3,000=$45,000,000 (gate receipts) +$15,000,000 (Stadium Advertising, Vehicular Parking, Food & Beverage Franchises). Total Income =$60,000,000! Expenditure =$35,000,000! Profit/Surplus =$$25,000,000=USD 122,000@Guy 205.00. Who, in their rightful frame of mind would pay the past GFF Administration, almost 10 times the amount of profits/surplus to switch a match? Lester Sealey.
Tuesday July 23, 2013
Kaieteur News
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TCL/RHTY&SC CRICKET ACADEMY CONCLUDES Thirteen-year-old Kevlon Anderson was named the top Player of the 16th Annual TCL/Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club (RHTY&SC) Cricket Academy which concluded on Thursday last at the Area ‘H’ Ground, Corentyne, Berbice. The Academy which was attended by dozens of young cricketers (male and female) has been described as highly successful with several exciting talents discovered during its two week duration. Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster at the closing ceremony expressed satisfaction that the Academy achieved all of its intended objectives and noted that the future of the RHTY&SC on the field of play was solid. Foster said that the club strongly believes in investing in youths as they are the future. All members of Guyana’s leading youth sports club, he noted must not only excel on the field but must understand their roles as Sports Ambassadors and positive Role Models. He advised the attentive youths to put into practice what they have learnt and to develop a culture of hard
- Kevlon Anderson is top player
work, dedication and discipline while he encouraged them to ensure that their education is priority. Club President Club Keith Foster in a passionate address stated that over the years they have developed a culture of success and this was due to its developmental programmes. The Rose Hall
Town Youth & Sports Club, the President stated has produced six national senior players, one Test and ODI player each for the West Indies, twenty six national youth cricketers, two female West Indies cricketers and a total of eighty for Berbice at all levels since 1995 and this was as a direct result of the
Academy and other programmes. He expressed gratitude to the Management of TCL especially Mr. Mark Bender and Mr. Eric Whaul for their committed investment in the future of the club. Head Coach Winston Smith in his report of this year’s Academy stated that special emphasis
was placed on batting, bowling, fielding and physical fitness. The young attendees were also involved in several lectures on personal hygiene, HIV/AIDS, drug abuse, role of the sports ambassador, History of Berbice Cricket and the importance of disciple and education. The youths were
lauded for being very attentive and discipline throughout the Academy and were encouraged to always strive for excellence. Marketing Manger of TCL (Guy) Ltd Mr. Eric Whaul praised the RHTY&SC for once again hosting a highly successful Academy and stated that his company was very pleased that its sponsorship was well invested. Whaul stated that TCL was delighted to be associated with the club. Following is the list of awardees: Best Female - Shauna Vanderstoop Best Under-15 Batsman Brandon Corlette Best Under-17 Batsman Veeramootoo Senwansane Best Under-19 Batsman Jason Anderson Best Under-15 Bowler Isaiah Lewis Best Under-17 Bowler Calvin Jeffrey Best Under-19 Bowler Daniel Lewis Most Discipline Player Whitney Poyer Most Committed player Brett Lee Fraser Cricketer of the Academy Kevlon Anderson
Professional Boxing Federations bare fists in anticipation of AIBA draconian initiative Peter Abdool
By Michael Benjamin A recent ruling by the Amateur International Boxing Association (AIBA) to launch its own league of professional boxers and allow them to compete in the Olympics has raised the ire of local officials and President of the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC) and the Caribbean Boxing Federation (CABOFE), Peter Abdool is fuming while saying that the time has arrived to join with other world boxing organizations to debunk the move. The GBBC boss is credited with initiating moves to create a more competitive environment for local boxers after launching the monthly Guyana Fight Night boxing cards where local pugilists engaged in combat for local and Caribbean accolades enroute to prestigious international acclaim. Just when the Abdool’s initiative seemed to be bearing fruit, the recent disclosure coming out of the AIBA stands to disrupt the hard work and the GBBC boss has joined with several reputable boxing organizations worldwide in condemning the intended
admittance of professional boxing to the Olympics. Mr. Abdool feels that the move smacks of AIBA’s monopolistic behavior and an unconcerned approach to the well-being of amateur fighters worldwide. Consequently, the GBBC boss feels that the time has arrived to join with other boxing organizations to debunk the move of the AIBA. To this effect he has petitioned several world bodies for support in stymieing the move. Those other entities include the World Boxing Council (WBC) and its President Jose Sulaiman, the European Boxing Union (EBU), the African Boxing Union (ABU), the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBC), the North American Boxing Federation (NABF), the Asian Boxing Council, the World Boxing Organization (WBO), world renowned manager and promoters, Don King and Gary Shaw as well as other concerned boxing promoters and boxing organizations worldwide. Mr. Abdool is calling for the condemnation of the intended admittance of professional boxing to the Olympics coupled with
AIBA’s monopolistic behavior and apparent unconcerned approach to the well-being of amateur fighters. He explained that boxing at the Olympic level has traditionally been closed to professional boxers for many reasons, principal among them being safety issues. The GBBC President remains adamant that unlike basketball and many other professional disciplines admitted to the Olympics, the vast difference in experience between the professionals and the amateurs merely results in at worst, a great disparity in points. He further pointed out that boxing is a contact sport and amateur boxers competing against their professional counterparts risk serious body injury, permanent disability and death. The professional league that AIBA advocates is hinged on amateur and professional boxers being able to compete in the Olympics provided that they sign with that body. Mr. Abdool is also contending that it amounts to little more than AIBA using the authority granted to it by the International Olympic Association as its
International Federation for boxing, to impose its will on young amateur boxers and seasoned professionals alike by the granting or withholding of access to an opportunity to participate in the Olympics. Another prerequisite that fighters must abide to is that they must sign with the ruling amateur body and Mr. Abdool is adamant that this compromises the integrity and validity of an Olympic gold medal. “In the global arena of ethical and fair competition, this would be regarded as extremely manipulative and coercive behavior which in my opinion cannot be categorized as less than a most unfair trading practice,” exhorted Abdool. He said that this is particularly so as the move seeks to
completely monopolize both aspects of boxing to the detriment of professional boxing promoters and organizations all over the world. Mr. Abdool said that when all is taken into consideration, he cannot fathom the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) laissez-faire approach to the issue since that entity has the potential to eventually bring them(the IOC) into great disrepute. “This appears to be a carefully contrived scheme by AIBA to control all aspects of global boxing for selfish monetary gains and is hardly in keeping with the IOC’s noble objectives,” pronounced Abdool. He said that this move breaches both the spirit and intent of the
code of ethics that governs the behavior of IOC appointed International Federations and should be resisted by all of the affiliates. “Amateur boxers are our children and their protection is everybody’s business,” Abdool concluded. Meanwhile, local affiliates of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), formerly the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association (GABA), have already commenced the process and are putting the modalities in place to accommodate the new initiative. Apart from the name change, local administrators have recently hosted a two day seminar to brief the coaches and other subordinates of the impending reforms. Consequently, those officials have been informed of changes to the scoring system; from the computer to the 10 point must system among other reforms. The ‘Referee Stop Contest’ decision will also be disbanded to be replaced by the knockout decision instead among other changes. While these reforms are being enacted, officials of the GBBC and other world bodies are preparing to take their grouses to the world court for redress. An interesting battle looms.
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Tuesday July 23, 2013
13th Annual Youth Review Magazine unveiled by RHTY&SC ...GT&T main sponsor
Keith Foster presents Ms. Beverly Harper with the first copy of the Review Magazine
“The Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club is the only youth and sports club in Guyana to publish an annual review magazine and to do so for thirteen successive years is a remarkable achievement that should be applauded.” Those were the words of Club’s Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster during the official launching of their 13th Annual Youth Review Magazine at the St. Francis Training Centre on Thursday last. The 44-page Magazine was printed at the F&H Printery in Georgetown and reviews the works of the club during the period, January 2012 - May 2013. Foster who served as the Magazine’s Editor-in-Chief stated it includes remarks from the President, Secretary and Patron of the club; thirty-two articles on programmes done by the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club; profiles of its various cricket teams and a 7page pictorial review.
It also has articles on the Test debut of Assad Fudadin for the West Indies and the record breaking international century by West Indies Female cricketer Shemaine Campbelle against Sri Lanka. The magazine would be distributed free of cost across Guyana, the Caribbean and North America. Foster expressed the hope that it would inspire other youth and sporting organisations to follow the outstanding work of the RHTY&SC. Some of the areas that the leading local club focuses on are: sports, pro-education, charity, anti-drugs, youth and community development, religious, awards and personal development. The long serving Secretary/CEO notes that much more needs to be done for youth and sports development and is calling on all clubs and NGOs to redouble their efforts to make positive differences. Foster expressed
gratitude to the Guyana Telephone & Telegraph Company for being the main sponsor of the 2013 Magazine and praised the telephone giant for its support of the club over the past twenty years. He singled out for special mention, GT&T’s Ms. Sonia Jagan, Ms. Allison Parker and Ms. Faye Wharton for their co-operation in making the magazine possible. Club President, Keith Foster noted that they believe strongly in accounting for the work they do and the magazine was part of its effort to keep the general public and official sponsor informed. He informed that the work of the club has been documented since the year 2000 and called on other organisations do the same. The elder Foster officially
launched the magazine by handing over a copy to Ansa McAl’s Managing Director Ms. Beverley Harper who is also the Patron of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club. Gratitude was also extended to DTV-8, New GPC, Diamond Fire & General Insurance, F&H Printery, Sterling Products Ltd, A. ALLY & Sons, Namilco, Berbice River Bridge Inc, Hand-in-Hand, Ansa McAl, Republic Bank, Scotia Bank, Impressions, Banks DIH Ltd, bake well, Farfan & Mendes Ltd., Berbice Cricket Board, H.A. Snacks Company Ltd. Individuals and organisations interested in obtaining a copy of the magazine can make contact with the club on telephone # 337 4562.
U.S. hammer El Salvador to reach Gold Cup semis
Defending champs Wismar/Christianburg resounding statement cruise past Ash 4-0 to-send all aspirants to their throne It was anticipated to be a tough matchup long before kick off time, but by the end of 90 minutes defending champions Wismar/ Christianburg were able to make a resounding statement to all aspirants to their throne after inflicting a 4-0 thrashing on Region 5 title holders Ash Educational Institute on Sunday, at the Wisburg Secondary School ground in Linden. Playing in the quarterfinals of the 2013 Digicel Nationwide Schools Football Championship, before a fairsized crowd, the champs were led to victory through a brace from Jashawn Moore, who netted in the 31st and 73rd minutes and solitary strikes
from Shane Luckie in the 64th and Godwin Mitchell in the 84th minute of play. After a cautious start by both teams that included a few unusual mistakes from the hosts, the game gradually took on a counterattacking style of play with each team trying to seize the initiative with a retaliatory approach and the visitors were the ones who had the first real chance to take the lead. It started with a long pass from the back which was brought under control by striker Lester Cummings, who glided past his marker, but disappointingly fired his shot straight at the goalkeeper, who made a brilliant partial
Joseph Dominoes underway TNT, B 6, Turning Point, Assassin and Providence have booked their places in the quarterfinals of the Faye Joseph Dominoes competition which commenced last Saturday evening at Gaulin Place in South Ruimveldt. Specialist amassed 81 games to win round one ahead of Mix Up 77 and C 7 61. Mix Up took the second round with 71 games, while Providence grabbed the runner spot with 70; R and R finished third with 62. TNT copped first place in the third round with 71 games, while B 6 placed second with 70 and Turning
Point finished third with 55. Assassin chalked 72 games to beat TNT 70 and Lions 68 into the first place in the fourth round, while Providence scored 72 to take the honours in the fifth ahead of B 6 70 and Impressers’ 67. R and R won the Sixth round with 73 games while Cody Girls 70 and Rage 61 took the second and third places respectively. Wild Bunch marked 72 games to overcome Mix Up 70 and Agape 62 in the eight round. Meanwhile, the victorious team will cart off $175,000 while the runner up will take home $70,000 and the third place $35,000.
stop, before gathering the ball on the second attempt. Ash Educational Institute despite not getting the desired result continued in search of the lead, while Wi s m a r / C h r i s t i a n b u r g somehow were able to absorb the relentless pressure and it was one of their deliberate counterattacks that eventually broke the nil-all deadlock when the quick thinking Moore saw Ash’s goalkeeper Shelby Miller standing casually just outside the near post and he cleverly floated a shot over the head of a scrambling Miller into the goal to evoke wild celebrations among the home crowd. Both teams exhibited admirable skills and created a few opportunities to score, but solid defending snuffed out those chances as they went to the break with the home side clinging to a slim 1-0 lead. However, no one could have predicted what was to unfold in the second period as Wismar/Christianburg moved into another gear as Moore, Luckie and Mitchell combined beautifully to crush the opposition. Luckie was able to lash in from close range following a goal mouth melee subsequent to a cross delivered from the left side, while the nippy Moore, who was playing on both left and right flanks, produced another high class
finish, dinking the ball over the advancing Miller after gliding past his defender. Clearly deflated by the cleverness and adroitness of the defending champions, Ash meekly folded and conceded another goal this time compliments of the fleetfooted Mitchell, who ease his way just inside the 25-yard box, before firing a fierce right-footer past a transfixed Miller, leaving him no chance of stopping. The win set up a semi-final engagement against Georgetown and Milo champions St. George’s whose fairy tale run continued on Sunday when they travelled to the Ancient County to take on Region 6 champions New Amsterdam Technical Institute who they defeated 2-1. This game will be played at the BV ground on the East Coast of Demerara, while in the other semi-final, last year’s beaten finalist Waramadong stayed on course to duplicate that performance after defeating Santa Rosa, also by a 4-0 margin and will now face Region 4 champions Covent Garden, who disposed of Region 3 winners Leonora 4-3. The Uitvlugt Community Centre ground is the venue for this fixture. Both semifinals will be played tomorrow with the final set for Sunday, at the Police Sports Club ground.
Landon Donovan of the U.S. is embraced by teammate Joe Corona after scoring a goal during the second half of their CONCACAF Gold Cup quarter-final soccer match against El Salvador in Baltimore, Maryland July 21, 2013. REUTERS/Doug Kapustin (Reuters) - Experienced forward Landon Donovan inspired another dominant United States performance on Sunday as the hosts routed El Salvador 5-1 to race into the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup. The Americans were rarely challenged in the tournament’s opening stages and they carried their momentum to a ninth consecutive win. The 31-year-old Donovan, who took a fourmonth sabbatical around the start of the year, rallied the team with a second-half goal and three assists. He set up Clarence Goodson’s opening score in
the 21st minute before Joe Corona gave the Americans a 2-0 lead just eight minutes later in front of an approving home crowd at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. El Salvador’s Rodolfo Zelaya converted a penalty to trim the lead before halftime but the US broke the match open after the break. Eddie Johnson and Mikkel Diskerud added goals aided by Donovan, who netted his own score late. The Americans will now face the winners of the final quarter-final between Honduras and Costa Rica, who are playing later on Sunday in the same stadium.