Wednesday July 29, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Letters... Where your views make the news... Letters... Where your views make the news
Leadership is a lonely road DEAR EDITOR, On the Saturday night (July 19), I visited the Congress Place to be part of the birthday celebrations for President, David Granger. I was there from early in the evening; the president was not there when I arrived but I was told that he was on his way. I was mingling, enjoying the sights and sounds, when my wife called me to pick her up from another location. I did not want to leave because I wanted to hear the President’s Birthday speech. I quickly hurried to drop my wife to her appointment and got back to Congress Place just as the President was beginning to speak. He was not speaking from any prepared notes. I pay closer attention to people when they are speaking from off the ‘top of their heads’. When persons speak without prepared notes they usually say some things that they might not have said if they had written down their thoughts. As I listened to President Granger, he said three things that fascinated me. Two of the things he said always fascinate me when he says them. He said that he would like the givers of gifts to him, to hold the frankincense and the Myrrh (a reference to the gifts given by the wise men to Joseph and Mary at the birth of Jesus). He said, “Hold the frankincense and myrrh and give me boats instead.” He said he wants the gifts given to him to be boats so that the children in the riverine areas could get to school in a more consistent and timely fashion. I am fascinated with this approach by the President because it speaks to his mindset. For one to defer the acceptance of personal gifts in preference of the gifts being given to others, speaks
to a mind that has self actualized and is magnanimous in scope. Such qualities are rare, especially among politicians. Then that night he also said that he released those young boys from prison because “young boys should be in school and not in prison”. He again reaffirmed his commitment to making this an annual event. This decision of the President also appeals to me because this too speaks to a kind of mental rationalization that is enviable. One is led to ask, ‘Why would the President of the country, with so many pressing priorities, be concerned about the plight of the least respected in the society? Why would a newly elected leader take the political risk of releasing offenders back into the society, without them serving their ascribed sentences? Again, this kind of thinking appeals to me. As you would know as a criminologist and prison chaplain, I have a passion for working with ex-offenders and recovering addicts. So I fully understand the President’s rational. Maybe I would have been equally public with my contingent and structure for such a massive prisoner release program. But I would like to think that the President has surrounded himself with folks who would provide suitable recommendations to him, so as to reduce the likelihood of any adverse backlash. But the thing the President said that night - that I heard while standing alone at one end of the room - which left me in deep psychoanalytical contemplation was that, “Leadership is a lonely road.” When he said that, my
Freudian mind lit up in very incredulous ways. It was as if he had stopped speaking; he did not, but my mind had raced away for consciously grappling with anything he said after that. Sigmund Freud had used the analogy of an iceberg to describe the three levels of the mind (preconscious, conscious and subconscious or unconscious). That night, the President – unscripteddipped below the surface of the water (to the larger part of the iceberg - the subconscious or unconscious) and made an admission that was earth shattering to me. Why would a threemonth old President say, “Leadership is a lonely road?” What has happened or is happening in his world that caused such a revealing admission to surface so publically? Who, or what, was he thinking about when he made that revelation? And a thousand more questions swirled in my mind. The reason that I was so taken aback with that statement from President Granger, was because in a very informal and relaxed conversation with the former Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds, he had said the same thing to me. My secretary and I had visited his office at my request and as we spoke he said in passing, that leadership is a lonely road. And ever since Mr. Samuel Hinds said that to me, my Freudian mind caused me to view him in a whole different light. I could not help but wonder if he was just going along with the political flow of things. Mr. Sam Hinds was urging the then Minister of Human Services (Jennifer Webster), to have me be the administrator of the Onverwagt (Hugo Chavez) Project. I had spoken to him Continued on page 29
IT WAS A DREAM THAT HAD TO END
DEAR EDITOR, If only Guyana can come together like it does at cricket games. Never before have I ever seen a more beautiful and comforting picture of Guyanese coming together as “One People, One Nation and One Destiny” from various political, racial, religious, economic and social backgrounds, like I saw at the cricket game. I have never seen it at church, Masjid, Mandir, football games, parliament, concerts, the President’s inauguration, or any other event. During the recent Guyana Amazon Warriors versus theTrinidad and Tobago Red Steel Cricket game, the announcer asked the spectators to turn to the person on their left and right and tell them, “I love you.” And Strangers were telling each other that they love them.” If only, this can happen everyday, Guyana would be a more blessed country. I saw all races, religions, and classes celebrating and having fun together. I saw joy and hope in the people’s eyes. I saw a lot of intoxicated people. I heard loud noises, a lot of loud noises and laughter. And I felt hope for our cricket team and our country’s future. I felt love in the air and all around and everywhere. I inhaled the fragrance of, and tasted, delicious food. But there were two distasteful aspects of the event that must be mentioned. The first were the women cheerleaders who were dressed provocatively and dancing sensually; it is simply overdoing it.
The other experience involved the two 14-year-old girls who were sitting next to me drinking alcohol, which they bought themselves. These experiences were quite troubling and disturbing to me because when minor girls consume alcohol it can put them in great danger of becoming victims of sexual abuse. These teenagers couldn’t wait to reach the legal age to start drinking; they wanted to start now. But who can blame them, when they were surrounded by so many people around them imbibing alcohol? The temptation to not drink alcohol was too much for them to resist. As a responsible citizen, I tried to do my part to help prevent these teenagers from getting into a life of drinking alcohol, so I reported them to one of the stadium’s security personnel hoping she would talk to the girls of the negative consequences of underage drinking. She came and checked on the girls to see if they were imbibing alcohol. After she confirmed that they were drinking alcohol, she returned to her post and continued watching the game. As if to say to me, she sees nothing wrong with underage girls buying and imbibing alcohol. If only we were our b r o t h e r ’s a n d s i s t e r ’s keeper, this wouldn’t have happened. What would be the future of this country when 14 year olds are allowed to drink alcohol knowing that the consumption of alcohol is destroying the moral fabric of our society.
And knowing that no one will do anything to stop them? Then I wonder what would happen after the game is over. One young man said to me after the game, “All awe ah Guyanese.” I was hoping that he was saying to me that we as a nation will come together after the game. After the game, I wanted to know if we were going to return to our same old lives of racial, political, and economic divisions, sowing discord and hatred. Are we going to return to our segregated communities, homes, churches, Masjids and Mandirs and forget the special moments we shared during the game? The joy, laughter, love and hope we felt and the common goal: to defeatTrinidad and Tobago. But I was only dreaming. The truth is that after the game, we will return to our segregated lives. It is what we know, perhaps what we like, too. Anthony Pantlitz
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday July 29, 2015
Presidential Advisor to recommend revocation of BaiShanLin, Vaitarna concessions By: Kiana Wilburg After ten years, Chinese logging giant, BaiShanLin, which has enjoyed millions worth in tax concessions and incentives granted under the previous government, is yet to deliver on its promise of a wood processing facility in Guyana. And its Indian counterpart, Vaitarna Holding Private Incorporated (VHPI), after three years, is still to get the ball rolling on its promise of considerable value added operations of a similar nature. Presidential Advisor on Sustainable Development, Dr. Clive Thomas says that such behaviour from companies which have benefitted significantly from Guyana’s forest resources is absolutely “unacceptable”. He will be recommending to the David Granger-led administration for some of their concessions to be taken away.
“Guyana cannot continue to be giving out hundreds of millions of dollars worth in these tax breaks or concessions and we aren’t benefitting from value added operations. If companies make a commitment to do so then the ethical thing to do is to deliver what was promised. If not, their concessions should be taken away. They need to face sanctions of that nature or probably something stronger. Bai Shan Lin and Vaitarna have become logging giants in this country and by its own actions, it is clear that we should review all of their concessions. I would be advising the President of taking such actions. My position on this is clear; they need to cut off some of their benefits,” the economist said, “This is obviously not part of how one promotes the suitability of an economy and an industry and we cannot
continue to go this route. Allowing this sort of behaviour to continue sends a dangerous message to other potential investors and local companies. What has the Guyana Forestry Commission done regarding such infractions? Is this not important? “We really need to change the landscape of the way business is done in the logging industry and eliminate this kind of slackness we allow these companies to get away with. This is not about whether you are foreign or not. At the end of the day it is what is right for the development of the country and quite frankly these two companies have just been taking and taking and not fulfilling their promises of considerable value added operations. It has been years now, so what can possibly be their excuse? They need to face serious sanctions.” In 2014, BaiShanLin blamed the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest) for delaying its application for i t s w o o d p r o c e s s ing factory. In one of its advertisements, the company stated that in 2008, it applied to the “Government of Guyana, through the Guyana Office for Investment (GOInvest) and other agencies, to lease lands to set up a factory to process logs and engage in value-added production, such as the making of furniture, craft and hardwood flooring.” It had said then that it was experiencing delays. Kaieteur News later reported that GO-Invest had had no such application. BaiShanLin had nothing to say when this was revealed.
This caused many, including the then opposition, to challenge the previous government to make public the investment agreement it signed onto with the Chinese logging company. This was never done. In April, last, the company then blamed the “hostile” media reports during 2014 for dispiriting financiers. In a statement, the Chinese company had said that it is concerned about the a p p a r e n t “misrepresentations and false reports” being carried by some sections of the media on its operations in Guyana. It identified this publication as the leader of the “hostile” campaign and even cited a KN article with the headline: ‘BaiShanLin delays US$70M wood processing factory for gold, housing, logging.’ But in its statement, it did not deny that it was approved ‘US$70M’ for certain activities. With regard to the wood processing plant in the Linden area that was to be constructed, BaiShanLin, one of the largest exporters of the country’s prime species of wood, had complained that it has indeed suffered major setbacks in completing its wood processing facility that will create hundreds of jobs for Guyanese. It claimed that these “setbacks” directly relate to lack of adequate funding from its financiers, who, since last year “when these sustained attacks began,” became concerned about the “soundness of investing further in what appeared to be a hostile environment.” Amidst harsh criticisms of its operations during 2014
Presidential Advisor Dr. Clive Thomas and earlier this year in several quarters, BaiShanLin insisted that it has consistently remained well within the law/regulations governing the forestry sector. It has been reported on extensively, by insiders and other well-informed critics, including Dr. Janette Bulkan, a forestry specialist, that BaiShanLin practices landlordism. The Timber Sales Agreement (TSAs) which governs logging does not
allow that. In fact, the company has become the third largest holder of state forests in the country. A d d i t i o n a l l y, Transparency Institute Guyana Inc. (TIGI) had said that given the conflicting reports on whether BaiShanLin and Vaitarna operations are in conformity with our laws, specifically the Guyana Forestry Commission Act and the Environmental Protection Act , their contracts should be made public. It had issued this call to the past administration, but this was also ignored. In view of the public outrage at the extent to which these two companies were said to be exploiting the forests resources, TIGI also called on the past administration to place a halt on their operations. But this was as the old adage goes; “throwing water on duck’s back.” Instead, the Donald Ramotar Government chose to defend the two companies.
PPP accuses Gov’t of pressuring DPP The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) says it has noted the pressure being exerted on the Director of Public Prosecutions’ Chambers to advise in favour of bringing charges against members of the opposition party. In a statement issued late last evening, the PPP said it has also observed efforts by the Granger Administration to persecute its members using the Police and the Courts to do so. To support its arguments, the PPP recalled statements made by Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge, who was quoted in sections of the media as saying, “I think there is a lot of pressure on the relevant Ministers to ensure that people are prosecuted.” According to the PPP, Greenidge’s statement is not the only one which is centrally directed to exert pressures on the DPP’s Chambers, the police and ultimately the courts. Minister of State Joseph Harmon, it said, was purported to have publicly declared that “we are going after the big fishes.” “Clearly, the aim is to achieve a goal that is consistent with a politically-motivated agenda of the Granger Administration,” the main opposition party stated. “The PPP is therefore urging the DPP’s Chambers, the Guyana Police Force and the Judiciary, to act independently of any political interference. Moreover, it is registering its concern over the increasing attempts by Granger and his cohorts to give orders and directives to constitutional office holders, which by its very nature, constitutes a serious threat to our democracy and the erosion of the doctrine of separation of powers.”
Wednesday July 29, 2015
Kaieteur News
Iraqi militia leader says U.S. not serious about fighting Islamic State NAJAF, Iraq (Reuters) The head of one of Iraq’s fiercest Shi’ite militias called the U.S.-led coalition’s campaign against Islamic State ineffective and accused Washington of lacking the will to uproot radical Sunni jihadis controlling large swathes of Iraq and Syria. Qais al-Khazali, leader of Iranian-backed paramilitary group Asaib Ahl al-Haq, said the anti-IS campaign had failed because of an American agenda to redraw the map of the Middle East along new borders. “We believe the United States of America does not want to resolve the crisis but rather wants to manage the crisis,” he told Reuters in an interview. “It does not want to end Daesh (Islamic State). It wants to exploit Daesh to achieve its projects in Iraq and in the region. The American project in Iraq is to repartition the region.” Khazali said the US-led coalition had failed to ramp up the number of air strikes over time as he said it had pledged to do. Asaib, along with the Badr Brigades and Kataib Hezbollah, are at the forefront of the Popular Mobilisation Committee, or Hashid Shaabi, the official Iraqi government entity organizing volunteers in the battle against Islamic State. The Hashid Shaabi has become the most powerful military force in Iraq since the
Qais al-Khazal near collapse of the national army a year ago. Yet many paramilitary groups have come under fire for alleged abuses in Sunni areas reclaimed from Islamic State. Khazali said Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi was under U.S. pressure to limit the presence of Shi’ite fighters in the campaign to retake the mostly Sunni province of Anbar from Islamic State. “Now the American project is trying at least to limit the presence of the Hashid Shaabi to the borders of Fallujah and not reach Ramadi. This is the magnitude of the pressure
from the American leadership now on the Iraqi prime minister,” he said. Washington and its Sunni Arab allies fear that involving Iraq’s Shi’ite militias in battles to drive out IS militants from Anbar could lead to even more sectarian violence. In the past few months, there have been reports of violations including killings, looting and burning of Sunni homes. Khazali denied the accusations. “Despite the media whirlwind and exaggeration, no media outlet has been able to accuse the Shi’ite Hashid Shaabi of one (act of) genocide or of killing one innocent citizen,” he said.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday July 29, 2015
EU’s Mogherini in Iran to discuss nuclear deal, region Reuters - Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said yesterday the nuclear deal reached between Tehran and major world powers this month will help fight terrorism and bloodshed in the Middle East, Iran’s state TV reported. Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif also cited wider effects of the deal, saying Tehran and the European Union could now discuss questions “including energy cooperation ... human rights, confronting terrorism and regional issues”.
The Iranian leaders spoke during a one-day visit by EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini to Tehran to discuss implementation of the deal to curb Tehran’s nuclear programme in return for lifting economic sanctions imposed on the country. World powers suspected Iran’s nuclear programme aimed to build a nuclear bomb, which Iran denied. Tehran reached the deal on July 14 with the United States, France, Britain, Russia, China and Germany after a standoff
lasting more than a decade. “The agreement will be very important and influential for the future of relations in the region, Europe and the world,” Rouhani told Mogherini. “It will help the fight against terrorism and stop war and bloodshed in the region.” At a joint news conference with Mogherini, Zarif said they had agreed to hold highlevel EU-Iran talks on a wide range of issues including fighting terrorism, state television reported.
After the terms of the agreement were settled, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Tehran would not end its support for regional allies, including the Lebanese Hezbollah, Syria’s government and Shi’ites in Bahrain and Yemen. The United States designates Iran and Syria as “state sponsors of terrorism” and Hezbollah as a “terrorist organisation.” Mogherini said implementation of the agreement “depends on the political will, commitment and patience of all parties involved ... The deal has the capacity to pave the ground for wider cooperation between Iran and the West.” “Regional and international cooperation with Iran is very important for us,” she added. Rouhani stressed Iran’s commitment to its promises
“as required by its cultural, religious and national principles”. Writing on the op-ed page of Britain’s Guardian newspaper, Mogherini said EU foreign ministers had tasked her with exploring “ways in which the EU could actively promote a more cooperative regional framework” in the wake of the Vienna deal. “The whole Middle East is in turmoil. Sectarianism is on the rise. We need to restart political processes to end wars. We need to get all regional powers back to the negotiating table and stop the carnage,” she wrote. “Cooperation between Iran, its neighbours and the whole international community could open unprecedented possibilities of peace for the region, starting from Syria, Yemen and Iraq. On Monday, Mogherini met Saudi officials to try to calm the concerns of Iran’s arch-rival over the agreement. The Sunni Muslim kingdom and its Gulf Arab allies accuse Tehran of meddling in Bahrain, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen.
They suspect the agreement will give Iran more leeway to back allies in proxy wars from Yemen to Syria by freeing Shi’ite Muslim Iran from international pressure and sanctions. Riyadh accused Iran on Monday of harbouring hostile designs against its regional neighbours. Bahrain’s state news agency reported on Tuesday the explosives used in a bombing that killed two policemen were similar to those recently seized by security forces after allegedly being smuggled from Iran. Iran has repeatedly denied interfering in the internal matters of its neighbours, saying such claims are aimed at preventing cooperation between Iran and the region. Iranian media said Mogherini would press for a political solution to the Yemeni conflict, where Saudiled air strikes have pounded Iranian-backed Shi’ite Houthi rebels. “Instead of confrontation and rivalry in the region, cooperation will be for the benefit of everyone,” Mogherini told the news conference.
Wednesday July 29, 2015
Kaieteur News
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WHAT ABOUT THE AMNESTY? Last Monday 27th July 2015, marked the twenty-fifth anniversary of the attempted coup in Trinidad and Tobago. During the takeover of parliament and the holding of the then Prime Minister and others hostage, there was a mediation effort undertaken with the consent of the State. The result of that mediation effort was that the then Acting President of Trinidad and Tobago (the sitting President being out of the country at the time) issued a pardon to the alleged coup plotters. The security services whose troops had surrounded the parliament were opposed to the amnesty granted. This was the mutiny within the mutiny. This delayed the release of many of the persons who were being held hostage. E v e n t u a l l y, the hostages were released,
and the persons alleged to have been behind the coup walked out of the parliament as free men but were later arrested and charged for treason and other criminal offences. The men of course claimed that they were granted a pardon by the President. They therefore insisted that they should be freed. They therefore sought to enforce the amnesty. Two sets of action were filed to enforce the amnesty that was granted. The first was a constitutional motion. The other was a Habeas Corpus pleading. It is beyond this column to go into the legal arguments that were made and decided on in relation to each of these applications. The point is that the general amnesty that was granted could not have been claimed outside of such legal proceedings. The case ended up before
the Privy Council, the final Court of Appeal of Trinidad and Tobago. The Privy Council upheld the appeal filed by those claiming the amnesty. The effect of the Privy Council ruling was that the general amnesty granted was valid; and it could only have been invalidated if it was procured by fraud. I raise this case because I notice that a great many persons are getting excited by the news that charges have been recommended against certain individuals in relation to alleged attempts to transfer state-owned vehicles to private individuals. I had previously done a column on this issue and predicted that nothing will come of this matter. I stand by my prediction, because I believe that an amnesty was given and that at the appropriate time, after the charges would have been read, this amnesty will be
Dem boys seh...
WATCH WHO TALKING BOUT SPITE Nuff people feel de spite and de last government was really spiteful. Uncle Adam find out when he road did bruck up. He punish wid all de people who live in de neighbourhood. If de people did vex dem didn’t seh nutten. But de Waterfalls boss man wasn’t suh lucky. Wheh he live de road bad too. De government repair all dem road in other parts of de scheme but dey lef de street wheh de boss man live. Every morning when people got to go to wuk dem use to cuss. De faithful ones never use to seh nutten, but de others use to cuss de government. One day things get really bad. De See Jay couldn’t tek it no more. One morning he walk up to de Waterfalls boss man and ask him why he
don’t move out. He tell de Waterfalls boss man is he mek de government don’t want to repair de street. Now dem boys seh that if de government can be so vindictive how come de same people can talk about witchhunting? These was de same people who lef de clump of weed in de trench in front of wheh Uncle Freddie live. Is not ordinary people use to run de government. But dem boys seh that all de spite couldn’t happen if wasn’t fuh Jagdeo. Just before he lef office he Jagdeo decide fuh share out radio licence. He give couple people five frequency. He didn’t ask dem if dem can afford to handle de five; he just give dem. He give de party newspaper five but de party
can only set up one. Of course it mek history, because that is de first political party that got a radio station. Jagdeo also give he niece five but she husband coulda only operate one. All de people who Jagdeo give de frequency to was smart people. Rob de Earth was Jagdeo nephew in law. He only operate one but he sell all five. De law don’t permit foreigners to own local radio station but who care. Is Jagdeo give dem suh dem can sell. Dem boys seh that Soulja Bai and Moses got plans fuh all of dem. Moses is de man responsible fuh de radio and television. He intend to clampdown. Nice days coming. Talk half and watch who talking bout spite.
invoked. When this happens, I anticipate that the case will be quashed, that is of course if an amnesty was granted in this instance. If the DPP is not aware of the amnesty, then she cannot be faulted. If the police are not aware, then they too cannot be faulted. But the lack of knowledge of the amnesty or pardon does not invalidate the amnesty. Once granted it stands, except if it was procured by fraud. The question therefore is: “Was an amnesty granted?” If so, under what instrument was this limited amnesty given, and what exactly is a limited amnesty? The Constitution provides for the President to give either a conditional or
unconditional amnesty or pardon. So was there an amnesty or pardon granted in this instance and was it issued under the hand of the President? If not, under what law was it granted? The media does not seem keen to ask these questions. But nothing should surprise anyone about the media in Guyana. I looked at an interview between a journalist and a man who said that he was part of a death squad. The journalist kept asking about links to named persons in the former government. But I was disappointed that he did not press the person he was interviewing about the names of any of the police that were alleged to have given the members of the
death squad weapons. That is the media for you. This is why Guyana is in the mess it is. It is not just the government that is the problem; even the media is in a mess. So do not get excited by the news that charges are likely to be laid. For one, if there was an amnesty offered, there may be Habeas Corpus proceedings to invoke that amnesty. If none is claimed, then the weight of the evidence against the individuals comes into play, and no one knows for sure how credible or consistent is the evidence that will be offered.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday July 29, 2015
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
Sean Hinds’ ménage à trois: Who killed Axel Williams? On Sunday night, the Alliance For Change had a wake for one of its activists, Denise Walcott. I knew Denise as my student at UG, many, many moons ago. A pleasant human being if there was ever one. I did the unthinkable at Denise’s wake. I left the AFC building at 11.40 pm. For years now, I have never been out in the night after 9 pm. During the election campaign, most nights I arrived home at midnight. When I spoke at Berbice meetings, I reached home at 2 am. But my physical protection was ensured. I had every reason to avoid the coming of the night when I was out of my home before May 2015. An authoritarian state kills
people. The story of the Jagdeo Government is a sordid one. Violence was used against his critics. During the long years of Jagdeo’s terror, I met policemen who were blunt enough to tell you that they knew who sent the attackers against antigovernment activists, but they would not risk their jobs to pursue an impartial investigation. I remember the words of a detective at the Alberttown Police Station after I had endured the first attempt on my life when a miasmic substance was thrown on me. Dale Andrews was present when the detective said; “Who am I going to talk to at NCN; that is a big place.” What happened is that the conspirators called NCN to
inform them of the mischief so it could be reported as a news item. But they did so just a few minutes before it happened. As I walked to my car, I got a call from Kaieteur News asking what had happened to me. Nothing happened, but right there and then as I entered my car, the substance was pelted at me. The detective was simply trying to tell us that he would not investigate a politicallydirected act of violence. Dictatorship and peace cannot co-exist. They are antithetical. Dictatorship dismisses the rule of law, assaults the laws of a country and silences its critics either through victimization, imprisonment or murder. There are brave people
who are prepared to confront authoritarian governments, but I believe they should not fall prey to bravado. They should be careful how they live their lives. A businessman who was almost killed during the crime madness between 2002 and 2005, and who in turn resorted to the death squad to kill his attackers, came to see me at my mother-in-law’s supermarket during that period. He asked my motherin-law where I was. I was at the back of the supermarket and he came up behind me and called out my name. I spun around. When I saw who he was, fear took over my face. I felt trepidation because in my investigation of the crime syndrome in Buxton at the time, I received
information on the attempt on his life and the role he played in helping the death squad. I had published that information. He told me that once someone of his type wants to kill a person there is nowhere to hide. I will always remember those words. But why give your murderers the opportunity to kill you. Make it difficult for them. Don’t be out late without protection? He wasn’t there to intimidate me, but to provide me with relevant information. Acting on his tips and clues, years later, I found out who killed Axel Williams, the man Sean Hinds said was his boss in the death squad. Williams was gunned down in a dark street in Bel Air Park. Through this man I also found out that there were politicians in the corridors of power who had overlapping relations with both the death squad and the phantom group. Sean Hinds made a neat separation between the death squad, phantom group and the police that faced the gunmen in Buxton during the crime syndrome. That is not correct. There was no such separation. Certain
Frederick Kissoon politicians brought elements of the three together. During his nightly stakeout on Good Hope on the East Coast using the so-called Leslie Ramsammy laptop, elements of the police, death squad and phantom group collaborated. Also individuals within the three groups were distrustful of each other. Does Sean Hinds know who killed his boss, Axel Williams? Does he know from which one of the three groups Williams’ murderer(s) came? Does he know who gave the order to execute Williams? I don’t think he knows. Hinds just took orders. Understanding the complexities of the politics of the violent conspiracies was beyond him. I don’t think he will ever know unless there is a judicial investigation into what happened in Guyana between 2002 and 2005.
Wednesday July 29, 2015
Kaieteur News
Fleeing bandit struck down by car, loses gun and booty It was high drama as a gun-toting bandit narrowly escaped, minus his weapon and the cash that was taken from a female victim during a daring robbery just after midday yesterday at Melanie Damishana. The man was struck by a car as he attempted to escape, but he managed to get up and complete that process, albeit empty-handed. According to the police, Bibi Zalifa Bacchus, 36, of
Nootenzuil, East Coast Demerara was in a motor vehicle that had sustained a puncture on the Melanie Public Road. While the wheel was being fixed, the suspect rode up and held up Bacchus at gunpoint, relieving her of $200,000 and her cellular phone. But as he was making his getaway in a hasty manner the suspect was struck down by a car and the stolen money
and the firearm fell on the roadway. He, however, abandoned them as public-spirited persons responded, and he joined a motor car which is believed to have been driven by a possible accomplice, and escaped. The stolen money, the firearm - a .32 revolver with four rounds - and a bicycle were recovered and handed over by residents to the police, on their arrival at the scene.
River defence works imminent at C’tyne Under the Ministry of Public Works, bids were opened by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board for river defence works at Scottsburg, Corentyne, Berbice (Region six). Nine companies bid for the project, with the engineers estimate being $15,406,600.
The Ministry of Education also received bids for the printing and supplying of school uniform vouchers. Three firms submitted bids.
The Ministry of Public Security meanwhile received bids for a consultancy to design and implement a public awareness strategy for its House of Justice project. Two bidders contested this.
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Accused in $120M fraud case granted $15M bail Businessman Eon Ferrier who is accused of swindling $120M from Nazar Mohamed, proprietor of Mohamed’s Enterprise on Lombard Street, was granted bail in the sum of $15M by Chief Justice (ag) Ian Chang. It is alleged that between June 22 and 23, at Bartica, Ferrier was entrusted with the sum of $120M to purchase gold, by Nazar Mohamed. However, Ferrier converted the money to his own use and benefit. The defendant first appeared before Magistrate Ann McLennan on July 1, at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts and was remanded to prison. The matter was subsequently transferred to the Bartica Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Dylon Bess. Two Thursdays ago, Magistrate Bess recused himself from hearing the case against the businessman. Magistrate Bess had announced that he was sending the matter back to the Chief Magistrate and he would no longer be handling the matter. Attorney Latchmie Rahamat is prosecuting the matter by means of fiat. Rahamat was given permission by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to conduct legal proceedings against the defendant. The lawyer said that Mohamed gave the money to Ferrier to purchase gold. She added that when the man (Mohamed) went to the defendant to uplift the articles, he received nothing. The matter was reported and the defendant was arrested and charged. At a previous court hearing, Rahamat had asked the Magistrate to remand Ferrier to prison because he did something similar to someone else. She had argued that the man is a flight risk, and had also requested that bail be opposed citing the seriousness and penalty attached to the offence. On the other hand, Ferrier’s Attorney, Patrice Henry had requested for his client to be granted bail. He had said that his client poses no risk of flight. The Attorney contended that the prosecution has no evidence to prove that the money was given to his client.
Eon Ferrier
Ferrier was on remand in the Camp Street jail, but had been attending his court hearings in Bartica; he was admitted to the hospital in Bartica where doctors determined he was suffering from infections and mouth ulcers.
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Wednesday July 29, 2015
WPA PLEADS FOR EXTENSION OF COI
Breaking its silence, the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) yesterday made a stirring plea to the coalition government it forms part of, to allow for a chance for there to be closure from the death of its co-founder, Dr. Walter Rodney. WPA’s attorney and party member, Christopher Ram, made it clear that the party does not believe that the government’s decision was a right one. The lawyer asked for the life of the commission to be granted a two-week extension for public hearings. He said of concern is that after 35 years, Guyanese and the wider community of persons who admired Dr. Rodney’s political activism and scholarship wish to put an end to the speculation that he was adventurist, careless and foolhardy, and that he died by misadventure, negligence and all the other pejorative terms that deny the simple truth of his assassination. Evidence was taking by the Commission over 67
sessions spanning sixteen months, but to date there are crucial witnesses who never had an opportunity to testify. There are also those who have been handed “salmon letters”, like former People’s National Congress Leader, Robert Corbin; Minister of Education and Working People’s Alliance Leader, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine. Salmon letters are designed to give people potentially facing direct criticism from an official inquiry a chance to reply before a report is published. Lawyers have already argued that the imposed deadlines would not allow for those witnesses who will be brought for private hearings to be thoroughly crossexamined. Ram said that the party recognised the right of the executive to bring the evidence gathering phase of the Commission’s work to an abrupt end, but the WPA did not feel it was the right decision. He said that Commissions of Inquiry has an important
role to play in every society and it would be very unfortunate if the truncation of the Commission’s work undermines public confidence in such a useful process of democracy. “There is nothing that will render this exercise a waste of public resources more than an inconclusive finding by the Commission,” Ram stated. The lawyer made clear that while the WPA does not encourage or condone waste of public resources, “it would be a sad day when democracy, the search for the truth and the opportunity for healing and reconciliation, are measured only in dollars and cents.” Democracy, he said, is an expensive proposition “but surely not half as expensive as the alternative, as the events of the period leading up to and including the three years, 1978 to 1980, so amply testify.” The lawyer said had democracy and the rule of law themselves not been truncated during that period,
Late WPA Leader, Dr. Walter Rodney “as the evidence has so vividly and tragically shown, we would have been spared not only the monetary expenses incurred in seeking the truth now, but perhaps less trauma as a country.” Further, Ram intimated that the country may well not be confronting now the same old demons of extra-judicial killings and other excesses of this period. The WPA, the lawyer indicated, supported the application by Counsel for Donald Rodney for an extension of between one and two weeks to allow the Commission to hear evidence from the handful of key individuals still to complete giving or to give their evidence. Thus far, Queen’s Counsel, Andrew Pilgrim, who stands on behalf of Dr. Rodney’s immediate family, and the Guyana Trades Union Congress, have voiced concerns over the new government’s refusal to allow any more witnesses to publicly testify. Citing the need for fairness and impartiality, on
Monday, the family of the late politician lobbied for two more weeks to be dedicated to the public hearings. The only party involved in the inquiry that has expressed full support for the curtain to come down on the commission, is the People’s National Congress (PNC), the larger party that forms part of the ruling coalition. Yesterday, Ram told Commissioners “Even if we are unable to prevail on the Executive to make this eminently reasonable concession, we are satisfied that as a result of the fair and thorough manner in which the Chairman and his two other Commissioners have conducted these hearings, that firm conclusions can still be made on each of the five terms of reference.” Of note, Chairman Sir Richard Cheltenham had on Monday warned that with the imposed deadlines, there are terms of reference which may remain incomplete. While he assured of independent findings, he warned that the decision of the executive may have implications for the thoroughness of the Commission’s report. Through Ram, the WPA said that it recognises that no finding will wipe away the grief and pain endured by Rodney’s wife Patricia, and children Asha, Kanini and Shaka, over the loss of Dr. Walter Rodney or the stigma borne by his brother, Donald Rodney arising from a criminal conviction. He said Donald Rodney’s conviction was one of the most egregious miscarriages of justice from that era, “rivalled only by the ultimate injustice meted out to WPA
activists Ohene Kaoma and Edward Dublin.” They were killed within three months of each other and less than seven months before Dr. Rodney himself was killed “at the hands of agents of the State.” He spoke too of the treatment meted out to Father Drake who was similarly slain. He reflected that when the Commission was announced, the WPA had concerns that it was established with a view by the then Government to serve its own political interest rather than to seek the truth about the death of one of its leaders. He reflected that notwithstanding their reservations, WPA members and associates, including Karen DeSouza, Eusi Kwayana, Tacuma Ogunseye, Dr. Nigel Westmaas, Jocelyn Dow, Father Malcolm Rodrigues, Dr. Omawale, Mr. Rohit Kanhai and Donald Rodney presented scores of pages of witness statements and faced rigorous crossexamination, seeking truth. The lawyer revealed that other WPA leaders had agreed to testify including Andaiye and Dr Rupert Roopnaraine. “These were colleagues and comrades of Walter Rodney who knew him as a person, a patriot who shared a dream ‘for an active effort of the people for national reconstruction and national unity on the basis of commonsense, patriotism, decency and honesty’ as he so eloquently put it in a speech thirty-six years and one week ago, a speech reproduced in booklet form by the WPA with the title, The Struggle Goes On,” Ram recounted to a resounding round of applause.
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New GRDB Directors announced - Jinnah Rahaman, Naith Ram in; Seeraj, Badrie Persaud out
Government has announced the full Board of Directors slated to take charge of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), for the period from July 1, 2015, to June 30, 2016. The Board will have Claude Housty as Chairman, while Nizam Hassan, who has been appointed the acting General Manager of the State entity, will sit as an ex-officio member of the Board. Missing from the Board is Badrie Persaud, who was a candidate for the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) in the just concluded National and Regional elections and was formerly the Head of Guyana Oil Company (GuyOil). Persaud was also a Director of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) Board.
Dharamkumar Seeraj, who is currently the General Secretary of the Guyana Rice Producers Association (GRPA), is also off of the Board of Directors. During his tenure on the board, he had held the position of Vice Chairman. A candidate also for the PPP/C in the elections campaign, farmers at one point were clamoring for his removal from the GRDB board. The Board of Directors will comprise Dr. Peter De Groot of the Millers’ Association; Rajindra Persaud, also from the Millers Association; Jinnah Rahaman, Co-Chairman of the Rice Action Committee; Naith Ram, of the Essequibo Paddy Farmers Association; Leakha Rambrich, President of the Guyana Continued on page 29
Wednesday July 29, 2015
Sweeping changes as state boards named…
Jordan to chair NICIL; Lucas at GRA
Finance Minister, Winston Jordan, will chair NICIL, Bureau of Statistics and the Privatisation Unit Government has named Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, to chair the controversial National Investment and Commercial Investment Ltd. (NICIL), the state-owned company which had overseen a number of large scale investments across the country. Economist/columnist, Rawle Lucas, was also picked to chair the Guyana Revenue Authority. The names were published recently in the Official Gazette of Guyana. Below are the names of the Chairpersons and the Boards of the state companies: National Procurement and Tender Administration Board – Chairman, Claude Brooks National Drainage and Irrigation AuthorityChairman, John Piggott The Privatisation BoardChairman, Minister Winston Jordan Property Holdings Inc.Chairman, Hughley Nelson Bureau of Statistics – Chairman, Winston Jordan Guyana Oil Company Limited- Chairman, Lance Carberry Atlantic Hotel Inc. (AHI)Chairperson, Beverley
Chairperson of AHI, Beverley Harper
Chairman of Guyoil, Lance Carberry Harper National Insurance Scheme- Chairman, Dr. Surendra Persaud The Lottery Control Commission- Chairman, Minister Raphael Trotman Guyana Office For Investment – Chairman, Minister Dominic Gaskin Guyana Sugar Corporation- Chairman, Dr. Clive Thomas Skeldon Electricity Inc.Chairman, Lloyd Rose Guyana Securities Council- Chairman, Keith Cholmondeley
Chairman of NIS, Dr. Surendra Persaud Customs Tariff Tribunal –Chairman, Sattaur Gafoor Investment Promotion CouncilChairman, Derrick Cummings Guyana National Shipping Corporation- Chairman, Keith Cholmondeley Bank of Guyana- Chairman, Dr. Gobind Ganga Income Tax Board ReviewChairman, Basil Joseph VAT Appeal TribunalChairperson, Tracey Gibson Dependents’ Pension Fund – Chairman, Colonel Jawahar Persaud Guyana Marketing Corporation- Chairperson, Michelle Johnson Guyana Livestock Development Authority – Chairman, Patrick De Groot Mahaica-MahaiconyAbary Agricultural Development AuthorityChairman, Dr. Kenneth Sealey National Agriculture Research & Extension Institute –Chairman, Major General (Ret’d) Joe Singh Guyana School of Agriculture – Chairman, Olato Sam Pesticides and Toxic Chemical Control BoardChairman, Dr. Leslie Munroe Mards Rice Milling Complex- Chairman, Abel Seetaram Hope Coconut Industries Limited- Chairman, Dr. Iamei Omwati Guyana Fisheries Limited – Chairman, Dr. Reuben Charles National Cane Farming Committee- Chairman, Roy Hanoman Fisheries Advisory Committee- Chairman, Reuben Charles Veterinary Board of Guyana- Chairman, Dr. Colbert Bowen
Say no to corruption it, it hurts us all.
Wednesday July 29, 2015
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Wednesday July 29, 2015
CoI unlikely to address real Final batch of OLPF computers due shortly problems facing sugar industry The government has disclosed that rather than scrapping the One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) arrangement, it intends to distribute some 10,000 laptops, currently on its way to Guyana, to teachers, schools and communities. Minister of State Joseph Harmon on Monday provided an update on a project that is just one of three sections of the past (People’s Progressive Party/Civic) administration’s efforts to modernize the country’s Information Communications Technology (ICT). The other two were the Brazil-linked Fibre Optic cable, running from Lethem to Georgetown and the installation and commissioning of a wireless and terrestrial network system from Moleson Creek to Anna Regina. Between 2010 and 2014, through the National budget, the then PPP/C government allocated some $20B (US$100M) for a number of projects under the guise of upgrading the country’s ICT Industry to a world recognized standard. The country’s longstanding poor internet connectivity speeds were cited as a principal reason. The PPP/C launched the OLPF project in January 2011. The government at the time had planned that under the
- first preference for teachers project it would distribute 90,000 computers to poor families across the country over a three-year period. However, Harmon explained that the project had not been properly thought out by the previous administration and would have to be re-organized. He stated however that the computers would be linked to the E-Governance aspect. “It didn’t seem to be a well-thought-out arrangement, but we’re going to do those things.” Harmon promised. Harmon also affirmed that the project would take on a more community-based theme, in order to make areas more accessible as well as making internet connectivity more available. Harmon also recommitted to ensuring that schools are the focus of the exercise, in particular ‘one laptop per teacher.’ “The President’s whole focus is about education and getting computers into the schools and the communities.” Thus, Harmon said, the final batch of laptops would be utilized for this purpose. Asked about the delay, he denied that the Government was stalling the distribution.
“There were three batches. Two have already come, and the last batch is on its way. So it’s not a question of stalling.” According to Harmon, the last batch consists of close to 10,000 computers, with the order of distribution laid out as Teachers, then Schools, and finally the communities. He could not confirm whether the first or the second batches of laptops were covered under a warranty. However, the Minister did reveal it was the second batch, from Great Walls, a Chinese company, that had myriad problems including battery pins, causing it to not be distributed. The Minister also revealed that the amount of computers rendered inoperable was close to the amount that was being brought in. The new administration is reported to have dismissed some 40 OLPF employees, following a visit to the project offices in Queenstown by the Minister of State just days ago. During the visit, he had noticed ‘inconsistencies’ and is also reported to have been shown a storeroom full of laptops. (Jarryl Bryan)
Chartered Accountant Christopher Ram is of the firm belief that the critical problems facing the sugar industry go beyond the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo). As a result, he said that the approach of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into GuySuCo is far too cautious and unlikely to address four grave issues before the industry. On his blog, www.chrisram.net, he identified these troubles to be; whether Guyana can become competitive in sugar, given that its current cost of production is approximately US$0.40 per pound while the world sugar price is approximately $0.14 per pound; whether, how much, and for how long taxpayers should be asked to sustain GuySuCo with subsidies; whether, and to what extent, GuySuCo and Guyana should remain in sugar; and finally, if so, whether GuySuCo should remain in state ownership, alone or with private investors. He said that these issues not only seem beyond the scope of the Commission, but appear to have been presumed as answered for them. Quoting a Government Information Agency (GINA) report, Ram said that the Commission is required to “develop a 15-year plan which is expected to bring the
- Chris Ram industry back to profitability and ensure long-term environmental and economic sustainability.” He emphasized that, “Every day of GuySuCo in its present form costs the taxpayers millions of dollars. There is no luxury of time.” The Chartered Accountant pointed out that one of the major concerns about sugar and GuySuCo must surely be to break the cycle of subsidies into which the country and taxpayers have been trapped. He asserted that the country will not move forward if it has to treat economic entities as if they were social services. Ram stressed that no taxpayer can or will be happy with an endless flow of subsidies. “It seems to make more economic sense to spend the money on termination benefits and retraining rather than annual subsidies. The days for treating sugar patronizingly must surely be over by now. “Sugar in Guyana is more than GuySuCo. There are large private cane farmers in West Demerara, as there are in the Skeldon and Albion areas of Berbice. Not only are these operators not represented among the persons appointed by the
Chartered Accountant, Christopher Ram Minister of Agriculture, but this “Commission of Inquiry” is not required to take evidence. It is almost inevitable then that important voices and views may be excluded. It does not even meet the minimum requirements which leading economist Professor Clive Thomas advocated a mere months ago.” Those involved in the CoI include Mr. Vibert Parvatan who serves as the Chairman, Professor Clive Thomas who is tasked with Financial and Economic Analysis and John Dow and Joseph Alfred who are looking at Factory Operations. Ram said, “By my reckoning the majority of the members have had some association with GuySuCo (Continued on page 22)
Wednesday July 29, 2015
Kaieteur News
Global action needed to support women to combine breastfeeding and work - WABA The World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) is calling for intensive global action to support women to combine breastfeeding and work this “World Breastfeeding Week”. Catering for all, whether the woman is working in the formal, non-formal or home setting, it is essential that she is empowered in claiming her and her baby’s right to breastfeed. World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated every year in more than 170 countries from the 1-7 August. Over the years, the aims entailed the encouragement of breastfeeding and improvement in the health of babies all around the world. It honours the Innocenti Declaration made by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Rights and Emergency Relief Organisation (UNICEF) policy-makers in August 1990, to protect promote and support breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is said to be the best way to provide newborns with the nutrients they need. WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding for newborns up to 6 months of age; this is continued with breastfeeding alongside the appropriate complementary foods up to two years of age and beyond. This year’s theme “Breastfeeding and work: Let’s make it work”, is aimed
at galvanizing, promoting, strengthening, informing and engaging, an approach that tackles the sharp decline in breastfeeding rates and practices in the weeks or months after delivery, particularly exclusive breastfeeding. The Mother-Friendly Workplace Initiative is an ongoing campaign promoting working women and breastfeeding, in which the 2015 theme has a direct correlation to the 1993 campaign. According to WABA, much has been achieved in 22 years of global action supporting women in combining breastfeeding and work, particularly the adoption of the revised International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention 183 on Maternity Protection with much stronger maternity entitlements, and more country actions on improving national laws and practices. At the workplace level, WABA has also seen more action taken to set up breastfeeding or motherfriendly workplaces, including awards for breastfeeding-friendly employers, as well as greater mass awareness on working women’s rights to breastfeed. The World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action also noted that, “There is much that remains to be done despite 25 years of hard work, particularly on the fourth
Innocenti target that calls on governments to enact imaginative legislation protecting the breastfeeding rights of working women and establish means for its enforcement”. With the World Breastfeeding Week 2015 campaign, WABA and its partners at global, regional and national levels aim to empower and support all women, working in both the formal and informal sectors, to adequately combine work with child-rearing, particularly breastfeeding. The WABA-Coordinated World Breastfeeding Week is part of the Global Breastfeeding Initiative for Child Survival Programme (GBICS) entitled: “Enhancing Breastfeeding Rates Contributes to Women’s Rights, Health, and a Sustainable Environment”. The GBICS Programme aims to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development - beyond the Millennium Development Goals - by scaling up breastfeeding, and infant and young child i n t e r v e ntions and transforming Policies into Practice, which contributes to efforts aimed at addressing climate change and gender inequality in the framework of human rights. WABA expressed gratitude to the NORAD (Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation) for its support of the GBICS.
C’tyne residents can collect passports in Springlands from Monday Government has started its decentralization services for passport issuance and renewals. The rollout will begin in Berbice from next Monday at Springlands Immigration Office. The announcement will spell good news for Berbicians who reside between Number 43 Village and Moleson Creek, Corentyne, who would otherwise have to travel to the city to collect their passports. Many of them leave home early in the morning, only to be greeted by long
lines at the Immigration Office on Camp Road. The initiative was one announced by the David Granger-led administration as part of the measures to bring
services to the people. According to the police, persons can collect their passports between 08:00hrs and 16:00hrs, Monday to Friday. The new Government had created an entirely new ministry – the Ministry of Citizenship, headed by Winston Felix, to deal with passports. Other outlying areas, especially in the hinterland, are to be targeted, including Lethem, Region Nine. Currently, persons have to travel and overnight in the city to visit the Immigration Office.
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Guyana prepares for validation of elimination of mother-to-child HIV transmission Guyana is currently in the process of preparing a report for the validation of the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). This disclosure was made yesterday by Minister of Public Health, Dr George Norton, who opined “if Cuba can do it, so should Guyana and with that we have to work.” Cuba was just last month named the first country to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis and, according to Minister Norton, achieving this is no small task, even for an island territory. “We recognise them for what they have done and there are many things that might have gone in their favour or might be in their favour, but we take away no credit and laud Cuba for being the first country in the world to have achieve that,” said the Minister as he noted that Guyana is poised for a similar achievement. He however pointed out that unlike Cuba’s island setting, Guyana’s borders are porous. “We are surrounded by countries that we really have no control over and persons traverse frequently,” said the Minister, as he admitted that
eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV “would be a difficult thing to do; regardless of that we should try to gain that status like Cuba has done.” Cuba’s achievement was regarded as a “major victory” by Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Margaret Chan, who noted that “eliminating transmission of a virus is one of the greatest public health achievements possible”. According to Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Dr Carissa F. Etienne too, “Cuba’s success demonstrates that universal access and universal health coverage are feasible and indeed are the key to success, even against challenges as daunting as HIV.” But according to Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud, “the bottom line of Cuba’s achievement is the health system and their health system is really built on a solid primary health care foundation.” “I think that’s probably the key to Cuba achieving their elimination of mother-tochild transmission of HIV and syphilis,” said Dr Persaud, as he underscored the importance of primary health
care here in Guyana. He noted that while the role of the health sector is paramount, the support of civil society is also a motivating factor in the quest for the ambitious goal Guyana now eyes – the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Guyana has seen a decline in the mother-to-child transmission of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) from 5.8 percent in 2010 to less than one percent today. This achievement was highlighted yesterday by the Minister as he addressed a gathering of senior health officers at the start of a forum to facilitate the half-year review of the Ministry’s Maternal and Child Health/ Expanded Programme on Immunisation. “Congratulations are in order,” said the Minister as he disclosed that this development was made possible through a number of efforts, including the early identification and screening of mothers and infants with HIV; use of DNA/PCR testing in infants as early as six weeks, and the use of antiretroviral drugs. Added to this, the Minister said that “we also have in this programme the implementation of casetracking systems for defaulters for follow-up care, and for both mother and infants who are HIV positive.”
Wednesday July 29, 2015
‘Dem Ah Watch Me’ singer accuses police of victimization Local Chutney Star Mahendra Ramkellawan believes that he is being unduly harassed by the police, who he is blaming for intervening in a private matter between him and two international “investors”. The police are insisting that the ‘Dem Ah Watch Me” singer turn himself in after the “investors” reported that he owed them money. But Ramkellawan has flatly denied the allegation and is adamant that the police force is victimizing him for actions he recently took against the Commissioner of Police. Ramkellawan has sued the Commissioner for wrongfully arresting him, a matter that stemmed from another private arrangement between the popular singer/ promoter and another party. The new controversy has its origins in this year’s ‘Clash of the Titans’ show at the National Stadium, which is promoted by Firefest Productions, a company run by Ramkellawan. In an interview with this newspaper yesterday, Ramkellawan, who had been out of Guyana for more than a year, explained that upon his return, he was approached by the two investors, who happened to be Guyanese living abroad. They wanted to invest some money into the show which was making a comeback after a two-year absence. According to the
Mahendra Ramkellawan promoter, the deal was that they would get back their investment and a portion of the profits if the show was successful. It was not! Ramkellawan said that he suffered tremendous loss at the show which took place on March 14. “It did not come off as we expected. It was close to elections and our overhead expenses were very high,” he said. He added that the two investors were at the show and would have seen what had taken place. However, they demanded that Ramkellawan pay them back the money they had invested. Ramkellawan said he invited the men to examine his books to see the expenses that the show had incurred and that it had produced no profits. In fact, he claimed that he is still indebted to a number of other entities who had provided him with credit for the show. The men insisted that they be repaid, and according to Ramkellawan, they even threatened him and his wife.
The threats were reported to the police at the Providence Station, but it is now three weeks later and nothing has been done about it. “Up to now the police have done nothing,” Ramkellawan stressed. He said that since then he has refused to meet with the men since he fears for his life. This led to the investors becoming angry and they went to the same Providence Police Station where they reported that Ramkellawan owed them money and was refusing to pay them back. According to Ramkellawan, he was reliably informed that the men were advised that the matter is a private one and they should seek legal advice. The men were apparently not satisfied with the advice and they took the matter further by going to the Brickdam Station. Ramkellawan said he received a telephone call yesterday from a detective stationed at the Criminal Investigations Department at Brickdam, informing him that he was wanted there. He believes that the matter is not one for the police since he has committed no crime. “I had filed a lawsuit against the Commissioner and I believe that this is the result. They (police) did not do anything when I reported that I was threatened, but now they are telling me that I am wanted,” Ramkellawan said. This newspaper will examine the lawsuit in a subsequent edition. Ramkellawan however stated that he will be presenting himself to the police with his lawyer today.
Wednesday July 29, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Govt. mishandling issues with Venezuela - PPP By Abena Rockcliffe Adding to the opposition’s refusal to meet with the government on the territorial controversy with Venezuela and its endorsement of one of Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro’s statements on the controversy is a pronouncement that the Guyana government is “mishandling” the issue. Venezuela issued a decree claiming Guyana’s territory and marine resources just after President David Granger took office in May. The area embroiled in the controversy is one that has oil, a resource that can be critical to Guyana’s economic transformation. Guyana has resisted Venezuela’s attempts to deprive it of its resources and President Granger has been making his position known on the issue at a number of international meetings. But instead of working with the new government on the issue, the recently ousted People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has sought to highlight the “blunders” that the Granger administration has so far made in its handling of the controversy.
As he hosted his weekly Monday morning press conference at Freedom House, PPP General Secretary, Clement Rohee said that the coalition government, A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC), is being “too aggressive.” To support his claim of “unwarranted” aggression, Rohee pointed out the fact that the David Granger administration had suspended the Guyana operations of the Venezuelanowned, Conviasa Airlines. He said that this move, coming soon after the illegal decree was issued by Venezuela, could have further provoked the situation. The move to suspend Conviasa Airlines’ service was actually made as a reaction to the fact that the airline owed Guyana millions of dollars in landing and licensing fees. Also, the airline had failed to lodge a requisite bond. The government has sought to make it clear that the airline issue had nothing to do with the decree. In fact, Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge had worked along with the Minister of Public
PPP General Secretary, Clement Rohee Infrastructure to ensure that the airline was allowed to send an empty aircraft to pick up Venezuelans who were stranded in Guyana. But Rohee insisted on Monday that the issue should have been dealt with differently, he told reporters that it should have been negotiated in the interest of “good neighbourly relations.” Rohee cited the “mishandling” of the oil-forrice deal between the two countries which comes to an end in November as a major
economic blunder of the new administration but did not say much to support his point in that regard. Instead, he focused more on Conviasa’s suspension. He pointed out that the suspension resulted in Venezuelan passengers being stranded at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport. Rohee told the media that government’s move was “inexcusable.” He added that during the PPP’s tenure in government, it always tried to maintain a common balance with other countries, especially those that have bilateral agreements with Guyana. “I think diplomacy has to be done in a certain way, diplomacy has to do with toning down, exerting every effort at toning down, even though the adversary would have adopted the position that you are against, We are upset with this Government about the mishandling of the diplomatic bilateral relations between these two countries. That’s where our beef is,” said Rohee. The PPP General Secretary said that there are a number of signed bilateral agreements between Guyana
and Venezuela which have the potential to generate and develop closer ties between the two. Meanwhile, Rohee noted that the APNU+AFC administration was not letting the public know the outcomes of various bilateral meetings that it has or should have participated in. “I did not hear anything from Granger about what took place between the Guyana delegation and the Venezuelan delegation during the Caricom summit. We have heard nothing. Did they meet? And if they met, what did they discuss?” Rohee also lamented that Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge recently met with the Organization of American States (OAS) and there was no public update on what
transpired at the meeting except for what Greenidge reportedly said. “The nation ought to know how the OAS reacted, all we heard was what Greenidge said, and that is not good enough. So these are the kind of searching questions we need to have answers to in respect to Guyana’s bilateral relations with Venezuela…as well as the search for support and solidarity from other countries by Guyana. You’re not seeing any effort at dialogue, at overcoming the hurdles,” Rohee added. When asked why the PPP has not issued a definitive statement against Venezuela, Rohee said the PPP’s position on the border controversy is known and has not changed over the years.
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MASSAGE Relaxing Massage Therapy Services-Tel: 674-8147
Permanent & Visitors Visa Applications, Professional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building visadocumentsgy@yahoo.comCall: 225-6496, 662-6045 INNOVATIVEMARKETING & PUBLISHING INC –TEL: 600-4212: We create A/ works, logos, business cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. Mahadeo Construction for all construction, carpentry, masonry, pluming, painting etc. Free estimates and plan Contact # 669-7376 H. Ramphal, Fabricating and welding – fence, grill, gate, steel Trestle, etc – Contact: 661-2652
VEHICLE FOR SALE Toyota AT212, AT192, IST, EP-71 Starlet, Hilux pick up & 4 Runner, Canter, Honda 600 RR –Tel:644-5096; 697-1453
1 Mazda Axela, PTT series, low mileage, e x c e l l e n t condition -owner migrating Tel: 649-0956
1 Toyota Pickup GRR 9565 & 1 ATV motor bike- Call: 6600422
VACANCY International Employment: waiters, cooks, housekeepers, carpenters, plumbers, cleaners, securities, receptionists, printers- Contact: 2316296, 650-9880 www.plzrecruitme.com
2008 PREMIO -$3.3M, 2004 SPACIO- $2.1M, FULLY LOADED TV, BACK & FRONT CAMERA, MAG RIMS & UNREGISTERED – CALL: 642-7295 One 318 BMW never register for $ 3.1M down payment $ 800,000- Contact # 650-0402 Fantasy Auto Sales at 38 Alexander St, Kitty. Get $100,000 discount on preorders- Contact: 611-1833
212 HC 76 Price- $900,000 Negotiable –Contact: 6646232; 658-0960 1 Toyota Raum Excellent condition, AC, recently sprayed -$1.1M negotiable, 1 IST Excellent Condition, AC, rims - $1.3M –Contact: 6429755 We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 TacomaCall:680-3154
Work from home, earn $5,000$20,000 daily Call MondayFriday 9am-5pm #233-6517, 6 3 8 - 0 5 9 5 www.jobfairworldwide.com
Fantasy Auto SalesAvailable: 2010 Mitsubishi RVR, Nissan X-Trail 2008. New model Premio & AllionCall: 611-1833
AT192, 212, Allion, unregistered Premio, Hilux Surf, BNN, RZ & Pit-bull, 7 seater super custom. Cash / terms - Call: 680-3154
Receptionist: apply in person with application at 27 Norton & Creen Street Newburg – Call: 225-5509 Cashier 6am-3pm & 3pm12pm, inventory clerk. Submit application to Shell Station Providence EBD, shellramsburg@gmail.com.
1-RZ Minibus BTT, Hardly worked; fully loaded, rims, USB Deck, A/C, excellent condition - $2.1M negotiable –Phone: 617-9143/ 660-8160 Timber Tack 450 B log skidder, imported from the USA, scrap Nissan pickup – Call Richard: 609-7675, 674-1705; 233-2614
Two security guards at Humphrey’s Bakery, 38 Ketley Street, Georgetown – Tel: 225-7864
Unregistered Toyota IST (2002) –Tel: 657-1796
WANTED One mechanic for Perkins and caterpillar machines contact 223-5273 /4 One Welder contact 223-5273 /4
VEHICLE FOR SALE PRADO TZ Land Crusier, automatic diesel, PHH series, fully loaded -$5M –Tel:2332546; 688-5554
Wednesday July 29, 2015
Bar workers, Bahir to work in the interior – Call: 231-0363 (9am-4pm) 1- Cook for guest house, must know to cook all types of dishes for interior –Call: 2310363 (9am to 4pm) Porters, wood mizer and moulder operator –Call Richard: 609-7675; 674-1705; 233-2614
EDUCATION Private customs brokers certificate training course 3rd Aug 2015 (3weeks) limited jobs guarantee, register now & save –Call: 694-8322; 223-1506
HEALTH Herbal nectar treatment for diabetic, hypertension and other sickness (follow me) sexual enhancers –Tel: 6962957
1-192 Carina alarm, A/C, music deck, working condition$750,000 negotiable, PLL/HC series now, owner leaving country –Tel: 687-3241 2013 Mercedes C250 turbo AMG coupe, retractable glass top, mileage 15K, alcantara leather interior, brush aluminum acc- Call: 650-5136 Toyota Bus (pit-bull) 2008 model, AC, TV/DVD/NAVI, excellent condition -$2.7M negotiable, serious enquiries -Call: 690-4373; 639-4165 2008 FIELDER -$2.5M, 2008 RACTIS -$2.44M, CARINA 212 -$1.9M, NEVER REGISTERED & FULLY LOADED VEHICLES –TEL: 617-2891 1 Mitsubishi Canter, 14 Ft Tray, price negotiable –Tel: 619-6267
1 Teen Headless mannequin, 1 plus size head full body mannequin, 2 clothing racks (metal), 1 shoe rack (metal) – Call Simone: 227-0501; 6265317 1 Toyota Black Voxy with Chrome rims PTT - Contact: 253-3233; 651-4242; 600-2691 Spare for washing machine, microwaves, fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, motors, etc call: 225-9032, 647-2943 45 Feet boat with 1000lbs, nylon seine, 40 Yamaha engine with icebox –Call: 6722135 Instock subject to being unsold; 1,000 - 10,000 watts; Complete Solar Units- Mr. Beepat – 600 - 5253 1-85 HP Yamaha outboard, remote control engine –Tel: 231-0363 (9am-4pm) Mining properties in all mining districts. Price negotiable – Call: 231-0363, only serious inquiries , Monday –Friday, (9am-4pm)
PROPERTY FOR SALE Property for sale, Grove $18M neg. Tel: 625-5461. 2 Storey 45x35 concrete property, lower flat incomplete. Land 65x120 @ Diamond N/S 5th Avenue, E.B.D- Call: 629-4017 Transported Property @ Grove/Diamond, 3 bedrooms, 1 self-contained, concrete fence, grilled store room & Shed, (45X26) – Call: 660-1353, 216-4338 2 Storied 22ftX45ft transported concrete property upstairs 2 bedroom & downstairs – bedrooms, fully grilled, Block ‘8’ MonRepos, E.C.D - $20M – Tel:625-1514, 231-7255 Brand new 2 storey concrete building in 5th Avenue, Diamond, E.B.D, all modern amenities – $45M NEG. Call: 662-9335; 612-3244
1 Ford F350 Pickup, extended cab, 4X4 Diesel, excellent condition, fully loaded, 6" lift kit, 1 Chevy Van –Call: 6105370
2-Two storey concrete & timber properties on single plot @ Newtown Kitty Sale by owner $75M (GYD) – Call: 643-7061/ 673-8721
Chevrolet 2006 Silverado 1500 4WD pickup automatic – unregistered -$5.5M – Contact: 687-6884
2 Flat furnished building, 4 bedrooms @ New Amsterdam, lot: 50X100ftTel: 333-2915, 624-5567
Toyota Fielder Wagon, year 2004, good condition – Contact: 694-6157; 216-0209
2 Storey concrete property for sale at 2nd Avenue, Diamond Housing Scheme, E.B.D- Tel: 674-9266 or 686-9248
Toyota Fortuner, 2012, 16,000 KMS, Automatic $16.5M –Tel: 688-5554; 6000979
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754.
House & land for sale @ D Edward, W.C.Berbice -$5M Call: 222-3393
1-225 HP Yamaha outboard engine, remote control on 23ft wooden boat –Tel: 2310363 (9am-4pm) One stall Stabroek market, 37½ Acre Farm land, Kuru Kuru – Laluni, ideal for chicken farm also –Call: 6791157, 225-7794 New Blackberry bold 4 $20,000 or best offer –Tel: 675-3062 D4H CAT bulldozer, Leyland DAF 55 Tipper truck, 20 lengths- plastic sheet piles– 1930 front end Contact: 2750538; 683-7225 Pile driving hammers, weight 3 and 4 tons, 6 cylinder Leyland engine, 10 tons double steel wheeled roller –Call: 2750538; 683-7225 Pneumatic roller – 9 wheels, 2,500 GLS, steel tank, 2,000 GLS, steel tank , 428 CAT Back-Hoe Call: 275-0538; 683-7225 PSP game disc –Tel: 6131499; 699-8504 Toyota 2L Turbo Diesel engine + automatic transmission, all in working condition, price negotiable – Tel: 617-4078 1 Generic Electric Start -7000 EXL, 1 Stainless Steel plucking machine –Contact Harry: 661-2652 or 679-0567 LEARN TO DRIVE Soman Son & Outar Driving School at Maraj BuildingTel:644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997 Continued on page 29
Wednesday July 29, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 29
PPP unfazed by Govt.’s threat to review radio licences By Abena Rockcliffe The APNU+AFC (A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change) administration recently announced that it will soon make good on its election promise to review a number of controversially issued radio licences that were handed out to family and friends of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) during that party’s period of governance. The announcement came from the Minister of State, Joseph Harmon who was always vocal about the “unfair” distribution of radio licences by former President, Bharrat Jagdeo, a few days before he demitted office. Harmon’s most recent comment came as he spoke on the sale of one of the licenses. However, the PPP, which also has a licence, seems unfazed by Harmon’s declaration. As he hosted the Party’s
most recent press conference at Freedom House on Monday last, PPP General Secretary, Clement Rohee essentially shunned the theory that licences can be revoked. Among the 11 persons and entities receiving permission to run radio stations back in 2011 are Dr. Ranjisinghi ‘Bobby’ Ramroop, Jagdeo’s best friend; the Mirror Newspaper, which belongs to the former ruling party; and Telcor Cultural and Broadcasting Inc. The three received five frequencies each giving them countrywide control of the radio airwaves. Recently Harmon said that all licences will be reviewed. He made it clear that there will be absolutely no exceptions. But Rohee maintains that “all licenses were legally granted” and therefore there is not much that the new government can do.
Asked whether he feels it is healthy for one political party to have control of five radio frequencies, Rohee’s response was “well it has already happened.” He told reporters that should the government indeed decide to review the licences, then “when that bridge reach we will cross it.” Currently, PPP is operating one of its frequencies. Former Minister of Natural Resources, Robert Persaud recently relinquished ownership of iRadio 90.1 Love FM. Persaud recently concluded a deal that was long in the making with the Ansa McAl-owned Guardian Media Group. But the review of all radio licences that is on its way may very well spell problems for this deal. Harmon also told Kaieteur News that very soon, the government will ensure the return of the Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n
legislation that was taken to the National Assembly during the life of the Tenth Parliament. The Minister of State said that that Bill will help to correct many wrongs. The new government, while in opposition, had spoken extensively about its disapproval of the manner in which the licences were distributed. Local and international media bodies and local diplomats had all been applying pressure on the Donald Ramotar government to review and even recall the licences until a review is done on how they were issued in the first place. The details of the licences only came to light after AFC demanded answers in the National Assembly. The answers were provided earlier this year, immediately sparking street protests by established, private media houses which were ignored
New GRDB Directors announced From page 14 Rice Producers’ Association (GRPA); George Seales, of the Consumers Association; Dr. Oudho Homenauth of National Agriculture Research Institute ; and John Tracey, CEO of Guyana Bank of Trade and Industry (GBTI); in addition to Ricky Roopchand; Rajdai Jagernauth and Cecil Seepersaud. The 13th spot belongs to the General Manager of GRDB, who will sit as an exofficio member of the Board. Nizam Hassan has been appointed acting General
Manager of the GRDB, replacing Jagnarine Singh who, after fifteen years, tendered his resignation amid a forensic audit, which is still ongoing and is being conducted by Hinds and Associates. It is understood that Hassan was named as the General Manager since July 20. The announcement of a new Board was made by the Minister of Agriculture Noel Holder at the National Rice Industry Conference, which was held at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre, Liliendaal on Monday.
It also follows on the heels of a massive shake up of state entities including the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), Guyana Power and Light (GPL), Guyana Oil Company (GUYOIL) and National Insurance Scheme (NIS) by the new administration. The boards for these entities have also been announced. Claude Housty is the former General Manager of the Guyana Rice Export Board, and is taking over at a time when the entire GRDB was overhauled by the administration over the
alleged misuse of state funds, especially the PetroCaribe fund, which the APNU+AFC announced was in an empty state upon assuming office. The new board, according to Holder, comprises representatives from among the farmers and millers, in addition to consumer representatives and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Holder went on to indicate that the Ministries of Finance, Agriculture and the legal fraternity would also feature on the board.
Letters... Where your views make the news
by Jagdeo. Harmon had said, “The resources of a country are not the personal property of the President or anybody. This is a national resource. It is not within your (Jagdeo) power to share it out to your friends.” Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, during the last election campaign, highlighted what the consequence has been to the nation, owing to the Government’s “misuse” of the
From page 28
TO LET Furnished 1 and 2 bedroom apartments in Nandy Park, parking available- for further information – Call: 619-4824 Latchman Racktoo: office complex, space to rent –Tel: 225-3269 Bagotstown Public Road -2 Storied commercial Property (next to Ray’s Auto) -3,500 sq.ft –Tel: 233-2546, 233-5859 Newly built 2 bedroom apartment and house @ Vreed-en-Hoop- Call: 6986496 Rooms in Albertown –Tel: 225-3234 Newly built 2 bedrooms apartment: bath, toilet, kitchen, sitting area on High Road Greenwich Park, Parka –Tel: 649-6202/664-3508
Engage the PPP/C... Leadership is... From page 4 for results-oriented conversations. The government should have experienced facilitators to conduct these meetings with the PPP. The role of the facilitators will be to allow both parties to clarify issues while still maintaining the focus of the meeting so that the ultimate goal can be achieved. With the Minister chairing the meeting and having to defend the government at the same time could create an environment that is not conducive for a productive conversation. The objective must not be merely to organise an event or activity but rather to achieve the greatest impact from it. Universities are now actually conducting programmes on the science and art of working together across sectors and parties. I
attended a programme at a top university on the science and art of partnering. I was amazed to see persons with PHD’s, Master Degrees, senior professionals in top international, regional, multinational and other organizations returning to the classroom to learn how to engage partners strategically. The government has to professionalize its engagement with the PPP/C, particularly at this stage, it is called strategic engagement. It is not sufficient after the first engagement to say that the PPP/C was not cooperative. Hence the Ministry of Finance in engaging the PPP/ C on further budget talks, needs to change its strategy and solicit the involvement of facilitators at this stage until the relationship of the two parties improve. Audreyanna Thomas
From page 5 of the possibility of taking the guys off the streets and developing a sustainable, hydroponics agriculture, project on the sprawling land space on the compound there in Berbice. I explained to him that if you need the occupants to remain at the facility, you had to create employment and activities for them. If you create jobs for them then you create a win-win situation: you keep them off the streets and they make some money. The $250 million facility, that he (as PM) had opened a year before, was at the time unoccupied and ornamental. Mr. Hinds understood what I was saying and the proposal I was making to put the facility to use and so he asked Mrs. Webster to give me a chance. Of course she never did. One year later when she left office, the Onverwagt Project had 17 occupants (the facility could house 180 occupants) and the streets of Georgetown were still filled with the homeless. Mr. Hinds told me that Hugo Chavez wanted the facility built in Georgetown because there is where he saw the homeless people, which caused him to make the donation. However, the land space was not available in the City. Mr. Sam Hinds seemed to have wanted more than he was able to get from those around him, even though he was the Prime Minister. I think this might have been one of the reasons he said to me that leadership is a lonely road. Now almost two years later, I am standing, listening to another political leader voice the very same concern. And I thought to myself, ‘Is it that President Granger, like Sam Hinds, is wanting things to go different or faster than they are going?” Wendell Jeffrey, Pastor Urban Ministries Coordinator, Guyana Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
state media. He had promised that should his government come to power, the state media would be liberated and questionable frequency transactions investigated. He told supporters, “We have a plan. We will review all those television stations, and those radio stations that were given to friends. We will ensure that they are redistributed to those who deserve to have and who are responsible.”
FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 One bedroom apartment well secured preferably working couple or single person – Call: 638-8858 Mining Land: Gold land to rent at Potaro, Kuri Brong, District #2 –Tel: 602-3585 Vreed- En-Hoop Junction: Storage Bond, office, lessons place, games shop, other –Call: 680-9905 3 Bedrooms house up & down at Hope E.C.D $30,000–Tel: 610-1920 1 Two bedrooms bottom flat; to rent, West Ruimveldt $40,000 per mouth –Call: 6927377; 672-7194
LAND FOR SALE 1500 acres transported land 4½ miles from Bartica Rock, Quarry, Forestry, Agriculture. Contact Mark: 603-1266; 6259788 Friendship house lot for saleCall: 692-8513, 223-0733 Farmland at Ruby Back about 6 minutes from Public Road, fully cultivated with bearing fruit trees, price negotiable –Call: 617-4078 Land @ Parfaite Harmonie & Tuschen -$1.5M each, 1-2 storey property @ Crane – Call: 604-6724 Land for sale in Diamond/ Grove with 30ftX40ft lone foundation complete –Tel: 624-2857 Parfaite Harmonie - $1M & $1.4M, new Herstelling (110ftX60ft) -$3M –Tel: 6117223; 604-2207
One two bedrooms apartment for rent, 13 Lyng Sussex Street Charlestown – Tel: 225-1418
CAR RENTAL DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM PROGRESSIVE AUTO RENTAL:CARS&SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 643-5122, 2193900, EMAIL: PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM Aidan’s Car & 4WD Vigo pick up, cheapest rate, low security- Call: 698-7807
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday July 29, 2015
CoI final submissions… Teenage phone snatcher Donald Rodney maintains PNC jailed for two years Three months ago, 18year-old Dominic Morris was arraigned at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on a criminal charge -larceny from the person. He proclaimed that he was innocent of the charge on his first court appearance. In doing so, he ridiculed a policeman, claiming that the officer was the one who snatched the phone from the woman’s pocket. Morris, of Non Pareil, East Coast Demerara, also claimed that the officer ran behind him and placed the phone inside his pocket. However, at the conclusion of his trial yesterday he was found guilty of the offence by Magistrate Faith Mc Gusty. Morris appeared shocked when the magistrate informed the court that he was sentenced to two years
Jailed: Dominic Morris imprisonment. On April 16, at Regent Street, he stole one Samsung Galaxy S4 cell phone valued $100,000 and a gold chain from Melanie Deen. Police Corporal, Sean Blackman presented the prosecution’s case. According to court facts,
Deen was walking near the East Coast car park in the company of another. He said that the victim was using her cell phone when the defendant approached her and snatched the device. After doing so, the accused ran up the road. An alarm was raised by the young woman and publicspirited citizens apprehended Morris. The cell phone was found in his pocket. Deen had told the court that she was talking to her mother on the phone when Morris approached her and snatched it. She added that the man ran away and she followed behind him hollering, “thief thief”. She stated that after persons heard her, they ran behind the man “ and caught him, with the phone in his right pants pocket”.
‘Pradoville 2’ deal to be re-examined (From page 3) Manickchand, also received lots, paying just over $1.5M each. So too did former Army
Chief, Rear Admiral Gary Best and sacked Chief Executive Officer of the embattled Guyana Sugar Corporation, Dr. Rajendra Singh.
Also named in the list were Andrew Bishop, a Presidential Advisor in the former administration and former Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission. Safraaz Khan and George Hallaq, said to be the country’s former Middle East envoy, and a company called Future Developers International Guyana Inc., were also among the other names on the list. To facilitate the construction of the scheme, the Jagdeo administration had ordered the removal of a transmitting tower of the state-owned National Communications Network (NCN), to the tune of millions. It was reportedly relocated to La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara.
had hand in brother’s killing A year after the official probe into Dr. Walter Rodney’s commenced, Donald Rodney , brother to the slain Working People’s Alliance (WPA) leader and lone eyewitness to his demise, maintained that the then ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) government was responsible for the dreadful act. A few months ago, Donald Rodney appeared after a highly anticipated wait, and during his testimony, he insisted that the state orchestrated the renowned historian’s death. On Monday, through the submissions of his Attorney, Keith Scotland, the surviving Rodney’s story remained the same. As he made his final submissions before a Commission of Inquiry, Scotland said that between 1978 and 1980 the political struggle intensified in the form of a civil resistance campaign focused on what was considered a fraudulent constitution, much to the displeasure of the then ruling party. Scotland referred to the evidence of House of Israel member, Joseph Hamilton, who linked the government of the day to terrorizing WPA members, despite the lack of violent retaliation from the latter party. He spoke, too, of evidence being brought before the commission by various witnesses who supported that there were direct acts of state oppression and terrorism against members of the opposition. Scotland pointed to the timeline in relation to the killing of persons engaged in the struggle as documented through evidence offered by
Eusi Kwayana. He said Kwayana referred to the killings of WPA activists, Ohene Koama on November 19, 1979 and Edward Dublin in February 1980. These followed a threatening address delivered by then Prime Minister Forbes Burnham in August 1979. Donald Rodney said, too, that following the burning of a government building, some WPA members were charged with arson and Dr. Rodney was among those arraigned. Scotland insisted that this formed part of what he deemed clear and compelling evidence that there can be a finding of fact that the then government was actively terrorizing opposition members. He spoke too of the killing of Father Bernard Darke in front of the Brickdam Police Station. “Father Darke was killed in broad daylight; Father Darke was killed in the presence of uniformed armed police officers who have, according to all testimony of witnesses who came before this commission, stood idly by without lending one ounce of assistance,” Scotland emphasised. Father Darke, who was perceived as a WPA sympathizer, was killed by a House of Israel member. The symbolism of Darke’s killing, he said, was clear. He spoke too of Burnham’s infamous address that WPA members must “make their wills”. This was taken to be an open threat to the party members, including Dr. Rodney. He spoke too of a raid conducted on lone murder suspect and former Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Sergeant Gregory Smith’s house, where Government equipment was found. He said that the former soldier who handed over the explosive device was flown away to Kwakwani from Timehri by GDF Captain Gerry Gouveia. He implored
commissioners to consider the resources required for Smith to be afforded such a “feat” and argued against claims documented in Smith’s book, Assassination Cry of a Failed Revolution: The Truth about Walter Rodney’s Death, that he was drugged and taken to Kwakwani; an escape that was orchestrated by the WPA. For such to be believed, he contended, evidence would have had to be presented that the WPA could have commanded such an operation. Scotland contended that there was evidence that there was state involvement in Smith’s escape to French Guiana after Dr. Rodney died. Donald Rodney’s lawyer insisted that all evidence pointed to state involvement in Dr. Rodney’s death. He said that his client being dragged before the courts and charged was used as a distraction, since he was the lone witness who could identify Smith for the role he played in his brother’s killing. Incidents prior to June 13, 1980, the lawyer claimed, show that the state was responsible for Dr. Rodney’s death. “He did not die in his sleep, Mister Chairman. He died by an explosive device given to Donald Rodney to give to him by Gregory Smith, who had the controlling set, and who then was taken away from Timehri in a GDF plane,” Scotland emphasised. He asked the commission to find that denial of Smith by the state was a poor attempt for it to distance itself from what had happened. He said that an arrest warrant had been issued for Smith by the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), yet he was issued a passport in 1999, in the name of Cyril Johnson. This, Scotland said, smacks of government interference. At that point the session concluded.
Education Minister aims... (From page 23) adequately paid, they must be able to live lives that permit them a certain amount of dignity.” “You can’t have teachers selling plantain chips at break time to top-up their salaries; that is simply not acceptable,” said the Minister, as he assured that examining the remuneration package of teachers is definitely a priority issue on his agenda. “We have to look at remuneration; we have to discuss this with the Union, but I don’t want to just say what percentage I think we should increase teachers’ salaries by. I do believe that teachers deserve to live good lives to essentially leave the classroom satisfied and earn a living that is commensurate with their importance in society.”
Wednesday July 29, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday July 29, 2015
Defence attorney concerned Seetahal murder accused won’t get fair break PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – One of the attorneys representing 11 members of the Jamaat al Muslimeen who appeared in court Monday charged with the murder of prominent attorney Dana Seetahal has raised concerns that his clients may not get a fair trial. And one of his complaints stemmed from his clients’ appearance in court on the 25th anniversary of the attempted coup by the Jamaat al Muslimeen, the Muslim organization of which the accused are members. Amid tight security that saw the area surrounding the Port of Spain Magistrates Court being cordoned off and heavily armed policemen and soldiers taking up strategic positions at and surrounding the building, brothers Rajaee, Hamid and Ishmael Ali, along with Davough Cummings, Ricardo Stewart, Earl Richards, Stephan Cummings, Gareth Wiseman, Kevin Parkinson, Leston Gonzales and Roget Boucher appeared in court. Rajaee is further charged with being a leader of a gang while the others are accused of being gang members, along with Dion Peters and David Hector. Rajaee’s wife, Stacy Griffith, also appeared in court on a charge of committing an act for the benefit of a gang. Only a select few were allowed in the court for their appearance, among them Jamaat leader Yasin Abu Bakr and father of the Ali brothers, Hassan Ali – both of whom
were detained and questioned in connection with the murder but subsequently released. Questioning the timing of the charges, defence attorney Criston Williams complained that his clients’ court appearance on the anniversary of the 1990 attempted coup was “passingly strange” – a comment which Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Roger Gaspard SC said he would not dignify with a response, adding that Williams should “provide particulars” if he wanted to take that issue further. One of the attorney’s other concerns was the possibility that his clients would not get a fair trial because of media reports surrounding the case.
Additionally, he called on Chief Magistrate Marcia Ayers-Caesar to recuse herself from the matter as she had in the previous case of Rajaee and Ishmael Ali who are on remand for conspiring to murder a radio announcer in November last year. Williams said he would make an application on that matter. He also asked the court to impose an order on the media, preventing reporting on the evidence in the preliminary inquiry. In response, Gaspard acknowledged the pre-trial publicity and indicated he would, as customary, instruct the media not to do or publish anything “which may cast a shadow over the fair trial and inquiry of the accused persons”.
Trinidad Express - Stateowned Caribbean New Media Group (CNMG) will host a National Leadership Exchange live on CTV and Talk City 91.1 FM from 8 p.m. tomorrow. But only Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has confirmed her attendance. In a news statement yesterday, CNMG said the event would be 90 minutes long. CNMG said it decided to host the event after the Tr i n i d a d a n d To b a g o Debates Commission cancelled a provisional booking to host a national leadership debate on that date at our studios. According to the release: On July 15, 2015, C N M G w r o t e to Prime Minister Kamla PersadBissessar, as leader of the People’s Partnership, and Dr. Keith Rowley, leader of
People’s National Movement, inviting them to participate in a leadership debate. On that date, CNMG also wrote to the heads of TV 6 and CNC3, inviting their participation in a joint event, and proposing that the debate be moderated by the presenters of the three respective morning television talk shows. Ms. Persad-Bissessar responded on July 17, 2015, accepting CNMG’s invitation. Dr. Rowley has, so far, not responded to the invitation to participate. The invitation remains open for his participation. Arising from the letters to the other television organisations, a meeting was held with the heads of TV 6 and CNC 3 and attended by the respective presidents of two professional industry organisations.
The President of Trinidad and Tobago Debates Commission was invited to attend, and attendance was confirmed. Just before the start of the meeting, the President of the Commission indicated that he will not attend the meeting. There was an exhaustive discussion and full participation at the meeting. But there was no consensus on hosting a National Leadership Debate. After careful review, CNMG opted to pursue the course of hosting the initially proposed debate. CNMG is heartened at the commitment of Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar to participate in the debate. We also look forward to Dr. Rowley’s participation. CNMG promises a fair and balanced discussion, aimed at airing the major national issues?
Murder accused Rajaee Ali leaves the Port of Spain Magistrates’ Court Monday after appearing for the Dana Seetahal killing. (Photo: Anisto Alves/Trinidad Express)
CNMG to host leaders “debate” but only the PM is confirmed
Wednesday July 29, 2015
Kaieteur News
Denials fly in war of nerves over Greek debt talks Reuters - Conflicting statements and denials flew between Athens and Brussels yesterday in a war of nerves highlighting the depth of mutual mistrust over a new round of negotiations on an 86 billion euro bailout that started this week. Any hope of a fresh start in fraught relations between Greece’s leftist government, purged of its most radical members, and the institutions representing its creditors, appeared to be dashed by the flurry of assertions and rebuttals. Differences included the pace and conduct of bailout talks, whether or not Greece needs to enact further laws before a deal, the reopening of the Athens stock exchange, and the activities of former finance minister Yanis Varoufakis, who continues to heap abuse on the creditors in his blog. The two sides couldn’t
even agree on when the talks began. A Greek Finance Ministry official said the heads of the European Commission and International Monetary Fund delegations would arrive today for talks on a third bailout programme to keep Greece afloat in the euro zone. Technical negotiations would be wrapped up by Friday, with “follow up” discussions over the weekend under exceptional circumstances, he said. “Both sides aim to reach a deal as soon as possible,” the official said. European Commission officials said European mission chiefs were already on the ground and talks had begun on Monday. But they made clear the creditors would not be stampeded into a rushed agreement without detailed reform commitments in writing. C o m m i s s i o n
spokeswoman Mina Andreeva said there was “no fixed deadline” for the conclusion of a Memorandum of Understanding, and if all parties kept to commitments made at a July 13 euro summit, “an agreement by the second fortnight of August is possible”. Greek officials were at pains to play down what they see as the humiliating and intrusive aspects of the talks - access to ministries, the right to examine accounts and question civil servants, and the visible presence of the negotiators in Athens. The Finance Ministry official said there had been no organizational issues and all discussions were taking place at the institutions’ residence. When required, creditors’ representatives had met with Greek officials at the Bank of Greece and the State General Accounting Office.
Adams Oshiomhole said US officials informed President Muhammadu Buhari of the alleged theft during his visit to Washington last month. Mr Buhari took office in May, ending the rule of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The PDP has repeatedly denied allegations of widespread corruption during its 16-year rule. Mr Oshiomhole, who accompanied Mr Buhari to Washington, did not name the minister who allegedly stole the money.
During his visit to the US, Mr Buhari said he had asked the US to help recover $150bn “stolen in the past decade and held in foreign bank accounts”. US officials described the theft during the PDP’s rule as “earthquaking”, Mr Oshiomhole, the Edo State governor, told journalists in the Nigerian capital, Abuja. The PDP said Mr Buhari’s visit to Washington was a failure, in particular for failing to obtain “any sort of tangible
gain for the fight against terrorism”. Mr Buhari, a former military ruler, was invited to Washington shortly after becoming the first opposition candidate to win a national election in March. He succeeded President Goodluck Jonathan. Nigeria is Africa’s biggest oil producer, but the majority of its citizens live in poverty. Its oil sector has often been hit by allegations of corruption. (BBC News)
A former govt. minister in Nigeria stole £3.8bn of public money
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Wednesday July 29, 2015
T&T: Police, Fire and Prisons to get 14 percent wage increase
14 PERCENT SIGNING: Chief Personnel Officer (CPO) Stephanie Lewis, left, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service Social Welfare Association President, Anand Ramesar, and Association Secretary, Michael Seales, sign an MOU at the Hilton Hotel Monday. Author: ANGELO MARCELLE (Source: Newsday) Police, fire and prison officers will get a 14 percent salary increase following Monday’s signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) by the Chief Personnel Officer, Stephanie Lewis, for the period 2011 to 2013. The signing took place at the Hilton Trinidad, St Ann’s. Lewis described the signing as “historic and unprecedented” as it was the first time five unions signed an MoA together. The unions represented were the Prison Services Association First and Second division, Police Social and Welfare Association (PSWA) and Fire Services Association, First and Second division. She said she began negotiating with the protective services in September 2014 and during the process, they had “excitement” over the table. “Some days were good, some days were not so good. All in
all we managed not to fight with each other too much. We certainly came to an agreement and as I always say, negotiations are about give and take. In the giving and taking there are always circumstances that the employer has to take into account,” she said. She noted that reality “sometimes bites” during the negotiating process and that reality was the decline in oil and gas prices in 2014. “It was so bad that the budgets had to be reexamined, reviewed and even though a big fuss was not made, ministries and departments knew what that meant. Wages and salaries being the largest bill for the State. It did impact on our negotiations not withstanding the Minister of Finance and the economy really tried to accommodate every time I went to him to sometimes beg, plead to try and reach an agreement,” he said.
She added that they were not trying to “stymie” the process, but they were living with a reality at that point. “All of us have to say either enough is enough, or okay it is not exactly what I want but I understand, and I accept and I know it is not necessarily all smiles and happiness from your membership, but I think they need to understand the negotiating process,” she said. PSWA head, Anand Ramesar said the police service at this time was suffering from the tragic loss of a police officer, so there was a “gloomy feeling” in the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service. “The Commissioner of Prisons (Sterling Stewart) has his job cut out for him in bringing back that level of confidence motivation, and good spirit that can auger well in getting a favourable response from his officers,” he said. (Daily Observer)
The Gleaner - The Government says it is already in discussions with the United States over its 2015 human trafficking report which Jamaica says does not fairly assess efforts made last year to combat the crime. The US State Department released the report Monday, ranking Jamaica for a second straight year on the Tier 2 Watch List. The ranking means that Jamaica does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking although the country is making significant efforts to do so. Justice Minister, Senator Mark Golding, says significant work was done
over the last year which the US report does not fairly acknowledge. He says Jamaican officials have been meeting with counterparts from the US Embassy in Jamaica, a l t h o u g h there is no guarantee the US will amend the report. Golding notes that the US report on Jamaica is important because of the assistance that Jamaica gets from that country. He argues that if Jamaica remains on the Tier Two Watch list for a third straight year, it could trigger US laws which restrict certain assistance to Jamaica. However, the Justice Minister is doubtful this will
happen given the cooperation required by both countries to fight transnational crimes including human trafficking. In a statement this morning, the Justice Ministry said the government is perplexed by the acknowledgment by the US of Jamaica’s efforts while still keeping Jamaica on its watch list. Jamaica says some of the claims in the report lack supporting evidence. Regarding convictions, it notes that the Government does not have control over decisions of the court adding that due process in criminal cases is a Constitutional guarantee.
Government perplexed at US over 2015 human trafficking report
Wednesday July 29, 2015
Kaieteur News
Arab female bodybuilder... From page 36 “I think Haifa has a lot of talent and... possibilities,” says Sousa, who oversees Musawi’s rigorous fitness regime and diet, and acts as her manager. While more and more Arab women are developing interest in the sport and some come to her, mainly seeking weight-loss training, many are still burdened by “social restrictions”, says Musawi. She says that many of her male clients also find her “strange” at first but they have slowly become more accepting. “I have proved it to them.”Lifting weights at the same gym is Shaza Jamil, a British-born girl of YemeniPakistani origin. “Men usually ask me: ‘Why are you building muscles? You’re a girl. Why are you ruining your body?’ But I am not. I love my body and this is why I do lifting,” she says. “Society has put in their heads that a woman should not have muscles.” A relative newcomer, Jamil has already won a silver medal
Bahraini female bodybuilder and personal trainer Haifa al-Musawi prepares to train at a gym in Dubai on June 26, 2015 (AFP Photo/Marwan Naamani) in the bikini category of a British competition after only a year of lifting weights. Like Musawi, she took to the sport after struggling with her weight and shape. Her mother had first rejected the idea of her going on stage as a bodybuilder. “We had drama at home but when she attended the competition and
saw how happy I was and that I had won,” she began to accept it, says Jamil. “It is true we wear bikinis on stage but we do nothing wrong. We just show off our bodies that we worked so hard on,” the brunette says, defending the sport which she says has “changed my life”.
Wednesday July 29, 2015 ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) Be prepared to neutralize any threats. Hold your temper and refrain from doing anything that might cause injury. It's a great day to attend social functions. TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21) Be careful signing important contracts today. You may be upset if someone has borrowed something that belongs to you. GEMINI (May 22-June 21) Problems with skin, bones, or teeth may mess up your schedule. You can dazzle members of the opposite sex with your quick wit and aggressive charm. CANCER (June 22-July 22) You may find that someone you really cared for in the past has come back into your life. This will not be the day to have minor surgery. LEO (July 23-Aug 22) Be sure to catch up on overdue correspondence and help those you love find solutions to their dilemmas. VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) This could be a serious relationship. Do not borrow or lend money or belongings to friends or relatives if you wish to avoid any hassles.
LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) Be prepared to make compensations and adjustments. Restrictions may be difficult for you to live with. SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) Your ideas may be a little ahead of their time; don't push them, instead just continue working on development. Don't be disappointed if you don't get your way emotionally. SAGIT (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) Keep an eye on your weight. Plan to do things with your faithful pet or with youngsters who have interesting hobbies. Romantic encounters will develop through group activity. CAPRI (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) Take time to find out if anyone has a better suggestion before you make arrangements for the whole family. Travel and communication will be lucrative for you. AQUAR. (Jan. 21 -Feb. 19) If they want help that's great, but if they try to take credit for your work, you will have to set them straight. PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) Take time to deal with legal documents and the affairs of people who you may be indebted to.
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Accuracy and Speed on show at... From page 42 one had to turn around, retrieve the firearm from a table and engage 3 targets only, perform a mandatory re-load before finishing the stage. All except one shooter ended up finishing the stage shooting under the table. The third stage “Zig Zag” was as the name suggested and consisted of 11 paper targets with 2 NS targets. Once again, the shooters’ agility and ability to quickly navigate through the mini-maze while deciding which targets to engage from where, while either moving or stopping at strategic spots to be able to see targets positioned behind hardcover walls. The fourth and final stage named “Mad Dash” required the shooters to start seated on a chair with their heels touching the chair legs and hands on their knees. The unloaded gun was placed some distance away, on the start signal, shooters had to quickly dash to retrieve their gun, make it ready and engage the 3 paper targets and 2 falling plates, one of the targets could only be visible through an open port. This saw some competitors creatively moving to various shooting locations to try to gain advantage and cut their time down with less movement which ultimately created difficult target presentation. As the sun began to set, it was once again the rapid Ryan McKinnon who carted off the First Place Overall trophy followed by the quick Ray Beharry in Second Place, while seasoned trouper Mohamed Qualander finished in Third Place. Mr. McKinnon expressed satisfaction with his shooting which led to him being victorious but noted that he is keeping a close eye on several upcoming local competitors who are showing notable improvements in the sport. He equated this to the fact that the GSSF supported by the GDF, provides range time so that members can attend frequent practice sessions, a norm since the establishment of the Federation. McKinnon commented on the safety, frequency and quality of the matches being hosted by the GSSF noting that there is balance to the matches, which doesn’t allow for any one shooter to easily cart off top honours after winning any single stage, but rather requires competitors to be consistent throughout the match in order to be eligible for overall awards. Scoring was tallied by the scoring software for the sport and effectively managed by Stats Officer Mr. Ray Beharry who released the results as
follows: Yoga without the Toga: 1st – 130 Points in 31.97 seconds = 140.00 Stage Points - Ryan McKinnon 2nd – 118 Points in 38.51 seconds = 105.50 Stage Points – Ray Beharry 3rd - 132 Points in 56.34 seconds = 80.66 Stage Points – Mohamed Qualander Over Under: 1st – 54 P in 9.37s = 60.00 SP - Ryan McKinnon 2nd - 44 P in 9.95s = 46.04 SP – Joseph Chin 3rd - 56 P in 14.25s = 40.91 SP – Michael Blake Zig Zag: 1st – 90 P in 19.05s = 110.00 SP - Ryan McKinnon 2nd - 88 P in 24.34s = 84.18 SP– Vidushi Persaud 3rd - 92 P in 26.76s = 80.05 SP - Ray Beharry Mad Dash: 1st – 38 P in 8.01s = 40.00 SP - Ryan McKinnon 2nd - 23 P in 7.65s = 25.35 SP– Joseph Chin 3rd - 38 P in 14.03s = 22.84 SP – Mohamed Qualander Overall match Results are as follows: 1st Place 350.00 Points Ryan McKinnon 2nd Place 241.64 Points – Ray Beharry 3rd Place 213.21 Points – Mohamed Qualander At the closing ceremony,
special thanks were extended by the GSSF President, Ms. Persaud to the Match Officials, Chief of Staff of the GDF, Brigadier Phillips, Colonel Benn, GPF Commissioner Persaud, Asst. Commissioner Ramnarine, Commander Hicken, OC TSU Superintendent Dehnert, Asst. Superintendent Todd, Corporal Dunn and the ranks of the Armoury and TSU. She also thanked Woodpecker Products and Mrs. Luana Fernandes for the support and encouragement given towards the GSSF and for her kind donation of the remarkable trophies. Ms. Persaud added that the GSSF is dedicated towards the further promotion of all forms of sport shooting for Guyana and w i l l c o n t i n u e to stage events on a regular basis which are all open to experienced and trained practical shooters. She also expressed her enthusiasm on the growing number of persons showing an interest in handgun sports, an area which she noted Guyana is lagging far behind its sister Caribbean and South American nations. In closing she encouraged all to keep updated on the work of the GSSF via the website www.GuyanaSportShooting.com.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday July 29, 2015
Another T20 bash, another T&T win Business as usual? Yes, but this year’s tournament had other stories too - not all of them positive
Darren Bravo’s two devastating 80-plus scores offered glimpses of why he might be compared to Brian Lara © Caribbean Premier League ESPNcricinfo (Colin Benjamin) - So the established order has been reaffirmed. A Caribbean T20 tournament is played and Trinidad & Tobago are victorious. When the West Indies Cricket Board disbanded the traditional inter-island Caribbean T20 tournament after the January 2013 edition to form the Caribbean Premier League that year, the cricketloving public of the twinisland republic were the most resistant to the change. Their understandable aversion was based on the historical domestic dominance of the “Red Force” in the format, which has seen them win four of six (T20) tournaments and represent the Caribbean well in the now discontinued Champions League. The WICB mooted the noble idea of spreading Trinidad’s talent around to the respective territories in order to make the CPL more competitive. In this year’s edition each team except Jamaica Tallawahs had its fair
share of T&T players Guyana Amazon Warriors had Denesh Ramdin, Lendl Simmons and Sunil Narine; Barbados Tridents had Kieron Pollard, Ravi Rampaul, Rayad Emrit, Navin Stewart, Imran Khan and Akeal Hosein; St Lucia Zouks had Shannon Gabriel; and St Kitts & Nevis Patriots had Evin Lewis and Nicholas Pooran. CPL 2015 was an indication of the board’s vision coming to fruition, with St Lucia Zouks and St Kitts & Nevis Patriots contesting for finals positions strongly going into the last week of the preliminary round play. Whether it was the controversial former minister of sport Anil Roberts demanding the T&T name be removed from the Red Steel franchise last year; or accusations that too many players linked to the famous Queen’s Park Cricket Club were being selected in the Red Steel team during the draft process; or a premature online petition for Dwayne Bravo to be removed as
captain, T&T has been at the centre of various CPL storms big and small. Red Steel in this year’s CPL was on paper clearly not as strong as a full-strength Trinidad team would be. But after struggling in away fixtures and being bottom of the table (despite having played fewer games) - they timed their run into form perfectly, winning six of their seven home matches with the aid of a powerful “12th man” crowd factor at the Queen’s Park Oval. Pollard’s captaincy gained great reviews and it makes the WICB selectors’ decision to entrust Jason Holder with the one-day captaincy when he is still establishing himself as a player look premature. No other players epitomised the pleasure of playing at home as much as the Bravo brothers. Darren struggled for form after his match-winning knocked helped West Indies draw the recent Test series against England, and his CPL form of 30 runs in six innings away from Port-of-Spain reinforced the point. But his two
Azad Hassan and Vyvian Crandon were declared winners in the senior and junior divisions when the Guyana National Rifle Association (GNRA) smallbore section ran off a .22 Precision Pistol shooting competition over the weekend at the Tactical Services Unit (TSU) ranges. Hassan recorded 180 points to win the senior category beating into second position Surujballi Persaud who amassed 175 points while third place went to Joshua Ramlakhan who recorded 171points. Crandon amassed 184points to triumph in the junior division. In second
spot was Devindra Persaud with 180 points, while Sean Austin was third on171points. The seniors shot from the 10 and 12.5 meters distances while juniors shot from five and 10 meter distances. Handgun captain Dale Hing who supervised the competition stated that Precision Pistol shooting has always been the foundation for marksmen and women to develop. He said whether they continue in that category or move on to other fast paced shooting disciplines like practical pistol and action pistol shooting their
foundation will remain strong. “With this foundation and the basic marksmanship and safety principles combined with practice, discipline and the right attitude a shooter’s performance will improve,” Hing added. Meanwhile, the next Practical Shoot will be the annual Modern Optical Cup team competition set for the end of August at the Timehri ranges. The competition will attract teams from the Guyana Police Force, Guyana Defence Force, Presidential Guards, Bank of Guyana Security and the Guyana NRA.
Hassan, Crandon win .22 Precision Pistol Shooting Competition
devastating 80-plus scores versus former champions Barbados Tridents and Jamaica Tallawahs at the Oval showed wonderful glimpses of why he has regularly been compared to Brian Lara. While other promising young batsmen worldwide such as Steven Smith, Kane Williamson, Virat Kohli and Joe Root continue to evolve, “Lil Bravo” has certainly stagnated, and West Indies fans continue to wait for him to re-establish himself to a similar level. Bravo Sr and Kieron Pollard provided an interesting subplot to the tournament. The two were ridiculously dropped from the West Indies World Cup squad and Dwayne stripped of the West Indies ODI captaincy, which most fans and media (and the duo themselves) saw as the players being victimised for their roles in the pull-out from the India tour - though the WICB claimed otherwise. Both players would have been glad to have taken their teams to the championship game, given the pressure they have been under. Since being axed from the ODI team, they helped Trinidad & Tobago win the domestic 50-overs tournament in January. Bravo’s bowling has regained spark: he was the leading wicket-taker in both the IPL
and now the CPL. Pollard’s all-round contributions were key to Mumbai Indians winning the IPL, and so was his captaincy in getting Barbados Tridents to the CPL final. It is well documented how West Indies cricket politics drove Bravo into retiring from Test cricket, denying the side his services in the longer format. Pollard’s captaincy gained great reviews during the CPL and it makes the WICB selectors’ decision to entrust Jason Holder with the one-day captaincy when he is still establishing himself as a player look premature. The international players were a bit disappointing in this year’s CPL, with none of them really being supremely dominant, though they contributed in key phases in various matches. In the lists of the top 10 run scorers and wicket-takers, West Indies players occupied seven and eight spots respectively. Such performances show that if further player-versusboard issues don’t surface in the coming months, the Caribbean side have most bases covered looking ahead to the 2016 World T20. Arguably the most impressive international acquisition was South African left-arm chinaman bowler Tabraiz Shamsi. First
spotted by Marlon Samuels during West Indies’ recent tour to South Africa, Shamsi kept many batsmen in check with his variations. It will be interesting to see if the South African selectors give the 25year old an international callup. Off the field two lingering positive and negative stories stood out. The owners of the IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders acquiring a controlling stake in Red Steel was a great fillip for the CPL organisers. Knight Riders CEO Venky Mysore and co-owner Shah Rukh Khan could not have asked for a better investment than seeing the Red Steel win. The Indian franchise’s involvement could open new doors for the CPL. Other IPL teams could partner Caribbean franchises, Indian players might play in the CPL, and Trinidad local Sunil Narine could come back to play for Red Steel in future tournaments. At the other end of the spectrum, some trepidation is being expressed about the amount of money Caribbean governments and corporate entities are paying to host matches. The Antigua government could no longer afford to do so, which is why the Antigua Hawksbills franchise was disbanded. r
Police Inter-Division Athletics Championships
Benjamin leaps to Long Jump gold Despite a scare from sprinter Tevin Garraway, who narrowly missed Yoel Benjamin’s best jump on his last attempt, Benjamin prevailed in one of the few finals yesterday when the Police Inter-Division Athletics Championship commenced at the National Track and Field Centre at Leonora. Benjamin leaped to 6.58m to win the Men’s Long
Jump Final, ahead of Garraway, who sprang to 6.57m and Stephen Harris’ who had 6.46m. Benjamin gave ‘A’ Division the points ahead of two athletes from Headquarters, who finished second and third respectively. Cindy Fraser won the Long Jump Women with 5.57m to initiate a clean sweep for ‘A’ Division in the event. Tandica Burgess posted a
best jump of 5.54m for second while Tenisha Punch had 5.09m for third place. Julio Sinclair threw 42.97m to win the Discuss Men ‘A’ Class while Ronald Payne threw 35.87m and Adrian Massiah 26.16m for third. These were the results available from the few finals held on the opening day of the competition that continues today.
From page 37 Board/Georgetown Cricket Association, Republic Bank Berbice Branches, Nand Persaud and Company Karibee Rice, NPG Packaging, P&P Insurance Brokers and Consultants Limited, Massy Industries, Raffik and Sons Construction Services of Williamsburg, B Debydeen, Caterer of Albion Estate Road, Corentyne, New Building Society Ltd, Balram Shane of Rose Hall Town, Sunshine Supermarket, Tribhowan Jagdeo, Ronald Williams of
Apex Insurance Brokers Inc, Sandeep Ramdass of Ishmail Poultry, popularly known as Pampey, Asheik and Sons Motor Spares and Auto Sale, Safraz Photo Studio, Rocky of Palace Taxi Service, Restaurant and Bar, D Harricharran of Beauty and Home Design, Sheik Mohamed of Tiger Sports Club, Office Express, RHTY&SC, Trophy Stall of Bourda Market, Price is Right Supermarket of No 79 Corriverton, Venu Shopping Center and Beauty Saloon.
Clubs affiliated to the Berbice Cricket Board are asked to get their grounds ready for the resumption of the cricket season. Several gate prizes will be up for grabs for the fans with a well stocked ANSA MCAL bar and musical entertainment present. Games for the young and old will also be there. Entrance is $300 for adults, children under 12 free. School children from primary and secondary schools in the area were given complimentaries to attend.
Insurance giants Hand in...
Wednesday July 29, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Roshandin excited about his chances at Aug 9 ‘National Race of Champions’ Meet see most of the country’s top drivers and riders compete in the day’s races as they battle for supremacy and spots on the team. Quizzed on whether his is ready for the battle that should come in the form of Chet Singh, Rameeze Mohamed, and a few others, Roshandin responded by saying that he is ready and raring to go against anyone that takes to the starting line. “My car is in good condition right now, we did not have any problems in Trinidad and Tobago so I don’t think we have much
work to do and I expect the car to perform well,” Roshandin said. He reckoned that Chet will no doubt be coming hard at him to secure his place on the team, but according to him he is ready for the showdown. “We’ve had our battles over the years and both of us has enjoyed good results against each other so I expect a close tussle once again.” Asked to respond in the capacity of being the VicePresident of the Guyana Motor Racing Club to the question of whether drivers such as father and son Kevin
and Kristian Jeffrey will be appearing, Roshandin said strong efforts are being made to have them on the starting grid and early indications seem to suggest that they are coming. He also stated that quite a few drivers will be returning for the Meet from self inflicted hiatus and he anticipates a day of exciting races. Roshandin expressed thanks to his sponsors Rubis, M.S Roshandin Professional Services and Total Lubricants for their support over the years.
Regional U19 tourney
Windwards, T&T record victories Roshandin’s Honda Civic back in town for August 9 ‘National Race of Champions’ Meet. Group 2 driver Shairaz Roshandin speaking with this newspaper recently at his TOTAL Lubricants Head Office in Eccles said that he will be using the upcoming ‘National Race of Champions’ Meet scheduled for August 9, at the South Dakota Circuit as valuable warm-up for the Barbados leg of the Seaboard
Marine Caribbean Motor Racing Championship. Roshandin, who missed the opening leg of the Series in Jamaica, performed creditably during the Trinidad and Tobago CMRC leg, gaining valuable points for Guyana in their quest to retain the overall title. The reigning Group 2
champion, who drives a Honda Civic, said that while he recognises that competitors will be using the Meet to qualify for selection on the Guyana squad for Barbados, he intends to have fun whilst doing enough to gain selection for his country. According to the local speedster, the Meet should
Windward Islands defeated Barbados by five wickets when the Regional U19 50-over tournament continued yesterday in Jamaica. At St. Elizabeth High School ground, Barbados were bowled out for 138 in 45 overs, batting first. Nicholas Kirton top scored with 26, Leniko Boucher made 24 and Zachary McCaskie 18. Ryan John claimed 4-14, while there
was two each for Othneil Lewis, Gidron Pope and Kyle Cabey. Windwards replied with 139-5 in 39 overs. Emmanuel Stewart led with 43; Pope scored 27 and Johnel Eugene 22. Keon Harding captured 234. On Monday, Trinidad and Tobago thumped Canada by 138 runs. Trinidad and Tobago batted first and scored 283-9
off 50 overs. Cephas Cooper slammed 67, Amir Jangoo 64, Anderson Phillip 44, Bryan Boodram 31 and Jameel Maniram 26. Kurt Ramdath, Shlok Patel and Harsha Tahaker claimed two wickets each. Canada were bowled out for 145 in 45.5 overs in reply. Abraash Khan scored 24 as Anderson Phillip snared three and Clevon Kalawan two scalps.
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Kaieteur News
RHT Gizmos & Gadgets First Division Teams assist Blairmont CC Player
The Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club’s Gizmos & Gadgets First Division and Under-21 Cricket Teams recently donated a set of cricket gears to a promising Under-19 cricketer, Shimar Flats of Blairmont Cricket Club. The donation was done by the cricketers as part of the Silver Jubilee Anniversary of Guyana’s leading youth and sports
organisation, which was founded in 1990 by three times Guyana and Commonwealth Youth Service Awardee, the St. Francis Community Developers. Club Secretary/CEO of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club Hilbert Foster stated that one of the main aims of the Club is to assist youths to fulfill their potential in sports, education and culture. Every year,
hundreds of youths are assisted with sport gears, educational materials among other items under the Club’s “Live your Dream Project”. The Gizmos & Gadgets Teams, Foster stated have produced numerous cricketing talents including Assad Fudadin, Royston and Esuan Crandon, Shemaine Campbelle, Erva Giddings, Dominique Rikhi, Clinton Pestano, Eon Hooper and Akshay Homraj among others. The long serving Secretary/CEO urged the young Blairmont Cricketer to develop a strong culture of hard work, discipline and dedication to ensure that he develops not only as a cricketer but a positive role model off the cricket field. He also advised Flats to always strive for success and to never give up even when the clouds seem dark. Minister of Education Dr. Rupert Roopnarine handed over the gears on behalf of the cricket teams. The donation consisted of a cricket bag, pair of batting pads and a cricket bat. The Gizmos & Gadgets First Division Team is captained by former national Under-19 captain Shawn Pereira with national player Eon Hooper as his deputy. The Under-21 Team captain isAkshay Homraj with Brandon Prashad as his deputy.
The much anticipated launching of the Ninth Annual Guyana Cup Horse race meet, which is sponsored by the Jumbo Jet Business Enterprise in collaboration with the Port Mourant Turf Club, is set for today at the entity office at 92 Smyth Street Week-en-rust Georgetown beginning at 11:00 hrs. Officials of the Government along with the organizers and major sponsors including Banks DIH Limited and Digicel are expected to be on board to brief the media. The horserace meet which
is slated for Sunday 16 August has $25M in cash and trophies up for grabs. Most of the top Horses in the country have already given an indication to be a part of the day’s programme. The feature event is for animals classified A’ and lower with a mouth watering winning prize of $3M and the Guyana Cup Trophy from a total package of $6M in total over 1800M. The other placers in that event will also be handsomely rewarded. The other events on the day are the Co-feature 1600M event for 3 yrs old horses, bred and
born in Guyana and the West Indies. The Two year old event for West Indies Bred horses, The E class and lower 1000M event. There is an event for four year old West Indies bred animals, an event for horses classified F3 and lower, the G3 and lower race, an event for two year old Guyana bred horses, the ‘I’ and lower race and the final event for unclassified animals. The event will be held under the rules of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority. The coordinator is Nasrudeen (Jumbo Jet) Mohamed. Race time is 12:00 hrs.
A representative from Blairmont Cricket Club received the gears for Shimar Flats from Minister Dr. Rupert Roopnarine.
Guyana Cup Horserace meet to be launched today
Wednesday July 29, 2015
Letter to the Sports Editor
Government must implement Cricket Administration Act, investigate corrupt boards now Dear Sports Editor, I am heartened by the genuine intentions of our present Government to restore order accountability and decency to the Guyanese society as a whole especially with particular reference to the Minister of Finance’s stated zero tolerance for skullduggery and corruption. The need to rid this country of the scourge of widespread corruption and lawlessness cannot be over emphasized. It must be completely eradicated if we are to progress as a people. In this regard, I am extremely concerned with the state of cricket, our national game, and the evident laissez – faire’ approach towards the administration of the game by the previous administration. Since 2009 there have been widespread charges of corruption, financial improprieties, visa scams, illegal electoral practices including favours for votes, administrative lawlessness and even criminal attacks such as dousing an executive member of the GCB with acid. These acts have been seriously underpinned by deliberate racial and other discriminatory practices (see Chronicle full page advertisement of Sunday June 21 st page 18), that seriously impact negatively on our youths. The results of which have been reflected in the poor results of our cricketers, both male and female, at all levels over the past five (5) years, who have been finding it difficult to gain selection on West Indies Teams at a time when the very West Indies Cricket is at its most fragile state. Amidst all the chaos a Cricket Administration Bill
(CAB) was passed in April 2014 and enacted into law in August 2014 thereby paving the way for order, accountability, free and fair elections and full participation of all Actors including Linden, which has been ignominiously omitted from our cricket landscape for over 15 years. Not a single youngster from the Upper Demerara Region of Linden has been even considered for selection in any of our teams for over 15 years, and despite the enactment of the Law, they are still being ignored. The act was challenged by the very instigators of the problems, with the sole intention of using the courts to maintain total control of our cricket, ignoring the disastrous consequences their actions have been causing to the development of the game, whilst negatively affecting the future of at least 100,000 youths across the country. It is against this background that I implore the Government to urgently address the cricket crisis even though their hands are filled with other important investigations of corruption for it is my understanding that the CAB is designed to restore order, decency, accountability and free and fair elections to our fractious cricket climate. It is apposite to note that in international football there is unprecedented activities to bring to justice officials who have engaged in corruption and lawlessness. While on the local scene, FIFA has initiated moves to bring order and legality to Guyana’s football. Again, while I applaud the g o v e r n m e n t ’s anticorruption drive in other areas I prompt them to pursue with the same
vigour the corruption in our cricket, especially since it is alleged that some of the leading members of the GCB who prior to the elections were staunch supporters of the PPP/C have since established strong ties to the hierarchy of the Alliance For Change (AFC) which provides the support base for them to continue their control of our cricket. In this new resolve Transparency, Democracy and Justice must be pursued with fairness and fearlessness, irrespective of the relationship of the actors involved with the political directorate. Also that Scotia Bank, a reputable financial institution, could condone the lawlessness of supporting the body by not only opening a foreign currency account, but to also sponsor their activities. Is this in keeping with the Anti-money laundering process? As a consequence the Government must immediately ensure: 1. That there is a thorough investigation of the Guyana Cricket Board operations since 2009 to date, including DCB, DCB Inc, DEB Essentials Inc., a private company that suddenly had its name changed to Cricket Guyana Inc, a façade designed to mislead the Guyanese public. 2. The implementation of the Cricket Administration Act (CAA) to immediately correct the unlawful continuance of a group that is controlling our cricket, and the restoration of democracy through free and fair elections. For the sake of our cricket, I implore the Government to act urgently and decisively towards a final resolution of our cricket crisis. Claude Raphael
Wednesday July 29, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Romello Crawford wins Challenges abound but Judo Federation executives press on determinedly GBTI cycle race in Berbice Romello Crawford was in a dominant mood when he rode away from the rest of the field to win the ninth annual Guyana Bank For Trade and Industry (GBTI) 50-mile cycle road race held on Sunday on the Corentyne Highway from Corriverton to Adventure and back. The race which was organized by the Flying Ace Cycle Club (FACC) began in front of Bank’s Corriverton branch and saw Crawford winning easily from his cousin Jebon Crawford who placed a distant second. The race, which was for Berbicians only, saw some 28 cyclist taking to the starting g line. Romello Crawford, just
back from overseas, wasted no time as he took to the front and never relinquished the lead as he took all of the prime point prizes on offer. Following the Crawfords home were Andrew Hicks, with the veterans Turhan Harris, Wasim Hassnu and Steve Ramsuchit rounding out the top six finishers. In the beginner’s category, Balram Narine was the first over the finishing line with Curtis Dey, Roopchand Kidnauth and Alex Burnette rounding out the top placers. Among the females, leading rider Marica Dick rode home easily ahead of Christine Matterson and Whitney Poyer. The females started from
Number 66 Village to the finish line, while the beginners rode from No51 Village to the finish line. Manager of the Bank’s Corriverton Branch Keiola Blackman was pleased with the day’s proceedings. In brief remarks she thanked the participants for putting on a good show and promised the Bank’s continued support in the future. She noted that sponsorship of the event was one way in which the bank gives back to the community. Officials of the bank were on hand to start the race and distribute the prizes. The event was coordinated by Coach Randolph Roberts. (Samuel Whyte)
Speed Boat XI book semi final spot in Kings Cup
Sales Associate of King’s Jewellery World presents the cheque to Samuel Kingston. Speed Boat XI became the first team to secure their place in the semi finals of the Kings Jewellery softball Cup after recording consecutive victories in zone A which was contested recently at the Everest Cricket Club. In their final preliminary game, Speed Boat defeated South Star by 46 runs. Speed Boat XI batted first and scored 134-3 in 20 overs. Greg Singh slammed 48 and Shazim Hussain 30 not out. South Star were sent packing for 78 in 12 overs in reply. Henry Niles made 25; Wazir Hussain grabbed 4-15. Speed Boat defeated Success Warriors by five wickets in an earlier game.
Batting first Success Warriors scored 127 all out in 10 overs. Speed Boat responded with 128-5 in 8.3 overs; Greg Singh Struck 44 and Navindra Kublall 38 not out. Zone B which is comprised of Trophy Stall B, South Star who were given a re-entry, Country Side and Farm XI will be contested on Sunday at GNIC SC; the top team will go through to the semis, while group C and D will be played at on a date and venue to be announced. Park Rangers, Parika Defenders, Floodlight and East Coast Masters will battle in the over-40 segment which will be contested on August
22 at Thirst Park from 11:00 hrs. The finals in both divisions will be played on the said date and venue under lights. The competition is being co-sponsored by Kings Jewellery, Rani’s Fashion and Hall Mark. Meanwhile Kings Jewellery yesterday presented their sponsorship cheque to organizer Samuel Kingston. In a brief remark Sales Associate of the entity Bibi Narifa Ally said they are please to be associated with the tournament while Kingston thanked them for their input. The competition is being sanctioned by Cloud Nine Inc.
President of the Guyana Judo Association, Raoul Archer (2nd r) proudly displays the plaque that inducts the local Judo body into the ITF Hall of Fame. Also in picture are l-r, William Arthur (extreme L), Imam Naeem Muhammad (2nd L) and Hilbert Archer (extreme R). By Michael Benjamin Amidst the many accolades, one of the major achievements of any sports body, whether local or international, is to procure an Olympic gold medal and the executives of the Guyana Judo Association (GJA) nurture similar ambitions as they enact strategies and systems to enhance such chances. Towards this end those officials had fielded Rawle Lall for the 2012 London Olympics in an effort that procured dismal results after Lall failed to meet the high standards. Undeterred, the executives continued to address their respective mandates and after getting their house in order, are ready to address the issues that would bear the required fruit. Administrators were faced with several challenges and unorthodox issues that had compromised the effective administrative flow and chief among them was the unilateral change of name from the Guyana Judo Association (GJA) to the Judo Association of Guyana (JAG). Geoff Sankies was then the President of the GJA during that transition period. The name change also necessitated constitutional adjustments thus allowing the JAG to function devoid of Government intervention and from under the auspices of the Friendly Society. The name change facilitated the JAG to conduct their business directly under the auspices of the GOA. The name change was contentious and some members felt that the transition was illegal thus compromising the development of the sport since the International Judo Federation (IJF) was adamant that the requisite procedures were not adhered to. It was amidst such uncertainty that Mr. Archer ventured to Rio de Janiero, Brazil, in 2013, to attend a congress hosted by the International Judo Federation (IJF). It was also at this forum
that the Judo Federation President was able to set the record straight and the JAG was reinstated as the GJA. Yesterday morning Kaieteur Sport engaged Mr. Archer and several members of his executive in a wide range of issues pertaining to the aforementioned issue as well as the future of the sport. Those that attended the forum were Secretary, Imam Naeem Muhammad, Vice President, William Archer and Treasurer, Hilbert Archer. “The new executive recognized that the name change was illegal and I attended the Brazil forum as a representative of the Guyana Judo Association,” informed Mr. Archer. This was in contradiction of accusations to the contrary by some concerned affiliates. He also presented documentation to this effect in the form of a large plaque presented by officials of the parent body. The document was duly signed by President (IJF) Maurius L Vizer and his General Secretary, Jean Luc Rouge and identified the local association by its initial name. It was not an easy journey for the new executives; Treasurer, Hilbert Archer, explained that upon ascension into office the new executive set about rectifying their financial issues. He said that in 2010, the IJF had assisted the local entity with five million dollars to offset the financial demands towards a developmental programme but accountability issues had cast a dark shadow over the sports body. Consequently, upon assuming office Mr. Archer said that they sought the services of accounting firm Ram & McRae and conformed to auditing procedures for the years 2010 through 2012. He said that in keeping with the accountability process they had dispatched electronic copies to several affiliates including the (former) Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, the Guyana Olympic Association, the Pan American
Judo Confederation, the International Judo Federation and the Friendly Society. It was after such house cleaning that the GJF executives set about with their programme for 2015. Following an Executive Statutory meeting in January they hosted the Republic Championships the following month. The executives further engaged in grading exercises and school demonstrations while organizing fund raisers. Several other tournaments and initiatives have augmented their programme and the year’s itinerary will culminate with the locals participating in the 15th Barbados International Judo tournament set for that Island early in December. Mr. Archer admits that there is still much work to be done if his entity is to rise above the many challenges. He has been busy traveling to other countries to various conferences and meetings. Apart from the Brazil sojourn, Mr. Archer had journeyed to Mexico last year where he engaged senior officials on the possibility of having the sport played at the Carifta level. He had also been in Canada and engaged several Caribbean countries in similar discussions. He said that he is awaiting definitive responses from those whom he engaged. Quizzed on the direction of the sport, Mr. Archer admitted that his organization still has a lot of ground to cover. He mentioned Guyana’s participation at the 2012 London Olympics where the sole representative, Rawle Lall, was woefully outclassed and underscored the importance of attending high profile tournaments in the future. Meanwhile, Imam Naeem Muhammad said that in keeping with this understanding they are currently establishing various sub-committees to strengthen the executive body in an effort to promote the all round development of the sport.
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Kaieteur News
GCB assists Guyana blind cricket team
GCB President, Drubahadur, handing over the donation cheque to GuyBCA Executive Member, Cecil Morris. The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) has extended support via financial contribution to the Guyana Blind Cricket Association (GuyBCA) that will be competing in the West Indies Cricket Council for the Blind and Visually Impaired (WICCBVI) Competition which begins on July 29, 2015 in St Lucia. President of the GCB, Drubahadur, wished the team success for the Tournament, noting that he is amazed at the team’s discipline and eagerness to go out there and compete. He further stated that he is confident that they will produce an outstanding performance. The President added that he has always admired the zest the players have shown even though they are visually
impaired. According to him, this is a lesson for those persons who are not deprived of their sight, to value theirs and at the same time, appreciate those who do not. Drubahadur posited that the GCB has always been supportive of GuyBCA and will continue to do so as they play a very integral part in our society. Executive Member of GuyBCA, Cecil Morris, thanked GCB for its support. He said that the donation will go a far way in getting the team ready for a successful Tournament. He also acknowledged GCB’s support from the inception of their Association. Morris recalled that the GCB assisted GuyBCA in the formation of their constitution, and aided
The Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA) has called a meeting with its affiliated clubs to discuss the upcoming Under23 Inter Club basketball championship which is set to bounce off early next month.
The club captains and representatives are asked to attend the meeting tomorrow at the Toucan Call Centre in Kara kara, Mackenzie, Linden and it starts at 6.30 pm. All clubs are asked to take note including Kings,
them with coaches and other resources to keep their cricket ongoing. Morris explained to Drubahadur that being blind or visually impaired can be very depressing and cricket acts a top entertainment for many of these persons, especially the younger ones. He said that the players have been looking forward to this Competition; hence, they are extremely grateful for the contribution. This year will be the eighth Regional Championship. Guyana has never won a title; the closest the got to it was third in 2008. Jamaica is the defending champions for the 40-over Competition while Trinidad and Tobago holds the T20 format title.
LABA meets with clubs tomorrow at Toucan Call Centre to discuss U-23 championship Retrieve Raiders, Wismar Pistons, Amelia’s Ward Jets, Block 22 Flames, Bankers Trust Falcons, Victory Valley Royals and Half Mile Bulls. The age limit is that players must be born after December 31st 1992 to be eligible to play in this championship. President of the LABA Larry Simon will chair the meeting which will also be attended by the association’s executive members.
Wednesday July 29, 2015
Giftland Sports Maxx partners with Boyce & Jefford Track and Field Classic Giftland Sports Maxx, located in Giftland Mall at Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara has partnered with the Boyce and Jefford Track and Field Classic VI under its Under Armour and Asics brands to reward outstanding athletes in two of the six international events. Giftland Sports Maxx Store, the home of all internationally renowned sports apparel, will partner with Guyana’s most prestigious track and field competition in a significant way. They will brand the male 800m and female 1500m international races. In a deal announced yesterday, the races will be rebranded Under Armour 800m Men and Asics 1500m Women to reflect the support from the brands available at Sports Maxx. Both races carry a US$500 total purse with $250 going to the winner, $150 to second place, and $100 to the third place finishers. Giftland Sports Maxx will sponsor both events. In addition, the Store will outfit
the winners from both races with respective apparel to the value of $50,000 each, raising the incentives for athletes competing in the races on the weekend of August 15-16 in Linden. The apparel for the athletes will include track suits, running gear, training gear and sneakers. The arrangement is expected to be a long-term one as Giftland Mall’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ian Ramdeo signalling intentions for an extensive relationship. According to Ramdeo, athletes are in need of much more than just physical development. As an aside, Ramdeo said that two outstanding athletes from the track meet will benefit from Giftland’s Ambassador Programme for a period of one year. One male and one female will be selected after the meet for enrolment in the programme.
So in addition to the direct incentives, athletes will also have the opportunity to vie for places in the programme that will ensure their airfare to compete overseas, apparel, supplements and other training to improve their academia and general performance. Ramdeo believes that athletes must be improved at the grassroots level where they are prepared with the capacity to speak to the media and become ultimate role models. The long-term project will see athletes benefitting from exposure to educational material. The Boyce and Jefford Track and Field Classic’s, Colin Boyce and Edison Jefford concurred that athletes’ performance off the field is just as important as on the field. They welcomed the Sports Maxx initiative while committing to working with the Ambassador Programme.
Dubai (AFP) - Flexing her muscles in defiance of the Gulf’s conservative cultural stereotypes, bodybuilder Haifa Musawi has lost all hope of pumping iron for Bahrain so now is looking elsewhere for recognition. The 32-year-old began working out a decade ago after finding a personal trainer to help her overcome obesity — a widespread problem in the oil-rich region. “I had a problem with obesity and I used to like bodybuilding,” says Musawi, a square-jawed woman with curly hair pulled back in a tight ponytail. As a young girl, she would seek out publications with articles and pictures about bodybuilding. “At that age, I didn’t have the experience or knowhow to become a bodybuilder,” she recalls. “It wasn’t easy... bodybuilding for women in our society is rare.” But “I was at the gym every day and
to me it was more important than anything else”. Musawi’s family encouraged her efforts to shed weight and despite worrying about the supplements she took as part of her training programme, she said “they finally accepted” what she was doing. Ten years on, Musawi has several certificates from international fitness and bodybuilding associations and has been working as a weights specialist in Dubai, where she trains both men and women. In June, she came sixth in the physique category of the International Natural Bodybuilding Association championships, a drug-free competition held for the first time in Dubai. Musawi and a Jordanian woman were the only Arab female bodybuilders at the event. She is now seeking a procard so she can take part in
professional competitions around the world and join the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness. But Musawi cannot represent Bahrain or any other countries in the Gulf, where there is no national bodybuilding team to represent for women, let alone competitions to enter. In October she plans to travel to Portugal to obtain residency and represent the European country, with the help of her Portuguese trainer Andreia Sousa. “This is my dream and I want to fulfil it,” says Musawi. “If Portugal offers me my dream, then why not? But I hope to represent Bahrain” one day. Sousa, who has been Musawi’s trainer for more than a year, says that “as an athlete I can understand the passion” and that it is “worthwhile to go on stage”. Continued on page 35
- Offers Under Armour, Asics brands; Ambassador Programme for athletes
Arab female bodybuilder looks abroad for recognition