Monday June 02, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Letters... Where your views make the news...Letters... Where your views make the news
City Hall woes can only be solved If I say life at UG over the past three with Local Government Elections years was fun I will be the biggest liar DEAR EDITOR, The current dispensation in the local governance system exposes the fact that the present regime does not understand the local needs and priorities of the people and how out of touch they are with the ordinary people. Representative democracy, through periodic elections, is a crude but the best alternative at establishing a proper understanding of those needs and priorities at the local level. Why would the Ramotar administration deny any group of Guyanese the chance to effectively work with the people at the local level to remove basic irritants from their life – garbage, nasty drains, unkempt parapets etc.? A renewed Local Government system offers the best opportunity for citizens to participate, particularly the poor, in the decision-making process. Why does the PPP have a problem with that? We will tell you why? 1. The PPP sponsored internal polls reveal that they will lose badly at Local Government Elections because their traditional base of supporters are fed up with their handling of the economy, their inability to solve crime and reduce corruption but above all, their arrogance of not listening to the complaints of the masses. Although some will stay in their camp as a result of ethnic insecurity, they are scared to test the political waters because the electoral tsunami
that faces them in the Local Government Elections will all but destroy their chance of recovering the 51 percent at the national level. The PPP sponsored polls show that former strong holds like Rose Hall and Corriverton will definitely abandon the PPP in Local Government Elections. NDCs such as Whim/ Bloomfield in the Corentyne and Rosignol/Zeelught in West Berbice, which the PPP won resoundingly in 1994, will also abandon them in any new Local Government Elections. By delaying the Local Government Elections, the PPP is hoping to repair the political damage but every day that goes by, it gets worst for them. So the PPP will drag this out until 2016 where they will hold the General Elections. 2. Karma is a bitch and history will show that the PPP used its minority status to try to keep the PNC out of Georgetown in 1994 and the dividends of that unholy alliance with the GGG (Hamilton Green) will haunt them for the rest of their political existence. In 1994, the PPP as the losing party used political tricks and deception to get ahead in the Georgetown City Council. But let us share some history with the first time voters, since they must be aware of this PPP who today portrays itself as a victim when they are the most tyrannical oppressors, even worse than Burnham’s PNC. On August 13, 1994, after
much backroom negotiation between the PPP (mainly Ms Sahoye-Shury) and the GGG under Hamilton Green, President Jagan invited the GGG Leader (Green) and the PNC Leader (Hoyte) at separate times to arrive at an arrangement with the PPP on the City Government. Hoyte, of course, was in the dark that he was just going for a photo opportunity while Green and Shury were going to the Office of the President to give the official seal to their secret deal to shut the PNC out. Green’s response to President Jagan’s invite at the time was he “would agree to meet even if Hoyte turns down the President’s offer”. So today when Green says he is the best candidate for City Hall, you are aware that insanity has invaded places in people’s brains that were not occupied before. Why should anyone ever trust Green again? So in the final analysis, until and unless the AFC, APNU and civil society come out on the street to demand Local Government Elections; it is not happening. This issue demands political leadership from Mr. Granger who was warmly received by several PPP supporters in Richmond Hill, Queens, New York on Saturday May 24. Granger and his team strolled down the popular Liberty Avenue where he met several Indian businessmen and women. Dr Asquith Rose and Harish Singh
The Opposition must liberate... From page 4 who decided that he must receive a pension of $3 million per month but at the same time has agreed to pay a meager $15,000 pension per month to senior citizens. The truth is a nation in distress and a people in despair will hitch their hopes to any other party than PPP. APNU and the AFC, if they are to be taken seriously by the people as presiding over a Government-in-waiting, must state clearly what they see as their mandate and objectives. Above all, the leaders of APNU and the AFC must be sensitive and reassuring and they must convince the people about their intended performance and standards of governance. And to obtain credibility, both parties individually must demonstrate to all Guyanese that they have a disciplined approach, so that they would be aware of those objectives that they are aimed at achieving. Above all, the
leaders must be dedicated to their plans to reduce crime, corruption and drug trafficking and that legislative oversight over the Cabinet will be a firm commitment, because today the latter has been replaced by a “rags to riches Cabal” which awards billion-dollar contracts almost daily to their friends and relatives. Ultimately, the opposition plans will go a long way towards deliverance day at the end of the “Long March.” Aubrey Reteymer, Dr. Vincent Nauth, Derrick Arjune,
Asha Balbachan, Harish Singh, Guilianna Jacobs, Dr. Devita Khan, Chandra Deollal, Esq., Dr. Reginald Watkins, Asquith Rose, Rohit Misir, Dr. Terrence Simon, Donna Mathoo, Noel Moses, Vicki Rampersaud
DEAR EDITOR, I refer readers to Mr. Frederick Kissoon’s Column (Ask Chancellor Carl Singh; ask Attorney Gino Persaud too, K News, May 22, 2014) and (I can’t recall seeing Sherod Duncan in the protest but, K News, May 25, 2014). The combined effect of Mr. Kissoon’s writings is that “the most apathetic set of students came from the Law Department…” and that “law students’ hypocrisy takes two forms, one historical, the other current.” While there is some truth to Mr. kissoon’s conclusion as would be highlighted in the fore coming submission; in my own defence, I must reject in its entirety this generalisation. Mr. Kissoon advanced that in 2012 the Law Students did not support or participated in the protest actions dubbed ‘Operation Rescue UG’. As true as this may be, the Civil Rights Activist failed to inform readers that these protest actions transpired at a point in the semester when students-at-law were in full focus on a fast approaching external examination. If law students miss an examination, their next step is to register for an extra year at the University to complete that course. There is no summer class to retake that course as is offered in other departments; nor can a student go and ask a Lecturer for a ‘make up test or re-sit’ as is the practice in other parts of the campus. If this escaped Mr. Kissoon’s mind, perhaps Dr Patsy Francis may be of assistance. Dr Francis, who represented the interest of senior staff during those
protests, is on record explaining to the media the reasons why Law and Medicine Students did not actively participate in those demonstrations. However, my support for those who actively engaged the issues that faced the university at that time was unwavering. Ask then Student leaders Dwayne Edwards and Adel Lilly at which department on Campus they stood the longest and engage conversations that focused on ways of moving the University, and Guyana forward. Ask the Student Welfare Division which student came to the office with solutions built on moving the University forward. Call them up, they know my name. At the dismissal of Mr. Kissoon, I attacked my Constitutional law Lecturer for teaching me that there is a rule of law when the very institution I am part of will not respect it. Perhaps it was at this stage that the charge to go forward and make campus life fun, delivered by a sitting Judge on the night of my graduation from one of the nation’s Premier schools of Higher learning, became meaningless. For if I say life at UG over the past three years was fun I will be the biggest liar. The fact is that the campus is in crisis. A power outage closed operations in some departments during the past week, students continue to be robbed on campus, some classrooms and the library are saturated with water when it rains, the majority of students depend on loans, there is a proposed
hike in tuition which government may not subsidise, the Medex office lacks basic drugs, lecturers remain the biggest subsidisers when the monthly stipend they receive is considered, staff continue to complain about the delay in timely delivery of their salaries, the majority of the books at the Library is outdated, the Caribbean Research Library facility has been out of operation for nearly two years, et cetera. With such issues facing UG, I am convinced that Mr. Kissoon is right in his expectations from the future of the legal profession. It is to this end that Mr. Kissoon is correct. The law society with its influence on Campus; allowed the situation facing the University and their Department to worsen and did nothing. More could have been done. But this in no way justifies Mr. Kissoon’s generalisation. But while we can do more, we are being trained in a system that is built upon a rule of law. While passive resistance is the most potent weapon at the disposal of mankind; there are mechanisms in addressing grievances and discontent. Law Students must respect such mechanisms Continued on page 21
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Kaieteur News
APA throwing dust on Govt’s achievements Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai has accused the Amerindian People’s Association (APA) of wanting to throw dust on Government’s achievements and efforts to enhance the lives of Guyana’s indigenous population. APA’s attempt to share a contradicting account of Amerindian Development in Guyana at the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRP) was thwarted as their presentation at a side event was poorly attended. According to Sukhai, thanks to Guyana’s democracy, Non-Governmental Organizations like the APA are allowed to flourish. She is however concerned how the APA advances this right by continuing to hold irresponsible positions on issues affecting indigenous peoples. She said that at a side event at the UN forum, APA members presented on “The treatment of Indigenous people’s rights on national policy and practices in the mining, forestry, infrastructure, conservation and climate finance UNDRIP what progress?” It was during this event attended by about 13 persons that the APA spoke on several areas affecting the lives of Amerindians. Sukhai said that one of the issues raised by APA was Government
- Sukhai ignoring the principle of Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC). The Minister vehemently denied this accusation and pointed out that the APA did not consult with Amerindian communities before it went to the forum. She stressed that Government strongly upholds the principle of FPIC. “One of Government’s latest touch in ensuring we practise FPIC is the recent tour of the Upper Mazaruni led by Prime Minister Samuel Hinds when we were talking about the hydroelectric potential that Guyana has and Government wishes to conduct a study to gather this potential,” she said. According to Sukhai, as part of national development, Government usually engages in conversations or consultations with citizens. Therefore, the APA’s comments were appalling to say Government ignores FPIC which forms part of the UNDRIP and the Amerindian Act of 2006. Another issue raised by the APA at the UN forum was the construction of a road in Parabara, Region Nine to facilitate a mining disaster. Sukhai maintained that no road is being constructed in Parabara at the moment and assured the community has an existing
trail leading to Lethem. “They (APA) claimed the road is being constructed to facilitate mining activities. But, Parabara is an Amerindian community that is already engaged in mining. In fact, mining is its second main economic activity. I dare any institution in this country to deny any Amerindian community their right to engage in the mining sector. She said that Government does not want to curtail Parabara from mining once the community does it in an environmentally friendly manner and in keeping with the mining regulations. The Minister enlightened that the APA also brought up the issue of Amerindians consuming alcohol. She said that the APA claimed that Amerindians were never known to consume alcohol. Sukhai explained that during the consultation phase of the new Amerindian Act of 2006 it was the Amerindians who requested to have the prohibition of alcohol to be left out. Sukhai also finds the APA’s position on this matter hypocritical since Tony James, an Executive member of the APA, owns a liquor and grocery store in Aishalton. “He is joining his people speaking about alcohol and lying to the international community,” she said. Highlighting the double standards of the APA presentation, Sukhai said the NGO claimed that wild meat trading business and the traffic dynamics concerns Amerindians. She recalled that the APA tried to deny the opening up of the Lethem trail on the premise that it would negatively impact Amerindians. “Today the Amerindians have turned full circle on that argument. They are calling on the government every time the rain falls to smooth the road…The Lethem trail is very important for Amerindians as it connects them to the coastland and Lethem which is turning into a developed area,” she said.
Monday June 02, 2014
Business consultant says…
Chinese investments in Guyana threaten private sector By Gary Eleazar There is an abundance of Chinese investments in Guyana and this can threaten the local economy, which holds a private sector that is relatively small. This is according to University of Guyana Lecturer and Business Consultant, Eric Phillips, who was at the time a feature speaker at the ‘I Am Guyana Solutions Tank’ facilitated this past week by Global Perspective Inc. Phillips was examining models relevant to the future and growth of Guyana under the broader theme of facilitating development in a highly charged political environment. “We have an abundance of Chinese who are being invited to our country with tremendous offerings and assets we are providing to them that undermine not only our cultural and economic and psychological well being but our economic wellbeing and these things aren’t talked about.” Referring to the structure of the local private sector, Phillips noted that there are a few large foreign export companies; about 30 large enterprise primarily family owned; 500 small and medium enterprises which he says do not earn US$5M in profits inclusive of some large companies; and 30,000 to 40,000 very small businesses. “It is a very young private sector because we have only really been in a free enterprise environment since the ERP (Economic Recovery Programme,” according to Phillips. He said that in a normal developed country’s architecture, “you would see domestic companies followed by export companies followed by international followed by multinational followed by global companies.” He used the opportunity
to lament the fact that while there is a push locally to be an innovative economy, the University of Guyana is not churning out enough engineers; “innovation is based on mathematics and science and we are failing math.” Referencing the current Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) he said that the dilemma faced is that Guyana is a small country with a young private sector and “to ask our private sector to lead this growth is problematic.” He referenced too to the bilateral relation with Norway with which the country will receive US$250M over a five year period and questioned “what happens after that…if there is no other Norway, where are we?” In presenting his overview of Guyana’s economy, Phillips firstly drew reference to the fact that Barbados and Guyana achieved independence the same year and Guyana’s GDP per capita was US$760 while in Barbados it was half of that. According to Phillips, 48 years later the GDP per capita for Barbados is US$27,000 while Guyana’s GDP per capita is US$3,000. Phillips posits that there are several fundamental reasons why this situation obtains. “A lot of it has to do with our politics and a lot of it has to do with bad decision making…we have had many options but we have chosen for political reasons to do other things.” He noted that Guyana has available to it “an amazing platform of resources from which we should be one of the richest nations in Latin American Caribbean.” Phillips pointed to the fact that Guyana stands as a bridge between the Caribbean and South America with an abundance of gold, diamond bauxite, water, possibly oil, an abundance of pristine rainforest, a diversity of fruits and vegetables as well as arable land. “We have a ton of agreements that help us if we were smart to really platform our economy globally.” Despite all of the resource available to Guyana, Phillips laments “yet we are poor.” He observed that Guyana
Eric Phillips is an export country with agriculture and services dominating. According to Phillips, politically there is a lot of discussion about which government had the best policy but an assessment of the statistics over the year would reveal that between 1966 and 1992 when the Peoples National Congress was in power and from 1992 to present under the current administration, there has only been a slight difference in performance. He did point out that there were difficulties with oil during the PNC administration and in 2005 the great floods that caused significant negative effects on the economy. According to the data however there has been more growth in the economy under the PPP administration “but there are other externalities that are hidden.” He pointed to the fact that there is a significant level of remittances to Guyana to the tune of some 12 per cent of GDP. “We have an underground economy that is significant and if you were to abstract those you would see a very different picture.” According to Phillips, despite the figures demonstrating sustained growth under the current administration, “the real reality is fundamentally different.” Phillips suggested that in Guyana there needs to a redefinition of local politics, “We have to redefine democracy.” He suggested that in Guyana’s politics, it cannot be a case of winner takes all, “it is inconsistent with economic growth.”
Monday June 02, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Snubs, harsh words at Asia security meet as U.S. and Japan rile China SINGAPORE (Reuters) When Japan’s defense minister greeted the deputy chief of staff of China’s army at a regional security forum last weekend, he was undiplomatically snubbed. Lieutenant General Wang Guanzhong said he was incensed by comments from Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe implicitly holding China responsible for territorial disputes in the East and South China Seas and later by U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel’s accusations that Beijing was destabilizing the region. “When Mr Abe spoke just now, there was veiled criticism targeted at China,” Wang told Japanese Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera, according to the semi-official China News Service. “These accusations are wrong and go against the standards of international relations.” The exchange between the world’s three biggest economies at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, a security forum for government officials, military officers and defense experts, were among the most caustic in years at diplomatic gatherings, and could be a setback to efforts to bring ties back on track. It was the first such major
conference since tensions have surged in the South China Sea, one of Asia’s most intractable disputes and a possible flashpoint for conflict. Tellingly, despite around 100 bilateral and trilateral meetings taking place over the week, officials from China and Japan did not sit down together. China’s Wang had rejected an offer of talks with Japan and said: “This will hinge on whether the Japanese side is willing to amend the erroneous policy towards China and improve relations between China and Japan. Japan should correct its mistakes as soon as possible to improve ChinaJapan ties.” Wang later accused the United States of hegemonism, threats and intimidation. China claims almost the entire oil- and gasrich South China Sea, and dismisses competing claims from Taiwan, Brunei, Vietnam, the Philippines and Malaysia. Japan has its own territorial row with China over islands in the East China Sea. Riots broke out in Vietnam last month after China placed an oil rig in waters claimed by Hanoi, and the Philippines said Beijing could be building an airstrip on a disputed
island. Tensions have been rising steadily in the East China Sea as well. Japan’s defense ministry said Chinese SU-27 fighters came as close as 50 meters (170 ft) to a Japanese OP-3C surveillance plane near disputed islets last week and within 30 meters of a YS-11EB electronic intelligence aircraft. Yesterday, Wang stepped up the rhetoric. “Mr Abe, as the head of a country and as someone the organizers have invited to give a speech, is supposed to stick to the event’s aim in boosting security in the Asia Pacific region,” he said. “However Mr Abe went against the aim of the event by instigating disputes.” Despite the heated words, analysts do not believe relations have deteriorated beyond reach. “In the past, there was a sense we were sailing towards stability,” said Kishore Mahbubani, dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore. “Now people worry. Overall, things are going in the right direction. Nobody thinks there will be war, but there is a level of unease which is new.” China has been particularly aggrieved by
U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel (L) talks with Japan’s Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera as they wait for South Korea’s Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin to arrive to begin their meeting in Singapore Saturday. REUTERS/Pablo Martinez Monsivais/Pool Japan trying to woo Southeast Asia. In his keynote address to the conference, Abe pitched his plan for Japan to take on a bigger international security role and said Tokyo would offer its “utmost support” to Southeast Asian countries in their efforts to protect their seas and airspace. It is part of his nationalist agenda to loosen the restraints of the pacifist post World War Two constitution and to shape a more muscular Japanese
foreign policy. Philip Hammond, the British defense minister, said Abe’s agenda was well know but provoked a response because it was laid out publicly. “It’s certainly the first time I had heard him articulate it on a public platform in that way,” he said. Japan’s growing proximity to Washington is also a worry for Beijing. “What really worries them is that Japan and the U.S. are
in a very strong alliance and seem to be pulling closer, that was clear at this year ’s dialogue,” said Tim Huxley, executive director of the International Institute of Strategic Studies in Asia, the organizer of the forum. “Rightly or wrongly, that will be seen by the Chinese as threatening them because it will mean they will be facing a more coherent alliance.” Still, the row is not likely to spill over. The three nations have deep economic and business ties, which none of them would like to see disrupted. “Relations are definitely not at a breaking point,” said Bonnie Glaser of the Washington-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies and a regular visitor to the dialogue. “Leaders are aware that their countries have huge stakes in this relationship and they are committed to trying to find areas where interests do overlap, where they can work together.” Beijing, she said, had compartmentalized various aspects of its relationship with Japan and the United States. “There is a wider strategy from China, though we don’t see that here, partly because it’s a security forum.”
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Kaieteur News
Monday June 02, 2014
Monday June 02, 2014
Kaieteur News
Arau plane crash victims... (From page 14) encountered some difficulty. It is for that reason, Daniels explained, that he secured a lawyer and a letter has been sent to Mr. Singh. A statement from that GCAA
said that the plane crashed after takeoff from the Arau airstrip around 11:14 am with four persons on board. Rescuers from the army were dispatched to the location and the injured were
evacuated from the valley where the plane had crashed. The Arau crash was the last of three for the year. The deadliest claimed the lives of two persons, including a Canadian.
New police hierarchy faces... (From page 13) year-old Linden resident but found no strong evidence to implicate him in Mrs. Adams’ death. Meanwhile, police are still trying to track down two men whom they believe murdered shopkeeper Sheniza Khan Bhola at Rock Creek, Cuyuni/ Mazaruni five months ago. Bhola, 34, of Parfait Harmonie, West Bank Demerara was found dead in her locked shop at Rock Creek Backdam, Cuyuni/ Mazaruni two Thursdays ago. The body bore stab wounds as well as injuries to the head.
Bhola, who has two children, aged 14 and 13, had operated her shop for about four years. Police are convinced that she was slain by two former employees. Relatives said that Relatives allege that Bhola had provided the men with food and later and found employment for them. According to reports, Bhola had even bought equipment for the men to assist them in prospecting. It is alleged that the men also sold the equipment after killing her and made off with gold and other valuables.
In a wanted bulletin issued yesterday, police identified on of the suspects as Natton Anthony Stoute, who they say is wanted for questioning in relation to the murder. He is of mixed race and brown in complexion. His last known address is listed as Helena No. 2 Mahaica, East Coast Demerara. The police say that anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of Natton Anthony Stoute is asked to contact the police on telephone numbers 225-6411, 2261333, 225-8196, 225-2722, 911 or the nearest police station.
Monday June 02, 2014 ARIES (March 21 - April 19): Your active energy is practically forcing you to get busy today. Things are looking up for sure, so keep on moving and you should be able to make amazing progress before much time passes. ******************* TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): Your attachment to a person or place is making life just a wee bit dramatic today -- but it may end up being quite positive for you and others involved. ****************** GEMINI (May 21 - June 20): Yesterday was for thinking -- today is all about action! You've got at least one hot idea that needs to come to life, so get busy and make sure that you're taking care of business. ******************** CANCER (June 21 - July 22): You are showing off today -- so flaunt it if you've got it! Heck, even if you don't you should still make it work as best you can. ********************* LEO (July 23 - Aug. 22): Can you resist temptation? Today you find out the answer is a resounding 'yes' -so get ready to celebrate once you've put the devil behind you. ******************* VIRGO (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22): It's not the best day to talk up your great qualities -you need to hang back and watch what others say first. Too much bragging could come across in exactly the wrong way for you. *********************
LIBRA (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22): Forget about the small stuff -- it's basically irrelevant on a day like today. Your energy is better used dealing with big-picture issues that may not have popped up while you were making plans. ********************* SCORPIO (Oct. 23 Nov. 21): You've got to be extra wary when it comes to your own behavior today -y o u c o u l d b e y our own worst enemy if you aren't vigilant. ******************** SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 Dec. 21): You find that an unexpected bonus has come your way -- probably late in the day. It could be financial or it could be something less tangible, but either way, you're sure to get excited. .********************* CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 Jan. 19): Things may not go your way in the world of work -- but if you're vigilant, you can at least hold back the worst of it all. ******************** AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 Feb. 18): Something small gets in between you and your work today. It could be a needy kid or a stray idea that won't let go, but in any case, it's hard to pay attention to your most important business. ********************* PISCE S ( F e b . 1 9 March 20): You're dealing with a new reality today -- one that you should find quite appealing! Make sure you're not just seeing what you want to see, then set about making this work for you.
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Implications of the CFATF advisory…
Cambio owners worried livelihood under threat Cambio owners are now extremely worried that their business which had enjoyed several years of sustainable growth may now be heading for a serious plunge following the recently issued advisory by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF). CFATF in its advisory called on its members to consider implementing further counter measures to protect their financial systems from the ongoing money laundering and terrorist financing risks emanating from Guyana. Failure to pass the legislation, the Anti Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Bill, on required deadlines, has left the regional body with no choice but to refer Guyana to its parent body, the Financial Action Task Force, which can see Guyana being possibly blacklisted on the international level. Several owners of cambios in and around Georgetown have said that
they are worried about the implications the advisory will now have on the exchange rate. “At first we saw fluctuations in the exchange rate but now with this issue by the regional body, I believe that the exchange rates will increase to an absurd level and we would have no choice but to do what is in our interest in this regard,” one cambio operator told Kaieteur News. “How central bank will deal with this is left to be seen. I am worried. All my life I have been into the cambio business and I know this situation will increase the hoarding of the foreign currency.” “The central bank and the financial intelligence unit have been keeping us up to date on measures we need to take to safe guard ourselves when it comes to Anti Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism. But central bank is not telling us whether they have enough money to cushion the effects
Central Bank Deputy Governor, Dr. Gobind Ganga this advisory will have on the cambios until things regularize. At least we hope things regularize. Suppose things get worse when Guyana goes before the International body? What will central Bank do then? Is it waiting until Guyana goes before the body before we put things in place? My livelihood is under threat.” A representative of Sookraj Cambio said: “Not much can be done to stop the increase in the foreign exchange rates. It will go up. We are worried about this because it will affect our livelihoods. We have families too and it will trickle down to the rest of the country.” In a brief interview, Deputy Governor of the Bank of Guyana, Dr. Gobind Ganga said that Central Bank is also worried about the implications for the financial landscape and how it will pose certain challenges to the banking system. “It will have adverse effects for us and it will trickle down to other aspects of the economy. It will also threaten our relationship with other regional lending institutions. We have certain in-house measures that we plan to take but I wish not to get into that.” The Central Bank Deputy had previously stated that the Bank had a sufficient amount of foreign currency to maintain the status quo of the financial landscape, but this was before the advisory by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force was issued. Cambios are worried as to what will happen when this “back-up” or “last resort” is exhausted. Dr. Ganga said that this question will be answered at a later date. During a brief interview with media operatives recently Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh said that this was the inevitable consequence of the Opposition’s refusal to enact the CFATF-compliant Bill and the responsibility for the CFATF advisory lies squarely (Continued on page 18)
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Kaieteur News
Monday June 02, 2014
Plans being refined to offer abortion service at public hospitals - CMO (From page 19)
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3 female general workers between ages 22-35yrs, 1 male general worker between ages 18-30 – Contact: 225-6337 Live out domestic babysitter and live in babysitter –Call: 225-0188, 225-6070 (Monday to Saturday) (8:15am-4:15pm) One experienced hairdresser – Contact Magic Touch Beauty Salon at 225-6492 Experienced bus driver & hire car driver at Princess Hotel - Tel: 265-7075/ 265-7076 One female babysitter to work in Georgetown, age 4045 - Call: 614-5711 between 9-5pm Urgently needed live in waitresses to work in bar, attractive salary offered – Tel:259-0574 Drivers, hire cars & bartenders to work at Flambouyant Taxi Services/ Restaurant – Call: 678-4470 Domestic maid, work available at Diamond Housing Scheme - Contact: 609-1535; 227-8529; 216-0979 Experienced Salesgirls, with secondary education @ Christine’s Variety Store – Contact: 609-1535/ 227-8529 One driver and a Cummings Mechanic to work in the interior - Contact: 681-6044 One Part-time Cleaner – Monday to Friday 11am to 4Pm – Call: 231-9804 Honest, single live in domestic – Call: 646-1758 between 9:00am-4:00pm, attractive salary offered. Live in small family with teenage son/daughter Free accommodation - Tel: 227-1830 Farm worker, daytime security & gardener – Call: 265-3586 Pump attendants & cashier at Shell Mc Doom gas station, apply in person Experienced taxi drivers for Gem’s Taxi Service - Call: 2313709, 667-9013
Although there is currently limited access to elective termination of pregnancy services within the public health system, moves are apace to not only ensure that such services are readily available, but also to ensure that they are delivered safely. At least this is according to Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr Shamdeo Persaud, who disclosed that Guyana has in place an abortion legislation which provides for women to seek safe abortions. Despite the fact that the legislation has been in place for close to two decades, the issue of abortion is yet seen as rather sensitive and controversial and is therefore not often discussed. Moreover, aside from the instances when abortion is seen as crucial to save the life of a pregnant woman, or in the case of unintended (or unwanted) pregnancy among young girls, the service is one that is mainly accessed at privately operated health facilities at a cost. “There are approved private places that have been offering this service since the passing of the 1995 (Abortion) Act and women who so desire can go there still to access the service,” said Dr Persaud. But this service being primarily offered privately is likely to become a thing of the past as according to Dr Persaud, “at this point in time we are working in the public sector to provide this service more.” Already there is limited capacity at the Suddie Regional Hospital and moves are being made to build capacity at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation and other public health facilities as well, Dr Persaud said. This, according to the
Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud CMO, will see public health facilities being able to cater, on a wider scale, to women who may opt for voluntary termination of pregnancy. “The system that we are setting up now will entail providing pregnant women with counselling and options because the law says that options should be described to the pregnant woman one of which would be to go through with the pregnancy and maybe adoption options and so on and then of course detailing the termination process itself which can have consequences,” outlined Dr Persaud. He noted however that there may be instances when some women may not opt to voluntarily have an abortion but are instead forced to do so for various reasons which could range from migration to marital issues. As such the importance of counselling cannot be understated as part of the process, said Dr Persaud, as he stressed that “counselling gives enough room for people to consider all the factors and make informed decisions in the end.” Following the actual abortion process patients will
GEA touts solar... (From page 14) in the batteries are then delivered to the lamp. Additionally, because they use solar energy, which is renewable and sustainable, standalone solar-based, street lighting is environmentally desirable. Other major advantages the Agency outlined are “that the LED lamp provides a truer colour representation, more depth of field, and greater peripheral vision, which improves safety for drivers and pedestrians, additionally solar-powered LED street lamps have a major advantage in that they are not affected by utility failure and operate at low voltages hence making them cost effective and a safe option for workers.” GEA said it will continue
to monitor research and record the performance of solar-powered street lighting. The information obtained from data gathering, and experience gained from the installation process, will be used to guide decisions with regards to street lighting. The Energy Agency is encouraging “all Municipalities, Neighbourhood Democratic Councils and civic groups to observe this pilot lamp as street lighting falls within the mandate of the ‘owner’ of the streets.” The body did say, however, that the Ministry of Works and Communication is responsible for any lighting of the national main roads, while Local Government organs are responsible for any lighting of local roads and streets.
also be subjected to another bout of counselling. “So the nurses are the main persons we are training to make sure that this is provided...,” said Dr Persaud. Another main aspect of capacity building to offer this service is that of ensuring that trained professionals are available to perform the procedure. As such, at the GPHC alone, a total of eight doctors have been so trained and are now skilled to undertake abortions, Dr Persaud said. Additionally, he noted that most of the equipment for this purpose have been acquired which embraces the safest form of pregnancy termination – vacuum extraction. “This doesn’t involve any scraping or sharp objects that can cause damage – perforation of the uterus, destroying the endometrium, damaging the cervix or any such thing...The one we are recommending is approved globally as safest,” said Dr Persaud. Although the service is not officially on the list of offerings at the GPHC, the CMO did disclose that “we have started to do practices...it is not opened to the public as yet because they are now finishing up the counselling training,” even as he added that “medical procedures like these need practice.” Once training and sufficient practice sessions are completed, it is expected that the service will be expanded to hospitals at Diamond, New Amsterdam and Linden. In order to conduct an abortion, practitioners must be so certified, which means that merely having a licence to practice as a doctor is not sufficient certification. “There
is a separate certification procedure where the practitioner has to be trained and certified to perform termination of pregnancies,” Dr Persaud asserted. Currently there are 17 doctors who are certified to conduct abortions and there are a few more who are undergoing training, Dr Persaud said. The safest period within which an abortion should be conducted at health facilities with limited resources is between eight and 12 weeks after the time of conception. However, the CMO noted that any such procedure between 12 and 18 weeks after the time of conception should be done in a hospital setting since there may be need for anaesthetic input. “We have all this detailed in the Act and the Regulations and we will observe all of these once we start (offering this service fullscale) in the public sector,” assured Dr Persaud. Meanwhile, he disclosed that the Ministry is continuously looking at the issue of self-medicated abortions whereby women opt to utilise the labourinducing Cytotec, which according to Dr Persaud is a prescription medication. “My desire is that women would seek the involvement of their medical practitioners; you can use that option but it must be under the directive of a medical practitioner.” “We have had instances where women buy this tablet and they ingest it or insert it to their detriment.” And according to Dr Persaud, the Ministry recorded one such case in the recent past whereby the woman developed severe complications even bleeding in the brain.
Guyana in breach of... From page 16 declarations of income, and assets and liabilities of Cabinet members, Ministers of the Government, Members of Parliament, and senior public officials; and their scrutiny and investigation, are indispensable in any fight against corruption and in instilling public confidence and trust in those who are required to administer the affairs of the State on behalf of the citizens.”
Cambio owners... (From page 17) at the feet of the Opposition. The political Opposition has however, refused to accept responsibility for the action taken. It has blamed the government instead. When questioned as to what mechanisms the government plans to put in place to cushion the effects of the blacklisting status on foreign exchange rates, Dr. Singh said that government’s instruments to address this are finite. He articulated that he wished not to speculate about
the possible effects that the foreign exchange rate will suffer. He said that the advisory inflicts severe and immediate damage to the credibility and international standing of our country. “The statement called on the community to exercise greater due diligence when conducting transactions with Guyana and so the dismissal of the legislation by the Opposition is nothing short of being irresponsible… It remains to be seen what will happen from now.”
Monday June 02, 2014
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. Spare for washing machine, microwaves,fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, pumps, etc call: 225-9032, 647-2943 Live/pluck chicken call: 6504421, 220-9203 Dressed and mill cut lumber: Kabukalli, Silverballi, Greenheart, Purpleheart etc – Call: 688-6579 American made Werner Aluminum Ladders; 25 feet -$35,000, 17 feet, multipurpose - $28,000 – Call: 609-7257, 602-5794 One Toyota NZE car: PLL series - $1.5M. Contact: 6256043
Kaieteur News
FOR SALE/RENT American Pool tables - Call: 277-0578 FOR SALE Dachshund pups – Tel:2163408/ 680-0192 Desk and benches - ideal for school or lessons - Call: 6833887 Desktop computer, projector, land GPS system – Tel: 6000036/ 223-1719 Ekerou Gold & Diamond Land, Bagotville large land – 37"X724" – Tel:600-0036/ 2231719 48 Feet boat for sale – 9000lb seine – can be sold separately – Call: 609-0783, 683-3379 Price negotiable Pit bull pups. For more info call: 600-2819.
One Singer sewing machine, one ice-cream maker & one stroller – Tel:669-4676 or 6996342 City Printery: Rubber Stamp & Sign at 22 North Road & Camp Street, Imported & Local invitation -$1500 per 100pcs-Call:225-4968/ 621-3345 2007 Mazda Hatchback, fully loaded 2002 Spacio, wine colour unregistered, Zmodo Surveillance system 4 & 8 channel – Tel: 696-4659 Food Caravan for sale, payment plan available – Call: 675-5448 Games for PS2, PS3, XBOX360, WII, consoles also available - Call: 672-2566, 265-3231
CAR RENTAL Dolly’s Car Rental - Call: 225-7126/ 226-3693 dollys autorental@yahoo.com/ www.dolly sautorental.com ProgressiveAuto Rental: Cars & SUV for rental- $4,000 & up per day- Call: 643-5122, 628-2284 ,Email:pro_ autorental @yahoo.com Wings Car Rental- Call: 6431131/ BBM pin: 24E17558 Aidan’s Car Rental, Canter & Pickup- Call: 645-7981/ 698-7807
One house lot, in Butcher Shop Street, Parika. Contact # 650-0402 Clean garden earth, also Bobcat & Excavator rentals Tel: 626-7127 Three lots at Blankenburg behind the gas station Contact # 650-0402 House lots in Schoonord Contact # 650-0402 PSP games for sale - $800. New blackberry 9370 $34,000 Contact: 675-2239 5000 gas fuel tank - Call: 6013194 One slate pools table 8x4 $450,000 negotiable – lights, chalk, coin included – Call: 601-8083 One dump truck with 5 tons Hi-ab - $3,500,000.00. 1 Flat bed truck 23ft length tray with 5 tons Hi-ab -$2, 500, 000.00 - Tel:618-1967, 698-4321
LEARN TO DRIVE Soman Son & Outar Driving School at Maraj BuildingTel:644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997 B & C Driving School: Lot 5 Hadfield Street Lodge- call: 225-0150, 229-7258, 680-6826
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PROPERTY FOR SALE
VACANCY
SALON
VEHICLE FOR SALE
Commercial property lodge, corner spot – Tel:627-4900 Lot 81 Lamaha Street. No Agent! - Call: 673-5882
Drivers, visiting & security officers. Apply within NM Security Solutions Inc, Lot “O” Ruimveldt Georgetown – Tel: 225-5773/76
Make Up Courses, Artist Trained & Certified in Trinidad. Call: 660-5257, 647-1773
1-2storey wooden & Concrete house with 5 bedrooms upper flat & lower flat 4 apartments located@ Shell Road, kitty - $38.9M Tel:642-7898
24 Hour East Coast Guyoil needs night pump attendants, salesgirl, office assistant & handyman- Call: 670-8893/684-2838
2006 Blue Nissan Titan. Fully Loaded GSS Series. Contact: 604-6108. 2009 Red Nissan Titan. Flex Fuel GRR Series. Contact: 604-6108. One AT170, One DYNA Canter truck - Call: 601-4929
One 2 flat wooden & concrete house, 4 bedrooms, 2 washrooms, Annandale, Sandreef, ECD, Built in 2006 Call:220-3133 or 615-5538
Porters & Experienced Hardware Counter Clerks. Apply in person with reference @ Hardware Emporium, Lot 78 Church Street, G/town.
Prime business and residential 3 storey property in excellent condition, situated 11 Camp and Norton Street G/town, negotiable – Call Pearl Realty: 689-9991 Furnished four bedroom house A/C, automatic generator, auto garage etc $30M negotiable @ Grandville Park – Tel:6004409, 623-8172 For Sale by Owner: Twostorey property at 91 Third Street, East Meter-MeerZorg – Contact Mr. Basant: 277-3743/ Cell: 626-0150 Apartment building for sale at William Street, Kitty – Call: Shalini on 674-9266 or 686-9248 1-2 storey building, wooden & concrete In Norton St, 5 building from Camp St. Second building from Main Rd. $19M Neg. – Call: 6280972
1 – Civil engineer, security personnel, skid steer & excavator operators, labourers, mechanic, body works man (spray), office assistant – Call: 603-4098 Real estate clerks, Road foreman, operations manager & cleaners – Call: 603-4098 Restaurant / bar help & managers @ Friendly’s Bar & Lounge (Timehri), apply in person @ 198 Camp Street, GLU building - Tel: 623-5011 Experienced cosmetologist, preferably from the East Bank Demerara – Tel:652-5800
LAND FOR SALE 4 Mining Blocks at Kwakwanie - Tel: 627-4900 Farm: East Bank Demerara , New Scheme: land (58X110) (front corner lot) - Tel: 603-9700
DRESS-MAKING Learn to cut & sew at Enid’s Dressmaking, certificate classes, 66 Sixth Street Albertown, sewing also done here! - Call: 643-7966 Jean offers courses in dressmaking, curtains, floral, cake decoration at 153 Barr Street, Kitty - Tel:670-2653, 618-1706
At Eccles Housing Scheme price $6.5M - negotiable Call: 616-6000 Residential house lot at Yarrowkabra 200ftX100ft – Tel:682-3542/ 218-1818 High income land @ Section ‘A’ Diamond, Fifth Avenue 120FtX60ft – Tel: 683-7034
VEHICLE FOR SALE
MASSSAGE
EDUCATIONAL Canadian School of Arts & Science, Third Avenue, Diamond: CAT Accounting Classes begin on July 1, – Call: 216-6921/22 to register
Cheapest Hilux – 3RZ engine, VVTI and 1RZ stick gear buses, super GL buses & Noah buses – Call: 616-7635 Toyota Raum, Silver, year 2002, PMM series with alarm – Call: 621-5244
Happy Touch Day Spa: Come & Experience heaven in its many forms – 4 Hands, sweet treat, open at 10AM – Contact: 697-2011
IAE - Camp Street - Registration has commenced Forms 1-5 (full-time school); day & evening, adult CXC classes Call: 683-5742, 223-0604
We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 Tacoma- Call: 680-3154
Earn a certificate in cosmetology, wig designs or nails alone, limited spaces Call Abby: 619-7603, 666-5241 Beautopia - Offering hair & nails courses, also available - Brazilian & Indian Virgin Hair - Call: 604-3002/ 699-8477
SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.–CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620 Guyana Passport & Visa Forms Application, USA, Canada and England. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. COOL TECH : Repairs Services & Installation of all types if homes appliances: Air Condition & Refrigeration units - Tel: 233-2008; 675-4959 We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer Call Omar:2310655,683-8734 Repairs, sales & spares air conditioning, microwaves, washer, fridges & stoves. Ultra Cool, call: 225-9032, 647-2943 Permanent & Visitors Visa Applications, Professional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building Call Sabita: 225-6496, 662-6045 For Grill work, aluminum, cast iron, stainless steel, vessel, trailer -Call Khemraj: 666-2101 For low cost refrigeration & air conditioner repairs – Call: 225-4822/ 629-4946 HOUSE PLAN DRAFTING AND ESTIMATES FOR ONLY $10,000- CALL:6949843/227-2766 Luxury building construction, general contractors, general building construction concrete, wood, ceiling, roof, etc – Call: 5926954062, email:anojaisari @yahoo.com Ultimate Designs: Special on Vinyl Banners from $600 per SQ foot, etc – Tel:645-3293, 225-2380
TOURS Suriname Tour Return: July 4 / CARICOM Holiday 4 - 7 July – Tel: 639-2663, 644-0185, 665-5171, 227-8290
2008 Toyota Premio (unregistered) - Tel: 615-4114 Toyota Fielder - $1.6Mcontact: 611-9980, 675-1920 Unregistered Toyota Noah with TV, 15" Rim, camera – Tel:663-2700, 629-2619 STAR CARS AUTO SALE: Premio, Spacio, Allion, IST, Feilder, Altezza, new Raum, Axela, Carina 212 – Call: 679-3140, 615-1199 First Class Auto: Allion, Premio, Spacio, IST, 212, Fielder, Raum, Allex, Runx, Bluebird, Axela - Tel:6098188, 638-3045 One Toyota Land cruiser Prado, PMM Series Call: 2250188, 223-7500, Mon-Fri 8:154:15pm, Sat - 8:15-1:15PM Toyota Avensis 2003, PRR series 18" Rims, leather interior, HID, A/C, Alarm, TV, $3.250M, immaculate condition! Tel: 609-7257, 602-5974 Unregistered Spacio, TV Flair Kit, Noah mini buses BSS series – Call: 697-0294 One Toyota Carina AT192 $560,000, 1 compressor c/w air tool kit master craft $110,000 – owner migrating: 641-6239 One 2 Ton Mitsubishi freezer canter truck, 4D-33 engine (not computerized), immaculate condition – Call: 220-3133; 615-5538. One [1] Ford Driven 60HP Tractor 600hrs, almost new -$2.2M. Contact Junior: 6654611; 261-5304 1 AE100 Toyota Corolla, excellent condition, A/c, mag rims, alarm, DVD player – Price: $775,000 – Call: 2253217, 695-6461, 612-9625 2002 unregistered Toyota Regius 8 seats, fully loaded Tv/Navi/AC/PW/PS, alloy wheels - $1.8M - Tel: 624-5617 One Toyota Corolla AE100 excellent condition – Contact: 615-18-34/267-2083 - $700,000 negotiable AT192, 212, Allion, unregistered Premio, Hilux Surf, BNN, RZ & Pit-bull, 7 seater super-custom. Cash / terms- Call: 680-3154 One black Nissan Bluebird; latest model – Call: 687-1392 Tractor Massey Ferguson : MF135 -$1.3M, MF165 $1.9M, MF265- $2.1M, MF285-$2.5M, Ranger Pick -up -$1.7M – Call:682-5230/ 628-9596 (Continued on page 18)
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Kaieteur News
Monday June 02, 2014
LIFE SPORT SUSPENDED…as Howai carries out audit Trinidad Guardian - The multi-million dollar Life Sport programme has been suspended pending the outcome of the audit by Finance Minister Larry Howai. The Sunday Guardian learned that the programme has been placed in suspension mode as the investigation by Howai’s team progresses to the second stage: interviewing people affiliated with the programme. The programme, according to the government Web site, was the brainchild of Sport Minister Anil Roberts and was seen as a way to use sports to help youths between 18 and 25 who live in at-risk communities. The fall out from the suspension and investigation means no money can be paid out to those participants until after the audit is completed. At its inception, the prgramme catered for 60 participants in each of the 33 areas earmarked for the programme. Each participant received a stipend of $1,500 per month. When the programme first received government approval in 2012, it was allocated $6.6 million which was increased by $23 million one year later. By 2014, the programme allocation had shot up to over $113 million.
Anil Roberts The Sunday Guardian has learned that the Life Sport programme has been audited twice before this most recent audit ordered by Prime Minister Kamla PersadBissessar, but was never suspended since its inception back in 2012. The controversial programme has already been investigated twice by the same Central Audit Unit (CAU), the financial investigative unit under the Ministry of Finance which is undertaking this third audit. Former Life Sport director Henry Charles, in an interview with the Sunday Guardian, revealed that he left back in February because of the “inconsistencies” during his short tenure. “I just decided
to call it quits,” Charles said. When pressed further, Charles said he was “not surprised” by what has surfaced with regards to improper spending under the programme. “I was there for a year, and I am in no way surprised by what I am seeing now.” Charles said during that oneyear stint, he met with CAU investigators twice and was willing to meet with them again in order to facilitate this third audit. “I spoke with them before, gave them all the information I had during the first two audits,” he said. But even with Charles’ revelations, checks by the Sunday Guardian show, the programme continued running before, during and after those audits. The Sunday Guardian texted the Prime Minister to ascertain whether she was aware of the two previous audits but received no response. Howai and National Security Minister Gary Griffith were also texted and e-mailed with the new information, but gave no response. In keeping with PersadBissessar’s call last week Saturday for a financial audit of the programme, Howai yesterday said his ministry had already commandeered most of the documents and
Former guerrilla sworn in as El Salvador president
San Salvador (AFP) Former guerrilla commander Salvador Sanchez Ceren was sworn in yesterday as president of El Salvador with the pressing tasks of dealing with violent gangs, a struggling economy and endemic poverty. Sanchez Ceren, 69, promised to govern “with honesty, austerity, efficiency and transparency.” “After long years of fighting for justice and democracy in my country, I receive the presidential sash with humility and profound respect, with a commitment to exercise the presidency for all Salvadorans,” he said. A former teacher, Sanchez Ceren belonged to the Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front and rose to become one of the guerrilla group’s top commanders, under the nom de guerre Leonel Gonzalez, during the country’s bloody 1979-1992 civil war. He was elected president on March 9, defeating the conservative ARENA party candidate Norman Quijano
financial books relating to the programme. In response to an e-mail earlier yesterday, Howai said that the financial investigators at his ministry have already gathered relevant documents and financial books from the Ministry of Sport and have begun combing through them. “The audit has just commenced, and the officers are still in the process of collecting information.” The second phase of the audit process, the interviews, are expected to start within the next week, the Sunday Guardian learned. Howai confirmed that “other various officers and participants in the programme” will be interviewed “after they (officers) have completed their initial data collection.” Chief among the interviewees, the Sunday Guardian learned, is Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Sport, Ashwin Creed, who has only just returned to T&T after a prolonged absence. Though Creed did not respond to several calls and texts to his mobile phone, the Sunday Guardian has learned that he is expected to be interviewed next week. The Sunday Guardian learned that Creed, as permanent secretary, is also the accounting officer for the ministry and as such has become central to unravelling the disbursement of millions of dollars by the Life Sport Programme, which initially fell under the remit of the Ministry of Sport. The programme has since been reallocated to the Ministry of
National Security. Last Saturday, at the People’s Partnership fourth anniversary rally, PersadBissessar announced that the Life Sport Programme would be handed over to the National Security Minister, but Griffith will not be able to take over the programme until Howai’s audit is completed. Griffith had originally announced that he planned to utilise military personnel to supervise the programme to ensure any criminal element is rooted out, but all plans are currently on hold. In a telephone interview on Wednesday, Griffith said that “raw data” gathered so far, however, showed that “intimidation tactics” were used to bully the people involved in the programme. “But further investigation is needed to confirm that,” Griffith said. “The Life Sport Programme is an ideal tool to reach the at-risk youths, and it will not and should not be subjected to any criminal act,” he said. Permanent Secretary to the Prime Minister and head of the Public Service, Reynold Cooper, yesterday confirmed that Creed was back in the country. In a brief telephone interview, Cooper said that Creed was on “vacation leave.” “He is allowed 35 working days, and he was on vacation leave,” Cooper said. Just last week, however, Cooper gave a different reason for Creed’s prolonged absence. In that report, Cooper was quoted as saying that Creed sought emergency leave from April 14 to 22. Cooper said then that Creed spoke to him on the phone,
Kamla PersadBissessar and he did not get the impression Creed was “fleeing for his life.” Cooper admitted that Creed gave no reason for seeking the emergency leave. According to that report, Cooper said that Creed had told him his leave was due to “family business,” then Creed returned to T&T and later went to China from April 28 to 30, on official business, to sign a memorandum of agreement on coaching and other assistance T&T was sourcing from China. He then took ordinary vacation leave from May 15 to 23. Last month, speaking at a community meeting, Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley revealed that one permanent secretary was forced to flee the country because of threats from criminals. While he did not call any names during his address, the details of the Life Sport Programme, including Creeds’ hasty departure and lengthy absence, were soon circulating in the public domain.
Obama proclaims June Caribbean/ American Heritage Month
El Salvador’s outgoing president Mauricio Funes embraces incoming President Salvador Sanchez Ceren, during his swearing in ceremony in San Salvador, El Salvador, yesterday. (AP Photo/ Moises Castillo) by less than a quarter of a percentage point. In doing so, he became the fourth former leftist guerrilla to be elected president in Latin America after Daniel Ortega in Nicaragua, Jose Mujica in Uruguay, and Dilma Rousseff in Brazil. Sanchez Ceren succeeded Mauricio Funes, a former
journalist whose FMLN government in 2009 ended two decades of conservative rule, mostly under ARENA. Sanchez Ceren was Funes’s vice president. He inherits a country beset by violent gangs, and poverty affecting 40 percent of the population of the tiny but populous Central American country.
WASHINGTON - CMC – President Barak Obama has proclaimed June, National Caribbean/American Heritage month, stating that the US is expanding cooperation with its Caribbean partners, in promoting social justice and prosperity throughout the Americas. He said during National Caribbean/American Heritage Month, America will honour Caribbean Americans’ history, culture, and “essential role in the American narrative’. He said the US is seeking to, “create new educational opportunities for young people across the Caribbean basin, as well as for Caribbean Americans in our own
communities”. “We are also working to advance commonsense immigration reform that will allow future generations of Caribbean Americans to share their talents with our nation,” he said in a White House proclamation. “Caribbean Americans are part of a great national tradition, descendants of hopeful, striving people who journeyed to our lands in search of a better life,” he added, stating they were, “drawn by a belief in the power of op p o r t u n i t y, a belief that, through hard work and sacrifice, they could provide their children with chances they had never known”. “Thanks to these
opportunities and their talent and perseverance, Caribbean Americans have contributed to every aspect of our society – from science and medicine to business and the arts,” Obama continued. “As America celebrates our Caribbean heritage, let us hold fast to the spirit that makes our country a beacon to the world,” the US president said. “This month, let us remember that we are always at our best when we focus not on what we can tear down, but on what we can build up.” “I encourage all Americans to celebrate the history and culture of Caribbean Americans with appropriate ceremonies and activities,” he urged.
Monday June 02, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Grand Palladium Resort unveils Election euphoria: India, Brazil outperform largest solar PV plant in Jamaica Trinidad Express - This week, we at Bourse highlight the outperformance of India and Brazil’s equity markets, discuss the outlook for these Emerging Markets and present avenues for investors to gain exposure in these markets. As at May 28th 2014, India’s 30-stock equity index, the Sensex, returned investors 22 per cent USD equivalent upside (See Exhibit 1). This return was fuelled by investors’ optimism of a change in government in the run up to India’s Lok Sabha elections 2014. On May 16th 2014, India voted in a new government led by the BJP party. With confirmation of these changes in the political landscape, the Indian equity market seems poised to climb even higher to year-end 2014. Both international and Indian investment houses forecast an uptick in economic activity, as the new governing body is expected to dismantle some of bureaucratic gridlock of Asia’s third largest economy. The BJP party’s decisive win gives the new government a decree to advance reforms which had stalled under the previous government alliance. Capital expenditure and formation, a key ingredient to the acceleration of GDP, is expected to ramp up with investors anticipating a catalyst to the investment cycle. The positive outlook on India has also been propelled by an improved earnings outlook, particularly for the domestic sector. Investment Houses are expecting that the new government will announce steps toward restoring India’s long term GDP growth trajectory and a manufacturing turnaround in the upcoming budget. As such, research houses have increased year end targets for the India’s equity market. Exhibit 2 shows, on average, international houses projections for India’s main equity Index, the Sensex, to move from its current level at 24,500 to 27,000 by December 2014 year end, an estimated appreciation of 10.2 per cent (targets derived from four major international investment houses). One often-used measure of confidence of the Indian market is Foreign Institutional Investor (FII) fund inflows. Since the beginning of the year, US$18.8b has been pumped in Asian equities with over 40 per cent or US$7.7b finding
its way into Indian markets. When compared to 2013 comparable period, FII injected US$14b into Indian equities pushing the market up 1.4 per cent in USD terms whereas the market is up 21.7 per cent as at May 28th 2014. FII inflow is predicted to advance further, as sectors are opened up for more foreign investment under the new perceived business friendly administration. As at 27th May, 2014, the rupee was INR59.04, an improvement from INR 61.80 at the beginning of 2014, a 4.5 per cent appreciation (See Exhibit 3). One of the major factors boosting prospects for the Indian rupee was the positive data on the current account deficit (CAD) along with the fiscal deficit. India’s third quarter CAD narrowed sharply to $4.2 billion, or 0.9 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP), from $31.9 billion, or 6.5 per cent of GDP, in the same period one yearago. FII inflows and the ensuing demand for the rupee have also contributed to a stronger rupee. The outlook for the rupee is to be range bound between INR 58 and INR60 in the short term. For the first five months of the year, Brazil’s primary index has experienced a significant rally of approximately 7.8 per cent year-to-date, one of the highest among major emerging markets (see Exhibit 1). For the comparable period last year, the index had declined by 7.5 per cent in USD terms. The main market catalysts continue to be local currency appreciation, a likely pause in the monetary tightening cycle, deferred risks of energy rationing and improved sentiment regarding the future political landscape. Since the start of the second quarter 2014, Brazilian markets have been increasingly responsive to the changing political outlook surrounding that country’s the impending presidential elections in October 2014. The market rally was in part attributed to President Dilma Rousseff’s loss of popularity in the polls, leading investors to expect a change in government policies toward a more accommodative and market friendly stance. Whilst India’s Opposition Party gained popularity many months before the elections, Brazil’s incumbent continues to command the majority lead among the other two main contenders, who have promised more investmentfriendly policies.
Tension and volatility surrounding the upcoming elections seem to be fuelled by the issues that continue to impact the Brazilian economy. Brazilians are displeased with the level of extravagant expenditure on the World Cup when social and infrastructural projects remain unfinished, along with slowing GDP growth, inflation and cooling commodity prices in a commodity-driven economy. The Brazilian Real has appreciated 6 per cent from BRL 2.3621 at year-end 2013 to BRL 2.2294 year-to-date, on the back of improving sentiment toward emerging markets and the use of currency stabilization measures by the Brazil’s Central Bank (See Exhibit 3). In order to combat rising inflation, the Central Bank has consistently raised interest rates since April 2013. The most recent inflation figure of mid-May 2014 stands at 6.31 per cent which is still within the Central Bank’s upper inflation target of 6.5 per cent. The key interest rate, which currently stands at 11 per cent, is expected to remain unchanged until after October presidential elections. An end to the rate hikes would likely spur foreign investment and business activity. Investors can still squeeze some real returns from the Brazilian economy as the interest rates remain ahead of inflation, whereas by comparison in the Trinidad and Tobago market, inflation erodes returns in this low interest rate environment. Finance Minister Guido Mantega expects growth to accelerate in 2015 and 2016 due to upcoming road and airport projects and the 2016 Summer Olympics to be hosted in Brazil. Political change, which some would argue would be for the better, will likely serve to boost global investor confidence and by extension the capital markets of this South American giant. There are several channels through which investors can participate in these markets’ uptrends. • Purchase external ETFs focused on these investment jurisdictions. • Acquire a portfolio of equities through your Broker, to reflect exposure to these regions. • Purchase or invest in locally domiciled mutual funds, offered by various mutual fund providers including Bourse, which provide exposure to India and Brazil.
Grand Palladium’s new photovoltaic installation HANOVER, Jamaica — Operators of the Grand Palladium Resort and Spa in Hanover says that the facility set to save over J$80 million in energy cost per year from the installation of a solar PhotoVoltaic (PV) power plant. The solar power PV plant said to be the largest in Jamaica to date was unveiled at the hotel Friday. According to the Spanish-based hotel, investment in the project totalled US$3.4 million and full return is projected after four years, with a US$21.9 million in energy savings over 30 years. General Manager of Grand Palladium Jose Morgan, while addressing the official unveiling ceremony Friday,
said that his hotel was the first in Jamaica to embark on such an investment. Morgan encouraged other companies able to undertake a similar investment to do so, “and in the end, it’s a win, win, your pocket will win, the tourism sector will win, Jamaica as a destination will win.” The system was installed by local company, Sofos Jamaica, an arm of the Barcelona, Spain based Sofos Group. “This is the first major project for us in Jamaica but we are already working with Digicel Jamaica and in the Tryall Golf Club in Hanover. We also have many other projects with different Jamaican companies that will begin soon,” Juan Mayoral,
CEO of the Sofos Group said at the unveiling. Meanwhile, Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining Phillip Paulwell in expressing his support congratulated Sofos Jamaica on the historic project. Paulwell told the gathering that the Government of Jamaica is also doing its part to ensure small hoteliers can invest in renewable energy solutions. He announced that based on current trajectory, “solar will become the cheapest energy source by 2030 if we (Jamaica) continue to benefit from economies of scale”. He also encouraged other local hoteliers to demonstrate their commitment to reducing energy bill by undertaking similar projects.
High-profile Venezuelan prisoner ends hunger strike CARACAS (Reuters) An imprisoned former Caracas police commissioner at the center of stalled political talks between Venezuela’s government and opposition ended a hunger strike yesterday after demands for his release due to frail health were rejected. Ivan Simonovis, 54, was sentenced to 30 years behind bars after being convicted of participating in the assassination of four protesters during a march that triggered a brief coup against the late President Hugo Chavez in 2002. His hunger strike, launched on Tuesday, failed to legally advance the cause of his liberation and went against the will of his family. “I don’t want a dead hero, I want a living husband,” his wife Bony Pertinez told local
media. She confirmed to Reuters that Simonovis had started eating again. “I will let honest Venezuelans continue to fight for my freedom,” Simonovis tweeted. Freedom for Simonovis has become a rallying cry for the opposition, which has expressed outrage at his imprisonment in a small cell and says his osteoporosis requires urgent medical attention. The government has countered that a public prosecutor who recently visited Simonovis found him to be “in good health.”
For government supporters, Simonovis is a dangerous and violent saboteur who played a role in illegally unseating a democratically elected president. He was sentenced in 2009 after lengthy proceedings. Several other officers were convicted. The issue was a factor in last month’s collapse of negotiations between the opposition and President Nicolas Maduro’s government. The talks had been aimed at ending street protests that had been raging since February.
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Monday June 02, 2014
UK official denies that Cameron threatened to advance EU vote BERLIN/LONDON (Reuters) - A British official yesterday dismissed a report that Prime Minister David Cameron had threatened at an EU summit last week to bring forward a referendum on British membership of the EU if Jean-Claude Juncker became European Commission president. The German magazine Der Spiegel reported that Cameron had said he would not be able to ensure that Britain stayed in the European Union if Juncker got the job. It said participants understood this to mean that a vote for Juncker could destabilize Cameron’s government to the extent that the referendum would have to be brought forward from its planned date of 2017, and that this would make it likely that the British people would vote to leave the EU. Cameron must anyway go to the polls in less than a year. A British official, who declined to be named, said Cameron’s plan to hold a referendum on membership in 2017 if re-elected had not changed, and that he did not favor bringing the vote
forward. But the official said Cameron had told his EU counterparts he did not think Juncker was the right person for the job, and made clear at a summit dinner in Brussels that choosing someone who was not a reformer could damage the EU’s image in Britain and make it more likely that Britons would vote to leave. A spokesman for Cameron’s office said he would not comment on leaders’ private discussions. Cameron has promised to renegotiate the terms of Britain’s EU membership before the referendum - a difficult job that could become even harder if someone with Juncker’s longstanding commitment to EU integration heads the executive European Commission in Brussels. Juncker, a former Luxembourg prime minister, had been the lead candidate for the European People’s Party, the majority parliamentary group that includes German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservatives, ahead of last
week’s election. Der Spiegel reported that Merkel had said she would join Cameron in opposing Juncker in a vote. The German government declined to comment, but officials spoken to by Reuters, including some with direct knowledge of the discussions at the summit, played the report down, saying the leaders’ talks had focused on the priorities for the next Commission rather than on specific candidates. They said only a few people had mentioned Juncker by name, and that some leaders had been opposed to him while others had supported him. Almost a week after the summit, it seems clear that it will take weeks of wrangling to decide who will get the post. “We don’t know the position of the majority of governments, so it’s too early to say,” an EU official said. The European Commission president is selected by EU leaders but must be approved by parliament, where Eurosceptics from the right
made gains in last week’s election. Juncker called on EU leaders not to bow to pressure from the minority. “Europe must not allow itself to be blackmailed,” he was quoted as saying in Germany’s Bild am Sonntag newspaper, adding that a broad majority of Christian Democratic and socialist leaders among the heads of government backed him. However, Bild am Sonntag, which did not name its sources, said France’s Socialist president, Francois Hollande, was trying to block Juncker and instead wanted France to get the post. The newspaper said Hollande had this week told Merkel he urgently needed a signal of support for his government, given the strong performance of the far-right National Front in France’s
David Cameron European election, and that he had would prefer his former finance minister, Pierre Moscovici, to have the job. But Juncker said he was “optimistic about being chosen as the next
Commission president by mid-July”, Bild said. European Energy Commissioner Guenther Oettinger told Bild it was clear to everyone involved that appointments should be made before the summer recess, warning that a delay until September or October could cripple EU politics for months. Adding a new twist, the Financial Times reported that the anti-euro Alternative for Germany (AfD) was keen to enter the European Conservatives and Reformists group in parliament, to which Cameron’s Conservatives belong. This would put Cameron in the awkward position of having to choose between enlarging the Eurosceptic caucus and backing Merkel, who does not wish to see the AfD grow in influence.
Netanyahu urges world not to recognise Palestinian unity government JERUSALEM (Reuters) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday warned against any international rush to recognise a Palestinian government due to be announced under a unity pact between the Fatah and Hamas Islamist groups. Israel and the West classify Hamas as a terrorist organisation and have no official dealings with the movement, which advocates the destruction of the Jewish state. But Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, whose Fatah party signed a reconciliation deal with Hamas in April, said a unity government due to be announced today would be comprised of ministers without political affiliation, a status that could ease the way for Western engagement. “I call on all responsible elements in the international community not to rush to recognise a Palestinian government which has Hamas as part of it and which is dependent on Hamas,” Netanyahu, who has said such an administration would be a front for the Islamist group, told his cabinet. “Hamas is a terrorist organisation that calls for Israel’s destruction, and the international community must not embrace it. That would not bolster peace, it would strengthen terror,” Netanyahu said in public remarks at the cabinet meeting. Israel froze U.S.-brokered
peace talks with Abbas when the unity deal was announced on April 23 after numerous unsuccessful attempts at Palestinian reconciliation since Hamas seized the Gaza Strip from Fatah forces in fighting in 2007. In a call to U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry yesterday, Abbas cast the intraPalestinian moves as a domestic matter that should not affect wider diplomacy with Israel and the West. Abbas told Kerry “the coming government will be formed of independents and will represent the political agenda of the president,” the official Palestinian news agency WAFA said. Kerry had overseen the peace talks that stalled in April. Abbas said on Saturday that Israel “informed us ... they would boycott us if we announced the government”. Netanyahu, in his brief statement on Sunday, made no reference to any Israeli sanctions. Israel has withheld tax revenues from Abbas’s aiddependent Palestinian Authority, which exercises limited self-rule in the West Bank, in retaliation for his signing in April of international conventions and treaties after Israel reneged on a promised release of Palestinian prisoners. On Saturday, a Palestinian official said Israel had denied requests by three Gaza-based Palestinians expected to be named as ministers to attend the new government’s
Benjamin Netanyahu swearing-in ceremony in the occupied West Bank. Abbas has said a joint government with Hamas would continue to abide by his policy of recognising Israel, though the Islamist group insists it would not change its own policy of rejecting Israel’s existence. He has been keen to assure Western donor countries he will remain the key Palestinian decisionmaker and that security coordination between his forces and Israel will continue. Both Fatah and Hamas see benefits to a unity pact, though disagreements have blocked them from achieving such a government for years. With a strict blockade imposed by neighbours Israel and Egypt, Hamas has been struggling to prop up Gaza’s economy and pay its 40,000 employees. Abbas, for his part, wants to shore up his domestic support since the peace talks with Israel collapsed.
Monday June 02, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Huge Thai security force deployment stifles coup protests
Protesters against military rule gesture by holding up their three middle fingers in the air, during a brief demonstration at a shopping mall in Bangkok yesterday. REUTERS/Erik De Castro BANGKOK (Reuters) Thailand’s military government sent thousands of troops and police into central Bangkok yesterday, stifling any mass dissent against the army’s coup on May 22 and limiting protesters to small gatherings held mostly around shopping malls. The military toppled the remnants of former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s administration after months of protests forced ministries to close, hurt business confidence and caused the economy to shrink. Yingluck herself was ordered to step down two weeks before the coup when a court found her guilty of abuse of power. A force of 5,700 police and
soldiers was deployed in central Bangkok yesterday, and rapid deployment units were on hand to stop protests against the coup that might spring up elsewhere, deputy police chief Somyot Poompanmoung said yesterday. The military has banned political gatherings of five or more people and protests that have taken place in Bangkok have been small and brief. A group of protesters gathered yesterday on an elevated walkway leading to the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, scene of small protests in the days after the military declared martial law on May 20 prior to its full takeover of government. Hundreds of troops with riot gear arrived and suddenly
stormed the walkway, sending protesters and onlookers fleeing. Earlier, a group of about 30 people protested inside Terminal 21 mall in the Asoke area and a group of a similar size gathered at Thammasart University near the Royal Palace, one of the sites most visited by tourists in Bangkok. Many protesters signalled their opposition to the coup by holding three middle fingers of one hand up in the air, which some said stood for freedom, equality and brotherhood. A few displayed signs bearing the words “No Coup”. Police detained one of the protesters in Asoke. On Saturday, as on the two previous days, the authorities closed normally
New Indian finance minister vows fiscal discipline NEW DELHI (Reuters) India’s new finance minister vowed yesterday to uphold fiscal discipline, despite pressure on public finances from figures showing the economy grew by less than 5 percent in the fiscal year just ended. Investors are looking to see whether Arun Jaitley, also handed the defense portfolio in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s new government, will allow some slippage on the budget deficit when he presents his first budget in early July. In a post on his Facebook page, Jaitley said pulling India out of its current economic malaise would involve “fiscal rectitude as (a) combination of monetary and fiscal policy. “Slower GDP growth will imply lower tax buoyancy and (a) higher fiscal deficit,” he
Arun Jaitley added. “We must move towards an era of fiscal discipline where we can reduce the fiscal deficit, contain inflation and improve upon our growth rates.”
Figures on Friday s h o w e d t h a t I n d i a ’s economy grew by 4.7 percent in the year to the end of March, too slow to generate enough jobs for the 10 million young people who enter the workforce each year. Weak growth has fueled speculation that Jaitley may revise up the federal fiscal deficit of 4.1 percent of gross domestic product originally targeted in his predecessor’s interim budget in February. Jaitley did not name any deficit numbers, but said he would target fiscal discipline in the near term so as to maximizes India’s growth potential over the longer run. “We must commit ourselves to this discipline,” he wrote. “Short term disciplining till we reverse the present trend will give us long term benefits.”
busy roads around Victory Monument, which was becoming a focal point for opposition to the coup. The area was flooded with police and troops but no protesters turned up. Some top-end malls in the Ratchaprasong area chose to close or have reduced opening hours and the operator of the Skytrain overhead rail network shut several stations in the central area. In the morning, Ratchaprasong swarmed with police and media but there was barely a protester to be seen. The cavernous Central World mall opened four hours later than normal at 2 p.m. (0700 GMT). By midafternoon there were only a handful of shoppers in the mall, parts of which were burnt to the ground in the mayhem after an army crackdown on protesters in 2010. “I feel safer now so, no, I didn’t change my plans to come,” said an expatriate American woman who has lived in Thailand for 30 years. “This country has been in
turmoil for three years. It couldn’t move forward under the previous government. I hope things can be resolved now.” Thailand’s deep political divide pits the Bangkokbased royalist establishment dominated by the military, old-money families and the bureaucracy against supporters of former telecommunications mogul Thaksin Shinawatra, who is adored by the poor in the north and northeast. Thaksin is the brother of Yingluck and was considered the real power behind her government. He was ousted as prime minister in a previous coup in 2006 and lives in selfimposed exile since fleeing a 2008 conviction for abuse of power. In a televised address late on Friday, army chief and coup leader General Prayuth Chan-ocha said the military would need time to reconcile Thailand’s antagonistic political forces and push through reforms. He outlined a process beginning with three months of “reconciliation”. A
temporary constitution would be drawn up and an interim prime minister and cabinet chosen in a second phase, taking about a year, he said. An election would come at an unspecified time after that. The United States, European Union countries and others have called for Prayuth to restore democracy quickly, release political detainees and end censorship. Australia scaled back relations with the Thai military on Saturday and banned coup leaders from travelling there. Sihasak Phuangketkeow, permanent secretary at Thailand’s Foreign Ministry, played down foreign concerns and pleaded for understanding from his country’s allies. “Importantly, we have already started a process of heading back on the democratic track,” he said. “As things progress, I do hope that our friends and partners will take these developments into consideration.”
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GABF Inter Association Basketball C/ships
Rain has final say as Linden declared champions Berbice receive game and shot clocks from federation
Mark Agard at left, accepts the Shot and Game clocks from Robert Esseboom (right) while Nigel Hinds (centre) looks on. There was some amount of disappointment as rain had the final say in the conclusion of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation’s Inter Association basketball championships where Linden were declared regional champions as there was no play at the Mackenzie Sports Club hard court last Saturday night. Linden had beaten Georgetown in the Men’s clash at Linden 58-50 and lost 71-70 on the return leg. But with a better head to head differential point in the games played and Linden expected to win over Berbice, they were eventually named winners. In the female category, Linden after winning against Georgetown 59-44 in the only game played, came out as champions when their game was also rained out, while the Under-19 clash between Linden and Berbice, also was
not played due to the inclement weather. But an optimistic president of the federation, Nigel Hinds, offered his comments after he converted the occasion into a handing over ceremony to distribute a new Game Clock and a Shot Clock to the Berbice Amateur Basketball Association. The BABA was also presented with basketballs and boots with the Linden and Georgetown Amateur Basketball Associations receiving similar donations which were held inside the Mackenzie Sports Club. Hinds stated that some of the equipment were from the Brooklyn New York area which was sent to the federation and that was what they handing out to member associations. Also included were basketballs and shoes which were donated by Zoley Hunte. Hinds noted that the federation spent some
$150,000 were to set up what would have been the historic clashes in Linden between Berbice and Georgetown and Linden teams in Linden. These final games were the preparation for national training for the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) Men’s and Women’s championships in July. Hinds reflected that, “It is a disappointment but I still feel happy we had the faith to come up here knowing that I was warned by the president of the Linden association that we are having bad weather in Linden. For this historic occasion we thought that we really wanted to have Berbice in Linden and we managed to do so. Even though we didn’t get to play games we hope that this is just the beginning and that we would get an enclosed facility so that will allow play to occur regardless if rain falls or otherwise.”
Pandey guns KKR to second... From page 25 aimless bats as the Knight Riders bowlers - fast and spin - exerted control. Sehwag failed against the extra pace of Umesh Yadav and George Bailey’s promotion to No.3 lasted two balls. After six overs, Kings XI had made 32, their lowest Powerplay score of the season. They were only 58 after ten. Just when it seemed Kings XI had blundered by holding Glenn Maxwell and David Miller back to Nos. 5 and 6, Saha and Vohra orchestrated a jaw-dropping turnaround in tempo. Saha hit
35 runs off the 18 balls he faced from Narine - mostly on the leg side - and took 32 off 13 balls from Chawla. Morkel suffered too, as Vohra’s onehanded carve carried over the third-man boundary and Saha hooked for six to take 20 runs off the 15th over. Vohra got to his 50 off 42 balls; Saha needed only 29 and did not let up. They added 129 in 12 overs. By the time Saha lofted Narine to long-on, where the boundary rider parried the ball for six, to bring up his century off 49 balls, the clamour of wanting to see
Maxwell and Miller had long died down. Kings XI’s previous best in three innings against Knight Riders this season had been 149. They got to 199 tonight, despite their three overseas guns and Sehwag contributing only nine runs. In their last ten overs, Kings XI had scored 141 runs. Those first ten overs cost them in the end. Scores: Kolkata Knight Riders 200 for 7 (Pandey 94, Karanveer 4-54) beat Kings XI Punjab 199 for 4 (Saha 115*, Vohra 67) by 3 wickets and 3 balls to spare.
Monday June 02, 2014
‘Nuff rain’ forced abortion of GBA ‘Nuff Cuff Injection’ boxing card By Michael Benjamin Persistent rainfall late Saturday evening left the ring inundated with water and forced organizers to abort activities for the night when the Guyana Boxing Association presented the ‘Nuff Cuff Injection’ at the Buxton/Friendship Community Centre Ground, Buxton ECD Saturday evening last. Up to the time of the stoppage, only one international encounter, the middleweight encounter between local pugilist, Theresa London, and her St Lucian rival, Malanda St Clair, was staged and the former boxer prevailed after turning in a determined and aggressive performance. The bout was truly entertaining and compensated somewhat for the aborted encounter in St Lucia after London was unable to keep her ring date after losing in the World Youth Championships in Chile. The Guyanese was all aggression at the start of the bout and connected with several right crosses that had the lanky St Clair on the back foot. The St Lucian bided her time and towards the end of the round scored with a few combinations of her own to set the stage for an interesting second round. It turned out that the first round was more of an
anticlimax as London took control from the second and third stanzas and unleashed several telling shots to her opponent’s body and head that eventually earned her a lopsided verdict. The rain had subsided earlier in the night and allowed Isaiah Moore (HEBG) to earn a 3-0 decision over Delroy Elcock (EBG) in the 80-84lbs division, while Shaquille Wright (EBG) won a close split decision victory over Deshon Elcock (EBG) in the 100-104lbs division. Christopher Moore (EBG) then won unanimously over Elijah Insanally (HEBG) shortly before Travis Hubbard (HEBG) forced his gym mate, Orin Bancroft to retire in the 47th second of the 2nd round. The rains then came down in torrents and halted the proceedings. The highly anticipated middleweight bout between St Lucian, Arthur Langelier and Dennis Thomas and the welterweight encounter between Langelier’s countryman, Ron Bastien and Guyanese, Eon Bancroft had to be called off and organizers decided to switch the venue to the Andrew Lewis Boxing Gym yesterday morning. H o w e v e r, the St Lucians protested vehemently of the poor conditions of the ring at that gym and opted instead to engage in exhibition bouts. First it was Bancroft
and Bastien who turned in a vicious crowd pleasing affair that belied the fact that it was an exhibition match. Punches reigned supreme as both pugilists went after each other with mean intentions. This pattern continued for the greater part of the bout until Bancroft connected with a wicked right cross that staggered Bastien. His coach, Conrad Hunte, threw in a cap, a signal that his fighter had surrendered, but the referee refused to acknowledge the headwear and threw it out of the ring. Hunte persisted, saying that he had no towel and the rule allowed him to use the cap. The referee eventually called a halt to the ‘exhibition’ bout after Bastien claimed that he had suffered an injury to his right hand. His compatriot, Langilier turned in a spirited effort in his exhibition match with Thomas and left the appreciative crowd wondering what would have happened had the bout not been an exhibition. The two engaged in a toe to toe slugfest that kept the crowd lively and at the conclusion, acknowledged with a lusty round of applause. At the end of that bout, the organizers decided against those other incomplete bouts. The St Lucians return to their homeland later today.
CULT/EBFA U-17 League
Grove Hi Tech and Herstelling topple their opponents When play in the CULT sponsored East Bank Football Association (EBFA) Under-17 league continued on Saturday last at the Grove Playfield, there were wins for Grove Hi Tech over Diamond United by a 6-0 margin and Herstelling, who got the better of Timehri Panthers 21. Grove wasted no time in disposing Diamond as they romped to their second win in as many starts, the following Saturday they hammered Soesdyke Falcons 12-0. In that game, seven players found the back of the nets and this time around, five players inked their names on the score sheets. Trevon Pluck who netted a double against Soesdyke was again in clinical form scoring two more goals, hitting the network in the 13th and 39th minute.
The other players on target for Grove were Lloyd Matthews (16), Marvin Squires (22), Randy Smart (44) and Nickoloy Matthews in the 47th minute. Herstelling have continued to show improvement, notching up a memorable 2-1 win over
Timehri compliments of a double off the boot of Leon Alfred who blasted the nets in the 3rd and 10th minute, respectively. Naphtalisu Joseph scored Timehri’s consolation goal in the 16th minute. More matches are set for this Saturday at The same venue.
DCB Inter-Association U-19 cricket
Final round match washed out at DCC The final round Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) under-19 Inter-Association 50-over cricket match fixed for yesterday at DCC was washed out without a ball being bowled as the Queenstown venue remained waterlogged despite an afternoon blessed with glorious sunshine. The two Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) twoday first division matches were also washed out over the weekend without a ball being bowled at the Malteenoes and Police grounds.