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Kaieteur News
Wednesday June 11, 2014
Wednesday June 11, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Letters... Where your views make the news... Letters... Where your views make the news
NCN enforces copyright Is there a GWI dress code? DEAR EDITOR, It is amazing the way people use your rights without your permission in this country, Guyana, and you can t stop them even if you call the police or you go to court. Maybe if you were G.B.T. I, Banks DIH, DDL, Gafoor’s, NBIC or Toolsie Persaud and you have the monies to defend your company it can work. The copyright laws in Guyana were adhered to in the 1950s to the 1980s. Then it became a free for all in Guyana. Nobody cares anymore. If you tell them to stop pirating CDs or DVDs they think that you are mad. The people who now pirate CDs and DVDs feel that this is a God given right that they can do this without thinking about the person(s) who have invested their hard earned monies in a particular project. The shops and cart men who sell all of these pirated goods know that no one can take them to court and get a conviction because all over the country Tom, Dick and
Harry are doing the same thing and are making millions of dollars from all of the musicians, actors and actresses hard sweat. Well now NCN Television which is protected by the Government of Guyana is now going to broadcast World Cup football being held in Brazil. For the last three weeks you have been hearing on the airwaves that NCN Television owns the rights to broadcast the 2014 World Cup football in Guyana. If, and only if, NCN Television decides to give written permission to any of our TV stations in Guyana the rights to also broadcast the 2014 football World Cup, only then we the people will be able to see the football World Cup on another channel. NCN Television is now showing musicians, actors and actresses in this country called Guyana that it is the government station and you dare not touch this product because the station has paid millions of dollars for the
A descendant of Ananias and Sapphira DEAR EDITOR, I refer to an article published in your newspaper of Wednesday, May 28, 2014 captioned: “City Hall Statutory Meeting ends abruptly.” Please allow me to point out that the de facto Town Clerk, Ms. Sooba, a descendant of Ananias and Sapphira stated a number of untruths. I refer to a couple: 1. That the Statutory Meeting was cancelled 2. Councillor Ranwell Jordan and Acting Town Clerk, Mr. Royston King stole the keys from the Constabulary Office preventing the door in question from being opened This employee of the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown, imposed by the Minister of Local Government on this duly elected body has sunk to the lowest depth and is in need of prayers. Ranwell Jordan Former Mayor and serving Councillor
television rights. If anyone of the owners from the TV arena decides to show the 2014 football World Cup they are going to be in very serious trouble. So I don t think that these TV stations are not going to adhere to the advert that everyone is airing on the airwaves (don’t touch this football world cup 2014). This is what the musicians, actors and actresses have been waiting for in Guyana. The government must now flex its muscles against piracy but it must not only be for NCN Television. It must also be for the creative people of this nation who don’t mind investing their monies in a project but also getting protection from the government of Guyana to get it back with a plus. Musicians, actors and actresses in Guyana are very timid simply because most of them have never been out of this country and they don t know that musicians, actors and actresses in other countries make a serious living from their trade. The copyright laws are adhered to in most of the countries that are very progressive in the arts and culture field. The people in the arts and culture field in Guyana worry too much about people seeing them on stage. They should be worried about making a good living from what they do best and speaking out against what harms them from making a proper living. Rudy Grant
DEAR EDITOR, Recently, there have been a increase in robberies and attempted robberies and one case of attempt rape of a thirteen-year-old girl who knew one of the persons. These incidents happened on East Bank Essequibo and West Coast Demerara. The police were successful in capturing some of the bandits from different robberies and also detaining some suspected of committing or attempting to commit crimes. About two weeks ago, GUYANA WATER INC. officials were reading the water meters in Zeelugt. As usual there were a few who weren’t appreciative of their presence and gave various reasons. I don’t know if these people’s behaviour caused the officials to be scared but one businessman told me that the ladies didn’t enter his yard, they just asked his name and wrote something down on a paper and moved on. He’s wondering what’s the purpose of the meter in his yard. On Monday, I observed two young men in Zeelugt walking, going to each house and asking for the resident’s most recent water bill. They sometimes asked if the resident was getting water, if anywhere is leaking and then write down the name on the bill. They told the residents to keep the bill handy because
GWI is conducting a nationwide disconnection campaign and that the disconnection crew will be visiting the area shortly. These men left without verifying if there were indeed any leaks or low water pressure. Some residents were not home so their names were given to the GWI people who hinted that they will be disconnected if a bill is not produced. I then asked if GWI officials had the lot number and the resident’s name. I also wanted to know how could they disconnect if the persons don’t owe them. The young man said that he needed to see a receipt and I asked if GWI did not have a computerized system that would have the info. Why not print it out and walk with it? Why disconnect because a receipt cannot be produce if the resident is not at home? He then told me that contractors were doing the disconnection and they don’t have a list. Again I asked why one is not being printed out and those that are to be disconnected highlighted. The youngman simply walked away. Why pay people to walk around asking for bills when the time comes for disconnection, you will have to go back through the same process again? Why inconvenience people by
disconnecting their water because they can’t see the person’s bill when they would have the info on their computer at the office? I started to wonder what sort of geniuses we have at GWI because a few weeks ago I was at the West Bank Office. If you going to pay your bill and you forgot to walk with your old bill, you will have to join the line to see one of the customer care staff. He or she will bring up the name on the computer and write the account number. You will then go and join the cashier’s line to pay. Sometimes this might take over one hour but lo, and behold! when I give the cashier the account number, she called the name to which the account belongs and which she refuse to acknowledge earlier because you don’t have the account number. Editor, I started off by mentioning the robberies because looking around the office you will see the staff dressed in all manner of clothing and I wonder if they have a dress code because Continued on page 29
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday June 11, 2014
Mother of three found No new Chikungunya dead with head in bucket cases confirmed - husband “confesses” after first claiming suicide
A 31-year-old man has reportedly admitted to killing his 25-year-old reputed wife, whose body, with head partly submerged in a bucket of water, was found outside the couple’s Friendship, East Bank Demerara home at around 02.00 hrs yesterday. Shelly Persaud, a housewife and mother of three, was found at the bottom of the back stairs of the Lot 34 residence. Her head was in a five-gallon bucket that contained just a little water. The victim’s reputed husband had reportedly told her father, whom he had summoned to the scene, that he had found his spouse in that position at around 02.00 hrs. Orin Morris, the dead woman’s father, said that the son-in-law had suggested that his daughter committed suicide after the couple had argued over her husband coming home drunk. But indications are that the ‘suicide’ was staged and Kaieteur News understands that the reputed husband has since admitted to causing Persaud’s demise while under the influence of alcohol. Kaieteur News understands that the couple’s eight-year-old daughter has told relatives that she heard her parents arguing some time Saturday night. The child reportedly also claimed to have seen her
father beating her mother and pulling her hair while saying, “tonight is the last night you will see your mother.” The victim’s father lives a short distance away, and he told Kaieteur News that his son-in law came over to his home at around 02.00 hrs and said that “she (Shelly Persaud) dead and she head deh in a bucket of water.” On arriving at the couple’s home, Morris said that he saw his daughter in a half-sitting position at the bottom of the back steps. Her head was submerged in a five-gallon bucket which was partly filled with water. According to the slain woman’s father, his son-inlaw claimed that he came home drunk at around 23.00 hrs on Saturday and that Shelly Persaud had said,” you drunk, you sleep in the back room,”. The housewife reportedly then slept in another room with the couple’s children, aged eight, four and two. The son-in-law reportedly said that he awoke at around 02.00 hrs yesterday and it was then that he found Persaud’s body. “He tell me she commit suicide, but from the way I see she, I know that no big woman can’t kill sheself in a bucket of water like that,” Mr. Morris said. From his observations, his daughter had suffered severe injuries to her neck. The father told Kaieteur
DEAD: Shelly Persaud News that he eventually called the police after trying in vain to revive his daughter. He said ranks from the Golden Grove/Diamond Police Station arrived some three hours later, and undertakers also came around the same time to take the body away. While one relative said that the housewife had suffered occasional asthma attacks, her father said that those attacks had stopped a long time ago. The man said that his daughter never indicated that she and her husband were having domestic problems. A female relative of the slain woman also said that while he drank occasionally, she had never seen Persaud’s husband display any violence towards his spouse. But Persaud had confided in her that five weeks ago he had struck her while under the influence of alcohol. And some of Shelly Persaud’s recent Facebook postings had hinted at an unhappy relationship. In one comment she said: “You can’t keep hurting a person and expect them to continue loving you.” And in another posting a few hours before her death she wrote: “Sometimes I just want to disappear and see if anyone would miss me.”
Although there have been some reports circulating that the Chikungunya virus has been detected in the capital city, health officials have assured that no such case has thus far been confirmed. According to Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud, there have been suspected cases reported from a number of locations, but to date none has been confirmed outside of Berbice, Region Six. The number of confirmed cases, he said, remains at 14, all of which were detected in sections of that Region. This state of affairs has been corroborated by Director of Vector Control Services, Dr Reyaud Rahman, who disclosed that the intensified vector control efforts that have been engaged, appear to be yielding results. This publication was able to confirm that several samples, amounting to just over 80, taken from patients with flu-like symptoms complemented with fever, have been deemed void of the virus by the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA). Also, reports are that in excess of 150 samples have since been sent to CARPHA to ascertain their status. In the meantime, the
- as Health Ministry prepares to conduct scientific study on vector
Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud
Vector Control Director, Reyaud Rahman
Vector Control Unit of the Health Ministry has been directing much effort towards training vector control workers in Regions Five and Six to build capacity in those regions. As part of its ongoing effort, the Health Ministry has been working in collaboration with a number of organisations including the Civil Defence Commission (CDC). Moreover, Dr Rahman was yesterday tasked with delivering a presentation to CDC officials about the
prevention methods, control and treatment of the virus. Also, Dr Rahman disclosed that efforts have been directed towards a capturing process, whereby mosquito larvae are caught to facilitate entomology or a scientific study. This process, according to the Vector Control Director, is one that is expected to “give us a lot of feedback.” According to him, it will especially aid the technical efforts of the Vector Control Unit, since it would Continued on page 30
Gold Board to close Charity office by month end The Guyana Gold Board is expected to close its Charity, Essequibo Coast office by the end of the month due to the lack of technical staff. Kaieteur News understands that presently the location is operating from Tuesdays to Thursdays, but this is apparently not sitting well with miners, since the peak
Man found with suspected stab wounds dies at GPHC A man with the names ‘Sheila,’ ‘Falicia,’ ‘Bibi,’ and ‘Fara’ tattooed across his chest, along with a cross and a rose, died at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) around 20:30 hrs Monday night. Police said that the so far unidentified man who also has the letters A, N, D, Y in the form of a tattoo on the fingers of his right hand was found on the Ogle Access Road, East Coast Demerara (ECD), with suspected stab wounds. The deceased who is of East Indian descent died while receiving treatment at the medical institution. According to the police, the deceased is about 5ft 6 inches in height, medium built and brown in complexion. The body is at the Lyken Funeral Parlour as the investigations continue.
business days are Mondays and Fridays. It has been noted that the agency has been working towards facilitating those wanting to conduct business, but the office is not operating a regular working hours. Executive Director of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA), Tony Shields, told Kaieteur News yesterday that he was aware that moves are being made to close the office at month end. He related that the reason for this has been noted as the shortage of technical staff. He said further that this has been against persons wanting to transact business given the days by which the community operates. It was noted however, that the closure of the office will see measures being put in place for banks to make gold purchases. Presently, the Bartica branch of the Gold Board remains closed, while investigations are ongoing into a racket which saw a huge quantity of gold recording poor purity levels. Several hundred million dollars were said to have been siphoned
off. Shields registered his concern over the Bartica office being closed, since he felt that an investigation into the racket does not necessitate the closure of the office and inconveniencing customers. He said that the Bartica branch purchases almost 50 percent of the gold recorded and it is unclear why the office should be closed, instead of replacing the staffers. However, government has registered concerns that gold declaration has dropped by 20 percent for the year so far. Currently data trends for the first five months of this year have shown a significant decrease in gold output, when compared to the same period for last year. For January to May, total gold declaration amounted to 165,595 ounces as compared to 204,970.42 ounces for the same period last year. Miners might now have to head to Georgetown to get their gold sold once certain avenues are not put in place. This has however, raised serious security and convenience concerns which some say will soon have to be addressed.
Wednesday June 11, 2014
Kaieteur News
Number of unverified Finance Ministry statements alarming - PAC Chairman The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has finally concluded its examination of the 2010 and 2011 Auditor General Reports. But it appears as though some ministries still have a problem with effectively addressing certain financial discrepancies. When asked to give his take on the three problems the Ministry of Finance seems unable to adequately address, PAC Chairman Carl Greenidge said, that firstly, the Ministry of Finance needs to tackle what the Auditors called the “serial abuse of the Contingencies Fund.” The fund is reserved to address unforeseen circumstances which may warrant urgent expenditures. Greenidge said that although the Constitution and the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act (FMAA) which specifies the criteria governing withdrawals from the fund, the expenditures identified by the Auditor General have not conformed to that law. The PAC Chairman said that the Finance Secretary, Mr. Nirmal Rekha, seemed unable to clarify why this continues to happen. A second problem, he said, that had been highlighted by the Auditor General, (AG) Deodat Sharma in his report, has to do with dormant bank accounts. He said that the AG had been recommending year after year that such accounts be closed in keeping with the law. The politician said, “The accounts had been opened to facilitate and fund legitimate activities and the activities ended in some cases over a decade ago. The balances left in the accounts should have been transferred to the Consolidated Fund and the accounts closed since the
PAC Chairman, Carl Greenidge funds should not be used for anything other than what had been approved by the National Assembly. Instead of that, the Ministry of Finance technicians reported that the accounts remained open in spite of their recommendations and those of the AG.” Greenidge said that keeping these accounts open in this manner exposed the country to the risk that the funds would be used either to “temporarily or permanently fund unapproved activities illegally.” The third matter the Parliamentarian said was discussed by the PAC was the Ministry’s failure to recognize the importance of the Auditor General, Deodat Sharma’s office and the need to secure his clearance on expenditure. Greenidge told this publication that the number of times the AG reported that he had been unable to give an opinion or to verify that statements emanating from the Ministry were accurate, was “alarming.” “In effect, the AG was saying that he was qualifying
a number of important accounts associated with the agency that was at the pinnacle of financial management of the country.” He explained that when a report is “qualified” it means that the auditor cannot vouch for the integrity of the financial records before him. The Parliamentarian had cause during the PAC meetings to remind both the Auditor General and the Financial Secretary, that if such qualifications were to be applied to the accounts of a private company, the Board and/or persons responsible would have been penalized and probably sent home. During its examination of the AG’s reports on the Ministry of Finance, the PAC had highlighted frauds detected in the Accountant General’s Department by the Auditor General for 2010 and 2011, amounting to a total of $215M. It was also reported that during 2010, a fraud had been committed at the Sub Treasury in Region One ( B a r i m a / Wa i n i ) w h i c h resulted in the loss of $9.393M. This matter is currently before the courts.
Egypt’s ultraconservative Islamists back Sisi, seek to eclipse Brotherhood ABU HOMOS Egypt (Reuters) - Egypt’s ultraconservative Islamist Al Nour party is voicing interest in joining President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s new government as part of a strategy to replace the banned Moslem Brotherhood as the country’s most influential Islamist movement. Al Nour chief Younes Makhyoun, who enjoys strong support in Egypt’s poor cities and slum areas where Sisi’s liberal-leaning allies are weak, said in an
interview with Reuters his party’s strategy would be to “help Sisi in his rule”. He backed the former general when the army toppled the Brotherhood last year. When asked if his party would be willing to take up a post in Sisi’s new government, Makhyoun, said: “Very likely and I expect so if God is willing.” “We are ready and we don’t mind any opportunity to present through it something for Egypt. It is a national duty to seek that. I would not mind
joining the president as a consultant on his team or in the coming cabinet if he offered us so.” Sisi has indicated he will show little tolerance for political Islam in a country where leaders with military backgrounds have battled militants for decades. But political and security officials say he might see advantages to engaging them in some form after parliamentary elections expected in few months provide a clear view of the country’s political landscape.
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US Supreme Court rules no special priority for Caribbean children WASHINGTON - CMC The United States Supreme Court has ruled that Caribbean immigrant children who lost their places in the slow-moving immigration system because they turned 21 before their parents received their immigrant visa could not be given special priority. “Whatever Congress might have meant, it failed to speak clearly,” wrote Justice Elena Kagan for the majority in the 5-4 decision on Monday, referring to the 2002 law that permits “aged-out” children to hold on to their child status, or their initial “priority date” for consideration in the immigration system, after they turn 21. “The two faces of the statute do not easily cohere with each other,” she added in her 33-page opinion. Justice Kagan also wrote that an administrative immigration tribunal’s 2008 interpretation of the 2002 law “benefits from administrative simplicity and fits with immigration law’s basic firstcome, first-served rule”. By contrast, she said the solutions suggested by the immigrants who were respondents in the case “would scramble the priority order (US) Congress established, by permitting “aged-out” children to be considered ahead of other would-be immigrants on the path to citizenship. “We still see no way to apply the concept of automatic conversion to the respondents’ children and others like them,” wrote Justice Kagan, adding that courts had to defer “to the board’s (immigration) expert judgment about which interpretation fits best with, and makes most sense of, the statutory scheme”. The decision could affect untold numbers of young immigrants across the country, including the children of New York City teachers recruited to fill classroom vacancies in the
Justice Elena Kagan late 1990s and early 2000s, who have “aged out” of the immigration system, according to the New York Times. The case at hand involved Rosalina Cuellar de Osorio, who migrated from El Salvador in 1998 with her 13year-old son. After years of waiting, her son turned 21. The administrative tribunal ruled that when he turned 21, he lost his place in the line for permanent residence and would have to start over. The family challenged the tribunal’s decision in US Federal District Court and lost. When the case was heard by the full United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, in San Francisco, California, it reversed the decision. The Appeals Court said that the 2002 law provided that children listed on their parents’ green card applications would automatically be converted to another category when they turned 21. The Obama administration appealed the decision. Alina Das, a co-director of the Immigrant Rights Clinic at New York University, said “aged-out” children of immigrants would “continue to be in limbo, waiting for leadership from the administration and Congress to make sure that they’re back on a path to citizenship.
Meantime, nationwide poll published Tuesday by the Public Religion Research Institute and the Brookings Institution, non-partisan research groups here said that while 62 per cent of Americans favour a path to citizenship for Caribbean and other immigrants living in the United States illegally, Republican voters are sharply split on the issue going into the November elections. The polls revealed “political shoals” House Republican leaders have to navigate as they decide whether to hold votes on legislation this year or put off the contentious issue at least until after November. According to the poll, which is based on interviews with a random sample of 1,538 Americans who took the same survey last year, support has remained “remarkably steady” for a path to citizenship for more than 11 million illegal immigrants in the country “if they meet certain requirements”. The poll declined one percentage point from 63 per cent a year ago. The poll found that 17 percent of Americans support legal permanent-resident status, but not citizenship, for those immigrants, while 19 percent favor identifying and deporting them. Those figures have also changed little from last year.
Sugar cane concern Barbados Nation - The Barbados Agricultural Society is concerned about reports that two plantations are planning to abandon their more than 230 acres of ripe sugar cane because reaping would be too expensive. CEO of the society, James Paul, complained yesterday that the move would
undermine the ability of Barbados to continue in sugar production and that it held negative implications for the island’s plans to establish a multimillion dollar, multipurpose sugar factory. The owners of Portland and The Rock plantations in St Peter say it’s too expensive to reap their canes so they are
going to leave them in the field. Paul said his agency would have to take “an aggressive approach” to the matter and hold discussions with these and other large plantations across the island on what are the major problems they face and the likely solutions.
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Kaieteur News
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WHY BLAME THE MECHANIC? I fail to understand the histrionics about Guyana’s Integrated Financial Management and Accounting System (IFMAS). All of a sudden, it has been discovered that two modules of the IFMAS are not functional. This discovery has led in turn to a slew of ill-informed criticisms, including inexplicably, criticisms of the Auditor General in relation to the functioning of IFMAS. In order to appreciate the nature of the critics’ case, I need to use an example. There are many Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) in Guyana which have fourwheel drive capabilities. Most of the owners of these vehicles never have reason to engage the four-wheel drive, because they drive mainly on the roads. Does the fact that these owners have not activated their four-wheel drive mean that there are deficiencies in the operation of the vehicle? And why blame the mechanic for the fact that the driver does not engage the fourwheel drive mode on the vehicle. Using this analogy, I fail to understand how the Auditor General is to be
blamed for not exposing the fact that the two modules of IFMAS were inoperable. The public deserves better than such criticisms. The public is entitled to a less emotive and more educated response to this recent “discovery”. It is appalling that the public should be led to believe that serious financial accounting deficiencies may have resulted because of the failure to bring on stream the Asset Management/ Inventory Module and the Purchasing Module of IFMAS. Nothing could be further from the truth. IFMAS offers a line of protection against fraud. Indeed many years ago when there was an alleged major fraud at the Treasury, it was the very IFMAS which proved to be a God-send in providing information that would have been helpful in reconciling the pension payments that were believed to have been manipulated in the alleged fraud. It is the very IFMAS which is today responsible for the superior presentation of the Estimates of Expenditure and Revenue during the Budget presentation. It is the
very IFMAS which allows members of parliament greater information, including detailed information about spending on individual projects. It is the very IFMAS which is now being assailed with criticisms which allows for precise accounting for sums spent by the government. It is the very IFMAS which, at the click of mouse, can indicate exactly how much money has been disbursed for a particular programme and how much is outstanding from a voted provision. It is the very IFMAS which now allows the Office of the Auditor General a better tool of reconciliation. Instead of reconciling from mere vouchers and warrants, the Auditor General can guard against the possibility of unproduced warrants and vouchers by referring to IFMAS. Thus, if an agency claims that it spent $15M on a certain line item and if the vouchers are produced for such expenditure, the Auditor General can go to IFMAS and confirm that this indeed is the total amount spent. The Auditors can also do
Dem boys seh...
BABITA AND FATTY BUY UP DE GOLD De Canadian Lotto been in Guyana fuh nearly 20 years. It nah trouble nobody and paying nuff, nuff money to Ohh Pee. Because dem talk how much money dem use to give Ohh Pee every month Jagdeo get vex and he refuse to renew dem contract. After dem talk and apply over and over, he put dem pun a month to month contract. Jagdeo lef and gone nearly three years now. But he get two Chinee fuh put dem name pun de hotel wha dem building fuh fool Guyana and he promise dem de Lotto. Donald sit down, being heself, dumb, blind and dotish open he mouth and seh how he want tender fuh a new Lotto. He seh that he get nuff letter pun he desk. He got de Hen See Hen thiefing report pun he desk but he can’t see that one fuh tek action. He can’t see de hundreds of application fuh radio licence wha deh pun he desk but he can see Lotto application because Jagdeo tell he fuh see dem. Now dem boys convince that he not only losing weight, de words that coming out he mouth loss all de
weight already. Dem ain’t got no weight. De words been pun a diet before he. But now he talking bout tender. Dem boys seh why he don’t tender that fat crook Brazzy out. He must tender de shaat scamp too who he tell to hold press conference and explain why de two pit bull was locked up. He shouldn’t only look fuh application pun he desk, alone. He must also open he ears and eyes fuh see wheh de 20 percent missing gold
gone. Dem boys did put through a call to tell he wheh de gold gone, how it gone and who carry it. He ain’t got to look far; de gold gone just cross de border to a place called Suriname. Who carry am? Guyana becoming a nation wid a pattern of buddy friends. Jagdeo had he Babita. Donald got he Fatty too. Talk half and don’t believe that gold production drop. It smuggle out.
the converse. They can obtain data from IFMAS and then demand that the respective warrants and vouchers be produced. In other words, IFMAS enhances the auditing functioning. IFMAS has been in existence for more than ten years. Instead of bemoaning the fact that two modules are not being implemented, the concern should be as to whether it is still relevant. Technology changes so rapidly these days, especially accounting software, that instead of being preoccupied with the non- functioning of two modules of a sevenmodule system, the main concern should be about upgrading the existing software or to obtain new software that will be more up to date. The fact that two modules were not implemented does not mean that they were supposed to be implemented. The designers may have
included them because the software may have come with these modules, and having them would provide the owners with an option that they wish to explore. But even if there were plans to utilize all seven modules, consideration has to be given towards progressively bringing the various modules in line. I do not believe that even the harshest critic of the government would argue that all seven should have been brought on-line simultaneously. The ideal thing to have done was to have worked with a few of the modules, tweak them and assess how they needed to be adapted, and then decide when and how the other modules would be engaged. It is respectfully submitted here that there is neither the technological and legislative nor regulatory infrastructure to bring the two outstanding modules into
being. It is also respectfully submitted that there would have been a need to streamline financial systems and inventory systems before the two modules could have been engaged. It is further contended here that the engaging of such modules would not have necessarily contributed to improved efficiency in accounting. But more importantly, it is also suggested here that bringing the two modules on board would have presented significant challenges in terms of resources, both human and physical, and that the costs of overcoming these challenges perhaps would not have been worth the while. I will take up these issues in a subsequent column.
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THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
The term ‘technical majority’ is unadulterated nonsense
I don’t think there is an independent editor, commentator, analyst and political observer who would refuse to offer an honest comment on what President Ramotar said about the 2011 election results. Speaking last Saturday at his press conference, he said the opposition has a technical majority in Parliament. Ramotar once publicly asked me in the letter columns of this newspaper what is meant by the “poetic essence of history.” Well I will ask Ramotar to define for all humans who have voted in an election what is meant by a technical majority. He cannot and will not. It is
unadulterated nonsense. There is no such thing as a party winning a technical election or having a technical majority in Parliament. You can have an imposed majority, either by a biased judiciary or through military dictates or a simple rigged majority. But what is a technical majority, especially in a situation where all contestants accepted the results and there was no appeal either to the judiciary or the security forces? In such circumstances, how then did the voting result in a technical majority? The use of the words “technical majority” in this context then is crass
ignorance. For many observers of politics, it is Mr. Ramotar and his usual foolishness. But it is not a laughing matter. Inside his head, Mr. Ramotar has a meaning to the words he used. It is for the analysts to explain to people what he meant. My belief is that Ramotar, like all others in the PPP hierarchy, has a Freudian rejection of the 2011 election results in the shape of the numbers. PPP leaders do not accept a one-seat majority of the combined opposition. At the Freudian level, then the PPP did not really lose the general elections, because a one-seat
majority is just a technical thing that has no political importance. What the Guyanese people, especially the business community, need to realistically face up to is the brutal fact that once this oneseat majority exists, the presidency and the PPP leadership will not recognize an opposition control of Parliament. The reality that Guyanese must face is that no Bill passed in Parliament without a substantial input from the Governmental machinery will be assented to. The Guyanese people have to understand that if the economy is crippled tomorrow because of international sanctions over our inadequate antilaundering legislation, the opposition isn’t going to sign, because the opposition is not prepared to accept the PPP’s Freudian repudiation of their parliamentary majority and in the psychology of the collective PPP, the opposition has a mere “technical majority.”
This is the state of politics, and the sooner stakeholders ranging from the Boy Scouts to the business people realize this morbidity, the better for their state of mind. Despite his allusions to an early national poll because of the impasse over the antilaundering Bill, President Ramotar is not going to call early elections. He is a weak leader alright. He plays second fiddle to both senior and PPP leaders. But if there is one thing, Donald Ramotar is inflexible, unshakable and determined about his five-year term. He will not give in to a general poll before its due date in 2016. Fuelling his damnation against a snap poll is his awareness that there are cabals inside the PPP that do not want him to be the presidential candidate. Ramotar was angry that an exchampion went behind his back and assured the West Indian Cricket Board that it will get a letter signed by Mr. Ramotar (see my last Thursday column). It is not only the ex-
Frederick Kissoon champion that has his man in waiting for 2016, but others are assured that Mr. Ramotar will not be the PPP’s presidential contestant once there is a national election either in 2014, 2015 or 2016. Mr. Ramotar knows “footnote status” in Guyanese history is awaiting him, moreso if he calls a snap poll and is not the presidential candidate or if he loses again. There is absolutely no incentive, then, for Mr. Ramotar to ride away before 2016. Those young Turks and the champion’s man better stop dreaming. De Donald isn’t going anywhere. The scenario then is until 2016, the Government will table Bills, and based on their contents some will be passed like those relating to traffic, roads, agriculture etc. Contentious Bills will be rejected by the Parliament and they will stay on the shelf because the Executive and the PPP cannot and will not accept the “technical majority” of the opposition in the House. What happens before 2016 is the slow death of a nation.
Wednesday June 11, 2014
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GRA’s Digital Excise Stamping Remittances increased in Programme attracts US$4.6M bid Central America, C’bean last year
To further develop its capabilities the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) received bids for the Design and Implementation of a Digital Excise Stamping Programme for Alcohol Beverage and Tobacco Products. Three bids were opened yesterday at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), Ministry of Finance, Main and Urquhart Street.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport received bids for phase (2) of the construction of a confinement building for the New Opportunity Corps, region two.
Bids were submitted for construction of storage bond for the Agriculture Ministry pesticide and toxic chemical control board, Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara, region four.
Under the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) bids were opened for the upgrading of Access Roads and Bridges Lot (4) Onverwagt Paved Road, West Coast Berbice region five.
…but down in Mexico, South America In 2013, remittances to Central America and the Caribbean increased over the previous year while remittance flows to South America and Mexico declined, resulting in flat growth for the region as a whole, according to a new report from the Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF), a member of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Group. The report, “Remittances to Latin America and the Caribbean in 2013: Still Below Pre-Crisis Levels,” indicates that last year the region received a total of $61.3 billion sent by migrants to their countries of origin. “Remittance flows to Latin America and the Caribbean remain an important source of income for millions of poor and vulnerable families,” said MIF General Manager Nancy Lee. “Remittance recipients need more access to financial tools that will help them use remittances to save and make investments for their future in areas like education, housing, and starting and growing businesses.” The report notes that, as this sector has evolved, there is an increasingly wide variety of services available to remittance senders, allowing them to make transfers using bank accounts and debit and credit cards. However, in many countries in the region, cash withdrawals are still the prevailing option for receiving remittances, showing that financial institutions have business opportunities to offer payment and savings products tailored to customers’ needs and preferences. Mexico remains the largest recipient of remittances in the region, with $21.6 billion, followed by Guatemala, with $5.1 billion. Colombia remained in third place with $4.1 billion, El
Salvador was fourth with just under $4.0 billion, and the Dominican Republic fifth with $3.3 billion. The United States is the source of about threequarters of remittances to the region, followed by Spain. Accordingly, the recoveries of labour demand in the United States and in average wages of workers from Latin America and the Caribbean affected the growth of remittances to Central America and the Caribbean. However, reduced migration from Mexico to the United States was reflected in the drop in remittances to that country. Meanwhile, the Andean countries are still affected by unemployment in Spain, especially in the construction and services sectors, which are important sources of
employment for migrants from the region. In the years before the financial crisis of 2008-2009, remittances to the region as a whole experienced average annual growth of 17 percent. After a record high in 2008 of $64.9 billion, there was a sharp drop in 2009 of over 10 percent, followed by an increase in 2011 of 6 percent, and subsequent stagnation that continued up to 2013. The MIF estimates that remittances to the region could increase by 5 to 7 percent in 2014. This estimate is based on migration and labour trends in 2013 and on expectations for stronger performance in the U.S. and European economies in 2014, already reflected in improved employment figures in the first months of this year.
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Body of GuySuCo employee found The badly decomposed body of 56-yearold sluice attendant Christendatt Madramootoo of Gangaram Settlement, East Canje, Berbice, was discovered by relatives early yesterday morning in the Tucber, New Amsterdam backlands. Madramootoo, employed by the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo)’s Rose Hall Estate, went missing after he left home for the Reliance Backdam around 21:00 hrs (9pm) on Sunday. He never returned home the following day from the 9-5 shift. The mystery deepens as the man’s bicycle, clothes; bag, hat, footwear and torchlight were all found at the work site. His employment with GuySuCo began in 1972, as a cane harvester. His brother-in-law, Ramnarine Koopasammy, who made the gruesome discovery, stated that they were travelling
along the Berbice River bank around 06:20 hrs yesterday in a GuySuCo search-boat, “and we see his body on the parapet of the right bank—behind Tucber Scheme.” Koopasammy stated that Madramootoo was only clad in his underwear and his body was swollen. DISAPPEARANCE The dead man’s son, Lakeram Madramootoo, said that his father left as usual for work on Sunday evening for the 9-5 shift and was supposed to have reached back home around 05:30 hrs as he normally does. He never did. “He ain’t come off work because I ain’t know what transpired—until eight o’ clock [then] we get message that my father missing.” Madramootoo’s workmate who was working the 4pm-midnight shift, and who
would have been on the site, upon Madramootoo’s arrival, is reported to be in custody at the Reliance Police Station. That attendant would have been on a shift across the backlands at Lochaber in the Canje Creek. The man’s son explained that his father would normally have to flash his torchlight across the other side of the Lochaber end of the Canje River so that the workmate could respond with the boat and collect him from the other side. From all indications, it appears that Madramootoo never reached the Lochaber side since all of his belongings were left on the side of the Reliance backlands. SPEEDY BURIAL His family was in a rush yesterday to bury the corpse as it had become badly decomposed. They gathered at the Arokium Funeral Parlour at Philadelphia Street, New Amsterdam, the only parlour that would accept the corpse. The stench that emanated was almost unbearable. The family was dissatisfied with the Administration of the New Amsterdam Hospital who they accuse of refusing to do a post mortem on the body. Government Pathologist Dr. Vivekanand Brijmohan was also present at the funeral parlour and was heard discussing possible causes of death, including drowning. REFUSAL TO DO POST MORTEM Lakeram Madramootoo was furious at the hospital for refusing to perform the post mortem on his father, “because they said the body was too rotten.” He complained that if the police had arrived earlier on the scene yesterday morning, a post mortem might have been done since the body, he believed, was well – preserved. The body was at the N/A Hospital from 06:30 hrs to 08:30 hrs yesterday, awaiting the examination, and relatives were just told that it was not possible due to the stench and decomposition. “I can’t understand N/A Hospital don’t have a freezer for things like this—why is it? We ain’t pleased with the police or the hospital. It’s like all around we get pusharound!” The son believes his father was murdered. “I get a feeling that my father was murdered—that is the feeling I get! He don’t drink or smoke…He is not a violent person.” When asked who would want to do such a thing, the man’s son said, “I don’t know…I have no idea because in work and dem things,
The dead man’s wife, Esther, speaking to media operatives yesterday. people does get spite over people.” When asked about the individual who telephoned the family early that morning, the son said that that looks very suspicious. “When we see his boots and bags and stuff, it was not a robbery—it’s like somebody wanted to get rid of he!” Speaking about Madramootoo’s workmate, he said, “I don’t know if he was drunk or asleep or what because he said nobody ain’t call he.” A person of interest, too, in this mystery would be the male who telephoned the family early Monday morning enquiring from Mrs. Madramootoo if her husband had returned home. She said the person never identified themself. She also pointed out that her husband knew how to swim. “He don’t drink or don’t smoke—he’s a quiet person,” a distraught Esther Madramootoo related. “They say they can’t do the post mortem—that he body is spoiled—and the owner of this parlour is not allowed to do it and N/A Hospital don’t want to do it.” Meanwhile, GuySuCo officials at Rose Hall Estate continued to be tight-lipped about the incident, refusing to take this newspaper’s numerous telephone calls. New Amsterdam Hospital officials also could not be reached for comment.
Study being undertaken for traffic congestion Expressions of interest are currently being exercised by the Ministry of Public Works and Transportation for an Urban Transport Study (UTS) to be undertaken by a contracted entity to see how best the issue of traffic congestion can be mitigated. This is according to the Public Works Ministry Chief Works Officer Geoffrey Vaughn, who highlighted that expressions of interest for the UTS will be closing sometime in July, and afterwards “a study will commence in terms of Georgetown and its environs.” According to Vaughn, the Ministry will be evaluating the expressions of interest to see which contractors meet the criteria and then divide
those contracts and tender for the project. He continued that “based on what Terms of Reference (TOR) we set up we evaluate those contracts that have been short listed, then we give them what the TOR is looking for in the execution of the project, and they would do the entire study and we would do an assessment with them and make the necessary recommendations to the government of Guyana.” Vaughn said that when the study is concluded, one will be able to ascertain exactly what should be done to mitigate the traffic congestion. “The study looks at parking, it looks at the use of streets, the best areas for
certain buses to park, where cars should be, a variety of things, so the study should cover all of that and everything else.” Just recently, Traffic Chief Hugh Denhert told Kaieteur News that his department in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Works,is working to get the traffic lights within the Georgetown area coordinated so as to reduce traffic congestion. According to Denhert, the lights will be coordinated in such a way that there will be a steady flow of traffic “so that if you get the green light at Regent Street you will get it on Croal Street and then at Brickdam, it might just be couple of seconds different, Continued on page 14
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FOREIGNERS ARE FREE TO INVEST, BUT NOT TAKE OUR COUNTRY FOR FREE - HARMON In light of all that has been in the news about China, both locally and on the international stage, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament, Joseph Harmon has sought to make it clear that he has no problem with foreign investments, specifically those of China or its nationals. He said in fact that he is an advocate for “sound” foreign investments but his problem comes when these investors are handed Guyana on a platter. A few weeks back, Kaieteur News published an article carrying the headline “NICIL gifts Turkeyen land to China Railway.” This article informed the nation that National Industrial and Commercial Investments Ltd (NICIL) had given a plot of Turkeyen land to China Railway Engineering Group. China Railway was considered as a key construction partner during discussions last year on the controversial Amaila Falls Hydro Project. It was discovered, in the Official Gazette, that there was a double transfer of land at Turkeyen from the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission to NICIL which is headed by Winston Brassington. NICIL then transferred a plot of land to China Railway Guyana Incorporated with no cost attached. Political leaders on the opposition side questioned this transfer asking why the engineering group was gifted the land as opposed to it being sold. Harmon told Kaieteur News that the Chinese are astute business people and will always seek to invest. His contention is that they, as a people, cannot be blamed for wanting to invest. According to the Member of Parliament, the blame must be placed solely at the feet of the government. He said it is imperative that the government establish a regulatory environment “because without it there will be all kinds of corruption, even in investments, like we have seen.” The Member of Parliament reiterated that he has no problem with overseas investors but such investors must understand that their purpose is to invest and make money, not to take the country for free or buy over it cheaply. “Foreigners are free to invest, but not take our country for free.” He said that once there is firm regulatory body and a level playing field “all will be good and I would not have anything negative to say...But
APNU Member of Parliament, Joseph Harmon they (investors) must understand that they will not be allowed to just come and deal with some corrupt government officials and enjoy free and cheap benefits while the Guyanese people suffer.” At the recent opening ceremony of the 17th meeting of the Council of Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR) at the Guyana International Conference Centre, Caricom Secretary General, Irwin LaRocque said that there is now a multiplicity of centres of power and influence. The US remains a major, some may even argue, indispensable global actor. He pointed out that emerging from its economic stagnation, the EU remains another major centre of political and economic influence. He also noted that the influence of the BRICS, (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) on the global economic system is increasing along with their strategic weight. “Among the BRICS, China is a rising global power, with a number of forecasts predicting that it could eventually overtake the USA as the most powerful global economic power. It has been aggressively expanding its economic and financial outreach to various regions of the world, including Latin America and the Caribbean,”
LaRocque pointed out. For the last few years, China has maintained a heavy presence in Guyana and has been sealing some “attractive deals” as more of its nationals take up residence here. But President Donald Ramotar said he is not worried about the amount of stakes China already has in Guyana. He told the media that Guyana needs investments and if one follows the trend around the world, one would notice that the Chinese seem to have capital available to drive the world’s economy. He disclosed as well that there was no think-tank group to determine if the projects being funded by China were good deals. Guyana is significantly indebted to China and the country continues to borrow more. Many nations that fell victim are now beginning to observe China’s strategy. As recent as a few weeks ago, this newspaper published an article that reflected what is happening in other jurisdictions. The article, which first appeared in the New York Times, highlighted the shady deals and contracts “greased with monetary bribes and other enticements like expense-paid shopping trips to China and scholarships for elite children.” It said that natives of Africa have realized the penalties of making certain deals and have begun to doubt that China has its interest in their well being. The article noted, “The doubts aren’t coming from any soured feelings from African leaders themselves, most of whom still welcome (and profit from) China’s embrace.” It also reflected that independent media have played an important role in demanding more scrutiny of government deals with Beijing”…A recent op-ed article in one of Kenya’s leading newspapers, The
Daily Nation, questioned whether a huge new Chinese investment in a railroad that would run from the coast all the way to landlocked Uganda and beyond was truly a good deal. The project’s first phase will increase Kenya’s external debt by a third.” That railroad is the same one that President
Ramotar referred to. The New York Times article also noted that Kenya could have sought the financing for a project like this through the World Bank, which would have cost as little as a third of the Chinese commercial loan. But that would have required timeconsuming processes, from
competitive bidding to rigorous environmental and feasibility studies. The crux of the problem, according to the New York Times, is (though not limited to China) the reliance on “shady arrangements made at the very top of the political system, often in the president’s office itself.”
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Police brutality at Sparendaam…
Justice Kennard to make recommendations After facing flak for the lengthy delays in investigating two previous incidents of police brutality, the Guyana Police Force has announced that they have completed investigations into an allegation made by Junior Thornton. The investigation, which probed the alleged burning of Thornton’s hands while he was in police custody at the Sparendaam Police Station, was conducted by the Police Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR). According to the police, the file in this matter was submitted to the Chairman of the Police Complaints Authority on Monday, for his review and recommendations. Thornton’s situation was highlighted, last week Tuesday, one week after he was released from police custody. The young man, who was recently discharged from hospital, is claiming that a police rank soaked his hands in methylated spirits and set them alight. This was after he was engaged in a fight with another prisoner in the lock-ups. Kaieteur News understands that Thornton was picked up for loitering earlier last week and was held in the lock-ups for three days. It is alleged that he began behaving in a disorderly manner in the lock-ups and refused to desist when asked to do so by the ranks on duty. He told relatives that the ranks became angry and one of them saturated his hands with the flammable liquid before setting fire to it. Thornton was released with his badly burnt hands and was immediately taken to the
Junior Thornton
hospital by his relatives. They subsequently reported the matter to the Police Complaints Authority, after which the investigation was ordered. Already, an Assistant Superintendent has been transferred as a result of the fallout over the incident, while the ranks who allegedly carried out the act were under close arrest up to yesterday. It is expected that in addition to possible criminal charges, several other ranks will face disciplinary action over the incident.
Wednesday June 11, 2014
Shot Annandale intruder…
Six months later, confusion over status of investigation There seems to be confusion of some sort with regards to the status of the investigation surrounding Dunston La Fleur, an alleged bandit who was shot by an Annandale, East Coast Demerara (ECD) businessman on January 17, last. Commander of ‘C’ Division, Brian Joseph, in an interview with this publication, said that the file was sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice sometime back, but an official from the DPP’s office yesterday said that they have not received such a file. According to the Commander, 28-year-old La Fleur, who was shot once to his lower right side face, was placed on station bail, just after he was discharged from the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. “He (La Fleur) is at home and the file is with the DPP,” the commander told this newspaper, but this seems not to be the case, since the official from the DPP’s office is claiming that they “have never come across such a file”. La Fleur was hospitalized for at least four months. “At first he was under police guard, but like the police just get tired and they stop guard him. The last time I see a police with him was in February and he was in the hospital in April,” a source at GPHC said. Kaieteur News was told that La Fleur had gained entry into the businessman, Mananno Jeffrey’s home through an open window in the family’s bathroom located in the bottom flat of the twostorey building.
The badly wounded La Fleur, minutes after he was shot. The 31-year-old businessman is a Rural Constable and a member of the Annandale North Community Policing Group. He had explained to this newspaper that his father, Ishwar Jeffrey, woke him up and informed him that three men were in the yard. “He went to the bathroom upstairs and he heard some strange sounds and when he peeped through the downstairs window, he saw the three men trying to get into the house,” the businessman explained. He added that he was about to fire a warning shot, but noticed that one of the intruders had already got into his home. “I went downstairs but was confronted by this guy. It was me and him face to face and he had a gun in his hand.” Jeffrey recounted that he fired a shot at the man but missed. “When I fired the shot, he run in the guest room (located in the lower flat) and
was shaking the grill hard, hard and like he realize the only way he could have escaped was through the same bathroom window.” According to Jeffrey, who operates a food stall and owns a fishing boat, the intruder then peeked out of the room and fired a shot. “He had no idea that I was hiding at the side of the wall. So when he fired the shot, he came out of the room, pointing his gun straight, and I was right at the side of him, but he didn’t see me, and I fired the shot.” “He fall down and I run out to look for the other two men, but they had already escaped,” Jeffrey said. He added that police officers arrived at his home about one and a half hours later and took the badly injured man to the hospital. Initially they all thought that the man had died and had reported this. The businessman said that was the first time gunmen had tried to rob him.
Study being undertaken... From page 12 so you don’t have to stop when you are going right through.” He said that this procedure was already being implemented, but the lights that are using power from the GPL (Guyana Power and Light) grid, and whenever there is a power outage it affects the coordination of the
lights “so sometimes you might find that when you reach one corner and get the green light and you just go up a corner and get the red and have to stop, that starts the congestion.” The Traffic Chief did note that a study is currently being conducted by the Home Affairs Ministry “to make certain streets one-way to see
if by doing that it would relieve the congestion somewhat.” Vaughn mentioned however, that the recent study being undertaken by the Home Affairs Ministry to convert streets into oneways, to ease the congestion, has nothing to do with the UTS being promulgated by the Public Works Ministry. Additionally the ongoing road works and laying of sewage pipes around town has exacerbated the congestion. The flow of traffic on the Georgetown and outlying roadways is becoming more congested on a daily basis, because there are now many more vehicles being imported while the road network remains the same, hence the reason to undertake a detailed study.
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Those unused accounting modules…
Finance Minister’s agenda inconsistent with that of President Ramotar – Opposition It is now five days since President Donald Ramotar promised members of the media fraternity that the Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh would hold a press conference to say why for over ten years, two critical accounting modules have not been used, among other critical questions. But several calls made to the Minister of Finance and his junior, Juan Edghill, yesterday, to ascertain when the press conference would be held, proved futile, even though the President made a commitment that he would speak to his ministers about their inaccessibility. Based on the fact that the Finance Minister was inaccessible and has not come forward about the press conference, members of the Opposition have formed two strong views; either the President did not speak to his Ministers ensuring they understood the seriousness
of responding or that the ministers “simply don’t take him (President Ramotar) seriously.” Specifically, the Shadow Minister of Public Works of A Partnership for National Unity, Joseph Harmon said that the President “needs to take charge.” “I don’t know what kind of government he is running. What we see taking place is that the Ministers seem to have an agenda that is inconsistent with that of the President. The fact that the Minister of Finance has not held the press conference as yet means that he has no respect for the people. The President needs to take charge.” The Auditor General’s Reports year after year continue to expose the weaknesses of government’s manual system, which it said is an alternative for the unused modules. But various ministries are still unable to
President Donald Ramotar
Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh
provide evidence to the Auditor General to account for millions it expended. Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, Carl Greenidge had stated that had the two modules belonging to the Integrated Financial Management and Accounting System (IFMAS)
been operationalised, a lot of the missing monies, assets and consumables cited in the Auditor General’s Reports would have been avoided. The IFMAS system was designed with seven
Street dweller freed of murder charge Omesh Chaitram hurriedly fled the precincts of the Georgetown Supreme Court yesterday after he was declared a free man by Justice Navindra Singh. Chaitram, called ‘Black Boy’ was on trial for the murder of his colleague Wendell Fresco, called “Country,” whom he had reportedly stabbed following a bitter row over money. Chaitram was in prison for almost three years for the incident, which took place on July 10, 2012. However, within minutes he was declared a free man at the announcement of a unanimous verdict of not guilty for the offence of murder, declared by a mixed twelve-member panel of jurors. Chaitram had clutched his Bible tightly, as he awaited the verdict. He thanked the Judge, who advised him that he has a second chance at life and should make the most of it. Prosecutor Judith Gildharie-Mursalin had closed the case on Monday, after three final witnesses took the stand. The witnesses included Government Pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh, Police Constable Shemroy Alleyne and Wendy Wilson, the sister of the deceased. Dr. Singh told the court
FREED: Omesh Chaitram that the victim could not have lived for more than ten to fifteen minutes after being stabbed. He died due to a single wound, which pierced his heart. Constable Alleyne told the court that he had escorted the accused to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, where he was treated for a wound to his armpit, while the victim’s sister recalled that she identified her brother’s body, in the presence of a policeman and a pathologist. She claimed that during his lifetime, Fresco had been a labourer. He would do errands for vendors around the Bourda Market area. However, in his defence,
Chaitram told the court that he had nothing to do with Fresco’s death. Previously, an inmate of the Georgetown Prisons, Keith Tuesday, testified in the matter. Tuesday told the court he knew both the accused and the victim for a number of years, but nothing about the murder. He claimed that the police forced him into giving his statement. “Dem say that dem gon lock up, down to me dog, if I ain’t give a statement. I tell dem that Black Boy only tell me that Country bore he with a piece of steel under he armpit.” However, Tuesday later made contradictory statements. He spoke about a knife which was allegedly used to commit the crime. In his evidence-in-chief, the witness told the court that the accused was armed with a knife but later contested the statement while under crossexamination by Chaitram’s lawyer, Raymond Ali. “The truth is that Black Boy ain’t had nothing in his hand,” he said. However when he was asked to clarify his statements for the court, the witness simply stated “Right now, me head ain’t deh on right. I in jail, so sometimes I does get confuse.”
a s p e c t s , n a m e l y, t h e A p p r o p r i a t i o n , Expenditure, General Ledger, Budget Preparation & Reporting System (BPRS), Purchasing, Revenue and Asse t & Inventory Modules. The Purchasing and Asset and Inventory Modules are the ones that have not been implemented for over ten years. The unimplemented Purchasing Module seeks to provide the ability to create purchase requisitions and purchase order with selfcreating commitments to reserve the necessary funds; provide the ability to record the receipts and return of goods and automatically update the purchase order to reflect the transactions; complete integration with the payment process to reflect payment for goods ordered
and received, and provide the ability to create an asset record when goods are received. The unimplemented Inventory/Assets Module seeks to provide the ability to create inventory and asset entries when entering a new record based on the requisitions; provide the ability to have automatic stock ordering when the system hits a user-defined reorder point; provide the ability for tracking issues and receipts; provide the ability to enter receipts for deliveries to stores via the Purchasing module; provide the ability to make adjustments to reflect inventory average and shortages and provide the ability to provide queries and reports on current inventory, stock activity and receiving reports.
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NCN strikes deals with E-Networks, Stabroek TV for World Cup broadcasting The state-owned National Communications Network (NCN) has signed deals with E-Networks Inc. and Stabroek TV for the broadcast of FIFA World Cup 2014 football games, set to kick off tomorrow in neighbouring Brazil. NCN’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Molly Rampersaud-Hassan, yesterday made the disclosure over the rights - a lucrative one, with advertisers willing to jump on board to enjoy the potential exposure that will be generated. There has been worry from the public over the World Cup broadcasts, especially as many homeowners now are not hooked up with the local channels but rather are only on cable TV. According to the CEO, there are restrictions which bar any television or cable operators from transmitting the games without NCN’s permission. Sports bars, among other places, cannot advertise that they are showing the games without permission from NCN, with the country even facing the possibilities of
losing the rights if it is found to be otherwise. Already, in published notices, NCN has been warning against any unauthorized promotion. “We have spent millions of dollars in acquiring the rights for the games. We are now engaged in recovering the monies by selling packages to advertisers also. We are looking healthy in achieving this.” E-Networks Inc., principal, Vishok Persaud, disclosed that the cable TV company has bought “the exclusive rights to broadcast the FIFA World Cup 2014 on Cable TV for Regions 3,4,5, and 6 and will be dedicating two channels to uninterrupted live coverage”. “The channels will be available to all our customers regardless of which package you subscribe for. “Several sponsors are already on board for the games, including Digicel Guyana, Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company, Courts Guyana, Ansa McAl and Banks DIH Coca Cola. “We are thankful for their support and there is an influx
The first World Cup game is expected to kick off tomorrow between Brazil and Croatia at the Arena de Sao Paulo. of interest by other corporate sponsors.” The International Media Content Ltd (IMC Ltd), parent company of regional sports cable channel SportsMax, has been given
the rights in the region for televising of the World Cup. It is the IMC that NCN purchased the rights from for the games. Late last month, NCN, which has a network of radio
and television stations across the country, had announced that it is the Sole Rights Holder for the FIFA World Cup 2014. “NCN Inc. procured the terrestrial, cable and satellite
broadcast rights from Caribbean Broadcast Rights holder International Media Content Ltd (IMC Ltd) and as such is the only authorized broadcaster for all FIFA World Cup 2014 content, before and during the games, including promotional materials.” Marketing Manager of NCN, Raymond Azeez had said at the time: “We have not sub-let the rights to any other television station up to this point in time, so it’s only on NCN. In terms of cable and direct TV, we are looking at that, because we do understand that people in their homes should have a choice, but for anyone outside of the legal framework trying to pirate or take a feed of the FIFA world cup, there will be some legal implications.” The World Cup concludes on July 13th.
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Arguments next Monday over Sooba removal as Town Clerk
Carol Sooba
Royston King
Lawyers for the spilt sides of the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) will commence arguments next Monday on what right the Mayor and the majority of Councillors had to vote out and remove Carol Sooba as the city’s acting Town Clerk, and vote in the Public Relations Officer, Royston King, to assume the position. The matter which was called before Chief Justice Ian Chang at the High Court yesterday seeks to have the decision by the Mayor and Councillors to remove Sooba quashed. An injunction was granted against the M&CC and the court has asked the Mayor to explain King’s appointment, among other decisions that were taken following a vote by Council members. King is also being asked to give reason and grounds for his appointment. However, at the last court hearing it was established that the document filed against the Council was not done in the correct format. The injunction was addressed to the office of the Town Clerk and not to King. Court documents filed against the Council, by
Sooba’s lawyer, Roysdale Forde were amended and reserved on the Council. Nigel Hughes, lawyer for the Council, will file a reply to the order within two days. They are expected to argue the case on Monday. During last month, the Council took a decision to vote out Sooba as the acting Town Clerk and voted King in to act in the position. They claimed that based on the powers given to the Mayor and Councillors under the Municipal and District Councils Act, they had the right to vote out the unwanted Town Clerk. However an injunction was filed at the High Court and Justice Chang quashed King’s appointment. The Mayor was asked to explain the legal grounds under which King, during an extraordinary meeting of the Council, was appointed and installed to act as the Council’s secretary. Amidst the numerous orders issued by the Court, several decisions voted on by the Mayor and Councillors have been quashed until the body can show legal cause to support certain decisions that were made.
Say no to corruption it, it hurts us all.
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World Accreditation Day 2014…
Energy in manufacturing, productivity essential to competitiveness - GEA Manufacturing and production cost can be 20 percent of a business’s operating cost and five companies were identified for a pilot project which showed ways to decrease energy cost, according to Clement Duncan, CEO Swansea Industrial Associates/GMSA Executive Member. The 18-month pilot project was completed in April last. This was disclosed as World Accreditation Day was celebrated on Monday last under the theme “Accreditation: Delivering confidence in the provision of energy”. The observation was held in collaboration with the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) and the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA). According to GNBS Public Relations Officer, Lloyd David, this year the focus will be on the role that accreditation plays in providing confidence in the provision of energy. Energy provision encompasses attempts to meet the needs of the world’s current population without negatively impacting future generations. The event which attracted stakeholder was held at the Pegasus Hotel. At the head table were Candelle Walcott-Bostwick, Head of Conformity Assessment Department GNBS, Horace Williams, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Electrification Unit, Office of the Prime Minister, Clement Duncan, Dr. Mahender Sharma, Executive Director of GEA and Al Donavon Fraser, Technical Officer GNBS. “In this project we searched the Caribbean and identified two highly experienced energy specialists to work with us in guiding us through the project…The first dimension looked at the static nature of what is presently happening with GPL…Secondly, energy as looked at from a lighting perspective, energy from heating and cooling perspective and motorized… In compiling the data we looked at the energy guzzlers and points of reference that were of significance,” Duncan noted. He explained that motorized and cooling equipment were targeted for corrective action for energy efficiency rating. “The energy gap analysis between what you are paying to GPL and what your equipment says that you ought to have been paying.
That gap formed what we called the gap of corrective action could either be technological, systemic, best practices or a combination of all,” Duncan underscored. “As such 33 engineers and technicians were identified for energy audits which can be used by the management of the individual companies.” He said the end results aim to not only use energy in an environmentally sound manner, but enhance the ability to be competitive. The results of testing, inspections and certifications produce both consumer and regulatory confidence in products moving between markets. Because of the stated and verified equivalency, it allows manufacturers to test a product once, rather than multiple times, in the process of seeking regulatory approvals and moving it across borders. According to Dr. Mahender Sharma, Executive Director of GEA, an energy assessment is necessary to evaluate areas for improvement in reducing the energy consumed, which saves money. He explained that Energy assessments/ audits can assess the energy efficiency of buildings, equipment and processes using diagnostic tools and analytical procedures, and make feasible, practical and fact-based recommendations to customers to save energy and money. Major events, press campaigns, workshops and seminars will take place in
Stakeholders in attendance at the World Accreditation Day event conjunction with the celebration of World Accreditation Day in over 90 countries to raise awareness of the value that accreditation plays in providing confidence in the provision of energy. Energy suppliers are certified to demonstrate that their processes and procedures are appropriate, and to declare their environmental credentials. In turn, certification to ISO 50001 can help businesses improve energy-related performance and identify energy reduction opportunities. Other topics discussed pertained to the benefits of energy efficiency in building, manufacturing and service sectors.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday June 11, 2014
Jealous man charged for shooting taxi driver over wife A 22-year-old labourer was yesterday remanded to prison when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court for allegedly shooting his reputed wife’s taxi driver. Paul Rose of South Ruimveldt, Georgetown was accused of opening fire at the taxi driver who he was convinced was involved with the mother of his children. The charge, which was read to Rose by Chief Magistrate Priya SewnarineBeharry, stated that on April 23, last, at Aubrey Barker Road, Georgetown, Rose discharged a loaded firearm at Rawle Braithwaite with intent to maim, harm, disable or disfigure him. The charges were at first laid indictably and the accused was not required to enter a plea. However, following the granted request
of Director of Public Prosecutions’ Prosecutor, Corporal Bharat Mangru, for the Administration of Justice Act (AJA) to be applied to the charges, Rose pleaded not guilty and submitted a bail application through his lawyer, Peter Hugh. Mangru explained that the victim is a part-time taxi driver and the defendant’s ‘child mother’ would utilize his services. He said that the day before the incident, the woman requested that he drop her off at a location and he did. Rose reportedly saw the woman coming out of the vehicle and the accused hit the door. The two men had an argument, but Rose had walked off. The next day, Braithwaite was sitting at the entrance of Festival City when he was approached by Rose.
The Prosecutor reported that during the confrontation the accused pulled a gun from his pants waist and fired shots at the victim, hitting him in the buttocks. The matter was reported and subsequent investigations eventually led to Rose being arrested and charged. Mangru reported that police ranks had made attempts to have Rose arrested but he managed to evade them twice. In submitting his bail objections, Mangru opined that since the two men are known to each other there is a likelihood that the accused would tamper with the witness. The Prosecution’s objections, however, were met with arguments from the defence counsel. Hugh said that his client,
a labourer in the interior, has two children and has never been charged or convicted by any court of law. The police, he said, had held his client in custody since Friday, but had failed to present him to the court to be formally charged before the passing of the allowed 72 hours. The lawyer argued that the incident occurred on April 23, last, and Rose had not had any other incidents with Braithwaite, so “it was unlikely that if granted bail my client will attempt to interfere with him.” “If they were to swab his hands for gunshot residue, nothing will be found, yet they placed him in custody for this offence.” Continuing, the lawyer lamented that the police have been dealing with his client in a prejudicial manner, since he was in custody beyond the constitutional time and his relatives were informed that he will be charged at the Providence Magistrate’s Court. Corporal Mangru, however, sprang to his feet and stated that when the accused saw the police ranks,
ACCUSED: Paul Rose he climbed on the rooftop “which is not something that a normal person would do.” Hugh, in response, said “Your worship, the ranks drew a weapon on him and his mother had to throw herself to shelter him. Otherwise he may have been in the papers for a different reason.” Responding, the Chief Magistrate remanded him to prison, and she ordered the Prosecution to file statements. The case was then transferred to Magistrate Judy Latchman.
Before Magistrate Latchman, Police Prosecutor Inspector Joel Ricknauth stated that the file was incomplete and the defence attorney renewed his bail application. “Madam, my client has no other matter pending and it would be unfair for bail to be refused to my client on the grounds of ‘file incomplete’ and ‘need to send for advice’.” He stated that his client would be willing to abide by any conditions deemed necessary by the court for bail. The Prosecution, however, asked the Magistrate to consider that the two men are known to each other and this was reportedly the second time Braithwaite was attacked by the accused. Ricknauth requested two weeks for a report. Magistrate Latchman stated that she had considered the submissions of the Prosecution and the defence as well as the seriousness of the offence and would deny the accused bail. He was further remanded and the case will be called again on June 20.
2011 drug store owner’s murder…
Heir amongst five called to testify as PI gets underway The Preliminary Inquiry (PI) into the death of a renowned Robb Street drugstore owner who met his demise three years ago, has commenced at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, and his son and grandson, were amongst the five persons who have been called to offer sworn testimonies. Orin Kevin Roberts, a bus conductor, of ‘C’ Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown, is charged with murdering Harold Rachpaul, 84, in Georgetown between August 18 and 19 in 2011, during the course of a robbery. Rachpaul was reportedly found gagged, bound with electrical cord and strangled in his apartment, located behind Rachpaul’s Drug Store.
On that day his killer had apparently forced him to open a vault which contained close to $1M in cash and phone cards before murdering him at his premises. Rachpaul had been operating the business at 75 Robb Street, Lacytown, for close to 50 years. Despite the efforts of investigators, it was almost three years after that Roberts faced the murder charge. According to the Prosecution, it was the newlyacquired state-owned Automated Fingerprinting Identification System (FIS) which landed the accused in court. The PI is currently before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry. Roberts is being prosecuted by Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP)
DEAD: Harold Rachpaul Prosecutor, Corporal Bharat Mangru. The accused is being represented by Attorney George Thomas. At the commencement on Monday, Rachpaul’s son Leonard and grandson Vincent were called to take the stand. They were both cross examined by Thomas. As the matter continued yesterday, security guard Ryan Kissoon also known as “Dhal Belly,” his neighbour Ramchand Sukdeo as well as Cadet Officer Mahadeo Singh, were called to testify. The PI is scheduled to continue today.
Wednesday June 11, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Concerns about counterfeit products and water quality spur crucial workshop
A section of the participants attending the workshop yesterday.
“The fate of good food in terms of labelling now rests with you,” said Resident Representative of the Pan American Health Organisation and World Health Organisation (PAHO/ WHO), Dr. William Adu-Krow, as he addressed the participants of a ‘Food nutritional labelling and water testing’ workshop yesterday. And there is significant progress already being made to ensure that authenticity of food labelling obtains on the market, Dr. Adu-Krow noted, as he presented brief remarks at the start of the forum held at the Institute of Applied Science and Technology building, University of Guyana campus. “I think that you are making a lot of inroads...Based on the expertise available we are confident that food inspectors and environmental health officers will be equipped to exercise and enhance regulatory oversight on food labelling for compliance to nutritional labelling and claims as stated
on the labels on food products.” With focus on labelling features such as sample content, caloric value, claims and warnings, the workshop, which was co-organised by the Government Analyst Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD) and PAHO, is designed to examine, among others, the labelling of genetically modified foods – whole grain, processed foods, processed fruits and vegetables, and processed meats. According to Food and Drug Director, Marlan Cole, the workshop is arguably the first of its kind to be spearheaded by his department. Nevertheless, he underscored that it could not have come at a better time, since the local market is currently inundated with counterfeit products. “This situation is not restricted to food only as it includes drugs, cosmetics, and other products as well...,” said Cole, who went on to note that it was in fact a strategic move to collaborate with
supporting agencies such as PAHO and the University of the West Indies’ Tropical Medicine Research Institute (TMRI) to address the existing state of affairs. Tasked with facilitating and sharing key information to help combat counterfeiting challenges, the visiting TMRI group includes Professor Marvin Reid, Sasha Thomas and Sardia MorganMcDonald. Speaking at the opening of the workshop, Professor Reid said that “the expectation from our side is that there will be a bidirectional flow of information; we will learn from you because in your own right you are all your own experts and you know what the conditions are on the ground. From our side we will try to share as much as we know to assist you in making
PAHO/WHO Dr William Adu-Krow (centre) hands over portable water-testing kits to GA-FDD Director, Marlan Cole, in the presence of TMRI representative, Professor Marvin Reid (left). your work much easier.” Cole emphasised that in its earnest attempt to tackle the counterfeiting challenge, the Food and Drug Department has also been working closely with members of the National Food Safety and Control Committee and Environmental Health Officers. “We must be able to bridge that gap between the manufacturers and the consumers, and in bridging that gap, we must be able to support determinations as it relates to the content of food, drugs or cosmetics...” According to Cole, “we must be able to say if it is lowfat, no-fat, 100 per cent free
of trans-fat, free of whatever might be claimed. Any health claims an officer must be able to look at a label and make a determination and reliably inform consumers.” He pointed out that usually products are outfitted with labels that make a number of claims for marketing and selling purposes, and it is therefore the role of entities like the GA-FDD, together with associated agencies, to ensure that these labels are authentic. And detecting counterfeit labels may not always be a very difficult task, since according to the GA-FDD Director, “we know in many
instances when a product is being counterfeited there are many mistakes with the label itself.” As such, Cole is convinced that the workshop is one that will see crucial information being transferred from the expert TMRI consultants to the participants, who will be the ones engaged in the task of detecting counterfeit products. And according to Cole, too, “the consultants are very experienced in this area and I know the information would be used in the very best interest of our manufacturing and importing industries and our consumers Continued on page 30
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FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754.
Kaieteur News
FOR SALE/RENT American Pool tables - Call: 277-0578
Dressed and mill cut lumber: Kabukalli, Silverballi, Greenheart, Purpleheart etc – Call: 688-6579 One bush cutter - Call: 6816603 Dell computers with 17" Leds -$59,000, laptops from -$64,000, Blackberry 8310 $9,000 @Futuretech – Call: 231-2206; 644-6760 Prestige Car Alarm remote start - $24,000, USB Pioneer car deck – $22,000 – Tel: 6616793 1 Frigidaire 15 cu ft Gallery Freezer and 1 Ultra Chef 13 cu ft Display Cooler, (both like new) Call 622-2899. 1 Titan fully loaded 4 Wheel Drive, $2.6M Negotiable – Tel:699-2322 or 678-2814. Must go urgently! Executive houses located @ Ogle, Foulis E.C.D, Diamond, Parfaite Harmony etc – Contact: 223-8479/ 6473768, www.spaceseek.gy Games for PS2, PS3, XBOX360, WII, consoles also available - Call: 6722566, 265-3231 Toyota 4-Runner, great condition - $1.7M negotiable Tel: 223-9719, 227-1028 Tibetan Terrier Puppies for sale – Telephone: 226-4166, Cell: 641-8571 Pluck Chicken – Call: 6273484, 253-3246 PSP games for sale - $800, Alcatel one touch evolve Contact: 675-2239
FOR SALE Ford F150 in excellent condition – Tel: 676-0706 or 660-8260 A fully equipped sawmill operation at prime location: large land space, plenty suppliers & customers – Contact Swamee: 614-1466; 678-1421 4WD Ford 150XLT V8, excellent condition, price negotiable – Tel: 698-0904 Established business place, 3 storey building @ Lot 220 South Road – Contact: 2271042, 601-3399, 676-5450 One Toyota Rav4, PMM Series, fully loaded, good condition - Price$1.9M negotiable. Contact: 669-6499
Household items: stoves, beds, couch, sewing machine, etc – Tel: 223-9719, 227-1028 48 Feet boat for sale – 9000lb seine - can be sold separately Call: 609-0783, 683-3379 Price negotiable One fridge, one radio set with power supply – Tel: 6735882
One house and land for sale at Covent Garden Island – Call: 265-3586 1– 2 storey wooden & concrete house with 5 bedrooms, upper flat & lower flat 4 apartments located@ Shell Road, kitty - $38.9M – Tel:642-7898 Three bedroom flat house @ Belle West Canal #2 – Call: 601-1912. Prime location at Ogle - Twostorey house (need work), spacious land – Tel: 691-7049 Commercial property at Corner Spot, Lodge - Tel: 627-4900 Transport house & land @ Tuschen old Scheme newly built & visible from the public road – price negotiable – Tel: 667-5900 Herstelling - $16M, Grove $19M, 4.5M, $9M, Eccles $31M, Diamond - $12.5M, Public Road - $65M – Tel:676-5537, 646-1334, 6123501,667-2422
VACANCY Drivers, visiting & security officers. Apply within NM Security Solutions Inc, Lot “O” Ruimveldt Georgetown Tel: 225-5773/76 24 Hour East Coast Guyoil needs night pump attendants, salesgirl, office assistant & handyman- Call: 670-8893/684-2838
Imported pups for sale: Husky, Malamute, German shepherd, golden retriever, Rottweiler – Call: 615-5343 or 680-6426 Large cooler (6ftX4ft) in perfect condition - $275,000 negotiable – Tel: 223-9719/ 227-1028 One two-storey concrete building at Tuschen New Scheme, E.B.E – Contact No: 627-6305, 668-6858
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 Aidan’s Car Rental, Canter & Pickup- Call: 645-7981/ 698-7807 Wings Car Rental- Call: 6906494/ BBM pin: 24E17558
SALON Make Up Courses, Artist Trained & Certified in Trinidad. Call: 660-5257, 647-1773 Earn a certificate in cosmetology, wig designs or nails alone, limited spaces Call Abby: 619-7603, 666-5241
1 - Civil Engineer (full time), securities, skid steer & excavator operators, mechanic, body works man (spray), office assistant – Call: 603-4098 Real Estate clerks, Road foreman, operations manager, Accounts Clerk, Kitchen Assistant, Hauler Driver & Truck Drivers –Call: 603-4098 RA Soda Factory at Good Hope Branch: vacancies for sales clerk, bond clerk and drivers – Tel: 330-2399, 3302772, 623-5920 RA Soda Factory at Rosignol Branch: Vacancies for Accountant, Bond Clerk, sales clerk, Drivers, male & female workers – Tel: 3302399, 330-2772, 623-5920
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 Permanent & Visitors Vi s a Applications, Professional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building Call Sabita: 2256496, 662-6045 Repairs to refrigerators, gas stoves, washing machines, A/C units – Call Lindon: 6411086, 694-2202, 227-8907 We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer. Call Omar: 2310655, 683-8734
EDUCATIONAL IAE - Camp Street - Registration has commenced Forms 1-5 (full-time school); day & evening, adult CXC classes Call: 683-5742, 223-0604 Summer Computer Classes: coming to Leguan. Call for bookings at MicroGraphics Technology – Tel: 264-3057 Now enrolling for a Diploma in computers (9 courses) special discount for 2014 CXC students at MicroGraphics, Vreed-EnHoop –Tel: 264-3057 Now enrolling for summer computer classes – Ages: 514yrs, certificate course at MicroGraphics Technology, Vreed-En- Hoop –Tel: 2643057 I.A.S – 94 Alberttown: CXC Adults/ Students classes $1200 per subject. Day/ Evening / Grade 6 classes – Call: 223-7906, 690-5008 DRESS-MAKING Jean offers courses in dressmaking, curtains, floral, cake decoration at 153 Barr Street, Kitty - Tel:670-2653, 618-1706
TO LET 1 – Four bedrooms house with all modern conveniences, semifurnished - $300,000 monthly, Happy Acres – Tel:231-7839 (working hours) 2 Bedroom apartment available for couple at Diamond New Scheme – Call: 225-3269, 621-9741, 227-8004 Studio apartment semi furnished: light and water included - $40,000 per month. Contact: 227-3196 Furnished and unfurnished two bedrooms apartment in Eccles, for short or long term. Tel: 690-6494
VEHICLE FOR SALE 2006 Blue Nissan Titan. Fully Loaded GSS Series. Contact: 604-6108. 2009 Red Nissan Titan. Flex Fuel GRR Series. Contact: 604-6108. Unregistered Toyota Noah with TV, 15" Rim, camera – Tel:663-2700, 629-2619 Honda CRV, Toyota AT192, AT212, Raum, L-Touring Wagon, AE100 Corolla, EP82 Starlet, Fun Cargo, IST – Tel: 644-5096, 697-1453
Office clerk senior/junior, CXC English, Mathematics & computer knowledge an asset- Call: 225-0188/225-6070
Mix breed German shepherd pups, 8 weeks old, fully vaccinated & de-wormed – Tel: 649-7271
5000 gas fuel tank - Call: 6013194 Used pedicure chair, hair dryer and salon chair – Tel: 668-9583, 698-5272 Spares for washing machine, microwaves, fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, pumps, etc call: 225-9032, 647-2943
PROPERTY FOR SALE 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 6869248
Wednesday June 11, 2014
Repairs, sales & spares, air conditioning, microwaves, washer, fridges & stoves. Ultra Cool, call: 225-9032,647-2943 House plan drafting from$10,000 electrical works and estimates services available. Tel:667-2189,646-6572,629-8750 Repairs to Fridge, Freezer, AC, Washers, Stoves: Call 683-1312, 627-3206 (Nick) For low cost: Repairs to fridge, freezer, A/C unit, microwaves, TV & washing machine - Call: 629-4946 or 225-4822 HOUSE PLAN DRAFTING AND ESTIMATES FOR ONLY $10,000- CALL: 6949843/227-2766
Three bedrooms apartment situated @ Ketley St, Charlestown, G/Town, Preferably a family of 3. No parking space! $45,000.00 monthly – Call: 226-4120
NEED WORK CALL LABOUR READY STAFFING SERVICES AT: 603-6052 OR 227-2766
Two bedroom apartment to let on ECD - Tel: 684-8906
1 F150 lighting (Black in colour) Call: 642-2135
Fully furnished two bedroom apartment for rent with TV, Air-condition, hot & cold, cable. In South for foreigners –Tel: 689-5877
TOURS Suriname Tour Return: July 4th/ Caricom Holiday 4-7 July Tel: 639-2663, 644-0185, 6655171, 227-8290
VEHICLE FOR SALE
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: 225-0188, 223-7500, Mon-Fri 8:15-4:15pm, 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 2006 – PREMIO - $2.3M, 2008 – BLUEBIRD - $3M, 2005 – SPACIO - $2.1M. ALL VEHICLES ARE FULLY LOADED & UNREGISTERED – CALL: 642-7295 2 Silver Spacio – registered and unregistered, dark interior, new model with TV – Tel: 697-0294 Unregistered 2006 Premio TV/DVD -$2.8M neg. Mirror covers available – Tel: 6772482; 616-4661 2002 unregistered Toyota Regius 8 seats, fully loaded Tv/Navi/AC/PW/PS, alloy wheels - $1.8M - Tel: 624-5617 One Leyland DAF container rice truck- Call: 602-0393/ 629-1497 Toyota Rav4 in great condition, woman driven $2,750,000 negotiable – Call: 609-8425 15 Seater Diesel Turbo minibus late ‘NN’ Series, never used for passengers - $1.6M negotiable – Tel: 617-3124 Smart Choice Auto: Unregistered 212, Allex, old & new model Spacio, 05 & 03 Allion, Voxy- Call:6523820/ 665-4529 One AE100 Corolla Wagon with A/C, alarm - $800,000 – Tel: 611-6632, 664-3488 We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 TacomaCall:680-3154 AT192, 212, Allion, unregistered Premio, Hilux Surf, BNN, RZ & Pit-bull, 7 seater super custom. Cash / terms- Call: 680-3154 (Continued on page 29)
Wednesday June 11, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 29
Letters... Where your views make the news
The PPP is not interested in passing the Anti-Money Laundering Bill DEAR EDITOR, The Minister of Legal Affairs in his latest diatribe on the Anti-Money Laundering saga has chosen to ignore the facts and ascribe blame on the majority opposition for the sad state his Government has placed Guyana in. What he has not done is to level with the people on the facts surrounding the Anti-Money Laundering Bill. It is his government that is stalling the process and not the majority opposition and thus we call him out on the facts. FACTS: 1. A team from the CFATF visited Guyana from 18-29 of January 2010 when the PPP had the majority in Parliament and recommended these same amendments since 2010 to be made and the Jagdeo regime totally ignored them. During 2011 and 2012, there was no effort by the PPP to discuss and pass the Bill in Parliament. The PPP did not see the importance of the bill until in the last few months of 2013. Is the opposition to be blamed for a lack of urgency from the PPP in passing laws when they had absolute and total control of Parliament? LIE No. 1. BUSTED. The truth is if the PPP is not interested in passing the Anti-Money Laundering Bill because it will expose their illegal money transactions and those of their rich relatives and friends. So despite the rant and rave and distortions the people will not believe them because they know it is sheer propaganda. 2. The majority opposition has asked for the amendments to be strengthened to make it feasible to investigate money laundering independent of the regime’s involvement. President Ramotar responded that he is not interested in that, he wants “unconditional passage” of his soft version. Ignoring the wishes of the political majority is the “architect of disaster” on this bill. LIE No. 2 BUSTED. Only a foolish minority regime will ignore the wishes of the majority and so once again, the callous minority PPP regime has brought the country to the brink of disaster and the consequences will be felt by the poor and the working class and not their rich friends and relatives who have all the money in the world to do as they please. 3. There is enough irrefutable evidence to show that one of the main institutions that will expose money laundering is the Public Procurement Commission. Thus the AFC
call for the full establishment of the Public Procurement System is a recommendation that will help the government fight money Laundering. In fact, the AFC leader, Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan has on numerous occasions asked the PPP regime to establish the Procurement Commission. The PPP has bluntly refused and thus has caused the AFC to reject their process. On the other hand, Mr. Granger of APNU has requested that Mr. Ramotar assented to the bills passed by Parliament but he has refused. So it is the minority PPP regime that is stalling the process and not the AFC or APNU. LIE No. 3 BUSTED. We want the people to know that the minority PPP regime is very hypocritical in its false claim that it wants the Anti-Money Laundering Bill. Let us be very clear in saying that this corrupt regime is not interested in having a Procurement
Commission or the Antimoney Laundering Bill. So as the world prepares to unleash sanctions on Guyana, the truth remains. It is the PPP, which is the principal cause of this predicament and it is only the PPP that has to shoulder this blame, not the opposition. We therefore ask all Guyanese both at home and in the
diaspora to reject their false allegations and tell them that they should govern in the interest of all Guyanese irrespective their ethnicity and party affiliations. The resources of Guyana belong to all Guyanese and not those in the cabal and their chosen friends. Dr. Asquith Rose and Harish Singh
Is there a GWI... From page 5 clearly, some of them are not dressed for office. Some would have clothes with GWI logo and some don’t. Then they have their badge/work ID card clip at different regions of their body. Their appearances might not be important because they are working in an office but the two young men that worked in Zeelugt on Monday and Tuesday really need a make over because their appearance was worst than those in the office. One was wearing a haversack and both of them had hidden IDs. With all the robberies occurring, one would have expected them to wear clothes with logos or have a GWI vehicle with the LOGO visible so that the staff would not be treated with animosity. Finally, does GWI have a dress code? Sahadeo Bates
(From page 28)
FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 One nails table - Busy area! Call: 602-5469 or 628-9297 Space available at 43 Croal Street, Stabroek, Georgetown, office complex. Call: 2253269, 621-9741, 227-8004 Space located at New Market Street, Charlotte Street Contact: 223-8479/ 647-3768, www.spaceseek.gy Executive apartments & houses. Three bedrooms Contact: 223-8479/ 647-3768, www.spaceseek.gy Four bedrooms luxury house located @ Bel-Air Park $2500USD - Contact: 2238479/ 647-3768, www. spaceseek.gy Apartment for rent at Uitvlugt, W.C.D - Tel: 666-2442 1- Two bedrooms apartment at 35 Howes St., G/Town$45,000 per month- Contact: Pet Boy’s Shop between 11:00AM – 6:00PM GT TOOL RENTALS SPECIALS: CONCRETE SAW; JACK HAMMER WELDING MACHINE & MORE. 2ND TOOL ½ PRICE – CALL: 675-0767; 627-5098
WANTED Part time domestic between 20-35yrs, West Bank Demerara – Call: 626-2629 Experienced bus driver & hire car driver at Princess Hotel - Tel: 265-7075/ 265-7076 Urgently needed live in waitresses to work in bar, attractive salary offered Tel:259-0574 Farm worker, gardener – Call: 265-3586 Pacific Development Construction: foreman and office assistant must have driver’s licence – Contact: 227-8274/ 223-6035 Live-in domestic must know to cook 25-35yrs, live-in waitress 18-25yrs: salary $50,000 monthly, boarding & lodging free- Tel: 610-5043 Experienced taxi drivers for Gem’s Taxi Service - Call: 2313709, 667-9013 Two experienced straight stitch sewing machine operator – Tel: 220-9154 One hire car driver from W.C.D – age 35-40yrs. Contact: 616-0111 Hire Cars at Atlas Taxi Service VHF Network – Call: 661-3043 One experienced taxi driver to work day only – Tel: 2276567/ 663-9352 One experienced driver, Apply in person with written application @ Hack’s Halaal, Lot 5 Commerce Street. We buy all low income land in La Parfait Harmonie, Herstelling, Eccles, NonPareil – Call: 218-5591 or 6757292
PENPAL Lifelong partners, friends, companions- Call: 223-8237/ 648-6098 (8:30AM-5:00PM) both phones same hours. Confidential rules apply. VEHICLE FOR SALE One starlet EP-82 – Contact: 643-5161; 655-8505
LAND FOR SALE Farm: East Bank Demerara , New Scheme: land (58X110) (front corner lot) - Tel: 603-9700 La Parafaite Harmonie $1.4M, Cummings Lodge $2.5M, Herstelling - $3.2M, Grove- $2.6M – Call: 2185591, 675-7292
MASSSAGE Happy Touch Day Spa: Come & Experienced heaven in its many forms by our masseuses: Abby, Lisa & others –Contact: 697-2011
Mining Blocks at Sherima & Kwakwani- Tel: 627-4900 VEHICLE FOR SALE One black Nissan Bluebird; latest model – Call: 687-1392
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday June 11, 2014
Railway Embankment Mayor agrees with President one-way traffic kicks in that “City Hall is a disaster” A rank directs traffic at the busy intersection where the Railway Embankment meets Sheriff Street.
Two days after its implementation, motorists are quickly becoming accustomed to the one-way arrangement along the East Coast Demerara railway embankment between Sheriff Street and Beterverwagting. The new arrangement which sees traffic flowing in an easterly direction only between 06:00 and 09:00 hours, was put in place from Monday last, and despite a few hiccups, the situation has already led to a significant improvement in the flow of traffic. On site to see that things went smoothly over the past two days were Divisional Commander (A Division) Clifton Hicken and his Traffic Officer Calvin Brutus. Hicken told this newspaper that while most motorists have already
bought into the new arrangement, it will take close to a week for all of them to get accustomed. He explained that in collaboration with the Police ‘C’ Division (East Coast Demerara), traffic ranks have been deployed at strategic points along the identified stretch of carriageway to guide motorists so that there will be no glitches. He said that the ranks will remain at these points for as long as it takes for the arrangement to be normalized. “It will be sustained, once we’re getting the results we’re looking for…the Traffic Officer and I are observing the flow of traffic and we’re trying to identify where the trouble areas are,” Hicken told Kaieteur News. Superintendent Brutus welcomed the new arrangement, since it enables motorists coming from the
East Coast of Demerara to access the city with less hassle from congestion. He however pointed out that more persons need to be sensitized, and the sooner this is done the better it will be. “Persons are getting more familiar with what is happening…there will still be a few persons who would not be familiar with what is happening right now…but the majority should know within a week,” the Georgetown Traffic Officer told this newspaper. Guyana’s growing vehicle population has forced new traffic arrangements in other parts of the country. Only recently the police were forced to facilitate threeway traffic interchangeably to ease the congestion on a section of the East Bank Demerara Public Road.
Concerns about counterfeit products... From page 27 will by extension be informed as well.” This move comes at a time when consumers are already more alert about the products they seek to purchase, Cole noted, as he observed that “consumers are becoming very health conscious, they are seeking out products that are natural, that are organic, that are low in sugar and low in salt.”
Moreover, GA-FDD’s Tandica Barton in opening remarks yesterday said that the workshop is geared towards safeguarding the health and wellbeing of consumers. She pointed out that “it is with great hope that in the next few days all participants will be well informed about the important aspects of nutritional labelling.” As such, the workshop
Venezuelan fined for overstaying A Venezuelan woman who was recently taken before the courts and formally charged for overstaying in Guyana, has been fined. Liliana Rodriquez appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and was indicted before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry. The charge which was read to Rodriquez detailed that between April 16 and May 10 at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), she failed to comply with conditions granted for her to stay in Guyana. Speaking through Interpreter Corporal Peters, attached to Customs and Immigrations, the woman stated that she had believed that she was granted three months’ stay and not three weeks. Prosecutor Bharat Mangru stated that facts were as charged in the matter and Magistrate Sewnarine-Beharry thereafter offered the Venezuelan two options: to either pay a $30,000 fine or be subjected to be subjected to two weeks’ imprisonment. Rodriquez opted to pay the said fine.
will examine principles of nutrition; introduction to food labelling regulations, nutritional labelling and its requirements; nutrient content and health claims and the development of a food label with nutritional content. The four-day workshop, which targets mainly Food and Drug as well as Environmental and Public Health officers, drawn from various regions, also entailed a segment on how to maintain and use portable DelAgua water-testing kits that were donated by PAHO. Aided by the testing kits, it is expected that concerted efforts will be made countrywide to test the quality of water available to the consuming public. The testing kits are slated to be utilised mainly by environmental health workers, and at least one will be handed over to the Guyana Water Incorporated in order to facilitate bacteriological analysis of drinking water in remote areas. This process, it is believed, will address the water quality challenges that were found during a gastroenteritis outbreak in Region One last year.
By Zena Henry The Mayor of Georgetown has embraced recently made statements by Head of State Donald Ramotar that “City Hall is a disaster.” He (the Mayor) however puts 100 percent of the blame on the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) government for the “emasculation and assault of the democratic process.” Mayor Hamilton Green also pointed fingers at the party for their unwillingness to allow the Mayor and Councillors to manage and run the city. He then issued a challenge to President on a public debate, “to prove that the problem faced in Georgetown is a direct result of the PPP’s attitude toward Georgetown.” The Mayor and his Deputy, Patricia Chase-Green held a press conference yesterday in a bid to highlight a number of matters affecting the Council as a result of the government’s interference at City Hall. They expressed concern over Minister Norman Whittaker directing Chief Constable Andrew Foo to allow controversial figure Sean Hinds to enter City Hall’s compound. Hinds, a wellknown figure, is performing security services for embattled acting Town Clerk Carol Sooba. However, the Mayor and majority of Councillors have expressed discomfort with Hinds being stationed in the compound and made their concerns known to the Chief Constable. Mayor Green told the media that when the Chief Constable was about to act on Hinds’s presence in the compound, the Local Government Minister would have intervened in the matter and told Foo to “back off”.
….but blames PPP govt. The Chief Constable told Kaieteur News that Sooba had formally notified the Constabulary via letter that Hinds is her bodyguard and he would be in the compound. He also mentioned a meeting with the Local Government Minister, Norman Whittaker, who told him to leave Hinds alone. Foo said therefore that the matter involving Hinds is a dead one. The Mayor and his Deputy also raised an issue that the acting Town Clerk had chosen to pay only the PPP councillors that support her and failed to pay out stipends to those councillors who oppose her. Chase- Green said Sooba was paying out the stipends as it suit her, but last month, the stipends which allow councillors to carry out their functions around the city, were not paid at all. The Local Government Minister was again accused of getting involved in the Council’s affairs. The Deputy Mayor said she had written the Auditor General (AG) over half a million dollars which Sooba obtained without the Council’s permission and used for payments to an attorney. She said that the AG is yet to respond to the request for an investigation into the matter but it has been revealed that Minister Whittaker and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall would have advised the AG that established accounting procedures were followed when Sooba took the money. “It is a lie,” Chase-Green said, before explaining Council’s procedures towards obtaining money. The involvement of the Ministers, she said, was related in a letter from the
Criminal Investigations Department (CID) which was also called in to investigate the matter. The Mayor and Deputy also spoke about Monday’s statutory meeting which was adjourned. The Mayor deemed the behaviour of certain councillors unfitting to continue the meeting. Several issues were raised, including concerns that the Solid Waste Director Walter Narine was blatantly refusing to answer questions posed to him by the Mayor and councillors. The Town Clerk charged that the Mayor could only speak to the officers through her. The Mayor expressed disappointment over the behaviour of Councillor Kamala Devi-Ross, whom he said repeatedly disrupted the proceedings. The Deputy Mayor had also asked to be excused from the meeting after pointing out that racial preferences and racial discrimination was being exhibited by the Town Clerk and her supporters. There was also conflict when the issue of repairing City Hall’s building was raised. The Council will be 125 years old on July 1 and the Ministry of Culture held a forum where certain persons of the Council were invited, including the Deputy Mayor. Allegations were however raised that the Deputy and others chose whom they wanted to go to the forum and Chase-Green had cause to clarify the matter. However, the acting Town Clerk expressed that she is the one responsible for matters concerning the repair of City Hall. The meeting concluded with certain matters not being addressed.
No new Chikungunya... From page 6 be used to carry out studies to ensure that the insecticide being used to combat the vector is of good quality, among other things. The Chikungunya virus is spread by the Aedes Aegypti mosquito which is also responsible for transmitting dengue fever. This mosquito is known to be prevalent along the coast. Moreover, since the threat of the virus surfaced in the Caribbean during the latter part of last year, the local Health Ministry had embraced a proactive stance whereby vector control activities were considerably increased. But while most were
expecting that the virus would strike in the city, the Health Ministry announced that its two first cases, and all others since, were confirmed in the Berbice area instead. Soon after, a 10-member team of Vector Control officers, led by Dr Rahman, was dispatched to manage a vector control strategic action plan in Berbice. This tactical undertaking was especially designed to suppress the virus and ensure that it does not spread outside of Region Six. Minister of Health, Dr Bheri Ramsaran, had however told this publication that it would not be unexpected for the virus to spread to other parts of the country, as people are continually travelling in
and out of the affected Region. He however noted that the ideal situation would be to ensure that it is contained. Moreover, he disclosed that the Ministry is appealing to persons to not venture into the affected areas, for the time being, in order to reduce the spread of the virus. This tactic has been recommended, the Health Minister said, in light of the fact that those infected have been found to be ‘common contacts’ which is in fact a classical way that vector-borne diseases are spread. Cases of the virus have thus far been confirmed in Canje, Port Mourant and New Amsterdam, all in Region Six.
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Police Association expresses concerns over recent excesses by cops The Guyana Police Association (GPA), the body that looks after the interest of junior ranks has expressed concern about the attitude of some errant ranks who continue to deviate from the acceptable norms and Police Standing Orders. The concern comes in the wake of several recent embarrassing episodes involving police ranks that led to allegations of police brutality, some of which have resulted in criminal charges. In a statement issued yesterday, the GPA pointed to the many instances when allegations surfaced that ranks are engaging in venalities, inappropriate conduct and other transgressions, which tend to stigmatise the organisation and bring into disrepute the credibility of the many hard working policemen and women. The Guyana Police Association, which has been in existence for 63 years, noted that from its inception it has always emphasized the need for ranks to comply with legitimate and judicious expectations in the execution of their duties, and adherence to their Oath of Office and the
Police Standing Orders. The Association is currently conducting visits to stations and has not failed to refresh the minds of ranks of their modus operandi in the provision of quality service and to build upon those positive aspects, as well as to improve or change those aspects of personal behaviour that are not compatible with and contravene the organisation’s mandate. “In providing the highest quality of service, we must do so without favour or affection, malice or ill will. Courtesy, politeness, honesty, integrity, dedication, impartiality, dignity and professionalism, must be common attributes of our operational life. Supervisors must take swift, decisive and appropriate action against defaulting ranks,” the GPA stated. “We urge our members to strive to reduce the fears of the public and to reflect their priorities in the actions we take. However, in so doing we must continue to be firm in our resolve to fight crime, firm in our resolve to reduce the number of traffic accidents and road deaths, and firm in our resolve to upgrade the level of service
delivery throughout the Force,” the body added. Within the past two weeks four ranks have been placed before the courts for varying degrees of assault on civilians. This was after there was massive public outcry, first over the incidents themselves, and secondly, over the length of time it took for the matters to be investigated. Two ranks have been charged with assaulting Timehri resident Colwyn Harding, while he was in custody at the Timehri Police Station in November last year. And as recent as Monday, a cadet officer was remanded to prison for allegedly putting a gun into the mouth of 16year-old Alex Griffith and pulling the trigger Russian roulette-style until the weapon sent a bullet through the back of his skull. Fortunately Griffith lived to identify the shooter. Stemming from that incident also, a detective corporal was charged for attempting to pervert the course of justice in what many see as an attempt to cover the crime. And if that was not enough, an investigation was recently completed into the alleged torture committed on
19-year-old Junior Thornton at the Sparendaam Police Station. Thornton is alleging that police soaked his two hands in methylated spirits then set them alight. The Guyana Police Association is calling on its members to have more interaction with the communities, including Community Policing Groups and Station Management Committees, and to participate in police community relations activities in order to enhance the law enforcement relationship. The Executive of the Police Association is urging its members to consolidate on the gains achieved over the years and to fully embrace the modernization, training and capacity building that are taking place within the Guyana Police Force under the guidance of the Commissioner of Police and his Management Team. The Association also commends the hard working policemen/women who continue to work beyond the normal call of duty, in a dedicated and professional manner, in order to maintain a high degree of public safety within the country.
After Ukraine, U.S. trains more special forces in eastern Europe (Reuters) - As NATO refocuses on its eastern borders after Russia’s annexation of Crimea, the United States is quietly deploying more troops to train special forces in former Soviet bloc states anxious about Moscow’s intentions. Major exercises began last mont h i n P o l a n d , Slovakia and the Baltic states of Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia involving several hundred personnel from U.S. special forces, the U.S. European Command (EUCOM) said in a statement to Reuters. Long-term plans include further training drills that will consistently keep about 100 U.S. elite troops on the ground at a n y o n e t i m e i n N ATO states close to Russia, with teams working in several countries, U.S. official said. The events in eastern Ukraine, where Russianspeaking insurgents using sophisticated weapons threaten to split the country, have put the whole former Soviet bloc region on alert and eager for NATO reassurance.EUCOM says its Special Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR) increased the size and scope of its
Barack Obama planned exercises after Ukraine flared into violence, reinforcing Washington’s message to Moscow that it would stand by its allies. “Training with our partners in their home countries is something that we have always done,” said SOCEUR spokesman LieutenantColonel Nick Sternberg. “The difference is that now we will maintain a (permanent) Special Operations Forces presence in theatre along the eastern front of NATO on this training mission,” Sternberg said.
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Wednesday June 11, 2014
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CONCACAF focuses on Reform... Chris Gayle’s century of Test... From page 34 let us move forward to continue the good work.” The Finance Committee presented its annual report, which reflected a significant growth in the governing body’s finances. In addition, Investment Subcommittee recommendations were approved unanimously. The Investment Subcommittee also gave its recommendations for the 25 million dollars that the Confederation has earmarked for reserve. Independent auditors BDO were also on hand to present the Congress with the 2012 and 2013 audits. Another area of focus was integrity, as the newly created Sports Integrity Department
delivered its first report to the membership. The report included results on investigated cases and the introduction of a whistleblower hotline, which will provide fans, players, coaches and executives with a mechanism to report possible irregularities in the game. “The integrity of the game will remain one of our highest priorities,” said President Jeffrey Webb. “This is a huge challenge and the biggest threat to the game, potentially impacting every single member of CONCACAF. Protecting our beautiful game means that we must all share in one common goal, which is to ensure zero tolerance and embrace all
aspects of integrity.” During the session, President Webb acknowledged El Salvador for its efforts in the fight against match fixing that resulted in a zero tolerance approach and sanctions against offending players.Additional reports included those from the Audit and Compliance, Finance and Budget Committees. In his second full year as CONCACAF President, Webb chaired the Congress. FIFA President Joseph “Sepp” Blatter led the list of football executives in attendance that also included Asian Football Confederation President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa and AFC General Secretary Dato’ Alex Soosay.
Wednesday June 11, 2014 ARIES (March 21 April 19): People around you might have been expecting a bit more cooperation on your part. You could be nicer and more concerned about their needs. It seems that you've been ill-tempered recently. You like acting this way occasionally. ******************* TAURUS (April 20 May 20): If it were up to you, you'd rather stay in bed reading than confront the world. Deep inside, however, you know you need to socialize. ****************** GEMINI (May 21 June 20):Generosity is one of your best qualities, Gemini. You have the uncanny ability to give without expecting anything in return, and you gain a great deal of power and light from this generosity. ******************** CANCER (June 21 July 22): Every once in a while everyone must analyze his or her life. But you tend to be too pessimistic when you ponder yours. You get easily carried away, and you often exaggerate. ********************* LEO (July 23 - Aug. 22): Your dreams could be vivid, pleasant, and full of information to help you make a decision. ******************* VIRGO (Aug. 23 Sept. 22): Today you're likely focused on sex, romance, and committed relationships. The planetary energies surrounding love are promising, Virgo.
LIBRA (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22) : Have your friends ever told you that you could be a great teacher? At home, you're the one who's talking all the time. You're almost compelled to make others listen to you. Children are fascinated by your knowledge. ********************* SCORPIO (Oct. 23 Nov. 21): You've been working hard lately and giving a lot of your energy to others, Scorpio. Today you're feeling tired. There will be tension in the air throughout the day. ******************** SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21): Today, Sagittarius, you'll undoubtedly ask yourself a lot of questions. You tend to be rather introverted, and you typically need a great deal of freedom. .********************* CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 Jan. 19): You'll be the savior of the day. Your wisdom and patience will be your best assets today, Capricorn. You'll be of great help to those around you. ******************** AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18): You shouldn't work as hard as you do. You might have a lot of e n e rg y, b u t y o u r b o d y needs to rest from time to time. There is more to life than work. ********************* PISCE S ( F e b . 1 9 March 20): You'll be lost in your thoughts today, Pisces. The celestial atmosphere is right for enabling you to ponder a frustrating aspect of your life.
From page 41 opened the bowling attack with a spinner. “I thought it was a bluff,” he remarked. “I said I’m going to put the pressure on him from ball one. The field was actually in so I went for it and that was it, really, but I didn’t know it was history.” It was. No one in the history of the game had ever hit a six from the first ball in a Test. He loves Test cricket and speaks about it passionately. “The game of Test cricket is like life off the field. You test your character out there. You test your strength, your mental strength and your body as well”, he said with a gleam in his eye. “Just like life, things might be going good for you, but you’re going to have that time when you need to pick yourself up and with no one to help,” he said as he likened the game to everyday living. “So you’ve got to be the person out there to lift yourself,” he charged. “And that’s what Test cricket is all about.” It’s a little known fact that his batting average is higher in Tests than in any of the game’s shorter forms. Avid fan as a youngster Gayle reflects he was once much like the youngsters who will come to Sabina Park to watch historic 100th Tests. “When Brian Lara got a double against Australia, I was in the mound, the party stand. I didn’t think I was going to play with those guys. In maybe a year or so, I’m sharing the same dressing room. “So for the kids out there,” he counselled, “Trust
me, you never know what the future holds for you.” He advised youngsters to stay positive, grounded and respectful. “Respect the game and don’t try and take it for granted,” he advised. Last Thursday, Gayle, a former Windies skipper, opened a cricket academy at Lucas Cricket Club, where his own career began. He is happy to give back to the sport. “As a child, I didn’t get those sorts of things,” he reminisced. “I’m happy to use these academies to guide kids, guide them accordingly, not necessarily in cricket, but in life on a whole.” He’s thankful to everyone who helped him along the way to his milestone, including telecommunications giant
Digicel, which is a major sponsor of West Indies cricket. “The partnership has been really really strong and I really want to thank them for helping me in every cause,” he said. Gayle is particularly pleased about Digicel’s involvement in the sport he loves. He also referred to their sponsorship of the West Indies team, individual players like himself and Marlon Samuels, and programmes designed to raise the standard of play, as being helpful. “They’ve been very, very helpful with the development of cricket,” he observed. “That’s where my area is, to develop the game of cricket and to use this scenario to build upcoming kids.” (Jamaica Gleaner)
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CONCACAF focuses on Reform during 29th Ordinary Congress and 20th Extraordinary Congress Bonaire Officially Welcomed As Full CONCACAF Member Sao Paulo, Brazil – The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) held yesterday its 29th Ordinary and 20th Extraordinary Congresses in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The meeting, which was attended by representatives of all 41 Member Associations, was highlighted by amendments made to the Confederation’s
Statutes that included the following: · Approval of the Code of Ethics and the Code of Conduct. · The addition of a Female Member to the CONCACAF Executive Committee under Article 24. · The definition of the composition of the CONCACAF Disciplinary Committee to allow proper operation and the eventual implementation of a
disciplinary code. · The formalization of the existing CONCACAF Audit and Compliance Committee, increasing governance and oversight of the Confederation. · The formalization of the existing Gold Cup Committee. · Stricter regulatory language in the NonDiscrimination and Stance against Racismarticle. · The approval of an
‘Agricolians’ recognize Clive...
From page 39 the aspiring world champion. The group convened at the Evan Phillips Park in Agricola around 15:00hrs yesterday afternoon and with Atwell aback a vehicle provided by Director of Youth and Sport, Neil Kumar, trooped through the village before proceeding to Eccles, where Atwell now resides, before retracing their steps to the Donald Allison Agricola Community Centre where a wide cross section of important individuals delivered glowing tributes to the featherweight world contender. Mr. Kumar was a no show even though he was supposed to have delivered the keynote address and his unexplained absence was regarded as absolutely disrespectful and uncaring. Nevertheless, the organizers had no problem finding an adequate replacement since Deputy Major, Patricia Chase Green, also attended the function and performed the honours. The City Hall official was livid and lashed out at the Director of Sport saying that his attitude was a true reflection of the disrespect and contempt he holds for local boxers. “If Atwell had returned with the belt I doubt whether I would have been able to get near him; he would have been flooded by top government officials,” declared Green. She said that the least Kumar could have done was to offer an apology for his absence and send someone to deputise for him. “We have to stand behind our boxers through thick and thin,” proclaimed the Deputy Mayor. She then presented Atwell with a certificate in recognition of his outstanding talent and world class recognition on behalf of the city of Georgetown. Earlier, local songbird, Charmaine Blackman, also a resident of Agricola, fittingly
amendment to Article 26, Candidatures for the Office of the CONCACAF President. The amendments were approved unanimously by the delegates. CONCACAF President Jeffrey Webb emphasized that support by urging them to renew efforts in the areas of good governance, infrastructure development, integrity and financial transparency. “One Vision, One Future, One CONCACAF, is our focus today, but also, it must be our long-term commitment,” expressed President Webb. ”We have rebuilt our foundation; now (Continued on page 33)
Southee and Craig secure...
Atwell receives a piece of gold jewellery from Natasha Corrica while Welton Clarke applauds honoured Atwell in song, “Follow your dreams;” “Don’t let nobody tell you that you cannot make it.........just follow your dreams,” she serenaded the champ. Another singer, granddaughter of calypsonian, Malcolm Corrica, Faith Corrica, belted out her lyrics, “great things are yet to come,” much to the approval of Atwell who sat at the head table along with Green, Councillor, Ranwell Jordan, Coordinator, Natasha Corrica and Pastor Gladstone Denny. Bishop Ivan John heralded Atwell as a role model of the generation while urging him to remain focused. “You were unsuccessful in bringing home the bacon but I urge you to remain focused and the bacon they took from you will give them indigestion,” declared the Bishop to mild chuckles from the gathering. Indeed, the tributes were many and came from such notables as social activist, Mark Benschop, who said that he was proud of Atwell’s achievements, boxing coach, Paulette Nurse, who chronicled Atwell’s arduous journey from the amateur to the professional ranks and former President of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), Afeeze Khan, who
spoke of his input in Atwell’s development even as the champ sought glory further afield in the United States of America, Italy and Brazil among other countries. Atwell was very appreciative of the gesture and related that much when he delivered a short speech later in the evening. A devout Christian, he credited his achievement to God even as he committed to continue working with youths in Agricola and other communities to improve their lives. Chairperson, Natasha Corrica’s contribution was highlighted with an acrostic of Atwell that truly highlighted the value of his contribution while Welton Clarke, a true village person, delivered the vote of thanks. While the glowing words and fitting tributes compensated somewhat for his performance, it was the final gesture that put the proverbial ‘icing on the cake when Mr. Clark slipped a beautiful gold ring on Atwell’s finger, donated by the residents in acknowledgement of his worthwhile contribution to the upliftment of the East Bank village. “The future is still bright,” he reminded Atwell as the shiny piece of jewellery exchanged hands.
From page 40 prodding from his crease without moving his feet, and several angled across the lefthander to beat the bat. Gayle was fortunate to edge only one, and that did not carry to the cordon. To his credit, he did not play too far away from his body, and after 4.5 overs of dots from Southee, Gayle got a full and straight ball that he clipped off his pads for a single. McCullum soon brought on his spinners in tandem. Craig got the ball to spin and bounce away from the lefthanders and bowled 15 dots at Gayle, beating him on the cross-bat swipe a couple of times before getting pulled for four. Sodhi’s lengths were erratic; Gayle cut hard when it was short and drove straight when the bowler overcompensated. The slump began after West Indies had reached 60. Powell prodded forward against Craig but played the wrong line, anticipating turn away from him. The ball slid on and hit him plumb in front. Two deliveries later, Kirk Edwards poked tentatively off the back foot and edged an offbreak to first slip. In the next over, Darren Bravo chipped a half-volley straight back to Sodhi. West Indies had slipped to 61 for 3 in 11 balls. Gayle immediately launched his offensive. He swept and cut Craig, got a firm leading edge off Sodhi that went along the ground to the straight boundary, and punched Boult uppishly through cover to reach his half-century. Southee had better luck after lunch. All morning he had gone past Gayle’s outside edge, and early in the second session he produced
Mark Craig
a delivery identical to many he had previously beaten the batsman with. This time Gayle nicked it, and his first dig in his 100th Test ended on 64. Southee then produced a big inswinger that Marlon Samuels was hopelessly late on to be lbw for a two-ball duck. Chanderpaul’s unorthodox technique worked for him on this surface and he initially attacked the spinners with slog-sweeps and lofts over the leg side. Denesh Ramdin cut and swept, and wasn’t shy to drive despite the ball not coming on to the bat. They had put on a partnership of 72, repairing some of the damage, when Southee gave New Zealand more joy in the final over before tea by strangling Ramdin down the legside with a
slower ball. West Indies were 133 away from making New Zealand bat again, and Chanderpaul only had the tail for company. Chanderpaul was watchful against Southee, but scored freely against the other bowlers. He picked off Craig and Sodhi square of the wicket when their lengths were short, and very few of his runs came between midon and mid-off. He did not farm strike, though, and the tailenders attacked and perished. When McCullum took the second new ball as soon as it was available, Chanderpaul hit Boult for three fours in an over, and gave Southee a crack at Shane Shillingford. That contest lasted only two balls.
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Letter to the Sports Editor
The President must rid Guyana of cricket cartel DEAR EDITOR, I have read with some interest the flood of letters and comments published over the last few days in your newspapers, ranging from one writer calling himself the Onlooker, Peeping Tom, Nigel Jason and Ramesh Takur. While I hold no brief for the APNU or the Government or the 90% of people they represent in Guyana, permit me to make a few observations in response to some of the inaccuracies contained therein. Having now better reviewed the Bill, in summary it is quite clear the Bill seeks to regularize the issue of phantom clubs, find ‘stolen’ assets, provide economic viability to cricket in Guyana and limit government’s involvement. Phantom Clubs One of the major problems with Guyana’s cricket is the issue of phantom clubs, something which the new Constitution of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) will address. Like the problems some countries have had, for instance Guyana, with the Official List of Electors (Voters list) for National Elections, it is the clubs of a country who are considered the voters lists used to determine who represents the electorate on various Boards, such as Association Boards, County boards and National Boards, like the GCB. However, what has been happening in some of the current County and Association Boards, phantom clubs have propped up, giving some Associations and County boards extra votes which are proportionally attributed for voting at the GCB level. So for instance in areas such as East Bank Demerara and West Coast Demerara where very little cricket is played and very few clubs are in existence, the number of clubs listed remain questionable, leading these Association Boards to ‘phantomize’ their numbers to gain extra votes and capture their various associations, county boards (such as the Demerara Board which has a similar dispute) and the Guyana Cricket Board. The new constitution which the WICB and the GCB are fighting tooth and nail to avoid, definitively declares war on phantom clubs, thereby eliminating the chances of skullduggery, which could see the Lieutenants who have managed to currently capture the GCB, lose their stranglehold on Guyana’s cricket and avoid the cartellike force to destroy the GCB.
‘Stolen’ Assets Another misconception bandied about with regard to this Bill, is the issue of the missing assets. One would recall from the media, during the time of the IMC, one lieutenant, a senior member of the GCB along with others, constituted a private company, named DEB, to strip GCB assets and co-opt them in this private company to goodness knows do what with them! So any possible requisitioning of assets by way of the Guyana Cricket Administration Bill would be to basically carry out a search and rescue operation aimed at restoring the cricket assets of this country into a transparent and accountable body, given that most if not all the assets are now ‘missing’ and wrapped up in a private company. If it is true that one WICB Director is part owner of the DEB Company, can you imagine the far reaching consequences of corruption in the WICB in the Caribbean? The assets issue in the bill therefore is no longer a moot point! Government’s role Much has also been tossed around about government’s role in the cricketing operations at the country level, via this Bill. In fact the WICB has touted governments’ intervention in the GCB as its key pillar for rejecting the normalization and regularization of cricket in Guyana. The WICB gets by with its propaganda owing to skillful use of the media, artful deception, and the use of a now outdated, June 2011, International Cricket Council (ICC) directive, that “ the ICC has given its member boards two years to become democratized and free from government and political interference in a bid to improve governance within the game”. The WICB has attempted to wave this wand to captivate anti-government sentiment across the region with the hope of gaining mileage and incremental leverage on the business of cricket in the Caribbean through its syndicated operation. However, what the WICB has poisonously hidden from the limelight and the public domain is even before expiration of the timeline for compliance, at its subsequent Annual Conference in November 2012, the ICC publicly indicated that it was reviewing its stance against government involvement in the administration of cricket of its Members. While acknowledging that “removal of government interference had been one of the Woolf report
recommendations approved by the ICC”, ICC president Alan Isaac, said it had recognized the role governments played in developing cricket in several countries and is rethinking its position. Isaac is quoted as saying, “In the ICC (June 2011) annual conference, we made some changes and introduced some onerous penalties if they [issues related to government interference] are not complied with,” Isaac said in Dhaka. “In the last meeting (November 2012), we discussed the issues and the realities we need to reflect on are perhaps the draconian nature of some of those requirements. In this part of the world and lots of other countries, quite honestly, cricket and other sports depend on the government. We are having a little bit of post-change review.” The world governing council, none less than the ICC, has duly discredited the WICB/GCB/lieutenants fallacious arguments. Wither the CARICOM Competition Commission What however remains controversial is how could individuals of an association, such as the GCB in CARICOM be allowed to commandeer the assets its organization, and without impunity? It is understood that one of the owners of DEB is in fact a Director of the WICB! Given that the WICB, as a privately registered company residing in Antigua, has effectively issued shares to the GCB, making the GCB part of its syndicate-like arrangement, now runs amok in CARICOM through this diabolical plot of asset transfer, adding to a range of questionable dealings, it is unimaginable that the CARICOM Competition Commission (CCC), based in Suriname has sat idly by, with all of its investigative powers, without even conducting a cursory inquiry into the operational mechanisms of this anti-competitive company. Absence of cricket What many of the GCB and WICB lieutenants have also avoided to mention is that less international cricket has been played in Guyana ever since the current GCB executives took over the managing of cricket in Guyana a few years ago, indicative of cricket being played on the West Bank, East Bank and West Coast of Demerara and Essequibo, where the large crop of current GCB administrators represent. Guyana last held a Test match in 2011, a
remarkable achievement for persons in the GCB wanting to hold power just for the sake of doing so, to derive all the economic benefit for them and develop the longer format of the game in Guyana. Regional matches, whenever they are played in Guyana suffer from record worst attendances, lowest attendances in the history of cricket in Guyana. The last 4-day game in Guyana saw no more than 100 persons attending each day. Cricket died the day the current executives set foot in the GCB. Sketchy business deals It is clear the vested interest of running cricket is to benefit a few. The Pegasus Hotel benefits from the lion’s share of accommodation each time cricket is held in Guyana,
as admitted by its CEO in your Sunday 8 June 2014 edition. With the limited staff at the cricket board’s Headquarters in Regent Street, it is easy to conclude that multiple private contracts are handed out for such services, without public tendering and one can only assume what happens to some of the other services, such as the provision of transportation, manning of the entrances to the stadium, security, provision of meals, arranging VIP privileges, among other logistical arrangements. ENACT THE BILL From the analysis above, one can easily concluded that none of the current lieutenants of the GCB seem interested in
preserving cricket or developing the game but only in protecting their incestuous business deals. The President needs to therefore urgently assent this bill into law, and carry out the statutes stipulated therein, one of which includes the joint appointment (both the Minister and the WICB!) of an ombudsman to carry out the election process. Organizations and individuals who remain staunchly opposed to this process are clearly pursuing personal agendas of power and corruption. AND SO THE PRESIDENT MUST RID GUYANA OF THE CRICKET CARTEL Jewan Persaud Manager of the East Coast Jaguars
FIFA President Sepp Blatter told he should stand down next year
Sepp Blatter and Linda Barras attend the Opening Ceremony of the 64th FIFA Congress FIFA President Sepp Blatter has been urged to quit next year because of the damage corruption allegations have inflicted on football’s governing body. Michael van Praag, boss of the Dutch Football Association, told Blatter he should not seek re-election in 2015. “Few people still take FIFA seriously and, however you look at it, Blatter is mainly responsible,” said Van Praag. Greg Dyke, Chairman of the English FA, said Blatter’s response to corruption claims over Qatar 2022 was worrying. The Sunday Times alleges disgraced Qatari football official Mohamed Bin Hammam made illegal payments to football officials in return for their support for Qatar’s successful World Cup bid.
“These allegations need to be properly investigated and properly answere d , ” said Dyke. “Mr. Blatter, many of us are deeply troubled by your reaction to these allegations.” FIFA has been plagued by allegations of corruption for a number of years and is currently trying to deal with claims that the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups was flawed. Addressing Blatter at a meeting of European football officials in Brazil, Van Praag said: “You are not making things easy for yourself and I do not think you are the man for the job any longer. “FIFA’s image has deteriorated because of everything that’s happened in recent years. “People link FIFA to corruption and bribery and all kinds of old boy’s networks.”
Van Praag’s comments come a day after Blatter claimed allegations of corruption levelled at Qatar following its successful bid to stage the 2022 World Cup were motivated by racism. Dyke said he had told Blatter at Tuesday’s meeting that his remarks were “totally unacceptable”. He added: “The allegations being made are nothing to do with racism. They are allegations about corruption.” Blatter was also urged to step down by UEFA VicePresident David Gill. The former Manchester United Chief Executive said it was “disappointing” Blatter had decided to run again. Asked whether he thought Blatter should step down next year, Gill added: “Personally, yes. I think we need to move on.” (BBCsport)
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Geron Williams finishes 15th at Tulsa Tough NCC Series in USA Guyanese cyclist Geron Williams who has been training on the USA circuit since last year competed in his toughest event to date this past weekend and placed 15th overall at the Saint Francis Tulsa Tough NCC Series, a three-day cycling festival in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA. Williams, who was the top Guyanese rider at the National Sports Commission ThreeStage race a few weeks ago, finished 8th on the first day in the McNellie’s Group Blue Dome Criterium; he placed 20th on day two and 21st on day three for an overall placing of 15th. Speaking with Kaieteur Sport, Williams said that he was released by his current team, CRCA/ FOUNDATION to ride with Champion System - Stan’s NoTubes Team (CS-SNT) as a guest racer for the weekend and it is believed that he is the first Guyanese to don the colours of a UCI Professional Team. Williams commented on his experience gained over the weekend: “Being released
by my current team “CRCA/ FOUNDATION” to ride with Champion System - Stan’s NoTubes Team in the Tulsa Tough NCC series was a great experience. It was some of the most competitive races I have done for the entire year. I really wanted to finish in the top 10 overall but had to settle for 15th after crashes in the last two laps on Sunday which pushed me back into midfield not allowing me to take a crack at the finish.” The 23 year-old Williams noted that the experience was worth more than the places he got over the weekend. “It’s always great racing among those guys, it is never easy but I give it everything I can everyday and hope that I stay upright throughout the chaos those races could present.” Champion System - Stan’s NoTubes is a domestic professional cycling team based in New York City. The team specializes in criterium racing, with a specific focus on the National Criterium Calendar (NCC) and USA Crits. Speaking on plans for the
Commonwealth Games, Williams informed that everything is falling into place. “I have a couple days off from racing, so during these days I am hoping to get in some specifics to be able to improve on some areas that I am weak in at the moment. Time is barely down upon me but it seems to be coming together slowly. The Guyanese team to the Commonwealth Games (Alanzo Greaves, Marlon ‘Fishy’ Williams, Raynauth Jeffrey, Scott Savory, Geron Williams and lone female Claire Fraser-Green) while not having any plans to train as a unit before the games will have a few days together in Glasgow to get re-acquainted and to strategize. Williams shared that it is not enough time but they are going to have to work with what they have. “It is important for us to be together as a unit and I am hoping over those days that we will be able to create a bond that could be transferred into the Road Race where it is key.”
Golyn and Sons Dominoes Festival to start June 14 TNT win GDA tourney Golyn and Sons Fashion of Robb Street and Stabroek Market, two-in-one-out Father ’s Day dominoes tournament is set to kick start on June 15 at Little Mark Boutique, Festival City, North Ruimveldt. The winning team will collect a trophy and $100,000, the runner up $40,000, third place $20,000 while the most outstanding player of the final will pocket $3,000. One reentry will be allowed and action gets under way at 14:30 hrs. The finals will be played on June 15 at the said venue. Speaking at the launching of the tournament at its Stabroek Market branch yesterday, Manager of Goyln and Sons Ryan Boodhoo who presented the sponsorship cheque of an undisclosed amount to Secretary of the
Wednesday June 11, 2014
GCB Coaching and Education programme continues today
GCB Territorial Development Officer Colin Stuart (standing) interacts with the coaches yesterday. The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Coaching and Education programme continues today after a short break and according to Territorial Development Officer (TDO) Colin Stuart, emphasis will be placed on two areas; Scotiabank Kiddy and Grassroots cricket. He told Kaieteur Sport yesterday after an interactive session with several coaches at the GCB office that the Scotiabank curriculum will be centered on training activities involving the qualifying schools from the preliminary round of the County festival. Stuart, a former West
Indies fast bowler informed that the Bartica and Upper Demerara zones are yet to be played and will commence shortly. He stated that coaching clinics will be conducted during the upcoming August holidays in the respective zones which will be followed by progression one cricket where conventional rules will be used. The TDO explained that the Grassroots programme will continue to focus on new and emerging players and an elite cluster of cricketers within a specified location will be selected for error detection
and correction. He indicated that this programme is very important because it helps to prepare the players for schools tournament and they are also being recommenced to clubs. Stuart pointed out that he is satisfied with the first part of the Scotiabank programme in 2014. “We were able to identify the areas that needed to be developed so that it can be more effective. We are also pleased with the publicity”, he added. “The young players were thought what is required at the higher level as it relates to physical and mental fitness”, Stuart related.
Russell grabs 6-28 as WIHPC thump Bangladesh A by 3 wickets
Manager of Golyn and Sons (Stabroek Market) Ryan Boodhoo (left) presents the sponsorship cheque to secretary of the GDA Mark Wiltshrie. Georgetown Dominoes Association (GDA) Mark Wiltshire said that he is happy to be part of the sport adding that the tournament promises to be an exciting one. Among the teams slated to take part are Rage, Mix Up,
TNT, Pacesetters, Double Duce, Scramblers and West Side. Meanwhile, TNT chalked 91 games to win the Guyana Dominoes Federation tournament which was held on Sunday last at Gaulding Place, South Ruimveldt. Providence placed second with 62 games followed by Cody Girls on 52. Dane Bynoe and Ryan Boodhoo made the maximum 18 games each for the winners while Junior Smith scored 16 for Providence; Claire Benjamin and Noreen Kennedy marked 15 apiece for Cody Girls.
Medium pacer Andre Russell grabbed 6-28 off 8.5 overs as West Indies High Performance Cen t r e (WIHPC) defeated Bangladesh A by three wickets in their second 50 overs-a-side match y e s t e r d a y a t Wi n d w a r d Sports Club, Barbados. Russell made early inroads to help reduced the visitors who batted first after winning the toss to 48-3 before a fourth wicket stand of 67 between Marshall Ayueb and Naeem Islam steadied the innings somewhat. F o l l o w i n g Ay u e b ’s dismissal for 45 (3x4 1x6), Islam added a further 36 for the fifth wicket with Sabbir Rahman (16), but when they were separated, the rest of the batting failed to offer support and Bangladesh A were sent packing for 179 in 46.5 oves. Islam struck three fours
in scoring 45 while Ashley Nurse supported Russell with 2-38. In reply, the home team lost the early wicket of Johnson Charles (00), but Nkrumah Bonner (28) and Jermaine Blackwood featured in a second wicket stand of 51 before Blackwood went for 28 (6x4). The home team then lost a few quick wickets to be at 59-4 before Jonathan Carter and Chadwick Walton took the score to 100 with sensible batting. After Carter departed for 26 (4x4), WIHPC slipped to 103-7, but an unbroken eight wicket partnership of 77 between Walton and Nurse saw their home in 38.4 o v e r s , e n d i n g o n 180-7. Wa l t o n finished unbeaten on 45 (3x4) and Nurse on 40 (6x4). Robiul Islam captured 3-59 while Farhad Reza and Mukter Ali had two each.
Andre Russell
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The 6 Best Players at the 2014 World Cup Luis Suarez
Lionel Messi
Cristiano Ronaldo
Andres Iniesta
The 2014 World Cup kicks off on June 12 when the host Brazil takes on Croatia. There’s just two days until the opening whistle, and if you haven’t been paying attention it’s time to get up to speed on all the big names you’ll be hearing about over the next month. There are 736 players headed to Brazil. Here are the six best. 1. LIONEL MESSI TEAM:ARGENTINA Why he’s so good: His feet are lightning quick and he slips around defenders
more seamlessly than anyone in the world. Add supreme vision and an even better nose for goal and you start to get a sense of all Messi’s capable of. He’s also the only player ever to win the FIFA Ballon d’Or — the award for world player of the year — four times. Messi dribbles through three defenders and finishes: 2. CRISTIANO RONALDO TEAM: PORTUGAL Why he’s so good: Nobody explodes down the wing on a counter-attack quite
Sunrise, Florida – On the heels of a scoreless draw with England, Honduras traveled to Brazil on Monday for its second consecutive World Cup appearance and third overall. The Bicolor, one of CONCACAF’s four representatives to the FIFA event, spent a month preparing for the competition in the United States. During that stretch, it played three international matches, losing to Turkey (2-0) and Israel (4-2), before Saturday’s stalemate with the English at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. That last result lifted the morale of Honduran players and coaching staff alike. “This tie (against England) tells me that we are ready to start the World Cup and we can do great things,” said head coach
Luis Fernando Suarez, who has managed 100 international matches in his career (51 with Ecuador, 49 with Honduras). Like Suarez, New England Revolution striker Jerry Bengtson believed that Honduras needed to complete its schedule of preWorld Cup friendlies with a positive performance. “The team worked very orderly, corrected the mistakes of other games and is confident that we will exceed what we did in South Africa four years ago,” said the 27-year-old. At South Africa 2010, Honduras failed to find the back of the net in its three games, Bengtson – Honduras’ top scorer in the recent qualifying campaign with nine goals – did not play in that tournament and has faith that the goals will come in Brazil. “(Carlo) Costly and I work
Yaya Toure
like Ronaldo, and his dribbling ability isn’t half bad, either. And then there’s his knuckleballing free kick, which is, in a word, nasty. A trademark Ronaldo free kick: 3. LUIS SUAREZ TEAM:URUGUAY Why he’s so good: He’s one of the world’s most polarizing players (with a penchant for biting his opponents), but there’s no denying he’s a world class striker and lethal finisher from anywhere on the field. He scored 31 goals in 38 matches
Franck Ribery
for Liverpool this season, tying the English Premier League record. Suarez’s volley from 55yards: 4.YAYATOURE TEAM:IVORYCOAST Why he’s so good: He’s the best holding midfielder in the world, meaning he distributes the ball all over the pitch as well as anyone and does the dirty work defensively, too. He’s known for the occasional bombing run forward, and he’s deadly from long-range, helping Manchester City capture its
second Premier League title in three years in 2013-14. Toure’s stunner from outside the box: 5. ANDRES INIESTA TEAM: SPAIN Why He’s So Good: Iniesta, nicknamed The Illusionist, may very well be the best passer in the world, threading the ball through the smallest of openings for some dazzling assists. He also scored the game-winning goal in the 2010 World Cup Final, which Spain won 1-0 over the Netherlands in South Africa.
Iniesta dances his way through traffic and keeps possession: 6.FRANCKRIBERY TEAM:FRANCE Why he’s so good: Ribery’s a true winger, beating defenders one-on-one down the line and usually playing on the left side so he can cut inside and onto his left foot for a shot on goal. He finished third in Ballon d’Or voting last season (behind Ronaldo and Messi), helping Bayern Munich win five trophies. Ribery cuts inside and scores against Chelsea:
Optimistic Honduras travels to Brazil
Honduras poses for a team photo before its pre-World Cup friendly against England on June 7, 2014, at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. hard to score and if we have not done so in recent games, we will in Brazil,” he expressed. Bengtson’s last goal for Honduras was in a 2-1 over visiting Venezuela on March 5, 2014, in San Pedro Sula.
For Maynor Figueroa, a 31year-old defender with Hull City in England, the uneven performances against Turkey and Israel were due to a lack rhythm, which was found against England.
“We are entering the stage that everyone is in the tempo of competition,” said the 101-time capped Figueroa. “It was evident physically against England. ”Honduras will fight in Brazil.”
The Catrachos have never won a World Cup game in six previous attempts. On this occasion, though, Suarez’s main objective is to reach the quarterfinals. In order to do that, Honduras may need a result in its second Group E game against Ecuador (June 20, in Curitiba), the nation that Suarez led to the quarterfinals at Germany 2006. “I love Ecuador, respect (head coach Reynaldo) Rueda because he was the one who recommended me to Honduras, but I’m sorry, game day, leave aside that feeling because our goal is to qualify for the next round,” concluded Suarez. Besides facing Ecuador in group play, Honduras will open against France (June 15, in Porto Alegre) and close with Switzerland (June 25, in Manaus).
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Wednesday June 11, 2014
Old Fort clinches Bryden’s Classic Men’s title - GCC Tigers, Hikers prevail in tense encounters
The victorious Old Fort Men’s team Captain John Abrahams receives the winning trophy from Bryden’s representative in the presence of teammates on Saturday. Canada-based Old Fort player Jonathan Roberts smashed in four goals to lead his team to an exciting 4-3 triumph over Hikers Cadets and claim the Bryden’s Classic Men’s Hockey title on Saturday, at the National Gymnasium. Roberts, who is also part of the Canadain national indoor team was in sublime form as he repeatedly nullified a stubborn and encouraging performance from the Cadets that comprised two of the most promising players based locally in Aroydy Branford and Jamaar Assanah.
The two teams thrilled the fans with some electrifying hockey at both ends of the floor as the fans were kept on the edge of their seats with the young Cadets giving as much as they took. Branford, who along with Assanah were among the standout players for Guyana at the Pan Am Cup recently, opened the Cadets’ account in the 8th minute of play after blasting in a shot following a scrimmage in the goal area. Roberts, known for his exhilarating skills and trickery secured the equaliser in the 17th minute courtesy of some
miscommunication among the Cadets defence. The half came with the teams deadlocked at 1-1 and all to play for in the final period. Branford struck again two minutes after the interval, rifling in a fierce shot from close range which gave them a 2-1 advantage. However, that lead evaporated eight minutes later when they gave away a penalty which Roberts slotted home with consumate ease. Old Fort took the lead for the first time in the match when Roberts netted his third goal four minutes from full
The winning GCC Tigers team members pose for a photo op following their win against GCC Spice on Saturday.
time, but Assanah responded two minutes later to level the contest as the fans sensed a dramatic and pulsating remainder of the game. They were not disappointed as both teams produced hockey of the highest quality, before the Old Fort talisman Roberts came to the rescue once again one minute before full time, eluding the defence and hitting a shot past the goalkeeper to give them the lead 4-3 which they held until the final whistle sounded. In the Ladies final, GCC Tigers beat their Spice
counterparts 1-0 in a penalty shootout after regulation time failed to provide a scorer on either team. Tigers looked the better of the two teams, but failed to capitalise on the opportunities they created with the Spice goalkeeper Alysa Xavier displaying tremendous form as she time and again denied the Tigers strikers. Xavier, however, could not reproduce her heroics when it mattered, conceding a penalty flick to hand the Tigers a well deserved victory and the title. The Second Division Tournament saw
Hikers turn the tables on Old Fort ‘A’ as they enjoyed a narrow3-2 win in the final. Old Fort ‘A’ delivered back to back goals in quick succession to enjoy a handy 2-0 cushion following strikes from D. McCalmont (4th) and Tony Cole (9th). Travon Younge pulled one back on the stroke of halftime as Hikers trailed 1-2. Leon Bacchus then leveled the scores in the 24th minute, before Younge broke the deadlock six minutes later to give Hikers a 3-2 lead which stood until the final whistle came.
President Ramotar commissions new basketball facility in Ithaca Residents of Ithaca, West Bank Berbice on Monday afternoon last turned out in their numbers to witness President Donald Ramotar commission a new Basketball court there. The Head of State urged the people to take full advantage of the facility which was constructed under the President’s Youth Initiative Programme. President Ramotar said that the court will be further developed so that it can be used for longer periods. He pointed out that the investment will benefit the youths and enco u r a g e d them to train hard so that they can achieve greater heights. The President stated that sport is important because it contributes significantly to the development of the society. “Sport teaches life skills because of its rules and it also promotes discipline,” he added. “Sport makes an important contribution to development of human capital; it keeps individuals fit and helps with their
President Donald Ramotar and other officials of government and the GBA share a moment with members of the Ithaca Hardliners basketball team education because it creates a healthier mind,” he said. President Ramotar explained that the biggest expenditure in the government budget is in the social sector because it plays an important role in the building of human capital. He pointed out that countries like Japan develop because they
have the highest level of education which offers equal opportunity for progress in society and it is vital in ending poverty,” he argued. Meanwhile, President of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) Nigel Hinds said he hopes the youths will utilize the facility and urged them to become
affiliated to the Berbice Amateur Basketball Association. He said that he is pleased with the development of the sport and expressed gratitude to President Ramotar for his input. Region Six Chairman Bindraban Bisnauth informed that the project was long
overdue, adding that they have had some hiccups. He thanked Presidential Advisor Odinga Lumumba and the residents. Lumumba stated that sport is important to the government and that a basketball tournament will be organized in the area in another four to five months.
Meanwhile, in an invited comment, captain of the Ithaca Hardliners Basketball club, Phillip Fernandes thanked the government and said this initiative will go a far way in the development of the sport in the community stating that it will keep the youths meaningfully occupied.
Wednesday June 11, 2014
‘Agricolians’ recognize Clive Atwell’s world title feat with fitting ceremony
Multiple boxing champion and world rater, Clive Atwell’s recent bid to r e l i e v e Wo r l d B o x i n g Council Featherweight champion, Mexican, Johnny Gonzalez, of his title failed after the bout was halted on a technicality in the tenth round. Nevertheless, residents of the Agricola EBD community, where Atwell lived during his formative years, hold Atwell in high esteem and yesterday afternoon the Agricola Central Management Committee organized a motorcade around the village, followed by a fitting ceremony at the Community Centre where several notable residents heaped praise on (Continued on page 33)
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Southee and Craig secure huge lead, WI toppled for 262 The pitch at Sabina Park did not behave too differently on the third day. The pace, turn and bounce on offer was not significantly more than when New Zealand had batted in their first innings. The West Indian batsmen were woeful, and Tim S o u th ee an d d eb u tan t offspinner Mark Craig exploited their loose techniques and lazy footwork to secure a 246-run lead. Brendon McCullum, however, chose to bat again and set the home side a large target on a surface that could deteriorate on the fourth and fifth days. New Zealand inflicted the worst of the damage in two overs, on either side of lunch. Craig struck twice in three balls to raze the foundation built by a watchful opening partnership, and Southee also took two in three deliveries - ending Chris Gayle’s half-century - to reduce West Indies to 104 for 5 in the second session. It was left to Shivnarine Chanderpaul to whittle at the inevitable deficit and he played his shots, and gave the tailenders opportunities to play theirs too. That approach brought West Indies some boundaries, but it also brought New Zealand wickets, and Chanderpaul was stranded on 84 when Southee ended the innings with the second new-ball to finish with figures of 16-2-919-4. The visitors’ second innings got off to a poor start when Peter Fulton nicked an outswinger from Jerome Taylor to depart for a duck,
Chanderpaul hits unbeaten 84; Gayle 64 Shivnarine Chanderpaul raises his bat after scoring a half century
his second failure of the Test. Run scoring was slow once again, as Taylor and Kemar Roach bowled accurate spells, moving the new ball at pace. Kane Williamson thought he had off stump covered when he shouldered arms to a Roach delivery, but he did not. He had been bowled not offering a shot in the first innings too, to Sulieman Benn. New Zealand were 7 for 2, and though the day’s last half
hour might not have indicated it -nightwatchman Ish Sodhi and Tom Latham were battling for survival they were well ahead in the Test. At the crux of New Zealand’s dominance was Southee, who bowled a faultless opening spell in which he sent down 29 dots out of 30 balls to Gayle. Most of those deliveries pitched around off, on a length that had Gayle (Continued on page 33)
Wednesday June 11, 2014
Kaieteur News
Wednesday June 11, 2014
Chris Gayle’s century of Test Matches Kingston, Jamaica Chris Gayle remembers his first Test match well. He smiles when reminded about the 33 runs he scored against Zimbabwe in Trinidad and Tobago 14 years ago. Now, 6,900 runs later, as he plays his 100th Test, the Digicel Ambassador is calm, proud of his achievements, and is looking forward to enjoying the milestone. Describing it as an honour and privilege, he’s excited about reaching a century of Tests at home against New Zealand. “To actually be here among your friends and family and your home fans, to watch you play on an occasion like this, it’s fantastic,” he exulted on Sunday at Sabina Park, prior to the start of the first Test against New Zealand. “A lot of people would
love to see Chris Gayle get a big one on his 100th Test match, but I’m just going to play according to the situation,” he explained. “What is to be will be.” He plans to give 100 per cent, as he always does. Even though the milestone is his, he is thinking team. “What would be fantastic”, he pondered, “is actually to win the Test match and that would be something even more to talk about. “I’m looking forward to it and going to enjoy it.” A career decorated by 18 Test centuries has many batting highlights. Yet the soft-spoken ambassador does have a favourite. It’s his 333 against Sri Lanka in November 2010. “When I got the 100, I said, ‘This is the first time getting a 100 against Sri Lanka, I’ve been struggling
Tahnida Nunes (left), senior sponsorship manager, Digicel, presents Chris Gayle with a plaque to commemorate his 100th Test match.
against this side’,” he recalls. “And so I wanted to make it big. So I was actually happy to get to 333.” Next in the pecking order is his 317 against South Africa in the 2005 home series. Another memorable moment came in November 2012 in a Test series against Bangladesh. The home side (Continued on page 33)
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Geron Williams finishes 15th at Tulsa Tough NCC Series in USA P.36
Geron Williams (left) in action last weekend
Southee and Craig secure P.40 huge lead, WI toppled for 262
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